The car that at base  was a Toyota iQ was stylized and remodelated to become the smallest Aston Martin ever made. This car is called Cygnet and is currently in concept stage. Cu toate astea, zvonurile ca Cygnet intra in productie incep sa se inmulteasca. However, rumors that Cygnet go into production  start to grow.

Nobody knows for sure why there is this tiny car called Cygnet.  Just to prove that Aston Martin that he can  or  that he lost personality to make sports cars? Still not clear.

Aston Martin Cygnet

Cygnet is developed on the new economic city car from Toyota,   called  iQ, an interesting option for Smart , but with four seats. But Aston Martin Cygnet is an different IQ  , with a larger engine with higher fuel consumption and a stylish interior. It is uncertain success of such car with four crowded seats  in Europe, especially when bearing the Aston Martin logo, a car that says you do not have money for a true supercar  so, you  take only the logo , put on a cheap car.

The fact is that in the United States, smart cars were unsuccessful.  It looks like Aston Martin is planning to launch this tiny car overseas, but automotive analysts say it would be a mistake. In America will be launched an  iQ which will have a Scion logo, that in 2011, but is rumored that Aston Martin will enter on  the U.S. market with the same car but with the British logo  in 2012. Both cars will have 1.3 liter gasoline engine, but probably there will be 100% electric version, which has a range of 60 miles.

Still waiting for official details of the Aston Martin on this mini -car and if this  will be produced in series version or was just an imaging exercise, sign as those of Aston can be environmentalists.

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A Japanese official said recently that the automaker does not exclude the option of a future diesel generation  Mazda3 MPS. The unit is expected to deliver over 190 HP.

With the increasing number of hot-hatch’s are out of production due to strict pollution standards, automakers seeking alternatives for the future.  While some look with confidence to hybrid solutions, others are satisfied with the benefits they can offer a diesel.

Mazda3 MPS Could Receive A Diesel Engine

Is the case of the  Japanese from Mazda, which do not exclude the future possibility of developing a diesel version of the Mazda3 compact performance.  A final alternative diesel  would replace the current Mazda3 MPS, Renault Megane RS and  Volkswagen Golf R rival.

Information was extracted from the speech of  a Mazda official, recently argued in a technology forum. Robert Davis, vice president of Mazda’s development of the United States, said the young audience has a negative perception of diesel hatch performance. This variant of propulsion to be seen as able to provide a large torque, but also a considerable fuel savings.

Davis hinted that a possible transition from the current version to a diesel fuel would inevitably lead to a compromise in performance. “To create a worthy competitor in this segment diesel SKY, 2.2-liter diesel engine  will need more than 190 HP to provide figures worthy of segment-sized hot-hatch, “  said Davis.

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Volkswagen has announced a new generation of the Phaeton model which will be presented on the US market and will be placed under Audi A8 and before Audi A6. Volkswagen said that the largest limousine of them will be commercialized in USA.

So, Volkswagen plans to compete in the  limousines segment with BMW, Mercedes or Lexus, but risking to reduce  sales of the Audi A8.  Incredibly, the Phaeton never really went out of production.  It’s still sold overseas, where it has done well.  In its second generation, the new Phaeton will reportedly be updated specifically for the U.S. market.

However, the goal is to triple sales of  VW  brand in the U.S., and Phaeton was necessary in this scheme. VW will not address to the luxury sedans customers , and will exploit a niche existed in this category. In other words, the VW Phaeton will address to the  customer who wants a car between the Passat and Audi A8 and the Phaeton is a perfect choice for this purpose.

Phaeton new platform was based on the Audi A6, and will embody an extended version of it. Expansion outside Europe is meant to provide life to the  V6, V8 or W12 engines . Diesel units will be equipped  V6 3.0-liter engine and most likely a V8  which will replace the current V10 5.0-liter  TDI engine.

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Xinhua reported that the visit of USA President Barack Obama in China also meant talks on clean-energy vehicles between the two presidents. Chinese President Hu Jintao plans an extensive plan to trengthen the two nations’ cooperation on clean energy.

This means more than just chit-chat or some minor funds allocated to multiple makers. A China-U.S. Clean Energy Research Center will be set up with public and private funding of at least $150 million over five years, split evenly between the two countries. The highlights of this Research Centre will be: building energy efficiency, clean coal including carbon capture and storage, and clean vehicles.

We learned that the Protocol formally establishing the Center was signed in Beijing by U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Chinese Minister of Science and Technology Wan Gang, and Chinese National Energy Agency Acting Administrator Zhang Guobao. Also, demonstration projects will be organized in more than a dozen cities, technical road-mapping and public education projects.

President Barack Obama, left, listens to Chinese President Hu Jintao

The two leaders stressed their countries’ strong shared interest in speeding up the deployment of electric vehicles to reduce oil dependence, cut greenhouse gas emissions and promote economic growth for makers that offer Eco solutions for civilian vehicles.

UPDATE: The two presidents, Barack Obana and Hu Jintao also announced the China-U.S. Energy Efficiency Action Plan. Under the new plan, the two countries will work together to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, industrial facilities, and consumer appliances. We salute this power shift plan and hope China and USA, two major car making countries as well as huge consumer markets, will work side by side for the greater good of both. And the Planet, not the least…

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General Motors Co. intends not to use their specific logo practice in the future. The well known GM logo, seen by many as a flag of high quality standard (well, maybe less in the past years but still…) may be history in a flick of the wrist.

General Motors logo

Also known as the GM “Mark of Excellence”, the logo is supposed to disappear so more emphasis can be placed on individual brands and on the personality of each. All in all this is likely more of an economically aimed move, if you consider the timing of this decision.

GM spokesman Terry Rhadigan said the decision to remove the logo was made earlier in the month by GM’s newly-formed executive committee. Mr. Rhadigan said the logos will be “gradually” phased out starting in the 2010 model year.

Vice Chairman Bob Lutz is thought to be the genesis factor of this strategy, as recently was moved from a product development role in order to head marketing efforts. Mr. Lutz said in recent weeks that the company needs to do a better job of focusing the public’s attention on brand names because many Americans do not immediately associate those brand names with the company that went bankrupt.

This seems pretty much official but time will tell, and we will make sure to keep you posted.

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