Yeti spotted

Having teased us with a near production-ready concept at the Geneva Motor Show a couple of years ago, Skoda has finally confirmed that it will put the super-cute little Yeti 4x4 into production.

Surprisingly though, it won't be based on the same platform as VW's upcoming compact 4x4, the Tiguan. Skoda bosses have decided that they don't want the two cars to compete head-on, and that they want to give the Yeti a lower cost base. So it will instead use components from the Fabia hatchback, and probably bits of the old Octavia platform, jas as does the brilliant Roomster mini MPV. This will make the Yeti cheaper to build, and it will also be smaller and lighter than most 4x4s, which should allow Skoda to pitch it as an environmentally responsible SUV. Expect to see it in Skoda dealers by mid-2009.

Skoda has also confirmed that the Superb saloon will be replaced. Many had suggested that slow sales would scupper plans for a second-generation of the affordable luxury saloon, but it seems that enough people like it for Skoda to do a new one. We're being promised that the new Superb will have much more distinctive looks and an aeven higher-quality interior. It'll arrive on these shores at the end of 2008.

Hyundai builds first European factory

Korean giant Hyundai has begin construction on its first European factory in Nosovice, in the Czech Republic. The €1.1-billion plant will come online in 2009 and will initially build the all-new i30 hatchback as well as a still-to-be-unveiled new midi MPV.

Hyundai wants a big slice of the European market, and the Koreans have learned fast that to do that, you have to design and build your car in Europe, to European standards. “With Hyundai’s accumulated manufacturing experience in Korea, China, the USA, Turkey and India, we have created a truly state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that will set the standard for efficiency and productivity. When combined with the high capabilities of the Czech worker and the Czech reputation for excellent craftsmanship, HMMC has the potential to make the highest quality cars in all of Europe,” said Hyundai Motor Co. Chairman and CEO Chung Mong-Koo.

This new factory is just 85km away from sister company Kia's plant in Slovakia, which opened last year to build the Ceed hatchback.

Ford loses millions but is happy it's not losing billions

In the first financial quarter of 2007, Ford posted a $282-million loss, but company bosses were actually quite happy with that figure, as the loss posted for the same period in 2006 was a staggering $1.4-billion.

Gross revenue for the quarter was up $3-billion on last year, which just goes to show you how parlous are Ford's finances at the moment, when a $3-billion improvement somehow translates into $282-million down the back of the sofa...

But Ford chiefs are being bullish about the news, and there were some kernels of hope in with the bad stuff. Globally, Ford's car business (leaving aside its credit and finance side) made an operating profit of $116-million, and on this side of the Atlantic, Ford of Europe made a healthy-ish $209-million, an improvement of $154-million on this time last year. And that's with the crucial new Mondeo still to hit dealerships.

Even the troublesome Premier Automotive Group, which is made up of Land Rover, Jaguar, Volvo and, for the purposes of this quarter, Aston Martin (pre-David Richards buyout) made a profit of $402-million, in spite of continuing problems with Jaguar.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally (above) said "We are making progress on executing the four priorities of our plan — restructuring the company, accelerating product development, funding our plan and working effectively as one team. I am pleased that the basics of our business are improving, but we still have a lot of work to do."

Now VW makes super-frugal petrols

Volkswagen has been busy of late making noise with its super-frugal, super-clean, ultra-low emissions BlueMotion diesel powertrain, but it hasn't been neglecting petrol power either.

We've sampled the first generation of VW's TSI technology which mates a supercharger and a turbocharger in one unit to generate 2.0-litre power and 1.6-litre economy from a 1.4-litre engine, and now the next-generation of such powerplants is being made ready.

The new 1.4 TSI has 120bhp, and makes do with just a turbo, doing away with the superchager. When fitted with the all-new seven-speed DSG gearbox, VW claims it will average better than 48mpg and return ultra-low emissions. Expect to see it first in the all-new Polo, due in 2009.

PSA axes jobs

PSA Peugeot Citroen has announced that it is planning to cut 4,800 jobs this year, mostly at its French production sites and offices. This comes hard on the heels of 2,300 losses in England when the old 206 production line in Coventry was shut down.

PSA is suffering, having once been top of the heap in the European market. Net income plunged last year to €176-million, down from a whopping €1.03-billion in 2005.

Mind you, things might already be looking up a little, as sales for the group were up 6.5% in the first quarter of 2007, with strong sales for the 207 hatch. And there are potential big-sellers such as the C-Crosser and 4007 4x4s, the new Citroen C5 and thje 307-replacing 308 to come later this year.

