2003 BMW Z4Seven
years after its introduction in 1995, the Z3's successor is finally
ready for launch. The all-new Z4 is an angular reinterpretation of the
original roadster; BMW calls the look "an interplay of convex and
concave surfaces, hard edges and curves." It is clearly a recipient of
BMW's new design philosophy, which first appeared on the new 7 Series.
As with its predecessor, the Z4 has a wide track, short front and rear overhangs, a long, sweeping hood and a low center of gravity. The new design allows for a larger trunk (9 cu ft, roomy enough for two golf bags sans wheels) and a soft top with heated glass rear window and an integrated tonneau cover (no more wrestling with the stiff-leather add-on one) and a better front-to-rear weight distribution-50:50 vs. 51:49.
The new roadster will be offered with two inline-six engines, the 225-bhp 3.0 and the 184-bhp 2.5. The 3.0-liter Z4 comes with either a six-speed manual or a five-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. The Z4 2.5 has a five-speed manual or the aforementioned Steptronic. Next spring an SMG will be offered for both models.
The suspension is a modified version of the 3 Series setup, with Dynamic Drive Control (and its accompanying fun-enhancing "Sport" button) as an option. Fade-free high-performance brakes, Run-flat tires and Dynamic Stability Control are also part of the package.
Standard features include a leather sports steering wheel, sport seats, a rollover safety system and remote entry system. Options include a DVD-based navigation system with a 16:9 retractable display, a premium sound system and an integrated, hands-free phone. The BMW Z4 roadster goes on sale in the U.S. this fall and in spring 2003 for Europe.
VW Microbus A Go For 2005The decision has been made: The Volkswagen Microbus will be built in Hanover, where Volkswagen's commercial vehicles are built. The decision means 1,500 new jobs for the Hanover plant. Gnter Lenz, chairman of the Works Council Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said, "The Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles team put up a marvellous fight to win this vehicle. All our efforts have been rewarded. The decision shows that the Hanover site can hold its own in an international comparison of VW locations."
By choosing to build the Microbus, Volkswagen has set its sights on a new segment-an MPV that combines bold design and multi-purpose use with luxury and comfort. Dr. Pischetsrieder emphasized that "with the Microbus, a legend begun some 50 years ago when the first VW bus left the production line here is now returning to Hanover. The VW bus was never just a means of transport, it has always been a cult object. The public's reaction at motor shows combined with the findings of market studies already show us that the Microbus design has a spontaneous appeal, and that the vehicle will follow in the footsteps of its successful predecessor."
The Microbus concept car debuted at the Detroit Motor Show in 2001.
Notes From EuropeThe last time MG had a TF in its model lineup, Ike was in the White House, Elvis had just cut his first record, and the New York Yankees had won the World Series five years running. There were no Toyotas outside Japan, only the military drove SUVs, and MG was the world's best-selling sports car.
The world's changed a lot in almost 50 years. And for most of that time, MG has been playing catch-up. When the MG F was launched in 1995, it was the first proper, all-new MG sports car since the 1962 MGB. This small, mid-engined roadster looked the part, and drove well enough, although in truth it was easily outclassed by Mazda's epochal MX-5 from the outset. Mazda has since replaced the MX-5 once, and is working on a third-generation model. Meanwhile the MG F has just been given its first major makeover-and a name from the history books.
Visual changes include a new front bumper, grille and headlights, crisper styling around the side air intakes and a new rear decklid with integrated spoiler, all the work of MG Rover design chief Peter Stevens, the man who styled the McLaren F1 supercar. Under the skin the Hydragas suspension system-a surprisingly smooth-riding relic from the 1970s that used interconnected pressure valves instead of steel springs-has been replaced with a more conventional coil-spring front end and multi-link rear axle. The front and rear subframes are now solidly mounted to the bodyshell, and the ride height has been lowered 10mm.
MG Rover, sold for pennies by BMW 2 years ago and still struggling to make a profit, simply doesn't have the money to lavish on an all-new sports car. However, the cash it has spent on the TF makeover has delivered in all the right areas. Whereas the old F was a numb, uninspired handler, the TF is crisper, sharper, more involving. The top of the range 160-bhp engine gives sparkling performance-0 to 60 mph in 6.9 sec. and a top speed of 137 mph.
But like the original TF, the new version can't disguise the fact that the basic vehicle is now an old design. For example, today's TF lacks such little niceties as a good driving position and a properly adjustable steering column, while the interior is full of badly fitting plastic and imperfectly matched colors. The original TF only stayed in production for 3 years until replaced by the swoopy MGA in 1956. Without the money to do a replacement in a hurry, MG Rover must be hoping that history isn't about to repeat itself.
With the official parting of Rolls-Royce and Bentley now less than 6 months away, VW Group has released details of its new "small" Bentley, the GT Coupe, which is due to go on sale in October 2003. Built on the four-wheel-drive platform of the new S-Class rival VW Phaeton, the GT Coupe-which will probably be called the Continental once on sale-will be joined by a sedan version in 2005.
