RevzZ- The Amateur Revving Blog of Anything on Wheels

TATA-JAG, TATA-LR

2008-03-31T03:54:00.000-07:00

Ford has finally sold its Jaguar and Land Rover subsidiaries to Indian manufacturing giant Tata Motors. The Blue Oval announced the widely anticipated sale to the US stock markets and employees this morning, confirming it was paid $2.3 billion (£1.2bn) for the two premium British marques. It has sold them wholesale, rather than keeping a stake as it did with Aston Martin - ending a decade of American ownership.

Ford bought Land Rover from the BMW-Rover break-up in 2000, 11 years after it acquired Jaguar. But over the years it has struggled to make money and its vaunted Premier Automotive Group is now rapidly being disbanded.

The agreement announced today isn't the end of the wait, however. The deal should be completed by June, subject to regulatory approval which is expected to be granted. And Ford hasn't cut all ties with J-LR. It will continue to supply powertrains, body stampings and other components, and the Blue Oval has pledged to continue offering R&D, finance and even back-office help with accounting to ease the transition to Indian ownership. So don't expect too much change overnight to Jaguar or Land Rover products.

Ford chief exec and president Alan Mulally said: 'Jaguar and Land Rover are terrific brands. We are confident that they are leaving our fold with the products, plan and team to continue to thrive under Tata’s stewardship. Now, it is time for Ford to concentrate on integrating the Ford brand globally, as we implement our plan to create a strong Ford Motor Company that delivers profitable growth for all.'

The sell-off has taken so long as the accountants have worked out how to extract these two companies who are inextricably linked. The bean counters have had to separate everything from the IT networks at the Gaydon headquarters to the intellectual property rights over systems like Terrain Response - as well as negotiating with unions over things like pension funds (Ford is expected to pay £300m into two separate funds). 'These things don't happen overnight,' explained a spokesman.

If you think the deal has attracted a flood of speculation and headlines in the UK, you should see the response to the J-LR deal in India. 'It's been completely mad - we've been fielding dozens of calls a day for the past few months from Indian media,' added the Ford spokesman.

Tata: the fastest-growing car company

Indian conglomerate Tata will now be working out how best to incorporate Jaguar and Land Rover into its growing global portfolio. Eponymous chairman Ratan Tata told CAR that the new owners would respect the working practices at the two British car makers and promised to 'nurture and grow them' rather than start afresh. For now, production will remain in the UK, but who'd bet against foreign-built Jags or Land Rovers in the next decade?

'We are very pleased at the prospect of Jaguar and Land Rover being a significant part of our automotive business,' Tata added. 'We have enormous respect for the two brands and will endeavour to preserve and build on their heritage and competitiveness, keeping their identities intact. We aim to support their growth, while holding true to our principles of allowing the management and employees to bring their experience and expertise to bear on the growth of the business.'

At a stroke, the Ford sale has confirmed Tata as an even more serious player in the automotive sector. It has a dominant position in the fast-growing Indian market, the clout of the world's cheapest car - the Nano - and now two prestigious, but under-performing, premium brands.

In car industry terms, Tata has packed a century of industrial development into just a few short years.

A nice trick...

2008-03-29T09:11:00.001-07:00

Jim Hunt has channeled the power of the beard for good. Miffed at speeding motorists in front of his home in Summerville, South Carolina, Jim decided to build what has come to be known as the "Tric-Vic", a fake-out cop car which he says works to slow down the speeders. The clever lawn ornament is constructed of expanded metal and reflectors in such a way as to mimic the iconic look of a Ford Police Interceptor parked roadside.

