Seoul — Kia Motors Corp. yesterday released initial details and photos of its all-new Kia Magentis four-door sedan (also known as ‘Optima’ in some markets such as North America), which will make its world premiere at the IAA in Frankfurt on September 13. Designed at Kia Motors' facilities in Korea, the USA and Europe, the new generation MG Magentis marks the latest step in the complete regeneration of the Kia product line-up over the last four years. more …

Fiat yesterday released the first details of its all-new Grande Punto. The Grande Punto has been designed from the outset to be a larger vehicle than is typical for the class, so as to offer the highest possible safety standards, class leading quality credentials, and the best range of diesel engines available in this category today, all at a very competitive price. The new Grande Punto goes on sale in continental Europe in September and in the UK early in 2006, in 3- and 5-door body styles and four distinct versions. more …

Paris — Takashi Nishioka, Chairman of Mitsubishi Motors Corporation and Jean-Martin Folz, CEO of PSA Peugeot Citroën, today signed the final cooperation agreement between their two companies concerning all-new SUVs. The agreement plans the annual production in Japan of 30,000 units for PSA Peugeot Citroën's needs, based on a Mitsubishi Motors' platform currently under development. To be launched in Europe in 2007, the new high-end SUVs will be well equipped with top-of-the-line comfort, handling and safety features. more …

Renault has released the first details of the Renault-Nissan Alliance's new 2.0 dCi engine, the M9R. Featuring the latest common-rail diesel technologies, the 1995 cc M9R will premièr this month in the recently updated Renault Laguna. Coupled with a new six-speed manual gearbox this powerful, economic and clean engine will be released in several variants with different power and torque capabilities for gradual rollout on other Renaults, including high-output versions producing up to 175 PS. more …