Vauxhall GTC Paris Concept

At 4.46 meters, the GTC Paris offers ample space for five people, yet still maintains a swell and sporting appearance. Adams’ team has maximized ‘tension’ in the design by limiting the amount of lines in the car’s profile, and leaving the impression that the car’s highlights and surfacing are ‘pressed’ on to the concept’s 21-inch wheels. 

Engine and specification

Engine: A four-cylinder, 2.0-litre turbocharged

Headlights: Slim, eagle-eye shaped headlamps

  Wheels: 21-inch wheels

 

2009 Renault Megane Trophy Concept

The 2009 Renault Megane Trophy has been unveiled today at the Paris Auto Show and is on track for the 2009 World Series by Renault. The 2009 Renault Megane Trophy is powered by a mid-rear V6 3.5 24V engine developing 360 hp and 390 Nm of torque. The 2009 Renault Megane Trophy comes equipped with a six-speed sequential gearbox, a semi-automatic with steering wheel-mounted paddle shift gearshift and a limited slip differential.

The company claims the new 2009 Renault Megane Trophy will be able to pull similar lap times to those of the Porsche GT3.

Visually, the 2009 Renault Megane Trophy features a new body design inspired by the new coupe.

New: Volkswagen Golf GTI

Since the debut of the first and the discontinuation of the fifth generation, more than 1.7 million buyers made the GTI to the world’s bestseller. Now the new GTI is at the ready: at the Paris Motor Show (4th to 19th October 2008) Volkswagen will be demonstrating the design study of the new Golf GTI at its world premiere.

The GTI suspension with a new electronic limited-slip diff (XDS) defines curves and traction in a completely new way. A GTI with a top speed of 240 km/h that with its 155 kW / 210 bhp strong turbocharged engine is even more fun and, on average, only uses 7.5 litres.

The sixth generation Golf GTI will go into series production in the spring of 2009 – as usual with a unique connection between sporty suspension and agile engine. The engine develops already at 1,800 rpm a maximum torque of 280 newton metres. The sprint from 0 to 60mph is achieved in 6.9 seconds. A stand-off between wind resistance and output occurs only just at 240 km/h.

Lowered by 22 millimetres and equipped with a new sports suspension, the springs, shock absorbers and rear anti-roll bars of the design study have been completely reworked. Furthermore, the optional adaptive chassis control DCC feature will also be available for the future GTI.

"We wanted a purposefully clear GTI design. A car that has power but also style," summarises the Volkswagen AG's chief designer Walter de’Silva. The design study of the sixth generation presented in Paris blends in both style elements of the GTI icons. Details like the typical honeycombed radiator grill and the V-shaped bonnet, stretching over the head lights, contribute to the GTI V. The clean and horizontal structure clearly originates from the GTI I. Because of the styling as well as the underlining horizontal graphic of the front section the Golf GTI design study appears visually wider (1.78 meter), lower (1.47 meter) and more dynamic than any other car in its class.

Lamborghini Paris Show Teaser No. 4

Here we go again… Lamborghini has just released the fourth consecutive teaser photo of its surprise Paris Show debut. The new photo reveals the mystery vehicle’s front headlamp and well, that’s about it. Makes you wonder how many other pictures will the Italian sports carmaker release before it actually shows us the whole car, because to be totally honest, we're getting a bit tired of the constant teasing. Which kind of spoils the whole surprise.

A Ferrari That Won't Hit the Streets

Ever wondered how Ferrari may do a competitor for the Rapide and Panamera? Well, that’s a question very few have asked, but its still fun to see what Russian designer Krasnov Igor thinks how a Ferrari sedan may look.

Although an official four-door Ferrari has never existed, the supercar firm has come close. Both today’s Maserati Quattroporte and the Lancia Thema 8.32 of the 80s and 90s have their engines and other components sourced from Ferrari. Pininfarina made a few speciality sedans for wealthy customers (like the 456 for the Sultan of Brunei.) There have also been a few official design studies of prancing horse sedans, but Ferrari has been smart enough to stay out of the family car market, so far.

