Chevrolet Volt Headed to China as a Buick in 2011

Buick's Chinese division will be adding another member to its lineup next year: a rebadged Chevrolet Volt.

Destined to share sheetmetal with the European-market Opel Ampera, according to GM-filed Chinese patent images, going the Buick route in China is likely GM's safest bet. The tri-shield marque performs especially well in the Middle Kingdom and a Buick-badged Volt/Ampera would supplement the already-available Excelle and Regal sedans, also known as the Opel Astra and Insignia, respectively, in other parts of the world.

The currently unnamed Buick-branded Volt will be assembled at GM's Hamtramck plant, imported to China in the first half of 2011, and is then scheduled to debut in the latter half of the year.

The Buick rebadge would be the fifth for the Volt EREV, joining fellow GM brands Holden, Opel, Vauxhall, and, of course, Chevrolet. The Chevy model is expected to be ready by the end of this year while Opel is targeting late 2011. Holden and Vauxhall have been assigned a 2012 release year.

 source by automobi

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Return of tii? BMW Executive Confirms Hotter 1 Series

BMW’s high-performance 1 Series has been spied undergoing development, but no one at the company had actually confirmed the car -- until today. Dr. Kay Segler, president of BMW’s M Division, confirmed BMW’s plans for the car and that it won’t share the M1 name of BMW’s legendary supercar.

Though the M1 name won’t be coming back, we don’t yet know exactly what this car will be called. A number of different names are possible -- 135is, given BMW’s current naming scheme, the 1 Series M, as it is being developed by the Motorsport Division, or even the early return of the tii badge. We saw the 1 Series tii Concept in 2007 and reported that the vaunted tii badge would be coming back in 2011, could this car be it?

Whatever the name may be, the car will have some serious performance credentials. Segler revealed to Autocar that it will produce around 350 horsepower and in excess of 310 pound-feet of torque. Power will come from an M-tuned version of BMW’s outgoing N54 twin-turbocharged, 3.0-liter I-6. Autocar reports that it is likely to use BMW’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, but we’re hoping a six-speed manual is available as well.

In order to help the more potent 1 Series put the power to the ground, BMW’s M Division is adding an electronically controlled M differential and also reworking the car’s suspension. The 1 Series’ typical suspension layout remains, MacPherson struts in front with a multi-link rear, but with stiffer springs and dampers and a different set of bushings. In addition to helping the car get better traction, the suspension changes should also improve the car’s handling.

In this time and age, even a product from BMW’s M Division couldn’t escape the political pressure to reduce consumption and emissions. BMW’s Efficient Dynamics systems are likely to appear on the car with features such as regenerative braking and possibly even a start-stop system. These features will reportedly keep the high-performance 1 Series’ fuel economy about the same as a regular 135i -- 20 mpg combined in the U.S.

BMW’s high-performance 1 Series will reportedly go on sale in Europe next year. It is likely to make its way to the States sometime next year as well. It will slot in above the 135i and below the M3 coupe with pricing likely to start somewhere in the mid- to high-$40,000 range. Stay tuned for details as the car’s launch gets closer.

Source: Autocar

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Brabus Gives Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series More Power, More Black Paint

In its search for more power, Brabus created the T65 RS using the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series and endowed it with 788 horsepower and 811 pound-feet of torque.

Starting with an already exclusive SL65 AMG Black Series, Brabus modified the factory twin-turbo 6.0-liter V-12 with some additional components. Two new exhaust manifolds with two new turbochargers were fitted to the twelve-cylinder engine, as were four large intercoolers to really get the air flowing. Feeding out from the engine is a stainless-steel exhaust system with free-flow cats.

To help harness the extra power, the SL65 Black Series was given a new engine electronics package that helps the car meet Euro IV emissions standards. In actuality, maximum torque is rated to an astounding 1047 pound-feet at 2100 rpm, but Brabus chose to electronically limit the car to 811 pound-feet, likely for drivability concerns. Peak horsepower is reached at 5500 rpm.

Unfortunately, extra power doesn't always translate to lower 0-to-60-mph times. We tested the standard Black Series to reach the mark in 3.6 seconds and the T65 RS posts the same number. In other performance figures, the T65 RS hits 124 mph in just 9.8 seconds and is capable of traveling in excess of 206 mph, but is also electronically governed to 200 mph.

As you can tell from the photos, the T65 RS really rides the Black Series name with its matte-black paintjob and darkened wheels. A special carbon-fiber hood scoop, black leather and Alcantara seats, and stainless-steel door sill plates with illuminated Brabus logos add the special German tuner touch.

Pricing has not been revealed, but with a starting price tag of $300,000 for the basic SL65 AMG Black Series, you can bet the T65 RS will command a premium.

Source: Brabus

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