Renault introduces its new sedan Talisman at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show, a car that can be considered as the French counterpart of the Samsung SM7. The model is basically identical to the SM7 with just a few slight differences on the front end - where we find a brand new grille - and a set of smaller wheels. The Talisman will be produced in South Korea and exported to China starting mifd-June, with a price of 38,652 Euros.

Measuring 4.95 meters in length, the new 3-box sedan from the French carmaker looks well-proportioned and boasts a quite rounded design. At the moment there are no news concerning the engine range of the Talisman, but it is expected to feature something similar to the 195 hp 2.5-litre V6 and the 290 hp 3.5-litre V6 of the Samsung SM7. On a side-note, the name Talisman had been previously used by Renault for a 2001 concept car which anticipated the design of the Mégane. Making a special appearance at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show is also the Captur Concept, that Renault introduced at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

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Honda showed up at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show with two new concept cars: the Concept C and the Concept S. These two prototypes are supposed to be an anticipation of the future design theme of the Japanases manufacturer and use sleek lines as well as futuristic aesthetics, although several details are very reminiscent of certain models that are already out there. Another pretty interesting model at the Honda stall in Beijing is the EV-Ster Concept, a little electric 2-seater that got unveiled at the latest Tokyo Motor Show.

The Concept C is a quite large sedan that boasts a pretty athletic look - especially as far as the rear end is concerned - with both tense and rounded lines. The aggressive aesthetic of the car uses is maybe a little too daring, with a massive and somewhat peculiar front grille, while the bumpers feel a little out of place in the comparison with the overall elegance of the model.

The Honda Concept S is supposed to be the prototype of a future global model that is like a small MPV. Apparently, the future model that will be based on this concept will carry on using the Odissey name in North America while in other markets will be introduced with a brand new name. Its streamlined design is pretty nice and doesn’t look too futuristic, which would have us believe that the final model will not look too different from this concept car. The model is pushed by an hybrid powertrain that - according to Honda - will allow for a comfortable ride and environmental protection.

View the full Honda Concept C and S @ the 2012 Beijing Motor Show photo gallery

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Fiat introduces the new Viaggio at the ongoing 2012 Beijing Motor Show. The new sedan from the Italian manufacturer will be initially sold in China only with the ‘Fei Xiang’ moniker, but might soon become available in other markets as well. The car was designed at the Fiat Style Center in Turin and measures 4,679 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width and boasts a wheel base of a 2,708 mm. The model will be positioned in the C-segment and has been developed on the same CUSW platform (Compact US Wide) that generated the Dodge Dart and is an evolution of the Compact platform that spawned the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

The Viaggio will come with a supercharged 1.4-litre T-Jet engine available in two power steps (120 and 150 hp) that can be coupled to either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed dual clutch gearbox. The Viaggio will be produced in Changsha, in the Chinese provence of Hunan.

View the full Fiat Viaggio live @ the 2012 Beijing Motor Show photo gallery
View the official Fiat Viaggio photo gallery

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BMW has released a brand new video dedicated to the new M5 F10. Under the hood of the German super saloon, the first of the M5 Series to be equipped with a twin-turbo engine, lies a 4.4-litre V8 (twin turbo) with Valvetronic and direct injection delivering an output of 506 hp and maximum torque of 680 Nm, with CO2 emissions equal to 232g/km. The car is mated to a seven-speed sequential gearbox.

With such credentials, the performance could only be that of a real sports car: 0-100 km/h in 4.4 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 13 seconds flat, reaching a whopping 305 km/h top speed with the M Driver’s Package. Fuel consumption is around 9.9 l/100 km, 30% less than the previous model. The M5 F10 is equipped with EfficientDynamics programme, which provides great efficiency benefits and includes, among other options, Stop ad Go system, Active Cruise Control and Brake Energy Regeneration.

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German tuner Hamann introduces its own rendition of the BMW M5 F10. The new package prepared by Hamann makes the M5 even more performing and lavish, modifying its interior and exterior design and giving its powertrain some more horsepower to play with.

Hamann’s technician worked on the aerodynamics of the car as well, enhancing it with such bits as the re-designed front bumper and the wider front fenders, which gain 25 mm on both sides of the car. The wheel arches of the rear axle have been broadened too, making for an extra 30 mm on both sides, while a new rear wing allows for more stability.

