The Honda CR-Z has all the basics to look like a hot compact coupe, but seeing the production car for the first time in Geneva, I thought that it looked very tame. The hi-tech feel, driver centered dashboard gets our thumbs up, though. But there’s nothing a good tuner can’t fix, especially for a brand like Honda with top notch outfits like Mugen and Spoon in the wings.

The picture above is of a lowered, kitted and mildly modded CR-Z by Spoon. The more purposeful stance comes from a front coilover kit and rear spring/shock kit that lowers ride height by a substantial 50 mm. Other parts being tested are the N1 exhaust, ECU, and “twin-block” calliper and slit rotor brake upgrade. There’s also an attention grabbing set of Spoon CR93 alloys in blue. Working on the ECU and brakes will have to take into account that these are vital components in the CR-Z’s hybrid drivetrain, though.

And this is Mugen’s idea of how the CR-Z should look like. Full bodykit (lower front bumper reminds us of the Modulo kit for the Honda Accord), dramatic rear spoiler and diffuser, Mugen GP wheels in bronze and LEDs on the front grille are added. The suspension, exhaust system and air filter have been uprated too, while the cabin gets a unique gear knob, extra gauges and floor mats with logos.

View live images from Geneva of the CR-Z and Spoon/Mugen versions after the jump.

Source

Honda CR-Z live images from Geneva

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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Alfa Romeo and Pininfarina have a long history of over 70 years working together to create some of the most seductive cars ever seen. The famous carrozzeria designed and assembled the beautiful original Alfa Spider “Duetto” back in 1966, and also penned the next Spider of 1995 along with its fixed roof GTV sister. Pininfarina also had a hand in today’s Spider, although the Brera on which it’s based on is a Giugiaro design.

Named the 2uettottanta, this roadster concept marks its maker’s 80th anniversary and is also a tribute to Alfa Romeo, which celebrates its centenary this year. Described as “a car that can make people dream and excites even after many years” the 2uettottanta is a “simple 2-seater” proposed with a 1,750 cc turbo engine placed longitudinally – a reference to the 1750 Veloce of the 70s. Measuring 4,213 mm long with a 2,500 mm wheelbase, the concept is slightly more compact than today’s car.

The car’s cabin has a minimalist driver-oriented configuration starring Alfa Romeo’s trademark “tubes” that contain the instruments (which has been copied by about everyone by now). It’s all very realistic too, Pininfarina even incorporated Alfa’s DNA switch into the design. The centre tunnel that runs through the cabin has a cutout to expose the carbon fibre chassis beneath.

Judging from how impossibly sleek and sexy this proposal for the next Spider is, we won’t be surprised if Alfa bosses sealed the deal with Pininfarina immediately. There was talk before the Geneva show that all three big Italian design houses were to come up with one concept each for Alfa Romeo’s birthday, proposing a new design direction for the marque’s future mid-sized range. Pininfarina has this, Bertone has the Pandion, but all Italdesign had for Geneva was for Proton! Perhaps Signor Giugiaro decided that EMAS is a better investment!

You MUST check out the live and official images of this beauty. It’s after the jump.

Pininfarina 2uettottanta live images from Geneva

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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The Renault Wind only takes 12 seconds to transform from coupe to convertible, which should make it the fastest of its kind (the Peugeot 207 CC needs about 25 seconds to strip). This is thanks to a simple central pivot setup instead of the regular hinge system, which also ensures that the Wind’s boot volume of 270 litres remains whether the roof is up or down. Interestingly, that figure is 40 litres more than the standard Twingo hatchback, which the Wind is based on. It’s also said that the boot opens with no more effort than would be needed for a conventional saloon.

The Wind looks tiny in the metal, and it’s 3830 mm overall length is quite a bit shorter than the 207 CC, which goes past four metres. The car will be launched in Europe this summer with two of the Twingo’s engines: a 133 bhp/160 Nm 1.6-litre from the Renaultsport model and a 100 bhp/152 Nm 1.2-litre TCe engine. Renault says that it paid particular attention to the acoustic tuning for the former, which has a “telltale, fiery pitch”.

Renault plans to offer a wide range of options including a rear diffuser with twin tailpipes, front foglamp backing plates, chrome exterior mirror housings and a chrome finish for the rear bumper. Inside, customers can choose from different instrument housing designs and door pulls, plus an alternative gear lever knob or pedal set.

Live images and the official gallery is after the jump.

Renault Wind live images from Geneva

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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The Audi A8 is the newest limo on the block and this is the A8 hybrid which aims to be the greenest in the segment. Shown at the Geneva show for the first time, the A8 hybrid’s drivetrain consists of two propulsion units – a 2.0 TFSI internal combustion engine and an electric motor – that develop a total output of 245 bhp and 480 Nm of torque. This enables a 7.6-second 0-100 km/h time and a top speed of 235 km/h, done in Transporter style coolness.

A hydraulically operated wet clutch links the TFSI with the electric motor (with 45 bhp and 211 Nm), which makes available its grunt from standstill. In the boot lies the Audi’s lithium-ion battery pack, which still leaves 400 litres of luggage space. Subsystems that operate on engine power in a regular car have been modified to run entirely on electric power in the A8 hybrid, such as the air-con compressor, electromechanical steering system and brake booster, all managed by a “pulse control inverter” system. All these will appear in the Audi Q5 hybrid, to be introduced later this year.

This A8 is capable of fully electric-powered driving up to 65 km/h and for a distance “exceeding 2 km”. Normally, both work in tandem but above 65 km/h, the combustion engine propels the car alone, while the electric motor supplies ancillaries and recharges the battery. The TFSI is disconnected from the drivetrain when the driver chooses to coast. The e-motor also functions as a generator to recoup energy from braking and replenish the battery.

Green credentials? The A8 hybrid’s average fuel consumption is 16.1 km/l while CO2 emissions is 144 grams per km. These figures compare very well with the Mercedes-Benz S400 Hybrid, which does 12.7 km/l and 186 g/km. Launched last year, the car from Stuttgart pairs a V6 with electric motors for a combined 299 bhp/385 Nm, and was the first production hybrid to use lithium ion batteries.

