Author: yoann besnard

New Dodge Viper SRT-10 ACR

Here are the first official pictures of the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR due to be unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show next week. With this new ACR version, Dodge has focused on weight reduction, with lightweight wheels, lighter Michelin Sport Cup tires and lighter – but equally as powerful – brakes. On the interior, all luxury items have, of course, been removed. Dodge leaves the audio system, the underbonnet sound deadening system, the boot carpet and the tire inflator behind. The interior also features carbon fiber panels to reduce the overall weight.

Technically, the 8.4 litre V10 engine remains unchanged. It still has enough power with just 600 bhp and a torque of 560 ft/lbs. Dodge engineers have put their expertise into offering a package that allows the owner to customize the car settings. The car gets adjustable KW Suspensions race coil-overs, a new front roll bar, a removable 3-inch front splitter and a huge carbon fiber adjustable rear wing.

Despite its power and its track abilities, the SRT-10 ACR remains competitively priced at less than $100,000/ £47,500.
Source photos: Autoblog
November 13, 2007
MG TF delayed (again)

A spokesman for Nanjing has announced that the production of the long-awaited TF roadster is likely to be delayed until the first quarter of next year. By the time the roadster goes on sale, it might be too old to compete with the ubiquitous Mazda MX5.
The new delay would be due to the new merger between NAC and SAIC dictated by the Chinese government. In the muddled Rover collapse, both Chinese carmakers bought a part of the British company. Since then, they have been fighting each other to be the first to relaunch the Rover cars on the Chinese market. SAIC kicked off the battle by unveiling the Rover 75, newly labeled Roewe 750, while NAC presented the same Rover 75, naming it MG7. In the face of such silliness, Chinese bureaucrats banged their fists on the table and initiated the merger.
Despite the new delay, the spokesman also declared that there has been considerable interest in MG products from car dealers. NAC has so far received 100 inquiries and forty have already agreed to sell future products. By the end of 2008, NAC is expecting to have a network of 70-80 dealers. They will have to be very forward thinking to sell the first crop of MG TF. The car will initially be sold first as a limited edition, high spec LE 500 for £15,000. It will be quite a challenge to sell a 13 year old car at this price when Mazda sells the MX5 for £15,730.
November 13, 2007
Renault’s future coupe to get powerful diesel engines

The conservative new Mk3 Laguna looks rather dull. Fortunately, Renault seems to be aware of the problem and unveiled the Laguna Coupe concept car at the last Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The proportions are brilliant: menacing and yet pretty at the same time. Unfortunately, French carmakers suffer from weak engines which can not compete with the German competitors. This situation might change with this sleek coupe according to the recently released technical specifications.
Thanks to its links with Nissan, it is well known that the Laguna coupe will be given the Nissan 3.5 litre V6 petrol engine which will produce more than 240 bhp. It might still not be enough to compete with the Audi A5, the BMW 3-Series Coupe or the Mercedes CLK, but the oil burners are king in the European market. This is where Renault plans to attack. The Laguna Coupe will feature a new diesel V6 engine which will be available in two versions: 230 bhp and 265 bhp. In comparison, the Audi A5 offers two engines: a 180 bhp 2.7 litre and a 233 bhp 3.0 litre. The BMW 3-Series features a unique 3.0 litre inline 6 with three powers: 197 bhp, 231 bhp and 286 bhp. Finally, the Mercedes CLK has a 150 bhp 2.2 litre four cylinder engine and a 224 bhp 3.0 litre V6 unit. With both engines, the Renault Laguna Coupe might get its chance this time.
The Renault Laguna Coupe will also feature the new Active-Drive four wheel steering system which promises very agile handling according to initial feedback. Renault’s system uses a computer to monitor steering inputs, vehicle speed and traction every 10 milliseconds and adjusts the angle of the rear wheels accordingly.
If Renault agrees to feature a bigger petrol engine like the 333 bhp Nissan engine for the benefit of its brand image, it might be rewarded with a bestseller with this coupe.
Source: Auto Motor und Sport
November 13, 2007
Jaguar’s clever new workforce agreement

