2011 cars

Nissan Townpod Concept

2011-06-12T21:39:00.000-07:00

Nissan Townpod Concept

Nissan's Townpod concept is aiming to be the Swiss Army Knife of electric vehicles, merging the best aspects of hatchbacks, SUVs, and vans into one practical (if not unusual) package.
Externally, designers blended a number of styling cues from the Cube and Leaf, lending the Townpod a tall, boxy stature, while simultaneously blessing it with a long, tapered nose. The small, elongated headlamps, along with the slender air intake opening, give the Townpod's front fascia an odd, alien-like appearance.
Although the Townpod is roughly the same size as the compact Leaf, Nissan worked hard to increase its versatility. Rear-hinged half-doors improve access to the rear seat, while access to the rear cargo area is provided by two swing-open panel doors. The rear bench folds flat and retracts into the front seating assembly, opening up a flat, unencumbered load floor. Those needing to carry very long items -- scaffolding and surfboards -- will likely need to pop open a roof-mounted hatch, located just above the rear cargo doors.
Nissan Townpod Concept Side Doors
Inside, the flowing dashboard takes the Jacuzzi Lounge design theme used in the Cube to a whole new level. The relatively bare dashboard has been stripped of all mechanical switchgear, leaving only a pair of LCD screens. Drivers will control ventilation, audio, and navigation systems through the lower (touch-sensitive) display, along with controls on the steering wheel. Bluetooth allows drivers to wirelessly connect to smartphones and audio devices, but Nissan's proud of what it calls The Puck -- a small, slotted rubber ball that can hold a number of accessories, including cell phone mounts, cup holders, bag hooks, and other paraphernalia.
Nissan won't say much about the electric drivetrain underneath (it's likely quite similar, if not identical, to that used in the Leaf), nor will it refer to the Townpod as anything but a conceptual design. Although this car itself may not make it to market, incorporating some of its versatile features into future vehicles could help make an electric-powered C-segment vehicle increasingly palatable to many customers.

Nissan Townpod Concept

Nissan Townpod Concept

Mini Scooter E Concepts

2011-06-12T21:37:00.000-07:00

Mini Scooter E Concepts

Just how mini can a Mini be? Quite small, apparently: the automaker's entertaining the notion of building an electric scooter, and to test the waters for such a device, three versions of the Scooter E concept are headed to the 2010 Paris Motor show.
Mini's moped is, predictably, an uncannily retro two-wheeler. The step-through design, front fender, and curved body all bear a striking resemblance to vintage Lambretta scooters. Appropriate, we suppose, given the Lambretta -- like the Mini itself -- was once tied to the British Mod scene in the 1960s. Minor cues, including the chrome trim on the leg shield, the round projector headlamp, spoiler-like grab handle, and twin taillights do help tie the Scooter E to its four-wheeled Mini siblings.
Mini Scooter E Concept Front Three Quarter
Like the Lambrettas of days past -- or today's Mini Cooper, for that matter -- the Scooter E appears to be a canvas ripe for personalization. The three scooters on Mini's display stand are mechanically identical to one another, but each is given a unique visual personality. The neon green-on-grey scheme is a blatant tie-in to the electric Mini E test vehicles, while the British Racing Green, and red/white/blue scooters channel the Minis and Mods of yesteryear, respectively.
Cosmetically, the Scooter E is a visual timewarp, but beneath the skin, it's a far cry from the oil-burning, two-stroke scooters of the 1960s. Motive power comes courtesy of an electric motor driving the rear wheel. Actually, it's mounted within the rear wheel itself, allowing designers a chance to simplify the exterior design and utilize additional space on the bike. As a result, the lithium-ion battery pack and an on-board charger are installed underneath the seat, although Mini's given no indication as to its range or charge times.
Mini Scooter E Concept Front Three Quarters
The advanced technology isn't limited to the powertrain, either. As the Scooter E is targeting young, tech-saavy hipsters, it's not too surprising to see an iPhone docking station built into the large speedometer display on the handlebars. The interface allows the iPhone to be used as an ignition key, navigation system, music device, and -- assuming you have a helmet with an integrated Bluetooth device -- a hands-free mobile phone. A rail system, much like that used in the new Countryman's center console, allows a variety of different attachments (i.e. cup holders, baskets, etc.) on the inside surface of the front fairing.
Is an electric scooter truly in Mini's future? The company isn't saying at this point, although it notes the eco-friendly driveline and "individual style" do jive with the brand's mantra. It also lines up nicely with parent BMW's Project I, which is working to develop multiple sustainable urban vehicles, including an electric cycle. Should reaction from Mini-philes and scooter nuts alike prove positive, it isn't unrealistic to see the Scooter E propped up in a Mini showroom in the years to come.

