Former Nissan and Renault boss Carlos Ghosn has been re-arrested by prosecutors in Japan on fresh allegations of financial misconduct. The 65-year-old was arrested last November and has been charged with a number of offences relating to his time at Nissan. He was recently released on bail, but he was detained by prosecutors yesterday over fresh… Continue reading Carlos Ghosn arrested in Japan on fresh misconduct charges
Author: Autocar Magazine UK
Aston boss: cost of autonomy will force mass car firm mergers
The investment needed to develop connected and autonomous vehicles will likely lead to mass consolidation of car companies globally, according to Aston Martin boss Andy Palmer. Speaking at the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) Connected Car Conference, Palmer said he believes many existing brands will have to form alliances, merge with or sell to… Continue reading Aston boss: cost of autonomy will force mass car firm mergers
How Peugeot boss Jean-Philippe Imparato saved the firm
Egged on by my probing, Imparato talks first about his childhood in southern France as part of an Alfa-loving, motorbike-mad family (“I am more or less Italian. It’s a long story”) and how the focus of his car love changed completely after an encounter with a black Peugeot 205 GTi just as he was lining… Continue reading How Peugeot boss Jean-Philippe Imparato saved the firm
Bugatti Veyron designer moves from BMW to Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce has appointed ex-BMW and Skoda designer Jozef Kabaň as its new head of design, following the departure of Giles Taylor to Chinese firm Hongqi last year. Slovakian Kabaň has a long history in vehicle design, having become one of the Volkswagen Group’s youngest designers aged 20. In 1997, he was awarded a Master of Arts… Continue reading Bugatti Veyron designer moves from BMW to Rolls-Royce
671bhp Volkswagen ID R to battle gamers for hillclimb record
Volkswagen will showcase its record-breaking ID R electric motorsport car on the 99-turn Tianmen Shan Big Gate Road in China later this year – and will stage a ‘virtual’ competition to establish a time to beat. The 671bhp ID R smashed the outright Pikes Peak International Hill Climb record last year, and the German firm is currently prepping… Continue reading 671bhp Volkswagen ID R to battle gamers for hillclimb record
Lynk&Co tests fifth model in run-up to European launch
The new Lynk&Co 05 SUV-coupé, which is set to rival the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE Coupé, has been spotted testing in Germany ahead of an expected unveiling at the Shanghai motor show next month. The high-riding model will be offered by the Chinese brand, which is owned by Volvo parent firm Geely and intends to… Continue reading Lynk&Co tests fifth model in run-up to European launch
Ford to launch mild-hybrid Fiesta and Focus in 2020
Ford will launch mild-hybrid versions of the Fiesta and Focus in 2020, as part of the start of a “significant” electrification programme. The two models will be launched at an event next week alongside mild-hybrid versions of its Transit van and Tourneo people mover. Ford also says it will reveal “significant electrification, commercial vehicle and… Continue reading Ford to launch mild-hybrid Fiesta and Focus in 2020
The story behind the perfect carbon fiber finish
“We weren’t there yet, though,” says King. “Some of the larger components were still at risk of damage.” The high-pressure jet was too concentrated and King figured out that although his new abrasive media was right, the process was wrong. “It was frustrating,” he continues. “I’d been wasting money trying to find the holy grail… Continue reading The story behind the perfect carbon fiber finish
Prototype carbonfibre tub completed at McLaren Composites Centre
McLaren’s second production facility was officially opened in November by The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, accompanied by the Crown Prince of Bahrain. It’s located in the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Catcliffe, between Sheffield and Rotherham. Full-scale production of the Monocell is anticipated to begin next year, with the current 60-strong workforce set to swell to more than… Continue reading Prototype carbonfibre tub completed at McLaren Composites Centre
Porsche boss proposes subscription model to deter speculators
Porsche CEO Oliver Blume has proposed a subscription model as a potential solution to speculators buying the firm’s limited edition cars to sell on at huge profits. Although the problem of investors making huge mark-ups is industry-wide, Porsche’s volume of highly collectable, very limited run models, ranging from the Boxster Spyder through to Porsche 911… Continue reading Porsche boss proposes subscription model to deter speculators