According to Jaguar’s American dealers, the new XF is generating a strong demand. Customers who order their car now will have to wait until May even though the car goes on sale in March. A long waiting list could scare potential customers at a time where we want to have our new toy within minutes and, unfortunately, the recent lay-offs at Jaguar reduced the size of its labour force. In the current situation, Jaguar may not meet the demand.
Oddly, Land Rover might be the solution. As luck would have it, the off-road specialist owns a plant near the only remaining Jaguar plant in the Midlands. Both manufacturers’ workforces are represented by the same labour union and Jaguar’s management has seized upon this opportunity to sign a rather clever agreement with the union. From now on, employment contracts will include a “mobility” paragraph stipulating that workers can move between the two plants for up to three months at a time.
It is unknown whether Jaguar will use the new agreement for the XF launch, but this is a major selling point for the Ford Group which has put Jaguar and Land Rover up for sale. Likewise for Jaguar, it will give it enough flexibility to meet the market’s unstable demand.
November 13, 2007
Audi RS5 might get a V10 engine

Yesterday I wrote about the future S4 and its possible 3.0 litre V6 engine. Today, the news concerns the future Audi RS5. A three door equivalent of the RS4 saloon, the RS5 should get the same engine as the former, the 4.2 litre V8 FSi. However, the recent Mercedes C63 AMG and its 450 bhp has rearranged the playing field a little. If Audi wants to set a new mark, it has to bang its fist on the table and go somewhere nobody has been before. According to Road&Track and its insiders, the German carmaker is looking to Lamborghini for the 5.2 litre V10 unit used by the Gallardo. Also used in the RS6, the engine produces 500bhp.
In order to feature such an engine, the current S5 would be upgraded with the new Sport Differential Quattro system unveiled last September and would probably feature Brembo brakes like the RS6. If the RS5 features a V10, there is a significant probability that the future RS4 will also feature this large engine. How will Mercedes and BMW react to such a provocation? More power or a different approach?
November 9, 2007
First picture of the Hyundai Coupe

Hyundai will unveil the Genesis Coupe concept car at the Los Angeles Motor Show next week. The concept car will be a preview of the eagerly anticipated new Hyundai Coupe due to go on sale next year, but thanks to a member of the New Tiburon forum, we already know the final design of the future coupe. The anonymous forum member posted some pictures taken during an internal market research event.

Unquestionably Hyundai designers have taken their inspiration from the Japanese competition. The future coupe looks like an Infinity G37 or a Honda Accord. Compared to the current model, the design is more upmarket and shows just how much expertise Hyundai has acquired over the past few years. Sometimes, however, there are visual details that look rather suspicious. On the new coupe, the rear side window shape breaks the general line, although it does provide a greater field of vision.

As reported in a previous post, the future coupe will also go upmarket with its engines. According to the most recent information, the future Hyundai coupe will feature two engines. The entry level will get a 2.0 litre turbocharged 4 cylinder engine that will have an output of 215bhp and a torque of 217ft/lbs. The other engine will be the 3.8 litre V6 engine issued from the Hyundai Grandeur/Azera but boosted at 300 bhp. The V8 engine seems to have disappeared but Hyundai wants its coupe to compete with the Mustang however (?!). Thus, a V8 is a requirement. There is still a chance that the future coupe will feature the Tau V8 unveiled with the Genesis concept car at the last New York Motor Show. In this situation, it might develop 380bhp. Technically, the new coupe is also a big move for Hyundai as the car will switch from front wheel drive to rear wheel drive.
On the US market, the price will be very competitive. The 4 cylinder version will be sold at $19,900 (£9,500) and the V6 engine for $25,900 (£12,300). Unfortunately do not expect the future coupe to be so cheap when it arrives in the UK. Here, the least expensive version starts at £15,772 with a small 1.6 litre petrol engine that produces 103bhp. With only 165bhp, the V6 version still costs £19,597.
November 9, 2007
Fiat unveils redesigned Croma

Here are the first pictures of the facelifted Croma which will be unveiled at the Bologna Motor Show next month. The main changes concern the front face, which adopts the new corporate design. Like the Grande Punto and the Bravo, the new Croma features larger headlights and a new bonnet. The current striped grille is replaced by a new chrome grille. At the back, the bumper gets a bolder shape while the taillights are blacked out.

