Paris Motor Show
Paris Motor Show, Latest Automobiles News, Trucks Ranking, Worldwide Cars Review
Filed under: Wagon, Paris Motor Show, BMW, Rumormill
We know what you're thinking: Another day, another BMW bodystyle. Except this one's different.
The Bavarian automaker, much like its fellow German marques Audi and Mercedes-Benz, has exploded its product offerings with spinoffs of its established models. So the two-door 6 Series has bred a four-door GranCoupe version. The 5 Series, in addition to the sedan and wagon, has given us the oddly proportioned 5 Series Gran Turismo. But the upcoming 1 Series Gran Turismo is another kettle of fish in that it is not expected to share the small rear-drive platform with its recently revised namesake, but rather pack a new front-drive platform.
According to BMW Blog, the long-rumored 1 Series GT will finally make its debut next fall at the Paris Motor Show. When it does, the tall hatchback will be targeted directly at the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, slotting (in form at least) in between the existing 1 Series hatchback (pictured above) and X1 crossover. But if front-wheel drive isn't how you picture your BMW channeling its power, an all-wheel xDrive version is also tipped to be in the cards, as well as a hybrid model.
BMW 1 Series GT tipped for Parisian debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Renault, Rumormill
Love it or hate it, the automotive industry of today is not lacking for its exercises in reviving old nameplates. The trend ranges from Mini to Maybach, from Dodge Dart to Dodge Challenger. And the French are certainly not immune. Citroën revived its fabled DS moniker for a range of premium hatchbacks, and Renault - most of all - has been mulling bringing back the Alpine for years now.
Arguably just as central to Renault's performance heritage as the recently revived Gordini line, Alpine made mid-engined sportscars with Renault mechanicals starting in the 1950s and discontinued four decades later. Its most famous model, however, was the A110 (pictured above), which is now celebrating its 50th anniversary. And if a new report from Autocar is accurate, Renault has no intention of letting the occasion slip by unnoticed.
In fact, the French automaker is reportedly planning an Alpine concept car to unveil at the Paris Motor Show next fall. But the question remains whether there's any production potential with such a concept. The French are known for producing some rather intriguing show cars - sportscars in particular - that never seem to get very far from the show stand, from the GTbyCitroën to the Renault DeZir.
Whether Renault can make the business case - without the North American market, at that - to take on the sports car establishment remains to be seen, but having the Nissan product bin to raid certainly couldn't hurt.
Renault planning 50th anniversary Alpine tribute concept for Paris originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Motorsports, Convertible, Performance, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Peugeot, Electric
2010 Peugeot EX1 Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
The Peugeot EX1 has whirred its way into the record books by lapping the 12-mile Nürburgring Nordschleife with a 9:01.338-minute run. According to Peugeot, that shatters the previous electric vehicle record at the track by an impressive 50 seconds.
The fully-electric Pug, which debuted at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, averaged 85 mph on its record-setting run. Peugeot has promised to release photos and video of the EX1 at the Nordschleife, but for now we'll have to wait.
The lightweight, four-wheel drive EX1 was created to celebrate Peugeot's 200th birthday, and packs a pair of electric motors (one on each axle) totaling 340 horsepower. As for production, don't hold your breath, though the technologies on display in the EX1 and lessons learned during its development will likely influence future models.
Gallery: Peugeot EX1 concept
[Source: World Car Fans]
Peugeot EX1 sets fastest electric car lap at the 'Ring originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 01 May 2011 11:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Lotus, Electric
Lotus unveiled a flurry of new concept models earlier this year at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Five brand-new concepts took center stage, but there was a sixth vehicle unveiled that got far less press - the Lotus City Car. According to CAR Magazine, Lotus head Dany Bahar says that the City Car will arrive in production form for an October 2013 launch date.
The City Car rides on a platform developed for a range-extended hybrid powertrain. A 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine powers electric drive motors, which are mated to a single-speed transmission. This means that around town, the Lotus City Car will be able to run solely on battery power, while the gasoline engine can kick on for needed assistance if necessary.
Lotus is planning to build three versions of the City Car; one for Asia, a European version and eventually a sportier model.
[Source: CAR Magazine]
Report: Lotus city car confirmed for 2013 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 18:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Coupe, Paris Motor Show, Lotus
Lotus Esprit Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
We were a bit surprised when Lotus rolled out a total of five new concepts at this year's Paris Motor Show. Lotus unloaded its lightweight guns in an effort to showcase the automaker's future direction, but the question on our minds concerns which of these concepts will actually see the light of day. According to Autocar, only one of the five concepts is actually undergoing engineering work: the Esprit.
