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Dec 30, 2006

Viper upgrades to 600hp

Dodge is upgrading its Viper to 600 horsepower. The new 2008 Viper will be unveiled at Detroit auto show. Thanks to the help from McLaren and engineering consultant Ricardo, its mega V10 gains a massive 90 horsepower. This is implemented by increasing its capacity from 8.3 to 8.4 liters (with bore increased by 1mm), raising compression ratio from 9.6:1 to 10.2:1, using larger valves, new cylinder heads, a new intake manifold with dual throttle body that increases breathing by 20 percent and, surprisingly, variable exhaust valve timing. To handle the increased stressed, the engine block has been stiffened, the cooling system has been improved and metal powder forged connecting rods have been adopted. All these changes lift the rev limit from 6000 to 6250 rpm, horsepower from 510 to 600 and maximum torque from 525 to 560 lbft. In addition to the improved brakes - 355mm discs all round with Brembo dual opposing-piston calipers, Chrysler claims the new Viper can do 0-100mph-0 in 12 seconds. 0-60 mph should be under 4 seconds.

The chassis is basically unchanged, but the bonnet gets larger intake scoop and ventilation louvers to cool the hotter engine. The Tremec T56 gearbox has received wider ratios, modified synchromesh and reduced shift travel to improve its truck-like shift quality. A lighter twin-plate clutch should also reduce the clutch pedal effort. At the back, a new GKN speed-sensing LSD should improve traction through corners.

Dec 30, 2006

Chevrolet Malibu

This is the new Chevrolet Malibu, to be on sale next fall. The exterior design and finishing is clearly a big improvement from the current car. The new grille is handsome and original, while the C-pillar and tail look like Volkswagen Phaeton. Overall the car feels a lot more upmarket.

The Epsilon II platform is shared with Saturn Aura, so they have the same long wheelbase at 2852mm. Ditto the 252hp 3.6-liter DOHC VVT V6 and 6-speed automatic transmission. Another engine is 2.4-liter Ecotec 16V rated at 164hp.

Dec 30, 2006

Chrysler Nassau

Another disappointing concept car from Chrysler. It looks like a family hatch, but it is actually as big as a Chrysler 300C ! unbelievable? look at its dimensions: 4981mm long, 1885mm wide, 1496mm tall and runs an astonishing 3050mm wheelbase. The car is estimated to weigh 2040kg. What a jumbo hatch ! power is said to be the SRT-8's 6.1-liter HEMI (425hp). Top speed 165mph. 0-60 mph in 5.0 sec.

But forget those meaningless specifications. A concept car must bring new concept. So what is the point of this car? it looks unattractive. It doesn't have the volume of an estate. It doesn't have the versatility of a MPV or crossover. It doesn't have the visual impact of Chrysler 300. Dr. Z prefers Chrysler to build cars like European cars in order to sell in Europe (see Crossfire, Sebring and Caliber), but without looking like American cars Chrysler won't be Chrysler. Think of those imaginative and outrageous designs from Tom Gale - Viper, Prowler, PT Cruiser, Intrepid... the Nassau has none of their inspiration.

Dec 28, 2006

Toyota FT-HS concept: the new Supra ?

This bullet train lookalike is Toyota's new concept car, FT-HS. What you see now is computer graphics released by the company, but a prototype will be shown in next week's Detroit auto show. Many journalists said it could become the new Supra. It is a 2+2, front-engined, rear-drive sports car like the late Supra. If it really enter production, it could compete with Nissan 350Z or even the forthcoming GT-R. Power comes from a hybrid powerplant developed from Lexus GS450h - a 3.5-liter V6 mated with a powerful electric motor to deliver 400 horsepower instead of the Lexus' 292hp. The tremendous low-end torque of the motor enables an eye-popping 4.0 seconds acceleration from 0-60 mph.

The question is whether it will be produced. The concept car was designed by Toyota's CALTY studio in California instead of Japan. Its radical look seems more like to explore new styling direction rather than to destine for production. Moreover, the development costs of its sliding roof and the powerful hybrid powertrain won't be cheap. The latter will also be very expensive to build. Considering the low volume of the shrinking sport car segment, this car does not make much business sense. If Toyota really put it into production, it would be because it want to have an image car. However, for hot selling car maker busying to cope with strong demand, developing an image car is unlikely to be top priority.

