BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroën Form Joint Venture to Produce Hybrid Components

Already partners in developing 4-cylinder petrol engines, BMW and PSA Peugeot Citroën have decided to set up 50-50 equity joint venture named the BMW Peugeot Citroën Electrification, which will primarily focus on developing hybrid components. Sharing the cost of research and development as well as production and component purchasing, the two companies expect to achieve significant economies of scale.

The hybrid components in question include battery packs, E-machines, generators, power electronics and chargers, alongside the necessary software to operate them that will also be jointly developed. The new technologies will be used by the two automakers for their upcoming electric vehicles and could be sold to other companies as well.

The joint venture is expected to be fully operational in the second quarter of 2011 and it’s estimated that the first series production hybrid components will arrive in 2014.

“This cooperative venture will enable us to achieve significant economies of scale in the field of electrification. It also represents an important step on the road to sustainable mobility”, said Norbert Reithofer, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW AG.

“With this joint venture, we are sure to develop and expand our expertise and to build a European leader in the field of automotive hybrid innovation”, noted Philippe Varin, Chairman of the Managing Board of PSA Peugeot Citroën.

By Csaba Daradics

The Peugeot BB1 concept

A complete rethink of the car by Peugeot. The BB1 concept is an electric car which carries 4 people and designed so that it is only 2.5 metres long - smaller than the Smart ForTwo and Toyota iQ. The car made its debut at the Frankfurt International Motor show.

Instead of a steering wheel, the car has handle bars and no pedals on the floor. Similar to a bike, the accelerator and brake levers are on the handles.

Check out the video:

Foreign Automakers Review Relationships with Tunisian Partners, which...”happen” to be Relatives of the Ousted President

The looting of the Ferrari 599 GTB owned by former Tunisian president Zein al-Abidine Ben Ali and the smashing of cars owned by his relatives including a Ferrari California may have been eye-catching in an offbeat sort of way, but there are more important automotive-related stories coming out from Tunisia.

It has been reported by several news agencies that Tunisians are also destroying random vehicles made by Kia, Fiat, Porsche and other makers. The reason? Because the companies that distribute them are controlled by members of the ruling family. Now, in light of all the latest developments, many international automakers are reviewing their business ties to the extended family of Zein al-Abidine Ben Ali, according to the Financial Times.

The daily newspaper said that up until now, the country's car market, which totaled just under 60,000 units in 2010, was heavily regulated by its trade ministry that favored importers controlled one way or another by relatives of the former president or his wife, Leila Trabelsi.

Companies controlled or owned by the family members of the ousted presidential couple include:

-Ford, which sells cars in Tunisia through a company partially owned by Belhassen Trabelsi, the former president’s brother-in-law;

-Ennakl, a dealer for Porsche, Volkswagen, Audi, and Seat controlled by Mohamed Sakher al-Materi, the president’s son-in-law;

-Kia, which distributes its models through City Cars, part of the El Materi Princess Holding, another company controlled by the former president’s son-in-law, Mohamed Sakher al-Materi;

-Le Moteur, which acts as an importer for several companies including Mercedes-Benz and Fiat, and is owned by Marouane Mabrouk, the deposed president’s son-in-law;

-Peugeot, which is represented by Stafim, a company in which Mehdi Belgaid – said to be engaged to Halima Ben Ali, the former president’s daughter – owns a stake;

Some carmakers such as Audi have stopped exporting their cars to the country because they are not sure if they would clear customs as well for their safety once they arrive on the dealer lots. The financial daily quoted Audi as saying; “We will have to look at whether we can continue doing business with this partner and whether they are the right partner for us. ”

Ford said it also looking into the matter and reassessing ties with its Tunisian importer, while Mercedes-Benz said it found no wrongdoing on behalf of Le Moteur but will monitor the situation. A Peugeot spokesman said the automaker will wait to see what the new government will do with companies associated with the president's family.

