Motor Authority - blog Tag: future

  • Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 1-Series

    Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 1-Series September 10th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran's avatar Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, September 10th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 6 Comments

    Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 1-Series

    BMW released an updated version of the 1-Series compact late last year and since then suspicious prototypes of the car have been captured running around the south of Germany. Until now, we had only seen early development test-mules but the latest shots reveal the first full prototypes for the next-generation 1-Series Hatchback model.

    The current 1-Series has often been criticized for having a back seat no full-sized adult would be comfortable in. However, the rear seat room in this new 2012 model is expected to be much improved. This may also see BMW finally release the Hatchback version of the 1-Series in the all-important U.S. market. A...

    BMW released an updated version of the 1-Series compact late last year and since then suspicious prototypes of the car have been captured running around the south of Germany. Until now, we had only seen early development test-mules but the latest shots reveal the first full prototypes for the next-generation 1-Series Hatchback model. The current 1-Series has often been criticized for having a back seat no full-sized adult would be comfortable in. However, the rear seat room in this new 2012 model is expected to be much improved. This may also see BMW finally release the Hatchback version of the 1-Series in the all-important U.S. market. A slightly longer wheelbase and wider track than the current model will be present. Last year BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer revealed that the four-cylinder engines destined for the next-gen 1-Series will be the same compact units developed jointly by BMW and France’s PSA Peugeot-Citroen for the Mini and a number of French models. The engines will range from 1.4 to 2.0-liter in displacement and will be available in both turbocharged and naturally aspirated forms. Expect to see BMW’s award-winning straight six engines also appear in the lineup. Engines could be downsized somewhat to meet more stringent emissions and fuel economy rules, but with the aid of the direct injection and forced induction, power figures may not decrease substantially, and could even increase in models like the 135i. Engine stop-start and electrical-regenerative systems should carry over into the new series as well as possible new EfficientDynamics technologies such as heat-recovery systems and solar panels. BMW has also revealed that initial testing of thermoelectric generators and solar panels on its cars showed savings of up to 5% in fuel consumption. Expect the new 1-Series Hatchback to launch in 2011 and be followed by new Coupe and Convertible variants, as well as a possible shooting brake model and high-performance M version. Read More

  • Study: Hybrids to make up one in five U.S. car sales by 2020

    Study: Hybrids to make up one in five U.S. car sales by 2020 May 27th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, May 27th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 0 Comments

    Study: Hybrids to make up one in five U.S. car sales by 2020 Just a bit over ten years ago, only a few of the dedicated had any idea what a hybrid car was, but in another ten years or so, the eco-friendly vehicles will account for 19.4% of total sales in the U.S., according to JP Morgan's latest estimates.

    Today hybrids make up a little less than 1% of the cars sold around the world, totaling about 480,000 in 2008 - most of those in the U.S. That leaves a lot of growth to be done by 2020, but with ever-stricter emissions rules, more favorable incentives and higher fuel economy standards, the hybrid will soon be getting an even push from both consumers and government.

    Also playing into the JP Morgan... Just a bit over ten years ago, only a few of the dedicated had any idea what a hybrid car was, but in another ten years or so, the eco-friendly vehicles will account for 19.4% of total sales in the U.S., according to JP Morgan's latest estimates. Today hybrids make up a little less than 1% of the cars sold around the world, totaling about 480,000 in 2008 - most of those in the U.S. That leaves a lot of growth to be done by 2020, but with ever-stricter emissions rules, more favorable incentives and higher fuel economy standards, the hybrid will soon be getting an even push from both consumers and government. Also playing into the JP Morgan calculus is the likelihood of higher - perhaps much higher - fuel prices in the future. As a motivating factor, fuel prices are a proven spur to hybrid sales - all one needs to do is to consult 2008's sales figures. Back then, even with the looming financial apocalypse, hybrid sales were booming. Looking between now and 2020, one benefit of the proliferation of the electric/combustion technology will be a decrease in per-unit cost. Right now hybrids cost about $5,667 more than their standard counterparts, but by 2020 that's estimated to plummet to just $1,890. JP Morgan's estimate significantly outstrips JD Power's predicted tripling of sales by 2015, though the JD Power study also studied diesel sales. Via: AllCarsElectric Read More

