Tata Pixel, a Four-Seater City Car Concept

Tata, the Indian maker of the Nano, made its way to Geneva with a new concept city car called the Pixel. At just over three meters in lengths, Tata claims the Pixel is "the most package efficient four-seater in the world," being able to "comfortably accommodate four adults". 

The design of the car is very similar to that of the Pininfarina Nido, but there's no official mention of the two companies collaborating on the Pixel project. The highlight of the Tata city car concept is the Zero Turn system, which enables maneuvering and parking in tight spaces. An Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) assists rotation of the outer rear wheel forwards and the inner rear wheel backwards during low-speed maneuvers, with the result being a turning circle radius of just 2.6 meters.

For the same reason of limited parking space, the Pixel's doors open upwards, a feature present on the Pininfarina Nido as well. Another intelligent system used by the Pixel is called “My Tata Connect”, through which the driver can control key functions of the car using only his smartphone or tablet PC.

The Pixel is powered by a 1.2-liter three-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, mounted in the rear, just like the Nido (although Tata doesn't mention if it's rear-wheel-drive as the Pininfarina car). The Indian car maker claims the Pixel returns an average fuel consumption of 3.4 liters/100 km (69 US mpg) and CO2 emissions of just 89 g/km, thanks to the use of stop-start technology, low rolling-resistance tires and optimized aerodynamic drag.

Tata official said the concept could spawn a production model for Europe in the near future.

"Tata Motors holds true to its belief that there is an opportunity in Europe for a city car, which is optimal in space, manoeuvrability and environment-friendliness," said ex-Opel boss and current CEO of Tata Motors. "The Tata Pixel is a reflection of Tata Motors' idea of what such a car should be."

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Chevrolet will Sell Volt in Europe

Chevrolet announced at the Geneva Motor Show that it will sell the Volt in Europe, with prices in Germany starting from €41,950 (US$58,560). It will be similarly priced in other European markets, where it will arrive in November 2011.

The Volt's sister car, the Opel Ampera, will also go on sale this year in Europe, at a slightly higher starting price. Unveiled in final production form at the Geneva Show, the Ampera will cost €42,900 ($59,885), but prices can vary in different countries depending on the standard equipment.

Chevrolet said the Volt would be fully equipped with all the usual safety and convenience features, plus leather seats. As in the US, European buyers will have an 8-year/160,000 km warranty (100,000 miles) on the powertrain and the lithium-ion battery.

"Our price in Europe is based on the U.S. Volt price adjusted for transportation cost, import duties, exchange rates and homologation," said Wayne Brannon, CEO of Chevrolet Europe.

The Volt and the Ampera are basically the same car, both being built at GM’s Detroit Hamtramck plant in Michigan, US. There are only minor differences between the two cars, mainly concerning the front and the rear styling. In battery-only mode, the EVs have a maximum range of 40-80 kilometers (25-49 miles) that can be extended to 600 km (373 miles) when the gasoline engine / generator kicks in to charge the battery.

The 111 kW (150 hp) electric motor delivers 370 Nm of torque (273 lb-ft), accelerating the car from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in around nine seconds while top speed is 161 km/h (100 mph). The battery can be fully recharged at any household 230-volt power outlet in three to four hours.

 

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Mercedes-Benz Launches Viano Avantgarde Edition 125

The 125th anniversary of the world's oldest car maker brought a new version to the Mercedes-Benz Viano range called the Avantgarde Edition 125. Taking its place as the flagship version of the series, this Viano comes with a host of styling features including bespoke 19-inch wheels, chromed mirror housings, chrome trim on the front bumper, chromed side skirts and, finally, chrome trim on the tailgate. Exterior colors are restricted to obsidian black or brilliant silver.

Inside, the Viano Avantgarde Edition 25 can seat six passengers, two in the front and four at the back. The individual seats can be covered in “Lugano” leather or the new “Twin DINAMICA” microfiber surface. Mounted on rails, the rear seats can be moved in 25 mm steps and include height-adjustable head restraints and adjustable armrests. At the front, the instruments have a white scale illumination, while the sports pedals are from brushed stainless-steel.

There are two available V6 engines, a 3.0-liter diesel and a 3.5 liter gasoline unit. The first has an output of 224 horsepower and develops a healthy 440 Nm of torque (324.5 lb-ft), accelerating the 2 tonne minivan from 0 to 100 km/h in 9,1 seconds en route to a top speed of 201 km/h (125 mph). The gasoline engine puts out 258 hp and allows the Viano to complete the 0-100 km/h sprint in 10,4 seconds and achieve a top speed of 217 km/h (135 mph). Both versions are rear-wheel-drive and have automatic transmissions, while their suspension has been tuned for a sportier feel.

The diesel variant is equipped with BlueEfficiency technology, so average fuel consumption amounts to 8.5 - 8.6 liters/100 km, while CO2 emissions are 224 – 226 g/km. The Edition 125 will be available in two different lengths, compact and long with sales starting this spring.

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2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS - First Drive

The battle between the head and the heart-the analytical and romantic sides of our nature-is an eternal one. But in the car business, emotion sells cars to private individuals as effectively as numbers do to fleet managers.

In the late '90s, the designers at Mercedes looked at the four-door car and asked themselves what it might have in the 21st century. The answer resulted in a rewrite of the book that said this type of car had to be upright and staid. Taking the underpinnings of the then-new W211 E-Class and putting them through a Clark Kent-to-Superman act, what emerged from the design studio was the sleek Vision CLS concept car that stole the show at Frankfurt in 2003.

