2010 Archives | Page 11 of 23

Paris 2010: Ferrari SA APERTA is a limited-edition homage to Pininfarina

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Ferrari

Ferrari SA APERTA

Ferrari SA APERTA – Click above for high-res image gallery

Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina would be proud. The Ferrari SA APERTA has made its global entrance, so stare at it while you can because you might never see one in person. Just 80 sans-roof examples of the front-engined V12 hot-rod will be built. That number serves to honor the 80th anniversary of Pininfarina, just as the letters S and A honor Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina.

It’s not entirely topless, though. It does come with a lightweight soft-top which can be installed if the rain begins to fall. We imagine the procedure for putting that top on is surprisingly difficult and it would be smarter to just drive faster and evade the weather. It would be a shame to muffle the open-air song from that 6.0-liter 12-cylinder engine, even just a little bit.

The Ferrari SA APERTA (aperta is Italian for “open”) is a wonderful way to pay tribute to two men and a company that have played an important role for Enzo’s company.

Gallery: Paris 2010: Ferrari SA APERTA

Ferrari SA APERTA

Paris 2010: Ferrari SA APERTA is a limited-edition homage to Pininfarina originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: Lotus shows off its new Grand Tourer, the Elite [w/video]

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Paris Motor Show, Lotus, Luxury

Lotus Elite Concept

Lotus Elite Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Lotus continues its march towards global sportscar domination with the 2010 Paris Motor Show unveiling of the Lotus Elite. The Elite represents a step away from “lighter is better” because it is a hefty, four-passenger grand tourer – it weighs in at 3,600 pounds. One of the reasons it’s so heavy? It has a retractable, folding hardtop. Don’t let the weight throw you off though, this is a good looking, aggressively styled powerhouse. Under the hood sits a modified version of the 5.0-liter V8 out of a Lexus IS-F. The unit is then massaged to produce 611 horsepower which propels the car to a sub-four-second 0-60 time and a top speed of 195 miles per hour. The Elite will also be fitted with KERS for a quick boost of recovered energy.

The front mid-engine layout should help balance the Lotus Elite and make for an exciting driving experience. We expect this car to represent a slightly softer side for the automaker, but that’s like saying we expect a bomb to hurt less than a missile. The entire Lotus lineup is poised in attack position, the Elite just happens to wear clothes from the Big and Tall store.

Lotus is aiming to bring this sporty road warrior to market sometime in the year 2014. If you invest your money wisely now, you just might be able to save the estimated $180,000 you’ll need to put one in your driveway. Check out the Elite in action with a video clip after the jump.

Gallery: Paris 2010: Lotus Elite Concept

Lotus Elite

Gallery: Lotus Elite Concept

Lotus Elite concept

Continue reading Paris 2010: Lotus shows off its new Grand Tourer, the Elite [w/video]

Paris 2010: Lotus shows off its new Grand Tourer, the Elite [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: 2011 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS is the middle child we can live with

Filed under: Convertible, Coupe, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Porsche

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

2011 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS – Click above for high-res image gallery

Nestled in between Porsche’s perennial favorite 911 Carrera S and audacious 911 GT3 is the automaker’s latest creation – the 911 Carrera GTS. It features the slightly wider body of the all-wheel-drive Carrera 4 models, but only delivers its power to the rear wheels. Speaking of power, Porsche has upgraded the 3.8-liter flat-six to crank out 408 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque, and with added visual bits like 19-inch RS Spyder wheels and SportDesign front and rear fascias, this is indeed the middle child 911 that we’d be happy to live with.

The 911 Carrera GTS is making its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show, and we’ve snagged some live shots of both the coupe and cabriolet under the auto show lights. Have a click through our high-res image galleries below to see the latest hotness.

Gallery: Paris 2010: Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

Porsche 911 Carrera GTS

Gallery: Paris 2010: Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet

2011 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS Cabriolet

Paris 2010: 2011 Porsche 911 Carrera GTS is the middle child we can live with originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 14:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: Exagon Motors Furtive eGT range-extended EV looks better in person [w/video]

Filed under: Hybrid, Videos, Paris Motor Show, Electric

Exagon Furtive e-GT – Click above for high-res image gallery

Exagon Motors hasn’t often appeared in these pages – the company built some electric ice racers last year – and so yesterday’s announcement of the Furtive e-GT extended-range/all-electric sports car caught us by surprise. We recovered from our shock long enough to check it out in person at the Paris Motor Show today, and the metal does the sleek shape more favors than a camera lens. Still, with a 0-60 time of 3.5 seconds (take that, Tesla Roadster) and some range guarantees (!), we’ll take one no matter how it looks.

