Peugeot HR1 makes Paris Motor Show debut

This chunky little Pug is known as the Peugeot HR1 and it has just been publicly unveiled at the Paris Show. It showcases Peugeot HYbrid4 technology, claiming fuel consumption figures of 2.9L/100km, and a very futuristic design inside and out.

Peugeot’s HYbrid4 concept uses a 1.2-litre petite petrol engine offering a not-bad 81kW, but, it also incorporates an electric motor which adds up to 28kW, and 20kW of continuous power. It also brings an extra 100-200Nm of torque, so it would be capable of not only driving up hills but also capable of pulling itself out of some pretty sticky mess.

The main focus of the design concentrates on maintaining sustainable mobility whilst combining an appealing, usable foundation; all it spews out the exhaust at the back is 80 grams of CO2 per kilometre. The other obvious feature is the car’s exterior design. Inspired to be a city runabout, a sporty coupe and an off-road vehicle all in one. It does this as well as being very modern and sharp.

It’s also designed to maximise cabin space efficiency, too. With the seats folded down it offers 734 litres of boot space, not bad for a little coupe/soft-roader.

The interior features very futuristic ergonomics and in-car technology. Just take a look at those seats. And then of course, the multimedia display screen on the passenger side. We’re not sure about the steering though, it looks and would probably feel a bit too arcade-gaming from the 1990′s.-caradvice.com.au

Jaguar C-X75 : A hybrid super car surprise for the Paris Motor Show

 

The Paris Motor Show is full of surprises and this one has to be one of my favorites: it is called the Jaguar C-X75 and it is a new concept from the team at Jaguar.

Looking at this Jag you may be reminded of the last supercar that they made known as the Jaguar XJ220. This new one is more modern, and is now purring with hybrid electric power underneath the bonnet.

 To be exact the X-X75 is powered by a four 195 horsepower electric motors. That is good enough to bring this Jag to sixty in just 3.4 seconds. There are also two small turbine engines that are capable of running on gas, diesel, biofuel and LPG.-typepad.com

All of this engine tech means this new concept from Jaguar can get up to 560 miles on one tank.

 The Jaguar C-X75 is being noted as “a commemoration of 75 years of Jaguar heritage.”

 We think they are going in the right direction and if produced this car would be an instant hit in the motoring world. The XJ220 was in icon to the motoring world and the C-X75 would be one as well. -typepad.com

