What’s the big deal? It’s just a Jaguar XF with a few new touches and a little bigger engine, right? When it looks cool and gets 90 more hp it is a BIG DEAL.
We’ve spent moths speculating about the new Jaguar XFR. We were especially keep to the enlarged 5.0-liter V8 engine that debuts in this car. Jag not only brought up the displacement from 4.2-liter, but it also dropped in a supercharger in the XFR for good measure. The bar for most powerful XF has now been raised from 420 hp to 510 hp. The result of this over 21 percent power increase brings the 0 to 60 time from 4.9 secs to an estimated 4.7 secs, and the quarter mile sould come 0.3 secs sooner at 13.1. While the car will not be offered with a manual transmission, Jaguar enhanced its electronically controlled, six-speed transmission with additional clutch plates and an uprated torque converter to facilitate the extra power.
In true English fashion, all the extra performance comes in an understated package. The XFR distinguishes itself with larger air intakes, a couple small hood louvers, and a few new chrome bits. This restrained look may do well for Jaguar as it goes up against established rivals like the BMW M5 or our car of the year, the Cadillac CTS-V.
We don’t want to appear like a fussy two-year old, but since we really liked the XF in our test fleet, when it comes to the XFR: we want it, we want it, WE WANT IT.
Press release after the jump.
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We did know that Volkswagen was going to unveil its new roadster in Detroit, but we didn’t know it would show up as a diesel.
The Concept BlueSport is powered by a mid-mounted 177 hp 2.0-liter Clean Diesel (TDI) with common rail injection engine. VW says that it can make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 6.6 seconds and tops out at 140 mph, all while getting 55 mpg. The engine is mated to a a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox mounted closer to the front of the car, which gives it a 45:55 front-to-rear weight distribution.
The concept is has some fun stuff like bi-xenon LED headlights outside and a touch screen command center inside. This all comes in a package that weights only 2645 lbs.
While everything about this car seems attractive except for possible the oil-burner engine, remember this is just a concept. When the production car shows up we expect it to keep the good points such as the mid-engine layout, almost even weight distribution, and lightweight design. We also expect to see some gasoline engines from the VW parts bin available on the production roadster.
Press release after the jump.
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Dodge first showed us the EV concept as part a trio of electrics it was working on back in September. Now Chrysler is giving the car it’s full debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It was pretty evident to sports car fans that the EV was a Lotus Europa with a battery pack. We don’t think Dodge was being unoriginal for trying to pass a Lotus off as its own. Lotus’ lightweight platforms are a good base for electric vehicles, just look at the Elise-based Tesla Roadster.
The Circuit EV is powered by a completely electric ENVI drivetrain that delivers 268 hp. The concept makes the 0 to 60 mph sprint in less than 5 seconds, while top speed goes up to 120 mph. It can even outrun a Dodge Challenger in a drag race. But if you’re not so hard on the throttle, Dodge says the EV can go 150 to 200 miles between charges.
Press release after the jump.
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Audi debuted Sportback concept at the North American International Auto Show, but we all know better. It’s no great secret that Detroit is where Audi was choosing to show the first preview of the Audi A7. The sedan-in-a-coupe-body is exactly what we’d expect from the four-ringed brand: sleek, big schnoz and a little different than everything else out there.
There is also some pretty significant technology behind the big grille. This concept is powered by a 3.0-liter V6 TDI clean diesel engine that Audi says almost completely eliminates nitrogen oxides. This engine already meets the emissions standards of all 50 states and the European EU6 standard scheduled to take effect in 2014. The engine delivers 225 hp and 405 lb. ft. of torque.
Audi claims the coupe will accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in less than seven seconds and reach a top speed of 245 km/h (152.24 mph). The Audi Sportback concept’s average fuel economy is 39.87 mpg, and its CO2 emissions no more than 251.06 g/mile. No bad for a big car. The Sportback measures in at 16.24 ft long and 6.33 ft wide, but its only a low-slung 4.59 ft tall.
Press release after the jump.
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The fourth model is Chrysler’s ENVI line-up is the Wrangler Unlimited EV, a Range-extended Electric Vehicle that provides a glimpse into the future model from Jeep.
