Marchionne: A Chrysler-Lancia Merger Could Happen This Year

Marchionne: A Chrysler-Lancia Merger Could Happen This Year

The marriage between Chrysler and Lancia may come sooner than later. An Autocar interview with Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne says the two brands could merge their lineups by the end of this year.

"In Europe, Lancia is an undersized, underdeveloped brand, with nothing bigger than the Delta. Chrysler, which has a true global reach, has nothing smaller. Put them together and you have a full lineup," Marchionne said. "We could see the two converge as early as the end of the year."

Marchionne's statements nearly confirm reports of such platform dating  to last October.
The first example of such a merger could be the  Chrysler-branded Delta that was on hand at the Detroit auto show.
While  details were nonexistent -- the concept didn't even have a name the  hatchback provided a pleasant example of how the Fiat's products could  appear stateside.
We've also heard that Lancia could receive a luxury  vehicle underpinned by the next-generation Chrysler 300C

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Chrysler May Abandon Sebring Nameplate

Chrysler May Abandon Sebring Nameplate

In an attempt to break away from its pre-bankruptcy form, Chrysler is possibly dropping the Sebring name for its revised midsize sedan, which is due late next year.

Chrysler is planning to significantly revamp its lineup in the near future, and is promising nine significantly upgraded vehicles -- Chrysler calls them "new" -- by the end of this year. The Sebring is one of those cars on the block. Apart from ditching most of the features found on the current car, CEO Sergio Marchionne suggests the new car may even ditch the Sebring nameplate.

“You’ll see a completely different animal,” said Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat and Chrysler Group, speaking about the Sebring replacement scheduled to go on sale in the fourth quarter this year. “Actually, we were having a discussion about what name this animal should have. The jury’s still out.”

While details about the upgraded Sebring are rather scarce, Marchionne says the changes will be significant. The most significant changes will come in the interior, where hard plastics currently abound. The new interior should look more like the new Ram trucks’ interior, with numerous leather appointments.

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Stunning Stingray: Convertible Chevy Corvette Stingray Concept Spotted?

Allow us, if you will, to play paparazzo for a moment and show you what may be an up-and-coming movie star. Photos of what appear to be a convertible version of the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray (or Centennial) concept recently appeared online, and we wouldn't be surprised if the car is destined for a career in Hollywood.



You may have seen the coupe version of the Stingray in person at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show, but there’s a better chance you saw it on the silver screen. GM’s Corvette Centennial concept was tapped by director Michael Bay for Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen, his 2009 sequel to Transformers.

So, then, what is this? We’ve no idea, other than the fact that someone (GM designers? Bay himself? Robotic alien creatures?) in the Southern California area managed to transform the striking coupe design into an angular roadster. Apart from the stubby wrap-around windshield and the waterfall decklid, we note a few other striking differences between this and the original Stingray concept design:

-a new hood, with two intake nostrils flanking a hood bulge that gives us flashbacks of the C3 ZL1 prototype

-new wheels, which adopt a new five-spoke pattern with deeply offset rims

-deeper front intakes, which appear to house fog/running lamps of some kind in their upper corners. These lamps seem to have replaced the slender, LED lamps that ran up the leading edge of the coupe’s front fenders

The Internet is abuzz with speculation of this car’s origins -- but seeing as Bay is already at work at a Transformers 3 and the car was spotted near a major film industry hotspot, we wouldn’t be surprised to see this ‘Vette gain a supporting role in the upcoming film.

Source: Corvette Blogger, BobsBlitz

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Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron

Bugatti EB has started to manufacture the Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron at the end of 2003, a factory located in Molsheim (France), where it was the original Bugatti factory until its first disappearance.


Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron

The Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron is a two-seater with carbon fiber frame covered with panels of aluminum and composite material of carbon fiber and Kevlar. It measures 4466 mm long, 1998 wide and 1206 high, is rather high, because of the air intakes above and draw attention to their route front of the biggest that there are currently.


Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron

The Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron has a 16-cylinder engine in 'W' (two banks of eight-cylinder V-close) in central rear longitudinal position. Its engine capacity is 7993 cc, took four turbochargers, two intercooler, 64 valves and direct injection. It has four-wheel-drive and a seven-speed semi-automatic with sequential control by means of cams located behind the steering wheel.


Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron

The Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron has only provided the data from 0 to 300 km / h: less than 14 s. The maximum speed is 406 km / h. Until now, and not counting the competition, there has been no model for building more or less regular who has reached such benefits.

2008 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport


Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron

It has a spoiler that deploys automatically when the Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron reaches a certain speed; the movement of this aileron is to deploy upward and backward, 20 cm in each direction. To get high-speed aerodynamic support, especially at the rear axle, the floor of the Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron has a certain form of inverted wing and the rear is a diffuser, which facilitates the flow of air under the Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron.

