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Morgan Motor Shows

Geneva 2011: Morgan 3 Wheeler

Morgan 3 Wheeler

Among all the hi-tech concept cars at Geneva this delightfully low-tech Morgan 3 Wheeler stands out as a refreshing highlight. Inspired by a design created by Morgan in the early part of last century the English old timers have added a modern V-twin motorcycle engine, coupled to a Mazda 5-speed transmission.

It’s understood the engine produces around 85kW, which isn’t a lot, but then the 3 Wheeler tips the scales at a low 500kg. It’s been estimated the genuine pocket rocket can reach 100km/h in as little as 4.5 seconds.

More pics of this typically oddball Morgan after the break.

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Formula 1

Has Bernie jumped the shark?

Bernie

Look, we know the postponement and possible cancellation of the Bahrain Grand Prix is likely to be driving regular Formula One fans a bit batty. Another couple of weeks to wait for racing action to start is a bit difficult to take. Especially after the 2010 season was such a ripper. But imagine how the big boss of F1 must be feeling.

Well, wonder no more because Bernie has left us in little doubt as to his mental state going by a recent interview published over at Formula1.com. Or has he, read the full interview and the snippets below, and let us know what you think.

The interview covers a range of topics, but it’s when Bernie Ecclestone starts discussing ways to make F1 more exciting that he possibly goes off the rails a bit—especially when he suggests the sport should consider introducing artificial rain during races.

[Pic: Red Bull/Getty Images | Thanks to Matt for the tip]

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Koenigsegg Motor Shows

Geneva 2011: Koenigsegg Agera R

Koenigsegg Agera R

The creation you see before you is the Koenigsegg Agera R. Normally, we would be quite scornful of the Speed Racer theme Koenigsegg have adorned this car with, but, on this occasion, we’re willing to forgive them. There’s two reasons why.

Firstly, the 5.0 litre twin-turbo V8 produces a maximum of 1115hp—that’s an astonishing 830kW. And, secondly, for that custom made Thule roof box. It’s as stupid as it is awesome. With that in mind, even the Speed Racer graphics look kinda cool.

The name Agera means ‘to take action’ in Swedish and that’s exactly what this Agera R will do. Helping get all that power to the ground are custom Michelin tyres, rated for speeds beyond 420km/h, and an E-diff that relies initially on traditional mechanical parts before electronics step in to complement the system.

To aid progress the Agera R features a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox. But, like the diff, this isn’t what we’ve come to expect either. It uses a single input shaft and a combination of wet and dry clutch systems. Koenigsegg reckon their way is lighter and faster than the competition.

Speaking of lightness, the Agera R weighs in at 1330kg, or 1418kg with fluids and half a tank of fuel. Ooh, it’s going to be very rapid, isn’t it! Just as well the wheels have special spokes to aid downforce, then.

There’s more after the break and we recommend you download the full press release as that’s where you’ll find all the cool techy stuff.

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MINI Motor Shows WRC

Geneva 2011: MINI John Cooper Works S2000

MINI WRC

MINI and Prodrive are celebrating the Geneva Motor Show by presenting a race-spec version of the MINI John Cooper Works S2000. Even though MINI presented a WRC car at Paris last year, this is the best look yet at what the fully-fledged WRC car will look like.

The MINI WRC will differ slightly from what you see here, though, in that it will have a larger rear wing, a revised front aero package and will use plastic for the side windows.

Privately entered JCW S2000s will be making their competition debut at Rally Portugal and, there’s even one on its way to Australia. The MINI WRC will debut at Rally d’Italia in early May.

Also officially announced at Geneva is the new MINI Motorsport website, home to the WRC team. There’s more detail on all of these things after the break.

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Motor Shows Saab

Geneva 2011: Saab PhoeniX concept

Saab PhoeniX concept

Saab has released the spectacular PhoeniX concept at the Geneva Motor Show. Apart from being a pretty funky piece of kit, you’re looking at what Saab call ‘aeromotional’ design. The next 9-3 will be built on the same platform that underpins the PhoeniX.

The slippery shape has a low 0.25cd drag coefficient and the side-mount winglets behind the c-pillar are well worth a closer inspection. A sign of things to come from Saab, the look is certainly eye-catching. How well it can translate into production models will be a good test.

Jason Castriota, Saab Automobile’s Executive Design Director reckons the PhoeniX concept, “symbolises a renaissance of the innovative spirit and passion that drove Saab to build its first car. We’re now taking the visual DNA forward with what we call ‘aeromotional’ design, adding emotion, power and fluidity. This design aesthetic will shape and differentiate future models in the Saab portfolio.”

Powered by a petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain the PhoeniX appears to have solid green credentials as well. A 147kW 1.6 litre turbocharged engine powers the front wheels, while the rear wheels are fed 25kW of electric power. This results in an all-wheel drive with fuel consumption of around 5l/100km and emits CO2 at a rate of 119g/km. Figures that aren’t quite as spectacular as the car’s look, it has to be said.

Also featured in the PhoeniX is the IQon infotainment system based on Google’s Android system, which Saab are hailing as a world first.

Johan Formgren, Saab’s project leader for IQon, is pretty pumped about this new tech, “With Saab IQon, there are no limits to the potential for innovation. We will be inviting the global Android developer community to use their imagination and ingenuity.”

What that means is you’ll be able to tweak and update you car’s functionality just as you would your mobile phone. That’s pretty damn cool actually.

More pics and detail from Saab after the break.

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Motor Shows Subaru

Geneva 2011: Subaru Boxer Sports Car

While Toyota is shouting from the roof tops at Geneva that it has shed beige for excitement with its “Toybaru” sports car, Subaru are remaining very coy.

