Lotus installs KERS into passenger car

Torotrak has begun work on a funded programme with Lotus Cars to integrate KERS into the manual transmission of a performance passenger car.

Torotrak is also working on a number of programmes to introduce Flybrid KERS in commercial vehicles. Most notably, the first KERS installation in a Wrightbus StreetLite bus has demonstrated good driveability and energy capture during on road testing in Leyland this month.

Ally Jaguar XE edges closer to launch

The new Jaguar XE, set to be powered the all-new Ingenium engine range, is the only car in the class to use an aluminium-intensive monocoque. Aluminium accounts for 75 per cent of structure.

This milestone in body engineering, the culmination of Jaguar’s world-leading expertise in high-volume production of aluminium vehicles, suggests the Jaguar XE should combine outstanding design with benchmark levels of ride and handling.

Ford SUV is first with 1-litre EcoBoost

Ford’s all-new EcoSport SUV (sports utility vehicle) is the first in the world to offer a 1.0-litre engine.

EcoSport is the first Ford global model to be developed entirely in South America. First introduced in 2003 the EcoSport created the segment in Brazil and has since sold more than 770,000 in the region.

Lagonda rises phoenix-like from Gaydon

Aston Martin has once more dipped into its heritage box in search of treasures to please Middle East shareholders and customers, and bolster turnover and profit.

After the initial production (and financial) debacle of the Aston Martin Rapide, first rolled out in 2010 at the Magna Steyr facility in Graz, Austria and then repatriated back to the company’s facility at Gaydon, Warwickshire, Aston Martin has confirmed a bespoke product programme for a new super saloon aimed at reviving the historic Lagonda nameplate in a strictly limited series.

Ford leaks out 2.7-litre EcoBoost data

Ford is peeling away piecemeal, in a somewhat erratic fashion, details of its ground-breaking 2.7-litre V6 EcoBoost engine that powers the 2015 F-150 pick-up truck.

Further details it seems will be released in September at the Texas State Fair in the US.

Warwick University wins auto industry Hub

The new Hub location of the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC) will be at the University of Warwick, site also of the Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) and its chairman Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya.

 APC supports a 10-year, £1 billion industry and government commitment to the development of low carbon propulsion systems.

Unipart Automotive parts unit goes bust

Unipart Automotive, a UK-based supplier of car parts and garage equipment, has collapsed with the loss of more than 1,400 jobs across the country after failing to find a buyer.

The business, based in Solihull, operates 180 branches around the UK, trading under three brand names – Unipart Automotive, Partco Autoparts and Express Factors.

Prodrive shifts up a gear

Prodrive is relocating to a larger facility in Banbury, UK, less than a mile from its present home. 

Construction of the new building, next to the M40 motorway, begins next month and the company will move during March 2015. 

Renault to supply light CV to Fiat from 2016

Renault and Fiat have signed an agreement whereby Renault will supply Fiat with a light commercial vehicle based on a Renault platform.

The styling of the Fiat vehicle will be developed by Fiat and will feature unique and distinctive elements on the model, branded Fiat Professional.

Mustang gives second outing for 2.3-litre EcoBoost

The Ford Mustang, which goes on sale across Europe in 2015, will have a choice of the uprated 2.3-litre EcoBoost engine or the 5-litre V8.

The 2.3-litre EcoBoost gives 310bhp and 320 lbft torque, while the 5-litre V8 generates 435bhp and 400 lbft torque.

BMW makes three-cylinder engines in UK

The first plug-in hybrid sports car from BMW is powered by three-cylinder engines exclusively produced at BMW's Hams Hall engine plant, near Birmingham.

And, Grob-Werke GmbH of Mindelheim, one of Germany’s leading automotive equipment suppliers has been instrumental in supplying machine tools for this benchmark facility.  

VW boosts Chattanooga with SUV, R&D

Volkswagen Group is expanding its industrial footprint in the US in line with its 2018 strategic plan by adding a new mid-size sports utility vehicle (SUV).

Volkswagen Group of America (VGA) board of directors (with the blessing of Wolfsburg, of course) has agreed to award the production of the new midsize SUV to the Chattanooga plant in Tennessee.

VW sets JLR a 2-litre benchmark for Hotfire

When JaguarLandRover (JLR) unveils the power and torque ratings of its new 2-litre Ingenium diesel engine, industry watchers will be monitoring how close its performance comes to that of the 2-litre Volkswagen will put in the next Passat midsize sedan it will launch to the public at the Paris Motor Show in October.

With 237bhp, the 2-litre TDi BiTurbo is 62bbhp more powerful than the previous Passat, and offers 120Nm more torque.

Clarke to put Navistar up for sale?

Is it in the mind of Troy Clarke, chief executive officer of Navistar International Corporation to sell the company, once he has righted the storm-battered vessel?

One has to think so, going by statements he made to editorial staff of Transport Topics recently. But judge for yourself from reports of his comments which gave hints of a sell-off.

Williams’ ‘new’ tech centre and Jaguar C-X75

UK Prime Minister David Cameron officially opened Williams’ new Advanced Engineering facility on 11 July in Grove, Oxfordshire.

The business has been operating since 2011. Its first project was the Jaguar C-X75, one of the most sophisticated hybrid supercars made.