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Audi reveals 2011 R8 GT

2010-05-01T23:12:00.000-07:00

MONACO — After its successful entry into the supercar ranks with the three-year-old R8, Audi is ratcheting up the performance potential of its midengine sports car with a new race-bred model, the 2011 Audi R8 GT.

Revealed today in Monte Carlo at a gala presentation attended by Rupert Stadler, chairman of the board of Audi AG, the all-wheel-drive 2011 Audi R8 GT is based upon the V10-powered Audi R8 5.2 FSI and incorporates a number of innovations originally developed for the race-winning Audi R8 LMS, including lightweight components and a powered-up, direct-injection 5.2-liter V10 that delivers 560 horsepower.

To be produced in a limited run of just 333 at Quattro GmbH, Audi's high-performance division in Neckarsulm, Germany, the R8 GT has been conceived to rival the Porsche 911 GT3 and is aimed at customers intending to combine both road and track driving, with options such as high-performance tires, a bolt-in roll cage and four-point seatbelts available through official Audi sales channels in Europe.

Pricing for a North American version of the R8 GT has not yet been announced, but in Germany the R8 GT will sell for $67,000 more than the R8 5.2 FSI, which is priced at $255,500.

The Audi R8 GT's bodywork is visually distinguished from the standard R8 by a package of aerodynamic pieces developed in the wind tunnel for the R8 LMS. It includes a front splitter with downforce-generating flics on the front corners. Further additions include carbon-fiber housings for the outside mirrors and a fixed rear wing. Four standard exterior color schemes will be available: Ice Silver metallic, Phantom Black pearl, Samoa Orange and Suzuki Grey metallic.

The changes to the interior are more subtle, with altered instrument graphics, a new steering wheel, suede upholstery and door sills with R8 GT graphics.

As you'd expect, reduced weight is a key aspect of the R8 GT's performance, so acoustic insulation has been removed while thinner window glass and carbon-fiber panels also contribute to a 210-pound reduction in weight compared to the 3,362-pound R8 5.2 FSI.

The reduction in weight is complemented by a reworked version of Audi's naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine, which has a redline of 8,700 rpm. Its 560 hp is developed at 8,000 rpm, representing a 35-hp increase. Torque has also increased marginally to 398 pound-feet at 6,500 rpm, a 6 lb-ft improvement.

Power flows to all four wheels through a strengthened version of the R8 V10's single-clutch automated manual transmission with its shift paddles on the steering wheel. In normal running, power is distributed to the wheels in a split of 15 percent front/85 percent rear, but the viscous center differential can change the proportion to 30 percent front/70 percent rear to improve front tire traction.

To cope with the added performance, the R8's suspension has been revised, featuring altered camber setting, a lower ride height and firmer springs and dampers. The set of 19-inch forged-aluminum wheels carry 235/35R19 tires in front and 295/30R19s in the rear, with wider 305/30R19s optional in the rear.

Audi's own performance data indicates the 2011 Audi R8 GT accelerates to 100 km/h (62 mph) from a standstill in 3.6 seconds — 0.4 second quicker than the Porsche 911 GT3. The top speed of the Audi R8 GT is 199 mph, narrowly faster than the rival from Stuttgart as well.

Inside Line says: Less than a half-second quicker than the 911 GT3, but in the high-performance arena, every tenth counts. — Andreas Stahl, Correspondent

Honda recalling 167,000 Acura TSX sedans

2010-05-01T02:36:00.000-07:00

Honda has put out a recall of around 167,000 Acura TSX sedans to fix a power steering hose and o-ring gasket which could deteriorate prematurely. Previous generation (2004-2008) models are affected by the issue, which involves the hose cracking due to high underhood temperatures resulting in the power steering fluid leaking, contacting the exhaust components and potentially creating smoke or a fire.

Hyundai loses $1.8M lawsuit

2010-05-01T02:30:00.000-07:00

Sarah Goodner was killed in Texas in 2007 when her 2005 Hyundai Tucson rolled over and she was thrown out the back window. The culprit for that odd circumstance – even though she had her seat belt fastened – was her seat, which was reclined so far back that she was able to slide out of it.

Stuart Goodner, Sarah's father, sued Hyundai claiming that the Tucson was unsafe because the seat could be reclined too much. A jury agreed, kind of, awarding Goodner a $1.8 million judgment against Hyundai, but also deciding that Hyundai was only 45% responsible for Sarah's death. Stuart said, "We want people to know how dangerous it is to drive with the seat reclined, [and] we're calling the auto industry out to correct this design defect so that no other family has to bury one of their children."

