Auto Zone and News: April 2011

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Bentley Turbo R roars back!

Nearly 10 years after it was dropped, the Bentley Turbo R is about to make a comeback!

We first revealed the firm’s plans to introduce a coupé version when the Mulsanne was launched in 2009. And now, insiders are admitting that it could revive the evocative badge.

The original Turbo R was produced from 1985 to 1994, and based on the Mulsanne Turbo. With a Rolls-Royce-sourced V8 engine putting out around 350bhp – official figures weren’t released – and suspension tuned to match, it created what was to become the last word in luxury muscle cars.

Bentley has yet to officially confirm the move, but a spiritual successor would be the perfect fit for a performance version of the coupé.

Under the bonnet of the new Turbo R would be the current Mulsanne limo’s 6.75-litre V8, although power is likely to be increased from the saloon’s 510bhp to nearer 600bhp.

It could be launched in 2013, and our rendering shows how the coupé would look.

The front end is identical to that of the four-door, complete with the signature grille and controversial drooping headlights. However, from the A-pillar back it’s all new, with the rear doors deleted in favour of a swooping coupé profile. The Turbo R will join a trio of new Bentleys planned for launch from 2015, each featuring Porsche underpinnings.

On the schedule is a £150,000 five-door coupé based on the Continental GT, and using the platform from the next-generation Panamera. There is also a plush Cayenne-based 4x4 crossover, plus a £90,000 coupé to rival the Maserati GranTurismo.

BMW M3 to get turbo power

The model has consistently set the performance coupé benchmark, and this latest version will raise the bar further with its more efficient 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine. Replacing the much-loved 4.0-litre V8, it will be the first turbo to grace the M3. This will help to improve overall fuel consumption and reduce emissions, even on high-performance BMWs.

Even so, the engine will pack a serious punch, delivering around 450bhp. It is likely to be a development of the unit used by the 1-Series M Coupé, but with approximately another 100bhp, it should be able to push the car from 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

The engine is mated to a choice of six-speed manual or twin-clutch paddleshift gearboxes. The car gets the latest M Sport active diff, too, and will be better to drive than the previous M3, as well as faster, lighter – thanks to composite materials – and more efficient. It will also be a real head-turner. As with the current car, the coupé will get sleek bodywork with unique panels. These will give it a longer, sportier profile, complemented by a more rakish windscreen.

Think of the car as a downsized version of the new 6-Series and you’ll get the idea. The M3 will add a muscular bodykit, low front splitter and air intakes. In addition to the Coupé we have illustrated here, there will be a drop-top Convertible.

However, this time there won’t be an M3 saloon option – the four-door has been relatively unpopular, so BMW is likely to drop it from the range. Expect to see the new M3 in 2012.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Lifan's Russian plant adds 3rd sedan, now builds complete line

CHONGQING, China -- Lifan (Industry) Group Co. is now building its complete lineup of sedans at its assembly plant in Russia after adding output of the Lifan 320 small car earlier this month.

The Lifan 320 is a hatchback that resembles the Mini produced by BMW Group.

"To date, Lifan has achieved local production in Russia for all its three models - the Lifan 520, 620 and 320," the private Chinese company said in a statement.

The vehicles are assembled from kits exported from China to a plant in the city of Cherkessk near the Black Sea. The plant is jointly owned by Lifan and Russian automaker Derways Automobile Co.

Lifan started assembling cars in Russia in 2007. The first model built at the Cherkessk plant was the Lifan 520 compact. It was followed by another compact sedan, the Lifan 620, in 2010.

Annual output of the Russian plant is expected to increase to 32,000 units this year from 14,000 units in 2010, said Lifan.

Lifan exports its cars to 54 countries. Besides Russia, it has assembly plants in Azerbaijan, Vietnam, Iran and Ethiopia.

Lifan, located in the south China city of Chongqing, sold 114,332 vehicles in 2010, up 37 percent year-on-year, according to J.D. Power.

New Chevy Malibu will be sold globally, offer numerous styling changes

Chevrolet plans to sell the next-generation Malibu in nearly 100 countries and build the car in multiple locations, including China.

The Malibu concept will be unveiled April 19 at the Shanghai auto show and simultaneously Webcast at 8:30 p.m. EDT April 18 on www.facebook.com/chevrolet.

The Web reveal also will be streamed live on iPad and iPhone mobile devices.

The next Malibu marks another step by General Motors to reduce its engineering costs by selling the same model in numerous markets. It also is another move to enhance Chevrolet as a global brand, GM says.

Although all of the sheet metal on the concept is new, a 60-second video prepared by Chevrolet depicts an evolutionary styling change. A tall grille, split by a wide bar is one of the styling themes carried over from the current Malibu.

However, the concept incorporates a styling design that will distinguish all Chevrolet cars in the future: two taillights, on this concept rectangularly shaped, on each side of the rear of the vehicle. The Malibu will be Chevrolet's first mid-sized car to be sold globally.

GM said the car will be assembled in two U.S. plants and labeled a 2013 model. U.S. sales begin next year. The concept also will be displayed April 23 to May 1 at the New York auto show.

"This Malibu takes Chevrolet's established and award-winning nameplate to new places and introduces it to new audiences around the world," Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet, said in a statement.

"Whether the Malibu is sold in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa or Australia, it has been engineered from the ground up to meet the needs of customers around the world."

Details about the vehicle were not released. However, GM said the car will be available only with four-cylinder engines.

Other automakers - notably Hyundai and Kia - have also dropped optional V-6 engines in their mid-sized sedans to meet tougher fuel economy requirements and address shifting consumer preferences.

Additionally, GM said the next Malibu will offer suspension tuning similar to European vehicles.

"We look forward to offering the new Malibu to our customers across China," Kevin Wale, president and managing director of the GM China Group, said in a statement.

"The Malibu fully embodies Chevrolet's tradition of dynamic styling, superior handling and outstanding fuel efficiency. It will address growing domestic demand in the upper-medium segment, especially among younger car buyers," Wale said.

Last year, Malibu was Chevrolet's top-selling car in the United States with 198,770 sales, a 23 percent increase over 2009.