So heres whats NEW in the car world...........
17-02-2005, 07:50 AM
#1
So heres whats NEW in the car world...........
Peugeot 907
It's a Peugeot that comes into focus as the mystery machine nears. Influenced by the 407 saloon, it's clear that this is a supercoupé through and through, from shark nose to stubby tail. Meet the Peugeot 907, a flight of fantasy with one big difference. Unlike most concept cars, it works.
Revealed at the 2003 Paris Show, the car was created by styling chief Gérard Welter and designer Jean-Christophe Bolle-Reddat to celebrate the closure of the firm's 40- year-old design centre at La Garenne, and the opening of a new one at Vélizy.
The specification is certainly impressive. Under the bonnet, two 3.0-litre V6 engines are joined together to form a 500bhp V12. The monocoque body is made of carbon fibre, and there's double-wishbone suspension all round, while a sequential-shift transmission distributes power to the rear wheels. The arcing windscreen continues upwards to form the roof, while the bonnet has a see-through perspex insert that reveals the engine's 12 intake trumpets. Side exhausts exit behind each of the front wheels.
What's more, the 907 has the blistering performance to back up its sensational looks. Parked outside the Paul Ricard circuit in the south of France, designer Bolle-Reddat says he has just clocked 155mph on the track's main straight in it, and reckons 180mph is within reach. The sand and track debris littering the engine bay suggests he is ready to try it, too. To aid stability on the circuit, the rear spoiler is fixed in the up position. The electronically controlled wing is supposed to move up and down at speed, but not today.
Inside, machined-aluminium detailing includes combined door vents and handles, while three PDA screens form the speedo, tachometer and a central, touch-sensitive display for air-con, music, sat-nav and vehicle information. Right now, only the last readout works, showing water temperature, oil pressure, battery voltage and even the percentage of throttle opening.
The speedo and tacho screens are framed with aluminium analogue scales to match the computer-generated needles. Turn the ignition on, and you wait for the computer to boot up. Press the start button, tickle the accelerator and the V12 erupts, before you push the ultra-short travel clutch down and pull the gearlever back for the first of six ratios.
It's a racing clutch and doesn't like being slipped, while the rear-mounted transaxle has the clunky engagement and rattly whines of a racing box. We move off in thumps and surges, so grab second gear and let that V12 sing. It red lines at 7,500rpm and the gearing is short, but passenger Bolle-Reddat is edgy, so I contain myself.
There's lots of torque through the rev range, though, and a 0-60mph time in the mid-four seconds seems plausible. The carbon ceramic brakes feel firm, the steering is quick, meaty and laser-accurate and the balance is brilliant. Yes, you could almost go racing in this car. Ferrari had better watch out!
Rover Curves Up A Treat With New 45
It's never 'Rover' until the final whistle - and this week's mag carries the proof that Britain's most important manufacturer is planning to mount a spectacular resurgence.
The magazine's amazing main image shows how the replacement for the Rover 45 will look when it debuts next year. It's based on a scoop shot leaked to Auto Express from an industry insider (the image shown here), which is said to have been smuggled out of the studio of the Longbridge firm's design chief, Peter Stevens.
The stunning pictures in the mag illustrate what's in store for MG Rover, which is currently involved in critical talks with Chinese industrial giant SAIC to secure its future and bring in much needed investment.
A decision is expected within the next two months, and if the deal gets the go-ahead, MG Rover will be free to develop its VW Golf and Ford Focus rival, which means it could arrive in UK dealers by early 2006.
One source revealed: "The medium-sized car project at Longbridge is well on track - most of the design work has been completed, the vehicle exists in principle and, with the right investment, it could be put into production quickly, within a timescale of, say, 12 months."
