Citroen has unveiled the DS4, ahead of its official releasing at the upcoming Paris Motor Show.

In Citroen’s DS line of upmarket vehicles, the Citroen DS4 is the second model after the DS3, and is based on the DS High Rider concept car that was showcased at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year. The DS4 runs on the same platform as the recently unveiled C4 family hatchback.

According to Citroen, the DS4 is “a unique and attractive blend of creativity, dynamism, exclusivity and versatility”, and the car features styling elements such as a coupe-like profile with hidden rear handles, a slightly raised ride height for a crossover-like appearance, and boomerang-shaped rear lights, which go along with the LED daytime running headlights in front.

Interior, the DS4 has a noticeably upmarket and sporty feel, with a driver-orientated cockpit, panoramic windshield, ambient lighting, chrome trim and leather. There are also several colour combinations for the leather upholstery, including two-tone selections. There is also a large panoramic windscreen that extends backwards into the roofline that will be standard for all models in the DS4 range.

The Citroen DS4 measures in at 4270mm long, 1810mm wide and 1530mm high, making it 60mm shorter, 20mm wider and 40mm taller than the regular C4. The boot is slight smaller though, with the 370-litre space 38-litres smaller than its brethren.

At the time of launch, the Citroen will offer up to five engines, with two diesels and three petrols. The diesel options include a 1.6-litre HDi that produces 110bhp and comes with stop/start and regenerative braking technology, while the other diesel unit is a 2.0-litre HDi that churns out 160bhp.

Meanwhile, the petrol range consists of three 1.6-litre powerplants that were jointly developed with the BMW Group. The base unit is a naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre with 120bhp, while the other two are turbocharged units that produce 155bhp and 200bhp. All engines are available with either manual or Citroen’s robotized manual EGS six-speed gearboxes.

Details of the DS4 will officially unveil at the upcoming Paris Motor Show this September, and the car is expected to be in market in 2011 in Europe, with other markets to receive the car later next year.

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The new Mondeo gets a couple of new engines along with a bunch of new toys.

The most stylish and technologically advanced Mondeo ever, gets new LED headlamps, with a (slightly) more aggressive front fascia, some revised chrome trim, LED tail lamps, and more pronounced character lines. There’s also a new feature called Active Grille Shutter.

With the help of bevy of sensors, the car’s computer can either close or open an aperture behind the front grille. When opened, more air gets in for better cooling, while it’s closed, the car’s aerodynamics become more efficient, resulting in better fuel economy.

Behind the Mondeo’s fancy new grille sits one of two new engines – the new, turbocharged 237-hp direct-injection 2.0 litre EcoBoost. Or, a reworked version of the 2.2 litre Duratorq TDCi diesel, which now makes a healthy 197-hp.

Interior, the new Mondeo features the 2011 Mondeo sports ambient LED lighting, a woven headliner, “jewel detailing” on the switchgear, and new interior colours.

It includes a Lane Departure Warning system, Auto High Beam, Driver Alert, Smart Regenerative Charging, Blind Spot Information System, Speed Limiter, Rear Door Power Child Locks and a Rear View Camera.

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After the official unveil of the E-tron supercar at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi has announced that it would be put into production in a limited 1000 units. The E-tron will compete with the electric version of the Mercedes SLS AMG which Mercedes is currently working on.

The prototype caught testing has no air intakes and the traditional front and side air intakes of the V8 and V10 R8s have also been removed.

The E-tron concept is powered by a purely electric drive system made up of four motors – two at the front and two more at the rear axle. The total output of this electric drive system is 313 HP and 3,319.03 lb-ft of torque, meaning that the car can sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in just 4.8 seconds and from 60 to 120 km/h (37.28 – 74.56 mph) in 4.1 seconds.

By the end of 2-12, the E-Tron should be in showrooms and will be more expensive than the Audi R8 which starts at about $114,200.

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Saab is planning hybrid and fully electric version of its upcoming 9-2 and 9-3 models, which will be launched around 2016.

Victor Muller, Saab boss, revealed the plans about the Swedish carmaker’s upcoming product line, and also said that the 9-2, which is slated for a launch around 2013 or 2014, will be “stunning to look at, ingenious and an outstanding premium product.”

The 9-2 will use either a shortened version of the 9-3’s platform, or one that is borrowed from another carmaker. Saab expects to sell around 30,000 to 60,000 units of the 9-2 annually, and will compete against the likes of the Mini.

Other product plans revealed by Muller include a facelifted version of the 9-3 to be unveiled later this year, and a new 9-4X crossover in 2011, as well as the Sport Combi estate version of the 9-5 by the middle of next year. Saab will also introduce a new 1.6-litre turbocharged engine in 2011.

The new redesigned 9-3 will be launched in 2012 that will use a modified version of the current Episilon I platform. A hybrid version of the new 9-3 is expected, as is a fully-electric one which will be sold from 2016. Saab expects to go back to profit by 2012, by selling an estimated 120,000 to 125,000 a year.

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IN order to celebrate the 20oth anniversary of the brand, Peugeot is launching the new special editions of the 207 in the UK.

The Peugeot name was found out 200 years ago, and to celebrate the anniversary, Peugeot is introducing a Millesim 200 special edition for the 207. The 207 Millesim 200 is available for both the hatchback and SW estate models, with a choice of petrol or HDi diesel engines, and unique Millesim badges.

