Pininfarina 2-seater Spider Concept

True Italian Arachnid crawling to Geneva. Here are the bits from Autoexpress :

The Italian job is heading to Geneva. Celebrating its collective 180th birthday, Alfa Romeo and Pininfarina turn 100 and 80 respectively this year. And what better way to celebrate both manufacturers anniversaries than a collaboration between the pair.

Based around an Alfa, the Pininfarina Concept will draw inspiration from spiders of the past and this first official sketch gives us a clear look at what the show car will look like. Featuring alloy wheels borrowed from the stunning 8C Competzione, the concept will be a true 2-seater, steeped deep in Italian heritage and tradition.

The concept looks like it won’t be short on style either, with smooth flowing lines and plenty of curves in all the right places. Full details on the cars performance will be revealed when the concept makes its world debut on March 2 at the Geneva Motor Show.

Renderings Of The Nissan Juke

I may be bombarded for saying that the upcomming Nissan Juke looks more like a joke out of Disney channel (when viewed from the front) because of the saying that goes "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" but I guess I will just have to live with that. Here is the rendering & article by Autoexpress. :

Nissan's Juke is out of the box! Just last week the Japanese manufacturer released a first official teaser shot of its all-new baby Qashqai, and at the same time revealed its name - 'Juke'. And now, using that image as a guide, we have the most accurate pictures yet of the firm's all-new crossover.

With the mould-breaking Qashqai, cut-price GT-R and now this compact SUV - designed to steal sales from traditional family hatchbacks - Nissan is fast earning a reputation for offering interesting alternatives to established models in the market. And judging by our exclusive images, the Juke's compact footprint and Tonka-toy looks mean it has every chance of mirroring the Qashqai's incredible showroom success.

Slotting in between the Note and Qashqai, the Juke will expand Nissan's broad range even further. And when it goes on sale in October, it should provide a welcome boost for the UK car industry too - it will be built alongside the Qashqai and Qashqai+2 at Nissan's Sunderland plant.

The Qazana concept car's swollen wheels arches have been carried over, along with the narrow, elongated headlights and oversize fog lights underneath, while the roofline have taken on a more angular profile.

Full details on the newcomer will be realeaed at the global media unveiling on February 10th, but it's public debut won't be until the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Volkswagen's Concept Coupe Shown In Detroit

Remember the plain looking VW destined for North America sketches which was circulating around the net some time ago? We now get to see the actual metal & I have to say it looks better it was on paper. Details of Volkswagen's New Compact Coupe (NCC) are as follows:

NCC is powered by a hybrid powertrain which combines a 1.4-litre TSI engine with 148 bhp and 220 Nm and a 27 bhp electric motor VW calls E-motor. Naturally, power goes to the front wheels via a 7-speed DSG gearbox.

VW also claims that the consumption and emmissions are rated at 23.8 km/l of fuel and 98 g/km of CO2 to be precise. As a comparison, the Eos Bluemotion is rated at 16.1 km/l and 144 g/km. Performance is not sacrificed to achieve this; 227 km/h top speed and 0-100 km/h in 8.6 seconds are resepectable.

A 1.1 kWh lithium-ion battery pack stored in the NCC’s rear powers the E-motor. Efficiency measures include regenerative braking, stop-start and a “coast down” measure, where engine is disengaged from transmission as soon as the driver releases the gas pedal. This is even possible at higher speeds, as in highway cruising. Drag losses are eliminated, so the NCC coasts for a long time to save fuel.

At 4.54m long and 1.78m wide, the NCC has a similar footprint to the Jetta, although it has a lower roofline and longer wheelbase (2.65m) than the sedan. Boot volume is 380 litres. The four-seat coupe is positioned between the Scirocco and Passat CC. You can probably image that the new Mk6-based Jetta will be a four door version of this one.

As of press time Volkswagen did not give any indication of when the NCC will start rolling off the production lines.





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Mitsubishi's Small Crossover Concept Turning Bland

These computer generated shots from Carscoop shows how the actual production version will look like to & it seems that this Crossover has lost some of its unique design cues (Look at the Latest Nissan Micra/March & it may bring any enthusiast to tears). Nonetheless it remains mostly faithful to the original version seen in 2007. Mitsubishi's baby crossover uses the Japanese firm's mid-size global platform, which also forms the basis the Lancer and Outlander. However, the new model will be smaller than the Outlander and will compete, at least in Europe, against Nissan's forthcoming Quazana crossover.













