Sedan and Roadster

If at first you don’t succeed, try again. This appears to be the motto that VW is taking with regards to its ultra-luxury sedan, the Phaeton.
The Phaeton was an excellent vehicle, the perfect demonstration of what an automaker with brilliant engineers can do if it chooses not to concern itself with budget constraints. Built with immaculate precision, the highest quality and newest technology, the Phaeton was a truly impressive vehicle. The only problem is that it was a sales flop. It failed to capture the North American market due to image-related problems. Consumers didn’t feel compelled to invest considerable amounts of money in an entry-level brand that also produces Golfs, Jettas and Beetles. But just because the Phaeton didn’t make it in North America doesn’t mean that it’s a dud elsewhere in the world. In other markets, including its home country of Germany, it recently received a mid-cycle update that focused on appearances and technology similar to the changes made to the Touareg 2. And that mild facelift makes it clear that VW is getting ready to bring the next generation Phaeton to market in a couple of years.
Insiders are reporting that the underpinnings of the new Phaeton could come from upscale sources, as if its relationship with Bentley’s Continental GT and Flying Spur isn’t enough. The first rumour sees VW teaming up with parent company Porsche, twinning the development of the Phaeton with the sports car brand’s up and coming Panamera four-door. This is a fairly believable approach considering the two worked together in developing the Touareg and Cayenne combo. The other potential version would link the Phaeton to the next-generation Audi A6 and A8. The vehicle that was spied, sported the tail end and doors of the current-generation Audi A8, which could indicate that the big VW would go on a weight-loss diet consisting of an aluminum space frame chassis.
When the Phaeton returns, it will most likely be offered in a four-door version as well as a new two-door version. The former won’t be the limo-like vehicle that was brought here between 2003 and 2005, but a sleek new four-door coupe, a vehicle that could lure buyers away from the Mercedes CLS, the upcoming BMW CS and other sporty sedans. Previously, it was thought that this vehicle would be based on an extended wheelbase version of the Passat, allowing for it to be built and sold at a relatively affordable price, but it looks like the plans to up Volkswagen image by chasing the world’s finest brands are back into play.
The real surprise, however, comes from the fact that VW looks to also be targeting the grand touring convertible market, and specifically the Mercedes SL-Class roadster. The grand touring market is a highly profitable arena with competitors from Jaguar, BMW, Maserati and others, and Volkswagen could easily obtain a slice with a sleek two-door folding hardtop convertible. Spy photographers have snapped a vehicle that fits this description to a tee, circulating around Norfolk, England - the home of engineering consultants and sports car makers, Lotus.
Whatever the end result may be, it’s clear that Volkswagen is serious about taking on and beating the competition, entry-level, top of the line or otherwise. It certainly has the ambition and the resources to do so.

While the now profitable Ford Motor Company has been in the spotlight regarding the sale of the brands that the comprise Premiere Auto Group, its European division will have something new to show come this September at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Ford is practically the only major mainstream manufacturer in Europe to not offer a compact sport utility vehicle since it withdrew the Maverick from the market during the early part of the decade. The car that will be shown at Frankfurt is a refined version of the iosis X concept that was displayed at last year’s Paris auto show, and should fill in this much-needed gap nicely.
Kuga sounds like a play on the Mercury two-door coupe but it’s got nothing in common with the big American cat .The edgy, ‘Kinetic Design’ styling of the Kuga blends many of the traits of new European-market Ford products, such as the curved and sporting roof line of the S-Max people carrier, the wheels of the high-performance Focus ST220, and the detailed headlamps and upturned grille of the freshly launched Mondeo midsized sedan, but sports bulging fenders and beefier lower cladding to give it a stronger, more durable look. Ford’s aim is to give the typical compact crossover a sportier look, something that only Mazda has successfully done with its

CX-7.
Ford’s Chief Designer for Exteriors, Stefan Lamm said, ‘Kuga is adventurous and distinctive, and we wanted to highlight this in our first official image . . . We believe that there is a role for a more athletic and charismatic vehicle that marks a departure from the norm, in the same way that the award-winning Ford S-Max carved out new territory for an MPV.’

While the official details about its platform and powertrain have yet to be announced, the Kuga will ride on the compact C1 platform that is shared with the European Ford Focus, Mazda3, and Volvo compact range. While the production engines are expected to include a series of economical four-cylinder and diesel engines, the Kuga is actually rumoured to be the first product developed by Ford of Europe to feature a gasoline-electric hybrid system. Ford will build the Kuga at its Saarlouis plant in Germany, with production expected to begin next spring. That’s about the same time that Volkswagen’s compact ute, the Tiguan, will hit the assembly line a few thousand kilometres away in Portugal.
Like most of Ford of Europe’s products, it’s pretty much set in stone that we won’t be getting the Kuga, though it’s been rumoured that Ford’s CEO Alan Mulally and his product development boss, Derek Kuzak want it and the Ford C-Max concept crossover for our market. Wouldn’t it be great if this little soft roader / compact crossover ended up on our shores as the replacement to the Escape?

