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Lotus to partner ART GP in GP2 and GP3, Tony Fernandes announces GP2 entry

September 23, 2010 at 9:39 am By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Formula 1, International News, Motorsports

Lotus has announced that they will be entering Formula One’s feeder series GP2. This will be the Group Lotus, the car company which is owned by Proton. It is not to be confused with the Lotus Racing team run by Tony Fernandes. Lotus will partner Nicolas Todt’s (son of Jean Todt) ART Grand Prix team next year.

Lotus plans to provide technical and engineering support for ART’s GP2 and GP3 race teams for an unconfirmed period. “We come together with a common goal: to continue our great success in motorsport,” said Lotus’ communications boss Gino Rosato.

“The goal is clear: winning together the future GP2 and GP3 championships. I can’t wait to see the new livery of our racing cars,” added ART team manager Frederic Vasseur. The ART team, a big player in the GP3 category, have already claimed the championship with Esteban Gutierrez this year. They have also had success with current Formula 1 drivers Lewis Hamilton, Nico Rosberg and Nico Hulkenberg in the GP2 category.

In the midst of this news, it has also been reported that the Lotus Racing Formula One team which is linked to a Renault engine supply deal in 2011 will be called Team Lotus starting from next year. Team Lotus was the name used in Lotus’ Formula One campaigns in the past. It has also been reported that Tony Fernandes has been successful in applying for a GP2 entry next year, under the name of Team Air Asia. The team’s entry has been approved until 2013.

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Aston Martin One-77 makes 750hp, new video released

September 23, 2010 at 9:20 am By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Aston Martin, Cars, International News, Videos

Aston Martin has dropped the One-77‘s official horsepower figure, which is set at the 750 mark. The limited-edition supercar’s 7.3 litre sumptuous V12 also cranks out 750Nm of torque, making it one of the most powerful naturally aspirated cars in the world.

The company did not reveal performance numbers but it was previously reported that the One-77 hit the 354.86km/h mark during a test at an undisclosed facility in Europe. As mentioned before, the One-77 is based on a limited production run of 77 units. The car is still undergoing rigorous testing before it is let out into the wild, to the hands of millionaires who’ve got unbelievable amounts of money.

Aston Martin did confirm that deliveries of the One-77 will start in early 2011. The company also released a new video showcasing the supercar. In the video we see the usual list of action shots, and if you’re a fan of the supercar or just anything Aston, get your salivary glands ready.

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Tan Chong buys majority stake in Nissan Vietnam

September 23, 2010 at 1:23 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Nissan

Selling Nissan cars is a profitable business for the Tan Chong Group, and the company has made a move that will see it expand greatly in fast growing Indochina, which has a combined population of 107 million and GDP of US$109 billion (2009 figures).

ETCM (V) Pte Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tan Chong Motor Holdings Bhd, has entered into a capital assignment agreement to acquire 74% charter capital contribution in Nissan Vietnam Co Ltd. For that, ETCM will pay Denmark-based Kjaer Group A/S US$7.4 million cash.

With that, the terms of a joint venture agreement entered by Nissan and Kjaer in October 2008 will be amended, and ETCM will replace Kjaer as the largest share capital holder in Nissan Vietnam. The remaining 26% is held by Nissan. ETCM will manage Nissan Vietnam with the Japanese carmaker in a JV agreement.

“The proposed joint venture is a testimony of business co-operation between Tan Chong Motor Group and Nissan Motor to further expand the Nissan franchise in a key Asean emerging market,” the company said in a statement.

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Sporty R-Design treatment for Volvo S60 and V60 wagon

September 22, 2010 at 7:03 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Volvo

Volvo UK has announced the launch of R-Design models for the S60 and V60 wagon. These sportier cars should prove popular as apparently, R-Design variants account for up to 60% of some model lines, and 25% overall. For the S60/V60, R-Design is available across the range and not just for high spec cars, which means that it’s possible to have the economy of a 2.0-litre D3 with hot T6 looks, for instance. There are four petrol and two diesel options in the UK.

Looks wise, R-Design cars have a redesigned front valance while a distinctive diffuser houses twin tailpipes. Also included are unique five-spoke 18-inch Diamond cut wheels. Inside, a special leather/textile upholstery is available in off-black and ceramic light, or in all-black, both with contrasting stitch. The cabin also features an R-Design steering wheel, gear knob, sports pedals and floor mats.

The changes aren’t just skin deep. A strut brace under the bonnet stiffens up the structure and the rear features monotube dampers. Unlike twin-tube dampers, the monotube system features compression and return damping via the same valve. This gives shorter, faster fluid flow, which means faster response. The front and rear springs have been shortened by 15 mm and spring stiffness is 15% higher compared to the standard-fit dynamic chassis.

