Ford Fiesta Sedan will be produced in China next year

Last year, Ford has presented the concept Verve Notchback at the Guangzhou Auto Show. This car was more than a concept: it was the preview of the new Fiesta Sedan, a vehicle that promises to be very popular in the USA and emerging countries, such as the biggest one of them: China. That’s why there is no surprise Ford has chosen to present the production-ready vehicle in Guangzhou again. The good news is that the car is quite similar to the concept.



Unfortunately there are no technical specs so far. We can only expect it to use the same engines used by the new Fiesta hatchback in Europe. The only confirmed news is that the body will also be made from tailored blanks, or else, steel blanks in variable thickness sections. Since we have mentioned the Old World, be aware, European readers: this car will not be sold for you. And this is because compact sedans have never been popular in your countries.

Besides China, where the car will start to be manufactured in the first quarter of 2009, expect the car to be produced in Thailand and Mexico. Brazil may also produce it, but there is nothing confirmed so far, only clues, such as the fact some parts of the car are being manufactured in the country, like rear mirrors and steering wheels, and the new Sigma engines, which will be made at the Taubate plant.




Source: Ford

Ford officially releases pictures and info on 2010 Mustang

As scheduled, Ford has released today a huge list of information and pictures on the 2010 Mustang. The car, a restyling of the previous model, will be officially unveiled at Los Angeles Auto Show.



Equipments such as Ford SYNC, a voice-command for radio, Bluetooth, air conditioning and other systems of the car, 911 Assist and VHR (Vehicle Health Report) will now be part of the pony-car. Rear camera, for safer parking, and MyColor, a gadget that allows Mustang owners to change the colour of gauge lights, are also present.

Since the changes have been mostly aesthetical, there are no relevant differences on dimensions. Engines available will be a 4-litre V6, able to pump out 210 bhp, and a 4,6-litre V8 that generates 315 bhp. Transmissions are automatic and manual, all of them with five speeds. Let’s hope Mustang can ride Ford out of its crisis.














Source: Ford

Opel Insignia is elected European Car Of The Year 2009

It takes a lot of qualities for a car to win a prize such as Car Of The Year. In its 2009 edition, for example, which one of these would you have chosen? Ford Fiesta, VW Golf VI, Opel Insignia, Skoda Superb, Renault Mégane III, Alfa Romeo Mi.To or Citroën C5? If you have picked Opel Insignia, you would have guessed right, even if only for one point.



One point was exactly what took the prize away from Ford Fiesta, the second in the row and considered by many one of the best Ford vehicles of the latest years. VW Golf, Citroën C5, Alfa Romeo Mi.To, Skoda Superb and Renault Mégane III followed the winner and the second place exactly in this sequence.

According to the judges, what made Opel Insignia, also badged as Vauxhall, become the first winner from Opel in 22 years was not only its great looks, but a group of good qualities, such as efficient engines, safety features, such as Opel Eye, which recognises traffic signs, and great value for money.

We are glad this is a good product, since GM is facing difficult times, especially in the USA. Maybe this is the car they should try to sell in the most important market of the world. Considering European luxury cars are a huge success there, a similar vehicle would have chances of success, especially for a much more affordable price.









Source: Car Of The Year

Fisker Karma will be produced in Finland by Valmet

GM is not being threatened only by its economical conditions. When it was going a little better, it had the chance to be the first company to release a plug-in hybrid that was powered only by electricity, the Chevrolet Volt. But even at those better times the company only promised to release Volt in 2010, no sooner than that. Well, this gives us a hint on why GM is facing problems. Lack of speed in decisions is certainly one of them. This is the only reason Fisker will offer the first modern production hybrid with this configuration, the new sedan Karma. And it will be helped on this by Valmet, the same company that builds Porsche Cayman and Boxster, in Finland.



Production of the revolutionary vehicle, which a price tag of about US$ 80,000, is set to start by the last quarter of 2009. The first 99 units will be numbered and painted in the same colour of the car presented at the Detroit Auto Show this year.

With a range of 80 km only with its batteries charge, Karma is able to run in day to day basis with no need of fuel. If the way is longer than that, a small petrol engine starts to operate in order to charge the batteries and extend the car range a lot further (to about 1,000 km or more, depending on the size of the fuel tank).

Top speed is expected to be above 200 km/h, and the car will be able to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 6 s. For a luxury sedan, these figures are just fantastic, especially considering the car can be so fantastically clean as well.












Source: Fisker and Valmet

Fiat 500 Da 0 a Cento celebrates Karl Abarth's centenary

Karl Abarth was born in November 15 1908. If he were still alive, he would have completed 100 years last Saturday. In a way, he is, as Fiat has demonstrated by bringing the Scorpion brand back to life, with many new products. One of them, anyway, is really special: the new Fiat 500 "Da 0 a 100".






Limited to 101 units, the new car is equipped with a 1.4-litre T-Jet engine, turbocharged and able to produce up to 160 cv at 5,750 rpm and 230 Nm at 3,000 rpm. With this piece of machinery, it reaches a top speed of 211 km/h and goes from 0 to 100 km/h in 7,3 s. Its performance is better than the one presented by the Esseesse.

In order to stop the small car, there are vented discs in the front and rear wheels, with 17" alloy wheels that use 205/40 ZR 17 Pirelli Pzero Nero. Safety is also a concern, with seven airbags, ABS, EBD, ESP, ASR (Anti Slip Regulation) and Torque Transfer Control. For easier departures in inclined terrains, there is also a Hill Holder system. Inside, an audio equipment ready to read MP3 files and automatic air conditioning show performance can be preserved in comfortable cars.

Source: Fiat