Lamborghini Paris Show Concept Teaser: Number Three

Just like Ford is constantly teasing us with cryptic pictures of its new Mustang, Lamborghini is revealing piece by piece its mysterious Paris Show car that is rumored to be a 4-door sports sedan concept. This time, the third teaser image gives us glimps of the vehicle's taillight. According to a credible source of ours that works over at Tony’s cappuccino shop behind Lamborghini’s head offices in Sant’Agata Bolognese, the next teaser shots will depict the yet to be named vehicle’s roof lining and license plate holders.

Top Gear: Saab 9-X Air Concept

Saab may have stagnated into GM-branded middle-of-the-roadness in recent years, but when the engineers from Trollhatten are left to their own devices, they can still come up with some pretty nifty technology.

Like this, the 9-X Air Concept. Forget the standard Saab concept face and eminently sensible 1.4-litre turbocharged engine (E85 powered, naturally) and take a look at that roof instead.

The Air Concept is, essentially, Saab's guess at what the next-gen 9-3 convertible will look like when it goes on sale around 2013, and it features a very cool folding soft-top roof.

There's a two-piece fabric cover with a solid glass rear screen, which descends when the roof is folded back and then raises back up to cut out turbulence in the cabin.

Shunning a fashionable folding hard top is good news for weight, while a glass screen eliminates the need for one of those huge cumbersome deflector-thingies that fit over the rear seat. Neat, eh?

Saab reckons the added lightness should allow the Air Concept to hit 60mph in just over eight seconds while returning a healthy 107g/km of CO2.

We'll get to fiddle with the Air Concept's clever roof at the Paris show early next month, if the Saab engineers let us near it...

Honda OSM (Open Study Model)

Honda's low-emission sportscar study model has been revealed at the British International Motor Show, at ExCel, London.

The lightweight roadster design study is a concept showing Honda's core engineering principals, designing stylish and exciting cars that are also environmentally responsible.

Named the OSM (for Open Study Model), the two-seater joins the confirmed-for-production CR-Z sports hybrid and FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel cell car on the Honda stand at the show.

Read more about it here ---> Tuning News

Next-Generation 2010 BMW Z4

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Spy photos of the next-generation BMW Z4 have been circulating the Web for months, and here's the first opportunity to see what the new future roadster might look like without camouflage.

As you might expect, the next-generation Z4 will grow in size slightly, although not as much as the first spy photos suggested. Camouflage specifically designed to make it look bigger in every dimension was used originally, but subsequent test mules showed a body only marginally bigger than the current model. We're also expecting the Z4's folding soft top to continue instead of a switch to a retractable hardtop.

BMW's latest six-cylinder engines are sure to find their way under the hood. By the time this Z4 debuts in either late 2009 or early 2010, there could be changes to the base 3.0-liter and the twin-turbo 3.0-liter, but expect roughly the same horsepower numbers.

Production of the 2010 BMW Z4 will switch from BMW's Spartanburg, South Carolina plant to Regensburg, Germany.

What this means to you: Expect to see a shapelier, faster, but only slighter bigger Z4 when it goes on sale in 2010.

Source: Edmunds & Left Lane News

Mopar-Prepped Dodge Ram R/T Concept Heads to SEMA

Even though truck sales in the U.S. are dropping like flies, there will always be a market for vehicles like the new Dodge Ram. And when there’s a market, there’s an aftermarket. Chrysler LLC’s Mopar division is now readying a customized version of the range-topping Ram R/T for the world’s largest aftermarket trade show, the 2008 SEMA which will take place in Las Vegas this November. The 2009 Ram R/T is powered by a 5.7-liter HEMI V8 pushing out 390 HP and according to Dodge, the run from nought to 60mph (96 km/h) take a mere 5.6 seconds.

