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The Daily Motor
The Daily Motor is a visually driven daily broadband editorial space for those afflicted with interest in all things automotive. First and foremost, we are chroniclers of motoring stories that drive us to passionately follow this industry. We bring forwar
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[ Date added: 2009-11-11 ]
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The Daily Motor
The Daily Motor is a visually driven daily broadband editorial space for those afflicted with interest in all things automotive.
Aston Martin Rapide.
Aston Martin Rapide 2010, a sublime manifestation of British splendor at its peak, debuted as a concept car in 2006. With the Rapide, Aston Martin has made an imperceptible departure from its norm of low slung two door sports cars. The Rapide is a four door coupe featuring a 6 liter V12 engine with an output of 470 hp. It boasts a rear mounted Touchtronic 2 six-speed gear box with electronic shift by wire control system and streaks from 0-60 in 5 seconds. The production version of the Rapide has been tweaked to render it a taller roof while still maintaining its sporty visage. The interior boasts a perception of space, yet intimate enough that the rear seaters are included in the ethereal driving experience which is ultimately the Aston Martin aspiration. Aston Martin Design Chief Marek Reichman stated that customers could personalize the car to meet their individual tastes while optimizing the classiness of the structure. The Aston Martin Rapide will be available in early 2010.
VW and Suzuki join forces.
Two giants in their own right, VW and Suzuki, have embarked on a long term partnership while retaining their integral identities as two corporations. The two have concurred to pool their resources to span the gamut of the automotive industry. Suzuki Motor Corporation has long since dominated the mini car sector in Asia and some parts of Europe. It has accrued cumulative sales of 2.3 million cars and 3.1 million motorcycles during the 2008-2009 fiscal year. VW has sold over 6.3 million cars during 2008. With this collaboration, both Suzuki and VW hope to ride the wave for eco-friendly and compact cars. As per their agreement, VW will purchase 19.9% of Suzuki shares and Suzuki will use the money to buy VW shares.
Marchionne to step down from Chrysler or Fiat.
Sergio Marchionne, who was brought in from Fiat SpA to turn Chrysler around after its emergence from bankruptcy, will be giving up one of his executive hats in 24 months. He claims that a permanent solution for both the brands calls for a leader for each of the them. Marchionne is credited with reversing Fiat?s careening fortunes. He has architected a 5-year plan to restore Chrysler and give it a competitive edge over other automotive brands and to repay the American taxpayers. Chrysler is aiming at doubling its productivity to 2.8 million units globally by 2014.
VW unleashes its Bug in India.
The Beetle was launched in India last Friday proving that its cult status has a penetrated every major economy on the globe. The newer rendition of the BUG has switched to a front engine and front-wheel drive. The Beetle offering in India is a petrol powered, six-speed automatic transmission with a 2 liter engine. Its ritzy price of $44,000 (Rs.20.45 lakhs) manifests its target customer to be those in the upper echelon of society. Despite a surcharge of 110% as import duty, VW has received 150 orders indubitably by its staunch supporters.
Lexus LFA marketing crosses a new threshold.
The sale of the grandiose Lexus LFA has been assigned exclusively to London?s Lexus Park Lane Mayfair showroom. Devshi Varsani, the LFA Personal Liaison Manager at the showroom claims that since its launch at the Tokyo Motor Show, LFA, the Japanese supercar has garnered much praise and a robust prospective clientele. Customers from around Europe will travel to this exclusive VIP showroom to view and customize the car to their whim and fancy and will be sold the car at the venue with a deposit. The North American Market may only lease the LFA for two years before a purchase. Only 500 Lexus LFA s are to grace the road by 2011. The unique buying process is viewed as an exclusive and enviable experience that comes with purchasing a world-class product craved by many but bestowed to a few.
LA Auto Show 2009 Preview.
The LA Auto Show 2009 opens to the public on December 4, unveiling the crème de la crème of cars manufactured around the globe. The extensive lineup of concept and production cars will satiate every car zealot converging at the show. The confection of sweet rides include the Cadillac CTS Coupe, Porsche Boxter Spyder, VW UP, Audi e-Tron, BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept, Lexus LFA, Jaguar XJ, Lexus LF-Ch Compact Hybrid, Mini Coupe Concept, Porsche GT3 RS, Rolls Royce Ghost, Mercedes Benz B-Class F-Cell, Mercedes Benz S400 Hybrid, Volvo C70 and a host of other adrenaline pumping automobiles. With the auto industry barometer indicating an up-tick, customers are willing to pony up the dinero for a car that appeals to them.
Tata ekes out a profit.
Thanks to a spike in sales of the Jaguar and Land Rover models, Tata Motors have made bank this quarter. Tata credits a synergy of cost-cutting measures and new product launches for the $4.5 million profit logged at the end of September. An estimated 44,000 Jaguars and Land Rover SUV have been scooped off the assembly line this quarter. Tata believes that the free-falling of the automotive industry has been curtailed with the slow but definite turnaround in the global economy.