Live images from Geneva and the official gallery is after the jump.

Audi A8 Hybrid live images from Geneva

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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The Hyundai i-flow is one of the significant concept cars at Geneva, not just because it looks dramatic, but because under that heavily sculpted skin is a range of latest tech that could appear in Hyundai’s next generation of cars.

Powering the i-flow is the company’s first diesel-electric hybrid powertrain consisting of a U2 1.7-litre oil burner with two-stage turbocharging and Hyundai’s lithium ion-polymer battery. Coupled to a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission, the drivetrain is capable of 33.3 km/l and a low CO2 output of 85g/km.

The i-flow is also a test bed for new energy harvesting ideas, ranging from a flexible solar panel roofing to a thermo-electric generator developed in partnership with leading chemical company BASF. One such idea is thermal engine encapsulation, which ensures that the engine reaches optimum operating temperature more quickly by retaining heat when the car is idle. Hyundai says that this translates into fuel savings and emissions cuts of 5% during summer and up to 9% in winter. The thermo-electric generator meanwhile recaptures energy from hot exhaust gases and converts it to electrical energy to help power auxiliary systems.

Designed at Hyundai’s European studio in Russelsheim, the i-flow sports the firm’s “fluidic sculpture” design language. With an overall length of 4,780 mm and a 2,800 mm wheelbase, the i-flow is a Honda Accord sized D-segment contender that is set to hit the market in 2011. It remains to be seen how much of the i-flow’s styling is retained for production, but things look promising with the recent Korean realisation that advanced design is as important as making competent cars.

Live pictures from Geneva and official images are after the jump!

Hyundai i-flow live images from Geneva

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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The first ad I noticed once touching down at the Geneva airport was one for the Citroen DS3, which had the headline “anti-retro”. We all know that the DS3 is pitched as a rival to BMW’s Mini, and the ad is clearly a jibe in the direction of the bug-eyed car.

I understand the DS3′s appeal for those who either don’t “get” the Mini’s retro looks or simply look at it as a fashion fad. With creative design typical of Citroen and a modern, classy cabin, we reckon that it will do very well in Europe.

At the Geneva show, Citroen Racing (Citroen’s STi/RalliArt) paraded the DS3 Racing that’s set to go on sale in the second half of 2010. Limited to 1,000 units, the DS3R comes with plenty of carbon trim – on the front bumper, lower body trim, wing extensions, door side mouldings and spoiler, to be exact. The grey showcar was nicely contrasted with orange on the roof, wing mirrors, grille and rims (18-inch, looks really wicked) and wore some funky decals. Orange and carbon are also repeated in the cabin, which has a high-quality feel to it.

Citroen took the 1.6 THP engine (as found in our Peugeot 308 Turbo) and boosted output to 200 bhp, while torque is up from 240 Nm to 275 Nm. The gains were achieved by “optimising powertrain components”, modifying the turbo, remapping the ECU and adding a sports exhaust system. With these figures, the DS3R will outpace a Mini Cooper S, but will it outpoint the Brit in the bends?

For starters, the standard front and rear tracks have been widened by 30 mm and the DS3R sits lower by 15 mm. Stiffer springs, retuned shock absorbers and “specific steering mapping” for a more precise helm have been added as well. To cope with the added grunt, Racing spec brakes have been installed – four-piston calipers up front and drilled discs for the back. Also, the switchable ESP system has been tuned for “extra vitality, sportiness and driving pleasure” – in other words, it’s less restrictive.

We’re bound to see more of the DS3 in the sports pages, as it will replace the C4 as Citroen’s WRC machine – the French brand is a five-time WRC champion and is defending both driver and constructor crowns with rally king Sebastien Loeb.

Live images from Geneva and official gallery after the jump!

Citroen DS3 Racing live images from Geneva

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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The Toyota FT-86 Sports Concept made its European debut in Geneva, and although it was tucked away in a corner, received plenty of attention. I observed a young boy looking at the rotating FT-86 longingly for a good 20 seconds, and wondered “there’s no reason why Toyota would not want to produce this car” especially after the great reception it got for the AE86′s spritual successor.

Compact dimensions, lightweight, boxer engine, six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive – there’s little not to like for the enthusiast, and Toyota adds to the yum factor by showing us a family portrait of the FT-86 with past masters such as the Supra, Celica GT-Four and of course, the AE86. Those cars have no decendent in today’s Toyota lineup, which has nothing to entice enthusiasts, something Akio Toyoda himself is intent of changing. I personally hope that the present troubles the company is facing won’t derail its plan to bring “fun” back into driving.

For now, enjoy the official images of the FT-86 after the jump; some of them look good as wallpapers!

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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The 147 replacement Alfa Romeo Giulietta will be without doubt the most sensational looking five-door hatchback in the market when it goes on sale in Italy later this month. Making its world debut in Geneva, the first right-hand drive models will go to the UK in June. Sime Darby Auto ConneXion, how about this for a 2010 Christmas present for the Malaysian market?

The Giulietta takes on Alfa’s current long headamps as seen on the Mito supermini, but with a strip of four LED driving lamps residing within them. Alfa’s famous shield grille sits inside a larger triangle while the lower bumper is very sculpted. The profile features a strong shoulder line that “disappears” in the middle before emerging again on the rear doors, which handles are hidden like the 147′s (there won’t be a three-door variant). The Giulietta’s rear end sports a distinctive LED pattern in the taillamps and a diffuser-style rear bumper with two exhaust tips. To sum it all up in one word – sexy.

Four turbo engines are available at launch, all Euro5 compliant and with Start/Stop tech: two petrols (120 bhp 1.4TB and 170 bhp 1.4TB MultiAir) and two second-gen MultiJet diesels (105 bhp 1.6 JTDM and 170 bhp 2.0 JTDM). All these powerplants come with a 6-speed manual gearbox, but a dual-clutch transmission will be coming soon as the automatic option – with this, we can bid farewell to Alfa’s frustrating Selespeed ‘box. Ciao!

