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A champion in the offing
The wait is over for Ferrari's next light-heavyweight champion. Its faster, sharper, lighter and its official name will be 430 Scuderia – a moniker that evokes Ferrari's Formula One team. The new model will be unveiled by Michael Schumacher at the Frankfurt Motor Show next September. The concept behind Ferrari's hot-rod F430 is similar to the limited-edition, high-performance Modena variant sold in 2004. Ferrari focused on three areas in its development of the Challenge Stradale, and the approach was the same for the Scuderia, reduce weight, raise handling limits, and increase performance. Weight reduction totals 220 pounds via carbon fibre and other composite materials replacing heavier pieces currently made of aluminium or other metals. Many of the luxury touches and power accessories in the interior have clearly given way as well, with carbon fibre replacing leather trim, the absence of a radio or carpeting, and racing-style bucket seats installed.
AN ICON RETURNS
Just like the Beetle and the Mini, The Fiat 500 (2008) too is back. A new version was launched on July 4, 50 years since the 1957 original. True to that car, it's small – just 140 inches from lips to hips and 2150 pounds – but enthrallingly desirable. Unlike the hyper-minimal original, it's sophisticated in engineering and finish. So much so that Fiat bosses are seriously considering selling it in the US through Maserati boutiques, sometime around 2010. And why not? The original 500 is an icon for anyone with Italian roots, or anyone who ever toured Europe in the 1960s or 1970s, or indeed anyone who saw ‘Cars’ and empathised with Luigi. Those people will immediately latch on to this vehicle.
Subaru Impreza WRX
If you are looking for performance and not sheer looks the 2008 Subaru Impreza WRX may well be the car for you. While the design may have changed it is still the same WRX you know and love under the new sheetmetal. Recognition begins at ignition. A twist of the key brings the gauges to life, slick italicised numerals glowing red as needles sweep forward and back. It's a sequence that, until now, had been reserved for the top-spec WRX STI. Grab first gear, charge onto the road, and an eerily familiar powertrain springs to life. Subaru claims the WRX gets five-percent-better fuel economy. Inside, Subaru has upped the comfort and sophistication levels significantly with complete redesigning.
THE POWERTRAIN
The 2008 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet can do everything the 911 Turbo Coupe can do, its 2008 fabric-topped sibling can come close to emulating. Or match. For instance, with the top up, both cars have identical drag coefficients, and above 75 mph-the split rear wing's deployment speed-their tails kiss the asphalt with the same aero-downforce. Downforce and convertible don't normally share the same sentence, but they'd better when describing a convertible that touches 192mph. The Cab's raison d'etre is a quick-deploying (20 seconds), quality three-layer ceiling that's stitched over a magnesium structure. With 480 horsepower, the impact of the Cabrio's 154 extra pounds is more than noticeable.
Brief Drives
General MOTORS RIDES HIGH
General Motors sold 2.405mn cars and trucks around the world in the second quarter of 2007, reporting record sales outside the US, according to preliminary sales figures. GM sold 2.39mn vehicles in the second quarter last year. GM saw exceptionally strong demand in emerging markets. The company experienced record sales growth around the globe including 20 per cent growth in Africa and the Middle East.
DROP-IN CUSTOMERS ARE MORE SATISFIED
Although more than three-fourths of vehicle owners report making an appointment with their dealership for a repair or maintenance, customers who drop in without a scheduled appointment are more satisfied, according to a study. The study finds such owners provide satisfaction scores averaging 882 on a 1,000-point scale, compared with 874 among those who make an appointment. Jaguar ranks highest with an overall CSI score of 925 points on a 1,000-point scale—13 points above the top CSI performer in 2006—improving considerably among repair customers in the areas of service quality and service initiation.
AUdI TO LAUNCH CLEANEST DIESEL
From mid-2008 Audi will be putting the cleanest diesel technology in the world into series production. The new TDI engines with their ultra-low emission system combine the spontaneous performance and superior pulling power of today’s TDI power units with outstanding fuel consumption figures and low emissions. They will already undercut the most stringent emissions limits that are to be applied in the future in Europe as soon as production starts.
DID YOU KNOW?
The name Jeep came from saying aloud the army’s name of ‘GP’ or ‘general purpose’ vehicle. |
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