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Buick to consider launching an all-new model
The American brand is seriously considering expanding its current lineup by adding a new model as the carmaker meets a big success on the Chinese market and records encouraging sales result in the US.
The company’s executives still need to decide what new vehicle to build. At this early stage, two projects have their favour, a new rear wheel drive flagship and smaller model. The flagship would be based on the revived rear-wheel drive platform that GM planned to cancel due to the stricter CAFE regulations. However, the second project is the favourite as it would enable the company to satisfy easily the CAFE regulations and to reinforce its lineup in the US, but also in Asia where the growth is.
The smaller model would be based on the next-generation Buick Excelle that will go on sale next year. The current Excelle is a rebranded Daewoo Lacetti sold in Europe under the Chevrolet badge.
February 26, 2008
Maserati to unveil the GranTurismo S at Geneva
Maserati will unveil a sporty version of its magnificent GranTurismo coupé at the Geneva Motor Show. On the menu: 440bhp, 4.9 seconds, 35 meters and a S moniker.
The new version will be powered by the same engine featured in the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, itself derived the from the current 4.2-litre V8 seen in the GranTurismo. With a displacement of 4.7-litre, the V8 will have a power output of 440bhp up from 405bhp. It will be hooked up to a dual-clutch gearbox which replaces the six-speed automatic gearbox featured in the GranTurismo. The braking system will also be upgraded.
All those improvements will enable the GranTurismo S to shuttle form 0-60nmph in 4.9 seconds and the improved brakes will take 35 meters to stop the car from that speed. The car is displayed in a black color and the interior will likely be slightly changed to become sportier. You can try to imagine the interior with the company’s car configurator.
Source: AutoExpress
February 26, 2008
Toyoya considers launching two small models in the US
Toyota is seriously thinking at launching two small models, a production version of the A-BAT concept car and the new Urban Cruiser on the American market in the coming years.
In an interview with Automotive News, Toyota’s U.S. sales chief Jim Lentz revealed that the carmaker was considering launching two small models as the new economic situation made rooms for smaller cars on the American market. Like other American carmakers, Toyota has to find solutions to meet the future CAFE standards. If the company build its brand image with the green Prius, it makes its money with its big SUVs such as the V8-powered Tacoma.
Toyota has plans to launch a production version of the A-BAT concept car seen at Detroit and the Urban Cruiser that will be unveiled next week at Geneva. Based on the Toyota Yaris, the small SUV is similar to the Scion xD model which is an exported version of the Toyota Ist sold in Japan.
February 26, 2008
Scans of the revamped Gallardo emerge on Internet
Scans of the latest Quattroruote magazine displaying the facelifted Lamborghini Gallardo have emerged on the Internet.
The revamped Gallardo will gain in power and will also features minor exterior and interior minor changes. For the released pictures, the supercar comes with a new bumper at the front featuring a nose similer to the Reventon’s exclusive model seen last year. The headlight shape also evolves to become more aggressive. At the rear end the car is rumoured to come with a large carbon diffuser.
The new Gallardo is expected to see its power jumping from 520bhp to 550bhp and its 5-0-litre V10 engine will adopt the FSI direct injection technology. The power increase will likely enable the company to make some rooms for the rumoured Gallardo V8. Seen on the Audi R8, the V8 engine has a power output of 414bhp. In the Gallardo, Lamborghini could boost the power to 470bhp without threatening the V10-powered Gallardo.
Source: Autopareri
February 26, 2008
Lotus opens a hybrid and electric vehicle division
Lotus Engineering has announced that it has set up a research and development division dedicated to hybrid and electric vehicles.
The new Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Group has already developed a lower-emissions Vauxhall Astra which sees its CO2 emissions decreasing by 15%. The company collaborated with Continental Division Powertrain on this project.
The news doesn’t come as a surprise. Indeed, the carmaker has helped Tesla to build the famous electric roadster and gained a recognized expertise in the area of green technologies. With this new division, the British carmaker, owned by Proton, shows its commitment and observers are expecting the company to launch an electric sports car in the future. Mike Kimberley, Chief Executive Officer for Group Lotus remained silent when being asked and said: "over the next five years, Lotus will further reinforce its position as a world leader in green transport engineering."