The gearless CVT transmission comes and goes in waves of popularity. Previously isolated to European and Japanese-market city cars, they’ve become an aide in the modern quest for fuel-efficient vehicles around the world. Without physical ratios or a torque converter, they’re more efficient than their regular automatic transmission counterparts, but are prone to what’s called the rubber band effect where the engine’s speed rises disproportionately to the speed of the car.
New technology has helped to reduce the negative sides of the CVT, and has allowed it to be used in more powerful applications. One brand that’s capitalized on this is Nissan, which offers CVTs in practically every model it makes, but for its heavy-duty SUVs, trucks and the 350Z sports car. Because of the CVT’s efficiency, all Toyota and Lexus hybrid models use the technology, as does the Honda Civic Hybrid and the Nissan Altima Hybrid. Prestige brands have also worked with CVT gearboxes. Audi’s MultiTronic CVT transmission utilizes a metal link chain for front-wheel drive A4s, while Mercedes-Benz’s A- and B-Class feature a CVT with seven artificially created ratios instead of a conventional automatic.
On the contrary, there are some brands that haven’t been particularly pleased with the results of their CVT transmissions. Ford dropped their ZF-built CVT from the Five Hundred full-size sedan and Freestyle crossover when they made the jump to the Taurus update. Saturn completely discarded CVTs after offering them on the ION and the outgoing VUE. The previous MINI Cooper featured a CVT transmission in place of an automatic, though it’s no longer available.
Now Subaru, one of the quirkiest automakers around, known for their all-wheel drive systems, unique boxer engines and durability, is getting ready to trod down the CVT path once again, according to Winding Road magazine. Having been one of the first to offer a CVT in North America, with its subcompact Justy, it is already a believer in the technologies’ many advantages. The new gearbox would be used in place of a standard automatic, and will be available with most of the mainstream engines that the brand offers. Subaru also hopes to have a CVT available in every car it makes by the year 2010.
Due to the power limitations that CVTs have, we doubt that they’d be featured on the turbocharged 2.5-litre H-4 engine that will move the ultra-powerful Impreza WRX STi, but current CVT technology would still enable it to be used on the less powerful Impreza WRX, Legacy and Forester models. The first Subaru product to feature a CVT transmission is projected to be the 2009 Legacy that is also set for a facelift in that particular model year.
Subaru’s first diesel, a 2.0-litre horizontally opposed engine (a world first for this engine configuration) will be available in North America within the next few years, but the brand hopes on making another world first by mating this new CVT to it. The combination of a high-efficiency diesel engine with a CVT should help make the forthcoming Legacy one of the thriftiest midsize sedans on the market.

Debut at Geneva

Since his first project with Kia, the ex_cee’d cabrio concept car, Peter Schreyer has been hard at work on several new projects in an attempt to change the way people think of the budget Korean carmaker. It’s starting to work, as the compact cee’d has really spiced things up for the brand. Critics were truly impressed with the dynamic characteristics of the hatchback, not to mention its first-rate interior quality and first rate fit and finish. Buyers now have other reasons to buy one of their products besides the excellent warranty and the truly affordable prices. Kia now wants to add stylish designs to the list of reasons for purchasing one of their cars, and their forthcoming sports coupe looks to be the vehicle to do it.
Earlier in the year, it was rumoured that Kia was engineering a car to gun down the likes of Audi’s TT, and now that rumour has been confirmed as Kia’s announced that its show car for the upcoming Frankfurt Auto Show will be a 2+2 sports coupe. From the first image provided by the manufacturer, this car is unlike any other Kia we’ve ever seen, with a low hood line and an aggressive, almost shark-like grille. The car’s use of lighting is very similar to what the Chinese-designed Buick Riviera Concept incorporates into its design, though it’s limited to the bumpers rather than around the entire car. Nevertheless, it’s certainly a striking sight. If the front end looks as good as this, the rest of the car is guaranteed to turn heads.
Kia’s design chief Peter Schreyer summed up the situation at Kia, saying, “Seldom does a designer have such a clean sheet to work with. We started this exciting journey with the Kia ex_cee’d cabrio concept at the Geneva Show back in March, and at Frankfurt, I’m sure Kia will surprise the entire automotive world when people see our new sports coupe concept in the metal.”
In order to back up its sporty image, you can bet that the engine under the coupe’s hood is going to be strong. Powertrain options could include a V6 engine, though another viable and more likely option would be the 200+ horsepower turbocharged inline-four that is set to be launched in the high-performance Kia cee’d XR.
Schreyer also said, “Rear-drive would make it easier to get great proportions to the design, but I wouldn’t want to make an expensive car. Any coupe should cost around $20,000.” By sharing the platform with Hyundai’s forthcoming RWD coupe, there’s a good chance that this dream may indeed become a reality. Alternatively, if Hyundai were to produce the HND-3 Veloster, a front wheel drive coupe, Kia could base its production version off it.

