NEWSFLASH: New car models are in!

[The Vanishing Boy]

The new Marserati Quatroporte

This is the first official photograph of the new Quattroporte, Maserati’s flagship model due to be unveiled at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show on September 9.
This car represents a new interpretation of the high performance Italian luxury saloon, a segment created by Maserati with the first Quattroporte in 1963.

Pininfarina’s masterful styling is matched by a powerful 400 bhp V8, an extraordinarly spacious cabin, and the possibility of personalising the car right down to the smallest detail.

The car’s dimensions are 5052 mm length, 1895 mm width, 1438 mm height, and 3064 mm wheelbase.


The new Suzuki Escudo (Grand Vitara)

Suzuki revamps Escudo, Grand Escudo


Suzuki Motor Corp. introduced a revamped Escudo and Grand Escudo range in Japan.

Main changes
- Power of the 130 kW (177 bhp) has been increased to 135 kW (184 bhp).
- Improved fuel economy
- Headlights, fog lamps and the front bumper have been redesigned.
- New aluminum wheels and rear lamps.


The new BMW X3 (production version)

BMW raises the curtain on new X3 Sports Activity Vehicle


BMW A.G. issued the following press release:

BMW has announced first details of its new X3 model. Expanding the BMW X-family, this dynamic and versatile new model combines the outstanding agility of a BMW saloon with the practicality of a Sports Activity Vehicle (SAV).

xDrive
The X3 introduces BMW's patented xDrive intelligent four-wheel-drive, which sets new standards in agility for all-wheel-drive systems. It works by changing torque distribution from front-to-rear axles in an instant, offering substantial improvements in stability, driving pleasure and safety.

xDrive is both fully adjustable and infinitely variable. It feeds optimum torque to the required axle at any time, countering understeer and oversteer while cornering on road. Off-road, xDrive significantly improves traction by distributing drive forces to the axle with most grip. As soon as wheel spin threatens, the electro-hydraulic centre coupling transfers power to the axle with greater traction.

Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) complements xDrive, but intervenes far later and is required less frequently. While xDrive, helps prevent loss of traction by channelling drive forces axle-to-axle, DSC works on individual wheels, intervening when one starts to slip. In these circumstances DSC cuts power to the relevant wheel and, where necessary, also applies brakes.

Styling
In appearance the BMW X3 combines the characteristic proportions of a Sports Activity Vehicle with classic and innovative design. Concave and convex surfaces give the X3 a fresh and youthful look that underpins a range of trademark BMW design features. The X3 has a pronounced "Hofmeister kink" in the rear side windows and a newly designed double kidney grille complements the X3?s headlamps. At the back, the car also sports distinctive X3 rear lights.

A long wheelbase with short overhangs and roof line sloping down to the rear frame the dynamic character and performance of the car. Flared wheel arches, and a striking front end give the newcomer its muscular character and underline its strong road presence.

Performance
Although engine line-ups are still to be finalised, performance will come courtesy of a range of petrol and diesel engines. This includes BMW's 3.0-litre petrol which develops maximum output of 170 kW (231 bhp). The agile X3 3.0i reaches a top speed of up 210 km/h (130 mph) in standard trim, going even further to 224 km/h (139 mph) with its optional high-speed set-up - included in the Sports Package.

Recently introduced, the 3.0-litre straight-six turbo diesel with second-generation common rail direct injection, develops a maximum output of 204 bhp and propels this outstanding new model to 410 Nm maximum torque. Top speed in standard trim is 210 km/h (130 mph), or 218 km/h (135 mph) with high-speed set-up. Both models come standard with a six-speed manual gearbox, with five-speed automatic available as an option.

Equipment
The versatility of the new BMW X3 is by no means limited to the on and off-road conditions on which it will thrive. Inside, equipment levels make this the ideal BMW for the individuals who revel in an active lifestyle.

Owners will enjoy superior lofty views thanks to the command driving position while the interior features a broad range of classic and modern materials, colours and options to personalise the X3. The cockpit houses two circular dials, grouped in typical BMW style in an elegant binnacle. In the middle of the instrument panel, drivers will find the optional 16:9 navigation system colour monitor which appears automatically when needed.

