Lamborghini CEO says 2017 launch of SUV possible if given a green light by VW
There are tons of news going around about the SUV project of Italian car manufacturer Lamborghini that will be previewed during the auto show in Beijing this month. The thinly disguised SUV will somehow test the waters just like what the EXP 9 SUV of Bentley did in Geneva last March.
According to reports, Stephan Winkelmann commented that the planned SUV will be an essential part of the Lamborghini lineup especially as the brand has been struggling financially since 2009. He added that if Volkswagen will give the project a green light, the SUV might launch by 2017.
The top executive of Lamborghini also said that the brand needs a third line looking at the long-term. The SUV of the brand will be for everyday use and not just for the weekends or the race track. This vehicle will allow the brand to get new customers. Usually it takes four years before new vehicle gets to dealerships so a rough estimate will be before 2017 if VW gives it a go. Other reports have said that VW will most likely have a positive response about the SUV project.
The Bentley and the new Lamborghini SUV will be sharing platforms with the next Cayenne under Porsche, Touareg by VW, and the Audi Q7. It is said that the new SUV will make use of a modified V10 engined that is currently used for the Lamborghini Gallardo.
Bentley’s EXP 9 was not shown top management of the VW Group before it was displayed in Geneva which did not get well to the executives especially after the model received negative criticisms from the press and the public.
Lamborghini has been treading the grounds carefully making sue that the SUV of the brand will not get the same fate. He also emphasizes that the brand will make sure that the SUV will be recognized as a Lamborghini.
Renaults cuts down lineup for the UK; No more Gordini, Espace, Laguna, Wind, Kangoo, and Modus models
Renault first hinted of the plan of trimming the brand’s lineup last month due to low sales figures and now, the French car manufacturer has made it official with the release of additional details about the decimation of the vehicle models.
The vehicles which will no longer be available in the United Kingdom are the small MPV Modus, commercial and passenger vans called Kangoo, the Laguna, Espace MPV, and the Wind Roadster.
Renault will also discontinue all of the variants of the Gordini while the range of Renaultsport 133 Twingo has been trimmed down to one version.
By February 1, British consumers will only be able to buy a new range of the Renault brand which will have seven van and passenger models. This will include the city car Twingo, supermini Clio, Sport Tourer, Grand Scenic and Scenic MPV, variants of the RenaultSport, and the Megane Hatch, CC, Sports Tourer and Coupe.
The French car manufacturer shared that it will be adding some models to their lineup from their range of ZE electric vehicles like the Fluence sedan and the Twizy. By the middle of 2012, it is set to pre-launch of their Dacia brand.
Mercedes to co-develop premium car with Renault
Mercedes-Benz top executive Dieter Zetsche talked with his counterpart in Renault so the two car manufacturers can co-develop a premium vehicle together.
German newspapers recently released reports that Mercedes gives Renault a chance to build a premium vehicles within the scope of alliance of the two companies. Back in April last year, Daimler which owns Mercedes-Benz signed a pact with Renault to form a broad spectrum partnership that might give way for the carmakers to share engines and also make vehicles together.
According to Zetsche, the partnership is really feasible as long as it is commercially sound for the two brands. Mercedes is to open its doors to Renault so they can explore the premium segment together.
The topman of sales and marketing of Renault shared that the car manufacturer is already working on making their own premium vehicles to add to their current line up just like the Espace minvan which is expected to come out by 2014.
The team up with Renault will also benefit Mercedes-Benz especially in learning from the latter how to build smaller cars to expand their line up of compact cars in the luxury segment of the market. Renault on the other hand will learn a lot about the premium segment vehicles from Mercedes and also use the gained knowledge for their sibling brands Infiniti and Nissan.
Suzuki debuts the 2012 Swift Sport
This September, the brand new Suzuki Swift Sport will make its debut appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The initial sale date is expected during the first quarter of next year.
The new Suzuki Swift Sport carries a 1.6-liter petrol engine with 134 bhp and 118 lb-ft of torque which is attached to a 6-speed manual transmission.
According to Tony Deveres, the general manager for Suzuki Australia, their branch is especially ecstatic over the first release of the brand new Suzuki Swift Sport and that they are doing the final tweaks for the model’s Australian version.
