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Hot Focus

By Stéphane Schlesinger on 31 May 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink

After the Fiesta ST, the Mondeo ST, here is the Focus ST. It inaugurates the first 5-cylinder engine ever in a Ford, probably inherited from Volvo. This turbocharged 2.5 litre Duratec engine develops 220bhp and is coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox.

For a better grip, the Focus ST is fitted with low-profile 225/40 tyres on 18x8-inch five-spoke cast aluminium wheels.

This hot hatch displays its strength through new bumpers with aluminium-like inserts outside, and a specific upholstery inside. Besides, the driver will find a set of three dials (oil temperature, turbo pressure, and oil pressure) just over the central aerators.

The Focus ST will hit the showrooms at the end of 2005.

Get sun-tanned in a Ferrari F430

By Stéphane Schlesinger on 31 May 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink

The convertible version of the Ferrari F430 is now available : you’ll be able to show off next summer on the French Riviera.

Ferrari remains faithful to the good old canvas roof, for reasons of space and weight. It will automatically fold in 20 seconds, allowing the lucky driver, provided he looks back, to admire the 4,308 litres V8 engine, amazingly quiet under its transparent panel.

But this quietness won’t last: apart from the roof, the F430 Spider is identical to the Berlinetta, the 490bhp's breathtaking acceleration may make you a dangerous deliquant!

For the passengers’ safety, 2 roll-bars take place behind their heads and the driver still can rely on the E-Diff (electronic differential) to keep the car on track when pressing the accelerator too hard.

He, or she, will be tempted to do so for the Manettino is still here, on the Momo steering-wheel. This F1-like device allows the driver to tune the car according to his will, if the Manettino is set on “race”, then the suspension gets stiffer and lower and the gear change faster.

490bhp at a screaming 8500rpm in your back, a weigh-to-power ratio of 2.9 kg per hp: you are propelled from 0 to 60 miles in 4 seconds, with a top speed over 190 mph.

I am sure you can’t wait until June, when this toy for grown-ups goes on sale, to sign a cheque of £127,000.

If you think this is too much, or if you like discretion, the Fiat Group, Ferrari's owner, still has a bunch of  Barchettas to sell, production having ceased for a few months.

Back to the future in a brand-new Dodge

By Stéphane Schlesinger on 31 May 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink

Dodge sought inspiration in its past and was damn right! Remember the time of those terrific muscle-cars? Dodge has dug out a famous name: Charger.

So, the Dodge Charger is back, with a suggestive fast-back body built on a Chrysler 300 platform. From the sixties, not only does it keep the style but also the power: under the bonnet, you can notably find V6 and V8 “Hemi” engines, delivering 250 and 340bhp.

This rear-wheel-drive sedan offers a near 50/50 weight distribution and Nivomattm self-leveling shock absorbers are standard on the Daytona R/T version.

All models in the line-up are equipped with ESP (electronic stability program), ABS and TCS (traction control system) devices so as to make them easier to drive than their famous ancestor.    

Last but not least, the SR/T Charger receives a tremendous 6.1 litres V8 engine delivering no less than 425bhp, and 20-inch forged aluminium wheels.

The icing on the cake: it’s not even expensive, since the SE is available for $22,995 and the powerful Daytona R/T will be yours in exchange of $32,495.

Of course, at this price, don’t expect the finish of an Audi A6...

Rover carved up

By Stéphane Schlesinger on 30 May 2005 | (1) Comments | Permalink

PriceWaterhouseCoopers’s administrators have announced that before the deadline of May 13 th, 12 companies had made serious offers for taking over parts of the Rover Group.

Iranian Secretary of Sate for Trade and Industry Es-Hagh Jahanguiri made it clear that Iran was no longer interested in Rover since what made its value, its licence, had already been taken over by the Chinese company SAIC.

This being said, there still are numerous possibilities as to who might buy parts of the dead group, the most interesting of them being MG. Some say Russian investors, such as Nicolai Smolenski, who owns TVR, or Ruspromavto, which owns Volga, may be ready to purchase Morris Garage. Besides, 2 Biritish consortiums, Chapman Automotive and Welford-Winton have gone public with their statements of interest.

