2008 July - The Automobile Portal - Automobile Source: Reviews, News, Pictures, Insurance, Lease

It’s not a Sebring. Volga begins production of Siber sedan

July 31, 2008 at 11:54 pm | Cars
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Featuring a slightly revised front and rear fascia on a previous-generation Chrysler Sebring chassis, GAZ has resuscitated the Volga stigma denomination with the Siber sedan. In the words of Sergey Zanozin, Chairman of the GAZ Group, “The GAZ Group has started to bring into view a new line of cars under the Volga brand in continuance platforms from the globe’s leading manufacturers. The new production complex has the affable capacity needed to be the cause of new models into production at minimal cost and investment in the future.” Well, alrighty then. While the old Sebring platform ability not exactly set the world upon the body fire, it is definitely a step in the right direction because of Russian roads, with a contemptuously lifted ride height and beefed-up suspension components to handle the stresses of Siberian winters. The Siber uses a either a 2.0-liter Chrysler engine by 141 horsepower or a 2.4-liter churning finished 143 hp. Standard features include air conditioning, dual airbags, ABS and traction control. All in all, it’s not that bad.

Press Release:

The Launch of Volga Siber Production

July 28, 2008: Russian Federation Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited the car settle on the eve of the production start and took the new car on a experiment drvie. “It takes along fast and they’ve increased the clearance. It will have existence fine with regard to our roads,” he said. After seeing the important 300-metre conveyor belt, which utilises a modern overhead assembly line, the Prime Minister highlighted the quality control system which has been introduced at all stages of the car’s creation and production.

“Today we have launched a device which will open up a new phase in Russia’s car manufacturing efforts,” said Sergey Zanozin, Chairman of the GAZ Group, speaking at the opening ceremony. “The GAZ Group has started to produce a new extended mark of cars under the Volga lightning-flash on platforms from the world’s leading manufacturers. The new production complex has the flexible capacity needed to bring new models into production at minimal cost and investment in the future.”

The ceremony of the launch of serial car production was attended by James C. Epolito, President & CEO, Michigan Economic Development Corporation (USA). The State of Michigan became the second homeland for Siber as a result of a finish cooperation between GAZ Group and Chrysler LLC within the project of production launch of the car, as well as with automotive components manufacturers supplying abilities from Michigan against the new car. Mr. Epolito passed on the official greetings from Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan. As Governor Granholm writes: “The Siber project was very exciting to learn about and I am interested in its progress following its presentation to Russia. I am confident that it will be very successful! The Michigan companies you are moving with are some of the best in the world and will take great pride in contributing to your company’s success”.

“We look forward to a long-lasting relationship and strong partnership between the State of Michigan, GAZ Group and Chrysler, told Mr.Epolito. - I am the first American who herd Volga Siber today at test-drive. And I will be the first American who will buy the car and will drive it in USA. I liked it very much!”

The Siber model is based on a platform acquired from the American corporation Chrysler and was designed by the leading British workshop UltraMotive, that took into account the latest trends in modern car design. The Siber is fully adapted to Russia’s roads and harsh winter conditions. The Siber platform has a stiffer suspension and increased ground clearance compared with the original platform.

Production of a pilot series of the Volga Siber began in spring 2008. The test vehicles underwent trials at the GAZ Group’s engineering centre and specialised car magazines, and were also put end their paces by corporate customers and employees. Engineers and specialists from the Canadian company Magna International played every active role in the installation and fine tuning of the convention line, as well as in the training of GAZ Group employees.

Specifications of the Volga Siber
Basic equipment: 2-liter engine through 141hp, air conditioning, two airbags, ABS, anti-skid Traction Control System, halogen headlamps with delayed disconnection and adjustable levels of brightness, power steering, adjustable steering wheel, relating to electricity driver’s seat adjustable in six directions, stereo system with 6 speakers and amplifier, heated and folding electric mirrors and a full spare become weary.

