Archive for the ‘Worldwide News’ Category
Wednesday, February 9th, 2011
Volkswagen XL1
Recently unveiled at the Qatar Motor Show the above is the Volkswagen XL1 Concept, design to travel incredible distances on little fuel thanks to its lightweight and highly developed aerodynamic properties.
Keeping the weight down is accomplished, among other things, by the use of a carbon fibre body using some new techniques to reduce weight and increase strength, the car stands at 795kg, which is incredibly light for a modern car of these proportions.
The car runs from a lithium-ion battery pack supplying a 20kw electric motor that is designed to be charged from a standard household socket, the battery power alone provides around 20 miles of driving. Once the battery power is exhausted, the XL1′s tiny 48 horsepower 0.8 litre (yes… zero point eight!) TDI engine takes over responsibility for propelling the car.
To provide some feeling that the car really is designed to go a long way on little the fuel, the fuel tank holds a measly 2.64 gallons, giving the the car a max range of 341 miles when used with a full charge. Overall CO2 output is obviously low too, producing only 24 grams per kilometer, compared to the best current low CO2 models available which produce around 80-100 grams per kilometer.
While the XL1 is not destined for production, its clear Volkswagen is working towards a production car with these kind of efficiency figures, which while not impossible, is going to be hard to achieve for sometime due to the cost involved in producing lightweight, and strong, body shells. Nobody is going to pay $50k+ for a slow, small, city runaround, and right now that is the problem Volkswagen, and all other manufacturers face, how to produce these efficiency figures in a sensibly priced car.
Volkswagen XL1 - Interior
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Saturday, December 4th, 2010
2012 SSC Next Generation
Coming from the same stable as the slightly psychotic SSC Ultimate Aero, which we’re sure you recall, hits 60mph in under 3 seconds, and goes on to a test 257mph, with a projected but untested top speed of 273mph, this is the 2012 SSC Next Generation.
When they say Next Generation, this is in itself a clue as to what to expect, imagine the next generation of the Ultimate Aero, that’s gonna be something pretty special don’t ya think… and it is. Whilst SSC are currently keeping the specs of the Next Generation under guard, its hard not to stop the speculation, and indeed possible leaks that may be behind that speculation.
1200-1300hp, and only two thirds the weight of a Bugatti Veyron, you know this is going to fly. Top Gear described it as “a crush on the body, and a blur on the vision”, and with performance set to be even more explosive then the Ultimate Aero its easy to understand why.
Clearly performance will exceed that of the earlier Aero, so we can expect a 0-60mph probably around the 2.5 second mark, and we see no reason why it wont hit 260+mph at the top end. Of course at these kind speeds other factors come into play, aerodynamics obviously are a big problem, along with power, trying to go from a 255mph top speed to 265mph requires a huge leap in technology and power, so exactly how far the Next Generation can be pushed is going to be interesting to see over the coming months.
We’re sure looking forward to seeing this car hit the streets, and of course the test track, OK so we are never likely to be able to drive one, let alone buy one at the probable $1m+ price tag, but watching it take on, and probably beat a Veyron has got to one of the best moments a supercar fan can look forward to.
Posted in Concept Cars, Worldwide News | 1 Comment »
Friday, November 5th, 2010
Pontiac, one of the most successful muscle car brands ever, has finally bitten the dust. General Motors, after watching Pontiac’s market share and profitability drain away over the last few decades decided last year that the brand was to finish, and one year later, its finally happened.
Pontiac came into being way back in 1926, and through the following years gradually built its iconic cars in to the epitome of everything a muscle car should be. Pontiac was responsible for several of the most memorable, and successful, muscle cars ever made, including the GTP, the Bonneville and of course the Firebird TransAm, made famous throughout the World by Burt Reynolds 1970′s movie Smoky and the Bandit.
Pontiac’s sales hit their peak way back in the 1960′s reaching almost 1 million sales in 1968, however those days were never to be seen again and over the following decades sales showed a continued decline and finally Pontiac was put out of its misery by GM after its much publicised financial meltdown and subsequent bailout.
Here though, we want to celebrate some of Pontiac’s finer moments, so here are a few of Pontiac’s best ever cars.
Pontiac Star Chief Convertible
A great looking 1950′s classic, the Pontiac Star Chief was one of Pontiac’s finer moments during its ascendancy, ever reliable and blessed with fantastic looks, the Star Chief was much sort after, and with a usefully powerful V8, the car never lack pace.
Pontiac Bonneville 1967
The Pontiac Bonneville was one of the longest running models ever, starting from 1957 all the way through to 2005. In hindsight Pontiac should probably have left the name for the great models of the 50′s and 60′s and then stopped using it, the cars baring the Bonneville name gradually got less desirable, and less attractive as the decades rolled on, generally the models of the 80′s onwards are best (and easily) forgotten, but the early examples will stay in the history of motoring as fine examples of cars of their time.
