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Wow, the Ford profit news is nearly a week old... Still, GM had a nearly $850 Million profit for Q2, similar to Ford, so things appear to be going well for the American companies once again...
 
This statement is coming from someone who knows very little about the car business so please dont attack me. I think the best client for the buying of Land Rover, Jaguar and Volvo would be Porsche. As opposed to attempting to buy VAG or diluting their own lineup (Cayenne, Panamera) they should invest in those marques and allow them to keep their own character. Porsche would have no need for an FR GT or a saloon (Jaguar could have that covered) or an SUV (Land Rover obviously). And Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo could have much better powerplants since Porsche is an extremely profitable company.
 
Source: 4car

Zagato Diatto gets the go-ahead

The Zagato-designed Diatto GT Ottovu, a coupe concept specially commissioned to revive Turin's historic Diatto marque, will go into production. Just 99 will be made, and seekers of automotive exclusivity are already showing an interest.

The GT Ottovu has an Italian name but its engine is from Ford. The big V8 has been supercharged and tuned by Roush and Cosworth for 530bhp and a 0-60mph time of less than four seconds, and Zagato says it has the potential to be tweaked for up to 650bhp.

Diatto was founded in Turin in 1835 as a wheel making and mending firm, and began to build cars in 1905. The firm shut in 1955, and the Diatto trademark and logo currently belong to a company registered in Madeira, Portugal.
 
Duphman
This statement is coming from someone who knows very little about the car business so please dont attack me. I think the best client for the buying of Land Rover, Jaguar and Volvo would be Porsche. As opposed to attempting to buy VAG or diluting their own lineup (Cayenne, Panamera) they should invest in those marques and allow them to keep their own character. Porsche would have no need for an FR GT or a saloon (Jaguar could have that covered) or an SUV (Land Rover obviously). And Jaguar, Land Rover, and Volvo could have much better powerplants since Porsche is an extremely profitable company.
Click to expand...

Its not a completely irrational idea, but the problem is that VAG is already too full with competitors as it is. Throwing Jaguar in there throws them up against Audi, who are technically competing against Porsche, who already compete against Lamborghini, and Porsche may end up competing against Bentley with the Panamera, which will likely spawn a RWD Volkswagen, which will compete against Audi and Jaguar all over again.

(Whew)

So, the Ruskies don't want Land Rover and Jaguar, and Ford won't let the Indians (Tata) pick them up... Who's left? China? I doubt Ford would let that happen either.

Keep Volvo and Mazda at Ford, give Jaguar and Land Rover to that group that owns Aston Martin (with partial Ford ownership of course!), and the world will be right again. Thats my opinion at least...
 
Source: AutoCar

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Bentley reveals souped-up Continental GT

Less than a month after Bentley proclaimed the Brooklands super-coupé as its most powerful V8-engined car ever, Crewe is smashing more records with a 600bhp version of the Continental GT - and it’s just as Autocar predicted.

Available to order from August, this is the appropriately named Continental GT Speed. It’s the most powerful production Bentley ever and, although we’ve timed both the Continental GT and the Flying Spur above 200mph, this is the first to officially breach 200mph, with a top speed of 202mph.

What’s more, you really did read about it first on Autocar.co.uk. Back in March, we ran a story containing advanced spy pictures of this car, and reported that Bentley must be working on a higher-powered version of the Continental coupe. Here the proof that we were right – and you can see the official pictures on our gallery.

The fastest Bentley ever

Inspired by the Bentley Speed models from 1923, the GT Speed is based on the revised Continental GT Coupé, itself due in August. Cosmetic clues include a dark-tinted chrome grille, 20in multi-spoke alloy wheels with bespoke Pirelli rubber, a deeper, wider air intake in the front bumper and wider exhausts at the rear.

But the chief enhancements are mechanical. The standard Conti’s 552bhp (which remains unchanged in the ’08 model), exerted by its Volkswagen 6.0-litre W12 engine, has been increased to 600bhp.

With 553lb ft of torque and a revised ‘sport traction’ function to moderate ESP intervention, the GT Speed will hit 60mph in 4.3sec, compared to the standard ’08 car’s time of 4.6sec. The GT Speed’s chassis also gets thicker front and rear anti-roll bars to increase rigidity, and the air suspension is lowered by 10mm at the front and 15mm at the rear for enhanced agility.

