Tag: concept

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Audi

Audi quattro concept looks set for production

Audi quattro spied in Malibu

This Audi quattro concept, or perhaps that should read, the Audi quattro concept was recently spotted in Malibu, California. It’s understood the Paris Motor Show star was out on a photoshoot, with a red 1980s Ur-Quattro also along for the ride. The cruisey quattros had a Police escort and all.

Okay, that’s not the properly exciting bit. Apparently the guy who snapped the spy pics (see link below for more) spoke to the lucky folks with the stunning quattro concept and was told Audi will be putting the concept into limited production. Bravo!

Let’s just hope the earlier rumour that its price could be a whopping £200,000(AU$320,000) is proved false.

[Source: Jalopnik]

Categories
Audi

Audi quattro concept could be positioned above R8

Audi quattro concept

A tweet made by Evo magazine from the LA Auto Show suggests the Audi quattro concept could be positioned above the R8 if it goes into production. Also predicted is a £200K price point and a limited production run of no more than 1000 cars.

From a pure power point of view the 300kW concept car is unlikely to knock the 412kW R8 GT from its performance perch. As a result, we remain a little unsure that Audi would place the quattro concept above the R8 in its model line up.

Of course, it is entirely possible that any road going version of the Paris concept could redefine performance Audis; using an entirely different engine to the tweaked TT RS powerplant previewed back in September.

Whatever the case, if Audi builds it, we will want one!

Categories
Motor Shows Subaru

LA 2010: Subaru Impreza Concept

Subaru Impreza Concept

What’s this – has Subaru got its mojo back? You’re looking at a new Impreza Concept, which was revealed by Subaru overnight at the LA Auto Show. As you can see it’s nowhere near as bad as you might think. Recent designs from Subaru have been, well, let’s be honest, pretty ugly, but this new direction could launch Subaru into new heights.

Okay, the details around the front grille are a little fussy. And it’s pretty clear Subaru just put a sheet of tracing paper over the Mazda 6 to create those chunky wheel arches. But, the general look is very successful. In side profile the car looks smart, sharp and very stylish. From the front three-quarter angle you see that strong shoulder line which gives the car a great presence.

Just don’t look at the back. No, really. Don’t.

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Audi Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Audi quattro concept “Rallye”

Audi quattro concept 'Rallye'

Tucked away on the Audi stand at the Paris Motor Show, almost out of sight, is this “Rallye” version of the Audi quattro concept. Firstly, it looks sensational and clearly harks back to the all conquering Quattro rally beasts of the 1980s.

Secondly, what does it mean? There’s is nothing apparent on the usual Audi press portals that explain anything about this car. In fact, this picture isn’t even an official Audi image.

Is it simply a homage and nothing else, or is this even more extroverted concept a hint of something new to come? WRC perhaps? Or is that simply too much wishful thinking?

If you see anything that offers more than this World Car Fans article, please post a link in the comments section below.

UPDATE 7 October: According to a response from a representative of Audi AG this car is nothing more than a scale model produced to illustrate what a Group B rally car might look like today if the category was still alive. I still want one!

Categories
Audi Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Audi quattro concept

Audi quattro concept

It is 30 years since Audi first released the original Quattro. And it now turns out that camouflaged machine we saw a couple of weeks ago is this new quattro concept, which Audi revealed in Paris overnight. Two words: do want!

The engine found beneath the snarling bonnet has been sourced from the TT RS; a 2.5 litre 5 cylinder turbo paying its respects to the Ur Quattro. Audi’s lab coats have also found the time to boost power to a new high of 300kW (408bhp). The weight of this car is a reasonably light 1300kg, too. Zero to one hundred is despatched in just 3.9 seconds.

Built on an RS5 platform the wheelbase for the quattro concept has been shortened by 150mm. The car also sits 40mm lower than its RS5 donor body. The overall look is a great success and the AUSmotive tick of approval is definitely given to this car.

