Nissan Invitation concept heading to Geneva Motor Show
The Japanese car manufacturer Nissan has revealed yesterday the Invitation concept which will be making its first public appearance next month at the Geneva Motor Show. With this B-segment vehicle the company wants to “preview a forthcoming mainstream model” that is scheduled to be launched next year in Europe. Sources inside the company have said that this will probably be the replacement for the Note model which is based on the Micra platform.
Nissan is working on an ultra frugal version of the Invitation which will probably be motivated by a 1.0-liter superchargerd engine that it already available in the aforementioned Micra, an engine that has CO2 emissions of less than 100 g/km.
The concept you can see in these photos has been designed in Japan but the production version for the Europe market will be adapted at the company’s design center located in Cranfield, Bedfordshire. The car will come with “a refreshingly open cabin” and it is set to feature a bunch of equipment that you won’t see that often in this segment, like an Around View Monitor system that consists of four cameras which are capable of providing a “helicopter view” that will be quite useful for parallel parking and reversing the vehicle.
This interesting concept also features the company’s Safety Child system that can interact with the driver of the car in order to keep him/her aware of what’s happening around the vehicle.
Source: Nissan via Autocar.co.uk
Post tags: Tags: concept, geneva-motor-show, Nissan, nissan invitation
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Chevrolet Code 130R
This year at the Detroit Motor Show, General Motors brought two Chevrolet sports coupe concepts that offer seating for four while staying on a strict budget. Both concepts were developed based on the feedback that GM received from young consumers in the U.S. in 2011.
Chevrolet Code 130R
The first one wears the name Code 130R which even though looks like its wearing a Corvette face and Camaro tail lamps, its size, proportions and the profile remind us of the BMW 1-Series Coupe but considerably more attractive.
Chevrolet Code 130R
Wearing a red metallic paint with matte anodized rims, the car can be considered as a classic GT and it comes with a rear-wheel drive system and a front-mounted engine. It is motivated by a 1.4-liter Turbo Ecotec engine that features the eAssist micro-hybrid technology developed by General Motors for reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption.
Chevrolet Tru 140S
The second concept unveiled at NAIAS this year is the Tru 140S which is a more modern take on a small sports coupe. It has a 1.4-liter Turbo Ecotec power unit and features eAssist with a FWD configuration.
Chevrolet Tru 140S
According to GM, this engine can produce approximately 150 hp and is capable of returing 40 mpg on both concepts. If these concepts will see the light of day, their price will be “in the low $20,000s”.
Chevrolet Tru 140S
Source: General Motors
Post tags: Tags: Chevrolet, chevrolet code 130r, chevrolet Tru 140S, Concepts, detroit motor show, motor shows, naias
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Acura NSX
The Japanese automaker Acura has introduced this year at the Detroit Motor Show yet another concept of the NSX. Honda/Acura have come up with a bunch of concepts over the last few years for a replacement of the legendary NSX that was manufactured between 1990 and 2005.None of these concepts got the green light for production but Acura said that the latest one will see the light of the day within the next three years.
Acura NSX
Acura says that the new generation of the NSX will be developed by an engineering team led by Honda R&D Americas, and it will be manufactured in Ohio but we don’t know the name of the facility where this will happen. Just like the original model, this NSX concept has a mid-mounted V6 naturally aspirated engine that benefits from Acura’s Sport Hybrid SH-AWD hybrid system that has not one, but three electric motors. For those of you that don’t know, SH-AWD stands for Super Handling All Wheel Drive.
Acura NSX
This new VTEC V6 engine benefits from direct injection and is mated to a dual clutch gearbox that has a built-in electric motor. Aside from this, there is a two-motor electric-drive unit that is capable of providing torque to the wheels in the front during cornering in order to improve the NSX’s handling. As you would expect, this NSX concept features a lot of lightweight materials to keep the weight of the car as down as possible.
Acura NSX
Source: Acura
Post tags: Tags: Acura, acura nsx, Concepts, detroit motor show, Honda, honda nsx, naias
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Audi Q3 Vail
The Ingolstadt-based automaker Audi has brought to this year’s edition of the NAIAS a winter-themed version of the Q3. The company said that the Q3 Vail is a “potential variation on the SUV concept” and has been developed for those customers who like snowboarding and skiing.
