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Ferrari Plans For Hybrid Versions of Every Model

Shahir R. Ali — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 01:55:08 +0000

Ferrari’s latest 599 Hybrid concept car, on display at the Geneva Motor Show, isn’t just another pipe dream. According to Ferrari, hybrid technology plays a big part in its future plans.

It is reported that CEO Luca di Montezemolo is aiming to apply the hybrid system displayed in the 599 HY-KERS show car to all of its production models.

“This is a first step of a long project,” he said, “and we want within three years — maximum four — to have a hybrid Ferrari car ready for every single product of our range. In three years, we aim to cut emissions by a minimum of 35 percent.”

Emissions, in fact, have much to do with the Prancing Horse’s push for hybrid vehicles. By 2012, European automakers’ fleets will have to emit an average of 140 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer or better, and there may be no special dispensation for even the smallest cottage-industry manufacturer.

Supercar manufacturers are addressing this in different ways. Lamborghini feels it can survive by building lighter cars made with more carbon fiber and smaller engines, while Ferrari and Porsche are taking the hybrid approach. The HY-KERS system shown in Geneva allows the 599 to run under electricity only during the EU urban cycle, but during longer runs or if the driver “accidentally” floors the accelerator pedal, that where the powerful V-12 comes to life.

2010 Geneva: Citroen Survolt Concept

Shahir R. Ali — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:43:01 +0000

The French automaker has surprised us once again by unveiling another beauty at the 2010 Geneva motor show, called the Survolt concept.

Citroën bills the Survolt as a blend of “high-fashion, extravagance, and more than a hint of motor racing punch.” We’re told it’s an evolution of the Revolte concept shown at last year’s Frankfurt motor show (the Revolte is on the stand next to it), but the new concept bears as much resemblance to the original as Boyd Coddington’s CheZoom does to a stock ’57 Chevy.

Although some of the 2CV-inspired design cues are retained (notably the beveled hood, roofline, and sweeping side spear), the Survolt is lower, wider, and much more aggressive than its retro-styled predecessor. The car also appears to borrow much of its “motorsport” graphics, flared fenders, and underbody aero treatment from the GTbyCitroën concept, which stole the Paris show back in 2008.

Citroën’s shy about the details, but does note the car sports an all-electric powertrain — quite possibly making it the millionth eco-friendly sports car design on display this week in Switzerland. We wouldn’t be surprised if the show car shared much of its driveline with the Revolt, which was configured as an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV).

As usual, it’s extremely unlikely that the outlandish Survolt will ever see an assembly line, but it does signal that Citroën is increasingly interested in expanding its use of hybrid and electric powertrains in years to come.

A Picture Paints a 1000 Cars in Geneva

Kavinash Vikna — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 03:50:59 +0000

Enjoy some of the best concept cars on display at 2010 Geneva Motorshow.

WARNING : Do Not Drool Over Your Keyboard

1) Bugatti Grand Sport

2) Pagani Zonda Tricolor

3) Koenigsegg Agera

4) Hispano Suiza

5) Porsche 918 Spyder Concept

6 ) NVL Quant

Ferrari 599 Hybrid Images Leaked Ahead of Geneva 2010

Shahir R. Ali — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 05:12:50 +0000

As one of the more hotly anticipated vehicles of the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the Ferrari 599 Hybrid is on the list of cars people just can’t wait to see. Despite Ferrari’s efforts to keep its show car away from prying eyes before its official debut, intrepid auto buffs have managed to snag the first series of images of the hybridized supercar, presumably from the actual Geneva show stand.

So the could be seen as somewhat eco-friendly, Ferrari has given it a vibrant shade of green. The 599 Hybrid looks virtually identical to the standard production version. The difference can be seen underneath, where you’ll see the high-voltage setup that stores braking energy for an extra boost of power via a push of the steering-wheel mounted button. The setup mimics the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) used in Ferrari’s Formula 1 cars during the 2009 season.

Further details await at the start of the Geneva motor show next week

Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid Concept At Geneva 2010

Shahir R. Ali — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 06:27:13 +0000

The Lotus Evora 414E concept car will debut officially at the Geneva auto show next week, and is claimed to reach 100 km/h in less than four seconds and travel over 482 kilometers. As for how it’ll look, imagine a standard Evora slathered in copper: The chassis remains unchanged from 2+2, thanks to the flexibility of Lotus’s Versatile Vehicle Architecture.