Autocar quotes Lotus insiders who say that the future range-topping Esprit is the only vehicle being fully developed at the moment. The Esprit would be the first of the next-generation Lotuses to grace our presence, sometime around 2013. The Esprit will reportedly adhere to the Lotus mantra of lightness and simplicity, with a curb weight of around 3,300 pounds motivated by a 550-horsepower supercharged V8. No, 3,300 pounds isn't exactly lightweight by any means, but with 550 supercharged horses on deck, the power-to-weight ratio will still be what we've come to expect from Lotus.
The Esprit is part of Lotus's plan to increase sales from less than 3,000 units per year to about 7,000 vehicles. That's a substantial jump for a company the size of Lotus, and one that becomes more difficult when you consider that the next round of sports cars will be a bit more expensive, too. The UK-based automaker plans to feature pricing in the £80,000 ($128,000 USD) to £120,000 ($192,000) range, up from about £40,000 ($64,000) on average.
Gallery: Paris 2010: Lotus Esprit Concept
Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL
[Source: Autocar]
Report: Esprit only new Lotus under development originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 01 Nov 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Paris Motor Show, Audi, Electric, Luxury
Making the Audi e-tron Spyder - Click above for high-res image gallery
Audi has pulled back the covers on how it created the e-tron Spyder for the Paris Motor Show, and it's giving us a rare glimpse into what went on behind the scenes. It took five months to turn the sketches into the Paris runway beauty, and Audi tells the story from the viewpoint of the designers modeling and how they balance styling with feasibility. Much of it was, of course, hand made, but even then it went beyond Audi's show-car usual, such as building wheels each containing 66 individual parts.
Not surprisingly, the tale begins like a superhero fable - "It is a functional, rectangular building with a gray facade - a hall like thousands of others in the industrial parks dotting our cities..." - and you'll find the details after the jump.
Gallery: Making the Audi e-tron Spyder
[Source: Audi]
Continue reading How Audi created the e-tron Spyder
How Audi created the e-tron Spyder originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 24 Oct 2010 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Sedan, Wagon, Europe, Paris Motor Show, Volkswagen, Diesel
2011 Volkswagen Passat Wagon - Click above for high-res image gallery
Fresh after the 2011 Volkswagen Passat unveil at this year's Paris Motor Show, VW has unleashed a deluge of information and photos of the new sedan and its wagon counterpart. As with most manufacturers, Volkswagen seems bent on giving buyers all the tech they can stand. The 2011 Passat will ship with goodies like a fatigue detection system, the VW equivalent of the Volvo City Safety system and adaptive cruise control, among other tricks. Volkswagen says that it has also made the new Passat as quiet as can be thanks to in the dash and doors to keep exterior noise at bay.
The 2011 Passat will launch with a variety of engines depending on the market, including three diesel mills and four gasoline plants. The company also says that two DSG gearboxes will ship along with those mills in both six- and a seven-speed configurations. For those that prefer to row your own cogs, a six-speed manual will also be available.
We mustn't forget, however, that the United States will not be getting this version of the Passat. Instead, Volkswagen has an all-new sedan (tentatively called "NMS" or "new mid-size sedan") slated for U.S. consumption in the not-too-distant future. The 2011 Passat you see here is scheduled to go on sale in Germany at the beginning of November. The rest of Europe will have to wait a few more months after that. Hit the jump for the full press release.
Gallery: 2011 Volkswagen Passat
[Source: Volkswagen]
Continue reading Volkswagen opens floodgates on 2011 Passat
Volkswagen opens floodgates on 2011 Passat originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 15 Oct 2010 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Hybrid, Performance, Technology, Paris Motor Show, Jaguar, Luxury
Jaguar C-X75 Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery
Remember the Jaguar C-X75 Concept at the Paris Motor Show? Of course you do. The company repeatedly said it was "a pure concept" that wouldn't ever learn what the word "production" meant. Well, along with Galileo, Jaguar is reportedly joining the list of those who took it all back - well, almost - by admitting it's studying the production feasibility of what would become the X-75.
The stats again: Two 96-horsepower micro gas turbines powering batteries which in turn feed a quartet of 195-hp electric motors at the wheels for a shuddering 780 hp and 1,187 pound-feet, a 3.4-second run to 62 miles per hour, a top speed of 205 mph, an electric range of 68 miles and a range-extended blast of 560 miles. Autocar says that although Jag is studying only making 1,000 or 2,000 per year and could charge a fortune for every one of them, it's those turbines that could decide - or more likely, terminate - the car's fate.
See, Jag doesn't want to stick a plain old combustion engine in it. Otherwise it would have to be redesigned because the turbines' small footprint don't allow room for what would need to be a very powerful V8 or a large V12. Even though the company says developing the turbines for production would cost less than doing so for an ICE, it will take up to eight years to get them ready - for even a low-volume item. Of course, we can't imagine Jaguar is going to stand up at the 2016 Paris Auto Show and declare "The six-year-old concept car you loved in 2010 will be here in two more years! Get ready!" As far as we're concerned, we're happy to imagine gas turbines coming in some kind of Jaguar at some kind of date, whenever it is.