It might be an entry-level Bentley, but at about $160,000 it won't exactly be cheap. It will, however, offer plenty of bang for all those bucks-expect close to 550 bhp and 740 lb-ft of torque from the twin-turbo W12 engine, enough to propel this 4,400-lb two door from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 sec. and to 100 mph in less time than a Ferrari 575 Maranello. Top speed? Close to 200 mph, according to whispers from Wolfsburg.
And make no mistake; this is a Wolfsburg car. The body and mechanicals, which include a new six-speed automatic transmission and a torque-sensing center differential, will be made in Germany before being shipped to Crewe, England, home of Bentley since 1946, where trim and final assembly will take place. Still, the Brits are used to Germans running their aristocracy-Queen Elizabeth's great-great grandfather was born in Bavaria.
2004 Audi A8Ingolstadt has released the first official photos of Audi's flagship A8, prior to the car's first public appearance at the Paris show in September. The new A8 is built on the third generation of Audi's ASF (Aluminum Space Frame) platform, which, through use of more aluminum and simplified construction in certain elements of the frame's structure, reduces the new car's overall weight by 45 lb over the current A8. Overall, the new car is built from 17% fewer parts, weighs 3,947 lb, and the space frame is said to be 60% stiffer in torsional rigidity than today's version.
Power for the U.S.-bound model will continue to come from Audi's 4.2-liter V8, uprated from 310 to 330 bhp and 310 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic Tiptronic gearbox, quattro drivetrain and air suspension for all four wheels underscores the force of the car's technical statement.
The new bodywork reflects an understated elegance that has become Audi's hallmark, the new aluminum skin stretched over a wheelbase 63mm longer than the previous version and widened front and rear tracks. Running gear will range from 17- and 18-in. wheel fitments on all-season rubber, with a 19-in. "sport" wheel available with high-performance tires.
The interior will feature Audi's version of the luxury car command center, here called MMI or multi-media interface. Like BMW's i-Drive, a center console-located knob interfaces four areas of controls, including entertainment, information/navigation, personal settings and phone functions. The main read-out screen pops up from behind a door high in the center console, and a secondary, smaller screen is found in the center of the gauge cluster directly in front of the driver.
Though this new A8 shares some technology with VW's new luxury car, the Phaeton, those who have driven both assure us the driving experiences are sufficiently different, that there should be no confusion between the two models. The A8 will go on sale in America in early summer 2003 as a 2004 model. Pricing has yet to be settled upon, but in the tough D-class segment, Audi must be aggressive in its window stickers to compete with the Lexus/BMW/Mercedes-Benz powerhouses.
Porsche 997 -First Prototypes On The Test TrackAlthough it is no secret that Porsche is preparing a replacement for the current 911, so far only prototype mules have been spotted undergoing first testing. These photos, however, show the real thing, meaning Porsche has begun testing genuine prototypes of what is more than likely project head Olaf Lang's 997, which is slated to be the next 911.
The rear flares are clearly unlike those of the current Carrera 4 S, and the bodywork does a great job of disguising the car's bigger dimensions. Hard to know what engine Porsche will use, but the longer rear deck would indeed allow room for a bigger engine-whether it's a flat eight, the Cayenne's V8, or a 10-cylinder engine derived from Carrera GT is anybody's guess.
The most likely scenarios given Porsche's history are a flat six as the base engine and then either a flat eight or the V8 (if it fits) as the optional engine. Abandoning the six altogether is a possibility. (Porsche also finally left the flat four behind when it moved from 356 to 911, the short-lived 912 aside.)
This car's styling will likely be evolutionary rather than revolutionary, with the basic 911's silhouette cast in granite at this point in the company's life. Changes to further distance the next 911 from the Boxster, however, are virtually inevitable as it's unlikely Porsche wants to open itself to that criticism again. Thus, one can probably expect new headlight designs and taillights that are different takes on the 911 theme, as head stylist Harm Lagaay is well known for his desire to keep the 911's styling true to form.
Mercedes-Benz SLR by McLarenHigh-Speed Testing At NrburgringA prototype of Mercedes-Benz's McLaren-made supercar, the SLR, was caught on film during high-speed testing at the Nrburgring. Even though this test car is wearing only a slightly less heavy disguise than previously seen versions, it has been confirmed that the production version will have gullwing doors similar to those on the 1999 show car, the Vision SLR. The supercar will be powered by a 557-bhp supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine, with a top speed of 200 mph.
The sports coupe is scheduled for launch in 2003, debuting at the Geneva Motor Show next year. Plans are to build 500 cars per year, The price will start at around 400,000 Euros.
Porsche GT3 3.8The 1,600 original Porsche GT3s sold out very quickly, and when 350 additional cars were built a year later, they sold in seconds, too. So track-day fans are in for a treat when Porsche launches its second-generation GT3 in January next year.
With its race-inspired engine uprated from 3.6 to 3.8 liters, power goes up by 20 bhp to 380 bhp, so the normally aspirated motor maintains the 100 bhp/liter status quo. Torque takes a hike from 273 to 300 lb-ft.
