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Seat gears up for Audi Q3 production at Spanish plant

Filed under: SUV, Europe, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, Audi, SEAT

Seat plant in Martorell, Spain

Last week, Porsche announced production plans for its upcoming Cajun sport-ute at its Leipzig plant in Germany. Now, sister-company Seat is following suit with preparations to build the Audi Q3 at its facility (pictured above) in Martorell on the outskirts of Barcelona.

If you’re wondering what Audi has to do with Seat, allow us to fill in the blanks. Most essentially, the two are sister brands fall under the larger Volkswagen Group umbrella. Seat’s flagship Exeo is essentially a re-bodied version of the previous-generation Audi A4. And when Audi was looking for the right place to build its upcoming Q3 compact crossover, it turned to the Spanish subsidiary.

In preparation for Q3 prduction to start, Seat is hiring over 700 new employees. Overall the company has undertaken the training of 1,200 new personnel, and if production requirements demand, could hire some or all of the remaining 500. Hit the jump for the full details in the press release.

[Source: Seat]

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Seat gears up for Audi Q3 production at Spanish plant originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Mar 2011 06:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Latest Mini Coupe photos suggest production nearly afoot

Filed under: Spy Photos, Coupe, Mini

Mini Coupe Spy Shots

Mini Coupe Spy Shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’re inching ever closer to seeing the Mini Coupe in showrooms. The clipped Cooper is set to land on dealer lots as soon as this Autumn, and it looks like the company’s engineers are hard at work ironing out the very last wrinkles in the platform. Our spy photographer commandos managed to click off a few photos of the most recent tester out and about wearing what must be nearly production-ready sheetmetal. If we were the betting types, we’d lay a shiny nickel on the vehicle you see here being all but identical to the final iteration.

In these photos, we can clearly see that the vehicle’s retractable spoiler tucks cleanly into the trunk when not in use, though the somewhat awkward roof aero treatment is still sticking around. Up front, the Coupe wears the same corporate clothing as the Cooper line, and buyer should expect to find the same line of four-cylinder engines under the hood as well.

Gallery: Mini Coupe Spy Shots

[Source: CarPix]

Spy Shots: Latest Mini Coupe photos suggest production nearly afoot originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Mar 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Honda shutters motorcycle production in wake of earthquake, commits to recovery

Filed under: Etc., Japan, Motorcycle

Honda Motorcycles Honda has announced that it will temporarily suspend operations at both its Hamamatsu and Kumamato facilities this week. Both plants are responsible for producing the company’s stable of motorcycles. The Hamamatsu plant, which builds the CBR600RR and CBR1000RR, has closed its doors today, March 14, while the Kumamato factory will be shuttered tomorrow. The latter facility is responsible for the Goldwing.

Both plants were far from the worst areas of earthquake and tsunami damage, but with massive power and parts shortages and a huge human toll, there’s little sense in operating the plants at this time. The Kumamato facility is set to reopen on March 20th, but so far there’s no word on when operations at Hamamatsu will resume.

Honda has committed to helping with the Japanese recovery effort by donating $3.9 million, 1,000 generators and 5,000 fuel canisters. Hit the jump for a look at the company’s release on the disaster.

[Sources: Hell For Leather – sub. req, Visordown, Honda]

Continue reading Honda shutters motorcycle production in wake of earthquake, commits to recovery

Honda shutters motorcycle production in wake of earthquake, commits to recovery originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 14 Mar 2011 17:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Fiat 500 Zagato Coupe go for production

Filed under: Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Specialty, Fiat

2012 Fiat 500 Zagato

2012 Fiat 500 Coupe Zagato – Click above for high-res image gallery

Among the Fiat 500 concepts that Fiat took to Geneva, the most interesting was probably the Coupe Zagato,which got the design firm’s famous low, double-bubble roof and teardrop-shaped windows. According to Fiat brass, the 500 Coupe Zagato is go for production in Mexico and in very limited numbers in Europe.

No word yet on pricing, but it looks like the Fiat 500 Coupe Zagato will come with your choice of the standard 500’s engine options, including the brand-new 105-horsepower turbo two banger. Whether Fiat plans to bring the Zag here remains a mystery, but we aren’t getting our hopes up.

Gallery: Fiat 500 Coupe Zagato concept: Geneva 2011

Fiat 500 Coupe Zagato concept: Geneva 2011

[Source: Autoblog Spanish]

Report: Fiat 500 Zagato Coupe go for production originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Mar 2011 11:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Volkswagen green lights Bulli for production

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Volkswagen, Autoline on Autoblog, Rumormill

Volkswagen bulli

Volkswagen Bulli Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

What did you think of Volkswagen’s Bulli concept, which was just shown for the first time at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show? VW is apparently hoping you liked it, because rumor (via Autocar in the UK) has it that it’s going into production.

The concept version is powered by a 113-horsepower electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack, which can reportedly be charged in less than an hour. We don’t know if the electric powertrain will make it into the production vehicle (our guess would be no, but who knows?), and there is no word on pricing. Still, how cool would it be to once again see a modern Volkswagen Microbus prowling the streets of America? The mind reels at the possibility.

Gallery: Volkswagen Bulli Concept: Geneva 2011

Volkswagen Bulli Concept: Geneva 2011

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Volkswagen green lights Bulli for production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Mar 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Pics Aplenty: First production Singer Design 911

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Performance, Porsche, Luxury

Singer 911

First production Singer 911 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Singer has been so kind as to serve up a load of heart-stopping photos of its very first production 911. You may want to set aside a little personal time for this one. If the perfect lines of this particular machine aren’t enough to get you licking your chops, allow us to remind you that you’re currently eyeballing a host of custom-tailored carbon-fiber body work wrapped around a fully modern Porsche drivetrain. That’s right, kids and kiddies, tucked under that classic skirt is a walloping 410-horsepower 3.82-liter flat six engine.

