2009 Mazda 3 sedan to debut at Los Angeles Motor Show

Taking a number of design cues from the recently announced 2009 Mazda 6 , the next generation of the popular Mazda 3 compact sedan will debut at the Los Angeles Motor Show in November.

The four-door hatchback version will premiere at the Bologna Motor Show a month later.

For the US market, the current range of 2.0 and 2.3 liter inline-four gasoline engines will carry over to the new car unchanged. The car will go on sale in Europe at the start of 2009 and will be available in the US by mid-summer or early fall.

Despite the pressure of rising gas prices, Mazda announced that it will offer a high performance MazdaSpeed version. Expected to be hit the streets in 2010, the new MazdaSpeed 3 will likely use a version of the 2.5 liter turbocharged inline-five currently available in the US market Volvo C30.

Photo Credit: AutoExpress.co.uk
Source: Autocar, AutoExpress

Torque junkies rejoice: BMW 335d will come to US shores next year

A while back, we posted a teaser vid of BMW's forthcoming 335d sedan.
Now that early fuel economy stats are coming for the US version, the new oil burner is making a compelling case for itself.

The direct-injected, twin-turbo diesel inline-six will produce 265 horsepower and a leviathan 435 pound feet of torque — all while averaging 23 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway. In other words, the 335d will offer a 30 percent increase in fuel economy compared to the 335i, its 300 horsepower, 300 pound-foot gas-powered stable mate.

An excerpt from the official press release follows:

The new 335d Sedan: power, torque and remarkable fuel efficiency. All with refinement and sound worthy of a BMW.

In Europe, where fuel prices have historically been - and remain - much higher than in the U.S., vehicle manufacturers have achieved dramatic gains in the performance, smoothness, quietness and emission control of diesel engines...while maintaining the diesel's historic superiority in fuel efficiency. Now, with the new 335d Sedan, BMW brings this progress to the U.S., with brand-new technology that meets the U.S.' strictest emission standards.

Like all '09 BMW gasoline engines, the 335d's new diesel is constructed with a weight-saving aluminum cylinder block - something that's not taken for granted given the diesel's much higher compression pressures. (All BMW engines have aluminum cylinder heads.) It is an inline 6-cylinder engine maintaining a defining BMW tradition that means exceptional smoothness and unique sound.

In addition, several diesel-specific technologies of this new engine contribute to its achievement of true high performance, diesel fuel economy and clean exhaust:

Common-rail direct fuel injection. One of the most important innovations of recent diesel development, this has replaced the individual-cylinder or distributor-type injection systems of earlier diesel engines.

Common Rail (CR) means that a single, very high-pressure fuel-delivery pump supplies all cylinders, the fuel traveling along a common "rail" or distributor line. From there, fuel is injected at extremely high pressure (180 bar/2645 lb./sq in.) directly into the cylinder.

The basic novelty of common-rail injection was to divorce the production of fuel pressure from the actual injection process; this was necessary to give the diesel engine what gasoline engines have long had, namely completely electronically controlled fuel injection. CR also facilitates multiple injections per combustion cycle. In all, this was a breakthrough that made possible dramatic strides in diesel power, efficiency and emission control.

Piezo injectors. A further breakthrough, already applied by BMW in the 335i (and other BMWs) models' twin-turbo gasoline engines. With direct injection, the injectors - that critical component injecting fuel into each cylinder's combustion chamber - are subject to especially high temperatures and pressures. Instead of most injectors' conventional electrical valves, a "stack" of piezo crystals reacts lighting-fast to impulses from the engine electronics governing the injector needle's opening stroke and duration for ultra-precise control. This, too, facilitates major advances in fuel economy and emission control, in gasoline, as well as diesel engines.

Variable Twin Turbo technology. In contrast to the two small, equal-size turbochargers of BMW's twin-turbo 6-cylinder and V-8 engines, the diesel employs two turbos of different sizes.

