All-New Mazda5 with Spunkier Styling Revealed Ahead of Geneva Show

The here is new Mazda5 people carrier and it will have its world premiere at the Geneva Motorshow in the beginning of March. The Japanese firm's Renault Scenic and Opel Zafira rival in the compact MPV segment features all-new sheetmetal that brings it in line style-wise with the rest of Mazda's lineup.

As well as adopting the company's trademark smiley face grille up front, the new Mazda5 also uses swoopy elements of Mazda's 'Nagare Flow' design language that was previewed on several concept cars including the Furai.

Like its predecessor, the new '5 comes with sliding rear-doors and can accommodate up to seven passengers in three rows of seats.

Among the engine options will be Mazda's newly-developed 2.0-litre four-cylinder gasoline engine with direct-injection and i-stop, linked to a six-speed manual transmission with gear ratios specific to this version.

The gasoline line-up will also features a 1.8-liter engine with a six-speed manual transmission.

The all-new Mazda5 is scheduled to go on sale across Europe later this year with more details to be released at the Geneva motor show.

2011 BMW 335is: First Official Photos of 322HP Coupe and Convertible that Bridge the Gap Between the 335i and M3

While BMW has yet to make an official announcement on the all-new 335is Coupe and Convertible, the Bavarian firm uploaded the first official photos of both models on its public website. The 335is, which is believed to be offered initially only in North America, closes the gap between the 300HP 335i (306HP in Euro spec) and the 414HP M3 (420HP for the Euro model).

As we've already informed you from our previous post, a leaked spec sheet from BMW's Canadian division reveals that the 335is makes use of a tweaked version of the outgoing 335i's N54 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline six - and not the single-turbo N55 engine of the facelift 2011 335i.

The 335is' straight-six pumps out 322 horsepower (+22HP) and 332 lb-ft of peak torque (+32 lb-ft) with 369 lb-ft available temporarily on the over boost function.

Power is transferred to the rear-wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox or an optional seven-speed double clutch transmission.

We assume that like the new Z4 sDrive35is, the 335is model will get suspension calibrations for a sportier ride.

Naturally, the new 335is models get an M Aerodynamics package that includes unique front and rear bumpers as well as specific 18-inch alloy wheels and shadow trim for the double kidney grille, window surrounds and the dual tail pipes.

We expect an official release with more details to be released shortly.

2010 Toyota Auris Facelift gets Subtle Makeover and New Hybrid Version with Prius Drivetrain

When Toyota introduced the successor to the hatchback versions of the Corolla (the sedan variant kept the name) in Europe in 2006, the company's bosses decided to baptize the new car "Auris", not only due to its supposedly fresh and contemporary styling, but also because the name "Corolla" had become more synonymous with dull than with quality in the Old Continent.

Fast forward to 2010, and the Auris has yet to shake off its predecessor's bland-mobile reputation...

And while the subtle cosmetic makeover for the 2010 model year won't make the standard Auris any more interesting than before, the addition of a full hybrid version to the range is something that could very well capture the interest of European buyers.

Toyota's Spartan press release did not get into any details whatsoever, but the two official photos reveal that the 2010 Auris hatchback benefits from the same cosmetic changes as the JDM model that was introduced last October and almost the same styling upgrades as the Auris HSD Hybrid study that was presented at the 2009 Frankfurt Show.

On the outside, the 2010 model year Auris features a revised grille, reshaped front and rear bumpers, new headlamps, tail lights and alloy wheels plus a different bonnet design and new exterior mirrors with integrated turning signals.

We assume that the production Auris HSD (which stands for Hybrid Synergy Drive) will keep if not all, most of the exterior styling cues and aerodynamic tweaks such as the underbody panels of the concept study.

The Auris HSD's petrol-electric hyrbid drivetrain will be largely shared with the Prius meaning that the five-door hatchback can run on battery power alone in zero-emissions mode.

Full details and photos of both the standard and hybrid versions of the Auris are expected to be released closer to their official debut at the Geneva Salon in early March.


2010 TOYOTA AURIS FACELIFT

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TOYOTA AURIS HSD HYBRID CONCEPT STUDY

2011 Buick Regal Pricing Announced, Starts from $26,995, Less Costly Version to Follow in 2011

General Motors has just released pricing for the new 2011 Buick Regal sedan, or if you prefer, the North American market version of the Opel Insignia. Initially, the Regal will be offered in a premium CXL trim with two engine options, a 182HP 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder with direct-injection and a 2.0-liter Ecotec turbocharged and direct injected four-pot rated at an estimated 220HP.

Prices have been set at $26,995 (that's about €19,100 for our Euro friends) for the CXL 2.4L and $29,495 (€20,870) for the CXL 2.0L Turbo and include a $750 destination charge in both cases.

This means that the current-entry level Regal CXL 2.4L carries the same price tag as the larger 2010 LaCrosse CX 2.4L but is $3,400 cheaper than the equivalent CXL model.

Buick said that it will extend the Regal's range with the addition of a less expensive CX model in the 2012 model year.

Standard equipment on both the 2011 Regal CXL 2.4L and 2.0L Turbo models include a 6-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control (DSC); four-wheel disc brakes with anti-lock braking system, brake assist and electronic parking brake; StabiliTrak stability control system and traction control; dual-stage frontal and side-curtain air bags, and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Other standard features include a 12-way power, leather and heated driver seat; leather and heated passenger front seat; Bluetooth for phone capability; i-Pod auxiliary jack and USB port; XM Satellite Radio and OnStar.

Sales of the 2.4-liter Regal will start this Spring with the Turbo model following later in the summer.

Initially, the 2011 Regal will be made alongside the Insignia at Opel's factory in Russelheim, Germany/ North American production will begin at GM's Oshawa Car Assembly plant in the first quarter of 2011.