Boxster goes to Osnabrück......Full order books in Stuttgart call for extra production at Volkswagen factory

As of today, Porsche has begun partially producing its Boxster model at Volkswagen Osnabrück GmbH. This step is necessary, as Porsche’s main factory in Stuttgart does not have enough capacity to cope with demand.

The first vehicle to roll off the Osnabrück line was an Indian red Boxster S. In attendance for the start of Boxster production in Osnabrück were Minister President of Lower Saxony David McAllister, Lord Mayor of Osnabrück Boris Pistorius, Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn as well as President and CEO of Porsche AG Matthias Müller.

“Taking on production of the Boxster here in Osnabrück shows that the site has established itself within the Volkswagen Group as a centre of excellence for cabriolet and small series production. I am delighted that as of today rolling of our production line here in Lower Saxony will be Porsche vehicles that stand for premium quality ‘Made in Germany’ all around the world,” emphasised Minister President McAllister.


Chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG Prof. Dr. Winterkorn said at the production start:
“The Boxster production in Osnabrück is a clear sign of the rapid coalescence of Volkswagen and Porsche. Production in Osnabrück means creating synergies that will benefit customers, staff and location alike.”
Porsche President and CEO Müller explained: “Due to the way things are in Stuttgart there is no easy way to expand our main factory. Over the next few years, we will be fully utilising our own production capacity predominantly with the 911 model. We therefore looked for a partner for producing the Boxster. The decisive factor in our choice was the great expertise of the workforce at Volkswagen Osnabrück. Our sports cars are in very good hands there. After all, we all have the same concept of quality. Osnabrück will become a part of our success story.”

Great Wall stretches to Ireland................

I.M. Automotive (Ireland), current distributors of Subaru in Ireland has announced the introduction of Chinese auto maker, Great Wall Motor Company Limited, into Ireland.

This will be the first time that the Chinese car maker has sold vehicles in Ireland and first on sale will be the Steed double-cab pick-up truck. On board is an economical 2.0 litre diesel engine delivering in excess of 30 MPG on a combined cycle. Standard equipment includes 16" alloy wheels, leather upholstery with heated seats and bluetooth. The company will take a stand at the up-coming National Ploughing Championships in New Ross where they will be able to connect face-to-face with the Irish farming community. I expect Subaru dealers around the country should double up as Great Wall dealers with the starting price of the Steed at a competitive EUR 21,995 excluding vat @ 23 %.

Details can be found at www.greatwallmotors.ie 

The Great Wall Motor Company, one of the few privately-owned Chinese car companies, has designed and built all of the European-bound models specifically to meet EU whole-vehicle type approval standards.  This will ensure that Great Wall models deliver high standards of crash-worthiness, equal to those of modern European and Japanese vehicles. 

NEW SEAT LOGO

SEAT is planning a route back from the abyss with a new logo, and first to wear the new crest will be the all-new Leon which is set to appear next year.The next generation Toledo sedan will also parade the new signature on its nose.

The in-house graphic team wanted to create a simpler crest, so the logo could be more easily identified and associated. The middle cross bar has been removed to now leave a "less than" sign sitting on a "greater than" sign.

XSdirect.com to sponsor Cannonball Ireland 2012

XSdirect.com the Irish motor insurance provider, has been confirmed as main sponsor for Cannonball Ireland 2012. The annual round-ireland charity road run will take place, for the fourth time, from September 14-16 when 150 "supercars" will travel over one-thousand kilometers from Dublin to Kilkenny via Belfast and Galway City.

This years event will raise money for the LauraLynn children's hospice in Dublin.

Full details at www.cannonball.ie

New Ford Focus ST

The evolution of the Focus ST goen on....... Ford will reveal all later this month at the Paris Motor Show with this new high-performance hot-hatch.

Packing a striking and appealing stance and a beefy 247bhp turbocharged engine, the ST will sit at the top of the all-new Focus range - that is until the new RS comes around.

The new model eatures a version of the all-new direct-injection 2.0-litre EcoBoost engine, replacing the old 2.5-litre five-cylinder unit, and offers greater power, and more efficiency.

New owners can be promised a 0-60mph time in less than six seconds and a top speed of155mph. A six-speed manual box should emit just 180g/km of CO2.

A huge mesh grille at the front incorporates the muscular bodykit complete with low sills. At the back is a roof spoiler and low rear bumper, allowing twin exhausts to exit through its centre.

The new ST won’t be available as a three-door, however, an estate could join the five-door for the first time.

No Irish release date or prices has been announced as of yet.

Audi R8 RS - The Ultimate ?

Audi R8 RS could be a twin-turbo V10 thanks to MTM........

The truth about the ultimate R8 is emerging...This picture could be of an all-new twin-turbocharged V10 R8 model from German tuning company MTM.

MTM is rumoured to be working on a twin-turbocharged version of Audi's 5.2-litre V8 producing upwards of 800bhp. Expect 0-62mph in under three seconds and a top speed well in excess of 225mph.

The Stig reveals all

Ben Collins gives a v sign to the BBC in long interview with the Sunday Times....full report to follow....