Nano Hybrid in the works.
The world?s cheapest car, Tata Nano, will be offering a hybrid version of itself to meet the clamoring demands of the eco-friendly populace. Despite the lofty price of battery technology, Tata Industries are looking to make a hybrid at a feasible price. Ratan Tata is confident that the current trend of escalating demand for low priced goods in India will spread globally and like the Nano, the Nano hybrid will carve a niche for itself amongst this segment of customers.
VW invests in Brazil through 2014.
A 70 percent boost in auto sales in Brazil since 2005 has made it a prime target for VW, the world?s largest automaker to invest in their production plants there. The $3.5 million investment would capacitate the upgrade and expansion of the product lineup of VW. The German automaker has the largest dealer network in Brazil that will expedite the sales of an ambitious 4 million cars to be churned out by 2014 at the production plants at Sao Carlos, Anchieta and Taubate.
2011 BMW 5-series to be launched at Geneva Motor Show.
BMW has unveiled its sixth generation 5-series under the F-model banner. Promising the ?most beautiful BMW of our time? , this F10 model has gone up a notch in its design and performance from its pedigreed pioneers. Evocative of the GT series, this dynamic car has the longest wheelbase for a mid-sized sedan and will be offered with a choice of an eight cylinder and six cylinder engines. Several innovative options are available to heighten the driving experience, including active rear-wheel steering for a tighter turn and in-phase steering for maximum stability at high speeds. A brand spanking new eight speed automatic transmission and double wishbone front suspension are some of its luring highlights. The interior design of the car is geared toward a driving aficionado with it cocooning cockpit whilst also promoting capaciousness. The instrument panel features the iDrive which helps direct the car with superfluous ease. A strew of cutting edge features like the Park Assist technology, a Surround View Camera System and a twenty percent reduction in fuel consumption are sure to draw hordes of fans out of the woodwork. The 2011 BMW F-10 will hit the market in 2011.
Koenigsegg Group AB Terminates Agreement For Purchase of Saab.
General Motors confirmed today that the proposed sale of its Saab subsidiary to Koenigsegg Group AB was terminated at the discretion of the buyer. "We're obviously very disappointed with the decision to pull out of the Saab purchase," said GM President and CEO, Fritz Henderson. "Many have worked tirelessly over the past several months to create a sustainable plan for the future of Saab by selling the brand and its manufacturing interests to Koenigsegg Group AB. Given the sudden change in direction, we will take the next several days to assess the situation and will advise on the next steps next week."
Cadillac makes a splash with its luxury sports coupe.
The long awaited 2011 Cadillac CTS Sports Coupe, has been let out of the bag today. A halo car of sorts , the CTS coupe epitomizes opulence with an undercurrent of sporty ambitions. Inspired by the Cadillac CTS Sedan, this coupe has cloned the same wheelbase as its counterpart but is set lower and a tad shorter in length. The windshield is placed at a steeper angle gifting it a svelte and aerodynamic visage. Its powertrain is formed of a direct-injected 3.6 liter V6 engine with a six speed manual transmission giving an impressive mileage of 27mpg. The interior is strewn with hand-crafted accents on the panels, doors and the console. The CTS coupe will offer a 14-way adjustable Recaro sports seats and has thrown in every conceivable hi-tech toy to heighten the pleasure of its owner. The 2011 Cadillac CTS Sports Coupe will make its official debut at next month?s Los Angeles Auto Show.
Lamborghini creates Murcielago successor.
Lamborghini is looking to graduate from its halo car, the Murcielago, and its variant scions to create the next generation of super cars. The Lamborghini Jota might hit the ?raging? bulls eye with its 6.0 liter V12 engine, the powerful 700 hp propelling the car from 0-60 in under 3 seconds . The svelte Jota will possess a light-weight carbon-fiber and aluminum body which is a departure from the Lambo norm of heavy steel frames. The Lamborghini Jota will debut in 2011.
Casting coup for McLaren with Button and Hamilton.
In a historical tour de force, McLaren has enlisted two of the recent world champions, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton for the McLaren F1 team. This masterstroke brings for the first time since 1968, two British F1 drivers to a British team, who are also consummate professionals in their sport. Not one to rest on his laurels, the 2009 F1 World Champion Jenson Button wanted to challenge himself further and he claims that after visiting the McLaren Technology Center he was taken with the team?s epic history and their strive for excellence which motivated him to make the McLaren team his choice for the 2010 racing season and beyond. Button will sign a 3 year, 6 million pounds a year deal with McLaren this week.
Glock to drive for Manor GP.
Timo Glock has opted to move on up with the fresh Manor Grand Prix Formula One Team for the 2010 racing season. Glock had to look for greener pastures after his two year stint with the Toyota F1 team once the team withdrew from F1 this year. Glock claims to have waived several opportunities with established teams like Renault to move in with the novice Manor GP team because he wanted to be instrumental in building a team and car from the ground up.
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