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Lexus gives us a closer look at the LFA Nürburgring package ahead of Geneva debut

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Lexus

Lexus LFA Nürburgring package

Lexus LFA Nürburgring package – Click above for high-res image gallery

It takes a while to get around the Nürburgring Nordschleife – around seven minutes in even the fastest of machinery with the best driver behind the wheel. But apparently it takes even longer to get around to releasing a special edition Nürburgring package that makes your go-fast supercar even more track-friendly.

We’re talking, of course, about the Lexus LFA Nürburgring package, ToMoCo’s six-figure V10 supercar fitted with extra kit for track duty. Lexus announced last May that they’d make 50 examples, and the better part of a year later, confirmed that it would finally be unveiled to the public at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. Now less than a week away from its debut, Lexus has given us some additional details and images of the car which we only saw from three angles until now.

So what do we need to know? For starters, that extra ten horsepower isn’t meant to give the Nürburgring package-equipped LFA a quicker acceleration time. Nor a higher top end, either. The ten-horse boost is included to counteract the drag of the giant rear wing that helps keep the track-focused supercar glued to the Karussell. Also, while we knew the ‘Ring edition LFA could be had in white, black (matte or glossy) or orange (as pictured), Lexus has also confirmed that the interior can be trimmed in all black, black and red, or black and purple (a good match for the orange exterior if you were ever formerly known as ‘Prince’), and only European customers, for some reason, will get the full carbon-fiber interior.

There are more details to soak up in the press release after the jump, plus a new crop of images in the gallery below. But we’ll leave you with one more salient detail: Lexus is offering buyers one-on-one instruction from a ‘Ring master (or mistress) and a year’s free pass to lap the Nordschleife to your heart’s content. Of course, this is included in the $70,000 premium that the Nürburgring package commands over the already lofty $375,000 purchase price of an LFA. Tack on another $20K for the matte black finish, of course.

Gallery: Lexus LFA Nurburgring package

[Source: Lexus]

Continue reading Lexus gives us a closer look at the LFA Nürburgring package ahead of Geneva debut

Lexus gives us a closer look at the LFA Nürburgring package ahead of Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Videos: Rinspeed BamBoo takes us on vacation from Geneva to Saint-Tropez

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Videos

Rinspeed BamBoo concept at the Geneva Motor Show

Rinspeed BamBoo – Click above to watch the videos after the jump

Rinspeed’s oddball creations are as much rare birds as they are strange ones. Every year we arrive in Geneva and take a good long look at the latest one before moving on, and then the cars are never to be seen again. And we wouldn’t expect any different from this year’s bizarre concept car.

Called the BamBoo, it’s the Swiss firm’s vision of a modern-day, all-electric, open-air beach buggy of sorts, and, like its predecessors, bears little in the way of resemblance to any other car on the road today. Well, maybe the old Fiat Jolly, Mini Moke and any number of fiberglass-bodied dune buggies…

So if you want to take a closer look at the BamBoo in its intended natural habitat – Saint-Tropez – check out the quartet of videos after the jump. Because the show will soon be over, and so will the car that Rinspeed built for it. Oh, and guys: looks like the driver above is single… says so right at the front of the car.

Gallery: Rinspeed BamBoo

[Source: Caradisiac]

Continue reading Videos: Rinspeed BamBoo takes us on vacation from Geneva to Saint-Tropez

Videos: Rinspeed BamBoo takes us on vacation from Geneva to Saint-Tropez originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar bringing 550 hp XKR-S super coupe to Geneva

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Jaguar, Luxury

Jaguar XKR-S

Jaguar XKR-S – Click above for high-res image gallery

We’ve heard rumblings of a more-powerful XKR. We saw spy shots of the rumored two-door as it blew through the English countryside wearing a dash of camouflage. And now it’s official: Jaguar is bringing a more powerful XKR to the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, and goes by the name XKR-S.

We can only assume Jaguar is sticking with the supercharged 5.0-liter V8 as a motivational tool because the full details won’t be unvieled until next week’s shindig in Switzerland. However, we have been given a few numbers: 550 horsepower, 502 pound-feet of torque, a top-speed of 186 miles per hour and the ability to run from zero-to-60 miles per hour in just 4.2 seconds.

