Chrysler Engines to Get Fiat MultiAir Technology

A senior Fiat powertrain exec confirmed to Motor Trend that the Italian automaker’s clever MultiAir valve-control tech will be fitted to Chrysler’s four- and V-6 engine families, and soon.

Chryler Pentastar V 6 Engine
Massimo Fumarola, Fiat Powertrain vice-president of product and key account management, says development work is nearly complete on MultiAir versions of Chrysler’s 2.0- and 2.4-liter fours, and both 3.2- and 3.6-liter versions of the new Pentastar V-6. The engines will be installed in Chrysler brand cars for the North American and European markets (where the 200, 300 and Town & Country will go on sale soon wearing Lancia badges)

MultiAir is a computer-controlled electrohydraulic inlet valve lift and duration control system. It offers the same advantages as BMW’s well-known Valvetronic system, but is even more flexible, as it’s able to control individual cylinders. With inlet valves directly controlling the amount of air entering the engine, the pumping losses involved in sucking air past a conventional throttle butterfly are avoided.

Fiat Multiair Engine
The system is easily adaptable to existing engines. The key component — an alloy block with hydraulic pistons, passages, and electrically controlled bleed valves — can simply bolt on top of an existing head. Fiat Powertrain engineers call this piece simply The Brick.

The first engine to get the MultiAir treatment was an existing 1.4-liter four, introduced in both naturally aspirated and mild turbo forms back in 2009. The same engine, including more powerful turbo versions, has since been installed in Alfa Romeo’s Mito and the new Giulietta, and also will power the American market version of the Fiat 500.

Fiat’s claims for the benefits of MultiAir — power increased 10 percent, low-end torque improved by 15 percent, fuel consumption reduced 10 percent (in both naturally aspirated and turbo flavors) — seem to be delivered in the real world. While Italian magazine tests have confirmed better performance, the consumption picture is a little cloudy, as Fiat introduced a Start/Stop auto engine shutdown system simultaneously.

In Europe, MultiAir’s potential as an enabler of downsizing was too much for Fiat to resist. Last year it launched an engine entirely designed around the tech. TwinAir is a 900-cc in-line two-cylinder turbo that produces 84 horsepower, enough to push the Euro-market Fiat 500 to well past 100 mph on the autostrada and deliver Prius-like numbers in the official European consumption test. Fiat argues that MultiAir plus turbo plus downsizing can deliver fuel economy gains as great as 25 percent. TwinAir appears to prove the point.

There’s no reason why MultiAir shouldn’t work on larger engines. According to Fumarola, the tech has been tested in the past on Ferrari engines. It was only rejected, he explains, because the 7000 rpm ceiling imposed by MultiAir was stifled the Maranello character.

Still, 7000 wouldn’t be a problem for, say, a Hemi V-8. When asked, Fumarola admitted it was technically possible to MultiAir-ate the engine. But he quickly added that he saw little call from the marketplace for more power from the Hemi. But another Fiat source confirmed, confidentially, that development of a MultiAir Hemi is under way…

Source : http://www.motortrend.com/features/auto_news/2011/1103_chrysler_engines_to_get_fiat_multiair_technology/viewall.html#ixzz1mut8Eb8J

Could an “iCar” boot up the electric vehicle market?

Automakers need to learn a lesson from the world of consumer electronics and create an “iCar” with mass customer appeal if electric cars are to truly take off.

That is the view of around 100 industry experts polled by financial services firm Ernst & Young on the global challenges and opportunities facing today’s electric vehicle (EV) market.

FURTHER READING

Europcar charges up Nissan LEAF in London and Paris
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In a report published last week, the participants in Beijing, Detroit and Bonn recognise EVs are “moving into the fast lane”, driving alliances between manufacturers and utilities, the rollout of recharging networks, and the creation of a dedicated supply chain.

In addition, high volume models such as the Nissan LEAF and Chevrolet Volt are already on the roads, while manufacturers have a pipeline of nearly 30 announced EV models to come by 2016.

However, industry insiders also identified significant risks, including high model prices, conflicting charger standards, gaps in charging infrastructure, and the public perception that EVs will struggle to meet their needs.

Many of the problems can be alleviated as technology improves and investment increases, the report says.

Although it adds that clearer subsidy systems, work to develop common standards, innovative business models, such as battery leasing or car-sharing schemes, and an increase in the numbers of cars available will also prove crucial.