More significantly, PSA senior management have admitted that their cars have become too heavy and fat, and that the 308 will be the last car that will weigh more than its predecessor. With lighter, more agile models on the horizon that might see a return to the greatness of models past (205, 306, AX) the future might be brighter for PSA than it looks now for 4,800 workers.

Driving: What we think (according to Hibernian Insurance)

Hibernian Insurance has released the results of its first ever motoring report. The research, which was conducted amongst a representative sample of Irish drivers, was carried out to present the views of Irish motorists on a wide range of topics and to assess the trends, issues and attitudes prevalent amongst Irish motorists in the 21t Century Ireland.

According to the report the image of the “young boy racer” certainly seems to be embedded in the Irish motorists’ psyche as almost one-third of respondents believe that young people should be kept off the road completely until they are 21. Young inexperienced or overconfident drivers are seen by 15% of respondents as a major cause of collisions.

With the national driving test pass rate currently at only 55%, it seems clear that the standard of driving has room for improvement. More than 85% of respondents believe that provisional license holders should have to take a specified number of formal driving lessons before being allowed on the public road.

The Driving Standards Agency in the UK shows that the current average number of lessons a provisional license holder will require is 45 hours of tuition, with an additional 22 hours private practice to pass. The average number of driving lessons is Ireland is nine. A quarter of motorists holding provisional licenses in Ireland have yet to get any formal instruction, perhaps indicating that many learner drivers are holding off on driving lessons and the cost until they are called for their driving test.

Supplementary to bad driving standards, there is near-unanimity that speed, drugs and alcohol are the three big killers on Irish roads. Surprisingly drugs were cited by almost two thirds of respondents. It is arguable that if this survey was conducted five years ago drugs might not have featured as prominently as one of the major causes of collisions. In a study by the Medical Bureau of Road Safety and the UCD Departments of Forensic Medicine and Public Health Medicine and Epidemiology, 67.9% of apprehended and tested drivers, though found to have essentially zero levels of alcohol were positive for one or more defined drugs.

Another new worrying trend is the usage of mobile phones while driving – and not just for calling. Almost one in three say that they will read a text message when the car is stopped in traffic or at traffic lights. One in 12 say that they read text messages immediately — even when the car is in motion. And although small, a shocking four per cent of drivers regularly write text messages while they are driving in their cars.

Half of Irish motorists say they have suffered at the hands of aggressive behaviour from other drivers within the past year — but one quarter admits to having behaved aggressively themselves over the same period.

Touareg business updated

VW has just updated the commercial version of its big 4x4, the Touareg. The new Touareg Business gets a redesigned front end with tear drop headlights and full chrome grille. It's available with a 2.5-litre, 174bhp TDI 6-speed manual at €43,070 (ex works) and in automatic form at €45,105 plus a 3.0-litre, 225bhp TDI
automatic version at €49,190.

Engines are matched to a permanent four-wheel drive system which includes a
low range setting and electronic differential lock. The gross vehicle
weight is 2850kg allowing a payload of 600kg. Towing capacity is 3500kg
using a braked trailer.

Stop teasing us, Mitsubishi...

And here is yet another 'sneak-peek' of the new Lancer Evo X, shown by Mitsubishi ahead of the car's unveiling at the Frankfurt motor show in September. Officially, this is still a concept car but come on, Mitsubishi, stop messing around and just get the damn thing on the road and let us drive it!

Cleaner diesel from natural gas

They may look like regular Toyota Hiluxes, but these vehicles pictured above could herald a revolution in modern fuel. They're all running on GTL diesel,a fuel developed in South Africa by local specialists Sasol Fuels in partnership with global fuel giant Chevron Texaco.

GTL stands for Gas To Liquid, which means that the fuel is created by refining diesel from natural gas. So what? So global natural gas reserves are vastly greater than global oil reserves, and GTL is more refined than diesel, means diesel engines can run with less noise and vibration and emit less NOx and CO2. So it's good all-round.

But not just yet. the GTL process is hugely expensive, which means that for now, GTL will be used only as a blending agent in regular diesel for high-end products like Shell's V-Power diesel. But the cars in the photo are part of a convoy of GTL-fuelled vehicles that made the trek from South Africa to Qatar, where Chevron Texaco has just established a huge GTL refinery. On the way, they reckon they emitted 200kg less CO2 than a conventional diesel-powered car would have. The future beckons?

Toyota Now Officially World's No. 1

It has finally happened. After more than 70 years as the world's number one car firm, General Motors has been usurped by its great Japanese rival, Toyota.

According to the first quarter results, Toyota shifted 2.34-million vehicles globally, compared to GM's 2.26-million. Of course, the narrow margin of that sales gap does nothing to illustrate the wildly disparate financial results of the two firms.

