Volkswagen has unveiled an all-new SUV concept in Geneva.
Called the T-Cross Breeze, it’s described as ‘a progressive SUV with the added appeal of a modern soft-top convertible’.
Aiming to be an affordable convertible, the T-Cross Breeze showcases ‘dynamic body proportions and crisp, short overhangs’ says VW. The four-seat T-Cross Breeze is equipped with an interactive cockpit and a next-generation operation concept, touch-sensitive surfaces and newly developed “by-wire” solutions replace conventional switches and buttons. The T-Cross Breeze is powered by a ‘highly efficient’ 1.0 litre TSI turbo petrol engine with an output of 81 kW/110 PS.
Dr Herbert Diess, Chairman of the Board of Management Volkswagen Brand said: “Our T-Cross Breeze is the first open-top SUV in its class and, at the same time, an affordable, cheeky cabriolet with a raised seating position that gives you a perfect view.” With this concept, Volkswagen underlines the fact that the brand is blazing a trail and making mobility more of an experience than ever before.
Diess also confirmed: “At the moment the T-Cross Breeze is purely a concept, but we can well imagine putting such a convertible on the market as a production model. An affordable fun car that is also entirely suitable for everyday use. A genuine People’s Car.”
Honda has revealed a new prototype Civic hatchback in Geneva.
Making its global premiere during press day at 2016 Geneva Motor Show, the 10th generation model is described as the sportiest Civic ever. With an assertive stance and ‘provocative’ new design the prototype features low, wide proportions and a long wheelbase - promise engaging driving dynamics while maximising interior space, says Honda.
Running on new larger and wider wheels and tyres, at the front of the car, a short overhang with large air intakes is joined by LED headlights and daytime running lights which flow from beneath the boldly sculpted bonnet into accentuated wheel arches. At the rear, the bumper incorporates angular creases and vents, designed to echo the aggressively styled nature of the rest of the car which are joined by distinctive C-shaped LED rear light.
Daisuke Tsutamori, Project Leader for the styling of the Prototype said: “We knew that we needed to create a striking and stand-out exterior design that challenged conventional European compact styling while staying true to the original Civic’s core values. The result is a marriage of distinctive and sporty design, rewarding driving dynamics and versatile practicality.”
It will become the first European vehicle to be available with Honda’s all-new 1.0-litre and 1.5-litre VTEC TURBO petrol engines while further improvements have also been made to the existing 1.6-litre i-DTEC engine. A highly responsive turbocharger together with direct injection technology seek to achieve an optimum balance between high output and torque, above those of conventional naturally-aspirated engines.
The new Honda Civic hatchback will be available in Europe early in 2017 and will be built in the UK.
Described as a vision for a compact SUV the eX Concept is powered by a next-generation EV system ‘which delivers superior environmental performance, torquey and smooth acceleration, and whisper-quiet performance’.
The car is driven by a Twin Motor 4WD and S-AWC integrated vehicle dynamics control systems which, in collaboration with its advanced connected car and active safety technologies provides semi-autonomous driving capabilities on motorways as well as autonomous parking.
The styling takes inspiration from the coupe elegance of a "shooting brake+2" but with 'compact SUV lines'. The front fascia takes the Mitsubishi ‘Dynamic Shield’ design concept a step forward designed to protect people and car alike, while the daytime running lamps and indicators are positioned on top of the wing to make them more visible to pedestrians.
The easy-access doors without center pillars provide effortless entry to and from the interior. The use of different colouring for the dash and door trim for the driver and passenger sides of the cockpit creates a ‘new-look ambience’. The use of a simple frame structure covered in softshell for the dashboard, instrument cluster and other major elements of the front compartment not only creates a sense of being light in weight visually - but serves to reduce the actual weight of the car.
The center console houses two portable batteries which can be used outside of the car to support those who enjoy pursuing active lifestyles while on the inside, an augmented reality windshield and Intelligent Display in the center of the dash linked to the driver's smartphone and the Cloud provides the driver with recommendations based on their interests and tastes.
The EV system powering the concept combines a second-generation high-capacity, high-performance battery with compact high-output electric motors front and rear. This configuration not only makes the EV system lighter and more efficient but with further weight reductions to the vehicle itself, resulting in a cruising range of 249 miles.