Audi are often criticised for erring on the side of conservatism with their hero models. This extroverted quattro concept, though, gets the mix just right. The aggressive front nose is complemented by the 1980s inspired bonnet scoop and flutes. Even the subtle Audi badge on the C pillar is a perfectly executed detail. The side profile, beautifully understated on the one hand, bullish on the other.

Let’s hope this concept goes into full series production.

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Categories
BMW

BMW Concept 6 Series Coupé

BMW Concept 6 Series Coupé

Earlier today BMW sent out a press release titled “BMW at the 2010 Paris Motor Show”. The sneaky devils thought they could sneak in these pics of their new Concept 6 Series Coupé without anyone noticing. Which is odd, really, because unlike the old 6 Series, which was truly an affront to good taste, this one is actually quite attractive.

Gone is that horrid rear end, replaced by a new, stylish and coherent design solution that no longer has you screaming about the huge manatee. The styling clearly references the F10 5 Series, which is no bad thing.

BMW, though, really are a bit shy about this car. They’ve only given us a few lines of text with barely a semblance of any meaningful detail. Best look at the pretty pictures then and wait for the pages of information that will no doubt be sent out in a couple of weeks from now.

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Opel Vauxhall

Vauxhall GTC hot hatch concept

Vauxhall GTC Concept

Okay, the Holden Cruze hatchback is not a bad looking car. But the current model Astra looks better. As it currently stands there are no plans from Holden to bring the current Astra down under. That’s a shame, really, because it means we probably won’t get to see this new GTC hot hatch on our shores.

The pics here are of the concept model that will be revealed at the Paris Motor Show in a bit over two weeks from now. Concept model or not, this car looks almost production ready. Save, perhaps, for the 21″ wheels.

It looks quite smart, too. Vauxhall/Opel have not confirmed any specs just yet, apart from a few details on suspension and that it will be powered by a 2.0 litre turbocharged four cylinder.

More after the jump.

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Volvo

Volvo fantasy league – The video

Volvo C30 Polestar Concept

This video review of the Volvo C3 Polestar Performance Concept is a welcome complement to the text based feedback we got last month. Seeing the car move around the track and hearing its exhaust note bring a new dimension to the madness that is this car. Mike Duff from Autocar was the lucky one who got to throw the C30 around Volvo’s Gothenburg proving ground. It wasn’t long until he started throwing around words like “Evo” and “GT-R”. Meanwhile, here at AUSmotive HQ, we’ve started throwing around words like “build it Volvo” and “now”.

Oh, at idle that 400bhp five pot sounds a bit ordinary. But once the C30 is moving and the engine is snarling it sounds superb.

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Volvo

Volvo fantasy league

Volvo C30 Polestar concept

You know how those fantasy football league things work. You try and cram Rooney, Drogba and Torres up front, with Terry, Vidic and Vermaelen down back. In the midfield you somehow have to find the cash for Lampard, Fabregas and Gerrard. It’s a tough ask, to be sure, but Volvo have had a crack at doing the same thing with their C30 Polestar Concept.

You’ll remember the car first showed its bright blue face at the Gothenburg Motor Show last month. In case you missed it, up front the fireworks are provided by a 400bhp 2.5 litre turbo in line five cylinder. Yes, that’s right—four hundred horespower! Defence is bolstered by Brembo brakes and race-inspired Ohlins suspension. Mid-field distribution is handled by a specially tuned Haldex all-wheel drive system.

Sounds stark raving mad, doesn’t it. So how does it drive? Well, I’m glad you asked, because the Euro motoring press have just been handed the keys, pointed to a closed track and told to give that Swedish smurf a jolly good seeing to.

Autocar reckon: “On Volvo’s tight, cresty test track in Gothenburg it delivered an impressively lashed-down driving experience, with massive adhesion, telepathic steering and a neutral chassis balance that makes it easy to find the sweet spot between understeer and (mild) oversteer.”

