FORD TO BRING NEXT-GENERATION FORD EXPLORER, 1,200 JOBS TO CHICAGO MANUFACTURING FACILITIES

• Ford will produce the next-generation Explorer SUV at its Chicago Assembly Plant beginning in the fourth quarter of this year, bringing approximately 1,200 new jobs to the Chicago region
• Ford will invest nearly $400 million in its Chicago Assembly and Chicago Stamping plants to launch production of the Explorer
• The next-generation Explorer will feature significant fuel economy gains of at least 25 percent over the current-model Explorer thanks to EcoBoost engine technology, six-speed transmissions and a unibody construction
• Ford has sold more than 6 million Explorers since the vehicle was originally launched in 1990; Explorer has been America’s best-selling midsize SUV for 15 of the past 19 years

CHICAGO, Jan. 26, 2010 – Ford Motor Company today announced it will produce the next-generation Ford Explorer SUV at the company’s Chicago Assembly Plant beginning in the fourth quarter of this year.

Ford is investing nearly $400 million in its Chicago manufacturing facilities to launch production of the new, fuel-efficient Ford Explorer. The company also will add 1,200 new jobs to staff a second production shift at Chicago Assembly Plant and increase production at the nearby Chicago Stamping Plant.

The next-generation Explorer will be built at the Chicago Assembly Plant on a flexible assembly line alongside the new Ford Taurus and Lincoln MKS sedans. Ford’s $400 million investment includes approximately $180 million in manufacturing investment at the Chicago sites and about $220 million for launch and engineering costs. In addition, Ford will be making significant investment in supplier tooling to support next-generation Explorer production.

First-Ever Car Powered by Government Paper Waste Makes Debut at Washington Auto Show

Novozymes to demonstrate improved enzyme technology for advanced biofuels

WASHINGTON – For the first time in U.S. history, a vehicle fuelled by government office waste paper and waste cardboard will drive the streets of Washington D.C. today. Global bioinnovation company Novozymes has partnered with Maryland-based Fiberight to provide the demonstration fuel.

“The advanced biofuels showcased here today demonstrate that the enzyme technology is ready for market. What we need now is commercialization and deployment of advanced biofuels in order to help meet our country’s most pressing energy and environment challenges,” said Adam Monroe, president, Novozymes North America.

During today’s ‘Ride ‘n Drive’ event, government VIP’s and members of the media will get the chance to test drive a flex-fuel Chevrolet HHR at the Washington Convention Center. In the exhibition hall, a flex-fuel Ford F150 – also fuelled with the wastepaper-based biofuel – will be on display throughout the week. Both vehicles run on E85, a blend of 85 percent biofuel and 15 percent gasoline.

Novozymes multi-year research and development efforts have resulted in an enzyme cocktail that can now be used to make advanced biofuel from agricultural residues, municipal waste and energy crops. The biofuel demonstrated at the show is produced by Fiberight (www.fiberight.com). After a sequence of pulping, pre-treatment and wash, enzymes from Novozymes turn the paper and cardboard waste into sugars that are then fermented into biofuel. A sample of the paper feedstock will also be on display throughout the show.

US F1 Team announces Jose Maria Lopez as driver for 2010 season

Argentine star to race in US F1’s Debut Campaign

Charlotte, N.C. (Jan. 25, 2010) – US F1 Team announced today that they have signed the former Renault F1 Team test driver, Jose Maria “Pechito” Lopez (26), to race with them in the 2010 FIA Formula One World Championship. Lopez will be the 24th Argentine* to race in Formula One, sustaining a heritage that began sixty years ago when Juan Manuel Fangio and Froilan “Pepe” Gonzalez took the F1 world by storm.

“Securing ‘Pechito’ Lopez for our debut season has been a goal of ours for a long time,” said US F1 Team Executive Vice President Peter Windsor. “We’ve been following his career since he dominated the Renault V6 Championship in 2003 and we’re thrilled to have him on board as we return America to Formula One. Lopez is a consummate professional and born leader. The most revealing thing about his character was how he handled the disappointment of not racing for Renault after three years of testing with them in F1. Instead of moping around and feeling sorry for himself, he returned to Argentina and totally dominated the local scene, winning 38 races and three championships. He became a major star as a result and, in turn, the Argentine nation – a country where F1 is second only to soccer – has got behind him.” As proof of that, Lopez’s US F1 contract was officially announced by the President of Argentina, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner, in the Casa Rosada (Government House) in Buenos Aires on the afternoon of January 25.

