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Noble M15 to get Volvo’s V8

According to the Italian importer, the Noble M15 will feature a Volvo V8 instead of the current Ford V6. The launch date remains unknown. Available on the Volvo S80 and XC90, the 4.4 litres V8 will gain a couple of turbochargers. The power will jump from 313 bhp to 650 bhp.
The current V6, which was available on the former Ford Mondeo ST220, allowed Lee Noble access to a reliable and competitive engine. Unfortunately, its replacement by the Ford Duratec 35 led Noble to revise his copy. Designed by Yamaha, the Volvo’s V8 has a unique 60 degree cylinder bank instead of the usual 90 degree cylinder bank.
The Noble M15 will also lose 100kg compared to the original prototype unveiled in early 2006. With only 1100kg and a new V8 engine, it will run the 0-60mph in around 3.0 seconds.
November 8, 2007
First picture of the Kia Borrego

Here is the first picture of the new Kia SUV, set to compete on the most competitive and declining segment in the US. Dubbed Borrego, the new SUV will be unveiled officially at the next 2008 Detroit Motor Show.
Manufactured in South Korea, the Borrego will be roomy enough for seven people. It will be available with either a V6 engine or an optional V8 engine. No information has been given regarding the latter but it might be the new Tau V8 engine which made its debut in the Hyundai Genesis concept car. The 4.6 litre engine is reported to deliver more than 300 bhp and will boost the Borrego’s towing capacity.
The Borrego will offer a unique warranty to customers: 10 years or 100,000 miles. In an overcrowded segment, it might convince customers to switch to an otherwise rather unappealing brand. Ford Explorer, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Toyota 4Runner and Nissan Pathfinder might be about to face a new threat.
November 8, 2007
Toyota iQ will feature rear impact airbags

The iQ’s chief designer, Hiroki Nakajima, has revealed that the city car will feature a rear airbag for passengers sitting in the back in order to make it safer. The iQ pioneers a unique 3+1 seating layout. While the Smart can provide room for only two people, the iQ will be roomy enough for three adults and one child. Unfortunately, the rear seat passengers sit just 12 inches from the rear window because of the 117 inches length.
For Toyota, the challenge is to achieve a five-star NCAP safety rating and top the Smart ForTwo’s four stars. The rear airbags would help to win the fifth star.
Due to be sold in 2009, it is thought that the iQ could be powered either by the 1 litre petrol engine already used in the Aygo or by a 1.4 litre petrol engine which would return more than 50mpg. No diesel engine has been planned even though the Aygo is sold with a 1.4 litre engine.
Source: News.com.au
November 8, 2007
No GLK for right-hand drive countries

Due to go on sale in 2008, the next hottest SUV might not be available with a right-hand version because of high engineering costs generated by the conversion. The small Mercedes SUV is based on the current C-Class estate platform. While available in 2wd for the entry levels, the GLK will rely on the 4Matic architecture at the top of the range in order to provide 4wd. Unfortunately, the 4Matic system has not been designed for right-hand drive countries. For the management, the main stumbling block for the conversion is the cost but some voices argue that the investment is worthwhile on a long term.
With a length of around 177 inches, the GLK will provide enough room for five people and the boot will offer a low tailgate. Rather than a small ML, the GLK will look like the large GL. The hot SUV will be available with a choice of 2.1-litre diesel, 3.0-litre V6 petrol and diesel, 3.5 litre V6 petrol and the 6.2-litre AMG V8.
The GLK will compete with the future Audi Q5 and the BMW X3. If it is not available as a right-hand drive variant, Audi and BMA will have an easier time on those markets.
November 8, 2007
Fiat has unveiled the Panda Aria concept car

It was widely known that the Italian carmaker was actively working on a new downsized twin-cylinder engine. Fiat has unveiled the Panda Aria concept car, which is equipped with the new 0.9 litre petrol engine.
German carmakers already used the downsizing concept by replacing a 2 litres engine with a turbocharged 1.4 litres unit. But Fiat is the first carmaker to apply the concept to a small engine. The engineers transformed a conventional 4-cylinder engine into a 2-cylinder turbocharged engine, which has an output of 80 bhp. For the concept car, Fiat enabled the engine to operate with a mixture of methane (70%) and hydrogen (30%). In real life, the small engine will be available with a choice of 65 bhp aspirated and 105 bhp turbocharged. The new engine is smaller (20%) and lighter (25%) than a a 4 cylinder engine with the same power output. It is coupled with a Stop&Start device that turns the engine off temporarily and starts it again, when the engine is idling and the vehicle is stationary.