“This makes the car easier to control and reduces any tendency to lurch. This is an area that requires true fingertip sensitivity in order to find the right blend of dynamics and comfort. If you go too far the car feels bumpy even on smooth surfaces. We’ve invested a lot of time and effort in finding the ideal balance,” said Stefan Sällqvist, manager of vehicle dynamics at Volvo Cars.

Hi-res images after the jump.
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China wants foreign companies to disclose EV secrets

September 22, 2010 at 5:20 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under China, International News

Trouble seems to be brewing in one of the world’s largest automotive markets, China. It has been reported in the Wall Street Journal that the Chinese Government wants to force foreign companies to reveal their electric vehicle technology before they can sell their wares in China.

The country’s current proposition says that foreign automakers wishing to produce electric technology must form a joint-venture with a Chinese company. In the joint-venture, the foreign company would only hold a 49 percent stake, which basically means the Chinese company will hold a majority stake.

This is all part of the government’s 10-year plan, at making the nation “the world’s leader” in developing and producing battery-powered cars and hybrids, according to executives of four foreign auto makers. The Wall Street Journal says that the plan is to develop three to five Chinese companies into global EV and hybrid players by 2020, along with two to three global suppliers of key components such as batteries and motors.

This will be a dangerous balancing act for foreign companies as China has a lot of leverage, being one of the biggest auto buyers in the world, while revealing their tech secrets could see it being used for other purposes. The plan will be distributed among other government agencies and state-owned automakers to gauge their opinions on the matter. There is a likelihood that the technology transfer clause could be changed or even modified before the plan is commissioned. If there is no opposition to the plan, it could be put in place as soon as next month.

A very scary thought, but if Toyota’s actions are a precursor to other automakers actions, we could see a major pullout of foreign companies from China. Toyota have postponed the release of its latest generation Prius hybrid in China (which has been on sale in many other market since 2009) until they get confirmation on China’s plan.

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Production-ready Hyundai Solaris unveiled for Russian market

September 22, 2010 at 1:27 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, Hyundai, International News

Hyundai has revealed the production version of the 2012 Solaris for the Russian market, which pretty much is a Hyundai Accent. The renamed Accent will be produced in St. Petersburg and is based on the RB Concept, first seen at the 2010 Moscow Motor Show.

As previously reported, Hyundai will be sticking to the 1.4 litre Gamma CVVT and the 1.6 litre Gamma CVVT, mated to a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic. The 1.4-litre engine generates 105hp and 136Nm of torque while the larger 1.6 gives you 121hp and 155Nm of torque.

Accommodating the Russian weather, the Solaris has special add-ons such as rear heating ducts, a 4.0 litre washer fluid reservoir with a fluid level sensor, a 60Ah battery for higher cold start performance, wiper deicer, front seat warmers as well as heated outside mirrors.

All these look like luxury trim to you and I, but these features are live savers in the harsh Russian climate. In terms of exterior design, we also see the use of Hyundai’s “fluidic sculpture’ design language. The company says that it is supposed to resemble a calligrapher’s “orchid strokes”.

The Solaris will hit Russian streets sometime next year and will include a hatchback variant later that year. Hyundai are expecting to sell up to 85,000 units per year. Continue reading to view more initial images of the Hyundai Solaris.
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Nissan shedding weight in the design of future models

September 22, 2010 at 12:58 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under International News, Nissan, Technology

Even though emission standards don’t affect us Malaysians in our ownership of a car, it has and will drastically change the way cars are designed. This is so that car companies will be able to meet standards set by the EU, which is one of the biggest car buying markets in the world.

In a bid to meet those stricter standards, Nissan has announced that they will be slashing the weight of their models by 15 percent, compared to 2005 models. Nissan also aims to increase fuel economy in its fleet to about 30 percent by 2015. This is said to involve cutting up to 110 kilograms from the next generation of each model, giving a 5 percent increase in fuel economy for each car.

The company’s diet regime will comprise of three processes, which is the use of new engineering and design architectures, lightweight material such as high tensile steel and advanced construction.

A good example of this process is in the redesigning of the Infiniti M. The car shed 15 kilograms by just using high tensile steel. It lost another 1.4 kilograms when they replaced the car’s solid synthetic resin floor undercover with a spongy foam core. The Nissan 370Z also lost 20 kilograms by using aluminum steel instead of steel, just for the doors and the boot lid.

