Thursday 29 September 2011
Friday 16 September 2011
Wednesday 14 September 2011
Aston Martin DBS Carbon Edition shown ahead of Frankfurt
Aston Martin DBS Carbon Edition shown ahead of Frankfurt
Aston Martin has revealed the DBS Carbon Edition that will be presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show. This new variant will be available as both a coupe and a convertible or Volante as the company calls it.
The Carbon Edition comes in two new colours including Frame Orange and Ceramic Grey, along with the existing Carbon Black. Each unit will be treated with seven layers of paint together with a 25-hour hand flat-and-polish finish which gives the surface a glass veneer look. Owners can also specify a satin lacquer paint finish which creates a silk-like texture.
Other goodies include 10-spoke gloss black diamond turned wheels with a reversed diamond turned or full gloss black finish available as an option as well as black brake calipers with colour options including yellow, orange, red or grey. Also in the bucket list are carbon fibre mirror heads, carbon rear lamp in-fills, a black grille as well as smoked tail lights.
The interior of the Carbon Edition is furnished with obsidian black or maranello orange semi-aniline leather, leather headlining for the coupe, a carbon fibre facia with a carbon weave that is positioned to follow the form of the dashboard and so on. There are also magnesium alloy shifter paddles that are tipped with carbon fibre and a carbon fibre special edition sill plaque with laser etched metal inlay.
This gorgeous Aston Martin DBS Carbon Edition carries a hefty £186,582 price tag for the hardtop and £196,581 for the topless variant. Deliveries are expected to start early next year.
Maserati joins super SUV race with a Kubang!
Maserati joins super SUV race with a Kubang!
UPDATE: Live gallery from Frankfurt added
Remember the Maserati Kubang concept of 2003? It has surfaced again at the Frankfurt show that starts today, and marks the Trident’s entry into the sport luxury SUV segment.
Maserati argues that today’s SUVs don’t offer the kind of “uplifting driving pleasure and luxury atmosphere” found in high-end sports and luxury cars, and they want to address this with the Kubang.
Although it’s new territory for the brand, the Fiat owned brand promises that the Kubang preserves the “integrity of Maserati’s DNA”. Why only now? Maserati says that potential synergies with sister brand Jeep (part of the Chrysler Group that’s under Fiat control) is in the plan.
However, the Kubang’s style, engine, suspensions, brakes, handling and performance will all be 100% Maserati. It will come with new Maserati proprietary engines designed in Modena by Paolo Martinelli, but built by Ferrari in Maranello. Martinelli is the Head of Maserati Powertrain Department, and spend nearly 30 years at Ferrari, where he also served as engine chief of the Formula 1 team.
We’re guessing that it’s a V8 with great sound, since that’s very much part of Maserati’s DNA
Volkswagen shows off the Beetle R Concept
Volkswagen shows off the Beetle R Concept
This is the Volkswagen Beetle R Concept which made its public debut at the Frankfurt motor event. It is a design study which will likely translate into a production run at a later stage. The concept is treated to a sportier body kit with front and rear bumpers that are widened by 30 mm. The front bumper has three air intakes that are finished in Black High Gloss which is the same treatment given to the front spoiler.
The vents and various other slots are functional and they provide engine and brake temperature regulation. The rear bumper also assists in the aerodynamics department along with a diffuser and a rear spoiler. The exterior also sports two sets of dual chrome tailpipes, free-standing wings that are widened by 15 mm as well as a roof with the Black High Gloss treatment.
The Beetle R sits on large 20-inch Talladega alloy wheels which is the same design utilized by the Golf R and the Scirocco R. These wheels are finished in Serious Grey.
On the inside, the sportier Beetle has motorsport shell seats that are upholstered in black Nappa leather, seat piping in Space Blue and lots of R logos everywhere. The instruments have been modified as well and brushed aluminium is used for all pedal caps.
You might be wondering what is powering the concept but unfortunately Volkswagen has neglected to mention the details in the press release. However you can safely expect it to have engine performance figures that match the Golf R and the Scirocco R.
Production Subaru XV debuts – CKD next year!
Production Subaru XV debuts – CKD next year!