Paris auto show: Lamborghini Sesto Elemento is a speedy lightweight

Apparently, you can only add so much horsepower. Sooner or later you have to start subtracting weight. Lamborghini has reached that point, exquisitely so, with its Sesto Elemento concept car at the Paris auto show.
While rumors have abounded for months that next year's Murcielago replacement will be a full carbon-fiber supercar, the Sesto Elemento concept car hints that even the next Gallardo, which isn't due for another two years, will use the high-tech composite material.
That's because the Sesto Elemento is about the right size for a Gallardo replacement and runs the same V10 powerplant to produce some truly astonishing performance claims.
Lamborghini insists the car (the name means "Sixth Element" in English, represents carbon's place on the periodic table and moves away from a tradition of using the names of fighting bulls) will explode to 60 mph in less than 2.5 seconds--which would make it the fastest Lamborghini in history and much faster than any production V12 Murcielago. It boasts 570 hp out of its naturally aspirated, direct-injection V10, an engine shared with the current Gallardo Superleggera. It also runs a development of the Gallardo's current six-speed e-gear transmission, with a viscous-coupled all-wheel-drive system and a self-locking rear differential.
The enormous performance jump comes not from the horsepower available, but from a breakthrough carbon composite chassis. The Sesto Elemento will be the first car to use new carbon production techniques drawn from Lamborghini's work with Boeing. Lamborghini has been experimenting with different ways to make carbon fiber parts efficiently and at a lower cost, including new takes on resin transfer molding, forged composite and autoclave molding.
The 2008 Estoque sedan concept had some carbon fiber. And the current crop of cars, while sporting aluminum chassis, have carbon fiber parts here and there, including the rear wing, engine cover and a few body parts. But none approach the carbon fiber content of the Sesto Elemento. Its extensive use of that material results in a weight of just 999 kg, or just under 2,200 pounds.
That clocks in at a weight-to-power ratio of 3.85 pounds per horsepower even though the car remains true to Lamborghini's all-wheel-drive ethos. (We reckon that figure could be even more impressive if they'd used rear-wheel drive, as found in the Gallardo LP 550-2 Valentino Balboni edition). Besides having a top speed of well above 186 mph, it also has emissions and fuel economy benefits compared with the current Gallardo, even though the two cars run essentially the same engine, all part of Lamborghini's priorities for the future.
"Until a few years ago, supercar priorities were in this order: top speed, acceleration and handling," said Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini CEO. "This has been changing. Speed is not as important anymore because all super-sports cars exceed 300 km/h (186 mph) and this is a speed you cannot reach even on a racetrack, let alone normal roads.
"We think it is time to make a shift and talk more about handling and acceleration and the key factor is the power-to-weight ratio. And because CO2 emissions play a role for super sports cars, too, that means the key is in reducing the weight."
With a raft of Lamborghini patents under its belt, the mid-engined Sesto Elemento is a research vehicle above all else. So far, the car you see here is not a production vehicle.
"The Sesto Elemento was developed as a demonstration platform for Lamborghini's materials technology, including new approaches in the use of carbon fiber," the company said. "At this point, there are no plans to produce (it). Lamborghini will work to integrate its material technology into future road vehicles."
The Raging Bull's first foray into carbon fiber was a carbon-chassised Countach in 1983. The Sesto Elemento is far more advanced than Lamborghini's original carbon car (which was sacrificed to crash testing in 1984), using a one-piece monocoque as its focal point.
The tub is made of carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), but uses innovative sheet-molded composite and low-temperature, low-pressure manufacturing systems instead of the more conventional systems used by accepted carbon maestros such as McLaren and Pagani.
Also unlike McLaren, the entire front frame, all of the car's panels and its front crash boxes are also CFRP as a result of a four-year collision simulation analysis with Boeing and the University of Washington. But while other cars might be carbon-based, even the Sesto Elemento's seats are formed into the carbon tub, with thin seat padding glued directly to the chassis and the driving position adjusted unconventionally, by moving the steering wheel and pedals.
The full carbon theme doesn't stop there, because not only are the body panels all carbon but so are the wheels, the suspension hardware and even the exhaust. It's all necessary, Winkelmann insists.
"From the middle of the '80s, the average weight of our cars has increased by 700 kgs (1,540 pounds) because of active and passive safety, comfort and emissions reductions issues, and this is something we have to change. We cannot reduce safety or comfort, so we have to reduce the weight by using new materials.
"We started working with carbon-fiber in Sant'Agata more than 30 years ago and, with our two laboratories in Sant'Agata and Seattle, we are mastering a broad range of technologies to put us in a leadership position for low-volume production," he said.
The body consists of two clamshell style carbon-fiber covers for the front and rear ends, a roof and the two-piece doors, with the inner lining bonded directly to the outer skins. Called "Cofango" by Lamborghini's Centro Stile design department, the clamshell systems simplify the manufacture of the panels and improve their accuracy as well. And they can be lifted off with one hand. The name comes from a combination of two Italian words: "Cofano," which means the hood and, "Parafango" which means the fender.
If that sounds radical, try the exhaust system, which has been molded from Pyrosic--a matrix composite of ceramic powder and synthetic resin that can cope with temperatures of up to 900 degrees, even as they exit, radically, through the engine bay's upper cover.
But the car won't just be fast in a straight line, Winkelmann insists it's highly accurate carbon suspension systems will set new standards in handling, braking and steering accuracy as well.
The control arms use Sheet Molding Compound (another carbon derivative) to give them strength and to reduce their weight by 30 percent over aluminum.
"A clear strength of CFRP is the reduction and integration of components--something that has been used to its full extent in this innovative technology concept," he said. "We put all our technical competence into one stunning form to create the Sesto Elemento."
Full of abruptly finishing lines and based around the design DNA of the Reventon, the Sesto Elemento is, at the least, a pointer to the visual concepts behind the next Gallardo.
There's a double-lipped spoiler, a tiny rear overhang and triangular themes recurring throughout the car. A large rear spoiler is helped aerodynamically by a large rear diffuser.
Some of the few major aluminum parts on the Sesto Elemento (besides the engine) are the rear subframe, the engine cradle and the rear suspension points.
It is one of the most exciting and promising concepts we've seen in years, truly a sea change in sports and supercar philosophy. Now, if they'd just let us drive it.-autoweek.com

