Author: yoann besnard

Spyshots: Mazda RX-8

Despite a sexy and still modern styling, the RX-8 will celebrate next year its fifth anniversary and Mazda is currently working on its replacement due to go on sale from 2009. A development mule has been caught and from the shape we can guess a few hints for the next-generation RX-8.
The prototype appears to be wider than the current model. At this stage it is not known if the car will receive new powertrains or upgrade the current units. Secrecy surrounds the engine spec although some observers think the future RX-8 will the 16X Renesis rotary engine unveiled at the last Tokyo Motor Show. Internally dubbed 13B-MSP, the 16X Renesis saw its displacement growing from 1.3-litre two 1.6-litre and features a direct-injection system to boost power and reduce emissions, and oil consumption.
The current RX-8 has only been available as a 2+2 coupé although Mazda considered producing a two-seat version. It is rumoured that the next-generation will offer a convertible variant in 2011-2012.
Source: Autoblog
December 11, 2007
Seat has revealed its future plans to its car dealers

Seat will unveil the next-generation Ibiza at the next Geneva Motor Show next March. The small car is part of an attempt by Seat to spearhead a new sportier design due to appear on all future models. Representing roughly 40% of Seat’s total volume, the Ibiza is critical to company’s ambition to sell more cars annually.
The new Ibiza will share its inner structure, powertrains and suspension layout, with the Skoda Fabia in order to cut cost. It will be offered in both three and five-door hatchback. The three-door version will arrive later and will have a unique exterior styling similar to a coupé.
In 2009, Seat will launch the new Toledo which will try to consign the current model to oblivion as it is an object of fun to competitors and consumers. The replacement model will be offered in two variants: a saloon and an estate. The two cars will be sports-biased and will struggle fiercely for the pie of the saloon market, which has been sluggish for years.
That same year, Seat will launch its first SUV which will take styling cues from the Tribu concept car and will be engineered for on-road manners.
Source: Automotive News
December 11, 2007
First teaser of the Chevrolet Volt

Without a doubt, the Chevrolet was the star of the 2007 Detroit Motor Show as GM promised to bring the plug-in hybrid to production in 2010 at the earliest. The American car maker has released a teaser of the front fascia and changes have been made to ensure that the Volt will have a better aerodynamic drag.
Indeed, early wind tunnel tests of the concept car revealed a bad drag coefficient. It is even rumoured that Bob Lutz, so disappointed by the results, suggested to “put it in the wind tunnel backwards“ to get less wind resistance. Engineers worked hard to decrease the coefficient and the production Volt has 30 percent less drag than the concept car. About 60% of the power required to cruise at motorway speeds is taken up overcoming air drag so the Volt has all interest to have a low coefficient to remain efficient.
From the teaser, it is difficult to guess the overall shape, but GM appears to have kept the styling of the concept car but dropped the sharp lines in order to decrease the drag coefficient. GM engineers will focus on improving the aerodynamics.

The final car will likely appear at the end of 2010 and will feature a small engine which will recharge the batteries and won’t power the car unlike hybrid cars. Tesla is also considering this architecture for its future saloon. The Chevrolet is expected to cost around £15,000.
December 11, 2007
Jaguar has recorded 3,000 pre-orders for the XF in the UK

In an interview with Just-Auto, Ford’s Chief Technical Officer, Richard Parry-Jones has revealed that Jaguar has recorded 3,000 pre-orders for the new XF in the UK. Those pre-orders exceed the forecast.
Despite this good news, Jaguar remains on its guard and sales result will tell whether the British manufacturer succeeded or not. The XF will attract current S-Type owners but Richard Parry-Jones also thinks that the XF might “attract more design-aware people from the German brands.”
The UK is not the only country where the XF pre-orders exceed forecasts. In the US, the new XF is generating a strong demand. Customers who order their car now will have to wait until May even though the car goes on sale in March.
December 11, 2007
HX Concept previews the future H4

Hummer has released sketches of its concept car due to be unveiled at the Detroit Motor Show. Dubbed HX Concept, it is the result of contest between three newly hired designers. They have been given the task of providing a “vision for the future design of off-road vehicles.“

The first pictured sketch is the winner and likely previews the future H4 model also internally known as HX. The sketch keeps the core values of the Hummer brand and without a doubt would be recognised as Hummer model in the street. The two other sketches appear less convincing. The HX concept features a pair of detachable doors and removable roof panels, a bit like a Jeep Wrangler.