Toyota's profit for just the last quarter of 2006 was a whopping $4.78-billion. In that same period, GM only managed a small operating profit as it seeks to turn around horrendous losses in 2005 and 2006, although the American giant's fortunes are looking a good deal brighter now than they were recently.

So what does this mean? Well, nothing much for the moment. Toyota has been the heir apparent to the No.1 spot for some time now, and the fact of it will make little difference in real terms. Toyota is already spectacularly profitable and becoming the globe's biggest car company won't really make a big difference one way or the other.

In the short term, it will make little difference to GM, other than mildly dented pride. The restructuring programme, overseen by CEO Rick Wagoner, is proceeding just fine and GM should return to an overall profit some time in the next 18 months, if all goes smoothly. What will be interesting is what GM will do then. Will it try to keep pace with the Japanese behemoth? Or will a smaller-volume-higher-profit plan be the way Wagoner will go? Our money's on option two...

Compass points to value

Sorry about the cheesy headline, but it will prove impossible to get away from the most important element of the new Jeep Compass's story. Yes, it's the smallest Jeep model ever, the new entry point to the Jeep range and the first urban-biased car in Jeep's long, illustrious history.

But it costs just €33,995. Now, that's actually slightly more expensive than the cheapest Toyota RAV 4 and substantially more than the cheapest Hyundai Tuscon. But wait for it. Both those cars are two-wheel-drive and only the Hyundai has air conditioning as standard.

The new Compass comes with (deep breath) multi-stage front air bags, supplemental side-curtain air bags, ABS with Brake Assist System, 18” alloy wheels, front fog lamps, electric folding mirrors, air conditioning, cruise control, electric front and rear windows, heated fronts seats, leather trimmed bucket seats, leather wrapped steering wheel, privacy glass in rear, interior cargo lamp with removable, rechargeable LED flashlight, reclining rear seats, fold-flat front passenger seat, driver and passenger front air bags, supplemental side-curtain air bags, Electronic Stability Programme (ESP), Brake Traction Control System, Brake Assist System, Electronic Roll Mitigation, anti-lock braking system (ABS) with rough-road detection and child seat anchor system (ISOFIX). And it has four-wheel-drive as standard.

And that makes it untouchable for the money, especially when you consider that it's a Jeep, and has (poor interior quality notwithstanding) all the cachet and history of that name. It's on sale now.

Mondeo specs anounced, no prices yet

Ford Ireland (technically known as Henry Ford & Sons, Cork Ltd) has announced details and standard equipment for the new Mondeo range, due to land in a dealership near you in June. Rather frustratingly though, they're keeping schtum about the prices, although we'd be surprised if the new range deviates too far from the current price points.

The new Mondeo kicks off with a 1.6-litre petrol, with a Passat-matching 110bhp, runs up through a 2.0 petrol with 145bhp to a range-topping 2.5-litre petrol turbo with 220bhp (which significantly is not being called an ST model. Yet.) with 1.8 (100bhp & 125bhp) and 2.0 (130bhp & 140bhp) diesels.

Standard equipment on the Mondeo LX includes: next generation of Ford’s advanced Human Machine Interface (we're not sure quite what this means yet, but it's some sort of take on a multi-function trip computer with added infotainment); tinted glass; a pollen filter; power heated body-coloured mirrors; rear power point; a Ford 6000 (next generation) series Radio CD player with A/V input socket (MP3); and a heated windscreen.

Of more interest on the safety front, ESP is standard on all models as are seven airbags and you also get Ford Easyfuel capless refuelling with fuel inhibitor to prevent misfuelling; 'follow-me-home' lights; trip computer; air conditioning; and an auxiliary audio input socket located in the glove box for your iPod.

We'll have a full test drive of the all-new Mondeo in a couple of weeks, so keep an eye on www.drivemagazine.ie for our verdict on Ford's crucial new mid-size warrior.

Next-Gen Astra Could Be A Plug-In Hybrid

The next generation of Opel Astra could feature a revolutionary plug-in hybrid system that would reduce its carbon emissions to virtually zero for most driving situations.

GM is showing off a revised version of its Chevrolet Volt concept car at the Shanghai Motor Show this week. The first version, shown in Detroit in January, used a combination of hybrid electric motors and batteries with a small-capacity bio-fuel petrol engine and a plug-in recharging system that could run the car for 100km on just the batteries; enough for a normal commute to and from work.

This latest version does away with the engine and instead uses a compact stack of fuel cells to keep the batteries charged when driving further than the plug-in charge will take you, but it's the first generation system that is more likely to see service in the new Astra.

The Volt, despite being a concept car, is actually built on a conventional Astra chassis, and GM is keen to get the Volt's technology into production to start lowering its corporate fuel economy and emissions standards at a time when the American government is considering introducing strict new legislation in this area.