Forty-five degrees was determined to be the maximum amount of recline before driving became unsafe. And the issue isn't new: The NTSB and NHTSA debated the issue in 1988 and couldn't come to an agreement. Of course we can't make light of this – a young woman has died. But we do wonder why it's Hyundai's responsibility to make sure you don't drive your car in an unsafe manner.

Tesla powers up with more products

2010-04-29T04:16:00.000-07:00

The Tesla Roadster Sport is just the start of the company's product plans. This model arrived Tuesday afternoon in Detroit driven by a local Tesla customer. Chairman Elon Musk was in town to accept an award as auto executive of the year.

Yes, there will be more cars from Tesla. And different kinds, too.
Tesla chairman Elon Musk reiterated his company's ambitious plans for growth on Tuesday afternoon in Detroit, and the Roadster is just the beginning.
The Model S is due in 2012, and Musk says the company is narrowly focused on getting that sedan to the market on time. The car will start for less than half the price of the Roadster and is expected to sticker for about $50,000, including a federal tax credit.
About the same time the four-door arrives, the first generation of the Roadster will cease production after the 2012. A year or two later, a successor will launch, Musk said.
More Tesla products are expected to follow, including a crossover. Look for new arrivals of vehicles in 2013 and 2014, “which is a rapid pace,” Musk said
Four-wheel drive will also be a characteristic of future Teslas, he said. The Model S will have a range of 300 miles, five-star safety ratings and the ability to swap out the battery in a minute. It will also feature an advanced 17-inch touch screen in the interior, and a large amount of storage space, Musk said.
Affordability is expected to increase with each new product, and by the time the third one arrives, it's expected to be attainable for mainstream customers, in contrast to the expensive, performance-oriented Roadster. About 1,200 units of the two-door are on the road today in almost 25 countries.
Musk was in town to accept the automotive executive of the year award at the Detroit Athletic Club, a stone landmark where car execs have met for decades to wheel and deal. On a bright blue day with the General Motors tower gleaming in the background, the 38-year-old native of South Africa said the transition to electric cars was the most significant development for automaking since Henry Ford introduced mass production on the assembly line.
“It's the biggest change in the car business since the moving production line,” Musk said

Look for the Tesla Roadster to be produced into 2012. A second generation will follow a year or two later.

Interestingly, he said he expects Tesla's most significant impact to be supplying its fresh technology to other companies, rather than through its own products. Tesla has a deal with German giant Daimler and will supply batteries and chargers for the next electric Smart car. Tesla also will supply electric technology for the Mercedes A-class, which is sold in Europe.
Daimler owns about eight percent of Tesla. The California company also has a deal with commercial-vehicle maker Freightliner.
“The smallest effect Tesla will make will be the cars we make ourselves,” Musk said. “The biggest effect will be the cars they [other companies] make.”
Real people really drive Teslas
As Musk was answering questions from the press--as if on cue--a Detroit-area Tesla customer drove up in a shiny black Tesla Roadster Sport. Brian West, who owns a company involved with the MyFord Touch technology, says he uses the Tesla as his daily driver. He's had it for a few months and recharges at work.
Clad in a blue pinstriped suit, West said he doesn't take a very businesslike approach to driving his Tesla.
“It's hard to drive conservatively . . . every time you get into it, you want to go,” he said.
He celebrated Earth Day by blitzing around southeast Michigan, making stops in Ann Arbor, Detroit and Flint. When he ran low on juice, he recharged at an entertainment complex between a giant squirrel and the put-put course.

Star Wars Charity Car Wash

2010-04-29T00:44:00.001-07:00

Playmate Sara Jean Underwood to host the Star Wars Charity Car Wash in Hollywood. Money was raised for a good cause and people had their cars and space cruisers washed by an army of soapy wet slave Leias, Stormtroopers and one Playboy Bunny.

Nassau will be Chrysler's replacement for Sebring

2010-04-28T23:17:00.000-07:00

Chrysler assau will be the new name for the automaker’s freshened midsize sedan launching late this year — replacing the tarnished Sebring name — according to dealers and others familiar with the company’s product plan.
A Chrysler spokesman declined to comment when asked about the Nassau name.
The name was used for a Chrysler concept car displayed at the 2007 Detroit Auto Show, but don’t expect the Nassau to look like that car, said Jim Hall, a consultant whose firm, 2953 Analytics, advises automakers on future vehicles. “Chrysler bought the Nassau name when they came out with the concept so it makes sense they would use it,” Hall said.
The new name is only one element in Chrysler’s attempt to re-establish credibility in the high-volume midsize car segment after the Sebring, which was criticized for its cheap interior and poor quality.
Every other major automaker has a strong entry in the segment, which is growing as younger buyers move up from small cars and former SUV owners search for fuel-efficient alternatives.
“If you look at the Sebring and benchmark it against the competition, it’s not where it needs to be,” CEO Sergio Marchionne said at this year’s Detroit Auto Show.
Chrysler designers have been working on completely new interiors for the 2011 Chrysler Nassau and Dodge Avenger. The exteriors will look substantially different. Buyers can choose between a 2.4-liter four-cylinder or a new V6 Pentastar engine produced at Chrysler’s Trenton South engine plant.
Last week in Turin, Marchionne repeated that Chrysler brand in North America and Fiat’s Lancia brand will share products, but Chrysler will be the brand for North America, while Lancia will gradually expand its product lineup so it can grow in Europe.
In a few weeks, Chrysler begins production of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, the company’s first new model since exiting bankruptcy last June. That will be followed by launches of substantially new 2011 models of Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300, the diminutive Fiat 500 and an all-new Dodge Durango that will share some elements with the Jeep Grand Cherokee and handle more like a crossover.