Pontiac GTO - The Judge
The GTO was one of the most striking cars to appear from the Pontiac stable. Blessed with powerful engines and styling to ensure you get noticed, the car was a major success. The model above is “The Judge”, a special version of the GTO released during the cars second generation era, and boasting greatly increased power, uprated handling components, and some not so subtle styling tweaks in the form of hood air scoops and tail spoilers. A classic, and much sort after, the GTO in all its forms remains one of the best looking cars to ever be produced.
Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am
Finally the Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am, this car more or less needs no introduction to anybody born in the early 70′s or before, its presence in the Smokey and the Bandit movie did a fair job of stealing the lime light from Burt Reynolds, and some would say the car overshadowed his performance and was the real star of the movie. Classic lines, awesome engines and the famous T-Top make this car one to remember and one that will always be towards the top of any muscle car list.
So there you have it, a few examples of what made Pontiac such a great car maker and a success for many decades before biting the dust, and while there will be no more cars produced with the iconic Pontiac name, its history and automotive successes will never be forgotten, RIP Pontiac.
Posted in Muscle Cars, Worldwide News | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 12th, 2010
2014 Lotus Elite Grand Tourer
The car above is to be Lotus’ attempt to break in to the recently exploding grand tourer market. Going up against the Porsche Panamera and a whole host of others, this is the car with which Lotus hopes to take another decent sized slice of the high end luxury car market.
In typical grand tourer fashion this car weighs more then a herd of elephants, it tops the scales at a not unnoticeable 3600 pounds, which we imagine has put the chance to produce the first 100mpg grand tourer into production out of the nearest window.
There will be a 5 liter V8 under the hood boasting a shade over 600hp giving the car a claimed 0-60mph time of less than 4 seconds and topping out at 195mph, getting to 60mph in less than 4 seconds in a car carrying this much bulk is almost certainly going to be one of the Elite’s owners favourite pastimes, where laws allow of course.
The car is poised to use optional hybrid technology, making use of a KERS braking system to give the batteries a boost whenever the driver throws out the anchor. The use of hybrid technology in this Lotus Elite, we have carefully calculated, should mean the car’s MPG will improve from “WTF!” to simply “Holy Crap!”.
The car is still semi concept and, right now at least, is expected to be available in 2014 at a price of $180k, which is pretty expensive for a Lotus, but then it looks like it’s going to be one hell of a car, and if anticipation is anything to go by, worth every last dime.
Posted in Concept Cars, Worldwide News | 1 Comment »
Wednesday, October 6th, 2010
Renault Zoe 2012 Electric Supermini
The car above is apparently the almost finished version of Renault’s next generation super-mini due for release in 2012.
The Renault Zoe is a purely electric car with what now seems to be the industry standard 100 mile range. We wonder how every electric car that’s announced seems to have a 100 mile range, almost with no exceptions, we know its an estimate and depends on conditions and driving style etc, but still you would think a few of them would have ranges something other than 100 miles, 101 perhaps just for a bit of one-upmanship.
This car has obligatory lithium-ion batteries powering the electric motor producing around 60kW, enough to send the Zoe’s not insignificant 1392kg to 100kph in just over 8 seconds and on to a top speed of 135kph.
Renault showed a Zoe concept at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show (shown below), however that car was purely concept and clearly its design features were a long way from ever getting near a production line, this 2012 Zoe though is something else entirely in that Renault do plan to build it.
Renault Zoe Concept from the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show
Some concept car touches remain in this 2010 Paris Motor Show version, including skin friendly climate control that wont dehydrate your delicately cared for epidermis, as well as some funky odour and lighting gadgets that probably wont make it into the final production car.
Out 2012, along with most other manufacturers electric car offerings, its going to be one busy year at the power station.
Posted in Concept Cars, Worldwide News | No Comments »
Sunday, September 19th, 2010
2011 BMW 6 Series Concept - Front
Here is BMWs 2011 6 Series Coupé that will be BMWs main draw at the upcoming Paris Motor Show. The car follows familiar BMW lines as would be expected, with one of the most notable differences being more steeply sweeping headlamps than previously seen on BMW models and a much sleeker over all look.
Along with this Coupé model will be a convertible set for launch in March 2011 just in time for the summer market. Engine-wise expect to see both 4 liter and 5 liter petrol variants along with a 4 liter deisel too which should give a decent MPG return for those interested in lower running costs.
The usual BMW high end in-car entertainment and electronic system controls feature, this time around with a massive (for in car purposes at least) 10″+ screen which should keep all the “look what it does” fans happy.
While this car is being labled as a concept, we understand that the new 2011 BMW 6 series coupé will more or less look just like this, so if you like the look of it you can rest assured you will actually be able to get your hands on one sometime next year.
2011 BMW 6 Series Concept - Side
2011 BMW 6 Series Concept - Rear
Posted in Concept Cars, Worldwide News | No Comments »