Ex-Mussolini owned Alfa goes on sale

2008-03-21T05:32:00.000-07:00

1935 Alfa Romeo 6C 2300 Pescara Spyder that competed in the Mille Miglia and was once owned by Benito Mussolini will be auctioned by H&H at The Centaur, Cheltenham Racecourse on February 27, 2008. Of huge historical importance, the stunning dark red Two-Seater carries an estimate of £600,000-800,000.
Chassis 700635 clothed in striking coachwork by Carozzeria Touring was built to the special order of Benito Mussolini. Before delivery he had it modified with a dickey seat and the engine was specially tuned to deliver 95bhp rather than the 68bhp of the standard model. The car was driven in the 1936 Mille Miglia by Ercole Boratto – an ex-Alfa Romeo test driver who was Mussolini’s chauffeur at the time. The car finished 13th overall and 3rd in class. Mussolini retained the car until 1939, since when it has only had three owners, the latest of which had it restored by Dino Cognolato to a standard good enough to achieve second in class in the 2005 Pebble Beach Concours and victory in the New York Concours meeting of the same year. This ‘matching numbers’ car of enormous historical interest even retains traces of the partial alcohol fuelling system it is believed to have operated during the Mille Miglia, when the fascist regime was promoting the use of alternative fuels in the face of stringent petrol sanctions.
H&H Classic Auctions is dynamically dedicated to the historic collector motor car market and they are the largest specialist auction house of historic motor cars in Europe.
© copyright Alfa Romeo 2008

If....

2008-03-12T07:56:00.000-07:00

If you overtake me I hit you :)

Diesel fumes stress your brain

2008-03-12T07:41:00.000-07:00

diesel fueled cars are already associated with the negative image of heavy trucks clogging the air with their dark and sooty exhaust plumes, and a new study only goes further to damage it’s reputation. Dutch scientists have found that breathing diesel exhaust fumes can trigger a response in the brain that can have damaging long-term effects on basic brain functions.

Studies in the past have already shown that small particles of soot in diesel exhaust can travel from the nose and lodge in the brain, but this is the first time researchers have found actual adverse effects on brain activity.

“We can only speculate what these effects may mean for the chronic exposure to air pollution encountered in busy cities where the levels of such soot particles can be very high,” said Zuyd University researcher Paul Borm in an interview with Reuters. “It is conceivable that the long-term effects of exposure to traffic nanoparticles may interfere with normal brain function and information processing.”

Scientists put ten volunteers in a room filled with exhaust from a diesel engine (comparable with levels of an urban environment) for an hour and found that after just 30 minutes brain wave patterns displayed a ‘stress’ response. To make matters worse, researchers also said the small particles in the exhaust are also linked with respiratory and cardiovascular disease.

This is worrying considering that carmakers around the world are trying to increase the number of diesel models in their fleets, and it will be interesting to see if new emissions regulations will have a genuine effect on air quality in the near future.

A blast from the past... The CR-X

2008-03-07T06:06:00.000-08:00

The ninety’s were the best years for the Japanese sports cars. Move forward to today and the true Japanese sports car has become a rarity, with only the Nissan GT-R being the most noteworthy example of late. Japanese automotive powerhouses Toyota and Honda have both been found lacking in this area, Honda having had no real sports car since the S2000, with the Integra and Civic Type-R completely lacking the caliber of Honda sports cars of the past. Honda is now planning to revive its famous nameplates from the past, the CR-X based. This should make an appearance in late 2009. The car’s development is apparently already 90% complete and will be an exciting prospect mixing both sports and hybrid ideologies. Power figures are still yet to be decided but rumors of 250hp+ seem to be likely.

DN-01 by Honda, Power, Style and 25km/ltr without shifting gears

2008-03-06T07:41:00.000-08:00

First came the airbag for a motorbike fitted on the Goldwing and now Honda launched the sequential manual and automated transmission bike the DN-01, which Honda Claims it is a crossover bike. Why CROSSOVER?
A bike which can be what you want it to be. It looks like a sport bike with its sharp design but it has front controls and a comfy seat and handles so you can't call it a sport bike or a cruiser especially since it can zip thru traffic like a scooter but even if it has an F1 type synchronized automatic transmition which Honda calls Human-Friendly Transmission (HFT) and it's as easy to drive as a scooter, but then again you can't call it scooter so my def is A SPORT CITY CRUISER...

'Honda Motor, Co., Ltd. announced that sales of the DN-01 large sports cruiser will begin in Japan on Friday, March 7. The unique, low-styling body features a liquid-cooled four-stroke 680 cc OHC V-twin engine that resonates power and a new automatic transmission, the Human-Friendly Transmission (HFT), that delivers superior throttle response for comfort even on long rides, and simple operation with no need for clutch use, allowing sporty riding.'

I ran out of fuel? Will I make it on time and fast enough to the next petrol station?

