New Meriva: unhinged

Prepare for a shock. A small shock, admittedly, but a shock nonetheless.

This is the new Vauxhall Meriva. Not a 'concept previewing the new Vauxhall Meriva', but the real, production Vauxhall Meriva. And it has suicide doors!

Actually, Vauxhall doesn't call them suicide doors. They're FlexDoors, apparently, which "allow unimpeded forward access/egress to and from the cabin". That's marketing-speak for ‘make it easier to get in and out of the back'.

We are unashamed suckers for a good suicide door - even on a sensible five-seat family car - so the Meriva is off to a good start. And it should be a tidy all-round specimen when it goes on sale later this year after its debut at the Geneva show in March.

For a start, it looks good, adopting bits of Astra/Insignia design language - check out that ‘sideblade' running down from the front wheel arch - and adding a natty new kink in the window line, which helps to improve visibility from the rear seats but mainly looks rather good.

With a wider track and longer wheelbase than the outgoing Meriva, it should drive better than the old car. It'll be launched with a range of six turbo engines borrowed from the Astra, ranging from 74bhp to 138bhp. Strangely, there's no word on a VXR version yet.

We'll get our first look at the new Meriva in Geneva (poets, know it, etc.) this March.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe by Hennessey

New Hyundai Genesis Coupe appears to be the main attraction for participants in this year’s SEMA. A reason for Hennessey to display its “clothes”. So they’ve taken a piece of original Genesis, had taken precise measures and take a cut carbon fiber clothes.

Hyundai Genesis Coupe by Hennessey
Hyundai Genesis Coupe by Hennessey

Clothes could be another color than black matte to match the image and reputation of “bad boy”, considering that the tuner has operated a few modifications and under the hood.
Hyundai Genesis Coupe now produces 500 hp and 618 Nm torque, because the turbine which has made room in the engine compartment.
Tuner estimates about 3.9 seconds needed to propel from 0 to 100 km, and 12.5 seconds for 402 meters distance.

Mazda 3 – Overview

Mazda 3 is the model in the compact class with the most pronounced sporting character.
The new generation is presented in two body variants, hatchback and sedan. New forms, new drawing for all tastes. Those who prefer hatchbacks are customers in Western Europe because, in the East, is still looking sedan sites with boxes for all people. Important is that the Japanese were drafted with talent both versions, which is not bad at all for those of Mazda. Design accents in the current sport trends.

mazda3
Mazda 3

The new Japanese model comes with the engine for all customers, with performance, but less fuel consume. Start with 1.6 and ending with the powerful 2.2-liter turbodiesel, which was first on Mazda 6. Two versions of power – 150 and 185 hp. Motor sports rounds very quickly. Among them, 2.0-liter gasoline version, 150 hp generates a torque of 187 Nm and is moving well on the road. It sits securely on the road due to suspension.

Hyundai withdraw from the Japanese market

If on European market Hyundai is doing very well, just as most markets in the world, in Japan the Korean manufacturer has sales so low that he decided to leave this market, announces Automotive News. Failure is explained by the negative image of Korean cars in Japan.

hyundai-i30
Hyundai withdraw from the Japanese market

In the eight years in Japan, Hyundai has sold only 15,095 units. Very little, if we think that Volkswagen’s most successful foreign trade in the Rising Sun Country has sold just 61,996 cars in 2008! Hyundai announced today that all 46 dealers will withdraw from Japan.

Hyundai will continue with the sale of commercial vehicles in this country, even if no sales in this segment are not at the desired level. Worldwide, Hyundai sales rose 7.2% this year (through October).