1748 replies to this topic

[the1]

Playboy names best cars of the year

Playboy magazine has named its nine favorite cars for 2007. They are:

* Best Two-way Player: VW Eos
* Best Sports Coupe: Porsche 911 Turbo
* Best SUV: Cadillac Escalade
* Best Bang For Your Buck: Ford Shelby GT500
* Best Pickup: 2007 Toyota Tundra
* Best Roadster: Saturn Sky Red Line
* Best Cross-dresser: Mazda CX-7
* The Al Gore Special: Lexus GS 450h
* Playboy's 2007 Car of the year: BMW Z4M Coupe

[the1]

Mustang to go global

Ford is ready to turn to the iconic Mustang in a bid to reverse its dwindling profits and shrinking market share � and that means expanding the brand beyond US-only coup�s and into a full range of models, including a saloon like the one previewed in our artist's impression, to be sold across the world. Ford executives have devised a bold strategy to take Mustang mainstream. Saloon and estate variants are likely to join the traditional coup� in the sixth-generation line-up due to hit US showrooms in 2011, according to high-ranking sources. And Ford�s Australian operation � which has recently ramped up its R&D division � is likely to provide the hardware.

Launched in 1964, the Mustang was conceived as an affordable coup� and has remained that way for over 42 years. But Ford is desperate to generate domestic sales against a backdrop of increasing domestic and foreign competition. So it has turned to the Mustang�s polularity to lead a product revival.

Autocar understands Ford�s revitalised Australian off-shoot is set to play a central role in the proposed program. It will develop a new global rear-wheel-drive platform which future Mustangs and other vital Ford models, including various Lincolns, will use after 2010. A Lincoln concept, based on a stretched four-door Mustang platform, will be shown at the Detroit motor show in January. The move mirrors that of Australian rival Holden, which developed parent company General Motors� new Zeta platform and launched it under the VE Commodore.



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Vauxhall�s beleaguered Ellesmere Port factory has improved quality and productivity so much in the past six months that it is now competitive with GM�s other plants around Europe, and could yet have a future beyond the current model Astra. The news comes straight from one of GM�s top-ranking executives, and will raise hopes that the plant can secure part of the huge investment in the next-generation Astra, a decision due to be made in the middle of next year.

According to Vauxhall chairman and GM Europe marketing chief Jon Browning, improvements in working practices and productivity after a move to a two-shift working pattern and 1000 redundancies have greatly boosted the plant�s competitiveness. �We are very pleased with the progress at Ellesmere Port,� he told Autocar. �Quality is now absolutely in line with our requirements and the very good relative performance compared to plants across Europe is putting itself in a strong position for the future,� he said.

Browning�s comments will give the workforce at Ellesmere Port (right) a strong boost as they enter a critical year for the plant�s future, which was in doubt as little as twelve months ago.
The future of Ellesmere Port is tied to a decision in mid-2007 as to which plants will get the investment for the next-generation Astra, due around 2009/10.

Ellesmere Port is in competition with Bochum in Germany and Antwerp in Belgium. The Belgian plant got a boost last week when it was announced as the source for up to 40,000 Saturn-badged Astras a year to be exported to the US from next autumn. Antwerp was chosen because it makes a full-line of hatchback Astras, including the three-door model not built at Ellesmere Port.

[the1]

Cum va suna Lamborghini, Bentley, Audi, Volkswagen, Proton, Skoda, Seat? Totul pare normal, in afara de Proton. Ei bine, Volkswagen grup este pe punctul de a semna contractul de achizitie a marcii malaeziene Proton, cumparind 51% din actiuni pentru jumatate de miliard de dolari. In cursa de achizitie, Volkswagen a reusit sa invinga printr-un pret mai mare, rivalii francezi de la PSA Peugeot Citroen. Dealul este interesant din 3 motive. Primul, neinteresant pentru europeni, este ca VW va construi Passatul in Malayezia, pentru asiatici. Punctul doi este mult mai interesant. Proton are actiuni majoritare la Lotus, deci si Lotus ar putea veni in gama VW, profitind de multa, multa tehnologie germana. Si trei, o sumedenie de masini ieftine (poate un concurent de Logan?) vor putea fi produse in uzinele Proton si exportate apoi in Europa. autojurnal.ro

