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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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Paris Preview: Five-door Range Rover Evoque caught prepping for show [w/video]

Filed under: Spy Photos, Paris Motor Show, Crossover, Land Rover, Luxury

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque five-door

When Land Rover officially revealed the Range Rover Evoque they didn’t include a single shot of the five-door baby crossover utility. Thankfully, someone with early access to the upcoming Paris Motor Show floor decided that was some kind of crime, and so they took shots of the more family-minded Evoque occupying the Land Rover stand. The secret snapper also got images of the cabin, and we think it’s beautiful distillation of the Range Rover Sport’s interior language. We can’t wait to see it ourselves next week.

For now, have a look at the link below for more shots of the Evoque five-door, and be sure to hit the jump for a video of the two-door.

[Source: 0-100.ro]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Five-door Range Rover Evoque caught prepping for show [w/video]

Paris Preview: Five-door Range Rover Evoque caught prepping for show [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Sep 2010 13:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ben Collins suggests ‘Who Wants to Be the Stig?’ reality tv show

Filed under: Etc., UK, Celebrities

Potential Stigs vie for new gig via reality show?

Another day, another Stig story. But this one’s a bit different. The now ex-white-suited BBC driver Ben Collins has suggested that Top Gear run an X-Factor style contest to find the next Stig. From his interview with the Telegraph:

“If I were working on the show I’d suggest they do a shoot out – a sort of Who Wants to Be the Stig? X Factor. People could turn up in balaclavas and they could all have a go.”

Collins goes on to say that the producers would be acting “childish” if they choose to go forward without a new faceless driver, which we couldn’t agree with more. But…

While Collins’ idea could certainly make for entertaining telly, two issues come to mind: 1) People go on reality shows to become known, with the hopes gaining fame and fortune. Yet Collins resigned from his spot exactly because he hadn’t received what he felt was his fair share. That’s not likely to change with the next Stig. And 2) The reason the idea of the Stig is so successful is exactly because we don’t know who he is. The masked man’s skills have never been called into question because he is the ultimate impartial and unbiased driver. If we know his (or her) identity, his resume and what backhanded schemes he pulled off to land the top spot in a reality show, are we going to trust him? Probably not.

[Source: Telegraph]

Ben Collins suggests ‘Who Wants to Be the Stig?’ reality tv show originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Sep 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Lamborghini to show off technology concept in Paris, not Jota

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Lamborghini, Rumormill, Luxury

Lamborghini Paris Teaser

Lamborghini Paris Motor Show teaser – Click above for high-res image gallery

Well, color us surprised. According to the crew at Auto Guide, Lamborghini won’t be pulling the sheets off the Jota at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Instead, the company plans to show off a single new technology concept. How’s that for a buzz kill?

Questions have been kicking around for a few weeks about exactly what Sant’Agata had planned for the Parisian event. Most sources pointed to either a Murcielago or Gallardo successor as likely candidates – views fueled by the constant stream of teasers the company has released recently.

As you may recall, 0-60 put its hands on a dealer document that indicated that Lamborghini would be showing off two models at the Paris Motor Show. Auto Guide cites an unnamed source as saying that’s simply not the case. Instead, the Raging Bull will show off a single concept with plenty of carbon fiber, a V10 mounted amidships and plenty of other tech the company will likely make use of on future models.

We’ll find out exactly who’s right soon. The Paris Motor Show kicks off next week.

Gallery: Lamborghini Jota teasers

Gallery: Spy Shots: Lamborghini Jota

[Source: Auto Guide]

Report: Lamborghini to show off technology concept in Paris, not Jota originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Show off your environmental (un)friendliness with the Puff illuminated pollution meter

Filed under: Etc., Technology

cartoon carbon cloud device

Now this is clever. Designer and artist Karolina Sobecka has worked up an interesting project for the World Maker Faire in New York City aimed at making motorists more aware of their carbon emissions. The system is made up of two devices – a cartoon-like cloud that attaches to the vehicle’s exhaust pipe and an iPhone app that monitors the vehicle’s emissions. The more carbon the car spews, the more the cloud changes color so that both the driver and everyone in the nearby vicinity knows exactly how much pollution is being spewed into the atmosphere.

The concept is pretty neat, but we don’t exactly see too many car owners jumping at the chance to stick a massive, absurdly-colored cartoon cloud on the rear of their vehicle. The iPhone app sounds like a pretty fun toy to play around with from time to time, though. Unfortunately, most vehicle owners probably know just how bad their chariot of choice is for the environment – the trick is making them care. Head over to Makezine to have a look at an interview with Sobecka.

