Mazda is considering another crossover that will slot in beneath the CX-7, according to U.K.’s Auto Express. The new compact crossover, likely to be called the CX-5, will be inspired by the Hakaze that debuted at the Geneva Motor Show.

Featuring a distinctive grille and sporty profile inspired by Hakaze, the CX-5 will include RX-8 like rear suicide doors to improve access to the back seats. The CX-5 could also feature the removable roof panels that were seen on the Hakaze concept.

The CX-5 has not yet been approved for production, but Mazda’s U.K. execs would like to see a compact crossover on the road by the end of the decade.

## Source: Auto Express ##

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Bob Lutz, General Motors product guru, has confirmed plans for a new Cadillac V12-powered flagship sedan. The new sedan is expected to be inspired by the popular Cadillac Sixteen coupe car, and will compete with the Mercedes S-Class and Lexus LS.

Lutz said in an interview that GM’s Holden division is working on the new V12 for the new flagship. The new V12 is built from two 3.6L V6 engines mated to a common crankshaft. The 7.2L V12 will feature direct-injection, and deliver around 600-hp.

Early test mules for the flagship Cadillac are reportedly riding on the new rear-wheel-drive Zeta platform. The Zeta platform may underpin more than the test mules, with the production model also derived from the Zeta.

## Source: Automotive News ##

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BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer has confirmed that the automaker is still considering a small crossover that would be positioned below the X3. Tentatively called the X1, the new crossover would ride on the 1-Series platform. According to an interview in German magazine AutoZeitung, Reithofer said the vehicle is expected by 2010, and it expects to sell about 100,000 units annually.

Reithofer also said that “the type of products we need in the future” are cars like successors to Z8 roadster and M1 supercar.

## Source: AutoZeitung ##

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BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer announced that the automaker will continue its new product initiative with the X6 crossover. The X6 crossover will begin production in 2008 at the company’s assembly plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The X6 is a spin-off of the X5 SAV that will seat four and feature a coupe-like body. The X6 will be offered with all-wheel drive and be powered by V8 engines.

Reithofer said that BMW hopes to increase production in the U.S. to more than 200,000 annually by 2010. BMW’s annual production capacity at its only U.S. production plant in Spartanburg, S.C., is currently around 140,000 vehicles. The aim of a North American expansion is to reduce the effect of a strong euro on prices in North America, BMW’s top single market.

## Source: BMW ##

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Following the world premiere of the Audi A5 and S5 at last week’s Geneva Motor Show, the automaker’s executives have hinted that it is working on a convertible version of the A5. This comes as little of a surprise, as it has been widely expected for nearly as long as the coupe version. Despite the trendiness of folding metal hardtops, The Car Connection is reporting that the Audi A5 convertible will feature a traditional soft-top. While its less expensive cousin — the VW Eos — features a folding hardtop, inside sources say that the near-universal choice was for the soft top.

The Car Connection is also reported that Audi is planning a even hotter RS addition for the new A5. With the S5 powered by a 350-hp 4.2L V8, the RS5 will likely feature either the 420-hp 4.2L V8 seen in the RS4 or the 435-hp 5.2L V10 used in the S6.

## Source: The Car Connection ##

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Despite reports to the contrary, Telsa Motors says that it will not use any Ford running gear in its WhiteStar project all-electric four-door sedan. There have been several reports that suggested that Tesla’s WhiteStar project will use Ford’s CD3 platform as the basis for the sedan. The CD3 platform underpins the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and Lincoln MKZ.

Tesla Motors has said that the company will not share platforms with any major automaker. “I can confirm that we used some Ford products on the Roadster, but to the notion that we would use an entire chassis, or body of a car, the answer is no,” said spokesman David Vespremi.

Telsa has said that it will not use another automaker’s platform for its larger volume products like the WhiteStar sedan. Telsa is “…going to operate as any other major car manufacturer… Our business model is to bring more capabilities in house and do more ourselves,” said Vespremi. The company plans to do business directly with the same suppliers that the major automakers use.