The 207 S trim level based the 207 Millesim 200 comes with extra equipment such as 15-inch alloy wheels, Peugeot Connect USB & Bluetooth, front fog lights, sports front grille with chrome detailing, colored coded side rubbing strips with chrome inserts and in the case of the estate model, aluminium roof bars also.

For the 207 Millesim 200, the choices of engines include: two 1.4-litre petrol engines that produce 75 or 95bhp, or HDi diesels with either 70 or 90bhp. The 207 Millesim 200 will go on sale in the UK in June, and Peugeot says it will throw in a free Nokia 5230 smart phone with inbuilt satellite navigation with free future updates and an in-car mounting kit for early bird buyers.

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The Prior Design has revealed a new tuning package called the PD Series based on the Mercedes SL R230 and inspired by the SL65 AMG Black Series. Just-in-time approach, Mercedes was finished just in time that to be viewed at this year’s Tuning World Bodensee.

Prior Design has taken the elegance of the SL R230 and added the aggressiveness of the AMG Black Series. The Mercedes frontal has got a front spoiler with large, greedy air inlets and futuristic facelift headlights a-la-R230. The vented bonnet found on the Black Series is eliminated making the bonnet appear to be lifted straight from the R230. The side gets imposing wheel arches and a perfectly rounded rear bumper from one wheel arch to the other.

Rear of the Mercedes SL R230 PD Series is a bit more original and a lot more edgy as compare that two Mercedes’ this car is based on. The trapezoidal exhaust tailpipes have been switched out for quad round tips and the rear spoiler looks to have sharper edges. Based on racing technology, it also gets a diffuser and the use of an Airmatic suspension to make sure the car hugs the ground appropriately. The whole package is finished with wheel rim PD1 (three-piece stainless steel outer bed, black finish).

The Mercedes SL R230 PD Series looks best, but the specs of its engine has not been unveiled yet. It is being expected that the newly tuned one will carry the setup found in the AMG Black Series for a seriously thrilling ride.

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For the 2010 model year, Audi has given its TTS performance coupe and roadster a few updates with minor cosmetic changes.

The facelifted Audi TTS will be opened for sale later this year. Among the cosmetic changes, the updated TTS include the revised single-frame grille with its aluminium-look horizontal double bars and the bumper, as well as a new Panther Black body colour available, and a new silver and black two-tone interior option.

However, Audi has not given any upgrades to TTS in order to improve its performance, with the Coupe and Roadster still being powered by Audi’s 2.0-litre TFSI turbocharged and that produces 272bhp and 350Nm of torque.

It enables the TTS to go from 0-100km/h in 5.2 seconds, when equipped with the optional S-tronic Sports transmission. Top speed is electronically limited to 250km/h, while the TTS is also able to return a fuel consumption figure of 7.7 litres per 100km.

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Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd has made an announcement that the purchase of a majority stake in Bangalore based REVA Electric Car Co. Ltd. Mahindra owns 55.2% stake in REVA, which will now be known as the Mahindra REVA Electric Vehicle Co. Ltd.

This buy stake is evidence that M&M wants to electrify the Indian auto market, and “book” the segment before players like Nissan jump in.

Mahindra has on its own been working hard on developing eco-friendly technology, under its Sustainable Mobility Initiative. This has seen the development of green technologies such as the diesel hybrid Scorpio and hydrogen Alfa three wheeler.

Mahindra also launched a 1`00% BIODIESEL fleet which has now grown to about 50,000 vehicles. The company is also currently working on an electric version of its Maxximo mini truck. REVA’s EV technology will now be adapted for M&M vehicles.

Currently, REVA is marketing its products in 24 countries across the world with an overall vehicle population of over 3,500 units, claimed as the largest EV fleet globally. Introduced in London in 2004 under the G-Wiz brand, REVA premiered its next generation electric car models, the NXR and NXG, and the REVive remote emergency charge system, REVA’s unique proprietary technology, at last year’s Frankfurt show.

Auto News: Mahindra aims to electrify India with purchase of REVA is a post from: Auto Source Media

The Mini Beachcomber, revealed at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, will actually make it to production. The Concept was built to only to preview the Countryman Crossover, but the Beachcomber turned out to be a great success and so onward it goes.

The Beachcomber Concept also gave up two doors to pay tribute to the original Mini beach buggy, the Moke. The original Moke was built between 1964 to 1993. The Beachcomber has a metal, body-colored grille, only this time the designers have inserted driving lights.

Off-road ability is enhanced by higher ground clearance than the Countryman, as well as chunky tires. Plus, the new ALL4 four-wheel-drive system is likely to be included as standard.

The production version of the Beachcomber will have almost no competitors on the market and as for its name Mini said the company needs original names.

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Seat UK has announced the launch of the special edition Exeo Tech and Exeo ST Tech (the Spanish version of the Audi A4), which is joining the existing Exeo models versions; S, SE, Sport and SE Lux.

The new SE Tech and Sport Tech models will be available with a DVD-based color screen satellite navigation, BOSE premium audio upgrade, luxurious black leather upholstery, and an iPod connection in lieu of the standard glove compartment-mounted USB port.

Additional equipment is worth 3,270 pounds, but is available to the consumer for the bargain price of 875 pounds (over the standard SE or Sport models).

The Sport tech package will be available for both sedan and station wagon versions and will be offered with a choice of two 2.0-turbo diesel engines (143HP or 170HP). Prices range from £21,270 for the SEAT Exeo 2.0 TDI CR 143 HP to £24,175 for the SEAT Exeo ST 2.0 TDI CR 170 HP Sport Tech.

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