This is the Citroen DS5, the third addition to Citroen’s 21st century DS-badged range. Set to be unveiled at the 2011 Shanghai motor show tomorrow, this crossover is the Citroen DS5 White Pearl, a tag that designates that a few of the exterior and interior detailings are just for show. However, what you see before you is essentially the same DS5 that will go on sale in the UK at the end of 2011.
So what exactly is the new Citroen DS5?
A crossover, in the simplest terms. Just as the DS4 rides a little higher than the C4, so the DS5 sits higher than the C5 saloon – the DS5 is 4.52m long and 1.85m wide, making it longer and narrower than the C5. To our eyes, it’s pretty smart and sleek, with DS design cues like the scalloped air intakes in the front bumper.
There’s a hatchback boot, seating for five inside, plus a driver-orientated cockpit with an array of overhead switches, a head-up display and button-laden centre console. It looks good.
The DS5 is the first Citroen model to feature PSA’s Hybrid4 technology – we’ve already seen the diesel hybrid powertrain in the Peugeot 3008 and 508. The clever set-up combines a 163bhp 2.0-litre HDi engine to drive the front wheels, and a 37bhp electric motor to turn the rear axle. The result is a front-, rear- or four-wheel drive Citroen, with CO2 emissions of 99g/km, plus the ability to run electric power alone.
So what’s the concept car trinketry on the Citroen DS5 White Pearl?
Not much, but heavily lacquer door and dashboard inserts, wood trim and posh leather with contrasting silver stitching will all be toned down for production. So will the 20-inch alloy wheels – 16s-19s will be available. But bar those details, everything else you see will be present and correct when UK sales start at the end of 2011. Expect prices to start at £25k.
Thứ Tư, 29 tháng 2, 2012
Nissan Leaf Nismo RC (2011) first official pictures
This is the new Leaf Nismo RC, a competition concept using the Leaf's EV drivetrain which will debut at the 2011 New York motor show.
Nissan Leaf Nismo RC: is it radio-controlled? It looks like an R/C racer...
It's not a mini model racer, despite having a composite body, battery pack and electric motor – the RC stands for Racing Competition. Nismo (Nissan's motorsports arm) and Nissan's Global Design Centre in Japan have treated the Leaf to a full car games bonfibre monocoque chassis and body panels. The front and rear sections lift off to reveal the bespoke suspension components and give access to the EV drive system. That huge rear wing is driver-adjustable from the cockpit.
The Leaf Nismo RC's body is 20mm longer, 170mm wider and a massive 351mm lower than the production Leaf. At a trim 938kg it also sheds about 40% of its kerb weight versus the Leaf five-door hatchback.
The Leaf Nismo RC looks mean enough, but has Nissan uprated the EV drive?
The Nismo RC retains the Leaf's standard 80kW electric motor and 24kWh lithium-ion battery pack, but the drivetrain relocates to a mid-rear location in the chassis, with drive going to the rear wheels.
How fast is the Leaf Nismo RC, and what's the range?
Preliminary tests of the Leaf Nismo RC resulted in a 6.85 second 0-62mph time, and a top speed of 93mph, making it significantly faster in the acceleration stakes but with a similar top speed to the Leaf road car. Range is estimated at 20 minutes under racing conditions. Since the standard battery pack takes 30 minutes to reach 80% on a heavy-duty fast charger, it's fair to say that Nissan won't be taking the Leaf Nismo RC endurance racing any time soon.
So we won't see the Leaf Nismo RC competing on the track?
The Leaf Nismo RC is designed as a promotional tool and technology testbed, and won't be competing in any racing series at this time. But don't be surprised if you do see it at a racing circuit, doing promo laps and countering perceptions that EVs are dull. Although when parked next to the production Leaf it won't flatter the road car's sensible-shoes exterior styling.
The Nissan Leaf Nismo RC will be unveiled at the 2011 New York motor show on 19 April.
Nissan Leaf Nismo RC: is it radio-controlled? It looks like an R/C racer...
It's not a mini model racer, despite having a composite body, battery pack and electric motor – the RC stands for Racing Competition. Nismo (Nissan's motorsports arm) and Nissan's Global Design Centre in Japan have treated the Leaf to a full car games bonfibre monocoque chassis and body panels. The front and rear sections lift off to reveal the bespoke suspension components and give access to the EV drive system. That huge rear wing is driver-adjustable from the cockpit.
The Leaf Nismo RC's body is 20mm longer, 170mm wider and a massive 351mm lower than the production Leaf. At a trim 938kg it also sheds about 40% of its kerb weight versus the Leaf five-door hatchback.
The Leaf Nismo RC looks mean enough, but has Nissan uprated the EV drive?
