Winterkorn à la tête de Volkswagen jusqu'à fin 2016

Martin Winterkorn va conserver les commandes du numéro un de l'automobile Volkswagen jusqu'à fin 2016, son contrat ayant été prolongé de cinq ans, a annoncé dimanche le groupe dans un communiqué.

Winterkorn a pris les rênes du groupe VW en janvier 2007 et son contrat expirait normalement fin 2011. Mais "le conseil de surveillance de VW s'est mis d'accord de manière unanime pour prolonger de cinq ans" son mandat, selon le communiqué. Le groupe n'a fourni aucune explication.

Selon la presse allemande, l'objectif est notamment que l'actuel PDG achève les intégrations de Porsche et de Suzuki dans le groupe Volkswagen.

Martin Winterkorn pourra également poursuivre le développement en Chine, aux Etats-Unis et en Inde, qui doit permettre à la marque allemande de devenir le numéro un mondial à la place du japonais Toyota.

Le comité d'entreprise de Volkswagen a exprimé son plein soutien à Martin Winterkorn, dans un communiqué publié dimanche. "Nous allons poursuivre avec Martin Winterkorn notre histoire à succès. Il a le plein soutien des salariés", a déclaré Bernd Osterloh, chef du comité d'entreprise.

Le groupe de Wolfsburg, dont les marques vont de Lamborghini à Seat en passant par Audi, ambitionne de devenir numéro un mondial devant le japonais Toyota d'ici 2018.

Source & photo: Volkswagen

Mysterious Bentley Continental GT Spied in Spain: Could it be a Hybrid Prototype?

To be completely honest, we were quite hesitant to post these photos of a mysterious Bentley Continental GT coupe that was snapped by one of our spy photographers in western Spain, close to the borders with Portugal. Our man claimed that the Continental GT was equipped with some sort of electric motor / battery pack, visible from the rear window. While it looks like there's something present in the trunk, unfortunately, the photos aren't clear enough for us make a positive ID.

So why did we decide to post these photographs then? Well, thing is that we have been hearing rumors about a gasoline -or diesel- electric hybrid model from Bentley for quite some time now. So even though the positioning of the electric motor/ battery pack (whatever that is in the photos) might seem weird, it could be a prototype model used to test the system.

But without any additional info from a credible inside source, all this is just pure speculation, and we're definitely not in the business of making stories up.

And yes, the thought that the alleged test driver might have been just carrying some sort of equipment in the trunk, did pass through our mind. So for the time being and until we discover something new, just consider this article as a sort of a 'think-out-loud' post. As always, if you have any thoughts -serious or humorous- don't keep them to yourselves, scroll down to the comment section and share them with us.

VW va embaucher 50 000 personnes dans le monde

Volkswagen, le plus grand constructeur automobile d'Europe, va créer 50 000 nouveaux emplois dans le monde. La Belgique ne devrait pas être concernée.

Volkswagen, qui occupe déjà actuellement 400 000 personnes s'attend à un boom dans le secteur automobile, a déclaré le directeur du personnel Horst Neumann lors d'une interview au journal allemand Handelsblatt.

Pour la première fois, VW va vendre 7 millions de véhicules cette année. En 2018, le chiffre devrait passer à dix millions. Outre la demande croissante dans les pays en voie de développement, l'entreprise doit aussi tenir compte du vieillissement de son personnel. "Dans les cinq prochaines années, nous devrons remplacer 60 000 travailleurs qui quitteront l'entreprise", a précisé le directeur du personnel.

Les travailleurs temporaires (20 000) seront les premiers à profiter de l'offre grandissante d'emplois.

L'augmentation du personnel aura surtout lieu en Allemagne, en Chine et aux Etats-Unis. Le groupe a une usine de fabrication d'Audi en Belgique. Environ 2 200 personnes y travaillent.

Source: Belga
Photo: Volkswagen

MTM's Birkin Edition Tuning Package for Bentley Models

Bavaria's Motoren Technik Mayer, or simply MTM, has launched a new tuning package for the Bentley Continental GT, GTC, Flying Spur, GT Speed, GTC Speed, and Continental Supersports models. Dubbed Birkin Edition, the package includes a two-stage engine kit that helps boost the twin-turbocharged W12's output to 635HP or 650HP, the latter producing a peak toque figure of 795Nm or 586-lbs/ft. MTM claims that with the 650HP kit, the Continental GT shaved three seconds off the standard car's lap time on the short Hockenheim circuit, and three seconds in the 0 to 200 km/h sprint time, which was achieved in 15.9 seconds.

