21 December 2011 09:45
Toyota regularly shows hybrid concept cars at the Detroit auto show – and the 2012 NAIAS is no different. Problem is, we don't yet know much about their planned debut.
Called the NS4, all we can see so far is this rather ludicrously cropped shot of the headlamp. We nearly didn't bother publishing this at all, but figured you'd rather see a snippet of the Toyota NS4 rather than nothing.
The brief statement issued today says: 'Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc will debut NS4, an advanced plug-in hybrid concept vehicle, at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
'The reveal will feature the world premiere of the concept vehicle as well as the North American debut of the Prius C hybrid during Toyota's news conference on Tuesday 10 January at 8.45am in the Riverview Ballroom at Cobo Center.'
Thứ Ba, 28 tháng 2, 2012
Lexus LF-Lc concept car (2012) is leaked early
A concept depicting what a future Lexus SC could look like has leaked early. The new Lexus LF-Lc will be shown at the 2012 Detroit auto show in January.
Road & Track magazine in the US is being blamed for the leak, which has provided this low-res image of the LF-Lc.
It shows a sporting targa coupe and officials openly refer to it as a design study in the mould of the rare SC convertible, a kind of Merc SL from Japan.
Lexus LF-Lc: the lowdown
Pay attention to the styling of the LF-Lc. Lexus types admit it is exploring a fresh design expression for the company; although it persists with the L-Finesse design language, this shows a modest progression.
The spindle grille, in particular, is said to be influential - taking the new-look snout from the GS and giving it a fresh twist. It fronts up a massively elongated bonnet, with cartoonish proportions.
Another hybrid Lexus
Naturally, that long, long bonnet houses a hybrid powertrain. No word yet on its specification.
Will Lexus build this targa-top sports car? They must be feeling buoyed by the reception for its LF-A supercar, but we suspect the LF-Lc won't be at the top of their priority list.
Road & Track magazine in the US is being blamed for the leak, which has provided this low-res image of the LF-Lc.
It shows a sporting targa coupe and officials openly refer to it as a design study in the mould of the rare SC convertible, a kind of Merc SL from Japan.
Lexus LF-Lc: the lowdown
Pay attention to the styling of the LF-Lc. Lexus types admit it is exploring a fresh design expression for the company; although it persists with the L-Finesse design language, this shows a modest progression.
The spindle grille, in particular, is said to be influential - taking the new-look snout from the GS and giving it a fresh twist. It fronts up a massively elongated bonnet, with cartoonish proportions.
Another hybrid Lexus
Naturally, that long, long bonnet houses a hybrid powertrain. No word yet on its specification.
Will Lexus build this targa-top sports car? They must be feeling buoyed by the reception for its LF-A supercar, but we suspect the LF-Lc won't be at the top of their priority list.
Audi A1 Quattro (2012) first official pictures
This is the Audi A1 Quattro, a 252bhp and four-wheel drive hot hatch that’s as exclusive as an R8 GT Spyder. Just 333 Audi A1 Quattros will ever be built so they’ll be a rare sight on the road – and particularly in Britain as the entire production run is left-hand drive, and Audi UK will import a tiny number only if there’s enough customer interest.
So I probably can’t afford an Audi A1 Quattro, and I might never see one – what am I missing out on?
Let’s talk power. Shoehorned under the bonnet is a direct injection 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, dressed with a turbocharger to produce 252bhp (at 6000rpm) and 258lb ft (from 2500 to 4500rpm). Thankfully the A1 Quattro has Quattro (hence the name), and previews the new four-wheel drive system that Audi is developing for the forthcoming circa-220bhp S1.
With all four wheels pawing at the Tarmac, 0-62mph takes 5.7 seconds, 1.2 seconds quicker than the current 182bhp (and front-wheel drive) A1 1.4 TFSI. Top speed is 152mph and it’ll do 32.8mpg on the combined fuel cycle.
It’s got a double-clutch S-tronic gearbox, hasn’t it?
Actually it hasn’t. The prototype four-wheel drive A1 we tested earlier this year had a six-speed manual, and so does this production A1 Quattro. And enthusiasts should also like the sound of the chassis tweaks: Audi promises this limited-run A1 ‘is much more tautly tuned than the production model’.
Those are changes below the skin though; much more obvious is Glacier White paint (the only colour available) the deep front bumper (that mainly comprises intakes rather than any actual metalwork), red-tinted headlights, sill extensions, twin exhaust pipes, the big rear wing and white alloy wheels. There are 225/35 R18 tyres all round, 312mm front brakes clamped by black callipers, and a three-stage ESP system with a Sport mode and a you’re-on-your-own setting. Inside there’s a red rev counter, and red stitching to contrast with the black Nappa leather.
The first customer cars will be delivered in the second half of 2012, and if you want to own one in the UK, start waving at least £30k in the face of your Audi dealer now.
>> Click 'Add your comment' below and let us know what you think of the Audi A1 Quattro
So I probably can’t afford an Audi A1 Quattro, and I might never see one – what am I missing out on?
Let’s talk power. Shoehorned under the bonnet is a direct injection 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine, dressed with a turbocharger to produce 252bhp (at 6000rpm) and 258lb ft (from 2500 to 4500rpm). Thankfully the A1 Quattro has Quattro (hence the name), and previews the new four-wheel drive system that Audi is developing for the forthcoming circa-220bhp S1.
With all four wheels pawing at the Tarmac, 0-62mph takes 5.7 seconds, 1.2 seconds quicker than the current 182bhp (and front-wheel drive) A1 1.4 TFSI. Top speed is 152mph and it’ll do 32.8mpg on the combined fuel cycle.
