Official Thread: 2009 Geneva Auto Show [Archive]

mikeyb

03-02-2009, 11:04 AM

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Alfa Romeo has released the first images and details of the MiTo GTA, which is set to debut at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show.

The MiTo GTA is a lightweight, high-performance edition of Alfa's latest compact, featuring carbon-fiber body parts and extensive application of aluminum under the skin in such areas as brakes and suspension.
The MiTo GTA is powered by a new turbocharged, direct-injection 1.7-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 240 horsepower.

The car has been lowered by 0.8 inch, and the suspension has been reworked with new front geometry, new rear bushings and adjustable shocks.

mikeyb

03-02-2009, 11:09 AM

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Aston Martin rolls out the new DBS Volante next week at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show. It is the British automaker's 16th convertible in 95 years.

The DBS Volante boasts a motorized fabric top that retracts in 14 seconds, at speeds up to 30 mph, and stows beneath a new tonneau cover.

The DBS Volante is powered by Aston's superb 6.0-liter V12, which delivers 510 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a standard six-speed manual gearbox, the Volante rockets from zero to 60 mph in less than 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of 191 mph. A six-speed automatic with manual shift capability is optional.
Other features include carbon-ceramic brakes; carbon fiber hood, deck lid and front fenders; and a Bang & Olufsen BeoSound DBS premium audio system.

Aston Martin expects to begin shipping the DBS Volante in the third quarter and will announce prices next week in Geneva.

mikeyb

03-02-2009, 11:10 AM

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The long wait is over. Seen here is the final look of the Alpina B7 that's based on the new 2009 BMW 7 Series. Speculative pictures and renderings have been doing the rounds since December and this is the culmination of all that activity. Geneva 2009 will finally reveal the car in the metal.
The Bavarian sports a 4.4-litre V8 engine which has been supercharged by Alpina in the best way they know how. In the end it forks out 507bhp (378kW) and a stump-pulling 700Nm of torque. Zero to 100km/h is stomped out in 4.7 seconds and the B7 goes all the way to 280km/h (174 mph). Alpina is famous for calibrating its speedos 100% so you can be assured that when the needle reads 280km/h that is the true speed of the car.

Typical Alpina trim can be expected inside and outside as partly seen from the well known signature Alpina multispoke rims and rear boot spoiler. Technical upgrades should include stronger brakes and a sportier chassis.
Next to the B7 Alpina will showcase the B6 GT3 racer with its 4.4-litre V8 also producing 507bhp (378kW) and 725Nm of torque. The B6 GT3 is Alpina's first foray into the world of racing in 20 years.

mikeyb

03-02-2009, 11:12 AM

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Audi has released several images of their new A4 allroad ahead of the wagon's official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

The new wagon features many of the all-terrain styling cues of its bigger brother, the A6 allroad, such as flared wheel arches, angular sills, stainless-steel underbody guards, and the company's trademark single-frame grille. Other exterior design features include chrome trim around the front fog lights, standard 17-inch wheels, LED daytime running lights, and a roof rack.

At launch two diesels and one petrol engine will be offered, thankfully all three feature forced induction and direct-injection. Petrolheads get Audi's 2.0 TFSI engine which is rated at 155 kW (211 bhp) and 350 Nm of torque. Performance figures for the engine include a 0-100 km/h time of 6.9 seconds, a top speed of 230 km/h (142.92 mph), and an average fuel consumption of 8.1 liters per 100 km (29.04 mpg US). On the diesel side there is a 2.0 TDI with 125 kW (170 bhp) and 350 Nm of torque as well as a 3.0-liter V6 TDI engine which cranks out 176 kW (240 bhp) and 500 Nm of torque. With the 2.0 TDI the A4 allroad runs from 0-100 km/h in 8.9 seconds, hits a top speed of 213 km/h (132.35 mph), and averages 6.4 liters of fuel per 100 km (36.75 mpg US). The range topping 3.0 TDI takes 6.4 seconds to reach 100 km/h, tops out at 236 km/h (146.64 mph), and consumes an average of 7.1 liters of fuel per 100 km (33.13 mpg US).

