At the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Mercedes has unveiled the F 125! concept.
Seen as the future S-class of 2025, the luxury car is a plug-in hybrid fuel-cell electric vehicle which has a 10 kWh lithium-sulphur battery, a hydrogen fuel tank and four electric motors with a peak output of 313 PS (230 kW / 308 hp). This enables the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 220 km/h (137 mph). Additionally, the F 125! can travel 50 km (31 miles) on electricity alone, before the fuel-cell activates to extend the range up to 1,000 km (621 miles).
While the exterior is not particularly aesthetically appealing, the cabin is a technological playground. Highlights include a 3D instrument cluster, a retractable 17-inch display and a new @yourCOMAND infotainment system which is controlled by speech, touch and hand-gestures. The latter system is highly customizable and offers internet connectivity, cloud-based computing and a Social Community Assistant which lets the driver select who can communicate with them.
A recent report has announced that Jaguar will use the Paris Motor Show to introduce a new concept which previews the 2012 XK.
At this time the details are limited, but the car is expected to adopt an evolution of Jaguar’s new design style from the XF and XJ). It will be larger than the current 2010 XK, which signals the intention to turn the 2012 model into a legitimate four-seater. What’s more, by making the car larger, they are creating room for the long-rumored XE coupe.
The concept is likely to be green, featuring a hybrid powertrain.
More information will be released later this month, so stay tuned…
Fisker has released a new promotional video for the Karma hybrid.
The beautiful hybrid sedan features two electric motors that produce 300 kW (402 bhp). They are powered by a 200kW lithium-ion battery pack, which allows the car to travel up to 80.5 km (50 miles) before a GM-sourced 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine takes over to recharge it.
The car accelerates from 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in approximately six seconds, hits a top speed of 201 km/h (125 mph) and as an estimated combined fuel consumption rating of 2L/100km (117.6 mpg US).
The Karma was originally scheduled to go on sale last year, but was delayed for unspecified reasons. It is now expected to launch in 2011.
Citroën has released a teaser video of the Survolt concept, ahead of the car’s track debut at the Le Mans Classic on July 10th.
As seen at the unveiling of the car at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, the Survolt boasts sexy styling, a tubular chassis, and carbon fiber bodywork.
The power is provided by two electric motors, with a combined 300 bhp, which are powered by twin 31 kW lithium-ion batteries. The amazing fact is that this allows the car to accelerate from 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in less than five seconds and hit a top speed of 260 km/h (162 mph). When depleted, the batteries can be recharged in two hours (with a rapid charger) or ten hours (with a standard 220 volt outlet).
Lexus has released its first promotional short-film, a new kind of advertising that has served its premium brand competitors such as Audi and BMW well.
It is the Lexus CT 200h an upcoming compact hybrid sedan, in the starring role of this 12 minute and 30 second film called “Dark Ride.”In the high-definition film “the customer” is riding shotgun and directing Tony’s driving moves. The film is now available online at www.lexusdarkride.com where viewers can take advantage of an interactive feature which allows them to place themselves in the passenger seat as “the customer.”
The Lexus CT 200h goes on sale in the U.S. market early next year (2011).
Excited by the new BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car? So are we. But while the rest of us have to wait another couple of weeks to see the future-think show car at the Bavarian automaker’s show stand in Frankfurt, one lucky enthusiast got an early glimpse while visiting the company’s flagship BMW Welt in Munich.
By the looks of it, he got a good view of the car, as Car and Driver’s photo gallery of the car contains pictures from every possible angle. Follow the link to see all pictures.
More and more rumours are arising about the next Bentley Continental GT and Arnage featuring a hybrid option.
These amazing spy shots reveal the Crewe firm is testing a Continental prototype with a petrol-electric drivetrain. Look closely at our exclusive pictures, and you’ll see the rear of the car is filled with a new unit featuring battery-powered motors. Also, a retractable spoiler is visible at the top of the bootlid.
The powerplant is a version of the hybrid in the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne SUVs. That mates a 3.6-litre petrol V6, giving 280bhp and 375Nm, to a 284Nm electric motor. In the Bentley, it would be more powerful – expect the electronics to boost a new V8 or larger unit to around 500bhp. As well as stronger pace, this would give better economy than the Continental’s thirsty W12.
Bentley is likely to install the drivetrain across the range, including in the new Arnage. It will help cut fuel consumption and CO2 output in advance of new EU targets, which seek to force makers to reduce average emissions by 2015.
Volvo will introduce four new DRIVe models at the Geneva Motor Show in one week. The company began production of the fuel efficient, low emissions vehicles late last year following a successful introduction at the 2008 Paris Auto Show.
The DRIVe tag will now also be seen on the Volvo V70, S80, XC60, and XC70. It already appears on the C30, S40, and V50 models. The C30 DRIVe even managed to slip into the European Union’s cleanest band of vehicles by producing less than 105g CO2 per km.
Perhaps most impressive is Volvo’s ability to get the XC60 and XC70 crossover SUVs below 160g CO2/km. The DRIVe models use a 2.4-liter turbodiesel engine that produces 175 hp and a spectacular 420Nm of torque. Gear ratios are tuned for fuel economy, but the torque increase helps keep a somewhat sporty feel, according to the company. Combined fuel economy is rated at 6.0 l/100 km for each vehicle, which corresponds to about 39 mpg (US). If that seems a little less impressive, then consider this: the current Volvo XC70 would get 6.2 l/100 (38 mpg US) if you only drove it on the highway.
Expect Volvo to reveal their fuel economy advances at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. All seven vehicles, including the new Volvo V70 DRIVe, S80 DRIVe, XC60 DRIVe, and XC70 DRIVe will be shown off on 3 March 2009.
Good news for the hybrid fans. Porsche will release the new Porsche Cayenne S hybrid in 2010. Despite being able to go 0-100 km/h in under 7 seconds, the company claims it will have the same fuel economy as a four-cylinder. Porsche says they will use a similar system on the new Porsche Panamera hybrid after the model is officially introduced.
Also good news is that Porsche says the hybrid powertrain barely affects the design of the Cayenne. They installed the system without compromising interior and luggage space.
Unfortunately, Porsche did not reveal the exact efficiency details for their car. However, they anticipate the car will be officially rated at using less than nine litres of fuel per 100 km, or about 26 mpg (US) combined.
The vehicle uses a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 from Audi. The direct injection engine features 333 horsepower and a maximum of 324 ft-lb of torque. Its hybrid partner is a three-phase synchronous electric motor that dishes out 52 hp and 221 ft-lb of torque. The motor doubles as the alternator, and gets its juice from a 38 kW NiMH battery that weighs in at 154 lbs (70 kg).
Porsche claims that the “Cayenne S Hybrid is expected to emit some 20 percent less C02 than comparable combustion engine vehicles with similar power output.” This is due to the three hybrid settings utilized by the car: combustion engine and electric motor together, engine only, and electric motor only. The automatic transmission triggers engine ignition within 300 milliseconds of the driver’s tap on the accelerator. When the engine is running, it sends a recharge to the battery, as do the regenerative brakes when the vehicle is slowed down.