The Nismo RC retains the Leaf's standard 80kW electric motor and 24kWh lithium-ion battery pack, but the drivetrain relocates to a mid-rear location in the chassis, with drive going to the rear wheels.
How fast is the Leaf Nismo RC, and what's the range?
Preliminary tests of the Leaf Nismo RC resulted in a 6.85 second 0-62mph time, and a top speed of 93mph, making it significantly faster in the acceleration stakes but with a similar top speed to the Leaf road car. Range is estimated at 20 minutes under racing conditions. Since the standard battery pack takes 30 minutes to reach 80% on a heavy-duty fast charger, it's fair to say that Nissan won't be taking the Leaf Nismo RC endurance racing any time soon.
So we won't see the Leaf Nismo RC competing on the track?
The Leaf Nismo RC is designed as a promotional tool and technology testbed, and won't be competing in any racing series at this time. But don't be surprised if you do see it at a racing circuit, doing promo laps and countering perceptions that EVs are dull. Although when parked next to the production Leaf it won't flatter the road car's sensible-shoes exterior styling.
The Nissan Leaf Nismo RC will be unveiled at the 2011 New York motor show on 19 April.
Volkswagen Beetle (2011) first official pictures
After 11 long years on sale the New Beetle is dead – its successor is this, The Beetle. We'll just call it the new 2011 VW Beetle.
2011 VW Beetle: trading flower-power for outlaw rodder
Wider, lower and longer, the 2011 Beetle abandons its predecessors three semi-circle styling for the flat-roof look of 2005’s hot rod-inspired Ragster concept.
At the front, the Beetle adopts the corporate horizontal intake styling and a more angular front bumper melded with a less curvaceous evolution of the 1998 New Beetle styling template.
The flattening of the New Beetle's curves continues in profile and at the rear we see a standard integrated spoiler below the rear window. More complex tail-light clusters fit with the current corporate style book, while overall the Beetle is a more aggressive, masculine design.
As well as bringing a silhouette more reminiscent of the original VW, the new styling means less headroom, and despite being bigger than the Golf in all dimensions, its boot is smaller than its parts-sharing sibling too. So the form-before-function approach of the 1998 original hasn't disappeared altogether with the new generation.
Inside the 2011 VW Beetle
The Beetle's interior makes a significant leap forward in perceived maturity over the 1998 car's simple geometric design. The central facia can be specified in body colour or the carbonfibre-look trim shown in the official photos.
There are three specification levels on the Beetle - basic Beetle, more luxurious Design, or top-line Sport for all the enthusiasts the more coupe-like, aggressive 2011 Beetle is presumed to attract. The car can be specified with an optional panoramic glass roof, and a 400W Fender sound system amongst a range of customised trim options. The 1998 car's flower vase is noticeable by its absence on this lower-set, more sporting interior design.
The Beetle's powerplants
All European engines are turbo’d four-pots, with 103bhp and 138bhp on offer from the 1.6 and 2.0 diesels, and 103bhp (1.2-litre), 158bhp (1.4) and 197bhp (2.0) available from VW’s TSI units.
The top two petrols feature the XDS electronic differential from the Golf GTI, and the entry-level Bluemotion Technology oiler is the cleanest and most fuel efficient Beetle ever: 65.7mpg and 112g/km CO2.
The new Beetle is set to debut simultaneously at the 2011 Shanghai motor show, 2011 New York motor show and a special media event in Berlin.
2011 VW Beetle: trading flower-power for outlaw rodder
Wider, lower and longer, the 2011 Beetle abandons its predecessors three semi-circle styling for the flat-roof look of 2005’s hot rod-inspired Ragster concept.
At the front, the Beetle adopts the corporate horizontal intake styling and a more angular front bumper melded with a less curvaceous evolution of the 1998 New Beetle styling template.
The flattening of the New Beetle's curves continues in profile and at the rear we see a standard integrated spoiler below the rear window. More complex tail-light clusters fit with the current corporate style book, while overall the Beetle is a more aggressive, masculine design.
As well as bringing a silhouette more reminiscent of the original VW, the new styling means less headroom, and despite being bigger than the Golf in all dimensions, its boot is smaller than its parts-sharing sibling too. So the form-before-function approach of the 1998 original hasn't disappeared altogether with the new generation.
Inside the 2011 VW Beetle
The Beetle's interior makes a significant leap forward in perceived maturity over the 1998 car's simple geometric design. The central facia can be specified in body colour or the carbonfibre-look trim shown in the official photos.
There are three specification levels on the Beetle - basic Beetle, more luxurious Design, or top-line Sport for all the enthusiasts the more coupe-like, aggressive 2011 Beetle is presumed to attract. The car can be specified with an optional panoramic glass roof, and a 400W Fender sound system amongst a range of customised trim options. The 1998 car's flower vase is noticeable by its absence on this lower-set, more sporting interior design.
