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Hyundai i10 has a 1.1-liter engine that makes 68 horsepower. (Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor Company)

NEW DELHI, India — Hyundai Motor has unveiled the successor to its successful Atoz minicar in India. The i10 will be produced exclusively in Hyundai’s local plant.

The i10 follows on the heels of Hyundai’s new i30 compact family car. Next, as you might expect, will be the i20, a successor to the Getz.

The five-seater i10 slots into the same market segment in India as the entry-level Hyundai Atoz, which was produced here under the name Santro Xing. For now, the Santro will be kept in production.

The i10 breaks no new ground in styling but has a nice new 1.1-liter, 68-horsepower engine and — a first in the category — electronic power steering. Other niceties include a column-mounted gearlever, folding rear seats, air-conditioning… Read the rest of this entry

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Now comes the Orochi Kabuto from bizarroid Japanese car builder Mitsuoka. The body is carbon fiber. It is expected to go into limited production like its sibling, the “plain” Orochi. (Photo courtesy of Mitsuoka)

TOKYO — Mitsuoka Motors is one of Japan’s smallest — and strangest — car builders, known for such bizarrely named retro-look creations as the Galue and the Viewt. But none is stranger than the Orochi, first unveiled as a concept at the 2001 Tokyo Auto Show and most recently reincarnated at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show as the Orochi Kabuto.

The Orochi (which means either “crazy frog” or “eight-headed serpent,” depending on your etymological source) actually is an interesting and fairly modern midengine design. Its supercar looks belie the rather… Read the rest of this entry

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The VW Caddy Maxi is a working vehicle, but it’s also available as a seven-seat people carrier and should be competitive in the minibus market as well. (Photo courtesy of Volkswagen of America, Inc.)

AMSTERDAM, The Netherlands — Only a month after unveiling the Maxi Life passenger model of its new Caddy Maxi in Frankfurt, Volkswagen has introduced this load-hauler version at the RAI Truck Show in Amsterdam.

Four years ago, VW chose the same venue for the world debut of the Caddy. Made in Poland, this minivan is a popular choice in Europe. It is available both as a panel van and a seven-seat people carrier.

This Maxi model, as the name suggests, is a lengthened version, 18.5 inches longer than the… Read the rest of this entry

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This Chip Foose Ford Flex is an example of the kind of customization that Ford will be making a priority. The automaker has kicked off a new Custom Accessories service. (Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company)

LAS VEGAS — It probably is coincidental that on the eve of Jim Farley’s debut at the Ford Motor Company, the Dearborn automaker has launched a major offensive in the super-competitive customization arena. Ford kicked off its Custom Accessories service at the 2007 SEMA Show this week, saying customers will be able to use an online accessory showroom and, starting early next year, have parts home-delivered.

Farley is the former vice president and general manager of Toyota’s Scion brand; he is credited with cracking the youth market partly through a comprehensive vehicle customization program. Farley will join Ford later this month as the new group vice president of… Read the rest of this entry

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The Foose Flex is lower to the ground thanks to Eibach springs and 22-inch Foose Design wheels and low-profile tires. (Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company)

LAS VEGAS — You won’t see the 2009 Ford Flex crossover on dealer lots until next summer. As part of a 2007 SEMA Show teaser package, however, Ford commissioned custom-car guru Chip Foose to tailor the Flex to his personal specs.

A tad removed from his usual pony-car customs, the Foose Flex sits lower to the ground than its standard production counterpart, thanks to Eibach springs and 22-inch Foose Design wheels and low-profile tires.

Foose also fitted custom front and rear fascias and rocker panels, as well as a wraparound chrome beltline and custom upper and lower grilles.

The exterior paint scheme is a two-tone blue and cream pearl. The same color scheme extends inside, with… Read the rest of this entry

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Among the HFP pieces available for the new Accord are 19-inch alloy wheels and a full aero body kit with front and rear spoilers and side skirts. (Photo courtesy of American Honda Motor Company, Inc.)