The report also notes that electrifying transport brings cars “one step closer to being a consumer appliance”, and says manufacturers who maximise that link could improve sales.

“Marry EV technology with compelling industrial design and a revolutionary interface to create a vehicle with mass consumer appeal – call it an ‘iCar’,” the report suggests. “Consumers are willing to pay more for cool and will become evangelists for cool products.”

Gil Forer, Ernst & Young’s global cleantech leader, forecast that EV numbers would rise “significantly” over the next four years if manufacturers could take the recommendations on board.

Source: http://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/2145507/-icar-boot-electric-vehicle-market

How to lease a car in Toronto

Leasing a car in Toronto is perhaps the best option for those who can’t stand the idea of sticking with the same car for more than four years. You can generally forget about the cost of general maintenance repairs, as most warranties provide coverage for the duration of the lease, though you’ll never really own the car outright (unless, of course, you choose to buy the car after the term ends). Leasing can also come with certain restrictions, such as the number of kilometres you can drive each year, though the zero down payment does allow for a certain, lots-of-new-tech-toys-type of freedom in its own right. Here are the steps to finding a lease that works for you:

Decide on the length of your lease

Generally speaking, the longer the lease, the lower the monthly payments. The trouble with signing on for a longer lease, however, is should you would want to terminate early, you may be faced with costly penalties. Most leases in Toronto are generally between two to four years.

Estimate your costs

There’s the pen and paper method for those who remember their sixth grade math, though an expedited option is to use an online lease calculator. There are plenty of resources to tap on the web, including this tool by Drive.ca, and many car manufacturer as well offer their own calculators right on their websites. Once you have a better idea of cost, you can decide on the precise type of car you want to lease.

Shop around

Just like when buying a new car, you might get a different offer from one dealership to the next. It’s best to visit various dealerships to get a feel for your options before making a commitment or composing a short list. Get your paperwork in order (gap insurance, license, etc.) before heading to the dealership for a test drive.

Test drive and negotiate

Try not to swoon at the smell of your new car. Work to get the best rate possible before signing the lease contract, after which you’ll be locked in. Keep in mind potential additional (hidden) costs such as acquisition fees.

Keep it beautiful

Eventually, you will have to return the car to the dealer (again, unless you decide to buy) so try to keep the car in the best shape possible. That means taking it in for regular maintenance and adequately prepping for winter.

Source: http://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2012/02/how_to_lease_a_car_in_toronto/

Toyota Announces Return of “100 Cars for Good” Program in 2012

At the Chicago Auto Show today, Toyota announced the return of its “100 Cars for Good” program. For the second straight year, Toyota will award 100 vehicles over the course of 100 days to 100 U.S. nonprofits, with winners selected through public voting on the Toyota Facebook page. Applications for the program will open on March 12, 2012 at http://www.facebook.com/toyota.

The announcement was made by Michael Rouse, vice president of philanthropy and community affairs for Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., who was accompanied by some of the nonprofits that received vehicles in last year’s 100 Cars for Good program.

“At Toyota, we appreciate what a big difference a new car can make for organizations working to improve lives and strengthen communities across the country, and we are thrilled to have this opportunity to lend a hand,” said Rouse. “Over the last 20 years, Toyota has contributed more than half a billion dollars to nonprofits throughout the U.S. 100 Cars for Good allows us to build on that commitment in important, new ways by making the public an integral part of these efforts and harnessing the power of social media to expand awareness and galvanize support for organizations that are having such a tremendous impact in neighborhoods nationwide.”

A 2011 winner of a new Toyota Sienna, the Chicago Zoological Society, also spoke at the announcement.

“We are very appreciative of this tremendous donation from Toyota,” said Stuart Strahl, Ph.D., president and CEO of the Chicago Zoological Society. “The new van has been invaluable in our efforts to bring our conservation and informal science education programs to under-resourced communities throughout Chicago and the suburbs. Our dedicated staff travels year round to these communities, inspiring families to gain an appreciation of nature and wildlife, not only globally, but also in their own backyards. We have also used the minivan to transport young students to the zoo and field locations as part of the Society’s award-winning Youth Volunteer Corps.”

In communities across the country, vehicles from the first year of 100 Cars for Good are making a significant difference. These include:

Ensuring that a soup kitchen in Morristown, New Jersey can pick up food donations that used to be turned away due to a lack of transportation, allowing it to provide meals and food to even more people in need;
Helping a program near Detroit provide horseback riding visits for kids with cancer; and
Supporting the efforts of a nonprofit in Wilmington, North Carolina to train and deliver service dogs to wounded veterans.

