The revolutionary Honda FCX, an advanced hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle, was delivered on June 29 to the Spallino family, who signed a 2-year agreement with Honda. They’ll use the FCX as an ordinary vehicle for everyday’s commute, in California. Reducing pollution is a big concern in California, and last April, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger announced the state’s commitment to a Hydrogen Highway built underway by 2010 with both public and private money. Without this, the delivery of a fuel cell vehicle would not have been possible. The fleet will be extended to 13 cars throughout the USA.
The Spallino’s invaluable experience will help Honda develop this technology. The FCX is the only vehicle certified by US EPA (environmental protection agency) and CARB (California’s air resource board) . It can run even at subfreezing temperatures, returns 62mpg for a range of 190 miles, with no emission..
Author: stephane schlesinger
Honda delivers a Fuel Cell vehicle to the first customer ever
Corvette Blue Devil to take on Viper?
Even if the Z06 already delivers 507bhp, Chevrolet is still seeking to increase the power of the Corvette. Even if the company still has not acknowledged it, a 600bhp supercharged Corvette nicknamed “blue devil” is to be released at a price that might reach $100,000, but not before 2007. This Corvette, whose body may be partly made of carbon fiber, was caught on test on the Nürburgring track. According to Autoweek, GM vice chairman Bob Lutz confirmed there would be “something beyond the Z06”. Keeping up with its tradition, the Corvette might outpower such prestigious European supercars as the Aston DB9 or Ferrari 612 at half their price or so.
Production of Ford SAV concept confirmed
Early 2006, Ford will release the name and characteristics of a new minivan deriving from the SAV Concept seen in Geneva last March. Positioned between the Mondeo and the ageing Galaxy, it’ll be made in Ford’s Belgian factory of Genk. Contrary to the C-Max, the yet-to-be-named new minivan will offer accommodation for up to 7 people. But like the C-Max, it’ll appear as a somewhat sporty people carrier, remaining close to the prototype. Hence, one might guess it’ll replace the Galaxy, released some 10 years ago. It’ll hit the showrooms summer 2006.
FIA postpones sanctions
After Wednesday’s council, the FIA decided not to apply sanctions to the teams incriminated in the Indianapolis affair before September 14. These 7 teams are more likely to have to pay a fine than to lose points. 2 charges out 5 were held against them:
– They were found guilty of not having made sure they had suitable tyres, but with mitigating circumstances– They were also found guilty of refusing to start the race.
Max Mosley declared he’d pay attention to how the teams will compensate the fans and that the Council would take a decision concerning the penalties in the extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council on September 14. Team managers kept a low profile during the meeting, which might have pleased Mr. Mosley. Some of them even declared President Mosley liked to humiliate people.
As for Michelin, which was not summoned at the hearing, the FIA can’t impose a penalty on them. Anyway, the company had previously decided the refund the spectators.Postponing the decision until September 14 is a smart idea actually. Firstly, the FIA keeps the teams under control, secondly, the organisation adds some suspense for the public. One day, maybe, someone will understand Formula 1 is a matter of motorsport rather than politics.
New Seat León is a lot more than a flattened Altea
At the last Geneva Motorshow, Seat had shown a prototype of the new León, now here it is in flesh, sporty, dynamic and almost identical. It strongly recalls the Altea, but offers a more slender silhouette. With its hidden rear door handles, the new León looks like a 5-door coupe, in the manner of the… Alfa 147! Actually, it’s not by chance, for both were drawn by Walter De Silva.Technically speaking, the new León is very similar to the Golf V, just like the previous León was based on the Golf IV. We find the same engines and floorpan, but the Seat has a different suspension tune up, for it’s supposed to be sportier. More charismatic than its predecessor, the new León is bigger too, now 4315mm long and 1768mm wide. As a consequence, accommodation has been improved.
The client can choose between 3 petrol engines (102bhp 1.6, 150bhp 2.0 FSI and 185bhp T-FSI) and 2 diesel engines (105bhp 1.9 TDI and 140bhp 2.0 TDI). Top units are coupled with a 6-speed gearbox, while the DSG is available on the 2.0 TDI only. The 2.0 T-FSI can reach 137mph and sprint from a standstill to 62mph in 7.8 seconds. Too bad this unit does not deliver 200bhp like on the Golf GTI. We can expect more powerful engines to be released. There’s a choice of 4 trims, Reference, Sport, Stylance and Sport-up. ABS, air-conditioning, 6 airbags and CD player are standard on all models, while the dual-zone climate control or ESP require no extra pound from the Stylance trim only.
