Opel Corsa-e becomes first electric customer rally car

Vauxhall’s sister brand, Opel, has released a rally variant of the new Corsa-e electric hatchback, making it the first mainstream manufacturer to offer customers an electric rally car.  Called the Corsa-e Rally, the model will be available to buy from Opel Motorsport, with the German manufacturer claiming a sub-£46,000 price tag.  The cost represents a near-£20,000 increase over the £26,490 starting price of the standard Corsa-e. The rally model retains the 50kWh battery and 134bhp, 192lb ft electric motor of the production variant. Rally-spec suspension has been fitted and the body made slightly wider and higher, with a 2mm-longer wheelbase. Few technical details have been revealed, but it’s also expected to be significantly lighter. In terms of design, the Corsa-e Rally bears a strong resemblance to its production counterpart, differentiated only by FIA-mandated towing straps, lightweight performance alloy wheels and a prominent decal package. The Corsa-e Rally will compete in the 2020 ADAC Opel e-Rally Cup, a one-make electric race series that will host 15 young rally drivers. The model will make its international debut at next month’s Frankfurt motor
Origin: Opel Corsa-e becomes first electric customer rally car

Trump lashes out against carmakers cool to his mileage plan

U.S. President Donald Trump answers questions from the press while departing the White House on November 26, 2018 in Washington, DC.Win McNamee / Getty Images U.S. President Donald Trump lashed out at automobile manufacturers whove pushed back on his administrations plan to weaken fuel-efficiency requirements, dismissing them as politically correct.My proposal to the politically correct Automobile Companies would lower the average price of a car to consumers by more than $3000, while at the same time making the cars substantially safer, Trump tweetrf Wednesday.Engines would run smoother. Very little impact on the environment! Foolish executives!The tweet was apparently prompted by a compromise that Ford, Honda, BMW and Volkswagen have reached with Californias clean-air regulator to boost the fuel efficiency of autos sold in the U.S. through 2026, defying the Trump administrations plan. Gavin Newsom, Californias Democratic governor, has called on other automakers to join the pact though none have thus far.My proposal to the politically correct Automobile Companies would lower the average price of a car to consumers by more than $3000, while at the same time making the cars substantially safer. Engines would run smoother. Very little impact on the environment! Foolish executives! Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 21, 2019That deal represents the most clear-cut example of auto industry unease with the Trump administrations August 2018 proposal to dramatically ease fuel economy and vehicle greenhouse gas emissions standards drafted by the Obama administration, which sought to boost average fuel efficiency to roughly 50 miles per gallon by 2025.The Trump administration instead recommended capping mileage requirements at a 37-mile-per-gallon fleet average after 2020, and revoking Californias authority to regulate tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions, which its done in coordination with Washington for several years.Trump regulators have argued that capping fuel economy standards at 2020 levels would lead to less-expensive new cars than under the current rules, allowing consumers to replace their older vehicles with newer, safer ones more rapidly and avoid thousands of traffic fatalities.Experts and EPA career staff have disputed those assertions. Automakers for months have urged the Trump administration to moderate that plan, fearing a lengthy legal battle over Californias regulatory powers would throw the critical standards into uncertainty for years. Those efforts have had little sway so far on the White House, which rejected a plea by 17 carmakers last month to work out a compromise with California.The companies also want to avoid a split market with federal mileage requirements in most states and more stringent rules in more than a dozen states that adhere to Californias standards. The states that follow California standards account for more than a third of all U.S. auto
Origin: Trump lashes out against carmakers cool to his mileage plan

