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Splinter, a new kind of supercar

Generally, supercar features carbon fiber material in order to save weight but it’s very expensive. So a group of students from North Carolina State University have had the idea to build a wooden supercar. Purpose is to explore the use of new materials in the automotive industry and you won’t remain stony-faced.

Dubbed Splinter, the supercar features a wooden platform on which are assembled various components made in part of wood such as the suspension or the alloy wheels. The car is powered by a Cadillac Northstar V8 engine. With the help of two superchargers, it pumps out 600bhp. The team will have to solve the heating problem generated by the wooden body which should reflect the heat back to the engine.
December 19, 2007
The last Chrysler Crossfire rolled out of its factory

Chrysler announced a lit of vehicles the company would drop one month ago and the Crossfire model was one of them. The last Crossfire rolled out yesterday after a five year production and 80,000 units being built.
Are we sad? Not really. The Crossfire was a Chrysler’s failure and the perfect illustration of the company’s German management. Instead of building specific products, Mercedes wanted Chrysler to build re-designed outgoing Mercedes model. The Crossfire was one of them. Based on the former SLK roadster, it failed in terms of performance but also in terms of design which never happened before to the company. Indeed, a model derived from a show car was always very close to the concept car but in the Crossfire case, the changes made to the original design created a coupé and roadster with a dubious front fascia which has nothing to do with the concept car.
With the Crossfire being stopped, one does hope that the Dodge Demon Concept will get the green light. A production version of the concept car might become a hit as it was targeted as an affordable roadster set to compete with the MX-5. Unveiled at Geneva this year, it was powered by a 2.4-litre petrol engine with an output of 170bhp being hooked up to a six speed manual gearbox.
December 19, 2007
Honda to recall 43,000 Acura saloons

The Japanese car maker has announced that it will recall 43,000 Acura RL saloons to fix a faulty power steering hose. The device could crack and lead to fluid leaking onto the catalytic converter possibly resulting in a fire.
The recall affects cars built between 2004 and this year, that’s to say 2005-2008 models. No injuries or fires have been reported as of yet. The Acura RL is a re-badged Honda Legend for the American market, which means that Honda might also recall the Legend in Europe to fix the same problem if the Acura RL and Honda Legend share this component. Wait and see.
For Honda, this is second time this year the company recalls a model. Earlier it recalls 182,756 Civic saloons in order to fix a faulty wheel bearing that could cause the wheel to fall off.
December 19, 2007
More details about the next McLaren Supercar

Developed with Mercedes, the SLR can be considered as a failure for McLaren. Actually, the company fought fiercely to keep the weight down but Mercedes pressure made the SLR to be a whale. But many people consider that the SLR damaged the British company’s brand image. With the future P11, it wants to at the top again like the F1 model was.
Unlike the SLR, the P11 will be a mid-engined two-seater supercar and engineers will focus on weight reduction like the iconic F1 model. The car will be powered by a Mercedes petrol engine. Secrecy surrounds the exact spec although observers think it might be the AMG-sourced 6.3-litre V8 petrol unit which has an output of roughly 500bhp. Longer than an Audi TT but shorter than a R8, the supercar would feature a sporty interior in order to keep the overal weight below 1200 kg. combined with potential engine, the P11 would claim a weight/power ratio of 2.4kg/bhp. Tha car would top 200mph and would run the 0-62mph in less than 4 seconds.
Indeed, McLaren wants to broaden the P11’s appeal and make a profit by selling the supercar at a price tag estimated at £125,000. The car would compete with the F430 Scuderia and 911GT3.
Source: Car Magazine
December 19, 2007
Volvo didn’t cancel the next-generation XC90

Volvo has responded to Auto Motor and Sport Sweden about the cancellation of the next-generation XC90. The Swedish SUV will have a successor in 2012.
In his statement, Volvo also said that it planned to face-lift the current model in 2009. It will be its second facelift after the first one doe in 2006. Who’s right or wrong is a difficult to answer. The magazine could have launched the rumours to boost its sales of course but Volvo could also lie. If public is aware of the cancellation of the next generation, it is sure the planned facelift will be a failure for the company as potential customers will want to get the SUV with a discount due to future poor re-sale value.
Originally planned for 2009, the next-generation seems to cause headaches to Volvo’s executives. The recent change in emission regulations and public awareness of environment issues don’t really match with the XC90. Despite not being a huge SUV, it was more an opportunity for Volvo to jump on a marketing trend than a real thinking exercise as for its environmental credentials.
Future will soon say what Volvo decided to do with the next-generation XC90.
December 19, 2007
Rupert Stadler has revealed Audi plans