2008-02-29T04:42:00.000-08:00

Who can resist to the fascinating pairing of Rolex and Pagani, united together for such an emotional spot. And the question is which machine ran out of fuel? Is it the V12 AMG Mercedes of the Zonda F Roadster that needs a fill up?

the new 500 makes it to Japan

2008-02-28T14:57:00.000-08:00

After the massive success in Turin, Berlin and London , the major city’s turn to host an original celebrations for the introduction is Tokyo. Japan has always been very attentive to the Made in Italy products. The launch will be march 15th the day of the “Sakura” the cherry tree’s blossom when almost all Japanese people celebrate this occasion by doing picnics beneath the cherry trees for around two weeks. The ultimate gossip/curiosity is that the new 500 will also be cast as the new car of the famous cartoon character which will turn 40 this year Lupin the IIIrd in the new animated feature called “Lupin the IIIrd, Green vs. Red”. In some of the older episodes one could see Lupin IIIrd driving the old 500.

Fiat 500 vs Mini One

2008-02-28T14:48:00.000-08:00

And the winner is?

Maserati 'Cinqueporte' estate

2008-02-23T08:26:00.001-08:00

Meet the most practical Maserati ever – it’s an estate version of the Quattroporte. But it is a case of now you see and now you don’t , as the car is a one-off project that’s been commissioned by a Middle Eastern businessman whose identity is a secret.

Italian coachbuilder StudioM was handed the task of constructing the Maserati wagon, which is dubbed the ‘Cinqueporte’ on account of its rear hatch. The project is still at the quarter-scale model stage, but the design is nearly finalised – and it’s clear extensive work will be needed to turn the saloon into an estate.

Lengthening the roofline, repositioning the fuel tank and redesigning the rear seats so they can fold flat are just some of the alterations required. There is no word on the cost, but a previous customer paid StudioM €360,000 just to get a specially made interior for their Quattroporte – so it’s not likely to be cheap!

The New VOLVO XC60

2008-02-17T13:28:00.000-08:00

The official launch is for the 20th of february but this are some pictures which have leaked on the internet before that day. The reason why I put it here is that it is my dream car and it has been since Volvo decided to build a smaller sister to the VOLVO XC90...enjoy and as for me I keep dreaming...

Thieves are stealing car's Catalytic Converter in America for an easy way to make money

2008-02-17T13:10:00.000-08:00

Metal prices are soaring. And, police say, thieves are after your catalytic converter.

Thieves are targeting catalytic converters because they contain trace amounts of platinum, palladium, and rhodium – all of which a crooks can sell for around $200 a pop. According to MSNBC, rhodium is one of the most expensive metals on the market, running for as much as $6,000 an ounce.

Jennifer Krings, a spokeswoman for AAA, said, “These thieves are targeting shopping malls, school parking lots, busy business districts, and they are hitting these places in the daylight. A lot of the large passenger cars — SUVs, trucks and vans — have two, so those are a target.”

Tony Murtell, manager of U-Pull & Pay in Philadelphia, said, “I’ve heard of people going into apartment complexes in the middle of the night — just taking a handsaw, getting up under someone’s car and sawing it off. They collect a few of them and take off somewhere to be recycled.”

Los Angeles Police say that the Toyota 4Runner is the most common target due to its high ground clearance and four-bolt attachment that can easily be sawed off. The Kia Sportage is reportedly an easy target for would-be thieves.

Scrap metal companies have noticed a rise in the recycled metals, but the catalytic converters contain no identifying numbers, making them impossible to trace.

Mercedes Benz is auctioning an original DTM Racing Car

2008-02-17T12:34:00.000-08:00

If the normal E class don't impress you much and you wish to make it quicker to work Christie 's might have the answer for you and you still have enough time to take part in the car auction of the year.

Mercedes-Benz will auction one of its original racing cars from the DTM, the German Touring Car Championships, to benefit the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation. The Christie's auction will close on April 4.

The automaker said the minimum bid on the vehicle is €300,000. Bidders must send an e-mail to laureus-dtm@daimler.com to request a bidder card. (any one willing to lend me his laptop?)

Gary Paffett won the DTM race last year in the Laureus AMG Mercedes C-Class. The hood alone is a standout, with autographs from Boris Becker and Niki Lauda.

The Laureus Sport for Good Foundation, which helps disadvantaged children get a "more positive outlook on life through sport," was co-founded by Daimler.

