Author: yoann besnard

Volkswagen announces pricing For The Passat CC
Volkswagen has announced prices for the Passat CC. The The entry-level powered by the 1.8-litre TSI petrol engine will cost £21,040, while the range-topping 3.6-litre version will cost £31,120.
The Passat CC will offer two trim levels: standard CC and GT. Standard models include sports suspension, 17in alloy wheels, two zone air conditioning, touchscreen CD stereo system with six-disc autochanger, six-way electrically adjustable sports seats, a multifunction leather steering wheel, six airbags and ESP. The GT adds 18in wheels, ‘silversprint’ upholstery, tinted windows and front foglights as well as, for the first time on a Volkswagen, Adaptive Chassis Control, ACC in short.
Three engines are available at launch – two petrol and one diesel. Petrol options are a 1.8-litre TSI unit delivering 157bhp and 184 lbs ft of torque linked to a six-speed manual or DSG gearbox plus the flagship 3.6-litre V6 FSI with 296bhp and 258 lbs ft of torque channelled via 4Motion four-wheel drive and DSG gearbox. A common rail 2.0-litre TDI with 138bhp is also offered at launch, and will be joined in September by a 168bhp version of the same powertrain. An additional 2.0-litre petrol unit, with 197bhp, will also become available at this time.
CC 1.8-litre TSI 158bhp 6 speed manual: £21,040
CC 2.0-litre TDI 138bhp 6 speed manual: £21,870
CC 2.0-litre TDI 138bhp 6 spd DSG: £23,140
CC GT 2.0-litre TDI 138bhp 6 spd manual: £22,770
CC GT 2.0-litre TDI 138bhp 6 spd DSG: £24,040
CC GT 3.6-litre V6 4MOTION 6 spd DSG: £31,120
May 12, 2008
Fiat interested in Mexico for a plant
In addition to discussing with Chrysler to build Alfa Romeo models in the US, Fiat is also considering building an all-new factory in Mexico.
The Italian group is seriously looking at all opportunities to find a solution to the weak dollar which might be a stumbling block to sell Alfa Romeo models in the US. While Chrysler has been announced as a potential partner, Fiat considers building a Mexican factory to supply North and South America.
A Mexican factory has the advantage to be close to the US market where FIat wants to introduce Alfa Romeo model and the future 500 and close to the South American market which recorded a strong growth last year. Aware of the potential of emerging markets such as Brazil, the Italian group doesn’t want the French carmakers to take the lead. Renault-Nissan CEO has previously announced that the group will focus on increasing its sales there.
May 12, 2008
Mazda unveils the Biante
Mazda makes the most appealing models, but still needs to stick with the specific demand of its domestic market. The carmaker has unveiled a new people-carrier called Biante.
This isn’t the first people-carrier in the company’s lineup as Mazda sells the MPV recently facelifted. However the MPV model is a bit too upmarket compared to the best selling Toyota Noah and Voxy, and Nissan Serena. The Biante will be able to carry up to seven people.
Like the competition, the Biante will likely be based on a compact model platform. Mazda hasn’t confirmed if the Biante will be sportier than the competing models. Engine lineup remains unknown although the carmaker might fit the 2.3-litre petrol unit already seen on the MPV.
May 12, 2008
More details about the mercedes-Benz SLC
After the McLaren P11 and P12, here are more information about the upcoming Mercedes SLC due to be launched in 2010.
Codenamed C197, the future supercar will be available as a coupé and a roadster. Unlike the SLR, the future SLC will adopt a retro-design that will feature gullwing doors, an ‘Arrow’ profile and rear-engined spoiler. Despite taking its styling cues from the past, the C197 won’t be sold as a Mercedes model, but under the AMG moniker. The German carmaker has learnt from its mistakes and engineers focus on weight reduction. At 4,650 mm long, 1,950 mm wide and 1,250 mm high, the C197 will be lighter than a SLR. However, a Mercedes-Benz remains a luxury vehicle and the C197 is rumoured to weigh around 3,200 lbs.
As predicted, the future supercar will be a rear-wheel drive which will use a transaxle architecture with the engine at the front and the gearbox at the bag enabling a better weight distribution of 48/52. The C197 will be powered by the 6.2-litre V8 engine which will deliver 550bhp. The SLR will likely be faster than the SLR thanks to its reduced weight. The SLR is said to reach a top speed above 190mph and to shuttle from 0 to 62mph in just 3.8 seconds.
The supercar will sit on 19in wheels which can be upgraded to 20in wheels. Surprisingly, it will share its electric equipment with the E-Class. Maybe Mercedes-Benz is readying a new generation of electric equipments for the next E-Class which will be launched next year.
Expected to hit the showrooms in 2010, the SLC will have a lifecycle limited to three years. Mercedes-Benz plans to build 6,000 units.
