Iosis X: the lowdown
Meet one of the Paris Motor Show’s most flamboyant stars: the Ford Iosis X. It’s billed as a crossover concept vehicle which builds on the genes laid down by last year’s Frankfurt star, the Iosis. The Iosis ultimately morphed into the new Mondeo, as featured in the November issue of CAR magazine (out 2 October). And the production version of the Iosis X is due to hit showrooms in 2008, to take on Japanese soft-roaders such as the Toyota Rav4.
How it looks
Think Judge Dredd on a skiing holiday and you’ll have the Iosis X ethos pretty much nailed. Like its predecessor, the Iosis X experiments with Ford’s new ‘kinetic design’ language with its bold, sculpted detailing and strikingly clean surfaces, as pioneered by Ford Europe’s executive design director Martin Smith. The challenge, says Ford, has been to develop ‘kinetic design’ on a high-packaged body – something they’ve achieved and then some.
Thứ Bảy, 3 tháng 3, 2012
Chevrolet WTCC Ultra (2006): first official pictures
Chevrolet Ultra: the lowdown
Hidden beneath the WTCC Ultra's wild touring car looks is Chevrolet's 2008 Ford Focus rival. GM's headline concept car at today’s Paris motor show (Thursday 28), the Ultra previews Chevrolet's future design direction, as well as the Lacetti replacement. Although the muscular bodykit, ultra-wide track, funky graphics and slitty rear window will all be toned down for production, 'you won’t miss the connection when the production car arrives,' a GM insider told CAR Online. Although the race spec interior features a roll cage and paddleshift transmission, the concept runs a most un-touring car like 2.0-litre diesel engine.
Touring car bodykit, family car package
The aggressive nose, far removed from today's range of rebadged Daewoos, shows the future direction for European Chevys. An exaggerated Chevy bow tie-badge dominates the front end, sandwiched between two aggressive grilles. Expect the funky headlamp shape to figure on the finished car, because that sculpted bonnet has been built up to meet European pedestrian protection regs – a sure sign that the front end is destined for production. The profile view is extremely sporty, with its sleek glasshouse and dynamic lines sweeping up to the rear of the car. The Ultra is a five-door, although the rear doors aren't obvious because the handle is hidden in the window section, Alfa 147-style. The General's Australian design outpost at Holden styled the car, under the guidance of GM Asia-Pacific design boss David Lyon. He wants to transform the image of Chevrolet in Europe, getting rid of slab-sided cars like today's Lacetti hatch. 'We are working with the engineers to ensure features like much bigger wheels and a wider track,' says Lyon. 'We want to push the car’s architecture and stance to be more expressive.
Hidden beneath the WTCC Ultra's wild touring car looks is Chevrolet's 2008 Ford Focus rival. GM's headline concept car at today’s Paris motor show (Thursday 28), the Ultra previews Chevrolet's future design direction, as well as the Lacetti replacement. Although the muscular bodykit, ultra-wide track, funky graphics and slitty rear window will all be toned down for production, 'you won’t miss the connection when the production car arrives,' a GM insider told CAR Online. Although the race spec interior features a roll cage and paddleshift transmission, the concept runs a most un-touring car like 2.0-litre diesel engine.
Touring car bodykit, family car package
The aggressive nose, far removed from today's range of rebadged Daewoos, shows the future direction for European Chevys. An exaggerated Chevy bow tie-badge dominates the front end, sandwiched between two aggressive grilles. Expect the funky headlamp shape to figure on the finished car, because that sculpted bonnet has been built up to meet European pedestrian protection regs – a sure sign that the front end is destined for production. The profile view is extremely sporty, with its sleek glasshouse and dynamic lines sweeping up to the rear of the car. The Ultra is a five-door, although the rear doors aren't obvious because the handle is hidden in the window section, Alfa 147-style. The General's Australian design outpost at Holden styled the car, under the guidance of GM Asia-Pacific design boss David Lyon. He wants to transform the image of Chevrolet in Europe, getting rid of slab-sided cars like today's Lacetti hatch. 'We are working with the engineers to ensure features like much bigger wheels and a wider track,' says Lyon. 'We want to push the car’s architecture and stance to be more expressive.
