Three Kia Models To Be Revealed At Geneva Auto Show

Kia, the Korean auto brand, is already widening its market all over the word. In fact the car maker is showcasing three of its models at the ongoing 77th Salon de l'Automobiles (Geneva Motor Show). These three models are aimed to increase the popularity of the brand among European motorists. The three models making an appearance at the said international motor show are the Kia ex_cee’d Cabrio concept car, the Kia cee'd Sporty wagon, and the Kia Rio Hybrid.

The Cabrio concept car will make its world premiere at the aforementioned event. The convertible is aimed to attract the attention of motorists who are looking for both styling and performance in one reasonably priced package. The convertible stand out against its competition thanks to its use of a design concept from the past. The Kia Cabrio concept opts to employ a fabric roof. While this may seem a move backwards for the car maker, Kia Design Chief Peter Schreyer, the artist behind the ex_cee’d, has this to say: “I’m convinced that the fabric roof will have a renaissance and for me, it is the fabric that is the quintessential element of a truly rewarding Cabrio.”

The second model from Kia to take center stage at the Geneva International Auto Show is the Kia cee'd Sporty Wagon. This is the second installment in the cee'd family following the release of the cee'd hatchback last year. The Sporty Wagon version of the cee'd hatchback offers increased luggage capacity and versatility. The wheelbase of the wagon is increased over that of the hatchback. The tailgate hinge is also moved forward to provide convenient stowing of luggage on the luggage compartment at the back. According to Kia, the Sporty Wagon is essentially a hatchback in terms of performance. Its handling can be compared to the smaller hatchback, but the Sporty Wagon offers better stability thanks to its robust design.

The third Kia model to make an appearance for the first time in European soil is the Kia Rio Hybrid. The Rio is also known as the Kia Pride in other markets. The hybrid version of the Rio is the response of the Korean car maker to the increasing demand for green vehicles all over the world. In Europe, the appearance of the Rio hybrid is timely since the European Union is still hotly debating about the stricter emission standards which is said to be enforced by the year 2015. Aside from reducing the amount of fossil fuel burned by the car’s engine with the aid of an electric motor, Kia further added another feature to make their hybrid even more fuel efficient. The Rio Hybrid is the first Kia vehicle to feature a continuously variable transmission. The use of the technology makes the Rio Hybrid save more fuel. The transfer of power from the engine or electric motor is as smooth and as simple as the operation of a Chevy door handle.

By: Katie Jones

Honda Leases Fcx Hydrogen Vehicle To 17-year-old Actress

The youngest person to ever lease a hydrogen vehicle from Honda is an actress. She is 17 years old and she is Q’orianka Kilcher, one of the stars of the 2005 movie “The New World”. This is as per an announcement sent out by American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

John Mendel, the senior vice president of the company, expresses, “The best way to demonstrate the importance of next generation vehicles like the Honda FCX is to put the next generation of drivers behind the wheel. Q'orianka Kilcher will be driving around Hollywood in the ultimate environmental status symbol, literally and figuratively driving the change toward a hydrogen future.”

Of course, it is not quite surprising that even young people like Kilcher has chosen to use hydrogen vehicles that are friendlier to the ailing environment. Of course, the Honda FCX is going to help out the environment much because it has been created to have zero emissions. And people like Kilcher using vehicles like this one, they are helping out the environment in their own little way.

Kilcher does explain, “As a young person today, I feel it is important to take initiative toward seeking positive solutions and stepping up the quest toward clean energy and environmental preservation. When I first started pursuing my dream of a zero emissions vehicle as my first car, it seemed like a pretty unrealistic dream. With Honda's innovation and support, my dream of helping the environment became a reality!”

What auto parts do comprise the Honda FCX? Would it be having Husky BMW floor mats? Well, that would be quite unsure but there is surely that fact that the vehicle would be having a plush and comfortable interior with the right kind of material. What is also sure is that the vehicle would be having an engine that has been designed and crafted so much so that it can turn hydrogen into power to propel the vehicle through miles and miles of road.

People who are skeptical about using hydrogen powered vehicles can already start changing their minds. You see, Honda has tried out their vehicles through fleet sales and fleet partnerships. The results were quite a joy to behold for the company and that is why they are now pursuing their campaign towards letting people lease such a vehicle.