If the Volt goes ahead then it's a dead cert that the new Astra, due in 2010, will get the same system, probably a hybrid plug-in with a tiny 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine to keep it charged up on longer journeys. The future of motoring is closer that you'd think...

Is this the new 7 Series? Maybe not...

The BMW Concept CS, on show at the Shanghai Motor Show this week, COULD be a big nod in the direction of the next-generation 7 Series. Or it could be something utterly different.

BMW is rapidly expanding its model ranges to include more niche cars, and in the next couple of years we'll be seeing an X6 (sort of a 4x4 coupe) and a five-seat MPV based on the 3 Series. The Concept CS could be one of two things. It could be a preview of BMW's new styling language that will make its debut on the 2009 7 Series, or it could be that BMW is planning a Mercedes CLS-rival that will either be based on the 5 Series platform and mirror the swoopy Merc price-for-price, or could even be a 7 Series + model, with four-door coupe styling, a V12 engine based on the M5's V10 unit and a price tag of at least €200,000. Stranger things have happened, and such a car could share components and chassis with the forthcoming new Rolls-Royce rival to the Bentley Continental Flying Spur. We await BMW's final decision with interest...

Audi Cross Coupe previews Q5

As you may have gathered from the headline, the Cross Coupe concept (above) which Audi is showing at the Shanghai Motor Show is a preview of the production version of Audi's forthcoming BMW X3 rival, the Q5.

The concept car uses a heavily tweaked 200bhp version of the familiar 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine driving Audi's traditional quattro four-wheel-drive. Expect the production version to have a less heavily raked rear screen but otherwise to look pretty similar to this concept.

Mini Gets 5 NCAP Stars

As if to prove that small can also be safe, the recently-updated Mini Cooper has just been awarded five-stars for adult occupant crash safety by EuroNCAP.

It also managed three stars for child safety protection and two stars in the pedestrian impact test. The new Peugeot 207cc, tested at the same time, scored five stars for adult occupants and two for pedestrian. EuroNCAP was unable to assess its child protection scores, because it was judged that space in the rear seats was too tight to fit recommended child restraints.

Veloster concept previews new look for Hyundai

This is the Veloster concept car, shown by Hyundai at the Seoul motor show, and it's a significant indicator of where the once-budget Korean brand is heading.

Don't for a moment think that this is the replacement for the popular Hyundai Coupe in disguise. Although the next-gen coupe will probably use design cues from the Veloster, there is something more tantalising at work. Hyundai is planning an Audi TT rival, and that's what the Veloster is all about.

It's based on the same platform as the Kia Ceed and Hyundai's own new i30 hatchback and estate and uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. It's a ways off yet, but don't be surprised to see a TT rival very like this, with suitable quality and performance, appearing in a Hyundai showroom soon enough.

Transit gets safer

Ford of Ireland has added ESP (Electronic Stability Programme) as standard equipment to the New Ford Transit's comprehensive package of both active and passive safety features for 2007.

For the majority of models in the range – diesel-engined van and bus models – this means this additional driver aid and safety feature is standardised across the majority of Transit models in Ireland from February 2007. Dual rear wheel and chassis cab derivatives will receive ESP as standard equipment from October 2007.

"By October 2007, all Transits except for All Wheel Drive variants, will have ESP as standard," said Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director, Ford Ireland. "This action reinforces the leadership position of new Ford Transit in this highly competitive market, and shows we are again responding directly to the requirements of our customers."

Peugeot Diesel Wins At Monza

This year's Le Mans 24hrs looks like being the most competitive for some years after Peugeot won first time out with its new diesel-engined 908 race car in the Monza 1,000kms race on Sunday.

Driven by Nicolas Minassian and Marc Gene, the team would have scored a 1-2 but for a minor pit-stop problem for the sister car of Stephane Sarrazin and Pedro Lamy. The team's regular drivers will be joined at Le Mans by F1 reject Jacques Villeneuve who will become, should he drive the winning car, the first man ever to win the F1 world title, the Indy 500, the Champ Car title and Le Mans. The closest yet to come to that honour are Mario Andretti (F1 title, champ car title and Indy 500) and Graham Hill (F1 title, Indy 500 and Le Mans win).

Audi has had it all its own way at Le Mans for the past few year, with its all-conquering R8 petrol and R10 TDI diesel cars, but this year, on June 16-17th, we reckon the Peugeots will give them more than a little to think about. Can't wait.

