Holden Posts $70.2m Loss For 2008

-30th June, 2009

Pressure from the Global Financial Crisis, soaring petrol prices, a consumer shift away from large cars and a number of large, one-off expenses have all conspired to hit Holden squarely in the hip pocket.

Australia’s iconic automaker recorded a $70.2 million loss for 2008, thanks in large part to a whopping $76.8 million bill for various one-off costs, mostly related to the decommissioning of Melbourne’s Family II engine plant.

Before these expenses, Holden was on track to post a modest after-tax profit of  $6.6 million for the year ending December 31.

In the current climate, the result is a reasonable one for Holden. Strong products, a successful export program and careful production management would seem to have given some protection to the company’s bottom line in a stuttering (if not stalled) market.

Total sales revenue was down from $5.7 billion in 2007 to $5.4 billion, as new car buyers migrated away from large cars like the Commodore – traditionally Holden’s bread and butter.

Export revenue rose from $1.6 billion to $1.9 billion due to engine exports and the newly-released Pontiac G8, but with the G8 officially canned and GM undergoing a rapid downsizing of its operations, this year’s export results may be a different story.

Before the world’s economy hit the proverbial fan late last year, Holden was reportedly on track to deliver a meaningful profit. The global economic slump prevented that, like it did for many other automakers, but Holden can at least take solace in one fact: it was outdone in a big way by Ford’s record $274.4 million loss.

Despite not being able to notch up a profit last year, Holden’s position within the GM empire is still assured. The addition of the Cruze to the line-up should provide Holden with a vehicle capable of capturing customers downsizing from the Commodore, while the new locally-produced small hatchback that’s expected to arrive next year will also give the company a shot in the arm.

The loss of the G8 line undoubtedly stung the company’s export aspirations, but new avenues for car and component exports are still being sought and the company refuses to rule out a return to the US market.

Will this year see Holden bounce back? Will the slowly-recovering economic climate allow Holden to return its ledgers to the black? We’ll have to wait and see.

 

 

 

2010 Shelby GT500 Super Snake released with 725hp

-29th June, 2009
Las Vegas-based tuners Shelby are releasing another new set of mods for the Mustang.  The limited edition 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake includes improvements both to power and performance.

“Over the past 12 months, my team of hot rodders was hard at work on a Super Snake package for the next generation GT500,” said Carroll Shelby.  “Every lesson we learned kicking the competition around on the track over the past two years has been poured into this new car to keep Shelby owners out front.”

That is why the company mounts an optional Shelby/Kenne Bell supercharger kit, which raises power output to 725 horsepower.  You can also take the car down a peg, and opt for the Ford Racing Supercharger, which helps to produce a maximum 630 hp and 590 ft-lb of torque.  Either way, the driver will take control of a six-speed manual gearbox featuring a 3.73:1 rear axle ratio via the short-throw shifter.  A Borla exhaust unit is also included on both.

The Super Snake gets a standard Ford Racing handling package, which includes lowered springs, adjustable dampers, front strut tower brace and tuned stabilizer bars.  You can purchase the optional Shelby/Eibach handling package as well.  Custom Alcoa 20-inch wheels surround the cross drilled rotors.  A six-piston Shelby/Baer brake system is also part of the package, as are the front brake cooling ducts.

Visual changes begin with the new fiberglass hood, Super Snake striping, rear decklid lettering, and various badging.  Shelby headrests and floormats are also included.

Although the company does say that, “Exclusivity will be assured as a limited number of Super Snakes will be built,” what they do not say is how few units will be produced.  This information would surely be beneficial to anybody considering the car as an investment.

The 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 Super Snake will begin production in August.  Pricing for the 630 hp package starts at $29,495, while the 725 hp kit goes for $33,495.  Installation is included, but the price of the car is not. 

2009 Piecha Design Mercedes-Benz SL Avalange RS

-29th June, 2009

The 2009 Piecha Design Mercedes-Benz SL Avalange RS is a high performance two door roadster.

The body of the Piecha Design is made of carbon fiber and it features double headlights, fog lights with day time running lights that add stunning looks to the car. The Piecha Design also features a retractable open top which is operated by the touch of a button and it can be opened or closed within a few seconds.
The Piecha Design features a powerful engine with four stainless steel pipes and ABC sport running gears, which delivers high performance, acceleration, powerful sound and reaches a top speed of about 300 kmph. The Piecha Design features 20-inch ten spoke light weight alloy wheels, the front wheels measure 9.5×20 and the rear wheels measure 10.5×20. The wheels feature high performance braking system and the gear shifts can be performed easily and quickly even at higher speeds.
The optional features in the car are:
• Chrome bonnet fins that costs about 98 euros
• Parktronic system that costs about 1390 euros
• Quadro 4-pipe tail ends that costs about 398 euros
• Power converter that costs about 429 euros
• Varioroof module that costs about 299 euros
• DVD connection module that costs about 189 euros 

Porsche Speedster Revival Plans On Hold

-28th June, 2009

Since the arrival of Volkswagen’s Bluesport Concept in January, speculation has been rife that the mid-engined platform could be used to spin off a new smaller, lighter, cheaper entry-level car for Porsche. In fact, just last month, the new model looked set to go ahead.

