|
Citroen
|
|
Written by Russell Sturmey
|
|
Monday, 20 October 2008 10:07 |
|
 Dodge has decided to drop AWD as an option for it's 2009 Dodge Caliber and Avenger. The AWD take rate was 4.4% for the Caliber and 1.5% for the Avenger. The Avenger's twin, the Chrysler Sebring, will also drop it's AWD option as it's take rate was a mesely 0.7%.
The concept of AWD on these cars is a good idea, and if they were better advertised perhaps their take rate would be higher (Ford, by comparison, freely advertises AWD as an option on it's midsize sedan the Fusion, and that care has a 20 percent take rate on AWD). The main problem for AWD on these models, however, is that it raises costs and decreases fuel economy.
|
|
Hyundai
|
|
Written by Russell Sturmey
|
|
Sunday, 19 October 2008 10:02 |
|
 Hyundai has announced it will be shutting down it's Alabama plant for 11 days between now and the end of the calendar year. They cite decreased sales ... Santa Fe sales, thsi year, are down by 2 percent and Sonata sales are down by a whopping 15 percent.
In an effort to ease the shut down on employees, the plant will shut down for various Fridays and around the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays.
|
|
Formula One
|
|
Written by Russell Sturmey
|
|
Friday, 17 October 2008 19:52 |
|
 In an effort to reduce the massive cost of developing new engine technology, F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone has proposed that teams use a standard engine and transmission starting in 2010.
This could very well lead to some teams dropping out of F1 altogether if they are forced to use engines developed by another team (imagine Ferrari cars racing with Mercedes engines, or Toyota cars using Honda engines). This also runs counter to the history of the sport ... F1 has always been a proving ground for new technology and this could very well stiffle much automotive creativity.
|
|
Chevrolet
|
|
Written by Russell Sturmey
|
|
Friday, 17 October 2008 13:16 |
|
 According to AutoWeek magazine, the future is uncertain for Chevy's halo car.
The next-generation Corvette, the C7 was to debut in just a few years but it appears that, due to the General's financial woes, this is no longer on the drawing board. Proposals have been made to have a significant upgrade to the current model in 2012, but even those are on hold until the company's finances stabilize. A minor upgrade for 2010 is still on the table.
|
|
|
Cadillac
|
|
Written by Russell Sturmey
|
|
Friday, 17 October 2008 12:58 |
|
 $59,995 is how much it will cost you to get into a 2009 Cadillac CTS-V. That is if you can find one selling for sticker.
This comes in as almost $7000 more than the outgoing model, but it is still a lot more affordable than the similarly performing BMW M5 which starts at $83,900. Models are to go on sale starting November 1.
|
|
Nissan
|
|
Written by Russell Sturmey
|
|
Wednesday, 15 October 2008 23:47 |
|
 Rumour has it that Nissan is readying a small RWD coupe to slot in below the 370Z.
The car, which should compete directly with the Hyundai Genesis coupe, will feature a turbocharged 4-cylinder as it's sole engine. That unit, dubbed HR16DET, is a 1.6L motor producing more than 200-hp. Should the model make it to North America it would also go head-to-head with the likes of the Ford Mustang.
|
|
|
Nissan
|
|
Written by Russell Sturmey
|
|
Wednesday, 15 October 2008 19:01 |
|
Nissan will be recalling 200,000 vehciles due to a faulty seat sensor linked to the passenger side airbag. The sensor tells the car whether there is somebody sitting in the passenger seat, and therefore whether to deploy the airbag in the event of an accident. These faulty sensors could lead to the airbag not deploying even though there is someone in the seat. The recall affects 2007, 2008 model years ... the cars include: Nissan Altima, 350Z, Rogue and Murano & the Inifniti EX35, G35 sedan and G37 coupe. Those soncerend should contact their dealer, or Nissan at 1-800-647-7261 or Inifinit at 1-800-662-6200.
|
|
Hyundai
|
|
Written by Russell Sturmey
|
|
Wednesday, 15 October 2008 05:35 |
|
Coinciding with the launch of the Korean version of the Genesis coupe, Hyundai has release the expected performance numbers. The base version will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0L inline-4 producing 210-hp @ 6,000 rpm (the Korean version gets a 223-hp version of the same engine). Hyundai claims a 0-100km/h of 8.3s ... but expect that to be a under 8.0s by the time the coupe gets released in North America. The upper level model will feature a 310-hp V6 displacing 3.8L. Hyundai claims this model should reach 100 km/h in 6.3s. Again, as with the 4-cylinder model, expect that time to fall when the car is actually released and tested ... probably under 6.0s.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Page 3 of 15 |