Audi Q3 Vail
This concept got its name from the famous winter sports event that is organized in the U.S. Under its hood there’s a 5-cylinder 2.5-liter TFSI power unit that pumps out 314 hp (231 kW) and a peak torque of 295 lb.-ft (400 Nm). This engine is linked to a 7-speed S tronic gearbox which enables the concept to do the 0-62 mph sprint in 5.5 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 162 mph (262 km/h).
Audi Q3 Vail
Some of the car’s special features include the bespoke Energy Red paint that has golden pearlescent particles, while some of the car’s parts are finished in a matt grey quartz-based paint. Other parts of the Q3 Vail wear a high gloss black finish or are manufactured from aluminum. The car comes with wider fenders, a bespoke front grille, along with aluminum rails that have built-in LED lights.
Audi Q3 Vail
The Audi Q3 Vail is riding on 8.5 J x 20 alloys that are wrapped around in 255/45 off-road tires. Both front and rear tracks of the concept are 1.57 inches (40 mm) wider in comparison to the ones of the standard model, while the ride height has been increased by 1.18 inches (30 mm). Other modifications include a specially designed exhaust system that has tailpipes which are integrated in the rear diffuser.
Audi Q3 Vail
Inside the cabin Audi installed Alcantara and leather upholstery, a bunch of aluminum trim parts and red velvet accents. The car’s MMI system is capable of displaying an animation that represents the longitudinal and latitudinal tilt angle of the SUV. Also on board is a charging station which has been integrated into the sidewall of the boot, while a Thermos bottle is placed between the Q3’s front seats.
Audi Q3 Vail
The car also has specially designed flashlights that feature infrared heating and can be used for warming the driver’s hands as well as his ski boots. Other than that, it comes with a boot mat that has heated seat cushions.
Source: Audi
Post tags: Tags: Audi, audi q3, audi q3 vail, Concepts, naias
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Toyota NS4
The Japanese automaker Toyota has brought to this year’s edition of the NAIAS show an advanced future plug-in hybrid sedan which they’ve called the NS4. This can be considered as a preview of the company’s future design language.
Toyota NS4
We don’t have any details regarding the powertrain of the car but the company said that it is lighter and smaller in comparison to current plug-in hybrid systems, including the firm’s system which can be found in the Prius plug-in model. According to Toyota, this new system is capable of improving fuel economy, the all-electric range and the acceleration of the car, while at the same time shorten the time necessary for recharging.
Toyota NS4
The front grille of the Toyota NS4 has a bold look, while the front bumper is sculpted. We also notice a lower spoiler and the inclusion of LED daytime running lights. At the back we find wraparound lights that have been designed to look like a rear spoiler. The car also features powered swan-wing doors and a trick roofline for optimizing the interior cabin.
Toyota NS4
This interesting concept from Toyota is also fitted with an advanced infotainment system and also a quick preview of the company’s new generation of safety equipment. The center console of the NS4 holds a touchscreen display that has been created to imitate a smartphone. From this touchscreen the driver can control just about all the available controls.
Toyota NS4
We’ve mentioned new safety equipment so let’s talk about the inclusion of a new blind-spot monitor, next-gen pre-collision detection system and adaptive headlights. In addition, it also has a clever pop-up hood so that in case of a pedestrian collision it can automatically raise the rear of the hood in order to help prevent head injuries.
Toyota NS4
To improve the NS4’s fuel efficiency, the Japanese engineers from Toyota have developed a new glass technology which is more aerodynamic and lighter, while at the same time being more resistant to fogging and rain for improving the visibility. The automaker has also ditched the conventional mirrors in favor of cameras that Toyota says provide a wider field of vision.
Source: Toyota via Autocar.co.uk
Post tags: Tags: Concepts, detroit motor show, naias, Toyota, toyota ns4
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Nissan Pathfinder concept revealed at 2012 NAIAS
Nissan Pathfinder Concept
Nissan revealed a concept of its successful Pathfinder model at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show, a concept that previews the production version which will be out this fall. The most significant change in comparison to the current third generation model would have to be the unibody construction, compared to the body-on frame architecture of the outgoing model. This isn’t the first time when Nissan uses the unibody construction as the first generation model had this setup.
