New Ferrari 458 Italia
The first thing that is noticeable about the Ferrari 458 Italia when you first catch a glimpse of one is that it is a much bolder, different design over the F430 than the F430 was over the 360 Modena. There are one or two design homages paid too, especially from the likes of the Enzo and the simply stunning one off Pininfarina designed P4/5.
There are things you immediately notice when you climb in and start one up as well. Firstly, it is much more dignified when you start the engine up. It doesn't scream into life and blow out all the neighbours windows. The engine catches and then quickly settles into a gentle tickover. It will turn the heads of peopl walking down the street but it won't wake the neighbours up.
The Ferrari 458 Italia shares some things with the Ferrari California. Most noticably when you move off you find that the gearbox is much nicer than the one in the F430. The Italia's is the same gearbox that is in the California, being a 7 speed dual clutch system which makes the car much easier to drive, especially in traffic. It seems though that these gearboxes are getting so good, it will be the only gearbox option on the 458 Italia.
The engine is the same block as used in the California too, except it takes on different characteristics after the aluminum has been cast. The stroke has been increased to give 4.5 litres instead of 4.3 and it is now good for 9000 revs and 562 bhp. That's 125 bhp per litre. And there are no turbo's or superchargers involved here. That's also a 70 bhp increase over the ordinary F430 but despite this, the 458 Italia is more economical and produces less CO2.
So from that 562 bhp we're looking at a top speed of 202 mph and a blistering 0-60 time of 3.4 seconds. That means that the new Ferrari 458 Italia will hit the same top speed as a Lamborghini Gallardo, it is quicker by 0.3 seconds to 60 and you will go 2 extra miles on a tank of fuel. Move over Lambo, the king is back.
Geneva Show 2010 Highlights: Audi A1 E-Tron Concept
Here's the car that proves Audi's electric revolution is on full charge! This concept is the latest model to wear the firm's e-tron badge, and it points the way to a new electric A1 for the near future.
At the front lies an electric motor which is backed up by a range extending 254cc Wankel rotary engine under the boot floor. Together the powertrain provides 61bhp and 240Nm of torque.
The system is capable of running on electric power alone for 31 miles, at which point the engine kicks in to extend the range to 124 miles. It runs at 5,000rpm to provide energy for the on-board batteries.
The A1 e-tron posts some remarkably green figures, emitting 44g/km of CO2 and returning 149mpg on the combined cycle. And it's pretty quick too – 0-62mph in 10.2 seconds and a top speed of 81mph.
However, don't expect to see it in showrooms alongside the new A1 – which goes on sale later this year. Speaking exclusively to Auto Express, project engineer Matthias Seer said: "We will start testing A1 e-tron prototypes in June and the development process will take two years.
"After that we will see what happens, but as for other projects, the e-tron supercar [based around the R8] will go on sale at the end of 2012."For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express
Geneva Show 2010 Highlights: 2011 Audi RS5
The Quattro is back! In a spectacular show debut, Audi unveiled the new RS5 alongside its forebear – the original Quattro. Marking the 30th anniversary of the legendary four-wheel-drive machine, the new model gets a 444bhp 4.2-litre V8.
This is hooked up to a seven-speed S tronic twin-clutch gearbox and uses Audi's legendary Quattro all-wheel drive, which means the RS5 does 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds. Top speed is limited to 155mph, although Audi can increase that to 174mph on request.
A new compact and lightweight centre differential means up to 85 per cent of the power can be sent to the rear wheels. A rear differential can also be added to improve the on-limit handling. Suspension lowered by 20 millimetres and Audi's Drive Select system, which allows you to choose between three driving modes - Comfort, Auto and Dynamic - should sharpen up the experience even further.
It looks the part, too, with a new front bumper with larger air intakes, bulging wheelarches and a new honeycomb grille. At the back a reprofiled rear bumper sits above a blacked-out diffuser with the trademark RS oval tailpipes either side. Unique 19 or 20-inch alloys, revised LED tail-lights and a rear spoiler that deploys automatically at 74mph, finish off the exterior tweaks.
Prices are expected to start from under £60,000 when the car goes on sale in May. First deliveries begin in October. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express
Geneva Show 2010 Highlights: Audi A8 Hybrid Concept
Though Audi still believes hybrid vehicles are merely a stopover on the way to full-electrification, the company is somewhat reluctantly building several hybrid models that it hopes will lead the way to full-electric vehicles in the future. One of the first results of this plan is the upcoming Audi A8 Hybrid.