The pictures will come as a shock to those who expected the next Rover to follow the styling of the TCV concept, which was first seen at 2002's Geneva Motor Show. While the car in our pictures retains the same basic profile, the design is much more swoopy, with a distinctive 'kick' over the rear wheelarch and a tall, MPV-like body. Although the front end remains hidden, at the rear the newcomer features a large, one-piece tailgate, which should give owners unrivalled access to the load bay.
However, the distinctive tail-lights are not unlike those of VW's all-new Passat - proving that company bosses have quality brands firmly within their sights. Our source hinted: "Rover knows it has to develop cars of a similar standard to those offered by rivals.
"If not a class leader, the 45 replacement will at least be on a par with models such as the Golf and Focus. The management knows it has to be, and with the right investment it will be."
The new machine will be assembled at Longbridge, and in terms of its dimensions is said to be smaller than the current-generation 45. It's built on a modified 75 platform, which has been fine-tuned to deliver a more sporty driving experience. Power will come from a range of engines based on the existing model's K Series motors, but these will be re-engineered to provide greater refinement and comply with strict Euro IV emissions regulations.
Insiders also hinted that designers within Longbridge are working on various other projects, including a supermini to replace both the 25 and City-Rover in one hit, plus a sporty model based on the car seen in the mag's pictures.
The 75 and MG TF are not due for replacement until at least 2008, but before then, both are to get new model derivatives. Studies are currently being carried out into the viability of coupé variants of the two - which were exhibited at the end of last year - with a view to putting at least one of them into production in 2006.
What's more, a bespoke interior has been tailored for the 75 Coupé Concept, which is said to point the way to the manufacturer's future cabin design.
All-new Civic Shows Its Face
he new face of the next-generation Honda Civic has nosed into view. Pictured above is the Civic Si Concept, unveiled at the Chicago Motor Show.
And while the prototype's two-door bodystyle is unlikely to be offered outside the US, its front end hints at the look of the British-built machine, set to debut at September's Frankfurt expo.
That confirms the new hatch - which shares its chassis with the US car, and was caught testing in issue 834 - will have a similar sharply raked windscreen, low-slung bonnet and lean, angular headlamps. The car is scheduled to start production in Swindon, Wiltshire, towards the end of the year.
John Mendel, Honda's US vice president, told us: "The Si will be the most powerful and fun-to-drive Civic ever, and will set the direction for Honda in terms of styling, packaging and performance. It's part of a fresh family of Civics that builds on the already class-leading values of the car in terms of safety, styling and fuel efficiency."
His comments suggest a hybrid version of the new model will be available from launch, using the firm's proven IMA technology. At present, the only IMA variant offered here is a four-door saloon, which sells in low volumes as a result. But the expansion of hybrid vehicles across the industry means the technology is likely to be fitted into all bodystyles from next year.
Honda is also looking into the possibility of introducing a mass-market Civic powered by natural gas, which will go on sale initially in America and, if successful, could well reach Europe before the end of 2006.
Focus Four-door Sneaks Into View
It wasn't due until Geneva, but Ford pulled a surprise by taking the wraps off the new Focus four-door at this week's Amsterdam Motor Show.
The saloon took centre stage on the company's stand at the Dutch event - and compared to the previous Focus four-door, it's a much more elegant design.
The newcomer will arrive in British showrooms in the summer, and is expected to cost the same as the five-door. Due to slow sales of booted models in the UK, it is likely to only be offered in upmarket trim levels.
I know its been on Pf already, but here it is again for those that missed it...............
Ford Unleashes Its New XR3
Now, at last, it's official... The XR3 is back! These are the pictures released by Ford of its much anticipated Focus ST - the spiritual successor to the Eighties hot hatch legend.
It's not the first time Auto Express readers will have seen the striking lines of the blue oval's latest star, as we spied the machine back in issue 839. However, we can now show you why the ST - which debuts at next month's Geneva Motor Show - promises to be one of the most exciting Fords of the decade. Look closely and you will see that the grille is narrower and taller than lesser Focus models, creating a more muscular appearance.
