Latest
News
Feb 13, 2007
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| Scion xB and xD |
(This article is written on plane to New Zealand)
 
Toyota is going to renew its Scion brand xA and xB for the USA market.
Unlike before, both replacements are no longer rebadged versions of its
existing Japanese models, but they are tailor made for the American
market because the brand was proved to be successful there.
Viewing from outside, the new xB looks similar to the first generation,
but it is actually a whole class larger – it measures 4250mm long (old
car: 3825mm), 1760mm wide (old: 1690mm) and 2600mm in wheelbase (old:
2500mm), although the height is reduced from 1640mm to 1590mm. If you
have good observation, you might find these figures familiar – yes, it
shares the same width and wheelbase with the new Toyota Corolla and
Auris, ditto the same MacPherson struts and torsion-beam suspensions.
Apparently, the xB is a derivative of the Corolla / Auris platform.
The larger body also requires a larger engine, therefore Toyota gives
it the Camry's 2.4-liter VVT-i four-cylinder engine, which produces
158hp.
 
However, the change of Scion xB is by no means as radical as xA,
because the latter is actually terminated and replaced by a new label,
xD. The xD is derived from the current Toyota Yaris like its
predecessor derived from the old Yaris. It is therefore slotted under
xB in market positioning – the alphabetic sequence is certainly
confusing.
The xD shares the same 2460mm wheelbase with Yaris, but has its length
and width increased by 180mm and 30mm respectively. Like Yaris, it has
a sliding rear seat to enable more rear legroom or luggage space. Power
comes from Toyota's new 1.8-litre Dual-VVT-i engine rated at 128hp,
much more generous than the Yaris' 1.5-litre unit.
|
Feb 13, 2007
|
| Peugeot 207RC |
(This article is written on plane to New Zealand)
 
Following the 207GT Turbo, Peugeot is releasing the range-topping 207RC
– it will be called 207GTi in the UK market. The car is powered by the
high-boost version of the GT Turbo's 1.6-litre direct-injection VVT
Turbo engine, which is equivalent to the one employed by Mini Cooper S.
It produces 174 horsepower and 177 lbft of torque from 1600 to 4500
rpm. The max torque is identical to GT Turbo, but it appears at 200 rpm
later and lasts 1000 rpm later. However, I am a little disappointed
that it still employs a 5-speed manual gearbox (Mini Cooper S uses
6-speeder). Peugeot said it tops 137mph and accelerates from 0-60 in
6.8 seconds.
|
Feb 12, 2007
|
| AutoZine to take a rest |
By
the time you read this sentence, I am probably on my way to New Zealand
to spend my honeymoon with my darling... it came late because my work
was extremely busy in December and January, but hopefully we shall
enjoy the trip as much as it would have been right after our wedding.
We shall come back in early March. During this period, Internet access
might be difficult thus please be prepared to see no updates here.
Anyway, I have written 12 reports in the recent 12 days, so the stock
should be enough for the rest of the month...
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Feb 12, 2007
|
| Dodge Demon concept |
 
Dodge Demon is a concept roadster to be unveiled in next month's Geneva
auto show. While the corporate grille is easily recognizable as a
Dodge, its overall design is a crossover between Nissan 350Z and Honda
S2000. Chrysler said it is rear-drive (which sounds exciting) and
powered by Caliber's 2.4-litre DOHC 16V four-pot engine with the same
172hp (which is less exciting) output. 6-speed manual gearbox. The car
measures just under 4 meters long, 1.74 meters wide and runs a 2.43
meters wheelbase, so it will be a direct competitor to Mazda MX-5 if it
get green light for production. Considering the high level of finishing
and Chrysler's track record, I won't be surprised if it become a
production reality.
 
