Committee “Car of the Year 2011″ Europe has announced the 41 candidates get the best car. One of the criteria must be met candidates, namely a minimum of 5,000 units sold a year in Europe. The study was conducted independently.
This year, the selection made by 59 judges from 23 countries in Europe and determine in accordance with the conditions and interests of individual countries. Countries such as France, Germany, United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain received seven jurors. Others at the bottom of it. (more…)
2011 Geneva Motor Show seems to provide more options for Bentley fans and buyers, since Bentley cars manufacturer presented its new sport supercar series in this International motor show. Most Bentley lovers would gladly own Flying B car like Bentley Supersports ICR Convertible, mainly because it is said to be a limited-edition Bentley convertible car series. ICR in Bentley Supersports ICR stands for Ice Speed Record is the new selection of Bentley that worth-purchasing.
Bentley Supersports ICR really is an option for Bentley buyers who want a limited-edition car, because Bentley will only manufacture 100 units. Bentley officials stated that the Supersports ICR was actually manufactured to honor Juha Kankkunen, and his entire achievements all these years. Kankkunen is the brain behind the modification of an ice-field vehicle, which was including tires, roll-cage, and aero bits of the car.
He finally succeeded to create an ICR convertible car that is capable of running 205.48 miles per hour, due to its twelve-cylinder engine; the speed makes Bentley Supersports ICR Convertible the fastest ice car in the world. There will be only 100 units of Bentley Supersports ICR equipped with the machine. Some modifications and enhancements in the car’s exterior is one important work before the release. Three colors are available for the exterior selections; they are Dark Grey Metallic Quartzite and Arctica White.
There were many fabulous car types and concepts shown in 2011 Geneva Motor Show; some car concepts even made their first debut in this International-level car show. One of car concept that made its first debut in the show is Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe Concept, which was called as solid supercar, with relatively affordable tag. The 4C Coupe is probably one of the fabulous concept car presented by Alfa Romeo, with its two seats and rear wheel drive.
Since is Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe Concept still a concept car, the engine is still in progress somehow; and the manufacturer stated that this car will re-introduce and release on 2012. However, Alfa Romeo provided information and description of this car, especially the car’s performance as a sport car. This Italian manufacturer confidently titled their car concept as a true sport car, due to its value in performance, design, and other technical specifications.
Besides the above top values, the 4C is also equipped with safety equipments that is basically intended to allow maximum and safe driving. Physically, this concept car is smaller than the previous 8C series, for it is only 4 meters in length and around 2.2-meter wheelbase. Due to such dimension, Alfa Romeo 4C Coupe Concept really is a compact sport car. As for interior, Alfa Romeo uses carbon fiber and aluminum for, while the engine is 1.75 liter four cylinders turbocharged, which makes it powerful.
One interesting object to check out in 2011 Geneva Motor Show is Infiniti’s new car concept Etherea Concept. The car concept was presented by Audi, a Japan-based sport car manufacturer. To some extent, Etherea Concept can be a tough competitor for the similar performance-based sport car: BMW 1-series and Audi A3. This car concept is scheduled to hit the market around 2014.
Etherea Concept’s design, especially exterior and interior design, was created by Shiro Nakamura. There were probably some slightly similar designs to 2009 sport car, especially due to five doors this concept car has. The car, according to the manufacturer is fundamentally the combination between coupe’s elegance and sedan’s space. Global Infiniti Business Unit vice president stated that this car is practically addressed for those who are fond of luxuriously traditional sport car.
The manufacturer added that they plan to give some additional items to Etherea Concept, such as headlights, tail lamps with luxurious design; these are the characteristics of sport cars few years ago. As for the interior, Infiniti Etherea Concept is equipped with four seat with not so-much features to find. With the total length of 4.4 meter, however, it can be regarded as tough sport car. As for the engine, this car concept is capable of using both gasoline and electric power source. 245HP owns by this car is contributed by 4 cylinders petrol engine and 2.5 liter supercharged.
One fabulous car visitors did not want to miss in 2011 Geneva Motor Show is Rolls Royce Phantom 102EX, a fully electric Phantom series manufactured by Rolls Royce. Everybody seemed to be fond of this car, mainly because it is an electric car; by that, it means the show was like a test for this British car manufacturer. Rolls Royce Phantom 102EX adapts full-electric technology, which means that it supplies the power from batteries.
Rolls Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös stated that Rolls Royce has successfully manufactured a car with battery electric power supply, which also adapts elegance and luxurious. Müller-Ötvös also mentioned that the Phantom 102EX is the first car in its class. Through Rolls Royce Phantom 102EX, he added, the company would begin researches, developments, and discovery in car electric technology.
