A Vauxhall spokesman has told just-auto that the next Corsa will not, as had been thought, use GM's Gamma 2 architecture. Instead, an update of the existing model's Fiat-Opel SCCS platform will be employed.
At a ride and drive event in Milan, Italy, Matthew Beecham talked with Maarten Maes, Director OE Sales & Programme Management, Tenneco about fitment rates of the company's active suspension technologies, its market share and what the Monroe brand stands for.
Chinese carmaker Qoros expects to sell more than 10 percent of its cars in Europe after it extends sales across the region by 2016, Stefano Villanti, Qoros' head of sales told the Automotive News Europe Congress.
Chinese carmaker Qoros expects to sell more than 10 percent of its cars in Europe after it extends sales across the region by 2016, Stefano Villanti, Qoros' head of sales told the Automotive News Europe Congress.
PSA Peugeot Citroen CEO Carlos Tavares has restated his recovery plan for the company based on a rationalisation of product and a more globally based organisation.
The outlook for the global auto industry is fairly bright, but government interference is clouding the picture in Europe and China, Philippe Houchois, UBS Head of European Automotive Research, told the Automotive News Europe Congress.
The outlook for the global auto industry is fairly bright, but government interference is clouding the picture in Europe and China, Philippe Houchois, UBS Head of European Automotive Research, told the Automotive News Europe Congress.
Opel/Vauxhall design chief Mark Adams told the Automotive News Europe Congress that car designers are facing increasing pressure to meet the demands of tougher EU rules on CO2 and pedestrian protection.
The talk of the day in the paddock of the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal was the rumour that the new, 10-year agreement will be announced tomorrow, Friday.
We know that Francois Dumontier, promoter of the race, and the FOM have been talking for the past two years about a new contract that would cover a 10-year period from 2015 to 2024 and include a new pit complex.
The contract that involves Octane Management, the Formula One Management, the City of Montreal, the provincial and federal governments et Tourisme Montreal is apparently a done deal.
Unfortunately, political instability seriously delayed the talks. During the past 18 months, there have been two provincial elections (and two governments) and the city of Montreal had four different mayors.
Some Montreal medias even claim that a press conference will be held at 11:45 am tomorrow at the track. Stay tuned!
The all-new 2015 Hyundai Sonata will go on sale across Canada this July starting at a base price of $23,999. Embodying the Korean automaker's “Fluidic Sculpture 2.0” design language, the midsize sedan features many advanced driving aids and standard amenities.
The base Sonata GL uses a 185-horsepower, 2.4L 4-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. LED daytime running lights, air conditioning, a 5” touchscreen, Bluetooth, heated front seats, and a back-up camera all come standard.
Next up, the Sonata GLS ($26,299) adds a blind spot monitoring system, a heated steering wheel and rear seats, push-button start, and reverse parking assist, just to name a few.
Meanwhile, the Sonata Sport ($28,399) boasts 17” alloy wheels, a panoramic sunroof, and sport seats. The Sport Tech model ($30,199) gets a premium sound system and navigation with an 8” touchscreen.
The even more upscale Sonata Limited ($32,999) includes HID headlights, ventilated front seats, adaptive cruise control, and leather upholstery. If you prefer a sportier alternative, the Sport 2.0T model ($30,999) houses a 2.0L turbocharged engine rated at 245 horsepower, while offering a flat-bottom steering wheel, 18” alloy wheels, and leather-wrapped sport seats.
Finally, the Sonata Sport 2.0T Ultimate ($34,799) combines all the luxurious features of the Limited with the sporty attributes of the Sport 2.0T.
General Motors of Canada today announced a compensation program for Canadians who have lost loved ones or who have suffered serious physical injuries as the result of an ignition switch failure in recently recalled vehicles.
The manufacturer announced a similar program in the U.S.
“We are taking responsibility for what has happened by taking steps to treat these victims and their families with compassion, decency and fairness,” said GM CEO Mary Barra. “We made serious mistakes in the past and as a result we're making significant changes in our company to ensure they never happen again.”
GM expects the program will begin to accept claims on August 1st, 2014. The program will be independently administered by Kenneth Feinberg, who has handled other significant compensation programs in the past.
LEGO is sure to draw interest from car enthusiasts with the global release of a MINI Cooper Mk VII package.
The classic green and white model features pivoting doors, hood and rear hatch, as well as fog lights and a detailed engine bay. You can remove the top to admire the tan interior, turn the steering wheel, or move the shifter.
