Ford Fiesta sedan 2013

Ford Brazil has unveiled the facelifted 2013 version of the Fiesta sedan at the ongoing 2012 Sau Paulo Motor Show. The Fiesta sedan’s facelift comes a couple of years after this model’s global unveil and is a mid career facelift for this sedan which is quite popular in the Brazilian car market. The facelifted Fiesta sedan’s front end is very similar to that of the hatchback version, which also saw a facelift a few weeks ago, at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. The Aston Martin-esque front end of the car, that is soon becoming Ford’s family face, is the biggest change up front.

2013 All New Ford Fiesta Sedan Facelift Front

2013 Mini Cooper Interiors

The 2013 Mini Cooper range of sporty hatchbacks will now get a more conventional speedometer instead of the current dashboard design of mounting the speedometer centrally. The main reason for the central mounting of the speedometer being done away with is due to safety concerns. The central mounting of the speedometer is said to be distracting to the driver, which could possibly cause accidents. So, the current Mini range come with a digital speedometer in the conventional position along with th centrally mounted analog unit. However, the 2013 models of the Mini Cooper range will feature the speedometer behind the steering wheel.

2013 Mini Cooper Interiors Spyshot

2013 Volvo XC40 Crossover

At this year’s Paris Motor Show scheduled to happen later this year, Chinese Geely owned Swedish car maker Volvo will launch an entry level product in the form of the XC40 crossover, which is essentially a jacked up V40 with a more aggressive design to go with its crossover badging. Most of the specifications and interiors of the XC40 crossover are expected to be very similar to the V40 hatchback.  Even before the official unveiling can happen at Paris, the 2013 Volvo XC40 has been caught uncamouflaged. So, here it is, in all its undisguised glory.

2013 Volvo XC40 Crossover Spyshot

2013 Fiat 500X Crossover

It is of common information that Fiat has been working on a crossover based on the Grande Punto platform. However, instead of being positioned above the Punto, the crossover will join the Fiat 500 range, as the 500X model. The 2013 Fiat 500X Crossover is the Italian automaker’s answer to the Mini Countryman and will be pitted directly against the Mini in markets across the world. The Fiat 500X is expected to make its debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, with a launch to happen sometime in 2013. Like the 500L hatchback, the 500X crossover is also expect to share its engine range with the Punto.

2013 Fiat 500X Crossover

2013 Fiat 500L Hatchback

Italian automaker Fiat has begun taking orders for the 2013 500L hatchback, which is essentially a larger hatchback in the Fiat 500 range, aimed primarily at customers gravitating towards the BMW Mini range of sporty hatchbacks. For all its cutesy appeal, the Fiat 500 is a car that isn’t the most practical car in town when comes to doing duty as a primary car for everyday use. “While we don’t suggest something as gargoyle-esque as the Multipla, why don’t you look our cute, yet practical 500L model” seems to be the general refrain from the Italian automaker.

2013 Fiat 500L Hatchback

2013 Jaguar XF Sedan and XJ Luxury

The 2013 versions of the Jaguar XF sedan and the XJ luxury saloon have just been unveiled at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed. another launch at Goodwood was the XF Sportbrake version, essentially an estate variant of the XF sedan. This car though is not very relevant to the Indian market given the traditionally poor sales estates have had to endure in this part of the world. What is very relevant indeed is the 2013 XF sedan and the XJ luxury saloon, as both cars are sold in India. The facelifts on these cars are minor with the bigger story being that of the updated engines and transmission.

2013 Jaguar XF Sedan

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe 7 Seater Crossover

South Korean automaker Hyundai is planning to launch a new flagship crossover that will take on the likes of the Audi Q7 and the Mercedes Benz M-Class. This crossover is expected to sit above the 2013 all new Santa Fe crossover, that Hyundai showcased a few months ago. while the Santa Fe will be available with two wheelbase variants, a shorter 5 seater and a longer 7 seater model, the new luxury crossover is expected to be bigger than the Santa Fe and will be capable of seating 7 adults. Given that it will be positioned as a luxury crossover, expect a range of safety and creature comforts.

