Mazda has reached a general agreement with Toyota to use its hybrid technology for future products. According to a report in Japanese English daily Yomiuri Shimbun, Toyota will sell Mazda parts like the electric motor, control system and other major components of its industry-leading Prius. Like Toyota, Mazda’s electric components will come from Panasonic.

The paper’s source suggests the first model to get the hybrid technology will not be a new vehicle, but a version of the Mazda3 – sold as the Axela in Japan. It is expected to hit the market by 2013.

Since Ford Motor Co. recently broke many of its ties with Mazda the small automaker has been struggling to find partners in the industry in an effort to stay current. Under Ford control, Mazda was using hybrid technology from the American automaker, but since Ford sold off much of its stake in Mazda, the Japanese company has been on its own.

Along with the amount paid for the Toyota parts, Toyota will benefit in the deal from reduced parts costs due to a larger scale. A formal deal is expected soon.

With Suzuki recently announcing a partnership with Volkswagen and rumors that Mitsubishi would join with Peugeot Citroen, it has been suggested that Mazda is looking to join with a large player in the auto industry. There are, however, no reports of a larger asset agreement between the two Japanese automakers.

[Source: Yomiuri Shimbun]

Those digging the grave for Saab might want to put their shovels down after Spyker Cars has submitted a new proposal to purchase the Swedish automaker from General Motors. On Friday GM announced that a deal could not be reached and said it would begin an orderly wind down for Saab.

According to Spyker CEO Victor Muller, his company’s new 11-point proposal would eliminate the obstacles that GM sees as making a speedy sale possible. “We are very confident that our renewed offer will remove the impasse that was standing in the way of an agreement on Friday, and this would still allow us to conclude the deal prior to the expiry of the deadline originally set by GM of December 31,” said Muller, commenting that the new proposal would eliminate the need for the European Investment Bank to get involved. Assumedly, this would mean that Dutch exotic car maker Spyker would raise funds by selling shares to its Russian backers.

General Motors has been mostly quiet on the offer, saying simply in a statement that, “Following Friday’s announcement that GM will begin the orderly wind down of Saab, GM has received inquiries from several parties. We will evaluate each inquiry.”

If a deal is reached it would not only save the jobs of 3,400 employees in Sweden, but those at the Swedish automaker’s numerous international dealerships – including 218 in the United States.

[Source: Automotive News]

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

After details of the 2011 Mustang GT leaked out late yesterday, the folks at AutoWeek decided to blow more of the embargoed information and then additional outlets in attendance couldn’t help themselves by pouring on the details. As we reported yesterday, the 2011 Mustang GT will in fact get a 5.0-liter V8 engine making 412-hp. That power will come on at a lofty 6500 rpm with torque rated at an impressive 390 ft-lbs. Owners will be able to choose from either a 6-speed manual of a 6-speed automatic transmission, helping the 5.0-liter motor to get 25 mpg on the highway.

The new 5.0-liter engine is an all aluminum unit with four valves per cylinder and independent variable valve timing on both the intake and exhaust ports. There are also specially tuned headers and a forged steel crankshaft.

The official embargo date is still set for the 28th and unless more info is (yet again) spilled prematurely, we’ll have even more to tell you then.

Editors Note: We’ve decided not to officially list a source for this story as we don’t want to post a link-back to an embargo breaking source.

GMC is expanding its luxury Denali line with the announcement of the 2011 Acadia Denali crossover.

The brand’s first crossover, the Acadia gets signature Denali design cues including monotone paint, unique lower front and rear fascias, high-intensity discharge headlights, chrome accents and the Denali honeycomb grille.

Inside, the Acadia Denali receives a number of luxury upgrades including a premium entertainment system, perforated leather trim and a mahogany wood steering wheel.

The Acadia Denali will be available in five color options: Quicksilver Metallic, Summit White, Carbon Black, Red Jewel Tintcoat and White Diamond Tricoat. Pricing has not been announced, but the Acadia Denali will be covered by GM’s five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty and three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty.

Gallery: 2011 GMC Acadia Denali

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

General Motors has announced it will close down Saab after discussions to sell the brand fell through.

“Despite the best efforts of all involved, it has become very clear that the due diligence required to complete this complex transaction could not be executed in a reasonable time,” said Nick Reilly, president of GM Europe. “In order to maintain operations, Saab needed a quick resolution.”

GM had been in discussions to sell Saab to Spyker Cars but was unable to resolve some issues with the Dutch manufacturer. Last month, Koenigsegg also had interest in acquiring Saab before backing out.

Reilly says Saab will continue to honor warranties and provide service and parts to current owners.

Beijing Automotive Industry Holdings’ purchase of some Saab property, notably 9-3 and 9-5 powertrain technology, is not expected to be impacted by today’s annoucement.

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

Volvo will present a battery-powered  electric C30 at the Detroit Auto Show in January, with plans to build a test fleet of 50 vehicles for real-world testing in 2011.

The model being shown in Detroit will be further along the development process than the prototype previously presented in September at the Frankfurt Auto Show.

“The first prototype helped us identify the main technological challenges, such as battery packaging and safety issues. We have addressed these challenges without compromising the C30′s cool and fun-to-drive personality. I am very happy with the result. The electric C30 in Detroit is a much more complete product,” says Lennart Stegland, Director of Volvo Cars Special Vehicles.

Volvo will begin building the test fleet in 2010 before handing the keys over to selected users for a two-year trial.