Peugeot opens UK order books for new 208 and e-208

Orders are now being taken for Peugeot’s new 208, in petrol, diesel and electric form, ahead of customer deliveries beginning in early 2020.  The new Ford Fiesta rival is priced from £16,250 in Active trim, powered by a 75bhp 1.2-litre petrol engine. Entry-level models receive 16in wheels, automatic brake assist, heated wing mirrors, automatic air conditioning and Peugeot’s i-Cockpit infotainment system. Prices rise to £17,350 with a 99bhp turbocharged engine, while mid-spec Allure trim with the same engine is £18,850. The eight-speed automatic gearbox option adds £1,400 to the spec, but 17in wheels, black B-pillar and leather-style seats are standard at this level.  Range-topping GT-Line trim starts from £20,700, and includes mood lighting, twin-exhausts and a black contrasting roof. On GT-Line and EV-specific GT trim, black wheelarch extensions are applied because the two versions get a 12mm-wider track than lesser 208s. On the GT-Line, it’s for effect only, but the EV’s powertrain necessitates it because its front axle has a wider stance. Peugeot’s designers, like a lot of companies, would prefer the 208 to feature larger wheels, but “in this segment, cost is important”, said Beurel.  All trim levels can also be equipped with a 1.5-litre diesel engine from £18,850, but more interesting is the pricing of the 136bhp all-electric variant. The e-208 starts from £25,050 in base Active form, with four trim levels topped out by bespoke GT spec, maxing the range out at £29,650. That pricing includes the £3,500 government grant and a high-speed domestic charging cable, which is claimed to be capable of charging the e-208 in 7.5 hours from a 7kW charging point. Top-spec models feature adaptive cruise control, a stop-start system, lane assist, Alcantara interior trim and a larger 10in infotainment display.  Specification details further down the e-208 range are largely identical to conventionally fuelled variants, but the EV sits on 16in steel wheels in Active and Allure trim.  The company has also now confirmed finance package options available for the 208. The electric e-208 can be leased from £289 per month over 48 months, with a customer initial rental of £5450 and optional final rental of £8978. Monthly payments for conventionally fuelled models begin at £229, with a customer initial rental of £700 and optional final rental of £6138.  Around 4cm longer, lower and 30kg lighter than the car it replaces, the new 208 will offer a “more dynamic stance” than the previous one, according to Yann Beurel, the 208’s design manager, who describes its looks as “futuristic and young”.  The car is five-door only and based on Peugeot’s new CMP (Common Modular Platform) architecture, which underpins the latest DS 3 Crossback. It will form the basis for the next Vauxhall Corsa now that Vauxhall-Opel has been integrated into the PSA Group.  The new 208 offers its three powertrain options “without any compromises”, according to 208 product manager Nicolas Bonnardon.  The electric 208 has a range of up to 211 miles on the WLTP cycle thanks to a 50kWh battery, which can be charged to 80% from empty in 30 minutes.  All variants are front-wheel drive. Batteries for the electric 208 sit in an H-section stretching beneath the rear seats, which is where the fuel tank is on internally combusted (ICE) variants, to beneath the front seats.  Visually, bar some colouring on the front, the badges and the addition of aerodynamic wheel trims, there is very little difference between ICE and EV 208s because PSA thinks EVs and plug-in hybrids will become a natural part of each car’s range.  “We wondered if customers would want specificity on an EV,” said Beurel. “But they said they ‘didn’t want a flag on the top’ so the frontal intake takes body colour and there’s a blue-green tint on the lion badges.”  Inside, the 208 gets an update of Peugeot’s still-controversial i-Cockpit, which features a small steering wheel that tends to sit beneath or, for some drivers, in the line of sight of the instrument pack.  Bar the option of a night-vision camera, convenience, driver assist and infotainment systems on offer in the new 208 are the same as in the bigger, more expensive 508. But there’s new equipment in the 208, too, including a neat three-dimensional element to the instrument cluster. Using a reflective screen as in a head-up display, the most important info can be brought to a small screen in front of the main instrument pack.  “What’s important is that it’s not entertainment: it’s information,” said Beurel. “It’s spectacular but it’s really useful when driving.”  And if the i-Cockpit layout has its critics? “We’ve sold five million cars with the i-Cockpit,” said Beurel, “and customers are telling us that they’re happy with it.” QA with Gilles Vidal, Peugeot design boss What’s the thinking behind the new 208’s design?  “Basically, the idea was to make sure we were doing a sexy little hot hatch, in a modern kind of
Origin: Peugeot opens UK order books for new 208 and e-208

