Lamborghini ultra-SUV concept stomps into fray

Lamborghini is considering building the exotic Urus SUV concept it is unveiling this week at the Beijing auto show.

The four-seat concept, shown to journalists in a sneak peek this month at the close of the New York auto show, could be on sale within 3 1/2 years, company executives said.

Lamborghini's 2008 Estoque sedan concept fell victim to the economic downturn, but the Urus has a good chance of going into production, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann says.

"We think the SUV segment is the right one," he said. "It has the biggest growth potential and the highest emotion. We are investing in profitability."

The SUV would borrow portions of Volkswagen Group's SUV platform, which is shared by the Porsche Cayenne and the upcoming Bentley EXP 9 F.

Unlike other Lamborghinis that see limited use, the Urus would be "a daily driver" for some households, Winkelmann said.

The SUV would share some rear suspension parts and powertrain pieces with other VW Group vehicles, said Maurizio Reggiani, Lamborghini's r&d chief. But the Urus would be powered by a 600-hp version of the 5.0-liter V-10 engine in the Gallardo. It also would have a front suspension and transmission tunnel unique to Lamborghini, as well as the automaker's permanent all-wheel-drive system, Reggiani said. And it would use more carbon fiber construction, with a goal of weighing 220 pounds less than competitive vehicles, Reggiani added. The concept rides on beefy 305/35R24 tires. Winkelmann says the Urus could sell 3,000 units globally, which would more than double the automaker's volume. The sales split would be 45 percent in North America and South America, 30 percent in China and the Middle East and 25 percent in Europe and Russia. Lamborghini's already stressed plant in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy, may be unable to handle all Urus production, Reggiani said. But final assembly and customization would take place there. From 1986 to 1993, Lamborghini built the LM002 SUV, one of the first entrants into the luxury SUV segment. Time magazine recently voted the LM002 one of "the 50 worst cars of all time ... purely because of its appalling clientele," which included families of Third World dictators and oligarchs. But with the growing personal wealth in China, Russia and the Middle East, Lamborghini is pursuing those markets with a vehicle better suited to poor road conditions than an Aventador and its driveway-scraping ground clearance. Already, Bentley and Maserati are adding top-line SUVs for the same reason, and Aston Martin also has considered one. Lamborghini's concept is being displayed in Beijing to gauge market reaction. For development to continue, VW Group CEO Martin Winterkorn must give it the green light. Executives declined to discuss possible pricing. But given the volume projections for the car, it likely would be in the realm of the Gallardo, which starts at $193,895, including shipping and the gas guzzler tax.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20120423/OEM03/304239996#ixzz1t0HWCvNv

U.S. auto regulators to hold forum on electric-vehicle battery safety

The U.S. auto-safety regulator said it will hold a forum on lithium-ion batteries in electric cars next month, almost a year after a General Motors Co. Chevrolet Volt caught fire three weeks after a crash-test.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Friday a meeting May 18 in Washington to convene government officials and auto and battery-industry representatives to talk about “safety considerations” for cars powered by lithium-ion batteries. The meeting was announced in a posting on the Federal Register’s Web site.

A Volt caught fire in June, three weeks after a crash test at a NHTSA facility in Wisconsin. Disclosure of the fire, which NHTSA and GM initially didn’t make public, prompted the automaker to offer to take back Volts leased by customers and to CEO Dan Akerson testifying before a U.S. House committee in January.

A123 Systems Inc. said last month it was recalling electric batteries it made for Fisker Automotive Inc. and other automakers after a $107,000 Fisker Karma shut down because of a battery defect during testing by Consumer Reports magazine.

President Barack Obama has made development of electric vehicles a priority, funding a $7,500 tax credit for buyers of plug-in cars and providing billions of dollars in grants and loans to companies for vehicle and battery development through the Energy Department

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20120420/OEM05/120429990#ixzz1sdC1jcHa

SEMA Washington Rally | Specialty Equipment Market Association

Join Industry Leaders in Washington, D.C. for the 2012 SEMA Washington Rally

Pursuing a pro-growth manufacturing and job creation agenda, creating access to small business loans and credit, finding affordable health insurance options for employees, countering burdensome vehicle equipment regulations, and combating counterfeit products. These are just a few of the political issues facing SEMA members during this critical election year.

Join your fellow SEMA members in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, May 9, 2012 to demonstrate to lawmakers the importance and strength of the $28-billion specialty equipment industry. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to connect face-to-face with your legislators on Capitol Hill and inform them of the issues that matter most to you and your business. The SEMA Washington Rally is exclusively for SEMA members.

