Geneva 2010: Seat IBE Concept

IBE Concept, is the latest creation from Seat and will be unveiled tomorrow at the Geneva Motor Show and is set to show us the design lines of the upcoming cars from the Spanish manufacturer.


In addition to the 2+2 coupe EV, the VW-owned company is also said to be working on a petrol/electric hybrid based on the next Volkswagen Golf platform. A Seat Leon plug-in hybrid is also planned for release in 2014.


The new Seat IBE Concept is a fully electric car and will carry a 102 hp engine capable to deliver a maximum torque of 18 kWh. This means that the car will borrow the same engine from the A1 e-Tron, set to make its official debut at the same Geneva show. Regarding its performances the car will be capable to sprint from 0 to 50 km/h in just 3.4 seconds, to 80 km/h in 6.3 seconds and to 100 km/h in 9.4 seconds. Unfortunately these are the only details available for the moment but stay tuned.


At Geneva, the IBE Concept was shown with a 75-kiloWatt (101-hp / 102-PS) motor that produces up to 200Nm (147 ft-lb) of torque. The car sprints to 50 km/h in 3.4 seconds, and 100 km/h in 9.4s. The 3.78-meter long coupe weighs 1,000 kg (2,205 lbs).


via:4wheelsnews worldcarfans

Chicago Previewed: New Dodge Compact

Last week's Chicago Auto Show didn't hold a lot of surprise concepts or glamorous supercars, but there were a few key developments for car shoppers, including a hint at a new Dodge Compact car. The preview, given at the Economic Club of Chicago toward the end of the media days, reveals a new small car that is expected to use a modified Fiat Group platform, and will be one of the first joint projects of the new Fiat-Chrysler partnership.


When Fiat chief Sergio Marchionne took over at Chrysler he made it clear that one of his key issues was adding more small cars to Chrysler-owned brands' lineups. Recalling Dodge's product plans (chart included) for the future, it includes a small Fiat rebranded as a Dodge. With some reports speculating ties with the Dodge Hornet Concept from 2006, the car could come by 2013.


According to Dodge’s product plan, a small Fiat Group-derived vehicle will debut in 2013. The rendering reminds me of a streamlined version of the 2007 Dodge Hornet concept. This vehicle could be based off the same platform that underpins the Fiat 500. Whatever it is, Dodge desperately needs it now.
via:thecarconnection

Cadillac XTS Luxury Sedan to Arrive in 2011?

A new luxury sedan called the Cadillac XTS is apparently being planned for production by the new General Motors. The car is said to be going after the best from Audi, BMW, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz, which means the A8, 7 Series, LS and S-Class respectively. Suppliers were told about this high-class stretch sedan at a briefing where it was also revealed that manufacturing will happen at the company's plant in Oshawa, Ontario. Cadillac will be replacing the slow-selling DTS with the XTS.
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Corvette ZR1 to get Upgrades & Price Bump in 2010

The cost to own America's own 638-horsepower supercar just got more expensive. GM recently released prices of all Corvette models to dealers and the 2010 Corvette will now start at $107,830. Add the required $1,700 gas guzzler tax for the Corvette ZR1 and the new out the door price increases to $109,530, an increase of $2,910 over the 2009's MSRP + gas tax of $106,620.


To offset the price bump, Chevy is equipping the '10 ZR1 with performance traction management technology, launch control and standard side air bags. According to GM, the PTM system "optimizes traction for greater and more consistent on-track performance" by modulating engine torque 100 times per second and automatically managing acceleration dynamics when exiting corners at full throttle.


The 2010 Corvette ZR1 does feature several new enhancements over the current model. New is the Performance Traction Management technology, Launch Control and standard side air bags. A new cashmere interior will be available later this fall and now the Corvette ZR1 can be ordered in any of the Corvette’s standard colors including Torch Red, Arctic White and Crystal Red Metallic.


Thankfully, the ZR1's supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine carries over untouched. With 638 horsepower (476 kW) and 604 lb-ft (819 Nm) of torque, the ZR1 rockets to a top speed of 205 mph (330 km/h).
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Kuga Coupé on the prowl

TAKE a look at the new 4x4 that’s going to turn heads on and off-road! This striking machine is a coupé version of Ford’s popular Kuga, and it’s set to take style to the top of the agenda in the SUV sector.

Now that the Kuga is firmly established in the off-road market, Ford has decided it’s time to expand the range. With plans to grow the five-door version, there’s room for a sporty little brother that puts the brand in a class of its own.

As BMW demonstrated with the X6, there is a demand for cars that combine the raised seating position SUV buyers love with coupé looks and a sporty driving experience. And as you can see in our exclusive images, the new Ford certainly has style on its side. Pivotal to the remarkable shape is the dramatically sloping roofline, while the distinctive C-pillar takes some of its inspiration from the three-door Fiesta.


The muscular yet athletic proportions are reminiscent of the original Iosis X, which previewed the Kuga. A neatly curved rear window, classy roof spoiler and sleek tail-lights complete the look. At the front is an evolution of the new design language seen on the Iosis MAX concept. Huge alloys fill chunky arches, the ride height has been raised, and off-road cues include front and rear skid plates.