Low-Flying Pigs Sighted As VW Plans 282mpg Car

The last time Dr. Ferdinand Piech (above) was in charge of Volkswagen, he instigated the building of a VW with the same quality and luxury as a Mercedes (the Phaeton) and a mid-engined supercar with a Gucci interior and the fastest top speed of any production car (the Bugatti Veyron at 400km/h). And now he's back. Although forced to retire due to age from VW's top job, Piech is now head of the supervisory board that oversees all VW Group's actions, and he's got another plan.

This time, according to an interview in German Newspaper Brauschweiger Zeitung, Piech wants to build a car capable of returning fuel economy figures of 1-litre per 100km, equivalent to 282 miles per gallon.

No he's not nuts, at least apparently not. According to Piech, the cost of construction for the kind of exotic materials that would be needed for such a car are a sixth of what they were just a few years ago, and it looks as if the good Doctor has had a word in new VW boss' Martin Winterkorn's ear about the idea.

It may sound nutty, but don't be surprised if Piech pushes this through. After all, he's got form in this area...

Irish A5 prices announced

The order books are open at your local Audi dealer for the slinkiest coupe of the year, even though the new A5 won't actually arrive on your driveway until July. And that's assuming that you;re at the front of the queue.

Initially, customers will have a choice of four models, all with SE
specifications. Petrol models will consist of a six-cylinder 3.2-litre FSI,
V6, 265 bhp available with Multitronic transmission at €64,900 (ex works)
or with 6-speed quattro permanent four-wheel drive at €65,250. Two turbo
diesel versions begin with a 2.7-litre TDi, V6, 190 bhp Multitronic at
€60,850 followed by a 3.0-litre TDi, V6, 238 bhp, 6-speed quattro at
€64,900.

Standard equipment on SE models will include air conditioning, cruise
control, ESP and Audi parking system plus a range of comfort features that
includes Audi¹s own sound system with concert radio and CD/Mp3
compatibility, front centre armrest, light and rain sensors, xenon plus
headlights, tyre pressure monitor, 17 inch 6-spoke alloy wheels, chrome
exterior, electrically adjustable and heated door mirrors and headlight
washers

In a parallel introduction, a more powerful, higher-spec S5 petrol model
will also be available powered by an eight-cylinder 4.2-litre FSI, V8, 354
bhp engine with 6-speed quattro at €85,500. Features of the S5 will
include larger 18" S Style alloy wheels, sports seats, leather/cloth
upholstery, sports suspension, electric seat adjustment (incl lumbar
support), left/right side twin exhaust pipes and aggressive exterior S
styling.

You can expect to see a 200bhp 2.0-litre petrol engine version before the end of the year too.

WTCC Goes Green

The FIA has announced that the World Touring Car Championship will run all its cars on bio-ethanol from the start of the 2009 season.

Series manufacturers BMW, Seat, Alfa Romeo and Chevrolet are already experimenting to find out what is the best grade of the environmentally friendly fuel to use, but it's not yet known if the series will appoint a named fuel supplier, or leave it up to the individual teams and their technical partners.

In similar news, Ford has announced that all future Formula Ford single-seat racing cars will be bio-ethanol fueled.

Super-Caddy On Hold

A proposed range-topping model for Cadillac, based on the awesome Sixteen concept (above) and featuring a 7.2-litre V12 engine has been put on hold while GM waits to see what the US Government is going to do on enforced fuel economy levels.

President Bush's administration is considering placing stringent new laws on average fuel economy, and GM product honcho Bob Lutz wants to wait and see just how tight the new regulations are going to be before proceeding with the plan.

M3: official pics and info

The waiting is almost over. No more 'Concept M' show cars with blacked-out glass, no more 'scoop' photos that were just Photoshoped 335is (we're looking at YOU, Car Magazine), the new BMW M3 is almost upon us and it's going to be awesome.

The new M3 Coupé engine develops 420hp at 8,300rpm and 400Nm of torque at 3,900rpm from its 3,999cc V8-power unit, and red-lines at 8,400rpm. To highlight the flexibility of the engine, 85 per cent of torque is available from 6,500rpm. Power is transferred to the road by BMW M’s six-speed manual gearbox and variable M differential which conveys up to 100 per cent of available power to the wheel with most grip.

Like its predecessor, the new M3 easily breaks through the magical 100hp per litre barrier, offering 105hp per litre. This engine powers the car from zero to 62mph in 4.8 seconds and on to a limited top speed of 155mph. However, these supercar levels of performance do not compromise economy with the car still delivering 22.8mpg on the combined cycle, being an eight per cent improvement over the outgoing car.

Tie that kind of performance in with lighter build (only 8kg heavier than the old M3), a carbon-fibre roof (doesn't save much weight but is incredibly cool), serious aerodynamic aids and a new version of the now-legendary M-Differential (oversteer on tap) and this is adding up to the performance car of the year. Which is good, because after the flabby, pointless M6 convertible, we really want to see the M-Division's teeth bared again.

