Blog

Vauxhall fights against papparazi
Vauxhall has released some official spyshots of the future Insignia under the form of an unexpected press release called ‘Camouflage and disguise: fight against prototype paparazzi’.
Vauxhall is teasing us with a rather humourous press file describing how hard its engineers work on camouflage to hide the future models from the prototype hunters. Vauxhall takes the problem very seriously and explains how designers and engineers develop a “facelift” for the upcoming model that will disguise the prototypes as much as possible.
For this part of the camouflage operation, experts use special adhesive and foil, which ensures a smooth surface and remains flexible and tear-proof at temperatures ranging from minus 40 to plus 70 degrees Celsius. In other areas, the foil is shimmed with foam to change the car’s contours. This adhesive material is also used to camouflage characteristic window lines. Small, highly contrasting covers are fitted to obscure other prototype body surfaces. For years, the practice at Vauxhall/Opel was to use a black and white chessboard pattern, but this has now been replaced by “Fishies”, rounded, fish-shaped diamonds designed to confuse camera lenses and spying eyes. This disguising job will soon be done even better by Flimmies, a new type of camouflage whose pattern creates a flickering effect.
The company also explains that one of the major weakness is always the technicians associated with the test car, which is why Vauxhall has a strict set of rules concerning prototypes. For example, the serious Rule 531 states that no camouflaged test car may stop in a public place, for instance, while the driver has a quick snack. A tarpaulin must also always be on board, as even Vauxhall prototypes sometimes break down during their test phase and must then be quickly covered over.
To protect plant secrets, prototypes are always accompanied by a second car on public roads, so help is always at hand if needed. Over long distances prototypes have to be transported in closed trucks, such as for test driving in Finland. In the past, resourceful photographers would all too often quickly lift up the truck’s tarpaulin and snap some shots while the driver was taking a well-deserved break.
March 18, 2008
Mahindra & Mahindra interested in buying Bertone
Mahindra & Mahindra is reported to be interested in buying the troubled coachbuilder Bertone. The final winner will be announced within three months.
In last November, the Italian coachbuilder filled for bankruptcy protection, and the future looked rather blurred after Domenico Reviglio, founder of Gruppo Prototipo, walked away in January. Since then the company has placed under administration and the current administrator has received seven offers, including one from Mahindra & Mahindra, the Indian carmaker who lost the Jaguar and Land Rover bid.

Mahindra & Mahindra bought another Italian designer, GRD, in January. If Grafica Ricerca Design doesn’t have the prestige of a Bertone, it will help the Indian carmaker to increase its research and design skills. GRD has been renamed Mahindra Graphic Research and Design.
Adding Bertone to its portfolio would boost Mahindra & Mahindra in terms of production capacity in Europe and in technology but also in terms of design. Without a doubt, this acquisition would enable the carmaker to offer stylish models quickly. With the future factory in the US, the Indian giant will need an attractive range. With Bertone, it would get talented people in hand to succeed.
March 18, 2008
Land Rover to fit the LRX’s interior on the final model
According to some sources, Land Rover plans to keep as much of the concept car’s interior intact as it can for the future final model.
The vast majority of concept cars lose their interiors during the transition to the production version and one did expect the LRX to follow the trend. But this time, the future small Land Rover might keep its interior as close as possible to that of the concept car. The interior was highly praised by the professional and by the public pushing the company executives to work hard on keeping the interior of the concept car.
Details remain scarce at this early stage and we will have to wait until the launch of the baby Land due in 2010 to know how close the interior will be. However, the news comes as a good sign for the future of Land Rover. By taking this smart move, Land Rover understood how the potential buyers of the future model will be different from the traditional buyers of Land Rover models. Instead of promoting a traditional brand image, the production version will have to go wild and funky as it will likely compete with the BMW Mini and Fiat 500.
The Land Rover LRX debuted at Detroit in last January and was displayed under another paint scheme at Geneva this month.
March 18, 2008
Lincoln works on a production version of the MKT Concept
According to company sources, Lincoln is currently working on bringing to production the MKT Concept unveiled at the last Detroit Auto Show.
No green light has been given yet, but Ford engineers have already started to work on the design of the final model codenamed D472. Ford executives will take a decision after showing a prototype to a consumer panel.
The MKT Concept shared its underpinnings with the Ford Flex crossover, but featured unique exterior and interior styling. With most of the engineering work being done, design is the last stage to be completed.
The carmaker offers another crossover in its range, the MKX model.
March 18, 2008
Porsche set to miss 2012 EU regulations
In an interview with Automotive News Europe, Porsche’s manager for energy and the environment, Herbert Ampferer, has revealed that the carmaker won’t meet the future CO2 emission regulations applicable from 2012.
"The model for CO2 burden-sharing among individual companies being discussed leads to outcomes that Porsche could never meet or could only meet by abandoning its market identity," told Herbert Ampferer, to the paper.
