NEWS
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Laguna coupe on the way
Renault is putting the final touches to a new Laguna coupe. The new two-door is part of a plan to increase sales as well as boosting Renault's brand image and profitability.
The new two-door will go on sale in the second half of 2008, about 12 months behind the new Laguna hatchback and estate.
The coupé’s look is distinct from its sister cars and has been heavily influenced by the 2004 Fluence concept.
A Renault source told Autocar that the coupé will be “less conservative” than the five-door Laguna. It is expected to be a two-door notchback design.
Like the new Laguna hatch, the coupé will be 4.7m long and will be capable of accommodating four adults in comfort. It will also have the same interior fittings, which is no bad thing, as the new dashboard and associated switchgear are notable for their design quality.
The Fluence concept was powered by the 3.5-litre V6 from NissanÂ’s 350Z, and itÂ’s expected that a Nissan-derived V6 will find its way into the production version. Less expensive versions will get a turbocharged 170bhp four-cylinder petrol engine and a powerful four-cylinder turbodiesel. Both six-speed manual and six-speed automatic transmissions will be offered.
Renault says the new Laguna chassis has been substantially reworked to improve the precision of the steering and reduce body roll. The dampers have been stiffened by 50 per cent at the rear and 20 per cent at the front and there’s also a new rear anti-roll bar. Even so, Renault claims to have retained “outstanding ride quality”.
Top-end models will get electronically controlled rear-wheel steering. Although still rare on a production car, these systems can dramatically improve the agility and turn-in prowess of a front-wheel-drive car.
The LagunaÂ’s safety systems have been upgraded, with the side impact protection being modified to trigger earlier in a collision.
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the laguna sedan is not nice at all
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Cerberus looks at Land Rover, Jaguar
Cerberus, the private equity firm that bought Chrysler in May, has held talks with Ford management about the possibility of buying Jaguar and Land Rover.
Ford executives have said that the talks were inconclusive, and that no offer has been made for the British firms.
Ford would like to sell the companies as a pair – they share components and manufacturing facilities – but would be willing to split them.
However, we can see few synergies between Chrysler and either Jaguar or Land Rover. Jeep and Land Rover both produce four-wheel-drive vehicles, but that's about as close as it gets. -
Renault's 4x4 caught on test
This is RenaultÂ’s first proper SUV, caught testing in Spain ahead of its UK launch in 2008.
Engineered in South Korea by Renault subsidiary Samsung Motors, the production car will look almost identical to the Koleos concept shown at the Paris motor show in 2006 and the Samsung QMX concept shown at Seoul.
The car in our pictures is a mix of both brands; the plinth on the grille is shaped for a Samsung badge, but the steering wheel has a Renault diamond on it.
The Koleos is much less radical-looking than previous Renaults such as the Mégane. Company boss Carlos Ghosn is known to have curtailed the flamboyance of design director Patrick le Quement in an attempt to make the firm’s styling less divisive.
Underneath is Renault-NissanÂ’s Alliance C platform, also shared with the new X-Trail and the Qashqai. That means a suspension set-up consisting of MacPherson struts up front and a four-link rear end.
Like the X-Trail, the Koleos will have hill descent control and hill start assist, with part-time four-wheel drive. A mechanical coupling engages four-wheel drive and acts like a centre diff lock.
Engines will include the Renault-developed 2.0-litre common rail diesel with 147bhp or 170bhp, coupled to a six-speed gearbox, and a 136bhp 2.0-litre petrol. -
"turbocharged 170bhp" is an oxymoron to me... I hope this is not 3.5 L as well...
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Read carefully, it's a 2.0-litre turbodiesel.Originally posted by TheDream:"turbocharged 170bhp" is an oxymoron to me... I hope this is not 3.5 L as well...
The Laguna looks too conservative and too much like the current Citroen C5 - and it's actually a hatchback. -
hmmm... not sure about diesel engines, but a NA 2 litre can get 150 bhp already,... the turbo just adds so little?Originally posted by Kuali Baba:Read carefully, it's a 2.0-litre turbodiesel.
