This November's Los Angeles Auto Show is shaping up to be Mecca for enthusiasts. The 2010 Ford Mustang is due to be revealed in the City of Angels, Volkswagen will supposedly unveil a mid-engine roadster to rival the Elise and it's been all but officially confirmed by Nissan that the 370Z is on its way – two of them, no less.
So with all that rear-wheel-drive hotness on display, the redesigned Mazda3 sedan might have to struggle for attention. Then again, it might not. As suspected, spied and rendered, the next Mazda3 will be taking cues from the recently released Mazda6, including flared wheel arches, swept back headlamps and a gaping air dam. The illustration above (courtesy of AutoCar) is yet another derivation of a reoccurring theme we've seen before, and with the same C1 Ford Focus chassis, the 2010 Mazda3 will have the looks to back up its performance.
As for engines, European consumers will get a choice of gasoline powerplants ranging from 1.4- to 2.0-liters, along with 1.6- and 2.2-liter oilburners. In the U.S., we can expect engines ranging from 2.0- to 2.5-liters, while the Mazdaspeed version is expected to be packing the turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder from the Focus ST. The five-door will debut at the Bologna Motor Show in December, and sales are expected to begin in Europe and North America early next year.
Mitsubishi has just released pricing on the all-new 2009 Lancer Ralliart and for $26,490, you can get behind the wheel of the turbocharged, all-wheel-drive Evo Lite. Equipped with the same 4B11T/C as the Evolution X, the Ralliart is putting out 237 hp through a modified version of the Evo IX's AWD system. That includes an Active Center Differential, along with front and rear mechanical LSDs and settings for Tarmac, Gravel and Snow. Active Stability Control is part of the package, as is Traction Control, but unfortunately, Ralliartists have to make due without the Active Yaw Control equipped on its big brother.
The optional Recaro Sport Package will set you back an additional $2,750, and includes front Recaro buckets, HID headlamps, a 650-watt Rockford Fosgate sound system with a six month subscription to Sirius Satellite Radio.
A wealthy Arab man, thought to be a Sheikh, recently had his black and gold Lamborghini LP640 flown 3,250 miles to London via Qatar Airways and trucked to a certified UK Lamborghini dealership last Friday for a fluid change, which cost him a paltry £3,552 compared to the £20,000 round-trip flight. That's a grand total of £23,552 ($46,644 USD) for a friggin' oil change.
Environmentalists are obviously not pleased with the owner's wanton display of conspicuous consumption. Airport workers at Heathrow also blasted the owner's excess after watching the car get the royal treatment on the runway. One commented, "This car doesn't have a carbon footprint - more of a crater," and another pointed out that it would've been much cheaper to just fly certified Lamborghini technicians to Qatar to do the service.
This type of behavior begs the question of how far one's personal choice extends in the face of the greater good. We're told the Earth is dying beneath our feet and it's all our fault, so should a Sheikh be allowed to ship his car around the world for an oil change while the rest of us stick compact flourescent light bulbs in our lamps and wait in line to buy a Prius? Perhaps the only act that could be more environmentally egregious than this is if he just threw out his exotic and bought a new one every 3,000 miles.
We're less than a day away from the official unveiling of the 2009 Ford Ka, but as is often the case, more cracks are appearing in the dam. This latest leakage comes courtesy of AM-Online, with two new images showing the Ka's new rear end and, more importantly, the interior. Ford's "Kinetic" cues carry over to the Ka, with a slanted stance, large C-pillar and miniscule spoiler below the rear window. The interior has undergone a thorough update, including a new three-spoke steering wheel with brushed aluminum accents that tie into the door handles and curvaceous center stack. The new IP is a subtle blend of simplicity and functionality, with a high-mounted shifter similar to that found on the EP3 Civic Si, along with two-tone thrones that match the turquoise hue of the exterior.
Earlier reports suggest that motivation will be provided by a choice of three powerplants – a 1.4-liter or 1.6-liter gasoline engine or a 1.6-liter TDCi diesel – and a ST variant will likely follow, powered by a turbocharged 1.4-liter.
BMW's lineup of M-fortified vehicles now numbers nine, which is the largest it's ever been in the sub-brand's 30-year history. Munich has tweaked the lineup for 2009, and while nothing groundbreaking has been added, the additions and changes are worth noting. For instance, the BMW M3 Sedan gets a new rear end that sports updated taillights with two LED light clusters, and the entire M3 line gets some minor interior tweaks, new colors and crash-active headrests. The M5 and M6 soldier on with larger sideview mirrors, though BMW mentions that regenerative braking and an uncoupling air conditioner compressor – both fuel saving technologies – are right around the corner.
