Automedia Car

Chevrolet has taken the wraps off its striking new Orlando MPV at the Paris motor show.

The compact seven-seat crossover MPV was first seen as a concept in Paris two years ago and much of that car’s styling has made it into the production version that will reach UK showrooms in early 2011.

Although some of the concept’s sharper lines at the front have been rounded off, much of the rear three-quarters of the concept remains unchanged, including its sloping window line and narrow glasshouse, while its pronounced wheel arches can house alloys up to 18 inches in size.

The Orlando uses General Motors' Delta platform, also seen on the new Vauxhall Astra and Chevrolet’s new Cruze range. Its UK engine line-up includes a 139bhp 1.8-litre petrol unit and a 2.0-litre diesel with either 129bhp or 161bhp.

Chevrolet claims its dual cockpit is inspired by the Corvette and features the firm’s new blue-backlit centre console.

The load area is described as “generous”, while the rear two rows of seats are raised, in spite of the low roofline, in a theatre-style arrangement to give rear passengers a better forward and side view. As in the norm in the class, there's a variety of seating configurations to boost load capacity.

Several storage compartments are offered, including the concept’s storage area hidden behind the front fascia of the audio system; this is revealed by flipping the face of the audio and is described as a “usefully large area”. The Orlando also offers USB, MP3 and iPod connectivity.

Thanks to: Autocar

Meet the Cruze that’s hatching big plans in Europe! This compact version of the Cruze was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, and is the second of four new cars that will feature on the American firm’s stand.

The Cruze hatchback will join the Orlando, as well as a facelift of the Captiva SUV and a new version of the Aveo. The fastback design has an almost Japanese flavour, and the car looks similar to the Subaru Impreza in profile, although the big wheels and LED running lights from the show car are likely to be dropped from the production model.

The Cruze saloon has recently overtaken the Aveo to become Chevrolet’s best selling car globally, so to broaden its appeal and further boost sales this new hatch is set to offer great value for money and compete with the likes of the Kia C’eed and Hyundai i30.

The hatch will offer nearly 400 litres of boot space, and although that’s 50 less than the saloon, a 60/40 folding seat arrangement and bigger load space should ensure this is the most practical Cruze yet.

Wayne Brannon, Managing Director of Chevrolet Europe, said that by offering a hatch back variant they were “sending out a signal that Chevrolet is now a serious mainstream player in Europe."

The current Cruze comes in S, LS and LT trims, and the new car will continue to offer the familiar line-up of four-pot engines from the saloon. That means either a 1.6 or a 1.8-litre with 112bhp or 139bhp. The diesel option is a 2.0L with 123bhp, and 300Nm of torque.

Prices should remain broadly the same as the current range, although the hatchback could end up costing less than its stable mate, starting at around £13,000 for the 1.6i S when it goes on sale mid-way through next year. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

Sleek, sporty and oozing style – that’s the promise of BMW’s new 6-Series, which was officially unveiled at the Paris Motor Show.

The newcomer displays classic coupé proportions, with its long bonnet, short front overhang and low-slung silhouette. Smooth lines mimic the design cues first seen on the latest 5-Series and 7-Series.

A shark-like nose features glass inserts at the top of the grille bars for a modern look, while the distinctive headlights are, for the first time, entirely LED, producing a dazzling white light and reducing energy use. Adaptive light technology also means they swivel according to the steering angle and speed of the car, while the daytime running lights are in BMW’s familiar ring design.

At the rear, twin trapezoid exhaust tips create an aggressive look, while LED light strips inside the rear clusters ensure the 6 even has a distinctive appearance at night. Unique 20-inch alloy wheels, each milled from a solid piece of aluminium, finish off the handsome exterior design. The elegant new 2+2 cabin has a full-length glass roof to flood the interior with light, and a tilted centre console to put the emphasis on the driver. Two individual leather-lined rear seats have enough room to accommodate a pair of adults.

There’s a wealth of technology, too. Taking pride of place is a huge 26cm flatscreen displaying the audio, climate and sat-nav menus. A head-up display and digital panel, in place of traditional dials, show a range of information, while a Bang & Olufsen stereo with 16 speakers, including one that rises from the top of the dash, delivers superb sound quality.

The engine range is likely to match the current line-up, with straight-six and V8 petrol offerings. But since the diesel 635d accounted for around 70 per cent of sales, a new range-topping 306bhp 640d is expected to scoop up the majority of buyers.

Still officially a concept, the BMW Concept 6-Series Coupé, to use its full name, could receive some minor tweaks before it arrives in showrooms. But essentially this is the car that will make production.

Despite the coupé breaking cover, it will be the convertible that arrives first in March. The hard-top follows in September 2011. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

Bentley has made a splash at the Paris show with its all-new Continental GT. The super-coupe made a dramatic entrance at the VW Group's pre-show party when hi-tech water jets spelt out the newcomer's name.

The Crewe firm has also now confirmed that the luxury coupe will cost from £135,760 when its reaches dealerships in the first quarter of 2011. The price includes the new 20 per cent VAT rate that comes into force in January and adds up to an increase of almost £10,000 on the current car's £126,500 price.

To get the full story on the new Continental GT, Auto Express was granted exclusive access to the car ahead of the show with Bentley’s head of exterior design, Raul Pires.