Car News

• Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Etc., Toyota
  
  
  Toyota has let slip a few additional teasers for the company's FT-Bh concept headed to the Geneva Motor Show in March. As you may recall, the vehicle is an engineering study designed to evaluate what kind of emission reductions can be accomplished in the city car segment without resorting to exotic materials or science-fiction drivetrains. Toyota says the concept emits around 50 percent less CO2 than your run-of-the-mill supermini thanks in part to the fact that it tips the scales at a feathery 1,763 pounds.
  
  The hybrid's aerodynamic shape and efficient powertrain also contribute to the reduction. While the FT-Bh isn't headed to production any time soon, there's a good chance some of the vehicle's tricks may show up on consumer models in the near future. Hit the jump to check out a short teaser video and the press release, and be sure to stay tuned for our live Geneva Motor Show coverage.

  Continue reading Toyota releases new FT-Bh teasers ahead of Geneva

  Toyota releases new FT-Bh teasers ahead of Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Jeep
  
  
  We may think of Jeep as an American brand - and indeed it is - but of all the Chrysler divisions that have come and gone over the years, Jeep is arguably the best established. So when the doors open in a couple of weeks at the Geneva Motor Show, the iconic off-road brand will have a few new model variants to show potential European customers.
  
  First up is the unique Grand Cherokee pictured above. Labeled a "production-intent sports concept," it's similar to the black example released in Houston and Washington late last month, but instead of the Darth Vader look, Jeep has taken more of a Storm Trooper approach with the European version, and also fitted it with the 3.0-liter common-rail diesel V6 with Multijet II technology borrowed from corporate cousin Fiat.
  
  The murdered-out look is reserved here for the special Compass, also dubbed "production-intent." With the grille, lighting surrounds, roof rails and 18-inch wheels all blacked out, the smaller of Jeeps has a sinister look.
  
  Finally, Jeep is using the occasion of the Swiss expo for the European launch of the Wrangler Mountain edition, which mirrors the version already available Stateside with a black hood and fuel cap, dark grey wheels and grille and five color choices including the bright green pictured. Follow the jump for full details and scope out the high-res images in the gallery for a closer look.

  Continue reading Jeep bringing pair of black and white "production-intent" concepts to Geneva

  Jeep bringing pair of black and white "production-intent" concepts to Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Volkswagen
  An auto salon like the Geneva Motor Show isn't just a chance for automakers to show off their latest production and concept cars, but also for stoic design houses to shape the state of automotive design. So with Pininfarina, Bertone and Carrozzeria Touring all having released glimpses of the designs they will be unveiling this year at the Palexpo, so has ItalDesign Giugiaro.
  
  As you can see, there's not much we can tell from this detail rendering, but what it does tell us is that the concept in question will be high-performance in orientation. Or at least look the part, anyway - minivans, hybrids and city cars seldom call for big air intakes like this one.
  
  While formerly an independent design house, these days ItalDesign is owned by Volkswagen. Its last couple of designs - the Tex and the Go! - have both worn VW badges on the nose, so we'd expect this year's to sport one as well, although another brand in the group could get the action this time. What we wouldn't expect is for the show car to presage any specific production vehicle as much as outline a styling ethos for the German automaker. Watch this space for more.

  ItalDesign Giugiaro hints at Geneva-bound Volkswagen concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Feb 2012 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Filed under: Concept Cars, Minivan/Van, Geneva Motor Show, Europe, Ford
  
  
  Let's clear the air. This is not - we repeat, not - the Ford E-Series-replacing Transit that will be built and sold in the United States next year. According to our contacts at Ford, this Tourneo Custom Concept previews what the next generation of front-wheel-drive, passenger-friendly Transits will look like when they go on sale in Europe and other world markets. The North American-spec van will be based off of the heavy-duty, rear-wheel-drive Transit that's set to debut later this year.
  
