24hcar: Geneva Motor Show

Showing posts with label Geneva Motor Show. Show all posts

Porsche Considers 918 Spyder Concept Production Following Strong Reaction in Geneva

Posted by Mr Dung Friday, March 12, 2010

A report from Autocar suggests that Porsche is seriously considering manufacturing the 918 Spyder which was shown as a concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Apparently the car was such a hit that Porsche employees are now quite excited at the prospect of building it.

"There is no one inside Porsche who doesn't want to build the 918," CEO Michael Macht was quoted as saying. "The response has been marvellous; we will ask buyers to sign letters of intent."

Should it be given the green light the 918 Super Hybrid Spyder would go on sale within the next five years. The version shown at Geneva featured a V8 engine with three electric motors and a combined output of 528 kW (718 PS / 708 hp). As the new flagship model Porsche anticipates that it would be quicker around the Nurburgring's Nordschleife than the iconic Carrera GT.

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NLV Quant Preliminary Details Released in Geneva

Posted by Mr Dung Monday, March 8, 2010

[Autoblog]

While the Bugatti 16C Galibier was winning rave reviews, at the Geneva Motor Show, a potential competitor was silently stalking in the background. It was the Quant, a concept jointly-developed by NLV Solar and Koenigsegg.

Set to be production ready next year, the Quant was designed to prove "cutting-edge supercars can combine speed, comfort and enjoyment with environmental integrity." It features two different battery systems ("a long-life metal-air battery or a rechargeable redox flow cell"), four torque-vectoring electric motors, a full carbon fiber chassis, and a revolutionary thin-film coated photovoltaic body.

The latter converts light into electricity to supply the operating electronics and the battery. While it's a bit technical, NLV says the coating has "an average photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 38%, depending on ambient conditions, and a peak performance of over 50%." More importantly, the company believes they can tune the material's absorption characteristics to create multiple layers with their own unique absorption frequency. As impressive as this is, NLV estimates the film will have a degradation coefficient of only 5-6% over 20 years.

So what does all this mean? Power, efficiency, and speed. The electric motors produce a combined 600 kW (805 hp / 816 PS) and 1500 Nm (1107 lb-ft) of torque, which allows the 1680 kg (3704 lb) Quant to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in an astonishing 2.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 377 km/h (234 mph).

Besides the sci-fi technology, the Quant is stylish and luxurious. The cabin features alcantara upholstery, LED lighting, carbon fiber trim, and individual seating for four.

Although Koenigsegg is no longer involved in the project, look for more information to be released later this year.

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BMW 5-Series GT by AC Schnitzer Debuts in Geneva

Posted by Mr Dung Sunday, March 7, 2010

[WCF]

AC Schnitzer has unveiled their tuning program for the BMW 5-Series GT at the Geneva Motor Show.

In an effort to make the 'wagden' (half wagon, half sedan) look more appealing, Schnitzer added front and rear spoilers, a ventilated hood, aggressive side skirts, a redesigned rear fascia, chrome exhaust tips, and new wheels (available in a number of different styles, in sizes ranging from 19- to 22-inches). Inside, the company installed aluminum pedals, velour footmats, and a new cover for the i-Drive controller.

On the performance side, the engine in the 530d has been tuned to produce 286 HP (213 kW / 289 PS) - an increase of 41 HP (31 kW / 42 PS). Schnitzer also added a twin rear silencer and a specially tuned sports suspension.