Of course, all M models are now offered with the latest generation of the automaker's much maligned iDrive control system. We haven't had the opportunity to sample the new version yet, so we'll refrain from making fun of its user interface for now. A new, impressively large 8.8-inch nav screen is, however, available with the optional Professional navigation system package and each system has moved from being DVD-based to storing all the info on an in-dash 80GB hard drive. This fall, BMW will also be offering ConnectedDrive, the first application of unrestricted internet access in a car, across the M lineup and iPhone integration has now been worked out, as well.
Perhaps the most significant addition is the arrival of a Competition Package for the M6 Coupe. The Competition Package includes a newly tuned performance suspension that lowers the car 12 mm up front and 10 mm in the rear, an adaptable suspension control system and double-spoke forged alloy wheels. BMW claims this will be the most athletic M6 you can buy and that there will be visual distinctions to set it apart from a standard M6. Unfortunately, BMW refrained from showing us what those visual distinctions will be.
In the highly competitive world of Formula One racing, the only thing teams can agree on is money -- they want more of it. To that end, they've set up the new Formula One Teams Association.
Unlike the previous Formula One Constructors Association – which represented only the independent teams and came, somewhat ironically, to be dominated by Bernie Ecclestone and Max Mosley when they were team owners – the new group has the backing of all the teams (both independent and manufacturer-owned). The association was founded this week in a meeting of team representatives at Ferrari headquarters in Maranello, also including the participation of Formula One rights holders Bernie Ecclestone and Donald McKenzie. The Formula One Teams Association will represent the interests of the constructors (grand prix-speak for teams) in negotiating the final terms of the new Concorde Agreement, which determines profit sharing among the parties involved in the sport. Speaking with one voice, the teams surely hope to be able to secure a bigger share of the revenues from the grands prix. Little wonder then that Ferrari, in the short statement after the jump, called the meeting "extremely constructive".
[Source: Autosport and Ferrari, Photo: Lluis Gene/Getty]
PRESS RELEASE
F1 teams meeting at Maranello
Maranello, 29th July 2008 - All the Formula 1 teams met today in Maranello and held an extremely constructive meeting, in the presence of Bernie Ecclestone and Donald McKenzie.
The teams have subsequently agreed unanimously that they will establish the new Formula 1 Teams Association to work with the FIA and FOM to agree upon regulations and commercial conditions which will provide a framework for a strong and dynamic sport.
It's official folks. Those of you that picked up a 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX have been had. The road-going rally rocket gets an update for 2009 and with it comes a retuned 2.5-liter boxer four-pot producing 265 hp and 244 lb.-ft. of torque – a 41 hp and 18 lb.-ft. increase over the outgoing model. Power will be sent to all four wheels through a five-speed manual – the only transmission available -- with low-profile 225/45R17 summer tires replacing the 205/50R17 rubber of the 2008 model.
The suspension has been revised to include stiffer springs, uprated dampers, upper strut mounts cribbed from the STI and larger anti-roll bars fore and aft. The Aero package is no longer an option – it's standard – and includes an STI-inspired grille on both the sedan and hatch, while the five-door receives the STI's rear spoiler and underbody diffuser.
Impreza obsessives that ran out to buy a 2008 model might be miffed, but Subaru had to make adjustments to keep the WRX competitive, particularly with the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart becoming a serious contender in the turbo'd sedan segment.
After announcing that its plant in Alabama would be slashing production of its slow-selling SUVs, Mercedes-Benz has decided to cut overall output by more than 40,000 units over the next four months. While the slowdown of SUV sales are anything but surprising, even the top-of-the-line S-Class sedan has been hit with a downturn of sales. Reportedly, the German plant in Untertürkheim will also be reducing its output of V6 and V8 engines.
In order to remain profitable in these tough times, three-pointed-star prices are expected to rise and the brand's smaller models are being considered for the U.S. We'd imagine that Dr. Z and the rest of the board's future plans for Mercedes-Benz, which includes a switch to boosted engines, hybrids and electric cars, can't come soon enough. We also wouldn't be a bit surprised to see an even larger shift to diesel power from the German automaker.
Anybody who wants to know why Formula 1 teams are reconsidering using the Kinetic Energy Recovery System, or KERS need only watch the video embedded after the jump. So far, there have been two incidents of KERS failures, the first requiring the U.K. Red Bull team to make a call to the local Fire Department and the second, as seen in the video, sending a BMW mechanic to the ground. The KERS system recovers energy that would be lost to braking so that it can be reused on the next straightaway. We aren't in the business of finding enjoyment from the suffering of others, but since the mechanic was basically unharmed, let this be a reminder that high voltage hurts.
