Cheaper Tesla model
American electric carmaker Tesla aims to launch its next new model, the Model 3, next March. Agence France-Presse reported that the new model is aimed at less affluent buyers.
Model 3, estimated to cost US$35,000 (S$49,197) - or half the price of other Teslas - is seen as key to expansion for the carmaker, which has a loyal following among well-heeled buyers.
Honda drops air-bag supplier
Honda has dropped Takata as its airbag supplier. Takata, a long-time supplier of airbags to major Japanese and European manufacturers, is facing regulatory action in the United States for failing to promptly disclose defects in its airbags.
When deployed, the airbags could send loose metal pieces flying, killing and maiming car occupants. Tens of millions of cars fitted with Takata airbags are being recalled.
New concepts from Kia
Kia of South Korea has unveiled four new concept vehicles at the 2015 Specialty Equipment Market Association Show (Sema) in Las Vegas this week.
They include the Trail'ster electric hybrid all-wheel-drive and the "fun and functional" Ballast Point Sedona.
Then there is the A1A Optima, with its sliced top and shortened windscreen. Reinforced steel tubes within the body give the topless Optima a rigid structure. It is powered by a 245bhp turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
Next is the PacWest Adventure Sorento, a souped-up SUV that is about 15cm taller than the ordinary Sorento.
It runs on the stock Sorento's 290bhp engine, but with a snorkel intake system that allows it to be a land-based submersible.
Extreme MX-5s
Mazda has unveiled two new concepts of its recently released MX-5 roadster. The MX-5 Spyder (above left) and MX-5 Speedster (above right) concepts were displayed at the 2015 Specialty Equipment Market Association Show (Sema) in Las Vegas this week. The MX-5 Spyder features a bikini top, Mercury Silver exterior, carbon-fibre aero kit, grille intake and lightweight 17-inch Yokohama racing wheels.
The Speedster, meanwhile, pares the roadster back to the bare essentials - it even has a deflector in place of the windscreen - for an old- school wind-in-the-hair sports car experience. Mazda took its weight-cutting passion to extremes with carbon-fibre doors and seats as well as custom 16-inch Rays 57 Extreme Gram Lights wheels. The Speedster tips the scales at only 943kg and is 30mm lower than the production MX-5. The Spyder weighs 1,043kg (similar to the production car).
Hyundai luxury line
Hyundai will launch a new luxury line-up under the Genesis brand name. Reuters reported that the South Korean manufacturer will have six products across four new models by 2020 under this new arm. They are a luxury sedan, a sports coupe and two SUVs.
Christopher Tan
