Year: 2012

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Green Machines Motor Shows Volkswagen

Detroit 2012: Volkswagen E-Bugster

Volkswagen E-Bugster

Volkswagen extends The Beetle model line by presenting the E-Bugster at the Detroit motor show. Featuring retro-cool speedster styling—the roofline is 90mm lower than a regular Bug—and seating for two, the E-Bugster has 85kW of zero-emission power on tap which can propel the car to 60mph in 10.9 seconds.

The “central electric module” weighs 80kg and VW say it provides a range of “at least” 180km in real-world conditions. A quick-charge function offers a relatively short recharge time of 35 minutes with a suitable charging station.

The E-Bugster uses a “Combined Charging System”, developed by a German–US team consisting of Audi, BMW, Daimler, Porsche and Volkswagen as well as Ford and General Motors. This means the E-Bugster can be easily recharged using single-phase AC current or ultra-fast DC charging at dedicated stations.

There’s more pics and detail from Volkswagen after the break.

UPDATE: Official promo video added below.

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Lexus Motor Shows

Detroit 2012: Lexus LF-LC concept

Lexus LF-LC hybrid sports coupe concept

With the Detroit motor show now underway, Lexus has officially taken the wraps off its LF-LC hybrid sports coupé concept. You’ll remember they sort of already did that just before Christmas, but now we’re seeing the car from all angles.

Funny thing is, though, at this stage there’s no confirmation of what is powering this sleek and aggressive creation. In fact, specific mention of the drivetrain is saved for the last paragraph of the company’s press release: “The front-engine, rear-wheel drive LF-LC features Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive, delivering both driving performance and fuel efficiency.”

Forget the performance aspect for now and interpret this car as a visual palette for future Lexus styling.

Karl Schlicht, General Manager, Lexus Product and Marketing Planning Division in North America, explains, “We are in the middle of the biggest change in Lexus’s history, inspired by a new generation of distinctive design.

“With its striking looks, this concept hybrid 2+2 hints at the design cues that are coming in a wave of new Lexus models over the next two years.”

Well, we can’t say we’re looking forward to seeing more cars with that pinched-in face, but aside from that this concept looks pretty good. The interior is a little fussy, perhaps, but that should tone down by the time production models are signed off.

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Audi Holden Hyundai Kia Mazda Mitsubishi Nissan Renault Subaru Toyota VFACTS reports Volkswagen

New vehicle sales report – December 2011

FCAI banner

Australia registered over one million new vehicle sales in 2011 the latest FCAI press release reveals. The final tally of 1,008,437 represents the fourth time the country has passed one million sales in a calendar year.

Despite dropping more than 27,000 sales (-2.6%) on 2010 numbers, FCAI chief executive Ian Chalmers reminds us this is still something the motor industry should be proud of.

“2011 full year sales are an exceptional result given the effects of natural disasters both at home and abroad throughout the year,” Mr Chalmers said.

“The uptake of new vehicles was impacted early in the year by economic uncertainty, closely followed by natural disasters in the key markets of Western Australia, Victoria and Queensland.

“Sales were further subdued by Japan’s devastating earthquake and tsunami, with a resulting shortage of export vehicles from that country a secondary outcome of the extreme loss of life experienced by the Japanese people.”

The top three highest selling brands in 2011 were Toyota (181624 sales), Holden (126,095) and Ford (91,243).

Illustrating the continuing demand for smaller cars in the local market the Mazda3 was the highest selling model in Australia last year with 41,429 sales. Traditional volume seller Holden Commodore (40 617) was close behind and the Toyota Hilux (36,124) maintained its recent grip at the top of the sales charts.

More detail and 2012 forecasts from FCAI after the break.

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Formula 1

Patrick Head leaves Williams F1

Patrick Head with Mark Webber in 2006

Patrick Head is synonymous with Williams F1, that is why his departure is big news for the team and the sport of Formula One. He has been with Williams for 34 years after co-founding it with Sir Frank Williams and was the engineering guru behind the team’s 16 world championships (seven driver’s titles and nine constructor’s).

Last season was one of the team’s poorest years. The official statement from Williams sounds a bit dramatic when it states: “Williams Grand Prix Holdings PLC (Ticker: WGF1) today confirms that Director of Engineering Patrick Head will step down from its Board of Directors with immediate effect.”

However, it would appear there is nothing sinister at play and it is more a case of Head winding down his enviable motorsport career. Speaking to Autosport he said, “I certainly did not have an ambition to end my involvement in F1 with the season I have just had behind us.

“But when I have a look at what specifically I can do to assist Mike Coughlan, and Mark Gillan and Jason Somerville, I came to the conclusion that it isn’t enough for me to carry on justifying doing the same thing.

“Certainly it is not the word retirement but I am not going to be directly part of the Williams F1 programme next year.

“I am going to be doing some work for Williams Hybrid Power, which may sound a bit dry and dull but it is actually quite high tech and quite interesting.”

An official statement from Williams Grand Prix Holdings, including comments from Sir Frank, can be read after the break.

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