Honda shows BRIO city car prototype

Honda Exhibits World Premiere of Honda BRIO Prototype, Honda’s New Small Vehicle Developed for Asian Markets at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo 2010

Honda Brio Prototype is being developed as a commuter vehicle which is easy to use even in urban areas, the Honda Brio has a length of 3,610mm, width of 1,680mm and height of 1,475 mm, while ensuring enough cabin space achieved by highly efficient packaging.

Likewise, the Indian market Brio will come with a bigger focus on driving performance to suit customer demands. As of right now, there's no indication as to what engine powers the Brio, but early reports lean heavily toward the company's 1.2-liter four-cylinder mill.

Inside, the no-frills cabin is pretty straightforward but that's to be expected as the car was developed for emerging markets such as India and Thailand. Despite this, the BRIO will apparently offer air conditioning which is a nice option for hot and muggy climates in southeast Asia.

Honda cars from a long time has been known for its advanced features other than the fuel economy, reliability and durability. Honda Motors follows the ISO 9001 standards which measures quality management and ISO 14001 for the environment management.

Source: Honda

Press Release

Honda Exhibits World Premiere of Honda BRIO Prototype, Honda's New Small Vehicle Developed for Asian Markets at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo 2010

Bangkok, Thailand, November 30, 2010 - Honda today debuted the world premiere of a prototype of Honda BRIO, the new small-sized vehicle developed for Asian markets and scheduled to be introduced in Thailand and India in 2011, at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo starting November 30, 2010 (press day: November 30, public days: December 1-12.)

Honda BRIO Prototype is being developed with Honda's advanced technologies, while further advancing Honda's "man maximum, machine minimum" concept*1. Being developed as a commuter which is easy-to-use even in urban areas, the Honda BRIO prototype adopts an easy-to-handle compact body (length 3,610mm x width 1,680mm x height 1,475 mm) while ensuring enough cabin space achieved by highly efficient packaging. With this vehicle, Honda thoroughly pursued the creation of an advanced exterior form, which is compact while asserting a strong presence.

For the mass-production model, which will be an entry-level car, for which demand is increasing in newly emerging nations, Honda will develop unique versions for Thailand and India to reflect different customer needs in those markets. Moreover, with this vehicle, Honda will leverage the resources Honda has cultivated through its motorcycle business and utilize local sourcing of parts and materials such as sheet steel.

For the Thai model that is scheduled to be introduced in March 2011, the fuel economy of more than 5liters/100km*2 will be targeted so that the vehicle will qualify as an eco-car by the Thai government, and a starting price of approximately 400,000 baht will be targeted as well. For the Indian model that is scheduled to be introduced within 2011, local customer needs for a small car will be reflected and local content will be increased to create a model that achieves a good balance between vehicle performance and price.

"Honda would like to expand the joy of mobility to more customers in Thailand, India and other Asian countries through the introduction of a new small vehicle with compact and highly efficient packaging by utilizing our own experiences cultivated by motorcycle business here in Asia," said Takanobu Ito, President and CEO of Honda Motor.

• 1 Honda's "man maximum, machine minimum" concept is a basic approach to Honda car design calling for maximizing the space available for people and minimizing the space required for mechanical components.
• 2 Measures with ECE R101 mode

Official: 2011 Buick GL8 unveiled for China

Buick has released an all-new version of its popular GL8 in China. The new GL8 builds on the original GL8 and will be released in January.

The new GL8 comes with a choice between 3.0-liter V-6 SIDI intelligent direct injection engine and a 2.4-liter Ecotec engine with segment-leading fuel efficiency. GM’s advanced 6-speed automatic transmission comes standard, providing unrivaled power in the luxury MPV segment.

Inside, the seven-passenger cabin is elegantly appointed with a wrap-around dashboard, blue ambient lighting, wood trim, and tasteful metallic accents. Options include two-tone leather seats, a panoramic sunroof, power-sliding doors, a Bose audio system, and a rear seat entertainment system with a 10.2-inch screen.

Buick has also retuned the suspension system with independent front-and-back sub-frames for better ride comfort and even quieter cabin. The car also gets Bosch 8.1 ESP system, large-size tires and disc brakes, with six air bags available on selected models, as well as multi-dimensional blue ray Bi-Xenon HID headlights and crystal-like chrome LED taillights.


