The iconic Land Rover Defender is still, along with the venerable Mercedes-Benz G-Class, one of the few remaining old-school off-roaders, both cars representing an era that will soon become just a romantic memory inside the minds of 4x4 purists everywhere around the world.
When Tata-owned Land Rover launched its two latest concepts during the Frankfurt Auto Show, the DC100 and the DC100 Sport, its marketing people were probably gunning for the children of the very same 4x4 purists mentioned earlier.
Unfortunately, according to the purest definition of the word “purist”, those Land Rover fans will probably be the ones completely saddened by the launch of the aforementioned concept cars. Why, you ask? Well, both the Land Rover DC100 and the DC100 Sport preserve almost nothing from the tradition of the old and trusted Defender model, which has been manufactured in more or less the same form since 1983, while being based on the original Land Rover, the Series.
Thankfully for the die-hard fans, the DC100 and DC100 Sport represent just the start in a four year journey of reinterpreting the Defender in a modern, twenty first century form. They are both like a pilot episode for a new show, if you wish.
Interested in every detail of the Defender Concept 100? Hit the jump and you’ll find out.
UPDATE 01/05/12: Land Rover’s decision to skip the 2012 NAIAS has cast a few raised eyebrows in the industry. Apparently, their new Indian ownership - Tata Motors - decided to bring Land Rover and Jaguar to their home auto show at the Delhi Auto Expo. In the case of the former, it meant that the Land Rover DC100 Concept would be in attendance dressed in a fancy Firenze Red paint finish. In so many words, this version of the DC100 Concept is all sorts of hot! Check out the new photos in the gallery!
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The Wiesmann Roadster has had a good run, that much we can be sure of, but just like Atari and SpongeBites, all good things must come to an end. So 18 years after we first saw the Roadster MF3], the German sportscar is being prepared for its swan song with a collection of special edition models that Wiesmann is building in collaboration with luxury brand, Sieger.
To commemorate its 18-year run that began in 1993, the German automaker will be rolling out 18 unique models of the MF3, with each model carrying their own special color schemes, to go with fancy-pants nicknames that include Panther, Ivory, Swiss Blue, and Mountain Mobile. One of the special edition models was on display at the Frankfurt Motor Show, giving the attending crowd the first look at the last set of MF3 Roadsters to carry the Wiesmann badge.
The MF3 Roadster Final Edition is powered by a 3.2-liter six-cylinder engine that develops 338 horsepower - an increase of 13 horsepower from the standard model - and 269 lb/ft of torque. The car is mated to a number of gearbox options, including a five- or six-speed manual as well as an optional six-speed SMG transmission. All told, the MF3 Roadster Final Edition can clock in a 0-62 mph time of 4.9 seconds with a top speed of 158 mph.
So soon after the Minagi concept was revealed at this year’s Geneva Motor Show, Mazda has come forth with details of the future production model. The Minagi was concocted as a preview version of the next CX model so the fact that the production model is called the CX-5 shouldn’t be too alarming to Mazda fans. The Mazda CX-5 will be the third model in the CX line-up, next to the CX-7 and CX-9, and will appropriately be the smallest one.
The CX-5 will be the first production vehicle to incorporate Mazda’s new design theme, ’KODO - Soul of Motion’ that was revealed with the Shinari concept. This new design theme includes a prominent new front view with a bolder family face and dynamic styling that conveys a strong sense of vitality and agility. The future SUV will also use the full range of breakthrough SKYACTIV technologies, including engines - both diesel and gasoline - transmissions, body, and chassis.
The future CX-5 will go on sale worldwide in 2012.
UPDATE 02/06/12: Mazda has finally unveiled the pricing details for the 2012 CX-5. Check out how much it costs after the jump!
Hit the jump to read more about the new Mazda CX-5.
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After trudging along with the production of the Karma and introducing the Karma S Convertible Concept, Fisker has moved right along to the Frankfurt Motor Show with a new concept: the Surf. The Surf concept is an electric shooting brake model with extended range (EVer) capability and represents Fisker’s vision of a crossover between a sport car and a station wagon. It shows how Fisker is expanding its Karma platform rapidly with additional models that again create a new market niche. A production version will follow in 2013.
The company has described the concept as follows: "The Fisker Surf delivers a bold new twist and is sure to ‘wow’ global audiences with its combination of Uncompromised Responsible Luxury and head turning design."
We expect the Surf Concept will have something similar to the aluminum spaceframe architecture and Q-Drive powertrain as used in the Karma. Of course, we don’t anticipate that this concept to have two electric motors with an output of about 408 HP like the Karma, but a less powerful setup powered by the same lithium-ion battery pack will more than likely be available. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph will be made in 5.9 seconds and top speed will go up to 125 mph. The concept can travel up to 50 miles on electricity only and a turbocharged 2.0-liter petrol engine will act as a generator and will extend the range an additional 250 miles.
The fact that some of the world’s lesser known brands have all come out of the woodwork to present their own concept cars speaks volumes on how popular Frankfurt is. We haven’t heard from Ssangyong in a while now, but apparently, all that changed when the South Korean automaker officially introduced a new compact crossover concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show called the Concept XIV-1.
According to SsangYong, the Concept XIV-1 is derived from the the phrase "eXcitinguser Interface Vehicle" and was brought to the biggest auto show in the world to introduce everyone to the company’s new design language, one that is expected to be applied to a lot of its future models.
Not much is being mentioned about the concept’s future other than it’s going to serve as the concept peg for a lot of the company’s future models. But if it does get the green light, expect it to be a player in what is appearing to be a very competitive premium SUV segment.
Find out more about the SsangYong Concept XIV-1 after the jump
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