Other carmakers, including Kia and Porsche, said that for the time being, they will continue to do business as usual with their partners. Porsche in particular said it has no plans to change its arrangement with Ennaki “as long as the company is operational and paying for cars”.

The newspaper said that Fiat "would not comment on its business in Tunisia, or its local partner."

Source: Financial Times

My Top 10 Concept Cars of 2010

In less than two weeks, 2010 will draw to a close. So what better time to look back at the real stars of this year’s motor shows: the concept cars! Enter into a world where considerations like practicality and profitability fall by the wayside and the world’s designers and engineers show us their true potential. Let’s count down...my Top 10 Concept Cars of 2010!

10. Kia POP

Kia’s POP small electric vehicle study is a designer’s wet dream: a one piece glass windscreen and roof, scissor doors and an interior that looks more like a space capsule than a car. It also offers further proof that the South Korean company has evolved from a budget buyer’s first choice into a proper, world class automaker.

9. Citroen Lacoste

Again and again, Citroen has proved that it can do concept cars like no other automaker. Alas, with so many other awesome concepts this year, the Lacoste never made it further up our list than here. Still, this beach buggy for the 21^st century has some standout features like its funky LED dashboard, semi-open design and plastic-clad body.

8. Renault DeZir

Renault has never been so cool. In a perfect world, this electric two-seater would be the French automaker’s Audi R8. In reality, it’s just another fantastic shoulda-been from France’s dullest automaker (Renault Sport models notwithstanding).

7. Mercedes Benz BIOME

The BIOME is pure flight of fancy. Designed to be seeded in an orchard and grown like a cob of corn (no, really), the BIOME emits nothing but oxygen and marketing hyperbole. Am I the only one who thinks this looks a bit like the 2001 SEL from Spaceballs?

6. Peugeot EX1

Part car, part motorcycle: Peugeot’s eccentrically electric two-seat, three wheeler packs 250 kW / 340 hp between its narrow front wheels. This isn’t Peugeot’s first three wheel concept (remember 2005’s 20 Cup and 2009’s RD?) and is unlikely to be the last. Tres magnifique!

5. Lotus Elise

2010 has been a great year for Lotus concept cars, what with the Aston Martin Rapide rivalling Esterne and the relaunch of two classic nameplates in Esprit and Elan. Still, this teaser for the next-generation Elise is my favourite. 2013 can’t come too soon.

4. New Lancia Stratos

A fabulous one-off that’s drivable to boot, the new Stratos is underpinned by the same (if tweaked) 510 hp V8 that powers Ferrari’s 430 Scuderia. Designed and built by Italian design house Pininfarina, the new Statos recalls the much loved HF rally and road cars of the 1970s. Here’s hoping Pininfarina secures the licence to put this schoolboy’s wet dream into limited production.

3. Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

If there’s one 2010 concept car that divided opinion like no other, it’s Lamborghini’s Sesto Elemento. Between its stealth fighter styling, cacophony of oddly shaped intakes and outtakes and the de-saturated grey and red colour scheme, this was one of the wildest concepts to come out this year. Still, there’s no arguing with its 570 hp V10. We’ll take two.

2. Audi Quattro Concept

Raise your hand if you weren’t utterly enraptured by the rebirth of Audi’s ur-Quattro of the 1980s? No one? I thought as much. With its lightweight body, historically accurate 5-cylinder engine and 911-rivalling performance, what’s not to like? And the styling is to die for. The 1980s never looked so good.

1. Jaguar C-X75

And so here it is, my #1. 2010 had a lot of great concept cars, but none so much as Jaguar’s fabulous C-X75. Here is a gas / electric hybrid with 780 hp with a body fashioned out of texalium and vapour-blasted aluminium. This car is so cutting edge you have to wear gloves. It’s the perfect mix of exotic materials, futuristic technologies and pure styling jizz, and the top dog in our top ten.

So there you have My Top 10. What? You don't agree? Does putting a Kia on this list outrage your sensibilities? Are you disappointed that there are no American cars on the list? Is Jaguar's C-X75 and poorly conceived attempt to elevate the brand beyond its upper-class retiree roots? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.

