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A new sports car, a fourth Range Rover, a BMW 3-Series rival and an executive estate, plus new factories in
The F-Type was first seen in the form of the XK180 concept back in 1998, but the project has been constantly delayed as the company struggled with its finances. But now, thanks to the promise of £1bn of investment every year for the next five years by new Indian owner Tata, a driver-focused sports car is imminent.
Despite the good news about Jaguar Land Rover’s investment in new product and advanced technology, Tata boss Carl-Peter Forster believes the firm remains committed to closing one of its
Put simply, Forster says “It is much better for a car company to have one large factory, than two small ones.”
Currently, Jaguar Land Rover is reviewing the future of its two West Midlands plants in
Meanwhile, JLR has confirmed it will open a new plant in
“This move isn’t about taking volume out of the
Thanks to: Auto Express
Mini has kicked off studies into an affordable city car as part of a programme aimed at boosting sales by adding new models at the lower end of its line-up.
Described as a Smart Fortwo rival, the new model is aimed at complementing parent company BMW’s Megacity project. It will use conventional technology and modular mechanical components employed across the German car maker’s line-up to keep development costs down and hit profit targets.
Mini has long argued that cars smaller than its popular three-door lacked the profitability to be sustainable in the longer term. “The question we’ve asked ourselves all along is: how do we make money at this level?” a source within the firm told us.
But with BMW now committed to a three-cylinder engine and its officials investing heavily in new production techniques, Mini appears confident it can now build a solid business case for an ultra-frugal city car.
“Nothing is decided just yet,” said our source. “It is all at an early stage of conception. But there is a lot of momentum behind it right now. We may be ready to show a concept within the next 12 months or perhaps a little longer.”
Mini is tight-lipped about whether its city car will be a two or four-seater, and whether the engine will be at the front or rear.
Autocar has been told that Mini officials are keen to ensure it stretches to no longer than 3050mm — the length of the original Issigonis-engineered Mini. That would make it a good 700mm shorter than the modern-day version but some 300mm longer than today’s Smart.
Proposals for the new Mini are being developed primarily in Munich, although BMW’s design thinktank DesignWorks in Los Angeles is also contributing ideas to the project, which one official referred to by the name ‘Minor’.
Mini’s renewed interest in city cars follows Smart’s recent announcement that it plans to develop the next Fortwo with Renault, which is expected to sell its own styled version from 2014.
The last Mini city car concept to be made public was the Spiritual in 1997, three years after BMW’s takeover of the Rover Group. Shown in three and five-door form, it had an 800cc, rear-mounted three-cylinder engine.
Thanks to: Autocar
Alfa Romeo is close to signing off the final shape of the Giulia, its all-new 3-series challenger, which is little more than 17 months from the showroom.
With the launch of the Mito out of the way and the showroom debut of the Giulietta weeks away, getting the new Giulia saloon and estate exactly right has never been more crucial.
However, Alfa Romeo has never been better placed in terms of the quality of the components it has its disposal. Not only does it have access to the Fiat Group’s cutting-edge new Compact Global Modular Architecture, but Alfa will also be able to use upcoming developments of Fiat Power Train’s Multiair engine technology and new dual-clutch gearboxes.
The new Giulia is based on a longer version of the Compact platform used for the Giulietta. While the Alfa 147/GT platform has double wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear, it is ageing and significantly lacking in torsional rigidity. By contrast, the Premium platform that underpins today’s 159 may be extremely stiff and safe, but it is also too heavy.
Although the platform will not be the absolute lightest in its class, it makes extensive use of high-strength materials (accounting for around 90 per cent of the structure) and features lightweight crash structures front and rear, and aluminium suspension wishbones all round.
The new MacPherson-strut front end sits on a large subframe, which will allow the suspension to resist the distorting effects of the lateral forces generated by cornering. Among other advantages, this should mean the Giulia will not lose steering precision under hard cornering.
Alfa bosses say they want the Giulia to be ranked as best in class for ride and handling. Philippe Krief, head of dynamics for the Fiat Group, says that while the Compact platform’s suspension design and geometry has to cover all of Fiat’s brands, it will still be possible to tune the system to deliver Alfa’s dynamic targets.
Alfa engineers are also developing new two-stage dampers with Koni, and the company has 15 engineers working on the control software for an optional active damping system. It’s thought that the ‘DNA’ control for the throttle, steering and stability control will be standard. The Compact platform will offer Alfa the option of using a four-wheel drive system for the Giulia, as well as offering the Q2 electronic differential.
The Giulia will have some of the most modern engines of any car in this class. As well as the engines in the Giulietta (118bhp 1.4 turbo petrol and 168bhp Multiair petrol, and 104bhp 1.6 and 168bhp 2.0 diesels), the Giulia will get some even more advanced powerplants.
On the petrol front, Multiair 2 will be launched, combining the clever valve timing and lift set-up with direct injection. This step forward slightly improves CO2 emissions and dramatically reduces NOx pollution, as well as improving driveability.
A new 1750 TC GDI unit, delivering between 200bhp and 235bhp, looks like it could be the choice of the Giulia range. At the top end of the petrol line-up, it’s expected that Alfa will fit a Multiair 2 induction and injection system to Chrysler’s all-new Pentastar V6 engine. Alfa’s version should be a 3.3-litre unit delivering 273bhp with an unusually muscular torque curve for a normally aspirated V6.
There’s no news yet on whether Alfa will offer the V6 with the new torque-vectoring four-wheel drive transmission. Not only does an all-wheel drive system add considerable weight, but it can also blunt even the performance sensation delivered. If this range-topper does get the nod, at least one version will wear the GTA badge.