UPDATE: Live images from Frankfurt added after the jump
This is the production version of the Subaru XV that made its debut at IAA Frankfurt. It’s also the model that Fuji Heavy Industries (FHI) will assemble in Malaysia for ASEAN, to be done at Tan Chong’s Segambut plant in KL.
Production will start in October 2012 at 5,000 units per year, to be divided between Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand. More about that and Subaru’s plans for Malaysia in our interview with Glenn Tan, CEO of Motor Image.
Let’s take a closer look. It appears that the production XV is pretty much the same car as thebright green coloured concept car that debut at this year’s Shanghai show. Subaru calls the exterior design concept “Protren”, derived from “professional tool” and “trendy design”.
The C-segment crossover wears Subaru’s new grille with the hexagonal design, flanked by headlamps inspired by the eyes of a hawk. The rear gets a diffuser style rear bumper with a central lamp. Unusually, it’s painted n body colour. Speaking of that, the “Tangerine Orange Pearl” we see here is the XV’s signature colour.
The XV is a raised hatchback with subtle body cladding and generous ground clearance for that tough look. It was a conscious decision to not put full body cladding around the car as before to “enhance the sensation of dynamism and comfort”. The aluminum wheels on the showcar look rather unique with their silver spokes and black surrounds. No roof rack, but I’m sure we’ll be getting it here.
For the first time in 21 years, Subaru has developed a new engine, codenamed “FB”, to replace the long-serving “EJ” engine. In Europe, Subaru offers a new 1.6-litre petrol boxer (replaces the old 1.5), a 2.0L boxer tuned for grunt in low to mid engine speeds, and a 2.0 Boxer Diesel.
We will get a 2.0L engine, from the new gen, and not the one presently in service in the Impreza and Legacy. It will be paired to Subaru’s new Lineartronic CVT gearbox. The brand’s famous Symmetrical AWD system is of course present in the XV.
Inside, the XV is standard Subaru, which means it’s not the most funky or modern, but inoffensive, clearly laid out and easy to use. The centre stack gets brushed aluminium trim and a 4.3-inch colour multi function display with Eco-driving display at the top; the latter comes with the High Grade version, no colour for Standard. The dials (red for Standard, white for High Grade) do a full sweep at start up.
Subaru wants to highlight the XV’s easy entry and exit. They’ve not only made the door openings larger, but also raised the angle at the top of the front door sash, thereby providing more space between the sash top and body.
The distance between the floor and the top of the side sill has also been reduced, meaning that occupants do not have to stretch their legs as widely as before when getting in and out.
Volvo Concept You makes its public debut
Volvo Concept You makes its public debut
Say hello to the Concept You from Volvo. This concept was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show and it previews an upcoming large luxury sedan by the company. The concept features a fastback design which looks quite similar to the Audi A7.
Finished in a light blue liquid metal paint from DuPont, Concept You sits on large 21-inch polished aluminium wheels and has LED dipped beam in four “ice blocks” on top of the high beam lights. Certain design details on the car is inspired by the Danish design house Georg Jensen.
“The design of the wheels, the grille and details in the innovative headlamps have been inspired by the exquisite works of world-famous Danish design house Georg Jensen. Their precious items capture the essence of Scandinavian design. Uncluttered, organic surfaces and superb craftsmanship that radiate timeless luxury,” says Peter Horbury, Vice President Design at the Volvo Car Corporation.
The interior has a futuristic look with the use of handcrafted pieces of walnut which is accompanied by leather panels, Dinamica suede roof lining and aluminium details. There are also four individual leather seats. The unique thing about the interior is the integration of the design qualities of a tailor made suit.
The back of the front seats and the door panels feature Italian fabric and designs from Swedish fashion house Oscar Jacobson. The other thing to note is the wooden floor which is inspired by Scandinavian homes. It is covered with specially designed hand-tufted carpet from world-famous Swedish brand Kasthall.
The Volvo Concept You is also not shy of revealing its technological details. Among others, it has a control centre that consists of four main areas including a digital Driver Information Monitor (DIM), a head-up display on the windscreen, a touch-screen in the upper part of the centre console and a touch-screen between the two individual rear seats.
The touch-screen in the upper part of the centre console remains in sleeping mode until the driver looks at it. This is thanks to a hidden infrared camera which registers the eye movement. There is a second sensor which looks out for hand movement and it can trigger the Alpine infotainment system’s control mode. The system also allows web surfing when the car is rolling but this is of course reserved for the passenger.
