Tuesday, April 20, 2010

Bmw may halt production at its U.S. factory due to the volcanic ash cloud

2010 Bmw X6If the volcanic ash cloud interrupts trans-Atlantic flights for another two days, BMW will be compelled to stop production at its US factory.

In an interview, spokesman Mathias Schmidt said that its Spartanburg, South Carolina plant, which builds the X5 and X6 sport-utility vehicles, gets its transmissions and other components from Germany factories by air. The April 14 eruption of Iceland’s Eyjafjallajökull volcano spewed dust across Europe’s airspace, causing about 63,000 flights in airports from Dublin to Moscow to be canceled. The International Air Transport Association said that the canceled flights are costing carriers up to $300 million in lost revenue each day. In its Web site, BMW said that its sole US factory, which started operating in 1994, has a capacity of about 600 vehicles a day. BMW officers also canceled a press trip to visit its factory in Shenyang, China, due to the air-travel restrictions.

2010 Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break Concept breaks cover

Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break ConceptAs we said in this post, Mercedes-Benz unveiled its new Shooting Break concept car ahead of the Beijing Auto Show, a new vehicle that previews the upcoming CLS Shooting Break.

The new car uses the new design line introduced by the F800 Style Concept unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show but also shows elements which are mindful of the SLS AMG super sports car such as the radiator grille, with the large star and eye-catching, bionic slats. The new grille is situated between the two LED headlamps, which feature the LED technology for all of the usual dynamic light functions. The design is complemented by the 20-inch sterling silver wheels, featuring a special bionically arranged five-spoke filigree design and wrapped in 255/30 ZR 20 tyres on the front and 285/25 ZR 20 tyres on the rear.

Citroen Metropolis Concept: official photos, details and specs

Citroen Metropolis ConceptThese are the first images that have come out of Citroen’s Metropolis concept, a big luxury saloon that will debut at the Shanghai Expo next month. At 5.3 meters long and being as wide as Maybach 62, the Metropolis is larger than a long-wheelbase Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The Metropolis is expected to appeal to a whole new market for Citroen. As a brief background, the Metropolis is the first car to be styled and created by the PSA Group’s Shanghai design studio. The themes used are from the Hypnos concept, such as the wide Citroen double chevron in the grille, the air intakes ahead of the front wheels and very similar door mirrors.

Friday, April 9, 2010

2010 Volkswagen T5 Multivan

TRANSMISSIONS: 5- or 6-speed manual, 7-speed dual-clutch automated manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 118.1–133.9 in
Length: 192.6–208.3 in
Width: 75.0 in Height: 77.6 in
Curb weight (mfr’s est): 4400–5000 lb

PERFORMANCE (MFR'S EST):
Zero to 62 mph: 11.4–22.2 sec
Top speed: 117 mph

FUEL ECONOMY:
European combined cycle: 22–32 mpg

Infiniti’s G series will receive a Mercedes-Benz engine

2010 Infiniti G37 Coupe

Infiniti’s G series

Under the terms of the global alliance between Daimler AG and Renault-Nissan, Infiniti’s G series will be getting a Mercedes-Benz engine.

The G series, which represents Infiniti’s highest-volume line, will use a Mercedes inline four-cylinder from Daimler to improve fuel economy and curb emissions, according to Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Renault SA and Nissan Motor Co. Ghosn didn’t say when production of the engine will begin or at what extent this engine will replace Japanese-made four-cylinder and V-6 engines used in the G sedan and coupe. In some C-class cars in Europe, Mercedes uses a 1.8-liter four-liter engine.

Chinese sales of the Honda CR-V hit a record high in the SUV market

2010 Honda CR-V

Honda CR-V

Sales of the new Honda CR-V in March hit a record high in the SUV market, having sold nearly 12,000 units, according to a report by Dongfeng Nissan.

The overall sales increase was also able to raise Dongfeng Honda sales to 23573 units, a new monthly high. Being able to sell 12,000 units per month of a single vehicle model may not appear to be a monumental achievement in China’s car market but it truly is an astounding feat for the small SUV market. According to numerous dealer shops and from the sales personnel, the number of customers almost doubled at the end of March. This upsurge is attributed to the obvious advantages of the new CR-V.