Pending white collar cuts and dismal sales data have resulted in morale problems at General Motors. That's going to put a damper on the Detroit automaker's centennial celebration, so the General plans on showing employees a near-production-ready Chevy Volt to give workers hope. The (hopefully) game-changing extended range electric vehicle will be shown internally around the September 16th centennial, and employees who see the Volt will, of course, have to check their cameras and phones at the door. That doesn't mean the public won't soon get an eyeful of the car, as GM sources report that it'll be shown in production trim at this year's LA or Detroit Auto Show. Don't forget also that it's also been rumored that Volt could show up in Paris in October.
GM has 200 engineers and 50 designers working long hours to make the ER-EV happen by its late 2010 production target, and there are another 400 people working on components. GM is also constructing a new 530,000 sq-ft facility to build the Volt's 1.4L engine and working on getting incentives for the planned construction.
Although Daimler is the name of Mercedes-Benz’s corporate parent, it is also a prestigious English car brand. Tata acquired the rights to this brand when it bought Jaguar. At one time Daimler made its own separate cars, but for the last forty years, Jaguar has mainly used the Daimler name for ultra-low volume premium versions of the XJ cars and aristocratic limousines. Now Tata may use this name to give Jaguar it own ultra-premium brand in the same way Mercedes has Maybach or BMW has Rolls-Royce.
The quick history of the brand is that at the end of the 19th century, a British company acquired the local rights to sell engines developed by German engineer Gottlieb Daimler, under his name. British Daimlers became competitive in racing and the preferred transportation for British royalty. By 1960 it was acquired by Jaguar, and British Motor Company acquired Jaguar a few years later. Since then Daimler has lived on mainly as a company that sells thinly re-badged Jaguars at a premium price. Meanwhile, Gottlieb Daimler’s own company, over a succession of merges, became the present-day Daimler AG, the parental conglomerate of Mercedes as well as other vehicle manufactures. As an interesting note, when DaimlerChrysler divested Chrysler and wanted to call the company only Daimler, they had to get permission from Ford who acquired rights to the name when it bought Jaguar.
It's been a while since we heard anything about the Caparo T1 supercar. One of the most extreme applications of the "F1 for the road" theme, the project originally began independently under the name Freestream before being acquired by component manufacturer Caparo as a rolling demonstration of the latest in automotive technology. Part of that tech is now finding its way into another British sportscar: the Aston Martin DB9.
Reports now indicate that Aston Martin will be upgrading the brakes on its V12 sportscar with units developed for the Caparo T1. In the place of the 355mm front discs currently employed will be a set of 378mm discs, gripped by four-pot calipers each machined from a solid piece of cast aluminum. The new stoppers, developed by the 18-man team at Caparo AP Braking, promise to deliver a 24% reduction in fade while reducing peak temperatures by 18% in return for 30% less pedal force required. Interesting that Aston Martin decided to outsource a new set of brakes for the DB9 instead of adopting the carbon-ceramic units from the top-of-the-line DBS.
The Acura NSX is two years away from its official launch, but we can already imagine how it look like, and more than that what engine will get and what price will have.
Inside Line reports the car will have a price somewhere around $160,000, right on top of its rivals: Aston Martin V8 Vantage, Maserati Gran Turismo and Jaguar XKR.
The NSX will get a 5.5-liter V10 generating upwards of 600 horsepower and 433 pound-feet of torque. At low speed the V10 deactivates five cylinders to save fuel and lower emissions. The V10 is bolted to a quick-shifting six-speed dual-clutch transmission driving the rear wheels, while a revised version of Honda’s Super Handling AWD system generates the car’s prodigious grip levels, enabling such a quick ’Ring lap time.
The first image of the redesigned Ford Ka has leaked out ahead of its official debut in Paris this October, and as expected, the new microcar takes all the right cues from Ford's European design language. The headlamps, front fascia and accent lines all ape the new Fiesta to good effect, and with a platform shared by the Fiat Panda/500, the new Ka should still be an engaging means of puttering around town.
Engine choices will initially be limited to two gasoline powerplants (a 1.4- and 1.6-liter), along with a 1.6-liter TDCi oilburner. Further down the line, expect the Ka ST to receive the Fiat 500 Abarth's turbocharged 1.4-liter engine, some suspension tweaks and a redesigned front clip.
Sales will begin in Europe early next year and expect the Ka to make a cameo in the new Bond flick, Quantum of Solace.
