In the past few years everyone’s focus has been on improving fuel efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions. In fact, new regulations are popping up all over the world pushing every auto maker to think of new environmental solutions and BMW is among the first to announce an impressive solution for the future. Their new "i" brand " is about the development of visionary vehicles and mobility services, inspiring design, and a new understanding of premium that is strongly defined by sustainability."
The first concept announced in the new i line-up is the i8 - a preview version of the production model set to follow in 2013. The BMW i8 Concept is a sports car that features intelligent and innovative technology. It is based on the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car and features a unique plug-in hybrid solution that combines a combustion engine and an electric drive system to create an extraordinary driving experience complemented by extremely low fuel consumption and emissions.
UPDATE 09/16/2011: During its official debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show BMW officials have confirmed that a production version of the i8 will arrive in 2014. That was the good news. The bad news is that despite the fact that the production version will keep most of the concept’s powertrain features, the exterior and interior will be heavily modified. (AutoGuide)
UPDATE 12/23/2011: The new BMW i8 Concept has been the star in the latest Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol movie. Today we have added new images from the red carpet of the film’s U.S. premiere at the Ziegfeld Theater in New York City. Enjoy!
Hit the jump to read more about the BMW i8 Concept.
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After four years out on the streets, the Smart ForTwo deserves a new generation model. To their credit, Daimler is preparing to accommodate with the debut of their new ForVision Concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The new concept vehicle is intended to show two things: the new design direction that Smart is undertaking and new technologies that the company is readying for their future models. The latter was made possible by Smart’s collaboration with BASF, the world’s largest chemical company, in the development of several advanced technologies that will be used on the concept and any other future models that could follow suit.
For this particular model - the second Smart concept to come out this year after the ForSpeed - the whole idea was to build a platform for future vehicles. Among the new materials that were built into the car with the idea of future production use include revolutionary plastic wheels and carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy resin for the doors and the passenger compartment. The latter allows the car to reduce up to 50% of its weight compared to steel and 30% when compared to aluminum. The ForVision Concept also carries a solar roof that provides an alternative source of energy for the concept’s electric drivetrain.
Since the ForVision Concept is still, well, a concept, expect the production version to be a little more attuned to the times. That’s not to say that it won’t carry all of the features of the concept version; it’s just that as far as concept-based production vehicles are concerned, it’s probably to temper expectations on the car.
It’s only been a few weeks since Lexus unveiled the new generation Lexus GS350, and now they are rounding up the crowd again with the debut of the GS 450h at the Frankfurt Motor Show. A relatively young model on the market - it was first unveiled in 2007 - the GS 450H is now the world’s first premium performance sedan to be equipped with a V6 Atkinson cycle gas engine and two-motor hybrid system.
The hybrid system combines an Atkinson cycle 3.5-liter V6 engine with a two-motor hybrid system in a front-engine/rear-wheel drive configuration. They both deliver a total of 338 HP and will sprint the GS 450h from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 seconds. Fuel economy has also been improved by 30%. The model will be equipped with a Drive Mode selector that will allow the driver to choose between Eco, Sport S, Sport S+ and EV modes.
Hit the jump to read more about the new Lexus GS 450h.
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Lexus has been rolling out their new fleet of vehicles over the past couple of weeks, highlighted by the presentation of the 2013 GS 350 at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. You would think that after what’s been a busy two weeks, Toyota’s premium brand would be slowing down a bit to catch their breaths.
Apparently not.
The Japanese automaker is now gearing up for the world debuts of two new vehicles, the GS F-Sport and GS 450h.
No word yet as to what these cars will bring when the covers are pulled off, but all indications are that the GS 450h will be making its world presentation at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month. Among other things, the GS 450h will carry a hybrid powertrain that features a V6 engine combined with an electric motor.
Meanwhile, the GS F-Sport will carry plenty of aerodynamic accessories, not the least of which include a redesigned front bumper and judging from the teaser photo, a honeycomb grille and a new set of alloy wheels to go with a new suspension set-up.
Though it’s possible that we’re going to see the GS F-Sport alongside the GS450h in Frankfurt, don’t be surprised if Lexus keeps the former under the covers for now with an eye towards the 2011 SEMA show in Las Vegas.
At the rate they’re going, it’s probably best for these guys to bring one up at a time. SEMA’s scheduled for November anyway and after the month they’ve had and the busy September coming up, these guys have every right in the world to keep the GS F-Sport behind the curtains until then.
When we were introduced to the 2011 Lexus CT 200h last year, it offered a very interesting conundrum that led us to think of the untapped potential this car could have if it wasn’t a hybrid. Make no mistake, Lexus has continued to dominate the luxury hybrid market so there really was no reason for them to veer off course with the 2012 model. Heck, they even brought back the F-Sport Package to underline the fact that they’re front and center when it comes to luxury hybrids.
All that’s great and Toyota’s luxury brand should be jumping through hoops with the 2012 model. However, we still feel a little lost while looking at the car for the simple reason that we think it’s really a hot hatch that’s been trapped with a hybrid system. Just imagine the possibilities of a CT 200 with a real noise-maker of an engine.
But getting back on track, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with how the 2012 CT 200h was conceived, especially with the growing trend of hybrids and electric cars these days. After all, Lexus still has to cover their bases in the right market.
Find out more about the 2012 Lexus CT 200h F-Sport Package after the jump.
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