Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Peugeot to produce pretty 308 RC-Z]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/24/peugeot-to-produce-pretty-308-rc-z/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/24/peugeot-to-produce-pretty-308-rc-z/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/24/peugeot-to-produce-pretty-308-rc-z/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click the picture to view a Google translated version of the source

PSA is putting its very attractive 308 RC-Z into series production, and will make a formal announcement at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. When we saw this curvaceous coupe in in Frankfurt last year, German flooded our imagination. As has been previously pointed out, there's a lot of Audi TT in the roofline, and the side elevation evokes the Karmann Ghia. We can give Peugeot a pass on that, since the car's designer is German, and there are worse fates than aping two very stylish coupes.

The design hides easter eggs for alert viewers, too. The roof and backlight are formed from polycarbonate and use a double bubble shape to increase headroom for occupants, while at the same time evoking racers by Zagato. The upkick in the doors where they meet the rear quarter windows also offers visual amusement, too. Underhood is a direct-injected, 218-horsepower 1.6L four-cylinder that's shared with the MINI. With less than 2,700 pounds to haul around and Peugeot's storied suspension prowess, the grin might never leave your face.

The 308 RC-Z would be a great vehicle to lead Peugeot's return to the North American market. Many may remember unreliable chariots of woe when they think of Peugeot, but we can't shake our affection for the 405 Mi16. With small cars and coupes showing signs of life, now could be the time, and we think this car would sell better than useless crap on eBay. Thanks for the tip, vlatko!

Gallery: Peugeot 308 RC Z


[Source: AutoBild]

Peugeot to produce pretty 308 RC-Z originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Feb 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>308308 coupe308 rcz308Coupe308RczannouncementconceptcoupegenevapeugeotproductionpsarczSun, 24 Feb 2008 09:02:00 EST<![CDATA[Force India delays driver announcement until January 11]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/31/force-india-delays-driver-announcement-until-january-11/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/31/force-india-delays-driver-announcement-until-january-11/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/31/force-india-delays-driver-announcement-until-january-11/#commentsFiled under: ,


With the majority of F1 teams gearing up to unveil their new cars, all but two have confirmed their drivers for the upcoming season. The only seats still up for grabs are with Force India and Super Aguri, and while the former was expected to confirm its drivers before the end of the year, that date has now been pushed off until January 11.

Adrian Sutil is all but completely confirmed to take one of the seats at the team formerly known as Spyker and before that as Jordan since its founding in 1991. But a number of drivers remain hopeful to take the second seat, including Renault refugee Giancarlo Fisichella, former Toro Rosso driver Vitantonio Liuzzi, former Jaguar/Red Bull/Honda pilot Christian Klien and Roldán Rodríguez, currently slated as Force India's test driver. Veteran racer Ralf Schumacher, as we previously reported, tested for the seat, but previous reports that the German driver would have to sit out the 2008 season have now been confirmed.

Once Force India confirms its drivers in two weeks, only Super Aguri, recently confirmed by Honda for another season, will be left to announce its roster. Takuma Sato is expected to take one seat and the second remains a wild card likely to be contested by whoever doesn't get the second Force India seat.

Follow the jump to view the confirmed drivers for the 2008 Formula One World Championship.

[Source: F1-Live, Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty]

Continue reading Force India delays driver announcement until January 11

Force India delays driver announcement until January 11 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Dec 2007 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008announcementconfirmeddriversf1force indiaForceIndiaformula oneFormulaOnerostersuper aguriSuperAguriworld championshipWorldChampionshipMon, 31 Dec 2007 18:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Abu Dhabi event draws big crowd - Bernie wants more]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/06/abu-dhabi-event-draws-big-crowd-bernie-wants-more/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/06/abu-dhabi-event-draws-big-crowd-bernie-wants-more/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/06/abu-dhabi-event-draws-big-crowd-bernie-wants-more/#commentsFiled under:


Click on the image above to view more pictures from the event.

As promised, organizers put on quite the spectacle on Saturday when the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix was officially announced. Tens of thousands of people reportedly turned out for an F1 demonstration on the streets of the gulf emirate that featured all the big-name drivers, including Fernando Alonso, Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa. No big surprise that Ferrari sent both its driving aces to the event, but Spyker's absence seems conspicuous. Abu Dhabi crown corporation Mubadala Development is a minority shareholder in both teams.