We’re fairly certain that we’d be happy to perform any number of nefarious acts to call this creation our very own.

Singer has stitched in Brembo stoppers on all four corners along with Bilstein coilovers to put all that power to the pavement, and the interior is laced with the kind of kit that you’d expect from a vehicle with a price tag that knocks on the door of $200,000. Look around the cabin and you’ll see a Heuer chronograph, leather weave seats and an RSR steering wheel, among other goodies.

Trust us. You owe it to yourself to scroll through all 71 photos in our high-res image gallery below.

Gallery: First Production Singer 911

[Source and Images: Singer]

Pics Aplenty: First production Singer Design 911 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 20:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Mini Rocketman headed for production

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hatchback, Mini, Rumormill

Mini Rocketman Concept

Mini Rocketman Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

This year’s Geneva Motor Show was as packed as ever with new concept cars that point the way forward for the world’s automakers. And with their debuts now behind us, reports are pouring in on their prospects for production.

First came word that the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept is destined for U.S. showrooms, then reports surfaced of Jaguar passing on Bertone’s design pitch. Now sources from across the pond are indicating that Mini plans to go ahead with production of its Rocketman concept.

The subcompact show car aimed to pacify purists who bemoan the enlargement of the modern Mini range, and the new model could bridge the gap between the original Mini and the contemporary iteration.

According to Autocar, Mini plans on producing the Rocketman based on the BMW Group’s new front-drive platform and i-initiative technologies. Rather than replace the existing three-door hatchback, however, the production Rocketman would slot in below it (at least in terms of size) in the company’s rapidly expanding range.

Gallery: Mini Rocketman Concept: Geneva 2011

Gallery: Mini Rocketman Concept

Mini Rocketman Concept

[Source: Autocar]

Rumormill: Mini Rocketman headed for production originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Motus unveils production MST-01 and MST-R

Filed under: Etc., Motorcycle

Motus MST-01

Motus has officially unveiled the company’s first products at Pratt & Miller’s Michigan facility. The venue was chosen because of Pratt & Miller’s role in engineering the bike’s frame. Not interesting enough for you? Eyeball the bike’s heart, then: a V4, scale version of the pushrod V8 that powers the Corvette Racing C6.R.

Motus says that the engine is good for 160 horsepower and an unknown amount of torque, at least for the moment. That figure is good 20 horsepower more than what Motus originally anticipated out of the design, so a proportionate jump in twist isn’t necessarily out of the question. Thanks to its design, the Motus V4 weighs just 130 pounds and measures 18 inches across at its widest point. We could think of all sorts of unseemly uses for such a contraption.

According to Hell for Leather, the MST-01 and MST-R are designed to be a counterpoint to the traditional American-designed motorcycle, offering plenty of comfort and a well-sorted suspension wrapped up in a 500-pound package. Head over to Hell for Leather for a closer look, as well as a video of the bikes’ unveil.

[Source: Hell for Leather | Image: Hel l for Leather]

Motus unveils production MST-01 and MST-R originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 17:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Reimagined Jaguar E-Type to enter very limited production

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Jaguar, Specialty, Design/Style

2011 Growler E concept

2012 Growler E concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Swedish design firm Visualtech has confirmed it will build a very limited run of production cars based on its Growler E, a reimagining of the Jaguar E-Type. According to the company, plans are to have the first Growler ready for delivery in the summer of 2012.

Speaking of plans, the current goal is to produce three or four of the cars to be finished simultaneously. If there’s overwhelming demand, Visualtech may decided to build a very short series run of the cars, with help from Steyr or Finnish firm Valmet.

The car is to be powered by a Jaguar XKR-sourced 5.0-liter supercharged V8. With a few choice tweaks, the Growler should close in on the 600-horsepower mark. Visualtech hopes that will lead to a 0-60 run under 4 seconds.

The Growler will have a composite body glued to a carbon fiber structure, with front and rear tube frames holding the running gear. Should you have the wherewithal to order a Growler, expect to pay nearly $700,000 if they make a series run, and closer to $1.4 million if they only make a few.

Gallery: Growler E 2011 Concept

Growler E 2011 Concept

[Source: Top Gear]

Reimagined Jaguar E-Type to enter very limited production originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 06 Mar 2011 13:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: Toyota FT-86 II Concept is one step closer to production

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Toyota

Toyota FT-86 II Concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show

Toyota FT-86 II Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

As one of the more hotly anticipated debuts of the Geneva Motor Show, we were sure to aim the lenses of our DSLRs in the direction of the Toyota FT-86 II Concept, which, as you’re surely aware by now, previews a new rear-wheel drive sports coupe that’s due to enter production in 2012.

Needless to say, we’re looking forward to an actual production model, but in the meantime, at least we get to gaze on an exterior shape that Toyota says “gives the clearest indication yet as to the final design of Toyota’s next sports car” with “aerodynamics developed from F1 technology.” Good thing that got something out of their lackluster F1 efforts.

There’s very little information in the way of hard specs, but we’ll get more of those soon enough when Subaru shows off its own version of this rear-wheel-drive sports car, which was jointly developed by the two automakers. What we do know is that the concept and future production cars will use a 2.0-liter four cylinder boxer engine mounted up front and driving the rear wheels through a manual gearbox.

For the full details, check out the press release after the break, and be sure to scope out our high-res image gallery of live photos below.

Gallery: Toyota FT-86 II Concept: Geneva 2011

Toyota FT-86 II Concept

Continue reading Geneva 2011: Toyota FT-86 II Concept is one step closer to production

Geneva 2011: Toyota FT-86 II Concept is one step closer to production originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Mar 2011 04:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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