Lexus IS Convertible targets 1600 sales per month, starting price below $40,000

Lexus' much anticipated IS Convertible went on sale in Tokyo today, a car that the Toyota luxury division has been working on for the past year or so in order to compete with similar offerings from BMW and Audi. With the new convertible, Lexus has revealed that it will be hoping to steal away sales from other premium brands, namely the 3-series and previous A4 convertibles.

Speaking with Automotive News, Lexus project manager Keiichi Nishiyama revealed that pricing for the car will start at under $40,000. Unsurprisingly, Lexus is targeting the U.S. market even though the financial crisis seems to be deepening rather than improving.

The carmaker is hoping to sell around 1,600 units of the IS250C per month around the world, but 70% of these sales are expected to come from the U.S. alone. That means that Lexus is expecting U.S. customers to account for around 1,120 units per month, or 13,400 sales per year.

The IS convertible will be offered in two versions: the IS 250C and the IS 350C. The IS 250C, which is equipped with a 2.5-liter V-6 engine, will start at $39,365 while the IS 350C with a 3.5-liter V-6 will start at $44,815. The SC 430 is positioned well above the IS 350C at $67,680 with a 4.3-liter V-8. (All prices include an $875 destination fee.)

The IS convertible "is meant to appeal as an entry-level Lexus," says project manager Keiichi Nishiyama. "Its main target is overseas customers, especially in North America." But the IS faces stiff competition, both from the stalwart BMW 3-series convertible and the new Infiniti G convertible.

Creating a new entry-level Lexus convertible means that customers will not have to rely on the expensive (and frankly outdated) SC convertible to get their top-down Lexus kicks. When the car arrives in the U.S. this June, Lexus is hoping that it can pick up the slack of falling SC convertible sales. A convertible version of the IS 350 is expected to be launched later in the year.

Preview: Lotus Evora convertible

The upcoming Lotus Evora promises extreme fun for up to four, but back seat passengers will be left out of the equation when it comes to the Evora convertible. Whereas the Evora coupe will offer 2+2 seating, the Evora convertible will have to be produced strictly as a two-seater.

According to sources, the electric folding roof mechanism couldn't be installed without compromising the drivability of the car, and thus the decision was made to get rid of the rear-seats and make a two-seater roadster.

Nevertheless, the new convertible variant should help the Evora compete against similar offerings from Porsche, which Lotus feels is one of its biggest competitors at the moment. According to Autocar, this was also the reasoning behind the decision to introduce new automatic paddle-shift gearboxes in next year's Evora, and the move should help the car present a better case to potential customers also considering the Porsche Cayman.

On top of these two updates for the Evora, there’s also expected to be a highly anticipated supercharged variant within the next two years. Picking up the SC moniker, expect as much as 400hp (298kW) from the forced-fed 3.5L engine. The standard model produces 276hp (206kW).

The Evora convertible, meanwhile, won’t arrive until a year after the SC, which puts its release date somewhere around the 2012 mark.

GM’s financial troubles won’t impede Chevrolet Volt development

The much anticipated Chevrolet Volt, the car pegged with rescuing GM from impending financial doom, is about to start the next phase of testing despite threats of bankruptcy looming on the horizon. Development work on the Volt is continuing uninterrupted and the first fleet of prototypes with actual Volt bodies and interiors will begin testing by the middle of the year. Until now GM had been using Chevrolet Cruze bodies to test the upcoming Volt powertrain.

At the moment, the car is slated to hit dealerships in late 2010 and this goal appears to be on track. "At this point in time, I know of no reason why we can't be in production by November of 2010," GM product development chief Tom Stephens told Automotive News.

Something that has been delayed, however, is which of the three other surviving GM brands - Cadillac, Buick or GMC - would get a vehicle with the Volt's hybrid powertrain. The most likely option will be Cadillac, which reportedly is planning to produce a version of its Converj plug-in hybrid concept.

GM is also working on the second-generation Volt already, displaying the high hopes that upper management is pinning on the car.

Meanwhile, making the Volt as efficient as possible is of key concern to GM - this means examining every aspect of the car for any points where energy consumption can be reduced. Following this tack, GM is even putting a more frugal stereo in the car to make the Volt's electric-only range as high as possible, among other things.

Along with its current financial troubles, another thorn in the side of GM lies in the expected take-up rate on the Volt, and whether consumers will embrace it as much as upper management is hoping. One of the key concerns in this area is the infrastructure needed for the Volt, such as charging points. Incentives such as free parking in certain places may be put in place to entice customers more readily to the Volt.

Conversely, concerns about infrastructure far outweigh any concerns about the effect on the electrical grid - in fact, the largest problem for the Volt lies in the lack of charging facilities in urban areas where the Volt is most likely to be used. Whatever solution GM comes up for this, it'll have to come quick if the Volt is to be as big a success as they are hoping.

100 Hyundai Equus sedans coming to U.S. this summer

Hyundai has developed a new large luxury saloon called the Equus, which it sells in its home market of South Korea as well as a few select markets around the world. Hyundai now wants a bigger share of the luxury pie. So beginning this summer, the plucky Korean automaker plans to ship 100 Hyundai Equus sedans to the States.

