Fiat has released pictures of its new 500 “wagon” ahead of the car’s big reveal at the Geneva Motor Show this March. Called the 500L, it’s a replacement product for the infamously ugly Multipla.

The “L” stands for “Large” and helps expand the Fiat 500 range to four models. As for sizing, the 500L measures in at 163-inches long, 70-inches wide and 65-inches high. By comparison, the standard 500 model, the 500L is roughly two feet longer.

Designed as an alternative to traditional B and C segment cars, the 500L will go on sale in Europe in the last quarter of 2012 with a choice of two gasoline engines (TwinAir and a 1.4-liter), as well as a 1.3-liter turbodiesel.

GALLERY: Fiat 500L

Well, there’s good indication that it will at least be heading for ‘South’ America, where automotive tastes tend to run more closely to those across the Atlantic.

The B-Max adopts much of the current Fiesta’s styling, albeit in a taller package. It’s also the first to receive Ford‘s new three-cylinder EcoBoost engine. And with Ford recently announcing the EcoBoost 3 will be offered in North America, it’s not hard to speculate that this is the package it could come wrapped in.

Both engine and B-Max will be assembled at Ford’s plant in Craiova, Romania, though with Ford expected to wind down Fiesta production at its Brazilian plant in Cuantitalan (relying instead on models built in Mexico for that market), there’s a good chance B-Max production might be added there. That would make the idea of a B-Max ending up in our showrooms more feasible.

Further indications that this pint-size MPV could make it here, include the fact that Ford has trademarked the B-Max name with the U.S. Patent Office, along with ‘Easy Access Door System,’ marketing speak for a sliding door setup which, incidentily, was previewed on the B-MAX concept at the Geneva Motor Show back in March. All we can say for now is, watch this space.

[Source: Ford Inside News]

These days Mazda doesn’t have a lot going for it and it’s not often that the automaker makes the headlines. But this story just proves what thinking outside the box can do.

More than five years ago Mazda axed its low-selling minivan and debuted the Mazda5 – a smaller van based on the compact Mazda3 platform. It hasn’t quite caught on here (despite its incredible packaging), but our neighbors to the North love the thing an it’s a popular vehicle in other markets.

Classified as an ‘MPV’ it has started to gather a following and other automakers are taking notice, with Ford recently debuting its own rival, the C-Max.

Now Nissan is getting in on the action, and is set to debut a rival to the mini-minivan some time this year. But rather than reinvent the wheel, the yet-unnamed Nissan will be based off the Mazda5.

According to Mazda the vehicle is planned for the Japanese market and there is no info on if it is planned for North America.

Suzuki has been struggling with its car division in North America, and sales in 2010 were particularly poor. However, in its home market of Japan, the brand does quite well, thanks to tiny run-abouts like this new MR wagon.

The MR wagon fits under the kei-class category in Japan, which in English would mean, ultra sub-compact. There are many benefits to owning such vehicles in Japan, as you get plenty of tax cuts for driving economical vehicles. So like all other kei-class cars, the MR wagon features an engine displacing just 660 cc and three-cylinders.

You can either get a normally aspirated engine that produces 54-hp, or a turbo-charged unit that develops a ‘whopping’ 64-hp. You can also choose between a front-wheel drive model and an all-wheel drive model. However, the only transmission on offer is a CVT automatic.

The new MR wagon order book is now open. Prices start at about $14,000.

[Source: Carscoop]

Chrysler Corporation will look to introduce a new compact van for either Dodge or Chrysler, with the new model replacing that brand’s current minivan offering. Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Chrysler and Fiat, made the comments to reporters gathered at the North American International Auto Show.

The move will take place by 2013 says Marchionne, with the small MPV set to rival the Mazda5 and newly-released Ford C-Max. If Chrysler gets the small van, then the Town & Country will be cut, while the Grand Caravan will face a similar fate if Dodge gets the new model.

With the Town & Country the stronger seller in the U.S. and the fact that it commands higher prices, the Grand Caravan’s fate would appear numbered.

Like how the C-Max rides on the Focus platform and the Mazda5 on the Mazda3 architecture, the new Chrysler Group model will be based off of an upcoming compact car platform, that will not only be used for the Caliber replacement, but it also expected to be used to build Jeep crossovers, like the next-generation Compass and Patriot.

[Source: Autoblog]

Read AutoGuide’s Review of the 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan Here

Set to officially debut at the Detroit Auto Show in just a few weeks time, yesterday Ford released full details on its new C-Max MPV, including info on the industry first hands-free liftgate.

It’s tied in to the same type of sensor in the key fob that allows for keyless access and allows you to open the liftgate by simply motioning with your foot under the rear bumper. (Genius, we know). To help demonstrate just how easy and effective it is, Ford has released a video highlighting the feature.

If that’s got your interest in the C-Max, then you might also want to know that it seats 7 in a 5+2 configuration, has sliding side doors and can even be had with a 1.6-liter EcoBoost turbocharged 4-cylinder that makes 168-hp and 173 ft-lbs of torque.

