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Is GM the future leader of hybrid cars?

In an interview given to the CNBC, GM CEO Rick Wagoner declared that the American carmaker will release a new hybrid vehicle every three months until 2011. He said: “We will have one new hybrid coming out every quarter for next four years. We’ve got four on the market right now. We are getting in the game with a range of technologies.”
With such a high rate of new hybrid variants, GM might become the biggest seller of hybrid cars on the American market and Toyota might lose its leadership.Added to the current 16 hybrid vehicles already available, GM will have 32 hybrid cars in its range.
Oddly, we will not see any of these future hybrids in Europe as GM plans to focus on developing efficient diesel engines. GM does not see any demand for hybrid cars in Europe as the diesel powertrains offer similar, if not better, efficiency than hybrid engines.
November 20, 2007
Dubai Motor Show: MTM R888

The German tuner MTM has decided to boost the Audi R8 and has revealed the R888 model at the Dubai Motor Show. The triple 8 are not a typing mistake but it is the power announced by MTM: 888 bhp.

MTM did not plan to work on the R8 but an European customer found the normal Audi R8 to be too slow. So, the tuner was asked to give a boost to the car. It equipped the 4.2 litre V8 with two turbochargers. It delivers 888 bhp and a torque of 610 lb-ft. The modified R8 run the 0-60 mph in less than 3 seconds and has a top speed of 223 mph.

The car can be yours for £200,000 and Dubai Motor Show was probably a better show to unveil the beats to potential customers.
November 20, 2007
Samsung QM5’s brochure

Samsung had revealed the QMX SUV at the 2007 Seoul Motor Show, but we still were waiting for more detailed pictures. Thanks to a leaked brochure, here are the first pictures of the interior. Do not expect to discover a traditional Korean design. In order to cut cost, the Samsung SUV share almost all its components with the future Renault Koleos. Here, even the dashboard looks like a Renault’s. It will be on sale next year.
November 20, 2007
Video: Tesla Roadster

Autobloggreen had the privilege to drive the Tesla Roadster and released a video of the driving test. Listen carefully. We can not hear the engine. Some might find the experience very disappointing while others will appreciate the silence.
November 20, 2007
Spyshot: Cadillac BRX

Here is the first spyshot of the future Cadillac BRX. Eagerly awaited by the dealers to replace the slow selling SRX, the BRX will be a crossover, smaller than the current SRX. It will go on sale at the end of next year.
Despite being shot with a Saturn Vue, known as the Vauxhall Antara model in the UK, the BRX will not share its platform. The future Cadillac crossover will be based on the Theta Premium platform which is a combination of the current Theta platform and the future Epsilon 2 platform.
The BRX will be longer than the Vauxhall Antara (180 inches) but shorter than the SRX (195 inches). The future crossover will feature the Cadillac’s design vocabulary, characterized by sharp lines. It will be equipped with two V6 engines. The entry level will get a 2.8 liter petrol engine. The top of the range will be a 3.6 liter petrol engine. The new crossover will be available with front- and all-wheel drive layouts.
The BRX will probably never come to Europe. Nevertheless, the future Saab 9-4 X crossover will be based on the BRX. For the European continent, expect to see a diesel engine.
Source: Jalopnick
November 14, 2007
Unverified sketch of the future Subaru Forester

A sketch of the next Subaru Forester has appeared on Internet. There is some doubt about whether this sketch is official or not. However, the drawing is quite realistic. It features the new Subaru’s design DNA with the new nose shape. But, I am not sure about the D pillar. Indeed, Subaru unveiled the Exiga concept car at the last Tokyo Motor Show. The concept car appeared to be realistic enough to prefigure the next Forester.
The future crossover will be based on the recently launched Subaru Impreza as the current model uses the former Impreza platform. Thanks to the larger platform, the new Forester might finally offer decent rear legroom. Power will come from 2 liter and 2.5 liter 4 cylinder engines. On the European market, we might get a diesel version with the eagerly awaited new Subaru diesel unit. We also hope that this time, Subaru will export the STi version currently only sold in Japan. We might also see a WRX version with 300 bhp.
More information will be available in the coming weeks as Subaru plans to unveil the new model at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show.
Source: Autoblog
November 14, 2007
Classic cars of the future