In addition to getting the coolest Buicks which are not available in America, individuals in China are about to get the best vehicle that Buick has to offer in the States. In a deal which was initially inked ten months ago, the attractive Enclave CUV, built at GM's Lansing Delta Township assembly plant, is headed for China. The U.S. assembled 'utes will make their way by means of Shanghai GM. The exportation of the Enclave to China is only surprising in that it took so long for the General to get the model there in the first place. After all, Buick sells more vehicles in China than anywhere else in the world, with the nation consuming over half of all Buicks worldwide. We can only hope that Shanghai GM returns the favor and sends some of its best designs our way... and soon.
Them's fightin' words, but when we're talking about a V10-powered version of the Audi R8, you'd better be taking them seriously. According to an Audi insider as reported by Auto Motor und Sport in Sweden, the more powerful R8 will set a new lap record for a production car at the Nurburgring. That would mean coming in under the 7:26 lap time claimed by the Corvette ZR1 (and taken by the Pagani Zonda F), and faster than the Nissan GT-R's 7:29, but the big question remains whether it could out-gun the GT-R V-Spec's purported 7:25.
The R8 V10 – with whatever name it will adopt – is expected to make its production-guise debut at the Paris Motor Show this coming October. That'll make for some delicious eye-candy, but the real treat will be to see how the German supercar holds up against the Americans and the Japanese on the 'Ring.
Taking heed of lessons learned when it shed the Oldsmobile brand, General Motors is quietly negotiating with HUMMER dealers to prevent lawsuits if the brand is sold or extinguished. Even though confidentiality agreements have been signed, HUMMER dealers are reporting heavy discussions with GM to buy back stores and compensate owners. GM has even paid second- and third-quarter bonuses (averaging six figures) in advance. June delivered gloom to HUMMER as the brand's sales fell 59.3 percent (to just 2,072 units) as near $5-per-gallon fuel prices began flowing through pumps. If that weren't bad enough, the rugged off-road brand was hit with another mass exodus of sales on GM's announcement that HUMMER might be sold. With sales falling, experienced dealership staff leaving, and fuel prices still up in the air, GM's Jeep-fighting brand has literally fallen off the road.
Reports from the world of motorsport indicate that Michael Schumacher has totaled a new Ferrari prototype at the nefarious Nurburgring Nordschleiffe. According to the reports, Ferrari had rented out the track for the day when the team's former champion took out the test mule based on the 430 Scuderia that Schumacher himself helped develop. Just days after taking laps around Fiorano in the new California and presenting it to dealers in Maranello, Schumacher reportedly went off the damp track at over 250 km/h (155 mph) at the high-speed Schwedenkruz corner and hit a guard rail, severely damaging the car and forcing the test crew to switch to a second vehicle. Sources suggested that Schumacher had his son Mick riding shotgun at the time of the crash, however alternative reports suggest that factory test driver Raffaele DeSimone was driving, with Schumacher riding shotgun.
Although no official word has been given, it would seem that Schumacher escaped the incident uninjured, rendering the outcome of his shunt on "the Green Hell" better than that of his predecessor Niki Lauda, who nearly did in a fiery crash on the track some 32 years ago. As to what the prototype was being used to develop, however, is up to speculation: it could be the successor to the F430 or a new supercar to replace the discontinued Enzo.
As part of the update to the 911 line, Porsche introduced the new 911 Targa last weekend. The Targa first appeared in 1967 as a removable roof panel designed in response to concerns that the tightening U.S. safety restrictions would ban convertibles. But today, with a full convertible version of the 911 available, the Targa has evolved into a large sliding sunroof. As with the previous generation Targa, the 2009 model will feature a large glass roof that can electronically slide behind the rear-window.
This fall it will be available as 911 Targa 4 and the 911 Targa 4S. As with the other updated 911s, the Targa models will receive the updated range of engines. The “basic“ version is now powered by a 3.6-liter flat-six developing maximum output of 345 bhp and giving the car a top speed of 176 mph. The power unit featured in the 911 Targa 4S displaces 3.8 liters, developing maximum output of 385 bhp and accelerating this outstanding sports car to a top speed of 184 mph.
Like almost every automaker, Mercedes-Benz is feeling the pinch of high gas prices and an economic slow-down in the States. Daimler AG expects M-B's sales in the U.S. to fall in the second half of the year and in order to keep things in the black, vehicle prices in the U.S. are going to rise.
