eurocarblog eurocarblog.com 2012-02-13T09:04:12+00:00 http://www.eurocarblog.com Lightpress Tesla Model X Concept unveiled http://www.eurocarblog.com/?p=6771 Adrian 2012-02-10T16:30:29+00:00 2012-02-10T16:30:29+00:00 brandsfuture-carsannouncementsconcept-carsmodel x conceptteslatesla electric crossovertesla model xtesla model x concept Tesla Model X Concept

Tesla just introduced its new Model X Concept at its headquarters in Palo Alto, California, in front of over 1000 attendants. The car is an all-electric crossover that will join the Roadster and the Model S as the third model in Tesla’s range, and has been described by its maker as ‘more responsive’ than a Porsche 911 and ‘roomier’ than an Audi Q7.

The Model X is powered by the same electric powertrain of the Model S and it can be coupled to a battery packages of 40, 60 or 85 kWh, that would provide the model with a range between 145 and 270 miles (233 and 435 km), thereby a good 10% less than the Model S. The Model X is also the first model to adopt Tesla’s Dual Motor All-Wheel Drive system, which provides for two extra electric motors giving the car a proper 4-wheel drive traction.

Design-wise, the car sports a quite captivating curvy dome and an interesting an innovative “Falcon Wing” rear doors opening system, a new take on the classic gullwing-doors concept. According to Tesla, this configuration will allow for an easier access to the rear seats. The cabin in fact can host up to seven people over three rows, and offers the same sort of electronic trickery that can be found on the Model S as well, but with better finishing. At the moment the Tesla Model S is still a prototype, but the definitive version of the car is already scheduled to enter the market in early 2013.

View the full Tesla Model X Concept photo gallery

Tesla Model X ConceptTesla Model X ConceptTesla Model X ConceptTesla Model X Concept

]]> Morgan Aero Coupe to be unveiled in Geneva http://www.eurocarblog.com/?p=6717 Adrian 2012-02-06T11:57:12+00:00 2012-02-06T11:57:12+00:00 brandscoupe2012 geneva motor showmorganmorgan aeromorgan aero coupemorgan aero coupe imagesmorgan new coupe model Al Salone di Ginevra Morgan presenterà l'Aero Coupé

The next Geneva Motor Show will see the official unveiling of the new Morgan Aero Coupe, a new two-seater from the British carmaker entirely made of aluminum and hand built. According to Morgan, the new Aero Coupe is inspired by the famous GT3 Aero, a car that enjoyed a number of racing victories in its days.

The model is powered by a 4.8-litre V8 engine courtesy of BMW, which provides the Aero Coupe with 367 hp in its stock version and 390 hp with the package inclusive of sports mufflers. The car comes with a 6-speed manual gearbox as standard equipment, but Morgan also offers an automatic transmission option (supplied once again by German specialist ZF) that will be able to operate in two modes, Auto and Sport, with the latter that switches gears past the 6,500 rpm, allowing for a full exploitation of the power coming from the German engine.

In terms of sheer performance, the Morgan Aero Coupe boasts some quite impressive figures: top speed is rated at 273 km/h (170 mph) while its 0-100 km/h 862 mph) sprint time is just 4.5 seconds. Outstanding performance aside, Morgan did not fail to provide the new model with the level of comfort and usability that one would expect in a gran turismo car of this leverage. Inside we found leather and suede with top notch finishing, while the ash hardwood that surrounds cockpit and doors can be hand polished in a colour chosen by the customer. Check out Morgan Aero Coupe’s specs right after the jump.

Al Salone di Ginevra Morgan presenterà l'Aero CoupéAl Salone di Ginevra Morgan presenterà l'Aero CoupéAl Salone di Ginevra Morgan presenterà l'Aero CoupéAl Salone di Ginevra Morgan presenterà l'Aero Coupé

AERO COUPE MANUAL SPECIFICATION
Engine BMW 4799CC V8
Gearbox: ZF auto 6spd/ BMW Man 6spd
Max Power: 270kw (367/bhp)
Max Torque: 490Nm (370 lb/ft)
Performance 0 - 62: 4.5 seconds
Top Speed: 170mph (273kph)
Power to weight: 315 bhp / tonne
Urban mpg: 16 mpg (18.2 /100km)
Extra urban: 32 mpg (8.7l /100km)
Combined: 23 mpg (12.11 /100km)
Co2: 282 g/km
Length: 4147mm
Width: 1751mm
Height: 1248mm
Dry weight: 1,175kg
Homologation: eu
Fuel tank size: 55 litres
Chassis: Aluminium bonded+rivetted

AERO COUPE AUTO SPECIFICATION
Engine: BMW 4799CC V8
Gearbox: ZF auto 6spd/ BMW Man 6spd
Max Power: 270kw (367/bhp)
Max Torque: 490Nm (370 lb/ft)
Performance 0 - 62: 4.5 seconds
Top Speed: 170mph (273kph)
Power to weight: 315 bhp / tonne
Urban mpg: 17 mpg (16.4 /100km)
Extra urban: 36 mpg (7.9l /100km)
Combined: 26 mpg (11.0 /100km)
Co2: 256 g/km
Length: 4147mm
Width: 1751mm
Height: 1248mm
Dry weight: 1,175kg
Homologation: eu
Fuel tank size: 55 litres
Chassis: Aluminium bonded+rivetted

