Hot News: Geely Plans New Volvo Models

Geely plans to launch up to three new luxury Volvo models within four years of taking over the firm from Ford, according to company sources.

Sources close to the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group, which is Ford’s preferred bidder for Volvo, told the Wall Street Journal that the firm would sell two or three bigger, more luxurious cars within the next four years to try and boost global sales.

As part of Geely’s restructuring plan for Volvo, it plans to boost global sales to more than one million units per year. Volvo’s current sales are around 400,000 units per year, but Geely plans to more than double this number within five years.

To achieve this, it plans to build a new plant in China with the capability of producing 300,000 units per year. The firm predicts that Volvo could sell up to 200,000 units per year in China a year. Last year, it sold 12,600 units.

Geely’s offer for Volvo is believed to be around two billion euro (£1.2bn), but the sources claim the sale will be long and drawn out due to issues over intellectual property rights.

The issues are what Ford intellectual would transfer to Volvo and how Ford would continue to use Volvo intellectual property, including its pioneering safety technology. The two will also decide how to sort out any future intellectual property issues, which may occur later.

Thanks to: Autocar

Hot News: 2012 Alfa Romeo 169

Alfa is back to what it does best! These are the most accurate renderings yet of Alfa's all-new flagship saloon, the 169. And the long-awaited replacement for the unsuccessful 166 is taking on the Germans the the only way Alfa knows how, with stunning design.

The 169 heralds a new styling direction for the firm. While the grill is still very much part of the Alfa family, the rear end is all-new while the overall exterior will take inspiration from the new crop of four-door coupes such as the Mercedes CLS and Audi A5 Sportback.There's even a hint of the elegant Maserati Quattroporte in its flowing profile.

Pitched as a direct 5-series rival, top-end models could even take on the likes of the larger Jaguar XJ. But in order to compete with the established players, Alfa has taken the decision to make the 169 rear wheel drive - ensuring a more dynamic driving expereince. To achieve this Alfa could borrow the next Chrysler 300C platform - which in itself is a slightly shortened version of the Quattroporte's underpinnings - a perfect example of how the Chrysler-Fiat tie-up will save both companies piles of cash, by stretching their resources across a number of brands.

Engine choices are still unconfirmed, but likely to include all-new petrol and diesel V6's. There are even rumours that the 450bhp 4.7-litre V8 from the 8C Competizione supercar could find its way into a range-topping GTA variant, designed to give the BMW M5 and Mercedes E63 AMG something to think about.

Originally previewed by the Visconti concept at the Geneva motor show way back in 2004, the 169 was earmarked for a 2009 debut. But due to the economic crisis it's been repeatedly delayed, and now an on-sale date sometime in late 2011 seems feasible - although we can look forward to another gorgeous concept previeweing the 169 breaking cover at a major motor show next year. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express

Hot News: Jaguar C-Type

We've been chasing reports of a new Jaguar roadster for the better part of a decade, and though the name and specifications continue to change, reports of the car's production are unceasing. Now that it's apparently reviving the old C-Type name, more details are being reported as the car inches towards its rumored 2011 debut.

Originally known as the F-Type Concept, the car more recently took on the rumored name "XE," following Jaguar's current naming convention. Auto Express now reports that the car will instead be called the C-Type, reviving the moniker once used on racing XK120s back in the early 1950s. It's fitting, given the rumors that the C-Type will be built on a shortened XK platform.

Rumors of the C-Type's design have also swung about from a production version of the retro-inspired F-Type Concept to our most recent renderings that made the car out to be a shortened, updated XK. Now, the latest renderings of the car instead portray an even bigger change, one in which the nose of the all-new XJ and rear of the XF appear to have been grafted to a shortened XK. If the rumors are to be believed, the car will be offered as a hardtop coupe or a soft-top convertible, will be smaller than the XK and similar in size to an Audi A5, and seat four.

Also constantly in flux are the rumored engines that will power this Boxster/SLK/Z4 fighter. Rumors have swung from a 450-hp V-6 and supercharged four-cylinder of unknown origin to the V-8s currently found beneath the hoods of the XK, XF, and XJ. At the moment, rumors have settled on the most likely scenario: the V-8 engines that Jaguar already has at its disposal. That means a naturally aspirated, 385-hp V-8 would be the base engine and European offerings would likely include the brand's twin-turbo diesel. Rumors also suggest an R edition that would get the 500-hp supercharged V-8 that powers the XKR and XFR.