To counter the shift in demand from larger, thirstier vehicles to smaller, thriftier rides, Mercedes is reconsidering its previous decision not to offer its next generation compact and sub-compact vehicles in the U.S. Mercedes originally planned to bring the B class over, but the weak dollar caused the automaker to hold off. With the entrance of the 1-series, the forthcoming X1 and small crossovers from Audi on the way, Mercedes is looking to bring it front-wheel-drive A and B class vehicles to U.S. consumers that might be open to a compact vehicle from a luxury automaker.
The A class hatch was recently revealed and the B class got a facelift earlier this year, however, both models will have to undergo some revisions to be ready for sales in the U.S. With more derivatives on the way, including 230 hp, turbo'd two-liters and a B class possibly sharing the C's underpinnings (similar to the 1 series using the 3 series' platform), don't expect either model to hit U.S. shores before 2011.
The first Gumpert Apollo on American soil was brought out for its big debut Saturday, only to make more of an impression than intended. That impression was not only left on showgoers, but also on the speed bump leading into the parking lot. With roughly 4 millimeters of ground clearance it was easy to see this coming. The driver had brought the car from the sole U.S. distributor to show it off at a weekend cruise. He somehow failed to recognize that the speed bump was in fact approximately half the height of the low-slung supercar and after inexplicably getting the front air dam over the hump, found himself stuck.
The car came down and gently ground to a halt. It teetered a bit as it crept along the driveway, producing a grinding noise that had all of the witnesses cringing. As the carbon undertray was polished along its midsection, it became apparent that the rear tires might not make it over too. The driver stopped as the rears lifted just enough to take away traction. After a few moments of contemplation, he had the passenger get out and the lower payload gave the suspension just the right amount of lift to get the job done. Afterwards, there was much rejoicing in supercarland. A follow-up note from the dealer told us that there was thankfully no damage to the car from this incident. We recommend that anyone considering buying one of these 2400 lb, 750 hp monsters consider waiting for the "softer" model the company has pitched. Hopefully it will have an adjustable suspension.
We've been following the developments of Renault's revival of the Alpine marque since earlier this year, and its been confirmed that the first of several new models will debut sometime in 2010. From the beginning, Renault made it clear that Alpine would benefit from dedicated models, rather than rebadged or re-engineered Renaults. Earlier reports suggested something mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive and similar in size to the Mazda Miata or last-generation Toyota MR2, but a new report suggests that Nissan might be tapped to provide a platform and drivetrain.
The director of Renaultsport supposedly sat down with CarTribe to discuss the future of the automaker's high-performance offerings and when asked if a new Alpine model could be based off the Nissan GT-R, he denied it, instead hinting at the use of Nissan's FM platform that underpins the G37 coupe, G35 sedan and upcoming Nissan 370Z. The new model could be more geared towards track duty, with a serious diet and some tweaks to the drivetrain.
While the revival of Alpine is primarily a way for Renault to capitalize on its participation in F1, a Nissan-based model would all but negate such an effort. Then again, with 60 new models expected to come from Renault and Nissan in the next four years, the automaker will use any platform it can get its hands on to expand its lineup
Richard Parry-Jones, who at one time acted as Ford's global Chief Technical Officer, believes that it is entirely possible for automakers to reach 180 miles per gallon by the year 2050 with nothing more than the technology available today. Along with that low fuel consumption comes low carbon emissions -- just 40 grams per kilometer -- well below the strictest standards today. Sound unbelievable? Get this: Parry-Jones suggests getting there by doing nothing more than just leaving the automakers alone. Basically, Ford's former CTO says that current market conditions will sort everything out and the governments should allow the automakers to pick and choose what technologies are the most promising. In the meantime, Parry-Jones suggests not burdening the industry with crippling standards, which, he argues, is a short-sighted, knee-jerk reaction to climate change
People are always trying to find a way to achieve some fame and here we found quite a strange way to become “famous”. Ryan Mickle, just a normal guy from the USA, bought in 2006 a Range Rover Sport for just $60,000, not for daily use but for trips. Now he decided that it is more important to be environment oriented and so he wants to destroy the car. He even opened a dedicated website, “OneFewer” where he makes a lot of buzz and people can actually choose what should happen to his car.
But surely he is not just interested in only keeping a cleaner environment, there are really many ways to get rid of car without making so much noise. In the end, wouldn’t he do much more damage to the environment if he went to “violent” measures like burning the Rover or dumping it in to ocean?