Paris Motor Show 2010: More than just a fresh badge on Citroen's new Picasso

The revised Citroen Grand C4 Picasso

The new look - complete with fresh chevron design on the front grille and tailgate - is backed up with new technology including Citroen's e-HDi micro-hybrid system which improves fuel efficiency and lowers CO2 emissions.

Key external changes include a revised front bumper, new headlights and rear light clusters and - on VTR+ and Exclusive models - a front LED light "signature".

The best-selling VTR+ models also now feature stylish chrome side window sills and a chrome rear bumper strip, while the appearance of the Exclusive model can be changed with a new Black Top option.

Available with six body colours, it means that the roof and A-pillars are painted in black. Exterior door handles, door mirrors and alloy wheel centre caps also get a special glossy black finish to help the model stand out from the crowd.

All VTR+ models are upgraded to include rear parking sensors, electrically folding mirrors, a USB socket and Bluetooth. All Exclusive models get 17in alloy wheels and new upholstery, as well as USB and Bluetooth connectivity.

The e-HDi micro-hybrid technology combines a second-generation Stop & Start system, a reversible alternator that recovers energy otherwise lost during braking, and a Euro 5 HDi 110bhp engine with six-speed EGS transmission.

Citroen claims this package delivers a combined economy of up to 58.9mpg for the C4 Picasso and 57.6mpg for the Grand C4 Picasso.-telegraph.co.uk

Spyshots: Mystery Skoda Roomster

A not so often seen presence in the spyshots we bring you from time to time, Czech manufacturer Skoda has been caught in the act. The act of doing something mysterious to a Roomster model, that is. 


If you are an automotive passionate, then you know that the Roomster model has been revised earlier this year, so having a second facelift in the works so soon is pretty much out of the question. What is it, then?

Luckily, the spy photographers who took these shots had the presence of mind (and quite some b***s) to wave at the Skoda driver and ask him a few question. Unfortunately, the driver was just as out of the loop as we are.

He told the photographers that the car pictured here is not actually a new model coming from the Volkswagen owned brand, but just a clever way the Czech manufacturer devised to drawn some much needed attention. 

We kinda doubt that. Although we're convinced the carmaker is not planning a facelift for the model, despite the camo featured at the front and back end of the car, there is something strange about this model. 

Some have suggested that the model being tested here hides an electric version of the Roomster, but our spies are able to deny that as they claim to have heard a petrol engine while the car was passing by. -autoevolution.

Spy Shots: Saab 9-4X leaks out ahead of production debut

Now that the fate of Saab is in the hands of Spyker Cars, future product plans seem to be moving right along. The new 9-5 is out on the road and the 9-4X crossover is scheduled to make its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show this November.

Our friends at Saabs United managed to snag some shots of a pre-production 9-4X, giving us a glimpse of the automaker's new CUV before we see it in person later this year. The 9-4X was initially conceived under Saab's General Motors ownership, meaning its underpinnings are shared with the Cadillac SRX crossover. Word on the street is that the production taillamps will look slightly different than the ones on this early model, but that aside, don't expect things to change much between now and November.

Because the 9-4X is closely related to the SRX, we fully expect the 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 to be under the hood. Don't rule out the possibility of the 9-5's 2.0-liter turbo four being offered, as well. Both engines will more than likely be mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, and as the "x" in the name suggests, all-wheel drive will be on hand.

