Auto News linked by TVR&FF "Closed"

[YSSMAN]

The good news?

The Fiesta is supposed to be coming Stateside by 2009 or 2010.

...Sweet...

 

[Jim Prower]

Let's hope they leave off the Gilette Grille, eh?

 

[jammyozzy]

I'm sure Ford will slap a Mach 3 grille on the front just for you Americans.

Also, does anybody find the entire front quarter of that new Megane to be the most confused crock of mess ever? It's as if they had two teams of designers working on the front, one going for outboard wheels and the other going for flared arches, and then somebody just laid one design oven the other and drew a line down the middle. Why is there a squiggle running from the lower intake, all the way along the bottom of the headlight and then into an arch? And what is going on with the bonnet? Ugh.

 

[YSSMAN]

Let's hope they leave off the Gilette Grille, eh?

Depends. Word is that there is a big dispute throughout Ford as to what will win out, Europe/World's "Kinetic" design, or America's "Red, White, and Bold" look. I'd admit that the American "RWB" look works out well on some vehicles (Fusion, Interceptor, the truck line)... But on everything else? The "Kinetic" look is far more appealing.

Case in point(s):

(Ford Mondeo)

(Ford S-Max)

(Ford Focus MKII)

...etc...

 

[TopHat]

Isn't the Focus MKII still "New Edge"?

 

[Pebb]

Fiat 500: they can’t build enough of 'em

Source: AutoCar

Fiat’s got Europe whipped into a frenzy over its new 500 supermini, so much so that it’s just announced a plan to increase the number it can make by 20,000 cars a year.

Turin’s re-imagined city car is proving a sales phenomenon. Fiat took 10,000 deposits on the car on the first day it went on sale. To date it has 57,000 dealer orders from Italy and France, the only territories where you can currently order one; that means almost all of the cars Fiat was intending to produce this year have already been snapped up.

So understandably, Italy’s biggest car-maker is going to ramp up the 500 factory in Tychy, Poland. It will now knock out 67,000 units this year, and 140,000 units in 2008. It could rise even further in 2009, by which time the 500 sister car, the new Ford Ka, will be on sale.

The order books open for us Brits on 15 September, and the increase in production will mean we stand at least a distance chance of getting a new 500 sometime in 2008.

 

[picklesam]

i can't wait to see it in the flesh...i hope they'll make a high performance model, i didnt like the new mini but i LOVE the new 500...

 

[Keef]

Isn't the Focus MKII still "New Edge"?

Yeah, the Focus doesn't count for "kinetic". They just threw the kinetic-style grille on there. The car's been out for like 2 years now. Actually I think the Mondeo is really the only 100% kinetic car.

 

[Jim Prower]

I'd buy a mighty mouse...err, Fiat 500...

 

[ExigeEvan]

Please, please, please don't sacrifice build quality for output.

This car could easily turn FIAT round aslong as they keep quality stable.

 

[YSSMAN]

...If they end up bringing the 500 to the US, like they continue to discuss, those production numbers are going to have to exceed 200K I assume to make us happy.

 

[Tornado]

Am I going to sound like a broken record if I say I want that car here now? More so than any French/Alfa Romeo.
I mean, look at the gauge cluster:

I don't care who you are: that is cool.

 

[YSSMAN]

Look at how many things can go wrong! Its going to be like driving a Ford when that sucker lights up!

...Oh wait, it will be a Ford not too long from now...

 

[Pebb]

Source: AutoCar

Maserati is back in the black

Maserati passed a significant milestone in its history last month; the Trident recorded its first profit since it became part of the Fiat Group 17 years ago, and the future is looking even rosier for the brand.

The firm’s financial results will record a 1mil Euro trading profit for the second quarter of 2007; in the same period last year it lost 7mil Euros, and company executives expect the firm to be comfortably in the black for 2007 as a whole.

The firm’s financial turnaround is due largely to the success of the Quattroporte saloon, particularly in automatic form in the USA, but also to the flood of interest in the recently launched GranTurismo four-seater coupe.

In 2006, it produced 5600 cars; this year it’s likely to make 7600, and more than 8000 in 2008.

 

[Jim Prower]

a niche sports car manufacturer, profitable? Blasphemy!

Good for Maserati.

 

[Pebb]

Source: Auto Express

Reborn Scirocco takes first steps

Auto Express magazine can exclu*sively reveal the first pictures of the German manufacturer’s next must-have hatchback, which has been spied testing for the first time.

Promising to be sleeker, lighter and faster than its Golf GTI stable-
mate, the Scirocco is certain to be welcomed by hot hatch fans and coupé buyers alike. The mag's images prove the shape of the final production model has barely changed from the concept which debuted at last September’s Paris Motor Show.