For diesel buyers, there’s a new, sophisticated Multiair and Multijet 2 combined induction and injection system on the way. There’s no news as to which engines will get it, but the upcoming 3.0-litre V6 diesels (220bhp and 250bhp) are the most likely. A 140bhp version of the 2.0-litre JTDm with a variable-vane turbocharger is also on the cards. Multiair also helps to significantly clean up the pollution from diesel engines.
Aside from the standard-issue six-speed manual gearboxes, there will be some interesting high-end units on offer. The M40 unit is good for handling up to 295lb ft of torque, and it will come in six-speed manual and automated manual forms. These specs could point to the technical make-up of the Giulia GTA.
Higher-performance Giulias will have the option of the new C635 twin-clutch transmission, which comes in front-drive and four-wheel-drive forms and can handle between 185lb ft and 258lb ft of torque.
Thanks to: Autocar
Work on the new Civic has begun! Our spies caught a prototype of the next-generation Honda hatchback out testing in the Italian mountains.
The current model made its debut back in 2005 but has continued to look fresh thanks to its radical design touches, a feature the new car promises to carry on when it arrives early in the spring of 2012.
Because it's such a long way off, the prototype snapped here looks very similar to the old car, and the wheelbase is unchanged, but it does have a slightly wider track overall dimensions won’t differ much from today’s model. this tis
The test car was disguised with a fake front suggesting we’re looking at the old Civic, but one closer look reveals the front bumper is actually mounted yet in front of the real piece that is therefore hidden underneath.
Power will continue to come from four-cylinder petrol and turbodiesel units delivering between 80 and 140 hp. The current 1.3-litre, 115-hp hybrid motor will be carried over for the new model, too. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express
These pictures of a Ferrari 458 Italia converted for race use have sparked speculation that there will be a one-make race series for the car from 2011 - and give the first clues as to how a hardcore Scuderia model could look.
As well as standard race preparation features such as a rollcage, plastic windows and race seats, the prototype car appears to be lower than standard, have a revised aerodynamic package and wider side skirts.
Ferrari hasn't released any information about the car.
The pictures came from the Axis of Oversteer website.
Thanks to: Autocar
Get a load of this! These are the first and best pictures yet of the Ford Mondeo Estate.
The facelifted car, which is due to go on sale later this year, promises to build on the appeal of the current machine with greater attention to detail and interior quality.
Under the bonnet there will be a 2.0-litre Ecoboost petrol unit, already available in the current Mondeo and debuting in the S-MAX and Galaxy. Delivering 200bhp, 300Nm, the Mondeo will take less than 9 seconds to go from 0-62mph.
Ford’s PowerShift transmission will be featured on a Mondeo for the first time, coming as standard with 2.0-litre EcoBoost, and it will be an option with the 138 and 160bhp 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi variations.
A smaller 1.6-litre version of the Ecoboost will also come. Added to this there will be the usual healthy selection of diesel variants. Highlighted by an updated version of the 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCI, there will be three cleaner, more efficient options, with power ratings of 113, 138 and 160bhp. There is also expected to be a 2.2-litre diesel, offering around 180bhp. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express
Last time we saw the Jetta, it was sweating through summer testing in the desert wearing heavy camouflage!
But now we have caught Volkswagen's newest sedan with almost all the camouflage removed!
While there are still a few pieces of body-coloured camouflage on this 2011 Jetta prototype, most of the car is completely production-ready.
And while VW seems to have stuck fake, Toyota-looking badges on this car, it only takes a quick look at the steering wheel centre cap to see the VW logo under a thin piece of tape!
Internally known as NCS – or New Compact Sedan – this updated Jetta will be built on a re-engineered fifth generation Jetta platform. Expect the new car to be longer and wider than the current model.
The Jetta name will likely be carried over, and assembly will continue to take place at Volkswagen's Puebla, Mexico, plant, but the new Jetta will be somewhat longer and a bit wider. Volkswagen will hope to sell 160,000 units annually as they try to lure potential Corolla and Civic buyers in the U. S. with its lower base price. The car will also make it to European dealers but is – again – not expected to be a hot seller.
Although cost-cutting measures may be obvious as compared to the current Jetta, there is speculation that an AWD option may be offered. Production is expected to start in the 4th quarter of 2010, making this updated entry a 2011 model when it crosses the border. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express
The Moke is back! MINI bosses have given Auto Express strong hints that the buggy-inspired Beachcomber concept will be sent down the production line.
Designed to show off the new Countryman crossover, the stripped-down Beachcomber proved a massive hit when it was revealed at the Detroit Motor Show in January.
So much so that MINI is close to giving it the green light. Head of brand management Dr Wolfgang Armbrecht said: “We will come back to this to see if there is a business basis, as we were overwhelmed by the reaction. MINI will never show a concept that won’t make production.”
The Beachcomber was built around the road-ready version of the Countryman, but lost the doors and roof panels in homage to the Moke – the legendary Mini-based take on the classic beach buggy. Its four individual seats are wrapped in wetsuit material for all-weather durability, and the rear-mounted spare wheel holder is actually a lockable storage box. If the weather takes a turn for the worse, a fabric tonneau can be attached to the car, while more long-term rain protection is provided by lightweight, removable plastic door and roof panels.
As with the Moke – made from 1964 to 1993 – the Beachcomber has a metal, body-coloured grille, only this time the designers have inserted driving lights. Off-road ability is enhanced by higher ground clearance than the Countryman, as well as chunky tyres. Plus, the new ALL4 four-wheel-drive system is likely to be included as standard.
If it is built, the Beachcomber would have few natural rivals – perhaps only the permanently open-topped Smart Crossblade.
And the name? Bank on Moke, if Dr Armbrecht’s comments are anything to go by. “MINIs need authentic names,” he said.
The Countryman goes on sale in the UK in September, with prices starting at £16,000 for the 1.6-litre One model. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express