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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
Toyota to revive the Celica?

In an interview given to Automobilwoche, Markus Schrick, vice president of Toyota Deutschland, said that Toyota will launch a new sports coupé in Europe. Due to be unveiled within two years, the coupé would replace the Celica, which was discontinued in 2005.
It is not a secret that the Japanese car maker is currently working on a new sports car in collaboration with Subaru. Destined for the Japanese market, this sports car would be only sold under the Toyota marque. Secrecy continues to surround the exact spec of the final car, although it is understood that it will feature a 2 litre engine and a Subaru’s four-wheel drive. But, while the European sports coupé might arrive in showrooms in 2009, the Japanese sports car will arrive in 2010. So, at this stage, we can not say how the future European sports coupé will look like.
Source: Automobilwoche
November 22, 2007
VW Scirocco will stay in Europe

In an interview with Car and Driver, VW of America CEO Stefan Jacob declared that the future four-passenger coupé will not cross the Atlantic Ocean to join the American range. He justified this choice by explaining that VW needed to focus on the current range. At this moment, Volkswagen offers the Golf, dubbed Rabbit there, the Jetta, the Passat and soon the Tiguan.
Surprisingly, he also said that the Phaeton might come back on the American market, but with a diesel engine. The luxury saloon went on sale in 2003, but its sales have suffered as a result of poor brand image. VW ceased to sell it in 2006. It was rumoured that the next generation would likely come back. At a time where petrol prices are sky rocketing, a diesel Phaeton might a smart move to convince potential buyers.
November 21, 2007
Subaru might offer non-AWD and non-boxer powered models

We all know how the Subaru concept typically works: a car with four-wheel drive, a boxer engine and a dull design. Hopefully, it is a winsome combination, but remove the four-wheel drive and the boxer engine and you have a Toyota. It is a scary thought and it might become true.
In an interview given to the Australian website goauto, Subaru Australia managing director Nick Senior said that ever-tightening emission standards and a desire to cut fuel consumption could force Subaru to reconsider its position on AWD and boxer engines, but “Those core technologies are a key part of the brand” and “That is not likely to change in the foreseeable future.” The Subaru Australia chairman, Trevor Amery, also confirmed this statement.
Subaru would likely offer both layouts, two-wheel drive and four-wheel drive. It is not said whether Subaru would offer non-boxer petrol engines or not. Mr Senior explained that the bigger model would keep their current architecture while smaller models than the Impreza might abandon four-wheel drive layout and adopt an electric engine. At the last Tokyo Motor Show, the Japanese carmaker unveiled the G4e concept car an company sources said that Subaru aimed to build an all-electric vehicle by 2012. Already in Japan, Subaru sells Kei cars without boxer engines, but with an inline 0.6 litre four-cylinder engine.
In Europe, Subaru will make its own revolution by selling a diesel engine. Due to be on sale next year, it will be the world’s first diesel flat four engine. A 2.0 litre unit with common rail injection, it produces 160 bhp and 250 lb-ft. With this new offer, Subaru wants to propel sales to 100,000 vehicles per year by 2009, an increase of 40 per cent.
November 21, 2007
Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept

Here is the third Chrysler concept car for the next Detroit Motor Show. While the two other concept cars focus on sport and adventure, the Chrysler’s concept is destined for families. That’s the way it has to be as the American brand has a strong expertise with MPVs.

Perhaps the sketch does not render it properly, but the ecoVoyager is 191.2 inches long. At 63 inches high, it is 5.9 inches lower than the current Voyager. Despite its dimension, the ecoVoyager only seats 4 passengers. Like the Dodge Zeo Conpept, the ecoVoyager is equipped with an electric engine, which delivers an impressive 300 miles range thanks to its lithium-ion battery pack. It also features a small hydrogen fuel cell that serves as a range extender.
November 21, 2007
Dodge Zeo Concept

The sketch you see here is the second concept car which will be revealed by Chrysler LLC at the next Detroit Motor Show. It is a 2+2 sport wagon labeled Dodge Zeo concept.

Like all Dodge cars, it features the brand’s grille, but the appear to be more stylish than usual. Described by the press release as a sport wagon model, we have some doubts concerning the boot capacity.
This four-seater is powered by an electric engine which provides a 250 miles range.
November 21, 2007