Rally Ireland gets route

The organisers of Rally Ireland have announced the official route for Ireland's first-ever round of the World Rally Championship, at a press conference attended by sports minister John O'Donoghue and model Rosanna Davison. We figured you'd rather see a pic of Rosanna, though (above).

The event begins on Thursday 15 November with the Super Special Stage in the grounds of the Stormont Parliament Buildings in Belfast. This spectator-friendly event will see two cars at a time competing head to head on a specially designed loop of the Stormont grounds. Competition over the four days will also take in a route that covers seven more counties in the north-west of the island: Fermanagh, Tyrone, Sligo, Leitrim, Donegal, Cavan and Roscommon.

Rally Headquarters will be at The Clarion Hotel in Sligo and the Service Park, where all necessary mechanical work on competing vehicles is carried out, will be at Sligo Institute of Technology.

Lexus wins World Car Of The Year. No-one is surprised.

In a display of utter rightness, a panel of international motoring journalists have voted the Lexus LS460 World Car Of The Year, and given its bank-vault construction, utter reliability, total luxury and forthcoming planet-saving hybrid technology, who can argue with them?

The Lexus LS 460, launched in January, was chosen from an initial entry list of 28 contenders nominated by World Car jurors from 22 countries throughout the world.

WCOTY jurors considered the prestigious LS 460 to be “the embodiment of the Lexus brand's motto – the pursuit of perfection. Classically luxurious, with modern execution, unquestioned quality and more than ample power, it also offers a green alternative in the form of the soon to be launched LS 600h hybrid variant for those who seek guilt-free indulgence.”

The jurors also recognised that Lexus continues to build its reputation with this luxury flagship boasting many firsts, including a novel automatic parking system and an 8-speed automatic transmission.

"We are honoured to receive this prestigious award recognising the LS 460 as the '2007 World Car of the Year,'" said Bob Carter, Lexus group vice president and general manager.

The other two contenders for the title were the facelfited Mini and the all-new Audi TT. Which kind of leaves our vote for the Lamborghini Gallardo Superlegerra rather out in the cold...

Kia concept previews next Sorento

This is the KND-4 concept car that Kia debuted at the Seoul Motor Show, and it's reckoned to be a good indication of the look and feel of the next-generation Sorento 4x4.

Aimed at, and we quote, "customers who crave an active lifestyle" (dear God, who doesn't aim at that fictional group these days?) the KND-4 features LED headlights and 20-inch wheels which you'll never see inside a Kia dealership in a million years. But, the proportions, the sweeping c-pillar and the heavily flared arches, plus the agressive grille and squinting headlights should all appear on the new Sorento, as will the ICE system, which includes oth Bluetooth and Blu-ray technologies along with a built-in hard drive for the audio player. (Blu-ray technology, as seen in the new PlayStation 3, can store up to 10 times more information than a regular DVD.)

Kerkorian wants Chrysler

Reclusive billionaire car-nut (wow, that would be a great business card to have) Kirk Kerkorian wants to buy Chrysler from Mercedes, for the knock-down price of $4.5-billion, about half what DaimlerChrysler has so far indicated that it wants for the loss-making American giant.

Kerkorian is a former majority shareholder in Chrysler, who lost out big time in the 1998 merger with Mercedes, and later tried to sue the Germans, claiming that they had fiddled the deal to make what was called 'A Merger Of Equals' into an outright takeover.

Kerkorian currently has a major shareholding in GM, and it's understood that the potential deal with D-C involves the German side of the house making sure that Chrysler is neatly and properly separated, and that a deal is done with the unions about employee healthcare costs, currently thought to add almost $1,000 to the price of every new car.

Kerkorian, and his investment group Tracinda, reckons that Chrysler, if properly managed, can survive and thrive even in a world where its core SUV and MPV models are suffering as Americans turn to smaller, more efficient cars. Thus far, DaimlerChrysler isn't making any comment on the bid, only saying that it is in talks with a number of potential investors.

No, the OTHER armoured Rolls-Royce

No, not Michael Collins' Sliabh na mBan, this is the all-new armour-plated Phantom, just the ticket for wafting in silent comfort through the world's trouble spots.

ngineered to VR7 level, the highest current international protection rating, the Phantom Armoured is virtually indistinguishable from the standard version, inside and out. The car features high-tech fibre composites and special purpose steel to provide protection for the bodywork, while the glazed area is constructed from sheets of thickened glass. In addition, a polycarbonate layer is fitted to the inside for extra passenger protection.

