New Car: 2007 Honda Zest (Japan)
Honda Motor Co., Ltd. announced the introduction of the new ZEST minicar, created to enhance the active lifestyles of today’s consumers and provide comfort and utility for the entire family. The ZEST delivers superior power and performance, while its efficient low-floor design and generous storage area with a convenient access bay help give it class leading spacious cabin. The new ZEST will be available for sale through Honda’s automobile dealer network in Japan starting March 1. Further, a ZEST equipped with a tilt-up sliding front passenger seat and wheelchair-accessible models will be available starting March 17.The ZEST was developed as a minicar that can satisfy both individual and family users in a variety of occasions including daily shopping and weekend leisure activities. The key to the design of the ZEST is Honda’s unique low-floor platform technology, which results in a high-capacity storage area with a maximum of 739 liters of space accessed via one of the lowest tailgates in its class1. In addition, ZEST achieves a spacious cabin with a height equivalent to StepWGN. The ZEST features Honda’s i-DSI engine or i-DSI turbocharged engine, combined with a 4-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission to deliver strong and smooth performance in accelerating from low and medium speeds to higher speed ranges.
The ZEST also offers a full range of advanced safety features. In addition to being the first minicar1 to be equipped with a front and rear side curtain airbag system, the ZEST also features Honda’s Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body for significantly enhanced self-protection and damage mitigation in vehicle-to-vehicle collisions. Regarding environmental performance, all FWD models have earned Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport certification as Low-Emissions Vehicles, with emission levels 75% lower than those required by 2005 standards, while some models meet or exceed Japanese government fuel economy standards for 2010 by 5%.
The ZEST also comes fully equipped with a range of advanced features for enhanced passenger comfort and peace of mind, including Honda’s HDD InterNavi system; newly-developed high-performance deodorizing air cleaning filters treated with anti-allergenic materials to control pollen and other allergens; and a security alarm and immobilizer for effective anti-theft protection
The name ZEST denotes something spicy, stimulating, appealing, passionate, fun and full of flavor. This vehicle was named ZEST to represent the hope that owners will use it to enjoy stimulating fun and to enrich and broaden their lives.
Key Features of the Honda ZESTStyling Dynamic volume styling emphasizes the ZEST’s drivability and spaciousness:
The ZEST’s trapezoidal form imparts a sense of volume and stability in a dynamic exterior form that is imbued with an intrepid, vigorous appearance.
The ZEST Sport is equipped with specialty exterior parts that further enhance the vehicle’s low and wide look.
Packaging Low-floor packaging enhanced by advanced drivability, spaciousness, and ease of use
The ZEST’s low-floor platform and short nose create a spacious interior.
While keeping the vehicle’s total height to just 1,635mm (FWD model), the cabin boasts a comfortable 1,340mm of vertical space, putting it on a par with Honda’s StepWGN. A long thingypit and storage area, together with a class leading 1,315mm-wide cabin, provides a relaxing, spacious cabin interior.
The ZEST features a low-floor design with generous storage and convenient access bay. The tailgate opening is just 530mm off the ground, one of the lowest in its class.
The front and rear doors are designed to allow for smooth entry and exit. The doors open in three stages at different angles for greater convenience, opening wide enough to facilitate easy installation and removal of a child safety seat.
Interior designed for all-round comfort, with consideration for specific comfort needs front and rear
The interior design combines a liberated feel for the front seating area with a secure feel for the rear area and ease of use in the storage area. Different colors and materials are employed to emphasize the separate personalities of the front and rear seating areas. The ZEST Sport features a black color scheme front and rear to emphasize the vehicle’s sporty image.
The instrument panel is permanently lit for improved visibility.
The front bench seat provides relaxed seating with outstanding hold and comfort.
Driving Performance High-quality driving performance combines driving pleasure with stability and comfort
i-DSI and i-DSI turbocharged engines combine lively performance with low fuel consumption and outstandingly clean emissions.
An electronically controlled, 4-speed automatic transmission contributes to smooth driving performance and higher fuel economy.
The suspension delivers an outstandingly comfortable, highly stable ride. The Sport W model features a sporty, custom suspension.
A lightweight, high-rigidity body ensures superior collision safety and handling stability .
Safety Advanced safety performance achieves a solid sense of security in a small car
For the first time in a minicar,10 ZEST models equipped with the Front Seat i-side Airbag System also feature a Side Curtain Airbag System11 for both the front and rear seats.
The body is designed to enhance self-protection for vehicle occupants while at the same time improving compatibility with other vehicles to mitigate damage.
The pedestrian injury reduction body is designed to help reduce injury in the event of a collision involving a pedestrian.
The head shock protection interior is designed to protect vehicle occupants form shocks to the head in the event of a collision.
