2010 Toyota Prius by Tommi Kaira

Tommy Kaira and ASI has released a new styling package for the 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid. The tuner hasn’t touch the hybrid system and all the changes are about styling.

The Tommy Kaira 2010 Toyota Prius aero kit features completely redesigned front-end including low front lips, new front grille, large front air dams shaped like those of an Audi R8. Other modifications include wide side skirts and new rear bumper with diffuser. Tommi Kaira also took off the Toyota badging at the front and eco-badging at the rear.

Fitted with lowering suspension system, ride height is lowered. Additionally, the car now stands on new larger wheels and tires, 18-inch wheels wrapped with 215/40 R18 tires. A new exhaust system with four tailpipes.

Ford introduced the 2010 Ford Figo in India

Ford has announced the much-anticipated Ford Figo will be produced at Ford's plant in Chennai, India. The new model is mainly targeted at small car B-segment in India market and Ford's Asia Pacific and Africa region.

In India, the small car B-segment in India accounts for 70 percent of the new vehicle market. Thinking highly of the market, Ford is investing $500 million into its Chennai plant, increasing its annual capacity to 200,000 units. Then the plant will become a regional centre of excellence for Ford small car production.

"Our exciting new Ford Figo shows how serious we are about India," said Mulally. "It reflects our commitment to compete with great products in all segments of this car market. We are confident the Ford Figo will be a product that Indian consumers really want and value."

Ford has made it clear that the Figo is not a competitor to the $2,000 Tata Nano. “Right now we are going to focus on the larger portion of the (small car) market, which is the B size,” Mulally said. “So, we don’t have plans to compete in the A size, or sub-B right now.”

Based on the fifth generation 2008 Fiesta, the Figo leverages Ford’s small-car platform architecture and is treated to Ford’s kinetic design language. From the front grille to the sculptured lines the styling is modern and reflective of current models like the Mondeo and the Fiesta. The latter also shares some technologies with the Figo. However, Ford is reserving further details about the vehicle until closer to its production launch early in 2010.

Frankfurt Motor Show: 2010 Kia Sorento

2010 Kia Sorento SUV is making its European debut in Frankfurt Motor Show. The 2010 model is more aerodynamic than the outgoing model, to in line with Kia’s new design language.

Measuring 4685mm at long, the 7-seater 2010 Sorento is lower and longer. The interior features a higher-class cabin elements and more luxurious. It’s also more spacious than the current generation model.

Under the hood, power comes from a 2.2-litre turbo diesel unit, producing 194bhp and 310lb ft of torque. Kia is very confident that the engine will become the most popular engine in Europe. In addition, the engine is paired up with either a six-speed manual or its new six-speed auto transmission.

Moreover, the 2010 Kia Sorento features a refined ride quality to improve the car's on-road comfort, without losing any or the original model’s off-road ability. Gadgets on its menu include an engine start button, keyless entry and an in-mirror reverse camera.

"With the new Kia Sorento," said Panu Vainamo, General Manager Marketing, Kia Motors Europe, "we have created an all-new, ‘Highline Cruiser' that we believe offers buyers the benefits of an exciting all-rounder with a much broader appeal. Kia engineers have ditched the original Sorento's body-on-frame structure and designed an all-new unibody structure - achieving a weight loss of up to 215 kg, greatly improving fuel economy and contributing to a more controlled ride than expected from a 4x4."

Frankfurt: 2010 Renault Megane Renaultsport 250

Scheduled to go on sale in November, the 2010 Renault Megane Renaultsport 250 is manufactured at the Palencia plant in Spain. The new Renaultsport Megane 250 features a performance-enhancing design, an option of two chassis, and a raft of technological equipment already available for the New Mégane range to meet driver enjoyment.

The Megane Renaultsport 250 gets a revised 2.0-litre turbocharged engine mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, producing peak power of 247bhp and 251lb ft of torque from 3000rpm. Thanks to its twin-scroll turbo, the Renaultsport 2.0-litre turbocharged engine is exceptionally responsive and particularly flexible at low revs, with 80 per cent of maximum torque available from 1900rpm.

At launch, two chassis settings will be available, a sport chassis for everyday driving enjoyment and a Cup chassis for more exhilarating performance, especially on track.

Based on the three-door Megane hatchback, the Megane Renaultsport 250 is fitted with a heft of standard equipment available on the standard Mégane, such as automatic dual-zone climate control, a hands-free card with automatic door locking as the card-holder walks away from the vehicle, the high-end 3D Sound by Arkamys and a choice of two navigation systems. Additionally, the Renaultsport 250 boasts two specific features aimed at heightening the driver’s enjoyment delivered by the vehicle’s performance.

One is the Renaultsport Dynamic Management system allows the ESC to be enabled in one of three modes: ‘On’ (the default mode), ‘Sport’ (for less intrusive ESC action) and ‘Off’ (total disengagement). The other is the Renaultsport Monitor, taking its inspiration from motor sport, provides information about real-time engine performance, gearchange warning, throttle pedal mapping, lateral acceleration, 0-60 acceleration and lap times.

