Ford takes the wraps off what will become the next generation Mondeo at the Detroit Motor Show.
By Andrew English

Hark, is that a phone ringing? That’ll be Uli Bez, Aston Martin’s chief executive, with a complaint about the uncanny resemblance to an Aston
evident in the grille design for Ford’s new Mondeo/Fusion, which goes on sale this year in America and April 2013 in the UK and is being shown
at the Detroit Motor Show.

“I don’t see it myself,” said Ford designer, Chris Hamilton, in the manner of Richmal Crompton’s William Brown denying knowledge of a missing catapult.
“But it’s nice to be compared with a car that costs 10 times as much.”

This is, of course, the apogee of Ford boss, Alan Mulally’s “One Ford” approach, although the sharp eyed will have noticed that while the Fusion is a four-door saloon,
the Mondeo, when we see at the Paris Motor Show this autumn will be a five-door hatchback.
This floorpan will underpin a subsequent estate model as well as the replacement for the Galaxy MPV and S-Max.

All-new multi-link rear suspension, electronically powered steering, more cabin space, a much improved ride and better noise insulation are some of the claims made for
this new model, which will sell about a million a year round the globe in 10 different guises. Petrol and diesel models in 1.6- and 2.0-litre displacements are promised,
with a hybrid model and possibly a 4×4 as well. Ford is even testing its latest 1.0-litre three-cylinder EcoBoost engine in the Mondeo, but that could be a downsizing step too far.

The One Ford strategy appears to be working for Ford, although there is a danger that model development starts to dash for the bottom rather than a climb to the top as engineers
compromise Ford’s legendary ride and handling for mushy American ride quality as they did with the first US version of the Focus model. Unsurprisingly, Ford engineers strongly refute this idea.

That’s the model which has generated the highest satisfaction rating among more than 300,000 Auto Express readers, with an overall score of almost 91 per cent in its Driver Power survey.

That means the executive saloon scored highly in each category assessed in the motoring magazine’s poll, which asks owners to rate reliability, build quality, running costs, performance, braking, ride quality, handling, practicality, comfort and ease of driving.

Premium brand Lexus was voted Manufacturer of the Decade, with superb aftersales care also earning it the best dealer network accolade every year since the survey began in 2002.

Hyundai, meanwhile, picked up the gong for the Most Improved Manufacturer, with the biggest leap in owner satisfaction – up nearly 10 per cent in ten years – of any manufacturer.

The most reliable car of the decade was voted the Honda Jazz Mk 2, according to Auto Express reader ratings.
It scored nearly 98 per cent in that category alone, while the vehicle with the most painless running costs over the last ten years was the Mk1 Toyota Yaris, with a 91 per cent satisfaction rating.

Japanese cars were rated the best to own overall during the last decade, with 20 of the top 50 cars hailing from the Far East. Britain came second and models from Germany took third place.

Auto Express acting editor Graham Hope said: “Jaguar’s XF is a thoroughly deserving winner of our award.
More than 302,000 Auto Express readers have told us what they like and dislike about their cars, and no model has shown more all-round consistency than the XF. It’s fantastic to drive and extremely well built – a tribute to the skilled British workforce.”

Delighted Jaguar bosses stopped production at the company’s Castle Bromwich plant to receive the Car of the Decade award.
Jaguar Land Rover CEO Dr Ralf Speth told us:-
“It’s a tremendous achievement for everyone in Jaguar – from the people here at Castle Bromwich who have been building the car since 2008 to the engineers, the designers and the dealers. I am very proud to receive the award on their behalf.”

Lexus UK MD Jon Williams said of its trophy: “Positioning the Lexus brand as number one for customer service was our aim and maintaining this for a decade proves the commitment of each and every person in the Lexus network.”

under News August 17th, 2011 by IFandP Newsroom

Consumption of energy produced from renewable resources surpassed its nuclear counterpart for the first time as nuclear outages coincided with the high-water season for hydropower generation, according to the US Energy Information Administration. In March, renewables had reached 795tnBtu while nuclear power delivered 687tnBtu, a trend that continued in April when figures stood at 798tnBtu and 571tnBtu, respectively.

Record-breaking snowfall in the west of the US led to hydropower plants running at full tilt for longer than usual. Simultaneously, many nuclear plants were shut down for regular maintenance and refueling, which typically takes place in spring and winter.

However, the agency also noted a long-term upward trend in renewables due to higher biofuels consumption and added wind capacity.