Life in the Luxe Lane

As impressive as the all-new 2019 BMW X7 xDrive40is 12.3-inch centre display screen is, it cant compete with the epic views of Howe Sound from the Sea to Sky Highway.Marley Hutchinson (Editor’s note: In the spirit of the summer road trip, we’re borrowing from the Travel section this week with a story about a once-in-a-lifetime experience. And don’t fret gearheads, there’s a sweet ride involved.)Call it the ultimate car-sharing experience.Two B.C. Fairmont hotels have teamed up with Sea to Sky Exotic Car Rentals to offer a memorable five-day road trip package called Life is a (Luxurious) Highway.That highway is the oh-so-scenic Sea to Sky linking Vancouver and Whistler, and is paired to perfection with the all-new BMW X7, a luxury sport utility vehicle purpose-built for road trips like this.The package includes a couple of nights at both the Fairmont Pacific Rim in Vancouver and Whistlers Fairmont Chateau in Gold Room accommodations with accompanying over-the-top pampering, an amazing drive up and down one of the worlds most scenic routes, and some seat time in the latest master werke from the exacting engineering minds of Bayerische Motoren Werke.The package name borrows from Tom Cochranes 1992 hit Life is a Highway, in which the Canadian rocker implores:‘Come ride with me to the distant shores,We won’t hesitate break down the garden gate,There’s not much time left today.’If that doesnt speak to the very nature of the quintessential summer road trip, I dont know what does. Throw in Luxurious to that mix and youve got a five-day adventure that will resonate with you for many summers to come (winters too). I was fortunate to do just that, and weeks later Im still humming the tune and thinking, Life is a highway, I want to ride it all night long.The Ride: BMW X7Its been 20 years since BMW launched its first X branded SUV, so its a bit of surprise it took that long for the German luxury automaker to enter the big-boy sport-ute marketplace, given that Range Rover, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac have had such offerings for years now. But as is so often the case with BMW products, the wait for the all-new X7 was worth it, as it takes all the best attributes of the X5 high-end cabin, clean exterior lines and excellent performance attributes melds them with the legendary 7 Series sedan ethos and super sizes them all (consider, for one, the BMW badge on the front grille had to be made bigger just to fit with the uber proportions). And so was born the ideal vehicle for the Life is a (Luxurious) Highway package.(The Fairmont) asked us to buy one for them, specifically for this package, says Sea to Sky Exotic Car Rentals owner Jonas Johmann, who also offers a number of supercars for his discerning clientele. The fact his business is located in the underground parking lot of the Fairmont Pacific Rim makes this partnership ideal for all involved. There are two versions of the 2019 X7 the six-cylinder xDrive40i and the eight-cylinder xDrive50i and Johmanns is the former, with a very fuel-efficient 3.0-litre engine producing a more-than-adequate 335 horsepower. How fuel efficient? On my drive up and down the Sea to Sky Highway, covering 268 kilometres, I squeezed a 9.7 L/100 km out of the twin-turbo beast.The Journey: Sea to Sky HighwayWhen you turn the corner where Highway 1 becomes the Sea to Sky Highway in West Vancouver, the view north of Howe Sound and the Coast Mountains is right out of a car commercial. Literally. The stretch between Horseshoe Bay and Britannia Beach has been the backdrop of countless commercials, and as the twisty road unfolds out the X7s front windshield, and surrounding mountain peaks through the SUVs gigantic panoramic sunroof, you yourself feel like your in a real-time car ad. And the X7 is perfectly cast in this role. While a two-seat roadster might very well be the perfect car for this iconic drive, the luxury SUV certainly rises to the occasion, with its sport sedan-like handling unwavering through the tighter twists on the undulating blacktop, its performance-tuned engine and seamless eight-speed gearbox providing more than enough power for the climbs, and its oh-so-well appointed and comfortable cabin a tranquil sanctuary from which to witness the wonders of the West Coast reveal themselves.Ive been driving this highway for nearly 30 years now, beginning with ski bum days coaxing VW Westfalias, Ford LTDs and Jeep Cherokees up and down the then-treacherous route, followed by piloting auto-journalist-era whips like Rolls-Royces, Porsches and supercars up and down the more stress-free, post-2010 Winter Olympics highway. And it never gets old.I can just imagine what it must be like for a first-timer, particularly one charting the course in a 2019 BMW X7 as part of the Life is a (Luxurious) Highway package.My only complaint? It was over too soon.The Destinations: Fairmont Pacific RimThe very essence of the summer road trip is that well-worn adage, Its the journey, not
Origin: Life in the Luxe Lane