The touch-screen system has hints of a smart pad where by the driver can basically send data via “flipping” (iPad syle) to the head-up display or even to screens at the rear cabin. There is also a light guide in the centre console that indicates the file transfer, how cool is that?
Even the subwoofer in the sound system uses air from outside of the car to create a better listening experience. This Alpine technology which is called FreshAir is not available in the market yet and it is made up by smaller parts that considerably cut weight. In terms of performance and drivetrain details, Volvo is still being tight-lipped about it.
Ford debuts the 1.0 litre 3-cylinder EcoBoost
Frankfurt: Ford debuts the 1.0 litre 3-cylinder EcoBoost
Ford has officially unveiled its new 1.0 litre EcoBoost engine which will be first utilized in the Euro-market Focus in early 2012 followed by the C-MAX in the same year. The all-new B-MAX will be next. The 3-cylinder engine is said to be equivalent to a conventional 1.6 liter engine when it comes to performance. The new engine has improved twin variable camshaft design, direct injection as well as turbocharging.
The turbo is able to reach nearly 250,000 rpm and is said to have virtually zero turbo lag. The exhaust manifold is cast into the cylinder head which helps lower the temperature of the exhaust gases and this enables the engine to run with the optimum fuel-to-air ratio across a wider rev band. The cooling system is also able to help reduce fuel consumption. Referred to as split cooling, it basically warms up the engine more quickly. Unlike the larger EcoBoost engines, the 1.0 litre unit uses a cast iron block which reduces the amount of energy needed for warm-up by up to 50% compared to aluminium.
Other features include variable air-conditioning compressor, variable oil pump, special coatings for engine components and intricate development of engine geometry which help reduce frictional losses, an all-new camshaft actuator to speed up response times and so on. Furthermore, two main engine drive belts are immersed in oil which makes the engine run quieter and more efficiently, while maintaining the durability of a chain system.
It is also worth mentioning that the engineers deliberately unbalanced the flywheel and pulley to offset the engine configuration. According to Ford, this along with new engine mounts help deliver a more refined performance. This has been proven following a 720,000 km test which also includes 360,000 km of durability trials and 10,000 km of environmental testing.
The 1.0 litre EcoBoost will be available in two forms, including a 99 hp and a 118 hp variant which also offers 170 Nm of torque between 1,300 – 4,500 rpm. These variants will be offered with a 5-speed manual and a 6-speed manual transmission respectively. Ford did not reveal the engine’s fuel economy figures but said that it can output less than 120g/km of CO2 emissions. More information will be revealed at a later stage.
The Blue Oval also confirmed that the new engine will be made available in North America, China and in other regions although it did not specify a timeline. Continue reading to view more images of the 1.0 litre EcoBoost.
Wednesday 7 September 2011
Bentley Continental Flying Spur – special edition for China
Bentley Continental Flying Spur – special edition for China
Click to enlarge
Another special edition of the Bentley Continental Flying Spur is coming about, and this one is set for the Chinese market. The company is working together with British design company Linley for the creation of a limited edition run of 10 units for China, which happens to be its biggest four-door market globally.
The cars will incorporate signature Linley elements, among these specially selected Linley veneers in Santos rosewood on the fascia, console, waistrail as well as the roof console, effectively covering the entire wood surfaces of the model where Bentley chestnut or walnut would normally be used.
The iconic Linley Helix motif, from the company’s Helix Furniture Collection, will be found on the waist-rails and picnic table of the Flying Spurs. The Helix pattern will feature four different types of veneer, which contrast with the Santos rosewood, to show the wave effect delivered by the marquetry. Also on, a rear console modified for a customer-commissioned Linley humidor.
Click to enlarge
Stainless steel Linley treadplates will feature on the cars, as will a Linley for Bentley rhodium-plated plaque in the glove box. Modified fluting on the seats will have burnt oak contrast stitching, with additional burnt oak hide highlighting the storage areas and door pockets.
To remind its owner it’s not just a bog standard CFS, a Linley branded leather bag with a sumptuous cashmere blanket and other Linley items such as a leather luggage tag will be included in the boot of them limited edition cars. Yes, money won’t always buy you happiness, but it can certainly afford you a fair bit of luxury.