Top Gear says: “It is fast. Worryingly fast. One of the very quickest small things we’ve ever driven. Polestar says the C30 recorded a 0-62mph time of 4.6 seconds… and that was going easy on the transmission. They reckon a full-bore test would see it go close to four seconds flat. It’ll lap Volvo’s test track quicker than an Evo X… and within a few seconds of Volvo’s C30 touring car.”

Impressive. It’s not all fun and games though with reports suggesting the car is a little off production standard. Which is possibly why we may never see this Concept make it into Volvo showrooms. As a vehicle to announce the Polestar brand as Volvo’s in-house tuning specialist, though, the C30 Polsetar Concept is kicking goals from all over the park.

There’s a new video after the break, too, which is pretty much the same as the one already posted here, but with English sub-titles for the Swedish interviewees.

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Citroen Green Machines Motor Shows

Geneva: Citroën Survolt Concept

Citroen Survolt Concept

Citroën have gone all Batmobile-like with this crazy Survolt Concept. It’s a pretty wild looking machine and that’s about all I can tell you about it. There is a press release below, but the only real information it gives away is that the Survolt “is the continuation of Citroën’s exploration of distinctive and original electric vehicles”.

Oh, one more thing, the car’s measurements, of course, 3.85m long, 1.87m wide and 1.20m high. So, it’s small, electric and sporty looking. What more could you possibly need to know? More pics and pretty words after the break.

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Categories
Peugeot

The “5 by Peugeot” Concept Car – 508 preview

5 by Peugeot Concept Car

Peugeot have just released images of this new Concept Car. Peugeot are pushing it as a “new luxury saloon driving experience”. Its full title is rather clumsy—5 by Peugeot Concept Car—but just look at it. There’s nothing clumsy about the exterior. It is a very, very good looking car. Nothing revolutionary in terms of overall shape or concept, but a beautifully executed design.

Okay, perhaps the bonnet and rear lights might be a bit fussy. And, yes, LED headlamps are becoming over played (get used to that), but given the rest of the detailing on the car, it’s easy to excuse those frivolous moments. When you’re going through the images below make sure you take the time to appreciate the side profile of the glasshouse. The way the B-pillar has been hidden behind the windows is a wonderful piece of design. If, in fact there is a B-pillar, being a concept car you’re never quite sure what is beneath under the skin.

Peugeot’s press release makes no comment about the Geneva Motor Show, but we will see more of this car then. After making such a grand statement with the exterior one can only hope they have created an interior to match.

The 5 by Peugeot is powered by the company’s Hybrid4 technology, also seen in the RCZ concept, which is a mix of electric and diesel power. Good for 200bhp and CO2 emissions under 100g/km the car is driven by all four wheels.

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Categories
Mazda Motor Shows

Frankfurt: Mazda MX-5 Superlight

Mazda MX-5 Superlight

You’ve probably seen and read a bit about the Mazda MX-5 Superlight by now. If so, you’ve seen enough to know that, in pure performance terms, this car is a having bit of a laugh. It has bugger all power and as a result it’s quite slow. There’s a meagre 93kW on offer and that’s just enough to break 9 seconds for the 0-100 sprint.

Thing is, though, I reckon it is one of the best cars revealed at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Simply because I think it looks so damn cool. The long bonnet, the bespoke interior details (what’s left of it) and the rollover hoops complete a look that is pure sportscar.

I like the fact Mazda’s engineers have gone about producing a car with a sole focus. That they have looked at the overall car and taken the approach of removing stuff first, then thinking about what actually needs to be put back in.

“I’ve dreamed of building a Mazda MX-5 with this kind of radical form for a long time,” says Peter Birtwhistle, Mazda Motor Europe’s Chief Designer, referring to the project. “Now that weight reduction has become a dominant factor in automotive development, the time is ripe for it. We show how lightweight a car today can be.”

But, its not all beer and skittles. I am quite puzzled as to why the show car’s power has dropped by 22% from the 118kW that you get from an entry level MX-5. Also, the reality is that the Superlight’s strict weight loss program has only saved 134kg compared the soft top road car.

Lucky it looks so good. There’s a long press release from Mazda below along with a comprehensive photo gallery.

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