Winners and losers in the 2019 UK car market so far

The first half of 2019 has been unusually turbulent for the world’s car makers, and coming off the back of a solid 2018, the reverse into financial losses for some firms has been a surprise.  Weak sales in China can be blamed for some of the trouble, but concerns over global trade wars, Brexit, Dieselgate and anti-trust legal action in Germany are also factors.  Of the eight firms we looked at, five – BMW, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford, Nissan and PSA – made a profit in the second quarter or half year. But six of the eight recorded reduced profits, in some cases by a dramatic margin, such as Ford, Mercedes and Nissan.  It is worth noting that the April to June trading period for Japanese companies is called Q1, because their financial year ends in March, making their Q1 the equivalent of Q2 in the US and Europe.  Aston Martin’s woes are outlined here, but here’s our rundown of a selection of winners and losers. BMW  Profit £1.86bn (-28.4%) | Revenue £23.4bn (+2.9%) | Sales 647,504 (+1.5%) (Second quarter figures)  Provisions for Dieselgate-related ‘anti-trust’ legal costs put a significant drag on profits at BMW, despite production hitting a record. The company also highlighted increased competition, launch costs for new models and higher RD expenditure on electrification and autonomous driving. BMW still produced a significant profit in the quarter, but it “dropped sharply” in the company’s own words, and its margin reduced to 6.5% – lower than volume car maker PSA. BMW delivered 566k units (up 2.7%), Mini 89k (down 5.8%) and Rolls-Royce 1328 (up 36%). Although most car makers struggled in China, BMW Group sales increased 24% there. Europe remains difficult, though, with sales down 4%. PSA Profit £3.01bn (+10.6%) | Revenue £34.9bn (-0.7%) | Sales 1.903m (-12.8%) (First-half figures)  PSA is a bright light for the industry, having increased first-half profit, boosted by new model launches and a contribution from Opel-Vauxhall, and despite a drop in global sales volume. PSA’s operating margin is now 8.7% – impressive for a volume car maker. PSA says cost saving from platform-sharing with Opel-Vauxhall boosted profitability, offsetting £275m of extra costs in China. The group’s best-seller remained the Peugeot 208. Jaguar Land Rover Loss £395m (+49%) | Revenue £5.07bn (-2.8%) Sales | 128,615 (-11.6%) (Second quarter figures)  JLR returned to loss-making trading in the second quarter, having made a welcome profit in the first quarter. The loss was blamed on a global sales slump. UK sales were actually up, and sales in China recovered in June, an encouraging indicator for the rest of the year. Plant shutdowns and delays in WLTP certification were also blamed. Looking ahead, JLR says a £2.5bn cost-saving programme is on track and delivered £400m of benefits in the quarter. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Profit £722m (+14%) | Revenue £24.3bn (-3%) | Sales 1.157m (-11%) (Second quarter figures) FCA is having one of its better years, with its profit increasing solidly. Strong US performances by Ram and Jeep are the highlights, with the highly profitable Ram 1500 and Super Duty boosting its pick-up market share to 28%, up 7% on last year. Meanwhile, demand is strong for the newly launched Jeep Gladiator pick-up, which is already hitting its forecast full-production run rate. On the downside, Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Maserati are all struggling and sales in China are weak. In response, Maserati is planning a “significant inventory reduction” in the second half of 2019 in readiness for new models in 2020. Always look on the bright side: watch out for bargains in Maserati dealers this autumn. Nissan Profit £12m (-98%) | Revenue £17.9bn (-12.7%) | Sales 1.23m (-6.0%) (First quarter figures)  Nissan just about scraped a profit in its first quarter, blaming the near-wipe-out of its profits compared with Q1 2018 on fewer sales, higher raw material costs, exchange rate fluctuations and investment costs to meet new emissions rules. Europe dragged down the sales figures, with a 16.3% drop to 135k units, as did Japan (-2.6%) and the rest of the world (-13%), although sales in China were up (by 2.3%). In response, Nissan is cutting around 12k jobs globally, pruning some compact cars from its model range and reducing annual production capacity to 6.6m by 2022, a cut of 600k. Mercedes-Benz Cars Loss £612m (-135%) | Revenue £20.3bn (-1%) | Sales 575,639 (-3%) (Second quarter figures)  Mercedes parent Daimler – the car, truck and van business – has issued four profit warnings in 2019, largely because it is setting aside £1.5bn to cover a fine expected to be levied after Mercedes transgressed diesel emission regulations. A further £0.9bn has been allocated for a Takata airbag recall in the US. Sales, meanwhile, have been hit by the global trade war between the US and China and the diesel backlash in Europe. Most affected were SUV sales, which dropped to 181k units (-13%), although the
Origin: Winners and losers in the 2019 UK car market so far

