BMW Isetta to Use Toyota iQ Platform

Here’s another round of platform sharing this time it’s BMW and Toyota. (It’s the Axis powers all over again!) Toyota has been in talks with BMW regarding the use of Mini platforms for use in future Toyota models. Part of what’s on the table is for BMW to get the iQ platform in exchange.

BMW is keen in using Toyota’s smallest car platform and use it for the Isetta – BMW’s electric city car. And why not? The iQ is quite the platform, enabling the iQ to be the world’s smallest four-door car.

Talks about the new BMW sub-brand have emerged a months ago and BMW officials have confirmed that it will indeed be launching a sub-brand that would market the company’s fuel-efficient city cars.

If this move is given a green light, then the Toyota iQ platform will have another incarnation. Aston Martin has already approached Toyota to use the iQ platform for its Cygnet small car.

Source: Autocar

Formula 1: Fisachella to Move to Ferrari?

Ferrari’s season is in shambles. A not-so good car. Injury to Felipe Massa. Michael Schumacher’s non-return. Those are prompting Team Scuderia to make some drastic moves mid-season. Their latest reported effort, get Giancarlo Fisichella (currently driving for Force India)to move to their team.

Standing in for the injured Massa is test driver Luca Badoer. While Badoer is Ferrari’s official “third” driver, he hasn’t had much success for the past two races in which he has participated. Following Fisachella’s brilliant race in Belgium, Ferrari seems to be keen in tapping him.

BBC Sport reports that confirmation about the possible move will be made by Tuesday. When asked about the possibility, Fisichella said that driving for Ferrari will be a “dream” but hasn’t confirmed if he has been approached by the Italian team.

Massa has been initially ruled out from competition due to a head injury sustained in a freak accident during the Hungarian Grand Prix but his fast recovery might allow him to come back by the season’s last race in Brazil. Earlier, Fernando Alonso was rumored to make an early move to fill in for Massa.

Fiat Reveals Punto Evo

Here’s another debutant for the coming Frankfurt Motor Show – the Fiat Punto Evo. It’s basically a revised Grande Punto. However, don’t get deceived by the “Evo” label. It’s not like the “Evo” that goes with the Mitsubishi Lancer.

The Punto Evo gets an engine range update. The engine choices now include the 1.4L gasoline Multiair unit. The range will also feature a 1.3L diesel. So what’s Multiair?

Its a system that allows direct control of air and combustion for each cylinder and stroke. That just basically means that it is energy-efficient cutting down on consumption and CO2 emissions. Aside from the eco benefits, the system also boost the power by 10% and the torque by 15%.

For added measure, Fiat will be making the stop-start system across its engines.

As for aesthetics and design concerns, the car has been restyled now featuring new bumpers and light clusters with the interior getting a complete rework. The Punto Evo has 7 airbags including one for the driver’s knees, a new sat-nav and information systems.

Source: Autocar

Nissan Announces 2010 Rogue Pricing

Nissan still hopes to have a piece of the US car market and they’ve just announced the pricing on the new 2010 Nissan Rogue crossover.

All 2010 Rogues pack the 170 hp 2.5L 4-cylinder engine that’s mated to Nissan’s Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission. The car has options for both front-wheel and all-wheel drive cars. As for fuel economy, front-wheel drives go for 22/27 mpg (city/highway) and all-wheel drives get 21/26 mpg.

The MSRPs for the trim levels:

• Rogue S FWD: $20,340
• Rogue SL FWD: $21,930
• Rogue S AWD: $21,540
• Rogue SL AWD: $23,130

In a saturated crossover market, the Rogue has its job cut for it. With many opting for smaller Korean-made cars, it’d be amazing if Rogue actually sells big.

Source: Nissan

Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-Cell Unveiled

And another automaker decides to join in the whole ecomentalist drive. Meet the Mercedes-Benz B-Class F-cell- the German automaker’s first production fuel-cell vehicle.

The car won’t be that of a pansy either. Merc claims that the car performs similarly to a 2.0L gasoline engine-powered car. However, with fuel cells, the car is practically a zero emissions vehicle. The motor dishes out 134 bhp with 214 lb-ft of torque.

The car also integrates KERS technology with the car. Energy that is wasted under braking in normal cars is harnessed and stored in the lithium-ion battery. The power can then be used as backup for the electric motor.

This just means that it’s not only Honda who is staking a claim in the fuel cell vehicle market these days. Honda hit the market first with their hydrogen fuel-cell-powered FCX Clarity through a lease program.

Source: Autoblog Green

Toyota to Drop Global Production by 10%

Toyota has quite a lot to deal with especially after reporting its first loss in as long as 59 years. Now, the Japanese giant plans to get itself back to profitability even if that includes cutting its global production by 10%.

Toyota will be reducing outputs of production lines worldwide including those located in the United States, United Kingdom and Japan. The figure corresponds to a decrease of 1 million units.

The fall of car sales over the previous year due to the global financial crisis affected all major players in the business. Due to the lack of demand, Toyota has a production capacity surplus meaning. Plants need to operate at more than 70% capacity to be profitable.

Whether that would have an impact on Toyota’s rank as the world’s largest automaker remains to be seen. If Toyota gets its act together, the outlook actually looks good for the company and may get back to profitability come 2010.

Source: Left Lane