Top Gear America caught filming on Mullholland

2010-04-28T23:05:00.000-07:00

We understand if you don't believe that the History Channel has adopted Top Gear America. After all, you've been burnt before. But according to the keen-eyed crew from Kilometer Magazine, filming has already begun. During the U.S. launch of the new Jaguar XJ, the new cast of Top Gear America was spotted filming on none other than California's infamous Mulholland Drive.

What were they doing? From the looks of things, Tanner Foust was doing what he does best by laying down lots and lots of smoky burnouts under the baleful glare of the CHP. Though judging by the cars spotted on the set, we may be looking at a good old fashioned sports-car comparison when the show finally hits cable. Flip through KM's pictures, and you'll spot cars like the Porsche Carrera 4S, Hyundai Genesis Coupe and the Ford Mustang.

We have to wonder whether this was one big slip up or a planned leak. Having a parade of auto journos cruise by just as Foust opens up for his monologue is either the worst luck in the history of television or one very clever PR stunt. [Source: AutoBlog]

Ferrari 599XX Sets New Record at the ’Ring

2010-04-28T20:51:00.000-07:00

Breaking the 7-minute barrier on the legendary Nürburgring Nordschleife is a feat that few race cars can accomplish: but now, for the first time, a production-derived sports car has lapped the full 20.832km Nordschleife in just 6min 58.16sec. Step up to the podium, Ferrari 599XX.

The 599XX, the car that inspired the 599 GTO, is an extreme berlinetta designed for track but not for official competition use. And, as Ferrari proudly says, it is “a veritable technological laboratory”. Take, for example, the F1-derived wheel doughnuts which serve two practical purposes: to reduce turbulence (and hence drag), and to improve brake cooling.

The in-car footage of the record lap is worth watching just to hear the engine noise. Although the Ferrari is running on slicks, and is far from road legal (hence the link with road cars is a bit stretched), it’s quite clearly a phenomenally quick machine.

After watching the video, our resident Nordschleife expert opined, “Fast on the straight, isn’t it? Blimey!” (Although, apparently, the 599XX driver “turned into Wippermann corner too early, putting two wheels on the kerb on the left after the crest, and backed off early at several key points – such as Schwedenkreuz and Kesselchen/Klostertal”. Which simply goes to prove how quick this car really is.)

The 599XX’s engine is a development of the V12 unit used by the 599 GTB Fiorano, while sophisticated electronics are in place to govern the mechanical limits of the handling – for truly extreme performance.

The car also sees the introduction of an aerodynamics first: the ‘Actiflow’ system that increases downforce and/or cuts drag depending on the car’s trim during cornering. This helps the 599XX achieve up to 630kg of downforce. At, ahem, 300km/h, that is.

Laura Bush finally opens up about mysterious car crash

2010-04-28T06:26:00.000-07:00

Laura Bush has finally opened up publicly about the mysterious car accident she had when she was 17, a crash that claimed the life of a high school friend on a dark country road in Midland, Tex.

In her new book, “Spoken From the Heart,” Mrs. Bush describes in vivid detail the circumstances surrounding the crash, which has haunted her for most of her adult life and which became the subject of questions and speculation when it was revealed during her husband’s first presidential run. A copy of the book, scheduled for release in early May, was obtained by The New York Times at a bookstore.

On several occasions in the book, Mrs. Bush admonishes her husband’s political adversaries for “calling him names,” and she pointedly rebuts criticism of some of his key decisions. She suggested that his highly criticized fly-over of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina was in the best interests of the victims and aid workers on the ground.

“He did not want one single life to be lost because someone was catering to the logistical requirements of a president,” she says about the Katrina fly-over. “He did not want his convoy of vehicles to block trucks delivering water or food or medical supplies, or to impede National Guardsmen from around the nation who were arriving to help.”

