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Geneva 2009: Aston Martin unveils the DBS Volante

March 5, 2009 at 10:40 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin, Cars

Joining the Aston Martin One-77 and Lagonda Concept at the Geneva Motor Show is the DBS Volante which is Aston’s 16th convertible. With a motorized retractable convertible top that is designed to copy the silhouette of the DBS Coupe, the Volante is powered by a 6.0 litre V12 that is able produce 510HP and 570Nm of torque which sprints the convertible to 100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds, all the way to a top speed of 307 km/h. Click here to learn more about the DBS Volante. Continue reading to view an image gallery.
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Geneva 2009: Rolls-Royce rolls out the 200EX Concept

March 5, 2009 at 10:29 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Cars, Concept Cars, Rolls Royce

Sharing a similar wheelbase as the BMW 7 Series, the 200EX luxury concept car from Rolls-Royce is expected to carry over a number of parts and features from the BMW 7 Series if the management gives a green light for production. BMW also revealed that the 200EX offers the same ride quality and luxury level as the Rolls Royce Phantom, but it should carry a cheaper price tag, also if it the concept goes into production.

Under the hood lies a BMW V12 power plant which is mated to a 6 speed automatic transmission. The same engine is also featured in the BMW 760i that is expected to be launched soon. Please click here to learn more about the Rolls Royce 200EX Concept as well as to view an image gallery.

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Geneva 2009: Aston Martin reveals the Lagonda Concept

March 5, 2009 at 9:31 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin, Cars

British auto maker Aston Martin has revived the Lagonda luxury model designation by presenting the Lagonda Concept at the Geneva Motor Show. Positioned as a luxury four wheel drive 4-seater, the Lagonda is powered by a V12 power plant, although the auto maker did not reveal performance figures. However, if the engine is based on the 6.0 litre V12 that is also found in the DBS Volante, then it is safe to expect horse power and torque figures to hover over the 500 and 550 regions respectively.

The auto maker also revealed that the concept’s platform is built to support a number of power trains in the future including diesel and hybrid. It has been said that this is actually one of the first few collaborations between Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin – it apparently uses the GL-Class platform. Given the super luxury treatment all over the interior, the Lagonda Concept’s exterior design is inspired by a speed boat. Sitting pretty high with large 22-inch wheels, the Lagonda features a rather huge grille up front, with a very curvaceous rear end which seems to feature an almost sedan-like trunk lid. Continue reading to view more images.
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Geneva 2009: The new Lotus Exige S Facelift

March 5, 2009 at 9:21 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Cars, Lotus

Proton-owned British-based sports car maker Lotus has launched the 2010 Lotus Exige S at the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland. Design wise, the Exige S received a face lift with a slightly re-styled front end that includes a larger center air intake for the radiator, and two larger side air intakes for the oil cooler. Over at the back, Lotus has added a large rear wing which was actually seen in the Lotus Exige GT3 Concept.

Lotus revealed that due to the aerodynamic improvements, the Exige accelerates to 100 km/h in 4.77 seconds while producing only 199 grams of emissions per kilometer. Based on the European Extra Urban Cycle calculation, its fuel consumption is figured at 6.5 litres per 100 kilometers, while a combined fuel consumption figure is rated at 8.5 litres.

Other features and accessories available include an instrument panel which includes a high-res LCD screen, a touring package that offers, among others, auxiliary lights, full leather interior, a cup holder as well as iPod connectivity and lastly a track-friendly sports package that includes adjustable front anti-rollbar, traction control, Bilstein dampers and so on.

For hardcore drivers, there is a performance package that provides performance brakes (308 mm front cross-drilled and vented discs with AP Racing four piston calipers with up-rated front and rear brake pads), variable slip traction control, launch control, a roof scoop, up-rated clutch plate and cover and an improved engine output of up to 240HP and 230Nm of torque. Continue reading to view more images.
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Geneva 2009: Hyundai ix-onic Concept

March 5, 2009 at 9:13 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Cars, Concept Cars, Hyundai, Koreans

Korean auto maker has uncovered the ix-onic crossover concept in Geneva. Powered by the new 1.6 litre GDi turbocharged 4 cylinder petrol engine that is capable of 170HP, this gorgeous looking concept previews the upcoming Tuscon crossover. Measuring 4,400 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width and 1,650 mm in height, the ix-onic features a front fascia with a hexagonal grille which was inspired by the 2006 Genus concept car and the 2008 i-mode concept car as well as head lights with daytime LED running lights, with more LED lights on the side mirrors.

With 21-inch polished alloy wheels, muscular lines flow from the side profile to the rear end, which is finished with high-mounted tail lamps and a rear window made of Lexan high-performance plastic instead of conventional glass that enabled the designers to give the rear window a much more three-dimensional shape.

The almost production-ready interior is dominated by silky cream-white leather and an X-shaped visual theme with embossed leather, with a cool easy-on-the-eye “ice blue” lighting. The 1.6 GDi engine is mated to a dual clutch 6 speed transmission. The 5-seater all wheel drive concept also comes with the Idle Stop & Go technology which enables the power plant to produce just 149 grams of emissions per kilometer. Continue reading to view an image gallery.
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Tata Nano Europa: a high-spec Nano for Europe!

March 5, 2009 at 12:56 am By Paul Tan Filed Under 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Cars, India, International News, Tata, Tata Nano

Tata Nano Europa

Tata has unveiled a more regularly-specced version of the Tata Nano that it intends to sell in more sophisticated markets such as Europe. It will be a car that has all the creature comforts that you’d expect, unlike the 1 lakh version that it intends to sell in India which will be stripped bare of even an air conditioning unit.

