SsangYong Korando platform to underpin two new models

SsangYong is working on two new models that will enter the B and D segments as part of a three-year plan to pull the South Korean company out of its £200m debt. The three-year plan lies with Mahindra and Mahindra, who are in concluding stages of purchasing a large share of SsangYong.

Vice president of marketing, Johng-Sik Choi, said that “We want to be working at maximum output, which is producing 250,000 cars globally per year – the new Korando should account for 100,000 of those. To do that we intend to enter growing markets such as Russia, China and South America, and we will expand our model range with cars built on our new monocoque platform.”

The all-new Korando compact SUV uses a SsangYong first monocoque platform. This chassis will be used on the B-segment (think VW Polo, Vauxhall/Opel Corsa, Renault Clio, Peugeot 207/Citroen C3, Nissan Micra) and D-segment (Renault Laguna, Ford Mondeo, Toyota Avensis, Chevrolet Epica) cars. The former is set to be launched in 2012.

A compact petrol engine will be the main engine in the B-segment car, but according to Soo Won Lee, chief of research and design, “an electric-diesel range extender similar to that used in the Chevrolet Volt could be piloted in 2014”.

The larger D-segment car will use an updated version of the 173bhp 2.0 common-rail diesel engine in the Korando. For the moment, the Rodius large MPV and Kyron mid-sized SUV are likely to obtain revisions, including the new diesel engine, while the Rexton will be axed.

Mahindra’s association in SsangYong’s future is vital for the company’s existence, and the two companies will be related closely.

“It would make sense for us to platform share,” said Choi, “and it is possible that Korando may enter India badged Mahindra in the near future, though nothing will be confirmed until we have signed the contract in November this year.”

Fiat 500 to retain its shape for next refresh

At this time, chief Fiat designers are working out on how the next 500 city-car should look.

The 500 has been a runaway success for Fiat and is about to go on sale in the U.S, meekly revised and built in Mexico.

Designers are unwilling to drastically redesign the next 500 and are currently thinking that it should become “our Mini”, hinting at very little alterations.

The second-generation Fiat 500 was launched in 2007 – 50 years after the original model – and came to the UK in January 2008.

Nissan 370Z

Nissan 370Z

Nissan 370Z

Nissan 370Z

 Nissan 370Z

New Exotic Aston Martin One-77

New Exotic Aston Martin One-77

The Aston Martin One-77 has been a continued time coming. The super-expensive British supercar has been teased and teased, Aston alike accepting gone so far as assuming the car's anatomy on the auto appearance circuit, abandoned abrogation it beneath a bolt throughout the show. Aston Martin set up a committed website for the best able assembly Aston Martin ever, which can still be begin at www.one-77.com. In March we got One-77 abstruse specs and pre-production achievement numbers. Now the cat is assuredly out of the bag, with Aston's assuming of the final One-77 assembly car architecture at the Italian Concorso D’Eleganza Villa D’Este design-centric autoshow.

Carrying a abject amount of a air-conditioned EU 1 actor and headed for final assembly in a bound run of abandoned 77 units, the One-77 is assuredly targeted at the blazon of attention-seeking car chump apparently not too afflicted by the all-around bread-and-butter recession currently arresting the auto industry as a whole.

Aston Martin's abounding architecture beef was directed against the One-77's development, actuality the aboriginal absolutely all-new Aston archetypal in years. The affidavit is in the pudding, as the Aston Martin One-77 assembly archetypal aloof won one of the industry's best coveted architecture awards, the Concorso d’Eleganza Architecture Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes at Como Lake, Italy.

Let's allocution numbers. The One-77 carries a 6.0 liter V12 deeply based on the powerplants acclimated in the V12 Vanquish and newer V12 Vantage, but reengineered absolutely for this appliance to aftermath added than 700 horsepower. Aston Martin says the One-77 was developed with DTM alternation chase cars in mind, and if the new supercar proves as able on the alley as it looks on paper, those 77 examples should be airtight up absolute quick.

All that ability is advance aloft the poor rear auto through a new 6 acceleration accurate consecutive chiral assemblage Aston promises will crawl bottomward through the blow of its artefact line. The arresting 20 inch wheels, accustomed huge Pirellis 335mm beyond out back, blanket new Carbon Ceramic Matrix anchor technology which promises added cooling by transmitting beneath active activity as calefaction through the anchor aqueous and system.

