skip to main |
skip to sidebar
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1730
In October, at this year’s Paris motor show, Lotus is set to unveil a raft of new models.
Chief amongst these will be a new premium level car to compete with the likes of Porsche’s 911 and Ferrari’s 458.
It is a badly kept secret that this new ‘large’ Lotus will essentially revive the Esprit – if not in name, most definitely in spirit (excuse the pun).
Despite these range expansion plans, Lotus is not in great shape though.
Despite boasting some of the most impeccable engineering available, Lotus caters for a very small market niche of committed customers.
A product portfolio of hardcore cars - which eschew most comfort and convenience features - has made the brand a darling of the automotive press corps and neutral observers, but has hardly shored up sales volumes.
With a new management team in place Lotus has been given a timeframe by holding company Proton in which to dramatically increase sales or face termination.
The company’s new boss is former Ferrari man Danny Bahar. In an attempt to gear the brand for its readmission into the premium performance car segment, Bahar has issued termination letters to all European Lotus dealers.
This move allows all dealers a two and a half year run of their current agreement with Lotus.
If they wish to continue retailing Hethel’s cars any agreement will be subject to a strict list of Lotus mandated improvements. Essentially this state of affairs means if you wish to retail Lotus products in future you’ll need to be in possession of a pretty swanky dealership, requiring considerable investment.
"Our future plans and product strategy are very exciting," said a Lotus spokesperson, "and we need a dealer network that can meet the demands of that strategy."
Lotus remains the only manufacturer able to call upon a motorsport heritage which includes an Indy 500 win, F1 World Championship and WRC title. Bahar is intent on chasing down sales by capitalising on this unique motorsport heritage - and only wants a calibre of dealer onboard who can share his vision.
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1729
The luxury sales race is tightening as Audi, BMW, and Mercedes are duking it out for top honors.
So far, it's been a bloody campaign. Audi and BMW have been in a constant war of words (with billboards, commercials and dealership shenanigans) but in terms of sales, the Bavarian is king. For the first half of the year, BMW managed to sell 585,755 vehicles while Audi moved 554,950 units.
Watching quietly in the background, Mercedes had an ace in the hole - the new E-Class. Strong demand caused June sales to surge to a record setting 113,300 units, which pushed their yearly sales total to 556,700. This means the tri-star brand outsold their four-ringed competitor by 1,750 units - a slim margin, but one they'll gladly take.
More interestingly, despite the economic downturn, all three brands posted increased year-to-year sales (over 2009): Audi climbed 19.1%, Mercedes soared 15.2%, and BMW gained 14.1%. Audi's stellar performance was prompted, in part, by strong demand in China which has overtaken Germany as the brand's most important market.
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1728
The team at German tuning outfit RDX Racedesign have created a sporty and dynamic package for the Volkswagen Scirocco. Using thermoplastic for new body parts, the company did their best to keep weight low.
For the Scirocco, the company developed an aerodynamic kit that includes a new, TUV-certified front spoiler, subtly redesigned sidesills with grille elements built in at the rear, and a rear bumper extension with diffuser and mesh. Also added at the back is a new TUV-certified roof spoiler.
All of the body parts combine for a cost of €686. However, it may be worth spending the extra €49 for the darkened headlight covers, which look terrific against the dark three-door. All of the parts are available on any trim level Scirocco, and the company lets dissatisfied buyers return any parts within two weeks of delivery.
With the relatively low price, and the two-year warranty, there will certainly be several Scirocco customers giving a call to RDX Racedesign.
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1727
Citroën has announced plans to offer WiFi internet connectivity on the C3, C3 Picasso, C4, C4 Picasso, C5, C6 and DS3.
Priced from £545 (including installation and a VAT of 17.5%), the 'WiFi On Board' system creates a wireless network in the vehicle. To do this, users install a 3G or 3G+ SIM card (which is available from all major internet / cell phone providers) and turn the device on.
While everything seems simple enough, Citroën decided to make the system unique by adding a roaming override function. When traveling, the device can deactivate itself - when roaming - to prevent users from racking up excessive data charges.
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1726
REVOZPORT has unveiled a new styling package for the Volkswagen Golf R.
Dubbed the Razor R, the package features a ventilated hood, a revised grille, a front splitter, and aggressive side skirts. Other goodies include a modified rear bumper, a rear diffuser, a rear spoiler, and carbon fiber mirror casings.
All components are constructed out of carbon fiber (except the hood, which is a carbon / Kevlar composite) and are now available for order.
