A round-up of today's other stories in brief
Hybrid link-up
TOYOTA AND Ford are to work together to develop hybrid SUVs that will be ready for market by the end of the decade, the two companies confirmed this week.
The firms plan to collaborate on product development for the future rear-wheel drive hybrid vehicles as well as for internet and entertainment systems.
The hybrids will help each firm meet stringent new US fuel economy standards.
Collaboration will not extend beyond rear-wheel drive hybrids and on-board phone, navigation and entertainment systems, according to Ford.
Opel supermini due early 2013
OPEL HAS been busy of late creating a new supermini aimed at offering a funky rival to the likes of Fiat’s 500 and even the Mini.
The Junior, seen undergoing track testing, will supplement the firm’s current small car range, such as the functional Agila and conventional Corsa.
The car is believed to be a year away from production. Nick Reilly, GM Europe president, said one of his first decisions upon taking charge in November 2009 was to “prioritise and accelerate” development of this very car. “It’s a chic and stylish minicar that fits with today’s hip, urban spirit,” said Reilly. “It is not a low-cost version of the Corsa.” Suggested names include the Junior.
While the Mini and Fiat 500 have strong heritages to plunder, Opel designer Mark Adams is starting afresh. “We have a heritage in small cars, but we wanted to do this in a contemporary way. It’s modern but with real personality.”
While the Insignia’s interior has been copied in the Astra and Meriva to boost economies of scale, the city car will get a bespoke design.
GM Europe is investing €11 billion in new cars and powertrains over the next three years. A new small engine family is under development and pencilled in for the Junior. GM has also confirmed the new model will also be sold as a fully electric version.
The Junior production will begin at Eisenach in Germany in late 2012, with sales beginning in 2013.
Kia powers up
KOREAN MANUFACTURER Kia will produce high-performance versions of its Rio and Pro Cee’d hatchbacks within a year, The Irish Times has learned.
A source close to the brand has said that there will be a Pro Cee’d model with more than 200bhp and a double-clutch gearbox.
There will also be a high-performance version of the three-door Kia Rio.
We can also expect a small capacity turbo-charged petrol engine, probably a 1.4-litre, with “around 160- or 170bhp”, the source said.
Kia is also looking at the prospect of a convertible model next year, with the Cee’d the most likely model to lose its roof.
VW city car unveiled
VOLKSWAGEN HAS issued the first official images of its new entry-level city car the Up! Due to be unveiled at next month’s Frankfurt motor show, the new car effectively replaces the current Fox model and will go on sale in Spring.
Once more, it’s a city car with premium ambitions, for VW is hoping to capture some of the audience for the likes of the Fiat 500. It’s also been suggested an electric version of the car is in development.
VW are claiming the Up! has similar space to a Polo but with an emissions rating below 100g/km. It’s powered by a 1.0-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with either 59bhp or 74bhp.
New safety features on offer will include emergency city braking, similar to the system that features on the Volvo range, but a first for this class of car. Unlike the rear-engined, rear-wheel drive concept car shown at Frankfurt in 2009, the production version is a front-engined, front-wheel drive. The car measures in at 3.5 metres long, 1.6 metres wide and 1.5 metres high but with a 2.4-metre wheelbase, it’s much more spacious.