Volvo V40 Engine Range

We'll start with the V40's dimensions as in one of our previous posts featuring some scans from the Swedish edition of Auto Motor und Sport magazine, we wrongly assumed that the V40 measured 450cm (177-in.) long.

As it turns out, the publication was referring to the maximum length of the series, which it said would eventually include the S40 sedan, C40 three-door hatchback and XC40 SUV, and not specifically the V40.

The V40 measures 4,369mm (172.0 -in.) long, 2,041mm (80.3-in.) wide including the mirrors and 1,445mm (56.9-in.) tall, while it rides on a 2,647mm (104.2-in.) wheelbase. That makes it roughly the same size as its BMW rival, the new generation of the 1-Series.

Moving on to the engine range, at launch, buyers will be able to choose from a total of six powerplants.

The petrol range comprises of these three units:

-The 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder "T3" producing 150PS (148bhp) at 5,700 rpm and 240Nm (177 lb-ft) of peak torque between 1,600 rpm and 4,000rppm.

It will be offered only with a 6-speed manual gearbox accelerating the V40 from 0-100km/h (62mph) in 8.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 210km/h (131mph), while returning a combined fuel consumption of 5.8lt/100km (40.6mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 134g/km.

- The 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder "T4" is rated at 180PS (178bhp) at 5,700rpm and 240Nm (177 lb-ft) of peak torque from 1,600 rpm to 5,000rpm.

There's a choice of two 6-speed transmissions, a manual and an automatic. The stick shift takes the V40 from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 7.7 seconds en route to a top speed of 225km/h (140mph) and returns an average fuel economy of 5.9lt/100km (39.9mpg US) with CO2 emissions of 138g/km.

- Volvo's 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five "T5" makes its appearance on the flagship V40 where it delivers 254PS (251bhp) at 5,400 rpm and 360Nm (266 lb-ft) of peak torque from 1,800 rpm to 5,400rppm.

The T5 is available exclusively with a 6-speed automatic that allows for a zero to 100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 6.5 seconds and a maximum speed of 250km/h (155mph), while consuming 7.9lt/100km (29.8mpg US) on average with CO2 emissions of 185g/km.

The diesel lineup also consists of three units:

- The 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder "D2" churns out 115PS (113bhp) at 3,600rpm and 270Nm (199 lb-ft) of peak torque from 1,750 rpm to 2,500rpm and is linked exclusively to a 6sp manual gearbox.

With this engine, the V40 goes from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 12.3 seconds and reaches a top speed of 190km/h (118mph). It returns an average fuel consumption of 3.6lt/100km (65.3mpg US) on the EU cycle with CO2 emissions of 94g/km.

- The 2.0-liter turbocharged five-cylinder "D3" is good for 150PS (148bhp) at 3,500rpm and 350Nm (258 lb-ft) of peak torque from 1,750 rpm to 2,750rpm.

Once again, there's a choice of two 6-speed transmissions, manual or automatic. With the manual gearbox, the V40 D3 goes from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 9.6 seconds and tops out at 210km/h (131mph), while delivering a combined fuel consumption of 4.4lt/100km (53.5mpg US) on the EU cycle with CO2 emissions of 117g/km.

- The 2.0-liter turbocharged five-cylinder "D4" develops 177PS (175bhp) at 3,500rpm and 400Nm (295 lb-ft) of peak torque from 1,750 rpm to 2,750rpm.

Transmission choices include a 6sp manual and an automatic with the same number of gears. When equipped with a stick shift, the V40 D4 reaches 100km/h (62mph) in 6.6 seconds and maxes out at 215km/h (134mph). Volvo says it averages 4.4lt/100km (53.5mpg US) on the EU cycle with CO2 emissions of 117g/km (same as the D3).

We're also told that all six petrol and diesel engines will be fitted as standard with a Start and Stop system as well as a regenerative braking system, regardless of the type of transmission.

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Kia K9 RWD Flagship Sedan

The first thing we noticed about the K9 and that has to do with its design. What started out as a hunch when Kia showed us a handfulm of teaser sketches of its first ever rear-wheel drive saloon has now became more of a certainty. And yes, as many of you also noticed, the K9 appears to borrow one too many styling elements from BMW and especially its 7-Series flagship.

We could go on and on, but some of the things that stand out are the headlamp "eyebrow" accents, the low forward bend in the C-pillar and the rear end design as a whole – notice for example, the reverse lights incorporated into the chrome trim on the boot.

That doesn't mean the K9 isn't a good looking car, in fact, we wouldn't be surprised if some may find it more handsome than the 7-Series.

Soon-Nam Lee, Kia's Director of the Overseas Marketing Group, commented on presentation of the firm's new flagship : "K9 is our first rear-wheel drive large sedan, created without compromise in its design, driving performance and new technologies. K9 sets a whole new level of standards and values in the large sedan segment, and its design will be another Kia demonstration of our brand's power to surprise the world."

Kia did not release any additional information on the K9, but as we previously noted, it most likely shares its platform and engine range with the Hyundai Genesis, meaning it could be offered with the same 2,8-liter V6 and 4,6-liter, 5.0-liter V8 units.

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Citroen C3 Red Block Special Edition

The Red Block edition features a revised chassis with a 25mm lowered ride height and stiffer springs along with an uprated steering wheel system to improve handling and feel. In addition, ESP comes as standard.

Engine options include the VTi 120 petrol, e-HDi 90 diesel and e-HDi 100 diesel, all linked to manual gearboxes.

As for the interior, the C3 Red Block gains a gloss black dashboard fascia, a smaller sports steering wheel and optional red leather upholstery, while the pedals and front door surrounds are finished in aluminum.

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BMW M550d xDrive Sedan

The M550d is powered by BMW's new 3.0-liter inline-six diesel that features no less than three turbochargers, including two smaller and a larger unit.

The numbers speak for themselves: 381HP, 740Nm (546 lb-ft) of torque at just 2,000 rpm are more than adequate for a 4.7 seconds sprint from standstill to 100 km/h (62 mph) – just 0.3 seconds slower than the M5.

Being a diesel, the performance and the standard four-wheel drive system of the M550d do not come with a large penalty at the pumps, as the sedan's average fuel consumption is just 6.3 lt/100 km (37.3 mpg US).

Following an earlier announcement, today the Munich-based company published the first non-studio shots of the M550d xDrive.

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