Here is a video with Ian Callum, Jaguar Head of Design, and Jaguar’s chassis guru, Mike Cross, talking about the new Jaguar XF.
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XF Video
Volkwsagen is working on a 10-year plan to catch up with Toyota
According to Automotive News, Volkswagen is working on a 10-year strategy plan that aims to catch up with the Japanese carmaker. Backed by Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking, Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn wants to close the gap between both carmakers. Although at a draft stage, the plan will focus on increasing sales and improving productivity.It is likely that Martin Winterkorn will try to follow the same plan he set at Audi to boost productivity and sales a few years ago. Dubbed internally as “Route 15”, the plan intended to boost global sales beyond 1.5 million by 2015. In order to achieve such a goal, the German carmaker decided to sales in China, the fastest growing auto market, and in the US. Also it planned to add 15 new models to the current range by 2015.
In 2006 Volkswagen Group produced 5,685,000 cars while Toyota delivered 8,036,000 vehicles on the same period.Toyota is looking to sell 10.4 million vehicles around the world in 2009. In other worlds, Volkswagen needs to double sales by 2018. Compared with Toyota, Volkswagen has room for manoeuvre. It is still a small player on the American market. Last year, Toyota enjoyed its best year ever in 2006, selling 2,220,090 vehicles, while Volkswagen’s U.S. sales dropped 34 percent, to 235,140 vehicles, from 2000 to 2006. There is also room for improvement in China where Audi leads the luxury market. Volkswagen is also working on a low cost car. Due to be unveiled at the next Frankfurt Motor Show in less than a week, the car will enable Volkswagen Group to expand sales in emerging countries.
The German group is also likely to add new models to its brands while sharing components between them. At a time when niche markets have the fastest growing demand, Volkswagen move is a smart one but other carmakers have the same idea. While the latters only have one brand to manage, Volkswagen must share the niche markets between Audi, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Seat, Skoda, Volkswagen and Porsche. That is, unless Martin Winterkorn has found the magic potion…
Car of the Year 2008 selection
The Car of the Year contest is a bit of a joke. Every year a group of 58 car journalists from 22 different countries meet together to select the best car of the year. Every year, German journalists tend to favour German cars, French the French cars. The vote makes a little more sense in countries where the automotive industry is not a national industry. However, if we add the fact that sometimes carmakers try to cheat by providing the ‘experts’ with slightly improved cars, the contest becomes even more of a joke. At the end the winning carmaker has the right to put a shiny sticker on the car, adding an extra selling point to the new model.Despite the contest’s weaknesses, we still like it because it allows us car enthusiasts to argue, discuss and fight over the best car of the year.
Here is the list of the thirty selected cars. Later the list will be reduced to seven contestants and in January the committee will reveal the lucky winner.
Audi A5/S5
BMW X5
Chrysler Sebring
C-Crosser/Outlander/4007
Daihatsu Materia
Dodge Nitro
Fiat 500
Fiat Bravo
Ford Mondeo
Honda CR-V
Hyundai i30
Jeep Patriot
Jeep Wrangler
Kia cee’d
Land Rover Freelander
Lexus LS460/600h
Mazda2
Mazda CX-7
Mercedes C-Class
Nissan Qashqai
Nissan X-Trail
Opel/Vauxhall Antara
Peugeot 308
Renault Laguna
Renault Twingo
SsangYong Actyon
Skoda Fabia
Smart Fortwo
Subaru Impreza
Toyota Auris/Corolla
Volkswagen Tiguan
Volvo V70/XC70
C63 AMG Estate to be unveiled at Frankfurt Motor Show
Thanks to a reader, Carscoop has revealed the first pictures of the Mercedes C63 AMG estate due to be unveiled in ten days at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Just like the saloon, the new AMG estate makes its mark by adopting some aggressive lines and an impressive front face. Nevertheless, the back end seems a bit shy when compared to the saloon.
Obviously the estate inherits the engine from the saloon. The athmospheric 6.2 litre V8 delivers a power of 450 bhp/457 hp at 6800 rpm and a maximum torque of 600 Nm. A bit heavier than the saloon, it runs 0-60mph in 4.6s and can “only” reach 155 mph due to an electronically governed top speed.
