Car Briefs - September 20, 2008

New Mini Crossover Concept to debut at Paris

Mini is to unveil its new Crossover Concept at the Paris Motor Show in October. It is a design study for a fourth variant in Mini's current range. It will have four doors, four drive wheels, four single seats and measure four metres long but will retain its Mini characteristics. Innovative features include a new display and control console which hosts all major entertainment, telecommunication and navigation functions: the

Mini Centre Globe. It also has a frameless, retractable window on the rear door which, when open, swivels to one side to facilitate long items, such as skis, snowboards and surfboards. Mini say the Crossover Concept will be the basis for the development of a future production car.

All-new Vauxhall Astra set for next year

Vauxhall has revealed that it will be unveiling its all-new Astra at the Frankfurt show next year. Although details are being kept to a minimum, Vauxhall says that the new car will offer a "mix of technical innovation and groundbreaking design" coupled with an all-new chassis and a range of new engines which will maximise low-end torque to benefit fuel consumption. New technology is likely to include the Front Camera System - to be introduced on the Insignia range - and new generation Adaptive Front Lighting - also shared with the Insignia range. Mark Adams, GM Europe's vice-president of design, says: "The present Astra already combines a high level of technical substance and emotional styling, but with the new car we are taking a big step forward in both respects, while emphasising its sporting credentials."

Citroen revises its C4 range

By restyling the car's nose, with a more rounded and curvier bonnet, plus chevrons integrated into the grille, Citroen has made the C4 look more like the recently introduced C5 family car.

At the same time, the company has also worked at improving the comfort of the interior and giving it a more upmarket feel, while the rear lights of the Coupe model are now finished in transparent crystal.

Also new to the range are two petrol engines that have been developed with BMW: a 1.6-litre unit with 120 or 150bhp. The less powerful version replaces the old 110bhp unit, but provides better fuel economy and lower emissions - 42.2mpg and 159g/km, respectively - while the turbo-charged 150bhp engine returns 40.9mpg and emits 164g/km CO2.

Also revised is the 2.0-litre HDi diesel engine. With 140bhp, it's slightly more powerful than before, but returns 53.3mpg on the combined cycle and emits 140g/km CO2 - both better than the old engine's figures.

Meanwhile, although the two 1.6-litre diesel engines are unchanged, models with these engines also now return better economy and lower emissions, thanks to Citroen switching to low-resistance tyres.

Kia to offer stop-start in 2009

Kia is to offer a version of its Cee'd hatchback with a fuel-saving, CO2-reducing stop-start system from early next year. It's likely to be offered on a specific version of the Cee'd equipped with a 1.4-litre petrol engine. The fitment of the system, which switches the engine off when the car is stationary, reduces the CO2 emissions of the model from today's 145g/km to 137g/km, a six per cent cut. Later in the year aerodynamic aids and new Michelin Energy low rolling resistance tyres will be added, lowering figure to 130g/km. The package of fuel-saving modifications may later be offered on the 1.6-petrol - currently the smallest engine offered in the Cee'd range - and the SW estate version of the car. Models equipped with stop-start will cost more, though insiders believe the price increase will come in at under four figures. The Cee'd will be among the least expensive models to be offered with the technology, along with the Mini range, and Kia will be one of the first to offer stop-start since BMW's Efficient Dynamics initiative introduced the technology across the Mini and BMW ranges.