Author: yoann besnard

Toyota to unveil the production iQ at Geneva

The expected production version of the iQ concept car seen at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show will arrive at Geneva.
Like the concept car, the final iQ will be roomy enough for three people plus one child or a luggage despite being only shorter than 3m. Set to compete with the Smart, the iQ will offer a more conventional design.
Technical details remain unknown although insiders in Japan revealed that the car would likely be powered by a 1.0-litre petrol engine. It is unclear whether this is the specification for Japan or Europe. Indeed, Toyota has no interest to feature a 1.0-litre engine as the iQ would not be considered as a Kei car there and fiscally penalized. A 0.66-litre petrol unit seems more likely in Japan. However, Toyota plans to sell the car as an upmarket model in Europe more expensive then the Aygo model. It might also be the case in Japan.
The iQ will be manufactured in Japan at rate of 100,000 units per year.
February 13, 2008
Spyshot: Nissan Maxima

If the Nissan Altima has been renewed in 2007, the Maxima is still waiting for its replacement which will be unveiled at the next New York Auto Show. The car has been shot during winter testing.
Guessing the design of the next-generation Maxima will be a difficult exercise although the exterior styling should take its design cues from the Intima concept car seen at Tokyo last year. Secrecy surrounds the exact specs of the car although it is possible to think that the next Maxima might be powered by the V6 3.5-litre VQ35HR petrol engine which as an output of 306bhp or even by the V6 3.7-litre VQ37HR which delivers 330bhp.
If information remains scarce regarding the petrol units, it is certain that a diesel engine will join the range in 2010-2011. This diesel engine will likely be the same engine that will power the eagerly-awaited Laguna Coupé. A V6 unit, it is rumoured to deliver 265bhp.
The next Nissan Maxima will also offer a hybrid version in its range. The hybrid system will be familiar as it will be derived from the Toyota’s hybrid system.
Click here to see all the pictures
Source: Leftlanenews
February 13, 2008
Baby Rolls to feature an unknown engine

Rolls Royce officials have gave some details to Inside Line about the future baby Rolls. The car will be a bit less expensive than originally thought.
Indeed, it was initially reported that the RR4 would be sold at a price tag between £160,000 to £180,000, but the latest information suggest the car will be cheaper and will cost between £120,000 and £140,000. In other words, Rolls Royce plans to take on Bentley. The RR4 will likely compete with the Bentley Continental Flying Spur.
Inside Line also reports that the future small Rolls won’t share its engine with the Phantom or the BMW 7-Series, although it has been confirmed that the car will host a lot of BMW components, including suspension. However, it hasn’t been confirmed whether the RR4 will share its inner structure with the next-generation 7-Series which will go on sale next year.
February 13, 2008
Renault executives to seat on AvtoVaz board

According to the Russian business newspaper Vedomosti, Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan and Renault, and four other Renault managers will likely seat on AvtoVaz board.
“The ideology is — all board and management positions which have to do with technology and cost cutting will be granted to representatives of Renault, “ a source told the newspaper. Renault will take a 25% stake in the Russian car maker this year. Renault wants AvtoVAz to build the Logan and Megane intended to be sold on the Russian market.
Carlos Ghosn hopes to get a large pie of the Russian market which will become according to him the most important auto market in Europe within the next two years.
Source: Reuters
February 13, 2008
Lamborghini to show a redesigned Gallardo at Geneva

Lamborghini will unveil a revamped Gallardo at the next Geneva Motor Show with more power and an improved gearbox.
The facelifted Gallardo will get a new name, LP550 whose number will be the new power delivered by the 5.2-litre V10 petrol engine. It is 30bhp more than the current model and the torque will gain 15 lb ft at 390 lb ft.
Along the engine, the gearbox will also be improved and will be able to send more torque to a lightened all drive transmission.
The exterior styling will evolve with a more aggressive look. The front and rear ends will be redesigned. On the other hand, the interior styling won’t change.
Source: Autoblog.nl
February 13, 2008
Hillary Clinton promising green-collar jobs and green vehicle bonds

Hillary Clinton yesterday toured a plant in Maryland that builds transmissions for GM’s full-size hybrid vehicles. The presidential candidate immediately began promoting her plan to create five million “green-collar” jobs.

