Author: yoann besnard

New Congestion Charge might increase CO2 emissions by 182,000 tonnes
Porsche goes a step further in challenging the Congestion Charge by unveiling the conclusion of a report from King’s College never publicly released by Transport for London. The report reveals that new emissions-related congestion charge is estimated by TfL’s own consultants to increase CO2 in Greater London by 182,000 tonnes.
The report prepared for TfL by King’s College London’s ‘Environmental Research Group’ uses models to assess the impact of the new charge on emissions and its results show that the new charge is predicted to create a “very high disbenefit” not only for CO2 but also for NOx, NO2 and PM10. The report also shows that there will be an increase in CO2 emitted in Greater London in each year from 2009. By 2012, research shows that in Outer London the increase in CO2 will be nearly 184,000 tonnes, with just 2,200 tonnes saved in Central London giving a net increase of 182,000 tonnes.
The report also concludes that the Congestion Charge doesn’t solve the pollution problem but moves it out of Central London. Because of this new charge, drivers are likely to increase their mileage outside of and around the zone and thus increase their emissions. It shows that “most of the emissions impacts happen in the outer location and this is a direct result of the high car traffic flow in the outer zone and the change of the vehicle km in this location.”
This research was in part used by TfL as they took the figures from the King’s report for NOx and PM10 directly from it; however, its findings in relation to CO2 emissions were not revealed and the full report has never before been released.
April 9, 2008
New teaser of the Buick Invicta
GM, first carmaker in China, has released a teaser of the concept car it will take the wraps off at the Beijing Motor Show. Like the Riviera unveiled last year, the Invicta was designed by the PATAC, the company’s Chinese design studio.
The Invicta won’t reach the production stage and was designed to gauge public reaction to the brand’s future design.
Along with the Invicta, GM will display the Buick Lacrosse Eco-hybrid, the facelifted Excelle and few Vauxhall models which will be soon be built in China.
April 9, 2008
New Griffin logo to debut on Vauxhall Insignia
Due to be unveiled at the next British International Motor Show in July, the eagerly-awaited Vectra-replacement model, the Insignia, will feature a new Vauxhall logo.
The Insignia will be Opel/Vauxhall’s attempt to spearhead a revival in the upper segments. After changing its name from Vectra to Insignia, the future saloon will sport a new badge in the UK. The new logo will be more dynamic and contemporary look claims the carmaker. It will appear progressively on every all-new Vauxhall launched in the future.
Bill Parfitt, Vauxhall’s Managing Director, said that the new-look Griffin represented far more than just a badge re-design: “While the new-look Griffin pays homage to our 100 year-plus manufacturing heritage in the UK, it also encapsulates Vauxhall’s fresh design philosophy, first showcased in the current Astra, and set to continue with Insignia.”
The Insignia will be a milestone for the carmaker. Will it make a return to the upper market segments after the Vecta and Signum fiasco. The company takes all opportunities to make the future Insignia be special like its new headlight system.
April 9, 2008
Spyshots : Mercedes Classe E W 212
Here are some spyshots of the next-geenration E-Class, codenamed W212, which will be unveiled at the next Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009.
The spyshots confirm the renderings released by Worldcarfans last month. The next E-Class will be a combination of the company’s latest creations. From the S-Class, the future saloon will take the wheelarch extensions, the line below the door handles and big bumpers while its styling details will borrow the straight lines from the new GLK and its front facial will be inspired by the C-Class.
The next-gen E-Class will come with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, from 4 cylinder units to the powerful AMG V8 engine for the petrol units and Bluetec technology for the diesel units. The executive saloon will also be equipped with the latest safety devices: lane-departure warnings, eye-movement monitor, traffic sign identification, road condition sensors and stability control for crosswinds, camber changes and tire wear.

Click to see the spyshots
Source: Worldcarfans
April 9, 2008
Toyota Camry Hybrid in Australia
Toyota might build the Camry Hybrid in Australia when the carmaker launches the next-generation there.
With other carmakers threatening Toyota’s green credentials, the carmaker is seriously thinking giving a boost to its hybrid sales in Australia by building the hybrid-powered Camry there. In addition to the increased sales, Toyota also wants to lead the market segment to boost its brand image
Australia is not a large market for hybrid cars where two models are on sale. Last year, Toyota sold 3,100 Prius while Honda sold just over 1,000 Civic. Honda is currently developing a cheap hybrid model expected to be sold worldwide. In Australia, the new model might help Honda to overtake Toyota on the fast-growing hybrid market. However, the Honda might be a tiny bit too small for the Australian. Toyota prefers betting on the bigger Camry which offers similar dimensions to that of the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore
Source: The Australian
April 9, 2008
Land Rover rolls off the 100,000th Freelander 2
Land Rover has rolled off the 100,000th Freelander 2 less than two years after its launch in July 2006.
