One of the most talked about concept cars at last year's Beijing motorshow, the Geely GT (where GT stands for "Geely Tiger") is making a comeback at next month's Shanghai auto salon. The Chinese automaker said in a statement that the positive reviews from the American press have "forced" the company to seriously consider building a production version of the coupe and for this reason, they have updated the concept by adding an interior and Lamborghini-style scissor doors as well as solving around 90 percent of the engineering problems - whatever that means.
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Monday, March 30, 2009
Geely to show updated GT Concept in Shanghai, Production Version may follow shortly
Official: 2009 Dodge Challenger SE V6 Rallye with Stripes and 5-Speed Auto
Dodge has issued official details and a high-resolution gallery of the newest member in the Challenger SE family, the Rallye Edition, that will go on sale this April along with the rest of the updated 250HP 3.5-liter V6-powered SEs that receive a five-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick in place of the previous 4-speed auto box. As we informed you this past weekend, the Rallye package consists of exterior and interior cosmetic upgrades. Similar to the R/T package found the V8-powered Challenger, the Rallye edition adds hood and deck lid dual stripes with accent color outer stripes, 18-inch wheels with black painted pockets, chromed 'FUEL' filler doo, a body-color deck lid spoiler and Micro Carbon interior accents. The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye starts at $26,490 (including $725 destination) with dealers already accepting orders.
Hyundai CEO reveals Details on Tiburon Successor that's Planned for 2011
With the new, rear-wheel drive Genesis Coupe already available on the market, Hyundai is now concentrating on the successor of the Tiburon (called Hyundai Coupe in Europe and other markets) that is scheduled to be introduced in 2011. Speaking with Autoweek magazine, John Krafcik, CEO of Hyundai Motor America, revealed that the firm's new coupe will be positioned below the current Tiburon in terms of size and more importantly, in price. If you're thinking in the likes of the long-gone Honda CRX, you're probably right. "It will have a lower price point, kind of eco sport positioning, where it is not going to be all about performance," Krafcik said. "It is going to be very fuel efficient. It is going to be stylish, a real nice complement to the Genesis coupe," he added. Krafcik also noted that the new coupe will share a front-wheel platform with the Hyundai Accent and Elantra and that it will be offered with an entry-level 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, adding that the car's styling will draw its inspiration from the Veloster 2+2 coupe concept that was revealed at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show. We can't say that we're surprised with Krafcik's revelations as it was apparent that Hyundai would follow a different road with the Tiburon's successor after the introduction of the sportier and more powerful, RWD Genesis Coupe. Via: Autoweek
Don't Cry for me America... GM's former CEO Rick Wagoner to Receive $20m Retirement
While we feel the pain for any basic employee -white or blue collar, doesn't matter- that loses his or her job, somehow we don't feel the same for high-ranking execs. As it was revealed today by ABC News, GM's outgoing CEO Rick Wagoner who was ousted from his position by Barack Obama (eligible for a massive $20.2 million retirement package. See, while the Treasury Department does not allow GM from paying severance to Wagoner or any other senior exec, the former CEO is entitled to retirement benefits from the company...
And mind you, this does not include other benefits such as cars for life, free air travel and secretarial services, not to mention the fact that over his 16-year long reign as a high-ranking GM exec, Wagoner received a whopping US$63 million, according to an analysis of company data by compensation analysts Equilar, Inc.
Heck, with that kind of retirement plan, feel free to fire me whenever and as many times you want... Just to give you an idea of what $20.2 million means, if you got paid $1,000 a day, it would take you approximately 55 and-a-half years (including weekends and holidays) without spending a dime to gather this amount of money.
However, it should be noted that according to Dave Schmidt, an executive compensation analyst with James F. Reda and Associates, there is a possibility that Wagoner might end up getting much less if GM goes into bankruptcy.
In an email sent to ABC from GM spokeswoman Julie M. Gibson, it was pointed out that Wagoner's retirement "will be paid out as an annuity over five years, the remainder is a small lifetime annuity". This comes to around $4m a year. However, on a follow up email sent after ABC published the story, Gibson said that " the specifics on any compensation entitled to, or actually paid to Mr. Wagoner are still being reviewed."
Nevertheless, as GM said in an official statement, "Wagoner has worked for GM for nearly 32 years and he is entitled to certain vested awards, deferred comp and pension and other post retirement benefits", meaning that the company's former CEO will one way or another receive a significant amount of money.
Source: ABC News , Via: Truthaboutcars
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Report: Infiniti's 2010-2012 Product Plan includes new Luxury Sedan, SUV and Hybrid
A news report from British magazine Autocar is claiming that Nissan's luxury arm, Infiniti, is planning to replace most of the models in its vehicle line-up as well as introduce a hybrid-gasoline car and a BMW 7-Series competitor by the end of 2012. Always according to the report, first up will be Infiniti's Audi A6 adversary, the 'M' badged sedan that is scheduled to be launched at next year's Geneva Motor Show.
The new M sedan will be offered with Nissan's new 3.7-liter V6 gasoline engine as well as a V8 variant but most importantly, Infiniti is said to be readying a V6 diesel-powered and a hybrid-gasoline version of the car.
Next up will be the QX large-SUV replacement, expected to be introduced in 2011. It will be followed in 2012 by the new G sedan plus the firm's first Mercedes-Benz S-Class competitor since the demise of the Q45 back in 2006.
The report goes on to say that Infiniti is also having thoughts of developing a battery-powered subcompact model -something in the likes of the BMW 1 Series and VW Golf, but this plan has not yet received the green light.
Unfortunately, there's no word on any sportier version or more interestingly, a possible production version of the Essence GT Coupe that premiered in Geneva earlier this month.
Via: Autocar
Brabus Tunes into the 2010 Mercedes E-Class with Performance and Styling Packages
Brabus, a longtime Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist, has launched performance and cosmetic-enhancing packages for the new E-Class sedan codenamed W212. Highlights include the Brabus-modified 6.1-liter V8 engine with 462HP for the E500 (E550 in the U.S.), new alloy wheels, suspension and brake system upgrades as well as a full bodykit and interior appointments.
For the time being, Brabus' performance kits are limited to the range-topping E500. The firm's engineers enlarged the V8's displacement to 6.1-liters boosting output to 456HP at 6,200 rpm and peak torque to 615Nm (453 lb-ft) at just 3,100 rpm. Acceleration from zero to 100km/h or 62mph takes 4.7 seconds while top speed is 305 km/h or 191 mph.
In order to transfer the power to the road in a politically correct manner, Brabus offers an anti-slip rear differential with a locking rate of 40 percent. Other mechanical upgrades include a lowering kit, a special control unit for the AIRMATIC air suspension and a high-performance brake system that consists of 375 x 36 millimeter (14.8 x 1.4 inches) vented and cross-drilled discs and 12-piston aluminum fixed calipers on the front axle, and 355 x 28 millimeter (14.0 x 1.1 inches) discs and six-piston calipers on the rear axle.
Aero body kits include a new front apron that replaces the production bumper in its entirety, aluminum front sport quarter panels with clear-coated carbon-fiber air outlets, rocker panels, a rear apron and a boot lid spoiler. Buyers can also choose among various alloy wheel designs with diameters ranging from 17 to 20 inches.
As for the interior, enhancements range from stainless-steel scuff plates with illuminated Brabus logo to ergonomically shaped sport steering wheels and fully leather interiors.
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