F430 Scuderia

Weight is everything when it comes to sports cars. Reducing weight allows manufacturers to produce cars that handle better, accelerate quicker, and stop faster. Weight is what allows vehicles like the Caterham 7 and Ariel Atom to outperform and embarrass much more powerful and costly cars, despite their significantly smaller and less powerful engines. This is why many brands make such a big deal out of putting their top cars on diets, such as the Porsche 911 GT3-RS, BMW M3 CSL and the new Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera.
Ferrari too has participated in this practice, producing lightweight versions of its street cars, most recently with the mid-engined F360 Modena. The Challenge Stradale, named after the one-make, one-model racing series of which it participated in, offered improved performance by cutting out mass wherever possible. This raw, racer-like experience happened to make it one of the most sought after versions of the car built. Logically, with the launch of the F430 Challenge race series, we’ve been expecting Ferrari to introduce a roadgoing version. Now they finally have, but the car will have a new name, “Scuderia”.
The F430 Scuderia takes weight reduction to extremes. The already lightweight sports car has 100 kg worth of insulation and unnecessary luxuries taken out of what was previously a regular version, but that’s not where the difference ends. The new car sees the astonishing 4.3-litre V8 churn out 510 horsepower, a gain of 27 horsepower over the standard version, with the added bonus of a sky-high redline of 8,500 rpm.
To go with the enhanced engine is an upgraded version of the famed Ferrari F1 6-speed sequential paddle-shift transmission. Thanks to new software, the gearbox is now capable of punching through the gears at an unprecedented 60 ms per interval, which is an improvement over the 150 ms shift capability of the standard F430, and 100 ms of the Ferrari 599 Fiorano, plus it outclasses the SMG transmission used on the BMW M5 and M6. It still trails the twin-clutch DSG/S tronic transmission offered by VW and Audi, which is capable of upshifting at 8 ms. Other mechanical enhancements include the integration of the F1-Trac traction control system with the E-Diff electronic differential for better response and balance.
Performance figures for the F430 Scuderia have yet to be released, but we know it’s going to be quicker from 0-100 km/h than the stock car, and significantly quicker in gear and at higher speeds. After all, what would you expect from a car that has a mere 2.45 kg to move for each horsepower produced? Because of its track-oriented nature, the Scuderia features a tuned suspension, plus new lightweight wheels made from magnesium, and modified bodywork to increase downforce at speed.
To ice the cake at the Scuderia’s upcoming Frankfurt auto show launch, Michael Schumacher, Ferrari’s ex-F1 superstar will be introducing it to the media on September 11th

Chrysler Crossfire

When Chrysler brought its premium-grade Crossfire coupe to market in 2003 as a 2004 model, there were more than a few that questioned its potential for success. Even at the launch program Chrysler’s executives talked more about the car being an image builder for Chrysler, and an example of the brand’s cooperative development with then-owner Mercedes , than anything about sales volumes.
It didn’t take long for deep incentives to make it clear that North American sports car buyers who were already buying up Audis, BMWs, Porsches, and the Mercedes that this car is based upon in record numbers, weren’t ready for a compact Chrysler in the high-$40K range ($34,495 ), therefore a stripped version hit the market at under $40,000. Heavier incentives followed, yet even with massive discounts Chrysler’s little SLK re-body was so unpopular in the first quarter of 2006 that it managed to top the coldest seller list by staying on dealer lots an average of 302 days, which was longer than any other car sold in US according to J. D. Power and Associates’ Power Information Network. For good reason production was suspended later that year, or as a Chrysler spokesperson stated the company “stopped taking orders (for seven or eight months) in US to balance the inventory”. Model year 2006 and 2007 Crossfires sat in storage in Europe before shipments resumed this spring, yet even with sales back on track they’re extremely slow this year, with last year’s volume at only 8,216 units, just over half of what 2005’s Crossfire managed, at 14,665 sales.
So, with CCM now in control of Chrysler Group and a long list of ex-Auburn Hills execs advising the new owner of what to keep and what to kill, does the Crossfire stand a chance? Not only will a 2008 model be produced, but it will get a tire pressure monitoring system and other minor changes. Why would the troubled carmaker soldier on with such a slow seller?
You might find it surprising to find out that Chrysler is happy with the Crossfire’s sales performance, with one of the car’s engineers, Allan Mecca stating, “We’ve been outselling the Audi TT”. This may be true, yet what Mecca leaves out is that the TT is selling for tens of thousands more than the Karmann-built Crossfire, and making a profit for its Ingolstadt producer. Nevertheless he added, “In our mind, it’s meeting expectations.”
Despite its reprieve from the proverbial pasture, it’s unlike that the Crossfire will continue to be built for much longer than 2008, with most analysts expecting Chrysler’s new management to focus more on core models than expensive side projects. If Chrysler does choose to go the sporty route again, expect something larger and with V8 power such as the Firepower concept coupe that debuted at the Detroit auto show in 2005.

