As General Motors goes, so goes the country. It’s an old saying that hopefully does not hold true today. As all of the Big Three Detroit automakers reported their sales last month declined at least twenty percent from last year, there is new talk of the government bailout. The latest price tag from CNN predicts that the loan package split between General Motors, Ford and Chrysler could be as large as $50 billion.
Detroit seems to be betting it future on shifting from producing large vehicles to hybrid technology. But the change is a long, tough road. "Funding such a shift is a tough lift even under optimum circumstances," said GM spokesman Greg Martin. "The credit markets are suffering. You had this seismic inversion of the market where no one wants to buy a full-size truck.”
In an election year, the fight for funding has become very political. The Big Three have all dispatched lobbyists last month to go hunting for new cash. This has resulted in both presidential candidates Barack Obama and John McCain supporting loans to auto companies in order to gain favor with voters in Michigan and Ohio.
While it may seem like large loans or grants to private companies is revolutionary, it isn’t even unfamiliar to the American auto industry. In 1979, the government authorized Chrysler $1.5 billion in loans. This saved the company and was paid back by 1983 – seven years ahead of schedule.
Toyota today revealed official details on the 2009 Hilux (there are only minor differences between the Euro-spec Hilux and the U.S. Tacoma.) The pick-up gets a new trapezoid front grille, redesigned bumper and newly designed 15” alloy wheels on Double Cab SR models and new 17’’ alloys on Double Cab SR-X.
The biggest engine news for the 2009 Hilux are the two diesels: 2.5-liter and the 3.0-liter. The 2.5-liter engine, has 120 hp and 325 nm of torque, is available as two-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive versions, both with 5-speed manual transmission. The 3.0-liter, only available on the Double Cab, is rated at 171 hp.
After Cadillac will unveil the coupe version of its successful CTS they will also bring the more powerful V version. And here is the first spy shot to prove it. The CTS Coupe will be unveiled in 2009 as a 2010 model year. The CTS-V Coupe will follow a few months later. It will be powered by a 6.2L LSA supercharged V8 engine that will deliver 500 hp.
Spy reports spot large drilled large brake calipers and center-mounted dual oval exhaust tips. Reports also confirm the raised hood, wider rear tires, larger rims and the CTS-V series grille.
Audi is considering bringing a diesel version of the A3 to the US. The 2.0 TDI will produces 140-hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. In the Jetta TDI the engine provides and estimated EPA fuel economy of 29 MPG city and 40 MPG highway. The engine will be mated to a 6-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed S-tronic.
Volkswagen recently reported that because of its fuel economy, the 2.0 TDI offerings are eligible for a $1,300 Federal Income Tax Credit. Because this is the same engine in the Audi, it would be a safe assumption that the credit would also extend to the A3.
Vauxhall unveiled two editions of the Astra TwinTop called Exclusiv and Exclusiv XP. For the U.S. audience, the TwinTop is like a prettier version of the Pontiac G6 convertible. The two Vauxhalls come with new 18-inch alloy wheels used exclusively on this editions, heated mirrors, leather interior, leather steering wheel and heated leather seats. The Exclusiv XP also receives a VXR styling package.
The Exclusiv XP edition comes with a new VXR styling pack consisting in a new front spoiler, new side sills and a re-designed rear bumper. The engines available for the two editions are a 1.8-liter gas engine developing 140 hp, a 2.0-liter turbocharged gas engine capable to develop 200 hp and a 1.9-liter diesel engine developing 150 hp. Pricing starts from £19,295 (at current exchange rates is about $34,396.)
It’s official; Honda will call its Prius fighter the Insight. The company revealed the first official images of its new gas/electric hybrid ahead of its October 2nd debut at the Paris Auto Show. Sales of the production Insight should begin in the U.S. by the spring.
The design of the five-passenger hatchback seems to share a bloodline with the FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell vehicle as well as the CR-Z concept hybrid. All three of these cars could possibly show the future of Honda’s design. Although Honda is still keeping the exact pricing a secret, the company says the Insight will come to market at a price significantly below hybrids available today.
Honda will follow-up the launch of the Insight with the introduction of the CR-Z. This is all part of Honda’s plan to make hybrid vehicles 10 percent of its total global sales. The goal is ambitious considering that Toyota’s new Prius and Chevrolet’s Volt will both be fighting for this same market within two years.
Yesterday the first details on the 2009 Lexus IS sedan surfaced on the internet. Today, thanks to CarScoop, we can confirm that the coupe-cabrio version will also be revealed at the Paris Auto Show. Although the open-top version will first be revealed as a concept, the car is expected to go into production with only minor changes.
Here is the first spy shot of the Ferrari’s successor to the Enzo. It doesn’t seem like there is too much to see because the car is wearing the body of the F430 Scuderia.
The car is known internally as the FX70 and is set to be unveiled in either 2011 or 2012 with a price tag of at least $500,000. Production will be limited to around 300 vehicles.
Under the hood Ferrari might place either a V12 engine or a Twin-turbo V8. No matter the engine, output will be around 750 hp. This power should help make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in less than 3 seconds and hit a top speed of 235 mph.
After revealing the first official images of the 2010 Camaro SS, Chevrolet today announced that dealers will start taking orders for both Camaro and Camaro SS in October. Production will begin in mid-February, and cars will be in dealerships by mid-March 2009.
"We think there could be pent-up demand," said Chevrolet Spokesman Terry Rhadigan, explaining why orders are being taken well in advance of the car’s appearance in showrooms. Buyers may also have to put a deposit for the Camaro, but that requirement is completely up to Chevrolet dealers. The Camaro SS is expected to be priced around $30,000, while the V6 cars will start in the low $20000.
Finally, the Need for Speed: Undercover trailer. It’s out and we can’t stop drooling! The video looks fantastic, and it seems that we will see in the game several improvements since the Need for Speed: ProStreet.
As you can see the cars are magnificent. There is a Porsche 911 GT2, Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X and as a big surprise, the cops even get a Nissan GT-R. It looks like in this game we get to go undercover Fast and the Furious style. The bad news about this game is that it won’t be launched until November 18th. So until then, keep on practice on the Prostreet.
Post a comment
Picture Gallery
RSS -
Webmaster free news |
Linux System Management