2004 Saab 9-2, Audi, BMW & More - World News

2004 Saab 9-2
 
New model added to product lineSaab Automobile AB is expanding its product line beyond two models, the 9-5 and the 9-3, with the introduction of the new Saab 9-2. Planned as Saab's new entry-level offering, the new model is expected to attract new, younger customers to the brand. According to the company, the 9-2 is targeted at "customers looking for a distinctive, fun-to-drive car with the versatility to support an active lifestyle." The 9-2 will feature Subaru's well-respected all-wheel-drive system, Saab's turbocharged four-cylinder engines and hatchback versatility.
Saab Automobile AB is collaborating with Fuji of Japan (part of GM Group's global resources) to create the new Saab 9-2 model in cooperation with Subaru, Fuji's automotive division. The new Saab 9-2 will be produced in Fuji's facilities in Japan, beginning in the spring of 2004.
"We see an emerging segment in the United States for a premium, small car below the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan," said Peter Augustsson, President and CEO of Saab Automobile AB. "The Saab 9-2 is a result of collaboration between two like-minded brands. We both have a special aircraft heritage and a successful history in rallying. It makes a lot of sense for us to combine our strengths in creating the next Saab and bring it to the market quickly," he added.
Saab will offer two versions of the new 9-2, both five-door, all-wheel-drive cars. The base Saab 9-2 will be equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, while the Aero version will feature a high-performance, 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Initially, the vehicle will only be offered in the United States market.

First Photos of the New VW Golf VThe pictures may be grainy and somewhat blurred, but these are the first genuine images of the Golf V, Volkswagen's most carefully guarded secret. The only retouching applied to the images are cosmetic changes to the background. The prototype itself remains unchanged.
Shown is the 5-door hatchback model, appearing to be fully finalized right down to the brand badges and type labels, although mildly camouflaged with a spotted paint scheme and some masking tape around the front and rear lights and the rear quarterlight window/C-pillar section (note the curved genuine window line).

Also clearly recognizable are the much more dynamic stance, which is made up by a strong wedge-like shape and emphasized by the roof-mounted rear spoiler, the rear window with its curved/pointed lower line, or the rear number plate, again mounted low down in the bumper. The upcoming Golf is a mildly stretched vehicle in overall length and wheelbase, the rear passenger compartment being the main beneficiary. 

 

The tall yet more aggressive front end (note the strong tapering of the headlights in the side profile) provides enough space in the engine bay for the range-topping 2.5-liter inline five-cyl. diesel or 3.2-liter V6 petrol engines (R32), both optionally combined with the sensational twin-clutch semi-/fully automatic gearbox. The petrol engines will have improved FSI direct injection technology, and there's also to be an extended range of four- and five-cyl. 4-valve TDI direct injection diesel engines. All models will benefit from a new double wishbone-style suspension design, which is intended to significantly enhance handling and cornering abilities and thus provide driving pleasure on par with the class-leading Focus (after all, Volkswagen successfully head-hunted some of Ford's acclaimed suspension wizards, originally educated by Porsche). The 4Motion all-wheel drive system will be available as an option.  

 

Audi PricingIt has 450 bhp and 415 lb-ft of torque; it goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.6 sec.; and it is the first U.S. market model by quattro GmbH. It also has an impressive price tag. The 2003 Audi RS6 has an MSRP of $82,700. european car drove one for a week; it's worth it.Audi of America also released the MSRP for its 2004 A8 L. The 4.2-liter V8-powered flagship will retail at $68,500, coming in several thousand dollars under its competitors, the S430 4Matic and the 745Li. The fully equipped sedan will be giving the top tier players a serious run for the money.

Jaguar and Land Rover Achieve New Global Quality Standard
Jaguar and Land Rover have been granted a landmark accolade recognizing their quality standards. The two companies, both members of Ford's Premier Automotive Group, have received ISO/TS16949:2002 certification from the Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA). They are the first vehicle manufacturers in Europe to achieve certification to the new global automotive quality system standard and the second in the world.
The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) is a leading certification body in the automotive sector, and its services are used by the majority of vehicle manufacturers around the world.