With tailgate open, the X3 reveals capacious storage space, enabling the driver to carry all kinds of sports gear. A number of handy storage compartments are also included, while for those who need to pull something really big - a boat for example - BMW offers Trailer Stability Control for safe motoring when towing. This option is an extension of DSC and complements automatic Hill Descent Control (HDC) for safe downhill driving, even on loose ground.

Safety
In developing the X3, BMW focused in particular on developing the highest standards of active and passive safety. Key design principles include extending the front drive shaft through the oil sump, giving the X3 a very low centre of gravity, reducing body roll for outstanding comfort and stability. And, of course, with intelligent power distribution, xDrive keeps the X3 stable and sure-footed even in fast bends.

The new BMW X3 will be available in Europe and North America from early 2004.

Thanks for Autoindex.org for all the articles here.

 

[Jordan]

Wow, I like the Quatroporte. Is it being released as a direct competitor to the Maybach?

 

[Vasco]

The X3 looks practically the same as the X5...there looks like a little difference in the headlights, but it looks like they kept the same features...

 

[HRT_Maloo]

I believe the Maserati, is in the S/7 series class. Bloddy nice looking vehicle too

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by DODGE the VIPER
The X3 looks practically the same as the X5...there looks like a little difference in the headlights, but it looks like they kept the same features...

It'll look a lot different on the street. The X3 is more angled, smaller, cuter.

I note that there are two BMW's in that mix, seeing as how the Quattroporte stole the side of the new 7-series for its own use.

 

[1X83Z]

I like the grille and headlights on the new XL-7.

 

[Zrow]

I like the Maserati, though not as much as the Coupe. Is Maserati considered luxury or performance/exotic?

 

[vat_man]

Originally posted by M5Power
It'll look a lot different on the street. The X3 is more angled, smaller, cuter.

I note that there are two BMW's in that mix, seeing as how the Quattroporte stole the side of the new 7-series for its own use.

Do you think? I think the 7's much more upright and flat at the sides - this looks much more sculpted.

Best comment I ever heard about Maserati - they're the ideal divorce car: exotic enough that the wife wants it, unreliable enough for the husband to feel he's extracting some revenge.

Quality is meant to be much better since Ferrari took over, though.

Re the X3 - oh joy, another thing I can't see over in traffic. At least it'll get people out of Land Rover Discoverys (well, I can dream...).

 

[1X83Z]

Originally posted by vat_man
Do you think? I think the 7's much more upright and flat at the sides - this looks much more sculpted.

The front and rear do, but the sides are dead-on.

I wonder if this one's coming to the US - I don't know if I could stand another thing that I have to look over in traffic. At least it'll get people out of their S600's (damn oversized Hyundais).

Best comment I ever heard about Maserati - they're the ideal divorce car: exotic enough that the wife wants it, unreliable enough for the husband to feel he's extracting some revenge.

Quality is meant to be much better since Ferrari took over, though.

Quality? Is that the reason they quit making the Integrale and stopped exporting to Britain?

Re the X3 - oh joy, another thing I can't see over in traffic. At least it'll get people out of Land Rover Discoverys (well, I can dream...).

Mmmm... stuff people with low cars can't see over in traffic (why do you need to see more than one car ahead in your lane?!). I'll make sure to order one - the sooner the better!

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

The new Mazda 3

More name games — this time from Mazda, which confirmed on Wednesday that its new compact car will be called the Mazda3. The new vehicle went into production in Japan, where the car will be called Axela instead. The production version of the vehicle will be shown at the Frankfurt show in September, but a thinly disguised version was shown at the New York auto show in April as well. The photo released by Mazda, shown here, is of the production vehicle. The Mazda3 goes on sale in Europe in the fall and is expected to show up in North America early in 2004.
-From the Car Connection.com

Mazda Motor Corporation today began production of its next 'new generation' vehicle. The new car – to be named "Axela" in the Japanese market and Mazda3 in all other global markets – is the fourth all-new Mazda developed under the company's DNA-focused product creation system and will follow closely the success of the Mazda6 (known as the Atenza in Japan), Mazda2 (Demio) and Mazda RX-8.

The latest new-generation Mazda will be officially launched at the 60th Frankfurt Motor Show in early September and goes on sale in Australia in the first quarter of 2004.

The newest Mazda is designed to blur the lines of conventional vehicle segmentation, offering traditional C-segment customers more in terms of design, craftsmanship and interior packaging, as well as a dynamic driving experience often associated with European-built vehicles.