In the statement made by the Suzuki Motor Corporation, the Japanese car manufacturer said the new Swift Sport comes with “superior cornering stability and brisker.” Likewise, the responsive handling has been improved due to the support of the redesigned suspension and internal rebound springs.
The redesigned Suzuki Swift Sport comes with a meaner-looking body with bigger front grille. Inside the cabin reeks of combined luxury and sportiness with features that make driving experience a little more exciting. While Suzuki has yet to release images of the car’s interiors, we can only assume that it will be meaner looking that the previous one.
The new Suzuki Swift Sport is 40mm longer compared to the standard model of the Swift. But the height and the width are the same as the base model. The Suzuki Swift Sport has a series of safety equipment like the Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and seven airbags.
Full details of the BMW i3
BMW makes its i-cars more appealing as they they release the details about the new BMW i3 as the most practical of the range. Insiders of BMW even compare the new i3 in terms of price to the current version of the 1-Series.
The BMW i3 is scheduled to hit the market in 2013 and is expected to come as a plug in electric vehicle or come with a range extender.
The car is used to be known as the Megacity Vehicle with its initial design veering away from the low standing small cars of the BMW garage but giving it a more upright look for better visibility. The car can seat four adults with around 200 liters of space for your luggage.
Like its sibling the i8, the BMW i3 makes use of the platform that revolves around carbonfiber strengthened plastic on a mostly aluminum chassis. The German car manufacturer expects that production version of the i3 to tip the scale at 1,270 kilograms. The dimensions are expected to be 2011 mm (width), 3,845 mm (length), and 1,537 (height).
Comparing the numbers of the BMW i3 to the Mini One, the i3 will be 265 kilos lighter, 326 mm wider, 132 mm higher, and 120 mm longer. The i3 has a bigger footprint than the Mini One but it is still smaller compared to the other existing models in the BMW garage.
BMW also boasts that the i3 will have good handling and will come very stable as it houses its lithium ion battery under a section of its flooring.
At the moment, the BMW i3 sporting a pure electric drive train is undergoing testing as part of Active E 1 Series prototypes. The development of the i3 started back in 2009.
Ford unveils Blue Angels-inspired Mustang GT for Wisconsin event
Since 2006, American car giant Ford Motor Company has continued to wow the automobile world, or the whole world for that matter, with their unique Mustang GT models year after year which are revealed during the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. This aviation event holds the title of the world’s greatest and biggest aviation celebration. This year’s Mustang GT design honors the Blue Angels Naval Aviation Team.
The design for this year’s Mustang GT took inspiration from the F-18 Hornet aircraft of the Blue Angels. The Mustang GT model boasts of a stunning chrome blue exterior finish with eye-catching yellow stripes. Of course, the GT model also carries the Blue Angels crest and script on the exterior. The GT’s racing seats also features the Blue Angels crest.
The Blue Angels-inspired Mustang GT model is equipped with screen images for easy navigation, safety belts made of fabric, and top performance gauges. Furthermore, when you open the doors, the puddle lamps reveal images of jet planes to pay tribute to the Blue Angels. The Mustang GT carries a supercharged 5.0-liter V-8 Ford Racing engine that comes with 624 horsepower or 465 kW / 632 PS. The model car is also given a Ford Racing racetrack brakes, a handling pack, and performance exhaust for ultimate performance.
The Blue Angels 2012 Mustang GT will be auctioned on July 28, 2011 with all the benefits awarded to the EAA Young Angels that has been providing almost 1.6 million young people with introductory flight training since the year 1992.
Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback Model at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show
The unveiling of the new Chevrolet Cruze hatchback is another reason to attend the 2011 Geneva Auto Show. However, there’s still no word whether this version would roll out into U.S. showrooms.
According to Lesley Hettinger, the spokesperson for Chevrolet, the Cruze hatchback model has yet to be given an approval from the U.S. but there’s a big possibility that it might come to the country since it’s a global auto model.
The Chevrolet Cruz hatchback is a direct replica of the Cruze concept that was presented in the 2010 Paris Auto Show last September. In the UK, hatchbacks cover only two-thirds of the sales for compact car models. Therefore, the success of this brand new model will determine its share of the European market. In 2009, about 500,000 Cruze models have been sold around the globe.
