http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=999
The fallout from GM's decision to keep Opel has claimed the job of Carl-Peter Forster, the company's chief executive of European operations.
While details are limited, it appears Forster and GM management clashed over the much-mangled deal to sell Opel to a joint-venture lead by Magna International. As you may recall, GM was going to sell a 55 percent stake in Opel but later decided the company was "vital to the success of General Motors."
According to GM President and CEO Fritz Henderson, "The Opel brand has made tremendous progress under Carl-Peter's tenure and leadership over the past several years. We thank him for his significant accomplishments and wish him only the best in the future."
For the time being, Forster is expected to be replaced by Nick Reilly (GM's executive vice president of international operations). Eventually, GM's Vice Chairman, Bob Lutz, could be tapped to fill in as interim chairman of the Opel supervisory board.
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Onyx Concept Enhances Range Rover Sport
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1000
When we last checked in with tuner firm, Concept802, they had just finished work on their Platinum S widebody upgrade kit for the Range Rover Sport. Following changes in the company's structure, Concept802 is now Onyx Concept, and they have added a few new features to go with the conversion.
In additon to the widebody conversion, Onyx has added to the mix their 14-piece interior panel kit, A&D pillars, front grill and side vents all made from 100% solid carbon fiber, not overlay or laminated parts. Onyx has added a suspension lowering system, Onyx branded TPM 22-inch wheels available in a range of offsets to suit the widebody and standard cars, and perforated buffalo hide diamond stitched leather with a range of contrasting colors. Although no details were given, Onyx also offers power upgrades for diesel and petrol models.
For the near future, Onyx is working on their Platinum V conversion for the Range Rover Vogue. They were kind enough to provide a few renderings of the package. This new edition is expected to include a redesigned bodykit constructed mainly out of carbon fiber. The renderings show alterations to the front bumper, when compared to Platinum S. Gone will be the traditional fog lights in favor of LED strips. A carbon fibre grille matches the blacked-out double-spoke TPM custom wheels. Their renderings also appears to include redesigned rear bumper, dual exhaust instead of quad, and a new rear diffuser also made from carbon fiber.
Onyx Concept plans to make the Platinum V kit available for older Vogue Range Rovers, as well as the 2010 model year. The set-up should hit the market in mid-December, with delivery to their dealers in the Russian Federation, UAE, UK, and US.
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2011 Volvo S60 First Photos Revealed
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1001
Just under a year ago Volvo released the first images of the S60 Concept car before its debut at the 2009 North American International Auto Show. Signaling an imminent reveal, a few teaser articles filtered through recently, and finally today we have these official pictures of the luxury sedan.
"The all-new Volvo S60 is sculpted to move you," says Stephen Odell, President and CEO of Volvo Cars. "It looks and drives like no other Volvo before and the car's technology will help you to be safer and more confident behind the wheel."
One of the car's biggest selling points is called the Pedestrian Detection system which as the name implies, can detect pedestrians and apply brakes automatically should the driver fail to do so in time.
"Our aim for 2020 is that no-one should be killed or seriously injured in a Volvo," said Volvo Senior Safety Advisor Thomas Broberg previously regarding the brand's overall safety strategy.
Nothing was said about engines but it can be safely assumed that turbocharging will still play a significant role. Plug-in hybrid vehicles have also been testing.
The all-new S60 will be publically unveiled at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show followed by the start of production in the summer.
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VW-Porsche Overtakes Toyota as World's No. 1
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1002
VW-Porsche has overtaken Toyota as the world's largest automaker, but the stay at the number one spot may be very temporary.
Volkswagen Group, having merged with Porsche, has had an output this year of 4.4 million units, while Toyota has produced 4 million vehicles since January 2009.
According to auto industry analysts IHS Global Insight, Volkswagen benefited from programs in Germany, the UK and China meant to spur car sales, while Toyota put the brakes on heavily during the automotive crisis that hit the industry late last year and early in 2009 and cut production substantially, slashing it almost in half from 2.1 million units to 1.1 million.
But Toyota is likely not about to cede its title for too long. After the collapse of GM, Toyota became the world's largest automaker, producing 9.24 million units in 2008. It is expected to only make about 7 million for 2009. But the Japanese automaker has a production capacity to manufacture about 10 million vehicles a year, far more than VW-Porsche. It is quite likely that once the crisis has passed, Toyota will once again be number one.
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LUMMA CLS 730 RS Released with G-POWER 537kW Kit
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1003
A German tuning/design company has just released a new performance tuning package for the BMW M5 E60. Winterlingen-based Lumma Design has been working with the engineers at G-Power on an upgrade kit to the M-badged version of the 5-series.
The result is a car that uses all 537kW horsepower of a bi-compressor V10 to reach a maximum speed of over 367 km/h. The 700Nm of torque helps the car go 0-100 km/h time in 4.2 seconds, reaching 200 km/h in just ten seconds. 300 km/h is achieved in 29.5 seconds.
The companies claim this is the "most powerful engine" ever seen on a "road-legal BMW." It is certainly a huge development over Lumma's CLR 500 RS released in 2007. That car saw a "paltry" 412kW.
Certainly, these figures require non-stock brakes. Lumma Design's own six-piston front, four-piston rear caliper brakes are used along with drilled 405mm discs. Ultralight, three-piece forged 10x21 and 12Jx21 wheels at the nose and tail look great on the 45mm lowered car.