Gallery: Paris 2010: Jaguar C-X75 Concept
Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL
[Source: Autocar]
Of Course They Are: Jaguar reportedly investigating C-X75 production originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 09:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled 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
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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.
Read | Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Concept Cars, Etc., Paris Motor Show
Click above to subscribe to The Autoblog Podcast in iTunes
We're recording Autoblog Podcast #198 tonight, and we've collected a few topics of discussion. Drop us your own feedback and questions below if you think there's anything we've missed, or vote on your fellow readers' submissions to help determine what we kibbitz about this evening. You can subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already to hear your question answered.
Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #198
Paris Auto Show recap Lotus shocks Paris Motor Show with five concept debuts 2011 Chevrolet Montana compact truck unveiled in South America
Subscribe to the Autoblog Podacast and hear your questions asked:
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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #198 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 16:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Coupe, Performance, Videos, Paris Motor Show, Audi, Design/Style
Audi Quattro Concept - Click above for video after the jump
Audi unleashed its Quattro Concept at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, but the automaker isn't done sharing with us just yet. We now have a short new video clip of the Quattro, and we can't stop staring. There are so many questions that will most likely go unanswered. What's it like to drive? How much would a production version cost? Does Audi accept our stolen totally legit American Express card? You know it's been at least several minutes since you last ogled the Quattro, so get your fix by watching the this new video. If that's not enough, we also have a longer cut that ditches the annoying background music. Both are posted after the jump.
Gallery: Paris 2010: Audi Quattro Concept
Live photos copyright (C)2010 Zach Bowman / AOL
[Source: YouTube]
Continue reading Video: Audi Quattro Concept plays with our emotions
Video: Audi Quattro Concept plays with our emotions originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 02 Oct 2010 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Paris Motor Show
The final count, for those keeping track: 39 production car debuts and 21 concept car debuts. That's a total of 60 new vehicles for us to obsess over. Take a look at each and every one of them below. Each image is a link that will take you to our high-res image gallery and brief writeup for that vehicle. Enjoy!
Production Cars
Ferrari California with HELE
2011 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG
Venturi America EV
2011 Fiat 500C Abarth EsseEsse
2011 BMW 5 Series Touring
Fisker Karma
2011 Audi R8 GT
Renault Twizy
2011 Chevrolet Orlando
2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS
2012 Chevrolet Aveo
Mastretta MXT
Chevrolet Cruze Hatchback
Honda Jazz (Fit) Hybrid
Citroën DS4
2011 Fiat Punto Abarth EsseEsse
2011 Renault Latitude
2011 Honda CR-Z accessorized
2011 Hyundai ix20
2011 Toyota Verso-S
2011 Renault Fluence ZE
Ferrari SA APERTA
Porsche 911 Carerra GTS
Exagon Motors Furtive eGT
2011 Infiniti G37 IPL convertible
Maserati GT MC Stradale
Hyundai i20 Sport Brabus
2012 Nissan GT-R
2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS
2011 Range Rover Evoque
Audi A1 1.4 TFSI
Volvo S60 and V60 R-Design
Peugeot 508
2011 BMW X3
2011 Opel Astra Sports Tourer
2012 Ford Focus ST
2011 Porsche 911 Speedster
2011 Bentley Continental
2011 Volkswagen Passat
Concept and Race Cars
Renault Dezir Concept
Seat Ibe Concept
Citroën Lacoste concept
Kia Pop Concept
Saab 9-3 ePower Concept
Mini Scooter E Concept
Lotus Elite Concept
Lotus Elan Concept
Lotus Eterne Concept
Lotus Elise Concept
Lotus Esprit Concept
Lamborghini Sesto Elemento
Peugeot HR1
Nissan Townpod EV
Jaguar C-X75
Audi Quattro Concept
Audi e-tron Spyder
BMW Concept 6 Series Coupe
Opel GTC Paris
Ford Fiesta RS WRC
Mini Countryman WRC
We obsessively covered the... originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 21:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Coupe, Performance, Technology, Paris Motor Show, Ferrari
Ferrari California with HELE System - Click above for high-res image gallery
One theme we have seen so far at this years Paris Motor Show, is automakers showing off vehicles which don't seem to flow with past company history. Ferrari just added a vehicle to the growing list. Have a look at the Ferrari Calfornia fitted with the HELE System. HELE stands for High Emotion Low Emissions and is a system designed to reduce C02 emissions without taking away from the joy of driving a Ferrari.
