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  • Geneva preview: Hyundai i-oniq range-extender concept

    In Cars, Hyundai, International News / By / / 4 comments


    Click to enlarge.

    More from the Geneva front. The Swiss show, which kicks off this week, will see Hyundai showcasing its new i-oniq concept, which is an electric sports hatchback with a range-extending petrol engine.

    The i-oniq continues to evolve the company’s fluidic sculpture form language, with a design that combines gentle feature lines and muscular surface treatment to inject premium and sporty into the overall mix. Design cues include a ‘penthouse roof’ and LED headlights.

    The 4.4 metre-long vehicle seats four in its driver-oriented cabin. Plenty of high-tech equipment to be found in the driver interface and controls, so it goes, while passengers benefit from a lounge-style space designed to optimise comfort, featuring sculpted surfaces inspired by musical instruments, no less.

    It’s powered by a 1.0 litre, three-cylinder petrol engine mated, via a generator, to a lithium-ion electric motor, with 109 PS as the output figure. In electric-only mode, i-oniq has a range of 120 km, while with assistance from the petrol engine it can travel up to 700 km, producing just 45 g/km of CO2 in the process.

     

  • Lexus RX facelift – leaked images ahead of Geneva debut

    In Cars, International News, Lexus / By / / 12 comments

    You’d figure that automakers might as well get it over and done with, release images the moment they’re ready to go, because with increasing alacrity does the inevitable happen more than not these days, in this case the leaky boat syndrome.

    The next paddle steamer to take water is Lexus’ refreshened RX, which is set to debut in Geneva next week. First, images of the reinterpreted third-gen SUV broke via a brochure a little while back, and if that ha-ha moment wasn’t enough, further images of the vehicle have now surfaced on the Web.

    The RX 450 h and the first F Sport interpretation of the full hybrid luxury SUV are the Swiss show premieres, and the vehicle wears a new front fascia, replete with a spindle-shaped grille, reminiscent of that seen on the striking LF-LC Concept. As for the entire lowdown on the new RX, Geneva will provide the necessary, unless another hole springs up before then, of course.

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  • Things are looking up! for VW, as four more join the fun

    In Cars, International News, Volkswagen / By / / 21 comments

    Yes, things are certainly looking up! for Volkswagen, for the automaker is set to present four different design studies of its city car in Geneva to showcase the versatility and potential of the cleverly compact critter.

    First up on the list is the winter up!, which is based on the cross up! concept first shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year. The exterior is finished in a two-colour scheme, with the large body surfaces painted in Pure White, while Malibu Blue is used as a contrasting colour for the impact surfaces of the bumpers, the door mirror housings and the seam that runs parallel to the side windows.

    Exterior accents are done in Anthracite, with a satin effect on wheel wells and side sills, and the raised ride height and underbody protection add to create a rugged look for the concept. Features include a roof rail-mounted snowboard holder, and the lockable unit allows up to four boards to be stowed – the carrier is also designed to carry six skis.

    The interior colour matches the exterior colour precisely – the seats are upholstered in Peak White and Glacier Blue shades and upgraded with an embossed up! logo.

    Then there’s the x up!, which is again based on the cross up!, but this time equipped for night-time expeditions, thanks to a roof box that comes with built-in searchlights. Burnt Orange metallic exterior paint is complemented on the inside by two-tone door inserts, a special gear shift grip and hand-sewn up! logos. Robust side panellings protect this up! on off-road terrain.

    Third up is the cargo up! concept, which shows how you can load up the vehicle for city deliveries – this one offers a 1,400 litre or 426 kg payload ability. Powered by the entry-level 60 PS engine of the model series, the insides of this one, save the driver’s seat and cockpit, has all but been emptied to provide for a flat load area.

    The car features a bulkhead – with the upper half made from Plexiglas – to separate cargo from driver, while the rear and rear side windows are body-coloured, keeping cargo safe from prying eyes. The ride height of the 929 kg vehicle has been raised by 15 mm.

    There’s also a fastening system for tools and shipping crates. In addition to the standard storage bins in the centre console, the doors and rear side trim, more storage compartments – such as for documents, invoices and orders – are located to the right of the seat in two huge fabric-covered pockets.

    Last up, the Swiss up! concept, which is a tribute to country hosting the show the cars will debut in. The vehicle depicts the colours of the Swiss flag, both inside and out – the exterior is finished in a Tornado Red shade, with Porcelain White mirror housings, a white dashboard fascia and red bezels around the air-condition vents being the main cues.