Mercedes Benz C-Class Hatchback

With the growth of the compact segment reaching new heights, Mercedes-Benz looks to be returning to an old favourite in order to increase the number of small vehicles that it offers around the globe. It’s still under debate whether or not Mercedes’ awkward B-Class will be offered in the US, but just the same there’s going to be an all-new small Mercedes model heading into the land of the free as well as other world markets.
Internationally, Mercedes offers two cars that fall under the subcompact and compact sectors, the three- and five-door A-Class, and its larger brother, the B-Class. Though the B-Class isn’t offered in all North American markets, Canada being the sole recipient, it looks as if a new compact solution will be headed in the direction of all North American markets in the form of the next-generation C-Class Sport Coupe, only this time around it’ll be called the CLC, in line with the full-size CLS.
The C-Class Sport Coupe might not have sold all that well in Europe and other world markets, but in North America it fared well. Besides being the cheapest way of securing a three-pointed star on the hood of a vehicle (other than Canada’s B-Class), it was also the right size for entry-level luxury buyers within our markets. Another factor working in favour of the car’s revival is that it actually fits in line with the Mercedes image and tradition of having rear-wheel drive. This factor is more likely to appeal to those in the market of buying Mercedes products, than the front-drive A- and B-Class models. Also, the fact that the CLC is shaped more like a sporting coupe than a monobox hatchback doesn’t hurt sales either.
From what we understand, the new car will feature the styling of the most recent generation of C-Class, complete with angular headlamps and the large and prominent three-pointed star grille. The car will also feature the previous model’s raked fastback, continuing where the old car left off. There is a bit of a catch though; those expecting the advanced new chassis underneath will be in for a surprise. Reports have nearly confirmed that the new CLC will use the chassis of the old C-Class.
Hopefully the new look will be greeted with the necessary changes to keep the car up to date, such as offering new powerplants and transmissions. We’d also hope that the car debuts with the interior of the new C-Class, which has been well-received by the media. Another area that Mercedes will have ironed out are issues regarding the previous car’s quality.
The next-generation car won’t be ready until next spring, when it is expected to make its debut at Geneva and should arrive to market by the end of the year, fresh and ready to compete with others in the budding premium compact sector including Audi’s sporty A3, BMW’s upcoming 1-Series, and Volvo’s hot new C30.

Chrysler New 300

Commonly referred to as , the Chrysler Imperial was scheduled to enter production by the end of the decade. Though the current 300 has served the brand well, helping to create a more luxurious image for the smallest member of the Big Three, having a true flagship vehicle to compete with Ford’s Lincoln and General Motors Cadillac was felt to be necessary. The car debuted in concept form two years ago at the USA International Auto Show, complete with rear-hinged doors and a bluff front end that mimicked the look of the ultra-swanky Phantom.
Unfortunately (or fortunately as this was an extremely controversial design), the dream of selling the Imperial has burst. A Chrysler spokesperson confirmed in an interview with Automotive News that development of the ultra-luxury sedan has not only stopped, but production will not occur.
This news is especially troubling to the employees at Chrysler’s Brampton plant who were promised production of another new vehicle in addition to the Challenger, which would ensure a $700 000 000 investment. The Canadian Auto Workers union agreed to wage concessions in exchange for the new vehicle that would keep the plant running at higher capacities.
So what caused the downfall of the Imperial? Besides being tight for cash, the Imperial was a vehicle that was predicted by the media to be not only unpopular but unnecessary. Chrysler’s current flagship product, the 300C is already facing sliding sales, and though a mild update is expected to arrive for 2008, there are still thousands and thousands of existing model year products still on dealer lots. Furthermore, since the split of Chrysler from Mercedes-Benz, new owners Cerberus are more interested in turning a profit, something the Imperial would not guarantee.
The reality, however, has less to do with financial reasons and more to do with the forthcoming proposals by the US government for fuel consumption. Though not yet confirmed, the CAFE standard requires the automobile manufacturers to produce vehicles - including cars, minivans, SUVs and pickup trucks - capable of attaining 35 mpg. Currently the 300, even with its smallest V6 engine is unable to meet these standards, let alone a bigger and heavier vehicle that would require V8 power. MDS cylinder-deactivation or otherwise, we shouldn’t expect much better than half that for the big sedan without the use of diesel or hybrid technologies. And the current CAFE ratings are only the beginning of what is expected to become even stricter regulations.
There is some good news to report, mind you. According to the Detroit Free Press, Chrysler has just invested a reported $1.2 billion into the next generation 300, which will continue to be built in Brampton. These vehicles are expected to arrive on the market in either 2010 or 2011. Also to fill the space that the Imperial would have taken, Chrysler will be allocating its European right and left hand drive production to Brampton, including the Euro-exclusive 300C Touring . Currently, European-market 300s are built at the Magna-Steyr plant in Austria.