Thursday, April 1, 2010

2010 BMW 5-series Touring

2010 BMW 5-series Touring

2010 BMW 5-series Touring

2010 BMW 5-series

2010 BMW 5-series Touring

2010 BMW 5-series Touring

2010 BMW 5-series Touring

2010 BMW 5-series Touring

2010 BMW 5-series Touring

2010 BMW 520d Touring

Over the last 25 years or so, the story of station wagons in the U.S. has been a sad one. Sales plunged with the advent of the minivan in the early/mid 1980s, and the wagon’s fate was seemingly cemented when—of all things—the SUV picked up buyers tired of the sliding-door stigma.

It's not as if there‘s a shortage of capable station wagons on the global market. As you probably know, European customers often prefer spacious five-door wagons over the executive sedans on which they are based. Three of the most popular and luxurious models are the Audi A6 Avant, the BMW 5-series Touring (known here as the Sports Wagon), and the Mercedes-Benz E-class wagon. To renew the fight in Europe—but not here, since this Bimmer won’t be imported to the U.S.—BMW will launch its next-gen 5er Touring at the Leipzig, Germany, auto show in early April.

It‘s a pity that we won’t get it, because the look of the new Touring is an improvement over that of its funky predecessor; the new model is almost coupe/fastback-like, and it’s even more elegant than the handsome if somewhat bland sedan. Furthermore, it is certainly easier on the eye than the chunky 5-series Gran Turismo.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco and Cruze RS

2011 Chevrolet Cruze RS

2011 Chevrolet Cruze RS

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco

The valiant mission of the 2011 Cruze Eco is to realize the magic 40-mpg highway fuel-economy number, thus giving Chevrolet a Cruze that offers what it calls hybrid-like efficiency without the expense of actually making a Cruze hybrid. (That, in a way, is the Volt, which utilizes Cruze architecture.) The Eco model pairs the 138-hp, 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with a six-speed manual transmission packed with what are likely to be some pretty tall ratios. An optimized axle ratio helps stretch the Eco model’s legs. And low-rolling-resistance tires also come along for the ride (if not the handling).

Automotive minutae-philes may remember that Chevy also pulled those same stunts to squeak an extra three to five mpg from the Cruze’s predecessor, the Cobalt, with its XFE model. With the Cruze Eco, however, aerodynamics have been made a bigger priority, resulting in less open space within the upper grille and a lower-grille shutter that closes at higher speeds to reduce drag. And—get this—the Eco model rides on a dropped suspension. Equipped thus, and riding on unique—and not altogether unattractive—multispoke 17-inch wheels, the Eco model actually winds up being one of the nicest-looking Cruze models we’ve yet seen.

Pure Luxury-Porsche Cayenne

Porsche CayennePorsche is a symbol of status, class, and luxury. With its unrelenting reputation, the Porsche Cayenne does not disappoint. The Cayenne is a mid-size luxury SUV for the sports car fanatic. Rather than your run of the mill sports utility vehicle, the Cayenne is powerful, sexy, and luxurious. It is a posh alternative to the mini van or other mid size SUVS.

The 2010 base model exemplifies sheer power with a 3.6 -liter, 290 horsepower, V6 engine. However, this is only the start. As one climbs the Porsche Cayenne luxury ladder the power climbs as well. The Cayenne S boasts a 4.8-liter, 385 horsepower, V8 engine. From there, it gets even better. The Cayenne GTS offers a 4.8 -liter, 405-horsepower, V8 engine, while the Turbo comes with a 4.8-liter, 500-horpsepower V8 twin-turbocharged engine. In addition, the Turbo S includes a whopping 550 horsepower! This power is almost unparalleled in any other SUV.

With its astonishing power also comes pure luxury and class. The Porsche Cayenne has a sexy, refined, and sophisticated style for those would rather be driving a sports car. The 2010 GTS Design Edition 3 model is equipped with racing stripes and tinted windows. The DE3 also features blacked out bi-xenon headlights, color matched 21-inch wheels, and an extended roof-mounted spoiler, all of which add to its menacing exterior.