The 414E name comes from the powertrain’s output: 414 metric horsepower. The power comes from two electric motors, one delivering 204 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque to each rear wheel, that operate independently through single-speed reduction transmissions, which live in a single housing. The two-motor set up opens a variety of torque vectoring options to Lotus, from supplanting a typical electronic stability system and limited-slip differential, to mimicking a rear-steering system without the extra mechanical components, to correcting understeer and oversteer.

A 47-horsepower, 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine acts as a supplement — it’s called the “Lotus Range Extender. The mill features an aluminum monoblock construction that integrates the block, head, and exhaust manifold in one casting. The construction means the engine is less expensive to produce, smaller, and has a lower (total weight is 187 pounds). Another plus? Its two-valve, port-fuel injection combustion system supports alcohol-based fuels and gasoline.

The Evora 414E can travel 56 kilometers on battery power alone. After that point, the engine becomes a generator, supplying the motors with electricity and topping off the lithium polymer battery pack that sits in the middle of the chassis. Charging is an overnight affair, and the socket hides under the rear license plate.

Aren’t hybrid cars quite? Well not this one. The Evora is equipped with a sound system that has been developed between Lotus and Harman International, the system uses speakers inside the cabin and on the exterior to imitate engine and gear sounds. Four sound options are available to drivers: V-6, V-12, “futuristic,” and a combination of conventional engine and futuristic. The result, Lotus says, is a better experience for the driver and a safer experience for pedestrians, who will be able to hear the car zipping down the canyon road.

Honda to Show All-Electric 3R-C At 2010 Geneva

Shahir R. Ali — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 04:54:57 +0000

At this year’s Geneva show, Honda will reveal an interesting looking concept vehicle called the 3R-C.

The 3R-C was designed and developed solely by the company’s European studio, based in Milan, Italy. Billed as a “minimal urban transport vehicle,” it’s hard to call the 3R-C a concept car, as the one-passenger, three-wheeled design study blurs the line between microcar and scooter.

Although it appears to have a translucent canopy in these pictures, it only shields the cockpit when the 3R-C is parked — in normal operation, it rotates upright, serving as a windshield and air deflector. Designers wrapped the “safety seat” in bodywork, helping protect the driver from debris and traffic. We’d imagine a helmet would be requisite, and conveniently enough, the 3R-C sports a locking trunk, large enough for such gear or small luggage.

Its Power comes from a battery-electric driveline mounted low in the chassis, but Honda hasn’t provided any details and and hasn’t indicted yet if the concept is actually functional. We’ll hopefully learn more come March 2, when the press days in Geneva kick off.

Maserati’s Awards Edition Quattroporte Sport GT S At Geneva Show

Shahir R. Ali — Wed, 24 Feb 2010 02:58:29 +0000

Maserati claims 56 awards from various publications have been given to the Quattroporte. That gave Maserati 56 reasons to warrant a special edition called the “Awards Edition” Quattroporte Sport GT S for the Geneva motor show next week. Added to it are unique exterior and interior upgrades. Output remains at 433 horsepower and 361 pound-feet of torque, as Maserati has left the potent powertrain alone.

The exterior wears a pearlescent grey and gold metallic color called quarzo fuso that is unique to the model. Chrome bits on the exterior receive a burnish, including the side air vents and materials surrounding the radiator. There’s the requisite “Awards Edition” series plate, and behind the grey, 20-inch Multi Trident wheels are polished calipers, which Maserati teamed up with Brembo to produce. The rotors get their shiny appearance through a hand-finishing process.

The interior boasts Poltrona Frau leather seats and an undulating pattern of perforated Alcantara. The trunk has a full black trim with chrome details and a leather side pocket, while the mats are made from a “richer and softer” material, according to Maserati. Brushed aluminum doorsills and piano black satin-finish wood moldings complete the upgrades.

The 2011 Quattroporte Sport GT S Awards Edition goes on sale in the second half of 2010.