Mini Scooter E Concepts

Mini Scooter E Concepts

Lotus Re-Launches Itself

2011-06-12T21:33:00.000-07:00

Lotus Re-Launches Itself

Lotus's five-car launch of a range of sports cars spanning from 300 to 620 horsepower was one of the Paris highlights. The new cars signal Lotus's intention to reinvent itself, transforming from hardcore niche player to full-line, luxury-supercar grandee. It's a staggering turnaround plan, backed, Lotus says, by a billion-dollar investment. The new cars will be launched between mid-2012 and mid-2015.
2013 Lotus Esprit Front Three Quarters View
First down the pipe will be the 2012 Esprit, a mid-engined supercar powered by a V-8 making 550 horsepower in standard form, up to 620 in R trim. The motor is Lotus's heavy rework of the Lexus IS-F engine. The UK maker added a supercharger, and a new injection system, and revised the internals so it can rev to 8500. Direct gas injection is used for clean emissions at lower power, and at WOT it switches to port injection. Performance is claimed to match the Ferrari 458 and Porsche 911 Turbo, its key rivals. Not to mention that other new British supercar, the McLaren MP4-12C. But Lotus says it will undercut the Ferrari and McLaren because it recognizes that its brand is not as strong.
2013 Lotus Esprit Dash View
The Esprit's transmission is a seven-speed DCT, and Lotus also is working on an optional mild hybrid system. It uses regenerative braking to recharge a battery pack, and an 'e-boost' button on the steering wheel switches on an electric motor between the engine and transmission, giving a 50-horsepower helping hand. The system also allows idle-stop. The batteries are located in the structural tunnel between the seats, so the center of gravity is mostly unaffected.
As with all the cars in the new range, the Esprit utilizes Lotus's patent aluminum frame. But, for the first time in a Lotus, glass fiber is no longer used for the body panels. Instead, aluminum is used for the skin, because it gives better panel gaps and surface finish, as expected by buyers in this category. The Esprit uses carbon fiber side panels, and aluminum doors, roof, and front and rear ends. Lotus claims 3300 pounds dry weight. A convertible will be offered with standard and R engines and the hybrid.
Lotus Eterne Front View
Lotus also plans a front-engined pair of cars with the same 550/620-HP engine. The CY2014 Elite (see separate story) and CY2015 Eterne will rival the Ferrari California and Aston Martin Rapide, respectively. The two share a platform and powertrains, but the Eterne has a longer wheelbase at 196 inches overall. In both, the structure, panels, and suspension are all aluminum. The Eterne is the first four-door Lotus, and is said to be almost as spacious as a Porsche Panamera, and as good-looking as the Aston Martin Rapide.
To reinforce its low-consumption brand value, Lotus also plans hybrid options for the Elite and Eterne. But these front-engined cars will use a different system from the Esprit's. It's a full hybrid setup with an epicyclic transmission embodying two e-motors motors, and AWD. It's an adaptation of the Lexus LS600h system, showing how close the technical relationship is between Lotus and Toyota. Gas mileage is said to improve by 40 percent.
2014 Lotus Elan Front Three Quarters View
If the longitudinal V8-engined Esprit tackles the 911 Turbo, Lotus is fielding a late-2013 transverse-V6 car called the Elan as a rival for the 911 Carrera and Carrera S. It will run a 4.0-liter supercharged direct-injection version of the existing Evora engine, for 400HP (base) and 470HP (R). The Esprit's mild hybrid system will also be available on the Elan, as will a convertible body. The Elan will in effect replace the Evora, although at a higher price and power, so the Evora will continue as long as there are buyers. Lotus acknowledges that the Evora has failed to attract new fans from outside the brand, because it doesn't have the required sense of luxury, and ingress/egress difficulty is often cited by consumers who go back to Porsche.
So while the Elan uses the basic Evora tub, it will be modified for better owner convenience. Aluminum panels will help the quality impression. But Lotus insists the largely carryover chassis will maintain the Evora's frankly sublime handling, steering, and ride.
2015 Lotus Elise Front Three Quarters
The final new model is the new Elise, due in mid-2015. This one gains around 450 pounds over the present featherweight, and many thousand dollars in cost. It uses a 2.0-liter Toyota-derived four, with either supercharging or turbo-"we still have time to decide," the engineers say-for 300 (base) and 350HP (R). Porsche engineers have hinted they will do a four-cylinder Boxster next time around, so having a four-banger shouldn't handicap Lotus. And the mild hybrid system will be available in the new Elise, for class-leading economy as well as performance. The new Elise will come as a convertible and a hardtop (as will the Esprit and the Elan), aimed square at the Boxster and Cayman. But Lotus promises there will also be lightweight, bare-butt variants of the Elise to keep the track-biased hardcore buyers in the fold.
All the new models will share a digital dash, featuring a 12-inch TFT screen and virtual graphical dials and displays. Graphics will be different for the different models. In the Eterne, they will emphasize the navigation, while the Esprit driver will be able to call up track maps and a lap timer. Another shared technology across models is adaptive-damped suspension.
Each model will have a different interior, emphasizing lightweight materials in the Elise but more luxurious finishes in the Elite and Eterne.
2015 Lotus Elise Dash
So what has caused this storm of activity from the quiet little British sports-car maker? It was do or die, the management says. Owner Proton had gotten to the end of the road with Lotus' previous method of operation, which had lost money for the entire 15 years as a subsidiary.
So it engaged Dany Bahar, who had previously run sales, marketing and branding and commercial matters at Ferrari. Bahar realized that 15-20 years ago, Lotus was a leading Formula One constructor, and its Esprit Turbo and V8 were at the forefront of entry-level supercars. James Bond drove an Esprit. Lotus as a brand was on par with Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Aston Martin. But those automakers' owners invested heavily, and Lotus's owners did not.
2015 Lotus Elise Interior
With more than $1 billion from Proton and the bankers, this new roadmap is designed to put Lotus right and replicate their growth. Bahar wants to sell 7000-8000 cars a year by 2015, across the five models, which he regards as conservative, and says the company will be at break even by then even if sports car markets don't recover from today's flattened level.
Lotus Eterne Front Three Quarteres View
But even with that investment, Lotus needs expertise. Up to last year it had almost no marketers on staff, and a paucity of production experts for cars of the planned level of complexity and luxury. So Bahar has engaged 23 senior people in these disciplines-plus design and product development experts-from Ferrari, Porsche, Aston Martin, and AMG Mercedes.
It has also engaged a panel of part-time advisors including Bob Lutz, Burkhard Goeschel (ex product and purchasing chief at BMW), and Tom Purves (ex-CEO Rolls-Royce and previously CEO of BMW North America).
Even if it's been done before-Aston Martin built fewer than 50 cars in 1991-it's a staggeringly audacious plan.

Lotus Re-Launches Itself

Lotus Re-Launches Itself

Lotus Elite Concept

2011-06-12T21:30:00.000-07:00

Lotus Elite Concept

In an astonishingly audacious move, Lotus intends to burst out of its Spartan quasi-racer niche. It has announced the Elite, a car to challenge the high-profile luxury GT supercars -- Ferrari California, Aston Martin DB9, AMG SL, Corvette ZR1.
The Elite will be shown at the Paris salon, and is intended for production in spring 2014. Lotus is showing it this early because it obviously needs to make a whole new audience aware of the brand.
Power comes from a Lotus-developed version of the Lexus IS-F's five-liter V8. It makes 550 horsepower in 'base' trim, and 620 in R trim. Lotus says the R version will hit 62mph from rest in less than 3.5 seconds.
It's a super-high-tech engine. Supercharging gives it torque, and it uses direct gas injection at low load for better emissions, but switches to port injection higher up to get the punch. Scavenge oil pumps in the heads mean it can sustain high cornering g safely, and titanium valves allow it to rev to 8000 rpm.
Lotus Elite Concept Rear
The mid-front-mounted motor will drive the rear wheels through a seven-speed sequential transmission. Optionally, all four wheels will be driven via a version of the Lexus LS600h full-hybrid system, which cuts consumption on the Euro cycle by 40 percent. Oh, and there's a "boost button" on the steering wheel to call up every last electrical ampere for a burst of max acceleration.
Lotus already enjoys a successful relationship with Toyota, using its four-cylinder in the Elise and Exige, and its V6 in the Evora. So the adaptation of the V8 and hybrid drive is a continuation rather than an all-new cooperation. As Akio Toyoda said last week, when picking up the keys to his new Elise, "A Toyota engine in a Lotus car creates a completely unique feeling -- a special blend featuring the best of Lotus and Toyota that we hope many car lovers continue to enjoy."
The Elite to be shown at Paris has a glazed folding hardtop. It's also got what aircraft designers call a glass cockpit -- all-graphical driver-configurable virtual LCD instrumentation rather than hardware dials. Many controls are on the steering
Lotus says lightness and efficiency remain important. So the Elite, which is 181 inches long, is supposed to weigh under 3750 pounds dry in non-hybrid form, meaning less than 4000 pounds when juiced up. To that end, the structure remains the company's patent system of extruded and folded aluminum parts, joined with glue and rivets.
However, in a departure for Lotus, the body panels will also be aluminum rather than the glass fiber used previously. Engineers say aluminum panels aren't any lighter, but they can be made more accurately, giving neater panel gaps and better surface finish. In the $150k market this car is aimed at, finish is vital.
The Elite has been designed by a team under Lotus' design director, Donato Coco. Coco, like Lotus CEO Dany Bahar, worked until last year at Ferrari. He says that the front-end graphic was inspired by Lotus's Formula One cars new and old. (Remember, this crowd won seven F1 constructors' world championships and hosted drivers such as Rindt, Andretti, Clark, Graham Hill, Senna, and Fittipaldi.)
Lotus Elite Concept Front Three Quarter
The aim of the sculpture of the fuselage is to make the car have "dignity and authority" Coco says, while still retaining Lotus's lightweight look. The outlet air vents for the arrow-shaped hood conceal its shut line.
Coco is not the only big name Bahar has engaged. He has recruited a total of 23 A-listers -- production people, vehicle engineers, marketers, quality specialists -- from Porsche, AMG, Aston Martin, and Ferrari.
The plan of which the Elite is a part represents a huge shift in ambition for Lotus. The company was, as recently as the 1990s, an international heavy-hitter. It had cars at the front of the formula one grid and, in the Esprit, a competitor for the Porsche 911 and the Ferrari 348.
Lotus wants to get itself back into the big league. Designing a swoopy-looking car, and specifying fancy tech, is just the start. It must now deliver, and at the Paris auto show it promises to tell us more about how that will happen.

