Buyers of Volkswagen AG’s new Audi A1 super-minicar will be able to order a custom-colored roof separate from the body color. Audi is expected to unveil the vehicle early next month ahead of its public introduction at the Geneva auto show in March and dealer launch later this year in Europe.

The two-tone color option is one of several customized features that are designed to help the A1

The A1 design study (pictured) get new front lighting.

compete against BMW AG’s Mini lineup and Fiat SpA’s Alfa Romeo Mito. Audi says the vehicle also will sport unique LED daytime running light strips that swoop below the headlamp and above the turn indicator in an integrated front lighting array. Audi describes the car as combining the elegance of the A8 flagship sedan and sportiness of the R8 supercar.

To improve its position as a supplier of electric drivetrain-related systems, Magna International Inc. wants to partner with one or more producers of lithium-ion battery cells to make battery packs for hybrid/electric vehicles. Co-CEO Don Walker tells Reuters the company is open to setting up battery plants in North America. Currently, most lithium-ion cells are produced in Asia.

Magna is working with Ford Motor Co. on an all-electric version of the automaker’s Focus car that is due next year. The supplier will supply the electric traction motor, transmission, control units, energy storage system, battery charger and related systems and help integrate the electric propulsion system into the vehicle.

Walker says Magna also is evaluating several potential deals with other companies as it refocuses on its core auto parts business after plans to expand further into vehicle production fell apart with a failed bid to buy General Motors Co.’s Opel brand last year. The Canada-based mega-supplier continues to build vehicles for several automakers on a contract basis in Austria.

Suppliers of powertrain-related components are at the top of Magna’s shopping list. It also is interested in companies that have a strong footprint in emerging markets such as Brazil, China, India and Russia. To this end, Walker says, Magna’s bid for Opel helped strengthen the company’s relationship with Russian automaker OAO GAZ, an industrial partner in the bid.

Last March BMW AG CEO Norbert Reithofter declared that the company’s Mini brand would not seek a partner after talks with Fiat SpA’s Alfa Romeo collapsed.

But now Wolfgang Armbrech, vice president of Mini brand management, says BMW might again consider partnering with another automaker on future Mini vehicles to help reduce costs. Other top officials now concede that such a partnership may be the only way to make a profit in the ultra-competitive small-car segment.

Group Lotus plc has hired Robert Hentschel as director of its Lotus Engineering unit. He succeeds Paul Newsome, who is now spearheading product engineering for Lotus Cars.

Paul Newsome

The moves are the latest in a series of new executive appointments at Group Lotus, which is owned by Malaysian automaker Perusahaan Otomobil Nasional Bhd (Proton). Ex-Ferrari sales honcho Dany Bahar took over as CEO in October, succeeding the retiring Michael Kimberley, and quickly hired Claudio Berro to the new position of director of motorsport. Last month another former Ferrari executive, Donato Coco, was appointed director of design, overseeing styling for both Lotus Cars and Lotus Engineering.

Reporting to Bahar, Hentschel will have responsibility for Lotus Engineering worldwide. He’s tasked with leading the expansion of the unit’s third-party consultancy work and to further develop its expertise in lightweight architectures, driving dynamics and electrical/electronics. Hentschel previously worked for Germany’s EDAG Engineering Design AG as COO for its North American operations and headed its electrical/electronics business unit.

Newsome served as managing director for Lotus Engineering since late 2007. He joined the company from Ford Motor Co., where he headed up advanced engineering for Jaguar/Land Rover. He also has worked for BMW AG and MG Rover Group.

In the next few years, Lotus Cars plans to roll out a new range of sports cars that includes an Evora convertible, all-new Esprit and eventually a new Elise and Exige. Meanwhile, Lotus Engineering recently won three new contracts from Chinese automakers.



The Fiat-ization of Chrysler Group LLC will include using the Italian automaker’s C-segment platform for a future Jeep model. Autocar reports. The British magazine notes that the architecture, which carries the Alfa Romeo Milano, can be adapted for four-wheel drive to support Jeep’s off-road characteristics—albeit in a tamer package than traditional “trail-rated” rugged Jeep offerings.

The Alfa-based models thus would likely be positioned as low-end Jeeps that emphasizes fuel efficiency, Autocar says. The Milano platform, which also is being considered for some Chrysler-badged cars, eventually may be produced in North America for Chrysler/Jeep applications.

Other media reports say Chrysler also may use the Fiat Panda platform for future Jeep models.

Volkswagen AG entrants claimed the top three spots in the car segment of the grueling, 14-day Dakar Rally through South America that was completed on Sunday. It was the second straight year VW won the race.

Pairs of drivers piloted prototype, diesel-powered Race Touareg crossover vehicles. Spaniards Carlos Sainz and Lucas Cruz beat Nasser Al-Attiyah and Timo Gottschalk by just over two minutes to take the trophy. Mark Miller and Ralph Pitchford finished third, and last year’s winners Giniel de Villiers and Dirk von Zitzewitz (ZA/D) finished seventh.

Overall, some 134 cars, 151 motorcycles, 52 trucks and 25 quad-bikes competed in the rally, which spanned 5,900 miles through Argentina and Chile. VW says its vehicles won half of the 14 stages, claiming 27 of a possible 42 top-three positions.

The rally was moved from Africa last year due to concerns of violence from the region’s political instability. This year’s course included stints through deserts, mountains, gravel and other rugged terrain.