Mitsubishi Outlander (2006): first official pictures
Mitsubishi Outlander: the lowdown
Mitsubishi has finally unveiled the European Outlander, 11 months after the seven-seat crossover hit Japanese showrooms. But you'll still have to wait until 1 March 2007 to get your hands on the mid-size SUV. The Outlander is certainly a crossover, combining car games-based underpinnings and primarily two-wheel drive with lockable four-wheel drive for when you hit the muddy stuff. Power comes from 2.0- and 2.2-litre turbodiesels, and 2.4-litre and V6 petrols; prices should start around £18,000.
How it looks
Mitsubishi has spruced up the Outlander for Europe, with a new Mount Fuji grille which adds drama to the Japanese model. Officially this car is a concept, but who are they trying to kid? It could win an award for the least conceptual show car in history. Only the 20inch wheels, funky lower grille, brightwork and paintjob will go AWOL on the production car.
Mitsubishi has finally unveiled the European Outlander, 11 months after the seven-seat crossover hit Japanese showrooms. But you'll still have to wait until 1 March 2007 to get your hands on the mid-size SUV. The Outlander is certainly a crossover, combining car games-based underpinnings and primarily two-wheel drive with lockable four-wheel drive for when you hit the muddy stuff. Power comes from 2.0- and 2.2-litre turbodiesels, and 2.4-litre and V6 petrols; prices should start around £18,000.
How it looks
Mitsubishi has spruced up the Outlander for Europe, with a new Mount Fuji grille which adds drama to the Japanese model. Officially this car is a concept, but who are they trying to kid? It could win an award for the least conceptual show car in history. Only the 20inch wheels, funky lower grille, brightwork and paintjob will go AWOL on the production car.
Thứ Năm, 1 tháng 3, 2012
VW Scirocco Cup (2010) first pictures
Volkswagen is launching what it believes is the world’s most eco-friendly one-make race series. But rather than a bunch of electric-powered Up! superminis, the grid will be made up of 220bhp natural gas-guzzling Sciroccos.
And just how will these VW Scirocco Cups stake their claim as the most eco-friendly one-make championship in the world?
The engine (of course) is key. The turbocharged 2.0-litre four-pot is the same basic unit you’ll find in the road-going Scirocco, but tweaks including stainless steel pipes and specials valves allow it to run on Bio-CNG. And as the compressed natural gas is made from renewable resources like refined biological waste, VW claims an 80% CO2 reduction.
But VW has also tuned the blown engine to produce extra power. Compared to the regular Scirocco the torque figure has dropped four points to 203lb ft, but instead of 197bhp the CNG-fuelled now manages 220bhp. And there’s a push-to-pass button that provides an extra 30bhp for short bursts for increased overtaking opportunities.
The Scirocco Cup remains front-wheel drive and sends its power to the track via a paddleshift-equipped six-speed DSG gearbox and a proper mechanical diff. Inside there’s a sturdy roll cage to protect the driver and 22-litre fuel tank, and the suspension gains Sachs dampers and H&R springs, while the outside gets the latest bodykit from the new Scirocco R. The Scirocco Cup will replace the Polo Cup as the DTM’s support series in 2010.
And just how will these VW Scirocco Cups stake their claim as the most eco-friendly one-make championship in the world?
The engine (of course) is key. The turbocharged 2.0-litre four-pot is the same basic unit you’ll find in the road-going Scirocco, but tweaks including stainless steel pipes and specials valves allow it to run on Bio-CNG. And as the compressed natural gas is made from renewable resources like refined biological waste, VW claims an 80% CO2 reduction.
But VW has also tuned the blown engine to produce extra power. Compared to the regular Scirocco the torque figure has dropped four points to 203lb ft, but instead of 197bhp the CNG-fuelled now manages 220bhp. And there’s a push-to-pass button that provides an extra 30bhp for short bursts for increased overtaking opportunities.
The Scirocco Cup remains front-wheel drive and sends its power to the track via a paddleshift-equipped six-speed DSG gearbox and a proper mechanical diff. Inside there’s a sturdy roll cage to protect the driver and 22-litre fuel tank, and the suspension gains Sachs dampers and H&R springs, while the outside gets the latest bodykit from the new Scirocco R. The Scirocco Cup will replace the Polo Cup as the DTM’s support series in 2010.
