BMW (UK) Ltd. Managing Director Jim O’Donnell will take over as president of BMW of North America LLC, replacing Tom Purves, who has announced he will retire April 1.

O’Donnell will report directly to Purves, who will remain chairman and CEO of BMW (US) Holding Corp. and chairman of BMW North America’s management board. O’Donnell will also assume the duties of Howard Mosher, vice president of operations, who will retire March 31.

Prior to his current role, O’Donnell oversaw sales for BMW in South Africa and the UK. Before joining BMW, he held various positions at Ford.

Source: BMW Names New Top Exec

By Jane Nakagawa

It’s hard to outshine the glitz and glamour of Detroit’s North American International Auto Show. But the Chicago Auto Show has always drawn crowds, and this year is cause for a true celebration because the nation’s biggest and oldest auto show marks its 100th anniversary.

This impressive milestone is well chronicled on the show’s official Web site where the history of America’s automobile culture can be viewed through myriad photographs gathered from manufacturers’ and private collectors’ archives. Simply click on the decade of your choice and you can practically hear the music.

The Chicago show was closed during World War II and reopened with well-deserved fanfare in 1950. Through the next two decades you can see America’s soaring confidence, initially through fins and chrome, and then through muscle cars. But signs of a breakdown begin to show in the late 1960s. First came Ralph Nader and the safety crusade, and then the oil shock of 1973.

Change Is Hard

Ralph Nader's advocacy of automobile safety led to the unanimous passage of the 1966 National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. The Act marked a historic shift in responsibility for automobile safety from the consumer to the manufacturer.

Detroit was hit hard by the 1973 oil embargo. Before the embargo American cars were getting bigger and thirstier each year. After it, Detroit couldn’t keep up with the demand for six-cylinder compact and four-cylinder subcompact cars. Japanese and European automakers were beginning to export more and more compact cars into the U.S. to meet the demand. Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Peugeot, Toyota and Volkswagen racked up record sales during this period.

Déjà Vu All Over Again

It’s hard not to make the comparison between the full-size trucks and SUVs languishing in dealer lots today to the bloated sedans that sat unsold in the 1970s. And just as consumers learned from Ralph Nader to require safety features from manufacturers, Al Gore is telling consumers to demand greater innovations in alternative fuels and powertrains.

One of the major entries in this year’s Chicago show is the Dodge Challenger SRT8. The original Challenger, launched as a 1970 model-year vehicle, was Dodge’s contribution to the pony car market started by the Ford Mustang. Although the 1970 Challenger was well-received by the public, its introduction came as the pony car segment was already declining. Sales fell dramatically after 1970, and Challenger production ceased midway through the 1974 model year.

The Crystal Ball

The Chicago Show highlights the major style conflict between the iconic American pony car and the less familiar proportions and design language of alternative-fuel vehicles. Which vehicles belong to the future, and which are just old?

Five Best of Show

The BMW Concept 1 Series tii is retro, but in idea only. The original 2002s were fun to drive, affordable and great looking. This concept is fun to drive but BMW missed the opportunity to truly innovate on package and style.

The Chevrolet Traverse is the newest and best-looking crossover of the GMC  Acadia/Saturn Outlook/Buick Enclave family. It’s good to know you can finally replace that old TrailBlazer and you don’t have to do it with an import.

The Dodge Challenger SRT8 is a great-looking addition to the pony car revival trend.  It will undoubtedly make many enthusiasts happy but it’s also hard to shake that feeling that once again, Dodge may be a little too late.

The Ford Transit Connect is an efficient, European-style commercial van. The proportions may be a bit odd but you can’t beat the functionality of the expansive cargo area. And relative to its American cousins, it’s a gas sipper.

The Hummer H3T Alpha may be the shyest sibling of the Hummer family but  this  compact truck is still unmistakably Hummer and a real truck. Oversized design cues are all still there and so is the body-on-frame platform.

Five Worst of Show

The GMC Denali ST Hybrid Concept is an idea headed in the right direction -- a new-age pickup truck -- but the styling isn’t in synch with the new powertrain. It’s trying so hard to be manly, you wonder what it’s hiding.

The new Mitsubishi Galant is supposed to compete head to head against stylish rivals such as the Nissan Altima. The bad news is it looks more like a Hyundai -- the good news is the Sonata is a pretty nice-looking car.

The Suzuki Equator is another bad rebadging idea conjured up by auto executives with little regard for the consumer. If you didn’t want a Nissan Frontier, why would you want one from Suzuki?

The Volkswagen Routan is a rebadged Dodge Caravan. The idea of rebadging makes consumers feel stupid but the Routan is especially disappointing because this is about as far as you can get from a Microbus.

