Mazda will unveil the 2010 Mazda 3 at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month. The new Mazda 3 will feature a fresh new design inspired by the Kabura concept that Mazda revealed in 2006. This is evident in the new Mazda 3’s new face which is now dramatically swept back. This makes the Mazda 3 more akin to the new Mazda 6 in terms of aesthetics with its grinning front grille sitting between and below the sharp, angular headlamps.

The redesigned grill is flanked by two air intakes and a set of fog lamps. The redesign continues to the modern rising waistline and a sloping rear roof that emphasizes a restyled rear end with twin sporty tailpipes.

There were no specs revealed yet but the new Mazda 3 will reportedly come with either a 2.0 or 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. It is also supposed to weight significantly less than the current model incarnation of the Mazda 3. The new 2010 Mazda 3 will be available in showrooms by early next year.

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In what could be a glimpse of the automotive industry’s future, electric cars grabbed the limelight at the ongoing ‘Mondial de l’ Automobile’ (Paris Motor Show) 2008 with several automakers unveiling a slew of new hybrid electric models. Most of the models, such as Renault SA’s Z.E. Concept, are still prototypes and could be several years away from production. Others, like Daimler AG’s all-electric Smart ED have entered the test phase.

Several automakers debuted new ready-for-production hybrid electric models. General Motors Corp. plans to get ahead of the pack with its rechargeable electric Chevrolet Volt, which is slated to go on sale by late 2010. “General Motors is betting an awful lot on the Volt, and I think it’s more than just an image issue, so we are all very interested in that,” said Finbarr O’Neill, head of international operations for J.D. Power & Associates.

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This year, 20 individuals would be joining the challenge. They would have to do various activities like driving, running, biking, climbing, and kayaking. The Land Rover G4 Challenge would be taking place in Nevada. The contestants would have to deal with various challenges throughout four days of competition. Whoever wins this challenge would then be the representative of the US for the international Land Rover G4 Challenge which would be happening sometime next year in United Kingdom. Now, that would be really something.

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki is the chair of Nevada’s Commission on Tourism and on the Land Rover G4 Challenge, he shared, “We can hardly wait to get this competition underway and showcase Nevada’s incredible recreational opportunities to a wide-ranging audience across the country and around the world.”

Goodluck to all and may the best athlete win.

During each auto show, there are always those cars which car followers and experts alike look out for. Some of these popular cars are concept vehicles and there are also those production vehicles which offer something exciting or something really useful.

Here are some of the vehicles that the industry has been waiting for before the New York International Auto Show opened:

• Mercedes Benz vehicles with BlueTEC diesel engines - R 320 (crossover), GL 320 (SUV), and ML 320 (SUV).
• Hyundai Genesis (coupe)
• Acura TSX (sedan)
• Honda Fit (hatchback)
• Nissan Maxima (sedan)
• Scion Hako (coupe)
• Suzuki Concept Kizashi 3 (concept vehicle)
• Saleen Supercar S5S Raptor (concept vehicle)
• Pontiac G8 muscle vehicles - GXP (sedan) and G8 (truck)
• Dodge Challenger (sports car)

Reading through reviews of the New York International Auto Show, it seems like the event has been really something and many people have enjoyed taking part of the event. Who wouldn’t, especially with these remarkable vehicles around?

Aside from concept vehicles, some car fans make their way to auto shows to witness the unveiling of new production vehicles. At the Geneva Motor Show which opened last March 6th, the organizers were able to register a total of 94 new vehicles. It is interesting to note that among these 94 vehicles, 17 units come as alternative fuel cars.

Here are some of the new vehicles available at the auto show:

• BMW Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe
• Citroen Berlingo
• Fiat 500 Abarth
• Ford Kuga
• Opel Meriva
• Honda CR-Z Hybrid concept
• Hyundai Eco-Cee’d
• Mazda Taiki concept
• Mitsubishi Prototype S hatchback
• Infiniti FX
• Nissan Pivo 2
• Renault ZX1 concept
• Rinspeed sQuba
• Toyota iQ
• Volkswagen Skoda Superb

The Geneva Auto Show is open to the public up until the 16th of this month and all the new cars and concept vehicles would be available for viewing.