New generation Toyota Camry Hybrid launched in Japan!
New generation Toyota Camry Hybrid launched in Japan!
The new Toyota Camry has been launched in Japan today. You don’t have to look too closely to realize this is yet another ‘look’ for the Camry, different from the one in the US market, but similar to the the one teased by Toyota Ukraine, yet not identical. This is the Toyota Camry Hybrid based on the Toyota Ukraine “Aurion” design.
Interestingly, Toyota has picked the Aurion design for the Japanese market, while for the last generation, the Japanese market shared a design with the US market. Also, the Camry is solely with a hybrid power train in Japan – no other inline-4 or V6 options available.
This is in line with what other Japanese sedan manufacturers have been doing in their domestic market, for example, Honda Japan discontinued the regular Civic before its lifespan expired and continued selling only the Civic Hybrid.
The new Camry Hybrid’s Toyota Hybrid System II uses the 2AR-FXE 2.5 liter Atkinson cycle four cylinder internal combustion engine, which can produce 160 PS and 213Nm of torque on its own. This is coupled with an electric motor that can produce 143 PS and 270Nm of torque. Combined output via the torque split device is 205 PS, which is a nice number for a D-segment sedan.
There are some interesting aerodynamic features that Toyota have added to the body of the Camry Hybrid, such as the “vortex generators” shown above integrated into the wing mirror mounts, designed to help with cruising aerodynamics.
Airflow improving “aero-corners” are strategically placed in front of the front wheels and behind the rear wheels. The new two-piece front grille design uses a smaller upper grille and a larger lower grille that improve cooling efficiency by enhancing aerodynamic flow via reduced resistance.
The Camry includes a new Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) feature that prevents the vehicle from rolling backward when starting up on a hill, a new Steering-assisted Vehicle Stability Control (S-VSC) system that adjusts power, the electric power steering and braking to retain driver control of the car, and brake lights that specially signal emergency braking to reduce the risk of a collision from the rear.
Anyway, we probably won’t see this launched here in Malaysia as the large 2.5 liter engine does not qualify for Malaysia’s hybrid tax exemptions. Look after the jump for an image gallery of the JDM Camry Hybrid.
Volvo XC90 – the nine-year-old doyenne gets updated
Volvo XC90 – the nine-year-old doyenne gets updated
Yes, that grand dame of the SUV world, the Volvo XC90, may be nine years old, but it shows no sign of stopping – in fact, the vehicle has been given yet another set of exterior and interior refinements to keep it going until, well, the second-gen one eventually arrives.
On the outside, there’s a new daytime running light configuration using LEDs in the lower bumper, and a redesigned silver metallic bumper bar as well as silver roof rails are now standard on all variants. There’s also a new lower door moulding, with all XC90 specifications now fully colour-coordinated.
At the back, there are new tail lamps, with dual light guides, LED brake lights and silver turn indicator bulbs (offering an amber light). Also on the exterior treatment list is a new six-spoke 18-inch wheel, done in a silver matt finish.
Inside, the veritable fave gets a number of refinements to give the interior an even more luxurious feel – aside from revisions to the three-spoke steering wheel, there’s aluminium décor as standard and watch dial-inspired instrument design with white lighting, among others. The tailgate now comes with a new, colour-coordinated leather grab handle, and the load cover has also been redesigned.
Meanwhile, the Volvo On Call system can now be combined with Bluetooth mobile phone connection, and the system has been upgraded to be able to do music streaming from a preferred Bluetooth-enabled portable music player. New too is a mobile app that makes sure that the driver can stay in touch with the parked car via an iPhone or Android smartphone.
Along with the new dress-up comes two exclusive version forms, the Executive and R-Design. Going the Executive route bags one a number of exclusive options, such as soft leather seats with ventilation and massage, as well as a number of details with a more exclusive finish. Opting for the R-Design version gets the buyer a more driver-focused character. On top of the special chassis, the new R-design version also features redesigned upholstery, inlays, door panels and new Ixion 19-inch wheels.