If you weren’t excited enough about Geneva, Jaguar just gave you 550 reasons to start drooling. Get the full details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Jaguar XKR-S

[Source: Jaguar]

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Jaguar bringing 550 hp XKR-S super coupe to Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 19:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mini Rocketman Concept takes off ahead of Geneva debut

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Mini, Design/Style

Mini Rocketman concept

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

Mini’s latest production car – the Countryman – may be the automaker’s largest offering to date, but now the brand known for its pint-sized fighters is returning to its roots with its latest concept. But this isn’t a preview of the next-generation Cooper – oh no, no, no – it’s the Rocketman (cue Elton John). At just over 11 feet long, the bug-eyed little hatch is slightly shorter than a base Cooper hardtop and uses a unique three-plus-one interior seating arrangement. It isn’t gonna be a long, long time before we see the Rocketman in person, either – the concept makes its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

In creating the Rocketman, Mini’s main focus was to keep its petite body as light as possible. A carbon spaceframe makes up the main construction, and things like weight-saving wheels with an enclosed surface structure reduce drag to improve fuel economy. Speaking of economy, Mini says that the Rocketman is powered by “a drive system which combines further enhanced sprinting ability with average fuel consumption of just three liters per 100 kilometers (94 miles per gallon Imperial)” – about 78 mpg on the U.S. cycle. We don’t have details about what exactly powers the Mini concept, but we’d bet our bottom dollar that there’s some electrification involved.

The doors themselves are another bit of notable engineering. Upon opening, the doors pivot outwards complete with their sills, making ingress and egress to both the front and rear seats a breeze. From there, passengers are greeted with a three-plus-one seating concept, meaning that instead of a connectional bench seat in the rear, there is an individual chair behind the passenger seat. Behind the driver is a smaller seat where the backrest can be folded down to act as a storage surface. The interior is full of nifty, concept-spec LED lighting, and the latest in infotainment, including the auotmaker’s Mini Connected system with three-dimensional graphics and a steering wheel-mounted joystick for easy operation.

Mini’s Rocketman concept previews the future of small, urban mobility from the brand. This mini-Mini looks capable of retaining the automaker’s core values of driver involvement with seemingly endless personalization, and we encourage you to see all of its ins and outs for yourself in our high-res gallery below. Mini’s official press blast is available after the jump, as well.

Gallery: Mini Rocketman Concept

Mini Rocketman Concept

[Source: Mini]

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Mini Rocketman Concept takes off ahead of Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lamborghini Aventador leaked ahead of Geneva reveal?

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Lamborghini

We received our first glance at its insides this morning, but the folks at WorldCarFans have stumbled upon what appears to be the first image of the completed Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4. Set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week, the Aventador is Lambo’s new Murciélago-replacing flagship supercar, and as its (still unconfirmed) name suggests, we can expect around 700 horsepower to be on tap, stemming from a brand new twelve-cylinder heart.

We’ve seen dozens of spy shots of the Aventador, and all signs point to a very aggressive design. There are plenty of styling cues from the Sesto Elemento concept that debuted at the Paris Motor Show last Fall, and the end result is absolutely irresistible. Take down the Ferrari posters from your walls, kids – there’s a new supermodel to drool over.

The rest of the Aventador’s rumored specs are just as impressive. It’ll sprint to 62 miles per hour in just 2.9 seconds, and it’ll do 217 mph at the very top end. This sheer speed is the result of Lamborghini’s new carbon fiber monocoque cell that weighs just under 325 pounds – in fact, the whole body-in-white tips the scales at just 505 pounds. Even when the drivetrain and interior bits are bolted in, this new Lambo should be seriously lightweight (for a car its size, anyway).

Expect the full details on the all-wheel-drive Aventador LP700-4 to be revealed in the coming days, and we’ll get our first in-person glimpse at the new hotness next week. Get ready. Top tip, Sean!

[Source: WorldCarFans]

Lamborghini Aventador leaked ahead of Geneva reveal? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Bentley to bring new Continental Supersports to Geneva?

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Bentley, Rumormill

2012 Bentley Continental GT

2012 Bentley Continental GT – Click above for high-res image gallery

The first generation of Bentley’s Continental range spawned as many variants as its engine has cylinders. Over seven years of production, they including the GT coupe, the GTC convertible and the Flying Spur sedan, in three levels of engine output (standard, Speed and Supersports), with countless special editions and factory-sanctioned coachbuilt variants (like Zagato’s GTZ and Touring’s Flying Star) along the way.

So what’s next in the pipeline? Well, now that the second-generation Continental GT has hit the market, we can expect the whole rigamarole to start anew. While the range will expand southwards with a new V8 engine option, rumors have begun to surface over the northward expansion with a new Supersports model.

Tipped to be even more extreme than the stripped-out, pumped-up, flex-fuel first-gen Supersports, the new version based on the new Continental GT could benefit from a more aggressive aero package with spoilers and vents aplenty, and a potentially even more powerful engine. Word has it that production could be capped at 100 units, and that Bentley could be planning a surprise unveiling at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. That said, we’d be a little surprised if Bentley jumped right from the Conti GT to the top whack Supersports – if they follow tradition, other bodystyles and a Speed-series of models will arrive first.

Gallery: 2011 Bentley Continental GT

[Source: TopSpeed]

Rumormill: Bentley to bring new Continental Supersports to Geneva? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Feb 2011 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid detailed ahead of Geneva debut [w/video]

Filed under: Hybrid, Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Volvo, Diesel

Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid – Click above for high-res image

While hypermilers debate the various advantages and drawbacks of diesels versus hybrids, Volvo is here to ask, “Why not have both?” As promised, the Swedish automaker is rolling into Geneva with what it’s calling “the world’s first diesel plug-in hybrid”.

