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News in brief
U.S car sales are forecasted to remain strong if the current pace continues. August car sales will equal around 1.1m. This investigation believes that fleet sales have been increasing steadily compared to last month.
"It looks like bargain hunters are getting serious about taking advantage of the model year-end deals. But this is a bargain-driven market, so as the deals dry up, sales will likely trend down from here" said CEO Jeremy Anwyl. Click here for more.
Before launching the revised Genesis sedan for the 2012MY, Hyundai has modified the 2011 Genesis, by adding more power. The 4.6 litre Tau obtains a 10bhp boost, which means total power output is now rated at 485bhp on premium unleaded, 378bhp on regular. The revised Genesis is on sale now.
Kia kills-off the Rondo in the U.S:
In 2009, Kia only sold 14,206 Rondos, down 50% from 2008, in which Kia sold more than 28,645 units. The Rondo/Carens is available in Canada, where it’s selling very well.
Volkswagen updates its 1.2 litre petrol engine for Fox city-car:
With a top speed of 95mph, the Fox does 48.7mpg (5.8l/100km) on the combined cycle. The 1.2 litre petrol engine is available on all Fox trims with German prices starting at €9,825.
The 60bhp 1.2 litre Fox can be ordered now.
Researchers tinkering with bio-fuel (UK)
The researchers have produced a type of fuel from distilled Scotch whisky, from Diageo's Glenkinchie Distillery.
The fuel uses "pot ale" — the liquid deposit from copper stills — and "draff" or leftover grain. Scientists claim it can be used in ordinary cars without altering the engines. Observers say the whisky bio-fuel has "earned a toast" from ecologists.
Supporters of the bio-fuel resulting from whisky byproducts say it could offer a new supply of revenue for one of Scotland's biggest industries, as well as helping to ease reliance on foreign oil.
Photo Gallery: 2011 MINI Countryman
The Countryman is 398 mm longer than the regular Mini (at 4,097mm), 316 mm wider (at 1,789 mm) and 170mm higher (at 1,577mm). The Countryman offers 350 litres of luggage space and 1,170 litres with the rear seats folded.
Standard equipment includes air conditioning, DAB digital radio, rear parking sensors, alarm, Dynamic Stability Control, 6 airbags and a tyre pressure warning system.
The ALL4 is front wheel driven in dry conditions, but when wheel slippage is detected on the front wheels or if the car is being driven passionately, an electro-magnetic clutch, located on the rear axle, engages drive to the rear wheels.
BMW says that to ‘enable this imperceptible change to the driven wheels a propeller shaft from the front axle is driven constantly and is ready to direct drive forces from the front axle to the rear in lightning time’. The amount of power sent to the rear wheels is ‘infinitely variable between one per cent and 100, depending upon the driving conditions.’
More information can be found here.
Full photo gallery of the 2011 MINI Countryman:
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| 2011 MINI Countryman |
2011 MINI Countryman
Chevy Corvette due May 2011 (UK)
UK customers have been disadvantaged of Corvettes due to the previous importer, Kroymans who folded last year. Chevrolet UK is looking to obtain European type approval for Corvette’s complete model range: C6, Z06, Grand Sport and the ZR1.
The Corvette will be sold along with the Camaro coupé and convertible models, last officially available in the UK in 1976. Both cars will be available simply with a 426bhp 6.2 litre V8 engine. European type approval for the Camaro is likely to be approved in Spring 2011.
"These cars won’t be volume sellers, they’ll be brand builders," Chevrolet UK MD Mark Terry said. "Camaro and Corvette are both icons and can act as a hook to other cars in our line-up."
No diesel-hybrid for MINI
Wolfgang Kuttler, Mini’s diesel-engine manager, has rejected the idea of launching a diesel hybrid even though BMW engine partner, PSA Peugeot-Citroen is investing heavily in the idea.
He said that the system called PSA Hybrid4 – set to show-up on the Citroen DS4 & Peugeot 508 – is “a very expensive and heavy system”.
He added, “It only brings fuel savings in town, not on the faster, more open roads commonly used in Europe. We’ll never use a system like it at Mini for that reason.”
Kuttler is said that Mini is concentrating on improving fuel economy in its diesel engines, using other techniques.
