Author: yoann besnard

More details emerge on 2010 Lotus Esprit
More details of the future Lotus Esprit have emerged on the Internet.
In February, Petrol-Head reported the latest information about the future Esprit that Lotus will likely unveil at the end of 2009. The car will reinforce the carmaker’s lineup and will boost is brand image required to sell more smaller models. The future supercar will be built on the company’s Variable vehicle Architecture which is also used by the Elise. However, the main concept behind this platform is its flexibility. The next Esprit won’t be a clone like the Europa will be, but a true new car.
As announced earlier, the new Esprit will be powered by a 4.4-litre V8 outsourced form BMW which will get a power boost to deliver 500bhp. Performance promises to be outstanding. The Esprit is expected to coast around £65,000.
May 28, 2008
VW Passat R36 Variant Styling Study unveiled at Worthersee Tour
Like Audi, Volkswagen has unveiled a special edition of the Passat R36 at the Wörther Lake in Austria. But VW engineers had less freedom than their counterparts at Ingolstadt.
Dubbed Variant Study, this special R36 comes with a unique paint scheme “Moonlight Blue”. The new color has also been applied to the chrome parts. The R36 Variant Study gets lowered suspension, while featuring bigger wheels. It sits on 20in alloy wheels which come straight from the Touareg R-Line and gets a 6-piston Brembo braking system upgrade.
On the inside, the Variant Study features a set of bicolour Recaro seats and dark blue chrome trims on the dashboard and the doors.
May 28, 2008
New Saab 9-5 to debut at the 2009 Geneva motor show
The launch date for the next-generation 9-5 is more and more confusing. Initially thought to be at the Paris Motor Show, Saab has announced it would be at Frankfurt. But latest information suggest Geneva in March of next year.
Paris, Geneva or Frankfurt? Paris would likely be the best shot for the Swedish carmaker as the aging 9-5 can’t really compete with the latest models. Geneva is a risky decision as Mercedes-Benz will unveil the next-generation E-Class, while BMW will likely unveil the next 5-Series at Frankfurt. In other words, the Saab 9-5 will get as much attention as the Skoda Superb in Geneva this year if a German carmaker unveils a new model at Geneva or Frankfurt.
The car has already been shown at the GMNext conference, but both the saloon and the estate were only dummies without engines and real suspension.
May 28, 2008
Mercedes updates the G-Class
Mercedes has unveiled an upgraded G-Class. On the menu, there are a more powerful engine and updated equipments.
Probably for the last time, Mercedes has upgraded the G-Class which has been in the lineup for the last 30 years. Like the previous iterations, the G-Class’ styling evolves slightly, just enough to keep up with the latest design trends. This revamped G-Class gets a new grille featuring three louvres replacing the former model’s seven louvres and new wheels.
On the inside, only the equipments is upgraded and adopts a new Telematics system and various options such as a Harman Kardon sound system.
Under the bonnet, the G500 gets a power boost. The power output jumps to 383bhp. The impressive G55 AMG also sees its power increased to 500bhp.
May 28, 2008
Peugeot 308 HDi 110 sets two new world recorlds
The Peugeot 308 HDi 110 has set two new world records: travelling 1192 miles on just 60 litres of diesel fuel and completing 9,062 miles at an average of 90.75 mpg.
The car was driven by a couple around the coast of Australia in a standard Peugeot 308 HDi 110. The unexpected team drove a completely standard Peugeot 308 HDi 110 hatchback on a 25 day, 9,000 mile journey around the coast of Australia. During the record breaking journey they broke two world records by recording an unprecedented 1192 miles on just 60 litres of diesel fuel and an average fuel consumption of 90.75 mpg.
The Peugeot 308 HDi 110 hatchback now holds the World Record for both the highest average fuel consumption on a journey, a record previously held by a Peugeot 307 hatchback, and the record for the furthest distance travelled on a full tank of fuel.
May 28, 2008
More details on future hybrid-powered Honda
Honda’s President, Takeo Fukui, has revealed more information about the eagerly-awaited affordable hybrid models.
The first model will be a hatchback version that Honda will launch in December of this year before selling it in April 2009. The five-seater will be powered by a small 1.4-litre petrol engine and a electric motor located under the front passenger seat. The new model will be able to run on full electric mode. The total power is announced for 95bhp which will likely be enough of urban journeys, but also for motorways. The small engine will enable the future hybrid-powered Honda to achieve an impressive 80mpg.