The new Rolls Royce’s electric car is adopting this discovery and research attempt, in which the words EX simply means Experimental Electric. Subsequent to the introduction of Rolls Royce Phantom 102EX, a new car with the same series (EE, to be precise) is planned to be introduced on 2011 world tour. Anyway, the Phantom 102EX will be tested mainly in United States, where the car is expected to present good performance, in a single charge and in bad weather.
Back on the 2008, when the SEMA automotive show was held, Mercedes introduced its used-to-be new Mercedes GLK350 Hybrid Pikes Rally Car. Basically, Mercedes GLK350 Hybrid combines the technology and design from Mercedes, and Renntech; this tuning company produced tuning for this Mercedes rally car series. It seemed that Renntech was successfully made Mercedes GLK350 Hybrid high-quality car, for it won the competition of tuner build off, on the 2008 SEMA auto show.
After the 2008 auto show, Mercedes GLK350 Hybrid started to be regarded as a car with such great performance, and thus have joined in several rally car races; it is also frequently showed in several auto shows. Up to now, Mercedes GLK350 Hybrid have underwent tremendous makeovers, which were mostly done by the tuning maker. Some weeks ago, Mercedes GLK350 Hybrid showed up in International Automotive Show held in Pittsburgh.
At the show, RENNtech and Mercedes introduced the new project of Mercedes GLK350 Hybrid to public. A number of countries in United States are said to be the destination of the introduction on this project; they are Kansas City, Minneapolis, Cincinnati, and 3 other countries. It is reported that the GLK350 Hybrid trip will be end in Irvine, California in which the car will be displayed at the Mercedes-Benz Classic Vehicle Museum.
Cars and women – the trends – the mixutre – the match is now part of Fashion world.
Lets enjoy the Fashion girls dressing and posing in geneva show 2011-
As the 2011 Geneva Auto Show has opened its doors to the media, it’s also closing the door on the economic gloom that has hobbled the automotive industry. Concept cars and highly creative design are back in style, with everything from an electric Rolls-Royce to a pocket-sized Mini vying for our attention.
Without the benefit of any home-field advantage—not to mention Geneva’s long-standing ban on overly elaborate show stands—automakers have no choice but to make the cars the stars.
Take a look at the girls that were modeling the cars at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show
Now lets check the cars show-
Sport sedans, convertibles and even a retro-themed microbus have kept us doing hot laps here at the Palexpo exhibition center. After much debate, here are our picks for the best concept cars at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show:
The BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Concept is meant to explore the possibilities of mobile networking and integrated technologies—with some really cool mood lighting thrown in for visual effect. This is the concept car for anyone addicted to Tron, a four-wheeled technical tour de force where apps are as important as rpm. An integrated head-up display can list information about the road ahead in 3-Dimensional format. You could feasibly bring up restaurant reviews, movie times, weather and road conditions, or see address numbers without taking your eyes off the road. A color display replaces the traditional analog readouts in the instrument cluster and is completely customizable—the front passenger can move information onto the driver’s screen, when needed. The exterior is a mix of futuristic roadster, with a hint of BMW’s old Z1 production car (the one with doors that dropped down). And, of course, snaking throughout the Vision ConnectedDrive Concept are fiber-optic cables that glow reddish-orange, blue, or green depending on their location.
The Audi A3 Concept offers a hint to the appearance of the next-generation A3 lineup. And as you may have guessed, the big news is that a notchback sedan will be joining the A3 ranks for the first time. Currently available in the U.S. only as 5-door sport wagon, the new A3 sedan should appeal to a wider swath of car buyers. The front fascia features LED headlights flanking Audi’s signature single-frame grille, which, in this concept car, has a healthy serving of chrome. A pronounced character line runs from the headlights along the sides of the car, providing the 4-door with a sporty stance. The interior is full of all the leather and luxury you’d expect from Audi, one of the best in the business when it comes to crafting a classy cabin. With an overall length of 174.8 in., the Audi A3 sedan is approximately 6 in. longer than the current A3. While the A3 Concept shown in Geneva is powered by a 408-bhp 5-cylinder engine, expect U.S.-bound production models to come with a choice of two 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engines, one gasoline and one diesel.
The Nissan Esflow is a rear-wheel-drive electric sports car that, unfortunately, is still classified as only a concept. Thankfully, the hardware beneath the gorgeous lines of the Esflow is mostly off-the-shelf technology, and similar to the powertrain in the Nissan Leaf EV. The 2-seat Esflow has two electric motors in back, each driving a rear wheel. These motors are mounted in a mid-ship position, placed above the axis of the rear wheels. Powered by laminated lithium-ion batteries mounted low in the chassis (to lower the car’s center of gravity and thereby improve the car’s handling), the Esflow can reportedly accelerate to 62 mph in less than 5 seconds. The range is impressive too, pegged by Nissan at nearly 150 miles on a single charge. While the Leaf EV erred on the side of a conservative exterior, here’s hoping Nissan’s first electric sports car takes a page from the Esflow Concept. However, we’d like to see it have a better name.
