By Christopher Tan

MERC'S 2009 LOOK

Is this the new face of Mercedes-Benz? Punters say the Mercedes Concept Fascination, shown as a sporty wagon at last month's Paris Motor Show, is the basis for Merc's new look. And it will debut on the next E-class, which is due to arrive here in the second half of next year.

Mercedes is also expected to release a new range of engines with the new E: smaller displacements, turbocharged and a petrol-electric variant by 2010. There will also be a super-efficient high-compression diesel model.

WIN FREE FUEL AT SHELL

Shell has set aside $450,000 - estimated to be one-quarter of its daily pump takings here - for a lucky draw that pays the winner $5,000 worth of fuel. For someone driving a 1.6-litre car, that represents two years' worth of free petrol (at today's prices).

What are the chances of winning? Assuming half of the motorists in Singapore rush to fill up at Shell and there are 90 winners ($450,000 divided by $5,000), the odds are one in 4,722.

To take part, you must buy at least $50 worth of fuel. Those who pay with UOB credit cards will double their chances of winning.

RENAULT'S ESPACE MPV DELAYED

Legislative changes across Europe have prompted Renault to shelve plans for its next Espace MPV, which was originally planned for next year.

Tax revisions linked to carbon dioxide emissions in France, Britain and Spain have put the car back on the drawing board. Renault will also postpone the launch of two other unnamed high-end models.

TOUGHER SAFETY RATING SYSTEM

The European New Car Assessment Programme will be having a new and tougher rating system next year, one which it says the top five-star score will not be possible for cars without electronic stability control.

The new system will include an overall five-star rating, versus the current categorised rating used since 1997. This, it says, will provide 'the simplest and clearest advice' to consumers.

HYUNDAI-KIA, MICROSOFT SET UP IT CENTRE

Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Microsoft and Korea's Institute for Information Technology Advancement (IITA) have opened an IT centre to jointly develop new products and services for automotive application.

The jointly formed Automotive IT Innovation Centre will be located within Hyundai-Kia's new research facilities in Uiwang city, south of Seoul.

The centre will support about 20 companies a year for three years, helping the most promising candidates develop into global players. The technologies developed at the centre are scheduled for application in Hyundai and Kia cars from 2010.

The centre will focus on developing technologies such as auto telecommunication, telematics, navigation systems and location-based services, and improving the human-machine interface.

The IITA will provide as much as 200 million won (S$220,000) per project in funding.

PORSCHE AT THE HELM OF VW

Porsche and Volkswagen have come full circle after six decades. The sports car maker, whose founder Ferdinand Porsche created the original Beetle in war-time Germany, has secured 74 per cent of Volkswagen shares. It aims to raise this to 75 per cent by next year, triggering a 'domination' clause that effectively makes Porsche VW's parent group.

Porsche already has strong working ties with VW. Its Cayenne SUV and the VW Touareg share the same platform and many similar components. With Porsche's complete control just round the corner, industry watchers expect more shared products, including the possibility of a Porsche sports car positioned below the entry-level Cayman.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Nov 8, 2008.

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