rumors:
As recently as the Detroit Auto Show in February, a top Cadillac design official specifically denied that Cadillac was considering a wagon version of the CTS. With the next generation SRX on display at the show in concept car form – the Provoq – this executive flat-out said that Cadillac did not want to risk cutting into its sales with a CTS wagon.
Seems that statement is inoperative. Exactly the vehicle this executive denied was being considered is, in fact, very much alive and driving, at least according to information posted at AutoBlog and spy shots captured by the famous team of Doane and Priddy. The fact is that a poorly disguised CTS wagon is circulating, with only the back and very front of the vehicle hidden by shrouding. (more after jump) >> read
Or, at least that’s the prevailing opinion. This mule was circling the Fiorano test track, Ferrari’s home base proving ground, doing hot laps. The car, the existence of which Ferrari adamantly and unequivocally denied for months, is internally designated as the F149, but is thought to be named ether the Dino or GT California when it hits the market. It is expected to be a four seater with a retractable top, and is expected to use a 4.7 liter V-8 shared with certain Maserati models. Indeed, rumor has it that the new Ferrari may actually be assembled by Maserati. Both names are properties of Fiat. Ferrari is expected to unveil the car at the Paris Auto Show this fall.
The word had been out that the freshened 3 Series from BMW, due in 2009, would be getting the updated and improved version of the iDrive system, the multifunction system that has maddened BMW owners in its previous incarnations, been copied by other manufacturers, and been a constant source of criticism by automotive journalists. Various sources, including BMW Blog, had reported last week that the new version of iDrive, reportedly currently under testing, would be part of the new 3 Series. But, BMW Blog now says that they were misinformed, or at least that they are now better informed. BMW sources have told BMW Blog that there’s zero chance if the new iDrive showing up in the facelifted 3 Series. Instead, the new iDrive goes into the 5 Series. So, all you’ve got to do if you want it is spend more money.
When you are asked by someone that owns part of your company to help with his or her hobby, you probably don’t feel inclined to say no. That’s the position of Daimler, AG in dealing with Aston Martin, which is owned in substantial part by the investment arm of Kuwait. Kuwait also happens to own seven percent of the stock of Daimler, AG. The hot rumor circulating this week-end has Mercedes-Benz – that would actually be Daimler – buying Aston-Martin, or at least a big stake in it. AutoBlog even purports to specify particulars of the deal: in exchange for Daimler buying a stake in Aston, the Kuwaiti Investment Authority would receive a seven percent interest in Daimler. (So, would that be another “seven percent”? Or is it possible that the AutoBlog j is confusing this with the seven percent in Daimler that Kuwait already owns?) Aston is the manufacturer of 7,000 cars a year. If it reaches its goal, it’s going to build 9,000 per year. Daimler built 39,000 buses last year. In other words, just counting buses, Daimler’s production was four times that of Aston. Daimler sold 1.28 million automobiles last year. Aston isn’t worth seven percent of Daimler. Not even close. (more after the jump) >> read
The hot question is what’s going on with “Project D?” The man who was heading Chrysler’s most important product development project has quit the company – only two months after getting promoted to the job. Chrysler claims there’s no acrimony, but that’s neither the version reported by the Wall Street Journal nor what the circumstantial evidence suggests: The Journal says that the departure of Michael Donoughe, who held the position of vice-president and was in charge of Project D, which is the development of a new mid-size platform to replace the current Dodge Avenger and Chrysler Sebring, was the result of conflicts with top-level Chrysler management. At Chrysler, that phrase is a euphemism for Bob Nardelli. (more after the jump) >> read
General Motors apparently is struggling with ways to increase the fuel economy of its Zeta platform, the rwd basis for the upcoming Camaro and rumored new cars from Cadillac and Buick, and appears to regret having decided to proceed with that program. At the North American International Auto Show, GM vice-chairman Bob Lutz told TopSpeed.com that GM sees rwd as creating a 2 mpg penalty over front wheel drive. But, the folks at Ford appear unfazed by the idea that rwd has no future. According to the Detroit News, they’re proceeding with plans to develop a new rear wheel drive platform, one that will be the basis for the next generation Mustang and for new sedan models for both Ford and Lincoln. Estimated time to the showrooms is four years, and the same platform will underlie the next generation Falcon in Australia. >> read
Amid the hoopla of the New York Auto Show and GM’s preview of the upcoming Pontiac version of the Holden ute produced in Australia – what we’d call the El Camino of today – comes a dissenting opinion, presented by one Peter M. DeLorenzo, the voice of AutoExtremist.com. DeLorenzo thinks the things going to bomb. DeLorenzo’s opinions are never equivocal, though his crystal ball sometimes needs Windex. After all, it was Lorenzo who said that the next Corvette was a sure thing for 2012 and would be mid-engine. On the ute, his point is that the sport truck doesn’t fit into either the Pontiac line-up or the professed image of Pontiac for, as Bob Lutz put it in New York, “seductive performance.” In fact, DeLorenzo doesn’t believe there’s any market for such a truck, under any nameplate. And then he asks why Pontiac doesn’t, instead, seek to exploit those of its model names that still have meaning, such as GTO and Trans-Am. (more after the jump) >> read
Jean Todt has officially left Ferrari, where he served as the company’s Chief Executive Officer, having been promoted to that position after being head of the Formula One race team. Todt’s resignation was officially announced at a Ferrari shareholder meeting in Italy yesterday. Todt remains on the Ferrari board of directors. Speculation is now circulating that Todt’s next stop may be as head of the FIA, the international sanctioning body for Formula One and other classes of racing. Todt ran the Ferrari racing operation for over a decade and a half and is a close friend of FIA president Max Moseley. Moseley’s term as FIA president expires in 2009 and he is not expected to seek another term in that position. It is not clear how such a move would be received in other quarters, but it is believed by some observers that Todt would have Moseley’s backing, were Todt to seek the office. (more after jump) >> read
To commemorate its sixtieth anniversary, Holden is showing off a two-door concept car that’s getting rave reviews. The Detroit Free Press was so impressed, it led the story by saying, “Where do they find the time? General Motors Australian unit just revealed yet another eye-catching vehicle from the global family of rear-wheel-drive cars developed in the automaker’s Melbourne engineering center.” Well, maybe. But, then again, maybe not. The sharp-eyed, which includes the observant folks at Motor Authority and Motor Trend, have noted that the new Holden Coupe 60 looks remarkably like a Zeta platform based Pontiac GTO proposal originally floated in drawing form several years ago.
The Holden concept features the same roofline, same side coves and the same wheel placement as the GTO drawings. It is, in short, the same design. (more after the jump) >> read
Rumors abound on the internet these days that General Motors has given the green light to a Zeta platform based replacement for the Cadillac DTS and STS and for the Buick Lucerne. The platform, which is first to be used for the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro and is the basis for the current Pontiac G8 produced in Australia, will be rear wheel drive. A single car will replace both of the current Cadillac models. That’s the story, anyway. GM, of course, does not comment on future product plans. But, let’s assume the rumor to be true, partly because it makes sense and partly because it is pleasant to assume to be true that which one wishes to be true.<
>> read
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