It’s got a double-clutch S-tronic gearbox, hasn’t it?
Actually it hasn’t. The prototype four-wheel drive A1 we tested earlier this year had a six-speed manual, and so does this production A1 Quattro. And enthusiasts should also like the sound of the chassis tweaks: Audi promises this limited-run A1 ‘is much more tautly tuned than the production model’.
Those are changes below the skin though; much more obvious is Glacier White paint (the only colour available) the deep front bumper (that mainly comprises intakes rather than any actual metalwork), red-tinted headlights, sill extensions, twin exhaust pipes, the big rear wing and white alloy wheels. There are 225/35 R18 tyres all round, 312mm front brakes clamped by black callipers, and a three-stage ESP system with a Sport mode and a you’re-on-your-own setting. Inside there’s a red rev counter, and red stitching to contrast with the black Nappa leather.
The first customer cars will be delivered in the second half of 2012, and if you want to own one in the UK, start waving at least £30k in the face of your Audi dealer now.
>> Click 'Add your comment' below and let us know what you think of the Audi A1 Quattro
Range Rover Evoque by Kahn (2012) first pictures
It was only a matter of time before the tuning world got their hands on the modish new Range Rover Evoque.
Yorkshire fettlers Kahn have just announced their take on the Evoque: new paint colours, huge rims and a range of personalisation to make you stand out from the Chelsea set.
What Kahn do to the Range Rover Evoque
A. Kahn Design in Bradford takes the Evoque and produces whatever the customer's taste - and wallet - allow.
This example sports a 35mm suspension drop to give the Evoque a more ground-hugging stance. A variety of alloy wheels is offered, ranging from 20-22in in diameter.
But most of the changes to the Kahn Evoque are cosmetic: the brake callipers are yellow, the roof orange (very DS3 Racing), privacy glass is fitted and many of the details are colour-coded.
Upholstery to match your wardrobe
Kahn promises it can spec the Evoque's interior to match any customer's mores. They'll even match the seat upholstery to a buyer's favourite jeans or suit.
They'll even change the colour of the dashboard clock.
Much as we often deride the efforts of tuners, this new 2012 Range Rover Evoque by Kahn actually looks pretty smart to these eyes.
If anything, this Evoque is even nearer to the Land Rover LRX concept car games.
Yorkshire fettlers Kahn have just announced their take on the Evoque: new paint colours, huge rims and a range of personalisation to make you stand out from the Chelsea set.
What Kahn do to the Range Rover Evoque
A. Kahn Design in Bradford takes the Evoque and produces whatever the customer's taste - and wallet - allow.
This example sports a 35mm suspension drop to give the Evoque a more ground-hugging stance. A variety of alloy wheels is offered, ranging from 20-22in in diameter.
But most of the changes to the Kahn Evoque are cosmetic: the brake callipers are yellow, the roof orange (very DS3 Racing), privacy glass is fitted and many of the details are colour-coded.
Upholstery to match your wardrobe
Kahn promises it can spec the Evoque's interior to match any customer's mores. They'll even match the seat upholstery to a buyer's favourite jeans or suit.
They'll even change the colour of the dashboard clock.
Much as we often deride the efforts of tuners, this new 2012 Range Rover Evoque by Kahn actually looks pretty smart to these eyes.
If anything, this Evoque is even nearer to the Land Rover LRX concept car games.
Lexus LF-Lc concept car (2012) first official pictures
Now it's official. After the leaked images of the Lexus LF-Lc broke early before Christmas, today Lexus issues more official photos of its SC-alike concept car.
The LF-Lc will be shown at the 2012 Detroit auto show, aka the North American International Auto Show, which kicks off next week.
Lexus LF-Lc: the lowdown
The LF-Lc is a 2+2 sports coupe designed to showcase the next iteration of Lexus design. Dubbed L-Finesse, the language of Lexus hasn't changed much in the past decade and this concept explores future stylistic avenues.
Designed at the company's Calty studio in Newport Beach, California, the LF-Lc 'combines high technology and organic shapes to connect the driver to the car,' say the chief creatives. 'The clean lines of the vehicle emphasize motion, creating a distinctive look for this futuristic sport coupe.'
Insiders talk about this car being built in the spirit of the SC, that rare-groove roadster which challenged the Mercedes SL.
The spindle grille, in particular, is said to be influential - taking the new-look snout from the GS and giving it a fresh twist. It fronts up a massively elongated bonnet, with cartoonish proportions for its hybrid powertrain.
The LF-Lc will be shown at the 2012 Detroit auto show, aka the North American International Auto Show, which kicks off next week.
Lexus LF-Lc: the lowdown
The LF-Lc is a 2+2 sports coupe designed to showcase the next iteration of Lexus design. Dubbed L-Finesse, the language of Lexus hasn't changed much in the past decade and this concept explores future stylistic avenues.
Designed at the company's Calty studio in Newport Beach, California, the LF-Lc 'combines high technology and organic shapes to connect the driver to the car,' say the chief creatives. 'The clean lines of the vehicle emphasize motion, creating a distinctive look for this futuristic sport coupe.'
Insiders talk about this car being built in the spirit of the SC, that rare-groove roadster which challenged the Mercedes SL.
The spindle grille, in particular, is said to be influential - taking the new-look snout from the GS and giving it a fresh twist. It fronts up a massively elongated bonnet, with cartoonish proportions for its hybrid powertrain.
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