Mrs. Bush also suggests, apparently for the first time, that she, Mr. Bush, and several members of their staff may have been poisoned during a visit to Germany for a G8 Summit. They all became mysteriously sick, and the president was bedridden for part of the trip. The Secret Service investigated the possibility they were poisoned, she writes, but doctors could only conclude that they all contracted a virus. After noting several high-profile poisonings, she wrote, “we never learned if any other delegations became ill, or if ours, mysteriously, was the only one.”

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GM investing $890M in next-gen small block V8s

2010-04-28T05:13:00.000-07:00

According to GM, all of its next-generation small block V8s will use aluminum engine blocks in addition to being E85 compatible. We can also expect to see direct injection added to the small block's repertoire for improved efficiency and power production. Finally, the combustion chambers will see a redesign that will promote fuel efficiency.

Naturally, an update to an existing engine line requires a suitable investment, and this one is no different. GM will be investing nearly $900 million and will add or retain more than 1,600 jobs in Tonawanda, NY; St. Catherines, Ontario; Defiance, Ohio; Bedford, Indiana and Bay City, Michigan.

Audi A7 Spy Shots

2010-04-28T01:17:00.000-07:00

Here's some spy shots of Audi A7 mushing around Germany's famed Nürburgring.

We know that the original push behind the A7 was to compete with the Mercedes-Benz CLS, the O.G. four-door coupe. But what's with the Audi's hatch? Yes, the roof seems to slope off at a precipitous angle, but there's quite clearly a hatch – just like the Porsche Panamera. But unlike the biggest on-road Porker, the A7 rides not on a bespoke chassis but instead on a version of Audi's modular aluminum chassis that currently underpins the new A8 and will support the upcoming A6.

Curiously, and perhaps wisely, Audi didn't go down the BMW rabbit hole of creating a high-riding station wagon (like the 5 Series Gran Turismo), either. Best we can figure, the A7 will be just like a Jaguar XF – only with a fifth door. Why, then, would one be compelled to purchase the A7 over, say an A6 Avant? The A7 will probably be a bit larger than the A6 (perhaps just marginally bigger, but bigger nonetheless) and to some, size still matters. Besides, lots of folks simply don't want a two-box wagon form, preferring the added flash of a more streamlined form. And if you're Audi, you'll probably get bigger margins out of something like this than an estate, too – especially when the A7 is rumored to be priced just under the A8.

Report: Ford earns $2.1B profit in Q1

2010-04-28T01:14:00.000-07:00

According to The Detroit News, Ford has officially announced its fourth straight profitable quarter in a row. The company managed to make $2.1 billion in profits over the first three months of 2010, thanks largely to a rapid increase in sales during the first part of the year. The company saw North American sales increase by around 39 percent compared to a year ago. At the same time, business is booming in China, where the Blue Oval managed to move around 84 percent more vehicles.

All of this is good news for stock holders, as the company was trading at $14.57 per share on Monday – its highest price in a year. As a result, Ford is planning on upping production in our neck of the woods. Dearborn would like to crank out 625,000 vehicles in the second quarter – a nine percent increase over the first three months of the year – though it isn't ready to say whether or not that means adding any more workers.

Despite the boom, Ford is careful to point out that the rest of the year probably won't look as sharp as the first quarter. Though the Fiesta is scheduled to hit the market soon, the threat of higher interest rates is looming on the horizon and Ford still has a heady $34.3 billion in debt to deal with. The company hasn't said what its plans are concerning paying off the rest of its debt load.

BMW 5 Series Hybrid Spy Shots

2010-04-28T01:12:00.000-07:00

It hardly seems worthy of BMW's distinctively swirly camouflage – after all, we pretty much know exactly what it will look like after seeing the latest 5 Series several times and even gazing at the ActiveHybrid Concept from the Geneva Motor Show – but here we are with an image gallery of the 2012 5 Series Hybrid.

Assuming that the production car will get a similar drivetrain to what was shown off in the aforementioned concept, we can expect to see a turbocharged inline six-cylinder mated up to an eight-speed automatic transmission with a 40-kilowatt electric motor sandwiched between.

