BMW Vision ConnectedDrive (2011)

Click Thumbnails to Enlarge

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

BMW Vision ConnectedDrive (2011) first pictures

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

10 February 2011 16:00

This gorgeous two-seat roadster is the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive, set to be unveiled at the 2011 Geneva motor show. Unlike some of BMW’s other Vision-tagged concept cars, this unfortunately isn’t a thinly disguised production car, but a study designed to highlight the company’s driver assistance systems. 

However, although BMW has released no details on the engine or layout under the sexy skin, thankfully the Vision ConnectedDrive’s stunning styling (including the shark nose, wrap-around rear lights and layered body) will find its way onto future production BMWs. 

So when I’ve finished gawping at the new BMW Vision ConnectedDrive, what should I know about the technology it’s showcasing?

For a start sensors in the headlamps and rear lights monitor the traffic situation and the environment around the car, while instead of wing mirrors there are antennas that receive navigation data and transmit other information.

Inside the driver has a 3D head-up display, and the system can project information about the chosen sat-nav route so it appears at the exact point of a possible turn-off. The 3D system also displays information in the foreground or background of the display depending on its relevance.

The passenger plays a part too, and a dashboard-mounted display allows them to access online information and pass it on to the driver if necessary. It’s all designed to make the processing of the ever-growing volume of data that cars can (and will be able to) receive become more manageable.

Concept car touches includes coloured fibre optics set within the bodywork and cabin, and a development of the Z1 roadster’s sliding doors: on the Vision ConnectedDrive, the outer shells of the doors slide forward into the body, and the inner shells glide backwards, allowing access to the cockpit.

Lotus Evora by Mansory (2011)

Click Thumbnails to Enlarge

• 
• 
• 
• 

Lotus Evora by Mansory (2011) at 2011 Geneva motor show

By Mark Hamilton

First Official Pictures

10 February 2011 17:31

In the avalanche of hype surrounding Lotus's future ambitions, the current range of Lotus vehicles has been largely overlooked. With this in mind, Lotus has turned to an unexpected source to inject some media buzz and visual freshness into the Evora for the 2011 Geneva motor show: Mansory.

Under the slogan 'Is it always wise to customise? If you must then do it with some style' Lotus has commissioned Mansory to customise the Evora – continuing the run of controversial new moves that the firm has made under CEO Dany Bahar’s leadership.

Lotus Evora: what Mansory's done

Mansory has applied its well-known carbonfibre fetish to the Lotus coupe, bringing the Evora closer to the edgy styling cues of design chief Donato Coco’s next-generation Lotus concept cars.

Readers fearing an Evora smothered by expensive materials with the exuberance/gaudiness Mansory has become infamous for may be mildly reassured by the preview photos: the Evora by Mansory features carbonfibre-trimmed extremities, but is not a comprehensive assault on the styling of the current car.

Lotus has officially denied that the Mansory-massaged concept previews an official Evora facelift, stating that 'it’s a taste of the future of Lotus product customisation.'

Kia Rio (2011)

Click Thumbnails to Enlarge

• 
• 

Kia Rio (2011) first official pictures

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

11 February 2011 00:01

Kia is going to be busy at the 2011 Geneva motor show: it will show off the new Rio, as well as the Picanto. These are the first official pictures of the Rio, a smart, very European-looking rival to the Fiesta/Corsa/Polo ancien regime.

The new 2011 Kia Rio is bigger in every dimension, apart from height. That 70mm stretch in the wheelbase, length (+55mm) and width (+25mm) should liberate more cabin space. Kia claims a modest 292-litre boot, nigh-on identical to the Fiesta's.

As well as the distinctive tiger-snout nose, the new Rio is the latest in a line of new-generation Kias with more than a hint of Ford's European flavour about it, but do we also detect hints of Seat's Ibiza and other European minis. We think that's a good thing: on this evidence, the new Kia Rio is a smart, Eurocentric piece of design. Tied up with the company's seven-year warranty and improving dynamics and quality, it could make an impact over here where its predecessor courted the fringes.

Kia Rio (2011): Korea's latest supermini

Launching two new models at the Geneva show is a reminder of how resurgent the Koreans are. While the new 2011 Picanto is an A-class city car, the Rio is firmly in the B supermini segment and squares up to many established European rivals.

Engines will include a 69bhp 1.1 diesel promising emissions as low as 85g/km, while a 1.2 turbo petrol will be offered from 2012.

The new Kia Rio lands in the UK in September 2011. First up as a five-door, the three-door hatch following in spring 2012. Prices and further details will be issued nearer launch.

The Kia masterplan

Soon-Nam Lee, director of overseas marketing at the Kia Motors Corporation, said: 'This new model is a big step forward. The Rio has always been successful, and with this new incarnation we have a car that people will want to buy for its looks.'

The Rio has sold more than 860,000 cars since launch in 2005, and was the third best-selling Kia globally last year. But now it's catching up with the latest family look, Kia hopes to expand sales further.

Fiat to Debut New Abarth 595 Specials

There seems to be no end to the release of differently flavored versions of the Fiat 500, the Abarth version of which made its North American debut in L.A. just last week.