Latest reports indicate that the car could eventually be sold in the U.S. as a rival to luxury flagships such as the Mercedes Benz S-Class and Lexus LS, but the Hyundai will likely be priced around the $50,000.

The information comes from a Hyundai insider, who revealed that the Equus will almost certainly arrive in U.S. showrooms within the next “two or three years". The carmaker used last month’s New York Auto Show to help gauge the public's reaction and find out how much people would actually be willing to pay for it, and the event proved so successful that Hyundai now plans to bring 100 examples to showcase in dealerships all around the country. The first cars will arrive by the middle of the year, Hyundai spokesman Oles Gadacz told USA Today.

Having won the 2009 North American Car of the Year award for its Genesis Sedan, there is mounting speculation that Hyundai will attempt to capitalize on this success by eventually launching the Equus in the U.S. as well.

Hyundai has previously hinted at the Equus being sold in global markets as the 'Genesis Prestige’, where it could be a competitor to cars like the Mercedes Benz S-Class and Lexus LS. Measuring in at a generous 5,160mm in length, 1,900mm in width and 1,495mm in height, the Equus certainly has the size factor nailed.

The powertrain lineup is also respectable, with the Equus launching with a 286hp (213kW) 3.8L Lambda V6 and a 361hp (269kW) 4.6L Tau V8. A long-wheelbase model will eventually be offered, complete with a brand new 5.0L version of the Tau V8. This new 5.0L unit is the powertrain that likely be used for the U.S. models.

The previous Hyundai Equus first entered production back in 1998 and had barely undergone any changes since then. The car was developed together with Mitsubishi, which sold it as the Proudia in Japan.

Opel planning electric city car based on 2004 Trixx concept

GM first unveiled the Trixx concept in 2004 as a city-micro car similar, for example, to the Toyota iQ. Now, Despite its financial woes on the back of General Motors’ money troubles, Opel is still working on developing its own new models and technologies, including what could prove to be the European division’s first all-electric vehicle. While it’s long been anticipated that Opel would follow sister brand Chevrolet's footsteps in terms of how it will launch its new electric range, this is only partly true.

While Chevrolet's Volt will be coming to Europe under the guise of the Ampera plug-in hybrid, Opel is reportedly working on a new car that would do away with the range-extending petrol engine - making it purely electric.

As a city car, it would be significantly smaller than the Volt, however, reports surrounding it suggest that there will still be enough room for four people and their luggage. According to AutoExpress, the new electric city car will be based on 2004’s Opel Trixx Concept and borrow battery technology from its Ampera big brother.

Without the petrol range-extender, the Trixx is likely to have a driving range of only around 90 miles, but as it would be billed as a city car this isn't likely to present too much of a problem. What will prove to be a problem, however, is the price of the battery packs. At current prices, putting a cell in the Trixx would cost around $12,000 alone - making the car a relatively expensive proposition as a city car.

Opel is yet to confirm its production but if given the green light we should see the compact electric car on the market by 2012.

Audi abandons plans for R8 V12 TDI

When Audi's R8 V12 TDI made its debut at the 2008 Detroit Motor Show, the world stood in awe of the sheer beauty of the idea: a fuel-efficient, torquey and potent diesel vehicle that could rival Lamborghinis and Ferraris in performance. But unfortunately new reports say the global industry downturn has claimed the oil-burning R8 as its latest victim.

At 5.5L and 500hp (373kW)/740lb-ft (1001Nm) of torque, the R8 TDI's V12 engine was a thing of beauty. Based around the company's dominating Le Mans diesel engine design, the V12 TDI was expected to be a sure hit with high-performance aficionados and diesel-heads everywhere. When a second concept was revealed at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, many thought the car was a shoo-in for production.

But that high-tech engine and the technology that goes into it equate to huge costs - costs that a racing team can eat or recuperate, but are too high for a road-going car to bear, reports Auto Express.

Of course, just because the market isn't currently at a level that could make the car a successful business proposition doesn't mean it won't be at some point in the future. And Audi won't be letting its diesel racing technology languish in the mean time, so while the R8 V12 TDI may be dead, it could yet prove to come alive again several years down the road.

Novitec Tridente Maserati GranTurismo S features new supercharger package

Novitec, the German tuners are well known for pumping out highly modified Italian speed machines. Their Novitec Tridente line is dedicated exclusively to tuning Maseratis. Now the company’s latest package for the Maserati GranTurismo S shows exactly why. This is just the second tuned Maserati from Novitec’s recently established ‘Novitec Tridente’, which launched its first product back in 2007 in the form of the Quattroporte, and for its second showing the new division has gone all out to make the GranTurismo S even more enticing.

Not content with the Ferrari-built 4.7L V8 engine, Novitec engineers have installed a new supercharger system, which sees output boosted from the standard 440hp (328kW) to almost 600hp (448kW). The modifications have seen a complete overhaul of the powertrain, with a new high-flow exhaust system and ECU upgrade also making the cut.

To make sure all that power gets to the ground consistently, Novitec has also upgraded the suspension with a custom set-up from KW and new NM3 five-spoke alloy wheels measuring 20in up front and 21in in the rear. To cap it all off is a subtle bodykit, which includes a new front spoiler, rear wing, and side skirts, all of which is available in carbon-fiber.

