Author: yoann besnard

The Yes! roadster to be on sale in the U.S.

The Yes! roadster will be sold in the U.S. this year as company plans to display its model at the next Chicago Motor Show.
Despite its characteristics, the Yes! roadster is not British but German. Do not expect a power feast as engineers have focused on weight reduction. The Yes! only weighs 1,960lbs on the scales. Powered by the Audi 3.2-litre V6 petrol engine, the Yes! offers an attractive power-to-weight ratio of 281bhp per tonne.
If you’re still unsatisfied by the figure, the Yes! will be soon offered with a turbocharged engine whose power will reach 355bhp. With a weight of 2,050lbs, the power-to-weight ratio will jump from 281 to 382bhp per tonne. With such figures, the turbocharged Yes! will run the 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds just like the future SL 65 Black Series and will have a top speed of 174mph.
February 1, 2008
Leaked pictures of the Dodge Challenger

Due to be officially unveiled at the next Chicago Motor Show, Leaked pictures of the Dodge Challenger are emerging on Internet. After the front fascia, the latest shots show the aft of the 2008 hottest car on the American market.
At first, the Challenger will be available in a single version, the SRT8 which will cost $37,995/£18,700. it will be powered by a 6.1-litre V8 HEMI whose exact spec remains secret. Rumours talked about a manual transmission, but the SRT8 will finally be equipped with an automatic gearbox. The SRT8 will be followed later by less powerful variants. The entry level will be powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine being hooked up to a four-speed automatic transmission. Between both extremes, the Challenger will have a R/T version which will feature a 5.7-litre petrol unit and a manual or automatic gearbox. It is also rumoured that a bigger engine with a displacement of 6.4-litre would be added on the SRT by 2010.

Only available with three colours, black, silver and orange, the SRT8 will also offers a limited number of options: summer tyres for £25, a multimedia system for £450 and an electric sunroof for £500.

Thanks to a bold design, a well-thought car and a highly competitive price, Dodge appears to hold the aces and the first rush in December confirms that the Challenger might become the new Ford Mustang.
February 1, 2008
Saab to unveil the 9-1 at Geneva

Saab designer Anthony Lo has revealed that Saab will unveil its first compact model,the 9-1, at the Geneva Motor Show.
Set to compete on the premium compact segment, the 9-1 will share its underpinnings with the Vauxhall Astra. Although they share powertrains and suspension layout, the small Saab will have a unique exterior and interior styling. The exterior will likely take its design cues from the Aero X Concept. It is unknown if Saab will offer a three door and/or a five door variants.
Under the bonnet, the information remains scarce at this stage although some observers believe the 9-1 will feature small turbocharged engines such as a 1.4-litre petrol unit.
The future 9-1 is critical to the company’s ambition of increasing its global sales. Indeed, the car will reinforce and aged lineup which is struggling to survive among an increasing competition from premium car makers but also from generalists.
February 1, 2008
Bugatti Veryron is the Tata Nano of Dubai

Dubai might become the best place in the world to cross the path of a Bugatti Veyron as the emirate hosts 12% of the global production.
Indeed, there are 15 Veyron registered on the 125 units built until now. With 1.5 million inhabitants, it means that there is one Bugatti Veyron for 100,000 people. The comparison is biased but this will be roughly the ration for the Tata Nano in India.In a word, the Veyron is the local Tata Nano.
February 1, 2008
BMW to raise its Chinese production

With a goal to sell 2 million vehicles annually by 2020, BMW has to go where the growth is: in China. After a 42% sales increase last year, the german car maker has announced it will raise its local production by 45% over the next few months.
The current production of 30,000 vehicles will be raised to 44,000 vehicles in the Shenyang factory owned by BMW and the Chinese car maker Brilliance. Chinese media have also reported that the venture planned to build a second factory capable of making 20,000 vehicles per year.The Chinese plant produces the 3-Series and the 5-Series models although BMW sells the whole range on the Chinese market.
Last year, BMW sold 51,588 cars there and expect a similar growth for 2008.
February 1, 2008
Mitsubishi Prototype-S at the next Geneva Motor Show

Mitsubishi has announced it will unveil the Prototype-S at the next Geneva Motor Show. Derived from the Lancer, the concept car will take the of a hatchback intended to go on sale on the European market in the future.

Despite being labelled as a concept car, the Prototype-S will be very close to the production model. Like the saloon, the hatchback takes its styling cues from the 2005 Concept-Sportback show car. Although the launch remains unknown, it is certain that a Lancer hatchback would help Mitsubishi to revamp its brand image on the European market.

