Mercedes-Benz Gullwing Wins the "Golden Steering Wheel 2009" Award

STUTTGART, GERMANY -More than a quarter of a million readers have voted the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG the world's best super sports car – by significant margin.

"Bild am Sonntag", "Auto Bild" and 25 associated European publications awarded the new Gullwing model the "Golden Steering Wheel" – one of the most important automotive awards in Europe. This coveted award was officially presented to Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars, in Berlin yesterday evening.

Eleven super sports cars competed in the large-scale reader's vote for the "Golden Steering Wheel" award, which "Bild am Sonntag" and the motoring magazine "Auto Bild" organised on a Europe-wide basis for the first time this year. Almost one third of all votes were cast in favour of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, which therefore headed the readers' popularity list in the super sports car category by a wide margin over the runner-up.

This result not only acknowledged the unique aura and design of the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, whose gullwing doors evoke memories of the legendary 300 SL "Gullwing" sports car of the 1950s, but also its technical sophistication.

The super sports car excels with its uncompromising lightweight construction, superior driving dynamics and exemplary safety. These attributes are ensured by a unique technology package consisting of a lightweight aluminium spaceframe body with gullwing doors, the AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid-engine with dry sump lubrication, a peak output of 420 kW and 650 Newton metres of torque, a seven-speed double-declutch transmission in a transaxle arrangement and a sports suspension with aluminium double wishbones.

This combination guarantees dynamic performance at the very highest level.

The ideal weight distribution of 47:53 percent between the front and rear axles, as well as the low centre of gravity, further enhance this thoroughbred sports car design. The SLS AMG accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds, and has a top speed of 317 km/h.

The SLS AMG will make its eagerly awaited Australian debut in the second half of next year. November 2009. Local authorised Mercedes-Benz dealers already have 20 sizeable deposits from customers keen to take delivery of the stunning coupé, with many more expected as its release date approaches.

The new Gullwing model is continuing a fine tradition in winning the "Golden Steering Wheel" award: with a total of 18 victories to date, Mercedes-Benz is among the most successful car brands in the competition for the "Golden Steering Wheel".

source: theautochannel

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Who'll ride the Ghost?

Rolls-Royce thinks India will be a good market for its new luxury car, the Ghost
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Asia Pacific Director Colin Kelly compares his company’s recently launched the Ghost to a sports jacket and the Phantom to a Tuxedo. The Ghost, a smaller car, sticks to the Phantom’s 2:1 roof-to-wheel height ratio.

What is more, it has the same centre opening door configuration as its predecessor. It also has the same hand-crafted interiors and grill. But where the family of Phantom costs between Rs 3.9 crore and Rs 4.1 crore, the 16-inch smaller Ghost’s on road price is significantly lesser at Rs 2.5 crore. That’s nearly a third less than the Phantom. “We wanted something less formal and pretentious and more everyday,” says Kelly. Indeed, they’re both jackets, clearly addressing two very different niches.

The Ghost’s launch was first announced three years ago at the Paris Motor Show. Little was seen of the new car, codenamed RR4, until last year when the company released the official sketches. The styling was instantly recognisable as a Rolls-Royce, although less traditional than previous models. At that time, Chief Designer Ian Cameron had said, “The RR4 has a more informal presence than the Phantom models with a greater emphasis on driving. In design terms, this is expressed through its slightly smaller dimensions, yet with powerful, purposeful proportions.”

Thus, the design team had its task cut out. While it had to break away from the marquee in certain areas, it had to remain true in others. After much deliberation, it was decided that the car would feature contemporary furniture and architecture, coupled with a sense of 1930s adventure. It would be called the Ghost. “It is one of the most revered names in automotive industry,” said CEO Tom Purves at the Frankfurt Motor Show. “It evokes images of adventure and technological innovation.”

The meltdown effect
At the time of its conception, nobody imagined that the Ghost’s launch would coincide with the economic meltdown. Even as the bad news started to trickle in, the automaker remained least perturbed. It literally went to town with its new model. The reason for such cheer is probably the company’s admirable performance last year. Sales were up 20 per cent in 2008. Not only was this the company’s fifth straight increase it was also its best performance in 18 years. Earlier this year, the automaker also increased its work force by a massive 50 per cent.

However, the economic headwinds eventually caught up with Rolls-Royce. In the first half of this year, sales have dropped 34 per cent. Still executives at the company remain hopeful.”We first launched at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September this year. We saw the mood of the people is very upbeat and they are ready to show their wealth,” says Kelly.

The company is relying on this mood to give sales a shot in the arm. “For every two Ghosts that we sell, we’ll sell one Phantom,” admits Kelly. The reason? “It’s less formal than the Phantom and, of course, it costs lesser as well,” adds he. Not surprising then, the company believes it is suitable for anyone between the age of 20 and 70. The company estimates that it will sell 1,500 to 2,000 Ghosts in 2010.

Tapping a goldmine
For India though, it is targeting the chauffeur driven lot, thus still maintaining exclusivity while hoping to sell about 50 units of the car. That’s about 3 per cent of the global share, a big figure, considering Rolls-Royce returned to the country only in 2005 after a gap of 50 years. The British luxury car maker thinks India is a goldmine in the auto sector and anticipates it to become the top market in a decade. Historically, India has always been home to sports cars made by Rolls-Royce. The patrons were mostly the royal families in the pre-Independence era. So much so that some even refer to it as the Rolls-Royce period. “India and China are a big deal for us,” Kelly says.

Thus, the company is tweaking its cars for the Indian market. “The trend in India is that the cars tend to be personalised. Thus we make customised interiors and so on,” explains Kelly. For instance, Indians insist on a built-in drinks cabinet. And Rolls-Royce is more than happy to comply.

Still, last year, the carmaker sold only about 14 cars in the country. On top of that, Rolls-Royce does not dabble in routine marketing and advertising activities, so how does it intend to spread the word? “We are a very small company. We don’t have money for advertising; so we rely on the media to tell our compelling story,” says Kelly. Further, the company ensures it attends every motor show there is. Still, the main core of its marketing is working with dealers who connect with wealthy people. To that end, both the carmaker’s dealers in Mumbai and Delhi will have exclusive media and customer previews in each city coinciding with its launch in the country towards the end of November. “We sell on a one-on-one basis,” he adds. According to him, 85 per cent of the prospective buyers have never owned a Rolls-Royce in their life.

Does that encourage the company to go lower on its pricing? “It’s more likely that the car will become more expensive and eventually become a replacement to the Phantom,” replies Kelly. No doubt this is the company’s way of ensuring that it boosts sales but not at the cost of its exclusive label.

Meanwhile, industry observers point out that Rolls-Royce is launching the Ghost to compete with Bentley’s continental line of luxury cars, which has been doing enviable business. Since it launched six years ago, Bentley sales have soared ten-fold. For its part though, Rolls-Royce denies the allegation. “We don’t set out to compete with anybody. All we did was sit with a blank sheet of paper and decide on how to bring the brand back to life,” Kelly responds.

source: business-standard

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BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi sign up for Middle East's premier automotive event

Good news for the hundred thousand motoring enthusiasts expected to visit this year's Dubai International Motor Show, is the confirmation that Germany's top three motor manufacturers - Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz - will showcase some of the most exciting models on four wheels during the 10th anniversary event in December.