It is a two-wheel drive model using an ENVI Range-extended Electric Vehicle powertrain, consisting of an electric motor, an advanced lithium-ion battery system, and a small gasoline engine with an integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed.
The electric motor produces 268 hp and 295 lb.-ft. of torque. The Jeep Wrangler Unlimited EV has a range of 400 miles, including 40 miles of zero fuel-consumption, zero-emissions, all-electric operation.
Press release after the jump.
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The special edition Touareg Lux Limited made its debut today at the Detroit Auto Show. It is limited to 1940 units and will be the first edition on the most economical and cleanest SUVs to the US market: the new Touareg V6 TDI.
It will be offered with the new V6 TDi engine, buth also with two gasoline engines: a V6 FSI 280 hp and a V8 FSI 350 PS. It comes with 20" alloy wheels, a styling package with special side skirts and customized front and rear aprons and a color lineup customized for the limited edition.
The Touareg Lux Limited may be ordered in the exterior colors “Biscay blue”, “Black magic pearl effect”, “Campanella white” and “Galapagos gray” – the “Biscay blue” color new to the product lineup.
Press release after the jump.
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A surprise electric vehicle that showed up in Detroit was the mid-sized 200C EV. With some luck, this is the future of Chrysler’s Sebring-sized sedan.
Taking square aim at Chevrolet’s Volt, the powertrain in the 200C EV has a 40 mile range purely on battery power, and then the range can be extended with the aid of a small gasoline engine. The total power from the engines should be about 270 hp. Chrysler wanted to be extra eco-friendly with this concept and painted it in in a water-based Liquid Graphite Pearl exterior color.
Press release after the jump.
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Jeep Patriot EV made its debut today at the Detroit Auto Show, next to the Dodge Circuit EV. The Jeep Patriot EV combines the electric-drive components of an Electric Vehicle with a small gasoline engine and integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed.
The Jeep Patriot EV uses an electric-drive motor, advanced lithium-ion battery system and a small gasoline engine with an integrated electric generator to produce additional energy to power the electric-drive system when needed. Range-extended Electric Vehicles provide customers a no-compromise means of dramatically reducing their gasoline use and carbon footprint. The Jeep Patriot EV has a range of 400 miles, including 40 miles of zero fuel-consumption, zero-emissions, all-electric operation.
Press release after the jump.
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Here’s a sexier approach to the Chevrolet Volt. Cadillac’s Converj concept takes the electric car with a gas back powertrain (now called Voltec) from the Chevy and wraps it in a sleek body that reminds of a larger version of the CTS coupe.
The Converj is a strict four-seater. While this is used to give this car a sportier image, this is also necessary because a big center section is taken up by the "T" shaped battery used to power the car. The battery pack contains more than 220 lithium-ion cells that can power the car for up to 40 miles. After the battery runs out, the electric will be replenished by a gas-powered generator. Just like the Volt, the car is designed to be fully charged after plugged in for eight hours on a normal household 120-volt outlet (three hours for 240v).
There is plenty of function to the Converj form. The dark roof contains solar panels to help recharge the car and the sleek body helps cheat the millage-killing wind. Now all that has to happen is for General Motors to find the capital to put the Cadillac of electric cars in production.
Press release after the jump.
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Curious how the future Legacy will look like? Take a look at the new Legacy concept revealed by Subaru today at the Detroit Auto Show and you shall make a pretty good idea.
The Legacy Concept features an aggressive front fascia and solid yet expressive body.Sharp design lines carve out a substantial mass as they flow from the hood, across the roof to the trunk, while the sharp body lines project a sense of strength. Wedge-shaped Side Rear Vision Cameras are featured and provide a sense of flow from the momentum of the A-pillar lines. A character line runs from just before the A-pillar and sweeps up to the tail just above the tail-lamps.
It is powered by a 3.6-liter six-cylinder Horizontally-Opposed engine (borrowed from Tribeca). The engine is mated to an AWD system.
The car is finished in a special High-luster “Ultimate Silver” paint and comes with LED lamps, vertical fog lamp and angular air intakes.
Press release after the jump.
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