Tag Archives: Corvette Dynasty

A Compelling Story Counts As Much As Performance

Muller believes there’s room for small, boutique exotics like Spyker.

Following his ill-fated efforts to save Saab, Victor Muller is again back at Spyker Cars as CEO working hard on a comeback for the Dutch-based maker of exotic cars.

You could say he’s a dreamer, like his fellow countryman Henrik Fisker. But having established Spyker as a credible player in the ultra-exclusive exotic car niche and tempered by his experience at Saab, Muller is also a realist about both the capital requirements and the complexities in building automobiles. As volumes grow, the chance increases that even the littlest mistake can derail the whole enterprise.

Muller believes there’s room for small, boutique exotics like Spyker, Pagani and Koenigsegg in a market saturated by supercars from players like Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, VW Group’s Bugatti and even Lexus with its LF-A.

Matt DeLorenzo is the former editor-in-chief of Road & Track and has covered the auto industry for 35 years, including stints at Automotive News and AutoWeek. He has authored books including VW’s New Beetle, Chrysler’s Modern Concept Cars, and Corvette Dynasty.

Continue reading Spyker: It’s not just about numbers

Spyker: It’s not just about numbers originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

From: http://feeds.autoblog.com/~r/weblogsinc/autoblog/~3/BI4vTXQKH8k/

Automobiles

Opinion: Fisker's Farewell

March 16, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

By Matt DeLorenzo

Filed under: Fisker

Not The First, Nor The Last Dreamer To Fail

Like DeLorean and Preston Tucker before him, Fisker underestimated the amount of capital it takes.

The departure of Henrik Fisker from his self-named car company adds yet another name to the list of dreamers who thought they could be successful automakers.

Whether or not he goes down in history a Gaston Chevrolet or John DeLorean depends on the current managers at Fisker, with whom Henrik cited as having irreconcilable differences over the future of the hybrid luxury car company.

This is not to say that Fisker’s dream is doomed, but the company he founded faces a number of severe challenges to its survival as an independent make.

Like DeLorean and Preston Tucker before him, Fisker underestimated the amount of capital it takes to be in the business. While the business model of having a supplier, in this case, Finland-based Valmet, building a high-priced limited-edition car had merit, in execution Fisker fell short of the mark of meeting expectations. It took far longer than anticipated to bring the Karma to market. Quality problems, issues with battery supplier A123 and the port disaster during Hurricane Sandy that destroyed 300 cars dogged the company.

Continue reading Fisker’s Farewell

Fisker’s Farewell originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Automobiles

Opinion: Going high-tech, the 4×4 way

February 26, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

By Matt DeLorenzo

Filed under: SUV, Technology, Jeep, Land Rover, Luxury, Off-Road

Is It An Off-Road Adventure Or Just A Walk In The Park?

I remember having to get out and lock hubs and shift into neutral to engage low range.

Coming off press previews of the 2013 Land Rover Range Rover and the 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee that involved some heavy-duty off-road rock climbing, I’m simply amazed at the capabilities that these vehicles possess. But even more impressive (or troubling depending on your perspective) is the relative ease with which you can operate these vehicles in seemingly impossible terrain.

Not that I’m a hardcore off-roader, but I’ve been in my share of 4×4’s over the years and remember having to get out and lock hubs, shift into neutral to engage low range and learning that the accelerator and brake pedals can be your best friends or worst enemies in either moving along or getting hopelessly stuck.

Thanks to the wonders of electronics, advanced transfer cases and electric limited slip differentials, instead of manipulating levers or locking hubs, one merely has to punch a button or turn a knob to engage the right strategy to deal with whatever conditions encountered on the trail.

Continue reading Going high-tech, the 4×4 way

Going high-tech, the 4×4 way originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Feb 2013 16:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Automobiles

Opinion: Can inductive charging save the EV?

February 6, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

By Matt DeLorenzo

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Technology, Electric

Let’s Face It, We’re Just Plain Lazy

Recent news about the price cuts on the Ford Focus EV and Nissan Leaf are proof positive that despite all their eco-goodness, pure electrics as well as plug-in hybrids remain a tough sell to the American mass market.

There’s no doubt automakers are committed to electrifying an increasing portion of their product offerings. The problem is that no one needs to buy an EV or plug-in hybrid. But with CAFE standards doubling to 54.5 miles per gallon by 2025 and California’s mandate that major manufacturers sell zero-emission vehicles as a percentage of their overall fleets (a measure also adopted by 13 other states), carmakers have to sell EVs and plug-in hybrids to avoid costly penalties or face caps on the number of vehicles they are allowed to sell.

Continue reading Can inductive charging save the EV?

Can inductive charging save the EV? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 06 Feb 2013 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Automobiles

Opinion: Retro Design: A distant memory [w/poll]

January 9, 2013 Bartle Doo Leave a comment

By Matt DeLorenzo

Filed under: Design/Style

Just Fade Away

Designers prefer the loftier sounding “heritage design.”

A cursory look at the latest offerings from auto manufacturers in both production and showcar guise reveals that retro design themes may be on their way out. It’s ironic that the hottest design trend opening the 21st century was less about heralding some space-age future than celebrating the middle part of the century that just closed.

This pop culture phenomenon arguably started with the launch of the Volkswagen New Beetle in 1997 and saw its influence in a wide range of vehicles, from the entry-level Chrysler PT Cruiser up through high-dollar roadsters like the BMW Z8, a car that paid homage to the BMW 507.

Design practitioners, who also eschew the word “styling,” are loathe to call these throwbacks “retro,” preferring the loftier sounding “heritage design.” Retro, however, is convenient shorthand to describe cars that recall an earlier time. The strong tug of nostalgia is further proof that there is more to a car’s appeal than its ability to transport someone to and fro – it can be, in some ways, a time machine.

Continue reading Retro Design: A distant memory [w/poll]

Retro Design: A distant memory [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Jan 2013 19:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Source: FULL ARTICLE at Autoblog

Bartle Doo Article Archives

Tag Archives: Corvette Dynasty

Opinion: Spyker: It's not just about numbers

Opinion: Fisker's Farewell

Opinion: Going high-tech, the 4×4 way

Opinion: Can inductive charging save the EV?

Opinion: Retro Design: A distant memory [w/poll]

Articles Archive