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Automotive
Lamborghini's open top Reventon Roadster revealed
By Gizmag Team
01:26 September 16, 2009 PDT
Lamborghini pulled the wraps off the open top version of its Reventón at the Frankfurt IAA yesterday and there was no disappointment, other than perhaps the price and production run. Each Reventón Roadster will be sold for 1.1 million Euro plus taxes and on-roads, and less than 20 will be built. Those with the money and influence to get a spot in the queue will obtain what Automobili Lamborghini regards as the “most extreme car in the history of the brand.” The 6.5 liter twelve-cylinder generates 493 kW (670 PS), catapulting the Roadster from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 3.4 seconds and onwards to a top speed of 330 km/h (205 mph). Deliveries begin next month. Read More
Lexus LF-Ch full hybrid concept debuts at IAA Frankfurt
By Jeff Salton
00:45 September 16, 2009 PDT
Back in August we told you that Toyota would be releasing its Lexus hybrid concept car at IAA Frankfurt, and here it is – in the flesh. Our team of journalists on the ground captured these images of the LF-Ch (Compact hybrid) as soon as the wraps came off at its world debut. Set to rival the Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series, the vehicle is the first Lexus full hybrid in the European premium compact segment – one that’s sure to be bursting with quality competition. If you thought hybrids and luxury didn’t mix, think again. And if you thought Lexus was a brand just for the over-50s, look closer. Read More
Lotus announces purpose-built Range Extender Engine
By Gizmag Team
21:27 September 15, 2009 PDT
Designed specifically for the new breed of highly efficient series hybrid vehicles, Lotus Engineering’s Range Extender engine was shown for the first time at the 63rd Frankfurt International Motor Show. In a series hybrid vehicle, the Range Extender engine is attached to an electricity generator and provides a highly efficient source of energy to power the electric motor directly or charge the vehicle's battery. The three-cylinder 1.2 liter Range Extender engine is optimized between two power generation points, giving 15 kW of electrical power at 1,500 rpm and 35 kW at 3,500 rpm via the integrated electrical generator. The battery can also power the electric motor which enables the design of a drivetrain with low emissions, optimized performance and acceptable range. Read More
Citroen's REVOLTe - the electric 2CV
By Gizmag Team
09:44 September 15, 2009 PDT
Citroen showed an ultra-chic plug-in REVOLTe hybrid concept inspired by its iconic 2CV at the Frankfurt Motorshow. Compact, with a visually-stunning low stance, REVOLTe measures just 3.68m long, 1.73m wide and 1.35m tall. Apart from the drive train, the most interesting feature is its original and distinctive three-seater layout - driver’s seat to one side with two passenger seats behind it - is designed to resemble a lounge, with the rear seats taking the form of a contemporary sofa. Read More
The Peugeot BB1 electric four seater just 2.5 metres long
By Gizmag Team
08:55 September 15, 2009 PDT
One of the most visually distinctive cars on show at Frankfurt on the opening day of the world’s most important car show was Peugeot’s BB1 concept car. Looks aside though, the inbuilt practicality of a car just 2.5 metres long and capable of seating four people indicates how the design freedom afforded by electric cars opens the way for reinventing the automobile in every way: architecture, style, interior design, interior space and connectivity. Read More
The environmentally-responsible Qubo Trekking with Traction +
By Gizmag Team
08:34 September 15, 2009 PDT
FIAT is likely to develop a whole new set of cult followers with the release of its Qubo Trekking, a new version of Fiat’s “free space” vehicle targeting nature lovers, outdoor sports and leisure enthusiasts. This original vehicle is also ideal for the non-conformist driver in search of substance with a sense of environmental responsibility. Powered by the 75 HP 1.3 Multijet, and equipped with the new “Traction +” system, the new Qubo Trekking offers performance similar to that of a “light crossover” but with the economic benefits that only a diesel-fuelled 4X2 can offer (27 km per litre in the extra urban cycle). Environmental performance is excellent too (115 g/km of CO2). Read More
The Audi e-tron electric Quattro with 4,500 Nm of torque
By Gizmag Team
07:49 September 15, 2009 PDT
One of the highlights of IAA 2009 was undoubtedly Audi’s electric Quattro, and the development ecosystem the company is establishing. Dubbed the e-tron, it has four motors producing in total a 230 kW (313 hp) and a stunning 4,500 Nm (3,319.03 lb-ft) of torque, enabling it to accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0 – 62.14 mph) in 4.8 seconds, and from 60 to 120 km/h (37.28 – 74.56 mph) in 4.1 seconds. The car’s lithium-ion battery is stored directly behind the passenger cabin for an optimal center of gravity, and holds 42.4 kilowatt hours, enabling a range of 250 km. Read More
Renault presents stunning electric range at Frankfurt
By Gizmag Team
07:00 September 15, 2009 PDT
Electric vehicles of small proportions are beginning to emerge as the theme of this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show, and the presentation of a comprehensive range of electric vehicles by Renault, dubbed the Z.E. range, was the clincher. Perhaps more important, was Renault’s commitment to begin selling its new Z.E. range at affordable prices in 2010. Read More
