First Sketch: Mazda Minagi Concept

Images of what we believe to be a Geneva show concept from Mazda leaked onto the Internet today. The red SUV concept called Minagi is destined to become a CX-5 or next-generation CX-7 in toned-down production form.

Clearly influenced by Mazda’s new design language that first appeared on its Shinari concept, the Minagi SUV loses the smiling grille that has defined the lineup for a few years now. Not too long ago, prototypes of the CX-5 were caught winter testing. Adding a CX-5 to the U.S. Mazda lineup could help the automaker reach buyers who want a crossover with a base price of under $20,000. The Tribute and CX-7 both feature base prices above that barrier.

Mazda hasn’t confirmed that the leaked content is genuine, but even if this isn’t the CX-5, 2012 will be the sixth model year for the CX-7, a crossover in need of an update soon.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

First Sketch: Hyundai Curb Concept

Just a few days prior to the 2011 Detroit auto show, Hyundai has teased a second vehicle that will debut alongside its production-bound Veloster. Besides the fact that it’s an SUV concept called the Curb, Hyundai has thus far given no other details beyond being told it was designed at Hyundai’s California Design Center. We will, however, have full details around 3 p.m. on Monday, January 10.

That’s not to say we can’t figure some stuff out. From the two teaser images, it appears as if the Curb will truly be a concept—meaning it’s possible we’ll see its design influence future products, but a direct take on the Curb isn’t likely to roll up to real-world curbs anytime soon. A gander at the futuristic interior reveals high-tech gadgetry like a giant, unusually shaped infotainment screen in the center stack (it boasts an iTunes-style cover-flow interface for music; the creator of the sketch apparently vibes on Mos Def and Phoenix, among others); touch-sensitive controls littered about throughout; and thin-backed bucket seats. All of this stuff would theoretically be possible today, but it will be a while before any of it actually makes it into production cars.

On the outside, the Curb’s styling looks to be a further evolution of Hyundai’s current “Fluidic Sculpture” design direction, and the whole thing is capped by a greenhouse similar to the new Land Rover Evoque’s. We also can discern that the Curb will have two full-size doors with at least one half door behind the front passenger. Large, cross-drilled rotors fill the giant wheels, and the Curb’s stance is decidedly sporty.

All in all, the Curb looks like a fun concept—check back Monday afternoon for full details and more images.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

First Sketch: Kia KV7 Concept

Kia decided to play Santa early and gifted us with a teaser of its KV7 Concept, which is scheduled to debut next month at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.

As you can see from the rendering, the KV7 Concept is a crossover whose lines resemble an extended Kia Soul or, if you squint a little, the Ford Flex (though albeit smaller). The KV7’s most funky feature, though, are those secondary passenger doors, which swing up straight up and out – gullwing style. Look out SLS AMG! Inside, the second row bucket seats can swivel to face each other and the rear of the vehicle. Wonder if there will be table inside?

Otherwise, rims match the rest of the Kia family, and it looks like the KV7 will get the Kia corporate face, with the right front headlamp which looking like an evolution from the Kia Kue Kue Concept which debuted back in at the 2007 Detroit Show.

Thanks to: Motor Trend

First Sketch: Honda Civic Concept

Remember the Civic? With the high level of flux in the econobox segment of late, Honda’s little sedan and coupe have been somewhat overlooked. The current generation landed in the U.S. for 2006, so the car is just about due for a rework, which will appear in concept form at the 2011 Detroit show.

If Honda concepts of the recent past are any indicator, the production Civic—due in the spring of 2011 as a 2012—should look a lot like the little red number sketched here. And that means it will in turn look a lot like the current European Civic; this sketch shows a combination of the Euro car’s aggressive headlights and the wide-mouth grille on the current U.S. Civic. The lower fascia also gets angry, and there appear to be LED strips situated inboard of the fog lamps. And we’re hoping for more stylistic lightning bolts, à la 2011 Odyssey’s beltline.

As for what will power the new car, we expect a lineup of four-cylinder engines similar to the current car’s, as well as the return of the Civic hybrid. Look for more information—on the concept, at least—early next year.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

First Sketch: 2012 Hyundai Sonata/i40 Wagon

Wagons roll at Hyundai! The Korean firm is set to take on the VW Passat from next year with this, the new i40. The newcomer has been developed by Hyundai’s German R&D centre in Russelsheim specifically with European buyers in mind.

So in order to coax people from their Passats and Avensis’, the i40 will debut as an estate first, with Hyundai claiming the car offers more space for passengers and luggage that its key rivals. The i40 debuts at the Geneva Motor Show in March. The estate arrives in the UK in May, and the saloon follows in November.

Underneath, Hyundai has borrowed the front and rear of two different platforms, the Elantra and Sonata respectively, to create a chassis which the firm hopes has what it takes to outhandle the competition.

The stop-start-equipped engine range is very much in keeping with the current downsizing trend. There’s just one petrol, an all-new 2.0-litre direct injection unit which develops 174bhp and emits 156g/km of CO2. However, the big sellers will be its 1.7-litre diesels. Two versions will be offered at first. Both are single turbo units, with 114bhp and 134bhp respectively, while a twin-turbo flagship arrives in 2012.

On the inside, Hyundai promises an upmarket interior made using high quality materials. Auto Express has seen it, and can confirmed that the swooping dash design is much like that of the Vauxhall Insignia, and features a wealth of soft-touch plastics and plenty of storage space.

