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Rolls-Royce releases official sketches of new RR4
Rolls Royce has unveiled the first sketches of the forthcoming baby saloon due to be launched in 2010.
Dubbed RR4, the future saloon will help the company to almost double its sales in the future. In addition to 1,100 units sold last year, the British marque plans to sell 800 baby Rolls annually. The RR4 is a baby Rolls only in name as the luxury saloon will be longer than a BMW 7-Series.
Like the current models, this future “top-seller” will feature a unique platform and a new engine. It will enable the company to promote it unique character at a time when the future Bentley models will share their inner-structure with the Audi A8. However, the RR4 will still share components with the next-generation 7-Series to cut cost. Everything invisible will be shared, while all visual components will be unique to the RR4.
The RR4 will be like going mainstream for Rolls Royce. The carmaker plans to reshuffle the Goodwood facilities to accommodate the RR4, with extended paint, wood and leather shops as well as a second assembly line. The company will move to a two shift system next year as it gears up for full production of the new model.
The RR4 is expected to cost between £125,000 and £150,000
May 30, 2008
Next Chrysler 300 to keep current design
The current 300 saloon will go down in history as the model which brought the company on the saloon market and push competition such as the Ford 500 into the background. However, its replacement might become a serious headache for Chrysler engineers and designers.
The American carmaker has decided to follow the German path that’s to say favoring evolutionary designs. With the next-generation 300, designers will slightly modernize the current overall design a bit like German carmakers did in the previous century. While the car’s exterior will remain similar to that of the current model, the interior styling will be a big improvement over the current 300. company execs are aware of the criticisms targeted at its models’ interior, so designer and engineers have been to told to focus on materials, fit and finish to match Asian models.
The next 300 will be launched in 2011 or 2012. Technical details remains unknown.
May 30, 2008
Toyota will miss sales target in Europe
Toyota has announced it will miss its target on the European market this year due to weak sales in Germany and lack of new models.
The Japanese carmaker is ready for a gloomy year as the company doesn’t want to participate in a price war on the German market and won’t reveal new models before the end of this year. Toyota has decided to keep its margin, while competition has decided to cut prices to maintain sales which slows down the carmaker’s sales. If the overall German market increased by 7%, Toyota recorded a 21% growth in April. In the long term with rising material costs, Toyota might be the wisest carmaker on the market.
However, price war is an explanation. Another factor is likely to be the lack of new models. The Avensis family car is waiting for its replacement, while the Auris struggles on a tough market. Next year promises to be better as the company plans to unveil three new major models, the iQ, the Urban Cruiser and the next-generation Avensis. The iQ will be launched in January, while the Urban Cruiser will follow in the first trimester. The next Avensis will likely hit the showrooms in the second trimester of 2009.
May 30, 2008
200,000th Cee’d rolled off production line
Kia has announced the 200,000th Cee’d compact model had rolled off the production line, just 18 months after its launch. It’s far from the Golf or 308 sales results, but for a Korean car it’s good news.
The Cee’d is Kia’s attempt to take on the established European rivals by selling a model tailored to European tastes and European buyers seem to have answered positively to the new model. Its seven year warranty likely convinced hesitating customers. However car qualities mustn’t be ignored. Like Japanese carmakers previously, Korean companies are focusing on the European market.
“This is another truly significant day for Kia,’ enthused Mr In-Kyu Bae, President and CEO Kia Motors Slovakia. “We produced our 100,000th cee’d last September, only 10 months after start-up, and with the addition of the cee’d wagon and pro_cee’d three-door hatch we have reached our 200,000th cee’d after only eight more months. “
The Cee’d is built at the Zilina factory in Slovakia which employs 2,748 people.
May 30, 2008
Spyshots: Lexus LF-A V10 engine bay
The future LF-A’s engie has been spotted by photographers during the 24 hrs Nurburgring where the car was competing.
As expected the engine bay featured the future V10 petrol-unit which is rumoured to develop over 500bhp. In addition to the V10 unit, Lecus is also readying a hybrid version which will feature a V8 petrol engine and and electric motor. Power remains unknown at this stage, but this hybrid-powered LF-A will be launched 12 months after the V10 version.
The LF-A finished 134th at the 24hrs Nurburgring race, far behind Porsche which dominated the top 10 rankings. The Japanese supercar is still in development and the even will likely help the engineers to improve the cars. However, first results aren’t as impressive as it was expected.
May 30, 2008
Ford Mondeo four-door coupé in 2012
Ford is reported to develop a variant of the Mondeo set to compete with the Passat CC.