The design package includes carbon fiber boot and bonnet, and the material is also used for the door handles, entrance sills, fenders, and mirror caps. Designers also replaced the exhaust system. Inside, carbon fiber, leather, and suede is used gratuitously. Hopefully, the color scheme chosen inside is customizable, as something more subtle than the contrasting red, white, dark grey would probably feel more appropriate.
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Lotus's Seven Year Product Plan Key Details Emerge
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1004
The Lotus Esprit replacement has apparently been given the green light. The last official Esprit came off the production line in 2004. As in previous years, brand owners Proton, plan to elevate the Lotus name with the likes of Ferrari and Porsche, and a new Esprit is the key.
As a company focused on lightweight sports cars, the British marque is said to be aiming at a power-to-weight ratio of between 205kW and 242kW per tonne which is comparable with some big German products. The car would be a third model tier with the four-cylinder Elise/ Exige and Europa as the first tier and the Evora V6 as the second tier, according to Autocar.
Another encouraging development happening at Hethel is the promotion of the new Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA), a platform engineered to suit almost any vehicle type, from sedan to SUV and anything in between. Although rumours claim Lotus is working on hybrid and electric projects for outside entities, there is no indication of in-house alternative powertrains. It is however trying to sell VVA to other small automakers as a strong but cost-effective niche solution.
2012 is the anticipated year for the launch of the tier three supercar, which will most likely not be called Esprit.
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Wheelsandmore Aston Martin DB9 Volante
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1005
German tuner Wheelsandmore has some ideas of its own for the Aston Martin DB9 convertible.
First up is a performance upgrade for the 6.0 liter V12 engine with 350 kW and 600 Nm of torque that comes with the production version. Wheelsandmore boosts that by 44 kW while adding 68 Nm of torque too. They've done so by tinkering with the ECU and adding a stainless-steel sport exhaust system with 200-cell sport catalysts and noise-volume valve control.
Suspension-lowering is part of the package with the DB9 sitting 25 mm lower.
The DB9 also gets a new body kit made of polyurethane along with side skirts, front and rear aprons and a rear lid spoiler. The convertible gets fitted with Kahn RS-V 20-inch wheels with Dunlop Sport Maxx performance tires - 255/35/20 for the front 9.0x20 rims and 285/30/20 for the 11.0×20 rear rims.
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New TechArt Performance Kit for Facelifted Porsche
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1006
As Porsche models evolve, so do the the tuners who enhance them. TechArt has added a new performance kit for the newly facelifted and uprated 997 S and 997 4S all-wheel drive model.
Identified as Power kit TA 097/S1, components include the "Racing" flap-controlled exhaust system as well as new ECU software for a slight boost in power output up to 26 kW in the upper rpm range for a new total of 309 kW.
The exhaust system includes two stainless steel racing headers with sports catalytic converters, rear muffler with exhaust flap, an exhaust flap control unit and twin oval tailpipes in high-gloss or black chrome. The exhaust flap control unit allows for standard noise volume or unrestricted race car sound from the exhaust system.
As previously seen, TechArt offers the TÜV-certified Aerokit I for the 997. Wind tunnel tested, the kit provides increased downforce over the axels via a front spoiler, side skirts, roof spoiler and adjustable rear wing. Decorative trimmings include side mirrors, headlamp surrounds and rear diffuser.
The Power kit TA 097/S1 is available with immediate effect.
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Ferrari's blown future?
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1007
Forced induction Ferraris have always been something of an oddity.
Maranello’s engine builders have always prided themselves on generating outlandish output numbers the old fashion way – with impeccable engineering and operational tolerances.
As the emission regulation clouds move in over the headquarters of performance car manufacturers across Europe, even Ferrari has been forced to reconsider its position on forced-induction.
Fanning the hopes
Turbocharging appears to be the only way forward - reconciling the need for stupendous power and acceptable emission levels.
To this end patent drawings leaked earlier this year, detailing a Ferrari dual-stage turbocharging system. It’s not as if Ferrari has no experience with turbocharging either.
During the particularly ludicrous 1980s F1 turbo-era, racetrack technology morphed into powering two of Ferrari’s most desirable cars ever – the F40 and 288 GTO – with twin-turbo V8 engines.
The reason Maranello has never bought into the turbo concept is the staggered throttle response of most turbocharged engines. Turbo lag, no matter how negligible, is simply intolerable to Ferrari.
After assessing the patent sketch and hearing Ferrari’s engine chief Jean-Jacques admit to European reporters its turbo program has been ratified, we’re pretty sure a contemporary twin-turbo Ferrari is within the very near future.
Twin-turbo with direct-injection?
The patent sketch set-up places two turbochargers in the V-split between the two banks of four-cylinders.
Considering Ferrari’s introduction of turbocharger friendly direct-injection on the California range, the engineering foundation for a switch to forced induction is undoubtedly present.
Ferrari’s turbo technology should closely shadow Porsche’s current variable-vane turbos, which provide the golden mean of producing power from low engine speeds right through to the engine’s operational peak.
One technical intervention Ferrari will not be adopting is the Fiat MultiAir variable valve system, which has massive benefits with regards to efficiency and subsequently, emission reduction.
Ferrari believes the MultiAir system’s benefits are negated at the very high engine speeds its road car engines operate at.
In other technical news regarding Maranello’s products Ferrari’s dual-clutch transmission, which is currently restricted only to V8 configuration cars, has been found suitable for deployment with the company’s V12 powered cars too.
It should effortlessly engage and disengaged gears at speeds of up to 10 000r/min. Then again, future turbocharged Ferraris would probably operate at peak engine speeds far below that threshold.
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