Tag: Geneva

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Motor Shows Porsche

Geneva 2012: Porsche Boxster

2012 Porsche Boxster

Back in January Porsche revealed the first official photos and information on its all-new Boxster. However, Porsche had always planned to wait until the Geneva Motor Show for the roadster to make its public debut.

There’s no new press material, so we’ve repeated the text from January for you after the break. There are a few new press photos and also a short video from the launch in Geneva.

Bernhard Maier, Sales and Marketing board member sums it up best: “Driving experience, on a winding road, on a Sunday morning. The sun is shining. Good music, the best music is coming from the Boxster itself, the motor. That seems to be one of the perfect days in my life.”

One final thing, imagine how much better the Boxster will look when it’s not in gold or brown paint!

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MINI

I think it’s gonna be a long, long time

MINI Rocketman Concept

This funky little MINI Rocketman concept was one of the stars of this year’s Geneva Motor Show. We’ve previously heard a production model is likely and now we can start to put a date to MINI’s latest plans. According to Auto Express the Rocketman will launch in 2014.

Sized at around 400mm longer and 500mm wider than the original classic Mini, the Rocketman represents a genuine return to mini motoring. The final version will be MINI’s entry-level model and is expected to carry over the 3+1 seating configuration from the concept as well.

The Rocketman will draw from BMW’s i brand, too. That’s likely to mean the use of a carbon fibre shell and aluminium chassis, in order to keep weight down.

Ian Robertson, BMW sales and marketing director, explains “MINI will never produce a car under the ‘i’ brand—this is exclusively for BMWs—but the technology we are developing for the ‘i’ family of cars will certainly be made available for the rest of the BMW Group.”

[Source: Auto Express]

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Lamborghini Motor Shows

Geneva 2011: Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4

Lamborghini Aventador

Well, it’s official, everything we’ve read about the new Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 hypercar has been correct. So, a quick recap is in order before presenting you with the full press release and pictures after the break.

First, the name, in case you were wondering where Aventador originates from it was the name of a bull that earning the “Trofeo de la Peña La Madroñera” for outstanding courage in Spain back in October 1993. So there you go.

Giving the mechanised Aventador its courage is a new 6.5 litre V12 snorting out 515kW (700hp) from its chiselled nostrils. The aggressive exterior design also helps. It looks fantastic, don’t you think; everything a Lambo should be.

The use of a carbon fibre monocoque, plus further use of carbon fibre materials, has helped reduce weight compared to the Murcielago. In fact, the body-in-white weighs just 229.5kg and has a torsional rigidity measured at 35000Nm.

Fitted with a new 7-speed Independent Shifting Rod (ISR) transmission the Aventador can change gears in 50 milliseconds. Which is just what you need while you’re powering away to 100km/h in just 2.9 seconds and on to a staggering 350km/h top speed. Of course, the new bull is kept on its intended path thanks to a Haldex Gen IV all-wheel drive system and new pushrod suspension.

Expect to see the Aventador on bedroom walls of 10 year-olds the world over. Just as it should be. All that’s left to do now is read over the material below and then check out the leaked ordering guide and start dreaming of your own LP 700-4.

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Ferrari

Ferrari FF gets on the four seater wagon

Ferrari FF

Ferrari has just released these images of its new FF—a four-seater 612 Scaglietti replacement. It looks a bit like the BMW Z3 Coupé, otherwise known as “the breadvan”. But this breadvan is from Maranello and has a 6.3 litre V12 pumping out 660PS (485kW). It even features Ferrari’s first ever all-wheel drive system; hence the FF name—four seats and four-wheel drive.

Ferrari reckon the “Four” can sprint to 100km/h in a mere 3.7 seconds. Aston Martin Rapide and Porsche Panamera take notice!

While full details are scarce at this stage Ferrari claim their patented “4RM” all-wheel drive technology is around half the weight of conventional all-paw units and has been installed to help maintain optimum weight distribution.

These first three images are a teaser for the car’s official reveal at Geneva in March. Also available below is a video about the car and its development, as seen on www.ferrarifour.com. To cap things off there’s an audio sample of the engine sound for you as well.

Well, what do you think? For us, two words come to mind: bonkers and ungainly.

[audio:http://www.ausmotive.com/audio/Ferrari-FF.mp3]
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Audi Motor Shows

Geneva: Audi R8 Spyder V10

Audi R8 Spyder V10

As part of their Geneva Motor Show program Audi have released some new press images of their stunning R8 Spyder V10 5.2 FSI. It’s a pretty nice looking car, so let’s take a look at what they’ve got to show.

You can check them out after the jump, remember all images are available in wallpaper-friendly 2000px super image sizing by simply clicking on the pic you like. For more detail on this 386kW velvet sledgehammer, take a look back at the info posted when the R8 Spyder was launched at last year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

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Motorsports Volkswagen

Geneva: Volkswagen CrossGolf

Volkswagen CrossGolf

Volkswagen claim the Golf is “the most successful vehicle concept of all times”. Presumably they have reached this conclusion based on total sales. So, is it any wonder that they are milking the platform with the CrossGolf, the sixth model line in the Golf range.