The Yes! Roadster is a hand-made German sports car vying for the small but prestigious luxury sports car market. The lines on this roadster are so busy it looks like a sports car with ADHD. But it is fast, rare and expensive.

Source: Chicago Auto Show: Best and Worst of Show

Believe it or not -we had to check it twice, this isn’t a facelifted version of the current generation European Honda Accord but an all-new model that will come to the States as the 2009 Acura TSX. Even Honda admits in its press release that new Accord's styling is an evolution of the current model, although it's significantly wider and slightly lower than its predecessor. As with most manufactures who present new models in the mid-size segment in Europe, Honda talks about benchmarking the new Accord against the BMW 3-series.

Honda's all-new Accord will be offered in sedan and station wagon versions both of which will be available with a choice of three engines: a new 150 HP 2.0-Liter turbodiesel unit, a 156 HP 2.0-litre petrol i-VTEC and a 200 HP 2.4-litre i-VTEC engine. All three engines are matched to a 6-speed manual transmission, while both petrol engines have the option of a 5-speed automatic. An automatic gearbox for the i-DTEC engine will be launched in early 2009. -Details and image gallery after the jump

Press Release

Honda announced the all-new Accord for Europe. Aimed squarely at challenging established premium contenders in the D-segment, Honda's all-new Accord saloon and Tourer offer sporty styling, greater refinement and a unique package of safety systems, together with excellent dynamic capabilities. Strong environmental credentials in the form of an all Euro 5 emissions compliant engine line-up further emphasize Honda's intent with the the all-new Accord.

Significantly wider and slightly lower, the styling adopts a more emotional, sporty motif. The ‘sharp-edged' design, with pronounced muscular wheelarches that emphasise the car's wider track, gives the Accord a distinctive, strong stance with a solid, planted feel. The distinctive nose and more flowing lines deliver a tauter and more athletic shape.

The evolution from the previous generation Accord is even more pronounced in the case of the Tourer, where a greater emphasis on load carrying practicality has evolved into a more dynamic expression of its advanced technology, while still retaining a strong degree of versatility and practicality.

Three advanced new engines with some of the lowest emissions in their segment

The new range is one of the first to offer a complete engine line-up that will comply with the forthcoming Euro 5 emissions regulations which aren't due to be introduced until September 2009. The exceptional environmental credentials haven't been achieved at the cost of driving enjoyment, however, and greater frugality is matched by greater performance and flexibility.

Making its debut is Honda's second-generation diesel engine which builds on the outstanding qualities of the award-winning i-CTDi unit to raise the bar in the diesel stakes once again. Its advanced technology and overall capabilities place it firmly at the forefront of diesel development and underpins the Accord's claim to offer one of the strongest combinations of dynamic performance and environmental responsibility in the marketplace.

Like its predecessor, the new i-DTEC engine is compact, lightweight, refined and quiet in operation. It employs the latest piezoelectric multi-stage fuel injection technology, more efficient exhaust gas recirculation and a particulate filter for significantly reduced emissions. At the same time both power and torque levels have been increased for a sportier driving experience. Output is 10 PS greater at 150 PS/110 kW at the same 4,000 rpm, while peak torque is now 350 Nm at 2,000 rpm.

The 2.0-litre i-VTEC offers similar levels of performance to its predecessor - 156 PS at 6,300 rpm - but builds on its class leading fuel economy. Key technological changes include increased diameter intake valves, further optimised valve lift and timing and increased inlet and exhaust air flow volumes.

The 2.4-litre engine is more powerful, delivering 200 PS at 7000 rpm and peak torque of 233 Nm at 4500 rpm - up from 190 PS and 223 Nm. Behind the figures are a compression ratio increased from 10.5 to 11.0:1, larger diameter valves, revised valve timing, and reduced exhaust system pressures.

6-speed manual/5-speed automatic

All three engines are matched to a 6-speed manual transmission, while both petrol engines have the option of a 5-speed automatic.

Manual models feature a ‘Shift Indicator Light' or SIL which appears in the centre of the rev counter. ‘UP' or ‘DOWN' are displayed to advise the driver of the optimum point (in terms of best fuel economy) at which to change gear; Honda tests have demonstrated fuel savings of as much as 5 per cent simply by following these commands.

The 5-speed automatic transmission now has a straight ‘P R N D S' gate: using the steering wheel paddles in S mode provides a sequential shift mode, allowing manual shifting and gear hold.

Agile, secure handling

Enthusiastic drivers will also appreciate the new Accord's greater agility. A lowered centre of gravity, a wider track and the all-new front double wishbone and rear multilink suspension with variable rate dampers, plus greater body rigidity mean that the Accord more readily reacts to driver input. Handling is more responsive and confidence-inspiring and body roll is much reduced.

