2012 Smart ForTwo Electric
The third generation of Smart’s electric version of the ForTwo is exhibited this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show and promises to be more than just an eco-friendly car. Launched back in 2009, the second generation of the model reached 18 markets and the automaker managed to deliver a little over 2,000 cars. It had a lithium-ion battery pack borrowed from Tesla that had a constant output of 27 hp (20 kW), peaking at 40 hp (30 kW). This allowed the car to do the 0-37 mph (0-60 km/h) sprint in 6.5 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 62 mph (100 km/h).
2012 Smart ForTwo Electric
As for the new one, Smart has significantly improved the lithium-ion technology and this time it packs a 17.6 kWh unit developed with Deutsche Accumotive. In addition, this new electric motor is more powerful than the one it replaces, being capable to provide a constant output of 47 hp (35 kW) and a peak torque of 74 hp (55 kW). The car is propelled to 37 mph in exactly 5 seconds and hits a maximum speed of 75 mph (120 km/h). It has 95 lb.-ft (130 Nm) of torque which should make it more responsive at higher speeds.
The battery of the 2012 Smart ForTwo Electric should be able to provide enough juice for up to 140 km and you will be able to charge it from a regular household outlet in approximately 8 hours. If you get the optional rapid charge function that has a 22 kW on-board charger, recharging the battery will take less than 60 minutes.
2012 Smart ForTwo Electric
Set to go on sale in the spring of next year, the car will be available in 30 countries and Smart says that they plan on selling at least 10,000 units. In Germany, the car will have a base price of less than 16,000 Euro ($22,000), but every month they’ll have to pay a battery rental fee which will set them back another 60 Euro ($82).
Source: Smart via Carscoop
Post tags: Tags: frankfurt motor show, Green, Smart, smart fortwo electric, smart-fortwo
One of the many concepts that were revealed this week during the Frankfurt Motor Show is this SsangYong XIV-1. The car measures 4,140 mm in length, 1,830 in width and it is 1,590 mm tall, while the wheelbase is 2,600 mm. One of the cool features of this concept would have to be the opposite-opening rear doors that look great.
The car is motivated by a 1.6-liter gasoline engine or a 1.6-liter diesel, but unfortunately we don’t have any details about the specifications of these power units. We do know that SsangYong is seriously thinking about rolling out a production version out of this concept which should go head-to-head with other cars in the CUV segment, like the Land Rover Evoque.
Source: SsangYong
Post tags: Tags: concept, frankfurt motor show, SsangYong, ssangyong xiv-1
One of the most beautiful cars exhibited this year in Frankfurt would have to be the Jaguar C-X16, a car that the automaker’s boss Adrian Hallmark said that it will cost between 55,000 and 70,000 pounds. No word at the moment about the launch date of the model, although there were some speculations that it would hit the market in 2012.
Under the hood of the car is a new supercharged V6 3.0-liter engine that produces 375 hp and has a peak torque of 332 lb.-ft. It is an Euro 6 compliant power unit that benefits from the second generation of Jaguar’s direct injection technology and has a higher 10.5:1 compression ratio, along with a 6th generation Rootes-type supercharger, allowing the engine to deliver 127 hp per liter. This power unit also comes with the Twin Solenoid Starter stop/start system and is mated to a new 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox that has a built-in electric motor.
The car also features a 95 hp / 173 lb.-ft electric motor that can allow the C-X16 to be driven on pure electric mode at speeds of up to 50 mph for small distances, drawing the juice from the 1.6 kWh battery located behind the back seats. By combining a downsized engine with the electric motor and the aforementioned stop/start system, allowed the engineers from Jaguar to create a car that has CO2 emissions of only 165 g/km.
With these hardware specifications, the Jaguar C-X16 can do the 0-62 mph sprint in only 4.4 seconds, en route to an electronically limited top speed of 186 mph. The car can boost from 50 to 75 mph in 2.1 seconds. It has been fitted with a “push to pass” located on the steering wheel which permits access to the extra boost which gives the driver of the vehicle ten precious seconds of maximum power.
Source: Jaguar via Autocar
Post tags: Tags: frankfurt motor show, Jaguar, jaguar c-x16
The Ingolstadt-based automaker Audi has decided to bring back to life its A2 model by creating this very interesting and promising electric concept. The car has a curb weight of only 2530 lbs (1,150 kg) and features an ASF – Audi Space Frame construction. It is mostly made out of aluminum with add-on parts in CFRP – Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polymer.
