Category: Motor Shows

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Lexus Motor Shows

Detroit 2012: Lexus LF-LC concept

Lexus LF-LC hybrid sports coupe concept

With the Detroit motor show now underway, Lexus has officially taken the wraps off its LF-LC hybrid sports coupé concept. You’ll remember they sort of already did that just before Christmas, but now we’re seeing the car from all angles.

Funny thing is, though, at this stage there’s no confirmation of what is powering this sleek and aggressive creation. In fact, specific mention of the drivetrain is saved for the last paragraph of the company’s press release: “The front-engine, rear-wheel drive LF-LC features Advanced Lexus Hybrid Drive, delivering both driving performance and fuel efficiency.”

Forget the performance aspect for now and interpret this car as a visual palette for future Lexus styling.

Karl Schlicht, General Manager, Lexus Product and Marketing Planning Division in North America, explains, “We are in the middle of the biggest change in Lexus’s history, inspired by a new generation of distinctive design.

“With its striking looks, this concept hybrid 2+2 hints at the design cues that are coming in a wave of new Lexus models over the next two years.”

Well, we can’t say we’re looking forward to seeing more cars with that pinched-in face, but aside from that this concept looks pretty good. The interior is a little fussy, perhaps, but that should tone down by the time production models are signed off.

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BMW Honda Mazda Mercedes-Benz Motor Shows Nissan Porsche Subaru Suzuki Toyota Volkswagen

2011 Tokyo Motor Show photo gallery

2011 Tokyo Motor Show

Like us you couldn’t make it to the 2011 Tokyo Motor Show either? Fear not as we’ve assembled a variety of images from the show featuring the usual suspects, such as the Toyota 86 and it’s close relative the Subaru BRZ. There’s also the weird and wonderful, too, in the form of the Daihatsu FC Case, the Nissan TOWNPOD, the Suzuki Q-Concept (pictured) and more.

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Motor Shows Subaru

Tokyo 2011: Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206

Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206 NBR package

Subaru has given a public debut to two special Impreza WRX STI models at the Tokyo Motor Show—the S206 and S206 NBR Challenge Package (pictured above).

Only available for sale in Japan, and in strictly limited numbers, the S206 duo have been tuned to offer 235kW/431Nm. There will be just 300 S206 models built, which includes a maximum of 100 NBR models. As it happens the NBR Challenge Package—built to honour the company’s success at the Nürburgring 24 hour race—has already reached its maximum, with 100 pre-orders already confirmed by Subaru.

In addition to the engine, suspension and cosmetic mods already introduced to the S206, the NBR adds a carbon fibre roof, adjustable rear spoiler and lightweight 19″ BBS cast aluminium wheels.

It’s a shame these are JDM models only and no surprise the NBR package has already sold out.

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Audi Motor Shows

Tokyo 2011: Audi ‘A1 Samurai Blue’

Audi A1 Samurai Blue

For reasons best known to themselves Audi has rocked up to the Tokyo Motor Show with an A1 dedicated to the Japanese football team. Called the ‘A1 Samurai Blue’ the one-off concept model will be sold with a portion of the proceeds going to charity.

Audi say they plan to release a special limited edition A1 based on the Samurai Blue. Which is just as well, because the concept model features “sports suspension with 225 millimeter wide, 18-inch wheels give the car the agility of a top league soccer star.” And we’d hate an opportunity like that to go to waste.

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Green Machines Motor Shows Volkswagen

Tokyo 2011: Volkswagen Cross Coupé

Volkswagen Cross Coupe

Volkswagen brings a glimpse into its future with the Cross Coupé concept SUV. Powered by an innovative hybrid drivetrain Volkswagen say the styling you see here will influence future production models.

The all-wheel drive Cross Coupé is built on the MQB platform and features a 110kW/210Nm petrol engine complemented by a 40kW/180Nm electric engine at the front and an 85kW/270Nm electric motor at the rear; making a peak power figure of 195kW overall. Fuel consumption can be as low as 2.7l/100km, while a firm right foot can bring you to 100km/h in a respectable seven seconds.

Pay particular attention to the front of the Cross Coupé and you’ll be looking at the ‘Volkswagen visage’. This styling, created by Walter da Silver and Klaus Bischoff, represents a link between past and future styling. While the connection between LED DRL and chrome grille details is a neat fit, at the moment, we consider the look to be an acquired taste. Overall the Cross Coupé is a bit of a mix between an Audi Q5 and a Range Rover Evoque. Which is no bad thing.

Inside the cabin we get a preview of some interesting dash technology, where user programmable options are the order of the day. We’ve seen similar thinking from BMW in the past and no doubt we’ll soon be playing with such tech in production models.

More detail is available after the break, including video footage from the Volkswagen display at the Tokyo.

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

Tokyo 2011: Volkswagen Passat Alltrack

Volkswagen Passat Alltrack

You’re looking at the Passat Alltrack which has just made its public debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. Volkswagen say the Alltrack has been created for buyers who “want a versatile, sporty and very roomy passenger car that has rugged qualities.”