Lotus Elite Concept

Lotus Elite Concept

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept

2011-06-12T21:27:00.000-07:00

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept

While Ferrari, Porsche, and others tinker with hybridization of their supercars, Lamborghini is betting the bull farm on extreme weight reduction to meet its target of a 35-percent CO2 reduction by 2015, as the name of its latest concept car -- Sesto Elemento -- suggests. That translates to "sixth element," which periodic-table enthusiasts will recognize as C, or carbon. Practically everything but its V-10 all-wheel-drivetrain (swapped in unchanged from a Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera), tires, and fasteners is made of the stuff. Weight is conservatively estimated at 2200 pounds -- that undercuts its "super-light" drivetrain donor by about 750 pounds for an impressive weight-to-power ratio of 3.9 pounds per horsepower. Lamborghini's computers predict 0-to-62 mph acceleration in 2.5 seconds!
Conceived at the Sant'Agata factory's Advanced Composite Research Center in cooperation with technology partners Boeing and the University of Washington in Seattle, the heart of this technology demonstrator is a fully structural carbon-fiber monocoque that unites 60 percent of the structure in a single bonded unit that incorporates most of the brackets and mounting hardware for the remaining parts. The crash-structural core is formed using a patented low-pressure resin-transfer mold process known internally as RTM-Lambo.
Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept Rear
Here's how it works: Lightweight, inexpensive carbon-fiber male and female molds are constructed to form a complex part like the passenger tub, which integrates the seat shells in the concept. Dry sheets of four-axis carbon fiber (picture two square weaves with the layers rotated 45 degrees) are cut using computer-guided blades, and the ones that must conform to complex contours are molded by heating them to 400 degrees and squeezing them in an 88,000-ton press. A tiny bit of resin helps them hold this shape. These sheets and various foam inserts required to provide structural sections are positioned in the master mold with more laser guidance, along with aluminum inserts that are later tapped as mounting plates. Then the male mold clamps it all in place; a vacuum is created to remove any air from the part; and the resin is injected. Early Lamborghini estimates suggest monocoques built this way at supercar volumes and even a bit higher could cost as little as a third as much as a conventional steel one, but notes that this procedure does not produce a class-A paintable surface. Hence the structural outer roof panel is made using more conventional resin-impregnated and autoclave-cured two-axis carbon-fiber

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept

Kia Pop Electric Car Concept

2011-06-12T21:23:00.000-07:00

Kia Pop Electric Car Concept

Kia Pop Electric Car Concept

Kia's tagline, "The Power to Surprise," becomes more apparent with each new vehicle it's brought to market as of late, from the Sportage to the upcoming Optima. Now, Kia has delivered an electric surprise in the form of a 2+1 micro-city car, the Pop, which will debut at the Paris Motor Show.
Kia hasn't released any details or technical specifications on its electric city car other than its length (3 meters long) and passenger capacity (three). The Toyota iQ-lookalike joins the ranks of upcoming electric city cars, such as the BMW Megacity, and features a futuristic interior and exterior surrounded by glass. Kia's design team spared no detail, incorporating a design theme defined by ovoid circle window treatment and boomerangs in the headlights.
Kia Pop From Above
Like the iQ, the diminutive Pop will accommodate three passengers through a 2+1 configuration -- two passengers in the front, and one in back. From the details in the pictures, the sleek purple and silver interior has a couchlike front bench, which we hope makes it to production.
With this surprise introduction, it seems the electric city car wars are only beginning to heat up.

Kia Pop Electric Car Concept

Kia Pop Electric Car Concept

Kia Pop Electric Car Concept

Kia Pop Electric Car Concept

Infiniti IPL G Convertible Concept

2011-06-12T21:18:00.000-07:00

Infiniti IPL G Convertible Concept

Infiniti IPL G Convertible Concept

Infiniti may have already dressed its G Coupe in high-performance IPL goods, but the automaker vowed other models in its lineup would soon receive a similar treatment. Following through with its promises, Infiniti will unveil its IPL G Convertible concept at next week's 2010 Paris auto show.Following closely in the footsteps of the IPL G Coupe seen last month, the IPL G Convertible is powered by the same 3.7-liter V-6 producing 348 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque. A true dual exhaust, improved air-fuel mixture, and altered ignition timing combine to produce an extra 18 horsepower and six pound-feet of torque more than the standard VQ engine found in a G Convertible. Like the IPL G Coupe, power will likely be sent to the rear wheels through the same six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearboxes.
Infiniti Ipl G Convertible Front Three Quarter
Aesthetic upgrades also remain largely similar to that of the IPL G Coupe. Its front and rear fascias share the aggressive, sharp edges as do the side skirts. Gunmetal, split-spoke 19-inch wheels are the same, with increased spring rates and a quicker steering ratio also expected to be carried over. The concept also features the optional Monaco-red leather interior. The same three-piece retractable hardtop found on the standard convertible will make its way onto the concept.
Though billed as a concept, we wouldn't be surprised if the IPL G Convertible makes its way into dealer showrooms shortly after the coupe, which is scheduled to arrive in December.

Infiniti IPL G Convertible Concept

Infiniti IPL G Convertible Concept

Hyundai ix35 Hybrid Concept

2011-06-12T21:12:00.000-07:00

Hyundai ix35 Hybrid Concept

Hyundai showed a slew of its environmentally friendly vehicles at the Paris Motor Show this week, which included the ix35 Blue and ix35 Hybrid Concept. Both utilize Hyundai's new 1.7-liter diesel engine that produces 115 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. As evidenced by its name, the Hybrid concept also employs an electric motor to further decrease consumption although the five-kilowatt (seven horsepower) unit can't propel the vehicle on its own.
Both the ix35 and ix35 Hybrid concept also feature Hyundai's latest six-speed manual transmission, meaning that should the hybrid version make it to market, Honda's CR-Z won't be the only hybrid available with a manual transmission. Both versions of the ix35 also employ an engine start/stop feature.
Start/stop systems work seamlessly with automatic transmissions, but may require manual transmission users to change their driving style. The system works by killing the engine when the vehicle comes to a complete stop and the driver has the car in neutral with the clutch out. It then refires the engine the instant the clutch is depressed -- which is similar to the system Audi introduced on its A1.
In addition to frugal drivetrains, the fuel efficient Blue and Hybrid versions of Hyundai's ix35 crossover feature subtle aerodynamic changes to further decrease drag. Of course, a logo on the back identifies the models should the subtle exterior cues not be enough.