Powered by a lithium-ion battery, the electric C30 can reach a top speed of /81 mph and a range of 94 miles. Volvo says the electric C30 can go from 0 to 60 in 11 seconds.

The battery can be charged through a regular household power outlet with eight hours needed for a full charge.

Gallery: Electric Volvo C30

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Ford has set a target of at least 250 lbs, which it aims to cut from the company’s future vehicles in order to help meet increasingly strict emissions regulations and extend fuel economy. News of the plan was unveiled during a technology seminar at the company’s Advance Engineering Center in Dearborn, MI. The timeline isn’t exact, but Ford has set this goal as a part of its “mid-term strategy” which stretches from 2011 to 2020.

Even more surprising is that some models will far exceed that number, weighing up to 750 lbs less. Those vehicles are likely to be larger models, like the Ford trucks.

The weight-reduction strategy is part of a four-pronged process that also includes using more efficient design, technology and aerodynamics to achieve Ford’s new goal to, “establish fuel economy leadership in every segment,” says Sue Cischke, Ford Group VP for Sustainability, Environment and Safety Engineering. Cischke also said it is Ford’s goal to make fuel economy a major deciding factor for consumers to choose a Ford product.

In terms of design, Ford is referring more to the design of vehicle components than the physical shape of its cars. In this area company engineers are looking to further the use of low rolling resistance tires; creating transmissions and software that will keep an engine in the highest possible gear without affecting ride quality; and also developing electric systems that produce less drag on the engine and battery.

In terms of aerodynamics, Ford’s plans include further use of underbody trays as well as air vents that can be closed at speed in order to reduce drag. On top of those measures, engineers are also committed to working hand-in-hand with designers from the earliest stages in order to maximize the efficiency of the vehicle’s physical shape.

Finally, technology will also be a large part of the company’s new fuel-economy plan. Items highlighted by Ford include the ability to shut off fuel delivery during deceleration and further use of electric power steering, which is projected to go from 32 percent of the Ford lineup currently, to over 80 percent in 2013.

In addition, there is also the planned increasing use of Ford’s EcoBoost turbocharged engines across the product range – a rollout that will compliment the reduced vehicle weight. Ford says that its direct-injection EcoBoost technology allows for engine downsizing of roughly 40 percent, something that will aid in meeting the lofty 250 lb per vehicle weight reduction target. With a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 currently offered in vehicles like the Taurus SHO, Flex and several Lincolns, look for the introduction of a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder EcoBoost model, which would be used in vehicles like the Fusion and Escape.

Acura is reportedly moving away from its brand strategy to become a “tier one” luxury automaker in favor of volume sales. While no official word has been given by Honda or Acura representatives, the news has been reported by Honda fan site, TOV, which claims that several dealerships have been told a new strategy will focus on “Smart Luxury.”

What “Smart Luxury” means is not exactly clear, however, additional dealer information does seem to point towards a higher volume sales and away from vehicles like the NSX. Acura will also continue with its plan to not offer a V8 in the RL, instead delivering it as a hybrid (assumedly with a V6) – which is likely to make V8 power. A new V6 engine is also in the works for many of the vehicles in Acura’s lineup, but the biggest news is that Honda’s luxury brand aims to bring a new entry-level car to market to slot in under the TSX.

While we’re obviously sad to hear about the future of the NSX, it’s refreshing to see Acura working with its strengths, namely, returning to building small fun-to-drive cars. And who knows, maybe this sub-TSX model is the necessary step in bringing back the RSX.

[Source: TOV]

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

***UPDATE*** Official 2011 Mustang GT info and pictures here ***UPDATE***

***UPDATE*** Additional information has now leaked out, with the new 5.0-liter V8 making 412-hp at 6500 rpm and an impressive 390 ft-lbs of torque ***UPDATE***

It’s official, the 5.0 is back! That’s right… we learned today that the iconic 5.0-liter will return in the 2011 Mustang GT with an impressive 412-hp. This information was released today and was embargoed until the 28th, but after a loose-lipped individual leaked the info, we’re certainly not going to sit back and miss out.

The output is still short of both the Challenger SRT8 and Camaro SS, but those vehicles weigh hundreds of pounds more, so the added power, combined with the ‘Stangs more nimble chassis should make the already superior performer a unanimous winner in the muscle cars wars.

Ford is set to debut the car at the Detroit Auto Show, and the return of the 5.0 was expected after Ford debuted a new 305-hp 3.7-liter V6 for the base Mustang at the LA Auto Show.

AutoGuide will bring you full coverage of the official debut on January 11th, unless, of course, more info is leaked… because we’re currently sitting on a long list of technical specs that will have five-oh fanatics drooling.

Ford has already publicly announced that it will equip future F-150 models with the company’s new EcoBoost V6 engine, but now we have word that, in the truck application, there will be an increase in torque. With twin-turbochargers and direct injection, the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 already makes 365-hp and 350 ft-lbs of torque.

According to Dan Kapp, Director of Advanced Powertrain, Engineering and Research at Ford, that torque number will go up, due mostly to the more efficient layout of the F-150. With added space to develop a more free-flowing exhaust setup, as well as a truck transmission that can handle serious amounts of torque, more low-end grunt will be a part of the package. Impressively, the EcoBoost motor already makes 300 ft-lbs of twist at just 1500 rpm. Kapp made the comments during a technology seminar at the Ford Advanced Technology Center in Dearborn, MI, but wouldn’t speculate on exactly what sort of numbers the EcoBoost F-150 would put out.

The EcoBoost F-150 is expected for the 2011 model year.