Forgive us. We see “Naimo,” we think “name-o,” and there we are, on the rug in kindergarten, singing about the farmer who had a dog and Bingo was his name-o. There was also a Korean automaker who had a concept, and Naimo was its name-o. The company is Kia, the concept is being shown at its hometown show in Seoul, and the number of syllables just doesn’t fit with the tune. Naimo is a transliteration of the Korean “ne-mo,” which means “square shape.” The concept is a crossover EV whose design was inspired by Korean arts and crafts, a mixture of the simple and the complex. Here’s an idea of the Naimo’s size: It’s shorter in length, slightly wider, and rides on a longer wheelbase than the boxy Kia Soul. True to its name, the Naimo looks like a stylized box, with rounded ends, a 2+2 door arrangement, a wraparound glass treatment up front, a three-piece hatch opening, and an asymmetric sunroof layout. Inside is seating for four, with touch-screen control panels for each row and a transparent OLED gauge cluster that appears to float in front of the driver. Besides the noticeable lack of seat belts, the concept is missing side-view mirrors (replaced with cameras, of course), as well as windshield wipers. Kia says the wipers have been jettisoned for an “air wiper,” which uses a jet of air from the base of the glass to wipe it clean. We say that wouldn’t stand up too well to the snow, ice, or bugs here in the real world, but it’s a neat thought. Back closer to reality, energy is stored in a 27-kWh lithium-ion battery located under the rear floor. It powers a 108-hp electric motor that makes 207 lb-ft of torque. Top speed is 93 mph, and the battery is said to provide a range of 124 miles. The concept’s look likely gives more of an idea of a general future styling direction than it does any specific car, although Kia is exploring reduced-emissions options from electric, hybrid, and fuel-cell vehicles. That said, abnormal body styles are catching on across the corporate aisle at Hyundai with the Veloster, and a cute B-segment crossover like this isn’t out of the question. If they keep the badge, we may be forced to keep singing, which brings us back to:...

General Motors has provided this sneak peek at the new 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, prior to its Facebook unveiling April 18th and real-world debut on April 19th at the Shanghai Auto Show. The next-generation Malibu will appear stateside at the New York International Auto Show on April 20th. Consumer Reports autos staff will be in attendance in New York to bring you the details. Full specs weren’t announced, but GM did give some information into the design of the new global car. The Malibu will be wider and have some design cues taken from their sporty coupes, the Chevrolet Camaro and Corvette. Under the hood will be four-cylinder engines, along with six-speed automatic transmissions. The new Malibu is an important car for GM in the competitive family sedan category, especially as it plans to offer it globally. Here in the United States, the Malibu faces tough competition in a popular segment, and thus far, the nameplate has yet to reach the success of the top-selling Toyota Camry and popular Honda Accord . Further, in our ratings, the current Malibu has fallen behind. Notable competitors such as the Nissan Altima and Hyundai Sonata have an edge on it. The current Malibu did well enough in our tests, but didn’t have any outstanding qualities. Fuel economy is decent, with 25 mpg for the four-cylinder engine; 20 mpg for the V6 is less impressive. The car is quiet, rides well and has secure handling. Such an early intro for a 2013 is unusual, showing the importance of this car to GM. Also odd is putting the Malibu’s introduction ahead of the much more dated Impala. We look forward to seeing the new Malibu, and more importantly, testing it once it becomes available. More: Sneak peek: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu

It was news about a decade ago when China’s consumer consumption of automobiles exploded, and suddenly, Buick—of all brands—had a second front in its war to grow sales. Since then, the Chinese Buick shoppers have seen plenty of models we didn’t receive in America, from a rebadged Suzuki Reno (itself a rebadged Daewoo Lacetti) to a minivan to the Holden-Commodore-cum-Buick Park Avenue. One more will join the exclusively-Sino club when the Buick Envision crossover bows on the eve of this year’s Shanghai auto show in April. The teaser image above shows a very sharply styled vehicle, and probably some auto-show door funkiness. It’s been developed as a project between two Chinese joint ventures in which GM has a stake—Chinese business regulations are more irritating than a platoon of Bieber fans—and is specifically aimed at the Chinese market. That said, Buick hasn’t spoken recently about its on-again, off-again plans for a compact crossover in the U.S. When last we heard, the vehicle would have been even smaller than the company’s other cute utes like the Chevy Equinox and Cadillac SRX. Still, with GM putting the emphasis on the Envision’s Chinese development and meeting the needs of the Chinese market—as well as the fact that Buick says this concept will not be making the rounds at American auto shows—it’s a good bet that even if we do, eventually, see a compact Buick crossover in the States, it won’t be this one. See the rest here: Buick Teases Envision Crossover Concept Ahead of Shanghai Auto Show More here: Buick Teases Envision Crossover Concept Ahead of Shanghai Auto Show

