Lamborghini will celebrate 50 years of company history in 2013 and according to rumours, it’s already working on a special edition vehicle to celebrate the event. The reports say that it could be a brand new Lambo we’ll be seeing, and not a celebratory version of a current model like the Countach 25, Diablo SE30 or Murcielago 40th Anniversary of the past. According to SportAuto.fr the Lamborghini anniversary model could be the production version of the Sesto Elemento Concept which was presented in October at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Whether that proves to be the case, the Lamborghini 50-year anniversary will be something to celebrate and we expect big things from the company anyway.

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept - live at Paris 2010

Source | Autoblog.it

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The Audi Quattro Concept which might be produced by Italdesign, won hearts at the 2010 Paris Motor Show and here we see a rendering of the Quattro Concept. Perhaps a bit guadier than we expected (frankly, we liked it in white), it shows what a production version of the retro, rally car might look like.

Audi has been conducting engineering feasability studies and says it already knows how to build the Quattro Concept. Any production model will most likely have the same technical platform as the concept car and be equipped with the 2.5 TFSI engine from the TT RS. The concept car had an added power step with a boost to 408 hp. That power on just 1,300 kg should provide some impressive performance, with acceleration to 100 km/hr said to be done in 3.9 seconds. We can’t wait to hear more from Audi on this.

Source | TheophilusChin

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With the rumours that Volkswagen wants to purchase Alfa Romeo so persistant, we would almost say it’s only a matter of time if we didn’t know the Italians as well as we do. The business case for an Alfa Romeo purchase makes a lot of sense, but what is harder to grasp in a world of hard money talk and deals to be done, is just why Volkswagen is so taken with Italian design.

The Italian love-affair seems to be further proved by reports that the Audi Quattro Concept, revealed at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, could become a production model under the care of Italdesign - Volkswagen’s recently acquired design and engineering firm from Milan.

The Audi Quattro Concept knocked the socks off more than one Audi fan at the show and we definitely won’t be opposing the idea that Italdesign could build the production model. In fact, we think they could probably produce something quite special. Not only has it got a funky mix of retro rally and modern class, it’s an engineer’s dream with Audi’s famous all-wheel drive technology, 408 hp and 480 Nm of torque and all weighing less than 1,300 kg.

Continue reading: The Audi Quattro concept, Italdesign and Volkswagen's Italian love affair

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The Opel GTC Paris Concept shown at the 2010 Paris Motor Show is just the first in a couple of big models from Opel that went on display at the event. The GTC Concept, as already discussed at length, is the precursor to what we’ll see when the new Astra GTC sports model is revealed. The concept is perhaps more interesting from a design point of view than anything else, but it currently has a 2.0 turbo engine with 290 hp, direct injection, start&stop system and a six-speed manual gearbox.

It appeared alongside the new Astra Sports Tourer, which should prove to continue the success of this model for the company. Unlike the Volkswagen Passat, which comes across as anonymous and perhaps on the verge of falling behind the times, the Sports Tourer has managed to keep the pace with updated design. Opel likes to focus on the fancy FlexFold seats as a key feature, but really this is one overall practical model with a boot that ranges from 500 to 1,550 litres of capacity and the FlexRide adaptative chassis system.

The Astra Sports Tourer will be available from 2011 with start&stop system and the 1.3-litre CDTI ecoFlex engine option (more on that after the jump) will also appear in the future. The engine range otherwise includes the 1.4 turbo with 120 hp and 140 hp and a number of diesel options from the 1.3 CDTI, to the 1.7 CDTI with 110 or 125 hp and the 2.0 CDTI with 160 hp. The more powerful petrol and diesel engines are available with automatic transmission.

Continue reading: Opel GTC Paris Concept, Astra Sports Tourer and ecoFlex models pics and details

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The 2014 Lotus Elite is a beautiful car designed to steal customers away from Porsche, Ferrari and co. and it might just achieve that. The Elite is intended to be the epitome of Lotus tradition and technology in a mix of gorgeous styling and technical prowess. While you’d expect the company to wax lyrical about its own vehicle, the Elite is definitely the favourite in the Lotus garage - described as fantastic, seductive and a ‘different breed of sportscar’. It’s their ‘gentleman’s’ car and seeing this video with all its elegance and classical music, we’d have to agree.

But, as at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, Lotus doesn’t stop there. A new era? Bring it on, we say. After the jump you’ll find more pics and videos from the rest in the Lotus line-up and frankly, we’ll forgive them for going way over the top. Our wish list just got very long….

Lotus Elite

Continue reading: Lotus models videos: Esprit, Elan, Eterne, Elite and Elise

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The Audi Quattro Concept presented at the 2010 Paris Motor Show comes all the way from the original inspiration of Geneva 1980 and celebrates 30 years of all-wheel-drive for Audi. The concept car has a decidedly vintage, squared-off design based on the RS5 but equipped with the same five-cylinder engine as the TT-RS.

