March 3rd, 2010 by Car and SUV
It’s all about hybrids at this year’s Geneva Motor Show and Porsche has come to the party with its 918 Spyder concept.
With styling that borrows from the Carrera GT, the 918 Spyder is powered by both a 500-horsepower V8 and a pair of electric motors – for each axle – which produces an additional 218 hp or 160kW. At full gallop, the concept can theoretically reach 100 kph in 3.2 seconds and reach 318 kph at the high end. On the flip side, Porsche says it can also achieve 3.62l/100km economy and release just 70 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
How exactly can a supercar have such range? The 918 Spyder concept is what’s called a parallel hybrid like the now struggling Toyota Prius. That means that both powertrains, gas and electric, can operate together or separately to shift the wheels into motion. There are four modes in total that configure the powertrains for anything from maximum efficiency to maximum performance and measures inbetween. The E-Drive mode means pure electric power, and the car can reportedly last up to 25 kms electricity alone. Then there is Hybrid mode, which uses both motors and would probably be the mode for everyday around town driving. The Sport Hybrid mode again uses both powertrains, but tips the needle a bit more towards performance with most power reaching the rear wheels.
Finally, the Race Hybrid mode means everything is going for all-out performance. There’s an even a handy push-to-pass button that adds a bit of Electronic-boost and regenerative braking plays its part.
The concepts interior is also a point of interest with Porsche saying it will offer a glimpse at future interiors for the automaker.
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March 3rd, 2010 by Car and SUV
Luxury German brand Audi has just unveiled the latest edition to its all-electric e-tron range of concept vehicles, this new machine is the A1 e-tron, and it’s arrived with a few suprises.
Like the first e-tron concept based on Audi’s R8 platform, the A1 e-tron is powered by an electric motor producing 45kW and offering a driving range of around 50km in city traffic. That’s just not enough power so when more grunt is needed, the electric motor can generate up to 75kW in short bursts. This allows the A1 e-tron a lazy 0-100km/h time of around 10 seconds.
The A1 e-tron’s electric motor draws power from a lithium ion battery pack with a capacity of 12kWh, major weight-saving has gone into this area and the pack weighs a mere 150kg.
The big news is the inclusion of a standard combustion engine to kick in when the electric motor’s battery energy is depleted. But it’s the choice of engine that’s interesting, Audi will use a range-extending single-rotor 254cc Wankel engine and an electric generator that works to recharge the battery, boosting the A1 e-tron’s driving range by an additional 200km. The Rotary engine will weigh just 70kg including the intake, exhaust and subframe. The strengths of using the rotary engine come with low-vibrations, quiet operation, and small size.
Although it’s currently difficult to measure the true economy of extended-range vehicles the A1 e-tron apparently offers a fuel consumption figure of 1.9 l/100km.
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February 24th, 2010 by Car and SUV
Citroën has released first details of its latest concept design that will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show.
DS High Rider is the second concept associated with Citroen’s innovative and distinctively styled DS model line, which will make its New Zealand debut in August when the Citroen DS3 arrives.
The concept combines compact dimensions with generous internal volumes, strong performance, and a flash of style.
Unlike traditional 4-seater coupés, with their long, low design, the High Rider is compact and bulky.
It features a sleek flowing windscreen that soars over the heads of front occupants creating a bright cabin environment. The apparently continuous glazed area of the side windows connects the A-pillars to the sloping roof line of the rear.
Planted on 19” alloy wheels the concept vehicle’s profile is characterised by a high waistline. The front end looks purposeful with gaping air intakes, long incisive headlights and defined creases on the bonnet.
When it comes to power motivation the High Rider will make use of a ‘Full Hybrid’ diesel drivetrain that combines Citroen’s HDi DPFS engine under the bonnet with an electric motor located on the rear axle. Under certain conditions, both engines combine to deliver additional power with additional torque transmitted to the rear wheels.
Check back as we bring you details of more concept vehicles heading for the Geneva Motor Show.
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February 22nd, 2010 by Car and SUV
The Mercedes-Benz F800 Style concept car is set to debut at next month's Geneva Motor Show and is claiming major green-car tech, but what's probably of greater interest to many is its styling, which is a first look at what shape the next-generation CLS-Class sedan is going to take.
At the front lays a nose section whose grille straight off the SLS AMG, plus plenty of razor-sharp lines all around. The rear doors slide back, because it's a concept car, and so people can see into the sci-fi inspired cabin.