Scheduled events include:
Legislative briefing session with SEMA staff
One-on-one meetings with your legislators
“SEMA: Driven by Innovation” product demonstration for members of Congress
Capitol Hill luncheon with members of Congress
Private reception and dinner with member of Congress keynote speaker
Opportunities to visit attractions in the nation’s capital.


to read more, please visit SEMA Washington Rally | Specialty Equipment Market Association

Next Mustang to follow Evos concept, ditch retro styling, report says

The newspaper, citing people familiar with Ford’s plans, said the automaker is working on a makeover that would retain the Mustang’s shark-nosed grille and round headlights, but make the car resemble the new Ford Fusion. Today’s Mustang resembles the original 1964 model.

The change is part of a bid to give the Mustang appeal to Generation Y, consumers born between 1980 and 1999, according to the Journal.

By 2020, Gen Y will represent as much as 40 percent of the car-buying market, according to a 2009 study by the Deloitte consulting firm, but carmakers are finding it more difficult to sell to this demographic. One contributing factor: Nearly half of those aged 18 to 24 say they would choose Internet access over car ownership, according to a study released this year by the Gartner research firm.

Last year, Mustang sales in the United States decreased 4 percent to 70,438 units. By comparison, Ford sold more than 166,000 units in 2006, a year after Ford introduced the retro-style Mustang.

During the first quarter, Ford sold 20,133 Mustangs in the United States, a 31 percent increase over the first three months of 2011 but below the totals of the Chevrolet Camaro and Dodge Charger.

The next Mustang’s body closely resembles that of the Evos concept car that Ford showed in September at the Frankfurt auto show, the Journal reported, citing sources who have seen the next Mustang.

Ford would not comment on its plans for the Mustang.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20120416/OEM04/120419919#ixzz1sFNdVjUm

U.S. regulators seek brake-throttle override mandate for all light vehicles

NHTSA chief David Strickland: "We learned as part of the comprehensive NASA and NHTSA studies of high-speed unintended acceleration that brake override systems could help drivers avoid crashes."

U.S. regulators today proposed a requirement that light vehicles have an override mechanism that enables a driver to stop a car or truck if the accelerator pedal gets stuck.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it was proposing the brake-throttle override rule because research showed it can reduce the risk of high-speed unintended acceleration and prevent crashes.

The override technology, which many automakers already make available, enables drivers to stop a vehicle if the brake and accelerator are depressed at the same time.

NHTSA will hold a 60-day public comment period once the proposal is published in the Federal Register. After the public comment period, NHTSA will review the proposal before it finalizes the requirement.

The federal agency didn't offer an estimate on how much it would cost manufacturers to add the technology, only saying it could be done "without significant difficulty or cost."

"America's drivers should feel confident that anytime they get behind the wheel they can easily maintain control of their vehicles -- especially in the event of an emergency," U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement.

"By updating our safety standards, we're helping give drivers peace of mind that their brakes will work even if the gas pedal is stuck down while the driver is trying to brake."

The proposal comes in the wake of 2009 and 2010 recalls by Toyota Motor Corp. for problems related to unintended acceleration. The automaker ended up recalling millions of Toyota and Lexus vehicles worldwide and paying fines of $48.8 million for failing to order the recall in a timely manner.cq per clips

A 10-month investigation by NASA and NHTSA into the matter found no electronic defect in Toyota models. The agencies blamed the incidents on pedals that got stuck or caught under floor mats.

Since the Toyota recall, regulators have become more aggressive about addressing the issue. NHTSA has been exploring a brake-throttle override system mandate since 2010.

Thousands of reports

NHTSA officials did not mention the Toyota recall in a statement today about the proposed requirement. But in the rule's proposal, the agency notes that it received "thousands" of reports of unattended acceleration over a 10-year period starting in January 2000cq.

Said NHTSA administrator David Strickland: "We learned as part of the comprehensive NASA and NHTSA studies of high-speed unintended acceleration that brake override systems could help drivers avoid crashes."

The technology works by cutting power to the engine when the brake and accelerator pedals are pressed.

NHTSA, by ordering all vehicles be equipped with the systems, said it aims to reduce the risk of drivers losing control if accelerator electronics fail or the pedal gets stuck or trapped by the floor mat.

Toyota has made brake-override systems standard on all models beginning with the 2011 model year. Other automakers such as Chrysler Group, Ford Motor Co., General Motors, Hyundai Motor Co. and Nissan Motor Co. also offer override mechanism on some or all of their models.

The Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers said it has supported the brake-override standard since 2010, when the rule was first proposed.

The alliance, which represents 12 automakers, including the Detroit 3, said it's still reviewing NHTSA's proposal and expects to offer input during the public comment period.