|
Feb 7, 2007
|
| Industry News |
Pontiac
G8
In Chicago auto show will see this Pontiac G8, or a facelifted Holden
Commodore. Holden will export the car for sale in Pontiac's showrooms.
Mechanical-wise, it is unchanged from the Commodore, still powered by
3.6 V6 VVT with 261hp and 6.0 V8 with 362hp. 5-speed auto for the V6,
6-speed auto or 6-speed manual for the V8. The car should be priced
lower than the outgoing Pontiac GTO.
Five-Hundred
becomes Taurus !
In Detroit auto show last month, Ford still called the 2008
Five-Hundred the Five-Hundred. Now it has changed its mind. The car
will be renamed to "Taurus". Very confusing ? that's not all though.
The equivalent Mercury Montego will be renamed to "Sable". So Taurus
and Sable will rise from the graveyard after buried for a few months,
but Ford's fortune is unlikely to rise again so easily.
|
Feb 6, 2007
|
| Fiat Bravo launch |
 
Fiat released the first details of its new Bravo in last October. Now
the car goes on sale in Europe and the full specifications are
available.
The new Bravo is not a clean-sheet design but a development from the
outgoing Stilo platform. Stilo was born in late 2001 with high
expectation. Fiat originally planned to produce it for 7 years, that
means replacement would not have arrived until late 2008.
Unfortunately, the market reception was poor and sales continued to
slide. Fiat had no alternative but to replace it earlier. However, to
claw back the investment it made in Stilo, Fiat utilized its platform
and developed it into new Bravo. Suspensions continues to be strut up
front and torsion beam at the rear. The wheelbase remains unchanged at
2600mm, a little short by today's standard. Length and width have grown
a little from Stilo. While the 1498 mm height is tall, it is not as
tall as the 5-door Stilo.
 
Fiat sets the sales target at a conservative 120,000 units a year. This
is made possible by the lower development costs, as the development
took only 18 months from specification freeze to market launch. The low
target is set also because there is no 3-door version will be offered.
Unless Fiat can reach a deal to produce it in China, the Bravo is
likely to be limited to 5-door hatchback form.
 However, this 5-door looks handsome, thanks to a sleek nose
and soft wedge profile. At the back, its tailgate and lights remind you
the original Bravo (1995-2001). Inside, the dashboard and console
design looks quite sporty. Materials and build quality has taken a step
forward but don't expect it to match the pricier Volkswagen Golf. The
driving position has full range of adjustment to accommodate drivers
from 1.5 to 2 meters tall. Fiat also claims it is the only car in the
class that can accommodate 184 cm tall passengers at the back behind
front passengers of the same height, believe or not. Better still, the
boot can swallow 400 liters of luggage.
According
to Fiat, the chassis of Bravo has a class-leading torsional rigidity of
21,300 Nm/degree. The suspension geometry, springs and dampers have
been retuned. Stiffer anti-roll bars have been employed. The wishbones
are now made of stamped steel instead of cast iron to reduce unsprung
weight. Dual-path strut blocks and new hydraulic bushings improve NVH
suppression. Accompany with a 20 mm wider track, the Bravo should cure
the poor handling and ride of its predecessor.
At launch, there are 3 engines available. The entry level is a 90hp
1.4-liter 16V petrol detuned from Grande Punto. Then there are a couple
of 1.9-liter Multijet turbo diesel, rated at 120hp for 8V and 150hp for
16V. All three are existing engines from Fiat's parts pool. Later this
year will come a new T-JET 1.4-liter turbo petrol, which will produce
120hp and 150hp in different state of tune. To deliver higher mpg and
lower CO2 emission, Fiat is not going to offer bigger capacity petrol
engines to the Bravo.
Specifications
|
Model
|
Bravo 1.4 16V
|
Bravo M-Jet 1.9 8V
|
Bravo M-Jet 1.9 16V
|
|
Layout
|
Front-engined,
Fwd
|
L
/ W / H / WB
|
4336
/ 1792 / 1498 / 2600 mm
|
|
Engine
|
Inline-4,
dohc, 4v/cyl
|
Inline-4,
sohc, 2v/cyl,
CDI, VTG turbo.
|
Inline-4,
dohc, 4v/cyl,
CDI, VTG turbo.
|
|
Capacity
|
1368
cc
|
1910
cc
|
1910
cc
|
|
Power
|
90
hp
|
120
hp
|
150
hp
|
|
Torque
|
94
lbft
|
188
lbft
|
225
lbft
|
|
Transmission
|
6M
|
5M
|
6M
|
|
Suspension
(F/R)
|
strut
/ torsion-beam
|
|
Tyres
|
195/65HR16
|
195/65HR15
|
205/55VR16
|
|
Weight
|
1205
kg
|
1320
kg
|
1360
kg
|
Top
speed (c)
|
111
mph
|
121
mph
|
130
mph
|
0-62
mph (c)
|
12.5
sec
|
10.5
sec
|
9.0
sec
|
|
Feb 6, 2007
|
| Volvo V70 |
 
