All-New Ford B-MAX: First Official Photo of Small MPV Released Ahead of Geneva

Less than one year after Ford showed the B-MAX study at the Geneva Salon, the Blue Oval unwrapped the final production model of its new entry in the European small MPV segment. The official presentation will once again take place at the Geneva Motor Show this March

The transition from concept to production has not brought any significant changes to the design of the Fiesta-based model, but that was something we expected given that last year's model was more showcar than pure concept.

From the single picture released by Ford, we can see that the production B-MAX lost the chrome grille trim (though we wouldn't be surprised if we saw it on a higher grade model) and gained a set of visible door handles.

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Analysis: Why Aren't Diesel Engines More Popular in the States?

Unlike European motorists, the vast majority of U.S. car buyers prefer their vehicles’ engines to consume gasoline and not diesel. Across the pond, diesel-powered models account for half of all vehicle sales, reaching at times as high as 70 percent of the market in countries like Italy and France.

Residents of the Old Continent have been choosing diesel over gasoline models for a very obvious reason: a diesel engine is on average 40 percent more efficient than a gasoline unit.

With the emissions problems that plagued previous generation diesel engines now solved and the added benefit of low-end torque, which is quite useful in real world driving, opting for a diesel is the obvious choice when it comes to everyday models.

Manufacturers are also investing heavily on diesel technology. Even Porsche - of all makers, offers diesel versions of its Panamera and Cayenne models. BMW recently rolled out M-Performance badged diesel models (albeit with three turbos). But it’s not power they’re after, but the need to comply with fuel consumption and CO2 emission regulations.

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Audi Presents New Bi-Turbocharged V6 Diesel with 313PS for the A7 and A6 Models in Britain

The already available in Germany new 3.0-liter BiTDI V6 engine from Audi has arrived in the UK market heading the diesel lineup in the A6 Saloon, Avant, Allroad Quattro and A7 Sportback.

Audi's most potent V6 diesel lump comes equipped with a two-stage turbocharger group as well as a start-stop and recuperation system delivering 309HP (313PS) from 3,900-4,500rpm and a generous peak torque of 650Nm (479.4 lb-ft) from 1,450 to 2,800rpm.

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SCOOP: 2014 Mazda6 Test Mule Trying Out its New Hardware

Mazda engineers continue the development of the next generation "6" sedan's chassis and mechanical hardware under the cloak of the existing model's body panels, albeit in modified form as you can see from the wheel arch extensions on this prototype that our spies snapped in Europe.

If you're wondering what the new Mazda6 will look like, then all you have to do is take a gander at the photos of the swooping Takeri concept car displayed at the last November's 2011 Tokyo Motor Show.

The handsome study with its voluptuous curves generally received praise for its design. Hopefully, the production Mazda6, which is due sometime in 2013, won't stray too far away from the original concept.

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New Subaru XV Crossover Pricing Released for Britain

The already heavily populated C-sized SUV segment has a new contender from Subaru, the XV, which slots right under the Forester in the Japanese firm's lineup.

The XV is in essence a crossover version of the Impreza hatchback with a reworked body with plenty of plastic cladding and a jacked up suspension. It arrives in the UK with a choice of three engines and an equal number of trim grades with on the road prices ranging from £21,295 to £29,995.

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ABT Sportsline Does the Audi A4 Facelift, S4 gets up to 435HP

Whenever Audi presents a new or a revised model, ABT Sportsline follows up with a host of upgrades. The refreshed Audi A4 / S4 sedan is no exception to the rule with the German tuning firm offering a number of styling and performance parts and accesories.

To give a more aggressive look to the facelifted A4's exterior, ABT designed a new aero kit that includes a front apron, rocker panels, a rear apron and diffuser combo, side air vents plus a three-piece boot lid spoiler that wraps around the body.

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Fiat to Launch New Strada Small Pickup Truck in its Home Market

Starting from next week, Fiat will offer its new Strada pickup truck in its home market of Italy. The Strada is Fiat's second best-selling commercial vehicle after the Ducato with 127,800 units sold worldwide in 2011. It is built at the company's FIASA plant in Betim, Brazil.

The revised light commercial model comes in three flavors named Working, Trekking and Adventure plus three body styles, including short cab, long cab and the four-seater crew cab for a total of six different variants.

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Mazda Begins Production of Diesel-Engined CX-5 Crossover in Japan

Mazda announced today that it has commenced production of the diesel version of its new CX-5 crossver at its Ujina plant near the company’s Hiroshima headquarters. The new compact SUV will be available in Japan and Europe in spring, with other markets to follow including the U.S. from early 2013.

The CX-5 is the first model in Mazda’s range to be powered by the new Skyactiv-D 2.2-liter diesel engine.

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BMW Shows its New M Performance Tri-Turbo Diesel-Powered Models on Film

Following on from yesterday's official presentation, BMW has published the first video on its M Performance range that launches in Europe with the M550d xDrive Sedan and Touring, X5 M50d and X6 M50d models, all powered by a new 381-horsepower, 3.0-liter tri-turbocharged straight-six diesel.

Prepared by the Bavarian firm's M division, the new M Performance models blend M Sport styling cues with M tuned engines and chassis components – and yes, we did notice that there are a lot of M's there. We'll just have to wait and see if those M's will actually make BMW buyers go mmmmm… Make the jump to view the short clip.

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BMW M Performance Brand Kicks off with New M550d, X5 M50d and X6 M50d, All Powered by a Tri-Turbo Diesel

The first examples of BMW's newly launched M Performance Automobiles lineup were introduced today ahead of their world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show in the second week of March.

The new models are the M550d xDrive sedan, M550d xDrive Touring, X5 M50d and X6 M50d, and as their names suggest, they're all powered by the same diesel engine and feature the Bavarian firm's xDrive all-wheel drive system.

