| Jan 28, 2005 |
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3 years after its birth, the E65 7-Series has received a facelift in the attempt to correct its controversial styling. At the front, reshaped grille, headlamps and bumper intake look cleaner and prettier, while the restyled taillights let the boot lid integrate better with the tail.
The facelifted 7-Series also brings several new engines with increased output. Here below is the summary:
Other changes include:
| Jan 27, 2005 |
In 1999, Honda overtook Nissan to be Japan's second biggest car maker (in terms of production numbers). After 5 years of struggling, Nissan has finally retaken the position it held for decades. Last year, Nissan produced 3.194 million cars and trucks, edged out Honda's 3.181 million.
But Toyota was even stronger. In 2004 it produced 10.6% more vehicles than the previous year to a total 6.723 million units. Of course, this is a record high.
Hurt by the recall scandal and financial crisis, Mitsubishi's production was 10.6% down, to 1.413 million units. In particular, its domestic sales plunged by an alarming 41.5%, though European business recorded a healthy growth thanks to the new Colt.
Mazda also experienced a good year in 2004. Its production rose 8.9% to 1.134 million units.
BMW set sales record again
BMW sold a record 1.209 million cars in 2004, 9.4% more than 2003. Among which 1.024 million cars are BMW-brand and 184,357 units are Mini.
Model sales:
Pontiac Sunfire is to end
production in this June without a replacement, signaling the end of the
J-platform. Earlier, sister car Chevrolet Cavalier had been replaced by
Cobalt. But under GM's new strategy to reduce overlapping between its various
brands, Pontiac won't produce an equivalent to Cobalt. Last year, only
36,000 Sunfire coupes were sold. Sunfire sedan was already dead a year
ago.
| Jan 25, 2005 |
Loyal readers of AutoZine must know my favourite car designer is Leonardo Fiioravanti, the ex-Pininifarina design chief who penned many beautiful Ferraris from the 60s to the 80s. Since then the Italian set up his own studio and works as freelance designer.
Recently,
sources in Italy said the Lexus LF-A concept car shown in Detroit motor
show is designed by Fioravanti. Predictably, both Toyota and Fioravanti
refused to comment (but not denied!), but the latter admitted he has been
working for Toyota in recent years. Also, Toyota has never told who penned
the car, which has strong European taste. Moreover, the name LF is the
same as the short write of Leonardo Fioravanti. All these signs imply the
rumor is true.
It is known that apart from LF-A Fioravanti is also working on several more concept cars for Toyota. I can't wait any longer!
Audi sold Cosworth Technology
In 1998 Audi bought engine casting / developing expert Cosworth Technology from the hands of Vickers (while Ford got Cosworth Racing). Since then it developed and built the engines for Audi RS4, RS6, Bentley's twin-turbo V8 and W12, Aston Martin's V12, Ford Focus ST170 / SVT and most recently, Caterham's 2.3-litre four.
Living under the umbrella of Volkswagen group might be secure, but it also prevent rival car makers from employing Cosworth, because they don't want VW to know the details. Last year, Cosworth lost its long-term client Ford, which terminated the ST170 and shifted the production of Aston Martin's V12 back to in-house. Life is getting harder at Cosworth.
Finally, Audi decided to
sell Cosworth Technology to the Mahle Group, an engine component and filter
supplier. This allows Cosworth to get more contracts from other car makers,
while Volkswagen group will continue employing it.
| Jan 20, 2005 |
Bentley has released the first details of its new Continental Flying Spur sedan, which is the sedan version of Continental GT. The sedan has strong resemblance to the coupe, no matter exterior or interior. Bentley gave no figures about its size, but saying the longer wheelbase will provide plenty of rear legroom.
The sedan also shares the same mechanicals with the coupe. These include the 552hp twin-turbo 6.0 W12 engine, the 6-speed automatic gearbox, the 4-wheel drive system and adaptive air suspensions. Performance claim is 190mph+ and 0-60mph in around 5 seconds. This means it will be the world's fastest production sedan (Mercedes S65 AMG is limited to 155mph, remember).