Today, the Italian company announced that it would reveal two new production editions and a racing version of the Abarth 500 at the forthcoming 2011 Bologna Motor Show, which takes place in Italy from December 3 to 11.

The new production models are the Abarth 595 Turismo and 595 Competizione, the first of which is said to target buyers that would like a sporty model "without going to an extreme", while the other is designed to appeal to those that would like something a little more aggressive.

Both models are fitted with the peppier 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder T-Jet engine featuring Abarth's customization kit that lifts output to 160-horses and 230Nm (169.6 lb-ft) at 3,000 rpm, for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 7.4 seconds and a top speed of 211km/h (131mph).

The 595 Turismo is equipped with an electrically-operated manual transmission with controls on the steering wheel, while the 595 Competizione comes with a 5-speed manual gearbox.

The Turismo stands out thanks to its two-tone livery in black and red, an option first introduced on the convertible model. The aluminum 595 logos on the rear fenders and tailgate along with the titanium-colored 17-inch alloy wheels complete the exterior upgrades. Inside, the Turismo gets two-tone red and black leather seats and steering wheel, and aluminum pedals and trim accents.

Moving onto the 595 Competizione, it sports a special Grigio Record exterior paint finish complemented by matching-color 17-inch alloy wheels, yellow Brembo brake calipers and aluminum logos on the rear fenders and tailgate. The two-tone natural leather and alcantara bucket seats from Sabelt highlight the interior while the same color combo makes its appearance on the door panels and steering wheel rim.

Fiat said that both the 595 Turismo and Competizione are also available with a variety of performance upgrades such as the sports brake and suspension kits.

The third 500-based model making its debut in Bologna is the Abarth 695 "Assetto Corse", which was designed for track racing. The competition model is powered by a specially tuned 1.4-liter turbocharged four-pot with 205HP and it comes equipped with race-spec wheels, brakes, transmission and suspension along with all of the safety equipment required by FIA regulations, including a roll-bar welded to the body.

PHOTO GALLERY

Lancia Targets the Younger, Male Audience with

Monday, November 21, 2011 |

Remember the times when Lancia targeted the younger end of the male audience with cars like the beautifully penned Flavia Coupe and the rally-born Delta HF Integrale series? Sadly, those days are finito. Nowadays, the Italian company is trying to reach out to the same demographic with trim models like the new Ypsilon Black&Red that will make its debut at next month's 2011 Bologna Motor Show.
According to Lancia's own words, the new trim level "is designed as an alternative for a younger and male target that prefers contents associated with sporty style and audio technology."
The Ypsilon Black&Red is available with a choice of two engines, a 1.2-liter gasoline unit with 69-horses or a 1.3-liter turbodiesel producing 95-horsepower.
There are only four exterior colors available - Argilla Red, Vulcano Black, three-layer Fiamma Red and two-tone Argilla Red with Vulcano Black roof, and a single interior theme with two-tone black and red upholstery.
The car's standard equipment includes a manual air-conditioning system, a higher-end 360° Hi-Fi Music system, 15-inch alloy wheels, height-adjustable driver seat, electric windows up front, and an array of safety features such as ABS + EBD, ESC (Electronic Stability Control) complete with ASR and Hill Holder, plus front and side airbags.

PHOTO GALLERY

Lexus Reveals New Entry Level GS 250 with 209HP 2.5-liter V6 Engine

The new generation of the Lexus GS premium saloon will soon become more attainable –at least in certain markets around the world- as the Japanese carmaker revealed the new entry-level GS 250 today at the China International Automobile Exhibition in Guangzhou, which will be open to the public from November 22 through 28.

The GS 250 is the third model in the new GS lineup, after the previously revealed GS 350, which is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 delivering 306-ponies and the GS 450h top-end model that links a 3.5-liter Atkinson-cycle V6 to the Lexus Hybrid Drive for a combined system output of 338-horsespower.

At the heart of the new GS 250 lies Lexus' 2.5-litre V6 gasoline engine with D-4S direct port injection and Dual VVT-i intelligent valve timing.

It produces a maximum output of 209HP (154 kW/206bhp) at 6,400rpm and 253Nm (187 lb-ft) of peak torque at 4,800rpm, accelerating the GS 250 from 0-100km/h (62mph) in 8.6 seconds en route to a top speed of 230km/h (143mph).

According to Lexus, the GS 250 returns a combined fuel economy of 8.9lt/100 km (equal to 26.4mpg US or 31.7mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 207g/km.

The new 2.5-liter V6 is hooked up to a standard '6 Super ECT' close-ratio 6-speed automatic transmission that features a sequential manual shifting mode.

Depending on the trim level, the base version of the GS will be offered with a range of new tech gizmos including a 12.3-inch multimedia screen, a new S-flow air conditioning system with air purifying technology, and a new Mark Levinson audio system with up to 17 speakers.

Furthermore, the GS 250 will also be available with the optional F Sport Package that adds a host of adds cosmetic as well as performance upgrades including bespoke bumpers, 19-inch alloy wheels, a sports suspension and a more direct steering wheel system.

Lexus said that the new GS 250 would be available in several markets around the world including China, Japan and Europe, with more specific details to be released nearer the time of launch next year. No word yet if the base GS will make it to North America.

PHOTO GALLERY