Toyota brought to this year’s Geneva show the iQ EV concept that although it is not ready to go into production, the automaker plans on introducing the tiny electric car to the market very soon after all the tests are completed. The car packs a permanent magnet synchronous electric motor that produces 63 hp (64 PS / 47 kW) and a 11 kWh lithium-ion battery that lies flat in the bed of the vehicle.
This new battery layout developed by Toyota will not occupy the valuable cabin space, which is extremely crucial for a car of this size. The car can “sprint” from 0 to 60 mph in 14 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 78 mph (125.5 km/h).
With the battery full, the Toyota iQ EV can be driven for up to 65 miles (105 km) and it features dual 100/200V AC and DC charging sockets. A DC quick charge station delivers 80% charge in only 15 minutes.
The Japanese automaker will start testing the car in Europe, United States and Japan later this year.
Source: Toyota via WCF
Post tags: Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, concept, toyota iq ev
Powered by Crowd Ignite
One of the many new concepts introduced this week in Geneva is the Bertone Jaguar B99. Design-wise, it borrowed some styling features of the Ford Interceptor concept and the previous generation XJ model. The B99 has an aluminum body and measures 4.5 m long, 1.95 m wide and is 1.35 m tall.
In front, you’ll notice the very aggressive fascia, the bold grille as well as the iconic “leaper” hood ornament. Although I’m not a big fan of the car’s design, I do love those “suicide” rear doors, something that I would like to see more often on production model cars. Out in the back, it echoes the front-end with a gloss-black “grille” and taillights that imitate the headlights.
The cabin is minimalist, yet very elegant at the same time. It has premium leather upholstery, a wood trim and various aluminum accents. It sports a full-length center console, a high-tech instrument cluster and rear tray tables.
The Bertone Jaguar B99 is a range-extended EV and packs a lithium-ion battery that sends power to two electric motors that provide a combined power output of 570 hp (578 PS / 425 kW). After the car’s battery is almost drained, a thermal engine acts as a generator in order to recharge it. The B99 can be driven for up to 62 miles (100 km) in electric mode and the range is extended to 435 miles (700 km) when the thermal engine is activated.
Bertone also brought to Geneva the B99 GT, a GT2 racing version that comes with a wider body, a reduced ride height and sits on 19-inch lightweight rims wrapped around in Pirelli PZero race tires. Out in the back it sports a huge spoiler and it has a race-spec interior along with a revised powertrain that uses four electric motors, generating 972 hp (986 PS / 725 kW)!
Source: Bertone via WCF
Post tags: Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, bertone jaguar b99, concept
Powered by Crowd Ignite
Remember the Rinspeed Bamboo? Well, among the Ferraris, Lamborghinis and Astons exhibited at Geneva, this Lego-like car is also present for reasons that I really don’t understand. The creators of this thing said that the idea behind the Bamboo is to capture the spirit of the 70s Saint Tropez.
It looks like a funky golf car and has a composite body, a two-piece removable roof and 17-inch aluminum wheels from AEX, wrapped in Goodyear EfficientGrip rubber. The worst thing about this golf cart, pardon, car, is the so-called “Identiface” grille that can display messages and Internet content to passing motorists. The question is, why?
Inside the cabin, the Rinspeed Bamboo has a “breadbox” dashboard, flower-shaped JBL speakers, inflatable rear seats, a smartphone charging dock and a HTC Flyer tablet.
It comes with a 16 kWh battery that sends power to an electric motor that produces 72 hp (73 PS / 54 kW) and 103 lb.-ft (140 Nm). With a curb weight of 2,403 lb (1,090 kg), the Bamboo can “sprint” to 31 mph (50 km/h) in 4.7 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 75 mph (120 km/h). Driving range is about 65 miles (105 km).
Post tags: Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, Concepts, rinspeed bamboo concept
Powered by Crowd Ignite
Another concept brought by Renault at Geneva this year, besides the R-Space, is the Captur, which we’ve talked about a couple of weeks ago. It follows the same design idea that we first saw on the DeZir concept and features butterfly doors, big 22-inch alloy rims with painted accents as well as LED lightning.
(more…)
Post tags: Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, Concepts, renault captur
Powered by Crowd Ignite
As most of you already know, Tata is the Indian creator of the Nano and for this year’s Geneva Motor Show they’ve brought a brand new concept city car – the Pixel. It measures only about three meters in length and according to the automaker is “the most package efficient four-seater in world” and is fully capable of “comfortably accommodate four adults”.