It has a lithium-ion battery that drives an electric motor with 116 PS (85 kW) and 199 lb.-ft (270 Nm). However, the continuous power provided is only 80 PS (59 kW) and 118 lb.-ft (160 Nm). It has a single-speed gearbox that converts the available power for motivating the wheels in the front. It should be able to do the 0-62 mph sprint in a decent 9.3 seconds, before hitting an electronically limited top speed of 93 mph (150 km/h).
That lithium-ion battery pack has been installed in the floor of the Audi A2 Concept in order to maximize the available space and it should provide enough juice for up to 124 miles (200 km). Some of the features of the car include LED matrix headlights and taillights, along with a cool dynamic lightning across the exterior of the vehicle.
Source: Audi via WCF
Post tags: Tags: Audi, audi a2, audi a2 concept, Green
The Korean automaker Kia showcases this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show its 3-door version of the all-new Rio model. Just like its more practical brother, this one has been created primarily with the European consumer in mind. It has the exact same dimensions as the 5-door model, measuring 4,045 mm long, 1,720 mm wide and it is 1,455 mm tall, while the wheelbase is 2,570 mm.
In most of the markets where the car will be launched, it will share the same engines and equipment as the 5-door version. Clients will get to choose from one of the four 3- and 4-cylinder engines that produce between 75 and 109 hp. With the most powerful engine in the lineup, the 3-door Kia Rio will be able to do the 0-62 mph sprint in 11.5 seconds, en route to a maximum speed of 114 mph (183 km/h).
The most frugal model will be the one fitted with the EcoDynamics diesel engine that will be capable of returning 73.5 mpg (88.2 mpg UK or 3.2 liters / 100 km) and CO2 emissions of only 85 g/km.
Kia said that the new 3-door version will account for approximately a quarter of all the Rios sold in Europe.
Source: Kia via Carscoop
Post tags: Tags: frankfurt motor show, Kia, kia rio
Citroen Tubik
One of the most radical vehicles unveiled this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show is Citroen’s Tubik. They drawn their inspiration for this model from the TUB and Type H light vans developed by the French automaker for more than four decades starting with 1939. The car measures 4,800 mm long, 2,080 mm wide and it is 2,050 mm tall. It has enough room to carry up to nine passengers that will sit across three rows of seats.
Citroen Tubik
The interior cabin benefits from an adjustable modular seating arrangement and it has been designed as a “lounge-style cocoon”, featuring a leather floor, felt seats and ambient lighting. Other than that, it sports a huge semi-circular TV screen as well as hi-def surround sound.
Citroen Tubik
The doors of the Citroen Tubik open along the entire side of the van in order to permit access to both the front and rear. The automaker says that the cockpit is based on a so-called “cyclotron” that groups the seats, steering wheel, pedal assembly and the head-up display in a cool circular arrangement. The driver of the vehicle is recognized via the fingerprint recognition system.
Citroen Tubik
The car is motivated by a 4WD drivetrain and is powered by PSA’s Hybrid4 technology that includes a diesel engine in the front and an electric motor that drives the back wheels. Speaking of the rims, they measure 22 inches and are wrapped around in low-resistance rubbers. The Tubik also has the company’s Hydractive suspension technology. Once the car reaches high speeds, it will automatically sit lower in order to improve the aerodynamics. Citroen mentioned that the van’s CO2 emissions are roughly the same as the ones of a regular sedan.
Source: Citroen via Autocar
Post tags: Tags: Citroen, citroen tubik, concept, frankfurt motor show, Green
Volkswagen has a lot of plans for its tiny Up! model as for this year’s edition of the Frankfurt Motor Show they brought not only the production version of the car, but also six brand new concepts which all appear to be quite interesting.
The first one that we want to talk about is the GT Up! that the German automaker says that they might make a production version out of it. If so, it will probably have a 100 hp engine, which is a good 25 hp more than the most powerful Up! that will be available when the car hits the dealerships. It borrows a few styling ideas from the company’s GTI models, like the honeycomb grille, an aero kit, 17-inch alloys and an updated interior cabin.
The second one is a crossover variant, dubbed Cross Up! The model previews the company’s 5-door variant of the car and looks very nice.
Another one would have to be the Up! Azzura for which the German engineers took their inspiration from the nautical world. It has been drawn by the famous Italian designers Giorgetto Giugiaro and Walter de Silva. As you can see from the above photo, there is no roof and no doors, while the cabin has four seats wrapped around in white/blue leather, a bunch of chrome parts and a dashboard finished in mahogany which has maple wood inlays.