Ten months on, and engineers can’t wait any longer – public road testing has begun in order to keep the forthcoming model launch on schedule. And that has meant our spies were able to grab these shots of the first prototype in the US, where the newcomer briefly appeared wearing a disguise at the front and rear.

Despite the black camouflage in the mag's pics, sev*eral details are still clearly visible. Most striking is the unique profile of the Golf-based model, which is sure to make a big impression.

Free from the constraints of practicality and versatility that go into penning a conventional hatchback, the firm’s designers have been able to be a great deal more flamboyant with the Scirocco’s shape. Viewed from the side, it’s clear to see how the distinctive sill line rises and falls within the wheelbase. While the front end is under cover, the production model will have unique headlamps and an Audi-style four-sided grille.

At the rear, the newcomer has a steeply raked glass area to set it apart from the Golf. Due to go on sale in the UK next autumn, the Scirocco will fill a similar niche to the 1974 original, offering a sporty alternative to regular compact family hatchbacks. While torquey diesel variants are sure to be popular, Volkswagen’s TSI engines will spearhead the line-up.

Along with the existing 1.4-litre turbocharged and supercharged unit, larger-capacity versions are expected to produce up to 210bhp. Power will be fed to the front wheels in most models, with the option of all-wheel drive in top-of-the-range variants. Both conventional manual and two-pedal DSG sequential gearboxes will also be offered across the range.

Prices and specifications have yet to be confirmed, but the Scirocco will cost more than the equivalent three-door Golf. Unfortunately, the line-up is unlikely to include basic entry-level variants, so prices are expected to start from around £20,000

 

[Pebb]

I don't know if this has been covered yet.

----
Source: Auto Express

Baby Q7 hits road

There’s a reason Audi has a reputation for building great four-wheel-drive vehicles – and it’s not limited to stunners such as the R8 supercar.

These days, SUVs are filling its order books just as quickly as its sporting models. And that’s why the German giant is expanding its 4x4 line-up with cars like this: the Cross Coupé Quattro.

Not only does it give a glimpse of a compact Audi Q3 SUV of the future, it’s a demonstration of the company’s off-road expertise, too.

Mixing the styling cues of a 4x4 with those of a sleek coupé, the des*ign made its debut at the Shanghai Motor Show earlier this year. Now that it has arrived in Europe, Auto Express gained exclusive access and took the car out on the road.

Work began on the Cross Coupé in August 2006. The designers’ brief was to come up with a small, compact SUV to complement the Q7 and forthcoming Audi A4-based Q5. It’s likely to be badged Q3, and is set to challenge the Land Rover Freelander and Nissan Qashqai, offering a more radical look than both.

At the front, the Cross Coupé shows off a bold chrome grille that harks back to the TT Shooting Brake concept. With LED headlamps and eye-catching daytime running lights – similar to those on the A5 and R8 – its face is certainly distinctive.

Simple body panels with mild sculpting and frameless doors give a neat, fresh appearance. Unlike many SUVs, the Cross Coupé gets a sloping tailgate. It also features an electric canvas roof which folds back as far as the boot.

Inside, the cabin is sumptuous. Several types of leather have been used, from super-soft hides on the figure-hugging bucket seats to harder-wearing suede-style finish on the doors.

The dashboard is made from soft-touch materials, with the centre console angled towards the driver. On the transmission tunnel sits a rotary dial which controls the twin-clutch S tronic automated box. Innovations include Drive Select – a system which tailors settings for the engine, gearbox, steering and adaptive suspension to suit the driver‘s requirements – and a new version of the Multi Media Interface (MMI) cabin control system. Both these features are likely to make it into production Audis in future.

So will the Cross Coupé’s engine – the firm’s latest 2.0-litre TDI. With common-rail fuel injection, it produces 204bhp and 400Nm of torque. The unit also uses Bluetec – a system which adds a special chemical to the exhaust fumes to clean up emissions.

We weren’t able to take the fragile one-off machine up to high speed, but with a commanding driving position, manageable dimensions and agile reactions, it’s entertaining to drive. And although the sloping rear end robs those in the back of some headroom, and the boot lip is on the high side, the firm’s engineering team is sure to smooth out these rough edges.
Thanks to a Haldex clutch and four-wheel drive, Audi says the finished version will be mildly capable over rugged terrain, too. However, with multi-link rear suspension and adaptive dampers tuned for road use, it will be a sporty SUV rather than a mud-plugger.

Bosses have yet to give the Cross Coupé Quattro the green light. But on the evidence of our drive, we’d advise them to do just that.

