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EDAG Light Car Sharing Concept previewed ahead of Geneva Motor Show

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Electric

EDAG Light Car Sharing Concept

EDAG Light Car Sharing Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery

EDAG is headed back to the Geneva Motor Show with a new take on car sharing. The company plans to unveil the new Light Car Sharing Concept, a machine that blends lightweight composites, modular pieces and an electric drivetrain to solve many of the woes facing communal autos at the moment. Along with body panels and interior components that can be easily swapped out for new pieces as wear and tear take hold, the concept comes with sophisticated GPS tracking software to allow car sharing companies to know exactly where their vehicles are at all times.

EDAG says that this new technology will help make car sharing more efficient in the future. At the heart of the vehicle is an axle-mounted electric drive system powered by lithium-ion batteries. All told, the gear is good for a range of 62 miles and a top-speed of 62 miles per hour. There are no output or acceleration figures to be had as of this writing, though that might change as we get closer to next week’s show.

Gallery: EDAG Light Car Sharing Concept

[Sources: EDAG, World Car Fans]

EDAG Light Car Sharing Concept previewed ahead of Geneva Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Feb 2011 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe set for Geneva Motor Show debut

Filed under: Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz, Luxury

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe

2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

Still puzzled as to why Mercedes-Benz killed off the CLK a couple of years ago? Puzzle no more, friend, for your answer is here. You see, the CLK was designed to slot in between the C-Class and E-Class sedan and wagon ranges, and was both preceded and succeeded by the E-Class Coupe. When Mercedes went back to the old formula, it made room for the vehicle you see here: the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe.

The subject of many spy shots and leaked photos, the new C-Class Coupe has finally been officially revealed by the factory ahead of its official debut at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. There, the new Benz coupe will arrive with two engine options: The Mercedes-Benz C250 coupe gets the 1.8-liter direct-injected turbo four with 201 horsepower, while the C350 coupe is equipped with the 304-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6. Both are mated exclusively to Mercedes’ 7-speed automatic transmission, which drives the rear wheels. 4Matic all-wheel drive will not be offered on the C-Class coupe. (The AMG version of the coupe is tipped to come along in another month at the New York Auto Show.)

So what else separates the 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe from the sedan it’s based on? Two fewer doors and a slightly lower roofline. That’s about it. The C-Class coupe’s wheelbase is the same, the front end is the same, the luxury touches and the cutting-edge electronic wizardry… it’s all the C-Class we know, only coupier. Will that be enough to steal sales away from the likes of the BMW 3 Series coupe and Audi A5, both of which are more distinctly differentiated from their four-door compatriots? We’ll find out once the two-doors hit showrooms, but for now, you can scope out the official details in the press release after the jump, along with the gallery of high-resolution images below.

Gallery: 2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

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2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupe set for Geneva Motor Show debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 13 Feb 2011 08:25:00 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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Fiat 500 Bicolore debuts at Bologna Motor Show

Just days ago, Fiat rolled out one of several upcoming special edition 500 models. The new 500 Bicolore, pictured above, made its debut at the Bologna Motor Show. Details are limited, but as its name implies, the Bicolore model features a two-tone paint scheme in candy-apple red and white. Fiat finishes off the changes to the Bicolore by fitting it with unique alloy wheels and trimming the interior with some chrome accents.

Fiat describes the Bicolore as “an unprecedented combination that recalls the retro world of ’50s American cars and pop art.” The automaker continues, calling the special edition 500 a model “that celebrates the car’s more eco-friendly and sporty spirits.” The Bicolore is powered by one of Fiat’s most fuel efficient engines available: the turbocharged two-cylinder 0.9-liter TwinAir, which cranks out 85 horsepower.

The Bicolore is just one of several special edition 500 models that Fiat plans to launch in the coming months, so stay tuned for more.

[Source: Fiat]

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Fiat 500 Bicolore debuts at Bologna Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Dec 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Opel debuts 53-mpg Corsa ecoFLEX at Bologna Motor Show

Filed under: Budget, Europe, Technology, Hatchback, GM, Misc. Auto Shows, Opel, Diesel

Corsa ecoFlex

2011 Opel Corsa

Opel’s upcoming 2011 Corsa ecoFlex model, powered by a 1.3-liter CDTI turbodiesel, boasts an impressive fuel economy rating of 53 miles per gallon (U.S.) and an equally noteworthy CO2 emissions of 98 grams per kilometer. Credit the 95-horsepower, 140-pound-foot engine; stop-start technology; and an optimized five-speed transmission with taller gearing for the ecoFLEX model’s fuel-sipping status.

