Visit My New Blog
written by Goldmoney
at 30 January 2010
I finally manage to move my car and how to make money blog to self hosted wordpress blog. I combined both blogs into one blog named:
Showing posts with label Automative news. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Automative news. Show all posts
Vacation: Go-Go dancer in Zrce
written by Goldmoney
at 25 August 2008
This is clip I shoot on my vacations in Zrce and its popular Aquarius club!
Mercedes with new four-cylinder diesels
written by Goldmoney
at 12 April 2008
Mercedes has announced a new diesel engine, and it’s a win win situation – power is up, emissions are down. The environment can breathe a sigh of relief while you have a bigger smile on your face. More importantly, it will form the base of Stuttgart's first diesel hybrid.
The new Mercedes diesel engine
It isn’t motoring at its most exciting but there are three variants of the new engine – which is 2143cc in size – and they are:
- 200CDI – 134bhp/243lb ft
- 220CDI – 168bhp/295lb ft
- 250CDI – 201bhp/369lb ft
Mercedes will be rolling it out across new models from late 2008 so expect the new E-Class, amongst others, to get the new engine variants too. They can be mounted lengthways or crossways and can be linked to four-wheel drive, so there’s plenty of versatility and it could well be the engine of choice in some ranges.
Bluetec will also be available later and give BMW and its Efficient Dynamics something to think about. Speaking of the Bavarians, BMW's nearest rivals to the new Mercedes powerplant are the 320d (177bhp/258lb ft, 58.9mpg/128g/km) and 325d (197bhp/295lb ft, 47.9mpg/155g/km).
The C250CDI’s combination of grunt and economy looks to have the 3-series licked for now. So long as the C200 and 220CDIs get their MPG and CO2 bang on, then BMW have to work hard to get their smallest saloon back on the game. Read More...
Weak U.S. dollar kills Audi plans of Q7 hybrid
written by Goldmoney
at 27 March 2008
The head of Audi’s brand in the U.S., Johan de Nysschen, said that the weak dollar will force Audi not to sell the Q7 hybrid on the stateside. He said Audi could not make a business case for the electric/gasoline engine hybrid.
“If you look at the way the economics are going, it was a very hard car to make the numbers work,” De Nysschen said in an interview at the New York Auto Show. The Audi Q7 hybrid was scheduled to be launched in early 2009, following the sales of the diesel Q7.
“We will not do the hybrid Q7 as a conventional product offering,” De Nysschen said. “We will have a very low volume of cars available.” He said some Q7 hybrids will be available in the U.S. for ‘commercial’ use.
Audi will most likely offer a hybrid powertrain in the upcoming Q5 crossover which debuts in the U.S. later in 2009.
De Nysschen said that an A4 diesel is also likely to get the green light for the U.S. but won’t go on sale until much after the Q7 diesel. “We also haven’t decided whether we do the V-6 or the four-cylinder diesel,” he said.
Indians bought Jaguar-Land Rover Company
written by Goldmoney
Ford has finally sold its Jaguar and Land Rover subsidiaries to Indian manufacturing giant Tata Motors. The Blue Oval announced the widely anticipated sale to the US stock markets and employees this morning, confirming it was paid $2.3 billion for the two premium British marques. It has sold them wholesale, rather than keeping a stake as it did with Aston Martin - ending a decade of American ownership.
Ford bought Land Rover from the BMW-Rover break-up in 2000, 11 years after it acquired Jaguar. But over the years it has struggled to make money and its vaunted Premier Automotive Group is now rapidly being disbanded. Read on for our full report of the historic takeover and click here for Gavin Green's analysis of the sale.
Details of Jaguar-Land Rover sell-off
The agreement announced today isn't the end of the wait, however. The deal should be completed by June, subject to regulatory approval which is expected to be granted. And Ford hasn't cut all ties with J-LR. It will continue to supply powertrains, body stampings and other components, and the Blue Oval has pledged to continue offering R&D, finance and even back-office help with accounting to ease the transition to Indian ownership. So don't expect too much change overnight to Jaguar or Land Rover products.Ford chief exec and president Alan Mulally said: 'Jaguar and Land Rover are terrific brands. We are confident that they are leaving our fold with the products, plan and team to continue to thrive under Tata’s stewardship. Now, it is time for Ford to concentrate on integrating the Ford brand globally, as we implement our plan to create a strong Ford Motor Company that delivers profitable growth for all.'
The sell-off has taken so long as the accountants have worked out how to extract these two companies who are inextricably linked. The bean counters have had to separate everything from the IT networks at the Gaydon headquarters to the intellectual property rights over systems like Terrain Response - as well as negotiating with unions over things like pension funds (Ford is expected to pay £300m into two separate funds). 'These things don't happen overnight,' explained a spokesman.If you think the deal has attracted a flood of speculation and headlines in the UK, you should see the response to the J-LR deal in India. 'It's been completely mad - we've been fielding dozens of calls a day for the past few months from Indian media,' added the Ford spokesman.
