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Monday, February 25, 2008
New Peugeot 308 family hatchback hits UK dealers in time for September rush
By Oliver Marriage September 2007
When it comes to competing for a slice of the UK family car market, there are no half measures. And that is exactly why Peugeot has pulled out all the stops to get its new challenger here in record time.Only last week we carried a world first drive of the new 308, and now we’ve tried a right-hand-drive model in Britain. How come it’s here so soon?
You don’t need us to tell you that September is a key month for new car sales, and Peugeot didn’t want to miss out on a large chunk of business, so bosses decided to bring production of right-hookers forward.The new family hatchback is the first Peugeot of the ‘8’ generation, and while it doesn’t represent a massive departure from the 307, it’s reasonably attractive, with a redefined front end and curvier shape at the rear. As with Mercedes’ latest C-Class, the nose and tail get different treatments dep-ending on which model you go for.
Under the skin, the 308 uses the same platform as its predecessor, so the car’s overall dimensions haven’t changed a great deal. In fact, boot space has risen by only seven litres and rear legroom remains modest.
Yet the Peugeot feels deceptively large inside – and that’s all thanks to the Cielo glass roof, a feature that’s standard on the top two of the five trim levels and optional on the rest.
The French firm desperately wanted to enhance interior quality on its fam-ily hatchback, and has succeeded. The one-piece dash moulding, which has five chrome-ringed air vents set into it, looks and feels great, and is better designed and more tactile than the effort in the 307. There are a couple of black marks against the newcomer, though: the right-hand-drive version has no footrest for the driver’s clutch leg, while the glovebox is tiny.
Buyers have six engines to choose from. We drove the top-of-the-range 136bhp 2.0 HDi, which is currently the only model to feature a six-speed gearbox. The diesel engine is refined, but could have done with being updated, because it lacks real grunt, with the power tailing off too early in the rev range. It doesn’t help that, despite the modest size gains, the 308 tips the scales by at least an additional 60kg across the board.
Still, that extra weight has not dented the car’s road manners too badly. While it’s far from sporty, the Peugeot is very capable, with a fine balance of ride quality and handling, plus excellent cruising ability.
It’s a strong vehicle, too, and has already earned itself a five-star rating in Euro NCAP crash tests. Prices start at £12,595 for the five-door 308, with three-door versions costing £600 less when they arrive here in December.
While it’s not as well equipped, the equivalent Golf – the 2.0 TDI GT Sport – is considerably cheaper than the Peugeot, at £18,887. We still think the VW has the edge for build quality, too, and it’s a great car to own, thanks in no small part to its superb resale values. But the diesel engine isn’t the smoothest around and the car doesn’t have the 308’s polished road manners.
it’s the super-coupé that’s got added Va Va Voom! And it proves that Renault is swapping safe for sexy.
Reaching UK dealers at the end of next year, the sensational new Laguna Coupé shows the French brand is returning to flamboyant design – building on the legacy of the Avantime MPV and the luxury Vel Satis.
However, unlike those models, it will be no sales flop. The newcomer is set to mark the revival of the affordable coupé, and will join the reborn Volkswagen Scirocco and the forthcoming Hyundai Coupé in a market sector where style and head-turning looks don’t have to come at a huge price. Tipped to cost around £20,000 when it arrives in the UK in December 2008, the two-door is certain to sell like hot croissants – so we caught up with it at Renault’s test track in northern France to see what buyers can expect.
Revealed at September’s Frankfurt Motor Show, the Coupé looks every bit as amazing on the road as it did on the stand. It’s part of Renault’s plan to challenge the likes of BMW and Audi, and bosses know that improving reliability and quality alone isn’t enough – the car needs style, too.
To this end, the Coupé is everything its hatch brother isn’t: daring, dynamic and desirable, with shades of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage from the rear. You could park it next to a BMW 3-Series Coupé and plenty of people would prefer the Renault on looks. Stephane Janin, the man in charge of Renault’s concept car design, is pleased with the results.
He told us: “We wanted to produce a car that people would desire and want to buy. The Coupé is a sexy model with a lot of drama that should appeal to a much wider audience.”
At the front, piercing headlights stretch back into the bonnet. They’re accompanied by two slim-line LED foglamps that light up the ground-hugging grille. The side profile is particularly striking, and is distinguished by its steeply raked roofline and shallow windows, which give the newcomer a racy and athletic stance.
Sadly, the show car’s exotic scissor doors are too costly to put into production, while the glamorous cabin – with its minimalist layout, intricate dials and spade-shaped auto selector – will be replaced by an upmarket version of the standard Laguna design.