2008 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Interior


Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron

W16 maintains the configuration of prototypes earlier, but with the V-90. It measures 710 mm in length and 767 mm in width, that is, is something bigger than the early prototypes. Another major change to the initial W18 and W16 engine is that it is an engine pressure. Its engine capacity is 7993 cc, has four turbochargers, two intercooler and direct injection. It has cylinder heads with four valves per cylinder and continuously variable distribution. The compression ratio is 9.0 to 1.

Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron

1001 Da HP (736 KW) of maximum power at 6,000 rpm, is much in relation to its cylinder (125 hp / l), which indicates that Bugatti has some intention of giving a "sporty" to the engine. In fact, a rated maximum speed is 1171 Nm, 94 per cent of maximum torque.

Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron

The maximum torque is 1250 Nm, between 2,200 and 5,500 rpm. That the actual average pressure reaches a very large (1964 kPa) indicates that this engine not only draws strength from having lots of engine capacity or many turbochargers; to a normal level would also be an engine with great force. There are few engines that give so much strength relative to its engine capacity (of the Aston Martin DB7 and, above all, the Mitsubishi Carisma Evo VII).

Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron

Will be joined to a new seven-speed automatic, which has the structure of a manual, with an automatic clutch. The driver can manually change with sequential controls on the steering wheel, with each change is done automatically in 0.2 seconds.

Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron

The 18.3 Chiron had been designed by Giugiaro in Ital Design, had the manufactured chassis in carbon fiber, traction to all four wheels and an unpublished 18-aspirated engine cylinders in a W 60th, with 72 valves, direct injection, 6255 cc, 555 HP at 6,000 rpm and 650 Nm of torque at 4,000 rpm. Despite such figures, was an engine very compact and had a weight of 315 kilograms.

Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron

Only a few months later, in the Hall of Tokyo (December 1999), showcasing the Bugatti again be the point of care with the Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron. The new prototype was an evolution of 18.3 Chiron and was designed by the Volkswagen Design Center, led by Harmut Warkuss. The 18.4 Veyron took the name of Pierre Veyron, the French pilot who was proclaimed winner in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1939 behind the wheel of a Bugatti 57. This model had the same 555 bhp W18 engine that carried the 18.3 Chiron.

Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron

The next evolution was presented at the Salon de Paris (September 2000). The new prototype was called Bugatti Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron, received little touches of design and a new W16 engine with 8006 cc, a compression ratio high (10,75:1), 630 hp at 6,000 rpm and 760 Nm at 4,000 rpm.

Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron

The angle between the two blocs VR8 was 72 ° and the width of the block of 690 mm. He had four valves per cylinder and direct injection. The dry-sump lubrication era and the ability of oil is 15 liters. Bearing four camshafts in the head and operated chain variable distribution, which allows 85% of full torque from 1500 rpm.

Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron

In March 2001, during the Geneva Motor Show, Bugatti presented another new development of the Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron, and announced its intention to begin selling it after 2003 with a new W16 engine that, unlike their predecessors atmospheric, with four turbochargers, an engine capacity of 7993 cc and 1001 no less than HP and 1,250 Nm of torque.

Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron

During the 2001 Frankfurt Motor Show, the latest evolution of what appears will be the final Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron, has received design changes of the body, mainly affecting the aerodynamics and its varied slightly dimensions. Its W16 engine also has minor tinkering with the configuration of the covers of butt and orientation of the four turbochargers, although they have not changed their values of power and torque.

Bugatti EB 16.4 Veyron

The interior continues to dominate the scalp, and the center console is done with a few pieces of aluminum to the dashboard reminiscent of the old Bugatti competition. As in the first 18.3 Chiron, the engine is started by a button located at the center console, next to the gear lever, but now the change can be done through some controls located behind the wheel and drive your gearbox seven gears.

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Report: Saab in Talks with BMW on Underpinnings, Engines for Revived 92

It’s no secret that Saab is hard at work on plans to reintroduce its 92, but it’ll need some help to before the car can be produced. The automaker is preparing to enter into talks with BMW to do just that.

Instead of developing a costly platform from scratch, Saab is in talks with BMW to source underpinnings for the car. Saab is reportedly eyeing Mini’s architecture to underpin the new 92. Saab CEO Victor Muller wants the brand’s new model to closely resemble the teardrop shape of the original car, which was dropped from the Saab lineup in 1956.



According to the report, Saab is also looking into sourcing engines and transmissions from Mini. Mini currently offers 1.6-liter naturally aspirated and turbocharged inline four-cylinder engines here in the States, and 1.4-liter gasoline and 1.6-liter diesel I-4 powerplants are available also. Transmission choices are limited to six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes.

