A round-up of other motors news
Mondello host to classic cars
MONDELLO PLAYS host this weekend to its second Classic Car Live show, which aims to bring together the best of Ireland's classic cars, classic car clubs and organisations, and classic and vintage race cars for a day of off-track and on-track entertainment.
The centrepiece of this year's show is a celebration of 50 years of the Mini car, and more than 200 Minis are expected to fill a single section of the Mondello Park paddock. Another anniversary being marked is that of the Ford Capri, which turns 40 this year.
Admission to the event is €10 for adults, with under-16s admitted free.
For further information, see mondello.ie.
Next generation 1-Series due in 2011
FOLLOWING A minor facelift in 2007, the next generation BMW 1-Series is due in 2011. Prototypes using the current 1-Series body have already been spotted testing around Germany – but this is supposedly the real prototype in full glory, or at least under the usual psychedelic camouflage from the Bavarians.
Despite the early stage of testing, some details have been revealed. According to AutoBild magazine, who spoke to BMW’s product development chief, Klaus Draeger, BMW is keeping to the recent philosophy of fast developing new segments.
Although a decision has not yet been made, the new line-up may feature a type of elongated two-door wagon/hatch variant. Such a variant, which can accommodate rear passengers more comfortably than the current range, would allow BMW to sell it in the US market.
The existing BMW and PSA Group alliance which already produces engines for Mini would build engines ranging from 1.4 litres to 3 litres for the 1-Series. Turbos are most certainly on the list, but an M version is not going to happen. Instead, we are expecting green models such as low-polluting diesels and certainly a hybrid.
Carmakers seek a mix of green technologies
NO SINGLE technology will triumph in the pursuit of a “greener” auto industry. Instead, the future will include a mix of cars powered by electricity, hydrogen fuel cells and biofuels, according to the world’s biggest car makers.
At a conference in Vancouver last week, car company executives said it is wrong to characterise their search for the vehicles of tomorrow as a battleground of technologies.
“This is not about picking some winner,” said Andreas Truckenbrodt, chief executive of Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation (AFCC), a company set up by Daimler and Ford to research fuel cells.
“All these technologies have their value,” he said, painting a picture of an industry in which combustion engines will share with plug-in electric vehicles and cars running on hydrogen.
Lawrence Burns, vice-president of research and development at General Motors, said there is no one solution for weaning the industry off petrol.
With a finite amount of government and private funding for research, and potentially rich rewards, competition among developers is inevitable.
Lamborghini aims to cut CO2 by up to 35%
LAMBORGHINI HAS announced plans to cut CO2 emissions across its entire model range by as much as 35 per cent by 2015.
The supercarmaker is to introduce stop/start and hybrid technologies, and adapt its cars to use biofuels in a bid to reduce levels of CO2 emissions.
Future Lamborghinis are also expected to be much lighter than current models.
The firm has already launched an updated version of its Gallardo LP 560-4 model which has an 18 per cent reduction in CO2 emissions, a figure that is achieved by using direct injection to the engine.
In addition to making changes to its cars, Lamborghini is also aiming to cut emissions at factory level, with the use of solar panels and advanced heating and lighting systems to increase energy efficiency.