"Too early" for Volvo flagship by Stefan Jacoby

"Too early" for Volvo flagship by Stefan Jacoby
Volvo CEO, Stefan Jacoby, has responded to Geely’s CEO, Li Shufu for wanting a large executive sedan in the Volvo line-up, saying it is “too early” for Volvo to be designing a BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class rival.

Shufu obtained Volvo from Ford earlier this year. Shufu would like to see Volvo create more “high-level cars that compete with the Mercedes S-Class and BMW 7 Series”.

Jacoby said such a car “is a step too early” and could only be considered once “we have reached our goal of 800,000 sales”.
Shufu thinks Volvo has the technology and research capabilities to contend at the top end of the market as well as demand higher retail prices. Shufu has made it obvious that a push into the booming Chinese car market would demand luxury that Chinese customers could “see through their eyes and touch with their hands”.

2012 : Fiat planning for car sports roadster

2012 : Fiat planning for car sports roadster
Fiat is working hard on bring a sports coupe to the market by 2012. The sports car, dubbed Primo is being co-developed with Fiat’s sporty sibling, Abarth and will compete against the Mazda MX-5/Miata. While the sports car will be all-new, its size and transverse, mid-engined design will be similar to the Lotus Elise. The interior is also thought to use the same outline as the Elise; a fixed rear window with a simple, lift-out roof panel.
An internal source said speculation on the Internet is “wide of the mark”. It was suggest the forthcoming sports car will underpin the hugely expensive KTM X-Bow, which would contradict the fact the Fiat/Abarth sport car is predicted to start from under £25,000.Abarth will be design the car in-house, guided by CEO Head of design, Rubén Wainberg. Abarth is also developing its own tubular space frame for the car, which means Abarth can make good use of Fiat/Alfa modular suspension components and lightweight engines like the turbocharged 1.4 litre MultiAir, with around 170bhp. Fiat/Alfa is also launching its own 6 speed dual-clutch gearbox, although, a 7 speed dual-clutch is a possibility for the future.
The car is yet to be sign-off by CEO Sergio Marchionne, despite being at an advanced stage of engineering and design. One good point might be the size of the investment needed for a car that will demand global sales of no more than 5,000 units.
We expect the Fiat Primo is be launched first, with the racier Abarth variant arriving a year later.

UNITED STATED Kia Optima pricing announced

UNITED STATED Kia Optima pricing announced

Kia has announced prices of the brand new Optima mid-sized sedan. The entry-level LX starts from $19,690* with a 2.4 litre, 200bhp 4-cylinder petrol engine, mated to a 6 speed manual.

Three trim-levels, LX, EX & SX, will be available, alongside two transmissions and two petrol engines; 2.4 litre with 200bhp and a 2.0T GDI with 274bhp. The latter will be able to do 34mpg on the highway.

Customer will be expected to pay $1,000 more for the base model over the 2010 Optima and $3,200 more on the range-topping SX, which will arrive in dealerships soon.

Entry-level LX comes with 16” steel wheels, body-coloured door handles, mirrors and bumpers, dual exhaust w/chrome tips, 6 speakers w/AUX/USB/iPod input, Bluetooth, air conditioning, x4 electric windows, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, electrically adjustable door mirrors w/integrated indicators, front and rear armrest, height adjustable driver’s seat w/electric lumbar support, 60/40 split folding rear seats, x6 airbags, tilt adjustable steering wheel, active front headrests, hill-start control, and traction control.

The LX with a 6 speed automatic transmission starts at $21,190 and adds 16” alloy wheels, cruise control, front fog lamps, tilt/telescopic steering wheel and an Active Eco System.

Mid-spec EX features 17” alloy wheels, chrome exterior door handles, heated door mirrors, keyless entry & start, climate control, 8 way electrically adjustable driver’s seat, and leather interior. This starts at $23,190.

The Optima EX 2.0T starts at $25,190. This obtains larger front disc brakes, unique front grille, and wood and metal interior accents.

Range-topping SX is only available with the 2.0T and a 6 speed automatic for $26,690. The SX is equipped with 18” alloy wheels, sports suspension, bi-xenon headlights w/LED tail-lights, paddle shifters, alloy pedals, black leather and woven seat trim, supervision meter cluster, carbon fibre interior trim, and illuminated door scuff plates.

*Prices include $695 destination and handling fee.