Also coming soon is a hot 235 bhp 1750 TBi Cloverleaf version. This engine is said to have “performance comparable to – or better than – that of many 3.0-litre engines while still delivering fuel consumption typical of a compact four cylinder unit,” says Alfa Romeo. The Italian firm also pointed out that at 134 bhp/litre, specific output is the highest ever achieved by an Alfa Romeo engine. Max torque of 340 Nm (at 1,900 rpm) is much more than what the VW Golf GTI produces, so performance should be superb, and we’re guaranteed a good soundtrack from Alfa too. We’re salivating already thinking of it!

Live pictures from Geneva after the jump!

Alfa Romeo Giulietta live images from Geneva

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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Bufori’s luxury saloon that was unveiled in Geneva “is only 50 per cent complete” according to company founder, managing director and the car’s designer Gerry Khouri. The Geneva (the car is named after the city it’s launched in) will cost from RM1.3 million when production begins in June this year, but by then some things would have been changed from the car shown in Switzerland.

The only significant change to the Geneva’s structure will be a 100 mm increase in wheelbase length to make 3,427 mm. As comparison, a long-wheelbase Mercedes S-Class has a wheelbase of 3,165 mm. Length, width and height is 5,340 mm, 1,925 mm and 1,520 mm, respectively. To recap, the Geneva’s swoopy body is crafted from a mixture of carbon fibre and kevlar, bonded together by Vinylester resin (commonly used in the marine industry for its high corrosion resistance and ability to withstand water absorption), while the chassis is made from top grade stainless steel.

The Geneva’s air-suspended four-seat cabin feels intimate and luxurious, but ingress and egress isn’t the most effortless – calves will brush against the running boards that characterises the car, for instance, but the doors on the production car will feature gas struts and 90-degree openings. Better seats will be fitted and there will be changes to the interior design, too. The stereo and air-con units in the show car will also make way for bespoke items, according to Khouri.

We will continue to follow the developments on the Geneva as Bufori puts the final round of improvements to its luxury saloon. For more details, live images from Geneva and the official gallery, click here to link to our previous post.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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After a two year absence from the international scene, Bertone returns with a bang by unveiling one of the most memorable cars of this year’s Geneva show – the Pandion concept, as a tribute to Alfa Romeo’s’ 100-year anniversary and also a proposal for the future look of the brand.

The first car penned by Mike Robinson in his new role as Design and Brand Director at Bertone, the Pandion is named after the Pandion Haliaetus, a scientific name for the Osprey sea hawk. And it’s this bird’s wings that inspired the Pandion’s most striking feature – those spectacular doors that open upwards to the air. They incorporate the car’s front and rear fenders and stand exactly 90 degrees straight from the centre of the rear wheels. In the event of a rollover, the doors are designed to fall off for easy exit, says Bertone.

Apparently, the bird’s face also influenced the Pandion’s front design, which its creator describes as looking like the “helmet of ancient warriors” while still recognisable as an Alfa. More interesting is the rear, which sports blades in various width and length intertwined randomly. Bertone designers call this “dematerialization”, which makes the car looks like it’s moving even when standing still. This randomness continues in the cabin that is nestled in “vines”. All very messy, but somehow very beautiful.

Motor shows are about eye candy (we’re not just talking about the ladies), and the dramatic Bertone Pandion is a very sweet example in a store full of increasingly predictable concept cars. Live and official images after the jump!

PS: If you’re wondering who is that old lady in the gallery, she’s Lili, widow of Nuccio Bertone, legendary designer and son of the company’s founder.

Bertone Pandion live images from Geneva

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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Absolutely no one in Geneva cared about the “real” Aston sports cars at the Palexpo, because all attention was on the “not so real” Aston Martin based on a Toyota. Of course we’re talking about the debuting Cygnet, which is based on Toyota’s diminutive four-seat iQ city car.

To differentiate the Cygnet from its donor car, styling cues typical of Gaydon’s sports machines have been added liberally; examples include Aston’s trademark front grille, air intakes on the bonnet, side “gills” and boomerang shaped taillamps. Inside, the Cygnet is trimmed in a way that Toyota engineers would never have dreamed of when creating the iQ – fine, soft leather covering almost every surface, plush high-backed seats with Aston logos and a trendy bag to go along with it.

Aston’s official images portray the Cygnet as a trendy accessory for its current owners, a small runabout when you don’t feel like taking out that big V12 to the congested city or the nearby shops, or even as a gift for the new girlfriend/mistress, perhaps. So, brilliant idea or a bad joke? For me, the former. I’ll order a few or these (one for keeps, the rest for the ladies) along with a V12 Vantage should the lottery picks me!

Live images from Geneva and official gallery after the jump!

Aston Martin Cygnet live images from Geneva

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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Here are some live pictures of the 918 Spyder concept that Porsche unexpectedly revealed in Geneva. The Stuttgart based sportscar maker, now under the Volkswagen umbrella, was very protective of its “sports car for the 21st century” (500 bhp V8 with 9,200 rpm redline, 0-100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, faster around Nurburgring than the Carrera GT, capable of 33.3 km/l) – as you can see from the pictures, they erected a barrier (with few big Germans keeping guard in case any daredevil journalist got too close) around the show stopper. My vote goes to Weissach in the Geneva battle of the hybrid hypercars between this and the Ferrari 599 HY-KERS!

My best efforts are in the gallery after the jump – they’re not great, but you’ll get to see some close ups of the exterior details and the cabin. For more details on the 918 Spyder, click here to read our earlier post. An impressive video is in the post right below this.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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Didn’t anyone send Ferrari the memo that the colour for anything green and environmentally friendly is blue, and not green? It’s nevertheless a nice colour for the car, as with most bright colours on Ferraris. It’s matte green if you notice. This concept is called the HY-KERS. In Ferrari speak, a concept is a vettura laboratorio, which is Italian for experimental vehicle. It’s based on a 599 GTB Fiorano but has hybrid technologies in it.

