Tag: wallpapers

Categories
Lotus Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Lotus Eterne

Lotus Eterne

The fifth and final installment from the Lotus surprise pack at Paris this year is this four door sports saloon, the Eterne. It’s the company’s answer to the Aston Martin Rapide. So much so they even dared to borrow the swooping detail along the window line leading into the C-pillar.

Throwing Chapman’s lightness mantra even further out the window the Eterne weighs in at 1800kg. Still, for a big cruisy GT that’s probably not too bad in this day and age. The 620PS 5.0 litre V8 form the Esprit gets another guernsey here and propels the Eterne to 100km/h in 4.0 seconds, with a top speed of 315km/h.

Contradicting himself slightly Dany Bahar says, “We truly believe that there is a market for the Eterne, there is nothing else like it out there both in terms of design, capacity and performance. The biggest difference between the Eterne and it’s class competitors is that it’s not an evolution of an existing two-door model, it’s a deliberate and considered stand-alone creation. It’s the ultimate four door sports car.”

More pics, video and official press release are available after the break.

Continue reading “Paris 2010: Lotus Eterne”
Categories
Lotus Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Lotus Elite

Lotus Elite

You’re looking at an all new model for the Lotus brand, it’s called the Elite. In the video below it is described as a “gentleman’s car”. Basically it’s a 2+2 grand tourer fitted with the same 620PS 5.0 litre V8 from the new Esprit.

Lotus CEO, Dany Bahar, says the company is moving with the times by providing a more luxurious sportscar. What he’s really doing is softening the blow made by the Elite’s 1650kg weight, which is starting to push the boundaries of Colin Champan‘s legacy of “simplify and add lightness”.

Bahar continues his defence accordingly, “Make no mistake, there’s a definite market requirement for the Elite – it’s the ultimate sports car feel with comfort and space. There will always be those who believe that Lotus should stick to small sports cars but we didn’t take the decision to design something like the Elite lightly, it’s based on months of careful research and planning.”

The Elite continues the new visual language so clearly defined at Paris this year and it’s certainly no slouch. Able to reach 100km/h in 3.7 seconds before achieving a v-max of 315km/h the Elite is due to go on sale in the second half of 2014.

More pics, video and official press release are available after the break.

Continue reading “Paris 2010: Lotus Elite”
Categories
Lotus Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Lotus Elise

Lotus Elise

Continuing the Lotus revamp is this new Elise concept. The car is not due until 2015 so there’s a whole heap of spy shots, testing images and information to come. For now, though, we can tell you the car will be powered by a 320PS 2.0 litre four-cylinder engine and with a very light 1095kg to shift around the new Elise is sure to build on the current model’s razor sharp handling prowess.

Lotus say the new Elise do the 100km/h sprint in 4.3 seconds and will have a top speed of 270km/h. The interior pics supplied are just renderings at this stage, but you can see enough to know it’s the bare essentials only, albeit presented in a slightly more upmarket finish than the current Elise.

Lotus CEO, Dany Bahar, hopes the all-new model wll attract an all new generation to his brand, “The design of the Elise 2015 is perfect for the target market, it’s young, strong, confident, verging on ruthless, it mirrors the engineering and technology. It’s the next generation Elise for a new generation of Lotus drivers.”

More pics, video and official press release are available after the break.

Continue reading “Paris 2010: Lotus Elise”
Categories
Lotus Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Lotus Esprit

Lotus Esprit

“The icon is back.” That’s how Lotus has titled their press release for the new Esprit. It’s only back in concept form right now, but Lotus says the car will be on sale in 2013. The new aggressive lines and sharp edges make a bold statement and position the Esprit right in the heart of supercar territory. A fact mentioned many times in the promo video below.

The Esprit will be powered by a 5.0 litre V8 producing an inspiring peak power figure of 620PS (456kW) and a very encouraging 720Nm of torque. Tipping the scales at 1450kg (roughly the same as a Golf R) the Esprit rockets to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds and can reach a top speed of 330km/h.

