Author: yoann besnard

Hummer to launch the H3 V8 at Geneva
Hummer will unveil the V8-powered H3 version at the Geneva Motor Show which will go on sale afterwards.
Hummer will add a V8 engine to the current lineup featuring only one engine, a 3.7-litre five cylinder petrol unit. The V8 is a 5.3-litre engine that has a power output of 305bhp at 5,200rpm in the H3. The torque reaches its maximum 319 lb ft at 4,000rpm. It is hooked up to a four-speed automatic transmission, which allows the H3 V8 to tow a trailer (braked) of up to 2268 kg.
Hummer will also unveil a limited edition to celebrate the launch of the eagerly-awaited V8 engine called Granite Edition. It will differ from the normal version by being painted in a Granite Black metallic colour. Only one hundred vehicles will be built.
February 26, 2008
Pictures of the C5’s prototypes
The design of the Citroen has been highly praised by specialists. The car looks modern with a bold and serious design positioning the model among the nicest car of its segment. The carmaker has released pictures of some early prototypes on the outside and on the inside.
Here are two pictures of the saloon in March 2004 and in August 2005. The first prototype was taking its styling cues from the C4 model while the second picture shows a car with an overall shape similar to the production version.
The C5 will also be available as an estate and the carmaker hesitated between a very modern design and an elegant, classic but still sporty styling.
On the inside, Citroen has released two pictures of the dashboard which are radically different from the final dashboard.
February 26, 2008
74% of Londoners believe the new congestion charge is unfair
In its fight with London over the congestion charge, Porsche GB has commissioned a survey about the 25£ tax on the highest polluting vehicles.
The poll revealed that 74% of Londoners believe the new scheme is unfair. What’s more interesting is the percentage of people who voted for Ken Livingstone at the last election: 65% also think the new scheme is unfair compared to 35% who believe it is fair and not high enough.
As usual, a new tax brings suspicion on its real purpose and the congestion charge doesn’t avoid it. 62% of Londoners think the Mayor only wants to raise extra money through the new scheme instead of cutting congestion and improving the city’s environment.
Reacting to the poll, Andy Goss, Managing Director of Porsche GB, said: “Londoners agree that the Mayor’s plans to introduce a massive new charge for larger vehicles is totally unfair and is more about squeezing money out of motorists than trying to help the environment. The Mayor should take the chance to reconsider his plans before he leaves us with a system that risks damaging London and irritating massive numbers of people.”
February 26, 2008
Top 10 in China in January
Petrol-Head reported the sales data for the month of January on the Chinese market. This time, here is the list of the top 10 sellers in China.
Volkswagen takes the frist and the second rank thanks to the Jetta and the antediluvian Santana. The Hyundai Elantra arrives surprisingly at the third rank, followed by the successful Buick Excelle which will be renewed in April. Toyota also put the ubiquitous Corolla and Camry in the top ten.
1. VW Jetta – 25,100 sales
2. VW Santana – 19,800
3. Hyundai Elantra – 18,000
4. Buick Excelle – 16,700
5. Tianjin Xia Li – 15,300
6. Chery QQ – 15,100
7. Toyota Corolla – 15,000
8. Toyota Camry – 12,600
9. Ford Focus – 12,300
10. VW Sagitar – 11,600
February 26, 2008
Mercedes to unveil the 4 MATIC CL-class coupé at Geneva
Mercedes will unveil a CL-class coupé with the in-house 4MATIC transmission at the Geneva Motor Show next week.
The 4MATIC will be available as an option on the 500 version and will be positioned between the two-wheel drives and the CL63 AMG in terms of price. It will be called CL 500 4MATIC and will be powered by the 388bhp V8 petrol engine.
The in-house transmission is an electronically controlled system which employs locking central and rear differentials to provide additional traction in slippery conditions. The centre differential contains an integrated multiplate clutch. Each clutch is controlled separately to allow for four modes of operation; 2WD where 100% of available torque is available to the rear axle, while the front axle is disconnected and three 4WD modes which allowed for 45% front/55% rear axle torque split or 50% front axle/50% rear axle torque split. The rear differential can also be locked if rear wheel slip is still present while in the 50/50 4WD mode. Mercedes claims that its system is the lightest all-whell drive transmission in the world, adding juts 70kg to the heavy CL-class.
