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  • Spyshots: Renault Laguna Coupe & Megane 5 Doors

    Spyshots: Renault Laguna Coupe & Megane 5 Doors

    Laguna_coupe Two future Renault models have been spotted during testing in Australia: Laguna Coupé and Mégane.

    The Laguna coupé is expected to be launched at the Paris Motor Show. The coupé will be derived from the eponymous saloon, but Renault will try to be a bit more upmarket by adopting some visual glitches generally found on a coupé. Compared to the concept car seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year, the production version will look like less appealing, but Renault hpes its engine renage will make the difference, especially the diesel engines. The carmaker is currently developing a new V6 diesel engine range which is expected to deliver 230bhp and 265bhp. The Renault Laguna coupé will be the first model to be equipped by the two powerful units.

    Along with the Laguna Coupé, the Megane has also been shot. As seen on the previous spyshots, Renault has decided to offer a more subtle design and will drop the peculiar current model’s rear end. Despite featuring a heavy camouflage, the next-generation Megane’s side view seems to be similar to that of the Fiat Bravo.

  • MX-5 to get a facelift at Paris

    MX-5 to get a facelift at Paris

    Mazda_mx5 Mazda has unveiled to its dealer network a facelifted MX-5 due to be launched at the Paris Motor Show.

    The revamped MX-5 will adopt the new corporate front fascia by getting some visual details taken from the Mazda 6. It will get new headlights and rear lights. Mazda will also increase the power of its best seller.

    Mazda might also  take the opportunity of a facelift to launch a more powerful MX-5. According to company sources, the company’s engineers are currently working on a MX-5 powered by the same turbocharged 2.3-litre petrol unit as the Mazda 3 MPS. With a power of 256bhp, the MX-5 would become a potential alternative to the Lotus Elise.

    Mazda designers are already working on the next-gneration MX-5. General Manager of Mazda’s Design Division Laurens van der Acker has revealed in an interview that the next MX-5 will be unveiled in 2011.

  • BMW wants to be the first premium brand in India

    BMW wants to be the first premium brand in India

    X5_india_01 After China, BMW has decided to focus on increasing its sales in India to become the market leader in the premium car segment.

    Compared to China, the premium car segment is a tiny market where only 4,400 cars were sold last year. BMW sold 1,387 vehicles last year and plans to sell 2,000 units this year. With estimated sales of 10,000 units in 2010, BMW aims at becoming the leader by increasing its investments there.

    BMW is currently assembling its models at its Indian factory located in Chennai, but until recently, the company was importing kits in completely knock down (CKD) condition. Now, 10 per cent of the components are sourced from India and BMW wants to increase the share of Indian components. BMW India President Peter Kronschnabi said that the company was screening the Indian auto components industry for its plans to make the country a major source for outsourcing for the German carmaker.

  • Next S4 to get a V6 engine

    Next S4 to get a V6 engine

    Audi_s4 The next-generation S4 will ditch its normally aspirated V8 for a supercharged V6 in an attempt to reduce the car’s fuel consumption and CO2 emission.

    The future stricter CO2 emission regulations made another victim among the V8 engines. Audi has decided to replace the V8 petrol units, which shuttles the S4 model, by a supercharged and turbocharged V6 unit. The future V6 engine is reported to deliver a power output similar to that of the V8. As the new A4 s 100 lbs lighter than the outgoing model, the future S4 will likely be sportier with the help of a supercharger and a turbocharger. Unfortunately, nothing will replace the V8’s exhaust music.

    The news doesn’t come as a surprise. Indeed, Audi had announced its commitment to downsize its engine range in order to keep up with stricter regulations. However, this is the first time that a sporty model will get a smaller engine. Race to power is ending.

  • PSA Peugeot Citroen to develop a 1.0-litre petrol engine

    PSA Peugeot Citroen to develop a 1.0-litre petrol engine

    407sw_0408tech_f PSA Peugeot Citroën will launch a new 1.0-litre three cylinder petrol engine by 2011. Power output will be between 70bhp and 100bhp.