This year is an important one for the German tuner as it marks the company’s 20th anniversary. In celebration of the milestone, Novitec will be building its first complete car – the Tulesto supercar.

Maserati GranTurismo Spyder coming early next year with $130,000 price tag

Fans of open air cruising have something new to look forward to. The long awaited Maserati Granturismo Spider will make its official debut this upcoming September at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new convertible from FIAT was designed by Pininfarina and uses the same basic architecture as Maserati’s other sportscars, the Granturismo and the Quattroporte.

Maserati is yet to reveal if the car will sport a traditional canvas roof or a new hard-top, but according to Car and Driver it will come with a conventional cloth top and a price tag of $130,000. This puts it in perfect competition with cars like the Mercedes Benz SL, Aston Martin Vantage Roadster, BMW M6 Cabrio, and Jaguar XKR Convertible.

In keeping with its premium status the Spyder will likely come standard with the new 434hp 4.7L V8 engine from the more recent GranTurismo S. This means it will likely get Maserati’s new automatic gearbox (as opposed to the previous automated manual) and a Brembo brake package as standard.

Performance will likely be down on its hard-top sibling, however, as the Spyder will require extra reinforcements due to its missing roof. Remember, the regular GranTurismo already weighs in excess of 1,800kg so the extra weight of this reinforcement plus the automated folding roof system could easily push the drop-top past the two ton barrier.

Preview: Mercedes Benz C-Class facelift

The latest generation W204 Mercedes Benz C-Class has been on sale since 2007 and will be due for its mid-cycle facelift around 2010. As this computer generated rendering suggests, the car’s designers won’t be mucking around the stylish look of the current model, instead choosing to focus on only minor changes such as new bumper and wheel designs.
Besides the styling changes to the exterior, there will almost certainly be some updates to the interior and a number of mechanical changes. The latter will likely include modifications intended to improve the efficiency of the C-Class and boost Mercedes’ fleet wide fuel economy and emissions averages.

Some of the changes will likely the addition of new BluTec diesel powertrains and engine stop-start systems, as well as more direct-injected models.

Like previous updates, the new changes will be incorporated across the C-Class range but there may also be a major shift in the lineup – the addition of a new C-Class Cabrio. Positioned below the E-Class Cabrio, the new model will feature two doors and is likely to feature a conventional soft-top roof in order to keep costs and weight down.


More about Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The Mercedes-Benz C-Class is a compact executive car produced by the Mercedes-Benz division of Daimler AG. First introduced in 1993 as a replacement for the 190 range, the C-Class was nicknamed the "Baby Benz" as it was the smallest model in the marque's lineup, until the 1997 arrival of the A-Class.

The very first W202 C-Class sedan was produced on June 1, 1993, and the second generation W203 C-Class rolled off the assembly line on July 18, 2000. The third generation W204 C-Class was launched in 2007.

Spy shots: BMW 5-series GT

BMW has unveiled a concept of the highly anticipated 5-Series GT, also known as PAS. At March's Geneva Motor Show, BMW gave us the first tangible evidence of the 5-series Gran Turismo (GT) concept vehicle. Today, we have new spy shots of the production version tested on the streets of Munich, which's due to go sale in Europe this November and in the U.S. early next year.

Clear differences between the production version and the concept are the smaller wheels, regular beige leather interior, rounded exhaust tips and new side mirrors.

The body of the 5-series GT features a mix of elements from crossover, hatchback and wagon bodystyles, melding them together to create something that's relatively unique in the automotive world. While the styling may not be to everyone’s taste, BMW insists there's a market for a premium wagon with a coupe-like profile and plenty of innovative storage solutions. A take on the famous Hofmeister kink can be found at the rear of the window line, turning a very non-classical BMW profile into something more recognizable.

At 4.99m in length, only the flagship 7-series is longer than it. This provides plenty of room inside for passengers but oddly BMW has added seating for only four. One of the vehicle’s standout features will be its new two-tiered tailgate. The design enables owners to partially open the tailgate for small packages or stretch it all the way for bigger luggage.

BMW is yet to reveal what powertrain options will be available for the 5-series GT but expect to see most of the engines from the new 2010 5-series carry over. BMW is expected to launch the car initially with a new eight-speed automatic and six-cylinder engines and then expand the range to include an xDrive AWD option and V8 powertrains.

Spy shots: Next-gen Volkswagen Touareg test mule

The Volkswagen Touareg has achieved only modest sales since its launch in 2003, mostly because of its lack of seven-seater capability and premium price tag compared with many of its Japanese rivals. The second-generation model is now in the works and will hopefully address many of the issues of the current model. Due to be launched in late 2010 as a 2011 model, the new Touareg will be slightly smaller than the current model but will feature a range of more fuel efficient engines and be able to seat up to seven passengers.

The new platform will be shared with the next-generation Porsche Cayenne and Audi Q7 and will feature increased use of aluminum to keep weight down. It will also be slightly sportier and adopt styling influences from the more recent Tiguan SUV.

This early test hack is still wearing the current Touareg’s sheet metal but several key differences reveal that it is in fact the next-generation model. These include the wider rear bumper and misaligned fuel filler cap. The front of the car also features a different intake system, which is also positioned lower than on the current model.

