This week's gossip from the automotive industry has news of a plug-in hybrid variant of the Toyota C-HR, a potential S2000 replacement, a LaFerrari replacement and PCP deal trends.
Plug-in hybrid variant of the Toyota C-HR
Toyota is mulling over a plug-in hybrid version of the new C-HR crossover, which would take its powertrain from the next-generation Prius Plug-in Hybrid.
Diesel engines will never be offered in the new Seat Ateca rival, although more powerful petrol engines will join the line-up next year. Currently, there’s a conventional hybrid and a 1.2 turbo petrol model.
Read more: 2017 Toyota C-HR 1.8 Hybrid review
A potential S2000 replacement from Honda
Honda Europe's sales boss, Jean-Marc Streng, would be “very happy to have an S2000 replacement” but it is not currently a priority.
He said: “There is no market, thinking on profi tability… it’s difficult to be successful in sports cars.” However, he did admit that a small roadster could be “beautiful”.
Read more: Honda S2000 sports car to return as Mazda MX-5 rival
LaFerrari replacement ruled out
There definitely won’t be a replacement for the LaFerrari until there is a step-change in technology. Ferrari believes that to be about 10 years away, at which point there will be enough new technology to put into a car to “make a mark on history”.
In that time, Ferrari also hopes all the technology on the LaFerrari will have trickled down into its model range.
Read more: Limited-edition Ferrari J50 revealed in Japan
PCP deal trends
The fight to protect residual values is continuing to intensify, say industry insiders, as car companies bid to win over buyers on PCP deals.
Two-tone colour schemes, with painted roofs, are the latest battleground, with buyers particularly valuing them. This greater demand, plus the complexity and time required to paint the cars, is said to have caused the production plants of many car makers huge headaches.
Read more: PCP (Personal Contract Purchase) explained: How to get it right
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Oh give it a rest.
Same with paint finishes. 5 months ago I bought a pre-reg Clio. I had the choice of any colour I wanted - solid, metallic or special Pearl effect. These were cost options on a brand new car £0, £495, £625 respectively. What difference did it make to pre-reg price? £0
It's even worse when it comes to options like auto and leather. When I bought my 325 coupe some year ago I was told and auto box (£1500) and leather (£1200) was essential to protect residualson a car like this, advice which I ignored. How much more would I have received selling my car with auto + leather at trade-in? £400. a net loss of £2300
Buy options to suit your own wants and needs but whenever someone mentions options will in some way 'protect residuals', what they really mean is increasing their profit.