Tata: Worlds fastest-growing car company
Indian conglomerate Tata will now be working out how best to incorporate Jaguar and Land Rover into its growing global portfolio. Eponymous chairman Ratan Tata told CAR that the new owners would respect the working practices at the two British car makers and promised to 'nurture and grow them' rather than start afresh. For now, production will remain in the UK, but who'd bet against foreign-built Jags or Land Rovers in the next decade?'We are very pleased at the prospect of Jaguar and Land Rover being a significant part of our automotive business,' Tata added. 'We have enormous respect for the two brands and will endeavor to preserve and build on their heritage and competitiveness, keeping their identities intact. We aim to support their growth, while holding true to our principles of allowing the management and employees to bring their experience and expertise to bear on the growth of the business.'
At a stroke, the Ford sale has confirmed Tata as an even more serious player in the automotive sector. It has a dominant position in the fast-growing Indian market, the clout of the world's cheapest car - the Nano - and now two prestigious, but under-performing, premium brands. Read More...
Bertone B.A.T.11 will not be at Geneva Auto Show
written by Goldmoney
at 29 February 2008
Italian car maker Bertone has been undergoing financial strife in recent times, and now the future of the Group and of the family-owned but independent Stile Bertone hangs in an uncertain balance. Ironic really, as the vehicles created by the famed Italian coachbuilder were considered the epitome of idealist futurist automobiles.
It has now emerged that Bertone will not be making an appearance at this year's Geneva Auto Show, the first time in more than 50 years that the company will not have a stand at the grand European show. Though the Bologna Auto Show is now the biggest Italian show - replacing the now defunct Turin Motor Show - Geneva is arguably the largest global auto show the Italian marques attend, as they're able to showcase their latest wares in neutral territory and aren't cast in the shadows of the French and German automakers.
It was hoped that Bertone would be exhibiting its latest concept, the B.A.T.11, in Geneva this year, a design inspired by the B.A.T.5., B.A.T.7 and B.A.T.9 concepts developed between 1953 and 1955. The car is based on the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. But after receiving a release from Stile Bertone announcing the prototype on February 13, the company's communications department sent through another email stating that it would not, in fact, be attending the show this year.
Production of the Porsche 911 has been suspended after a gas explosion
written by Goldmoney
at 26 February 2008
Production of the Porsche 911 has been suspended after a gas explosion in the paint shop of Porsche’s main factory in Zuffenhausen, Stuttgart. Porsche says that gas leaking from a PVC oven ignited leading to the explosion. Full details are not clear as of yet.
There were no deaths reported, although two workers suffered minor injuries and were taken to the hospital. Both were released later. Some sections of the production line where the 911 is assembled are under water after the sprinkler system went off.
Porsche is saying that production of the 911 will be halted for at least two to three days until the damage can be repaired. The 911 production line churns out around 160 units a day.
General Motors reports record annual loss
written by Goldmoney
at 12 February 2008
General Motors (GM), which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, reported a 2007 net loss of $38.7 billion, or $68.45 a share, on Tuesday — making 2007 the worst year on record for the world's largest automaker.
The news came on the same day GM announced a sweeping buyout program to all of its 74,000 hourly workers who are represented by the UAW, part of an ongoing effort to reduce the number of highly paid autoworkers at the company.
In 2006, GM reported a net loss of $2 billion, or $3.50 per diluted share.
Despite the historic decline, the loss is almost entirely attributable to a non-cash special accounting charge of $38.3 billion that GM announced in the third quarter. The charge is related to unused tax credits.
The 2007 loss topped GM's previous record in 1992, when the company lost $23.4 billion because of a change in health care accounting, according to Standard & Poor's Compustat.
Excluding the tax charge and other special items, GM lost $23 million, or 4 cents per share, for the year, compared with a net income of $2.2 billion in 2006, beating Wall Street's expectations. Analysts polled by Thomson Financial expected GM to post a full-year loss of 95 cents a share.
What's more, there were positive signs beneath the overall result for GM, which is regarded by many as the Detroit automaker farthest ahead in its financial turnaround.
Last year, for example, GM posted its second best year of worldwide auto sales. The automakers sales increased 3%, or 277,000 units, to 9.4 million vehicles. Almost 60% of the company's sales were outside of the United States, in key growth markets such as Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Asia Pacific.
Those improved sales, along with favorable currency exchanges, helped GM's core automotive business generate record revenue of $178 billion, a $7 billion improvement from the prior year. Read More...
Lewis Hamilton attacked with obscene verbal abuse
written by Goldmoney
at 05 February 2008
It was a squalid scene at the Barcelona test session last weekend.