[the1]

* Approximately 630,000 C-Class sedans produced at Sindelfingen plant
* Best-selling Mercedes-Benz C-Class in company's history

With only a few weeks left to go until the world premiere of the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, the last 203 series sedan is rolling off the assembly line today at the Sindelfingen plant. The milestone vehicle, an iridium silver C 230 sedan, is destined for a customer in the U.S. The production of the last car of the series provided Vice President and Manager of the DaimlerChrysler plant in Sindelfingen: �Since the series was launched in 2000, the employees at the Sindelfingen plant have produced about 630,000 units of the sedan for customers all over the world,� he said. �Every single vehicle is an expression of their expertise and their attention to detail. I would like to thank all of the employees for making the C-Class what it is today: one of the most polular automobiles in the upper mid-range segment."

As the successor of the 202 Series, the W 203 sedan continued the success story of its predecessor by becoming the best-selling C-Class in the company's history.

[the1]

High rolling
Imagine the delight of the salesman who took this order: 'Fourteen Rolls-Royce Phantoms. Oh, and you want the Extended Wheelbase model? OK, just sign here please.'

The best bit is the salesman would only have to fill out one form and photocopy it for the other 13 cars, because all 14 have been ordered in identical specification for the Peninsula Hong Kong hotel.

The Peninsula is famous for its fleet of green Rolls-Royces, and the Phantoms are the latest in a long line of Rollers run by the hotel since it first ordered seven Silver Shadows in 1970.

But not content with ordering standard cars, the Peninsula's have a few special additions and alterations, which required 25 Rolls-Royce engineers and designers to work on the cars.

First up is a cool box to stow chilled hand towels, while an enlarged luggage compartment helps with those bulky suitcases on the way to the airport. Even the screws used in the boot have been changed to special counter-sunk ones, to eliminate any risk of expensive luggage being scratched.

The rear air conditioning controls have also been moved for the Peninsula's car's, shifting to the rear arm rests for easier access.

It's not just the cars that have come in for special attention. The Peninsula's team of chauffeurs have been flown to the UK for special training at Rolls-Royce's own chauffeur school, and all of the Phantom's operating manuals have been translated into Cantonese for the drivers.

No one's saying just how much it has cost to supply the 14 Phantoms, or if the Peninsula got a discount for bulk ordering, but reckon on a bill for around �5 million if you want to kit out your B&B with a similar fleet.

[the1]

DaimlerChrysler won't share Mercedes platforms

Brand-conscious DaimlerChrysler managers in Germany are very vocal about the fact that they're not interested in any platform sharing between the Mercedes brand and the others under the corporate umbrella. "A Mercedes will remain a Mercedes and will not share a platform with anyone," said Dr. Ruediger Grube, Board of Management, DaimlerChrysler Corporate Development. "We will leave that to the others," he added. The concern is that cost-savvy shoppers would eschew the flagship Mercedes brand if they felt they could spend less to get fundamentally the same vehicle with another corporate sibling's badges on it.

Dr. Grube told labor union leaders in Stuttgart that the manufacturer would have to look for opportunities to cut costs in other places, such as small parts that are under the skin and through efficiencies in purchasing and data systems.

[andrei041]

Newspaper sources have confirmed that VW is about to embark on a due diligence audit of Proton before acquiring a 51% stake in the troubled Malaysian car maker. The PSA group comprising Peugeot and Citroen were also interested in Proton, but their focus was finding a development partner, not a company to take over. VW is expected to pay upwards of US$500m for its stake.

This deal is interesting for two reasons. Firstly, VW is planning on building the Passat in Malaysia and export them to Japan, taking advantage of the free trade deal that exists between the two countries. That could allow VW to significantly increase it share of the mid-size luxury market in Japan. Malaysia is also working on free trade agreements with Australia and the US, and the approval of these would allow VW to significantly increase manufacturing capacity in the country. The second interesting note is that the majority stake in Proton would also give VW some sort of stake in Lotus.


sursa: www.motorauthority.com

[the1]

Asta inseamna suspensii VW mai bune, tunate de Lotus.