The Continental Flying Spur
will go on sale in Spring 2005. As Bentley's own Crewe plant is fully occupied
by the production of Continental GT, the new sedan will be produced in
Germany at the same plant as VW Phaeton and Audi A8. The Phaeton and the
Bentley actually shares the same platform.
| Jan 20, 2005 |
Fiat unveils the first pictures and details about its "New Large" car, now named "Croma". This name was first used in 1985 by the company's largest sedan. (If you remember, the same Type-4 platform also gave birth to Alfa Romeo 164, Lancia Thema and Saab 9000)
The new Croma will make debut at Geneva motor show in March and go on sale in Italy in June. Unlike its predecessor, the new Croma is a 5-door wagon. It was styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro but, like many other recent designs of Giugiaro, looks ordinary. It is derived from the Stilo platform, with wheelbase stretched from 2600mm to 2700mm. Length, width and height are 4.75m, 1.77m and 1.60m respectively. This means it will provide MPV-like interior volume and especially generous headroom.
Engines will include the
existing 130hp 1.8 16v, 150hp 2.2 16v (from GME), 120hp or 150hp 1.9 16v
Multijet turbo diesel, and a new 200hp 2.4 five-cylinder Multijet turbo
diesel.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
Z06, the hottest version of Corvette C6, breaks cover in Detroit Motor Show. If you remember, the previous generation boosts a 405hp 5.7 V8. The new Z06 gets more crazy, powered by a 7.0-litre V8 capable of delivering 500hp - that matches Dodge Viper ! besides, at 1420kg, the Z06 is also 22kg lighter than the standard Corvette and undercuts the latest Viper Coupe (see below) by 146 kg. No wonder it claims 0-60mph taking 4.0 seconds only. As for maximum speed, GM claims it exceed 190mph, which is at the conservative side because the Z06 has a remarkable drag coefficient of 0.31, knocking off the Viper Coupe's 0.39 overwhelmingly. Now it replaces Viper as America's fastest production car.
The heart of Z06 is a new LS7 V8. Displacing 7011cc, or 427 cubic inches, it brings back the memory of the muscle car era. However, GM said it is still an extension of its "small block" V8, although its block is enlarged from the standard Corvette's 6.0 LS2 engine. Based on the LS2, it received a larger bore (104.8mm vs 101.6mm) and longer stroke (101.6mm vs 92mm). Despite of the increased stroke, the LS7 is still capable of revving up to 7000rpm, actually more revvy than the 6.0 version. This must thanks to the use of lightweight moving parts such as titanium connecting rods, pushrods and intake valves. Breathing is also enhanced by larger valves, higher valve lift, higher volume intake and exhaust system. Forged pistons and crankshaft are employed to handle the internal stress of the 11.0:1 compression engine.
The LS7 pumps out 500hp at 6200rpm and 475 lbft of torque at 4800rpm. Power is transmitted via a strengthened version of the Tremec 6-speed manual.
Unsurprisingly, the body and chassis are also modified to handle the extra performance. To compensate the added weight of the larger V8, the front fenders and wheelhouses are converted to carbon fiber composites. The engine cradle is converted to magnesium. Battery is also moved from the engine compartment to the trunk to improve weight distribution.
The Z06 employs wider tires than the standard Corvette - the front is 275/35ZR18, the rear is 325/30ZR19. They house stronger brakes too - the front consists of 355mm diameter discs and 6-pot calipers, the rear is 340mm and 4-pot.
As for the body, there are
only minor changes, for example, a deeper lip spoiler, wider wheelarches
(the Z06 is 76mm wider than Corvette) and, most apparently, an extra nose
intake.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
Despite of many words have been said, Chrysler finally decided not to put the ME4/12 supercar into production. To me, this is nothing surprising. Anyone with a clear mind will know the Chrysler brand can never sell a super expensive supercar.
Unlike that, Firepower is
perhaps a better bet. This concept car takes the Viper chassis, replaces
the mega V10 with a more sensible V8 - the 425hp 6.1 Hemi which powers
the 300C SRT-8. It uses a 5-speed automatic to deliver a completely different
character to the Viper - no more a wild beast, now an Aston-like GT, said
Chrysler. The elegant exterior styling backs this up, so is the performance
figures of 175mph and 4.5 seconds for 0-60, but is the Viper chassis good
enough to deliver the required refinement? no, it can't be an Aston rival,
but it could be another hit in the States if it really go into production
and priced right.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
Saturn Sky is the sister car of Pontiac Solstice, sharing the same Kappa platform and virtually the same underpinning. Only the clothes and interior packaging separate it from Solstice. In particular, the better made cabin leads to a higher price. Its exterior styling is adapted from Vauxhall VX Lightning concept - which was canned because its low bonnet cannot pass the new European pedestrian safety law.