 

[Pebb]

Source: Auto Express

Secret supercar is go

Guesses about the production mule’s real identity were varied, with suggestions ranging from a small Bugatti to a Bentley-badged rival to the Ferrari F430. A new Audi A7 coupé was hinted at, and there was even mention of a possible Volkswagen supercar!

But whatever the true origin of the mystery machine, there are a number of tell-tale signs which indicate that it’s very significant. Starting at the nose, the widened track suggests that excellent handling will be a top priority for engineers during the car’s development process. keeping the powerplant cool will be, too – that is, if it is even located under the bonnet! Additional vents cut into the wings supplement the already large radiator grille at the front.

Thick sills hint at an enormously stiff chassis, while the disguised rear end appears to feature air intakes that could perhaps cool
a mid-mounted engine. Another possibility is that the car is being tested with some sort of hybrid powertrain, with an electric motor propelling the rear wheels and a petrol unit driving those at the front.

It’s worth noting that the holes cut into both the wings, as well as the distinctive design of the alloy wheels, are reminiscent of those on Bentley’s Continental GT.

And a hybrid replacement for that car could help the luxury marque meet tough new CO2 emissions targets. These look set to be adopted by the EU, and will force auto manufacturers to cut average emissions to a mere 130g/km. At the moment, Bentley models are producing in the region of 440g/km.

 

[YSSMAN]

A "cheap" Bentley four-seat Coupe? Who wants to be that it rides on the Panamera chassis? Twin-Turbo V8? All-wheel-drive?

Yeah, thats what I thought too...

 

[Kent]

Source: Auto Express

Secret supercar is go

I get a Ford feeling from this picture.
Just too hard to say at this point since no one is stepping up to claim the mystery shot (odd way to generate buzz these days ).

 

[Wolfe]

I get a Ford feeling from this picture.
Just too hard to say at this point since no one is stepping up to claim the mystery shot (odd way to generate buzz these days ).

The article pointed out that it likely belonged to one of several VAG-owned marques. It has Audi tail lights.

 

[Leonidae]

and Bugatti has Passat front lights.. Could this be the less insane, more economical and "cheaper" Bugatti with naturally aspirated W16?

 

[Venari]

Bentley competitor for Vantage (/ 911 / R8.)

Thought it would take a bit longer than this, but that VAGgers can move when they want to.

With Lambo penned as firmly 'exotic' and people who want something different going for the R8, VAG have firmly sighted the sub-£100k front-engined/rear-drive coupe as their next target - i.e. 'Beat Vantage!' Expect all-alloy construction, excellent packaging (i.e. a boot you can use) and thunderous power for the sector. They'll be targetting higher sales numbers too, 10,000pa?

This is the baby Bentley, folks.

 

[Danny]

Sizewise, it looks like it might be stepping on the Continental GT's toes...

I hope not, because I love the Conti.
I reckon maybe the Phaeton Coupe we've been promised.

 

[Tornado]

I'm amazed by Bentley's odd need to move Bentley further downmarket and continuing to ruin Bentley's heritage more when they seem to sell every single Continental GT they can build before it even leaves the factory.
And I can't expect VAG to be as impossibly stupid as to build three cars to compete with each other and a car built by the brand that owns the entire company. It makjes me truly wonder why VAG never realises how much internal brand squabbling they actually have.
For that matter, a Bentley competitor to Aston Martin V8 Vantages, Porsche 911s and Ferrari F430s makes me think that Volkswagen truly is braindead when it comes to what a Bentley is supposed to be. Leaves a bad taste in my mouth too.
So, I'm sure that this is either an A6 or A8 coupe. Nothing more.

 

[harrytuttle]

And I can't expect VAG to be as impossibly stupid as to build three cars to compete with each other and a car built by the brand that owns the entire company. It makjes me truly wonder why VAG never realises how much internal brand squabbling they actually have.

You're right. They rarely do it in three's. It's more like four's: A3/Golf/Fabia/Leon. VAG has completely redefined how to do in-house competition, and they do it better than no one else. Everyone knows it's all the same cars & parts, but it all sells as planned. It never ceases to astound me how they do it. Purist that I am, I'm actually hoping the purchase of VW by Porsche begins the clearing out of houses. Parts sharing is fine (good, even), but to have the same car, options and all, sold with many different faces.... Well, brand loyalty only lasts for so long.

 

[Pebb]

Source: 4car

Disabled drivers in VAT scam probe

A small number of disabled drivers are abusing the Motability system which allows them to buy new cars VAT-free, according to an investigation by Radio 4's You and Yours consumer programme.

