A successor to the original Smart Roadster has been in the pipeline longer than we can even remember so it figures that it’s only a matter of time before we see an image of the new car hit the Web.
Well, thanks to a Smart customer, we may finally have the first rendering of what the new Roadster is going to look like. There’s no word yet on what kind of powertrain the new Roadster will carry, but judging from the rendering, the new Roadster does bear some striking similarities to the ForSpeed Concept that we saw last March at the Geneva Motor Show.
Dare we say, there might even some Mercedes, Porsche and MINI design elements added to the car’s classy yet sporty overall profile. Then again, we’re not the least bit surprised that there’s some Merc design influence on it, seeing as Mercedes’ parent company, Daimler, also owns Smart.
Similarly, the underpinning for the new Roadster hasn’t been revealed yet, although you could point out to the recent collaboration between Daimler and Renault-Nissan to develop a new rear-drive platform as a hint of what lies ahead for the new Roadster.
All this, of course, is still a matter of conjecture. But we’re nonetheless excited to see some progress being made on the upcoming release of the next-generation Smart Roadster, which has been penciled in, by the way, for 2012.
Honda has launched a special edition CR-Z "α · Black label (Alpha Black Label)" on the Japanese market. This model comes equipped with alloy wheels and a black interior, among other improvements. It will be offered in seven different exterior colors and will be priced from 2,510,000 yen or about $32,000 at the current exchange rates.
Honda has opted for a black interior in order to create a sense of deep calm and advanced quality black-themed coordination (front seats, door linings, meter visor and the shift boot). The model is also equipped with 16" lightweight aluminum-coated wheels painted in metallic pewter gray.
Nothing has changed under the hood so the hybrid CR-Z will still come with an IMA hybrid system made up of a 1.5 Liter gas burning engine combined with an electric motor. The electric motor provides an additional 14 HP for a grand total of 124 HP and 131 lb-ft of torque.
Ever since the Vettura Laboratorio HY-KERS made its grand debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, we’ve been waiting for a solid piece of machinery that would solidify the hybrid technology’s existence in Ferrari’s future models. Ferrari hasn’t exactly been keeping the notion of highlighting hybrid technology in their models a secret, but details for such vehicles haven’t exactly been forthcoming either. Tough luck, Ferrari, because spy photographers have captured what looks to be hybrid prototype testing.
This prototype just so happened to be wearing an "S" on its plates which means the car is registered in Stuttgart. This may mean nothing to some, but to us it confirms the involvement of German supply giant, Bosch, who just so happen to be helping Ferrari with the engineering and software set-up of the hybrid. The prototype is also sporting a special exhaust system with two pairs of side by side pipes which may be the biggest hint towards a hybrid powertrain. So far, Ferrari has been able to keep the details of the hybrid powertrain a secret, but rumors suggest that it will consist of a standard engine with two electric motors, one at the front wheels and one at the rear, each developing around 100 HP.
As for the vehicle debuting this new powertrain, that’s still being kept under wraps. The prototype caught testing had body panels illustrating a 599 GTO, but underneath those sheets of metal looked to be a Ferrari California. The vehicle spotted also featured the California’s headlamps, wheels, chromed wheel nuts, folding metal roof shutlines, brake caliper position, and distinctive instrument binnacle.
After introducing its sedan and station wagon models, Peugeot has unveiled the new 508 RXH a few months before the SUV’s official debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
This new model combines a 2.0-liter HDi engine with a 38 HP electric motor for a total output of 200 HP and CO2 emissions of just 109 g/km. The car’s diesel-electric HYbrid4 - as found in Peugeot’s 3008 Hybrid4 - will deliver a total of 208 HP and a peak torque of 331 lbs-ft. It will be combined with a four-wheel drive system and will deliver a fuel economy of 67.2 mpg.
Peugeot has refined the 508 model by widening and raising it to create a smooth and refined SUV. It will be distinguished by LED lights that are visible during the day and night, and "give an impression of three vertical ’lion claws’. The new SUV will also feature a line of distinctive colors and luxurious materials, like the premium quality interior and upholstery.
The fancy aspect will also be covered with a range of technology outfitted for the 508 RXH. The model will be equipped with an Open & Go Keyless system, electric front seats, a head up display, 18" wheels, a panoramic glass roof, dark-tinted acoustic laminated side windows, and the latest generation audio and satellite navigation units.
The 508 RXH will be unveiled as a world premiere at the Frankfurt International Motor Show in September 2011, and will be on sale in Spring 2012.
The gang over at Lotus has been putting in its hours lately with tons of new projects and ideas scheduled for production. We thought they would be done what with their five revamped models and the production of their new engines, but now we find out there may be more. It seems Lotus is also planning a new top version of the Evora model inspired by the GT racer car.
While there aren’t many details on the upcoming model just yet, we do know it will be placed above the Evora S model. The first rumors suggest it will be powered by an upgraded version of the 3.5-liter supercharged V6 engine that will deliver around 400bhp.
Before the Ultimate Evora arrives, however, we’ll get to see the revamped Lotus Evora and its "147 improvements" including higher-grade cabin materials, a sportier exhaust note, and sharper gearbox. Lotus boss, Dany Bahar, says that Lotus’ priority is to "improve the quality, to give the car a soul." This refreshed model is scheduled to be unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show and will then be followed by a convertible version in about a year and a possible plug-in hybrid concept in two years.
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