The Peugeot RCZ is the first model in a new sub-branding project for Peugeot, which sees the creation of a new premium brand much like Citroen’s DS label. Another two models are set to become part of the hors-série brand: the Peugeot 508 sedan and a third, unknown model to appear in 2012.

In honour of the announcement, we bring you this Peugeot RCZ gallery showing the official pics of the 2+2 coupé which will compete directly with the Audi TT. As we’ve already said, the RCZ didn’t always make a lot of sense to us, but the French coupé could be hit on its home market and in others where customers are looking for a less expensive but equally performance-oriented coupé.

The RCZ is 429 cm long, 185 cm wide and 136 cm tall with a wheel base of 261 cm. You will find that you actually get some significant boot space, with the standard capacity being 384 litres and 760 litres if you drop the back seats down. The RCZ will be available with a 1.6-litre THP engine with 156 hp and 240 Nm of torque, and a 2.0-litre HDi with 163 hp and 340 Nm. They will both be on offer with a six-speed manual transmission.

Other engine options will follow those available at launch, including another 1.6 THP but with 200 hp and 275 Nm, and the 1.6 THP option with 156 hp will also be available in the future with a six-speed automatic gearbox. Other features include front MacPherson suspension, 18 or 19-inch alloy wheels and a customisation program with carbonfibre roof and coloured wheel arches.

Continue reading: Peugeot RCZ new pics: new hors-série sub-brand

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The Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid and Cayenne S Hybrid get their own video in this “Two concepts, one idea: Efficiency” video from Porsche. Both models’ hybrid systems have been developed through the Porsche Intelligent Performance program. At the 2010 Geneva motor show we also saw the Porsche 918 Spyder Concept which also combines traditional fuel technology with an electric motor. See more of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid and Cayenne S Hybrid models in the video.

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Here’s the first Audi RS5 promo video, appearing alongside an original Audi Quattro model which celebrated its 30th birthday at the 2010 Geneva motor show. The video gives us an inside and outside look at the RS5 and we get to hear plenty of the 4.2-litre V8 with its 450 hp. No news is available about whether there will be a manual gearbox option in addition to the dual-clutch S-Tronic currently available. The Audi RS5 is a sexy car, but the original Quattro still has a touch of romance about it.

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At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show BMW presented the new 5 Series, the 5 Series ActiveHybrid concept, and the ActiveE electric concept based on the 1 Series coupe. The BMW catch cry for this year is “Efficient Dynamics“, a project which was first launched at Geneva three years ago. For a better idea of why BMW is so focussed on what may seem a boring concept, check out the BMW physics lesson video after the jump, which takes a jab at Audi via an upstart youngster who knows how to draw the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car.

BMW is more than serious, though, about the technology from that concept car that it intends to adopt across the range. The entire range of BMW vehicles has a calculated average of fuel consumption for each vehicle of just 5.9 l/100 km. The ActiveE will soon start road tests, while the Megacity concept development will get underway.

In addition to the environmental focus, on display at the show is the X5 restyling, the 3 Series coupe and cabriolet restyling, the 2010 X6 range and the Z4 SDrive 35is. There was also the 135i with Valvetronic Twinpower Turbo N55 with dual-clutch technology, which is a technical novelty for the BMW M5 now available with Start-Stop, a Competition Package and rear LED lights. We’ll be bringing you more details and pics of the new BMW 5 Series, X5 and the other models from the show, but see these live pics from Geneva to see if BMW is staying exciting while focussing on its technology.

BMW 5 Series live pics from Geneva motor show

Continue reading: BMW live pics from Geneva and Efficient Dynamics physics lesson video

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These new pics of the Audi RS5 show it on the Abu Dhabi track, while the trailer gives us the RS5 in action (what sound!). Rumours are that with the improved chassis we could be looking at a Nurburgring track time of under eight minutes. The differential technology certainly gives the RS5 the edge, with torque distributed on the basis of driving conditions. The RS5 is equipped with a V8, 4.2-litre FSI engine with 450 hp and 430 Nm, and if it’s not sporty enough there are other, more extreme options to meet your fancy, including 20-inch wheels.

Audi RS5 new pics

Continue reading: Audi RS5 new pics and first official video

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The Peugeot RCZ coupé was to be the new sports coupé focus for Peugeot, on moving out of the hot hatch segment with canning its GTI badge. While that decision has been partially reversed, we still remained skeptical about this new Peugeot coupé love affair. On seeing these RCZ live pics from the 2010 Geneva Motor Show though, we’re just about convinced that it’s not a bad model after all, and not just the Audi TT rip-off it first seemed.