Helping to enhance the allroad's all-terrain credentials over the standard A4 Avant is a 20 mm increase in track, an increased ride height, and offroad detection technology which alters the car's stability program to allow for more wheel spin. However, missing is an the adapative air suspension like it's A6 allroad big brother.

Inside, the wagon features Audi's stellar A4 interior which mixes modern design with high quality materials. With all the seats up the wagon boasts 490 liters (17.30 cubic feet) of luggage room but that increases to 1,430 liters (50.50 cubic feet) when the rear seats are folded down. Optional equipment includes a two-piece panoramic glass roof, three-zone climate-control, and a sound system from Bang & Olufsen.

Look for the A4 allroad to be in dealerships early this summer with a basic price of €37,100.

mikeyb

03-02-2009, 11:16 AM

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World debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2009 (March 5th-15th): The Swiss auto powerhouse Rinspeed presents the 'iChange,' the world's first car whose body adapts to the number of passengers on board. For Rinspeed boss Rinderknecht the vehicle is more than just a clever concept car. The "iChange" is a symbol for the fundamental changes the auto industry undergoes worldwide. And it is clear that only those companies will survive that have innovative answers for the demands of a new automotive era." The visionary Rinderknecht is convinced that the days of gas-guzzling behemoths are coming to an end: "The „iChange" is a signal for the coming global changes to individual mobility. We need to be ready to meet these challenges with new ideas."

In seconds a streamlined one-seater sports car transforms into a comfortable car with ample room for three. The trick: At the push of a button the rear end of the teardrop-shaped car magically pops up. "We have designed and built an extremely flexible vehicle. In it we have brought the themes of versatility and continually changing energy demands to their logical conclusions." The result is a streamlined, lightweight zero-emission car with dramatically reduced energy consumption.

The basic idea behind the 'iChange:': The energy demand of a vehicle depends mostly on its weight, the type of engine it uses, and its aerodynamic properties. The engineering-services company Esoro that traditionally builds Rinspeed concept cars has built an extremely lightweight car weighing in at only 1'050 kilograms. To power the car, the Swiss specialists chose an electric motor. The idea of the pop-up rear end was conceived to account for the sizeable effect aerodynamics play in fuel consumption.

While other cars always have to ferry around their puffed-up exteriors that can accommodate up to seven passengers even if they're just transporting a single soul, the „iChange" features an adaptive body. The sole driver is conveyed in a teardrop-shaped car that offers optimal aerodynamic properties and thus minimized energy consumption. If more than one person need to be transported the expanding rear provides room for two passengers. As a result of the increased weight and no longer optimal aerodynamics the energy consumption increases - but only for the time passengers are actually on board.

The energy for the electric motor comes from lithium-ion batteries that are available in two different stack configurations for short- and long-distance driving. The electric motor of the „iChange" produces 150kW, capable of propelling the car to a top speed of 220 km/h. The sprint from rest to 100 km/h takes just slightly over four seconds. This impressive performance is made possible with the help of a six-speed pre-selector gearbox from the Subaru WRX car. The central research department of Siemens AG (Corporate Technology, CT) supplied the integration technology for engine/generator, electronics and battery connection interface. Siemens has long been one of the world leaders for energy systems and eco technology with pioneering concepts for electric drive systems. Its products cover the entire electric value-added chain from generation to distribution to consumption. The gearbox and drivetrain are lubricated with eco-friendly lubricants from Motorex. Custom-made lightweight 17" and 18" forged wheels with aerodynamic shrouds are supplied by light-alloy wheel specialists AEZ. Pirelli P Zero tires in size 215/40-17 in front and size 245/40-18 in back provide optimal grip.

mikeyb

03-02-2009, 11:52 AM

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Saab is adding a new model to its 9-3 range called the 9-3X. The crossover-style Saab 9-3X wagon will debut at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show next month. It will go on sale during the 2010 model year.

