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Spyshots: Audi TT Clubsport
Here is the first spyshot of the forthcoming TT Clubsport which is expected to be a limited edition which might powered by a 300bhp petrol engine.
Audi surprised everybody when it unveiled the TT Clubsport Quattro Concept at Essen’s Wörthersee tuner show in May of last year. However nobody expected the carmaker to build a production version of the concept, but the carmaker still needs to build its brand image to fight with Audi and Mercedes. So, it took the opportunity to produce a limited edition of the concept car. To reach the production stage, Audi has removed the glitches but the chopped windshield remains. Other changes include larger side mirrors, an additional brake light out back and the use of actual door handles.
Secrecy surrounds the final specs although the concept car was powered by a 2.0-litre TFSI unit boosted to 300bhp. The DSG gearbox will also likely be part of the bundle.
However Audi still needs to confirm that it will a production version of the TT Clubsport Quattro Concept.
Click here to see the pictures
May 16, 2008
GM to unveil Camaro at Indianapolis in September
It was announced that the Camaro will be officially unveiled in September at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
The announcement was made by the Central Indiana Camaro Club to which GM has given the green light to reveal the production date and place. The unveiled Camaro won’t be there just for media attention as many different models/engine combinations will be on display.
This is a smart move from GM to release the Camaro at Indy 2008 where it will be easier to target the core customers than during a motor show. The carmaker is sure to get all the media coverage instead of sharing it with competition.
The muscle car will be powered by V6 and V8 petrol engines.A four cylinder petrol unit is even rumoured. The engine under consideration would be the turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol unit of the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky. Its delivered power, 260bhp, is close to the V6 that will be featured on the Camaro, the 3.6-litre V6 of the Cadillac CTS. The V8 engine will be the Z28 which might produce more than 500bhp.
May 16, 2008
Fisker responds to Tesla lawsuit
Fisker has responded to Tesla that sued the coachbuilder for stealing design and trade secrets by asking a California court to arbitrate over the matter.
The newly born carmaker Tesla accused Henry Fisker and Bernhard Koehler to steal industrial secrets Bentley agreeing to take a £438,000 consulting job to complete the company roadster’s design. Furthermore, Tesla accused Fisker to build the future Karma on stolen technology.
The court hearing will be held in mid-June.
May 16, 2008
Toyota delays a future US factory
The slowing American economy obliges Toyota to delay the launch a new US plant expected to produce the Highlander model.
Located in Tupelo, Mississippi, the new facility was destined for the Highlander’s production, but the downturn in sales for SUVs pushed Toyota to reconsider its plans. However Toyota executives are optimistic about the future and expect the factory to be launched when the growth is back, in 2010 according to the Japanese carmaker.
However, Toyota has already decreased the future production capacity by 30,000 from 150,000 to 120,000 units. The facility will employ around 2,000 workers.
This isn’t the first time Toyota has to revise its plans or decreases production of its SUVs. The company had cut the production of its Tundra and Sequoia models.
May 15, 2008
Mazda to unveil the 1 in Paris
Mazda is rumoured to unveil a small Mazda 1 at the next Paris Motor Show in September.
The Japanese starts expanding its lineup to increase its sales worldwide after years of recovery. The Mazda 1 will be the first new addition to the range which is expected to be launched in 2010. If technical details remain unknown, the Mazda 1 is reported to be the first model to feature the new corporate’s DNA that appeared on the Nagare concept car.
Like the Ford Ka, the Mazda 1 might be based on the Fiat Panda platform unless the Japanese carmaker decides to go on its own. After all, it has a long expertise of building Kei car in its domestic market.
The Mazda 1 will spearhead a launch of new vehicles with stronger identity in order to improve brand image. In addition to the Mazda 1, Mazda will also unveil a small crossover at the Moscow Motor Show. The next-generation MX-5 will be the first model available in the current lineup to feature the new styling DNA.
May 15, 2008
Forester gets unexpected sensual wash
Here is an unexpected video from Subaru intended to spice up the new Forester on the American market which reinterprets the car wash phantasm.
May 15, 2008
Skoda to double lineup by 2011
Like the other brands of VW Group, Skoda plans to double lineup by 2011.
In an attempt to increase its global sales, Skoda will double its lineup in the coming years with four new models: the Yeti SUV, a small saloon, a Sharan-like MPV and the eagerly-awaited Up! production version.
The Yeti SUV is expected to be unveiled at the next London Motor Show in July. According to company sources, the Yeti SUV will be similar to the eponymous concept car and will share its underpinnings, transmission and powertrains, with the Volkswagen Tiguan.
Skoda also plans to sell new small saloon, smaller than the Skoda Octavia. The future saloon was designed for emerging markets only , but Skoda changed its mind and decided to bring it to Europe. How will the Czech carmaker integrate the new car in its lineup remains a mystery.
Along with the Superb saloon and estate models, Skoda will launch a MPV based on the next-generation VW Sharan. This will be the the first time that Skoda offers a MPV. The future model is expected to hit the showrooms by 2010.
Finally, Skoda will sell the long-awaited and exciting Up! low cost car in 2011. For the first time, the city car won’t be built in its homeland but in India to reduce costs.
Source: Autocar
May 15, 2008
Renault comes back to China by the back door
Despite showing its commitment to India, the French carmaker wants to have a factory in China, but failed to find a valuable partner until now.
Renault has announced it will invest £63 million in an old joint venture in China to build a new generation of minivans destined for the Chinese market. The news isn’t what we expected from the French carmaker, but if Renault has shown good progress in India, Chinese market is another matter. After looking for relaible partners, the company has decided to bring back from death a joint venture made with the Sanjiang Space Industry Group.
Signed in 1994, the joint venture produced the Traffic model for the local market until 2002 when Renault decided to cease the production as a result of poor sales and poor components quality. The new generation of minivans is codenamed W72.
Source: Chinacartimes
May 15, 2008
Three door Mazda 2 hits the showrooms
Mazda has announced pricing for the three door Mazda 2.
The three door Mazda 2 is hitting the showrooms this month and the entry-level starts at £7,999 for the 74bhp 1.3-litre petrol engine version with the TS trim level. Two trim levels are available: TS and TS2. Standard equipment on the TS includes: driver and passenger front airbags, remote central locking with deadlocks, electric front windows, driver seat height adjust, CD radio with auxiliary jack and a Thatcham Category 1 alarm and immobiliser. The TS2 adds 12 unspecified equipments according to the carmaker.
With the three door and five door combined, Mazda plans to sell 15,000 units on the British market this year.
Three door Mazda 2 price list
1.3 TS: £7,999
1.3 TS2: £9,509
1.5 Sport: £11,399
1.4D TS: £8,999
1.4D TS2: £10,504
May 15, 2008
Volvo announces the Powershift gearbox for the C30, S40 & V50
The in-house dual clutch gearbox will be available on the smaller Volvo models form now on.
The Swedish carmaker has announced that the dual clutch gearbox called Powershift will be available with the 134bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel engine. The Powershift transmission has been developed by Volvo in cooperation with Getrag. According to the carmaker, the Powershift gearbox cuts fuel consumption by 8 percent in the Volvo C30, S40 and V50.
The Powershift is built in Koping, Sweden at Volvo’s transmission plant. The Powershift gearbox will be introduced on the second generation Volvo S60.
May 15, 2008