In spring, those from Opel will attack the SUV’s market with a new model: Opel Mokka. The American brother, Buick Encore, has been inaugurated in 2012 in Detroit a few days ago. Let’s see what we have. Rumors about a SUV Opel, smaller than Antara runs from a while on the internet, but things were clearer than when the Buick started the teaser campaign for their new SUV Buick Encore.

The Germans did not stay a long time on thoughts after first Buick lunch in Detroit in 2012, so now we have the first photos of the new Opel Mokka. Mokka is based on Opel’s Corsa technical platform and measures 31 cm less than Antara, a length of 4.28 meters, so well suited to urban traffic, as Juke (4.13 meters long), Mitsubishi ASX (4.3 meters long) or Duster (4.31 meters long).

Although the value of Mokka’s wheelbase hasn’t been notified yet, we can look quickly at his brother Buick Encore, which has a distance of 2.55 meters between the axes, while gauges front/rear 1.54 meters. Therefore, Encore and Mokka promises enough interior space, especially the interior ergonomics boasts no fewer than 19 storage spaces for small things.

The interior is familiar, dashboard design immediately remind us of Opel Meriva – is rounded, pleasant, designed more for women with fine tastes. But for those with practical needs, because the trunk has a capacity of 533 liters, which, by folding the split rear seat, reach 1370 liters (Juke: 250/830 liters ASX: 416/1.190 liters Duster: 475/1636 liters).

Mokka Opel’s engines will be in number of three at the launch:

• 1.7 CDTI (diesel), of 130 hp and 280 Nm, which can receive the optional all-wheel drive and a gearbox 6
• 1.6-liter petrol 115 hp and 155 Nm, offered only with front-wheel drive and 6-speed manual gearbox
• 1.4-liter turbo petrol 140 hp and maximum torque of 200 Nm, with 6-manual speed gearbox, but the option wheels drive system
• 1.7 CDTI (diesel), of 130 hp and 280 Nm, which can receive the optional all-wheel drive and a 6 gearbox- automatic speed

All engines have standard start/stop system and Opel engineers promise Mokka will have a very safe ride, but will also provide a good level of comfort in its segment. Another chapter that Opel Mokka will be very fine it’s about the facilities – on list of options we can find the new system “Opel Eye” (the recognition of traffic signs and notification of dangerous situations in traffic), adaptive lighting “AFL +”, with bi-xenon system alert or unintentional lane change “LDW”.

Also, we have the “FlexFix” option that help us to carry up 3 bikes, and from luxury options, we have the reversing camera or 18-inch wheels. In terms of safety, Opel Mokka will provide a battery, 10 airbags and standard ABS and ESP. It remains to wait for Geneva Motor Show 2012 to learn more about performance and consumption, and the first information on prices, which already promises to be very competitive.

In this review we’ll put VW Passat in front of the Ford Mondeo and Opel Insignia, all models made ​​in Germany. Here is the verdict:

Compared to the Volkswagen Passat, which expresses no doubt that it is a German car, the Ford Mondeo and Opel Insignia is seeking global car, the taste more customers around the world. Moreover, emphasizing voices certainly appear that Ford and Opel keep American companies – however, in this case we speak of models with European specifications.

Overall, you need only a few moments to realize that, in terms of design, Insignia is something else than the Passat. Insignia’s rather fits VW Passat CC, and competitor’s style of the Passat as the German sedan is now almost trivial to show and rough compared with smooth lines and Insignia’s very elegant.

And Ford Mondeo looks more modern than the Passat, but maintains a higher dose of sobriety than the Insignia. In part,due to the tailgate,but especially because of size, Mondeo looks much more bulky than the Passat, though managing to impose more respect than VW sedan. It is clear that the Mondeo and, especially, Insignia, are more attractive than the Passat, it seemed simply a ’80 car. On the other hand, very classic style of the Passat is responsible largely for the very strong brand image that manages to give off Passat, Berlin Germany is over competitors in this regard.

Finally, for customers with a developed aesthetic sense Passat is clearly outweighed by the Insignia and Mondeo. On the other hand, conservative style like VW inspires more confidence for customers who are considered very serious. Insignia is contradictory, relying on an open to new clients and places great emphasis on fashion.

So Ford Mondeo remains the most balanced segment, the mid-range saloon, although the test version, the tailgate, it attracts more people who will and dynamism. But, finally, kinetic design Mondeo’s makes it more balanced than the Passat (too oldie) and Insignia (stylish too).

2012 will be a very interesting and exciting year. We have news on all fronts, in all segments. It is difficult to decide now which is the most important release of the year as Romanians tastes in cars do not discuss and change from year to year, from generation to generation. Expect the new 3 Series, however, to stir, to finally bury the new 1 Series sales or look like all Romanians in Dacia Lodgy flock simply because it is a MPV.