According to the folks at ‘TheCarConnection, the SEMA show Ram R/T will get a full bodykit treatment that includes a dual snorkel aluminum hood with carbon fiber accent strips (just like the Challenger) and a hard tonneau complete with an integrated spoiler. The Ram R/T’s ‘bad boy’ looks are complemented by a set of 22-incg machine forged alloy wheels wrapped in 285/45R22 front and 305/40R22 rear tires and the lowered suspension. Inside the souped-up Ram R/T will feature a sportier trim and special leather sport seats.

2011 AMG Gullwing

Mercedes-Benz and its performance divisions AMG and HWA are working on a host of new sports cars with a number of prototypes already spotted testing at both the Nurburgring and America’s Death Valley. Yesterday, spy images of a new Black Series version of the facelifted SL surfaced and last month images of another prototype dubbed the SLC turned up. We now have new renderings of a third Mercedes sports car said to be in development, a gull-winged coupe based on a shortened SL platform described as a spiritual successor to the original 300 SL.

Rumored to hit the streets in 2010 or 2011, the new car will feature an upgraded version of AMG’s hand-built 6.2L V8 with power levels in excess of 600hp. The car is being developed internally by Mercedes and AMG engineers and production numbers are expected to range between 3,000 and 5,000 units per year.

Although the gull-wing doors draw obvious styling cues from the original model from the 1950s, the new car won’t be shamelessly retro. As these renderings suggest, the car will feature a sleek, aerodynamic body, circular headlights and SLR-style side vents.

Nissan GT-R R35 Convertible Concept

Check out these interesting and unofficial Nissan GT-R R35 Convertible Renderings which recently showed up on AutoJunk.nl and DeviantArt.com. With all the hype surrounding the recently released Nissan GT-R and the sold out level of demand it has endured, it’s hard to fathom that Nissan would contemplate a convertible version.

I know most purist or GT-R cult leaders would drop their jaws if a convertible version would ever make its way out of momma Godzilla’s womb. Either way what do you think of the renderings? I think they are pretty slick, however I wouldn’t be caught dead owning or driving one (unless it was the GF’s).

Source: Zimbio

GM Shrinks Volt's Gas Tank

One of the many things General Motors boasted about when it unveiled the Volt concept at the Detroit Auto Show in 2007 was its 600-mile range. This was achieved partially by the battery pack, which could sustain a (theoretical) charge allowing the Volt to run for 40 miles without reverting to the gasoline engine/generator, as well as a 12-gallon fuel tank. According to Kicking Tires, GM has shrunk the size of the tank by an unknown quantity and the result is a reduction in range from 600 to 400 miles – or 360 miles without the aid of battery power.

The General maintains that since most owners don't travel more than 40 miles in one day, it wasn't necessary to fit the Volt with a larger tank. That reduction in capacity will save some weight, but what will it cost in public perception? The hype surrounding GM's supposed savior and game-changer are based on two figures: range and cost. If GM can deliver on both counts, they might have a hit on their hands. If not, the Volt will be DOA the day it hits dealers.

2011 Toyota Rear Wheel Drive Coupe Rendering

Earlier this year, Subaru and Toyota officially announced that they will co-develop an all-new rear-wheel drive coupe. While a first batch of scoop images featuring Subaru’s version of the compact sport coupe have already hit the web, we’ve yet to see any spy pictures of Toyota’s variant.

However, one of our readers sent us a scanned image from a Japanese car magazine with an artist’s impression of the forthcoming Toyota RWD coupe. Despite the Lexus-esque styling, we find the rendering quite promising. Hopefully, earlier reports stating that Toyota’s version will only be sold in Japan won’t be confirmed. But even if they prove to be true, here’s a grand idea; how about if Toyota sells its version of the coupe as a Scion in the States?

2012 BMW M6 - Renderings

These 3D computer generated images (CGI) were created by graphics artist Guillaume Mouton in an attempt to visualize the next-generation BMW 6-Series Coupe and in particular, the top-notch M6 model. Mouton seems to have blended the shape of the long gone 8-Series Coupe with elements from the current 6-Series and the 4door CS Concept. Overall, not bad at all but I would have preferred a totally different design for the front-end, one that wouldn’t remind us of the current 6 series.