Author: yoann besnard

Next 7-Series to be revealed on July 7th
The next-generation BMW 7-series is reported to be officially unveiled on July 7th.
BMW is expected to take the wraps off its new flagship next July. For the carmaker, it will be a come back to the roots with a more conventional design and a focus on technology. The next 7-Series will be available with two petrol engines at launch, both twin-turbocharged, the 4.8-litre V8 unit that appeared on the X6 and a re-engineered V12 engine. Both engines will be hooked up to a new eight speed automatic gearbox. The V8-powered version will feature two square pipes, while the V12 engine will come with four square pipes.
For the first time, the 7-Series will be available with an all-wheel drive transmission. However this option won’t be available at launch like the four wheel steering System. The 7-Series will the first company’s model to offer this technology. Without a doubt, the four steering wheel system will help the heavy limousine to be more agile than ever in corners.
The interior will re-introduce the famous driver orientated console. Abandoned on the current model, this move confirms that the carmaker wants to go back to its roots. However, the controversial iDrive will still be available. The 7-Series will debut a second-generation which will allow the carmaker to control everything, even personalize the warning system!
June 9, 2008
Audi S4 to be unveiled at Paris
Audi has announced it will unveil the new S4 at the Paris Motor Show in October. As expected, the future sporty saloon will feature 350bhp under the bonnet.
As previously reported, the future S4 will drop its V8 engine to get a smaller and more fuel efficient V6 engine. Thanks to a Eaton roots-type supercharger, the new TFSi engine will deliver a similar power output of 350bhp. Audi explained that a supercharger was chosen because of the available power at lower revs than compared with a turbo, more suitable for a premium saloon. IN other words, say your farewells to the sporty S4. The new S4 will be bourgeois.
The new gearbox confirms the new direction taken by Audi. A new S-Tronic gearbox will replace the current manual transmission. At 284 lbs, the new gearbox will be 80 lbs heavier than the manual model. However, Audi promises better performance and claims the future S4 will shuttle from 0 to 62 mph in less than six seconds. Top speed will be electronically limited to 155mph as usual.
June 9, 2008
GM seeks tax breaks to build Chevrolet Volt in Detroit
GM wants to build the eagerly-awaited in Detroit, but is ready to change its plan if the company doesn’t get tax breaks from the city.
The future Volt is a crucial model for the American carmaker and is even the spearhead of a revival by GM itself. Producing the upcoming electric car in Detroit would be a tough message sent to foreign carmakers, but GM isn’t ready to lose money on the future model and has met the recently met with Detroit City Council members to discuss possible tax breaks.
Building the Volt in the US would also GM to improve its brand image at a time when the carmaker closes plants to restructure the business. Beyond the symbol, will the Volt be enough to keep the jobs in the US? Probably not, but GM bets that building the Volt in its hometown will have the same effect as the Prius for Toyota. Boosting the brand image enough to sell more conventional cars.
June 9, 2008
Volvo announces pricing for the XC 60
Volvo has announced pricing for the long-awaited new XC 60 SUV set to compete with the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and the Mercedes GLK outside the UK.
The Volvo XC60 was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March and has already won a UK technology award for its innovative City Safety system, an autobrake collision avoidance system which is a standard feature on this new car. Starting at £24,7501, the Volvo XC60 will be available in three trim levels: S, SE and SE Lux and will have the choice of three engines: the turbocharged T6 producing 285bhp, and two variants of the D5 turbodiesel generating 185bhp and 16bhp, respectively.
The S model features 17" Segin alloy wheels, front fog lights, roof rails and rear spoiler, the advanced safety systems, City Safety and RSC, short for Roll Stability Control. Equipment includes climate control, information centre, cruise control, leather steering wheel with remote audio controls, aluminium trim and performance sound audio system with aux input and CD player.
The SE trim level adds Hill Descent Control, power driver’s seat with memory and auto-folding power door mirrors with ground lights, Eriksberg T-Tec/Textile upholstery, auto-dimming rear view mirror with compass and chrome window trim.
In addition to the SE, the SE Lux comes with chronographic instrument dials, leather upholstery and Nordic Light Oak natural wood trim, while both front seats will be powered and heated. Other equipments include floor mats and chrome detailing, 18" Merac alloy wheels, active bending headlamps, power tailgate and rear park assist.
Pricing
2.4D AWD S: £24,750
D5 AWD S: £25,750
2.4D AWD SE: £26,250
D5 AWD SE: £27,250
T6 AWD Geartronic SE: £31,995
2.4D AWD SE Lux: £28,750
D5 AWD SE LUX: £29,750
T6 AWD Geartronic SE Lux: £34,495
June 5, 2008
Nissan reveals teaser for 2010 compact SUV
Nissan has unveiled a teaser of the forthcoming compact SUV that the carmaker will start selling in 2010.
Nissan might have the magical potion with the Qashqai. After years of failure with the Sunny and Almera models, the Japanese crossover meets a big success in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. The Japanese carmaker is determined to take the opportunity to expand its lineup by launching a new smaller SUV on the market by 2010. The decision was announced following a visit today by the British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, to Nissan’s European Design Centre in central London where he met Carlos Ghosn, Nissan’s President and CEO.
