2011 Vauxhall Antara Facelift Prices Start Under £20k in the UK

Following the reveal of its Opel counterpart in mainland Europe, Vauxhall has released pricing and specifications on the UK market Antara facelift, which boasts a barely noticeable makeover and a refreshed engine lineup. Prices for the updated SUV now start from £19,995 for the 2.2 CDTi (163PS) Exclusiv front-wheel drive model, which according to Vauxhall, represents a saving of £2,835 over the outgoing base version.

On the outside, styling changes for the 2011 Antara include the updated front grille with the new Griffin logo, enhanced by fog lights finished with chrome bezels on SE models, new 19-inch alloy wheels and modified rear lights.

Inside, the new Antara's cabin features a revised centre console with extra storage and higher-quality materials, in addition to improved instrument graphics and better interior lighting.

The 2011 model's revised Euro-5 compliant engine line-up includes a newly-developed 2.2-liter CDTI turbodiesel in two states of tune with 163HP or 184HP. The 163HP version is available in front-wheel drive with a six-speed manual transmission only or all-wheel drive hooked up to either a manual or six-speed auto gearbox. The more potent 184HP variant also offers a choice of manual or automatic transmissions, and comes with all-wheel drive as standard. All transmissions have been revised to improve efficiency.

The Vauxhall Antara will not be offered in the UK with the revised 170HP 2.4-liter gasoline engine of its Opel sibling.

GM Europe's engineers have also re-worked the SUV's chassis with revised spring and damper settings.

Finally, Vauxhall has improved safety and comfort features with the addition of an electric parking brake, a Hill Assist System as well as a "shift-up" fuel economy indicator on all models.

"At less than £20k, the new Antara is set to be highly competitive in today's SUV market," said Peter Hope, Vauxhall's Marketing Director. "Its lower emissions, higher output diesel engines and refreshed design will offer renewed appeal to both retail and fleet customers."

Peugeot RC HYmotion4 Concept Racing Car

With Citroen, Peugeot RC HYmotion4 is a field that is increasingly cluttered with hybrid concepts using a new system that can take the road to be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show. Fortunately for Peugeot, they have managed not just recycle or rebadge an existing model, but have incorporated this technology into an boldly attractive four door GT coupe.

Peugeot has joined sister-brand Citroen by releasing a concept vehicle based on the new HYmotion4 AWD hybrid system. The new concept is according to Peugeot, a ‘Touring Car Coupe’ that features a number of engineering and technological ideas expected to make their way, if only gradually, into both of the carmaker’s future production models. Unlike the hybrid systems used by current production vehicles, this concept has no direct mechanical connection between the electric and internal combustion drive systems. This way, the RC can operate in either rear, front, or all-wheel-drive modes. That means it can also operate using internal combustion, electric only or blended mode combining both. Propelling this concept is a rear mounted turbocharged 1.6 liter engine driving the rear wheels and producing 218 hp and 206 lb-ft of torque. Up front, an electric motor provides up to another 132 lb-ft of torque and provides a governed combined production of 313 horsepower. This sort of power pays of with acceleration to 62 mph in a mere 4.4 seconds. The electrons are stored in a lithium-ion battery pack of an as unreleased size, but having the electric motor at the front instead of the rear axle means that more kinetic energy can be recaptured through the regenerative braking process. According to Peugeot, the RC can get 52.3 mpg with a minimum output of just 109 g/km of CO2 emissions.

Other Hymotion4 concepts in the mix for the future include Peugeot’s Prologue, which previews an upcoming 3008 crossover, as well as the Citroen Hypnos and C4 WRC rally car. These concepts, according to the manufacturer, are a synthesis of ideas that demonstrate a commitment to both respecting the environment and driving pleasure. If all of the technology that is used within this concept lives up to the manufacturer claims, the French may have the inside track in future hybrid production.

08 Geneva - Renault Megane Coupe Concept

Renault worked hard to develop a new sports car and they needed to finish on time for the Geneva Motor Show. We already anticipated the unveiling of the Alpine Concept, but at the show they presented the Megane Coupe so we think Alpine was just a codename.

Looking at the Megane Coupe, I said to myself that Renault finally did it - they successfully designed and developed a sports car. Check out the gallery below and I am sure you will approve me.

‘08 Geneva - Mitsubishi Prototype S

Every year all automakers are trying to refresh the air in their garage, so the perfect way to launch their products are the auto show and if it’s one of the best in the world it’s even better. This year at Geneva Motor Show, Mitsubishi unveiled its Prototype-S. This model is powered by a 2.0-liter supercharged four-cylinder engine which produces 240 HP and 252 lf-ft of torque. This concept is scheduled to enter in production phase as of next year. If you think they might be rushing with this decision, you should check out the gallery below with live photos.