[the1]

Dupa DaimlerChrysler si BMW vine in Romania

Desi nu s-a anuntat oficial, BMW vine oficial in Romania, din vara viitoare, astfel ca Automobile Bavaria a cam pierdut trenul, chiar daca a deschis la Baneasa cel mai tare showroom din tara. Consecintele pot fi multiple: de la preturi mai mici, aparitia mai multor dealeri si la dezvoltarea unei retele normale de service-uri. Daca Automobile Bavaria va ramine dealer, cert e ca si altii se pregatesc sa le-o ia inainte. Astfel, cu trei luni inainte de lansarea oficial de la noi, noul BMW X5 a fost deja adus in Romania de catre Dom Automobile. Dom Automobile este o divizie a companiei Dom Leasing care are ca obiect de activitate comercializarea automobilelor premium importate cu precadere din Statele Unite. Dom Automobile se asteapta sa vanda in acest an circa 300 de automobile, in valoare totala de 13,6 milioane euro, de patru ori mai mult decat in 2005. Marcile comercializate de Dom Automobile sunt Infiniti, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus, Mazda, Toyota, Subaru, Porsche, BMW.
Gama de motorizari a noului X5 include 2 noi motoare pe benzina, unul de 3.0 litri cu 272 CP, 6 cilindri (0-100 km/h in 8,1 secunde, viteza maxima 225 km/h) si unul de 4.8 litri V8 cu 355 CP (0-100 km/h in 6,5 secunde, viteza maxima 240 km/h), precum si un motor turbo diesel, de 3.0 litri si 6 cilindri, cu 231 CP (0-100 km/h in 8,3 secunde, iar viteza maxima de 216 km/h). X5-urile comercializate de Dom Automobile sint importate direct din America.

autojurnal

[DVS]

Les journalistes du groupe Motor Presse International, issus de seize pays europ�ens, ont �lu Clio III laur�ate de la cinqui�me �dition du Master-Test International.

Clio III a �t� distingu�e parmi 11 "petites" voitures, pour sa conception tr�s soign�e, son confort, son silence et sa s�curit�. Ses performances, sa consommation, son habitabilit� et son �clairage ont �galement �t� reconnus. Clio devance la Volkswagen Polo et la Seat Ibiza.

[the1]

Polo si Ibiza... LOL! Cei mai depasiti si vechi concurenti din clasa anyway.

[adrian_r5]

Burda Romania a preluat revista Autoshow

Revista bilunara Autoshow a fost cumparata de Burda Romania de la compania Automedia, detinuta de jurnalist auto Dan Vardie, se arata intr-un comunicat al publicatiei. Contactati de Hotnews.ro reprezentantii Autoshow nu au vrut sa dezvaluie suma tranzactie

http://www.hotnews.r...ta-Autoshow.htm



Saab da masini gratis!

Biroul de peste ocean al constructorului suedez Saab a anuntat ca il va oferi cadou un exemplar 9-5 Aero nou-nout fiecarui client care a parcurs un milion de mile (aproximativ 1.600.000 de kilometri) cu un model Saab cumparat de la dealerii nordicilor din Statele Unite.

http://www.hotnews.r...sini-gratis.htm

[the1]

Brigada de Poliţie Rutieră Bucureşti a recepţionat 50 motociclete BMW R1200RT

In cursul zilei de 21 decembrie 2006, a avut loc la sediul Automobile Bavaria ceremonia de predare a celor 50 de motociclete achizitionate de Directia Generala de Politie a Municipiului Bucuresti. Beneficiarul acestei achizitii este Brigada de Politie Rutiera Bucuresti, care beneficiaza acum de cel mai modern echipament disponibil in Europa.

