Nik J Miles

Archive for March, 2010

In a joint press conference in Stockholm on Sunday (March 28), Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, China’s largest private-run carmaker, and Ford Motor Co. announced an agreement for Geely to the purchase of Ford’s Volvo unit.
The $1.8 billion purchase price will allow more operating capital for Ford to concentrate on its core brands. The sale also represents the disposal of the last brand in Ford’s former Premier Automotive Group, which also included Aston Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover.

Geely said they plan to keep the brand and operations — including Volvo’s headquarters, production facility and research center — in Sweden.

Geely chairman Li Shufu said they are already planning a factory in Beijing which will make 300,000 Volvo branded cars, or as many Volvos for China as are now made abroad for foreigners.

The deal is expected to be closed in the third quarter of this year.

Infiniti is celebrating 20 years in the U.S. with four limited production 2010 G Anniversary models including a G37 sedan, G37 AWD sedan, G37 coupe and G37 convertible.

“These unique and very limited editions represent what Infiniti is all about – Inspired Performance,” said Ben Poore, vice president, Infiniti Business Unit. “Building on the popularity of the Monaco Red Leather and special Red-toned Maple interior that helped launch the G Convertible, the Anniversary Editions add a number of new styling touches that will make them instantly recognizable on the showroom floor and on the road.” Read the rest of this entry »

Toyota unveiled a concept at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit that shows one of the directions the company is looking as it prepares to expand its Prius lineup. The FT-CH is a concept that would address Toyota’s stated strategy to offer a wider variety of conventional hybrid choices to its customers, as it begins to introduce plug-in hybrids (PHVs) and battery electrics (BEVs) in model year 2012, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (FCHVs) in 2015 in global markets. Read the rest of this entry »

Arguably, the top concept at the recent Geneva Motor Show, the Porsche 918 Spyder takes the plug in hybrid idea to new heights.  With styling evolving from the Carrera GT the 3,300-pound carbon-fiber body Spyder is powered by a mid-mounted 500-hp, gas V-8 engine and a pair of electric motors adding an additional 218-hp. The all-wheel drive two-seater accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.2 seconds and has a top speed of 198 mph.  Porsche chairman Michael Macht answered questions about possible production by saying that Porsche has never shown a concept car that didn’t eventually get put into production.

Mercedes-Benz is rolling out a biturbo replacement for the thundering naturally aspired 6.3-liter V-8 being used in most AMG performance models. The new 5.5-liter engine employs direct injection with spray-guided combustion, piezo-electric injectors, adjustable camshafts and twin turbochargers. The standard 5.5-liter V-8 biturbo engine develops a peak output of 536 hp and maximum torque of 590 lb.ft. In conjunction with the AMG Performance package, these figures increase to 563 hp and 664 lb.ft. Read the rest of this entry »

Porsche may be planning to build a four-door version of the new Panamera sedan, says AutoWeek.  Despite inside claims that the car had been canceled, the magazine obtained copies of the European and U.S. patent applications filed in February 2010.  Read the rest of this entry »

Audi has announced plans for a rapid implementation of a hybrid and electric program as their part of the Volkswagen group strategy to dominate the alternative-powertrain market.  The Q5 crossover will be the first hybrid followed soon by the new A8 sedan and next generation A6 sedan by the end of 2012.  Read the rest of this entry »

Increased fuel economy continues to be an important factor in choosing a car. With engine management systems like Direct Injection, automakers are getting a jumpstart on the new rules and designing smaller engines that are able to power larger cars like the Buick LaCrosse. Read the rest of this entry »

“If you have a pulse you have impulses”.  The first words said by Ford when rolling out the  2011 Mustang V6.  Mustang has take its place in American iconography for 45 years.  9 million customers later Ford have learned a few things about what attracts Mustang buyers to the car.  It begins with looks and craftsmanship and ends with power and performance. Read the rest of this entry »

The rugged 400 mile race was started in 1978 as a promotion for the Mint Hotel in Las Vegas. Billed as the “Great American Desert Race,” the brutal course quickly skyrocketed to fame as racers braved the rough roads of the Moapa Indian reservation and treacherous trails like the infamous Rock Garden. With the race back on track, more than 250 drivers are expected to participate. Fans can also get their fix at the annual Fan Fest, where car buffs can meet the racers, check out the hottest cars and pose for pictures with Miss 400, a title once held by Vanna White. The Mint 400 will take place March 25th – 28th.