New car models

Alfa Romeo is planning to revive one model that is currently long ago off-production – Alfa Romeo Junior famous in 1970s. But as expected coming Junior will be 3-door sporty hatchback model unlike the previous Junior-coupe and positioned as Mini Cooper S competitor.

New Alfa Romeo Junior will use Fiat Grande Punto platform though its design promises nothing similar to Fiat’s model. Again, the engine line was borrowed from Fiat, both – gasoline and diesel. In top version Alfa Romeo Junior will have 1.8 supercharged engine with 230 h/p which in fact is used on Alfa Romeo GT model only in normal aspiration variant.

With new Junor launching Alfa Romeo company intends to reach annual sales rates of 300 000 totally and 60 000 – 80 000 cars of Junior in particular. But experts state that Alfa plans seem too ambitious in the light of 2004 annual sales rate of 153 000 and the 2005’s even less at 126 000 cars totally.

Volkswagen officially unveiled first VW Iroc concept model pictures which is alleged as the pre-serial step for coming serial Volkswagen Scirocco. Judging by the photos released new Scirocco will feature the 3-door hatchback, not coupe as was predicted before. Compared to Golf V that shared the platform for new Iroc the concept model is radiant with body A and C pillars more sloped added by more aggressive exterior design.

The Golf V platform for new Iroc concept car was elongated 10 cm, while body total length became 3.6 cm longer. As well new Iroc’s width grew 4.1 cm compared to Golf V. On top of all new concept was equipped with R19 wheels making it quite different to basic Golf V model.

In fact, Iroc concept is shining with original unique front exterior design, with massive radiator grate, covered with silvery plastic and headlights formed like predator’s eyes. In addition, compared to VW Golf V new Iroc introduces thorough change in sideview due to elongated hood and slanting top. The car also gained muscular pimples at front and rear wheels arches.

By the end of 2008 as expected Iroc serial version will be available. 3 engine modifications will be offered including gasoline 1.4 210 h/p TSI, 2.0 4-cylinder supercharged 240 h/p and 3.6 V6 280 h/p power unit. Transmissions line for new Iroc will probably envelope 6-gear manual and 7-speed combined DSG-type. Volkswagen plans to manufacture nearly 60 000 cars of new Scirocco priced at 26 000 dollars.

BMW M6 Coupe sports car technical specifications:

M6 Specifications
Engine
Type:	V10
Displacement cu in (cc):	301 (4941)
Power bhp (kW) at RPM:	500(373) / 7750
Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM:	383(520) / 6100
Redline at RPM:	8250
Performance
Acceleration 0-60 mph s:	4.5
Top Speed mph (km/h):	155 (250) - electronically limited
Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km):	n.a. (14.8)
Base Price:	$96,795 / 106,500 €

Porsche Cayenne, the first company high-passability model entered car world auto stage in winter 2002. Now Porsche is performing further works on new modification meant to appear in early 2007 at the Detroit International Auto Show.
According to the latest spy pictures of coming Porsche Cayenne the automobile features out such new traits as rear part restyling, top-carrier new design, tail-lights, enlarged rear spoiler. In addition many surmise that new Cayenne will come up with new more smoothed lines due to headlights design and additional LED lights. The Cayenne interior new design is expected to bring the next generation model up to more “de luxe” character entailing also in price increase.

Besides, Porsche intends to construct a hybrid model in collaboration with Volkswagen and Audi. As expected, Porsche Cayenne hybrid version will be introduced by 2010.

Lexus Company plans to construct in the next years a whole new gamut of models including three crossovers. As expected in mid 2007 Lexus will unveil new sporty off-roader model aimed at competing Infinity FX in the US. The model will be apparently based on Lexus GS platform attached by powerful 6- and 8-cylinder engines.

Later Lexus model line-up will be joined by new compact model constructed on Toyota RAV4 platform. This model will be competing with BMW X3 and coming Mercedes MLK crossover. Finally early in 2008 car market will be entered by revised Lexus RX350/400h with new body design and modernized technical maintenance.

