Americans eager for Fiat and Alfa could get two Euro models soon
Here’s one more rumor from the Chrysler-Fiat merger: if you lust for a Fiat 500 or the soon-to-be released Alfa Romeo 149 (codenamed 940) you might be in luck. Automotive News quotes an anonymous source from the Italian manufacturer who said that the new group could start importing hundreds of European-made cars before the American-made cars arrive in showrooms. The two models named above might be distributed in the U.S. by selected Chrysler group dealers. Another rumor places up to four Fiat platforms with 1.4 and 1.8-liter 6-speed powertrains being developed for Chrysler while one American platform, the LX, might make the jump to Europe under the upcoming big Alfa Romeo, the 169. [Source: Automotive News (subs. req'd)] Auto Blog: Chrysler , Fiat , Alfa Romeo Americans eager for Fiat and Alfa could get two Euro models soon originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 10:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green
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Americans eager for Fiat and Alfa could get two Euro models soon
BMW plans to hold course with larger cars
Being BMW has its advantages. Just the other day, we heard news that Renault’s future large cars were in trouble due to the prevailing winds in the automotive sector pushing new car buyers towards smaller, more fuel efficient cars. BMW, on the other hand, is set to launch at least one relatively large model in concept form at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show next month called the 5 Series Gran Turism. This vehicle is widely expected to spawn a future production model. Perhaps Strategy Number ONE has moved back a few places? Remember that BMW also owns the Rolls Royce and MINI brands, so the German automaker can stretch out into a wide range of market segments without diluting the hard-earned brand integrity of its own label. Small cars can be introduced under the MINI umbrella. Plus, there’s rumors of another brand in the works to focus on even smaller city cars. On the opposite end of the spectrum, BMW can produce a line of Rolls Royce models that are just dripping with luxury, size, weight and, of course, high fuel consumption. Even that premium moniker is downsizing, though, with the new smaller, gentler RR4 expected to debut next month as well. For what it’s worth, BMW claims that the new Roller will lead its segment in fuel economy and carbon emissions. [Source: Channel 4 ] Auto Blog: BMW , MINI , Rolls Royce , Geneva Motor Show BMW plans to hold course with larger cars originally appeared on AutoblogGreen on Tue, 17 Feb 2009 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds . Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green | Car Blog Green
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BMW plans to hold course with larger cars
Fiat Could Help Chrysler With Small Cars
If the proposed alliance between Chrysler and Fiat goes through, the company could produce a total of six new models—ranging in size from small to smaller. The terms of the deal would give the European carmaker a 35 percent stake in Chrysler. In exchange, Fiat’s small car experience could give Chrysler the opportunity to reduce its dependence on larger vehicles. Chrysler suffered a sales decline steeper than any other automaker in January—down 55 percent from January 2008. The decline spanned most of the lineup, but car sales were hit hardest. Two of six future vehicles would be from the smallest ‘A’ segment, two from the subcompact ‘B’ segment, and two from the compact ‘C’ segment. The ‘A’ cars are the Fiat 500 retro 3-door liftback, as well as the 5-door liftback version of the Fiat Panda. The car based on the Panda would probably be badged as a Chrysler or Dodge. In the subcompact category, one of the vehicles could be the Alfa Romeo MiTo—Alfa Romeo is owned by Fiat. The other vehicle is not yet known, but will most likely be placed under the Dodge brand. A brand new vehicle built on Fiat’s ‘C’ platform could be the replacement for the Dodge Caliber. The Caliber is Chrysler’s only compact car and is currently being redesigned for the next model year. The second C-segment car to be introduced would be the Alfa Romeo 147. It would probably retain its name for the US market. read more
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Leave a commentGerman Hybrids: Coming Thick And Fast
Just five years ago, only Toyota and Honda offered hybrid gas-electric vehicles—the Prius and Insight, respectively. Now, there are more than a dozen carmakers—including Audi, BMW, Mercedes, and Volkswagen—that offer, or have plans for, hybrids. Here’s a roundup of news just over the last few days about hybrids coming from the homeland of Rudolph Diesel. Audi Q5 Hybrid (2010) Audi Q5 Hybrid At last month’s Detroit Auto Show , Audi announced that it would offer a Q5 Hybrid. Hybrid versions of the Q5 and Q7 have been on and off the table several times in the past year. Now, it’s back on. The new small sport utility goes on sale in the US next month with a gasoline engine; the hybrid will follow for 2011. Audi still strongly prefers diesels to cut consumption and emissions, since they cost less to develop and build than hybrids. Its lukewarm attitude surfaces in a quote from Wolfgang Hatz, head of powertrain development for the VW group. “We have to do hybrids to show people that we are able to do them,” he said, noting the Q5 would compete with the Lexus RX450h . We’ll see if Audi takes its hybrids seriously. BMW 7-Series ActiveHybrid BMW 7-Series ActiveHybrid The maker of “ultimate driving machines” will offer a mild hybrid sedan, the 7-Series ActiveHybrid, to face off against the Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid. Like the Benz, it will use a lithium ion battery pack to add stop-start capability to its V8 engine, for about a 15 percent bump in fuel economy. BMW is now just finishing up with prototype testing . read more
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German Hybrids: Coming Thick And Fast
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