BMW i8’s aerodynamic

Aerodynamics has been and still is an important aspect of engineering, and it had been properly studied since the race to get man airborne began.

In modern days, not just planes, but cars, too have given great importance to aerodynamics, which can affect a vehicle’s performance.

And while big, bulky machines that don’t bother with speed only try to incorporate it in their models in the slightest, high performance cars have to think it over carefully. To this end, they spend days and days in wind tunnels, perfecting every part of the vehicle to get the best aerodynamic results.

So did BMW’s i8 model, with great emphasis on reducing air drag. We have to remember that while reducing drag helps performance, the i8 is a hybrid, and fuel economy also plays a part. Carefully planning the design of the vehicle in cooperation with the artist, the BMW engineers managed to get an amazing drag coefficient of just 0.26. The world record is 0.20, and that says it all.

Taking a peek inside China’s Changan

China’s Changan is moving fast but cautiously, according to a top executive with the automaker whose partners include Ford, PSA and Mazda.

BMW will fix supply-chain delays by month’s end, execs say

BMW says it will resolve a supply chain problem that has delayed the global delivery of spare parts to some customers by the end of this month.

Citroen to build large SUV only for Asia

Citroen will begin production of a large crossover/SUV in China between the end of next year and early 2015. The model will be sold in Asia but is not planned for Europe, Citroen CEO Frederic Banzet said.

Ford promotes Samardzich to COO of Europe

Ford’s vice president of European product development, Barb Samardzich, has been named chief operating officer of Ford of Europe

Schaeffler won’t extend contract of CEO Geissinger, report says

German supplier Schaeffler will not extend the contract of CEO Juergen Geissinger when it expires in 2014, a magazine reported

Porsche says China growth will quicken with new Macan SUV and push inland

Porsche’s China CEO, Deesch Papke, forecast that sales growth in the country will accelerate next year, fueled by the introduction of the Macan compact SUV and a push to expand into the inner regions of the country.

Bollore to list car battery business to speed up growth

French businessman Vincent Bollore will list a stake in his electric car battery business on the stock market in a bid to raise the business’ profile and boost sales

VW Group sales almost flat in August as Europe shrinks

VW Group sales were almost flat in August as the company was hit by difficult conditions in shrinking core European markets

Pininfarina eyes comeback as coachbuilder

The improved ability of automakers to build small batches of specialty cars in-house, combined with the global recession, made life difficult for coachbuilders. But with the economy improving, Italian styling house Pininfarina is looking to re-enter the game

Marchionne says Chrysler IPO would delay merger with Fiat

Fiat and Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne said he is still a long way from reaching a deal to purchase the rest of Chrysler from a retiree healthcare trust

Why Opel and Buick are looking more familiar

A memo from overseas to Buick watchers in the United States: Pay attention to what GM’s Opel brand is doing on the other side of the pond, including the lithe Monza concept it unwrapped at the auto show here today. Because, more than ever, what’s Opel is Buick, and vice versa.

GM may sell Opel Adam minicar in U.S. as a Buick

General Motors is considering bringing the Opel Adam minicar to the United States, likely wearing a Buick badge, Opel Chairman Karl-Thomas Neumann said today.

Despite leaky nuke plant, Japan Inc. snags Olympics

Japan subdued international anxiety about the perpetually leaking Fukushima nuclear plant — just 150 miles northeast of Tokyo — to snag the 2020 Summer Olympics. The coup already is being hailed as a big win for Japan Inc

Tesla’s Model S buyback offer builds in used car revenue boost

Tesla’s gamble to buy back Model S electric cars from customers using its lease-style option has potential to generate further revenue when the automaker sells used cars, according to Bloomberg Industries.

Mercedes S-class coupe concept set to replace CL coupe

Mercedes-Benz used the Frankfurt auto show today to unveil the S-class coupe concept that is expected to replace the CL coupe. The S-class coupe concept has the same rear-wheel-drive proportions as the latest S-class sedan and a diamond radiator grille that frames the Mercedes star

Chevy sees Korean drive upmarket as opportunity in Europe

South Korean automakers are increasingly focused on chasing premium clients in Europe, creating an opportunity for GM to push its own value brand Chevy, Thomas Sedran, president of Chevrolet

‘Evolved’ 2014 Cherokee more road-friendly, efficient than predecessors

Evolution is the best word to explain the relationship between the 2014 Jeep Cherokee and the vehicles it replaced: the Jeep Liberty that ended production in 2012 and the boxy “XJ” Cherokee last built in 2001

GM may sell Opel Adam minicar in U.S. as a Buick

General Motors may sell the Opel Adam minicar in the United States, likely wearing a Buick badge

Hyundai cuts price on new i10 to win sales from VW Up

The new Hyundai i10 is longer, wider and less expensive than the model it replaces, changes that the automaker hopes will help it win sales from the Volkswagen Up

Tesla vows to charge across Europe

How hot is Tesla? The California electric-vehicle maker drew a jostling crowd of perhaps 100 journalists for its press conference at the Frankfurt auto show Tuesday without the benefit of a new car to show.