Essentially what you see is what you get. A body based on the GolfPlus, including an extra 20mm ride height, a few exterior plastic bits and some model specific interior trim. Voila, a new model.

It is unlikely we will ever see the CrossGolf in Australia. Which is a shame. A real shame. Just wait until you see the new Subaru Impreza XV, which will be here mid-year. Somebody really needs to tell Subaru’s designers to stop the madness!

I digress, more pics and details of the comparatively attractive, but probably quite pointless CrossGolf can be seen after the jump.

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Audi Motor Shows

Geneva: Audi A1 e-tron

Audi A1 e-tron

Audi have given the motoring world a new acronym—MCV—Mega City Vehicle. It is used to described Ingolstadt’s third e-tron concept, this time built on the A1 platform.

The A1 e-tron is fitted with a transversely mounted synchronous electric motor. It can be found under the bonnet at the front and has a continuous power and torque rating of 45kW/150Nm. Although, in short bursts those numbers peak at 75kW/240Nm. A low mounted engine and below-floor battery storage ensures the A1 e-tron has a low centre of gravity.

Battery life offers a range of 50km for city chores, but a rotary engine, called a “range extender”, is capable of recharging the batteries for longer drives. It sounds like a pretty ingenious solution really.

Full details available after the break.

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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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Audi

2010 Audi A1 pics revealed ahead of Geneva debut

2010 Audi A1

Audi has surprised us by releasing a full suite of images of their “next big thing“—the Audi A1. The A1 is due for a full public reveal at the Geneva Motor Show in a few weeks.

So, what do we make of the Audi “MINI”? First impressions of the exterior are very good. Although, this is one car that will look best with larger alloys. The front and rear light clusters are works of art, as is the norm for Audi these days.

Inside, too, the immediate response is one of quality and Germanic style. The fold away nav screen is a nice touch. Although, speaking of touch, the touch screen nav systems used by Volkswagen, in the Golf for example, are a step ahead of current Audi navigation systems in terms of usability. Of course, it remains to be seen how this new MMI system will work in the A1, but a move towards the VW style would have been welcome.

Another observation from these pics is the apparent lack of dual climate control. Such systems are becoming common place these days and for a car claiming to be the first fair dinkum premium car in the compact class this might be a minor oversight. Having said that, the detail of the air vents in the A1 is something.

Audi is intent on trying to match MINI for customisation with the A1. Things like choosing the colour of the dramatic roof arch or tailoring interior appointments, even down to the detail of the air nozzles and colour of interior LED lighting, should ensure potential buyers are kept busy while working out how many of said options they can afford.

Not too much is given away on the engine range at this stage. There’s certainly no confirmation of an S1 model at this early stage, that’s for sure. For now, then, we know there will be four engines at initial launch, two diesel and two petrol. All will be turbocharged and the power on offer ranges from 63kW–90kW. As expected with those moderate numbers fuel consumption (l/100km) hovers around high 3s-mid 5s and CO2 figures are also relatively low.

These figures are gained, in part, through the use of Audi’s start-stop system which will be included on all engines mentioned at this stage. A 7-speed S tronic transmission will also be available across the board.

I’d say I speak for most AUSmotive readers when I say I am most anticipating the announcement of the S1 model (expected to debut at the 2011 Paris Motor Show). However, I am now more inclined to think the S1 will have a quattro drivetrain after AUSmotive recently learned there are plans to use such a system on the A1 platform. Either that or I was indirectly given the scoop on plans for a new Q1 model. Let’s hope it was the former!

You know the drill, heaps of images are all yours after the jump, along with more detail in the form of Audi’s press release.

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Audi

Audi A1 promo refresher – part 1

Audi A1 - The next big thing

Late last year Audi started to build the hype for it’s upcoming A1 model. They even recruited Justin Timberlake to be the car’s brand ambassador. He repaid that faith by allowing the paparazzi to snap some undisguised pics of the A1.

This is a car that Audi says will be the first premium model in the compact car segment. You might think BMW’s 1 Series could lay claim to that title, but it is more of an Audi A3 rival, in what would now be called the small-medium car segment.

Since launching their A1 microsite Audi have been drip feeding promo pics and videos in the lead up to the car’s official premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in early March. If you’ve missed them, here’s the first of a two part update that will bring you back up to speed.

In this update you will see a few Audi big wigs setting the scene for the A1. They explain what it will look like and why it is being made. You’ll also find out about the LED headlight technology filtering down from the R8, before seeing more info on the car’s exterior design.

Stay tuned for more on Audi’s “next big thing”.

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Audi

Audi TT RS – See you in Geneva!

Audi TT RS

Following last weekend’s leak Audi has released three more official images of the TT RS. It looks sensational, even if that rear spoiler does look like a bit of an afterthought. Other details, however, are scant.

The official press release, short enough in itself, only states power from the car’s 2.5 litre five cylinder engine as being “well above 300PS” and it needs “nowhere near five seconds” to reach 100km/h. I guess we will have to wait until the Geneva International Motor Show for the full specifications.

While you’re waiting, check out the extra pics below, all available as 2000px wallpaper sized super images. Oh yeah, you might want to download this mp3 file, too, it is a tad over 2.5mb and if the TT RS really sounds like this, then … I’m in love!

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