One of the most sought-afetr models at the ongoing 2012 Geneva Motor Show is definitely the 2013 version of the Koenigsegg Agera R. The latest evolution of the Swedish hypercar that has been enhanced with slight but significant changes: first off the model now sports exclusive rims made of carbon fibre, which is a total first in the automotive world. This move alone allows to save 20 kg over the outgoing model. Moreover, Koenigsegg Agera and Agera R are going to be the first production cars in the world powered by engines with nano-surfaced cylinder sleeves (from ANS), which provide for reduced friction and, consequently, fuel consumption.

The recalibrated ECU gives the car more usability, with the engine now redlining at 7,500 rpm rather than 7,250 rpm. This change is also responsible for the increased output, that goes from 940 hp up to 960 hp for the ‘regular’ version and from 1,115 to 1,140 hp for the ‘R’. Triplex suspension from Swedish masters Öhlins Racing are now part of the standard equipment as it is Koenigsegg’s own electronic stability system. The end can of the exhaust has also been replaced with a lighter one that works better with the diffuser, while the aerodynamics have been revised heavily as well, especially on the front. Check it out in our exclusive photo gallery, but if you need to know more about its technical details, just take a look at the official press release right after the jump.

View the full Koenigsegg live at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show photo gallery

Continue reading: 2012 Geneva Motor Show: Koenigsegg Agera and Agera R

....

0 comments

Fancy cars aside, in any Motor Show fair worthy of this name there is one ingredient that just has to be part of the recipe: the girls. And surely the 2012 Geneva Motor Show did not want to be an exception to that rule. Here is part two of our exclusive photo gallery dedicated to the nice ladies that graced the Swiss event with their smiles and beauty, once again courtesy of our cousins from Autoblog.it.

Continue reading: The girls of the 2012 Geneva Motor Show - Part II

....

0 comments

BMW showed up at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show with an impressive fleet of new and not-so-new models that the Swiss crowd surely appreciated. More specifically, the most interesting models dispatched by the Bavarian carmaker all come from the BMW’s Motorsport Division: the new M6 coupe and convertible, the impressive M550 d-X5, M50d-X6 and M50d as well as the face-lifted X6, X5 M and X6 M, and here is a short video showing us some details of these models.

The new M6 comes with the same powertrain of the M5 F10, including its frightning 560 hp 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 delivering 560 hp with 680 Nm of maximum torque. The M Division did a great job with the new diesel models too: the M550 d, X5 M50d and X6 M50d all come with an innovative 3.0-litre 6-cylinder tri-turbo engine that is already homologated for the Euro6 emissions standards. Also pretty interesting are the new X5 M and X6 M, which just underwent their mid-life restyling. Last but not least, the Geneva event sees the European debut of the 6-Series Gran Coupe, which was unveiled at the 2012 NAIAS in Detroit last January.

....

0 comments

Pagani is also at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show with two versions of its outstanding Huayra, one of which sports a bodywork completely made of bare carbon fibre panels. Since the model is basically hand made in Pagani’s little plant in San Cesario sul Panaro, Italy, the model can be costomized according to the buyer’s requirements and taste right from the start, and in every detail. That includes its output, which can vary between 700 and 730 hp, with torque oscillating between 1000 and 1100 Nm.

In its most powerful configuration, the Huayra thrashes the 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in just 3.3 seconds, reaching no less than 370 km/h (230 mph) of top speed. Average fuel consumption is rated at 6.66 km/l. The car’s Cd varies as well between 0.31 and 0.36 according to the body type, while its impressive braking system allows it to go from 100 km/h to 0 in just 2 seconds flat, doing the same from a speed of 200 km/h in an equally impressive 4.2 secs.

View th full Pagani Huayra live @ the 2012 Geneva Motor Show phoro gallery

Continue reading: 2012 Geneva Motor Show: Pagani Huayra

....

0 comments

Beautiful, sleek, designed using modern materials and clean lines. The Pininfarina Cambiano on display at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, is a byword for elegance and simplicity, in full agreement with the tradition of the historical manufacturer.

The car, which name pays homage to the company’s hometown, in its generous lines (outside dimensions are about 5 m by 2m) represents the peak of technological research conducted by the Engineering Centre Pininfarina. Characterized by an asymmetric body (one door on the driver’s side and two doors on the passenger side, of which one is rear hinged), the Cambiano is created on a carbon fibre platform and only uses aluminum for the supports of the front and rear frame. The engine and the double-triangle suspensions system are anchored to the front support.

The attractive unit is an extended-range electric plug-in driven by four electric motors: Cambiano’s generator, however, is no ordinary internal combustion engine, it is a diesel powered turbine, whose task is to recharge the lithium-ion batteries when needed. To each of the four wheels is coupled an electric 82 hp motor. Remarkable performance: 0-100 km/h covered in 4.2 seconds and top speed of 275Km/h.

View the full Pininfarina Cambiano - 2012 Geneva Motor Show gallery

Continue reading: Pininfarina Cambiano - 2012 Geneva Motor Show Live

....

