Smart has unveiled at the Paris Auto Show a special car2go edition, featuring brand new telematics hardware, a new control unit with touchscreen, and a solar roof developed especially for the smart.
The solar roof delivers a total power of 100 Watt that is used to supply power to the telematics, and also to continually charge the car’s battery. This allows the alternator to be decoupled whilst driving and fuel consumption to be reduced by up to 10%.
"The car2go edition is fitted with a completely new hardware generation that makes the fully-automated rental process even more convenient and secure. The telematics, which are the most efficient car sharing telematics in the world, have been optimized for the requirements of car2go, and were developed in cooperation with the Ulm-based Daimler TSS GmbH among other companies. The new-generation technology is completely integrated into the vehicle both visually and technically, At its heart is a new control unit with a large touch-sensitive screen. The car key, which was previously kept in the glove compartment, is now securely stowed here. There are also convenient slots for up to four chip cards (e.g. for refuelling or for entry to car parks)."
Press release after the jump.
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Nissan has unveiled today at the Paris Auto Show the Townpod, a zero-emission concept that combines benefits of a passenger car with practicality of a light commercial vehicle. The concept features a "Stratosphere White" body paint and electric blue hints on the door handles, number plate, the spokes of the alloy wheels and within the headlamp pods.
The driver is faced with an uncomplicated yet futuristic steering wheel and two familiar stalks to operate the lights and wipers, but other than these controls - which are beautifully simple in their own light - the flowing dashboard is devoid of mechanical switches. Forward or rearward drive is selected using an uncomplicated joystick set into the right-hand side of the driver’s seat base.
Masato Inoue, Product Chief designer of Nissan, said about the concept: "Today, the first thing many people do when they climb aboard their car is program the navigation unit with a phone number, address or other details. This step will be unnecessary in Nissan Townpod as the car will communicate with your PDA’s scheduling function to find out where you are due to be and at what time. Accordingly, the navigation system will not only plot a route to your next meeting, but will map out a plan for all your appointments that day... It will also be able to suggest the most convenient time and place for you to recharge its lithium-ion batteries."
Press release after the jump.
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Mini has unveiled today at the Paris Auto Show their WRC model for the 2011 FIA World Rally Championship. However, in 2011 the new Mini WRC will only compete in six of 13 scheduled rounds, with only 2012 being a full season for them. The MINI WRC will be powered by a 1.6-liter, four-cylinder Di turbo-charged engine that was derived from from Mini’s production models and improved upon by BMW Motorsport. The engine is then mated to an Xtrac six-speed sequential gearbox. Likewise, because of its rallying objectives, the interior of the Countryman WRC has been fitted with a Prodrive-sourced roll cage.
Serving as the team’s principal will be Prodrive chief and ex rally driver David Richards. Together, he and Dirk Hollweg, Mini’s Motorsport head and David Wilcock, the team’s technical director, will form the team’s, shall we say, holy trinity.
Taking the reins for the team will be Kris Meeke and his co-pilot Paul Nagle, a team that took the Intercontinental Rally Challenge title back in 2009. The two will be joined in the team by Daniel Sordo and Carlos del Barrio.
"The Paris Motor Show is the perfect stage, on which to launch our MINI WRC,” says Ian Robertson, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for Sales and Marketing. “The response to our announcement that MINI will return to the world of rallying next year was very positive. The FIA World Rally Championship is the pinnacle of rallying, making it the ideal platform for demonstrating the competitive spirit of our brand. The development of the car isrunning on schedule, and the preparations for the world championship are in full swing. The MINI Countryman production model provided the ideal basis for our new world championship challenger."
Press release after the jump.
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The French manufacturer, Venturi, is well known for its small electric roadster called the Fetish, and now that electric vehicles are all the rage, they have decided that it would be a good time to bring out a new model. Of course, there’s no better time like the present, especially since the Paris Motor Show is hours away and will practically be all about electric cars anyway.
The Venturi America - although if you ask us the name makes no sense, we are talking about a model made by a French manufacturer making its debut in France - is a small electric car powered by an electric motor that delivers a total of 300 hp and 380 Nm of torque. The America can hit a top speed of 124 MPH (or 200 km/h) and, when traveling at a speed of no more than 90 km/h (55 mph), will offer an autonomy of 300 kilometers.
The new electric model is based on the 2006 Fetish and was designed under the leadership of designer Sacha Lakic. Like with the Fetish, America is also characterized by the intense use of carbon fiber.
More details are to be released after the official launch.
You might say that you’ve already seen an Ibe concept from Seat. True! But this is the second version of the concept first unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. This time the concept gets its running gear and the interior.
The Ibe concept is powered by an electric motor located a the front that delivers 102 hp and 200 Nm of torque. This will allow the concept to sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 9.7 seconds and to hit a top speed of 100 mph. The lithium-ion battery are positioned in the rear and offer an autonomy of around 130 kilometers.
But the Ibe is more than just a simple electric concept: it also previews the company’s future design language. Its athletic styling and clear, precise lines indicate the next evolutionary step in the SEAT design DNA. Style elements with unmistakable character - reduced to the minimum but perfectly executed – demonstrate the strategic quality of SEAT design in the development of future model generations.
