New Car: 2009 Vauxhall/Opel Insignia sedan

The Vauxhall/Opel Insignia will make its world debut at the London motorshow. The Insignia replaces the important Vectra in the European line-up. The Insignia is designed for Europe with the UK being the most important market.

In order to rival the Honda Accord, Ford Mondeo, Volkswagen Passat and Renault Laguna, the interior materials have been greatly improved over its predecessor to offer a more upmarket, executive feel to the overall vehicle.

In the pipeline is a hatchback which will be released after the sedan, followed by a station wagon and VXR variant in 2009. It is possible, in 2010 a coupe variant could also be on the drawing board, which could revive the name Calibra.

Via AutoBild > Opel Insignia along with the Opel Rekord

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Teaser: 2009 Vauxhall/Opel Insignia

Nissan Teana production starts (CN)

Today at the Xianfang manufacturing plant of Dongfeng Motor, Nissan's Chinese partner, the first 2009 Nissan Teana rolled of the production line. The new Teana is based on Nissan's new D-Platform and sees China as its main market, since Chinese customers took half of global sales of the first generation.

The second generation of the Teana has been designed with Chinese needs held in high regard, resulting in a quiet, comfortable and relaxed ambiance for both the driver and the passengers.

The new Teana is powered by Nissan's 2.5 litre V6 and 3.5 litre V6 engines, that is mated to a Xtronic CVT transmission with Adaptive Shift Control (ASC). The entry level model uses a 2.0 litre 4-cylinder engine.

The Nissan Teana will go on sale in China later this month priced between RMB 190,800 and RMB 332,800. Nissan hopes to sell more than 8,000 units a month and in the long run twice as many as the first generation Teana which reached a total of 166,000 sales.

KIA Cee'd grows larger

It looks like the Cee'd range is about to get even bigger. The Cee'd (hatchback and SW) sold in excess of 100,000 units with more variants on there way including an Eco-Cee'd, Ex-Cee'd (Cee'd cabriolet), an MPV and possibly a facelift due in 2010/2011. I previously reported that KIA is planning a new MPV, possibly called "C-MPV" and now I have proof.

The new vehicle will be based upon the ever-popular Cee'd hatcback. The mule was caught undergoing some brake testing in the Austrian Alps alongside a regular Cee'd hatchback which also has the same testing equipment fitted onto it.

The new people-carrier will slot below the larger Carens/Rondo and will rival the revised Volkswagen Golf Plus and Hyundai Matrix. Judging by the prototype, the newcomer will be eye catching thanks to its curvy and quirky styling. The mule is fitted with a pamoramic glass sunroof to make it feel more spacious, which is a first for KIA, and will feature as an option, alongside a host of other options.

Although the name hasn't been finalised, Cee'd Plus could be used since it will be based off the Cee'd. Because the Cee'd is designed and built in Europe, the MPV is unlikely to leave the continent and could be built alongside the Cee'd and Sportage in Zilina, Slovakia.

Engines and transmissions should be take from the Cee'd, so European buyers will have a choice of petrol and diesel engines mated with manual and automatic transmissions.

Expect to see the new car in mid-2009 at your local KIA dealer.

Via Auto.cz > KIA C-MPV spy photos

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Upcoming KIA rumors