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1725
German tuning firm Abt Sportsline will be revealing a new package of upgrades for the Audi A1 on July 28. The company says they will release spec sheets, photos, and an online configurator shortly after.
Look for the A1 to get significant performance upgrades, as the company says the vehicle "flies out of the blocks," according to a press release. The vehicle will receive new "suspension components, dynamic aluminium wheels and other sports accessories," the company says.
To help get customers excited for the launch, the tuning firm will post three different designs versions of the car on their Facebook page. Fans can vote on their favorite design from July 28 to August 11. Designs to be presented include the "cool Aloha," the "evil High Voltage," and the "funny and charming ... Klecks."
You will be able to see photos and get details of the tuning job right here as soon as they become available.
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1724
Ohio-based engineers at Switzer Performance have released a new version of their P800 kit capable of working with the 997 Turbo's Tiptronic transmission. The transmission, normally only capable of handling up to 522 kW, was totally rebuilt and modified to handle more power.
"When we released our P800 kit for the 997 Turbos, which makes over 597 kW, we were forced to limit sales to manual-transmission cars," said company chief Tym Switzer in a press release. "This didn't satisfy the customers who wanted the kind of ultimate straight-line performance that the Tiptronic can offer, and, to be frank, it didn't satisfy us."
For the project, they added more friction surfaces to improve power delivery, improved shift speed with a new valve body, eliminated transmission slips with more clutches, and reprogrammed the entire transmission control unit software. The result is a Tiptronic 997 Turbo that sprints from 0 to 100 kph in 2.8 seconds, even when using standard air pressure, tires, and fuel.
Final calibrations are still being made to the package. The transmission itself could wind up on other Porsche tuner models as well, with Switzer believing that TechArt and 9ff may have an interest in the project.
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1723
Porsche's new CEO Matthias Mueller has work to do if he's going to achieve the sales goal the storied sports car maker has set for itself.
When Mueller, 57, takes over as CEO of Porsche AG on October 1, his first assignment will be to revive Porsche's entry-level segment which is facing declining sales. Sales are down 12 percent in the nine months through April for the Boxster and Cayman models combined. In February, Porsche introduced the Boxster Spyder with a starting price of €53,100 ($66,900).
Porsche wants to expand its sales from 100,000 units a year currently to 150,000 units globally by 2013. To do that, Porsche will double the number of models in its lineup from four to eight. It may do that by adding an entry-level model below the Boxster as well as a small SUV based on the VW Tiguan.
"We have to make progress with Porsche. Mueller is the right person to deliver it," said VW Group CEO Martin Winterkorn at a press event earlier this week.
Mueller was formerly the head of product management at VW's Audi brand up until 2007. He's currently in charge of product planning and management at VW Group.
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1722
Ford has unveiled a new range of aftermarket accessories for the 2011 Fiesta.
Exterior options include a spoiler, a four-piece body kit (which consists of a front air dam, side skirts and rear valance), 'tattoo' vinyl graphics, and side wraps with designs like bubbles, flames and ninja blades.
Inside, owners can outfit their car with an illuminated gear knob (which displays what gear is selected), illuminated door sills, LED cup holder lights, and an armrest.
On the functional side, there's a kayak carrier, a bike carrier, and a roof rack.
While some of those options are a tad extreme, the most popular choices are the Interior Protection Package (with all-weather floor mats and a rear cargo area protector), the Exterior Protection Package (which has splash guards and a rear bumper protector), and the Illuminated Interior Accessory Package which features the aforementioned sill plates and gear knob.
According to Sam De La Garza, Fiesta brand manager, "The Fiesta already offers customers a range of options to make it their own, from unique exterior colors to interior seating combinations, but with the addition of our accessory options, consumers can take Fiesta personalization to the next level. Each of the accessories adds a unique flavor to Fiesta, and everybody agrees they can find an accessory or graphic that matches their personality."
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1721
Stricter traffic management measures will be implemented on Sunday to ensure that fans arrive on time for the World Cup closing ceremony and final match, Gauteng transport MEC Bheki Nkosi said on Wednesday.
"This will enable us to facilitate smooth movement of fans, including VIPs, to the stadium," Nkosi told a media briefing in Sandton.
The new measures would involve closing certain roads around Soccer City Stadium - where the final match would be played, parts of the N1 highway, Sandton and Pretoria.
"A number of heads of state will also be attending the closing ceremony and final game of the World Cup," he said.
"Only vehicles with authentic accreditation will be allowed to travel in the areas affected by road closures."