Mitsubishi Compact Crossover (2010) first sketch
This sketch reveals Mitsubishi’s new compact SUV. The official name is still under wraps for now, so Mitsubishi calls this car its Compact Crossover. European sales start next summer, and it’ll be the first car to receive the company’s new clean-diesel engine.
Haven’t we seen something like this before from Mitsubishi?
We have. Back in 2007 Mitsubishi unveiled the Concept-cX at the Frankfurt motor show, and that show vehicle has inspired this new car. The concept was 4.1m long and 1.75m wide, but the production vehicle has grown slightly to accommodate the latest crash regulations, meaning it’ll be slightly larger than Kia’s Soul. Underpinning it is Mitsubishi’s mid-size global platform.
The Compact Crossover will also be the first Mitsubishi to get the company’s new clean-diesel engine. In the concept the 1.8-litre unit produced 134bhp at 4000rpm and 207lb ft at 2000rpm thanks to a variable geometry turbocharger, and was matched to a particulate filter to make in Euro5 compliant. The production engine is still undergoing final homologation, but expect similar outputs.
There will also be petrol engine options, and as Mitsubishi is about to put an E85-powered version of its Lancer into production in Thailand, some markets could get a flexi-fuel option of the Compact Crossover. It’s all part of Mitsubishi’s plans to make a 'strategic shift from being an SUV-focused nameplate to a manufacturer of environment-friendly passenger cars & crossovers', but a company spokesperson confirmed that it will continue to build the Shogun and L200 for a long time yet. Two- and four-wheel drive variants of the Compact Crossover will be offered.
Sales of the compact SUV start in Japan in February 2010, before the car makes its European debut at the Geneva motor show next March and arrives in dealerships in the summer.
Any other Mitsubishi news?
Beyond the new Compact Crossover, Mitsubishi has revealed its plans for the next six months. Asia is receiving a facelifted version of the Outlander this month, before it goes on sale in North America and Europe in November 2009. Europe will also get a facelifted version of the L200 pick-up next January.
Mitsubishi has also announced its fiscal results for the first half of 2009, and its full-year forecasts. From April through September it posted net sales of ¥573bn (£3.8bn), a decrease of ¥641bn (£4.2bn), or 53% over the same period last year. Mitsubishi also posted an operating loss of ¥32.5bn (£217m) in the same period, down from a profit of ¥57.9bn (£388m), but had predicted net sales of ¥600bn and a loss and ¥35bn. Its global sales were down 158,000 units to 445k, a 26% decrease over the same period last year.
Haven’t we seen something like this before from Mitsubishi?
We have. Back in 2007 Mitsubishi unveiled the Concept-cX at the Frankfurt motor show, and that show vehicle has inspired this new car. The concept was 4.1m long and 1.75m wide, but the production vehicle has grown slightly to accommodate the latest crash regulations, meaning it’ll be slightly larger than Kia’s Soul. Underpinning it is Mitsubishi’s mid-size global platform.
The Compact Crossover will also be the first Mitsubishi to get the company’s new clean-diesel engine. In the concept the 1.8-litre unit produced 134bhp at 4000rpm and 207lb ft at 2000rpm thanks to a variable geometry turbocharger, and was matched to a particulate filter to make in Euro5 compliant. The production engine is still undergoing final homologation, but expect similar outputs.
There will also be petrol engine options, and as Mitsubishi is about to put an E85-powered version of its Lancer into production in Thailand, some markets could get a flexi-fuel option of the Compact Crossover. It’s all part of Mitsubishi’s plans to make a 'strategic shift from being an SUV-focused nameplate to a manufacturer of environment-friendly passenger cars & crossovers', but a company spokesperson confirmed that it will continue to build the Shogun and L200 for a long time yet. Two- and four-wheel drive variants of the Compact Crossover will be offered.
Sales of the compact SUV start in Japan in February 2010, before the car makes its European debut at the Geneva motor show next March and arrives in dealerships in the summer.
Any other Mitsubishi news?
Beyond the new Compact Crossover, Mitsubishi has revealed its plans for the next six months. Asia is receiving a facelifted version of the Outlander this month, before it goes on sale in North America and Europe in November 2009. Europe will also get a facelifted version of the L200 pick-up next January.
