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Peugeot to introduce small “double bubble roof” sports car based on the upcoming Peugeot 208?

November 22, 2009 at 7:21 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Peugeot, Rumours

Peugeot RCZ
New baby sportscar will be smaller version of the RCZ, which is based on the 308

It seems that engine technology cannot keep up with high fuel prices (you will of course get a big improvement when you jump from petrol to diesel) and the logical solution is to go for smaller and lighter cars to reduce fuel consumption. When this happens to consumer buying decisions, manufacturers have to be ready with downsized versions of traditional bodytypes. That is why Land Rover created the compact LRX.

It is also why we now hear news of a new Peugeot 208 RCZ that will be released when the 208 range replaces the current 207 range. The 208 RCZ will basically be a downsized version of the 308 RCZ. A sporty baby coupe with a small and frugal engine will compete with a new range of small sports cars like the Honda CRZ, the MINI Coupe/Roadster, and the supposedly upcoming Prius Coupe and BMW Z2. Things used to be this way in the past – look at the Mazda MX5. Mazda still sells the MX5 from the past with bits and pieces changed and updated along the way and of all the sudden the MX5 is very relevant again.

Source – AutoExpress has artist’s impressions based on the Hyundai Veloster.

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Europestar develops own styling for GEN2

November 2, 2009 at 2:16 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Malaysian Makes, Proton, Rumours, Spyshots

Proton Rover 75

The sohu source seems quite certain that this is a Proton/Europestar car. One possibility that I can think of is this could be a Chinese market only car that Proton, Lotus and Europestar are working on together.

UPDATE: Thanks to all readers that pointed this out – this is a restyled Proton GEN2 for Europestar. More updates later – Source
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Cabrio version of the Panamera being developed?

October 9, 2009 at 2:05 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Porsche, Rumours

Porsche Panamera Cabriolet

Porsche insiders have revealed that a convertible version of the Panamera is coming up, and it will have its two rear doors dropped to increase chassis rigidity, making up for the lack of a roof. Porsche also wants to minimize the weight of the extra chassis reinforcements needed, which would swell up if it also had to make up for the fact that it had four doors.

Official statements from the company have been vague so far although they definitely point in a positive direction. “We have a broad range of 14 derivatives of the 911 that are very successful. So it stands to reason we should diversify the lineup for the Panamera as well,” said Porsche development chief Wolfgang Duerheimer. According to the insiders, the premium of having a convertible roof should add about 11,000 Euros to the roofed version’s price.

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Some details on the next generation 3-Series

August 7, 2009 at 9:16 am By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Rumours

BMW 3-Series

Here’s some details from Autocar UK on BMW’s next generation bread and butter – the replacement for the E90 BMW 3-Series set to be launched for the 2011 model year. No doubt some of this may be just conjecture on Autocar’s part, but here’s the list anyway:

  • The 4-cylinder engine will finally be replaced by a turbocharged unit, but Autocar is suggesting 3-cylinder engines will be used. The idea of an inline-3 in a 3-series is a little bleh though, what’s wrong with just downsizing to a small 4-cylinder and then turbo-ing it? But there’s no doubt that mechanically the inline-3 engine will likely be competent.
  • Greater care for aerodynamics, such as the use of narrow and upright intakes in the front bumper to channel the air through the bumper and out of a slot in the wheel well that pushes and smoothens the airflow across the face of the wheel.
  • The chassis will have provisions for an integrated motor assist kind of system for the rear axle. Space also needs to be designed for batteries and control units related to hybrid systems.
  • The 8-speed auto will find its way into the whole BMW range, with the 7-speed twin clutch reserved for sports models only. Though there has been improvements of leaps and bounds to computer-clutched transmissions, a real auto will always be smoother than a twin clutch.
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Volkswagen to take up 10% stake in Suzuki?

June 28, 2009 at 10:27 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Rumours, Suzuki, Volkswagen

Suzuki Alto

A German magazine reported last week that Volkswagen is looking to take up a 10% stake in Japanese carmaker Suzuki. Taking up stake and collaborating with the Japanese company in various areas such as network and product collaboration will allow Volkswagen to enter the Indian market with more success than they currently are having. Suzuki currently dominates the Indian market through the local JV, Maruti Suzuki.

The small little cars that Suzuki and Daihatsu are so good at building at seems to be a secret art that no one else can master. Most of the time the cars come out too cramped as there is not very efficient use of space, or they end up being too costly to manufacturer and price at the appropriate price tag that it needs to have.

Suzuki could benefit from Volkswagen’s technologies such as various fuel-saving tech such as FSI, TSI, TDI diesel and even hybrid tech, and Volkswagen could definitely use Suzuki’s access in India, and perhaps its K-car platforms in case it wants to do something smaller than the NSF (the Up! concepts – future Lupo).

Either way, investors seem to think positively of such a deal, as Suzuki shares went up by nearly 7.7% before settling down up 5.5% at 2,195 Japanese Yen.

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Rumour: Daimler to buy stake in Porsche?

June 21, 2009 at 12:42 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Mercedes Benz, Porsche, Rumours

Panamera
An early spyshot of the Panamera… disguised with W203 peanut headlamps!

With the industry being the way it is now, there have been plenty of talks about this or that brands being sold here and there, and of mergers, alliances, and share swaps.

