Up until now, General Motors has remained deliberately vague in public about the scheduled Job 1 date for Chevrolet Volt production. Given the complexity and new technology involved in the program, the automaker’s reluctance is understandable. After all when you don’t know what the future holds or what problems will crop up, you don’t want to put a misleading date out there, years in advance.

Internal schedules, on the other hand, are something else altogether. Every program needs to have deadlines so that people know how much time and resources to allot for a given task. Those internal gantt charts have undoubtedly had the magic Volt Job 1 date on them for several years. Among the stakeholders that need to when a vehicle will launch are the dealers that have to schedule orders for inventory. Around about this time of year, automakers usually brief dealers on when the current model year vehicles will end production and new ones will start.

With less than ten months to go, GM has set November 1, 2010 as the Chevrolet Volt Job 1 date on the production start list for dealers. By September, dealerships will need to start giving GM an indication of how many Volts they want to order so that the head office can determine allocations. Interestingly, the GM chart indicates that dealers won’t know their allocations until two weeks after production starts, and won’t be able to start placing orders until then. Typically, those last two items happen about two months before production starts. The timing for the Volt production kickoff is still far enough out that those dates may yet change in the months to come.

A final item of interest is that the Cruze, which was originally slated to launch in April and subsequently pushed back to September, is listed as TBD.

[Source:Autoblog]

It’s been a couple of months since Nissan first announced a special 40th anniversary model of its svelte 370Z, and, following a batch of spy shots confirming the car’s arrival, we’re about to get our first up-close-and-personal look at the upcoming Chicago Auto Show. But Nissan isn’t about to let American customers have all the fun, so it’s releasing a similar special edition for the European market.

Like its American counterpart, the Europe’s 370Z Black Edition celebrates the 40th anniversary of the Nissan Z, and packs most of the same features that distinguish its Yankee brother. That means darkened 19-inch Rays wheels, red brake calipers, red leather interior with a red-stitched steering wheel, special badges and the like. In fact, the only thing that seems different, apart from the “Black Edition” moniker, is the availability of a second exterior color: while the American version can only be had in “quartz” dark grey, the European Black edition can also be had in – you guessed it – black. It also comes with the full infotainment package.
The 370 examples will begin distribution in April – a month after the Geneva Motor Show where it’s set to debut – with a £33,645 (~$53k) price tag in the UK. That’s over £5k above stock, but then the Black edition comes packed full of optional equipment. Full details in the press release after the jump and high-res photos in the gallery below.

PRESS RELEASE

370Z: BACK TO BLACK

Just over 40 years ago a motoring icon was born. As the sixties moved into the 1970s, the Datsun 240Z was launched on the US market. American drivers instantly fell in love with the car and sales in that one market alone regularly topped 50,000 units annually. The Z legend had begun.

Now four decades, six generations and well over a million cars later, Nissan is introducing a special celebratory version of the newest two-seater to wear the famous Z badge - the 370Z.

The 370Z Black Edition marks the 40th anniversary in style. Available from April as a coupé only, and in a limited edition run of just 370 units in Europe, it comes in two distinctive metallic shades: black and quartz. Both paints use Nissan’s pioneering Scratch Shield technology, ‘healing’ the finish in the case of stone chip damage.

Inside the 370Z Black edition there are:

* Unique red leather & suede appointed interior (seats & door trim) with embossed 40th Anniversary logo seats
* Smooth leather wrapped steering wheel with red stitching
* Red stitching on the centre cluster, centre console and knee pads
* Nissan’s Connect Premium state-of-the-art combined touch-screen satellite navigation and audio system with USB connectivity

The exterior of the 370Z Black can be identified thanks to:

* Dark grey 19″ aluminium forged RAYS wheels
* Eye-catching red brake callipers
* 40th Anniversary emblem on the back door

Standard specification means it already has a bespoke BOSE premium audio system, 19-inch forged alloy wheels, Stop/Start button with Nissan’s Intelligent Key and a sporting six speed manual transmission with unique Synchro Rev Control technology. The electronically controlled rev matching system ensures perfect ‘heel and toe’ gear changes every time. A seven-speed automatic version with column-mounted paddle shifts is available as an option.