Other avenues for reducing weight are in the vehicle construction process. Components are usually made slightly thicker as it takes into account some margin of error in forecasting bending and breaking points. Thus if they use more accurate computer modeling, engineers can do away with the extra bulk.

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340hp Peugeot Concept EX1 to make debut in Paris

September 22, 2010 at 12:45 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, Concept Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, Peugeot

Peugeot has unveiled a new concept car called the EX1, which will have a full reveal at the Paris Motor Show later this month. They probably wouldn’t admit it, but it looks like inspiration for this concept was drawn from the recent Batman films. Instead, the French automaker have stuck to the story that they were creating an “extreme dream car” with “exciting possibilities for electric power”.

Demonstrating this, the EX1 uses two electric motors connected mounted on each axle that collectively generate 340HP and 240Nm of constant torque. This makes it an all wheel drive vehicle. Peugeot went on to say that the EX1 is “capable of lightning acceleration” which “exceeds 1G of gravitational force.”

The electric four-wheeled tric uses the company’s new design language first seen on the SR1 concept car and the new 508. Optimal weight distribution was key as the size of the passenger compartment was reduced.

The concept which measures 1.77m wide and 0.90m high also employs a monocouque body structure manufactured from a carbon/honeycomb composite, for rigidity. The front uses a drop link double wishbone suspension while the rear comprises of a single swinging arm linked to centrally-mounted shock absorber.

Look after the jump for a picture gallery.
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450hp Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale revealed

September 22, 2010 at 12:29 pm By Jacob Alexander Filed Under Cars, International News, Maserati

Another lovely beauty expected to make an appearance at the Paris Motor Show will be the Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale, which Maserati says is the “fastest, lightest and most powerful car” in the company’s stable.

Inspiration for this car comes from their very own Trofeo GranTurismo MC and GT4 competition model. Hence the MC Stradale incorporates handling and aero tuning from their racing programs, which should give the car an enviable ride and handling.

This has resulted in the MC Stradale producing more aerodynamic downforce without producing more drag. An increase in power also complements the package nicely, as it now puts out 450 horses without affecting fuel economy. The 4.7 litre V8 also allows the MC Stradale to reach speeds of over 300km/h.

The new addition to the Maserati range will go on sale in the first quarter of 2011 and you can expect to see it being sold at the Naza Italia showroom in the near future. More details will be made available closer to it’s Paris debut. Look after the jump for a set of high resolution pictures.
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Production Range Rover Evoque revealed ahead of Paris

September 22, 2010 at 11:41 am By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Land Rover

This is the production version of the Range Rover Evoque that will be unwrapped in Paris. The smallest ever Range Rover is claimed to deliver the premium levels of craftsmanship, luxury and performance of THE Range Rover, but shrink-wrapped into a compact package. Turning the LRX concept into reality, the Evoque measures just 4,340 mm, 432 mm shorter than a Range Rover Sport. Tasked with creating a new segment for the brand, the Evoque will reach showrooms mid next year.

It will be powered by a 240 bhp 2.0-litre Si4 turbocharged engine with direct fuel injection and twin VVT, said to combine six-cylinder refinement and performance with four-cylinder fuel economy. It’s lighter than Land Rover’s 230 bhp 3.2L six-pot by 40 kg. Speaking of that, the Evoque employs plenty of weight saving measures such as plastic front fenders and tailgate assembly, aluminium hood and roof panels, magnesium cross car beam and aluminium front lower control arms and suspension knuckles. Weight starts at 1,625 kg.

Besides that, LR has included various other efficiency measures. EPS steering, low rolling resistance tyres, brake regenerative system, clutchless air con compressors, reduction of engine friction through low friction coatings and low viscosity transmission fluid are all combined in the Evoque.

It’s a Range Rover, so however urban and stylish it looks, this thing must be capable off road. The company’s signature Terrain Response system is therefore standard, but on the Evoque it has Dynamic Mode which sharpens on-road handling. The permanent all-wheel drive system continuously varies the front/rear torque split using an electronically-controlled Haldex center coupling, which is tuned for “a fun-to-drive experience at all speeds”.

On the options list is the MagneRide continuously variable dampers. This uses a special damping fluid which contains magnetic particles. When subjected to a magnetic field, the fluid becomes more viscous, thus increasing the damping. LR seeked to offer flat cornering and good body control with the poise and stability of typical long-travel Range Rover suspensions on its baby.

The Evoque’s cabin is really seductive. It sports real metal trim and soft high-grade hides hand-finished with twin-needle stitching. Looks warm and hi tech at the same time. More pics after the jump.
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