When another car giant Mazda is again introducing her new collection, SUVs (sports utility vehicle), the all-new Mazda rx 8, a combination of vehicles.
The Chevy Volt is not an all-new concept that we haven’t seen before – Paris was merely its European debut. But it still warrants a mention because it is a genuinely production ready electric car being built by a major mainstream manufacturer.
The Volt really does go on sale in 2010. It uses electric power only to drive the wheels, but has an onboard petrol engine to act as a generator when the built-in battery runs out of juice. So while the theoretical electric-only range is around 40 miles, the Volt can keep on going using the petrol engine as a charger. Clever stuff.
Citroen stole the show with this car. The GTbyCitroen, created in partnership with Polyphony’s GranTurismo PlayStation game, is an utterly jaw-dropping future supercar, all curving surfaces, ducts, vents and high-speed detailing. Just look at that outlandish over-sized tail section – incredible to think the same manufacturer also builds the C1.
Which is, of course, almost exactly why we will never see anything like this for real. Would anyone actually buy a Citroen-badged supercar? We think not – no matter how cool looking. Makes the whole exercise rather pointless. Unless you happen to own the games console, as the GTbyCitroen really does appear in Polyphony’s game.
BMW X1 We’re a little puzzled by the BMW X1. One of so many new “crossover” concepts to appear at the show – the crossover is rapidly mutating from niche to not interesting – even BMW didn’t seem to be making much of a fuss over it, despite the concept model looking every bit the production possibility. Casually positioned in one corner of BMW’s stand, if it wasn’t for the ludicrously gold paint, the X1 is easily overlooked. Especially as the styling is far from radically diverting – it looks like a miniaturised X5 that’s been run over. Perhaps, given the current economic climate, the German carmaker is having second thoughts…?
The AC Cobra 212 S/C used the ultra low weight of the advanced Formula One carbon fibre body technology pioneered on the AC Cobra MKIV CRS. High performance Avon tyres have been selected to create a special road/race package for the AC Cobra 212 S/C to ensure that the output of the Lotus V8 reaches the road.Powering the AC 212 S/C is a 350 bhpLotus engineered 3.5 Litre, V8, Twin Turbo engine mated to a 6 speed gearbox all hidden under a carbon fiber body. John Owen says,"With the AC 212 S/C we've been able to bring together three tremendous assets in the same package". AC Car Group Limited's Chief Engineer and the man who earlier led the Lotus design team which conceived the V8 unit. "We've got the ultimate sports car looks of the iconic AC Cobra. We've developed the pioneering F1 carbon fibre technology from the CRS. And we've mated all of this to one of the most powerful engines available today - the Lotus V8." The car develops 350 bhp at 6,500 rpm and 295 lb ft of torque at 4,000 rpm. It drives through a Tremec T56 six-speed manual gearbox and BTR Hydratrak final drive (ratio 3.73:1) to the rear axle. Power steering is standard together with AP Racing dual circuit servo-assisted ventilated discs all round.The specifications of the AC Cobra 212 S/C model reflects the power of the 3.5 litre Lotus engine with twin Garratt turbochargers. "The AC Cobra 212 S/C is a hugely valuable addition to our line up of models which so proudly display their AC Cobra pedigree", said Mike Hall, AC Car Group Limited's Joint Chairman. "
2009 Nissan Skyline GT-R: The most eagerly anticipated new performance car of the century
Brakes: Brembo 4 Wheel Disc Differential: 1.5 Way Mechanical Limited Slip Final Drive Rati: 3.70:1 Layout: Front Engine, AWD Transmission: 6 Speed DSG Manual Engine: 3.8 liters Twin Turbo 24V V6 Horsepower: 480 hp @ 6400 rpm Torque: 430 ft-lbs. @ 3200 rpm Acceleration: 0 to 60mph in 3.3 sec
Born from a long line of Skyline GT-Rs dating back to 1969, this latest version — "R35" to the hard-core — promises to pack more turbocharged power, more all-wheel-drive technology and more sheer speed than any Japanese car ever to come to America.
For six years the 2009 Nissan Skyline GT-R has been the subject of intense rumors and frenzied speculation. Frequent sightings of GT-R test mules help fuel the excitement. We've caught GT-R prototypes on the streets of L.A. and the Nürburgring test track in Germany. Nissan's engineers also made a trip to a couple California racetracks, bringing the GT-R to both Laguna Seca and Sears Point.
Why is this car followed so closely? Because the Skyline GT-R R35 is expected to be the ne plus ultra of Japanese performance machinery
The original Nissan Skyline GT-R might have hit the street in 1969, but it wasn't until 1990 that the GT-R legend would be solidified. That was the year the Skyline GT-R was introduced to an utterly stunned Japanese market. It was the first of three twin-turbocharged, all-wheel-drive and all-wheel-steering Skylines (R32, R33 and R34) and it's the generation upon which the Skyline GT-R legend rests.
Though the R34 left production after the 2003 model year, it was so beloved that Nissan's Nismo division actually bought 20 used Skyline GT-R R34 V-Spec models during 2005 and completely rebuilt them into what is currently considered the greatest GT-R of them all — the $170,000, 500-horsepower Skyline GT-R Z-Tune.