Prices will be inferior to those of the Golf: a stylish competitor for the Vauxhall Astra, Renault Mégane, Ford Focus, Peugeot 307 or Citroën C4.
Michelin will refund US spectators
On the eve of the FIA World Motor Sport Council to be held on Wednesday in Paris, where harsh sanctions could be taken against Michelin and the teams that refused to race in Indianapolis, the French tyre maker publishes this press release.One week after the Indianapolis Grand Prix, Michelin wishes to make a sincere gesture of goodwill towards the people present at the GP, a group whose passion for F1 is encouraging in the development of this sport in the United States. Therefore, on our own initiative and in total solidarity with our partners, we have taken two decisions:
• 1. Michelin has decided to contribute to the costs incurred by the spectators present at the circuit on Sunday June 19th 2005 by offering to refund their tickets. This is an important decision, since Michelin is not at all legally bound to do this. Michelin deeply regrets that the public was deprived of an exciting race and therefore wishes to be the first, among the different groups involved in the Indianapolis race, to make a strong gesture towards the spectators.
• 2. Michelin also offers to buy 20,000 tickets for the 2006 U.S. Grand Prix to be given to spectators who were present at the Indianapolis race in 2005. We are offering this to promote further Formula 1 interest in the United States. We would also like to take this opportunity to underline the fact that it is unacceptable that our partner teams have been accused by the FIA of having boycotted the Indianapolis Grand Prix. The reality is that together, Michelin and its partners have done everything possible to assure that the race could take place in total safety. We are extremely disappointed that the proposals made with all our teams were not accepted. These proposals, including a chicane, were technically viable and totally met all safety requirements. On Sunday morning, June 19, the sporting authority had all the means necessary to preserve the interest of the race. And yet, the sporting authority rejected the proposed solutions.
Why? In our view this is totally incomprehensible and reflects a lack of respect for the spectators. It is the spirit of respect for the spectators that brought us, with our partners, to propose solutions to allow the race to take place in total safety. It is this same spirit that leads us today to make this gesture."
Press Release
MichelinMichelin still holds the FIA responsible for what happened in Indianapolis and yet offers to refund the spectators. Putting the pressure on the FIA with this highly political text, Michelin might think Max Mosley could hardly account for severe sanctions against them and the teams that withdrew from the race. Let’s wait for FIA’s reply.
Citroen C6 to become Chirac’s new favourite ?
Revealed at the last Geneva Motor Show, in a dimly lit area of the stand, the executive Citroen will go on sale next September. Citroen has taken the risk of granting its 4-door saloon (yes, it’s not a hatchback) a special styling recalling the CX. Besides, this 491cm-long car will be fitted with the latest evolution of Citroen’s famous hydraulic suspension. Inside, a head-up display and a Lane Departure Warning system helps the driver, and like the DS, the C6 has directional headlamps. In addition to all this, the equipments match the highest standards of the category. Besides, the passengers will be protected by nine airbags.Under the bonnet, only 2 engines will take place in a first time: the PR 3.0 V6 delivering 215bhp at 6,000rpm (already on the Peugeot 607 and Renault Laguna) and the 2.7 twin turbo HDI V6 delivering 208bhp at 4,000rpm that has been co-developed with Ford. Despite their qualities, I don’t think these engines will be sufficient to compete with Mercedes, Audi or BMW. Besides, prices are expected to start at £30,000 while the hi-tech cockpit doesn’t show the same quality level as that of an Audi A6, Mercedes E-Class or Lancia Thesis. It does not even exude warmth or pleasure, with cold fabrics and central console commands that are identical to a 407’s. Some details seem to have been neglected, like this Parker screw on the external side of the door panel.
Citroen hopes to sell 20,000 copies of its C5-based saloon a year. A bit optimistic…
Oddly shaped rear end…
Neglected details
Latest EuroNcap results
The EuroNcap has just released new results
– Fiat Stilo **** Test Scores: Front 11 (69%), side 15 (83%), 1 belt reminder. Overall 27. Pedestrian 8 (22%), child protection 37 (76%)
Strong, stable body for the Fiat which, strangely enough was tested 4 years only after its launch.
However, the driver undergoes high loads on his chest while legs are not so well protected. The Stilo offers good protection for children but not for pedestrians.
Fairly good on the whole.
– Dacia Logan *** Test Scores: Front 8 (50%), side 11 (61%). Overall 19, pedestrian 5 (14%) child protection 31 (63%) As expected, relatively poor results for the low-cost saloon made by Renault and badged Dacia, despite the fact it shares its platform with the new Clio. Feet and legs are at risk while side impact protection is notoriously feeble. However the structure remains quite steady.