Another version of the Up! is the EcoFuel model that is motivated by a 1.0-liter natural gas engine that fires 68 hp. It has been fitted with the company’s BlueMotion Technology which features a stop/start system as well as battery regeneration. Volkswagen mentioned that in 2012 they will launch a gas-powered version of the car but it will not come with the BlueMotion goodies.
Last but certainly not least, the e-Up! is the preview of the model’s pure electric variant which is scheduled for a 2013 release. The car is powered by an electric motor that has a peak output of 80 hp (60 kW) while the continuous power is rated at 54 hp (40 kW). It has a 210 Nm torque and can hit a maximum speed of 84 mph (135 km/h). According to VW, the capacity of the battery of 18 kWh should provide enough juice for up to 80 miles (130 km).
Source: Volkswagen
Post tags: Tags: frankfurt motor show, Green, Volkswagen, vw cross up!, VW E-Up!, vw eco up!, vw up!, vw up! azzura
Brabus Reveals Project HYBRID
Probably one of the most interesting projects revealed by the German tuner and manufacturer Brabus is this one you see in these pictures which is based on the Mercedes-Benz E 220 CDI, the frugal Blue Efficiency variant. They’ve installed their own Eco tuning module that increases the output of the 2.2-liter diesel engine by 29 hp (30 PS / 22 kW), for a grand total of 197 hp (200 PS / 147 kW) and a peak torque of 332 lb.-ft (450 Nm).
The wheel hub motors have been borrowed from the British company Protean Electric which handled the development, while the wheels are created in-house by Brabus, dubbed Monoblock Q, and measuring 19 inches on all four corners. Each of the two electric motors generate 68 PS (50 kW) in the Eco mode and 109 PS (80 kW) in Sport mode. The combined output is 216 hp (220 PS / 160 kW) while the torque is an impressive 1,180 lb.-ft (1,600 Nm).
Housed in the underbody, the 18.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack of the Brabus Project HYBRID gives the vehicle a range of up to 75 miles (120 km) in Eco mode and 50 miles (80 km) in Sport mode. It is capable of doing the 0-62 mph spring in only 7.4 seconds, which is considerably better than the 8.7 seconds of the regular Mercedes-Benz E 220 CDI.
It all sounds great but we are talking about a prototype and Brabus didn’t said anything about making a production version out of this vehicle, but maybe they’ll change their mind in the future. One can only hope.
Source: Brabus via WCF
Post tags: Tags: brabus, brabus project hybrid, Tuning
2012 Opel Astra GTC
The official debut of the new Astra GTC occurred this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show where Opel decided to bring its sexiest Astra model ever launched. It based on the 5-door model and comes with a nice bodykit, along with a 10 mm longer wheelbase. In addition, the tracks are now wider by 40 mm in the front and 30 mm out in the back.
2012 Opel Astra GTC
The German automaker mentioned that they’ve fine-tuned the chassis of the hot GTC by implementing a bespoke HiPerStrut suspension in the front while at the rear it has a Watt’s link axle configuration that will probably increase the dynamics of the car.
2012 Opel Astra GTC
At first, the car will be available in Europe with a selection of five engines, developing between 100 hp and 180 hp. Clients will be able to order the Astra GTC with a frugal 1.7-liter CDTI ecoFLEX diesel that outputs 110 hp or 130 hp. Both of these engines benefit as standard from the stop/start system.
2012 Opel Astra GTC
Opel is also working on a more potent OPC version which will probably get a 4-cylinder turbocharged engine that should deliver almost 300 hp. In UK, the car will wear the VXR designation just like the previous models.
Source: Opel via Carscoop
Post tags: Tags: frankfurt motor show, Opel, opel astra, opel astra gtc
Frankfurt Motor Show – Peugeot HX1
From Peugeot’s stand at the Frankfurt Motor Show we find the exquisite HX1 concept, they’re vision of an MPV for the year 2020. It is a plug-in diesel-electric, low-slung hybrid that features the most recent version of the company’s AWD diesel-electric drivetrain dubbed Hybrid4.
The front wheels of the HX1 are powered by the 2.2-liter HDi engine that fires 204 hp and is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The rear wheels are motivated by a 95 hp electric motor that is fed by a pack of lithium-ion batteries with plug-in capability, unseen up until now on a Peugeot model.
Driving the car only in electric mode can be done for up to 18.6 miles, while the mpg UK figure is 88.2 in the combined cycle. The CO2 emissions stand at only 83 g/km, in comparison to the automaker’s most frugal model in the current lineup, the 5008 that returns 134 g/km from its 112 hp 1.6 HDI engine.