Shots of the interior also reveal several major changes, including an all-new instrument cluster and a similar steering wheel to the unit found in the Mk VI Golf.

The new engine lineup for the 2011 Touareg is expected to start with a 280hp (208kW) 3.2L V6 petrol engine and top out with a 345hp (257kW) 4.2L petrol V8. A pair of diesel engines will also be on offer including 2.7L and 3.0L turbodiesels. All the engines will be matted with a six-speed automatic gearbox, though VW’s new seven-speed DSG may also be made available.

Audi A3 hybrid coming in 2012

Hybrid versions of all sorts of cars - even sports cars like the Nissan 370Z - are in the works or on their way, and now Audi is adding to the list with reports of an A3 hybrid confirmed for production. The hybrid hatch is expected to use an Audi-adapted version of Volkswagen's TwinDrive hybrid powertrain.

The TwinDrive project will be at the heart of a future hybrid Golf, and is also being trialled in a Seat Leon plug-in as well. The TwinDrive system produces about 40hp (30kW) - half the power of the TwinDrive system in the concept Golf revealed last year, and meager by U.S. standards, but the system, once depleted, is backed up by either small petrol or diesel four-cylinders rated at a more typical 105hp (78kW) or more, according to Autocar. Top speed will reach about 105mph (168km/h).

Inside the TwinDrive system lies a 12kWh battery pack of lithium-ion batteries that should be enough to give the car a 30mi (48km) electric-only range. That's enough to rival the Volt plug-in hybrid, and at the Audi's higher market point, hints at a price closer to $50,000.

Efficiency for the combo will be very high, with estimates placing the car's combined electric and regular operating at more than 113mpg. The car is expected to reach commercial buyers in 2012 with retail sales sometime after that, though Audi hasn't yet confirmed any dates.

Related report:
There were previous reports that came out suggesting that a sedan version of the 2011 Audi A3 was already set to hit markets in the US. However, the carmaker did not confirm these reports, but said that a four-door variant of the car is a possibility.

The company is currently considering the cabriolet, sedan and Sportback variants for sale in the US and is still in the process of deciding which will be ideal for the consumers of America. Furthermore, the company stands by its commitment to the A3 lineup and rules out the possibility of a three-door A3 in the US. There are talks going abroad that suggest that if Audi will manufacture the A3 it will come with similar dimensions as the VW Jetta. Clearly, nothing is certain with regards to the future of the A3 model at this time. So, for the moment, speculations will remain just that.

Renault unveils the Kangoo be bop ZE electric demonstrator

Renault unveils a new prototype electric vehicle ---- the new Kangoo be bop ZE at its shareholder meeting in Paris. Based around the standard be bop, but with zero emissions (hence the ZE) capabilities, the car is to be used as a test vehicle to show off what its EV platform can do.

Looking a lot like it shares some of its internals with the recently revealed Nissan EV-02 prototype - Renault and Nissan are joined at the corporate hip, after all - the Kangoo be bop ZE features some fairly impressive stats.

Its range of 100km (62mi) from a lithium-ion battery back and 60hp (44kW) power output mean it will be limited to test-drives in the city, but that's where EVs are meant to shine anyway - cutting street-level pollution and noise, reducing petroleum dependence for 90% of travel needs and making the business of daily life just a little bit cheaper.

Part of the car's efficiency can be laid at the feet of its aerodynamics. Smoother out, sealed up and lowered by 20mm, the ZE offers a much smaller profile to the wind.

As a hint at the ZE's underlying system being geared up for production, much of Renault's press release discusses the durability and robustness of the powertrain, especially the battery. Built as part of the Nissan-NEC joint venture, the lithium-ion battery pack is designed to deliver 80-100% of original capacity for at least six years. That's not exactly a lifetime-of-the-car duration, but it's a significant chunk of time before replacement will be necessary.

Once the production Renault EVs come along in 18 months time, the company hopes to up the 15kWh and 62mi range of the ZE's battery pack up to 100mi (160km) - an increase of about 66%, meaning the production car will likely feature a 25kWh battery as well.

When it does come time to replace those batteries, Renault is looking to the future by making its batteries recyclable, further building the car's green credentials.

Download and build your own free Mitsubishi Colt

Want to have a free Mitsubishi Colt? Then download an entire Colt piece by piece.

In an unusually high-tech concept, Mitsubishi is promoting its new Colt with a sort of Internet scavenger hunt. The first user to find and download all the parts of the car, scattered around various BitTorrent sites, will win a free car.

There are 30 parts in total, and the process is centered on the timing of the Barcelona Motor Show, starting May 8. The contest does appear to be limited to Spain, however, so be prepared to travel if you win from another location.

It's definitely a novel concept and an interesting way to get a younger audience interested in the car. Once those techies are hooked, however, Mitsubishi will have to follow through with a properly gadget-friendly vehicle.

The little Colt hatch is definitely forward-looking with its diminutive size and 45mpg (5.2L/100km) combined-cycle efficiency rating, but the Internet hardcore that will be seeking this prize out may find its rather Spartan selection of electronics lacking.