Volvo launches S60 T8 Twin Engine model

Volvo launches S60 T8 Twin Engine model The PHEV is both the most powerful and most efficient model in the range Volvo has expanded its S60 saloon range with new trim levels and the eagerly-awaited T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid powertrain. Featuring an 11.8 kWh battery and 87hp electric motor, the S60 T8 Twin Engine can cover up to 36 miles in electric mode, has official CO2 emissions of 39 g/km, and a WLTP combined fuel economy score of 176.5 MPG. It’s also the range-topping powertrain with 390hp available to the driver, seeing the motor combine with a 303hp four-cylinder petrol engine. Power is put through an eight-speed automatic transmission, and the S60 T8’s 0-62mph time is just 4.6 seconds. New trim levels for the line-up have seen R-Design Plus and Inscription Plus. The former replaces the launch R-Design Edition trim, and adds a sporty air to the S60. The Inscrption Plus trim is a new specification, and focuses on a more luxurious set-up. Prices start at £37,935 for R-Design Plus, and £38,835 for Inscription Plus – both of which use the originally available T5 petrol engine. The new T8 Twin Engine powertrain is only available in R-Design Plus trim for now, and starts at £49,805.
Origin: Volvo launches S60 T8 Twin Engine model

Nearly-new buying guide: Audi A4

There’s been an Audi A4 saloon since 1994. We’re now on the fifth generation, which was launched in 2015 when it was billed as the most efficient, refined and high-tech one of all. No surprise there, but it takes nothing away from the fact that each generation of A4 has played its part in establishing the model as a serious player in the family saloon class.  Among the current A4’s many attractions are a level of build quality that on occasion eludes its rivals. It has a clean and unostentatious appearance that buyers find appealing. And rather than excelling in one or two areas, it’s satisfying across most.  It replaced the fourth-gen model that ran from 2008-15. Their registration years aside, you may struggle to tell the two apart. Our tip is to look for the kick in the baseline of the later car’s headlights.  Fortunately, under the skin, the game had moved on rather more. For example, thanks to its new, aluminium-rich platform, the later model is 120kg lighter than its predecessor, despite being larger. It’s also better to drive, more luxurious and features more technology.  At launch and later in 2016 there was the usual fleet-friendly mix of punchy 2.0-litre diesels, one of them, the 148bhp Ultra, being capable of a then-claimed 74.3mpg. But there was also a 148bhp 1.4 TFSI petrol as well as a 187bhp 2.0 TFSI. All bar the 1.4 were available with optional seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic gearboxes. Today, on the used market, the numbers of manual and auto ’boxes are evenly split, but there are around 50% more diesel-powered A4s than there are petrols.  