Creator of the first Porsche 911 was found dead, Thursday of unknown causes in Austria. The creator of first Porsche 911, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche, was found dead Thursday, April 5, in Salzburg, Austria, at the age of 76 years.  Causes of death are unknown yet. German designer was born on December 11, in 1935 in Stuttgart, his parents being Dorothea and Ferry Porsche. His grandfather was even Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of company.

In 1957, Ferdinand Alexander Porsche or “Butzi”, as it was called by family, has enrolled at the School of Design, but only after a year he was expelled. Thus, in 1958, he joined Porsche and drew a successor to the 356.

After four years, took over leadership of the design department. In 1963 he completed Porsche 901 project, but because Peugeot had rights on “0″ particle, he had to change its name to 911.

Ford – PSA partnership will exclude large diesels

After more than 20 million diesel engines built together for 12 years, Ford and PSA ceases to work for manufacturing units larger than 2.0 liters.

In the past 12 years Ford and PSA have collaborated in developing diesel engines for which were made nearly 20 million engines. Recently, the two companies have announced that from now on won’t build anymore 2.0 liter diesel engines or higher, while the two builders are going to take different paths.

This decision does not apply to power units with a displacement between 1.4 and 1.6 liters, representing 70% of thrusters built in the 12 years of partnership. The first vehicles that will benefit from this change will be commercial vehicles that will be built after 2015.

French officials argue that this decision has no relation to the recent alliance between PSA and GM. U.S. group recently bought seven percent stake in French company and will build a common platform where will be manufactured several models of the two groups.

With the presentation of Ford Evos concept at Frankfurt 2011, those from Ford gave us basically a preview of the new Mondeo generation. So the Germans at Auto Motor und Sport gives us their impressions about the look of the new Ford Mondeo.

Although at first glance, the concept Ford Evos, presented at the Frankfurt 2011, seems to be a coupe, in fact is a car with 4 doors. And the Germans at Auto Motor und Sport are confident that this concept prefigures, in fact, next-generation of Ford Mondeo lines.

According to German journalists, the new Ford Mondeo wants to be more expressive, and very sober, to impose the main competitors Volkswagen Passat and Opel Insignia. Unlike other renderings so far, the new Mondeo will not continue the line of the Focus and Fiesta, but will rely on a change of attitude, emotionally mature design.

The front will be dominated by a more massive grille and headlights will be narrow and will have a rectangular shape without curves – somehow, the car will borrow less in the spirit of Mustang’s muscle car. Instead, the back will benefit from profiling the “hip”, aimed at conferring a powerful new sporty Mondeo, but also more elegant than before.

From a technical standpoint, the fourth generation Ford Mondeo will be quite generous, promising a length of 4.8 meters and a trunk of 500 liters for the sedan. Comparing the generations up to now, it’s possible that the liftback version, in two volumes and a half, have a different look, closer to the style 4-door coupe, to counteract the Volkswagen CC, for example.

At power train levels, the petrol will vary between 105 hp and 250 hp, most will be part of the EcoBoost family and diesels will range from 115 hp to 200 hp, is about three TDCI engines of 1.6 liters, 2 , 0 liters and 2.2 liters. There will be versions ECOnetic with CO2 emissions of just 100 g/km.

At first, the new Ford Mondeo will have a hybrid engine version, which will combine EcoBoost 1.6-liter engine with an electric motor, maximum power reaching 200 PS system. The new generation Mondeo will debut first in North America, in a version adapted for Mexico and U.S., and in 2013 we will have and the European version.

Ford began the production of the Ford Focus with 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine plant at Saarlouis, Germany. Three-cylinder engine is the most efficient petrol, in terms of fuel consumption, Ford’s ever built.

The Focus with 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine and 100 horsepower fuel consumption is top in its class, the 4.8 l/100/km and 109g/km CO2 emissions. Turbocharged direct injection engine is also available on the Focus in the 125 hp version with a consumption and CO2 emissions of 114g/km 5l/100km.