Based on the 2011 Audi A8 (pictured), which itself just broke cover a few months ago, the A8 Hybrid is expected to be a full two-mode hybrid capable of moving itself under engine power, electrical power or a combination of both. While Audi plans to bypass "mild" hybrids that can't move under electrical power, the A8 Hybrid is not expected to be a range-extened electric vehicle, one that uses its gasoline engine only as a generator. The A8 Hybrid's engine will most likely still be connected to the wheels.
Which engine Audi will use to power the hybrid is as of yet unknown. In Europe, the car carries both V-6 and V-8 diesel engines and both V-6 and V-8 gasoline engines. To date, nearly all hybrids have used gasoline engines, but Audi could decide to break that trend. Given that the U.S.-market A8 comes with a gasoline V-8 only, it's the most likely choice of engine for this application.
Little else is known about the A8 Hybrid, but we expect it will be offered both in Europe and the U.S. and possibly other markets. It's also expected to carry a premium price over a base A8, itself an expensive model as the brand's flagship, which could limit appeal.
Thanks to: Motor Trend
Geneva Show 2010 Highlights: 2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta
This isn't just the new and sophisticated Alfa Romeo. Behold, also, Chrysler's life-support machine. The all-new platform under the Giulietta will also provide for several Fiats, and is planned for a generation of cars under Chrysler Group nameplates built in
This includes replacements for the
• Chrysler PT Cruiser (MY2013)
• Dodge Caliber (MY2013)
• Jeep Compass (MY2014)
• Dodge Journey (MY2014)
• Chrysler Sebring/Dodge Avenger (MY 2015)
The Fiat group will provide underbodies for all future front-drive cars made by both the Fiat and Chrysler Groups. It will do this in three platforms. First is the baby or A-segment, the platform under the Fiat 500. Next is the B-car size, under the Alfa Romeo MiTo and Fiat Grande Punto, a Ford Fiesta rival in
Finally -- and most significantly for
Power goes up to 235 horsepower, using Alfa's own new '1750' engine. But the Chryslers will use, according to output, the Fiat 1.4 turbo made in
The new steel platform's floor is modular between the axles, and is designed for a wheelbase stretch for bigger cars. It's also protected for future all-wheel-drive applications. At the same time, engineers say its width can be extended, thus providing for a huge variety of car lines.
In return for these Fiat Group FWD underbodies, Chrysler will do the rear-drive and medium-to-large SUV platforms. That means Alfa Romeo will at last get the chance to return to its historical rear-drive sedan heritage for its biggest models.
Early reports indicated that the Giulietta and related Chryslers would use a derivative of Fiat's previous-generation platform of the same size, which underpins the Fiat Bravo and Lancia Delta (shown at
Thanks to: Motor Trend
Geneva Show 2010 Highlights: Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept
The supercar of tomorrow is here! This is Porsche’s 918 Spyder, a hybrid performance car built to give the best of both worlds, offering a near-200mph top speed, yet managing almost 100mpg.
The Spyder joins the new Cayenne hybrid in Geneva, and previews the replacement for the Porsche Carrera GT. But while that car featured a 5.7-litre V10, the concept car uses a mid-mounted 493bhp 3.4-litre V8 derived from the firm's Spyder racing car, and it revs to 9,200rpm.
But what makes this new car special is the addition of two hybrid motors, which add a further 160kW (215bhp). One drives the front axle through a fixed transmission, and the other is sandwiched between the conventional engine and a seven-speed PDK gearbox. The motors are powered by a lithium ion battery pack located behind the passenger cell.
The hybrid system has four modes, so depending on whether speed or economy is your priority, the car is always operating at its most efficient.
Around town, E-drive mode allows the car to travel up to 16 miles on electricity alone. Next is Hybrid mode, which uses both power sources in moderation, giving claimed economy figures of 94mpg and 70g/km of CO2.
Sport Hybrid mode offers more aggressive power delivery and a torque vectoring function for improved dynamics. The most aggressive mode is Race Hybrid, which gives the most power and features a push-to-pass function.
In this mode, Porsche claims that the 918 can sprint from 0-62mph in 3.2 seconds, hit 198mph and can lap the legendary Nurburgring Nordschleife in under 7 minutes 30 seconds, making it faster than a Carrera GT.
The performance is helped in part by the comprehensive use of lightweight materials in the car’s construction. Carbon fibre reinforced plastics, magnesium and aluminium feature throughout, meaning the 918 Spyder tips the scales at 1,490kg.
Finally Porsche has confirmed that the concept’s look is not just a technological showcase. The interior of this car is set to dictate the look of the next generation of Porsches, beginning with the next 911 in 2012. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express