The big name brands join a growing list of international exhibitors preparing to unveil their latest models, concept cars and technological innovations during the five day event running from 16 - 20 December 2009 at the Dubai International Convention Centre (DICEC).

"With a number of motor shows either cancelled or substantially scaled down, it is testament to the region's resilience that the Dubai International Motor Show has maintained its scale and importance as the largest and most prestigious automotive event in the Middle East. We are delighted to have such heavyweights as Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz all launching new models during the show," said James Raffoul, Industry Group Manager, Dubai World Trade Centre.

BMW is scheduled to unveil two of their groundbreaking hybrid vehicles, with the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo and BMW X1 models joining a line-up of models demonstrating BMW's industry leadership in technology and luxury performance.

"The Middle East is a key market for BMW Group and its importance is reflected in the scale of our participation at this year's landmark Dubai International Motor Show," said Phil Horton, Managing Director of BMW Group Middle East. "We are sure that the latest innovations and models taking centre stage on our stand will create the excitement, passion and joy for which BMW is renowned. In addition, this year MINI turns 50 so we'll have two limited edition models on display that have been produced to celebrate this landmark birthday."


Celebrating its centenary this year, Audi promises to make a powerful statement at this year's Dubai International Motor Show by showcasing several of its latest lighthouse models, including the A5 Sportback, an innovative 5-door Coupé concept, the new A5 Cabriolet and the fantastic Audi R8 V10. Jeff Mannering, Managing Director of Audi Middle East, comments "Amidst the financial crisis Audi has moved from contender to industry example, earning strong profits, increasing market shares and hiring in times when others are firing. With the Middle East being one of our core markets, the participation in the Dubai Motor Show is unquestioned and we will use the opportunity to show the source of our success: simply our cars."

Set to display a total of 17 cars this year, with the fabulous 'gullwing' sports car Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG taking pride of place, the premium German manufacturer will also showcase its sporty range of AMG models and highlight its 'green' credentials with the debut appearance of the impressive S400 - the first series luxury production car to feature a hybrid drive system with a lithium-ion battery to go on sale in the Middle East and Levant.


Mr Frank Bernthaler, Director of Mercedes-Benz, Middle East and Levant commented: "The Dubai International Motor Show has always been of vital importance to Mercedes-Benz in the Middle East, allowing us to showcase our market-leading range of luxury sedans and SUVs and reach a knowledgeable and growing audience from across the region. And to mark this year's 10th anniversary, we are planning the Middle East debut of our latest sports car, the fabulous SLS AMG 'gullwing', that pays homage to the original vehicle that made its first appearance at the 1954 New York Motor Show."

Joining Audi, BMW, and Mercedes Benz, exhibitors at this year's motor show include Aston Martin, Bentley, Bugatti, Daihatsu, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, KTM, Lexus, Mitsubishi, MINI, Peugeot, Renault, Rolls-Royce, Toyota, Shelby Super Cars and Volkswagen, with first time appearances from AC Cars and Luxgen.

The Dubai Motor show also incorporates two events that run in conjunction with the main show - MotorPlus and Motor Parts & Accessories, featuring a host of automotive-related products and services from high-end car finishes, car entertainment, kit cars and racing gear to motor parts and components, accessories and forecourt equipment.

Dubai International Motor Show will be held from 16 - 20 December 2009 at Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre (DICEC).

source: ameinfo

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Chrysler Shelves Plan to Sell Electric Car in 2010

Chrysler has disbanded a team of engineers dedicated to rushing a range of electric vehicles to showrooms and dropped ambitious sales targets for battery-powered cars set as it was sliding toward bankruptcy and seeking government aid.

The move by Fiat SpA marks a major reversal for Chrysler, which had used its electric car program as part of the case for a $12.5 billion federal aid package.

As late as August, Chrysler took $70 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Energy to develop a test fleet of 220 hybrid pickup trucks and minivans, vehicles now scrapped in the sweeping turnaround plan for Chrysler announced this week by Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne.

Chrysler spokesman Nick Cappa said on Friday that an in-house team of electric car development engineers had been disbanded in favor of a more traditional organization.

The automaker's former owner, Cerberus Capital Management, had set up a special division called "Envi" -- derived from Environment -- to spearhead development of hybrid technology where Chrysler badly trailed competitors.

"Envi is absorbed into the normal vehicle development program," Cappa told Reuters.

Under mounting pressure to improve the fuel-efficiency of its line-up, Chrysler announced in September last year that it was developing three electric vehicles and would sell the first of the models by 2010.

In January at the Detroit Auto Show, Chrysler upped the ante on its electric car bet by pledging to have 500,000 battery-powered vehicles on the road by 2013, including sports cars and trucks.

But a presentation of Chrysler's five-year strategy by Marchionne on Wednesday made no mention of Chrysler's earlier electric car development plans.

Under the Marchionne plan, former Envi chief Lou Rhodes will become the group line executive in charge of electric car development for both Fiat and Chrysler, Cappa said.

As of Friday, the Chrysler Group website still featured pictures and advertisements for the now-scuttled electric vehicles it had been developing.

That includes the Dodge Circuit, a two-seat, all-electric sports car that Chrysler engineers had rushed into prototype by using a Lotus platform.

At the time of the launch of Envi in late 2007, Chrysler executives had said the unit would operate with the speed of a venture capital-backed start-up that would compress the three-to-five-year development cycle typical for automakers.

Chrysler is the only one of the six top-selling automakers in the U.S. market without a hybrid offering.

Marchionne told reporters and analysts electric cars would only represent "one to two percent" of Chrysler's sales by 2014, equivalent to less than 60,000 vehicles.

"Until the (battery) storage gets resolved, I think electric vehicles are going to struggle," he said.

Fiat is considering bringing a battery-powered commercial van to the U.S. market but those plans have not been finalized, other Chrysler executives said.

The Obama administration, which has set a target of putting 1 million rechargeable cars on the road by 2015, gave Fiat a 20 percent stake in Chrysler in exchange for bringing vehicles and more fuel-efficient engines to Chrysler.

Marchionne has forecast that Chrysler will be at break-even on a net basis in 2011. The automaker has said it plans to more than double U.S. sales over the next five years and roll out a dozen new models based on Fiat platforms.

source: foxnews

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Tech boom: The Seattle Auto Show will highlight a surge in eco-friendly technology

The upheaval in the auto world has never been more dramatic than in the past 18 months.

Jim Hammond should know. He has been the director of the Seattle Auto Show since 1973, and he's seen his share of flashy cars, redesigns and fancy marketing.

But this year is different. "This is the beginning of a whole new world of technology," he says. "Manufacturers have heard and understood what the public demanded."

That demand was for fuel-efficient advances in cars and trucks. And this year's Seattle Auto Show, which opens Wednesday at Qwest Field Event Center, will feature a wide variety of "green" innovations appearing for the first time. For example:

The Tesla Roadster is faster than a Porsche and more fuel-efficient than a Prius. The sleek roadster, which is powered by 6,831 laptop batteries, can hit 60 mph in less than four seconds. On top of that, it can travel 220 miles on a single charge while producing zero tailpipe emissions.

The Fisker Karma that will be on display is one of only four on the planet. The stylish plug-in hybrid -- produced by Henrik Fisker, a former design director at Aston Martin -- can achieve 100 mpg, and drivers who commute fewer than 50 miles per day will need to fill the gas tank only once a year.