Weighing about 40 kg, the compact, tri-phase, high-voltage electric motor of the HY-KERS is coupled to the rear of the dual-clutch 7-speed F1 transmission. It can produce over 100 horsepower. In town driving, the car can run on motor alone. The motor can also act as a generator for brake energy regeneration. All engine ancillary components are now electrically powered.

The batteries for the electric motor are located below the floorpan of the car in the underbody. As usual, this placement helps with the vehicle’s centre of gravity as it is positioned low and below the passenger cabin. The result is a centre of gravity that is even lower than the standard 599. Look after the jump for a short video presentation on the new 599 HY-KERS.

VIDEO: Ferrari 599 HY-KERS Concept

VIDEO: Ferrari and the environment

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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This is the new Kia Sportage, which replaces the second-gen model that has sold 860,000 units since 2004. The Geneva showstar looks nothing like that car though, dumping the stodgy image to join Kia’s Peter Schreyer led design revolution.

Immediately recognisable as the younger brother to the Sorento, this new Sportage is longer, wider and lower than the previous model (by 90 mm, 15 mm and 60 mm respectively). Its 2640 mm wheelbase is 20 mm longer than a Honda CR-V’s even though the Kia is shorter overall by 80 mm – minimal overhangs see to that. Despite the size increase, weight is down by 91 kg model for model.

Two engine variants are available now; a 2.0-litre CRDi diesel with VGT (134 bhp/304 Nm) and the Theta II 2.0 petrol with 161 bhp/194 Nm. In both camps, smaller engines with Start/Stop will join later this year – a 1.7-litre CRDi (113 bhp/255 Nm) and a 1.6-litre version of the Theta II with 138 bhp and 166 Nm. The 2.0 models can be had with on-demand AWD with lock function for 50:50 torque split. All variants but the 2.0 petrol manual have six forward ratios.

Euro-spec models come with lots of kit, including ESC with a new Rollover Sensor (that pre-deploys the side airbags, curtain airbags and seatbelt pretensioners), Hillstart Assist Control, Downhill Brake Control (to limit speed during a steep descent) and an optional rear-view camera with LCD display integrated into the rear-view mirror.

Sharing much of its underpinnings with the soon to be launched in Malaysia Hyundai Tucson (called ix35 in Europe), both cars will be built in Slovakia, besides Korea of course. We can look forward to Naza Kia bringing this car to our shores, although it won’t be before the Sorento, which should debut sometime this year.

More pictures after the jump.

Kia Sportage live images from Geneva

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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As Mazda replaces its range with the polarizing “smiley face” look model by model, a day will come when one will have to not consider the brand at all if he/she doesn’t “get” the design language (me for instance). The latest model to cross the bridge is the new Mazda 5 MPV launched at Geneva.

The standout aesthetic feature are those lines that flow along the 5′s profile, the first full application of the brand’s Nagare Flow design language previewed by its recent concept cars. The said lines combine with Mazda’s signature sculpted wheelarches and the curvy front end to create a cohesive look and a good Cd value of 0.30. Rear pillar metal have been deleted and the previous car’s high mounted tail lamps are ditched for conventionally placed items that go better with the new image. The 5′s segment unique dual sliding doors are of course retained. The overall look is very busy – either you like it or you don’t.

Inside, the 5′s cockpit follows the theme set by the current 3, but is less funky for this application. Seating for up to seven are available, including the occasional “Karakuri” seat, as per the old car, but comfort is improved via new seat designs.

The new 5 debuts alongside a new engine – the MZR 2.0 DISI (direct injection spark ignition) with “i-stop” start stop tech producing 148 bhp and 191 Nm of torque. This compares well to the current car’s 136 bhp/175 Nm, with 15% less CO2 emissions to boot. Paired to a six-speed manual with eco optimised gear ratios, its fuel consumption of 14.5 km/l is better than the 13.9 km/l of the MZR 1.8 engine with 113 bhp/165 Nm. Both engines come with single-nano tech catalyst and are Euro 5 compliant.

Mazda says that the 5, which was not bad to drive at all, is even better now thanks to increased spring rates and lighter stabilizers that improve straight line stability and makes body roll more linear. Rubber couplings added to the steering shaft and more rigid components provides a more linear steering feel while noise insulation is said to be improved.

Live pictures from Geneva and official gallery after the jump!

Mazda 5 live images from Geneva

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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The Audi RS5 is one gorgeous, desirable machine, and now that I’m infected with the “RS” virus after close proximity to the red hot lady, I hope to spread the love by sharing some live images with you. Could have shot more if it wasn’t mobbed by crowds, so there you go, it’s after the jump!

As a recap, the RS5 is powered by a naturally aspirated 4.2-litre FSI V8 engine with 450 bhp at 8,250 rpm, while torque is rated at 430 Nm produced between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. This hand made V8 is the same one as in the RS4 and R8, but with more power. Audi goes on to say that the engine is “right at home even at high revs – almost like a race engine”. The 1,725 kg RS5 manages 0-100 km/h in 4.6 seconds while top speed is capped at 250 km/h. Audi can increase that to 280 km/h if you ask nicely. With that kind of performance, 9.3 km/l is a very fair trade off.

Massive gallery after the jump!

Audi RS5 live images from Geneva

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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The main star of the vast Audi stand is its smallest model – the new A1. Ingolstadt has big plans for this Mini Cooper rival that’s bound to be its main seller, and is calling it the A1 “the sportiest car in the segment” – no small claim when BMW’s Mini is your classmate! Backing this up is the A1′s low weight of 1,045 kg, wide tracks, low weight resting on the front end and electrohydraulic steering that’s tuned to be “sportily direct”.

First shown to the world as the Metroproject Quattro Concept back in Tokyo 2007, the finshed product looks remarkably similar to its inspiration, down to this car’s red colour with a silver bar outlining the glasshouse. As we’d expect from a new Audi, the A1 features striking LED daytime running lights, and the brand’s single-frame grille is has two more edges at their top ends to create a trapezoidal shape. Audi’s “tornado line” joins both front and rear lamp clusters and is a main feature of the profile, along with the arching roofline. Coefficient of drag is 0.32, which is best in class.