Out of the box, the GT3 3.8 blasts to 60 mph in 4.6 sec., passes 100 mph in 10.0 sec. and tops out at 187 mph, 6 mph faster than the 911 Turbo. In testing at the Nrburgring Nordschleife, the car is said to lap in the low 7-min. 50-sec. region.
Visually, the new GT3 is distinguished by its 2002 Porsche Supercup-style front bumper/spoiler, modified rear wing and exhaust outlets. Its interior is a stripped-out version of the latest Carrera with air conditioning a no-cost option. The Club Sport option brings a rollcage, lightweight seats and cloth trim.
However, you'd better move fast if you want one, as only 400 of the new 3.8-liter GT3s will be made by the racing department in Weissach between January and July 2003. The asking price is 95,000 Euros in Germany. (Note: The first-generation GT3 is shown here.)
Venturi Fetish On TrackDuring the Formula One Grand Prix the Principality of Monaco is undoubtedly transformed into the world capital of motor racing. It was during this event that the Venturi Fetish took its first demonstration laps with former French Formula One driver Jacques Laffite at the wheel.
L Laffite reported he found the concept car "responsive, light and sporty" to drive. Introduced on French Television's TF1, the Fetish became the most televised automobile with more than 34 cameras both onboard and trackside. Fetish ended the weekend with a photo session with H.S.H. Prince Albert in front of the Palace of Monaco. Venturi: www.venturi.fr
We Hear...* If You Can't Find a Mini Cooper to Buy, Rent OneBudget Rent a Car of Beverly Hills has added the new Mini Cooper from BMW to its collection. The company obtained some of the first production Mini Coopers released, so it can offer consumers a first look and a unique opportunity to try before you buy. Twenty new Minis are available at all of the Budget of Beverly Hills' multiple locations in and around Los Angeles, including Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and Marina del Rey. At this time, Mini rentals are exclusive to Southern California and are not yet available at Budget of Beverly Hills' Aspen or Vail, Colo., facilities. For more information: www.budgetbeverlyhills.com; (800) 227-7117.
* BMW Opens New Paint & Body Training CenterThe BMW Group has opened its third state-of-the-art paint-and-body training center in Oxnard, Calif. The new, $3-million facility is used to train apprentices in collision repair and body paint application. The top graduates form recognized post-secondary technical schools are selected for BMW's 9-month Service Technician Education Program (STEP). During the apprenticeships, students receive salaries; they pay no tuition and are assisted in securing a position at a BMW or MINI dealership upon program completion. The new training facility will also host educational programs for the dealership personnel.
* The Italian Avantgarde in Car DesignFrom September 19 to October 6, 2002, the Armory building, in New York City, will host an exhibit, "The Italian Avantgarde in Car Design," which showcases the Italian genius in automobile design. Thirty-two automotive masterpieces, ranging from a 1924 Isotta Fraschini 8A to the brand-new Ferrari 575M Maranello will be on display, along with a historical-critical timeline, associating the cars with key periods in Italian figurative culture. Several workshops will be conducted during the exhibition, including a discussion on "USA-Italy: a bridge between two concepts of car design," which will feature several leading Italian and American car designers.
The 69th Regiment Armory is located on Lexington Avenue at 26th St., New York City, N.Y. It is the same building that hosted the 1913 "Armory Show," the first major showing in the United States of modern European art.
British Car Day At Chateau ElanOnce a year in rural upstate Georgia, a certified "Friend of the American Car Racin' Community," Mr. Don Panoz, throws open the gates to his modest little Flowery Branch winery for a gathering of the truly afflicted: the British Car People. Thus, in the late spring a conflux of ancient marque clubs, Triumph, Land Rover, Austin-Healey and Jaguar alike, gather on the lawn at Chateau Elan. Once there, members admire each other's rides, picnic and enjoy the Georgia sunshine as their trusty steeds saturate the finely trimmed grass with alarming quantities of freshly leaked Castrol.
But there was nearly a rend in the fabric of the universe this year as I looked out my window on the Friday night before the event and discovered to my horror that the weather gods were angry. It had, as we say in the south, "come up a gen-u-wine toad strangler." Imagine 400-plus British car owners, "semi-weather resistant" tops firmly in place, driving through a 4-in.-per-hour rainstorm. It conjures visions too horrible for words; images of emergency teams in full dive gear jumping fearlessly into the murky depths of an Austin-Healey footwell in a heroic attempt to rescue the thoroughly drowned occupants.
However, just to prove that Colin Chapman has some pull with the Big Guy, Saturday morning dawned dry and clearing. The "hoods" were stowed, the cars were arrayed, the "bonnets" were opened, and British Car Day at Chateau Elan was under way for the 17th year.
It was obvious from the first year I attended that this gathering is slightly less formal than a white-glove concours, and event-organizer Ken Yokelson confirmed the impression. "We've made it more-and-more family oriented as the event has grown. A few years ago we stopped judging the cars and now no trophies are awarded. Now the day is just a great chance to get together with 500 other enthusiasts and have a picnic."
