SCOOP: New Suzuki Swift Spied at the Nurburgring

Our spy photographers have scooped the next generation of the Suzuki Swift supermini during testing at the Nurburgring race circuit in Germany.

Even though the Japanese automaker's people did a pretty good job of bagging the prototype, it's not hard to see that the new Swift will keep its MINI-like design feel. However, the pictures suggest that it will boast larger and more prominent head- and tail lamps.

We don't have any details about the powertrain options, but buyers should expect a range of mainstream four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines, as well as a more potent unit for the flagship Sport model.

It remains to be seen if Suzuki's recent tie-up with the Volkswagen Group will affect the powertrain offerings in the new Swift.

It is expected that the 2011 Suzuki Swift will be launched in production form at this year's Paris Motor Show in early September, with sales to start in Europe and other parts of the world by early 2011.

From what we've heard, there's also a strong possibility that Suzuki may bring the new Swift to North America where it will compete head on with the likes of the Toyota Yaris and the forthcoming 2011 Chevrolet Aveo.

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Lamborghini Estoque: Live Videos from Paris

Like it or not, the Lamborghini Estoque was (and still is) the hottest talk of the town at the Paris Salon and its totally reasonable that we show you as much as possible of Lambo’s four-door coupe study as it might very well find its way into production if there’s enough interest. For those of you that can’t make it to the Paris Show that runs until October 19th, we’ve added a video clip for the Estoque Concept from Lambo’s stand showing both the interior and exterior of the sports sedan as well as a second video taken during the media presentation. Follow the jump to see both videos or click here for more details on the Estoque and here for the live image gallery. -Continued

Lamborghini Estoque Exterior and Interior Details




Lamborghini Estoque Paris Show Presentation

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Videos: Honda Insight Paris Show Unveiling and first Driving Footage

Unquestionably one of the stars of the Paris Mondial de L’Automobile 2008 was the Honda Insight, a hybrid concept car that previews the brand’s long-awaited Prius fighter. We’ve already given you a thorough report (see details and a mega photo gallery by clicking here) on what Honda supports will be the cheapest hybrid on the market when it reaches showrooms in spring 2009. But now it’s time to show you a live video of the hybrid from Honda’s Paris stand as well as the very first video of the Insight on the road. Watch both videos after the jump. -Continued

HONDA INSIGHT PARIS SHOW UNVEILING

HONDA INSIGHT DRIVING FOOTAGE

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VW Golf GTI VI – First Official Video

The undisputed star of Volkswagen’s Paris motorshow stand is the all-new, sixth-generation Golf GTI. The German automaker calls it a study but don’t be fooled; this particular Golf will go into production as is in early 2009. Power comes from a revised 2.0-liter TFSI turbocharged engine delivering 210 HP accelerating the GTI from rest to 100 km/h (62mph) in 7.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 239 km/h or 148 mph. Follow the jump to watch the very first video of the new Golf GTI that includes driving footage or click here to see our gallery with 31 high-resolution images. -Continued

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Video: Lamborghini Estoque Four-Door Coupe

True, we would have liked to see a real-life footage of Lamborghini’s controversially styled Estoque but for the time being, we’ll have to do with this 3D animated film that allows us to check out the Italian sports carmaker’s four-door coupe concept from various angles. Watch the video right after the jump. You may also want to refresh your memory on Lamborghini’s Porsche Panamera rival by clicking here for details and a high-resolution photo gallery. -Continued

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Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid Video

The road-ready petrol-electric Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid limousine will make its debut at next week’s Paris motorshow. The German automaker promises that although the S400 Hybrid is more powerful and slightly faster than the S350 upon it is based, it betters the average fuel consumption of the conventionally powered S-Class limo by up to 2.2 lt /100 km, at 7.9 lt /100 km. Hit the jump for the video or click here for more details on Merc’s first production hybrid model. -Continued

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New Fiat 500 Abarth Essesse: Hottest 500 yet with 160HP

At the Paris International Motor Show Fiat will officially reveal the 500 Abarth Essesse or ‘SS’ for short which is based on the limited production 500 Abarth Opening Edition details of which you can check out by clicking here. The hottest version of the new 500 up to date features a revised turbocharged engine, a full bodykit complete with larger alloy wheels and upgraded suspension and brake components. The 500 Abarth Essesse will be available both as a separate model and a complete tuning kit that can be installed by the Italian firm’s specialized dealers on any standard 500 Abarth. -Continued

In terms of power, the Essesse is equipped with a souped-up version of the standard 1.4-liter turbo engine delivering an output of 160 HP (up from 135 HP) at 5750 rpm and a maximum torque of 230 Nm at 3000 rpm for a 7.4 second sprint to 100 km/h (62mph) and a 211 km/h (131mph) top speed.

