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The Z100 has been spotted out testing on a couple of occasions, but this is the first time that we’ve seen the interior. Previously the Z100 was referred to as the Chinese Suzuki Alto. The latest generation of Alto is actually one of China’s more popular small cars, the tiny bubble sells for around 50,000rmb and is one of the cheapest joint venture cars on the road in China today which makes it relatively popular with young buyers. Zotye want to mimic Suzuki’s success with the Z100, one would be quick to note that the dashboard of the Z100 shown below is more than just a little similar to the Alto’s offerings.

We may forgive Kia for introducing their older Cerato model under a new brand, we initially thought it was a half hearted attempt at selling their older cars under a new brand but it appears that the Cerato has been given an electric life. Sub brands from joint venture manufacturers have realized that they need to have a unique schtick if they are going to sell any cars at all, Venucia from Nissan, Kai Li from FAW-VW and Tantus from SH-FAW will have a focus on electric cars going forward.

According to the little information that we have available, the electric Cerato will be good for a top speed of 110kph but there is no news yet on how far the little car can go on a single charge or how long it will take to charge to max capacity.

The VW Sharan was not a huge hit when it first came to China in the early 2000′s, it seems that the original model was too expensive and the locally made Buick GL8 was too hot in the competition stakes and thus Sharan departed the PRC’s shores for a decade. But now Sharan’s back and she is ready to roll, the latest generation has been aired at various auto shows around China and now it is finally on the market priced at 300,000rmb to 400,000rmb depending on specification.

It’s not hard to see that the Sharan is gunning after the recently updated Buick GL8 in the luxury business MPV arena, the Sharan’s pricing is quite aggressive despite its imported status. Only a 2.0T model is being introduced but that is more than enough to power the 7 seater vehicle, the GL8 on the other hand offers 2.4L four cylinder and a 3.0L V6 model.

VW are marketing the MPV at both consumers and business users by demonstrating its duel use capability under a ’7 day 7 lives’ slogan, it might not make sense in English but it is an interesting idea in Chinese. VW also used silver men at the launch party, we’re not quite sure what they mean either.

These mini vans, known as bread vans, are the staple diet of the Chinese car industry, without these miniature vehicles flying out of dealerships across China we have no doubt that the actual figures for the Chinese car industry would be some 25-30% lower than they really are. There are a few big brands such as Chang’an, Wuling, and Changhe that are heavily involved in the sector and have a virtual monopoly on the segment but other manufacturers such as Chery have been eager to get involved owing to the segments volume. Now if you’re going to enter into the segment you better bring something new to gain your own Unique Selling Point, and it seems Chery have found there’s with the stretched Karry.

Karry was a brand that Chery created specifically for the segment some four years ago and it has been one of the more successful new sub brands from Chery, with Riich and Reely falling by the wayside. The stretched Karry You You measures in at an impressive (LxWxH) 4430mm x 1626 x 1930mm with a wheelbase of 2800mm, with the Chery being stretched 437mm and the wheelbase gaining an extra 200mm. The Karry still has the original 7 seats but the stretched area has been added for extra cargo space. The engine has also been increased, previously it made do with a 1.0L but a 1.2L engine has been added for extra torque, the 1.2L unit is good for 80bhp and 102Nm. Pricing is set to be from just 40,000rmb which seems like quite the deal considering the cargo space.

Austrian manufacturer-for-hire and supplier Magna Steyr is bringing a concept car called the “MILA Coupic” to the Geneva auto show. Magna assembles cars for automakers such as Mini, Peugeot, and Mercedes-Benz, but it doesn’t sell a single car under its own name. So why did Magna create the MILA Coupic? It’s a showcase for its engineering, manufacturing, and supply capabilities. The Coupic is the sixth MILA concept created by the company.

The Coupic packs its features and concepts in a high-riding crossover coupe body wearing a bright two-tone paint job. Magna calls the Coupic a three-in-one car, because the two key technologies on display—a trick folding roof and reconfigurable interior—help it to offer multiple packaging options. The roof consists of an unconventional combination of glass and cloth panels; there are front and rear sections that can be opened independently, and each section is itself comprised of several slats.

With the panels closed, the Coupic is a five-passenger vehicle with a stylishly rakish roofline. When either the fore or aft section is opened, the slats stack up accordion-style at one end of the roof opening. Open both the front and rear sections, and you get a pseudo convertible. For its final trick, the Coupic’s rear seats fold up and move forward to close off the front seats from the rest of the vehicle; at that point, the aft roof panels can be opened to create a small pickup bed. We’re looking forward to seeing it in action; at this point, we’re thinking of the Coupic as the two-door spawn of a BMW X6 and a GMC Envoy XUV.

However funky the Coupic’s collection of tech may be, it doesn’t actually preview an entire car. It’s unlikely the roof design, weather-sealing folding rear seats, and Transformer-style pickup-bed mode will ever live together on a production vehicle. But Magna’s current and potential clients may like what they see, so you could see individual elements of this concept in future products wearing more familiar badges.

Hit play for an audio recording of a mystery car’s exhaust note, and then share your guesses or get a few hints from other visitors in the comments below. Be sure to check back on Thursday for the answer!

Full specs for the 2013 John Cooper Works Countryman are now out, and while our experience driving a prototype told us basically what to expect, this new round of info provided one surprise: an optional automatic transmission. (That’s a first for any JCW model.)

Keep Reading: 2013 Mini John Cooper Works Countryman – Official Photos and Info

The new, 991-gen Porsche 911 has been on sale for some time now, which means bracing for not only an onslaught of Porsche-created variants (we’ve already driven the first one, the cabriolet) but also a fresh crop of tuned, modified, and/or aesthetically reworked 911s created by the world’s tuners. And so here we are: One of the most well-known Porsche manipulators, TechArt, has announced new addenda for the latest versions of the Carrera and Carrera S. The bits debut at next week’s Geneva auto show.

The TechArt treatment planned for display includes a two-part front spoiler with an integrated splitter, a fixed rear wing, a rear diffuser, trim pieces for the headlamps and side mirrors, and an exhaust system with active flaps. The company also promises 20- or 21-inch wheels available in a couple of designs.

The interior can be outfitted to the check-writer’s liking; the Geneva model will be fitted with black leather, Alcantara, and punctuated by body-color-coordinated stitching. Cabin trim will be rendered in matte yellow or black, and there’s some carbon fiber in there, too. Sounds about right.

On the heels of sketches published earlier this month, Kia now has revealed the first official images of its new full-size, rear-wheel-drive sedan. Set to launch in Korea during the first half of this year, the large sedan carried the codename “KH” during development but will be called K9 in its home market. The vehicle’s availability, name, and launch dates for export markets will be announced later this year.

Keep Reading: 2012 Kia K9 – Official Photos and Info

There are some special small cars that enthusiasts would kill for, including the mid-engined Renault 5 Turbo, the rear-drive Talbot Sunbeam Lotus, and just about any Group B World Rally Championship homologation car, such as the Peugeot 205 Turbo 16. Here’s a potential new classic: the Audi A1 Quattro, priced at the equivalent of more than $55,000 and powered by a 256-hp turbo four. Production is limited to just 333 units. It will be by far the most powerful car in its class, the 208-hp Mini John Cooper Works being a distant second.

Keep Reading: 2012 Audi A1 Quattro – First Drive Review