Under the bonnet, the Prototype-S comes with a 237bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine which is hooked up to the in-house automated manual transmission Twin Clutch SST.
February 1, 2008
Spyshots: Mercedes SL 65 Black Series

If AMG has recently announced that the power war is over, the future SL 65 Black Series looks like a last-ditch stand. Indeed, the super-SL will likely be the most powerful Mercedes ever with an output of 670bhp.
Set to compete with the Porsche 911 GT2 and the Lamborghini LP640, the SL 65 Black Series will shuttle from 0-60mph in 3.9 seconds and will have a top speed of 205mph. The staggering torque of 738lb-ft will be limited to a tiny 552 lb-ft on the first and second gears. In addition to an increase power, the engineers focus on weight reduction and according to the rumours the SL 65 Black Series will be 573 lbs lighter than the normal model.
While being based on the SL model, the SL 65 Black Series won’t feature an open roof but a fixed-roof. It will also come with wider wings, 19in front and 20in rear wheels and stronger brakes.
Due to be launched at the end of the year, the SL 65 Black Series will be officially unveiled at the next Paris Motor Show. It’s expected to cost around £195,000/€260,000 and Mercedes will build 400 of them.
Source: Autoblog
February 1, 2008
Renault has unveiled the Twingo RS

The car you see here is Renault’s serious attempt to spice up the Twingo model which looks a little tame compared to the iconic Fiat 500.

Set to compete with the future eagerly-awaited 500 Abarth and the Suzuki Swift Sport, the Twingo RS is powered by a 1.6-litre petrol engine which has an output of 133bhp. This is 33bhp more than the turbocharged 1.2-litre of the GT version. Unfortunately for Renault, the figures might not be enough to fight with the iconic Italian as it is believed that the 500 Abarth will offer 155bhp.

On the outside, the Twingo RS features extended front and rear wings, a rear spoiler and a lower front bumper. The interior styling will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show. One does hope that Renault has spice it up enough to compete with the future sporty 500.
Also read: Spyshots: Renault Twingo RS
February 1, 2008
Lincoln wants to expand outside the U.S.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally wants the group’s luxury brand to go offshore in an attempt to increase the company’s global sales. However, one does not expect to see the iconic brand reaching our shores.
Indeed, Ford doesn’t want Lincoln to compete with the German clique, but would rather battle with the Japanese luxury brands such as Infiniti and Cadillac. On the western European market, Cadillac is struggling to increase its sales despite expanding its lineup with more European-sized vehicles. However the new CTS might change the order and become the first brand’s success. If Lincoln can’t compete in western Europe, it might find its way in Eastern Europe where Infiniti also plans to sell cars this year.
In addition to the problems of brand image mentioned, Lincoln might also suffer from the lack of a rear-wheel drive platform. Ford has already planned to develop a rear-wheel drive model but it won’t hit the showrooms soon.
Source: Auto Motor und Sport
February 1, 2008
Chrysler to adopt Mercedes engines for its small Diesel cars

In an interview with Auto,Motor und Sport magazine, Chrysler Executive Vice President – Product Development Frank O. Klegon revealed that the troubled American company will stop sourcing diesel engines from Volkswagen.
In an attempt to consolidate its suppliers, the company won’t renew the contract which will shortly come to an end. Chrysler will source the engines to Mercedes with whom it wants to keep a close cooperation. “We will continue the good cooperation with Mercedes in the future, in the area of fuel cells, diesel engines and gasoline engine development, amongst other things. We will continue to use Mercedes’ developments in terms of electronics and advanced safety,“ he said.
Chrysler is currently outsourcing its diesel engines from VM Motori, Mercedes and Volkswagen. VM Motori began its supply relationship with Chrysler in 1992, providing indirect injection engines for the Voyager. It produces the common-rail 2.5-litre and 2.8-litre diesel engines for the Chrysler Voyager and Grand Voyager, and the Jeep Cherokee. Mercedes provides the 3.0-litre diesel unit available on the Chrysler 300C, the Jeep Cherokee and Commander. Volkswagen supplies the lower range with the 138bhp 2.0-litre TDI engine on the Chrysler Sebring and the Jeep Compass. Last year Chrysler sourced 40,000 diesel engines from Volkswagen, around 43,000 from Mercedes and 55,000 from VM Motori.
January 29, 2008