Main technical specifications: 4-cylinder in-line Chrysler engine (standard Euro 4). Displacement: 2 litre and 2.4 litre. Power: 141hp and 143hp; Torque: 188 @ 4,350 and 210 @ 4,200. Maximum speed: 200 kmph. Fuel tank capacity: 61 litres. Dimensions: clearance: 140 mm; length: 4,844 mm; width: 1.792 mm; height: 1,394 mm; volume of passenger division: 2,660 litres; volume of boot: 453 litres.

[Source: GAZ]

Roewe 550 Sports Edition, With Bonus Haiku [Roewe 550 Sports Edition]

July 31, 2008 at 11:52 pm | Cars
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Those of us living in the United States will probably never see, let alone have the opportunity to buy, a Roewe product, but the brand marches on, and the Roewe 550 Sports Edition shown here is proof. What it adds to the standard 550 we have none model, other than the go-faster boy-racer carcass parts. Despite Roewe heart a Chinese mark, we couldn’t help but bust out a haiku on the subject.

Now snapped on film
550 Sports Edition
Roewe Flavored Rice

[More images at ChinaCarTimes]

Allegations Of Swiped Designs Surface Over RMR-Tuned Hyundai Genesis Coupe [Sema]

July 31, 2008 at 11:42 pm | Cars
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Yesterday we told you about the first of many modified Hyundai Genesis Coupes to debut at this year’s SEMA show. While the image we published was from Rhys Millen by way of Hyundai, telling artist Jon Sibal is claiming interest of it — specifically the front bumper — was yanked from one of his be in possession of design renderings of a hopped-up Lexus LF-A without permission. The LF-A trace out below the jump.

We dunno — the front bumper on Jon Sibal’s LF-A does appear to bear an uncanny resemblance to the one upon the body the RMR Hyundai Genesis Coupe. What do you think?
(Hat tip to Anderson!) [JonSibal]

2009 Ford Ka Again Peeks Out From Under Embargo Blanket [2009 Ford Ka]

July 31, 2008 at 11:30 pm | Cars
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Earlier this week, we got the first unofficially official look at the 2009 Ford Ka, the biggest little portion to hit the Ford lineup in years. Today we get an unofficially official look at its tail-end and the center stack, albeit in small-image make. Worry not though, as it seems everything is going according to plan, and the car looks just as it did then pre-production photos of the Ford Ka leaked out in May. Expect to see the littlest Ford debut at the Paris Motor Show in October.

g-tac turns iPhone into even cheaper performance meter

July 31, 2008 at 10:27 pm | Cars
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One day about spotting the “inexpensive” auto performance measurement implement Dynolicious for the iPhone, we’ve rest another, and it’s much cheaper. Liberty For One has released its accept automotive measurement tool called g-tac, and its going for just $4.99. For less than half the cost of the Dynolicious tool, you get times and trap speed for the quarter mile, because well as times for 0-60 and 60-0. The g-tac utilizes the iPhone’s (and iPod Touch’s) accelerometer to determine velocity, for a like reason the phone doesn’t have to be plugged into the car. The tool also graphs out your last three runs so you can hone your launch technique to boot time.

g-tac’s appearance list doesn’t appear to have the robustness of the Dynolicious app, which in addition features metrics for Lateral Gs and horsepower, and there isn’t much documentation to send away what g-tac can in fact do. The early reviews aren’t so hot either, as the first seven purchasers have averaged a rating of just 2.5 stars compared to the four star rating for the Dyonlicious app. Since cheaper doesn’t typically intend better, we intend to test both apps against an even more expensive hardware unit, and we’ll let you know if either iPhone app is worth your hard earned digital dollars.

[Source: Liberty For One]