Hyundai ix35 Hybrid Concept

Hyundai ix35 Hybrid Concept

First Look Jaguar C-X75 Concept

2011-06-12T21:09:00.000-07:00

First Look Jaguar C-X75 Concept

There's a lot to the name of the Jaguar C-X75. The C stands for concept, X for experimental, and 75 for Jaguar's 75th anniversary, which the storied British brand is celebrating this year. Too bad they didn't sneak a T in there, for Turbine. Because this compact two-seat sports car debuting at the 2010 Paris show takes a unique approach to propulsion compared to the recent onslaught of eco-friendly supercars.
The highlight of the C-X75's powertrain is a pair of micro-turbines that act as diesel-fed range extenders designed to help keep the car's battery-powered EV motor turning the wheels. According to Jaguar, it's the best of all worlds: the high-end performance enthusiast's desire, but with fuel economy, emissions, and range that even the most frugal compact hybrid would struggle to match. The C-X75 also makes dramatic statements in the style, materials, ergonomics, and vehicle dynamics departments.Jaguar C X75 Concept Rear Three Quarters Driver
Jaguar HQ challenged the C-X75 project team to come up with a unique alternative propulsion approach. There would be no V-8 hybrid like the Porsche 918, or a pure EV like the Mercedes-Benz SLS E-Cell or Audi R8 E-Tron. Although C-X75's approach is similar in scope to the Chevrolet Volt in that the concept can move under electric power alone, it's the range-extending part that's radically different.
Jaguar C X75 Rear Three Quarter
Instead of fitting a traditional engine to the car like the Volt does to power a generator to deliver juice to the battery pack, the C-X75's diesel-powered, water-cooled turbines charge the batteries while the car is underway, and unlike the Volt, the turbines can provide power directly to the system to further boost acceleration when needed. The C-X75 is powered by four electric motors, each weighing roughly 110 pounds, which combine to produce a whopping 780 horsepower, along with an amazing 1,179 pound-feet of torque available from the moment you mash the pedal. The micro-turbines, which themselves generate roughly 95 horsepower each, sip from a 16-gallon diesel tank, and Jaguar claims an EV-only range of roughly 68 miles. As with the Volt, the C-X75 can be hooked up to any power supply to charge the battery. Charging times vary depending upon the power supply, but average about 5 hours.

First Look Jaguar C-X75 Concept

First Look Jaguar C-X75 Concept

Ferrari 599 SA Aperta

2011-06-12T21:04:00.000-07:00

Ferrari 599 SA Aperta

Ferrari 599 SA Aperta

After nearly 58 years together, do you think Ferrari management would forget Pininfarina's birthday? Not a chance. To properly wish the bodybuilder-turned-design house well on its 80th anniversary, the folks in Maranello have created a fitting tribute: the Ferrari 599 SA Aperta.
The SA in that awkward name stands for Superamerica, and like the 575M Superamerica that came before it, the new SA Aperta is a version of Ferrari's front-engine, V-12 sports coupe that exposes its occupants to the elements. Unlike the previous Superamerica, however, the SA Aperta does without a fancy flip-around top -- or any top mechanism, for that matter. Aperta is Italian for "open," and apart from a rudimentary soft top that can be deployed if needed, the SA Aperta is designed to be enjoyed en plein air.
2011 Ferrari 599 Sa Aperta Overhead View
The SA Aperta differs from its 599 siblings only above the fenders, where designers reshaped the car's windshield, pillars, and cabin in the process of chopping the top. The rear interior wall and integrated roll bar neatly flow into the elongated rear buttresses, while simultaneously echoing the shape and color of the scalloped sports seats.
Beneath the beltline, the SA Aperta picks and pulls parts from the entire 599 range. The majority of the car's body panels come straight from the 599 GTB Fiorano, although the rocker panels have been massaged to accommodate larger brake cooling ducts. Underhood, the SA Aperta is all 599 GTO. Power comes from its 670-horsepower, 6.7-liter DOHC V-12, which channels its output to the rear wheels via a six-speed automated manual gearbox. It's unknown if the suspension tuning borrows more from the GTB, GTB HGTE, or the GTO, but Ferrari does note it managed to reinforce the Aperta's chassis without adding a significant amount of weight.
2011 Ferrari 599 Sa Aperta Front Three Quarters View
Although the Paris Motor Show marks the 599 SA Aperta's first public debut, if you're on Ferrari's short list of preferred clientele, chances are you've already laid eyes on this beauty. It was a poorly kept secret that Ferrari was showing a topless 599 to VIPs this summer at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The privileged preview was a smashing success. Despite the SA Aperta's estimated price tag of roughly $456,000, all 80 examples are already spoken for.

Ferrari 599 SA Aperta

Ferrari 599 SA Aperta

Citroën Lacoste Concept

2011-06-12T21:01:00.000-07:00

Citroën Lacoste Concept

Citroën Lacoste Concept

Citroën and clothier Lacoste have teamed up for a compact concept car destined for the Paris Motor Show, and it's called the Citroën Lacoste.
The concept is clearly intended for those aiming to live an active lifestyle as exemplified by its open-air nature. The Lacoste measures in at 136 inches long, 71 inches wide, 60 inches tall, and comes with a 91-inch-long wheelbase. It's suggestive of a futuristic buggy as the T-shaped roof support structure offers an air-inflatable soft-top roof. The windshield can be lowered like a Jeep Wrangler and the interior design is said to take on the styling of the iconic Lacoste polo with the coloration and specific weave patterns on the seating. The rear seats can be jumped into from the outside and the two-spoke steering wheel is modeled after the Citroën emblem.
Obviously, the tire choice must be French as well as the Michelin name is proudly plastered on the sidewalls. With such a small overall package, the gas-powered inline-three should more than suffice