The design of the Pixel concept is quite similar to that of the Pininfarina Nindo, but there aren’t any information regarding a possible collaboration between the two companies, most likely it is a rip-off. The most important feature of this tiny car would have to be the Zero Turn system that can enable maneuvering and parking in very tight spaces. The IVT – Infinitely Variable Transmission assists rotation of the outer rear wheel forwards and the inner rear wheel backwards at low-speed maneuvers, allowing the car to have a turning circle radius of only 2.6 meters.
To facilitate parking in tight spaces, the Pixel’s doors open upwards, just like the ones on the aforementioned Pininfarina Nindo. The concept has another intelligent system, dubbed “My Tata Connect”, through which the driver can control key functions of the vehicle using only his tablet PC or smartphone.
The Pixel concept has a 3-cylinder 1.2-liter turbocharged diesel power unit that was installed in the rear and the Indian automaker said that with this engine, the car will do 69 mpg (3.4 liters / 100 km) and have CO2 emissions of only 89 g/km, thanks to the optimized aerodynamic drag, the low rolling-resistance tires and the now very popular start-stop technology.
The company affirmed that there are some chances of rolling out a production version of this concept which certainly won’t be as cheap as the Nano.
Post tags: Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, Concepts, tata pixel
Powered by Crowd Ignite
At the beginning of February, the Korean automaker SsangYong announced that they will bring to the Geneva Motor Show their SUT 1 concept, a stylish pickup truck that will most likely get a production version in the months to follow.
Designed in order to replace the current Actyon Sports, the company said that the goal of the SUT 1 concept is “to be the world’s best pick-up truck” – they sure are ambitious. This concept is ten times more appealing than the very ugly Actyon Sports. They ditched the boat-like nose and those unattractive “crying” headlights, conceiving a more attractive front look with an imposing honeycomb grille and very modern headlamps.
The bad news is that the rest of the SUT 1 concept is just about the same. The profile is almost identical, only the roof and the load-area rails are new. Out in the back, the only significant changes would have to be the higher-placed restyled taillights and the mild updated rear door. In my opinion, it is more like a facelift, rather than an entirely new concept, but it still looks far better than the model that it will replace.
Under the hood they’ve installed a 2.0-liter diesel power unit that has a low level of CO2 emissions – 193 g/km, for the rear-wheel-drive model fitted with a manual transmission. The engine is capable of producing 155 hp and 266.5 lb.-ft (360 Nm) of torque from only 1,500 rpm.
Just like the aforementioned Actyon Sports, the production version of the SsangYong SUT 1 will be available with either RWD or AWD and with 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions.
The production version will be launched in the second half of this year and sales will commence in early 2012.
Post tags: Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, Concepts, ssangyong sut 1
Powered by Crowd Ignite
I don’t know why but I’ve always been a huge fan of the Suzuki Swift. This tiny car is even better looking in this S-CONCEPT version that the Japanese automaker brought to the Geneva Motor Show. Based on the latest generation of the model which was launched in Europe last year, the concept is wider and lower in comparison to the production version.
It features updated fascias, new blackened lights, a more generous rear wing and sits on 15-spoke 18-inch rims, covered by 225/45 R18 tires. Inside the cabin, they’ve fitted this Swift concept with sports buckets seats and some carbon fiber trim.
Unfortunately they didn’t reveal what engine they’ve fitted the S-CONCEPT with (maybe there isn’t one at all). We do know that, at least on paper, it is a 1.6-liter engine that is mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox and the power is sent to the front wheels.
Source: Carscoop
Post tags: Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, Concepts, suzuki swift s-concept
Powered by Crowd Ignite
The German automaker Volkswagen brought to this year’s edition of the Geneva Motor Show, four new concepts based on the Golf R.
The luxurious models feature an exclusive paint (Carbon Steel Gray and Oryx White), aluminum trim, 19-inch Talladega rims, as well as Nappa leather interiors that were crafted VW R Exclusive. The dark gray model has an Almandine Red over black interior while the white one wears St. Tropez over black leather.
The two sporty Golfs come with an Aplomb Blue and a Space Grey paint finish, along with a carbon fiber trim, racing buckets, mirror caps and Nappa leather interiors. Inside the cabin, the light gray Golf R has Pure Grey over Light Anthracite leather with orange piping, piano black seats. It sits on Talladega rims and features orange brake calipers.