At 3,980 mm long, 1,720 mm wide and 1,55 mm high, the future model will offer similar dimensions to that of small models in Europe such as the Fiat Grande Punto or the Peugeot 207. Despite the battery pack, this hybrid car will only weigh 1,180kg which is similar to the top-seler in this market segment.
Built in Japan alongside the Civic Hybrid at Honda’s Suzuka factory, the future model is expected to cost around £10,000 on the Japanese market. Honda has a target of £13,000 for Europe. Honda plans to sell 200,000 units per year.
May 23, 2008
Lexus LF-A to cost more than £100,000
The closer we get to the launch date, the the riskier is the Lexus LF-A for Toyota. The latest information unveil a hefty price tag of £113,000.
The Lexus LF-A is a mysterious car. While Nissan regularly updated the motor world about the GT-R likely to generate buzz, Toyota is secretly working on the future LF-A. No launch date has been set up and the latest information don’t bode well for the future. A corporate product planning manager for Lexus, Ben Mitchell has confirmed that the price of the LF-A will start with a “two”, while information form Japan talks about £113,000.
At this price, Toyota has no rights to make a mistake otherwise its legitimacy in sports car will be shadowed for years. Available as a coupé and a roadster, the Lexus LF-A will be first launched under the coupé variant. The roadster version will likely be more expensive than the coupé. The LF-A will be powered by a 5.0-litre petrol engine delivering an estimated power output of 500bhp.
It seems that Toyota wants to copy Mercedes and launch a SLR-Like to boost its image. However, Lexus doesn’t have the brand image of the German carmaker and the SLR didn’t even meet the expected sales success.
May 23, 2008
Audi unveils the Clubsport Quattro
Last week, Petrol-Head unveiled some spyshots of the rumoured TT Clubsport Quattro. Surprising everybody, Audi has unveiled the final version.
The car was unveiled today at the Lake Worther Tour, an annual gathering of VW and Audi enthusiasts held in Austria. Compared to the TT, the biggest change is the new windscreen which is a low-level speedster style windscreen. The Clubsport Quattro is also 60 mm wider than the normal TT to make room for the bigger 19in wheels. The speedster sits on 235/55 tires and features the upgraded braking system seen on the new TTS. Under the bonnet, the Clubsport Quattro features a boosted version of the 2.0-litre TFSI unit which delivers 300bhp.
On the inside, the Clubsport comes with a aluminium pedals, a special instruments panal and specific door handles. Seats feature a specific race style with a tan leather uphosltery.
May 23, 2008
SUV in 2010 for Alfa
Alfa Romeo’s CEO has unveiled the future direction for the Italian marque in an interview with Auto Motor und Sport.
Nominated in last December, Luca Di Meo has the huge task to turn Alfa Romeo profitable. He said that Alfa Romeo won’t be cheap models any more. Alfa Romeo will improve the build quality and ask people to pay for it. The carmaker has also set the ambitious plan to cover all the market segments like the German clique does and to expand in new markets.
This year will be dedicated to the new Mi.To. Alfa Romeo expects to sell 75,000 units per year. However 60,000 units will be enough to make a profit on the Baby Alfa. In comparison MIni sells more than 200,00 units per year. In 2009, the carmaker will finally unveil the next-generation 147. The next model will be powered by a wide engine range with a topping-unit which will deliver a power output of 265bhp. Alfa Romeo plans to sell 85,00 units per year. The rumoured SUV will be launched in 2010 and Alfa Romeo wants to sell 40,00 units per year.
The company will expand in new or current markets. China, Japan and Australia will be a priority, but the main focus will be the relaunch in the US. Luca Di Meo has still the ambition to sell 300,000 vehicles in 2010. However, the carmaker will be profitable with 250,000 sales.
May 23, 2008
Future 408 renderings
Though Peugeot is readying the 407’s facelift for next month, A French car magazine has released some details about the next-generation saloon.
With a sales drop of 40% over the prior year, Peugeot is working hard on the next 408 which is expected to be launched in September 2009 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. From the renderings released by Auto Plus, Peugeot designers have decided to update the current design like they did with the 308 compact model. The future 408 will feature the new corporate nose and sharper lines at the rear end.
The future 408 will grow in size to match the German competition and the Citroen C5. Its length will be increased from 4,680 mm to 4,800 mm. At this early stage, it is unknown whether the 408 will be roomier or not. Engine range will likely be the same with a topping-power of 220bhp.
May 23, 2008