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Spyshots: next-generation Mazda 3
Leftlanenews has published some spyshots of the forthcoming Mazda 3 due to be unveiled next year.
The Mazda 3 will be the second generation to feature the “Zoom Zoom” design after the larger Mazda 6 unveiled last year at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The 3 will likely be a 6 in reduction, so one does expect to find large headlights at the front and an overall sporty design. On the inside, the dashboard will also be similar to that of the 6 saloon. It will include a sporty instrument panel, a central console with aluminum-like panels and multi-function steering wheel.
One of the biggest model of its market segment, the Mazda 3 will still grow in size. It is unknown whether the interior will be roomier or not.
The spotted model was equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox. Secrecy still surrounds the specifications although the Mazda 3 will likely feature the current engines. The petrol engines will be the 104bhp 1.6-litre unit, the 148bhp 2.0-litre. There will also be a MPS version. All petrol engines will likely get a power increase. On the diesel side, there will be the two already known units, a 108bhp 1.6-litre unit and the same 140bhp unit as the Mazda 6.
May 18, 2008
Future Silvia to get hybrid powertrain
Nissan is currently working on a new Silvia due to be launched in 2010 as Petrol-Head has reported earlier. Latest informations reveal that the future coupé will offer a hybrid system.
Speaking with Drive.com, Junichi Endo, Nissan’s senior vice president of global marketing says that there is a possibility that Nissan will feature a hybrid system on the future model. However, Nissan’s priority is to build a sports car. if the hybrid solution isn’t sporty enough, Nissan will use conventional petrol engine. Nissan would be able to market the car as both sporty and environmentally friendly.
In addition to the hybrid-powered Silvia, Nissan is also seriously considering building an all-electric model which would easily meet the strictest regulations in the world. Nissan isn’t the first carmaker to thnk at featuring on a sports car. Honda is even ahead of Nissan as it will unveil a successor to the CR-X, called CR-Z at the next Paris Motor Show.
May 18, 2008
Next-generation Audi A6 details emerge
The replacement of the Audi A6 is a few years away, but first information have emerged on the internet.
The main novelty for the next-generation will be its construction that will use the lightweight ASF II spaceframe. Inaugurated with the current TT, the Aluminum and Steel Spaceframe (ASF II) is a platform which weighs half as much as steel, but is half again as rigid. Until now, the carmaker has reserved the platform technology for low volume models, but with the A6, the Audi will go mainstream.
Using an aluminum body will enable the company to save weight, reduce consumption, CO2 emissions and also improves handling and performances. THE ASF II will also be used for the next-generation Q7 which will reduce its weight by 300kg.
Like the latest models, the next A6 will use the company MLB platform which will bring new suspension, new brakes, new steering like it happened with the A4 as the engine is mounted further back in the chassis for better balance. From the A4, Audi will also take the overall styling
The next A6 will likely take is styling cues from the Audi A4 and A5, which means that it will be serious, classy but as exciting as an Italian car.
Like the current model, the next-generation A6 will be available with a wide range of engines. Petrol unit will include a 190bhp 2.8-litre V6, a 224bhp 2.8-litre V6, a 265bhp 3.2-litre V6, a 350bhp 4.2-litre V8, a 420bhp 5.2-litre V10 unit for the S6 and a 580bhp 5.0 V10 unit for the RS6. Two diesel will be available, a 185bhp 2.7-litre unit and a 238bhp 3.0-litre unit. Surprisingly, the future supercharged V6, which delivers 290bhp, is not listed.
The next A6 is expected to be unveiled in 2010.
Source: Car
May 18, 2008
Spotted revamped 3-Series
Here are some spyshots of the facelifted 3-Series that BMW plans to unveil this year.
With this facelifted, BMW will try to relaunch the family car which has suffered since the Mercedes C-Class hit the market. The spotted version is the saloon, the best selling variant. From the clear spyshots, it appears that the model will get a serious facelift for a BMW with redesigned taillights and slightly re-designed front fascia.
The taillights will be reduced by one quarter, while the front fascia will feature a new bumper, modified foglights, new bonnet and new grille.
The facelift will also see the launch of the twin-turbocharged 3.0-litre unit on the estate variant.
May 17, 2008
Our naughty driving secrets
Research undertaken by organisers of the British Motor Show uncovered bizarre behaviour behind the wheel.
A fifth of British drivers (21%) have been frisky with their partners whilst driving, almost a third flirt with traffic wardens to avoid tickets (30%) and a fifth spend more time checking out good-looking drivers than focusing on the road (19%), according to the research.
The research found a dishonest fifth (21%) of UK drivers, who accidentally damage another car, don’t own up to it, but that figure rises to nearly half (44%) of all drivers in London. Other areas of the country to avoid are Wales (19%), and East Anglia (18%).