In fact, the interior will be a real strength – high on quality and comfort – and our drive showed Renault has got the basics right. The driving position is low, the seats hug you and small glass areas provide a cocooned feel.
Although we weren’t able to put the priceless show car fully to the test, the signs look good, with finished versions set to get the same four-wheel steering as the GT hatch, plus a sporty suspension set-up.
There will also be plenty of engine choices. Driving the front wheels via a six-speed manual or automatic box will be a 168bhp 2.0-litre petrol turbo or a 2.0 dCi turbodiesel. Flagship cars get a powerful new 3.5-litre petrol V6 shared with the Coupé’s Nissan 350Z stablemate or Renault’s fresh 180bhp 3.0 V6 diesel. The latter combines a 0-60mph time of seven seconds with economy of around 45mpg. Add it all up and, if bosses get the price right, they’ll have a winner on their hands.
Rival: Volkswagen SciroccoReviving one of VW’s most famous badges, the reborn Scirocco takes a new approach with a hatch body and radical styling. It promises a sporty driving experience – thanks to underpinnings shared with the latest Golf GTI – and is the car the Laguna Coupé has to beat.
FIRST OPINION
If you were disappointed by the styling of the brand new Laguna, then the Coupé version will blow you away. Renault has pulled out all the stops with the latest addition to its line-up. It’s fantastic to look at, with a sleek and dramatic shape that demonstrates French flair at its very best. We have no doubt that the newcomer will turn heads when it arrives here in December next year – and with a winning range of engines plus a hi-tech chassis, it should drive as well as it looks. We can’t wait!
AT A GLANCE
Price: £20,000 (est)
Engine: 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel
Power: 180bhp
Transmission: Six-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Top speed: 140mph (est)
0-62mph: 7.0 seconds (est)
Economy: 45mpg (est)
Equipment: Leather upholstery, climate control, cruise control, Bluetooth, iPod-compatible CD
stereo, alloy wheels
On sale: December 2008
The Acura “MD-X Concept” luxury performance SUV made its world debut today at the 2006 New York International Auto Show featuring bold, sleek exterior styling indicative of the next generation MDX production model.
“Every aspect of the MD-X Concept design conveys performance while still retaining SUV functionality,” said John Mendel, senior vice president, auto operations. “The styling signifies a bold direction for the next generation MDX, both in appearance and substance.”
The MD-X Concept is fashioned as a true driver’s SUV, with its low, wide stance and aggressive design. Its sleek surface lines are modeled after a high-powered megayacht.
The MD-X Concept features a wider track and longer wheelbase that give the vehicle a sportier, performance look. The profile of the concept reveals a refined SUV with smooth, chiseled lines and an elegant form. A dominant character line runs from the front quarter panel to the rear, evoking the feeling of forward movement. The sharply raked D-pillar creates a stealth, aerodynamic appearance while still retaining the third row seating functionality and cargo carrying capability of the current generation MDX.
The Concept sits low to the ground despite the large 20-inch five-spoke custom alloy wheels, while the large wheel arches and flares add to the Concept’s muscular appearance. The sleek cabin features flush mounted windshield glass, which improves aerodynamics while adding to the MD-X Concept’s smooth and flowing design.
“The smooth lines and sleek shape of the MD-X Concept challenge the conventions of SUV design,” said Ricky Hsu, chief designer for the MD-X Concept. “Our goal was to create the image of a sports sedan while maintaining generous interior volume and utility of a SUV.”
The front hood is accented with pronounced character lines culminating in an aggressive five-sided grille, which gives the MD-X its bold presence. The commanding front grille features a dominant center bar running through a solid aluminum face. The narrow, Xenon High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlights appear to grow out of the massive grille, giving the overall front-end a strong, distinct look.
“The front end of the MD-X Concept communicates power and prestige,” explains Hsu. “We want drivers to do a double-take when the vehicle passes them on the road.”
In the rear, the MD-X Concept has an integrated rear hatch, which sits flush against the bumper to create a smooth, clean appearance. LED taillights wrap around the cargo hatch adding to the vehicles wide and low appearance. A rear spoiler improves aerodynamics and the integrated dual exhaust pipes add to the SUV’s sporty style.
The next generation MDX production model will be available this fall, bringing a whole new level of performance and sophistication to the Acura light truck lineup. Track-tuned at the famed Nurburging in Germany, the all-new MDX will feature outstanding performance and handling. Equipped with a powerful, class leading V6 engine and coupled with Acura’s exclusive Super Handling All -Wheel Drive(TM) (SH-AWD(TM)), the next generation MDX will re-invent the luxury SUV segment just as it did when it first debuted.
