Peugeot Le Mans Dealer Creates 208 Rallye Concept, Should the French Automaker Build it?

If you lived or grew up in Europe during the late 1980s through the early 2000s, you will no doubt remember the iconic Rallye series from Peugeot, which started out with the 205 supermini and continued with the 306 compact and the smaller 106.

The common denominator of the series was that the Rallye models were usually based on fast versions of their respective hatchback counterparts (i.e. the 106 XSi and 306 GTI) but did away with most luxury amenities such as electric windows and mirrors, the heavy seats and in some cases, even power assisted steering and airbags.

Peugeot's ultimate goal was to lower the cars' weight to improve performance and handling while also offering them at a lower price point – something that made the Rallye models extremely popular with driving enthusiasts on a budget.

Today, Peugeot is looking to re-enter the sports hatch segment with the new 208 GTi that is lighter at 1,160kg (2,557 pounds), smaller, and thanks to its new 197hp (200PS) 1.6-liter turbo engine, more powerful than the disappointing 206 and 207 GTi models.

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Concepts , New Cars , Peugeot , Peugeot 208 , Peugeot Concepts

2013 Jaguar F-Type Disclosed in New Photos Including the First of the Interior

While Jaguar itself was releasing videos of the new F-Type in camouflage, a member of the Teamspeed forums unloaded a fresh gallery of 14 pictures that show us the open-top sports car from in two different shades from all sorts of angles, including the never before seen interior.

We can happily report that the styling of the roadster model's rear end with its sharp lines, narrow taillights and a protruding pair of twin exhaust pipes has also remained true to the well-received C-X16 Coupe Concept model.

The same appears to be case for the interior, at least from this point of view with only some minor changes to the design of the body-hugging seats and possibly the trim décor.

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jaguar , Jaguar F-Type , New Cars , Paris Auto Show

Jaguar Releases Final Test Track Videos of the F-Type Before the Big Unveiling in Paris

As the countdown for the grand-premiere of the all-new F-Type at the Paris Motor Show this Thursday officially begins, Jaguar published the final clips of its teaser video series on the development of the rear-wheel drive roadster model.

The first video named "Fierce" takes us to the Nardo Test Facility in Italy, where the British firm's engineers performed numerous high-speed tests on the unique ring shaped track that allowed the F-Type to reach its maximum velocity.

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jaguar , Jaguar F-Type , Jaguar Videos , New Cars , Nurburgring , Paris Auto Show , Video

Tesla CEO Cagey About 2012 Model S Sales, Confident About Meeting 2013 Targets

Two months ago, Tesla co-founder and CEO Elon Musk said that his company would deliver 5,000 units of its Model S this year. Yet, when he was interviewed on Bloomberg Television’s “In the Loop with Betty Liu” on September 21, he was reluctant to confirm that the company’s electric saloon would indeed meet its initial sales target.

“I need to be very hesitant about talking about any near-term metrics for Tesla”, said Musk who, nevertheless, was buoyant about Tesla’s 2013 targets claiming that it will deliver 20,000 units and achieve a gross margin of “more than 20 percent”.

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ebay , New Cars , Reports , Tesla , Tesla Model S

All-Electric iQ Revealed, but Only 100 will be Produced as Toyota Prefers to Focus on PHEVs

While electric vehicles may not yet have substantial range to be as versatile as hybrids or internal-combustion engine models, if the their use is confined in daily commute in cities, theoretically then, their range is more than enough to satisfy most drivers’ needs.

The iQ city car (sold under the Scion nameplate in North America) is designed specifically designed to be used in an urban environment. Prototypes were displayed at both the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show in the form of the FT-EV III concept and this year’s Geneva Auto Show. Now Toyota has officially revealed a plug-in all-electric variant – but it will not enter full production.

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Electric Vehicles , New Cars , Paris Auto Show , Reports , Toyota , Toyota Videos , Toyota-Scion iQ , Video

Maserati Officially Announces but Reveals Very Little About New GranCabrio MC

The release of the first photos of the new GranCabrio MC on Friday has been followed up by an official confirmation from Maserati - though, the Italian sports car maker is holding back most of the details until the Paris Motor Show.

What Maserati did reveal is that the GranTurismo MC Stradale inspired the creation of the new GranCabrio MC model with which it completes the open-top model's range.

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Maserati , Maserati GranCabrio , New Cars , Paris Auto Show

Carscoop’s A to Z Guide to the 2012 Paris Motor Show

The European car market may be in trouble because of the financial crisis that’s been dragging on for a long time now, but carmakers are gearing up to display their latest models in the City of Light.

From September 29 until October 14, the Paris Expo at the Porte de Versailles will host some of this year’s most important world premieres.