Hyundai i30 – first images of Frankfurt debutant revealed
Hyundai i30 – first images of Frankfurt debutant revealed
Hyundai has revealed the first photos of its new-generation i30, which is set to have its world premiere next week in Frankfurt. The shape was previewed in an official sketch last month.
The C-segment offering is designed and engineered at the Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany, and the company says that the new-gen i30 represents a further evolution of the unique Hyundai ‘fluidic sculpture’ form language.
The car features the Hyundai family face with its signature hexagonal-shaped front grille and the jewel-like design of the headlamps, together with distinctive daytime running lights. Elsewhere, a strong character line runs over the front and rear wheel arches all the way to the tail lamps, and a softer, lower character line rises up the car’s flank to create a play of light and shadow, a fundamental feature of fluidic sculpture.
No specific info or technical attributes on the new offering as yet, so it’s on to Frankfurt for all the necessary to emerge.
Tuesday 6 September 2011
Friday 2 September 2011
Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Concept
Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Concept – input by the champ
You are looking at the Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel version, said to be designed by, and built for, the reigning Formula 1 world champion. It will make its debut in concept form at the upcoming Frankfurt show, and will be revealed by none other than Vettel himself, who is also Infiniti Global Brand Ambassador.
The Vettel-badged FX is the lightest, fastest and most aerodynamic FX yet, “reflecting the World Champion’s desire for a 300 km/h Crossover that he can drive on his home country’s derestricted Autobahn,” according to Infiniti.
Based on the recently facelifted range topping V8-powered FX50S Premium, the FX Sebastian Vettel features changes to engine, suspension and body, with key aerodynamic enhancements implemented with input from Red Bull Racing. The one-off model also has an interior personalised to Seb’s taste.
Volkswagen NILS – one for all, and all for one
Volkswagen NILS – one for all, and all for one
Volkswagen will be showing off NILS, a single-seat electric concept vehicle, in Frankfurt. The compact offering is 50 cm shorter than the Up! at 3.04m long, and is just 0.39m wide from wheel to wheel and a mere 1.2m tall.
The design has the same basic layout as a F1 car, with the driver in the middle, the engine at the back, and free-standing outboard wheels. The vehicle, which features an aluminium space frame, wing doors and free-standing wheels, has a range of 65 km and a top speed of 130 kph.
The 460 kg concept can accelerate to 100 kph in less than 11 seconds, and is powered by a reasonably small electric motor weighing 19 kg offering a nominal 15 kW (and short-term peak power of 25 kW), working with a one-speed transmission.
A 5.3 kWh lithium-ion battery supplies the juice, and can be charged either via a conventional 230V electrical outlet – with a maximum charging time of two hours – or at an electric vehicle charging station. The socket is located at the back underneath the rear lighting module, and all drive unit components are located compactly in an aluminium housing at the rear of NILS; drive is to the rear wheels.
The motor, battery and all other components are so compact that there is still space for a small, but practical, bootspace. The body-coloured area above the rear lighting module swings upward, revealing space suitable for items such as a case of drinks and a bag.
The car features a purely mechanical steering, with the low weight meaning power assistance is unnecessary, says VW. Suspension is double wishbones front and rear, and NILS sits on 17-inch alloys equipped with 115/80 (front) and 125/80 (rear) tyres optimised for low rolling resistance.
There’s ESP, electric traction by electric motor and battery regeneration as well as an automatic distance control system, which uses radar sensors to scan the space in front of the vehicle over a distance of about 200m and uses brake interventions to ensure that the distance to vehicles in traffic in front of the car doesn’t drop below a specified minimum value. Front Assist, which warns the driver of a potential collision, is integrated in the ADC system.
Aluminium features highly in the entire body – the body in white is produced from extruded aluminium, cast aluminium and sheet aluminium, while the roof frame together with the door mounts, a roll bar, the bootspace and the front bulkhead consist of high-strength sheet aluminium.
Elsewhere, extruded aluminium is used in the side sills, the transverse profiles and the front and rear car sections, and the use of the material continues on the front and rear side body. Parts that are made of high-strength plastic include the bumpers and the trim panels on the side sills. The door windows are made of lightweight, scratch-resistant, layered polycarbonate, while the front window is made of laminated safety glass.
