2009 Frankfurt Motor Show
Frankfurt 2009: Indian-based Reva reveals the all-electric Reva NXR
UPDATE: Two videos added.
Bangalore-based auto maker Reva, has officially unveiled the Reva NXR, which is a 3-door, 4-seater all electric hatchback. It has a top speed of 104 km/h along with a 160 kilometers driving range. A full charge would take about eight hours, but by using a fast charger for 15 minutes, the driver would be able to enjoy 40 kilometers of driving range.
Features include keyless entry, dual charge ports, intelligent digital display and a range of telematics that includes SMS alerts and commands such as distance-to-empty and time-to-full charge, remote cabin heat/cool, a monthly eco-drive check by email, service and insurance alerts, remote diagnostics and healing and the REVive remote emergency charge.
REVive acts like an invisible reserve fuel tank and addresses “range anxiety”. If a customer runs out of charge, he or she can telephone or SMS Reva’s customer support centre. The advanced telematics feature will assess the car’s batteries remotely and activate a reserve amount of energy while protecting the battery life. Within minutes, a few extra kilometres of range are made available via the telematics.
Potential buyers can purchase the battery pack separately, but a monthly fee will be charged. The fee can include electricity, telematics and other services. Without the lithium-ion battery pack, the NXR can be yours for 14,995 Euros, while the model with the lead acid battery pack is priced at 9,995 Euros (excluding the battery pack). This version has a top speed of 80 km/h and a driving range that is rated at 80 kilometers.
Orders can be placed starting from now as production for the Reva NXR is scheduled to start early next year. The auto maker, which was formed as a joint venture between Maini Group of India and AEV LLC of California and backed by US investors Global Environment Fund and Draper Fisher Jurvetso, also presented the Reva NXG show car at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The NXG (which looks better than the NXR if you ask me) is a 2-door, 2-seater electric car with a targa top. It has a top speed of 130 km/h and can deliver 200 kilometers which a full charge.
This sportier version is expected to be produced in 2011 and is priced at 23,000 Euros, excluding batteries, and including the monthly mobility fee. To learn more on how to place an order, please click here. Continue reading to view high-res images of the Reva NXR and NXG models. Read the rest of this entry.
Frankfurt 2009: Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe with 74.3mpg
Swedish auto maker Volvo has unveiled the new C30 1.6D DRIVe variant that offers up to 74.3 miles to the gallon and a 99-gram per kilometer CO2 emissions output figure. The new C30 1.6D DRIVe, with start/stop technology, will be available to order in the UK from October 2009 and will soon be exempt from the annual VED road tax (UK), since the CO2 emissions output is below 100 grams per kilometer. To learn more, and to view an image gallery of the new Volvo C30, please click here.
Frankfurt 2009: Lexus facelifts the GS 450h
Apart from facelifting the LS 600h, Lexus has also slightly re-worked the GS 450h. The 2010 GS 450h now features a new grille, larger transparent outer lenses on the taillights and new 18-inch alloy wheels for the SE-L variant. The auto maker has also added three new colours including Vanilla Mist, Richmond Green and Atlantic Blue, increasing total colour options to 11.
Inside, the new 450h comes with a new hybrid-blue backlit stop/start button and the choice of a new Venaro Grey semi-aniline leather upholstery option, with contrasting black stitching and grey bird’s eye maple wood grain trim. Just like the LS 600h, the hybrid GS features a new hard disc drive (HDD) navigation system with a 40GB capacity.
Lexus has also upgraded the audio systems (the 10-speaker Lexus premium package and the 14-speaker Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound System), with a USB and an audio jack plug. The Pre-Crash Safety system in the GS 450h has been revised to support the pre-crash seatbelt and brake assist functions with pre-crash brake technology. Continue reading to view an image gallery. Read the rest of this entry.
Frankfurt 2009: Hyundai’s all-electric i10 super mini
Hyundai has presented the i10 Electric at the motor event in Frankfurt. The 1000 kg zero emissions super mini is powered by a 49kW electric that is linked to a 16kWh LiPoly battery pack. Via the accelerator, the driver would be able to enjoy a total of 210Nm of torque. 0 – 100 km/h takes 15 seconds and the i10 Electric’s top speed will max out at 130 km/h. With a 200V power outlet, the car would take five hours to be fully recharged, while with a 413V industrial charger, 85% of the capacity can be recharged within 15 minutes.
A full charge would allow the electric car to deliver 160 kilometers. Other features include a steering-by-wire system, electrical vacuum pump braking system (no hydraulics) as well as an electric water pump to help cool the motor and battery in a more efficient manner. The Hyundai i10 Electric will be put on a limited series production run at the beginning of 2010 in Korea.
Frankfurt 2009: Hybrid versions of the Kia cee’d and Sorento unveiled
Kia has gone green in Frankfurt by unveiling the hybrid versions of the 2010 Kia Sorento and the latest Kia cee’d 5-door. The cee’d features a hybrid system that is made up by a 1.6 liter Gamma petrol and a 15kW small electric motor. The drivetrain is linked to a CVT or continuously variable transmission and the ‘greener’ cee’d can accelerate to 100 km/h from standstill in a modest 11.8 seconds while top speed is rated at 185 km/h. CO2 emissions output is figured at 96 grams per kilometer, which is 25% lower than the standard 1.6 liter cee’d. The cee’d hybrid also features the auto maker’s Start/Stop (ISG) technology.
The larger Sorento Hybrid on the other hand, is motivated by a U2 1.6-liter turbo-diesel (with a 2-stage turbocharger, instead of VGT) that is paired with a 30kW electric motor and a dual-clutch transmission. The Sorento Hybrid is also treated with airflow-smoothing under floor panels, a rear window spoiler, aerodynamic wheel rims, lower suspension (by 25 mm) and narrower tires (225 compared to 235 section).