2007 Jeep Wrangler Jk

The 2007 Jeep Wrangler JK has the looks that say “I’m the biggest thing on the trail”. The JK has a more refined interior and possess better handling characteristics. If we are to guess what Jeep’s guiding principle when it was designing the JK it must be “MORE” because this particular Jeep has more of everything you can think of like more room, more power, more on-road refinement, more safety, and more convenience.

Here are some of the remarkable features that the JK possess:

1. The chassis of the JK has a two-inch longer wheelbase, a 3.5 inch wider track, with a frame that’s exactly 100 percent solid which is a good thing since it makes the springs and shocks much easier to tune for a better on-road experience.

2. The bigger wheels and tires together with its new electronic axle lockers, an electronic disconnecting front anti-roll bar, and boosts up transfer cases makes the JK even more trail capable.

3. The much longer wheelbase and wider track provides more room for passengers and gears.

4. Its narrowing nose, sloping windshield, and raked grille improves the new Wrangler’s stability and fuel economy.

5. The new Wrangler makes use of different door and roof configurations which can be reconfigured further. Its three-piece Sunrider soft-top is compatible with the factory hardtop pr can be a stand-alone choice.

6. The rear-seat has a fold and tumble feature which enables easy access to a lockable under-floor storage area where small items can be stored. Plus with the rear seats tumbled forward it provides approximately 30 cubic feet of useable storage behind the front seats.

7. The JK is powered by an all-new 3.8 liter OHV V-6 which is made stronger, lighter and more fuel efficient compared to the 4.0 liter I-6 engine that it previously possess. The new V-6 offers 205 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque and is estimated to get 17 mpg for city driving and 21 mpg for highway driving. Its highly sophisticated Jeep catalytic converter reduces the level of harmful C02 emissions.

8. In terms of its seven slotted grille it is a prominent feature of Jeep vehicles as well the round headlights. But an option package that includes an integrated foglights and protective skidplates are available for an extra cost of course.

9. JK is also equipped with ESP or Electronic Stability Programme and roll mitigation software to reduce the possibility of rollover. There are also dual-stage front and side-mounted airbags which are designed to lessen impact in case of rollovers.

10. The windshield still fold flat to the hood by simply removing the screws and latches.

By: Lisa Ziegler

All New Nissan X-trail Revealed In Geneva

At this year’s International Geneva Motor Show, the Nissan Motor Company has chosen to use the event as the venue for unveiling the newly updated and all new Nissan X-Trail. And according to the company this new one would be coming with loads of new features plus it would also be offering owners and users a better performance, more convenience, exciting comfort and quality as well as lower fuel consumption and emissions.

“Customers love X-trail’s convenience, its practicality, its strong performance and off-road capability. When we planned the new X-Trail, we were determined to keep those X-Trail roots, but enhance the entire vehicle,” explains Carlos Tavares, the executive vice president of the company for corporate strategy and product planning. Tavares mentioned such during the press conference which Nissan held as part of the unveiling of the vehicle.

Despite the claims that this Nissan X-Trail is all new, most people still can make out that definite characteristic which reminds most of us of the old model. Of course, with the previous one being quite a hit in the market, Nissan still had to retain some portions of the old version. That way, people would still be reminded that the new one is still the same old Nissan X-Trail, only made better.

If you are asking about the kind of power that this one has, we all would have to wait for Nissan has yet to inform the public about its power source and just how powerful it can be. Plus, most of the parts under the hood have to be revealed. But we all sure do know that this vehicle is not going to come using an AEM Acura intake.

Taking a quick chance to gaze at the interior of the vehicle, one would find that the vehicle really does provide utmost comfort. Plus, the materials used inside sure do look like quality ones so owners would not have to worry about experiencing damages to the owner after a day of traveling with the kids or with their pets.

For long trips, the Nissan X-Trail is not going to disappoint you. In fact, you are going to be quite surprised with the amount of cargo that this vehicle can hold. Inspect the trunk of the vehicle and you would see that it has got a larger and more spacious trunk where you can put in all of your luggage and equipment.