The CL500 4MATIC should run from 0-62mph in about 5 seconds and still reach the top speed of 155mph.
February 26, 2008
Buick to consider launching an all-new model
The American brand is seriously considering expanding its current lineup by adding a new model as the carmaker meets a big success on the Chinese market and records encouraging sales result in the US.
The company’s executives still need to decide what new vehicle to build. At this early stage, two projects have their favour, a new rear wheel drive flagship and smaller model. The flagship would be based on the revived rear-wheel drive platform that GM planned to cancel due to the stricter CAFE regulations. However, the second project is the favourite as it would enable the company to satisfy easily the CAFE regulations and to reinforce its lineup in the US, but also in Asia where the growth is.
The smaller model would be based on the next-generation Buick Excelle that will go on sale next year. The current Excelle is a rebranded Daewoo Lacetti sold in Europe under the Chevrolet badge.
February 26, 2008
Maserati to unveil the GranTurismo S at Geneva
Maserati will unveil a sporty version of its magnificent GranTurismo coupé at the Geneva Motor Show. On the menu: 440bhp, 4.9 seconds, 35 meters and a S moniker.
The new version will be powered by the same engine featured in the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, itself derived the from the current 4.2-litre V8 seen in the GranTurismo. With a displacement of 4.7-litre, the V8 will have a power output of 440bhp up from 405bhp. It will be hooked up to a dual-clutch gearbox which replaces the six-speed automatic gearbox featured in the GranTurismo. The braking system will also be upgraded.
All those improvements will enable the GranTurismo S to shuttle form 0-60nmph in 4.9 seconds and the improved brakes will take 35 meters to stop the car from that speed. The car is displayed in a black color and the interior will likely be slightly changed to become sportier. You can try to imagine the interior with the company’s car configurator.
Source: AutoExpress
February 26, 2008
Toyoya considers launching two small models in the US
Toyota is seriously thinking at launching two small models, a production version of the A-BAT concept car and the new Urban Cruiser on the American market in the coming years.
In an interview with Automotive News, Toyota’s U.S. sales chief Jim Lentz revealed that the carmaker was considering launching two small models as the new economic situation made rooms for smaller cars on the American market. Like other American carmakers, Toyota has to find solutions to meet the future CAFE standards. If the company build its brand image with the green Prius, it makes its money with its big SUVs such as the V8-powered Tacoma.
Toyota has plans to launch a production version of the A-BAT concept car seen at Detroit and the Urban Cruiser that will be unveiled next week at Geneva. Based on the Toyota Yaris, the small SUV is similar to the Scion xD model which is an exported version of the Toyota Ist sold in Japan.
February 26, 2008
Scans of the revamped Gallardo emerge on Internet
Scans of the latest Quattroruote magazine displaying the facelifted Lamborghini Gallardo have emerged on the Internet.
The revamped Gallardo will gain in power and will also features minor exterior and interior minor changes. For the released pictures, the supercar comes with a new bumper at the front featuring a nose similer to the Reventon’s exclusive model seen last year. The headlight shape also evolves to become more aggressive. At the rear end the car is rumoured to come with a large carbon diffuser.
The new Gallardo is expected to see its power jumping from 520bhp to 550bhp and its 5-0-litre V10 engine will adopt the FSI direct injection technology. The power increase will likely enable the company to make some rooms for the rumoured Gallardo V8. Seen on the Audi R8, the V8 engine has a power output of 414bhp. In the Gallardo, Lamborghini could boost the power to 470bhp without threatening the V10-powered Gallardo.
Source: Autopareri
February 26, 2008
Lotus opens a hybrid and electric vehicle division
Lotus Engineering has announced that it has set up a research and development division dedicated to hybrid and electric vehicles.
The new Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Group has already developed a lower-emissions Vauxhall Astra which sees its CO2 emissions decreasing by 15%. The company collaborated with Continental Division Powertrain on this project.
The news doesn’t come as a surprise. Indeed, the carmaker has helped Tesla to build the famous electric roadster and gained a recognized expertise in the area of green technologies. With this new division, the British carmaker, owned by Proton, shows its commitment and observers are expecting the company to launch an electric sports car in the future. Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer for Group Lotus remained silent when being asked and said: "over the next five years, Lotus will further reinforce its position as a world leader in green transport engineering."
February 26, 2008