Inside, the dash design is simple and classy; of note are the cool old-school air-con vents (supposed to look like jet turbines, says Audi) and an infotainment system that’s claimed to set new standards in the class. The A1′s MMI navigation plus system is taken from its bigger siblings and comes with 3D navigation system, 20GB of hard disk space for music and iPod and Bluetooth connectivity, all displyed on a 6.5-inch screen that emerges from the dash top. A 465-watt Bose stereo is optional.

Four engines will be available at launch – two TFSI petrols and two TDI diesels. The entry 1.2 TFSI makes 86 bhp and 160 Nm from 1500 rpm, while the 1.4 TFSI produces 122 bhp and 200 Nm at the same engine speed sustained till 4000 rpm. Paired to the seven-speed dual clutch S tronic gearbox, this range topper does 0-100 km/h in 9.1 seconds on to a top speed of 200 km/h. We reckon that real world cut and thrust performance will be more impressive than the raw figures suggest, as is the case with VW’s TSI/DSG cars. Equipped with start-stop tech and brake energy recuperation, fuel consumption for the 1.4 TFSI is 19.6 km/l.

Live pictures and official gallery with 125 images after the jump.

Audi A1 live images from Geneva

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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We really have to take our hats off to Nissan for bringing the wacky Qazana concept (shown here last year) to production as the Juke without watering it down much. As a younger sibling to the Qashqai crossover, the Juke is meant to be an alternative to the B-segment supermini class, just like how the Qashqai tempted many Golf/Focus to opt for something less conventional.

And it’s not just the looks that stand out, for the Juke has surprisingly advanced mechanicals when Nissan could have got away relying on just the funky styling. Three engines will be available when European sales start later this year: a 1.5 diesel and two 1.6-litre petrol units, all Euro 5 compliant. The range topping engine is a new turbocharged petrol engine with direct injection, producing 187 bhp and 240 Nm. Nissan claims “performance from a 2.5-litre engine with the economy of a smaller engine”.

The other petrol unit is the HR16DE that Malaysian Latio and Grand Livina owners are familiar with. Improved for the Juke, the 1.6-litre engine gets a unique dual-injection system which allows finer metering of the fuel sprays for better combustion. Other changes include a larger exhaust manifold, retuned intake manifold, twin VTC, improved intake tumble flow and new catalyst with a hexagon cell formation. New pistons with revised crowns and integral oil jet cooling have been adopted along with low friction techniques such as diamond-like carbon coating on the valve lifters. With all those tweaks, vital figures now stand at 115 bhp and 157 Nm from 108 bhp/153 Nm, while fuel efficiency is claimed to be much improved. Petrol engines come with either a six-speed manual or Nissan’s Xtronic CVT.

The range topping turbo variant gets Nissan’s All-Mode 4X4-i electronic system with a new function – lateral torque vectoring capability. This not only splits torque between front and rear axles, but from side-to-side across the rear axle as well. The system counts wheel speed, steering angle, yaw rate and lateral G to distribute torque, and is effective in reducing understeer. In total, up to 50% of total available engine torque can be sent to either rear wheel. The rear axle incorporates electric couplings at either end plus a new final-drive. So now when your BMW X6 owner friend boasts about his torque vectoring system, share with him this piece of news.

I took the chance to sit in the Juke and found the rear quarters to be quite tight compared to superminis like the Honda Jazz and Perodua Myvi/Daihatsu Sirion. I fit in, but six footers are sure to brush their heads against the headlining. The driver enjoys a nice steering wheel with sporty instruments, while the climate control screen is a full-colour unit incorporating readouts such as fuel consumption. Pleasing design, but dash plastics are hard.

UPDATE: Fresh live pictures added to the gallery, including headroom shots that some have requested for.

More live pictures after the jump.

Nissan Juke live images from Geneva

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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I haven’t finished covering every hall of the Palexpo yet, alternating between going out for “war” and posting in the press centre, but so far, the SEAT IBe is one of the concepts that caught my eye. Low, wide, squat, and free from the severe “criss-cross” lines of the current range (which I personally dislike), the IBe could be VW’s Spanish subsidiary’s rival to the Scirocco. Although its 3.78 m length is 250 mm shorter than an Ibiza, the IBe measures 1.8 m wide and is only 1.22 m in height. The showcar’s 19-inch wheels also look good with almost zero overhangs beside them.

Unveiled here by managing director James Muir (right) and chief designer Luc Donckerwolke, the IBe is a zero-emissions electric vehicle powered by lithium-ion batteries. With a max output of 102 bhp and 200 Nm of torque, the IBe completes the century sprint in an unexceptional 9.4 seconds, although the 0-50 km/h time of 3.4 seconds suggest good point and squirt acceleration. Top speed is limited to 160 km/h.

An electric powered SEAT should be quite far away, since the brand only plans to launch its Leon Twin Drive plug-in hybrid in 2014. For now, SEAT has a popular range of diesel powered Ecomotive cars, the best of which (Ibiza Ecomotive) achieves 27 km/l and 98 g/km of CO2. More pictures after the jump.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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We have seen more Volkswagens than any other marque since stepping on Swiss soil yesterday (Audis also outnumber their premium rivals in the eye census) and Europe’s largest carmaker dominance of its home region won’t be ending anytime soon judging from its 2010 product blitz that continues in Geneva. Moments ago, Wolfsburg slid the cloth off few new models, namely the Sharan MPV, Touareg Hybrid, Polo GTI, Cross Polo and the Cross Golf. It was the first look of these cars in the metal after online reveals.

As a recap, the Polo GTI is powered by a 1.4-litre TSI engine with both turbo and supercharger, producing 178 bhp and 250 Nm of torque from 2000 rpm. Naturally, the Euro 5 engine is mated to a 7-speed DSG and power is channeled via VW’s XDS electronic differential lock. Compared to its predecessor, the 1194 kg new Polo is 25% more frugal with combined consumption of 16.9 km/l. VW calls this “textbook downsizing”. We agree.

