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Next-generation 7-series to to come with eight-speed transmission
After the power race, premium carmakers seem to be launched in an automatic transmission race. After Mercedes who launched its seven-speed automatic gearbox and Lexus who stepped up with eight-speed gearbox, BMW will feature its first eight-speed gearbox on the next-generation 7-Series.
Due to be unveiled at the next Paris Motor Show, the new flagship saloon will be the first carmaker’s model to be equipped an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Among other changes, the gearstick will be moved from its controversial position behind the wheel to the central console.
Technically, the new gearbox will be as large as the six-speed unit offered in the current model. One does expect the eight-speed gearbox to be smoother and the carmaker expects the future gearbox to increase its flagship’s fuel efficiency by 6 per cent.
Along with this new gearbox, the future 7-Series will feature a more classical design as spyshots have revealed until now.
April 17, 2008
Chrysler future products
Chrysler’s vice president of product development has revealed more details about the future range that the troubled company plans to offer in the coming years.
Speaking at the SAE 2008 World Congress, Frank Klegon has revealed that a hybrid-powered Dodge Ram will be available by 2010, enabling the carmaker to increase fuel efficiency. he also revealed that the carmaker is also working on a new communication system similar to that of Ford’s Sync and a blind spot detection system.
Klegon also confirmed a dual clutch transmission will be featured on the 2009 model year Dodge Journey, Avenger and Sebring. Developed in partnership with Getrag, the new gearbox will enable the carmaker to boost fuel efficiency on the equipped vehicles.
April 17, 2008
First pictures of the Opel Insignia
Leaked images of the future Insignia have emerged on the Internet.
The saloon you see here is the Insignia model that Vauxhall will unveil at the next London Motor Show. The Insignia is the company’s new attempt to spearhead a revival of its offer on the family car market segment. With the new Insignia, Opel/Vauxhall wants us to forget the Vectra and its poor brand image.
Like the new C5 and the Mondeo saloons, the new Insignia will move upmarket by growing in size but also by featuring an appealing design that takes its styling cues from the eponym concept car unveiled in 2003 and the GTC concept car seen last year in Geneva.
The GTC will be available with five petrol engines and four diesel units. The petrol offer will start with a 113bhp 1.6-litre engine, followed by the 138bhp 1.8-litre unit, the 178bhp turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, the 197bhp turbocharged 2.0-litre and topped by a 256bhp 2.9-litre V6 engine. The diesel range will offer a 2.0-litre unit delivering 108bhp, 128bhp or 158bhp, and a new 247bhp 2.9-litre V6 engine.
Source: Autoweek
April 17, 2008
Alfa Romeo to team up with Jaguar?
Alfa Romeo and Jaguar might team up to compete with the German clique according to company sources.
In an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, Fiat head of development, Harald Wester said that both companies had entered into talks over new rear-wheel drive platforms. Alfa Romeo is interested in the new Jaguar platform used by Jaguar for the new XF model as the carmaker struggles in upper segments as a result of lack of rear-wheel drive platforms. Buying Jaguar’s platforms would enable the two carmakers to cut production cost.
With Tata, now owner of the British marque, talks might be easier as Ratan Tata, CEO of Tata Motors has had a seat at Fiat’s board since 2006. Furthermore, Fiat advised Tata in the JLR bid.
Alfa Romeo previously talked with Mercedes Benz and GM over possible platform sharing.
April 11, 2008
Toyota/Subaru coupé: sketch and more info
It isn’t the first time we’re talking about it, but this time, a leaked official sketch has emerged on the Internet. Due to be sold by Subaru and Toyota, the future coupé was expected to be a successor of the Paseo, but latest news reveal the coupé will be a bit more like a Celica.
The leaked sketch belongs to the Subaru version. If the two cars share their inner structure, suspensions and powertrains, they will feature a unique styling. The design will be finalized during June but final overshape will likely be similar to that of the sketch. The coupé will be launched in 2011 and be built by Subaru in its Japanese facility. Initially thought to be an all-wheel drive model, the coupé will feature a rear-wheel drive system as a result of carmakers’ will to focus on weight reduction.
The future model will be based on the Impreza platform and will be be powered by two Subaru engines, 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre petrol units. The entry level will offer 175bhp and is expected to cost around £20,000 when reaching our shores.
April 11, 2008
New Congestion Charge might increase CO2 emissions by 182,000 tonnes
Porsche goes a step further in challenging the Congestion Charge by unveiling the conclusion of a report from King’s College never publicly released by Transport for London. The report reveals that new emissions-related congestion charge is estimated by TfL’s own consultants to increase CO2 in Greater London by 182,000 tonnes.
