Daimler Signs A Deal with BAIC US$2.87 billion

The picture may seem familiar: Chinese and German businesspersons on the same table signing some papers, while German Chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel, and Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, standing behind them with their country flags are floating in the background.
Only this time the Germans are Daimler’s executives, not Volkswagen’s, and the other signatory is BAIC (Beijing Automotive Industry Corporation).
The deal involves Daimler investing $2.87 billion (€2.0 billion) to expand its operations with BAIC, called Joint Venture Beijing Benz Automotive Co, Ltd.
"As early as 2020, at least one in five premium compact cars is expected to be sold in China," Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche said. So it makes perfect sense for the company to expand its activities in the local market.”
This year, the GLK SUV will be added to Mercedes-Benz’s Chinese range and production of theC-Class and E-Class, which is currently 80,000 units per year, will increase according to demand.
In addition, from 2013 three new (yet unspecified) premium compact cars will be added to the luxury carmaker’s China market range. In the same year, a new engine factory with annual capacity of up to 250,000 units will produce 4-cylinder gasoline engines for the local market and a new R&D center will be established.

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Gordon Murray Unveils Electric City Car Radical T.27

Gordon Murray is best known as the mastermind behind the creation of McLaren’s F1, which at its time was the fastest supercar of the world – and, before that, for his work and revolutionary ideas in Formula 1 teams such as Brabham. However, that was a long time ago and now Murray is obsessed with creating a unique city car.

So today his company, Gordon Murray Design, unveiled in London their latest ultra compact city car, the T.27. It is a project that was completed in just 17 months from conception to a running prototype, including the design of a new electric powertain by Zytek Automotive Ltd.

The design and development of the project cost £ 9 million, half of which were invested by the UK government-backed Technology Strategy Board.

Murray’s aim was to create a completely new kind of car. One that would address the problems of CO2 emissions, city congestion, parking and low cost. He therefore patented a new manufacturing process, called iStream, which enabled him to produce new levels of lightweight structure and safety in city cars.

In Murray’s own words, “lightweight is the most powerful tool we have in our armory in the fight against emissions and fuel consumption. This is true of all cars, especially electric vehicles, since a lightweight car means a lightweight battery, increasing the levels of safety and reducing the retail price dramatically”.

The T.27 achieved recently first class results in the EuroNCAP 50 km/h impact crash test, confirming the integrity of the chassis.

Gordon Murray Design states that the T.27 is the most economical amongst electric city cars: per km, it consumes 29% less energy than the Smart EV, 36% less energy than the Mitsubishi iMiEV, and a staggering 86% less energy than the Mini-E, making the T.27 easily the world’s most efficient electric car.

The company is talking to three possible manufacturers, and the car will make its road debut at the RAC Future Car Challenge on the 5th of November.

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Peugeot Announces Special Edition RCZ Asphalt

Peugeot has opened the order books for a new limited edition version of its funky looking RCZ sports coupe. The United Kingdom will receive only 75 right-hand drive examples of the RCZ ‘Asphalt’ with pricing set at £29,995 (equal to US$47,840 and €33,540) a piece.
The Asphalt is based on the top-of-the-range GT trim featuring a 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 200-horses.
The bespoke model is distinguished by the http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifexclusive Matt exterior Telluric grey paintwork with black roof, Asphalt’ badging, 19-inch Solstice black alloy wheels, complemented with matching black brake callipers.
Inside, Peugeot added ‘Asphalt’ branded and stitched Nappa leather trim, an Alcantara / leather steering wheel and gear stick, plus bespoke ‘Asphalt’ sill covers and floor mats.
On top of the standard equipment featured on the GT model, the Asphalt gains front and rear parking aid, auto lighting (with approach and follow me home modes), Peugeot Connect Media Navigation and an upgraded JBL sound system.