  So, let's talk Tourneo. This eight-passenger van is essentially Ford's answer to vehicles like the Renault Trafic or Volkswagen Caravelle - more butch than a minivan, with a higher ride height and more interior space. Ford says that the Tourneo Concept boasts a rich, comfortable, leather-trimmed interior with seats that can be rearranged into a number of different configurations.
  
  Ford has only released this one image as of now, but it's clear that the automaker's Kinetic design has found a home on even its largest vehicles. Up front is the Blue Oval's signature trapezoidal grille, and strong profile lines on the sides swoop upward toward the rear in an effort to make this barn-on-wheels look as fluid and sleek as possible. Under the hood, a range of 2.2-liter turbo-diesel powertrains are available, in 98-, 123- and 153-horsepower variants, all of which are mated to a six-speed manual transmission.
  
  We'll see the Tourneo in person in just a few weeks at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. As for the U.S.-spec Transit, it'll be a while before that officially breaks cover. Hit the jump for all of the juicy Tourneo Concept details in Ford's press release.

  Continue reading Ford Tourneo Custom Concept previews new European people mover

  Ford Tourneo Custom Concept previews new European people mover originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Filed under: Concept Cars, Classics, Coupe, Performance, Jaguar, UK, Luxury
  
  
  Now celebrating its 50th anniversary, few automobile shapes are as imitated as the legendary Jaguar E-Type. Of course, Jaguar itself has drawn inspiration from its most iconic sportscar with the contemporary XK and the more recent C-X16 concept. Eagle has reinterpreted the classic with modern accoutrements. And about a year ago a Swedish designer by the name of Bo Zolland rendered a sumptuously retro re-imagination of the form with the Growler E.
  
  That design was slated to go into limited production by a firm called Visualtech, but now the design has resurfaced under a new moniker: Lyonheart. Based on a tweaked version of Zolland's renderings, designer Robert Palm has given the retro E a slightly more aggressive look, with more catlike headlamps and retro touches that are somehow even more pronounced.
  
  The new Anglo-Swiss outfit intends to render the shape in carbon fiber, stainless steel, brushed aluminum, chrome, leather and wood veneer and put it into limited production in England for 495,000 euros a pop - equivalent to about $650K. Power is slated to come from a supercharged 5.0-liter V8 with 550 metric horsepower (542 by our standards) and 500 pound-feet of torque, which - coupled with a curb weight targeted under 3,500 lbs - aims to propel the Lyonheart K from 0-62 mph in under four seconds and on to an electronically limited top speed of 300 kph (186 mph).
  
  Follow the jump for the press release and scope out the fresh renderings in the high-res image gallery above for a closer look.

  Continue reading Lyonheart K aims to rekindle British sporting tradition with E-Type homage

  Lyonheart K aims to rekindle British sporting tradition with E-Type homage originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Peugeot, Diesel
  
  
  The Geneva Motor Show picture is getting clearer and larger with Peugeot's advance reveal of the 208 XY concept (pictured above) and 208 GTi concept (right). Both are based on the 208 hatch and are meant to represent Peugeot's move upscale, but each has a different audience: the XY is for urbanites, the GTi for those who miss the hot-hatch legend.
  
  The XY uses a 115-horsepower diesel hybrid for motivation and six-speed manual transmission. All that lies under sixteen layers of paint and varnish to create its Pulsion exterior hue. Inside, black leather with crimson trim joins an elevated instrument panel perched atop the dash lined with crimson light.
  
  The GTi is a throwback to the slips. It gets numerous tips of the hat to its racing forebear, including a French or a British flag painted on the lower grille, a subtle checkered-flag pattern underneath the clearcoat on the hood and roof, Nappa leather seats with cloth inserts and an Alcantara-topped dashboard.
  
  Follow the jump for a press release with lots of details, and get closer looks before our Geneva report in the gallery of high-res images.