Al Salone di Ginevra Morgan presenterà l'Aero CoupéAl Salone di Ginevra Morgan presenterà l'Aero CoupéAl Salone di Ginevra Morgan presenterà l'Aero Coupé

]]> Kia Soul'ster soon to hit production http://www.eurocarblog.com/post/6695/kia-soulster-soon-to-hit-production/ theBride 2012-02-03T16:30:19+00:00 2012-02-03T16:30:19+00:00 brandsannouncementskiakia soulkia soul'sterkia soul'ster conceptkia track'ster kia soulster

The official press release about Kia Track’ster, the crossover scheduled to debut at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show next week, hides important news about Kia’s attempts to begin a production version of the Soul’ster Concept presented at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show. According to Kia’s statement in fact the Soul’ster convertible is “currently under final assessment for production” which means that all the doubts regarding this vehicle’s future are a thing of the past.

Just to remind you, due to the world’s uncertain economy, in 2010 the Korean maker first confirmed and then denied rumours about the Soul’ster’s possible production, leaving the public wondering about this innovative vehicle that successfully combines elements of a SUV, a space wagon and a pick up truck. Well, we can now stop wondering: apparently the Soul’ster debut is set for 2012 and it will be presented as a three-door pick up which can accomodate 2+2 passengers.

And talking about the passenger’s compartment, the Soul’ster will sport some eye-catching features such as aluminium and carbon inserts and coloured LED lights as well as other slick elements such as the two-piece removable top located on the roll bar.

]]> Falcon F7: first official video available http://www.eurocarblog.com/?p=6669 Adrian 2012-01-31T02:30:30+00:00 2012-01-31T02:30:30+00:00 brandscoupevideossuper-cars2012 detroit auto show2012 naias detroitfalcon f7falcon f7 detroitfalcon f7 imagesfalcon f7 naias

A while ago we talked about a new American sportscar that got introduced to the world at the recent North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and here is the first official video released by the carmaker starring the new model: meet (again) the Falcon F7.

The car is a mid-mounted rear wheel drive coupe assembled in Holly, Michigan, and is powered by an impressive 7.0-litre V8 engine courtesy of Chevy (based on the LS7 unit of the Corvette) and delivering an output of 620 hp with 813 Nm (585 lb-ft) of peak torque. This unit is coupled to a 6-speed manual transmission and provides the car with a 0-100km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 3.3-3.5 seconds, with a top speed of about 310 km/h (200 mph).

The F7 uses an aluminum/carbon fiber monocoque and comes with a minimal cabin that makes large use of leather and carbon fibre. The F7’s equipment also includes Garmin sat-nav, iPod dock, BlueTooth connectivity and air conditioner. Automaker Falcon is planning to build and sell 15 F7s during the first full year of production, 25 units in the second year and then 100 or more in the following years.

]]> Renault: test drives open to the public for the new Kangoo BeBop Z.E. http://www.eurocarblog.com/post/2022/renault-test-drives-open-to-the-public-for-the-new-kangoo-bebop-ze/ Julia 2009-07-14T09:07:02+00:00 2009-07-14T09:07:02+00:00 brandsnissanrenaultroad-testselectric carsrenault kangoo bebop zerenault-nissan Renault Kangoo BeBop Z.E.

The electric Renault Kangoo BeBop Z.E. will soon be available for test drives open to the public. The electric car born in France wants to reveal to everyone what it’s made of, and it intends to put its best foot forward and show off its best attributes. First and foremost: its self-sufficiency, already at acceptable standards today, but which will improve in the future. The Kangoo BeBop Z.E. is capable of traveling 100 km with just one charge-up, but in the 18 months that separate it from its current state to its marketing, it is forseen to reach up to 160 km.

The Kangoo BeBop Z.E. will be one of the first electric models that Renault-Nissan will put into production in 2011, and it represents a first step in the project towards travel with zero emissions that the well-armoured French-Japanese coupling is starting for the upcoming years. The objective of Renault-Nissan, reaffirmed numerous times, is to conquest this new market right from the beginning.

The little all-capable French car, in particular, was planned keeping in mind three fundamental characteristics of the trademark, that is comfort, space, and safety. These three parameters, the company has affirmed, will remain constant in the advent of electric vehicles.

Renault Kangoo BeBop Z.E.

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]]> Honda NSX: Formula One brings winds of change in Europe http://www.eurocarblog.com/post/1038/honda-nsx-formula-one-brings-winds-of-change-in-europe/ Alison 2008-07-24T15:30:38+00:00 2008-07-24T15:30:38+00:00 brandscoupefuture-carshondasuper-carshonda nsxv10 Honda NSX

How could we define this as anything but protectionist spirit? The comparison offered by Auto Express is hardly believable, reporting that the Honda NSX will challenge the Aston Martin V8, Jaguar XKR and even the Maserati GranTurismo. Although if the numbers offered by the Japanese company are correct, this model will beat the European coupés with its eyes shut.

The V10 5.5 should see some technical solutions strictly derived from Formula One technology, with even the possibility of deactivating some cylinders to reduce consumption and emissions. Power and torque will hit 590hp and 600Nm, while the F1 will provide top-end aerodynamics. According to some rumours, the final part of the car is like one large wing.

The final detail that will make you sit up and take notice is the weight, coming in at only 1,500 kilos. The main competitor, the Nissan GT-R, comes in heavier and we’re seeing some hard times for European sports cars.

Honda NSX

Via | Auto Express

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