The other sporty Golf R, painted in blue, rides on 19-inch Brilliant Silver Glendales and has bucket seats wrapped in black and blue leather and have carbon fiber shells.
Source: Carscoop
Post tags: Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, Concepts, volkswagen golf r
Powered by Crowd Ignite
BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Roadster Concept
We’ve talked about BMW’s ConnectedDrive Roadster Concept a few weeks ago here on rpmGO and the automaker brought this very interesting concept to the 81st edition of the Geneva Motor Show. Nowadays, most of us consider more important to check our Twitter and Facebook accounts rather than driving so it was only a matter of time before an automaker implemented this fact into a car.
BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Roadster Concept
On that note, BMW’s ConnectedDrive is trying to offer the best from both worlds, but they didn’t say if this concept will ever get the green light for production. The design of the car is totally different from what we’ve seen before in the last few years; it is way cleaner and aggressive and features a comeback to the angry style, shark-esque style front end. The car was designed under the strict supervision of Adrian von Hooydonk, the company’s new head of design.
BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Roadster Concept
The interior is way more impressive than the exterior appearance of the CD, featuring a two-person cockpit that incorporates a completely customizable gauge cluster as well as an enhanced head-up display that delivers a 3D display of driving and communication info.
BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Roadster Concept
The sensors located in the front and rear lights monitor the traffic flow, the car monitors the driving environment and has the ability to communicate with other future Vision ConnectedDrive cars. The passenger can browse the Internet and the car can read the drivers calendar and suggests ways of efficiently getting to his/her appointments and meeting in the fastest way via the on-board satellite navigation.
BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Roadster Concept
I for one don’t see the point of this car as it has plenty of gadgets and gizmos that will distract us from driving. A car was designed to take us from point A to B, not to allow us to update our Facebook account or Twitter. However, I’m pretty sure that in about 10 years or so, our cars will be somewhat similar to BMW’s ConnectedDrive Roadster Concept.
Source: Carscoop
Post tags: Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Roadster Concept
Powered by Crowd Ignite
Lotus Evora Enduro GT Concept
Based on the Evora GT4 Endurance racer, Lotus unveiled yesterday the Lotus Evora Enduro GT Concept, a car that was developed by Lotus Motorsport under the tutelage of Nicola Scimeca, head designer, and will serve as the foundation from which all of the GT2/GTE homologated FIA-spec racers will be produced. The car will have its debut this June at the 24 Hours Nurburgring ADAC race that will take place in Germany.
Lotus Evora Enduro GT Concept
Unfortunately, Lotus did not reveal any specifications about the car. The previous Evora Type 124 Endurance race car had a 4.0-liter V6 engine borrowed from Toyota that developed 395 hp (400 PS / 295 kW) and was linked to a 6-speed Cima sequential transmission. It had a curb weight of only 2646 lbs (1200 kg).
Lotus Evora Enduro GT Concept
The new Enduro GT will also take part in the Spa 24h race in Belgium in late July as well as the 24hr Silverstone race that will be organized in October. The company announced that it plans to introduce the car in endurance races in Daytona and Dubai next year.
Post tags: Tags: lotus evora enduro gt concept
Powered by Crowd Ignite
Nissan Esflow Sports Coupe Concept
The Nissan Esflow Sports Coupe Concept was unveiled yesterday at the 81st edition of the Geneva Motor Show and it is a car that uses the same EV technology that we saw on the company’s first zero emission production model, the highly-acclaimed (yet quite ugly) Leaf.
Nissan Esflow Sports Coupe Concept
The concept sports not one, but two electric motors that lay over the rear axle and a 24 kWh battery pack, like the one in the Leaf. Similar to the very cool 370Z, it has a two-seat layout. By combining a RWD with weight saving techniques, the concept is able to sprint to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds and at the same time, offers almost 50% more driving range than the Leaf, which means that the drive would be able to do 150 miles before recharging the battery.
Nissan Esflow Sports Coupe Concept
The design of the Nissan Esflow Sports Coupe Concept incorporates a high belt line and a wrap-around windscreen. It has a unique body structure that is not only lighter, but also stronger. The company said that this concept is suited for a tech savvy, professional guy.