Mod cons include a seven-inch TFT display which shows speed and energy flow, while another graphic display offers information on the driving range. The NILS also features the Portable Infotainment Device (PID) mobile multifunctional device as seen in the new up! Snapped into the A-pillar to the right of the instrument cluster, it offers via touchscreen functions related to navigation, radio, media, telephone and trip computer.
To save on weight and costs, certain functional elements and controls do without electrical assistance – the side mirrors, for example, are adjusted manually. The heating and ventilation system has full electronic control though, and there is seat heating. The headlights are bi-xenons, while the indicator lights and daytime running lights are white and yellow LEDs.
Thursday 1 September 2011
Land Rover Defender DC100 Concept to debut at Frankfurt
Land Rover Defender DC100 Concept to debut at Frankfurt
Is the Land Rover Defender about to get a massive makeover? It sure looks like Land Rover has the intention, with this new Defender DC100 Concept set to make a public debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
It’s not a bad idea really, after all, all the passenger car companies are having a field day with modern day retro-futuristic interpretations of their muscle car classics – we now have cool modern versions of cars like the Chevrolet Camaro and the Ford Mustang. So why can’t Land Rover do the same?
“Replacing the iconic Defender is one of the biggest challenges in the automotive design world; it is a car that inspires people worldwide. This isn’t a production-ready concept but the beginning of a four-year journey to design a relevant Defender for the 21st century,” says Gerry McGovern, Director of Design, Land Rover.
A new Land Rover Defender is set to be launched in 2015. Revising its design is one thing, but what about its construction? WIll Land Rover replace the Defender’s ladder frame construction with a monocoque design?
Ford Evos Concept – four seater fastback C-segment car
Ford Evos Concept – four seater fastback C-segment car
This is the Ford Evos Concept, a four door four seater fastback concept car that will make its public debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.
Ford says the Evos Concept is a showcase of Ford’s first truly global design language, which Ford says is an evolution of the existing kinetic design language found on existing global Ford products like the Fiesta and the new Focus.
The Evos Concept has the length of a C-segment car, but with the width of a CD car, so I suppose you could say it’s about as long as a Focus but as wide as a Mondeo. It’s got a 2,740mm wheelbase. I wonder if producing a fastback like this means Ford is interested to bring a car like the Ford Capri back into its line-up.
We’ve heard such rumors in the past. Other manufacturers have done similar things, resulting in cars like the Scirocco. Two years ago, Ford decided to randomly release a press release about the classic Ford Capri, complete with a long history and file photos.
Like all modern concept cars, things just wouldn’t seem to be complete without some kind of alternative fuel powertrain, so Ford has given the Ford Evos Concept a lithium-ion battery plug-in hybrid system, which Ford says is reflective of the system in the upcoming Ford C-MAX Energi, scheduled for introduction in the US in 2012 and Europe in 2013.
The system allows the vehicle’s electric motor and internal combustion engine to work together or separately to maximise efficiency, making this a full fledged hybrid system instead of just having a simple motor assist system.
Rolling in electric
Rolling in electric – We drive the battery powered Rolls-Royce 102EX a.k.a. Phantom Experimental Electric!
Oil is a finite resource, something we cannot enjoy forever, certainly not at the rate the world is burning today. Downsizing is the “in thing” of the auto industry today, which is producing smaller, more frugal combustion engines alongside hybrid powertrains. What then is the future of a brand like Rolls-Royce, renowned for mega luxury cars with equally big V12s?
Back in February 2010, Rolls-Royce announced the birth of its 102EX, also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric. As its name suggests, the Phantom EE is a battery powered version of Goodwood’s flagship Phantom, built not to preview an upcoming production model, but to spark debate, and give us a glimpse of what could be the future.
Throughout 2011, the fully functioning and drivable Phantom EE will tour the world to give owners, VIPs, the media and enthusiasts the chance to experience an electric Rolls, gathering feedback for the company in the process. One fundamental question the Phantom EE poses is: Can an all-electric drivetrain deliver an authentic Rolls-Royce experience that customers expect, and an experience that befits the marque?
“After this program, Rolls-Royce will be in the position to make a more informed decision on its future,” Hal Serudin, Rolls-Royce Asia Pacific’s Corporate Communications Manager told us. Our neighbour Singapore, the nation with the highest concentration of millionaires in the world, was the first city on Rolls-Royce’s 102EX International Tour (China and USA are the next stops), and we were lucky to be among the first in the world to sample the electric Phantom, of which only one unit exists at present.