The 100,000th car is a Rimini Red 2.2 Diesel Auto which will be delivered to its Russian customer in the city of Surgut, located on Russia’s Central Siberian Plateau. For the carmaker this is good news and an important milestone for the company when future looks rather gloomy.
The Freelander 2 has won global praise from professionals and won over 10 international industry awards since launch including the What Car? Compact 4×4 of the Year Award, Top Gear ‘SUV of the Year’ and ‘Best Small 4×4’ at the Business Car awards. Without a doubt, the second-generation’s success helped Land Rover to achieve is best year ever in terms of sales last year. It is popular in emerging markets such as Russia, China and the Middle East.
Thomas Klein, Operations Director at Halewood said: "The 100,000th Freelander is an important milestone for the plant – Freelander 2 helped Land Rover achieve its best ever sales year in 2007 and has won several major awards in its first 12 months in the market place. Freelander is continuing to perform well in traditional Land Rover markets such as the UK but sales in emerging areas like Russia and China are also growing rapidly so it’s entirely fitting that this car is destined for a customer in Siberia. “
April 9, 2008
Lexus Commits $230 Million to Expand Australian Dealer Network
Lexus wants to increase its global presence, especially outside the US and has announced it will invest £108 million to expand its dealer network in Australia.
From its current network of 22 dealerships, the luxury brand will increase this number by 50% in the next four years. The new facilities will feature a new face similar to that of the latest Lexus dealer in Perth with a purpose of making customers “feel as though they are guests in our home”.
Lexus Australia CEO John Roca also said that "Lexus locally is in growth mode. Demand for our vehicles regularly outstrips supply and our dealerships in their current format are reaching their capacity limits. Lexus’ success comes from satisfied customers.”
Source: The Australian
Source photo: Edmunds
April 9, 2008
Hyundai opens $1 billion plant in China
Hyundai has opened a new factory in China with its business partner Beijing Automotive. The new facility will double production capacity in China to 600,000 vehicles in the coming years.
Like other carmakers, Hyundai wants to have its share of the Chinese pie and invests a lot to increase its sales. After the announcement of launching a new luxury brand there, the company has invested £500 million in a new plant as a part of an ambitious plan to capture a share of 10 per cent or sell 1 million vehicles. The new production site will build 100,000 Elantra this year.
Last year, Hyundai sold 231,175 vehicles and plans to sell 380,000 units this year. It will still be far form the leader GM which sold 508,308 vehicles last year but close to Toyota and its Toyota 281,952 units. In China, Hyundai tries to cover all market segments form the cheap models to the luxury segment on which the Genesis will be launched in June.
April 9, 2008
Citroën unveils the facelifted C-Elysee for the Chinese market
Citroen took the wraps off the facelifted Elysée due to be unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show in less than two weeks.
The revamped Citroen adopts the corporate look by gaining a new front end in line with the marque’s most recent creations, new wheels and new rear lights. Despite the heavy work done on the design, the Elysée can’t hide its link with the old ZX model sold in Europe in the early 90s. Like the revised Fukang, which is a true ZX, Citroen has improved the quality in an attempt to move the saloon upmarket. The equipment has been upgraded with a Bluetooth audio system, 6-CD hard-disk jukebox and USB socket as options, while the boot lid features an automatic opening function.
Under the bonnet, the facelifted Elysée comes with a 1.8-litre petrol engine and latest-generation ABS system.
April 9, 2008
Lexus future plans
Lexus plans to expand its lineup in an attempt to increase its globals sales. more F models, a small Lexus and the eagerly-awaited LF-A are on the menu.
In an interview with the Australian, head of Lexus Australia, John Roca, has revealed the future plans of the Japanese luxury brands. First, the long-awaited LF-A won’t be build before 2011. Tokyo Motor Show will likely be the event chosen by the carmaker to unveil the supercar.
The carmaker also plans to launch more F models. After the IS-F, the company plans to unveil the GS-F which might be powred by a V10 petrol engine like the Audi RS6 and the BMW M5. Lexus might also launch a LS-F which would take on the Audi S8 and the Mercedes S65 AMG.
All these models will help to boost the company’s brand image which struggles to get a pie of the luxury market outside the US. The real model expected to be built at large scale will be a compact model and a future hybrid model. The compact model will be Lexus’ attempt to fight on the compact market segment. Set to compete with the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series, the future model will likely be powered by a hybrid transmission. The other hybrid model will be a unique vehicle a bit like the Prius in the Toyota’s lineup on which the future Lexus will be based.
April 8, 2008