Supermarkets are also a hot spot, with nearly half (44%) of all secret prangs happening in their car parks, with street parking (32%) and multi storey car parks (30%) also topping the list. Reasons for driver behaviour include it being too much hassle to own up (19%), “I’ve had it done to me before” (20%) and being in a hurry (13%).
The research also probed people’s knowledge of the workings of their car, and unearthed guilty secrets here too. Nearly half doesn’t how to change a tyre (43%), a third doesn’t know where the dipstick is (29%), a quarter doesn’t know how to adjust tyre pressure (27%), a quarter doesn’t know the difference between the windscreen washer and the radiator cap (25%), a quarter doesn’t know how to refill with oil (25%) and a tenth put petrol in a diesel engine (9%).
Below is the list of The UK driver’s top ten guilty secrets:
- Eating at the wheel (67%)
- Chatting on mobile (37%)
- Flirting with traffic wardens to avoid a ticket (30%)
- Driving off with items left on the car roof (26%)
- Damaging another car and not owning up to it (21%)
- Checking out the good-looking drivers around you (19%)
- Putting on lipstick/makeup/checking hair in the mirror (18%)
- Reading a newspaper or magazine (13%)
- Using a ‘Dr on call’, when you’re not a doctor (8%)
Picture from rjw1 on flicker
May 17, 2008
Volt mules are meeting EV-only target range
The Volt has achieved its all-electric target and will go on sale from November 2010 has revealed Bob Lutz.
In an interview with AutoObserver, Bob Lutz has revelaed that the Volt had finally achieved its all-electric target of 40mph during road-testing. By comparison, the current Prius reaches 8mph.
However, the car czar didn’t give further information on the technical side. If he’s happy to say that the target was achieved with "Even with a rough calibration, even with the wrong drive unit, the wrong body, etc. etc.”, he doesn’t what type of batteries was installed.
GM Vice President has also revealed that the Volt will hit the showrooms in November 2010.
May 17, 2008
China first quarter saloon sales figures
Here are the results of saloon sales for the first quarter of 2008 in China.
As usual the Shanghai VW Santana(pictured) takes the first rank followed by the Buick Excelle. Another VW, the Jetta, ranks third. The first Chinese car ranks fifth with the Tianjin FAW Xiali whiel the small Chery QQ gets the sixth place thanks. Volkswagen also records a tenteh rank for the Passat GP. In total, Volkswagen holds three of the top ten sales. Japanese carmakers have two models, while the American carmakers have only one model.
1. Shanghai VW – Santana – 69,214
2. Shanghai GM – Excelle – 62,750
3. FAW VW – Jetta – 61,202
4. Guangzhou Toyota – Camry – 54,123
5. Tianjin FAW Xiali – Xiali – 48,421
6. Chery – QQ – 46,251
7. FAW-Haima – Family – 45,352
8. Guangzhou Honda – Accord – 42,160
9. Beijing Hyundai – 41,556
10. Shanghai VW – Passat GP – 36, 865
May 17, 2008
Alfa Romeo Mille Miglia Special Edition
The Italian carmaker has released another special edition of its Spider model.
Limited to just 11 units to celebrate the 11 victories the carmaker took in the Mille Miglia race between 1928 and 1947, the Alfa Romeo Mille Miglia Special Edition comes with a unique, plate between the two seats each containing the name of one of the vehicles which won the well-known endurance race.
Distinguished by the exclusive body colour ‘Rosso 8C’ and a ‘Quadrifoglio’ logo on the wing, the Alfa Spider Mille Miglia cars boast special interiors trimmed with black leather with red top-stitching and are equipped with the mighty 260 bhp3.2 V6 units and the Electronic Q2 system.
May 17, 2008
Infiniti Europe launches internet based “Reservation List”
Infiniti has launched an internet based reservation list to enable customers to pre-order their future cars and be among the first owners in their countries.
With this website, the luxury marque hopes to generate sales as soon as possible and Europe’s Marketing Director, Bastien Schupp, is more than pleased with the first results as 10,000 have already signed up. Once the interested buyer has signed up, his or her details are passed to the nearest Infiniti Centre which contacts the customer before pre-ordering begins. The prospective customer’s order will then be given priority. The website will be closed on 30 September of this year.
If you want to sign up, go to http://www.infiniti.eu
May 17, 2008
Video: Seat Ibiza
Here is a video of the new Ibiza driven by Autopista testers. The video is in Spanish, but forget the speech whose information was previously reported on Petrol-Head. What’s interesting about this video is the possibility to see the new Ibiza in movement.
May 17, 2008