The Laguna looks too conservative and too much like the current Citroen C5 - and it's actually a hatchback. -
Perhaps both are turbocharged, with the less powerful one having lower boost pressure.Originally posted by TheDream:hmmm... not sure about diesel engines, but a NA 2 litre can get 150 bhp already,... the turbo just adds so little? -
Spy Shots: Lamborghini Gallardo V8 running the 'Ring
Audi goes up, Lamborghini goes down. Just as the R8, which wasn't really supposed to compete with the Gallardo, is getting revved up for a V10 transplant, the less expensive Gallardo could be going downmarket, swapping adding a V8 model to accompany the current V10. Admittedly its speculative, but sources and pics from the 'Ring indicate to World Car Fans the possibility of a V8 Gallardo with a revised fascia, altered exhaust treatment, and a less raucous exhaust roar than the V10. If true, that would mean we'll have two different versions of an Audi supercar (perhaps a third if a diesel engine is offered) and an "affordable" Lamborghini. Who saw that coming? -
Originally posted by SBS9828X:
The Audi is competing against its own group member, Audi is just trying to stole the lime light from lambo lol
Spy Shots: Lamborghini Gallardo V8 running the 'Ring
Audi goes up, Lamborghini goes down. Just as the R8, which wasn't really supposed to compete with the Gallardo, is getting revved up for a V10 transplant, the less expensive Gallardo could be going downmarket, swapping adding a V8 model to accompany the current V10. Admittedly its speculative, but sources and pics from the 'Ring indicate to World Car Fans the possibility of a V8 Gallardo with a revised fascia, altered exhaust treatment, and a less raucous exhaust roar than the V10. If true, that would mean we'll have two different versions of an Audi supercar (perhaps a third if a diesel engine is offered) and an "affordable" Lamborghini. Who saw that coming? -
Fast cars to be banned?
Make sure youÂ’re sitting down before reading this story.
There is a proposal in a report to the European Parliament calling for a ban on the making of cars capable of more than 101mph.
It's all part of a proposal to cut CO2 emissions from cars, and many of the silliest parts come from British Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies.
Davies states that 101mph is 25 per cent over the top speed limit in most EU countries.
However, according to a report by the BBC, he then goes on to note that "between 1994 and 2004 the power of new cars went up by 28 per cent, making them a lot heavier, and so increasing the amount of CO2 they put out, even though no country raised its speed limit to allow cars to use this increased power."
Now obviously this is utterly and totally wrong, but that won't prevent members of the European Parliament from voting on the proposed ban this autumn.
Obviously what has actually happened is that increased safety legislation (much of it from the EU), has increased the weight of cars. Power outputs have also increased.
Now that cars have beneficial safety features – airbags, pedestrian impact zones and the like – they are by necessity heavier than before. But what this has to do with top speeds, we're not sure, other than the fact that it takes greater effort to start and stop a heavier car than a lighter one.
But it's not just power and weight that have increased – car's braking systems and tyres have also improved (not least because EU legislation means that anti-lock brakes are now mandatory on new cars).
We're all for increased safety – such as the proposed standard fitment of ESP stability control – but to claim that banning the making of cars capable of over 101mph would create a dramatic reduction of CO2 is incorrect.
We can't help but think that, say, Mr Davies not flying from his Stockport base to Brussels every week would help a bit more.
Oh yes, and Mr Davies was also a big supporter of GM's decision to build the new Vauxhall Astra at Ellesmere Port in April.
"This is a fantastic reward for the commitment shown by everyone involved to keeping car manufacturing alive in Ellesmere Port," said Davies.
Quite right, but seeing as every single model in the current Astra range is capable of well over 101mph, if Mr Davies' proposal succeeds at the EU, there will be no new Astra. -
And guess who benefits? Makers of wheezy Chinese cars!Originally posted by dustychelsea:Fast cars to be banned?
Make sure youÂ’re sitting down before reading this story.
There is a proposal in a report to the European Parliament calling for a ban on the making of cars capable of more than 101mph.
