Fiat presents the first official images of the 500L, the new model which will have its world preview at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show on 6th March.

500L – the L stands for ‘Large’ – is the new addition to the 500 range, which, following the Abarth and Cabrio versions, furthers the brand’s strategy, with the aim of extending its offer by introducing models in a position to satisfy different types of customers.

With MPV passenger space combined with the feel of a small SUV on the road and the restrained dimensions and efficiency of a B segment car, the new Fiat model defies the conventional distinctions between the various segments, combining the typical characteristics of different categories in order to create a distinctive alternative to the traditional B and C segments.

With the 500L, the Fiat brand demonstrates its creative spirit once more: a marriage of functionality and emotion, it features a 5-seater single-volume structure which is 414 cm long, 178 cm wide and 166 cm high. It is a further development of the concept of ‘cab forward’ introduced by Fiat with the 600 Multipla, a precursor to the concept of the compact people carrier.

Produced at the Fiat factory in Kragujevac, Serbia, 500L is a ‘first car’ for those who won’t settle for anything less than Italian style, the versatility that comes from a functional design and engine technology that sets the bar in terms of efficiency.

The Fiat 500L will be introduced to Europe in the last quarter of 2012, with an engine range which will initially comprise two petrol engines (TwinAir and 1.4-litre) and a turbodiesel engine (1.3 MultiJet II).

Ford will throw open the doors to its all-new production-ready B-MAX compact multi-activity vehicle when it takes a starring role at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.

Ford President and CEO, Alan Mulally will be in Geneva to unveil the new B-MAX, which promises to set new standards with its unique design and best-in-class technological features. Its return to Geneva, in full production form, comes just a year after the concept was unveiled at the Geneva show.

“The B-MAX combines an exciting, innovative design with features that only previously have been found in bigger cars,” said Stephen Odell, chairman and CEO, Ford of Europe. “It’s a brand new car that responds to the needs of an increasing number of customers who want much more from their small cars.”

Bringing the B-MAX to production demanded a new approach to door construction, which has resulted in wide-open access for drivers, passengers and luggage; with the centre pillars integrated into the doors themselves. The B-MAX also will deliver superior craftsmanship and high quality materials rarely found on an affordable compact car, together with flexible-seating and class-leading load-space.

Ford’s new 1.0L EcoBoost petrol engine, with its advanced combination of power and efficiency, will be available on the B-MAX, as will Duratorq TDCi diesels. The new B-Max will go on sale at dealers across Europe later this year.

After the Volkswagen mother-brand has revealed the five-door version of the Volksawagen Up!, Skoda has taken a step forward and it has introduced the Citigo with the same number of doors as the model which is based on. According to the Czech based automaker, the five-door version of the Skoda Citigo will be officially presented to the public at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.

The Czech car is not a full carbon copy of the German car, of course, as it gets its own Skoda identity with a distinctive front-end. The cars also differ in terms of features and equipments.

Powering the Citigo is a three-cylinder petrol engine with one litre of displacement in two versions with 60bhp or 75bhp. In its most efficient Green tec variant, the new Citigo achieves a mileage of 4.1 L/100 km, CO2 emissions in the new Skoda model amount to just 96g CO2/km.

Soon the Spanish division of Volkswagen, SEAT will also reveal their five-door Up! known as the SEAT Mii.

We got our first peek at the next generation of the European market Kia Cee’d last week when Kia released a single picture of the five-door hatchback, but recently, the Korean automaker dropped a few more photos revealing the car’s profile and rear end.

Kia’s upcoming entry in the VW Golf segment features a more mature and upmarket styling with the large lights on either end of the car taking centre stage. The Cee’d also gets Kia’s new signature grille encompassed in a chrome surround.

We’ll have to wait a bit for the interior shots, but according to the South Korean automaker, the new Cee’d will get a “driver oriented dashboard and refined interior, with a strong focus on quality of materials”.

The five-door hatchback will make its first public outing at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March before it goes on sale across Europe in the beginning of the summer. The Cee’d will be followed up by a replacement for the three-door Pro_Cee’d and later on, the Cee’d Station Wagon.

Kia has released first image of the all-new Cee’d model for Europe which is scheduled to debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.

