Author: yoann besnard

Spyshot: Mercedes-Benz CLC

Here is the spyshot of the next generation C-class Sport Coupe, which will be on sale next year. The little C-class will adopt a new name, CLC, for the occasion. This time, it will face serious contender, the BMW 1-Series Coupe, and the latter might already be the winner.
Like its predecessor, the CLC will be based on the C-class platform. Nevertheless, information differ from one source to another. Some sources said the CLC will be based on the former C-class platform while others claimed it would be derived from the recently launched new C-class. The new spyshots might give us a clue, especially the interior styling. Mercedes-Benz kept the current dash structure instead of adopting the new C-class’. Maybe the German car maker tries to cut cost. In this situation , the CLC would rather be based on the former C-calss platform.
The CLC will feature a lightly revised exterior with a new front taking cues from the saloon and a rear similar to the outgoing generation. Do not expect a revolution with the CLC and it might be a mistake for Mercedes-Benz. If it is not appealing for everybody, the BMW 1-Series Coupe does not make you feel to face a shortened upper model. This is a real car. This is less true for the future CLC.
November 23, 2007
Toyota updates its sales forecast for the Chinese market

The Japanese car maker expected to sell 430,000 cars this year but 2007 could be better than planned as it announced it would probably sell 480,000 cars. On the first ten months, Toyota sold 385,000 vehicles, increasing its sales by 67% over the same period last year. By comparison, the Chinese market increased by 24%. It owns a market share of 7.5%.
The Camry and Corolla models explain the good news. Next year, Toyota will launch a smaller model similar to the Yaris in order to appeal to customers on a market boxed in by increasing petrol prices. It expects to raise its sales by 46% to 700,000 vehicles. One can be sure that some car makers must have nightmares.
November 22, 2007
Video: forgotten VW Nardo

At the end of the ’90s and beginning of this century, Volkswagen unveiled two supercars concepts at the Tokyo Motor Show designed by Giugiaro at the request of Ferdinand Piech. The first was a bright yellow W12 coupé. The second was the Nardo and this video is about it.
The super car was powered by the W12, which produces 600bhp. Thanks to weight of only 1,200kg, the Nardo ran the 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds and reached a top speed of 214mph.
November 22, 2007
GM recalls 90,000 vehicles

December means Christmas and GM thought at its customers in its own way! The American car maker will recall 90,000 vehicles to operate several fixes.
If you are one of the 20,514 happy owners of a 2001 model Saturn L-Series equipped with a 2.2-litre engine, you will need to go to your closest Saturn dealer to get the timing chain fixed. It might separate while the engine is running.
If you didn’t choose the roof airbags option or the sunroof option when buying an Equinox, pictured, or Torrent SUV, GM is expecting 57,100 of you to come to install more foam in the windshield pillars to prevent head injury in the event of a crash.
Finally, 11,974 owners of Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra will have to go to the dealer to fix a faulty crankshaft position sensor, which could cause the engine to stall
November 22, 2007
Carma Concept
Four aspiring car designers from the Institut Superieur de Design in France have revealed their own vision of what the future of Porsche cars might be.
Dubbed Carma Concept, the sports coupé features a unique floor, which features two tunnels running the length of the body. More interesting, the car is equipped with two variable portholes to replace the traditional spoilers. The air flows into the car and then exits at the rear end. With both technologies, the four designers’ goal is to suck the car onto the road at high speed.
The overall shape vaguely reminds Porsche cars by taking inspiration from current and past models. The most interesting exterior detail is the stern, which features a design inspired by the Porsche 928.
November 22, 2007
Samsung QM5 unveiled

Samsung has unveiled its latest model, a brand new SUV called QM5, which will go on sale in South Korea in early December. Expect to see it under the Renault Koleos badge in Europe next spring.

Despite sporting a Samsung badge, the new QM5 has been designed by Renault and the SUV can’t hide its Gallic roots. It is the first time that the Samsung marque gets a Renault car as its current range is based on Nissan models. Compared to the future Koleos, the mid-SUV has a lightly revised fascia with a custom chrome grille.

Engineered by Nissan, the QM5 shares its underneath with the Qashqai, which is a conventional layout with independent Mac Pherson strut and coil springs at the front, and a torsion beam axle and coil springs at the back. It is equipped with a part-time four-wheel drive system. In normal conditions the QM5 is a two-wheel drive, but 100% of torque can be sent to the rear wheels if the system detects any slip.