Tag: Gadgets, Tech

Chrysler gets specific about this whole lease business

July 31, 2008 at 10:15 pm | Cars
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With every one of the intelligence swirling around about the downfall of leasing among the Detroit 3, Chrysler has decided to abide Stuart Schorr, Senior Manager, Sales, Mopar and Dealer Communications, in front of the mic to clear up a few things. The first point he makes is that Chrysler LLC dealers can still offer leases to customers from other fiscal institutions besides Chrysler Financial. While this is constant, some of those financial institutions have also backed out of the business of leasing Chrysler vehicles, including Chase Auto Finance. We’re not sure how many lease backers that leaves, but the ones remaining will likely be enforced to raise lease prices, much like Ford has done with its truck and SUV leases, to protect themselves from losing tons of money when vehicles leased today are eventually turned back in. The second point made by Schorr is that all current leases are not affected and their lease terms will remain in effect. Well we would hope so! Third is that Chrysler Financial will waive the disposition fee admitting that a existing lease owner decides to buy his or her vehicle at the end of the lease term. LeaseGuide.com tells us that this fee usually amounts to between $250 and $450. Here’s some mutually kind advice – do not buy your lease conveyance at the end of its contract. Unless you’ve driven a ridiculously soft amount of miles (not likely), your vehicle is worth way less than what Chrysler notion it would be and the bestowment absolute title will not make up the difference. You would effectively be letting Chrysler Financial off the hook for overestimating the car’s residual rate highly. Schorr’s fourth point is that employee leases and company cars are not affected. Cool, ’cause we were pretty worried about that. At the end of the day, leasing is still a viable option for many people who find the cost accordant, for the reason that we’ve no apprehend learned this past week that the monetary institution backing the lease is shouldering the risk.

From Chrysler’s Firehouse Media Blog

Stuart Schorr is Senior Manager, Sales, Mopar and Dealer Communications

Given the media interest in excipient leasing, I wanted to take this opportunity to give more minutiae on what customers can look for from Chrysler and their local dealers. Steven Landry, Chrysler Executive Vice President of North American Sales, elaborates in the video above.

1) Chrysler’s dealers are still able to proposal customers lease financing arrangements with other financial institutions, separate from Chrysler Financial.

2) Current vehicle owners, Chrysler employees and retirees through leased vehicles through Chrysler Financial give by means of will not be affected by this shift, and the terms of their covenant will remain in force. Chrysler Financial desire continue to subsistence and service current Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge lease and balloon-contract holders.

3) Should current lessees purchase their existing lease vehicle, or a new Chrysler, Jeep or Dodge vehicle at the end of their existing lease, Chrysler Financial will waive the disposition fee. Chrysler is also offering a loyalty premium of up to $750 incremental to most other incentives with the procure of a new vehicle. Chrysler wants to keep these customers in our family!

4) Chrysler employee lease/company car programs for current and retired salary Chrysler employees, in which vehicles are obtained through the company, are not affected.

[Source: Chrysler LLC]

GM employees to get sneak peek at production Volt

July 31, 2008 at 10:05 pm | Cars
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Pending white collar cuts and dire sales data have resulted in morale problems at General Motors. That’s going to put a damper on the Detroit automaker’s centennial solemnization, so the General plans on showing employees a near-production-ready Chevy Volt to give workers hope. The (hopefully) game-changing extended range electric vehicle decision be shown internally around the September 16th centennial, and employees who notice the Volt will, of road, have to check their cameras and phones at the door. That doesn’t mean the public won’t early get an eyeful of the car, since GM sources report that it’ll be shown in production trim at this year’s LA or Detroit Auto Show. Don’t forget also that it’s also been rumored that Volt could show up in Paris in October.

GM has 200 engineers and 50 designers working long hours to make the ER-EV take place by its late 2010 extension target, and there are one more 400 people working on components. GM is also constructing a new 530,000 sq-ft facility to build the Volt’s 1.4L engine and working on getting incentives for the planned construction.

[Source: Detroit News]

Tag: Detroit Auto Show, LA Auto Show, Hybrids Alternative, Green, Plants Manufacturing, Chevrolet, GM

No Surprise: Porsche 911 Turbo, GT2 and GT3 getting direct-injection

July 31, 2008 at 9:42 pm | Cars
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Porsche’s commitment to the KISS science of causes of exterior design won’t extend to the engine of the facelifted 911 Turbo, GT2 and GT3 when they’re released early next year. All three models will dispatch through the legendary M97 powerplant in favor of the new, direct-injected A91 flat-six that’s equipped on the recently updated 911 Carrera.

