Is the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class too complicated? Not according to the company’s chairman, Ola Källenius. Oddly for this Zoom and Teams-stuffed Covid comms era, he’s on the other end of a phone line in Sindelfingen, having just presided over the launch of Mercedes’ perma-pioneering luxury flagship. Phones? Surely we don’t need them where we’re going… “We’ve… Continue reading Interview: Mercedes-Benz boss on the new S-Class
Tag: Strategy
3-D Printing, a Boon for Racers, Inches Closer for Carmakers
The Belgian racing team Heli had an engine problem. Specifically, under race conditions, the manifold of the four-cylinder turbo diesel in its BMW 1-series exploded, bursting along an ultrasonically welded seam that held together the manifold’s two halves. The team tried reinforcing the seam. But when the car returned to the track, during the middle… Continue reading 3-D Printing, a Boon for Racers, Inches Closer for Carmakers
VW’s all-electric ID.4 will use interior lighting to communicate with the driver
Newly released teaser images of Volkswagen’s upcoming all-electric ID.4 compact SUV reveals an interior that leans in on tech, such as touchscreens and ambient lighting used to talk to the driver, without erasing every toggle or knob from automotive’s yesteryear. In short: the ID.4 appears to have struck a balance between stark minimalism and a… Continue reading VW’s all-electric ID.4 will use interior lighting to communicate with the driver
Billions invested in electric vehicle range but nearly half of UK buyers still think 2035 too soon to switch
Huge investment in electric vehicle choice is driving demand, but nearly half of motorists still not ready for a 2035 switch, with higher purchase prices and charging concerns holding buyers back. SMMT calls for zero tax on zero emission-capable cars, including plug-in hybrids, alongside long-term commitment to the Plug-in Grant to drive as many as… Continue reading Billions invested in electric vehicle range but nearly half of UK buyers still think 2035 too soon to switch
@VW Group: “Freedom on the outside, free space on the inside”: the interior of the new ID.4(((ID.4, ID.4 1ST Max, ID.4 1ST: The vehicles are near-production concept cars and not yet available for sale.)))
Ample space, purist design, high-effect lighting and sustainable upholstery ma-terials: the ID.4’s interior is a modern feel-good lounge that opens up the new character of Volkswagen brand’s first fully electric SUV to all the senses. The ID.4 is quickly approaching its launch, with the first vehicles scheduled for delivery before the end of this year.… Continue reading @VW Group: “Freedom on the outside, free space on the inside”: the interior of the new ID.4(((ID.4, ID.4 1ST Max, ID.4 1ST: The vehicles are near-production concept cars and not yet available for sale.)))
@Groupe PSA: PR NEW CITROËN Ë-JUMPER : A PAYLOAD UP TO 17 M³ IN 100% ËLECTRIC MODE000188
Citroën is continuing its 2020 electric offensive with New ë-Jumper – 100% ëlectric. This compact van is the 3rd electrified van and the 6th ëlectric model launched in 2020 by the Brand after Ami, C5 Aircross SUV Hybrid, New ë-C4, ë-Jumpy and ë-SpaceTourer. From 2021, 100% of Citroën’s light commercial vehicles will be available in… Continue reading @Groupe PSA: PR NEW CITROËN Ë-JUMPER : A PAYLOAD UP TO 17 M³ IN 100% ËLECTRIC MODE000188
Yandex spins out self-driving car unit from its Uber JV, invests $150M into newco
Self-driving cars are still many years away from becoming a ubiquitous reality, but today one of the bigger efforts to build and develop them is taking a significant step out as part of its strategy to be at the forefront for when they do. Yandex — the publicly-traded Russian tech giant that started as a… Continue reading Yandex spins out self-driving car unit from its Uber JV, invests $150M into newco
V8 Vantage Point: Aston Martin Reveals its Manual-Production Factory Secrets
V8 Vantage Point: Aston Martin Reveals its Manual-Production Factory Secrets
17 Aug 2020, 7:15 UTC ·
by Aurel Niculescu
Home > News > Industry
The original Aston Martin V8 Vantage from back in 1977 was hailed as Britain’s first supercar, a proper 170 mph (270 kph) performer. But its looks were questionable – trying a jab at the muscle car of the moment without forgetting its grand touring roots. Still, the performance was unquestionable – and the latest generation is a proper spiritual successor in this area. But such wonderful automobiles are not just popping up just like mushrooms after a rain – they are lovingly built somewhere.