“We intend to concentrate on improving ancillary drive, lowering internal friction, increasing injection pressure and optimising turbo response, among other aspects. Variable valve timing is a possibility but it’s low down on the priority list.”
BMW has previously declared that it’s working on a 3-cylinder turbo-diesel engine, but Kuttler said this arrangement will need a 1.5 litre capacity or more — “not only to keep the BMW and Mini performance values but also because it is not efficient to have an engine so short of power that it must be worked hard”.
Renault workers to protest about importing Latitude sedan
According to French media, the French GTC union is arranging to ‘bus in’ factory workers to the Paris motor show, where the Latitude will premier. Unions at PSA Peugeot-Citroën are believed to be anxious at more home-brand production being sourced abroad. Renault is also facing resistance from its own Government, which owns 15% of Renault, on introducing international built models.
The Latitude sedan underpins the Samsung SM5; itself based on the Laguna platform and will not be sold in the UK. Renault is eager to keep its footing in Europe’s D-Segment, predominantly because of slow sales of the current Laguna.
Reports quote French industry minister Christian Estrosi saying “he would be keeping a close watch” on the Latitude project because Renault promised the import volumes would remain “marginal”.
Renault’s existence in the large car market within Europe has been dwindling for several years. The mature Espace MPV has been outsold by the younger Ford S-Max, the aging, upscale Vel Satis sedan is a virtual failure and Renault has roughly sold 90,000 Lagunas last year, half of the company’s projected sales plan.
Figures from JD Power propose that Renault currently holds 3.4% of the European large car market, down from 7.5% in 2003. Renault has still not declared its plans for replacing the Espace and Laguna, despite confirming the factory that makes them will gradually shift to van production.
Suzuki Swift pricing announced (UK)
The new Euro5 1.2 VVT petrol engine replaces the outgoing 1.3 VVT and is cleaner and more powerful with 94bhp and 118Nm of torque. Top speed is increased to 103mph. Exhaust emissions are lower too, with manual cars emitting 116g/km and combining fuel economy figures of 56.5mpg (5.0l/100km). The automatic has combined fuel economy of 50.4mpg (5.6l/100km) and emits 129g/km.
The Swift comes in three different trim-levels, each adding more standard equipment.
The entry-level SZ2 comes with remote central locking, electric front windows, drivers seat height adjustment, 60/40 split folding rear seats, electrically adjustable & heated door mirrors, trip computer, 3-spoke leather steering wheel w/audio controls, 6 speakers w/CD player, MP3 player & USB port, 15" steel wheels, height adjustable steering wheel, body-coloured door mirrors, handles and bumpers, ESP and 7 airbags (twin front, side, curtain & drivers knee). The 3dr SZ2 starts at £9,995 with the 5dr starting at £10,445.
Range-topping SZ4 features climate control, rear electric windows, keyless entry & start, height & reach adjustable steering wheel, Bluetooth, front fog lights, rain-sensing headlamps and privacy glass. These amenities come at a price tag of £11,795 for the 3dr Swift, while the 5dr starts at £12,245. The automatic adds £1,000 on top.
Once the car has been on sale for a few months, Suzuki will add a host of accessories, in the mean-time, the only option you can specify is metallic paint at £390.
The 1.3 DDiS goes on sale Spring 2011 and will have economy figures of 67.3mpg (4.2l/100km) with CO2 emissions of 109g/km. Instead of phasing out the 2009MY Swift, Suzuki will continue to sell it alongside the new Swift. It will be renamed 'Swift SZ'.
In order to sway potential consumers, Suzuki is offering 0% APR typical finance over 3 years on the new Swift, with 50% minimum deposit. Selected online car brokers are even offering upto £500 off the list price.
Audi R8 Blackbird
Pictures and video of the super cool Audi R8 Blackbird car. Back in the 1960s, at the height of the Cold War, the world's two superpowers were locked in a technology race to develop their military capabilities fastest. Out of this came the idea of 'stealth' aircraft like the legendary SR-71 Blackbird, which provided the inspiration for this highly-modified Audi R8 from New York.
Like its winged counterpart, the Audi R8 ‘Blackbird’ features a sleek design, stunning performance and a host of stealthy electronic countermeasures for the road. Built by New York-based 'Ai Designs', the car has enough gadgets to give a military vehicle a run for its money, including a recently installed Passport 9500ci - an integrated laser detection and laser shifting unit. According to the company that builds the unit, Escort, speeding tickets will be a thing of the past thanks to the Passport's ability to absorb a laser signal and send a scrambled signal back to the source.
