BMT 1 Series Frolics In The Snow
The BMW 1 Series may have got some very slight upgrade for the 2012 model year. But it seems tha the engineers are alread hard at work for the next generation of the current entry level machine from BMW. The picture above is a five door hatchback version that is doing some testing in the snow laden cold, complete with some set of chains on the rear tires.
Though it seems that the size of the BMW 1 Series hasn’t changed so much, we can see that that the front fascia has experienced some slight redesigning. It probabliy take on a shop more akin to what has been done to the larger 5 Series sedan. The prototype car is still quite heavily camouflaged, so it will be hard to tell exaclt what design tweaks will be in the store.
While for what is exist under the hood, your guess is mabe more or less the same with us. However, the latest BMW’s commitment to their four cylinder turbocharged engines will lead us to believe that the base car will have four pot power. As for the top end 135i will still likely use the turbocharged 3.0 liter inline six engine that we can currently enjoy.
BMT 1 Series Frolics In The Snow is a post from: Automotive News and Review
Dana Provides Up To M For Toyota Tacoma Frames
When an automaker is forced to do a recall, the defective part or feature of the car is generally because of the fault from the automaker, or from an OEM supplier where the automaker is contracted. 110,000 units of Toyota Tacoma has to be recalled back in 2009. In this case, the problem appears to have been traced back to its supplier. And now, the supplier has to pay for their mistakes.
The supplier which we are talking about, according to reports, is Dana. They ar the Ohio-based OEM contractor that supplying many components such as axles and driveshafts for automobiles, commercial trucks, and many other heavy equipment. For Toyota’s case, Tacoma supplied them with the frames for the Tacoma pickup which were found to rust when exposed to road salt.
Back in 2010, Dana has sold the plant that manufactures that Toyota Tacoma’s frame to a Mexican conglomerate Grupo Porza’s Metalsa subsidiary. However, the Tacoma’s frame which in question was built before the sale happens from 1995 to 2000. In this case, Dana has reportedly been forced to pay for their mistakes up to $ 25 million to Toyota for this issue.
Dana Provides Up To $ 25M For Toyota Tacoma Frames is a post from: Automotive News and Review
Porsche Looking To China For Cajun SUV Production
When Porsche was finally integrated to the Volkswagen group, their brand new parent company has set an ambitious sales target for their latest division. Those target are 150,000 units annually. In fact, it would require a 50% increase for their sales. However, Porsche has figured that they can even hit the far more ambitious target: It is 200,000 units peryear with a 100% increase.
In order to get there and reach the target, Porsche realizes that their current production capacity will not be enough to fulfil the target. It means that they will need to produce the vehicles at other additional facilities. Some rumors said that the additional plants will be in the United Sates and China.
That news would seem a bit logical first step as the Audi Q5, in which the upcoming Porsche’s Cajun SUV is originally based, has already being built in China. Beyond this Cajun SUV, however, the production in the United States is said to be in the cards in only a few next years. This is also a logical decision to create another plant, as the United States is currently still the biggest market for Porsche.
Porsche Looking To China For Cajun SUV Production is a post from: Automotive News and Review
Jaguar Named As Featured Marque
The preparation for Monterey car week is already underway, as the show will coming in August. Those preparations are includes naming featured marques for each event. Mazda Raceway is kicking things out by declaringthe Jaguar as the star manufacturer for the next Monterey Motorsports Reunion. Jaguar was actually has a special history with Mazda Raceway and the vintage races, while Phil Hill winning the inaugural Pebble Beach Road Races in 1950 with the Jaguar XK120 vehicle.
This is the third time Jaguar has been selected, after previously being featured in 1976 and 1992. The historic races will highlight Jaguar C-Type which will celebrate their 60th anniversary of the 24 hours Le Mans victory in 1951. This is the first of seven win for Jaguar. The races wilil also feature the 50th anniversary of the Jaguar E-Type.
Richard Beattie, Executive Vice President Marketing and Sales for Jaguar North America siad that the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion is hallowed ground for the automotive racing aficionados, and this will be a very meaningful place to celebrate Jaguar E-Type’s 50th anniversary. “At the Reunion, we will give the visitors a chance to take a look back and forward to all three of these elements in sensational cars for Jaguar,” he added.
Jaguar Named As Featured Marque is a post from: Automotive News and Review
Tesla Model S Begin Its Road Testing
The last time Tesla Motors releasing a video about their new Model S, it was a lot of talking from the Tesla’s Vice President and Chief Engineer for Vehicle Engineering, Peter Rawlinson, about the engineering side of the vehicle. But now, there is another video that shows just the opposite. There is no talking, just plenty of pretty pictures.
We can even say that it is asilent video. This video shows the first Alpha build of Model S cruising down on rural roads, and I admitted that it is a beautiful sight. The car looks like it is easy to handle. Tesla’s Vehicle Dynamicst, Graham Sutherland, said in a statement that this car is amazingly agile car for its size. It has great handling balance and poised ride with a communicative steering. It is because the low center of gravity and a very stiff body structure.
Tesla Model S was engineered as an EV and designed for superior aerodynamics, stability and handling, performance, crash safety, and range. It will complete two vehicle testing phases, Alpha and Beta. The Alpha testing phase has began in 2010. If you are interested to see more a lot more of the car specs, you can see it here.
Tesla Model S Begin Its Road Testing is a post from: Automotive News and Review