The car measures 4954 mm long, 1990 mm wide and is 1373 mm high, making it 424 mm longer, 153 mm wider and 265 mm lower than the aforementioned 5008, which is a 7-seat car. As you can see, the car benefits from the new front treatment adopted by Peugeot, which is considerably more attractive than what we’ve seen in the company’s models in the last few years. It rides on a set of alloys that have a seven-spoke design and can change their shape in order to improve aero efficiency. At a speed of above 62.1 mph, the HX1’s side skirts and the rear spoiler are deployed.
One of the best things about this car would have to be those exciting half-scissor doors that open upwards and outwards, revealing a superb interior that has a lot of brushed metal, oak, along with a nice leather trim. The reclining rear seats of this futuristic MPV feature a coffee machine and a mini bar which are mounted between them. The car can accommodate a neat center row consisting of two seats which folds out from the back of the HX1’s front seats.
Source: Peugeot via Autocar
Post tags: Tags: Green, Hybrid, Peugeot, peugeot hx1, plug-in hybrid
Lotus Evora GTE Limited Edition
At first, Lotus said that they are going to make only 114 units of the Evora GTE Limited Edition and all of them will be sold in China. However, after receiving a positive feedback from potential buyers, the British automaker has decided to increase the manufactured units of this limited edition, which probably will not be appreciated by those original 114 clients since they won’t be buying what you would call an exclusive car anymore.
Lotus Evora GTE Limited Edition
Anyway, this special edition is based on Lotus’ Evora GTE racecar and has the same supercharged 3.5-liter engine that launches 444 hp, which is considerably more than the 350 ponies offered by the Evora S. A novelty of this model would have to be the implementation of a brand new sequential automated manual transmission (AMT) racing gearbox that is capable of transferring the power to those beautiful lightweight forged alloys that have center lock hubs, wrapped around in P-Zero Corsa rubbers from Pirelli.
Lotus Evora GTE Limited Edition
In comparison to the base Evora, this not-so-limited GTE Limited Edition has lost 232 pounds (105 kg) by using a lot of components made out of carbon fiber, both for the exterior and the interior of the car.
Source: Lotus via Carscoop
Post tags: Tags: frankfurt motor show, Lotus, Lotus Evora, lotus evora gte, lotus evora gte limited edition
With the occasion of the 64th edition of the Frankfurt Motor Show, Toyota has decided to bring the 2012 version of the popular Prius model. Some of the modifications brought include a few mild updates to the car’s exterior and interior appearance.
Looking at the outside of the vehicle, we notice the new look of the front bumper that now has a bigger grille, along with clear lens headlamps that have an updated LED lamp configuration as well as daytime running lights for the bumper. Other than that, the door mirrors will come with a power-folding function; the tail lamps have a new look while the alloys have a different appearance.
Inside the cabin, the 2012 Toyota Prius promises to offer improved sensorial quality by modifying the color scheme to black from the previous dark grey, along with adding new upholsteries and silver inserts. The Japanese also revised the design of the center console, while the color of the push start button has been changed to a hybrid blue pattern.
In addition, the multi information display now benefits from a 16 gradation-step VFD – Vaccum Fluorescent Display which promises to offer a more three dimensional and clearer display.
Lastly, the CO2 emissions are of only 89 g/km while fuel consumption is rated at 3.9 liters / 100 km.
Source: Toyota
Post tags: Tags: Green, Toyota, toyota prius
After months of anticipation we finally get to see the new generation of the legendary Porsche 911 (codenamed 991). As you can see, the styling changes brought by the company’s design boss Michael Mauer are subtle, for both the standard Carrera and the hotter Carrera S.
Looking at the front of the car we notice a sleeker and cleaner front bumper that has a somewhat new look, along with revised headlights and air intakes, which were modified in order to increase the aerodynamic efficiency. They borrowed the LED detailing from the 918 Spyder concept while the door mirror housings sit outboard on the doors.
The most significant modifications can be observed at the back where we see a considerably sleeker design for those slimmed-down taillights. They also reshaped the electrically-operated rear wing for improving aerodynamic efficiency and also increase the downforce above 75 mph. The new model has only three engine cover openings, whereas the outgoing one had five of them.
