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Detroit 2011: Mini Paceman Concept gets all the girls

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Crossover, Mini

Mini Paceman Concept in Detroit

Mini Paceman Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Mini’s model line is expanding at an exponential rate, and according to BMW’s smallest division, the Paceman Concept will form the basis of its eighth production vehicle. Even if that’s the case, nothing resembling the Paceman is going to beat either the Mini Coupe or Roadster to market, which are expected to hit dealers in late 2011 and 2012, respectively.

What we have in the Paceman is basically a Countryman that’s been relieved of its two rear doors and granted a gradually sloping roofline. Yes, that will indeed limit the machine’s versatility, but it also adds a sporty vibe to the somewhat high-riding crossover.

Power for the Paceman concept comes from Mini’s John Cooper Works-fettled 1.6-litre twin-scroll turbocharged engine that puts out 211 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque (207 with the overboost function). Those ponies are sent to all four wheels via Mini’s permanent ALL4 all-wheel drive system via either a six-speed manual or automatic gearbox.

Naturally, you’ll find a full high-res image gallery of live photos from the Detroit Auto Show below, and we’ve gone ahead and posted the official press release after the break for your reading pleasure. Enjoy!

Gallery: Mini Paceman Concept: Detroit 2011

Mini Paceman Concept

Gallery: Mini Paceman Concept

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Detroit 2011: Mini Paceman Concept gets all the girls originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2011: 2012 Hyundai Veloster is a Swiss Army Coupe

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hatchback, Hyundai

2012 Hyundai Veloster – Click above for high-res image gallery

Hyundai’s funky, tech-packed Veloster has just debuted at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, and at first blush, the unconventional three-door looks like it’ll go down a storm.

While Hyundai’s North American CEO John Krafcik freely admitted that the Veloster isn’t going to be the quickest car to 60 miles per hour or around a race track (that’s what the Genesis Coupe is for), the Korean nonetheless promises frisky performance from its 1.6-liter engine (138 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 123 pound-feet of torque at 4,850) and available six-speed dual clutch gearbox. A six-speed manual will come as standard-fit, and Hyundai figures that the Veloster will be good for around 40 miles per gallon on the freeway.

2012 Hyundai Veloster rear view In the metal, the Veloster is a funky thing, with a longer-than-expected wheelbase thanks to its third front-hinged door on the passenger side. We had a chance to sample the rear seat room, and while getting in was a bit awkward, we found it more useful than the clamshell-style doors on vehicles like the Mini Clubman. Inside, our five-foot, nine-inch frame had adequate head- and legroom when the front-seat passenger had his seat positioned for a similarly sized-frame, but clearly this isn’t for long journeys.

Tech-savvy types will be particularly interested in the standard Blue Link system, Hyundai’s new telematics gadgetry that integrates everything from service schedule alerts to restaurant ratings, remote start and stolen vehicle slowdown. Some of the more advanced features will be available through a three-tier subscription service, but the seven-inch touchscreen is standard-fit, and a full-featured navigation system is optional (though even non-nav equipped models will have turn-by-turn guidance available through the aforementioned Blue Link).

While pricing has not been finalized, Hyundai is shooting for a base price in the $17,000-range while targeting such various vehicles as the Scion tC, Mini Cooper and Honda CR-Z.

Gallery: 2012 Hyundai Veloster: Detroit 2011

2012 Hyundai Veloster

Gallery: 2012 Hyundai Veloster

2012 Hyundai Veloster

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Detroit 2011: 2012 Hyundai Veloster is a Swiss Army Coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 16:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2011: 2012 BMW 650i Convertible goes topless in the Motor City

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertible, Performance, BMW, Luxury

2012 BMW 650i Convertible

2012 BMW 650i Convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery

In addition to the scorched orange 1 Series M Coupe at the BMW booth in Detroit was the new 2012 BMW 650i Convertible. Under the sharply creased (and rather long) hood lies a 400-horsepower, twin-turbocharged, direct injected V8 that manages to shove out 450 pound-feet of torque between 1,750 and 4,500 rpm. All that grunt will be sent to the rear wheels through either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission.