At low engine speeds, intake air does pass through the large turbo, but it's the smaller, lower-inertia one that does the air compressing (turbocharging). Thanks to its optimum efficiency within this rpm range, it provides effective boost for driving from a standstill up to modest acceleration rates and driving speeds. So it is that this engine develops a good 390 lb-ft. of torque at as low as 1500 rpm - a remarkable achievement that will amaze first-time 335d drivers and continue to thrill those who drive this BMW regularly.

With increasing engine speed, the larger turbocharger begins to take over: first as a pre-compressor for the smaller one, then progressively until it becomes the primary turbo. The engine reaches its maximum of 425 lb-ft. by 1750 rpm, then maintains this immense torque level until 2250 rpm going on to reach its peak power of 265 hp at 4200 rpm.

Diesel combustion, power and torque characteristics. In its most basic distinction from gasoline engines, a diesel engine achieves its combustion not with a sparkplug, but by much "harder" compression of the fuel-air mixture; the 335d engine, for example, has a compression ratio of 16:5:1, vs. 12.0:1 in today's ultra-high-performance BMW M gasoline engines and the 10.2:1 of the 335i twin-turbo gasoline unit. For one thing, this requires a significantly stronger engine structure; indeed, the 335d engine weighs more than its 335i counterpart.

The diesel combustion process also produces very different torque and power characteristics. Whereas the 335i engine reaches a maximum torque of 300 lb-ft. @ 1400-5000 rpm and a maximum power of 300 hp @ 5800 rpm, the 335d attains its maximum torque of 425 lb-ft. @ 1750-2250 rpm and its maximum power of 265 hp @ just 4200 rpm. In general, diesels have this low-speed-torque, lower-rpm character and in their vehicular application, they are geared differently. The 335d, for example, comes only with automatic transmission - an automatic is the ideal partner for a diesel engine - and its final drive ratio is 2.81:1, vs. 3.46:1 for the 335i with automatic transmission.

Diesel engines also employ a different fuel, the product of a different refining process from that of gasoline. The two fuels are not interchangeable; gasoline cannot be used in a diesel engine, and vice versa. Their prices typically diverge; at any time or in any location, demand may be different for the two, and government taxation policies for gasoline and diesel fuel also diverge.

Stellar pulling moxie, full-bore acceleration - and fuel efficiency. The huge torque output of 425 lb-ft. at relatively low engine speeds speaks for itself; 335d drivers will marvel at this engine's robust response at low to medium speeds. The peak power output of 265 hp also speaks for itself, as does the resulting 0-60-mph time of 6.0 sec. While official EPA mileage estimates are not yet available, preliminary tests indicate 23 mpg city and 33 highway.

Most advanced exhaust gas management: SCR catalyst with AdBlue injection.

BMW Advanced Diesel with BluePerformance optimizes emission management by incorporating an oxidation catalyst placed close to the engine, a diesel particulate filter housed in the same unit, and an SCR catalyst with urea injection. Apart from filtering out even the smallest particles from the flow of exhaust gases, this combination ensures effective reduction of nitric oxides (NOX) by way of a chemical reaction within the exhaust system initiated by the injection of a small dose of urea referred to as AdBlue. The ammonia (NH3) generated in this process within the SCR catalyst subsequently converts the nitric oxides (NO and, respectively, NO2) in the exhaust gas into environmentally compatible nitrogen (N2) and vapor (H2O).

BMW has developed a two-tank system for AdBlue ensuring convenient use of this new technology with all the benefits and ease required by the customer: The amount of AdBlue required in each case is drawn from the active tank comprising approximately 1.6 gallons by means of a dosage pump. And since the urea solution would freeze at a temperature of oC, this active tank, as well as the dosage pipes are heated.

AdBlue technology by BMW: reduced emissions without additional service appointments.

The active tank is connected to a second reservoir, the so-called passive tank. With its additional capacity of approximately 4.5 gallons, this passive tank offers a plentiful supply of the urea solution required within the car. The average range provided on this supply capacity is indeed sufficient to have the tank system replenished as part of normal scheduled maintenance.