Mercedes S400 BlueHybrid Concept Will Use Li-Ion Battery

Let’s take a moment of our time to take a look to a car which is not related and will not show up for the Geneva Motor Show. The reason why we present you this Mercedes-Benz is that the German automaker has developed a new hybrid system. The new S400 BlueHybrid will be powered by a 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine along with the 15kW electric engine.

The novelty consists of the fact that this hybrid will be the first to use lithium ion battery. Also the S400 BlueHybrid is the most economical sedan in NEDC (city and highway driving) by managing about 30 miles per gallon. This Hybrid Concept will be available as of 2009 with the ML450 two-mode hybrid system in the U.S. and Europe.

Pagani Zonda-R Will Be Absent From Geneva

After we posted many good news about the cars and manufacturers that will come at the Geneva Motor Show, now we bring you some bad news: Pagani announced that the Zonda-R will not make its appearance to Geneva. The 750 HP and carbon-fiber super car will not show up because Pagani has to concentrate on other important projects.

If it were to believe “the talk of the town”, the automaker can’t bring any model because they sold all of them in order to cover their investment costs for manufacturing the sports car.

We don’t know the truth, but we are really disappointed because this is one of the coolest sports car. The gallery below will prove it.

Webasto LigHT Concept - 08′ Geneva Preview

The upcoming Geneva Motor Show, by the way it’s the 78th edition of the famous show, will be full of concept cars which is not so bad considering the fact that most of them are really cool. Another “concept-maker” called Webasto announced that they will show up with the LigHT Concept at Geneva and they will self-praise with the Light Hybrid Top (a roof concept) and with the Liquid Heat Generator (LHG) which is an auxiliary heating system.

The Geneva Motor Show will open for public as of 6th March and we will bring you more infos then and we will try to get our hands on a photo gallery, but until then follow the press release after the jump.

Ford Kuga - ‘08 Geneva Preview

Well, it seems like Ford is very determined to “monopolise” all car classes and they plan to do it at the Geneva Motor Show. After the Fiesta Concept and the 2009 Mondeo, they announced the Kuga Concept, the first CUV destined for European Market.

The Kuga has a platform similar with the ones of the C-Max and Euro-Focus; the engine is a 2.0-liter Duratorq TDCi common rail diesel which produces 136 HP and 236 lb-ft of torque. The standard version offers to its buyers ABS, Anti Rollover Mitigation, Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and ESP.

As we told, the Kuga CUV Concept will be present at Geneva, but until then you can check the gallery below and be sure that we will give more pics in a few days from the auto show.

Italdesign Giugiaro Quaranta - ‘08 Geneva Preview

Finally we get something we want - Italdesign Giugiaro has released high-res pics of the Quaranta Concept just before Geneva Motor Show. We’ve been expecting this for a long time for the concept based on the 1968 Bizzarrini Manta Concept for its looks and on the Toyota Prius for its engine.

The Hybrid Synergy Drive completed with the 3.3-liter V6 engine produces 268 HP and 212 lb-ft of torque, enough to boost the Quaranta from 0 to 60 in just 4.05 seconds. Another design and tech cool characteristic is the solar power-generating roof. The design of the concept is simply astonishing and it will surely draw everybody’s attention at the upcoming auto show.

Check out the gallery below and follow the full press release after the jump.

Saab 9-1X Concept Teaser Photo - ‘08 Geneva Preview

The Geneva Motor Show is coming and every automaker is trying to establish itself as a leader in the world of the cars, but they use different techniques to draw the attention of the public. The majority of them are releasing many informations about what are going to unveil and the rest…are giving only teaser photos or nothing.

One of the automakers that doesn’t want to give us many details is Saab, but they announced their presence for the auto show and released a teaser photo of the so-called 9-1X concept. The shot looks cool and I can’t wait to see the final product at the Geneva Motor Show. I guess I’ll have to wait, only a few days left until the opening.

KTM X-Bow Dallara - ‘08 Geneva Preview

KTM announced its presence at the Geneva Motor Show by released some information of the X-Bow Dallara which had its debut last year also at Geneva. The X-Bow is a lightweight, carbon-fiber, two-seater that produces 300 HP, and is the first sports car of KTM.

The company has manufactured 100 products and all of them have been sold. Pretty impressive, huh? Check out the gallery below: