Newspress

Chinese car makers have come in for a lot of stick in their attempts to export to Europe. Quality, in general, remains at best suspect — and at worst, downright dangerous, judging by high-profile failed crash tests of Landwind and Brilliance cars.

And then there's the issue of design piracy — a number of obvious copies of other automakers' cars have controversially been shown at shows, with some automakers mobilizing their lawyers as a result.

But the Geneva Show saw the European debut of the Chinese automaker that might just make a breakthrough. more …

© Toyota Motor Europe

Torrance, CA — Lexus today revealed the IS retractable hard-top convertible at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. Continuing the performance and styling trends set by the IS luxury sport sedans, the IS 250C and IS 350C will come to the U.S. in the late spring of 2009.

Featuring a three-panel roof that opens in just 21 seconds, the new IS 250C and IS 350C provide the spirited sophistication of a convertible and the sporty styling of a coupe. While the hood, headlamps, door handles and mirrors are common to the exterior of the IS sedans, all other body panels have been designed to blend seamlessly with the new three-panel aluminum folding roof. more …

© Suzuki Motor

At the 2008 Paris Motor Show, Suzuki is unveiling the all-new Alto — the fifth and smallest member of its acclaimed lineup of world strategic models. The new Alto combines eye-catching style and easy urban mobility with great performance in terms of fuel efficiency and CO₂ emissions, thereby meeting the lifestyle needs of today's motorists and the pressing global need for environmental compatibility. Plus, it is one of the most fun-to-drive city cars available — a great new example of Suzuki's “Way of Life!” philosophy.

As the second model in the second phase of Suzuki's world strategy more …

© Automobiles Peugeot

The RC HYmotion4 is a concept car born from the passion and expertise of Peugeot's stylists and engineers. This “GT” coupe is the missing link between the RC ♠ and RC ♦ concept cars revealed in 2002 and the 908 RC, one of the stars of the 2006 Paris Motor Show. It is a real laboratory of future ideas, bringing together numerous stylistic, engineering and technological ideas in a single vehicle. The RC HYmotion4 is an accessible and versatile car, with four doors, four seats and four wheel drive, coupled with a highly innovative electric/petrol hybrid architecture (HYmotion4 technology). more …

© Automobiles Peugeot

Derived from the fusion of different worlds, the PROLOGUE HYmotion4 concept car lifts a corner of the veil on a new type of cross-over. Anticipating future trends, this concept is a formidable laboratory of innovative ideas at many different levels: its architecture, its style, its interior ambience, its modularity, its original high-tech equipment, and also the next generation HDi FAP hybrid technology called “HYmotion4” including 4 wheel drive. With a diesel engine driving the front wheels and an electric motor powering the rear wheels, this spacious yet compact 147 kW (200 ch) car generates a particularly low level of CO₂ emissions: more …

© Automobiles Citroën

Citroën is revealing its new concept car, Hypnos, at the 2008 Paris Motor Show. An elegant and distinctive cross-over vehicle, Hypnos explores new avenues in the design of luxury ecological vehicles. Its creative technologies deliver outstanding performance and environmental efficiency, combined with subtle but powerful motoring sensations.

HYmotion4 technology for guaranteed thrills and efficiency

The special hybrid technology used on Hypnos highlights Citroën's commitment to the environment and shows once again that this strong ecological focus is always accompanied by driving thrills and efficiency. more …