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Land Rover unveils the LRX Concept “Black and Silver”
The British carmaker has unveiled a new iteration of the LRX concept car seen at Detroit.
As predicted, the LRX shown at Geneva comes with a two-tone paint scheme in black and silver. The Geneva iteration features a removable carbon composite roof panel which contrasts with the silver-coloured roof, and has integral anchor points for fixing snowboards and other sports equipment. The black roof bars provide another option for roof-top loads, and a compact step above the rear bumper provides for easy roof-top access.
The LRX hasn’t been confirmed for production yet and Land Rover claims the LRX was designed to gauge public reaction to the idea of a small Land Rover models. However, some observers believe the company is currently developing a small SUV intended to reach out young buyer and decrease the fleet average CO2 emissions.
March 4, 2008
Samsung under Renault’s influence in the future
Carlos Ghosn has revealed that Samsung will become the spearhead of Renault in Asia as the company’s models will switch to Renault platforms.
Until now Samsung models are derived from Nissan cars, but Renault-Nissan CEO has revealed in an interview with Automotive News that he wants the Asian subsidiary to use Renault platforms for the next-generation models. He told the newspaper he wanted Samsung to become “hub of Renault in Asia”.
Like the recent QM5 SUV, the future models will be close to Renault cars in term of styling and the company will offer slightly redesigned Megane II and Laguna III on the Korean market. The carmaker has no plan to follow Hyundai and Ssangyong on the executive saloon segment although the company is considering producing a Korean version of the next-gen Espace due to appear at the end of the decade.
March 4, 2008
Audi unveils the Q7 V12 TDI
Audi has taken the wraps off the most powerful diesel ever in production under its SUV, a V12 that has a power output close to 500bhp.
The new Q7’s flagship is powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre V12 engine which generates 493bhp and a massive torque output of 758lb ft. The Q7 V12 can shuttle the 0-62mph in just 5.5 seconds and reach an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. Despite those impressive figures, the V12 remains frugal and achieve 19.8mpg.
The V12 unit is hooked up to a six-speed tiptronic transmission specially designed to endure the massive torque. The driver can shoft gears either with the gear lever or with the shift paddles on the steering wheel.
Audi’s Quattro permanent four-wheel drive system is standard. It is capable of diverting 60 per cent of the power to the rear wheel and up to 40% to the front wheels.
On the outside, the V12 differs form normal versions by larger wheelarches, new 20in alloy wheels, aluminium caps on the side mirrors, revamped bumpers, darkened taillights and new door moldings. On the inside, there is a mix of carbon and aluminium panels.
The Q7 V12 TDi will hit the showrooms before the end of this year.
March 4, 2008
Seat to unveil a surprise at Geneva
According to insiders, Seat will unveil a surprise at the Geneva Motor Show under the form of a concept car that previews the eagerly-awaited next-generation Ibiza model.
The concept car will be very close to the production version and will take its styling cues from the Tribu concept car seen last year. Seat wants to move from its current German design to a more ‘Mediterranean’ inspired styling to increase its sales in Europe. The concept is likely to be named either Blackmouth or Bocanegra, the latter being the favourite.
The future Ibiza is expected to be officially unveiled under its final shape at the Madrid International Motor Show in May of this year.
March 3, 2008
Kia Soul Burner leaked picture
Until now, Kia had only unveiled a picture of the rear end of one of the three versions of its Soul concept car. Thanks to our Dutch friends, here is a picture of the car that Kia will unveil at Geneva.
As predicted, the Soul is intended to take on the Scion models and sports a similar design, boxy and unpleasant. As reported previously, this versions called Burner, is the naughty one of the three versions. Unfortunately, one does wonder where to see the boldness of the car. A bold car today wouldn’t be a model offering high personalization and tattoos but a car that would be aggressive, provocative…
The Soul Burner is a nice attempt from Kia to position its future Scion competitor, but being bold means more than offering tattoos. A bold design would be a good start.
Source: Autoweek.nl
March 3, 2008
Porsche to launch a diesel-powerd Cayenne next year
Stricter worldwide emissions and rising gas prices push Porsche to offer a diesel-powered model for the first time since the company has existed. The elected model would be the Cayenne.
