Detroit automakers mulling helping DIA avoid bankruptcy looting

It's not really a secret that the city of Detroit is in lots and lots of trouble. Even with an emergency manager working to guide it through bankruptcy, a number of the city's institutions remain in very serious danger. One of the most notable is the Detroit Institute of Arts, a 658,000-square-foot behemoth of art that counts works from Van Gogh, Picasso, Gauguin and Rembrandt (not to mention a version of Rodin's iconic "The Thinker," shown above) as part of its permanent collection.

Throughout the bankruptcy, the DIA has been under threat, with art enthusiasts, historians and fans of the museum concerned that its expansive collection - valued between $454 and $867 million by Christie's - could be sold by the city to help square its $18.5-billion debt.

Now, though, Detroit's hometown automakers could be set to step up and help save the renowned museum. According to a report from The Detroit News, the charitable arms of General Motors, Ford and Chrysler could be set to donate $25 million as part of a DIA-initiated campaign, called the "grand bargain." As part of the deal, the DIA would seek $100 million in corporate donations as part of a larger attempt at putting together an $816-million package that would be paid to city pension funds over 20 years. Such a move would protect the city's art collection from being sold off.

The charitable donation is still far from a done deal, though, largely because of legal complications inherent in such a large bankruptcy case. According to The DetNews, there's concern among business leaders approached by the DIA (which in addition to the automakers include utility provider DTE Energy, Roger Penske and Quicken Loans) that the entire project could fall apart if city lawmakers don't act on it quickly. Alternatively, the deal could crumble if plans put before the city's pensioners and unions ends up failing.

"Ford has been a long-time supporter of the DIA and its contributions to southeast Michigan. We are having confidential discussions with the DIA and are considering the matter very carefully," Ford spokesman Todd Nissen told The News.

"The DIA must be central to any plans for a revitalized Detroit. Both GM and the GM Foundation are giving careful consideration to how we can help preserve this treasure at such a critical time," GM spokesman Greg Martin said.

Chrysler issued a shorter statement, telling The Detroit News that it "is committed to playing a positive role in Detroit's revitalization. Accordingly, we are reviewing the DIA's request."
This post was made using the Auto Blogging Software from WebMagnates.org This line will not appear when posts are made after activating the software to full version.

Read More

China's GAC Group brings E-jet Concept, and bad translation, to Cobo

Automotive conglomerate GAC Group was the lone representative of the Chinese auto industry at the Detroit Auto Show this year, showing two near-production,alternative powertrain Trumpchi-branded vehicles, as well as a new concept car.

The concept in question – the E-jet Concept – was the star of the GAC stand. The exterior design was not far off what we'd expect from more established automakers at a big show, with a generally pleasing shape and some cool detailing on the grille and rear valence. The E-jet is set up as a Voltesque range-extended hybrid, with a 1.0-liter, four-cylinder gasoline engine acting as a generator for an electric drive motor. The motor output is listed as 127 horsepower (95 kW) and 168 pound-feet of torque, though the total system output is unknown. In any event, the car isn't particularly quick – the only acceleration specification listed is a 0-50 kilometers per hour (0-31 miles per hour) time of around 4.5 seconds, with a top speed of just under 99 mph.

There was a sedan on stage called simply Trumpchi 4WD Hybrid, which is reportedly ready to go on sale in China in the next few months. GAC has produced 200 units of the Hybrid for testing and demonstration purposes so far. The Trumpchi sedan will be the first all-wheel-drive "full hybrid" for sale in China, and makes use of an electric motor in conjunction with its 1.8-liter, 142-hp engine. True to its name, the sedan also offers real-time all-wheel drive.

The final vehicle shown, was the Trumpchi GS5 BEV, which we take to mean "Battery Electric Vehicle," a fully electric, small crossover. A non-electric version of the GS5 SUV is already for sale in China, and we were told the EV would be available before too long.

While the GAC presentation was largely to-the-point and uneventful relative to other Chinese automaker pressers that we've attended, we did find the specification sheets for the two production cars to be replete with good/bad mistranslations. Lost in transmission were the meanings behind options like "Lamp of Sleeve," "Grainy Gearshift Levers" and the handy "Portable Ashtray." Though it was the utterly cryptic "Tweeter & Sackbut" feature that we'll be puzzling over the longest.

Introduction of Compact NEV E-JET

Compact NEV E-JET，powerful, efficient and green，is a Range-Extended electric car with fashionable and modern appearance, designed by GAC Engineering based on its independently developed brand-new compact passenger vehicle platform. Equipped with a 95 kW (peak) permanent magnet motor and a 13kwh lithium-ion battery pack, E-JET can achieve a top speed of 160kph, an acceleration from 0 to 50kph within 4.5 seconds, and a gradeability higher than 32%. With its excellent energy management strategy and lightweight technology, E-JET can have a pure electric drive range of more than 100km. E-JET uses a 1.0L gasoline engine and a 30 kW PM generator as the range-extender to charge the battery when the battery SOC is low, which extends the total drive range to more than 600km with a fuel consumption of less than 2L/100km (NEDC cycle).