Speed sensitive electric power steering is standard on all models and the new axial system features a high output, low inertia brushless motor which provides excellent steering feel at higher speeds for a sense of stability and confidence. A quicker steering ratio has also been adopted in keeping with the Accord's more agile chassis characteristics.

A comprehensive safety package

Complementing an armoury of passive safety features is an outstanding array of dynamic systems delivering even greater security. Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) is standard across the range and is designed to assist the driver in maintaining control during cornering, acceleration and sudden manoeuvres by applying braking to the right or left hand wheels as necessary and modulating the engine torque output as required.

Motion Adaptive Electric Power Steering (EPS)

The new Accord also features an innovative system in which the capabilities of both VSA and the car's Electric Power Steering are brought to bear. Called Motion Adaptive EPS, it detects instability in slippery conditions both during cornering and under braking and automatically initiates steering inputs aimed at prompting the driver to steer in the correct direction.

The input is barely noticeable and control of the steering remains with the driver at all times. But this supporting steering torque is enough to prompt the driver to act intuitively and the driver's reaction as a result is enough to regain stability or to shorten braking distances, allowing control to be maintained.

Advanced Driving Assist System (ADAS) optional across the range

Optionally available on Executive grade on 2.2 i-DTEC and 2.4 i-VTEC is Honda's Advanced Driving Assist System (ADAS), a suite of three ground-breaking technologies that raise safety to a new level. The first of these is the Lane Keeping Assist System (LKAS) which uses a camera to detect the car deviating from a traffic lane and provides steering torque when necessary, thereby reducing the burden of motorway driving while at the same time enhancing safety.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) uses a millimetre-wave radar to maintain a consistent distance to a vehicle directly in front, for more relaxed, less tiring driving.

The third ADAS system is the Collision Mitigation Brake System (CMBS) which monitors the following distance and closing rate between the Accord and the car directly in front of it, warning the driver when a collision is likely and helping reduce impact when a collision becomes unavoidable.

These systems complement the Accord's passive safety features which include front seatbelt pre-tensioners and load limiters, dual stage front airbags, driver and front passenger side airbags, full length curtain airbags and ISOFIX fittings and tether anchor points for secure childseat fixture on all models. There are also front seat active headrests which are triggered when the occupant is pushed into the seat in the event of a rear impact, so causing a rigid plate to activate a link to the headrest which pushes it forward to support the head.

Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) Body Structure

Progressively introduced throughout the Honda range, the Accord's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) Body Structure provides significantly enhanced occupant protection in a variety of real-world crash conditions.

A front-mounted polygonal main frame is designed to prevent cabin deformation by distributing forces through multiple major load bearing pathways - and away from the passenger compartment. This is particularly important where a frontal collision occurs between vehicles of differing heights, weights or frame construction.

To achieve top level, side impact safety, Honda's engineers have increased the side section of the frame and chosen different material specifications to provide the desired level of stiffness and strength for critical areas, without adding unnecessary weight.

The new Accord also incorporates many of the pedestrian-protection design features already familiar from recent Honda models, including windscreen wiper pivots designed to break away on impact, energy absorbing front wing mounts and bonnet hinges alongside an unobstructed area beneath the bonnet allowing greater space for deformation.

Premium interior with carefully selected materials and outstanding fit and finish

The sporty feel of the cockpit is reflected in a fascia design characterised by a strong feeling of personal space for both the driver and front passenger. Distinctive silver trim sweeps inwards across the fascia from either side before continuing down into the centre console. Stylish and highly supportive front seats have larger bolsters while a new internal structure is designed to reduce any transmission of vibration.

Black with silver trim, the sporty three spoke steering wheel holds a complete suite of controls - including audio, cruise control and mobile telephone control. It is fully adjustable for reach and rake, with an extra 10 degrees of tilt adjustment compared to the previous Accord.

The new Accord features ‘floating' backlit instruments and contained within the centre of the speedometer face is an LCD multi-information display showing a variety of information - controls positioned on the steering wheel allow the driver to cycle the display through multiple screens of information.

A new feature is a service reminder that presents the driver with either the distance or days remaining to a required service, with an enlarged warning symbol appearing when the due date is imminent.

Storage space includes two centre console side pockets; a lidded storage area to side of the steering wheel; large front door pockets able to hold bottles and maps; bottle holders in the rear door panels, and a large centre console box. Rather than a fold-down pocket design, the large glovebox now has an independent lid and is subdivided with a tissue box compartment as well as space secured for a manual. The lid of the centre console box doubles up as an armrest and is slide-adjustable by 89 mm. Two cupholders are provided in the centre console, while rear seat passengers have access to a further two contained in the centre armrest, revealed when it is folded down.

Detailed Technical Specification to be issued closer to launch

Source: Geneva Preview: 2009 Honda Accord (European Model)