The rear-drive roadster is
powered by only one engine - a 2.4-litre 170hp Ecotec 16V with VVT - and
drives through a 5-speed only manual box. The Sky weighs 1300kg, so performance
is not especially sparkling.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
With
the emergence of the Sky Roadster and this Aura concept car, it is very
clear that GM wants to re-position the Saturn brand as the American version
of Opel, sharing the same European design and engineering, to save money
or to benefit customers, whatever. It will emphasis European style, quality
and elegance, will be priced higher than the equivalent Pontiac and Chevrolet.
If you remember, in the late 80s Saturn was born as a feedback to Japanese
econo cars invasion. What a change.
Though said as a concept
car, GM admits the Aura will go into production as the replacement for
the dead L-series (the disappointing mid-size sedan based on an outdated
design of Opel Vectra), and it is at least 80% close to the production
car. The car is designed and engineered by Opel in its Russelsheim headquarters.
Its styling has very strong resemblance with recent Opels. It is believed
to be based on an updated version of the Epsilon platform on which the
current Vectra is based. However, the concept car is shown with a 250hp
3.6-litre dohc VVT V6 - the same as Cadillac CTS - and a new, 6-speed automatic
(produced by a joint venture between GM and Ford). The show car emphasis
a stylish and luxurious interior which employ high-grade materials. This
also previews the market positioning of the future Saturn.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
As the outdated Taurus is phasing out, its position will be succeeded by Ford 500 (at the high end) and Ford Fusion (at the lower end). The Fusion is derived from Mazda 6's CD3 platform, sharing the same 2675mm wheelbase thus is considerably shorter than Taurus. However, it gains 55mm overall length and 30mm width compare with Mazda 6 to boost interior space. Moreover, the chassis is 12.7% stronger than the Mazda in torsion. This should result is good handling as well as refinement. The Mazda 6 is renowned for driver appeal, so Fusion is also expected to be a fine driver's car.
Fusion employs the same engine as the American version Mazda 6. That means a 160hp 2.3-litre all-alloy 16V with intake VVT and twin-balancer shafts will be the base engine, while a 210hp 3.0 Duratec V6, also with intake VVT will be the top model. The V6 mates with a new 6-speed automatic (made in a joint venture between Ford and GM).
The styling of Fusion is inspired by the Ford 427 concept shown a couple of years ago.
At the same time, Ford also shows the sister car of Fusion - Lincoln Zephyr. Unsurprisingly, the Lincoln Zephyr looks more upmarket than its Ford sister in order to ask for a higher price. While the basic profile is the same, its waterfall grille is more elegant while a different dashboard design reminds you of traditional Lincoln. Underneath is the same mechanicals, although engine is limited to the 210hp V6. A year later, a 3.5-litre V6 and 4-wheel-drive will be available.
Zephyr will open a new segment to Lincoln. Lincoln has never sold any cars so small. Although its target is just to find 40,000 customers a year, it could bring younger customers to the Lincoln brand.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
Remember the last generation
Viper GTS with its double-bubble roof and trademark blue background and
twin white stripe painting? now these features come back with the new Viper
Coupe. The fixed roof coupe is a little stiffer and more stable at high
speed than the roadster. It is therefore a better car on racetrack. However,
at 1546kg, it is actually slightly heavier than the roadster, while Cd
of 0.39 is nothing to be proud of. Expect the same performance from the
same 500hp 8.3 V10.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
Cadillac has unveiled the high performance version of STS in Detroit motor show. The STS-V employs a supercharged version of the Northstar V8 to produce 440hp and 430 lbft. Performance claim is 0-60 under 5 seconds and lapping Nurburgring in 8min 31sec. That's not too hot by the standard of German performance sedan. 1948kg kerb weight is part of the reason.
The
Northstar V8 needs strengthening cylinder wall to handle the supercharged
internal stress, thus bore is reduced slight and results in 4.4 litres
(down from 4.6 litres). It retains the dual VVT system, however. Cadillac
chose a Root-type supercharger instead of screw-type one to ensure low
noise and harshness. The STS-V also uses a new 6-speed automatic transmission.