Mercedes

A lot can happen in the time span of a decade. We’ve seen brands die, brands created and the rise, fall and struggle of some unexpected automakers. The past ten years also saw the dramatic increase in the price of fuel, which resulted in the quest for alternative fuels such as E85 and hydrogen, not to mention clean diesel technology and advent of the hybrid. Ten years also happens to mark the amount of time that Mercedes has been building vehicles in USA at its Tuscaloosa plant in Alabama.
It all started with the German brand’s push to bring a mainstream luxury sport utility vehicle to market. Back in ‘97, the premium SUV segment had yet to be tapped, with the only true participants being the Mitsubishi Montero, the Toyota Land Cruiser, the Grand Cherokee and the Land Rover and Discovery. Though Mercedes had been building the dressed up military-derived G-Class, albeit leaving it in Europe and other world markets, the ML brought affordability to the game. Needless to say, the vehicle was a hit, winning countless awards and racking up sales of over 850,000 units over the past decade.
Since that time, Mercedes has invested heavily in its AL assembly facility, doubling production capability by adding a second line, enabling the plant to build two additional SUV-based products related to the ML, the R-Class crossover-tourer and the GL-Class seven-seat luxury sport utility vehicle. These three vehicles are produced exclusively in AL, and are selling quite well in 135 different countries around the world. Last year, Mercedes-Benz’s Alabama facility built a total of 170,000 units, more than any other year in the plant’s history.
To celebrate, Mercedes has just announced a new, commemorative, limited edition version of the ML called “Edition10″. Rather than offering it with just one engine, Edition10 will be available globally with five different powerplant options, including three CDI diesels and two gasoline engines (ML350, ML500). The package includes three different colours including black, silver and white, painted AMG-sourced 20-inch alloy wheels in silver or chrome shadow paint wrapped in hefty 265/45R20 tires, a titanium-look grille and hood vents, and special Edition10 exterior badging. Interior appointments include a two-toned colour scheme, two choices of wood trim, sports gauges and stainless steel pedals, plus blue tinted glass. As far as appearance packages go, the Edition10 does a great job of making the ML look more aggressive and sophisticated. Pricing on the package isn’t yet available.
At the celebration last week, CEO Dieter Zetsche announced that there’s much in store for the Alabama plant as Mercedes continues to expand its operations. Mercedes-Benz is preparing to launch a new generation of compact SUV shortly, and while rumours suggest that it will be built in Europe, production may very well be allocated to USA.

GM to Bring More Clean Diesels to North American Market

After suffering a bout of unpopularity in North America, diesel power is finally returning to favour. Automakers are developing extra clean diesel engines capable of overcoming extremely tough emissions controls, which are also smooth, powerful, rich in torque and easy on the wallet. Thanks to technology developed and refined in Europe, North Americans will be treated to the latest generation of engines that feature piezoelectric injectors and variable geometry turbochargers. These engines have already started to appear on ML-, R- and GL-Class Mercedes and Jeep’s Grand Cherokee, and will appear next year in the new Volkswagen Jetta TDI and Tiguan TDI. Other automakers have pledged to enter the battle by the end of the decade, including BMW, Honda, Hyundai and Subaru.
While some brands aren’t firm believers in the technology for our market (Toyota preferring hybrids and Ford opting for its TwinForce engines), the latest player to the compression ignition game will be General Motors. Product guru Bob Lutz recently confirmed and outlined the General’s plan for diesel technology in North America on his Fastlane Blog. The first diesels were already announced a few weeks ago, designed for use in General M’s GMT900-series SUVs, pickups and the Hummer H2. But there’s much more in store.
The second wave of diesels expected to arrive by 2009 will be wearing the Cadillac crest, no less, bringing back scary memories for those who remember Cadillac’s ill-fated fling with poorly executed diesels in the late ’70s, early ’80s. These new modern powerplants will be altogether different, however, and will include an engine designed for use in RWD and AWD vehicles. General Motors will be working with its latest purchase (half-purchase, buying 50-percent, technically), Italian diesel specialist VM Motori (the company behind the Liberty CRD’s engine) to build a new 2.9-litre V6, which should provide ample power and torque. It’s expected that the engine will be used in the CTS, STS and the SRX crossover. Following this, Lutz stated that a front-wheel drive version of the engine would be available by the end of the decade, with insiders hinting at its debut in the next-generation Saturn Aura, which is expected to be a badge-engineered clone of the next-generation Opel .
Despite the good news, Lutz doesn’t believe that it’s wise to pin the automaker’s hopes on diesel technology. Emissions controls are expected to be raised further in the not too distant future, which almost certainly will require the use of more costly filters that will send prices of diesel-powered cars shooting upwards. Lutz currently expects the cost of equipping cars with the right filters and emission controls to cost around $2,000+ USD per unit, in addition to the $2,000 average that diesel cars command over their gasoline counterparts. Another point against diesel engines is the issue of reserves, or namely the lack of reserves and refinery production capacity, plus in the U.S., at least, fewer refueling stations.
Instead, the general consensus amongst automakers is to provide a diverse portfolio of powertrains including E85, hybrids, hydrogen vehicles and electric cars with ERV, such as the Chevrolet Volt Concept.