Mini Adds New Infotainment Options, Debuts In Geneva

Shahir R. Ali — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:24:50 +0000

Mini will debut a more advanced in-car entertainment technology, which they called ‘Mini Connected’ at the 2010 Geneva motor show. The new in-cabin information display features will be optional on the Countryman SUV. Mini Connected’s new USB interface is optimized for those who have iPhones, but non-iPhone users should benefit from the new system, too.

Once your iPhone is connected to the Mini’s system, a center console-mounted joystick can be used for controlling what’s shown in the high-resolution color display seen in these photos. Mini claims the operating structure will allow drivers to easily get the system to do what they want with minimal distraction while driving.

The iPhone interface allows “a huge range of infotainment, navigation and communication functions to be used on board the vehicle,” Mini says. The system can also be personalized by the driver.

The coolest feature is the the Web radio function, which gives the driver and passengers a choice of Web radio stations to stream in the car. This means that, in the near future, you’ll have six different audio options in a fully optioned Mini (AM/FM radio, CD, satellite radio, HD radio, MP3 player, Web radio).

Citroen DS3 Racing At Geneva

Shahir R. Ali — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:50:01 +0000

Citroen has celebrated numerous victories in the World Rally Championship including five manufacturer’s titles and six driver’s titles. Now Citroen Racing, the company behind all those winning rally cars, has built a car for the street, the Citroen DS3 Racing.

As the Citroen DS3 Racing is being built by the same people that build Citroen WRC cars, most of the DS3 has been modified for higher performance. Citroen Racing starts with the engine, where the engineers “modified and optimized” the powertrain components, though what parts have been modified and optimized have not been disclosed. Citroen Racing also remapped the ECU, tuned the turbocharger and installed a new exhaust. These modifications boost power output of the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder from 156 horsepower to 200 horsepower and from 177 pound-feet of torque to 203 pound-feet.

Of course, the engineers at Citroen Racing didn’t stop at the engine. The stock steering has been replaced with a more precise steering rack modified for the DS3 Racing’s new tires. Stiffer springs, which lower the car half-an-inch, were added along with revised front and rear dampers built to handle the extra power. The car’s front and rear tracks have also been widened by just over an inch. All of these changes were made in the name of grip.

Equally impressive as the car’s ability to get up and go is the DS3 Racing’s enhanced stopping power. Four-piston racing calipers with special disc brakes replace the stock front brake setup while the rears are now drilled. Citroen Racing also revised the ESP to better complement the car’s sportier handling and has several levels of interference depending on how the driver sets it.

The exterior of the DS3 Racing is done in a special livery featuring “DS3,” “Citroen Racing,” and checkered flag graphics on the roof, the rear wheel arches, under the side mirrors, and next to the fuel filler cap. All of the graphics are done in orange to complement the wheels and contrast the car’s dark gray paint job. Chrome door handles and a chrome-finished exhaust tip round out the exterior changes.

Inside the car, carbon fiber trim adorns the dashboard, center console, center of the steering wheel, armrests, and door panels. Citroen also continued the car’s contrasting orange graphics by finishing the shifter, shifter surround, and part of the dash in the same hue. The new racing seats inside the car also have “Citroen Racing” embossed on them with orange accents.

Citroen will unveil the DS3 Racing at the Geneva motor show in early March with the production run of 1,000 set to go on sale in the second half of 2010. Each car will come with a special numbered plaque denoting it’s one of the 1,000 DS3 Racing cars built.

Volkswagen Reveals New CrossPolo Mini Crossover Ahead of Geneva

Shahir R. Ali — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 04:35:32 +0000

Volkswagen has revealed that the new CrossPolo will debut in Switzerland. Although billed as a crossover, the CrossPolo is essentially a lifted Polo hatchback, blessed with extra ground clearance and some rugged styling. Black body cladding was added to the car’s lower portions, highlighted by silver accents on the front and rear fascia that are designed to resemble skid plates. Inside, the two-tone interior receives black webbed seat inserts, along with “CrossPolo” logos embroidered into the seatbacks.

Buyers will have their choice of six engines. The engine lineup ranges in power between 68 and 105 horsepower, and offers both gasoline and diesel variants. The previous base 58-horsepower, 1.2-liter I-4 has been dropped, as well as the five-speed manual transmission. All CrossPolos are equipped with a six-speed manual as standard equipment, although a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is optional.