New FolderToyota FT-86 II Concept

New FolderToyota FT-86 II Concept

New FolderToyota FT-86 II Concept

For the heavyweights over at Toyota, the FT-86 II concept announcement was almost a throwaway remark in the statement made by Didier Leroy, President of Toyota Motor Europe. At the press conference on Tuesday, Leroy devoted nearly all of his speech to a detailed discussion of Toyota’s hybrid strategy and only briefly referenced the FT-86 II concept at the end of his remarks:
I want to focus on the passion that’s returned to Toyota in recent months. That passion is back in everything we are doing and in every new product we are developing. You can feel the passion in the only non-hybrid we’ve got on the stand, our FT-86 II concept car. This is the evolution of the concept we showed in Geneva last year and closer to the final car we will launch next year, as part of a new wave of Toyota products.”
The passion is back, eh? Indeed, buried all the way back on the last three pages of Toyota’s 18-page Geneva press kit. Not exactly the ringing endorsement hachi-roku and Celica-Supra fans the world over were waiting for.
No new ground was broken either, just a reiteration of what we already know:

- The new FT-86 sports car is being developed in conjunction with Fuji Heavy Industries (parent company of Subaru – though Subaru is never mentioned)

- It will use a ‘free revving boxer petrol engine’ mounted in the front, driving the rear wheels.

- A six-speed manual should be on offer when the car goes on sale in 2012.

- This concept, dubbed ‘Functional Beauty’, is a product of Toyota’s European Design Development center.
As they are wont to do with a concept, Toyota put the blacked-out FT-86 II out of reach from show goers up on a fast rotating platform – revealing nothing but its sleek LFA-sque styling.

New FolderToyota FT-86 II Concept

New FolderToyota FT-86 II Concept

New FolderToyota FT-86 II Concept

New FolderToyota FT-86 II Concept

New FolderToyota FT-86 II Concept

For the heavyweights over at Toyota, the FT-86 II concept announcement was almost a throwaway remark in the statement made by Didier Leroy, President of Toyota Motor Europe. At the press conference on Tuesday, Leroy devoted nearly all of his speech to a detailed discussion of Toyota’s hybrid strategy and only briefly referenced the FT-86 II concept at the end of his remarks:
I want to focus on the passion that’s returned to Toyota in recent months. That passion is back in everything we are doing and in every new product we are developing. You can feel the passion in the only non-hybrid we’ve got on the stand, our FT-86 II concept car. This is the evolution of the concept we showed in Geneva last year and closer to the final car we will launch next year, as part of a new wave of Toyota products.”
The passion is back, eh? Indeed, buried all the way back on the last three pages of Toyota’s 18-page Geneva press kit. Not exactly the ringing endorsement hachi-roku and Celica-Supra fans the world over were waiting for.
No new ground was broken either, just a reiteration of what we already know:

- The new FT-86 sports car is being developed in conjunction with Fuji Heavy Industries (parent company of Subaru – though Subaru is never mentioned)

- It will use a ‘free revving boxer petrol engine’ mounted in the front, driving the rear wheels.

- A six-speed manual should be on offer when the car goes on sale in 2012.

- This concept, dubbed ‘Functional Beauty’, is a product of Toyota’s European Design Development center.
As they are wont to do with a concept, Toyota put the blacked-out FT-86 II out of reach from show goers up on a fast rotating platform – revealing nothing but its sleek LFA-sque styling.

