Yet another brand that’s looking into breaking in a new design language for their future models, Opel will be introducing the second model that will be carrying the company’s new styling cues at the Geneva Motor Show. Following the Opel Ampera, get ready to be introduced to the Zafira Tourer Concept.
Like with most concepts being designed these days, the Zafira Concept has plenty of new features that may or not make it to the production version. Since it’s all about show-and-tell with cars of this variety, Opel made sure to give the Zafira Concept plenty of eye-catching digs. On the outside, the tourer’s design language is similar to the features found on the Opel Ampera, including a front fascia that also comes with a boomerang-style character line with LED daytime driving lights, bi-xenon headlights, a glass roof with integrated ambient lighting, and a panoramic windscreen.
Meanwhile, the Zafira’s interior comes with what Opel describes as a “lounge on wheels”, highlighted by electrically-powered headrests that swivel 90 degrees horizontally, ensuring passengers of experiencing “pure wellness”. In addition to the spa-like atmosphere, the Zafira Concept also has three rows of seats with the second-row center seat capable of being folded down to make room for an armrest. Meanwhile, the third-row seats can also be manipulated with a simple press of a button, where it automatically folded into the floor.
There’s still no official word on what kind of powertrain the Zafira concept will have, but the most likely of all options is a1.4-liter turbocharged engine with a likely output of 138 horsepower and 148 lb/ft of torque.
One of the most impressive vehicles brought by Renault at the Geneva Motor Show is the R-Space concept, a simple, sensuous and welcoming family vehicle that express Renault’s new design philosophy in the MPV segment. Renault said nothing about a production version, but we believe that Renault won’t bring a concept car just as a simple exercise.
"R-Space brings together qualities long considered opposed: family, functionality, sportiness and sensuality," explains Axel Breun, Director of Design for Concept and Show Cars. "It answers the expectations of a large slice of our modern society."
the R-Space is 4.25 meters long and features a prominent grille, a panoramic windscreen and "suicide" rear doors that are already a mark for Renault’s latest concepts. The concept is powered by a turbocharged three-cylinder, 110 hp, 900cc petrol engine mated to an Efficient Dual Clutch transmission (EDC).
Hit the jump to read more about the Renault R-Space Concept.
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The second production version added to the Toyota Prius family is the new "v" version revealed at the Detroit Auto Show. With "v" expressing the vehicle’s versatility, the new Prius v will combine the practicability of a minivan with the hybrid drivetrain of a Prius hatchback model.
The new "v" version is built on the same platform as the first Prius, but promises a 50% space increase inside its cabin. The car also has a low 0.29 coefficient of drag, all while being produced in an evolutionary Prius design.
The car is identical to its hatchback brother: the same exterior design language, the same hybrid drive train under the hood that delivers a total of 40 mpg, and the same technology for the interior that includes an Entune multimedia system which supports mobile apps such as Bing, OpenTable, and movietickets.com.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2012 Toyota Prius v.
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Following in the reveal of the Ford C-Max Energi Concept, Ford also introduced the C-Max Hybrid Concept at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.
The C-Max Hybrid is expected to further strengthen the Blue Oval’s global C-car platform and is already being positioned by Ford as a vehicle that will post better numbers than another one of the US-based company’s hybrid vehicles, the Ford Fusion Hybrid, widely considered as the most fuel-efficient sedan in the US.
Both MPVs that will be made available in North America are going to be built at Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan together with the new Ford Focus and the Focus Electric. Meanwhile, vehicles that are going to go on sale in Europe will be built at Ford’s production facility in Valencia, Spain.
The C-MAX Hybrid Concept is expected to be one of five electrified vehicles that Ford will bring to the North American market in the next two years. Apart from the two C-Max Concepts, Ford will also be releasing the Ford Transit Connect Electric small commercial van, the Focus Electric, which will be launched later this year, and another next-generation hybrid electric vehicle, which will be announced at a later date and will be available in North America and Europe beginning in 2012.
More details on the Ford C-Max Hybrid Concept after the jump.
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After a series of teaser images unveiled this past summer, Nissan has finally brought out the new generation Quest at the Los Angels Auto Show. It will be offered in four well-equipped models: S, SV, SL and LE, with prices starting from $27,750.
The new generation Quest gets a new exterior design with a bold bumper, horizontal grille, and headlights. Take a look at the back of the vehicle and you’ll see rear “boomerang” taillights and tailgate finisher. Other features include full surround privacy glass, black sash molding, and chrome trim accents. The wheels spin round in a standard 16-inch or 18-inch size. The Quest exterior design is also one of the most wind-efficient, with a 0.32 Cd for the Quest S model.
The interior gets a theater-style interior layout with raised 2nd and 3rd rows. The front seating features a special “trilaminar” structure, which uses three types of cushions to distribute body pressure more evenly than traditional padding.
Under the hood there is a 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine with 253 HP and 236 lb-ft of torque. The engine incorporates a twin Nissan Variable Induction Control System (NICS), micro finished camshaft and crankshaft surfaces, DLC (Diamond Like Carbon) coated valve lifters, resin intake manifold, forged crankshaft, digital knock control system, high capacity muffler, and lightweight aluminum block and cylinder heads.
Press release after the jump.
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