Aluminium trim around the foglights adds a touch of distinction at the front, while bulging wheelarches, unique 18-inch alloy wheels and low side skirts look great in profile. At the rear, a new bumper makes room for the twin exhausts and there's a roof spoiler, too.
The show car's distinctive orange paintwork will be carried over to the first few production models so that the ST makes a big impression when it goes on sale in the UK later this year. Inside, a number of tweaks are likely from the standard model, although the quality will be as high as ever.
The most obvious additions are three extra dials showing turbo boost, and oil temperature and pressure. The speedometer has also been revised
to read up to 160mph, while there is plenty of chrome trim.
Under the bonnet, Ford has fitted Volvo's turbo 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine. Developing 217bhp, the ST promises
to eclipse the performance of rivals including Subaru's Impreza WRX and should have the pace to take on the hot hatch elite, led by VW's new Golf GTI. Power is fed to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, so extensive chassis work has been carried out to ensure the Ford doesn't suffer from torque steer and a lack of traction. An exhaustive development programme has seen the ST put through its paces at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany as well as on demanding UK roads to ensure it lives up to expectations.
Although there has been no official confirmation, it seems the ST will be the sporting flagship of the Focus range until 2007, when an all-wheel-drive RS is expected to join the line-up.
Elsewhere on Ford's Geneva show stand, bosses will pull the covers off a hydrogen-powered Focus C-MAX. The supercharged C-MAX H2-ICE comes with a gas-burning internal combustion engine. And Ford will also reveal a new 148bhp version of its 1.9-litre Galaxy TDI. Developing 310Nm of torque, the model returns 44.9mpg with CO2 emissions of 170g/km.
It's a Peugeot that comes into focus as the mystery machine nears. Influenced by the 407 saloon, it's clear that this is a supercoupé through and through, from shark nose to stubby tail. Meet the Peugeot 907, a flight of fantasy with one big difference. Unlike most concept cars, it works.
Revealed at the 2003 Paris Show, the car was created by styling chief Gérard Welter and designer Jean-Christophe Bolle-Reddat to celebrate the closure of the firm's 40- year-old design centre at La Garenne, and the opening of a new one at Vélizy.
The specification is certainly impressive. Under the bonnet, two 3.0-litre V6 engines are joined together to form a 500bhp V12. The monocoque body is made of carbon fibre, and there's double-wishbone suspension all round, while a sequential-shift transmission distributes power to the rear wheels. The arcing windscreen continues upwards to form the roof, while the bonnet has a see-through perspex insert that reveals the engine's 12 intake trumpets. Side exhausts exit behind each of the front wheels.
What's more, the 907 has the blistering performance to back up its sensational looks. Parked outside the Paul Ricard circuit in the south of France, designer Bolle-Reddat says he has just clocked 155mph on the track's main straight in it, and reckons 180mph is within reach. The sand and track debris littering the engine bay suggests he is ready to try it, too. To aid stability on the circuit, the rear spoiler is fixed in the up position. The electronically controlled wing is supposed to move up and down at speed, but not today.
Inside, machined-aluminium detailing includes combined door vents and handles, while three PDA screens form the speedo, tachometer and a central, touch-sensitive display for air-con, music, sat-nav and vehicle information. Right now, only the last readout works, showing water temperature, oil pressure, battery voltage and even the percentage of throttle opening.
The speedo and tacho screens are framed with aluminium analogue scales to match the computer-generated needles. Turn the ignition on, and you wait for the computer to boot up. Press the start button, tickle the accelerator and the V12 erupts, before you push the ultra-short travel clutch down and pull the gearlever back for the first of six ratios.
It's a racing clutch and doesn't like being slipped, while the rear-mounted transaxle has the clunky engagement and rattly whines of a racing box. We move off in thumps and surges, so grab second gear and let that V12 sing. It red lines at 7,500rpm and the gearing is short, but passenger Bolle-Reddat is edgy, so I contain myself.