Rolls-Royce has unveiled its first electric-powered car, the 102EX Concept. Based on the luxury-laden Phantom sedan, the donor car’s massive 6.8-liter V-12 engine has given way to a lithium-ion battery pack and electric motors. Rolls Royce says 102EX will serve as a “rolling test bed” to determine whether the iconic British luxury brand makes a move into the world of electric vehicles. The powertrain in this eco-minded Rolls produces a massive 290 kW of power. It needs that oomph, considering it weighs approximately three tons. Despite its heft, Rolls-Royce says 102EX accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in under 8 seconds. Driving range is said to be around 125 miles. For the moment, there is no definite production plan for this Rolls EV. The company says the first plan of action is to take 102EX on a global tour, to gauge interest in the car and gain feedback about whether or not there is a market for luxurious (i.e. really expensive) electric vehicles.
An Alfa Romeo at heart, this Italian 2-seater appears to have some Lotus design DNA running in its veins. From some angles, the Alfa Romeo 4C Spyder Concept looks like a scaled down version of Alfa’s recent 8C supercar—that’s a good thing. From other angles, however, the car looks strikingly like the Lotus Evora sports car. Perhaps Alfa’s design department had one too many team building exercises in the U.K.? Power comes from a 200-bhp 1.75-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine mated to a twin-clutch sequential-shift gearbox. The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept features lightweight carbon-fiber construction, which keeps weight down to only 1870 lb. The low mass will help the car to have sparkling performance and zippy handling, despite the small (but historically appropriate) 1750-cc engine. According to Alfa Romeo, the 4C Spyder Concept accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 5.0 sec. and has a top speed of 155 mph.
VW has brought a blast from the past to Geneva, another take on the brand’s iconic microbus. We’re far from certain this groovy VW van will ever reach production, but consider our fingers crossed. Unlike the rear-engine original, the front-drive Bulli Concept has its power source up front. Power is provided by a 1.0 or 1.4-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine, though the Bulli also accommodates a lithium-ion battery pack and 85-kW electric motor. According to VW, the electric-powered model hits 62 mph in 11.5 sec. and has a top speed of 87 mph. Driving range is reported to be 186 miles. The two-tone paint and boxy shape give the 5-seat VW a fresh and fun look, without being too blatantly retro. Purists will appreciate that this modern spin on the Microbus has a flat floor, like the original, with seats that also fold flat to aid cargo capacity. A surfboard, perhaps?
This 2wo-door crossover marks the next step in a new design direction for the French automaker. The Captur Concept adopts and refines Renault’s new corporate face, first seen on the electric-powered DeZir Concept. The main source of design inspiration for the Captur came from “athletes and radical sports,” according to Renault. The lightweight and highly functional design of sports equipment was used to give the Captur powerful lines without appearing too bulky. We love the LED turn signals that relay direction in a wave effect, with lights running the length of the vehicle. Matte-finish fenders, butterfly doors (with sills that drop down when the doors are opened), and monster 22-in. black and white rims make certain you’d never lose this Renault in a crowd. The hard convertible top is removable, revealing a carbon-fiber framework with “Renault” script running down the spine of the car. Power comes from a small and highly efficient diesel engine.
The Smart Forspeed Concept is a roofless and windowless roadster powered by a 30-kW electric motor installed in the rear of the tiny 2-seater. Smart says the Forspeed has a top speed of 75 mph, though its only quoted acceleration figure (0 to 37 mph in 5.5 seconds) doesn’t bode well for the time it might take for the Forspeed to reach 60 mph. Maybe that’s why Smart included a button in the center console to activate a boost function, for those moments when an extra 5 kW of electric power is needed. The Smart Forspeed is powered by a lithium-ion battery that delivers 16.5 kWh of electrical energy. The charging device is located in the third brake light, behind the Smart logo. A fully charged battery is sufficient for 84 miles of range, according to Smart, and charging from 0 to 80 percent takes just 45 minutes. A body made from fiberglass helps keep weight down, while a deliberate lack of seams, plus handle-free doors, minimizes wind resistance.
The Mini Rocketman Concept is a return to the roots of the Mini brand, so to speak. With a length of 135 in., the Rocketman is slightly longer than the original Mini and nearly a foot shorter than the current car. Styling cues, including the headlamps and grille opening, are taken from the modern Mini. Distinctive design touches include external door hinges, a transparent and lighted glass roof, contrasting wheel arches and, in an especially nice touch, trapezoidal stirrups on the rear flanks that house the LED tail-lamps. To maximize interior space, Mini has developed a 3+1 seating system in which the space for the front two passengers is optimized by allowing their seats to be positioned as far rearward as possible. A nifty bit of engineering, but four people would still be in agony for anything but a cross-town drive. Mini has not yet confirmed if the pint-sized Rocketman will reach production.
