Automotive News

Filed under: Gadgets, BMW, Volkswagen

After seeing a physics experiment where a Nintendo Wii remote (wiimote) was used as a type of pendulum, an enterprising soul thought to use the Wiimote’s 3-axis accelerometers to measure g-forces and even time acceleration runs, effectively creating a DIY g-meter gauge. The Wiimote might not be the most accurate tool for the job, but it’s reasonably good and if you happen to have a Wii and a laptop handy.

VW Vortex member Klee says that he wrote a script to collect the readings into his laptop and then fiddled with the data to get some plotted graphs to show g’s and acceleration curves. Nothing overly complicated is involved really, just a laptop with MS Excel and some basic high school physics formulae.

Not content to just get the down low on his Jetta, he also managed to convince his friend to sample an E46 M3 - purely in the name of science, you understand. The M3 was twice as quick to 60, in case you’re wondering. Click over to get the script and more technical information about how to do this for yourself.

Thanks Kevin!

[Source: VW Vortex]

 

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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Toyota

Current Prius, not the ‘08

Toyota just released pricing for most of its 2008 lineup, and along with a brief summary of model changes was information about a new, lower-cost Prius. That’s right, a cheaper Prius. We had talked about the fact that consumer clamor for hybrids was waning, but we never expected to see the Prius price reduced. Reading the fine print shows what’s really happening is that Toyota has introduced a new “standard” model with slightly less content to get to a lower price point. The base MSRP for the new Standard Prius starts at $20,950, while the Limited goes up about $150 to $23,220.

The recent JD Power finding that hybrid popularity is giving way to more interest in diesel powertrains seemed to have some merit as Toyota had said it would be trimming the entry price of its 2008 Camry Hybrid by about $1,000, as well. Although the Camry isn’t included in this release, the cheaper Prius seems to bear out that fact. The cheaper ‘08 Standard Prius should be in dealerships in August. New pricing for the other ‘08 Toyota models was also announced, and not surprisingly, all went up, even if just a bit.

Read the full press release after the jump.

[Source: Toyota via AutoblogGreen]

Continue reading Prius price drop thanks to new ‘08 Standard model

 

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Filed under: Spy Photos, Sedans/Saloons, Videos, Porsche

This might be a week old, but it’s still worth mentioning in case you haven’t seen it yet. A video of a Porsche Panamera doing some testing was posted on MotorAuthority and popped up on Auto Play as well. In it, you see the Porsche sedan sans most of its disguise cladding, being put through its paces. And better yet, you can hear it, too. As we have said before, we expect the new Porsche to be available with your choice of everything from a hybrid V6 to a twin-turbo V8 underhood.

The sound of the car under throttle can be heard at a few points and it has a wonderfully deep growl. We’d guess it’s the V8, if pressed. Porsche recently told the world that the Panamera we’ve been seeing in spy photos (and videos) isn’t necessarily the final form, perhaps deflecting some criticism of the rather awkward shape. A production version isn’t expected to be unveiled until the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, so there will likely be a lot of changes between now and then.

Video clip after the jump.

Thanks for reminding us about this, Serge!

[Source: MotorAuthority via Auto Play]

Continue reading VIDEO: Semi-naked Panamera caught in the wild

 

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Filed under: Euro, Government/Legal, Porsche, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials

The latest in Porsche-Volkswagen relations is that the sports car maker has contingencies in place to raise its stake in the VW Group, but at this point is not planning an outright takeover.

As you may recall, when Porsche recently increased its ownership in Volkswagen AG, it was bound by German law to make an offer to purchase controlling interest. The offer Porsche submitted to Volkswagen shareholders was purposely low because Porsche didn’t want to fully take over Volkswagen.

That law is now on the verge of being repealed, leaving the door open for Porsche to further increase its stake, but that doesn’t mean that it will automatically take the opportunity to further entrench the anschluss between the two companies founded by Ferdinand Porsche. If, however, Porsche’s position on the Volkswagen board is threatened, it could increase its stake up to 50-percent without any further bureaucracy and legal issues, but for now it plans on staying where it is.

[Source: Reuters]

 

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Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Nissan, Earnings/Financials, Renault

While wanting to be on the record as saying he doesn’t feel overstretched as the head of both Renault and Nissan, Carlos Ghosn admits the Japanese automaker’s recent profit slump is “disappointing.” But more importantly, he wants the world to know Nissan is still “extremely profitable.”

And yet, some thought he was biting off more than he could chew when it was announced that there would be a change at the top of Nissan’s U.S. operations. That wasn’t the case he points out, as that had been in the works for some time. Ghosn said it would be much more difficult to run both companies if they didn’t share so many elements. The dip in profits was attributed to higher costs and weak domestic sales, and the company thinks everything is just fine.

In fact, just to add a little spice into the conversation, Ghosn mentioned that he is still interested in possibly working with a major U.S. automaker. That plan didn’t get very far last year, but having a European, Japanese and American triumverate makes some sense for world economies, if nothing else.

[Source: Forbes]

 

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Filed under: Supercars, Lamborghini, Earnings/Financials

Here’s a profile of Stephan Winkelmann, head of Italian supercar builder, Lamborghini. It comes from The Times and shows us how Winkelmann has put together a pretty solid business plan to help keep Lamborghini out of the sort of financial trouble that has seemingly always been a part of the company’s reality. When Audi took control of Lamborghini at the end of 2004, Winkelmann took some time to think it over before agreeing to take the reins. Although the budget seemed modest, Lamborghini had to remain extreme, in his mind. So while the cars themselves have had to use some shared parts with their corporate brethren, they still have that certain Lambo flair. The company also added signature items to their catalog - clothing, merchandise, and accessories - that have helped spread the name.

