Automotive News

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, Economy, Hybrids/Alternative, Euro, Green, Crossovers/CUVs, Hatchbacks, GM, Opel

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The Opel Flextreme concept is GM’s European answer to the Chevy Volt, and it’s destined to be one of the stars of this year’s very green-tinged Frankfurt Motor Show. The vehicle’s name was leaked in a Financial Times article published on August 31. This breach (likely inadvertent) was subsequently reported by the enthusiast site GM-Volt.com. This evening several photos and some information on the concept were published online, which we’ll happily share.

The Flextreme sports a Euro-friendly hatchback/crossover-style body as opposed to Volt’s US-targeted sedan duds, which gives it a handy storage nook for a pair of Segways. The Segways, incidentally, are charged by the car’s onboard electrical system. It’s also got a glass panoramic roof, rear suicide doors, and rearview cameras in lieu of traditional mirrors.

Under the skin, the Flextreme and Volt are largely the same save for the engine supplying power to the generator that drives the wheels and charges the battery. The Flextreme utilizes a 1.3-liter Ecotec turbodiesel instead of the 1-liter 3-cylinder turbo E85/flex-fuel unit featured in the Volt. Like the Chevy, the Flextreme uses a lithium-ion battery pack and a front-mounted electric motor. Battery-only range on a full charge is 40 miles. When battery power has been exhausted, the diesel will kick in to supply the power that will recharge it. It’s a PHEV, so it can be charged by being plugged into an electrical outlet, too.

[Sources: Carscoop, km77, Jalopnik]

 

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09/07/2007 — Chicago. The intense golfing rivalries between Europe and the United States were to be set a new challenge during the 2007 BMW Championship with an unusual contest between a golf ball, a car and a motorbike.

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Filed under: Etc., HUMMER

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This one we’re sharing just because the photograph is pretty incredible. Taken by American Red Cross volunteer Brad Mellon and provided to us by GM, it reportedly shows one of the HUMMERs operated by the American Red Cross against the backdrop of hay fires in Seeley, CA. Our understanding is that Mr. Mellon was among the volunteers who were supporting a group of over 100 firefighters by bringing nourishment to them at the scene of a blaze over the Labor Day weekend. The photographer, Mr. Mellon, is a volunteer out of the American Red Cross San Diego/Imperial Counties Chapter.

This is the kind of thing that American Red Cross volunteers do all around the country. Any time is a good time to show your support for them by making a donation.

Donation information can be found here.

[Sources: GM, American Red Cross]

 

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Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford

A lot of air has escaped Ford’s balloon, and it’s launching a new advertising campaign to spread the word about its lineup. Instead of some gimmicky pitchman like Honda’s dreadful and annoyingly drawn “Mr. Opportunity,” or the mustachioed Dr. Z of the company formerly known as DaimlerChrysler, Ford’s using the endorsements of regular folks to shill their wares. Testimonials carry weight, and Ford wanted to get unvarnished opinions without interfering. A fake market research firm was set up to act as a go-between and collect reactions from people who traded in for a week the car they’d just bought for a new Ford vehicle. Needless to say, the commercials are enthusiastic endorsements of Dearborn’s offerings.

Alan Mulally reportedly took a lead role in getting Ford’s new “Swap My Ride” campaign underway, and has kept an eye on Ford’s advertising since arriving. It’s not enough to whip the actual product into shape, but customers have to be made aware that the automaker’s been making an effort. Sure, much of the magic of thirty-second spots is made in editing, but as I sit here watching one of the spots, they’re well done (not that I’d expect anything less from powerhouse agency JWT), and Ford’s current lineup is strong enough to warrant a look. Hey, a ruse is no worse than that Lexus narrator guy who sounds addled on quaaludes, or Land Rover’s breathy Taiko drum extravaganzas.

Hit the jump for the press release and watch the campaign’s launch spot

[Source: NYTimes]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ford fools people into telling the truth

 

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Filed under: Green, Tech, Hatchbacks, PSA

Michelin has created a new tire as part of the development of the Peugeot 308. The Energy Saver uses a specially-developed rubber composite, and Michelin claims the tire reduces rolling resistance by 20% in both 15- and 16-inch sizes. Tire testing was carried out by TÜV SÜD Automotive, which measured the Michelin’s performance to that of the top six competitor tires. The Energy Saver is also said to have the same durability as Michelin’s other tires.

