Chrysler Group | The Blog of Cars

Nov 20 2009

Ferrari Developing Strange New Door Opening

Pictured above are drawings from a patent recently filed by Ferrari for a new door opening. Ferrari claims it is both radical and practical. What makes it unique is that the door includes part of the front fender. According to Autoblog, it also “hinges upward like the butterfly door from a LeMans racer.” I can’t understand the patent drawings even slightly though.

The opening is designed so that “occupants can place their foot directly behind the front wheel.” It works just as well with front-engined cars as it does with mid and rear-engined cars. The design is reportedly “easy and cost-effective to make.”

Autoblog noticed an issue with the A-pillar and windscreen, and I think I see what they mean, but I still can’t make much sense of the patent drawings. Anyone mind helping out?

Source: Autoblog

Tagged Chrysler Group, Ferrari, Fiat Group

Nov 20 2009

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Car Companies, Cars

Ferrari Developing Turbocharging

More Ferrari news on the blog today, apparently the Maranello manufacturer is planning to turbocharge some of its future models. With the 458 now launched we can only guess that this could appear in their road cars as soon as the next model. Or maybe even in the next limited edition one. Ferrari engine developer Jean-Jacques stated: “Turbocharging will come eventually, but we need to solve the issue of turbo lag.” I have a question for Mr. Jean-Jacques: do you remember the F40? That had 2 turbos and far from no lag. It’s been 22 years since the last turbocharged road-legal Ferrari (I may not be right) and I would like to say a turbocharged one is more than welcome. Just imagine the power. Their engines turn out already more than 100bhp/litre of displacement, just imagine what turbos will do. The Frenchman also said that they won’t be using the Fiat turbo technology anytime soon but they did bolt some turbos to a F430. It’s also said that they won’t use turbos anytime soon.

Source: Autocar

Tagged Chrysler Group, Ferrari, Ferrari 458 Italia, Ferrari F40, Ferrari F430, Fiat, Fiat Group

Nov 17 2009

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Car Launches, Cars

The New Fiat Doblo

The latest edition of Fiat’s family bus was launched. And can I first say, although quite embarrassed, that it’s quite a handsome looking thing although not as good as the new Citroen C3 Picasso. But let’s get back to the facts.

When on sale it will be offered with four engines: a 94bhp petrol, and three diesels with 89bhp, 104bhp and 133bhp. It sounds ok for a car like this but 89bhp does sound a bit depressing. But these types of 7-seater cars never seem to be anything other than depressing. Well, I don’t think this is the case here, you see this is made by Italians. I’m not suggesting in any way that it’s passionate or any other thing that some Italian cars are but it’s not as bad as a Renault Espace for example.

The interesting thing is that it will be offered with a dual fuel engine which will work on petrol or methane. There will also be a new diesel later with a paddle shift gearbox. No comment on the dual fuel engine, that sounds ok but a paddle shifter? On a 7-seat family car? Who is going to buy that? Another good thing for the family oriented motorist is the start-stop system which will come as standard. And it’s ecological too with only 129g/km of CO2.

Unfortunately, Fiat hasn’t announced the prices yet.

Source: Autocar

Tagged Chrysler Group, Citroen, Citroen C3, Citroen C3 Picasso, Fiat, Fiat Doblo, Fiat Group, Renault, Renault Espace, Renault Group

Nov 10 2009

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Car Launches, Cars

Yet Another Special Edition Fiat 500

There have been plenty of special edition 500s, the Barbie editon (What the hell were they thinking), the 695 Tributo Ferrari. My personal favourite is actually the Hamann tuned 500. Now though, there’s another special 500.

It’s called the 500 Abarth SpeedGrey by Neubauer. As the name suggests, it’s grey, and it’s been made by a company called Neubauer. This company is the official distributor of the 500 Abarth in France. It’s based on the Abarth EsseEsse. Now while it looks like an EsseEsse in a grey suit, the changes go beyond the new paintjob, which, by the way, is Maserati grey. To give it a bit more punch, it’s gotten a new Monza exhaust system. Sadly though, this hasn’t given it much more power, only 5 extra horses to be exact. They’ve also given it some Sabelt bucket seats (Though I believe these exact seats are an option on the normal car), though they only weigh 10 kilos less than the standard seats, window tint, and a Blue&Me navigation system. Doesn’t sound very promising to be honest, they’ve lost less than 10 kilos (Less than 10 because of the navigation and tint, though those probably shouldn’t weigh more than a kilo) and gained a measly 5 horsepower.

Nonetheless, I quite like it. Simply because of the paintjob to be honest, as the car looks brilliant in Maserati grey, but I still like it. And even if the performance difference is small, it exists. Problem is, only 10 will be made, and all of them will be sold in the French market.

So then, perhaps Fiat wouldn’t mind painting a Hamann tuned 500 in Maserati grey for me? Pretty please?

Source: Autoblog

Tagged Chrysler Group, Fiat, Fiat 500 Abarth, Fiat Blue&Me, Fiat Group, Maserati, Sabelt

Nov 09 2009

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Car Launches, Cars

I Now Officially Love Autodelta

Why? Because it turns out, and sorry for not finding out earlier, that along with the modified 159 they released earlier, they also did a Brera S.

The damn thing is gorgeous, and now it’s got some power to go with it. By bolting a supercharger to the engine (Along with an intercooler), they’ve managed to up the power from 260hp to 347 rampaging, Italian stallions. Torque has gone up from 322Nm to a staggering 435Nm. To make it handle as well as it looks, they’ve fitted it with a limited-slip diff, and there is a new, adjustable suspension kit, so you can choose between performance and comfort (4o different settings to be exact). That differential better be damn good though, because while the 159 might be AWD (Note the might, as it could be FWD, not quite sure), this is definitely FWD, and so much power, and especially torque, to the front wheels can provide insane results.

Now then, I’m going to get a change of pants, and then I’ll go look for my cheque book.

Source: Autoblog