The Twin Motor 4WD system delivers power to the four wheels through the S-AWC integrated vehicle dynamics control system, which uses braking to control front wheel torque delivery and an electronically-controlled mechanical Active Yaw Control component which actively varies torque-split between the rear wheels.
The eX is capable of semi-autonomous operation on motorways when data from cameras and sensors is used to analyse the situation surrounding the vehicle and to automatically increase or decrease vehicle speed or to maintain its lane or to change lane. The car can autonomously find its own parking spot, park itself and be retrieved without any driver input.
Volvo is to unveil a luxurious four-seat version of the XC90 at the Shanghai International Automobile Show.
The XC90 Excellence has been designed, says Volvo, to offer customers a distinct and individual automotive experience that incorporates the latest Scandinavian innovations in design, refinement, comfort and style.
Based on Volvo’s all new XC90, it has just four seats compared to the original’s seven, creating additional space in the rear to accommodate two individual reclining rear seats complete with massage and ventilation functions as well as a retractable control touchscreen and folding tables.
There’s also a refrigerator with bottle and glass holders, a heating/cooling cup holder and handmade crystal glasses from leading Swedish glass design company, Orrefors.
Additional cabin refinements include a special Bowers & Wilkins audio system with an extra (twentieth) speaker, passenger footrests, ambient lighting, illuminated storage and unique leather detailing, a luggage compartment dividing screen, extra sound insulation and Pirelli Noise Cancelling System tyres (PNCS).
An integrated ionic air cleaner in the CleanZone climate system works by positively charging electrons in airborne particles (dust or smoke for example) so they are removed from suspension in the cabin environment.
“This is our new flagship car,” said Thomas Ingenlath, Senior Vice President, Design. “We have created the ultimate luxury experience of Scandinavian design. Volvo has never launched a car like this before. This is the car that demonstrates what the name Volvo now means.”
The XC90 Excellence will be available globally later this year and via digital commerce in selected markets, but there are currently no plans to bring it to the UK.
Ahead of its motor show debut in Geneva this week, Ford has revealed a new Fiesta ST200 model that delivers 10 per cent more power and 20 per cent more torque, with 200PS and 290Nm from its modified 1.6-litre EcoBoost petrol engine.
The most powerful production Fiesta ever (0-62mph in 6.7sec) will feature an exclusive specification including a Storm Grey exterior and machined 17-inch matt black alloy wheels with red painted brake calipers.
An enhanced interior includes partial leather Charcoal Recaro front seats with contrasting silver stitching, alongside illuminated scuff plates and seatbelts with silver detailing.
The ST200’s 1.6-litre EcoBoost engine can deliver an additional 15PS and 30Nm of torque for up to 15 seconds using transient overboost. A shorter final drive than that in the regular ST is said to further enhance in-gear acceleration for improved drivability and an even more fun to drive experience. Top speed is 143mph.
Since launching the Fiesta ST in 2013, Ford has sold some 30,000 examples in Europe, and almost two-thirds of these (19,200) were delivered to UK customers.
“The Fiesta ST is truly beloved by owners and critics. The ST200 takes this special drivers’ car to a new level of power and performance,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. “I think it’s a future classic in the making.”
Production of the new Fiesta ST200 starts from June with customer deliveries this summer.
McLaren will debut the new 570GT at this year’s Geneva Motor Show.
The McLaren 570GT joins the 570S Coupe and 540C Coupe as the third model in the recently announced Sports Series family. Described as practical enough for everyday use, the two-seat, mid-engined sportscar is the most refined and road-biased McLaren yet, designed with a focus on day-to-day usability and long distance comfort. It offers ‘increased levels’ of practicality and comfort, while remaining a true McLaren.
A standard fixed glass Panoramic Roof provides a bright, open cabin running through to the large rear opening glass hatch. With the increased glass area of the 570GT, cabin temperatures is regulated and maintained by an enhanced dual-zone air conditioning system as well as an 18 percent transmission glass tint.
Targeted towards longer journeys and weekends away, the ‘spacious and ergonomically-optimised cabin’ features a pair of eight-way electrically adjustable sports seats, upholstered in leather as standard. The control interfaces for the air conditioning, telephony, navigation and audio systems are managed through the centrally-mounted touchscreen, while vehicle setup is configurable via the TFT LCD digital instrument cluster.