It must be noted that this trend applies to energy rather than electricity, where renewables are still below nuclear power generation. Nevertheless if trends continue, renewables are expected to surpass nuclear power in this area as well over the next few years.

30.09.2010

English luxury car maker Jaguar unveiled its C-X75 electric sports car concept at the Paris Motor Show.

The gas-electric hybrid is a two-seat sports car concept that the automaker says is capable of a top speed of 205 miles per hour, and up to 68 miles of all-electric operation. 

The car is a range-extended electric vehicle. In other words, it’s powered primarily by electric motors and a battery pack, but is given extra range (and performance) by an external power source. 

The gas turbines get their power from a flow of combustion gas — diesel, biofuels, compressed natural gas, or liquified petroleum gas (the Jaguar C-X75 has a 60-litre tank that accommodates all four).

This fuel is mixed with air and ignited to charge the car’s batteries to extend its range, but can also be used to power the electric motors directly in order to boost performance.

The Jaguar C-X75 features two micro gas-turbines which spin at 80,000 rpm which have been developed in partnership with Baldon Jets.

Energy created by turbines is stored in batteries that power the four independent batteries.

Mini will enter the WRC from 2011 with a rallying version of its Countryman SUV

By Kyle Ecob 27th July 2010

Mini is entering the World Rally Championship in 2011 with the new Countryman SUV.

Mini says the Countryman is a great base for a competitive racing car and is a confirmed contender for next year’s WRC.
Prodrive has been tasked with its development; the same Banbury outfit behind the Subaru rally campaign until its withdrawal from the sport in 2008.

The Countryman WRC car is designed to enter the new Super 2000 regulation championship which stipulates the use of 1.6-litre turbocharged engines, four-wheel drive and an increased emphasis on a road car relationship, helping to reduce cost. In this case a BMW Motorsport-developed engine will be producing the steam.

Mini will campaign in selected 2011 events with customer orders already taken, a full 2012 WRC season will follow with involvement expected for several years.

The Countryman will do battle with the S2000 Ford Fiesta, Skoda Fabia, Peugeot 207 and more, with rumours linking Markus Gronholm to a seat.

Kris Meeke is also said to have been in discussions with BMW for a drive, which could make for a nice British driver and car setup, if you can ignore Mini’s ownership and focus on its heritage…

BMW board member Ian Robertson said ‘Mini customers have always shown great interest in Motorsport. I am convinced we will add a few more chapters to our success story in rallying.’

Mini captured the imagination of WRC fans back in the 1960s with the original Cooper S by taking the fight to the big powered Fords and winning the 4000km Monte Carlo rally.

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

According to Mr S Krishnan, Tata Motors’ Senior Vice President (Commercial), Passenger Car Business Unit, due to the overwhelming response as well as the desire to own the XJ,
the company has seeded up the process and commenced the delivery of the iconic car in India.

Jaguar XJ is a rare blend of jaw dropping performance, head turning design and engineering master piece. The side profiles with the striking teardrop sculpture makes it unique among other luxury cars.
Jaguar XF and Jaguar XJ are the most streamlined and aerodynamic cars with a stunning 0.29 drag coefficient.

Jaguar XJ is powered by a 5.0-litre 385PS AJ-V8 Gen III naturally aspirated direct-injection V8 petrol engine.
With a massive power of 385 PS coming at just 6500 rpm, the mammoth torque of 515 Nm @ 3500 rpm, Jaguar XJ engine is mated with a 6 speed automatic transmission and runs in petrol fuel.

Jaguar XJ has robust yet lightweight body with an overall length of 5247 mm, width of 2110 mm including mirrors and a height of 1448 mm.
The wheelbase is 3157 mm facilitating the largest rear leg room of 1121 mm. With Aluminium being the major constituent and magnesium and composite alloys, Jaguar XJ is one of the lightest cars in its class.

XJ’s design is made by the technology used in aerospace for riveting and bonding operation and inspite of the lighter weight, XJ ensures best in class safety, great durability and quality refinement.

Although the side profiles make XJ look like a coupe, its actually a sedan with 4 doors and comforting 5 occupants. The conventional style has very spacious cabin enriched by soft-glove leather,
warm veneers and cool chrome. The roof is decorated by panoramic glass, making the cabin feel light and spacious.

