Author: yoann besnard

Jaguar & Land Rover readying hybrid versions
Jaguar and Land Rover are currently working together on adapting hybrid technology on two engines: a 3.0-litre diesel unit and 5.0-litre V8 engine.
The 3.0-litre diesel engine is derived from the 2.7-litre V6 unit sold in the Discovery 3, Range Rover Sport and Jaguar XF. The diesel engine is combined with a hybrid system and will feature the stop and start technology. Despite hybrid technologies, both companies expect to boost fuel efficiency by 10 per cent. As part of the Ford/PSA Peugeot Citroen agreement, will the French group get this new engine?
The petrol engine will be an upgraded version of the current V8. With an increased displacement to 5 litres, the V8 will use the hybrid technology in an attempt to increase its green credentials. However, the main revolution will start in 2012 when both British carmakers will off full-hybrid models. If Jaguar’s approach remains unknown, Land Rover will use a rear-mounted electric engine which will power the rear wheels.
Source: Autocar
May 30, 2008
Next Ford Ka unveiled
Here are the first clear pictures of the eagerly-awaited next-generation Ka, which will debut at the Paris Motor Show in October.
Ford’s attempt to replace the Ka is like Renault replacing the Twingo. The Ka has been on sale for the last twelve years and it has been a top-seller since then. The next model will share its underpinnings with the Fiat 500, but will feature a unique interior and exterior styling. If the overall shape is similar to that of the 500, the body panels look unique. On the inside, while the Fiat 500 features a retro-charming design, the next Ka will promote the Ford’s design with a dashboard similar to the Fiesta’s.
The next Ka will be uilt on the same assembly lines as the 500 at Fiat’s Tychy facility, located in Poland.
May 30, 2008
Mini Crossman Concept to be unveiled at Paris
The future Crossman will be unveiled at the Paris Motor Show in October before hitting the showrooms in 2009.
The latest information suggest that the future Mini SUV will be previewed at the next Paris Motor Show. Called Crossman, the future variant will be longer than the current Mini and higher by 80 mm than the Mini (Estate). The Crossman will be available with of choice of two transmissions, front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive. it will get the usual off-road treatment with raised suspension and body-protective molding. However, the Mini SUV will be engineered for on-road manners than mud-plugging abilities.
The Crossman will be built by Magna which will lose the X3’s production in 2010. Mini plans to sell 80,000 units per year.
May 30, 2008
Improved Infiniti models for Europe
Infiniti is readying its models before launching them in Europe.
It appears that Infiniti is going to town on a meal for Europe. After a reservation list on the internet, the luxury brand is improving the quality of its cars intended to be sold on the European market. Engineers will make 300 to 500 changes per model to ready for the launch in October.
In addition to the traditional handling improvements including new stabilizers and bigger brakes, the Infiniti models will come with new heated-seat system, new windscreen wipers and heavier window seals. The biggest visual changes will concern the interior. The European models will feature knobs in replacement of the pushbuttons favored by American customers.
May 30, 2008
Audi R8 V10 for sale?
A German website might have revealed the future specs of the long-awaited V10-powered R8.
The German website Mobile.de features an interesting R8 powered by a V10 petrol engine. The engine is reported to deliver a power output of 552bhp. This is 20bhp less than the rocketing-estate RS6 which offers 572bhp. The price tag is rather high for the R8 with a reported price of £100,000.
On the same page, the launch date is announced in February 2009 before hitting the showrooms in the second quarter of next year.
May 30, 2008
Rolls-Royce releases official sketches of new RR4
Rolls Royce has unveiled the first sketches of the forthcoming baby saloon due to be launched in 2010.
Dubbed RR4, the future saloon will help the company to almost double its sales in the future. In addition to 1,100 units sold last year, the British marque plans to sell 800 baby Rolls annually. The RR4 is a baby Rolls only in name as the luxury saloon will be longer than a BMW 7-Series.