Both the new GT and the GT Speed benefit from engine and drivetrain component upgrades which shave 35kg of mass, giving both cars a still-portly 2350kg kerbweight. Optional carbon-ceramic brakes will provide fade-resistant stopping power and another 20kg weight reduction. Bentley says new engine management has also improved fuel consumption and cut CO2 emissions in both models from 410g/km to 396g/km.

Prices for the GT Speed will start from £137,500 while the 552bhp 2008 GT will cost £120,500.
 
I was wondering when this would be revealed. Read about it being tested on the Nurburgring just 2 weeks ago.
 
Source: 4car

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Frankfurt preview: Peugeot 308 RC Z

Peugeot is proposing an Audi TT-alike sports coupe with the unveiling of a concept called 308 RC Z at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The RC Z is a curvy 2+2 coupe based on the new 308 small family car; it's the same length as the hatch, but 25mm wider and, at 1,320mm high, considerably lower-slung. It has a high percentage of aluminium and carbon-fibre components to keep its weight down, and its outline has been developed for optimum aerodynamics.

While it bears a strong resemblance to the 308, the RC Z has a single air intake, a chrome front grille and different fog lights and four projector-style directional bi-xenon headlights; to the rear, it has a pair of centrally-mounted exhaust tailpipes integrated into the rear bumper's lower section. Peugeot says that this has been achieved by repositioning the rear silencer in a transverse position, where it can double up as an aerodynamic diffuser, and that this layout still allows for the storage of a spare wheel.

The RC Z is finished in a metallic grey 'flake' paint finish and its interior is leather-upholstered with chrome, aluminium and black lacquer trim. It's kitted out with bucket-type front seats and two 'occasional' folding rear seats - more for golf clubs than as a proper '+2' for passengers - although with these seats folded, Peugeot claims enough boot volume to accommodate a mountain bike. Showcasing Peugeot's latest gadgets and technology, the cabin features kit including lane departure warning, as in the 308.

Power comes from a 218bhp version of the 1.6-litre turbo engine as in the 207 GTi; this has a maximum torque output of 207lb-ft, which can be temporarily boosted to 221lb-ft for quick bursts of acceleration, and is fitted in combination with an all-new six-speed manual gearbox. The RC Z is said to be capable of 146mph and 0-60mph in seven seconds, yet is relatively economical, returning 42.2mpg and 160g/km of carbon dioxide.

Though this is described only as a concept car and a 'testbed' for new technology, the 308 RC Z is a very definite hint that Peugeot is planning to extend its 308 range by adding a sporty coupe. The coupe is also expected to have a drop-top counterpart with folding metal roof, which will replace the current 307 CC.
 
Aside from the Big-Mouth Billy Bass front end, It actually looks pretty good.
 
It looks exceedingly like a 350Z.

Which to me, hints that Peugeot is going for a sporty image with it.
 
Source: AutoCar

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Mitsubishi builds its first diesel

Called the Concept-cX, which stands for compact crossover, this small 4x4 is intended to "create a link between Mitsubishi's passenger cars and SUVs."

Under the bonnet lies an all-new 1.8-litre four-cylinder "Clean Diesel" engine – the first oil-burner Mitsubishi has developed. The engine uses a variable-geometry turbocharger and the latest diesel particulate filters to maximise efficiency and minimise emissions. It will meet forthcoming Euro 5 emissions regulations.

In the Concept-cX, which will be revealed in the metal at September's Frankfurt motor show, the new engine comes mated to a dual-clutch gearbox from the new Lancer and a four-wheel drive system derived from the Outlander's.

The Concept-cX is smaller than you'd think, at just 4.1m long – that's somewhere between a Focus and Fiesta - and uses interior plastics derived from plants, not oil. There's a split rear tailgate, and a high SUV-style driving position.

Mitsubishi won't say whether or not the Concept-cX could make it to the road, but given the pressure on car makers to build smaller, more efficient cars, we wouldn't bet against it.

In the meantime, the new engine will be used in the new Lancer hatch and saloon, out early in 2008.
 
Uh.... the first oil burner Mitsubishi has developed? What's the 4D56? (probably one of the most common small diesels in production, used by Mitsubishi, Hyundai and a whole bunch of Chinese copycats...) A vegetable chopper? I seriously don't get that statement...
 
and all those Mitsubishi Fuso trucks....

Well, this is probably their first "Civilian" diesel. I wonder if cars like the Caliber will get it?
 
^ Nope, they're were not Fuso diesels, there were originally built by Mitsu themselves. Here are some examples of 'civilian diesels' made by Mitsubishi:

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^ for Mitsu's cars, then yes, but this wasn't the first Mitsu diesels ever made.
 
