Autoblog

EU patent office reveals production Renault Megane Coupe

Michael Harley — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:57:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Europe, Hatchback, Renault, Rendered Speculation

Click above for gallery of the 2010 Renault Megan Coupe

Recent snooping at the EU patent office yielded an application revealing the 2010 Renault Megane 3-door Coupe. The images (most likely shot of a clay model) show a much tamer production version when compared to the Renault Megan Coupe concept shown at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. Sleeker than the 5-door Megane shots leaked a couple weeks ago, the coupe's C-pillar differs most noticeably as the window glass sweeps to a clean point as it meets the rear hatch. The best guess is that the coupe will see a range of engines from 1.4-liters up to 2.0-liters rated between 100 and 160 hp, depending on the model. Look for it on sale next year, but sadly not on our shores.

Gallery: Renault Megane Coupe

[Source: EU Patent Office via Carscoop]

EU patent office reveals production Renault Megane Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Sep 2008 14:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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No surprise: 5-door Land Rover LRX rumored

Alex Nunez — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Land Rover

Britain's Autocar says that Land Rover will follow up the introduction of the production 3-door LRX with a more practical 5-door edition as well. We loved the compact and sporty LRX concept, and we're glad Land Rover is going to produce a 3-door that should closely mimic its appearance. That said, the word that it'll also be joined by a 5-door is completely unsurprising, as the additional entrances make the LRX a more appealing suburban recon vehicle. After all, it's a lot easier to haul the kids to ballet class and Little League when they have doors of their own to clamber in and out of. Autocar's sources also told the pub that a hybrid drivetrain -- a key element of the concept car -- is also expected to find its way into the mix, given current concerns regarding fuel economy and vehicle emissions. Look for the LRX to debut in 2011. If the production car winds up being anywhere near as good-looking as the concept, there should be no shortage of them in neighborhood garages and driveways shortly thereafter.

Gallery: Land Rover LRX Concept - Black & Silver

[Source: Autocar]

No surprise: 5-door Land Rover LRX rumored originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2008: Chevrolet Aveo 3-Door

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Hatchback, Chevrolet

Click above for a high-res gallery of the Chevrolet Aveo Three-Door.

What more can be said about the Euro-market Chevy Aveo three-door? Fortunately, not much. The new Aveo gets the reworked front fascia, complete with Anime eyes and gaping maw, while the shallow accent lines that flank the doors angle slightly higher to conform to the three-door's shorter shape. Aside from the much-despised fake fender vents, it's not a bad looking runabout. And with a choice of either an 84 hp, 1.2-liter or a 101 hp 1.4-liter four driving the front wheels, what it lacks in style it makes up for in fuel economy.

Hit the jump to read Chevy's press release on the new Aveo three-door.

Gallery: 2008 Chevy Aveo 3-Door (Europe)

Continue reading Geneva 2008: Chevrolet Aveo 3-Door

Geneva 2008: Chevrolet Aveo 3-Door originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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UK gets diesel 3-door Suzuki Grand Vitara

Alex Nunez — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Europe, Suzuki

Click image for photo gallery

It used to be that US buyers could regularly choose 2- or 3-door (if they were closed-roof models) small SUVs if they felt that's what suited their needs. They included the Samurai, and later, the Sidekick from Suzuki, the Isuzu Rodeo, and the Toyota RAV4, just to name a few. Today, our market's loaded with small SUVs, but they're all on longer wheelbases and sport four doors and a rear hatch, just like their larger brethren.

In other markets, you can still get the smaller SUVs from some manufacturers, however. We like the 3-door Suzuki Grand Vitara quite a bit. It keeps the Vitara's good looks, but compresses them into a short, buggy-like package. This week, Suzuki UK announced the availability of a diesel version of the small Grand Vitara, which to us seems like a seriously versatile little machine. A 4x4 sized like a commuter car that manages 38.2 mpg on the combined cycle definitely has some appeal. Keep in mind that the Brits generally use imperial gallons in their ratings. If that's indeed the case here, we'd be lower - around 32 mpg (thanks to Brian in the comments for correcting me). Still pretty nice. If you were given the option, would you choose something like this over one of the current misers (i.e. Fit, Yaris, Prius)?

Press release after the jump.

[Source: Suzuki UK]

Gallery: Suzuki Grand Vitara 3-door

Continue reading UK gets diesel 3-door Suzuki Grand Vitara

UK gets diesel 3-door Suzuki Grand Vitara originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 23 Mar 2007 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW introduces 1-Series 3-door Limited Sports Edition

John Neff — Thu, 25 Jan 2007 14:24:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, BMW

The 1-Series is getting some major attention from BMW these days. Not only has the new 3-door just been unveiled for 2007, but it's also finally been announced that the 1-Series will cross the pond and be sold in the U.S. soon (as a coupe and convertible with the hot 3.0L twin-turbo inline-six initially, but no hatches). Today BMW heaped some more 1-Series love on the pile and revealed the 1-Series 3-door Limited Sports Edition. Our German sucks worse than our English, so it's tough to glean the details, but Carscoop claims it's basically like an M Sports package that upgrades the rims to 18-inchers, adds an M body kit, tighter suspension, and some more M accoutrement on the inside like seats and whatnot. It definitely adds some gloss to the polarizing design of the 1. Though only 2,000 units will be produced, the Limited Sports Edition package will be available across the 1-Series lineup adding €4,660 to the cost of the 118i and 118 D, €4,560 to the 120i and 120d, and €3,360 to the 130i.

[Source: BMW, Carscoop]

click on image above for high-res version

BMW introduces 1-Series 3-door Limited Sports Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Jan 2007 14:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda Civic 3-door to debut at London Motor Show

John Neff — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 07:56:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Hatchback, Honda

Honda's "Built-in-Britain" line-up will be complete when the brand new 3-door Honda Civic makes it world debut at the London Motor Show in July and appears alongside the 5-door Civic and Civic Type-R. All three models are built in Swindon, Wiltshire. Honda's display this year will be the largest ever for the London Motor Show and include the Legend luxury sedan, which is a version of the Acura RL sold in North America, as well as an F1 exhibit and Honda's battery of environmentally friendly cars, mopeds and motorbikes.

[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Honda Civic 3-door to debut at London Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Jun 2006 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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