Grande Punto to mark Fiat's renewal?
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 29 July 2005 | 
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Fiat call their new supermini 'Grande Punto', and they're damn right for it has considerably been sized up. Being 4m03 long, 1m68 wide and 1m49 high, the Punto even oversizes the Clio III. We can guess not only accomodation will benefit from this increase but also resistance against shocks, Fiat targetting a five star rating at the EuroNcap crash-tests.
Since this new car is vital for Fiat's future, they have got everything right, especially in terms of styling, a task that was granted to Giugiaro. He did a good job indeed, featuring the Punto III with a Maserati-like front end, thick wheel arches making it look steady and a funny new Punto logo.
See also : Fiat
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Lamborghini unveils limited edition Gallardo SE
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 20 July 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Of course, any Lambo is by definition an exclusive car, but now you can access a higher degree of exclusiveness with the Gallardo SE. What’s special about it? First, only 250 will be made. Second, it’s characterized by a 2-tone body paint, to be sure not to remain unnoticed. Third, the main colour of the body is repeated around the dials as well as on the door panels. Fourth, the engine is now visible from the outside, under glass hood, just like the Ferrari F430. Fifth, the gearbox receives new ratios. The Gallardo SE can dash from 0 to 62mph in 4 seconds and reach 195mph, exactly like a Ferrari F430. The mystery of facts and figures… Too bad, it’ll be available in September only: you’ll have to wait until summer 2006 to show off on the French Riviera. There’s a good side to it though: you have one more year to gather 141,500€ (approx £100,000) to purchase it, a price that does not include VAT, of course.. Then, you’ll be able to choose between two grey shades to be combined with 3 colours: yellow (Giallo Midas), orange (Arancio Borealis) and green (Verde Ithaca).
Belgian designer Luc Donckerwolke did a great job with the Murcielago and Gallardo, but then, in my mind, they look too soft when compared to the Miura, Diablo and Countach. And it's not a matter of paintwork.
See also : Lamborghini
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Maserati RIP
By Yoann Besnard on 19 July 2005 | (1) Comments | Permalink
I’m still shocked. The next Maseratis will share their platform with the Alfa Romeos because it’s time for Fiat to make bigger profit with this brand. If the perfectly good Coupe and the charming Quattroporte can’t save this company, then rebadged Alfas certainly won’t. Maseratis will be cheaper? Then they’re not Maseratis. Maseratis should use transverse engines and four-wheel drive, because it provides the best technical solution? Sounds familiar. Ford did the same with Jaguar and we know what happened.
The new Premium platform is great news for Alfa, especially as it gives bigger engined models the option of four wheel-drive. However Maserati has a tradition of building GTs and moving the Italian Aston Martin down is about one of the worst ideas I have ever heard.
The truth is the Premium platform has been forced on Maserati by another company, which had, in turn, been forced to use it. Engineers of both companies want front longitudinal engines and rear-wheel drive, and so we want them. Why is this so difficult for management to grasp?
Fiat, if you continue to reduce your luxury names to brands and badges then you surely will reap your just rewards: zero sales. At least let Maserati die with dignity. Close the plant, save some money and put some decent investment into Lancia, which has nowhere to go but up.
See also : Maserati
Automotive atrocities : AMC Pacer
By Yoann Besnard on 18 July 2005 | (1) Comments | Permalink
AMC Pacer is the iconic car of the 70s, which defines the era even more than a Bee Gees track or the Farrah Fawcet hairstyle. In fact, dressing as Farrah Fawcet and listening to a Bee Gees track while driving a Pacer with wood panels to go to your job was perhaps the ultimate 70s experience.
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Montoya wins at Silverstone while Alonso strengthens his position
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 12 July 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Enthralling: this Grand Prix was everything but this. After a 1-minute silence in memory of Thursday’s victims in London, Montoya passed Button and Alonso at the start while Sato’s BAR stalled. This caused the safety car to come out, for 2 laps, but that’s about it. Sato went back to pit and re-started one lap behind. Alonso remained very close to Montoya during the entire race without managing to pass him, especially as he lost precious seconds behind Trulli, who was one lap behind, before the second wave of pit stops. Indeed, Trulli did not confirm his good position on the grid while once again Raikkonen managed something great reaching the 3rd position after leaving from the 13th, for his engine had broken down during tests. Barrichello gradually lost pace and lost positions during his pit stops and finished 7th . Michael Schumacher managed exactly the opposite and finished 6th while he had started 10th on the grid. But then, they were more than one minute behind the leader when the race finished, which is not particularly encouraging. Michael reckons he’s out of the race for the championship. Fisichella, on the second Renault could have been on the podium if his car had not stalled after the second refuelling, which made his team manager Flavio Briatore a bit angry. He finished 4th, right before Button who did a solid race. 8th position went to Ralf Schumacher driving a Toyota.
Next race in two weeks in Hockenheim.
1 JP. Montoya McLaren
2 F. Alonso Renault
3 K. Räikkönen McLaren
4 G. Fisichella Renault
5 J. Button BAR
6 M. Schumacher Ferrari
7 R. Barrichello Ferrari
8 R. Schumacher Toyota
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BMW releases 3-series Touring
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 5 July 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Anticipating Alfa's 159 Sportwagon, BMW releases the estate version of its best-seller. BMW designers, led by Chris Bangle resisted the temptation of a bold styling. This 3 series Touring can load up to 1385 litres of luggage, which exceeds the capacities of a Mercedes C-Class Estate or a Peugeot 407 SW. Nevertheless, a VW Passat Variant or a Vauxhall Vectra offer up to 1850 litres.
BMW has paid a great attention to practicallity, fitting this new version of the 3-series with a reversible boot floorpan, a 12 volt power socket, luggage lashes or a bag and umbrella holder. For a few hundred extra pounds , you can get a waterproof box to store muddy boots for example.
Technically speaking, the Touring is almost identical to the excellent sedan. But beware: the Alfa 159 Sportwagon is underway...
See also : BMW
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Alonso wins Grand Prix de France one lap ahead of team-mate Fisichella
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 4 July 2005 | (0) Comments | Permalink
Alonso started the Grand Prix on pole position and won it without any disturbance. None of his opponents could even threaten him, for he was at least one second faster per lap than anybody else, his team mate Fisichella included. The latter was incredibly unlucky once again, losing precious seconds because of the fuel hose or because his engine stalled on the last pit stop. He finished 6th.
Second on the grid, Trulli did not manage to keep his position and finished 5th while starting from the 13th position, Raikkonen managed to make the most of his 2-stop strategy, finishing 2nd, 16 seconds behind Alonso. Montoya was not quite as successful in the other McLaren for he was forced to abandon because of a hydraulic breakdown.
See also : Motorsport
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Final countdown for 407 Coupé
By Stéphane Schlesinger on 2 July 2005 | (2) Comments | Permalink
These recent spyshots reveal that the new 407 Coupé is very close to its launch. Contrary to the 406 Coupé it replaces, the 407 was not drawn by Pininfarina but by Peugeot’s designers, ruled by Gérard Welter. This coupe does not seem as elegant as its predecessor, but then, stringent European norms imposed this heavy front end. The cabin remains very similar to that of the 407 saloon. Accommodation should appear to be asset for this coupe, which should offer the same superb handling and ride as the saloon. As for the engines, the petrol 2.2 160bhp, the 3.0 V6 210bhp and the 2.2 160bhp block may be available. Prices are not known yet but they will surely be competitive.
See also : Peugeot
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