Arcimoto, based in Eugene, Ore., has priced its goofy-looking Pulse under $20,000. The three-wheeler is estimated to save $1,000 per year in fuel costs and has a range of 50-100 miles on a single charge.

Every major manufacturer will have at least two new hybrids on display, Hammond says, with models ranging from sports cars to vans.

Several small start-up companies also will be showing off their technology at this year's show. Wheego is marketing a tiny, inexpensive battery-powered two-seater called the Whip, designed for driving short distances. Pacific Northwest company Pacific EV will show drivers how they can transform gas-guzzling cars into electric vehicles.

Automakers are hoping that the many subtle innovations on display at the five-day show will appeal to Seattle's eco-conscious buyers.

The third-generation Toyota Prius has an optional solar roof that powers the air conditioning. The Dodge Ram 1500 and Porsche Panamera feature technology that reduces fuel consumption by cutting gas to the engine when the vehicle is decelerating or stopped.

Honda and Ford are attempting to increase fuel efficiency by changing driving habits. The Insight and Fusion display feedback on the dash that shows drivers how fuel-efficient they are when accelerating and braking. Graphics provide video-game-style feedback, track statistics over time and reward drivers with tiers of recognition.

The automotive industry is full of rapid change, Hammond says, as auto manufacturers have realized that they need to adapt. The cars and technology at this year's show could be Seattle's first glimpse at those adaptations and advances that will alter the face of automobiles for years to come.

source: marketplace

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2009 Audi R8 5.2 is the best Audi ever

GLENELG, Md. (MarketWatch) -- It all started in 2007 when Audi took the wraps off a supercar that it called the R8. That made sense when you consider the car had a midship-mounted 420 horsepower V8.

The critics went wild over the new entry, but then there was this rumbling that didn't come from the engine room, and it went something like this: The R8 is a great car but needs more power to get into the same playpen as the Ferraris and Lambos.

Since Lamborghini is part of the same family it was relatively easy to find a V10 engine to up the ante. Now consider this: 525 horsepower @ 8,000 rpm and 391 lb-ft of torque at 6,500 rpm. The maximum rpm is a wild 8,700 at which point the sound was difficult to differentiate from a Formula 1 racer.

For someone who loves driving, that is enough to get a rush going of rather intense proportions. Zero to 60 races up at 3.7 seconds and top track speed is electronically limited to just 196.4 miles per hour. It will complete the quarter mile in less than 12 seconds.

However, there is one thing you should know. All that power is accessible virtually throughout the rpm range. Just exercise your right foot and this puppy takes off with the sweetest sounds this side of the 24 hours of LeMans.

This does something to guys. In the parking garage at work there is an older attendant who takes great pride in his place and customers. He was in the booth as I left one day after enjoying the thunderous sounds of the V10 echoing off the concrete walls. Upon exit, he cracked a big smile and waved smartly. He knew what this was all about.

Handling is supercar quick and the feedback is racetrack positive. You know what this car is up to at all times. Audi's excellent all-wheel-drive certainly aids the effort. Body lean is virtually non-existent; the seats keep you solidly in place and the rather large 235/35R19 tires up front with the 295/30R/19s to the rear are good anchors too.

When it comes to slow it all down, perforated and ventilated disc brakes do a great job. At first, the brake pedal may seem quick to react, so go easy the first few miles.

Power, performance, luxury

A few road tests ago, I wrote about how manufacturers work hard to blend the right combination of power and performance into a car, along with luxury touches to make the owner not only feel at home but also that his hard earned dollars were well spent.

In this Audi, there is a fine-sounding Bang & Olufsen sound system with 465 watts and a dozen speakers here and there. The tuning dial is part of the navigation system, but it was easy to figure out.

While the navi was easy to program, it did not give much information about side roads when the view was set at a wider dimension.

The test car had high-quality leather seats; there was lots of carbon fiber spread around the high-class interior and the engine compartment, a $3,600 extra. The headliner was black Alcantara for a well-worth-it $1,300.

Other nice interior touches were a storage shelf and net behind the front seats, and smack dab in the middle of the center console, one of the best 6-speed manual transmissions I have ever experienced.

Some drivers may be put off by the aluminum shift gates that are kind of a throwback to earlier times, but I thought it was a jazzy touch in such a modern car, and very easy to get used to.

While Audi's rearview camera was a good idea, the parking sensors are not. I am convinced you could park the R8 in the middle of the desert without so much as a cactus within 25 miles and this thing would beep. You can easily turn it off, but that move is required every time you put the car into reverse.

The R8s are hand assembled in a special factory in Neckarsulm, Germany, so we are not talking mass production here. The test car, with a few other options, sold for $169,050 including a $3,000 gas-guzzler tax. This kind of power, performance and artistry never comes cheap.

Yet for those who can afford it, the Audi A8 with that V10 under glass and just inches behind your head, is one of the world's great cars. You will turn heads, you will smile just getting into it, and it is a car that you won't see coming the other way.

source: marketwatch

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Nissan releases first image of its upcoming electric van

On November 5 Nissan released the first concept image of its NV200 all-electric light commercial van, showing there is no stopping their commitment to zero-emissions cars.

With the Nissan Leaf compact expected to become the Prius of the EV world upon its worldwide release in 2011, the Japanese automaker is now showing that it has more than just a spark of ambition for the lucrative commercial van market as well. Vans essentially function as pickup trucks in many major markets, such as Europe, Japan and elsewhere.

And EV vans, such as the Ford Transit Connect EV, are actually beating passenger EVs to market because automakers envision a great compatibility with urban delivery companies, which often work in polluted cities and can easily recharge their fleet overnight.

The NV200 gasoline van debuted earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show, but the NV200 EV reveals a car that resembles the Leaf perhaps more than its gasoline-platform parent.

No other details were released, such as performance, arrival date or intended markets.

source: independent

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The good, the odd, the testy in eventful week

Italian pride

The most welcome surprise in Chrysler-Fiat's 5-year plan?

The nifty little 500 city car will proudly wear a Fiat badge when it goes on sale in Chrysler dealerships in early 2011.

Widespread reports said the cool little car would have no brand name, selling simply as "the 500." Conventional wisdom held that Americans would not buy a Fiat, scared off by the dreadful quality that ran the automaker out of the United States a generation ago.

Please. Most of us can barely remember who won the World Series last year.

Fiat has a proud history of offering small cars with style, innovation and value. Dropping the brand name would make the 500 an orphan on arrival, the automotive equivalent of cafeteria "mystery meat." Fiat's name ties the car to a heritage of Italian design that stretches from the Trevi Fountain to Giorgio Armani.
The answer is ... Ridgeline?

The oddest revelation in Chrysler's overview of upcoming new vehicles came when product-planning boss Joe Veltri rhapsodized over the unibody midsize pickup he hopes Chrysler will build in 2011.

Chrysler plans to drop the Dodge Dakota midsize pickup that year. The new Ram truck-only brand may replace it with a pickup built on a car-type unibody chassis, Veltri said. He promised the vehicle would offer appealing and unique features, but unibody pickups have a 30-year history of failing to win American buyers that stretches from the 1979 Volkswagen Rabbit pickup to today's under-performing Honda Ridgeline.

Unibody pickups offer better fuel economy than conventional trucks, but they can't tow or haul as much. Dodge's proposed truck-ette faces an uphill climb if it doesn't change that equation.

