Author: yoann besnard

CSL version for new E92 and all future M3s

In an interview with Insideline, the BMW’s M division vice president Gerhard Richter has announced that there will be light version of the new E92 M3 and that the same will be true for all future M3s.
The Coupe Sport Lightweight was a limited edition of the E46 M3 sold in the second semester of 2003. The car distinguished itself from the normal M3 by reducing its weight considerably. To achieve this, the air conditioning and sound systems were removed. Further modifications included a carbon-fibre roof was added and a trunk floor that was practically made of cardboard. The result was that the M3 CSL was 407lbs/185kg lighter than the regular M3. Technically, the car had its power boosted from 343 bhp to 360 bhp and was only available with the SMG gearbox.
On the exterior, the light M3 distinguished itself form its standard sibling with a different wheel design, a larger integrated rear spoiler and a large air intake hole on the left side of the front bumper.
July 24, 2007
Bugatti Veyron vs Mercedes SLR

A run contest between a Bugatti Veyron and a Mercedes SLR? Let’s be honest, the dice are loaded. How can the SLR with 626bhp for 3,858lbs fairly compete with the Veyron, which produces 1001bhp for 4162lbs? No chance, but this video still demonstrates the incredible power of the Bugatti Veyron.

July 24, 2007
Volkswagen may unveil a low cost car in Frankfurt
According to the Germancarblog website, Volkswagen will unveil a low cost car at the next Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Due to be sold in 2009, the car will have a price of less than £5,300/€8,000/$11,000. The car will be sold first under the VW badge and then under the Skoda and Seat badges. The Volkswagen variant will feature improved equipment, including air conditioning and a CD player. It will retain the carmaker’s typical look and feel, which customers have come to expect.
It is well known that Volkswagen is working on a low cost car. The project started at the Skoda offices in February 2005. Originally the launch target was in the first trimester of 2006. However, this low cost car brings with it question. Beyond the technical questions, the main area of uncertainty is the impact on the Volkswagen’s brand image. How do you sell a Phaeton at the top of the range when you sell a low cost car as an entry-model. The Logan saloon may serve as a lesson for the German carmaker: it is sold under the Dacia brand on Western markets in order to avoid damaging Renault’s brand image. Conversely, the Logan is sold under the Renault badge in emerging countries thanks to its good brand image on those markets.
July 24, 2007
BMW city-car for 2010?

According to Auto Motor und Sport, BMW might launch a city car in 2010 in order to compete with the future Audi A1.
The news seems rather suspicious. Audi is developing the A1 to compete with the Mini built by BMW. Why would BMW develop a car that would compete with its own range? Furthermore, according to the German magazine, the car will have the same length as the Mini. It will be a front wheel drive vehicle that will reject less than 100g CO2 per km.
Why would BMW launch a direct competitor of the Mini? Is the car as unprofitable as rumours have indicated? It has been said that BMW will lend the Mini platform to Mercedes for the next A-Class, but BMW has denied the rumours and declared it made a profit on each car produced since the new Mini has been launched.
So, the city-BMW would seem to be a bad idea for the present and would not be a logical step BMW.
July 24, 2007
Mini Colorado in the pipeline

According to the Globe and Mail newspaper, BMW plans to launch a Mini SUV based on the Mini Clubman, set to be launched officially at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Dubbed Mini Colorado, it may be built in the Magna’s Austrian factory based in Graz and formerly known as Steyr Puch. Steyr Puch became famous through its production of the Mercedes G-Class and its specialisation in four wheel drive systems. BMW is currently discussing with Magna International the production of 65,000 vehicles per year.
For Magna International, it is an opportunity to replace Chrysler 300C built there sold in Europe. As it plans to shift production to its plant base in Brampton, Canada, the Mini Colorado will easily replace the 26,500 300C built last year. Unfortunately it will not be enough to replace the X3 SUV. BMW decided to build the next generation in its own factory in Spartanburg in the U.S. This is a 113,000 vehicle loss for Magna.
Source: Globe and Mail
July 24, 2007
More details on the next Honda Jazz

