Mitsubishi will be debuting its new crossover, the ASX, at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The ASX is the European version of the Japanese market RVR. It is a 5-seat, compact crossover, about 4.3 meters long, and is slotted below the Outlander in the Mitsubishi lineup.

Mitsubishi hasn't released many details on the model. It will come with a 1.8 liter turbocharged, direct-injection petrol/gasoline engine coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission, but they don't specify power outputs. The concept upon which the ASX is based, the Concept-cX, featured a diesel, but there is no mention of an oil-burner for the European market in the very brief press release. That concept car was also an all-wheel drive but there's no news either on whether this crossover will have that feature too.

The RVR will go on sale in Japan next month. The ASX will be rolled out in European markets in the spring, following its introduction in Geneva. We will have to wait until then for more details.

[Source: Mitsubishi ]

Peugeot has announced a new concept car called the SR1. It's a Grand Tourer that comes with two doors and a hard top. The design is a glimpse of what the French marque plans to do in terms of future design direction.

Typical of a GT, the SR1 features a large sculptured bonnet, flowing wings, a low centre of gravity, sweeping sides and a chiselled rear design. LED headlights are a highlight, as is the new redesigned Lion badge.

The interior layout pattern is a 2+1 type which places two passengers up front and one in the middle rear. Leather and wood accents are evident inside the cabin while so-called high tech materials like nickel and satin-finished chrome adorn various parts. A chic touch is an exclusive wristwatch that fits into a dedicated housing on the fascia panel.

Power is supplied by HYbrid4 technology consisting of a 1.6-litre THP petrol producing 160kW (218hp) and a rear electric motor of 70kW (95hp). Total system output is 230kW (313hp) and AWD is engaged when the two systems are working together. Average fuel consumption is 4.9 litres per 100km while C02 emissions are pegged at 119g/km.

Vauxhall has released the first images of the redesigned 2011 Meriva (aka the Opel Meriva), ahead of its official unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show.

Featuring the same design language as the critically-acclaimed Insignia, the Meriva looks far more upscale than its predecessor. The advanced design is further highlighted by the addition of FlexDoors which were originally shown on the Meriva Concept in 2008. According to Vauxhall, the rear-hinged FlexDoors "swing open towards the back of the car at an angle of nearly 90 degrees, vastly improving the ease with which occupants enter and leave the cabin. Rather than having to step back, or to one side, as one would using a normal front-hinged door, the FlexDoor allows unimpeded forward access/egress to and from the cabin, enhanced further by the Meriva's exceptionally high roof line."

While Vauxhall didn't release any interior pictures, they stated the cabin will feature a FlexRail system which allows owners to choose from a variety of modular storage bins and other components. Elsewhere, the company also revised the FlexSpace system (fold-down rear seats which can slide forward and backwards to improve legroom or storage capacity) to be more intuitive to use.

Engine options will include six turbocharged units with power outputs ranging from 75 to 140PS. On average, the engines will have a 15% improvement in fuel efficiency and 25 g/km reduction in CO2 emissions. If that isn't green enough, the company will also introduce an ecoFLEX model.

[Source: Vauxhall ]

After an bevy of factory spy shots and more recently, a squabble with the current and former employees of the Italian firm's Milan plant that led to a last minute decision to drop the 'Milano' name, Alfa Romeo has finally published the first official image of its new compact hatchback that will replace the 147 and compete in the all-important C-segment in Europe.

Even though there have been rumors about the use of the 'Giulietta' name, the Italians have yet to announce something official.

However, there's still some time left to choose a name as the compact hatch won't be fully revealed until the Geneva Motor Show in March 2010.

The 147's replacement, which will be made only as a five-door model, is based on the Fiat Group's new C-Evo platform that will also be used in future Chrysler and Dodge products.

Measuring in at 4,350mm in length, 1,460 mm in height and 1,800 mm in width, with a wheelbase of 2,630mm, the new compact hatch is slightly longer, taller and wider than the current 147. It also features a boot capacity of 350 liters.

When it arrives in Alfa's showrooms in spring next year, the hatch will initially be offered with a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines, all turbocharged.

The range will include the 1.4-liter TB and 1.4-liter TB Multiair petrol units with 120HP and 170HP respectively, and the 1.6-liter JTDM and 2.0-liter JTDM diesels with 105HP and 170HP respectively.

Later in the year, Alfa Romeo will introduce a sportier version wearing the "Quadrifoglio Verde" (four-leaf clover) badge to compete against the VW Golf GTI and Renault Megane RS. The QV will be powered by a 1.7-liter (1,750cc) four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine delivering an output of 235 horsepower.