Audi has created an ecological flagship in the new A8 hybrid, which still has the classic, smooth sedan lines of the A8. The A8 hybrid present at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show is a not-quite-final prototype of a car which will have its debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show in October. The only changes likely to occur on the final Paris version are aesthetic, as the technical aspects of the car have already been decided.

The Audi A8 hybrid is equipped with a 2.0-litre TFSI engine with 211 hp and 350 Nm of torque, and an electric motor with another 34 hp and 211 Nm. Fuel consumption is down to 6.2-litres per 100 km, although the car weighs 1,885 kg. CO2 emissions measure 144 g/km, and acceleration to 100 km/hr takes 7.6 seconds. Top speed in hybrid function is 235 km/hr, and in full electric mode, top speed is 65 km/hr.

Audi A8 hybrid new pics

Continue reading: Audi A8 hybrid new pics: preparing for Paris motor show

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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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The French have pulled out the big guns on the concept models at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, with these live pics of the Peugeot SR1 and the Peugeot Cinq. Coming up, we’ll also take a look at the Citroen GQ concept, too. While the Peugeot RCZ is about the new sports coupe focus for the company, the SR1 and Cinq have the important task of launching a Peugeot style.

The 2010 Geneva Motor Show was the first appearance for Peugeot since its new brand identity project, which has seen quite a change in design direction and new models. The Peugeot stand has been a much visited one so far, putting Peugeot among the protagonists at the show - quite an achievement when you think about the calibre of some of the models and some of the cars on show.

The Peugeot SR1 Concept is a futuristic gran turismo-convertible model with hybrid technology. It runs off a diesel-hybrid combination of a 1.6-litre engine and 95 hp rear electric motor, with a total of 313 hp and all-wheel-drive Hybrid4. It’s got plenty of concept features including a plastic roof and a crystal tube interior display, but we don’t know if, when and what of the SR1 will go into production. It’s all part of Peugeot’s aim, though, to gain three spots in the world classification of manufacturers within three years, and so far they’re well placed to achieve that if this model becomes a reality.

Peugeot SR1 live pics from Geneva motor show

Continue reading: Peugeot SR1 Concept live at Geneva

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Here are the live pics of the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S Awards Edition at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, debuting as a homage edition to the model. It’s equipped with 20-inch “Multi Trident” alloy wheels and the exclusive “Quarzo fuso” tint. It has dual-cast braking technolog and luxury Frau and Alcantara leather finishing on the interior. Present at the Maserati stand at Geneva was also the GranCabrio in Mediterranean Blue colour.

In the meantime, InsideLine reports that Maserati will develop its own hybrid powertrains, most likely making use of the Ferrari hybrid technology that appeared on the Ferrari 599 Hy-kers model at the Geneva show. Hybrid technology combined with research into reducing the weight of Maserati’s vehicles should allow for more competitive CO2 emissions and fuel consumption as environmental laws make it ever more difficult for luxury car brands.

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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 2010 Opel Corsa, Flextreme GT/E electric concept, final version Opel Ampera and the new Opel Meriva all appeared at the Opel stand at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. While the Opel Ampera with its range extending technology is now ready for its 2011 roll-out, the Flextreme GT/E represents another new electric-based model for Opel. It also uses the EREV architecture with range extending principles, using an electric motor with 163 hp, 16 Kw lithium batteries and a 1.4-litre engine with 72 hp. It has a total range of 500 km and an average fuel consumption of 1.6 l/100 km, with CO2 emissions of 40 g/km.

The new Opel Meriva with its Flexdoors is also on show at Geneva, displaying a vehicle that is taking on more ‘people mover’ features on a model that while larger, is still classed as a compact MPV. Also on display is the new 2010 Opel Corsa which, with its new makeover, should only continue the success of one of Europe’s most popular cars.

Opel stand live pics Geneva

Continue reading: Live at Geneva: new Opel Meriva, Corsa, Opel Ampera and Flextreme GT/E concept

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Here’s the lovely Volvo S60 sedan at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The S60 is battling in tough segment, dominated by the German brands, but it’s got a lot on its side. The S60 design is impressive, the safety is nothing less than what you’d expect from Volvo, and it has solid engine line-up with good performance stats: the entry level model is a 2.0-litre diesel with 163 hp and 400 Nm of torque.

The field of medium-sized sedans looks like it could have a new contender in the midst. Meanwhile, there was neither sight nor sound of the “naughty Volvos” S60 R at Geneva, so you’ll have to go back to the videos for more information on them.

Volvo S60 live at Geneva

Continue reading: Volvo S60 live pics from Geneva

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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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The “Naughty Volvos are coming” videos show a new Volvo S60 with a sporty look which we could see at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. The model could be the new Volvo S60 R currently in concept stage, which would be the future of a high performance sedan, or the S60 R-Design kit which competes with Audi’s S-Line kit and BMW’s M-Sport.

Volvo’s future is uncertain but we’ll have a chance to check out a couple of the new models at the Geneva show, where more information will emerge about the “naughty” Volvos on the way. After the jump is an image of the sporty S60 and another preview teaser video.

Continue reading: Naughty Volvos: new Volvo S60 R at Geneva?

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