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.
Audi is treading carefully with its e-Tron development and it believes that the brand needs to gain a lot of experience to develop admirable electric cars. Currently, it is only the Audi R8 which has been given a nod ahead for production while an R4 e-Tron concept debuted at the 2010 North American International Auto Show.
Further details of the e-Tron range have been revealed and the R8 e-Tron production will begin in 2012 with 100 units to be produced initially. The production will later be kicked up to 1000 units annually and Audi will keep its doors open to assess customer experience so that Audi could get familiar with the customer demands hinting that the future e-Trons will be based on the feedback. Audi also revealed that the e-Tron will be the most expensive model in the Audi lineup, quoting a price of at least $156,300 USD for the R8 5.2 quattro R tronic.
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.
Peugeot is on the verge of replacing its 407 and 607 with an all new 508 next year and, an almost production ready version of the commuter, the 5 BY Concept will break cover at the Geneva event next month. 5 BY features Peugeot’s Hybrid4 technology, which uses the combination of a diesel engine and an electric motor to power the vehicle.
In the 5 BY prototype’s case, the overall power count is 200bhp courtesy of a 2.0 liter Hdi diesel engine and a rear affixed an electric motor that churns 37bhp. All the power generated is deciphered to the four wheels and the concept manages economy numbers reading 3.8 liters for every 100 kilometers. The commuter gets its design inspiration from the Citroen (sister brand) C6 as similarities include sleek lines with rounded ends. The 5 BY almost looks production ready which is an indication that the 508 will hit the tar pretty soon.
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.
Toyota’s Prius is now a popular name across the globe as it was one of the first green cars that went mainstream and even registered record breaking sales. Embarking on that success, Toyota now plans to extend the lineage and the latest addition is the Prius G Sports Concept that was unveiled at the Auto Salon in Tokyo. The concept is blessed with design traits that make the car aerodynamically sound and fuel efficient at the same time. The G concept houses the same 1.8L 4 cylinder engine which is found in standard Prius. Features like a revised bumper and side skirting, LED Daytime running lights and a dual exhaust system is what separates the concept from the basic model. The interior is also a tad different with RECARO sports seats, a revised steering wheel, info display, aluminum pedals and a black piano trim.
Honda has upped the competition by introducing a new compact car concept, just when Toyota introduced its Etios hatchback and sedan at the Auto Expo 2010. Honda doesn’t have a name for the car yet, but it’s confident that the concept will roll out from the production lines by 2011. Auto Expo staged the world premiere for the car (a global model, they say) which comes with special changes to meet the demand of the Indian customers. It has five-seats and three doors and has been designed on the principle of ‘Man Maximum-Machine Minimum’. Courtesy of the wide platform, this compact car concept offers plenty of cabin space.
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]