This high-spec version has been exhibited at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show and is called the Tata Nano Europa. While the Indian Nano rides on a wheelbase of 2,230mm, the Tata Nano Europe has a stretched 2,280mm wheelbase and measures 3,290mm long and 1,580mm wide (the Indian Nano is 3,100mm by 1,500mm). It’s actually shorter both in terms of length and wheelbase compared to the Kancil but is wider. Powering the Nano Europe is an inline-3 fuel injection engine mated to a 5-speed automatic and it will also come with a power steering system.

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  Tata Nano Europa Viva Kancil
Length 3,290mm 3,575mm 3,365mm
Width 1,580mm 1,475mm 1,405mm
Wheelbase 2,280mm 2,390mm 2,280mm

Other features that the Nano Europa will get include ABS, ESP stability control and airbags, which already places it above many small cars in terms of equipment, especially the presence of stability control. Of course with all of this extra features the price will be far from the original pricetag that gave the Nano its “1 lakh car” nickname, but I doubt the European customer will accept driving something as bare as the Indian Nano. Who knows, we could even end up having this Nano Europa sold in Malaysia by the new Tata franchisee, whoever they may be.

Tata of course has other aces up its sleeve for Europe, and it begins to make sense why they acquired Jaguar once you see what else they are exhibiting at Geneva, coming soon right after this story.

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Geneva 2009: The Aston Martin One-77

March 4, 2009 at 11:04 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin, Cars

British sports car maker; Aston Martin has revealed the One-77 super car at the Geneva Motor Show. The One-77, which will only be produced on a limited 77-unit production run features a 7.3 litre dry sump V12 which is based on the 6.0 litre V12 block and developed with Cosworth. Horse power is figured at slightly more than 750HP.

The One-77 which features a lightweight and immensely rigid carbon fiber monocoque structural core comes with Dynamic Suspension Spool Valve (DSSV) technology, Carbon Ceramic Matrix brakes, Pirelli P Zero Corsa tires (255/35 ZR20 front, 335/30 ZR20 rear) and an improved version of the 6 speed robotized sequential manual.

The auto maker has yet to release confirmed information regarding the One-77, but has revealed that it is projecting weight figure to hover around the 1,500 kg region and that naught to 100 km/h sprint figure is expected to be 3.5 seconds while top speed is expected to be in excess of 320 km/h. Continue reading to view an image gallery.
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Geneva 2009: Nissan’s Qazana crossover concept

March 4, 2009 at 10:53 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Cars, Concept Cars, Nissan

Nissan has revealed the Qazana 5-door crossover concept in Geneva. Said to be inspired by motorbikes and beach buggies, the Qazana concept is expected to showcase the design language of an upcoming small crossover; a baby brother to the Qashqai.

This all wheel drive concept which measures 4060 mm in length, 1570 mm tall, 1780 mm wide with a wheelbase of 2530 mm features rear-hinged rear doors, two lower circular lamps set within the bumper with a pair of daylight running strips mounted high on the wings on either side of the bonnet as well as a full width grille up front. If you think that the front seem “roundish”, the rear end of the Qazana speaks the similar language as well.

Sitting on 20 inch black chrome alloys, the concept is treated to a red/white futuristic interior that is inspired by the fuel tank and seat of a motorbike. It has ‘floating’ seats that are centrally mounted over a one-piece rubberized floor covering as well as a centrally mounted touch screen display which allows the driver to control many features of the car, and which also displays the navigation system.

Nissan also revealed that the all wheel drive system features the next generation fully electronic ALL MODE four-wheel drive with torque vectoring system. Continue reading to view an image gallery.
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Geneva 2009: Ferrari reveals the 599 HGTE

March 4, 2009 at 10:45 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Cars, Ferrari

Italian sports car maker; Ferrari has unveiled the 599 GTB Fiorano with the new Handling GT Evoluzione (HGTE) performance package. The HGTE package includes stiffer springs and rear anti-roll bar as well as re-calibrated Manettino system which adjusts the the 599 HGTE’s magneto-rheological shock absorbers for a more dynamic driving experience. Other improvements include; a lower ride height, new high performance tires, an upgraded version of the F1-SuperFast transmission which offers faster shifts and improved accelerator response, as well as an improved exhaust silencer.

Design wise as mentioned earlier, its is finished in three-layer metallic Rosso, while other visual and performance upgrades on the outside include; 20 inch sports wheels as well as a matte black rear diffuser. The 599 HGTE’s interior is treated to two-tone leather and Alcantara seats with carbon-fiber rear seat backs.

Continue reading to view an image gallery.
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Geneva 2009: Renault unleashes the Megane Renaultsport 250 in Geneva

March 4, 2009 at 10:36 am By Harvinder Sidhu Filed Under 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Cars, Renault

Its finally here! French auto maker; Renault has released the much anticipated Megane Renaultsport 250 at the Geneva Motor Show. Featuring a body design that is very much influenced by the Renault Trophy Car, it is powered by a 2.0 litre turbocharged 16-valve engine that produces 250HP and 340Nm torque. The power plant with a twin-scroll turbocharger is mated to a 6 speed manual transmission.

On the outside, it features a front splitter, LED day time running lights, widened sills, a diffuser as well as 18 inch sport wheels among others. The interior breathes sportiness with an analog tachometer that includes audible and visual shift indicators.

Suspension wise, there are two options including; a standard sport chassis which provides daily-driver responsiveness as well as a Cup suspension option that includes a limited-slip differential. Continue reading to view an image gallery.
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