With a promised barrier weight of about 1500kg, the One-77 will do the 0-60 run in beneath than 3.5 seconds, with a top acceleration in balance of 200 mph. Due to the car's rarity, amount and beauty, your boilerplate Aston Martin One-77 buyer will apparently never accept abundant alley to hit 150 let abandoned 200 mph or a chase track. In an auto industry award 100-year-old companies aback activity bankrupt, is the One-77 at all relevant?

Official Aston Martin columnist abstracts allege of "extraordinary ability and money-no-object charge to quality". It is a safe bet Aston will lose money on this car, but if the British marque can financially acclimate this storm and abide to accomplish absolutely aberrant sports and GT cars, the absolute winners are the flush enthusiast community. Three columnist releases chase account every aspect of the One-77 experience.

Porsche 918 Spyder Concept

Porsche has just announced that it's putting the 918 Spyder into production. First unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year,

The 918 Spyder offers the performance of a super sports car, with a top-end speed of 198 mph and acceleration from a standstill to 100 km/h in just under 3.2 seconds. Its high-revving V8 combustion engine pumps out more than 500 horsepower, and is paired with two electric motors: one on the front axle, and one on the rear, which add an additional 218 horsepower to the mix.

The petrol part of the 918's drivetrain is a 500bhp mid-mounted V8 engine that is shared with Porsche's RS Spyder race car. This is combined with a pair of electric motors that add another 218bhp to the 918's tally. One motor drives the front wheels while the rears are powered by both the petrol engine and the remaining electric unit.

The Spyder is planned to provide an outstanding 78 mpg, putting even your Prius to shame. What kind of price tag does a car with this unique combination of supreme performance and low fuel consumption come with? A starting price of $630,000.




Press Release

Decision taken by the Porsche Supervisory Board

Green Light for Series Development of the 918 Spyder

Stuttgart. In its session today, the Supervisory Board of Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, gave the green light for series development of the Porsche 918 Spyder. Reflecting the overwhelming response from the public and customers to the Concept Study, the Supervisory Board gave Porsche's Board of Management the mission to develop a production model based on the car already presented. This concept version of an ultra-high-performance mid-engined sports car with plug-in hybrid technology made its debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and at Auto China in Bejing, hitting the headlines worldwide.

Michael Macht, President and Chairman of the Board of Management of Porsche AG: "Production of the 918 Spyder in a limited series proves that we are taking the right approach with Porsche Intelligent Performance featuring the combination of supreme performance and efficient drivetrain concepts. We will develop the 918 Spyder in Weissach and assemble it in Zuffenhausen. This is also a very important commitment to Germany as a manufacturing base."

The Concept Study of the 918 Spyder allows CO2 emissions of just 70 g/km, corresponding to fuel consumption of 3.0 litre/100 km (94.1 mpg imp) in the NEDC, on the one hand, and the performance of a super-sports car, on the other. This extremely efficient drivetrain technology then forms a symbiosis in the 918 Spyder with truly outstanding design and high-tech motorsport achievements. Further product details of the 918 Spyder will be disclosed in the months to come.

Toyota Prius Custom Plus Concept

There is no doubt that the Toyota Prius is the heavy favorite at TAS 2010. Literally every single booth has one and it’s hard to take 20 steps without spotting another tuned Prius. Toyota had their own to impress with the Prius Custom Plus Concept taking a very futuristic hold to the Prius design. The front end is as aggressive as ever, with uniquely designed wheels and plenty of carbon fiber. Who would have ever thought a widebody Prius could still be aerodynamic in saving gas? Next to the Custom Plus Concept was a Tom’s-tuned Prius that was mild at best next to its counterpart – but much more in-line to what Prius consumers would enjoy.

Making its debut alongside the Prius G Sports and TOM's Prius studies was the Prius Custom Plus Concept (CCP) prepared by Toyota's in-house customizing and accessories division.

The prototype model looks thoroughly worked over thanks to the wide body kit that further accentuates the Prius hybrid's wedgy shape.