Despite the fact that the design of the car remains pretty much the same, Porsche’s engineers modified the proportions of the new 911 in order to offer better stability and safety, while at the same time improving the interior space, especially the legroom in the back. The car’s wheelbase has been extended with the front & rear overhands reduced so that they could minimize the increase of the overall length. The new one measures 4491 mm long, 1873 mm wide and 1299 mm high, which makes it 56 mm longer, 65 mm wider and 11 m lower than the model it replaces.
No surprises as far as the layout of the engine as it still remains in the back, just like the first generation model which came out in 1963, but the mounting points have suffered some changes so that the weight distribution would be better.
The Porsche 911 (991) has a MacPherson front strut suspension which will also be used for the new generation of the Boxster which will be launched sometime in 2013. At the back it has a revised multi-link suspension. Most of the chassis is made out of aluminum which is a novelty for the 911. They used high-tensile steels for the crash structures while the bodywork also uses aluminum, with the exception of the rear which features a steel configuration. By using aluminum, Porsche’s engineers have managed to reduce the weight of the car by 45 kg, although it comes with beefier brakes, wheels and tires.
The hotter Carrera S is going to be motivated by an updated version of the company’s 6-cylinder 3.8-liter engine which was also used for the outgoing model, only this time the new one unleashes 400 hp while the old one churns “only” 380 ponies. The base 911 Carrera is going to be propelled by a 6-cylinder 3.4-liter, rather than the old 3.6-liter. However, it manages to produce more power than the 997 model as it offers 350 hp, whereas the old one can provide 341 hp. The entry-level Carrera comes with a twin exhaust pipe configuration while the S version has a quad pipe arrangement.
The car’s engine will be linked to a 7-speed manual transmission which is a novelty in the industry. As a matter of fact, this new one is basically a manual-controlled single clutch version of the company’s traditional PDK dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Clients will be able to order the new 911 with an optional 7-speed automatic transmission.
The first units of the Porsche 911 (991) will reach the customers towards the end of this year. Prices will be revealed later on.
Source: Porsche via Autocar
Post tags: Tags: frankfurt motor show, Porsche, porsche 911, porsche 911 (991)
Ferrari 458 Spider Impresses Frankfurt Crowd
Without any doubt, one of the most beautiful cars exhibited this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show is the exquisite Ferrari 458 Spider. This is the open-top version of the lovely 458 Italia and comes with a hard-top folding roof that manages to offer improved insulation from noise and heat inside the cabin while at the same time being 25 kg lighter compared to a regular roof made out of fabric.
Opening and closing the roof takes only 14 seconds and even when it’s opened, you still get enough room to store your stuff on the bench located behind the seats. Once you store the roof, the car’s rear windscreen will rise automatically and double as an air deflector.
Other than that, the car remains pretty much the same as its fixed roof brother. It has the same aluminum chassis and the impressive V8 4.5-liter engine that develops 570 hp. The power unit is mated to an F1-inspired dual-clutch gearbox that allows the 458 Spider to do the 0-62 mph sprint in 3.4 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 200 mph (320 km/h).
Fuel consumption has been reduced to only 11.8 liters / 100 km (19.9 mpg) thanks to the implementation of the HELE – High Emotion Low Emission system. Not like it matters anyway, but the CO2 emissions are 275 g/km.
Source: Ferrari via Carscoop
Post tags: Tags: Ferrari, ferrari 458 spider, frankfurt motor show
Mercedes-Benz Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS
One of the most interesting cars in my opinion revealed this week at the Frankfurt Motor Show is the Mercedes-Benz Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS. A very long name for a promising plug-in hybrid that has a 134 hp (136 PS / 100 kW) electric motor that can provide a continuous output of 94 hp (95 PS / 70 kW).
Mercedes-Benz Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS
The on-board power unit is a gasoline engine that develops 67 hp (68 PS / 50 kW) that can fill up the battery at low speeds but it also can kick in at high speeds for driving the wheels in the front along with the electric motor. It has a brand new gearbox which has been developed by the company especially for this model.
Mercedes-Benz Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS
It has CO2 emissions of only 32 g/km in combined driving and it can offer a driving range of up to 373 miles (600 km). In electric mode, the Mercedes-Benz Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS concept can be driven for about 62 miles (100 km).
Mercedes-Benz Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS
No word about a possible production version, but we’ll certainly keep you posted if MB changes its mind. Stay tuned for additional details.
Source: Mercedes-Benz
Post tags: Tags: Concepts, frankfurt motor show, Green, Hybrid, mercedes, mercedes Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS, Mercedes-Benz, mercedes-benz Concept B-Class E-CELL PLUS, plug-in hybrid