BMW claims the new 6 Series Convertible can drop its flying-buttress-equipped fabric top in exactly 19 seconds an there’s also a 10.2-inch screen to control the standard iDrive technology package. Not bad, but such niceties are to be expected when you are asked to pay a wallet-busting $91,375 for the privilege of owning one, which you’ll be able to do sometime in the spring of 2011.

Take a gander at the live photos in our high-res image gallery below, and if you decide this is exactly what your garage is missing, now would be a good time to start saving those pennies.

Gallery: 2012 BMW 650i Convertible: Detroit 2011

2012 BMW 650i Convertible

Gallery: 2012 BMW 650i Convertible

Detroit 2011: 2012 BMW 650i Convertible goes topless in the Motor City originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2011: Honda Civic Coupe and Sedan Concepts are visions of a compact future

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Budget, Sedan, Honda

2012 Honda Civic Coupe Concept

2012 Honda Civic Coupe Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Honda dusted off concept versions of the ninth generation Civic Coupe and Sedan at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show today, and the automaker says that along with mildly updated exteriors, both vehicles will wear improved interiors compared to the current-generation Civic. Judging from the history of Honda concepts, there’s a good chance that the production versions of both the four and two-door Civics will be very similar to the vehicles you see above. That means that the Civic Coupe will wear styling influenced heavily by the current Accord Coupe.

Meanwhile, four-door buyers can expect an exterior design very similar to the 2011 Civic. Though the sedan’s front-fascia wears a little bit more menace than the current design, the carried-over grille and headlights are more than a little familiar. Out back, new tail lamps and a re-sculpted trunk deck dominate the view.

Honda says that for the first time, buyers in all 50 states will be able to get their hands on the natural-gas Civic. Previously, the green machine was only available in select markets. Additionally, the Civic Hybrid will now boast lithium-ion batteries as opposed nickel-metal hydride. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Gallery: 2011 Detroit: 2012 Honda Civic Coupe Concept

2012 Honda Civic Coupe Concept

Gallery: 2011 Detroit: 2012 Honda Civic Concept

2012 Honda Civic Concept

Gallery: 2012 Honda Civic Coupe

2012 Honda Civic Coupe

Gallery: 2012 Honda Civic Sedan

2012 Honda Civic Sedan

[Source: Honda]

Continue reading Detroit 2011: Honda Civic Coupe and Sedan Concepts are visions of a compact future

Detroit 2011: Honda Civic Coupe and Sedan Concepts are visions of a compact future originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 15:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2011: 2012 Hyundai Veloster reinvents the affordable sports coupe

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hatchback, Hyundai

2012 Hyundai Veloster

2012 Hyundai Veloster – Click above for high-res image gallery

After the usual tease of spy shots and teasers, the sheet has finally been pulled back on the 2012 Hyundai Veloster. Not only does the Veloster take aim at wannabe efficient sports cars like the Honda CR-Z, it reinvents the way we look at the shape of coupes and hatchbacks, employing a unique three-door design that’s surprisingly better in execution than we expected.

Hyundai is using its 2012 Veloster to unveil a slate of new technologies, including a brand new engine and transmission, as well as the automaker’s first foray into the safety and convenience telematics realm with Blue Link. Hyundai is promising class-leading fuel efficiency with a truly sporty driving experience all wrapped in a wholly unique package, but does the Veloster meet the criteria? Follow the jump to find out.