In a few years, the four-doors coupé market might be a crowded market as carmakers are seriously considering launching a model. According to the rumours, the carmaker is readying a coupé version of the Mondeo which will be unveiled in 2012.
Details remain scarce. The future model will likely share its inner-structure, suspension and powertrains, with the current Mondeo. The upmarket move raises concerns regarding the engine range. The range-topping Passat is powered by a 297bhp 3.6-litre unit. Ford has no engine competing with the VW’s V6 in terms of power. However, this concern might be less important than expected. With the higher gas prices, customers are focusing on fuel efficient models such as diesel-powered versions. Ford has an advantage here over Volkswagen. Indeed, the carmaker can use the 2.7-litre V6 unit developed in collaboration with Peugeot, While VW is limited by the Passat platform derived from the Golf.
Source: Autobild
May 30, 2008
Peugeot unveils the facelifted 407
With a replacement model expected to be unveiled within two years, one didn’t expect the facelifted 407 to feature heavy changes. However in this case, it’s hazardous to call it a facelift.
The French carmaker took the wraps off the revamped 407. On the outside, this modified 407 features a reworked grille which makes the model uglier than before, more chrome, new headlights and new taillights. On the inside, Peugeot didn’t even bother to change anything. However, the 407 gets an equipment upgrade with onboard temperature controls, new telematics systems and a new front parking assitance.
Under the bonnet, the family car comes with an updated 2.0-litre diesel unit. The HDi engine gains 4bhp to deliver 138bhp. Consumption is improved claims the carmaker.
The car will go on sale in a few weeks and one does bet that this facelift won’t help the 407 to increase its sales.
May 30, 2008
700 pre-orders for Hyundai Genesis
The Genesis saloon is Hyundai’s serious attempt to move upmarket and like the Japanese carmakers in the 80’s, the path might be more difficult than initially thought.
Hyundai has announced it has recorded 700 pre-orders and 20,000 potential buyers have expressed interest in the car. In comparison, Jaguar had presold 3,000 units of the XF saloon in the US and 10,000 worldwide. In an attempt to boost the saloon’s awareness among customers, the Korean carmaker will spend £40 million on a marketing campaign.
"This car will allow us to reach new customers and talk up quality like we never have," Joel Ewanick, vice president of marketing for Hyundai Motor America said. "They’ve given us enough resources, and we will spend the money over a short period of time — over the summer. We have to make every cent count. We will be talking to a broad audience to use this as a brand lift."
Ewanick isn’t a beginner when it comes to launch a luxury model from scratch as he was part of the marketing team which launched Lexus in the US. Final specs remain unknown although the saloon will likely be sold between £15,000 and £20,000 and be powered by V6 and V8 petrol engines. The carmaker plans to sell 30,00 units annually.
What’s interesting about this announcement is the possibility to see how much a brand is valuable. Despite having no money, Jaguar succeeded in recording more pre-orders than Hyundai.
May 30, 2008
Mazda1 Concept: first sketches?
Here is the first sketche of the forthcoming small 1 that Mazda will unveil at the Paris Motor Show.
Auto Express website has unveiled some sketches of the Mazda 1 that will preview a future city model expected to hit the showrooms by 2010. As expected, the vehicles on the sketches takes heavily inspiration from the Hakaze concept car seen at the last year’s Geneva motor show.
Due to be positioned below the Mazda 2, the future small car will be targeted at young buyers offering an equipment which includes iPod connectivity, Bluetooth technology and navigation system. At this eraly stage, it is unknown how the small car will marketed. The Smart ForTwo relies on a funky image, while the eagerly-awaited Toyota iQ will promote its 3+1 concept.
Click here to see the sketches
May 30, 2008
Alfa Romeo CEO confirms talks with Chrysler
Firstly, rumour had mentioned that Fiat entered into talks with Chrysler over the possibility to produce Alfa Romeo models in the US. Then, Chrysler denied the allegations. In a third round, Luca de Meo confirms Fiat is discussing with the American carmaker about varied cooperations.
In an interview with the German newspaper WirtschaftsWoche, the CEO of the Italian marque has confirmed that there was talks between the two companies. De Meo also announced a potential production in Mexico.
Along with Alfa Romeo, Fiat is expected to build other models there such as the Fiat 500. Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne has announced that the hot 500 will be sold on the American market by 2010. The carmaker has great hope with the small retro-car in the US which will spearhead a revival of the small Italian cars in the US. In addition to the 500, Fiat plans to launch two new small cars currently in development.
May 30, 2008