Report: Volkswagen BlueSport is apparently still on track
As of final months Detroit Automobile Display, it appeared that Volkswagen’s Bluesport idea had been put to rest.
To more solidify the speculation, Matthias Mueller of Porsche spoke about the model correct right after the automobile show, saying that the brand would need to have a “new generation” of clientele to support the off-beat model, and that the platform the model utilized would be implemented elsewhere amongst the VW Group’s brand names.
Recently, Uli Hackenberg, head of engineering at Volkswagen, confirmed just the opposite, revealing that the Bluesport is still in the works. Hackenburg foresees a shift in the market for sportscars, and regardless of dealers not being onboard due to much less-then-desirable sales forecasts, he even now sees drastic alter coming. He predicts that whilst there are no entry-degree designs obtainable, new models coming out like the Subaru BRZ and the Toyota GT 86, the segment will flourish.
In addition, he sees a spot for European automobiles in the U.S. industry, and Volkswagen is requesting that its dealers reevaluate forecasts. If the model have been greenlit, it would come with a pricetag more than $ 25,000.
- By: Alexandra Koken
Mercedes-Benz Citan delivery van teased with sketches
Mercedes-Benz is teasing a new urban delivery van these days with the release of three sketches. The drawings tease a new model called the Mercedes-Benz Citan, which is derived from ‘city’ and ‘titan.’
The purpose of the Mercedes-Benz Citan is to provide a lower and much more compact van for the marketplace, boosting sales in a segment in which the Stuttgart automaker currently shines.
“Whereas the modest vans segment was nonetheless a niche market in the mid-1990s, it has now grown to close to 700,000 units in Europe,” the organization said in a statement. “Mercedes-Benz Vans plans to acquire a market share of four to five percent in this segment.
“We will take benefit of the trend toward city vans, which our brand will be capable to exploit thanks to its attractively priced autos and the large quality of our products and solutions,” says Volker Mornhinweg, Head of Mercedes-Benz Vans. “Our standard Mercedes-Benz reliability, 24/7 service, and, last but not least, our wonderful brand picture are important promoting points as far as our business buyers are concerned.”
The Mercedes-Benz Citan will hit the Euro market place in fall of 2012.
Audi Enters Hybrids for Le Mans
Following Toyota’s choice to enter a pair of gasoline hybrids for this year’s 80th Le Mans 24 hour race (June 16-17, 2012), Audi has announced it is getting into a pair of diesel hybrids to be driven by its top rated driver squads lead by André Lotterer and Allan McNish. These will be backed up by a duo of conventional diesel R18’s entered by Team Joest and Audi Sport North America with Timo Bernhard and Olivier Jarvis, respectively, major the driving squads.
With both Audi and Toyota fielding hybrids it helps make Peugeot’s decision to withdraw from Le Mans and not enter its 908 Hybrid4 even much more mystifying, specifically in light of the truth that its 3008 Hybrid4 has just gone on sale in Europe and the UK (more on that up coming week).
Other obvious absentees from the LMP1 class is Aston Martin following last year’s disastrous AMR-A single LMP1 autos which failed to make it beyond the very first hour of the 2011 race. As a substitute it will field two Vantage GT2s in the GTE class.
Meanwhile, Marino Franchitti has been confirmed as lead driver for the experimental Delta Wing run by Highcroft racing.
Other US interest consists of Dyson Racing, winners of final year’s ALMS, getting into a pair of new LMP1 Lola-Mazda B12/60 coupes, Starworks Motorsports and Level 5 Motorsports HPD ARX 03b Hondas, a pair of operates Corvette C6 ZR1s, 911s from Flying Lizard and a 458 from Krohn.
Video: Acura releases another commercial with Jerry Seinfeld trying to get first NSX
Earlier this week, Acura dropped its total commercial for Super Bowl XLVI which functions Jerry Seinfeld and Jay Leno trying to convince the initial buyer of the upcoming Acura NSX to hand them above his keys.
Check out original post on the Acura NSX.
Acura has now released another business, for the net only, exactly where Seinfeld continues his attempts.
“In his ongoing attempts to get the extremely initial Acura NSX, Jerry Seinfeld offers to trade the last living Munchkin to the a single individual in front of him on the waiting list,” Acura said about the business.
Check it out following the jump.
BMW falls behind Mercedes-Benz in Jan. 2012 sales
Even though BMW had a quite powerful 2011, the Munich automaker failed to retain its lead over Mercedes-Benz in January U.S. sales. BMW sales rose 3.1 % in January 2012 with a complete of 16,405 units delivered in the United States. Mercedes-Benz was up a complete of 24 percent with a complete of 20,306.
Lexus sales fell four.six % to 12,274 autos in January 2012.
BMW revenue in 2011 rose 13 % to 247,907 units, assisting it claim the title as the top rated-offering luxury brand in the United States. The range helped dethrone Lexus, which held the spot for 11 years.
Lexus sales fell 13 percent in 2011 to 198,552 units bringing it to No. 3, even though Mercedes-Benz came in second offering 2,715 units much less than BMW.
Jaguar XJ220 celebrates 20 years
Jaguar not too long ago celebrated the 20th anniversary of 1 of the most iconic cars in history – the XJ220. A single of the fastest Jaguar’s ever creates, the Jaguar XJ220 was launched in 1992 and was ready to accomplish a leading speed of 213mph, the highest optimum speed of any production auto.
Even 20 a long time, Jaguar’s engineers constructed the XJ220 making use of sophisticated aluminium honeycomb, which made the vehicle considerably robust even though weighing just 1,470 kg (three,234 pounds). Energy for the Jaguar XJ220 came from a 3.5 liter V6 twin-turbo engine creating 542-hp with a optimum torque of 475 lb-ft. Mated to a five-speed gearbox and a AP Racing twin-plate clutch, the XJ220 was abel to hit 60 mph from in underneath four seconds.
Production of the Jaguar XJ220 was finished by hand at Jag’s Bloxham, Oxfordshire factory. The initial consumer vehicle was finished in June 1992 with a retail price tag of £470,000 ($ 743,046 USD).
Production of the model ended just 2 many years later on, by which 275 units were built.
Acura/Seinfeld Super Bowl Outtakes (x5)
Earlier this week we gave you an sophisticated look at Acura’s Seinfeld/NSX Super Bowl XLVI commercial. Since one was not sufficient, Acura has just released five (count ‘em) extended cuts on YouTube. In other words, when you get Jerry Seinfeld to back your auto in a game day business, you make the most of him.
The 1st clip, called “Small Talk” (which should have been called “Cubes of Ham”) is the finest of the bunch. Get pleasure from!
More Video Clips:
- “Private Comedy Show” – What’s the offer with Thanksgiving?
- “Zip Line” – Unitards
- “Munchkin” – Teeth whitening kits for all!
- “Sock Puppet” – Just give him the vehicle already…
