Honda announces the new Civic at the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. Developed specifically for the European market, the Civic will be offered exclusively as a five-door hatchback and will compete in the C-segment. It will reach European showrooms in early 2012.

Introduction
The Civic team led by Mitsuru Kariya, the ‘Large Project Leader’ (LPL), were given the task to create and develop the new Civic. With the current Civic being known for its unique exterior styling and interior practicality within the C segment in Europe, Mitsuru Kariya and his team were keen to further understand the needs and desires of the European customers. The current Civic became the benchmark focus for their research to create a car that was even better.
“… when evaluating the requirements of our customers, we recognised that the European customer desires are demanding and unique in many aspects. We have focussed our development on fulfilling these expectations and through this process we have taken our development standards even further to a new level.” (Mitsuru Kariya, LPL)
With the current increase of fuel prices across Europe and the environmental targets set to achieve low emissions, it was concluded from the European customer survey that the current Civic customer not only considers modern styling and performance to be important but also advanced technologies to create a Civic that was even more cost efficient to run and eco-friendly.
The development period for the new Civic spanned over four years. Nearly all of components are new to the Civic or have been further developed with areas of focus on the suspension set-up to improve the ride and handling, the interior materials to improve the overall interior quality, the new design styling and aerodynamics for a refreshed image and improved efficiency, and the engines for improved performance and reduced CO2 emissions.
Overall the new Civic builds on the core strengths of its predecessor and takes them to an appreciably higher level. It also is one of the sector’s best in performance against low CO2 emissions – the diesel model produces just 110 g/km with 150 PS and 350 Nm of torque.

Background and Research
The current Civic originally launched in 2006 saw a change in the type of layout approach with the development of a unique platform based on a “centre tank” layout designed to offer practical benefits such as large cabin space meeting the needs of Europe’s “C” category customers. The Civic was designed and developed for the European market receiving positive feedback in areas such as design and versatility/practicality which have helped define the current Civic as having ‘road presence’ with its ‘futuristic looks;’ and having a ‘multi-purpose’ function with the large boot space and multiple seat arrangements offered by the ‘magic seats’.
As research commenced, the development team for the new Civic considered these key milestones achieved with the current Civic and opted to maintain and even look to enhance the current Civic model qualities. The team wanted to create a new emotional design with the ability to surprise and provide the unexpected in terms of roominess and other practical features whilst also improving the visibility and widening the field of vision to enhance the overall ownership experience.
The current Civic had already achieved superior interior space with an unbeatable boot capacity among its competitors. Focus now was on maintaining this class leading interior space whilst improving the overall packaging and space efficiency in the attempt to reduce overall dimensions. This would lead to a new exterior design, improved aerodynamic performance, reducing weight that play a role in raising the car’s overall performance envelope.
Focused research was conducted to determine the latest and most important requirements for the European market. European and Japanese designers and engineers worked together closely throughout the development process. Testing was carried out first in Japan and then repeatedly in Europe to ensure suitability for the world’s most demanding C-segment customers.
“the car had to be safe and easy to handle, affordable and so on … premium in terms of having a good balance of affordable performance.” (Mitsuru Kariya, LPL)
The Civic development team turned to drivers, dealers and the media to evaluate the existing Civic and define the essential ‘must keep’ features and qualities, as well as the priorities for the new model. Drivers appreciated the distinct styling and form of the car, with its futuristic looks and practicality. However their feedback suggested that the car’s rear design could be more sophisticated and that rear view could be improved. Inside the Civic the modern and user-friendly cockpit design was appreciated, as were the spacious cabin and versatile ‘magic seats’, but users demanded an improvement in the quality of the materials used. Drivers were impressed with the driving experience, but noted that suspension noise could be reduced and ride comfort increased.
Research revealed that the typical Civic driver is attracted to unique, fresh design with sporty performance and advanced technologies. The environment was defined as a high priority, with customers demanding high fuel economy and low emissions.