So far we’ve come across just this one image and a press statement from Subaru UK. They do say their “BOXER Sports Car Architecture” is exciting, though.

Hopefully we’ll have more detail soon.

UPDATE: Subaru UK has added a new release to their list overnight. It still doesn’t give too much away, but there’s a bit more detail. The new image above looks pretty jazzy, I’m sure you’ll agree. You can see another pic and the new release below.

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Motor Shows Volkswagen

Geneva 2011: Italdesign Tex and Go! concepts

Italdesign Giugiaro has a long history with Volkswagen. It stems right back to the early 1970s and one of the better examples of their work is the original Mk1 Golf. So it is no surprise that the salacious appetite of the Volkswagen Group has gobbled up the famous design studio and made it part of its inhouse design talent.

The first concepts to come out of this new arrangement are the Tex and Go! The Tex represents future sporty models and features a twin-hybrid drivetrain. While the Go! is a mini-MPV, which just happens to be about the same size as the Volkswagen Bulli concept, also revealed at Geneva. The Go!, like the Bulli, is an all electric concept.

Both models are based on the MQB patform, which will house a range of Golf-sized models within the Volkswagen Group. The first production example is likely to be the new Audi A3.

Speaking about the new arrangement with Italdesign, Prof. Dr. Martin Winterkorn Chairman of Volkswagen Group explained, “Italdesign is a figurehead of Italian design and engineering creativity. We have been working together closely in a spirit of partnership for many decades. As a full member of the global Volkswagen Group, Italdesign, now more than ever, is a creative center for fresh ideas and new concepts for our brands.

“The integration of Italdesign is a building block in our effort to take Volkswagen to the top of the automotive industry by 2018. That is why the outstanding know-how and capacity of Italdesign in design and engineering are so important for our Group.”

More detail on these two concepts can be read in this press release (264kb PDF) and you can see more pics after the break.

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Motor Shows Toyota

Geneva 2011: Toyota FT-86 II Concept

Toyota FT-86 II Concept

Toyota is claiming the cardigans are off and its passion for sports car driving is back with the launch of the FT-86 II Concept. It’s the latest effort in the Toyota–Subaru joint development. Based on the press release, this is also pretty much how the production version will look when it goes on sale in Europe next year.

Any company making an affordable rear-drive sportscar is to be applauded. When you consider the FT-86 will also have a trusty 6-speed manual gearbox, a free-revving boxer engine and a lightweight body, it’s no wonder this car is creating plenty of interest.

Indeed, Toyota say, “The FT-86 II is an entirely driver-oriented concept—designed to give form to the intrinsic joy of driving through precise, instantaneous responses to even the smallest throttle or steering input—for those who regard driving as a passion rather than a necessity.”

Sounds impressive. We’re not totally convinced by the looks of the FT 86 II, but we love its mission statement.

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Alfa Romeo Motor Shows

Geneva 2011: Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

Alfa Romeo 4C Concept

This is the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept. It was expected, but now that we see it we’re safely going to predict this will be the “it” car of the 2011 Geneva Auto Salon. At this stage Alfa has only released a few com-gen images, but that’s enough to make you stand up, take notice and say “wow!”

After you’ve come to grips with the car’s curvaceous good looks you then have to take in the 4C Concept is a rear-engined, rear-wheel drive sportscar. It might sound a bit weak that a “supercar” is powered by a relatively modest 1750cc turbocharged four cylinder engine producing an equally modest 200hp+. The real party trick of the 4C, of course, is that it will weigh no more than 850kg.

Precise details are yet to be announced by Alfa, but with a dual-clutch TCT transmission they reckon the 4C will reach 100km/h in less than five seconds, before reaching a v-max beyond 250km/h.

Perhaps the best part of the press release below is the last sentence: “This car is not simply an exercise in style created for the Motor Show; it will be on sale in 2012 and is set to reinforce Alfa Romeo’s global growth.”

UPDATE: More pics from the floor at Geneva have been added below.

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Ferrari Motor Shows

Geneva 2011: Ferrari FF

Ferrari FF

Ferrari has complemented its recent Maranello launch of the Ferrari FF with eight new images. The FF will make its public debut in Geneva this week. The most important thing we can learn from these new photos; you can fit not one, but two sets of golf clubs in the boot!

To refresh, the FF is powered by a 485kW 6.3 litre V12 that can get the four-seater to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds. It’s also the first Ferrari to feature an all-wheel drive system. Ideal for traversing the ski fields, apparently.

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Audi

VIDEO: Audi A3 concept

In addition to the still images of its new Audi A3 concept, the Inglostadt company has released this video footage as well. Make sure you check out the funky lighting systems. That aftermarket pod-style air intake is also interesting to see in a show car like this.

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Audi Motor Shows

Geneva 2011: Audi A3 concept

Audi A3 concept

After today’s earlier leak Audi has released official details of its A3 concept. The new sedan is a progression of the chassis and engine technology found in the RS3 Sportback. It features a 300kW/500Nm 2.5 litre five cylinder engine, mated to a 7-speed S tronic transmission and quattro all-wheel drive system.

The A3 “nothcback” measures 4.44m long (260mm shorter than a current A4), 1.84m wide and a sleek 1.39m high. It sits on a 2.63m wheelbase, which Audi say is class leading (assuming bigger is better). The front suspension utilises a MacPherson configuration, while employing an independent four-link set up at the rear.

Aerodynamic features include a carbon-fibre reinforced plastic front spoiler, including a splitter to aid downforce. Other notable aspects include the distinctive LED lighting and the trick door handles, which pop out when touched.

This new concept previews the new design language for the third generation A3, which will, for the first time, be sold in a sedan configuration, from 2013. The usual hatch and cabrio versions will be released in 2012.

More pics and detail from Audi after the break.

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