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Alfa Romeo 169 Renderings

These are renderings of the upcoming Alfa Romeo's flagship saloon 169. Autoexpress claims this images to be the closest thing you can get to the real one. A 450bhp 4.7-litre V8 from the 8C Competizione supercar could find its way into a range-topping GTA variant might find its way into the 169. The 169 is squarely aimed at the bimmer % series & Mercedes E63 AMG. Here is how Autoexpress describes the car :

The 169 heralds a new styling direction for the firm. While the grill is still very much part of the Alfa family, the rear end is all-new while the overall exterior will take inspiration from the new crop of four-door coupes such as the Mercedes CLS and Audi A5 Sportback.There's even a hint of the elegant Maserati Quattroporte in its flowing profile.

Pitched as a direct 5-series rival, top-end models could even take on the likes of the larger Jaguar XJ. But in order to compete with the established players, Alfa has taken the decision to make the 169 rear wheel drive - ensuring a more dynamic driving expereince.

To achieve this Alfa could borrow the next Chrysler 300C platform - which in itself is a slightly shortened version of the Quattroporte's underpinnings - a perfect example of how the Chrysler-Fiat tie-up will save both companies piles of cash, by stretching their resources across a number of brands.

Whatever it is the Alfa Romeo 169 definitely gets a thumbs up from me (If the actual 169 stayed true to the renderings).

Source : Autoexpress

2011 Buick Regal

GM America has officially released details & photos of the upcoming Buick Regal. It is basically a restyled Opel Insignia sedan with design cues pulled from the new Buick Regal that was launched last December in China. Buick calls it a "Sport Sedan" though it is very hard for me to see any sporty element on the Regal. Powering the Regal will be a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability. There will be a smaller, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 220 hp added to the line-up late next summer. Fuel efficiency is rated at 30 mpg in EPA highway driving for the normally aspirated four while the turbo four is estimated at 29 highway.

The Buick Regal will come with a standard list of equipment like 18-inch wheels and tires, heated leather front seats, satellite radio, four-wheel disc brakes, all-independent suspension, stability and traction control, and Bluetooth capability. Optional upgrade list to your Regal includes rear-seat thorax bags, navigation, premium audio and an interactive drive control system offered only with the turbo engine, with driver-selectable suspension settings and 19-inch wheels and tires.

There are no indication of price yet with the official launching of the model taking place during the Los Angeles Motor Show. p.s. I will take the european Opel Insignia anytime over this.












Source : Insideline

Jaguar C-Type Illustration

The Brit feline is going to steal some limelight on them again with the all-new- C-Type. The Jaguar C-type will be sitting below the XK, the C-Type line-up will cost between £45,000-£50,000, targeting top-end performance cars such as Audi’s TT RS, the Mercedes SLK 55 AMG and Porsche’s Cayman with a blend of pace, luxury and practicality.-----

As stunning as it may look Jaguar is also infusing elements of practicality into the car. Being similar in size with the Audi A5, it will have a useful boot and while our images show only two seats, the finished article is likely to have four. According to Autoexpress, the C-Type will likely to be available as a fixed-head coupé or, as shown by our illustrations, a roadster.---

Looking under the bonnet of the C-Type one will see Jaguar’s latest 5.0-litre V8, producing 380bhp. There’s also the possibility of a twin-turbo diesel and even an R version powered by the company’s supercharged 500bhp V8. The six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters will complete the entire power train. ----

Aluminium monocoque chassis keeps the weight of the C-type low while providing sharp road handling. Expect the C-type to appear as a concept car around 2011 with the production version rolling off the following year. ----


Source : Autoexpress

Citroen C-Zero Shown Ahead Of 2010 Launching

Citroen's version of the Mitusibishi i-MiEV is previewed a year in advance. Heck how much time does the firm needs to replace Mitsubishi's badge with theirs. :) Powering the C-zero is a permanent magnetic synchronous motor, which produces 47kW (64bhp). It produces 133lb ft of torque between 0 and 2000rpm and power is sent to the rear axle by a single-speed reduction gear. A complete charge of the battery pack takes six hours through a conventional 220-volt socket while an 80 per cent charge is possible in about 30 minutes using an external station with a single-phase current of 125A at 400V, for power of up to 50kW.

The Citroen C-zero which is 3.48 meters long managed a century sprint in 15 seconds with a top speed of 80mph. It can travel about 80 miles before the battery pack run out of juice. A Citroen spokesman told Autocar that the C-zero is expected to be available in UK showrooms in the final quarter of 2010, although whether the car would be able to buy outright or be available for lease-only has yet to be determined. The source also said no pricing had been decided at this stage.