Alfa-less soup

Enthusiasts looking for details on Alfa Romeo's return to the United States left Wednesday's Chrysler-Fiat briefing disappointed. The legendary sport-luxury brand, which Fiat owns, barely rated a footnote. That's despite widespread reports that Alfa will get one or two Chrysler-based vehicles, build at least two additional vehicles in Chrysler's North American assembly plants and import other cars like the MiTo subcompact sport coupe from Europe.

Chrysler-Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne brushed off Alfa's absence. Potential Alfa production of 60,000 to 70,000 vehicles a year at Chrysler plants is so small it's virtually irrelevant to Chrysler's success, he said, adding that the brand has yet to convince him it has a plan to make money in North America.

Alfa's return also relies heavily on a couple of cars the brand has not revealed yet -- the Milano and Giulia sport sedans. It's likely Alfa will unveil them at events where it doesn't have to share the spotlight with Chrysler's turnaround strategy.
Pandering, German style

Anybody who thinks American politicians or unions are uniquely guilty of treating their constituents like simpletons wasn't paying attention to the German reaction when GM said it would restructure Opel rather than sell 55% of it to a Canadian-Russian consortium.

Based on the outraged reaction -- which included walkouts at GM's German plants -- you'd think Magna-Sberbank promised to hire thousands of new workers. In truth, the Russo-Canadian partners planned slightly more job cuts than the 10,000 GM says it will make to return Opel to profitability.

GM's name is dirt in Germany right now. German politicians parlayed fear over job losses into months of feckless campaign promises. Union leaders who chafe under American ownership ignored economic reality and blamed GM for all Opel's problems. Opel employees and the German public understandably concluded that GM ran Opel into the ground and only new owners can save it.

The truth is far different, but GM faces a major hurdle undoing the damage and convincing German workers and consumers to support Opel.

There's no time to waste. GM must salvage Opel's image -- and its own -- before the damage becomes irreparable.

source:freeb

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Premium-Plated BMW

As a luxury car maker, BMW wasn't expected to benefit much from the scrapping schemes that have propped up sales of small cars at Europe's mass-market manufacturers. But after a turnaround at Mercedes helped Daimler report a third-quarter net profit last week, hopes rose that BMW's auto division would also make it back into the black.

No such luck. BMW's auto unit reported a €76 million ($112.2 million) operating loss compared with a €141 million operating profit a year earlier. A 3.4% rise in sales of relatively low-margin Minis wasn't enough to compensate for a 9.2% fall in sales of higher-margin BMW sedans and sport-utility vehicles and the slump in demand for Rolls Royce limousines. In contrast, Mercedes benefited from robust demand for its new C-class and E-class sedans.

Only a return to health of BMW's financing arm, helped by a recovery in the U.S. and U.K. used-car markets, enabled the company as a whole to turn a net profit for the quarter.

Still, the 6% drop in BMW's stock price Tuesday looks to be an overreaction. The German company appears relatively well-positioned for the future assuming a sluggish economy recovery in which pricing power -- and not government subsidies -- is the determining factor for success.

BMW is renewing its luxury 5-series and smaller 1-series and 3-series lineups over the next three years, which should help sales. It continues to create niches in the sector, with its new X1 luxury compact SUV the latest example. BMW isn't the first to share platforms and more components for new models, but the 20% reduction in costs it hopes to achieve should leave it well-placed should demand prove slack. As an example, BMW will soon have nine roof systems for 23 models compared with today's 12 roof systems for 19 models.

If the benefits of Europe's scrapping schemes wear off quickly and merger benefits that other European auto makers are hoping for prove hard to come by, BMW's premium market rating will look deserved.

source: online.wsj

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Fiat’s Plan For Chrysler Recovery Revealed In Six-Hour Presentation

HAVING PLACED ITS FUTURE in the hands of new partner Fiat, Chrysler has a new ‘five year plan’ recovery plan, revealed in a six-hour presentation today.

The plan, led by new CEO Sergio Marchionne, forecasts sales figures doubling by 2014, and more than a dozen new models built on Fiat-developed platforms.

Marchionne said that while achieving the plan’s goals will not be easy, his experience with Fiat and its own turnaround five years ago stood as an example of what can be achieved.

“Some of you are going to walk out of here skeptical, and some of you are going to be downright incredulous,” Marchionne said during the presentation, surrounded by Chrysler’s 24 top managers.

“We have been here before.”

With 2009 sales down nearly 40 percent, Chrysler’s board chairman C. Robert Kidder said “the top priority is to invest to create a compelling brand and product offering”.

“There is no ‘business as usual’ at Chrysler. There is incredible commitment to and energy for change,” Kidder said.

Looking ahead, Chrysler will use the next couple of years to initiate and refine the changes required to ensure its survival.

“There is some question on what we’re going to be able to achieve in 2010, being the first year of the revamped organization,” Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said at the event.

“Obviously there’ll be a rationalization of the product portfolio.”

Platforms And Technology

Marchionne said that Chrysler will now have access to engine and fuel-saving technology it could not have developed on its own.

The new engines will include Fiat’s 1.4 litre, four-cylinder Multiair units.

By 2014, half of Chrysler’s product line will be built either directly on Fiat-developed platforms and technology, or on platforms developed in partnership between the two.

Likewise, Fiat will utilise some of Chrysler’s existing and upcoming platforms; the next generation Chrysler 300C platform replacing its own in-development rear-wheel-drive project.

“You don’t have to reinvent the whole thing every time you do a platform. You just don’t,” Marchionne said.

“Sixty percent of an Alfa Mito is underneath a Fiat Punto. Looking at the cars, you’d never guess. We’ve gotten pretty good at this stuff.”

Around 40 percent of Chrysler’s models in 2014 will be powered by Fiat engines.

Brands And Models

The new Chrysler logo, which leaked yesterday, will not replace the ‘pentastar’ logo as Chrysler’s corporate identity.

It will, however, replace the current winged badging on Chrysler-branded vehicles.

No confirmation was offered on the question of whether Chrysler-badged models will continue to be offered outside of North America, but Marchionne said that Chrysler will be spearheaded internationally by the Jeep name.

Chrysler is aiming to grow its export figures from 144,000 this year to 500,000 in five years, with the majority of the export growth centred around the Jeep brand.

Jeep

In 2010, Jeep will launch the new Grand Cherokee and update the Patriot, Compass and Wrangler models.

Come 2013, new Fiat-based models will replace the Patriot and Compass.

Chrysler will be given a massive style overhaul, positioning it as a more desirable and ’sexy’ brand. Marchionne said the brand is aiming for “comfort and glamour”.

A redesigned Sebring and the new 300C will be unveiled late next year, and a new Fiat-based compact sedan will join the line-up in 2012.

Three more Fiat-based models will be added in 2013, including a small car - most likely a rebadged Punto - along with a Sebring replacement and a new mid-size crossover SUV.

A new Chrysler-developed Voyager will be unveiled in 2014.


Dodge

Dropping the Ram badge, Dodge is running with a new text-based logo.

Updated Journey and Avenger models will be revealed in 2010, followed by an all-new Charger sedan and a new CUV.

The Challenger muscle car will get an update in 2011.The current generation Viper will be retired next year, with 500 special edition units to be built. An all-new sports car is in the works to replace the Viper, to be launched around 2012.