Lotus CEO, Dany Bahar, is pumped, “Not only does the Esprit look incredible but it has the performance to match. We’ve stuck to the Lotus core values of performance through lightweight and teamed them with future technology and exceptional engineering to ensure that the Esprit will be the leader of the pack. The design is aggressive, you have to see it to appreciate how low and wide the proportions are but it still retains a level of dignity, of class and most of all exclusivity. I’m very proud of this car.”

More pics, video and official press release are available after the break.

Continue reading “Paris 2010: Lotus Esprit”
Categories
Lotus Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Lotus Elan

Lotus Elan

Lotus has come to the Paris Motor Show, and it means business. In total they have presented five new concept cars. This is the new Elan. It’s due for release in 2013 and features a 450PS V6 engine with a 7 speed DCT. The car weighs 1295kg and can reach 100km/h in 3.5 seconds with a top speed of 310km/h.

It looks pretty good don’t you think? Inside, there’s a hint of Ferrari 458 Italia with the digital display and centre console design.

Lotus CEO, Dany Bahar, reckons they’re on to a winner, “If there was ever a car to make you drive the long way home, it’s the Elan. Perfect for both road and track, the Elan not only ticks all the boxes, it creates new ones too.”

More details after the break.

Continue reading “Paris 2010: Lotus Elan”
Categories
Audi

Audi RS5: Australian pricing & specs

Audi RS5

Audi Australia has launched the RS5 with a manufacturer’s list price of $175,300. You’ll still need to pay a few statutory charges, but that’s about $4600 less than the AUSmotive prediction. A small saving, however, you still sense that price point is going to ensure Audi has to fight hard for every sale. Okay, it’s probably a bit tired to continually make this comparison, but you can bet the words BMW M3 will cross the lips of most RS5 buyers at some stage.

The RS5 has received extensive coverage on AUSmotive, so there’s no great need to go over the details again. The basics remain, that is the RS5 is powered by a 331kW 4.2 litre V8 driven by a quattro system featuring trick terms like torque vectoring and crown-gear centre differential. You can find out more on that technology here: quattro 101.

After the break you can read Audi’s press release and check out their latest gallery of images. It’s a great looking car, that’s for sure. Also included for download are the following items, all correct at time of publication:

Continue reading “Audi RS5: Australian pricing & specs”
Categories
Ford Motor Shows WRC

Paris 2010: Ford Fiesta RS WRC

Ford Fiesta RS WRC

Ford has made it a trifecta of WRC reveals with these new images of their race-prepped Fiesta RS. The car has undergone 3000km of limited testing in Britain and France already. Next week the Fiesta RS WRC will be in Spain for more test sessions, the first with full 2011 specs.

Gerard Quinn, Ford of Europe’s Motorsport chief, says, “We’re delighted to preview the Ford Fiesta RS WRC in such a prominent Motor Show as Paris. There are significant visual differences from the Fiesta S2000 base car as well as major changes under the skin. The biggest, of course, is the 1.6-litre Ford EcoBoost turbo engine -the original version of which was developed by Ford’s Powertrain Engineering team.”

More pics and details after the break. Unfortunately the last three pics are only available in 1024px sizing. The first three can be viewed as 2000px super images and if I stumble across full versions of the other pics I will update them accordingly.

Continue reading “Paris 2010: Ford Fiesta RS WRC”
Categories
Citroen Motor Shows WRC

Paris 2010: Citroën DS3 WRC

Citroen DS3 WRC

Citroën has just fired back at MINI by releasing new images of its 2011 DS3 WRC. It looks pretty cool, too, but I think the MINI WRC is still a bit better. Of course, with eleventy-times champion Sebastien Loeb at the wheel, the DS3 WRC is sure to be the car to beat next year.

The full reveal of the DS3 WRC will take place very soon at the Paris Motor Show. More pics after the break.

Continue reading “Paris 2010: Citroën DS3 WRC”
Categories
MINI Motor Shows WRC

Paris 2010: MINI WRC

MINI WRC

MINI has just revealed its new Countryman-based WRC car in Paris. It looks pretty mean in that first pic, too. Will this be the coolest car in world rallying?

After the break you can see more pics, brief technical details and a couple of short interviews with Ian Roberston, Member of the Board of Management, Sales and Marketing BMW Group and David Richards, Prodrive Chairman.

