Honda to debut Civic Hatchback Prototype in Geneva

Honda is set to unveil the Civic Hatchback Prototype at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.

The Prototype previews the exterior design of the all-new hatchback Civic model, scheduled for a European launch in early 2017. Produced in the UK , the car will be exported to global markets, including the US.

Honda has also confirmed the Clarity Fuel Cell will make its European debut at Geneva, following its global unveil at Tokyo motor show in October last year. The world’s first production fuel cell saloon to house the entire fuel cell powertrain under the bonnet, features a range of up-to 435 miles.

Honda has also announced first European customer deliveries for the Honda NSX will begin in 2016. The NSX sports car features classic low and wide proportions as well as an ‘aggressive front design, and rear lights that pay homage to the original NSX’. The new hybrid supercar has an all-new mid-mounted DOHC V6 engine with twin turbochargers mated to a specially-developed nine-speed DCT.

Honda will also demonstrate a new design concept - the ’Keenlight’ Jazz. The new concept seeks to highlight the potential for customising Jazz models, using sleek design elements, special decals and a unique colour named ‘Keenlight’.

The Geneva Motor Show runs from 3-13 March 2016.

Vauxhall Mokka facelift adds X appeal

Vauxhall's facelifted Mokka X will debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show next month.

Incorporating cues from Vauxhall's new design philosophy, the new model is the first to introduce the "X" segment identifier for future Vauxhall SUV and crossover vehicles.

The Mokka X's refreshed interior and exterior styling is the work of a design team lead by Brit Mark Adams. A new front treatment includes a wing-shaped horizontal grille and the sharp double-wing design LED daytime running lights. The bumper features new sculpted surfaces, with fewer plastic inserts, while at the rear there's another double wing signature highlighted in the tail lamps, with LED technology an option. 

On the inside, there's a completely new dashboard inspired by the Astra's, with a new instrument panel organised around more horizontally shaped elements. The centre stack has been redeveloped around the seven- and eight-inch touchscreens of the new generation infotainment systems. There are fewer buttons, since more functions are now accessible via the touchscreen.

The engine line-up now includes the 1.4-litre Direct Injection Turbo (152PS) petrol unit which first appeared in the all-new Astra. With a six-speed automatic transmission, adaptive all-wheel drive and start/stop, it delivers 42.8mpg and CO2 emissions of 154g/km. 

The new Mokka X will be available from launch with the personal connectivity and service assistant OnStar and two versions of the new generation IntelliLink infotainment system, while LED Adaptive Forward Lighting headlamps replace the previous BiXenon AFL.

With nearly 100,000 sold in the UK since its launch in 2012, the Mokka SUV has been a big winner for Vauxhall. The new version will reach UK showrooms late this year.

Pininfarina teases Geneva-bound concept car

Pininfarina has released a teaser image of a concept car set to make its world debut at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show.

 The Turin-based automotive design house, recently acquired by Indian automaker Mahindra, describes the concept car as an 'innovative stylistic and technological jewel' but there are no other details beyond what we see in the image.

The detail shot appears to depict a sharp, sleek front-end, reminiscent of a contemporary supercar, with aero blade elements sweeping in towards the centre, which is topped off with the classic upright Pininfarina badge.

All will be revealed when the concept is unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1 at on the Pininfarina stand.

Skoda previews new VisionS ahead of Geneva debut

Skoda has released teaser images of a new SUV concept - the VisionS.

Hinting at how a future Skoda SUV could look, the new concept is set to be revealed at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show. Over recent years Skoda has completely renewed its model range and says the next phase will involve broadening the range of models in the SUV segment.

Skoda’s new design language was unveiled in 2014 with the VisionC design study, and this now extends to the SUV segment with the VisionS (‘S’ stands for SUV) showing how how an SUV with three rows of seats, larger than the Yeti model, could look. On the inside a large interior offers ‘generous space’ for six occupants thanks to a total length of 4.70 metres.

The VisionS features design lines and edges described as ‘clear, precise and sharp’. At the front the bonnet has contours flowing towards the brands logo. The wide grille and four tapered, high-set LED headlights characterise the face of the show car, emphasising the vehicle’s SUV character. ‘Crystalline’ elements in the vertical struts in the grille and on the logo are Skoda’s tribute to the Czech art of crystal-glass design.

The side view features a ‘sharp tornado line’ spanning the entire length of the car. Angular wheel arches emphasise the off-road character and the upper-shoulder contour forms a deep groove over the sills. The quickly sloping roofline with the long spoiler and tapered rear ‘visually accelerate’ the show car further.