Nkosi said that at the start of the tournament there had been "serious" traffic congestion on some of the routes leading to Soccer City. This was because many people had used their own vehicles to get there.
"This led to challenges besetting traffic flow and it became a logistical nightmare to control traffic.
"Logistically, it is just not possible to accommodate thousands of cars on the roads leading to the stadium in a short space of time," he said.
Public transport
Nkosi encouraged fans to instead use public transport, including trains, the Rea Vaya Bus Rapid Transit system and minibus taxis, which would be allowed to drop them off at the stadium.
"We urge fans who have park and walk tickets to travel to the stadium early before the roads are closed."
Lucky Mabasa of the provincial community safety department said officers from the Johannesburg, Tshwane and Ekurhuleni metro police departments would work with SA Police Service members in soft road blocks in various areas of the province.
All soft road closures would be done at the N1 onramps from 2.30pm to 4.30pm on Sunday. Cars would be directed to various diversion routes.
"Police will be assisting residents, who absolutely have to be on the roads, to get home on soft blocked roads."
The N1 would be open as soon as the operation is ceased.
In Sandton, which will be the most affected area, roads would be closed between 1pm and 5.30pm.
No parking
Fifa and SA Football Association delegates, as well as some VIPs, would arrive between 1pm and 3pm at Fifa headquarters in Sandton. Only drop-offs would be allowed on the streets around the Fifa offices during that time. No parking would be allowed.
"The Johannesburg metro police department's breakdown will be on site to remove illegally parked cars.
"There were a lot of traffic challenges in Sandton on the day of the opening game of the World Cup. These measures will help avoid them on Sunday."
Any motorist who disobeyed the special World Cup traffic regulations would have their vehicle impounded and could be fined.
He said there would be "sufficient" officers on the roads and around the stadium "to ensure that things go smoothly".
Nkosi said despite "some minor glitches" at the start of the World Cup, "we can proclaim that the entire organisation of the tournament had been a very successful operation".
The Netherlands will play Spain to decide who takes the World Cup trophy on Sunday.
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1720
Toyota will reportedly extend the development cycle on new models in the latest attempt to address quality problems dogging the manufacturer.
Blaming the carmaker’s rapid expansion in the past decade for the recent squalls that have blighted Toyota’s long-standing reputation for quality, the company’s executive vice president Takeshi Uchiyamada told journalists on Wednesday that 1 000 engineers had been dispatched to deal with quality issues.
The team, including 100 “devil’s advocate” engineers, has swelled by 50% and product engineers now have an extra month to complete the development of vehicles.
"It's important for our engineers to look at a vehicle and see how customers might use it in ways that haven't been reflected in our testing," Uchiyamada said.
Autonews.com reports that the new teams will be more “neutral” in response to potential problems, adopting an “early detection, early resolution” policy.
Katsutoshi Sakata, general manager of the new design quality innovation division said, “In the past, we were not paying sufficient attention to the customer's viewpoint.
Often, our R&D people believed our technology was correct. We need to take a more objective standpoint, with a calm eye to detect problems more readily.”
However, Uchiyamada also placed some of the blame for Toyota’s quality issues on miscommunication between outside suppliers and contract engineers and said the carmaker would bring more engineering work in-house.
“It is not just ‘supply to spec' and let the suppliers produce the part,” Uchiyamada said. “When we outsource, we would like to check the thinking of the suppliers' design, how they manufacture and how they do evaluation.”
Toyota has in the past months been hit by image-damaging recalls affecting millions of its cars, including the bread-and-butter Corolla model.
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1719
The SA National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) raised an additional R543 million under its domestic medium term note programme, which carries a full government guarantee, by tapping into its HWAY20 and HWAY23 bonds.
In a statement on Wednesday, Sanral said this was its sixth bond auction for 2010.
Including the R9,95 billion raised without a guarantee, Sanral had now raised R18.2bn of bonds for the expansion and upgrade of toll roads, particularly the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project.
"Construction on the roads will resume from July 12 2010 and is expected to be completed in October 2010," Sanral said.
Absa Capital and Rand Merchant Bank were appointed as joint lead arrangers and market makers on Sanral's JSE-listed domestic medium term note programme.
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1718
Tuners at German firm Hofele-Design have released a new body kit, suspension, exhaust and braking upgrades for the Panamera. The Porsche Panamera Rivage GT 970 features remodeling all around the exterior, as well as refinements to the car's interior.
