Opel cans Calibra Mk2

By Ben Oliver

Green news

24 January 2008 18:21

The European Union’s proposed fines for carmakers who break its tough CO2 limits have already killed off a new Calibra, GM’s car guru Bob Lutz told CAR Online.

General Motors is working on a new, small rear-wheel drive platform. It will spawn a new baby Cadillac which will slot in below the CTS saloon and be sized between BMW’s 1-series and 3-series.

Calibra Mk2? No thanks

Speaking at the Detroit Motor Show, Lutz told us it was also offered to GM Europe to create a new, affordable, Vauxhall and Opel-badged rear-drive coupe and convertible, a successor to the hugely popular Calibra of the nineties. ‘But GM Europe showed little interest because it goes the wrong way towards meeting the new CO2 regulations,’ Lutz said. ‘We said, “wouldn’t it be neat to do a new Calibra?” And they said, “but what would it do for our average emissions?” Everyone is totally consumed by this already.’

CO2: cleaning up, but restricting choice

Lutz also suggested that the regulations may force GM to limit sales of its more powerful cars in Europe. ‘We’re only going to be able to do a certain number of vehicles like the Corvette, and we may have to raise prices to keep demand under control.’ And he also hinted strongly that BMW and Mercedes may be considering abandoning rear-wheel drive on more of their models in order to improve efficiency.

GM Europe insiders confirmed that a new, halo-model coupe was no longer under consideration but that it would import the baby Cadillac if it’s given the green light. It also suggested that its latest calculations show the new EU limits will add an average of £2000 to the cost of a new car.

Ford Focus: the musical

By Ben Pulman

Video

05 February 2008 10:06

How do you make the facelifted Ford Focus musical? Employ jazz musician Bill Milbrodt to rip one to shreds.

In the latest March 2008 issue of CAR Magazine Gavin Conway meets the Emmy television award-winner who pulled apart the latest Focus in order to create a 19-piece orchestra for Ford’s latest television ad. Click on the media players below to watch Ford’s latest advert and an interview with Bill Milbrodt.

And you can click here to see a preview of the March 2008 issue of CAR Magazine - a celebration of British.

Don’t forget, if you’ve got any videos you’d like to share with the world you can publish them directly onto this website. (If you’re having problems viewing this video you may need to update to the latest version which you can do free here.)