New FolderToyota FT-86 II Concept

New FolderToyota FT-86 II Concept

Smart Forspeed Electric Concept

Smart Forspeed Electric Concept

Smart Forspeed Electric Concept

Smart's recent concept vehicles have promoted the brand's emerging electric mobility agenda, and it's Smart Forspeed concept for the 2011 Geneva auto show is no exception.
The Forspeed's rear wheels are propelled by a 30-kW (40-horsepower) electric motor, the same setup found in the Smart Fortwo ElectricDrive. Smart has included a so-called overboost function, which reportedly allows drivers to cue up an extra 7 horsepower for short blasts by pushing a button on the dashboard. Power is drawn from the same 16.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack as in the Smart ED, giving the Forspeed a theoretical range of 81 miles to a single charge.
While the electric drivetrain is rooted in reality, the Forspeed's styling is not. Bearing some resemblance to the wild Crossblade concept and special-edition model from earlier this decade, the Forspeed does without a roof or windscreen. Shy of donning full-face helmets, occupants receive protection from the elements by means of a chopped wrap-around windscreen and -- unlike the Crossblade -- full door panels.
Like Smart's recent electric bike concepts, the ForSpeed's exterior lighting is LED-based. The lamps aren't traditional projector-style assemblies, however. Instead, designers placed LED pipes radiating from a body-colored center. The outermost rods change color to act as turn signals, and similar lighting placed around the exterior power port, help display the vehicle's charge status.
The Forspeed's safety cell wraps into the double-bubble roll bars, and then flows down into the cabin, where it serves as the car's center console. Designers trimmed the interior in a matching, matte white hue to match the exterior paint, but liberally applied green accents to hint at the eco-friendly properties of the car's drivetrain. A minimalist two-pod dashboard places a speedometer in front of the driver, and a smartphone-based nav system dead ahead of the passenger. According to Smart, the latter can be swiveled 90 degrees to let the driver view the map.
Although a small quantity of Crossblades were offered to the public, Daimler doesn't plan on pushing the Forspeed into even limited production. Even so, the brand says to expect some of the concept's design cues to be incorporated into future Smart product offerings.

Smart Forspeed Electric Concept

Smart Forspeed Electric Concept

Smart Forspeed Electric Concept

Smart Forspeed Electric Concept

Smart Forspeed Electric Concept

Smart's recent concept vehicles have promoted the brand's emerging electric mobility agenda, and it's Smart Forspeed concept for the 2011 Geneva auto show is no exception.
The Forspeed's rear wheels are propelled by a 30-kW (40-horsepower) electric motor, the same setup found in the Smart Fortwo ElectricDrive. Smart has included a so-called overboost function, which reportedly allows drivers to cue up an extra 7 horsepower for short blasts by pushing a button on the dashboard. Power is drawn from the same 16.5-kWh lithium-ion battery pack as in the Smart ED, giving the Forspeed a theoretical range of 81 miles to a single charge.
While the electric drivetrain is rooted in reality, the Forspeed's styling is not. Bearing some resemblance to the wild Crossblade concept and special-edition model from earlier this decade, the Forspeed does without a roof or windscreen. Shy of donning full-face helmets, occupants receive protection from the elements by means of a chopped wrap-around windscreen and -- unlike the Crossblade -- full door panels.
Like Smart's recent electric bike concepts, the ForSpeed's exterior lighting is LED-based. The lamps aren't traditional projector-style assemblies, however. Instead, designers placed LED pipes radiating from a body-colored center. The outermost rods change color to act as turn signals, and similar lighting placed around the exterior power port, help display the vehicle's charge status.
The Forspeed's safety cell wraps into the double-bubble roll bars, and then flows down into the cabin, where it serves as the car's center console. Designers trimmed the interior in a matching, matte white hue to match the exterior paint, but liberally applied green accents to hint at the eco-friendly properties of the car's drivetrain. A minimalist two-pod dashboard places a speedometer in front of the driver, and a smartphone-based nav system dead ahead of the passenger. According to Smart, the latter can be swiveled 90 degrees to let the driver view the map.
Although a small quantity of Crossblades were offered to the public, Daimler doesn't plan on pushing the Forspeed into even limited production. Even so, the brand says to expect some of the concept's design cues to be incorporated into future Smart product offerings.

Smart Forspeed Electric Concept

Smart Forspeed Electric Concept

2012 Saab 9-3

2012 Saab 9-3

2012 Saab 9-3

An all-new Saab 9-3 is still several years away, but in the meantime, the newly independent Swedish automaker will unveil its revised 2012 9-3 line at the 2011 Geneva auto show.
What's new? Let's start underhood. Power continues to be provided by a turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4, but the General Motors-sourced engines receive variable valve timing, direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbochargers, and E85 capability for the 2012 model year. Top-end Aero models are rated at 210 horsepower, but engines fitted to entry-level Turbo4 cars see their output dialed back to 163 horsepower. Both forms, however, can be paired with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, and can be coupled with Saab's Haldex-sourced XWD all-wheel-drive system. We've been given no word yet on fuel economy ratings, but the outgoing 2.0-liter turbo had a combined EPA city/highway rating between 20 and 24 mpg, depending on transmission and drivetrain.
Outside of the engine compartment, the modest upgrades are sprinkled about the car to visually bring the 9-3 into line with the new 9-5 and 9-4x. Up front, the 2012 9-3 receives new trapezoidal lower air intakes, a larger Saab script logo, and blue-tinted headlamps. The rear end receives a script emblem in place of the company's traditional griffin logo, while sedan models receive a standard decklid spoiler across the board. 16-inch wheels are standard across the line, although XWD models do receive 17-inch rims. Buyers will have a choice of new optional 17- and 18-inch wheels, including some patterned after the 9-5's turbine design.