We can't say for certain what kind of fuel mileage this combination would provide (best guess would be about a 20-percent improvement), but we do know that a lithium ion battery pack should be nestled right near the rear axle for optimum weight distribution. That pack not only allows the car to operate on electric power, it also provides short bursts of added performance when called upon. Check out the high-res image gallery of spy shots below. - AutoBlog

2012 Hyundai Sonata Coupe

2010-04-27T06:19:00.000-07:00

Hyundai continues to round out its growing product portfolio, adding all-new models along with variations on its existing products. With both turbocharged and hybrid versions of the bread-and-butter Sonata already confirmed for 2011, Inside Line believes a Sonata coupe is the next logical extension of the nameplate.
The Sonata coupe would be mechanically the same as the recently revamped sedan, offering both the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and possibly the 2.0-liter turbo that was introduced last month at the 2010 New York Auto Show.
With the rear-wheel-drive Genesis coupe occupying the sporty end of the spectrum, the front-wheel-drive Sonata coupe would be aimed at more sedate competitors like the Nissan Altima and Honda Accord coupes.
Adding coupe counterparts to its already existing sedan models is nothing new for Hyundai. In addition to the already mentioned Genesis coupe, Hyundai is not far from introducing the Hyundai Veloster, a coupe built on the same chassis as the compact Hyundai Accent sedan. Look for the Hyundai Sonata coupe to arrive at least a year after the sedan lineup is fully up to speed.

2014 MG TF: Early Look at MG's Future Roadster

2010-04-27T06:16:00.000-07:00

Engineers at MG Birmingham continue to work on an all-new replacement for the storied British marque's midengine TF roadster. With the Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky out of production, Mazda's MX-5 Miata once again has the U.S. roadster market all to itself, and MG may now consider this a prime opportunity to return to the United States.
Now under Chinese ownership, the Shanghai Auto affiliate is engineering the future TF as a front-engine roadster, as the midengine layout of the current car can't be developed further. The chassis may come from the rear-wheel-drive MG ZT V8.
Although initial production of the new TF is likely three years away, engine options for the future roadster are expected to include a General Motors-sourced turbodiesel, a V6 gasoline engine, and a hybrid powertrain based on the Roewe 750's system.
Keeping with the pure roadster appeal of the original MG drop tops, the new shapely sports car will undoubtedly offer a fabric soft top instead of an expensive, heavy retractable hardtop.
Shut down last fall, production of the current TF is restarting in England, but the model is not expected to live much beyond the end of 2010.
MG officially exited the United States auto market in 1980, with the death of the U.S.-compliant MGB.

Hyundai Introduces Direct-Injected Lambda V6, 1.6L Inline-4, Plus 8-Speed Automatic

2010-04-27T03:29:00.000-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4cimmwPIVI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-wl6dB319sA
Hyundai quietly introduced some pretty significant hardware at the Beijing auto show -- a direct-injected version of its Lambda V6, a direct-injected 1.6-liter four-cylinder and an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Rather than installing them in the show cars, Hyundai release these three information videos on the new engines and transmissions. Notably, the direct-injected V6 appears in longitudinal form, so it's likely to show up in the rear-wheel-drive Equus, Genesis sedan and Genesis coupe before any of Hyundai's front-drive cars. And it's a good bet that eight-speed automatic would go with it, seeing as how the company has only a six-speed auto in those cars right now.
Curiously, the power graph in the video only shows a 302 PS rating for the GDI V6 -- which comes out to only 296 hp which is less than what the Genesis Coupe makes now. We'll assume different states of tune are possible.
The GDI 1.6-liter inline-4 is a big deal, too. The video shows a 140 PS rating for this direct-injected four-cylinder, which comes out to 138 hp -- quite an upgrade over the 110 hp Hyundai gets out of our current Accent's port-injected 1.6-liter engine. We expect to see this engine used in both the Accent and Elantra, plus some Kias. Also, look for it in the 2012 Hyundai Veloster, as Hyundai America CEO John Krafcik has said that the sporty hatch will get a direct-injected 1.6-liter making around 140 hp.
Hyundai also noted in its Beijing press release that the 1.6-liter GDI could be turbocharged for some applications, and paired with a dual-clutch automated manual transmission.

Porsche recalls 2010 Panamera over potential seatbelt failure

2010-04-26T21:08:00.000-07:00

Porsche and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are issuing a recall for the 2010 Panamera for a potential seat belt defect that could leave the driver unprotected in the event of a crash. NHTSA says the defect can occur when either front seat is put in an "extreme position," which could lead to the seat belt mount being detached from the anchoring mechanism while the belt is fastened or opened. The post-jump NHTSA release doesn't explain what an "extreme position" is, though we're guessing that the safety administration is referring to a seat that is either very close to or very far away from the dash.

But while we don't know which seat positions could cause the problem, we do know that the result could be serious. NHTSA says that, in the event of a crash, the seat belt may not adequately protect the front seat occupant. Th agency's release states that there are up to 3,176 units affected by the safety action. Panamera owners can take their vehicle to the nearest Porsche dealer, where an additional locking element will be installed onto the belt anchoring system to correct the issue.

