Spy Shots: Toyota Urban Cruiser

Toyota is currently testing the Urban Cruiser, the small car that will be revealed in Geneva soon. Smaller than the RAV-4, the Urban Cruiser is more a Jeep Compass rival than a Cherokee competitor, sitting lower than RAV and smaller as well. These are the first live pictures of the Urban Cruiser yet .

The spotted mule is a diesel version; the photographer saw it was filling up with diesel. Urban Cruiser will aim to attract the younger buyers with its technologies, such as the navigation screen which can be viewed via a curved transparent panel, which is integrated with the centre console.

Gallery: Toyota Urban Cruiser Spy Shots

Chrysler Unveils Diesel 300C SRT

Chrysler unveils the diesel powered 300C SRT in Europe. But not exactly what you think. Basically a trim package for the 300C in Europe, the SRT model gets visual enhancements such as a new rear taillight clusters and a deck lid spoiler, but the car still uses the same 3.0L V6 diesel producing 218 bhp and 376 pound feet of torque you can get in other models.

While the wheels appear to be the same 10-spokers as the US spec 300C SRT8, the front fascia lacks the deeper chin spoiler and the grille is Chrysler's Euro-spec Bentley-like tight mesh.

Production Honda CR-Z Hybrid Coupe To Go On Sale In Europe First

Honda CEO Takeo Fukui revealed in January that a production hybrid based on the CR-Z Concept shown in Tokyo last year was on its way. And now it's reported that the spiritual successor of the CR-X will go on sale in Europe first, sometime around the end of the decade.

Honda UK manager of product planning Mark Turner told Automotive News Europe that the production CR-Z hybrid would be priced around €25,000, with a high-end model costs €28,000. Since Europe will be the car's most important market, Honda UK will have a voice in the car's development, including its design. Engineering for the car is also being carried out at Honda's R&D facility in Germany. Turner added that a gasoline version of the CR-Z would be considered if there were demand for it. The CR-Z will join Honda's upcoming global hybrid, as well as a new Civic Hybrid, in late 2009 or early 2010.

While Honda hopes to sell half a million hybrids by 2011 like it claims, all three models are expected to also be available in the United States.

Tata To Take Nano To Europe In 2012

European buyers have to wat four years to buy a Tata Nano. World’s cheapest car at a suggested price of €1,722/ USD 2,500 has an initial production plan of 250,000.

The main barrier to Euro entry will be stringent crash standards and Euro 5 emission standards. "We will develop a successor model in four years time, which will meet the Euro 5 emission regulations and the crash standards in Europe," Girish Wagh, head of Tata’s compact car division, was quoted as saying by German weekly Focus.

Another target is to reduce the average fuel consumption from 5 litres per 100km (62.5 miles). Initially the Nano will be marketed and sold in developing countries in Southeast Asia, Latin America, Africa and Asia.

Geneva 2008 Preview: 2009 Honda Accord For Europe Unveiled

Not long after the reveal of the 2009 Acura TSX, Honda revealed the 2009 Honda Accord and Accord Touring (wagon) for Europe. Set to debut at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show in early March, the new Euro Accord and its sporty wagon variant look exactly the same like the new TSX. The only difference between these siblings is the traditional Honda grille at front of the car.

The Euro Accord will be offered with three engines, which all are compliant with Euro 5 emissions regulations. The first is the second-gen i-DTEC diesel produces around 148 horsepower and 258 pound feet of torque at 2,000 rpm. This will be the same motor that Honda introduces as its first diesel for the U.S. market in the Acura TSX. The 2.0L i-VTEC produces 154 horsepower and a 2.4L four-cylinder produces nearly 200 hp and 172 foot pounds of torque will be also offered. All three engines can be mated to a 6-speed manual, while the petrol engines get optional 5-speed automatics.

The new interior combines the elegant design and expensive materials. An optional LCD screen that features the nav system is on the top of the center console.

The new European Accord will go on sale in Europe before its American sibling 2009 Acura TSX will be available in US.

Gallery: 2009 Honda Accord For Europe Unveiled

Dakar Changed To Central Europe Rally

Amaury Sport Organization, the group whick organizes the Dakar Rally, has found a new venue after the cancellation of the annual rally due the threats of terrorism last month. The rescheduled and renamed race will be held April 20th through 26th in Romania and Hungary, with a different venue for an event that was normally been held in the Sahara.

The Central Europe Rally will cover some 3,000 kilometers over the course of six days, with around half of the competitions taking place on special stages. All the big name teams from Dakar will be in attendance, including BMW, KTM, Mitsubishi, Schlesser and Volkswagen.

This first event also stands as the inaugural race of the "Dakar Series," which was supposed start in 2009, but will now begin a year ahead of schedule. The new series seeks to bring the excitement and media attention of the Dakar Rally to a number of other events spread across the globe and has been in the works for the last several years.

Hyundai Veracruz Comes To Europe

Hyundai wants to expand in Europe and Veracruz seems like the best choice to enlarging its Europea lineup. Hyundai's biggest CUV will come to Europe with a 2.2L turbo-diesel powerplant and sell for €45,000. The car will be named IX 55 in Europe.

Hyundai Europe is planning to sell 5,000 units per year and it is hoping to increase annual sales in Europe from 350,000 to 400,000 units.