Citroën Lacoste Concept

Citroën Lacoste Concept

BMW Concept 6 Series Coupe

2011-06-12T20:53:00.000-07:00

BMW Concept 6 Series Coupe

We’ve known for some time that BMW has been working on the next-generation 6 Series, so it doesn’t come as a big surprise that BMW is using the impending 2010 Paris auto show to outline what it's planning for the new 6 with its Concept 6 Series Coupe.
Honoring its coupe tradition, BMW took its current 6 Series and gave it a newly sculpted body. The 6 Series concept evokes the image of the Gran Coupe presented at the Beijing auto show earlier this year but with two less doors. It's a softer overall look than the current 6 Series but still emits a strong presence from front to back.
BMW Concept 6 Series Rear Three Quarter
The headlights are the first from the Bavarian automaker to mate an all-LED setup with the familiar twin-round design. LEDs can be found everywhere illumination is desired, including the main lights, daytime running lights, foglights, and signal indicators. LED light strips, which continue to grow in popularity and application, are attached to the concept's front face. In addition to consuming less power, BMW is pleased to announce its Adaptive Headlight function will change the light spray depending on steering angle and vehicle speed. Drivers will only need to remember to look through the turn.
The 6 Series concept’s flanks feature four flowing lines to give the lengthy body substance, while unique 20-inch alloy wheels sport a one-off design. The Concept 6 Series Coupe's new presence stretches to the rear, where the L-shaped, LED taillights look similar to the 5 Series Gran Turismo. Like the front, the rear fascia gives off a hunkered-down look to round out the wide, low body package
Exterior design session over, we move into the interior. There is seating for four and natural lighting is highly valued, as evidenced by the presence of a full glass roof. The 6 Series concept swathes driver and passengers in premium materials with leather leading the charge.
It's difficult to avoid the iDrive control system omnipresent in the BMW lineup, although the latest generation is a significant improvement. To help the Concept 6 Series Coupe step out of the crowd, a freestanding 10.2-inch display sits above the center stack's air vents with bright chrome surround trim. A Head-Up Display is placed directly in front of the driver for minimal operating distractions.
BMW Concept 6 Series Interior Screen
The 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen Surround Sound System uses 16 individual amplifiers and Dirac Dimensions technology for a high-quality aural experience. There is even a center speaker housed within the dashboard area. Needless to say, the name Bang & Olufsen speaks for itself.
As for what to what lies under the hood of the 6 concept, BMW wouldn’t say. But when the actual 6 Series hits the streets, probably late next year, we wouldn’t be surprised to find BMW’s new generation turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six as the base engine, with the automaker’s the 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 also a possibility.
The big money question we always ask when it comes to concepts is: How much of the concept design will make it to production? We will just have to wait in order to find out.

BMW Concept 6 Series Coupe

BMW Concept 6 Series Coupe

Audi Quattro concept

2011-06-12T20:48:00.000-07:00

Audi Quattro concept

Audi Quattro Concept Rendering
This year marks the 30th birthday of Audi's now famous quattro all-wheel drive system. One of the seminal Audi cars was a limited edition, short-wheelbase plastic-bodied extreme machine called the Sport Quattro -- the vehicle that helped launch Audi's successful run of world championship-winning rally cars. That car serves as the source of inspiration for the Audi Quatto concept, which is bowing at the 2010 Paris show.
Audi Quattro Concept Front Three Quarters Sketch
Loosely based on the Audi RS5, the Audi Quattro concept sits on a wheelbase that has been shorted by almost 6 inches. The rear overhang was shortened by 7.9 inches, and the roofline was lowered by 1.6 inches. Together, these reductions add up to a much tighter package and more muscular proportions. To help bring the weight down to 2,900 pounds -- roughly the same weight as the 1984 Sport Quattro -- Audi replaced the steel body of the production RS5 with a custom aluminum spaceframe architecture clad with carbon fiber panels. The RS5's V-8 and dual-clutch transmission was also swapped out for a turbocharged five-cylinder and a manual six-speed gearbox (another nod to the original car), further reducing weight.
Audi Quattro Concept Front End Sketch 2
Unlike the Sport Quattro, which was a token 2+2, the Quattro concept only has room for two adults and rolls on a 102.4-inch wheelbase. Behind the seats, there's space for helmets, a roll cage, or a couple of fire extinguishers. The actual cargo deck extends further, with Audi opting for a classic trunk lid in place of a hatch. The undersides of the Quattro concept's carbon body panels were left unpainted in another weight-saving measure.
With the exception of wheels, tailpipes, and a signature set of Audi LED light banks, the exterior is pretty straightforward. As a world first, the LED headlights boast dynamic components that vary from horizontal to vertical, and from slit-eyed to wide open. Instead of conventional turn signals, the new light units integrate amber streaks out front and moving yellow brackets at the rear. Next Page >>

Audi Quattro concept

Audi Quattro concept

Audi E-Tron Spyder Concept

2011-06-12T20:43:00.000-07:00

Audi E-Tron Spyder Concept

A little more than a year after first showing the e-tron Concept to the world, Audi has unveiled the roofless version, known as the e-tron Spyder. But the differences between the two concepts are far more substantial.
Unlike the all-electric e-tron, the e-tron Spyder is a complex diesel-electric plug-in hybrid. The internal combustion engine is a twin-turbo 3.0-liter diesel V-6 that makes 300 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. The mid-mounted engine drives just the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The front wheels, meanwhile, are driven by a pair of electric motors with a combined output of 88 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque.
Audi E Tron Spyder Concept Passenger Side Front Three Quarter
Performance-wise, the e-tron Spyder can accelerate from 0-62 mph in a claimed 4.4 seconds. More impressively, Audi claims that the 3200-lb car achieves a stunning fuel economy figure of 107 mpg and a range of over 621 miles from its 13.2 gallon tank. It is also capable of operating in full-electric mode for 31 miles at speeds of up to 37 mph thanks to its front-mounted 9.1-kWh battery.
Audi E Tron Spyder Concept Front Three Quarter
Because it has motors for both axles, the e-tron Spyder operates as an all-wheel drive vehicle, with 25% of torque going to the front wheels and 75% to the rear wheels in normal operating conditions.
The e-tron Spyder rides on a 95.7-inch wheelbase, which is 8.7 inches shorter than that of the R8. At 159.8 inches long, 71.3 inches wide, and 43.7 inches tall, it's slightly larger than the hardtop e-tron shown in January at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show but still considerably smaller than an Audi TT.
Audi E Tron Spyder Concept Right Side
Design-wise, the e-tron Spyder is similar to the Detroit car, but with a more aggressive look thanks to its crisper lines and new fascias. The front fascia has larger, bolder-looking grille elements, while the rear end is completely different.
Though nobody is quite sure yet if the rumored R5 that these e-tron concepts may preview is actually real, some of the hybrid elements of the e-tron Spyder are likely to end up in production models that Audi is currently working on.

Audi E-Tron Spyder Concept

Audi E-Tron Spyder Concept

2015 Lotus Eterne

2011-06-12T20:37:00.000-07:00

2015 Lotus Eterne

A Lotus sedan? Yes, indeed. For 2015, Lotus' Eterne will rival the Aston Martin Rapide, housing a 550-horsepower engine shared with the Esprit up front. The structure, panels, and suspension are all aluminum and with a length of 196 inches, the Eterne is said to be almost as spacious as a Porsche Panamera.
As with the Esprit, a hybrid option could come in the future, bringing a 50-hosepower electric boost to the equation, along with plenty of eco-tech. This car is still years away from production, but we expect more details to be announced on a regular basis until its launch.

2015 Lotus Eterne

2015 Lotus Eterne

2015 Lotus Eterne

2015 Lotus Elise

2011-06-12T20:35:00.000-07:00

2015 Lotus Elise

2015 Lotus Elise

Due in mid-2015, the new Elise gains around 450 pounds over the present featherweight, and many thousand dollars in cost. It uses a 2.0-liter Toyota-derived four, with either supercharging or turbo-"we still have time to decide," the engineers say-for 300 (base) and 350HP (R). Porsche engineers have hinted they will do a four-cylinder Boxster next time around, so having a four-banger shouldn't handicap Lotus. And the mild hybrid system will be available in the new Elise, for class-leading economy as well as performance. The new Elise will come as a convertible and a hardtop (as will the Esprit and the Elan), aimed square at the Boxster and Cayman. But Lotus promises there will also be lightweight, bare-butt variants of the Elise to keep the track-biased hardcore buyers in the fold.

