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Rolling in electric – We drive the battery powered Rolls-Royce 102EX a.k.a. Phantom Experimental Electric!

August 31, 2011 at 8:26 pm By Danny Tan Filed Under Cars, Feature Stories, Rolls Royce, Test Drive Reviews

Oil is a finite resource, something we cannot enjoy forever, certainly not at the rate the world is burning today. Downsizing is the “in thing” of the auto industry today, which is producing smaller, more frugal combustion engines alongside hybrid powertrains. What then is the future of a brand like Rolls-Royce, renowned for mega luxury cars with equally big V12s?

Back in February 2010, Rolls-Royce announced the birth of its 102EX, also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric. As its name suggests, the Phantom EE is a battery powered version of Goodwood’s flagship Phantom, built not to preview an upcoming production model, but to spark debate, and give us a glimpse of what could be the future.

Throughout 2011, the fully functioning and drivable Phantom EE will tour the world to give owners, VIPs, the media and enthusiasts the chance to experience an electric Rolls, gathering feedback for the company in the process. One fundamental question the Phantom EE poses is: Can an all-electric drivetrain deliver an authentic Rolls-Royce experience that customers expect, and an experience that befits the marque?

“After this program, Rolls-Royce will be in the position to make a more informed decision on its future,” Hal Serudin, Rolls-Royce Asia Pacific’s Corporate Communications Manager told us. Our neighbour Singapore, the nation with the highest concentration of millionaires in the world, was the first city on Rolls-Royce’s 102EX International Tour (China and USA are the next stops), and we were lucky to be among the first in the world to sample the electric Phantom, of which only one unit exists at present.

Continue reading after the jump.
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Ford Evos Concept – four seater fastback C-segment car

August 31, 2011 at 7:31 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Cars, Concept Cars, Ford

This is the Ford Evos Concept, a four door four seater fastback concept car that will make its public debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Ford says the Evos Concept is a showcase of Ford’s first truly global design language, which Ford says is an evolution of the existing kinetic design language found on existing global Ford products like the Fiesta and the new Focus.

The Evos Concept has the length of a C-segment car, but with the width of a CD car, so I suppose you could say it’s about as long as a Focus but as wide as a Mondeo. It’s got a 2,740mm wheelbase. I wonder if producing a fastback like this means Ford is interested to bring a car like the Ford Capri back into its line-up.

We’ve heard such rumors in the past. Other manufacturers have done similar things, resulting in cars like the Scirocco. Two years ago, Ford decided to randomly release a press release about the classic Ford Capri, complete with a long history and file photos.

Like all modern concept cars, things just wouldn’t seem to be complete without some kind of alternative fuel powertrain, so Ford has given the Ford Evos Concept a lithium-ion battery plug-in hybrid system, which Ford says is reflective of the system in the upcoming Ford C-MAX Energi, scheduled for introduction in the US in 2012 and Europe in 2013.

The system allows the vehicle’s electric motor and internal combustion engine to work together or separately to maximise efficiency, making this a full fledged hybrid system instead of just having a simple motor assist system.

Look after the jump for a small gallery of the Evos Concept.
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Land Rover Defender DC100 Concept to debut at Frankfurt

August 31, 2011 at 6:43 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Cars, Concept Cars, Land Rover

Is the Land Rover Defender about to get a massive makeover? It sure looks like Land Rover has the intention, with this new Defender DC100 Concept set to make a public debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

It’s not a bad idea really, after all, all the passenger car companies are having a field day with modern day retro-futuristic interpretations of their muscle car classics – we now have cool modern versions of cars like the Chevrolet Camaro and the Ford Mustang. So why can’t Land Rover do the same?

“Replacing the iconic Defender is one of the biggest challenges in the automotive design world; it is a car that inspires people worldwide.  This isn’t a production-ready concept but the beginning of a four-year journey to design a relevant Defender for the 21st century,” says Gerry McGovern, Director of Design, Land Rover.

A new Land Rover Defender is set to be launched in 2015. Revising its design is one thing, but what about its construction? WIll Land Rover replace the Defender’s ladder frame construction with a monocoque design?

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First teaser image of 2012 Euro Honda Civic hatchback

August 31, 2011 at 5:01 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Cars, Honda

Here’s the first undisguised teaser image of the 2012 Honda Civic hatchback for the European market. Honda says the new European Civic will be offered exclusively as a 5-door hatchback, so I wonder if this means they’re phasing out the 3-door version – perhaps they want to reserve that body style for the CR-Z. And I wonder if this means there will be a Honda Civic Hybrid hatchback, or will that continue as a sedan for Europe?

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Alfa 4C gets new fluid metal colour for Frankfurt 2011

August 30, 2011 at 8:14 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Alfa Romeo, Cars

Alfa Romeo will be exhibiting the Geneva 2011 show’s Alfa 4C Concept at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, updated with a new ‘fluid metal’ colour. Just as a recap, the 4C is a two seater rear wheel drive coupe with a mid-mounted engine, approximately 4 meters long and with a short wheelbase of less than 2.4 meters.

Think of it as a scaled down version of the 8C Competizione, featuring construction made out of carbon and lightweight aluminum and powered by Alfa Romeo’s 1750 direct injection turbo engine, mated to an Alfa TCT dual dry clutch transmission.

