Author: yoann besnard

VW Up to achieve 80-90mpg
Volkswagen is working hard on its small budget car which will be close to the three concept cars unveiled last year according to a AutoExpress.
As promised by the German carmaker, the production version will offer a exterior styling similar to that of the concept cars except for the front fascia and the taillights. The front end will be redesigned to adopt the corporate fascia sported by the Golf. On the inside, the dashboard will keep its touch-screen LCD panel seen on the concept cars which featured an interface similar to that of the Apple iPhone. It isn’t confirmed whether this high tech screen will be available in emerging markets or not.
The future model will be available in three and five-door hatchbacks at first . Later, a minivan variant will be launched. Under the bonnet, the Up will be powered by a 0.6-litre engine in either normally aspirated or turbocharged versions. Petrol and diesel will be offered. Secrecy surrounds the power output, but fuel efficiency will be favoured instead of performance. It is rumoured that the future small car will achieve an impressive consumption between 80 and 90mpg. In addition to the tiny engine, Volkswagen is considering adding a 1.2-litre unit and a hybrid solution.
April 21, 2008
Chrysler to build Alfa Romeos in the U.S. for Fiat?
After BMW, Chrysler is cited as a future partner for Alfa Romeo to build the Italian marque’s models in the US.
Fiat and Chrysler have entered into talks about the possibility to build Alfa Romeo models destined for the American market in a Chrysler’s factory. According to the German newspaper Handelsblatt, “Chrysler could produce the cars for Fiat subsidiary Alfa Romeo.” a Chrysler spokeswoman goes on record to say news of the talks are just speculation, adding "There could be other partnerships with other carmakers."
After the rumour linking BMW and Fiat, this potential partnership looks like to have better chance to get realized. Chrysler needs desperately to find new partners while Alfa Romeo needs a partner which doesn’t compete on the same market segments like BMW does.
This is not the first time that Chrysler and Alfa Romeo would work together. Fiat and Chrysler formed a distribution company in February 1989 to sell Alfa Romeo models in the US, but the American manufacturer sold its stake to Fiat in November 1991.
Last week Chrysler announced another partnership with Nissan.
April 21, 2008
More details on the future SL65 AMG Black Series
The closer we get to the official launch, the more details are being released about the future most powerful Mercedes model, the SL65 AMG Black Series.
The delivered power output was already known, but Motor Trend confirmed the number. The powerful SL will offer an output of 670bhp. Likewise, the magazine the staggering torque of 738 lb-ft. The news are that in addition to the power boost, engineers have focused on weight reduction. Thanks to the extensive use of carbon fiber in the fixed-roof, bonnet and front fenders, the SL65 AMG Black Series will lose 470 lbs to reach Mercedes-like weight of 4,080 lbs. By comparison, a Porsche 911 GT2 weighs 3175 lbs and the Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 only weighs 3671 lbs despite featuring a four-wheel drive transmission.
The SL65 AMG Black Series will come, of course, with technical upgrades such as wider track, larger brakes, adjustable suspension and a deployable rear spoiler. On the inside, the supercar will feature racing carbon fiber seats, flat bottom steering wheel and Alcantara upholstery.
April 21, 2008
VW to build a SUV based on next-generation Passat
The German carmaker is planning to build a new model based on the Passat to reinforce its SUV lineup.
With the goal to overtake Toyota by 2018, Volkswagen double its efforts to expand its lineup and to compete on all segments. After the Passat CC, the German carmaker is currently working on a future SUV based on the next-generation platform Passat. The future model will be VW’s attempt to get a share of the growing premium SUV market segment dominated by the BMW X3.
The largest market will be the US as dealers complain about the Tiguan, too small and too expensive for American buyers. Along with the BMW X3, the future SUV will compete with the Mercedes GLK, the Volvo XC60, the Infiniti EX37 and the eagerly-awaited Audi Q5. However, the Passat SUV will differ from competition by being a seven seater model.
The future SUV won’t share its underpinnings with the Audi Q5 as it might be obvious, but the company wants to keep the production costs as low as possible. Sharing the platform with the next Passat will certainly help. It might even be possible to extract a Skoda version as the new Superb shares its inner structure and engines with the current Passat.
April 17, 2008
Chrysler and Nissan announce new partnership to produce small car and pickup
Nissan and Chrysler have announced a new partnership to supply the American carmakers with small models which will be sold in South America. In exchange, Chrysler will produce a new Nissan truck model expected to be on sale by 2011.
Both carmakers have announced a partnership which will enable the two companies to reinforce their lineup on several markets. For Chrysler, priority is given to small vehicles as part of a plan to increase its global sales at a time when its largest market entered recession. Nissan will provide small vehicles due to be sold in South America, in the US and also in Europe. The Japanese carmaker has signed a similar deal with Chrysler and will start producing 20,000 versa for South America next year. The new deal didn’t give any details about the future planned models.
