Motor Authority - blog Tag: Europe

A new government-backed initiative in Europe called SARTRE (SAfe Road TRains for the Environment) is being launched to develop and test technology for vehicles that can drive themselves in long road trains on highways. The technology has the potential to improve traffic flow and journey times, offer greater comfort to drivers, reduce accidents, and improve fuel consumption and hence lower CO2 emissions.

Just imagine leaving home in the morning and, just after joining the motorway, meeting up with a number of other cars which inch up to each other, travelling at normal speed in a close-formation convoy. After a few minutes you can let go of...

A new government-backed initiative in Europe called SARTRE (SAfe Road TRains for the Environment) is being launched to develop and test technology for vehicles that can drive themselves in long road trains on highways. The technology has the potential to improve traffic flow and journey times, offer greater comfort to drivers, reduce accidents, and improve fuel consumption and hence lower CO2 emissions. Just imagine leaving home in the morning and, just after joining the motorway, meeting up with a number of other cars which inch up to each other, travelling at normal speed in a close-formation convoy. After a few minutes you can let go of the steering wheel and spend your time reading the morning paper, talking on the phone or watching the TV, while your car drives itself in complete safety and also saving fuel. This is the vision that proponents of SARTRE, which includes automakers like Volvo, are hoping for. Current estimates put a retail launch for self-driving cars at least ten years away. Known as autonomous driving, this technology means that the vehicle is able to take control over acceleration, braking and steering, and can be used as part of a road train of similarly controlled vehicles.  The first test cars equipped with this technology will roll on test tracks as early as 2011. The vehicles will be equipped with a navigation system and a transmitter/receiver unit that communicates with a lead vehicle. Since the system is built into the cars, there’s no need to extend the infrastructure along the existing road network. The idea is that each road train or platoon will have a lead vehicle that drives exactly as normal, with full control of all the various functions. This lead vehicle is driven by an experienced driver who is thoroughly familiar with the route. For instance, the lead may be taken by a taxi, a bus or a truck. Each such road train will consist of six to eight vehicles. A driver approaching his destination takes over control of his own vehicle, leaves the convoy by exiting off to the side and then continues on his own to his destination. The other vehicles in the road train close the gap and continue on their way until the convoy splits up. The advantage of such road trains is that all the other drivers in the convoy have time to get on with other business while on the road, for instance when driving to or from work. The road trains increase safety and reduce environmental impact thanks to lower fuel consumption compared with cars being driven individually. The reason is that the cars in the train are close to each other, exploiting the resultant lower air drag. The energy saving is expected to be in the region of 20%. Road capacity will also be able to be utilized more efficiently.   Researchers see road trains primarily as a major benefit to commuters who cover long distances by highways every day, but they will also be of potential benefit to trucks, buses, coaches vans and other commercial vehicle types. As the participants meet, each vehicle's navigation system is used to join the convoy, where the autonomous driving program then takes over. As the road train approaches its final destination, the various participants can each disconnect from the convoy and continue to drive as usual to their individual destinations. The SARTRE project formally started in September this year and will run for a total of three years. Read More

General Motors today announced that its Board of Directors supports a bid from the consortium of automotive parts supplier Magna International and Russian bank Sberbank to buy a majority stake in its European Opel (Vauxhall) operations.

Several key issues will be finalized over the next few weeks to secure the binding agreements, including the written support of the labor unions to support the deal, as well as the finalization of a definitive financing package from the German government.

The final agreements should be ready to sign within a few weeks, with closing to follow within the next few months. Under the deal, Magna and Sberbank will...