The radio show reported yesterday that wheelchair users have been ordering high-specification, top-of-the-range expensive vehicles, such as Range Rover and Range Rover Sport 4x4s, and even Maseratis, Porsches, Bentleys and Lamborghinis, then selling them straight away at a profit to dealers, making thousands of pounds each time. A minimum modification is made to each vehicle for it to qualify for VAT-exemption, such as an additional knob to the steering wheel, which is instantly removed. The dealers are then selling the cars as 'pre-registered' to people wishing to jump the waiting lists, again turning a profit, but with no VAT paid on the vehicle which is now classed as secondhand.

As much as £12,000 is lost per car in tax. Though the practice appears to be legal, the government is now considering measures to close the loophole and cut down on such abuses. There are only guidelines currently in place, stating that disabled drivers can be exempt from paying VAT if they order a modified vehicle for personal use, rather than enforced laws.

Police and the Department of Work and Pensions are investigating cases in Yorkshire, Humberside, Merseyside and Derbyshire, and report that several individuals have bought and registered 60 top-spec Range Rovers each within the last two years; another has registered 35. Though they may not have grounds to prosecute for VAT fraud, they are looking into issues of money-laundering and benefit fraud, suspecting that participants may have exaggerated their disabilities to enable access to the Motability scheme, or that they may be making profits from car-trading whilst in receipt of incapacity benefits. Six people have been arrested so far.

 

[Pebb]

Source: AutoCar

Uncovered: the electric Porsche

Porsche has thrown open the doors of its top-secret Weissach research and development centre to reveal the Porsche Cayenne Hybrid – a full two years before the car arrives in showrooms.

Porsche’s new petrol-electric drivetrain system is known as a parallel hybrid and is being developed along with VW (for use in the Touareg) and Audi (for the Q7). Unlike the systems used by Lexus and Toyota, this parallel hybrid effectively slots into the vehicle’s existing drivetrain layout, rather than replacing it.

The new car will use the base model’s standard-issue 3.6-litre direct injection V6 engine. The Hybrid

Module is a made up of a 34Kw electric motor and a high-strength clutch mechanism, and is sandwiched between the engine’s flywheel and the automatic transmission.

Porsche engineers have also added a nickel metal hydride battery in the spare wheel well, and a large power electronics module in the engine bay. This acts as a transformer and controls the highly complex switching mechanism, which allows the car to alternate between the petrol engine, electrical power and a combination of the two.

A Porsche that does 34 to the gallon

Porsche says that it is aiming for a real-world return of 34mpg with this car, along with the low levels of exhaust pollutants characteristic of petrol-electric hybrids. A V8-engined Hybrid is possible, but will not be produced, says Porsche.

However, because the Cayenne is capable of starting and running on electric power only, engineers have had to re-think the vital ancillary parts. The oil pump, water pump, steering pump, air-con pump and brake servo assist are all now powered by electricity, allowing the Cayenne to function

normally, even when the petrol engine isn’t running.

To add to the complexity, an extra cooling circuit has been built in for both the power electronics module and the electric motor. The crash-protected battery pack is also air-cooled, using chilled air drawn from the passenger cabin.

However, the Hybrid Cayenne doesn’t need either a starter motor or an alternator: the electric motor does both jobs. Porsche says that Cayenne’s functionality has not been affected: it can still tow 3.5 tonnes and can wade through 50cm of water. The 69kg battery will also kick into life at -30c.

The production car will not arrive before late 2009 and the same hybrid transmission will also be available in the Porsche Panamera saloon in 2010. Porsche engineers, however, would not give any clues as to the likely price premium for the electro-Porsche.

 

[Pebb]

Source: 4car

Ford in profit again

Ford is back in profit for the first time since 2005, having reversed last year's £6.3 billion losses. Its quarterly figures show a gain of £367 million in the second quarter of 2007. This figure has, however, been artificially boosted by the £439 million paid for Aston Martin in March's sell-off, which still leaves an unhealthy deficit.

After months of denials, Ford has now confirmed that it is taking bids for Jaguar and Land Rover, which it is seeking to sell as a single unit. A number of potential buyers have been rumoured, including India's Tata Motors, but the most likely purchasers are private equity firms. Cerberus, the new owner of Chrysler, is said to be interested.

Ford continues to deny that Volvo is up for sale but has admitted that it is undergoing a 'strategic review' of the Swedish division.

 

[Kent]

I hope someone like BMW buys Land Rover. 👍
Also, I hope Jaguar manages to be bought by someone like VW.
I never liked that Ford owned either of those companies and I'd be happy to see them start-anew with someone else. 👍
As for Volvo... I've never really cared much about Volvo.