Entertainment in this luxury car is taken care by the the innovative Virtual Instrument dials, 8” full color Dual View technology Touch Screen display and 1200W Bowers & Wilkins premium surround sound system.
The all-new XJ is a sheer driving fun car with the happy marriage of advanced technology and luxury on wheels. Pay 8.50 million rupees to own a Jaguar XJ!

London’s Saatchi gallery Elle MacPherson-1

London’s Saatchi gallery Elle MacPherson-2

June 14, 2010
FRANKFURT (Reuters) — Daimler AG wants to gain market leadership among premium vehicles in the small car segment as a way to overtake rivals BMW AG and Audi.

“We are market leaders with our S-, E- and C-class limousines. So it is obvious which market position we are due in the small premium car segment,” Zetsche told the Financial Times in an interview published on Monday.

“When it comes to revenues and profits, we are clearly leading BMW and Audi. This is the position that we want to maintain and expand,” he said.

Zetsche said Daimler was approached by General Motors Co. and was in talks with Volkswagen AG as well as Fiat S.p.A. about possible alliances before it decided to conclude a tie-up with Renault last month.

Zetsche said Daimler had spoken to Fiat, VW and BMW, and had also been approached by Japanese rivals and GM, among others.

“There has hardly been any carmaker that has not approached us. But we have come to the clear judgment that this [Renault] is definitely the best option,” the Daimler CEO said.

Renault, its partner Nissan Motor Co. and Daimler announced in April a broad strategic cooperation in the field of engine and vehicle development.

Daimler wants to reach an operating profit margin of 10 percent by the second half of 2012, the Financial Times reported

"There has hardly been any carmaker that has not approached us," Daimler CEO Zetsche said.

It would seem things are going quite well for David Cameron at the moment. After landing himself the Prime Minister’s job that he had been angling for,
he also got the keys to a new house in Downing Street and the use of a brand new car.

After his predecessor Gordon Brown was seen driving around in the previous generation Jaguar XJ, Cameron arrived at his new home in the latest generation of the luxury saloon.
Rumour has it a pair of XJs was delivered to the Metropolitan police for testing on May 11, a little too late for the previous PM to enjoy.

Presumably the people at Jaguar couldn’t have just sent a pair of cars off the local forecourt, as there tends to be a fair amount of security equipment which comes with top-level Government vehicles.

Whatever your political leaning, and whatever you think about MPs getting access to the latest cars, it is good to see the most powerful man in Britain back in a Jaguar, and the latest and most exciting one at that.

Cameron's XJ luxury saloon

Nov. 17, 2009 (China Knowledge) – U.K.-based jet engine maker Rolls-Royce said on Saturday that it has won a US$1.5-billion order for Trent 700 engines to power Airbus A330 aircraft for Air China Ltd<601111><0753>, the country’s flag airline.

The 20 aircraft will be delivered to Air China from 2011, and the Chinese carrier’s Rolls-Royce powered A330 fleet will be added to a total of 43, the company said in a statement.

The Trent 700 has now been selected 14 times by nine customers to power a total of 178 A330s in service or on order, said the statement.

The company said the technology offers Air China many advantages, such as the ability to maximize capacity at hot and high altitude airports, minimize fuel costs and benefit from the Rolls-Royce TotalCareâ comprehensive long-term support package.

Air China said on Friday that its passenger volume in October increased 14.3% from a year earlier to 3.71 million.

Volvo has released the first official pictures of the all-new Volvo S60.
The new car will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show at the beginning of March next year.
Production of the sporty saloon will start early summer 2010 at Volvo Cars’ plant in Gent, Belgium.

“The all-new Volvo S60 is sculpted to move you. It looks and drives like no other Volvo before and the
car’s technology will help you to be safer and more confident behind the wheel,” says Stephen Odell,
President and CEO at Volvo Cars.

The Volvo S60 will be available with Pedestrian Detection – a safety feature that can detect pedestrians
in front of the car and brake automatically if the driver doesn’t react in time.

“The customers in this segment want emotional appeal, sporty design and dynamic driving properties.
The S60 has it all. We are convinced that it will be one of the strongest contenders around,”
says Stephen Odell.

Although the engine line-up has yet to be confirmed, sources say that the car will be offered with
an all-new 1.6-litre direct-injection EcoBoost petrol turbo unit, delivering 180bhp.
A 1.6-litre diesel is also likely to power a low-CO2 DRIVe variant.

Volvo Cars, meanwhile, is in the final stages of being sold by Ford to China’s Geely.

    
Source: just-auto.com editorial team