Welcome to the Hooniverse News! As always, this is a weekly recap of some of the biggest stories in the automotive industry without the fluff or bull. There’s also just a little opinion of mine because I can. This week:
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Aston Martin shows off new Vantage (sort of)
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Toyota and Mazda enter new business and capital alliance
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BMW confirms Z4 concept will debut at Pebble Beach
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Nissan gives us another early glimpse at the LEAF
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What’s your automotive news?
Aston Martin previews new Vantage
Aston Martin is finally getting around to replacing the Vantage lineup, only twelve years since it debuted. It’s been getting cooler and more powerful by the year, but there’s no denying it’s quite dated compared to every other $100,000+ luxury sports car it competes with. A new Vantage is due by the end of the year with sales likely starting in 2018, so Aston Martin is giving us a little glimpse into the future.
Despite the camouflage, it’s easy to tell that this car draws heavily from the super-limited DB10 that was built for the last James Bond film. The general proportions, roof line, grille, headlights, rear haunches, and rear fascia/diffuser area all seem to be borrowed or at least inspired by the movie car. I can’t say I’m surprised since Aston said from day one that the DB10 could preview forthcoming models.
It’s still too early for any confirmed specs, but we can always speculate. Given their relationship with Mercedes-AMG, we can safely assume the Vantage will use the same twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 as found in the AMG GT/GTS and other AMG cars. Aston Martin is already familiar with that engine too now that they’re offering it in the DB11 as well.
As Road & Track points out, the stickers on the side could indicate a gearbox sourced from Oerlikon Graziano, an Italian company who supplied Aston’s old automated manuals and now produces McLaren’s gearboxes. Even though the bigger Astons are automatic only, I’d be surprised if the smaller and sportier Vantage didn’t come with a manual.
But of course, this is all speculation until they officially reveal it later this year. We may see it as early as the Frankfurt Motor Show in September or the Los Angeles Auto Show in December.
[Source: Road & Track]
Toyota and Mazda enter business and capital alliance
Today, Toyota and Mazda signed an agreement to enter a business and capital alliance to strengthen their partnership and promote sustainable growth, which seems to have been two years in the making.
Specifically, they’ve agreed to: 1) establish a joint venture that produces vehicles in the United States, 2) jointly develop technologies for electric vehicles, 3) jointly develop connected-car technology, 4) collaborate on advanced safety technologies and 5) expand complementary products.
While there is money changing hands to the tune of hundreds of millions of dollars, this arrangement preserves independence and equality for both companies. It’s not a takeover, but a true partnership. Toyota will acquire 31,928,500 shares of common stock newly issued by Mazda (representing 5% of Mazda and 50 billion Yen / $451 million). Mazda will, through a disposition of treasury stock through a third-party allotment to be implemented by Toyota, acquire Toyota shares that are equivalent in value to the Mazda shares (shareholding ratio of 0.25% on an issued share basis).
All this new capital will be directly reinvested into both companies, primarily as it relates to building vehicles in the US – and if they go through with doing so jointly (under the same roof), Mazda expects to build crossovers while Toyota builds the new Corolla.
To expand a little on point 5 (complementary products), Mazda is currently supplying a compact sedan to Toyota in the North American market, and Toyota will supply a compact commercial “two-box” van to Mazda in Japan. This agreement means they’ll also explore other complementary products on a global level.
For Mazda especially, this is a huge deal. They make some great cars but they just aren’t selling as well as their competition. So partnering with Toyota who sells lots of everything means they can get substantial support when they start building cars together. Right now, Mazda doesn’t have any hybrids or EVs in the lineup, so who better to get that from than Toyota? Same thing goes for the connected car tech and safety features – Mazda could develop that on their own eventually, but working with someone as big and powerful as Toyota will make that happen much quicker. Future Mazdas just might become competitive again.
As for Toyota, maybe they have their eye on Mazda’s SkyActiv engines? Or probably the rotary. Definitely the rotary.
[Source: Toyota]
BMW Z4 concept coming to Pebble Beach
Last weekend, BMW sent out a cryptic tweet along with a teaser image for a new car making its debut in the coming weeks. “Find out what is hiding in the dark on August 17th at Pebble Beach”, it says.
What’s hiding in the dark is almost certainly a preview of the new Z4 in the form of a concept car. BMW almost always brings some concept(s) to Pebble Beach instead of debuting production models, but this would be our first look at the upcoming Z4 which is built on a new chassis co-developed by BMW and Toyota (for the Supra). There aren’t any other details shared by BMW at this time, so we’ll just have to wait another couple weeks.
[Source: BMW]
Nissan’s more revealing LEAF teaser
We’re about a month away from the world debut of the new Nissan LEAF, so as is tradition, have another teaser image. However, this one is much more revealing than the last one we got and actually shows off more of the car’s styling. A few words accompany this release to emphasize its efficient new profile which I’ll paraphrase below.
The new LEAF will be able to travel farther per charge thanks to less drag in its new design. But they also promise more stability at speed by making it lower to the ground and getting creative with a few other surfaces. They say the designers were inspired by airplane wings to “recreate the ideal shape for the new LEAF, enabling a symmetric air flow that helps it slice through the air for a smoother, more efficient journey”. Yes, wings are designed to produce lift which is typically a no-no in cars, but I’ll let them have this.
The 2018 Nissan LEAF makes its debut on September 5th. I’m sure this won’t be the last time we see a teaser before then.
[Source: Nissan]
What’s your automotive news?
That’s all I’ve got for you this week, so now it’s your turn. If you saw anything, fixed something, broke everything, or otherwise did anything even remotely car related that you want to share with your fellow hoon, sound off in the comments.
Have a good weekend.
[Image © 2017 Hooniverse/Greg Kachadurian]
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