Here, below we have the dates of launch of new models will be made ​​official in the Romanian market in 2012.

Alfa Romeo
Alfa Giulietta TCT official arrives in Romania next spring.

Audi
Audi has more news for next year. In mid-February will come here the new A4 facelift. In March the new A1 Sportback and RS5 facelift. In April S6, S7 and S8 plus hybrids of A6 and A8. In June we will see the new A6 Allroad and in September the new A3. Finally, facelift Q5 arrives in October.

BMW
3 Series official arrives in February, as well as bestiality M5. In the second quarter receive 5 Series ActiveHybrid M6 Convertible 6 Series Gran Coupeşi addition X6 and X1 facelift facelift in summer, 7-Series facelift, M6 Coupe, the new 3-door 1 Series 3 Series ActiveHybrid and the second half of the year.

Chevrolet
The only novelty that will be launched next year in Romania is Malibu. The new Chevrolet Malibu will be sold for the first time in Europe and the United States of America is the eighth generation. Malibu is the longest model in the history of mid-size car, with a life of 35 years, over six decades and eight generations. In Romania, the Chevrolet Malibu comes in the third quarter of 2012.

Citroen
In March arrives and Jumpy Berlingo C1 facelift facelift and come here in April. Also in April will be released and C4 Aircross DS5 will be released in June.

Dacia
Much-awaited Lodgy van will arrive in Romania after the official presentation in Geneva in March.

FIAT
The new Panda arrives in May and Freemont will be officially launched in January despite already can be ordered. The new Grande Punto and it arrives in April.

Ford
In the first half you can buy in Romania’s Focus 1 liter EcoBoost engine equipped with a liter, the new Ranger pick-up or improved Transit. Production of B-Max will also start in the first half but the car will reach its customers in Q3 2012.

Hyundai
I40 arrives in showrooms in January, the new i30 and i20 facelift in March to June. The new Santa Fe comes to us in August.

Honda
Honda Civic 5D arrives in the spring of 2012, namely in March, followed shortly and sedan (May). The new CRV will arrive in autumn, probably October.

Infiniti
FX’s facelift arrives in Romania in April. Do not expect radical changes.

Jaguar
One new Jaguar will arrive in Romania next year and unfortunately is only Ultimate Edition XJ. Summer arrives in Romania.

Jeep
Great news are announced for next year but in the spirit of the American classic, the range will be changed slightly for 2012. In Romania, these models arriving in autumn.

KIA
Kia have three news in Romania 2012. New Optima arrives in March or September. But no one knows its final name.

Land Rover
Because until next autumn will see the new Range Rover probably in Paris, in Romania early in April will arrive here a special edition available for the TDV8 engine Supercharged and probably called Westminster. Expect an English-style luxurious interior.

Maserati
Two facelifts are scheduled for next year. As summer arrives in Romania and the GranTurismo’s facelift in the autumn of his GranCabrio.

Mazda
Mazda has two news for Romania in 2012. CX-5 will be released in the spring and BT-50 in the second half of the year.

Mercedes-Benz
The new SL arrives here in March. G GLK facelift facelift in June and July. In September, welcomed the new A and in September CLS Shooting Break. In November we will see the launch of the new GL.

Mitsubishi
In September the new Outlander will be released in December new class global small car, Colt’s successor. Do not know the final name will be marketed this new model in Romania.

Nissan
Nissan does not bring any new model next year, only special editions and the new 1.6 dCi engine also modified in various models of the range. Not yet know the final details of entry

Opel
Opel Astra GTC  will lunch, Tourer and Opel Zafira Combo in January-February.
At the Geneva Motor Show Opel will present mini-SUV Opel Astra OPC. Mid reaches showrooms amps.

Peugeot
French brand has a lot of news in the program for next year. 107 facelift arrives in Q1, 208, 3008 HYbrid4, 4008, 508 RXH, Partner and Expert facelift facelift coming in quarter 2 and RCZ HYbrid4 Sedan facelift and 508 in quarter 4.

Porsche
GTS Panamera arrives in Romania in April and the new convertible’s 911 Carrera and S versions arrive in February.

Renault
In spring arrives Twingo Gordini RS and wait and line. Also we’ll see and Megane RS Trophy final to spring. Energy will begin and the new engine of French manufacturer.

Toyota
In February and March receive facelift facelift RAV4′s for Aygo, Avensis and Prius. Also in March V8 will receive a facelift but also significant changes. Prius hybrid plug-in hybrid Yaris arrives in June and September.