LAS VEGAS — The redesigned 2008 Honda Accord has barely begun reaching U.S. showrooms, but the automaker already is making available a wide range of Honda Factory Performance (HFP) parts as dealer-installed accessories.

To showcase the line of go-fast components, Honda is displaying a 2008 Accord Coupe in full HFP dress at the 2007 SEMA Show. Virtually all parts are in stock except for the sport suspension upgrade kit, which goes on sale next spring. All HFP components carry a full three-year/36,000-mile warranty.

Among the HFP pieces available for the new Accord are 19-inch alloy wheels, a full aero body kit with front and rear spoilers and side skirts,… Read the rest of this entry

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The Mobis Tiburon gets Eibach suspension bits, a Next Generation Motorsports supercharger and a KDM full aero body kit by Tomato. (Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor Company)

LAS VEGAS — Hyundai is about to climb on the factory performance parts bandwagon, through its giant Mobis Parts accessories group. To showcase its upcoming offerings, the Korean automaker created the Mobis Parts Expo Tiburon for the 2007 SEMA Show.

This particular Tiburon features a number of prototype components that are expected to reach dealers’ parts departments by next spring.

Just for fun, the car also gets Eibach suspension bits, a Next Generation Motorsports supercharger and a KDM full aero body kit by Tomato.

What this means to you: Available soon at your local dealer — the parts, that is, not the car.

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Ford is building a race-ready 2008 Mustang FR500S on the line with the standard Mustang. The car is intended to be an affordable product for club racers. (Photo courtesy of Ford Motor Company)

LAS VEGAS — Following in the footsteps of several competitors, Ford Racing is offering the race-ready 2008 Mustang FR500S as an affordable factory-built entry for would-be club racers. The FR500S debuted this week at the 2007 SEMA Show.

The car, which retails for $75,000, will also be the centerpiece next year of a new Mustang spec series, the Ford Racing Mustang Challenge for the Miller Cup. The FR500S joins its FR500C and FR500GT siblings in the Mustang racing stable.

The FR500S is built on the Mustang production line in Flat Rock, Michigan. Its 4.6-liter V8 comes from Ford’s Romeo engine plant. Interior work on the SEMA show vehicle was performed at… Read the rest of this entry

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Hyundai VIP Luxury Tuner Azera. (Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor Company)

LAS VEGAS — Hyundai’s current flagship model, the front-wheel-drive Azera sedan, will get bumped from center stage next spring with the arrival of the new Genesis rear-drive luxury-sport model.

In the meantime, the automaker unveiled the VIP Luxury Tuner Azera at the 2007 SEMA Show, a showcar by longtime Hyundai tuner Shawn Williams of Street Concepts.

Tech highlights include an Eibach suspension, Brembo brakes, MagnaFlow catback exhaust and K&N intake.

The cockpit features tasteful black suede seats with white stitching, while the exterior is finished in a subtle custom white pearl paint scheme.

What this means to you: Who knew the Azera could look this good?

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Volvo XC70 Surf Rescue has a roof-mounted emergency light bar and additional emergency lighting in the front and rear fascias. (Photo courtesy of Volvo Cars North America, LLC)

LAS VEGAS — Two themes dominated the custom vehicles at this year’s 2007 SEMA Show — urban and beach. Epitomizing the beach look is the Volvo XC70 Surf Rescue.

With tongue planted in Swedish cheek, Volvo claims its SEMA concept “pays homage to the brave individuals who protect and serve the ocean-going public.” We’re not sure if that includes Pamela Anderson, but who else could have so inspired Volvo designer Joel Alexandersson?

Exterior pieces include a custom front fascia with a milled aluminum billet grille, custom rear fascia, wider wheel lip cladding, and front and rear skid plates. Fabricated by the Aria Group in Irvine, California, the XC70 Surf Rescue gets a custom paint scheme from… Read the rest of this entry