More Reader Spy Shots: Kia's Small MPV Snapped in the Czech Republic

Carscoop readers Vladimir Pekulas and Jan Mlejnek bagged these shots of Kia's forthcoming mini-MPV on the highway near Mlada Boleslav in the Czech Republic. If you take a closer look at the pics after the jump, you'll see that the man sitting in the passenger's seat of the Kia test car retaliated against our readers by taking or pretending to take, photos of them also... But anyways, let's refresh our memory on Kia's new model which has yet to be named.

The five-seater MPV is in effect the production version of Kia's No3 Concept study that was shown for the first time in Geneva earlier this year. The Korean automaker's retort to the likes of the Honda Jazz, Opel Meriva and Citroen C3 Picasso uses the same architecture as the Kia Soul and Hyundai i20.

It is anticipated that the small MPV's engine range will comprise of 1.6-liter petrol and diesel units, both producing an output of 126HP, while certain markets may also receive a 115HP 1.6-liter diesel along with a range-topping 2.0-liter gasoline engine making 142HP.

Kia will most probably swoop the covers off the mini-MPV at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September with European sales set to start before the end of the year. Like the European market Cee'd, the MPV will be produced at the Hyundai Group's new plant in the Czech Republic.

"Děkuji" Vladimir Pekulas & Jan Mlejnek for the pics!

2011 Opel Corsa Facelift Pictures Found and Confirmed on Official Site

A couple of weeks, we told you about a series of photos showing the 2011/2012 Opel Corsa facelift. To recap, according to numerous tipsters including Carscoop reader Javier, the pictures were found momentarily on Opel's German site, but were removed shortly after some users started uploading the images on the firm's Facebook page. Unfortunately, we weren't able to verify the claim then.

But Javier kept on looking and this time, he was able to tip us off in a timely manner about the Corsa facelift making its appearance on Opel's Belgian website. And yes, we can confirm their authenticity. The pictures of the standard 3-door and 5-door Corsa as well as of the OPC hot hatch that you see in our gallery after the jump were downloaded by us.

The only visible change over the current Corsa concerns the refreshed fascia that receives a crispier front grille similar to the one found on the updated 2011 Antara we told about yesterday, reshaped headlamps and a new design for the bumper with a wider lower grille and taller housings for the fog lamps (expect the OPC).

That's all we have for now, but we'll update this story as soon as something pops up on our radar.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

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Opel Insignia OPC in Sports Tourer Form Spied Completely Undisguised!

If you were in any doubt that Opel and consequently, its British arm Vauxhall, was readying an estate version of the recently introduced Insignia OPC, here's the proof that you've been asking for. Carscoop's secret agent hit the jackpot with the Insignia OPC Sports Tourer snapping the car without a single trace of camouflage. Naturally, the German firm's Audi S4 Avant contender comes with a similar sports outfit to the sedan featuring a new front end with two large vertical intakes and a specific rear bumper with dual integrated exhausts.

The profile photos also show a roof spoiler and a new set of wheels. Like the sedan, the Insignia OPC Sports Tourer will ride on 19-inch alloys shod in 245/40 high performance tires while 20-inch lightweight forged wheels with 255/35 tires will be available as an option.

As you probably have already guessed by now, under the skin you'll find the same hardware used in the Insignia OPC sedan. In other words, a four-wheel drive chassis mated to a 2.8-liter V6 fitted with a twin-scroll turbo that generates an output of 325 horsepower and 400Nm or 295-lbs/ft of torque. Power is channeled to all wheels through a six speed manual gearbox. As with the sedan, the transmission is coupled to an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) that can feed torque to individual wheels.

A sportier suspension set up and beefier Brembo brakes with cross-drilled discs complete the changes.

Since it's almost certain that the Insignia OPC Sports Tourer will be a bit heavier than its sedan sibling, don't be surprised if you see slightly worst acceleration figures. For the record, the OPC-ized Insignia saloon hits the 100km/h mark in 6.0 seconds (0 to 60mph in 5.8 seconds). Top speed should remain the same at 250km/h or 155mph (electronically limited).

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

(The black colored Insignia pictured below is an OPC prototype scooped near the 'Ring)