MINI’s Speedster: Fast & Firm
Posted on 14 October '09 by John under New. No Comments
Rumours have been circulating for a number of years about the Speedster, which will rival the next-generation Mazda MX-5, as well as Honda’s upcoming CRZ. But it appears bosses at MINI’s parent company BMW have finally plucked up the courage to make the firm’s first genuine sports car a reality.
Unlike the Crossman, which borrows its underpinnings from the forthcoming BMW X1, the Speedster will use the same platform as the MINI Convertible. This allows maximum flexibility for component sharing with the current range, and will help to minimise development costs.
But to give the Speedster its own unique identity and sports car looks, the standard Convertible’s impractical rear seats have been ditched.
Honda Skydeck Concept SCISSORS N SLIDERS
Posted on 10 October '09 by John under Concept Cars, Hybrids/Alternative. No Comments
Images of the Honda Skydeck concept have been released ahead of the vehicle’s Tokyo Motor Show debut. Alongside the MPV, the company plans to showcase several standard and alternative-fuel concepts and models.
Suzuki Swift Hybrid Released
Posted on 06 October '09 by John under Hybrids/Alternative. No Comments
The Suzuki Swift is a competent subcompact that the Japanese marque sells both in Japan and Europe. In the latter, the little hatchback is available with a solid 1.3-liter diesel dubbed DDIS.
Suzuki has shown off its Swift plug-in hybrid ahead of its official launch at the Tokyo motor show later this month.
Hyundai Planning Blue-Will Based Sporty Plug-In Hybrid By 2012
Posted on 17 July '09 by Nick under Hybrids/Alternative. No Comments
Hyundai plans to launch a new sporty plug-in electric car based on the striking Blue-Will concept from Seoul Motor Show earlier this year. Powered by a 1.6-liter gasoline direct-injected powerplant and 100kw electric motor mated up with a continuously variable transmission, the Blue-Will reportedly has a range of 38 miles in EV mode and an overall rating of 55 mpg when the gas engine is in operation.
Expect a similar drivetrain for the production car when it hits the market in 2012 to go up against the upcoming Chevrolet Volt and the plug-in version of Toyota’s standard-bearing Prius hybrid. So far, there’s no word on expected pricing for the PHEV, but Hyundai says the goal is to ‘show its technology and improve its image,’ not to make money. Consider our interest piqued.
Volvo Shows Off Sporty New XC60 R-Design
Posted on 15 July '09 by Nick under Press Release. No Comments
Volvo XC60 boosts sportiness with R-Design
The Volvo XC60 R-Design makes a clear statement about true driving pleasure, a young, energetic attitude and confident success. A sporty chassis and even more direct steering ensure the driving experience matches the sporty appearance.
The Volvo XC60 is a car that has already carved out a solid market share in the premium sport cross-over segment. With its muscular curves and sharply contoured tail lamps, it attracts attention wherever it goes. The new R-Design option pack that will be presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2009 gives the car an even more purposeful and bold appearance.
“The R-Design model boosts the XC60′s already sporty aura and gives the car an even more refined character in terms of both driving experience and design. These are properties that we know appeal to the discerning buyers of this type of cars,” says Lennart Stegland, president of Volvo Special Vehicles.
Confident exterior
On the outside it is easy to recognise those typical R-Design attributes: door mirror housings, trim mouldings and décor trim in matte silk metal finish, skid-plates and twin chrome tailpipes. The five-spoke Cratus aluminium wheels are also unique for the R-Design models. In standard form they measure 18 inches but there is also the option of a stunning 20-inch. This dimension is new to the Volvo XC60 and is only available with the R-Design pack.
Another new feature is that the lower section of the car is now colour-matched to the rest of the body on the XC60 R-Design, instead of the matte black execution of the standard model. This creates the impression that the car sits closer to the ground and gives it a more dynamic look – even though ground clearance remains unchanged.