The Focus with 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine performance standards similar records models equipped with diesel engines, due to a constant torque of 170Nm between 1.400rpm and 4.500rpm. The new 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine is produced at Ford’s engine plant in Cologne, Germany. Ford invested 134 million of euros here to develop a special line of high-tech factory in Cologne, to build this engine.

Also this year, will start production engine and Ford factory in Craiova. Production capacity at European level could reach 700,000 engines a year. 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine was developed by Ford of Europe experts, including engineers from Ford Center for European Research and Advanced Engineering in Aachen, Germany, and the Technical Centre in Dunton, UK.

2012 will be a very interesting and exciting year. We have news on all fronts, in all segments. It is difficult to decide now which is the most important release of the year as Romanians tastes in cars do not discuss and change from year to year, from generation to generation. Expect the new 3 Series, however, to stir, to finally bury the new 1 Series sales or look like all Romanians in Dacia Lodgy flock simply because it is a MPV.

Here, below we have the dates of launch of new models will be made ​​official in the Romanian market in 2012.

Alfa Romeo
Alfa Giulietta TCT official arrives in Romania next spring.

Audi
Audi has more news for next year. In mid-February will come here the new A4 facelift. In March the new A1 Sportback and RS5 facelift. In April S6, S7 and S8 plus hybrids of A6 and A8. In June we will see the new A6 Allroad and in September the new A3. Finally, facelift Q5 arrives in October.

BMW
3 Series official arrives in February, as well as bestiality M5. In the second quarter receive 5 Series ActiveHybrid M6 Convertible 6 Series Gran Coupeşi addition X6 and X1 facelift facelift in summer, 7-Series facelift, M6 Coupe, the new 3-door 1 Series 3 Series ActiveHybrid and the second half of the year.

Chevrolet
The only novelty that will be launched next year in Romania is Malibu. The new Chevrolet Malibu will be sold for the first time in Europe and the United States of America is the eighth generation. Malibu is the longest model in the history of mid-size car, with a life of 35 years, over six decades and eight generations. In Romania, the Chevrolet Malibu comes in the third quarter of 2012.

Citroen
In March arrives and Jumpy Berlingo C1 facelift facelift and come here in April. Also in April will be released and C4 Aircross DS5 will be released in June.

Dacia
Much-awaited Lodgy van will arrive in Romania after the official presentation in Geneva in March.

FIAT
The new Panda arrives in May and Freemont will be officially launched in January despite already can be ordered. The new Grande Punto and it arrives in April.

Ford
In the first half you can buy in Romania’s Focus 1 liter EcoBoost engine equipped with a liter, the new Ranger pick-up or improved Transit. Production of B-Max will also start in the first half but the car will reach its customers in Q3 2012.

Hyundai
I40 arrives in showrooms in January, the new i30 and i20 facelift in March to June. The new Santa Fe comes to us in August.

Honda
Honda Civic 5D arrives in the spring of 2012, namely in March, followed shortly and sedan (May). The new CRV will arrive in autumn, probably October.

Infiniti
FX’s facelift arrives in Romania in April. Do not expect radical changes.

Jaguar
One new Jaguar will arrive in Romania next year and unfortunately is only Ultimate Edition XJ. Summer arrives in Romania.

Jeep
Great news are announced for next year but in the spirit of the American classic, the range will be changed slightly for 2012. In Romania, these models arriving in autumn.

KIA
Kia have three news in Romania 2012. New Optima arrives in March or September. But no one knows its final name.

Land Rover
Because until next autumn will see the new Range Rover probably in Paris, in Romania early in April will arrive here a special edition available for the TDV8 engine Supercharged and probably called Westminster. Expect an English-style luxurious interior.

Maserati
Two facelifts are scheduled for next year. As summer arrives in Romania and the GranTurismo’s facelift in the autumn of his GranCabrio.

Mazda
Mazda has two news for Romania in 2012. CX-5 will be released in the spring and BT-50 in the second half of the year.

Mercedes-Benz
The new SL arrives here in March. G GLK facelift facelift in June and July. In September, welcomed the new A and in September CLS Shooting Break. In November we will see the launch of the new GL.