Follow the jump for the rest of the story plus the official press release.

Related posts:

[Source: AbuDhabiGP.com]

Gallery: Abu Dhabi GP street event

Continue reading Abu Dhabi event draws big crowd - Bernie wants more

Abu Dhabi event draws big crowd - Bernie wants more originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Feb 2007 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abuannouncementberniedhabiecclestoneemiratef1formulagrandlaunchoneprixraceuaeTue, 06 Feb 2007 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Ferrari management update: Schumacher, Todt and the whole family]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/29/ferrari-management-update-schumacher-todt-and-felisa/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/29/ferrari-management-update-schumacher-todt-and-felisa/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/29/ferrari-management-update-schumacher-todt-and-felisa/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Piece by piece, Ferrari has been confirming the reports and ending the speculation with several announcements about the future of some of their key personnel and the positions they hold in the Scuderia family.

The most recent news came today with the announcement that now-retired driving legend Michael Schumacher would stay on as a "special assistant" to the new CEO of the Ferrari empire (more on that below). Since joining Ferrari, Schumacher has been more than a driver, he was the center of the team, having completely rejuvenated the historic squad from a losing relic into the dominant force in racing. What does the job of "special assistant" entail? Hard to say at this point, as Schumacher looks forward to sitting back and reflecting on life before taking on any substantial new tasks. But don't expect to see him trackside at the races and test sessions, or sitting behind a desk at Maranello, either. He'll likely become more of a consultant to the company, enjoying the quiet life he's so richly deserves while contemplating what he can do for the team with which he's celebrated so many victories.

The new CEO he'll be advising is Jean Todt, who moves up from general manager to focus more broadly on the company as a whole (or so he hopes). When outgoing CEO Luca di Montezemolo became chairman of parent company Fiat, Todt was put in charge of Ferrari as general manager but stayed directly involved in the racing team as well.

That leaves two positions open at Todt becomes CEO: general manager and team principal. Amedeo Felisa moves up from deputy managing director to general manager, following Todt up the hierarchy as his right-hand man. Ross Brawn will be leaving for a year's sabbatical, vacating his post as technical director of the team. It seems Todt will be managing the Scuderia for one more season, fuelling the speculation that when Brawn returns, the job will be his (and maybe then Todt will have a bit more room to breathe). Taking Brawn's job as technical director is Mario Almondo, who for over ten years served as industrial director. Other promotions include Paolo Martinelli, who moved up to a new job at Fiat, and Gilles Simon who takes Paolo's job as head of the engine department.

All these changes and more amount to the biggest shake-up Ferrari has felt in years, and we'll be watching to see the effects brought to bear on its legendary racing activities and delectable road cars.

Related posts:

[Source: International Herald-Tribune and GrandPrix.com]

Ferrari management update: Schumacher, Todt and the whole family originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 29 Oct 2006 19:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advisorannouncementceoconsultantferrarimanagementmanagerschumachertodtSun, 29 Oct 2006 19:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Land Rover Freelander - official pics]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/21/land-rover-freelander-official-pics/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/21/land-rover-freelander-official-pics/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/21/land-rover-freelander-official-pics/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Official pics of the next Land Rover Freelander are out and we have to say, color us impressed. The Freelander takes styling cues from all over Land Rover's lineup, including LR3-type headlights and a Range Rover-esque vent right behind the rear wheels. The whole vehicle just looks more substantial than the current model, which couldn't hold a candle to a Ford Escape let alone a BMW X3.

The new Freelander grows in length by two inches, which frees up more room inside the cabin as well as under the hood. The new motor under that flat hood will be a 3.2L V6 that produces 230 horsepower. A 2.2L turbo-diesel will also be available for Europe that produces around 160 horsepower. A six-speed manual or automatic can be ordered along with the company's lauded Terrain Response system.

Pricing has not been announced, nor where and when the model will publicly debut, although the timing of these pictures suggests next month at the British Motor Show.

More pics after the jump...

[Source: eurocarblog]

Continue reading Land Rover Freelander - official pics

Land Rover Freelander - official pics originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 21 Jun 2006 07:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>announcementfreelanderlr3official picsOfficialPicsrange roverRangeRoverWed, 21 Jun 2006 07:06:00 EST