In this week’s auto gossip roundup, Ferrari discusses Dino namesakes, Audi talks about the hot hatch sales prognosis and much more.
What’s in a name?
The new 296 GTB is Ferrari’s first V6 road car since the 1969 Dino 246, but the revival of the Dino name has never been on the table, said sales manager Enrico Galliera. “It’s true, there are similarities – mainly the engine. But the Dino did not wear the Ferrari badge, because it was developed to attract new customers, to enter a new segment, and Ferrari made certain compromises in terms of dimensions, space, performance and price. The 296 GTB, he said, is a “real Ferrari” with a lot more power and different aspirations.
The success of Audi’s successful hatch sales
Will the hot new Audi RS3 Sportback hatchback sell well, given the existence of the identical-engine RS Q3 crossover? “We hope that the new RS3 will continue the commercial success of its predecessor,” said Marcel-Alexander Hübner, Product Manager. “The RS Q3 is aimed at a different customer, and that’s why these two cars don’t cannibalize each other. They are superbly positioned in the market.
The tradition of Lexus advice
Lexus will follow the company’s tradition of using the foundations of parent company Toyota for its new-age electric vehicles, but European Vice President Pascal Ruch is not happy that the brand is pulling out of development. “Lexus needs to take the lead in product development because it powers the product lifecycle,” he said. “To take multimedia as an example, the [new] NX [crossover] will be the company’s first vehicle to launch the new platform, which means a larger screen, a faster system, and improved ease of use. It is first of all what we call a Lexus.
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Source: www.autocar.co.uk
This notice was published: 2021-07-05 23:01:24