[Source: Makezine]

Show off your environmental (un)friendliness with the Puff illuminated pollution meter originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Sep 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Lamborghini bringing not one, but two new cars to Paris Motor Show

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Lamborghini, Rumormill, Luxury

Lamborghini Teaser

Lamborghini Jota teaser – Click above for high-res image gallery

The plot thickens. Word ’round the web is that the minds at Sant’Agata have something special planned for the Paris Motor Show. Lamborghini will be bringing not one, but two new models to France next month. The news comes courtesy of the crew at 0-60 Magazine. From what we can tell, the Raging Bull will show up with the car that we’ve all come to know as the Jota, complete with a direct-injection V12, something like 715 horsepower and a heap of carbon fiber. That would be the little gem we’ve been seeing teasers of for the past month or so.

The second machine is a little more mysterious. A document obtained by 0-60 magazine indicates that the car is internally called the 83X. It could be the long-anticipated production version of the company’s four-door Estoque concept, a new interpretation of the Gallardo or a flying ice cream truck for all we know. We’re just guessing, here.

Either way, we don’t have to wait long to find out. The company is planning a simultaneous unveil of both vehicles for dealers on September 23.

Gallery: Lamborghini Jota teasers

[Source: 0-60]

Report: Lamborghini bringing not one, but two new cars to Paris Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris Preview: Fisker will show off first “factory-built” Karma plug-in hybrid

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, Paris Motor Show, Fisker, Electric

Fisker Karma Plug-in Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

Fisker Automotive is taking it slow, but the upstart automaker hopes that an attractive lady or two will take your mind off of the production delays until the Paris Motor Show starts later this month. Why Paris? Because that’s where the first “factory-built Karma” will be displayed in public for the first time. Also in Paris, Fisker representatives will give details, “about the expansion of its prestigious global importer network” that will help the company reach its target of 100,000 vehicles a year.

CEO Henrik Fisker said in a statement that:

We had a chance to change the premium vehicle segment with a new kind of vehicle and a new brand that appeal to consumers who are passionate about the environment, and who wish to drive a beautiful car that reflects their desire to lead a lifestyle of responsible luxury. We are very excited to be introducing the first factory-built Karma luxury plug-in hybrid in Paris, a city known for inspiring its own passions.

Here’s one more interesting tidbit from the release: “The Fisker Karma … can achieve an annual average economy of 2.4L/100 km (100 mpg) and emissions of just 83g/km.” An annual miles per gallon rating seems like an odd addition, but considering the venue, it might be necessary to stoke the flames of consumer interest.

Gallery: Fisker Karma Plug-in Hybrid

[Source: Fisker]

Continue reading Paris Preview: Fisker will show off first “factory-built” Karma plug-in hybrid

Paris Preview: Fisker will show off first “factory-built” Karma plug-in hybrid originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota/Tesla RAV4 EV coming to LA Auto Show, Prius PHEV hitting dealerships in Q2 2012

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Crossover, Toyota, Tesla, Electric

Toyota RAV4

Back in July, Toyota and Tesla announced a joint venture to bring electric vehicles to market, and the first example – the RAV4 EV – is slated to go on sale in 2012. Now, an update from Toyota says the all-electric RAV4 will debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show this November, meaning that an on-sale date in 2012 doesn’t seem all that unrealistic.

Speaking of 2012, Toyota also tweeted about its plans to bring the Prius PHEV to market in the second quarter of that year, citing May or June as a specific timeframe. When it launches, Toyota is targeting sales of roughly 20,000-plus units in North America, with the Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf as the key competition.

[Source: Toyota]

Toyota/Tesla RAV4 EV coming to LA Auto Show, Prius PHEV hitting dealerships in Q2 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Sep 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Lotus bringing a pair of front-engine hybrids to Paris Motor Show

Filed under: Hybrid, Paris Motor Show, Lotus

Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid

Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

In addition to the pair of Evoras being introduced at this year’s Paris Motor Show, Lotus will also be unveiling two front-engine hybrid vehicles, in keeping with the automaker’s promise to offer more gasoline/electric sports cars. Edmunds’ Green Car Advisor reports that one of these hybrid cars will be a four-door hatchback and the other will be a two-door coupe.

Lotus debuted its hybrid concept earlier this year in the form of the Evora 414E Hybrid (pictured), but unlike the mid-engine concept, the two front-engine models will utilize a 47-horsepower 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine specifically designed to provide power to electric-drive hybrids.

We’ll have the full details direct from the Paris show later this month, so stay tuned.

Gallery: Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid

[Source: Green Car Advisor]

Report: Lotus bringing a pair of front-engine hybrids to Paris Motor Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 02 Sep 2010 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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