Coda Unveils All-Electric Sedan: Made in China, Priced from Around $35k in the U.S. - with VIDEO

Electric car announcements seem to be coming in from all sorts of directions these days. The latest news in the EV world is the unveiling of a new all-electric mainstream sedan by Coda Automotive, a U.S. company formed by Miles Rubin known for the distribution of low-speed, electric fleet vehicles under the Miles Electric Vehicles brand. Though it may appears at first some to be some kind of Ford mishmash, the Coda EV is in fact based on the Chinese Hafei Saibao sedan. The all-electric sedan is initially scheduled to go on sale in California in the fall of 2010 with prices set at $45,000 or around mid-$30,000s after a $7,500 Federal tax credit and additional state incentives.

That's about $15k less than Tesla's estimated price for the larger, faster, better looking and let's not forget, U.S. built, Model S sedan (see pictures and details here).

"The Coda sedan is an all-electric vehicle for everyone," said Kevin Czinger, President and CEO, Coda Automotive. "It's a practical revolution for real drivers who need reliable transportation."

Measuring in at 175-inches or 4,445mm in length, 69-inches or 1,752mm in width and 57.6-inches or 1,463mm in height, the Coda EV is about the same size as the U.S. market Ford Focus Sedan. The California-based importer claims that the EV sedan has been "engineered to be FMVSS complaint", and based on existing crash test results, the company expects a four or five-Star NCAP crash rating.

The Coda EV is equipped with an electric motor that develops an output of 100kW which is the equivalent of 134 horsepower and 300Nm or 221-lbs/ft of torque. The motor is powered by a set of Lithium-ion batteries that are built by China's Tianjin Lishen Battery Joint-Stock Co., Ltd. The EV can accelerate from zero to 60mph (96km/h) in less than 11 seconds while its top speed is electronically limited to 80mph or 130km/h.

According to Coda, the EV sedan has a real-world range of 90 to 120 miles (145-193km) depending on individual driving habits. The car comes with an onboard charger that can be plugged into any 110 or 220V standard outlet and completes a full charge in less than six hours at a 220V service. Coda said that charging the battery for a 40-mile commute can be completed in two hours. The company estimates that it will cost drivers less than $3 on average, to drive the car for 100 miles.

When it goes on sale in California next year, the Coda EV Sedan will come equipped with several standard features including a telematics package, navigation with turn-by-turn directions, a "green screen" that monitors driving efficiency, roadside assistance with an emergency button, a Bluetooth system with an embedded microphone, Sirius radio, iPod dock, MP3/USB connectivity and alloy wheels.

New Renault Scenic MPV Priced from £13,595 in the UK

French carmaker Renault has revealed detailed pricing for its all-new Scenic model. The five-seater MPV that will officially go on sale in the UK on July 17th will be available in 28 different versions spread across five-trim levels (Extreme, Expression, Dynamique, TomTom Edition and Privilège), with prices ranging from £13,595 to £22,295. Renault claims that depending on the version, the new Scenic costs up to £2,060 less than its predecessor and that it is priced to undercut all of its key rivals. UK buyers can choose between eight differnet engines at launch including three gasoline and five diesel units, ranging from 86HP to 160HP.

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Full pricing for New Scenic:

Version	Engine	OTR Price
Extreme	1.6 VVT 110	£13,595
	1.5 dCi 86	£14,595
	1.5 dCi 106	£15,095
Expression	1.6 VVT 110	£15,195
	1.4 TCe 130	£16,195
	2.0 VVT 140 CVT	£17,195
	1.5 dCi 106	£16,695
	1.9 dCi 130	£17,795
Dynamique	1.6 VVT 110	£16,195
	1.4 TCe 130	£17,195
	2.0 140 CVT	£18,195
	1.5 dCi 106	£17,695
	1.9 dCi 130	£18,795
	2.0 dCi 160 FAP	£20,095
	2.0 dCi 150 Auto FAP	£21,095
TomTom Edition	1.6 VVT 110	£16,555
	1.4 TCe 130	£17,555
	2.0 140 CVT	£18,555
	1.5 dCi 106	£18,055
	1.9 dCi 130	£19,155
	2.0 dCi 160 FAP	£20,455
	2.0 dCi 150 Auto FAP	£21,455
Privilège	1.4 TCe 130	£18,395
	2.0 VVT 140 CVT	£19,395
	1.5 dCi 106	£18,895
	1.9 dCi 130	£19,995
	2.0 dCi 160 FAP	£21,295
	2.0 dCi 150 Auto FAP	£22,295

Facelifted Hyundai Accent / Verna Unveiled in Korea

We're not quite sure what exactly this lovely lady is pointing at, but behind her is the facelifted Hyundai Verna Transform, or as it is more commonly known in markets around the world, the Accent. Revealed today in South Korea, the sub-compact model gains a redesigned front fascia with new headlights, grille and bumper plus new exterior mirrors that now house the turning signals. We don't have any photos of the car's rear-end, but it is said that changes include the restyled tail lights and bumper.