Besides the models listed, Lexus plans to initiate sales of powerful IS model by 2008. The time Lexus SC430 coupe-cabriole model will be likely revised gaining new design and up-to-date engines.
Remarkably that Lexus model line will crowned by Lexus LF-A supercar which is meant for late 2007 – early 2008.

Audi Company announced its readiness to launch the open version of new Audi R8 supercar as Heilbronner Stimme, German edition informed. Open R8 is planned for 2008.

Meanwhile the Audi R8 Coupe version is expected to come up in September 2006 at the Paris International Auto Show. In fact, R8 features out modernized Lamborghini Gallardo’s chassis construction added by V8420 h/p engine borrowed from Audi RS4 as well as quattro 4WD system.

Later more powerful 500 h/p V10 equipped Audi RS8 will enter car market. The model’s dimensions will be 4.4 meter in length and 1.3 in height. Audi R8’s weight is estimated at 1600 kilos.

Experts promise the price for new Audi supercar will be set at $100 000 around. New RS8 will be assembled at the factory with 250 specialists producing 5 000 vehicles a year.

At the Detroit Motor Show Volvo unveiled its concept car Volvo C30 Design Concept, a precursor of the production model - the first compact car of the make. The production model C30 slightly differs from the Concept. The fore part typically designed with Volvo styled headlights and radiator grille that differentiate the car from other models. A flowing roof and a long wheelbase make C30 resemble a sport coupe. The car features the rear window of the big space inspired by the classic Volvo P1800 ES assembled in 70’s, a boat-shaped aerodynamic front section and shapely rear shoulders enhanced by the horseshoe-shaped rear light clusters.
The C30 Design Concept has a compact, sporty design with two doors, four individual seats and a distinctive glass tailgate. C30 is 4.25m long and equipped with engines ranged from 100bhp 1.6lit petrol to 220bhp 5-cyl T5.

The Kia Motors is going to unveil its first ever European-made car. The new version of C-class appears two years later since the debut of Cerato.

The new car doesn’t still have a name and is indicated as ED. The hatchback will meet most of the Europeans requirements and be assembled at the plant in the Slovak Republic.
The ED has a stream shape and resembles Cee’d Concept. The car is 4.2m long and 2.65m wide. The hatchback has rear window in Mazda 3 style.

The car will be equipped with 1.4-, 1.6-, 2.0lit petrol engine or 1.6lit VGT diesel. Kia ED will compete against Ford Focus, Opel Astra and VW Golf.

Jaguar has unveiled a new XJR Portfolio at the British Motor Show. The sedan is based on the long-wheelbase XJR. The Portfolio is equipped with XJR's 400bhp (SAE) supercharged 4.2-liter V8 and six-speed ZF automatic transmission. The car runs 0-60mph in 5.0 seconds with electronically limited top speed of 155mph. The Portfolio has an air suspension matched with Jaguar's Computer Active Technology Suspension (CATS) system, a high-performance brake system, Electronic Traction Control and Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) as well. The car is fitted with a mesh grille, flanked by four headlights above, a deep front air intake, the sculpted aluminum power vents in its front wings. The sporting character features 20-inch Callisto alloy wheels with highly-polished five-spokes. The Portfolio is available in bold Midnight black paint with the seats upholstered in Ivory leather.
The Jaguar XKR Portfolio is for the U.K. market only limited by 100 examples with a street price of £62,040.

Mitsubishi Motors released a new powerful Evolution - based version Lancer Evo IX FQ-360. The version is powered by a modified 366bhp 2.0-litre turbo engine accelerating the car 0-60mph in 4.1sec with a top speed over 160mph. The impressive power was reached due to gasoline pump, catalyst converter borrowed from FQ-400 and the Engine Control Unit (ECU) reprogrammed. The car delivers 366bhp at 6887rpm and 363lb ft of torque at 3200rpm.The peak output is 363lb ft and is delivered 2200rpm lower down the rev range. FQ-360 made its debut at the British Motor Show; the car joins a Lancer Evolution line-up, consisting of the FQ-300, the FQ-320 and the FQ-340.
The Lancer Evolution IX will cost about USD65, 192 in the UK with first deliveries expected in September.