The Corsa ecoFLEX accelerates from 0-62 miles per hour in 12.3 seconds and hits a top speed of 110 mph. That won’t exactly light the pavement on fire, but it’s 28 percent more powerful and ten percent more fuel efficient than the model it replaces. Despite the ecoFLEX’s impressive numbers, the VW Polo BlueMotion – a competing model in Europe – is slightly more fuel efficient; returning 59.4 mpg (U.S.) and emitting 87 g/km of CO2.

The Corsa ecoFLEX made its debut at the Bologna Motor Show on December 4. To read more, check out the official press release after the jump.

[Source: Opel]

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Opel debuts 53-mpg Corsa ecoFLEX at Bologna Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 05 Dec 2010 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari 458 Challenge debuts at 2010 Bologna Motor Show

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Ferrari, Racing

Ferrari 458 Challenge makes its world debut

Ferrari 458 Challenge makes its world debut at the Bologna Motor Show – Click above for high-res image gallery

Everyone loves a special-edition, track-focused Ferrari and the time has come for the 458 to get a taste of the Maranello magic. At this week’s 2010 Bologna Motor Show, Ferrari has devoted its stand to serve as storyboard showcasing the automaker’s racing heritage. The newest piece of that history takes the form of the Ferrari 458 Challenge, which is finally making its world debut.

The 458 Challenge is the fifth model to get placed into a single-series racing program. The standard 458 Italia is already such a potent beast that the Challenge keeps the changes away from the engine bay leaving it with the same 570 horsepower as the standard 458 Italia. That said, the gear ratios and calibration of the dual-clutch transmission have been adjusted so that the Challenge generates more torque at lower revs.

Stiffer springs and a lower ride height help keep the body planted around the large Pirelli tires. That rubber hugs 19-inch forged alloys with a central locking nut. The brakes are upgraded to the newest setup that Brembo offers, and the system is paired with the ABS that debuted on the wild-child Ferrari 599XX.

Ferrari 458 Challenge Both the suspension and braking get a helping hand from something that has been reduced: weight. Ferrari has focused on reducing the thickness of the body panels, as well as introducing materials such as carbon fiber and Lexan.

All of the upgrades found on the Ferrari 458 Challenge result in a potent, track-ready machine that is faster than the 458 Italia it’s based on. The 458 Challenge hit Ferrari’s home Fiorano race track for numerous test sessions, and during the course of development, it was able to post lap times two seconds faster than the Italia. During testing, the 458 Challenge also pulled lateral grip numbers in the neighborhood of 1.6 g’s. Giggity.

Gallery: Ferrari 458 Challenge makes its world debut at the Bologna Motor Show

Ferrari 458 Challenge makes its world debut at the Bologna Motor Show

[Source: Ferrari]

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Ferrari 458 Challenge debuts at 2010 Bologna Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Dec 2010 15:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 British International Motor Show gets the axe

Filed under: Misc. Auto Shows, UK

2008 British Motor Show

The 2010 British International Motor Show was canceled in March 2009 due to the industry troubles inflicted as a result of a steep sales drop. There were hopes that the show could return for 2012, but they’ve been dashed. The UK Press Association reports that the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has decided to one again cancel the biennial show. Chief executive Paul Everitt says that in recent years, BIMS had less influence on customers’ buying decisions, adding that “vehicle manufacturers are focusing their limited resources on events and activities that have a more direct impact on brand awareness and consumer decisions.”

Will the British Motor Show ever again see the light of day? Sadly, two consecutive cancellations since the 2008 exhibition lead us to believe that it’s very unlikely.

[Source: UK Press Association]

2012 British International Motor Show gets the axe originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 16 Oct 2010 14:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #198 – Paris Motor Show, Lotus unveilings, Chevrolet Montana

Filed under: Concept Cars, Podcasts, Etc., Paris Motor Show, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Lotus, Nissan, Volkswagen, Electric

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Alex Nunez jumps in with Chris and Dan on Episode #198 of the Autoblog Podcast. The aftermath of the Paris Motor Show is a point of discussion, along with the Lotus product blitz. Moving to a completely different continent, we finish with the Chevrolet Montana before wrapping it all up by responding to some of your feedback. An hour and twenty minutes later, we’re done – see you next week!