Alongside the chilli red GTI is the CrossPolo with a “rugged, all-terrain look”. This pseudo-SUV variant of the Polo supermini sits 15mm higher than the standard car, as opposed to the GTI, which sits 15mm lower than the regular Polo. Besides the SUV-style body cladding and roof rails, the CrossPolo comes with really stylish 17-inch wheels and a wider range of interior trim colours. The first units will reach German customers in May; this model is bound to be popular if brought into Malaysia.

The second “Cross” model launched is the CrossGolf. Based on the Golf Plus, the CrossGolf aims to “bridge the gap between the SUV and MPV”. However, other than a raised driving position, we see very little of MPV or SUV qualities here – there’s no seating beyond five and no 4Motion AWD. However, like its smaller sibling, the CrossGolf gets SUV looks, 17-inch “Budapest” wheels, efficient TSI/TDI engines and DSG as an option. It’s raised by 20mm over the standard car.

The new Touareg SUV comes with VW’s first ever hybrid system. Consisting of a 3.3-litre V6 engine and an electric motor imaginatively called e-motor, the hybrid SUV can produce up to 375 bhp and 580 Nm while consuming only 12.2 km/l in the combined cycle. This Touareg can be solely propelled by electric at speeds of up to 50 km/h. Click here for more info and images.

Of the lot, the most recent online reveal was of the Sharan MPV, which we have detailed comprehensively in a recent post. Click here for information and the full gallery.

A live gallery of Volkswagen’s Geneva exhibits await you after the jump!

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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With most of the attention on the Proton EMAS Concept designed by Italdesign, it’s easy to forget the other Malaysian manufacturer in Geneva. No, it’s not Perodua but Bufori, the small-volume luxury car maker with its operations and factory based in Kepong, Kuala Lumpur.

If you’re wondering, there are no typo errors in the title above. Bufori’s new four-door car, previously referred to as the MkVI saloon, has been unveiled moments ago by the company’s founding brothers Anthony, George and Gerry Khouri as the Bufori Geneva – after the beautiful (and very chilly at this moment!) city it’s launched in.

As we know from the design sketch released earlier, the Bufori Geneva doesn’t depart from the “classic” look Bufori is known for. Sleek, elegent and very dramatic, Bufori’s first four-door saloon sports long running boards and rear hinged coach doors – Rolls-Royce style. Despite all that, modern elements such as bi-xenons and LED rear lights hint at the car’s real vintage. It’s quite an arresting sight live in the metal, and Anthony Khouri in his opening speech compares the attention you’ll get driving one of these to “running naked down Main Street in peak hour”!

The Geneva’s curvy semi-monocoque body is made from carbon fibre and kevlar, infused with Vinylester resin. The former two materials are light yet strong while Vinylester is commonly used in the marine industry for high corrosion resistance and its ability to withstand water absorption. The Geneva’s chassis is made from top grade stainless steel. Bufori says that the Geneva is “built to last for generations”.

A part of the car that already has lasted for generations is the Chrysler Hemi engine sitting in that long hood. Today’s Hemi doesn’t share much with the legend of the 1960s which powered so many famous muscle cars, other than the name and the pushrod technology, but we can’t deny that the name evokes ideas of raw muscle and heroic drag racing. Using the 6.1-litre version (6,059 cc) of the Hemi V8 reserved for Chrysler Group’s top end SRT-8 cars, the Bufori Geneva is pulled by 430 bhp and 569 Nm of torque, enough for it to sprint from 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds on to a top speed of 265 km/h. On the options list is a supercharger that boosts figures to supercar level 560 bhp and 690 Nm!

Sideways action should be easy to come by, as all that muscle goes to the rear wheels via a limited slip differential, not that owners of this stately machine will want to do that, mind you. Doing transmission duties is a five-speed sequential shift automatic from gearbox experts ZF.

In terms of driver aids, Bufori’s got them all covered. ABS and EBD plus Brake Assist, Traction Control, Steering Angle Control, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning and Heads-Up Display (HUD) are all standard. On the passive safety side, front, side and curtain airbags are included alongside pre-tensioned seatbelts.

It all sounds good, but Bufori’s main draw is that its cars are hand made to order and can be personalised in whatever way an owner can think of, from the type of wood veneer and leather to holograms, signatures, badges and embroidery, ensuring that no two Genevas are the exact same. This can be done not just because of the small volume, but because many of the parts are hand crafted and designed in Bufori’s Kepong factory, which will amaze all first time visitors. Each Geneva goes through 24 production stages and requires more than 6,000 man hours to create.

The list of available creature comforts are quite amazing. How about having a coffee machine and ice box tucked between the two individual rear seats? Or a cigar humidor and a chinese tea set? Those are just a few ideas from Bufori, and owners are encouraged to suggest the level of personalisation and drop by the plant to see their car being made.

Production will start in June 2010, with the first units delivered before the end of this year. Pricing will start from RM1.3 million to the limits you set. View both the official images and live photos from Geneva after the jump!

Bufori Geneva live images from Geneva

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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This is the new CT 200h, Lexus’ first hatchback which also is “the first full hybrid vehicle to be launched in the premium compact segment”. Based on the LF-Ch concept, this car is meant to lower the entry point of Lexus ownership and attract younger customers to the brand. Production will start late this year.

Designed and developed with Europe in mind, this production-ready Geneva showstar sports much toned down styling from the gold coloured concept that was unveiled in Frankfurt last year. The CT 200h should be about the size of a Golf; its 2600 mm wheelbase is 20 mm longer than the VW’s. The marque’s L-finesse design philosophy and the need for maximum aerodynamic efficiency and minimum wind noise determined the final shape. There’s some interesting detailing going on, but as a whole it looks dull to these eyes; what do you think?