The front luggage area remains unchanged from the Coupe, providing 150 litres of stowage, while a further 220 litres of space is available behind the seats on the leather-lined Touring Deck. This additional space is accessed via the side opening Glass Hatch bringing the total storage space for the 570GT to 370 litres. The Glass Hatch opens on the kerbside whether left- or right-hand drive and is framed by carbon fibre providing significant torsional rigidity.
Power comes from the McLaren-developed 3.8-litre twin turbo V8 engine which debuted in the 570S Coupe. With 562bhp and 600 Nm, power is delivered to the rear wheels via a seven-speed seamless-shift transmission with adjustment through Normal, Sport and Track settings. The settings include bespoke gearchange calibrations with comfort (Normal), Cylinder Cut (Sport) and Inertia Push (Track) technologies all available.
Sharing the newly developed suspension system with the other models in the Sports Series, the 570GT emphasises long distance comfort through further fine tuning to the system which includes a reduction in spring rate stiffness of 15 percent at the front and 10 percent at the rear. Independent adaptive dampers can be dynamically adjusted through Normal, Sport and Track settings, and are coupled to front and rear anti-roll bars.
The 570GT uses a carbon fibre chassis, weighing in at 75kg, contributing to a dry weight of 1,350kg (2,976lb), which equates to 422PS per tonne - for a 0-62 mph time of in 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 204 mph. The 570GT returns 26.6 mpg (10.7 l/100 km) on the EU combined cycle and emissions of 249 g/km.
The 570GT is priced from £154,000 in the UK, with first deliveries due to commence late in 2016.
Volkswagen has confirmed it will reveal a ‘fascinating concept car’ at the Geneva Motor Show.
VW says the new concept ‘brings mobility to a whole new level’ which will ‘enliven the compact car class as a trendy, affordable SUV’.
The concept can be seen as the beginning of a broad SUV offensive according to the German brand. VW describes it as depicting a new automotive attitude to life whilst remaining perfectly suited for everyday use.
The concept is said to give a realistic perspective on a completely new model series and, at the same time, on the future production model.
Not much has been given away to date, but Volkswagen has confirmed the new concept include hardly any switches, creating a conceptual bridge to the BUDD-e, which was revealed at the CES in Las Vegas last month.
Renault will pull the covers off its new Megane Sport Tourer – in the form of the Megane Sport Tourer GT – at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show.
Based on the new Megane, this all-new Sport Tourer features an ‘intuitive, modular interior’ including 4CONTROL technology. Specifically tailored to the new Megane Sport Tourer, 4CONTROL endows the car with precise, dynamic handling on twisty roads and ‘generates genuine driving pleasure’. The car also has a choice of boot arrangements, as well as the segment’s longest maximum load length, says Renault.
The design of the new Megane Sport Tourer ‘blends dynamism and style’, and is enhanced by a chrome trim around the side windows and C-pillar. The roof line is enhanced by matte-finish anodised aluminium roof bars (Dark Metal Colour on GT version). The car’s low stance and wide track increase the feeling of solidity on the road according to Renault.
The French company says Renault Sport DNA is evident with the front bumper underlining the model’s sporting credentials, while the honeycomb mesh of the radiator grilles is specific to the car and the wide lower air inlet is flanked by two air-scoops. At the rear, the new Megane Sport Tourer GT is fitted with a chromed exhaust tail pipe and a sculpted diffuser to reinforce its dynamic look.
The all-new Kia Niro will make its European debut at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show.
The low-emissions hybrid crossover marks the development of Kia’s first dedicated eco-car platform. The Niro will offer the practicality of a spacious crossover, together with the high fuel efficiency of an advanced hybrid powertrain. Engineered from the ground up as a dedicated hybrid vehicle, the car’s all-new platform has been engineered in isolation from existing Kia models, and is designed to accommodate a specific set of environmentally-conscious technologies and next-generation powertrains.
While the Niro’s hybrid powertrain – made up of a 1.6-litre GDI petrol engine, lithium-ion polymer battery pack, 32 kW electric motor and six-speed double-clutch transmission – is under development, Kia says its engineers are targeting CO2 emissions of 89 g/km.
