Concept Cars
Nissan to introduce Ellure concept and Murano CrossCabriolet in LA
Nissan has announced that it will present a new concept as well as a cabriolet version of the Murano at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show. First up would be the Nissan Ellure concept featuring a sedan body style, unfortunately that is all we know for now. Joining the concept would be the Murano CrossCabriolet which is a top-less version of the Murano, something that was heavily talked about previously.
The new Murano variant which would become the world’s first “all wheel drive crossover convertible”, is able to seat four adults along with space for luggage even with the top down. The Murano CrossCabriolet is set to go on sale early next year.
Nissan also announced that it will unveil the next generation Quest. The MPV is expected to be powered by a 3.7 liter V6 with up to 300hp. The Quest will also go on sale early next year. At the same time Nissan will also reveal the production version of the Leaf all-electric vehicle, before it goes on sale in December.
Pictured above is the 2011 Nissan Murano dCi.
Lotus has mega plans for Paris – Esprit, Seven and two hybrid concepts!
If you are a Lotus fan, you would notice the changes that have been occurring since the appointment of former Ferrari man Dany Bahar. That happened in September 2009 and it was followed by the unveiling of a 5-year business plan in June. That covers a new management as well as plans for new products.
The Lotus name is also being heavily linked with motorsport, specifically in Formula 1 and IndyCar. The company also revealed the Exos T125 single seater track car and has revealed the supercharged Evora S and the Evora IPL, which is basically an Evora with an automatic transmission ahead of the Paris Motor Show.
Speaking about the motor event in Paris, the Proton-owned company is also slated to reveal the all new Esprit, expected to be powered by a force-inducted BMW V8 engine. According to Autoweek, Lotus will also unveil the new Seven. The magazine says that the new Seven will gain weight over the original and will carry a US$100,000 price tag. The first Seven was produced between 1957 and 1972 and it was designed by Lotus founder, Colin Chapman. It was a pure track car that later on spawned many modern replicas, such as the Caterham Seven.
As the title suggests Lotus may also show off two hybrid concepts. The hybrids are likely to be based on the Lotus 414E concept and the Proton EMAS concept (both pictured above), a hybrid that was designed by Italdesign Giugiaro. This could mean that that there will be a compact hybrid vehicle in Lotus’ line-up. That is all we have for now as the full details will unfold at the end of the month.
Hyundai unveils RB Concept at Moscow Motor Show
This is the RB Concept vehicle from Hyundai which was unveiled at the Moscow International Motor Show. The concept which looks like it’s very close to production is a sub-compact sedan that seems to be destined for the Russian market. The company did not confirm if the RB (may be called something else in production form) will be sold in other markets.
Hyundai did confirm that the production model will be using a Gamma gasoline engine, in forms of a 1.4 liter or a 1.6 liter. Gamma engines also feature multiport fuel injection and CVVT or Continuously Variable Valve Timing. The 1.4 liter engine makes 107 PS and 135Nm of torque while the more potent 1.6 liter produces 124PS and 156Nm of torque.
The engines will be made available with a 4-speed automatic transmission or a 5-speed manual cog box. Design wise the RB is treated to Hyundai’s latest fluidic design style and since it looks pretty much production ready, the final product should feature very minor changes, if not at all. The front of the concept looks very much like the 2011 Avante while the rear looks quite similar to the Accent’s, but with different lower bumper finishing.
Hyundai said that the production will be carried out in Saint Petersburg, Russia in January 2011 with sales slated to begin in spring the same year. You can view a high-res image gallery after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Paris-bound all-electric Kia POP revealed
This is the all-electric POP concept by Kia which will make it’s debut at the next month’s Paris Motor Show. Unfortunately we don’t have sufficient information pertaining to it’s drivetrain except for the fact that it is an all-electric vehicle which is 3 meters in length and is able seat three.
The front cabin features a bench seat that positions the front passenger a little more forward compared to the driver. The third seat at the back looks as though it is big enough for a kid. Probably the concept’s batteries have something to do with this. The POP which could point to a production emissions-free super mini will be revealed on September 30th along with more details and images.
For now, you can check out an image gallery after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Porsche 918 Spyder to enter Nurburgring 24 hours next year?
According to German auto magazine Auto Motor und Sport Porsche plans to put the Porsche 918 Spyder, which was recently revealed as a concept in the 24 hours endurance race of Nurburgring next year.
