After a pretty well-received concept and lots of speculation, the 2011 Chevrolet Orlando MPV has finally been revealed by the European branch of the bowtie brand.

According to Chevrolet, the new Orlando promises to combine the practicality of a multi purpose vehicle with seven seats together with a more aggressive design and a crossover stance.

The car sits on the Cruze platform, which has already proven its worth, and boasts a fresher design for European Chevrolet models. It will feature plenty of storage spaces, including a rather interesting one behind the front fascia of the audio system. It will allow for compact things to be stored there (sun glasses, wallets) but is also equipped with a USB slot, for charging of MP3 players and the likes.

Outside, the new Chevrolet Orlando can be equipped with 16 to 18-inch wheels, and will also be available in multiple trim lines with various customization options.

More importantly, the Orlando MPV can be ordered with a choice of three engines. A 1.8-liter unit, like on the Cruze, capable of 141 HP, and two diesel versions, based on the 2.0-liter unit. One develops 131 HP, while the other is capable of 163 HP.

The new Chevrolet Orlando will be revealed at this fall’s Paris Motor Show and launched on the European market in spring of 2011. No word yet on if it will make it to US shores, but we wouldn’t exactly bet on it.

Source: Chevrolet

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Chevrolet Orlando MPV showcased before Paris debut

It seems that the Audi R8 should move over as a new model has become the most flammable exotic supercar in the world. We are, of course, talking about the extremely fire-prone Ferrari 458 Italia.

After seeing it burn in France and in Switzerland, we now get to see the first video of a 458 Italia going up in flames in China of all places.

In all seriousness though, Ferrari should definitely look into this problem as if there’s a problem with the supercar, it should be fixed as soon as possible.

Check out the fiery footage below with the burning Ferrari 458 Italia.

Source: Jalopnik

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Video: Yet another Ferrari 458 Italia on fire

There’s a pretty big debate over how quiet cars, especially hybrid or electric ones, should be as to keep noise pollution down, but also continue to warn pedestrians of their presence.

That’s why, in Japan at least, silent car manufacturer are trying out new things to warn pedestrians, bicyclists and other road users of the vehicle’s presence.

Toyota is the latest to do such a thing, with its new Approaching Vehicle Audible System for the Prius hybrid. Simply put, a speaker resides in the front of the car, and when the car is moving, it emits a (futuristic) sound to let pedestrians know of the car’s presence.

Check out the technology in action in a video after the jump. Expect the system to expand on other Toyota hybrids in the future.

Source: PriusChat via Autoblog

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Video: Toyota Prius gets external audio speaker to warn pedestrians

Volkswagen pretty much hammered the competition in the Dakar rally with the Race Touareg 2, winning both the 2009 and 2010 editions. Now, with the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg already in showrooms, the German company decided to upgrade its rally-spec version.

As you can see above, the new Race Touareg 3 shares a few cues with the new, regular Touareg. These include LED daytime running lights (because you need extra lighting while in a desert rally), a new front grille and a new rear end.

More importantly, the twin-turbo 2.5-liter TDI diesel engine has been further tweaked for better fuel economy. It still is capable of 296 HP and 442 lb-ft of torque, which guarantees 0 to 62 mph in 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 117 mph.

You’ll be able to check out the new Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 in the next Dakar rally, set to take place right at the beginning of 2012.

Source: Volkswagen

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Volkswagen Race Touareg 3 ready for Dakar duty

Hyundai is showcasing a very impressive lineup these days, with its top shelf offerings, the Genesis sedan, the Genesis Coupe and the upcoming Equus being some of the best deals you can get.

Still, that doesn’t mean the models can’t be perfected, as John Krafcik, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America, has revealed that the platform underpinning the three cars will be modified in the future, in order to have the capability of all-wheel drive.

Rest assured that the models will be standard with rear-wheel drive, especially the sporty Genesis Coupe, but Hyundai believes that even more customers can be won over with the AWD option. No other details were given, but you can expect more modifications to be made on the premium platform.

Source: Autoblog

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Hyundai Genesis, Genesis Coupe and Equus going all-wheel drive in the future

It seems that slowly but surely the Audi A3 sedan is becoming a reality. That’s at least according to a brand new report coming from Germany.

Even though the regular A3 hatchback is getting by thanks to its green diesel image, the Ingolstadt manufacturer plans to really tug at the heart strings of American consumers by releasing a dedicated sedan model.

As you can clearly guess, the car would slot in below the larger A4 in terms of price, and offer a lower entry point into the Audi range for new customers. It will also be largely unchallenged, as BMW only offers the 1 Series as a coupe, and Mercedes-Benz isn’t really decided on if it will launch a smaller sedan, presumably based on the next B Class.

Do you think an A3 sedan would make sense in the USA? Share your thoughts below.

Source: Financial Times.de via Autoblog

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Audi A3 sedan once again rumored for US debut

The Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4, the French carmaker’s first implementation of its new hybrid technology, has finally been detailed.

The new model will use a diesel engine, sitting on and powering the front wheels, in conjunction with a rear-mounted electric motor, which will power just the back wheels. The aforementioned motor will draw its power from a nickel metal hydride battery pack which is charged through the upgraded alternator as well as with regenerative braking technology.

The 2.0-liter diesel engine will be capable of 163 HP, and combined with the 37 HP electric motor, an output of 200 HP and 369 lb-ft of torque is achieved. More importantly, thanks to the efficient six-speed transmission, with automatic and manual modes, a fuel average of 61.9 mpg (US) can be achieved, with just 99 g/km of CO2 being emitted.

The electric motor can power the car as long as its batteries are charged and at reduced speeds, achieving zero emissions travel. It can also be used together with the diesel engine, for all-wheel drive capability.

Expect the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 to be showcased at the Paris Motor Show this fall, and will hit the market next Spring. A more efficient lithium ion battery version with plug-in capabilities will be introduced in the future.

Source: Peugeot

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Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 diesel hybrid model revealed

German tuning company Gemballa has been revived, after its founder, Uwe Gemballa, went missing at the beginning of the year, leaving the tuner in a lot of financial trouble.

The company is under a new ownership, led by CEO Andreas Schwarz and investor Steffen Korbach.

Things are already going back to normal, as the former showroom of Gemballa, in Leonberg, Germany, has been refurbished. 22 employees are already working on tuning kits for exotic models like the Porsche Cayenne or the Panamera. The company will also see the development of dedicated Gemballa products, along the lines of the Gemballa MIG-U1, which was based on the Ferrari Enzo.

So, if you had an exotic supercar in your garage just aching for a tuning treatment, you can rest assured that Gemballa will gladly take your money.

Source: Gemballa

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Gemballa is revived under new leadership

Well, we’ve waited for quite a long time to see Ken Block and his new Gymkhana Three video, starring the brand new, 600 HP Ford Fiesta rally car, but it seems we’re going to wait a bit more.

DC Shoes did release the first part of the Gymkhana Three, but unlike previous installments, where Block went all out, this time it’s an actual music video, with Block just making a few appearances in his DC Shoes apparel line. For anyone interested, the song is Clicking, performed by rap duo The Cool Kids.

Expect the second (and real) part of Gymkhana Three in the following weeks. Until then, score some glimpses of Block and his Fiesta in the video after the jump.

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Video: Watch Ken Block’s Gymkhana Three part one, the music video/infomercial