UNI TECH BLOG I

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Renault is breaking away from the angular styling favored by its former design chief, Patrick Le Quement. The French company will show a concept car that highlight’s the brand’s more emotional design at the Paris auto show in October.

The DeZir project is the first to have been led by Renault’s new design boss, Laurens van den Acker – formerly with Mazda – and marks the start of a sequence of concept cars that will provide an insight into Renault Design’s new vision for the future, laying the foundation for the styling cues of Renault’s forthcoming vehicles.

“DeZir is a statement of our new formal design language which conveys notions such as movement, sensuality and emotion through ideal proportions, in much the same way as an object whose forms have been honed by nature. The result is a warm, stimulating design that says ‘Renault’,” explains Axel Breun, Renault’s director of concept car and show car design.

The car will power by electric motor, which is rated at 150 horsepower and 166 pound-feet of torque, drives the rear wheels, and is mounted behind the cabin in a mid/rear position (a break from tradition, as Alpines almost always hung the engine/transaxle at the aft end of the car). A 24-kWh lithium-ion battery is vertically mounted behind the seat, and can power the car for up to 100 miles — unless you drive it fast. Renault says the DeZir can zip from 0 to 62 mph in five seconds flat, and ultimately reach a top-end of 112 mph.

The French automaker says the fluid shape of the DeZir “lays the foundations for the styling cues of Renault’s forthcoming vehicles” and that the vehicle’s debut “marks the start of a sequence of concept cars that will provide an insight into Renault Design’s new vision for the future.”

The company said its new design language draws inspiration from three keywords: simple, sensuous and warm. It didn’t fully explain the DeZir name (apparently it’s supposed to be pronounced like “desire,” which is, in fact, “desir” in French), other than to say the Z refers to Renault’s Z.E. nomenclature for its zero-emissions vehicles.

There are some cars are built to be supercool, some are meant to be ridiculously funny and some are hilarious cute.

Man..a car definately for a man who liked swinging from the land to high seas.

Classy, limo for the super rich and loaded with children.

A car suitable for Garfield.  I am sure it attracts a lot of stray dogs.

Definately a car for the ladies.

Anyway have you seen a car for Mighty Mouse?  There is one on parade.

By Evan Griffey of MSN Autos

It’s no surprise that American consumers are looking to save money wherever they can these days. In terms of the automobiles they are buying, that means more people are seeking quality and value from the shallow end of the pool, rather than in the luxury or near-luxury markets. As a result, there are plenty of inexpensive machines to choose from. But which ones are the best? To answer that question, we took a long look at the current crop of less than $15,000 rides, comparing them based on price, style, functionality and utility, and here are the 10 best from the 2010 model year.

10. Chevy Cobalt

MSRP: $14,990 ▪ Horsepower: 155 ▪ mpg: 25 city/37 highway ▪ Standard transmission: 5-speed manual
Initial impression: Sharply dressed, but lacks substance where it counts — in the feature department.

At General Motors, a stripper is a stripper. And the stock Cobalt is a stripper — no air conditioning, no power locks and windows, no anti-lock braking system, no automatic transmission and a low-grade interior. At its best, the stock model is basic transportation. It can, however, be optioned up. The LS model ($15,670) adds AC; the LT1 ($16,470) delivers the power amenities and upgraded interior and exterior trim; and the LT2 ($17,480) adds ABS and cruise control.

2010 Toyota Yaris

9. Toyota Yaris

MSRP: $12,605 ▪ Horsepower: 106 ▪ mpg: 29 city/36 highway ▪ Standard transmission: 5-speed manual
Initial impression: Feels like an appliance in a plain-Jane wrapper.

While the Yaris lacks any visual identity and is uninspiring to drive, it excels at two important criteria for segment buyers: price and fuel efficiency. In some cases, Toyota’s option menu can drop bombs on the bottom line. Luckily, the Yaris has enough room under our “salary cap” to get the expected standard fare and stay under 15 grand. For instance, the base model includes air conditioning but no radio. That costs extra. The Power Package option includes the usual suspects in the power amenity and audio departments for $1,775, for a grand total of $14,380.

8. Smart Fortwo Passion Coupe

MSRP: $13,990 ▪ Horsepower: 70 ▪ mpg: 33 city/41 highway ▪ Standard transmission: 5-speed automatic
Initial impression: A hypermiler, for sure, but it’s a bit claustrophobic.

The smart fortwo Passion Coupe is the most narrowly focused car on the list. It’s a 2-seater with a scant 12 cubic feet of cargo space, aimed at efficient people-moving as a city car or commuter. It does come with a solid standard-equipment lineup featuring paddle shifters, alloy wheels, air conditioning, power windows and locks, remote entry and heated mirrors. Passion option programs include the Comfort Package and Premium Sound Package. The Comfort Package ($850) provides heated leather seats, electric power steering and fog lights, while the audio upgrade ($350) adds a 6-CD changer and better speakers.

