Jeep is at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show presenting the new Wrangler Dragon Design Concept. The iconic offroader from the US-based manufacturer has been modified in order to create a special concept car for this event, and the outcome is this pretty particular Dragon variant with a few details that recall the Chinese culture. Completely painted in black with some golden inserts, this exclusive version of Wrangler has a massive dragon decal on the hood as well as another two on the sides.

The black/gold theme continues in the cabin, that looks as elaborated and fashionable as the outside of the car. Leather upholstery with some Magic Wand metallic inserts gives the passenger compartment a pretty classy feeling, while the dragon image comes up again on the headrests.

The powertrain of the Wrangler Dragon is exactly the same as in the standard model, with the usual 3.6-litre Pentastar V6 engine delivering 284 hp and 347 Nm of peak torque. Its 18″ wheels use the same black/gold theme and are fitted with 35″ tyres that provide for the best grip in any condition. Several details of this model - such as the LED lights and the fuel cap door - were lifted from the Mopar catalogue, and could be ordered separately right now.

0 comments

Renault introduces its new sedan Talisman at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show, a car that can be considered as the French counterpart of the Samsung SM7. The model is basically identical to the SM7 with just a few slight differences on the front end - where we find a brand new grille - and a set of smaller wheels. The Talisman will be produced in South Korea and exported to China starting mifd-June, with a price of 38,652 Euros.

Measuring 4.95 meters in length, the new 3-box sedan from the French carmaker looks well-proportioned and boasts a quite rounded design. At the moment there are no news concerning the engine range of the Talisman, but it is expected to feature something similar to the 195 hp 2.5-litre V6 and the 290 hp 3.5-litre V6 of the Samsung SM7. On a side-note, the name Talisman had been previously used by Renault for a 2001 concept car which anticipated the design of the Mégane. Making a special appearance at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show is also the Captur Concept, that Renault introduced at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

0 comments

BMW is at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show to introduce two very interesting cars: the i8 Concept Spyder and the 335 Li. The i8 measures 4.48 meters in length and 1.92 in width and, in the comparison to the 4-seat coupe version, has a shorter wheel-base and has a folding roof in two sections. The brand new shape of its rear end uses an original see-through cover that allows the onlookers to see the two electric skateboards in the trunk, which reduce its capacity to just 100 litres. The combined output of its hybrid powertrain is rated at 354 hp. The electric motor alone produces 131 hp that get transferred to the front axle while its supercharged 3-cylinder unit delivers its 223 hp to the rear axle.

The i8 Concept Spyder goes from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5,0 seconds, reaching an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). Its average fuel consumption is 3.0 l/100 km, while its range on electric energy alone is 30 km (19 miles). The car handles the traction between the two axles - giving priority to performance or economy - on the base of the cruising mode selected by the driver: the three options are Eco, Pro and Sport. The overall weight of the car is 1,630 kg, with a 50-50 weight partition on the two axles.

The BMW 335 Li is a sort of ‘long wheel-base version’ of the recent 3-Series F30, but it is way more spacious, especially in terms of leg-room. The car is powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre engine and will be produced in China by the Brilliance China Automotive, the company that assembles the cars of the Bavarian manufacturer for the whole Asian market at their facility in Shenyang. It must be outlined that this is the first time that BMW comes up with a long wheel-base version of the 3-Series, although this particular model is not supposed to become available on other markets.

View the full BMW i8 Concept Spyder and 335 Li @ the 2012 Beijing Motor Show photo gallery

0 comments

Honda showed up at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show with two new concept cars: the Concept C and the Concept S. These two prototypes are supposed to be an anticipation of the future design theme of the Japanases manufacturer and use sleek lines as well as futuristic aesthetics, although several details are very reminiscent of certain models that are already out there. Another pretty interesting model at the Honda stall in Beijing is the EV-Ster Concept, a little electric 2-seater that got unveiled at the latest Tokyo Motor Show.

The Concept C is a quite large sedan that boasts a pretty athletic look - especially as far as the rear end is concerned - with both tense and rounded lines. The aggressive aesthetic of the car uses is maybe a little too daring, with a massive and somewhat peculiar front grille, while the bumpers feel a little out of place in the comparison with the overall elegance of the model.

The Honda Concept S is supposed to be the prototype of a future global model that is like a small MPV. Apparently, the future model that will be based on this concept will carry on using the Odissey name in North America while in other markets will be introduced with a brand new name. Its streamlined design is pretty nice and doesn’t look too futuristic, which would have us believe that the final model will not look too different from this concept car. The model is pushed by an hybrid powertrain that - according to Honda - will allow for a comfortable ride and environmental protection.

View the full Honda Concept C and S @ the 2012 Beijing Motor Show photo gallery

0 comments

Our colleagues from parent-site Autoblog.it are currently in L.A. where Mercedes-Benz is about to unveil its new Concept Style Coupe during the ‘Transmission LA: AV Club” event at the Moca, the Museum of Contemporary Art of Los Angeles. However, our mates got the chance to attend an exclusive premiere of the model that Mercedes introduced to a selected number of people, and here are the pictures that they have taken there. These images allow us to better appreciate the model, that we presented yesterday with a few official pics and a video released by the German carmaker itself.

The Mercedes Concept Style Coupe is supposed to be an anticipation of the next Mercedes CLA, a new coupe model from the house of three pointed star that is expected to make its debut in 2013, and its styling looks indeed quite promising. Gorden Wagener, Head of Design at Mercedes-Benz, really did a great job with this new model as it features several interesting solutions in many areas: we just cannot wait to see how the production version of this car will look like.