Aside from the mechanical enhancements and the new bodykit that comprises a sportier front bumper, side skirts, a redesigned rear bumper with an integrated diffuser and the 17-inch alloys, Abarth also offers a series of accessories for the interior including a set of front bucket seats.

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Lancia Ypsilon VERSUS to make Paris Show Debut

In its constant quest to forget its glorious rally past, Lanica has joined forces with Versus, a Versace Group owned brand, to create a special edition version of its Ypsilon supermini that will be produced from March 2009 in a limited edition series of just 500 units. The Paris Show car features a special ‘Bronzino’ bronze exterior paintwork that that bears a screen-printed ‘Versus’ logo on the roof. Other unique features of the exterior are the bronze-colored 16-inch alloy wheels and the bronze finish on the grille, handles and mouldings on the doors and rear bumpers and tailgate handle. -Continued

Not surprisingly, the interior boasts a special upholstery with a ‘Versus’ logo heat-printed in relief that recalls the world of fashion wile the head restraints, the dashboard and the door panels are adorned with an embossed VERSUS logo. Finally, the detailing on the instrument panel, sill plate and gearbox have the same bronze chrome finish as the exterior features.

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Opel Insignia Gets Two New Turbo Engines and ecoFLEX Variant

At next month’s Paris motorshow Opel will debut two new engines for the Insignia range that comprises a 4door sedan, a 5door fastback and the Sports Tourer which also makes its world premiere at the French capitol. The new powertrain options for Opel’s mid-size model are a 2.0-liter twin-turbocharged diesel with clean tech combustion system delivering an output of 190 HP and the downsized 1.6-liter gasoline turbo engine that generates 180 HP. The new additions complement the range of seven motors – all Euro 5-certified – that are already on offer for the Insignia. -Continued

In addition, Opel will unveil the new Insignia ecoFLEX that promises to offer lower CO2 emissions and reduced fuel consumption without compromising on performance. Although the German automaker hasn’t given out any further details, expect to see the same kind of modifications on the Insignia as with other ecoFLEX variants in Opel’s range, including improved aerodynamics, the addition of low rolling resistant tires, a longer axel ratio and reduced weight.

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Video: Mercedes-Benz ConcepFASCINATION

At the Paris auto show in October, Mercedes-Benz will unveil a ‘shooting brake’ concept that previews the front-end design of the next-generation E-Class models and in particular, the E-Class Coupe that will replace the current CLK model. Hit the jump to watch the official promotional video with detailed shots of the four-seat concept car and don't forget to check out our previous post on the ConceptFASCINATION that includes an updated high-resolution image gallery. -Continued

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Video: Mercedes-Benz C250 CDi BlueEfficiency

While the debate on diesel-powered cars lingers on here in the States, Mercedes-Benz has introduced a new-generation 4-cylinder diesel engine with a displacement of 2.2-liters that develops an output of 204 HP and an impressive 500Nm or 368 lb-ft of torque. When matted to a 6-speed manual gearbox, the C250 CDi BlueEFFICIENCY can accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h (62mph) in 7.0 sec and on to a top speed of 250 km/h (155mph) with an average fuel consumption of just 5.2 lt/100km or 45.2 US mpg. The German automaker plans to use the new 2.2-liter CDi to replace higher-displacement diesel engines in several vehicles in its range including the E-Class, GLK-Class and the future E‑Class Coupe. -Video after the jump

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First Official Video of the 2009 VW Golf VI

If you’re thinking that the new Golf looks awfully similar to the outgoing model, you’re not far wrong as what Volkswagen basically did with the sixth generation model was to re-skin the Golf V and at the same time find a way to make it cheaper and quicker to produce. Follow the jump to watch the 2009 Golf VI in Volkswagen’s first official video that includes both driving and static footage and decide for yourself if you agree with the German automaker’s evolutionary approach. You may also want to check out the details on the new Golf by clicking here or see our image gallery with 62 high-res photos by clicking here. -Continued

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James Bond’s Ford KA to be Hydrogen-Powered?

Ford released a bunch of pictures of the all-new KA (see details and photos here) that will make a cameo appearance at the new James Bond film, “Quantum of Solace” that opens in the UK and France on October 31st, then across the rest of the world during November 2008. The new KA will be used in the film as the personal car of leading lady Olga Kurylenko, who plays Bond's ally Camille.

The “Quantum of Solace” KA that was created by Ford of Europe’s Design team, in collaboration with the movie’s Oscar award-winning production designer, Dennis Gassneby, gets a metallic gold paint, an exclusive exterior graphics and interior trim combination and –weirdly enough, a set of “Greener Planet” and “Hydrogen” decals. Ford makes no mention of the decals in its official press release so your guess is as good as ours to as why the automaker decided to add them on the James Bond movie KA. -Image gallery after the jump

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