The Phantom’s aluminium spaceframe chassis and suspension components have been strengthened to cope with the additional weight of the modifications. However, the powertrain remains unchanged, providing 453bhp and a phenomenal 720Nm of torque. As well as ballistic security, the new package has been designed to offer the same luxury, refinement and comfort as the standard Rolls-Royce range.

Like all Rolls-Royce models the Phantom Armoured begins life at Goodwood, while the special armouring process is carried out off-site by an approved coachbuilder.

Customers will be able to order Phantom Armoured from all Rolls-Royce dealers and can tailor every aspect of the car to their own specific requirements. This new model will be available initially in Europe and, perhaps not surprisingly, the Middle East.

Ford wants more crossovers, but what about Europe?

This is the new Ford Flex, a seven-seat family car that's a cross between an estat... sorry, Station Wagon and a 4x4. Along with the recently-launched Edge, it signal's Ford's stateside move away from conventional SUVs and into 'Crossover' vehicles that combine the usefulness of an off-roader with the environmental performance of a conventional family car.

But as of now, there's no chance of either the Edge or the Flex coming to Europe, which considering their funky styling and useful interiors is a bit of a shame. Although, considering that at the moment, both vehicles are only powered by the same 3.5-litre petrol V6, maybe that's not such a bad thing. But we reckon the funky styling and clever touches (built-in 2,300 song MP3 player, compressor-driven fridge, full-length glass roof) would go down pretty well here.

We will see a Mazda version of the Edge platform (the CX-7) here later this year (although we'll have to wait till 2009 for a diesel) but Ford's Euro-crossover strategy will have to wait till the launch of the Focus X some time in 2008; a compact SUV based on the same chassis as the Land Rover Freelander and Volvo XC60.

New Cherokee but Chrysler's up for sale

This is the all-new Jeep Cherokee (or Liberty, as it's known in the States) which will be going on sale later this year.

It's new from the ground up and features both a higher quality interior than the current car, and all-new suspension which, according to Jeep, "contributes to the all-new 2008 Jeep Cherokee's blend of on-road ride comfort and nimble, confidence-inspiring handling."

The design is described as being more rugged and square sided, and indeed, seems to owe more to the 'classic' Cherokee of the late eighties and early nineties than to the current round-headlight model. Only one engine is confirmed at the moment, and that's the same 3.7-litre V6 petrol as found in the current Cherokee. Presumably, when it comes to Europe (sharing components with the Dodge Nitro 4x4) it will feature the same 3.0-litre V6 diesel as found in the Grand Cherokee.

Well, we say presumably, but by the time the new Cherokee arrives on these shores, Chrysler is likely to be under new management. DamilerChrysler bosses have confirmed that they are now in official discussions with interested parties about selling off Chrysler, which posted a $1.5-billion loss last year. The slump in sales is being blamed on the US market's shift towards smaller, more economical models.

At the moment, there are three key bidders in the running for Chrysler (and its Jeep and Dodge brands). Blackstone and Cerberus are two rather sinister-sounding venture capital groups, and Cerberus apparently was one of the bidders for Aston Martin earlier this year. Also in the running is Magna-Steyr, a Canadian-owned components group which already builds all of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge's European market models under licence. There's also a possibility of Chinese ownership, as Chrysler has recently announced a tie-up with Chery Motors to co-produce the new Dodge Hornet supermini. And don't rule out Hyundai. It has its all-new Genesis V8 rear-wheel-drive flagship model ready for launch and is known to be considering setting up a premium brand for the model, a la Lexus. But an established brand like Chrysler would sit easily on its nose (a replacement for the 300C?) and would massively expand Hyundai's production capacity and dealer networks.

But with an imcomplete model line-up, quality woes and a hefty $8-billion price tag, Chrysler may find it harder to pair up with a suitor than it might think.

Three-Way Chevrolet

Chevrolet had already released pics of its Trax small car concept, but now the Trax is part of a trio, along with the Beat and Groove. They're all being shown at the New York Auto Show this week, as GM mulls the possibility of selling small, 1.0-litre engined cars in the States. You can also bet pretty safely that one of these designs (our money's on the Trax) will form the basis for the Chevrolet Matiz replacement.

But this is where it gets interesting. The Trax is an obvious evolution of the current Matiz's styling, given an SUV-esque makeover. But what of the Beat and the Groove? Officially, Chevrolet is asking members of the public to vote on which they think is the best design, which will then be put into production. But to our eyes, the Beat looks a lot like a production-ready Opel Agila replacement (indeed, it looks a lot like the Trixx concept car of a couple of years ago). And the Groove? Well, is it just us, or does it have a certain air of Saab about it?