A built-in iPhone is used to check speed trap locations on the Internet and constantly update the car's library of red-light cameras and speed cameras, making it difficult for even the most ham fisted drivers to be caught by the constabulary.
With all of that stealth technology tucked underneath the car's dashboard, the R8 Blackbird exterior is the only giveaway that there’s something very special lurking within its sheet metal. Custom 20in forged wheels in a glossy black color sit at each corner, while the brake hats, rotors and exhaust tips are all coated in a flat black paint scheme. Finally, a Capristo sports exhaust with computer controlled valves allows the driver to make the R8 Blackbird as loud or quiet as they desire.
Alex Roy R8 Blackbird Video
Alex Roy interviews the anonymous owner of the Audi R8 "Blackbird"...shockingly well equipped with bleeding edge technological innovations.
Audi R8 BlackBird ! from vudu on Vimeo.
Just look at what the R8 Blackbird has fitted:
Like its winged counterpart, the Audi R8 ‘Blackbird’ features a sleek design, stunning performance and a host of stealthy electronic countermeasures for the road. Built by New York-based 'Ai Designs', the car has enough gadgets to give a military vehicle a run for its money, including a recently installed Passport 9500ci - an integrated laser detection and laser shifting unit. According to the company that builds the unit, Escort, speeding tickets will be a thing of the past thanks to the Passport's ability to absorb a laser signal and send a scrambled signal back to the source.
A built-in iPhone is used to check speed trap locations on the Internet and constantly update the car's library of red-light cameras and speed cameras, making it difficult for even the most ham fisted drivers to be caught by the constabulary.
With all of that stealth technology tucked underneath the car's dashboard, the R8 Blackbird exterior is the only giveaway that there’s something very special lurking within its sheet metal. Custom 20in forged wheels in a glossy black color sit at each corner, while the brake hats, rotors and exhaust tips are all coated in a flat black paint scheme. Finally, a Capristo sports exhaust with computer controlled valves allows the driver to make the R8 Blackbird as loud or quiet as they desire.
Alex Roy R8 Blackbird Video
Alex Roy interviews the anonymous owner of the Audi R8 "Blackbird"...shockingly well equipped with bleeding edge technological innovations.
Audi R8 BlackBird ! from vudu on Vimeo.
Just look at what the R8 Blackbird has fitted:
- Uniden BCD-396T Trunk Tracker Scanner
- Uniden BCD-996T GPS Scanner
- Cobra 75 WX-ST CB Radio
- GRadio 5watt VHF Radios with Iasus NT-3 Evolution Throat Mics
- WAAV AirBox X2 EVDO Rev A Dual Cellular Broadband Router with WIFI
- Escort 9500ci Radar Detector with AI Design Custom Mirror Mounted Display
- Valentine V1 with POP Detection
- Escort Laser Shifters Front and Rear
- Garmin Nuvi 760 Units with FM traffic
- Hirshmann GPS 918 5V Flex Cellular GPS antennas
- Antennex 4 Foot CB antenna
- Antennex 2 Foot Tuned Scanner antenna
- Safecraft PC2 2.5 lb Dry Fire Extinguishers with Billet Quick Release Mounts
- Whelen HHS2100 PA System with 100watt Amplifier and Loudspeaker
- Gloss Black Powder-coated SDS 20-inch Forged Wheels
- Flat Black Ceramic Coated Brake Hats and Rotors
- Flat Black Ceramic Coated Exhaust Tips
- Capristo Sports Exhaust with Computer Controlled Valves
- Custom AI Design Roof Console
- Dension ICE iPhone stations
- Touchscreen Tablet PC Running Google Earth/Delorme Road Atlas/Google Maps/Njection/Trapster
- And of course, the Proprietary Liquid Cooled INFRA-SONIC Field Wave Generator
Landrover Freelander 2 Facelift 2011
The latest official information has been released about the presence of Landrover Freelander 2 2011 facelift, which is expected to explode in the UK market at the end of September. This new SUV is equipped with a 2.2-liter turbodiesel engine, the latest technology, four-cylinder capable of producing 148 horsepower. (110 kW, 150 PS), or 187 horsepower (140 kW, 190 PS). Landrover said the new machine is capable of producing power 20 Nm more, which would place a maximum torque of 420 Nm (310 lb-ft). With a 148hp engine version, capable of producing 165 grams of CO2 per kilometer, and slightly more powerful engine than previous versions.
