Automotive News - May 26, 2008 - (Page 28)

28 • MAY 26, 2008 Lamborghini ups ante in ‘entry’ supercars Lamborghini boss wants to keep the big engines From the paddock at the scorching Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Automobili Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann watches as journalists flog his company’s latest effort, the Gallardo LP560-4. The snarl of the Gallardo’s V-10 engine provides a fitting soundtrack to Winkelmann’s interview with Staff Reporter Mark Rechtin. Ferrari executives said they might downsize their engines to meet future carbon dioxide regulations. Might Lamborghini also rip out its V-10 and V-12 powerplants for turbo-eights instead? No. In looking to the future, we have to see about the social acceptance of super sports cars like ours. But it’s not just about how a car accelerates and reaches its top speed but also how it sounds. We will never reach the emissions that are asked for. We are selling very few cars, and our customers drive less than 5,000 Lamborghini CEO miles a year, so it’s a very small Winkelmann: CO2 impact. Still, it’s an emotional standards will discussion. never be reached. In the past, you’ve said Lamborghini can’t afford to create a third model line because of cash flow. But in 2007, you posted a pretax profit of 47.1 million euros ($73.8 million) on revenues of 467 million euros. Does that change your product plan? Our situation is better, but that does not change our attitude. Lamborghini is credible in all types of cars because we did a two-plus-two and an SUV in the past. But that is not in our plans. We have to stay focused. It’s not just about factory capacity but that we only have 150 engineers in our r&d department who are already going full-speed. Q&A A car made for Vegas: Everything in the 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 is notable. It has a 5.2-liter V-10 engine and costs $201,000. Gallardo LP560-4’s top speed: 202 mph, with no shortage of buyers Mark Rechtin mrechtin@crain.com Lighter, faster Here’s how the redesigned Gallardo compares with its predecessor. 2009 LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO LP560-4 2008 LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO COUPE LAS VEGAS — Italian horses are slightly smaller than American ones. So when Lamborghini talks about the 560 “cavallis” under the hood of the Gallardo LP560-4, it’s really more like 552 American hp. But when you can have a $201,000 supercar that can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds, and hit a top speed of 202 mph, no one is going to worry about a few misplaced ponies. The basics: The redesigned Gallardo has a new engine, transmission, suspension and brakes. These aren’t tweaks. They really are new designs. The 5.2-liter V-10 engine has been bored out from 5.0 liters in displacement, with a new block and head. It features variable valve timing as well as direct injection with a Bosch high-pressure pump. Compression is increased to 12.5, up from 11.1. Lamborghini’s “e-gear” paddle-shift automatic transmission boasts shift times 40 percent faster than its predecessor and weighs 27 pounds less. There are three shift maps: Automatic, Sport and a ruthless Corsa setting that kicks like a mule. The aluminum double-wishbone suspension has new geometry, spring and damping rates. The rear toe angle also has been adjusted. The stock brakes are self-ventilating discs. A 14-inch carbon ceramic brake set that can hammer 1.2 g’s of force is a $10,000 option. Notable features: Everything in a Lamborghini is notable. But try these statistics: The new engine pumps out 552 hp at 8,000 rpm. Wheelbase Length Width Height Dry weight Base engine Horsepower Torque, in lbs.-ft. Base price* On sale date * Includes shipping 100.7 in. 171.0 in. 74.8 in. 45.9 in. 3,109 lbs. 5.2-liter V-10 552 @ 8,000 rpm 398 @ 6,500 rpm $201,000 autumn 100.8 in. 169.3 in. 74.8 in. 45.9 in. 3,153 lbs. 5.0-liter V-10 512 @ 8,000 rpm 376 @ 4,250 rpm $186,000 now Aerodynamics are improved by 31 percent. The car weighs 44 pounds less than before, yet the body is stiffer. And while hardly “green,” the Gallardo engine’s carbon dioxide emissions have dropped from 400 grams per kilometer to 327. That’s still filthy by European Union standards, but give Lamborghini credit for trying. Oh, and the air conditioning really works, even in the blistering Nevada desert where the press introduction was held. And the information screen is navigable. Thanks for the assist, Audi. What Lamborghini says: “We are expecting more from this car,” said Enrico Maffeo, Automobili Lamborghini director of sales and customer service. “With the first Gallardo (in 2003), we were entering a segment where we had not been before. It was 100 percent conquest. Now we have 7,000 Gallardos as a base, and we can start to see some loyalty.” Compromises and shortcomings: The brakes are choppy until the car is at racetrack temperatures. The “automatic” shift map lurches. While driving at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, one model overheated and went into limp-home mode. For a car that supposedly has such a good viscous coupling for its fourwheel drive, why would Lamborghini warn journalists to not turn off the ESP traction control setting? The market: Recession? What recession? Lamborghini already has 550 orders for the Gallardo. Some folks who ordered an oldstyle Gallardo last year have been placed at the front of the line for the redesigned model. Those orders came before Ferrari unveiled the new California: Decisions, decisions. The skinny: As Frank Sinatra said, “You buy a Ferrari when you want to be somebody. You buy a Lamborghini when you are somebody.” With radical styling like the Gallardo’s, you better be somebody, all right, or else your public will be disappointed. c You sold 2,604 units worldwide last year and seem poised to add volume. Is 3,000 a target? How many Lamborghinis is too many? It’s just a number. Bentley sold 10,000 cars last year, and they are still exclusive. We prefer to have constant, controlled growth and not run for peaks. You need to have a base to give you sustainability. Otherwise, sooner or later you have cars waiting around at dealerships. Your parent company, Audi AG, added three supervisory board members, all from Porsche. Do you worry that things will change at your Sant’Agata Bolognese headquarters? So far, there has been no contact with the Porsche guys. Porsche sells 100,000 cars a year. We sell 2,500. I don’t see any overlapping in terms of products. I don’t foresee any risks or problems. c Infiniti will look different, add engine power in Europe Lindsay Chappell lchappell@crain.com ESTORIL, Portugal — Nissan has long used its Infiniti brand to woo U.S. buyers shopping for European luxury brands. But courting luxurycar buyers in Europe will require a bit more effort. In fact, a U.S. Infiniti dealer might be startled by the differences between American and European models when the brand debuts in October in nine European markets. Those push-button switches in the wood-grain consoles? Gone — re- placed by knobs that are closer to what Mercedes or BMW customers in Europe would expect to see. The European models will have new heated-seat systems, new stabilizers and bigger brakes than their American cousins. A new sevenspeed automatic transmission will be offered. Windshield wipers will have more powerful arms, and the window seals will be heavier. Engineers are making 300 to 500 changes per car to prepare for the introduction. Why? Mainly because Europeans European makeover Some of the changes to Infiniti vehicles in Europe Bigger brakes Upgraded cockpits Redesigned windshield wipers Different V-6 drive faster on their major highways, and their cars must stand up to more punishing speeds and wind noise than in the United States. But it also is because these are standard features that Nissan hopes will enable an unknown luxury Japanese brand to be taken seriously by drivers of Mercedes-Benzes and BMWs. Still, Infiniti will enter Europe with a handicap: The brand offers no fourcylinder engine. More than 80 percent of all new vehicles sold in Europe have four-cylinder engines, according to JATO Dynamics, and they are ubiquitous among luxury brands. U.S. product planners have hinted that a small engine is on the way for Infiniti, but not before the brand de- buts in Europe. Diesels also are popular, but Infiniti won’t offer one until 2010, when the next-generation M receives a diesel V-6, according to the automaker. At the same time, the brand has plans for a more powerful engine. The restyled FX crossover will arrive in Europe this year with a larger V-6 engine than the one U.S. customers see. America will get a 3.5-liter engine, while Europeans can choose a 3.7-liter V-6. Nissan will offer its full U.S. Infiniti lineup in Europe, except for the QX SUV. c

