2010 Peugeot 408 Sedan: New Renderings Based on Inside Info

These are the latest speculative renderings of Peugeot's 407 mid-size sedan replacement that is due to arrive in European showrooms sometime during the fourth quarter of 2010. The crew over at French car magazine L'Auto Journal told us that the computer generated images of the Peugeot 408 are based on inside information. As is always the case with these kind of stories, only time will tell how close the renderings are to reality.

What we do know for certain is that underneath the sheetmetal, the Peugeot 408 sedan will get the same platform and much of the mechanical hardware found in the well accepted Citroen C5.

Expect to see Peugeot's Ford Mondeo and Opel Insignia challenger to be offered with a wide choice of petrol and diesel engines, ranging from a 1.8-litre 127-horsepower petrol unit to the new 3.0-liter HDi V6 diesel that produces a healthy 240-horsepower.

Photos: Autojournal

VW wins 2009 International Engine of the Year, Mercedes Scoops Performance Engine Award

Volkswagen Group's 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger gasoline engine has been named the grand winner at 2009 International Engine of the Year awards ending BMW's four-year-streak. The four-cylinder unit that is offered in a variety of cars including the VW Golf and Seat Ibiza Cupra, also scooped the Green Engine of the Year award beating both Toyota's and Honda's new electric-hybrid powerplants, while the panel of 65 motoring journalists from 32 countries also named the 1.4 TSI the 1.0- to 1.4-liter Engine of the Year.

German manufacturers dominated this year's competition, winning 11 out of the 12 available awards. In the other categories, Porsche's direct injection 3.8-liter flat-six was named Best New Engine of 2009 while Mercedes' 6.2-liter V8 AMG unit won the Performance Engine of the Year as well as the Above 4-litre category.

Mercedes also took home an award for its 2.1-litre diesel unit that won the 2-litre to 2.5-litre category.

Last year's overall winner, BMW, secured three awards, the 3-litre to 4-litre category with the M3's 4.0-liter V8, the 2.5-litre to 3-litre class with its 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-six and along with the PSA Citroen-Peugeot group, the 1.4-litre to 1.8-litre category with their 1.6-liter Turbo engine.

Toyota won the Sub 1-litre category with its 998cc, three-cylinder engine while Audi was rewarded for its 2.0-litre, four-cylinder TFSI engine in the 1.8-litre to 2-litre category class.

International Engine of the Year Awards 2009 Winners

Best New Engine of 2009 -->
Porsche 3.8-litre flat-six (911)

Green Engine of the Year -->
Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger (Golf, Touran, Tiguan, Jetta)

Performance Engine of the Year -->
Mercedes-AMG 6.2-litre (CLK, S, SL, CL, CLS, ML)

Sub 1-litre -->Toyota 1-litre (Aygo, Yaris, Peugeot 107, Citroën C1, Subaru Justy)

1-litre to 1.4-litre -->
Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger (Golf, Eos, Scirocco, Touran, Tiguan, Jetta, Seat Ibiza Cupra)

1.4-litre to 1.8-litre -->
BMW-PSA 1.6-litre Turbo (MINI Cooper S, Clubman, Peugeot 207, 308

1.8-litre to 2-litre -->
Audi 2-litre TFSI (A4, A5, Q5, VW Scirocco, Golf GTi)

2-litre to 2.5-litre -->
Mercedes-Benz Diesel 2.1-litre (BlueEffieciency C-Class, BlueEffieciency E-Class)

2.5-litre to 3-litre -->
BMW 3-litre DI Twin-Turbo (135, 335, X6, Z4, 730)

3-litre to 4-litre -->
BMW 4-litre V8 (M3)

Above 4-litre -->
Mercedes-AMG 6.2-litre (CLK, S, SL, CL, CLS, ML)

The International Engine of the Year 2009:

Volkswagen 1.4-litre TSI Twincharger (Golf, Eos, Scirocco, Touran, Tiguan, Jetta, Seat Ibiza Cupra)

VIDEO: New Peugeot 5008 Compact MPV

Strengthening its position in the highly competitive compact MPV sector in Europe, the PSA Peugeot-Citroen recently swiped the covers off the all-new Peugeot 5008 people carrier that is set to go on sale in the autumn after a premiere at the Frankfurt auto show in September. The 5008 that will be offered in five- and seven-seat configurations will compete directly with the Renault Scenic and Grand Scenic and Opel Zafira MPVs as well as its sister company's Citroen C4 Picasso and C4 Grand Picasso models. Click here for our detailed article on the French MPV or hit the jump to watch the first official promo video of the 5008.

Peugeot 308 RC Z Coupe: French TT Spied Ahead of Frankfurt Show Debut

Remember Peugeot's funky-looking 308 RC Z concept from the 2007 Frankfurt motor show? Well, the French carmaker is putting the final touches to the production version of the Audi TT-rivaling 2+2 coupe that is slated to make its world premiere at this year's Frankfurt show in mid-September and will then go on sale throughout Europe in the spring of 2010. Our spy photographers have captured evidence that with the exception of a few details like the design of the rear apron, the production model's looks remain all but identical to the concept.

Much to our surprise, this also includes the 308 RC Z concept's double-bubble rear screen and roof panel, albeit less curvaliscious. Overall, and even though the RC Z retains some of the family traits of the Peugeot 308 range like the huge, sweptback headlights and the xtra-large front grille, the 2+2 coupe has a distinct character all of its own.