With Saab trying to regain market share, this would be a great move for the marque, but the 92 would be a direct competitor of the Mini Cooper. Although producing components in larger quantities would be beneficial to lower costs, we’re not sure it’s a great idea for Mini to bolster its own competition.

Would it be a good move for Mini to help Saab, or would it cannibalize its own sales?

Source: Reuters and automobilemag

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BMW 1-Series M Coupe Allegedly Laps the Nürburgring in 8:12" Making it Faster than E46 M3

The BMW 1-Series M Coupe is pretty fast on paper. Reaching the 60 mph (96 km/h) mark in just 4.7 seconds is no small feat, but nowadays, it seems that performance cars need to have a respectable “Ring” time under there belt to command respect. Now, a forum member of the 1Addicts fan site who calls himself "SteveD" claims that the Ring time for the 335-horsepower strong M model is 8 minutes and 12 seconds.
If true (and according to the Nürburgring lap times list posted on Wikipedia), this means the entry-level M model is 10 seconds faster than the E46 M3, on par with the E86 Z4 M Coupe, but 7 seconds slower than the E92 M3 .
Of course, just because something is posted on a forum, doesn’t necessarily make it true. However, it seems that “SteveD” is none other than Steve Davies, a UK journalist who writes for Skiddmark. When asked where did he received the info, "SteveD" wrote “directly from BMW when we filmed the car”.
And indeed, Skiddmark does feature a piece about the 1-Series M Coupe and it contains the information posted on 1addicts. Still, we’re going to take this one with a grain of salt until we have the official confirmation.
You can see how the 1 Series M Coupe's alleged 'Ring lap time compares with other models from BMW and other makers in the list below.

By Csaba Daradics

Nurburgring Lap Times as Posted on Wikipedia:
• E46 M3 CSL - 7:50
• E90/E92 M3 - 8:05
• E63 M6 - 8:09
• 1 series M coupe - 8:12
• Z4 M-Coupe - 8:12
• E60 M5 - 8:13
• Alpina B3 Biturbo - 8:14
• Z4 M-Roadster - 8:15
• Alpina Roadster S (Z4) - 8:15
• E46 M3 - 8:22
• 335i E92 Coupe - 8:26
Other Models Compared:
• 911 Carrera S PDK (997.5) - 7:50
• Audi R8 4.2 - 8:04
• Cayman S - 8:04 (by Walter Röhrl)
• Audi RS4 - 8:09
• Audi TT-RS - 8:09
• BMW 1 series M coupe - 8:12
• Aston Martin V8 Vantage - 8:13
• Mercedes C63 AMG PP - 8:13
• Corvette C6 - 8:15
• Cayman S - 8:16 (Sport Auto)
• Porsche Boxter S (987.5) - 8:18
• Lexus IS-F - 8:18
• 2010 VW Golf R - 8:23
• Audi S5 (2007) - 8:26
• Audi TT-S (2008) - 8:29

Source: Skiddmark , Via: 1Addicts

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BMW X1 Concept

As a founder of the segment SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle), BMW presented in Paris in 2008 a new world in the segment of premium compact cars a Concept Car BMW X range, the BMW X1 Concept.


BMW X1 Concept

The extraordinary potential offered by new vehicle category BMW dreaming now allows "small", almost confirming the lines of BMW X1 to come. Built on the platform of the 1 Series, and it follows the forms of Coupу, the X1 wants to retrace the path that led to the success of BMW X6, and offering the typical combination of driving pleasure and high functionality. For the first time these features were transferred to a car in the segment of premium compact cars.


BMW X1 Concept

In presenting this new BMW X1 Concept, the House of Monaco meets the requirements of a modern target that is suited to a car to drive every day to an active lifestyle and a fun driving ever again, like all other BMW models in the range "X".


BMW X1 Concept

The success story of the models of the BMW X range has again provided the inspiration for the development of innovative vehicle concepts. The BMW BMW X1 Concept exudes the charm of mobility agile, versatile and safe even on the dirt, made in a new automotive category.


BMW X1 Concept

The design of the Concept car is clearly the merits of the model. The BMW X1 Concept is a symbol of agility and versatility both in terms of driving characteristics and universality of use.


BMW X1 Concept

The style of a model range of BMW X was combined with the slender and elegant proportions. The BMW X1 Concept comes with its own well designed within the family of BMW models in the range X. The front incisor form that accentuates the width indicates the robust and athletic coach. An element of protection in contrasting color emphasizes the width of the carriageway.


BMW X1 Concept

With the aesthetic cog in a central position, the short distance between the front axle and the steering wheel and slightly squared shape of the wheel, the BMW X1 Concept reveals its affinity with other BMW models in the range X.

BMW X1 Concept

Characteristic tail lights with rear L powered LED unit by emitting a light uniform. The slightly slanted rear window gives the BMW X1 Concept sports an inspiration, with the horizontal lines that highlight its width.