Opel Ampera to become a Buick in the US? Would an American Volt-based Buick make sense? In all likelihood, the Chevrolet Volt ’s price tag will probably stick north of $30,000 for some time. Similarly sized cars in this same price range are typically in the luxury segment, including other green offerings such as the Lexus CT 200h . Consequently, many auto critics have wondered why GM didn’t begin the Volt’s life as a Cadillac. GM has responded that Chevrolet is the most iconic GM brand, duh. Nevertheless, in China – possibly GM’s most important market – Buick is the marquee GM brand and we’ve know that a Buick Volt has been planned for China for some time. Now we might know when. According to Bloomberg , the new Buick Volt based off the Opel Ampera is heading into production as a 2013 or 2014 model, although sales would begin in 2013. Unfortunately, GM is neither confirming nor denying this report. Moreover, GM has still not suggested whether this new Volt-like Buick plug-in hybrid would even be sold in the US.  When plans for this Buick Volt were announced last summer, the Chinese market was the only market specifically mentioned by GM. On the other hand, the Buick brand now seems to have some serious momentum in the US, so a Buick Volt seems to make some sense, but could a Buick Volt be rebadged enough to mean anything? That still seems to be the question. Perhaps more interesting, back in June a late 2011 Chinese launch date seemed plausible. Does a push-back to 2013 mean the Chinese market isn’t going to be as receptive to plug-ins as quickly as was previously assumed? Go here to read the rest: Buick Volt looks ready for 2013, but only for China?

Daimler and Aston Martin have signed an engine and platform sharing agreement according to a recent report by Car and Driver See the original post:  Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin Partner to Build Maybach and Lagondas

Luxurious, smooth drive, sleek style come to mind at the thought of the Lexus LS 460 4 door sedan. While these words may be no surprise, it should be noted that Lexus has held its ground in the luxury world, even while introducing the all wheel drive options and the first luxury hybrid SUV. Lexus seamlessly merged hybrid technology with their elegant style; making sure consumers didn’t have to give up the luxury look for hybrid technology. When it comes to elegance, the 2011 Lexus LS 460 is all too familiar with the term. While Lexus combines sportiness and luxury with some of their other models, the LS 460 stands alone as purely elegant. Perhaps it’s the slender exterior lines, the interior matte finish wood paneling or the plush leather seats that welcome you so delicately, either way driving this vehicle makes you feel like the only appropriate thing to do is pop some Mozart in the stereo and enjoy the ride. Although the LS 460 comes in a variety of exterior color options – eight to be exact –the starfire pearl, which had just a hint of sparkle, really did it a whole lot of justice. Even in white, this vehicle had no problem looking sleek and slender; which tends to be a difficult thing to pull off. Both the headlights and taillights wrap nicely around the front and back edges, as well as the side mirror blinkers, blending nicely and seamlessly with the lines of the vehicle. Driving the LS 460 is very comfortable. The leather wrapped steering wheel gives you a nice grip in all drive modes, whether you cruise softly along the coast or take on some heavier driving conditions to test out the AWD capabilities. This V8 4.6L 357 horsepower beauty provides a smooth drive and easy handling. The LS 460 (all trims) is equipped with an eight-speed sequential-shift and automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission (ECT-i), which detects slippage and will transfer torque from the slipping wheel to the drive wheel with the most traction. The front and rear suspension are multi-link double joint suspension arms with air springs, shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar which helps decrease the lean or sway on sharp turns, however this could be improved because I felt more sway than I would have liked. While the drive is smooth and comfortable, it doesn’t...

2011 EUR Honda Civic grille Before it even goes on sale, Honda UK has allegedly sold a fifth of its special-edition Civic Ti. The Civic Ti is based upon the SE trim-level and is loaded with £3,700 worth of features and is priced £355 less than the regular Civic SE. A total of 500 units will be produced; 300 with the 1.8 i-VTEC and 200 with the 1.4 i-VTEC. First customer deliveries are expected on the 20th April. Priced from £15,995 for the 1.4 i-VTEC, 1.8 i-VTEC adds £1,000 more, standard equipment includes 17” alloy wheels, bodykit, and a touch-screen 3D satellite navigation system w/Bluetooth. Read more here: Honda Civic Ti selling fast (UK) See the original post: Honda Civic Ti selling fast (UK)

60 winners of a drawing held by radio station SWR3 will have an opportunity to drive various electric cars during a three day tour Here is the original post: Mercedes-Benz and smart Bring e-Power to a Lucky 60

Pagani has announced that it will release a drop-top variant of the Huayra supercar. CEO Horacio Pagani informed the media in Argentina that there “will be a Huayra roadster in approximately three years”. In addition, the brand wanted to called the Huayra ‘Da Vinci’, but realised the named had already been registered. The Huayra nameplate was suggested by a marketing company, according to Pagani. Geneva motor show saw Pagani launch the Huayra , however, the company has already received 60 orders despite its €1m price tag. See more here: Pagani Huayra Roadster confirmed for production View post:  Pagani Huayra Roadster confirmed for production