Ride height has been reduced by 30 mm, while the suspension set-up has been arranged to improve handling as well as the dynamic behavior of the car. The already impressive original powertrain receives a new ECU and a new exhaust system as well as a few more modifications which are yet to be made public. Hamann is actually still working on the mechanics of the M5, but they said they have already been able to squeeze out an extra 158 hp and 220 Nm. In order to cope with its increased power, brakes and wheels have been enhanced too: the BMW M5 F10 by Hamann rolls on 21″ alloy wheels fitted with 265/30 tyres at the front and 325/25 at the rear.

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BMW has released the first official image of the new M5 F10 Ring-Taxi, the car that can take you around the famous Nurburgring race track with a professional driver behind the steering wheel. A lap on the ‘Green Hell’ with the Ring Taxi is an absolutely outstanding experience, but unfortunately its price has grown exponentially throughout the years, to the point that now you need to book your lap months in advance and spend no less than 216 Euros for it.

Fancy paint-job and stickers aside, the car is basically the same as the latest BMW M5 F10: it is powered by a 4.4-litre V8 engine delivering 560 hp and 680 Nm of peak torque which allows it to go from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 4.4 seconds and from 0 to 200 km/h in 13 seconds, reaching 305 km/h (190 mph).

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These spy shots show us one of the first mules of the new Lexus IS, whose third generation will be introduced in 2013 with a decidedly more sporty attitude than the outgoing version. The new sedan from the Japanese carmaker is being developed on a new platform that previous rumors said it is quite similar to the one which spawned the Toyota GT 86: a few weeks ago website MotorAuthority reported that the IS was going to be longer and wider, but the general layout of the model - and, obviously, its rear-wheel drive architecture - will be pretty much the same.

As for now there is no info concerning the engine range of this model, while the aesthetics of the car should adopt the same design language used for the Lexus GS. However, it is fair to assume that the new IS will come with an hybrid powertrain as well, and it is quite likely that an all-wheel drive variation will also be made available. The most sporty version of the range, the IS-F, will come with a manual gearbox option beside the automatic one, that was the only one available for the previous generation.

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Rolls Royce releases a new official video starring the new Phantom Series II range, which includes the long and short wheel-base Sedan, the Coupe and the Drophead Coupe. composta dalle berlina passo corto e passo lungo, Coupè e Drophead Coupè. All versions have received a cosmetic upgrade of the front-end, with full LED head-lights and new bumpers, while the classic round-shaped lights are gone, quite possibly for good.

The passenger compartment remains more or less the same of the previous version, with the only exception of the multi-edia info-tainment system which gets - among the other things - a brand new sat-nav system that displays the maps in 3D. On the dashboard there’s a new 8.8″ screen integrated with 8 control buttons.

As for the mechanical side, the new Phantom Series II range now uses a 8-speed automatic transmission courtesy of German specialist ZF as well as a new, more efficient limited slip differential at the back that improves fuel consumption by a remarkable 10% as well as reducing the model’s carbon footprint. The engine itself - a 6.7-litre V12 credited with an output of 460 hp and 720 Nm of peak torque - has been left untouched.

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Kia has released a brand new video featuring the K9. This impressive saloon is the first of the Korean brand to be equipped with rear-wheel drive, boasting powerful engines. At launch it will be offered with a 3.8-litre V6 engine or a V8, available in the 4.6 or 5.0-litres variation.

The unique design identifies in the front grille, full LED headlights and twin rear exhaust pipes, the most prominent aesthetic elements. The Kia K9 will also be marketed outside Korea and will be possibly adopt a new name, following the example of the K5 and K7, which have been renamed Optima and Cadenza. One of the reasons for a name-change might be that the acronym K9 reminds of Doctor Who’s robotic canines!

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Fiat has released the first teasers of the Viaggio, which will be officially unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show (April 25 -May 2). The Fiat Viaggio is a 4-door 5-seat sedan developed on the CUSW platform (Compact US Wide platform) that generated the Dodge Dart, which was developed on the basis of the “Compact” platform that had spawned the Alfa Romeo Giulietta.

The Viaggio (’travel’ in Italian) will measure 4679 mm in length, 1850 mm in width and will have a wheel-base of 2708 mm. Initially, its engine range will be made of only one unit: a supercharged 1.4-litre TJet petrol engine available in power steps of 120 and 150 hp, both of which can be mated to either a 5-speed manual or a DDTC ‘dual clutch’ automatic transmission developed by Fiat Powertrain.

The car has been designed in Turin by the Style Center of the Fiat Group and is meant to “revolutionize the compact-sedan segment of the Chinese market” by offering “high levels of luxury and comfort“. The model will be assembled at the new Gac-Fiat plant in Changsha, in the Hunan district: the production should start in July and its debut on the market should happen in the third quarter of the current year.

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