– Renault Clio***** Test Scores: Front 14 (88%) , side 18 (100%) 1 belt reminder. Overall 33. Pedestrian 9 (25%), child protection 39 (80%). Very strong performance for Renault’s new supermini, which offers a sound structure and protects children very well. On the other hand, it’s still dangerous for pedestrians.
– Renault Vel Satis ***** Test Scores: Front 14 (88%), side 18 (100%), 2 belt reminders. 2 Overall 34. Pedestrian 2 (6%)With its facelift, the big Renault gained a belt reminder which granted it one more point. Impressive results on the whole, but a 2003 Vel Satis performed the same way.
– Smart Forfour **** Test Scores: Front 12 (75%) , side 13 (72%), 1 belt reminder. Overall 26. Pedestrian 7 (19%), child protection 18 (37%) Good but not excellent, the Clio did much better. Risks of knee injuries and high loads on the passengers’ chests during the side impact. 
– Mercedes A Class ***** Test Scores: Front 15 (94%), side 18 (100%), 3 belt reminders. Overall 36. Pedestrian 17 (47%), child protection 38 (78%). Almost the best possible mark for this impressive Mercedes. The structure remains very steady, all the safety devices perform remarkably well. Pedestrian protection average though.
– BMW 3 series ***** Test Scores: Front 16 (100%), side 17 (94%) 2 belt reminders. Overall 35. Pedestrian 4 (11%), child protection 39 (80%). Not much to comment on this saloon which offers its passengers a remarkable protection. What an improvement when compared to the 1997 BMW 3 Series! Poor pedestrian protection.The EuroNcap claims it’s a fully independant organization that buys cars anonymously before crashing them. How did they proceed with the Clio III which will go on sale in September only? Besides, what’s the point in testing the Vel Satis a second time while its only modification is a second belt reminder?
Why was the Fiat Stilo tested after 4 years only? Why didn’t they ever crash an Alfa 156?
Eventually, cars that have been significantly modified have never been granted a second test. I think of the Alfa 147, Citroen Xsara or Audi A4, while the Laguna was tested in 2001 and 2003…
Fiat planning major costs savings
Fiat Auto CEO Sergio Marchionne wants to accelerate Fiat Auto’s recovery with several cost cuts, rationalizing research and development, spending less on advertising and reducing staffing. He seeks to save €105 million in 2005 and €180 million in 2006 on wages, €150 million on communication and €200 million on R&D. Even if GM gave Fiat €1.55 billion for breaking their alliance, Fiat’s situation is not safe yet. It should soon be better off with such new models as the Punto III, the new Croma or the oncoming SUV, but then, the brand has to face the misfortunes of the Punto II, Idea and Stilo. Marchionne hopes Fiat will break even in 2006.
Fiat chairman Luca Cordero Di Montezemolo announced Fiat’s priority is to find industrial partners to create such alliances as that made with PSA, since 2 of their main markets, Italy and Poland, are not performing well at all. We know that there have been negotiations with SAIC, Suzuki and Tata. Besides, he claimed the rumours of Ferrari being brought to the market were not founded. Fiat’s situation seems to become clearer and clearer, with a stabilized management team and an array of new models, such as the Alfa 159, Fiat Punto III or Lancia Delta III in 2006. Besides, Marchionne confirmed there would a big crossover made by Maserati, a brand he hopes to see sell 10,000 vehicles a year as soon as 2007. Anyway, everything still depends on the success of the new Punto.
F1’s battle still running… but not on track
Max Mosley strongly recalls he is the boss and asserts he’s not been moved by remarks after Indianapolis’s fiasco. He has summoned the 7 teams using Michelin tyres to the FIA world Motorsport Council to be held on June 29, in Paris. Minardi Boss Paul Stoddart warned if the sanctions turned out to be out of proportion, the teams would boycott the Grand Prix de France next Sunday. What could sanctions be? A simple warning, a loss of points or, more likely, a series of bans. Stoddart puts the pressure on Max Mosley more particularly, accusing him of not having found a good compromise in Indianapolis. Mosley retorts he had previously prevented Stoddard from being stolen his money by other teams some time ago and that he must have forgotten to take his medication.
Besides, Mosley bears a grudge against Michelin and the teams running on their tyres: he asserts their behaviour was totally stupid and thinks the tyres were not that faulty… Eventually, in his mind, Michelin and the incriminated teams should give the Indianapolis Grand-Prix organizers a compensation they would fairly distribute to the spectators. Thus, the French tyre maker and the 7 teams could avoid severe sanctions.
Mosley wants to apply the F1 rules as fairly as possible, without any consideration of profit as he puts it. He reckons that, being the leader, his aim is not to be popular.