Porsche 911 GT2

“Respect Required” is the tagline that Porsche is using to launch the brand new, 2008 Porsche 911 GT2. It’s a pretty appropriate slogan, considering this is the fastest speed machine to have ever worn the GT2 tag. For those not familiar with the 911’s lineage, the 997 generation family tree branches out in many different directions to include the iconic Turbo model, the GT3 and GT3-RS, the latter a track-day special, and the GT2, a car that combines all of Porsche’s 911 knowhow for outrageous acceleration and a very, very high top speed.

Honda and Lexus

There’s no denying that hybrid cars, SUVs and trucks are hot these days. Environmental concern, the rising price of fuel and the image associated with a hybrid have helped to shift these fuel misers to the top of many peoples shopping lists more quickly than most initially expected, not to mention the advancement of associated technologies. New battery technologies plus the advancement of the plug-in hybrids also helped to spur interest. And just when many brands have started to offer hybrid versions of vehicles that were previously just gasoline powered, such as the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid and Chrysler Aspen Two-Mode Hybrid joining the already popular Ford Escape Hybrid and Camry Hybrid, the market has signaled a return of the hybrid vehicle in its most original form. The first hybrids, the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight, were dedicated designs, offered only as hybrids, allowing their owners immediately noticeable green credentials. Now, Toyota’s, Lexus, and Honda have begun work on bringing this type of vehicle back.

Porsche 100,000th 911

Ever notice how popular the latest generation Porsche 911 is? Everywhere you go, in crowded metropolitan areas, suburbs and even in the countryside, you’re never too far away from one of these rear-engine sports cars. It’s a fact that this particular generation is the fastest selling iteration of the iconic two-door in the brand’s history, marked by the passing of the 100,000th unit, which was recently produced at the brand’s Zuffenhausen factory. This figure was achieved in three years and three months, which is downright impressive for a car that commands a minimum price tag of six figures..

Fuel Efficient Hybrid and Electric Cars

The second generation smart fortwo is just about ready to go on sale as a 2008 model year product in Canada, as well as for the first time in the US. After attempting to expand the brand with the whimsical Roadster and the subcompact-sized forfour, smart cleared its product portfolio and has returned to being a single-vehicle brand. To show how serious smart is about making its mark with the second generation car, the brand’s engineers have already put together three energy efficient models that show the potential of the fortwo of the future.

Drive the New BMW M3 Coupe

In 09 2007, BMW will invite a selected group of international participants for an exclusive test-drive of the new BMW M3 Coupé at the Nürburgring race track in DE. The two day event is called “Countdown to BMW M3″ and will be the very first opportunity to experience the new BMW M3 Coupé, at the same time as the world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show is taking place.
Find more information on the driving event and an application form at http://www.countdown-to-bmw-m3.com/ or check out the event trailer on YouTube.

Transformer Courtesy of Hasbro Toys and General Motors

Liked the hit movie Transformers and want a piece of the action for yourself? Sure props and even the classic original 1976 Chevrolet Camaro “Bumblebee” have already made it onto eBay, but it’s more than possible to put a Transformer in your own garage without having someone snipe your bid at the last second. Officially sanctioned by Hasbro toys and GM, avid fans can now purchase an Ironhide of their very own. Of course, it can’t transform into a 16-foot tall robot that’s a weapons specialist, but hey, it’s a pretty cool ride that’s destined to drop jaws in traffic and evoke deep jealousy amongst Transformers enthusiasts.

Mercedes May Cut A-Class or Partner with MINI?

Though never sold in North America, Mercedes-Benz has been producing a front-wheel drive, subcompact car called the A-Class for international markets since 1997. Though Mercedes had never built a small vehicle like this before, it was keen to uphold its image of safety. The A-Class’ claim to fame was its “sandwich” construction chassis, which enabled the engine and transmission to slide under the vehicle in the event of a serious frontal collision. On the contrary, the tiny Merc gained notoriety when the vehicle overturned during an elk avoidance test conducted by Teknikens Vard, the Swedish equivalent of Consumer Report.

Initial Veracruz Sales Overwhelm Hyundai

Hyundai’s U.S. operation is learning that premium SUV buyers would rather pay a little more for a lot more luxury, which is why the company is being overwhelmed by the initial take rate on its priciest Veracruz Limited model.
“We underestimated demand for the premium trim level on the Veracruz,” said John Krafcik, product development chief for Hyundai North America told Automotive News in an interview, adding that dealers are experiencing shortages of the new model.