Notes from Europe * More Saab Cutbacks in Europe: GM Europe is defending its decision to integrate Saab's European distribution network within the Opel structure, claiming that "this integration is not the beginning of the end for the Saab brand." The move certainly makes sense from a purely economic point of view, but many Saab observers are concerned that it is indeed yet another nail in the coffin of the loss-making Swedish manufacturer. This blow may well be linked to the recent surprise departure of Saab's energetic European boss Johannes Crten, who was responsible for implementing sweeping changes in sales and marketing policy.
* VW's Bchelhofer Goes: Following some unpleasant public back-biting and intense speculation, VW has finally parted company with Sales and Marketing Chief Robert Bchelhofer, making this his second departure at the hands of Bernd Pischetschrieder, who ousted him from the same position at BMW a few years ago. According to VW, the split was by "mutual agreement" and marks the beginning of a major boardroom reshuffle in Wolfsburg. Pischetsrieder hasn't announced what form it will take, but has said that it will involve "starting with a blank sheet of paper" and will seek to "remove the current hierarchical structure to become more process oriented."
* Fiat and Suzuki to Develop SUV: The struggling Italian manufacturer has signed a memorandum of understanding with Suzuki Motor Corp. for the joint development of an SUV based on the new Suzuki A-segment platform. Production is due to begin in the second half of 2005 at Suzuki's Hungarian facility. According to Giancarlo Boschetti, president and CEO of Fiat Auto SpA., and Osamu Suzuki, chairman and CEO of Suzuki, the vehicles will have distinctive styling and will be distributed separately through their respective dealer networks, making it unlikely that the Fiat version will be seen in the U.S.
* BMW's Ticket-to-Park: BMW recently completed a field test in Kln, Germany, designed to improve the lot of drivers searching endlessly for a parking space. The study involved a 5 Series and an X5 equipped with the company's Park-info service, which uses real-time information to direct drivers to the nearest parking facility. It also incorporates an automatic payment system that charges everything to a central account and avoids not having the right coinage for the automat. According to the study, if such a system were used by all vehicles in Kln, some 14,500km and 1,380 hours could be saved in one day. That's all very well but if, like me, paying for a parking space is against your religion, then you'd rather spend half an hour cruising the streets looking for a free roadside space.
* BMW Assist Goes International: BMW has taken the first step in internationalizing its online service by introducing it into the UK. Offering access to the BMW portal for online information and E-mail services, BMW Online was introduced for the first time in Germany in the new 7 Series. As well as being expanded into the UK, this service will also be available in the new 5 Series. The U.S. is the next target market, but no timescale has been set. The large number of telecom suppliers in the U.S. presents a significant challenge to securing nationwide coverage.
* Megane II Sedan and Tourer Break Cover: Following the successful market introduction of Renault's award-winning Megane II hatchback, and the subsequent appearance of the Coupe-Cabriolet and Scenic II in Geneva, the French manufacturer premiered the Megane II Sports Sedan and Sports Tourer at the Barcelona Motor Show. Both models are intended to widen the international appeal of the Megane platform. The Tourer takes to the next stage the highly acclaimed design language of the larger Laguna station wagon while slightly softening the radical new Megane hatchback styling.
Renault has international sales firmly in its sights, and sees the Sedan and Tourer versions of the Megane as particularly important in some of the more conservative market segments.
However, while Renault continues to bask under the considerable market success of the new Megane format, it has announced the withdrawal of the Avantime coupe MPV after only 18 months on the market. Alongside the Vel Satis executive saloon, the Avantime was the model that launched the new look. Using the underpinnings of the popular Espace van, Renault thought the market could cope with the wacky crossover-wrong.
But it wasn't the styling that proved to be the turn-off. A high price combined with average build quality and a limited drivetrain offering landed the Avantime in the market's no-man's-land. Sub-contractor Matra decided to pull production when daily volumes fell to 15 per day, against a plan of 60

* Opel Launches New Astra Cabrio Diesel: Is there no end to the diesel invasion? Last year Audi introduced the world's first six-cylinder diesel cabrio in recognition of the increasing acceptance of diesel engines in sporty vehicles. Opel has followed up in the compact segment with a diesel version of its new Astra Cabrio. The 2.2-liter TDi turbodiesel churns out 125 bhp and 206 lb-ft of torque and makes it to the 62-mph mark in 10.9 sec., which is only 0.4 sec. and 1.4 sec., respectively, behind the 1.8- and 2.2-liter gasoline versions.
The Astra Cabrio is currently alone in the segment with this offering, but that's unlikely to last for long as VW is sure to include a diesel cabrio derivative of its new Golf.