The Beetle's powerplants
All European engines are turbo’d four-pots, with 103bhp and 138bhp on offer from the 1.6 and 2.0 diesels, and 103bhp (1.2-litre), 158bhp (1.4) and 197bhp (2.0) available from VW’s TSI units.
The top two petrols feature the XDS electronic differential from the Golf GTI, and the entry-level Bluemotion Technology oiler is the cleanest and most fuel efficient Beetle ever: 65.7mpg and 112g/km CO2.
The new Beetle is set to debut simultaneously at the 2011 Shanghai motor show, 2011 New York motor show and a special media event in Berlin.
Volvo Concept Universe (2011) first official pictures
This the Volvo’s Concept Universe, the Swedish car company's latest concept car..
Hang on! Volvo Concept Universe? That’s a pretty superior title – what’s it all about?
It’s peak at Volvo’s future design language, specifically how it sees its big saloons evolving. ‘The Concept Universe offers the world a sneak preview of what people can expect from our next top-of-the-line sedan,’ said Volvo president and CEO Stefan Jacoby. That’s the next S80, mind, not the bigger 7-series/S-class/A8 rival that Volvo’s Chinese owners Geely are so keen to create – this car is only a little larger than the current Volvo S80. Still, Concept Universe was unveiled today at the 2011 Shanghai motor show so it shows where Volvo's priorities lie.
Volvo hasn’t given any hints as to what chassis or platform lies beneath the chic new skin, instead concentrating purely on the design. It’s much more svelte and swoopy than 2003’s slab-sided Versatility Concept Car (Volvo’s last big car concept), with lots of current S60 influences at the rear, but a new design language at the front.
What about inside Concept Universe?
Hang on! Volvo Concept Universe? That’s a pretty superior title – what’s it all about?
It’s peak at Volvo’s future design language, specifically how it sees its big saloons evolving. ‘The Concept Universe offers the world a sneak preview of what people can expect from our next top-of-the-line sedan,’ said Volvo president and CEO Stefan Jacoby. That’s the next S80, mind, not the bigger 7-series/S-class/A8 rival that Volvo’s Chinese owners Geely are so keen to create – this car is only a little larger than the current Volvo S80. Still, Concept Universe was unveiled today at the 2011 Shanghai motor show so it shows where Volvo's priorities lie.
Volvo hasn’t given any hints as to what chassis or platform lies beneath the chic new skin, instead concentrating purely on the design. It’s much more svelte and swoopy than 2003’s slab-sided Versatility Concept Car (Volvo’s last big car concept), with lots of current S60 influences at the rear, but a new design language at the front.
What about inside Concept Universe?
Kia K2 (2011) - it's the Rio saloon for China
Kia is developing a four-door saloon version of the new Rio supermini, dubbed K2 and revealed today at the 2011 Shanghai motor show.
The Kia K2 has been developed specifically for the Chinese market and there are no plans - even in the long run - to bring it to the UK, according to a UK spokesman.
Kia K2: looks like an Optima!
The K2 uses the architecture of the Rio family, but the stylists make no apologies for its riffing on the Optima theme.
It's 4370mm long and Kia claims the longest wheelbase in class for better packaging. There's certainly no arguing with 500 litres of boot space on a B-segment supermini saloon.
Kia K2 and the Chinese market
It will be manufactured locally in the Dongfeng Yueda factory in China from June 2011. The Chinese car market still prefers traditional saloon formats and Kia claims the notchback supermini segment accounts for 16% of all new car sales.
Kia will sell the K2 in China with a 1.4 or 1.6 Gamma petrol engine, mated to manual or auto transmissions.
Click here to read CAR's early prototype drive of the new Kia Rio supermini.
The Kia K2 has been developed specifically for the Chinese market and there are no plans - even in the long run - to bring it to the UK, according to a UK spokesman.
Kia K2: looks like an Optima!
The K2 uses the architecture of the Rio family, but the stylists make no apologies for its riffing on the Optima theme.
It's 4370mm long and Kia claims the longest wheelbase in class for better packaging. There's certainly no arguing with 500 litres of boot space on a B-segment supermini saloon.
Kia K2 and the Chinese market
It will be manufactured locally in the Dongfeng Yueda factory in China from June 2011. The Chinese car market still prefers traditional saloon formats and Kia claims the notchback supermini segment accounts for 16% of all new car sales.
Kia will sell the K2 in China with a 1.4 or 1.6 Gamma petrol engine, mated to manual or auto transmissions.
Click here to read CAR's early prototype drive of the new Kia Rio supermini.
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