Now, that's Italian! The Moto Guzzi Norge isn't perfect, but, really, who cares?

Italian motorcycles are nothing if not idiosyncratic -- think $600 valve adjustments, clattering dry clutches and mechanics who can't pronounce Cagiva, let alone service one. But they engender such passion that devotees will overlook foibles the owners of any other bike would never tolerate.
And so it is that I can praise Moto Guzzi's sport-touring Norge despite a lengthy list of quirks -- the less charitable would call them flaws -- that includes having to remove one-third of its beautiful, if haphazardly finished, bodywork just to check the oil.
Such things seem tolerable, if not reasonable, after a day on the Norge. It's a joy to ride.
Moto Guzzi started building motorcycles in 1921 and has innovated many of the features we take for granted -- center stands, rear swing-arms, cartridge forks. Its trademark V-twin engine is bulletproof, and Guzzis rival BMW in both reliability and owner loyalty.
Although the 2007 Norge is a new model based upon the Breva 1100, its lineage dates to 1928 and the GT 500, which Moto Guzzi claims was the world's first grand touring motorcycle. That motorcycle was renamed the Norge after Giuseppe Guzzi rode one 4,000 miles from Italy to Norway.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I've always found Italian bikes gorgeous. The Norge is no exception. Its curving lines are voluptuous and give the bike a fast, aggressive appearance. The stainless steel exhaust and cat's-eye headlight add to the look. The saddlebags are generously sized, easily removed and feature a unique double latch for added security.
But the bike's chromed plastic accents look cheap, and the mirrors, although effective, would look better on a cruiser. The plastic bodywork is haphazardly finished -- the paint didn't make it into the nooks and crannies, and the back side isn't painted at all.
The seat is wide and comfortable and not quite 31 inches off the ground. The bars are wide and provide good leverage, but they aren't adjustable and those with short arms will find them a bit of a reach. The hydraulic brake and clutch levers are adjustable, as are the foot controls.
The windshield is too narrow to provide adequate protection and the mechanism that raises and lowers it is downright ugly. What's more, the switches to activate it -- up on the left handlebar, down on the right -- are too far away to use without taking your hands off the three-way heated handgrips.
As long as I'm nit-picking, the digital data display (average and maximum speed, battery voltage, trip odometers, fuel mileage and more) is difficult to read in bright light and is partially obscured by the speedometer's cheap-looking chromed plastic bezel.
And what sort of engineer designed the bodywork so you have to remove the left and right lower fairings to check the oil? Guzzi says it is addressing that problem, but it never should have occurred in the first place.
But you know what? Those complaints grew increasingly trivial with every mile.
I recently rode a bright red Norge 300 miles around Marin and Sonoma counties and found myself liking it more and more as the day wore on. It's quick, it's nimble and it's comfortable enough to ride all day.
Much of that can be attributed to the wonderful V-twin engine.
The motor, which has a rumble reminiscent of a Harley- Davidson, produces a claimed 89 horsepower and 74 pound-feet of torque.
The smooth engine has strong low-end, good midrange and an exhilarating top-end that generates propulsion until just before the rev-limiter kicks in at 8,250 rpm.
Throttle response is flawless. The six-speed transmission shifts effortlessly, although neutral was occasionally hard to find.
Most motorcycles have transversely mounted engines, meaning the crankshaft spins in the same direction as the tires. The resulting gyroscopic effect counteracts steering input. Moto Guzzi mounts its engines longitudinally; the crankshaft spins perpendicular to the wheels, minimizing the motor's gyro effect.
That helps create an exceptionally nimble motorcycle, even though it weighs 616 pounds fully fueled. It feels a bit top-heavy carrying six gallons of gas, but it's never overbearing.
The agility is accentuated by an excellent suspension, and the bike inspires confidence. The ride is smooth but firm enough to push the bike hard through the curves, although cornering clearance is limited by the center stand. It'll drag if you get too aggressive.
Still, I rode the Norge on Stewarts Point-Skaggs Springs Road in Sonoma County, and it handled everything from the tightest switchbacks to the long sweepers around Lake Sonoma with grace. Keep it in third or fourth and just roll on and off the throttle.
The Brembo brakes, with 320mm rotors up front, are strong, and a switch on the fairing lets you deactivate the anti-lock brakes -- but you've got to take your right hand off the handgrip to push it.
While Moto Guzzi may have created the grand touring motorcycle, BMW long ago set the standard with its venerable RT. The Norge (base price $14,990) is aimed squarely at the latest iteration of that bike, the R 1200 RT (base price $16,650).
Whether it hits the mark depends upon how idiosyncratic a bike you're willing to tolerate.