So prominent had the Nissan Skyline GT-R become that in 2003's 2 Fast 2 Furious, the film's hero drove and raced one through the streets of Miami. And the actor Paul Walker, who played the role, bought his own and modified it.
by Vijay Pattni These are the first pictures of the craziest-looking Golf GTi Volkswagen has ever built – the Volkswagen Golf GTi Performance. The Volkswagen Golf GTi Performance is a design study which the carmaker is showcasing at the annual Worthersee Tour. The Volkswagen Golf GTi Performance study is a one-off car by the German carmaker which features crazy upwards-opening doors as found on the Lamborghini Murcielago and Lamborghini Gallardo. View more images of the Volkswagen Golf GTi Performance The Volkswagen Golf GTi Performance study also features a wide bodykit, lowered suspension and larger alloy wheels. The bonkers Golf is on display at the Worthersee Tour, which is an annual gathering of Audi and Volkswagen enthusiasts and a platform for one-off VW models. Last year Volkswagen unveiled the 6-litre twin-turbocharged Golf W12 650, which uses the engine from a Volkswagen Phaeton and produces a titanic 641bhp. View more images of the Volkswagen Golf W12 650 This means the mid-engined hatch will accelerate from 0-62mph in just 3.7 seconds and hit a top speed of 195mph – as quick as a Lamborghini Gallardo. Volkswagen hasn’t released any official information on the one-off Volkswagen Golf GTi Performance study, but the pictures show two huge exhaust tips surrounded by wire mesh. And Volkswagen has fitted two bottles of nitrous oxide – which instantly boost power at the touch of a button – into the boot, indicating an uprated version of the standard Golf GTi’s 200bhp 2-litre petrol engine. The mad Golf gets a black and orange paint scheme with racing decals while the interior gets a three-seat interior. Audi is also showcasing two crazy new models at the Worthersee Tour – but this one’s going into production. The hot new Audi TT Clubsport Quattro is an open-top roadster with no fixed or folding roof and will come with a highly tuned 2-litre turbocharged engine said to “break the magical 300bhp barrier.” View more images of the Audi TT Clubsport Quattro Audi is also displaying the Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro at the Worthersee meet. View more images of the Audi A3 TDi Clubsport Quattro Check out the standard Volkswagen Golf GTi put through its paces:
by Adrian Hearn A German tuner has taken the range-topping Volkswagen Golf R32 hot hatch and beefed it up – to 372bhp. ABT Sportsline – which has previously built some crazy cars including a modified Audi A5 – has taken the Volkswagen Golf R32’s 3.2-litre V6 engine and tuned the engine management system and fitted a supercharger. This has increased power from an already adequate 250bhp to 372bhp – just eight less than an Aston Martin Vantage sports car. This means the Volkswagen Golf R32 will accelerate from 0-62mph (100kph) in five seconds and on to a top speed of 168mph – 13mph more than the standard R32. Handling should be sublime with the R32 benefiting from four-wheel drive, while ABT has also fitted a sports suspension and 19-inch alloys wheels. But this isn’t the fastest Golf in a straight line. Last year Volkswagen unveiled the Golf W12-650, where they had taken a standard Golf GTi and fitted it with a rear-mounted twin-turbocharged version of the 6-litre W12 engine from the Phaeton. Add Lamborghini brakes and an Audi R8 chassis and you have 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of over 200mph. But it was a show car designed in just six weeks so, when it came to lapping the Top Gear track the Stig managed a time of 1min 29.6seconds – just 0.8seconds quicker than a standard R32. ABT hasn’t disclosed a price for its 372bhp Volkswagen Golf R32, but expect to pay about £32,000 plus import taxes for the left-hand drive hot hatch.
Cobra MKIV CRS AC Sports Car 4942 cc V8 Engine. The AC Cobra CRS will use the same five-speed gearbox as the Superblower, together with a Hydratrak limited slip differential, independent front and rear suspension, rack and pinion steering and disc brakes all round (ventilated at the front). The AC Cobra MKIV CRS is closely related to the AC Superblower (the CRS shares its chassis and a naturally aspirated version of its power unit). Significant weight savings have been made possible on the AC Cobra MKIV CRS through the use of an advanced specification carbon fiber body.
The AC 3000ME Prototype was powered by a Ford V6 and clothed in a grp body.The AC 3000ME was first introduced at the 1973 Earls Court Motor Show. It wasn't until 1979 that the first production AC 3000ME's were delivered, and the price had almost tripled since its initial showing. The AC 3000Me continued to be manufactured for six years with production moving to Scotland before the company ran into financial trouble in 1985 and the 3000Me was discontinued.The AC 3000ME was a 2 door, 2 seat, coupe with a mid-engine layout, perimeter steel chassis, 4 wheel independent suspension and superb handling
Toyota PM is highly maneuverable thanks to its castor like wheels capable of rotating through 180 degrees. The front wheels are also notable because of their hub-less design. The futuristic Toyota PM concept from 2003 is a personal transport concept. The PM's cockpit opens by touching one of the unusual stalk mounted headlights, this then glows green to announce the impending opening of the glass canopy. Another interesting feature Toyota has built into the PM is its adjustable ride height and attitude. As the PM's speed increases it lowers to the ground to increase stability and improve aerodynamics. Inside the PM information regarding vehicle performance and the location of other PM's is relayed to the single occupant by a floating virtual display. Power for the concept comes from an electric motor.