For Nissan, the new deal is good news after GM stopped negotiations over a year ago. Chrysler will build the planned Titan successor at the Saltillo Assembly Plant in Mexico. Secrecy surrounds the future pickup although some observers believe it will share its platform with Chrysler products. However it will feature a unique exterior and interior styling.
Chrysler has already signed a deal with the Chinese carmaker Chery to sell a small model, the Dodge Breeze, in Mexico.
April 17, 2008
Next-generation 7-series to to come with eight-speed transmission
After the power race, premium carmakers seem to be launched in an automatic transmission race. After Mercedes who launched its seven-speed automatic gearbox and Lexus who stepped up with eight-speed gearbox, BMW will feature its first eight-speed gearbox on the next-generation 7-Series.
Due to be unveiled at the next Paris Motor Show, the new flagship saloon will be the first carmaker’s model to be equipped an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Among other changes, the gearstick will be moved from its controversial position behind the wheel to the central console.
Technically, the new gearbox will be as large as the six-speed unit offered in the current model. One does expect the eight-speed gearbox to be smoother and the carmaker expects the future gearbox to increase its flagship’s fuel efficiency by 6 per cent.
Along with this new gearbox, the future 7-Series will feature a more classical design as spyshots have revealed until now.
April 17, 2008
Chrysler future products
Chrysler’s vice president of product development has revealed more details about the future range that the troubled company plans to offer in the coming years.
Speaking at the SAE 2008 World Congress, Frank Klegon has revealed that a hybrid-powered Dodge Ram will be available by 2010, enabling the carmaker to increase fuel efficiency. he also revealed that the carmaker is also working on a new communication system similar to that of Ford’s Sync and a blind spot detection system.
Klegon also confirmed a dual clutch transmission will be featured on the 2009 model year Dodge Journey, Avenger and Sebring. Developed in partnership with Getrag, the new gearbox will enable the carmaker to boost fuel efficiency on the equipped vehicles.
April 17, 2008
First pictures of the Opel Insignia
Leaked images of the future Insignia have emerged on the Internet.
The saloon you see here is the Insignia model that Vauxhall will unveil at the next London Motor Show. The Insignia is the company’s new attempt to spearhead a revival of its offer on the family car market segment. With the new Insignia, Opel/Vauxhall wants us to forget the Vectra and its poor brand image.
Like the new C5 and the Mondeo saloons, the new Insignia will move upmarket by growing in size but also by featuring an appealing design that takes its styling cues from the eponym concept car unveiled in 2003 and the GTC concept car seen last year in Geneva.
The GTC will be available with five petrol engines and four diesel units. The petrol offer will start with a 113bhp 1.6-litre engine, followed by the 138bhp 1.8-litre unit, the 178bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, the 197bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre and topped by a 256bhp 2.9-litre V6 engine. The diesel range will offer a 2.0-litre unit delivering 108bhp, 128bhp or 158bhp, and a new 247bhp 2.9-litre V6 engine.
Source: Autoweek
April 17, 2008
Alfa Romeo to team up with Jaguar?
Alfa Romeo and Jaguar might team up to compete with the German clique according to company sources.
In an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Fiat head of development, Harald Wester said that both companies had entered into talks over new rear-wheel drive platforms. Alfa Romeo is interested in the new Jaguar platform used by Jaguar for the new XF model as the carmaker struggles in upper segments as a result of lack of rear-wheel drive platforms. Buying Jaguar’s platforms would enable the two carmakers to cut production cost.
With Tata, now owner of the British marque, talks might be easier as Ratan Tata, CEO of Tata Motors has had a seat at Fiat’s board since 2006. Furthermore, Fiat advised Tata in the JLR bid.
Alfa Romeo previously talked with Mercedes Benz and GM over possible platform sharing.
April 11, 2008
Toyota/Subaru coupé: sketch and more info
It isn’t the first time we’re talking about it, but this time, a leaked official sketch has emerged on the Internet. Due to be sold by Subaru and Toyota, the future coupé was expected to be a successor of the Paseo, but latest news reveal the coupé will be a bit more like a Celica.
The leaked sketch belongs to the Subaru version. If the two cars share their inner structure, suspensions and powertrains, they will feature a unique styling. The design will be finalized during June but final overshape will likely be similar to that of the sketch. The coupé will be launched in 2011 and be built by Subaru in its Japanese facility. Initially thought to be an all-wheel drive model, the coupé will feature a rear-wheel drive system as a result of carmakers’ will to focus on weight reduction.
The future model will be based on the Impreza platform and will be be powered by two Subaru engines, 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre petrol units. The entry level will offer 175bhp and is expected to cost around £20,000 when reaching our shores.
April 11, 2008