    There’s even a leather band across the back of each front seat, and this can be used to store a Victorinox Swiss Army pocket knife.

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  • Toyota to cut costs by standardising component designs

    In Cars, International News, Toyota / By / / 52 comments

    Toyota is targeting to cut its capital spending on parts production by half within the next four years, and how it hopes to achieve this is by standardising its component designs, reports indicate.

    For its new vehicles, the company is starting to design parts using a new method, which is called the Toyota New Global Architecture program. While body and interior designs will continue to reflect different characteristics for various global markets, the design of components hidden away are set to be standardised.

    By doing so, Toyota is looking at universalising about half of a vehicle’s 4,000 to 5,000 various parts. Standardising components will also help streamline processing facilities, enabling a reduction in cost of capital spending and fixed operating expenses. Going that route will also bring down production costs for autoparts makers.

    The reports add that the company already has a project in place that pares back parts costs by overhauling manufacturing processes and materials, but the new programme – which spans a range of vehicle models – will speed up cost savings. According to the company’s executive vice president Shinichi Sasaki, the benefits will begin to show up in one year and be full-blown in four.

     

  • Datsun brand name to make a return in 2014

    In Cars, International News, Nissan / By / / 55 comments

    Well, you’ll be seeing Datsuns on the road again, and nearby at that. Not quite rebuilt 120Ys though. Seems Nissan’s old brand name is being revived for use on low-priced vehicles tailored for emerging markets, and Indonesia is one of the countries that will feature entry-level Datsuns when the brand re-emerges in 2014.

    According to the Nikkei, the vehicles, which will be priced at around 500,000 yen, will initially be built and sold in India, Indonesia and Russia, with a rather moderate annual sales volume of 300,000 units being targeted.

    The return of the Datsun name is supposed to be only in those markets, but you can imagine that there’ll be expansion if things go well. The mothballed brand – which was created during Nissan’s early days and was discontinued from the mid ’80s – was synonymous with small, inexpensive cars, and the upcoming revival essentially marks a return to the roots.

    Models are set to be tailored to the specific needs of each market. The vehicles will meet safety standards, but will utilise inexpensive parts and materials as well as drop dispensable features such as cabin noise reduction, the report adds. And, a Datsun network of dealerships are set to emerge.

    The Datsuns that will be produced for India and Indonesia will feature Nissan’s low-cost V-platform, and 90% or more of the parts for the models will be locally made. In India, a 1.0 litre vehicle is expected to retail for around 300,000 rupees, or roughly 500,000 yen, which is half the price of a March hatchback that uses the same platform. In Russia, platforms from local automaker Avtovaz will provide the basis for Datsuns there, with initial plans aiming to deploy a 800cc model.

     

  • Reports: Some Japanese companies may relocate out of Thailand after the beating taken from last year’s floods

    In Cars, International News / By / / 28 comments

    A report states that a number of Japanese companies with manufacturing operations in Thailand are set to relocate out of the country after the beating they took from last year’s floods.

    According to a survey, almost one in 10 Japanese companies are set to hightail it out of the Kingdom, the AFP reports. The survey, carried out by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce Bangkok, polled 1,345 companies, of which 366 firms responded.

    The statistics have it that 8% of the manufacturers plan to relocate out of the country, while 85% say they will resume their business in the same place. Some companies say they will move, but within Thailand. While 72% of manufacturers were expected to resume their operations between last December and this month, a further 21% said they would restart sometime in April to May, and 6% in June or later.

    Of those companies surveyed, electronics manufacturers were the hardest hit on the whole, with more than half directly affected by the disaster. For automakers, Honda was dealt the most severe blow, when its factory in Rojana Industrial Park, Ayutthaya was submerged in early October. The company has said it plans to resume vehicle production at the plant by the end of March.

    The JCCB said that the companies that are resuming late have to wait for new machinery imported from Japan, and some are still waiting to see the Thai government’s flood prevention plan – the JCCB has urged the Thai government to speed up the implementation of a flood control plan.

     

  • Ferrari F12berlinetta – Maranello’s fastest ever road-car

    In Cars, Ferrari, International News / By / / 37 comments

    Ferrari has unveiled its F12berlinetta online, ahead of the car’s official unveiling at the Geneva show next week. The new V12, which will debut a new Rosso Berlinetta three-layer shade, is heralded as the most powerful and high-performance Ferrari road car, ever.