  • Ford confirms Michigan plant for new global Focus

    Ford confirms Michigan plant for new global Focus May 6th, 2009 ByRalph Hanson Ralph Hanson, Author, May 6th, 2009 Ralph Hanson 14 Comments

    Ford confirms Michigan plant for new global Focus As the second model developed under Ford’s new global design strategy (the first being the new Fiesta), the next-generation Ford Focus will be manufactured at Blue Oval plants at all corners of the globe. In addition to its regular haunts in Europe, the Focus will be manufactured in Australia and China and today Ford has confirmed that it will be produced in the U.S. by next year.

    Ford will spend around $550 million to transform its former Michigan SUV plant to produce the car, and in 2011 the site will start churning out an all-electric version. The particular plant formerly was responsible for the Ford Expedition and Lincoln... As the second model developed under Ford’s new global design strategy (the first being the new Fiesta), the next-generation Ford Focus will be manufactured at Blue Oval plants at all corners of the globe. In addition to its regular haunts in Europe, the Focus will be manufactured in Australia and China and today Ford has confirmed that it will be produced in the U.S. by next year. Ford will spend around $550 million to transform its former Michigan SUV plant to produce the car, and in 2011 the site will start churning out an all-electric version. The particular plant formerly was responsible for the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs and will support more than 3,200 jobs once Focus production ramps up. Ford has confirmed that both the sedan and five-door hatchback versions of the European-developed Focus will be sold in the U.S., and there’s a strong chance that it may be joined by other small-car variants such as the C-Max crossover. This computer generated rendering gives us a possible new look for the car, showing that its styling will likely be influenced by the Fiesta compact. Engines expected for the car will rely on turbocharging for a combination of power and efficiency, with a 1.6L EcoBoost four-cylinder slated to crank out 180hp (134kW). Despite the potent output, engineers are targeting 20% better efficiency than a naturally aspirated engine of similar performance. For more details, including spy shots of what’s believed to be the first test-mules for the 2011 Focus, check out our previous story by clicking here.2011 Ford Focus rendering2011 Ford Focus spy shots Read More

  • Student designers tapped for Audi 'Intelligent Emotion' project

    Student designers tapped for Audi 'Intelligent Emotion' project April 22nd, 2009 ByAlex Kaufmann Alex Kaufmann, Author, April 22nd, 2009 Alex Kaufmann 0 Comments

    Student designers tapped for Audi 'Intelligent Emotion' project The future of automotive mobility is a question that has always captivated the mind of the carmaker and the driver alike. Today Audi takes its turn to give us a glimpse into what they think the future may hold, seen through the eyes of design students at the Munich University of Applied Sciences and their "Intelligent Emotion" project concepts.

    The project's goal was to envision the ways that alternative forms and fuels might be employed in the future, while balancing that with the long-standing needs of individual mobility. Audi isn't just looking into the issue for purely philosophical reasons, however.

    “The next generation of... The future of automotive mobility is a question that has always captivated the mind of the carmaker and the driver alike. Today Audi takes its turn to give us a glimpse into what they think the future may hold, seen through the eyes of design students at the Munich University of Applied Sciences and their "Intelligent Emotion" project concepts. The project's goal was to envision the ways that alternative forms and fuels might be employed in the future, while balancing that with the long-standing needs of individual mobility. Audi isn't just looking into the issue for purely philosophical reasons, however. “The next generation of employees is our future,” says Wolfgang Egger, Head of Audi Group Design. “That’s why sponsoring design students is one of our high priorities. ...The students have addressed the subject of mobility in the future with very well-conceived and lucidly presented approaches. Each concept, each model, contains at least one idea or feature that we could certainly conceive of as being included in a future production vehicle.” It's not all engineering and science, however, as the "Intelligent Emotion" moniker suggests - it is engineering tempered with passion. “Emotion as a driving force must go hand in hand with responsibility as regulator. The students’ assignment was to develop aesthetic approaches that reflect the new ecological, technical and social issues while also portraying an Audi as an attractive, sporty automobile. The results are of very high creative quality and provide plenty of substance for intensive discussions.” A book with the concepts and the commentary of Audi's chief designers has been made from the project, entitled "Audi Design Projekt" and available in stores from €29.90.Audi Intelligent Emotion Design Project Read More