2012 Saab 9-3

2012 Saab 9-3

2012 Saab 9-3

2012 Saab 9-3

2012 Saab 9-3

An all-new Saab 9-3 is still several years away, but in the meantime, the newly independent Swedish automaker will unveil its revised 2012 9-3 line at the 2011 Geneva auto show.
What's new? Let's start underhood. Power continues to be provided by a turbocharged 2.0-liter I-4, but the General Motors-sourced engines receive variable valve timing, direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbochargers, and E85 capability for the 2012 model year. Top-end Aero models are rated at 210 horsepower, but engines fitted to entry-level Turbo4 cars see their output dialed back to 163 horsepower. Both forms, however, can be paired with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, and can be coupled with Saab's Haldex-sourced XWD all-wheel-drive system. We've been given no word yet on fuel economy ratings, but the outgoing 2.0-liter turbo had a combined EPA city/highway rating between 20 and 24 mpg, depending on transmission and drivetrain.
Outside of the engine compartment, the modest upgrades are sprinkled about the car to visually bring the 9-3 into line with the new 9-5 and 9-4x. Up front, the 2012 9-3 receives new trapezoidal lower air intakes, a larger Saab script logo, and blue-tinted headlamps. The rear end receives a script emblem in place of the company's traditional griffin logo, while sedan models receive a standard decklid spoiler across the board. 16-inch wheels are standard across the line, although XWD models do receive 17-inch rims. Buyers will have a choice of new optional 17- and 18-inch wheels, including some patterned after the 9-5's turbine design.

2012 Saab 9-3

2012 Saab 9-3

Rolls-Royce 102EX Concept

Rolls-Royce 102EX Concept

Rolls-Royce 102EX Concept

The EX moniker - and the red RR badging - has been used by Rolls-Royce to distinguish what the company calls "experimental" models since 1919. And while Henry Royce started his career as an electrical engineer and Charles Rolls spoke favorably of electric vehicles before his death in1910, there's never been a Rolls-Royce as experimental as this Phantom electric vehicle.
Rolls-Royce owners can easily afford to pay high gas guzzler taxes, aren't concerned about soaring fuel prices, and don't care whether London continues to exempt electric vehicles from its daily congestion charge. And in truth, with annual sales of less than 1000 vehicles the Phantom's contribution to global oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is an almost immeasurable fraction of that made by the 72 million cars and light trucks sold around the world last year.
But as the big, opulent Phantom is seen by some as a symbol of excess rather success, the 102EX is really more about symbolism than saving the planet. Ironically, an electric-powered Phantom makes a lot of sense, on several levels. First, the characteristics of an electric powertrain -- abundant low-end torque, plus unparalleled smoothness and silence -- have been the hallmarks of Rolls-Royce engines since the 1907 Silver Ghost. Second, most current Phantom owners don't actually drive their cars that far, averaging somewhere between 1000 and 2000 miles a year, according to Rolls-Royce communications director Richard Carter.