From the active tank AdBlue is delivered to the dosing valve and atomized into the exhaust emissions. Consistent distribution of AdBlue within the flow of exhaust emissions is ensured by the SCR mixer. The ammonia generated in this way in the hot emission gas subsequently acts in the SCR catalyst as a reduction agent and converts environmentally harmful nitric oxides into nitrogen and water vapor in a process referred to as selective catalytic reduction.

This process gives the special SCR catalyst its name with the SCR system as such being masterminded by highly efficient engine management. A nitric oxide sensor, finally, provides information on the concentration of NOX in the exhaust emissions.

The large amount of AdBlue provided in the reservoir enables the customer to go on driving as before without having to change service intervals or observe any particular requirements, thus benefiting from the advantages of this environmentally friendly emission technology throughout the entire running life of the car without any additional service or visits to the workshop. During the first four years or 50,000 miles, the replenishment of AdBlue will be covered as part of the BMW Scheduled Maintenance program: not only will there be no additional inconvenience, but no additional cost during that period.

Chase terminates Chrysler leasing program; GMAC rates rise for high-risk borrowers

Unwilling to get stuck with a glut of depreciated and difficult to sell lease returns, Chase Auto Finance announced today that they will no longer finance leases for Chrysler vehicles. This news comes on the heels of Friday's announcement that Chrysler's own financing arm will exit the leasing business on August 1st.

In the announcement, Chase cited concerns about the residual value of Chrysler's current products. Since lease payments are calculated based on the anticipated residual value, any further depreciation beyond what is factored into the lease agreement would become the lender's liability.

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GMAC revises lending guidelines; finance rates to rise for high-risk borrowers

In other news, General Motors' financing company GMAC has rewritten their lending policies, placing new restrictions on high-risk borrowers with poor credit ratings.

The move is part of an ongoing process to curtail loan delinquencies.

"In general terms, GMAC is not a subprime credit company," said spokeswoman Sue Mallino in an interview with Automotive News Daily. "About 80 percent to 90 percent of our credit is in the prime arena for auto financing in the U.S."

Mallino denied a report that the company would halting all leases to high risk borrowers. Instead, GMAC will ask borrowers with poor credit scores to produce a larger down payment or in some cases, move to less expensive vehicles in the GM lineup.

[Source]

Kia has got Soul... and it's headed our way

Since their arrival in the US 14 years ago, Korean automaker KIA Motors has been been playing it safe. But building cars for niches where they can compete on price leads to bland, mediocre cars... ones that work best when thought of only as an appliance. Like a toaster or a dishwasher.

To break out of the ranks of toaster-car makers, KIA needed to find some soul. Starting next spring, they'll have it in spades.

Aimed straight at the early 20-somethings not yet won over Scion brand, the Soul is a four door hatchback with coke-bottle flares and a wraparound windscreen.

At first glance, the Soul bears more than a passing resemblance to the current Scion xB. Arguably, it was KIA who first set the mold for a butch looking, car-based trucklet. At the Detroit Motor Show in 2006, design chief Peter Schreyer unveiled the Soul in prototype form. Two years later, a trio of fully operational concepts came to the Geneva Motor Show. (See below for a full gallery).

In addition to adding some visual flair to the brand, the Soul will also compete on price and fuel economy. While the xB is powered by a 158 horsepower 2.4 liter inline-four, the smaller, lighter Soul will be powered by the company's 1.6 and 2.0 liter inline fours, rated at 110 and 138 horsepower, respectively.

In an era of heavy traffic and high gas prices, KIA is banking that gas mileage will appeal more than raw horsepower to the Soul's frugal yet style-conscious buyers.

Pricing has not been finalized, but given the xB's MSRP of $16,420, expect the Soul to be priced near $14,000.

[Link]

Gallery:

VIDEO: Ford Verve Concept

While the Verve debuted at the Detroit Motor Show nearly six months ago, this week's restructuring announcement provides an opportunity to delve deeper into what Ford will bring to market for the embattled Mercury brand.

Follow this link for more photos and details on the Verve.

VW to build fuel-miser "1 Liter" concept

As NMM continues to grow, I've focused on breaking news and new technologies. But to fully understand the impact of VW's decision, I have to delve in the company's history for a moment.

