Blog

MG TF delayed, again, again and again

Will the reborn MG TF roadster roll off the production line in Longbridge? Nothing is certain as the car maker has announced it will delay the car once again.
In an interview with the Financial Times, SAIC president Chen Hong said “We want to begin production of cars at Longbridge as soon as possible, but the first priority for us is the quality of the product.”
Aware of the negative brand image promoted by Chinese car makers in Europe, Hong wants to ensure that the build quality of the MG TF will meet the demanding expectations of western customers.
SAIC has already selected 50 dealers among the 100 inquiries received until now but wants to have a network of 70/80 dealers by the end of 2008.
February 8, 2008
One million DSG milestone

Volkswagen has reached an important milestone: one million vehicles sold with the DSG gearbox since its introduction in 2003.
The German car maker will quickly reach the 2 million milestone at the current pace. Last year, it built more than 400,000 units and demand is getting stronger everyday. The Kassel plant in Germany has increased its building capacity to 1,750 units per day. Today almost a quarter of every new Volkswagen model is featured with a dual-clutch gearbox.
Earlier this week, Renault has announced it will build its own dual-clutch gearbox although not launch date has been mentioned.
February 8, 2008
IHI to build the smallest turbocharger in the world

Japanese IHI has announced that it has developed the world’s smallest turbocharger for use in cars.
The turbocharger is about 20% smaller than existing units. Smaller turbochargers have the advantage of eliminating the famous ‘turbo lag’ which is the delay between pushing on the accelerator pedal and feeling the turbo kick-in.
The turbocharger will be featured in future Daihatsu Kei car whose engine displacement is limited by law to 660cm3.
In Europe IHI provides turbochargers to BMW and Mercedes.
February 8, 2008
Spyshots: Porsche 911 Turbo

A revamped 911 Turbo has been spotted during winter testing. The topping 911 is expected to be launched at the next Paris Motor Show.
As the picture reveals, one does not expect big exterior changes from a car which has kept the legendary overall shape for the last fourty-five years. The biggest visual change will be the taillights which adopt the LED technology.
Technically, it is rumoured that Porsche will take the opportunity of the facelift to spice up the 911 Turbo in order to counter attack the ubiquitous Nissan GT-R.
Source: Autoexpress
February 7, 2008
Jaguar’s Future Plans

The next Jaguar’s owner will buy an ambitious company which plans to expand its lineup new models in the coming years: a XF coupé, a possible XF SUV, a potential four door XK and a renewed XJ executive saloon.
Jaguar executives never hid their plan to expand the XF lineup with several variants. The most likely variant to appear will be the XF coupé which will feature a more exclusive design but keep the saloon interior architecture and its engine range. The company wants to keep the price under £45,000. In addition to the coupé, Jaguar executives are considering building a convertible variant but it is unlikely to come to anything. Indeed, accountants are hesitant because of the expense generated by the technical changes and engineers don’t favor it because of large amount of work generated by a large fabric roof. A SUV variant is also in the pipes, but the stricter emission regulation and the shrinking SUV segment don’t plead its cause. An estate version is being also considered, but unlikely to go beyond the discussion stage.
Aside the XF, XK might get a four door version set to compete with the Mercedes CLS. After all, Mercedes launched the CLS to compete with Jaguar. Secrecy surrounds the spec of the car due to be launched in 2011 although some observers believes that the car will feature a similar engine range to the XK’s with V6 and V8 petrol units. Insiders also talk about a sportier version of the XKR. Dubbed XKR-R, the super XK would be powered by a 500bhp 5.0-litre petrol engine thanks to a tuned supercharger and tweaked engine. The chassis would also be tuned and the XKR-R would reach a top speed of 180mph.
Closer to us, the next-generation XJ will be launched next year. Like the outgoing model, the future limousine will be available with a choice of two wheelbases. This time, the shorter version will be roomy enough for two passengers at the rear.
Source: Autocar
February 7, 2008
More information on the Sintesi Concept by Pininfarina

As reported in a previous post, Pininfarina will unveil a concept car called Sintesi Concept at the Geneva Motor Show in March. Until now, details remained scarce but information is emerging as we’re getting closer to the show.
The Sintesi Concept will take its inspiration from the Birdcage 75th and the Nido as Pininfarina wants the concept to be a perfect combination of sportiness and functionality. The Nido was a city car while the Birdcage remains one of the greatest Pininfarina ever.
“Three years ago we unveiled Birdcage 75th, our last prototype. Together with our new concept Sintesi we would like to anticipate new car design trends” says Andrea Pininfarina, Chairman and CEO Pininfarina S.p.A.
“This concept car is the synthesis of our values, of the love for our work and our passion for innovation, of beauty driven by functionality, of sportiness and elegance. However, Sintesi isn’t only the expression of Pininfarina design; it also embraces innovative technologies that allow us to explore new typologies of mobility, active safety and packaging solutions” states Lowie Vermeersch.
The concept car will feature fuel cell and batteries which will be placed in an innovative way, around the vehicle instead of being grouped under the boot
February 6, 2008
Renault to build a DSG transmission

Renault product planning Chief Patrick Pelata has confirmed that the company’s engineers were working on a dual clutch gearbox.
In an interview with Automotive News, Patrick Pelata said “They are on their way and we will not come too late,” but didn’t give any launch date. Secrecy, of course, surrounds the spec of the future gearbox. Will Renault engineers take inspiration from the Japanese colleagues who developed the dual clutch gearbox of the GT-R. A dual clutch gearbox would be an appealing technology for the future Laguna coupé which will be launched this year. The V6 petrol and diesel engines would be an ideal partner.
The dual clutch gearbox would also benefit the other smaller models in order to decrease the company’s fleet average CO2 emissions. It would allow the carmaker to move upmarket in term of engines without compromising one of the lowest score on the European market.
February 6, 2008
Toyota might build an eigth factory in China

Toyota is considering building a new factory in China located in Changchun to build more Corollas.
Toyota has already a plant in the city which produces in a small quantity the Prius model. The new factory which would be the eighth for the Japanese car maker in China will build the Corolla model. After meeting a big success all around the world, the compact car generates a strong demand there.
This year, Toyota will launch a smaller model similar to the Yaris in order to appeal to customers on a market boxed in by increasing petrol prices. It expects to raise its sales by 46% to 700,000 vehicles. One can be sure that some car makers must have nightmares.
Source photo: Viewimages
February 6, 2008
AvoVaz might cancel its contarct with Magna

AvtoVAZ might cancel its agreement with the Canadian Magna as Renault bought a 25% stake in the Russian car maker.
The Russian newspaper Vedemosti has suggested that AvtoVaz might cancel its contract signed before the Renault agreement. The contract aimed at modernizing the company’s facilities. Accoridn to insiders, the French car maker has proposed alternative plans.
With AvtoVaz, Magna had a foot in Russia which might soon become the first European market. If Magna loses the AvtoVaz contract, it will still own a large part of the holding which controls GAZ and the van maker LDV.
February 6, 2008
Noble M12 takes its roof off

Noble ceased to build the M12 supercar but thanks to a Bristol-based company, current owners can give a second life to their cherished car. Salica Cars sells a kit that includes a removable roof, a full redesign of the body plus an engine upgrade.
Salica Cars replace the original body panels and the roof is being replaced by a lightweight removable part that can be put aside when driving. The engine is being upgraded with a new intercooler and radiator.
Salica has also a more ambitious plan. the company wants to build new cars derived from the M12. The future car would be powered by an in-house upgraded twin-turbocharged V6 petrol unit which would devleop roughly 460bhp.
February 6, 2008