Rigorous standard

Clarence Ditlow, executive director for the Center for Auto Safety in Washingtoncq, said the Toyota recall helped cast a spotlight on the dangers of unintended acceleration. His group has been pushing for the regulation since the advent of electronic throttle controls.

NHTSA's success will largely depend on "how rigorous the standard is," Ditlow said.

A simple software fix won't always suffice, he added, since it will only upgrade the vehicle's existing electronic control unit. If that unit is already compromised, it won't help.

Rather, Ditlow said carmakers should consider installing a second control unit, one separate from the main electronic controls, to monitor pedal activity.

NHTSA's proposal doesn't specify how carmakers should design their override systems, only that they pass certain performance tests.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20120412/OEM11/120419954#ixzz1s45fak94

Viper: More roar, less weight

Automotive News

The 2013 Viper, Chrysler Group's fastest-ever production vehicle at 206 mph, will arrive in dealerships late this year with a more powerful version of its former engine.

Chrysler unveiled the high-performance two-seater last week at the New York auto show with a new brand badge -- SRT -- and a back-lit snake emblem above the rear license plate.

The 2013 SRT Viper will have a more powerful version of Chrysler's biggest engine: a 640-hp, 8.4-liter V-10 that generates 600 pounds-feet of torque. The revised engine has 40 more hp than the one in the previous Viper, which was branded as a Dodge and discontinued in 2010.

"We've been very conscious of what the Viper's all about," said Ralph Gilles, who is head of Chrysler's SRT brand and in charge of design for Chrysler Group.

The reworked Viper will be available only with a six-speed manual transmission. At 3,320 pounds, it's about 100 pounds lighter than the previous Viper.

The Viper also has electronic stability control and the 8.4-inch information screen used in Chrysler's flagship 300 sedan. The Viper's information screen will allow drivers to chart lap times.

In an interview, Gilles said the Viper's weight and powertrain "were an obsession" for the vehicle's team.

Dealer Bernie Katz, of Tomball Dodge in Tomball, Texas, said, "I have 26 people waiting for the car already." The dealership operates a Web site, viperexchange.com, to sell the performance coupe.

Some enthusiasts had worried that the Viper might lose some of its American DNA after Chrysler's 2009 takeover by Fiat S.p.A., owner of Ferrari. But Gilles said that while he did consult with Ferrari and Maserati on working with low-volume suppliers, "the only real part that we use a common supplier for is the seats."

The Viper's seats are supplied by Sabelt, a unit of Brembo Group, the brake specialist.

Gilles said it will be available in three trim packages: base, up-level S and a racing version, which sheds an additional 57 pounds.

Sticker prices were not revealed. The previous hardtop Viper's price was just under $100,000, including the gas guzzler tax and freight.

"We're going to respect where we come from. We'll be careful of how we price," Gilles said.

Like its predecessor, the SRT Viper will be assembled at Chrysler's Conner Avenue assembly plant in Detroit. About 150 hourly and salaried workers have been preparing the small plant for production this fall.

From 1991 until production ended in 2009, Chrysler built 27,708 Vipers.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20120409/OEM03/304099961#ixzz1rwbY78Eu

Child seats hard to install in most vehicles, IIHS study says

Only a fifth of the top-selling vehicles for the 2010 and 2011 model years were built so parents can easily install child safety seats, according to a study released today.

Seven models, including the Toyota Sienna XLE minivan, in the United States last year, did not have any of the three characteristics that make installation of child restraints easy. The Sienna was the No. 1 selling minivan in the U.S. market in 2011.

Twenty-one of the 98 cars evaluated by researchers met all three criteria outlined by researchers, according to the study, by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.

U.S. safety regulators mandated that vehicles made for the 2003 model year and later must be built with standard set of features that allow parents to install a safety seat.

That system is called lower anchors and tethers for children, or LATCH. Under LATCH, cars must have anchors in the rear seats that can be attached to the top and bottom of child safety seats.

Researchers said those anchors must be easy to see and be no more than three-quarters of an inch deep. Parents must be able to reach them easily and use less than 40 pounds of force to install the seat.

The 21 models that boasted these three characteristics included General Motors Co.'s Chevrolet Equinox crossover, Chrysler's Town & Country minivan and the Ford Escape XLT.

The Honda Pilot SUV and the Mercedes-Benz C300 sports sedan were also on that list.

"Sometimes parents blame themselves when they struggle with LATCH, but often times the problem lies with the vehicle, not the user," said Anne McCartt, one of the report's authors and senior vice president of research for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Read more: http://www.autonews.com/article/20120412/OEM11/120419948#ixzz1rrqPZnxk