Lansarea oficiala modelului BMW R1200RT pentru Politie a avut loc la sfarsitul anului 2005 in cadrul salonului interntional �MILIPOL� de la Paris, cea mai mare exopozitie de profil din Europa. Dintre elementele apreciate de specialisti cu aceasta ocazie enumeram tehnologia moderna pentru motor si sasiu, fiabilitatea motorului boxer mai ales in misiunile de patrulare si insotire in zone metropolitane, noile standarde in domeniul sigurantei (ABS Integral) si protectiei mediului (catalizator), echipamentele speciale disponibile, perfect compatibil cu standardele motocicletei.

Un alt argument in favoarea acestui model este linia de fabricatie speciala pentru motociclete destinate autoritatilor, care asigura compatibilitatea si integrarea in produs a echipamentelor specifice. Existenta unui departament special de proiectare pentru motocicletele destinate autoritatilor, posibilitatea livrarii de piese de schimb timp de 15 ani de la iesirea din productie, precum si vasta retea de service din tara sunt alte elemente determinante in favoarea acestui model. BMW R1200RT este produsa integral in UE, in fabrica BMW de la Berlin, conform standardelor si cerintelor UE.




Report: Toyota, Ford executives meet to discuss partnership

Top executives from Toyota and Ford met in Tokyo recently to discuss a potential partnership between the companies, according to a report by Japan's Nihon Keizai Shimbun.

The meeting was reportedly held at Ford's request. Toyota Chairman Fujio Cho and Ford President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally met last week as a first step. Mark Fields also attended the meeting.

The two parties plan to meet again in January for further talks, the business newspaper said.

[the1]

While Ford has acknowledged rumors of a meeting between its leadership and Toyota executives, Toyota spokesman Tomomi Imai is downplaying the talks. "It was just a get-acquainted meeting," she said, adding Toyota's top executives constantly meet with other automakers.

Ford spokesman Oscar Suris made a similar statement: "I can't confirm or deny the report other than to say that we have discussions with participants in our industry all the time."

Speculation of alliance talks emerged yesterday when the Nihon Keizai Shimbun said the two companies met to discuss a potential partnership. Toyota Chairman Fujio Cho and Ford President and Chief Executive Officer Alan Mulally met last week as a first step.

[the1]

Enter the rumormill: 1200 HP Bugatti Veyron Sport in the works

Our Deutsch-obsessive friends over at the German Car Blog tipped us off to an article at kalaydo.de that, while discussing the attempt to slow down motorists on the autobahn, revealed that Bugatti was in the process of developing a "Sport" version of the all-conquering Veyron.

The quote was light on details, only mentioning that Bugatti would up the power output of the uber-Veyron to 1,200 HP. The article also mentioned plans for an E-Class Merc that would crest the 700 HP mark.

For the time being, we're chalking this up to rampant speculation since sources weren't cited and there's been no hard evidence about such a project coming across our screens. We like more power, but as far as engineering exercises are concerned, the Veyron is close enough to the limits, as is.

[the1]

Honda will have a fuel-cell car for sale by 2018

In a recent interview, Honda President Takeo Fukui said that he fully expects to offer a fuel-cell Honda by 2018. Nissan has already gone on record as saying they plan to have a fuel-cell vehicle on the road by the early 2010s. So that might seem like a long way off, especially considering the FCX Concept that AB Green drove will be doing real world testing by 2008, but production and storage of hydrogen are still huge obstacles to making fuel-cell vehicles practical. The Kyodo News agency also said Fukui implied that Honda's research showed that the price would have to be less than about 10 million yen ($84,000) to make it palatable to buyers. Well, we'd have to agree with that, but might add that it would have to be WAY less than that figure.

[Source: Detroit News]

[the1]

Daca Ford vine la Craiova va fabrica acest Fiesta Sedan, ceea ce n-ar fi prea rau, comparativ cu Logan. Apropo, ce se mai aude despre Craiova?




http://www.garajul.r...?showtopic=8121

[masterblaster]

fiesta sedan? nici nu stiam ca exista
nu arata rau, oricum mai bine ca logan....ceva detalii? motorizari, dotari, preturi?