In an interview with Automotive News, UK auto industry analyst Peter Schmidt told the newspaper that “the diesel engine will be an upgraded V6 diesel from Audi.” Company sources talk about a power output of 300bhp with a 30mpg target. Porsche has ruled out bigger engines such as the V8 or V12 Audi units due to their heavy weight. A smaller V6 can also be justified by the next-generation Cayenne that will be smaller than the current model.
Porsche didn’t confirm the information, but the company never ruled out diesel engines as a choice for its future models. The carmaker is also currently working on a hybrid system due to appear in the Cayenne and in the future Panamera.
March 3, 2008
Spyshots: Cadillac CTS coupé
Last week, Petrol-Head reported that Cadillac had announced its intention to build the CTS Coupe Concept. Some advanced prototypes have been caught under testing.
The prototypes are heavily covered and it is difficult to spot the overall shape of the future coupé. However, the testing models feature a center-mounted dual exhaust pipes similar to the concept car’s. What’s interesting about the spyshots is not the car in itself as it will be a two door version of the CTS saloon, but its advanced stage. This means that Cadillac might unveil the production version a the next Detroit Auto Show in January 2009 with the intention to put it on sale next year.
GM seems to speed up the development process to expand and renew its brands lineup as quick as possible to catch up with Toyota and German carmakers.
Click here to see all the pictures
Source: Car & Driver
March 3, 2008
Unique SLR-powered G-wagon
A G55 owner found its off-road too common in Abu Dhabi and had the idea to get the SLR engine fitted in its G-Wagon. Here is the only McLaren SLR powered G-Wagon in the world.
Technically both engines share common architecture as the SLR engine is derived from the AMG V8 engine. While the production G55 has a power output of 476bhp, this SLR-powered G-wagon offers 720bhp. As predicted, the SUV goes fast and can run the 0-60mph in 4.2 juts 4.2 seconds. However no top speed has been given. Initiallly, the G55 has its top speed limited to 131mph.
The car features McLaren monikers on the side and back of the car.
March 3, 2008
Mercedes to unveil a hybrid-diesel GLK at Geneva
After the petrol hybrids, diesel hybrids seems to be the next hype and this time, European carmakers plan to lead the way. After Peugeot and its hybrid-diesel-powered 308, Mercedes will unveil the Vision GLK Bluetec Hybrid at Geneva.
The Vision GLK Bluetec Hybrid is powered by a mild hybrid system combining a diesel engine and an electric motor. The diesel engine is a four-cylinder CDI diesel unit with a displacement of 2.2 litres. Both engines have combined power output of 224bhp and a torque output of 413lb ft. The electric motor can’t move the car on its own but acts as both a generator and starter and backs up the internal combustion engine during the fuel-intensive acceleration phase. In addition the system features a comfortable start-stop function which switches the engine off in certain circumstances – for example when the car is stopped at traffic lights. When it comes to braking, the procedures are reversed: the electric motor acts as a generator, using a regenerative braking system.
All these technologies enable the GLK to emit only 157 grams of CO2 per kilometre despite reaching a top speed of 134mph and running the 0-62mph in juts 7.3 seconds.
The Vision GLK Bluetec Hybrid is expected to hit the showrooms in 2010.
March 3, 2008
BMW in talks with GM and Fiat to share engines
BMW has entered into talks with Fiat and GM to provide them engines and transmissions according to Automotive News.
The rumour doesn’t come as a surprise as the carmaker has set a plan to increase its profitability. Job cuts and pressuring suppliers have already been announced. Sharing costs is another path the company is ready to take.
The carmaker has a joint venture with Peugeot-Citroen which manufactures small engines featured in the Mini models and in the Peugeot 207 and 308 models. The German carmaker wants to share more engines even it means to collaborate with its German enemy, Mercedes. Indeed, the company has also entered into talks with Mercedes to share the platform of the next-generation Mini with the A-class and B-class models. The talks are still being carried despite the Fiat and GM talks.
BMW is getting serious about sharing its technology with other carmakers. However, the intention only concerns the small engines. BMW has no plan to share its bigger engines such as the inline 6 or V8 units, which are the company’s real asset.
March 3, 2008