The Black Edition comes as standard with Nissan’s next generation combined audio and navigation system, offering improved ease-of-operation, new and updated features.

At its heart is a high performance Hard Disk Drive (HDD) navigation system that offers customer audio storage capacity of 9.3GB.

Among the many benefits are vastly extended mapping which now includes Turkey, Eastern Europe and Russia, as well as a new easy to follow 3D navigation guidance with improved graphics and a more realistic depiction of the road and landmarks ahead for many of Europe’s principle cities. The resolution of the new 7 inch screen is up to four times better than the previous generation system.

Real time traffic information is supplied via RDS-TMC, but quicker operation allows the system to offer re-routing in a fraction of the time.

The new generation system uses a touch-screen interface, maximising both ease of use and safety not only for the navigation, but also for other functions such as Bluetooth phone connectivity and entertainment. It is also possible to operate the system using voice recognition.

On-screen instructions can be displayed in eight different languages including English, French, German, Spanish and Italian - while voice recognition is supported in seven - English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese and Dutch.

The new generation navigation system also allows USB connectivity for portable audio devices. Furthermore, DVDs can be played on the centrally mounted navigation screen (when the car is stationary), while external audio and video devices can be connected via the VTR connections that are found in the central storage box.

In terms of its mechanical specification, the Black Edition matches the standard 370Z. That means a 3.7-litre 24-valve twin cam V6 developing 328PS and a limited top speed of 155mph and a 0-62 mph time of 5.3 seconds (5.6 seconds for the automatic version). The 2010 model year update means the 370Z is now fully compliant with forthcoming Euro 5 emission legislation.

Exemplary levels of handling and grip are assured by the focused rear-wheel drive chassis which features fully independent suspension, powerful upgraded brakes and precise speed sensitive power steering.

Since its launch in June 2009, more than 1,050 examples of the 370Z have been sold across Europe, an exceptional achievement for a niche product in extremely challenging market conditions. The car’s largest market to date has been the UK, followed by France and Germany.

“The ’story of Z’ is full of positives, with success not just in the sales charts all over the world but on racetracks and at award ceremonies, too. The 370Z Black Edition is a fitting tribute to a great car,” said Vincent Wijnen, Nissan’s European Vice President for Marketing.

Customers can order the 370Z Black Edition from all Nissan High Performance Centres and throughout the dealer network with deliveries starting in April.

Prices start from - £33,645 for the manual and £35,045 for the automatic transmission (prices include £750 showroom tax which comes into effect on 1 April 2010).

[Source:Autoblog]

The good news for Saab loyalists is that dealerships have been told they may start placing orders for the Saab 9-3X. The bad news for Saab loyalists is that if the deal with Spyker falls through, that brand-new Saab you are dreaming about will never arrive in your driveway. In a nutshell, dealers are allowed to take orders for the cars, but there’s no pricing information and nothing will be officially submitted until the Saab/Spyker deal closes (as of now, this is scheduled for February 15).

The announcement isn’t completely unexpected. After all, we reported just a few days ago that Spyker had big plans for the Saab lineup, including full range of 9-3 models for 2012. These will follow on the heels of the new 9-5, and the 9-4X, due in the U.S. market during 2010 and 2011, respectively. Whatever the case, if you believe in Saab, now’s the time to scoot down to your local dealer, open your checkbook and place an order!

[Source: Saab History]

[Source:Autoblog]

According to Autocar in the UK, Jaguar Land Rover is still hard at work on series hybrid vehicles. Similar to the stance General Motors has taken with the 2011 Chevrolet Volt, Jaguar believes that the only real way electric vehicles can be made compatible with everyday life is to add a small range-extending gasoline-powered engine that’s capable of keeping the batteries charged on the go.