On the other hand, people that use BitTorrent are definitely fans of free fun, so the Colt could be just what they're after. At any rate, it's a surprisingly fresh idea in the world of car promotion.

If you want that Colt, however, you'd better get started - the search is already underway, with 44% of the parts found. Next up is a speedometer.

Volkswagen Scirocco GT TDI revealed

Volkswagen: A new performance diesel variant of the Scirocco has just been launched. That’s the Volkswagen Scirocco GT TDI.

The car is fitted with the same 2.0L turbodiesel engine as the recently revealed Golf GTD and is rated at 170hp (127kW) and 258lb-ft (350Nm) of torque. This engine fully complies with tough Euro 5 emissions standards, yet still accelerates the car from 0-100km/h in 8.1 seconds when equipped with VW’s six-speed DSG (a six-speed manual is also available). At full-throttle, the Scirocco GT TDI will be able to reach a top speed of around 222km/h. While the acceleration figures don’t seem that impressive for the GT TDI, the torquey nature of the engine and low-end pulling power should ensure performance fans won’t be too disappointed - the peak torque of 258lb-ft (350Nm) comes on at just 1,750rpm. However, fuel consumption is where the car really shines, with a claimed fuel-economy of 44.4mpg (5.3L/100km) for the European cycle. Combine this with the car’s 55L fuel tank and theoretically it will be able to drive over 1,000km on a single fill.

In keeping with the performance nature of the car, VW’s Adaptive Chassis Control damper adjustment is fitted as standard. The system allows the driver to select from normal, comfort or sport modes to define the desired suspension and steering response settings for the conditions.

Other standard features include a six-stacker CD player, six airbags, electronic stability control and optional 19in Lugano wheels.

Volkswagen Scirocco GT TDI is priced at 21,755 GBP for the manual and at 23,060.00 for the DSG equipped version

Chrysler To Close Eight Plants by 2010; 10 Remain For Long Term Growth

This past week’s bankruptcy announcement for Chrysler means the decisions will be coming hard and fast. The carmaker has already confirmed that overlapping models and some slow-sellers will be dropped but there will also be a lot more cutbacks as revealed by new bankruptcy documents filed with a court in New York.

The documents revealed that up to eight plants in the U.S. will be closed but it appears no employees will be retrenched. Speaking with Automotive News, Chrysler spokeswoman Dianna Gutierrez said the alliance with Fiat would allow the carmaker to “retain substantially” all of its employees.

Furthermore, Chrysler expects the alliance with Fiat, which is subject to modification by the bankruptcy court, to add about 5,000 employees, Gutierrez explained. Current employees would be offered employment in the new company.

Chrysler is yet to confirm the plant closings, as the information revealed was sourced from a preliminary draft bankruptcy petition prepared by Robert Manzo, executive director of Capstone Advisory Group, one of Chrysler's advisers. The document also revealed that Chrysler would be split itself into two legal entities - an "OldCo" that would retain these eight plants and other liabilities not and a "NewCo" that would remain after the restructuring.

Sadly, one of the plants included - Conner Avenue – is responsible for the Dodge Viper, which Chrysler is currently trying to sell the rights to.


Here’s the complete list of facilities that will be closing according to Chrysler's bankruptcy filing:

-- Sterling Heights (Mich.) Assembly Plant
-- Detroit (Mich.) Axle
-- Conner Avenue (Detroit) Assembly
-- St. Louis (Mo.) North Plant
-- Kenosha (Wisc.) Engine
-- Twinsburg (Ohio) Stamping Plant
-- An idled plant in Newark, Del.
-- An idled plant in south St. Louis

Retained under a restructured Chrysler for long term operation will be:
-- Toluca and Saltillo plants in Mexico
-- Brampton and Windsor plants in Ontario, Canada
-- Toledo North and Toledo Supplier Park in Ohio
-- Warren Truck and Jefferson Avenue in Michigan
-- Belvidere in Illinois
-- Van operation in Ladson, South Carolina

Ford delays plans for diesel F-150

Ford had said it would sell a new 4.4L V8 diesel engine for the F-150 pickup truck beginning in 2010. Last spring, dealers were shown that 4.4-liter V-8 diesel said to deliver more power and torque than the F-150's 5.4-liter gasoline V-8 and offer a 20 percent fuel savings.

Now that petrol prices have fallen down to their pre-spike levels and is once again cheaper than diesel, it doesn't make economic sense for Ford to introduce a new diesel engine for the F-150. Thus plans for the oil-burning truck have been delayed. Ford is being hesitant about when the new engine might be introduced, but for now there has been no date pencilled.

Despite Fields' comments that there is no definite date for when the engine will be brought into the F-150, an anonymous source from Ford revealed that the F-150's proposed diesel engine has been delayed until at least 2013. After this point, there is still no certainty it will be offered as an option as there is no business case for the engine if fuel prices remain at their current levels.

The new 4.4L diesel V8 engine under consideration for the F-150 improves significantly on the current petrol engine currently on offer. Initial tests have shown that the smaller diesel engine produces more power and torque than the 5.4L petrol V8, but still cuts fuel consumption and emissions significantly. Despite these qualities, diesel prices are the real barrier for Ford in the engine's introduction and until petrol prices rise or diesel prices fall we likely won't hear much about this engine.