Ford StreetKaOnly Her Hairdresser Will Know For Sure
Here in the U.K., we have a term of derision for cars that put style before substance; they're called "hairdresser's cars." The first of the breed was the Suzuki Vitara, which was available in bright pink and had every crimper in the country reaching for her credit card. Ford is unlikely to dress the new StreetKa in such a putrid hue, but its dealers may soon be twitching in horror as a bubble-permed stylist catwalks to the door.
The StreetKa is self-consciously a fashion accessory that is targeted at women-Ford's marketers accept that 80% of StreetKa buyers will carry the keys in a handbag. It first appeared as a concept at the Turin show in 2000 and was given the green light at the end of the year after favorable public reaction. It was developed in conjunction with Pininfarina, which will build the car in Italy.
In essence, the diminutive roadster is a chop-top version of Ford of Europe's city car, the Ka, which first drew breath in 1996. The "new-edge" styling cues, the 1.6-liter engine and the bulk of the fascia are shared with the SportKa hatch, but the StreetKa also relies heavily on a mishmash of mechanicals from Ford's parts bin. The gearbox and rear suspension, for example, are plundered from the defunct Puma coupe, while the brakes are from a Focus.

These elements are fashioned into a tiny roadster-it's just 143.7 in. long-that, for all its femininity, has huge appeal. In profile, the StreetKa is almost symmetrical, and its chiselled lines and pronounced wheelarches lend it a distinctive, contemporary stance. The production version varies little from the original show car, and this is reflected in some exquisite detailing, such as the reversing light that poses as an exhaust pipe in the rear valance.
The StreetKa employs a simple canvas roof system that is manually manipulated. It emerges from a pop-up cover behind the aluminum rollover hoops and connects to the windscreen with the help of a couple of handles. The rear window is plastic and there's lots of wind noise when the hood's up, but at least it leaves sufficient space for a decent-sized boot. Ford will also be offering a clip-on hardtop for winter months.
The rest of the interior follows the cutesy theme of the Ka, with the addition of a rev counter. The swooping, organic design still looks fresh, although space is tight for tall drivers. More of a concern is the quality of the plastics, which do little to justify a hefty 12,495 ($19,537) price tag. Opt for the luxury version with leather trim, air conditioning and seat heaters, and the price rises to 13,745 ($21,492).

This tag would be easier to justify if the Ford had a decent engine, but it doesn't. The 1597cc, eight-valve Duratec unit is built in South Africa and is best described as dreadful. With just 94 bhp and 100 lb-ft of torque propelling a car that weighs 2,339 lb, the performance was always going to be tepid, but it's the manner of the power delivery that really disappoints.
Although there's useful torque and a pleasing engine note at low revs, this quickly gives place to a nasty resonance, which reverberates through the major controls above 4000 rpm. For the record, Ford states that the StreetKa will reach 60 mph from rest in 12.1 sec. and reach 108 mph, but few people have the will to match these claims.
The engine choice is made all the more frustrating by competence of the chassis. The base Ka is a hoot to drive, and much of its cheeky character has been carried across to the roadster. The chassis is extremely well sorted, blending a comfortable ride with fine body control. Scuttle shake is notable only for its absence, the gearbox is a delight, and the steering combines linear response with plenty of feedback. The StreetKa really can be hustled along at hairstyle-destroying speeds.

It's difficult not to conclude that Ford analyzed the potential customers for this car and decided that they could live with a poor powerplant. It may be right, but its cynicism has turned a potentially great roadster into a competent soft-top. In a niche market that's bulging with the Smart Roadster, Citron Pluriel and Peugeot 206CC, mere competence isn't good enough. Sandra the stylist will love it, but the true enthusiast will look elsewhere.

Modern ClassicThe Chesil Speedster
Few legends in the motoring world tug heartstrings quite so effectively as the Porsche 356 Speedster. It was a touch of genius, inspired by the necessity to pare down an expensive cabriolet to compete with the British marques running rampant through the U.S. in the '50s, and it became an icon.
Briton Peter Bailey loved the Speedster so much that he set about producing new ones, having bought the old Street Beetle company in the late '80s. Now he and his four trusty mechanics produce 30 Chesil Speedsters every year.
There are plenty of 356 replicas out there, but the Chesil is special, even though Bailey has not moved mountains to create an authentic copy and instead went for a general "period ambience." This is clear from the interior, which is gloriously uncluttered with three simple dials behind the designer wood steering wheel and glamorous old-style leather seats available in virtually any color, almost but not quite the same as the original. It even has wind-down windows and a proper stereo system, "luxuries" the original went without.