Thus, fuel economy will be less wasteful about nine per cent to 45.6 mpg (UK) with a combination route. This engine can be paired with either manual transmission or an automatic gearbox. Also there are two choices rim, ring 18 inches with the latest design and 19-inch alloy rims. Offered in several colors such as Baltic Blue, Fuji White, or Green Kosrae, all three are considered as a new color for the facelift version. In the interior, this SUV features a driving force to bring new, redesigned instrument panel, and the Premium version is equipped with power seats and leather upholstery Windsor.
Thus, fuel economy will be less wasteful about nine per cent to 45.6 mpg (UK) with a combination route. This engine can be paired with either manual transmission or an automatic gearbox. Also there are two choices rim, ring 18 inches with the latest design and 19-inch alloy rims. Offered in several colors such as Baltic Blue, Fuji White, or Green Kosrae, all three are considered as a new color for the facelift version. In the interior, this SUV features a driving force to bring new, redesigned instrument panel, and the Premium version is equipped with power seats and leather upholstery Windsor.
Citroen DS3 Racing pricing announced (UK)
Citroen said the DS3 Racing will be powered by a specially tuned 1.6 litre THP petrol engine. This engine produces 207bhp and 275Nm (204lb-ft) of torque, with a top speed of 146mph. The DS3 Racing records a 0-60mph time of 6.5secs. Combined CO2 emissions are rated at 149g/km.
However, Citroen reports that it’s had more than 1,500 enquires about the DS3 Racing through its website and only 200 right-hand-drive models will arrive in the UK, so a sell-out is anticipated.
The DS3 Racing chassis has been altered by Citroen Racing; they fitted new dampers, widened front and rear tracks by 30mm, lowered the ride height by 15mm and upgraded the brakes with four-pot callipers and revised discs at the front.
Click here for more info.
Kia recalls SOUL crossover due to steering defects (U.S)
The feds said they received one complaint from an owner who purchased a 2 month old 2010 Kia Soul with 4,300 miles on the clock. The owner said the steering shaft detached itself from the hand wheel and fell into a position that hindered with the brake pedal, ensuing in complete brake and steering loss.
"ODI (Office of Defects Investigation) is very concerned about this failure in that it occurred without warning on a new vehicle at low mileage and resulted in a complete loss of steering as well as a compromised brake system. A preliminary evaluation has been opened to assess the alleged defect in the subject vehicles."
"Kia Motors America has been actively cooperating with NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation since being advised by the acting director late last week that an investigation was being opened regarding the 2010 Kia Soul. Although the investigation is based on a single incident that did not result in an accident or injury, the entire Kia Motors organization — including our supplier base — is reviewing manufacturing processes with the goal of quickly determining if there is a manufacturing cause and preventing the issue from reoccurring. KMA is committed to sharing information and findings with NHTSA's ODI on an ongoing basis in order to reach a prompt resolution."
Hyundai to produce budget car for Russia (RU)
Initial production will begin in September with full production coming into full swing in January 2011.
The new compact sedan will rival directly with Volkswagen’s Polo sedan – another car design especially for Russia – and will start from approximately £6,400 ($10k).
The forthcoming sedan will underpin the all-new Elantra/Avante. Like the Polo sedan, the newcomer will have suspension tuned to Russian roads.
Mazda recalls 5 compact MPV and 3 compact family car (UK/U.S)
Mazda has found out that tiny particles could clog the power steering pipes and cause the electric pump to shut down. Drivers would still be able to steer the car with extra effort, even though the power assistance would vanish if the pump packed up.
In the UK, there have been 2 reported cases of power steering malfunction, however, no accidents or injuries have been reported.
Fixing the pump and associated parts will take between 90 - 110 minutes, and will be carried out free of charge. Mazda USA is suffering from stock shortages regarding the relevant parts.
"The first phase of mailing of owner notification letters will begin on or before September 15, 2010 and the second phase mailing will begin in September 2010 and be completed in February 2011."