  • GM preparing for bankruptcy

    GM preparing for bankruptcy April 10th, 2009 ByJeremy Weber Jeremy Weber, Author, April 10th, 2009 Jeremy Weber 1 Comment

    GM preparing for bankruptcy General Motors is reportedly preparing for the worst, with work under way to get the company ready for a possible bankruptcy. Earlier on this month, it was mentioned that a bankruptcy plan to split GM and retain only the most profitable aspects of its operations while ditching the dead weight was being considered - a plan that many analysts said was the most logical solution for bringing the company back to its former prominence.

    But a bankruptcy will mean big trouble for certain parties, especially bondholders who are expected to lose out substantially should the bankruptcy eventuate. At the moment, GM is only considering the option,... General Motors is reportedly preparing for the worst, with work under way to get the company ready for a possible bankruptcy. Earlier on this month, it was mentioned that a bankruptcy plan to split GM and retain only the most profitable aspects of its operations while ditching the dead weight was being considered - a plan that many analysts said was the most logical solution for bringing the company back to its former prominence. But a bankruptcy will mean big trouble for certain parties, especially bondholders who are expected to lose out substantially should the bankruptcy eventuate. At the moment, GM is only considering the option, according to anonymous sources, with nothing set in concrete yet, Reuters reports. Currently, GM is surviving on government loans, but if it can't reorganize itself enough to impress the President's automotive task force, then the company will be weaned off its government-dependence and left to fend for itself - with the most likely outcome being a bankruptcy. At the moment the task force wants GM to reduce its unsecured debt to just one-third of what it is now, as well as to reduce its wage rates and match overseas carmakers. Without these essential elements, it’s unlikely the task force will want to keep GM in the black. The news means that many other sectors of the economy are getting ready for a possible GM bankruptcy, including auto parts suppliers who will be heavily hit if a bankruptcy occurs. Even foreign nations are preparing for the bankruptcy, with Canada's minister for industry claiming that the Canadian government has to be prepared to deal with a GM bankruptcy. Read More

  • GM bankrupcty could split healthier brands off into separate company

    GM bankrupcty could split healthier brands off into separate company April 1st, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, April 1st, 2009 Nelson Ireson 1 Comment

    GM bankrupcty could split healthier brands off into separate company Hidden away in General Motors' plans for the next 60 days is a bankruptcy strategy that could see its most successful brands peel off to form a second company, leaving the other brands to languish in bankruptcy for a more extended period.

    The news comes from an anonymous source within GM via Reuters, and includes hints at what the new company would look like. Formed out of the most profitable units within the current GM, the company would split off during the early parts of a GM bankruptcy filing, reorganizing into a separate business.

    Other brands, like Saturn, Pontiac, Hummer and potentially others, would remain in bankruptcy until sold... Hidden away in General Motors' plans for the next 60 days is a bankruptcy strategy that could see its most successful brands peel off to form a second company, leaving the other brands to languish in bankruptcy for a more extended period. The news comes from an anonymous source within GM via Reuters, and includes hints at what the new company would look like. Formed out of the most profitable units within the current GM, the company would split off during the early parts of a GM bankruptcy filing, reorganizing into a separate business. Other brands, like Saturn, Pontiac, Hummer and potentially others, would remain in bankruptcy until sold or otherwise relieved of their debt burdens, leaving the still-viable segments of GM's business to carry forward without an albatross around its neck. The split-GM scenario presupposes a corporate bankruptcy filing, however. That's not an impossibility, as new CEO Fritz Henderson made plain during Tuesday's press conference. If the management sees it as inevitable, they may not even wait to the end of the sixty day period to file. Henderson has committed himself to doing whatever it takes to fix GM, even if it means going into bankruptcy. Considering his nebulous answers as to the future plans for Saturn and Hummer and his apparent willingness to go into bankruptcy - "with a plan to get out" - the split scenario, and bankruptcy filing, both look at the very least plausible, and could even be likely. Read More

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