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Ford to import the C1 platform to the U.S.

Anyone who has ever compared the vehicle sizes in the U.S. with those in Europe will have quickly noticed that the biggest models here are seen as mid-sized cars across the pond. While we Europeans love the Golf, at 165 inches long, Americans love the Toyota Camry, at 189 inches long. However, troubled times are pushing American carmakers to consider the impossible: importing these small European cars onto American soil!
Ford’s CEO Mulally has given the official order to import at least two European-designed Fords in the near future. Ford already sells a compact inspired by the European Focus, but while the Focus adopted the C1 platform in 2004, the American model kept the old one launched in 1998. Ford said that this was because the C1 platform was too expensive for the American market. Nevertheless, Mazda models that uses the C1 platform are sold in the U.S. As a shareholder in Mazda, why was Ford not be able to sell a C1 platform-based car in the U.S.?
In order to meet a potential demand, Ford will probably import the C-Max MPV and new Kuga that will be unveiled at the next Frankfurt Motor Show. The cars will be built in Ford’s Mexico and Wayne factories.
This decision deserves to be questioned. Will European cars save American carmakers? When Ford imported the Ford Sierra at the end of the eighties to be sold as Merkur Scorpio, the public did not really understand the positioning of the car in relation to the rest of the American range. How would Ford fit the C-Max in with the Ford Edge, Taurus X and the Fusion? Only time will tell.
July 24, 2007
Porsche 911 Turbo SP580 by Sportec

Sportec has unveiled its new interpretation of the Porsche 997 Turbo, the SP580. The number 580 stands for the power available on the most powerful variant. In order to reach 580bhp, the Swiss tuner reprogrammed the car’s ECU and added two in-house turbochargers. The torque reaches 564lb-ft/765Nm. The car also receives a new exhaust system and reinforced clutch.

The braking system has been improved by replacing the standard system by a new six-piston callipers system and larger 380mm brake discs. A sports suspension kit has also been fitted, including firmer springs and new shock absorbers. All these improvements help the SP580 to reach 210mph/338km/h and run the 0-60mph in 3.4s.

If 580bhp is too much for you, it is possible to start with the entry-level, which produces ‘only’ 530bhp. This is still 50bhp more than the standard 911 Turbo.
July 24, 2007
Cadillac lowers its sales target in Europe

It is no secret that the Cadillac BLS is a failure on the European market. This a bad news for the American carmaker, who had planned to establish the brand on the continent with the mid-sized saloon. The time has therefore come to review the sales target. At the Cadillac headquarters there is no room for niceties. From the originally planned 20,000 units in 2003, the target will be 10,000 for 2007.
In order to reach the target, distribution duties will be transferred from the Dutch group Kroymans to its UK division. The latter already handles the Chevrolet, Vauxhall and Saab brands. On the British market, the UK met success with the Saab brand. GM hopes that the experience acquired with Saab will be useful to the relaunch of the Cadillac.
Unfortunately, at the pace recorded for the first semester of 2007, Cadillac will never achieve its target. Over the first five months, the company has delivered only 1,314 cars.
Source: Automotive News
July 24, 2007
Spyshots: Mazda 6 interior

Here is the first interior shot of the next generation Mazda 6, due to be unveiled at the next Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
The picture reveals the giant speedometer and rev counter, seemingly setting up the future Mazda sedan as competition for the Alfa Romeo 159. The central console is similar to that found in the SUV CX-7. However, while the CX-7 is based on the CD2 platform, the next Mazda 6 will be the first car to be based on the CD3 2 platform. The second generation will be bigger than the current one, providing a roomier interior and moving the Mazda 6 upmarket. Let’s hope the new saloon will not gain as much weight as the 159 did. On this front, Mazda’s efforts to reduce weight on the new Mazda 2/Demio are encouraging.
The top engine will be the V6, taken from the CX-9, which produces 260bhp/263hp and 249ftlb/339Nm. This will help the car to compete with the Italian saloons as well as Mazda’s German competitors. According to insiders, the 4 cylinder 2.3l engine will get a power boost, jumping from 163bhp to 180bhp.