On the inside, the Croma features a new sportier leather trim and darker wooden panels. The wheel adopts the new Fiat logo as already seen on the Fiat Bravo and Fiat 500.

In terms of technology there are no changes and the current lineup includes the 140bhp 1.8 litre and the 147bhp 2.2 litre for the petrol engines. The diesel units feature the 150bhp 1.9 litre Multijet and the 200bhp 2.4 litre five cylinder unit.

the facelift is minimal and will not change the destiny of the Croma. In the current range it is, and will remain, anonymous.
November 8, 2007
Skoda Superb at the next Geneva Motor Show

Skoda will unveil the next-generation Superb model at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. With this new flagship, the Volkswagen subsidiary wants to compete with Volvo and this time it will not repeat the mistake made with the current model. The future Superb will not be a Passat with a facelift, but rather a true original model. Indeed, it has been developed from the very beginning as a completely new vehicle.

Thanks to pictures revealed by the Czech press a few months ago, the Superb’s design is known. The car will feature a conservative design that will mix two opposite worlds: practicality and luxury. Practically comes in the form of a hatchback with a large boot while luxury is offered via a large grill and an upmarket design.
On the inside, the next Superb will also feature an upmarket cabin finished in soft-touch plastics. In order to avoid a straight comparison with the Passat, the future flagship will feature unique dials and climate controls.
The next Skoda Superb is a big move for Skoda. The current model was a favourite choice for taxis thanks to its roominess and low price tag. Thanks to its upmarket treatment, the next model might be a threat for Volvo, but also for other carmakers like Ford, Renault, Citroën, Peugoet and Volkswagen.
November 8, 2007
First pictures of the redesigned Sonata

Here are the first images of the redesigned Hyundai Sonata. It is thought that the revamped saloon might be unveiled at the Los Angeles Motor Show in a couple of weeks.

The only picture available of the outside shows the front side of the car. The main changes focus on moving the car upmarket. The grille has been enlarged and features a new frame which takes its inspiration from the Azera model. The headlights are also larger and there are new fog-lights. The bottom front fender is wider than the current model.

At first glance, the biggest changes are inside, with a revamped – and more appealing – dashboard. This time Hyundai has put all its expertise into the best dashboard it has ever designed, at least on initial examination. The central console abandons the current cheap curves and buttons in order to adopt a clean shape with aluminum trimmings. Until now the wooden panels used by the Korean carmaker felt cheap. With this new interior, Hyundai seems to have made a real effort.
November 8, 2007
Twin turbo for the next Audi S4?

The future Audi S4 might not get the detuned V8 4.2 FSI used by the Audi S5 (as previously thought?). According to insiders, the S4 is set to inherit an all-new 3.0 litre V6 FSI. Audi engineers are also likely to add a couple of turbochargers, just like BMW has done with the BMW 335.
While the twin turbo chargers seem an obvious choice, some insiders have revealed that Audi is also considering a supercharger. If true, it would mark Audi’s first supercharger in recent years.
No information is available regarding the power but expect at least 300 bhp and probably greater power than the BMW 335 in order to compensate for the weight added by the all-wheel drive system. The future S4 might also get the new Sport Differential Quattro system unveiled last September. The new system distributes torque from the engine independently between the rear wheels, improving the traction. All-wheel drive cars always suffer from understeering. Aware of the problem, Audi engineers have worked on reducing understeering to almost nil. In its normal mode, the Quattro system delivers 40% of torque to the front wheels and 60% to the rears. The user is able to select from three modes: ‘comfort mode’ focusing on stability, ‘auto mode’ offering a balance between stability and handling and ‘dynamic mode’ focusing on the best handling to the detriment of comfort.
The Audi will be unveiled at either the next Geneva Motor Show or the next Paris Motor Show.
Source: Fourtitude
November 8, 2007