Smart News

Jag's new F-Type all-new aluminium two-seater sports car will make its global debut in production form at the Paris Motor Show on 27th September. The F-Type will be launched as a convertible with a choice of three petrol engines: two versions of Jaguar's new 3.0-litre supercharged V6, and a new derivative of its existing supercharged 5.0-litre V8. All will drive the rear wheels through an eight-speed transmission and will be equipped with Stop/Start technology. Following the F-Type's `camouflaged' public drive at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in June this year, testing of the final verification prototypes has continued in some of the harshest environments in the world.  

Based on the BMW Z4 sDrive35is, the Roadster has been created by Italian design house Zagato – and carries as one of its cues their signature 'doppio gobba' double-bubble in the soft-top roof cover. Unveiled at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance on the weekend, the Roadster echoes the Zagato Coupe's aggressive nose, long bonnet and the sharp cut-off of an aerodynamic Kamm tail, but with subtly smoother lines towards the rear to suggest style rather than hardcore sportiness. “The tail end as a whole places a greater emphasis on elegance than that of the Coupé, which shows a sharper sporting edge. The Roadster’s lines are smoother here and the rear is lower-slung,” BMW says. For the prominent roll-bars, the designers were inspired by the shape of an aircraft wing and experimented with the mass of the components before deciding in the forward-leaning final design. There's also an intentional hint of propeller to the five-spoke 19-in light-alloy wheels, making reference to the aircraft production in both BMW and Zagato history. BMW says the positive response to the Zagato Coupe prompted a swift decision to produce the Roadster – with just six weeks of build time after the design was finalised. “We set ourselves the challenge of preparing the car in time for the renowned Pebble Beach Concours,” BMW design chief Adrian van Hooydonk says. “It was only with the expertise of both companies in the manufacture of high-end one-off cars and another display of outstanding teamwork that we were able to finish the car on schedule.” The BMW Zagato Roadster has been finished in a special grey that changes from dark charcoal to light silver depending on how the light hits it. BMW has not given any detailed technical, weight or performance figures, but in the standard Z4 sDrive35is is powered by a 250kW/450Nm turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six engine that gets to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds and to a top speed of 250km/h (electronically-limited).  

  The roadster will be based on the rear-wheel drive MX-5 platform and built at Mazda’s plant in Hiroshima, Japan. However the two cars will be given individual styling treatment – and carry different engines – for each of the badges. A statement from Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne said the joint project highlighted Fiat’s commitment to building Alfa Romeo into “a truly global brand”. “By partnering with Mazda, we will be co-operating with the recognised leader in compact rear-drive vehicle architectures in order to deliver an exciting and stylish roadster in the Alfa Romeo tradition. We are appreciative of this collaboration with Mazda and look forward to maintaining a fruitful and continuous relationship,” the statement said. Mazda hinted that the collaboration would be followed by others. “Establishing technology and product development alliances is one of Mazda’s corporate objectives and this announcement with Fiat is an important first step in that direction,” the Japanese carmaker’s CEO Takashi Yamanouchi said. The announcement said the Alfa-Romeo version of the car would start rolling off the production line in 2015, which means the new MX-5 could arrive in showrooms ahead of its Italian relation –possibly by early 2014 at the latest -- although Mazda is not ready to confirm dates yet. “We haven’t made any announcement of a production start date for the next MX-5,” was all Mazda Australia spokesman Steve Maciver would share on the subject. However he was clear on which side of the partnership would be responsible for development of the project – and why. “Rear-wheel drive has been the basis of the MX-5’s success over the years,” he pointed out. “We will lead the development, with the project based on the next generation MX-5 platform with Skyactiv technology and the benefit of Mazda suspension tune and dynamics. However my understanding is that Alfa will use a Fiat powertrain.” Both companies have been seeking partnerships in the crusade to trim costs and expand markets. Marchionne has said previously Fiat’s brands (including Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge) need to expand to annual global sales of 6 million – a 60 per cent rise on the 2010 total of 3.6 million. Meantime Mazda, despite its success in the Australian market, had global sales of 1.3 million and is looking to head of a fourth year of losses by activating more volume at its factories.