It's all part of a proposal to cut CO2 emissions from cars, and many of the silliest parts come from British Lib Dem MEP Chris Davies. -
just comparing the similarities dun mind me -
Ford selling its PAG division? What say you?
AB Volvo to buy back Volvo?
Just as the sale of Chrysler to Cerberus cleared a major hurdle yesterday, Ford has come to occupy the automotive soap opera stage with the sale of its PAG brands including Volvo, Land Rover and Jaguar. According to Swedish news reports, the newest dark horse candidate interested in the Premiere Automotive Group is AB Volvo, the Swedish commercial truck manufacturer that sold its stake in Volvo to Ford almost ten years ago. AB Volvo is reportedly only interested in buying back Volvo, not in purchasing PAG as a whole. Analysts are crying foul, though, citing the fact there's little logic in AB Volvo buying back what it sold to Ford almost a decade ago after having worked so hard to build up its commercial truck business. What's particularly interesting is that Renault happened to acquire a little over 20% of AB Volvo in a past deal that sent the French manufacturer's truck unit to Sweden. Speculation has also recently made Renault a potential suitor for Ford's PAG brands, which means a potential alliance between AB Volvo and Renault could have some serious purchasing power.-autoblog -
Ferrari celebrates 60th anniversary
Ferrari is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year with an event from June 21–24 in Maranello, Italy. One highlight will be a display of the company's 60 best technological innovations at the Maranello factory.
Maranello is the finish line today in a relay drive across five continents.
The theme of the run was the 60 greatest things Ferrari has ever done, from winning the Rome Grand Prix in 1947 to the Ferrari FXX in 2006.
Selected owners from each country were asked to take part, and drove through their country with a specially designed, self-congratulatory Ferrari baton.
Each country involved is expected to dedicate a gift to the Italian embassy, which will later be passed onto Ferrari and auctioned off for charity. -
Originally posted by SBS9828X:
Renault, AB Volvo eyeing Ford's Volvo Cars, newspaper says
Ford selling its PAG division? What say you?
AB Volvo to buy back Volvo?
Just as the sale of Chrysler to Cerberus cleared a major hurdle yesterday, Ford has come to occupy the automotive soap opera stage with the sale of its PAG brands including Volvo, Land Rover and Jaguar. According to Swedish news reports, the newest dark horse candidate interested in the Premiere Automotive Group is AB Volvo, the Swedish commercial truck manufacturer that sold its stake in Volvo to Ford almost ten years ago. AB Volvo is reportedly only interested in buying back Volvo, not in purchasing PAG as a whole. Analysts are crying foul, though, citing the fact there's little logic in AB Volvo buying back what it sold to Ford almost a decade ago after having worked so hard to build up its commercial truck business. What's particularly interesting is that Renault happened to acquire a little over 20% of AB Volvo in a past deal that sent the French manufacturer's truck unit to Sweden. Speculation has also recently made Renault a potential suitor for Ford's PAG brands, which means a potential alliance between AB Volvo and Renault could have some serious purchasing power.-autoblog[/b]
Renault and Swedish truck maker AB Volvo are interested in buying automaker Volvo Cars from Ford, business daily Dagens Industri reported, citing undisclosed sources.
World number two truck maker AB Volvo, which sold its autos unit to Ford almost a decade ago, would be likely to take a minority stake in Volvo Cars of around 10-20 percent, the newspaper reported.
Analysts were doubtful, saying such a move made little industrial sense for AB Volvo.
"This looks like a bad solution for Volvo's shareholders as there is no real industrial logic in buying a stake (in Volvo Cars) ... I think it would be very strange if they would take such a step", Danske Equities analyst Henrik Breum said.
Following the divestment of its auto unit in 1999, AB Volvo has mainly focused on strengthening its position in heavy-duty trucks and construction equipment, notably through the acquisition of truck makers Mack and Renault Trucks.
The acquisition of Mack and Renault Trucks from the Renault group left the French automaker with a stake of just over 20 percent in AB Volvo.
The Gothenburg-based truck maker, which also manufactures buses, engines, construction equipment and aircraft components, has not publicly voiced any interest in returning to the auto business in recent years.