Jeremy Clarkson reviews BMW X1 sDrive20d SE " It's not a car. It's rubbish "

2010-04-26T21:04:00.000-07:00

Buying a book to read on holiday is very much like buying a car. There’s a huge and bewildering choice and you are torn about what it is, exactly, that you want. If you are a man, you will know to avoid books called Tractors in the Ukraine and Appleblossom because it’ll be a plotless churn through the life of some dizzy bint who has lost her hat. You will not enjoy reading it and other people on the beach will laugh at you.

I like the BMW 135i very much. It has no styling and no big USP. It’s just some car. But it’s the most faithful BMW of them all. Simple. Six-cylinder engine up front. Rear drive. It’s built for the road. It is The Road.

That’s why I was quite looking forward to trying the new BMW X1. There are a lot of so-called crossover quasi-off-road, urban SUV cars around at the moment and none of them is really any good. They offer no more space than a normal hatchback and they are no more rugged, but they cost more to buy, they use more fuel and — with the exception of the Ford Kuga — they are all preposterously ugly.

I felt BMW might be able to pull off a bit of a winner, then. It had learnt some lessons with the woeful X3 and it really has got styling worked out these days. Plus, BMWs are almost always better to drive than any of the cars with which they compete.

Sadly, I was to be disappointed. First of all, the X1 looks like a Hyundai that’s been subjected to a thousand years of wind erosion. It’s dreary. And it’s much the same story on the inside, where you are greeted with lots of extremely scratchy plastic and almost no equipment at all. You want a built-in sat nav system? Well, tough.

A friend of mine, who runs the car I drove, says that the wiring loom is cheap as well. Quite how he’s determined this, I have no idea, but there you are. It’s cheap to look at, cheap to sit in and cheap to touch. But it’s not even slightly cheap to buy.

No matter, you might think. It’ll be a stormer on the road. Well, yes, it might be if you could buy it with a creamy six-cylinder petrol engine. But you can’t. Instead, sir can have it with any engine he likes, so long as it’s a diesel. Normally, BMW diesels are rather good, but the 2-litre version fitted to the X1 is not. It sounds like a dump truck when you start it up, and any request from the helm for more speed is met with a recalcitrant, “You want to do what?”

It’s very uncomfortable as well. The ride is much too rigid and the seats are very nearly as firm as those fitted to a Ford Galaxy. Which means they are hard enough to shape diamonds. That’s nice if you actually want to shape diamonds, but if you just want a comfy place to sit while you go home, the X1 won’t do.

Off-road work? Well, yes, there is a four-wheel-drive version, which should be all right on farm tracks and the like, but the car I drove was fitted with something called sDrive. That sounds exciting. It sounds like the sort of system Captain Scarlet would have used to fight the Mysterons. But no. For some extraordinary reason, sDrive means rear-wheel drive.

Now I like rear-wheel drive. Rear-wheel drive makes a car feel better balanced than front-wheel drive, or even four-wheel drive. It’s right that the front wheels do the steering and those at the rear the propulsion. It’s why BMWs always feel so proper. But I can’t see the point of such a system in a tall car with the engine from a canal boat under the bonnet.

It robs space, adds cost and means that if we get another snowy winter, you won’t even get out of your drive. I fear the marketing men have insisted this car has rear drive even though it makes no sense at all. The whole package doesn’t, if I’m honest.

If it were a book, it would have no plot and a stupid cover and it would fall to pieces in the sun. But it isn’t a book. And neither is it a car. It’s rubbish.

BMW X1 sDrive20d SE

Engine 1995cc, four cylinders
Power 175bhp @ 4000rpm
Torque 258 lb ft @ 1750rpm
Transmission Six-speed manual
Acceleration 0-62mph: 8.1sec
Top Speed 127mph
Fuel / CO2 53.3mpg / 139g/km
Road Tax Band E (£110 for first year)
Price £24,905
Release date On sale now

Source: Times Online

Ad battle heats up between BMW & Audi

2010-04-26T20:38:00.000-07:00

Things are really heating up in the advertising battle between BMW and Audi. In this latest offensive, BMW has purchased a huge ad space on a billboard directly above Audi of Hong Kong. A massive advertisement for the new 5-Series sits on a wall over the showroom windows, all but completely displacing the Audi dealership from view.

The ad war between the two German premium brands began a while ago, with competing billboards in California and repeated jabs at each other in European print ads. Lately, the campaign escalated when Audi aired a commercial in the U.S. during the Olympics which referred to BMW as "second best".

Now, the next move is up to Audi. But what they may want to do first is figure out who's fault it is for allowing the billboard space above its Hong Kong dealership to be purchased by the competition.

2012 Hyundai Veloster Spy Shots

2010-04-26T20:27:00.000-07:00

The 2012 Hyundai Veloster is beginning to shed its winter skin before its big reveal early next year. Not only has it gone green in the process, but details on its passenger side dual doors and interior are coming into focus. The Veloster / Tiburon appears to share two different door designs – a traditional opening on the driver's side and a smaller passenger door possibly accompanied by another rear access opening.