Together with the new nose job that boasts massive Lamborghini-styled air-vents, the Prius CPC gets custom-made fenders, beefy side skirts, new rear bumper with an integrated diffuser and side spoilers, and a large rear wing made out of carbon fiber.

Carbon fiber is also the material of choice for the new hood, roof, the cameras on the doors that replace the exterior mirrors and the rear panel on the trunk door.

The uniquely styled 18-inch alloy wheels that are shod on 215/40 R18 Goodyear tires sum up the exterior modifications.

The Fast and Furious / Racing theme is continued inside with the addition of gauges on top of the dashboard and just above the new steering wheel that's wrapped in Alcantara.

The same material is also used to trim the new Recaro bucket seats and most parts of the cabin.

2011 Chevrolet Volt could receive 25% electric range increase

GM has been making a racket about how the Volt has an electric range of “upto 40 miles” before the 1.4 litre turbo-charged petrol engine kicks in, giving an extra 300 mile range but that may all change....

With GM filing essential paperwork with the federal government, information is leaking out at how GM may buoy up its claimed range of 40 miles to 50 miles on electric power. GM hasn’t previously hinted at extending the range beyond 40 miles since the concept was first launched in early 2007.

In the paperwork, GM wrote: "When powered only from electricity stored in its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery; the Chevrolet Volt has a typical range of 25-50 miles depending on terrain, driving technique, temperature and battery age."

When GM-Volt came across this statement they reached out to GM spokesman Rob Peterson. Peterson said, "We've always said up to 40. But now we tweaked the EV range to from 25 to 50."

Peterson clarified that the change comes after a million plus miles have been recorded with the Volt, and the engineers were confident that the change was real-world possible with a fuel conscious driver. "A conservative driver under ideal conditions will get more than 40 miles,” Peterson said. “We don’t often highlight this potential to go beyond 40.″

Renault plans affordable rear-wheel-drive sports car

Renault could have a rear-wheel-drive sports car within its line-up by 2014, providing chairman Laurens van den Acker gets his way.

Van den Acker said he not only thinks Renault should be building a compact, affordable sports car, but also that the chance to make it lies in Renault’s planned alliances.

“Any car maker with a product range as broad as ours should have room for an affordable sports car,” van den Acker said. “The challenge to design a great driver’s car is very exciting. It won’t be easy to make a strong business case, but through Renault’s global alliances, I believe it will be possible.”

Insiders within Renault have confessed that numerous projects have been abandoned to produce a new ‘Renault Alpine’ sports car since 2000. The latest proposal that took its design cues of the 2006 Nepta concept was negated in 2007.

As well-placed internal source suggested that the car considered is a compact, affordable coupé, a nearer counterpart for the Alpine A110 ‘Berlinette’.

Most current platforms Renault-Nissan now have would force Renault to place the engine up-front, however, if Renault were to confer with their new alliance partner Daimler for admission to the next Smart Fortwo’s rear-engined platform, a more faithful successor for the four-cylinder A110 might be possible along the lines of the last Smart Roadster Coupé.

Photo Gallery: 2011 Mercedes Viano/Vito facelift

The Mercedes Viano leads its class, defining the new benchmark for large MPV segment/compact commercial vehicle segment. New engines and transmissions reduce emissions and fuel consumption while enhancing performance. The new chassis offers the ultimate in ride comfort and driving safety. The cockpit and passenger compartment are more user-friendly and attractively appointed than ever. The Mercedes Viano is instantly recognisable by its "face", featuring the Mercedes star in the style of the current passenger cars, and a newly designed rear section.

In the UK, two trim-levels are offered; Trend and Ambiente. Both are available in three sizes; Viano compact (4,763mm), Viano Long (5,008mm) and Viano Extra-Long (5,238mm) and with three diesel engines; 2.0 CDI, 2.2 CDI and 3.0 CDI V6.

Entry-level Trend offers a 6 speed manual gearbox, 16” steel wheels, electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors, fog lamps, twin-sliding side doors, roof-rails, metallic paint, tinted glass, air conditioning, Bluetooth, front electric windows w/electric rear ventilation windows, fold-away table, child-proof door locks, ISOFIX child seat fittings, height adjustable front seats, trip computer, radio/CD player w/ AUX-in socket and 4 speakers, height/reach adjustable urethane steering wheel, x2 airbags, ESP w/ASR and remote central locking

In addition to the Trend grade, Ambiente offers a 5 speed automatic gearbox, cruise control, 16” alloy wheels, adaptive bi-xenon headlamps w/LED day-time running lights, rear air suspension, leather steering wheel, leather interior and x4 airbags (dual front, side).