Other than a slightly higher stance, the Saab 9-3X doesn't differ dramatically from the existing 9-3 SportCombi wagon. Saab says the car's extra 1.4 inches of ground clearance are enough to give it light off-road ability, though. Basically, the 9-3X will be Saab's version of the Subaru Outback or Volvo XC70.

In keeping with its slightly more rugged mission, the Saab 9-3X comes standard with Saab's Cross Wheel Drive (XWD) all-wheel-drive system that debuted in the 2008 Saab Turbo X. For efficiency's sake, though, the 9-3X will not use that model's turbocharged V6, instead adopting the company's 210-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Both a six-speed manual and a six-speed automatic transmission will be available.
European buyers will be able to order a front-wheel-drive version of the Saab 9-3X with a 180-hp 1.9-liter turbodiesel four-cylinder.

To help the Saab 9-3X look the part, General Motors' Swedish subsidiary has added such crossover cues as dark gray bumpers, side sills and wheel arches (à la Audi Allroad), as well as matte-aluminum skid plates, lower door strips and roof rails. The 9-3X also gets foglamps and unique five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels.

Inside, the 9-3X features black leather upholstery with gray fabric seat inserts, as well as dark metallic trim. Maximum cargo capacity is 72.3 cubic feet, and D-pillar-mounted lamps make it easy to move stuff in and out in low-light conditions.

mikeyb

03-02-2009, 12:01 PM

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Audi's big performance news for the 2009 Geneva Auto Show is the long-awaited launch of the TT RS, its high-output all-wheel-drive compact. Sadly, the car is "not approved for U.S. launch," according to Audi.

The TT RS features a turbocharged 2.5-liter direct-injection five-cylinder engine rated at "far more than 300 hp," the company said. The car will rocket from rest to 60 mph in well under 5.0 seconds, with top speed electronically limited to 155 mph.

The TT RS also will benefit from a number of chassis upgrades, including larger brakes. Audi, in its initial pre-show publicity blast, notes that the car will deliver "explosive acceleration, driving delight and unrivaled sound."

mikeyb

03-02-2009, 12:19 PM

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It's been nearly a quarter-century since the last of the iconic Citroën DS cars rolled off the line here, but the car with the initials pronounced Déesse, which translates as "goddess," is not forgotten. In fact, the French automaker plans to revive the nomenclature on a brand-new family of stylish cars that appear to share little more than their familiar initials with the original.

The first of the new DS range, dubbed the DS3, will break cover officially at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show next month, and images already have leaked on the Web. The boxy compact looks like it could be a potential Mini Cooper competitor in Europe. It borrows heavily from Citroën's C-Cactus concept from the 2007 Frankfurt Auto Show. The Geneva concept is named the DS Inside.

Citroën says the new family eventually will include DS4 and DS5 variants, positioned above the DS3 in size and price. The first production models will go on sale next year in Europe.

mikeyb

03-02-2009, 12:46 PM

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Fiat upgrades the Grande Punto Abarth SS for 2009 and will have the vehicle on its stand at the upcoming 2009 Geneva Auto Show.

This hot Fiat hatch gets the same 1.4-liter turbo four-cylinder as in the 500 Abarth SS and the last Grande Punto with Abarth treatment. The engine makes 180 horsepower and 199 pound-feet of torque and manages to get to 60 mph in less than 7.5 seconds. Top speed is clocked at 133 mph.

The coolest addition to the 2009 model is the dual-mode exhaust system that opens a valve above 4,000 rpm to reduce backpressure and help enhance the hatch's exhaust note.

Performance modifications are aplenty with a lowered suspension, cross-drilled brake discs and 18-inch alloy wheels. The exterior is enhanced with a gray paint job that contrasts with the red of the Abarth logo and other accents.

The tuned three-door also comes with a satellite navigation system and a set of Sabelt racing seats.

LASERBLUE135

03-02-2009, 01:03 PM

Audi TT RS please! Santa? Jesus? Grandma? Anyone?

mikeyb

03-02-2009, 01:18 PM

Audi TT RS please! Santa? Jesus? Grandma? Anyone?

not going to happen.