To put the Viper successor’s possibilities in perspective: Fiat also owns Alfa Romeo, Ferrari and Maserati - three brands with significant pedigrees.

A new Fiat-based compact sedan will replace the Caliber after 2012.

Come 2013, two more Fiat-based cars will join the Dodge line-up: a small car and a successor to the Avenger sedan.

Ram

Dodge’s Ram sub-brand will be split off into its own Ram Trucks brand, with a new mid-size pickup scheduled for 2011.

Fiat-based small and large commercial vans will join the line-up in 2012.
Financial Recovery

Thanks to strict cost controls (and the US government’s US$10 billion injection) before and after Fiat’s takeover, Chrysler’s cash reserves have grown by US$1.7bn (to $5.7bn) in the past four months

Marchionne said that the cost-cutting had restored Chrysler to operating profit in September this year.

In a recent cost-cutting move, Chrysler offered buyouts to 23,000 workers.

Chrysler expects to completely repay its government loans by 2014, but Richard Palmer, Chrysler’s Chief Financial Officer, said a public offering was “unlikely” to be announced before 2011.

source: themotorreport

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Not For Sale: GM to Keep Opel/Vauxhall - Car News

GM decides that it doesn’t have to sell its remaining European brands to stay alive.
Citing an improved business climate in recent months and the importance of Opel—and its U.K.-based Vauxhall twin—General Motors has decided to take the “For Sale” sign off its European operations. The company began exploring selling off the two brands when it began to receive U.S. government funds about a year ago.

"GM will soon present its restructuring plan to Germany and other governments and hopes for its favorable consideration," president and CEO Fritz Henderson said in a press release regarding the company’s decision to keep the brands. "We understand the complexity and length of this issue has been draining for all involved. However, from the outset, our goal has been to secure the best long-term solution for our customers, employees, suppliers, and dealers, which is reflected in the decision reached today."

The press release continues: “While strained, the business environment in Europe has improved. At the same time, GM's overall financial health and stability have improved significantly over the past few months, giving us confidence that the European business can be successfully restructured. We are grateful for the hard work of the German and other EU governments in navigating this difficult economic period.”

Given the months of effort that went into setting up the ultimately unsuccessful sale, as well as all the regulatory hemming and hawing that went along with it, this wordy chatter doesn’t seem that out of place. But it sounds like a long-winded way of saying that GM couldn’t settle on the terms of the sale. The company likely decided that it would be more beneficial to beg for debt forgiveness from certain European governments than continue to gush money while trying to unload Opel and Vauxhall.

Tangible Benefits

In any case, there are tangible rewards for America in GM’s retention of Opel/Vauxhall. For one thing, it will keep some of GM’s distribution channels for Cadillac alive in Western Europe. For another, Opel-led engineering can be credited for the impressive road manners of the global mid-size architecture that has spawned the 2010 Buick LaCrosse and the upcoming 2011 Buick Regal—the latter more or less an Opel Insignia with a Buick grille.

Just as important, GM would have retained a 35-percent stake in the business had the sale gone through, and thus would still have to fund some engineering for future products regardless of who owned the remaining share. GM’s brass surely concluded that it makes more sense to keep the benefits of such expenditures to itself, rather than let the new owners get it at a reduced rate.

Finally, you can bet that GM could keep using Opel and Vauxhall as outlets for niche products that otherwise might not exist without critical sales volumes. Case in point, the upcoming Opel Ampera, the European version of the Chevrolet Volt, a car that could boost GM’s esteem in the fuel-economy-and-emissions-obsessed EU, as well as provide additional volume for a vehicle from which GM will struggle to derive profit.

Of course, it remains to be seen if GM will be able to navigate the labyrinth of issues that lie before it in Europe, including the sizable restructuring of Opel/Vauxhall’s operations and the painful cutbacks that go along with it. But we think it’s a positive that GM is keeping the operations in the fold, especially because it will help the company produce the products that it needs in order to regain its health.

source: caranddriver

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Toyota withdraws from Formula One

Toyota Motor withdrew from Formula One on Wednesday, leaving Japan without a team in motorsport's premier series.

Company president Akio Toyoda apologised for the team's failure to record a single race victory since joining F1 in 2002 despite an estimated annual budget of around $300 million.

"This was a difficult but ultimately unavoidable decision," he told a news conference in Tokyo. "Since last year with the worsening economic climate, we have been struggling with the question of whether to continue in F1.

"We are pulling out of Formula One completely. I offer my deepest apologies to Toyota's many fans for not being able to achieve the results we had targeted."

The decision by the world's largest carmaker to pull out of Formula One comes as the auto industry starts to stabilise following a sales crunch in the wake of the financial crisis.

Cologne-based Toyota's departure as a team and engine supplier deals another major blow to the sport after Japan's number two carmaker Honda quit the series last December.

It leaves Japan without a team in F1 and continues the drain of Japanese companies from motorsport, which has seen Subaru and Suzuki withdraw from the world rallying championship.

source: rediff

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BMW's Net Profit Tumbles 74%

BERLIN -- BMW AG said Tuesday that third-quarter net profit slumped 74% from a year earlier as demand for its luxury cars remained anemic amid the global economic downturn.

The German auto maker reported net profit fell to €78 million ($115.2 million) from €298 million in the same period in 2008, reflecting a plunge in premium car sales over the past year. Shares in the Munich-based auto maker fell 6.3% to €31.45 as the results came in below analysts' estimates.

Revenue declined 6.6% to €11.8 billion from €12.6 billion, while the company's closely watched earnings before interest and tax, or EBIT, contracted 86% to €55 million from €387 million on a year-to-year basis.

BMW Chief Executive Norbert Reithofer said in a statement that the company expected global auto markets to make a gradual recovery over the coming year. In particular, BMW should gain sales momentum from the launches of new models such as its X1 compact sports-utility vehicle and the 5-Series Gran Turismo, he said.

Still, Mr. Reithofer cautioned that auto markets in the U.S. and Europe would grow only slowly over the next several quarters. "It is still too early to give the all-clear for the world's automobile markets," he said.

BMW was particularly hard hit earlier this year and posted a loss in the first quarter as demand for premium cars came to a grinding halt. It was especially exposed to the downturn in the U.S., which until recently was the company's largest sales region ahead of its domestic market in Germany.

The world's biggest luxury-car maker by sales controlled some of the damage by scaling back production earlier than many other auto makers and keeping cash burn at a relatively modest level. BMW also initiated a wide-ranging program to trim costs and improve efficiency.

BMW, whose brands also include Mini and Rolls Royce, reiterated that if the economy doesn't worsen, the car maker expects vehicle sales this year to decline by only 10% to 15% from the 1.43 million vehicles it sold last year. If it meets that sales target, it said it would post a profit for the full year. In the third quarter, BMW said its care sales declined 7.2% compared to a year earlier to 324,100 vehicles.

The company's shares have gained around 20% in value over the past six months, outperforming a 4% rise of the Dow Jones Stoxx Europe 600 automotive and parts sector index, as investors expect premium auto makers to be hurt less by an anticipated slump in demand after state-backed scrapping incentives in many markets expire. These scrapping incentives mainly revived demand for smaller cars rather than big luxury sedans.

Mr. Reithofer added that BMW still targets a return on sales in its auto segment of between 8% and 10% in 2012 and a return on capital employed of more than 26%.