2015 Lotus Elise

2014 Lotus Elan

2011-06-12T20:33:00.000-07:00

2014 Lotus Elan

Lotus is fielding a late-2013 transverse-V6 car called the Elan as a rival for the 911 Carrera and Carrera S. It will run a 4.0-liter supercharged direct-injection version of the existing Evora engine, for 400HP (base) and 470HP (R). The Esprit's mild hybrid system will also be available on the Elan, as will a convertible body. The Elan will in effect replace the Evora, although at a higher price and power, so the Evora will continue as long as there are buyers. Lotus acknowledges that the Evora has failed to attract new fans from outside the brand, because it doesn't have the required sense of luxury, and ingress/egress difficulty is often cited by consumers who go back to Porsche. While the Elan uses the basic Evora tub, it will be modified for better owner convenience. Aluminum panels will help the quality impression. But Lotus insists the largely carryover chassis will maintain the Evora's frankly sublime handling, steering, and ride.

2014 Lotus Elan

2014 Lotus Elan

2014 Lotus Elan

2013 Lotus Espirit

2011-06-12T20:29:00.000-07:00

2013 Lotus Espirit

The Esprit is back for 2012. The mid-engined supercar will be powered by a reworked V-8 from the Lexus IS F making 550 horsepower in standard form, up to 620 in R trim. The UK maker added a supercharger, and a new injection system, and revised the internals so it can rev to 8500. Performance is claimed to match the Ferrari 458 and Porsche 911 Turbo, its key rivals.
The Esprit's transmission is a seven-speed DCT, and Lotus also is working on an optional mild hybrid system. It uses regenerative braking to recharge a battery pack, and an 'e-boost' button on the steering wheel switches on an electric motor between the engine and transmission, giving a 50-horsepower helping hand. The system also allows idle-stop. The batteries are located in the structural tunnel between the seats, so the center of gravity is mostly unaffected. As with all the cars in the new range, the Esprit utilizes Lotus's patent aluminum frame. But, for the first time in a Lotus, glass fiber is no longer used for the body panels. Instead, aluminum is used for the skin, because it gives better panel gaps and surface finish, as expected by buyers in this category. The Esprit uses carbon fiber side panels, and aluminum doors, roof, and front and rear ends. Lotus claims 3300 pounds dry weight. A convertible will be offered with standard and R engines and the hybrid.

2013 Lotus Espirit

2013 Lotus Espirit

2012 Range Rover Evoquee

2011-06-12T20:26:00.000-07:00

2012 Range Rover Evoquee

Range Rover has traditionally been the luxo SUV brand with the highest commitment to off-roadability. That makes the Evoque crossover-coupe all the more of a departure. Its design is definitely style first, utility second, and its dynamic emphasis leans very much toward on-road dynamics. That just shows how the world is changing. But the luxury angle is very much intact.
The Evoque will be a third model for Range Rover, fitting below the stately, eponymous RR and the Range Rover Sport. It goes on sale mid-2011 at prices running about $40,000-$50,000. A five-door with the same wedge silhouette will follow half a year after.
The Evoque is a dead ringer for the Land Rover LRX concept from the Detroit Show in 2008. The sheetmetal surfacing has been rounded a little, but other 'concepty' aspects-proportions, stance, 20-inch wheels, even most of the external jewelry -- have survived pretty much intact.
2012 Range Rover Evoque Front Three Quarters
Under the hood, there's a new 240-hp version of Ford's Ecoboost four. Given its direct gas injection, twin variable valve timing, and twin balance shafts, it should serve up highly competitive performance and economy numbers, while suffering little refinement compromise over a six. And it weighs 90 pounds less than the Freelander's I6.
Because the concept-car look has been carried into production, earlier reports that the Evoque is a top-hat job on the Freelander 2 platform are wide of the mark. The subframes and much of the floor plan are new, so that the engine sits lower (for better dynamics) while ground clearance is higher. The rear floor is new, otherwise back-seat occupants, who sit lower, would have had no foot space.
To save weight, there is far more high-strength steel in the shell, and a magnesium cross-car beam behind the IP. The suspension arms and wheel knuckles had to be redesigned to allow a wider tread and sufficient articulation with the 20-inch wheels. Engineers took the opportunity to change the material to aluminum to cut more weight. The hood and roof are aluminum, and the fenders and tailgate plastic.

2012 Range Rover Evoquee

2012 Range Rover Evoquee

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

2011-06-12T20:23:00.000-07:00

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

Mercedes-Benz struck styling gold with the first-generation CLS-Class, creating a new segment that sent rival automakers scrambling back to their design tables. Things are different the second time around, as the new 2012 CLS steps into a market suddenly littered with so-called ‘four-door coupes,’ with more on the way from Stuttgart’s German rivals Audi and BMW.
With the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, the automaker has focused on improving the one area that defines its existence: design. The sides of the car feature much more pronounced sculpting that starts with the front wheel well and ends at the fresh set of LED taillights. Love it or hate it, this is one four-door that at the very least will draw your attention.
2012 Mercedes Benz CLS Class Front
Not surprisingly, LED daytime running lights make an appearance, but the 2012 CLS has full LED headlights, as well. The 71 individual LEDs enhance visibility and frankly, they just look cool.
Inside the CLS' cabin, a wraparound dash makes the cockpit feel tailored, while a high-gloss analog clock adds an upscale touch. Design, Mercedes-Benz points out, is only half the story inside. Material quality has been upgraded in a further effort to distinguish the CLS from other segment players. Semi-aniline leather is just 1.6 millimeters thick and has an especially soft feel, according to the automaker.
2012 Mercedes Benz CLS Class Rear Three Quarters
Look to the dash and you'll see matte galvanized air vents and a hand-sewn leather dashboard. High-gloss brown burl walnut and black ash wood trims are standard equipment, but for a bit more cash, Mercedes will be happy to fit your CLS with black piano lacquer or carbon fiber instead. That black piano trim, by the way, is handcrafted and has up to seven layers to make sure it has the right high-gloss look.
The CLS remains a four-passenger car and we're eager to see first-hand how that sloping rear roofline affects rear seat headroom. Perhaps that's a trivial concern for most CLS buyers compared to powertrain options. Mercedes-Benz has been silent on this front, but we expect the CLS to retain a V-8 engine as its bread-and-butter powertrain in the U.S.
Currently, the base 2011 CLS550 is powered by a 5.5-liter V-8 producing 382 horsepower mated to a seven-speed automatic. While that engine may carry through to the 2012 model, we wouldn't be surprised to see the automaker's new 4.6-liter twin-turbo V-8 under the hood of the 2012 CLS. Producing 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque in the 2011 CL coupe, an engine that powerful could finally leave room for a direct-injected V-6 option in the States, which has been rumored. Expect Mercedes-AMG's new twin-turbo 5.5-liter V-8 to power the coming high-performance AMG variant.
2012 Mercedes Benz CLS Class Cockpit 3
So is Mercedes-Benz worried about its newfound four-door coupe rivals? On the contrary, the German automaker thinks its experience with this market niche could help, going forward.
"The new edition of the CLS also benefits from the fact that we are a whole generation ahead of the competition with our four-door coupe," says Dr. Joachim Schmidt, member of the board of Mercedes-Benz Cars, Sales & Marketing.
Premiering at the Paris Motor Show in October, the CLS helps bridge the sizable pricing gap between the E- and S-Class sedans. Until that happens, call the CLS a coupe or a sedan as long as you call it Mercedes-Benz's most stylish four-door. Expect to see the new CLS hit U.S. Mercedes dealers by the middle of next year.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class