Click here to see all the pictures
Source: Winding Road
July 24, 2007
2009 Seat saloon

Seat CEO Eric Schmitt announced in May that the Spanish carmaker will launch two news cars in 2009, both set to compete on the mid-sized saloon market segment. At the same time, one sketch of each of the future cars was released. Yesterday, a further rendition of the future sedan was released on the internet.
Obviously, this interpretation tries to stick to the original sketches as much as possible. It gives us an idea of the new direction being taken by Seat. The Spanish carmaker has decided to adopt a conservative design following the failure of the Toledo. Expect to see an elegant saloon more like the Ford Mondeo than the stylish Alfa Romeo 159. Seat is becoming more German every day.
The car will be powered by a range of engines taken from the Volkswagen group. The petrol engines will be the FSI units and the diesel engines will be the famous TDI units. Expect to see a sporty version that may reuse the Leon Cupra’s 2.0L TFSI engine, which produces 240bhp.
Click here to see all the pictures
July 24, 2007
CSL version for new E92 and all future M3s

In an interview with Insideline, the BMW’s M division vice president Gerhard Richter has announced that there will be light version of the new E92 M3 and that the same will be true for all future M3s.
The Coupe Sport Lightweight was a limited edition of the E46 M3 sold in the second semester of 2003. The car distinguished itself from the normal M3 by reducing its weight considerably. To achieve this, the air conditioning and sound systems were removed. Further modifications included a carbon-fibre roof was added and a trunk floor that was practically made of cardboard. The result was that the M3 CSL was 407lbs/185kg lighter than the regular M3. Technically, the car had its power boosted from 343 bhp to 360 bhp and was only available with the SMG gearbox.
On the exterior, the light M3 distinguished itself form its standard sibling with a different wheel design, a larger integrated rear spoiler and a large air intake hole on the left side of the front bumper.
July 24, 2007
Bugatti Veyron vs Mercedes SLR

A run contest between a Bugatti Veyron and a Mercedes SLR? Let’s be honest, the dice are loaded. How can the SLR with 626bhp for 3,858lbs fairly compete with the Veyron, which produces 1001bhp for 4162lbs? No chance, but this video still demonstrates the incredible power of the Bugatti Veyron.

July 24, 2007
Volkswagen may unveil a low cost car in Frankfurt
According to the Germancarblog website, Volkswagen will unveil a low cost car at the next Frankfurt Motor Show in September. Due to be sold in 2009, the car will have a price of less than £5,300/€8,000/$11,000. The car will be sold first under the VW badge and then under the Skoda and Seat badges. The Volkswagen variant will feature improved equipment, including air conditioning and a CD player. It will retain the carmaker’s typical look and feel, which customers have come to expect.
It is well known that Volkswagen is working on a low cost car. The project started at the Skoda offices in February 2005. Originally the launch target was in the first trimester of 2006. However, this low cost car brings with it question. Beyond the technical questions, the main area of uncertainty is the impact on the Volkswagen’s brand image. How do you sell a Phaeton at the top of the range when you sell a low cost car as an entry-model. The Logan saloon may serve as a lesson for the German carmaker: it is sold under the Dacia brand on Western markets in order to avoid damaging Renault’s brand image. Conversely, the Logan is sold under the Renault badge in emerging countries thanks to its good brand image on those markets.
July 24, 2007
BMW city-car for 2010?

According to Auto Motor und Sport, BMW might launch a city car in 2010 in order to compete with the future Audi A1.
The news seems rather suspicious. Audi is developing the A1 to compete with the Mini built by BMW. Why would BMW develop a car that would compete with its own range? Furthermore, according to the German magazine, the car will have the same length as the Mini. It will be a front wheel drive vehicle that will reject less than 100g CO2 per km.
Why would BMW launch a direct competitor of the Mini? Is the car as unprofitable as rumours have indicated? It has been said that BMW will lend the Mini platform to Mercedes for the next A-Class, but BMW has denied the rumours and declared it made a profit on each car produced since the new Mini has been launched.
So, the city-BMW would seem to be a bad idea for the present and would not be a logical step BMW.
July 24, 2007
Mini Colorado in the pipeline

According to the Globe and Mail newspaper, BMW plans to launch a Mini SUV based on the Mini Clubman, set to be launched officially at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
Dubbed Mini Colorado, it may be built in the Magna’s Austrian factory based in Graz and formerly known as Steyr Puch. Steyr Puch became famous through its production of the Mercedes G-Class and its specialisation in four wheel drive systems. BMW is currently discussing with Magna International the production of 65,000 vehicles per year.
For Magna International, it is an opportunity to replace Chrysler 300C built there sold in Europe. As it plans to shift production to its plant base in Brampton, Canada, the Mini Colorado will easily replace the 26,500 300C built last year. Unfortunately it will not be enough to replace the X3 SUV. BMW decided to build the next generation in its own factory in Spartanburg in the U.S. This is a 113,000 vehicle loss for Magna.
Source: Globe and Mail
July 24, 2007