The engine cooling has also been optimised using an active front grille that opens and closes, depending on cooling demand. Like the cee’d Hybrid, the auto maker did not reveal collective power and fuel consumption figures. CO2 emissions is rated at 119 grams per kilometer for the hybrid SUV. Look out for an image gallery after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Frankfurt 2009: Volvo’s C30 electric vehicle project
Along with the new Volvo C70 and C30, the Swedish auto maker has also launched the C30 electric vehicle project. With everything else mostly remaining the same, the electric C30 features an all-electric drivetrain. The electric C30, which is still in its project phase, is also called the C30 BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) and it has a litium-ion battery that is charged via a regular power socket found in most homes. A full charge would take eight hours. 0 – 100 km/h takes 10.5 seconds and top speed is rated at 130 km/h. Driving range is figured at 150 kilometers, which, according to Volvo is “longer and far better than the distance 90% of all Europe’s motorists drive per day.” Continue reading to view an image gallery and to watch a video. Read the rest of this entry.
Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Opel Astra makes its public debut
Opel has officially revealed the 2010 Astra in Frankfurt. The new 5-door hatch has what Opel calls a ‘mechatronic’ chassis system. It simply means that it combines mechanical functions and electronic controls. Up front, it has McPherson struts while the rear features a crank rear axle with a Watts link, that supports lateral forces on the suspension while cornering.
The new Astra has a FlexRide adaptive suspension which offers the additional option of driver-selective ride control and personalization. The FlexRide electronic driving system features three settings including Standard, Sport and Tour. The system continuously adapts to changes in driving style and cornering speed. It also has a body structure that is stiffer, that helps optimize the new Astra’s handling and ride capabilities.
Engine wise there are four petrol options and four diesels. The petrol family is made up by a 1.4 liter that can output 100HP at 6,000 revs and 130Nm of torque at 4,000 revs. There is also a turbo version of the engine that cranks out 115HP and 155Nm (at same revs as the normally-aspirated version). A normally-aspirated 1.6 liter is also available. It cranks out 140HP at 4,900 revs and 200Nm between 1,850 and 4,900 revs. The turbo version can produce 180HP at 5,500 revs and 230Nm of torque between 2,200 and 5,400 revs. Opel revealed that the average fuel consumption for the gasoline engines is 6.1 l/100 km.
Diesel engines are made up by a 1.3 liter CDTI and three different 1.7 CDTI units. These diesel engines range between 95HP and 160HP. Average fuel consumption is rated at 4.6 l/100 km. Potential buyers can also walk home with features like bi-xenon headlights with Advanced Forward Lighting (AFL+) that changes its intensity and reach to suit prevailing driving and road conditions using nine different lighting functions and the Opel Eye front camera system, which recognizes road signs and warns the driver when the car inadvertently departs from its lane.
More include Ergonomic Sport Seats can extend 280 millimeters in length to accommodate long legs, FlexFloor, which enables easy stowage of a wide variety of cargo (the trunk floor is moveable and can be positioned at three levels by engaging ergonomically-designed fixtures near each corner of the trunk) as well as a FlexFix function, which basically a bike-carrier setup, that is integrated behind the rear bumper. The 2010 Opel Astra will go on sale over Europe in autumn. Continue reading to view an image gallery and to watch a promo video of the new Astra. Read the rest of this entry.
Frankfurt 2009: 2010 Lexus LS 600h upgraded
Toyota-owned and Japanese-based auto maker Lexus has upgraded the hybrid version of the Lexus LS luxury sedan. The upgrades are evident on both the short and long wheel base versions of the LS 600h. Styling wise, it now has a new front grille (with four bars), a revised front bumper with new intakes and foglamps, LED turn signals as well as new daytime running lights. Body colour wise, Mesa Red, Vanilla Mist, Richmond Green and Atlantic Blue are newly available, together with the hybrid-exclusive Crystal Sapphire. The paint has a new Self-restoring Coat treatment that helps maintain a nice finish over the vehicle’s lifetime.
Inside, there is a new colour TFT LCD display integrated into the revised instrument panel, EMV multi-display touch screen with large switches and rearranged layout for the audio controls while the audio switch that is now made of aluminium. There is also a new light grey semi-aniline leather upholstery.
It also has a seating feature, that includes new, inflator operated active headrests, a new return/away function for the front seat and for the first time for a five-seat configuration, there is the Lexus Rear Seat Relaxation Pack (optional). It has a 40:20:40 design with an upper seatback reclining mechanism, fully retractable leg and footrest and lower back massage function, all operated using a remote controller. It also offers different levels of massage using an array of eight pneumatic chambers built into the seatback, and lumbar and shoulder areas. It also offers an extra 40mm in the forward sliding range of the front passenger seat.
There is also a new hard disc drive (HDD) navigation system with the 40GB capacity. Furthermore there is a new automatic high beam system. A camera sensor in the rear view mirror detects oncoming traffic, street lamps and vehicles travelling ahead and automatically switches the headlamp high beam on and off according to driving conditions.
The auto maker has also revised the Hybrid Drive System. It now has an ECO mode which modifies the throttle action and performance of the air conditioning system to support fuel-efficient driving. The battery pack is also re-positioned into two sections of six and 14 modules has been reduced its overall size and freed up more luggage space in the boot. The Lexus Hybrid Drive system has also been revised to meet Euro V exhaust emissions standards. The system is still made up by a 5.0 liter V8 and an electric motor. Overall, it can crank out 439HP and 520Nm of torque. Most importantly, it has a combined cycle fuel economy that remains at 30.4 miles to the gallon. Continue reading to view an image gallery. Read the rest of this entry.