Applying for the 2012 100 Cars for Good Program

Beginning March 12, 2012, registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations can apply online at http://www.facebook.com/toyota. Finalists will be eligible to win one of six Toyota models, including the Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Prius v, Sienna minivan, Sienna Mobility or Tundra full-sized pickup truck. A six-year, 100,000-mile powertrain warranty will also be provided for each vehicle, compliments of Toyota Financial Services.

The 100 Cars for Good application process will last for two weeks, or until 5,000 applications are received. Of these, 500 finalists will be selected and then certified by an independent panel of judges who are experts in the fields of philanthropy and social responsibility. Each finalist can then submit a video that will be featured on the Toyota 100 Cars site explaining how a new vehicle would help support its work. In addition, Toyota will be providing each of the finalists with communications and social media tools and training to assist their efforts to raise awareness for their organization.

Public voting will begin in May, with the exact date to be announced later, and will continue for 100 consecutive days. Each day, five organizations will be profiled at http://www.facebook.com/toyota and participants may vote for the charity they feel is most deserving of a vehicle.

The four runners up every day will each be awarded a $1,000 grant from Toyota.

100 Cars for Good is the first Toyota initiative that engages the public to determine how corporate philanthropic donations will be awarded. To learn more please, visit http://www.facebook.com/toyota.

About Toyota

Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants in eight states. Toyota directly employs nearly 30,000 people in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design facilities. Toyota’s annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and services from U.S. suppliers totals more than $23 billion.

Toyota is deeply committed to being a great community partner and is focused on supporting programs in ways that achieve long-term sustainable results. Toyota supports numerous organizations across the country, with a particular concentration on education, the environment and safety. Since 1991, Toyota has contributed more than half a billion dollars to philanthropic programs across the U.S.

For more information on Toyota, please visit http://www.toyota.com.

Source: http://www.sacbee.com/2012/02/09/4251395/toyota-announces-return-of-100.html

Chrysler Talking to Banks About Auto-Lending Venture

DETROIT—Chrysler Group LLC is in discussions with banks about establishing an in-house lending arm through a joint-venture to better compete in the U.S. auto market, according to people familiar with the matter.

Chrysler, which gave up its struggling finance unit in its 2009 bankruptcy, has used government-owned Ally Financial Inc. as its preferred lender for customers loans and leasing, and for the loans that dealers use to finance vehicle purchases from the manufacturer.

With its contract with Ally scheduled to end in 2013, Chrysler is talking to several major lenders including Ally, and J.P. Morgan Chase & Co., to create a new lender. Banks have approached the auto maker in the past year as its fortunes rose.
Chrysler today writes far fewer leases than rivals on its new vehicles. Above, a shopper checking out Dodge pickups in Peoria, Ill., last month.

The auto maker would take an ownership stake but not completely own the lending unit, said one of the people familiar with the matter. The banks would provide all financing. The deal would be similar to an agreement that Italy’s Fiat SpA, the majority owner of Chrysler, struck in 2006 with Credit Agricole SA to form Fiat Auto Financial Services.

A Chrysler spokeswoman declined to comment. JPMorgan and Ally also declined to comment.

The current arrangement with Ally hasn’t allowed Chrysler to pursue some potential loan customers other auto maker have enjoyed particularly in leasing, these people said.

“Chrysler likes the relationship they have with Ally, but they also want options,” said Chuck Eddy, who sells Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram and Fiat brand vehicles from his Youngstown, Ohio, dealership.

Mr. Eddy said he is satisfied with Ally as a lender; he sold 1,300 new cars last year and 90% were financed by Ally. “But competition is good, it keeps everyone honest and the rates where they need to be,” he added.

Ally also hasn’t provided so-called “floor plan” loans used to buy inventory to some weaker dealers.

Other major auto makers, including Ford Motor Co., General Motors Co. and Toyota Motor Corp., have in-house lending arms that industry executives say provide affordable financing to dealers and consumers and which can ensure credit availability in an economic downturn.

The inability of GM and Chrysler to offer loans to a wide-range of consumers amid the 2008 financial crisis contributed to those companies’ eventual bankruptcies.