In 2002 — shortly after then CEO Ferdinand Piech presided over the launch of the $70,000-plus VW Phaeton luxury sedan — Piech wanted to attend the company annual meeting in Hamburg in style.

But rather than pluck one of the hand crafted Phaetons off the line, Piech directed a small group of engineers to build the most fuel-efficient vehicle they could. The result set the European motoring press raving.


Follow this link for full-size photos and to learn more about the VW "1 liter "concept.

Weighing only 638 pounds and hewn from unpainted carbon fiber, Piech's 2-seat fuel miser returned an astounding fuel economy of 0.9 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers.

Fiddle with the figures a bit and you get 282 miles per imperial gallon.

Now, the "1 Liter" concept car will be put into limited production.

While the concept car's 356cc single cylinder will be replaced by a turbodiesel inline-twin , the design remains otherwise unaltered. The passenger still sits behind the driver to minimize the width of the car. And to preserve the strength of the carbon-fiber monocoque body, the jet-fighter canopy door will also carry over to the production model.

The asking price is still up in the air. The carbon fiber chassis will be the most expensive investment for VW, but the company is optimistic that the car will hit the road in 2012 for about £24,000.

VW hasn't spoken about whether the car will come to US shores, but they haven't ruled it out either. They haven't capped the number of units either. In other words, start calling and writing now.

[Source]

Ford announces revamped lineup, reports $8.7 billion loss in second quarter of 2008

In their quarterly earnings report, Ford announced today that its operations lost $1.3 billion in rising production costs during the second quarter. While sales produced $258 million, over $8 billion in losses and devalued assets produced a flood of red ink.

All told, Ford lost $8.7 billion for the second quarter of 2008, making this the worst quarter in the company's history.

Yesterday, we reported that the Mercury brand will be infused with a large percentage of vehicles drawn from Ford's European offerings. Following the grim financial news this morning, Ford released new details on the company's revamped product line.

• Michigan, Kentucky and Mexico plants to retooled:
Beginning in December, the company will retool the Wayne, Michigan plant to build a new sedan bred from the European Focus platform. Production of the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator - rumored earlier to be on the chopping block - will be moved to the Fayetteville, Kentucky plant early next year.

In 2011, the Louisville, Kentucky plant will retool from Ford Explorer production to more intermediate and compact sedans.

The third plant — which went unnamed in yesterday's report — to shift to car production will be in Cuautitlan, Mexico. The plant currently builds the F-series pickup, will build the new Ford Fiesta hatch in early 2010.

Bucking the trend, the Ford Ranger compact pickup has received a stay of execution. Previously, Ford announced that production would end in 2009; the company announced today that the Minnesota plant which builds the Ranger will continue production through 2011.

• New product plan to eliminate redundant platforms:
As reported by Automotive News Daily, Ford confirmed the following products in development:

2009:
• Ford will introduce a version of the European Transit Connect small van.
• Lincoln will receive a seven-passenger crossover, likely to be based on the Mazda CX-9 crossover.

2010:
• The European Ford Fiesta will debut in sedan and five-door hatchback versions. The Mercury division will receive their own as-yet unnamed model based on the new Fiesta.
• The US Ford Focus will switch to the European market platform in sedan and five-door hatchback models.

Late 2010, 2011:
• A uni-body version of the next-generation Ford Explorer will arrive. In addition to new drivetrain and
significant weight reduction, the new model will improve fuel economy by as much as 25 percent.

In addition to the new platforms, Ford announced it will accelerate development of its EcoBoost engines, which will replace the venerable "modular" V8 engine range with a series of smaller displacement, turbocharged and direct injected V6 mills.

• Hourly worker buyouts to continue:
In addition to the overhauled product range, Ford said it would continue to offer targeted buyout plans to hourly workers at its US plants. The company said it is on track to reduce their salaried worker costs by 15 percent — most of which will come through attrition — in the US by August 1st.

Trading on today's news weighed heavily on Ford; company stock fell by 15.3 percent to close today at $5.11 per share.

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