The RCZ is audacious and original, and should definitely appeal to the French market at least, with their own, home grown coupé on the market. This vehicle is for a customer who isn’t afraid to try something new, without giving up a sports drive.

The Peugeot RCZ has already had a limited release with the RCZ Black Yearling model, and the RCZ Limited Edition model. But it’s finally ready for its spring appearance on the market, as the company turns over a new leaf in its brand image. And if the SR1 Concept was to go into production too, we’ll fast become French fans on this blog.

Peugeot RCZ live pics Geneva 2010

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The Aston Martin Cygnet interior is what makes this a special compact, city car. The exterior has been modified just enough to make it more pleasing to the eye than the Toyota iQ, but it hardly screams the Aston brand. The interior, on the other hand, is truly amazing - just like a luxury, 12 cylinder coupé. We won’t hazard a guess as to how successful this will be for Aston, as it seems more like a fun experiment for Aston owners than anything else, but we still enjoyed seeing the Cygnet in the flesh.

The Aston Stand at the Geneva Motor Show also exhibits the DB9 Coupé, DBS Volante, the V12 Vantage and the Rapide sedan. It’s got to be one of the most elegant and sophisticated stands at the show and is well worth a look if you’re there.

Aston Martin Cygnet live at Geneva: the Aston stand

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Four models from Audi: the Audi A1, Audi RS5 and the two prototypes A8 hybrid and A1 E-Tron, have been presented at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. You can see all the new models in these live pics from the Audi stand at Geneva, with the A1 and RS5 appearing in dealerships in the next few months.

The Audi A8 hybrid is a classic hybrid model with combined electric and fuel power with a total of 245 hp. 34 hp come from the electric component while the 2.0-litre TSI supplies 211 hp. The A1 E-Tron on the other hand, is a range extending model that uses a fuel engine as a generator to the electric part. No impressive performance figures are to be seen here, just amazingly low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions - the former measures just 1.9-litres of petrol for every 100 km. At the show, Audi is also celebrating 30 years of its Quattro all-wheel drive technology.

Audi live pics from 2010 Geneva: A1 and RS5

Continue reading: Audi A1 and RS5 live at Geneva motor show

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Here are the official pics of the Audi RS5, whose debut will take place at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Audi has released the photos after a brochure leaked the first RS5 pics. The vehicle will be equipped with a V8, 4.2-litre FSI engine with 450 hp and 430 Nm of torque. Top speed is 250 km/hr, although an option is available to set the limit at 280 km/hr, and the car can reach 100 km/hr in 4.6 seconds.

The RS5 looks like an exciting coupe-sedan model, with other touches providing more sports driving. The S-Tronic dual-clutch transmission is combined with Audi’s famous Quattro all-wheel-drive, and overall weight is 1,725 kg for 10.8 litres of fuel consumption every 100 km.

The RS5 has a new central differential which distributes the 430 Nm of torque in a 40:60 ratio, with more torque going to the front wheels in normal conditions (70 percent), or in slippery conditions the rear wheels take 85 percent of torque. A rear sports differential is available on request, while the wheel base has been lowered by 20mm. The Audi RS5 comes equipped with 19-inch wheels (20-inch option available), and has front disc brakes of 365mm and 380mm rear brakes.

The RS5 can be distinguished by its retractable spoiler at the rear which pops up at 120 km/hr, and front bumper with large air intakes. The interior has carbonfibre and aluminium finishes. The RS5 will be available from spring at a price of about 77,700 euros.

Audi RS5 official pics

Continue reading: Audi RS5 official pics: Geneva show preview

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A brochure for the Audi RS5 has leaked official pics of the model prior to its 2010 Geneva Motor Show presentation. The Audi RS5 is the extreme sports version of the A5 coupé, put together by the Quattro GmbH division. While we get a good look at all the pics, the leaked brochure has nothing on technical specs, although the RS5 is most likely equipped with the 4.2-litre V8 with 480 hp. It should also have the new eight-speed tiptronic transmission, which has debuted on the new Audi A8.

While the RS5 is very similar to the rest of the A5 range, it has a front bumper with large air intakes, honeycomb front grill, chrome rear vision mirrors and a larger wheel base similar to the Audi Quattro. The Quattro was the forerunner to this RS5 and originally appeared at the Geneva show 30 years ago.

The new Audi RS5 has 19-inch alloy wheels, LED rear lights and retractable rear spoiler. The RS5 will be lighter than the S5, thanks to the use of carbonfibre and aluminium, and should have very impressive performance figures. A future RS5 cabriolet might also be in the pipeline.

Audi RS5 leaked brochure pics

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