Set to hit the stage in Paris in less than a week, Mini's Scooter E concept, a two-wheeled, battery-powered urban dream machine, may indeed reach the inside of showrooms in the near future. Judging by the pics alone, the Scooter E appears ready to roll, but as Autocar recently discovered, the vehicle's fate lies mainly in the reaction from the public.
Volvo working on a car battery that could be shaped into body panels — Autoblog Green
Where can you put an electric car's power source? Pretty much anywhere, as Volvo's new "Tomorrow's Volvo Car" sketch shows us. The idea here is to build a rechargeable battery into the car's body panels, and Volvo is saying that, "tests are currently under way to see if the vision can be transformed into reality."
Report: Honda mulling CR-Z convertible? — Autoblog
According to Road & Track, Honda may have its heart set on cranking out a new droptop sports car to keep the brand alive in the hearts and minds of enthusiasts. Unfortunately, the new racer isn't likely to be anything like the much-loved S2000. No, instead, R&T's sources point to a convertible version of the CR-Z. The recipe calls for the platform to retain its front-wheel-drive layout, though a more powerful drivetrain would likely be fitted to lug around the additional weight of bracing and a folding top.
Honda S2000, CR-Z convertible follow Acura NSX and V8 to scrap heap — Autoblog Green
Over on the Honda brand side of the house, two future sporty car programs have also been killed. A replacement for the S2000 roadster will apparently never see the light of day and a convertible version of upcoming CR-Z has also been shelved. The CR-Z hybrid coupe will debut in 2010 based on the new Insight.
Report: Honda mulling CR-Z convertible? — Autoblog
If the car made it to production, it would theoretically go toe to toe with the long-reigning Mazda MX-5 in a battle that we can only assume would be over before either car got to the track. Should the CR-Z-based car prove successful, Honda would then look into building a more potent, rear-wheel drive hybrid sports car.
"Lotus Will Unveil Two Heavyweight Front-Engine Hybrids at 2010 Paris Auto Show" Green Car AdvisorOne will be a four-door hatchback in the style of the Porsche Panamera. The other will be a two-door coupe.
Lotus Evora S and Evora Automatic confirmed for Paris via leaked email
Kevin Smith, a marketing and PR executive, wrote an e-mail to Alastair Florance, Lotus' PR manager, asking if the Evora S and Evora Auto would debut in Paris. Alastair replied "...yes the Evora S and Evora Auto will be on the stand in Paris alongside the new car(s) not yet announced (let's maintain the mystery for now!)." Of course, Smith mistakenly cc'd the "secret" e-mails to the entire automotive media.
Porsche 918 Spyder moves under its own power in Monterey [w/videos] — Autoblog
Well, today at the Pebble Beach Lodge, site of the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the company surprised us by driving the hybrid supercar up to the concept lawn for all to see – and hear.
Porsche 918 Spyder moves under its own power in Monterey [w/videos] — Autoblog
They did a quick turn around after sitting still for a second and as the V8 rumble died away, the car started moving forward again. A couple of people were taken by surprise as they thought the driver may have forgotten to engage the parking brake, but no, the car had switched over to battery power.
Less than a fortnight after the story first broke the dramatic new Lancia Stratos project is revealled today, totally undisguised, the images, taken during a testing session at Balocco, portraying a truly stunning supercar that is every bit in the mould of the iconic and hugely admired original.
More detailed information on the new project has been revealed today, most sensationally that the new Stratos is powered by a production Ferrari V8 engine.
The apparent use of Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano rear light units on the prototype at Balocco adds to the sourcing of Maranello components, along with the carbon-ceramic brake units that may well also be a Ferrari item.
シャシー開発には英ロータス社からの援助を受けており、また、部品の一部はロータス・エリーゼから流用されている。組み立てもイギリス・ヘセルにあるロータスの工場で行われており、そこに世界各地にあるテスラの工場から送られたパーツを集め、車体を組み立てている。
今までのどのような自動車より異なった面白みがある 【テスラ ロードスター 海外試乗レポート/日下部保雄】
ハンドリングではロータスほどステアリングレスポンスは良くないし、アクセルペダルを強く踏むとフロントの接地感が少なくなるのもロータスとは異なる。
Suzuki May Be VW’s Next Major Acquisition - The Car ConnectionVolkswagen has made no secret of its desire to be the world’s number one automaker, gobbling up smaller brands in its wake as it attempts to inorganically grow to rival the likes of General Motors and Toyota. The German auto giant is still finishing up its takeover of Porsche but already its chairman, Ferdinand Piech, is hinting about the company’s next major acquisition.
