Spy Shots: International LoneStar Class 8 tractor

Click image for 5 more shots of the LoneStar

Big rigs are awesome. We freely admit that this isn't our area of expertise, but when something particularly cool and truck-related comes along, we're more than happy to share. Thanks to an Autoblog reader named Johnny, who sent in the photos you see here, something cool indeed came along. 

We don't know if the pair of rigs you see are concepts or a new production model that's set to debut sometime soon. The Mid-America Trucking Show-- the biggest show in the industry -- is coming up in March, so these might be headed there. Our submitter at first thought that they might just be show vehicles, but some details lead him to believe that this could be a new production model sporting a nifty new hood design. The thing that has our tipster thinking "production" is that different sleeper configs are shown. The silver rig's is taller and incorporates a large fairing, while the black one's is less pronounced. Aside from the swoopy front end, the layout seems conventional, with exposed fuel tanks and the like. The final clue that these may be upcoming production trucks is on the rear mud flap of the black rig, which has something like "LongStar" or "LoadStar" emblazoned on it. (It's LoneStar -- see update below.) Most ofInternational's trucks have "Star" nomenclature, and the "Star" moniker on the pictured vehicle is not one currently in use. We'll have to wait and see what plays out in the coming weeks, but one thing's certain: these things are bitchin'.

What $2,500 buys in India: Tata Nano unveiled

click above to view more high-res images of the Tata Nano

Tata has pulled the wraps off its long-discussed and highly-anticipated 1-lakh (around $2,500) car. The orb-like Tata Nano was unveiled at the New Delhi Auto Expo today, boasting a 30-horsepower 624-cc engine; a four-speed manual transmission; a disc/drum brake setup; room for five (based on the above photo); and claimed fuel economy of 54 US miles per gallon. There's no power steering, and you'll find more instrumentation on many wristwatches -- the Nano has only a fuel gauge, speedometer, and oil light. Suspension? Well, it has one. Tata claims that the car meets safety and environmental standards (such as Euro IV emissions compliance), and we're sure it won't be long before tests show whether the car is indeed up to snuff in those areas. Say hello to the new "people's car," brought to you by the same folks who hope to sell you Jaguars in the not-so-distant future. We'd say that if all goes as planned, Tata's got just about every possible demographic covered. Thanks for the tip, RV!

Toyota hopes to return to the podium with new Formula One car

Toyota hopes its new Formula One car will allow the team to move near the front of the grid and to stay there for good.

``My hopes are always high because normally I am very positive,'' driver Jarno Trulli said at Thursday's presentation of the car. ``I think that the team has got the potential, the resources, the people and everything necessary to bounce back to the position where we belong.''

The Japanese manufacturer is coming off a poor season, having finished sixth in the constructors' championship with only 13 points overall in 2007.

``Our clear target in 2008 is to make a big improvement in our results because we were not satisfied with our performance last year,'' said team boss Tadashi Yamashina, who took over in mid-season last year. ``We expect to have a truly competitive car so our drivers should be aiming to finish in the points regularly and challenging for the podium. ... Of course, our ultimate target is the middle step of the podium. We are in Formula One to win and we want to do that soon.''

The key features of the new TF108 are a longer wheelbase, a major aerodynamic upgrade, revised suspension and a new gearbox.

``I have been giving input into this car since the middle of the 2007 season, helping to develop the car to adapt to the new rules which ban traction control and engine braking,'' Trulli said. ``There is quite a big change in terms of electronics this year and I have spent time working with the team on this. I am doing all I can in order to help the team to step up.''

German driver Timo Glock, who has replaced his countryman Ralf Schumacher, said he ``couldn't wait'' for the season to start.

``I aim to be consistent and to help the team move upward. My first goal will be to regularly challenge for points and I believe we will be able to do that,'' Glock said. ``Even though I have not raced in Formula One since 2004, I have tested quite regularly so I expect it will take very little time for me to get back in the groove.''

RATAN TATA unveils 1 lakh car

NEW DELHI: Tata Motors, the country's largest automobile manufacturer, will unveil its much-touted 'people's car', better known as the Rs one-lakh car, at the upcoming Auto-Expo here next month. 

The company said in a statement that while it would unveil the car on January 10 during the expo, the commercial launch would take place later in the year. 

The launch would mark the realisation of a dream for Tata Sons Chairman Ratan Tata, who is looking forward to silence critics of the project, just as he did with the company's first passenger car Indica. 

Tata had in the past said that the 'people's car' would be a gearless one with a rear engine and meet all safety as well as emission norms. 

While the initial plan is to come out with a 660cc petrol engine, the company is also planning to come up with the diesel variant. However, Tata Motors is facing a pricing issue with input costs going up manifold since the inception of the project. Tata had earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show hinted that ultimately customers might have to pay a tad more than Rs one lakh for the car. 

Besides, the company had to face political opposition for setting up its manufacturing plant at Singur in West Bengal, which ultimately began earlier this year.

Chrysler signs deal for Nissan to supply `Chrysler' car for South American sale

Nissan and Chrysler have reached a deal to have Nissan supply cars to Chrysler for sale in South America starting next year, the automakers said Friday.

The model, based on the Nissan Versa sedan, will be supplied under what is called an OEM, or ``original equipment manufacture,'' agreement in the auto industry.

That means Japanese automaker Nissan Motor Co. will supply the cars, which are also sold as Nissan models, to Chrysler LLC so the U.S. automaker can sell them under its own brand.

Such OEM agreements are fairly common among automakers and should not be confused with major alliances like the one Nissan has with Renault SA of France. But they can help cut costs and strengthen product offerings immediately.

Detailed terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

``This kind of tactical partnership allows us to maximize product offerings yet minimize costly investments,'' said Chrysler president Tom LaSorda, adding that the agreement will allow Chrysler to add a small car in its lineup.

Nissan and Chrysler agreed to keep exploring other possible ways to share products, they said in a joint release. A Nissan affiliate has been supplying Chrysler with transmissions since 2004, it said.

``Nissan has a successful track record of win-win product exchanges, and we are pleased to be entering into this second agreement with Chrysler,'' said Carlos Tavares, Nissan executive vice-president.

Chrysler, which makes the Jeep Wrangler and Dodge Charger, has been eager to expand international sales through tie-ups, partly to expand in emerging markets to offset declining U.S. sales.

Nissan has also flirted with the idea of a U.S. partner, to solidify its position in North America, but its talks with U.S. automaker General Motors Corp. in 2006 stalled.

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn, who also heads Renault, has said the company is open to partnerships if they have potential to be successful like the Renault-Nissan alliance.

Nissan, Japan's No. 3 automaker, produces the March subcompact, Infiniti luxury models and GT-R sportscar. It turned itself around from near-bankruptcy under the 1999 alliance with Renault.

Chrysler, which had been losing money, became a private company in August after Cerberus Capital Management LP became the majority owner, buying an 80.1 per cent stake from German automaker Daimler AG.

Last year, Chrysler announced a deal with China's biggest independent car company, Chery Automobile Co., to jointly produce and export small cars to Western Europe and the United States.