GALLERY: 2012 Ford C-Max

Check out the video after the jump:

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Ford is betting on the compact vehicle, so much so it plans to offer 10 different models based on its new compact car platform, which underpins the upcoming 2012 Focus. The latest of these is the 2011 Ford C-MAX, which will compete in the MPV segment alongside the Mazda5.

Ford doesn’t call it an MPV, however, but a ‘white space’ vehicle – whatever that means. In Europe this car is actually called the Grand C-MAX, with the regular C-MAX model featuring just five seats.

While MPVs are popular in Europe, they’ve yet to catch on here, despite clever packaging that delivers excellent fuel economy, plenty of passenger and cargo room and a drive quality that’s engaging.

As a 5+2 seater the C-MAX has one more seat than the Mazda, with a second row that includes a center seat which folds out from one of the side seats. Total cargo room is rated at 70.2 cubic feet.

With a standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 168-hp and 167 ft-lbs of torque, Ford will easily achieve best-in-class fuel economy thanks to an optional EcoBoost 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, which also boasts 168-hp as well as 173 ft-lbs of torque that’s available from just 1500 rpm. On premium fuel the EcoBoost motor makes 180-hp. Also helping in the fuel economy department is a six-speed automatic transmission and electric power steering.

Interested? But you haven’t even heard the best part. Always looking for innovative solutions to make life easier, even items like SYNC and the new MyFord Touch have nothing on the industry-first hands-free liftgate. That’s right, thanks to sensors in the bumper, as long as you have the keys in your pocket, just approach the vehicle, wave your foot under the car and the rear hatch opens up. (Why has no one thought of this before?)

Set to debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January, Ford has yet to release all the details on the C-MAX, but we can all but guarantee the EcoBoost model will cost a premium and items like the hands-free liftgate are certain to only be available on top trim models with a keyless access system and push-button ignition.

Check back for complete Detroit Auto Show coverage starting January 10th.

GALLERY: 2011 Ford C-MAX

Official release after the jump:

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Kia appears to have quietly killed-off its Rondo MPV in response to a continued slide in sales. Visitors to the Rondo page on Kia’s U.S. website are greeted with the news, “Thank you for inquiring about the Rondo. As the saying goes, ‘all good things must come to an end’ But with endings, come new beginnings…” Below that message is an image of the new 2011 Kia Sportage, directing customers that that page where they can check out the stylish new compact crossover.

The Rondo’s demise was stumbled upon by the team at Autoblog, who then contacted Kia and received this response. “Kia has not yet decided on a 2011 model, but the 2010 is still available in dealerships.”

Kia managed to move just 14,206 Rondos last year, a 50 percent drop from 2008 when the company sold 28,645 units. The Rondo would seem to be the latest casualty in the Kia lineup with the Korean automaker recently dropping the Borego full size SUV.

This move also looks to be a part of a larger product switch from Kia away from old models and old designs towards fresh and exciting new products. Unfortunately for those few looking at a Rondo, the Sportage simply doesn’t offer the same utility.

Of note, Kia Canada isn’t following suit with any message on its website, suggesting the Rondo will continue on there. This isn’t surprising as sales of MPVs like the Rondo and Mazda5 are strong in Canada.

[Source: Kia via AutoBlog]

With the release of a new model, automakers generally see a big surge in sales. Mazda may be counting on that, or perhaps they’ve got a few tricks planned, because the company has announced it intends to sell as many as 30,000 Mazda5 models next year. Last year Mazda sold just 18,500 units of the MPV (commonly called a minivan), a 16 percent drop-off from 2008.

Mazda introduced the second-generation Mazda5 at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year, and while Mazda exec Thomas Pixton has said that the car’s sporty driving dynamics and improved fuel economy will attract buyers, it’s not clear if the car will get the same 2.0-liter direct-injection 4-cylinder (with Mazda’s start-stop system) offered in Europe.

Mazda has been at the forefront of the MPV segment, competing only with the Kia Rondo. That, however, will soon change with Ford’s introduction of the Grand C-Max. Chevy also has it’s new Orlando MPV but has decided to not sell it in the U.S., while Hyundai is also rumored to be thinking about the MPV segment.

With increased competition, Mazda is also certain to put some added marketing budget behind the Mazda5, which should help it reach the 30,000 unit mark.

[Source: LeftLaneNews]

The GMC Granite has been given the green light for production. No… wait… it hasn’t. According to a report by Motor Trend, a source at GM announced that the funky Scion xB-like urban MPV based on the Chevy Orlando will get the go ahead. After publishing the report, GM contacted MT to inform them that the production light is not green, but more yellow – if not downright red.

Did MT just jump the gun? Or perhaps someone at the General slipped up and prematurely announce this new model for production long before it is ready. After all, GM hasn’t even launched the Chevy Orlando yet and the Granite is sure to come after it’s Chevy brother.

Regardless, we have to think that after the overwhelmingly positive reaction the Granite received at this year’s Detroit Auto Show, well see it in dealerships before long and unlike the Orlando, the Granite will most certainly be sold in America.

GALLERY: GMC Granite

[Source: Motor Trend]