In addition to the nearly 500 cars on display, British Car Day features something for everyone. A large vendor area is filled with new and used items for sale, including parts and publications for even the most esoteric marque. A coterie of marching bagpipers fills the air with their Humber-Super-Snipe-with-a-slipping-generator-belt sound. The smell of grilling burgers mingles with the exotic scent of well-worn leather and, yes, eau de freshly leaked oil. The overall effect is quite intoxicating, and besotted by the ambience, I wandered down to to the "cars for sale" section. Don't ever do this. I immediately spotted a 2+2 E-Type Jag with 50,000 original miles and flawless coachwork, available this weekend only for a pittance. It would be perfect for next year's event, as I could fold my young son into the back seat, throw the picnic pannier in the boot and, with wife riding shotgun, attend this do with something approaching "ultimate style." I was dragged away before succumbing to "the urge," but I still have the phone number. If you've ever lusted after an E-Type, or a Griffith, or even a big Healey, this is the event for you. They're all here, driven to the event and on display, as well as for sale.
As the deal-clincher, Ken pointed out that all proceeds from British Car Day go to charity, the Marietta Lion's Club and The Shrine Children's Hospital. The event is organized by the British Motorcar Club in Atlanta, a consortium of 13 marque-specific clubs in the region and will be held again on May 17, 2003. We've scheduled fine sunny weather for next year's event, so scuba gear will be strictly optional.
Volvo XC90 And SafetyIts maker calls it "the unselfish SUV"Since introducing the first production seatbelt in 1959, Volvo claims that every car on the road has "a little bit of Volvo in it." Environmental concern and good design have gained precedence over the last decade, but the company has been known for safety since its founders established that as the guiding principle 75 years ago. Taken together, these core values are characteristically Swedish.
Today, Volvo is Ford's worldwide center of safety technology, and will conduct more than 400 full-scale crash tests at its Safety Center over the next year. The most striking part of the facility is the crash test building, with its 600-ton hinged, enclosed track that rides on hovercraft-style air cushions as it swings. In it, two vehicles can be crashed into each other from any angle.
Live crash tests, each of which costs from $35-40,000 U.S. without the cost of the vehicles themselves, are primarily used early and late in the vehicle development process. In between, electronic crash simulations are used, as many as 14 every 24 hours. Even with live tests recorded and filmed at up to 3,000 frames per second, the computers' results will be more detailed and, as far as the complex and tender structures of the occupants go, probably more accurate than a live test. Simulations allow greater repetition, faster results and the ability to predict and refine the performance of structures without building them. Volvo also does research for Ford Europe, Aston-Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover, as well as simulations for the North American arm.
Volvo Car Corp. has stuck with the strategy of being a car company until now: The XC90 will be its first wagon tall enough to be called an SUV. It is the company's first entry into a totally new area of the market since the P1800, and Volvo wants to "contribute to this segment." Obviously, any company releasing an SUV has reason to be concerned about safety. Volvo introduces a new safety innovation with every new vehicle, and the XC90 is no exception. It is safe for those inside it and for those outside it, whether or not they are protected by another vehicle. The XC90 addresses the issue of vehicle compatibility with a second crossmember below its bumper, behind the fascia, designed to engage the bumpers and crumple zones of smaller, lower vehicles. The hood is a minimum of 80mm (3.1 in.) from any engine part, allowing it to absorb energy should a pedestrian be struck.
The XC90's Roll-over Protection System (ROPS) is new. A Roll Stability Control gyro sensor measures roll speed and angle and calculates the final roll angle that will be achieved. If a rollover is likely, RSC activates the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) to reduce engine power and actuate the brakes until a safe, understeering chassis attitude is regained.
The XC90 uses ultra-high-strength boron steel in frontal, side and roof structures. It is so strong that it cannot be straightened if bent in an accident. It must be cut out and replaced, but odds are, said one engineer, if those structures require repair the vehicle will be totalled.
Just to illustrate, Volvo totalled an XC90 test mule for an audience of journalists. I had seen several slow rolls off-road before, but never one leaving roof paint on pavement. As the XC90 came tumbling out the end of the Safety Center's fixed wing onto a concrete pad at 30 mph, the crunch was horrific. If you've ever heard a car hit the wall at a track, it was like that. But it kept going, and going, and...still going. The day before, it went over twice. The day I was there, the XC90 did three complete rolls in a test that was initiated exactly the same way. Christer Gustafsson, VCC Senior Safety Engineer, explained that the complexity of rollovers is what makes them so difficult to predict.
There are basically two dangers to passengers in a rollover. The first is impact with the inside of the vehicle. The XC90 performed admirably with side-curtain airbags and very little intrusion of the structure into the interior space. The second danger is ejection. The side-curtain airbags help with this danger, but in three rolls, said Gustafsson, any unbelted occupant would be at least partially ejected.
Other areas of safety technology Volvo showed us included its emergency response communication system, telematics interface research, and the Volvo Personal Communicator, a development of the door-locking remote system to extend the monitoring, communication and safety capabilities using Bluetooth technology.