MINI shows production-ready two-seat Coupe
By Gizmag Team
05:07 September 15, 2009 PDT
The pick of the first morning of the Frankfurt Motor Show was the MINI Coupe Concept, one of just two previously unannounced cars we’ve seen so far, the other being the equally minimalist MINI Roadster Concept. The coupe will go into production, has just two seats, and the 1.6 litre twin-scroll turbo motor from the MINI Cooper S. Read More
VW shows 170 mpg tandem diesel hybrid two-seater
By Gizmag Team
04:51 September 15, 2009 PDT
Volkswagen rocked the automotive world at a lunchtime press conference on the first day of the Frankfurt Motor Show with a carbon fiber, half width, 1-liter hybrid electric diesel tandem two-seater car named the L1. When the car makes production in 2013, four years from now, it will almost certainly be the most fuel efficient car available with a combined diesel fuel consumption figure of 1.38 l/100km (170 U.S. mpg), thanks to its frugal motor combo, feather-like weight – 380 kg in total - and an aerodynamic drag co-efficient of just 0.195! Read More
British Steam team achieves dream: smashes two world speed records
02:39 September 15, 2009 PDT
Last month, we reported that the British Steam Car had its sights set on several long-standing world records – and we’re happy to report that they’ve smashed not one, but two in the last week of August at Edwards Air Force Base in California. On Tuesday, August 25, they broke the world’s longest-standing speed record with a 139.843mph measured mile and then, the next day, clobbered the record for a measured kilometer with a speed of 148.308mph. Read More
EDAG ‘Light Car – Open Source’ updates to be presented at IAA in Frankfurt
By Jeff Salton
00:26 September 15, 2009 PDT
At Gizmag we’ve given EDAG some well-warranted attention over the years and, if you take a look at the company’s latest offering, you’ll understand why. The EDAG Light Car – Open Source is a collaboration of talented companies brought together by EDAG, all contributing to the one project in much the same way that Open Source works in the IT realm. The EDAG vehicle concept vision was first presented at this year’s 79th Geneva Motor Show in March and the company says further development of the project will be unveiled at the Frankfurt IAA show in a couple of days. A test vehicle is hoped to be ready for next year's Geneva Motor Show. Read More
Ferrari gives the 599 GTB Fiorano a spit and polish with its HGTE package
By Darren Quick
23:48 September 13, 2009 PDT
As it nears the end of its product cycle, Ferrari is giving the 599 GTB Fiorano an extra lease on life with a 'Handling Gran Turismo Evoluzione' (HGTE) package. The package hones the 599’s performance with the inclusion of modified suspension with stiffer springs, rear anti-roll bar and new calibration settings for the magnetorheological (a type of smart fluid that becomes a viscoelastic solid when subjected to a magnetic field) shock absorbers. Read More
Mercedes-Benz Vision S500 Plug-in Hybrid
By Gizmag Team
15:34 September 10, 2009 PDT
Having launched its S 400 HYBRID, currently the most fuel-efficient luxury-segment saloon with a petrol engine, Mercedes-Benz is set to show its Vision S 500 Plug-in HYBRID technology vehicle in Frankfurt next week. Aimed at demonstrating the company’s scalable and intelligently organized set of hybrid systems, and previewing the next model, the compact 15-kW electric motor hardly differs from the S 400 HYBRID, yet is three times more powerful and can be elegantly incorporated into the housing of the 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic transmission. Read More
Mercedes' reinterpretation of the Gullwing
By Gizmag Team
11:56 September 10, 2009 PDT
We first wrote about the coming reinterpretation of the legendary gull-wing in March. In preparation for its first showing next week at Frankfurt Motor Show, Mercedes has released a lot more information about the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The super sports car’s technology package which includes an aluminum space frame body, sports chassis with aluminum double-wishbone suspension, and a kerb weight of 1,620 kilograms. The 571 hp AMG 6.3-liter, front-mid V8, runs a seven-speed transmission with dual-clutch in a transaxle configuration. The Gullwing accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 3.8 seconds and has an electronically-limited top speed of 197 mph. The most surprising aspect is the relatively frugal (for a supercar) fuel consumption of 21.4 mpg (combined). Read More
Renault to preview radical Zero Emission product range at Frankfurt
By Gizmag Team
10:21 September 10, 2009 PDT
Renault will show four new electric vehicle concepts at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show, previewing what is expected to become a new Zero Emission product range from the French manufacturer. No details of the four cars have been made available, but sketches of the four vehicles have been released showing them from above, and the most exciting concept appears to be a very small and narrow single seat four-wheeled personal transport concept (pictured). Check out the from-above images of all four vehicles inside. Read More
McLaren MP4-12C delivers jaw-dropping looks, performance and economy
By Paul Lester
22:26 September 9, 2009 PDT