The French automakers have chosen the 2012 Paris Auto Show to launch models like the all-new Renault Clio, the Peugeot 208 GTi and the Citroen DS3 Cabrio.

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Concepts , New Cars , Paris Auto Show , Reports

Only About 5 Percent of all Chrysler U.S. Dealers to Sell New 2013 SRT Viper, Each will be Charged $25k

As the Chrysler Group's undisputed "halo" car, one would believe that the Detroit-based carmaker would want most of its U.S. dealers to be able to show and sell the new 2013 SRT Viper, but that's not the case.

An Autonews report back in July, quoted Ralph Gilles, CEO of the SRT brand, saying that around 15 to 20 percent (or roughly 340 to 460 showrooms) of Chrysler's more than 2,300 U.S. dealers will carry the V10-powered sports car, but according to USA Today, Gilles has now lowered that number even more to only about 100 to 150 shops or 4-6%.

Gilles told the newspaper that the No. 1 requirement, "Is first of all, to have the fire, the passion. That's the unofficial requirement -- that you have a love affair with the cars and you just love fast cars."

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Chrysler , New Cars , Reports , SRT , SRT Viper

Spied: Peugeot Updating Chinese Market 408 Sedan

With the European market in turmoil, Peugeot has every reason to pay more attention to the models it builds and sells in overseas markets like the 408 Sedan, which is an extended-wheelbase, notchback version of the 308 hatch that is offered in China, South America and more recently, in Russia as well.

The spies over at China's Sohu captured some pictures of an undisguised prototype of the facelifted 408 Sedan.

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China , New Cars , Peugeot , Peugeot 4008 , Peugeot Scoops , Scoops

New 2014 Kia Forte / K3 / Cerato Detailed Inside and Out in New Photo Gallery and Videos

While Kia surely got its act together in terms of designing, engineering and building vehicles over the past decade or so, the South Korean automaker seems a bit confused when it comes to naming its vehicles.

How else can you explain the fact that its new global compact sedan will have three different names, depending on the region?

In its home market of South Korea, where it was officially introduced this week, it will be called K3, while when it arrives in the U.S. and Canada, we will come to know it as the 2014 model year Forte, and in other markets such as Australia and Brazil, as the new Cerato.

Whatever it is called, the new compact model has adopted the brand's latest design DNA both inside and out, while offering a raft of new technologies such as a parking assistance system, LED headlamps and Kia's next generation “telematics” service UVO, which enables drivers to control their cars via a smartphone or other IT devices.

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Galleries , KIA , Kia Forte , Kia Videos , Korea , New Cars , Video

New Maserati GranCabrio MC Stradale Breaks Cover Early

Pictures of a brand new variant of the Maserati GranCabrio have hit the web ahead of the car's global premiere at next week's 2012 Paris Motor Show.

The new model is the GranCabrio MC Stradale that is modeled after the GranTurismo MC Stradale and which joins the existing base and Sport variants of Maserati's stylish four-seater convertible.

Unfortunately, for now, we only have images of the GranCabrio MC Stradale with no information about its specifications, though chances are it will sport the same mechanical updates as its closed-top sibling.

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Maserati , Maserati GranCabrio , New Cars , Paris Auto Show

Honda Says it has "No Immediate Plans" to Replace the Accord in Europe

While in the United States, the Accord is Honda's bestselling nameplate with 218,665 deliveries this year (from January 1 through August 31), in Europe, things aren't anywhere near as rosy.

Speaking to Just-Auto, a spokesperson for Honda said that Accord sales in the continent have plummeted to the point that the car has become a niche model. As a result, the spokesman said that the Japanese carmaker has "no immediate plans" to launch a new model in Europe.

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Honda , Honda Accord , New Cars , Reports , Russia

Daihatsu and Toyota Launch Ayla and Agya Twins at Indonesia Motor Show

Daihatsu has been quiet the busy bee at this week's Indonesia International Motor Show having brought along three concepts, including the D-R, D-X and UFC concepts, and the new Ayla, which will launch in the local market.

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Asia , Daihatsu , New Cars , Toyota , TRD

Chevrolet Promotes Upcoming 2013 Malibu Turbo with Another Test Track Video

General Motors is evidently placing a lot of focus on the sportier characteristics of the soon-to-be launched 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Turbo, as for the second time in the past couple of months, it has released a video of the car on the track.

Mark Meyers, GM Global Vehicle Performance Manager, tries out the Malibu Turbo LTZ at the Milford Proving Grounds and shares his thoughts about the most potent version of Chevrolet's new mid-size sedan.

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Chevrolet , Chevrolet Malibu , Chevrolet Videos , GM , New Cars , Video

Breaking: Honda Confirms New Civic Type R, Jazz / Fit Based Small SUV and Sports Roadster

There's a whole lot of news - but unfortunately, no pictures, coming out today from Honda's headquarters in Japan where the company's CEO Takanobu Ito outlined the product, technology and business developments through 2015.

