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Will Bertone come to Geneva?

The troubled Italian coachbuilder hasn’t confirmed wether he would attend the Geneva Motor Show or not. However if it does come, it will bring a concept car rumoured to be called BAT 11.
This concept car would be the fourth BAT concept car after the company unveiled the BAT 5 in 1953, the BAT 7 in 1954 and the BAT 9 in 1955. Initially, Bertone’s intention was to design a car with the lowest Cx possible. Indeed, BAT means Berlinetta Aerodinamica Tecnica. The BAT 7 had an astonishing 0.19 figure.
The first sketch of the concept car shows a car with flat curves close the BAT 5’s. One crosses ones fingers.
February 17, 2008
Bugatti considers building a saloon

In an interview with Emirates Business 24/7, Bugatti spokesman Julius Kruta had confirmed Bugatti will build another car, more expensive and better than the supercar Veyron. Since then, the company might have changed its mind.
According to Motor Trend, the company has cancelled the project as it would have been redundant with the current Veyron. Dubbed Lydia, the project was rumoured to be another supercar powered by a 1175bhp engine costing £1.9 million and built at 70 units.
However, the plan to expand the lineup hasn’t been ruled out as the company is seriously considering building a super saloon which would be powered by the Veyron’s engine. It is rumoured that the price would top the £3 million mark and the future saloon would be a full bespoke model.
February 17, 2008
V8 demand falls in the US

A study conducted by Edmunds shows that demand for V8 engines has fallen in almost every segment. Only the pickup segment escaped the trend.
Overall demand for V8s has dropped from 19 percent in 2006 to just 15 percent this year. SUVs recorded, of course, the biggest decline. Two years ago, 24% of buyers opted for a V8, but at the end of 2007, that number fell to just 18%. In the meantime, the V8 saloon market has also seen a shift in demand, with V8 take rates dropping from 36% to 29%.
Even iconic engines are not immune. The Chrysler’s Hemi V8 was chosen by 60 percent of Charger’s buyers two years ago while only 38 percent of them chose the V8 option today.
On the other hand, V8 demand grew in the pickup segment. Indeed, high gas prices have discouraged casual owners but not the core users who still need a powerful pickup for work.
February 17, 2008
Porsche tops brand image survey in Germany

Porsche has been elected in a survey conducted with 2,500 owners of small businesses as the brand with the best brand image in Germany. BMW ranked second and Audi arrived at the third rank.
The survey asked the 2,500 polled businessmen to rate each company on five topics: ethics, innovation, customer service, product quality and products. Porsche took the first rank for the eighth consecutive year.
Porsche totalized 893 points while BMW was ahead of Audi by only three points with 853 points for the former versus 850 points for the latter. Unexpectedly, Volkswagen jumped forward from the 76th rank to 26th rank.
February 15, 2008
Lotus reveals the Exige Sport Cup 260

The British marque has unveiled the Exige Sport Cup 260, a new ultimate Lotus to drive for the future lucky owner.
The 260 refers to the PS power figure (257bhp) which is 5 more bhp than the last year’s car. The engine is the Toyota 1,8-litre unit on which Lotus added a Roots-type Eaton M62 supercharger. On top of that, Lotus has featured special aerodynamic upgrades, variable traction and launch control, a special instrument pack and a number of performance upgrades. Hauling it all in is a braking system that comes with four-piston AP Racing calipers up front clamping 282 mm cross-drilled rotors. The car sits on a set of Yokohama A048R tires.
This Exige gets FIA-compliant six-point roll cage and FIA-approved Recaro seats. Like any Lotus model, the Exige only weighs 2046 lb which produces a power-to weight ratio of 271bhp per tonne.The Exige Sport Cup 260 will shuttle from 0 to 62mph in just 4.1 seconds and Lotus quotes a top speed of 147mph.
The price of the Exige Sport Cup 260 is set at £56,034 and it’s available now in Europe.
February 15, 2008
Audi to launch the hybrid Q5 first in the US

While the audi Q7 Hybrid is expected sometimes in 2009, it might be pipped to the post by the Q5 which might be launched in its hybrid configuration on the American market ahead of the other versions.
Secrecy surrounds the exact launch date of the Q5 although some observers think the company will unveil its latest SUV at Geneva. It would then be unveiled as a hybrid model and would be powered by the 210bhp 2.0-litre TFSi petrol engine coupled to an electric engine. The latter would use Nimh batteries at first before getting Lithium-Ion batteries in the future.
No information has been given regarding the pricing of the future hybrid Q5.
Source: Automotive News
February 14, 2008
Shuanghuan CEO lands in Greece

The Shuanghuan CEO has gone on sale in Greece. The SUV is well known for its inspired design that takes its styling cues from the Toyota Land Cruiser, the BMW X5 and the Honda CRV.

This automotive compilation will be powered by a 147bhp 2.4-litre petrol engine initially developed by Mitsubishi. Some techincal equipments are derived from the previous Mitsubishi L200.
The CEO comes with an ABS, a mp3/CD player, heated seats and is sold at a competitive price tag of €22,900/£17,000.
February 14, 2008
Rolls Royce Phantom modified by EDAG

EDAG doesn’t expect to be famous for its design skills but for its expertise in technical feats. When applying this philosophy to the Rolls Royce Phantom, EDAG doesn’t change the styling but features an articulated roof that allows graceful, upright entry into the Phantom’s recessed rear seat.

The articulated panel required some work as it cuts the top of the car in half. EDAG reinforced the structure while keeping the weight down by using carbon fiber for the panel.

Inside there is a bespoke interior and EDAG added the latest technologies available such as mobile internet access, email and text messaging and a built-in PC. Moreover aware of the obsolescense of such technologies, EDAG allows to integrate third-party devices at any time.
February 14, 2008
Morgan to unveil the LifeCar at Geneva

Morgan will unveil the LifeCar at the Geneva Motor Show. The prototype is a fuel cell hybrid sports car based on the company’s Aero 8 roadster.
The LifeCar’s purpose is to demonstrate that a zero emission vehicle can also be fun to drive and to lower the entry barriers for a vehicle powered by a hydrogen fuel cell.

The LifeCar project costed £1.5 million and Morgan collaborated with Oxford University and Cranfield University.
February 14, 2008
Audi TTS prices announced

Audi has announced the pricing for the Audi TTS Coupe and Roadster for the UK. The coupé will cost £33,380 and the roadster £35,380.
The first Audi TT to sport the ‘S’ insignia is now available to order in Coupe and Roadster forms while first deliveries will start in summer of this year.
The Audi TTS is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine with direct injection system which has an output of 268bhp and a torque varying between 206lb ft to 258 lb ft between 2,500 and 5,000 rpm. The top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph and the TTS can shuttle from 0 to 62mph in 5.4 seconds.
The TTS features newly designed bi-xenon headlamps incorporating trademark Audi LED strip daytime running lights, a redesigned front apron incorporating larger air intakes and aluminium-look door mirror housings. There are also deeper side skirts and exclusive 18-inch alloy wheels, which can be upgraded to 19-inch. The aft gets a revised rear bumper surrounding quad-tailpipes.
On the inside, the TTS comes with two-tone leather sports seats, exclusive ‘S’ instruments with white needles, metal pedals and special aluminium trim elements.
February 14, 2008