VXR Vauxhalls have been a bit patchy in the past. Astra and Corsa – hairy fun. Meriva and Vectra – clunky overpowered pointlessness. But this summer’s 300bhp 4WD Insignia VXR could be a bit of a belter. Dunno if anyone will have the cash to buy it, but fun anyway.
Despite dozens of attempts, Citroen hasn’t successfully launched a posh car in decades. Now it wants to launch a whole range of them right into the teeth of the most vicious downturn in living memory. Sounds bonkers. So mad, I have a suspicion it could just work.
Another wave of catastrophic car-company news this morning, as Honda closes its Swindon plant for a staggering four months. Look around the industry and you see that even the golden boys are in the cack.
So Chrysler is going to bed with Fiat. These are among the most promiscuous companies in the industry, and right now they both have ‘desperate’ tattooed across their foreheads. Can they turn this into a successful long-term relationship?
In a shattering volte-face, Honda has cancelled the NSX replacement. It was due to be unveiled within weeks. Japanese companies normally set huge store by consistent long-term planning. And it pulled the plug on F1 a couple of weeks ago. It all shows how desperate the economic climate is for everyone.
I’ve been driving the new 7-series lately. Now if you read up on the technology of the 7-series, and ask a couple of the right questions of BMW engineers, then you arrive at pretty well all you need to know about the 2011 5-series.
Lots of people have asked me this question recently: if GM is bankrupted, what happens to Vauxhall and Opel? And I’ve asked lots of people, including GM high-ups. No-one seems to know, or to be willing to say.
OK, so a lot of car companies are finding themselves in a severely skint state these days. They’re slashing budgets in every department. But if they cut new-car development, where does that leave their future? Several future models have been chopped or delayed.
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