The all-new vehicle will be an addition to the current Nissan range and for the Sunderland plant. Nissan will move the production of the next Nissan Micra to India to make room for the future model. The next generation of Micra will be based on a dedicated new A platform that will be used for at least three models. The British government will give a £6.2 million grant to build the future small SUV.
At this stage, details remain scrace. However, Nissan isn’t the only carmaker to paln a small SUV compact model. Mitsubishi and Nissan have recently signed an agreement to build a smaller SUV than the current Outlander model which will be sold on the European market.
June 5, 2008
GM to consider selling Hummer
GM has officially announced it will re-evaluate the future of the Hummer brand. A sale isn’t excluded.
The Hummer brand is in a difficult situation as large SUVs sales are dropping due to rising gas prices. Even with lower gas prices in the future (if it happens), consumers will keep in mind the current gas prices in the US and won’t be ready to jeopardize their finance to get a large SUV.
"Our greatest concern is the unprecedented rise in oil prices," said GM Chairman and CEO Rick Wagoner, speaking before the automaker’s annual meeting in Delaware and GM is "undertaking a strategic review of the Hummer brand to determine its fit within the GM portfolio. At this point, the company is considering all options, from a complete revamp of the product lineup to a partial or complete sale of the brand."
Nothing is certain and it is sure that small models aren’t really suited to large American bums, but when your brand is the symbol of a former gas orgy, let’s say that your life expectancy is shot, especially when the parent company is currently restructuring the business.
June 5, 2008
Audi considering new supercar and compact SUV for U.S. market
Audi’s US CEO Johan de Nysschen has revealed that the German carmaker is considering two new models to the current lineup, a compact SUV and a supercar.
Audi has set an ambitious plan to increase its sales to 1.5 million vehicles by 2015 and the American market is a key market to reach the sales goal. The German carmaker still needs to catch BMW and Mercedes in terms of sales. Like the two other carmakers, Audi plans to to catch up with its competitors by launching two new models, a compact SUV and a supercar.
The compact SUV would be a lifestyle model similar to what Toyota did with the first-generation RAV4. Rumoured to be the future Q3, it would reinforce the company SUV’s lineup and would likely share its underpinnings with the next-generation A3. However, the compact SUV won’t be called Q3 as a result of the deal signed with Nissan over the use of the “Q” badge. The deal authorizes Audi to only use the “Q’ letter for the Q5 and Q7 on the American market.
The mentioned supercar raises concerns regarding its veracity. Even though it is revealed by Audi’s US CEO, how would BMW fit another supercar in its range without taking on the Lamborghini Gallardo or Murcielargo? Maybe Nysschen talked about the R8 Spider and V10 versions.
June 5, 2008
BMW to show X1 and Crossman concepts at Paris
BMW has announced it will unveil two concept cars at the Paris Motor Show that preview two future models, the BMW X1 compact SUV and the new Mini SUV, the Crossman.
The two concept cars will be unveiled at the same time as they share the same components in an attempt to cut cost. The X1 will be based on the 1-Series platform and will share its engine range with the BMW compact model. The Mini Crossman will be powered by the same engines found in the Cooper S and Cooper D. The X1 I expected to hit the showrooms in the fourth quarter of 2009, while the Crossman will go on sale from the second quarter of 2010.
The X1 will be built at the Leipzig factory in Germany, while the Crossman will be built by Magna Steyr as the Oxford plant which builds the Mini has no free production capacity due to high demand for the Mini model.
June 5, 2008
GM unveils its restructuring plan
GM has announced its plan to close four factories and maybe lay off 10,000 people in an attempt to restructure its business.
The American carmaker has decided to go bold to restructure its business as quick as possible and adapt to the growing demands for more fuel efficient vehicles. The carmaker will close four factories by the end of 2010. The concerned facilities are Oshawa, Moraine, Janesville and Toluca.
Located in Canada,. Oshawa builds the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. Production will end next year. The plant in Moraine, Ohio builds the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy and Saab 9-7x and will cease production in 2010. The Janesville facility located in Wisconsin will be closed by 2010. This plant builds the Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon. Production of the Chevrolet Kodiak will be ceased in the Toluca factory located in Mexico.
In the meantime, the carmaker will continue its switch to smaller models by launching a new global compact car and a new more efficient engine range for the American market. The new compact model will be powered by a turbocharged 1.4-litre engine.
June 5, 2008
Right-hand drive Camaro confirmed for Europe
In a surprising move, GM has confirmed that the long-awaited Camaro will be sold in Europe, but also in the UK in a right-hand drive version.
Nobody really expected GM to bring its muscle-car on the European market, but it has been confirmed that the Camaro will reach our shores thanks to its links with the Vauxhall VRX8 also sold in the UK. The Camaro shares its underpinnings with the Vauxhall model, the Zeta platform which has been designed to feature left-hand drive and right-hand drive versions. About 600 cars, half convertibles and half hardtops will be brought to the British market. The V6 powered and the rumoured four-cylinder unit will be reserved to the American market.
In order to cut maintenance cost, GM will only bring the most powerful version which shares its engine with the VRX8, a 400bhp V8 petrol unit. The Camaro will keep its current label, Chevrolet, as GM has plan to increase the sales of its brand on the European market. GM plans to double the lineup by 2012.
Source: Autocar
June 5, 2008