Michael Cole, Chief Operating Officer, Kia Motors Europe, commented, “The Kia Niro will offer buyers a compelling blend of crossover practicality with the cool, modern styling for which Kia is famous, and an efficient new hybrid powertrain to keep running costs down. The Niro fills a gap in the market for a crossover with typically low hybrid emissions, and will appeal to a broad range of European buyers.”
With its aerodynamic, crossover-inspired silhouette, subtly sculptured surfaces and 'sharp, modern lines,' the Niro is still recognisable as a Kia. The new model bears the latest evolution of Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille, as well as the brand’s wide C-pillar and a series of other signature design cues.
With a relatively long bonnet, short overhangs, elevated headlamps and rising shoulder line, the Niro’s athletic crossover stance represents a shift away from other hybrid cars on the market today, says Kia. The SUV’s silhouette tapers slightly towards the rear of the vehicle, ending in a ‘subtle’ rear roof spoiler, elevated tail-lamps and a wide, squared-off rear bumper.
Designed principally for efficient aerodynamic performance, the car's body allows for a low drag coefficient of 0.29 Cd – making it more aerodynamic than many other hybrid rivals says Kia. Its relatively long wheelbase (2,700 mm) and short front and rear overhangs (870 and 785 mm, respectively) also ensure occupants enjoy ‘generous’ interior space.
The Niro occupies a new space within the brand’s model line-up in terms of its size - smaller overall than the all-new Kia Sportage, though occupying a larger footprint than the cee’d hatchback. Available with a choice of seven colours, and buyers can choose from a selection of 16- or 18-inch alloy wheel designs when it goes on sale during Q3 2016.
Peugeot’s new Traveller MPV is set to make its world debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.
The Traveller’s assertive design exudes strength and elegance, says Peugeot, while introducing features of the brand's SUV and car range to the MPV segment.
Sitting on a new chassis, adapted from the ‘Efficient Modular Platform 2’ (EMP2), the Traveller will also be targeted at the VIP shuttle sector with the promise of quality, efficiency and best-in-class fuel consumption.
Its Euro 6 BlueHDi engines are equipped with an SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) pollution control system upstream of the DPF (Diesel Particulate Filter). These combine driving enjoyment and efficient performance, says Peugeot, offering an output of up to 180hp and peak torque of 400Nm, and average CO2 emission levels across the range of 140g/km.
The Traveller is available in multiple configurations with seating for up to 9 occupants and has already been awarded a top 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP safety tests.
Maxime Picat, Managing Director at Peugeot, said: “The Peugeot Traveller fully applies the brand’s expansion strategy by positioning us on the growth sectors of the MPV and VIP Shuttle. Through its innovative design, the Peugeot Traveller gives a new dimension to Peugeot’s upmarket shift.”
SEAT has revealed its first ever SUV - the Ateca - in Barcelona.
Deriving its name from a village in the west of Zaragoza, the Ateca is said to combine distinctive design, dynamic driving fun, urban versatility and compelling utility.
Launching in the UK this September, it will be available with a choice of turbocharged TSI petrol and TDI diesel engines spanning from 115 PS to 190 PS, with either front-wheel or all-wheel-drive, mated to manual or dual-clutch DSG transmissions.
An array of technology options extends from full-LED headlights through a series of assistance systems, including Traffic Jam Assist and Emergency Assist, right through to a package of high-endinfotainment systems with eight-inch touchscreens and Full Link connectivity.
At 4.36 metres in length, the Ateca offers seating for five and a boot capacity of 510 litres, or 485- in versions with all-wheel-drive.
“The SEAT Ateca is perfect for an urban lifestyle. It possesses stunning design and dynamics, and boasts compelling quality and utility. But above all, the Ateca exudes unmistakable character,” says Luca de Meo, President of SEAT, S.A. “Our first SUV marks the start of a new era for SEAT. The Ateca is a clear development of the Leon DNA and will drive forward the success of the range. SEAT is a brand on the move.”
The E-Type that turned heads at the 1961 Scottish Motor Show has been brought back to its former glory and will feature at the London Classic Car Show 2016.