Update 4 October: Extra pics from the Paris stand can be seen HERE.

Continue reading “Paris 2010: MINI WRC”
Categories
Audi Green Machines Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Audi e-tron Spyder

Audi e-tron Spyder

This is the Audi e-tron Spyder, it’s the latest in the e-tron range from Ingolstadt and joins similar concept models previously shown at Detroit and Frankfurt. Featuring a fuel efficient 221kW V6 diesel engine the e-tron Spyder is complemented with a a pair of electric motors, one each to drive the front wheels, offering a further 64kW in all.

By using its Audi Space Frame technology weight has kept to 1450kg, or about the same as a current model TT. That’s not especially light, it must be said, but at least the addition of the electric motors hasn’t bothered the scales too much. Audi has managed to distribute that weight evenly over both axles, aiding handling and road holding.

The V6 TDI provides 650Nm of torque, the electric power adds a further 352Nm, meaning the Spyder concept can propel itself to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds. Sedate driving is rewarded with fuel consumption of just 2.2l/100km. CO2 emissions are kept low as well, producing just 59g/km. If you want to play the zero emission game you can, but to achieve the maximum 50km range you need to keep your speed below 60km/h.

At just 1100mm high, thanks to its gangster looks, the e-tron Spyder adds to the successful design legacy of Audi’s recent concept models. There’s plenty of other trick details included with this car, too, so make sure you check out the complete press release. Full details, pictures and video available after the break.

Continue reading “Paris 2010: Audi e-tron Spyder”
Categories
Motor Shows Volkswagen

Paris 2010: Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen Passat

Volkswagen revealed their new Passat at the Paris Motor Show overnight. It is the seventh generation Passat and worldwide sales have amassed 15 million since the first model was introduced in 1973.

Frankly, after the Audi quattro concept and the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, the new Passat is a bit ho-hum. In truth, it is exactly what you would expect from Volkswagen’s mid-size nameplate. You know it will have a class leading interior. You know it will be well built. You know it will be a safe bet.

The styling is not cutting edge, but there’s enough smart detailing to ensure the overall look is not boring. Mind, the metallic bronze paint and brown leather interior probably tell you a lot about the target market for this new Passat.

There are a raft of engine choices available to European customers. It’s not sure when will be offered to the Australian market just yet, or when the new Passat will arrive. There’s also some new nifty seat/cargo configurations available. And you’ll also find a number of electronic safety systems to ensure the car achieves the expected five-star EuroNCAP crash rating.

Full details after the break.

Continue reading “Paris 2010: Volkswagen Passat”
Categories
Lamborghini Motor Shows

Paris 2010: Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

Yesterday it was the leaked image. Today it is the real deal—the Sesto Elemento concept car. Lamborghini has shown that it’s not only Japanese that have perfected the art of origami, as surely this is the only explanation for the creation of this radical concept? A few afters at the Sant’Agata local, a bit of paper folding and voila—we have a new concept car. “Brilliant!” was the cry, “Let’s make it.”

And they did. There’s more angles and hard edges here than David Coulthard’s jaw. But there’s also substance beneath that highly chiselled exterior. Substance to the tune of 570 horsepower, no less. The 5.2 litre V10 engine has been nicked from the Gallardo 570-4, along with the permanent all-wheel drive system.

As expected, the weight is a mere 999kg. Lamborghini claim the Sesto Elemento can reach 100km/h from rest in just 2.5 seconds. All this means, of course, that this car should provide one hell of a thrill when you plant your foot to the floor.

Speaking of which, the highly visible use of carbon fibre reinforced plastics has extended to the seats, as well. In fact, there are no seats in the usual sense of a separate seat being bolted to the floor. The seats form part of the monocoque and it is the steering wheel and pedals that move fore and aft to provide the best driving position. Indeed the whole interior is completely stripped back affair with virtually no soft materials at all.

It’s an utterly bonkers creation this Sesto Elemento; crazy, almost unfathomable and therefore everything a Lamborghini should be.

Continue reading “Paris 2010: Lamborghini Sesto Elemento”