Until we get the official word in Los Angeles later this year, scroll through our gallery of spy shots below, and head over to Saabs United for all things Griffin.-autoblog.

Battle over M'sia's Lotus name goes to English court

 A court battle is looming over the Lotus name which has become synonymous with the country's first locally-backed Formula One team.

On Tuesday, Lotus Racing Chief Executive Officer Riad Asmat denied Proton Holdings Bhd's contention that Lotus Racing had no right to use the name and said Lotus Racing intended to clear the issue.

"We have, therefore, today issued proceedings in the English High Court for a declaration that Team Lotus Ventures has the rights to use the Team Lotus name and everything associated with that brand in relation to Formula One," he said in a statement on Tuesday.

"As Tune Group has now bought Team Lotus Ventures it means we can now use the Team Lotus name for 2011 and beyond. We are all delighted we can go into 2011 with total confidence in what we own, and what we can take to the track," he said.

Proton Holdings Bhd had said Monday its subsidiary, Group Lotus, had terminated its licence to the 1Malaysia Racing Team, effectively barring them from using the 'Lotus Racing' brand or any Lotus brand for the 2011 season and future seasons of Formula One, alleging "flagrant and persistent breaches of the licence".

The national car company's statement late Monday came in the wake of an announcement by Lotus Racing team principal Datuk Seri Tony Fernandes in Singapore on Friday that his Formula One team would be renamed Team Lotus for the 2011 season.

It was reported that the team had acquired the 'Team Lotus' brand from owner David Hunt, a former British racing driver who owned Team Lotus Ventures Ltd.

Malaysia's privately-funded racing team is jointly-owned by Tune Group co-owner Datuk Kamarudin Meranun, Naza Group chief executive officer SM Nasarudin SM Nasimuddin and Fernandes.

However, Proton claimed that there was no proper legal foundation to those rights and that Hunt's attempt to acquire the name 'Team Lotus' was ineffective.

Proton Holdings and Group Lotus chairman Datuk Seri Mohd Nadzmi Mohd Salleh said they were the owners of the Lotus brand and would take all necessary steps to protect it.

"Tony Fernandes has no right to use the Lotus brand in the 2011 Formula One season and we will strongly resists any attempt by him to use our brand without our permission and will withdraw our sponsorship of the Lotus racing team," he said.

However, Lotus Racing is not taking the accusations lying down.

Its chief executive officer Riad Asmat, who was formerly with Proton, said they were confident of their rights, adding that Proton's public statement gave them a chance to reveal the actual situation.

"We are glad that this has been brought up by Proton in the public. It will give us a chance to show to the shareholders, government and the public the exact situation.

"We are confident of our rights. I have worked in Proton for many years as the special adviser to the chief executive officer and I am fully conversant on this matter. A full release will follow," he said in a statement Monday night.-tradingmarkets.

2010 Paris Motor Show: 2011 Aston Martin V8 Vantage N420 Roadster

If you thought that Aston Martin had done a great job with the N420 edition coupe, which was originally meant to be a race car for motorsporting at Nürburgring, the British automaker has pushed it one notch higher by revealing a new drop-top version just ahead of the 2010 Paris Motor Show.

Now the V8 Vantage N420- a successor to the special edition V8 Vantage N400 of 2007- will be offered in both Coupe and Roadster models. The car will use the same 4.7-L V8 engine delivering 420 hp of power and up to 470 Nm of torque, and buyers get to choose from a six-speed manual transmission or a sequential Sportshift gearbox. Upgrades include a new sports exhaust system, which used to be optional last year, plus new wheels and a new aero package. Stiffer suspension, a liberal array of carbon fiber parts to reduce the weight, and Alcantara leather trim are some features to look out for.

More details will be out when the Roadster makes its Paris debut. Prices can be expected to start from around $145,000.-nitrobahn.