She pledged to give £2.5 billion to automakers for battery research, and provide £10 billion in “green vehicle bonds” for automakers wishing to renovate old factories, mainly American car makers. She also promised £5,000 in tax credits for buyers of plug-in hybrid.

If Hillary Clinton is elected as the next president of the US, GM won’t have any excuse not to build efficient cars.
Source: Detroit News
February 13, 2008
Ferrari recorded a strong 2007 year

The Italian marque has announced that its turnover had jumped from £1,076million in 2006 to £1,240million last year and that 6,465 cars had been delivered representing a 14 per cent increase over 2006.
Asia Pacific recorded the strongest growth with a 47.2% increase, followed by the Middle East region whose sales rose by 32.3%. The UK sales grew up by 8.2% while the US recorded a 7.7% increase. Germany followed by a 5.9% increase.
The company increased its investments to £222 million. The investments related to future model development, the building of a new company restaurant as well as the new production lines facility designed by French architect Jean Nouvel. Both facilities are scheduled to be opened over the next few months.
February 13, 2008
Infiniti to unveil the next-generation FX at Geneva

Infiniti will unveil its lineup aimed at conquering the Western European markets. To celebrate this important milestone, Infiniti will stage the global premiere of the second generation of the FX SUV. Never before has a new Infiniti been revealed outside of the US.
Infiniti will also unveil the rest of its line-up of performance cars, tailored for the European market: the V6 powered G Sedan, G coupe and EX coupe crossover. This portfolio of products will be launched across Europe, together with the second generation FX, from October 2008.
February 13, 2008
Pontiac Trans Am canceled

Pontiac has been designated by GM as its performance brand and the launch of the eagerly-awaited G8 that will spearhead a revival of the American marque, but this might also be the last attempt of sportiness for the brand.
Indeed, GM said there won’t be any Trans AM derived from the Camaro and blamed the stricter CAFE regulations. Likewise Pontiac rear wheel drive models have been put on hold because of the CAFE regulations. Unless they lack expertise in making cars, how would the CAFE regulations stop making rear-wheel drive cars? As said a car dealer to Automotive News, “The plan is being tweaked because of the gas situation,” Lynn Thompson, owner of Thompson Motor Sales in Springfield, Missouri but “I hope they don’t give up on performance because they don’t have to. You can use four-cylinder engines to achieve incredible power.”
GM is using the upcoming CAFE regulations as a smokescreen to hide the fact that they might not have a clear, cohesive product strategy for Pontiac. The CAFE regulations are going to drastically change the entire auto industry, but there are available technologies that GM could use to provide ample power without sacrificing fuel efficiency. It’s hard to believe that an experienced, multi-billion dollar car corporation like GM is having so much trouble defining a brand image for one of its divisions and supplying that division with products that support that brand image.
By canceling the Trans Am, GM kills a bit more the Pontiac brand. When will it disappear?
February 13, 2008
Lutz said global warming is a “total crock of shit.”

The straight talker and car czar Bob Lutz said a lot of interesting comments during a closed-door session with some journalists: global warming is a “total crock of shit,” hybrid and diesel cars “make no economic sense.”
Our good old Bob Lutz is never short of a joke. This time he said that he was rather skeptic about global warming and didn’t want the Volt to be developed to fight global warming but to reduce the US dependance on foreign oil.
He also said that Hybrid cars like those made by Toyota “make no economic sense,” because their price will never come down and that diesel cars are also uneconomic. He justified his view about diesel by explaining that diesel cars make sense when diesel fuel is half the cost of regular gasoline. When it’s not the case, diesel has little market penetration. Surprisingly, in the UK, diesel and gasoline cost the same and still diesel penetration reach 40% in January. It might be interesting for Bob to travel abroad sometimes and not only in a private jet.
He also compared the mission of a car maker to the movie business. “you’ve got to look at the business artistically, too. Part of our business is creating blockbusters”, he said. Unfortunately for GM, Bob doesn’t have a good flair for blockbusters!
February 13, 2008