By Tristan Hankins

SPESIFIKASI Peugeot 508 | Dari Negeri Anggur

SPESIFIKASI Peugeot 508 | Dari Negeri Anggur

Revolution is done by the French car manufacturer, Peugeot. They have to "bury" 407 sedans and 607 just to market a new model, 508, whose pictures are shown now.

Was first shown at the Geneva Auto Show event last year, this car is still in draft form with the name 5by. Peugeot party says it will display the original product at the Paris Auto Show, September.

Compared with the form of concept, a premium sedan that entered this category have been refined so as to produce a more elegant appearance and make it a sports aura intact. As the tug on the line next door that blend up to the bumper, this implies that these vehicles have a reliable performance.

Gasoline engines are available with the 1.6 liter VTi tenaga120HP associated with 6 speed manual gearbox is electronically controlled, and 1.6 liter THP turbo that produces power at 156HP with a 6-speed manual gearbox or 6-speed automatic transmission.

In addition there are six diesel engine options, one of which is e-HDi 1.6-liter model with manual transmission 6-speed electronically controlled high-powered 112HP.

A year after commercial launch of 508, in 2012, Peugeot will introduce a diesel-electric hybrid version that uses the same technology with a crossover Hybrid4 3008 which was recently announced.

This 2012 version will use a 2.0-liter diesel engine turbo-PSA Peugeot Citroën Group with an electric motor driving the rear wheels, which offer the potential of the combined output of 200 horsepower and has a 4-wheel drive. Peugeot says that this model will only generate CO2 emissions by 99g/km

Advances are not impressive display of luxury. This is evident in the design of headlights and fog lights in combination with conventional-style grill small models, such as traditional forms in contemporary cars. Meanwhile, outside rearview mirror look as good as the door handle.

A little more special, wheel design that uses lightweight materials look different with products from other European car manufacturers.

Behind the kitchen hood embedded e-HDi-tech runway that is more economical, but have high performance. Reportedly, the brand will stand symbol lion carrying three engine options, namely diesel-powered 2.0 L and 3.0 L 160 dk (237 dk); 1.6 L turbocharged gasoline-capable 156 dk; and hybrid combinations of applying the driving engine 2.0 L and an electric motor capable of 37 dk.

For the 508, apart from the sedan, Peugeot is also offering a station wagon. New prime unit sales will be conducted early next year.

SPESIFIKASI Peugeot 3008

SPESIFIKASI Peugeot 3008

Modify crossover fever is sweeping the world, did not make the Peugeot remain silent. Concept cars with high utility aka all terrain, yet still retain a sense of a sedan, participating manufacturers exhibited variant bearing the lion standing by 3008 latest.

At first glance, the Peugeot 3008 is a blend of MPV (Multi Purpose Vehicle), SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) and hatchback. This can be observed from the shape of the body, hang out legs and the shape of the stern with minimal overhang.

Price list has become very sensitive since 3008 carried a premium feature is directly proportional to the price to be paid. AUTOMOTIVE agree with this when shared directly Peugeot 3008 crossover luxury in May last year with a 200 km route along the Croatian coast comb.

The most noticeable characteristic is when the driver sitting behind the wheel that has an atmosphere like an airplane cockpit. Dashboard and instrument panel design leads to the driver centric, it can serve entirely different adventure sensation. In fact, probably the first new Peugeot offers a cockpit-style setting for just driver. See center console and dashboard full of nuances that imply the aircraft cabin atmosphere. Lattice row of buttons below the AC that continues to gear lever, giving nuance 'ready for action' to every person who sits behind the steering wheel.

Not only the usual atmosphere of the aircraft, the feel of a driver or passenger can suddenly felt in the cabin jet fighter thanks to the panoramic roof is specially designed to be just above the head. Once moving head, clear sky can be observed.