2013 Hyundai Santa Fe 7 Seater Crossover used as an illustration

2013 Renault Fluence Sedan Facelift

The Renault Fluence sedan is all set t get a mid career cosmetic facelift come 2013, and the facelifted model has already begun doing in what seems like the testing rounds. The good folks over at CarScoop have managed to snag a few images of the on-test camouflaged Fluence. Minimal camouflage on the test car’s front and rear indicates that the facelift will most likely be a minor one. The front end is expected to get a  revamp with revised styling. Expect new headlamps, a different grille and front bumper up front. The rear is expected to see revised tail lamps and a new bumper.

2013 Renault Fluence Sedan Facelift

Catchy Official Images of European 2013 Skoda Rapid

Czech automaker Skoda has just released official images of the European 2013 Skoda Rapid. this car, like the Indian Rapid sedan, will be positioned in between the Fabia hatchback and the Octavia/Laura in the international markets as well. The upcoming 2012 Paris Motor Show is where the European Rapid will make it debut. Sales are expected to begin by the end of this year. The biggest change between the Indian and European models of the Rapid is with respect to the styling. The European Rapid features an all new front end and rear, which looks more contemporary than the Indian version.

2013 European Skoda Rapid

2012 Audi Q5 Crossover

German luxury car maker Audi will debut the 3 Liter TDI V6 turbo diesel engine with twin turbo power later today, at the LeMans racing circuit at France. The engine, which is essentially a 3 Liter TDI V6 common rail turbo diesel unit that forms the staple engine offering on a range of Audi and Volkswagen car models gets twin turbochargers that pump up power and torque output by quite a bit. Sample this, the peak power produced by the Twin Turbo equipped 3 Liter TDI engine now goes up to 309 Bhp while peak torque comes in at 640 Nm.

2013 Audi Q5 Crossover used as an illustration

Would the 2013 Ford Figo Facelift have a Push Button Start and keyless entry feature

Ford India is testing a facelifted Figo hatchback in and around Chennai. The hatchback, which has just completed two summers in India is due for a mid career facelift amidst intensifying competition in the B+ hatchback space. Now, a rumor has surfaced about Ford delivering two new features on the facelifted Figo, in the form of a push button start and a keyless entry option. An experimental Figo hatchback with these two features forms the basis of this rumor, which has originated on TheAutomotiveIndia, a popular car and motorcycle online forum.

2013 Ford Figo Facelift Push Button Start

2013 Mahindra Mini Xylo MPV; Mahindra Verito Compact Sedan Render

The 2012 Mini Xylo MPV, which continues to be rigorously tested by Mahindra could be launched by August 2012. The Mini Xylo MPV will feature a sub 4 meter length, giving the automaker attractive excise duty benefits, which are expected to be passed on to the car buyer. The Mini Xyo MPV will be a very unique vehicle in its class, as it will be the first MPV in India, to feature a sub 4 meter length. Despite the small dimensions, the Mini Xylo MPV is expected to seat seven adults, although the last two seats, being jump seats at the rear of the car could be a squeeze.

2013 Mahindra Mini Xylo MPV

BMW's drive 1 Series hatchback at the 2012 Paris Motor Show for unveil

Thus far, the world leader in premium luxury cars, German automaker BMW, has been synonymous with a rear wheel drive layout, said to be a key factor for the excellent handling dynamics BMW cars are world renowned for. In the second half of 2012 though, everything could change. At the 2012 Paris Motor Show, BMW plan to unveil an entry level car with a front wheel drive layout. The BMW 1 Series GT hatchback could be the first Beemer to come with a front wheel drive layout, of course, this after discounting the BMW owned Mini brand of sporty hatchbacks.

2013 BMW 1-Series 3 Door Hatchback used as an example