Peugeot EX1 Concept Fastest at the Nurburgring

Nurburgring circuit in Germany is famous for its high difficulty level is often used as a testing and sophisticated cars for car enthusiasts. For electric-powered cars were also often tested in this circuit. Until now the highest speed record electric car while traveling on a round of laps on this circuit held by the MINI E, a MINI Cooper with electricity.

Electrically-powered MINI successfully broke the record the fastest in the range 10 minutes to complete one lap at the Nurburgring.

However, the record is now broken by the sport's concept of electric-powered Peugeot Concept namely EX1. So now the throne of "Electric King of the 'Ring' handed over to the EX1 Peugeot Concept, a concept model which presented a gift Peugeot celebration of the 200th birthday last year.

The new King Electric is successfully completed one lap in "The Ring" along the 20.8 miles in 9 minutes: 1.338 seconds.

Indeed, EX1 no match for the MINI Concept E Concept which is actually a concept model which is intended as an electric-powered commuter vehicle. While the EX1 is more to the model of open roof sports an electric motor powered by two 335 hp with 250 Nm of torque. While the MINI E uses an electric motor with a power unit of 201 hp with 220 Nm of torque.

Although both models have the concept of direction and purpose of development is different, but both have a slightly similar fate, two of them could not be mass produced. MINI E is actually more down to earth because of its design using the base production model.

But lately a British manufacturer had to cancel its production plans. EX1 Peugeot Concept, design a sports car with ultra futuristisnya that much different from today's sports car design, nor has any production plans in the near future in the form and figure like the concept.

New Chevy Corvette Plan C7

General Motors indicated would give birth to the next generation of supersport flagship model that is the Chevrolet Corvette in 2013. This was revealed when GM announced its readiness in the funds poured U.S. $ 131 million (Rp 1.13 trillion) in order to complete the production and assembly plant in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA.

Companies from the United states in this plant will still build the Corvette C6 or models that are still in circulation up to 2 years into the future. So the newest model or the new C7 Corvette will appear in 2013 from the same factory.

The factory in Bowling Green has long been producing Corvette, and since 1981 has been a lot of Corvettes that are enjoyed by consumers.

And what about the appearance of new Corvette? Many have assumed that the presence of C7 Corvette will be similar to the model Corvette Stingray concept that appears in the event the Chicago Auto Show 2009.

This increased surface because Chevy had revealed his plan implied that the latest-generation Corvette will bring back shades of 1963 with Sting Ray split window design.

It is estimated C7 Corvette body dimensions will be smaller and use a V8 engine as typically a Corvette. And, according to the times that demanded the preservation of nature, Chevy did not rule out this next-generation Corvette will have a hybrid variant as well.

BMW launches 'i' sub-brand

BMW has confirmed a new sub-brand called i, through which it intends to market a range of advanced standalone hybrid, range-extender and plug-in electric models.

Among the first cars to carry the new badge will be the i3 and i8, both of which are planned for introduction in 2013. “These cars have been designed specifically for their respective alternative drive systems. We’re using an innovative architecture to cancel out practically all the extra weight of the batteries,” revealed Klaus Draeger, head of BMW’s R&D operations.

The new architecture, which goes under the name LifeDrive, uses an aluminium chassis to house the driveline, with the passenger cell constructed from carbonfibre-reinforced plastic developed in partnership with US-based SG Carbon.

The two-plus-two i3, previously known under its internal working title MegaCity Vehicle, is BMW’s first production model to be conceived specifically for urban driving environment. It boasts an upright one-box silhouette revealed in an official sketch generated by BMW late last year.

The first i3 will be powered by an all-electric driveline similar to that found in the 1-series ActiveE, which uses a 170bhp electric motor in combination with a lithium ion battery pack for a claimed range of 100 miles. Other versions of the i3, including a range extender, are also under development.

The i8, previewed the Efficient Dynamics concept car first shown in 2009, will use a hybrid driveline likely to combine BMW’s upcoming 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine with the same electric motor used by the i3.