And before you get your hopes high, we'd better tell you that none of them are planned for the US market.

BMW's M Performance Automobiles sub-brand was created to offer a diverse lineup of models with a wide choice of engines including diesels not only to compete with Audi's S range, but as we reckon, also to avoid further dilution of the M division.

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Kia Introduces New Three-Door Kia Rio in Britain, Priced from £9,995

Following on from its world premiere at last September's Frankfurt Motor Show, Kia has now launched the three-door version of the new Rio supermini in the UK.

This is the first time that the model is available in a three-door guise with Kia expecting it to account for around 20 to 25 percent of the car's total sales.

The three-door model gets the same engine range and trim line-up as the five door model that went on sale last year but offers £600 saving compared to the equivalent Rio 5d with prices starting from £9,995 OTR.

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Mazda Confirms Diesel-Powered Model for the States, Sales Start in Early 2013

We had first heard rumors about Mazda's plans to debut its first diesel-powered model in the States last summer, but now, a company spokesman has not only made it official but also gave a launch date.

Speaking with Car&Driver magazine, Mazda spokesperson Jeremy Barnes, said: “It’ll be here between 15 and 18 months behind the launch of the Skyactiv-G gasoline engine in the Mazda 3.”

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New Hyundai i30 Hatchback Priced from £14,495 in Britain

The C-segment compact hatch that left Volkswagen boss Martin Winterkorn hugely impressed during its presentation at the Frankfurt Motor Show last September, the all-new Hyundai i30, is getting ready for its UK launch.

Today, the South Korean automaker released full pricing and specification for the second-generation i30 that will arrive in UK dealerships on March 12.

On-the-road prices start at £14,495 for the entry level Classic model with a 100PS (99hp) petrol engine and top out at £20,795 for the Style Nav edition with the 110PS (108hp) diesel unit and an automatic transmission.

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Spied: 2014 BMW X5 SUV Hits the Winter Slopes, May get 4-Cylinder Diesel-Hybrid Version

Exactly a week ago, we brought you the first spy shots of the third generation of the BMW X5 SUV spotted on the road.

While it's too early for the prototypes to start shaking off the heavy camouflage, our man with the long lens was able to snag another round of pictures, this time while the crossover was trying out the snow in Germany.

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U Film: New Ford Ranger Spotted in Malaysia Pulling Four Trucks from the Competition

In what looks like some sort of a publicity stunt from Ford Malaysia, Carscoop reader Hafiz Zainal filmed the brand new Ford Ranger tugging four rivaling pickup trucks including (from back to front) the previous generation of the Ranger, the Mitsubishi Triton (called L200 in Europe), the Toyota HiLux and an Isuzu D-Max.

Both Rangers had an "On Tow" sign at the front and at the back and seemed to be just riding around - obviously to pique the interest of local buyers.

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Peugeot Says Au Revoir to Le Mans Racing Program

It’s a sad day for fans of the Peugeot Le Mans racing team as the French carmaker announced today it is pulling out from the endurance race series and will not be taking part in the next Le Mans 24 Hours.

Now, if you're wondering why the French company is abandoning the series after a successful run with 14 victories in the last 16 races, including a double at the Le Mans 24 Hours 2009 as part of the ILMC championship won by Peugeot two years in a row in 2010 and 2011, the answer is financial difficulties.

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Toyota Introduces Updated 2012 Land Cruiser with V8 Turbo Diesel in the UK

After the recent presentation of the updated Toyota Land Cruiser in its home market of Japan and then in North America, the full-size 4x4 model has now been introduced in Britain where it goes on sale this March.

Available exclusively with a revised V8 turbo diesel and a single trim level, the 2012 Land Cruiser is priced at £62,285 on-the-road (equal to US$95,900 or €75,000).

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Renault Launches Refreshed 2012 Scenic and Grand Scenic MPVs in Europe [47 Photos]

Renault has dropped a slew of photos of its updated five-seater Scenic and 7-seater Grand Scenic minivans as the company prepares to launch the range across Europe.

Named the Scenic and Grand Scenic Collection 2012, the regular and long-wheelbase versions of Europe's best-selling compact MPV enter the new model year with revised front-end looks and upgraded cabin trim and upholstery finishes while the French carmaker also added two new engines to the range.

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Jaguar XF gets New 163PS Version of 2.2-liter Turbo Diesel

Jaguar is doubling the XF's four-cylinder diesel offerings with the presentation of a new base version of its 2.2-liter unit that produces 163PS (161bhp) and supplements the 190PS (187bhp) variant already on sale in Europe.

The new lower output diesel accelerates the XF from zero to 62mph (100km/h) in 9.8 seconds en route to a top speed of 130mph (210km/h), while returning a combined fuel economy of 52.3mpg UK (43.5mpg US or 5.4lt/100km) and emitting 149 g/km of CO2.

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BMW Adds 125i, 125d and 116d EfficientDynamics Edition Plus M Sports Package to New 1-Series

The new 1-Series five-door hatchback is the next BMW after the 3-Series to benefit from the addition of a fresh batch of engines. The new models presented in Europe are the diesel-powered 125d and 116d EfficientDynamics Edition, and the gasoline-powered 125i.

Beginning with the latter, the 125i gets a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder gasoline with a twin-scroll turbocharger and direct injection delivering 218bhp at 5,000 rpm and peak torque of 310Nm (228 lb-ft) between 1,350 and 4,800 rpm. With a six-speed manual, the 125i sprints to 100km/h (62mph) in 6.4 seconds (8-speed automatic transmission: 6.5 seconds), reaching a top speed of 245 km/h or 152mph (243 km/h).

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