Just before Winkelmann stepped in, the company had finally surpassed 1,000 units sold in 2003, but it wasn’t until 2004/2005 that they saw any kind of profit. Last year, they passed 2,000 vehicles sold worldwide and reported earnings of €18.1 million. That’s a far cry from the 1970s and 1980s, when selling 250 cars a year seemed fine. Looks like the Superleggera and LP640 Roadster have made ‘07 a pretty good year so far, too. And there is more to come. “We’re getting serious,” Winkelmann says. “We are not just a toy producer for men. We are a quality car company and the results will speak for themselves.”

Read the whole story to see more details about Winkelmann’s plan for the company. Hint: It doesn’t include a third (or fourth) model.

[Source: Times Online]

 

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Hatchbacks, Volvo

click above image for more high-res pics of the Volvo C30

When your average customer is a middle-aged woman and part of a family with a combined income of $140,000, how do you market to men aged between 28 to 38 and earning less than $100,000? That’s the dilemma Volvo is facing with the launch of its cool new C30 hatchback, which is supposed to target a younger more dynamic crowd compared to Volvo’s traditional customers.

There will be no TV and print advertising for the C30 at all, which we all know means any marketing money earmarked for the hatch is destined for the web. Volvo is going to start by airing three-minute-long webisodes on msn.com hosted by the guy that plays Darryl on NBC’s The Office. It’s hoping the episo… sorry, webisodes (I hate that word) will hit the sweet spot, but we doubt they will. Volvo knew it was going to have a challenge on its hands marketing the C30 in North America, mainly because of the public’s preconceived about what Volvo is. That idea clashes with the sport and youthful C30, though you can count us as fans of the new hatch.

The other major problem is the price. At $23,445, including shipping, a small hatch like the C30 was always going to be a hard sell. It doesn’t help that dealers will be less inclined to push the baby Volvo when they can make more profit on larger vehicles.

[Source: Automotive News - sub. req’d]

 

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Filed under: Japan, Crossovers/CUVs, Hatchbacks, Scion, Toyota

The JDM Toyota with the most peculiar name (it’s up against some pretty tough competition on that front), the “ist“, had a face lift and heart transplant today.

Replacing the original 2002 model, which was sold Stateside as the Scion xA, the new car is still a front wheel drive hatchback, but has taken on distinctly crossover-ish dimensions, and comes with a choice of 1.5 and 1.8 liter motors as opposed to the 1.3 and 1.5 liter line up of old. Prices are a bit below the near-identical US spec Scion xD, starting at $13,800 for a CVT equipped 1.5 but rising to almost $16,000 for the 1.8 with an electronic four speed auto.

[Source: Toyota]

 

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Filed under: Motorsports, Etc.

The Racing Network (TRN) just put out a call to motor racing fans. Well, fans of racing other than just NASCAR. Trying to gauge public interest, they have asked visitors to vote on their very existence. The question they ask is simple, if a bit wordy: “Would you be willing to: Switch from your current cable or satellite provider to the cable or satellite provider that carries the new non-NASCAR Racing Network, or add the additional cable or satellite provider in order to watch the new non-NASCAR Racing Network?”

What they are offering is “a 24/7 racing network” that’s “devoted exclusively to the NON-NASCAR race fan.” The programming would include “thousands of hours of live, historical and first run racing as well as many weekly race magazine-style shows including weekly coverage of major domestic series, [with] behind the scenes access…”

They’re talking about coverage of Open Wheel, Drag racing, Rally, GT, Touring Car, Bike Racing (road and off road ), Karting, Vintage, Rallycross, Sports Cars, Endurance, Motocross, Supermoto, Off Road/Dirt, European Truck racing, UTE racing, Hill Climb, Porsche Cup, Desert, Speedway, Adventure, Historical, Various Club programs, (Porsche, Corvette, etc), and Various manufacturer series. Sounds super to us. If it sounds like something in which you’d be interested, visit their site by clicking the Read link below and vote. Please note, they request only one vote per household.

Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: The Racing Network]

 

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Filed under: SUVs, Land Rover

Could Land Rover and Jaguar be headed to Russia? CNN Money is reporting that Group GAZ is showing some interest in purchasing the firms from Ford. Ford has said that it will entertain offers for the two British marques and although several names have been mentioned, this was the first we heard of GAZ being involved. GAZ has already denied the rumor, although it was pointed out that the company has expressed an interest in expansion. This comes almost exactly a year after GAZ first denied interest in Jaguar in a separate sale rumor.

If it is interested, GAZ would be on a list of potential suitors that includes private equity firms Cerberus and One Equity Partners, plus new entrants Tata Motors and Mahindra, as well as newcomers American equity firms TPG and Ripplewood Holdings. Of course, all of this is still contingent on Ford really committing to the idea of a sale at all. Concerns about what a sale of these prestige brands could do to Ford’s worldwide reputation are still keeping the company from serious work on a sale.

As we reported last week, Ford hasn’t given any of the bidders a complete financial picture of Jaguar and Land Rover, nor have any of the bidders even been allowed to visit the factories or speak to senior management. Potential buyers have only been told not to bid if they plan on closing factories or moving production out of Britain. We’ll keep you posted.

[Source: CNN Money]

 

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