The i3 and i8 will be produced on a dedicated line at BMW’s Leipzig factory, which is being lined up for €400m (£336m) of fresh investment.

Alfa Romeo has introduced a new diesel engine for its Giulietta range

The new second-gen MultiJet diesel engine, dubbed 2.0 JTDM-2, produces 138bhp and up to 258lb ft of torque in ‘dynamic’ mode, as opposed to 236lb ft in ‘normal.’

The company claims CO2 emissions of 119 g/km and a fuel economy figure of 62.8mpg, and says it will allow the Giulietta to hit a top speed of 127mph, with a 0-60mph sprint time of nine seconds. This, the company claims, is ‘the engine is designed for customers who appreciate excellent throttle response but are also concerned with fuel consumption and running costs.’

Compliant with Euro 5 regulations, the new unit features start-stop as standard and, according to Alfa Romeo, only needs servicing every 21,000 miles.

Prices for the new 138bhp diesel Giulietta start from £20,750 for the entry-level Lusso variant.

Lotus Evora 2013

Lotus is working at top speed on this revised Evora, designed to stimulate sluggish sales and bridge the styling gap between the current car and the new wave of Lotus models due to hit the market from 2013.

The most striking feature of the revised Evora — shown here in this grainy leaked image and believed to be heading for launch late this year as a 2012 model — is its much more aggressive radiator ‘mouth’. It is very reminiscent of the treatment already designed for later models by Lotus’s ex-Ferrari design boss, Donato Coco.

Coco believes the present Evora’s traditional Lotus mouth is “too weak” for a modern performance car. “Even many economy cars look more aggressive,” he says. The new treatment has a long heritage, too, he says, appearing first on the Lotus 18 single-seater at the beginning of the 1960s.

The 2012 Evora is believed also to have a revised interior with a higher level of standard equipment and a greater accent on quality, points of criticism with road testers and owners.

The Evora, which starts at £51,030 for the 276bhp two-seat version, suffered very sluggish sales to start with, but things have improved a little with the launch late last year of the £60,000, 345bhp Evora S, which uses a supercharged version of the standard car’s 276bhp Toyota-derived V6.

Lotus bosses are understood to be on the point of deciding whether they can afford to build a range of own-design V6 and V8 modular engines for future products, following uncertain reactions to the proposed use of Toyota engines in upmarket Lotus models.

“We have designed engines for clients,” said Lotus CEO Dany Bahar, “so why not for ourselves?” He admits, however, that the final decision will be all a matter of money.

Auto Car Latest : Subaru confirms coupe launch

Subaru’s version of the Toyota FT-86 concept will make its public debut at the Geneva motor show, the firm has announced.

The ‘Toyobaru’ was previewed as the FT-86 as long ago as 2009, but has been delayed by at least a year. In particular, engineers and designers are said to have been struggling to implement the car’s particularly low bonnet line in production form, due to pedestrian impact regulations.

See pics of the new Subaru coupe in testing

In a press release, Subaru said that its Geneva show stand is to include the Impreza Concept (unveiled at the LA show last year), the Trezia small MPV and a “Rear-wheel-drive Sports Car Technology Concept”. The firm also confirmed that the sports car would use a horizontally opposed ‘boxer’ engine.

It’s thought that both cars will use the same basic powerplant, a 2.5-litre unit, but that the Subaru version will feature turbocharging to increase its output to around 260bhp.

Aston One-77: 60 of 77 sold

Aston Martin has sold 60 of its £1.2 million One-77 hypercars, out of the 77 units it will produce.

More than half of the buyers have also ordered one of the firm's Toyota iQ-based Cygnet city cars, usually in matching colours, to go with their One-77, insiders have revealed.

To help sell the remaining units, Aston is taking the car on a tour of Asia, visiting Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taipei and China.

See pics of the Aston Martin One-77 being built

The One-77 will be powered by the world's most powerful normally aspirated production engine, a 7.3-litre V12 producing 740bhp and 553lb ft.

It has already become the fastest production Aston ever, eclipsing the Vanquish by recording more than 220mph in testing; 0-60mph is expected to take around 3.5sec. Power is transferred to the road using a beefed-up paddle shift-only Graziano gearbox from the DBS.

Features include a carbonfibre monocoque chassis that helps to keep the One-77’s weight down to around 1500kg; active aerodynamics also feature. The One-77 rides on 20-inch forged alloy wheels wearing Pirelli P Zero Corsa tyres.

Fiat tech for new Dodge Viper

Dodge will use Fiat technology to improve the performance and accessibility of the next generation of its Viper, due in 2012. But the American sports car looks set to retain its own platform rather than becoming too closely linked to Ferrari’s and Alfa Romeo’s product lines.

Fiat, Dodge’s new owner, gave approval to the new Viper in the autumn, and Fiat Group chief Sergio Marchionne revealed a preview of the car to Dodge dealers in September. But the new model was expected to make extensive use of the Fiat parts bin; some sources had even suggested that it could be based on the same platform as Alfa Romeo’s 8C Competizione.

See a sideways pic of the outgoing Dodge Viper

However, Dodge CEO Ralph Gilles has now revealed that the Viper will get a chassis set-up designed with assistance from Fiat but not derived from another product. The car “is not based on anything else”, he told the Detroit News.

“Where the cabin is, relative to the wheels, is unique,” said Gilles. “The Viper cabin is very rearward and the hood [bonnet] is very long. Few cars in the industry are designed with those proportions any more.

“We will use Fiat’s expertise to open the performance envelope in the Viper,” he added. “Fiat has an awesome ability to tune cars. I want the new Viper to be a more forgiving car to drive and accessible to more people. We’ve never had stability control on a high-performance car, which is about to happen on the new car.”

Read more on the new Dodge Viper

Gilles ruled out the idea of the Viper switching to Ferrari power but admitted that there won’t be a part of the car that’s not open to a radical overhaul.

It’s thought that two engines could be offered in the new Viper: an 8.4-litre V10, possibly making us of Fiat’s innovative MultiAir technology, and an entry-level V8.

Production of the current Viper stopped on 2 July, after 18 years. Chrysler has yet to commit to where its successor will be built, although it’s thought that the line will be kept in Detroit.

Proton rebadges Lotus Europa

Proton has wheeled out a string of concepts - including a version of the Lotus Europa - at the Malaysian manufacturer’s local motor show in Kuala Lumpur.

The most sporting of the models is the Lekir, in effect a Lotus Europa with restyled bumpers, black trim ahead of the rear wheelarches and Proton badging. Sources in Malaysia suggest that the Lekir could become the long-term future of the Europa, which has not been a success for Lotus.

See pics of the Europa-based Proton Lekir

Such a model would feature a 1.6-litre turbocharged Proton powerplant, and make use of the Europa’s platform and suspension components, plus much of its bodywork.

More significant for Proton’s mainstream sales is the Tuah, a neatly styled four-door saloon which is said to preview the next-generation Persona. Its bold front end has LED daytime running lights, and its blistered wheelarches give it an unusually sporting stance.

Read the full story on the Mitsubishi Evo-based Jebat

Proton is also using its home show to reveal the Lekiu, a small SUV crossover that could well be destined for the Chinese market, and the Jebat, a crudely bodykitted take on the Mitsubishi Evo X that features swathes of matt-black plastic at its front and rear.

Lambo 4dr saloon is back on

Lamborghini looks set to give the Estoque four-door the green light for production above an SUV project.

Chairman and CEO Stephan Winkelmann revealed last month that the firm is again considering adding a third model to its range. Now he has told Autocar that his preferred option for the new car is a four-door, distancing himself from internet speculation that the firm is preparing a super-luxury SUV as an indirect successor to the LM002 off-roader.

See pics of the Lamborghini Estoque saloon concept

“We have opportunities outside the supercar business, and we showed that with Estoque,” said Winkelmann. “It had a more enthusiastic response than we had expected. It was the right time to see if the brand could go outside of supercars. Even now, people are still emailing me about us making the Estoque.