Concept and development
Initial ideas for the new Civic explored the realm of the car having a ‘Lean Energetic’ design. ‘Lean’ was to emphasize the environmental-conscious world existing today, and ‘Energetic’ to express Honda’s vitality. This design direction translated into a ‘Clean-Dynamic’ design concept.
The design team often referred back to their sources of inspiration to help define ‘Clean- Dynamic’, a ‘blended body’ airplane in which fuselage and wings blend into a single body for superior aerodynamic performance, quietness and habitability. Other inspiration was swimwear and track outfits worn by the athletes which provide low resistance.
Initial sketches focused on elegantly flowing designs taken from the ‘blended body’ airplane (a concept model designed by engineers at the University of Cambridge) and low resistance swimwear with no obvious borderlines between surfaces with bumper and fender lines blending seamlessly into the body.
This concept was a clear break in a new direction, rather than relying on sheer strength and engine power to convey a sporty image, a ‘blended body’ with reduced resistance would demonstrate a smarter image for the new Civic.
The team returned to these sources over and over again during the design process, using them as a touchstone when they needed to reaffirm their direction.

Drive trains
The new Civic will be offered with three engine options: a 1.4 l petrol unit, a 1.8 l petrol unit and a 2.2 l diesel unit. All the engines are combined with a 6-speed manual gearbox, ECO Assist, advanced fueling control technology and Idle Stop. They are also equipped with Hill Start Assist. The 1.8 l engine can be paired with a specially designed 5-speed automatic transmission.
The chief goal in the engine and transmission development was to maintain the high performance driving experience whilst improving the overall efficiency of the engine resulting in lower running costs.

For Kia, What You Like influences us to move forward, challenging us to enter new frontiers of automotive technology and design. These innovations lead us to new lifestyles that are unique and fun. Alongside our core brand beliefs – ‘Challenger’, ‘Human-driven’ and ‘Spirited’, we aim to deliver a unique customer experience inspired by What You Like. We know that everyone looks for something different when they look for a car and Kia want to know What You Like with the help of our new global brand campaign; Kia, Inspired by What You Like.

We know that everyone looks for something different when they look for a car and Kia want to know What You Like with the help of our new global brand campaign; Kia, Inspired by What You Like.
Join our Facebook page to share with other Kia fans aspects that you like about Kia cars and exactly what you look for in a car and be rewarded with your very own wallpaper using our ‘What do you like?’ app. Enter our ‘Like Lab’ to explore the unlimited possibilities of Kia’s forward thinking via interactive social video letting you control and integrate what you ‘LIKE’ into the Kia story.

In addition, Kia are offering two fans the chance to win a trip for two to the 2012 Australian Open Men’s Singles Final on the 29th January 2012 by correctly selecting the seven things that you believe our Kia Brand Ambassador Rafael Nadal ‘likes’ in our global competition ‘Guess What Nadal Likes’. To be in with a chance of winning, visit our Kia Motors UK Facebook page and enter the competition via our ‘I like Kia’ Facebook tab. The winners for this competition will be announced on December 10th 2011.

The accusation began when the Audi A4 and A6 took on rather similar detailing, and it was all but confirmed with the arrival of the latest A8: Audi was making the same car in different lengths. BMW, in fact, has been accused of the same thing with its sedans. Unlike BMW, though, Audi is apparently working to change that. It has begun a design overhaul called AQR that is claimed will “a set of individual themes for each of the three major model families.”

The acronym AQR stands for Audi sedans and hatches, Quattro SUVs, and R sports cars, and from the way it sounds, each group will get new detailing that sets it apart from the other group. According to Audi design honcho Stefan Sielaff, “the design details will be different.”

The initiative is occasioned by people saying Audi cars look alike, but based on the description of AQR, we can’t tell how that’s really going to change. Sielaff specifically said the project would address the proportions of the sedans in order to combat the ‘one sausage of different lengths’ perception, but we look forward to seeing if the sedans will rea

Consumer Reports has just finished evaluating four mid-sized luxury sedans, and the 2012 Audi A6 managed to tie with the Infiniti M37 for the top spot. The publication cites the German four-door’s substantial improvements over last year as the reason behind its success.

