Author: yoann besnard

Toyota tests plug-in hybrid in Japan

Toyota USA CEO Jim Press last week revealed to the National Press Club that Toyota was developing a plug-in hybrid vehicle. Yesterday the Japanese giant said it had received the approval of the Japanese government to test a plug-in hybrid Prius on Japanese roads.
The fleet of eight vehicles will enable Toyota to collect data concerning emissions and fuel consumption under real conditions. Later, Toyota plans to conduct the same tests across Europe and the U.S.
This is a big move for the Japanese carmaker, which was reluctant to develop a plug-in hybrid car due its high cost. A plug-in hybrid requires bigger and more expensive batteries than the batteries found in the Prius. But pressure from environmentalists and consumers as well as the upcoming competition from GM and Ford seems to have convinced Toyota to reconsider. Indeed, GM plans to sell the plug-in Volt in 2010. The American carmaker will display a concept car at the next Frankfurt Motor Show. Likewise, Ford is currently working on a similar project and has already shown the California Escapes vehicles.
July 26, 2007
Spy Shots: BMW X5 M?

Here are some spyshots of a strange X5 that features bigger exhaust pipes and a front bumper with larger air intakes than the standard X5. It is possible that this is the unofficial M version of the X5.
How can there be an unofficial M version of the X5? The truth is that M Division chief Gerhard Richter does not want to offer a X5 M because the SUV does not fit in with the M philosophy. It is too big and heavy to receive the M magic formula. Unfortunately, intense competition is pressuring the German carmaker into launching a highly powered X5. On paper, the 507 bhp of the Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG looks better than the 355 bhp of the X5 4.8i. BMW therefore has no choice but to sell a tuned X5.
Obviously, the best option would be to use the M5 engine, which was highly praised by specialists. The 507 bhp V10 has enough bite to compete with the Mercedes V8 and you can bet BMW will make the X5 sportier than the ML63 AMG.
Click here to see all the pictures
July 26, 2007
Video: the rotating car

Nissan released the Nissan Pivo at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2005. The car stunned people with its easily-rotating cabin. Nobody has been authorised to drive the car but an Australian journalist has been able to experience the rotating cabin. Very impressive!

July 26, 2007
Kia three-door Cee’d revealed

Kia has released the first picture of its three-door Cee’d, due to be launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Compared to the five-door hatchback, the 3-door variant is longer, lower and lighter.
The car was designed by Kia’s design team in Europe under the direction of its Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer. It will be available in dealerships early next year.
If we take into account the current range, which includes the five-door hatchback and the estate as well as the upcoming convertible, Kia will be the first Korean carmaker to offer a complete range on the European market. I wonder if Hyundai, of which Kia is a subsidiary, will offer the same range for its i30.
July 26, 2007
Video: Volkswagen intensive tests

Here is a funny video of Volkswagen engineers testing cars in the kind of silly situations encountered by drivers every day. Together with the German music, it is makes entertaining viewing.

July 25, 2007
Expanded range for the next Polo

Remember the time when the Polo was the black sheep of the Volkswagen family? Well, those days is over. For the next Polo generation, Volkswagen harbours great ambition. It wants to cover as many segments as the leading Peugeot 207. To do this, it plans to expand the Polo range with a coupé, a convertible and a MPV variant.
While the coupé and the convertible will compete with the Peugeot 207 CC, the MPV will fight with the Lancia Musa and the Peugeot 207 SW. Volkwagen will feature unknown technology for the small car segment such as the DSG gearbox and a possible hybrid version. The former will be available with in a sporty version, dubbed GTI, and will be coupled with the 170hp petrol engine. The latter will not be a full hybrid system due to the high cost this would entail, but will make use of technology similar to that used in BMW’s EfficientDynamics.
Due to be launched in 2009, expect the car to move upmarket in order to make some room for the low cost car that Volkswagen will unveil at the next Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
Source: Motor Authority
July 25, 2007
MTM Audi TT Bimoto in failed record attempt

On July 17 the German tuner MTM tried to achieve a new speed record with its famous Audi TT Bimoto. The target was to crack the Bugatti Veyron’s record but, despite all efforts, the Audi TT failed by a few miles. It reached 244.2mph/393km/h on the Papenburg test track in Germany.
As the name suggests, the MTM Audi TT distinguishes itself from the crowd by its two engines, one under the bonnet and one in the boot. Both are turbocharged 1.8 litre engines coupled with DSG gearboxes. Altogether, both engines produce more than 1000 bhp, transferred to the ground via a four wheel drive system. The car runs the 0-60ph in 3.5 seconds and reaches 120mph in less than 10 seconds.
For the record attempt, MTM engineers added a a new air intake on the rear window to cool the new intercooler. MTM will make another attempt in Nardo, Italy, in the autumn.
July 25, 2007
BMW wins ambiguous victory in court battle over the letter ‘M’

BMW and Nissan are at war over the use of the ‘M’ badge. The disagreement started in the nineties when Nissan decided to use the letter M for models sold on the American market under its luxury brand Infinity. BMW was extremely unimpressed by the idea. The German carmaker has been using the letter M to distinguish its high performance models from the standard models since 1979. Nissan people certainly have a lot of nerve. The carmaker even released a sport package called M6, which for BMW is a powerful sports coupé. This was too much for BMW, which decided to sue the Japanese carmaker.
After a ruling in Canada which obliges Nissan to stop using the offending letter and give compensation to BMW to cover damages, it was the British courts’ turn to pass judgement. As in all other previous rulings, the British court found Nissan guilty of creating confusion through their use of the letter M. This is one point for BMW. But the court also ruled that consumers were clever enough to tell the difference between a BMW M and an Infinity M. This is one point for Nissan. Nissan cannot use the M badge anymore but BMW can say farewell to any compensation.
Both carmakers intend to appeal.
July 25, 2007
Future Kia Mesa

Do you remember the Kia Mesa concept car, unveiled at the 2005 Detroit Motor Show? You should. It was one of the surprise hits of the auto show. A four-door SUV that offered room for six people, it was a sign of the new direction being taken by Korean carmakers regarding concept cars: a coherent design strategy and a viable blueprint for production. Two years later, the SUV has reached production stage, according to two pictures that have recently appeared on a forum for enthusiasts.
At first glance, the production Mesa is close to the concept car. The grille, alloy wheels and all bear close resemblance to the original show car.
At the Detroit Motor Show, the SUV concept car was powered by a six cylinder engine, but Kia executives have also revealed that the car’s engine compartment was roomy enough for a V8 engine. Watch out, Ford Explorer. After stiff competition from Japanese carmakers, Korean companies are now also set to give Ford a run for its money.

Click here to see all the pictures
July 25, 2007
Honda Civic MUGEN Si on sale this fall in the U.S.

Mugen is a magical names for car enthusiasts. Every Honda car that receives the Mugen badge has something special, so special that Honda kept has always them in Japan. However, Honda USA announced yesterday that it would sell a Honda Civic SI Mugen in the U.S. this fall.

Nevertheless, the Cvic Mugen Si is not the kind of car you might expect. In fact, it is all front. While the Japanese versions receive a boosted engine, the American model is powered by the same 197-horsepower four-cylinder unit found on the standard Si model sold there. The main changes are the new body kit, which includes an updated grille, new spoilers and lighter wheels. On the inside, the car receives a new gear knob and a plack. Although the motor remains unchanged, the suspension system is track-tuned and there is a new exhaust system.

Only available in Fiji Blue Pearl colour and under the saloon shape, Honda USA will sell the Civic Mugen Si at a volume of only 1,000 units.
July 25, 2007