BMW’s next “Gran Turismo” hatchback won’t look like a hunchback. Take a car like the Mercedes-Benz CLS or Volkswagen CC, stretch the roofline a little farther back so that the backlight incorporates into the trunklid and forms a hatch, and you’ve got a body style that is booming on the other side of the Atlantic. The sleek Audi A5 Sportback is a huge hit, and even the stylistically challenged BMW 5-series Gran Turismo has exceeded BMW’s expectations. That surely pleases the company’s bean counters, if not people who spot the car on the street. Keep Reading: 2014 BMW 3-series GT Spy Photos – Future Cars Read the original post: 2014 BMW 3-series GT Spy Photos – Future Cars Read the original here:  2014 BMW 3-series GT Spy Photos – Future Cars

The third GM plug-in hybrid powertrain? Is the Volt just the beginning of GM’s plug-in hybrids? Had GM not gone into bankruptcy, there is a good chance that GM would now be selling two different plug-in vehicles today. In addition to the Chevy Volt , GM had also developed an almost production-ready Saturn Vue dual mode plug-in hybrid. Of course, now Saturn is dead. Perhaps the dual mode plug-in hybrid powertrain died with Saturn, but the new Chevrolet Mi-Ray plug-in hybrid concept suggests other plug-in hybrid architectures are in the works. On the outside, the Mi-Ray is pure carbon-fiber concept, although the Mi-Ray does suggest a future design language that seems to fit the Chevrolet brand quite well. But it isn’t the design that is particularly noteworthy, it’s the plug-in hybrid powertrain that powers the Mi-Ray, named “mid-electric” by GM – a “mid-engine, all-wheel-drive hybrid” according to MotorTrend . Essentially, the Mi-Ray can function as an electric car using two 15-kWh motors to power the front wheels, but when more power is needed a turbocharged 1.5 liter I-4 can drive the rear wheels. Thus, the Mi-Ray can be a front wheel drive vehicle, a rear wheel drive vehicle and an all wheel drive vehicle. While the Mi-Ray might never be more than a concept, it’s powertrain might have a future. According to MotorTrend, “Uwe Grebe, GM’s executive director of advanced powertrain engineering, notes many components used in the Mi-ray are “a logical extension of GM’s current technology portfolio.” More:  Chevrolet Mi-Ray: GM’s plug-in hybrid technology still evolving

As happens every time Bayrische Motoren Werke prepares to release the tuned version of their mid-sized sedan , salivary glands activate in Pavlovian fanboy response, hackles are raised in the Mercedes-Benz and Audi camps and most folks of the gearhead persuasion have at least a passing interest in what the engineers in Munich have wrought. Recently, BMW has released a  couple of  teaser clips of the upcoming new M5, but this one is most likely of most interest to the hardcores. Designed to be chopped up and meted out in pieces for broadcast television, this new video features a whole halbe Stunde (half-hour) of M5 prototypes careening through the snowy Alps. After the halfway point, viewers are treated to some commentary in both English and German, courtesy of BMW test drivers Bernd Limmer and Frank Lutz, discussing the car and BMW’s testing practices. Click over to WorldCarFans’ YouTube channel to check out the whole thing. See the rest here: BMW Gets Raw on Us With 30 Uncut Minutes of the New M5 View original post here: BMW Gets Raw on Us With 30 Uncut Minutes of the New M5

Optima hybrid due later this Spring A tough start for Hyundai’s hybrids Because of changing regulations regarding the noise that hybrid and electric vehicles need to make for better safety, Hyundai recently delayed the full launch of the Sonata hybrid . While partial deliveries have been restarted, far greater supplies should be available in late April. Unfortunately, this Sonata hybrid delay continues to delay the launch of the Kia Optima hybrid . As a result the new Optima hybrid should be available in May. Final pricing on the Optima hybrid has yet been revealed, however, the new hybrid is expected to achieve about 35/40 mpg city/highway. Source: Cars.com View post:  Kia Optima hybrid delayed until late Spring

Check out this teaser to the global premier of the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu, where we take you behind the scenes to how the newest Malibu design has changed to be even sleeker. And be sure to tune in on Monday, April 18th at 8:30PM EDT on Chevy’s Facebook page to catch the global premiere. See more here: VIDEO: A Sneak Peek at the 2013 Chevy Malibu

According to a top Fiat executive, the firm will produce the first units of the 2012 Panda III in November 2011 in Italy, after it takes the stands at the Frankfurt motor show during September. “We are on track in refurbishing Pomigliano, which will become a truly state-of-the-art plant when it begins production in November,” Fiat Group chief manufacturing officer Stefan Ketter said. Sergio Marchionne said last year that the refreshed Pomigliano d’Arco plant in central Italy would build the new Panda as part of the brand’s “Fabbrica Italia” (Italian factory) plan to hike vehicle productiveness in Italy from around 650,000 units in 2010 to just about 1.4m cars in 2014. The choice to shift production of the Panda from Tychy in Poland to Pomigliano came after Fiat S.p.A employees backed up a reorganisation plan to increase their productivity by approximately 70%, switching to a three-shift, 280 workday year from the current two shifts and 235 workdays. Fiat has invested €800 million to produce the new Panda in Pomigliano. Go here to see the original: Fiat to produce third-generation Panda in November 2011 More here:  Fiat to produce third-generation Panda in November 2011