It seems that well-to-do individuals who grew up staring at Countach posters on their bedroom walls are still finding a way to fulfill their childhood fantasies. Both sales and profits are up at Lamborghini, with most of the increases coming from emerging markets, including the Middle East, China and Hong Kong. Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann believes that the key to its recent sales successes is its policy of producing fewer vehicles than it believes it can sell, thereby keeping demand high. Winkelmann also noted that costs go down as production goes up, a further boon to increased profitability.
With Lambo's latest Gallardo LP560-4 about to hit its 114 dealerships, the second half of the year is already shaping up quite nicely. Ridiculously expensive options with high profit margins like $19,000 carbon-ceramic brakes are sure to help the bottom line too.
General Motors CEO, Rick Wagoner, mentioned in passing that several parties have expressed interest in purchasing HUMMER and that GM is moving as quickly as possible to seal the deal. "We have some interested buyers," Wagoner told reports while attending the opening of a new GM engineering and development center.
The sale of HUMMER would help fund GM's attempt to boost liquidity to the tune of $15 billion by the end of 2009. Other brands could be cut or paired down, but Wagoner insists that Saab will continue to soldier on. "Saab is a critical part of our European portfolio and has the potential to be quite a good moneymaker for us." He went on to say that the next Saab will be built in North America, although it wasn't divulged what model would be produced or where.
In April of 2009, the Scion xB will finally get some stiff competition from Kia in the form of the Soul. As reported previously, the new model will debut at the Paris Motor Show in October, measuring 161 inches long, 70 inches wide and 63 inches tall. According to Automotive News, the Soul will be packing either a 1.6- or 2.0-liter gasoline engine powering the front wheels when it arrives in the States, while European consumers get a choice of a 1.6-liter gasoline or diesel engine.
In addition to aping the xB's boxy shape, Kia will be offering a similar line of customization parts to make each Soul unique, so expect a variety of accessories, options and color combinations inspired by the Soul Burner, Diva and Searcher concepts that debuted in Geneva. Pricing has yet to be announced, but if Kia expects to compete with Scion, the Soul won't be knocking on the $20k ceiling.
Audi's next-gen TT may be getting a significant re-design, with a mid-engine placement if the swirling speculation around the interwebs is true. Now in its second-generation, the TT sits on Volkswagen's PQ35 platform (shared with the Volkswagen Eos and Tiguan) meaning customers are offered a front-engine chassis with a front- or all-wheel drive powertrain. When stacked against the front-engine BMW Z4 and mid-engine Porsche Boxster/Cayman, the current Audi TT holds its own... but that isn't keeping Ingolstadt engineers content. They realize that if they switch to a mid-engine design, like the one found on the amazing Audi R8, balance and handling will improve. Plus, Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system can be tailored with even more rearward torque bias. The third-gen TT, however, isn't set to debut until 2013. With Porsche moving closer to purchasing Volkswagen, a long lead may work to Audi's advantage as they'll have to convince the automaker from Stuttgart that a mid-engine TT won't chew into Boxster/Cayman sales.
Tata's diminutive Nano will soon be hitting the market with a standard 30-horsepower, 624cc gas engine mated to a four-speed manual transmission. While that may seem a bit small and underpowered, those looking to spend just $2,500 on a brand new car aren't likely to complain. Plus, the combo is good for 54 US miles per gallon, quite the achievement, we'd say. When it was first introduced, Chairman Ratan Tata indicated that a diesel engine was likely soon after launch, and it seems he wasn't kidding around. Displacing 800 cubic centimeters and equipped with common-rail fuel injection along with a turbocharger, the planned twin cylinder diesel engine has been jointly developed by German powertrain specialists FEV, Bosch and Honeywell. So far, no pricing, horsepower or fuel mileage statistics have been released, but the oil-burner is sure to improve fuel mileage even further and will likely add a bit to the cost of the World's cheapest car
The British are good for all sorts of car-centric goodness. When they're not busy building zippy little monsters remarkably ill-suited to their weather, they're... making art. English artist Ian Cook took a few remote controlled cars, drove them through paint, and then used them to paint a Camaro.
Called "Popbang Color" and on display now at the British International Motor Show, Ian even used GM RC cars to create the paintings. Next up will be a live demonstration of him painting a Chevrolet Lacetti World Touring Car, which requires, says Ian, "skill with the remote control cars."
Following two incidents in two weeks, it looks like the ballyhooed KERS hybrid system might not make it onto Formula 1 cars for 2009 -- at least, not the first races. Teams have begun to talk about how much difficulty they're having in building a safe system. KERS not only needs to work when the car is racing around the track, it also needs to be engineered properly in the event of a 300-kph accident.