In fact, General Motors and Chrysler LLC also have delayed diesel versions of their light-duty pickups, giving Ford less incentive to introduce the diesel F-150.

Fiat wants to form new company to combine Chrysler and GM Europe

Fiat’s alliance with Chrysler is only the beginning. According to a variety of reports, Fiat has confirmed that it is also considering acquiring General Motors' European operations, including Opel, Vauxhall and even Saab.

To do so the Italian auto giant may form a new company to combine its Fiat car brands (Fiat, Lancia, Alfa Romeo) along with Chrysler and any acquired GM entities. The information was revealed in a statement issued by Fiat’s board on Sunday, which also stated that the new company would earn more than $106 billion in annual revenues and become the world's second-largest auto group after Toyota.

Fiat's board "expressed its full support” for the initiative which will begin in the next few weeks with an assessment of the viability of such an acquisition. Speaking with the Financial Times, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said he wanted to join Fiat’s auto division with Opel, Vauxhall and even Saab. Along with Chrysler, the new entity would have sales of 6 million to 7 million vehicles a year.

Marchionne also said he hopes to complete the transaction by the end of May and list shares of the new company, tentatively called Fiat/Opel, by the middle of the year. Major hurdles to the deal, however, are a rival bid for GM’s European operations from Magna International as well as opposition from German trade unions. Fiat and Marchionne have a long road ahead.

If the deal goes ahead, Fiat and Opel will be able to merge a number of platforms, including A, B, C, and D segment architectures, and reap more than $1 billion in synergies.

Marchionne is a strong believer of mass consolidations and even predicts that the future landscape of the auto industry will see only six carmakers survive - one American house, one German of size, one French-Japanese, maybe with an extension in the U.S., one in Japan, one in China and one potential European player.

MBTech takes CNG Mercedes Benz SLK Concept to Nurburgring

In an attempt to show off the potential of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cars, MBTech, an engineering group with close ties to Mercedes Benz, has run a series of tests at Germany’s Nurburgring, using a SLK powered by the alternative fuel. The aim was to show that reduced CO2 emissions don’t have to mean lower performance.

MBTech also used the cramped trunk of the SLK, which still has to store the car’s folding roof, to showcase its new compact gas cylinder design. Other new technologies featured on the CNG SLK concept included new fuel-injection and exhaust system.

The CNG SLK Concept from MBtech develops up to 196hp (146kW) and a maximum torque of 200lb-ft (270Nm) from its 2.0L four-cylinder engine. This is enough to accelerate the car from a standstill to 100 km/h in a respectable 7.8 seconds. It has a top speed of 244 km/h.

While this is nothing to get excited about, it requires only 5.6kg of CNG per 100km and emits less than 150g of CO2 per km, which is still impressive for the amount of performance delivered.

The key to the design of MBTech’s new CNG system is a fifth injector, which is used to enhance the traditional four injection valves. However, this does not inject the gas selectively into the cylinders but rather into the central air intake. This enables the delivery of the quantities of gas required for the high cylinder performance even in the event of strongly fluctuating gas quality.

MBTech is yet to reveal if any major carmakers are planning CNG versions of their top sports cars but given the need for more fuel-efficient models in most markets we could see some of the technologies demonstrated in the CNG SLK Concept make their way to production in the near future.

NYPD chooses Nissan Altima as first hybrid patrol car

Government fleets have been among the first to go green in a big way, exceeded perhaps only by some private sector firms. The latest government agency to take up the environmental banner is the New York Police Department (NYPD), which recently deployed 40 Nissan Altima Hybrids in its fleet.

The cars will include 18 marked vehicles and 22 unmarked. They will patrol and serve throughout the New York City area, both in larger, more open precincts and in some of the most congested urban precincts in the country.

New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg was enthusiastic about the benefits of the hybrids, saying, “These new patrol cars will help fulfill the PlaNYC goal of reducing City government’s carbon footprint. Through savings in fuel, these Altimas can quickly cover their additional cost, from then they will save taxpayers money – another example of how going green is good for our environment and our pocketbooks.”

The NYPD has already used some hybrids among its parking enforcement fleet, but the Nissan Altima Hybrids are the first to be used as regular police cars. The Altima Hybrid was chosen because of its low cost and godo fuel performance - it costs just $1,500 more than a standard police-spec Chevrolet Impala and delivers 35mpg to the Impala's 16mpg.

After a year of in-fleet testing, the NYPD will evaluate whether they should add more to the fleet or search for a different solution.

Source from:motorauthority.com

Chrysler: Fiat products could reach U.S. showrooms within 18 months

Fiat-based Chrysler products could be sold in the U.S. in as little as 18 months, according to Tom W. LaSorda, Chrysler's now outgoing vice chairman and president.

The big news of the past week is that Chrysler and Fiat have finally managed to forge an alliance, and now Chrysler's bankruptcy proceedings are being pushed through to quickly eliminate any obstacles that the merger may face. Bringing the struggling Detroit 3 carmaker back into the market as quickly as possible will be key to helping in its recovery, and according to outgoing co-president Tom LaSorda a range of new Chrysler vehicles based on Fiat models could be hitting the U.S. market in just 18 months.