After the product plan, Audi CEO Rupert Stadler has revealed in an interview given to Auto Zeitung how the brand will jump from less than 1 million cars this year to 1.5 million in 2015.
Audi will focus on the Chinese market on which it’s leader on the executive and luxury segments. Despite a fierce struggle with BMW, the company wants to double its sales to top 200,000 vehicles. The US market will also be carefully taken into account as Audi also wants to double its sales there. The brand will focus on increasing its dealer network.
The spearhead will first rely on a larger lineup. From 22 vehicles this year, Audi plans to sell 40 models in 2015. By covering almost all market niches, the German manufacturer hopes it will take sales from general competitors like Renault or Ford but also from specialist like Saab or BMW. The abundance of new models will be possible thanks to the new modular platform that Audi will generalise on all models within the next three years.
December 19, 2007
Opel Corsa reached the 500,000 milestone

Compared to the former generation, it was very easy to do better in term of sales and the Corsa fourth generation reached the 500,000 milestone 14 months after hitting the showrooms. The former Corsa took 24 months to achieve the same performance.
If Clio and 207 are top sellers on the European markets, the Opel Corsa is leader on two major markets, United Kingdom and Germany and its two historical competitors, Ford and VW are far behind with 45,000 less sold vehicles from January to November of this year.
The 10 millionth Corsa will be built during next January.
December 19, 2007
Chery A1 to head to Mexico

Chery will sell the A1 in Mexico next year under the Dodge label following the agreement signed by Chysler and Chery this year. The exact price remains unknown but for Chery it’s an access to the American market where the small Chinese car will be sold by 2009.
2009 is rather a wish than a definite date as the A1 will have to comply with US regulations in terms of emissions and safety. The A1 has been especially developed for export markets. At 3700mm long, 1578mm wide and 1527 high, the A1 is roomy enough for four people and offers an appealing exterior design thanks to Giugiaro. On the inside, the dashboard’s styling can match western standards, but quality looks really poor on pictures.
The car is expected to cost $10,000/£4,962 in the US. Sales in Europe is unplanned at this moment, but for £6,955 you can have a basic Fiat Panda. It’s £2,000 more expensive, but re-sale value will also be higher.
December 19, 2007
Saturn Astra has helped GM to save millions

In a recent interview, Bob Lutz said that the re-badged Opel/Vauxhall Astra has allowed GM to save $900 million/£447 million. “Its adaptation to American requirements cost less than $100 million,“ said GM vice chairman.
Due to go on sale form next January, the Saturn Astra will likely meet success thanks to an aggressive price and strong qualities when compared with the outgoing Ion. Despite a predictable success, Saturn expects to sell only 45,000 cars while the Ion model has been sold at 100,000 units last year.
The savings generated by the cheap development will enable GM to make a small profit despite a weak dollar. Indeed, the Saturn Astra will be built in GM’s Antwerp, Belgium plant.
Bob Lutz also said that “In the future, Opel and Saturn will share about 90 percent of their model portfolios.“
December 19, 2007
Hyundai Sonata to reach one million US Sales

It may not be obvious but the Hyundai will have sold more than one million Sonata in the US at the end of the year and will become the third company’s model to reach the million milestone on the American market.
The first model to reach the iconic milestone was the Excel which topped 1.14 million vehicles before being discontinued in 1996 while the Elantra saloon sold 1.22 million vehicles up to last month.
First launched in South Korea in 1987, the Sonata was exported in the US in 1989 as an attempt to reinforce the lineup after the success encountered by the Excel model there. Sold at only $4,995 and voted Best Product #10′ by Fortune magazine, it set records for a first-year import by selling 168,882 units.
The Hyundai Sonata has been sold worldwide at 4.12 million vehicles and if you go to South Korea you will be surprised to see the saloon everywhere as it is the top seller there. Hyundai will launch a face-lifted Sonata in our countries next year which has been on sale since November in South Korea.
December 19, 2007