Nissan Pathfinder Concept
With the new generation, Nissan is attempting to give the Pathfinder a more crossover appearance, instead of the rugged styling of the third generation version. Inside the cabin it is going to be more luxurious and should pack a bunch of technological goodies. The automaker mentioned that the legroom will be excellent for all three rows, while the cargo room behind the third row of seats will be ample.
Nissan Pathfinder Concept
Under the hood of the Nissan Pathfinder there will be a V6 engine which will be mated to a new generation of the continuously variable transmission, which should make the Pathfinder the most fuel-efficient seven-passenger car on the market, according to the automaker. The car is projected to be 25% more fuel efficient in combined city/highway driving in comparison to the outgoing V6.
Source: Nissan
Post tags: Tags: Concepts, detroit motor show, naias, Nissan, nissan pathfinder, nissan pathfinder concept
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2013 Acura RDX Concept
Acura unveiled this week in Detroit the RDX concept which previews the next generation of the model that is scheduled to go on sale later on this spring. This is a five-seat crossover that will be fitted with a new all-wheel drive system. Another novelty of the model would have to be the V6 3.5-liter engine that produces 273 hp, which is 33 hp more in comparison to the current model.
2013 Acura RDX Concept
The power unit is going to be mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox that will increase the RDX’s mileage. Fuel efficiency will be further improved thanks to the installation of a lighter AWD system and the lock-up torque converter. The 2013 Acura RDX will be able to return 20 mpg in the city while on the highway it should do 28 mpg. Needless to say, the front-wheel drive version will be the most frugal RDX.
2013 Acura RDX Concept
The new model will have a longer wheelbase as well as a wider track which will probably improve its stability and it should also increase the cornering speeds. The crossover will be fitted with Amplitude Reactive Dampers that should improve the car’s handling. Aside from this, Acura’s engineers will be fitting the new generation of the RDX with a motion adaptive electric power steering system.
2013 Acura RDX Concept
On the outside we notice a bunch of styling changes that all provide a more sculpted look which should be considered more appealing. Acura says that the materials used inside have been improved and the company’s Active Sound Control team has worked hard to make the interior cabin as quiet as possible. We should expect to find an increased cargo space, more passenger room and a power rear tailgate.
2013 Acura RDX Concept
As far as the goodies are concerned, the new 2013 Acura RDX will come with keyless access, AcuraLink Satellite Communication System, Pandora internet radio with SMS function, start button and a new navigation system which will feature voice recognition. The driver will benefit from the rerouting system as well as real-time traffic and weather information. For storing music and satellite navigation information, the car will come with a 60GB hard drive.
Source: Acura via ZerCustoms
Post tags: Tags: Acura, acura rdx concept, Concepts, detroit motor show, motor shows, naias
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Volkswagen E-Bugster
Volkswagen revealed this week during the Detroit Motor Show the E-Bugster concept which is based on the new generation of the Beetle and it is considered to be a preview of the upcoming Beetle Cabriolet and the company’s electric powertrain technology.
The electric powertrain of this concept consists of a 114 hp motor that generates 199 lb.-ft of torque. VW installed the lithium-ion battery on the rear side of the vehicle and it has a curb weight of 315 kg. The E-Bugster can be driven for distance of up to 80 miles, and it needs only half an hour to fill up the batteries to their 80% capacity.
Source: Volkswagen via Autocar.co.uk
Post tags: Tags: Concepts, detroit motor show, naias, Volkswagen, volkswagen e-bugster, vw e-bugster
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Acura ILX Concept
The Japanese automaker Acura introduced this week at the Detroit Motor Show an interesting concept by the name of ILX. They call it a concept but most likely the production version will look just about the same. It features LED fog lights, an angular front fascia and it rides on 19-inch alloy wheels. The ILX measures 4555 mm long, 1890 mm wide and it is 1425 mm tall, while its wheelbase measures 2670 mm.