While the timeline may seem a little optimistic, LaSorda explained to Edmunds that "18 months is practical" considering that a "lot of pre-work in terms of homologations and emissions" had already been undertaken. Despite this, many analysts are predicting a three-year timetable for a Chrysler-Fiat product to hit the U.S. market - a timetable that LaSorda has acknowledged but still dismissed as being too slow considering the company’s current position.

Chrysler's new brand portfolio, which will be largely based on Fiat products, means that the company will be eliminating certain unprofitable models, as well as models that overlap into other segments and cause internal brand cannibalization. Additionally, Chrysler will sell all of its brands, which now consist of Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep, "under one dealership umbrella".

Bob Nardelli, Chrysler's outgoing chairman and CEO, said the Chrysler/Fiat alliance will result in a "much broader portfolio of products" for Chrysler. But a culling of products is to be expected, said executives in a Thursday press conference.

"We will eliminate certain models and duplication of products," said James Press, Chrysler vice chairman and president. "We're bringing all three brands [Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep] under one dealership umbrella."

While an exact rundown of which Fiat vehicles are coming to the U.S. was not forthcoming, LaSorda said that the highly acclaimed Fiat 500 was being considered for local production. Even Chrysler's head designer Ralph Gilles has been keen to bring the Fiat 500 to the U.S. since the beginning of this year. "It is such a fun package. I think Americans, given the chance, will fall in love with this thing," he said.

At the moment, Fiat is considering three different Chrysler plants that could be retooled for production of Fiat vehicles.

Mercedes Benz SL63 Kicherer Evo upgrades to RS spec

Straight out of the box the Mercedes Benz SL63 AMG is already one of the sportiest models in the luxury carmaker’s lineup, but the car’s heady 525hp (392kW) output was never going to satisfy the guys at German tuner Kicherer. Applying lessons learned from its previous K60 Evo, the tuner has upgraded the 6.2L V8 engine to the tune of 560hp (425kW) and 495lb-ft (670Nm) of torque, lifting performance of the SL63 into supercar territory.

The added performance sees Kicherer's latest SL60 Evo do the 0-100km/h sprint in just 4.3 seconds (0.3 seconds faster than the standard SL63), with 200km/h passing in 14.2 seconds and momentum finally succumbing at an electronically controlled top speed of 320km/h.

A fully integrated aerodynamic package gives off a menacing appearance, while being completely functional, and can be adapted to all current SL models. All additions are available in high-quality carbon-fiber, including the unique front apron that reduces lift on the front axle and allows for improved cooling of the engine. The wheels are ultra-light 20in RS-1 aluminum alloys.

Up back sits a new rear diffuser housing sports exhaust tailpipes, shaded rear lights and a unique boot lid. Inside, Kicherer added an F1-style steering wheel with carbon gearshift paddles, additional instruments and extra carbon trim.

Pricing for the package starts at €21,765 (approximately $32,175 ) plus a Mercedes SL.

Source from: German Car Magazine

Mercedes Benz targets 0.20Cd drag coefficient in next five years

Sometimes, making cars more efficient is best done through the application of more fundamental principles such as improved aerodynamics, rather than complex and expensive powertrain upgrades. With pressure to build greener cars, manufacturers are again focusing on aerodynamics to save fuel and Mercedes believes there is still a lot more to learn.

Mercedes Benz is embracing that philosophy, with a plan to bring the respective drag coefficients of its cars below 0.20Cd within the next five years.

The carmaker claims it already produces the world's most aerodynamic production car - the new 2010 E-Class Coupe, which scores a drag coefficient figure of 0.24Cd. The new coupe even manages to out-slip the new 2010 Toyota Prius, which for a short time in January could claim it was the world's most aerodynamic production car along with the Honda Insight at 0.25Cd.

However, despite the E-Class Coupe already posting impressive aerodynamic credentials, Mercedes is keen to improve in this area. Speaking with Autocar, E-Class Coupe project manager Rainer Tiefenbacher revealed that there was “still plenty more to come” in terms of improving fuel efficiency.

“There are big steps to be made, especially around and under the engine hood. Twenty years ago we celebrated a 0.30Cd, in five years we will reach the next big step,” Tiefenbacher explained.

Mercedes is correct in that area - the current shape of most cars and trucks make them relatively poor aerodynamic performers. But while carmakers continue to extract as much efficiency out of their cars, we hope aesthetics don't get laid completely by the wayside.

Mercedes Benz announces pricing for 2010 E-Class Coupe and Sedan

Mercedes-Benz used to be able to charge whatever it wanted for its luxury cars because, well, it could. But times have clearly changed, with formidable competition coming not just from BMW, Audi, and Cadillac, but also from Lexus, Infiniti, and even Hyundai’s compelling Genesis.

In what may prove to be a major blow for the BMW 3-Series Coupe and Audi A5, the upcoming Mercedes Benz E-Class Coupe will actually cost less than the E-Class Sedan on which it is based. Despite the new Coupe’s predecessor - the CLK - costing thousands of dollars more than the E-Class Sedan in most markets - the U.S. being a notable exception - this differential will no longer exist for the latest breed of E-Class variants.