February 26, 2008
Ferrari to open new headquarters in Japan
Ferrari has chosen Japan to open its future Asian headquarters. The new headquarters will help the carmaker to increase its sales on the emerging markets such as China and India.
The location comes as a surprise. Indeed, China would have been a more obvious choice with its potential growth, but Japan is the company’s second market after the US and with a gap between poor and rich people growing in the country, there is still a lot of potential for the carmaker.
“The Japanese market is still going for a long time to represent the largest market in Asia. This is a market that has almost 1.2 million high net worth individuals, one of the highest concentrations of wealth in the world, so there’s plenty of opportunity. The key factor is to keep being exclusive,” said in an interview Ferrari Asia Pacific Region President and CEO Marco Mattiacci.
Source: Thomson
February 25, 2008
Volkswagen to launch the Scirocco at Geneva?
Will Volkswagen unveil the eagerly-awaited Scirocco at the Geneva Motor Show? The question is being raised since the car carmaker launch a mini website dedicated to the new model.
As expected, the website doesn’t really unveil the Scirocco, but the carmaker used a similar strategy in last December before unveiling the Passat CC at Detroit in January.
The website reveals a clue regarding the engine range as one picture displays the 2.0 TSI moniker. It confirms that the Scirocco will be powered by the same engine seen in the Golf GTI which has an output of 197bhp. Will the carmaker offer the future coupé with the legendary logo as was the original coupé?
The upcoming Scirocco is expected to hit the showrooms in next September.
February 25, 2008
BMW to launch a mild-hybrid 7-series within two-three years
The German carmaker will likely offer a mild-hybrid version on the next-generation 7-series due to be launched next year.
The future ‘green’ 7-Series would be powered by a mild-hybrid solution which differs from the system used by Lexus. Indeed, the car won’t be capable on only using the electric engine to move although the 7-series will be able to charge the batteries through regenerative braking.
At this stage it is unknown which engine will be hooked to the electric motor although some observers believe the car maker would use the 4.5-litre V8 diesel engine.
Due to be unveiled next year, the future limousine will be more conservative than the current model and will be available in two distinct form, a short model with sporty credentials and a more luxurious lengthened version.
Source: Just Auto
Source photo: Motorauthority
February 25, 2008
Hyundai announces i30 estate pricing
Hyundai has announced the i30 estate pricing which starts at £12,995 for the 1.6-litre petrol engine entry level.
The Hyundai i30 estate will be available with three different trim levels: Comfort, Style and Premium. The Comfort level comes with air conditioning, 15” alloy wheels, ESP, six airbags, electric folding door mirrors and the required USB/iPod connections. The Style trim adds 16” alloy wheels, automatic lights-on sensor, seats with leather trim, leather on the gear knob and the steering wheel and tire pressure monitoring system. The topping level features 17” alloy wheels, climate control, auto-dimming rear view mirror, leather upholstery, heated front seats and reversing sensors.
Two engines will be on offer, a 1.6 petrol engine available with the Style and Comfort trim levels and a 1.6-litre CRDi diesel powertrain only available on the Style and Premium levels. The 1.6-litre petrol unit can be hooked to an automatic gearbox.
i30 Estate 1.6 Comfort: £12,995
i30 Estate 1.6 Style: £13,995
i30 Estate 1.6 Style Auto: £14,995
i30 Estate 1.6 CRDi Style: £14,695
i30 Estate 1.6 CRDi Premium: £16,295
February 25, 2008
British union confident over Jaguar after Tata talks
Last week, Petrol-Head reported that British unions were meeting Tata executives while a rumour about the sale of Jaguar by the Indian group was spreading in the news. It appears that the meeting went rather well as union confirmed their support to Tata.
"We are confident our members’ long term future is best served by Tata," said Dave Osborne, national secretary for vehicle building at the Unite union. "They totally ruled out offloading Jaguar or building Land Rovers in India." "There’s a couple of clarifications we still need from Ford, but I don’t see any issues arising from that," he added.
He also said Tata had given assurances that engines would still be taken from Ford and that UK manufacturing would be maintained. Jaguar has about 10,000 employees at sites in Coventry, Birmingham, and Liverpool, while Land Rover employs about 9,000 in the West Midlands and Warwickshire. Unite is the main union representing workers at Land Rover and Jaguar, and has about 12,000 members there.
February 25, 2008