Dec 28, 2006

Jaguar C-XF concept

C-XF concept car is said to be a preview of the next generation S-Type, which will be renamed to XF.If so, then Jaguar and its design chief Ian Callum must be mad. What we see here carries none of the traditional styling clues of Jaguar. It looks completely modern, and much more like Aston Martin from some angles. We can't understand its intention.

The concept car looks like a 4-door coupe. Expect the production car will be reprofiled to increase rear passenger room. Unsurprisingly, power comes from the existing 4.2-liter V8 with supercharger producing 420hp, just like XKR.

Dec 28, 2006

RR Phantom Drophead Coupe

The 2004 Rolls-Royce show car 100EX has become reality, albeit in the name "Phantom Drophead Coupe". In RR's traditional language, "Drophead" refers to cabriolet. Strangely, this contradict to the word "Coupe" in its name. Using a fabric soft roof, the Drophead Coupe is clearly a conventional cabriolet instead of a coupe cabriolet.

Clearly, Drophead Coupe is a 2-door convertible version of Phantom sedan. Although the wheelbase is shortened by 250mm, it is still an astonishing 3320mm and the whole car measures 5608mm long ! the two doors are rear-hinged (like the rear doors of Phantom sedan) to give it a special appeal. The windscreen pillar and the whole structure have been strengthened such that RR claims it is the world's stiffest convertible car. Engine is still that BMW-derived 6.75-liter V12 with 460hp and 531lbft, hopefully enough to push the 2620kg monster from 0-60mph in 5.7 seconds. Top speed will be 149 mph, like the sedan.

Dec 28, 2006

Industry News

Toyota to be World no. 1 in 2007

According to Toyota's forecast, it will sell 9.34 million cars next year (including Daihatsu & Hino). This will surely put it ahead of GM to be the world's number one car maker. Toyota already surpassed Ford to take the second place since 2003. Next year it will also outsold Ford in the latter's homeland, the North America.

Wiedeking to take more control on VW

Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking is reported to take further control on Volkswagen. Currently Porsche is VW's largest shareholder with 27.4% stake. It plans to increase that to 29.9% early next year to take more seats in Volkswagen's board room. Since Wiedeking and VW Chairman Ferdinand Piech joined forces to oust CEO Bernd Pischetsrieder last month, they plan to let Porsche take more control of the world's 4th largest car maker. Wiedeking will tackle VW's cost / efficiency problem using his know-how learned in Toyota in the early 1990s and successfully applied to Porsche later on. A consultancy team is going to assess the Hannover plant first, which will be used to produce the body of Porsche Panamera, and then the Wolfsburg main plant and the underperforming Spanish factories of Seat. Wiedeking wants to challenge the Toyota benchmark for efficiency.

Dec 22, 2006

Toyota Blade - the hotter Auris

After the recent introduction of new generation Corolla and Auris, Toyota surprises us by launching this car in Japan. The Blade is basically a hotter version of Auris. It is powered by Camry's 2.4-liter VVT-i 167ps four-cylinder engine (vs 1.5 and 1.8-liter in Auris) but the transmission remains the same Super CVT with manual override. Note that the rear suspension has been upgraded from Auris' torsion-beam type to the more expensive double-wishbone type (remark: Auris has double-wishbone suspension only for 4WD version). However, weighing 1400 kilograms, the Blade is unlikely to be very fast.

Dec 21, 2006

Mercedes Ocean Drive concept car

Mercedes-Benz is going to show this concept convertible in Detroit motor show next month. The big convertible is derived from S600 (including long wheelbase and V12 twin-turbo engine) but enclosed with a softer, more classical design body. Production is likely. It is believed to join the battlefield with Bentley Arnage Drophead and Rolls-Royce Corniche next year. Strangely, DC chose to develop the luxury convertible as a Mercedes instead of Maybach. Does this mean the company plan to dump the Maybach brand in the future?

Dec 16, 2006

Mitsubishi new Lancer

This is the new generation Mitsubishi Lancer to be displayed in next month's Detroit motor show. It is built on the same platform as the company's Outlander SUV and Chrysler's Dodge Caliber and Sebring. As a result, the car is larger than the last one, measuring 4570mm long (35mm up), 1760mm wide (65mm up) and 1490mm tall (60mm up). Its wheelbase is increased by 35mm to 2635mm.

Mitsubishi hasn't revealed full technical details, only saying the North American version will include the same 2.0-liter 16V MIVEC VVT World Engine as its Chrysler cousins. It transmits 152 horsepower to the 6-speed paddle-shift CVT transmission.