Travo83

03-02-2009, 07:23 PM

I had to go rub one out when i saw that Audi TT RS. OWMG! Sex on Wheels!

soccom2005

03-03-2009, 01:20 AM

the tt rs looks so good but im so in love with the a4

mikeyb

03-03-2009, 11:40 AM

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L'eau d'Infiniti. A brand personification; Infiniti's 'Essence' in concept form. Presented this week at the Geneva Motor Show, the Essence showcases Infiniti's core values for the future and a compact celebration of the brand's past. Heralding a future of Infiniti's 'Inspired Performance' into the luxury super-coupe market for the first time, the Essence aims at re-establishing Infiniti at the heart of the world's most vibrant brands and positioning it towards the most exclusive.

With a first for Infiniti, the Essence provides the company's first motor show preview of their petrol/electric hybrid powertrain. Dubbed appropriately as 'responsibly powerful', the combination of 3.7-litre twin-turbo V6 engine and the firm's new 3D electric motor feed a mighty 600 PS to a rear-wheel-drive setup. An equally mighty 160 PS being chanelled from the electric motor, the technology works on optimisations to the layout of the electromagnetic coils and permanent magnets - decreasing the lithium-ion battery's size and increasing output.

But the concept's essence requires further investigation. Turning to the design, the Essence is not about showing signs of wealth or success, says Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President of Design. It's a 'driver's car', but not an 'aggressive sports car'. Infiniti's "Dynamic Adeyaka" is said to inspire design from both the human and natural worlds, bringing a new classical and dynamic shape to the brand not experimented with in Infiniti's 20-year history.

The Essence is as much a driver's car in the cabin - while the cabin is as much a passenger's car. Two seperate 'cocoons' - the driver's side themed black and the passenger's side themed 'earthy red' - dominate the interior's design. But designers claim the real magic is the 'hidden tech' - allowing minimalism in place of controls and information overload. An exclusive range of luggage specifically designed for the concept car by Louis Vuitton harks back to the partnerships first made with coachbuilders in 1908.

Coinciding not only with the brand's 20-year anniversary as a platform for the three pillars of Infiniti (driving pleasure, hospitality and peace of mind), the Essence takes Infiniti forward with their current challenge: introduction into the European market.

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mikeyb

03-03-2009, 11:42 AM

The Lamborghini Murciélago is one of the most extraordinary super sports cars of all time. Automobili Lamborghini has now expanded its model range with a new, exceptionally purist and even more extreme top model – the Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is even more powerful, lighter and faster than the Murciélago LP 640. With the output of the 6.5 liter V12 increased to 670 hp and a weight reduction of 100 kg (220 lbs), the Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce boasts a power-to-weight ratio of 2.3 kg (5.1 lbs) per hp. This catapults it from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in a breathtaking 3.2 seconds and powers it on to a top speed of around 342 km/h (212 mph).The twelve-cylinder sends its mighty 660 Nm (487 lb-ft) of torque to the crankshaft at 6,500 rpm; maximum power is reached at 8,000 rpm, with an average piston speed of 23.7 meters per second – a figure almost comparable to race engines. Distinctive design refinements ensure that each of this 350-unit limited edition series conveys its full potential from the very first glance.

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mikeyb

03-03-2009, 11:48 AM

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This is the Nissan Qazana, a concept crossover that is likely to influence the smaller brother to the Qashqai when it's turned into a production car at the firm's Sunderland factory in late 2010.

The Qazana is relatively compact; at 4060mm in length, it's around 30cm shorter than a Ford Focus hatchback, but 8cm taller. Its styling is dominated by a four-headlamp set-up at the front (including daytime running lights that are flared into the top of the front wings), a high waistline and a stubby tail that takes cues from the recently launched 370Z, in particular its L-shaped tail-lights.

The concept features plenty of tricks that are unlikely to make it into production - it lacks B-pillars, for example, while all of its doors are electrically operated and it sits on 20in wheels that wouldn't do much for ride quality on urban roads - but Nissan says that its design ethos of 'SUV meets sports coupe' will influence the production crossover, a key car for the Sunderland plant.