In January, Chrysler leased only 9% of the vehicles it sold. That is compared with the 20% industry average. Leasing is important because it can lower the monthly payment of a company’s most expensive, and highest profit vehicles.

For instance, Chrysler, through the first nine months of 2011, leased 20% of Chrysler-brand vehicles, 6% of Dodges and 15% of Jeeps, according to Experian. The 20% leasing rate at Chrysler, which is considered the company’s premium brand, is well below GM and Ford’s premium brands. Around 47% of GM’s Cadillacs and 29% of its Buicks are leased. Ford Lincoln brand depends on leasing for 49% of sales.

Ally has the largest share of the U.S. auto lending market, but the lending arms of Honda Motor Co., Nissan Motor Co. and Toyota do more leasing, according to Experian.

The move toward establishing an in-house auto lender is a reversal for Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, who had said previously such a move wasn’t necessary. In the more than two years since he took control of the Auburn Hills, Mich., company, rivals GM and Ford have benefited financially from having more control over auto lending.

As recently as last week, Mr. Marchionne said he didn’t feel that Chrysler was at a disadvantage in financing because of the lack of a finance arm.

In addition to aiding sales, a finance arm can be a valuable source of profit. GM started its own finance arm in 2010 after the purchase of subprime lender, AmeriCredit Corp. GM still has a lending agreement with Ally, which was established during its own 2009 bankruptcy. GM’s new finance unit made $281 million through the first nine months of 2011.

GM at first said it didn’t need a captive lending arm, but feared competition from rivals and the threat that loans could dry up in another downturn.

AmeriCredit helped GM get back into subprime lending, while Ally now provides most leases. GM this year is looking to expand its lending to dealers, which is still provided primarily by Ally.

Ally was originally GMAC Financial Services, and for 87 years was GM’s captive finance arm before it sold controlling interest to private-equity firms in 2006. GMAC switched its name after the auto maker severed its limited ownership stake during its bankruptcy. Ally was boosted by $17.2 billion in government loan support and still is struggling with losses from mortgage-lending.

Chrysler is nearing the end of a four-year contract that made Ally its primary auto lender. That agreement allows the auto maker to use its marketing money to help subsidize loans and leases through Ally. The auto maker needs to decide a year ahead of the contract end if it will extend the deal, one of those people said.

Chrysler’s deal with Ally came after the Obama Administration, which ushered Chrysler and General Motors in and out of bankruptcy, determined Chrysler Financial could survive only with a major cash infusion, which it refused to provide.

Chrysler Financial continued to operate as a third-party auto lender and insurance provider under the ownership of Cerberus Capital Management LP, the private-equity firm that bought Chrysler from DaimlerChrysler Corp. in 2007. The equity firm agreed to sell it to Toronto-Dominion Bank at the end 2010.

Ally today is the largest financier of new car loans, according to industry researcher Experian Automotive.

Source: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204136404577211043619987540.html

How NASCAR is coping with its slipping audience

Car News Line provides the latest automotive news and review with picture regarding Auto News Report: How NASCAR is coping with its slipping audience. Related news updated and review regarding Auto News Report: How NASCAR is coping with its slipping audience will coming soon, stay tune with Car News Line.

The growth of NASCAR over the past 10 years has been one of the stories of American sports – and not only was the series acquiring vast viewership, it was attracting stars from other series and its drivers were breaking left-turn-only taboos at Le Mans and the Race of Champions.

Still, the ambition couldn’t continue unabated, and lately NASCAR has been battling dwindling audiences at some of its big races and disappearing big-money sponsorships. To get about it, teams are doing three things: acquiring more sponsors, finding those sponsors further aside from the traditional corporate playground, and engaging in “non-traditional sponsorships.”

Car News Line provides the latest automotive news and review with picture regarding Auto News Report: How NASCAR is coping with its slipping audience. Related news updated and review regarding Auto News Report: How NASCAR is coping with its slipping audience will coming soon, stay tune with Car News Line.

The growth of NASCAR over the past 10 years has been one of the stories of American sports – and not only was the series acquiring vast viewership, it was attracting stars from other series and its drivers were breaking left-turn-only taboos at Le Mans and the Race of Champions.

Still, the ambition couldn’t continue unabated, and lately NASCAR has been battling dwindling audiences at some of its big races and disappearing big-money sponsorships. To get about it, teams are doing three things: acquiring more sponsors, finding those sponsors further aside from the traditional corporate playground, and engaging in “non-traditional sponsorships.”