We are going to start with the new Honda Civic Type R sports hatchback based on the European market model that is currently undergoing development for an introduction in 2015.

Honda said that this model is designed specifically for the European market, though we could see it being exported to Japan at some point. More importantly, the Japanese carmaker's CEO stated that the Type R is being developed "with the goal of becoming the fastest front-wheel-drive vehicle on the Nürburgring race course".

On a more global note, Ito said that Honda will roll out an all-new replacement for the Fit, also known as the Jazz in Europe, in 2013. Within two years after the initial market presentation, the Japanese automaker will launch a small SUV model based on the underpinnings of the new Fit/Jazz as well as a replacement for the related City small sedan.

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Acura , Acura RLX , Honda , Honda Civic , Honda Civic Type-R , Honda Concepts , Honda N Box , Honda S2000 , Japan , New Cars , Reports

Volvo Tells Us V40 Cross Country Not Coming to the States Either [New Photos and Videos]

The good news about the V40 Cross Country is that we have a fresh set of high-resolution images and a pair of videos to show you following the introduction of the car the other day.

The bad news is that if you live in the United States and thought the Cross Country's tougher looks may have persuaded Volvo to bring it to this side of the Atlantic, we hate to disappoint you, but that's not going to happen.

We asked Laura DiStefano, Corporate Communications Manager for Volvo Cars of North America, and her reply was the same we got for the regular V40 hatchback: "No plans for the U.S."

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New Cars , Paris Auto Show , Reports , Video , Volvo , Volvo V40 , Volvo Videos

Audi Unleashes New S3 Sport Hatch with 296-Horsepower 2.0 TFSI [33 Photos & Video]

The new generation of the more practical A3 Sportback, which was revealed online on Wednesday, will be joined by the spanking new S3 at Audi's Paris Motor Show stand next week.

The performance model of Audi's MQB platform-based compact hatchback is lighter and more powerful than the model it replaces. It is scheduled to go on sale in Europe early next year with a starting price of €38,900 (US$50,500) in Germany.

At the heart of the car lies a newly developed 2.0-liter TFSI direct-injection and turbocharged gasoline engine that belongs to the EA888 engine family.

The new powerplant weighs around five kilograms (11 pounds) less than the previous EA113 2.0 TFSI and is also much more powerful delivering 296Hp (300PS) at 5,500 rpm and 380 Nm (280.27 lb-ft) of torque between 1,800 and 5,500 rpm, an increase of 35Hp and 30Nm respectively. It redlines at 6,800 rpm.

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Audi , Audi A3 , Audi S3 , Audi Videos , Galleries , New Cars , Paris Auto Show , Video

Refreshed 2013 Honda CR-Z with Some Extra Ponies Makes Surprise Debut at the Indonesia Motor Show

Despite Honda's recent announcement that the facelifted version of the CR-Z compact sports hybrid would make its premiere at the Paris Auto Show, the Japanese automaker pulled a fast one by unveiling the new car at the Indonesia International Motor Show in Jakarta today.

External changes include a redesigned front grille, which loses its vertical bars, revised front bumper, HID headlamps with LED daytime running lights, new fog lamps, reshaped door mirrors and rear diffuser, LED rear lights and new 17-inch alloy wheels.

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Asia , Galleries , Honda , Honda CR-Z , New Cars , Paris Auto Show

Jaguar Shows us How it Tested the F-Type Roadster on European Tracks

It appears that Jaguar is trying to capitalize on the interest surrounding its newest sports car after the first official image of the F-Type made the internet rounds on Wednesday by reminding us that the roadster will debut in a week's time at the Paris Auto Show, and more importantly, by sharing a new video.

The new film released today includes footage of the British brand's vehicle dynamics team testing a craftily camouflaged pre-production model in the UK, Germany and Italy. In one instance, we see the speedometer's needle surpassing the 180mph (290km/h) mark.

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jaguar , Jaguar F-Type , Jaguar Videos , New Cars , Paris Auto Show , Video

New 2013 Buick Encore Priced from $24,950*, Goes on Sale Early Next Year

After telling us that the new Buick Encore has received an EPA certification of 28mpg combined, General Motors has now announced pricing for its Nissan Juke-sized small crossover that will arrive in U.S. showrooms in the first quarter of 2013 starting at $24,950, which includes a $750 destination charge (*).

The Encore is offered exclusively with a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine churning out 138-horsepower (140PS) and 148 lb.-ft. (200Nm) of peak torque. All-wheel drive is available on all models for $1,500.

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Buick , Buick Encore , GM , New Cars