The Quattro Concept could evolve into a production model which would have some impressive technology if elements such as the Audi Space Frame and carbon fibre features (including bonnet, rear, spoiler and bumpers all in the lightweight material) were kept. The Quattro Concept weighs less than 1,300 kg and, powered by the 2.5 TSI engine, has a power-weight ratio of 3.18 kg/hp. That’s comparable to the Audi R8 V10 model and proves that hot Audi sports cars are very much in the company’s future.

Acceleration to 100 km/hr is achieved in 3.9 seconds while Audi has tried to keep the fuel consumption down to 8.5 l/100 km. The 480 Nm of torque are distributed across all four wheels with three differentials and a distrubtion of 40:60 with more in the rear. The Audi Quattro Concept also focuses on updated mechanics with a six-speed manual transmission and carbon ceramic disc brakes. The interior features Recaro racing seats and an MMI multimedia system.

Continue reading: Audi Quattro Concept details and pics

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How hot are the little green dresses? Here’s our second installment of pics of the ladies from the 2010 Paris Motor Show. To have a look at the first mademoiselle from Paris, see our original gallery.

Continue reading: Girls from the 2010 Paris Motor Show live pics: part two

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The five Rolls Royce Bespoke models on display at the 2010 Paris Motor Show have been designed to show-off the personalisation options that the company offers on its various models. We think that being in the market for a Rolls Royce is exclusive enough but these accessories and optional extras give that added touch of one-off luxury intended to make you feel more special than a ’standard’ Rolls already would.

There is a Rolls Royce Phantom EWB on show with Bespoke Gunmetal Metallic paint and mother-of-pearl inserts. Another Phantom Drophead Coupé is also on show with its Carrera White Metallic paint, painted wheels, lambs wool mats and white background instrument panel.

The third bespoke model on display is the Phantom Coupé in Syrah Red with carbon fibre trim and contrast stitiching around the console. The Rolls Royce Ghost has two models on display: one with Bespoke Ghost Silver 100 paint and the other in Midnight Sapphire. Both feature more of the Phantom personalisation range.

Continue reading: Rolls Royce bespoke models live at 2010 Paris Motor Show

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We thought we’d get patriotic on behalf of the French and check out the the Citroen stand at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The new Citroen C4 and Citroen DS4 are on display, as is the remarkable DS3 WRC model - it’s a real head-turner just for its paint job if nothing else. The five-door C4 is an elegant model, not particularly riské but then if you want something more eye-catching, Citroen is betting that you’ll go with the DS4. It’s got good looks even if interior comfort is perhaps not the best.

The Citroen C4 Picasso gets a restyling as well as the C5 with new headlights with LED technology. The Citroen Lacoste concept car is also on display as Citroen’s take on the partnership-with-a-stylist theme. The Lacoste looks like it could be a summer successor to the Mehari model, created strictly for free-time fun.

Live in Paris Citroen C4, DS4, DS3 WRC and Lacoste Concept

Continue reading: Citroen DS3 WRC, DS4, C4 and Lacoste live at the 2010 Paris Motor Show

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We managed to snap the new Porsche 911 Speedster with roof up as part of our live coverage of the 2010 Paris Motor Show. It’s the first look we’ve had at the roof design in a car created with aerodynamics in mind. We do like it better down, of course, but Porsche has managed to keep the roof in the same style as the slightly retro rest of the car.

Continue reading: Porsche 911 Speedster roof-up pics

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Along with the cars at the 2010 Paris Motor Show are the ladies leaning on them and here we bring you the first of our galleries of the French girls from the Paris show. On a fashion note, obviously of interest to our gentlemen readers, short skirts are very in and very short this year….

Girls from 2010 Paris Motor Show live pics part one

Continue reading: Girls from the 2010 Paris Motor Show live pics: part one

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The 2010 Paris Motor Show stand for Peugeot has a number of models but especially features the new Peugeot 508 with its world debut. It appears with the 3008 HYbrid4 and the HR1 concept which features a new 1.2 THP engine. Diminutive, yes, but the engine should make frequent appearances in many of the compact Peugeots which will appear on the market, as well as entry-level BMW models. It is a three-cylinder unit with 110 hp and 190 Nm of torque and on the HR1 combines with a 37-hp electric motor for a total of 147 hp. Fuel consumption is declared at 3.5-litres per 100 km.

The lovely Peugeot 508 sedan will be available with a large range of eight engines. Three petrol engines are: 1.6 VTi with 120 hp, 1.6 THP with 156 hp and the 1.6 THP with 156 hp. Diesels include: 1.6 e-HDi FAP with 112 hp, 1.6 HDi FAP with 112 hp, the 2.0 HDi FAP models with 140 and 163 hp, and the 2.2 HDi FAP with 204 hp. Peugeot has matched the engine choice with a solid offering on the transmission front with either BMP6 six-speed automatic, six-speed manual and another six-speed automatic gearbox option.

Continue reading: Peugeot 508 and new 1.2 engine for the HR1 live at 2010 Paris motor show

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