Chassis No. 15 was the fifteenth right hand drive fixed head coupe E-Type to leave Jaguar’s production line in 1961 and was used as a press car at the Scottish Motor Show held at the Kelvin Hall, Glasgow, in November that year. The car then moved on to private ownership and went missing for decades until Classic Motor Cars discovered it in a barn in Cernay, France, in late 2013. Since being found, CMC has carried out a full restoration of Chassis No. 15.
Exactly 2,956 hours were spent restoring every nut and bolt of this E-Type at CMC’s workshops in Bridgnorth, saving as much of the original car as possible and bringing back its show-stopping condition. Nick Goldthorp, Managing Director of Classic Motor Cars, said: “We found Chassis No. 15 in Cernay, a French town close to the border with Germany. It had been owned by the same person since 1976, who dismantled it probably some twenty years ago and that is as far as he got. The car was underneath some covers in a garden, very rusty and corroded – there was even a bird’s nest in the rear quarter! We carried out a full nut and bolt restoration, which proved to be quite a challenge due to the sorry state in which it was found.”
Goldthorp added: “No detail was too small and extensive work has been carried out in the paint and trim shops so that the car can now boast its original colour combination of pearl grey exterior and light blue interior, being the only one produced in those colours in 1961. This was one of the six E-Types on display at the 1961 Scottish Motor Show. After restoring it to its former glory, we thought it was only fitting that the car returned to the centre stage 55 years later and what could be better than the London Classic Car Show.”
The London Classic Car Show at the ExCeL exhibition centre runs from February 18-21.
Honda is set to unveil the Civic Hatchback Prototype at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show.
The Prototype previews the exterior design of the all-new hatchback Civic model, scheduled for a European launch in early 2017. Produced in the UK , the car will be exported to global markets, including the US.
Honda has also confirmed the Clarity Fuel Cell will make its European debut at Geneva, following its global unveil at Tokyo motor show in October last year. The world’s first production fuel cell saloon to house the entire fuel cell powertrain under the bonnet, features a range of up-to 435 miles.
Honda has also announced first European customer deliveries for the Honda NSX will begin in 2016. The NSX sports car features classic low and wide proportions as well as an ‘aggressive front design, and rear lights that pay homage to the original NSX’. The new hybrid supercar has an all-new mid-mounted DOHC V6 engine with twin turbochargers mated to a specially-developed nine-speed DCT.
Honda will also demonstrate a new design concept - the ’Keenlight’ Jazz. The new concept seeks to highlight the potential for customising Jazz models, using sleek design elements, special decals and a unique colour named ‘Keenlight’.
Nissan’s recently reborn Datsun brand is showcasing the GO-cross Concept in India at the Delhi Auto Expo 2016.
The crossover concept is the brand’s vision for a potential Datsun GO/GO+ family expansion into high-growth SUV markets.
Datsun Executive Design Director Koji Nagano says: “Although it is a pure show car at the moment, the Datsun GO-cross Concept is designed to meet the needs and preferences of a new generation of drivers. They are young, ambitious, fun-loving people ready to take the next stop in their lives.”
The brand is also displaying enhanced versions of the Datsun GO and Datsun GO+, equipped with accessories to meet the demands of customers who want a more personalised ride.
Nissan cars were marketed in the UK under the Datsun name until the early 1980s. There are currently no official plans to reintroduce the brand to the UK.
Ferrari has revealed the GTC4Lusso - a new four-seater Grand Tourer which, for the first time, integrates rear-wheel steering with four-wheel drive.
Ferrari says the GTC4Lusso brings unprecedented versatility to the Prancing Horse brand, building on the work of its predecessor, the FF, which won over a new, younger client base that also makes greater use of its cars, clocking up 30 percent higher mileage than average.
The GTC4Lusso's name references illustrious predecessors, such as the 330 GTC or its 2+2 sister model, the 330 GT - one of Enzo Ferrari's favourites - and the 250 GT Berlinetta Lusso. The number 4 alludes to the car's four-seater configuration.
Power comes from a V12-cylinder engine developing 680 hp at 8,000 rpm, while maximum torque is 697 Nm at 5,750 rpm with 80 percent available from as low as 1,750 rpm. These figures translate into a 0-62mph sprint time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of well over 200mph!