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2012 BMW M5

Now that we’ve seen what the new 2012 BMW M5 sports sedan looks like, it’s time for some talented hands to shape the Touring version that may or may not follow in the future as the Bavarian company has not yet revealed any plans for a high-performance station wagon model.
The renderings you see pictured below are the work of photoshop artist Wild Speed who combined the bodies of the F10 5-Series Touring and the new M5 sedan.
If it were to produced, the estate variant would be powered by the same 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine with 560-horses found under the hood of the saloon model.

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Scio Updated 2012 tC and New tC RS 7.0

It’s only been eight months in the market but Scion has already announced a 2012 model year version of its latest tC sports coupe. Leaving aside the equipment upgrades for the basic model, the most important news for the 2012MY is the launch of the first release series for the second-generation tC sports coupe.

The new 2012 tC Release Series 7.0 or RS 7.0 for short, is available exclusively in a “High Voltage” yellow exterior finish with contrasting black side view mirrors and black 18-inch alloy wheels. A sports package from TRD that includes front and rear lower valences and side skirts plus a honeycomb lower front grille is also standard.

Interior goods include “High Voltage” yellow accents with black and yellow seat fabric, a leather wrapped steering wheel with yellow stitching and an individually numbered badge.

In a first for Scion, the tC RS 7.0 features the so-called Smart Key, which includes a keyless entry system that unlocks the doors with a touch of the door handle and a red TRD push-button start.

Toyota’s subsidiary said it will only build 2,200 units of the tC RS 7.0, which is priced at $20,905 and $21,905 when equipped with a manual and automatic transmission respectively, not including a $720 delivery, processing and handling fee.

The changes to the basic 2012 tC are limited to a new standard Pioneer audio system featuring Bluetooth hands-free, Bluetooth streaming audio and HD Radio technology and an optional upgraded version enhanced with a 5.8-inch LCD touch-screen display, features iTunes tagging and Pandora internet radio connected through iPhone and six RCA outputs to add external amplifiers.

Pricing for the entry-level 2012 tC is set at $18,575 when equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox and $19,575 when ordered with a six-speed automatic (not including Scion’s $720 delivery, processing and handling fee).

Both the standard and the RS 7.0 Scion tCs are powered by a 2.5-liter inline-four delivering 180HP and 173 lb-ft of peak torque.

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Renault Fluence Z.E. Priced £17,850 OTR after £5,000 Plug-In Car Grant

Following the announcements on UK pricing for the Kangoo Van Z.E. and Twizy, Renault today confirmed prices for its third pure-electric model, the Fluence Z.E. ahead of its launch in the market in 2012.

The four-door, five seat Fluence Z.E. saloon will carry an on-the-road price of £22,850, which drops to £17,850 (US$28,500) after the £5,000 UK Plug-In Car Grant has been deducted.

Buyers will also have to lease the batteries with pricing set at £75 (US$120) per month based on 6,000 miles/3 years. The French firm said additional mileage and contract length details will be available closer to vehicle’s launch.

Renault said the Fluence Z.E. is the most affordable electric car in Britain (not counting quadricycles like its own Twizy or the G-Wiz) undercutting its rivals by a “sizeable margin”. As an example, the French firm gave the Mitsubishi i-Miev electric mini that costs £6,140 more than the Fluence Z.E. at £23,990 (US$38,302).

The zero-emissions French sedan is powered by an electric motor that develops 70kW (95-horses) of power and 226Nm (167 lb-ft) of instant torque on tap, with its lithium-ion battery offering a driving range of up to 115 miles or 185 kilometers.

The launch model will be offered in a single trim level called Prime Time. Standard features include 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control, cruise control, ecoMeter and Carminat TomTom Live smart satellite navigation, and charging sockets on both front wings.

The French marque has already began accepting pre-reservations for its pure electric saloon via www.renault-ze.com with a £20 reserve.

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BMW Turbocharges X1 SUV

BMW is extending its smallest SUV’s range by adding two new engines to the X1's line-up. The first unit, which will be available this autumn, is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine producing 184HP and 270 Nm (27,5 kgm) from 1,250-4,500 rpm.

The compact crossover will be available in both rear and four-wheel drive versions bearing the sDrive20i and xDrive20i designations respectively, and which accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 7.4 (sDrive) and 7.8 (xDrive) seconds.

