2011 Honda Civic

A sweeping roofline and a sleek windshield angle convey an advanced, one-motion profile with a low and wide stance. The interior focuses on sophisticated styling with a two-tier instrument panel, comfortable seating and accommodating storage areas with room for mobile phones, MP3 players and more. Built on a high-rigidity unit-body platform, the Civic is designed to deliver precise, sharp and fun-to-drive handling performance with its fully independent suspension.

Four engine and four transmission choices range from a 140-horsepower, 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine (Civic DX, DX-VP, LX, EX and EX-L), with either a 5-speed manual or an available 5-speed automatic transmission, to a 197-horsepower, 2.0-liter i-VTEC engine (Civic Si) with a 6-speed manual transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com) The Civic Hybrid is powered by a 1.3-liter i-VTEC engine with Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) gasoline-electric hybrid technology to enhance both fuel economy and performance, and is equipped with a continuously variable transmission. (posted on conceptcarz.com)
The entire line-up maintains a standard array of safety technologies including Advanced Compatibility Engineering™ (ACE™) body structure; side curtain airbags; driver’s and front passenger’s side airbags with a passenger-side Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS); and dual-stage, multiple-threshold driver’s and front passenger’s airbags (SRS). Active front seat head restraints are designed to help reduce the likelihood of neck injury in the event of a rear collision. Standard active safety features include an anti-lock brake system (ABS) and electronic brake distribution, front seatbelts with an automatic tensioning system, and a pedestrian injury mitigation design incorporated into the front exterior of the vehicle. Driver and front passenger seatbelt reminders and daytime running lights are also standard equipment. The Civic EX-L, Civic Si and Civic Hybrid include Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA®), commonly referred to as electronic stability control, as standard safety content.
The Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System1, available on Civic EX, EX-L, Si and Hybrid models, has a 6.5-inch motorized display that opens and closes for access to the internal single-disc CD player. The navigation system features more than 7 million points of interest and the voice activation can control the navigation menus and the audio system, along with entering city and street names. The system includes Bluetooth® HandsFreeLink®, a wireless telephone interface that works with compatible Bluetooth-enabled mobile telephones for hands-free operation via §teering wheel-mounted controls.
Auxiliary audio input jacks are standard equipment on Civic DX-VP and above trim levels, allowing for portable music device playback through the audio system. The Civic LX Coupe has a six-speaker 160-watt audio system with a CD player (four speakers for the DX-VP and LX sedan). All audio systems are capable of playing MP3- and WMA-formatted CDs. A ÚSB Audio Interface is standard on the Civic EX, EX-L, Hybrid and Si models, providing integration for a compatible MP3 player or a ÚSB flash drive loaded with compatible music files.
Speed-sensitive Volume Control (SVC) automatically adjusts the volume based on vehicle speed. The audio display provides CD/MP3 text readout, and all coupes (except for the DX) plus the Civic Si Sedan provide a customizable welcome screen (exclusively on models without the available navigation system).
Civic Sedan and Civic Coupe with 1.8-liter i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine
The Civic lineup for both the Sedan and Coupe start with the value-rich Civic DX model equipped with a standard 140-horsepower, 1.8-liter, SOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission (5-speed automatic available), power windows, 15-inch steel wheels with covers and P195/65R15 tires, and a folding rear seat. The Civic DX-VP Sedan adds air conditioning, a four-speaker 160-watt AM/FM Audio System with CD player (MP3/WMA enabled), and an auxiliary audio input jack.
The Civic LX adds or upgrades: cruise control, power door locks, 16-inch steel wheels with covers, P205/55R16 tires, keyless entry, center console with sliding armrest, progressive blue illumination instrument panel meters, auto up/down driver’s power window, and a folding rear seat.

