Autoblog

Limited Edition Range Rover Evoque blisters eyeballs

Jeffrey N. Ross — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:33:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Land Rover, Misc. Auto Shows, Design/Style, Luxury

As if the Range Rover Evoque didn't already stand out enough, Land Rover is adding a Sicilian Yellow Limited Edition model to make the stylish CUV even harder to miss. Debuting this week at the Brussels Motor Show, this new Evoque model will go on sale in May, and while we don't know which exact market it will be sold in, we know for sure it won't be coming to the US.

The new limited-edition model is available on the Evoque's three- and five-door body styles, and paint schemes are limited to either Sicilian Yellow with a Santorini Black roof and door mirrors or Santorini Black with a Sicilian Yellow roof and door mirrors. Surprisingly, the Evoque doesn't look that bad in yellow, but the reverse paint scheme looks very odd. The interior also gets plenty of yellow with an anodized accent running across the instrument panel and contrasting stitching throughout most of the leather-laden cabin.

This model also debuts the Evoque's new Black Design Pack, which will be available on all Evoque Dynamic models starting in April. The Black Design Pack will add darkened headlights and foglights, black Range Rover lettering on the hood, black 20-inch wheels, black painted accents on the front and rear fascias, clear-lensed taillights and a liftgate spoiler.

More information about this new Evoque model is posted in a press release after the jump.

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Limited Edition Range Rover Evoque blisters eyeballs originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Jan 2013 11:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Belgian official tells Brussels Motor Show to nix racy spokesmodels [w/poll]

Michael Harley — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Visitors to the upcoming Brussels Motor Show - which starts January 11, and is expected to draw some 350,000 visitors - will have to focus all of their attention on the vehicles this year, as event organizers have asked the automakers to keep the eye-candy "appropriately dressed" on the show's floor and exhibits.

Apparently, there were reports of lewd behavior (by male visitors, not the models) at last year's event. This prompted Joelle Milquet, Belgium's equal opportunities minister, to fire off a letter to Belgian car federation Febiac, the company behind the event. "A motor show is a place where you go with your family, we have to question the stereotypes we are passing on to children and young adults," Milquet wrote.

It seems that the spokesmodel's attire is coming under attack quite a bit these days. As you may recall, the Belgian minister's actions come on the heels of Chinese authorities chastising the Beijing Motor Show over its scantily clad models at its most recent event. Does this mean SEMA will eventually become a family-friendly event too?

What do you think - Should automakers stop bringing so-called booth professionals to auto shows?

View Poll

Belgian official tells Brussels Motor Show to nix racy spokesmodels [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2013 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Renault launches sleeker Scenic and Grand Scenic minivans

Noah Joseph — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Europe, Misc. Auto Shows, Renault

There's seldom anything particularly exciting or glamorous about a minivan. But that doesn't mean their producers can't keep trying. Enter the new 2012 Renault Scenic, and its big brother, the Grand Scenic.

Being European MPVs as opposed to American minivans, the Scenic - and even the larger, seven-passenger Grand Scenic - are typically smaller than the big family-haulers we're used to on this side of the Atlantic. But with facelift Renault has just given the line, they're also considerably sleeker-looking than the vehicles we're used to seeing lined up outside the local elementary school.

That much comes down to the new lights and bumpers front and rear, elements that Renault has packaged with an upgraded interior and a raft of new engines and technologies that set the new Scenic range apart from the one it replaces. A pair of low-emission engines - a 115-horsepower, 1.2-liter turbo and 110-hp, 1.5-liter diesel - join a range of powertrains topped by a 140hp 2.0 mated to a CVT and a 160hp diesel paired with a six-speed manual.

The Scenic family is also the first to incorporate Renault's new lane-departure system and hill-start assist, with a special Bose model (similar to the one found in the Koleos) topping the spec sheet. The new Scenic debuts at the Brussels Motor Show this week before hitting showrooms in 40 countries around the world.

Renault launches sleeker Scenic and Grand Scenic minivans originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Citroën C1 / Peugeot 107 twins refreshed

Zach Bowman — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:29:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Misc. Auto Shows, Peugeot, Citroën, Design/Style

Citroën and Peugeot have released the first volley of information and images on their refreshed C1 and 107 runabouts. The Citroen C1 will bow with a new face, complete with a shorter hood, redesigned foglamp housings and new LED daytime running lights. The vehicle's rear valance has also received a few design touches to differentiate it from the previous year model. Buyers can expect to find the same 68-horsepower three-cylinder gasoline engine bolted to a manual transmission under the hood.

Not surprisingly, its mechanical twin, the Peugeot 107, has received a similar once over. Designers have graced the three-door with a reworked front fascia that features a new front bumper, foglight housings and LED daytime running lights, just like its Citroën cousin. Peugeot will also offer the 107 in three trim levels: Access, Active and Allure.

The Citroën C1 will be on display at the Brussels Motor Show starting on January 10, and it's probably fair to assume the Pug will make the scene there as well. Hit the jump for press releases on both of these small hatchbacks.

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Citroën C1 / Peugeot 107 twins refreshed originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Muscles in Brussels: Land Rover launches Defender X-Tech edition in Belgium

Noah Joseph — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Europe, Land Rover, Misc. Auto Shows, Off-Road

Land Rover Defender X-Tech Limited Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Belgians may not be known as much for military prowess as, say, for beer or waffles - at least not since conquering the Congo, anyway - but Brussels is also the seat of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. NATO was established as a united front against the Communist bloc, and still stands as one of the most formidable alliances of nations this side of the Star Wars empire. A perfect place, then, to unveil a paramilitary-type vehicle like the X-Tech Limited Edition.

Easily as tough as any Hummer or Jeep, the X-Tech is based on the Land Rover Defender - one of the most rock-solid rock-crawlers ever devised. It's available in either silver, three-door Defender 90 form or in five-door Defender 110 long wheelbase in olive green, both offset by black roof, wheel arches, interior and new "saw-tooth" alloys. Not a major upgrade on the standard model, but just enough to give it the attitude it deserves.

Unveiled at the Brussels Motorshow, the Defender X-Tech is unfortunately unavailable in the North American market, but you can dream by checking out the gallery below.

Gallery: Land Rover Defender X-Tech Limited Edition

[Source: Land Rover]

Continue reading Muscles in Brussels: Land Rover launches Defender X-Tech edition in Belgium

Muscles in Brussels: Land Rover launches Defender X-Tech edition in Belgium originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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