What�s important about this generation of the Malibu is that Chevy�s mid-size saloon will become a global player, as GM plans to sell the car in nearly 100 countries across the world and build it in multiple locations, including China. The North American version will be manufactured at the Fairfax Assembly plant in Kansas City, and at the Hamtramck factory in Detroit.
Redesigned from the ground up, the new Malibu sports a new exterior styling with lines and curves inspired from Chevy�s most recent models such as the Cruze up front and even the Camaro at the back with the LED dual-element taillamps.
�The exterior design of the all-new Malibu carries DNA from its sister vehicles, the Camaro and Corvette, to bring a sporty sensibility to the family sedan segment,� said Bryan Nesbitt, executive director for GM exterior design.
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Following the appearance of the 2011MY 300, 300 and Town & Country S Concepts at the 6th Annual Spring Festival of LXs in California, in late March, Chrysler has lifted the veils off the first production S models based on the 200 Sedan and Convertible.
The �S� treatment is a cosmetics-only package, with both the saloon and drop top 200 gaining a bespoke front grille with a black background, body color mirrors and door handles, smoked headlamps, unique 18-in. aluminum wheels with dark painted pockets and �S� badging.
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In addition to the news on the configurator, we�ve also found a fresh batch of photos of the latest generation of the Beetle, which you can ogle on in the gallery after the break. For more details on VW�s newcomer, check out our previous post here.
When it goes on sale in North America and Europe in the fall of 2011, and the rest of the world from early 2012, the latest model will be known simply as the �Beetle� as Volkswagen dropped the �New� from the car�s name.
If someone asked us to summarize the qualities of the 2012 Beetle in a few words, it would be: larger, more mature and unisex. Starting with the design, VW�s goal was to make the 21st century Beetle appeal to both genders. As a result, the VW Group�s chief designer Walter de Silva and his team offered the Beetle a meaner and lower-slung look that draws on cues from the Beetle Ragster concept shown in Detroit in 2005. The overall styling is far less bulbous and more chiseled compared to the New Beetle, while keeping the retro feel of the series.
True, Hyundai will premiere its new sub-compact for the first time in the USA at the upcoming New York International Auto Show, but it won�t be a first per se as we�ve seen the new car in Beijing, in Moscow with a different name and face and more recently, at the 2011 Montreal Auto Show in January (see the video after the break).
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For the new Sonic, which replaces the Aveo in the States, the Z-Spec range will initially focus on cosmetic improvements.
Available bits will include a full bodykit comprising of front and rear aprons, rocker panel extensions and a silver exhaust tip, contrasting mirror caps and roof spoiler, contrasting upper and lower grille surrounds and a body graphics package like the one you see here.
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The first global debut concerns the four-door sedan version of the 2012 Kia Rio, which was unwrapped in hatchback form at the Geneva Salon in March. The 2012 Rio sedan will be joined by the North American debut of the Rio5 hatchback.
Even though the Japanese firm�s North American subsidiary only makes word of a new Scion Concept to be revealed at the New York International Auto Show on April 20, 2011, without giving any further details, the car shadowed in the teaser video below leaves few doubts that the model in question is the FT-86.
�This is a purpose-built vehicle with collaborative parts from Magneti Marelli and Mopar,� said Dino Maggioni, CEO of Magneti Marelli Aftermarket. �We selected Magneti Marelli and Mopar parts, adapted them to the Dodge Avenger and made them unique. The result is a fascinating blend of these two iconic brands.�
Power comes from the same 5.7-liter HEMI V8 with 370 horsepower and 395 lb.-ft. of torque found under the bonnet of the redesigned 2011 Charger R/T. However, the company promises improved acceleration thanks to the "Super Trac Pac" option, which includes a specially calibrated engine controller that is said to match maximum engine power and transmission shifting to the differential for the Mopar '11 Charger.
The revised engine is 20.5 pounds (9.3 kg) lighter and benefits from a thorough rework, including new cylinder head design, larger intake valves, new fuel pump and optimized-flow fuel injectors, among other changes.
2012MY Camaro SS coupes will be available with a new FE4 sport suspension, which improves handling. �We applied lessons learned from extensive track testing to better refine the suspension geometry for flatter cornering, a more neutral balance during hard turns, and minimized understeer at the limit,� says Al Oppenheiser, Camaro chief engineer.
Even though Toyota�s luxury division won�t say it, the LF-Gh�s also hints at a replacement for the GS given the proximity in size between the two models as the concept measures 192.5-in. long, 73.6-in. wide, 57.1-in. tall while riding on a 112.2-in long wheelbase. In comparison, the current GS is 190.7-in long, 71.7-in. wide, 56.1-in tall and rides on the same 112.2-in long wheelbase.
Lexus says that through this exercise, it redefines its L-Finesse design philosophy, which debuted in 2001, adding that it represents a bolder styling that �unites hard and soft; and energetic and soothing elements�. Needless to say, the LF-Gh has borrowed many styling elements from Lexus� first supercar, the LF-A, including the body surfaces as well as the shape of the tail lamps, headlights and front grille.