As with its predecessor, the Z4 has a wide track, short front and rear overhangs, a long, sweeping hood and a low center of gravity. The new design allows for a larger trunk (9 cu ft, roomy enough for two golf bags sans wheels) and a soft top with heated glass rear window and an integrated tonneau cover (no more wrestling with the stiff-leather add-on one) and a better front-to-rear weight distribution-50:50 vs. 51:49.
The new roadster will be offered with two inline-six engines, the 225-bhp 3.0 and the 184-bhp 2.5. The 3.0-liter Z4 comes with either a six-speed manual or a five-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. The Z4 2.5 has a five-speed manual or the aforementioned Steptronic. Next spring an SMG will be offered for both models.
The suspension is a modified version of the 3 Series setup, with Dynamic Drive Control (and its accompanying fun-enhancing "Sport" button) as an option. Fade-free high-performance brakes, Run-flat tires and Dynamic Stability Control are also part of the package.
Standard features include a leather sports steering wheel, sport seats, a rollover safety system and remote entry system. Options include a DVD-based navigation system with a 16:9 retractable display, a premium sound system and an integrated, hands-free phone. The BMW Z4 roadster goes on sale in the U.S. this fall and in spring 2003 for Europe.
VW Microbus A Go For 2005The decision has been made: The Volkswagen Microbus will be built in Hanover, where Volkswagen's commercial vehicles are built. The decision means 1,500 new jobs for the Hanover plant. Gnter Lenz, chairman of the Works Council Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, said, "The Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles team put up a marvellous fight to win this vehicle. All our efforts have been rewarded. The decision shows that the Hanover site can hold its own in an international comparison of VW locations."
By choosing to build the Microbus, Volkswagen has set its sights on a new segment-an MPV that combines bold design and multi-purpose use with luxury and comfort. Dr. Pischetsrieder emphasized that "with the Microbus, a legend begun some 50 years ago when the first VW bus left the production line here is now returning to Hanover. The VW bus was never just a means of transport, it has always been a cult object. The public's reaction at motor shows combined with the findings of market studies already show us that the Microbus design has a spontaneous appeal, and that the vehicle will follow in the footsteps of its successful predecessor."
The Microbus concept car debuted at the Detroit Motor Show in 2001.
Notes From EuropeThe last time MG had a TF in its model lineup, Ike was in the White House, Elvis had just cut his first record, and the New York Yankees had won the World Series five years running. There were no Toyotas outside Japan, only the military drove SUVs, and MG was the world's best-selling sports car.
The world's changed a lot in almost 50 years. And for most of that time, MG has been playing catch-up. When the MG F was launched in 1995, it was the first proper, all-new MG sports car since the 1962 MGB. This small, mid-engined roadster looked the part, and drove well enough, although in truth it was easily outclassed by Mazda's epochal MX-5 from the outset. Mazda has since replaced the MX-5 once, and is working on a third-generation model. Meanwhile the MG F has just been given its first major makeover-and a name from the history books.
Visual changes include a new front bumper, grille and headlights, crisper styling around the side air intakes and a new rear decklid with integrated spoiler, all the work of MG Rover design chief Peter Stevens, the man who styled the McLaren F1 supercar. Under the skin the Hydragas suspension system-a surprisingly smooth-riding relic from the 1970s that used interconnected pressure valves instead of steel springs-has been replaced with a more conventional coil-spring front end and multi-link rear axle. The front and rear subframes are now solidly mounted to the bodyshell, and the ride height has been lowered 10mm.
MG Rover, sold for pennies by BMW 2 years ago and still struggling to make a profit, simply doesn't have the money to lavish on an all-new sports car. However, the cash it has spent on the TF makeover has delivered in all the right areas. Whereas the old F was a numb, uninspired handler, the TF is crisper, sharper, more involving. The top of the range 160-bhp engine gives sparkling performance-0 to 60 mph in 6.9 sec. and a top speed of 137 mph.
But like the original TF, the new version can't disguise the fact that the basic vehicle is now an old design. For example, today's TF lacks such little niceties as a good driving position and a properly adjustable steering column, while the interior is full of badly fitting plastic and imperfectly matched colors. The original TF only stayed in production for 3 years until replaced by the swoopy MGA in 1956. Without the money to do a replacement in a hurry, MG Rover must be hoping that history isn't about to repeat itself.
With the official parting of Rolls-Royce and Bentley now less than 6 months away, VW Group has released details of its new "small" Bentley, the GT Coupe, which is due to go on sale in October 2003. Built on the four-wheel-drive platform of the new S-Class rival VW Phaeton, the GT Coupe-which will probably be called the Continental once on sale-will be joined by a sedan version in 2005.
It might be an entry-level Bentley, but at about $160,000 it won't exactly be cheap. It will, however, offer plenty of bang for all those bucks-expect close to 550 bhp and 740 lb-ft of torque from the twin-turbo W12 engine, enough to propel this 4,400-lb two door from 0 to 60 mph in under 5 sec. and to 100 mph in less time than a Ferrari 575 Maranello. Top speed? Close to 200 mph, according to whispers from Wolfsburg.