Mitsubishi has also announced its fiscal results for the first half of 2009, and its full-year forecasts. From April through September it posted net sales of ¥573bn (£3.8bn), a decrease of ¥641bn (£4.2bn), or 53% over the same period last year. Mitsubishi also posted an operating loss of ¥32.5bn (£217m) in the same period, down from a profit of ¥57.9bn (£388m), but had predicted net sales of ¥600bn and a loss and ¥35bn. Its global sales were down 158,000 units to 445k, a 26% decrease over the same period last year.
BMW’s one-off M5 CSL (2009) – a helluva way to go
This is a one-off BMW M5 with close to 600bhp. Built to commemorate the 25th anniversary of BMW’s iconic M5 super-saloon, it’s a stripped-out lightweight special that shows what M Division could have done if it hadn’t built the X5 M and X6 M.
Details, quickly please! I’m slobbering over this new BMW M5 already!
Let’s start with the engine. As if the 500bhp/384lb ft 5.0-litre V10 wasn’t incredible enough, BMW’s M Division has stroked it out to 5.5-litres. Add in a new cars games bonfibre manifold and the outputs have risen to over 580bhp and nearly 400lb ft.
And to cope with that extra power BMW has junked the sequential-manual gearbox and brought in a beefed-up version of the M3’s seven-speed dual-clutch M DCT ‘box.
Inside the gearbox is linked to a pair of paddles, while the driver and front-seat passenger sit in new carbonfibre-backed buckets. There’s also a new carbonfibre roof – that cleaves a claimed 50kg of the E60 M5’s 1855kg kerbweight – and the rear seats have been junked. There’s also been a tweak to the specification of the adaptive suspension.
Bar M Division’s triple-stripe colour scheme, and some stickers celebrating 25 years of the M5, this one-off looks little different to the standard car. The only visual clue is the offset number plate, which makes way for an new intake that feeds air to the extra oil cooler.
Expect this special E60 M5 to hit 62mph in close to four seconds, and easily top 200mph. We also hear it’ll lap the Nurburgring in under eight minutes, a comfortable 20 seconds or so quicker than the standard car.
But BMW isn’t going to produce this, so we’ll just have to wait for the new twin-turbo V8 M5.
Details, quickly please! I’m slobbering over this new BMW M5 already!
Let’s start with the engine. As if the 500bhp/384lb ft 5.0-litre V10 wasn’t incredible enough, BMW’s M Division has stroked it out to 5.5-litres. Add in a new cars games bonfibre manifold and the outputs have risen to over 580bhp and nearly 400lb ft.
And to cope with that extra power BMW has junked the sequential-manual gearbox and brought in a beefed-up version of the M3’s seven-speed dual-clutch M DCT ‘box.
Inside the gearbox is linked to a pair of paddles, while the driver and front-seat passenger sit in new carbonfibre-backed buckets. There’s also a new carbonfibre roof – that cleaves a claimed 50kg of the E60 M5’s 1855kg kerbweight – and the rear seats have been junked. There’s also been a tweak to the specification of the adaptive suspension.
Bar M Division’s triple-stripe colour scheme, and some stickers celebrating 25 years of the M5, this one-off looks little different to the standard car. The only visual clue is the offset number plate, which makes way for an new intake that feeds air to the extra oil cooler.
Expect this special E60 M5 to hit 62mph in close to four seconds, and easily top 200mph. We also hear it’ll lap the Nurburgring in under eight minutes, a comfortable 20 seconds or so quicker than the standard car.
But BMW isn’t going to produce this, so we’ll just have to wait for the new twin-turbo V8 M5.
VR Chevrolet Camaro (2010): the UK's Camaro
When GM uncloaked their Camaro retro remake at the 2006 Detroit auto show, the domestic audience understandably adored it. That muscle car concept is now a showroom reality, but any plans of bringing a right-hook version to South African, Aussie or Brit shores have been quashed – presumably due to low-volume sales and GM’s moth-eaten wallet.
Much like a Mustang or Challenger, if you live in Britain and want a Camaro, you have to settle for a specially imported left-hooker. Come January 2010, when these rendered images of the VR Camaro will be a reality, UK customers won’t have to worry about doing any of the importation or UK-spec work. This is a turn-key ready American car, refined and focused for European drivers.
