New Vauxhall Astra VXR - Taking Styling Cues from Big Brother Insignia

It’s the shock of the week – this is the first official picture of Vauxhall’s new Astra! In a measure of the desperation that the company faces, this image of its new compact family car has just arrived at Auto Express without any warning at all, completely out of the blue!

Making its debut alongside the firm's Insignia VXR, the new Ford Focus rival has finally broken cover in five-door form – although there’s also a striking three-door variant and a Sport Tourer estate version on the way too.

As you can see, it’s clear from this image that it’s taking much of its inspiration from its big brother, the Insignia. It boasts a sporty look with a low nose and high tail, mixing a sleeker version of the Insignia’s nose along with the same stylish kick along its flanks...Continued

2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: 2010 GM to debut Opel Astra, GTC, and Station Wagon

Auto Motor und Sport has managed to get first photos and sketches of the next generation Opel/Vauxhall Astra. This new model will debut in September at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

Five-door hatchback should go on sale end of this year. Bigger Estate and sporty GTC will follow in 2010.

New Astra uses similar design language as the all-new Insignia. Overall design is much sportier and dynamic compared to the current generation.


Read More at GlobalMotors.net

2010 GMC Terrain heralds General Motor's Direct Injected Engine Lineup

NEW YORK – The all-new, five-passenger 2010 GMC Terrain joins the rapidly growing list of vehicles with GM’s direct injected (DI) engines that use less fuel, make more power and produce fewer emissions. The Terrain brings to 18 the number of North American GM models that will feature DI in 2010 – more than any other manufacturer.

“Direct injection is a key component of GM’s Advanced Propulsion Technology Strategy that uses multiple technology pathways to achieve increased efficiency and the diversification of energy sources,” said Tom Stephens, vice chairman, Global Product Development. “Because there is no single solution, we’re applying advanced technology where it makes the most sense for customers in regard to fuel efficiency, performance and cost. The efficiency gain with direct injection represents a great technological value that customers can benefit from immediately.”

Both of the Terrain’s available engines – a new 2.4L four-cylinder and a 3.0L V-6 – come standard with DI, with 2.4L-equipped models estimated at 30 mpg on the highway (EPA certification pending). That puts GMC’s new crossover SUV at the top of its segment in highway fuel economy.

Additional new GM models with DI include the 2010 Buick LaCrosse luxury sedan, the sporty 2010 Chevy Camaro, the redesigned 2010 Cadillac SRX and the 2010 Chevy Equinox crossover. They contribute to GM’s global initiative that will see eight distinct DI engines offered in 38 vehicle models around the world next year.

“Direct injection is a near-term solution – along with hybrids and biofuels like E85 – that fits well within GM’s current portfolio, but our strategy envisions mid- and long-term powertrain solutions that will ultimately reduce vehicle emissions to zero, increase fuel efficiency dramatically and displace petroleum as the primary energy source,” said Stephens. “Vehicles like the 2011 Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle and our advanced fuel cell-electric prototypes are tangible examples of GM’s vision.”



How direct injection works

In a conventional port fuel injected engine, air and fuel are mixed before they enter the combustion chamber. With GM’s DI engines, fuel is sprayed directly into the cylinder where it is mixed with air. As the piston approaches top-dead center, the mixture is ignited by the spark plug; and when the fuel vaporizes in the cylinder, the air and fuel mixture is cooled. This enables the use of a higher compression ratio in the combustion chamber, which improves the engine’s power and efficiency.

On cold starts, direct injection can be controlled to create a richer air/fuel mixture around the spark plug, making it easier to ignite in a cold engine. This results in a smoother operation of the engine and lower emissions during the cold start and warm-up, when most harmful tailpipe emissions are typically created. GM’s direct injected engines reduce cold-start vehicle emissions by 25 percent.

GM’s DI lineup

The range of 2009 and upcoming 2010 GM models that offer the efficiency of direct injection includes the following – with additional models to be announced later:

Buick Enclave: This popular crossover offers an efficient 3.6L DI engine that delivers a class-leading EPA highway rating of 24 mpg (FWD models).

