The Kia Track'ster concept has been unveiled at the 2012 Chicago International Auto Show. Beneath the racetrack makeup, the three-door crossover concept is a heavy hint at the next-generation Soul.
The Track'ster was designed in Kia's design studio in Irvine, California under the direction of Tom Kearns, Chief Designer for Kia America. "The idea was to make the Trackster tough looking, like a bulldog," said Kearns. "But the car had to be approachable as well. We wanted to base the car in reality so people instantly knew it was a Soul, but with a lot of attitude."
The current Soul's distinctive features – designed before Peter Schreyer joined the company – have been refined to add a newfound layer of sophistication. The hood surface, for example, is now a clamshell with a shutline that intersects with the inner element of the lamps at its leading edge and defines the deep bezel that surrounds the side windows as it meets the doors.
The floating roof, separated by the colorway between it and the main body, suggests Kia is keen to offer Mini-style customization options. The high-set rear lamps have evolved to sit behind the deep rear glazing that features a large, horizontal highlight. Below, the large aperture, flanked by rocket-like exhausts, mirrors the front lower graphic.
Inside, the Track'ster continues its racy theme, sporting just two seats, behind which sits a full-size spare wheel, attached to the stylized strut brace. Compartmentalized sections are provided for various race accruements such as tools and race gear. The rest of the interior looks virtually production-ready and features a repeated circular motif through the IP, center console and door cars. The integration of the speakers both behind the door pulls and into the top of the outer air outlets looks particularly neat.
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Hyundai is set to expand its Elantra range with the introduction of two new models, the GT hatchback – based on the European i30 – and the all-new Coupe, shown here.
The Coupe continues Hyundai's Fluidic Sculpture design language, this time applied to the Elantra's long and low proportions. At 4,539mm in length, 1,775mm wide, 1,435mm high and with a wheelbase of 2,700mm, the Coupe is 9mm longer and 216mm lower than the Elantra sedan. Its Cd is 0.28.
Its front mask is similar to the sedan with a large, hexagonal grille opening intersected by a body-color bar and drawn-back lamps that are pulled deep into the fenders. Its more angular foglamp inserts add extra aggression. In profile, more raked A- and C-pillars create a softer transition across its three-box silhouette. The rising character line adds an impression of a nose down, wedge stance. We'll be interesting to see how the heavy surfacing works in real life as the rear wheel in particualr looks a little overwhelmed in these initial images.
Its interior architecture is carried over from the sedan.
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Nissan has released the first images of its new B-segment concept car, the Invitation. Set to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor show next month, the car previews a new model that will sit between the Micra and Juke as the company returns to the traditional hatchback market.
The Invitation's DRG features a wide grille with a chrome accent that extends into the lamps, reminiscent of the Quest MPV. In profile its four-light DLO visually stretches the car's upper body as it extends to the centerline of each axle. Its lower body features large wheelarch flats which increase in radius and spill onto the door surface, where they interact with a character line that Nissan refers to as the ‘Squash Line', last seen on its Pivo 3 concept.
Inside, the extensive glasshouse is combined with white seat fabric giving a heightened feeling of space. The IP features multiple detail lines that run into the door cards and frame the central, digital stack that houses infotainment and climate controls. A circular pattern motif is repeated through the IP, from the pronounced dials to the large HVAC control.
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Mercedes-Benz has released these images of its new urban delivery van, the Citan.
The small panel van moves Mercedes-Benz into a hotly contested section of the market, against established rivals such as the Volkswagen Caddy and Ford Transit Connect. The Citan will be available in a variety of body configurations from the two-seat version shown in the sketches to a crewbus, as well as a variety of options of both length and weight.
As the sketches show, the Citan features a typically Mercedes DRG, with a dominant badge and grille arrangement, sitting between aggressively styled lamp graphics that follow the contours of the fenders. Around the rear, 60/40 dual opening doors and a low floor aid the Citan's usability, whilst the large rear glass screen aids visibility for urban environments.
Inside, the layered IP effect features a more prominent center section that houses the circular vents familiar from recent Mercedes road cars. The dash mounted gear change frees up interior floor space.
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Whilst looking decidedly vintage, the Morgan Plus 8 is one of three new models that will debut in Geneva. Moving away from the traditional ash chassis (yes, as in the wood) of the previous car, the new Plus 8 features a bonded and riveted aluminum chassis, similar to the high-performance Aero variants. Externally, the car retains the retro styling that is to be expected of Morgan, but sits on a wider track with deeper rockers.
The second new Morgan is the Aero Coupe. Following in the footsteps of the limited edition Aero Max coupe and Aero SuperSports, the Aero Coupe is essentially a fixed-head version of the SuperSports targa. The car retains the SS's boat-tail rear, complete with Lancia rear lamps and strongly defined centerline. The car is said to be influenced, and honor, the Aero GT3 race car's recent spate of victories in GT racing.
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Fiat has released official images of its new 500L ahead of its Geneva motor show debut. The L – short for large – is a new, five-seat B/C-segment MPV that is set to go on sale late 2012.
Despite carrying the 500 moniker, the lower half of the car bears more resemblance to the Panda, thanks to its exaggerated fender surfaces and 'squircular' body mouldings. The strongest 500 reference is in its DRG, which features styling similar to its namesake, with similar lamp graphics, albiet drawn back much further than those of the hatch, whilst the enlarged chrome grille sits on a more upright fascia.
In profile, the car has undertones of its rivals; from the Citroen C3 Picasso-esque split A-pillar, a step-down roofline reminiscent of the Mini Countryman and rear lamps similar to Mini Paceman concept. Despite this, the L blends these elements together with unique touches, such as very deep side window line that steps down behind the door mirror and its detailed roof panel. We'll be interested to see how its personality plays out in real life.
The 500L is 4,140mm long, 1,780mm wide and 1,660mm high – significantly bigger than the hatch in all directions. Fiat claim that the increased dimensions give the L ‘MPV passenger space combined with the feel of a small SUV on the road.'
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