Jingoistic Alonso fans hurled such obscene verbal abuse (and the odd beer can) at Lewis Hamilton that McLaren were forced to shut themselves away.
The team erected a metal barrier to stop these idiots from disrupting the sanctity of their motorhome in the paddock, and they even had to source a couple of mobile toilets. Yes, Lewis couldn't even visit the boy's room without getting it in the neck.
Never before, in 12 years of reporting on F1, can I remember such vindictive abuse directed towards one driver.
Never before, in 12 years of reporting on F1, can I remember such vindictive abuse directed towards one driver.
Inside the McLaren pit, Indy Lall, their test team manager, put up notices urging team members not to retaliate. The temptation was huge for everybody, except - remarkably - for Lewis. He seemed the least affected by his treatment from the fans and he even stopped to sign autographs and to wave to the crowd.
Of course Lewis condemns such behavior, but he chose to rise above it last weekend. What incredible maturity from a guy aged only 23. He was working on his new car, the MP4-23, and nothing was going to stop him achieving his goals.
And, much to the chagrin of those in the 55,000 people in the grandstands, he finished the test faster than Alonso. Read More...
Strange innovation: CarCapsule
written by Goldmoney
at 29 January 2008
The CarCapsule is rather self-explanatory—it's a capsule for your car. Given the $269 price point for an 8-foot version, or $419 for the 22-foot version, we're guessing you'll be wanting a pretty nice car that would be worth the fuss of setup, as well as the cost of mass, super-tough PVC. If you have a Ferrari, you're probably wondering how it works.
Wonder no more:
Unzip the CarCapsule, drive your car into the middle, zip the case up, allow the integrated fans to inflate the device and watch as your car becomes the centerpiece for your very own life-sized snow dome. If the whole idea was not crazy enough, the fans do not stop once the casing is inflated, oh no, they carry on pumping air so your car has enough oxygen to breathe. Sure, it's ridiculous, but a giant bubble of plastic excites us for some reason. Imagine one of these in your driveway—priceless.
SLR McLarens Recalled and Britney Spears Mercedes Accident
written by Goldmoney
at 24 January 2008
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Mercedes-Benz is recalling the 2007 SLR McLarens because the windshields on the cars may not be instealled properly.
“If a crash occurs, the windshield may not be retained, increasing the risk of injury to a vehicle occupant,” says the NHTSA in the 2007 SLR McLaren recall summary. The NHTSA said, “either the primer or activator was missing at the time of installation.”
Mercedes-Benz dealerships will remove the windshields, clean and reinstall them with a primer and activator. If you own the $482,750 SLR McLarens, you may want to head over to your local Benz dealership or call (800) 367-6372 for more information.
Britney Speras and Adnan droved Mercedes AMG 65 and collided with guy on Ducatti motorcycle. See pictures and latest news about accident.
Arash AF-8
written by Goldmoney
at 22 January 2008
Arash Farboud, the man who created the car that spawned the Farbio GTS, has today announced details of his latest supercar venture, the AF-8.
Priced at £120,000, the AF-8 is the baby brother to the AF-10 - a smaller, more user-friendly car than the hardcore hypercar. Though both cars will use the same GM-sourced 7.0-litre V8, the AF-10 will use a tweaked version with 550bhp, while the AF-8 will use the unit in standard Corvette Z06 tune. And while the AF-10 will weigh 1100kg, expect the AF-8 to come in at 1200-1300kg.
This extra weight will come from extra creature comforts. Expect a more luxurious interior with airbags, air-con, and touchscreen sat-nav. As befits the AF-8's comfier role, the car will be equipped with ABS and traction control.
The chassis is a mix of carbonfibre and steel, the body is all carbonfibre and carbon ceramic brakes are on the options list. Wheels will be 19-inchers, the doors will open conventionally and the AF-8 should sprint to 60mph in 3.4 seconds before topping out at 204mph.
The AF-8 will look similar to the AF-10, with the ‘reverse NACA duct’ vents behind the front wheels, and the front wing mounted between the headlights. The AF-10 will remain more extreme though, and its performance should keep it separate from the AF-8. Arash Cars is aiming to start producing the AF-8 in 2010.
NBC bringing Top Gear to the US
written by Goldmoney
at 19 January 2008
NBC has reportedly ordered a pilot for an all American version of our favorite TV show, Top Gear. Honestly as awesome as that sounds, we’re really disappointed that the show will consist of a completely new cast. However the producers are saying that it will still feature “the irreverent spirit of Top Gear.”
Networks like NBC has been looking for non-scripted content since the Writers Guild of America is still on strike. The move has helped bring shows on like The Biggest Loser 5, Celebrity Apprentice, and now the U.S. version of Top Gear.