The report prepared for TfL by King’s College London’s ‘Environmental Research Group’ uses models to assess the impact of the new charge on emissions and its results show that the new charge is predicted to create a “very high disbenefit” not only for CO2 but also for NOx, NO2 and PM10. The report also shows that there will be an increase in CO2 emitted in Greater London in each year from 2009. By 2012, research shows that in Outer London the increase in CO2 will be nearly 184,000 tonnes, with just 2,200 tonnes saved in Central London giving a net increase of 182,000 tonnes.
The report also concludes that the Congestion Charge doesn’t solve the pollution problem but moves it out of Central London. Because of this new charge, drivers are likely to increase their mileage outside of and around the zone and thus increase their emissions. It shows that “most of the emissions impacts happen in the outer location and this is a direct result of the high car traffic flow in the outer zone and the change of the vehicle km in this location.”
This research was in part used by TfL as they took the figures from the King’s report for NOx and PM10 directly from it; however, its findings in relation to CO2 emissions were not revealed and the full report has never before been released.
April 9, 2008
New teaser of the Buick Invicta
GM, first carmaker in China, has released a teaser of the concept car it will take the wraps off at the Beijing Motor Show. Like the Riviera unveiled last year, the Invicta was designed by the PATAC, the company’s Chinese design studio.
The Invicta won’t reach the production stage and was designed to gauge public reaction to the brand’s future design.
Along with the Invicta, GM will display the Buick Lacrosse Eco-hybrid, the facelifted Excelle and few Vauxhall models which will be soon be built in China.
April 9, 2008
New Griffin logo to debut on Vauxhall Insignia
Due to be unveiled at the next British International Motor Show in July, the eagerly-awaited Vectra-replacement model, the Insignia, will feature a new Vauxhall logo.
The Insignia will be Opel/Vauxhall’s attempt to spearhead a revival in the upper segments. After changing its name from Vectra to Insignia, the future saloon will sport a new badge in the UK. The new logo will be more dynamic and contemporary look claims the carmaker. It will appear progressively on every all-new Vauxhall launched in the future.
Bill Parfitt, Vauxhall’s Managing Director, said that the new-look Griffin represented far more than just a badge re-design: “While the new-look Griffin pays homage to our 100 year-plus manufacturing heritage in the UK, it also encapsulates Vauxhall’s fresh design philosophy, first showcased in the current Astra, and set to continue with Insignia.”
The Insignia will be a milestone for the carmaker. Will it make a return to the upper market segments after the Vecta and Signum fiasco. The company takes all opportunities to make the future Insignia be special like its new headlight system.
April 9, 2008
Spyshots : Mercedes Classe E W 212
Here are some spyshots of the next-geenration E-Class, codenamed W212, which will be unveiled at the next Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009.
The spyshots confirm the renderings released by Worldcarfans last month. The next E-Class will be a combination of the company’s latest creations. From the S-Class, the future saloon will take the wheelarch extensions, the line below the door handles and big bumpers while its styling details will borrow the straight lines from the new GLK and its front facial will be inspired by the C-Class.
The next-gen E-Class will come with a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, from 4 cylinder units to the powerful AMG V8 engine for the petrol units and Bluetec technology for the diesel units. The executive saloon will also be equipped with the latest safety devices: lane-departure warnings, eye-movement monitor, traffic sign identification, road condition sensors and stability control for crosswinds, camber changes and tire wear.

Click to see the spyshots
Source: Worldcarfans
April 9, 2008
Toyota Camry Hybrid in Australia
Toyota might build the Camry Hybrid in Australia when the carmaker launches the next-generation there.
With other carmakers threatening Toyota’s green credentials, the carmaker is seriously thinking giving a boost to its hybrid sales in Australia by building the hybrid-powered Camry there. In addition to the increased sales, Toyota also wants to lead the market segment to boost its brand image
Australia is not a large market for hybrid cars where two models are on sale. Last year, Toyota sold 3,100 Prius while Honda sold just over 1,000 Civic. Honda is currently developing a cheap hybrid model expected to be sold worldwide. In Australia, the new model might help Honda to overtake Toyota on the fast-growing hybrid market. However, the Honda might be a tiny bit too small for the Australian. Toyota prefers betting on the bigger Camry which offers similar dimensions to that of the Ford Falcon and Holden Commodore
Source: The Australian
April 9, 2008