Dec 16, 2006

Skoda Fabia

This is the new Skoda Fabia, or is it a carbon copy of Suzuki Swift ? this is probably the first time a European car imitating the styling of a Japanese car ! very unfortunately, Skoda's new design theme, first shown in Roomster, does not build on the strength of the last generation Fabia.

Measuring 3992mm long, 1642mm wide and 1498mm tall, the new Fabia is even bigger than its already big predecessor. Its boot offers 300 liters of space, probably the largest in its class (for hatchback version). There are 4 petrol engines on offer: 1.2-liter 8V 60hp 3-cylinder, 1.2-liter 12V 70hp 3-cylinder, 1.4-liter 16V 86hp, 1.6-liter 16V 105hp, plus 3 diesel engines – 1.4TDI 70hp, 1.4TDI 80hp and 1.9TDI 105hp. Most special, the 1.6 petrol engine can be mated with a classy 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission, first ever for its class.

Suzuki Swift

Dec 16, 2006

Porsche sets sales record again

Porsche has announced its business result in fiscal year 2005/06 ended 31 July. During the year, it sold a record 96,794 cars (up 9.5% from the previous year) and made a record pre-tax profit of Euro 2.1 billion, nearly doubled from the previous year. Among the profit, Euro 203 million came from its share in Volkswagen (it owns close to 30% shares of VW now), while Euro 81 million came from the sale of CTS to Magna.

More interesting to us are the production figures: a total of 102,602 vehicles were sold, with 911 (36,504 units) finally taking back the lead from Cayenne (35,128 units). The Boxster / Cayman twins amounted to 30,680 units, all were assembled by Valmet in Finland. Finally, 290 units of Carrera GT supercar left the Leipzig plant and finished its mission.

Dec 2, 2006

Ford Mustang by Giugiaro

The star of LA motor is probably this Ford Mustang concept designed by Giugiaro - not the famed Giorgetto, but his son Fabrizio, now being the design director of his family company Italdesign. The Mustang concept looks really beautiful and elegant. Giorgetto must be proud of his son.

Dec 2, 2006

Nissan Altima Coupe and Sentra SE-R

In LA motor show, Nissan shows two new cars: Altima Coupe and Sentra SE-R. The former is the first ever Altima coupe, powered by a 270hp VQ 3.5-liter V6 and mate with 6-speed manual gearbox. It will compete with Honda Accord Coupe, Toyota Solara and Pontiac G6 Coupe, among others.

The latest Sentra SE-R, like the last two generations, is powered by a 177hp 2.5-liter inline-4 (QR25DE). Xtronic CVT is the only choice for transmission. However, for more demanding drivers, Nissan offers a Spec V version of the SE-R. Its engine gets smoother intake manifolds, dual exhaust, higher compression ratio, revised cam timing etc. to boost a full 200 horsepower. It is also mated exclusively with a 6-speed manual box.

Dec 2, 2006

Volkswagen Passat R36

We heard Volkswagen's plan to expand the R-model lineup long ago. Just don't understand why it take so long. Now the second R-model is coming: Passat R36. Apart from an aggressive cosmetic makeover, the focus of the R36 is undoubtedly the 3.6-liter VR6. Currently, the most powerful Passat in Europe is the 250hp 3.2-liter VR6, while in the America it offers 280hp 3.6-liter VR6. The engine of R36 is believed to be derived from the American version, albeit with the addtion of FSI direct injection to boost output to 300hp. Mates with DSG dual-clutch gearbox, it can push the R36 from 0-60 mph in 5.4 seconds !

Dec 2, 2006

Bristol Fighter T: more powerful than Veyron

Believe it or not, the ancient Bristol has produced the most powerful production car in the world. Boosting 1012hp, it is even more powerful than the 1001hp Bugatti Veyron 16.4 !! this car is the Fighter T, where T stands for "Turbocharged". By installing ball-bearing twin-turbochargers and intercoolers, the 8-liter Chrysler Viper V10 produces 1012hp at 5600rpm, accompany with 1036 lbft of torque at 4500 rpm.

Bristol claims the car has a potential top speed of 270 mph, compare with Bugatti's 253 mph, thanks to a low drag of 0.27. However, to prevent high speed instability from killing its customers, the car is electronically limited to 225 mph. 0-60 mph is claimed to be 3.5 seconds, no match for the Bugatti because the Fighter is a classic front-engined, rear-drive machine.

The chassis of Fighter T has been strengthened by 30 percent in torsional rigidity. It suspensions are set stiffer and 10mm lower.