Gallery: 2012 Hyundai Veloster

2012 Hyundai Veloster

Continue reading Detroit 2011: 2012 Hyundai Veloster reinvents the affordable sports coupe

Detroit 2011: 2012 Hyundai Veloster reinvents the affordable sports coupe originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2011: Hyundai Curb Concept is a small crossover for the urban scene

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Crossover, Hyundai

Hyundai Curb Concept in Detroit

Hyundai Curb Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Hyundai’s Curb concept moves the automaker’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design language in a more youthful direction. While we’ve seen plenty of urbanized concepts and production vehicles that use the traditional box-like design pioneered by the original Scion xB, Hyundai chose to create something substantially more curvaceous and sleek. “We wanted the Curb to be urban tough without looking like a Brink’s truck,” Hyundai’s designer, Jason Brown, says.

The basis for the Curb’s powertrain is Hyundai’s new 1.6-liter Gamma inline-four, though the addition of a turbocharger means output is boosted to around 175 horsepower. Combined with a dual-clutch transmission, the Curb is efficient enough to achieve around 30 miles per gallon in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. That power runs to the ground through a large set of 22-inch five-spoke wheels wrapped in Michelin tires with a custom saffron-colored tread pattern. Funky, yes, but definitely fitting for an urban concept car.

Other forward-thinking exterior design elements include exhaust vents that open to reveal a bike rack, a pop-up roof rack and a third rear access door for easier ingress and egress to the rear seats.

The interior features a large acrylic screen that allows information to be passed between all of the passengers inside the Curb, and a heads-up display provided by Continental shows navigation information as well as screens for the cameras used in place of side mirrors. Saffron interior accents compliment the tire tread, and three-holded A-pillars increase the driver’s cornering visibility. Hyundai’s new Blue Link technology is used to keep owners connected with their electronic systems at all times, as well.

It’s all very funky and hip, and we’d like to see this sort of design come to live as a sub-Tucson urban utility vehicle. Follow the jump for Hyundai’s official press release and stay tuned for live images direct from the Detroit show floor.

Gallery: Hyundai Curb Concept: Detroit 2011

Hyundai Curb Concept

Gallery: Hyundai Curb Concept

Hyundai Curb Concept

Continue reading Detroit 2011: Hyundai Curb Concept is a small crossover for the urban scene

Detroit 2011: Hyundai Curb Concept is a small crossover for the urban scene originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2011: Toyota Prius C Concept is higher efficiency in a smaller package

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Hatchback, Toyota

Toyota Prius C Concept

Toyota Prius C Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Toyota Prius V may be the newest production-ready addition to the automaker’s hybrid line, but the family of Prius vehicles will continue to grow in the coming years. Toyota gave us a preview of what to expect by showing the Prius C Concept at the Detroit Auto Show – a car that will come to life in the first half of 2012. Toyota promises that it will be the most fuel-efficient hybrid (that doesn’t need a plug) and will be the most “value-oriented hybrid” in the United States. You’ve been warned, Honda Insight.

It might look like a cartoon frog from certain angles, but what strikes us as odd is that the smaller C Concept keeps the Prius’ five-door design. We were originally tipped to believe this model would be a coupe or hatchback, but even so, we aren’t too put off by this five-door concept. It’s pretty cute, and once its concept-spec lines are toned down for actual production, we’re sure it’ll fit right in with the rest of the Prius clan.

Click past the jump for Toyota’s official words about the Prius C Concept and see it for yourself in the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Toyota Prius C Concept: Detroit 2011

Toyota Prius C Concept

Gallery: Toyota Prius C Concept

Toyota Prius C Concept

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Detroit 2011: Toyota Prius C Concept is higher efficiency in a smaller package

Detroit 2011: Toyota Prius C Concept is higher efficiency in a smaller package originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2011: Toyota Prius family adds a V for volume

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Crossover, Hatchback, Toyota

2012 Toyota Prius V – Click above for the high-res image gallery

Nearly one million Prius Hybrids have been sold in the U.S. over the past decade, and with the third generation model sitting in every other politician and Hollywood starlet’s garage, its appeal is at an all-time high. In Toyota’s estimation it’s a great time for the Prius brand to expand and kicking things off is a new crossover with the kiddies in mind.