Acura ILX Concept
Acura did not reveal any interior photos with the ILX but they say that it has a passive entry system, Pandora internet radio, a push-button ignition, along with an “SMS text message function for smart connectivity.” Some of the options include a rearview camera, a voice recognition system and a premium audio system that has 10 speakers to rock the cabin.
Acura ILX Concept
The Acura ILX can be equipped with one of the three engines: a 4-cylinder 2.0-liter unit mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission; a 4-cylinder 2.4-liter unit with a 6-speed manual gearbox; and a hybridized 4-cylinder 1.5-liter that should be able to return 35 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the highway.
Acura ILX Concept
The car is scheduled to go on sale in its production version later on this spring and it will be based on the North American version of the Honda Civic.
Source: Acura via WCF
Post tags: Tags: Acura, acura ilx, acura ilx concept, Concepts, detroit motor show
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The Smart for-us Concept made its official debut this week at the Detroit Motor Show. It is a petite two-seater pickup that measures 3547 mm in length, 1506 in width and 1701 mm in height. It has been equipped with an electrically-powered tailboard that opens and retracts inwards in order to provide a 900 mm (35-inch) cargo area which is capable of holding and recharging two smart ebikes via the incorporated docking station.
The Smart for-us Concept is motivated by a magneto-electric motor that generates 75 hp (55 kw). It is the same motor that Smart used for the fortwo electric drive model, and it has 96 lb.-ft (130 Nm) of torque. The pickup is capable of reaching a top speed of more than 75 mph (120 km/h) while its lithium-ion battery pack has a 17.6 kWh capacity.
Smart for-us
Source: Smart via WCF
Post tags: Tags: Concepts, detroit motor show, Smart, smart for-us, smart for-us concept
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Honda Accord Coupe (concept)
Before you get your hopes up too high, this beautiful Honda Accord Coupe is only a concept that previews the company’s future technology and styling to the current model which is commercialized in the United States but it won’t make it in Europe.
Even though we are dealing with a coupe, we should mention that this concept is actually longer than the sedan model which this year is programmed to get an update as well. The car is going to be available with two brand new power units in the form of a 4-cylinder 2.4-liter with a 6-speed manual gearbox or a CVT, along with a more powerful V6 3.5-liter mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Honda Accord Coupe (concept)
The Japanese automaker confirmed in Detroit that they plan on selling a plug-in hybrid version of this model when it will come out. This will feature a 15-mile electric range and will have an Atkinson cycle-running 2.0-liter engine. It will need 1 hour and 30 minutes to fill up the battery via a 240 volt socket.
Some of the safety equipment that the production version of the Honda Accord Coupe will have includes a reversing camera, a blind spot warning system and a lane departure system.
Source: Honda via Autocar.co.uk
Post tags: Tags: Concepts, detroit motor show, Honda, honda accord coupe, honda-accord, motor shows
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Honda EV-STER
Remember the Honda EV-STER? We’ve seen it about two weeks ago when the Japanese automaker unveiled it at the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show, along with a new lineup of Earth Dreams eco-friendly engines, drive trains, as well as advanced drive technologies.
Honda EV-STER
At that time, the car was considered only a concept but we have fresh news coming from German car magazine Auto Motor und Sport which claims that the company’s CEO, Takanobu Ito said in a recent interview that the car might get the green light for production.
Honda EV-STER
If this turns out to be true, the German car magazine has also mentioned that the EV-STER will be available with a choice of powertrains, including regular gasoline engines but also an all-electric variant.
Honda EV-STER
As a reminder, the concept seen in Tokyo was a rather small two-seat convertible that measured less than 12 ft. in length. If we will see it on the roads, this could very well be a reiteration of the company’s popular CRX sports coupe model from the 80s. However, this probably won’t be a sports car since the concept needs 5 seconds to hit 37 mph, but maybe fitted with a gasoline engine it will be able to earn the sports car name.
Source: Auto Motor und Sport via Green Car Reports
Post tags: Tags: Concepts, Green, Honda, honda EV-STER
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Subaru Advanced Tourer
At this year’s edition of the Tokyo Motor Show, the local carmaker Subaru brought the Advanced Tourer concept that previews a future estate model that will feature a turbocharged gasoline engine and a hybrid drivetrain. The production model is going to be a C-segment sport station wagon and it will be powered by a boxer engine which will be mated to the company’s own Symmetrical All-Wheel-Drive system.
