Author: yoann besnard

Pininfarina Sintesi to offer 700bhp

Until now, the size of the engine and transmission to a major extent determines the shape of a car, but Pininfarina might perform a little revolution by unveiling the Sintesi concept car at Geneva.
Engineers focused on developing a new fuel cell powertrain which can be spread out in the car. The Sintesi features the electric motors in the wheel while the fuel cell stacks are positioned on the vehicle frame. The central tunnel stores the tank for biofuel and a the device that transforms the biofuel into hydrogen. The Sintesi has a power output of 700bhp.
Pininfarina developed the system with the help of a British company Nuvera Fuel Cells.
February 12, 2008
Eibahc to launch specific spring for the BMW 1-Series coupé

Suspension specialist Eibach has launched a new sports kit for the BMW 1-Series coupé. The small coupé looks like it becomes the new BMW to own like it was the case for the 2002 or the three door 3-Series years ago.
The Pro-Kit Performance Springs bring the centre of gravity closer to the road by lowering the car by roughly 1.2”. Eibach also offers the Pro-Spacer Aluminum-Wheel-Spacers which in turn promises to furthermore optimise the car’s overall impression and handling.
February 12, 2008
Caparo to help Tata to build the Nano

Caparo likes the opposites. After building the supercar T1, the British company will build the body structure for the cheapest car in the world, the Tata Nano.
Selected inner structural panels will be pressed and assembled by Caparo at a new facility in Singur which will supply 60 per cent of these assemblies, with the rest being manufactured in-house by Tata. To meet Tata’s ambitious cost targets, Caparo has installed a new semi-automated production line with zero fault forward quality control systems.
“The body technology is relatively conventional, but the manufacturing technology is the result of very sophisticated analysis to ensure high-quality, low-cost production. We completed this extremely quickly to meet our customer’s deadline, with start of production just six months after the contract was confirmed, ” said Caparo Group CEO Angad Paul.
February 12, 2008
Bugatti to show a Veyron Hermès at Geneva

Bugatti will unveil a new limited edition Veyron at the Geneva Motor Show. The company will collaborate with the fashion Hermès brand to create the new unique vehicle. Both companies worked together in the 1920’s.
Limited edition is the best way Bugatti has found to sell its supercar Veyron. By promising more exclusivity to potential buyers, Bugatti expects to sell the quota of 300 cars originally planned. Indeed, since its launch, the company has only sold 125 vehicles.
After the Pur Sang and Pegaso editions, the Hermès collaboration will likely feature tons of leather and embossed logos. Some people in Dubai will likely be tempted by this new Veyron.
February 12, 2008
Nissan Europe recorded strong sales in January

Nissan Europe has reported a record January with sales of 50,542 units, an increase of 71.9% over the same period last year. The sales are up for the tenth consecutive month thanks to a successful Qashqai.
The compact cross-over, which was launched in March 2007, resulted in 14,556 sales in January. Secondly, the new Tiida model sold 4,317 units in January. The Tiida sales will likely increase in the future as the car has been recently launched in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Spain and Portugal will see the launch of Tiida next month. Note sales were up by 32% compared to last year with 7,334 units sold and the X-Trail continues its momentum with 4,395 units sold in January.
Russia continues to perform strongly and almost doubled its volume year on year to 8,903 units in January up 95% versus last year. It was in January the car maker’s largest market in front of the UK and Italy.
February 12, 2008
Fiat 500 sold out!

Less than a month after its launch on our shores, the 500 is already sold out. The initial 2008 quota, 4,500 units, has been entirely sold since its introduction on January 21st.
Thanks to a successful campaign, Fiat UK has emptied its showrooms and from now on, you will have to wait six months between the time you sign the order and the time you get the car delivered. Will Mini sell more vehicles? Nothing is certain as the price difference between both cars is high enough to be patient and wait for your little Fiat.
Nevertheless, Fiat has to solve its production capacity limitation as soon as possible. At a time when cars are designed and considered like Kleenex, Fiat might not be able to sell the 500 by the time it increases its production. The 500 might not be fashionable anymore.
February 12, 2008
Infiniti might get the GT-R

In an interview with Car, Nissan design director said that the supercar GT-R might also be sold under the Infiniti label.
“An Infiniti version is a future possibility” and “we are thinking about it,” told the designer to the magazine; however he also said that the company hadn’t even started a design study.
More than a simple change of label on the car, the Infiniti would get a unique exterior and interior styling in order to justify such a model in the brand’s lineup.
February 12, 2008
Stefan Jacoby confirms the return of the Phaeton to the U.S.

VW Spokesman Andreas Meurer recently confirmed that the Phaeton will return to the U.S. The spokeman’s statement has been confirmed by VW’s U.S. Chief Stefan Jacoby.
Speaking at an Automotive News conference last month, Stefan Jacoby had already admitted it was a mistake to end Phaeton sales in North America. In an interview with the same newspaper, the CEO told that Volkswagen must meet “needs and wants of a diverse American customer universe.” if it wants to achieve the 2018 target and it means to bring back the Phaeton.
Jacoby is certain that the Volkwagen brand is strong enough to sell anything from a small car to the luxurious Phaeton; however th efuture limousine won’t be over-engineered and will share it is reported that it will share its platform with Audi A6. The future Phaeton might also feature a diesel engine as the company wants to increase its share of oil burners in the U.S.
February 12, 2008
Spyshot: Kia Soul

Here is a new spyshot of the future Soul model which will be launched later this year. The car has been spotted during and confirm a radical design unusual for the Korean car maker.
The Soul is Kia’s serious attempt to take on Scion Xb on the American market. Like the Scion model, it features a unique exterior styling which derives from eponym concept car unveiled three years ago. The production version will stay as close as possible to the concept car. The concept had been designed by the Korean and Californian company’s studios.
On the pictures, the Soul appears to be a large vehicle and there is no doubt the Soul will be roomy enough for five persons. it will be powered by a 2.0-litre four cylinder petrol engine hooked up to a five-speed automatic transmission.

Click here to see all the pictures
February 12, 2008
Hyundai to unveil the HED-5 at Geneva

Hyundai has unveiled sketches of a MPV concept car that the company will show at the next Geneva Motor Show.
Called HED-5, the concept car is a compact MPV which is roomy enough for six people. The HED-5 has been developed in collaboration with Recarro, Bayer and LG. The MPV will feature a flexible interior and advanced materials.

Technically, the HED-5 will adopt innovative technologies to reduce CO2 emission by 29%. Those technologies have been designed in such a way that it has a little impact on price and performance.
The company will also unveil the revamped Matrix model.
February 12, 2008