The latest are rumours that Daimler, who have also been said to possibly do a stake swap with BMW, is in deep talks since the end of May 2009 to take up a stake in Porsche. This was according to a German business magazine called “manager magazin“.

Despite achieving things like owning a large amount of Volkswagen Group shares, Porsche is currently in debt (likely thanks to the Volkswagen stake buys) and has asked for German state aid while in talks to sell a stake to Qatar via the Qatar Investment Authority. Its debt tripled to 9 billion Euros after it raised its Volkswagen stake to 50.8% earli this year.

A Daimler AG spokesperson dismissed the report as speculation, while spokespersons from Porsche and Volkswagen said they were not aware if there were such talks.

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Ford to bring back the Ford Capri?

May 10, 2009 at 7:18 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Concept Cars, Ford, Rumours

Ford Capri

What better time for rumours of a revival of the Ford Capri to surface than the year of the 40th anniversary of the Ford Capri coupe. The Capri was born in 1969 and production ended in 1986, with a total of 3 generations built and sold.

Ford Capri
Click for enlarge image

Ford can take an idea or two from the Volkswagen stables. After all, they made a new Scirocco from the Golf platform, so Ford could easily produce a new Capri from the global Focus platform if they wanted to.

They seem to be already heading that “more models than before from one platform” way by spawning the S-MAX and the Kuga, both new models that are variations of the Focus platform.

Ford Capri
Click for enlarge image

In fact Ford just issued a long release with many product shots and a history of the Capri a few weeks ago, as if hinting to us that a new Capri concept will be shown this year. Of course the company’s last modern interpretation of the Capri was the Ford Visos Concept back in 2003, of which pictures you can find after the jump.

The shots in this article is an artist’s rendering by Theophilus Chin in line with Ford’s new “Kinetic Design” styling.
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Porsche Panamera Coupe: a 928 successor?

April 24, 2009 at 12:42 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Porsche, Rumours

Porsche 928
Click image to enlarge – artist’s impression by Theophilus Chin

The only front engine Porsches sold right now are the Cayenne and the new Panamera, which are SUV and 4-door models respectively.

Looking at how other luxury marques are having success selling front engine sports coupe models such as Aston Martins and the Ferrari 599 GTB Fionaro, Porsche is rumoured to be bringing back the 928.

Front engine cars like this offer the possibility of a larger boot space to enhance the vehicle’s tourer functions – the 599 has 320 litres while the Aston Martin V12 Vantage has 300 litres. In comparison, the 911 Turbo only has 105 litres of luggage space.

A modern day 928 would essentially be a two-door short wheelbase coupe version of the Porsche Panamera. It could be called the Panamera Coupe or get a new name.
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Mercedes-Benz: no new CLK AMG car!

April 15, 2009 at 1:33 am By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Mercedes Benz, Rumours

E-Class Coupe

According to the latest scoop from Autocar, there will be no new CLK63 AMG, or rather the E-Class Coupe AMG since the CLK has been replaced by the E-Class Coupe. You see, the CLK has always been somewhat an odd product, as it looks like an E-Class coupe (shown above) but was based on C-Class underpinings, until the latest version of course where not only it is based on the E-Class, Mercedes-Benz decided to rename it to an E-Class coupe to better reflect its new positioning.

“We had a good look where it would fit into the line-up and eventually came to the conclusion it would be too close to the CLS63 AMG, both in positioning and price,” said a Mercedes-Benz source. That is quite true actually, as the E-Class Coupe and CLS are both “coupe” versions of the E-Class, just that the CLS has its own unique styling and 4-doors. But still, it doesn’t really make sense.

At that sort of price levels, exclusivity and profit margins, who are they to deny a potential customer from his very own proper 2-door (instead of CLS 4-door) D-segment AMG car if he wanted it? I bet it will happen sooner or later. And isn’t the E-Class AMG so much closer to the upcoming new CLS AMG, hint hint: 4 doors?!
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BMW developing powerful tri-turbo diesel engine?

April 11, 2009 at 4:30 am By Paul Tan Filed Under BMW, Cars, Rumours

BMW X5 M

The fact that there is now an SUV in the BMW M line-up opens a door to a whole lot of new possibilities, including the potential of a high performance M diesel SUV or a high performance diesel version of the X5/X6 that’s as powerful as M cars but without the badge, if they want to keep that last remaining bits of exclusivity.

After all, even though the Cayenne Diesel has specs that are abit of a bore, the most powerful Audi Q7 is the Audi Q7 V12 TDI.

The latest rumours to hit the web is the development of a tri-turbo diesel for this high performance diesel BMW X5 which could produce 354 horsepower and nearly 800Nm of torque. BMW’s star diesel powerplant right now is the all-aluminium N57B30 which makes 245 PS and 540Nm of torque.

Its most powerful diesel is a V8 from the E65/E66 745d, making 329 hp and 750Nm of torque. The tri-turbo diesel could slot above the 730d as an upmarket diesel model in the new F01/F02 7-Series. But all of these figures are still short of the Q7 V12′s 500 PS and collosal 1000Nm.

Tri-turbo engines are not new, though I’m not sure if any made it to production there are companies who have showcased concept engines. One of the more recent examples that also so happens to be a diesel is the concept Mercedes-Benz SLK320 CDI Tri-Turbo which had a V6 diesel engine with 2 small turbos that connected to 1 large turbo. It made 286hp and 628Nm of torque. It never went into production because engineers said it was too expensive.

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