With the HX previewing the H4, the Land Rover LXR announcing the baby Rover and the future X4, the crossover coupé market promises to be crowded in the future.
December 11, 2007
Land Rover to unveil the LXR concept car at Detroit

A kind reader sent a picture to Carscoop of the concept car that Land Rover will likely unveil at the Detroit Motor Show in January. There is some doubt whether this sketch is official or not.
Secrecy surrounds the concept car although it is understood that it will be two-door SUV with design similar to BMW X6’s. It will be Land Rover’s first foray into the crossover coupé market. While BMW focused on an exclusive vehicle which derives from the X5, Land Rover plans to go mainstream with the production model of the concept car. It will be positioned below the Freelander and would reinforce the company’s line-up.
Dubbed LXR, the concept car represents Land Rover’s serious attempt to reduce its CO2 emissions along the range while keeping the Range Rover at the top. The LXR concept car would also confirm Land Rover’s will to lead the 4×4 innovation despite its smaller size.
December 11, 2007
New pictures of the Subaru Forester

The recent leaked pictures or scans of the next-generation Forester didn’t render properly the car but a new shots taken in real conditions enables us to have a closer look at the Forester, which will be unveiled in a few days.

To be perfectly honest, the current model offers a dull look, a hybrid design that tries to combine the advantages of an estate and some off-road abilities on platform taken from a smaller model. With the new model, Subaru makes a huge step in the right direction by finally giving a SUV look to the Forester. Without a doubt, the Forester would do well compared to the Mitsubishi Outlander or the Land Rover Freelander.
The design is still very Japanese with a lack of personality, but at least the Forester didn’t try to adopt the fascia of the B9 Tribeca or the Hannibal Lecter grille of the Peugeot 4007. Combined with the boxer-engine, the Matured design might give the Forester a boost.
Source: Carscoop
December 11, 2007
Europe might become the largest automotive market
We regularly talk about the booming Indian and Chinese markets, but without hype Europe might become the world’s largest car market by the end of the year. The first rank is traditionally taken by the US.
December sales will be crucial for the two markets as the US leads with 13,583,559 vehicles and Europe follows with 13,572,669 vehicles. Over the same period last year there was a gap of 740,000 vehicles.
The European sales have increased thanks to the dynamic countries in Eastern and Central Europe, but traditional markets have also performed well especially the British and Italian markets. In the meantime, the downturn caused by the rising fuel costs and the subprime crisis have slowed down car sales in the US.
Source: Automotive News
December 11, 2007
German battery could jump-start electric cars

A German company might have found the solution to the biggest problem encountered by current batteries: too large, overheating and limited power. Indeed, Li-Tec unveiled new batteries which “take up 30% less volume than those from Toyota“ and “allow you to go three times further for the same weight than French models, “ according to Li Tec director Tim Schaefer.
This is an unusual bold statement but the German company received support from Bosch and Bosch’s spokeman didn’t hesitate to declare that the batteries were “a step towards totally electric cars.“ What differentiates the Li-Tec batteries from others is that the electrodes are separated by a flexible ceramic membrane which provides greater thermal stability. Overheating is a major problem encountered by current batteries. Toyota postponed the next-generation Prius due to overheating problems.
Despite such an enthusiastic tone, the batteries are at an early stage and there is still a long path before producing the batteries at an industrial scale. Li-Tec has joined a consortium that includes Bosch, chemical giant BASF and German car maker Volkswagen to develop the product. German industry is determined to take the lead on batteries and electric cars. How will Toyota react?
Source: li-tec.de
December 11, 2007
Land Rover reaches the 200,000 milestone

For the first time in its 59-year history, Land Rover has reached the 200,000 milestone with vehicles 205,717 being sold from January to November. For the month of November, the global sales increased by 27% over the same period last year and several markets like China, France, Russia and Spain recorded their best ever November.
This puts the company on course for its third successive record sales year. In 2006, the 4×4 manufacturer sold 192,500 vehicles and 184,000 vehicles in 2005.
Land Rover didn’t mention the forecasts for the next year but its Managing Director, Phil Popham, said “Confidence is high – we’re firmly in the black with innovative new products that will continue Land Rover’s sustainable development.“
The British offroad manufacturer will likely reveal a concept car at the Detroit Motor Show in order to show its green credentials and where the brand is going over the coming years.
December 11, 2007