Good-Bye (Again) To Bob & Other Musings

Concept Porsche 918 Spyder

Maximum Bob is retiring. Again.

Robert A. (Bob) Lutz, the larger than life Swiss-born auto industry personality who is widely credited with reviving the electric car, announced that he was stepping down from his position at General Motors. Lutz, who had announced and then rescinded his retirement in 2009 will leave GM on May 1. Lutz is 78.

There is so much that can be said about Bob, one of the more colorful characters of our time at least in the auto industry where towing the line is an art form. But in start contrast to that way of thinking, Lutz often said what he thought and didn’t care too much about people’s reactions including once publicly calling global warming a crock of sh*t.

Lutz began his automotive career with GM Europe in 1963 before heading off to BMW in 1971.  Following his three year stint at BMW, Lutz took turns at Ford, Chrysler and GM with a four year tenure at Exide, a global battery manufacturer preceding his final GM years.

Though credited with influencing the building of the BMW 3-Series, Chrysler LH sedans, Dodge Viper and Plym0uth Prowler, Lutz’ role in getting GM to start thinking about electric cars again may yet prove to be his most significant accomplishment.

Although the car is not due out until November, the Chevrolet Volt is at the vanguard of new electrification technology which promises to reshape the way people view their cars.  Some felt that Lutz would stay around until after the car made its debut, but the heavy lifting has already been completed, therefore Lutz can move on.

In Other News

Lutz’s retirement isn’t the only news of note this week. The Geneva Motor Show’s press days are over, revealing a number of dazzling new models and concepts which will be on display through March 14 in Switzerland.

I have yet to complete my sifting through of press materials, photos and schematics related to what has been revealed, though the Porsche 918 Spyder Concept (pictured) is certainly a looker. And, if Porsche goes ahead and builds the car it could turn the industry on its ear.

How so? Because the 918 is a plug-in hybrid model, pairing an explosive V8 engine with lithium-ion hybrid technology. Porsche says that the 918 can travel from zero to sixty in just 3.2 seconds while achieving 78 mpg on the highway! Most certainly that is an unheard of combination of power and fuel economy, numbers competing manufacturers would need to match if Porsche follows through and builds the 918.

Final Thoughts

I also noted that Hyundai did follow through and roll out their iFlow concept at Geneva but the only pictures to be had are the four auto show images on their website. I had hoped to snag a few more, but that will have to wait until Hyundai updates their site. Take it from Ford and GM, Hyundai: when you announce a new car or concept, have those pictures available to the press pronto.

Lastly, in the Mar. 1, 2010 Consumer Reports (CR) Car Blog posting, it was noted that Toyota will pick up cars and provide free loaner service for affected owners of recalled models. Then again, when you read the CR article you have to wonder if something might have gotten lost in translation….

Sculpted Masterpiece: Ferrari 458 Italia

Ferrari 458 Italia

The latest iteration of the Italian supercar!

Exotic car maker Ferrari has scored big in 2009. Earlier this year, customers of the Ferrari California with its famed retractable roof began to see their orders filled. In September, the hard top Ferrari 458 Italia was introduced, the most modern and technologically advanced Ferrari ever. With seven models now available, enthusiasts of the celebrated Italian sports car marque have a stable of “Prancing Horse” stallions to choose from, the largest line up in the automaker’s outstanding eight decade history.

An All New Ferrari

Completely new inside and out, the Ferrari 458 Italia is a two-seater “berlinetta” (little saloon) model, which derives its name from its all new engine — a mid-rear mounted direct injection 4.5L V8 — as well as from its country, Italy. Ferrari thought that it was important to offer tribute to its native land, noting that its newest model reflects her people’s passion, creative flair and embracement of cutting-edge technology.

Bodily evidence of this is found in the 458 Italia’s Pininfarina styling which gives the car a look that is both beautiful to behold as well as highly aerodynamic. Sharp edges, defining bulges and sporty, crisp lines mark the new model which takes its styling cues from the now retired one million dollar Ferrari Enzo F1 racer. The Ferrari 458 Italia officially replaces the aged and heavier Ferrari 430, offering a larger and more powerful engine than its predecessor, yet realizing important fuel economy improvements while emitting fewer emissions.

Sleek Design, Potent Engine

The front of the new Ferrari features a single opening for the grille and side intakes, utilizing aerodynamic sections and profiles which have been designed to direct air to the coolant radiators and to its new, flat underbody. Ferrari included small aeroelastic winglets in the nose piece which helps to add downforce and deform as speed increases, reducing the size of the radiator inlets and further decreasing wind drag.

The engine itself is an engineering achievement and represents Ferrari’s first attempt to mount a direct injection engine in the mid-rear section of the car. An exhilarating, powerful and familiar growl emerges from the engine the moment it kicks on, thundering through the entire frame and out through the exhaust’s triple tip rear tailpipes. Producing 562 horsepower with 398 pound-feet of torque, the engine harmonizes with a seven-speed dual clutch transmission, enabling the 458 Italia to travel from zero to sixty in about 3.3 seconds, while topping out at just over two hundred miles per hour. Time to contact the Kansas Speedway about their track rental times!

With no manual gearbox available and no plans to build one, the 458 Italia lacks the only thing that F1 drivers do – shift gears. Still, with the paddle shifters at the ready a measure of control remains with the driver, which is probably for the best when most of your driving is on I-70 or cruising down Metcalf Avenue.

Formula One Champ Advises

The 458 Italia’s cockpit is as close to a F1 duplicate as you’ll ever find thanks to the work of retired seven-time world drivers champion Michael Schumacher who is now a Ferrari advisor. Schumacher counseled Ferrari to move all of the key controls to the steering wheel (shift paddles, start/stop switch, etc.) in an effort to help the driver maintain road concentration, while maximizing control over the supercar.

The Ferrari’s instrument cluster features an ample, central tachometer that redlines at 9,000 rpm and measures up to 10,000 rpm, along with a smaller speedometer on the right side that exceeds 200 mph and a digital information display located on the left side. Secondary controls including heating and air-conditioning, lights and audio are located on either side of the steering wheel.

Controlling Your Ferrari

A car as powerful as the Ferrari 458 Italia needs its share of safety features to make sure that it stays on road or track at all times as well as protects occupants in the event that control is lost.

The newest Ferrari features improved lateral traction, enhanced anti-lock braking and a shorter braking distance than the model it replaces. A more direct steering ratio improves handling, while its 42/58 weight distribution and a curb weight of just over 3000 pounds work in tandem to help rein in the power of this mighty stallion.

Riding on 20” wheels, the Ferrari’s 235/35 tires up front are joined by larger rubber in the back, 295/35 tires which enhance rear grip. You won’t be taking your supercar out in bad weather, but in the event that a sudden storm blows in you’ll still have the confidence that you can return home – in low gear, of course.

Satisfied Workers Build Fantastic Cars

Just 27 Ferraris are built each day at the company’s production facility in Maranello, Italy, which has been rated as the best place to work in the entire automotive industry. Production there is divided between Ferrari’s two newest models – the California, which is sold out until 2011 – and the 458 Italia, the latter which will begin to be delivered to its first customers in early 2010.

Pricing for the Ferrari 458 Italia is set at the dealer level where information about the Ferrari Driving Experience, a two-day precision driving school where students learn about threshold braking, weight transfer, managing acceleration,identifying the ideal driving line on track and discovering the limits of vehicle adhesion in both wet and dry driving situations is also shared. The school, of course, is located in Italy which gives interested Ferrari fans the opportunity to tour the production facility while sampling local culture.

Photo Credit: S.p.A.