The Kuga Coupé won’t command an X6-style price tag or cost a lot to run, though. While the current five-door model is a 4x4, most versions of the three-door are likely to be sold with two-wheel drive for better fuel economy and emissions figures.

Under the bonnet, the newcomer will benefit from the same range of EcoBoost direct-injection turbocharged petrol engines as the upcoming third-generation Focus. These are set to include a new 1.6-litre turbo, available with 148bhp or 178bhp outputs, which will combine storming pace with excellent consumption. Diesel options for the Kuga Coupé are going to include a new 128bhp 1.6 TDCi and a flagship 2.0-litre, available with 168bhp or 197bhp options.


As for transmissions, a Powershift twin-clutch auto is to be available for the first time on the Kuga. It will an optional alternativve to the standard six-speed manual gearbox. Expect the new model to get stop-start from the factory, too. Sitting on a modified platform from the next-generation Focus, the Kuga Coupé is to have class-leading driving dynamics with sharp steering, well controlled body roll and plenty of cornering grip.

It will be the sportiest car in its class and while most sales are likely to be front-wheel drive, an all-wheel-drive variant will also be offered. Options such as a panoramic glass roof, the latest hi-tech integrated sat-nav and Bluetooth compatibility, along with a reversing camera, are going to help make the Ford feel every inch the mini X6.

Production is still some way off, though, because Ford’s immediate priority is the launch of the new Focus and C-MAX next year. Those are set to be followed by a Vauxhall Meriva-rivalling, Fiesta-based MPV. So we will see the new model, along with its five-door brother, at a major motor show in 2011.
Source:autoexpress

More Details Emerge for New Ferrari F450

The new Ferrari F450 will feature a massively enhanced technical spec compared with the outgoing F430, Autocar has learned from well placed sources in Italy.


According to Autocar, Ferrari will be employing a host of technologies derived from its Formula One and GT racing divisions. These will include a 7-speed, double-clutch trans-axle transmission, a next-generation version of traction control from the Scuderia, a software program that corrects under-steer, and radiators placed just before the front wheels.


The lightweight aluminium structure of the new car will also bring gains over the F430’s rigidity. It is said to reflect Ferrari’s dream of cutting weight to improve handling and emissions, while negating the need for more power.


Ferrari may still be fine-tuning the styling on the model and is working with legendary coach-builder Pininfarina to match design with aerodynamic requirements.


Although the F450 will employ cutting-edge tech, it won’t initially adopt any of the new patents that Ferrari recently applied for, including twin-turbo, direct-injection V8 petrol engines and all-wheel-drive hybrid technologies.


The F450 will likely make its public debut at the Los Angeles auto show in December. A hybrid version may also be featured, but Ferrari is holding off on introducing its latest patented technologies on the F450, such as Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS), fearing that its customer-base is not yet ready to see eco-friendly Ferraris.
via:worldcarfans

Honda's Mugen Motorsports Readying Civic Type R with 240bhp

According to a recent report, Honda is preparing to unveil a high performance Mugen Civic Type R.


Potential owners will also be offered a variety of performance and personalization options which will allow them to custom tailor their car.


Although details are still limited, CAR is reporting that the new Civic will feature a 2.0-liter VTEC four-cylinder engine with at least 240bhp. The new hot hatch is also expected to boast a sports suspension, gripper tires, an aggressive carbon fiber body kit, and a racing-inspired interior with no rear seats.


Expected to be launched later this fall, the new Mugen Civic Type R will be priced from £35,000-£40,000. A tad steep considering that the 300bhp Ford Focus RS costs £25,745 while the Renault Mégane R26.R starts at £24,040.
via:worldcarfans

Mercedes E-Class shooting brake

It’s a fascinating discovery! Our sources have revealed that Mercedes is readying a production version of the Fascination Concept, first seen at the 2008 Paris Motor Show.

Should this three-door estate really make it out of the concept phase it would become part of a growing lineup of cars based on the new E-Class. These are the sedan itself, the coupe, the convertible and the five-door estate.


With its distinctive wheelarches and angular front end, the Paris concept was originally a preview of the E-Class Coupé. But latest reports suggest that it could become a standalone model. Mercedes is crossing its fingers that the originality of a sports estate will match the success currently enjoyed by the CLS four-door coupé.

Premium car manufacturers are inventing new segments on what seems to be a yearly basis. Mercedes-Benz itself was first to market a four-door coupe with the CLS. They would therefore plan and hope for similar levels of success with a three-door estate or shooting brake.


The engine line-up will be shared with the E-Class Coupé, which means a choice of frugal four-cylinder and V6 diesels. Mercedes’ BlueEFFICIENCY technology will be available, while four-cylinder petrol engines will be fitted with stop-start. At the top end of the range, an E500 complete with a 5.5-litre V8 will be offered, as well as a storming AMG variant.

The Frankfurt Motor Show is expected to showcase the E-Class Estate while the Convertible would soon follow.
Source:autoexpress