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Toyota Remembers its Past as it... Accelerates into the Future with FT-86 Coupe

Posted by Mr Dung

[Carscoop]

Knowing that "the past is only the future with the lights turned on", Toyota hopes to learn from its mistakes and take only the best from its times of yore and apply the lessons to its future products like the highly anticipated production version of the FT-86 concept study.
Or at least that's what the troubled Japanese automaker wants us to believe with the release of this family portrait that places the FT-86 (Future Toyota-86) Sports Concept alongside its closest relative, the Corolla AE86 as well as the Celica and Supra sport coupes.
The FT-86 study, which was designed at Toyota's ED² studio in Nice, France, had its European premier this week at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.
The compact sized coupe measures that 4,160mm long, 1,760mm wide and 1,260mm tall, with a 2,570mm wheelbase, is being co-developed with Subaru that will also present its own variant of the 2+2 seater sports model.
As a reminder of Subaru's involvement in the project, the near production-ready FT-86 prototype uses a 2.0-liter four-cylinder boxer engine from the Impreza while power is sent to the rear-wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. The study rides on 19-inch wheels shod with 225/40R19 tires.
According to Toyota, the FT-86 is scheduled to be launched into the market towards the end of 2011 with Subaru's variant to follow later on.

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BMW’s Alpina B3 S Biturbo Shows Its Face In Geneva

Posted by Mr Dung

BMW specialists, Alpina has unveiled their brand new B3 S Biturbo. The new model was first launched in Geneva during the 2007 year, where it was missing the ‘S’ in the badge. The new model with the S will improve performance, torque and fuel ratings.

There will be “explosive performance with a high level of comfort and everyday usability, addressing the needs of an unusually broad target group of automotive connoisseurs.”

Expect the Alpina B3 S Biturbo to be available in all styles, Sedan, Coupe, Convertible and even Estate. There will be rear-wheel-drive followed by a 294kW engine with 540Nm of torque. The changes include a new exhaust system, MAHLE pistons and a high-performance cooling system.

Acceleration times are set at 0-100km/h in 4.7 seconds where the top speed will be 300km/h. The fuel efficiency will be 9.7-litres per 100km, while CO2 emissions are set at at about 224g/km.

Body changes include a new front lip spoiler, leather sports seats and a set of 19-inch wheels.

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VIDEO:Lamborghini's Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera from the Geneva Show

Posted by Mr Dung Friday, March 5, 2010

[Carscoop]

This is how you condense press releases: Lamborghini's Gallardo LP 570-4 Superleggera-christened Gallardo weighs less and has more power. Now for the details: it's dropped 154 pounds (70kg), which brings it down to 2,954 lbs (1,340kg) dry, and it also picked up 10-horsepower along the way thanks to some computer finagling. Not only is it faster, the Superleggera is said to be ~20% cleaner and more efficient as well.

The new Superleggera's LP engine (it stands for "longitudinale posteriore", meaning the engine is longitudinally placed behind the passenger compartment) drops 570 horsepower and 540 Nm (398 lb-ft) of torque through an e-gear transmission (6-speed optional) and Lamborghini's all-wheel-drive system.

All that provides a 100km/h (62mph) clip at 3.4 seconds on its way to 325 km/h (202 mph). Thanks to direct injection, fuel mileage comes in at a Lamborghini-claimed 13.5L/100km (~17 mpg US).

The restyled front end is there to provide more air to vital components while increasing downforce, much like the rear diffuser and spoilers (that's right, if the small one just doesn't cut it, there's an optional bigger one available).

Helping bring that weight down are a polycarbonate rear windshield, engine cover, windows, and carbon fiber just about everywhere. It even has titanium wheel bolts.

Much like crosstown rival Ferrari, Lamborghini has made use of driver input derived from its Super Trofeo race series in order to fine-tune the Superleggera's race-brediness. 380 mm carbon ceramic 6-piston brakes are optional, but most drivers will probably be fine with the standard 365 mm vented discs (front ; rears measure 356 mm), and the specially developed Pirellis are "closely related to pure race rubber".

Not only that, but hardcore racers who like to thrash Italian exotics can opt for 4-point harnesses, a fire extinguisher, and a roll cage.

Aww, you think it's too racy for you? Don't worry, hombre, it still has air conditioning, power windows, and a multimedia nav-system with rearview camera. Keep the e-gear and you can even let your girlfriend drive it (but I sure as hell wouldn't).