Nissan Esflow Sports Coupe Concept
However, we’ll have to wait a couple of years until Nissan will release a production version of this car which will most likely not be just as exciting as this one.
Post tags: Tags: concept, Green, nissan esflow sports coupe
Powered by Crowd Ignite
Remember the Toyota FT-86 Concept? Well, the Japanese automaker has revealed photos of the second iteration of this mode which according to the company is very close to the production model that will go on sale next year.
The designers over at Toyota restyled the car’s profile by removing the lower swoop line and adding instead, a new beltline that starts from the front wheel arch with a cheesy air vent and then finishes off on the tip of the rear window; a rear window that is a little bit bigger in comparison to the one on the first FT-86. They’ve also split the front window and got rid of the blacked out A-column finish and the car’s rear wheel arches are more pronounced along with the new side rocker panels.
In the front, you’ll notice the redesigned bumper, that huge center grille and the more concave surfaces on both corners, as well as the new LED daytime running lights. Out in the back, you can see the new standalone, protruding tail lamps plus a revised bumper that incorporates a more pronounced diffuser and bigger tail pipes. It also features a fitment of a fixed wing and a redesigned boot lid.
The Toyota FT-86 II Concept measures 4,235mm long, 1,795 mm wide and 1,270 mm high, making it bigger with 75 mm in length, 35 mm in width and 10 mm in height in comparison to the FT-86 I. The wheelbase remained the same, measuring 2,570 mm long.
We don’t know what sort of engine the car will get, but we do know that is going to be a Subaru-sourced plant and the power will be delivered to the rear wheels via a traditional 6-speed manual gearbox.
Post tags: Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, Concepts, toyota ft-86 ii
Powered by Crowd Ignite
First of all I’d like to say that I’m not a big fan of superminis but if I were to choose one it would have to be the Toyota Yaris as it looks like a mature car, something that you can only find in superior segments. Yesterday at the Geneva Motor Show, the Japanese automaker presented the Yaris HDS Concept, a hybrid model based on the next-gen Yaris.
Essentially, this concept is a teaser version of the soon-to-be-released hybrid model that the company will launch next year in Europe. Following the same recipe used for the Auris HSD, the Hybrid Synergy Drive version of the Yaris has a few bespoke styling cues that differentiate it from the gasoline-powered model. Some of these changes include the vertical “aero” corners that are housed in the front bumper, designed in order to minimize air turbulence, the generous trapezoidal lower grille, the rear reflectors in the rear bumper and the 18-inch wheels.
As you can see, the car has no door mirrors as they were ditched for sake of aerodynamics, and were replaced with rear-view cameras. The doors of the Yaris HSD Concept have been modeled for improving the airflow around the car. The car’s roof is covered with solar panels that are able to provide power for the AC system.
The hybrid version of the Toyota Yaris will be manufactured at the company’s plant in Valenciennes, France and will be on sale in the second half of next year. The Japanese automaker has plans to offer full-hybrid versions of all the cars they sell in Europe by 2012.
Post tags: Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, Green, toyota yaris hsd concept
Powered by Crowd Ignite
Yet another concept unveiled during the inaugural day of the Geneva Motor Show is the Mazda Minagi, a compact SUV study based on the company’s all-new Kodo design identity that we first saw last year on their Shinari concept. In comparison to that one, the Minagi looks like more a production-ready model and previews the company’s soon-to-be-released model that will rival the Volkswagen Tiguan.
(more…)
Post tags: Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, mazda minagi concept
Powered by Crowd Ignite
Mitsubishi Concept-Global Small
One of the many concepts revealed yesterday at Geneva is Mitsubishi’s new Concept-Global Small that is the preview of the upcoming model that will replace the Colt supermini. The company said that the production model will be revealed at the end of 2011 and production will commence in early 2012 at a new factory that is currently under construction in Thailand – the automaker’s third factory in this region.
Mitsubishi Concept-Global Small
The new B-segment car will be proposed as an entry-level model for emerging markets as well as a fuel-efficient car in the developed markets. They didn’t mention much else about the Concept-Global Small, except for the fact that the engines available will include 1.0-liter to 1.2-liter units, and depending upon the market, some versions will be fitted with the start-stop technology and regenerative braking system, along with a new generation of the CVT and low-rolling resistance rubber.
Post tags: Tags: 2011 geneva motor show, mitsubishi concept-global small
Powered by Crowd Ignite