Other modifications including
quicker variable ratio steering rack, stiffer suspensions, reinforced front
and rear subframes, larger Brembo brakes, bigger wheels and tires. The
engine is also mounted half an inch lower into the chassis to improve center
of gravity.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
The return of Dodge Charger
name is less spectacular this time because it is just a revamped Chrysler
300. It gets the same 340hp 5.7 Hemi V8 and 250hp 3.5 V6.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
The fashion of retractable roof also spreads to the United States. After Cadillac XLR, now the mainstream models like Pontiac G6 also features such roof. The Karmann-designed retractable hardtop takes 30 sec to transform the G6 from coupe to convertible. It is also the world’s largest roof of its kind, because the G6 Convertible shares the massive 2852mm wheelbase with its sedan sister. This ensure an unusually spacious interior for its kind.
At the same time, Pontiac
also offer a conventional coupe version of the G6. Both the Coupe and Convertible
are powered by either 200hp 3.5 ohv V6 or 240hp 3.9 ohv V6.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
This retro car is clearly
an imitation to Chrysler PT Cruiser. Underneath is the same Delta platform
as Chevrolet Cobalt / Opel Astra / Saturn Ion. Same 140hp 2.2 and 170hp
2.4 Ecotec 16V engine. It offers a lot of space and cargo flexibility,
but nothing new to those familiar with PT Cruiser.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
GM has made a mid-life makeover to Chevrolet Impala and its coupe sister Monte Carlo. The Impala received a massive facelift with smoother exterior styling while various modifications to front end structure, engine mounts and suspension setup reduces noise and vibrations.
A new family of V6 are adopted - they are still push-rodders, but has a variable cam phasing system. The 3.5 V6 produces 210hp and 220 lbft, while the 3.9 version makes 240 hp and 245 lbft.
Surprisingly, a new LS4 5.3-litre
V8 joins as range topper. It produces 303hp and 323 lbft. Displacement
On Demand (DOD) technology can shut down 4 of the cylinders to save up
to 12% fuel at light load.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
Mitsubishi also showed the new Eclipse in Detroit. It is derived from the component set of Galant, sharing the strut / multi-link suspensions, 2.4-litre 16V and 3.8-litre sohc 24V V6. Both engines employ MIVEC variable valve timing and lift control. The 2.4 pumps out 165hp while the 3.8 is tuned to deliver 260hp (up from Galant's 230hp), along with 260 lbft of torque. It employs either 6-speed manual or 5-speed auto.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
As Maranello is running near the end of its life cycle, Ferrari introduces a limited edition to boost its sales. Calling Superamerica, it is a 575M equipped with a simple but effective (if not good-looking) retractable hardtop. This roof design is patented by Leonardo Fioravanti (the master designer penned various Ferraris such as 308GTB and 512BB) and, as I remember, was demonstrated in one of the Fioravanti show cars a few years back. The roof simply rotates and recess on the top of the rear deck. It is made of carbon-fiber frame and covered by glass employing electrochromic technology - the level of darkness can be adjusted electrically.
The V12 engine has received
an update to align with 612 Scaglietti, now also with 540hp output. Expect
the standard 575M will also get this engine soon.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
The new Jetta is again the sedan version of Golf, but this time its tail is better integrated into the car so that you don’t feel the boot as an add-on. It looks bigger and more upmarket than Golf, but in fact they share all essential dimensions (most notably wheelbase) except length.
As its biggest market is USA, the Jetta will be built at VW’s Puebla plant at Mexico instead of Germany. The Golf V’s multi-link suspension is the highlight of improvement. It provides much better handling and ride than the outgoing torsion-beam axle.
However, the engine of the North American version is not that great. It continues to use old-tech sohc head with 2 valves per cylinder, although now the engine gets 5 cylinders for a total displacement of 2.5 litres and a maximum output of 150hp, versus the previous generation’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder 115hp. Some web sites reported it as a V5, but obviously it is actually an inline-5, a derivative of the previous inline-4. The engine mates with a 5-speed manual or Aisin 6-speed Tiptronic automatic.