Higher up the range were quattro versions of a more powerful 2.0 TFSI making 249bhp, a 3.0 TDI V6 with 215bhp and another making 268bhp, this time with a Tiptronic gearbox. Of all the versions, the humble 148bhp 1.4 TFSI represents real value for money, but don’t look for a 2019 car – last year it was dropped and replaced by a 148bhp 2.0 TSI. Meanwhile, there are lots of keenly priced 148bhp 2.0 TDI Ultras and not all of them at silly mileages. If you have a caravan or boat to tow, choose one of the powerful quattro diesels. In 2017 the 349bhp S4 surfaced. The quattro system keeps it planted but a BMW 340i is a more engaging car.  The range was updated early this year with all engines, bar the new S4 3.0 TDI, now being 2.0-litre affairs. Other changes included updated infotainment and Audi’s Virtual Cockpit made standard.  Throughout, SE has been the gateway trim, and given the A4’s modest abilities, pretty much the only one you need thanks to its xenon headlights, sound-deadening windscreen, parking sensors, tri-zone climate control and a well-equipped infotainment system. Sport adds a few more luxuries, but sporty, body-kitted S line serves only to remind you that you should have got that 3 Series M Sport.  Need to know Regular A4s have an optional seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic gearbox, while the most powerful diesel, and the sporty S4 and RS4 models, have an eightspeed Tiptronic torque converter ’box. Both offer manual override.  Audi’s double-digit power rating-based model naming was rolled out last year. It addresses the fact that modern engine capacities are no longer indicative of power output. Across Audi’s range there are at least nine numbers, with regular A4s tagged either 35 (145-159hp), 40 (165-198hp) or 45 (223-244hp).  Audi’s approved used scheme says only, somewhat ambiguously, that it will endeavour to provide a service history certificate at time of vehicle handover. Make sure you know the car’s history before you purchase it. Our pick A4 2.0 TDI 190PS SE: The high-power 2.0-litre diesel engine is smooth and refined; it’s lusty, too, with 295lb ft available. It’s a Euro 6 engine, of course, so no worries there. SE trim is great value. A4 1.4 TFSI 150 Sport: Not the swiftest A4 but plenty fast enough, plus it’s refined, comfortable and economical with it. Standard equipment includes 17in alloys, extendable squab sports seats and an upgraded sound system. Ones we found 2015 2.0 TDI 150 Ultra SE, 117,000 miles, £9750  2016 1.4 TFSI Sport, 60,000 miles, £10,295  2017 2.0 TDI Ultra Sport S tronic, 56,000 miles, £13,990  2018 2.0 TFSI SE S tronic, 19,000 miles,
Origin: Nearly-new buying guide: Audi A4