There's lots of torque through the rev range, though, and a 0-60mph time in the mid-four seconds seems plausible. The carbon ceramic brakes feel firm, the steering is quick, meaty and laser-accurate and the balance is brilliant. Yes, you could almost go racing in this car. Ferrari had better watch out!
Rover Curves Up A Treat With New 45
It's never 'Rover' until the final whistle - and this week's mag carries the proof that Britain's most important manufacturer is planning to mount a spectacular resurgence.
The magazine's amazing main image shows how the replacement for the Rover 45 will look when it debuts next year. It's based on a scoop shot leaked to Auto Express from an industry insider (the image shown here), which is said to have been smuggled out of the studio of the Longbridge firm's design chief, Peter Stevens.
The stunning pictures in the mag illustrate what's in store for MG Rover, which is currently involved in critical talks with Chinese industrial giant SAIC to secure its future and bring in much needed investment.
A decision is expected within the next two months, and if the deal gets the go-ahead, MG Rover will be free to develop its VW Golf and Ford Focus rival, which means it could arrive in UK dealers by early 2006.
One source revealed: "The medium-sized car project at Longbridge is well on track - most of the design work has been completed, the vehicle exists in principle and, with the right investment, it could be put into production quickly, within a timescale of, say, 12 months."
The pictures will come as a shock to those who expected the next Rover to follow the styling of the TCV concept, which was first seen at 2002's Geneva Motor Show. While the car in our pictures retains the same basic profile, the design is much more swoopy, with a distinctive 'kick' over the rear wheelarch and a tall, MPV-like body. Although the front end remains hidden, at the rear the newcomer features a large, one-piece tailgate, which should give owners unrivalled access to the load bay.
However, the distinctive tail-lights are not unlike those of VW's all-new Passat - proving that company bosses have quality brands firmly within their sights. Our source hinted: "Rover knows it has to develop cars of a similar standard to those offered by rivals.
"If not a class leader, the 45 replacement will at least be on a par with models such as the Golf and Focus. The management knows it has to be, and with the right investment it will be."
The new machine will be assembled at Longbridge, and in terms of its dimensions is said to be smaller than the current-generation 45. It's built on a modified 75 platform, which has been fine-tuned to deliver a more sporty driving experience. Power will come from a range of engines based on the existing model's K Series motors, but these will be re-engineered to provide greater refinement and comply with strict Euro IV emissions regulations.
Insiders also hinted that designers within Longbridge are working on various other projects, including a supermini to replace both the 25 and City-Rover in one hit, plus a sporty model based on the car seen in the mag's pictures.
The 75 and MG TF are not due for replacement until at least 2008, but before then, both are to get new model derivatives. Studies are currently being carried out into the viability of coupé variants of the two - which were exhibited at the end of last year - with a view to putting at least one of them into production in 2006.
What's more, a bespoke interior has been tailored for the 75 Coupé Concept, which is said to point the way to the manufacturer's future cabin design.
All-new Civic Shows Its Face
he new face of the next-generation Honda Civic has nosed into view. Pictured above is the Civic Si Concept, unveiled at the Chicago Motor Show.
And while the prototype's two-door bodystyle is unlikely to be offered outside the US, its front end hints at the look of the British-built machine, set to debut at September's Frankfurt expo.
That confirms the new hatch - which shares its chassis with the US car, and was caught testing in issue 834 - will have a similar sharply raked windscreen, low-slung bonnet and lean, angular headlamps. The car is scheduled to start production in Swindon, Wiltshire, towards the end of the year.
John Mendel, Honda's US vice president, told us: "The Si will be the most powerful and fun-to-drive Civic ever, and will set the direction for Honda in terms of styling, packaging and performance. It's part of a fresh family of Civics that builds on the already class-leading values of the car in terms of safety, styling and fuel efficiency."