[the1]

Pai nici nu se stie daca vine Ford la noi. Pret la nivelul Logan-ului.

[masterblaster]

Volkswagen Unveils Cleanest TDI Engine Ever

BlueTec alliance launch in 2008

A VW Jetta TDI fulfils the most stringent worldwide exhaust gas thresholds with its nitrogen oxide post-treatment system developed by Volkswagen. The USA market launch within the BlueTec alliance is planned for 2008.

Volkswagen unveiled the cleanest ever TDI engine. First test drives demonstrate the high potential of Volkswagen technology, which consequently reduce nitrogen oxide. In the VW Jetta a new 2.0 litre Common Rail diesel engine with a nitrogen oxide reservoir catalytic converter was used, which complies to the Californian emission standard �Tier 2 / Bin 5�. These requirements are considered the most stringent worldwide. The first production run of the �Clean TDI� with nitrogen oxide post-treatment system will be made during 2008 in the USA.

The central theme of the entire concept is the reduction of nitrogen oxide. The engineers in Wolfsburg reached this goal through internal development of the motor and the use of new emission post-treatment technology. The result: up to 90% less nitrogen oxide emissions (NOx).

This drastic reduction was necessary in order to comply with the �Tier 2 / Bin 5� norm, which applies to California and four other states in the north-east of America (Massachusetts, New York, Vermont and Maine). This norm limits nitrogen oxide emissions to 70 mg per mile. In order to comply with this standard, completely new emission � treatment technology was necessary. Volkswagen has thus developed two systems connected to the oxidation catalytic converter and the particle filter in the exhaust system.

New NOx reservoir catalytic converter technology is currently being tested for car models below the Passat class. Nitrogen oxide is absorbed like a sponge, leading to a high level of efficiency. As with the particle filter, the system is regularly cleaned without the driver noticing. To do this, the engine management system changes operation modes for a few seconds.

Larger and heavier models feature the Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) catalytic converter. The central element is an aqueous solution such as AdBlue, which is transported in an additional tank made from stainless steel or plastic. 32.5% of this solution is comprised of urea, and is continuously injected into the exhaust system in front of the SCR catalytic converter using a metering valve. The dosage is made according to the gas emission stream.

The urea solution is finely atomised by a grille and is converted in hot exhaust gas into ammonia before it reaches the catalytic converter. The ammonia then reacts with the nitrogen oxide in the catalytic converter and separates it into nitrogen and water. Unlike pure ammonia, AdBlue solution is non-toxic, odourless and biodegradable. Volkswagen intends to install the additional tank so that the car can be driven without main�tenance between two garage inspections - the garage simply refills the tank at the next scheduled inspection date. According to American regulations, the complete system must be fully functional for at least 150,000 �miles.

BlueTec is a joint project of the German car manufacturers Volkswagen, Audi and DaimlerChrysler, intended to establish the diesel engine further in the American car market. The manufacturers are convinced that the diesel motor is the clean, low-consumption alternative for future car use, which is backed up by current economic and political condi�tions. Each of the manufacturers involved in the BlueTec joint project is working on individual technical solutions for stringent exhaust gas emission standards and plans to market these independently.

Volkswagen is definitely the diesel pioneer in the USA � more than 800,000 diesel cars from Volkswagen have already been sold there.

[masterblaster]

Subaru Impreza Production WRC Available to Public







Subaru Australia is producing a range of custom motorsport vehicle packages based on the polular Impreza WRX STI spec.C � the Group N FIA homologated car developed by Fuji Heavy Industries in Japan.

Designed for customers wanting to purchase a motorsport vehicle to their desired specification, the base Impreza WRX STI spec.C is just a starting point. Available in limited numbers, the 2.0 litre Impreza is a lightweight vehicle designed specifically for motorsport* use. Variants range from the Subaru base motorsport package at $69,990 to the full Production World Rally Championship (PWRC) version at $195,000.