The Qazana concept does have four-wheel drive, and it's possible that the production car will be offered with it as an option. It also has a torque vectoring system to split torque between individual wheels, and unusually generous ground clearance for a car in its class.

To improve airflow over and through the car, the main air intake for the engine is not through the upper grille, but through the lower black plastic insert which has large round holes in it.

Alfonso Albaisa, vice-president of Nissan Design Europe, said, “Qazana might seem a radical solution but important elements of the concept do point to a future Nissan production vehicle."
Matt Weaver, the car's project lead designer at NDE in London, said, "Qazana is a hugely optimistic car, which is no bad thing in these difficult times. Had it been created in the 1960s it would have counted camper vans, bikes and buggies as its rivals. Infused with that same spirit, there’s nothing quite like it available today.”

mikeyb

03-03-2009, 11:51 AM

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Rinspeed has announced plans to introduce a new concept at next month's Geneva Motor Show which acknowledges that consumers are becoming more and more concerned about fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions. Most commonly associated with high performance Porsche's and wacky concepts such as the sQuba, the company has decided to jump on the green bandwagon with their new Fiat 500 Abarth based E2.

Like the BMW M5 which features a 400 hp normal mode and a 500 hp M mode, the E2 offers a similar selection system that cranks out 60 hp when "Commuting" and 160 hp when the driver hits the "Highway" button. When the commuting level is selected the car consumes about 4 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers, in highway mode fuel consumption increases to around 7 liters per 100 kilometers.
According to Rinspeed's boss, Frank M. Rinderknecht, he's not a huge fan of eco-tuning but he sees the potential to tap into the market because people are becoming more concerned about the environment and fuel economy. He considers the E2 as well as the iChange to be a way to nudge the tuning business to explore new opportunities that will benefit everyone.

mikeyb

03-03-2009, 11:52 AM

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As the latest in a long line of Renaultsport models, the New Mégane Renaultsport 250 stands out through its unrivalled combination of exhilarating performance and handling. The mix of its 250hp engine and stunning new coupé design demonstrate that Renaultsport remain top of their class.

Going on sale later this year, the New Mégane Renaultsport 250 has had its first public unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show.

The 2-litre 16-valve turbocharged petrol engine now boasts maximum power of 250hp at 5,500rpm and peak torque of 340Nm from 3,000rpm, an improvement of 20hp and 40Nm over the previous Mégane Renaultsport R26. The Renaultsport engine's twin-scroll turbo is exceptionally responsive and is particularly responsive at lows revs, with 80 per cent of maximum torque available from just 1,900rpm.

The New Mégane Renaultsport 250 has inherited the same suspension arrangement as the current Mégane Renaultsport. Thanks to an independent steering axis layout at the front, the suspension and steering functions have been separated to ensure a particularly high standard of handling and traction performance. Just as with the Renaultsport versions of Clio and Twingo, the New Mégane Renaultsport 250 is available with a choice of two chassis settings: standard or Cup, the latter with a limited slip differential.

The New Mégane Renaultsport 250’s stunning coupé design features a front bumper incorporating LED daytime running lights, a splitter from the design of the nose of the R28 Formula 1 car, a central rear exhaust, rear diffuser and 18-inch alloy wheels.
Inside you’ll find all the features you’d expect: Renaultsport front seats and steering wheel together with a digital speedometer with analogue rev-counter, visual and audible gearshift indicator and aluminium pedals, all signed off with the Renaultsport logo on the headrests, rev-counter and fascia.