The full featured body kit replaces stock Panamera parts with a new front bumper with large air vents, the grille from a Cayenne Turbo, and the Panamera Turbo's LED daytime running lights and turn indicators. A new set of side skirts is also installed, which leads to the rear spoiler and replacement rear bumper with integrated rear diffuser. A central fog light has also been installed at this position. The diffuser is flanked on either side by two of the quad-tipped exhaust pipes, with a performance muffler of stainless steel, and tuned for a sporty sound.
Buyers will be encouraged to pick up the 10 x 22-inch K-Series five-spoke single piece silver wheels, but can also choose the Reverso or Prado double-spoke models. 9 x 20 Prado five double-spoke wheels in glossy black, white, matte black, and silver are also available.
Behind the wheels lies a six-piston red caliper brake set with cross-drilled and vented 370 x 35mm discs. Potentially, the company can outfit the car with a four-piston, 342 x 34mm set of brakes instead, and they acknowledge that other disc diameters may also be possible.
Engineers also fit an electronic lowering system, which brings the car down as much as 40 mm. The three-stage system works at speeds up to 80 km/h, and has a kill switch that brings the car back to its original height.
Inside, customers will be pleased with the bi-color quilted leather, available in many color choices, and on any seating configuration. The matching leather can be used for the door inserts as well. The company's team may also be able to cover other items on the car in the material, if desired.
Pricing on the Porsche Panamera Rivage GT 970 was not revealed.
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1717
Unichip has unveiled a new performance package for the Land Rover Discovery 2 / Defender TD5.
Dubbed the Sport Conversion, the package consists of an Owen Developments Garrett turbocharger and a Unichip ‘U-Connect' ECU. These modifications enable the 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine to produce 131 kW and 378 Nm of torque - an increase of 37 kW and 85 Nm.
According to the company, over 271 Nm of torque is available between 1700-4200 rpm which makes it "perfect for towing or off road use." More importantly, extensive testing has found the conversion actually improves fuel economy thanks to "extra mechanical and electronic efficiencies realized by the Unichip Europe conversion."
The package will be available for all Discovery Series 2 TD5s (produced between 1998 and 2005) and manual-equipped Defender TD5s.
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1716
Michael Macht is on his way out as CEO of the Porsche AG. Macht will be replaced by Matthias Mueller, 57, who had been in charge of product planning and management for Volkswagen and the VW Group.
Macht, 49, is being shuffled inside the VW Group, and will become a member of the board at Volkswagen in charge of car production. He replaces Jochem Heizmann, 58, who will take over commercial truck production at the firm.
All of the executive changes begin on October 1.
As the new chief of Porsche, Mueller will be tasked with making the luxury brand's full integration into Volkswagen smooth following Porsche's disastrous attempt to take over VW. Under the leadership of former CEO Wendelin Wiedeking, Porsche accrued so much debt when attempting to acquire VW, that they needed their former target to bail them out.
Mueller will draw off his experience working with different brands under the VW Group umbrella to accomplish an easy transition for Porsche. He will also attempt to breathe new life into Porsche's product offerings, which could include bringing the Porsche 918 hybrid convertible to market.
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1715
A new special edition Aston Martin is now available for order from the UK automaker. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420 has a trimmed weight, and features a new sports exhaust system.
The weight reduction comes from the use of carbon fiber at the diffuser, side strakes, splitter, and seats. In total, 27 kilograms was shaved off the stock 1,630-kg V8 Vantage Coupe.
Other features include wide side sills, black mesh vents, dark tailpipes, and 10-spoke glossy black alloy wheels. The interior is fitted with an Iridium package, with contrast-stiched upholstery, a choice between an Alcantara or leather wheel, and graphite instrumentation.
The name of the car is taken from the 313 kW 4.7-liter engine that kicks out up to 470 Nm. Official acceleration details were not revealed, but look for the 0-60 mph time to be around 4.5 seconds.
Workers will begin assembly of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420 later this month.
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1714
Dutch carmaker Spyker Cars used internal funding rather than external debt to pay General Motors the final $24 million purchase price for Sweden's Saab, ending concern over how it would foot the bill.
Niche carmaker Spyker, which has never made a profit, took over the larger Saab from GM earlier this year and is now working to revive the flagging brand. The final instalment of the purchase price had been due on July 15.
Spyker Cars said it made the payment without increasing its external debt or issuing new shares, adding the internal funding became available after the acquisition of Saab Great Britain Limited by Spyker on May 31.