The QM5 will be powered by a 2.0 litre turbodiesel engine listed at 171bhp at launch. A 2.5 litre petrol engine will be added next year. it will likely be the four-cylinders unit found in the X-Trail, which has an output of 167bhp.

The SUV will be built at Samsung’s Busan factory in South Korea. Samsung expects to build 100,000 cars here every year.
November 22, 2007
Volkswagen and Proton ended their talks

Volkswagen and Proton ended their talks about a potential partnership a few days ago according to a statement released by Volkswagen. This is not the first time the situation occurs between the Malaysian government, which owns Proton, and several carmakers. PSA Peugeot Citroen and GM also ended their negotiations.
The major stumbling block appears o be the controlling stake. While foreign car makers want a controlling stake, 51%, of Proton in exchange of engines and expertise, the Malaysian refuse to abandon its control over Proton.
Volkswagen Group also said that it will now consider building its own factory in South Eats Asia.
November 22, 2007
CTS coupé speculation

It was mentioned last year the possibility of further body styles for the CTS to broaden its appeal on the European market but also in the US. Indeed, all its main rivals feature estate and coupé models in their range. It is rumoured that Cadillac is preparing an estate and a coupé. The estate might be unveiled at the next Detroit Motor Show, but it is unknown whether the coupé has been given the green light.
Underneath, the CTS coupé will share its platform with the CTS saloon. Dubbed Sigma II, it is updated version of the current Sigma used by the slow selling SRX model. This platform is available with a choice of rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. Like the saloon, the coupé would be powered by the 3.6-litre V6 with 259bhp or 300bhp. Both engines might be topped by the powerful 517bhp 7-litre V8 unit derived from the Corvette Z06. With such a power, the CTS coupé would enter the selective sports car market on which Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz are king.
While the CTS will arrive soon in our showrooms, there is no information regarding the two other models. Cadillac might consider importing them in Europe if there is a demand for it.
Source: Worldcarfans
November 22, 2007
Spyshots: Mercedes-Benz CLK

The car you see on the spyshot is the next CLK due to be launched in 2009. The German coupé will go a bit more upmarket intending to increase the C-class sales figures from 395,000 vehicles in 2006 to 535,000 annually by 2010.
The CLK shares its inner structure, powertrains, and suspension layout with the C-class saloon, but has unique interior and this time interior styling. The exterior design includes new-look rear wings with large wheelarch, inspired by the F700 concept car.
On the inside, the CLK will replace the current C-Class dashboard by a new dash structure, which takes inspiration from the S-Class. Expect the materials to be of a higher quality than the current generation. The equipment will feature ventilated and heated front seats with an easy-entry system, and a hard-drive equipped sound system.
The next generation CLK will be available with a choice of three petrol engines, the 300bhp 3.5- litre V6 engine, the 354bhp twin-turbo engine and the 428 bhp unit. There will also be two diesel engines with Bluetech technology, a 2-litre with 204 bhp and a 3-litre V6 unit of 252bhp. Along the the three petrol units and the two diesel engines, there will be the range-topping 6.2-litre V8 with 481bhp. All engines will have a seven-speed automatic gearbox, dubbed G7-Tronic, as standard.
There will also be a convertible variant six months later with a cloth roof instead of a fully automatic collapsible system.
Source: Car
November 22, 2007
Audi A5 V6 TDi tuned by MTM

MTM is all about efficiency. One does not expect to find a racer kit on its car and the new MTM-tuned Audi A5 V6 TDi does not change the rules. TDi, you read well. This time, the German tuner applies its expertise on an oil burner.

Thanks to a new exhaust and an improved ECU, the Audi V6 engine raises its output from 237bhp to 295bhp. The torque jumps from 369 lb ft to 405 lb ft. The suspension has been tweaked and the axle geometry has been improved with more camber to give the A5 a sharper handling. Braking is also improved with new brake rotors and eight-piston callipers. The car is seating on the typical designed MTM wheels with 21” size.
The exterior styling includes a S5 front grille and new bumper, which features a new diffuser and four exhaust pipes. The customer can choose the colour of the wheel: shiny silver, titanium and diamond-cut.
November 22, 2007