http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1632
German auto maker Daimler wants to gain market leadership among premium vehicles in the small car segment as a way to overtake rivals Volkswagen-owned Audi and BMW.
"We are market leaders with our S, E and C-class limousines. So it is obvious which market position we are due in the small premium car segment," Zetsche told the Financial Times in an interview published on Monday.
"When it comes to revenues and profits, we are clearly leading BMW and Audi. This is the position that we want to maintain and expand," he said.
The German executive said Daimler was approached by General Motors and was in talks with Volkswagen as well as Fiat about possible alliances before it decided to conclude a tie-up with Renault last month.
Zetsche said Daimler had spoken to Fiat, VW and BMW, and had also been approached by Japanese rivals and GM, amongst others.
"There has hardly been any car maker that has not approached us. But we have come to the clear judgment that this [Renault] is definitely the best option."
Partners Nissan Motor Co and Renault and Daimler announced in April a broad strategic cooperation in the field of engine and vehicle development.
Daimler wants to achieve its operating profit margin of 10% by the second half of 2012, the Financial Times reported.
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Hennessey delivers first 2011 Venom GT
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Hennessey has delivered the first Venom GT to a customer in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
While the company declined to identify the owner, John Hennessey stated "This is the fulfillment of a dream that I have had since I was a kid, but it is also just the beginning as we begin to demonstrate the performance capabilities of the Venom GT in the near future."
Based on the Lotus Elise / Exige, the Venom GT features a twin-turbo V8 with 895 kW and 1537 Nm of torque. It enables the 1,220 kg supercar to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 2.4 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 440 km/h.
The mid-range model also uses the twin-turbo V8, but develops 768 kW and 1216 Nm of torque. This allows the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 2.9 seconds, 0-200 km/h in 7 seconds, and 0-300 km/h in 14.9 seconds. Unfortunately, the company didn't divulge the top speed.
The entry-level Venom GT features a supercharged 6.2-liter LS9 V8, from the Corvette ZR1, which churns out 541 kW. While no additional specifications were released, it will likely outgun the Vette.
Other goodies include carbon fiber bodywork (with a drag coefficient of 0.36 and 0.43, the latter with the rear wing raised), a six-speed Ricardo manual transmission, Brembo brakes (with 15.0 x 1.34 carbon ceramic rotors), and an adjustable KW coilover suspension.
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New Astra OPC to receive 224kW
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According to a recent report, the Opel Astra OPC will finally become a legitimate competitor to the Ford Focus RS.
While details are limited, Autocar is reporting the high performance Astra will feature a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 224 kW. If they are correct, the new engine will boast 47 kW more than its predecessor.
Unlike the Insignia OPC, the Astra will continue to be front-wheel driven. This means GM will likely equip the car with an electronic differential to help alleviate torque steer.
Expected to go on sale in late 2011, the hot hatch will likely wear an aggressive body kit with revised bumpers, flared wheel arches, and a roof-mounted spoiler.
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Saab 92 could share BMW / MINI platform
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Word is that BMW and Saab are in talks regarding possible cooperation when it comes to the upcoming Saab 92 mini car. Note the absence of a hyphen between the 9 and 2. That is part of the brand's new naming strategy for future models like the 93 and 94X.
According to sources close to the matter, the two companies are discussing ways of sharing parts and technologies for such a car. It is said BMW would supply Saab with the MINI platform, engines and gearboxes for what will clearly be a competitive car. The inspiration for the baby 92 would be the teardrop-shaped car made between 1949 and 1956. It is expected to be about 10 percent bigger than the MINI.
New Saab owner Spyker aims to sell at least 30,000 units per annum when it comes to market between 2012 and 2014, with optimistic forecasts even predicting yearly volumes of 60,000 or half of Saab's total volume.
Spyker CEO Victor Muller believes the recession has offered the best opportunity for smaller companies like his to collaborate with the bigger boys who are actively looking at slashing production costs by sharing more of their closely-guarded proprietary technologies than ever before.
Both Saab and BMW executives did not comment on the possible tie-up. However, Muller did reveal that an announcement would be made within the next three months.
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Porsche Product plan up to 2012 leaked
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1636
Details of Porsche's product plans for the next couple of years have been leaked from a sales meeting. And it looks like Porsche is indeed pushing boldly ahead with its plans to grow its sales to over 150,000 units by 2014.
Although the leaked details do not say, it seems the dates involved refer to a timetable for U.S. releases.
The list begins with the recently announced V6 Panamera model for June 2010, along with the Cayenne V8 and Turbo, and goes on to cover future products headed down the pike for Porsche aimed at expanding its sales.
Coming in September and October will be the Cayenne V6 and the Cayenne Hybrid, respectively. Later in the year will come a special, limited series (100 units) of the 911 Speedster (wide-body) with 300 kW.
In late 2010 or early 2011 the GT2 RS will go on sale. A Carrera GTS wide-body with 300 kW is due in the spring. At the same time will also come the Spyder-like Cayman with 243 kW.
The big enchilada, though, will be the much anticipated 918 Spyder, which is not yet production-ready but will be given a clandestine introduction to invited guests only at the Pebble Beach Concours d-Elegance in August. A non-refundable deposit is required to order the car once it gets the green light for production.
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StopTech BMW M3
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1637
APP Automotive has unveiled a modified BMW M3 called the StopTech Trackday Edition.
As the name implies, the car is outfitted with high performance brakes from StopTech. For this particular application, the company chose the STR braking system which is made of forged aluminum and features anodized 6-piston calipers (with two-piece 380x35mm discs) up front and four-piston calipers with 355x32mm discs in the rear. Thanks to this setup, the M3 has an amazing deceleration rate of -13.4 meters per second.
Of course a tuner car can't be all about brakes, so APP wrapped it in matt titanium silver foil and installed a KW Club Sport suspension, a titanium exhaust (which weighs 23 kg less than the standard unit), and 19-inch ATS 'Race Light' wheels (each one weighs 1.5 kg less than a stock wheel) with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires.
Under the hood, the engine is modified to produce 331 kW and 440 Nm - an increase of 22 kW and 40 Nm of torque.
No word on availability or pricing, but kudos to APP for a job well done.
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