The two turbocharged 911s will be packing 3.6-liters of displacement, with a 97 mm fatigue and an 81.5 mm stroke (the outgoing engine was sized 100 mm x 76.4 mm), along with revised turbochargers and intercoolers. Autocar’s sources suggest that output on both models power of choosing rise by around 20 hp, with the Turbo producing 500 hp and the GT2 pushing out not fa from 550 hp. Torque figures should also augment by dint of. around four percent.

The GT3 will remain naturally aspirated, with a 3.8-liter interpretation of the A91 with a 102 mm bore and a 77.5 mm stroke. The same mental changes from the Carrera S desire carry over to the GT3, including lightweight pistons, valves and springs. Output should increase from around 415 to 430 hp. And all of these changes will also increase fuel efficiency and decrease C02 output. ‘Cause that’s what really matters… right?

[Source: Autocar]

Tag: Coupes, Supercars, Porsche

The thinking (or lack thereof) behind KITT F-150

July 31, 2008 at 9:39 pm | Cars
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Mike Levine from Pickuptrucks.com recently spoke with Knight Rider Executive Producer Gary Scott Thompson and got the skinny on KITT’s new ability to transform himself (seriously, I just called it a “him”) from a 2008 Shelby GT500KR to a 2009 Ford F-150 FX-4. The essence for having KITT morph into a truck came to Thompson when he needed his main character and that week’s damsel in distress to make a quick getaway without KITT having to stop during the term of them to get in, so he imagined the car as a pickup. This regular course the characters could hop rectilinear in its bed (we see this happen in the recently made known clip that was released by NBC), though we’re unsure how they survive the metal origami that turns KITT hinder part into a car. We also disagree with Thompson when he alludes to the GT500KR being “about the same mass” being of the class who the F-150, but he feels justified in taking this direction with KITT after consulting with “futurists” at Microsoft who predict that vehicles will change their shape to suit our needs through 2030. We don’t know what being a futurist entails, bound we’re not inclined to believe ones employed by Microsoft who failed to predict the backlash against Vista, how bad the Zune would sell or that the entire first batch of XBox 360s would delinquency. Clairvoyants they are not.

Though the rendering at right reveals KITT F-150 was originally designed to bear a bigger resemblance to the GT500KR steady that the car is based, it’s ended up being just a blacked-out F-150 FX-4 by KITT’s signature red light bar above and behind the top sandbar of the grille. That should make it easy for fanboys to recreate with their own 2009 F-150s though, because we just know sales of the truck are going to skyrocket hind the renovated season of Knight Rider begins.

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

Tag: Trucks Pickups, Ford, Lifestyle, Celebrities

Caterham Now Offering Insurance, Super Lightweight Insurance [Industry News]

July 31, 2008 at 9:28 pm | Cars
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Owning a rare, exotic car comes with its own unique set of challenges. This is especially true on the side of cars like the Caterham Seven, which tends to be raced and modified by dint of. a high percentage of its owners. In that spirit, Caterham is at this time offering insurance to its customers. The best part is the new plan covers track-day certified vamp and is friendly to the kind of modifications that Seven owners are likely to make. This follows the Caterham CDX and other offerings from the company that shows its commitment to the unique brand of customers they serve in the UK. More info from the company below.

Caterham Insurance Info
We’re all based in the UK
Caterham Insurance advisors are based in Northamptonshire, Claims are in Yorkshire.

In the event of a claim
All repair work is carried out by skilled Caterham mechanics.

Windscreen hide
Windscreens replaced by Caterham or yourself get the £75 excess wavered.

Introductory No Claims Bonus
At Caterham Insurance we understand that your Caterham may have existence a fun car in spite of sunny days and weekends. If this is the case we can offer up to four years introductory No Claims Bonus.

Agreed value
One of the joys of owning a Caterham is their high re-sale value. If your Caterham is over 10 years sly we would be delighted to provide agreed value.

Is you Caterham modified?
A fun part of owning a Caterham is modifying it superior a number of years, for the road or course. Caterham Insurance recognises all modifications carried out by Caterham, yet be possible to also provide cover if you have completed modifications at a later stage.

[Source: Caterham via AutoFiends, WCF]

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