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Video: Alfa Romeo 159 GTA
Here is a video of the expected but not confirmed future Alfa Romeo 159 GTA likely to be powered by a Maserati V8 engine.
The 156 GTA was highly praised for its Italian V6. The upcoming 159 GTA will also be praised for its engine, a V8 unit likely to be outsourced from Maserati. The video confirms the 159 GTA features a big engine whose sounds are similar to that of a V8 petrol unit. The car was filmed near the Nurburgring where Alfa was conducting driving tests. The car features huge side vents behind the front wheels.
Details remains scarce regarding the engine although some observers believe that the 159 GTA will be powered by the 4.2-litre V8 seen on the Granturismo coupé. However it is also rumoured that the GTA might get the 4.7-litre from the 8C flagship. In both cases, it seems that the engine would be detuned.
March 27, 2008
BMW to end V8 diesel engine
BMW plans to end V8 diesel production due to stricter emission regulations better fuel efficiency demanded by customers.
The stricter regulations made another victim among the engines as BMW stopped producing the rare V8 diesel engine. In an interview with Auto Motor und Sport, the company CEO Norbert Reithofer said that the carmaker would focus on the smaller six cylinder engines which offer similar performances with the help of turbocharging and direct injection technology while meeting the tougher regulations.
Mercedes has similar plans although the company didn’t confirm such plans. Audi is standing against the trend as the carmaker released a V12 TDi engine at Geneva and plans to launch a more powerful version of the 4.2-litre V8 unit.
Codenamed M67, the V8 diesel appeared for the first time in 1999 under the form of a 3.9-litre unit which won the "3-4-litre" category of the International Engine of the Year award for 1999 and 2000. It delivered 234bhp in its first version. Its power jumped to 241 bhp in 2000 and to 254bhp in 2001. It grew in size in 2005 and became a 4.4-litre unit with a power output of 299bhp. In 2006 its power was increased to 329bhp.
March 27, 2008
Smart ForTwo meets success in the US
The Smart ForTwo is meeting a strong demand on the American Market since its launch, but
The demand for the Smart ForTwo is so strong that its American importer, Roger Penske says that he can sell 40,000 vehicles this year although Smart only planned to deliver 25,000 of them to the US. Some customers are expected to wait for the next year batch to be delivered.
The SMart ForTwo is currently being sold through a network of 67 dealers, mainly Mercedes-Benz showrooms. That number will be increased to 74 showrooms by 2009. In the meantime, it is reported that dealers a recording a strong 25% cancellation rate. David Schembri, president of Smart USA, declined to confirm the report.
Source: Autoweek
March 27, 2008
Ford to build a Fiesta RS
After launching the Focus RS that Petrol-Head reported in a previous post, Ford plans to sell a hot Fiesta under the RS moniker.
Like the Focus, the new Fiesta will get a ST version, but Ford would also launch a high-performance RS according to AutoExpress. The car would be powered by a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine delivering a power output of 200bhp. The planned RS would compete with the Renaultsport Clio 197 Cup and would likely offer similar figures with a top speed of 140mph and a 0-62mph in less than six seconds. The Mini John Cooper Works and the Vauxhall Corsa VXR will also be close rivals. Along with the powerful engine, the Fiesta Rs is rumoured to get suspension tuning to give the RS a sportier handling and the usual sporty glitches such as race seats and a body kit. Teh Fiesta RS is expected to be launched by 2010
This is not the first time, Ford is seriously considering building a hot Fiesta as the carmaker revealed the previous-generation Fiesta RS at Geneva in 2004. Unfortunately, the project to move the concept car to production stage didn’t succeed as Ford would haven’t made a profit on it despite selling the car in Europe.
March 27, 2008
Rendering: Mercedes E-Class
Here is a rendering of the next-generation E-Class that Mercedes will launch next year.
One did initially thought that the next E-Class would take its styling cues from the S-Class and C-Class models, but latest information suggests that the E-Class will also take its inspiration from the new GLK unveiled at Detroit. The saloon will feature straight lines as seen on the small SUV. This is the company’s attempt to spearhead a revival of its German roots. On the inside, the dashboard will also abandon curves for straight lines like the old Mercedes models.
As expected, the next E-Class will be available with a wide choice of petrol and diesel engines, from 4 cylinder units to the powerful AMG V8 engine whose power output is expected to jump from 507 to 550bhp. The diesel engines will be equipped with the Bluetec technology. A hybrid version is expected to hit the showrooms by 2010.