The 2012 Prius V is packing all the hybrid goodness of the standard Prius but with 34.3 cubic feet of space for your stuff, 38 inches of rear leg room and the fuel economy most vehicles can only dream of. The V is five inches longer and an inch wider than the O.G. Prius with the same 1.8-liter four cylinder hybrid power source, so it won’t match little brother’s 50 miles per gallon efficiency. Sill, the roomy MPV will net 42 miles per gallon in the city and an also lofty 38 mpg on the highway, or better than most anything on the road. The efficiency quotient is helped with a .29 drag coefficient and creative engineering feats like a resin panoramic moonroof that helps keep weight in check.

Technology will likely be improved as well, typified by Toyota’s Entune infotainment system that combines improved navigation, a rich interface, Bluetooth, and XM Satellite Radio. The Prius V hits dealer showrooms this summer but before you put down a deposit, hit the jump for the details and check the live gallery below.

Gallery: 2012 Toyota Prius V: Detroit 2011

2012 Toyota Prius V

Gallery: 2012 Toyota Prius V

2012 Toyota Prius V

[Source: Toyota]

Continue reading Detroit 2011: Toyota Prius family adds a V for volume

Detroit 2011: Toyota Prius family adds a V for volume originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2011: Audi A6 Hybrid is Teutonic efficiency

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Audi

2011 Audi A6 Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

While we have already met the 2012 Audi A6, we weren’t clear on what the A6 Hybrid would look like. As it turns out, we had a pretty solid idea, as Audi officials say they have gone out of their way to keep it aesthetically true to the conventional gas-powered model.

The new A6 hybrid is a front-wheel drive affair that offers Audi’s 2.0-liter TFSI four-cylinder with a 45-horsepower/155 pound-feet of torque electric motor sitting ahead of the eight-speed Tiptronic gearbox. A modest 1.3 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack is resident in the trunk to generate 39 kW. Audi quotes an estimated combined fuel economy rating of 38 miles per gallon, noting that the A6 Hybrid can be coaxed up to 62 mph strictly on electricity, and it has a pure-electric range of three kilometers (1.86 miles).

Audi isn’t confirming when this new model will go on sale, but it is widely understood that the gas-electric model was conceived with the U.S. in mind, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see it roll into American dealerships before it hits the rest of the globe.

Gallery: Audi A6 Hybrid: Detroit 2011

Audi A6 Hybrid

Detroit 2011: Audi A6 Hybrid is Teutonic efficiency originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit 2011: 2012 Audi A6 is predictably handsome

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedan, Audi, Design/Style, Luxury

2012 Audi A6 – Click above for a high-res image gallery

Audi has unveiled its mid-range 2012 A6 sedan, and as we learned from advanced photos, it follows closely in the mold of its big brother, the A8. As the range-topping sedan is a pretty piece, that’s not a bad thing, but Audi seems to be channeling BMW’s old “One sausage, three sizes” design mantra of decades ago. In this case, that means a massive single-frame grille, available LED headlamps (as shown), and a relatively simple and unadorned profile that lends the A6 a premium look that will likely wear well over the years.

The new A6 will be available globally with two gas engines and three TDI diesel powerplants, as well as a front-wheel drive-only hybrid model. The most powerful gasoline-fed model will be the 3.0-liter TFSI Quattro, packing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, routed through a seven-speed S tronic automatic.

No word yet on U.S. availability or pricing, but we’ll have more news on the hybrid model shortly, so stay tuned. While you’re waiting, check out our high-res gallery below and the official press release after the jump.

Gallery: 2012 Audi A6: Detroit 2011

2012 Audi A6

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Detroit 2011: 2012 Audi A6 is predictably handsome

Detroit 2011: 2012 Audi A6 is predictably handsome originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Jan 2011 14:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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