Since then, the world of four-doors has continued to change, and it seems the CLS was a catalyst of that change. If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then VW's Passat CC is an unashamed CLS clone, albeit downmarket. And how did the Mercedes designers react to the fact that the CLS is now being challenged in the style stakes by new blood like the A7 Sportback and the forthcoming BMW four-door coupe? What would the second-generation CLS have to do to make an equally good living in the second decade of the 21st century?

The 2010 model year CLS would have to stand out from the crowd today as well as its namesake did in its debut year. The new car is better resolved as an overall concept, and much more sophisticated in the design vocabulary used in its detailing. Yet at the same time it appears all the more contrived for it.

Its nose treatment is very SLS-like and is probably the most aggressive face on any current saloon, perhaps even more so than the Maserati Quattroporte in this respect. This new face features the option of the first all-LED headlamps on any production car. This five-function Intelligent Lighting System with Adaptive High Beam Assist, which only dips the light closest to oncoming traffic, is also the most complex looking headlamp on the market.

The new car's more muscular stance is strengthened by wide tracks, which push the wheels close to the edge of the arches. Despite the more fussy body detailing, the aerodynamicists have done a good job in airflow management and the Cd of 0.26 is an improvement.

The new interior shows the evolutionary thought process was applied to the cabin too. As with the exterior, the cabin architecture is smart casual to the E-Class' formal and more upright idioms. Both in form and material look and feel, the CLS interior is more special, less obviously mass-produced. Of course as with all Mercedes models, there are different levels of trim that can be specified.

Both test cars were part of the limited edition launch series featuring matte gray paintwork and a unique Designo interior. These cars looked and felt very complete, with stitched leather on the dashboard top roll and black piano wood trim. The new three-spoke sports steering wheel also feels good in the hands.

Of equal importance is the extra cabin room. Although I'm just five and a half feet tall, I have always found the original CLS cabin rather claustrophobic. The new car is 20 mm wider in front and 30 mm wider in the rear, with a taller roofline. This extra room makes all the difference, while the reshaped doors also make it easier to get in and out.

On paper, the specification of the new-generation M276 3.5-liter V6 quad-cam motor could be mistaken for the Sport version of the outgoing M272 used in the SLK350 and 2008-onwards SL350. This is because both have output of 301 hp at 6500 rpm, although the new direct-injection motor in the CLS350 BlueEfficiency has 273 lb-ft of torque from 3500 to 5270 rpm compared to 258 lb-ft at 4,900 rpm from the M272 "Sport" motor.

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Mansory Porsche Cayenne Turbo

Mansory put up quite a show in Geneva this week as the tuning house unveiled no less than three world premieres. Aside from the Mercedes SLS AMG Cormeum and the Ferrari 458 Italia Siracusa, that we've already told you about, the tuner's Swiss subsidiary also revealed a new program for the latest generation of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo SUV. 

The tune includes an excessive aero treatment with a wide-body kit that extends the vehicle by 60 mm at the front and 80 mm at the back and also comes with numerous carbon fiber parts such as the bonnet, side skirts and rear diffuser. New daytime running lights and a set of 22-inch black alloy wheels shod in massive 295/30 tires further differentiate the SUV's looks from its factory sibling.

Under the bonnet, Mansory Switzerland upgrades the Cayenne Turbo's 4.8-liter V8 with larger turbo chargers, a custom exhaust system, reprogrammed ECU and other mods resulting to an output of 690HP and 800Nm of peak torque at 4,800 rpm for a 0 to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 300km/h (186 mph).

Mansory said buyers can also opt for a variety of interior enhancements and an electronic module for the air suspension to lower the SUV's ride height by 45mm.

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Finally coming new Volkswagen Amarok pickup truck

The Trendline model adds two-zone automatic air conditioning, RCD 310 radio / CD player, cruise control, multifunction computer, leather-trimmed steering wheel, handbrake and gear knob, color-coded mirrors, front bumper and wheelarch extensions along with front fog lights and 17-inch ‘Aldo’ alloy wheels.

The whole new Volkswagen Amarok differentiates itself by unbelievable driving qualities, both on- and off-road. It sets brand new standards in the pick-up category in respect to interior room, load capacity, ergonomics, ease, and fuel consumption. The Amarok's cargo area is 2.52 square meters, including a "best in class" 1222mm wide space between the wheel wells, making it possible to load European palettes sideways. Buy Volkswagen Amarok to enjoy freedom and adventure and the fun of driving!

The whole new Volkswagen Amarok

Amarok is Volkswagen's first one-tone ute. A ruff and tough car with a ruff and tough look, Amarok's is designed to allow more wheel lock under braking to reduce the stopping distance on gravel and dirt. Volkswagen has designed the Amarok to have the widest tub in the class, measuring 1555mm long, 1620mm across the back and 1222mm between the wheel arches. It runs front disc brakes and drums on the rear and its diesels are 2.0-liter common-rail turbo four cylinders with a single turbo and generate 90kW and 340Nm and manages an impressive average fuel consumption figure of 7.5 litres per 100km with the rear drive variant. With a push of an 'Off Road' button near the gear shift, Amarok is blend of funk and adventure.

All Amaroks come equipped with VW's 4MOTION Selectable four-wheel drive system, which allows the driver to choose between rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive and low range four-wheel drive through a dashboard-mounted button. All models fitted with this 4WD system have a gross vehicle weight of 3,170 kg and more robust suspension which results in a payload of over 1,045 kg.

In addition to the 4MOTION Selectable system, the Highline model is also available with the option of a permanent 4WD system that reduces payload to below 1,045 kg due to the different settings of the suspension, which is tuned to offer "a more car-like driving experience with improved ride and refinement", according the German company's claims.