And make no mistake; this is a Wolfsburg car. The body and mechanicals, which include a new six-speed automatic transmission and a torque-sensing center differential, will be made in Germany before being shipped to Crewe, England, home of Bentley since 1946, where trim and final assembly will take place. Still, the Brits are used to Germans running their aristocracy-Queen Elizabeth's great-great grandfather was born in Bavaria.
2004 Audi A8Ingolstadt has released the first official photos of Audi's flagship A8, prior to the car's first public appearance at the Paris show in September. The new A8 is built on the third generation of Audi's ASF (Aluminum Space Frame) platform, which, through use of more aluminum and simplified construction in certain elements of the frame's structure, reduces the new car's overall weight by 45 lb over the current A8. Overall, the new car is built from 17% fewer parts, weighs 3,947 lb, and the space frame is said to be 60% stiffer in torsional rigidity than today's version.
Power for the U.S.-bound model will continue to come from Audi's 4.2-liter V8, uprated from 310 to 330 bhp and 310 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed automatic Tiptronic gearbox, quattro drivetrain and air suspension for all four wheels underscores the force of the car's technical statement.
The new bodywork reflects an understated elegance that has become Audi's hallmark, the new aluminum skin stretched over a wheelbase 63mm longer than the previous version and widened front and rear tracks. Running gear will range from 17- and 18-in. wheel fitments on all-season rubber, with a 19-in. "sport" wheel available with high-performance tires.
The interior will feature Audi's version of the luxury car command center, here called MMI or multi-media interface. Like BMW's i-Drive, a center console-located knob interfaces four areas of controls, including entertainment, information/navigation, personal settings and phone functions. The main read-out screen pops up from behind a door high in the center console, and a secondary, smaller screen is found in the center of the gauge cluster directly in front of the driver.
Though this new A8 shares some technology with VW's new luxury car, the Phaeton, those who have driven both assure us the driving experiences are sufficiently different, that there should be no confusion between the two models. The A8 will go on sale in America in early summer 2003 as a 2004 model. Pricing has yet to be settled upon, but in the tough D-class segment, Audi must be aggressive in its window stickers to compete with the Lexus/BMW/Mercedes-Benz powerhouses.
Porsche 997 -First Prototypes On The Test TrackAlthough it is no secret that Porsche is preparing a replacement for the current 911, so far only prototype mules have been spotted undergoing first testing. These photos, however, show the real thing, meaning Porsche has begun testing genuine prototypes of what is more than likely project head Olaf Lang's 997, which is slated to be the next 911.
The rear flares are clearly unlike those of the current Carrera 4 S, and the bodywork does a great job of disguising the car's bigger dimensions. Hard to know what engine Porsche will use, but the longer rear deck would indeed allow room for a bigger engine-whether it's a flat eight, the Cayenne's V8, or a 10-cylinder engine derived from Carrera GT is anybody's guess.
The most likely scenarios given Porsche's history are a flat six as the base engine and then either a flat eight or the V8 (if it fits) as the optional engine. Abandoning the six altogether is a possibility. (Porsche also finally left the flat four behind when it moved from 356 to 911, the short-lived 912 aside.)
This car's styling will likely be evolutionary rather than revolutionary, with the basic 911's silhouette cast in granite at this point in the company's life. Changes to further distance the next 911 from the Boxster, however, are virtually inevitable as it's unlikely Porsche wants to open itself to that criticism again. Thus, one can probably expect new headlight designs and taillights that are different takes on the 911 theme, as head stylist Harm Lagaay is well known for his desire to keep the 911's styling true to form.
Mercedes-Benz SLR by McLarenHigh-Speed Testing At NrburgringA prototype of Mercedes-Benz's McLaren-made supercar, the SLR, was caught on film during high-speed testing at the Nrburgring. Even though this test car is wearing only a slightly less heavy disguise than previously seen versions, it has been confirmed that the production version will have gullwing doors similar to those on the 1999 show car, the Vision SLR. The supercar will be powered by a 557-bhp supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine, with a top speed of 200 mph.
The sports coupe is scheduled for launch in 2003, debuting at the Geneva Motor Show next year. Plans are to build 500 cars per year, The price will start at around 400,000 Euros.
Porsche GT3 3.8The 1,600 original Porsche GT3s sold out very quickly, and when 350 additional cars were built a year later, they sold in seconds, too. So track-day fans are in for a treat when Porsche launches its second-generation GT3 in January next year.
With its race-inspired engine uprated from 3.6 to 3.8 liters, power goes up by 20 bhp to 380 bhp, so the normally aspirated motor maintains the 100 bhp/liter status quo. Torque takes a hike from 273 to 300 lb-ft.