    Designed by the Ferrari Styling Centre and Pininfarina, the coupe is powered by a 6.2 litre 65° V12 mill offering 740 cheval vapeur (CV), which translates to 730 hp, and a peak torque of 690 Nm at 8,700 rpm, 80% of which is available at just 2,500 rpm. The engine is mated to the F1 dual-clutch transmission, which has closer gear ratios developed specifically for the F12berlinetta.

    Performance figures are a 0-100 km/h time of 3.1 seconds, and the car manages to get to 200 km/h from standstill in 8.5 seconds. It also completes a lap of the Fiorano circuit in one minute 23 seconds, faster than any other Ferrari road car. Dynamic highlights include smaller steering wheel angles, a shorter stopping distance, increased cornering speed and immediate turn-in characteristics.

    Layout-wise, the traditional Ferrari transaxle layout has been reworked – the wheelbase has been shortened and the engine, dashboard and seats have been lowered in the chassis, while the new layout of the rear suspension and gearbox have enabled Ferrari’s engineers to make the rear volume of the car smaller.

    The overall result is a very compact car with a lower centre of gravity that is further back in the chassis, and a level of aerodynamic efficiency that sets new standards, the company says.

    The car features an all-new Scaglietti-designed spaceframe chassis and bodyshell, which utilises 12 different kinds of alloys, some of which are being used here for the first time in the automotive sector, with new assembly and joining techniques at work. There’s a 20% increase in structural rigidity while bringing the weight down – the car weighs in at 1,525 kg, 70 kg less than the previous V12 coupé.

    There has been significant attention to aerodynamic development with this one – downforce has been boosted by 76% (123 kg at 200 km/h), while drag has been significantly reduced, and the car features a Cd of 0.299.

    Aerodynamic-related innovations include an Aero Bridge which uses the bonnet to generate downforce by channelling air away from the upper part of the car to its flanks – where it interacts with the wake from the wheel wells to decrease drag – and an Active Brake Cooling system that opens guide vanes to the brake cooling ducts only at high operating temperatures, to reduce drag.

    Inside, the car wears an all-new Frau leather interior, and highlights include new carbon fibre and aluminium air vents inspired by the aeronautic field. The company adds that the cabin has been optimised to ensure maximum usability of the interior space with additional luggage capacity behind the seats.

    As for standard kit, the F12berlinetta has the latest generation carbon-ceramic brakes (CCM3) and a SCM-E magnetorheological suspension control system, as well as the now usual integrated control system that groups E-Diff, ESP Premium, F1-Trac and high-performance ABS together.

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  • LC Super Hybrid – going the lead-carbon battery route

    In Cars, Hybrids and Alternative Fuel, International News / By / / 4 comments

    Yet another hybrid is set to take a bow in Geneva, but this one walks a slightly different path. The LC Super Hybrid, as it’s called, shows what can be achieved through electric hybridisation at low voltages (12-48 volts) using the latest lead-carbon batteries.

    Conceived by Controlled Power Technologies (CPT) and the Advanced Lead-Acid Battery Consortium (ALABC), the production-ready micro-mild technology offers the potential of a mass market, petrol-powered, large family car with superb drivability, impressive performance and excellent fuel economy achieved at substantially lower cost than an equivalent diesel model.

    Based on a series production 1.4 litre turbocharged VW Passat TSI model, the LC Super Hybrid is set to provide carmakers with real world validation of the pioneering technology. The tech comprises a Valeo electric supercharger (powered by the battery), next generation belt-integrated starter generator with an advanced belt tensioning system, carbon enhanced valve regulated lead–acid (VRLA) batteries which avoid the need for super-capacitors, and higher gear ratios to reduce engine speed.

    Recalibration of the engine has increased power from 122 to 142 PS and torque from 200 Nm to 275 Nm. This output is comparable with VW’s bigger 160 PS and 250 Nm 1.8 litre TSI gasoline engine. Despite the enhanced gasoline engine performance, the vehicle achieves near diesel levels of fuel economy, but with substantially lower production costs.

    The Passat demonstrator weighs in at approximately 1,530 kg, with its upgraded battery pack and on-board test equipment adding about 79 kg to the kerb weight of the baseline vehicle. However, much of this additional mass, including the test equipment, would be eliminated in a production vehicle as well as the existing starter motor, which is made redundant by the belt-integrated starter generator.

    Figures provide the necessary validity – the LC Super Hybrid delivers CO2 emissions of less than 130 g/km compared with 140 g/km for the baseline Passat 1.4 litre TSI, which is already best in class.