Buick LaCrosse: All-new for 2010 and going on sale this summer, the redesigned Buick LaCrosse will offer DI engines exclusively, including a 3.0L V-6 and 3.6L V-6.

Cadillac CTS and CTS Sport Wagon: The CTS sedan and new CTS Sport Wagon come standard with a 3.0L DI V-6 in 2010. Also available is a 3.6L high-feature DOHC V-6 engine that was named to Ward’s AutoWorld’s 2009 “Ten Best Engines” list for North America – for the second consecutive year. With the 3.6L DI engine, the CTS sedan is rated at 26 mpg on the highway.

Cadillac SRX: When it hits the street this summer, the redesigned 2010 SRX crossover will offer a 3.0L DI engine that is expected to deliver highway fuel economy in the mid-20s (testing is ongoing).

Cadillac STS: The STS uses a version of the CTS’ award-winning 3.6L DI V-6, giving this full-size sedan EPA-rated 26 mpg on the highway.

Chevrolet Camaro: Chevy’s iconic sports coupe is back, with a powerful 3.6L DI V-6 that turns out 304 horsepower (227 kW) and EPA-rated 29 mpg on the highway.

Chevrolet Cobalt SS: This sporty compact blends high performance with high efficiency; its 260-horsepower (194 kW) 2.0L turbocharged engine is EPA-rated at 30 mpg on the highway.

Chevrolet Equinox: Arriving in dealerships this summer, the redesigned 2010 Equinox will offer two DI engines – a 2.4L four-cylinder rated at 30 mpg and a 3.0L V-6. Consumers who drive the 2.4L-equipped Equinox 15,000 miles per year will save 134 gallons of fuel or about $270 to $400 annually (assuming gas prices of $2 or $3 per gallon), as compared to the 2009 Equinox.

Chevrolet HHR SS: Employing the same 260-horsepower (194 kW) 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder DI engine as the Cobalt SS, the HHR SS model delivers 29 mpg in EPA-rated highway mileage.

Chevrolet Traverse: The 2009 model with its 3.6L DI engine enjoys best-in-class highway fuel economy of 24 mpg (FWD models) of any eight-passenger SUV.

GMC Acadia: An efficient 3.6L DI engine (similar to the Chevy Traverse, Buick Enclave and Saturn Outlook) contributes to this crossover’s class-leading EPA-rated 24 mpg (FWD models).

Pontiac Solstice GXP: A turbocharged, 2.0L DI engine delivers driving thrills and fuel-economy thrift, with an EPA highway rating of 28 mpg (manual-transmission model).

Saturn Outlook: This full-size crossover delivers downsized fill-ups, with its 3.6L DI V-6 rated at a class-leading 24 mpg (FWD models).

Saturn Sky Red Line: Equipped with the same turbocharged, 2.0L DI engine as the Solstice GXP, Saturn’s sporty roadster also delivers 28 mpg on the highway (manual-transmission model).

GM’s fuel-saving initiative

GM’s direct injection push is part of a larger effort to implement multiple fuel-saving technologies across its vehicle portfolio. Twenty models in GM’s 2009 lineup deliver EPA-rated highway fuel economy of 30 mpg or more – more than any other automaker.

GM’s non-hybrid models also rank first in highway fuel economy in both the midsize sedan and subcompact segments, with Chevrolet Malibu and Saturn Aura rated at 33 highway mpg; and Chevrolet Cobalt XFE and Pontiac G5 XFE rated at 37 highway mpg.

Additionally, GM offers more models with fuel-saving six-speed manual transmissions than any other manufacturer in North America. That contributes to GM’s 2009 domestic car and light truck lineups’ estimated fuel savings of 700 million gallons when compared with the 2008 lineup, during the life of the vehicles. That means a saving $1.4 to $2.1 billion in fuel costs, assuming gas prices of $2 to $3 per gallon. It’s estimated that GM’s 2010 lineup will add another 1.1 billion gallons of fuel savings and $2.2 to $3.3 billion, relative to the 2008 lineup.