First transverse diesel, then? It' still a stupid thing for any publication to claim... let alone the company whose continued survival is largely thanks to diesel sales... :lol:
 
Source: AutoCar

Brabus readies its own birthday present

German tuner Brabus is planning to celebrate its 30th anniversary at the Frankfurt motor show in September by unveiling a new model. All it's saying at the moment is that the car will be a "wolf in sheep's clothing".

Brabus started in 1984, when a V8 was slotted under the bonnet of a Mercedes 190. Since then, the firm has gained a reputation for making fearsomely fast modified Mercedes, including the CLS-based V12-powered Rocket, which is officially the fastest street-legal saloon in the world, at 227.2mph.

The new car is rumoured to be a stealthy version of the new Mercedes C-class, with something seriously powerful under the bonnet. It'll need to have more than 457bhp if it's to beat the 6.2-litre V8 of Merc's own C63 AMG.
 
A wolf in sheep's clothing? - don't all Brabus's productions follow this format?
 
Source: AutoCar

Alfa Romeo's to be made in China

Fiat and Chinese car maker Chery have signed an agreement that will lead to Alfas and Fiats being made in China.

The deal, signed on Monday (7 August), is for a joint venture in which Chery and Fiat will be equal partners. The joint group will build around 175,000 cars a year, starting in 2009.

The cars will be a combination of Fiats, Alfas and Cherys. The first car is likely to be the Alfa 159, built from kits imported to China. It will be followed by the five-door 147 hatch.

Fiat already builds cars in China, in collaboration with Nanjing Automobile – best known as the new owner of MG. It apparently intends to end this arrangement.

Chery already makes engines for Fiat, and earlier this year signed a deal to build a new Chrysler supermini, for export to the Americas.
 
Awesome! That will improve build quality!
 
I would hope so. So long as Fiat doesn't import any cars from China.
 
Source: AutoCar

Ken announces London’s CO2 charge

Ken Livingstone’s new carbon emissions-based London congestion charge will go under public scrutiny tomorrow (10 August) when the plan is opened to public consultation. Anyone living in or around the capital’s congestion zone, and driving an old or big carbon-emitting car, will want to have a say, as the new scheme stands to cost them a whacking £6500 a year.

Under the new plan, any car that emits less than 120g/km of CO2 and is clean enough to meet Euro IV emissions criteria will be able to enter London’s city centre charging zone for free. Those that emit between 120g/km and 225g/km will pay £8 a day – the same fee that cars currently pay.

Any car that emits more than 225g/km will have to pay a charge of £25 a day to enter the congestion charging zone, however, and not just those, but also any car registered before March 2001 and with an engine larger than 3000cc. The Mayor is also proposing to drop the 90 per cent resident’s discount on the charge for anyone with a car that fits into the top emissions bracket.

Having your say

A ten-week consultation period on the proposals begins tomorrow and ends on 19 October. “Those wishing to get involved will be able to register their views both online and more formally, in writing,” a spokeman from the Mayor’s Press Office told us.

Information on exactly how to do that will emerge, as Autocar understands it, later today, and we’re sure it’ll be information many residents of the city will be keen to get possession of. Livingstone's plan is to get the new scheme in place by May 2008, before the next London mayoral election.
 
It's scandalous. We get the nickname rip-off Britain for a reason. We're all ripped off over here. Especially where cars are concerned.
 
Source: 4car

Busy Fisker has two new models

Artega has announced that customer deliveries of its Henrik Fisker-designed GT will start mid-2008. The initial production run will be for just 500 cars, but a roadster version is planned.

The Artega GT has a Volkswagen-sourced 3.6-litre V6 (delivering around 300bhp) and DSG transmission, and it weighs just 1100kg.

Fisker - who has clearly been busy since his departure from Aston Martin - has also created his own-brand line-up of cars, built in California. His Latigo coupe, based on the BMW 6-Series, has already reached its 150-car production run. Fisker has now released pictures of the updated model, the Latigo CS.

Both the V8, developed from the 650Ci, and V10 (M6), are entirely hand-built with many parts from the original donor car replaced by aluminium, magnesium alloy, carbon fibre and stainless steel components. The bespoke bodywork has been modified, with new bumpers and lights; think of it, perhaps, as an Aston on BMW mechanicals.

Both coupe and convertible models are available to special order, and customers can take delivery from the end of the year.
 
So, the coachbuilder becomes a full-on manufacturer? Am I reading theis right?
 
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