Sure some will find traces of the original Audi TT, maybe even of the 1990's Audi Avus Concept with its toned wheel arches and the forward-cabin design, but few will disagree that the 308 RC Z is one of the most interesting concept designs to pass into production.

As with the concept car, the 308 RC Z's fascia panel will be taken directly from the 308 hatchback, though expect to see a sportier trim with more chrome details and higher quality leather surfaces to create a more upmarket impression (the pictures of the interior are from the concept car).

Underneath the fancy-pansy metal and glass work, the RC Z is more or less a 308. However, changes are expected to include wider tracks and a reworked suspension and steering system as well as beefier brakes to further improve the coupe's handling.

The concept version of the RC Z was motivated by the BMW Group and PSA Peugeot Citroen co-developed, twin-scroll turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine that cranked out 218 horsepower to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox. Derivatives of the same powerplant are found under the hood of various Peugeot, Citroen and of course, MINI models.

It is certain that the 1.6-liter turbocharged four-pot will make its way in the production version of the RC Z, where it will be offered with various outputs. Other options are said to include a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter gasoline engine with 120HP as well as a range of turbo diesels.

My Top 10 Concept Cars of 2010

In less than two weeks, 2010 will draw to a close. So what better time to look back at the real stars of this year’s motor shows: the concept cars! Enter into a world where considerations like practicality and profitability fall by the wayside and the world’s designers and engineers show us their true potential. Let’s count down...my Top 10 Concept Cars of 2010!

10. Kia POP

Kia’s POP small electric vehicle study is a designer’s wet dream: a one piece glass windscreen and roof, scissor doors and an interior that looks more like a space capsule than a car. It also offers further proof that the South Korean company has evolved from a budget buyer’s first choice into a proper, world class automaker.

9. Citroen Lacoste

Again and again, Citroen has proved that it can do concept cars like no other automaker. Alas, with so many other awesome concepts this year, the Lacoste never made it further up our list than here. Still, this beach buggy for the 21^st century has some standout features like its funky LED dashboard, semi-open design and plastic-clad body.

8. Renault DeZir

Renault has never been so cool. In a perfect world, this electric two-seater would be the French automaker’s Audi R8. In reality, it’s just another fantastic shoulda-been from France’s dullest automaker (Renault Sport models notwithstanding).

7. Mercedes Benz BIOME

The BIOME is pure flight of fancy. Designed to be seeded in an orchard and grown like a cob of corn (no, really), the BIOME emits nothing but oxygen and marketing hyperbole. Am I the only one who thinks this looks a bit like the 2001 SEL from Spaceballs?

6. Peugeot EX1

Part car, part motorcycle: Peugeot’s eccentrically electric two-seat, three wheeler packs 250 kW / 340 hp between its narrow front wheels. This isn’t Peugeot’s first three wheel concept (remember 2005’s 20 Cup and 2009’s RD?) and is unlikely to be the last. Tres magnifique!

5. Lotus Elise

2010 has been a great year for Lotus concept cars, what with the Aston Martin Rapide rivalling Esterne and the relaunch of two classic nameplates in Esprit and Elan. Still, this teaser for the next-generation Elise is my favourite. 2013 can’t come too soon.

4. New Lancia Stratos

A fabulous one-off that’s drivable to boot, the new Stratos is underpinned by the same (if tweaked) 510 hp V8 that powers Ferrari’s 430 Scuderia. Designed and built by Italian design house Pininfarina, the new Statos recalls the much loved HF rally and road cars of the 1970s. Here’s hoping Pininfarina secures the licence to put this schoolboy’s wet dream into limited production.

3. Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

If there’s one 2010 concept car that divided opinion like no other, it’s Lamborghini’s Sesto Elemento. Between its stealth fighter styling, cacophony of oddly shaped intakes and outtakes and the de-saturated grey and red colour scheme, this was one of the wildest concepts to come out this year. Still, there’s no arguing with its 570 hp V10. We’ll take two.

2. Audi Quattro Concept

Raise your hand if you weren’t utterly enraptured by the rebirth of Audi’s ur-Quattro of the 1980s? No one? I thought as much. With its lightweight body, historically accurate 5-cylinder engine and 911-rivalling performance, what’s not to like? And the styling is to die for. The 1980s never looked so good.

1. Jaguar C-X75

And so here it is, my #1. 2010 had a lot of great concept cars, but none so much as Jaguar’s fabulous C-X75. Here is a gas / electric hybrid with 780 hp with a body fashioned out of texalium and vapour-blasted aluminium. This car is so cutting edge you have to wear gloves. It’s the perfect mix of exotic materials, futuristic technologies and pure styling jizz, and the top dog in our top ten.

So there you have My Top 10. What? You don't agree? Does putting a Kia on this list outrage your sensibilities? Are you disappointed that there are no American cars on the list? Is Jaguar's C-X75 and poorly conceived attempt to elevate the brand beyond its upper-class retiree roots? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

2012 Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 Announced

2012 Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 Front View

2012 Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 First Look

2012 Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 Clauster Gauge View

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2012 Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 Car Interior

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2012 Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 Badge

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2012 Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 Rear Side View

Peugeot 508 (2011) Stills and Wallpapers

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2011 Peugeot 508 Car Gallery

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2011 Peugeot 508 Photos