  Continue reading Peugeot reveals XY and GTi concepts ahead of Geneva

  Peugeot reveals XY and GTi concepts ahead of Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Feb 2012 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Work, Hatchback, Mini
  
  
  It's a Mini. It's a van. But it's not a minivan. That's because the sort of van we're talking about here is a panel van - think of the Ford Transit Connect or recently departed Chevrolet HHR Panel - a vehicle with two seats up front, a partitian behind the cockpit and nothing but a flat load floor in back. These little workaday runabouts are immensely popular in Europe, and Mini has decided to get in on the action with its latest concept, the Clubvan, which will officially debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
  
  Seeing this concept confirms earlier rumors about a potential Clubman-based panel van, and aside from the removal of the rear seats and the addition of a stainless steel honeycomb partitian, there isn't much else to separate the Clubvan concept from its passenger-friendly Clubman kin. That makes us think this concept could rather easily make it to production.
  
  But unlike more work-focused vans, the side walls and load floor of the Clubvan are lined with anthracite-colored cloth rather than a durable plastic compound. Then again, Mini is touting the Clubvan as the perfect fleet vehicle for fashion designers and gallery owners rather than drywall contractors or heating and cooling repairmen. The Clubman's five-door layout (that's a driver's door, passenger door, passenger-side suicide door, and dual barn doors out back) remains intact, and Mini has added six attachment loops throughout the rear cargo area to secure goods while they're being transported.
  
  So, why a panel van? The company states that the Clubvan "combines the driving fun for that Mini is renowned with increased load-carrying capability," and that, "The Mini experience will therefore find its way into new areas of life, the brand's distinctive character gaining new popularity among target groups not previously on the Mini radar." We'll definitely be checking this one out in Geneva in a few weeks, but in the meantime, hit the jump for the official press release and scroll through our attached image gallery to see the Clubvan concept inside and out.

  Continue reading Mini reveals Clubvan Concept ahead of Geneva debut

  Mini reveals Clubvan Concept ahead of Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Coupe, Hybrid, Sedan, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, BMW, Design/Style, Electric, Diesel, Luxury
  
  
  BMW has announced a whole slew of products it intends to showcase at the rapidly approaching Geneva Motor Show, with the biggest reveal being the first public showing of the five-passenger 6 Series Gran Coupe.
  
  But that's just the tip of the Bavarian iceberg. Another highly anticipated machine, the BMW M6 Coupe, will make its world debut in Geneva before going on sale in the U.S. in the late summer as a 2013 model. The M6 Convertible, which is a big seller for BMW in the States, will debut in April at the 2012 New York Auto Show and will go on sale shortly thereafter.
  
  Also on hand will be the BMW M550d xDrive, M550d xDrive Touring, X5 M50d and X6 M50d. Together, these four diesel-powered machines launch BMW's line of M Performance automobiles (not to be confused with M-badged models like the M3 and M5). Sadly, these oil-burners are not headed Stateside.
  
  Naturally, the brand new 2012 BMW 3 Series will be on display, with Europeans getting their first look at some of the new diesel engine offerings. Those of us in the U.S. will be more interested in the 3 Series with the M Sport Package that will go on sale in August and the 3 Series ActiveHybrid that will hit the market in September.
  
  Geneva showgoers will get to see the refreshed 2013 BMW X6 ahead of its entrance into the U.S. market in the spring, plus the electrified i3 and plug-in hybrid i8. And finally, BMW will unveil a new line of M Performance Parts and official accessories for the new 3 Series. On the M Performance front, those new additions will include blacked-out kidney grilles, exhaust systems, carbon fiber front splitters and M-branded steering wheels.
  
  We know that's a lot to digest, so we won't mind at all if you want to click past the break for the complete press release. But first, be sure to check out the high-res image gallery of M Performance Parts above.

  Continue reading BMW to unveil 6 Series Gran Coupe, M Performance Parts at Geneva

  BMW to unveil 6 Series Gran Coupe, M Performance Parts at Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Volvo
  
  Volvo already confirmed that its all-new V40 is set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show, but French site L'Automobile apparently beat them to the punch with this singular, grainy shot of Volvo's new entry-level five-door.
  
