Unless you have some twisted automotive fetish for vehicles like the Rodius and Actyon, the C200 Concept study that made its world premiere at the Paris Salon is by far the best looking product in SsangYong’s current line-up. Even though we do detect a hint… of Kia Forte (see here) in the C200’s fascia, overall not a bad attempt from the Chinese owned Korean automaker. The production version of the C200 which should arrive in the market in late 2009 will be virtually unchanged from the concept. Notably, the C200 is the first SsangYong to feature a monocoque construction as existing SsangYong models sold in Europe feature separate body/chassis construction. Although this platform can also be used with a front-wheel drivetrain, the C200 employs SsangYong’s full-time four-wheel-drive system. Power is provided by a new 175HP 2.0-liter turbo diesel engine that’s mated to a latest generation 6-speed manual gearbox.

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Who needs a complicated and apparently expensive, hybrid drivetrain when you can achieve an average fuel consumption of 7.6 lt/100 km (31 mpg US) in a fully equipped large saloon like the S-Class simply by using a diesel engine and a few supplementary measures? Even Merc’s own S400 Hybrid isn’t that good sipping an average of 7.9 liters of petrol for every 100 km (29.8 mpg US). And even if the S320 CDi is a tad slower than the S400 Hybrid completing the 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) sprint in 7.8 sec instead of 7.2 sec (top speed for both models is 250 km/h), the difference is insignificant for your typical S-Class owner that that will most likely use the vehicle as a highway cruiser and not a highway racer

The latest variant of Merc’s luxury saloon, which is due to take over from the S 320 CDI from the end of this year, is equipped with the same V6 turbo diesel powerplant as before delivering an output of 235 HP and 540 Nm. But thanks to the BluEFFICIENCY package that includes on-demand power steering, a 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission with standstill decoupling, as well as 17-inch light-alloy wheels shod with reduced rolling resistance tires, the German automaker has managed to reduce the standard S320 CDI’s average consumption by 0.2 lt /100 km.

Adding to its allure, pricing for the BlueEFFICIENCY S-Class model in Germany remains the same as the S320 CDI at €70,864.50 (incl. VAT) and at €78,718.50 for the long-wheelbase version. Continued

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When Hyundai says Blue, what the Korean automaker actually means is green as the i20 Blue concept study that will debut in Paris incorporates a number of modifications to enhance the standard car’s environmental credentials. Based on the all-new i20 supermini, the ‘blue’ package involves revisions to the i20’s powertrain efficiency, aerodynamics and chassis that result to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions and fuel consumption. The i20 Blue runs on a 1.4-liter CRDi diesel engine producing 90PS and 220 Nm of torque, matted to a new six-speed manual gearbox – instead of the car’s usual five-speed unit – in which the ratios have been modified in 3rd, 4th and 5th gear. Hyundai’s engineers updated the engine’s electronic software and at the same time improved performance by minimizing driveline friction and utilizing high-performance, low-friction engine oil. Furthermore, the i20 Blue benefits from the addition of a Hyundai-specific ISG Start-Stop system.

In terms of aerodynamics, Hyundai reduced ground clearance by 15mm, added a full-length underfloor cover and performed subtle changes to the design of the grille and bodywork. The package is complemented by a set of Michelin Energy low rolling resistance tires

Together, these changes offer the i20 Blue a reduction of 15 percent in CO2 emissions over the standard car to just 99g/km and an improvement of 15 percent in fuel efficiency consuming 3,75 liters/100km or 63.7 MPG US. As for performance, the i20 blue accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in around 13 seconds and achieves a top speed of 176km/h or 110 MPH.

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German car magazine Autozeitung is claiming to have obtained the first official photo of the next-generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class in its latest September issue. According to the folks over at Autozeitung, the above image has not been digitally enhanced in any way, and unless someone can provide substantial proof of the opposite, we have no reason to doubt them. Clearly apparent on this photo is the 2010 E-Class’ distinctive front-end design with the new trapezoidal shaped headlights that ditch the rounded theme used on the previous two generation models. The new headlamp treatment was first previewed in the ConceptFASCINATION that will make its world debut in Paris next week. Like the concept, the rest of the styling falls in line with Mercedes-Benz’s current range and especially the new C-Class, adopting tauter body surfacing and sharper creases.

Under the body panels expect to see an updated engine line-up with several new and revised gasoline and ultra-clean Bluetec diesel powerplants including a base 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol unit and Merc’s new 204 HP 2.2-liter turbo diesel. By 2010, Mercedes-Benz will also enhance the E-Class range with the BMW M5-rivaling AMG version equipped with a powerful direct-injection V8 engine developing around 550 HP as well as the first hybrid E-Class that will use the same mild-hybrid drivetrain as the new S400 BlueHybrid.

According to our sources, the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class will make its global premiere in sedan form at the 2009 Geneva Show in March, followed by the Estate and Coupe / Cabriolet models at the 2009 Frankfurt motorshow in September of the same year.

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Starting today, Europeans will be able to order the Fiat 500 by DIESEL. Yes, we know the car’s already offered with a diesel, but we’re not referring to the MultiJet engine here. This is a two-year special run done in partnership with the Italian clothing company. This style exercise is supposed to transform the 500 into an ‘Urban Survival Vehicle.” Apparently, all that’s required for “urban survival” are some DIESEL logos, new trim on the bumpers and bodywork, exclusive wheels, three paint colors, and a dressed-up interior. 100-horsepower cars also get yellow brake calipers. Seeing as how 10,000 “by DIESEL” cars are planned, we have a feeling that the folks who really want one will find a way to get one. This isn’t exactly as limited as some other 500s we’ve seen lately. Continued

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Just a couple of weeks before Mercedes-Benz rolls out its new line-up of BlueTEC diesel vehicles, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) granted the German automaker the Qualified Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit, qualifying the ML 320 BlueTEC, R 320 BlueTEC, and GL 320 BlueTEC buyers for tax breaks up to $1,800. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certified to the IRS that the BlueTEC vehicles meet the strict emission requirements. So far, this is the first time that the IRS has granted the tax break to diesel vehicles. According to the IRS, buyers of the ML 320 BlueTEC are eligible for a $900 tax credit, purchasers of the R 320 BlueTEC may qualify for a $1,550 tax credit, and purchasers of the GL 320 BlueTEC for a $1,800 tax credit depending on their individual tax status.

The vehicles, which are the first diesel passenger vehicles to meet all 50 state emissions requirements and get up to 600 miles to the tank, are equipped with a 211 HP 3.0-liter V6 diesel unit. According to Mercedes, all three models will go on sale on October 1st.

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If you happen to live in Japan, your choices for buying a diesel car are quite meager. Until a new model goes on sale on September 18, there is only one diesel car available: the Mercedes E320 CDI. The model in question is a Nissan X-Trail GT20, codenamed M94, which gets a Renault-derived 2.0-liter dCi diesel engine, which was announced last year and was used for the G8 summit last June. This engine gets 30 percent better mileage than the standard 2.5-liter gasoline version while offering the same power and torque as the 3.5-liter V6. The powertrain is also fully compliant with Japan’s new anti-pollution legislation which becomes mandatory in October 2009. As with most other new diesels, the M9R uses a high pressure (1,600 bar) common rail injection system with piezo-electric injectors. The exhaust after-treatment system consists of a lean NOx trap and diesel particulate filter. Volkswagen, Honda, Mitsubishi and Subaru expect to have diesel vehicles available next year as well.

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