Unlike GM, though, Jaguar has seen fit to contract its small engine work out to Lotus, which makes sense given the two British company’s differing product specialties. Lotus has reportedly delivered a 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine that generates 35kW of power, which is carried – with a little help from a UK government grant or two – inside a new 2011 XJ sedan with a lithium ion battery pack.

Motive force comes courtesy of what Autocar believes is a 145kW (194 horsepower) electric motor with 295 pound-feet of torque. Performance specifications sound pretty good – though not quite as impressive as we might have imagined – assuming all of this is accurate, with a range of 600 miles, combined fuel economy of 47 miles per gallon (57 mpg UK) and carbon emissions of under 120 g/km. Top speed would reportedly come in at 112 miles per hour.

An unnamed source at Jaguar tells Autocar that the electric XJ handles quite well “because of the bulk that’s removed from car when you strip out the conventional drivetrain.” Future Range Rover models are also rumored to get a similar drivetrain.

[Source:Autoblog]

With the annual Geneva Motor Show fast approaching – a little over a month away now – lots of glamorous new vehicles are making their way into the public eye. This, however, probably isn’t one of them. What we have here is a tidy little station wagon made by Volkswagen’s flamboyant Spanish cousin.

Following the three- and five-door hatchback models of the new SEAT Ibiza, the ST joins the family as the the third body style. It’s about seven inches longer than the hatchback, the bulk of the stretch hanging over the rear to provide a touch more versatility.

Otherwise, from the C-pillar forward (and ignoring some of the lowest-profile roof rails we’ve seen yet) it’s pretty much the same as the Ibiza we already know, with power coming from a range of engines (three gasoline and three common-rail diesels) with the growing implementation of direct injection and turbocharging for increased response and economy. Details in the press release after the jump.

PRESS RELEASE

SEAT Ibiza ST – compact dynamics with great usability

* Sporty estate is the third model in the Ibiza line-up
* Expressive design with plenty of load capacity
* Dynamic driving fun with high safety levels
* Six efficient engines, new 1.2 TDI and 1.2 TSI

With a World Premiere at the Geneva Motorshow, SEAT is pushing forward with its product offensive – the Ibiza ST is the third model to join the successful Spanish line-up. The compact estate car is the perfect vehicle for a youthful and sporty lifestyle, bringing together the brand’s most powerful characteristics – it is emotional and well-designed, it is dynamic and efficient, it is easy to use and financially attainable. SEAT will deliver the Ibiza ST in six modern engine variants and with a broad palette of equipment and technologies. Market launch is planned for early summer.

The stylists at SEAT Design have taken the highly functional concept of the Ibiza ST and clad it in the Spanish brand’s unique design language. Despite the estate layout and generous load capacity, it retains the youthful, sporty character of the Ibiza range. The roofline stretches rearwards, the rear overhang is integrated perfectly into the overall design and the tight span of its flanks lends tautness to its proportions. The front end bears the hallmark SEAT “arrow design”; with the rear end receiving a new look courtesy of the split rear light clusters.

With a length of 4.23 metres, the Ibiza ST is no less than 18 centimetres longer than the Ibiza. This creates ample load capacity to satisfy all the requirements of a sporty and mobile lifestyle. The base capacity of 430 litres is already comparatively generous, and can be increased in stages by folding the split rear seat. Engineers paid particularly close attention to the optimal width and low height of the load opening. Overall, the bodyshell is finished to the high levels of precision and stiffness characteristic of all SEAT models.

The interior of the Ibiza ST is impressively spacious, with an accomplished and high quality character. The designers and engineers paid close attention to the tiniest detail; every single element is functional, practical to use and meticulously crafted, as evidenced by the high material quality and tight tolerances. The cockpit feels taut. Circular air vents, a short gear stick – the emotional character expressed by the design of the Ibiza ST is clearly evident in the interior, too.

