The Volkswagen New Compact Coupe presented at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show shows a concept model that will most likely be positioned somewhere between the Scirocco and the Passat CC in the Volkswagen line-up. The series model will possibly be name the Jetta Coupe, and indicates a new design direction for some of the new Volkswagen models coming up.

The design comes from Walter de Silva, and you can see the influence of his beloved Audi A5. The New Compact Coupe, or NCC, is a hybrid vehicle with a 1.4 TSI engine with 150 hp, and an electric motor with an additional 27 hp. It has a top speed of 227 km/hr and can reach 100 km/hr in 8.1 seconds.

Clearly, the Volkswagen NCC has impressive fuel consumption and CO2 emissions figures, using just 4.2 litres of fuel for every 100 km, and producing 98 g/km of CO2. It has a seven speed DSG gearbox and rear wheel drive. A possible New Compact Sedan will also be produced along the same design lines, to substitute the Jetta or even the Passat on the US market. The New Compact Sedan should be a five door, fastback model very similar to the Audi A5, and the NCC should appear in a production version by about 2012.

Continue reading: Volkswagen New Compact Coupe and sedan design: Volkswagen Jetta

....

0 comments

These live pics show the Maserati GranCabrio presented to press at the NAIAS 2010 Detroit auto show. The model could receive a new name for the US market, becoming the Maserati GranTurismo Convertible. We think the car is so beautiful, it should work either way. Sergio Marchionne put in an appearance at the show, in a good move after the Fiat-Chrysler deal.

Marchionne also discussed the improved fortunes of the Maserati brand after some significant investment. Globally, the US was the most important market for Maserati in 2009, and the GranCabrio should be a key model in continuing US sales success for the luxury Italian brand.

Maserati GranCabrio live Detroit

Source | Autoblog.it

....

0 comments

The Audi R4 will be based on the Audi E-Tron presented at the NAIAS Detroi Auto Show, and will be the next couple sports model placed between the TT and the R8 in the Audi line-up. That’s not to indicate, though, that it will be like the original E-Tron seen at the Frankfurt motor show, as it will have quite a different body shape rather than being a modified version of the R8.

The Audi R4 will be equipped with both four and six cylinder TFSI engines combined with electric motors. The batteries located directly behind the cabin should guarantee better weight distribution than the original E-Tron, but will still remain faithful to the technical philosophy of four electric motors per wheel.

According to reports from the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, Audi could also extend the ‘E-Tron’ name to include a full range of electric vehicles, without differentiating among segments. This would follow the history of the ‘Quattro’ name in the 1980’s, and would create greater identity for this kid on the block.

Continue reading: Audi R4 based on E-Tron from Detroit

....

0 comments

The BMW Concept ActiveE will be released at the Detroit auto show in January. Based on the 1-Series coupe, it is equipped with an electric engine with 170 hp and lithium ion batteries. This video teaser of the Concept ActiveE, with Efficient Dynamics, focuses on the comfort and space of the vehicle.

....

0 comments