  If this is it, we likey, particularly the deep belt line that runs up and over the rear fenders and the two-tiered glass hatch. Things get a bit too busy in the back, but we'll reserve judgement until we see it in the sheetmetal in a few weeks.
  
  Mum's the word on other V40 details, though reports have suggested a range of four-cylinder gasoline and diesel powertrains, the most powerful of which will likely be a 240-horsepower turbo unit sending power to the front wheels. Stay tuned for the full details in early March.

  2013 Volvo V40 rear end inadvertently exposed originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Alfa Romeo
  
  
  Mention the names Disco Volante and Touring to connoisseurs of classic Italian automobiles and you're going to need to start handing out bibs.
  
  The Disco Volante, for the uninitiated, is not a rave held inside a convertible Aston Martin, but one of the most beautiful Alfa Romeos ever made. Officially know as the C52, the 1950s-era Alfa prototype - of which only four were ever made - was named Flying Saucer (in Italian) because of its aerodynamic shape. It was based on the Alfa Romeo 1900 but rebodied to its streamlined shape by - you guessed it - Carrozzeria Touring.
  
  That coachbuilder had long since disappeared into obscurity, but was more recently revived to give us some very alluring designs, from concept cars like the Gumpert Tornante and Maserati A8 GCS to coachbuilt conversions of existing vehicles like the Maserati Quattroporte Bellagio Fastback and - perhaps most enticing of all - the Bentley Continental Flying Star.
  
  Now the reborn Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera is preparing to reinterpret the Disco Volante in modern form. The show car set to be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show next month is reportedly based on the 8C Competizione (another one of the most beautiful Alfas ever made) so we're expecting the 450 horsepower, 4.7-liter V8 to carry over, though reportedly mated to a paddle-shift transmission.
  
  What we're looking forward to, however, is the form that aims to modernize the design believed by many to have inspired the Jaguar E-Type. All we have to go on for now is the rendering above, but we'll be watching for more.

  Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera preparing new Disco Volante concept for Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Feb 2012 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Videos, Hatchback, Kia, Design/Style
  
  
  We'll admit it: We're totally smitten with the Kia Track'ster Concept that debuted at last week's Chicago Auto Show. And it's not just because we like the idea of a 250-horsepower, all-wheel-drive hot hatch from Korea, it's because this concept shows bits and pieces of what the next-generation Soul could look like, including a possible three-door configuration. Kia, however, has no immediate plans to send the Track'ster into production. In fact, specific elements like the turbocharged engine don't even exist - this is purely a design study, albeit a hot one.
  
  The process of building the Track'ster started a little over nine months ago, and the folks at Motor Trend were able to watch the entire creation process. Ideas and sketches turned into clay models which were later photographed, detailed, and sent over to a company that specializes in building concept cars. As a special treat, we even get to meet the Kia Soul donor vehicle that gave its life for the birth of this concept car.
  
  Follow the jump to watch the short documentary detailing the birth of the hot little Track'ster.

  Continue reading How Kia built its show-stopping Track'ster concept

  How Kia built its show-stopping Track'ster concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Feb 2012 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Filed under: Concept Cars, Spy Photos, Coupe, Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Infiniti
  
  
  For an automaker whose lineup is made up of more crossovers than anything else, Infiniti sure does seem to like doing two-door show cars. The 2006 Coupe Concept showed the way forward for the G37 coupe, the 2009 Essence concept showcased a new design direction, the Etherea concept of 2011 may have been a five-door hatch but tried its damnedest to look like a coupe, and now the Japanese luxury marque is preparing to roll in to Geneva with a new sports car concept altogether.
  