Inside, the 2010 Verna, or if you prefer, the Accent, benefits from a revamped instrument panel that features blue lighting, a subtly redesigned center console and new equipment features including the addition of USB/AUX inputs and Bluetooth connectivity.

Hyundai also said that the entire engine range has received minor improvements that help reduce fuel consumption and evidently, CO2emissions. The new Verna goes on sale across South Korea today. There's no official word when the updated sub-compact model will hit other markets including the U.S. and Europe.

Via: Worldcarfans , Source: rpm9

VIDEO: 2010 VW Scirocco R 265HP Presentation at the Nurburgring

Parallel to the start of the 24-hour endurance race at the Nurburgring at the end of May, Volkswagen staged the world debut of its hottest Scirocco model ever that comes equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-pot cranking out 265HP and 350Nm of torque. This video that was shot during the presentation event includes the first driving footage of the new Scirocco R on the 'Ring as well as interviews with VW officials. Bear in mind though that the interviews are in German - and yes, those of you out there 'sprechen die Deutsche', feel free to enlighten us with your bilingual skills.

Magna Says GM Agreement Forbids Sale of Opel Cars in the U.S. and China

Even though General Motors has kept a significant 35-percent stake in its European division, the agreement with Opel's new owner, a Magna-led consortium, does not allow the latter to sell Opel cars in the United States and for the time being, in China also. "The agreement with GM does prevent us from selling Opel in the United States," said the chairman of the Canadian auto parts company Frank Stronach at a news conference in Ottawa.

When asked by reporters if the agreement with GM also applies in China, one of the world's largest car markets, Stronach said: "Yes, for the moment, but keep in mind that General Motors - we've been working together for 50 years, we've been great partners, and they still own 35 percent of Opel."

Magna's boss added that GM may change its mind in concern of the Chinese market in the future. "If it makes economic sense you might persuade people to change something," he said.

During the news conference, Stronach also told reporters that he anticipates that Opel will break even in a period of three years and start making a profit in four. As for the rumors concerning Magna's interest in Saturn and Saab which are also up for sale by GM, the Canadian auto-part's chairman said that his company is focusing on Opel for the time being. "We have to digest Opel now, and we have got a mouthful, so we'll see how quickly that will take place."

Via: CNN & Reuters

Truck Tuning: MAN TGA Chipped to Deliver 420HP

You may have noticed that the name of our blog is Carscoop and not... Truckscoop, but it's not every day that we receive truck related news in our 'tuning' mailbox. Mcchip, which is mostly known for its German car tuning proposals, has released an ECU upgrade for the MAN TGA 26.360 that boosts the diesel engine's output by 60-horsepower, from 360HP to 420HP. Furthermore, Mcchip claims that the ECU optimization reduces fuel consumption by up to 15 percent. In the very rare case that you happen to be interested, the ECU upgrade costs €1,299 or around $1,850.

BMW Reveals UK Pricing for M3 Coupe Special Edition

This summer, BMW will launch a limited-run, special edition version of our favorite 'M' car, the M3 Coupe that will be available in most markets in four different color combinations. For some reason, the non-metallic Black finish will not be offered in the UK where buyers will have to do with three color options including Alpine White, BMW Individual Dakar Yellow and BMW Individual Monte Carlo Blue. On-the-road pricing for the M3 Coupe Edition models in Britain has been set at £53,435 (about $87,934 or €61,800 at today's exchange rates), or a £2,500 premium over than the standard M3 Coupe.

Aside from the special exterior colors and upgraded interior trim and upholstery, the M3 Coupe Edition models also feature a dark chrome shadow-colored kidney grille, side vents, bonnet vents and twin exhaust tailpipe along. The 10mm lower ride height and the new 19-inch double-spoke light-alloy wheels in silver as standard and with black gloss finish as an option, round off the changes.

VIDEO: Aston Martin One-77 Walkaround and Interview with Dr. Ulrich Bez

We can't seem to get enough of Aston Martin's One-77 elite supercar that was introduced in its final prototype form at the Villa d'Este car show in Italy last April. Luckily for us, there's always fresh news about the ultimate British sportscar. In this latest video, Autocar's Steve Sutcliffe interviews Aston Martin's boss Dr. Ulrich Bez who not only walks us around the car but he also treats us to some highly addictive sounds by firing up the One-77's 750HP V12 engine. Hit the jump to watch the video.

Source: Autocar