Recent Mazda products, developed and built using these same priorities, have helped the company achieve product acclaim from customers and media, including more than 50 international awards for the Mazda6/Atenza and the "2003 International Engine of the Year" award for the RENESIS rotary engine in the new Mazda RX-8.

To mark the start of production, a ceremony was held at Mazda’s Hofu Plant in the Yamaguchi Prefecture of Japan. The official Job #1 vehicle, a European-specification, five-door, hatchback in Winning Blue, was greeted off the line by union representatives, Mazda employees and key company directors, including Hisakazu Imaki, Executive Vice President, Chief Engineering & Manufacturing Officer, and Stephen Odell, Managing Executive Officer in charge of global Marketing, Sales and Customer Service.

The Mazda3 embodies the design direction presented in the Mazda MX Sportif concept, which was showcased at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2003. The strong Mazda brand DNA – stylish, insightful and spirited – can be found throughout the vehicle.

Key development targets for new Mazda3 included:


A prominent and well-defined Mazda design based on distinct, muscular proportions and dynamic athleticism

Mazda's highest levels of craftsmanship and quality to ensure high value for customers

Superbly balanced vehicle dynamics able to deliver class-leading Mazda driving pleasure that is often associated with European cars

Optimal interior space and innovative packing solutions to maximize usability

Additional product detail, including information pertaining to body styles, packages, powertrains and pricing of the new Mazda3, will be officially announced during the Frankfurt Motor Show.

In the critical Japanese market, where the vehicle will see an autumn debut, the name Axela was developed by combining the English words "accelerate" and "excellent." This name was created to communicate the youthful exhilaration of fun driving – acceleration – with infinite possibilities, as represented in "X".
-Autoindex.org

The new Smart Forfor

The smart forfour is the first car in its segment to combine the functionality of a small car with the emotional appeal of a young car brand. Thanks to its flexible interior, the sporty four-seater is extremely versatile, clearly illustrating that the core brand values of innovation and functionality are consistently implemented by smart. The smart forfour will go on sale in the spring of 2004 starting at a net price of approximately € 11,000 in the euro countries.

The proportions of the smart forfour are typical of the smart brand. The car is compact and sporty with its extremely short overhang at the rear and large wheels flush-fitted with the wings. In all variants of the smart forfour, the body has four side doors and a tailgate.

The smart forfour is a car with a concept and design which clearly sets it apart from other vehicles. The smart forfour stirs emotions and conveys a sense of joie de vivre. However, above all, it is the first car in the small car segment to offer high-end technology components to customers who are looking for a premium product. The affiliation with DaimlerChrysler and the Mercedes Car Group is particularly apparent in the Electronic Stability Programme supplied as standard, the range of audio, navigation and telecommunication technology and the numerous comfort and safety functions.

All smart forfour models are equipped with the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) as standard and have disk brakes on both the front and rear axle. Whereas other manufacturers in the small car segment do not offer this dynamic handling control system at all, or if they do, it is usually subject to an extra charge, ESP is part of the basic equipment of the smart forfour.

With a choice of powerful engine versions and the exceptionally agile set-up of its active drive chassis, the smart forfour meets all the expectations of those looking for a great driving experience. Weighing in at less than 1,000 kilograms, the smart forfour offers a power/weight ratio of up to 12.2 kilograms per kilowatt (9 kg per bhp), which is comparable with the attractive ratio of the smart roadster and roadster-coupé. Customers can choose between three petrol and two diesel variants, as well as two design and equipment lines (pulse and passion). The smart forfour comes with a conventional five-speed manual transmission as standard. The newly developed, automated six-speed transmission softouch plus is available as an option.

Despite its compact exterior dimensions, the interior of the vehicle conveys a feeling of spaciousness which is typical of the smart brand. The lounge concept, which is available as an option, lends the interior of the smart forfour a veritable living room feel: The backrests of the two front seats can be folded down so that they are almost level with the rear seats to create a large horizontal seat surface. As with the smart city-coupé, customers can choose between a plastic roof, a panorama glass roof and an electric glass sunroof for the smart forfour.

Like all smart models, the smart forfour has a modular safety system and constructional provisions for maximum passenger safety. In crash tests, the five-door smart displayed qualities which go far beyond the legal requirements and meet the extremely high DaimlerChrysler standards.