GM reports third straight quarterly profit,fueling hopes in Detroit

DETROIT -- For a time, it looked as though Detroit's three automakers could do no right, losing billions while cranking out inefficient trucks just as gas prices rose above $3 per gallon.
But recent quarterly profits by General Motors Corp. and Ford Motor Co. have given the Motor City a little hope that better days are ahead, even though both companies made most of their money overseas.
Of course, good news could be bad news in the auto industry, where companies are hashing out a new contract with its hourly workers.
Today, GM ran its string of profitable quarters to three when it announced second-quarter net income of $891 million.
Earnings growth in Europe, Latin America, Asia and other areas eclipsed lingering problems in North America. Although GM improved in its back yard, it still posted a net loss of $39 million there.
Last week, Ford posted its first quarterly profit in two years at $750 million but warned that it hadn't turned the corner to sustained profitability. Chrysler Group's second-quarter earnings results have been delayed until August by the pending sale of 80.1 percent of the company to Cerberus Capital Management LP.
The second-quarter profits may be bad timing, coming on the heels of the formal start to contract talks with the United Auto Workers, although analysts say the companies can still point to losses in North America to show the need for concessions.
Several industry analysts said that while signs of trouble remain at both Ford and GM, the profits are still good news. At least for now, bankruptcy talk has subsided.
"I think it's brightening up," David Healy, an analyst with Burnham Securities, said of the clouds that had been hanging over Detroit. "Both companies have shrunk about one-third of their hourly work force and they've closed a lot of plants. They're basically adjusting to the level of business that they're doing now."
Peter Nesvold, an automotive analyst for Bear, Stearns & Co., said Detroit is starting to see the results of changes in product lineups due to higher gas prices and competition from Japanese automakers.
"I think that's what the last two years have been about," he said. "It's been responding, albeit late, to the shift in consumer preference and the ongoing competitive threat from the new domestics."
At GM, the second-quarter profit was a huge reversal from the $3.4 billion loss it posted in the same period last year. The automaker's shares fell 21 cents to close at $32.40 in trading today after rising as high as $34.65 earlier in the session.
"Our heavy commitment to key growth markets around the world really paid off in strong growth and earnings," Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Rick Wagoner said in a statement.
The net loss in North America was a major improvement over the second quarter of last year, when GM lost $3.95 billion.
In the second quarter of 2006, GM took a giant after-tax charge of $3.7 billion for early retirement and buyout offers that eventually reduced its hourly work force by more than 34,000.
The latest profit amounted to $1.56 per share for the April-June period, compared with a loss of $5.98 per share a year ago.
Revenue fell to $46.8 billion from $53.9 billion a year ago due largely to the sale of 51 percent of GM's former financial arm, GMAC Financial Services.
The latest profit total included $520 million in charges associated with the bankruptcy reorganization of Delphi Corp., GM's former parts arm, and other North American restructuring costs.
The company said its net income from continuing global automotive operations was $618 million, compared with a net loss of $3.48 billion in the year-ago period.
In Europe, the company had net income of $217 million, vs. a net loss of $39 million in the same quarter last year. The company's Asia Pacific unit posted a net profit of $227 million, compared with $376 million in the year-ago quarter, which included $212 million from the sale of GM's interest in Japanese automaker Isuzu.
In its Latin America, Africa and Middle East unit, GM said explosive growth helped it to its best quarterly net income in a decade at $213 million vs. $139 million a year ago.
Chief Financial Officer Fritz Henderson said GM is confident it will achieve its target this year of $9 billion worth of annual cost cuts.
He would not predict when GM would make a net profit in North America, but said restructuring costs for Delphi should be less in the second half of the year.
Mr. Henderson predicted revenue growth in emerging markets for the third quarter while sounding a note of caution for North America, mainly due to weak home sales and high fuel prices, which have reduced pickup truck sales.
For the remainder of the year, he said GM expects continued improved automotive earnings and improved but negative operating cash flow.
Mr. Henderson would not comment when asked what impact the quarterly profit might have on the union contract talks.
The Detroit Three want to cut a $25 per hour labor cost disparity with their Japanese competitors. Analysts have said reducing labor costs is critical to their long-term viability.
GM said its revenue per vehicle increased $1,540 in the quarter compared with the year-ago period, reflecting a more profitable product mix, reduced low-profit fleet sales and its strategy of bringing sales prices closer to the sticker and relying less on incentives.
Already, though, the company has been forced to raise incentives on some pickup models, including zero percent financing for 60 months on extended and crew cab models to counter a highly competitive market.
Mr. Nesvold predicted that GM would continue to sputter in North America for several years while making money overseas, but Efraim Levy, senior industry analyst for Standard & Poor's, said the company can't rely on emerging markets for profit because of volatility and extreme competition.
In the end, he said, long-term recovery rests with making money in North America.
"Ultimately the biggest and the best market is the home market, and that's what they have to improve on," he said.