10 photos
That exact somewhere would be Aston Martin’s production location in Gaydon, Warwickshire, the United Kingdom. The Aston Martin V8 Vantage is born there, and we have video proof (embedded below) about the labor of love.
It followed in the footsteps of its DB11 bigger brother in setting up the brand’s “second century” strategy and came with a somewhat polarizing design by the same man – Marek Reichman. Looks are subjective but we agree with the decision – while the larger and costlier DB11 had to bow down to tradition, the nimbler Vantage could definitely carve a different clientele.
And so, it did, thoroughly preparing for the world’s toughest and greenest hell (aka the Nurburgring Nordschleife) but also deriving itself into an innovative open top sporting the fastest-folding soft top on the planet. But how does it all come to life is a question best answered by this new episode in the WELT Documentary – Inside the Factory series.
Because everyone is just starting a brand-new week, we could use a little nudge to get things done right – and this is exactly what happens here. Just look and awe at the manufacturing process for this British sports thoroughbred as it combines state of the art automated processes with the most traditional manual labor (around 200 hours of it, apparently).
We know the V8 engine does not spring to life on the premises, which kind of subtracts a little something from the atmosphere, but fret not – that Mercedes-AMG 4.0-liter and the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission have a successful marriage inside that exquisite body. And they race into a perpetual honeymoon with that 0 to 60 mph (97 kph) sprint of 3.5 seconds in no time!
click to load Disqus comments for this storyThis enables Disqus, Inc. to process some of your data.
Rolls-Royce CEO promises profitable 2020 – Automotive News Europe
LONDON — Rolls-Royce will be profitable this year despite a sales slump caused by the coronavirus pandemic, CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös told Automotive News Europe. The BMW Group-owned brand has not cut jobs and has no plans to do so, making it unique among ultraluxury brands based in the UK. Bentley, McLaren and Aston Martin have… Continue reading Rolls-Royce CEO promises profitable 2020 – Automotive News Europe
Ferrari Discontinued GTC4Lusso In Secret, No Replacement Announced
Ferrari Discontinued GTC4Lusso In Secret, No Replacement Announced
2 Sep 2020, 15:40 UTC ·
by Mircea Panait
Home > News > Car Profile
When the FF was introduced in 2011 at the Geneva Motor Show, the Prancing Horse of Maranello took a bit of a bet. Instead of conventional all-wheel drive, Ferrari decided on two transmissions for the front and rear axles.
10 photos
2,291 examples were produced until 2016 when the facelift came out, renamed to GTC4Lusso and marketed as all-new even though that’s not true. As opposed to the V12-only predecessor, the three-door shooting brake added a twin-turbo V8 as the entry-level option, known as the GTC4Lusso T.
The eight-cylinder model also happens to be rear-wheel drive, giving the car a different character in the twisties even though 4WS four-wheel steering is shared with the V12 engine. 2020 is the final year for the GTC4Lusso, and Ferrari didn’t even care to announce the discontinuation in an official manner.
Road & Track received an e-mailed statement from Maranello in this regard, claiming that it’s all in accordance with the Italian automaker’s five-year model strategy announced in 2017. “Ferrari has phased out production of the GTC4Lusso and GTC4Lusso T,” and no, there’s no word of a replacement.
The Prancing Horse may be a little busy with the development of the Purosangue these days, which is said to serve as a successor although that’s not the case. The FUV – short for Ferrari Utility Vehicle – is said to feature five doors while the GTC4Lusso twins feature three doors and seating for four.
Even Maranello is aware of the differences between these two, claiming that the Purosangue will be differently positioned to the GTC4Lusso. Expected no later than 2022 under the Tipo 175 codename, the SUV will ride on a front-mid-engined platform designed for V6, V8, V12, and hybridized drivetrains.
All-wheel drive has also been confirmed, along with a double-clutch transaxle, rear-seat entertainment, and a more modern Human Machine Interface. Given the know-how that Ferrari gained from the development of the SF90 Stradale, a plug-in hybrid option with ludicrous performance is very likely as well.
click to load Disqus comments for this storyThis enables Disqus, Inc. to process some of your data.