0 comments

“In recent years we have dedicated ourselves to design compact but intelligent cars. With this latest GT we want people to dream and to feel confident about the future”. Its name is Brivido (which in italian means shiver, thrill) but it actually represents a fantasy, a hope, a wish. But let’s not talk about dreams, as Giorgetto Giugiaro explains “it is my intention to design products closer to reality and easily transferable to production”. What will happen then to the Italdesign Brivido? It could be easily imagined as a future Volkswagen supercar, because of the substantial technical and aesthetic solutions.

The car’s body measures 4.98m length, 1.30m height and 1.96m width and is made from aluminum, carbon fibre and glass. The headlights, 2.60m long, extend to the entire front section and part of the lateral view; the doors boast a Gull-wing design and the rear-view mirrors are replaced by cameras that project images on two monitors placed at the two sides of the steering wheel. The boot has a volume ranging from 355 and 1,326 litres and the tires measure 255/40 R21 front and 295/35 R21 rear.

The passenger compartment is provided with plenty of futuristic and functional solutions. The dashboard can accommodate an iPad, while the main information is displayed by a pair of instrument panels. The unique door mechanism allows rear passengers to access the interior without bending their head. The Brivido uses a hybrid platform consisting of a 3.0-litres V6 petrol engine delivering 360 hp and 460 Nm peak torque, a battery pack and its motor and an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Overall, the driver has 408 hp and 600 Nm. The car covers the 0-100 km/h in 5.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 275 km/h emitting 154 g / km of CO2.

View the full Giugiaro Brivido - 2012 Geneva Motor Show gallery.

Continue reading: Italdesign Giugiaro Brivido: 2012 Geneva Motor Show Live

....

0 comments

South Korean manufacturer Kia introduces at the 2012 Geneva Auto Show the new version of its own Cee’d and Cee’d Station Wagon. In the comparison with the old versions, this new range is a significant leap forward in terms of style, quality and mechanics, positioning itself at the same level of the most prestigious European models of the C-segment. The torsional stiffness of the chassis has been increased by 45 % thanks to the adoption of high-resistance steel which has been used for the 57% of the frame, while MacPherson-type suspension at the front and multilink at the back also play a part in making this car more stable than its predecessor.

The 5-door Cee’d measures 4.31 meters in length (+50 mm over the old one), 1.4 (-10 mm because of its reduced ride height) and 1.78 in width (-10 mm), whereas the wheelbase remains the same, 2,650 mm. The new Cee’d boasts a Cd of 0,30, which says a lot about the work done on the aerodynamics, while consumption went down by 4%. Its engine range will include two petrol (a 100hp 1.4-litre MPI and a 135 hp 1.6 GDI) and two diesel options (a 90 hp 1.4 WGT and a 1.6-litre WGT available in power steps of 110 and 128 hp).

Kia expects the new Cee’d to continue the successful history of the previous range, which, launched in 2007, now stands as the best selling car ever in Europe for the manufacturer. The new Cee’d range has been designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe, has improved fuel consumption and CO2 emissions and comes with good value for money: it has all it takes to be successful, but - as always - it will be the market to have the last say on the matter. To find out more about the new Kia Cee’d and Cee’d Station Wagon, check out the official press release after the jump.

View the full 2012 Kia range live at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show photo gallery

Continue reading: 2012 Geneva Motor Show: Kia Cee'd and Cee'd Station Wagon

....

0 comments

Following by a few hours its virtual launch on the internet, Ferrari introduced its brand new V12 flagship F12berlinetta ‘in the metal’ at the ongoing 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The model is already considered a milestone in the glorious history of the Italian manufacturer: to start with, it is the most powerful and fastest Ferrari ever produced, and comes with so many technological enhancements that it makes its predecessor, the 599, look like a car for retired golf players. Well… almost.

Here are a couple of live videos from Geneva showing us two pretty significant moments surrounding the birth of this masterpiece: the first one (above, caught shot by our buddies from Autoblog.it) is about the actual moment of the unveiling of the car, right in front of a massive firing squad of photographers and cameramen; the second one (after the jump) is an official footage released by Ferrari that features chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo himself introducing the F12berlinetta to the Swiss crowd and, by extension, to the whole world. The bar is set high for the new Ferrari flagship, but Mr.Montenzemolo sounds pretty confident that the F12berlinetta has all it takes to be simply the best sportscar ever made.

Continue reading: Ferrari F12berlinetta: live videos from Geneva 2012

....

0 comments

Peugeot is at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show with three brand new models: the new 4008 crossover and the concepts 208 Gti and 208 XY. The 208 Gti anticipates a possible sporty version of the little hatchback and is equipped with the same engine as the RCZ: a 1.6-litre 4-cylinder THP unit delivering 200 hp and 275 Nm of torque coupled with a 6-speed manual gearbox that can push it from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 7 seconds flat.