In addition to Red Bull's smoke and fumes and BMW's bolt from the blue, Mark Weber said that teams are struggling to deal with the chemicals in the batteries. Supposedly, the stuff that runs off a blown up KERS battery is poisonous arsenic. Toyota's head of engine development said all the teams are having trouble, and Williams Driver Nico Rosberg appeared to doubt whether his team would have it ready by the first race of '09. The teams have scheduled to discuss the matter at their next Technical Working Group meeting. As for us, we can live with or without KERS
Michael Schumacher may have departed the Formula One grid, but he has most definitely not left Ferrari. The seven-time world champion, widely credited with building Ferrari into the power house it is today, still comes around the paddock at various tracks around the world to give the Prancing Horse's latest creations – whether racing cars or road vehicles – a healthy dose of Schuey-trademarked punishment.
After having been intimately involved with the development of the 430 Scuderia – proclaimed as the fastest road-going Ferrari ever to lap the company's private circuit – Schumacher returned to Fiorano to give his input on Maranello's newest offering, the California. And while his opinion is hardly impartial, he certainly knows what he's talking about and his impressions were glowing. Speaking to the conference of Ferrari dealers assembled at the factory, Schumacher proclaimed that "the Ferrari California is very much a Grand Tourer in terms of its usability and high level of interior comfort, it is still surprisingly sporty and fun to drive under any kind of conditions." You could try arguing with him, but you'd probably end up losing – like most of the drivers that have ever tried to go wheel-to-wheel with the most decorated driver in history
PRESS RELEASE
Michael Schumacher completes development testing on Ferrari California
Maranello 23rd July 2008 - Michael Schumacher is currently completing the track and road development stages of the Ferrari California, the new 8-cylinder model due to be officially unveiled at the Paris International Motor Show on October 2nd this year.
The seven times Formula 1 world champion has been involved in the development of the latest Prancing Horse road car since its inception and has worked with Ferrari's team of engineers, technicians and test-drivers on honing the car in general, but more specifically on optimising its performance parameters.
"I have to say that, as with the 430 Scuderia, participating in the project since the very beginning has been really fascinating and great fun," commented Schumacher at the end of a test session at the Fiorano circuit. "Although the cars are very different, they both offer absolutely unique driving pleasure because of the inherently sporty character of all of the cars that come out of Maranello. The 430 Scuderia is, of course, a more extreme model with a focus on absolutely cutting-edge performance. However, although the Ferrari California is very much a Grand Tourer in terms of its usability and high level of interior comfort, it is still surprisingly sporty and fun to drive under any kind of conditions."
Schumacher also recently addressed the Ferrari dealer convention in Maranello and explained the differences between the two 8-cylinders: "They were designed to meet different requirements: the 430 Scuderia is aimed at drivers who want the very essence of a Ferrari and will get it out on the track as often as they can. The Ferrari California, on the other hand, is designed for everyday use and for weekends away whilst still guaranteeing all of the emotional impact that only an authentic Ferrari can deliver."
Michael Schumacher's contribution to the development of the Ferrari California has resulted in a car that delivers extraordinary performance: it can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in under 4 seconds, delivering superb driving pleasure whilst still being exceptionally comfortable and versatile.
The Nissan GT-R is a fire-breathing monster, both on the track and on the canyon roads of Southern California. It's been the biggest buzz vehicle of 2008 and could be the most impressive sports car in the history of Nissan. The GT-R is a media star that attracts attention everywhere it goes not on looks, but on the potential to send concrete crying to its mama. Why, then, would there ever be a reason for Nissan to issue a drop-top version of Godzilla? Convertibles add weight and reduce structural rigidity, which doesn't exactly help the GT-R hold up its standing as the king of the 'Ring.
No worries, though. The photo above is nothing more than a reasonably well done photo-chop that shows what the GT-R might look like as a cabrio. Now that we've seen it, we have one word to describe what Nissan executives should say if asked to remove the GT-R's fixed roof: No. Seriously, the GT-R is a functional beast that utilizes automotive science to defy the laws of gravity to beat lighter, more powerful vehicles. And Nissan will likely never satisfy demand for the rarefied coupe. Again, no.
Fiat and Tata already have a joint venture to distribute commercial vehicles. If they can do the big stuff, why not the little stuff? Tata and Fiat are looking at an agreement to sell the Tata Nano outside of India in markets where Fiat has a strong presence.
If the deal goes through, and once the car is upgraded to meet Western standards, Tata can take advantage of the Fiat name, marketing, and dealer network. Fiat would probably have a big seller on its hands -- and a slice of every one -- since the car is still expected to maintain a healthy price advantage even after it gets beefed up.