The sedan itself is competitively priced as well, starting at $4,600 below the previous model's base price. The entry model, the 2010 E350, will start at $49,475, while at the other end of the spectrum, the V8-powered E550 will start at $57,175. The Coupe starts at a mere $48,925 for the E350 model, while the E550 kicks off at $55,525.

Earlier reports had hinted that the prices would be the same, or similar, because the E-Class Coupe shares most of its equipment and powertrain packages with the Sedan. While coupe and convertible models traditionally attract a price premium over sedan siblings, Mercedes appears to be attempting a new, aggressive pricing strategy to really hit its competition hard.

The CLK was always positioned slightly above the BMW 3-Series Coupe and Audi A5 and the new E-Class Coupe is no different. It won’t help that the new Mercedes two-door is not only cheaper, but also one of the best luxury coupes we’ve seen in a while, and is easily the pick of the bunch next to its rivals.

Sales of the new E-Class Sedan and Coupe will start in June, but that’s not the end of the story. At September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes will unveil the new E-Class Cabrio as well as the E-Class Estate wagon, but both of these models will almost certainly attract a price premium over the Sedan.

Pricing for the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and E350 BlueTec diesel models will not be announced until a later date.

Lotus reveals new photos of Evora ahead of June launch

The wraps first came off the Lotus Evora 2+2 GT back in July 2008 but despite the car looking production-ready Lotus engineers had plenty of fine tuning to complete before the car could finally go on sale. Then, almost nine months later, Lotus finally confirmed the production specifications for the Evora and announced a launch date for this May. That date got bumped to June, but the car is finally on its way - for Europe at least.

To ramp up excitement for the launch, Lotus has released a new set of images of the Evora, revealing the interior and several new exterior shots. The Evora will go on sale in Europe this June as a 2010 model with a starting price of €50,412 for the basic two-seater model. Opt for the 2+2 seating configuration and buyers will have to pay an additional €3,000.

No word on a U.S. launch has been announced yet but already some big name celebrities, both here and abroad, have announced interest in it. On the list are Jay Leno, Daniel Craig, Pierce Brosnan, London Mayor Boris Johnson, musician Jay Kay, Richard Hammond and James May, Beyoncé, Dave Grohl, George Clooney, Kevin Spacey and Patrick Dempsey - to name just a few.

To kick off the sales launch, Lotus will be releasing a special version built in a limited run of just 450 cars. Called the ‘Lotus Evora Launch Edition’, the special version will be available in either Ardent Red or British Racing Green, and come with 2+2 seating, silver cast alloy wheels, an Alpine stereo, bi-xenon headlights and a reversing camera as standard.

The final specs for the car include a 3.5L petrol V6 producing 276hp (206kW) and 252lb-ft (342Nm) of torque. Straight line performance is impressive, with the zero to 100 km/h sprint taking place in just over 5 seconds with a top speed of over 260km/h. Official fuel economy figures for Europe are 19mpg (12.4L/100km) in the city and 36mpg (6.5L/100km) on the highway.

Standard features include a six-speed manual transmission, optimal shift time indicator, Bilstein dampers, 18in wheels up front and 19in wheels in the rear, a Bosch electronic differential lock, twin airbags, four-piston AP racing brakes, 350mm ventilated discs, halogen headlights, Recaro leather seats, aluminum trim, and an Alpine stereo.

Optional goodies include a 7in touchscreen display with satellite navigation, Bluetooth and USB connection, rear parking sensors and a camera, a titanium sports exhaust tailpipe, an engine oil cooler, a sports diffuser and an engine pack with enhanced throttle response.

Source from: motorauthority.com

Hennessey upgrades Cadillac CTS-V to ZR1 spec

Texas-based tuning firm Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) has announced plans for several highly modified Cadillac CTS-V sedans that the company plans to launch later this year. Dubbed the ‘V’ series, the uprated cars will offer outputs from 610hp (455kW) all the way up to 800hp (595kW) and joins other mega-power custom cars like the recently launched ‘Godzilla 700’ Nissan GT-R and a string of ‘Venom’ Dodge Vipers.

At the heart of tuned Cadillacs is GM's new 6.2L LSA supercharged V8, which in standard trim already outputs a healthy 556hp (414kW). Add a K&N sports air filter, upgraded supercharger pulley and belt, and revised ECU, and the powerplant churns out 610hp (455kW) and 605lb-ft (820Nm) of torque for the basic V600 package. Hennessey claims a 0-60mph time of just 3.7 seconds, an 11.8 second quarter mile ET and a top speed of 195mph.

Next in line is a series of upgrades delivering 650hp (485kW) and 700hp, respectively. Additional modifications necessary for the power hike includes a new cold air induction system, new camshafts, stainless steel headers and a full 3in exhaust, and an intercooler upgrades. Expect to see the 0-60mph time drop to around 3.1 seconds when fitted with these upgrades plus 20in wheels shod with Nitto drag radial tires.

Rounding out the range is the V800 twin-turbo upgrade delivering a supercar-rivalling 800hp (595kW) and 780lb-ft (1,056Nm) of torque. Some of the extra modifications include a custom twin-turbo set-up with external wastegates, blow-off-valves and a fuel delivery system upgrade.

Source from: motorauthority.com