The GTC4Lusso is equipped with Ferrari's 4RM Evo four-wheel drive system, which is integrated with rear-wheel steering for the first time. The result is the newly-patented 4RM-S (four-wheel drive and steering) system which, now incorporates the electronic differential (E-Diff) and the SCM-E dampers.
There are new aerodynamic solutions, including a new front grille with integrated air intakes, air vents on the wing that recall those of the 330 GTC, a roof-mounted rear spoiler and a new triple-fence diffuser. These elements combine to deliver a drag coefficient, says Ferrari, that is "substantially lower than on the FF".
The styling, by Ferrari Design, is a refinement of the shooting brake coupe, reinterpreting the concept with a streamlined, tapered shape that gives it an almost fastback-like silhouette.
In the cabin there's a new Infotainment platform featuring a 10.25" HD screen with capacitive touch technology and a new steering wheel that's more compact, thanks to a smaller air bag, with integrated controls that are more ergonomic, making for an even sportier driving experience.
The official world premiere of the GTC4Lusso will be at the Geneva International Motor Show in March.
Vauxhall's facelifted Mokka X will debut at the 2016 Geneva Motor Show next month.
Incorporating cues from Vauxhall's new design philosophy, the new model is the first to introduce the "X" segment identifier for future Vauxhall SUV and crossover vehicles.
The Mokka X's refreshed interior and exterior styling is the work of a design team lead by Brit Mark Adams. A new front treatment includes a wing-shaped horizontal grille and the sharp double-wing design LED daytime running lights. The bumper features new sculpted surfaces, with fewer plastic inserts, while at the rear there's another double wing signature highlighted in the tail lamps, with LED technology an option.
On the inside, there's a completely new dashboard inspired by the Astra's, with a new instrument panel organised around more horizontally shaped elements. The centre stack has been redeveloped around the seven- and eight-inch touchscreens of the new generation infotainment systems. There are fewer buttons, since more functions are now accessible via the touchscreen.
The engine line-up now includes the 1.4-litre Direct Injection Turbo (152PS) petrol unit which first appeared in the all-new Astra. With a six-speed automatic transmission, adaptive all-wheel drive and start/stop, it delivers 42.8mpg and CO2 emissions of 154g/km.
The new Mokka X will be available from launch with the personal connectivity and service assistant OnStar and two versions of the new generation IntelliLink infotainment system, while LED Adaptive Forward Lighting headlamps replace the previous BiXenon AFL.
With nearly 100,000 sold in the UK since its launch in 2012, the Mokka SUV has been a big winner for Vauxhall. The new version will reach UK showrooms late this year.
Pininfarina has released a teaser image of a concept car set to make its world debut at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show.
The Turin-based automotive design house, recently acquired by Indian automaker Mahindra, describes the concept car as an 'innovative stylistic and technological jewel' but there are no other details beyond what we see in the image.
The detail shot appears to depict a sharp, sleek front-end, reminiscent of a contemporary supercar, with aero blade elements sweeping in towards the centre, which is topped off with the classic upright Pininfarina badge.
All will be revealed when the concept is unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1 at on the Pininfarina stand.
Skoda has released teaser images of a new SUV concept - the VisionS.
Hinting at how a future Skoda SUV could look, the new concept is set to be revealed at the 2016 Geneva International Motor Show. Over recent years Skoda has completely renewed its model range and says the next phase will involve broadening the range of models in the SUV segment.
Skoda’s new design language was unveiled in 2014 with the VisionC design study, and this now extends to the SUV segment with the VisionS (‘S’ stands for SUV) showing how how an SUV with three rows of seats, larger than the Yeti model, could look. On the inside a large interior offers ‘generous space’ for six occupants thanks to a total length of 4.70 metres.
The VisionS features design lines and edges described as ‘clear, precise and sharp’. At the front the bonnet has contours flowing towards the brands logo. The wide grille and four tapered, high-set LED headlights characterise the face of the show car, emphasising the vehicle’s SUV character. ‘Crystalline’ elements in the vertical struts in the grille and on the logo are Skoda’s tribute to the Czech art of crystal-glass design.