The C-Type could debut on the 50th anniversary of its inspiration, the E-Type, at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Or it could not.
Thanks to: Motor Trend

HD Radio

Imagine carrying your favorite radio station with you wherever you go! Now that's innovation of the best kind. I am talking about the new Zunehd, the new portable HD Radio product now available for sale at www.hdradio.com. For as little as $49.99 you can purchase the Insignia NS-HD01 and it will run on your iPod port too. Then there is the Zune HD 16GB for Microsoft at about $200.00. Great sound all around.

Listen up at HD Radio where you can listen to very clear, high quality classics, country and rock or jazz music as well as talk and sports radio. Everyone can enjoy this no matter what your tastes as long as you appreciate beautiful listening experiences on the go. Over 2,000 radio stations use the HD Radio technology and this connects to the HD2 and HD3 channels right on your new portable digit device. Of all the new portable digital devices that are new these days, the portable HD Radio products are the ones that stand out. It's not like the old radio days where you could transport it too, but today there are new programming options and even data services.

Why it is a whole movement bringing great music to you wherever you are. You can switch over
to listen to a sports game, then back to breaking news, and back again to your favorite rock band. Jazz and classical music lovers will appreciate acoustics and three dimensional layered sounds. Just in time for the holidays or as a treat for yourself, this portable HD Radio comes with straightforward information, steps to upgrade, and cutting edge, creative sound from new acts and indie music stations as well from across the country. Don't stop there, visit HD Radio Buyer's Guide to see ways to upgrade to your new car, your current car, your home and office and even your boat. Store links are right there to access retailers for the wide range of new portable digital devies and portable HD Radio products.

Hot News: Lotus New Esprit Gets Green Light

Lotus has finally given the green light to a replacement for the Esprit, a model that will have an essential role in boosting the Hethel firm’s brand image.

Key elements to the Lotus strategy have emerged weeks before new CEO Danny Bahr is due to reveal his seven-year plan for the company.

A Lotus source said the new supercar (known as Esprit internally, but it could get a different name) would be an “essential brand image builder” and a “high-status purchase”.

Lotus is targeting a power-to-weight ratio of 275-325bhp per tonne for its new flagship; an Audi R8 V10 has 319bhp per tonne.

Our source said the company 
is planning a three-tier line-up, with the four-cylinder Exige, 
Elise and Europa all falling into one group and the bigger V6 Evora in the other. He said there would always be room for an Esprit-like car. “It will be the ultimate expression of the brand,” he added.

As part of its business plan, Lotus has also been pitching the Evora platform technology to other companies. The Versatile Vehicle Architecture (VVA) can be adapted to create almost any type of vehicle, from a sports car to an SUV.

As an example of VVA’s flexibility, Lotus has provided an illustration showing the Evora platform with an electric powertrain, although a source said the firm would not be building an electric car.

However, Autocar has learned that the company is working on eight hybrid and electric projects for other firms.

VVA is being offered predominantly to small companies for niche products, and Lotus can supply either an Evora chassis or a bespoke platform.

“If manufacturers want to do niche vehicles easily and effectively, this is the way to do it,” said our source.

Thanks to: Autocar

Hot News: Gordini is Back

IT'S official – Renault's Gordini badge is returning! Making a comeback on RenaultSport hot hatches, the much-loved name will be used to offer buyers a wide range of personalisation options such as paint colours, trim levels and wheels.

Allowing the French firm to compete with rival models such as MINI's Cooper and Fiat's Abarth 500, which each offer a vast array of customisation options, the badge won't make hot Renaults any faster but it will make them stand out even more.

The first model to be available with the Gordini treatment will be the Twingo Gordini RS, which is based on the Renaultsport Twingo 133. Expect to see it later this month. It will be followed by Megane and Clio versions.

Renault is also planning to extend the reach of its GT warm-hatch badge, adding it to the Megane and the Twingo. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

New Car: 2011 Citroen C-Zero

TAKE a look at Citroen's first plug-in baby. This is the C-ZERO – a fully fledged zero emission electric car that will reach Citroen showrooms next year.

If it looks familiar that's because it's essentially identical to Mitsubishi's i-MIEV and the Citroen version gets the same drivetrain, with a 64bhp electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery.

Owners can charge the C-ZERO by plugging it directly into a household socket, and a full charge takes six hours. An 80 per cent charge is possible in just 30 minutes using a 400V supply. Citroen says the C-Zero can do 0-62mph in 15 seconds, accelerate from 37-56mph (50-70km/h) in six seconds and hit a maximum of 80mph. It also has a range of 80 miles.

Standard features include power steering, ABS, traction control, ESP, electric windows, six airbags and air conditioning. Sales of the C-ZERO start at the end of 2010 and although no prices have been confirmed expect to pay around £10,000 for the zero emission machine. For more details click here.

Thanks to: Auto Express