If the exterior design didn’t stick true to the concept, the cabin is downright disappointing after what was promised. It looks high quality, but what happened to the bit about attracting younger customers? Anyway, the driving position is set low, with a highly supportive driver’s seat, says its maker, while in Sport mode, the hybrid indicator in the binnacle functions as a tachometer and the ambient lighting turns from blue to red. Lexus’ mouse-like Remote Touch controller makes an appearance.

The hybrid system in the CT 200h combines a 1.8-litre VVT-i petrol engine with an electric motor. This Lexus is capable of running in fully electric, zero emissions EV mode for up to 2 km (only?) at speeds up to 45 km/h. Lexus says that the CT sits on a new platform with a dedicated double wishbone and trailing arm rear suspension system setup, which combines the ride comfort expected of a Lexus with superior driving involvement and handling agility.

To see what this car might have been, click here to see the LF-Ch. More pics of the CT 200h after the jump.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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Abarth, the legendary scorpion badged tuner, will bring two new models to Geneva, based on Fiat’s latest products.

The 500C is the open-top version of Fiat’s successful retro car. It isn’t a real convertible per se, as its retractable roof slides off between fixed roof rails and the B and C-pillars of the hatchaback are retained. Abarth’s take comes with a 140 bhp 1.4-litre turbo paired to a five-speed robotised manual ‘box with shift paddles, endowing the cute little car with a 0-100 km/h time of 7.9 seconds. There are also bigger rims and brakes, sports suspension, chunkier body work and a two-tone paint scheme.

The second model is the Punto Evo, Fiat’s recently revised supermini. Abarth’s hot looking version has a 165 bhp 1.4-litre MultiAir turbo, while there’s a 178 bhp Esseesse version for those who want more. Not quite a match for the Renaultsport Clio on paper, but still a lot of firepower for a small car.

Galleries of both cars (with some cool sketches) are after the jump.

Abarth 500C

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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Next week’s Geneva show will see Lotus unveil the Evora 414E Hybrid concept, a high performance technology demonstrator with a plug-in series hybrid drive system. The figure in the name refers to the 414 PS (408 bhp) of power the Evora has, enough to propel it from 0-96 km/h (60 mph) in less than 4 seconds.

The drivertrain powering the Evora 414E Hybrid consists of two electric motors, each limited to providing 204 bhp of power and 400 Nm of torque to each of the rear wheels via independent, single speed, reduction transmissions integrated into a single housing. This layout enables torque vectoring dynamic control of the vehicle, says Lotus.

Batteries are the latest lithium polymer type with 17 kWH energy storage capacity. They can be charged overnight using a conventional domestic mains supply through a socket concealed by the rear number plate. The zero-emission battery powered range is 56 km (35 miles). In longer journeys, the Lotus Range Extender engine provides 47 bhp of mechanical power converted to electrical energy to replenish the battery pack and provides additional vehicle range.

Lotus says that overall, using the Lotus Range Extender is far more energy efficient, weight efficient and cost effective than fitting the vehicle with a larger and more expensive battery, which for the majority of short journeys is a redundant weight, increasing energy requirements. It adds that the total lifetime CO2 emissions of its Range Extender vehicle is lower than a fully electric car (with a larger battery) of comparable performance and operating range.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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The new Porsche Cayenne will only be revealed next week at Geneva, and unlike many other manufacturers Porsche hasn’t given out any pre-show preview of its fast SUV. But it looks like French L’Auto Journal has got hold of some pretty authentic looking pics of the Cayenne, and it was posted online by Le mag de l’Auto.

From the scans, we can see that the new car doesn’t depart from the tried, tested, but not very pretty looks. The smaller headlights are much like the Panamera’s and the trademark huge air intakes have a different arrangement now for a more “fierce” look. From the huge twin-spoke alloys and yellow brake calipers, we presume this is the top-dog Turbo model.

We will post up live pictures from Geneva but for the meantime, have a larger view of the scans after the jump.

Source

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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Here’s another image of the Hyundai i-flow concept which will be unveiled at Geneva next week. The i-flow, which advances the ‘fluidic sculpture’ design language Hyundai currently uses on cars like the new Sonata and Tucson, previews a future D-segment contender, according to the Korean carmaker.

Under the sheetmetal is Hyundai’s first diesel-electric hybrid powertrain. The package consists of a new 1.7-litre engine with two-stage turbocharging, lithium Ion-polymer batteries and a six-speed, dual-clutch transmission. Combined with drag coefficient of 0.25Cd, the i-flow’s CO2 output is a low 85 g/km and it only consumes three litres of fuel for every 100 km (33.3 km/l).

Hyundai says that the i-flow cabin “redefines the perception of space in a sedan bodystyle”, and this concept will use next-generation materials and technologies co-developed with top chemical company BASF. Elements such as the seats and centre console has BASF’s input for minimal weight and volume, while the cockpit’s main interface screen recognises not only touch but also “gestural inputs”. The glossy Liquid Metal eco-friendly waterborne coating developed by BASF Coatings contains special-effect pigments that give the surface a polished metal appearance, good for highlighting the car’s complex lines.

Also making their debuts will be the facelifted i30 (with cleaner powertrains and enhanced spec, production starts next month) and eco focussed Blue Drive variants for the i10, i20, i30 and ix35 (European version of the Tucson). All Blue Drive cars except the SUV produce less than 100 g/km of CO2. One step beyond the blue-badged models is the ix35 FCEV which shows Hyundai’s latest hydrogen fuel cell tech. The show car features steps to reduce cost and complexity of fuel-cell manufacturing as well as new approaches which simplify final assembly, leading to full production in 2012.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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The BMW X6 in standard form is already an excessive vehicle, and the range topping BMW X6 M is to the Greenpeace what hardcore criminals are to us. So what makes this monsterous beast, based on the X6 M, tuned by Hamann and named the Tycoon Evo M? Evil, and here’s why…

As a hate figure, the Tycoon looks the part, with front and the rear wing extensions (expands width by 60 mm) adding to the already massive presence of the X6. Side skirts, a front apron with LED daytime running lights and enlarged air inlets in the front and the carbon bonnet further diffrentiate it from the original (the latter also improves air flow). At the rear, Hamann’s unique bumper accomodates a sports exhaust system with central double pipes. Topping off the big brute looks are 23-inch “unique forged anodized” wheels. Centre of gravity is lowered by 40 mm.