2012 Ford Focus ST

2011-06-12T20:18:00.000-07:00

2012 Ford Focus ST

Early this year, Ford made a splash at the 2010 Detroit auto show with its next-generation Ford Focus, although some performance enthusiasts were disappointed with the specifications released at the time. Surely the brand that built the mighty Focus RS wouldn't leave enthusiasts out in the cold, would it? At the upcoming Paris motor show later this month, Ford will throw them a bone with the next-generation Focus ST.
Essentially a middle ground between the pedestrian Focus and the unhinged Focus RS, the Focus ST has traditionally offered more power and a sportier look and drive than your average Focus, without the incivility and price tag of the RS. Ford, to its credit, sees no reason to alter this formula. It will show an "early preview" of the next-generation ST, the first car born from the company's new global Performance Vehicles strategy, in Paris ahead of the car's global launch at the end of 2011 or early 2012.
For now, Ford calls it the "range-topping" Focus, a nod to the retirement of the current Focus RS, whose successor is not yet confirmed. All Ford will tell us at this time is that the Focus ST will come equipped with the most powerful version of the new EcoBoost turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, providing roughly 250 horsepower to the front wheels. Our eyes tell us that this car will deliver the power via a six-speed manual transmission, though it's possible Ford could offer its PowerShift dual-clutch automatic as well.
Assuming the new Focus ST follows the same path as the car it's replacing, don't expect too many more mechanical changes. While it's possible Ford could include the Focus RS' RevoKnuckle front suspension (a variation on the traditional MacPherson strut that reduces torque steer), it's more likely that the car will use MacPherson struts to keep costs down. Given the power output, a limited-slip differential would be a nice feature, but isn't guaranteed. Both the front struts and the rear "Control Blade" multi-link suspension will likely be re-tuned for a stiffer, sportier ride. Ford promises "an intoxicating cocktail of exhilarating performance and handling accompanied by an addictive sound."
Differentiations between the standard Focus and Focus ST won't be hidden under the skin. Ford has torn apart and reworked the front and rear of the Focus to create a distinct Focus ST. A hatchback body will likely be the only variant based on previous ST models, so the car you see here will likely be very similar to the car that arrives at dealers.
Ford has done the most work in front, where it has completely revamped the car's sheetmetal. A revised hood offers deeper strakes around the reshaped headlights and the rows of LEDs that form the driving lights. Below is a gaping grille with blacked-out vertical elements and a small ST badge. Further below, an aggressive splitter hides repositioned fog lights at its outermost edges. In all, the look is vaguely reminiscent of a modern Aston Martin.
Ford's also been busy at the other end of the car. Up top, the standard hatchback's small spoiler has been replaced with a larger, more aggressive piece to match the car's new muscular look. Below it, the taillights have been slightly revised and the beefy rear bumper is all new. It features a futuristic center exhaust tip flanked by diffusers integrated into the bumper.
Around the sides, Ford has given the car sharper lines and bulked up the fender flares for a sportier appearance. The new look is finished off with a set of large five-spoke wheels similar to those seen on a standard Focus, but with thinner spokes to show off the big, body-color brakes, finished in gold with low-profile tires.
The whole car is coated in a new metallic orange paint Ford calls Tangerine Scream that carries over to the all-black interior, where it can be found accenting the bolsters and headrests on the black leather seats and in the accent stitching on the seats, arm rest, shifter boot, steering wheel, door panels, and dash. It's complemented by blacked-out trim on the dash and steering wheel and carbon-fiber trim on the center stack. Brushed metallic accents can be found on the shift knob, steering wheel, and door handles. Finally, Ford has fitted a set of auxiliary gauges to the top of the center stack showing the oil pressure, oil temperature, and turbo boost pressure.
2012 Ford Focus ST Front View
So far, we like what we see, but we're left with a lot of questions. While the Focus ST is a safe bet for European markets, Ford has said nothing official yet about a U.S.-spec car, although we fully expect this ST to come to the U.S. at some point, especially given the "One Ford" mantra that is now in full swing. With rival GM reportedly working on a 260-horsepower version of the Chevrolet Cruze to replace the old Cobalt SS, a Focus ST makes sense here, at least to us enthusiasts. Ford also hasn't announced pricing for this model yet, but it will likely carry a significant premium over a standard five-door Focus.
We should learn more about the new 2012 Ford Focus ST when it makes its debut at the Paris show September 30-October 1, where it will share the stage with all three variants of the standard Focus: sedan, hatchback, and wagon, together for the first time. Stay tuned for our complete show coverage live from the floor of the Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.

2012 Ford Focus ST

2012 Ford Focus ST

2012 Ford Focus

2011-06-12T20:14:00.000-07:00

2012 Ford Focus

As with previous generations, the 2012 Ford Focus, which is making its production spec debut at the 2010 Paris show, will continue to be offered in sedan, wagon, and hatchback forms. For 2012, Ford will sell a five-door hatchback and four-door sedan in the U.S., followed by a version of its new C-Max multipurpose vehicle. Conversely, Ford has no plans to sell the sedan in Europe, save for trunk-happy markets like Turkey and Russia. Early predictions, though, are higher for the new Focus hatchback, as nearly 60 percent of customers in the U.S. have preferred the Fiesta hatchback to the sedan thus far.
Ford Focus Paris Lineup Rear Three Quarters
The initial success of the Fiesta models in the B-segment gave Ford insight into how to guarantee a repeat performance in the C-segment. The formula: Give buyers in the smallest, cheapest segment the same upgraded technology found in larger, more expensive models. Ford’s Sync voice-activation technology, which is still regarded among the most user-friendly systems on the market, made its debut in the 2008 Focus lineup. The latest in Ford’s arsenal of infotainment systems -- MyFord Touch -- elevates and integrates Sync technology and is optional equipment on the top-tier 2012 Focus models.
2012 Ford Focus Wagon Front Three Quarter
As part of a strategy to brand the hatchback as a premium product, the Focus will be offered in four trim levels, but the hatchback will only be available in the upper-echelon three. All trim levels, from the base S sedan and up, include power accessories, an aux jack, and stability control as standard equipment. Buyers can select Sync as a $395 option in SE trim (base-spec on the hatch), and it comes standard, with additional audio and convenience features, on the SEL trim and higher. Top-level Titanium models receive standard MyFord Touch, in addition to 17-inch wheels and keyless entry/ignition. Available active park assist, a rear view camera, and ambient interior lighting are all reminders of the Focus’s redefined position in Ford’s lineup and within its class.
The 2012 Focus is larger in all dimensions over its predecessor, save for a one-inch-lower roofline. The 104.2-inch wheelbase is within an inch of the current U.S.-spec model, while width and track grow by more than three inches to match those of the Chevrolet Cruze. Ford has high hopes for the Focus’ sole powerplant, a direct-injection 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, estimated to produce 160 horsepower and 146 pound-feet of torque. (A torquey, turbocharged variant will power the upcoming ST model.) A five-speed manual transmission is standard, but Ford expects most buyers to opt for the six-speed Powershift dual-clutch transmission, available with push-button manual gear selection. Focus engineers claim the Powershift-equipped Focus will likely see 40 mpg on the highway.
Both the Focus hatchback and sedan boast extensive use of boron steel to increase vehicle stiffness and reduce weight. While the use of boron steel is not revolutionary on its own, it marks the first implementation of high-cost steel technology in a Ford. Ford claims that 55 percent of the body is composed of boron steel for a 30 percent increase in body rigidity. The Focus employs a boron steel front beam to channel energy absorbed in a crash through the roof rails and around the passenger compartment, and the subframe is designed to detach for better passenger footwell protection. Likewise, the B-pillar is strengthened with boron rolled in eight thicknesses, for a total vehicle weight savings of three pounds. The use of higher-quality materials like laminated windshields, as well as greater foam insulation, also gives the Focus an edge in sound insulation at city speeds, as compared with its top rivals.
With the 2012 Focus, Ford is banking on a "paradigm shift" in the C-segment, in which potential buyers consider technology and fuel economy among their top priorities. The Focus will face its established competitors, Toyota's Corolla, Honda's Civic, and Volkswagen's Jetta, as well as the recently introduced Cruze and the forthcoming, next-generation Hyundai Elantra. Pricing has not yet been announced, but based on the amount of equipment listed as standard, we can predict an increase from its current sub-$17,000 base price.
By offering a sedan and hatchback with premium technology, safety, and structural components, Ford might be able to recapture disillusioned Focus aficionados as well as buyers from larger segments. We just hope that Ford avoids a repeat of the malaise that kept the current Focus from remaining world-class.