If you have been toying with the idea of writing off your old car, maybe it is time to reconsider. Keeping it for the next 10-15 years might bring you a future profit if the car is among the list established by the auction specialist British Car Auctions.
According to its spokesman Tim Naylor, Jaguar and MG will still be icons in the coming years despite troubled times for the former and the collapse of the latter. The XJS coupe and XJ6 could prove to be real winners so, if yours is starting to rust, perhaps it is time to look after it. Like the E Type nowadays, the recent XK8 and XKR will probably be highly valued in twenty years.
If you cannot afford a Jaguar, a coupe or a convertible will bring you the best return on investment. The MX5 looks set to be the future MG B. Like the British convertible, its volume is impressive and it re-introduced the traditional roadster into modern life. In the same trend, the fashion victim Audi TT will also be a big hit, especially the first generation. Its design, which takes its inspiration from Bauhaus, will be a designer’s classic. Surprisingly, the Peugeot 206 CC is included in the list. Many people may find this laughable, but this small convertible brought the folding metal roof concept to the masses.
Once again, Mazda shines with the RX-8. With its rotary engine and its rear doors, it will become a cult. Let’s hope petrol will still be available to fuel the voracious engine. Among Japanese cars, the S2000 will also become a collector’s item. Its high rev engine will be more than enough to encourage people to buy it.
November 14, 2007
New Hyundai factory to roll out i30 in early 2009

Hyundai has supplied more details about the upcoming new European factory based in the Czech Republic. The new plant will start to roll out the i30 hatchbacks in early 2009. At the same time a second model will join the i30. Both models will be built at 200,000 units per year. In 2011, Hyundai plans to add a third model to the production line. Capacity will be raised to 300,000 vehicles.
Hyundai inaugurated the factory construction site a few months ago on the 25th of April. It invested £777 million in the new plant and will directly employ around 7,000 people, with 2,845 employed indirectly.
Oddly, the i30’s sister, the Kia Cee’d will not be built in the same factory, but in the Kia’s Eastern European facility based in Slovakia. Nevertheless, the two cars will share components and suppliers.
November 14, 2007
Honda plans a hybrid car

The success of the Toyota Prius has the ability to provoke strong reactions among the competition and the arrogance of the brand annoys other carmakers. Honda thinks it is time to fight back with its own hybrid car. After all, it was the first car manufacturer to sell a hybrid vehicle, the forgotten Insight.
In an interview given to Automotive News, the Honda USA CEO Takanobu Ito revealed that the car will go on sale in 2009. With its overall shape inspired from the FCX concept car, it will be roomy enough for five people and will be less expensive than the current Civic Hybrid. Aware of the excess weight generated by the batteries, Honda engineers are focusing on weight reduction.
Honda has big hopes for this totally new car. The Japanese car manufacturer plans to sell 200,000 vehicles every year. Half of this production total is destined to be sold on the American market.
November 14, 2007
Nissan GT-R to get high performance mechanics

The only noticeable mention of Nissan on the GT-R is on the deck lid. The front displays the GT-R badge. The same goes for the steering wheel. More than a Nissan, the GT-R is first and foremost a GT-R. Thus, it deserves a special maintenance service to satisfy the high expectations of new customers who used to upper market brands service. Aware of this situation, Nissan is currently training its staff around the world to meet the future demand.
To aspire to the title of supercar, the GT-R gets one of the most advanced AWD system in the world, the Nissan-first dual clutch gearbox and the twin-turbocharged engine that has an output of 473 bhp. Despite its competitive price, the car will require the same maintenance as a performance car. Instead of requiring a service every ten thousand miles, the car will require a service every couple of thousand miles.
The customer will also be able to have his or her GT-R tuned to factory specifications once a year for free for three years. The certified personnel will align wheels and adjust transmissions.
November 14, 2007