The package includes 1,077 pieces and will go on sale in the U.S. at $99.99 (Canadian pricing may differ). Once assembled, the car stands about 9'' long, 4'' tall, and 5'' wide.
The Avon and Somerset Constabulary has just bolstered its vehicle fleet with a new Ariel Atom 3.5R. Featuring a 350-horsepower 2.0L i-VTEC engine sourced from the Honda Civic Type-R, the car sprints from 0-100 km/h in a mere 2.5 seconds.
Despite its small footprint, the Ariel Atom has been equipped with all the devices and systems traditionally used by British police. It will play a key role in a new driver awareness campaign.
During Tesla's annual shareholder meeting in northern California yesterday, CEO Elon Musk said he would remain at the helm of the fast-growing electric car maker for another 4-5 years, but he also hinted at something “fairly controversial” with Tesla's patents.
As EV costs keep melting, rumour has it that Musk could be planning an open-source strategy. After all, the man once called the patent system “farcical,” and explained that SpaceX (another venture of his) has no patents “because the Chinese would just use them as a recipe book.”
But why would he do it? The obvious answer is to accelerate the development of EVs, build a stronger supplier chain, and drive costs further down.
It'll be interesting to see what Musk's actual plan is... and how Tesla shareholders will react.
This fall, the MINI lineup will expand with the addition of the first-ever MINI Cooper 5-Door Hatch.
Rear passengers will enjoy more legroom, while the increased space also provides room for a third seat in the back. The two rear doors make access to the enhanced rear seating easier, as well.
The new model offers an additional 15 millimetres of headroom, plus 30% more cargo room (up to 278 litres).
In Europe, there will be four engines with TwinPower Turbo technology to choose from:
3-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 136 horsepower;
4-cylinder gasoline engine rated at 192 horsepower;
3-cylinder diesel engine rated at 116 horsepower;
4-cylinder diesel engine rated at 170 horsepower.
The new MINI Cooper 5-door Hatch will go on sale in the U.K. at £15,900, or roughly $29,100 CAD. The Canadian release date and price have yet to be announced.
Pros: The 2014 Rolls-Royce Ghost is designed, engineered and crafted in every aspect to enhance the driving experience rather than complicate it. As such, it's considered to be the most driver-oriented Rolls-Royce ever. An ultra-powerful engine lies under the beautiful, long hood, yet the supremely luxurious and comfortable Ghost remains whisper-quiet no matter how hard it's pushed. An extended wheelbase model is available, providing 17 centimetres of extra legroom. BMW-sourced underpinnings make things interesting for the driver, too.
Cons: This car is slightly less exclusive than Rolls-Royce's higher-end models, but that doesn't mean it's cheap: The Ghost still carries a gigantic price tag. What's more, fuel economy is awful.
Photo: Rolls-Royce
2014 Rolls-Royce Ghost Price: Contact your local dealer for detailed pricing.
2014 Rolls-Royce Ghost Fuel Economy: The official ratings for the Ghost are 17.3L/100km in the city and 10.5L/100km on the highway. In the real world, though, you can expect to burn quite a bit more than that.
Improvements and Changes: At the 2014 Geneva Auto Show, Rolls-Royce introduced the Ghost Series II -- essentially the same vehicle as the outgoing model, but with a host of minor updates. Styling has been subtly revised, and the sumptuous cabin has been updated with such features as a new infotainment display, rotary controller, and new trim. Let's not forget the new 21'' wheels available.
2014 Rolls-Royce Ghost Powertrain: Its 6.6L twin-turbo V12 engine is capable of producing 563 horsepower, enough to propel the stately Ghost from 0-100 km/h in a mere 4.9 seconds. While this figure is impressive in its own right, what separates the Ghost from other performance luxury cars is the effortless way it delivers a seemingly endless surge of power, with 575 lb-ft of torque available from as low as 1,500 rpm, through an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
Don't miss: The new satellite-aided transmission uses GPS data to scan the road ahead and choose the right gear for the upcoming turns. It's a state-of-the-art technology pioneered by parent company BMW.
Safety: Beyond the full suite of airbags and electronic driving aids, the 2014 Rolls-Royce Ghost features head-up display, plus an infrared camera that can detect the body heat of pedestrians and animals up to 300 metres away.
Comparing the 2014 Rolls-Royce Ghost: The Bentley Flying Spur is arguably the Ghost's only direct competitor. The Audi A8 L W12 and Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG are some of the cheaper alternatives.
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