The Japanese car magazine Mag-X has revealed more information about the next generation Honda Fit/Jazz due to be launched at the next Tokyo Motor Show.
The biggest news concerns the design. The next Fit/jazz has been realised by the same designer who did the European Civic, Toshiyuki Okumoto. Although limited by the current design, which Honda wants to preserve, the designer will probably add his personal touch. Thus, the next Fit/Jazz will be edgy. The car may inherit the sun roof from the Airwave. The new model will grow: 2” longer and 1” larger than the current Fit/Jazz. These improvements, combined with an appealing design, will allow Honda to mode the Fit/Jazz upmarket.
As I reported in a previous post, the car will feature two all new i-VTEC engines, 1.3 litre and 1.5 litre. The 1.3 litre engine may jump from 86bhp to 100bhp according to Mag-X.
July 24, 2007
Spyshots: BMW X6

With these spyshots, the BMW X6 reveals its the last remaining mysteries of its design. A lot of people have been speculating about the hatchback. Now the speculation is over. The X6 will be a German interpretation of the rather unique Ssangyong Actyon.
Obviously, we can expect a better look than the Korean alien, but this attempt to merge a SUV, an estate and a coupé will still stun BMW aficionados.
The X6 will share 70% of its components with the X5 and will be built in BMW’s American factory, based in Spartanburg, on the same assembly lines as the X5. BMW will sell the car as an upmarket X5 with a rumoured £3,000 excess. The German carmaker expects to produce 120,000 X5 and 40,000 X6 in 2008.
Click here to sell all the pictures
July 23, 2007
Audi A5 Sportback?

Remember the Audi 100/200 Avant models? In the eighties, they were considered the most stylish estates available on the market. The 200 Turbo Quattro Avant model built up a reputation thanks to its famous four wheel drive system and its turbocharged 2.2 litre 5 cylinder engine that produced 220bhp. Well, it seems that the Avant could be set for a comeback in the form of an A5 Sportback.
After the 4 door coupé was popularised by Mercedes through the CLS, I wonder if Audi will try to launch a new niche in the form of the 5 door estate coupé. This may sound like a joke, but if it is in fact serious, the rumoured A5 estate may have hard time meeting with success, positioned as it would be between the Audi A4 and A6 estates. Some critics will argue that a shooting brake would be a better way to extend the Audi range. However, past shooting brake vehicles like the BMW Z3 coupé or the Honda Aerodeck have seldom met with success.
This Audi A5 may just be a rumour, but considering that Audi wants to launch 18 new cars over the next few years and jump from a sales figure of less than 1 million to 1.5 million vehicles, an Audi A5 Sportback may be a good idea. Audi will just have to find the right formula.
The Sportback version will share its platform and its engines with the newly launched A5. Expect to see a large range of TDI engines producing from 140bhp to more than 200bhp. The petrol engines will feature the TFSI units and obviously the 4.2 litre V8 for the sporty RS5.
Click here to see all pictures
July 23, 2007
Spyshots: BMW 1-Series convertible

Here are some new spyshots of the next BMW 1-Series convertible. This time, the compact convertible has its roof down.
In all likelihood, the car will be unveiled at the next 2008 Geneva Motor Show. No information is available concerning the engine but inline 4 and 6 will be available in order to compete with the future Audi A3 convertible.

Click here to see all photos
July 23, 2007
Porsche to launch a hybrid Cayenne in 2009

Honda CEO Takeo Fukui recently announced that Honda would rely on diesel engines for the top models because they offer more potential for economising than hybrids on bigger engines. This, however, is a step that Porsche will never take for its cars, even its SUVs. The German carmaker has opted for the hybrid solution to decrease its CO2 emissions. According to Autobild, Porsche will launch in 2009 a hybrid version of the Cayenne.
The Hybrid solution will be made of a 3.6 litre V6 engine coupled with an electric engine. The first will produce 280bhp and the second 50bhp. The car will be able to use both engines individually or the two together. The batteries will be installed near the tank. The system will allow consumption and CO2 emissions to be decreased by 15%.
However, the current V6 emits 310g of CO2 per kilometer. With a 15% decrease it will still be 264g. Considerable effort is still required if Porsche is to meet the 2012 EU regulations.
We understand why Wendelin Wiedeking was so upset when the 2012 regulations were voted in by the European parliament. CO2 level is calculated as the average emissions made by the current range for each carmaker. At this pace, Porsche will never be able to comply with the EU laws in 2012. One solution may be the integration of Volkswagen into the Porsche calculation, which explains why Porsche wants to buy the whole Volkswagen Group.
July 23, 2007