Driving pleasure as a standard feature:
Power/weight ratio of the smart forfour
on a par with the smart roadster and roadster-coupé

With a choice of powerful engine versions and the exceptionally agile set-up of its active drive chassis, the new smart forfour meets all the expectations of those looking for a great driving experience. Weighing in at less than 1,000 kilograms, the smart forfour offers a power/weight ratio of up to 12.2 kilograms per kilowatt (9 kg per bhp), which is on a par with the low ratio of the smart roadster and roadster-coupé. The steering of the sporty four-seater is very responsive and can take fast bends with minimal lateral inclination.

The roll angle of the smart forfour is also at the low level of the smart roadster and roadster-coupé. The wide track width - 1,460 millimetres at the front and 1,445 millimetre in the rear are decisive for this - along with the spring and shock absorber settings. With a total spring travel of 170 millimetres at the front and 180 millimetres at the rear, the smart forfour has ample reserves for coping with bumpy roads, ensuring a comfortable ride for the passengers at all times.

A choice of five powerful engine variants

A total of five powerful engine versions are available for the smart forfour: Besides two diesel engines with three cylinders, a capacity of 1.5 litres and 50/70 kW power output, three petrol variants are also available. These have an engine capacity of 1.1 litres, 1.3 litres and 1.5 litres along with a power output of between 55 kW and 80 kW. The 1.1 litre engine is designed for three cylinders and the other two are four-cylinder models.

All engine versions comply with the limit values set out in the EU4 exhaust directive, thus entitling owners resident in Germany to tax exemption for two years. The new family of petrol engines, which was specially created for the smart forfour, is the result of cooperation between DaimlerChrysler and Mitsubishi. The petrol engines are produced in the MDC Power engine factory in Kölleda (Thuringia), which was specially constructed for this purpose. Both diesel engine versions are identical from a mechanical perspective, whereby the 50 kW version was derived electronically from the 70 kW variant. Both diesel engines are built by DaimlerChrysler in Stuttgart-Untertürkheim.

Exclusive sports package available as an option

Available on request for all smart forfour models, the sports package ensures an even more dynamic driving experience and a suitably sporty look. Included in this sports package are a lowering kit and 6.5 x 16 wheels. Added to this are blue-tinted windows and a leather steering wheel and gearshift knob, all of which combine to lend the smart forfour an additional sporty touch - both inside and outside.

Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) as a standard feature in all models

All smart forfour models are equipped with the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) as standard and have disk brakes on both the front and rear axle. ESP uses selective brake intervention to stabilise the vehicle. In addition, ESP offers a Hydraulic Brake Assist and a differential lock function. Furthermore, the Anti-lock Braking System ABS including Electronic Brake-force Distribution is integrated in ESP.

ESP ensures that the smart forfour always follows the direction in which the driver steers, even at the stability limit of driving dynamics. In addition to closing the throttle valve, ESP also features selective brake intervention acting on individual wheels. This ensures directional stability and road adhesion when accelerating, braking and coasting.

All versions of the smart forfour are equipped with Electric Power Steering. This leads to a notable increase in steering comfort as well as a significant reduction in the effort required to turn the steering wheel, particularly during manoeuvring. At the same time, Electric Power Steering offers considerable advantages over conventional electro-hydraulic systems in terms of weight, required space and fuel consumption.

The lanechanger function for the indicators contributes to road traffic safety and convenience. Briefly pressing the steering column control stalk makes the selected direction indicator flash three times.

-Autoindex.org

 

[1X83Z]

Saw the Smart Fourdoor in 'Car' today. I'd like to be the first to note that they've sort of missed the point of the original 'Smart' line (i.e. easy to park, great economy) with the roadster and four-door.

Love the new Mazda 2, 6, and now 3. Mazda's obviously the most improved car company for '03-'04, for anybody who's driven an old 626 and a new 6S. Mazda's looking at 'Mercedes syndrome,' however - by having all their new designs come out at once, they're all going to have to be replaced at the same time five years down the road, which is going to cost loads.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

Yeah, but still they are still asking Ford for help (that spoils the fun).

 

[ZEE]

umm you call these cars ( excluding X3).

 

[ZEE]

mazda 3 is cool. though.

 

[GilesGuthrie]

Only the Italians could call a car "4 door" and have it sound so cool...

 

[delucani]

Maybe BMW should take a hint from the Quattroporte as to the styling of the 7-series.