Mitsubishi
In September the new Outlander will be released in December new class global small car, Colt’s successor. Do not know the final name will be marketed this new model in Romania.

Nissan
Nissan does not bring any new model next year, only special editions and the new 1.6 dCi engine also modified in various models of the range. Not yet know the final details of entry

Opel
Opel Astra GTC  will lunch, Tourer and Opel Zafira Combo in January-February.
At the Geneva Motor Show Opel will present mini-SUV Opel Astra OPC. Mid reaches showrooms amps.

Peugeot
French brand has a lot of news in the program for next year. 107 facelift arrives in Q1, 208, 3008 HYbrid4, 4008, 508 RXH, Partner and Expert facelift facelift coming in quarter 2 and RCZ HYbrid4 Sedan facelift and 508 in quarter 4.

Porsche
GTS Panamera arrives in Romania in April and the new convertible’s 911 Carrera and S versions arrive in February.

Renault
In spring arrives Twingo Gordini RS and wait and line. Also we’ll see and Megane RS Trophy final to spring. Energy will begin and the new engine of French manufacturer.

Toyota
In February and March receive facelift facelift RAV4′s for Aygo, Avensis and Prius. Also in March V8 will receive a facelift but also significant changes. Prius hybrid plug-in hybrid Yaris arrives in June and September.

Volkswagen
The new Beetle will be launched in January and up! in March. Also when they come and the new Passat CC Alltrack. In June comes up! the five-door and the new Golf, the seventh generation will be unveiled in December. Amarok single cabin comes from VW commercial vehicles in the spring.

Volvo
The new Volvo compact, A3 and 1 Series competitor, named variant V40 series arrives in Romania next summer.

Star Ford stand at Auto Show Detroit 2012 Ford Fusion. What seems to prefigure even new European Ford Mondeo – here are the details and pictures! The new generation Ford Fusion, which debuted at this year’s first great salon, Detroit 2012, does not hide the fact that it’s American version of the future Ford Mondeo, which will appear in world premiere at Geneva Motor Show 2012. Therefore, we can already say that we are in front of the fourth Mondeo.

A generation that, contrary to expectations, it comes with a revolutionary design, but a very sober, that focuses on reliability, robustness, reliability and elegance. Counts on the front and long narrow headlights and front grille reminiscent of Aston Martin models (British brand was owned by Ford group at a time). As image, the new Fusion/Mondeo is impressive, but not astound.

Lateral line and the rear are a natural and current Mondeo modern lines, powerful telescope plunged impression that the car would tailgate, which contribute to Fusion’s sporty image, reinforced by prominent median edge. Basically, Fusion aims to compete directly Passat in the U.S. by imposing and sober image, but with more dynamic aspect to chapter.

The interior of the Fusion/Mondeo continues the idea of ​​sobriety, without major design experiments, but with much higher demands on quality materials and workmanship. Ford officials promise that the interior of the new Fusion/Mondeo will not be anything less than premium models such that both Audi, BMW or Mercedes-Benz and the list of options is very rich.

Among the new features that boast new Fusion / Mondeo stand out:

• Lane Keeping System (Lane Assist System), which acts on the steering wheel to drive back the correct path;

• Adaptive Cruise Control (adaptive cruise control) function to prevent collisions

• Active Park Assist (Active parking assist system), automatically acting on the wheel, the driver controlling the car in acceleration and brakes

• Blind Spot Information System – flash (for blind spot warning system), the warning voice of the driver

• SYNC communication system with voice activation

• MyFord Touch interface, with a touch screen on the center console and voice commands

Although the dimensions have not yet been released, Ford Fusion/Mondeo announces an excellent level of space and comfort for both the front and rear seats for passengers. In addition, the trunk is announced by the large classroom with a well designed modularity. So, Ford Fusion seems to be a relevant proposition in medium sedan segment, so we look forward to seeing the new Ford Mondeo for Europe. We wondered if the Old Continent to mid-range sedan the Ford will base its success mainly on diesel engines will be offered and hybrid engine versions overseas.