Since it was launched at the show, the electric line-up that included the Smart ebike and fortwo electric coupé and a convertible cars has nabbed a swag of awards, including a prestigious red dot international design gong for 'best of the best'. Smart has decided to reward the little city scooter's contribution towards that by putting it into production, with a launch date in 2014. "With this step, we are adding a further important component to our smart mobility concept for urban mobility in the future," Mercedes-Benz executive vice president of sales and marketing, Dr Joachim Schmidt says. The escooter will follow in the footsteps of the ebike which is rolling out now in Europe and the Smart fortwo electric car, which has just been test-driven by Carsguide and goes on sale in Europe shortly. Mercedes-Benz says there will be more development of the escooter motor show concept before it is launched. In Europe a license will not be required for the scooter, targeting the younger buyer who is not looking at cars. “Anyone who thinks of urban mobility has to think of smart,” says Dr. Annette Winkler, the head of smart. “We offer the perfect zero-emissions vehicle for every requirement, and with our products, electric travel is a lot of fun too.” Will we see it bring all that 'urban mobility fun' here? It's not being ruled out, according to Mercedes-Benz Australia. "I wouldn't say no but it's too early to talk about the scooter and the bike," spokesman Jerry Stamoulis says. "But we certainly wouldn't say no, and will be investigating the case for both of them." "One of the main reasons is that we want to help give the Smart brand a lift in Australia and this could form part of our strategy. So if the technical case is good, we've got a business case to look at."  

The substantially revamped smart fortwo sports a markedly more dynamic appearance, featuring a larger radiator grille with integrated logo, striking front aprons in a new design, horizontally arranged LED daytime driving lights, muscular side skirts and modified rear aprons. The five lines: pure, pulse, passion, BRABUS and BRABUS Xclusive are to be retained. Similarly, the smart fortwo will continue to be available as a coupe and cabrio version and with five engine and motor variants. They range from a 40kW diesel through to the 75kW Brabus, but not all models are available in Australia. The chrome-coloured logo is now positioned directly in the black radiator grille. The air inlets under the number plate have been combined into a single unit, lending the smart fortwo a bolder appearance. The new, optionally available LED daytime driving lights are now arranged horizontally. There is also a choice of three new alloy wheels. The choice of colours comprises seven options, including matt anthracite for the first time. The smart fortwo BRABUS Xclusive is now also optionally available in white. In addition to the three soft top colours for the smart cabrio which were previously available from the smart programme (black, red, blue), the smart BRABUS tailor made program offers six other soft top colours. While the main focus of this facelift is on the exterior, there are changes inside the car, too.  These include a new, high-quality interior package in crystal grey, comprising a fresh leather/fabric combination for the seats, an imitation leather/fabric mix for the door trims and black imitation leather for the instrument panel in combination with a grey knee pad.  

The NSX will be sold in the US under Honda's luxury Acura brand and the company is officially saying that the roadster was made specifically for the film. That may be the case but it has been built off the regular NSX underpinnings and there's already talk of it following the hardtop down the production line. Acura is expected to gauge moviegoers' reactions to the car before committing to build the roadster. The car was photographed late last year during filming of the movie, with suggestions the convertible would be the default NSX. That was quashed when the company revealed its NSX Concept with a roof at the Detroit Motor Show in January. Acura vice-president Mike Accavitti said at this month's New York Motor Show the NSX roadster was a "design exercise". "The appearance of an Acura model in The Avengers'_ even one that won't be on sale, further leverages Acura's ongoing association with the Marvel superhero franchise, which has seen Acura vehicles in both the second 'Iron Man' instalment and in last year's Captain America and Thor," he says. The NSX is driven in the movie by Tony Stark (a.k.a Iron Man), played by Robert Downey Jr and continues the superhero's association with supercars. Iron Man drove an Audi R8 in the original movie and backed it up with an R8 Spyder in the second film.  The NSX roadster is thought to be powered by the same Super Handling All-Wheel Drive hybrid set-up seen in the hard-top. The system uses a V6 petrol engine and three electric motors. Two of the motors power the front wheels with the third used to boost the engine's output to the rear wheels. As a result, the NSX can theoretically operate in full electric, full petrol or hybrid modes using front, rear or all-wheel drive IRON MAN'S WHEELS When he's not flying around as Iron Man, Tony Stark has an enviable collection of cars in the garage. Here's what Robert Downey Jr  has already driven in the first two movies based on the Marvel Comics superhero. Iron Man: Audi R8, Tesla Roadster, 1932 Ford Flathead Roadster, Saleen S7, Shelby Cobra Iron Man 2: Audi R8 Spyder, '32 Ford Flathead, Rolls-Royce Phantom

