|
|
|---|
Monday, November 30, 2009
Hot News: Audi A2 Confirmed
Audi is currently planning a new A2, company boss Rupert Stadler has told Autocar.
"As we gave the A1 that nomenclature there’s clearly room for another product and another concept between the A3," he admitted.
Stadler wouldn’t be drawn on what exactly a new A2 could be, but admitted that it would be an obvious propostion.
"If you don’t have to explain a car like the A2 then it works," he said.
However other insiders have admitted that the A2 is likely to be an ‘E2’: an electric car based on the the A1 but with a unique bodystyle and look.
Stadler also quashed rumours that Audi was planning a car based on the VW Up!, possibly badged A0, saying that there was no possibility of the company slotting in a car under the forthcoming A1 supermini, which will be launched at the Geneva motor show in March.
Thanks to: Autocar
Spied: 2011 Smart ForTwo
Mercedes is planning its cleverest Smarts yet and we have the pictures to prove it. Captured by our eagle-eyed spies, these images show a mule of the next-generation Fortwo city car carrying out some hot-weather tests in the south of France.
Our sources have also revealed that the new Fortwo will form the base for a lager, stretched Smart, currently known as the Fortwo+2.
Limited by its lack of space, the Fortwo has seen itself fall behind more practical rivals such as Toyota’s iQ, and with more premium vehicles on the way, including Audi’s A1 and the rumoured BMW Isetta, Smart has begun work on its own four-seater. The new Fortwo+2 will also get rear doors.
The standard Fortwo will remain a strict two-seater though, with both new cars continuing to be rear-wheel-drive, and housing the engine below the floor at the rear. The added length for the extra seats in the Fourtwo+2 coming from the longer wheelbase.
The Fortwo is expected to arrive in showrooms late next year with the four-seater arriving by 2012. Both cars will be available with a wide range of engine options, and will likely include a hybrid and an electric version. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express
Hot News: Tata to Build Nano Hybrid
India's Tata Motors may produce a hybrid model based on the Nano, the world's cheapest car, Reuters reports.
A South Korean publication quoted company chairman Ratan Tata as saying his team is looking into the car, but failed to elaborate on the subject. He went on to mention that the automaker's Ace light truck may be exported and produced in South Korea in the near future.
Tata's $2000 entry-level model has become a huge success in the market, with orders and production levels nearing capacity. It's so popular that officials had to implement a lottery system to purchase one. Profits are currently on the upwards swing for Tata after a string of massive losses.
If a hybrid Nano does come into fruition, it's safe to assume it'll be just as popular as its gasoline-powered sibling, if the price is right, of course.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
New Car: 2011 Buick Excelle
At the Guangzhou Auto Show, GM debuted its latest addition to the Chinese Buick range - the five-door Excelle XT. Marketed as a coupe-like premium compact hatchback, the Excelle will hit Chinese showrooms in 2010.
Based on the same front-wheel drive platform of the soon-to-be-unveiled Chevrolet Cruze, the Excelle will go on sale in China with a choice of either a naturally aspirated 116-hp 1.6L four-cylinder engine, a peppier 138-hp 1.8L mill, or a 1.6L turbocharged engine that produces 181 hp and up to 196 lb-ft of torque in Superboost mode. A six-speed automatic gearbox comes standard with all engines and no word was given regarding a manual option.
Although the Chinese-spec Excelle shares a platform with the Cruze, it is actually a closer relative of the 2010 Opel Astra, with similar styling. Both cars receive a revised suspension relative to the Cruze, with rebound springs up front to reduce understeer and give a sportier driving experience. Out back, a Watts linkage is added to the package, rather than a Panhard rod. The changes should make the Excelle a much more dynamic car to drive than the Cruze.
Of course, the big question is whether the Excelle will make it across the pond to U.S. soil, where it could join the all-new Regal and LaCrosse as an entry-level addition to Buick's domestic lineup. The car pictured looks virtually identical to the small Buick GM showed us months ago, although the version we saw was a four-door sedan. In the U.S., a sedan likely makes more sense for both buyers' tastes and Buick's image, so the possibility of a U.S. Excelle coming with four doors instead of five is a strong one. And, of course, Buick could also choose to rename the car for the U.S. market, so we're not even sure if our Buick will carry the Excelle moniker.
What do you think of the Chinese-market Buick Excelle? What engine, body style, and name would you like to see on the U.S.-spec car?
Thanks to: Motor Trend
Hot News Up Date: 2011 Audi A1
Audi will be pegging prices of the A1 close to the Mini, an inside source has revealed.
The upmarket supermini, due to go on sale at the end of 2010, is likely to start at around £13,000 for the base three-door model, although the bulk of the range will retail between £15,000 to £20,000.