General Motors today announced that its Board of Directors supports a bid from the consortium of automotive parts supplier Magna International and Russian bank Sberbank to buy a majority stake in its European Opel (Vauxhall) operations. Several key issues will be finalized over the next few weeks to secure the binding agreements, including the written support of the labor unions to support the deal, as well as the finalization of a definitive financing package from the German government. The final agreements should be ready to sign within a few weeks, with closing to follow within the next few months. Under the deal, Magna and Sberbank will purchase a 55% stake in New Opel (the restructured company), while GM will retain a 35% stake and the last 10% stake reserved for Opel’s employees. The agreement will keep Opel a fully integrated part of GM’s global product development organization, allowing all parties to benefit from the exchange of technology and engineering resources. Read More

Toyota has some bold plans for its hybrid lineup in Europe. The auto giant will reportedly launch a new entry-level, dedicated hybrid Lexus hatchback in Europe next year and now it’s claimed Toyota will also start production of another hybrid model in France.

While the Lexus version will be aimed at upmarket consumers and designed to rival cars like the BMW 1-series and Audi A3, the European-produced hybrid will be much more affordable and could be based on the compact Yaris.

The information comes from Japan’s Asahi newspaper, which also reports that Toyota will launch this compact hybrid in Japan in late 2011 with a price tag... Toyota has some bold plans for its hybrid lineup in Europe. The auto giant will reportedly launch a new entry-level, dedicated hybrid Lexus hatchback in Europe next year and now it’s claimed Toyota will also start production of another hybrid model in France. While the Lexus version will be aimed at upmarket consumers and designed to rival cars like the BMW 1-series and Audi A3, the European-produced hybrid will be much more affordable and could be based on the compact Yaris. The information comes from Japan’s Asahi newspaper, which also reports that Toyota will launch this compact hybrid in Japan in late 2011 with a price tag of roughly ¥1.5 million ($15,760). The European version will likely start production that same year. The new dedicated hybrid will use the platform and engine of the Yaris compact, which will be fully remodeled ahead of the car’s launch. The new hybrid also will feature a more cost-competitive and fuel-efficient hybrid system than that of the Prius, the reports claim. This won’t be the first hybrid Toyota builds in Europe, however. The automaker plans to build a gasoline-electric version of its Auris hatchback (sold as a Corolla in other markets) at its factory near Derby in the UK by the middle of next year. Read More

With Opel’s new Astra now out in the open, attention can turn to variants other than the regular five-door Hatchback that’s been plastered all over the web in recent months. While a new Wagon and stylish Cabrio have already been speculated on, new reports indicate the sporty three-door hatch will also make a return but time around it will be much more agressively styled than the regular five-door.

Speaking with Autocar at the launch of the new Insigna OPC, the Astra's chief designer, Malcolm Ward, revealed that the sports hatch would feature a far more rakish and lower profile than the current model and would arrive on the... With Opel’s new Astra now out in the open, attention can turn to variants other than the regular five-door Hatchback that’s been plastered all over the web in recent months. While a new Wagon and stylish Cabrio have already been speculated on, new reports indicate the sporty three-door hatch will also make a return but time around it will be much more agressively styled than the regular five-door. Speaking with Autocar at the launch of the new Insigna OPC, the Astra's chief designer, Malcolm Ward, revealed that the sports hatch would feature a far more rakish and lower profile than the current model and would arrive on the market in 2011. The car will also spawn a high-performance OPC (VXR) variant, though details on this model are yet to be confirmed. OPC, which stands for ‘Opel Performance Center,’ is the name given to models developed by Opel’s official in-house tuner and typically feature minor engine and handling mods as well as styling and performance upgrades such as bigger wheels and sporty bodykits. Opel's designers will be building upon more than 600 hours of wind tunnel testing that went into the regular five-door model to ensure the new sports hatch is much more aerodynamic. Opel is taking the economy gains that can be had from better aerodynamics very seriously and utilized a number of new design touches to improve efficiency. The front bumper, for example, will be angled to direct air past the wheel and on to the side of the car. There will also be sculpted areas around the rear lights to reduce the pool of air that gathers behind hatchbacks, cutting drag. The new Astra is crucial for Opel as it will need to recover market share lost by the current model to Ford’s strong-selling Focus hatch as well as fend off the Fiesta compact, and with a number of new and exciting variants in the works it may just accomplish this goal.2010 Opel Astra Read More

Small, economical cars may be all the buzz in Europe right now but that doesn’t mean automakers are neglecting the big cube performance market. One of America’s heavy hitters will soon be tearing up the tarmac across the pond according to information revealed by Chevrolet’s general manager in Europe.