Just as interesting as the dual doors, blistered fenders and the sloping hatch is the interior shot our spies managed to snag, showing a modern, triangular center stack with a five-inch LCD display and engine start button mounted low on the central panel. The three-spoke, small-diameter wheel has a sporting flavor to it, as do the deeply recessed gauges, and when the Veloster finally hits dealers late next year, expect Hyundai's recently announced 140 horsepower, 1.6-liter inline four to be underhood, with a turbocharged variant mated to a dual-clutch gearbox available a few months down the road.

Grand ambitions at Beijing car show

2010-04-26T20:19:00.000-07:00

There were few private cars on China's road two decades ago.
Even in the capital Beijing, pedestrians were more likely to be knocked over by a bicycle than by someone behind the wheel of their own automobile. But China is now the world's biggest car market, with 13.6m vehicles sold last year. That is why this year's Beijing auto show is attracting such attention: from buyers as well as sellers. The exhibition centre playing host to the show gives a hint of the developments in the car industry in China over recent years. It was previously held at a cramped venue in the city centre.
It has now moved to a larger site on the outskirts of the capital: vast car parks have been marked out for the thousands of visitors.
Perhaps unwittingly, this new venue undermines the image propagated by manufacturers that cars bring the ultimate freedom to move around. Visitors driving to the exhibition centre still have to leave their cars far away from the show, and take a bus for the final leg of the journey.
Big ambitions
There is huge interest in Chinese car makers at this exhibition because of their desire to compete with bigger, global brands across the world.

Experts say the quality of Chinese-made cars is improving rapidly

BYD, based in Guangdong province, is just one of the companies that wants to expand abroad, mainly by selling its advanced range of battery-powered cars.
Its electric E6 car, which can travel about 300km (186 miles) on one battery charge, is due to be launched in China and the United States later this year.
BYD wants to become the biggest Chinese car maker by 2015 - and the biggest in the world just 10 year after that.
It sounds like a tall order for a company that only began building cars five years ago, but spokeswoman Elva Zhai was unmoved when that was put to her.
"We should be able to do it. I believe we'll be able to completely meet these targets," said Ms Zhai, whose company's name stands for Build Your Dreams.

The Chinese have taken to Western luxury brands in a very satisfactory fashion

Richard Carter
Rolls-Royce

Across the hall, Roberto Holtheuer, a car importer from Chile, was admiring another Chinese-made vehicle, this one manufactured by Geely.
He said Chinese-made cars are getting better all the time, and believes they could one day soon compete with the likes of General Motors and Volkswagen.
"It took Japanese cars probably 25 years to reach a level where no-one doubted the quality," said Mr Holtheuer, of the firm Derco.
"Korean cars, such as Kia and Hyundai, are doing an excellent job. It probably took them 15 years. We think China is going to take 10 years."
Expensive tastes
There are many foreign car makers at the show, firms that are more interested in selling in China than anywhere else.

Luxury cars fit the fashion for extravagant purchases

China's economy has recovered from the global downturn and its car market gives them the chance of increasing sales that could prove elusive in other countries.
Rolls-Royce, the UK-based company at the luxury end of the market, says sales have jumped three-fold in the first three months of this year in China.
A jet-black Phantom - priced at 9m yuan ($1.3m: £860,000) - made especially for the Beijing show was bought even before the exhibition opened.
"The Chinese have taken to Western luxury brands in a very satisfactory fashion," said a tanned and relaxed Richard Carter, director of global communications.
"They understand the notion of luxury - and not just in motor cars: watches, yachts, aeroplanes and so on. We are doing very well here."
And it is not just the market as it is today that has foreign cars firms excited - it is also the possibility of a growing market for years to come.
Car analyst Michael Dunne said only one in 10 Chinese people currently owns a car. The figure is eight out of 10 in the US.
"That makes CEOs all over the world salivate when they think of China," said Mr Dunne.

