Report: Audi TT RS and RS 5 have a high chance of coming to the U.S.

Audi’s very own official press releases say that the powerful Audi TT RS will not be coming to the United States, but Motor Trend’s Audi sources state quite the opposite. According to insiders, the Audi TT RS has a very high chance of making it to the stateside.
Audi figures that a high-performance car like the 250-hp [...]

Audi’s very own official press releases say that the powerful Audi TT RS will not be coming to the United States, but Motor Trend’s Audi sources state quite the opposite. According to insiders, the Audi TT RS has a very high chance of making it to the stateside.

Audi figures that a high-performance car like the 250-hp TT RS could be good for its image in North America. Not to mention a car that can compete with the likes of the Porsche Cayman S with a smaller price tag could lure in buyers.

We can expect the Audi TT RS to hit U.S. shores sometime this fall. Audi sources also said that the RS 5, which is expected to produce around 500-hp, will also make it to the U.S.

2010 Audi TT RS:

   

 

 

2010 Audi TT RS Roadster:

 

Source: Motor Trend

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Toyota’s Lentz to raise concern about auto parts sector during auto task force meeting

As reported last week, Toyota’s president of Toyota Motor Sales in the U.S., Jim Lentz, will be meeting with Obama’s auto task force this Wednesday. It was immediately confirmed that Lentz will not be asking for any loans and is not trying to influence the Treasury’s decision on the U.S. auto industry.
However, it is now [...]

As reported last week, Toyota’s president of Toyota Motor Sales in the U.S., Jim Lentz, will be meeting with Obama’s auto task force this Wednesday. It was immediately confirmed that Lentz will not be asking for any loans and is not trying to influence the Treasury’s decision on the U.S. auto industry.

However, it is now reported that Lentz will be raising concern about the state of the U.S. auto parts sector when he meets with the auto task force, a Toyota source said.

Unlike General Motors and Chrysler, Toyota has not been hit hard by the sales downturn in the United States. Nonetheless, Toyota does rely on many of the same auto parts manufacturers for its U.S. production facilities.

Source: Detroit News

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Lamborghini Insecta Concept is influenced by insect exoskeletons

Inspired by insect exoskeletons, the Lamborghini Insecta Concept is a design study of a 2-seater mid-engined supercar designed by Romanian Iulian Bumbu. Bumbu says that the design is also influenced by the brand’s current styling.
“The idea was to create an extreme race-oriented supercar with a style that introduces softer and more organic lines and integrate [...]

Inspired by insect exoskeletons, the Lamborghini Insecta Concept is a design study of a 2-seater mid-engined supercar designed by Romanian Iulian Bumbu. Bumbu says that the design is also influenced by the brand’s current styling.

“The idea was to create an extreme race-oriented supercar with a style that introduces softer and more organic lines and integrate them into the geometrical style of Lamborghini,” Bumbu said.

The Lamborghini Insecta Concept measures 4,300 mm in length, 1,000 mm in height and 2,000 mm in width. The wheelbase measures 2,650 mm. Bumbu says that the body and panels are made of lightweight carbon-fiber and can accommodate powertrains from the Gallardo.

Lamborghini Insecta Concept:

   

 

Source: car body design

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UAW Ford workers ratify contract changes to VEBA funding

In a deal that will allow Ford to use stock to fund up to half of its obligations to retiree health care trusts, the UAW members at FoMoCo have ratified changes to the independent Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA)
According to Automotive News, nearly 60 percent of the votes favored the measure.
“Once again UAW members have [...]

In a deal that will allow Ford to use stock to fund up to half of its obligations to retiree health care trusts, the UAW members at FoMoCo have ratified changes to the independent Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA)

According to Automotive News, nearly 60 percent of the votes favored the measure.

“Once again UAW members have stepped up to make the difficult decisions necessary to deal with the reality of the current economy, the deteriorating auto industry as a whole and specifically the negative impact the economic climate is having on Ford Motor Co.,” said UAW President Ron Gettelfinger.

Gettelfinger called for “shared sacrifice” to rebuild the U.S. auto industry. Ford said that the changes will help keep Ford from asking for emergency aid from the government.

Last month, CEO Alan Mulally and Executive Chairman Bill Ford Jr. voluntarily took a 30 percent pay cut to show UAW workers that they aren’t the only ones being asked to take sacrifices.

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Ford Fiesta SportVan debuts in the UK with 56 mpg

Ford today unveiled the new Ford Fiesta Van which is sale now in the UK starting at £9,025 ($12,448 USD). The Fiesta Van will be available in three trim levels including an entry-level trim, “Trend,” and the “SportVan.”
Engine choices include a 1.25L 82-hp Duratec 16-valve gasoline engine, a 1.4L 68-hp Duratorq TDCi turbo-diesel and a [...]

Ford today unveiled the new Ford Fiesta Van which is sale now in the UK starting at £9,025 ($12,448 USD). The Fiesta Van will be available in three trim levels including an entry-level trim, “Trend,” and the “SportVan.”