  Dubbed Emerg-e, the concept car has so far only been teased with a handful of close-up detail shots tinted such a deep purple we were half expecting them to break out into a rendition of "Smoke on the Water" - which was, come to think of it, set just across the lake from where the concept is set to be unveiled just a few weeks from now. But we digress. The point is that a series of what appear to be patent renderings have leaked their way online to give us a much better idea of what to expect.
  
  So what should we expect? Well, based on the renderings, the show car is looking rather curvaceous. In some cases, we'd say, a little too much so, with a face that makes us think of a fat man trying to fit into a small bathing suit, and that's never a good image (so, um... sorry about that). We'll reserve final judgement for when we see it up close and personal next month.

  Are you the Infiniti Emerg-e concept? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Geneva Motor Show, Crossover
  
  
  We know what you're thinking. Combining SsangYong and "convertible crossover" in the same sentence is a recipe for disaster. After all, SsangYong has never been known for the attractiveness of its designs, and the only droptop crossover currently on the market, the Nissan Murano CrossCab, isn't exactly a beauty queen, either.
  
  That said, the SsangYong XIV-1 Concept (that stands for eXciting User Interface Vehicle, for what it's worth) from the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show was a decent enough looker, and, instead of a full-blown convertible top that folds its way into a hump behind the rear seats, the XIV-2 Concept appears to sport a sliding canvas roof akin to the Fiat 500 Cabrio.
  
  Only two teaser images have so far been released, along with a brief press release, so we'll have to wait until the 2012 Geneva Motor Show kicks off in earnest before drawing any conclusions. That said, it's looking like rear visibility will be more than a bit compromised...

  Continue reading SsangYong Geneva-bound XIV-2 convertible crossover gets rendered

  SsangYong Geneva-bound XIV-2 convertible crossover gets rendered originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 13 Feb 2012 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Hatchback, Vauxhall
  
  
  Vauxhall has three big reveals planned for the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, one of them being the 280-horsepower Vauxhall Astra VXR that was announced last November as the Opel Astra OPC. That means the 2.0-liter turbo four lives underhood, and in addition to 276 ponies, it dishes out 295 pound-feet of torque. Handling is aided by the limited-slip differential for the front axle, the HiPerStrut suspension and the "fully adaptive FlixRide system."
  
  Vauxhall's also got a concept "pedelec" bicycle called the "RAD e" headed to the show. Taking some of its cues from the Opel RAK e Concept shown at Frankfurt, the RAD e attaches a 250-watt electric motor to a bicycle to assist the rider. The motor is good for a range of 37 to 90 miles. Finally, the Vauxhall Mokka crossover - their version of our Buick Encore - will make its formal debut in Geneva.
  
  Follow the jump for the press release highlights, and have a look at the trio in the photo gallery.

  Continue reading 276-hp Vauxhall Astra VXR headed to Geneva

  276-hp Vauxhall Astra VXR headed to Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 11 Feb 2012 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Kia
  
  
  

  Expect the next Soul to look something like the Track'ster, with Kia deploying more than one variant.

  Kia's Track'ster Concept is one of the big hits of the Chicago Auto Show, one of the rare concepts that just screams, "Build me!" But after a thorough interrogation of Kia's PR team and an interview with design chief Peter Schreyer, we realize that's just wishful thinking. We do, however, expect the next Soul to look something like the Track'ster, with Kia deploying more than one variant when the second generation appears in a few years.
  
  "If the Soul were to evolve into a family, it would be nice," Schreyer told us.
  
  Kia spokesman Scott McKee repeatedly said the Track'ster was just a concept and not intended to be production feasible, all the while issuing the standard auto company disclaimer, "Every concept car we do is about gathering information from consumers and media."
  
  One of the big pieces of information Kia is likely looking for is whether performance cars from Kia would play with the notoriously cliquish enthusiast community. Even more importantly, however, Kia will be gauging interest in additional body styles for the Soul. Schreyer said he thinks the Soul would be "more substantial" if it were also offered in a two-door version, or in a more performance-oriented flavor. All-wheel drive is a feature Schreyer also specifically mentioned as being on his wish list.

