Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Rumormill: Could the Fiat-Chrysler deal yield a North American Ford Ka?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/11/rumormill-could-the-fiat-chrysler-deal-yield-a-north-american-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/11/rumormill-could-the-fiat-chrysler-deal-yield-a-north-american-f/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/11/rumormill-could-the-fiat-chrysler-deal-yield-a-north-american-f/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,


The 2009 Ford Ka - Click above for a high-res gallery

It's a long shot, but according to The Detroit Free Press, Chrysler's deal with Fiat could result in Ford offering the cutesy Ka for sale in North America. As you may recall, Ford co-developed the Ka's platform with Fiat (it shares its chassis with the 500), and the Italian automaker builds both cars in Poland. If and when Chrysler and Fiat finish dancing and commit, the Freep reasons that models built on the 500's platform might be built in Chrysler's Toluca, Mexico plant. If so, that could offer Ford the kind of economies-of-scale necessary to sell the thousands of thin-margin Kas to make the venture worthwhile.

If the Ford Fiesta takes off and Ford can keep the Ka's price down - it starts at £7,995 ($12,150 US) in the UK - the case might make itself. Sure, there are a fair number of ifs, mights, and maybes in there, but as a cheap city car for when gas prices doubtlessly skyrocket again, it's certainly worth a thought or two.


Gallery: 2009 Ford Ka


[Source: The Detroit Free Press]

Rumormill: Could the Fiat-Chrysler deal yield a North American Ford Ka? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 May 2009 09:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chryslercity carCityCareconomyfiatfiat 500Fiat500fordford kaFordKahatchbackkamanufacturingminicarplantssuperminiMon, 11 May 2009 09:58:00 EST<![CDATA[SEAT sketches out Ibiza ST concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/11/seat-sketches-out-ibiza-st-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/11/seat-sketches-out-ibiza-st-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/11/seat-sketches-out-ibiza-st-concept/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The Ibiza ST is going to be the third body style in the Ibiza line, a tiny wagon -- or "supermini estate" in UK parlance -- that will go on sale next year. SEAT has been in the segment before with its Cordoba Vario from 1998. Currently, the segment is dominated by capable-but-not-exactly-exciting models like the Renault Clio Sport Tourer, Nissan Note Accenta, and Peugeot 207 SW. SEAT wants the ST to earn looks for its compelling design, the leadership of which is being headed by Murcielago stylist Luc Donckerwolke. In addition to being the next refinement of SEAT's Arrow Design language, the car is expected to have new engines not currently seen in the Ibiza line.

[Source: SEAT]

SEAT sketches out Ibiza ST concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Apr 2009 12:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>estateseatseat stSeatStsuperminisupermini estateSuperminiEstateukwagonSat, 11 Apr 2009 12:39:00 EST<![CDATA[Hyundai planning Toyota iQ rival]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/31/hyundai-planning-toyota-iq-rival/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/31/hyundai-planning-toyota-iq-rival/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/31/hyundai-planning-toyota-iq-rival/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

It is codenamed "green baby," and it is Hyundai's answer to the Toyota iQ. A Hyundai Europe insider hinted that the car could be funkier and "more basic and functional" than the iQ. The iQ Concept had a pretty neat interior, but there really isn't much space between it and the backstop of basic transportation - at least, not when it comes to anything you'd want to sit in.

Drivetrains and engines haven't been discussed, but the 12-valve 4-cylinder with 66 hp from the i10 would probably be in the cards. Hyundai has said that i10 is too small for the U.S., so the even smaller "green baby" will probably be offered only in Europe at first, and could be on sale by as soon as next year.

[Source: Autocar]

Hyundai planning Toyota iQ rival originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 31 Jan 2009 14:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economyhatchbackhyundaii10iqrendered speculationRenderedSpeculationsuperminitoyotatoyota iqToyotaIqSat, 31 Jan 2009 14:07:00 EST<![CDATA[U.S.-bound 2011 Volkswagen Polo headed to Geneva]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/28/u-s-bound-2011-volkswagen-polo-coming-to-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/28/u-s-bound-2011-volkswagen-polo-coming-to-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/28/u-s-bound-2011-volkswagen-polo-coming-to-geneva/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Volkswagen's continuing push into the U.S. market could be called Something Old, Something New, Something Borrowed, Something Blue. "New" would be the coming mid-sized sedan, "borrowed" would be the Routan, "blue" would be BlueSport, and "old" would be the VW Polo. The version of the Polo we'll be getting in 2011 is expected to be at this year's Geneva Motor Show. Since it is coming to the U.S. and VW will need to convert American buyer to the idea of a supermini, we are looking for it to be a beautiful leap forward over the current MkV.