Engine choices include a 1.25L 82-hp Duratec 16-valve gasoline engine, a 1.4L 68-hp Duratorq TDCi turbo-diesel and a 1.6L 90-hp Duratorq TDCi turbo-diesel. Ford says that the Fiesta Van can manage a class-leading fuel-economy of 67.3 mpg (56 mpg in the U.S.).

Do you think the Fiesta Van can be a success in the U.S.? Let your voice be head in the comments section below.

Click through for more images and the press release.

Ford Fiesta SportVan:

   

Press Release:

NEW FORD FIESTA VAN DELIVERS LOW RUNNING COSTS

    - New Fiesta Van range now on sale from £9,025 to £10,780

    - Available with a choice of three engines and three series: entry, new “Trend” and the top-of-the range SportVan

    - Competitive payload of up to 515kg

    - Best-in-class fuel economy up to 67.3mpg

    - Low insurance groups

    - Dagenham-built diesel engines emit just 110g/km CO2

BRENTWOOD, 9 March, 2009 – The new Ford Fiesta Van is now on sale from £9,025. Low running costs make this new entry into the car-derived market a sound business decision. Frugal fuel economy of up to 67.3mpg-, insurance groups of 1E and 2E and a choice of engines and trim levels make it a class-leading package.

Steve Kimber, Ford of Britain’s commercial vehicles director, said: “Fiesta Van is a main player in the car-derived van market with around 25 per cent of all sales. We expect to build on this, as more and more of today’s businesses look to keep their costs under control.

“The van model was an integral part of the new Fiesta product plan and its superior quality really shows. Being competitive has never been more relevant and that’s why Fiesta Van, with the range-topping SportVan, is a great addition to our 2009 line-up.”

The fuel efficiency of the Fiesta Van is best in class: the petrol engine has combined fuel consumption of 49.6mpg and CO2 emissions of 133g/km. Both diesel engines have a combined fuel consumption of 67.3mpg- and CO2 emissions of just 110g/km.

The new Fiesta Van is available in three versions: Fiesta Van, the new “Trend” and “SportVan” with prices starting at £9,025 for the 1.25 Duratec 82PS petrol to £10,780 for the SportVan 1.6 TDCi 90PS with coated diesel particulate filter (cDPF). The addition of the Trend series is set to appeal to a wider group of customers. It is ideal for image-conscious businesses who may be delivering small packages, transporting compact equipment such as meter reading tools or for the site engineer who does not need a large capacity for tools.

Engines

The new Fiesta Van is available with a choice of engines: 1.25-litre 82PS Duratec 16 valve petrol unit and a frugal 1.4-litre 68PS Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel. The top-of-the-range 1.6-litre 90PS Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel is standard in the Fiesta SportVan. The closed-loop coated cDPF is optional on the 1.6-litre 90PS Duratorq TDCi turbo diesel on all series. Both diesel engines are built at Ford’s wind-powered plant at Dagenham, Essex.

Car becomes a van

A payload range from 490kg to 515kg gives customers a competitive option for transporting their products. The rear side windows are replaced by body-coloured solid panels, and the rear passenger seats are removed to provide a load box area of 1,000 cubic litres, with a maximum useable load length of 1,296mm, as well as a maximum load box width of 1,278mm (1,000mm between the wheel arches) and a height of up to 806mm. A half-height composite bulkhead and DIN-compliant tie-down hooks are standard.

New Fiesta Van is equipped with the acclaimed Ford EasyFuel capless refuelling system which is clean and easy to use and also has a mis-fuel inhibitor that prevents the wrong fuel filler nozzle being inserted. This feature is a major benefit to commercial customers, particularly for mixed fleets and vehicles that are used by multiple drivers.

This new model also inherits the best technologies and features from its car cousin including: a chassis designed for a safe and controllable ride under all loading conditions, the new Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) for steering accuracy and lower fuel consumption, and anti-lock brakes (ABS) including Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) is available as an option with all engines (standard on SportVan) and includes Emergency Brake Assist (EBA).

Fiesta Van feature specification:

- EasyFuel capless refuelling

- Three engine options

- Body colour roof spoiler

- Electric door mirrors

- Stereo radio CD, MP3 connection, four front speakers and steering wheel mounted controls

- Adjustable steering column

- Electric front windows

Fiesta Van Trend features in addition to Fiesta Van:

- Front fog lights

- Body-coloured, power folding, heated door mirrors

- Automatic windshield wipers and headlamps

- Auto dimming rear view mirror

- Trip computer

- Driver’s seat lumbar support

- Heated front windscreen

Standard features of Fiesta SportVan in addition to Fiesta Van Trend:

- 1.6-litre TDCi (90PS) engine

- Body colour sports “aero” kit including high intake front grille, rear bumper and rear spoiler

- 16″ five-spoke sports alloy wheels

- Bluetooth hands free and voice control, including multi function display

- Air conditioning

- Sports style front seats

- Leather trimmed steering wheel

- Rear sports spoiler

- Perimeter alarm

- Sports-tuned suspension with lowered ride height

- ESP/traction control

- Driver’s knee and side airbags (head and thorax) and active head restraint

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