    The French group is currently developing a new petrol engine will bring very significant reductions in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions according to the company. The carmaker wants to  bring to market vehicles with CO2 emissions below 100g/km without additional technology like a hybrid solution.

    The new engine will be built in two factories, one in France, the other in Eastern Europe. The first facility, with an annual capacity of 600,000 engines, will be operational as of 2011. It will be located in France at Trémery and will enable the creation of over 500 jobs. A second facility will be established in Eastern Europe by 2012. In order to find the best location for this additional engine-making plant, the company has begun looking at several countries in this region. The choice will be made in mid-2008.

  • Ford builds 9 millionth Mustang

    Ford builds 9 millionth Mustang

    08must_v6c34fr Ford announced today it has built its 9 millionth Mustang, a GT Convertible Mustang which will be delivered to a dealership in Iowa.

    The Mustang is the carmaker’s longest-running nameplate. Mustang was introduced on April 17, 1964, at the New York World’s Fair. The current generation has recorded a huge success representing one of every two sports cars sold in the US. Mustang sales hit an astounding 419,000 in its first 12 months on the market, and topped the 1-million mark in the first two years, shattering the sales records of any single model in the history of the cars.

    The Ford Mustang will likely keep the lead despite the launch of the Dodge Challenger and the arrival next year of the Chevrolet Camaro. The next generation is expected to be unveiled in 2011. It will be based on the new global rear-wheel drive platform currently in development in Australia.

  • Pininfarina to open design centre in India

    Pininfarina to open design centre in India

    Pininfarina_enjoy Pininfarina has announced it will open a design centre in India.

    Due to be located in Pune, northwestern India, Pininfarina will offer services to all automakers, the company said. However, with minority participation by Indian automotive giant Tata, it isn’t sure that other carmakers will be happy to share future projects with Tata.

    "This agreement witnesses the great attention Pininfarina is dedicating to an emerging and highly developing market such as the Indian one," said the group’s CEO Andrea Pininfarina.

    Pininfarina announced last month that it would increase its capital by €100 million/£80 million. Ratan Tata has expressed interest in the Tata Companies participating Pininfarina’s planned capital increase with the subscription of a portion of the options that will be assigned to the Pininfarina family.

  • Skoda produces two millionth Fabia

    Skoda produces two millionth Fabia

    Skoda_fabia The two millionth Skoda Fabia has just rolled off the production line, eight years after the first generation was launched.

    The record-breaking vehicle was a ‘Satin Grey’ Fabia Estate 1.4-litre 16-valve. Skoda Fabia has met a strong demand on European markets thanks to a competitive price and good overall performance. Nearly 1.8 million first generation model were sold before the new version was introduced in early 2007.

    The current generation confirms Skoda success on the small car market segment. The company has already sold 63,579 units this year.

  • Ferrari to open its first store in the UK

    Ferrari to open its first store in the UK

    55157fer Ferrari has announced it will open its first British store in London this autumn.

    The first British Ferrari Store will be located on Regent Street. Its 550 square metres spread over two levels will stock the entire range of the company’s products aimed at Formula 1 fans, GT enthusiasts, children and collectors.

    The Italian marque has currently 20 outlets in the Ferrari retail chain, half of which are outside of Italy in China, the United States, United Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Macao and Singapore.

  • Porsche taking issue with Audi’s use of RS nameplate

    Porsche taking issue with Audi’s use of RS nameplate

    Audi_rsmoniker Porsche takes issue with Audi over the use of the RS moniker on its sporty models.

    When a major shareholder of a parent company takes issue with a subsidiary while competing on the same market, that looks like a bit of a mess. Porsche has decided to prevent Audi from using the RS label on the future sporty TT. Called TT RS, the coupé would sound like the Boxster RS 60 Spyder. Porsche thinks that it should be the only carmaker to use the RS a suffix.

    Audi can use the RS moniker as a prefix, as in RS4, RS5 or RS6, but not as a suffix on the TT RS. So, one does expect the sporty TT to be dubbed RS TT or simply TTS.