Specifically, Exagon guarantees that the Furtive-eGT will be able to go – when “calculated according to European standards and energy use cycles” – the following distances before the range extender kicks in:

At a constant speed of 50 km/h : 402 km (31 miles per hour : 250 miles)
At a constant speed of 90 km/h : 288 km (56 mph : 179 miles)
At a constant speed of 110 km/h : 241 km (68 mph : 150 miles)
At a constant speed of 130 km/h : 197 km (81 mph : 122 miles)

Another interesting thing about the Furtive-eGT is that the range extender is an option, which is certainly a welcome change from the one-type-fits-all powertrains we see in the Tesla, Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt. Check out more views of the Furtive-eGT in the gallery below and be sure to click past the jump to watch the video.

Gallery: Paris 2010: Exagon Motors Furtive-eGT

Exagon Motors Furtive-eGT

Gallery: Exagon Furtive e-GT

Continue reading Paris 2010: Exagon Motors Furtive eGT range-extended EV looks better in person [w/video]

Paris 2010: Exagon Motors Furtive eGT range-extended EV looks better in person [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 13:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: Peugeot HR1 Concept

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Peugeot

Peugeot HR1 Concept at 2010 Paris Motor Show

Peugeot HR1 Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

In addition to pulling the sheets back on its new 508, Peugeot unveiled its newest concept at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Called the HR1 Concept, the car is what we would assume would happen if a Prius knocked boots with the SEMA world. Behind the only-a-mother-could-love face, the HR1 benefits from a turbocharged 1.2-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine in front and a 37-horsepower electric motor positioned in the rear of the vehicle. This is a through-the-road hybrid, which means the two powertrains operate independantly and are only connected, well, through the road. Both are bolted to a six-speed automatic transmission, and all told, the company says that the drivetrain is good for a combined “potential power” of 147 hp. Even better, fuel consumption is kept down to 3.5 liters per 100 kilometers, or around 67 mpg US.

In marketing speak, the HR1 boasts an “alternative door structure” as part of its effort to combine as many vehicle body structures as possible. Peugeot says its designers baked elements from the city car, coupe and SUV philosophies into the final look of this hybrid. Surprisingly enough, there are no current plans to bring the HR1 to life.

Gallery: Paris 2010: Peugeot HR1 Concept

Gallery: Peugeot HR1 concept

Paris 2010: Peugeot HR1 Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: Lotus Elan Concept stuns the crowds [w/video]

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Lotus

Lotus Elan Concept

2013 Lotus Elan Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

We didn’t see this one coming. Lotus’ five-car concept explosion at the Paris Motor Show is one of the most welcome surprises sprung on us in recent memory… and the biggest surprise of all may be this Elan. Lotus says its new Elan is slated for a debut in 2013, which makes us wonder what the future may have in store for the current Evora. Pricing for the 2013 Elan is set at $118,500 (£75,000).

In any case, the Elan is powered by a 450-horsepower supercharged 4.0-liter V6 engine with a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox from Toyota, which offers enough gumption to scoot to 62 miles per hour in just 3.5 seconds and on to a top speed of 193 mph. Lotus also promises that a hybrid will be available using a Kinetic Energy Recovery System similar to those seen in Formula One a season ago.

Take a good look at the awesome cockpit of the 2013 Elan. Plenty of carbon fiber, plenty of high-tech goodies, even including a digital race track readout for track days. And could anything be better than that awesome flat-bottom and flat-top steering wheel? No, we didn’t think so.

Weight comes in at 2,849 pounds and there is room for a driver and a passenger, but Lotus will also optionally deliver the Elan with two itty-bitty perches out back. Are we sensing that Lotus has the Porsche 911 in its sights? You betcha’. Check out the 2013 Lotus Elan in our high-res image gallery below.

UPDATE: Video added after the break and live shots added in second gallery below.

Gallery: Paris 2010: Lotus Elan Concept

Gallery: Lotus Elan Concept

Lotus Elan Concept

Continue reading Paris 2010: Lotus Elan Concept stuns the crowds [w/video]

Paris 2010: Lotus Elan Concept stuns the crowds [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 12:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept in detail

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Technology, Paris Motor Show, Lamborghini, Design/Style

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Last night we gave you the first look at Lamborghini’s new Sesto Elemento, a concept car that demonstrates the company’s latest technologies. At the time we didn’t have the opportunity to get a close look at many of the car’s details, but we’re making up for it today with plenty of new photos and more info.