His comments suggest a hybrid version of the new model will be available from launch, using the firm's proven IMA technology. At present, the only IMA variant offered here is a four-door saloon, which sells in low volumes as a result. But the expansion of hybrid vehicles across the industry means the technology is likely to be fitted into all bodystyles from next year.
Honda is also looking into the possibility of introducing a mass-market Civic powered by natural gas, which will go on sale initially in America and, if successful, could well reach Europe before the end of 2006.
Focus Four-door Sneaks Into View
It wasn't due until Geneva, but Ford pulled a surprise by taking the wraps off the new Focus four-door at this week's Amsterdam Motor Show.
The saloon took centre stage on the company's stand at the Dutch event - and compared to the previous Focus four-door, it's a much more elegant design.
The newcomer will arrive in British showrooms in the summer, and is expected to cost the same as the five-door. Due to slow sales of booted models in the UK, it is likely to only be offered in upmarket trim levels.
I know its been on Pf already, but here it is again for those that missed it...............
Ford Unleashes Its New XR3
Now, at last, it's official... The XR3 is back! These are the pictures released by Ford of its much anticipated Focus ST - the spiritual successor to the Eighties hot hatch legend.
It's not the first time Auto Express readers will have seen the striking lines of the blue oval's latest star, as we spied the machine back in issue 839. However, we can now show you why the ST - which debuts at next month's Geneva Motor Show - promises to be one of the most exciting Fords of the decade. Look closely and you will see that the grille is narrower and taller than lesser Focus models, creating a more muscular appearance.
Aluminium trim around the foglights adds a touch of distinction at the front, while bulging wheelarches, unique 18-inch alloy wheels and low side skirts look great in profile. At the rear, a new bumper makes room for the twin exhausts and there's a roof spoiler, too.
The show car's distinctive orange paintwork will be carried over to the first few production models so that the ST makes a big impression when it goes on sale in the UK later this year. Inside, a number of tweaks are likely from the standard model, although the quality will be as high as ever.
The most obvious additions are three extra dials showing turbo boost, and oil temperature and pressure. The speedometer has also been revised
to read up to 160mph, while there is plenty of chrome trim.
Under the bonnet, Ford has fitted Volvo's turbo 2.5-litre five-cylinder engine. Developing 217bhp, the ST promises
to eclipse the performance of rivals including Subaru's Impreza WRX and should have the pace to take on the hot hatch elite, led by VW's new Golf GTI. Power is fed to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, so extensive chassis work has been carried out to ensure the Ford doesn't suffer from torque steer and a lack of traction. An exhaustive development programme has seen the ST put through its paces at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany as well as on demanding UK roads to ensure it lives up to expectations.
Although there has been no official confirmation, it seems the ST will be the sporting flagship of the Focus range until 2007, when an all-wheel-drive RS is expected to join the line-up.
Elsewhere on Ford's Geneva show stand, bosses will pull the covers off a hydrogen-powered Focus C-MAX. The supercharged C-MAX H2-ICE comes with a gas-burning internal combustion engine. And Ford will also reveal a new 148bhp version of its 1.9-litre Galaxy TDI. Developing 310Nm of torque, the model returns 44.9mpg with CO2 emissions of 170g/km.
17-02-2005, 08:45 AM
#3
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Kent
Posts: 6,413
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That Pug looks shit-hot!! They're doing some good things recently, the new 407 coupe is looking sweeet too! 
That new focus looks really nice and the engine sounds like it has some real potential, there was a post up a couple of days ago stating the same spec so perhaps it's not all rumours
That rover looks fookin ugly but the civic
That new focus looks really nice and the engine sounds like it has some real potential, there was a post up a couple of days ago stating the same spec so perhaps it's not all rumours
That rover looks fookin ugly but the civic
Trending Topics
17-02-2005, 11:13 AM
#11
PassionFord Post Whore!!
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Sheffield
Posts: 9,156
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
steerfromdarear
Restorations, Rebuilds & Projects.
28
29-01-2016 06:14 PM