Renault’s new co-chiefs pledge to focus on devising growth project

Renault’s two new top executives will focus on completing the automaker’s strategy for boosting cash flow and sales growth “We will finalize the 2014-2016 plan before the end of the year,” said Thierry Bollore, chief competitive officer.

Rolls-Royce mulls SUV to challenge Bentley

Rolls-Royce is considering following other ultra-luxury brands including Bentley and Maserati in adding an SUV to its lineup. Rolls-Royce has asked designers draw up sketches as a first step, CEO Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes said.

BMW ‘Boss’ SUV targets Mercedes to defend luxury crown

After seeing its biggest SUV outsold by the Mercedes-Benz M-Class last year, BMW is fighting back with a model it calls “The Boss,” a new version of its X5 stuffed with advanced technology.

Renault will launch upscale Initiale Paris line in China

Renault will sell upscale vehicles under its new Initiale Paris badge in China as well as Europe to compete with French rival Citroen’s DS line

Maserati sees sales jumping to 16,000 this year

Maserati expects sales to jump to about 16,000 cars this year from 6,300 last year, driven by demand for its new Quattroporte and Ghibli models

Volkswagen mulls launching commercial vehicles in U.S.

Volkswagen may launch commercial vehicles in the United States as part of steps to expand its core namesake brand in the world’s No. 2 auto market.

Infiniti Q30 previews the brand’s first Europe-focused model

Infiniti’s Q30 concept previews an entry-level premium compact that will mainly target the European market but will also be aimed at the automaker’s largest market, the United States.

Germans get positive endorsement; PSA looks poised to surprise

On the eve of their massive domestic auto show, German automakers received another strong endorsement, this time from the Fitch Ratings agency, which might be underestimating PSA’s potential for a strong rebound.

Alfa Romeo and Chrysler delays cast cloud over Fiat

Fiat faces potential delays to its two main strategies — relaunching its Alfa Romeo brand and taking full control of Chrysler Group — putting a question mark over its ability to tap into any European market recovery.

Fast cars compete for attention with striking designs and key mainstream launches

At this year’s Frankfurt auto show, fast but fuel-efficient supercars from German premium brands will compete for attention with striking design concepts from Jaguar and Lexus against a backdrop of key mainstream launches from European brands aiming to move upscale.

German premium carmakers accelerate the charge into crossovers

German carmakers are spearheading an expansion into the premium crossover segment, with BMW, Audi and Mercedes all planning to expand their portfolios, sources say.

Opel cuts price of Ampera by 17% in Germany

Opel will cut the price of its Ampera plug-in hybrid by 17 percent to 38,300 euros ($50,400) in Germany as the automaker seeks to lift flagging sales of the model.

Hyundai plans 22 new models in Europe by 2017

South Korean carmaker Hyundai plans to roll out 22 new models in Europe over the next four years as it tries to rekindle its once double-digit growth rate.

Aston Martin said to target doubling sales by 2016 under new CEO

Aston Martin aims to double annual vehicle sales to 7,000 by 2016 by adding models such as an SUV, a source said, adding that the automaker also has several candidates lined up to succeed Ulrich Bez as CEO.

Piech says he will remain VW chairman until 2017

Ferdinand Piech said he will remain as VW Group chairman until 2017 when his contract runs out. “I’m feeling good,” he said.

Hyundai cuts price on new i10 to win sales from VW Up

The new Hyundai i10 is longer, wider and less expensive than the model it replaces, changes that the automaker hopes will help it win sales from the Volkswagen Up.

Ferrari’s 458 Speciale to sell for 238,000 euros

Ferrari’s 458 Speciale, which will cost 238,000 euros in Italy, is targeting customers seeking a more extreme driving experience, the company’s Chairman Luca di Montezemolo said today.

Former BMW insider bullish on Jaguar crossover

Former BMW product development boss Wolfgang Ziebart sees a lot of potential in Jaguar’s C-X17 crossover concept. The crossover is underpinned by the same new aluminum architecture that Jaguar will use for its forthcoming mid-sized car

Renault promotes Bollore, Stoll after departure of COO Tavares

Renault promoted internal executives to two new positions created following the resignation of COO Carlos Tavares. Thierry Bollore will focus on developing and building vehicles, while Jerome Stoll will be responsible for marketing and sales.

Jaguar, Lexus to push Germans in key SUV segment

Jaguar and Lexus are using the Frankfurt auto show to send a message to their German rivals: the premium compact SUV segment is about to get even more competitive.