BMW plans to exceed its initial target of €4 billion of material cost reductions by 2012 as part of a wide-ranging cost-cutting target of €6 billion. Reducing expenses in materials, production and development are expected to account for two-thirds of the planned overall cost reduction.

source: online.wsj

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Most Amazing and Spectacular Upcoming Cars in 2010

The year ahead is full of new cars coming to your way.Cars like Accura ZDX,BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo,BMW X6 the super fast SUV and many more are lined up to come in 2010.


A sporty drive; 2010 Acura ZDX

The ZDX is destined to be a love it or hate it affair. Regardless, it has the sort of road presence that’s impossible to ignore. The sharp exterior style flows into the cabin. It starts with the generous swaths of leather that wrap all major surfaces and run through to the level of equipment.

Standard stuff includes a 10-way power driver seat, eight-way power passenger seat, a huge panoramic glass roof, which opens up the cabin enormously even when the glass panel is closed, and a 253-watt audio system that includes the needed auxiliary inputs. It comes together such that the only available option is the technology package.

The extensive use of sound-deadening materials and an acoustic windshield makes the ZDX a quiet ride. What does filter back into the cabin is dealt with by an active noise cancellation system. It sets up a white noise wave that counters the obnoxious noise pattern, bringing the desired peace.

A brawny 3.7-litre V6 powers the ZDX. The use of Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control (VTEC) on the intake delivers 300 horsepower. As the power is available over a broad range, there is never a lack of oomph.

A big part of the reason for the alacrity is down to the new six-speed automatic transmission. The broader ratio span keeps the engine operating at its optimum for more of its working life. It also comes with paddle shifters.

From the transmission, the drive is directed to the road through large P255/50R19 tires and Acura’s Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SHAWD). The system not only splits the power front to rear, it has the ability to overspeed the outside rear wheel in a corner.

As with the BMW X6, many will question the need for the ZDX in Acura’s lineup. To my mind, it fits, simply because it has better utility than a sedan yet lacks the hulking heft of a traditional sport-ute. That it has a decidedly sporty drive is a bonus.


Swanky and spacious; 2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo

Up front, the new 5 Series Gran Turismo is stylistically bolder than the current sedan. From the side, the arcing roofline and rear bustle speak to the distinctive X6. Dimensionally, it sits right between the two. The reason for the GT’s plunging tail is simple: It has a conventional trunk lid and it’s a full-on hatchback at the same time. Depending upon the need, either “door” can be opened to access the cargo area. Where the clever thinking comes in is the manner in which the cargo area can be mixed and matched to the situation.

Where most hatchbacks use the seatbacks to separate the trunk from the cabin, the GT features a partition behind the rear seats. When combined with the hard parcel shelf, the fully boxed compartment keeps sticky fingers off valuable cargo. When the need to carry a bigger box arises, the parcel shelf can be removed and stowed beneath the trunk floor. Finally, the seats can be moved back and forth by 100 millimetres, which either maximizes rear legroom or increases cargo capacity.

The GT for North America will be offered with two engines. The 550i GT, which arrives later this year, features a fire-breathing 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 (407 horsepower) that’s married to a new eight-speed automatic. The 535i’s six-cylinder, which arrives early next year, is a honey. It uses twin turbos, direct injection and BMW’s Valvetronic system. There is a ton of power (306 hp), plenty of torque and it is the model of refinement when worked. The eight-speed manumatic then sweetens the drive by adding the right mix of gears — there is the right ratio for any eventuality.

There’s also some swanky technology along for the ride. The test cars featured BMW’s Dynamic Drive Control, which allows the driver to tailor the ride to his or her mood and the intensity of the drive. Comfort was a tad too soft for me, normal firms things up and is the right mode for the morning commute. Sport (my preferred setting) and Sportplus sharpen every aspect of the drive. The beauty is that the last two modes allow the driver to sharpen the chassis (steering and suspension), the powertrain (engine and transmission) or both.

Some might question the decision to develop a hybrid SUV/sedan. Live with it, even briefly, and the GT’s reason for being becomes crystal clear.


Super fast SUV; 2010 BMW X6 M

When Land Rover and Mercedes started selling overpowered and sometimes supercharged SUVs, BMW was almost forced to respond in kind. The result is the X6 M.

I’m jamming into Road Atlanta’s infamous “Gravity Cavity” at more than 200 kilometres an hour, the entire vehicle getting seriously light over the big hump that drops into Turn 10. First, the slight kink at the end of the back straight loads the outside tires and then, when the road drops out from under you, the X6 M suddenly humps sideways. At 100 km/h, this kind of behaviour would be all lighthearted fun. At 230 km/h, there’s a sense of drama not captured at more sensible speeds.

The transformation to M missile is actually quite easy for BMW. The X6 M’s twin-turbo V8 already exists in the more basic X6 xDrive50i. BMW massages the 4.4-litre engine to a staggering 555-horsepower output by rerouting the turbocharger plumbing more efficaciously and by having both banks of cylinders drive both turbochargers through a set of headers that would do any hot rodder proud. Then BMW turns the turbo boost up to an astonishing 22 psi.

Sure, the X6 M might handle even better were it to shed 1,000 kilos or so, but there is truly little to deride in the comportment department. The brakes — big, four-piston calipers up front — faded little, the variable-effort Servotronic steering had plenty of feel and, despite serious attempts at clipping apexes, there was precious little body roll.

Traction was equally impressive as the X6 M’s 20-inch wheels wear sticky low-profile performance radials. And even when enthusiasm does get the better of judgment, BMW’s stability control system brings the big SAV back into line.

The rest of the M is very much standard X6 save for some optional trim bits such as the carbon fibre-patterned leather surrounding the centre console and inlaid throughout the doors. That means it’s roomy in both rows of seats, has plenty of headroom fore and aft and there’s a good-sized trunk, though you can’t pack luggage as high as you can in an X5 because of that sloping roof. That so much of the basic X6 is carried over is one of the reasons the M’s sticker price is an almost reasonable $99,900.


Bold styling; 2010 Lincoln MKT

Large-displacement torquey engines are better suited to SUVs with their weight and less sporting demeanour. Here, Ford’s new EcoBoost shines.

In the Lincoln MKT, the twin-turbocharged 3.5-litre V6 out-hustled Audi’s 4.2L V8, even though the German product boasts a nearly identical horsepower rating — 350 hp for the Q7 versus 355 for the MKT. That’s the benefit of low-end torque, and while the Q7 has a commendable 325 pound-feet at 3,500 rpm, the MKT’s EcoBoost boasts 350 lb-ft of torque at a lower 1,800 rpm. And when it comes to torque, more is better and more at lower engine speeds is ideal, particularly for an SUV.

Accelerating up a hill, the Lincoln felt decidedly more powerful than the Audi. Though I was given but a paltry few minutes behind the wheel of the MKT — in a prototype — a few things are evident. First, it’s lower and longer than most crossovers and looks like a station wagon. Second, the exterior styling is more aggressive than we are used to from Lincoln, the rear light scheme almost futuristic and the front fascia/grille very bold.

The interior is also quite well done. The leather is exquisite, the fit and finish are the best of anything from the Detroit Three and the styling is bold. The most noteworthy feature is access to the third row of seats. With the flip of a button, the middle row seatback folds forward and then the entire seat pivots up, leaving a decent amount of space for even a less-than-limber adult to access the third row.