At 4771mm long and 1820mm wide the Alltrack matches the size of its regular Passat Estate counterpart. However, ground clearance moves up from 135mm to 165mm. For context a current model Subaru Outback has 213mm ground clearance and the Alltrack follows the familiar Outback template of adding a few cosmetic changes to an otherwise standard wagon.

The good news for Australian buyers is that the Alltrack has been pencilled in for a 2012 release. Volkswagen Australia has said pick a date anywhere between January and December. That’s to say, they haven’t confirmed a launch date, but we would expect it to be the latter half of next year.

A familiar mix of four Volkswagen engines and two drivetrains are specified in the Euro press release below, noting that the company’s 4motion all-wheel drive system is standard on the 125kW TDI (diesel) and 155kW TSI (petrol).

More detail follows after the break.

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Ferrari Motor Shows

Bologna 2011: Ferrari 599XX evolution package

Ferrari 599XX evo

We got a sneak peak at the Ferrari 599XX with evolution package a couple of weeks back. Now Ferrari has made it official with a press release published to coincide with the car’s public debut at the Bologna Motor Show (3–11 December).

So, we can confirm the Evo tips in at 35kg less than a regular 599XX. A side exit exhaust and a subsequent retune is responsible for a modest increase in power, taking the maximum to 551kW (750CV). Torque has also been given a small boost and now peaks at 700Nm.

However, Ferrari is most excited about the ‘opening gap’ featured in the new active rear wing. By factoring in key parameters the wing will adjust itself to provide the optimum opening to allow for increased cornering performance.

Throw in a few other minor aero tweaks and you end up with one of the world’s most expensive automotive toys that can lap Fiorano in just 1 minute 15 seconds. Which is pretty handy when compared against the best times around Ferrari’s test track.

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Mazda Motor Shows

Tokyo 2011: Mazda Takeri concept

Mazda Takeri concept

Mazda promised us back in October they’d be bringing this smooth looking Takeri concept to the Tokyo Motor Show. At the time they were a bit hush-hush on the finer details. Now that the Tokyo show is here they’ve given us a few more pics and a new video, but still not much else.

One thing they have gone into is the regenerative braking system, rather obtusely labelled ‘i-ELOOP’—that’s intelligent energy loop for those playing at home. This technology will feature on road cars next year, Mazda say.

Real world use is expected to yield a 10% reduction in fuel consumption. Here’s the neat bit for all the gadget freaks out there, instead of using a battery to store the recaptured energy Mazda has employed a capacitor to do the work. It can be fully charged in less than a minute and is better suited to the demands of rapid charging/discharging.

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Motor Shows Subaru

Tokyo 2011: Subaru BRZ

Subaru BRZ

Another day and another press release for the Subaru BRZ. This time there’s more pics to give us a better feel for the 147kW/205Nm rear-wheel drive sports coupé. For an even closer look check out the images over at FT86club.com.

Subaru Australia still can’t decide if our market is sophisticated enough to cope with a two-wheel drive Subaru. Perhaps losing sales to Toyota might knock some sense into them.

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Motor Shows Porsche

LA 2011: Porsche Panamera GTS

Porsche Panamera GTS

Porsche has added to its Panamera range at the LA Motor Show by revealing the GTS. Sitting between the range-topping Turbo and 4S, it is powered by the company’s familiar normally aspirated 4.8 litre V8.

For the GTS the engine has been given a bit of a tweak and now produces 430hp (316kW) and 520Nm, an increase of 30hp/20Nm over the 4S. With its all-wheel drive system and the standard 7-speed PDK gearbox Porsche say this big whale can reach 100km/h in 4.5 seconds. Helping to slow things down when required are the powerful brakes from the Turbo model.

The Panamera GTS goes on sale in February, Australian pricing is yet to be announced.

UPDATE: Porsche Cars Australia have confirmed the Panamera GTS be ready for delivery in March 2012 and you’ll need $315,000 if you want to play along.

UPDATE 18 November: Four new pics added below.

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

LA 2011: Volkswagen Beetle R Concept

Volkswagen Beetle R Concept

Volkswagen has brought its Beetle R Concept along to the LA Motor Show. We first saw this car at the Frankfurt show back in September. Since then not a lot has changed; some fancy new computer generated pics, plus they have also given us a reasonable look inside.

Racing style bucket seats, familiar to the optional seats available in the Golf R adorn the Beetle R Concept. Aside from that it’s the same ‘Serious Grey’ coloured machine we’ve already seen.

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Motor Shows Subaru

LA 2011: Subaru BRZ Concept-STI

Subaru BRZ Concept

After teasing us a couple of weeks ago Subaru has now officially revealed its BRZ Concept-STI. And we’re pleased to say they have made a fine looking car as well; something Subaru hasn’t been too adept at in recent years.

For the moment, though, Subaru is keeping major technical detail for the Tokyo Motor Show and will reveal all towards the end of this month.

They have told us their Toybaru concept has a carbon fibre roof, resulting in “one of the lowest possible centres of gravity compared to other cars on the market today.” The familar blue paintwork is actually not familiar at all, it’s a new-generation colour called WR Blue Pearl II.

Not much else to report for now, but we’ll be back with more in a couple of weeks.

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