Thursday, July 3, 2008

Suzuki to Test New SX4 FCV Fuel Cell Vehicle on Public Roads

Japan’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism has given Suzuki the green light to test a new compact fuel cell vehicle based on the SX4 crossover. Quite interestingly, the SX4 FCV is equipped with a GM-made high-performance fuel cell along with a Suzuki-developed 70MPa hydrogen tank, and a light, compact capacitor that recovers energy during brake application and uses it to reduce fuel cell loading during acceleration. -Continued

The Japanese carmaker has been developing fuel cell vehicles in cooperation with General Motors (GM) since 2001 and up until now, it has tested three fuel cell mini vehicles on public roads with ministerial approval: the MR Wagon-FCV and Wagon R-FCV in October 2003 and the MR Wagon-FCV again in December 2004.

Lumma Design CLR X650 Based on the BMW X6

Lumma Design, notorious for its extreme tuning propositions (remember the M5 based CLS 500 RS?) is getting ready to strike again; this time with the BMW X6 based CLR X650 that will make its first public appearance at the forthcoming Paris Auto Show in October. Aside from the teaser sketch, the German tuner hasn’t released any official details on its lime-green monster crossover but we gather it’ll pack plenty of more ponies under the hood than its stock siblings. -Continued

From what we can tell by looking at the teaser sketch, the CLR X650 will get a wide bodykit that includes new front and rear bumpers along with 20+ inch black alloy wheels wrapped in high performance tires.

Via: Le Blog Auto

Brits Readying Lamborghini Gallardo Limousine

Seems like the chaps over at U.K. based Strechlimousines weren’t put off by Ferrari’s legal threats on the 360 Limousine, which by the way, is up for sale on eBay (click here), as the company is now working on a stretched version of the Lamborghini Gallardo. For the time being, Strechlimousines has uploaded a photoshoped version of the Gallardo Limo but we’ll keep an eye on them and inform you when they release the actual car.

Ford Focus RS Concept – First Official Images?

After the premature leak of the new BMW 7-Series, the second crack in the dam today comes once again from Germany. This time it’s the highly anticipated Ford Focus RS Concept that will be revealed to the public for the first time at the British Auto Show in London on July 22.

We traced these pictures -that look pretty official - back to the German car magazine “Autozeitung”. We remind you that a couple of weeks ago, Ford released a set of official images featuring a lightly camouflaged Focus RS on the Ring along with the initial details on the car’s specs - click here

Ford had told us then that the Focus RS will be equipped with a revised version of the Focus ST’s 2.5-liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine generating over 280PS and more than 400 Nm of torque. According to Autozeitung, the RS will deliver exactly 300 Hp to the front wheels along with 410 Nm of torque. -Continued

We’re not so sure about the lime-green color of the concept, but the Focus RS sure looks menacing. As for the interior and apart from the bi-color bucket seats, we can’t see any visible changes compared to the Focus ST’s cabin.

Opel Insignia Hatchback: First Official Images

These are the first official images of the 5door hatchback version of Opel’s highly anticipated mid-size model. As you can see for yourselves in the pictures we’ve added after the jump, even when placed side-by-side, it is hard to tell apart the sedan from the hatchback variant of the Insignia. In any case, both models look the part and if GM execs have any sense left in them, they’ll find a way to bring the Insignia ASAP into the U.S. market.

The length of both the sedan and hatchback, at 4,830 mm, and the wheelbase of 2,737 mm remain the same, but obviously the 5door version will be a tad more practical than its 4door sibling. From the beginning, the Insignia will offer seven engines coupled with six-speed transmissions while some versions will also be available with a new 4x4 system. -Continued

The four gasoline engines range from a four-cylinder 115hp unit to a V6 with 260 hp while the three new direct-injection turbo-diesels feature a displacement of 2.0 liters and power outputs ranging from 110 to 160 hp.

According to Opel, prices for the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Austria and Switzerland will be announced on July 22 during the Insignia’s global debut at the British Motor Show in London and cars will hit German dealerships before the end of the year. Opel expects both models to sell in about equal numbers.





2009 Holden Colorado Pickup Truck Unveiled

GM’s Australian branch has lifted the covers off its soon to be released, new light commercial vehicle, the Holden Colorado that will replace the Rodeo. Despite the name change, the Colorado is nothing more than a reowrked version of the Rodeo. The reason that Holden renamed its pickup truck to Colorado is because the Aussies lost the right to use the Rodeo name after the split between GM and Isuzu. -Continued

Available in 4x2 or 4x4 variants, the Colorado will be offered with three engine options, including a 161Hp 3.0 litre four-cylinder common rail turbo diesel. Also available is a 3.6 litre Alloytec V6 petrol engine and a 2.4 litre four-cylinder petrol engine.


Chrysler Signs MoU with China’s Great Wall (Clone) Motors

Chrysler LLC said that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China's Great Wall Motor to explore the viability of a long-term strategic relationship in various areas including distribution networks, components and technology. Neither company provided details about the agreement. Notably, Chrysler has already formed a relationship with another Chinese manufacturer, Chery Automobile for the development, production and distribution of small and sub-compact vehicles.

Now, for those of you wondering why we hailed the Chinese automaker as Great Wall “Clone” Motors in the title, we remind you that Great Wall produces a great number of vehicles that literally copy Japanese and European car designs, including the “GWPERI” Fiat Panda (pictured above) and the Scion-esque Cool Bear and Florid prototypes (pictured right). Hopefully the Chinese copy-maker won’t get any crazy ideas about creating the Challenger “California Dreaming”… -More pics after the jump