The seats are comfortable and there’s ample legroom. Headroom, however, is at a premium. Lastly, the MKT has a power liftgate. Yay!


Ample and authoritative; 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK 350

The Mercedes-Benz GLK 350, to be launched in January as a 2010 model, is a handsome SUV that does not stray too far from the concept vehicle first shown at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The G in its name is appropriate because of the stylistic similarities to the boxy-but-beloved Gelandewagen — there is not a soft line or contour to be found, while the short overhangs and generous ground clearance speak to the GLK’s off-road potential.

The production version is 4,528 millimetres long and 1,840 mm wide. It stands a tallish 1,689 mm and rides on a 2,756-mm wheelbase. These dimensions indicate plenty of interior space and cargo capacity. With the 70/30-split/ folding rear seats upright, 15.9 cubic feet of stuff can be stowed. With the seats flat, capacity jumps to 54.7 cu. ft.

The GLK is powered by Mercedes’ ubiquitous 3.5-litre V6, which puts out 268 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque at 2,400 rpm. Onroad, the engine pulls well as it stretches toward redline, although some will find the noise rather gruff at the top end. Tromp the gas and the GLK’s 1,831-kilogram mass is motivated to 100 kilometres an hour in 6.7 seconds, which is more than competitive — the Infiniti EX takes 7.4 seconds and the Land Rover LR2 needs 9.7 seconds. The engine also delivers the brawn needed to tow a 1,588-kg trailer.

Power is fed to the road through a seven-speed manumatic with paddle shifters and M-B’s 4Matic all-wheel-drive system. In this application, the power is split 45/55 front to rear, which brings a balanced on-road feel.

As with other 4Matic vehicles, power distribution is overseen by a bevy of electronic helpers. Along with electronic traction and stability control systems — which includes trailer sway compensation (it slows swaying by braking the appropriate wheel) — comes a downhill descent system. It can be set to hold the GLK at anywhere between four and 18 km/h on a downgrade. There is also a central clutch that acts like a limited slip differential. When off-road, it makes the difference between getting stuck and soldiering on, as it keeps the front and rear axles connected.

The GLK proved to be remarkably adept in the dirt. It climbed, descended and otherwise conquered a difficult off-road course with little trouble. Occasionally, a front or rear wheel was as much as a metre off the ground and, unlike some of the competition, the GLK remained creak-free when the body was torqued through a serious set of moguls.

In terms of its on-road ride and handling, the GLK is better than most, which boils down to its Agility Control suspension. Depending upon the conditions, the suspension alters its damping characteristics.


Refined ruggedness; 2010 Subaru Outback

Subaru invented the crossover 15 years ago when it launched the original Outback. With its slick all-wheel-drive system and jacked-up stance, it blended the best of the station wagon and SUV worlds into a single package. Since then, there have been many imitators. The new, 2010 Outback continues the journey, but with more refinement.

As with the latest Legacy, the Outback is larger. Its wheelbase is 70 millimetres longer and it is 50 mm wider and 105 mm taller. The upsizing not only improves passenger space, it increases cargo capacity. With the rear seats upright, there’s 34.3 cubic feet of room. Folding them flat, which reveals a flat floor, opens up 71.3 cu. ft. of space.

Adopting a new rear double-wishbone suspension design cuts the usual intrusion into the cargo area, which delivers more width between the wheel wells. The Outback also gets privacy glass, a soft privacy cover — which can be stowed under the trunk floor — and the necessary tie-downs.

The cabin’s layout is logical and there is plenty of comfort for all to enjoy. Up front, the 3.6R Limited ($38,495) tested featured perforated, heated leather seats with 10-way power adjustment for the driver, a very good 440-watt harman/ kardon sound system and dual-zone automatic climate control. For those relegated to the rear, life is not so tough. There is plenty of room and the rear seatbacks recline.

The Outback’s powertrain lineup mirrors that of the new Legacy. The starting point is the 2.5i’s ($28,995) PZEV (Partial Zero Emission Vehicle) engine. Despite its cleanliness (90 per cent cleaner than a non-PZEV engine), it dishes out 170 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. It arrives mated to a six-speed manual gearbox. The Sport ($31,795) and Limited ($37,795) models use Subaru’s regular (non-PZEV) 2.5L, 170-hp engine. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is optional on both the base and Sport models and is standard on the Limited. The driving experience is lively and, as long as one uses the CVT’s paddle shifters during hard acceleration, it is suitably quiet.

The powertrain of choice, however, is the 3.6L flat-six and its five-speed manumatic. The 256 hp and 247 lb-ft of torque bring a higher level of urgency and more refinement to the drive.

When it comes to handling, the Outback is, again, a pleasant surprise. There is minimal body roll, the response to steering input is fast and understeer is at arm’s length. Factor in the all-wheel drive and P225/60R17 tires and it all comes together very nicely.

The 2010 Outback brings the right blend of practical utility, on-road refinement and off-road ruggedness, all of which make it the ideal companion for anyone with an active lifestyle — or a really gnarly cottage road.


A serious workhorse; 2010 Toyota Tundra

For 2010, Toyota has created two full-sized, work-ready Tundras (a 4x2 and a 4x4) with the all-new 4.6L DOHC V8. This replaces the old 271-horsepower, 313 pound-feet of torque, i-Force 4.7L, which was coupled to a five-speed automatic. The new engine is hooked up to a six-speed automatic.

This new 4.6L makes 310 hp and 327 lb-ft of torque while still offering a combined fuel consumption rating of 12.1 litres per 100 kilometres, according to Toyota. This is a 12 per cent increase in horsepower and an 11 per cent improvement in fuel consumption compared with the 4.7L V8.

The transmission works in concert with the engine — by downshifting two gears when called on — to build speed, yet it lopes along at minimal rpm at the high end, saving fuel even at 120 km/h. After a weekend of driving this motor, I would only consider buying the current 5.7L V8 if I was regularly towing heavy loads — the new 4.6L is more than up to the job.

All 2010 models also get a redesigned front grille and tail lamp design. In addition, standard equipment on all Tundras includes driver and front passenger knee air bags. At the rear, the seven-pin towing wiring harness connector has been moved above the level of the hitch and out of the way (although it’s still below the bumper). Also, the lower glove box gets a shelf to help better organize things.

For 2010, Toyota is offering a choice of three cabs — the three-passenger Regular cab, the five- or six-passenger Double cab and the CrewMax cab. Bed lengths come as 5.5-foot, 6.5-foot or the traditional 8.1-foot.

With the new engine factored in, Toyota claims a choice of up to 15 models — five 4x2 and 10 4x4 models. Trim levels include the work truck right up to a new loaded Platinum 5.7L model.

Also, more upgrade features are being offered as standard equipment, depending on the package. These include an adjustable headlamp levelling system, fog lamps, towing mirrors and an upgraded navigation system that responds to voice commands.


Safe and sound; 2010 Volvo XC60

Volvo’s new City Safe system is basically a laser-guided system that “sees” large objects — such as stopped cars, walls and even pylons — in front of Volvo’s new XC60 crossover and automatically applies the brakes to stop before a collision occurs. According to Volvo, the system so effectively prevents front end collisions below 30 kilometres an hour that the City Safe-equipped XC60 is the safest car it has ever produced.

