The Mercedes-Benz F800 Style broke cover at the ongoing 80th Geneva Motor Show and while a few view it as a research design study which will be an inspiration for future models, there is group of believers that believe it is the 2011 CLS Class.
The F800 Style can use two different powertrains which include a plug-in unit or a fuel cell option. As a fuel-cell powered com muter the F800 motor can get 101kW of energy along with 290Nm of torque although the range wasn’t revealed.
As a plug-in option mated to a V6 engine, F800 manages 403 hp on a combined cycle. The plug-in F800 manages a top speed of 120km/h when only running on the 81kW motor and 249km/h when running on the V6 petrol engine. The F800 manages the 0 to 60mph dash in an impressive 4.7 seconds.
For the ones thinking it to be the next generation CLS, take note that the F800 is seven inches shorter in length which is because of the stubbed rear and a uniquely designed front fascia.
Amongst other Honda moniker bearing automobiles in Geneva, a notable concept getting a preview will be the single seater 3R-C prototype which is a battery electric powered machine. Honda aims to make the world have a feel of the future mobility options in urban areas where clean technology will be the key. Riding on the three wheels, the Honda 3R-C Concept comes with a canopy which covers the driver’s seat when the commuter is parked and when the wheels get rolling, the same canopy becomes a shield. Honda has put in plenty of thought by even incorporating a lockable boot area in such a puny commuter thereby making it ideal for future urban needs.
The CLS Class admirers’ eager to know more about the 2011 Mercedes CLS-Class should pay attention to the arrival of the F800 Style concept as it previews the next gen CLS model. The detailed concept seems a derivative of the rising car sculpture which Mercedes has teased with so often in the past.
The F800 Style Concept features a bold front end, pivot-and-slide rear doors and LED lights. On the inside, primary integrations include lightweight seats, an attractive looking center console and luxurious wood veneers imparting overall quality. On popping the hood, one discovers that the F800 Style Concept comes with an advanced multi-drive platform that can accommodate twin green means- fuel cell or a plug-in hybrid unit and both require minimal installation space. While the plug-in hybrid system comes with 300hp V6 petrol engine combined with a 109 hp hybrid module, the fuel cell features an electric motor that produces 136 hp.
Bertone is forging ahead with its Alfa Romeo Pandion as it has come up with the first images of the concept just a week after its first teaser sketch surfaced. Pandion is supposed to be showcased as one of three entrants at the Geneva Motor Show that will potentially replace the Alfa Romeo 159 also marking 100 years of existence for the brand. Design traits from the Saab Aero X and the BMW Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept can be spotted on the Bertone Alfa Romeo Pandion. It sports a sturdy looking front end, extensive glasswork and a oddly designed rear diffuser. Speculation is ripe that the concept is based on the Competizione hinting that it will be powered by a 4.7-liter V8 producing 450 bhp and 470 Nm of torque.
The Ray Concept was unveiled at the Chicago Auto Show and it is a plug-in-hybrid concept designed for the eco-conscious. The concept features a direct injection 153hp 1.4L engine and a 78kW electric motor where the engine is mated to a CVT set-up. The Ray concept has an overall driving range of 1,200 Km and it can travel 80kms on the electric power alone while it has a fuel economy rating of more than 202mpg. The Ray Concept adjudges the driving conditions and then decides the escalation of power from the two sources i.e. the engine and the electric unit.
Few years back, no one talked about the Auto Expo New Delhi, but since India is the next big market to automakers, this year’s event has gained a lot of importance. For India MPV is still a rarity and the first of its kind to make its debut as a concept was the Suzuki R3 which was designed in a modest time of nine months. The R3 comes with six individual seats and those seats can be folded away to increase the cargo space. There are no sliding doors to be found and the rearward opening doors making things easier for the passengers. The exterior is boxy and it has a bulky rear portion. At the fascia is a combination of high-intensity lighting with LED accents and the LEDs can also be found at the back. The engine choice is still a mystery but that will gain importance only if Suzuki is keen to take this MPV to the production facility. The prototype has an engine that is mated to a five-speed manual transmission.
Designer Slavche Tanevsky is the guy guilty for coming up with this amazing & aggressive concept car. Dubbed Lamborghini Ankonian, the vehicle is meant as an upgrade to the famous Lamborghini Reventon and continues with the stealth fighter jet inspiration (already becoming a habit for the Italian manufacturer) for coming out with a pimped version of a Batmobile. Make it a radar-evasive car and take it to the production lines, that’ll make our day. [via fubiz]
Is it just me or does this look like a vehicle that is very close to production ready? Three spy pictures that were taken by Alfa Romeo employees. I’m sure they’re going to be in a lot of trouble – thanks guys.
It shows that Alfa Romeo Kamal – a SUV from the Italian marque that may or may not be built. What we do know is this thing looks ready to be sold. What we don’t know is if they’re going to sell the Kamal or not.
Guess well have to wait and see.
If you had to choose between Audi’s R8 sports car or pay more to buy the electric e-tron which would you choose?
Sure, it would depend on a couple of things, but the one that really concerns me is the range. Will the be able to make an electric car with the R8’s performance levels that can literally go the distance. I mean what good is a sports car if you can only go quick for a 100km or so?
We’ll have to wait till about 2012 for the answer to that question when Audi is going to build a 1000 units of the e-tron. Audi reckons it can sell a 1000 of these babys through its worldwide dealer network of about 5000 dealers, but they would make more if the merket wanted it and would make less if nobody waned it…so the 1000 units is only a guesstimate.
Pricing? It’ll be priced above the R8.
This is up Lite concept from VW. It is Lite on fuel. Using only the faintest whisker of fumes of fuel to go on to a consumption figure of just over 2 liters per 100km.
How? Well the name kinda gives it away. Weighing in at only 695kg it really is Lite. It weighs as much as a stack of feathers because of the extensive use of Aluminium, Carbon fibre and lightweight batteries.
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The Revolte Concept from Citroen, a throwback to the 2CV, has been a matter of great confusion since no one is thoroughly sure whether it will ever make it to the production floor. The images of the concept have however broken cover and it looks like a premium sporting hatch which will borrow some traits from the Citroen DS3. At the front the small beast gets the updated Citroen grille, small headlights and a honeycomb lower face. The rear doors on the sporting hatch open rearward which maintain the C-shape form of the car at all times. We will have to wait until the Frankfurt Motor Show kicks off next week, before we know more. [via WCF]