Subaru Advanced Tourer
The concept shown in Tokyo featured wood and metal interior parts, a glass roof, along with a generous monitor inside the cabin which is integrated in the steering wheel. This offers Internet access and allows the drive to access navigation information and TV broadcast.
Subaru Advanced Tourer
The car measures 4,580mm in length, 1,840mm in width and is 1,430mm tall. It is motivated by a 1.6-liter horizontally-opposed direct fuel injection turbo engine that is connected to a high torque compatible Lineartronic gearbox.
Subaru Advanced Tourer
As far as the hybrid system is concerned, this is powered by a lithium-ion battery pack and it is engaged at start-ups and also during low speeds. It can be recharged while the car is braking via the internal combustion engine.
Subaru Advanced Tourer
Source: Subaru via ZerCustoms
Post tags: Tags: Concepts, motor shows, Subaru, subaru advanced tourer
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Rinspeed Dock Go Smart ForTwo
Now this is what I call a wired concept – the Rinspeed Dock Go Smart ForTwo, which will be making its official debut next March during the Geneva Motor Show. It will feature a modular mobility system that has a third axle which can be detached from the vehicle when it is not necessary. In other words, this Dock+Go concept developed by Rinspeed allows the docking of different “backpacks” on the back of the ForTwo.
This single-axle pack created by RinSpeed can be used for various purposes; one example would be for delivering pizza. As a matter of fact, the one that we will see in Geneva will be designed for the purpose of delivering pizza. RinSpeed says that it will have an incorporated heater. In addition, they also said that they can design packs for camping, skiing, golf, tools and for other purposes as well.
Rinspeed Dock Go Smart ForTwo
The concept is motivated by an electric motor that can offer a maximum range of up to 120 km. For those who want more than this, RinSpeed can fit the car with a pack that has a combustion or a range extender engine.
Source: RinSpeed via ZerCustoms
Post tags: Tags: Concepts, geneva-motor-show, rinspeed, Rinspeed Dock Go Smart ForTwo, Smart, smart-fortwo
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Smart For-us
Smart has announced earlier this week that in January at the Detroit Motor Show they will bring a new compact zero-emission pickup truck called the For-us. It is a two-seater that has been developed as part of a plan to extend the brand’s lineup by adding new models. No word up until now about the possibility to transform this concept into a production model, but most likely in the years to come this will happen.
Smart For-us
The For-us has borrowed the newly developed platform of the second generation of the For-four, that Mercedes-Benz developed in collaboration with French automaker Renault. Design-wise, it adopts some of the styling ideas we’ve seen back in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show where Smart introduced the funky For-vision concept.
Smart For-us
This interesting concept has an electrically operated cargo tray which motors out by 280 mm at the rear for easy loading/unloading. Inside we find a rather simple cabin with a two-seating configuration and a 900 mm cargo tray that has been described by the carmaker as an integrated docking station.
Smart For-us
The Smart For-us measures 3547 mm in length, 1710 mm in height and 1506 mm in width, making it 852 mm longer and 161 mm higher than the current For-two. Compared to the company’s two-seat city car, the wheelbase has been extended by 613 mm at 2480 mm. In addition, the tracks have been pushed out by 50 mm in the front and at the back, now measuring 1335 mm front and 1435 mm rear.
Smart For-us
This concept is motivated by the same plug-in electric system that Smart uses for the For-two Electric Drive which features a brushless electric motor installed in the back that generates 74 hp and 96 lb.-ft, along with a 17.4 kW/h lithium-ion battery pack that can be charged at a standard electricity outlet and on the run through the energy that is recuperated during the times when trailing throttle and braking.
Smart For-us
Renault will be using that new platform for its upcoming third generation of the Twingo which will be manufactured starting with 2014 in a current Renault factory located in Novo Mesto, Slovenia.
Source: Smart via Autocar
Post tags: Tags: Concepts, Smart, smart for-us
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