Apparent the engineers at Porsche are working on a track-ready version of the hybrid concept and aims to get the 918 Spyder to reach speeds of up to 320 km/h. It was previously revealed that the 918 can lap the Nordschleife track in less than 7 minutes 30 seconds which is pretty quick.
The news comes after the recent success of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car. The GT3 R Hybrid was running high up in the order during this year’s Nurburgring event before retiring after 22 hours with an engine-related problem.
It was also recently reported that the 918 Spyder looks strong for a production green light since Porsche has received bookings from at least 900 buyers and the company did say that it would be a valid move to produce the 918 if it receives 1000 booking,
The Porsche 918 Spyder concept weighs 1,409 kilograms and features a high-revving V8 powerhouse that makes 500 PS and two electric motors, one for each axle. Combined power is rated at 718 PS. It also has a 7-speed PDK transmission as well as a liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery pack.
It comes with different driving modes ranging from Hybrid to Race Hybrid and it can hit the century mark in a very respectable 3.2 seconds. Fuel consumption on the other hand is figured at 3 liters per 100 kilometers (average) and imagine how much fuel it will consume over the full race distance! The concept is expected to undergo certain modifications if its going to race.
Volkswagen to reveal two new GTI variants
Volkswagen has announced that it will unveil two new GTI variants at the Worthersee Tour 2010 event. These two variants are made up by the Golf GTI Excessive that has been given a sporty bodykit along with 19-inch alloys with semi-slick rubber. This variant also features wider tracks, uprated suspension and a new exhaust system. However this variant is still in its concept form and production is not confirmed.
Nevertheless Volkswagen has given the green light to the Golf GTI Adidas where only 4410 units will be produced. This model which will go on sale in June comes with LED taillights, new 18-inch alloys, bi-xenon headlights, sport seats as well as an interior trim that is inspired by Adidas.
The GTI Adidas which follows the footsteps of the 2009 Golf GTI Pirelli gets its power from the familiar 2.0 liter TSI engine with 207hp and 280Nm of torque. Pictured above is the GTi Adidas.
Continue reading to view a high-res version of the image above. Read the rest of this entry.
Mercedes reveals the Shooting Break Concept that previews the next CLS
Pictured above is the Mercedes-Benz Shooting Break Concept that will make its premiere at the upcoming Beijing Auto Show. This concept previews the next generation CLS 4-door coupe that will be revealed sometime in September. Since this concept is configured as an estate, there is a very high possibility that an estate CLS will go into production.
The Shooting Break is motivated by a new 3.5 liter turbocharged V6 that can crank out 306hp which is 14hp more than what is being offered with the V8 in the current CLS. Mercedes plans to introduce this engine into the production along with a force-inducted 4.6 liter V8 that is expected to output 435hp.
Also expected to join the line up are two existing diesel units: a 204hp 2.1 liter 4-cylinder as well as a 231hp 3.0 liter V6. The engines will be offered with a revised 7G-tronic 7-speed automatic that may include a start-stop function. The company also plans to introduce the CLC63 AMG variant sometime in March next year.
Expected to power the high-performance CLS is a turbocharged 5.5 liter V8 with 544hp with a performance upgrade option that should give out 571hp. This engine will replace the existing 6.2 liter V8.
Back to this concept, it measures 4960mm long, 1950mm wide and 1444mm tall which is overall larger than the current CLS. The wheelbase is also longer. The concept is built on the current E-Class platform.
Design wise it has a front grille that is inspired by the SLS AMG and I must admit that it looks better than the current CLS. You can also notice a kink above the rear wheel which is also evident on the new E-Class. The interior looks pretty good too with individual rear seats. Overall I feel that concept looks very much production ready. Expect the eventual production version not to run far off from this.
As always an image gallery can be found after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
Metropolis Concept by Citroen makes an early reveal
This is the Citroen Metropolis Concept that is apparently designed to pay tribute to China’s “extraordinary development” hence it no surprise that the concept will be officially revealed at the Shanghai World Fair. It is a plug-in hybrid featuring a 268hp 2.0 liter V6 paired with a 54hp electric motor. Power can be combined to produce a total 454hp and 430Nm of torque which sounds pretty good.
The concept is treated to an all wheel drive configuration and a Hydractive suspension. There is also an active rear wing. We don’t have more details at the moment but expect more to come next month. For now you can look at an image gallery after the jump. Read the rest of this entry.
