Author: yoann besnard

Audi to feature eight-speed automatic gearbox on top models
Audi has plan to feature a new eight-speed automatic gearbox on its lineup-topping models from next year.
Last year, Lexus launched the first production eight-speed automatic gearbox in the new LS460. BMW is expected to introduce a similar gearbox on the next-generation 7-Series. Audi will become the third carmaker to feature an eight-speed automatic gearbox on its models. According to company sources, the carmaker is currently testing the new gearbox on a few vehicles.
In an interview with Automotive News, CSM Worldwide said that the new automatic gearbox will featured on the A8 saloon, Q7 SUV and forthcoming A7 model. The new gearbox will help Audi to improve the fuel-efficiency of its top models as ZF claims the gearbox reduces fuel consumption by 14% thanks to longer gear ratio. The eight-speed gearbox can also be fitted with a stop-start system.
After the three major players adopted the eight-speed gearbox, Mercedes is the only one to use a seven-speed gearbox and has no plan to add an eighth gear event if it’s technically possible.
May 14, 2008
New Flexifuel engine for Volvo V70 and S80
Volvo offers a new Flexifuel engine on the V70 and S80.
The Volvo V70 and S80 are now also available with a five-cylinder, 2.5-litre turbocharged Flexifuel engine delivering a power output of 197bhp and a torque of 221 lb ft. The Flexifuel cars can run on E85 bioethanol or 95-octane unleaded petrol – or any mix of these two fuels. Due to its lower energy content, fuel consumption when running on E85 is 30-40 percent higher than when running on petrol. Fuel consumption (EU combined) for the new 2.5-litre Flexifuel version is 9.2 l/100 km (V70 and S80) with the manual gearbox and 10.2 l/100 km (V70) and 10.1 l/100 km (S80) with the automatic gearbox.
The power output might seem a bit low but Volvo justifies it requires extra power would require more fuel in the upper rev range – which in turn translates into considerably higher fuel consumption.
The 2.5-litre engine is the second Flexifuel unit to be featured on the top models. Both the Volvo S80 and V70 have also been available with a 2-litre four-cylinder, naturally aspirated Flexifuel engine since the end of 2007. The 2.0F produces 143bhp and 137 lb ft of torque.
The Flexifuel engines are also featured on the Volvo S40, V50 and C30. In total, the Swedish carmaker expects to sell around 20,000 Flexifuel cars this year.
May 14, 2008
Infiniti G37 convertible confirmed
Nissan will launch an Infiniti G37 convertible next year.
Along with the financial presentation for the fiscal year 2007, the Japanese carmaker indirectly revealed plans for next year. Its luxury brand will launch a convertible variant of the G37 coupé.
The G37 is an appealing coupé and without a doubt, the convertible will be a great offer compared to the German clique. Under the bonnet, the future convertible will likely feature the 330bhp 3.7-litre V6 engine.
May 14, 2008
Nissan to sell 200000 vehicles in India by 2012
Nissan has announced its ambition to sell 200,000 vehicles in India by 2012 relying on local expertise.
The Japanese carmaker has strong ambition on the Indian market. In addition to the ultra low cost car developed in collaboration with Renault and Bajaj Auto, Nissan wants to sell over 200,000 vehicles in India in the next four years. "In India, we have made a strategic decision to work with partners to speed our entry into the market and to leverage local expertise, building on Nissan’s proven track record of success with collaborative relationships," Nissan Motor Co Ltd President and CEO Carlos Ghosn today said in Tokyo, according to information available on the company’s website.
With its alliance partner Renault, Nissan is setting up a 400,000 capacity plant for passenger cars in Chennai, which is also the site of the alliance’s new technical center.
May 14, 2008
Spyker teams up with Lotus
The troubled Dutch carmaker has announced it has reached an agreement with Lotus to reduce costs by sharing technology.
The agreement includes a Parts and Platform Commonality Agreement (PPCA), a Parts and Accessories Supply Agreement and a Design and Engineering Agreement. Lotus will provide certain parts for the Spyker C8 Aileron and will help the Dutch carmaker to develop its future models.
Victor R. Muller, CEO of Spyker Cars said: “Our company has had a very fruitful cooperation with Lotus, developed over the past four years, relating to engineering services in respect of certain components of our cars, as well as in respect of worldwide certification. Spyker and Lotus have now come to the conclusion that they need to intensify their cooperation to the point that we intend to share parts and platforms, as well as an agreement on the supply of parts. Moreover, Lotus Engineering has become Spyker’s preferred subcontractor in respect of a number of engineering projects relating to the Spyker C8 Aileron and the Spyker D8 Peking-to-Paris.”
May 14, 2008
Supercharged Fiat 500 by Novitec
The Fiat 500 is a sexy small car, but its driving experience can’t be compared to the Mini. Novitec might have the answer.