Supercars are 20 to the dozen these days and it takes something pretty special to elicit that all-important ‘wow’ factor from a modern production car. McLaren is one manufacturer who is most certainly capable of such feats of design and engineering, and while it’s debatable as to whether the original F1 will ever be usurped in terms of pure aggression and innovation, subsequent models suggest that it hasn’t lost its edge when it comes to jaw-dropping new designs. This claim is underlined with the release of the new MP4-12C, a car that most should agree from an aesthetics standpoint hits the ‘goldilocks zone’ between the sublime and the ridiculous. Read More
REVA unveils two new electric cars with emergency roadside recharging
By Jeff Salton
17:19 September 9, 2009 PDT
Indian electric car company REVA will unveil two new electric cars at the forthcoming Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) on September 16. The REVA NXR is a four-seater, three-door hatchback family car aimed at urban drivers while REVA’s showcar, the NXG, is a sporty two-seater with a targa roof that was designed by Dilip Chhabria of internationally-renowned automotive design company DC Design. REVA says it has added a unique technology to its cars that addresses ‘range anxiety’ – worrying about running out of charge mid-journey. The REVive telematics technology acts like an invisible reserve fuel tank. Drivers telephone or SMS REVA for an instant remote top-up should they run out of charge. At present, details are scarce about how REVive actually works but REVA assures us all will be revealed at IAA. Read More
Ford's iosis MAX concept becomes reality as the C-MAX
By Gizmag Team
19:55 September 6, 2009 PDT
It may not be identical but the all-new Ford C-MAX, which will make its global debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, clearly takes its design cues from the stunning iosis MAX concept car unveiled at this year’s Geneva Motor Show. Departing from usual multi-activity vehicle (MAV) thinking by using Ford's 'kinetic design' styling language to adopt a more dynamic passenger-car look, the new model features a coupé-like, sweeping roofline while still retaining the established Ford C-MAX hallmarks of comfort, space, and practicality. Read More
The new Rolls Royce Ghost - the most powerful Roller ever!
By Gizmag Team
08:17 September 6, 2009 PDT
Due for its first public showing at the Frankfurt motor show is the new Rolls-Royce Ghost. Though it is the most powerful car ever produced by the company, Rolls-Royce power is delivered in a very different manner to other cars. It arrives in an elegant, cosseting way that some have described as being designed to lower the pulse, not raise it. With a plethora of complex electronic aids and safety systems designed to operate as one, imperceptibly to the driver, one can expect the new automobile to remain perfectly poised and capable of bearing the legendary Ghost name with honor. Read More
Citroen shows off the new C3
By Gizmag Team
04:02 September 6, 2009 PDT
Citroen’s task in redesigning the best-selling C3 was not an enviable one – how do you better a car that is still selling strongly, with more than two million units on the road. We’ll see the finished product at Frankfurt later this month, but the brand’s new ‘Visiodrive’ certainly looks the goods with its huge windscreen, remarkable interior space and what Citroen claims will be “astonishing” road behavior. Read More
Hyundai prepares eco-friendly showcars for Frankfurt
By Gizmag Team
04:26 September 5, 2009 PDT
The race to provide ecologically responsible mobility is on and Korean giant Hyundai is preparing an interesting range for the Frankfurt Motor Show with the first showing of the ix-Metro (pictured) and i10 Electric. The ix-Metro is a Hybrid Electric CUV for the European sub-B segment and the i10 Electric is a production-ready plug-in 49kW electric vehicle set to go on sale in Korea in the second half of 2010 with a range of 100 miles and top speed of over 80 mph. Read More
Gordon Murray T.25 City Car interior revealed
By Gizmag Team
15:02 September 4, 2009 PDT
We've been writing about Gordon Murray's innovative T.25 City Car for some time with great anticipation - after all, three of them will fit in a single parking space. Now, at long last, we can reveal the internal layout which is designed around a central driving position with six reconfigurable layouts within the same vehicle. Read More
Iveco Electric Daily LCV prototype begins testing in Brazil
By Gizmag Team
17:18 September 3, 2009 PDT
Iveco is showing a prototype of its new Electric Daily in Brazil, a vehicle destined to become the first zero emission light commercial vehicle produced in Latin America. The vehicle has regenerative braking, a range of 100km (65 miles) and a fully-laden top speed of 70kmh (43mph). Read More
Mercedes announces three Concept BlueZERO electric vehicles
By Gizmag Team
15:05 September 3, 2009 PDT
Mercedes-Benz reckons it won’t be just one technology that paves the way to sustainable mobility. After showing the 200 km range all-electric BlueZERO E‑CELL at the NAIAS in January, the German giant is to create a family of modularly-constructed, liquid-cooled Lithium-ion electric cars by adding two more derivatives of the close-to-production vehicle in Frankfurt next week. The BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS extends the range to 600 km using a turbocharged petrol engine as a range extender generator, while the BlueZERO F-CELL is fuel-cell-powered with a range of about 400 km. Read More
Freedom Glen
- November 25, 2009 @ 02:47 UTC