Gallery: Volkswagen Polo


[Source: AutoWeek]

U.S.-bound 2011 Volkswagen Polo headed to Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>economygeneva 2009geneva motor showGeneva2009GenevaMotorShowhatchbacksuperminivolkswagenvolkswagen poloVolkswagenPolovwvw poloVwPoloWed, 28 Jan 2009 13:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: Fiat Punto Abarth]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/05/spy-shots-fiat-punto-abarth/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/05/spy-shots-fiat-punto-abarth/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/05/spy-shots-fiat-punto-abarth/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

The Fiat Punto Abarth -- the tarted up version of the Punto by Fiat's in-house tuning arm -- has been seen on the roads of Turin, and it's hot hot hot. The car looks every bit as good as the concept, perhaps even better, having swapped the white mirrors for red ones.

It will have a turbocharged 1.4-liter engine with 155 HP and a 6-speed manual. However, buyers will be able to request an Abarth tuning kit that gets 180 HP. It will also have a lower, stiffer sport-tuned suspension. Going against other minis like the RenaultSport Clio 197 and Vauxhall Corsa VXR, which outdo it by at least 39 HP in stock form, it will probably need every last horse and suspension tweak to compete with its rivals.

The car premieres at the Frankfurt Auto Show next week. It will run £15,000 in the UK. Why, why, why can't we get these cars here?

[Source: Auto Express]

Spy Shots: Fiat Punto Abarth originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Sep 2007 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abarthfiatfrankfurt auto showFrankfurtAutoShowhot hatchHotHatchpuntosuperminiWed, 05 Sep 2007 17:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Rendered speculation: BMW building a supermini?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/01/rendered-speculation-bmw-building-a-supermini/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/01/rendered-speculation-bmw-building-a-supermini/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/09/01/rendered-speculation-bmw-building-a-supermini/#commentsFiled under: , ,

According to Motor Authority, word on the wire is that BMW will be making a minicar below the 1-series that will share the current MINI platform. The car will also be front wheel drive, and cost less than the MINI, which would make it the cheapest BMW one could buy.

Apparently the car is driven by several factors, including the fact that green is increasingly seen as corporate gold. There are also regulatory issues, in light of EU fleet averages and CO2 standards -- that Z6 and hypothetical supercar are going to need some sort of frugal foil. BMW is also paying attention to Audi, which is coming out with a small car of its own, though that car is aimed at the MINI. Apparently development work is already underway. If such a car is on the way, what would it be called? The BMW Zero?

Thanks for the tip, James!

[Source: Motor Authority]

Rendered speculation: BMW building a supermini? originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 01 Sep 2007 07:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1-seriesbmwgreenminisuperminiSat, 01 Sep 2007 07:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva Motor Show: Hyundai i30]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/07/geneva-motor-show-hyundai-i30/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/07/geneva-motor-show-hyundai-i30/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/07/geneva-motor-show-hyundai-i30/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click on the image above to check out 76 hi-rez photos

Alongside the QarmaQ crossover concept, Hyundai unveiled it's new i30 here at Geneva, and in the process took the wraps off its new nomenclature. Hyundai is ditching names like Sonata and Accent for alphanumeric designations starting with "i", which Hyundai says stands for Inspiration, Intelligence and Integrity. The Korean carmaker has been improving the quality of its products considerably, but we'll have to sit tight and see how the i30 lives up to the hype.

Hyundai gets ahead by providing tons of features in an attractive package at a competitive price, and the i30 promises to live up to that strategy. (You can check out all the details in the press release after the jump.) Engines include 1.6-liter fours with 113 and 120 horsepower and a 2-liter four with 141hp, driving through a 5-speed manual (113 and 120-hp versions), an available 4-speed automatic (in the 113hp version) and a 6-speed for the 2.0.

While the i30 is undoubtedly aimed at a younger market than some of its larger and more expensive offerings, Hyundai evidently (and inexplicably) thought five-year-old children would be their target audience and presented the car with a pair of mascots, rather unlike the pair of lookers that took the veil off the QarmaQ. Check out the pics in our high-resolution image gallery below.

Gallery: Hyundai i30

Continue reading Geneva Motor Show: Hyundai i30

Geneva Motor Show: Hyundai i30 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Mar 2007 07:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autocompactdebutgenevahatchbackhyundaii30premierproductionshowsuperminiunveilWed, 07 Mar 2007 07:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Citroën offers boy-racer-look C1 Chrono]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/31/citroen-offers-boy-racer-look-c1-chrono/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/31/citroen-offers-boy-racer-look-c1-chrono/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/31/citroen-offers-boy-racer-look-c1-chrono/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click for hires image gallery

Citroën's C1 supermini is getting some new casualwear from the French automaker. Last week, the automaker released the C1 Chrono. Mechanically identical to any other C1 with the 68-horse 1.0i 3-cylinder, the C1 Chrono is equipped with a -- wait for it, kids -- tachometer! The little rev counter is mounted on a stalk attached to the main instrument cluster.