With its Lamborghini Reventon-style swollen nostrils and early '70s wind-tunnel Trans-Am inspired ducktail spoiler, the VR Camaro’s aggressive restyling has been carried out by Danish design consultancy Hermann and Brandt, who were responsible for penning the radical 1104-horsepower Zenvo ST1 supercar. All styling was designed with 3D computer software then machined directly from the 3D data.
So what's new on this VR Camaro?
In the name of dieting, the VR’s re-sculpted bumpers, skirts and spoiler are made from carbonfibre. The bespoke one-piece, 22-inch diameter wheels are machined from billet aluminium and weigh half the bulk of the original Camaro rims. The conversion has been done by a separate, so-far anonymous British tuning company.
Behind the machined alloys lurk some European road-friendly damping and stopping gear. The VR Camaro boasts coil-over suspension recalibrated for our pitted tarmac, plus mighty 410mm (front) and 385mm (rear) diameter brake discs. The 12-pot front (eight-piston rear) calipers incorporate various sized pistons to address the ‘abrupt stop’ syndrome often associated with large competition brake set-ups.
How quick is the VR Camaro?
It’ll need serious anchors, because the VR Camaro promises to pack a Corvette ZR1 sized punch. No exact power figures have been quoted yet, but by fitting the 6.2-litre V8 with a new UK designed (and manufactured) compressor style supercharger, expect over 600bhp.
The strictly limited edition VR Camaro will only be available in black or white, highlighted with copper accents. Customers will also choose between the factory six-speed manual ‘box (livened up with a short-shift kit) or an auto transmission specifically brainwashed for performance.
How much will the VR Camaro cost?
No firm prices have been released for the VR Camaro yet, but a spokesman claims it will wear a UK price tag roughly half that of the £106,605 ZR1 Corvette. Not bad, considering the horsepower match.
If you already own a standard Camaro, there will be the opportunity to purchase the VR spec components separately. For more information bookmark www.vrcamaro.com.
Much like a Mustang or Challenger, if you live in Britain and want a Camaro, you have to settle for a specially imported left-hooker. Come January 2010, when these rendered images of the VR Camaro will be a reality, UK customers won’t have to worry about doing any of the importation or UK-spec work. This is a turn-key ready American car, refined and focused for European drivers.
With its Lamborghini Reventon-style swollen nostrils and early '70s wind-tunnel Trans-Am inspired ducktail spoiler, the VR Camaro’s aggressive restyling has been carried out by Danish design consultancy Hermann and Brandt, who were responsible for penning the radical 1104-horsepower Zenvo ST1 supercar. All styling was designed with 3D computer software then machined directly from the 3D data.
So what's new on this VR Camaro?
In the name of dieting, the VR’s re-sculpted bumpers, skirts and spoiler are made from carbonfibre. The bespoke one-piece, 22-inch diameter wheels are machined from billet aluminium and weigh half the bulk of the original Camaro rims. The conversion has been done by a separate, so-far anonymous British tuning company.
Behind the machined alloys lurk some European road-friendly damping and stopping gear. The VR Camaro boasts coil-over suspension recalibrated for our pitted tarmac, plus mighty 410mm (front) and 385mm (rear) diameter brake discs. The 12-pot front (eight-piston rear) calipers incorporate various sized pistons to address the ‘abrupt stop’ syndrome often associated with large competition brake set-ups.
How quick is the VR Camaro?
It’ll need serious anchors, because the VR Camaro promises to pack a Corvette ZR1 sized punch. No exact power figures have been quoted yet, but by fitting the 6.2-litre V8 with a new UK designed (and manufactured) compressor style supercharger, expect over 600bhp.
The strictly limited edition VR Camaro will only be available in black or white, highlighted with copper accents. Customers will also choose between the factory six-speed manual ‘box (livened up with a short-shift kit) or an auto transmission specifically brainwashed for performance.
How much will the VR Camaro cost?
No firm prices have been released for the VR Camaro yet, but a spokesman claims it will wear a UK price tag roughly half that of the £106,605 ZR1 Corvette. Not bad, considering the horsepower match.
If you already own a standard Camaro, there will be the opportunity to purchase the VR spec components separately. For more information bookmark www.vrcamaro.com.
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