Source: General Motors

General Motors plus Segway raising a PUMA

NEW YORK - General Motors Corp. and Segway today demonstrated a new type of vehicle that could change the way we move around in cities.

Dubbed Project P.U.M.A. (Personal Urban Mobility and Accessibility), GM and Segway are developing an electrically powered, two-seat prototype vehicle that has only two wheels. It could allow people to travel around cities more quickly, safely, quietly and cleanly - and at a lower total cost. The vehicle also enables design creativity, fashion, fun and social networking.

GM and Segway announced their collaboration, while demonstrating the Project P.U.M.A. prototype in New York City this morning.

"Project P.U.M.A. represents a unique solution to moving about and interacting in cities, where more than half of the world's people live," said Larry Burns, GM vice president of research and development, and strategic planning. "Imagine small, nimble electric vehicles that know where other moving objects are and avoid running into them. Now, connect those vehicles in an Internet-like web and you can greatly enhance the ability of people to move through cities, find places to park and connect to their social and business networks."

Trends indicate that urbanization is growing, and with that comes increased congestion and more competition for parking. Cities around the world are actively looking for solutions to alleviate congestion and pollution. Project P.U.M.A. addresses those concerns. It combines several technologies demonstrated by GM and Segway, including electric drive and batteries; dynamic stabilization (two-wheel balancing); all-electronic acceleration, steering and braking; vehicle-to-vehicle communications; and autonomous driving and parking. Those technologies integrate in Project P.U.M.A. to increase mobility freedom, while also enabling energy efficiency, zero emissions, enhanced safety, seamless connectivity and reduced congestion in cities.

"We are excited to be working together to demonstrate a dramatically different approach to urban mobility," said Jim Norrod, CEO of Segway Inc. "There's an emotional connection you get when using Segway products. The Project P.U.M.A. prototype vehicle embodies this through the combination of advanced technologies that Segway and GM bring to the table to complete the connection between the rider, environment, and others."

Project P.U.M.A. vehicles will also allow designers to create new fashion trends for cars, and to focus on the passion and emotion that people express through their vehicles while creating solutions that anticipate the future needs of urban customers.

The Project P.U.M.A. prototype vehicle integrates a lithium-ion battery, digital smart energy management, two-wheel balancing, dual electric wheel motors, and a dockable user interface that allows off-board connectivity. The result is an advanced and functional concept that demonstrates the capabilities of technology that exists today.

Built to carry two or more passengers, it can travel at speeds up to 35 miles per hour (56 kph), with a range up to 35 miles (56 km) between recharges.

Since the introduction of the Segway Personal Transporter (PT), Segway has established itself as the leader in the small electric vehicle space. Its approach to congestion and environmental challenges is balanced with a strong understanding of the functional needs of its customers, enabling them to do more with less. Segway has delivered more than 60,000 lithium-ion batteries to the market.

GM has been a leader in "connected vehicle" technologies since it introduced OnStar in 1996. Today, this on-board communications package connects six million subscribers in North America to OnStar safety and security services. GM has also pioneered vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communications systems and transponder technology. These and additional connected vehicle technologies could ultimately enable vehicles that don't crash and drive themselves.

"Imagine moving about cities in a vehicle fashioned to your taste, that's fun to drive and ride in, that safely takes you where you want to go, and "connects" you to friends and family, while using clean, renewable energy, producing zero vehicle tailpipe emissions, and without the stress of traffic jams," said Burns. "And imagine doing this for one-fourth to one-third the cost of what you pay to own and operate today's automobile. This is what Project P.U.M.A. is capable of delivering."


Source: General Motors

Move Over, Fisker Karma. Here comes Frazer-Nash Namir Hybrid Sports Car

Henrik Fisker is the man behind the truly outrageous Fisker Karma, a plug-in hybrid that is the current last word in green production cars.