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept, rear view If there’s one thing that caught our attention about the Sesto Elemento, it’s the weight. Lamborghini was able keep its curb weight to 999 kg, or 2,202 lbs, thanks to extensive use of carbon fiber and carbon fiber reinforced plastics. The entire car is essentially constructed from the lightweight materials including the monocoque, front frame, body panels, major suspension components and wheels. With a 570-horsepower V10 mounted behind the cockpit, the San Elemento has just 3.86 pounds to push for every horsepower. Lamborghini claims a 0-100 km/h time of just 2.5 seconds and a top speed of over 300 km/hr, or 186 mph.

While the technical details are impressive, we weren’t immediately taken with the exterior design. As our own Chris Paukert put it, “There’s a lot going on.” What’s interesting is that while we don’t necessarily like the design as a whole, each of the individual elements is quite stunning. The interior is impressive to see as well, with nearly nothing to hide the structural and functional aspects of the car.

Have a look at all the details of the Sesto Elemento in the mega gallery below, or read the full press release from Lamborghini after the jump.

Gallery: Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept In Detail

Continue reading Paris 2010: Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept in detail

Paris 2010: Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept in detail originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: BMW Concept 6 Series Coupé looks low, flat and mean

Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Paris Motor Show, BMW, Luxury

2011 BMW 6 Series Coupe Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW’s Paris press conference isn’t set to take place until later today, but the boys from Bavaria left its Concept 6 Series Coupé hanging around on the display’s massive curved plinth.

While we couldn’t finagle our way inside to take a gander at the interior (at least not yet), the crisply styled GT clearly foreshadows the nearly-here 6 Series production model. The attractive and surprisingly large coupe borrows bits from Beijing’s Grand Coupe concept as well as the new 5 Series, particularly in the nose.

When it arrives next year, the serial 6’er will likely be powered by BMW’s range of turbocharged and naturally aspirated six-cylinder engines, with eight-cylinder motivation reserved for the next M6.

Gallery: Paris 2010: BMW 6 Series Coupe Concept

Gallery: BMW 6 Series Concept

[Source: BMW]

Paris 2010: BMW Concept 6 Series Coupé looks low, flat and mean originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 05:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: Peugeot 508 is a glimpse of things to come

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Peugeot, Diesel

2011 Peugeot 508

2011 Peugeot 508 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Peugeot is celebrating its 200th birthday (as a company) and to mark the occasion, the French automaker is planning an all-out product offensive. Chief among them is the mighty 508 – a sedan that benefits from reduced weight and increased interior room compared to the old 407. In a word: Progress.

Initially, the company says that the 508 will be available with everything from a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 120 horsepower and 118 pound-torque of torque to a 150-hp 2.2-liter turbo-diesel mill with 331 lb-ft of torque. Available gearboxes vary from a six-speed automatic to both five- and six-speed manuals. Peugeot also plans to roll out a hybrid version of the big sedan, though the company says that European buyers can expect to wait a little while on that one. Interestingly, Pug officials say when the 508 does get its batteries, the hybrid will pack a 200 hp diesel in addtion to whatever the electric motors add.

Gallery: 2011 Pugeot 508

Photos by Zach Bowman / AOL

Paris 2010: Peugeot 508 is a glimpse of things to come originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 05:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: BMW X3 is new yet familiar

Filed under: Paris Motor Show, Crossover, BMW, Luxury

2011 BMW X3 – Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW has whisked the sheets off of its 2011 X3, and the second-generation crossover looks suspiciously like its predecessor. Beyond a seemingly endless parade of spy shots over the last couple of years, that’s predictable, as the Spartanburg built X3 has been a considerable sales success for the German automaker.

While the sheetmetal stays largely the same, the lineup receives new engines and an eight-speed automatic gearbox that’s set to spread like kudzu throughout the automaker’s offerings. The X3 also becomes the first model in BMW’s growing X franchise to adopt electric power steering (the automaker’s controversial variable sports steering rack is optional), as well as optional Damper Control and Dynamic Drive Control (as seen on its range of sedans and sports cars).

In addition to the new sheetmetal, BMW promises added rear seat room, addressing one of the vehicle’s key shortcomings for the North American market.

Power will come from BMW’s Twinpower Turbo (Bimmerese for twin-scroll turbo) inline six-cylinder that gives the XDrive35i model 306 brake horsepower at 5,800 rpm with max torque of 295 pound-feet of torque at just 1,300 rpm. That’s good enough for a 0-62 mph time of just 5.7 seconds and a top whack of 152 mph, though it’s not clear if that figure will be governed when it reaches us Yanks. An entry-level xDrive28i model will also receive I-6 power, with 240 hp and 230 pound-feet of torque. Naturally, diesel mills will also be available in other areas of the globe, but as of yet, BMW officials haven’t committed to bringing an oil burner to the States. The petrol model, however, should be in showrooms before year’s end.

Check out our gallery of live shots below, and hop the jump for the official press release.

Gallery: Paris 2010: BMW X3