Sporty dynamics with a high degree of efficiency is par for the course for every SEAT. The basis for this is delivered by state-of-the-art engines, with the Ibiza ST offering a choice of three petrol and three TDI units with common-rail injection. Four of the six engines operate with direct injection and turbocharging. They span an output range of between 51 and 77 kW (70 to 105 hp). Particular highlights include the exceptionally efficient 1.2 TDI and 1.2 TSI.

Another guarantee of agility and dynamics comes from the precise and safe running gear. Together with the excellent equipment of the three model lines Reference, Style and Sport, as well as the broad range of hi-tech optional equipment – such as the dual-clutch transmission – this makes the Ibiza ST the one to beat in the small estate car segment. Especially as excellent value for money is an integral part of the youthful character that defines this kind of SEAT.

[Source:Autoblog]

Very rarely does a Ferrari 250 GTO come up for sale, and if it does, you’ll probably never hear about it. Most sales are done behind closed doors, and the amount of said transactions are almost never disclosed to the public. That’s just part of the mystique behind the world’s most valuable car, and it’s partially why the cars are so coveted. Just 36 examples were built between 1962 and 1963, each still in existence and easily carrying an eight-figure price tag. A few years ago, a 250 GTO supposedly changed hands for nearly $30 million, but no one can completely confirm the rumor.

We will, however, have more details about the next sale of a 250 GTO. RM Auctions have announced that they will be doing a “private treaty sale” of 1963 250 GTO chassis #4675GT. The car has been in possession of its current Japanese owner, Yoshiho Matsuda, since 1996 (a low point for the value of the car compared to the high prices of the late 1980s), and it has an extensive racing history.

We saw the car at the Pebble Beach Concour d’Elegance back in 2004, and while its Series II bodywork isn’t quite as stunning as earlier models, it’s still an extraordinarily beautiful car. If you’ve got millions of dollars just sitting around, now is the time to break out the checkbook and buy your very own rolling piece of V12-powered Italian artwork. Hit the jump for the official press release from RM or click the high-res gallery below for a beautiful studio shot plus several of our photographs from our 2004 encounter with the car.

PRESS RELEASE:

RM Auctions, the global leader in the collector car market with a specialization in the sale of Ferraris, is representing the 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO (chassis no. 4675 GT) – one of the most coveted cars in the world, for private treaty sale.

In addition to its impressive motor car auction results at prestigious locations around the globe, including the sale of seven of the top 10 Ferraris ever sold at auction, RM generates an average of $50 million in private treaty transactions year over year.

“The Ferrari GTO is unquestionably one of the most iconic and coveted cars in the world,” says Max Girardo, Managing Director of RM Europe. “This is truly a rare occasion for collectors to acquire such an important piece of automotive history and we are pleased to be chosen by 4675 GT’s current custodian to represent it on the open market.”

The 1963 Ferrari 250 GTO (chassis no. 4675 GT) is one of only 36 250 GTOs originally produced and one of a limited few with Series II GTO bodywork. In addition to being considered one of the most beautiful cars ever built by Ferrari, the GTO was tremendously successful in competition, securing multiple World Championships for the Modenese car builder.

In April 1963, 4675 GT left the factory finished in Rosso Cina. It was raced by such drivers as Guido Fossati, Jean Guichet, Oddone Sigala, Vincenzo Nember and Luigi Taramazzo and proved itself a tremendously capable racing car, rarely finishing outside the top three in its class and achieving numerous race wins. It participated in the full range of competitive events, including hillclimbs, endurance races and rallies.

The present owner acquired 4675 GT in 1996, and has maintained it in his exceptional, world-renowned Japanese collection ever since. Most recently 4675 GT has participated in the ultra-private events reserved only for GTO owners, namely the 35th and 45th GTO Anniversary Tours in France and California.

For more information about the purchase of this car, please contact Max Girardo at RM Auctions on +44 (0) 20 7851 7077.

