European Cars
Being one of the most complex industries, car industry is influenced by many factors. As such, it is influenced by people's way of life, preferences and demands, but also with region's history, both industrial and artistic.
That being said, bearing in mind how packed are European cities and how many are there, it's clear why small, city cars are that popular in Europe.
It's also clear why European car brands are that stylized, one can easily say that European cars are setting trends for most of the design solutions worldwide.
And finally, it's clear why European standards regarding polution are most strict ones.
Use of aluminum has made a new Range Rover lighter than ever, thus improving driving specs. In addition, a new V6 turbo diesel engine with approximately 300bhp is added to the range of engines.
Between April and June, Land Rover Evoque 2WD will be available - this will be cheapest Land Rover ever.
Within few months, European market will get new generations of BMW series 1, Audi A3 and VW Golf. Merecdes is joining the party with new A-classe, which is to be presented in Geneva.
New Merc A has a 2 volume 4,3m long body and 5 doors. Interior is packed with luxury, touchscreen being one of them. A classe shares the platform and engines with B classe. Two sporty versions are announced: sport and AMG with more than 300bhp.
By the end of 2012, Stuttgart factory will present a baby SUV called CLC, which will be built on A classe.
3008 and 508 hybrids come with two engines: 2l 163bhp HDi powering front wheels, and 37bhp electro engine powering rear wheels.
Opel has announced that sale of Opel Ampera will be postponed, despite the certain number of cars already being delivered to car dealers in Belgium, Switzerland, France and Netherlands.
The reason for delayed Europen start is investigation about the fires which happened to few Chevrolet Volts recently. Chevrolet Volt and Opel Ampera are technological twins. Problems were caused by Li-Ion battery which overheats even when the car is not on. Three cases of self-inflammation were recorded in the US.
First hybrid powered BMW will be a series 5, "active hybrid" model, with twinpower petrol V6 engine, electroengine and 8 gear automatic transmission. It is capable of delivering total of 340bhp, resulting in 5,9s to reach 60mph.
Average consumption is 36,75-33,6mpg , but it can run on electrical power, if speed is no greater than 40mph.