A Spyker Cars spokesman said the company paid the final instalment to GM using cash from Saab Great Britain.
"Saab Great Britain is a wholly own subsidiary of Spyker Cars and has given an inter company loan to Spyker," spokesman Mike Stainton said.
Further concern had been sparked about the company's ability to fund the final part of the deal after it said in February it still needed to secure financing for the $24 million payment.
Spyker Cars had said it intended to fund the payment primarily through senior debt and that it had pledged assets to GM as security for the final payment.
"The early payment of the second and last instalment underlines our desire to finalise the transaction with GM as soon as it was possible, enabling management to fully focus on the future of the group," Spyker Cars Chief Executive Victor Muller said in a statement.
Spyker spent $400 million buying the iconic Swedish brand Saab, $74 million of which was paid in cash for Saab, including $25 million borrowed from a Muller investment vehicle and $25 million from an issue of shares, largely to GEM Global Yield Fund Ltd.
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1713
The North West provincial government has launched a road maintenance programme set to benefit 8 000 poor households.
The programme Itirele, meaning “do it yourself”, is the work of the provincial Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport and will be rolled out across the province in July as part of the expanded public works programme. About R60 million has been budgeted for the programme that will see rural inhabitants earning at least R520 for working eight days.
Work conducted on identified roads will include regular maintenance of drainage systems, felling of overgrown tree branches that obstruct views of the road, removal of litter and weeds, and repairs to minor potholes.
Similar road maintenance programmes have previously been launched in other provinces, and based on their success, the model could be rolled out for large-scale infrastructure development, too.
“We have achieved significant results through similar road maintenance programmes such as Zibambele and Siyatentela in other provinces,” Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele said.
“We will systematise this approach as we build bridges, roads and other infrastructure throughout the country and in the process create sustainable jobs.”
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1712
Margins on auto sales may not be what they are in the United States or Europe, but China is now the world's largest auto market and GM's biggest market by volume too.
GM posted record sales in China for the first half of 2010, with a 48.5 percent increase in sales over the same period last year. GM sold 1,209,138 units in the country for the first six months of 2010, vehicles it builds in concert with its Chinese partners, compared to unit sales of 1,069,577 in the United States.
GM sales were buoyed by the popularity of models such as the Cadillac SRX, Chevrolet Cruze and new Chevrolet Sail. GM's Buick is also one of the fastest-growing brands in China.
GM now ranks second in China, behind Volkswagen, in unit sales. China is also now VW's largest market. Last year, China overtook the United States as the world's largest vehicle market, albeit, after the U.S. experienced a precipitous drop in car sales due to the financial crisis of 2008-2009.
For the first five months of this year, vehicles sales in China were 7.1 million compared to 4.6 million in the U.S.
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1711
In an attempt to capture a larger number of sales in the competitive European wagon category, the new Volvo V60 has been launched as the sporty five-door version of the all-new S60. The car is being offered with eight different engines in an attempt to lure at least 50,000 new customers annually.
The V60 is available with four inline-four petrol engines, including two 1.6-liter units that produce up to 240 Nm of torque and either 112 or 134 kW, and two 2.0-liter models that produce either 151 kW and 300 Nm or 179 kW and 320 Nm.
Its range-leading inline-six is a 3.0-liter unit that kicks out 227 kW and up to 440 Nm. This powerful engine gets the car from 0-100 km/h in 6.6 seconds, with an electronically-limited top speed of 250 km/h.
Diesel offerings include a 86 kW, 270-Nm 1.6-liter inline-four, and two inline-five workhorses. The first is a 2.0-liter model that kicks out 122 kW and up to 400 Nm, while the top diesel model churns out 153 kW and up to 420 Nm.
"Many of the customers who had an advance look at the new V60 during the development process feel that its attitude is at least as sporty as that of the all-new S60," said Volvo Design Director Peter Horbury.
To make the car look sportier, it has been given a coupe-inspired roof, sculpted styling at the front, and a bulging "shoulder" to keep with Volvo's design language. The car will be sold on a new dynamic chassis in Europe, though some markets will get a choice between a touring chassis and the European standard with its stiffer dampers.
Collision avoidance, pedestrian detection, all-wheel drive, tight steering, stability control, traction control in the corners, and an advanced brake system are all included for the driver's benefit. Fold-flat seating is not only used at the back, but also with the front passenger seat, which means loading long objects through the 1,095mm-wide tailgate. Total load capacity is 430 liters.
Look for pricing of the new Volvo V60 to be announced soon.
Posts