mikeyb

03-03-2009, 11:56 AM

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<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="90%" align=center><TBODY><TR><TD class=quote>In case of recession - move up-market. That seems to be the message heeded by automakers like Citroen and Dacia. The former is reintroducing the higher-spec DS line while the latter is unveiling the Duster crossover concept at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show tomorrow. As a design study the Duster concept signals Dacia's intentions of being taken more seriously as a quality brand than it has been before.
The Duster measures 4.25 metres in length, is 1.49m high and has a wheelbase of 2.8m. Loading space is 470dm3 (VDA) while the interior features a two-tone chocolate and blue combination. It's a versatile concept that allows the front passenger seat to slide under the driver's seat to create more loading space.
The front grille has Dacia design elements with a headlights cluster that wraps all the way around to where the front door hinges. The exterior is fitted with oversized 21-inch aluminium alloy wheels and the exterior mirrors are placed so high up the A-pillar they are almost on the roof. At the back the Duster concept features wrap-around rear lights and trapezoidal tail lamps. Fitted in the engine bay is a 1.5dCi engine with 105hp (77kW) and 240Nm of torque. A sprint time for the 0 - 100km/h run of 9.6 seconds is claimed when driven by the 6-speed manual gearbox. The engine produces a C02 emissions figure of 139g/km and an average fuel consumption of 5.3 litres per 100km.
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mikeyb

03-03-2009, 11:58 AM

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Compact, attractively styled and full of surprises: Škoda Auto will celebrate the extension of its model range to five with the introduction of Yeti at Geneva. The 4.2 metre long, five-door vehicle bears the well-known features of the brand. An impressive front end with a ribbed grille and friendly looking headlamps confidently demonstrate Yeti's relationship with the Škoda family. Sturdy flanks and distinct wings give Yeti its robust and solid look on 17 inch wheels, without coming across as bulky and heavy.
The Yeti is a clever response by Škoda Auto to the increasingly important ecological issues in the popular and growing SUV class. Škoda has met the demands for a cleanly styled body, a high seat position and versatile operating options with a design, which despite its robustness, exudes lightness rather than bulky shapes. The Yeti also meets the needs for environmental care, luggage space, safety and great road holding.
A carefully balanced running gear concept allows the driver to implement what the design implies: fun and dynamic to drive. The Yeti distinguishes itself with very agile handling coupled with high safety reserves. As well as the stylish exterior of the Yeti, the driver and passengers feel safe.
This impression is reinforced, among other things, by the turbo-charged and frugal engines. Two petrol engines and three diesel are on offer: The entry unit (front wheel drive), a petrol engine with four cylinders and 1.2 litre capacity, delivers 77 kW thanks to a power-providing turbo charger (105 PS). The fuel consumption stays within tight limits.
The Yeti is also available with the following engines:

Petrol:
* 1.2 TSI with 77 kW (front wheel drive)
* 1.8l TSI with 118 kW (4x4)

Diesel:
* 2.0l TDI CR DPF with 81 kW (front wheel drive, 4x4)
* 2.0l TDI CR DPF with 103 kW; (4x4)
* 2.0l TDI CR DPF with 125 kW (4x4)
The Yeti is very well equipped for load lugging, too. The luggage compartment volume is flexible; up to 1760 litres is available by removing the rear seats. A luggage cover and net as well as lashing rings are available to further secure the load. As the Yeti is born of a brand which offers clever automobile concepts as its core competence, it is designed with a highly flexible luggage system. The Yeti is a clever compact SUV that is bound to create a stir in this segment. Excellent handling characteristics and high agility are features of all trims. The 4x4 variants are also characterised by outstanding off-road suitability and excellent traction. These, coupled with superb emission values and low fuel consumption meet the needs for a socially acceptable extension of the SUV class.

mikeyb

03-03-2009, 11:59 AM

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Aston Martin is pulling the cover off the new Aston Martin One-77 in Geneva. The first in a 77-unit limited edition will be on display throughout the entire auto show there.

"It had to combine high-technology with hand-built craftsmanship, and demonstrate the unique capabilities and passion of our designers, engineers and technical partners," said Aston CEO Dr. Ulrch Bez. That is a main reason why the car makes use of hand-rolled aluminum paneling, and why each is tuned by hand.

"Quite simply it had to be the ultimate expression of Aston Martin. As you can now see, we have achieved that goal in magnificent style."
Based on ideas seen in the racecars on the DTM race circuit, the One-77 has a carbon fiber monocoque that is as strong as it is lightweight. It has inboard double wishbone suspension "at each corner," to reduce unsprung weight. The cars take advantage of Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve damping, which the company claims is a first for a street car. The dampers are fully adjustable, even while they're still on the car. Suspension is tuned by hand by the engineers at A.M.

