China Market 2012 Volkswagen NMS Unwrapped?

Chances are you've already seen a set of pictures, supposedly depicting the U.S. market version of the 2012 Volkswagen New Midsized Sedan (NMS), floating around on the web-o-sphere this week. As always, we looked around and tried to find the original or one of the original sources of the photos. Turns out that these pictures originated from a Chinese car site called Autohome. If we are to believe the report, what you see here is the China-market version of the NMS. Even so, we would like to note that we're not entirely convinced of their authenticity as the photographs could very well be fabricated.

Either way, it won't be long before we find out what the North American market spec NMS looks like as Volkswagen recently confirmed that the car will get its world premiere at next month's Detroit Motor Show, with U.S. sales to begin in the third quarter of 2011.

Source: Autohome

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Honda Brio Prototype Previews New City Car for Asian Markets

As a follow up to the New Small Concept model showcased this past January at the Auto Expo 2010 in New Delhi, India, Honda revealed the pre-production version of its new small city car called the Brio at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo (press day: November 30, public days: December 1-12.).

Developed for Asian markets and scheduled to be introduced in Thailand and India in 2011, the Brio has a small footprint measuring just 3,610mm in length, 1,680mm in width and 1,475 mm in height. Even though the Brio keeps the basic styling theme of the concept car, the pre-production prototype's design has been watered down with the new grille looking like a last minute addition and a not very attractive one at that.

The mass-production model, which will be an entry-level car in newly emerging markets, Honda will develop unique versions for Thailand and India to reflect different customer needs in those markets.

Honda said that the Thai model is scheduled to be introduced in March 2011 with a starting price of approximately 400,000 baht or about US$13,300. It will be powered by a more fuel efficient engine returning a combined consumption of less than 5 lt/100km [47.0 mpg US].

For the Indian model that is planned to be introduced within 2011, the Japanese automaker said the engine choice will reflect the need for "a good balance between vehicle performance and price."

“Honda would like to expand the joy of mobility to more customers in Thailand, India and other Asian countries through the introduction of a new small vehicle with compact and highly efficient packaging by utilizing our own experiences cultivated by motorcycle business here in Asia,” said Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor.

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

All-New Buick GL8 Minivan Fully Revealed, Only for China

After selling more than 330,000 units of the original Buick GL8 since 1999, General Motors unveiled an all-new version of its MPV model featuring several key improvements and innovations, destined exclusively for the China market. Built by the firm's Shanghai GM joint venture, the new GL8 is said to offer an "unmistakable Buick experience" - always according to the automaker.

“The new GL8 was developed by Shanghai GM in cooperation with the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in Shanghai with the specific needs of our customers in mind”, said Terry Johnsson, Shanghai GM Vice President of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. “It offers everything that consumers have come to expect from Buick, including a dynamic, smooth, quiet and comfortable ride. Like its predecessor, the new GL8 is the right product at the right time.”

Based on the 2009 Buick Business hybrid concept model and boasting the “classic waterfall grille”, the GL8 features several sharp edges running from front to rear, giving it a modern look. Large, tear-shaped headlamps cut into the fenders, while LEDs incorporated into the tail lamps and rear bumper.

With a wheelbase measuring 3,088 mm (122 inches), the MPV provides a spacious cabin for up to 7 passengers. Being a luxury oriented people carrier, the GL8 features all the usual amenities such as genuine leather seats, panorama sunroof, electric sliding door and lift door, high-quality Bose sound system, 7-inch touch screen up front and 10.2-inch HD display for the next two rows. OnStar is also on the menu.

The engine range kicks off with a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-pot and tops out with a 3.0-liter V6 SIDI direct injection powerplant. A six-speed automatic is standard on all variants.

For enhanced safety, ESP will do its best to prevent accidents and certain models can also be specified with 6 airbags.

The new GL8 will hit the Chinese market in January 2011, for a retail price of between RMB 288,000 and RMB 388,000 [US$43,300 - 58,300]. In parallel, Shanghai GM will offer an updated 2011 model of the current generation, featuring the 2.4-liter engine and six-speed automatic, targeting the upper-medium segment. General Motors claims that this dual-model strategy will result in better market coverage.

By Csaba Daradics

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Saab Targets Chinese and Russian Markets, Unlikely to Develop a Diesel 9-4X

Saab has revealed plans to begin distribution to China and Russia. Deals for both countries will be signed before the end of the year, while Saab is also pondering the assembly of cars in the Far East. In other news, the Swedish maker also said that it's unlikely that we'll see a diesel-powered 9-4X any time soon.