Hamann says that the most significant performance enhancing component is the stainless steel high performance exhaust system with metal catalysers. A remapped ECU and the upliftment of the speed limiter are the other changes. As a result, the Tycoon produces 670 bhp and 780 Nm of torque, a big jump of 115 bhp and 100 Nm from the standard X6 M. 0-100 km/h is done in only 4.2 seconds and maximum speed is 300 km/h.

This monster will be in Geneva, but for now view the gallery after the jump.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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The Proton Concept Car, which will be unveiled at next week’s Geneva Motor Show, will showcase a series hybrid drivetrain designed and developed by Lotus Engineering.

Integrated into the Italdesign penned concept is the Lotus Range Extender engine, which uses a 1.2-litre three-cylinder engine to replenish charge in the battery and provide electrical power for the drive motors when battery levels are low. This method is much like GM’s E-REV system in the Chevrolet Volt, where the internal combustion engine does not power the wheels, and only acts as a “generator”. The battery can also be recharged via household sockets to achieve initial electric-only operation. No range is given for the pure electric mode, just a mention that it’s “acceptable”. Click here for more technical info on the Lotus Range Extender engine.

Dr Robert Hentschel, Director of Lotus Engineering said: “The hybrid drivetrain of the Proton Concept is another example of Lotus Engineering’s expertise in electrical and electronic systems and efficient performance engines. The high efficiency Lotus Range Extender engine, which we unveiled to great acclaim at the Frankfurt Motor Show last year is perfectly suited for the advanced series hybrid we have created for the Proton Concept city car. It is an exciting example of the diverse range of highly efficient total propulsion systems that Lotus Engineering continues to develop for its partners and clients.”

A hi-res copy of the image above is available after the jump.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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We searched long and hard for a statement that could sum up the Mercedes-Benz F800 Style concept in the extremely lengthy press release before chancing upon this: “The F800 Style is both a technology platform and a showcar”. Stuttgart calls the F800 Style, which will make its world premiere in Geneva, a “research vehicle” that previews not only the design path Mercedes is heading in, but eco-friendly tech for the future.

Let’s start with the styling bit. The F800 Style wears the wide grille, big logo face of the SLS AMG, in turn inspired by the classic “Gullwing”, which is the look we can expect from future Mercs (the mysterious unnamed sculpture they showed at the Detroit show had the same nose). Design boss Gorden Wagener has confirmed this with Autocar UK, adding that the first production car to sport the new look will be the next CLS, set for launch later this year. Besides the front design, the rear horizontal light bar also pays homage to the 300SL. Wagener adds that although Mercedes uses past designs as inspiration, they will never do “retro”, “trendy” or “sacrifice design for aerodynamics”. We can also look forward to all future Mercs having LED daytime running lights, although they aren’t meant to look aggressive.

The “technology platform” bit is held up by two advanced propulsion proposals – plug-in hybrid and fuel cell. The former combines a 300 bhp V6 petrol engine with a hybrid module rated at 109 bhp. The lithium-ion batteries with a storage capacity of over 10 kWh can be recharged either at a charging station or a household power socket, and can solely power the car for up to 30 km. Claimed fuel consumption is 34.5 km/l coupled to CO2 emissions of only 68 g/km. Performance isn’t sacrificed for this – 0-96 km/h is done in 4.7 seconds while top speed is 250 km/h. In electric mode, maximum velocity is 120 km/h. This system will be launched together with the next-gen S-Class.

Next up is fuel cell tech. The fuel cell generates current by chemically reacting hydrogen with oxygen, producing water vapor as the only emission. The components of the fuel cell drive are not new; Mercedes already has them installed in the limited edition B-Class F-CELL. However, unlike the front-wheel drive B-Class, the rear driven F800 has the fuel cell located in the front, while the compact electric motor (136 bhp, 290 Nm) is installed near the rear axle. Mercedes intends to show the flexibility of its F-CELL system, which can be used for different drive configurations.

On the safety front, Distronic Plus Traffic Jam Assistant makes its debut. A development of the existing Distronic Plus, this new system allows the F800 to automatically follow the vehicle in front of it into curves. It’s capable of recognising the difference between driving along curved roads and turning, which means it does not “blindly” follow the vehicle up in front – for example, when it changes lanes in order to exit the highway. The result is that at speeds of up to about 40 km/h, Traffic Jam Assistant can steer the car by itself. If that’s too scary a prospect, drivers can override the system at any time.

Also new is PRE-SAFE 360°, which anticipates another vehicle potentially crashing into it from behind. It reacts by engaging the brakes around 600 milliseconds before a rear-end collision occurs. Mercedes says that the key advantage of this is that braking one vehicle helps prevent secondary accidents such as those that occur when the car is pushed uncontrolled into an intersection or a pedestrian crossing, for instance.

More pictures after the jump.

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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A hot RS version of Audi’s sleek A5 coupe has been rumoured for long, and now we can confirm its existance and possible debut at next month’s Geneva show, thanks to these leaked brochure images.

Not much is known technically, but some parties have said that the RS5 will be powered by a naturally aspirated 4.2-litre V8 with around 450bhp and 450 Nm.

From these images, we can see that the RS5′s redline is set at about 8200 rpm, so we’re looking at a high revving screamer here. Also gathered from the brochure is the lack of a manual option; Audi’s S-tronic auto transmission is pictured here. Options will include three types of front seats and four wheel designs. But no flat bottomed steering wheel?

This blog will be in Geneva to cover one of the main events in the motor show calendar, so stay tuned for live pictures and info, should the RS5 make a blazing debut in Switzerland. More images after the jump!

© 2012 Paul Tan's Automotive News. All Rights Reserved.

This story originally appeared on Paul Tan's Automotive News on Sun, 27 May 12 13:19:36 +0000.

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