Volvo will show this new generation V70 in next month's Geneva motor
show. From the similar appearance and the same dashboard, the V70 seems
like to be derived from S80. Volvo provides no data about its size,
only saying it provides 48 mm more legroom for rear passengers and 30
mm more front shoulder room than the outgoing generation. The chassis
gains 15 percent in torsional rigidity thanks to the use of multi-grade
high-strength steel. The suspensions get "Four-C" adaptive damping like
S80.
Engines include the S80's 163hp and 185hp 2.4-liter 5-pot turbo diesel,
200hp 2.5 turbo 5-cylinder petrol and the new 238hp 3.2-liter petrol
straight-6. Top of the range is T6, which employs a turbocharged
version of the short straight-6. The 3.0-liter unit runs a twin-scroll
turbocharger to boost 285 horsepower and 295 lbft of torque, enabling
155 mph top speed and 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds for the heavy estate. The
T6 engine is hooked up to a 6-speed Geartronic automatic, while other
engines have 6-speed manual as standard.
 Unlike
many "lifestyle" premium wagons, V70 continues Volvo's tradition to be
a rear estate. Its big loading area provides 55 liters more space than
the old car, while the big tailgate eases loading. The rear seat is
40-20-40 split for higher flexibility. The center armrest can be
lowered to house long items. Of course, the rear seatback can fold down
to reveal a flat loading space.
Safety features are as generous as S80. In addition, it offers the
world's first integrated rear child booster seat with two heights.
|
Feb 6, 2007
|
| Industry News |
MG
TF production to resume in Longbridge
Last week Chinese car maker Nanjing Automobile announced it is to
resume the production of MG TF roadster at the ex-Rover Longbridge
plant. The land was sold before the broke down of MG Rover, but Nanjing
has hired back part of the site. Longbridge will produce the chassis
and perform final assembly and painting, while the 1.8-liter K-series
engine will be supplied by Nanjing's headquarters in China (the
production line was already moved there). It is known that 2
preproduction car has been built to verify the facilities. 80 more will
be made before resume production.
Walter de' Silva heads Volkswagen group's design
The departure of Bernd Pischetsrieder and Wolfgang Bernhard from
Volkswagen's management triggered more changes in senior positions.
(Basically, Audi men are taking effective control of the group.) The
latest victim is Volkswagen design chief Murat Gunak. The talented
designer, who penned Peugeot 206 and the original Mercedes A-class and
SLK before joining Volkswagen, left the company last month. Naturally,
his position is replaced by Audi group design chief Walter de' Silva.
Under the leadership of Gunak, Volkswagen searched for a new image
which resulted in the new Scirocco, Tiguan and Passat Coupe. However,
the new design language failed to please new group boss Martin
Winterkorn. It is known that he has ordered Water de' Silva to rework
the aforementioned designs.
Fiat
finally profitable
After 5 straight years in red, Fiat finally recorded a profit last
year. The group's automotive operation made 291 million Euro profit and
produced 2 million cars, thanks mainly to the success of Grande Punto.
Spyker
sales result
Dutch supercar maker Spyker announced business results for last year.
It produced 94 cars last year, up from 48 in 2005.
Renault-Nissan
sales result
More sales result report: last year, Renault group sold 2,433,372
vehicles, among them 2,115,176 were Renault brand (down 6% from a year
ago), 121,855 units were Samsung (up 2%) and 196,341 units were Dacia
(up 19.5%). However, the latter did not take into account those
Renault-branded Logan. Overall, some 247,000 Logans were sold
During the same period, Nissan group sold 3,477,799 vehicles, down 3.3%
from a year ago. Among them 3,341,527 units were branded as Nissan and
136,272 units were Infiniti.
Overall, the whole Renault-Nissan group sold 5,911,171 vehicles
worldwide, giving it a global market share of 9 percent and remains the
4th largest car group in the world.
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