Even so, sitting position and view of the eye to the windshield seemed to drive a typical premium European sedans that are full of comfort and feature a myriad of tools to operate the vehicle. No more SUVs in general impression.

Tool to talk while driving, 3008 armed with a variety of features that almost was not able to rival or competitor. The simplest example is a screen MID (Multi Information Display), which paired the driver's eye level just behind the roof of the speedometer cluster.

Still would not impede the view for this MID screen like acrylic or colored translucent mica, but can remove images and text according to the needs of drivers while driving. Move eye point of view slightly to the left, exactly to the center dashboard, a retractable display large display navigation system.

Another uniqueness of the design of cabin interiors 3008 is a multi-compartment. That is clear, his name is synonymous congenital modify crossover stuff quite a lot. So many drawers, holders and spaces in each corner of the cabin to store luggage so as not to loose the car when maneuvering or extreme enough suspension travel.

This is possible because the 3008 armed with two kinds of gasoline engine capacity of 1600 cc, ie VTi and THP is capable of spraying power between 120-150 dk. Output to be reckoned with for bringing a large enough body with five seats.

New Peugeot Concept Car

Peugeot Concept Car with Image 1

Peugeot Concept Car with Image 2

Peugeot Concept Car with Image 3

Peugeot Concept Car with Image 4

Peugeot Concept Car with Image 5

Peugeot Concept Car with Image 6

Peugeot Concept Car with Image 7

Peugeot Concept Car with Image 8

This design peugeot concept car look high modern technology because this car use for future. i think this peugeot car is very futuristic car, beautiful and cool car.

New Peugeot Concept Car

Peugeot Concept Car with Image 1

Peugeot Concept Car with Image 2

Peugeot Concept Car with Image 3

Peugeot Concept Car with Image 4

Peugeot Concept Car with Image 5

Peugeot Concept Car with Image 6

Peugeot Concept Car with Image 7

Peugeot Concept Car with Image 8

This design peugeot concept car look high modern technology because this car use for future. i think this peugeot car is very futuristic car, beautiful and cool car.

Car Model Peugeot 308 Type RC-Z

Peugeot 308 RC-Z concept was introduced at the Frankfurt show back in 2007 and it will be mass produced by May 2010. This cool car is a front-wheel drive vehicle equipped with a Mini Cooper JCW 1.6 turbo unit that able to provide 218bhp. The concept and the mass produced car has a slight differences in the headlight design and the exterior body curve.

The interior of this unique car has a sophisticated design and a polycarbonate roof with twin bubbles to increase headroom. The cockpit is trimmed in leather, chrome, aluminum and black-lacquered plastic.
This Peugeot concept car power is provided by the same 1.6-litre 163kW/218hp direct injection four cylinder that can be found in the Mini Cooper. Peugeot 308 RC-Z is relatively lightweight and should be capable of decent turn of speed.

Car Model Peugeot 308 Type RC-Z

Peugeot 308 RC-Z concept was introduced at the Frankfurt show back in 2007 and it will be mass produced by May 2010. This cool car is a front-wheel drive vehicle equipped with a Mini Cooper JCW 1.6 turbo unit that able to provide 218bhp. The concept and the mass produced car has a slight differences in the headlight design and the exterior body curve.

The interior of this unique car has a sophisticated design and a polycarbonate roof with twin bubbles to increase headroom. The cockpit is trimmed in leather, chrome, aluminum and black-lacquered plastic.
This Peugeot concept car power is provided by the same 1.6-litre 163kW/218hp direct injection four cylinder that can be found in the Mini Cooper. Peugeot 308 RC-Z is relatively lightweight and should be capable of decent turn of speed.

New Cars Automotive Model Peugeot Concept

Peugeot "5 by Peugeot" | It's All About Concept Car

Peugeot "5 by Peugeot" | It's All About Concept Car

Peugeot "5 by Peugeot" | It's All About Concept Car

Peugeot "5 by Peugeot" | It's All About Concept Car

Peugeot "5 by Peugeot" | It's All About Concept Car