[Source:Autoblog]

When Kia introduced the original Sportage in North America in the early 1990s, the best thing it had going for it was a low-ball price. There was nothing particularly compelling about the way it looked or drove, though it was at least passable on both counts. When the Geneva Motor Show opens up next month, the third-generation Sportage will finally bring the compact crossover to the head of the class in appearance.

Looking like a 5/8-scale version of the recently introduced Sorento, the new Sportage incorporates the Peter Schreyer-penned Kia design language in an an aggressive looking package that should stand out among the Escapes, Rav4s and CR-Vs of the world. The new model is longer, lower and wider, but Kia hasn’t released any other details yet.

We expect that the Sportage will have the same 2.4-liter inline-four found in the new Hyundai Tucson when it arrives Stateside this fall, although other markets will get a range of gas and diesel power options from which to choose. Full press release after the jump.

World premiere for all-new Kia Sportage at Geneva

Bold, athletic and sporty all-new Sportage to make its world premiere in March 2010
Marking a shift in design direction for the popular SUV

(Seoul) February 3, 2010 – The all-new Kia Sportage crossover will mark a dramatic shift in design direction for the brand’s popular SUV when it makes its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show on 2 March.

Embodying Kia’s newfound visual dynamism, the new Sportage is a fresh, bold, athletic and sporty design that successfully blends the key features of an SUV – the commanding driving position and heightened sense of security and raised ground clearance – and envelopes them in a sleek and urban-friendly design with global appeal.

Longer, lower and wider than the previous generation model, the new Sportage will offer more space for people and cargo, with an improved ride quality thanks to a longer wheelbase.

The all-new Sportage crossover will be available at Kia dealerships later this year, with a range of highly competitive diesel and gasoline engines.

The world premiere of the new Sportage will take place on 2 March (8:45AM, CET) at the Kia Stand (No. 6441) in Hall 6 at the Geneva International Motor Show.

[Source:Autoblog]

Kris Meeke is the 2009 Intercontinental Rally Champion, and Peugeot UK wants to celebrate that accomplishment. As such, it’s releasing the 207 S16 – a 207 Sport tarted up to evoke the Peugeot 207 IRC car Meeke pilots. To that extent, you can get an optional graphics package (which is still more restrained than race car’s nose-to-tail Union Jack livery), along with a body kit including “pseudo rear diffuser” (Peugeot’s words), upgraded wheels, a mesh grille, tinted glass and special interior badging. All 250 Peugeot 207 S16s are mechanically identical to the regular 207 Sport 1.6 VTi they’re based on. Oh, and Kris Meeke signs every one. If you’re in the UK, owning the 207 S16 will dent your wallet to the tune of £14,695. The full press release is pasted after the jump.

THE PEUGEOT 207 S16 FULL OF VERVE ON THE ROAD AND OFF

* Only 250 Peugeot 207 S16s will be produced
* Powered by a 1.6 litre 120 bhp VTi petrol engine
* £1,200 of additional specification compared to a standard Sports model
* On-the-road price £14,695

Peugeot’s 207 has dominated the Intercontinental Rally Challenge for the last three years, whether on the gravel roads of Scotland or the tarmac of San Remo.

To recognise this achievement and that of Kris Meeke in winning the 2009 IRC drivers’ title, Peugeot has created the Special Edition 207 S16.

Based on the 207 Sport 1.6 VTi 3dr, only 250 examples of this car will be produced. The S16 adds to the already comprehensive standard equipment of the 207 sport model:

* Bianca White exterior body colour
* Full 207 RC Cup bodykit comprising front and rear spoilers, side skirts and a pseudo rear diffuser
* 17″ Hockenheim Alloy Wheels
* SP Sports mesh grille
* Dark tinted rear windows from the 207 GTi model
* Special interior badge signed by Kris Meeke
* Optional free of charge vinyl rally graphics which mimic those found on Kris Meeke’s IRC winning 207 S2000 rally car.