The HELE System works by utilizing a variety of technical measures including a start/stop function that can restart the car in 230 milliseconds, intelligent engine fan and fuel pump control, electronically controlled variable displacement air-conditioning technology and adaptive gear shifts. The result is a 23 percent reduction in C02 emissions.
We joke about automakers moving away from their traditional vehicles, but it's these types of cars that allow them to continue to build the ones we love. There probably would be no Porsche GT2 RS without the Cayenne, for example. The Ferrari California fitted with the HELE System shows that the purveyor of the Prancing Horse understands the world is constantly changing - and Ferrari is doing its best to continue to build the cars it's known for while staying in tune with the current climate of the world.
Gallery: Paris 2010: Ferrari California with HELE System
Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL
Paris 2010: Ferrari California featuring HELE system originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 21:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Europe, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Ford
2011 Ford C-Max - Click above for high-res image gallery
Following the second press day at the Paris Motor Show at a drive event in Southern France, Ford's global vice president of marketing, Jim Farley, let slip to Autoblog that Dearborn decisionmakers are mulling over whether to import the C-Max to the U.S. As you'll recall, Ford has already committed to bringing over the C-Max's larger line mate, the seven-seat Grand C-Max, a vehicle that Farley tells us won't hit American soil until early in calendar 2012 (likely as a 2013 model).
Unlike its bigger brother, the C-Max has conventional front-hinged rear doors (the Grand has a pair of sliders) along with a more aggressive roofline and rear graphic to complement its shorter wheelbase. Think of it as more of a pent-roof Focus wagon and less of a smallish minivan in the mold of the Mazda5 and you've got it.
Interestingly, Farley maintains that Ford won't necessarily wait until the Grand C-Max goes on sale in the U.S. to determine whether or not to bring the model to America, and it will actively solicit feedback from both journalists and consumers to see if there's a business case to be made. While such language is common among PR folks looking to assuage media members always clamoring for the importation of forbidden automotive fruit, Farley sounded quite optimistic. Further, he reminded us that there was "absolutely no plan" initially to market the next-gen five-door Focus in the States, but that all changed after the 2007 Verve concept was met with an enthusiastic response from media members and show goers. A few years ago, we probably would have discounted such talk, but with CEO Alan Mulally and product chief Derrick Kuzak pushing the One Ford agenda globally, who knows? It might just make it Stateside after all.
If Ford does decide to bring the C-Max to America, it may have a minor naming conundrum to deal with. At the moment, the Grand C-Max moniker is expected to be shortened to just 'C-Max' when it goes on sale in the U.S., or the MPV might take on the name 'Focus C-Max,' though a final decision has not yet been made. As the Blue Oval won't sell both models with the same name, the five-door model would ostensibly need a different name.
Do you think the short-wheelbase C-Max would sell? Check out our high-resolution galleries of both models and then be sure to vote in our poll below. We'll have firsthand drive impressions of the European-spec C-Max range to share with you next week, so stay tuned.
Gallery: 2011 Ford C-Max
Gallery: 2011 Ford Grand C-Max
View Poll
Paris 2010: Ford pondering bringing five-door C-Max to U.S. [w/poll] originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
Permalink | Email this | CommentsFiled under: Performance, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Fiat
2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth EsseEsse - Click above for high-res image gallery
If you like the Fiat Punto, you'll love the Punto Evo. And if you love the Evo, the Abarth Punto Evo will make you quiver. So we're not exactly sure what this Abarth Punto Evo EsseEsse is going to do to you - you may just faint. First shown at this year's Geneva Motor Show, the Abarth-tuned version of the Punto Evo debuted, offering a bit more oomph, more aggressive styling and even better handling and braking. At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the Scorpion brand brought us even hotter versions of both, and we're very glad it did.
Wearing a Campovolo Gray paint scheme with white accents - and carrying that EsseEsse tag - this Punto gets a slight boost in power and a variety of upgrades to match. Output is now a full 180 horsepower, which is enough for a 7.5-second dash to 62 miles per hour. Additionally, top speed rises to 134 miles per hour.
That gray color might look familiar to you if you've ever seen an Italian warplane. The color is named after the airfield across the road from the company's historic headquarters in Turin. Inside, the EsseEsse gets "Abarth Corse by Sabelt" seats in black leather and Blue&Me sat-nav. The Punto also features an array of upgrades to the suspension, brakes, rolling stock and more. Full details can be found in the press release after the jump.
Gallery: Paris 2010: Arbath Punto Evo esseesse
Photos copyright (C)2010 Drew Phillips / AOL
Continue reading Paris 2010: 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth EsseEsse is one fierce Scorpion
Paris 2010: 2011 Fiat Punto Evo Abarth EsseEsse is one fierce Scorpion originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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