A street car needs serious power to even require such a suspension system. Aston did not short the One-77 in that department. Rumor had it that this car would get 600 hp, and have a 0-100km/h time of about four seconds. Well, the One-77 is even more powerful than that. It comes with a 7.3-liter naturally aspirated V12 engine that produces over 700 bhp. Unfortunately, final power, torque, acceleration, and speed ratings are not yet available. The engine was mounted 100mm lower than any other V12 Aston, thanks to the use of a dry-sump. The company says this helps keep the car's center of gravity low.

Engine manufacturer Cosworth helped Aston Martin adapt their 6.0-liter V12, currently seen on the V12 Vantage, DBS, and DB9. The engine specialist worked to cut 25% of the V12 unit's mass, despite the larger displacement and increase in power. All that power goes through a new six-speed gearbox on its way to the rear wheels. The driver makes gear selections via paddles behind the steering wheel. The next-gen Aston transmission is a "robotised sequential manual" that could find its way on other vehicles from the company.
Final testing still needs to be conducted on the vehicle. Once completed, Aston believes they will announce a top speed of over 200mph, a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds, and a weight of around 1,500 kg. The Aston Martin One-77 will stick around the Geneva Motor Show through March.

Kymerik

03-03-2009, 12:07 PM

Oh the dirty things i would do to that A4 Allroad *yum yum*

mikeyb

03-03-2009, 12:08 PM

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French car maker Peugeot offers exclusive special open-air edition of 308 CC limited to 100 units ahead of official European sales start in March.

Prior to the official European sales start of the Peugeot 308 CC in March, the French car maker is offering a special open-air edition limited to 100 units in black metallic and exclusive leather interior.

In addition 18 inch alloys, xenon headlights and LED tail lights emphasise the exterior elegance. Sensors are fitted to the front and rear bumpers to enable easier parking in tight spots.

Seat heating and the "Airwave" neck heating system provides additional open-air comfort. The air conditioner has a special convertible mode. The JBL sound system comes with eight speakers that adapts the volume to the driving speed.
The basic model with six-gear manual transmission is listed at 36,140 euros

mikeyb

03-03-2009, 12:22 PM

Ford takes wraps off daring new C-MAX

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Striking people carrier concept debuts at the Geneva Motor Show

Take a look at the future of Ford! This stunning machine is the Iosis MAX – a concept car that reveals how the next generation C-MAX and Focus family cars will look.

Making its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, the head-turning model boasts the latest example of Ford's kinetic design language, which was first revealed by the S-MAX back in 2004. It has been penned by Martin Smith, who presented the car along with his design team.

Showing off a new front end with a six-bar lower grille and long stretched back headlights the Iosis-MAX gets similarly eye-catching tail-lights and a split tailgate that opens up in the same style as a Skoda Superb.

Other neat touches include a full length glass roof – and all these details will be carried over to the production version of the C-MAX. Details that will remain strictly concept-only include the sliding rear doors, roof spoiler, lack of B-pillars and 'floating' seats.

While this four-seater concept is a lot smaller than the current C-MAX, the production version will be available in full five-seat specification – most likely staying as close as possible to the sporty shape of the show car – and, for the first time, in seven-seater trim too.

Expect the finished model to get a development of the striking multi-surfaced dashboard shown here, with a new Human Machine Interface control system, digital dashboard display and rear-facing camera. It will also be available in the bright yellow, known as Limelight, in which the concept is displayed.

It will also get the same 178bhp 1.6-litre EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine, automatic stop-start and a Powershift twin-clutch gearbox. The new engine – built at Ford's Bridgend plant – will first debut in the S-MAX and Mondeo ranges, though, within the next 12 months.

As for the arrival of the new C-MAX, it was first thought that the people carrier would debut in 2010. But there's currently a debate raging within Ford about whether it'll actually be the third generation Focus that brings the new compact family car look to showrooms first.