The motoring industry’s winners and losers: 2019 edition

The first half of 2019 has been unusually turbulent for the world’s car makers, and coming off the back of a solid 2018, the reverse into financial losses for some firms has been a surprise.  Weak sales in China can be blamed for some of the trouble, but concerns over global trade wars, Brexit, Dieselgate and anti-trust legal action in Germany are also factors.  Of the eight firms we looked at, five – BMW, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Ford, Nissan and PSA – made a profit in the second quarter or half year. But six of the eight recorded reduced profits, in some cases by a dramatic margin, such as Ford, Mercedes and Nissan.  It is worth noting that the April to June trading period for Japanese companies is called Q1, because their financial year ends in March, making their Q1 the equivalent of Q2 in the US and Europe.  Aston Martin’s woes are outlined here, but here’s our rundown of a selection of winners and losers. BMW  Profit £1.86bn (-28.4%) | Revenue £23.4bn (+2.9%) | Sales 647,504 (+1.5%) (Second quarter figures)  Provisions for Dieselgate-related ‘anti-trust’ legal costs put a significant drag on profits at BMW, despite production hitting a record. The company also highlighted increased competition, launch costs for new models and higher RD expenditure on electrification and autonomous driving. BMW still produced a significant profit in the quarter, but it “dropped sharply” in the company’s own words, and its margin reduced to 6.5% – lower than volume car maker PSA. BMW delivered 566k units (up 2.7%), Mini 89k (down 5.8%) and Rolls-Royce 1328 (up 36%). Although most car makers struggled in China, BMW Group sales increased 24% there. Europe remains difficult, though, with sales down 4%. PSA Profit £3.01bn (+10.6%) | Revenue £34.9bn (-0.7%) | Sales 1.903m (-12.8%) (First-half figures)  PSA is a bright light for the industry, having increased first-half profit, boosted by new model launches and a contribution from Opel-Vauxhall, and despite a drop in global sales volume. PSA’s operating margin is now 8.7% – impressive for a volume car maker. PSA says cost saving from platform-sharing with Opel-Vauxhall boosted profitability, offsetting £275m of extra costs in China. The group’s best-seller remained the Peugeot 208. Jaguar Land Rover Loss £395m (+49%) | Revenue £5.07bn (-2.8%) Sales | 128,615 (-11.6%) (Second quarter figures)  JLR returned to loss-making trading in the second quarter, having made a welcome profit in the first quarter. The loss was blamed on a global sales slump. UK sales were actually up, and sales in China recovered in June, an encouraging indicator for the rest of the year. Plant shutdowns and delays in WLTP certification were also blamed. Looking ahead, JLR says a £2.5bn cost-saving programme is on track and delivered £400m of benefits in the quarter. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles Profit £722m (+14%) | Revenue £24.3bn (-3%) | Sales 1.157m (-11%) (Second quarter figures) FCA is having one of its better years, with its profit increasing solidly. Strong US performances by Ram and Jeep are the highlights, with the highly profitable Ram 1500 and Super Duty boosting its pick-up market share to 28%, up 7% on last year. Meanwhile, demand is strong for the newly launched Jeep Gladiator pick-up, which is already hitting its forecast full-production run rate. On the downside, Alfa Romeo, Fiat and Maserati are all struggling and sales in China are weak. In response, Maserati is planning a “significant inventory reduction” in the second half of 2019 in readiness for new models in 2020. Always look on the bright side: watch out for bargains in Maserati dealers this autumn. Nissan Profit £12m (-98%) | Revenue £17.9bn (-12.7%) | Sales 1.23m (-6.0%) (First quarter figures)  Nissan just about scraped a profit in its first quarter, blaming the near-wipe-out of its profits compared with Q1 2018 on fewer sales, higher raw material costs, exchange rate fluctuations and investment costs to meet new emissions rules. Europe dragged down the sales figures, with a 16.3% drop to 135k units, as did Japan (-2.6%) and the rest of the world (-13%), although sales in China were up (by 2.3%). In response, Nissan is cutting around 12k jobs globally, pruning some compact cars from its model range and reducing annual production capacity to 6.6m by 2022, a cut of 600k. Mercedes-Benz Cars Loss £612m (-135%) | Revenue £20.3bn (-1%) | Sales 575,639 (-3%) (Second quarter figures)  Mercedes parent Daimler – the car, truck and van business – has issued four profit warnings in 2019, largely because it is setting aside £1.5bn to cover a fine expected to be levied after Mercedes transgressed diesel emission regulations. A further £0.9bn has been allocated for a Takata airbag recall in the US. Sales, meanwhile, have been hit by the global trade war between the US and China and the diesel backlash in Europe. Most affected were SUV sales, which dropped to 181k units (-13%), although the
Origin: The motoring industry’s winners and losers: 2019 edition