In addition to the engine upgrades, MTM's Birkin Edition package includes a new four-pipe exhaust system and a suspension kit that lowers the ride height (depending on the model) up to 25mm up front and 35mm at the rear, plus a new 6-caliper brake system for the front wheels. A chrome grille and a set of 21-inch 'Bimoto' lightweight alloy wheels complete the package that starts from €20,000 or about $28,200 with today's exchange rates.

Anderson Germany's Bentley GT Speed Elegance Edition

Leaving no stone unturned, Anderson Germany has presented a new tuning take on the Bentley Continental GT Speed. Called the Elegance Edition, the package enhances the British grand tourer with number of performance and styling goodies.

Exterior dress-up pieces include a carbon fiber bonnet with additional air intakes and a new boot lid made from the same lightweight material. Carbon fiber can also be found on the new front and rear bumpers, with the LED daytime running lights, side skirts and new chrome grilles up front completing the body kit which is limited to 150 pieces worldwide.

In the interior, the cabin has been decked out in carbon fiber trim while the seats are now finished in black leather with contrasting white stitching.

The Continental GT Speed leaves Bentley's factory in Crewe with a 610HP W12. Thanks to a series of modifications including software optimization, a new air filter and a sport exhaust system with additional Rennkats, output is lifted to 695-horsepower. A remote-controlled valve adjusting the exhaust that allows the driver to choose from three different noise levels is also part of the package.

Anderson Germany did not release pricing for the Elegance Edition.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

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Arden's Bentley Hood Ornament: Kitsch or Cool?

Feeling a bit jealous of your Rolls Royce pals? Then how about a bonnet mascot for your Bentley? Our verdict is still out on Arden's new Bentley radiator figure but if you're interested in the details here they are: the "Flying B" costs €980 or around US$1,480 and can be mounted in about 30 minutes.

According to Arden, the hood ornament has been designed to separate from the base in the case of a strong impact in order to minimize the danger of injury of a pedestrian, without being damaged itself.

Additionally, there's a patented quick-locking mechanism that offers a theft protection as the bonnet mascot can be dismounted and mounted by the owner at any time.

source: http://carscoop.blogspot.com

D'Ieteren revoit ses prévision à la hausse

L'importateur belge D'Ieteren revoit à la hausse sa prévision du nombre d'immatriculations en Belgique pour l'année 2010.

Le marché automobile belge continue à être soutenu par deux tendances fortes qui lui permettent d'afficher une nette progression par rapport à l'année 2009: les particuliers profitent des primes écologiques et le marché des voitures de société reprend des couleurs sur fond de redressement économique.

Dans ces circonstances et à l'instar de la Febiac, D'Ieteren, l'importateur du groupe VW et de Yamaha en Belgique, revoit à la hausse sa prévision 2010 pour le marché automobile belge à 535 000 immatriculations de voitures neuves.

L'impact d'une augmentation du marché automobile sur les livraisons de l'importateur se faisant avec retard, cette nouvelle prévision ne modifie pas l'estimation pour cette année d'une progression de plus de 25 % (plus de 20 % à périmètre de consolidation constant) du bénéfice consolidé courant avant impôt, part du groupe.

Source & Photo: D'Ieteren

Bentley Releases Pricing for 2011 Continental GT before Paris Debut

If you're interested in the redesigned 2011 Continental GT, you'll be happy to know that Bentley released pricing today and has confirmed that customer deliveries of the twin-turbocharged W12 model will start in the first quarter of 2011.

Technical specs and pricing of the newly added base model, which is powered by a 4.0-liter V8 engine and will be available later in 2011, have not yet been announced.

Excluding delivery charges, for those of you living in the USA, the revised Conti' Coupe W12 will cost you $189,900 if you don't tick any option boxes. In Europe, the base pre-tax price is set at €154,600, while in the UK, pricing starts at £135,760 (including VAT).

Along with the refreshed exterior and interior styling, the 2011 Continental GT also benefits from a revised version of the firm's 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 delivering 575-horsepower and 700Nm or 516 lb-ft of peak torque allowing the coupe to burst from 0 to 60mph (96km/h) in 4.4 seconds reach a top speed of 198 mph or 318 km/h.

The Continental GT will its official public debut at the Mondial de l'Automobile in Paris tomorrow. For more details on the facelift, click here to read our previous post.

2011 CONTINENTAL GT – PRICING

POUNDS STERLING---£135,760

US DOLLAR-----------$189,900 MSRP

EURO------------------€154, 600

RENMINBI-------------¥3,500,000

YEN--------------------¥24,150,000

All prices are exclusive of delivery charges

• Pounds sterling pricing is inclusive of 20 % VAT (1 January, 2011)
  
• Euro prices do not include individual market taxation rates
  
• US Dollar pricing is exclusive of individual state taxes
  
• Additional market-specific pricing information will be released by Bentley Motors during October, 2010.