Despite being (like the Chevrolet Volt) a series hybrid whose four-cylinder gas engine is there just to generate electricity for electric motors, the 100-mpg Karma is a speed demon: zero to 60 in 5.8 seconds and a top speed of 125 mph. It has a claimed 50-mile range in all-electric range, so if you drive less than that you could go years between fill-ups.

But this is not a story about the Fisker Karma. Making its debut at the annual Geneva motor show this year was a far more outrageous hybrid, based on a famous British automotive name, Frazer-Nash (no, not Kaiser-Frazer, that one was American and this one is British).

The Frazer-Nash Namir is over-the-top in almost every aspect. Like the Fisker, it's engine drives a generator, but this one is a tiny 814-cc rotary job that powers up a 400-volt lithium-polymer pack and two huge electric motors with a combined output of 362 horsepower. Crazed statistics? You bet: 0-62 in 3.5 seconds, and almost 92 mpg. In other words, very close to the Fisker, but even faster and more extreme looking.

I asked Henrik Fisker himself what he thought of this radical upstart.


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Obama Not Liked by Many Auto Workers, Cry Double Standard

DETROIT (AP) -- Many assembly line autoworkers reacted with skepticism and anger Monday to the Obama administration's tough tactics, which stoked long-simmering feelings that the people who put the country on wheels get treated differently than the wizards of Wall Street.

"It's the age-old Wall Street vs. Main Street smackdown again," said Brian Fredline, president of UAW Local 602 at a plant near Lansing. "You have all kinds of funding available to banks that are apparently too big to fail, but they're also too big to be responsible."

"But when it comes to auto manufacturing and middle-class jobs and people that don't matter on Wall Street, there are certainly different standards that we have to meet -- higher standards -- than the financials. That is a double standard that exists and it's unfair," Fredline said.

Details at Yahoo Finance

"GM Total Confidence" Plan pays Car Loan while You look for Work

DETROIT - General Motors today announced the most comprehensive customer protection in the industry with "GM Total Confidence," a plan that protects a customer's paycheck, investment, vehicle and family.

"Our Total Confidence plan is an unprecedented offer that reinvents the ownership experience in an extremely positive way," said Mark LaNeve, vice president, GM North America Vehicle Sales, Service and Marketing. "Unlike other programs out there, 'GM Total Confidence' provides comprehensive coverage for new vehicle owners - from protecting their new vehicle investment to protecting their family's income. GM Total Confidence provides customers peace of mind in uncertain times." (Note: See accompanying chart)

The 'GM Total Confidence' plan:

* Protects your Paycheck: 'Payment Protection*' provides up to nine months of payments on vehicle loans or leases ($500 max/month) if you lose your job for economic reasons. When looking for a job, you need a vehicle more than ever. 'Payment Protection' helps you get back on your feet.

* Protects your Investment: During the first two years of ownership, 'Vehicle Value Protection*' helps protect customers against uncertainty in the future used car market. Much as we've seen home prices decline in this tough market - and homeowners may owe more than the current resale value of their house - 'Vehicle Value Protection' provides peace-of-mind for customers when they want to go purchase another GM vehicle.

* Protects your Vehicle: GM's 5 year/100,000 mile transferable powertrain limited warranty (whichever comes first) plus roadside assistance and courtesy transportation. GM protects your vehicle with the best coverage in the business - so you don't have to worry. With the high quality of GM vehicles today, offering the best coverage only makes sense. See your dealer for warranty details.

* Protects your Family: One Year OnStar 'Safety and Security' Package. Knowing that OnStar is there if you should ever need them really makes a difference. With Automatic Crash Response, OnStar's cutting-edge technology that protects your family when they travel. Visit onstar.com for more details.

"By protecting a customer's payment, investment, vehicle and family, we are reinventing the customer experience," LaNeve added. "The 'GM Total Confidence' plan addresses today's most pressing concerns for new car buyers ... we asked customers what they wanted, and simply put, this package is it."

The "GM Total Confidence" plan is available for vehicles purchased April 1 through April 30, 2009. For more information, please visit gmconfidence.com.

*These plans are provided by cynoSure Financial, Inc. and ServicePlan, Inc.


Source: General Motors