By: Mike Bartley

The Slow Evolution Of Porsche 911

Various car companies consider the concept of evolving their products into something more appealing in the eyes of their target market. Changes will take place as the product develops into a renewed character.

On the other hand, Porsche seem to decline such style of perception. The progressive evolution for the Porsche 911 Carrera is slowly taking place. As the years passed by, only little enhancement from the previous Porsche 911 passed on to the next of its class.

The 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera-S presently is showing off a vast improvement on its exterior. Boasting off quad-element HID headlamps and comes with the not-new ovoid surrounds. Beneath its well known trademark, the frog-like headlights, is a larger air intake into which the signals are included -- positioned in a horizontal manner. Restrained lower lip extends from the chin spoiler and continues all the way down the body sides and into the rear bumper. The bumper has been revised to accommodate wider-set tailpipes, and unfortunately, droopy Cayenne-style LED tail lamps. Cornering lights still situated at bottom part of the headlights and has a little upgrading done. The cornering lights stayed consistently the same for the past years like the Wrangler’s Jeep cornering light.

As for any mechanical advancement that always comes with all styling progress and updates, Porsche will remain reserved whenever the word evolution is concerned. But it is now unnecessary to wish for the evolution of its horsepower bump. The current Carrera/Carrera-S with 325 to 355 is not a slow evolution for a car with that kind of stance. Porsche 911 models are known to be one of the meanest road thunders ever made. The 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera-S has already evolved into a fundamental precision.

By: Lisa Ziegler

Chrysler: Could There Be A Takeover Without Sale?

As DaimlerChrysler AG's top management weighs the possibility of a sale of the Chrysler Group, a number of events weakened the latter's prospects. The first reason is the slump in performance. This is coupled with the refusal of United Auto Workers (UAW) union to give Chrysler the health care concessions it granted to the automaker's larger Detroit rivals.

For the first time, last Tuesday, Dieter Zetsche, DaimlerChrysler’s CEO, alluded to other pressures bearing on the Germany-based automaker. "Top performance is the best protection against potential threats, and that applies for DaimlerChrysler as well," Zetsche said at the Geneva Motor Show. He is anxious of the risk of a possible takeover of the company.

Financial experts also expressed their accord with Zetsche’s prediction. Experts said DaimlerChrysler could be a takeover target because its stock market valuation has been weighed down by Chrysler's uneven performance. In the past, the automaker was protected by the Deutsche Bank which is its largest shareholder. However, the bank has decreased its stake. Additionally, it wanted to drop its remaining 4.4 percent DaimlerChrysler holding.

"In today's world, a 50 billion euro ($65 billion) market cap doesn't protect you from those considerations. Zetsche added, "In the case that the current market capitalization of DaimlerChrysler doesn't represent the potential value of the group - and I'm convinced that this is the case - this of course triggers the interest of third parties to investigate if they're able to unlock hidden or undeveloped value."

"Potentially, they are a takeover target," said Juergen Pieper, an analyst at Metzler Bank which is based in Frankfurt. Pieper estimates DaimlerChrysler's assets are worth $30 billion more than its combined stock value. "If you split it up, you can generate value. Mercedes is one of the great brands of the world."

Zetsche earlier said that the first priority was to deliver on the restructuring plan which was announced last month. He reiterated that no option, including keeping Chrysler, had been ruled out. Other analysts who saw Zetsche in talks in London, New York and Boston said he would not discuss sale or spinoff plans with them. But they came away with the impression that DaimlerChrysler's preferred option would be the sale of Chrysler.

General Motors Corp., the largest automaker in the industry, was also reported having serious talks with Daimler regarding the potential of Chrysler to GM. Nonetheless, Zetsche would not confirm that sale talks were under way.

"I can confirm that nine months ago or more, some discussions between the Chrysler Group and GM - I think initiated by GM but this doesn't matter - took place to discuss some potential common interests in some segments. I think large SUVs were discussed. Beyond that, I can't confirm anything," said Zetsche, who ran Chrysler for nearly five years.

Apprehensions and predictions swiftly spread. Transmission is as quick as a window motor opening and closing car windows. On Monday, people familiar with the discussions said a team from Cerberus Capital Management met with Chrysler executives in Auburn Hills to discuss a possible bid for the company. The Blackstone Group, a big private equity firm, is also interested in purchasing Chrysler.