Other engines will include
a 100hp 1.9TDI and later, the remarkable 200hp 2.0 FSI turbo engine for
the GTI version. The later will equip with either 6-speed manual or 6-speed
DSG.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
Earlier, a Toyota supercar
was spied being tested at Nurburgring. Now Toyota shows it as a Lexus concept
car in Detroit Motor Show. It is primarily shown to demonstrate the new
styling direction of Lexus, so details are scarce. Toyota just said it
is powered by an engine displacing less than 5 litres but producing more
than 500 horsepower (believed to be a high-revving V10). Its top speed
will be around 200mph. The car has a 2580mm wheelbase, 4400mm length, 1860mm
width and 1220mm height. That's shorter and narrower than Ferrari F430
by a little bit. It is not known whether it will be produced. If so, how
to market a Lexus-badged supercar could be a headache.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
Said to be a new direction
to future Jaguar styling. But what's the difference with Aston DB9 ? the
show car seems like based on a running DB9.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
Bentley is showing an Arnage-based convertible coupe (pictured) at Detroit motor show. It is called Arnage Drophead Coupe. It shares the same wheelbase and mechanicals as Arnage R sedan, including the 450hp 6.75 V8 turbo. It is strongly believed that the car will go into production soon.
Earlier, arch-rival Rolls-Royce
announced they will put the 100 EX concept car (shown in last year’s Geneva
show) into production in 2007, likely to reuse the Corniche badge. The
Phantom-based convertible coupe will complement the disappointing sales
of Phantom - last year only 750 units were sold, even less than their modest
target of 1000 units.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
The new, second generation
Audi Allroad Quattro is based on the new A6. The concept car shown in Detroit
Motor Show is powered by a new generation 286hp 4.0 V8 TDI. Like its predecessor,
adaptive air suspensions with adjustable ride height will be crucial to
the off-road ability of Allroad.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
Kia has shown its new generation
Rio in Detroit. The new car grows bigger than before and employs a 110hp
1.6 litre dohc VVT engine. Suspension is the familiar strut / torsion-beam.
It competes with Toyota Echo, Scion xA, Chevrolet Aveo etc.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
Toyota finally updated its
American-only Avalon sedan. As before, Avalon is derived from the Camry
platform and produced in the same Kentucky plant. Its boring style is penned
by Toyota's California studio. At 5 meters long and with 100mm longer wheelbase
than the Camry, it continues to provide a huge cabin that competes with
some American full-size sedans from the Big Three. The new Avalon is powered
by a new 3.5 litre V6 VVT-I, good for 280hp and 260 lbft.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
After surviving for 36 years, the Mark II nameplate finally gave way to Mark X. However, the new car retains the character and market positioning of the old car - it is still Japan-bounded, it is still derived from the same FR platform as Crown, being lighter and sportier than the Crown.
Compare with the previous
Mark II, Mark X is slightly wider (+15mm) but lower (-25mm). It shares
the same 2850mm long wheelbase with Crown, but kerb weight is well controlled
at 1510-1530kg depending on engine choice. The latter consists of a 215hp
2.5 V6 and 256hp 3.0 V6, both rely on direct injection and VVT-i to achieve
the respectable power. Like Crown, transmission is a 6-speed automatic,
while electric power steering, double-wishbones / multilink suspensions
and adaptive air suspensions are also shared with its sister car.
| Jan 12, 2005 |
Chrysler 300 has been voted by American and Canadian journalists as North American COTY.
European COTY
1. Toyota Prius: 406 points
(got top marks from 37 of the 58 jurors!!)
2.
Citroen C4: 267 points
3.
Ford Focus: 228 points
4.
Opel Astra: 180 points
5.
Renault Modus: 151 points
6.
Peugeot 407: 135 points
7.
BMW 1-Series: 83 points
Japanese COTY
1.
Honda Legend: 425 points
2.
VW Golf / Touran: 247 points
3.
Nissan Fuga (Infiniti M): 246 points
4.
BMW 1-Series: 163 points
5.
Toyota Crown: 149 points
6.
Opel Astra: 93 points
7.
Audi A6: 76 points
8.
Volvo S40/V50: 40 points
9.
Subaru R2: 34 points
10.
Mazda Verisa: 2 points
Motor Trend COTY
Also Chrysler 300, unsurprising for this patriotic magazine.
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