According to General Motors, the Cruze hatchback will come with a new engine models. However, only one engine model has been specified—a 2.0-liter V4 diesel engine that comes with 161 horsepower, the same engine that is powering the Chevrolet Orlando. This engine is attached to a 6-speed manual gearbox. The Cruze hatchback concept is designed with around 14.3 cubic feet capacity for cargo.
General Motors has yet to announced performance specifications and pricing for the new Chevrolet Cruze hatchback and so far, nothing has been speculated yet in terms of its price tag. But you can get the Cruze model in nearly 70 countries around the globe including India, Russia, and China.
Baldwin-Motion releases Phase III 2011 Camaro, promises 800 horsepower
Classing tuning firm Baldwin-Motion recently released a series of tweaked Camaro SS. The low tier Camaro SS-427 gives out 525 bhp while the top of the line Phase III Camarao 427-SC produces up to 800 horsepower.
There are three other models of the Camaro in between including the Phase II 600 bhp, SS-454 giving out 550 bhp, and the Phase III Camaro 454 blasting out 625 bhp.
These Camaro models will either have the LS7 427engine or the LSX 454 powerplant.
The Camaro SS that has a max output of 800 horsepower has the LS7 powerplant fitted with a twin-screw 2.8L supercharger. This Camaro also gets a dual-dick clutch derived from the Corvette ZR1, sport exhaust from American racing, and Brembo brakes.
The tuning of the Camaros is a partnership between the Baldwin-Motion, Redline Motorsports, and the DeNooyer Performance division of Chevrolet.
These very poweful Camaros will only be sold via the DeNooyer Chevrolet in the state of New York. Every model will be released with a Motion VIN plate and documentation.
The tuning firm Baldwin-Motion was established back in the 1960s by Joel Rosen. The company worked on tuning the Camaros until its last run back in 1974. The brand was resureccted back in 2005.
Balwin-Motion relaunches the brand to do what they did best back in the early years of the company and provide the Phase II and SS Camaros built to order by the consumers.
Cars and Denims: 2010 Fiat 500 by Diesel
Expected to be embraced by the younger generation of car buyers, Fiat, the Italian automobile company debuted the 2010 Fiat 500—a model that is joint with the youthful and highly popular clothing brand Diesel by Renzo Rosso,and the famous fashion show “Bread & Butter.”
The flashy 2010 Fiat 500 comes with a series of options for powertrains. Buyers can choose the brand new 1.3 Multijet II 95 HP with Start&Stop that’s just perfect for the standard engine, the 1.2 liter 69-horsepower engine, the 1.3 Multijet 75-horsepower engine with diesel particulate filters, and lastly, the 1.4 16V 100-horsepower engine for the maximum performance.
The 2010 Fiat 500 captivates the crowd with is trademark dark blue body paint called “Midnight Indigo”. The dark blue body paint represents that denim that is used to manufacture jeans. The stunning model also comes with the yellow brake calipers (unfortunately this is available only with the 1.4 100-horsepower version), rear trim with air intake that carried the famous logos of Italian designers, a one-of-a-kind set of 16-inch alloy wheels, and the flashy Diesel logo in front. The interior leaves much to be desired with its dark denim fabric with yellow threadwork.
The 2010 Fiat 500 stands out because of its amazing aesthetic features that are just perfect for the new generation of car buyers. The fusion of Fiat and Diesel resulted in the birth of an exclusive and limited version of a flashy Fiat model that is marketed worldwide. At present, it is said that there are among the 10,000 available units, 6,000 have already been reserved.
Volkswagen: Releases Bigger Jetta with Lower Price
The American arm of Volkswagen is set to release a lower priced and athletically styled 2011 Jetta. The redesigned vehicle will have a starting sticker price of $16,000. The current model line up of the Jetta has a base price of $18,300 inclusive of destination charges.
The new VW Jetta will be rolling out of dealerships starting this October. The vehicles are produced at the Volkswagen plant in Puebla, Mexico.
The new generation Jetta will be longer by 3.5 inches compared to the current model at 182.7 inches while the width is still the same at 70.1 inches. The height of the vehicle is also unchanged at 57 inches.
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