The tire will come standard on two 308 models, the 90 HDI and the 110 HDI 308s, both high mileage diesels, and Peugeot will be the exclusive maker to use it until February 2008. In addition to the gas savings because of its lower rolling resistance, the tire is also said to lower a car’s CO2 emissions by 4g per kilometer. We’ll find out soon enough if the claims have real-world merit — and real world savings — but we welcome all such efforts where the rubber meets the road.

[Source: Michelin]

 

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Filed under: Hirings/Firings, Ford

Alan Mulally took over as Ford’s CEO one year ago this month, and some of you may be wondering how he’s doing. Business Week magazine says he’s doing pretty good, actually, despite a 16% decline in sales last month, a stock price less than the cost of a used CD and the piecemeal selloff of PAG.

BW says Mulally gets an “A” in Profit and Loss for helping Ford earn a $750 million profit in the second quarter, even though the company expects a loss for the this year and next as well.

In Restructuring, Mulally slips to a “B,” mostly because BW’s author questions the decision to sell Volvo, and speculates that Ford’s newish CEO wants badly to shut down the Mercury division. The article says that would be an expensive move that wouldn’t be much of a gain for Ford.

As for Product, Mulally earns another “A” for better sharing of platforms and the work Ford is doing with its Australian arm on rear-wheel-drive cars.

Overall, Mulally gets an “A-” average, with his worst grade coming in Personnel, an area where BW says the CEO should at least consider bringing in some high-profile outside talent to round out his management team. We suppose Chrysler would get an “A” in that class.

[Source: Business Week]

 

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Filed under: Audio, Gadgets, Trends, I.C.E., Tech

Siemens and Microsoft have announced a joint partnership to develop the next generation of in-car entertainment and sat-nav products, which, much like the Ford/Microsoft Sync system, will allow users to connect everything from mobile phones to media players. Recognizing that standalone audio systems are quickly becoming a thing of the past, the new system seeks to integrate every facet of the “digital lifestyle” into one all-encompassing unit. The fruits of their labors should be in production by 2009, assuming all goes well over in Redmond.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

 

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Auto Show, Motorsports, Green, Ford

While we’re a bit weary of the green-theme that seems to be pervading the Frankfurt Motor Show, this latest preview seems to meld both environmental aspects and performance offerings into one cohesive package. Germany’s FourMotor will be showing off its BioConcept Mustang GT RTD to the masses next week, although the moniker “concept” doesn’t quite do it justice, as the GT RTD has already competed in the 24-hour endurance race at the Nurburgring.

Powering the concept is a turbo’d two-liter in-line four running off of bio-diesel, which produces 280 hp and 369 lb.-ft. of torque. The chassis is still pure Americana, but the stock steel body panels have been nixed in favor of a plastic composite made of plant fibers to reduce weight and lend credence to the GT’s environmental cred. Hmm… a turbocharged, four-cylinder diesel Mustang. We’re perfectly OK with that.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via Motor Authority]

 

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Filed under: Sports/GTs, Euro, Supercars

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It might look very similar to the Zonda F it’s replacing, but in truth, there’s only about 10% carryover from Horacio Pagani’s previous creation to his latest. No matter. Awesome is awesome, regardless of everything else, and the Zonda R belongs next to the term in the dictionary. As these latest computer renderings show, the carbon fiber-bodied Zonda R looks like some kind of formidable stealth weapon. Unfortunately for drivers, it most certainly is NOT invisible to radar, and this 7.3-liter, 750 horsepower, 523 lb-ft beast is more than capable of lighting up police-issue units with ridiculous numbers. Power is directed to the wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox. Autogespot puts the price at around €2 Million, which means it will be garage ornamentation for a very select few.

This thing looks like it could go out and compete at Le Mans out of the box. For €2,000,000, maybe Pagani should throw in a pit crew, too. Enjoy the five new renderings like the one above that we’ve added to the gallery.

[Source: Autogespot]

 

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Filed under: Chrysler

Bob Nardelli, Chrysler LLC’s new chief-exec and chairman, made it clear today in his first public speech that Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep are safe, but some of the products in the automaker’s lineup may face the axe in the near future. Addressing the Automotive Press Association today, Nardelli talked about the future of Chrysler, its brands and the recent high-profile hires of Jim Press and Phil Murtaugh. Restructuring the ailing automaker will involve some tough decisions on the product front, and Nardelli made it clear that, “We have to look very hard at some of the product within those brands.” We’re hoping that the Jeep Compass is euthanized first. What say you?

Top tip Peter!

[Source: CNN Money]

 

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