Zetsche said the management's decision to consider all options for Chrysler was not due to outside pressures. "The (DaimlerChrysler) AG management and the Chrysler management is not acting in reaction to pressure but in reaction to its own thinking and its own strategic process," he said. Zetsche stressed that the process did not take place only in Stuttgart and that Chrysler CEO Tom LaSorda was involved early on.

"A small, select group of the AG board, and definitely nobody of the supervisory board, took on this task to understand where we are, what the going-forward process should be, and ultimately deciding to look at further options as well," noted Zetsche.

Ford Edge Flies Off Dealer Lots

It seems customers’ fondness for the Ford Edge never diminished despite their long wait. As a fact, some customers have to drive through a blizzard just to make a purchase. Now that the Ford Edge is pretty much ready to take a plunge into dealers’ lots, customers are thrilled even more.

In the month of January, Ford recorded 5,586 sales of the Edge effortlessly eclipsing the first month sales of the famous Fusion sedan. The automaker recorded 4,078 sales of the Ford Fusion in October 2005.

Sales consultant Susan Blue said that she is still amazed by that customer who braved 18 inches of snow and blocked roads to pick up his new Ford Edge a few weeks ago. One prospect who had talked with Blue in the week said he would come by - to purchase the Ford Edge. "It was bad out," said Blue, who works at Don Seelye Ford in Kalamazoo, Mich. "There was a snow advisory and a snow alert, and I couldn't even see the used car lot from the office window."

Nevertheless, after 45 minutes on the road in what should have been a 15-minute ride, the purchaser pulled up in Blue’s trade-in. The customer is driving a 2006 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT with only 11,000 miles on the odometer. "He saw the Edge ad on TV, but he seemed nonchalant when I talked to him earlier, so I was surprised when he called that day," said Blue. "He was bound and determined to get an Edge."

The purchase transaction was easily done. How quick was the transaction made? It was as quick as opening windows through the use of Ford window motor. After the swift transaction, the customer was instantly rewarded. On his way home, he was riding on a new all-wheel-drive Ford Edge. Since then, the customer called Blue twice and written a letter to say how pleased he is with his new vehicle. And Blue has sold two units more since then. "It's a hot, hot product," she said.

Sheehy Ford in Gaithersburg, Md., also reported an Edge sale involving the trade-in of an upscale foreign model - BMW's luxury crossover, the X5. Sheehy's customer liked their BMW but decided to test drive an Edge after seeing a persuading advertisement of Ford’s crossover. After the test drive, the customers opted not to buy another BMW in favor of the new Ford Edge. The customers said they are considering buying a second Edge when their lease on a BMW 7 series luxury sedan expires later this year.

At the Grand Ford dealership in East Liverpool, Ohio, near the Pennsylvania and West Virginia border, sales manager Rob Migliore thanked the Internet for their first Ford Edge sale. The dealership received its first Edge on a Monday morning and eventually sold it that afternoon to a customer who drove an hour and a half from Uniontown, Ohio - just to purchase the vehicle.

The said customer had been online at the interactive Edge site. With a few clicks on the mouse, they learned that the closest store selling the Ford Edge vehicle is Grand Ford. "We were the ones with the car they wanted so they drove here right away to get it before someone else did," said Migliore.

Sales rep Bob Montgomery relayed a similar story from Jerry Taylor Ford in Grove City, Pa. The dealership got its first Edge equipped with a Vista Roof on a Friday. By Monday morning, Montgomery had sold it to a customer who had driven by the dealership that weekend and spotted the vehicle. "He said it was beautiful, and I went for a test drive, and he said he'd be back in a few minutes. Well, I've heard that one before," said Montgomery.

Montgomery added, “All he says now is how great that Edge rides, even better than the (Toyota) Camry he has at his Florida home." There was an additional benefit in that sale, too. "Every week, he stops by with tomatoes and produce from his greenhouse. I think I've made as much on produce as I did on the commission. (The Edge) is a great vehicle to sell. I just need to sell some more of them," chuckles Montgomery.

By: Katie Jones