Ford today announced the 2008 Mercury Mariner, which will go on sale in early 2007. The crossover features a revised exterior and an all-new interior. Ford says it has also improved handling, added a slew of new safety features (curtain air bags and AdvanceTrac with RSC), and made the ride quieter Chassis upgrades and new Electric Power Steering (EPS) are designed to give the Mariner car-like ride and handling.
"The 2008 Mariner is the first product to truly deliver 100 percent of the design DNA for Mercury as a brand" says Kim Irwin, Mercury brand manager. "It looks good and drives well, it has sophisticated style, and it's not like anything else out there."
The standard engine is a 2.3-liter, 16-valve Duratec 23 four-cylinder that produces 153 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 152 lb.-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm. An optional 3.0-liter, 24-valve V6 Duratec 30 engine produces 200 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 193 lb.-ft of torque at 4,850 rpm. Both engines come with a standard four-speed-automatic transaxle.
On the outside, the 2008 Mariner’s all-new sheet metal includes significant design changes to the front/rear fascias, liftgate, headlamps and taillamps, a raised beltline, new hood and B-pillar blackout molding. Inside, Satin Pewter finishes and chrome accents give the vehicle an upscale look. There are new seats, door trim panels, A- and B-pillar trims, center console and a new floor-mounted shifter. The seats are monochromatic or two-tone with Alcantara Suede inserts.
Side glass thickness has increased from 3.8 to 4.7 mm and helps prevent outside noise from entering the passenger cabin. On V6-equipped models, engineers moved the alternator from the right to left side of the engine. Because the engine is transversely mounted, the noise is now located farther away from the passenger cabin. A new, quieter cooling fan reduces idle noise.
All-wheel drive models have a new rear differential that is quieter and smoother.New windshield molding and low profile wipers help improve airflow around the vehicle and reduce wind noise.Redesigned recessed channels on top of Mariner are staggered and shorter to reduce boom as air flows over the top.Outside mirrors are larger and careful attention was given to their design to minimize wind noise.
Additional sound deadening material has been added throughout the vehicle to reduce noise throughout the interior.
Mariner Hybrid continues to be a "full" hybrid. This means that, unlike other "mild" hybrid vehicles, Mariner Hybrid can run on 100 percent electric power up to about 30 mph, maximizing in-city fuel economy. Mariner Hybrid automatically switches between pure electric power, pure gasoline engine power or combined operation of the two to maximize efficiency and performance.
Toyota wants to add two more small vehicles to its American model lineup in response to rising fuel economy standards, said Jim Lentz, president of Toyota USA. He said a production version of the small A-BAT pickup concept, plus Europe's new Urban Cruiser were both under consideration.
Toyota is aiming for a 35 mpg fleetwide fuel economy average by 2020, Lentz told Automotive News in a recent interview.
The A-BAT pickup was shown in concept form at the Detroit auto show in January. Riding on a unibody platform, it features a four-foot bed, but overall storage space can grow to as much as eight feet when the midgate is folded down. Power comes from a four-cylinder gas-electric hybrid setup.
Unlike the A-BAT — which is just a concept car at this stage — the Urban Cruiser is already headed for production in Europe. If the mini-SUV looks familiar, it's because the Urban Cruiser is essentially a jacked-up version of the Scion xD. Whether there is enough of a difference between the Cruiser and the xD to warrant the sale of both models remains to be seen.
Lentz said either model could be badged as a Toyota or a Scion. "It doesn't matter," he said. "As long as we are keeping customers."
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Dredging the bottom of our archives brought up an interesting project by Edinburgh-based landscape architects Gross. Max. to counter the effect of global warming.
Submitted as part of the 6000 Miles exibition organized by Glasgow's The Lighthouse in early 2005, they proposed to use the Torness Nuclear Power Station to create a nuclear-powered iceberg and park it nearby on some stretch of Scotland's 6,000-mile coast.
This is called “local freezing.”
Of course, our immediately response is — why only one iceberg?
If we are to believe Gross. Max. that “the only way to reduce the levels of CO2 emissions is to rely on nuclear power,” then the next logical iteration of their proposal is to build dozens more — a radioactive necklace of giant refrigerators — and then turn all those firths and lochs into glacier fields, maintaining Scotland's national climate as it awaits atmospheric conditions to return to pre-modern levels.
Historic preservation for the climate-changed future.