Look after the jump for a small teaser gallery of the fluid metal 4C.
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World premiere for new SEAT concept sedan at Frankfurt?

August 30, 2011 at 7:16 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Cars, SEAT

SEAT will be making a world premiere at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, and all we know about the car at this moment is that it looks like it has a sedan body shape, thanks to the sole teaser image that SEAT has released above.

Could it be a new SEAT Toledo? The Toledo was a Golf-based C-segment sedan like the Jetta and the Octavia. Of course, this model isn’t of much significance to the Malaysian market other than for us to drool at as there isn’t any SEAT distributor in Malaysia, not even classic cars, and even the grey importers don’t bother with the marque. Which is a pity as the cars look more exciting than Skodas.

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Peugeot HX1 Concept MPV to debut at Frankfurt 2011

August 30, 2011 at 6:16 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Cars, Concept Cars, Peugeot

Peugeot’s latest concept car set for a debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show is an MPV concept called the Peugeot HX1 Concept Car, but it’s not your usual soccer mom van – it’s low slung like a JDM Honda Odyssey.

The HX1 Concept measures 1,373mm tall, 1,990mm wide and 4,954mm long, as a comparison, the Peugeot 5008 is 1,638mm tall, 2,118mm wide and 4,530mm long.

At first glance, it looks as though the HX1 only has two rows of seats, with a maximum seating capacity of four. That’s because by default, the rear row is configured for maximum comfort or leg room.

If required, a “center row” can be created in between the front and rear rows thanks to the “pull-out seats” integrated into the back of the front seats.

The HX1 Concept also featured variable bodywork to optimize the car for aerodynamics at different speeds. A spoiler and two side skirts located at the top of the tailgate are deployed above 100km/h.

Power is provided by Peugeot’s HYbrid4 system, which uses a 204 horsepower 2.2 litre HDi diesel engine coupled with a 95 horsepower electric motor, resulting in a peak output of 299 horsepower. The system uses a 6-speed automatic gearbox. The car also has plug in 240V charging capabilities and an electric only mode, which provides a range of 30km.

Look after the jump for pix of the Peugeot HX1 Concept.
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First images of new third generation Fiat Panda

August 30, 2011 at 5:37 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Cars, Fiat

Here are the first pix of the new third generation Fiat Panda, which will make its public debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

It’s turned out to be quite a handsome car, said to be slightly larger and with softer lines than the previous generation Panda it will replace. Fiat has also updated it with the latest trends like daytime running lights, fitted in the area between the fog lamps and the head lamps.

A few small and fuel efficient engine options will be available – a 69 horsepower 1.2L, a 65hp 2 cylinder TwinAir 0.9L, an 85hp 2 cylinder TwinAir turbo 0.9L, a 75hp 1.3 MultiJet diesel, and flex fuel versions of the 0.9L and 1.2L engines. A more powerful Abarth Panda is also said to be in the works.

Look after the jump for a small photo gallery of the new Panda.
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Gordon Murray to advise Group Lotus management

August 30, 2011 at 5:21 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, Lotus

Gordon MurrayThe latest auto industry executive to join the Lotus Advisory Council is Gordon Murray, who will work together with other council members like Bob Lutz, Tom Purves, Prof. Dr. Burkhard Göschel and Frank Tuch.

The Lotus Advisory Council is supposed to advise Group Lotus on current and future development as well as strategic issues such as product strategy, technology, quality, brand, marketing and distribution for Group Lotus.

Gordon Murray is no stranger in the auto industry, credited with the design of F1 race cars and the McLaren F1 road car. Funny thing is, Murray moved to England in 1969 with the aim of hopefully getting a job at Lotus cars. He was eventually offered a job with Brabham.

“For years I’ve been a huge admirer of Lotus, I have great respect for the legacy that Colin Chapman created and I think what Dany and the team are doing is a really good thing for the brand. He’s taking the strength from Chapman’s principals and taking the business to the next level whilst still keeping the general ethos – not an easy task! I’m really looking forward to contributing to Group Lotus during this exciting time,” said Murray.

To be honest, while all of this is cool, I’m beginning to wish Group Lotus had something else product-related to announce other than all the various HR and sponsorship announcements that they’ve been putting out recently. They’re a car company after all.

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Mazda 2 CKD assembly in Vietnam from October 2011

August 30, 2011 at 4:14 pm By Paul Tan Filed Under Cars, International News, Mazda

The Mazda 2 will be locally assembled in Vietnam from October 2011 in a newly constructed assembly plant in the Nui Thanh district of the Quang Nam province, with sales of the locally assembled cars to begin in the same month.

The assembly plant where the Mazda 2 will be assembled is owned by Vina Mazda Automobile Manufacturing Co, a 100% Vietnamese owned assembly and sales company with no capital ties to Mazda. The plant plans to produce 2,000 units o the Mazda 2 per annum. Mazda plans to assemble other models at the plant in the future with a target total annual production of about 10,000 cars.

This will be the first Mazda to be locally assembled in Vietnam since Vina Mazda started officially distributing the marque in Vietnam in March 2011. As usual, the reason for local assembly is to avoid high import tariffs.

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