GM Reaches Agreement to Sell Saab to Spyker

DETROIT – General Motors and Spyker Cars NV today confirmed that they have reached a binding agreement on the purchase of Saab Automobile AB.

“Today’s announcement is great news for Saab employees, dealers and suppliers, great news for millions of Saab customers and fans worldwide, and great news for GM,” said John Smith, GM vice president for corporate planning and alliances.

“General Motors, Spyker Cars, and the Swedish government worked very hard and creatively for a deal that would secure a sustainable future for this unique and iconic brand, and we’re all happy for the positive outcome,” Smith said.

As part of the agreement, Spyker intends to form a new company, Saab Spyker Automobiles, which will carry the Saab brand forward. The sale will be subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of applicable regulatory, governmental and court approvals. Other terms and conditions specific to the sale will be disclosed in due time.

The Swedish government is at present reviewing the transaction and the related request for guarantees of a Saab Automobile loan that has been requested from the European Investment Bank. Assuming quick action, the transaction is expected to close in mid-February, and previously announced wind down activities at Saab will be immediately suspended, pending the close of the transaction.

“Throughout the negotiations, GM has always had the hope to find a solution for Saab that would avoid a wind down of the brand,” added Nick Reilly, president, GM Europe. “We’ve worked with many parties over the past year, including governments and investors, and I’m very pleased that we could come to such a good conclusion, one that preserves jobs in Sweden and elsewhere. GM will continue to support Saab and Spyker on their way forward.”

Audi R8 V10 Spyder Promo

Audi first unveiled the R8 V10 Spyder at the 2009 Frankfurt International Motor Show in September 2009. It runs the same 5.2-litre V10 engine found in the coupe. Maximum power is 386kW (518 PS) and peak torque is 530Nm (391 lb-ft). The 0 – 62mph sprint time is 4.1 seconds while the manual can deliver a top speed of 194mph.

Ken Block ‘s Ford Fiesta under the spotlight and the Monster World Rally Team 2010 Schedule

Ken Block’s new whip: the 2010 Monster World Rally Team Ford Fiesta reveal, plus the complete race schedule for 2010 including WRC, Rally America and X-Games. For even more info: monsterworldrallyteam.com

TomTom data shows the average speed of U.S. drivers

Concord, MA – January 21, 2010 – TomTom, the world’s leading provider of navigation solutions and digital maps, today revealed the first fully detailed view of which interstate highways are the fastest and slowest in the United States. Although the average speed on some U.S. roads slightly exceeded the speed limit, data from GPS users show that, overall, drivers tend to stay within speed limit range on most major U.S. highways.

The results were calculated using data from Speed Profiles™, the historical speed database from TomTom’s map business unit Tele Atlas that helps personal and professional fleet drivers find the best routes. Speed Profiles is integrated as IQ Routes™ on TomTom devices. It aggregates, anonymously, the actual speeds that millions of GPS-enabled drivers have traveled over the last two years to provide the most accurate view of historic speeds available.

Data were organized to show the average speeds on interstate highways and to reflect only free flow speed data, or average speeds when there is no traffic present. When compared to a database of posted speed limits, the results indicate that the average U.S. driver stays within the speed limit range on most urban and rural interstate highways:

430HP DDMWorks Twin-charged Ariel Atom Provides Incredible Power to Weight in a Small Package.

Piedmont, SC January 22nd, 2010 – The introduction of the DDMWorks Twin-charged kit for the Ariel Atom provides a powerful setup combining the best attributes of turbocharging and supercharging for one of the most fun cars on the road. Power to weight ratio is the name of the game here, and the twin-charged Atom has only 3.4 lbs per horsepower, a better power to weight ratio than a Bugatti Veyron or an Enzo Ferrari.

With the unique combination of both a supercharger and a turbocharger you get power on tap from the moment you touch
the throttle and that power keeps going all the way to redline. The Twin-charge kit is carefully tuned to deliver maximum
horsepower, while also keeping drivability and engine safety in mind. This combination of power, drivability and safety makes the DDMWorks Twin-Charged Kit unlike any other power adder on the market for the Ariel Atom.

The boost for the Twin-charged kit for the 2.0L LSJ ECOtec is accomplished with a Borg-Warner S256 Turbocharger working together with a Harrop HTV1320-LSJ. The Harrop HTV1320 supercharger uses Eaton’s TVS (Twin Vortices Series) highly efficient rotor assemblies. This TVS technology is also used on the new Corvette ZR1 supercharger, and dramatically increases the efficiency of the supercharger. Boost control for the entire system is handled by a HKS electronic boost controller, Synapse blow off valve and wastegate. All the exhaust exits through a custom made 3″ magnaflow exhaust. Tubing, manifolds and tuning for making the entire system work together is done in house by DDMWorks.