The 208 XY instead might be the first attempt at making an especially refined version of the model: this prototype has been designed and built paying a lot of attention to every detail, and its interior uses premium materials and top-notch finishing. This model is equipped with a 1.6-litre e-HDi units delivering 115 hp and rolls on classy two-tone 18″ alloys.

The Peugeot 4008 debuts with what should be the definitive version that will hit the showrooms this Spring. Measuring 4.34 meters in length, the new all-wheel drive crossover model from the Lion house boasts a captivating and yet athletic design that seems to have met the taste of the audience in Geneva. The model will come with two diesel engine options: a 1.6 HDi producing 112 hp and a 1.8 HDi delivering 150 hp, both of which can be coupled to either a manual or an automatic 6-speed gearbox. Also making an appearance at the Peugeot’s booth and in our exclusive photo gallery is the restyled 107, which was premiered at the recent European Motor Show in Brussels.

View the full Peugeot live at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show photo gallery

Continue reading: 2012 Geneva Motor Show: Peugeot 4008, 208 Gti and 208 XY

....

0 comments

Here is the first installment of our exclusive photo gallery dedicated to the nice hostesses and ladies atteneding the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, surely one of the most important events of its kind in the world. It goes without saying that hanging around the newest and hottest cars of the planet is already a pretty pleasant experience by itself, but having some nice bird posing around them or giving you the details about the model she endorses makes it even more enjoyable. Here’s a first lot of images picturing a few of them - once again courtesy of our mates from Autoblog.it - but Part II is already in the making so stay tuned for more of the same.

View the full The girls of the 2012 Geneva Motor Show - Part I photo gallery

....

0 comments

British carmaker Aston Martin is at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show with two new models that will soon become available on the market: the V12 Zagato - created in cooperation with renowned Italian designer Zagato - and the face-lifted V8 Vantage, on display in both Coupe and Roadster versions.

Only 150 units of the beautiful Zagato will be produced, all of which will be equipped with a powerful 6.0-litre naturally aspirated V12 engine delivering 517 hp and 570 Nm of peak torque. Performance figures for this car are as impressive as its aesthetics: 0-100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.2 seconds and top speed of 305 km/h (190 mph). The car should enter the market with an even more impressive 333,000 £ price tag attached to it (roughly 400,000 € / 526,000 $).

Both version of the revamped V8 Vantage - Coupé and Roadster - are powered by the same 426 hp 4.7-litre V8 engine of the previous range, but receive an upgraded braking system, bigger wheels and a more responsive steering. The cosmetic changes of the car were inspired by the design of the Vantage S, now featuring new side skirts, new bumpers and a rear diffuser. Also worth mentioning is the addition to the optional extras list of the model of the new Sportshift II sequential gearbox, which provides for a considerably faster gear shifting.

View the full : Aston Martin live at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show photo gallery

....

0 comments

The most eagerly awaited model brought by Audi to the 2012 Geneva Motor Show is definitely the all-new A3, the new hatch that will have to lead the charge for the four rings house army in one of the most competitive segment of the market. The design language adopted by the new A3 is in line with what we have seen for the latest models of the German carmaker, but the real improvement is in the new, minimalistic interior, which focuses on the usability of its hi-tech equipment. The car will make its debut on the market with four powertrain options: a 122 hp 1.4-litre TFSI, a 1.8 TFSI S-Tronic Quattro producing 180 hp and a 160 hp 2.0-litre TDi, while a 1.6 Tdi will join the fold shortly afterwards. Having lost about 80 kg over the previous range, the new A3 is likely to become one of the most successful cars of the next few years.

The Audi A6 Allroad is also arrived to its third generation and, in the words of its maker, it is 20% more efficient than the outgoing line-up. Thanks to the large use of aluminum parts, the new A6 Allroad is also considerably lighter than its predecessor, by 70 kg. Its engine range is completely made of tubocharged 3.0-litre V6 units, with a 310 hp twin turbo diesel delivering 313 hp and 650 Nm sitting at the top of it.

The sexy A1 Quattro will be produced in 333 units only, all of which powered by an athletic 2.0-litre 4-cylinder unit that allows it to go from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in just 5.7 seconds, with 245 km/h (152 mph) of top speed. The new RS4 Avant might not look as manacing as the A1 Quattro, but that’s just the appearance: under its bonnet in fact pulses a 4.2-litre FSI V8 credited with an output of 450 hp at 8,250 rpm and 430 Nm of peak torque between 4,000 and 6,000 rpm. This unit can push the car from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, reaching a 250 km/h (155 mph) of top speed. Also in Geneva is the recent Audi TT RS Plus, which will soon enter the market in both coupe and convertible configurations powered by a 2.5-litre 5-cylinder TFSI unit capable of pushing this car from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds (4.2 for the cabrio) with top speed at 280 km/h (174 mph). Check the whole lot out in our exclusive live photo gallery.

View the full Audi live at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show photo gallery

Continue reading: 2012 Geneva Motor Show: Audi A3 and the others

....

0 comments