Rolls-Royce 102EX Concept

Rolls-Royce 102EX Concept

Rolls-Royce 102EX Concept

Rolls-Royce 102EX Concept

Rolls-Royce 102EX Concept

The EX moniker - and the red RR badging - has been used by Rolls-Royce to distinguish what the company calls "experimental" models since 1919. And while Henry Royce started his career as an electrical engineer and Charles Rolls spoke favorably of electric vehicles before his death in1910, there's never been a Rolls-Royce as experimental as this Phantom electric vehicle.
Rolls-Royce owners can easily afford to pay high gas guzzler taxes, aren't concerned about soaring fuel prices, and don't care whether London continues to exempt electric vehicles from its daily congestion charge. And in truth, with annual sales of less than 1000 vehicles the Phantom's contribution to global oil consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is an almost immeasurable fraction of that made by the 72 million cars and light trucks sold around the world last year.
But as the big, opulent Phantom is seen by some as a symbol of excess rather success, the 102EX is really more about symbolism than saving the planet. Ironically, an electric-powered Phantom makes a lot of sense, on several levels. First, the characteristics of an electric powertrain -- abundant low-end torque, plus unparalleled smoothness and silence -- have been the hallmarks of Rolls-Royce engines since the 1907 Silver Ghost. Second, most current Phantom owners don't actually drive their cars that far, averaging somewhere between 1000 and 2000 miles a year, according to Rolls-Royce communications director Richard Carter.

Rolls-Royce 102EX Concept

Rolls-Royce 102EX Concept

2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

With automakers doing their best to showcase the most fuel efficient and powerful models they can come up with, it comes as little surprise that Porsche will be rolling out the 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.
Essentially employing the same powertrain found in the Cayenne S Hybrid, the Panamera S Hybrid will pair a 333-horsepower, supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 gasoline engine with a 47-horsepower electric motor. Power is routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Total combined power is 380 horsepower and 427 pound-feet of torque, which will reportedly push the Panamera from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds onto a top speed of 167 mph, according to Porsche.
EPA ratings are still forthcoming, but on the European combined test cycle, the Panamera S Hybrid is expected to achieve up to 35 mpg when rolling on low-resistance tires. A Porsche North America representative tells us the actual U.S. MPG numbers will likely ring in slightly higher.
The hybrid Panamera is slated to reach U.S. dealers later this year, and will sticker for $95,975 (including destination). Although that's roughly $5200 more than the base price for a V-8-powered Panamera S, Hybrid models are equipped with Porsche's adaptive damper system, a rear window wiper, and navigation as standard equipment.

2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

With automakers doing their best to showcase the most fuel efficient and powerful models they can come up with, it comes as little surprise that Porsche will be rolling out the 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.
Essentially employing the same powertrain found in the Cayenne S Hybrid, the Panamera S Hybrid will pair a 333-horsepower, supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 gasoline engine with a 47-horsepower electric motor. Power is routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Total combined power is 380 horsepower and 427 pound-feet of torque, which will reportedly push the Panamera from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds onto a top speed of 167 mph, according to Porsche.
EPA ratings are still forthcoming, but on the European combined test cycle, the Panamera S Hybrid is expected to achieve up to 35 mpg when rolling on low-resistance tires. A Porsche North America representative tells us the actual U.S. MPG numbers will likely ring in slightly higher.
The hybrid Panamera is slated to reach U.S. dealers later this year, and will sticker for $95,975 (including destination). Although that's roughly $5200 more than the base price for a V-8-powered Panamera S, Hybrid models are equipped with Porsche's adaptive damper system, a rear window wiper, and navigation as standard equipment.

2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

2012 Pagani Huayra

2012 Pagani Huayra

2012 Pagani Huayra

Wait, how do you pronounce that again? The key is to say it slowly, preferably with a distinct Argentine accent: WHOOO-AYY-RAH. You'd better get used to saying it, because this meticulously engineered ride will be coming our way soon.
The moniker is derived not from Italian, nor is it from Pagani's native Spanish. Like the name of his other creation, the much-drooled-over Zonda, it references ancient South American culture. According to the Aymara people, Huayra Tata is the deity of all things pertaining to wind, who could lift water, move earth, and basically shape the world. When he wasn't doing such things, he was calm and quiet, and provided for his subjects. The car, says Pagani, shares the god's powerful personality.
Fables aside, the hand-assembled 700-horsepower Huayra is as complex. Every spare-no-expense detail was carefully measured to avoid negative performance consequences. Crafting a lightweight vehicle was key, but it also had to be rigid, safe, powerful, and environmentally conscious (yes, even a car like this).
Designers penned a sleek cab-forward vehicle that is aerodynamically efficient and respectful of traditional Pagani traits. The front and rear ends are dominated by the brand's large ellipses. Character lines begin at the bi-xenon headlamps and finish at the LED brake lights. A deep cut begins aft of the front wheels to create a gaping

2012 Pagani Huayra