Ferrari to Show Greener 458 Italia with HELE System in Geneva

The new Ferrari FF won't be the only model from Maranello to make its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Salon, as Carscoop has learned that the Italian supercar maker will also introduce a greener version of the 458 Italia equipped with the company’s HELE (High Emotion, Low Emission) technology, which improves CO2 emissions and reduces fuel consumption.

Even though the average Ferrari 458 Italia customer probably won’t care about their supercar's CO2 output, the new system that incorporates stop/start technology helps reduce CO2 emissions by around 11 per cent, from 307 g/km to 275 g/km. It is expected that the HELE system will be offered as an option to 458 Italia buyers.

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Volvo's Iconic P1800 Turns 50 This Year

Even if you are not a specialist in classic cars, you know you have seen this one before. And you're right, its fame came from being Roger Moore's ride in the TV series “The Saint”. In fact, the man who played Simon Templar liked the car so much that he bought one for himself.
Revealed at the 1960 Brussels Motor Show, the unmistakably-shaped Swedish coupe was not the first choice for the part in “The Saint”. The producers first asked Jaguar for the E-Type, but the British refused, arguing that the car didn't need more publicity. Volvo said yes and so the P1800 became known worldwide.

Production started in 1961 and almost 46,000 units of the model were made in various versions until production ended in 1973.

Probably the second most famous P1800 driver after "The Saint" is American Irv Gordon, who drove his Swedish coupe for 45 years, reaching more than 2.8 million miles (4.5 million km) without changing the engine, the transmission or the axles. A statement for the durability and the quality of an outstanding vehicle.
To celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the P1800, Volvo will participate at the TechnoClassica show in Essen (March 30 – April 3) with six special models: the X1 (the first prototype), a 1961 first series model assembled in the UK, a 1963 P1800S Rally, a 1966 1800S Volvoville (US-built convertible), a 1971 1800E and a 1971 1800ES.

Volvo P1800 timeline:

1959 – Volvo announces P1800 prototype built by Frua.
1960 – The car is showcased in Brussels, first pre-production cars tested.
1961 – Production car: 2-door coupe, steel body, 2+2 seating, 1.8-liter twin carburettor engine, 100 bhp/5,500 rpm. First 6,000 cars assembled in the UK by Jensen Motors.
1963 – P1800 is renamed 1800S to mark the start of Swedish assembly. Introduction of the 1964 model with improved 108 bhp engine, improved brakes and modified seats.
1964 – Revised interior, straight bumpers with rubber inserts.
1965 – Power increased to 115 bhp, diaphragm clutch, sealed greasing, improved brakes.
1966 – Modified front grille, chrome side trim introduced.
1967 – Three spoke steering wheel, minor interior changes.
1968 – 2.0-liter engine type B20, 118 bhp/5,800 rpm, fitted with emission equipment. Dual circuit braking system introduced.
1969 – 1800E model with Bosch electronic fuel injection developing 130 bhp at 6,000 rpm (B20E). ZF gearbox, disc brakes on all wheels, alloys, new dashboard.
1970 – Stronger Volvo-built manual gearbox or optional Borg-Warner 3 speed automatic introduced.
1971 – 1800ES estate car launched.
1972 – 112 bhp B20F engine USA-emissions compliant.
1973 – Production ends.

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Report: A Look at the Average Fuel Prices in Europe and the USA in February 2011

Without doubt, American drivers are feeling the pinch at the gas pump again as fuel prices have recently surged well past the $3 per gallon mark, recording a 20 per cent increase in the past year. According to the U.S. Energy information Administration, the nationwide average in America on February 21, 2011 was $3.19 for a gallon of regular gasoline (€compared to $2.66 the same day a year ago.
Nevertheless, that's nothing compared to Europe where motorists paid between $6.21 and $9.08 per gallon in mid-February, 2011, according to data from the European Road Information Centre. The countries with the cheapest unleaded gasoline were Latvia at $6.21 per gallon or €1.19 per liter, and Bulgaria and Estonia, both at $6.28 per gallon or €1.20 per liter.