Porsche however has now driven a nail into the Speedster’s coffin, explaining that no such plans are in the works.

With the merger between Porsche and Volkswagen, adapting the Bluesport platform was tipped to be a logical combined effort between the two companies. For Porsche, the new car, priced below the Boxster, could spell an easy ticket to additional sales volume.

However, Porsche’s Executive Vice-President for Sales and Marketing, Klaus Berning, has delivered the news that plans for a fifth model line at Porsche are on hold for the time being.

“Another model line is not something we are concentrating on at the moment,” said Berning. “We may start looking at that after the launch of the Panamera but my gut feeling is that we do not need one.”

Although the Porsche badge may not find its way onto a version of the mid-engined, rear-wheel-drive roadster, other members of the VW group are still in line to build their own interpretation. Volkswagen, Audi and Seat are all though to be developing a variant from the Bluesport platform.

When questioned as to whether a four-cylinder powerplant could appear in other Porsche cars instead, Klaus Berning was somewhat non-commital in his response.

“It could be possible to have a four-cylinder again in a 911 but it would be a Porsche four-cylinder. The 911 is the core of the brand and it follows different rules to the rest of the brand models.” Berning said.

“You never say never, but we have not made any decision to go that way.”

2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo

-28th June, 2009

The 2010 Porsche Panamera Turbo is a four-door high performance sports car.

The Panamera Turbo was first displayed at 13th Auto Shanghai in the year 2009. The Panamera Turbo features a light weight body, latest technology, LED lights and stylish body structure.

The Panamera Turbo features a turbocharged V8 engine with direct fuel injection that delivers an out power of 500 bhp. It also features specially designed Start-Stop automatic transmission where the gear shifts can be performed easily and smoothly even at higher speeds and stress.

The Panamera Turbo features alloy wheels with adaptive air suspension or steel suspension that delivers a comfort and smooth drive. In addition the car features a Sports Mode which delivers a sporty, high performance drive and this mode can be selected according to the road and driving conditions.

The exteriors feature the stylish body structure, headlights and mirrors. The interiors feature the leather seats, instrument panels and sporty steering wheel
Specifications:
Vehicle Type: – 4-door sports car
Configuration: – Front Engine
Engine: – turbocharged V8
Horsepower: – 500 bhp
Length: – 195.7 inches
Height: – 55.9 inches 

 

Peugeot Metromorph Concept gets vertical in student design video

-27th June, 2009

This is the Peugeot Metromorph Concept, designed by Roman Mistiuk for his industrial design program at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco.  The study looks at innovative ways for people to deal with hyper-urban environments.

Mistiuk’s concept features a car that looks more like a 22nd century dune buggy than a conventional automobile.  The electric car is able to travel vertically alongside buildings, and take a parking spot at your apartment window.  While at rest, the vehicle becomes a balcony, with the car seats used as modern-day rocking chairs.  When you leave your abode, you drive down the exterior wall as in an elevator.

The vehicle shape and seats progressively shift position along the ride until it realizes the form of a horizontal pod.  This car would motor along thanks to two electric motors placed in the rear wheels.  Doors then open up to practically lay flat over the roof, taking a scissors-shape, while a robotic arm rotates the two seats to let the driver and passenger out.

The upside of this project is that it deals effectively with the notion that parking lots, and parking spaces, will become rare as urban development continues.  Being an electric city car, it also deals with the air pollution problems oft faced in today’s major cities.

While movies like the The Fifth Element suggest flying cars and airborne garages, this car is a bit more Minority Report.  It does seem a bit difficult to enjoy your surroundings with cars constantly whipping by your window.  Needless to say, kudos to Mistiuk for a creative design.

click HERE for pictures

2010 Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ-400

-27th June, 2009

The 2010 Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ-400 is a high performance four door luxury car.

The Evolution X FQ-400 features a Turbocharged Incline-4 engine with fuel injectors, stainless steel piping that delivers high performance. The capacity of the engine is 2000 cc and it delivers an output power of 430 bhp and 387 lb-ft torque at 3500 rpm. It reaches the speed of 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and the top speed is about 155 mph. The Evolution X FQ-400 features 6-Speed manual transmission and the gear shifts can be performed easily and quickly even at higher speeds and loads.