Bosses are weighing up whether to make the Focus a global car – i.e. a model sold across all world markets – and if that happens, it'll go on sale first, possibly as early as 2010 with the C-MAX arriving in 2011. Both projects are being worked on in parallel and a decision will be made imminently.

mikeyb

03-06-2009, 03:31 PM

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Volkswagen has revealed its next-generation Polo hatchback, which will be launched at the Geneva Motor Show this week. The 2010 model will enter production in June, according to the automaker. Earlier this year, Volkswagen America CEO Stefan Jacoby indicated the Polo would be offered in the United States and Canada for the first time ever, starting with the redesigned 2010 model.

It’s not clear exactly when the Polo will come to America, but VW development chief Ulrich Hackenberg made it clear in a January interview the German automaker is ready to capitalize on increased demand for small, efficient cars.

“The small-car segment is the fastest growing segment in the U.S.,” Hackenberg told Automotive News. “Oil prices will rise again and that will drive small car sales up further.”

VW has announced the ambitious goal of increasing its sales to around 800,000 in the U.S. annually over the next decade. The low-price Polo would certainly add to that bottom line - at least VW hopes.
“With our European heritage, we are used to compact and subcompact cars. We are working right now to upgrade these cars for the American market,” VW of America CEO Stefan Jacoby said.

VW is quick to point out the new Polo’s improved safety, which will undoubtedly be important to American buyers. The car is reportedly achieves a five-star rating under the new EuroNCAP safety standards. The higher structural rigidity of the Polo’s bodyshell contributes to these results. In the footwell area alone, intrusion in a frontal crash is reduced by 50 percent. In the case of a side impact, the intrusion was reduced by 20 percent, the company says.

In addition, car is equipped with standard ESP electronic stabilization program with Hill Hold Control, plus a slew of standard airbags, including combined head-thorax airbags (integrated in the front seatbacks). Other highlights include belt tensioners and belt force limiters plus seatbelt warning indicator and head restraints that counteract the risk of whiplash injury. Curtain airbags to protect rear passengers are optional.
Despite significant improvements throughout, VW reduced the car’s overall weight by 7.5 percent. A seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is available, and several engine choices will be offered in Europe, including four gasoline and three diesel models.

VW chose to highlight just two of the new motors, both of which are likely candidates for the U.S. market. The new 1.2-liter TSI model has a twin turbocharged four-cylinder direct injection gasoline engine that produces 103 horsepower and delivers fuel economy of 43 mpg. The 1.6-liter TDI diesel mill delivers 88 horsepower and 62 mpg, making it the lowest emitting five-seater diesel in the world, according to VW.
Options that Polo drivers will be able to order on their new Volkswagen include static turning lights integrated in the front fog lights, (from “Comfortline” up), side curtain airbags (head airbag system for front and rear passengers), radio and radio-navigation systems and integrated hands-free telephone systems. A panorama sunroof and bi-xenon headlights will follow at a later time.

coolmazda5

03-07-2009, 09:41 PM

Here's something you don't see often: a tuner car more faithful to a brand image than the product it's based on. Somehow the Porsche Cayenne-based RUF Dakara manages attractive, round 911-style headlights.

We're still not too enthusiastic about the idea of a Porsche SUV to begin with, but we recognize they've sold enough Cayennes to make Budweiser sales at NASCAR events look slow. The market has spoken. The RUF boys have taken the Cayenne and restyled the offending elements and delivered a Cayenne which might have transcended the shortcomings of the segment and actually looks... dare we say it? Good.

Between the installation of 911 headlights, a front fascia which borrows from historical Ferrari's as much as it does Porsche, widened fenders and an inoffensive set of wheels, the Dakara is looking mighty dapper in it's deep blue hue. Ceramic brakes and a turbocharged V8 pushing out 600 HP and 659 lb-ft of twist don't hurt either. The RUF Dakara is set to be unveiled later today at the Geneva Motor Show.

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Source:
http://jalopnik.com/5164836/ruf-dakara-a-porsche-cayenne-that-looks-like-a-porsche