The new A1 is set to share a lot of mechanicals with the recently launched VW Polo. Exact details are scarce, but it’s likely to be powered by a range of existing VW group engines and some newly developed motors.
The petrol model range begins with a turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol engine in two states of tune - 84bhp and 104bhp. Further up there will be a turbocharged 1.4-litre petrol with 120bhp and a high-performance, supercharged and turbocharged version of the same unit that puts out 168bhp.
Diesel engines are likely to be a 1.6-litre common-rail injection unit in three states of tune: 75bhp, 90bhp and 105bhp.
Audi sources say that the company is keen to offer A1 buyers a similar ownership experience to that of the Mini. That’s likely to include a wide range of options to personalise your car and the company is planning a all-in service package, designed to give a fixed ownership cost over three or five years.
Thanks to: Autocar
Hot News: Volkswagen Polo is Autocar Car of the Year 2010
The VW Polo is the Car of the Year 2010.
The supermini narrowly edged the Toyota iQ in the final voting, earning 347 points over 337.
The Polo received 59 scoring votes in total from the 59-strong judging panel, including 25 selections as the number one car. In contrast the iQ received 58 votes, with 20 selections as the best car.
The result is determined from a list of 33 new cars which are voted on by European car journalists.
A shortlist of seven cars is then determined, with 59 European judges making their selection. Each judge has 25 points to allocate as they see fit, although at least five contenders must receive points, and the chosen winner must receive more points than the runners-up.
Autocar's editor-in-chief Steve Cropley is one of the judges, and voted the Toyota iQ as his personal favourite, allocating it eight points. He also gave the Mercedes E-class five points, Citroen C3 Picasso and Peugeot 3008 three points each and the Skoda Yeti, Vauxhall Astra and VW Polo two points each.
The full result is below:
1. Volkswagen Polo 347 points, 59 votes, 25 vote wins
2. Toyota iQ 337 points, 58 votes, 20 vote wins
3. Opel/Vauxhall Astra 221 points, 55 votes, 5 vote wins
4. Skoda Yeti 158 points, 54 votes, 4 vote wins
5. Mercedes-Benz E-class 155 points, 48 votes, 2 wins
6. Peugeot 3008 144 points, 49 votes, 2 vote wins
7. Citroen C3 Picasso 113 points, 47 votes, 1 win
2. Toyota iQ 337 points, 58 votes, 20 vote wins
3. Opel/Vauxhall Astra 221 points, 55 votes, 5 vote wins
4. Skoda Yeti 158 points, 54 votes, 4 vote wins
5. Mercedes-Benz E-class 155 points, 48 votes, 2 wins
6. Peugeot 3008 144 points, 49 votes, 2 vote wins
7. Citroen C3 Picasso 113 points, 47 votes, 1 win
Thanks to: Autocar
Hot News: Geely and Ford Strike Volvo Deal
Geely has reached an agreement with Ford on the issue of Volvo’s intellectual property rights, according to a company spokesman.
The European-abased spokesman told Reuters that the major obstacle in Geely’s takeover of Volvo from Ford had now been overcome. Ford has declared Geely as its preferred bidder for the Swedish firm.
The spokesman said if the deal is completed, then Geely will have ownership of all technologies exclusively developed by Volvo.
Ford will be allowed access to any technologies which are crucial to the feature of its business, including safety and environmental features.
The agreement won’t apply the other way around, however, as Geely will not be allowed access or have any rights to any similar technology developed by Ford.
When Ford announced Geely as its preferred bidder for Volvo last month, Ford’s chief financial officer Lewis Booth highlighted the importance of reaching an agreement that was acceptable for both parties.
“Ford’s objective in our discussions with Geely is to secure an agreement that is in the best interests of all the parties,” he said.
“Any prospective sale would have to ensure that Volvo has the resources, including the capital investment, necessary to further strengthen the business and build its global franchise.
“Ford believes Geely has the potential to be a responsible future owner of Volvo and to take the business forward while preserving its core values and the independence of the Swedish brand. But there is much work that needs to be completed in the more substantive discussions that are agreed to take place. We have no specific timeline to conclude the discussion.”
Thanks to: Autocar
Hot News: Alfa Romeo Changes Milano Name
Alfa Romeo has been forced to change the name of its 147 replacement less than 48 hours before it is scheduled to be unveiled to the world.
The car has been designated the Alfa Romeo Milano for months, and was set to be given that name up until the end of last week.
However, Autocar understands that Alfa has now made a late change to the name.
It is understood that this is because Alfa workers in Milan complained that a current wave of redundancies at Fiat's Milan headquarters means there will be almost no Alfa employees working in the city, and that to name a car after the location would be insensitive.
In January and February 2010 Alfa is scheduled to relocate its last remaining 232 Milan-based designers and engineers from Milan, where Alfa was established 99 years ago, to Turin, in order to save money.