If you fancy the options list, you’ll find 3 designs of alloy wheels going upto 18”, bi-xenon headlamps, premium sound system, satellite navigation system, curtain airbags, leather interior, electrically sliding side doors, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, leather steering wheel, wooden interior finishes, electric heated front seats, panoramic glass sunroof, rear air conditioning, electrically folding door mirrors and lots more.

A 4MATIC four-wheel-drive system is available in certain markets alongside a 3.5 CDI V6 engine.

Prices start from £27,720 for the Viano Compact 2.0 CDI Trend, rising to £38,245 for the Viano Extra-Long 3.0 CDI Ambiente.

Full photo album can be viewed here.

Mini rejects the idea of British design studio (UK)

Mini executive, Gert Hildebrand has rejected the idea of opening a design studio in the UK. Hilderbrand said a UK Mini design studio "wouldn't happen" as it would be too far away from Mini's engineering team.

BMW built a Mini design studio in 2001 at its Munich headquarters, close to their engineering department. Many have asked Mini to expand its design team into Britain to help offer a more traditional perspective on Mini design, but Hilderbrand - a fan of classic Minis and British culture in general – has dashed hopes of such a facility being created.

"We won’t move away from Munich as we need to be close to engineering," he said, "and there's no engineering capability in England. I love England but it's not going to happen."

Van Hooydonk also dismissed suggestions that the scooters could be a Mini too far. "I had an original Mini and know what the brand is about," he said. "This is not what Mini has done before but it is still a Mini for the urban environment. It's fun and emotional."

Via Autocar

2011 Nissan Micra platform to underpin sedan and sub-compact MPV

New information has surfaced of the forthcoming sub-compact saloon and MPV that will underline the all-new Micra/March small-car platform.

The ‘V’ platform – short for versatile – it intended to adapt the structure for different body styles. The ‘V’ platform will ultimately generate production of a million vehicles annually, Nissan envisage.

The first vehicle to be conceived is a 4dr supermini saloon which will be launched in 2011. The car will primarily be designed for the Asian market (Japan, India, Thailand, Pakistan, South Korea, China etc). The car may arrive in Europe, particularly Eastern Europe (Hungary, Slovenia, Slovakia, Poland, Romania etc) where supermini sedans are big business. UK sales are a possibility, despite the limited appeal of small, three-box models but Irish sales are likely.

These spy shots show a prototype covered in tape but by the look of things, the Micra sedan will look just as conservative as its hatchback counterpart. This website claims the Micra saloon will be powered by engines larger than 1.5 litres, which is incorrect since the 'V' platform can only support engine sizes of 1.2 litres and less.

A replacement for the Note supermini MPV will certainly arrive in UK dealerships. Insider claim it will be slightly shorter than the current model but will provide similar interior space, an advantage of the V platform’s improved space efficiency which part-stems from a more compactly packaged fuel tank and a pedal-box located closer to the car’s nose.

Audi could sell 10,000 more cars (UK)

Audi UK is claiming it could sell 10,000 more cars this year if factory shortages in mainland Europe didn’t hold back supply. Audi UK has many more customers than production slots allocated for four key models; A3 hatch, Q5 compact SUV, Q7 large SUV and the A8.

“We’re having a great year, but forecast that we could sell up to 7,000 and 10,000 more cars this year if we had the supply,” says a spokesman for the company.

The A8 is being affected by strong early demand from China. The A8 has been planned with a pre-arranged production level and suppliers, mainly of interior parts, can only perform orders tied to that level of output.

With a inadequate production level, China is taking in a larger than predicted share of the output and a unplanned effect will delay the launch of the long-wheelbase A8 in the UK.

Usually Audi UK can fill slots in its demand by taking on factory build-slots that other countries don’t need. “But that’s not happening this year. All the countries are selling well and there’s no sign of extra capacity being freed-up for the UK,” says the spokesman.

To the end of August, Audi has registered 65,850 cars, a 15% increase over 2009.