Infiniti says the Etherea is a no-compromise hybrid that offers driving fun while maximizing driver pleasure. That sounds like a promising start. The Etherea is smaller than it looks, only 4 inches longer than a Nissan Versa. A highly sculpted shape gives it a much longer and lower appearance—especially compared with the dowdy Versa. “The Etherea is completely different from current luxury compact cars,” says Senior Vice President of Design Shiro Nakamura. “It is appropriate for a new generation of drivers who think of themselves as different.” Part coupe, part luxury sedan, and part sport sedan (in the way it’s said to drive), the front-drive Etherea Concept employs a hybrid drivetrain similar to that found in the Infiniti M35 Hybrid. A supercharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with 245 bhp is aided by an electric motor and a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
his rear-drive electric concept bowed in Detroit wearing slinky metal over tidier-than-TT proportions. Unlike the R8-esque EV of the same name, this e-tron isn’t scheduled for production. All is not lost; its design—the aspect we like most—portends that of Audi’s upcoming R4. An equally gorgeous topless version shown in Paris uses a diesel-electric hybrid powertrain.
Citroen Survolt
Citroen Survolt
Silent racing could be closer than we think. Shown in Paris as a styling buck, the Survolt later gained twin electric motors generating 300 horsepower. It’s capable of 0 to 62 mph in less than five seconds and a top speed of 162 mph, according to Citroën. The company also claims max range of 124 miles—but at slightly lower speeds.
Deltawing Concept
Deltawing Concept
Created by Ben Bowlby (former Lola design chief, former Ganassi Racing tech director), the DeltaWing was one of several proposed 2012 IndyCar chassis. The shape generates downforce without wings or spoilers and is supposed to be immune to turbulence in close quarters. Unveiled at Chicago, it was serious enough to have the support of Roger Penske and Chip Ganassi, but a modular Dallara design ultimately won IndyCar’s affections.
GMC Granite Concept
GMC Granite Concept
A GMC vehicle that’s not a rebadged Chevrolet? That’s the story of this very small but very butch crossover. A Detroit debutant, the Granite has been a show-circuit hit. Future production is at this point a poorly kept secret; the challenge will be preserving the pillarless design and easy-access rear doors.
Jaguar C-X75
Jaguar C-X75
It’s reminiscent of the old XJ220 (1992–94), but this stunning Paris show car’s primary propulsion is provided by electrons rather than combustion events. Like the Chevy Volt, the C-X75 augments its batteries with a range-extending power source. Unlike the Volt, that source is two gas turbines. Top speed is a claimed 205 mph, also unlike the Volt. But forgive us if we remain leery of an electronically powered Jag.
Lancia Stratos
Lancia Stratos
This Lancia Stratos prototype debuted not at an auto show, but while brutalizing an Italian test track. Faithful in appearance to Bertone’s 1972 homologation special, the revival Stratos sports a V-8 derived from the Ferrari F430 Scuderia’s but promises a power-to-weight ratio that’s better than an Enzo’s. Pininfarina and the team of wealthy enthusiasts behind the Stratos will build you one, too—for a price.
Peugeot SR1
Peugeot SR1
In addition to its sculpted shape, this hybrid GT concept—first seen at Geneva—has a couple of unusual features: a centered third seat and a Bell & Ross wristwatch that stows in its own dashboard slot. The design won’t see production, but its internal-combustion/electric propulsion system will appear in the Peugeot 3008 Hybrid4 crossover.
Pininfarina Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta
Pininfarina Alfa Romeo 2uettottanta
Constructed to celebrate Pininfarina’s 80th anniversary and as a tribute to Alfa Romeo’s centennial, this choice roadster concept made its debut at Geneva. If the thought of pronouncing the name sends your tongue into convulsions, think “Duetto.” Memo to Fiat: If you’re serious about saving Alfa, build this car.
Porsche 918 Spyder
Porsche 918 Spyder
In an auto-show world awash with electric and hybrid concepts, Porsche’s 918 trumps them all with four driving modes and performance potential rivaling the spectacular Carrera GT’s. The heart of the matter is a 500-plus-hp, 3.4-liter V-8, augmented by a trio of electric motors. Production is confirmed for the Geneva showstopper. So is a very high sticker.
Committee “Car of the Year 2011″ Europe has announced the 41 candidates get the best car. One of the criteria must be met candidates, namely a minimum of 5,000 units sold a year in Europe. The study was conducted independently.