The tuner applies its knowledge to two engines offered on the Fiat 500, the 1.4-litre petrol engine and the 1.3-litre diesel unit. The diesel engine gets a 13bhp boost and delivers 88bhp. The 1.4-litre gets a more interesting treatment. Novitec has added a supercharger which increases the power from 100bhp to 131bhp. The modified Fiat 500 runs the 0-62mph in just 8.89 seconds instead of 10.5 seconds with the unchanged engine. The top speed jumps from 113mph to 131mph.
The two cars also comes with visual accessories: twin-tip stainless steel exhaust, a front spoiler and 16in or 17in wheels. The suspension has also been modified and the Novitec 500 can be lowered form 30 mm to 80 mm.
With a supercharger under the hood and a lowered suspension, the Fiat 500 modified by Novitec might become a good choice for racetracks.
May 14, 2008
Tata Nano in the US
Tata wants to take over the world with the future Nano and has confirmed that the cheapest car might be sold in the US.
The Indian carmaker denied a report from Conde Nast Portfolio claiming that "The model (Nano) won’t be sold in the US but has the potential to radically alter the market for manufacturers here.” A spokesman for the company said "The company has not yet finalised specific exports markets and timelines. The Nano will meet the prevalent norms of any country it is marketed in."
The spokesman, however, said that Tata will focus on launching the Nano in India first. After positioning the firm in the domestic market, the company would consider exporting the car. he added that Tata Motors usually does not export any of its products in the first few years of launch.
May 14, 2008
Toyota loses hybrid patent appeal case
Toyota has lost a patent appeal concerning the hybrid technology used in the Prius.
Toyota was sued by Paice LLC over the use of a microprocessor which accepts torque information from the electric motor and petrol engine. The court had awarded £2.1 billion to the company and the US Supreme Court has turned away the appeal made by Toyota. The award will cost £12.50 for every Prius, Highlander and Lexus RX400h sold.
The result might have been worse for the Japanese carmaker. The court might have asked the carmaker to stop producing the hybrid models until the trial was finished. There were three patents in question, though only one of Paice’s patents was ruled to be infringed upon.
There are two other possible problems for Toyota and their hybrid technology, one from Solomon technologies and the other from a seventy-five year old engineer in Seattle named Conrad Gardner. Gardner argues that the hybrid vehicles produced by Toyota could not operate without his invention. U.S. patent 7,290,627 called "Extended range motor vehicle having ambient pollutant processing" — is a computer control system that shifts power to the internal combustion engine or electric motor.
May 14, 2008
More details about the new Subaru Exiga
A shadow of the forthcoming Subaru Exiga has emerged on the Internet giving Petrol-Head the opportunity to reveal more details about this new model.
At 4,780 mm long and 1,700 mm wide, the Exiga will be a 7-seater estate with similar dimensions to that of the Subaru Legacy SW . However, the Exiga will be higher by 200mm at 1,630 mm which is only 40 mm higher than the former Forester. The overall design will be close to the eponymous concept car seen at the last year Tokyo Motor Show.
On the Japanese market, the Exiga will be available with two petrol engines, a 150bhp 2.0-litre unit seen on the Impreza and a 230bhp turbocharged engine reserved for the domestic market. If imported to Europe, the turbocharged 2.0-litre unit will be replaced by the 2.5-litre engine from the Impreza WRX. The Exiga would also likely be available with the new diesel engine delivering 160bhp.
The Exiga raises concerns regarding the carmaker’s ability to manage its lineup. The Exiga seems to be the heir of the former Forester. Why did Subaru execs name the new vehicle Exiga? Why did they put the Forester moniker on a SUV set to compete with the Toyota RAV4?
Source: Best Car
May 13, 2008
Details emerge on Audi’s supercharged V6
Autocar reveals more details about the future V6 engine which will power the eagerly-awaited S4.
As reported in a previous post, Audi will replace its current V8 engine by a smaller V6 engine. The new engine will have a displacement of 3.0-litre. It was initially thought that Audi would follow BMW on the path of twin-turbochargers, but company’s engineers chose a simple supercharger. Compared to the BMW’s engine, the new V6 will be less powerful. Instead of 306bhp for the 335i, the S4 will offer 286bhp. It will also be less than the current S4 with its 339bhp. The torque output will be 310 lb ft at 2500rpm. The new engine uses an Eaton supercharger and has an air-to-air intercooler rather than a water-to-air unit.
Audi bets the next S4 will be as sporty as the current model. Engineers focused on weight reduction and the S4 is reported to be 100lbs lighter than the current model.
In addition to the S4, the new engine will likely be fitted in the next year facelifted A6, the Q7 and the A8 flagship.
May 13, 2008