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Automotive News - May 26, 2008 Bad times? Not for CEO paychecks GM seeks Volt tax break to avoid $40k sticker Ford's big cuts aim for a Honda-sized lineup Automotive News gets new marketing communications director Toyota pushes N.A. suppliers to match offshore prices VW predicts 5% U.S. sales gain Toyota plans 3 plants for hybrid batteries GM's American Axle strike tab: $2.82 billion Lawsuit in Florida targets congressman's dealership Orbiting the blogosphere Kia to build small cars in U.S. plant VW Mexico exec will run North American purchasing Fiat mulls 500 minicar for U.S. GM scraps big rwd sedans for Chevrolet and Buick Hyundai spends like never before to launch Genesis luxury sedan Surprise: Suzuki slides as fuel prices rise GM paid Walter Chrysler a whopping $600,000 a year Chrysler sends mystery shoppers to dealerships Toyota owes royalties on some hybrids GM, American Axle to resume output Ford predicts bigger demand for smaller engines in Escape This is Volvo? Ads sell chic, not just safety An overnight success in 50 years Obama's comments were out of line Japan does it; why shouldn't we? 25% is high, but Chrysler is wise to revisit SCORE Safety efforts must focus on the driver Blame the dealer for poor service Don't judge Ford quality by just one car Ford quality is best in many years Mitsubishi considers piggybacking with Caterpillar suppliers to cut costs Nissan to make lithium ion batteries 'Boss Ket,' Connery inspire Tim Jackson Germany leads rise in Europe sales Court: Buyers must act in good faith to win lemon law damages Nissan wants suppliers to reduce utility bills Bajaj: From scooters to autos The next $2,500 car? Infiniti will look different, add engine power in Europe Lamborghini boss wants to keep the big engines Lamborghini ups ante in 'entry' supercars Continental exec: We're done selling VDO assets Honda plans Fit hybrid Outgoing Visteon CEO to receive $2.5 million Audi production chief: Cooperation with Porsche will grow Picture this RV shipments fall in March M-B will buy Chrysler studio Supplier personnel VW expects to reap big share of U.S. diesel market Valeo CEO Morin: Pass rising costs to consumers Suppliers to the 2008 Nissan Altima Dealers Auction workshops demystify Web buying April used-vehicle prices: Light trucks fall and cars rise Volvo certified plan offers free satellite radio Mulally: Full speed toward smaller Toyota plans credit card Sanfilippo switches agencies International idles plant Honda Pilot starts at $28,230 Plastech plans assets auction What counts GM's 2-pronged strategy for Calif. rules: If you can't beat 'em . . . meet 'em New wheels for the cop shop The cost of luxury? For Hyundai, it would have been $2.5 billion New tools allow early design input from consumers Lexus in the sky with carbon: How ex-Beatle's PR effort tanked Buy an '08 . . . get a .44 $4 gasoline gives new cachet to aging econo-beaters Time tips its hat to Tata Car marketers: Magazines must widen ad reach Automakers seek 'one-to-one' approach to magazine ads Auto ads go to the movies Here's the next big thing: Ads tailored to you GMC courts women with Acadia

Automotive News - May 26, 2008

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