At the rear, a strong diffuser insert bordering the large exhaust pipes gives the SUV a powerful stance. The Skoda logo and shallow rear lights with dynamically cut crystalline housings sit just beneath the low rear window, while Skoda’s characteristic C-arm, beginning at the rear lights, runs into the flat reflectors in the bumper.

The Geneva Motor Show runs from 3-13 March.

Vauxhall reveals GT Concept

Vauxhall has revealed its new GT Concept ahead of a Geneva Motorshow debut.

The brands vision of a future sports car is described as ’purebred, pared down, yet unashamedly avant-garde’. The GT Concept is even shorn of door handles and door mirrors, and features a front mid-engined, rear-wheel drive chassis that will ‘appeal to driving enthusiasts’.

The GT name mirrors that of the 1964 GT Concept, the first styling model to be produced by the Vauxhall Design and Engineering Centre in Luton which opened the same year. The 2016 concept pays homage to two significant motor show cars: the 1966 Vauxhall XVR  (Xperimental Vauxhall Research) and the 1965 Opel Experimental GT - particularly with the long bonnet and central dual exhausts. Fifty years later, the GT Concept has a red signature line that splits the vehicle body horizontally and distinctive red tyres – mounted on rims with a ‘roller-skate’ design – which are a reference to an Vauxhall/Opel motorbike from the 1920s – the Motoclub 500 – which sported red-coloured rubber.

The GT Concept’s front-mid engine configuration keeps the car’s centre of gravity low and central for ‘excellent dynamics’. Beneath its stretched bonnet is a turbocharged 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine, based on the all-aluminium unit used in the ADAM, Corsa and Astra. Developing 145PS and maximum torque of 205Nm, the engine delivers drive to the rear wheels, via a six-speed sequential transmission operated by steering-wheel mounted paddle shift. Weighing under 1000kgs, the GT Concept accelerates from 0-62mph in less than eight seconds and on to a maximum speed of 134mph.

The GT Concept uses ultra-modern projection technology, with a three-dimensional beam which allows glare-free high-beam driving. Based on Vauxhall’s IntelliLux LED matrix lighting, first seen in the recently launched Astra, the GT Concept sees the intelligent lighting system’s next stage of development. The design of the lights is completed by the three-dimensional design of the tail lamps.

A key innovation is the cars large doors with integrated side windows that show a seamless transition from glass to painted surfaces. Both driver and front passenger gain access to the spacious interior after pressing a touchpad for the electric doors that is integrated in the red signature line of the roof. The doors open into the front arches, using a space-saving and patented mounting that allows a large opening angle for tight parking spaces in urban areas. Two cameras mounted behind the wheel arches offer enhanced visibility, especially in city driving. They transmit their images to two monitors on the left- and right-hand side of the cabin, rendering external mirrors obsolete. The windscreen flows into a glass panorama roof, affording occupants a similar experience to that of a targa-topped car, according to Vauxhall.

The Geneva Motorshow runs from March 3-13.

First Lotus Evora 400 leaves factory

First Lotus Evora 400 leaves factory

The first new Lotus Evora 400 has driven off the assembly line at Hethel, UK.

Finished in a metallic black, the first Lotus Evora 400 is destined to be a promotion car. The new Evora 400 laps the Lotus test track at Hethel six seconds faster than the previous Evora S in a time of 1 minute 32 seconds. Combining high performance with Lotus handling, it's faster and dynamically more capable than the previous Lotus Evora leading to greater agility and a more involving drive.

Maximum speed is 186 mph with acceleration from 0-62 mph taking just 4.2 seconds. Over two thirds of the Evora 400 is new, including its supercharged and charge-cooled mid-mounted 3.5-litre V6 engine producing 400 horsepower and 410 Nm of torque. A new aluminium chassis incorporates a new interior and the lightweight composite body has changed significantly both front and rear.

In a small celebration with a selection of senior management, manufacturing and engineering staff, Jean-Marc Gales, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus plc, said: "Today is a very significant stage in our long term plan, which we set-out more than a year ago. With the first Evora 400 coming off the line, we have achieved a key milestone for Lotus. None of this would be possible, of course, without the confidence and commitment of our workforce who, with great skill and talent, hand build every Lotus car at Hethel."

The new Lotus, which was revealed at the Geneva Motor Show in March, will enter production for European markets in the summer and deliveries will commence in August this year.

Pricing for the Lotus Evora 400 starts at £72,000 OTR.