2012 Ford Focus

2012 Ford Focus

2012 Chevrolet Aveo

2011-06-12T20:09:00.000-07:00

2012 Chevrolet Aveo

General Motors showed a thinly veiled version of the production 2012 Chevrolet Aveo at the Detroit and Geneva auto shows earlier this year. The production Aveo is set to make its public debut at the Paris Motor Show this September, but GM has given us an early look at the car, which looks remarkably similar to the concept.
Spared a few concept touches, the 2012 Aveo is a dead ringer for the Aveo RS Concept. The front fascia of the production Aveo is, predictably, a toned-down version of the concept's in-your-face styling. The basic, aggressive shape remains, but the production car receives slightly reshaped headlights and loses the exposed projector beams. Fog lights replace the concept's lower side air vents, and the ride height has been raised to that of a normal street car. But even the hidden rear door handles made it to production.
2012 Chevrolet Aveo Rear Three Quarter View
Chevrolet also swapped the concept's 19-inch chrome wheels for aluminum units, and with the exception of the center-exhaust and black taillights, the rear of the Aveo is virtually identical to that of the RS Concept. Overall, the new Aveo is a far sight better than GM's current Korean-built, four-door hatchback.
As with the Aveo RS Concept, GM isn't revealing dimensions quite yet, but simply says the new car is longer and wider than the outgoing Aveo. According to GM, this increases its interior volume to among the largest in its class.
GM hasn't yet shown interior photos of the car (RS Concept interior pictured), but has intimated that it will feature a wraparound dash and analog/digital tach/speedometer setup -- a pretty similar setup to the concept's interior.
2010 Chevrolet Aveo Rs Concept Interior
In addition to vastly improving the exterior and, hopefully, the interior of the 2012 Aveo, Chevrolet has also upgraded the powertrain offerings. In Europe, the car will be available with a number of small, fuel-efficient four-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines. A five- or six-speed manual transmission comes standard, depending on engine choice, and a six-speed automatic is optional. We wouldn't be surprised to see GM's new 1.4-liter, direct-injected I-4 find its way under the hood in normally aspirated and turbocharged forms, along with six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes. For fuel economy purposes, electric power steering has been made standard across the line.
The new Aveo is expected to go on sale in the U.S. sometime in 2011

2012 Chevrolet Aveo

2012 Chevrolet Aveo

2012 Chevrolet Aveo

2011 Peugeot 508

2011-06-12T20:04:00.000-07:00

2011 Peugeot 508

Look familiar? It should, so long as you've been scoping out auto show coverage from abroad. The 2011 Peugeot 508 is the first production Peugeot to wear the brand's new design language, but the look was introduced on both the 5 by Peugeot concept from the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, along with the slinky SR1 conceptual roadster.
It's an improvement over Peugeot's outgoing design language, which seemed hell-bent on adding a wild, gaping grille and headlamps that stretched from the fenders to the A-pillars. Instead, the 508 wears a clean, chiseled look -- though we wonder if the entire look is a touch too sedate.
2011 Peugeot 508 Sedan Rear View
While it's designed to replace Peugeot's former flagship, the 607 sedan, the car is actually based on the platform used in the smaller Citroen C5 and the outgoing 407. Looking at the specs, the 607 is roughly 10 millimeters longer than the 407, but 20 millimeters shy of the 607. Go figure.
Apart from dimensions, Peugeot's not releasing much concrete data surrounding the 508. We'd expect a range of gas and diesel engines to be offered, and Peugeot says a new start/stop system will be paired with the diesels to help boost fuel economy by as much as 15 percent. Fuel misers may wish to hold off for a hybrid model due in 2012, which will reportedly offer both 200 horsepower and all-wheel-drive.

2011 Peugeot 508

2011 Peugeot 508

2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer

2011-06-12T19:59:00.000-07:00

2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer

Opel revealed its New Astra four-door hatchback just about a year ago and today unveiled the the Astra Sports Tourer, its second body style in the New Astra lineup.
Unlike the four-door hatchback, which places style over substance, the Sports Tourer is more of a pure wagon. The roofline flows straight over the rear seats, giving rear passengers more headroom and continues out towards the hatch, increasing luggage space. Like the hatchback New Astra, it still sports a stylish European wrapper.
2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer Rear View
As the Sports Tourer was designed to hold as much cargo as possible as efficiently as possible, the engineers went to great lengths to ensure optimum storage space. At the back, the cargo compartment has been carefully sculpted to eliminate any odd, hard-to-use corners. Additionally, a new "FlexFold" rear seat system has been added to easily fold the rear seats down. The system works using a spring-loaded mechanism that fires with the press of a button, automatically folding the seats down.
2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer Rear Three Quarter View
The biggest difference between the four-door hatchback and Sports Tourer is body style, as most of the pieces carry over from the hatch. The suspension from the hatchback carries over mostly unchanged to ensure good ride quality and handling, but the rear suspension has been calibrated to handle higher loads. An optional FlexRide system functions like Audi Drive Select and allows the driver to select a driving mode from among Touring, Standard, and Sport. Sport mode stiffens the suspension for better response and also enhances throttle and steering responsiveness. The Astra Sports Tourer will also feature Opel's electronic trailer stability assist, for those owners who pull trailers.
2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer Side View 2
The powertrain lineup mimics the four-door hatchback's, with a total of eight gasoline and diesel engines. Power ranges from 95 horsepower in the frugal Ecoflex Astra with a 1.3-liter turbo-diesel to 180 horsepower in the 1.6-liter turbocharged gasoline engine. A six-speed manual with an upshift indicator is standard with every engine, and a six-speed automatic is available with most. We also expect start-stop technology to become standard across the Astra range.
The Astra Sports Tourer goes on sale in November.

2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer

2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer