New Porsche supercar for Detroit

Porsche is lining up a new supercar, closely linked to the hi-tech 918 Spyder hybrid, to mark its return to the Detroit motor show in January.

Sources in Germany say the centrepiece of the Stuttgart firm’s appearance at Detroit will be a “spectacular new concept that points towards a future roadgoing model”. It’s thought the car will share some key components, including elements of its platform, with the 918 Spyder, the star of the Geneva show earlier this year.

Read the full story on the Porsche 918 Spyder

No details of the car have been released, but it’s possible that Porsche is planning to capitalise on high demand for the 918 by fast-tracking a more conventionally powered ‘halo’ model to market.

Porsche has been absent from the Detroit show since 2006. But it is returning this year as part of the ever-expanding Volkswagen Group line-up.

New Merc supercar to fight BMW

The futuristic Mercedes-Benz Biome concept previews a full-sized design model of a mid-engined eco supercar to battle the BMW Vision ED around 2015, Autocar has learned.

Created at Merc’s Californian design studio, the ground-hugging four-seat coupé explores the future of sustained mobility to a brief set by the Los Angeles Design Challenge.

See the official pics of the radical Mercedes Biome concept

Although the eco-friendly ‘grown from a seed’ body construction and organic drive system are fictional, the ground-hugging stance, exaggerated proportions and striking design lay the foundation for a new ecological supercar.

“There are elements within the design that could easily be progressed and developed for production. We were conscious during its development to ensure it wasn’t too limited or edgy. It had to be do-able without any significant changes,” says Hubert Lee, head of the California design studio.

The production powertrain would incorporate all of Mercedes-Benz’s extensive alternative drive know-how, just as BMW is doing with its Vision EfficientDynamics supercar, recently confirmed for production in 2013.

Read the full story on the Mercedes Biome concept

At 4040mm in length, 2500mm in width and 1200mm in height, the latest Merc concept is shorter than a C-class, much wider than the GL-class and lower than the SLK.

For production, however, the width will have to be considerably reduced to fit through traffic-calming pinch points, usually set at 2.2m.

Mercedes may also adopt one of the concept’s interesting features: a central driving position flanked by two passengers. But the fourth seat, positioned behind the second row and rear-facing, is unlikely to have a production future.