All three cars have been designed in GM's facility in Incheon, South Korea in what was the old Daewoo HQ. They also debut three new engines, a 1.0-litre petrol, a 1.0-litre diesel and a turbocharged 1.2-litre petrol.

We'll keep you up to date on production versions.

Carens gets longer warranty

Kia is extending the warranty on its seven-seat Carens MPV from three-years unlimited mileage to five-years unlimited mileage, and interestingly, it's backdating the warranty for all Carens purchased from September of last year.

As long as you stick to the servicing schedule with Kia main dealers, the warranty is fully transferable on to the next owner. One thing though; if we can have a seven-year warranty on the Ceed, why not on the Carens?

Oil by phone

We've all done it. Peered at the label on a can of oil, and desperately tried to remember if it matches what the handbook said before the dog ate the handbook. And then we just tip it into the engine anyway, secure in the knowledge that modern technology can sort it all out once it's in there. Can't it?

Well, no, it can't and that's why Castrol is now offering customers a Multi-Media Messaging service to show them which is the right oil for their car even when they're out buying it.

By texting the word OIL to 57778 motorists are able to select the make, model and engine type of their vehicle and receive a best oil recommendation and also for those that want maximum protection a trade-up suggestion. They also receive the corresponding pack shot image to make off-the-shelf selection even easier.

“The user experience is excellent. This is immediate and the recommendation comes back straight away. This means it can be used at point of purchase, which is good news for the consumer and the retailer,” said Rob Stroud, Castrol's Marketing Manager for Passenger Car Markets. “The result is that when a motorist buys their oil they are confident in knowing they have selected the right product that meets the specific requirements of their vehicle.”

Everybody out at Aston

As with the nurses, so with Aston Martin. 656 members of the TGWU who work for Aston at its Gaydon factory have voted to take strike action in protest over projected pay rises. Fellow workers, members of the Amicus Union, are to vote on the issue on Thursday.

It means a bumpy start for Aston's new Anglo-Kuwaiti owners, and new chairman David Richards. Still, he's an ex-accountant and Aston's boss Ulrich Bez has experience of the German unions, so expect this to be sorted reasonably quickly.

More Subaru News

As well as showing off the new Impreza saloon and hatchback at the New York Auto Show, Subaru is also taking the opportunity to facelift its slow-selling Tribeca 4x4. It's a car that has never been sold in Ireland, probably because it a) didn't have a diesel engine option and b) had a major run-in with the ugly stick.

Now though, the nose has been massaged into a much more appealing shape, the flat-six engine has grown from 3.0 to 3.6-litres and economy has improved by 10%. Subaru will be hoping that this might increase sales from the paltry 18,000 it has shifted so far, stateside. And with the advent of the all-new 2.0 flat-four diesel (also to see service in the new Impreza, see below) we might get to see this version of the Tribeca on Irish shores, eventually.

Sing It From The Mountain Top

Seventy years after the first man climbed the world's highest volcano, Ojos
del Salado in Chile, two JeepR Wrangler Unlimited vehicles set a new world
record by climbing 6,646 meters (21,804 feet) to the volcano's rim. The
achievement, certified by Guinness World RecordsT, is not one that is likely
to easily be beaten.

It is the second highest mountain in the
Western Hemisphere (6,892 meters / 22,597 feet), and now dubbed the "highest
parking lot in the world". Over five exhausting days in March, the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited vehicles carried a team from Extrem Events (Germany), led by Mattias Jeschke, from the base of the inhospitable volcano in the Chilean Andes to the highest point that a four-wheeled vehicle has travelled.

"This was exactly the challenge to separate the new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited
from all other 4x4 vehicles. A climb like this in not just off-road, but
extreme conditions, is a testament to the performance of the vehicle's
powertrain, suspension and overall quality. We are very proud that Wrangler
Unlimited was the first vehicle to be able to complete such a rigorous
challenge, and believe that it really does set the vehicle apart from its
competition," said George Murphy, Chrysler Group Senior Vice President of
Global Marketing.

During the trip, the team endured hurricane-strength winds, temperatures
that reached minus 30 degrees Centigrade (minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit) and
the thin air of such high altitudes, as it manoeuvred over malicious
glaciers, fissured rock cliffs and volcanic sand. The last stretch of the
climb was the most grueling. Both Wrangler Unlimited vehicles had to cross a
glacier, parts of which were so smooth that any travel by foot required
spiked shoes. At the far end was the glacier field, a fissured ice area
strewn with razor sharp snow penitents. It was here that the vehicle's 3.8L
V-6 engine and Goodyear's MT/R tires proved their true capability, and made
the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited the first vehicle to ever cross the Ojos del
Salado glacier.