Click here to see the renderings
March 27, 2008
Geely to unveil the GT concept car next month
Geely has released two pictures of the concept car, called Geely GT, due to be launched at the Beijing Motor Show next month.
The concept car seems to be a combination of a Maybach Exelero, a Ferrari 612 and a Nissan GT-R, but the result looks rather appealing and it’s even possible to say that the GT has a true character. Details remain scarce and no information regarding the engine has been released.
Geely started business by building fridges in 1986. The company switched to motorbikes in 1996 and became a carmaker in 1997. Last year Geely delivered 200,000 cars.
March 27, 2008
Renault to cut its Indian sales targets
Renault has cut its Indian sales targets as growth was not as fast as expected. However the carmaker still plans to launch a budget car in India.
In an interview with the Mint newspaper, Renault India managing director Sylvain Bilaine said Renault had not “grown as fast as we expected. It’s a new brand, it’s a new car, it’s a new network.We are working both on pink (optimistic) and more black (pessimistic) in case the economy would really plummet."
The sales targets have been decreased due to the market slowdown on the compact car segment. Renault stays optimistic and is currently working with Bajaj Auto on the feasibility to make the £1,500 car intended to take on the Tata Nano. "We are on track on the costing, which is the most difficult. Now our engineers are working with what our product planners had summarised. It’s (taking) a bit longer than anticipated," the paper quoted his as saying.
March 27, 2008
Dacia workers on strike
Dacia workers have been on strike since Monday to demand average pay rises of 65%.
The 13,000 company’s workers went on strike for an unlimited period on Monday, caused by what employees said was a lack of progress in negotiations over salary increases.
Workers are demanding monthly rises of £116/550 lei as well as increases for Christmas and Easter bonuses. That would leave the average monthly salary at around £342, as opposed to £224 currently.
A morning meeting between union and company officials led nowhere according to union official Ion Iordache. "The management put forward a new proposal, namely a monthly rise of 130 lei/£27 from January, followed by a second rise of 26 lei/£4.50 a month from September," he said. "We didn’t accept this ridiculous offer and will continue with the strike, “ he told the newspapers.
Along with the negotiations, Dacia Renault management challenges legality of Romania employees strike but the court has delayed its decision. Dacia chief executive Francois Fourmont has reportedly warned that the unions’ demands would threaten the factory’s future, as Renault plans to open sites in Morocco, India and Russia in the coming years.

March 27, 2008
Obituaries: Claus Luthe
Claus Luthe died last week at the age of 75 years old. The car designer led BMW’s design during the 80’s.
While today car designers are the rock stars of the motor shows, Claus Luthe belongs to the same category as forgotten designers like Uwe Bahnsen who authored the most memorable cars of the 80’s. Claus Luthe is considered the father of the 7-Series E32, 5-Series E34, the 3-Series E30 and E36, and the 8-Series coupé.
Born in 1932 in Germany, Claus Luthe studied bodywork before joining Fiat as designer where he drew the front face of the 500 in the fifties. In 1956, he came back to Germany to join NSU. There, he designed the Prinz and the famous RO80 which inspired the Audi 100 model. He became head of the design department at NSU in 1967. Under the leadership of VW, Luthe designed the Audi 100 and the first VW Polo.
In 1976, he left VW to become head of design at BMW. At BMW he went on to design some of the company’s most emblematic models such as the 7-Series E32 and the 5-Series E34. Unfortunately a family tragedy stopped his career. In 1990 he left his post at BMW after being suspected of fatally stabbing his chronically drug dependent son. Later on he worked as an external consultant for BMW.
March 26, 2008
Ford to unveil a Ford Capri revival next year
Auto Bild has released a sketch of a concept car which will celebrate the 40th anniversary of the famous Capri coupé launched in 1969.
According to company sources, Ford has planned to unveil a modern reinterpretation of the Capri model to celebrate its 40th anniversary. The concept car will preview a future coupé expected to hit the showrooms by 2012. The rumoured model would be a 2+2 weighing about 1,500kg. It would be available with a large engine range including four, five and six cylinder petrol units. Power outputs would range between 140 and 250bhp. Details remain scarce and it is unknown whether that car will feature a RWD platform or not.
Ford wants the future model to compete with the new Scirocco and the entry-level is expected to start at £15,000.
Source: carspyshots.net
March 26, 2008