In terms of styling, the the Megane Renaultsport 250 is inspired by the new Mégane Coupe. Its front bumper incorporates a blade echoing the low-slung noses of a Formula 1 car, along with extended wheel arches, side sill, rear diffuser, extended tailgate spoiler and centrally-positioned exhaust tailpipe. LED daytime running lights are a key part of the car's styling signature.

Inside, the new Mégane Renaultsport 250 is looks pretty much impressive and comfortable. There are height adjustable front seats with additional lateral support or optional Recaros, height and reach adjustable sports steering wheel, aluminium pedal covers and a new fascia design.

Frankfurt Motor Show: 2010 Lexus GS 450h

Lexus has introduced 2010 GS 450h at 2009 Frankfurt Motor show. The 2010 model comes with minor styling updates, new colours, revised Pre-Crash Safety system and other innovative navigation and audio packages.

The GS 450h has a 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine working side by side with the Lexus Hybrid System. Full system power is 254kW (345hp) from which an average fuel consumption figure of 35.8mpg is achieved. C02 emissions are 186g/km.

Safety has been improved with the updated Pre-Crash Safety system. The new system uses the pre-crash brake technology. Both front seats are fitted with new inflator-operated active headrests, activated by a signal from the ECU in the event of a rear-end impact. While a rear impact happens, the inflator integrated in the headrests slides a piston that unlocks a mechanism and projects the headrest forwards and upwards, reducing the risk of serious injuries.

The exterior changes include new front grille, hybrid-blue rear lamp clusters modified to incorporate larger, transparent outer lenses, and redesigned 18-inch alloy wheels for the SE-L. The range of 11 exterior colours are available including Vanilla Mist, Richmond Green and Atlantic Blue.

Inside, the 2010 Lexus GS 450h features a new hybrid-blue backlit stop/start button and grey bird's eye maple wood grain trim, and a satellite navigation system with a 40GB hard drive among others. The Lexus GS 450h range is fitted with two new audio systems, a 10-speaker Lexus premium package and a 14-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound System giving 5.1-channel surround sound on selected CDs and DVDs.

Both systems are now DAB ready and provide USB and audio jack plug connection for fully controlled use of portable music players, and Bluetooth with an audio streaming function, and will also provide a “sound library” function, using the navigation system’s HDD to transfer and store music files from CD up to 10GB capacity.

Prices will be released closer to the launch date.

Frankfurt Auto Show: 2010 Citroen C3

The popular Citroen C3 supermini is a great success, over two million models delivered worldwide. To continue the success, the company comes with the 2010 Citroen C3, which follows so much of the outgoing car.

When compared to previous versions, the 2010 Citroen C3 has a sportier edge that lends the car a more dynamic, yet robust appearance. The rounded shape remained. The Citroen C3 is quite more spacious with wider track. Measuring 3.94m long and 1.71m wide, it is surprising that it offers 300 liters of boot space. Buyers also can opt to have C3’s ‘Zenith’ windscreen, which runs over into the roof.

Inside, the new Citroen C3 offers USB connection, iPod and Bluetooth functionality and satellite navigation.

From launch, an HDi 90 powered version will be available emitting just 99g/km CO2 – the first full production Citroën to emit less than 100g/km. Whilst the arrival of new power plants from 2011, incorporating second-generation Stop & Start technology, will see diesel versions emitting as little as 90g/km CO2, to be followed by new generation three-cylinder petrol engines with less than 100g/km CO2.

The new 2010 Citroen C3 is set to arrive in the UK from early 2010. However, it’s really a pity that we can't buy Citroens in America anymore.

Frankfurt Motor Show: 2010 Ford Grand C-MAX

Ford is expanding it’s family-oriented MPVs range with a new a new seven-seat model, the 2010 Ford Grand C-MAX. The 2010 Ford Grand C-MAX is targeted to compete with compact seven-seaters such as the Renault Grand Scenic and VW Touran. Ford is hoping to score a similar sales success to that of the S-Max, which doubled Ford’s UK sales of MPVs and cut into the share of the market-leading Renault Espace.

Based on the new global C-platform architecture that will underpin the next Ford Focus, the 2010 Ford Grand C-MAX is a long-wheelbase version of the five-seat C-Max, which was also launched at Frankfurt and will go on sale in autumn 2010. To accommodate a third row of seats, the Grand C-MAX gets a 150mm stretch than the five-seat C-Max. Ford has also eliminated the sloping roof to allow for improved headroom for third row passengers. The greenhouse also gets tweaked in the taffy-pulling exercise.

The Grand C-MAX also has a pair of sliding rear doors which is first used for a Ford passenger car and an optional powered tailgate. In the second row of three seats it has a novel arrangement for the central chair, which tumble-folds and then stores inside the neighbouring seat to open a central aisle through the cabin.

Inside, the cabin appears luxurious and modern. The button-intensive dash is dominated by a massive control knob which operates a small display screen. Other features include contrast stitching, a separate display for climate control functions, and a push button ignition.

It is worth mentioning that Ford is promised the Grand C-Max will build on Ford’s reputation for excellent driving. Due to the Focus’s independent rear suspension, the Grand C-Max is likely to have dynamics to beat its class.

The Ford Grand C-Max is set to be among the first European built. USA saling will begin at the end of 2011. It will be mostly unchanged, except for minor tweaks to comply with US regulations.