The addition of basic instrumentation is also celebrated through the application of race-look body decals and the installation of white rearview mirror housings. Très sportif, indeed! 14" alloys keep the pert little Citroën planted to Parisian streets. Inside, white-faced gauge and an RDS radio with CD complete the deal. Only 800 will be made available and pricing ranges from €10,950 to €11,850 depending on bodystyle and transmission selection. Full details in the press release after the jump.



[Source: Citroën ]

Continue reading Citroën offers boy-racer-look C1 Chrono

Citroën offers boy-racer-look C1 Chrono originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 31 Dec 2006 18:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>c1c1 chronoC1ChronocitroensuperminiSun, 31 Dec 2006 18:38:00 EST<![CDATA[Toyota moving forward with the Endo]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/23/toyota-moving-forward-with-the-endo/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/23/toyota-moving-forward-with-the-endo/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/23/toyota-moving-forward-with-the-endo/#commentsFiled under: , ,



The Toyota Endo appears to be moving closer to production, as a tiny Toyota-badged mule has been spotted during testing in Japan. First shown in Frankfurt last year, this supermini competitor offers seating for 4 in a package barely larger than the 2-seat only ForTwo from rival SMART. Insiders are saying the production car will closely follow the look of the concept, although the flat panel display in place of a dashboard is sure to go. A wrap-around windscreen, vertical tailgate and two-tone bodywork are some of its most unique features.

Looking like something straight out of Minority Report, this futuristic city car would look so cool zipping around the urban jungles of Europe and Asia. These micro cars are perfect for cities where streets are narrow and fuel prices are sky high. As we pointed out when it was first introduced, the chances of the Endo ever coming to the States are slim.

Toyota's designers are said to have drawn inspiration from the SMART and Peugeot 1007 among others. But unlike those models, the Endo features wider-opening doors to improve access without needing the heavy (and pricey) sliding doors used on the 1007. The Endo is expected to hit dealers in 2007.

[Source: Auto Express]

Toyota moving forward with the Endo originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Oct 2006 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Peugeot 1007Peugeot1007Smart ForTwoSmartFortwosuperminiToyota EndoToyotaEndoMon, 23 Oct 2006 19:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Paris Motor Show: Renault Twingo Concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/28/paris-motor-show-renault-twingo-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/28/paris-motor-show-renault-twingo-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/28/paris-motor-show-renault-twingo-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,




Although our guy Noah just posted info on this a few days ago, we now have some live pics and a full press release for this funky fun concept. Renault has introduced its new Twingo concept at the Paris Motor Show, foreshadowing the much-anticipated replacement for the popular supermini. The Twingo concept has some typical show car features that won't likely make it to production, but several might. Styling mimics that of the new Clio.

Powered by a 1.2-liter turbo four producing 100 hp, the not-quite-eleven-foot-long Twingo should be zippy. Cool features like frameless door windows and a panoramic glass roof are classy and chic. Four bucket seats surround a center console that houses docks for electronic gadgets and an auxiliary USB port. The instrument pod is center-mounted too. The concept also packs a TV and internet-enabled car PC.

(Follow the jump for more info and pics.)

Continue reading Paris Motor Show: Renault Twingo Concept

Paris Motor Show: Renault Twingo Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Sep 2006 09:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>RenaultsuperminiTwingoThu, 28 Sep 2006 09:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Mazda2 receives freshening, equipment upgrades]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/25/mazda2-receives-freshening-equipment-upgrades/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/25/mazda2-receives-freshening-equipment-upgrades/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/03/25/mazda2-receives-freshening-equipment-upgrades/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

We're not sure how this slipped by us, but word came down earlier this month that the diminutive Mazda2 supermini is getting a once-over from the Japanese automaker.

The baby Zoom2 is the beneficiary of revamped light fixtures (front and rear), and some fascia alterations. The net-net is a more grown-up 'corporate' face that reminds of the car's big brother, the Mazda3. Standard equipment has improved trim-by-trim, with all levels receiving a standard-fit CD player and anti-lock brakes incorporating electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and emergency brake assist. Mazda also claims that it has fitted higher quality interior bits and upholstery, but drivetrain options remain essentially unaltered.

[Source: WhatCar?]

Mazda2 receives freshening, equipment upgrades originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 25 Mar 2006 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MazdaMazda 3Mazda2Mazda3superminiZoom ZoomZoomZoomSat, 25 Mar 2006 13:59:00 EST