Anyway, nothing is certain yet, waiting for an official declaration by PriceWaterhouseCoopers seems a better bet.

5 millionth 206

By Stéphane Schlesinger on 30 May 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink

The French carmaker Peugeot’s factory of Mulhouse has just released the 5 millionth 206. Launched in 1998, to replace the enormously successful 205, the 206 is in a good position to surpass its predecessor’s record-braking production figure of 5.278 million copies in the next 6 months. This historical 206 is a CC 1.6 HDI, soon delivered in Germany.

Peugeot has perfectly made the most of its supermini, available in a very wide line-up, 3 and 5 door-sedan, SW and CC, with power outputs ranging from 60 to 177 ps.

Smart recalls 58,000 Fortwo models

By Stéphane Schlesinger on 30 May 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink

A problem in the front suspension has led the German carmaker Smart to recall 58,000 of its Fortwo models built between 1998 and 2000. A few Smart drivers involved in accidents alerted the company owned by Daimler-Chrysler AG, which has recently recalled 1.3 million cars for various defects. Company spokesman Hubert Kogel makes it clear that none of these drivers were injured. Even if the recall is aimed at German owners, the company has declared that Smarts sold in other countries might very well be affected too, since 202,000 copies were built in this period.

New Mitsubishi L 200

By Stéphane Schlesinger on 30 May 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink

The new Mitsubishi L 200 seems to be ready to roll out of Mitsu’s Thai factory. Its new 2.5 and 3.2 litres diesel engines will be fitted with the latest common-rail technology. In August, the customer will be given the choice between single and double cabin as well as 4X2 and 4X4 transmission systems. This new L 200 has nothing to do with the 2007-expected baby SUV PSA and Mitsubishi are co-developing. Let's hope these new cars will allow the Japanese carmaker to overcome its financial difficulties

New Punto expected in September

By Stéphane Schlesinger on 30 May 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink

The long-awaited Punto III (possibly called Uno) should be launched in continental Europe next September. Still financially challenged, Fiat cannot mess up with this model which is to become its best-seller.

Following the new trend, the Mk III Punto should be significantly bigger than its predecessor, with an increase of 15 cm of its length at least. Accomodation should remain the best in its class.

At first, 3 petrol engines, ranging from 67 to 95bhp along with 3 Multijet diesel engines, ranging from 75 to 120bhp, should be available. Later in 2006, a sporty 1.6 turbocharged version is likely to come out.

This Giugiaro-designed new Punto is absolutely vital for Fiat, and its task will not be easy since the new Renault Clio, the Peugeot 207 and the new Vauxhall Corsa (built on the same platform as the Fiat) will be released within the following 6 months. But the new Fiat seems to have a key-argument : its front end recalls the Maserati Coupé's. Not a bad reference!

Heidfeld in the big boys club

By Christophe Labédan on 28 May 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink

Nick Heidfeld who was once Ron Dennis' star of the futre has had a tough time in F1 compared to his previous days in F3000. A podium in Monaco was a good sign of better times coming, a pole position in Hungary is certainly showing he won't be a pushover with the right car in hand. Heidfeld made the most of the new rules of one qualifying session on saturday after a morning session dominated by Alonso and Räikkönen. The little guy who is almost a local did not take any prisoners, whilst everyone there had their eyes on Schumacher and a 10th position on the grid, Germany may have found its new star... After the pope's election, its definitely Germany's year...

For sale, 1975 Escort GL: £2.5 million

By Stéphane Schlesinger on 28 May 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink

60,000 miles on the clock, light blue, just one careful owner: Pope John Paul II. Jim Rich, the Illinois businessman who bought it directly from the Pope in 1996 for $102,000, has decided to sell it in order to raise cash for his businesses. It is Kruse International that puts it up for auction next June 3-4 at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas. The auction company’s president, Dean Kruse, thinks the bids may reach $5 million (£2.5 million), even if the value of such a car is impossible to determine. Against all odds, sold for $244,000 only, Pope Benedict XVI's 1999 Golf was a mere bargain !