Tesla will break ground next month on a $35 million assembly facility in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The new production facility is expected to employ up to 400 workers and have the capacity to build thousands of all-electric sedans annually. Production will begin in 2009.

## Source: The Car Connection ##

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Last week at the Geneva Motor Show, MINI announced that the next version its model range will be called MINI Clubman. The Clubman will be based the MINI Concept that debuted at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show. The MINI Clubman, with its shooting brake-styling, will feature a “two-door” body style, yet offer additional interior flexibility. The Clubman is inspired by the successful Morris Mini Traveller of the 1960s.

As seen in photos, the MINI Clubman will likely feature an asymmetric side door configuration with a single door on the driver-side (left-hand drive), while the passenger-side gets a rear-hinged, rear door. The Clubman will also feature rear double doors instead of a conventional hatchback.

## Source: MINI ##

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DaimlerChrysler has said that all of its future vehicles will be available with an optional hybrid powertrain. DaimlerChrysler CEO Dieter Zetsche told German automotive magazine Auto Motor und Sport that hybrids are “very important” due to new European and U.S. regulations on CO2 emissions.

DaimlerChrysler’s first hybrid will be a hybrid version of the Dodge Durango, which will use the two-mode transmission currently being developed in conjunction with BMW and General Motors. Zetsche said the first Mercedes-badged hybrid vehicle will arrive for the 2008 model year.

## Source: Auto Motor und Sport ##

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Now that the deal for Aston Martin has been finalized, the British sports carmaker announced that it is committed to the expansion of the brand. Aston Martin plans to expand production by more than a quarter in the next three years, including the production version of the four-door Rapide concept, which debuted at the Detroit Auto Show in 2006.

Ulrich Bez, Aston Martin CEO, said the Rapide will add another 1,000-2,000 units to its current annual production of 7,000 units. The Aston Martin factory at Gaydon in Oxfordshire will need to be expanded with a new assembly line as well as other improvements.

The Rapide will be the second new model launched under Aston Martin’s new owners. Later this year, Aston Martin will kick off production of the DBS, its successor to the line-topping Vanquish S. The DBS debuted in Casino Royale, the latest Bond film.

The DBS and Rapide will expand Aston Martin’s range to six cars, including the current DB9, DB9 Volante V8 Vantage, and V8 Vantage Roadster.

## Sources: Aston Martin and TimesOnline ##

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Volkswagen Group CEO Martin Winterkorn has once again confirmed that the automaker is working on a hybrid system for its compact cars, like its Golf and Polo.

Winterkorn has acknowledged that Japanese automakers, especially Toyota and Honda, have a clear lead on VW in the development of hybrid technology. However, Winterkorn believes VW will catch up quickly.

Volkswagen first hybrid will be a hybrid version of Touareg SUV, which will be joined by a Porsche Cayenne hybrid. The Golf and Polo models are expected to be ready sometime around the end of the decade.

## Source: Speigel Online ##

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General Motors Vice Chairman and global product chief Bob Lutz told reporters at the Geneva Motor Show that the automaker is targeting a production version of its Chevrolet Volt electric concept car in 2010.

“We have set an internal target of production in 2010. Whether we can make that or not, this is still kind of an unpredictable program for us,” Lutz said, according to Reuters. He said the one of the major challenges facing the Chevrolet Volt was development of lithium-ion batteries, and whether they can be developed to run the car safely and affordably. A running Volt prototype is expected to be ready for testing by the end of this year. Lutz also said GM would open much of its development process to the media.

Critics have questioned if GM is simply to capitalizing on the favorable attention of its concept car. However, Lutz said that GM is serious about its efforts, “Competitors who write this off as a PR exercise are going to be brutally surprised.”

Lutz was typically candid about the difficulties of the project, “I would say there is still a 10 percent chance this will fail.”

## Source: Reuters ##

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General Motors is facing several major decisions about the second phase of its revival of the Cadillac brand. Within the next three months, Cadillac executives have to decide which models to move forward with. Cadillac is currently considering several projects and they will likely decide to move forward on some projects, while scrapping others.