The 207 S16 benefits from over £1,200 worth of additional specification compared to a standard Sport model and is priced at £14,695.

To further enhance the appeal of the 207 S16 an optional leather interior is also available priced at £684.21. It is available in black with either black or silver Grey stitching.

Technical Data

Top Speed

125 mph

0 to 62 mph

10.7 seconds

Urban drive cycle

35.3 mpg

Extra urban drive cycle

57.6 mpg

Combined drive cycle

47.1 mpg

Regulated Emission Standard

Euro 5

CO2 Emissions

139 g/km

VED Rate

£120.00

“Scion (is an) innovation laboratory and a chance to try new things,” says Jack Hollis, vice president of Scion, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Naturally, when we think of Toyota and innovation, we think hybrids. And, moving another step towards some sort of logical conclusion, since Scion is Toyota’s youth-oriented brand and the younger generations are considered to be more in tune with the environment, hybrids would seemingly be a lock for the Scion brand. Not so, it seems, and the main stumbling block is a familiar one: cost.

Hybrids – and particularly Toyota’s complicated Hybrid Synergy Drive – feature two distinct sets of drivetrain components that are each capable of powering the vehicle under certain circumstances. As such, they are more expensive to produce than typical internal combustion engine-powered vehicles. Add in an expensive battery pack, and the expected cost for a hybridized Scion shoots past the self-imposed $20,000 ceiling that Toyota has set on its entry-level marque.

So, if not hybrids (at least not in the near-term future), what innovative technology is Toyota considering for Scion? For starters, all-wheel drive, likely cribbed from Subaru, of which Toyota owns a 16.5-percent stake. Apparently, Toyota believes it can manage an all-wheel-drive Scion that doesn’t break the $20,000 barrier more easily than it can one with a hybrid powertrain. Where that falls into the Japanese automaker’s stated goal to produce ever more fuel efficient vehicles, we don’t yet know.

[Source:Autoblog]

When Kia introduced the original Sportage in North America in the early 1990s, the best thing it had going for it was a low-ball price. There was nothing particularly compelling about the way it looked or drove, though it was at least passable on both counts. When the Geneva Motor Show opens up next month, the third-generation Sportage will finally bring the compact crossover to the head of the class in appearance.

Looking like a 5/8-scale version of the recently introduced Sorento, the new Sportage incorporates the Peter Schreyer-penned Kia design language in an an aggressive looking package that should stand out among the Escapes, Rav4s and CR-Vs of the world. The new model is longer, lower and wider, but Kia hasn’t released any other details yet.

We expect that the Sportage will have the same 2.4-liter inline-four found in the new Hyundai Tucson when it arrives Stateside this fall, although other markets will get a range of gas and diesel power options from which to choose. Full press release after the jump.

World premiere for all-new Kia Sportage at Geneva

Bold, athletic and sporty all-new Sportage to make its world premiere in March 2010
Marking a shift in design direction for the popular SUV

(Seoul) February 3, 2010 – The all-new Kia Sportage crossover will mark a dramatic shift in design direction for the brand’s popular SUV when it makes its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show on 2 March.

Embodying Kia’s newfound visual dynamism, the new Sportage is a fresh, bold, athletic and sporty design that successfully blends the key features of an SUV – the commanding driving position and heightened sense of security and raised ground clearance – and envelopes them in a sleek and urban-friendly design with global appeal.

Longer, lower and wider than the previous generation model, the new Sportage will offer more space for people and cargo, with an improved ride quality thanks to a longer wheelbase.

The all-new Sportage crossover will be available at Kia dealerships later this year, with a range of highly competitive diesel and gasoline engines.

The world premiere of the new Sportage will take place on 2 March (8:45AM, CET) at the Kia Stand (No. 6441) in Hall 6 at the Geneva International Motor Show.

[Source:Autoblog]