BMW X1 Concept

The overall success of the market and the high appeal of the models of the BMW X range is not only the result of precise and target-oriented concept car, but also of the characteristics typical of the BMW brand in the automotive category. The charm of a range of BMW X is always associated with a premium quality that does not descend to compromise.

BMW X1 Concept

The relationship between driving performance and fuel consumption models of the BMW X range reach values which would normally leave behind the comparable models of competition.

BMW X1 Concept

The Concept Car suggests what could be the characteristics of a model of the BMW X range in the segment of premium compact cars. Its design indicates the belonging to the family of BMW X range At the same time, the stylistic emphasize the formal language typical of all BMW. The study describes the goal of offering in the segment of premium compact cars, the highest level of driving fun and efficiency, versatility and functionality, as well as safety, comfort and quality. All these attributes were considered in the BMW X1 Concept in order to provide for the production of a series of car within a year.

BMW X1 Concept

Each model of the BMW X range locked in design and driving characteristics of the unmistakable DNA of its automotive category, offering an interpretation of individual typical of the brand and the concept car, so as to ensure a real transfer of brand values and characteristics of a model of the BMW X range in all market segments. This criterion is also satisfied by the BMW X1 Concept.

BMW X1 Concept

Despite the smaller body compared to the models BMW X6, BMW X5 and BMW X3, the study identified is applicable in any context as a model range of BMW X. At the same time, the final design has provided the stylistic accents typical of a BMW that take into account the special needs of the segment of premium compact cars and which transmit impulses in the perception of new cars in this class.

BMW X1 Concept

With a length of 4457 mm external study measuring 108 millimeters less than the BMW X3. The passage of the BMW X1 Concept is 2760 mm.

BMW X1 Concept

Thanks to its proportions and the pattern configuration of four doors and large rear hatch, the study offers a generous feeling of spaciousness. The purity of the forms leave guess a feature adapted to drive every day.

BMW X1 Concept

The BMW X1 Concept combines these qualities with characteristic elegance Sofi ette rifle that the status of a car premium. These features transform the BMW X1 Concept into a trendsetter for a modern urban mobility and progressive.

BMW X1 Concept

The typical style of the mark accentuate the unique charm of the car. The double-kidney BMW mounted vertically, double headlights cut up, the big wheel and slightly squared, the black ribbon that wraps around the lower section of the body, in the strong rib failure, as well as the horizontal lines of the tail indicate clearly identified as the Concept Car BMW model range X.

BMW X1 Concept

The front end of BMW X1 Concept expresses the strength of a model of the BMW X range into a new interpretation.

BMW X1 Concept

The cut applied to dry the top section of typical dual round headlamps gives the BMW Concept Car at a glance particularly intense and focused. This effect is accentuated by a horizontal cover painted in black along the top edge of the headlights.

BMW X1 Concept

Another innovative Stilema is the frame of three-dimensional headlights. This element of design used in the BMW X1 Concept, which is also reflected in the rear and the graphics side of the crystals, draws attention to the highly technical nature of the units and the lighting design in glass. The fog lights have been mounted, as in models of the BMW X range, at both ends above the air intake.

BMW X1 Concept

Moreover, the robust character of BMW X1 Concept is highlighted by a security device. This indicates that the fitness to drive on dirt is embellished elegant silver paint. The front section of the component serves as both protections from the lower edge of the air..

BMW X1 Concept

In view of the profi recognize both the unmistakable proportions of the BMW X1 Concept that the new interpretation of the style of a model ranges of BMW X. The silhouette of the five-door compact is unusually slender, so as to spread the impression of sportiness and agility. Also, the hatchback of the BMW X1 Conceptfollows the shape of a coupe.

BMW X1 Concept

Equally characteristic is the cog in a central position also aesthetically indicates that in all models of the BMW X range balanced interaction between the front wheels and rear wheels in the transmission of power.

BMW X1 Concept

The BMW X1 Concept this interaction is also underlined by a strip mounted along the bottom edge of the plastic coating which extends along the entire side put spar varnished silver.

BMW X1 Concept

Like the front module, the tail of the BMW X1 Concept is equipped with a protection painted silver. The rear section of the broad protection element creates also a chromatic contrast that accentuates the width of the car.

BMW X1 Concept

In the configuration pattern of rear lights have been combined, the typical BMW design and innovative technology. The lighting units have an L shape also clearly recognizable in the design at night. In addition, the design is dominated by night-an innovative technique. The light is very intense and homogeneous and provides power consumption much lower than that of traditional light bulbs.

BMW X1 Concept

Even the paint of the bodywork of the BMW X1 Concept enhances the innovative, modern and at the same time elegant. The new Meridiangold metallic tint emphasizes the personality and dynamics of young Concept Car.

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