On the other side of the spectrum, we find Norway where motorists paid a whopping $9.08 per gallon or €1.75 per liter, and the Netherlands at $8.59 per gallon or €1.65 per liter.
One of the main reasons for the huge difference in fuel prices is that European governments put a much higher tax on gas compared to the USA. Whereas taxes in many European countries account for more than 60% of the total price, in the U.S., the Federal and average State tax made up for just 13% of the price of a gallon of regular gasoline in January 2011, according to the US Energy Information Administration.
Unfortunately for motorists, the recent troubles across the Middle East can only have a negative effect on oil prices in the foreseeable future.

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Notes:

*Figures are converted to US dollars based on the currency exchange rates on February 23, 2011

*European fuel prices were sourced from the European Road Information Centre (ERIC) and are for February 18, 2011.

*USA prices were sourced from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), and are for February 14, 2011.

Sources: The AA, EIA and ERIC

BMW Bankruptcy Bust Up in the Bush: The Price of Luxury Car Loans Down Under

AU$18 million or about US$18.1 million at the current exchange rates. That’s how many Australian dollars some 226 plus Aussies owe BMW’s unimaginatively named financial arm "BMW Finance". The Bavarian automotive giant is now perusing bankruptcy proceedings against these persons in Australia’s Federal Magistrates’ Court in an effort to recoup the debt from hundreds of unpaid car loans.
It’s all rather depressing, really, especially in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis. Take one man who bought an AU$80,000 Lexus on credit shortly before he lost his AU$110,000 job. Or the woman who signed her name on a car loan for her and her husband, only to have him leave her and get stuck with the debt. "They repossessed the car, but they still want [AU]$25,000. I don't know what to do,” said the 34 year-old.

That the woman earns just AU$36,000 a year is of no concern to BMW Finance. Peter Malone, a bankruptcy expert at CRS Warner Kuegel told the Sunday Herald Sun newspaper that creditors could, through a bankruptcy trustee, seize many of a debtor’s assets including their home, cash and shares.
Even if the car is repossessed or sold on, debtors still owe on the shortfall which can sometimes be big money. In Australia, one can be made bankrupt over as little as AU$5,000. Most of the claims the Herald Sun inspected fell into the AU$30,000 plus category, with one debtor owing a whopping AU$190,000.
It just goes to show that that old saying still stands up today, “They that dance must pay the fiddler.” Though in retrospect, why anyone would want to dance to a AU$190,000 tune is beyond my comprehension...

By Tristan Hankins

Source: Herald Sun

VW Prices Amarok Pickup Truck from £16,995 in the UK

Volkswagen has dropped pricing details for the new Amarok pickup truck in Britain. At launch, the Amarok will be offered only as a double-cab in three trim levels and with a choice of two turbo diesel engines. Prices start from £16,995 for the Startline model and £18,995 for the Trendline, while the range-topping Highline will cost from £21,575.
The entry-level powerplant is the 2.0-litre TDI with 122-ponies, which is available on the Startline models. A more powerful 2.0-liter BiTDI with 163-horses is standard on the Trendline and Highline models.

All Amaroks come equipped with VW's 4MOTION Selectable four-wheel drive system, which allows the driver to choose between rear-wheel drive, four-wheel drive and low range four-wheel drive through a dashboard-mounted button. All models fitted with this 4WD system have a gross vehicle weight of 3,170 kg and more robust suspension which results in a payload of over 1,045 kg.
In addition to the 4MOTION Selectable system, the Highline model is also available with the option of a permanent 4WD system that reduces payload to below 1,045 kg due to the different settings of the suspension, which is tuned to offer "a more car-like driving experience with improved ride and refinement", according the German company's claims.
The standard equipment on the Startline model includes 16-inch alloy wheels, 4MOTION Selectable four-wheel drive, electric front and rear windows, semi-automatic air conditioning and single CD / radio plus an array of safety features such as six airbags, ESP, Traction Control System (TCS), Electronic Differential Lock (EDL), Hill Hold Assist, Hill Descent Control, Trailer Stability Control and off-road ABS.
The Trendline model adds two-zone automatic air conditioning, RCD 310 radio / CD player, cruise control, multifunction computer, leather-trimmed steering wheel, handbrake and gear knob, color-coded mirrors, front bumper and wheelarch extensions along with front fog lights and 17-inch ‘Aldo’ alloy wheels.
Finally, the Highline specification is further enhanced with chrome detailing on the front grille, door mirrors and rear bumper, polished stainless steel sidebars, privacy glass and 18-inch ‘Durban’ alloy wheels, plus leather upholstery, heated front seats and rear parking sensors.

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