With this sporty estate, Mercedes now offers a full C Class range that can compete with the ubiquitous Audi. With 36 bhp/37 hp more than the Audi RS4, it takes the lead in the power race by a tiny margin. The question now is: will Audi respond?
Big Three lose majority market share
It looks like an revolution. For the first time in 102 years, the Big Three American carmakers have lost their majority market share to imported brands. According to Automotive News, American carmakers sold 629,569 vehicles while imported brands delivered 679,523 vehicles in July. This gave the latter a 51.4% market share.Some defeatists may say that this is the beginning of the end, but actually it is just an economic cycle for the American giants. After years of suffering (slightly dramatic word?), all American players are focusing on core products in order not to spread themselves too thinly. They are also restructuring their plants to cut production costs and reducing sales discounts to keep their finances afloat. In the near future, the Big Three will come back with better products, will start to expand again and will win back their majority market share. Unless, that is, imported brands decided to fight back…
Source: Automotive News
Alfa Romeo set to return to the U.S. next year
At the Meadow Brook Concours d’Elegance, Maserati North America CEO Jim Selwa announced that Alfa Romeo will return to the U.S. next year selling the exclusive 8C Competizione.With a price of £108,000/€159,300/$220,000, Alfa Romeo plans to sell 100 cars in the first year via the Maserati dealer network. The car will allow the Italian carmaker to test its popularity among the American consumers. Later it will sell the 159 and the future 167.
The 8c Competizione features the Ferrari/Maserati-derived 4.7-litre V8, which has an output of 443bhp/450hp.
Spyshots: Hyundai coupé rear side revealed
Here are some spyshots of the rear side of the upcoming Hyundai coupé. It looks like that this time Hyundai took inspiration from the Infiniti G35 rear as the proportions and design are very similar.As I reported in a previous post, the Hyundai coupé will use V6 engines issued from the Grandeur saloon. It is also said that the coupé may receive the new V8 engine which will be available in the Genesis.
The new Hyundai coupe will be revealed in March 2008 in South Korea.
Click here to see all the pictures
Bugatti Veyron Pegaso
At a time when the simple Mercedes is building thousands of SL-Class every year and Bugatti is increasing its production, owning a unique car is a difficult feat. In response to this, a Russian project developer living in Dubai decided to personalise his Veyron.Here is the special Pegaso Veyron. Beyond its unique and pleasant colour scheme, the car is said to feature an upgraded engine. It produces about 1,200bhp instead of the official 997bhp.
Stretched Mondeo to be launched soon
Ford will soon join China’s unique stretched car segment with an extended Mondeo which is currently being worked on. The first picture of the Mondeo was released on a Chinese forum (when?).The limousine will compete with the Cadillac, Audi and BMW stretched versions, all of which are used as chauffeur-driven cars. The Chinese Cadillac SLS made its public debut at the Beijing Auto Show. Lengthened by 4 inches, it provides additional room for backseat passengers.
BMW also unveiled a stretched 5-Series at the same motor show. With an extra 5.5“ the saloon is actually an inch longer than the 7 Series luxury model. The limousine features a DVD player, an 8-inch monitor and even a refrigerated storage box.
The Audi A6L is the oldest car in the segment and gives us an insight into the Chinese car market. In two years, 61,000 out of 81,000 Audi A6 sold in China had a stretched body. Four inches longer than the normal A6, it was revamped in April. The main changes concerned the rear space. The car is equipped with a new 10” screen and a DVD player.
Source: Chinacartimes
Hummer H4
Despite its rather gloomy current circumstances, Hummer is determined to expand its current range by adding a new model. But instead of a gas guzzler, the new off-road will be smaller than the successful H3. Hummer CEO Martin Walsh gave more information to Hummer dealers. The new baby Hummer will target the Jeep Wrangler.Dubbed HX internally, it will be launched in 2010-2011. In order to fit in better with Hummer’s current naming scheme, the car will probably be called H4. It will not be based on a shortened H3 platform, but rather will reuse the platform of an existing model to cut costs. For this, the Chevrolet Captiva/Vauxhall Antara may be a good choice.
According to insiders, the off-road will feature removable doors and roof panels like the Wrangler. A new smaller off-road is a smart decision but there is still some uncertainty. GM is well known for damaging its brands by sharing platforms and components, though Hummer has so far been spared.
Source: MotorAuthority
