Kia Optima Batmobile

The Batman-themed Optima is the first of a series of eight customized Kia cars that will be released over the next 10 months, with each model representing a character from DC's Justice League.

Kia worked together with DC Entertainment and RIDES magazine to design and manufacture Batman's Optima that receives a matte- and piano-black paint scheme with yellow accents and LED lights along with a lowered suspension, a ground effects kit, Ksport performance brakes, custom-designed 20-inch black wheels and a performance exhaust system.

Other exterior details worth mentioning is the custom front grille shaped like a batwing and the bat signal etched into the HID headlights.

In the bat…cabin, the Optima is upgraded with special seating surfaces in black leather and suede with bold yellow accent stitching, while there's also a Bat suit and cowl awaiting the driver in the trunk.

"Batman is one of the most popular Super Heroes of all-time, and showcasing in a fun and creative way Kia's top-of-the-line Optima SX Limited as a Batman-themed custom ride underscores this car's potent combination of premium features and turbocharged performance," said Michael Sprague, executive vice president, marketing and communications at Kia Motors America.

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2014 Mazda 6 Sedan

The mid-sized sedan model rides on a 2,830mm (111.4 inches) long wheelbase that is 105mm (4.1 inches) longer than previous '6'. On the outside, the saloon measures 4,865mm (191.6 inches) long, 1,840mm (72.4 inches) wide and 1,450mm (57.1 inches) tall.

Compared to the previous model, the front wheel has been moved forward by 100mm in relation to the A-pillar resulting in reduced front overhang, while the rear deck is also shorter.

According to Mazda, the new 6 offers 20mm (0.8 inches) more shoulder room for the front passengers. At the back, there is 43mm (1.7 inches) greater knee clearance, 37mm more legroom (1.45 inches), while the length of the rear seat cushion has increased by 20mm (0.8 inches) and the seat back height by 33mm (1.3 inches). Furthermore, the rear centre arm rest has been enlarged by 60mm (2.6 inches).

The trunk, which has a 32mm wider opening than on the previous model for easier loading, has a cargo capacity of 483 liters.

According to Mazda, the new SKYACTIV-Body structure makes wider use of ultra-high tensile steel reducing weight, while at the same time improving torsional rigidity by about 30 percent

The car employs MacPherson struts up front and a rear multi-link suspension while there's also a new column-type electric power assistance. The Japanese automaker claims that the new Mazda6 will be a driver's car.

"In developing the third-generation Mazda6, we pursued Mazda’s intrinsic core value: ‘driving pleasure’," says Hiroshi Kajiyama, the new Mazda6 programme manager.

"We wanted to create a car that reacts and behaves exactly as you expect it to. Part of this involved carefully crafting those parts of the car which you often touch to feel as though they are an extension of your own body."

At least in Russia, the 2014 Mazda6 will launch with an initial choice of two new four-cylinder gasoline engines, the SKYACTIVE-G 2.0-liter that generates 148hp (150PS) at 6,000rpm and 210Nm (155 lb-ft) at 4,000rpm and the SKYACTIVE-G 2.5-liter delivering 189hp (192PS) at 5,700rpm and 256Nm (189 lb-ft) at 3,250rpm.

Both powerplants will be offered with 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmissions and a standard i-stop idling stop system.

The 2.5-liter unit will also be the first Mazda engine to employ the brand's new i-ELOOP brake energy regeneration system that begins charging a capacitor the moment the driver takes his foot off the accelerator. The electricity stored is used to power electric components throughout the car instead of the engine thus resulting in further improvements in fuel economy.

The European specification version of the Mazda6 sedan as well as the Station Wagon model will premiere at the Paris Motor Show in late September, with more details about the powertrain choices that will include a diesel engine to be announced later.

Mazda's Honda Accord and Ford Fusion / Mondeo rival will be introduced to global markets starting in late 2012.

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Peugeot 301 Compact Sedan

Starting from November 1, the new Peugeot model will be available in Turkey and then in Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Greece, the Maghred, the Middle East, the Gulf States and African countries, certain Latin American markets and China.

Depending on the market, the 301 will compete against cars in the likes of the new Skoda Rapid and Seat Toledo twins, as well as its own French sibling, the Citroen C-Elysee

Available engine options will include a 70hp (71PS) 1.2-liter VTi petrol, a 91hp (92PS) 1.6-liter HDi turbo diesel and a 114hp (115PS) 1.6-liter petrol.

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2013 Skoda Rapid Sedan Details

The Rapid makes use of on an extended version of the VW Polo's platform and measures 4.48 m (176.4 in.) in length, 1.71 m (67.3 in.) in width and 1.46 m (57.5 in.) in height.

The Czech automaker said that despite the car's compact dimensions, it will "comfortably seat up to five persons" providing ample luggage space.

While we cannot comment on the passenger room yet, the new Skoda that is equipped with a tailgate that lifts together with the rear window has a capacious boot space of 550 litres, which is just shy of the 560 litres offered by the much larger BMW 5-Series Estate.

The car that closes the gap between the Fabia supermini and the Octavia will hit European showrooms this fall following its debut at the Paris Moto Show with a selection of four petrol and two diesel engines, all of them conforming to EU 5 standards.

The petrol line-up includes the 1.2-liter MPI three-cylinder producing 74hp (75PS), a 1.2-liter TSI turbo with 85hp (86PS) and 103hp (105PS) and a 1.4-liter TSI turbo with 121hp (122PS).

The two diesels are a 1.6 liter unit with direct common rail injection and a particulate matter filter with 89hp (90PS) that is scheduled for launch in the second half of 2013, and the 1.6-liter TDI CR with 104hp (105PS). Both of these diesel engines will be offered with an optional seven-speed DSG double-clutch transmission.

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