Michael Bristow , BBC News, Beijing

Stefan attempting 2011 F1 entry

2010-04-26T01:34:00.000-07:00

Stefan GP has renewed its efforts to try and get a place in Formula 1, despite seeing its plans to get on the grid this season rejected by the FIA.
Team owner Zoran Stefanovic had worked hard to try and secure a place in F1 this season by using the 2010 Toyota cars, with Jacques Villeneuve and Kazuki Nakajima as drivers.
But despite Team US F1 having failed to get ready in time, the FIA ruled out letting Stefan GP in as replacement - and instead opened up the entry process for new teams.
Now Stefan GP has not only confirmed that it is eyeing one of the slots for next year, the team has also revealed plans to build a Serbian track that he hopes could host F1.
"Stefan GP would like to make a public announcement that the AMCO Corporation and its owner Zoran Stefanovic have today signed an agreement with the Mayor of Stara Pazova, located 25km from Belgrade, Serbia, to build the Stefan Technology Park," said a statement on Stefan GP's newly revamped website about the plans for the 3.5km circuit.
"This will include a racing circuit suitable for the competition of Formula 1, and a technical complex that will serve as Stefan Grand Prix's team headquarters upon completion in two years time."
The statement also said that Stefan GP would: "Like to officially announce our bid for the FIA 2011 Formula 1 world championship."
Team owner Stefanovic said: "I think this is an excellent development for our team, Stara Pazova city, region and country.
"This is proof that we want to put ourselves on the map as a serious high-tech company, and that we are serious about competing in Formula 1 for the long term."
"Bearing in mind that we will soon be on a par with top teams, in terms of facilities and organisation, as Stefan Technology Park looking to be compared with them, we expect many positive improvements in the future."
Stefan GP's website also revealed the drivers that the team held talks with for a potential seat for this year.

As well as confirming Villeneuve and Nakajima, the list included world rally champion Sebastien Loeb, and former F1 drivers Ralf Schumacher, Christian Klien and Takuma Sato.

Nissan teams threaten GT1 boycott

2010-04-26T01:27:00.000-07:00

The two Nissan teams competing in the new FIA GT1 World Championship have threatened to boycott the next round and to launch a protest unless the weight penalty heaped on the GT-R ahead of the Abu Dhabi series opener is removed, this week's AUTOSPORT magazine reveals.
The Swiss Racing Team run by Othmar Welti insisted that it would not race again with the 30kg penalty that rendered the Nissan GT-R uncompetitive in last weekend's Abu Dhabi event.
The British Sumo Power squad explaining that it was considering a protest against the penalty, which was imposed under the series 'Balance of Performance' rules.
"We will not go to Silverstone under these conditions," said Welti. "We cannot be a grid filler."
Sumo team manager Allen Orchard added: "We have to go to Silverstone because it is our home event. We have tried to argue our car with facts and figures, but we are ready to put our money down and protest."
The Nissan was given the penalty after an open test on the Wednesday before the races, during which former grand prix driver Heinz-Harald Frentzen sampled all six cars on the GT1 grid.
The Maserati MC12 was given 25kg, and the Chevrolet Corvette C6.R and Lamborghini Murcielago R-SV 10kg each. The spec of the Matech-developed Ford GT was left unchanged, while the Aston Martin DBR9 was given a larger-diameter air restrictor in an attempt to increase its performance.
The Nissan teams were among those that argued that the testing was not done in a fair manner.
"I do not believe that all data needed was collected," said Orchard. "Some cars barely ran and some didn't run long enough."
Frentzen completed only two laps in the Matech Ford after complaining that he was uncomfortable in the car, and drove the Corvette early in the day when the Yas Marina track was 'green'. He did only one flying lap on new tyres in the Nissan, when it had been planned that he would undertake a 10- or 15-lap run in each car.
The Nissan teams argued that the decision did not take into account the higher weight to which the GT-R runs and its higher centre of gravity. This has a detrimental effect on tyre wear over the course of a stint.
There were also allegations of gamesmanship levelled at the Ford, Chevrolet and Aston Martin teams. The Matech Ford, which went on to win the main race, is understood not to have broken the 2m10s barrier in testing, yet lapped at 2m07/08s throughout the race.
Committee chairman and FIA technical consultant Peter Wright defended the measures.
"We gave the Maserati 25kg and it was still competitive," he said.
The best of the MC12s finished fourth in the main event, although its best race lap was 1.7s shy of the fastest lap set by the winning Ford.

Source: AutoSport

Schumacher reportedly getting new chassis for Spanish GP

2010-04-25T05:28:00.000-07:00

Reports say, Mercedes will give Schumacher a new chassis design to try out at the Catalunya circuit. If the new car suits Schumi better than the current one, they'll presumably have him run it for the remainder of the season. But given Rosberg's performance in the current chassis, the smart money would be on Nico continuing with the existing machinery, meaning that the team could – in a Formula One rarity – wind up running two different cars in a bid to defend the championships it won last year under the Brawn GP banner.

Geely unveiled Gleagle GS Sport Coupe at Beijing 2010

2010-04-25T05:25:00.000-07:00

The Gleagle GS is powered by a 1.3-liter turbocharged inline four producing 127 horsepower. It can be paired with either a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed dual clutch unit. If any Chinese automaker is going to make it to the U.S., Geely seems the most likely and its purchase of Volvo could even give it access to a sales network.