Chesil imports late-model Beetles, which are then stripped to the floorpan, which is shortened by a full 23cm before being mated to a powdercoated box-section chassis that does a fine job of removing scuttle shake. An optional hard-top improves the rigidity even more but obviously detracts from the classic lines.
Sitting proudly on top of this structure and a set of gloriously polished 15-in. alloys is a gel-coated GRP bodyshell that would put the best reconditioned 356 to shame. It also reduces the weight of the 1950s-style supermodel to a Pokemon-proportioned 1,540 lb.
The Speedster Classic version comes with a swing-axle suspension setup, while the Evolution uses the more recent Beetle setup of a torsion beam and trailing arms at the front, with a trailing arm with CV-jointed driveshafts at the back.

The non servo-assisted brakes, meanwhile, are the Beetle's disc units at the front and traditional drums at the back, which are adequate for this amount of power and nothing more. This is not modern technology, but cutting edge somehow would not make sense in this environment.
Most customers opt for a 1600cc, 1800cc or 2000cc engine version, which produce 60-, 90- and 110 bhp, respectively. All are brand-new twin-port versions of the classic aircooled VW Type 1, supplied by Arnie Levics, although the 1.9-liter watercooled VW Transporter engine has recently been added to the range and is said to be both quieter and smoother. One customer even had a 3-liter 911SC engine fitted to his Speedster, shortly before rolling it off the road in a spectacular accident.
The standard units put the power to the floor through a reconditioned transaxle four-speed box from the Beetle. The 2-liter version takes 9 sec. to hit 60 mph and tops out at 105 mph. In short, the Chesil Speedster is not an out and out sports car that will kick your spine out of place down straights.

The rear-engined machine is fun, when pushed hard, but the obvious rear-biased weight balance and unsophisticated suspension is not the perfect setup for high-speed driving.
A lower center of gravity and reduced weight mean it handles far better than the Beetle it is derived from, but it is not a race car. This is a tiny touring machine that looks sexier than Carmen Electra with her Mohair top off-that is its raison d'etre.
And with all-Beetle running gear, it can be serviced at any VW specialist, and you can even build it yourself, too, which would make the postage and package a little easier on U.S. customers.
Chesil will handle the construction at prices starting from $28,000 for the standard 1.6-liter, and most cars come in at around the $32,000 mark. Building it yourself opens up all sorts of possibilities, especially for folks in the U.S., and cuts almost $8,000 off the price even for U.K. customers.
But an accurate price tag is impossible to predict, as the only limit to the optional extras is your imagination. This means that the cars tend to be as individual as those who buy them and perhaps goes some way to explaining why so many people are heading for a tiny British coastal village to invest in a classic piece of modern nostalgia.

Stola DreamsIt Isn't Easy Being A Prototyper
Life as a prototype builder can't be easy. At every Auto Show, thousands of enthusiasts will peer lustily at your creation, only for the credit to be claimed by the commissioner. This lack of recognition clearly became too much for the Italian specialists Stola, which revealed its own supercar at the Geneva Show. Called the GTS, it's based on the Porsche Boxster and is a showcase for the company's talents.
Stola began life in 1919 and specializes in the development of manufacturers' design concepts. It can produce feasibility studies, virtual reality models and full prototypes upon request. The company also has facilities for stamping metal components and assembling bodies-in-white.

Its clients have included Fiat, Peugeot, Renault, Visteon and Magneti Marelli. Unsurprisingly, most of its work is bound by contracts of confidentiality, but one employee did let slip that Fiat's handsome little roadster, the Barchetta, was Stola's creation.
The GTS is still very obviously a Porsche, but it has been modified in an homage to the 1970s. This explains, for example, the blue and orange color scheme, which was inspired by the beautiful Gulf Porsche 917 of 1970. The whisker-like front spoiler and flying buttresses are also designed to invoke memories of the legendary endurance racer.
The Boxster's air intakes have been raised to an area on the rear wing adjacent to the top of the doorframe, and the rear spoiler is now fixed in the style of the famous 911 Carrera RS 2.7, which was first produced in 1973. The overall effect is undoubtedly striking, but few would go so far as to describe it as pretty.