  Continue reading Kia Track'ster unlikely for production, but hints at next-generation Soul "family"

  Kia Track'ster unlikely for production, but hints at next-generation Soul "family" originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Hatchback, Toyota
  
  Most concepts you'll see on the show stands of the Geneva Motor Show will come packing some manner of sci-fi powertrain and ultra-expensive chassis and body materials. That's where the Toyota FT-Bh concept stands apart.
  
  Toyota is calling it a "full hybrid city car study," so the FT-Bh isn't destined for production. However, Toyota's goal was to create an inexpensive, fuel efficient urban runabout that doesn't rely on expensive materials or complex manufacturing, but rather uses existing technology to make an affordable hybrid for the masses - something that would be perfect for Europe.
  
  Thing is, Toyota is bringing just that to Geneva in mass-market form.
  
  Joining the FT-Bh on stage is the production version of the Yaris Hybrid, which for all intents and purposes is exactly what the FT-Bh is: an inexpensive, small hybrid based off an existing platform and using tried-and-true technology. Packing a 1.5-liter gasoline engine mated with an electric motor, the Yaris Hybrid outputs 98 horsepower and is some 20% lighter than the Auris Hybrid. Toyota is calling it "Europe's first full hybrid supermini," which begs the question: Where's the line between a "supermini" and a "city car?" We'll find out when we're on the floor in Switzerland next month.
  
  Get all the details on Toyota's Geneva plans in the press blast after the break.

  Continue reading Toyota teases FT-Bh concept hybrid city car ahead of Geneva

  Toyota teases FT-Bh concept hybrid city car ahead of Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 14:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Specialty, Design/Style, MISC
  
  
  Turin-based styling house Bertone has released a couple of sketches teasing its upcoming Nuccio Concept car. To be debuted at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March, the Nuccio will reportedly be based on a mid-engine platform and is meant to commemorate the company's 100-year anniversary.
  
  The Nuccio is named after founder Giovanni Bertone's son, who took over the company and separated it into two divisions, one for building cars and one for designing them for clients. Giuseppe "Nuccio" Bertone died in 1997 and was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in Detroit in 2006, having led his eponymous company through its most successful years.
  
  The Nuccio Concept will be a berlinetta (Italian for little saloon) of classic Bertone design, sporting a pronounced wedge shape that sits very low to the ground. No real details were provided with the two sketches, so we'll have to wait until the Geneva festivities kick off for any hints on the powertrain or seating configuration.

  Bertone releases sketches of Nuccio Concept ahead of Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Classics, Sedan
  
  
  The true jewels of most auto shows are often hidden, requiring a bit more legwork to find. During our third pass of the Chicago Auto Show, we stumbled upon a display from the Classic Car Club of America. Tucked away in a corner behind low aluminum railing, we found a stunning full-size two-door hardtop: the 1954 Mercury XM 800 Concept.
  
  When it was first introduced at the 1954 Detroit Auto Show, the XM 800 made quite an impact. Mechanically speaking, it was fitted with a 312 cubic inch engine rated at 270 horsepower. A Ford-O-Matic automatic transmission, sending power to the rear wheels, was standard. Its design was noted for an expansive greenhouse offering passengers an almost 360-degree outside view. Benson Ford, running the Lincoln-Mercury Division at the time, pushed for the XM-800's basic design to be added to the Mercury lineup. The plan to move forward was only extinguished because the automaker switched gears to work on Edsel.
  
  The fiberglass XM 800 traveled extensively in 1954 and 1955, making appearances at most major car shows and special exhibitions (including the Chicago Auto Show). It even had a featured role in Hollywood, appearing in the 20th Century Fox production Woman's World. In the late 1950s, the concept car was gifted to the University of Michigan's Automotive Engineering Lab to be used for training and design inspiration. Ten years later, the Mercury ended up in storage outside a barn on a farm in central Michigan. Thankfully, the deteriorating concept car caught the eye of an enthusiast who purchased it and began a 20-year frame off, nut-and-bolt restoration.
  
