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Report: Toyota mulling Cummins diesel for Tundra?

Filed under: Hybrid, Truck, Toyota, Diesel

When Bloomberg spoke to Toyota USA Sales CEO Kazua Ohara recently, we highlighted his comments on the possible return of the Toyota Supra. However, the interview started with Ohara discussing the Tundra, and how it would take time to pinpoint and hone the pickup truck’s brand image in the minds of consumers. That effort could get a boost, with a report in Edmunds saying that Toyota is “evaluating” the addition of a Cummins turbodiesel to the Tundra’s engine options.

The Cummins powerplant is one of two options for the moment, the other being a hybrid powertrain. If the oil-burner got the thumbs-up, Toyota would follow the recent example of Nissan, which announced it would put a Cummins turbodiesel into its 2015 Titan. While the two Japanese companies make a closer comparison since they’re both talking about Cummins applications in light-duty trucks, if it happens, it could be seen as further diluting the once-exclusive tie-up that Ram trucks has had with Cummins even though Ram has used Cummins in its heavy-duty truck.

Toyota hasn’t said when it will decide on which direction to take, but either will be a move for the better in the view of segment watchers; PickupTrucks.com said the first of its top-five fixes for the Tundra would be a better engine, perhaps a diesel-electric hybrid from Toyota’s Hino unit. Cummins told Edmunds it can supply a second manufacturer with the 5.0-liter diesel that Nissan will be using, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see it end up in a Toyota or somewhere else.

Toyota mulling Cummins diesel for Tundra? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Sep 2013 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Toyota mulling Cummins diesel for Tundra?

Filed under: Hybrid, Truck, Toyota, Diesel

Toyota mulling Cummins diesel for Tundra? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Sep 2013 14:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: VW, Suzuki mulling rekindling relationship in face of legal battle

Filed under: Government/Legal, Suzuki, Volkswagen

Suzuki and Volkswagen Grilles

Volkswagen and Suzuki have been undergoing marriage counseling in a bid to avoid finalizing their nasty divorce. The union has been troubled for some time, with Volkswagen claiming that it could affect operational decisions at Suzuki, and the Japanese brand’s sniping and constant flirting with a certain Italian temptress causing rifts.

The matter first went to court in 2012, when Suzuki demanded VW get out, and leave its 19.9-percent stake in the Japanese brand in a box to the left. Now, Automotive News is reporting that the company will give the relationship one last shot, according to closed-door dealings between the two in London.

Still, it’s understood that VW and Suzuki recognize the benefit of their alliance, and that it’d be in the best interests of ~~the kids~~ both parties to make things work. Spokespeople declined to comment to AN, but the newsmagazine spoke with Frank Biller, an analyst for LBBW in Stuttgart, who said, “Both companies stand to benefit if they can overcome the disagreements over leadership claims.”

This argument over who wears the pants in the relationship has the potential to make or break the partnership, as sources close to the discussions told AN that if an agreement can’t be reached, then a London-based arbitrator could get involved.

Suzuki last made waves when it up and pulled out of the US and Canadian markets last year after declaring bankruptcy.

VW, Suzuki mulling rekindling relationship in face of legal battle originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 27 Jul 2013 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Hyundai mulling new small CUV under Tucson

Filed under: Budget, Crossover, Hyundai

2013 Hyundai Tucson - front three-quarter view, silver

Hyundai maintains it can barely build enough of its core models to satisfy North American consumers, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t keen to expand its offerings to capture developing segments of the market. According to Edmunds, one of those expanding niches could be the burgeoning subcompact crossover segment. The website quotes Hyundai North America president and CEO John Krafcik as acknowledging his company is “very under-represented” in crossovers, the market’s hottest vehicle type.

With the discontinuation of the Veracruz, Hyundai is down to two CUV nameplates, Tucson (pictured) and Santa Fe, the latter of which covers two segments with a two-row Sport and long-wheelbase three-row model. And while Hyundai commands seven percent of the US sedan market, the company estimates it only has two percent of the truck segment.

And while Krafcik stops short of confirming a new model, he acknowledges “a new segment is emerging” underneath the Tucson and says, “I think it’s something to look at.” At the moment, the subcompact softroader segment remains small and somewhat amorphous, with tiny CUV offerings like the Buick Encore, Nissan Juke, and now-discontinued Suzuki SX4 illustrating that there are a lot of different ways to package and market such a vehicle.

Edmunds expects a new Tucson sometime around 2015, so with Krafcik admitting that the company has no firm plans but is starting to look into the matter, it’s likely that we won’t see a smaller CUV from Hyundai until sometime after that.

Hyundai mulling new small CUV under Tucson originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 17 Jul 2013 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: BMW mulling seven-passenger X7 crossover… again

Filed under: Crossover, BMW, Rumormill, Luxury

2011 BMW X5

2011 BMW X5 – Click above for high-res image gallery

While it may have seemed unlikely before 1999 when the original X5 was launched, BMW has enjoyed explosive growth in the crossover utility world – so much so that it’s expanded its lineup to include the X1, X3 and X6 as well. The X5 and X6 have even spawned M versions, and the X3 is apparently slated to follow suit. But that’s hardly the extent of it, as the Bavarian automaker is reportedly developing a larger X7.

According to Automobile, the rumored X7 (codenamed F17) will go head-to-head with the Mercedes-Benz GL and a possible Audi Q9 – you know, in case the Q7 isn’t quite big enough. To differentiate it from the X5, the mooted X7 will reportedly pack a third row of seats for seven-passenger capability.