Lotus six-pack set for Frankfurt
Lotus six-pack set for Frankfurt, with three new models, two new options and a special limited edition on list
SEPTEMBER 1, 2011 AT 2:19 PM FILED UNDER CARS, INTERNATIONAL NEWS,LOTUS
Click to enlarge
Plenty of action from Group Lotus at Frankfurt later this month, with no less than six items on the agenda, of which the Evora GTE limited special edition seen above is one.
Touted by the company as the most powerful Lotus road car ever built, the GTE turns out 444 PS from its race-developed engine. It’s also 105 kg lighter than the base Evora, the weight reduction accomplished with liberal use of carbon fibre, with all the bodywork modifications including the front and rear bumpers, the rear wing and the doors utilising the stuff.
The car was originally designed as a special limited edition for the Asian market, but the company says that Evora GTE production will be expanded to meet demand and reach further markets. As Group Lotus CEO Dany Bahar puts it, “The response to this model in China has been so incredible, within days we had sold out with 114 orders. In response we decided that the only logical step from a business perspective was to increase production and widen our reach.”
In addition to the Evora GTE, Frankfurt will also see the debut of three new models, with one of these being the Elise S, which replaces the Elise SC. The car features a new 1.8l supercharged engine offering 220 PS and improved throttle response, among other things.
No details about the other two cars, with only hints to suggest – one is said to be one of the quickest road cars Lotus has ever built and the other marks the return of Lotus to another adrenalin-filled motorsport discipline.
Elsewhere, the last two items on the list are new options – the 1.6l Elise gets a SPS (Serial Precision Shift) gearbox option, which utilises new lightweight robotised automated manual transmission technology to allow the driver to switch between manual and automatic driving modes via paddles fixed to the steering column.
The second new option is IPS (Intelligent Precision Shift), which will be found on the supercharged Evora S, offering the versatility of an automatic gearbox. The optional paddle shift mode allows the driver the full and uncompromised Evora S experience with the added bonus of switching to automatic mode. The S IPS will feature in the Evora model year 2012 line-up, which the company says features significant quality improvements following extensive development work and feedback.
Audi S6, S7, S8 gets new twin turbo 4.0L V8 TFSI engine
Audi S6, S7, S8 gets new twin turbo 4.0L V8 TFSI engine
SEPTEMBER 1, 2011 AT 4:17 PM FILED UNDER 2011 FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW, AUDI,CARS
Another big displacement normally aspirated engine bites the dust – this time it’s the normally aspirated 5.2 liter V10 FSI engine found in models like the Audi S6 and S8.
Audi will be replacing it with a new twin turbocharged 4.0 liter V8, making 420 PS and 550Nm of torque from as low as 1,400rpm all the way to 5,300rpm. This tune of the engine will be installed in the S6 and the S7. This engine is mated to a 7-speed S-Tronic dual clutch transmission. The S6 and S7 also comes with adaptive air suspension to improve the cars’ versatility in providing both comfort and handling.
In the S8, the same 4.0 liter twin turbo V8 is tuned to produce more power – 520 PS and 650Nm of torque from between 1,700rpm to 5,500rpm. This should be an absolutely cracker to drive! In the S8, the engine is mated to a regular automatic transmission instead of a dual clutch, which should provide a smoother drive. The auto has a total of 8 gears.
Other than your usual direct injection and turbocharger technology, the new 4.0 liter V8 also has cylinder deactivation where four cylinders can be shut off under part load to conserve fuel. To keep the engine sounding good under the cylinder shut-off mode, Audi uses Active Noise Cancellation where four microphones integrated into the headlining record the noise in the cabin and cancels out any intrusive sound elements using an anti phase broadcast through the car’s speaker system.
I wonder if Audi will extend the use of this new engine to the Audi R8 as well. Will Audi put this new 4.0 liter twin turbo V8 into the Audi R8 V10′s engine bay?
These new range of Audi S cars will be exhibited to the public for the first time at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. This year’s Frankfurt show looks like it’s going to be seriously busy – it’s going to keep us on our toes for sure! Enjoy a small gallery after the jump.
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