Rumours suggest that Alfa is busy preparing a new name for the car, with Giulietta favourite.
This is the second time in the past 10 years Alfa has changed a car's name at the last minute.
In early 2003, Fiat decided to call the Panda's successor the Gingo. However, Renault threatened to sue Fiat because it felt Gingo was too close to Twingo – a Panda rival.
Thanks to: Autocar
New Car: 2011 Ford Mustang V6
Wanna see a Ford guy wince? Call the Mustang V-6 a “secretary’s car.” This used to be a reliably fun way to annoy our hosts (or get a beer poured down our backs) at Mustang events, primarily because it was true: with its wheezy, old 4.0-liter V-6 putting out a wimpy-for-a-muscle-car 210 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque, the base ‘Stang couldn’t outrun a Honda Accord V-6. But it seems that our last jab has been made, now that Ford has announced that its 2011 Mustang V-6 will have its power juiced up by some 45 percent to 305 hp, with torque rising 40 lb-ft to 280.
The new, all-aluminum six-pot displaces 3.7 liters, with its signature feature being Ti-VCT (Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing), which Ford says allows for extremely precise overlap times during which both intake and exhaust valves are open. Simply stated, this allows the engine to operate optimally for hard-charging acceleration—a handy trait for pony cars—but then become more focused on fuel economy during low-load situations. Redline is now a nice, high 7000 rpm. Also helping in both performance and fuel-economy respects are newly fitted manual and automatic transmissions, both with six forward speeds.
Thanks to a frugal 2.73:1 rear axle ratio and tall top gears in both transmissions, fuel economy soars to an impressive 19 mpg in the city and a whopping 30 on the highway for the automatic—besting the segment’s current mileage braggart, the 304-hp Chevrolet Camaro V-6 and its still-impressive 29 highway mpg; fuel economy drops by one mpg to 18/29 for the manual-equipped Mustang V-6. Ford says that it has kept curb weight under 3500 pounds for the coupe, with the engine being 40 pounds lighter than the 4.0-liter it replaces, although the dual-exhaust system adds a few pounds back in (the current Mustang V-6 manual weighs in at 3421 pounds). Also noteworthy are larger brake discs, which have been upgraded to 11.5 inches in front and 11.8 in back, as well as retuned spring and damper rates. The steering components have been replaced by a new electrically assisted system, which offers gains in terms of efficiency but often results in a loss of road feel. Ford claims that the electric system will offer great feel and include tricks like road-crown correction. But we’ll have to see how all these “enhancements” change the overall character of the car.
Thanks to: Car and Driver
Sunday, November 29, 2009
Official Photos: Mitsubishi RVR Compact Crossover
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) has decided to name its all-new compact crossover the RVR. This all-new compact crossover is planned for sequential release globally, and will be first released in Japan next spring.
The all-new RVR is a compact crossover that provides high environmental efficiency and has a compact body while providing ample utility space and high performance.
The RVR will be fitted with an all-new 1.8L MIVEC petrol engine, and will be approximately 4.3 meters in length, featuring high fuel efficiency via its lightweight compact body. With the RVR, MMC expands its crossover lineup, which already includes the full-size Pajero, and the mid-size Outlander.
This new compact crossover will be released globally, including North America, Europe, and Asian regions including China.
First tuned Tata Nano spotted
Carnation is a multi-brand car service outlet promoted by the ex-CEO of Maruti Udyog Mr. Jagdish Khattar. DC is a designer whose designs put star trek star ships to shame, but DC was not able to make his designs come in to a proper customer based market because of the lack of marketing and supply chain. That’s where Carnation & Kahttar come in. While DC provides the design Carnation takes care of the Sales. That’s what the carnation website calls “ The Artist meets the Enabler”
When Mr. Kattar addressed “Our endeavor is to create ‘experience destinations’ for our customers, a nationwide world-class car care backup network and warranty will provide customers the assurance that their beautifully customized cars are in good hands when they need to be serviced.”
Carnation and DC has collaborated this scheme in which customers can get their cars modified by the DC designed kits at a Carnation center. Currently kits are available for 4 models which include Toyota Innova, Honda City and Suzuki Swift. The Nano Job is currently under development and the kit will be available from next year.
While the City and Swift get the facial treatments, Innova undergoes by-pass surgery with completely reworked interiors which would easily be mistaken for a private jet cabin. With leather seats that recline to 150°, a privacy partition, a 19’’ LCD TV with optional Satellite TV, a Sound System with DVD player, a Beverages Chiller, Fold-out tables and ample leg room you would want to never reach your destination. The exteriors are reworked with accentuated bumpers and air ducts, easy-access platforms and aircraft styled roof module.
More Photos
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