According to Cadillac General Manager Jim Taylor and General Motors Vice Chairman Bob Lutz, the vehicles that it is considering include:

• An ultra-luxury car priced at more than $150,000 and inspired by either the Cadillac Sixteen concept or Cadillac’s Cien concept.
• Coupe and wagon versions of the Cadillac CTS sedans.
• An entry-level model priced under $30,000.
• The future of the front-wheel-drive DTS sedan.

Taylor and Lutz have varying opinions on the some of the potential future products of the some Cadillac issues. Both Taylor and Lutz mentioned production versions of the Sixteen and Cien concepts. As for the entry-level model, while Lutz said “there’s certainly an opening, whether we choose to fill it or not,” Taylor prefers to keep the CTS as Cadillac’s entry-level car. Either way, it won’t be Europe’s BLS sedan. Taylor said the replacement for the DTS could be based on GM’s RWD platform, merged with the STS, or could remain on its FWD platform. Lutz said that a replacement for the DTS should be rear-wheel drive, as front-wheel drive does not match the luxuty image Cadillac is seeking.

## Source: AutoWeek ##

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Lexus is considering the addition of a few new vehicles that would compete in a few emerging niche segments, according to AutoWeek. The models under consideration include a seven-seat crossover larger than the RX 350, a compact crossover smaller than the RX 350, and a unique Lexus hybrid model.

The first new vehicle is expected to be the large crossover. The new crossover is likely to be based on the rear-wheel drive GS platform, and could continue on the theme of the LF-X concept (shown). The new large crossover is expected to sell alongside the GX luxury SUV.

The compact crossover would target Acura’s RDX model, Infiniti’s forthcoming compact crossover, and the quartet of German compact crossovers, the BMW X3, VW Tiguan, Audi Q5, and Mercedes GLK-Class. AutoWeek says the compact crossover would be a bigger seller in Europe than in the U.S., where the compact crossover segment is hot. The Lexus hybrid-specific model fits with Toyota’s view that hybrid buyers want exclusive styling so people know they are driving a hybrid.

Lexus currently has a lot of projects on the table, including its F-line of performance vehicles, the IS-F arrives early next year and a GS-F is expected, the coupe version of the IS, a new LX SUV, and the LF-A supercar. There is no word on how Lexus will spread its resources around to get all of these projects completed.

## Source: AutoWeek ##

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While Mazda hasn’t officially said the Mazda2 is coming to the States (although everyone expects that it is), Ford has said it is developing a B-segment car for the U.S. But what is Ford going to call it?

With Ford’s recent return of the Taurus and Sable, Ford may look into its past for the B-car’s name. If Ford decides to go with a name from its past the only question is how far back it would look. It could go back to the 70s for the Pinto or Fiesta, or the 80s for the Escort and Festiva. The Festiva? No way. The Pinto? Great name, but too many negatives. Fiesta or Escort? While Fiesta is an old name in the States, Ford still builds a Fiesta in Europe, which could also work here. Automobile thinks it will be the Escort, and has whipped up this rendering of what the Escort could look like when it returns in 2009.

However, there is no sign that Ford is actually returning to names from its past, despite the reintroduction of the Taurus. The Five Hundred was the replacement for the Taurus, and there’s no way around that fact. There was no reason for the Five Hundred name other than the “Ford names should begin with ‘F’” philosophy.

## Source: Automobile ##

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Ford Motor Company revealed to its employees that its long-awaited subcompact car for the U.S. and other markets will be based on the new Mazda2. Ford’s President of the Americas, Mark Fields, revealed the news during his weekly Webcast. Unlike its GM, Toyota and Honda (to a lessor extent Nissan), Ford does not offer a B-segment car in the U.S. market.

The new Ford B-car, based on the Mazda 2, is currently under development, with Ford of Europe taking the lead. While the new B-car will clearly be a global vehicle, Fields stressed that it is not a “world car,” but will be tailored to meet each market.

Ford gave no time frame for the new B-car but it is expected to be two years away. We can only hope that Mazda brings the 2 to the U.S. before then.

## Source: The Detroit News ##

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