The Tata, however, is not expected to come to the U.S. as a Fiat. Ratan Tata said, ""We have held talks about the Nano being marketed in markets where Fiat has already a strong presence." Frankly, America isn't one of those places yet. With Tata making such a big splash over here with Jaguar, they probably wouldn't need Fiat to help the brand. Still, the thought of a Fiat 500 and a Nano snuggling in the corner of a dealership would be too cute to miss.
Porsche is one step closer to its goal of purchasing Volkswagen. Back in April of last year, the German automaker passed the 30-percent mark, forcing it to make an outright offer for The Volkswagen Group in its entirety, which it did. Not too many VW shareholders sold their stake to Porsche, as the bid was for the bare minimum amount allowed by law. Still, the legal requirement had been met, allowing Porsche to continue gobbling up the automaker according to its own timetable. Earlier this year, the VeeDub board approved a request by Porsche to obtain 51-percent of the company for some $15.73 billion, which would give it a majority stake. Before the house that Ferdinand built could complete its acquisition, the European Commission required it to make one last purchase, which took place in June of this year. Finally, the EU has granted its permission for the buyout.
This story is likely far from over, as the German State of Lower Saxony still claims a 20-percent stake in Volkswagen, which gives it certain rights to block decisions made by VW's new parents. Still, it seems that its only a matter of time before VW and Porsche are united under a different Ferdinand... Piech that is, grandson to Mr. Porsche himself.
The Cartribe crew is living up their reputation as the newest embargo breakers in the biz, with a follow up to their original story that the Porsche Cayman is getting a serious Sport injection ahead of the new model's debut next year.
The Porsche Cayman S Sport is packing 303 hp, up from 295 hp, and will come equipped with Porsche's Active Stability Management system, a 10mm suspension drop, blacked-out wheels and a two-tone paint scheme aping the 911 GT3.
Pricing is rumored to be set at £49,890 and expect more details to be revealed shortly.
Despite repeated rumblings from industry sources (including Lutz himself) that the Opel Insignia's transformation into a Saturn model was on hold, Bob Lutz now indicates that work is indeed proceeding on making that model ready for the American market. Changes are going to be made to both the interior and the exterior of the Insignia as it morphs into the Aura. Lutz also indicates that the two Epsilon II-based cars will share suspension bits and powertrains, though we are not sure just how many of the six available gas and diesel engines in the Euro-only Opel will make their way Stateside. Also debatable is the Insignia's Haldex all-wheel-drive system that will be offered across the pond. Whatever the case, we hope that the car doesn't see too many changes as it's an extremely attractive and compelling package as it currently sits. Bring it.
The seesaw battle between GM and Toyota for the title of world's largest automaker is still being waged, and after tallying up global sales for the first half of the year, Toyota has opened up a pretty big lead. The Japanese automaker totaled 4.82m units told, with GM trailing with sales of 4.54m cars and trucks. While Toyota's sales are impressive, they're still off the pace of the 9.85m units the automaker expects to sell throughout 2008. The US and Japan have been the source of Toyota's pain this year, as both markets are in a downturn. In spite of record sales in Asia, Latin America, and Europe, GM had a 3% sales decline in the first half of the year. The entire problem rests solely with the General's performance at home, where sales are down a staggering 16% for the year. The news isn't expected to get much better in the States, as last month was the worst June in 17 years, and sales don't look any more promising in July.
While both GM and Toyota have been shrugging off talk of global sales battles, we're inclined to believe selling the most vehicles on the planet is important to both automakers. And since GM has held the sales lead for 77 years, the Detroit automaker won't feel good if it loses its title. Down nearly 300k units through June, though, it'd almost take a miracle for the General to come out on top in 2008.
When we see things like this, we feel like Bruce Banner... having to contain our anger... at not getting... the Euro Focus. But hopefully tomorrow our fortunes will change, and if they do, here' s a look at the Focus we could get in 2011.
We were happy enough about the second-gen Focus, and this is even better. With a massive front maw, revised panels throughout, and a well executed sportback rear, the Focus Mk. 3 is, as the English would say, a bit of all right. The highlight show continues inside with better materials and an HMI-like control system. The UK will get the car later this year.
Although this Focus isn't slated (yet) for an RS version, it will put on an ST badge and mods at some point, and will come in three-, four-, and five-door variants, plus a wagon and a convertible. And if you're in Spain, you'll get a special edition diesel Focus WRC-S, with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder pumping 134 bhp. Each one of 666 samples will be signed by Ford WRC driver Marcus Gronholm. Prices have not been announced for any of the new Focus models.