Out of the box, the GT3 3.8 blasts to 60 mph in 4.6 sec., passes 100 mph in 10.0 sec. and tops out at 187 mph, 6 mph faster than the 911 Turbo. In testing at the Nrburgring Nordschleife, the car is said to lap in the low 7-min. 50-sec. region.
Visually, the new GT3 is distinguished by its 2002 Porsche Supercup-style front bumper/spoiler, modified rear wing and exhaust outlets. Its interior is a stripped-out version of the latest Carrera with air conditioning a no-cost option. The Club Sport option brings a rollcage, lightweight seats and cloth trim.
However, you'd better move fast if you want one, as only 400 of the new 3.8-liter GT3s will be made by the racing department in Weissach between January and July 2003. The asking price is 95,000 Euros in Germany. (Note: The first-generation GT3 is shown here.)
Venturi Fetish On TrackDuring the Formula One Grand Prix the Principality of Monaco is undoubtedly transformed into the world capital of motor racing. It was during this event that the Venturi Fetish took its first demonstration laps with former French Formula One driver Jacques Laffite at the wheel.
L Laffite reported he found the concept car "responsive, light and sporty" to drive. Introduced on French Television's TF1, the Fetish became the most televised automobile with more than 34 cameras both onboard and trackside. Fetish ended the weekend with a photo session with H.S.H. Prince Albert in front of the Palace of Monaco. Venturi: www.venturi.fr
We Hear...* If You Can't Find a Mini Cooper to Buy, Rent OneBudget Rent a Car of Beverly Hills has added the new Mini Cooper from BMW to its collection. The company obtained some of the first production Mini Coopers released, so it can offer consumers a first look and a unique opportunity to try before you buy. Twenty new Minis are available at all of the Budget of Beverly Hills' multiple locations in and around Los Angeles, including Beverly Hills, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and Marina del Rey. At this time, Mini rentals are exclusive to Southern California and are not yet available at Budget of Beverly Hills' Aspen or Vail, Colo., facilities. For more information: www.budgetbeverlyhills.com; (800) 227-7117.
* BMW Opens New Paint & Body Training CenterThe BMW Group has opened its third state-of-the-art paint-and-body training center in Oxnard, Calif. The new, $3-million facility is used to train apprentices in collision repair and body paint application. The top graduates form recognized post-secondary technical schools are selected for BMW's 9-month Service Technician Education Program (STEP). During the apprenticeships, students receive salaries; they pay no tuition and are assisted in securing a position at a BMW or MINI dealership upon program completion. The new training facility will also host educational programs for the dealership personnel.
* The Italian Avantgarde in Car DesignFrom September 19 to October 6, 2002, the Armory building, in New York City, will host an exhibit, "The Italian Avantgarde in Car Design," which showcases the Italian genius in automobile design. Thirty-two automotive masterpieces, ranging from a 1924 Isotta Fraschini 8A to the brand-new Ferrari 575M Maranello will be on display, along with a historical-critical timeline, associating the cars with key periods in Italian figurative culture. Several workshops will be conducted during the exhibition, including a discussion on "USA-Italy: a bridge between two concepts of car design," which will feature several leading Italian and American car designers.
The 69th Regiment Armory is located on Lexington Avenue at 26th St., New York City, N.Y. It is the same building that hosted the 1913 "Armory Show," the first major showing in the United States of modern European art.
British Car Day At Chateau ElanOnce a year in rural upstate Georgia, a certified "Friend of the American Car Racin' Community," Mr. Don Panoz, throws open the gates to his modest little Flowery Branch winery for a gathering of the truly afflicted: the British Car People. Thus, in the late spring a conflux of ancient marque clubs, Triumph, Land Rover, Austin-Healey and Jaguar alike, gather on the lawn at Chateau Elan. Once there, members admire each other's rides, picnic and enjoy the Georgia sunshine as their trusty steeds saturate the finely trimmed grass with alarming quantities of freshly leaked Castrol.
But there was nearly a rend in the fabric of the universe this year as I looked out my window on the Friday night before the event and discovered to my horror that the weather gods were angry. It had, as we say in the south, "come up a gen-u-wine toad strangler." Imagine 400-plus British car owners, "semi-weather resistant" tops firmly in place, driving through a 4-in.-per-hour rainstorm. It conjures visions too horrible for words; images of emergency teams in full dive gear jumping fearlessly into the murky depths of an Austin-Healey footwell in a heroic attempt to rescue the thoroughly drowned occupants.
However, just to prove that Colin Chapman has some pull with the Big Guy, Saturday morning dawned dry and clearing. The "hoods" were stowed, the cars were arrayed, the "bonnets" were opened, and British Car Day at Chateau Elan was under way for the 17th year.
It was obvious from the first year I attended that this gathering is slightly less formal than a white-glove concours, and event-organizer Ken Yokelson confirmed the impression. "We've made it more-and-more family oriented as the event has grown. A few years ago we stopped judging the cars and now no trophies are awarded. Now the day is just a great chance to get together with 500 other enthusiasts and have a picnic."
