Kia 2011 Pro

Photos of the mildly refreshed Kia Pro_cee'd are making the internet rounds before the car's scheduled world premiere at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in early March. The most obvious visual changes concern the restyled front end that brings the three-door version of the European market Cee'd more in line with Kia's latest offerings.
Along with the new H-shaped front grille finished in black, the 2011 Pro_cee'd also gains restyled headlamps and a reworked bumper. It is also possible that Kia may have upgraded the three-door model's interior as well as its engine line-up, but we won't know for sure until we get the official press release in our hands. Until then, follow the break to check out the rest of the pictures.

Saab Releases First Official Photo of 2011 9-5 SportCombi

Following a preliminary release earlier today, Saab has issued the first official photograph of its 9-5 SportCombi. The estate version of the 9-5, which will carry the SportWagon moniker in certain markets including the UK, will get its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
Saab has not yet released detailed information on the engine lineup, but buyers should expect to see a similar mix of turbocharged diesel and gasoline motors (depending on the market of course) to the sedan variant when it arrives in the market this Fall.
For the time being we only have a single official picture of the 9-5 SportCombi / SportWagon, but Carscoop reader Torben just sent in several renderings of the car sourced from the patent drawings filled in the U.S., which you can check out after the jump.

Hyundai Tiburon Successor that's Planned for 2011

With the new, rear-wheel drive Genesis Coupe already available on the market, Hyundai is now concentrating on the successor of the Tiburon (called Hyundai Coupe in Europe and other markets) that is scheduled to be introduced in 2011. Speaking with Autoweek magazine, John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, revealed that the firm's new coupe will be positioned below the current Tiburon in terms of size and more importantly, in price. If you're thinking in the likes of the long-gone Honda CRX, you're probably right. It will have a lower price point, kind of eco sport positioning, where it is not going to be all about performance," Krafcik said. "It is going to be very fuel efficient. It is going to be stylish, a real nice complement to the Genesis coupe," he added.


Krafcik also noted that the new coupe will share a front-wheel platform with the Hyundai Accent and Elantra and that it will be offered with an entry-level 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, adding that the car's styling will draw its inspiration from the Veloster 2+2 coupe concept that was revealed at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show.We can't say that we're surprised with Krafcik's revelations as it was apparent that Hyundai would follow a different road with the Tiburon's successor after the introduction of the sportier and more powerful, RWD Genesis Coupe.

Facelifted Renaultsport Clio 200 & Clio 200 Cup

Along with the rest of the Clio range, Renault also launched the revised the RS (Renaultsport) model in Geneva. Highlights include a more powerful 2.0-liter naturally aspirated engine that now delivers 200-horsepower, chassis modifications and of course, the cosmetic upgrades.

Like the rest of the range, the hot Clio gets a new fascia featuring Renaultsport's new styling identity cues such as the blacked out centre section of the front bumper, front splitter, and a subtly restyled rear end with new tail lights and a different rear diffuser.

The Clio Renaultsport 200 is powered by an upgraded version of the outgoing model's normally-aspirated 2.0 16V engine. Peak power has been increased by 3hp to 200HP at 7,100rpm and now produces its maximum torque of 215Nm at 5,400rpm (compared with 5,500rpm for Clio Renaultsport 197). The first, second and third gear ratios have all been shortened for punchier acceleration. The new Clio Renaultsport 200 accelerates from standstill to 100km/h or 62 mph in 6.9 seconds while top speed increases by 2mph to 141mph (227km/h).

Another benefit of powertrain upgrades is the fact that its fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have been slightly reduced to 34.5mpg UK in the combined cycle and 195g/km.

Renaultsport engineers also widened the front and rear tracks by 48mm and 50mm respectively while the wheelbase is extended by 10mm to 2,585mm for greater stability. Furthermore, the rear suspension features a stiffened programmed deflection torsion beam.

The new Clio Renaultsport is available in two guises, the basic 200 and the more hardcore 200 Cup which has a stiffer chassis and is 36kg lighter than the standard version.

Geneva Show: Mazda CX-7 Facelift with new 173HP 2.2-liter Diesel Engine

Making its European debut in Geneva, Mazda's facelifted CX-7 crossover enters 2009 with a mild styling makeover in and out but more importantly, it offers the option of a diesel engine for the very first time. On the outside, the 2009 CX-7 gains a larger grille with a more prominent badge, a new design for the front fog lamp bezels, a chrome bar on the tailgate handle, while a larger rear roof spoiler and newly designed 18- and 19-inch alloy wheels complete the changes.

Moving to the interior, the facelift CX-7 features a new steering wheel with integrated control switches, revised meters on the instrument panel, new materials and trim while the vehicle's unique double-roof instrument panel is modified as well.

Whereas the North American market CX-7 gained a new entry-level 160HP 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, for Europe, Mazda wisely chose to equip the crossover with a new 2.2-litre common-rail turbo diesel engine that joins the 260HP 2.3-litre DISI turbo petrol engine.

Matted to a six-speed manual gearbox, the next-generation MZR-CD 2.2-litre inline four-cylinder turbocharged diesel delivers a maximum power output of 173-horsepower at 3,500 rpm of 400 Nm of torque from 2,000 rpm.

With the new turbo diesel under the bonnet, the revised CX-7 can sprint from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 11.3 seconds and go on to reach a top speed of 200 km/. That's compared to 8.0 seconds and 209 km/h respectively for the 2.3 petrol variant, but the CX-7 Diesel does return 31.3mpg US (7.5lt / 100 km) in the combined cycle, an improvement of around 9mpg US over the gasoline model.

Ferrari Debuts 599 GTB Fiorano HGTE Sport Package in Geneva

As well as introducing the track-focused 599XX with 700HP, Ferrari also revealed a new Handling GTE (Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione) package for the 599 GTB Fiorano in Geneva. Designed to deliver even sportier, more dynamic driving, the package includes a modified set-up with stiffer springs and rear anti-roll bar as well as new calibration settings for the magnetorheological shock absorbers while the V12 coupe's ride height has also been lowered.

The package also includes specifically optimized tires featuring a compound that offers even better grip while other modifications concern the revised F1 gearbox that offers faster shift times, a new engine software strategy that improves accelerator response and a new exhaust silencer.

From a styling point of view, the HGTE package adds a series of sporty exterior and interior features. On the outside, there are 20-inch split-rim alloys in a matte silver finish while the rear diffuser is painted in matte black. The cabin is distinguished by the new two-tone leather / alcantara seats and the carbon-fibre trim.