Power output is raised substantially from 230hp in the stock Ariel Atom to 375HP+ at the wheels, a gain of 145HP. Base price for the twin-charged Ariel Atom upgrade starts at $6,500 USD installed with the TVS based systems and larger gains available with other options and configurations. The Twin-charged Ariel Atom upgrade is currently available with installation and tuning done onsite at our facility in South Carolina.

About DDMWorks:
DDMWorks is located in Greenville, SC and produces custom performance upgrade parts for Miatas, MINIs, Solstices, Skys and Ariel Atoms.

Mazda 6 2011

A new facelift version of the Mazda 6 will have its world premiere at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in March. This new, upgraded version enhances the strengths of its predecessor, like driving fun and fuel efficiency; while improving interior refinement, environmental compatibility and safety performance.

The new Mazda family face is introduced, along with new head and rear lamps, for more sportiness and a clearer premium identity. Six engines will be available, including a powerful new 2.0-litre DISI petrol that uses less fuel and produces fewer emissions than the 2.0-litre engine it replaces. Its five-speed automatic transmission was adapted especially for this new petrol engine to deliver an optimal combination of acceleration and fuel economy. Updated versions of the Mazda MZR 1.8 and 2.5-litre engines round out the petrol line-up, and on the diesel side the Mazda MZR-CD 2.2-litre turbo diesel engine is available in three power derivatives – from 129 to 180 PS – all of them sporty, with improved fuel-efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.

The Mazda 6 also features new chassis settings and several new active safety features – like a new pivoting adaptive front lighting system and hill-launch assist – that together make the Mazda 6 facelift one of the safest and easiest-to-drive cars in its segment.

Volkswagen Golf R 2010

At the 2009 IAA, however, Volkswagen is demonstrating – with the debut of Volkswagen Golf R – that fuel consumption values can even be corrected downward in the high-end sports car area. And indeed without even a hint of a compromise in dynamic performance. On the contrary. Traditionally each new R version of this model series bears the title “strongest Golf of all times.” With a power of 199 kW / 270 PS (at 6,000 rpm), the new Volkswagen Golf R is continuing in this dynamic tradition; the previous model transferred 184 kW / 250 PS to its all-wheel drive system. The highlight here: While the now retired Volkswagen Golf R32 processed 10.7 litres of fuel through its fuel injection system every 100 kilometres, on the new Volkswagen Golf R the figure is just 8.5 litres – 2.2 litres or 21 percent less! CO2 emissions were reduced from 255 to 199 g/km. Like all R models, this one was also conceptualised by Volkswagen Individual.

In parallel, its performance data advanced as well. The new Volkswagen Golf R sprints from 0 to 100 km/h – also via all-wheel drive – in 5.7 seconds. On the previous model, the stopwatch stopped at 6.5 seconds. The new model puts the 1,000-meter mark behind it in 25.4 seconds, while the already masterful Golf R32 shot past this mark in 26.7 seconds. The Volkswagen Golf R does this even better with the optional DSG gearbox, sprinting to 100 km/h in a sensational 5.5 seconds and requiring just 8.4 litres petrol per 100 kilometres (equivalent to 195 g/km CO2) at the fuel pump.

The enormous efficiency gain of the new Golf R is not based on some magical trick, rather it is the result of highly advanced downsizing. Its legendary predecessor generated its power from a displacement of 3.2 litres (“32”) and six cylinders. In the new model, this is done with four cylinders and 2.0 litres of displacement – a highly advanced direct injection petrol engine with turbocharging (TSI). At the fuel pump and on the winding mountain road, this high-tech alliance is superior to a classic six cylinder unit with multi-point injection. Proving that even the sound of a four cylinder can leave a strong impression are the fifth and sixth generations of the VW Golf GTI, which is also powered by a four cylinder TSI. And the Volkswagen Golf R exhibits an even greater “sound range.”

The TSI’s torque characteristic is just as impressive. By comparison: The six cylinder of the previous model developed a maximum torque of 320 Newton-meters at 2,500 rpm. And that was already remarkably good. The turbo four-cylinder direct injection engine of the new Volkswagen Golf R, on the other hand, transfers 350 Newton-meters torque to the crankshaft, which is also available starting at 2,500 rpm, but it can maintain this peak value up to 5,000 rpm. So the new car delivers a fascinatingly high level of basic dynamic performance. The Volkswagen Golf R32 and Golf R are really only equal in one discipline; they both have a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited on the Volkswagen Golf R).