Toyota Crown Athlete/Royal to adopt aggressive front grille?

Remember the X-grille intersection with headlight of the facelifted Toyota Mark X? Apparently it is not the last. While the European Toyota is adopting a beak-line nose on the Auris family, the Japan's domestic is going radical again, far more radical than the Lexus spindle's item. Below is the leaked photo of the new Toyota Crown, depicted in Royal and Athlete forms here.

As usual, the two models share the main body, differentiated by the different front and rear end styling. While Royal majors on luxury amenities, the Athlete version takes a sportier route. In this new model, the headlight differs, so is the rear bumper bumper. But the MAIN talking point will be the front grille. In either model, it is massive! I don't know what Toyota is trying to achieve here but perhaps road presence is surely one of it.

In current series, both version shares the same rear end. So in this model iteration, the rear end has been substantially redesigned compared to the current model. The rear end is kind of reminiscent of last generation Camry, but with heavy chrome touch surrounding the license plate.

Before rejoicing to call this is an all-new car, there is a possibility that is a comprehensive model update like the rehashed Lexus LS series. This is because the basic silhouette remains familiar, especially from the A-pillar to the thick C-pillar. The interior too has some current model cues. The centre console still has similar design theme, although the aircond outlet has shift from horizontal type to vertical one. Despite this, the floor/gear console looks the same. The door trim is entirely different though, with visibly thick leather upholstery and chromed panels (centre, power window switch and aircond duct). More detail after the jump.

Peugeot 208 GTi - 200bhp, 7s to 100km/h & 1,160kg

Peugeot 208 GTi is promised to be spiritual successor to the legendary Peugeot 205 GTi. The latter was never really quite replaced in the Peugeot contemporary line-up due to, largely, lack of lightweight hatchback that rekindles the spirited drive of the old Peugeot. The 208 GTi sets to change that.

Initial signs are good. Packing 200bhp and 275Nm of power and torque, courtesy of a turbocharged 1.6L THP mill, the new GTi has a small inertia too, tipping 1,160kg at kerb, some 165kg less than the 207RC, a car it succeeded. Paired to a close ratio 6 speed manual, sprint to 100km/h is a touch less than 7.0s, with impressive in-gear acceleration to match.

Peugeot 208 GTi also benefits from re-spec springs, re-calibrated shock absorbers, stiffer anti-roll bar, an enhanced front subframe and rear crossmember rigidity over the cooking 208. The main aim is to delight its driver with an incisive driving experience due to the involving chassis dynamics, providing superb driving sensations thanks to its agility of the car achieved from great steering response, chassis dynamics and the rigidity of the suspension. Braking power is provided by  302mm ventilated discs at the front and 249mm at the rear. It shod on  205/45 tyres, the 17" diamond Carbon wheels, with Storm paint and matt varnish finishing.

To differentiate the scorching hot 208 from its lesser sibling, Peugeot has modified the front end of the car with the new grille trimmings with gloss back panel and chrome insert.The gloss black grille draws the eye with bright chrome inserts, which reinvent the sport chequered flag effect but in 3D. The side profile is garnished with the quarter panel trim proudly bears the GTi logo, in bright chrome accentuated in red highlights. Regardless of the exterior colour chosen, this red punctuates throughout the vehicle: on brake callipers, grille lower bead, Peugeot lettering on the tailgate and on the grille. The rear end features gloss black rear skirt with the exhaust emerges with a trapezoid chromed double tailpipe.

Opening the door reveals the sport seat with Nappa leather and Caro Weave cloth, accompanied red detailings. The dashboard too comes with red stitching. The pedals and footrest are aluminium. In addition, there's also a unique 208 GTi floor mats with black surround and stitched in red. Similar upholstery is used for the steering wheel, gearknob and handbrake lever with black full grain perforated leather steering wheel with red stitching. 

More photos of the Peugeot 208 GTi can be found after the jump.

The new Kia Carens - technical details & gallery

The new 2013 Kia Carens finally bowed in at the Paris Motorshow. We have seen both the exterior and interior styling of Kia's final model to incorporate Schreyer's aesthetic overhaul, and now the we have all the technical  specification laid down.

The new Carens/Rondo measures 4,520mm long, 1,805mm wide and 1,610mm tall. The wheelbase is 2,750mm. Comparatively, the 2013 Kia Carens is 20mm shorter, 15mm narrower and significantly 40mm lower than the outgoing model. The more compact exterior volume however is accompanied by the improved interior space, thanks to 50mm increased in wheelbase, and a stretched A-pillar which the cowl top now is vertically above the front wheel centre line. The MPV will be offered in either 5 or 7 seater format, although both will share the same body shell.

For the 7 seater version, as depicted above, the second row seat will 3-split to an added versatility, while the rear most seat is 50/50 split. The cabin majors in comfort, with the second row gets their own car-like console mounted air vents. In Europe at least, 2013 Carens is highly spesified with electric parking brake, keyless entry with starter button, 4.2" LCD HD screen, 6 speaker setup with optional amps & sub-woofer, puddle lights for front door handles and large powered sunroof, of course, all of which depending on trim level.

