The Honda Fit EV Concept

Fit EV Concept
http://automobiles.honda.com/images/future-cars/fit-ev/fitconcept_02.jpg

Honda is proud to announce the world debut of the Fit EV Concept. This advanced electric vehicle is designed to meet the daily driving needs of an average commuter, utilizing the same 5-passenger layout found in the popular Fit hatchback. The Fit EV Concept is propelled by a high-density motor derived from the FCX Clarity fuel cell electric vehicle and features a 3-mode drive system adapted from the CR-Z sport hybrid. A pocket-friendly interactive remote can link to the vehicle without the need for an Internet connection or mobile phone signal. Through this remote, drivers will be able to remotely view the vehicle's state of charge, initiate charging and activate the air conditioning, even while connected to the grid, reducing the drain on battery at start-up. An application for smartphones and a website for personal computers offer the ability to set charging notifications and alerts to optimize utility rates and provide 24-hour roadside assistance along with a public charging locator. Battery recharging can be accomplished in less than 12 hours when using a conventional 120-volt outlet and less than six hours when employing a 240-volt outlet. The Fit EV will achieve an estimated 100 miles driving range per charge using the US EPA LA4 City cycle (70 miles when applying EPA's adjustment factor), well more than the average number of miles driven daily by most commuters. The Fit EV is scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. in 2012. Be sure to sign up for e-mail updates to receive all the latest news regarding this exciting vehicle. 

Ref. http://automobiles.honda.com/fit-ev/

The Honda Civic Si Concept

Civic Si Concept coupe

(http://automobiles.honda.com/images/future-cars/2012-civic/civic_01.jpg)

The Honda Civic Si Concept coupe and the Civic Concept sedan made their world debuts at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The Concept vehicles offered an intriguing preview of the styling direction of the new, ninth-generation Civic. 

Civic Concept sedan
(http://automobiles.honda.com/images/future-cars/2012-civic/civic_07.jpg)

This spring, the all-new Civic model range will arrive with unprecedented diversity, including conventional sedan and coupe models, sporty "Si" performance versions, as well as hybrid and natural-gas variants. The new Civic hybrid will feature a lithium ion battery cell, the first ever for a Honda hybrid. In another first for Honda, the Eco-Assist™[1] system will be available in most upcoming Civic models. Additionally, Honda is expanding retail sales of the natural gas-powered Civic GX model. 

Altogether, the new Civic promises to continue its tradition of user-friendliness, sporty performance and excellent fuel economy, offering an unprecedented level of variety with the widest array of powertrain choices in its class. 

[1] Eco Assist is a trademark of Honda Motor Co., Ltd., and may not be used or reproduced without prior written approval. 

Ref. http://automobiles.honda.com/2012-civic/

Lotus Esprit Concept @2010 Paris Auto Show

Lotus Esprit Concept



• Lotus is ready to make a big impact at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. It brought five concept vehicles to the show (more on the other four in short order), and one in particular has us salivating. Lotus plans to revive the much-loved Esprit for the 2013 model year. Before we see a production version of that car, the automaker is showcasing its Lotus Esprit Concept.
• Taking cues from the old Esprit, the Esprit Concept plunks its engine amidship, though instead of honoring the turbocharged four-cylinders that powered the originals, the concept makes do with a meaty supercharged 5.0-liter V8. That V8 will look familiar to fans of the Lexus IS-F. The two-seater will produce 620 horsepower, accelerate from 0-60 in under 3.5 seconds and then blast onward to a 205-mile-per-hour top speed. The plan is to bring the production version to market in the spring of 2013 with a price tag around $175,000.
• In addition to the massive, and massively exciting ,V8 power, the Lotus Esprit will also be offered with KERS as an option. KERS, or Kinetic Energy Recovery System, is a system used by Formula 1 cars to recover heat energy generated during braking. The energy is stored until the driver wants a powerful boost and with a push of a button propels the car with more force than two bottles of NOS... the big ones.
• Stay tuned as we'll update this post with more official images as well as live shots from the show floor soon.
• More...http://www.autoblog.com/2010/09/30/paris-2010-lotus-esprit-concept-previews-upcoming-revival-of-a/

Honda shows new minivan concept in Chicago

The Odyssey concept presages the 2011 production version coming out in the fall. (Credit: Honda)

Not prone to building outlandish or highly speculative concepts, Honda showed off a very mundane concept version of its upcoming new Odyssey minivan at the Chicago Auto Show. The real thing is coming out this fall, so the concept is fairly close to production trim.

Honda notes that the new Odyssey will be lower and wider than the current version, improving aerodynamics and fuel economy. Some versions of the car will get 19 mpg city and 28 mpg highway, according to Honda. But it sounds like the powerplant options will remain unchanged, as Honda says the current i-VTEC V-6, with cylinder deactivation technology, will still be available.

more.. 

http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-13746_7-10450909-48.html?part=rss&tag=feed&subj=Crave

Maybach Exelero

We believed only P.Diddy could offered the 2005 Maybach Exelero Concept, but evidently some franchise in Austria had one built on order but ne'er sold it. Well now they're trying to distribute the car and are inviting 5,000,000 Euros ($7,848,492). V12 bi-turbo from Maybach 57 S 690-hp with a peak torque of 737 ft-lb. 0-62mph in 4.4 secs with a top speed of 218mph.

Download : Maybach Exelero

Dacia Duster Concept

Renault's low-priced Romanian brand, Dacia, will be bringing out its very first concept at the Geneva Motor Show this calendar week. Called the Duster, the concept boasts a crossover-style consistence with some very concerning titling components like headlamps that trail off crossed the front buffers and rear tail-lights that adulterate advancing across a arc-boutant of sheetmetal above the rear bicycles. Kudos to Renault architects in Romania and France for authorship such an concerning shape. Arrested within is an evenly useful interior with a neat modular trick: The front passenger seat chutes underneath the driver's seat on fulminates, making adequate room to carry a all-terrain bike inside the car instead of on top of it.

 

Download : Dacia Duster Concept

Vote, and maybe win an Xbox

Seems like everyone is into the spirit of democracy these days.

Peugeot is soliciting your vote for its 2008 Design Contest. This year's challenge is for a vehicle that complements environmental and population concerns in the megalopolis of tomorrow.

Thierry Dumaine of France entered the Facile, a concept car with two removable mono-wheel mopeds.

(Credit: Peugeot/Thierry Dumaine)

The French-based car company released a list of 29 finalists, which can be voted on through September 15. You can vote anonymously, or vote giving your personal info for a chance to win an Xbox 360. Keep in mind that only those who vote for the winning concept car will be eligible to win one of 20 Xbox 360 consoles Peugeot plans to give away.

The designer of the winning concept car gets a cash prize, VIP passage to some of this season's auto shows, an Xbox 360, and a small scale model of their car.

We put together some highlights from this year's finalists, who come from all over the world, including Iran. Check out our gallery of the car designs modern and chic enough for Carla Bruni-Sarkozy.

Read more...

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