Smart for-us pick-up

Smart has announced the for-us pick-up concept, which will debut at January’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Longer and wider than the Smart fortwo, the for-us has a 900 mm (35.4 inches) cargo area - not exactly massive, but large enough to transport a pair of Smart ebikes with their front wheels removed.



The pick-up’s drivetrain is borrowed from the fortwo electric drive, which means zero emissions and a 73 bhp (55 kW / 74 PS) motor. That’s claimed to be enough for a top speed of over 75 mph (120 km/h), but there’s no word yet on likely range or recharge times for the 17.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

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192 bhp Insignia BiTurbo

A new diesel engine isn’t always the most exciting development, but the new 2.0 litre CDTI BiTurbo option for the Vauxhall / Opel Insignia promises to offer an appealing blend of power and efficiency.



Based on an existing common-rail four-cylinder unit, the fitment of a second smaller turbocharger helps to prevent turbo lag, which should in turn make for a sharper throttle response. It even gets its own dedicated intercooler to ensure the most effective delivery of air into the cylinders at all engine speeds.

The result is 192 bhp (143 kW / 195 PS) and 400 Nm (295 lb/ft) of peak torque, outputs that approach those of premium rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz C 250 CDI and the BMW 325d. More significantly, it also means that the Insignia can now compete with the 2.2 Duratorq TDCi-equipped Ford Mondeo:

	Insignia 2.0 CDTI BiTurbo	Mondeo 2.2 Duratorq TDCi
Power	192 bhp (143 kW / 195 PS)	197 bhp (147 kW / 200 PS)
Torque	400 Nm (295 lb/ft)	420 Nm (309 lb/ft)
0-62 mph (100 km/h)	8.7 seconds	8.1 seconds
Top speed	142 mph (230 km/h)	143 mph (230 km/h)
Combined cycle fuel consumption	57.6 mpg (4.9 l/100km)	47.1 mpg (6.0 l/100km)
CO2 emissions	129 g/km	159 g/km
Figures are for front-wheel drive, five-door hatchback versions.

Prices for the Vauxhall Insignia BiTurbo start from £27,120 in the UK. It’s available with a choice of front- or all-wheel drive, Hatch or Sports Tourer body styles, and SRi, SRi VX-line or Elite trim grades.



Images © GM Company.



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New Mégane Floride edition

Car manufacturers frequently look to their pasts when creating new models, and that’s exactly what Renault has done for the limited edition Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet Floride.



Recalling the rear-engined Floride that was originally launched in the late 1950s, the 2012 version will be restricted to 1,600 examples, of which 250 are earmarked for France.

The special ivory paintwork is suitably retro-chic, and the matching 17” Sari alloy wheels are an individual touch. It’s a colour that certainly looks attractive in a Mediterranean setting, but whether it’ll be as smart in the middle of winter covered with a layer of road grime remains to be seen. If the ivory finish doesn’t appeal, buyers will be able to choose red instead (although not in France, for some reason).



Complementing the exterior is a stylish two-tone ivory and red leather interior, which comes complete with a ‘Floride’ chrome badge for the dashboard, a numbered plaque on the centre console and bespoke carpet mats.

Equipment levels for the Floride are generous, and include Carminat TomTom Live satellite navigation, Bluetooth connectivity, automatic climate control, parking sensors front and rear, mesh and glass wind deflectors, electric folding door mirrors and cruise control.



Engine availability will vary by market, and in France it’ll be restricted to a 1,870 cc dCi turbodiesel that produces 128 bhp (96 kW / 130 PS). With a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 10.6 seconds and a top speed of 127 mph (205 km/h) it’s certainly no sports car, but then that’s not what the Floride is about.

The Mégane Coupé-Cabriolet Floride is priced at €33,100 in France (around £28,450 at current exchange rates), and it’s available to order now. A public debut is scheduled for January’s Brussels Motor Show.



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