In his sights is Japanese automaker Suzuki, which could potentially give Volkswagen its first major foothold in the Asian market. Suzuki's 2.36 million global sales last year would boost Volkswagen’s sales tally to a higher level than General Motors’ figure and put it close behind Toyota.
BMW Vision EfficientDynamics videosThe quite spectacular car has a three-cylinder diesel engine combined with two electric motors on the front and rear axles for a maximum power output of 356 hp. The provocative design has been studied in merit of the aerodynamics.
Spy Shots: Is this Porsche 911 mule hiding a shocking secret? — AutoblogCould that fuel-saving technology make a move closer to Porsche's sportscar roots? If so, would the battery pack go under the front hood in the rear-engined car?
According to a series of spy photos from our friends at NextAutos, the answer to those questions may be yes and yes. Although there aren't any logos on the car – save for some awesomely well-placed Batman stickers (Are we looking at the next Tumbler?), the bodystyle undoubtedly screams 911 while the details have us scratching our heads. What's with the oddly shaped bulge (complete with what appears to be a lightning bolt graphic) on the hood, or the fact that the photogs claim the car made virtually no noise as it sped away at high velocities?
Spy Shots: Possible Porsche 911 Hybrid Disguised as Batmobile | NextAutos.com and Winding Road]]>The photographer reported that the car was very quiet when he first noticed the car coming out from a parking place and that was the thing that made him look again.
【ビデオ】フロントガラスに穴をあけると、風の巻き込みを軽減できる? - Autoblog Japan1980年代にはオープンカー向けのいくつか風よけが考案されたが、どれも取り付けが面倒で、うんざりするものばかり。しかもカッコ悪い。そこで、スタンフォード大学工学部とミュンヘン工科大学の学生たちが、これを解決するフロントガラスを共同開発した。『OpenRoad』と名付けられたこのガラスは、ガラスの中央下部に穴が開いている。そこを通リ抜ける気流が、空気が渦を巻くのを防ぐ仕組みになっている。至極単純なアイデアながら効果は抜群だ。
独ポルシェ、VWによる買収に合意間近か - IBTimes(アイビータイムズ)独週刊誌シュピーゲルは18日、独自動車大手フォルクスワーゲン(VW)が親会社の高級車メーカー、ポルシェを買収することにポルシェの大株主が合意すると報じた。VWはまずポルシェの49.9%株式を取得し、第2段階で残りの全株式を取得するという。
交差点信号が同時に「青」…30年近く放置(読売新聞) - Yahoo!ニュース福島県会津若松市の国道交差点で、二つの信号が30年近くにわたって約7秒間、同時に青になっていたことがわかった。6月に事故が起きて判明。プログラムミスによるもので、県警は事故の当事者に謝罪し、片方の信号機を撤去した。
MotoringFile » Archive » MF Exclusive: MINI Coupe to be Named Broadspeed?Now that BMW has given the green light to the R56 based speedster and coupe project, design and engineering has officially begun. As reported on MF in June, MINI will be debuting the speedster (officially as a concept) at the Frankfurt autoshow this Fall.
フィアット、イタリアで最も歴史あるカロッツェリアの買収に名乗り - Autoblog Japan先頃クライスラーと資本提携したフィアットは、ゼネラル・モーターズ(GM)に対しても、オペルやヴォクスホールを含む欧州及び南米事業の買収まで提案した。ここまでくれば、フィアットに更なる買収計画があると聞いても、もう誰も驚かないだろう。今回明らかになったのは、カロッツェリア・ベルトーネに対する買収提案である。
Autocar - Super-frugal Citroen C6 plannedで、おもしろいなというか、シトロエンっぽいなと思ったのは、前輪がディーゼルエンジン、後輪がモーターで駆動するというところでしょうか。Sources say the big executive car will be fitted with PSA’s new diesel hybrid drivetrain and a host of aerodynamic tweaks that will combine to make it usefully more frugal than its German and Japanese rivals.
Autocar - Super-frugal Citroen C6 plannedA transversely mounted 163bhp turbodiesel engine, fitted with an alternator/generator and a stop-start system, will power the front wheels. A six-speed ‘robotised’ self-shifting manual ’box will be standard. A new set-up consisting of a single electric motor, which drives the rear wheels, will replace the C6’s rear suspension. Room will also have to be found at the rear for the electronic control systems and a small battery pack.