On the outside, the traditional panels are replaced by semi-transparent eco-resin panels on which Fiat applied a strange paint dubbed “totouch”. On the inside, Fiat upholstered the interior with a mix of natural fibres, cotton and linen, woven coconut and biodegradable elements.
September 6, 2007
Mercedes may absorb Maybach

When management keeps quiet about future plans, rumours spread quickly. After the super GL Class, the über CLS and the convertible, the lattest one suggests that Mercedes may absorb its luxury brand.
The current model may join the Mercedes at the top of the range. In the future, Mercedes may develop a lineup of Über Mercedes.
Source: Automotive News
September 6, 2007
Renault to build a new factory in Morocco

Renault has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Morocco to build a new plant on the outskirts of Tanger. Due to be ready for 2010, the new factory will enable Renault to build 200,000 cars per year at the beginning. Later, it will be able to build 400,000 cars every year.
The new factory will be used to build variants of the Dacia Logan, with particular focus on a new-generation of light commercial vehicles. Ninety percent of these vehicles would be exported.
Renault plans to invest an estimated £405m/€600m/$817m in this project with a first phase of £236m/€350m/$477m. A further investment of £135m/€200m/$272m to £270m/€400m/$544m will then be made according to the number of vehicles produced.
The new factory will provide 6,000 direct jobs and 30,000 jobs indirectly through suppliers.
According to the Prime Minister of Morocco, Driss Jetou, the plant will be built on a dedicated free zone linked to Tanger’s harbour with a special railway.
September 6, 2007
Saab is working on a new compact

After much equivocation, Saab is currently working on new compact model due to be launched in the next decade.
This time, the Swedish carmaker will not make another attempt at building a Saabaru 9-2. The designers will focus on giving the compact model a striking design which will take inspiration from the Aero-X concept car.
This is a very good news for Saab. However the premium compact market is a tough market where German competitors meet a big success. The Audi A3 leads the market with 229,394 cars sold last year. BMW sold 151,918 cars over the same period. Unfortunately for Saab, the market will be more mature in the next decade. BMW recently unveiled the 1 Series coupé and will soon reveal a convertible variant. Several Audi A3 convertible have been spotted in the world. Even Mercedes plans to reshuffle its A Class and B Class in order to fight with Audi and BMW. If Saab wants to succeed, it will have to launch, not only a car, but also with a range.
September 6, 2007
French Automobile Market rose by 1.1 % in August

After a spectacular recovery of the French automobile market in July thanks to a 21% increase, the month of August stabilised with 139,640 registrations recorded. This 1.1% more than the previous year over the same period.
However a detailed analysis of the statistics shows a slightly different situation. The passenger car market fell by 2.4% with 111,260 registrations compared to August 2006 while the market for light commercial vehicles rose by a spectacular 17.1% with 28,380 registrations. August is generally not a very active market due to the holiday period.
For the first eight months of 2007, the new passenger car registrations reached 1,375,208 cars. This is 0.6% less than last year compared to the same period. With 307 447 registrations recorded from January to August 2007, the market for light commercial vehicles increased by 5.4 %.
French carmakers have lost their majority market share to imported brands with only 46% of market share. However on the first eight months, they still save the face with a 52% market share. Renault Group increased its sales by 2% thanks to Dacia. The sales jumped from 1,031 in August 2006 to 2,407 in August 2007 while Renault fell by 4%. On the other hand, PSA fell sharply by 13.4%. Peugeot sales decreased by 13.4% with 29,600 registrations. Citroën recorded the biggest fall with -17.3%.
Among the imported brands, BMW is the biggest winner. It progressed by 34.3%.
September 5, 2007
Fiat unveils the Grande Punto Abarth “essesse”

Fiat has released the first two official pictures of the naughtiest Grande Punto: the Abarth SS prototype.
Based on the Grande Punto Abarth unveiled at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, the SS version is mainly a booster kit that increases the power by 30 bhp in order to reach 180 bhp. If the basic Abarth version can top 130 mph and runs the 0-60mph in 8.2 s, Fiat has not released any information regarding the performance of the SS kit.

The kit also includes some visual elements just like the adhesives with the ‘essesse’ logo or a chequered flag. The handling has also been improved according to the press release with particular low stance and a more powerful braking system.
September 5, 2007