In pure electric drive mode, E-JET has demonstrated the advantage of zero tailpipe emission, low noise and low energy cost. In range-extending mode, comparing to battery-only EVs, there will be no more "range anxiety" thanks to the on-board range-extender, and as well, the vehicle cost is dramatically reduced. As a whole, E-JET works much better than conventional vehicles both in fuel economy and emission.


4x4 HYBRID Version of TRUMPCHI Sedan

4x4 HYBRID Version of TRUMPCHI Sedan is the first mass-produced full hybrid vehicle with all-wheel-drive feature in China, independently developed by GAC Engineering based on its mid-high class vehicle platform. It differs from the conventional Trumpchi sedan, mainly by adding an ISG (Integrated Starter/Generator) between the engine and the transmission at the front axle, a ERAD (Electrical Rear Axle Drive) PM motor onto the rear axle and an advanced lithium ion battery pack mounted back to the back seat. With this configuration, it has all the functions a full hybrid supposed to have: electric drive, engine automatic stop/start, regeneration brake/cruise, engine assist, etc. Further, the 4x4 hybrid has additionally a unique function of gear shift power assist, namely, during the gear shift the ERAD motor can provide power assist from the rear axle when the clutch is opened at the front, achieving a seamless gear shift of the RMT (Robotized Mechanical Transmission) without any torque interruption. In addition, this hybrid can automatically switch between 2WD and 4WD drive mode, depending on the real driving situation. Comparing to conventional Trumpchi, the 4x4 hybrid version has demonstrated excellent fuel economy (30% fuel saving), acceleration (2 seconds less from 0 to 100kph), drivability and ride comfort.


BEV Version of Trumpchi GS5 SUV

BEV Version of Trumpchi GS5 SUV, a prototype pure Electric Vehicle with exhilarating performance and charging convenience, is developed independently by GAC Engineering with support of AC Propulsion Inc. based on GAC's Trumpchi GS5 SUV. It is powered by a super efficient induction motor controlled with a highly integrated Power Electronics Unit. The high speed motor provides instantaneously available 225 Nm of torque and up to 150 kW (200 hp) of power, enabling a 0 to 100kph acceleration within 8.5 seconds. The Power Electronics Unit integrates the motor drive electronics and onboard charger to minimize system cost. The 18 kW high power charger allows a recharge time as fast as 2 hours and features bi-directional power capability, thus Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G), Vehicle-to-House and Vehicle-to-Vehicle power flow are all possible. The 35 kWh Li-Ion battery pack is mounted low for excellent vehicle stability and is controlled by a dedicated battery management system. The highly efficient drive train and excellent energy management system enable the vehicle to achieve a drive range of 100 miles at 60 mph.

News Source: GAC Group

Read More

Fiat 500 Cattiva and Abarth Tenebra concepts showcase design to enhance personality

 

Fiat brought out two new design concepts at the Detroit Auto Show, both intended to expand the appeal of its 500 Turbo and 500 Abarth models with upgraded and unique appointments inside and out.

First up is the Fiat 500 "Cattiva," based on the 500 Turbo, painted with a vibrant Rame (Copper) exterior with contrasting Nero (Black) accents. The turbocharged 500 features gloss Nero headlamp buckets, parking lamp bezels, tail lamps and a roof-mounted spoiler. Special 16-inch alloys, painted satin dark gray, hint at the sport-tuned suspension inside each fender. The appointments are continued inside its cabin with leather sport seating, Matte Nero instrument panel and other trim upgrades. Lastly, the sound package is the segment-exclusive Beats Audio system.

Read More

2014 Jeep Compass/Patriot sing their swan songs with a six-speed automatic

Unless the governor, Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, gives them a reprieve, the 2014 Jeep Compass and Patriot are expected to meet their makers sometime next year. Should they perish, it's a shame that it would happen just as they've shed the continuously variable transmission that was their major bugbear, and just as the Compass has gotten its best looks yet.

Both will roll with a proper six-speed automatic transmission, courtesy of PowerTech. Noise-resistant gears and tuning by Chrysler boffins should alleviate the unappealing sounds that were given off by the older CVT. Unless, that is, you choose to have either model equipped with Freedom Drive II; the serious off-road package, available on both baby Jeeps, will still come with the CVT. The base transmission on the entry-level Sport trim remains the five-speed manual.

Read More

Shelby unveils tuned Ford Focus ST, widebody GT500 Super Snake

Shelby American has made its name tuning various Ford products, and now the Focus ST can be added to this list. Just introduced at the Detroit Auto Show, the Shelby Focus ST doesn't add any extra horsepower under the hood, but it should still make sizable gains in performance thanks to an upgraded suspension, brakes and exhaust systems. Also on hand at the Shelby display was a widebody version of the powerful Shelby GT500 Super Snake.