Tech highlights include adaptive headlights and a self-parking system. Hyundai is yet to confirm prices or trim levels, but it will be specced competitively and will include the firm’s impressive five-year, unlimited mileage warranty. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

First Sketch: 2012 Ford Territory

Ford has issued an artist's impression of the upgraded Territory for 2011. It's the first official opportunity to gauge how the locally-manufactured SUV -- on the market since 2004 -- will look in upgraded form when it's launched before the end of the first quarter next year.

Between now and then, Ford will steadily drip-feed information to the media concerning the new model, which will introduce a version of the 2.7-litre turbodiesel V6 that powers the Land Rover Discovery 4. The turbodiesel will sell alongside the petrol six-cylinder in the Territory range.

It's clear, contrary to rumours doing the rounds, that the upgraded Territory will be a little more than just a tweak of the frontal styling via the medium of new bumpers and other details. There are obvious sheet-metal changes in the vehicle, based on the artist's sketch, which we presume is an accurate representation of the finished product.

Tail lights, what we can see of them, don't extend as far down the corner of the rear quarter panels as is the case with the current Territory. Furthermore, the beltline behind the C pillar doesn't follow the beltline of the doors -- again, unlike the current Territory. This suggests the sheet metal of the rear quarter panels has been revised, along with the front hang-ons.

Speculation within the industry suggests that the Territory will raise the bar high among softroaders in the medium SUV segment for NVH and dynamics -- not that Ford is admitting anything much on either score, but Ford President Bob Graziano did confirm big gains for the Territory in the press material accompanying the image.

"The Ford Australia team is taking the Territory to an all-new level of performance, refinement and quality, and customers will definitely experience these advancements when they drive it," Graziano was quoted as saying.

According to the press release, the Territory will also introduce a major redesign for the interior.

The Territory upgrade should end the popular perception that the SUV hasn't kept pace with the market. Toyota has just revised its Kluger and Holden is enjoying strong sales from its multifarious Captiva, which not only starts at a lower price, but also offers a diesel. The Territory has a little catching up to do...

But Ford anticipates that the diesel Territory will hit the spot with the buying public and the styling changes will re-awaken consumer interest in the SUV. The company saw an upswing in sales after the minor facelift marketed as the SY Series II model, which will be replaced by the upgraded Territory. If a minor facelift (and improved consumer confidence after the GFC) can boost sales, this forthcoming upgrade should kick some goals, the manufacturer hopes.

Until next year, when all will be revealed, the question likely to be the most pressing will be that of pricing for the diesel variants.

Thanks to: Car Point

First Sketch: 2013 Mitusbishi Global Small

It's no secret Mitsubishi has been interested in bolstering its North American product portfolio with a number of globalized small cars, but it appears the first example to actually cross the pond may be a subcompact hatchback similar to the sketch shown above.

The company announced a number of new ventures in Thailand at a press conference earlier this week, but the biggest piece of news from the event ironically surrounds a new small car. The vehicle, currently referred to as the Global Small, gives Mitsubishi a new B-segment offering it can tailor to each market. For emerging markets, content can be scaled back to allow it to be priced competitively against the likes of the Nissan Micra, to say nothing of Honda's Fit and Brio models.

For developed markets, however, Mitsubishi apparently plans on being able to dress up the car to appeal to buyers with more sophisticated tastes. We wouldn't be too surprised if the North American-spec car, which will serve as Mitsubishi's entry-level offering here in the U.S., receives a slightly more upscale interior, a trick that was also applied to the Americanized form of the company's electric I.

Even so, this dualistic nature poses some product planning headaches. a Mitsubishi spokesman tells us attempting to bridge both markets with a single product may create a number of headaches in terms of pricing and equipment packages, but also noted it's far too early to speculate as to what we'll receive here.

Details on either the U.S.-spec of the foreign Global Small model, however, are still scarce. Thai models will receive both 1.0- and 1.2-liter engines, although Mitsubishi hasn't announced any further details (the company does, however, have a number of I-3 and I-4 engines that fit this description). U.S.-spec cars, however, could potentially receive a larger engine offering, allowing it to compete against the Fit and Ford's Fiesta, which are fitted with 1.5- and 1.8-liter I-4s, respectively.

Production of the Global Small is expected to commence in March of 2012, and Mitsubishi will likely orchestrate a staggered introduction across the globe. A spokesman says the car is due in the U.S. by 2013, but noted things are "on track" for the car to possibly arrive Stateside even sooner.
Thanks to: Motor Trend

First Sketch: 2012 Kia Picanto

These are the first official sketches of Kia's all-new Picanto, released ahead of its official debut at the Geneva motor show next March.

The new car is instantly more recognisable than its predecessor, sporting more masculine styling and the now familiar 'tiger’ face, penned by the firm's design chief Peter Schreyer, and seen most recently on the firm's striking 'Pop' Paris motor show concept.

Although these sketches indicate concept car looks, with features including large alloys with low-profile tyres, the car that will be presented at Geneva will be production ready. Sales will start in the UK soon after, reaching showrooms around Easter.

The new Picanto will again share its platform with sister firm Hyundai's i10 city car. No interior sketches have been released, but a Kia insider has described it as being "good looking and funky".

Engines are expected to include an all-new three-cylinder turbodiesel.

Thanks to: Autocar