The GL8 retails for between CNY288,000 and CNY388,000 ($43,19 to $58,192). Until the new model arrives, Shanghai GM will also introduce an upgraded 2011 model of the current Buick GL8 in December 2010.





Press Release

All-New Buick GL8 Luxury MPV Now Available

330,000 GL8s Sold Across China Since Model's Debut

Shanghai - The all-new Buick GL8 from Shanghai GM is now available. The luxury MPV builds on the heritage of the original GL8, China's first family of executive wagons. Since the model's debut in 1999, more than 330,000 have been sold across China.

The new model, which will reach the market in January 2011, features seven innovations and 27 technological breakthroughs along with improvements in design, space and safety, technology, power, features and quality. The result is an unprecedented luxury MPV experience that is unmistakably Buick.

"The new GL8 was developed by Shanghai GM in cooperation with the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC) in Shanghai with the specific needs of our customers in mind," said Terry Johnsson, Shanghai GM Vice President of Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "It offers everything that consumers have come to expect from Buick, including a dynamic, smooth, quiet and comfortable ride. Like its predecessor, the new GL8 is the right product at the right time."

The new GL8 has a graceful exterior design highlighted by Buick's distinctive double sweep spear running from front to back. Decorative metal bands add a sense of smooth, modern elegance. Its classic waterfall grille and chrome portholes further underscore the new GL8's Buick heritage.

With a length of 5,256 mm, a width of 1,878 mm, a height of 1,800 mm and a wheelbase of 3,088 mm, the new GL8 provides a spacious ride for all occupants. The dignified interior merges Eastern and Western aesthetics. It features ice-blue atmosphere lighting and a 360-degree wraparound design inspired by luxury yachts.

Among the other amenities available are two-tone ergonomic genuine leather seats; a two-piece panorama sunroof; an electric anti-pinch sliding door and one-touch electric lift rear door; a 10-speaker, 5.1-channel Bose sound system; a 7-inch touch screen up front and 10.2-inch WVGA HD display in back; and the OnStar in-vehicle safety, security and communication service.

An enhanced suspension with independent front-and-back sub-frames ensures a smooth, steady ride. Buick's signature QuietTuning reduces, blocks and absorbs interior noise, for a distraction-free environment that is comparable to that of a luxury sedan.

The new GL8 comes with a choice of a 3.0-liter V-6 SIDI intelligent direct injection engine or a 2.4-liter Ecotec engine with segment-leading fuel efficiency. GM's advanced 6-speed automatic transmission comes standard, providing unrivaled power in the luxury MPV segment.

In the area of safety, the new GL8 has a super-solid body frame. The Bosch 8.1 ESP system delivers premium handling. It is complemented by large-size tires and disc brakes, with six air bags available on selected models. For maximum visibility, the new GL8 incorporates multi-dimensional blue ray Bi-Xenon HID headlights and crystal-like chrome LED taillights.

The new GL8 luxury MPV has a retail price of between RMB 288,000 and RMB 388,000. Shanghai GM is also introducing an upgraded 2011 model of the current Buick GL8 in December 2010, targeting the upper-medium MPV segment. It includes a new 2.4-liter Ecotec engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. This "dual-vehicle strategy" will enable Shanghai GM to more fully address the MPV market, from the upper-medium to luxury segments.

Fiat to Build Combo for Opel

Based on a new agreement between Fiat Group Automobiles SpA and Adam Opel GmbH, the successor to the Opel/Vauxhall Combo model will be based on the Fiat Doblo, and will also be built by the Italian manufacturer. Fiat will supply vehicles comprising several variants to Opel/Vauxhall commencing December 2011. They will produce these cars at their Tofas plant in Bursa, Turkey.

According to Fiat, the Tofas-built vehicles will be badged as Opel and Vauxhall and sold from 2012 onwards on the markets in Europe and several others outside of NAFTA. The models built by Fiat for Opel will continue to wear the Combo designation and will be available in several body variants, including Cargo Vans, Combi, Passenger Vehicles and chassis Cabs.

Fiat said in a statement Monday that the vehicles based on the Fiat Doblo platform will replace the Opel Combo Light Commercial Vehicle. They will be produced at the Tofas plant in Bursa, Turkey, where the Doblo is made.