Like the current models, this future “top-seller” will feature a unique platform and a new engine. It will enable the company to promote it unique character at a time when the future Bentley models will share their inner-structure with the Audi A8. However, the RR4 will still share components with the next-generation 7-Series to cut cost. Everything invisible will be shared, while all visual components will be unique to the RR4.
The RR4 will be like going mainstream for Rolls Royce. The carmaker plans to reshuffle the Goodwood facilities to accommodate the RR4, with extended paint, wood and leather shops as well as a second assembly line. The company will move to a two shift system next year as it gears up for full production of the new model.
The RR4 is expected to cost between £125,000 and £150,000
May 30, 2008
Next Chrysler 300 to keep current design
The current 300 saloon will go down in history as the model which brought the company on the saloon market and push competition such as the Ford 500 into the background. However, its replacement might become a serious headache for Chrysler engineers and designers.
The American carmaker has decided to follow the German path that’s to say favoring evolutionary designs. With the next-generation 300, designers will slightly modernize the current overall design a bit like German carmakers did in the previous century. While the car’s exterior will remain similar to that of the current model, the interior styling will be a big improvement over the current 300. company execs are aware of the criticisms targeted at its models’ interior, so designer and engineers have been to told to focus on materials, fit and finish to match Asian models.
The next 300 will be launched in 2011 or 2012. Technical details remains unknown.
May 30, 2008
Toyota will miss sales target in Europe
Toyota has announced it will miss its target on the European market this year due to weak sales in Germany and lack of new models.
The Japanese carmaker is ready for a gloomy year as the company doesn’t want to participate in a price war on the German market and won’t reveal new models before the end of this year. Toyota has decided to keep its margin, while competition has decided to cut prices to maintain sales which slows down the carmaker’s sales. If the overall German market increased by 7%, Toyota recorded a 21% growth in April. In the long term with rising material costs, Toyota might be the wisest carmaker on the market.
However, price war is an explanation. Another factor is likely to be the lack of new models. The Avensis family car is waiting for its replacement, while the Auris struggles on a tough market. Next year promises to be better as the company plans to unveil three new major models, the iQ, the Urban Cruiser and the next-generation Avensis. The iQ will be launched in January, while the Urban Cruiser will follow in the first trimester. The next Avensis will likely hit the showrooms in the second trimester of 2009.
May 30, 2008
200,000th Cee’d rolled off production line
Kia has announced the 200,000th Cee’d compact model had rolled off the production line, just 18 months after its launch. It’s far from the Golf or 308 sales results, but for a Korean car it’s good news.
The Cee’d is Kia’s attempt to take on the established European rivals by selling a model tailored to European tastes and European buyers seem to have answered positively to the new model. Its seven year warranty likely convinced hesitating customers. However car qualities mustn’t be ignored. Like Japanese carmakers previously, Korean companies are focusing on the European market.
“This is another truly significant day for Kia,’ enthused Mr In-Kyu Bae, President and CEO Kia Motors Slovakia. “We produced our 100,000th cee’d last September, only 10 months after start-up, and with the addition of the cee’d wagon and pro_cee’d three-door hatch we have reached our 200,000th cee’d after only eight more months. “
The Cee’d is built at the Zilina factory in Slovakia which employs 2,748 people.
May 30, 2008
Spyshots: Lexus LF-A V10 engine bay
The future LF-A’s engie has been spotted by photographers during the 24 hrs Nurburgring where the car was competing.
As expected the engine bay featured the future V10 petrol-unit which is rumoured to develop over 500bhp. In addition to the V10 unit, Lecus is also readying a hybrid version which will feature a V8 petrol engine and and electric motor. Power remains unknown at this stage, but this hybrid-powered LF-A will be launched 12 months after the V10 version.
The LF-A finished 134th at the 24hrs Nurburgring race, far behind Porsche which dominated the top 10 rankings. The Japanese supercar is still in development and the even will likely help the engineers to improve the cars. However, first results aren’t as impressive as it was expected.
May 30, 2008