“We really have a choice when it comes to an additional model: an SUV or a four-seat four-door. And for me the SUV is a no-go. It doesn’t exist in our price segment, and it’s not a real luxury car.”

Winkelmann said a four-door in the mould of the Estoque could attract new buyers to Lamborghini by offering a more practical proposition than the company’s two-seaters. “There are more opportunities in the segment of four-doors,” he said. “If we are going to offer a third model, it could be a ‘first’ car, bringing people to our brand.”

Read more on Lambo's plans to revive the Estoque

The choice of a four-door is almost certainly also linked to Lamborghini’s improving fortunes in China, where luxury saloons are enjoying strong sales. But Winkelmann insisted the increasing importance of new markets would not affect the core values of the Lamborghini brand.

“Other car companies have to adjust their products for these areas,” he said, “but luxury brands are the opposite. The customer wants the original, not something that’s been adapted to them. So they want a Lamborghini exactly as it would be in Italy.

Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept

Vehicle type: 4-passenger coupe concept
Engine: Although the concept lacks an engine, the intent is a 3-cylinder
Who designed it: Niki Smart, exterior; Gale Buzyn, Charles LeFranc, interior
What's cool: Head-turning design. It has a luxury-car presence even though it is slightly shorter than a Mini Cooper.
Will it be built? General Motors is giving it serious consideration and closely monitoring press and consumer reaction at the Los Angeles show.
Show reaction: Very positive

Honda New Concept

LOS ANGELES, KOMPAS.com - Los Angeles Auto Show 2010 took place November 19 to 28 next, used by many manufacturers as a venue for showing off a concept car. This can be dimaklum, because almost all major manufacturers in the world, now has a design studio in the city or in the vicinity or right in Southern California. Including Pasadena certainly have a lot of design school gave birth to the world's top designers.

Therefore, to win the creativity of designers car manufacturers studios around LA, the exhibition organizers held a "Design Challenge" during the exhibition. Although the exhibition sebelun again, but the design concept which will contested the participants have been published.

This year, according to organizers, the auto companies have declared their race is General Motors, Honda, Mazda, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Smart, Toyota and Volvo. The thick smell of race because for the first time international studios car manufacturers from Germany and Japan following the contest.

This time, the committee determines the criteria of the contest, the maximum car weight of 1000 pounds (lb) or equal to 453 kg. Another requirement, can be loaded with four passengers, secure, comfortable in the last vehicle and should not be sacrificed "style" or a car that became today's consumer demands.

The Pow [Water] of Dreams
Honda, which is active memamerkna concept car in LA in recent years, did not want to miss. Long ago, Honda Advance deisgn Studio in Pasadena, has published a design that will be included in the race. The name of the concept cars included are Honda Water. In accordance with the philosophy of Honda, The Power of the Dream, this design concept called The Pow [Water] of Dreams.

The concept is presented, the vision of the future of Honda's designers about the car lighter, berpostur roots sport and the use of alternative materials. Honda calls it "coastal cruiser", yes, ... car to back and forth on the beach lifestyle with emphasis on aggressive. He says, water design inspired by modern roller coaster ride and the clothes of the paratroopers.

Honda Air uses compressed air power and pneumatic regulator system. Equipped with a turbo vacuum and the outside air flowing into the tank to generate pressure. Thus, the mileage of this car can reach 160 km.

Using a dual chassis that also serves as the air tank (main), while sitting where the seat is installed. How this is done to prevent the addition of repetitive structures that cause weight increase.

Amazingly, the panel is made of polymer material with daasr of vegetables. Includes fairing to protect the passengers and keep the robustness of the body. This car should also be able to secure the driver and passenger from the collision.

To reduce weight and improve dynamic performance, the car does not use the axle (hub-less). For that, the seat panel be regenerated from glass reinforced, urethane tires and sub-frame components such as the human frame. As a result, the car's weight is only 360 kg.