In regards to China, Saab CEO Jan Ake Jonsson, told reporters on the sidelines of the Los Angeles Auto Show: "Until we launch the new 9-3 at the end of 2012, it will be just a couple of thousand units (annually), all based on imports. As we lead up to this, we have to make a decision if and when we are going to introduce local manufacturing in China."

If Saab decides to assemble cars in China, production would concern the next generation 9-3, as the 9-5 sedan and 9-4X would be imported to the country.

Until then, Saab wants to define the dealer network first, which will have 10 to 15 showrooms, spread out in five or six cities. Mr. Jonsson didn't reveal any further information about the company's plans in Russia.

Speaking about the 9-4X, the Saab CEO said that there are no current plans for the introduction of a diesel engine to the range, due to the short payoff period it would have.

"If you then look at the life cycle of the vehicle, typically five or six years, before we actually have a diesel engine, we have to find one, we have to test it, we have to install it, validate it, and you are two years into the life cycle. And then you have a very short payoff period. So I think it is unlikely" Jonsson said.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: Autonews

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________

Landwind CV9 MPV receives Two Stars in Euro NCAP's First Chinese Vehicle Rating

Euro NCAP has released its latest crash test results, including the data sheet for the first Chinese vehicle it has ever tested, the Landwind CV9. Although the Chinese maker claims it has revamped the car to meet "the strictest European safety standards", the mid-sized MPV only managed a two star rating. However, Euro NCAP noted that the CV9 came close to meeting the three star threshold for adult protection, so there's still hope for the Chinese maker.

Dr. Michiel van Ratingen, Euro NCAP's Secretary General, commented:

"It is clear that vehicles from China, India and other emerging countries will in the next few years become commonplace on European roads. Euro NCAP will ensure that consumers know what levels of safety are offered by these vehicles. By highlighting differences in safety performance, we aim to drive the safety of all cars towards and beyond the high levels we see from more well established manufacturers. We are confident that Landwind and others will rise to this challenge".

This is not Lanwind's first foray into the European market. In 2005 they tried to attract buyers with the X6 SUV, based on Isuzu Rodeo/Opel Frontera underpinnings, but failed miserably after ADAC conducted a crash test and rated it with zero stars.

The MPV fared better, but it's still considered to be poorly equipped. Euro NCAP pointed out that side airbags, increased head protection and electronic stability control would have helped it achieve a better score. The test vehicles were early examples of Euro-spec models, as Lanwind plans to officially launch the CV9 in early 2011.

You can read the official Euro NCAP assessment below.

By Csaba Daradics

Adult occupant

Inspection of the vehicle after the frontal impact, and examination of its performance during the test itself, revealed that structures surrounding the passenger compartment were at the limit of their load-bearing capacity. As a result, the passenger compartment was deemed to be unstable as an impact at a higher speed was expected to lead to significantly greater collapse. Protection of the driver's chest was rated as marginal. Dummy readings indicated good protection of the front seat occupants' knees and femurs. However, structures in the dashboard presented a risk of injury to occupants of different sizes and to those sat in different positions, and protection was rated as marginal. The steering rack was pushed rearwards during the frontal test, heavily distorting the driver's footwell and tearing the metal. This represented a risk of injury to the driver's feet and ankles and the car was penalised. The CV9 has no side protection airbags and, in the side barrier test, protection of the chest area was rated as weak and that of the abdomen as marginal. In that test, three doors were seen to have opened during the impact. Landwind have attributed this to weak springs in the door latches and intend to fit stiffer springs to try to overcome the problem in future vehicles. As the car has no head protection device, no side pole test was performed. The seats supplied for whiplash tests were not consistent with the ones in the test vehicles. As the seats in the test cars were damaged from the full scale tests, no valid assessment could be made of the whiplash protection offered by the CV9.

Child occupant

In the frontal impact, forward movement of the head of the 3 year dummy, sat in a forward facing restraint, exceeded recommended limits. However, in the side barrier test, both the 3 year and the 18 month dummies were properly contained within the protective shells of their restraints. The passenger airbag cannot be disabled to allow a rearward facing restraint to be used in that seating position and the label warning of the dangers of doing so was unclear and not permanently attached. Markings on the restraints of both dummies were not permanently attached and points were lost.

Pedestrian

The protection offered by the bumper to pedestrians' legs was good in places and poor in others. The front edge of the bonnet offered poor protection and scored no points in Euro NCAP's tests. Tests in some areas at the centre of the bonnet indicated good protection for a child's head but was poor elsewhere. The protection offered to the head of a struck adult was also predominantly poor.

Safety assist

A seatbelt reminder system is standard equipment for the driver and front passenger seats. Electronic stability control is not currently available on the CV9.

_______________________________VIDEO_______________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________