May 12, 2008
Next Prius to come in two models
In a previous post, Petrol-Head reported that Toyota was rumoured to develop several bodystyles for the next-generation Prius. A new report reveals more details.
Toyota was reported to seriously consider building an eco-friendly brand around the ‘Prius’ moniker, but company’s executives hadn’t given the green light. According to the latest information, the company will build the Prius under several forms in an attempt to surf on the ‘Prius’ awareness in the world. There will likely be two different models, a hatchback and a smaller MPV. As reported two weeks ago, the hatchback will grow in size and will be powered by a bigger engine delivering a power output of 160bhp. Details about the smaller MPV remain scarce although some observers believe that it will take its styling cues from the rear-engined 1/X Concept(pictured) seen at the last year Tokyo Motor Show.
With the next generation, Toyota engineers focus on the fuel efficiency which is regularly criticised by the press when the Prius is compared to a diesel-powered model. The two Prius are also expected to be lighter than the current model.
With the two future models, the Japanese carmaker hopes to increase production of its hybrid vehicles by 60%.
May 12, 2008
Skoda to produce the Up! in India
Skoda has announced it will build a budget car in India which will be launched within two years.
As predicted, Skoda will build the future Up! production version, but not in Czech Republic as initially thought. The Indian factory located in Aurangabad has been selected to built it.The Skoda production site was in competition with another VW facility located in Pamplona, Spain.
Skoda India Director Thomas Kuehl said that the "car will be launched first in India. The car will cater to virgin markets and will be priced in the Rs 3-5 lakh bracket", between £3,800 and £6,200.
The carmaker will expand the current production site to increase output from 30,000 cars to 100,000 cars annually by 2012. Skoda will also move the production of the Fabia next year to a VW facility located in Chakan.
May 12, 2008
Alfa Romeo Mi.To interior revealed
Here is the first unofficial picture of the interior of the Alfa Romeo Mi.To set to compete with the Mini’s British interior.
After the outside pictures of the Mi.To, a picture of the interior has emerged on the Internet. Though the exterior takes its styling cues from the magnificent 8C Competizione, the interior can’t hide its links with the Fiat Grande Punto, with which the Mi.To shares its platform and powertrains.
At first glance, the dashboard looks different by adopting a carbon-fiber look but a closer look will reveal switches and buttons taken from the Grande Punto. This might be a stumbling block for future prospects when the Mini comes with unique components. However this first picture doesn’t reveal much about the interior. Several pictures are needed.
May 12, 2008
GM might switch to unibody for its large SUVs
GM might base its future large SUV models on a car-like platform replacing the traditional body-on-frame chassis.
Under market pressure, GM might make its biggest revolution in the last ten years: switching from body-on-frame to unibody chassis for its large SUV models such as Chevrolet Tahoe or Cadillac Escalade. Body-on-frame chassis is heavier than an unibody chassis and penalise fuel efficiency. However the latter can’t tow as much as the former. Another problem with unibody chassis is that it’s more difficult to share components between models.
The concerned SUVs will likely be the Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade family which are based on the Chevrolet Silverado platform. If the Silverado justifies its body-on-frame chassis by being destined to heavy duties, the Tahoe-like models are destined for families. The next-generation is expected to be unveiled in 2012.
May 12, 2008
Spyshot : Porsche Roxster
The Porsche Roxster that doesn’t officially exist was spotted during testing at Nurburgring.
When asked about the rumour of a smaller Cayenne, Porsche executive didn’t hesitate to rule out the rumoured vehicle, but new pictures raise questions concerning about the future SUV. Is Porsche currently developing a small SUV which will take on the established rivals such as the BMW X3 on the small SUV market segment?
According to insiders, the Roxster will share its inner structure with the Audi Q5, but will be powered by in-house petrol engines. Power output is rumoured to go from 280 to 500bhp. The entry level will be powered by a V6 engine, while the topping engine will likely be a turbocharged V8 unit. Thanks to the reduced weight, the Roxster will shuttle from 0-60mph in just 4.5 seconds and will reach a top speed of 180mph.
Click here to see the pictures
May 12, 2008
20,000 people on Volt’s waiting list
Despite an unknown sales price, over 20,000 people have expressed interest in buying the future Chevrolet Volt.
This is good news for GM and confirms the appeal generated by electric cars for American consumers. However, this interest in buying the Volt might also become the company’s biggest nightmare as GM has already announced it will only build around 10,000 vehicles the first year. The carmaker is rumoured to favourise "smile states" such as California, New York, Washington D.C. and Florida to sell the future model.
Due to be unveiled in November 2010, the Chevrolet Volt will be the first plug-in hybrid in the world.
May 12, 2008