AB Volvo spokesman Marten Wikforss would not comment on the report, saying the firm never responded to rumors. Asked if the firm had any interest in acquiring an automaker, he said: "You can just look at our current structure."
Volvo Cars spokeswoman Maria Bohlin was equally tight-lipped when asked to comment on the article.
"We aren't saying anything since we won't comment on speculations in the media," she said.
The truck maker has routinely stated that it is interested in strengthening all parts of its existing business, not least its truck operations outside Europe and North America where acquisitions would be difficult for competition reasons.
This year, the firm bought Japan's Nissan Diesel in a $1.1 billion deal, more than doubling its sales in Asia.
It is also in talks on a possible investment in a vehicle joint venture, Dongfeng Motor, owned by former Nissan Diesel parent Nissan Motor and China's Dongfeng Motor. -
Report: Malaysia won't sell entire Proton stake to VW
Malaysia's state investment arm will not sell its entire 43 percent stake in national car maker Proton to Volkswagen, the country's deputy prime minister said this week.
"It's the national car," Najib Razak was quoted as telling Bloomberg in an interview on Tuesday, June 19. "It can't be all of the stake."
Volkswagen wanted a "substantial" stake in Proton, Najib said, adding that the German firm possibly wanted a stake in the manufacturing division.
"If we want a foreign strategic partner then we have to accept the fact that it has to be run on a commercial basis," he said.
Volkswagen and loss-making Proton have been in extended talks for a tie-up aimed at helping the Malaysian company boost its sales and turn itself around.
Najib also said the government would keep petrol prices unchanged for the rest of the year and that the economy was expected to expand six percent in 2008.
"It's good macroeconomic management to cut back fuel subsidies. But it will come at a political cost," he said.
"I think in the long term we should try to reduce the subsidy, but it has to be a gradual process. We'd like to maintain petrol prices at the present level, at least for the rest of this year."
Malaysia last raised fuel prices by about a fifth in February 2006, setting off a round of price increases which drove inflation to a seven-year high of 4.8 percent in March last year, prompting the central bank to raise interest rates.
Inflation has since eased to 1.5 percent in April.
Najib said there should be enough momentum in the economy to repeat this year's projected growth of 6 percent in 2008. -
The Ferrari of the future
On the eve of its 60th anniversary celebrations, Ferrari has given us a glimpse of its future at a special technology conference held at Fiorano.
We're not about to get electric Ferraris, but regenerative braking, advanced turbocharged engines, massive weight reductions and biofuels are all on the cards for the famous Italian brand.
"The world is changing, and Ferrari is changing too," said a spokesman. The aim is to lose no performance, but to make lighter, more efficient cars.
Ferrari displayed its planned technological advances in a special 1000kg Enzo-based car called the FXX Millechili. It's 365kg lighter than the production car. Ferrari says its plan is to reduce the weight of every car it makes by around 300kg over their predecessors.
Ferrari reckons that had the Enzo weighed 1000kg its 650bhp would have been as effective as 800bhp.
Lighter cars will require less power, and also therefore smaller brakes and lighter suspension components. Handling is also likely to be improved.
The 599 GTB, says Ferrari, is the last car it will build using "late 1990s technology" in the shape of a chassis that's a mix of extruded and bonded aluminium. Future cars will have a monocoque chassis, in what was dubbed "a major rethink" of the way Ferraris are built.
Engines will be downsized, with smaller capacities, direct injection and turbochargers all playing a part. Future Ferraris will also have the ability to run on E80 bioethanol fuel. The plan is to reduce average CO2 emissions across the range from 400g/km to 250.
Transmissions will be smaller and lighter, not least because they will not need to cope with quite as much power.
Ferrari also wants to harness regenerative braking power; but unlike in current cars this won't be used to charge the batteries or work in place of the alternator. Instead, it would power a small motor attached to the transmission, with the aim of keeping it spinning, enabling smoother gearchanges.
Aerodynamics will also move on. Ferrari is currently working with Imperial College London on an advanced active aerodynamics system that involves using air pumps to push air over and under the car. This smoothes airflow and cuts drag.