Source : Autocar

Preview Of The 2010 Volvo S60

These are official pictures released by Volvo showing off the Foxy Volvo S60. The S60 was design to lift the Swedish marque to a new level in terms of design. It promise to be sportier and more dynamic than any Volvo to date & I am seriously backing their claims.

Among the features that were confirm to in the S60 includes the Pedestrian Detection – a groundbreaking safety feature that can detect pedestrians in front of the car and brake automatically if the driver does not react in time.

“The all-new Volvo S60 is sculpted to move you. It looks and drives like no other Volvo before and the car’s technology will help you to be safer and more confident behind the wheel,” says Stephen Odell, President and CEO of Volvo Cars. He further added that “Customers in this segment want emotional appeal, sporty design and dynamic driving properties. The S60 has it all. We are convinced that it will be one of the strongest contenders around,”.


The S60 will be officially released during the 2010 Geneva Motor Show in March next year, with production due to begin in summer 2010 at the Volvo Cars plant in Ghent, Belgium.

Source : Caradvice.au

Rolls-Royce Bitten By Hybrid Bug

Rolls-Royce wouldn't be the brand one thing of immediately when Hybrid is mention but it seems the green wave is getting to strong for the Originally Brit Luxury Car maker to ignore. Hence they decided to come up with a Hybrid Ghost to feel a sense of 'belonging'. Well it is not all that bad when one considers the instantaneous torque available at during off-the-line acceleration.

It wouldn't come as a surprise to many that hybrid Ghost will be borrowing much of its Technology from the BMW’s ActiveHybrid 7 since the two models share much in common, including the same rear-wheel drive platform. The gasoline-electric power train will be made up of a 6.6-liter twin-turbocharged V-12 engine with an electric motor in a ‘mild’ hybrid configuration. Power is channeled to the wheels via 8-speed ZF automatic transmission.

The electric motor which source its energy from lithium-ion battery pack mounted in the trunk is rated at 27 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque will work hand in hand with Brake energy recovery & stop-start system to push the limits of fuel efficiency. Projected amount of savings are at 15%.

At press time there are no release date given by Rolls Royce which implies a laspe of a few years before the Ghost is "Hybridize".








Source : Autocar

Renault Zoe Z.E. Spa On The Move

My girlfriend complains to me about how spending too much time driving on the road has harmed her complexion & made her feel so drain out at the end of the day. Come 2012 she will be very glad to know that Renault & Biotherm the skin care company in L'Oréal's Luxury Products division have team up to developed an all electric car made to pamper its occupants on the road. Presenting the Renault Zoe Z.E. concept that features replaceable battery that can be changed out in just three minutes. It takes about 20 minutes to charge the battery to adequate levels with full charge spaning up to 8 hours depending on voltage if there is no "battery replacement centre" nearby. ------

Among the benefits of driving the Zoe Z.E. concept is intelligent climate control system that will not dehydrate occupant's skin by keeping regulating the humidity level in the cabin. Particulate filters & Air vents that closes by itself if the toxicity sensor mounted in the cabin senses pollutants keeps the cabin air clean. There is also an essential oil diffuser to go along in the cabin. As the name suggest it diffuses essential oils, exclusive active substances adapted to the needs of the driver. That translates into different aroma oils having different efffect on the ocupants depending on the time of the day. (dynamic in the morning, relaxing coming home from work, and awakening vigilance while driving at night.) Notice the interior elements which resembles porcelain especially the seat.











Here is the Press Release:
Renault and Biotherm Present Zoe z

Audi Avatar For 2032

An Audi Fit for 'Ang' the Avatar also known as the Air bendder. Just Joking but this is the work of art penned by aspiring automotive designer Edwin Conan. Edwin shared with us his view on how the future Audi electric supercar may look like in 2032. The Avatar is a low slung vehicle that seats 3 in a McLaren F1-style ‘V’ arrangement.

According to Edwin, each wheel housed beneath the 4 protruding fins has its own electric motor. We are looking into a vehicle that can do a century sprint 0-60mph in 2.9 seconds with top speed of 225 mph which is a hair raising figure by today's standards. Technically speaking the Audi Avatar will be a zero emmision vehicle.

Source : Autoexpress

Renderings Of New Mitsubishi Compact Crossover

Mitsubishi has release an official sketch of a Compact Crossover Model set to go on sale in japan around early 2010. The sketch is based on the Concept-cX show car that was revealed at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show in Germany. The Compact Crossover will be build upon Mitsubishi's mid-size global platform which also spawned the Outlander and Lancer models. It will feature all-wheel drive capability and a new 1.8 liter diesel engine with 134 bhp and 280 Nm (207 lb-ft) of torque. The vehicle is set to debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show next March.










Source: Mitsubishi