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Honda to feature a V8 engine at last?
Honda never really made it in the executive segment because the carmaker never made the jump to V8 powertrains like Nissan/Infiniti or Lexus did. If it’s not essential in Europe, it’s considered like a crime of lese-majesty in the country of V8s explaining. But the situation might change.
The Japanese car magazine reveals that Honda is currently working on a new V8 engine which is expected to be featured on the Honda Legend also sold under the Acura label in the US as the RL model. The V8 engine would have a displacement of 4.5-litre and a power output of about 400bhp. The car is expected to be launched in Japan first in 2010. So if true, a V8-powered wouldn’t reach our shores before 2011.
With the rumoured V8, it appears that Honda has ruled out the possibility to sell the V6 diesel engine that the company is readying for Europe. The future V6 unit is expected to be featured on the Honda Accord and maybe on the Legend in order to increase its sales.
Source: WindingRoad
February 28, 2008
Spyshots: Chang’an CV8
The car you see here is likely to be unknown to you as the saloon is the future Chang’an CV8 which will hit the showrooms sometime this year.
The Chang’an CV8 is a conventional saloon smaller than the Ford Focus which features a tame design although it doesn’t really borrow any styling cues from other carmakers. In a way, the CV8 offers the usual design we can find today in the saloon segment.
The car will be powered by a 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre petrol engines whose final spec remains unknown. Along the two petrol engines, the carmaker will also offer a turbocharged 2.0-litre diesel unit. Codenamed JL486Q, it comes with the modern bits you find today in European diesel powertrains: multivalves, twin overhead camshafts, but its injection system remains unspecified.
The Chang’an CV8 will offer a modern equipment on the topping version such as GPS, air conditioning and reversing sensors.
Source: Chinacartimes
February 28, 2008
Pininfarina unveils the Sintesi
After a few teasers, Pininfarina finally takes the wraps off its latest concept car, the Sintesi, which will be on display at Geneva next week.
The Sintesi is four-door crossover coupé-hatch, but fortunately, it is a winsome combination thanks to an appealing styling penned under Lowie Vermeersch, the company’s head of design and its scissor-opening doors.
What’s more interesting about the Sintesi is the alternative propulsion which is a fuel cell system developed by Nuvera. The Sintesi also comes with a system called Clancast and able to talk with other cars on the road to communicate traffic patterns eliminating the need for traffic lights or street signs.
The Sintesi is the first concept car in three since the company has revealed the Maserati Birdcage concept car at the same Geneva Motor Show.
February 28, 2008
Skoda Fabia Greenline hits showrooms
Skoda UK is now taking orders for the new 1.4 TDI Fabia GreenLine which it claims delivers an impressive 69mpg fuel consumption and bring fuel efficiency to the masses.
The Greenline version is based on the 1.4 TDI model on which minor changes have been made: additional aerodynamic panels have been fitted to the underside of the chassis and the front bumper has been raised by 35mm. However why did they replace the spar tyre by a puncture repair kit? It’s a bit petty.
With such a frugality, the Fabia Greenline car run 689 miles on a full tank of 45 litres. This is 75 more miles than the normal version and will make easier to accept the price increase to £11,490 for the hatchback and £12,140 for the estate. The Fabia Greenline is available in Amazon Green, Magic Black, Brilliant Silver or Candy White.
February 28, 2008
Audi to launch a X6 competitor
German carmakers have switched their war from a race to power to lineup expansion and according to rumours, Audi is seriously considering a X6 competitor on the new-born segment of coupé crossover
At a time when German carmakers expand their lineup, it was predictable that Audi or Mercedes would follow BMW in the coupé crossover segment. BMW is expected to sell 40,000 X6 this year, which means that the new model won’t be a high-volume vehicle. However with the ambitious goal to increase its global sales to 1.5 million vehicles, Audi is ready to go wild and to set its heart on every new concept.
The vehicle hasn’t been given the green light yet and any information is pure speculation at this stage. The Audi’s coupé crossover might be called Q6, but Q8 wouldn’t be excluded if the company wants the future model to position the future model as an upmarket version of the Q7 SUV.
February 28, 2008
Spyshot: Lexus IS CC
Here is the picture of a Lexus IS coupé-convertible spotted in Germany during testing which is expected to be launched next year.
The IS CC is the brand’s latest attempt to take on the BMW 3-series in order to reinforce its lineup and slightly increase its sales. The company doesn’t look for a high-volume maker, but wants to show its commitment to go where the Germans are. At this stage, it is unknown whether Lexus will bring the car to our shores or not.
Secrecy surrounds the exact spec of the car at this stage although it is reported that the IS CC will be available with a wide range of engines similar to the saloon’s.
February 28, 2008
Picture of the Veyron Hermes
The covered car you see here is the Veyron Hermes due to be launched by Bugatti at Geneva next week.
The picture reveals that there are numerous subtle changes on the front fascia with two new vertical slats on each side of the grille. According to the report, the limited edition will come with an exclusive interior featuring the best leather upholstery from Hermes.
At this this the number of vehicles being produced for this special edition remains unknown although it is likely to be only a few cars that Bugatti CEO will try to flog them during a dinner organised by the company.
Source: caradvice.com.au
February 27, 2008
Official pictures of the Meriva Concept unveiled
Here are the first official pictures of the Meriva Concept that Opel will unveil at Geneva next week. The Concept car previews the next-generation successful Meriva model and comes with rear-hinged doors called Flexdoor.
Opel calls it the Meriva Concept, but it’s the Meriva, which arrives next year, minus the glitzy showcar bits. With the Meriva, Vauxhall/Opel will one step further into the wild with a design that will send the Lancia Musa and Renault Modus to the forgotten pages of the automotive history books. The Meriva Concept carries the future brand’s DNA that will appear with the next-generation Vectra/Insignia.
The interior styling confirms the concept car is close to production with a dashboard similar to the Zafira’s. The ‘flexdoor’ boots the aperture of the car and will likely offer more headroom to the rear pasengers. It will also be a major selling point for mothers as it is not easy to get the child off its seat in the current cars’ architecture.
February 27, 2008
Honda to boost sales in India
Honda has announced it plans to increase its sales to 90,000 units in 2008/09 at first and 160,000 by 2010 with the help of the new expanded production facility.
The Japanese carmaker has set the goal of selling 160,000 cars by 2010. In addition to the new expansion done in the Calcutta factory, the company pans to invest £375 million in a new plant built in Rajasthan state. The future facility will have a production capacity. Honda is very serious as Tatsuhiro Oyama, president of Honda’s Asian operations said speaking about the Indian market: “India’s the most exciting auto market in Asia and we are committed to growth in this market”.
Honda is the fourth largest carmaker in India and sells the City ZX(pictured), Civi, Accord and CR-V models there. For the current fiscal year, the company plans to sell 68,000 vehicles.
February 27, 2008
Loremo to work on an electric LS
Loremo is currently working on an electric version of its LS model unveiled last year at the Geneva Motor Show. The company is so busy that it won’t attend the show this year.
Expected to hit showrooms in 2010, the electric Loremo will be powered by a 55bhp electric engine and despite such a tiny power will be able to reach a top speed of 105mph thanks to low 0.19 Cx figure.
Loremo claims the car will offer a range between 93 and 124 miles per juicing. The Loremo is roomy enough for four people. The petrol version weighs 450kg, but expect it to gain weight due to the batteries. A first prototype will be ready in mid-2008.
This is good news for the company and confirms the project is still active. However, we still need to see the vehicle hitting the showrooms to be certain that the Loremo LS is a real alternative to our current heavy cars.
February 27, 2008