Category: Motor Shows

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Motor Shows Volvo

Shanghai 2011: Volvo Concept Universe

Volvo Concept Universe

Volvo has given us a tiny glimpse at their Concept Universe, which has just been launched in Shanghai. They’re sharing with us one photo, for now, and a light and fluffy press release. From what we can see, it’s a nice sleek looking unit, don’t you think. It certainly looks like it would have plenty of road presence.

This is Volvo’s attempt at competing with the established luxury players of the world. S-Class and 7 Series look out! It’s being based on the principles and success of Scandinavian design. Well, so says Peter Horbury, Vice President Design at Volvo Car Corporation, “We will compete with the best with our special kind of Scandinavian Design. It is unmatched in performance and technology, but without superficiality or complication.

“The Concept Universe is exceptionally refined, yet with all the simplistic assets that make Volvo champions of the uncomplicated. There is a growing appreciation for this ingenious blend of design and technology among modern luxury car buyers. This trend paves the way for our success. We are convinced that our special brand of luxury has a great future.”

Can Horbury and his, no doubt talented, team of designers and engineers produce a car that is close to, or equal to, the Mercedes-Benz S-Class? Possibly. Will a Volvo ever knock-off the S-Class as the default option at the premium end of the market? Not in our lifetime.

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Citroen Motor Shows

Shanghai 2011: Citroën DS5

Citroen DS5

The third model in Citroën’s DS line has just been revealed in Shanghai. This time it’s the DS5. At 4.52m long and 1.85m wide with the body of a hatchback it’s hard to know what segment the French carmaker is chasing. With seating for five, the Ds5 is part family hatch, part luxury saloon and features a driving position described as being at home in a GT coupé.

Well, wherever it fits into to the ever expanding auto market categories we reckon the DS5 will look the part. It’s flowing curves and hard creases, somehow, tend to work together quite well. Even if the front end is bordering on being overdone.

The DS5 is powered by Citroën’s HYbrid4 technology and offers 200bhp of diesel-electric power. It’s driven by all four wheels and produces a low-ish 99g/km of those pesky CO2 emissions.

More from Citroën after the break.

 

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Motor Shows

White is the most popular car colour at Geneva

Carbuzz infographic

UK website Carbuzz brings us this very cool info graphic, which they claim shows all of the cars on display at the Geneva Motor Show. All 706 of them! Further enhancing the graphic, they have arranged the cars by colour.

With 200 cars in Geneva painted white it is easily the most popular colour on show. That’s almost 30%. Next is silver (133 cars), followed by blue (80), black (77) and on the list goes. Perhaps it’s not surprising that, with only 10 cars, purple is the least popular colour used.

Follow the link below to access the full 6748x7380px graphic.

[Source: Carbuzz]

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

Geneva 2011: Volkswagen Study Golf R

VW Study Golf R

Volkswagen’s R GmbH division has revealed four special Golf R models at the Geneva Motor Show. The cars feature a variety of cosmetic enhancements from the full production version, including carbon fibre accents, two-tone interiors and unique alloy wheels. The models have been displayed in four colours, Oryx White, Carbon Steel Grey, Space Grey and Aplomb Blue.

Full details from Volkswagen after the break.

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Motor Shows

2011 Geneva Motor Show refresher

Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

The 81st Geneva Motor Show is well underway now and to help you catch up on the highlights here’s a quick refresher of the 16 most important cars on display. We’ve also updated the galleries with pics from the display stands so you can feel closer to the action. Just take the jump for links and pics.

There’s been some great cars offered up this year too. The Alfa Romeo 4C concept is a true show stopper, with its eye-catching curves and awe-inspiring mechanical details. Then there’s the sculptural Saab PhoeniX concept that lets you update your infotainment system like a mobile phone. MINI returned to its roots with the too-cute-to-be-true Rocketman concept. And we’re definitely sure your senses have been heightened by the power hungry Koenisegg Agera R and Lamborghini Aventador hypercars.

We didn’t even mention Toyota’s attempt to recapture the enthusiast market, the 400hp Audi A3 sedan or the crazy Morgan 3 Wheeler.

So, which is your favourite? We’d love to hear all about which car has stolen your heart in the comments section below.

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BMW Motor Shows

Geneva 2011: BMW Vision ConnectedDrive

BMW Vision ConnectedDrive

BMW gave us a preview of its Vision ConnectedDrive concept a few weeks ago and it’s fair to say they are pleased with how things have gone at Geneva so far (see the video after the break for more).

We’re still not exactly sure what this car is all about, for the simple reason it can do things that many of us have never thought of, let alone wondered if they were actually possible. We do know, however, that from a pure design viewpoint, the Vision ConnectedDrive is one of the better looking roadsters you could hope to see. It is stunning. And from any angle.

As to its electronic prowess, this concept has few peers, if any. The augmented reality head-up display is one example of that, where the system will project a 3D view of what you see ahead, but with added information to assist the driver.

Another very cool example of the ConnectedDrive’s functionality is how the system can allow the passenger and driver to interact. The dash display for the driver is programmable and can work in unison with the passenger’s info display, too. For example, the passenger can program a new navigation route, or add new info to an existing route, and send any relevant data to the driver’s display.

It really is a bit of a headspin, to be honest. So, if you don’t get all the electronic trickery, then just be amazed by its pure good looks.

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Motor Shows Subaru

Geneva 2011: Subaru Impreza Concept

Subaru Impreza Concept

You may recall this Impreza Concept was first launched by Subaru at last year’s LA show. Not being a new release there’s been no fanfare from Subaru about this at Geneva. However, it’s good to see some images of the mostly attractive looking lines taken away from the benefits of studio lighting.