The new Cee’d is a practical five-door hatch, but combines coupe-like styling for a smart look. Exterior features such as chromed framed windows and muscular lines through the bonnet add to the upmarket styling.

Inside, there’s an ergonomic, driver-centric dashboard and high-quality interior finish with more refined materials.

The upcoming Kia Cee’d is expected to receive the new 1.6L GDI turbo engine producing 201bhp that was recently announced in the Hyundai Veloster Turbo, in order for the model to compete with the Volkswagen GTI.

The 2013 Kia Cee’d will go on sale in Europe in the second quarter of 2012, while the first deliveries to the UK are scheduled to begin in June.

With all the excitement in the air from the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, it seems as though Toyota couldn’t keep the lid on this one any longer. The automaker has released the first photos and details on the Yaris Hybrid ahead of the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.

The Yaris Hybrid is the firm’s latest model to utilise Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive technology but remains visually identical to other Yaris models, sharing the same frontal redesign.

The Yaris Hybrid will house a downsized 1.5L Atkinson-cycle engine connected to a smaller electric motor, inverter, and battery pack. The more compact components result in a system that is 20% lighter than the Auris Hybrid, which uses the same powertrain found in the Prius. Combined peak output is rated at just under 100bhp, which is sent to the wheels by a CVT.

While the powertrain shrunk in size, space inside the Yaris Hybrid does not because the fuel tank and the battery pack are placed underneath the rear seat. Toyota says the hybrid will offer the same occupant space and 286-litre luggage capacity as its conventional petrol and diesel variants.

According to Toyota, the Yaris Hybrid is slated to arrive in UK showrooms in early summer and it will become Toyota’s second core model to utilise full hybrid technology.

MINI looks set to expand into the lucrative commercial vehicle segment with a new cargo hauler based on its long-wheelbase Clubman model.

MINI is reportedly looking to preempt the arrival of the Fiat 500 ‘Giardinetta’ wagon by launching its new Clubman variant at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.

Unlike its Fiat rival, the Clubman variant will be aimed at businesses and accordingly will be fitted with the usual fixtures found on commercial vehicles.

The new Clubman variant will be called the MINI Cargo. It will essentially be a Clubman with the rear seats removed, replaced instead by a flat loading floor, as well as blacked out rear windows.

Designed to go head-to-head with other compact commercial vehicles, the new MINI Cargo will be aimed at small scale delivery services such as those required by florists or pizza business.

Aston Martin CEO, Dr. Ulrich Bez has recently announced that a roadster version of the highly-acclaimed V12 Vantage is on its way in 2012.

Based on the successful V8 Vantage Roadster and V12 Vantage Coupe, the V12 Vantage Roadster features a 6.0L V12 engine producing 510bhp and 570Nm of torque with a top speed of 305km/h and 0-100km/h sprint of 4.2 seconds.

The official introduction of the Aston Martin V12 Vantage Roadster might be as soon as the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March, so stay tuned!

Volvo has released the first official teaser image of the 2012 V40, ahead of its debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.

According to the Swedish automaker, the five-door hatchback will likely be offered with a new range of four-cylinder diesel and petrol engines.

The likes of the BMW 1-Series and the Audi A3 will undoubtedly be watching to see if they’ve got anything to worry about, but from what we’ve seen so far, it looks like this will be one of those New Volvo products worth waiting for!

Whilst most of the world’s biggest automotive manufacturers are focusing their efforts on the upcoming Detroit Motor Show, Hyundai has decided to jump ahead to the Geneva Show that doesn’t come around until March next year.

The Korean automaker has released this single image teasing the all-new Hyundai I-oniq concept car that is set to be unveiled at the aforementioned show.

Based on this image alone, it’s hard to say whether this is a hatchback, a shooting brake, a crossover of sorts or even a four-door coupe in the vein of the Mercedes-Benz CLS.

Hyundai says the I-oniq “will preview the next evolution of the brand’s ‘fluidic sculpture’ form language,” and that its two strong arched curves create “a playful contrast between the sharp character lines and soft but muscular features.”

More information about I-oniq will be revealed ahead of its world premiere at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, so stay tuned!