Mercedes-Benz is also talking up the concept's flexible powertrain platform. One likely option for the vehicle is a plug-in hybrid system similar to the V6 light-hybrid setup found in the S400 sedan. Mercedes says this new plug-in gas-electric system, will put out 400 combined horsepower, and give the car an impressive EV-only driving range of 29km. The automaker has announced that this new plug-in system is headed to the next-gen S-Class.
The F800 concept will also debut two new safety technologies that will probably appear in upcoming models. Distronic Plus Traffic Jam Assistant is an enhanced version of Mercedes' active cruise control system, which can now steer the car through curves as long as it's traveling under 40kph. That still doesn't mean its safe to fall asleep at the wheel… yet. Another new feature is the Pre-Safe 360-degree system, which expands the existing Pre-Safe electronic collision detection system to the rear of the car. If Pre-Safe senses that a rear-end impact is imminent, it'll apply the car's brakes to keep it from getting into an additional frontal accident involving other cars or pedestrians.
The Mercedes-Benz F800 Style will be unveiled in Geneva in a few weeks.
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February 16th, 2010 by Car and SUV
Swiss automaker Rinspeed are revealing a bold concept at nest month’s Geneva Auto Show.
Named the UC? This ‘Mobility Concept’ stands for Urban Commuter while the addition of the question mark makes it a bit cleverer some how.
The UC? Mobility Concept is out to prove it’s more than just yet another electric vehicle. As a mobility concept it also features rail cars configured to carry the little UC? over longer distances while recharging its batteries at the same time. The objective of this is to create a modal transport system that combines individual car ownership with public transportation.
The car will feature an internet connection to book train passages right from the vehicle’s dashboard. Other onboard systems include an integrated internet telephone, video chat and conferencing applications, and you can even check your emails.
The UC? is only 2.6 meters in length, and looks like it borrows styling inspiration from the old Fiat 500 Topolino. It’s electric motor produces 130 Nm (96 ft-lbs) of torque and the car has a top speed of 120 km/h. The lithium-ion batteries give it a range of 105 kilometers on a full charge.
Interestingly, it is driven by joystick instead of a standard steering wheel. The clever concept may never reach production but it brings up some interesting ideas.
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February 15th, 2010 by Car and SUV
The world’s first hybrid vehicle equipped with a six-speed manual transmission
February 11th, 2010 by Car and SUV
Nissan has just released images and details on its newest model the Juke.
A B-segment utility vehicle the Juke is according to Nissan “part SUV, part sports car” and is due to make its formal debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month before going on sale in Europe and then global markets later this year.
Taking styling cues from the Qazana concept vehicle, the Juke was created by Nissan’s European design arm and refined in Japan. It has a busy combo of sharp creases, a sloping roofline, flared fenders and prominent glass work. Clearly taking some inspiration from the Nissan Micra, the Juke is taller and wider and is based of the Renault/Nissan Alliance’s B platform. Seventeen-inch alloys with 215-series tyres will be available, along with either front- or all-wheel drive.
Three engines will be available in Europe at launch, with AWD models coming equipped with a 187 horsepower 1.6-litre direct injected turbocharged four-cylinder putting out 177 pound-feet of torque. A 113-hp HR16DE 1.6-litre will also be available, along with a 110-hp 1.5-litre dCi diesel unit. The turbo’d petrol engine will be mated to a continuously variable transmission, while the the other engines can be had with a six-speed manual.
The equipment list is impressive with Nissan offering a host of high-tech features, including keyless entry and start, a rearview camera and automatic headlamps, along with some quirky interior styling.
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February 11th, 2010 by Car and SUV
The new BMW Vision EfficientDynamics combines superb driving performance with extremely low consumption
February 10th, 2010 by Car and SUV
The new BMW Vision EfficientDynamics combines superb driving performance with extremely low consumption
February 3rd, 2010 by Car and SUV
According to a recent report, BMW is set to build a production version of its Vision EfficientDynamics Concept.
While details are limited, a inside source has confirmed the car will be launched in 2013. The source stated that the concept’s hybrid powertrain would carry over to the production model, but “there will be less of the synthetic glass and more solid structure added to the final design.” It will be exclusive to with production likely to be limited to less than 10,000 units.
The Vision EfficientDynamics Concept (read news) is a plug-in hybrid vehicle powered by a three-cylinder turbodiesel engine and two electric motors. Producing 262 kW (356 hp) and 800 Nm of torque, the sports coupe can reach 100kph in just 4.8 seconds. Even with this impressive performance, the concept consumes just 3.76 liters/100km while emitting 99 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
Check back as we update you on the progress of BMW’s Vision EfficientDynamics Concept.
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