The newly developed engine has direct injection and the Valvetronic variable valve control system. BMW says it sets new efficiency standards in its performance class, with average consumption ranging from 7.1 liters/100 km (sDrive20i) to 7.7 liters/100 km (xDrive 20i), and CO2 emissions of 165 and 179 gr/km respectively.

The second newcomer in the X1’s range is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel which powers the (rear-wheel drive) BMW X1 sDrive20d. It comes with TwinPower Turbo technology that incorporates variable turbine geometry and common rail injection.

Output is rated at 163HP and peak torque at 330 Nm (243.4 lb-ft) between 1,750-2500 rpm. An average consumption of just 4.5 litres/100 km and CO2 emissions of 119 gr/km make the sDrive20d the most efficient model in the X1 range.

Both models feature BMW’s EfficientDynamics technology, which consists of a gear change indicator, brake energy regeneration, electromechanical power steering, disengegable air-conditioning compressor, auto start-stop system and low-rolling resistance tires.

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Saab Secures More Funding by Leasing its Property

Another day, another chapter in the ongoing saga that is the survival of Saab. Afteryesterday’s order from a (yet unnamed) Chinese company, which temporarily solved its cash-flow problem, today the automaker announced that it has reached an agreement with a consortium of Swedish real investors led by Hemfosa Fastigheter AB, for the sale of 50.1% of Saab Property for a period of 15 years.

The company’s property consists of 483,000 m2 building space, for which Saab will receive € 28 million, with the consortium reserving the right to purchase, in 30 days after the deal is sealed, more shares for an additional €5 million, bringing the total to € 33 million.

In order for the deal to be completed, the Swedish National Debt Office, which guarantees the €400 million loan from the European Investment Bank, will have to release its pledge in the shares of Saab Property, otherwise the EIB will reduce the loan by €120 million.

Saab continues its efforts to secure additional funding and restart production, since the money it will receive will cover only its short-term needs.

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Ferrari North Europe Brightens the Lives of 50 Children

On Tuesday, July 26, 50 special children will enjoy being driven around the Silverstone circuit in a Ferrari California by professional racing drivers from the British Racing Driver’s Club along with “BRDC SuperStars”, young drivers learning to be the professionals of tomorrow.

Ferrari North Europe organizes the event for the second time in collaboration with the BRDC and two charities, The Variety Club and BEN, to brighten the lives of some disabled, disadvantaged and seriously ill children. During the children’s 15-minute ride in the passenger seat of the California, their families will have access to the BRDC Clubhouse.

Matteo Torre, Ferrari North Europe’s Regional Manager, commented: “It is our honour and privilege to be able to share the excitement of riding in a Ferrari with another group of truly deserving children. Last year’s event was unforgettable, not only for the children but for all those who donated their time and energy. We look forward to create another memorable day”.

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Nissan Celebrates Production of 1 Million Qashqai Crossovers

Four years, six months and 23 days after the first Qashqai small crossover rolled off the Sunderland Plant’s production line in the UK on December 5, 2006, Nissan has passed the 1 million milestone.The Japanese automaker said the Qashqai is “easily the highest-volume car produced in the UK” adding that no other car in Britain has reached the one million mark in such a short period.
“The Nissan Qashqai has been a phenomenal success since its start of production just four and a half years ago,” said Kevin Fitzpatrick, Nissan Vice President for Manufacturing in the UK.
The company plans to put the landmark vehicle, a silver 2.0-litre diesel TEKNA Qashqai, on display at The O₂ Arena in London and then have one lucky person win the special car. Nissan said it will soon announce further details on the competition.
Currently, around 1,200 examples of the Qashqai are built every day at the plant, or about one every minute that the production line is open, with more than 80 percent of the vehicles destined for export to 97 markets across the world.
The Qashqai is the fourth best-selling model in the C-segment, which includes cars like the VW Golf, Renault Megane and Ford Focus, across Europe in the 2010 Fiscal Year. Its top five markets were the UK, Italy, Germany, Spain and France.

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