Read More

Mazda6 Skyactiv-D Racecar ready to bring diesel to Grand-Am

It may not be quite as radical as some of the company's past rotary racers, but the new Mazda6 Skyactiv-D racecar does have a notable powertrain underhood: the automaker's brand-new clean diesel four-cylinder engine.

Three of these new diesel-powered Mazda6 racers will take to the track in the Grand-Am GX class of the upcoming 2013 Rolex 24 at Daytona on January 26, with five drivers on each team. The car you see above, number 70, is sponsored by Mazda's longtime motorsports partner, SpeedSource.

MAZDA MOTORSPORTS ANNOUNCES MAZDA6 SKYACTIV CLEAN-DIESEL TEAM AND DRIVER LINEUP FOR 2013 ROLEX 24

MAZDASPEED Ladder and Mazda Road to Indy Racers Promoted

Team SKYACTIV-D Mazda6 for Daytona

January 4, 2013 (DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.). Mazda Motorsports today announced team and driver line-ups for the 2013 Rolex 24 at Daytona, where the manufacturer will be seeking its 24th class win at the most famous endurance race in America. Mazda teams will be racing in an all-new Mazda6, powered by the all-new SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine, in the new GRAND-AM GX class.

"We're thrilled to be starting a new chapter of Mazda Motorsports history with the race debut of our all-new Mazda6 racecar, powered by our all-new production based SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine. Our long-time engineering partner, SpeedSource, has led the technical development of the program in hand with Mazda engineers in Japan and the U.S.," noted John Doonan, motorsports director, Mazda North American Operations. "SpeedSource will be joined in Daytona by Freedom Autosport and VISIT FLORIDA Racing/SpeedSource/Yellow Dragon Racing. Our driver line-ups include a talented mix of young guns and veterans, all of whom are from the extended Mazda family."

SpeedSource #70: Jonathan Bomarito, Marino Franchitti, James Hinchcliffe, Tom Long and Sylvain Tremblay. Tom Long joins the 2012 SpeedSource Rolex 24 GT driver line-up.

VISIT FLORIDA Racing/SpeedSource/Yellow Dragon #00: Joel Miller, Tristan Nunez, Spencer Pigot, Yojiro Terada, and Tristan Vautier. Terada is of course the veteran Mazda racer who has competed in more than two dozen 24 Hours of Le Mans races. The others are all racers who have won championships within the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Ladder and the Mazda Road to Indy.

Freedom Autosport #25: Andrew Carbonell, Tom Long, Rhett O'Doski, and Derek Whitis. Freedom Autosport has been a winning team in the Continental Tire Challenge with Mazda. They are moving up as a complete team.

The first of the cars will make its public debut at the "Roar Before the 24" test session at the Daytona International Speedway on January 4-6, 2013.

The #70 car will also be at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The Rolex 24 Hour race is January 26-27, 2013. Teams and driver pairings for the complete 2013 Rolex GRAND-AM full-season will be announced at a later date.

Farewell and Thank You to Dempsey Racing and Team Sahlen's

While Mazda welcomes Freedom Autosport and Yellow Dragon Racing to the Mazda6 family, two other teams are going elsewhere in 2013.

"We want to thank everyone at Dempsey Racing and Team Sahlen's for racing with Mazda these past few years. Both teams contributed greatly to Mazda's success in the GRAND-AM series, highlighted by our Manufacturers GT Championship in 2010. Both teams scored GT-class race wins," noted John Doonan. "We wish everyone at Dempsey Racing and Team Sahlen's great success in 2013, and we part as friends. We may still collaborate on future programs in the years ahead, and we'll always welcome them back to the Mazda family, should it make sense for both of us."

Read More

2014 Acura MDX Prototype is exactly what we expected

Yep, it's the new MDX. And despite being totally redone, it looks exactly like we expected. That is, it's an up-sized version of the RDX crossover with fancy LED lights stolen from the RLX sedan. And while that might not sound too exciting, we have to say, it is handsome – certainly a more cohesive, refined design than the angular, beak-tastic model that's currently on sale.

Acura is calling this 2014 MDX a prototype, but that's only because it isn't 100-percent finished. Everything you see here will likely carry over to production, maybe with a couple small tweaks. Under the hood is the same 3.5-liter V6 that we know and love from the Honda group, and while we don't have power figures just yet, Acura says it will deliver more torque while improving efficiency. In redesigning the MDX, the Japanese automaker has managed to lighten and stiffen the chassis, improving driving dynamics. More interestingly, for the first time Acura will offer a front-wheel-drive version of the MDX, but don't worry, the automaker's SH-AWD all-wheel drive will be available.

Read More