 The engine option in Europe include a coupe of diesel and petrol respectively. The oil-burner is 1.7L mill, available in two states of tune. The lower output version cranks out 115PS and 260Nm of power and torque while the higher output model churns out 136PS and 330Nm of power and torque. The entry-level gasoline model is powered by the 1.6L gasoline direct injection, kicking some 135PS and 165Nm and the range topper is also a GDI unit, displacing 2.0L and pumping 177PS and 211Nm. All units can be paired with either 6 speed manual gerbox or 6 speed automatic.

The gallery of the new 2013 Kia Carens can be found below.

More photos after the jump.

Honda CR-Z facelift - 137PS, 9s to 100km/h & 200km/h top speed

Honda has updated its CR-Z hybrid hatchback with a host of exterior enhancement and a boost in its IMA powertrain output. The exterior updates are mainly in the front bumper design, which now has a larger "intakes" and the radiator grille is not without the three slats behind the license plate. The side mirror now featuring LED, similarly the LED also make an appearance in the rear light, which together with revised rear bumper design with integrated diffuser complete the rear end makeover. Newly design 17 inch rim complete the styling enhancement.

Underneath the hood, Honda has revised the gasoline unit with a new ECU and valve timing setting, bumping the power from to 121PS@6,600rpm (118PS for CVT)  and torque to 146Nm@4,800rpm. The electric drivetrain has been enhanced with the application of lithium-ion battery, which together with an improved motor delivers 20PS and 78Nm. The combined power output is 137PS@6,600rpm and 190Nm of torque between 1,000-2,000rpm. Performance has been improved too, with the manual car capable of sprinting to 100km/h in 9.0s (0.7s reduction) on the way to 200km/h top speed. The car also gets "KERS" button, with S+ mode capable in delivering extra thrust for 10s, provided that the battery is 50% charged at least.

Honda has also updates the cabin of Honda CR-Z with the new selection of fabric and textures, as well as the LED lighting. Other than that, it is the standard adventurous CR-Z , which is really quite a standout compared with the recent new Hondas. The interior photo above the live cabin show, from Autoblog. Continue reading for a bunch of live photo from Paris, credited to Autoblog.

2013 Volkswagen GTI unveiled in Paris

Sombreness is the new aggressiveness. You may shout as loud as you will, but do it with with your lip shut. This is MMN analogy to describe the new appearance of the Mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI. Clothed in a very, very restrained styling projection, which best describe as if the body flexing muscle is conceal by the tight-flat-wrapped clothing, hiding the athleticism from the being visible. The "mature" face hides a screaming 217bhp and 350Nm of power and torque produced by the new turbocharged, direct injected 2.0L lump employing the Start/Stop to boost fuel economy to the tune of 6.0L/100km.

Compared to the cooking Mk7, the GTI Design Study (yeah right) gets a different front fascia design, employing the legendary red stripes that run along the upper grille, and new for Mk7, into the headlights too. The bumper, while retaining similar outline, is actually more bulging and protruding outward, with prominent meshing grille pattern. The strakes adorns the fog lamp housing. The rear end meanwhile gets a smoked rear lights and 80mm diameter exhaust outlet poking on each side of the rear bumper valence. The car sits on the Brooklyn 17" alloys, with 18 inchers available as an option. The former is wrapped in 225/45 tyres. Other than that, the Golf GTI is pure Mk7 Golf, meaning that it is a clean-looking C Segment hatchback with stunning stressed-metal-sheet look customary to VAG family and littered with lots of tiny design detailing that counts beyond their sums.

Volkswagen Golf GTI is powered by the aforementioned 2.0L 4 cylinder engine, assisted by the modern direct injection system and boosted by a turbocharger. Transmission option is either 6MT or 6 speed DSG. There are two states of tune available. The standard tune offers 217PS and 350Nm of power and torque combo, while the Performance Pack liberates another 10PS. In the "lower-power guise", the new GTI sprints to 100km/h in 6.6s, on the way to 246km/h top speed. Opting for the Performance Pack cuts the century sprint time by 0.1s and rounded up the top speed to 250km/h. Going for the power pack not only liberates more power, but the handling is further enhanced by larger front disc brakes measuring 17-inch in diameter (with GTI  embossed on the caliper) and front axle differential lock.

The interior of the VW Golf GTI is garnished in the best of GTI tradition, meaning that the "tartan" upholstery pattern and the golf-ball shaped gear knob. Since the last generations too the flat-bottomed steering has been featured and carried into the Mk7 GTI with 3 metal spokes and high-gloss black trim. The dashboard is trimmed in similar high-gloss black too. The leather parts are red stitched, lending further ambiance of sportiness. Also making a strong statement is the GTI instrument cluster with a colour display and independent graphics of its instruments. It is no coincidence that it resembles high-end chronographs. The GTI-specific look of the interior is completed by red ambience lighting, special trim strips and panels (trim strips in the front doors with ambience lighting), brushed stainless steel pedals and foot rest (on left), door sill entry plates in front with a stainless steel application and ambience lighting that is also integrated here.

The Mk7 Volkswagen Golf GTI will be on sale in Europe in early 2013 in both 3 and 5 door body styles. UK will get the car in their summer. One more photo after the jump.