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2012 Volkswagen Passat

Bigger, less expensive and tailored to American tastes, VW's new Passat aims to take on mainstream family sedans like the Ford Fusion and Honda Accord.
About an inch longer than the Fusion -- and around 4 inches longer than the current Passat, the new model will roll out of a Chattanooga, Tenn., plant VW built to serve American customers.
The conservatively styled Passat borrows from the design of the new Jetta compact sedan. It will offer a 170-horsepower 2.5-liter five-cylinder, a 140-horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel or a 280-horsepower V6 engine.
VW says the diesel may get 43 m.p.g. on the highway. A five-speed manual, six-speed automatic and six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission will be available.

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Mercedes Benz C111 in Pic.

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Ford’s Vertrek Concept Is The Future Of Compact SUVs

          Ford isn’t calling their Vertrek concept a replacement for the aging Escape just yet, but the writing is on the wall. Ford’s published comparison charts showing the Vertrek against both the Escape and the E.U. market Kuga; if I were a betting man, I’d be comfortable putting money down on the Vertrek as a global platform replacement for both existing compact SUVs. It’s based on their C-Segment architecture, and it’s no secret that Ford has ambitious plans for the platform in the coming years. It’s an ideal fit for both the 1.6 and 2.0 liter EcoBoost engines (on this side of the pond), and Ford has stated that the 2.0 liter Duratorq diesel will fit under the hood in the EU (where 96% of Kugas are sold with diesel motors). I’m pretty sure it’s a matter of “when” we see it in dealer showrooms, not “if” like most concept vehicles.

               Dimensionally, the Vertrek is longer, lower and wider than the Escape, and that’s a good thing for both handling and appearance. Like the redesigned Explorer, the Vertrek will offer a more car-like ride, more passenger legroom and improved cargo capacity. Better ride quality is something that the Escape replacement definitely needs, since the current Escape isn’t up to standards set by others in the class (including Toyota’s RAV4 or Honda’s CR-V). Fit and finish of the current Escape isn’t up to standards set by other Ford products, either.

Expect to see some of the Vertrek’s exterior styling toned back for production, but I hope they keep more than just the feel of the concept car’s lines. Compact SUVs, even the latest generation, tend to suffer from utterly bland styling, designed not to offend the masses. Ford deserves credit for adding some flair to an otherwise uninspired market segment, but don’t expect production vehicles to come with the Vertrek’s woven leather floor mats or lederhosen inspired velour leather upholstery. If we’re lucky, it won’t come to market with that name, either.

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KIA KV7 preview.

          Kia is flexing its muscles with a new people carrier concept which will take centre stage on the firm’s stand at the Detroit Motor Show. Called the KV7, the large MPV blends the chunky looks of an off-roader with people carrier versatility like Ford’s US market Flex.
Kia concepts usually have a codename using alphabetical characters to denote the origin of the design – KCD: Kia California Design, KED: Kia Europe Design and KND: Kia Namyang (Korea) Design – followed by a dash and a number that denoted the chronological order of that concept design to come out of each studio.
The KV7 breaks from this mould as the name stands for Kia Van 7. It's designed more as a crossover, but 'Van' is US-speak for MPV, which gives you a hint as to where the car will end up on sale first.
The '7' refers to a high-end vehicle - such as the top-of-the-range Kia K7 saloon which isn’t sold in the UK.
The KV7 concept was designed by Joey Mo at Kia’s American design studio in Irvine, California, under the watchful eye of the firm’s design boss, Peter Schreyer. It features a bold, slab-sided look, LED lights and a minimalist interior.
But while features like the gullwing doors are pure fantasy, Kia is keen to point out that the Soul, Sportage and Sorento all bore a “very close resemblance to the original concept designs that preceded them.”
Although the KV7 is a large MPV, Kia is aware that the segment is in decline, with sales of cars like the Ford Galaxy, Renault Espace and VW Sharan falling as buyers opt for crossover 4x4s instead, particularly in the US market.
While Kia’s newcomer is still a large MPV, the firm hopes its unique looks and car-like efficiency will be enough to win back buyers. The KV7 is sized between Kia’s Carens and Sedona MPVs, and could replace both cars if it comes to the UK.

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