The European Union wants the carmaker to have a CO2 fleet average below 130g/km. Porsche’s fleet average was currently 242g/km in 2006 and the company would have to go below 144g/km for its future model, which is technically impossible at a time when the carmaker has only V8 or V10 in the pipes and when the hybrid solution has been delayed.
When the 2012 regulations are applicable, every Cayenne S sold in 2015 will generate a fine of £7,650/€9,702 as each gram over 130g/km will cost £75/€95.
March 17, 2008
Nissan releases teasers of the next Maxima
Nissan has released teasers of the next-generation Maxima that the carmaker will unveil this week at the New York Auto Show.
Details remain scarce on the new model and the 4DSC moniker won’t give a clue. It might mean 4-Door Sports Car or anything else. The Four Door Sports Car logo refers to the third-generation Maxima, which bore a similar sticker and prided itself on its sporty performance.
What’s interesting about the next Maxima is the direction taken by the company to differentiate the new saloon from its less expensive sister, the Altima. Despite a lower price the 3.5-litre powered Altima is more powerful by 15bhp than the 3.5-litre Maxima. It is time to the Maxima to re-establish the order and the car might feature the VQ37VHR seen on the Infiniti.
March 17, 2008
Alfa Romeo unveils the Mi.To
Ahead of the schedule, Alfa Romeo has released the first official pictures of the long-awaited baby Alfa called Mi.To.
With this new model, Alfa Romeo wants to increase its global sales by adding around more than 100,000 Mi.To per year to the current production. If the Mi.To doesn’t meet success, the company’s future might be shadowed as Sergio Marchionne wants the brand to come back to profit by 2010.
Intended to take on the established Mini, the Mi.To plans to rely on its appealing design to conquer potential customers. The Mi.To takes its styling cues from the 8C Competizione: the shape of the unframed side windows, the three-lobed motif that distinguishes the front bumper, the shape of the headlights and the LED tail lights. Without a doubt, the new small Alfa brings the Italian touch to the masses.
At 4.06 metres long, 1.44 metres high and 1.72 metres wide, the Mi.To is longer and wider, but lower than the Grande Punto on which it is based. With the Fiat model, the new Alfa will also share its engine range, turbocharged petrol and diesel engines spanning 90-155bhp. Alfa romeo confirms that higher powered versions will be launched later.
The Mi.To will feature the company’s DNA system. This driver-operated system acts directly on the engine, brakes, steering, suspension and gearbox, allowing three different vehicle behaviour modes based on the driving style best suited to the situation or the customer’s wishes: sporting (Dynamic), town driving (Normal), maximum safety even in difficult grip conditions (All-Weather).
The baby Alfa will go on sale in Italy this summer, but will arrive on our shores only early next year.
March 17, 2008
First official pictures of the new Hyundai Coupé
Here are the first official pictures of the eagerly-awaited Hyundai Genesis coupé that the carmaker will launch at the New York Auto Show in a few weeks.
The coupé’s overall shape had been unveiled under the form of a concept car at the latest Los Angeles Auto Show in last November. As predicted, the production verison is close to the concept car and is a reminiscent of the Infiniti G37 coupé.
Despite replacing the current Coupé SIII, the next-generation will move upmarket by growing in size and featuring more powerful engines. At 4,666 mm, the new Coupé will be 271 mm longer than the current model. The coupé will be available with two engines, a turbocharged 2.0-litre 4 cylinder unit with a power output of 215bhp and a 3.8-litre V6 delivering over 300bhp.
Final spec remains unknown but it is believed that the next-generation Hyundai Coupé will be more expensive. In the US, it is estimated to start at $19,900/£9.850 for the 4-cylinder model and $25,900/£12,850 for the V6 version.
March 17, 2008
Dacia’s employees on strike
Dacia’s employees went on strike for two hours on Friday to press demands for a pay rise.
We wonder whether French methods have been transferred to Romania as Dacia is owned by Renault. The union representatives said "Negotiations with the management have so far proven totally unproductive … They offered us a 9 percent rise overall" while they asked for almost 50%.
Dacia workers earn around 1,070 lei/£221 as basic salary on average a month, pre-tax. The union asks for a 550 lei/£114 pay rise and bonuses rise. If Dacia executives don’t increase the bonuses, the union representatives have announced to go on strike from March 24th.
Last year, Dacia delivered 230,000 vehicles,. a 17.6% increase over 2006. The carmaker plans to build 400,000 cars in 2009.
March 17, 2008
Kia Soul ahead of schedule
Kia has just unveiled its Kia Soul concept cars at Geneva that pictures of the production version are emerging on the Internet.
The Korean carmaker planned to unveil the production version at the next Paris Motor Show in October, but pictures of the upcoming model have emerged on the Internet. As planned, the production version is close to the three concept cars seen at Geneva. The design tries to combine the best of two worlds, minivan and SUV, but the result looks like more of a combination of a Saab concept car and a Scion xB. At least, the carmaker tries to innovate.
Due to be sold in the US, the Soul will compete with the Scion xB, Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix. In Europe, the Kia’s crossover will fight with the upcoming Toyota Urban Cruiser and the Nissan Qashqai.
March 17, 2008