It’s the rear of this car that’s likely to cause the most anxiety to one’s eyes and, thankfully, from the angle shown below it doesn’t look too bad. It’s a forgiving perspective, though, so we’d still like to see more.

In recent years Subaru has seemed to lose its way with its exterior design, so are we seeing a resurgence from them now, or will this new Impreza be a one-off?

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Morgan Motor Shows

Geneva 2011: Morgan 3 Wheeler

Morgan 3 Wheeler

Among all the hi-tech concept cars at Geneva this delightfully low-tech Morgan 3 Wheeler stands out as a refreshing highlight. Inspired by a design created by Morgan in the early part of last century the English old timers have added a modern V-twin motorcycle engine, coupled to a Mazda 5-speed transmission.

It’s understood the engine produces around 85kW, which isn’t a lot, but then the 3 Wheeler tips the scales at a low 500kg. It’s been estimated the genuine pocket rocket can reach 100km/h in as little as 4.5 seconds.

More pics of this typically oddball Morgan after the break.

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Koenigsegg Motor Shows

Geneva 2011: Koenigsegg Agera R

Koenigsegg Agera R

The creation you see before you is the Koenigsegg Agera R. Normally, we would be quite scornful of the Speed Racer theme Koenigsegg have adorned this car with, but, on this occasion, we’re willing to forgive them. There’s two reasons why.

Firstly, the 5.0 litre twin-turbo V8 produces a maximum of 1115hp—that’s an astonishing 830kW. And, secondly, for that custom made Thule roof box. It’s as stupid as it is awesome. With that in mind, even the Speed Racer graphics look kinda cool.

The name Agera means ‘to take action’ in Swedish and that’s exactly what this Agera R will do. Helping get all that power to the ground are custom Michelin tyres, rated for speeds beyond 420km/h, and an E-diff that relies initially on traditional mechanical parts before electronics step in to complement the system.

To aid progress the Agera R features a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. But, like the diff, this isn’t what we’ve come to expect either. It uses a single input shaft and a combination of wet and dry clutch systems. Koenigsegg reckon their way is lighter and faster than the competition.

Speaking of lightness, the Agera R weighs in at 1330kg, or 1418kg with fluids and half a tank of fuel. Ooh, it’s going to be very rapid, isn’t it! Just as well the wheels have special spokes to aid downforce, then.

There’s more after the break and we recommend you download the full press release as that’s where you’ll find all the cool techy stuff.

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MINI Motor Shows WRC

Geneva 2011: MINI John Cooper Works S2000

MINI WRC

MINI and Prodrive are celebrating the Geneva Motor Show by presenting a race-spec version of the MINI John Cooper Works S2000. Even though MINI presented a WRC car at Paris last year, this is the best look yet at what the fully-fledged WRC car will look like.

The MINI WRC will differ slightly from what you see here, though, in that it will have a larger rear wing, a revised front aero package and will use plastic for the side windows.

Privately entered JCW S2000s will be making their competition debut at Rally Portugal and, there’s even one on its way to Australia. The MINI WRC will debut at Rally d’Italia in early May.

Also officially announced at Geneva is the new MINI Motorsport website, home to the WRC team. There’s more detail on all of these things after the break.

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Motor Shows Saab

Geneva 2011: Saab PhoeniX concept

Saab PhoeniX concept

Saab has released the spectacular PhoeniX concept at the Geneva Motor Show. Apart from being a pretty funky piece of kit, you’re looking at what Saab call ‘aeromotional’ design. The next 9-3 will be built on the same platform that underpins the PhoeniX.

The slippery shape has a low 0.25cd drag coefficient and the side-mount winglets behind the c-pillar are well worth a closer inspection. A sign of things to come from Saab, the look is certainly eye-catching. How well it can translate into production models will be a good test.

Jason Castriota, Saab Automobile’s Executive Design Director reckons the PhoeniX concept, “symbolises a renaissance of the innovative spirit and passion that drove Saab to build its first car. We’re now taking the visual DNA forward with what we call ‘aeromotional’ design, adding emotion, power and fluidity. This design aesthetic will shape and differentiate future models in the Saab portfolio.”

Powered by a petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain the PhoeniX appears to have solid green credentials as well. A 147kW 1.6 litre turbocharged engine powers the front wheels, while the rear wheels are fed 25kW of electric power. This results in an all-wheel drive with fuel consumption of around 5l/100km and emits CO2 at a rate of 119g/km. Figures that aren’t quite as spectacular as the car’s look, it has to be said.

Also featured in the PhoeniX is the IQon infotainment system based on Google’s Android system, which Saab are hailing as a world first.

Johan Formgren, Saab’s project leader for IQon, is pretty pumped about this new tech, “With Saab IQon, there are no limits to the potential for innovation. We will be inviting the global Android developer community to use their imagination and ingenuity.”

What that means is you’ll be able to tweak and update you car’s functionality just as you would your mobile phone. That’s pretty damn cool actually.

More pics and detail from Saab after the break.

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Motor Shows Subaru

Geneva 2011: Subaru Boxer Sports Car

While Toyota is shouting from the roof tops at Geneva that it has shed beige for excitement with its “Toybaru” sports car, Subaru are remaining very coy.

So far we’ve come across just this one image and a press statement from Subaru UK. They do say their “BOXER Sports Car Architecture” is exciting, though.

Hopefully we’ll have more detail soon.

UPDATE: Subaru UK has added a new release to their list overnight. It still doesn’t give too much away, but there’s a bit more detail. The new image above looks pretty jazzy, I’m sure you’ll agree. You can see another pic and the new release below.

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