Although City Safe is the key technology, it is far from the only defence in the crossover’s arsenal of safety toys. Air bags abound, there’s a radar-based, long-distance collision warning system that supplements City Safe’s activities, a pre-tensioning system for the seat belts, whiplash protection and even a little computerized widget that shuts down all the vehicle warnings if one of the urgent safety systems is activated.

The XC60 is by some margin the best Volvo introduced in recent years. Sporting 281 horsepower, the T6 turbocharged in-line six is more powerful than previous Volvo units, accelerating the XC60 with something close to alacrity. Volvo also makes much of the crossover’s sporting chassis. It handles better than other Volvos and is the company’s best effort so far. However, like the engine, it doesn’t quite handle as well as the BMW X3, the competitor Volvo Canada is targeting.

Despite an adjustable steering system, the feel through the wheel is somewhat lacking, though the suspension is firm enough to promote spirited cornering.

Where the XC60 gets it all back and then some is the interior’s execution. It sports one of the industry’s better centre stacks, combining the simplicity of previous Volvo versions with a fit and finish worthy of an Audi. The aluminum-finished buttons, switchgear and trim are the very best and the matte light blond wood trim is elegant. There’s plenty of room in either row of seats and there’s even an available seat heater for the rear bench. The only downside is a relatively high lift-over height for the cargo area.

The XC60 will start at around $50,000. That may seem a trifle high, but it is the best Volvo in quite some time — and quite possibly the safest.


Still a real off-roader: Toyota 4Runner

The all-new 4Runner sticks to its familiar tough-guy design theme and pumps up the newly standard 4.0-litre V-6.

The 4Runner has always been considered an honest sport utility vehicle that makes no apologies for its extra-firm ride, brutish strength and blue-collar body styling that is anything but downtown trendy. Most of that image still holds true for the new 2010 edition, which features a base 4.0-litre V-6 that has been upgraded to 270 horsepower -- 10 more hp than the outgoing optional V-8. The V-6 is connected to a five-speed automatic transmission that directs power to all four wheels in conjunction via a full-time four-wheel-drive unit with a locking centre differential that's controlled by a console switch. Base SR5 4Runners arrive with climate control, multi-adjustable power driver's seat, eight airbags (including two front-knee inflatables) and chrome roof rails, as well as Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control. The Trail Edition package lives up to its name by including a system that sets the vehicle at a specific speed while operating in low range over extremely rough ground. As well, the Multi-terrain Select allows the driver to add or reduce the amount of wheel slip, depending on surface conditions, such as loose sand or solid rock.

source: calgaryherald

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2009 SEMA: Do-It-Yourself Automaker Local Motors Brings Rally Fighter Off-Roader

There are many ways to approach automotive enthusiasm, and for a great deal of enthusiasts, it's a do-it-yourself approach. From the folks who change their own oil to those who build kit cars or wild customs, pride in ownership is rampant in the car enthusiast world. Now, a company by the name of Local Motors is taking that mantra to a whole new level with the Rally Fighter.

The Rally Fighter is the brainchild of the collective talent of Local Motors' online members. On the company's Web site, its members have submitted designs, hashed out ideas and voted on specifications. The culmination of their efforts and site member Sangho Kim's winning design is the company's first vehicle, the Rally Fighter, a lightweight, environmentally friendly, purpose-built off-roader designed with the Southwestern United States in mind.

Powered by the same drivetrain as our long-term BMW 335d, the Rally Fighter uses BMW's 3.0L twin-turbo diesel inline-six with its 265 hp and 425 lb-ft of torque mated to its six-speed automatic transmission powering the rear wheels. The clean diesel engine and relatively light 3,200-lb curb weight should make the Rally Fighter easy on the wallet when you hit the pump. In fact, the company is confident that the off-roader will be fuel-efficient enough to pull of 36 mpg on the highway and 30 mpg off-road.

Giving the Rally Fighter its off-road cred is a double A-arm front suspension and three-link solid rear-axle all riding on coilover shocks and springs with 18-inches of travel up front and 20-inches of travel in the rear. It rides on 17-in. wheels with 13-in. front brakes clamped by dual-piston calipers and 13.7-in. rear brakes clamped by single-piston calipers. The ride height is manually adjustable with a difference of 8 inches between the two settings. All of it holds up a tubular steel frame covered by a fiberglass and carbon-fiber body that's covered in a vinyl wrap rather than paint, as it's lighter, cheaper and more environmentally friendly.

At 189 inches long and 80 inches wide, the Rally Fighter is significantly longer and wider than a Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, though they're about the same height if the Rally Fighter is set to its taller ride height setting. In fact, it's about the same size as a BMW X6, though it's 1,500-lbs lighter than either of these vehicles. The trio share a wheelbase that is within an inch of each other.

The real story of the Rally Fighter, though, is in its design and construction. Not that long ago, the dawn of the Internet and its ability to connect people instantly around the world gave rise to a new way of developing software known as "open source." Rather than leave development to software companies, open source development allows anyone to contribute to the design. While designing an intangible such as software was relatively easy over the Internet, it's not an easy concept to apply to manufacturing, but the attempt is being made anyway.

Last year, we reported on Project Splitwheel, a collaborative effort with British carmaker Caterham that aimed to have online participants design a car that Caterham would build. The effort, though, appears to have fallen apart, but the idea is still alive. At Local Motors, though, the concept is being taken much, much further and is now being called "crowdsourcing." Not only will Local Motors online members design their vehicles, but owners will actually help build them at "microfactories" around the country.

The concept works like this: Members of the Local Motors website contribute design ideas and specifications that are voted on by the membership. Winners of monthly contests are enticed with cash prizes ranging from $1,500 to $10,000 and recognition of their work. The ultimate design winner gets another $10,000 and the notoriety of being the designer of an all-new vehicle. Buyers then put down $99 to reserve a build number and when their turn is up, they're asked to make a $5,000 deposit and head over to the local microfactory to build their vehicle. At the microfactory, Local Motors experts will help the customer literally build their own vehicle, from welding the frame to dropping in the motor to bolting on the wheels. All of the equipment is provided and the experts can either be your guide if you've never built a car before or an assistant if you've got plenty of build experience under your belt. Local Motors says that you can finish your car in just two weekends, pay the remaining balance on the estimated $50,000 price tag and drive your baby home. For service, just swing by the microfactory and grab a wrench.

While the first vehicles will be built at the company's headquarters in Massachusetts, Local Motors hopes to open its first microfactory somewhere in the Southwest where locals can come build their Rally Fighters. The Rally Fighter itself was designed with the Southwest and Baja racing in mind, hence the location of the first microfactory. Provided the concept works, Local Motors will collectively design more vehicles that appeal to other groups of enthusiasts in other regions and hopes to eventually have 25 to 50 microfactories around the country.

Overall, the Local Motors concept is designed to redo the car building process. There are no big factories, nor are there dealerships. Customers build their own cars the way they want them in local microfactories, there is no mass production and the entire process substantially reduces development and operating costs. Local Motors says that the Rally Fighter took just 18 months to conceive and build, cost just $2 million to develop and already has 31 orders.

The first Local Motors Rally Fighter will debut this week at the 2009 SEMA show in Las Vegas, where we hope to learn more about the company's plans. We're curious to see, should the concept catch on, how the company will handle safety and other requirements mandated by the Department of Transportation, especially if the company plans to build road-going vehicles in the future.

source: motortrend

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