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| Seat’s launch schedule until 2010 Posted: 03 Jul 2008 07:50 AM CDT  2008 holds no big surprises, only the launch of the coupe version of the Ibiza being scheduled. But 2009 is a whole new matter, the FR version of the small Ibiza hatchback is brought out in February and after a month, Seat’s new B class sedan, the Exeo. In April we will see facelifts for the Altea, Altea XL and the Leon. Autumn brings us, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Ibiza Cupra model, one of the most anticipated versions and the estate version for the Exeo. After that, the new generation of Alhambra is set to arrive, thus completing a really busy year for Seat. Finally, in 2010, the spaniards will launch a new Sportback version of the Ibiza and their first ever SUV and completing the wide range of vehicles available.  | ||||
| VW still planning to launch one-liter car, possibly in 2010 Posted: 02 Jul 2008 04:03 PM CDT  In order to get that fuel economy VW has resorted to some rather drastic measures. The passengers sit one behind the other, motorcycle style, and the whole car has an aerodynamic tear-shape. In order to keep the weight down all the panels are built from carbon-fiber on top of a magnesium frame ensuring a weight of only 300kg. This along with the low height has got some people concerned about safety. The one-liter has 4 wheels so at least that should calm some fears. A trike can be classified as a bike so it doesn’t have to pass the same safety standards as a car. It also has the basic safety equipments we have come to expect ABS/ESP, airbag but then it better have considering the expected price in the range of 30.000. Even at that price VW is expected to sell the car at a loss a la Veyron, hence the limited production numbers maybe even in the hundreds, although they hope to get some sort of government tax cuts or incentives. While this may be little more then a publicity stunt, and will not in itself have a real impact on car pollution, it is a first step and it will get people noticing. A two seater may not be very practical for to many but a four seater with a very aerodynamic body and low weight may be entirely possible without sacrificing much of the fuel efficiency and introducing that type of car in, say, 2013-2015 could prove a real success so maybe VW is on to something. More photos after the jump.
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| Chrysler: Special times, special measures! Posted: 02 Jul 2008 03:53 PM CDT  Robert Kyiosaki announced a big economic slump. Well, the U.S. auto sales slump hit Chrysler LLC again Monday with his amplitude. It isn't a joke anymore! Chrysler's officials announced plans to close one St. Louis-area factory and cut a shift from another. Woau! Do you believe this managers? I do. And do you know why? Because of declining demand for minivans and pickups! It will shutter the St. Louis South plant, which produces minivans. The St. Louis North plant, which produces full-size pickups, will be cut from two shifts! And what about the employees? Who thinks at the fact that the minivant plant's closure will cut 1,500 jobs? In the same time it isn’t clear if the company would ever recall the 900 workers who will be laid off at the pickup truck plant. Both factories are in Fenton, a St. Louis suburb. It's a shocking news for that people and for their family! Donald Trump has a special cue for this moments: "It's nothing personal. Is just business." And, let's think about it. What Chrysler should do in this context? What would you do if you were in their position? Beyond doubt, it isn't an easy decision. Chrysler President and Vice Chairman Tom LaSorda said there’s only enough minivan demand for three shifts, which the company already has running at its factory in Windsor, Ontario. Unfortunately, this are the rules of the free market. And we have to play according them. But, remember that sky is the limit! Life still goes on.  | ||||
| Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 production started Posted: 02 Jul 2008 03:46 PM CDT  Recently Chevrolet announced that the Corvette ZR1 is in production and it will be available in 2009 for the US and Europe market (only 50 cars will be offered for sale in Europe). The "fastest and most expensive car" (as Chevrolet said) was build just like the regular Corvettes and the Z06 in Bowling Green plant – Kentucky. ZR1 will have retail price of $103,300 ($850 destination charge included). The average fuel consumption is 16,8 l/100 km (city) and 11,7 l/100 km (highway), much lower then a Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano, Lamborghini Murcielago or Aston Martin V8 Vantage. Chevrolet wanted a 600-plus horsepower engine so they decided to equip the ZR1 with a V8 6.2 liters small-block supercharged engine that can propel the car from 0-100 km/hour in just 3.4 seconds, while having a top speed of 330 km/hour. The 638 HP engine is build at GM’s Performance Build Center in Wixom, Michigan. Tom Wallace, vehicle line executive of Performance Cars said that ZR1 will probably beat the Ferrari F430. We can only wait and see if he is right.  | ||||
| To fly or not to fly: that is the question Posted: 02 Jul 2008 12:12 PM CDT  One of the most well known pioneer in the field of personal computers and electric vehicles is british Sir Clive Sinclair (apropos, in the past have you used this type of PC?). In an interview on the radio BBC Radio 4 said that flying cars will be ready for take-off soon. He also stated that “flying machines are perfectly possible to achieve technically” and “the propulsion must be electric, because internal combustion engines are not reliable enough”. Sir Clive Sinclair is currently producing a foldable minibike A-Bike which sells quite good. Of course there’ll be a lot of questions: What is the maximum speed? How can we use the break? Do we have lights? Meanwhile we’re still waiting for the day when we’ll be able to pilot these flying machines. How about you? What do you think about it?  | ||||
| The new DTM Safety Car is the Audi R8 Posted: 02 Jul 2008 09:06 AM CDT  The DTM is one of the most exciting racing championships in the world, staring the best german-made cars and the title of Safety Car in such a prestigious championship is an honor to a car. After coming back from the legendary LeMans 24 hour race, the Audi R8 won’t have much time to breathe, as it was chosen the official Safety Car for the DTM. Also, another R8 will be the racing taxi for this championship. Audi themselves highlighted the DTM’s choice for their supercar, by saying that the modifications implied by being a Safety Car were minimal because their mid-engined model is already a great sports car. The R8 will make its debut at the Norisring Speed Weekend.  | ||||
| Honda, Subaru and Toyota want a piece of GT-R’s action Posted: 02 Jul 2008 08:59 AM CDT Following up a great line of successes, Nissan’s Skyline GT-R follow up, the 2008 Nissan GT-R, is forseen to be a great success, with considerable orders allready in line, with mind-boggling performance, and positive reviews all over the world. Its oldest Japanese competitor, the Honda NSX, is allready in tests.  The old NSX was a rugh competitor, highly appreciated for its Ferrari/Porsche compared performance, durability, adaptability (some models supported unprecedented tuning) and its unbelievable value for money, practically unrivaled by european counterparts. The new NSX is roumored to have lapped “The Ring” in 7′ 37″ (a full second better than the Nissan GT-R, and 3 seconds under Veyron’s time). Now, the old “Jap’ extreme trio ” is about to be complete, as Toyota and Subaru are co-developing a RWD high performance coupe, very likely to be positioned in GT-R’s/NSX’s market, probably covering up the Toyota SUPRA void that they left unfilled. Here’s a Japanese Car Magazine’s rendering of what an artist thinks the coupe will look like:  We say it looks great, and this whole “competition” thing that will be going on between the Japanese high performance machines, on a worldwide level, can only thrill the children in all of us, making the waiting that much harder to bare.  |
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