The side view features a ‘sharp tornado line’ spanning the entire length of the car. Angular wheel arches emphasise the off-road character and the upper-shoulder contour forms a deep groove over the sills. The quickly sloping roofline with the long spoiler and tapered rear ‘visually accelerate’ the show car further.
At the rear, a strong diffuser insert bordering the large exhaust pipes gives the SUV a powerful stance. The Skoda logo and shallow rear lights with dynamically cut crystalline housings sit just beneath the low rear window, while Skoda’s characteristic C-arm, beginning at the rear lights, runs into the flat reflectors in the bumper.
Mazda’s new sports car concept has won ‘Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year’ at the Festival Automobile International.
First revealed at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, the rotary-powered sports car concept features ’exquisitely proportioned dimensions and stunning lines’ says Mazda.
The concept award goes to the vehicle that best embodies pure design creativity and emerging trends. Representing a ‘vision’ of the future, the concept continue’s Mazda’s ‘KODO: Soul of Motion’ design philosophy, with smooth-flowing proportions hinting at the performance of the car while paying tribute to Mazda’s heritage of front engine, rear-wheel drive sports cars. The rotary powertrain’s compactness makes characteristics like the low bonnet possible.
Nominated alongside the Bentley Exp10 Speed 6, Peugeot Fractal and Porsche Mission E at this year’s Festival Automobile International, Mazda’s international design chief, Ikuo Maeda accepted the award Tuesday evening together with Kevin Rice, Mazda’s European design director, Julien Montousse, his counterpart at Mazda North America, and Mazda designer Norihito Iwao.
The RX-VISION will be on display at the Festival Automobile International’s concept car exhibition in Paris at the Hotel National des Invalides until 31 January.
Vauxhall has revealed its new GT Concept ahead of a Geneva Motorshow debut.
The brands vision of a future sports car is described as ’purebred, pared down, yet unashamedly avant-garde’. The GT Concept is even shorn of door handles and door mirrors, and features a front mid-engined, rear-wheel drive chassis that will ‘appeal to driving enthusiasts’.
The GT name mirrors that of the 1964 GT Concept, the first styling model to be produced by the Vauxhall Design and Engineering Centre in Luton which opened the same year. The 2016 concept pays homage to two significant motor show cars: the 1966 Vauxhall XVR (Xperimental Vauxhall Research) and the 1965 Opel Experimental GT - particularly with the long bonnet and central dual exhausts. Fifty years later, the GT Concept has a red signature line that splits the vehicle body horizontally and distinctive red tyres – mounted on rims with a ‘roller-skate’ design – which are a reference to an Vauxhall/Opel motorbike from the 1920s – the Motoclub 500 – which sported red-coloured rubber.
The GT Concept’s front-mid engine configuration keeps the car’s centre of gravity low and central for ‘excellent dynamics’. Beneath its stretched bonnet is a turbocharged 1.0-litre, three-cylinder engine, based on the all-aluminium unit used in the ADAM, Corsa and Astra. Developing 145PS and maximum torque of 205Nm, the engine delivers drive to the rear wheels, via a six-speed sequential transmission operated by steering-wheel mounted paddle shift. Weighing under 1000kgs, the GT Concept accelerates from 0-62mph in less than eight seconds and on to a maximum speed of 134mph.
The GT Concept uses ultra-modern projection technology, with a three-dimensional beam which allows glare-free high-beam driving. Based on Vauxhall’s IntelliLux LED matrix lighting, first seen in the recently launched Astra, the GT Concept sees the intelligent lighting system’s next stage of development. The design of the lights is completed by the three-dimensional design of the tail lamps.
A key innovation is the cars large doors with integrated side windows that show a seamless transition from glass to painted surfaces. Both driver and front passenger gain access to the spacious interior after pressing a touchpad for the electric doors that is integrated in the red signature line of the roof. The doors open into the front arches, using a space-saving and patented mounting that allows a large opening angle for tight parking spaces in urban areas. Two cameras mounted behind the wheel arches offer enhanced visibility, especially in city driving. They transmit their images to two monitors on the left- and right-hand side of the cabin, rendering external mirrors obsolete. The windscreen flows into a glass panorama roof, affording occupants a similar experience to that of a targa-topped car, according to Vauxhall.