All of these changes are expected to happen over the next decade, so expect the Ferrari of 2017 to be a very different beast to today's machines.
Finally, Ferrari hinted that a replacement for what it dubbed "the collector's car", the Enzo, would be brought to market in 2010. Expect it to be lighter, faster and even more dramatic.
After 60 years, it seems that Ferrari is following the advice of Lotus founder Colin Chapman, and adding lightness wherever it can. -
they have yet to introduce a special supercar for their 60th anniversary ala F40 and F50...
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Proposal from GM remains "on table" for Proton: Malaysian minister
A proposal from US automaker General Motors to partner Malaysia's ailing Proton remains "on the table" along with an offer from Germany's Volkswagen AG, a Malaysian cabinet minister said on Monday.
"There is VW and there is GM. On the table there are these two. We have not shut the door on any of them," Malaysia's Second Minister of Finance, Nor Mohamed Yakcop, told reporters.
Malaysian officials said earlier this month that Proton and German auto giant Volkswagen were cautiously edging towards a partnership after a second round of talks in Thailand following initial negotiations in New York.
But Yakcop said "the GM proposal is still there. So both are on the table."
He was speaking on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum on East Asia, a gathering of business leaders, government officials and other delegates.
The government's investment arm, Khazanah Nasional, is the controlling shareholder in Proton, with a 42.74 percent stake. State pension fund EPF and national oil firm Petronas own 12.07 percent and 8.84 percent respectively.
The remaining 36.35 percent is held by a mix of local and foreign companies.
Malaysia's government is under intense pressure to announce details of a partnership for Proton in a bid to provide it with expertise to stem a sharp decline in market share and cut financial losses. -
And if VW takes over proton, might we see proton cars with improved build quality?
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They have...it's a special Scaglietti. Only 60 will be made.Originally posted by SBS9828X:they have yet to introduce a special supercar for their 60th anniversary ala F40 and F50...
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ya we could see dramatic improve in proton cars in many ways, honestly if VW takes proton will be much better then GM. VW technology is much more better then GM and some more maybe if VW takes proton, they could introduce the technology used in Audi or even Lambo the bestOriginally posted by seow:And if VW takes over proton, might we see proton cars with improved build quality? -
Malaysia official: Progress made on Proton talks
Malaysia's state investment arm, Khazanah Nasional Bhd, is making steady progress in talks to find a foreign partner for national carmaker Proton, Khazanah Managing Director Azman Mokhtar said today.
Khazanah, which owns 43 percent of the loss-making carmaker, is in negotiations with Volkswagen and General Motors to sell some of its stake in Proton, which is struggling against international competition.
Volkswagen is viewed as the frontrunner to partner with Proton and has held two rounds of talks with the Malaysian government. A third round could be in the offing but talks with General Motors are also under way, a minister said this week.
Speaking to reporters in the Malaysian capital today, Azman said, "Firstly, talks are ongoing still with Proton and Volkswagen and Proton and General Motors. Second point, as the minister outlined yesterday, my team continues to talk and I think we're making steady progress."
On Monday, Nor Mohamed Yakcop, Malaysia's second finance minister, said the possibility of selling a stake in Proton to Volkswagen was "reasonably good".
"The fact that we had a first round, a second round, a possible third round, means that things are progressing," Nor Mohamed told a press briefing at the World Economic Forum in neighboring Singapore, referring to talks with Volkswagen.
Azman reiterated that the issue of finding a partner for Proton would be resolved by the end of the year.
"I won't get into specifics. There are many ways to skin the deal, so to speak. What matters is actually to get into a position whereby there's a genuine partnership on both sides. We are open and considering all options at this point."
Proton has been struggling with a steadily declining market share at home due to fierce competition, and has been unable to make up for this through higher exports.
It reported a fourth straight quarterly loss in May as sales continued to slide, and warned of tough conditions ahead. -
So no F60...Originally posted by Kuali Baba:They have...it's a special Scaglietti. Only 60 will be made.