Speaking of which, one of the most striking features of this Concept Style Coupe is the way its indicators work: they are integrated in the head- and tail-lamps layout, and when they get activated they actually move around to create a well-thought movement that emphasizes the intention of the driver. Besides, the head-lights use a particular LED technology that creates a sort of evil red light in the middle of them whenever the car is stalling. The car is equipped with a turbocharged 2.0-litre unit delivering 211 hp, which is coupled to a 7G-MDCT dual clutch automatic transmission and to the 4Matic all-wheel drive system.

0 comments

Mercedes-Benz unveils in L.A. its new Concept Style Coupe, a beautiful and innovative 4-door car that will be showcased at the next Beijing Motor Show. The model is also supposed to be an anticipation of a new coupe from the three-pointed star house that should be launched in 2013. The car looks pretty aggressive and original, but it maintains the usual elegance you would expect in any Merc.

This prototype measures 4,637 mm in length, 1,398 mm in height and 1,891 mm in width, and comes with a large sunroof and frame-less doors (with no B-pillar) which provide for a very luminous and sunny interior. Its special Alu-Beam paintjob allows the onlookers to better appreciate the refined design of the model, while its original set of 20″ alloy wheels -with a peculiar vertigo-like design - adds up to the sporty attitude of the lines. The layout of the headlights looks pretty interesting too, but it will probably not make it to the final design of the production version. Inside we find many carbon details and all sorts of premium materials and top notch finishing, although we notice some resemblance with the A-Class.

The Mercedes Concept Style Coupe is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine delivering 211 hp. The model comes with the 4matic all-wheel drive system that will probably be adopted by the A-Class AMG as well, and uses a dual clutch 7G-DCT transmission that, in combination with the direct injection and advanced technology of its powertrain, allows for an average fuel consumption that is considerably lower than the other Mercedes engines. This car is equipped with many aid and safety systems such as the Comand Online, which uses many specifically developed Mercedes apps to be used and controlled while on the move, maintaining the internet connection at all time, even when the vehicle is stationary.

View the full Mercedes Concept Style Coupe photo gallery

0 comments

Acura - Honda’s luxury brand for the North American markets - has chosen the 2012 New York International Auto Show to introduce its new flagship, the Acura RLX Concept, and here is a video as well as a few pictures documenting its presentation. This classy and sophisticated sedan is the first model to be equipped with the Acura Sport Hybrid SH-AWD system, and is credited with an output of 370 hp and an average fuel consumption of 7.8 l/100km.

Under the bonnet pulses a brand new 3.5-litre V6 VTEC engine that works in combination with three electric motors and is coupled to a 7-speed dual clutch DCT transmission. Acura says that thanks to the large use of light materials, the RLX Concept sprints like a V8 and has the fuel consumption of a 4-cylinder car. However, the model currently on display in New York is still a concept version of the definitive model, whose range will probably also feature less powerful front-wheel drive variants with an output of about 310 hp. However, it is already known that all versions of the production-RLX (which should become available at some point next year) will come with the Precision All Wheel Steer system, which provides for four turning wheels.

Aesthetically, the lines of the RLX have been developed according to Acura’s own ‘Keen Edge’ design theme, that surely marks a step forward in terms of styling in the comparison with the outgoing RL model. The model obviously boasts a very elegant interior with top-notch materials, high quality finishing and all sorts of electronic devices and connectivity options that are just mandatory on a model of this level. If you want more details on the Acura RLX Concept, the official press release is right after the ‘jump’.

View the full Acura RLX Concept photo gallery

Continue reading: Acura introduces the RLX Concept at the New York Auto Show

0 comments

BMW has released a new official video of the i8 Concept Spyder that will be officially unveiled at the upcoming Beijing Motor Show (April 23rd- May 2nd). The car, which should be launched in 2014, will have contained dimensions with a length of 4.63m.

The convertible uses the modular LifeDrive platform powered by a 3-cylinder TwinPower Turbo petrol engine fitted to the rear axle that serves as Range Extender. The internal-combustion unit is coupled to an electric motor mounted on the front axle, which brings the power of the car to 354 hp and 550 Nm of torque.

Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h while acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h is covered in 5 seconds flat. In contrast to the performance, fuel consumption is very low: the car, on average, needs only 3 litres of petrol per 100 km, with the ability to travel up to 30 km on electric power alone.

View the full BMW i8 Concept Spyder gallery

Continue reading: Video: BMW i8 Concept Spyder

0 comments

Carscoop released the first images of a brand new sedan from Infiniti, dubbed LE Pure-Electric Concept. The model should be making its debut at the 2012 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition (April 23 - May 2). This car retrieves some elements from the Emerg-E concept and anticipates an all-electric saloon model that will be developed on the same platform of the Nissan LEAF. The definitive production-version of the car is scheduled to enter the market at some point in 2013.

0 comments

A member of the Automobile Magazine website took some pictures of the new Citroen saloon, known as DS9, spotted during a photoshoot at Place de la Concorde in Paris. The French flagship model was previously anticipated by some partial or blurred images and will be extending the DS range, giving continuity to a project launched by the DS3 and developed by the DS4 and DS5. The car is characterised by a 2 n a half box body type and an extremely original outline, even more daring than the unconventional Metropolis: the Double Chevron designers have eliminated the third box, and designed a new front. No details about the engine have been released yet, although the grille covered in transparent material suggests the presence of an electric motor. The prototype will be displayed at the next Beijing Motor Show (April 23rd-May 2nd).

View the full Citroen DS9 photo gallery

0 comments