The latest auto news, reviews, prices, product and vehicle releases. Auto News 5
Stay connected Subscribe to our RSS feed
Do not miss the latest Auto News !
BMW's striking Vision EfficientDynamics concept is headed for production in late 2012 or early 2013 as a 450-hp, twin-turbocharged halo for the company's new environmental initiative. Theoretically at least, the production car, which may be badged M100 (shown here as an artist's interpretation based on spy photos), has what it takes to eclipse its most serious rivals. Extensive computer simulation suggests that it will outpace the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, the Audi R8 5.2, and the Porsche 911 Turbo. Power will likely come from the twin-turbo in-line six that's being cooked up for the next M3 and will be transmitted to the rear wheels via a dual-clutch automatic transmission.
Lotus unveiled a lot of future products at the 2010 Paris auto show, but the City Car concept is the most puzzling. This tiny plug-in hybrid or full electric vehicle is slightly larger than a Toyota iQ and uses the powertrain we first saw in the EMAS concept at this year's Geneva auto show.
Is it a car? Is it a van? Is it an SUV? According to Nissan, its Townpod concept, which debuted this morning at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, is a little of everything.
To state the obvious, one of the reasons the Paris auto show is unique is because the French automakers are on their home turf. We see Renault, Citroen, and Peugeot at the Geneva show each year, but their most exciting cars always debut in Paris. DeZir is the latest Renault EV concept and it looks pretty cool.
At first glance, the Audi e-tron Spyder unveiled in Paris might appear to be just a topless version of the e-tron Coupe shown in Detroit. The most significant difference concerns the drivetrain. Whereas the e-tron Coupe was a pure EV, with an electric motor driving the rear wheels, this latest e-tron concept is a plug-in hybrid that sends power to all four corners in a system that Audi calls e-quattro.
Two automakers have promised electric scooter concepts for the 2010 Paris Motor Show, but only Smart has shown the finished project -- the Escooter -- ahead of its official debut.