With the Geneva International Auto Show already underway, the editors of AutoWeek took the opportunity to announce the winners of their Editors’ Choice Awards. Vehicles present at the auto show were carefully inspected and the auto magazine’s editors chose which to pronounce as winners.

For this year’s Geneva Auto Show, here are AutoWeek’s editor’s chosen winners:

• Best In Show - Alfa Romeo 8C Spider
• Most Significant - Ford Fiesta
• Best Concept - Saab 9-X BioHybrid
• Most Fun - Fiat 500 Abarth

The 8C Spider was chosen, according to AutoWeek, because of its sexy appeal. A unanimous decision made the Ford Fiesta take home the Most Significant award for the editors believed that this vehicle is the key to completing a strong line-up for the automaker.

For the editors, the Saab 9-X BioHybrid is the best pick for Best Concept because it has the “global Bob Lutz-vision working”. The Fiat 500 Abarth went home a winner because of its size and design.

Once again, all roads lead to Detroit this year as the 2007 North American Auto Show commences. Domestic and international automakers will once more gather at the premier North American auto show to exhibit the latest in vehicle design and technology. The press preview started last January 7 running through January 7; Industry preview will start on January 10 and the Charity preview will be on January 12.

Meanwhile the auto show will open its doors to the public on January 13 offering the public a chance to view the latest in trend-setting designs and new automotive technologies. There will be over 700 cars on display throughout the auto show with over 60 companies – automakers and auto parts manufacturers – taking part. Fifteen new production models will be unveiled along with eleven new concept vehicles. The 2007 show will also celebrate the 100th anniversary of the partnership between the NAIAS and auto dealers in the Detroit area.

Last October 27, 2006 at the Arena Civica in Milan, Italy, the Mini Cooper, Volkswagen Eos and a host of other stunning automobiles emerged victorious at the XIV L’Automobile più Bella del Mondo or The World’s Most Beautiful Automobile” competition for 2006. The international jury led by Bruno Alfieri, the Italian journalist and editor who created the awards back in 1993, chose the best looking cars in various categories such as city cars and compact cars, mid-size hatchback, limousine, coupe, spider, station wagon, concept cars and many more.

After examination of the various new models introduced in 2006, the jury proclaimed the winners in their respective categories. However, upon a closer look on the list of winners, one can see that Japanese and American cars are conspicuously absent from the list. Europe does offer some of the most stunning of automobiles, but do they have the monopoly when it comes to aesthetics? We don’t think so. Still, the list offers a veritable showdown of some of the most beautiful cars ever to grace the road.

City cars and compact cars: Mini Cooper

Mid-size hatchback cars: Volvo C30

Mid-size sedans: Volvo S80

Limousine: Bentley Continental GTC

Coupé: Mercedes CL

Coupé-cabriolet: Volkswagen Eos

Spider: Alfa Romeo Spider

Sportscars: Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

Station wagon: Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon

MPV: Citroën C4 Picasso

Crossover: Audi Q7

Specials: Studiotorino RK Coupé

Concept Cars: Renault Twingo Concept

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Cadillac’s all new 2008 CTS has fed the automotive rumor mill ever since it was announced. In fact, the 2008 CTS is one of the most photographed prototypes of the year. The hype surrounding this new vehicle is not surprising, since the new CTS is the heir of a legendary and award-winning luxury car. Now it is confirmed that the new CTS will have its world premiere at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The new CTS will then be available to American buyers by late summer of 2007.

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All roads lead to Paris from Sept. 30 to Oct. 15 as the 2006 Mondial de l’Automobile opens at the Paris Expo, Porte De Versailles. Just like in previous Paris Motor Shows, automakers from all over the globe will turn out in full force to reveal their latest brand new models and concept car designs. This year, the spotlights will be on the latest hybrid and alternative fuel cars competing with high-end luxury cars and exotics for the public’s attention. Companies from Audi to Toyota will unveil their hottest new models and show a glimpse of their future design directions.

European automakers will take the covers off their top new models. The French have a number of major launches up their sleeves including Citroen’s midsize C4 Picasso and futuristic C-Métisse concept car. Meanwhile, Citroen’s mother company Peugeot is hoping that its Epure and 908 RC concept cars will both be a success. Another French automaker, Renault, will show off its new Nepta, a cabriolet concept with motor driven gull wings, 3.5-liter V6 engine, and 420-hp direct-injection gasoline engine.

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