Autoblog Podcast #198 – Paris Motor Show, Lotus unveilings, Chevrolet Montana

In the Autoblog Garage:

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe
Volkswagen Jetta
Ford Fiesta
Corvette Z06
Buick Regal

News:

Paris Auto Show recap
Lotus shocks Paris Motor Show with five concept debuts
2011 Chevrolet Montana compact truck unveiled in South America

Hosts:
Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Alex Nunez

Runtime: 1:25:42

Get the podcast:
[iTunes] Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
[RSS] Add the Autoblog Podcast feed to your RSS aggregator
[MP3] Download the MP3 directly

Feedback:
Email: Podcast at Autoblog dot com
Voicemail: 734-288-8POD (734-288-8763)

Review the show in iTunes and take our survey

Autoblog Podcast #198 – Paris Motor Show, Lotus unveilings, Chevrolet Montana originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: swissRoomBox turns any vehicle into a motor home

Filed under: Aftermarket, Etc., Videos, Design/Style

swissRoomBox – Click above to watch the video after the jump

The Swiss are masters of precision. The world’s most elegant timepieces hail from Switzerland. The multi-purpose and compact tool known as the Swiss Army Knife is praised throughout the world for its utility and dependability. Swiss-made products carry their label as a badge of honor that commands respect.

Philippe Perakis, a former mountain bike racer, is carrying this ethos into an amazing product designed for the outdoor enthusiast. Perakis has created the swissRoomBox, and its simple name belies a complex and mechanically beautiful product. The swissRoomBox is essentially a motor home squeezed into a few boxes, which fit neatly into the back of any mid-size hatchback, wagon, crossover or SUV.

The name of the game here is “ease of use,” and the swissRoomBox delivers. Initial setup requires connecting a supplied cable to the battery and mounting the unit to four anchor points in the back of the car. It can then be installed or removed within ten minutes. Once in, however, it transforms your car into a mini RV. The swissRoomBox can be used to cook food, take a shower, and provide power and drinking water. It can even be detached to create seating or sleeping space.

It’s an amazing piece of engineering that provides an endless amount of useful features. The swissRoomBox goes on sale in October 2010 but pricing has yet to be announced. Bonus: The company has stated that they are able to ship to the United States – get ready, Honda Element owners. Want to see one put to use? We have video of the swissRoomBox in action on the other side of the jump.

[Source: swissRoomBox via The Adventure Life]

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Video: swissRoomBox turns any vehicle into a motor home originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Oct 2010 16:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus shocks Paris Motor Show with five concept debuts

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

Lotus Esprit Concept

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

It’s been a while since something took us by surprise at an auto show. Usually we’ve seen the pictures and read the press releases a few days ahead of time, so there’s nothing new revealed we weren’t already expecting. Until today. We were expecting Lotus to reveal a pair of new Evora models, a new front-engined GT called the Elite, and if we were lucky, maybe the new Esprit. What we got was something much, much better.

As we arrived at the Lotus booth here at the Paris Motor Show, we spotted a total of five cars under cover. Perhaps a concept and some new versions of existing cars? What proceeded to happen was something entirely unexpected. Lotus CEO Dany Bahar addressed the crowd, announcing that Lotus would be entering a new era. In a matter of minutes, the wraps were pulled off the Esprit, Elan, Elite, Elise and Eterne concept cars, each time with a gasp from the crowd as the next concept’s name was announced. This wasn’t just the introduction of a few concept cars. We were witnessing the complete and utter revitalization, rebranding and rebirth of a legendary car company.

Lotus Elise and Elan concepts – Click above for high-res image galleries

With this new lineup of cars, it’s easy to see that Lotus wants to play with the big boys – Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati and Aston Martin. Bahar had announced last year that this was the direction the company would take, but we didn’t expect it to happen so soon or all at once.

One question still has to be asked, though. Is this direction the right one for Lotus? We can appreciate all forms of performance cars, but is there enough room for Lotus to edge its way into each of these target markets? Can the Esprit conquer the McLaren MP4-12C or the Ferrari 458 Italia? Will buyers go for a Lotus Elite over the Ferrari 599 GTB or the Aston Martin DBS?

Lotus Elite and Eterne concepts – Click above for high-res image galleries

Lotus has long been the master of lightweight, nimble sports cars, and many will undoubtedly say that the company should stick to the same cars it’s been building for the last decade. After all, what would Colin Chapman say about a Lotus coupe that weighs over 3,600 pounds? And a grown up Elise? Then there’s the styling. As usual, we’re split down the middle here at Autoblog. Half of us love the styling, while the other 50 percent thinks it looks too generic. In the end, only time will tell whether Lotus fans will like the direction the company is headed.

There’s quite a bit of information on each vehicle, so click the links below to learn more about them.

Lotus Elite Concept
Lotus Esprit Concept
Lotus Elise Concept
Lotus Eterne Hybrid Sedan Concept
Lotus Elan Concept

You can also browse through our live galleries of each concept:

Gallery: Paris 2010: Lotus Esprit Concept

Gallery: Paris 2010: Lotus Eterne Concept

Gallery: Paris 2010: Lotus Elite Concept

Lotus Elite

Gallery: Paris 2010: Lotus Elise Concept

Gallery: Paris 2010: Lotus Elan Concept

Lotus shocks Paris Motor Show with five concept debuts originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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