First Look: 2020 Audi RS 6 Avant

Since launching the RS brand in 1994, Audi has presented 25 different models, which is fitting given the marque is celebrating 25-years of go-faster transportation. Currently, there are five RS models in the companys portfolio with another six arriving in the coming months.Each model has two key things in common monster amounts of horsepower and the driving dynamics of a racecar. Factor in the quattro systems ability to get the outrageous horsepower to the pavement without melting the tires when the engines muscle is flexed, and the RS models go where pointed in one seriously fast manner.The forbidden fruit denied Canadians for way too long is coming home!Of the models, the RS 6 Avant has to be the one by which all others are be judged. It was, and remains, a street-legal racer, but with the practicality of a station wagon. Whoever said wagons were frumpy has not enjoyed the unmitigated pleasure of running the RS 6 around a racetrack!The first RS 6 Avant arrived in 2002 with a 4.2-litre, twin-turbo V8. It pushed 444 horsepower and delivered a run to 100 kilometres an hour of 4.7 seconds. In 2008, the V8 went away in favour of a 571 hp 5.0L V10 and a run from rest to 100-km/h in 4.1 seconds. In 2013, the RS 6 went back to a 4.0L bi-turbo V8 with 552 hp and a 0-100-km/h time of 3.8 seconds. Youll note each model has been faster than its predecessor!Well, its time to celebrate the forbidden fruit denied Canadians for way too long is coming home! One look at the latest 2020 RS 6 Avant and its 40-millimetre fender bulges tells the onlooker this is one serious machine the front doors and tailgate are the only body parts shared with the mortal A6 Avant. The headlights with optional laser lighting come from the A7 and it has a functional rear spoiler to add the needed downforce when at speed.This time around the RS 6 Avant uses a 4.0L twin-turbo V8 that works with a 48-volt belt/alternator/starter (BAS) mild-hybrid system. It pushes 600 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission with launch control and all four wheels. In this application the quattro system sends 60 percent of the drive to the rear wheels and 40% to the front, which gives it a rear-drive feel. However, the system can send up to 85% of the power rearward, or up to 70% to the front wheels if the conditions demand.Audi says the BAS mild hybrid system has the potential to shave the fuel consumption by 0.8 L/100 km in everyday driving. The reality is most will enjoy significantly better savings if only because of the needless idling it prevents. The engine also shuts down four of its eight cylinders when the loads are low, which further helps the economy cause.There are several suspension choices. The four-corner air suspension with adaptive dampers is likely to be the popular option. The ride height is 10-mm lower than the A6 and it drops another 10-mm when at speed to improve stability with a top speed of 305 km/h it needs all the help it can get!The other suspension uses regular coil springs at each corner, but with a special set of dampers that are linked diagonally front-to-rear when the front damper is compressed it sends oil pressure to its diagonal counterpart at the back to ready it for a bump. In the end, the setup reduces unwanted pitch and body roll. Theres also a sport steering setup and an available four-wheel steering system. The latter sharpens the response at speed and chops the turning circle by a metre at parking lot speeds. Of course, there are massive 440-mm front rotors with 10 piston calipers. Tires you ask? Try P285/30R22s on for size!Everything can be tweaked to suit the tone of the drive. There are all the usual modes, including Comfort, Auto and Dynamic. Each alters the engine, transmission, steering, suspension and, when so equipped, the torque-vectoring rear Sport Differential. There is, for the brave (or foolhardy!), also a true off position for the stability control system.Two key assets are found in the RS buttons. The driver can go into the Individual mode menu and set the RS 6 Avant up to suit. Set everything so its ready for a city drive and store the choices in the RS1 button. Crank every facet up to Dynamic and save them to RS2 button. Now you have a track-ready demon at the push of a button.So, how fast is the 2020 Audi RS 6 Avant? It runs to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, making it the fastest to date, yet it still delivers 565-litres of cargo space with the seats up and 1,680L when folded flat. Does it get any
Origin: First Look: 2020 Audi RS 6 Avant