It will be sold in Europe and other markets except those in North America.
Deliveries in 2011 were put at 6,000 rising to at least 250,000 in time while Tofas will make 1.3 million of the vehicles.

via:carscoop




Press Release

• Supply of derivatives of Fiat’s Doblo model
• Successor to the Opel/Vauxhall Combo model
• Produced at Tofas in Turkey
• Production of more than 250,000 units to start in 2011

Turin/Russelsheim. The Automobile Sector of the Fiat Group (Fiat Group Automobiles SpA, Turin, Italy) and Adam Opel GmbH (R?sselsheim, Germany) have signed a contract agreement whereby Fiat will supply vehicles comprising of several variants to Opel commencing December 2011.

The model will replace the Opel Combo light commercial vehicle, which reaches the end of its lifecycle in the fourth quarter 2011. The new vehicles, based on the same platform as the Fiat Doblo models, will be produced at the Tofas plant in Bursa, Turkey where the Doblo is manufactured. They will be sold by Vauxhall and Opel dealers in Europe and other markets outside of North America starting in January 2012.

Opel and Vauxhall will retain the Combo name for this vehicle range which will include a number of derivatives, including cargo vans, passenger vehicles and chassis cabs. The Opel/Vauxhall design team in R?sselsheim, Germany is actively involved in the development of the new models and works in cooperation with the Fiat Group Automobiles’ Engineering and Design Group in Turin, Italy.

The project calls for an initial supply of up to 6,000 vehicles in 2011. The program is planned to cover the supply of at least 250,000 units. This will extend the total lifetime production of this vehicle platform in the Tofas plant to 1.3 million units. Tofas is a joint venture between Fiat Group Automobile and Koc Holding of Turkey and was established in 1968.

Wimmer Ariel Atom

German tuner Wimmer RS has added a few extra horses to the Ariel Atom 3 that go a long way on this very lightweight car.

The vehicle has been targeted by Wimmer RS, receiving a power boost in order to deliver a top experience. The aftermarket developer has played with the turbo, fuel pump, air intake, has installed a new exhaust system that uses Rennkat components and has remapped the ECU. The vehicle’s powerplant now allows the driver to play with 340 hp and 282 Nm (208 lb-ft).

With a total weight of 469 kilos and a two-liter four-cylinder Honda engine with 300 ponies kicking under the hood, the Atom was bound to get some sort of power boost eventually. Winner RS has done that with an engine optimization software, a modified supercharger, fuel pump conversion, and sport exhaust system done together with Rennkat.

The Wimmer RS Ariel Atom is able to get from 0 to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and to 200 km/h in just 7.1 seconds. The Wimmer RS Ariel Atom features unique internal shock absorbers, a push-rods operated suspension system, and damper struts. The Wimmer RS Ariel Atom price has not been announced.




Press Release

Extra power - high performance sports car Ariel Atom 3 300 by Wimmer RS
Wimmer RS has tuned the Atom 3 300 up to 340 hp

The Ariel Atom is one of the fastest street cars, maybe the strongest sprint 4-cylinder series car in the world. The standard Atom 3 300 is driven by a turbocharged up to 300 hp two-liter four-cylinder Honda engine. With a weight of only 469 kg, it can easily keep up not only with super sports cars - after the power increase at Wimmer RS it can put some of them in the shade.

A vehicle like a rocket: only 469 kg weight, no doors, no luxury. The Atom is equipped with the unique internal shock absorbers. The suspension is operated via push-rods - the damper struts are at the top. The tube frame replaces the body. This provides rigidity, low weight and maximum safety for corner speeds.

The power increase at Wimmer RS includes the following reconstruction measures: Wimmer engine optimization software, compressor overhaul, fuel pump conversion and sport exhaust system together with Rennkat. Whopping 340 hp and 282 Nm are the result. With such powerful Japanese engine in the rear, this 469-kg rocket accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 2.8 seconds - Atom achieved 200 km/h in just 7.1 seconds

Direct air suction sounds like a hissing, and by this modification, exhaust system with optimized back pressure from Wimmer RS allows to hide the entire power behind the seat, so you will hear a wonderful sound.

Photos by: Jordi Miranda

For more information please contact:

Wimmer Rennsporttechnik Solingen GmbH
Löhdorferstr. 231
42699 Solingen
Tel.: 0212 - 264 3000
Fax: 0212 - 264 3488
www.wimmer-rst.de
info@wimmer-rst.de