This isn’t the first we’ve heard of the X7, of course. The program was widely reported as canceled back in 2008 thanks largely to poor economic conditions in markets like the United States. The model had been scheduled for a 2013 introduction. Has a modestly improving economy and America’s relentless appetite for crossovers rekindled the project? If Automobile is to be believed, apparently so…

BMW mulling seven-passenger X7 crossover… again originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 May 2011 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Fed mulling standardizing keyless ignition systems

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Technology, Toyota

automotive push button start

Five years ago, if you owned a vehicle with push button start, you probably owned a luxury vehicle or high-end sports car. For 2011, there are 189 vehicles with push start technology, including many vehicles that retail for less than $20,000. But while the technology has proliferated to nearly every vehicle segment, each automaker has its own keyless ignition mechanism.

Automotive News reports that the Society of Automobile Engineers (SAE) International isn’t crazy about this, and it’s looking to standardize keyless ignition systems. The move can be at least partially viewed as a reaction to unintended acceleration issues faced by Toyota. Some Toyota owners who reported reported the UA phenomenon were unable to turn off the vehicle because Toyota’s programmers necessitate that the star/stop button must be pressed for three or more seconds to cut off power to the engine.

According to Automotive News, the SAE proposes that drivers should be able to stop the vehicle by pressing the button for .5 to two seconds, or by briefly pressing the button two or three times.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has also reportedly added that it may propose a rule this year to standardize the systems, leading at least one automaker to consider waiting to redesign their systems until uniform standards can be agreed upon. Interestingly, a poll by AN revealed that while General Motors, Ford, Volkswagen, Honda, Nissan, Chrysler and Hyundai planned to comply with the SAE standard – only Toyota says that it won’t follow the guidelines until it learns if NHTSA will chime in with its own regulations, as well.

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req. via Automobile]
Image by Chris Shunk / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

Report: Fed mulling standardizing keyless ignition systems originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Apr 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Aston Martin mulling return to straight-six engines?

Filed under: Aston Martin, Rumormill

Aston Martin logo

Aston Martin boss Dr. Ulrich Bez let the cat out of the bag this week, revealing that the automaker is seriously contemplating bringing back the straight-six engine. Up through the most recent DB7, Aston’s silky inline-sixes defined the brand.

According to Bez, if Aston decides to go back to its old standby, the engine would likely be a 2.5-liter unit sporting direct injection and a turbocharger. Dr. Bez’s thoughts have turned to engines since Aston’s universal VH platform won’t need updating for a few more years. According to Bez, getting a six-pot in the current architecture won’t be an issue, since V12s already slide in nicely.

We wouldn’t look for a six-cylinder Aston for at least another five years, but the idea of a turbocharged, six-cylinder Vantage-style baby Aston does pique our interest.

[Source: Piston Heads | Image: Drew Phillips/AOL]

Report: Aston Martin mulling return to straight-six engines? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Porsche mulling diesel power for U.S.

Filed under: Sedan, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Porsche, Rumormill

2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel

2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel – Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi and Volkswagen are working hard to push diesel products in the United States and it seems as though their corporate cousins at Porsche may be ready to join them. Rumor has it that the German automaker is considering a pair of oil-burners for our shores.

Porsche already produces a diesel-drinking Cayenne for Europe and it’s been speculated that a Panamera diesel will appear on stage at the Geneva Motor Show. While the move will surely offend the Porsche purists in the States, it’s a safe bet that diesel options will help lower the automakers average fuel economy figures – a problem Porsche has been dealing with for years.

Gallery: Quick Drive: 2009 Porsche Cayenne Diesel

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

Report: Porsche mulling diesel power for U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley mulling third product line?

Filed under: Bentley

New Bentley CEO Wolfgang Durheimer inherited a high-end marque with only two product lines; the recently refreshed Continental GT and the spanking new Mulsanne. The two vehicles are tasked with continuing to prop up the brand after sales dropped to only 4,616 units in 2009, and according to a The Detroit Bureau help could be on the way.

During an interview with outgoing Bentley boss Franz-Josef Paefgen, the CEO said that Durheimer is tasked with noodling the idea of a third model. If we were the betting type we’d place our chips on a high-end electric car to help the brand reach rising emissions standards or an “entry model” under $150,000 to help increase volume – and the latter seems far more likely. At any rate it appears a third Bentley is still years out even if Durheimer and his team decide to expand its product lineup.

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

Bentley mulling third product line? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Jan 2011 16:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infiniti still mulling halo sportscar model?

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Infiniti, Rumormill, Luxury

Infiniti Essence concept car

Infiniti Essence concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Infiniti has got its hands full these days. Between the launch of the new M range, development of its own luxury version of the Nissan Leaf electric vehicle and plans for a rival to the likes of the BMW 1 Series, Audi A3 and new Lexus CT200h, to say nothing of the manifestation of its Infiniti Performance Line, there’s plenty on the Nissan premium division’s plate. But that doesn’t mean it couldn’t take on one more big project, if the latest reports from overseas come to fruition.

According to British weekly Autocar, Infiniti chief Toru Saito is keen to top the brand’s model lineup with a full-on range-topping sportscar. The segment is one which rival Acura had previously attacked with the iconic NSX and which Lexus recently tackled with the LFA supercar (albeit at a stratospheric level), but which Infiniti hasn’t broached until now. Although previous rumors surrounded the use of the Nissan GT-R’s platform, if it comes to be, Autocar says that Infiniti’s sportscar would likely take its cues from the critically acclaimed Essence show car displayed at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, and possibly draw on parent company Nissan-Renault’s recently-penned partnership with Mercedes-Benz.

Gallery: Infiniti Essence Concept

[Source: Autocar]

Infiniti still mulling halo sportscar model? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 11 Oct 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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