“Top Gear is a proven international hit which fits perfectly into NBC’s lineup of programming with male appeal, including Sunday Night Football and American Gladiators,” said Ben Silverman, NBC co-chairman.
The UK version of Top Gear currently airs on BBC America. We think we’ll still stick to the UK version. Hmm, we wonder who the American Stig will be?
VW Polo Will Come To U.S.
written by Goldmoney
at 16 January 2008
Finally, Volkswagen is considering bringing over the Polo over to the U.S. We’ve always been fans of the Polo and think it can do wonders for Volkswagen in the growing U.S. small car segment.
We are deliberating whether to launch smaller models than the Golf in the US market,Volkswagen CEO Martin Winterkorn said in an interview with Handelsblatt at the Detroit auto show.
Winterkorn said:
I will ask the question this week when I meet with our 600 dealers in the US: ‘Do you need the VW Polo?Believe us Winterkorn, they would love nothing more than a Polo along with a production Volkswagen Space Up! Concept. Especially with the new CAFE 35 regulations.
Automotive News points out that as more automakers are introducing smaller models in the U.S., the move can only benefit Volkswagen. Ford is already working on a small car for the U.S. in 2010. The model will be based on the Ford Verve concept shown at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. GM has also been rumored to be working on a competitor for the Smart ForTwo and the BMW 1-Series. Read More...
Fisker Karma From Fisker Automotive
written by Goldmoney
at 15 January 2008
If you can’t wait for a production Cadillac Provoq, and you’ve got a spare $80,000, the Fisker Karma may be for you. The voluptuous high-performance coupe is a plug-in hybrid designed by ex-Aston man and CEO of Fisker Automotive, Henrik Fisker.
Its ‘Quantum Drive’ hybrid system, was developed by Quantam Technologies four years ago as a confidential project for the US military’s Delta Force. The company then got together with Fisker Coachbuild, its neighbor in Irvine, California, and the pair formed a new company to raise capital for the project with Henrik Fisker as CEO. (He was even able to name-check Al Gore as a director of one of the venture finance partners).
A small four-cylinder engine keeps company with a generator beneath the bonnet, while a stack of lithium-ion batteries form a transmission tunnel-style hump down the spine, as in the Volt.
Two driving modes are described as ‘stealth’ (electric power) or total power, where the motor aids the engine. In the latter case, Fisker promises 0-60mph in 5.8sec, a top speed of 125mph, and a sound ‘somewhere between an F1 car and a jet plane.’
If you’ve plugged the Karma in overnight, your first 50 miles can be in stealth mode; solar panels on the roof also top up battery power if you park in the sun, or they can be used to cool the interior.
Fisker hopes to sell 15,000 cars per a year, starting from the fourth quarter of 2009. It’s got a lot to sort out first, however, including where it will be built and who will sell it. Negotiations are also continuing with an engine supplier, and the company is working on a supercharging system.
Cristiano Ronaldo Racing a Bugatti Veyron
written by Goldmoney
at 11 January 2008
He he, this video is so cool. It’s the latest viral advertising from Nike for their Mercurial Vapor sport shoes and it features a race between the Bugatti Veyron and the Portuguese football player Cristiano Ronaldo who plays for Manchester United football club. So, who will win? Check out the video and see...
Ferrari considers taking on the Porsche Cayenne
written by Goldmoney
at 07 January 2008
That’s right; Ferrari is considering an Italian Stallion SUV. According to a report by AutoExpress, Ferrari is considering an SUV to rival the success of the Porsche Cayenne which will open up the Ferrari brand to a huge new customer base.
Codenamed ‘Project G151,’ the Ferrari SUV is still in its early stages and has yet to be passed by the big guys at the Italian automaker who are nervous of opening up the brand to the masses. The Ferrari SUV probably won’t be a true off-roader but a crossover that will have a choice of V8 and V12 engines.
Ferrari’s main obstacle is to come up with a four-wheel-drive transmission, which it is expected to develop in partnership with Mercedes.
AutoExpress says that bosses have scratched the idea of building an SUV with sister company Maserati and have decided to go with a true Ferrari 4×4 with higher price tag. Pricing is expected to be above £100,000. If the project receives the green light we may see a concept some time in 2010.
Shelby GT500KR for Knight Rider movie
written by Goldmoney
NBC has released the first teaser of the new Knight Rider movie last month and now they’ve released the second teaser of the movie. You can see the images of the new KITT from my previous post.
The second teaser video revealed more details of the KITT compared to the first teaser video. The new KITT is based on the Shelby GT500KR which produces 550 hp from the V8 engine.
The new KITT is also fitted with race tuned suspension and xenon headlamps with infrared night vision. Watch both videos after the jump.
Just for your info, KITT stands for “Knight Industries Three Thousand” and the movie will be aired in the US in February. Read More...