    Similarly, fuel economy is a claimed 5.6 litres per 100 km, an improvement over the 6.2L/100 km for the 1.4 TSI, measured over the standard European drive cycle. Performance-wise, the LC Super Hybrid gets to 100 km/h from standstill in 8.7 seconds, an improvement of 2.5 seconds over the 1.4 TSI’s 11.1 seconds.

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  • PSA Peugeot Citroën forms alliance with GM – platform sharing, joint purchasing and development on the cards

    In Cars, Citroën, General Motors, International News, Peugeot / By / / 8 comments

    PSA Peugeot Citroën and General Motors have formed an alliance. The move will see the US carmaker buy a 7% stake in PSA as part of a share issue by the French automaker. GM says it expects to spend from $400 million to $470 million on that.

    “This partnership brings tremendous opportunity for our two companies. The alliance synergies, in addition to our independent plans, position GM for long-term sustainable profitability in Europe,” said GM CEO Dan Akerson. But “each company will continue to market and sell its vehicles independently and on a competitive basis,” the statement added.

    The scope of the alliance includes the sharing of vehicle platforms, components and modules, and the creation of a global purchasing joint venture for the sourcing of commodities, components and other goods and services from suppliers with combined annual volumes of approximately $125 billion. Bigger buyer gets better deals, as always.

    There is also talk on joint development. GM and PSA said the alliance will at first focus on small and midsize vehicles, MPVs and crossovers. The carmakers may also develop a new common platform for low emission vehicles, with the first model expected to debut in 2016.

    Cost savings from the deal will be limited in the first two years, but will eventually amount to $2 billion annually, split equally, the companies said. The deal is expected to close and take effect by the second half of this year.

    GM is certainly not new in linking up with other companies. The US carmaker had shares in Suzuki Motor Corp, Isuzu Motors and Subaru maker Fuji Heavy Industries before disposing off the stakes few years ago. In the same period, but in Europe, GM had to pay Fiat to end an unsuccessful alliance. They also flirted with Renault-Nissan before. GM’s Opel brand is not doing well at all in Europe, and this move has it in mind.

    On the other hand, Peugeot has a better track record with other carmakers, including JVs to build commercial vans with Fiat and an engine partnership with BMW. PSA also makes diesel powertrains with Ford and sells Mitsubishi models in Europe with its own face and badge.

     

  • Volkswagen Golf GTI Cabriolet – the Mk6 goes topless

    In Cars, International News, Volkswagen / By / / 16 comments

    Ah, nothing like taking the top off things to give a new spin to a venerable fave, and it was bound to happen with this one at some point. Looks like the folks at Volkswagen have decided to rip the lid off the Mk6 Golf GTI and come up with a convertible version of the hot hatch.

    Yes, the Golf GTI Cabriolet, which is making its debut in Geneva, packs in all the performance and practicality of the GTI hatchback, but adds the pleasures of open-air motoring for four, thanks to an electrically-powered fabric roof which can be folded away in just 9.5 seconds and is operable at speeds of up to 30 km/h.

    Visually, the Golf GTI Cabriolet bears all the classic GTI design cues – the radiator grille has a honeycomb structure with red edging and the GTI badge, while the front bumper incorporates a deep honeycomb air dam and distinctive vertical fog lights. A bespoke rear diffuser is framed by a chrome tailpipe on either side, and smoked LED tail lights complete the look.

    The car comes with the standard 17-inch Denver type alloys with their five prominent openings, fitted with 225/45 tyres, though an optional 18-inch Detroit wheel, with machine-polished surface and contrasting black inner surfaces, is available.

    Under the bonnet is the same 2.0 litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine as found in the hatchback, offering 210 PS and 280 Nm, mated to either a standard six-speed manual gearbox or optional six-speed DSG transmission. It’s a shade slower to the 100 km/h mark than the hatch, doing so in 7.3 seconds with either transmission (vs 6.9 seconds for the hatch), while top speed is 237 km/h.

    Under the insulated, fully automatic roof, you’ll find four individual seats covered in the classic tartan Jacky cloth upholstery, with an option to go the Vienna leather path. Elsewhere, the hood lining and roof pillar trims are finished in black.

    Safety-wise, as like all Golf Cabriolet models, the GTI Cabriolet comes with automatically deploying rollover protection, front and side head/thorax airbags and a driver’s knee airbag as standard.

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