All models are equipped with front seats designed to reduce the impact of a rear collision on a passenger’s neck area. All models are equipped with ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) with EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution) and brake assist.
Environmental Performance Advanced clean technologies achieve outstanding environmental performance
All FWD vehicles have been certified by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport as having achieved a 75% reduction with respect to emissions regulations for 2005, while four-wheel-drive models have been certified as achieving a 50% reduction.
The FWD models of N, G, W, Sport G,13 and Sport W (except turbo) have been brought into compliance with 2010 emission standards. In addition, the FWD models of N, G, and Sport G (except turbo)14 offer even greater fuel efficiency that exceeds 2010 standards by more than 5%.
Interior VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) has been reduced in all models to below the standards for interior densities set by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare.
2007 Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra
These images show us GM and Chevrolet's Pick-Up trucks. Caught hot & cold testing in America. These will be taking on like like of the Toyota Tundra, Ford F-350 etc. I can't give you much info on this because its not sold in Europe but if you have information then you can post it.
2006 Volkswagen Touareg Facelift
These are the first ever spy photos of the upcoming VW Touareg facelift. Caught in Scandinavia in a hotel car park the 4x4 will also have two new engines added to the range. I'm guessing that Germany will get this before anyone else in the world and it will launch across Europe slowly. Because there will be new engines there could be new prices. I'm guessing that the prices will be just alittle bit more than the current one.
2006 Ford F-350 Facelift (Super-Dutys)
These pictures show Ford's biggest pick-up truck undergoing a facelift. Ford' Super Duty trucks will be redesigned with a greater emphasis on the interiors.
Ford plans a ground-up redesign for all of its Super Duty truck models, including the F-250 and F-350, for the 2007 model year. It's believed that the look of these trucks will be a further development of the F-350 Tonka concept, bringing the eye-popping brashness of that model to market. The company is reportedly stressing the cabin design of the new Super Duty trucks, with at least five different interior trim levels available. Choices will range from the functional to luxurious. Ford has also extended its contract with Harley-Davidson past 2007, so it can be expected that Harley-Davidson as well as King Ranch editions of the various Super Duty models will be available. It's likely that the first of these new trucks will appear in the fall of 2006.
If these are going to look like Tonka vehicles then these must be so big that they probably won't even fit on the European roads...
Offical Photos of The 2006 Ford S-Max?
This is Ford news sporty MPV called the S-Max. Its based on the Ford SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) concept. The S-Max will get a twin called the D-Max. It won't be as sporty as this but it will have similar front and rear faces, windows, doors, roof line etc. A Galaxy concept was also shown at the same motorshow as the SAV. Rumors are flying around about a Galaxy replacement. The Galaxy is getting quite old now surely it shouldn't be replaced? Prices aren't offical at the moment but I'm guessing somewhere around 18k - 20k
7 seats will be expected in both of these vehicles
Fiat Cargo (Idea)
This Fiat Idea based mini-van was spotted somewhere around in Italy. As you see it got the hideous Fiat Punto Prototype lights (front & back) that stick out. We strongly doubt that this will make it into production. Note the bulging wheelarches. This indicates that this could be a test mule for an upcoming model.
2006 Volkswagen CrossGolf
As you may now know, Volkswagen is building a 4x4 based VW Golf called the CrossGolf. This is not its offical name. The prototype is wearing light plastic cladding around the bonnet. The lights (Front & back) could look like this. This fits nicely inbetween the Golf and the Golf Plus. Maybe caught in Northern Sweden
Fiat Ducato Facelift
Taken in Germany I think the Fiat Ducato will also have a facelift. Judging from other spy pictures it looks to have a similar face to the Vauxhall Vivaro, Renault Trafic etc. The rear lights will be longer than the current van and it could even be longer. Taking on the Vauxhall Movano and Ford Transit, Fiat hopes that this will be a success. The Transit has been on the market ever since the 60's and has been a hit ever since it was born.
2007 VW Touran?
In 2007 the Volkswagen Touran will be up for a facelift. The MPV has been on the market since 2001. As you see from these photoshopped pictures that its taken the new VW Golfs face. I hope that the facelift doesn't look like this.
2008 Chevrolet Stingray?
Could this be the next Chevy Stingray? If I'm not mistaken this car should be called "Chevy Corvette Stingray:. In the 60's this car was called the Corvette Stingray. Why change the name? The face of the car is smiling and dosn't look aggressive or mean. No idea what caatorgory this willl come under but I'm guessing it will take on the Pontiac Solstice.
Hyundai SUV spied in California
Caught undergoing very hot-weather testing in California, Hyundai is preparing a replacement for the aging and dated Terracan SUV.