Updated 12/07/2010: Seat has released a video of the IBE, presenting not only the concept’s exterior and interior, but also a few shots of the car on the road. Enjoy!
Press release after the jump.
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Every time a major auto show happens, you can always expect Bentley to be in attendance, bringing not just their vehicles, but also a myriad of items from its Bentley Collection. You can’t say that these guys don’t know how to take advantage of a sales opportunity when they see one.
Among the items that are scheduled to be included in Bentley’s little boutique include a plethora of exclusive edition items that are expected to cost quite a handful of cash. These include a “Breitling for Bentley” limited edition Bentley GMT chronograph, a newly designed 2011 Limited Edition “zai for Bentley” skis, a limited edition, high-end range sunglasses and ophthalmic frames courtesy of a Bentley-Estede collaboration, and two new superpens from the “Tibaldi for Bentley” collection called the Slimline and the Supersports.
More traditional – and less expensive items – are also expected to be sold at the event, including clothes, caps, ties, model cars, cufflinks, coin purses, luggage tags, passport holders, key fobs, and hand-stitched gloves.
Press Release after the jump
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The seventh generation Volkswagen Passat, in both sedan and station wagon version, made its world debut at the Paris Auto Show. With a design language inspired by the Volkswagen New Compact Coupe concept, the new Passat will go on sale in early 2011.
The new design is defined by a new grille element with prominent horizontal chrome fins, heavily contoured headlight units with LED running lights, a set of distinctive tail lights and a subtle chrome highlights. The interior gets new seats, a revised dashboard with new dials, trim finishes and an analogue clock and subtle chrome inserts.
Under the hood Volkswagen will offer both petrol and diesel engines. The petrol line-up includes: a 1.4-liter TSI engine developing 122 HP, a 1.8-liter TSI unit with 160 HP, a 2.0-liter TSI 210 HP engine and a 3.6-liter V6 producing 300 HP. Diesel line-up includes: a 1.6-liter TDI units offered in two versions 105 HP and a 2.0-liter TDI engine offered in two power outputs – 140 HP and 170 HP. Each of this engine will be coupled to a choice of manual or DSG gearboxes.
Press release after the jump.
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Next to the EX1 concept, Peugeot will also present at the Paris Auto Show the HR1, a concept that combines in the same vehicle a city runaround, a coupe and a SUV. The HR1 is a hybrid vehicle that features Peugeot’s latest HYbrid4 technology, with a new three cylinder 1.2 liter THP petrol engine at the front and a rear electric motor, that both deliver a total of 147 HP. The concept delivers a combined fuel consumption of only 3.5 liters/100 km and CO2 emissions of only 80 g/km.
The design language features flowing flanks showcasing large wheels and a double bubble on the rear windscreen reminiscent of the curves of the RCZ Coupe. The interior gets ergonomically placed controls, a small steering wheel, and a “Head Up Display” allowing information to be seen without the driver taking their eyes off the road.
Another interesting feature is a new "movement recognition" system that allows the driver to scroll through functions and select available settings with a simple movement of the hand.
Press release after the jump.
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Ford has unveiled today the first details on the Focus ST model that will make its world debut at the Paris Auto Show later this month. While the model to be revealed in Paris is just a preview version, production model is expected to be unveiled in 2012.
Under the hood of the future Focus ST, Ford will place an unique 250 HP version of the new 2.0-liter, four-cylinder Ford EcoBoost engine. The car displayed in Paris will come with a highly distinctive sports exterior, which is finished in ’Tangerine Scream’, a dramatic new body color that reflects the new ST’s exciting and energetic character.
Next to the ST version, Ford will also be unveiling the new generation Focus that comes with more affordable technologies and features than customers have ever experienced in this critical vehicle segment. Next-generation Focus also offers customers the highest standards of quality and detailed craftsmanship, plus outstanding fuel economy, and will take the legendary Focus driving dynamics to a new level.
Updated 09/29/2010: Ford has unveiled today new images and details on the new Focus ST. Check the picture gallery to see a total of 30 new images and hit the jump to read more about the new model.
UPDATE 03/24/11: A new video of the screamin’ hot 2012 Ford Focus ST has made its way to the Web. It doesn’t get mentioned enough, especially in this supercar-obsessed world we live in today, but the Focus ST really does epitomize the term ’hot hatch’. We love everything about this car, so much so that the video, despite being only 38 seconds long, has been on our loop for pretty much the whole day. Watch it and enjoy!
Press release after the jump.
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We’ll admit, it’s a little anticlimactic to be showing you the sixth and last teaser of Lamborghini’s mystery car after we’ve already seen the entire in all its glory, courtesy of a leaked photo that was released yesterday by some naughty fellow in France.
Nevertheless, we’ve made it past five of the six teasers so in the interest of continuity; we now have the sixth and final teaser of the mystery concept car that’s scheduled to debut at the Paris Motor Show in a few days.
Heck, they even scooped up the official name for this new Lamborghini beast - the Sesto Elemento Concept – and the time it’s going to be unveiled by Lamborghini.
So in the event that you’re in the vicinity of the Paris Motor Show at 7:45 a.m. tomorrow morning, you might want to pull out your cameras to take as many photos of the Sesto Elemento Concept as you can..