But whether or not you believe that nuclear power stations should have a role in combatting climate change or even whether or not this concept would alleviate the local effects of ungeographically high temperatures, this will surely be a popular destination.
In Berlin a tropical indoor beach has just been opened while even in Scotland we now see the first indoor ski slopes with real snow. As a matter of fact people can't resist climate change; they actually hold a deep desire for it. Change of climate is the most important factor in selecting holiday destinations!
And in case you get tired of all that ice, “the actual heat generated to cool the iceberg is utilised to create hot water lagoons in the nearby cement works quarry. The limestone of the actual rock formation will generate amazing dazzling blue lagoons.”
For UK residents at least, it'll be a cheap alternative to Iceland.
Scion has announced the pricing for its new 2008 Scion tC. The 2008 Scion tC Spec, which lets tuners take a blank tC and modify it, starts at $15,300 for a manual and $16,100 for an automatic. The core 2008 Scion tC model starts at $17,000 for the manual and $17,800 for the automatic.
The 2008 Scion tC receives new styling with a new upper mesh grille, lattice lower grille, projector-type low beam headlights with black trim, and rear tail lights similar in style to the tC’s headlights with round combination lamps.
Apple iPod connectivity becomes standard on all 2008 Scion models with a Scion’s standard 160-watt maximum output Pioneer AM/FM/CD audio system featuring a head unit with iPod control.
GM’s Opel marketing team in Europe is studying the market for a plan to enter the small SUV market. The new model will give Opel a rival against the Fiat Sedici and Suzuki SX4. Chevrolet is also expected to follow Opel’s move.
“There is a need for small SUVs and our marketing team has been working on this. First we need to develop a concept,” Opel Managing Director Hans Demant told Automotive News Europe.
Like the UAW releasing some GM rear-wheel drive vehicle development this weekend, Rudi Kennes, a senior official at Belgium’s ABVV union, said that the GM has already signed an agreement that a small SUV for two GM brands will go into production in the second half of 2010. Both models will be built in GM’s Antwerp, Belgium, factory.
Kennes added that the plant would produce about 120,000 units of the new model per year.
Analysts are saying that Chevrolet’s small SUV may be very close to the Trax concept we saw at the 2007 New York Auto Show in April. No word on if this small SUV is going to make it to the U.S. shores but we feel it may definitely pop-up on our roads after 2010.
GM wants consumers to start looking at Hummers as trucks and SUVs that are built to do a job, instead of gas-guzzling SUVs made for the rich and hated by environmentalists everywhere. Ever since GM rolled out the Hummer H2, owners have complained of getting mean looks from their peers and finding their giant vehicles keyed in parking lots.
A survey conducted by J.D. Power and Associates last year said SUV buyers are avoiding the Hummer brand more and more mostly because they believe they are gas-guzzling vehicles.
“Hummer has an image of being the big, ponderous vehicles,” says Jon Osborn, research director at J.D. Power. “Really, it gets about the same or as good gas mileage as several others. … The name Hummer connotes a much more gas-guzzling vehicle than really is on the road today.”
Hoping to get rid of some criticism, Hummer stopped production of its five-ton H1 vehicle and started offering the H2 and H3 making them lighter and a little more fuel-efficient. The EPA rates the Hummer H3 at 14mpg, comparable to the Chevrolet Suburban which gets 16mpg and is powered by the same 5.3 liter engine. Future Hummer commercials will now pitch a more ‘Built Ford Tough’ style campaign where GM will try to persuade buyers that a Hummer to can be a friendly vehicle.
Mark LaNeve, vice president of sales, service and marketing for GM says he’d love for consumers to begin thinking of the Hummer vehicles as tools to get a job done. “No one criticizes a bulldozer for its gas mileage. That’s because it’s built to do a job.”
Hummer also showed the HX concept at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show. The HX Concept is an open-air, two-door off-road vehicle along with a convertible body via a pair of removable panels. Power comes from an E85 FlexFuel 3.6L SIDI V6 that produces 204 horsepower and 273 lb-ft of torque.
Just out of curiosity - do you guys think of Hummer as the first truck when you think of getting a tough job done or the first when you want to show off some bling-bling?
Bidding for the 43rd production 2008 Dodge Challenger ended two days ago after going on the auction block on Feb 12 with a starting bid of $25k. Winner rmartin175 won the bid for a total of $228,143.43. The B5 blue paint Dodge Challenger SRT8 had a total of 116 bids.
The number 43 pays a tribute to Richard Petty, who is famous for driving Mopar stock cars. A VIP race package to the Dodge Challenger 500 NASCAR race at the historic Darlington Raceway was also included.