Dec 2, 2006

Smart Fortwo II

This is the second generation Smart Fortwo. Are you excited ? probably not. For sure, it is not worth 9 years to wait for a car which is hardly any cultier, any more stylish and innovative than the original. In the makeover, DaimlerChrysler only wants to play safe - yes, to offer greater crash protection to satisfy European customers and to pass US safety regulations, it stretched the front and rear overhang by 140mm. This destroyed its compact and coherent design and it no longer looks like a monospace.

Inside, our disappointment continues... the original Fortwo had an adjustable center console which can rotate towards the driver or the passenger. In contrast, the new console is fixed - DC said Federal safety laws won't allow - and, worst of all, looks bland. The combination of the worsened exterior and interior design lead to a conclusion: today, the designers at Mercedes-Benz are far off from the standard set by Swatch - the watch maker that designed and originated the last car - and Michael Mauer - the designer of Smart Roadster, then went to Saab and now heads Porsche's design department. In particular, creativity is what they are lack of.

The German engineers have plenty of reasons to say the Mk2 better than Mk1, such as a larger boot (up from 150 to 220 liters) behind the two seats, a slightly roomier cabin thanks to the extra width (44mm up) and wheelbase (55 mm up). The engines are larger and more powerful. Still consist of 3 cylinders, but now displace 999cc instead of 698cc, and finally get twin-cam and 4 valves each cylinder. They come directly from Mitsubishi, so Dr. Zetsche has another reason to applaud: it is cheaper to source an engine outside than to build in-house considering the low volume of the car. In addition to the cost-cutting interior, hopefully this will help Smart to earn its first profit since its birth a decade ago !

Back to the engines, the base unit produces 61 horsepower and 66 lbft of torque. A hotter tuned unit produces 71 hp and 68 lbft. Finally, a turbocharged version generates 84 hp and 89 lbft - and this is before Brabus intervene. I expect the Brabus version will produce 100 horsepower or more. In the diesel side, the previous generation's 799cc sohc 6V common-rail turbo 3-pot continues to serve the Fortwo. It produces only 45 horsepower.

All Fortwo uses a 5-speed manual gearbox with automatic clutch, comes from Mitsubishi together with the engine. Its shift quality must be way better than the previous motorcycle-derived unit. For suspensions, the car keeps the previous front MacPherson strut and rear de-Dion axle basically unchanged. Yes, the engine remains mounted on the rear axle, too.

Dec 2, 2006

Chrysler Sebring Convertible

After the ugly Sebring sedan, Chrysler is introducing the ugly Sebring Convertible, with an ugly 2-door body incorporating an ugly convertible roof in three choices - vinyl, fabric or retractable steel roof (rather unnecessary to have so many choices). Karmann makes all three roof mechanisms.

The chassis is said to be 2.5 times stiffer in torsion than the old car which was America's best selling convertible. Power comes from 2.4-liter four-pot (173hp), 2.7-liter V6 (189hp) or 3.5-liter V6 (235hp), like the Sebring sedan.

Dec 2, 2006

European COTY: Ford S-Max

Surprisingly, the 2007 European Car of the Year award went to a MPV, Ford S-Max. Scoring 235 points from the 58 jurors, S-Max narrowly beat Opel Corsa (233 points) and Citroen C4 Picasso (222 points) on which I put my betting money. Competition is unusually stiff this year, as the forth place Skoda Roomster scored 189 points, followed by Honda Civic at 148 points, Peugeot 207 at 144 points and Volvo C30 at 141 points. Even the last finalist, Fiat Grande Punto, got as many as 138 points.

S-Max is the first Ford winning this title since the original Focus in 1999 and Mondeo in 1994. It is the second MPV winner since Renault Scenic (1997).

Dec 2, 2006

Opel Astra: upgraded engines

Opel has introduced a minor facelift to the Astra. While the look is hardly distinguishable from the old one, more apparent is a pair of new engines:

- 1.6 Twinport Ecotec: it gets variable valve timing compare with the existing 1.6 Twinport. Max power increases by 10hp to 115hp. Both camshafts have continuous variable phasing.

- 1.6 Turbo: improving turbocharging technology allows Opel to produce 180 horsepower from a 1.6-liter engine. This mean the 170hp 2.0 turbo can now retire from the range.

- 1.7 CDTi turbo diesel: produces 110hp or 125hp depending on versions. It replaces the old 1.9 CDTi with 100hp and 120hp.