The Evolution X FQ-400 features 18-inch lightweight nine spoke wheels with Bilstein Shock Absorbers that ensure smooth and comfort driving. The wheels are wrapped with Toyo Proxes R1R tires and it features sealed disc brakes with piston calipers that give a good grip and handling of the car even at higher speeds.

The exteriors feature the automatic headlamps, mirrors and stylish body structure. The interiors feature the remote central locking, 30 GB hard drive, Bluetooth, DVD satellite navigation system, instrument panels, leather seats and sporty steering wheel.
Specifications:
Vehicle Type: – 4-door sports luxury car
Configuration: – Front Engine
Engine: – Turbocharged Incline-4
Capacity: – 2000 cc
Torque: – 387 lb-ft at 3500 rpm
Horsepower: – 430 bhp
Transmission: – 6-Speed Manual
0-60 mph: – 3.7 sec
Top speed: -155 mph

Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ-400 
 

 

2009 Honda CBR600RR And CB400 Get Tri-Colour Paint Schemes

-26th June, 2009

The 2009 Honda CBR600RR and CBR400 have received a new slap of paint, with tri-colour style added to the two model ranges this week.

For the CBR600RR, the new colour scheme – a white/red/blue style dubbed Pearl Sunbeam White – marks the fourth for Honda’s popular sports bike. The CB400 gets two versions of the tri-colour approach, with blue and red the main colours of each.

The 2009 CBR600RR is powered by a 600cc liquid-cooled inline four, with a number of improvements to set the ‘09 model apart from its predecessor.

Changes to the piston, cylinder head and muffler have increased torque delivery in the range of revs between 8000-1200rpm, giving improved puff out of the corners.

Subtle changes have made their way to the fairing, with a new undercowl and air vents creating a more effective airflow at medium and high speeds, enhancing stability in longer, high speed corners.

Weight remains the same as the previous model, coming in at 184kg.

The new tri-colour scheme for the CBR600RR is available right now, in very limited quantities.
 The 2009 CB400 is powered by an inline four-cylinder, four-stroke 400cc liquid-cooled engine, while offering lower emissions and greater fuel economy thanks to Honda’s electronically controlled fuel injection system (PGM-FI) and HYPER VTEC system. The CB400 is also LAMS approved.
 

 The tri colour CB400 is available now, including an ABS version.

First UK Bound Ferrari California gets Special ‘F1 CAL’ Licence Plate

-26th June, 2009
Ferrari has purchased the UK number plate “F1 CAL”, and will be placing it on the first Ferrari California shipped to that country, according to Autocar.  The first Britain-bound unit of Ferrari’s front-engined 2+2 should arrive in 2011.

Unveiled at last year’s Paris Motor Show, the Ferrari California is the automaker’s first car to have a folding metal hard-top.  Equipped with a 460 horsepower, direct-injection, 4.3-liter V8 engine, the car travels from 0-100 km/h in less than four seconds.  Other features include the F1-Trac system (seen on the 599 GTB Fiorano), carbon/ceramic brakes, and a multilink rear suspension system.

“We wanted the perfect registration to befit its desirability,” said Ferrari North Europe’s Richard Gordon.  The regional manager continued to say, “Thankfully, DVLA Personalised Registrations released its F-series last year and we worked hard to ensure we were able to secure F1 CAL – a registration that can only be described as ideal for our new car.”

Ferrari will try to produce roughly 5,000 units of the California every year.  The car is believed to be sold out through 2012. 

2009 Carlsson Mercedes-Benz E-Class

-26th June, 2009

The 2009 Carlsson Mercedes-Benz E-Class is a high performance four door luxury car with a warranty up to three years.

The Carlsson E-Class features xenon lights, daylight running lights, specially designed stylish front wings, rear spoiler and rear apron with four stainless steel pipes that add stunning and stylish looks to the car.
The Carlsson E-Class features 20-inch double spoke wheels with high performance braking system that carefully stops the car even at higher speeds. The Carlsson E-Class features newly designed C-Tronic Suspension which lowers the car by 43 mm, automatically adjusts the position of the car according to road and driving conditions and delivers comfort, smooth and sporty drive.
 The exteriors feature the LED lights, Carlsson logo, stylish body structure and mirrors. The interiors are mostly finished in aluminum and leather; it features the instrument panels, leather seats, gear knobs and sporty steering wheel.
From June onwards, a number of modifications will be done where the E 250 CDI Blue Efficiency delivers an additional power of 40 hp and the E 350 CDI Blue Efficiency delivers an additional power of 46 PS