Packaged into the svelte V60 wagon, the diesel hybrid packs two distinct drivetrains that can operate separately or in conjunction with one another. Up front is a 2.4-liter five-cylinder turbodiesel with 215 horsepower and 324 pound-feet of torque, while a 70-horsepower electric motor with a 12-kWh lithium-ion battery pack twists the Electric Rear Axle Drive (ERAD).

At the touch of a button, the V60 hybrid can operate in Pure mode as an EV with a 32-mile range on electric power alone. In Hybrid mode, it emits less than 50 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometer with a 746-mile range, and in Power mode, the powerplant acts as a boosted torque monster with a combined output at 472 lb-ft of twist for a 6.9-second sprint to 62 miles per hour. That may not seem too quick, but for a diesel wagon schlepping around that much Duracell, it’s relatively rapid.

The V60 Plug-In Hybrid is set to debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, but if you want to see a brief video and delve further into the specs now, feel free to check out the full press brief after the jump.

[Source: Volvo]

Continue reading Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid detailed ahead of Geneva debut [w/video]

Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid detailed ahead of Geneva debut [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 17:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maserati to present more powerful GranCabrio Sport in Geneva

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Maserati

Maserati GranCabrio Sport

Maserati GranCabrio Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery

When the Maserati GranTurismo made its debut at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show, it came equipped with a 400-horsepower, 4.2-liter V8 made by Ferrari. A year later, Maserati shoehorned a larger 4.7-liter unit under the GT’s hood, boasting 434 horsepower. But when the GranCabrio – known as the GranTurismo Convertible in the United States – hit the market, the Modense automaker opted to skip the smaller engine and go straight for the 4.7 from the S. Now the Trident marque is doing one better with the new GranCabrio Sport.

Due to be unveiled in Geneva, the top-spec four-seat convertible packs an upgraded version of the 4.7-liter V8. 450 horsepower are driven through the same ZF six-speed auto as the standard model, but re-calibrated with the MC Auto Shift programming for quicker response. The Skyhood active suspension has also been optimized, along with the upgraded brakes, and as you can see from the images in the gallery below, the automaker has also applied a number of sporty touches to the styling as well. You can read the full press release after the jump

Gallery: Maserati GranCabrio Sport

[Source: Maserati]

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Maserati to present more powerful GranCabrio Sport in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Feb 2011 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Audi sketches 408-hp A3 sedan concept ahead of Geneva debut

Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Audi, Luxury

Audi A3 Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

Audi has released a few sketches of its Geneva-bound A3 concept, and in keeping with previous reports, the automaker is intent on bringing a sedan version of its smallest model to market.

Audi describes the A3 concept as a “four-seater notchback sedan” and measures in at 174.84-inches long – about six inches longer than the current five-door model. The front fascia is a further evolution of Audi’s more aggressive snout, complete with full LED headlamps and new trapezoidal grille. The greenhouse is suitably squat, with an arching roofline that terminates in a thin, low-slung C-pillar to give it the de riguer “four-door coupe” shape.

More intriguingly, the powertrain is comprised of a turbocharged five-cylinder engine – likely pulled from the TT-RS – outputting 408 horsepower through Audi’s Quattro all-wheel-drive system. We’ll have a full report from the show floor in less than two weeks, but in the meantime, get the full details in the press blast below the fold.

Gallery: Audi A3 Concept

[Source: Audi]

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Audi sketches 408-hp A3 sedan concept ahead of Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Feb 2011 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric to debut in Geneva

Filed under: Sedan, Geneva Motor Show, Rolls-Royce, Electric, Luxury

Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric

Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric – Click above for high-res image gallery

Of all the automakers in the industry, Rolls-Royce doesn’t exactly have the “greenest” image. Its vehicles are heavy and ponderous, equipped with enormous engines and swathed with more dead cows than a beef processing plant. But its parent company BMW has been pushing into the green space with its EfficientDynamics initiative, and it’s looking to bring the Goodwood division along for the electrified ride… one way or another.

Call this another, then: the Rolls-Royce 102EX. It’s an electric version of the Phantom Rolls has been testing for the better part of a year, and now it’s set tomake its debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show. Few details were confirmed in Rolls’ announcement, but after taking its curtain call in Geneva, the Phantom Experimental Electric will go on a world tour to gauge how the public feels about the possibility of a battery-powered Roller. Follow the jump for the official release and keep an eye on electricluxury.com, which is set to launch this week as the program’s online base.

Gallery: Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric

[Source: Rolls-Royce]

Continue reading Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric to debut in Geneva

Rolls-Royce 102EX Phantom Experimental Electric to debut in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 20 Feb 2011 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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