Subaru Managing Director Nick Senior said: �We�re catering for a broad spectrum of motorsport drivers, from committed enthusiasts to professionals with team backing looking for PWRC success. The Impreza WRX STI spec.C is an incredibly flexible package that can be tailored for everything from Targa events to gravel rally. There�s a long list of options and we believe there�s a dedicated audience that we�re keen to cater for.�

Every variant is fitted with an FIA homologated multi-point roll cage, race seats and harnesses.

They include:

Subaru base motorsport - $69,990

* Ideal starting point for both gravel and tarmac motorsport
* Fire extinguishers will meet safety requirements for most circuit and Targa events
* Can be run with standard spec.C suspension package and engine tune

Subaru Tarmac - $87,990

* Ideal entry-level car for race or Targa events
* Ready to race, with safety equipment installed
* Subaru Motorsport tarmac suspension package and race tuned engine with Motec ECU.

Subaru National Tarmac - $125,990

* Blueprinted engine and Subaru Motorsport suspension kit
* Offers real bang for your bucks on the racetrack or Targa stages
* Turn key (ready to race)

Subaru Factory Tarmac - $160,000

* The ultimate Subaru tarmac rally vehicle as used by the Subaru Motorsport factory team
* Factory tune and differentials
* Subaru Motorsport active centre diff program

Subaru Gravel Rally � $92,990

* Ready to rally, designed to be competitive in any club or state competition
* Full underbody protection and proven gravel suspension package

Subaru National Rally - $128,990

* Incorporates technologies refined by Subaru�s decade of dominance in the Australian Rally Championship
* Ready to rally with engine and differential tuning
* Subaru Rally Team Australia suspension package
* Full underbody protection and driver and co-driver rally accessories
* Includes gravel rally suspension and carbon fibre lightweight parts

Subaru PWRC - $195,000

* Built to full Subaru Motorsport factory specification
* Subaru Group N car engineered specifically for the World Rally Championship or Asia Pacific Championship
* Includes blueprinted engine, full PWRC specification underbody protection and suspension package. Suitable for national and international level gravel rally competition
* Includes five speed, dog transmission with LSD and Motec centre differential controller

All vehicles feature motorsport-specific safety gear, including:

* FIA homologated roll cage made from 4130 chromoloy steel
* Multi-point, fully welded roll cage system with extensive chassis stiffening, side intrusion and roll over protection for the crew. HANS compatible. Note: Subaru will not fit or supply bolt in roll cages.
* FIA approved race seats with side head support. HANS compatible

Vehicles are being sold directly to customers and are available now. Ongoing parts supply will be available through STI retailers.

[the1]

Kia to produce Soul crossover in 2008

Kia will build a production version of the Soul crossover concept in 2008 for the 2009 model year, the company announced today. When the small off-roader debuted a year ago in concept form, Kearns, chief designer for KMA said, "the Soul really was a collaborative effort between our design studio in California and our design studio in Korea [�] We went so far as to send one of our California designers to Korea for a month and half during the project." The five-seater will be powered by a 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine sending power to the front wheels via a five-speed automatic.

[Artanis]

*Stire difuzata la Radio Oltenia Craiova si Realitatea TV, astazi:

Salonul Auto de la Detroit, cel mai mare salon de profil din lume, vine cu o surpriza pentru industria auto din Romania: presedintele General Motors Europa a anuntat ca gigantul auto american este foarte interesat de achizitionarea fabricii de automobile Craiova. Carl-Peter Foster a declarat ca primul automobil asamblat va fi micutul Chewrolet Spark, foarte apreciat pe piata din Romania si in intreaga regiune. El a spus ca acesta va fi doar inceputul, urmand ca multe alte modele sa fie asamblate, poate chiar din gama Opel. Stirea vine exact de la Salonul de la Detroit, locul unde intreaga industrie mondiala e adunata pentru a vedea noutatile din lumea automobilului.

*preluat de pe gmclub.ro

Aceasta postare a fost editata de Artanis: 09 ianuarie 2007 - 08:26

[the1]

O veste buna, avand in vedere ca Daewoo e in moarte clinica. Spark made in Ro nu suna rau. Poate si Astra H in viitor. Not bad.

[Artanis]

Not bad at all...orice, numai Lighean nu.