Inside, the transformation is a tribute to silver cladding. The center console, door handles and instrument panel are all covered in painted plastic and the overall effect is underwhelming. Much more appealing are the Recaro competition seats, which have been plundered from the 911's options list and come complete with a Sparco race harness. Having experienced them in a 911 Carrera 4S, I can confirm that they are far more comfortable than they look.
These seats, coupled with the removal of part of the center console, help to limit the Stola's weight to 1,260kg (2,778 lb), which is 60kg (132 lb) less than a Boxster S. The main impact on the performance, though, has been achieved by increasing the engine's capacity to 3600cc, which, together with extensive retuning, has boosted the power output to 480 bhp and the torque to 457 lb-ft at 5500 rpm. This represents a 220 bhp and 232 lb-ft increase on the S and is enough, Stola claims, to reduce the 0-to-62-mph sprint time to just 3.9 sec. The company also reckons that it will reach 124 mph (200km/h) in 11.5 sec. and top 186 mph (300km/h).
To cope with this extra power, Stola has extensively reworked the Boxster's setup. There's watercooling, front and rear, and enlarged Brembo brakes-332mm discs at the rear to complement the 328mm discs at the front. The suspension has also been retuned with stiffer shocks and dampers and an adjustable ride height; 18-in. wheels are standard, shod with 225/40 and 275/35 Goodyears at the front and rear, respectively.

Stola's representatives in Geneva were anxious to point out that the GTS should be seen as an expression of the company's engineering and bodywork skills rather than a genuinely new supercar. However, they did admit that there will be a production version of the GTS that will be limited to just three examples. These (wealthy) enthusiasts will be able to individually specify their car, including both its mechanicals and the color scheme.
These cars will be sold for 250,000 Euros ($272,300), which places the GTS in direct competition with the Lamborghini Murcilago and Ferrari F550 Maranello. In this company, the Stola may seem as an eccentric choice, but it has the pace to compete, and neither the prancing horse nor the raging bull can offer such a high level of exclusivity. Like Intel in the computer world, the silent partner might just have found its voice.

Dunkel Bros. Fifth Annual Porsche Show & SwapA Tribute to the 356
There are Porsche owners club events, Porsche swap meets and other events specifically tailored to Porsche enthusiasts; then you have the Dunkel Bros. Annual Porsche Show & Swap. If you're a genuine U.S. fan of Porsche cars, chances are you're a fan of this show. A must-attend event for the Porsche aficionado, the company, which transports heavy equipment, recently celebrated the show's fifth anniversary at its 15-acre facility in Anaheim, Calif. This year's event paid tribute to the 356.
In addition to the requisite Type As, Bs and Cs, there were all manner of Porsches on display, including rare factory racers, such as the 904, 906, 917, 962, 550 Spyder, RSRs and others. In all, more than 600 Porsches-grouped by year and model-made it onto the show grounds, with hundreds more parked on surrounding streets.
The Dunkel Bros. show has also become renowned for is its unusual vehicle displays. Last year, the company's 356 club racer dangled precariously from a tree 20 ft above the ground; this year's exhibit featured a pair of Turbos, including a GT2, affixed to specially built raised platforms.
The show's layout was simple: The front half of the facility was sectioned off for the 600+ show vehicles; the back half was reserved for swappers, with dozens of vendors showcasing their memorabilia and vintage wares.

The company's showroom had been transformed into an impressive automotive museum housing a number of priceless vehicles, including the oldest known 356 in the world. The showroom also featured rare Porsche memorabilia with pieces numbering in the hundreds, if not thousands.
New to the event was an affiliation with Car-Buffs-4-Kids, a charitable organization benefiting children with the Nevus disease. "This is our way of spreading a little goodwill to those in need," said company president Peter Dunkel.
The night prior to the show, Dunkel hosted a tribute dinner for vintage Porsche racer Scooter Patrick, commemorating his many accomplishments in motorsport.
Next year, the show will highlight the Spyder. It is rumored the Dunkels will try and outdo themselves with a "Spyder and web" display, no doubt hanging high above the ground.