Lamborghini Reveals Gallardo LP570-4 Blancpain Edition Ahead of Paris Auto Show

Ahead of the Paris Auto Show, the Italian automaker Automobili Lamborghini and Blancpain, the Swiss watch maker added a new member to the Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo racing series. Together they revealed the special super sports car – the new Gallardo LP 570-4 Blancpain Edition.

The all new Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4 Blancpain Edition is equipped with Skorplus wheels with yellow-painted brake calipers and discs made from carbon-ceramic composite. The matte black paintwork used to make external components like diffuser and mirror casings, adds a striking visual effect.

When it comes to the interiors and comfort zone of the passengers, the Blancpain Edition has incorporated the extremely sporty characteristics of the Gallardo. The entire interior is finished in black Alcantara with yellow accents and visible carbon-fiber. The Blancpain logo that is placed on the exterior also features on the seats and cockpit in yellow stitching.

Under the hoods, the Gallardo LP 570-4 Blancpain Edition is powered by the V10 power unit with 5.2 liters of displacement that can generate 570 hp. This puts the power-to-weight ratio of the vehicle at only 5.18 lb per hp and guarantees breathtaking performance. This super sports car can dash from 0-62 mph in 3.4 seconds.

Finally, this all new super sports car, manufactured from Sant’Agata Bolognese, boasts of a dry weight of no more than 1340 kilograms or 2954 lb. The company says this is the lightest road-going model in Lamborghini’s range.-nitrobahn.

How To Choose Your Motorcycle GPS System

A GPS for your motorcycle, you can turn your travels into adventures. Opening a whole new experience, you can discover amazing places in the planning of your trips at home and download your routes to your GPS device. New landscapes, destinations, travel and waiting time as well as security and trust, never be lost.

A GPS for your motorcycle can also help make your trip more comfortable and stress-free as possible. If you desire to take a break, or if you are short of petrol, your GPS can help. More importantly, it is your GPS guide you to safety if you get lost or accidentally the wrong way. With voice-guided directions, and the software is full of sights (POIs) such as gas stations, restaurants, gas stations and hotels, your GPS can guarantee uninterrupted pleasure trip.

Sound like the perfect toy? Now, with GPS systems to normal, and new features and models constantly hitting the shelves, it can be a difficult task to decipher what is best GPS device for your needs.

To help you, it makes sense to the following before further and consider buying your first GPS for your bike.

What type of GPS you need for your bike?

Its terminals are tailored to your needs?

If the battery life of your GPS to your needs?

How resistant your GPS to vibration software and hardware?

Want 2-way communication?

How easy is it to your GPS update?

How easy is it to your GPS update?

What is the price reasonable?

What type of GPS you need your bike?

There are 3 types of GPS devices for motorcycles, portable outdoor units, GPS units designed specifically for your bike / scooter and GPS / PDA hybrids.

If you enjoy outdoor activities like mountain biking, hiking, camping or even a handheld GPS that can be taken anywhere, would be ideal. Since the navigation of your off-road pursuit, versatile navigation device, such as Garmin Quest 2, to operate in any vehicle. In addition to the bike you can in your car, boat or even a map with you.

GPS devices designed exclusively for motorcycles offer some very impressive features. Specially designed with you, the motorcyclist in mind have units like the TomTom RIDER hard, weather-resistant housing, the options on the touch screen for gloves and anti-glare screens. One of the newest features of TomTom for effective communication has been introduced is a system that your instructions have an integrated Bluetooth audio system, a helmet that transmits spoken in your helmet.

The final type of GPS device, you might like is the PDA / GPS hybrid. While these devices have been designed primarily with portability, most come with the added advantage of having a large screen. Just as hand-held GPS devices outdoors would enjoy this type of GPS is ideal for those of you a variety of outdoor activities. PDA with built-on GPS / PDA as the Mio A201 can be useful, for example, for work and play. With features such as Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, you will be able to work on at any time, anywhere. If you want to play music in movement, games, digital photos or save them to hear, is a GPS device like this an ideal choice

If the capacity needs of the GPS on the bike?

If you select a GPS for your bike, it makes sense to think about how accurately your satellite signals to identify your position.