Volkswagen
The new Beetle will be launched in January and up! in March. Also when they come and the new Passat CC Alltrack. In June comes up! the five-door and the new Golf, the seventh generation will be unveiled in December. Amarok single cabin comes from VW commercial vehicles in the spring.

Volvo
The new Volvo compact, A3 and 1 Series competitor, named variant V40 series arrives in Romania next summer.

Seven of the top 10 best-selling models in Europe in 2011 are German cars. And three of them bearing the Volkswagen sign. Here are the Top 10 last year in Europe.

TOP 10 best selling models in Europe in 2011:

• Volkswagen Golf – 484,547 (-1.6%)
• Volkswagen Polo – 356 490 (0.5%)
• Ford Fiesta – 348,465 (-13.3%)
• Opel / Vauxhall Corsa – 313,525 (-1.7%)
• Renault Clio – 294,172 (-13.1%)
• Opel / Vauxhall Astra – 287,249 (-1.3%)
• Ford Focus – 280,209 (+7.0%)
• Peugeot 207-242385 (-20.6%)
• Renault Megane – 239,329 (-8.3%)
• Volkswagen Passat – 233 330 (46.5%)

As you can see, the Volkswagen Golf continues its triumphant march, sales of nearly a million copies assuring them a very comfortable first place (even if we talk about sales figures down from 2010 and 2009). In fact, VW Golf is best sold in several European countries: Germany (about 258,000), Belgium (about 20,000), Austria (about 16,000), Switzerland (about 12,000), Norway (ca. 7300) or Luxemburg.

Second place is occupied by “brother” Volkswagen Polo, which manages thus to take revenge against the Ford Fiesta, which must be satisfied with third place after, in 2010, occupied the second position. Fiesta’s sales decreased in 2011 compared to 2010 with over 50,000 units, while Polo has found thousands of additional customers.

4th place is occupied by the Opel Corsa, which it ahead of the French Renault Clio because of its regression, over 40,000 units, compared to 2010. Another Frenchman, Peugeot 207, the highest percentage reduction in the top 10, taking advantage of Opel Astra and especially Ford, which sold almost 20,000 units more than in 2011, and the taking of Megane the second consecutive year.

Top model is completed by mid sole of the 10 models, Volkswagen Passat, which recorded a huge increase in sales, nearly 50% compared to 2010, notable performance if we think that generally speaking the price much higher than small class of compact models that dominate the top.

With a smile on his face still fresh facelift and indisputable advantage of an excellent consumer, of the start/stop, the little Opel proved to be a good travel companion. Corsa’s career has just entered the sixth year, but lower class German model gives no sign of fatigue lowest trade. Nor would it be like, given that newly has undergone facelift in 2011. In terms of technical advantages, however, the tested model relies on the advantage given by adding the start/stop 1.3 CDTI ECOTEC engine, already known for some excellent consumption figures. The version available to test, Enjoy, the car has a price of 13.900 euros with TVA.

Visually, the car has to offer a view of more than agreeable. As happened in market timing, Corsa’s design is guided by his elder brother, the Astra compact, but nobody can deny the individuality of small Opel. Lights, revised during the facelift last year, received a black fairing, extending over the front grille. Here, we see chrome grille that dominates the new emblem of the German manufacturer, embossed in the entire ensemble. Bumper also received a “smile” again, and fog lights are now bounded by some chrome trim give a touch of elegance to the car. Bottom does not change as great as the front, standing out here just upgraded emblem. The interior is remarkable tandem of center console inspired silver and ornaments of “piano black” from the vents, chrome trim plus the tools and gear or door handles. The center console emits a high-tech air, although one would have preferred a more ergonomic organization of the myriad of buttons on the board.

A new very high end of the current board is the “eco” clear signal of the adoption system Start/Stop. Sound system controls are centrally located and is organized around the volume knob, similar to those for air conditioning. At nightfall, with the ignition lights, light yellow translucent released the main buttons induce a pleasant atmosphere. Strangely, however, the sound volume level is indicated by the audio display, a shortcoming offset somewhat by the presence of very intuitive commands located on the steering wheel. Dashboard is divided into two quadrants, among whom is the trip computer display. A white ball in terms of design idea of  not going to put clocks horizontal figures, but to guide them as edges quadrants.

Interior space is the direct result of external form, which provides important centimeters to the head. Four people can travel in satisfactory condition at the board’s Opel Corsa ecoFLEX 1.3 CDTI ECOTEC and luggage will not be any left them at home. Even if the volume boot fit in typical small class, with the normal configuration 285 liters with the seats folded and 1100, its regular shape makes it very practical.