7. Nissan Versa 1.8S

MSRP: $13,350 ▪ Horsepower: 122 ▪ mpg: 26 city/31 highway ▪ Standard transmission: 6-speed manual
Initial impression: Needs an infusion of fun.

The Versa seems to be positioned for those who abhor the Nissan Cube’s eclectic styling cues. It is not daring in terms of styling, nor is it fun to drive. In fact, it comes off as the most appliancelike, Point A-to-Point B vehicle on the list. However, it is the cheapest of the 10, with two models priced below the 1.8S featured here: the Base 1.6 ($9,900) and 1.6 ($11,090). The 1.8S gets the up-level engine and can be ordered in hatch or sedan configuration for the same price. Adding the optional automatic transmission is a no-cost upgrade. Standard goodies include air conditioning and a CD stereo with auxiliary input jack.

2010 Kia Forte

6. Kia Forte LX

MSRP: $13,695 ▪ Horsepower: 156 ▪ mpg: 25 city/34 highway ▪ Standard transmission: 5-speed manual
Initial impression: Looks seriously sporty, and it’s aggressive, balanced and composed on the street.

The Forte has made great strides for Kia since it hit showrooms in 2009. No longer a second-class citizen, Kia’s compact offering is a profound stylistic and mechanical advancement. However, its standard equipment list is lacking. The LX does include a CD stereo, but air conditioning is part of a Convenience Package that costs $1,500 and adds only AC and 60/40 split rear seats with adjustable headrests. An automatic transmission adds $1,000 to the tally.

5. Mitsubishi Lancer DE

MSRP: $14,790 ▪ Horsepower: 152 ▪ mpg 22 city/31 highway ▪ Standard transmission: 5-speed manual
Initial impression: With jet fighter looks, this underdog brings a lot of value to the tarmac.

Mitsubishi is not big on market share, but the Lancer hits the high notes needed to stand out in the under-$15,000 category. It is sleek, powerful and well-built and has a lot to offer in its base DE trim. Key standard-issue amenities include a 140-watt AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3 WMA playback capability and auxiliary input jack, and power windows and locks. However the DE does not include air conditioning, and its optional continuously variable transmission goes for a hefty $2,200.

4. Kia Soul

MSRP: $13,300 ▪ Horsepower: 122 ▪ mpg: 26 city/31 highway ▪ Standard transmission: 5-speed manual
Initial impression: Sleek looks for such a boxy machine, and a blast to drive.

The Kia Soul asks you to buy into a lifestyle. Its fit and finish is on par with the competition, and it is fun to drive. The Kia’s forward-thinking interior boasts many engaging elements, ranging from a well-laid-out center dash and efficient glove box to fashionable bucket seats and plenty of cargo room. However, there are compromises here. It comes with a 1.6-liter engine instead of the 2.0-liter, 142-horsepower offering found in the Soul+ ($15,195), Soul! ($17,195) and Soul Sport ($17,195) models; there is only one transmission choice; and only one option (carpeted floor mats).

3. Nissan Cube 1.8

MSRP: $13,990 ▪ Horsepower: 122 ▪ mpg: 27 city/31 highway ▪ Standard transmission: 6-speed manual
Initial impression: Its looks are polarizing, and it’s a utilitarian juggernaut

The Cube Mobile Device, as Nissan calls it, takes the “it’s hip to be square” persona to new heights. There is a lot to get one’s head around here: the asymmetrical window treatment, the bulldog-with-sunglasses front fascia and the industrial design interior. The tiered rear seats that recline and that slide to accommodate cargo or open up legroom are a nice touch. It comes with air conditioning; an AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3/WMA playback capability and auxiliary input jack; power windows and locks; and traction control.

2010 Honda Fit

2. Honda Fit

MSRP: $14,900 ▪ Horsepower: 117 ▪ mpg: 27 city/33 highway ▪ Standard transmission: 5-speed manual
Initial impression: Packs a wallop in this featherweight class.

The Fit has been a top contender in this class since it hit the American market in 2006. It’s tossable, spunky and versatile with a tight suspension, responsive 1.5-liter SOHV i-VTEC engine and a shape-shifting cargo area. Standard equipment includes a 160-watt AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3/WMA playback capability and auxiliary input jack; air conditioning; power windows and locks; and a tilting and telescoping steering wheel. The Sport model ($16,410) adds a body kit, 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control and more.

1. Ford Fiesta SE Sedan

MSRP: $14,320 ▪ Horsepower: 120 ▪ mpg: 30 city/40 highway ▪ Standard transmission: 5-speed manual
Initial impression: Bold on style and big on driving dynamics.

The Fiesta’s numbers are not a true barometer of its “bang-for-the-buck” potential. Its 1.6-liter Ti-VCT-equipped Duratec engine combines peppy performance on the road and a miserly personality at the pump. Its 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway figures are topped on this list only by the 3-cylinder smart. Inside, the cabin has the aura of a more upscale and more expensive class of car. The SE model ($14,320) includes an AM/FM/CD stereo with MP3/WMA playback capability and auxiliary input jack; and power windows and door locks.