Many GPS devices available today have an accuracy of 6-8 meters. However, most models of the latest GPS with WAAS (Wide Area Augmentation System) are expanded, the designed in an accuracy of 3-4 meters 95% of the time results. The Garmin Quest 2, for example via an external antenna with a 12-channel WAAS GPS receiver elevator position provides accuracy of up to 9 meters.

If you like to drive in dense forests and urban areas, it is noted that the integration of the new GPS chip SiRF Star III set the units to be out for are. This high performance, low power consumption chipset has high sensitivity in high foliage environments. It is also interesting to note that the GPS devices are powered with external antennas to a high signal in the deep forests to obtain.

If the battery life of your motorcycle GPS to your needs?

Take the freedom everywhere to work with a GPS is the battery life is an important criterion. Most GPS devices use 2, 4 or 6 AA batteries, which up to 6 hours. GPS devices with integrated battery is ideal if you never lose time. With GPS systems like the TomTom RIDER, you can use your battery at home, planning your next route, or keep a constant eye with power, charge your GPS directly from the battery of your bike.

How resistant your GPS Motorcycle Vibration & Hard Ware?

Riding with the freedom to go almost anywhere and not lose it, your GPS is guaranteed to get plenty of use (and reverb). It is therefore important to examine how the GPS is durable, to withstand these conditions.

GPS devices designed exclusively for motorcycles, like the TomTom RIDER have conceived in this sense. Not only weatherproof, its sound and robust resilient to external shocks assembly was designed to absorb any external friction.

While most GPS devices come with a support, it is absolutely necessary that you use a vibration isolation mount, if your GPS is used regularly on the bike. RAM of NPI, which quickly became the industry standard support for manufacturing anti-vibration ball mounting system allows you to mount practically anything anywhere with protection against vibration and sustainability. It would be a perfect complement for the Garmin Quest 2 GPS, if you were buying this handheld GPS to use on many of your bike.

You want to have your bike with a GPS-2-way communication?

Some have introduced the latest GPS systems for motorcycles brought two-way communication to a whole new level.

If you have a Bluetooth connection to a GPRS phone, you should know that many navigation systems like the TomTom RIDER have integrated Bluetooth receiver, among its many functions. With the ability to connect the phone via Bluetooth and incoming calls through your GPS and Bluetooth headset, you should never respond to your helmet and gloves on your phone.

You can even wirelessly with your Bluetooth-enabled mobile Internet, and get with some models of GPS in real-time information on traffic conditions.

Enjoy riding in groups? You should know that the hand held units recently, in the radios that not only allow you to have built with other members of your group communicate made, but also the position of the screen, all on your screen.

How easy the bike is GPS fix?

With roads constantly changes, the ability to update your device easily and economically very important factors to consider when choosing your GPS.

It is important to recognize that any type of GPS will be updated in a different way, and you have to decide which method is best for you.

Who has a PDA is connected, the Mio A201 for example, tend are usually updated via a PC, during and dedicated vehicle units updated via a CD. These must be purchased from the supplier of map data of the road.

Some specific software vendors have solutions for preparing maps which can be downloaded to your GPS device. In particular, the operation of the service TomTom PLUS.

The choice: Budget Considerations

In essence, your choice can easily: buy the most expensive GPS that you can afford that meets your needs.

It is important, with my hands up to decide what features are most important to you. If you want to use GPS for your motorcycle the minute, with features such as real-time information on traffic demand, calls hands-free calling, turn by turn with voice guidance via Bluetooth headsets, alerts for radar, and thousands of useful points of interest, such as GPS Syteme TomTom RIDER £ 550 incl start. VAT.

However, if you are looking for more of a toy to play with, and a GPS is simply from A to B, then a hand-held device may be a better choice. With a range of features such as speech simply compass mode, an MP3 player, and essentially portability, GPS devices like the Mio 268 and the Garmin Quest 2 is ideal for motorcycles, and a range of outdoor activities, air. The Mio 268, and handheld GPS devices with similar functions, about £ 250 inkl. VAT.-ujnshop.