It sounds so simple that it's a wonder car makers didn't think of it earlier. German specialist vehicle maker Rinspeed has found a way of attaching a "backpack" to the electric Smart ForTwo car which is being considered for sale in Australia. This bolt-on bustle contains extra batteries to give the Smart a longer range for times when you want to go further. It also offers extra room - either covered with a wagon shape or as a ute tray - for personal luggage or for commercial cargo. Like pizzas. "It creates mobility 'a la carte'," says Rinspeed. "The 'backpacks' carry out their assigned tasks depending on current need. They cleverly solve the much-debated operating range problem that electric vehicles suffer from - neither unnecessary space nor superfluous weight is being transported." Dock+Go is the work of Swiss car designer Frank Rinderknecht and his Rinspeed team. It goes on display at next month's Geneva motor show but has a good chance of production.

The electric bike is currently only available in Europe, but Mercedes-Benz  Australia spokesman David McCarthy says it could be a handy tool for Aussie commuters. "We are investigating the E Bike for Oz, we don't have any indicative pricing as yet," he says. "There is interest from customers as it would make a great urban commute bike (but) don't know if you would be allowed to ride it on bike paths. "We are scoping out the business case at the moment. There's no compliance reasons we are aware of to stop it coming here." The bike has a battery seamlessly moulded into the frame and has range of up to 100km on a single charge; more if the rider helps by peddling. It is a handsome piece of machinery with a maintenance-free, carbon-toothed belt as found in many cars. It requires no lubrication, so it won't chew trousers or spatter them with grease. The lightweight belt also won't mark the carpet in the boot or the back seat where it can be easily stored after quickly detaching the front wheel. McCarthy says it would be ideal for people who live close to work or who drive from the suburbs, then park their car and ride the last part of the journey, avoiding traffic congestion and parking problems. There is also an optional mobile phone cradle with USB connection on the handlebars so the rider can use it as a stanav device, app device, phone or music player. Smart claims the bike is safer than conventional bicycles because the electric motor provides extra braking assistance to the hydraulic brakes, recuperating energy to charge the battery in the process. McCarthy suggests Smart is not a major focus. "People buy Smart; we don't sell it," he says. "We continue to support Smart because people love it." He says they sell Smart cars to keep it "out of the hands of the grey importers". "We're also investigating bringing in the second generation of the electric Smart (car), but only in small numbers; half a dozen or so just to trial."

The Koreans starred, the Japanese mounted a comeback, and One Ford hit the headlines with an extended family of Focus-based newcomers that it is certain to make a big hit in Australia. But it was one car and the commitment of its company chief that made the most impact as America fought back on the opening day of the 2011 North American International Motor Show. Mercedes-Benz Australia spokesman David McCarthy says several four-seater products being developed with Nissan and Renault would be suitable for Australia, but they are not due until 2014.  "We continue to support Smart because people love it," he says. "We're maintaining our interest in the brand to take it out of the hands of the grey importers.  "We're also investigating bringing in the second generation of the electric Smart, but only in small numbers; half a dozen or so just to trial."  However, he's not too keen on the Smart two-seater urban pick-up concept unveiled at the Detroit motor show this week.  Smart boss Annette Winkler described the "for-us" as "the perfect pick-up for the city".  The awkward two-seater features a tray in the rear that fits two bicycles and the show car had a Smart electric ebike in the back.  The 55kW/130Nm three-cylinder engine has been made in a joint venture with Mitsubishi.