  Today, the 1954 Mercury XM 800 is considered to be one of the most significant concept cars ever produced. It recently sold at the RM Auction for $429,000. Check out the press release for its interesting history and our gallery for some beautiful design.

  Continue reading 1954 Mercury XM 800 Concept is retro-cool in execution, detail and design

  1954 Mercury XM 800 Concept is retro-cool in execution, detail and design originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Feb 2012 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Concept Cars, Performance, Hatchback, Kia
  
  
  It's not like we needed any more reason to like the Soul, but Kia went ahead and debuted the Track'ster concept at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show anyway. The Track'ster is a three-door, all-wheel-drive, 250-hp version of the cute and quirky urban Soul that we hope gets green lights all along its road to production. That's wishful thinking, but follow along to find out why we want the Track'ster made so badly.
  
  

  The Track'ster eschews a back seat in favor of a "fully integrated equipment tray and spare-tire well."

  To date, the Soul has been anything but a performance machine. The Track'ster changes that in a big way by eschewing not only a pair of doors, but also the back seat in favor of what Kia describes as a "fully integrated equipment tray and spare-tire well." This tray is designed to house helmets, race suits, gloves, tools and all the accoutrement that goes with being a serious track rat.
  
  The idea for the Track'ster is to run what your brung, so while the car itself carries everything you need to race, it also needs to move with enough hustle that you're not embarrassed behind the wheel. To that end, Kia has fitted the concept with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 250 horsepower that gets dissected by a six-speed short throw manual transmission and further divided among all four 19-inch wheels by an all-wheel-drive system.
  
  Despite the lack of rear doors, the Track'ster sports a wheelbase nearly an inch longer than the Soul and a 75.5-inch rear track that stretches nearly five inches wider. Likewise, its braking system is also extra strength with 14-inch Brembos clamped by six-piston calipers up front and 13.6-inch discs with four-piston calipers in back. Of course, the interior has also been done up for concept duty, but not so much that it's outside the realm of possibility.
  
  The Track'ster is one of those concepts that occupies a space just near enough reality that we believe it, or something like it, could be be produced if the proletariat buying regular old Souls screams loudly enough. Let us just say, AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

  Continue reading Kia Track'ster concept is a self-contained 250-hp AWD track star

  Kia Track'ster concept is a self-contained 250-hp AWD track star originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Feb 2012 11:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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• Filed under: Concept Cars, Motorcycle, UK, Design/Style
  
  
  We don't envy the designers who pen bikes for the likes of Triumph or Harley-Davidson. Machines like the Bonneville and Sportster are inherently popular for their nostalgic looks, and die-hard fans are the first to cry foul when the bikes wander too far from the original recipe. As the Triumph Bonneville Speed Twin Concept elegantly illustrates, that's a crying shame. As the brainchild of English designers Roy Norton and Tom Kasher, the Speed Twin is a modern take on the classic Bonneville. The two started with a Bonnie as a base platform and proceeded to update the machine's aesthetics accordingly.
  
  The conceit began with the simple notion of what the Bonneville could have evolved into were it not so saddled with the nostalgia millstone. The two contacted Triumph while working for a design studio shortly after college, and Triumph Product Manager Simon Warburton gave the concept the go-ahead. The result is what you see here.
  
  The concept uses a heavily modified Bonneville frame in conjunction with muscular-looking girder forks. Barbour cloth covers both the seats and the grips. With an 865cc engine, Thruxton brakes and unique gauges and levers, the Speed Twin is distilled awesome. Warburton is apparently pleased with the final result as well, and says some of the elements may make their way to future Triumph models. Head over to BikeExif for the full story.

  Triumph Bonneville Speed Twin Concept is what two-wheel dreams are made of originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Feb 2012 16:13:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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