In previous evaluations, the A6 has managed to score just 79 points on the CR scale. This year, that number jumped to 93. The A6 garnered praise for its strong acceleration, apt handling, comfortable ride and quiet, well-appointed interior. Those are all attributes we’re inclined to agree with.

The A6 didn’t take the top nod when it came to fuel economy, however. Consumer Reports says that the Mercedes-Benz E350 Bluetec remains king of that hill by returning an average of 26 miles per gallon. The full report is expected to land on news stands on December 6, though readers may get an early scoop by checking the final results on ConsumerReports.

This new car, the 2012 S8, quotes John Smith in saying “I am Number Four,” and just like Mr. Smith, it packs powers that could be called super. It has 70 more horses and, with a torque rating of 479 pound-feet, packs 89 more than the previous V10 model. It lops more than a second off the exit car’s 0 to 60 time, getting there in just over four ticks, and it compresses the scales with 4,354 pounds – 236 pounds less than the previous model and just 42 pounds heavier than an A8. And its 23 mpg combined beats the former highway mileage, done so with a rating of 19 mpg in the city, 28 on the highway. If those numbers sound familiar, it’s because they’re identical to the EPA estimates for the Audi A6, but that smaller sedan makes do with a 3.0-liter supercharged V6 belting out “just” 310 horsepower.

Compared to the previous A8, the S cranks out 15 percent more power using 23 percent less fuel. As Stockmar said, it is “now superior to all predecessors in all ways.” In fact, the predecessors might not be the only ones bested: The S8 is longer, lighter, more powerful, more frugal and quicker than the BMW 750i, and takes three-out-of-five against the Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG (the S8 is three inches shorter and down 19 horsepower to the Merc).

Are the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S and Audi R8 4.2 FSI unlikely rivals? We took these sports cars to the track and they match up closer than you’d think. More Info: Prices Info: www.edmunds.com Twitter twitter.com Edmunds.com twitter.com Facebook Page: www.facebook.com

While most of the industry is busy with new debuts in Los Angeles, things aren’t slowing down one bit on the racing side of the business. In the past couple of days alone, Chevrolet has debuted a new Corvette Daytona Prototype, Dacia has launched a new ice-racing minivan, Mini has announced a new B-spec Cooper, and now Audi has released their latest customer sports racing car.

The R8 LMS Ultra picks up where its predecessor left off – and that’s quite a starting point: In just three years, the R8 LMS has won 115 races and 12 championships on racing circuits around the world. The improvements encompassed in the Ultra, however, promise to increase that number significantly.

Compared to the existing R8 LMS, the R8 LMS Ultra has lost some weight (thanks to carbon reinforced plastic doors), been made safer (thanks to new safety foam and racing bucket), gained a new transmission, had its cooling and breathing improved, its weight better balanced, its suspension and rolling stock beefed up and its aerodynamics optimized.

The same production-based 5.2-liter V10 carries over essentially unchanged, offering up to 570 horsepower depending on the regulators mandated by various racing series. The R8 LMS Ultra conforms to standard GT3 regulations, and can be yours for the low, low price of 329,900 euros ($445k USD) with deliveries beginning in March.

When the first Audi TT hit the market in 1998, its design was nothing short of revolutionary. The current model, while dynamically superior, has been mainstreamed a bit, going with a more evolutionary approach. But now, rumor has it that Audi is preparing to launch an all-new third-generation model at the rapidly approaching Tokyo Motor Show, and our interests our piqued.

Little in the way of details is known as to the direction Audi is preparing to take with the new TT, but sources expect it to go slightly upmarket in order to make room for a smaller, less costly R4 mid-engined sportscar. The TT, however, is expected to retain its front-engine, all-wheel-drive layout. Stylistically, we’d expect the new TT to adopt some of the design cues laid down by recently concept cars like the Quattro from last year.

Audi, for its part, is staying mum on the subject, announcing the five-door A1 Sportback as its major debut for the Japanese expo. Whether a new TT – be it in concept form or production-ready – will join it remains to be seen.