In addition to the nearly 500 cars on display, British Car Day features something for everyone. A large vendor area is filled with new and used items for sale, including parts and publications for even the most esoteric marque. A coterie of marching bagpipers fills the air with their Humber-Super-Snipe-with-a-slipping-generator-belt sound. The smell of grilling burgers mingles with the exotic scent of well-worn leather and, yes, eau de freshly leaked oil. The overall effect is quite intoxicating, and besotted by the ambience, I wandered down to to the "cars for sale" section. Don't ever do this. I immediately spotted a 2+2 E-Type Jag with 50,000 original miles and flawless coachwork, available this weekend only for a pittance. It would be perfect for next year's event, as I could fold my young son into the back seat, throw the picnic pannier in the boot and, with wife riding shotgun, attend this do with something approaching "ultimate style." I was dragged away before succumbing to "the urge," but I still have the phone number. If you've ever lusted after an E-Type, or a Griffith, or even a big Healey, this is the event for you. They're all here, driven to the event and on display, as well as for sale.
As the deal-clincher, Ken pointed out that all proceeds from British Car Day go to charity, the Marietta Lion's Club and The Shrine Children's Hospital. The event is organized by the British Motorcar Club in Atlanta, a consortium of 13 marque-specific clubs in the region and will be held again on May 17, 2003. We've scheduled fine sunny weather for next year's event, so scuba gear will be strictly optional.
Volvo XC90 And SafetyIts maker calls it "the unselfish SUV"Since introducing the first production seatbelt in 1959, Volvo claims that every car on the road has "a little bit of Volvo in it." Environmental concern and good design have gained precedence over the last decade, but the company has been known for safety since its founders established that as the guiding principle 75 years ago. Taken together, these core values are characteristically Swedish.
Today, Volvo is Ford's worldwide center of safety technology, and will conduct more than 400 full-scale crash tests at its Safety Center over the next year. The most striking part of the facility is the crash test building, with its 600-ton hinged, enclosed track that rides on hovercraft-style air cushions as it swings. In it, two vehicles can be crashed into each other from any angle.
Live crash tests, each of which costs from $35-40,000 U.S. without the cost of the vehicles themselves, are primarily used early and late in the vehicle development process. In between, electronic crash simulations are used, as many as 14 every 24 hours. Even with live tests recorded and filmed at up to 3,000 frames per second, the computers' results will be more detailed and, as far as the complex and tender structures of the occupants go, probably more accurate than a live test. Simulations allow greater repetition, faster results and the ability to predict and refine the performance of structures without building them. Volvo also does research for Ford Europe, Aston-Martin, Jaguar and Land Rover, as well as simulations for the North American arm.
Volvo Car Corp. has stuck with the strategy of being a car company until now: The XC90 will be its first wagon tall enough to be called an SUV. It is the company's first entry into a totally new area of the market since the P1800, and Volvo wants to "contribute to this segment." Obviously, any company releasing an SUV has reason to be concerned about safety. Volvo introduces a new safety innovation with every new vehicle, and the XC90 is no exception. It is safe for those inside it and for those outside it, whether or not they are protected by another vehicle. The XC90 addresses the issue of vehicle compatibility with a second crossmember below its bumper, behind the fascia, designed to engage the bumpers and crumple zones of smaller, lower vehicles. The hood is a minimum of 80mm (3.1 in.) from any engine part, allowing it to absorb energy should a pedestrian be struck.
The XC90's Roll-over Protection System (ROPS) is new. A Roll Stability Control gyro sensor measures roll speed and angle and calculates the final roll angle that will be achieved. If a rollover is likely, RSC activates the Dynamic Stability and Traction Control (DSTC) to reduce engine power and actuate the brakes until a safe, understeering chassis attitude is regained.
The XC90 uses ultra-high-strength boron steel in frontal, side and roof structures. It is so strong that it cannot be straightened if bent in an accident. It must be cut out and replaced, but odds are, said one engineer, if those structures require repair the vehicle will be totalled.
Just to illustrate, Volvo totalled an XC90 test mule for an audience of journalists. I had seen several slow rolls off-road before, but never one leaving roof paint on pavement. As the XC90 came tumbling out the end of the Safety Center's fixed wing onto a concrete pad at 30 mph, the crunch was horrific. If you've ever heard a car hit the wall at a track, it was like that. But it kept going, and going, and...still going. The day before, it went over twice. The day I was there, the XC90 did three complete rolls in a test that was initiated exactly the same way. Christer Gustafsson, VCC Senior Safety Engineer, explained that the complexity of rollovers is what makes them so difficult to predict.
There are basically two dangers to passengers in a rollover. The first is impact with the inside of the vehicle. The XC90 performed admirably with side-curtain airbags and very little intrusion of the structure into the interior space. The second danger is ejection. The side-curtain airbags help with this danger, but in three rolls, said Gustafsson, any unbelted occupant would be at least partially ejected.
Other areas of safety technology Volvo showed us included its emergency response communication system, telematics interface research, and the Volvo Personal Communicator, a development of the door-locking remote system to extend the monitoring, communication and safety capabilities using Bluetooth technology.
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