Saab Aero X, Now Available in Icy Version too...

2008-02-17T12:17:00.000-08:00

JUKKASJARVI, Sweden — In this video, Saab gives a tour of the its “Move your mind-room” at the spectacular ICEHOTEL. Apparently when winter cabin fever sets in around here, the Swedes fire up the chainsaws and create unbelievable ice sculptures of such concept cars as the Saab Aero X. The Swedish automaker on Monday unveiled its icy take on the high-profile Aero X Concept, which is the centerpiece of its "Saab Move Your Mind" room at the Icehotel. Jukkasjärvi, is located far above the Arctic Circle in northern Sweden. The entire installation is made of ice and features, among many other things, a full scale replica of the Saab Aero X made from –what else, ice

KAWASAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAKKIII- the brand new song for Europe

2008-02-13T14:50:00.000-08:00

The title on you tube tells it all Kawasaki: Maco balkanac, the original macho man from balkan jungle, observe it seriously if you can :)

but once I saw this video I was left with 2 doubts. What does Kawasaki Motors think about this fantastic marketing ploy and will he make it to the final for the Malta Song for Europe and on to the European Song Festival?

BANANA POWER :), This is not a Valentine's day joke!

2008-02-13T12:54:00.000-08:00

Banana methane will power cars...Australia is in the forefront to use this new fuel first...

We have already covered different methods of obtaining methane by fermenting (or better, digesting) some kind of vegetable. But we haven't yet gotten to banana waste. Growcom, one of Australia's leading horticulture organisations is going from the prototype stage to a commercial plant that transforms banana waste into biomethane, which then will be used in vehicles powered by natural gas.

The processing plant basically consists in an anaerobic digester which treats the banana waste. There's more to it than that, as project manager and Growcom board member Keith Noble said, "An over-riding principle of the project has been to use locally available materials and expertise wherever possible. The system must also integrate with existing farm practices. If on-farm digesters are to have a commercial future they must add to farm efficiency and be simple to operate."

Just in case you wondered, it takes two weeks for the reactors to start producing methane.

The Peel- The car that hold the record as the smallest car ever produced

2008-02-03T09:29:00.000-08:00

in the first video, one can see 2 proud owners of the Peel P50, out of which only 94 were built on the Isle of Man and the 1965 Peel Trident. As for speed it was arounf 40miles an hour but depended alot on what you had for breakfast! NO PARKING PROBLEMS AT ALL, just pull your car wherever you are going...

in the following one Jeremy Clarkson goes to work in the Peel P50 microcar from 1963 and if as one expects, it is not love at first sight, it is funny how he is more then attached to this cheeky little thing.
They are very rare to find cars and each on of them, if in good conditon carry a price tag of 40,000 STG, even if when you costed less then 200 english pounds and since they did more then 100 miles to the gallon, ir was cheaper to drive one of these then walk... All yours, enjoy

If you want some more information this is the official site http://homepage.ntlworld.com/andy.carter

Subaru Impreza Rally vs......Snowboard

2008-01-30T12:39:00.000-08:00

A spectacular video, filmed in New Zealand, were a bunch of professional snowboarders race against a Subaru Impreza... the result is much more crazy than one can imagine!

Walt Disney's vision of the car of the future...in 1958

2008-01-23T17:37:00.000-08:00

An excerpt from the 1958 "Disneyland" TV Show episode entitled "Magic Highway USA". In this last part of the show, an exploration into possible future Transportation technologies is made.Coloured detination roads, chassis that warm up for better control in rain and snow and rapid emergengy flying vehicles are some of the themes in the video.
the video also mentions the automatic filling station and car wash system at home, sattelite navigation, automatic pilot videoconference on board and even modular vehicles capable of sperate in smaller and different vehicles. Even trains and containers are revolutionary. even more reolutionary are the vehiclesto build roads and bridges from ceramic material with the help of atomic energy, this is an amazing vision considering that we are talking about 50 years ago

It's hard to believe how little we've accomplished on this front since 1958, and how limited the scope for imagining such future technologies has become. Witness an artifact from a time where the future was greeted with optimism. Note the striking animation style here, achieved with fairly limited animation and spectacular layouts

coming soon...to a garage near you...

2008-01-16T10:31:00.000-08:00