Speaking with Auto Motor und Sport, GM executive Jurgen Keller that the rejuvenated Chevrolet Camaro muscle car will find its way to Europe through official channels, most likely sometime next year. Keller wasn’t willing to reveal any other details and so far no other suggestion of a European Camaro launch has been made... Small, economical cars may be all the buzz in Europe right now but that doesn’t mean automakers are neglecting the big cube performance market. One of America’s heavy hitters will soon be tearing up the tarmac across the pond according to information revealed by Chevrolet’s general manager in Europe. Speaking with Auto Motor und Sport, GM executive Jurgen Keller that the rejuvenated Chevrolet Camaro muscle car will find its way to Europe through official channels, most likely sometime next year. Keller wasn’t willing to reveal any other details and so far no other suggestion of a European Camaro launch has been made by GM or any other source for some time. Original plans to bring the Camaro to Europe had shied away from using the Chevrolet brand for the car, since it is more strongly associated with budget cars in most parts of Europe than it is back home. That's changed, however, as GM has decided to expand its Chevrolet brand with plans to double its model range in Europe by 2012. One factor holding back the Camaro from other markets is strong demand for the car back home may lead to supply shortages. U.S. fans of the Camaro have already placed orders for over 25,000 vehicles, only half of which have been filled since the car went on sale. Demand hasn't let up even a little bit despite the overall downturn in the economy and market, with the average Camaro leaving the lot in a new owner's hands in a matter of days.2010 Chevrolet Camaro Official Photos2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS Read More

Toyota has already confirmed it will release a plug-in hybrid vehicle powered by next-generation lithium-ion batteries in Japan, the U.S. and Europe sometime next year but production of these will be limited and only commercial and government fleets are expected to receive the cars. Mass production of Toyota’s plug-in hybrid isn’t expected to kick in until 2012, according to latest reports.

Japan’s Nikkei business daily is reporting that Toyota will build roughly 20,000 to 30,000 plug-in hybrids in 2012, almost two years after closest rival General Motors starts producing its Chevrolet Volt.

A version of Toyota’s... Toyota has already confirmed it will release a plug-in hybrid vehicle powered by next-generation lithium-ion batteries in Japan, the U.S. and Europe sometime next year but production of these will be limited and only commercial and government fleets are expected to receive the cars. Mass production of Toyota’s plug-in hybrid isn’t expected to kick in until 2012, according to latest reports. Japan’s Nikkei business daily is reporting that Toyota will build roughly 20,000 to 30,000 plug-in hybrids in 2012, almost two years after closest rival General Motors starts producing its Chevrolet Volt. A version of Toyota’s plug-in hybrid based on the conventional Prius hybrid will go on sale in Japan this month to fleet customers, and according to the same reports it will be priced at ¥4.59 million (approximately $47,800). It will run on lithium-ion batteries supplied by Panasonic EV Energy and will reportedly be able to travel up to 18.6 miles on electric power alone. Toyota wasn’t willing to confirm any of the latest detail but the automaker has previously confirmed that trials of 500 Prius plug-in hybrids will start at the end of the year. The cars will be leased to government and commercial fleets, with 200 set to stay in Japan, a further 150 headed to Europe and the final 150 reserved for the U.S. market. The Prius plug-in hybrids are already averaging 65mpg in the combined cycle during initial testing - that's a 30% improvement over the standard 2010 Prius, recently certified as the most efficient hybrid in America.Toyota plug-in hybrid Prius in UK Read More