Although Hyundai has remained very tight-lipped about this SUV, judging by the size of this, we can expect 7 seats to be fitted as standard. Peeking out back are dual exhaust pipes which hint at a powerful petrol engine at the front, maybe a 3.8 litre V6 engine. This engine is likely to kick out 260bhp through a 6 speed automatic transmission with manual-mode. Inside, Hyundai is set to use much better materials to offer the newcomer some quality.
Front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models will be available, along with a host of options and accessories. For a car-like drive, the chassis will be a unibody with a OLD lock-up torque converter.
Slotting above the Santa Fe in the line-up, the Terracan replacement should hit dealers in mid-2007 with prices starting under $30,000, but be warned, the new SUV will only be available in the U.S, South Korea, Brazil, Canada and the Middle East.
2006 Ferrari F430 GT
Ferrari is already testing it fast F430 GT. The F430 replaced the 360 in 2005. Theres hardly any infomation about this yet, but the side,front air vents suggest that this 4.3 litre engine could be injected with something.
Renault Espace facelift spied testing
Renault is testing the facelifted Espace in Europe.
As you can see from this image, the Espace will sport revised lights, bumpers and grille. Inside, the interior will be reworked to keep it up to date. Engines will be tweaked to offer better performance and lower emissions.
Sales start next year.
Top-secret C-Segment Kia spied
A Korean car manufacture, possibly Kia seems to be out testing an all-new model which will arrive in Europe sometime in 2007. According to spies, the vehicle appears to measure roughly the same size as the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf.
Details of the newcomer are very sketchy but it's codename "ED" is understood to stand for "European Design". Other details include a name registered by Kia, engine sizes and possible future models. Although the name Cerato is still valid, it maybe replaced with the nameplate "Cee'd". As for engines, sizes are reported to range from 1.4 - 2.0 litre according to our insider. Our insider also stated the the "ED" will be accompanied by a coupe, estate, MPV and cabriolet sometime within the next 5 years.
The car will replace the slow-selling Cerato when it arrives in showrooms in 2007 will prices starting from as low as £11,000.
Alfa Romeo 159 GTA?
We're not sure what this actually is but it seems to be an Alfa 156 GTA but people on web forums are saying that this car is in fact a 159 GTA. Snapped in Italy and wearing a factory plate this could be a 159 GTA. Our spy even said it sounded like a Ferrari. If it sounds like a Fezza it must be powerful. Alfa even taped/card-boarded the smile in between the exhausts. So WHAT could it actually be? We'll leave it upto you to decide.
FREEZE! (2007 Ford Focus RS)
As can be seen on these photos, Ford’s racing team is busy developing the hottest version of the Focus model range, the new RS. Almost on the last day of cold weather testing season, Ford came out with this prototype for a short test drive on a frozen lake in Sweden.
The test car has visibly big air intakes in the hood and stretched wheel arches to cover running gear from Volvo S60R saloon. As well as the four-wheel-drive transmission, the Focus RS also gets the S 60 R‘s turbocharged 5 cyl. engine, this one with a bigger turbo, estimated to deliver around 300 HP. However, Ford is expected to limit the performance car’s top speed to approximately 155 mph.
Not much has been said about the release of the new RS, rumours suggest a launch by the end of 2007 and a price tag of £25.000.
Hopefully this will be successful like the 5 door Focus Hatchback....
We Caught You (2007 Peugeot 308)
This is the first ever glimpse of Peugeot's 307 replacement. The disguised 407 is infact a 4 door saloon. That was caught in Scandinavia cold-weather testing. The other two pictures show a hatchback version of the 308 undergoing testing in France.
In summer 2005 the French best seller Peugeot 307 underwent a restyling. Now the French car maker is about to develop an all new replacement for the 307, dubbed 308. Formerly the 308 was scheduled for release in 2008, but now Peugeot has decided to show the new model at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor show already.
The fastback version will be the first one to come on the market as four- and two door. Its overall length is said to grow by about 4 cm to 4.25 meters while its height is going to be slightly reduced.
Just like Volkswagen with the “Cross-Golf”, PSA is also hiding an SUV variant of the 308 up their sleeve, however, this one without four wheel drive. A convertible-coupe and a wagon version are expected to follow about a year later.
Power will come from a 2.2 four-cylinder turbo diesel engine delivering 170 HP as well as from the new 1.6 litre fuel injected engine generation delivering between 75 and 170 HP. It was developed in cooperation with BMW. A particularly sporty RC version producing 210 HP is to follow some time later.
First two photos are genuine prototype photos. Only the background and the license plates were altered by computer, not the car itself. The third photo is a computer image giving an artist’s impression of the new model to come. And photos four and five are of a prototype mule in recent cold weather testing in Scandinavia.
Copyright: Automedia
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