Mazda has presented its new Mazda 3 Hatchback at the Bologna motor show. It could prove to be a strategic move in the Italian car market, as one in three Mazdas sold in Italy is a Mazda 3, with 26,000 sales of the previous model in Italy, and 1.8 million sold around the world.

The style is completele updated, with some elements taken from the Mazda 3 sedan version that was previously seen at the Los Angeles motor show. The aerodynamics have been improved and there has been an increase in dimension, with the car measuring 4.46 metres in length and 1.47 metres high. The overall weight has decresed by 15 kg, however, compared to the previous model, following the trend set by the Mazda 2.

The hatch includes front McPherson suspension and a new rear multilink suspension, while ABS, EBD and TCS traction control are included, together with DSC balance control. Optionals include the new RVM (Rear Vehicle Monitoring system) and adaptable bi-xeno headlights.

Continue reading: New Mazda 3 hatchback at the Bologna motor show

A special version of the Smart ForTwo debuted at the Bologna Motor Show, called the Smart ForTwo Black Tie. The snazzy city car is characterised by black finish, special alloy wheels, an Mhd petrol engine at 71hp and accessories pack that includes external chrome elements, and a ten percent discount on the series price for a total of 10,890 euros.

Only 500 units will be available exclusively in coupè version. If you wanted an environmentally friendly car for the city, the engine is equipped with Start-Stop system and has consumption of 4.3 litres/100km.

Source |Repubblica

Continue reading: Bologna Motorshow 2008: Smart ForTwo Black Tie

So the Corvette ZR1 is not news, but it’s still something to get excited about. Passing it so many times at the Bologna motor show, we finally conceded to its fascination and took these shots. Isn’t she lovely?

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Abarth has its own independent stand at the Bologna show, in addition to the Fiat offering including Alfa, Ferrari, Maserati, Lancia and Iveco. The first model available to the public is the Grande Punto esseesse - a kind of angry guard dog.

The red colour is in significant array, reflecting the spirit of the company, and the modern cars on display are contrasted with the vintage photos around the walls. Have a look at the gallery to see Abarth in all its glory.

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At the Bologna Motor Show, Fiat has decorated some of its cars with work from Italian street artists, keeping to a theme of ecology. Eight street artists have let their imaginations loose on the Fiat range, and you can see their work in the following gallery.

The Grande Punto and Fiorino Qubo were decorated by artists El Gato Chimney and Marco Teatro. A charity auction will be held at the end of the end of the motor show, selling the panels from the cars and the Grande Punto by TVBoy, with proceeds going to ONLUS L’albero della vita (the Tree of Life),

Continue reading: Fiat street art at the Bologna Motor Show: colourful design for Fiat models

The Bologna Motor Show is hosting the world premiere of the DR1 car, the third example produced from the Italian-Chinese collaboration after the DR5 and DR3 sports utilities.

The DR1 is a city car which places the company in the crowded super mini segment, with an agreement with Chinese manufacturer Chery to supply the engine: a 1.3L, 83hp version available in GPL fuelling option with 78hp.

Performance figures see this car with a maximum speed of 156 km/hr and 12.1 seconds to reach 100 km/hr. Sales will start sometime in 2009.

Continue reading: Bologna motor show: live premier of DR1

Fiat has no new products at its stand at the Bologna motor show, but we had the opportunity to explore all the latest models, including the Fiat 500 by Diesel, the Fiat Bravo 2.0 multijet 165hp, and the Punto Natural Power. Other models present are the Panda 4×4 Glam, the Fiat Punto 1.6 multijet and Pur-02 versions.

On display at the stand is also the Punto from the Fiat Street Art Show and the Fiat sponsored Yamaha from Valentino Rossi.

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The spectacular Ferrari we would all like for Christmas will unfortunately be available only to 499 people. The Ferrari Scuderia Spider 16M is beautiful, esotic and unattainable - it is truly a four-wheel superlative.

At the Bologna motorshow the Scuderia Spider is really showing off, and disregarding any doubts on the open top version. The Spider 16M was created to celebrate the 16th Formula 1 Constructor Title with a time of 1′26″5 on the Fiorano track. Check out this live gallery of the Scuderia Spider, interior and all.

Continue reading: Bologna Motor Show Live 2008: Ferrari with the new Scuderia Spider 16M

Volkswagon is presenting its Passat EcoFuel model, the first to combine natural gas fuel with a direct injection turbo engine. The engine is a TSI with twin clutch transmission and three different fuel tanks. The Passat EcoFuel model is one model that may be able to satisfy driving pleasure and performance needs in today’s market of reduced emissions and consumption.

The figures show that this vehicle has 150hp, 220Nm, and in 9.8 seconds it can reach 100 km/hr; offset by a 20 percent reduction in fuel consumption at only 4.5kg of gas per 100 km.

With 22 kg of hydrocarbon contained in the tanks, and the 31 litres dedicated to petrol, the Passat EcoFuel has a range of more than 800 kg. The DSG transmission also helps to reduce emissions at 119 grams of CO2 compared to 123 grams of the six-speed manual offered on the series model.

Continue reading: Bologna Motor Show 2008: Volkswagen Passat EcoFuel

At the Bologna Motor Show Lamborghini has presented its Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder for the first time in Europe. The Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder appeared in all black, contrary to expectations that it would be revealed in white.

The Spyder is perhaps even more spectacular than the coupé, though it shares the 5.2L, V10 engine at 560hp. It also has the same all wheel drive system. The new edition of the Gallardo Spyder has an excellent weight power ratio of 2.77kg/hp, which gives the car its excellent performance figures of a maximum speed of 324 km/hr and acceleration to 100km in just four seconds. All this along with CO2 emissions reduced by 18 percent compared to the previous model.

Check out our gallery of the Lamborghini stand at the Bologna show which includes shots of the Gallardo Super Trofeo and the Estoque, along with our first comprehensive look at the Estoque interior.

Continue reading: Bologna Motor Show Live 2008: new Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder