Lotus today confirmed it will build its city car concept - with help from parent firm Proton - but the Elan sports car has been put on ice.
The new Lotus city car will be called the Ethos, continuing a long tradition of E-names for products from Hethel.
The Lotus city car is go
Chief executive Dany Bahar said the city car would be on sale in early 2014. It will be built in Malaysia, but the Lotus version will most likely be finished in Norfolk.
The platform and powertrain have been fixed, and both Lotus and Proton badged models will be offered. While the Lotus model will be mass-market, Lotus plans only around 1500-1800 a year.
The Lotus Ethos will be priced around £30,000 and will be a battery electric vehicle or a hybrid, CEO Bahar told CAR. It will be tuned up to Lotus spec 'and deliver the dynamics and style you'd expect of a Lotus.'
Lotus Elan is stalled
Bahar said it had tweaked its plan to launch five sports cars within five years.
'One piece of feedback we had after the launch at the 2010 Paris motor show was that the Elan was too similar to the Esprit in looks and performance. It was fishing in the same pool.'
The Elan project has been shelved until at least 2017, when it could replace the Evora.
So the Evora lives on?
Yes. Bahar revealed the Evora will continue in production until at least 2017 with numerous spin-offs likely. The news is a U-turn as the Evora had been consigned to run down to make space for the new models.
CAR GAMES' Georg Kacher first revealed that the Elan project was on ice last winter.
Lotus to build engines too
Lotus today confirmed it will also build its own V8 engine. It's a flat-plane 4.8-litre V8 which is being designed and built in Norfolk.
At 170kg, it's 80 kilos lighter than the original Toyota lump. In standard tune, the dry sump V8 will develop 570bhp and rev up to 9000rpm - rising to around 620bhp in harder R versions.
The V8 will be used in the 2013 Esprit supercar as well as the Elite 2+2. For 2015's replacement Elise, Lotus is considering splitting the V8 to make a 2.4 four-cylinder.
Engineering chief Wolf Zimmerman said: 'We are speaking to OEMs but we're finding most high-output four-cylinders from the likes of Renault will no longer be built by 2015 because of emissions laws.'
Thứ Tư, 29 tháng 2, 2012
Mini coupe first official pictures and video
Mini coupe JCW (2011) CAR GAMES review
Mini Roadster (2012) first official pictures
After the endless teaser stories and photos of cars wearing vestigal disguise, Mini has finally released full details of its cut down, uglied-up two-seat Coupe.
The fifth – and most ludicrous - Mini shape comes in Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SD and John Cooper Works forms and, according to BMW, promises to reward keen drivers with ‘a level of handling and agility unmatched in the small car segment’. We think current champs RenaultSport might have something to say about that.
On sale in October priced from £16,640-£23,795 (before the obligatory option splurge, of course) the Coupe costs up to £1860 more than the basic hatch, but still undercuts the cabrio by at least £595. Coopers get weedy 15in castors, S model get an upgrade to 16s and the 149mph Works car goes an inch bigger again. All get digital radio, parking sensors and a three-spoke leather wheel.
Despite having just two seats, the Coupe matches the standard hatch for length and width, but that ridiculous squashed toupee of a roof means it sits 29mm lower. Instead of rear seats, the Coupe gets a big 280-litre luggage bay – 20 litres bigger than the Clubman’s and 75% roomier than the standard three door’s.
Aesthetically, it’s certainly an acquired taste, looking its most dramatic when viewed in profile where you can see the sharper rake of the A-pillars and windscreen and the motorised rear spoiler embedded in the roof that rises at 50mph and drops down again at 37mph.
Engine-wise it’s the same as the rest of the Mini range with a choice of petrol and diesel motors, six-speed manual gears as standard and a six-speed auto optional on all but the range topping Works.
Model Power/torque 0-62 max mpg co2 Price
Cooper
Cooper S
Cooper SD
Cooper Wks 120bhp/118lbft 9.0sec 127 52 127
184bhp/177lbft 6.9sec 143 49 136
143bhp/225lbft 7.9sec 134 66 114
211bhp/207lbft 6.4sec 149 40 165 £16,640
£19,775
£20,510
£23,795
Mini reckons the Coupe’s bespoke chassis settings will give it a tangibly different feel to the regular hatch and, as a bonus, all Coupes get a console-mounted sport button to sharpen up the throttle response and reduce steering assistance. A sports suspension package comprising uprated dampers and roll bars is available as an option and if you still want more, there’s an even tougher Cooper Works setup in the accessories brochure.
Mini Roadster (2012) first official pictures
After the endless teaser stories and photos of cars wearing vestigal disguise, Mini has finally released full details of its cut down, uglied-up two-seat Coupe.
The fifth – and most ludicrous - Mini shape comes in Cooper, Cooper S, Cooper SD and John Cooper Works forms and, according to BMW, promises to reward keen drivers with ‘a level of handling and agility unmatched in the small car segment’. We think current champs RenaultSport might have something to say about that.
On sale in October priced from £16,640-£23,795 (before the obligatory option splurge, of course) the Coupe costs up to £1860 more than the basic hatch, but still undercuts the cabrio by at least £595. Coopers get weedy 15in castors, S model get an upgrade to 16s and the 149mph Works car goes an inch bigger again. All get digital radio, parking sensors and a three-spoke leather wheel.
Despite having just two seats, the Coupe matches the standard hatch for length and width, but that ridiculous squashed toupee of a roof means it sits 29mm lower. Instead of rear seats, the Coupe gets a big 280-litre luggage bay – 20 litres bigger than the Clubman’s and 75% roomier than the standard three door’s.
Aesthetically, it’s certainly an acquired taste, looking its most dramatic when viewed in profile where you can see the sharper rake of the A-pillars and windscreen and the motorised rear spoiler embedded in the roof that rises at 50mph and drops down again at 37mph.
Engine-wise it’s the same as the rest of the Mini range with a choice of petrol and diesel motors, six-speed manual gears as standard and a six-speed auto optional on all but the range topping Works.
Model Power/torque 0-62 max mpg co2 Price
Cooper
Cooper S
Cooper SD
Cooper Wks 120bhp/118lbft 9.0sec 127 52 127
184bhp/177lbft 6.9sec 143 49 136
143bhp/225lbft 7.9sec 134 66 114
211bhp/207lbft 6.4sec 149 40 165 £16,640
£19,775
£20,510
£23,795
Mini reckons the Coupe’s bespoke chassis settings will give it a tangibly different feel to the regular hatch and, as a bonus, all Coupes get a console-mounted sport button to sharpen up the throttle response and reduce steering assistance. A sports suspension package comprising uprated dampers and roll bars is available as an option and if you still want more, there’s an even tougher Cooper Works setup in the accessories brochure.
Citroen DS4 (2011) UK pricing announced
In the recent buzz about the DS5 crossover, you may have forgotten about Citroen's middle child of the DS range, the DS4. Unveiled last year at the 2010 Paris motor show, the DS4 is a five-door crossover hatchback based around the current Citroen C4.
Citroen DS4: trim levels DScribed
The DS4 will be available in three trim levels: DSign, DStyle and DSport. You'll either be DLighted as the clever names, or have more reason to DSpise the use of Citroen's DS badge in its modern guise.
DSign is the entry level, equipped with six airbags, ESP, Hill Start Assist, air conditioning, daytime-running LEDs, 17” alloy wheels, front fog lights with cornering function, six-speaker Surround Sound audio system and cruise control.
Stepping up to DStyle nets larger 18” alloy wheels, automatic windscreen wipers and headlamps, front sports seats with electric lumbar adjustment and massage function, standard part-leather upholstery, automatic digital air conditioning, aluminium drilled pedals, rear parking sensors The DS4 DStyle also gets eTouch, Citroen's built-in emergency response system which allows drivers to place emergency calls when their DS4 is involved in an accident or requires mechanical assistance.
DSport is the top trim level, only available with the most powerful petrol and diesel engine options. Selecting a DS4 DSport adds front heated seats, full leather upholstery, 19” alloy wheels, front parking sensors and a blind-spot monitoring system on top of DStyle spec.
Citroen DS4: tech specs
The DS4 is offered with a choice of three petrol and two diesel powerplants. The familiar 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engines are offered in naturally-aspirated VTI120 (118bhp), turbocharged THP155 (153bhp) and THP200 (197bhp) guises. Diesel buyers can choose from the HDI110 (108bhp) and HDI160 (158bhp) 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbodisels.
Transmission-wise, it's five-speed (VTI120, HDI110) or six-speed manual transmissions as standard, with the HDI110 and THP155 available with the six-speed EGS automated manual gearbox as an option.
Citroen DS4: prices and availability
DS4 prices start at £18150 for a DS4 VT120 DSign, and peak at a fully-loaded HD160 DSport, which lists for £23950. Orderboks open today, with the first DS4s on sale at Citroen dealers from 4 July 2011. Citroen predicts 70% of sales will be diesels, with mid-range DStyle specification (£20,150-£22,950) likely to be the most popular trim level.
Citroen DS4: trim levels DScribed
The DS4 will be available in three trim levels: DSign, DStyle and DSport. You'll either be DLighted as the clever names, or have more reason to DSpise the use of Citroen's DS badge in its modern guise.
DSign is the entry level, equipped with six airbags, ESP, Hill Start Assist, air conditioning, daytime-running LEDs, 17” alloy wheels, front fog lights with cornering function, six-speaker Surround Sound audio system and cruise control.
Stepping up to DStyle nets larger 18” alloy wheels, automatic windscreen wipers and headlamps, front sports seats with electric lumbar adjustment and massage function, standard part-leather upholstery, automatic digital air conditioning, aluminium drilled pedals, rear parking sensors The DS4 DStyle also gets eTouch, Citroen's built-in emergency response system which allows drivers to place emergency calls when their DS4 is involved in an accident or requires mechanical assistance.
DSport is the top trim level, only available with the most powerful petrol and diesel engine options. Selecting a DS4 DSport adds front heated seats, full leather upholstery, 19” alloy wheels, front parking sensors and a blind-spot monitoring system on top of DStyle spec.
Citroen DS4: tech specs
The DS4 is offered with a choice of three petrol and two diesel powerplants. The familiar 1.6-litre four-cylinder petrol engines are offered in naturally-aspirated VTI120 (118bhp), turbocharged THP155 (153bhp) and THP200 (197bhp) guises. Diesel buyers can choose from the HDI110 (108bhp) and HDI160 (158bhp) 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbodisels.
Transmission-wise, it's five-speed (VTI120, HDI110) or six-speed manual transmissions as standard, with the HDI110 and THP155 available with the six-speed EGS automated manual gearbox as an option.
Citroen DS4: prices and availability
DS4 prices start at £18150 for a DS4 VT120 DSign, and peak at a fully-loaded HD160 DSport, which lists for £23950. Orderboks open today, with the first DS4s on sale at Citroen dealers from 4 July 2011. Citroen predicts 70% of sales will be diesels, with mid-range DStyle specification (£20,150-£22,950) likely to be the most popular trim level.
BMW M3 CRT (2011) first official pictures
This is the BMW M3 CRT. It's a lightweight special edition, mating track-spec technology from the M3 GTS with the M3 saloon body. The M3 CRT was unveiled at a BMW M function prior to the 2011 Nurburgring 24hr race this weekend.
M3 CRT: Cathode Ray Tube? Why put an old TV in an M car games?
That's M3 Carbon Racing Technology, actually. BMW has borrowed from its growing expertise in carbonfibre structures being developed for the BMW i eco cars to give the M3 CRT its name. But don't go expecting a carbonfibre bodyshell or structure on the end-of-life E90 3-series. Carbonfibre appears on the bonnet, seatbacks, rear wing and front airdam only. Combined with a lightweight titanium exhaust and other lightweight components, BMW have managed to trim 45kgs from the weight of a standard M3 saloon, while retaining four seats, sat-nav and hi-fi.
M3 CRT: GTS engine and suspension
BMW has fitted the M3 CRT with its 4.4-litre, 444bhp V8 engine and coupled it to the M-DCT dual-clutch transmission. Adjustable coilover dampers join a rigid rear axle subframe, six-piston front disc brakes and 19-inch light alloy wheels to differentiate the M3 CRT from a regular M3 saloon. The unique matte silver exterior paint with metallic red accents complete the transformation to M3 CRT
I must subject three passengers to M3 GTS level pace. When can I buy an M3 CRT?
There's only going to be 67 made, and they'll all be left hand drive. No UK price or availability has been announced, so you'd best pester your BMW dealer now if you want to help send the current M3 out the door.
M3 CRT: Cathode Ray Tube? Why put an old TV in an M car games?
That's M3 Carbon Racing Technology, actually. BMW has borrowed from its growing expertise in carbonfibre structures being developed for the BMW i eco cars to give the M3 CRT its name. But don't go expecting a carbonfibre bodyshell or structure on the end-of-life E90 3-series. Carbonfibre appears on the bonnet, seatbacks, rear wing and front airdam only. Combined with a lightweight titanium exhaust and other lightweight components, BMW have managed to trim 45kgs from the weight of a standard M3 saloon, while retaining four seats, sat-nav and hi-fi.
M3 CRT: GTS engine and suspension
BMW has fitted the M3 CRT with its 4.4-litre, 444bhp V8 engine and coupled it to the M-DCT dual-clutch transmission. Adjustable coilover dampers join a rigid rear axle subframe, six-piston front disc brakes and 19-inch light alloy wheels to differentiate the M3 CRT from a regular M3 saloon. The unique matte silver exterior paint with metallic red accents complete the transformation to M3 CRT
I must subject three passengers to M3 GTS level pace. When can I buy an M3 CRT?
There's only going to be 67 made, and they'll all be left hand drive. No UK price or availability has been announced, so you'd best pester your BMW dealer now if you want to help send the current M3 out the door.
Aston Martin Cygnet & Colette (2011) first official pictures
Aston Martin have teamed up with French fashion retailer Colette to produce the Aston Martin Cygnet & Colette. It's a 14 unit limited edition produced through the Aston Martin Works Tailored customisation programme, and available through Colette's Paris store.
Aston Martin Cygnet & Colette: the fashionista's Aston Martin
Colette (it's supposed to be lower-case, like Audi's spelling of Quattro) stylists have left the unfashionable mechanical parts alone and concentrated on the colour and trim selection on the Cygnet.
Outside, the Cygnet gets 'Colette blue' highlights over silver paint, including what Aston Martin refers to as 'Colette blue grille lipstick and body stripe'. You'll unlock your Cygnet & Colette with a custom enameled aluminium key, and keep it pristine when parked under its bespoke car cover.
Inside, it's 'bitter chocolate' leather and quilted alcantara trim with Colette blue contrast stitching, and decorative cushions-
I'm sorry... cushions? In an Aston Martin!?
Yes, two Collete blue 'occasional cushions' sit on the rear seat. You also get a Colette custom candles, a fashionably-retro Lomography camera, Wallpaper magazine's guide to Paris, a Sigg water bottle by Colette, Colette's own air freshener spray, four Colette compilation CDs and Colette by Francis Kurkdijan bubble mix. That's for blowing bubbles with, of course. Although if you're a traditional Aston Martin fan I'd imagine your blood is bubbling away quite nicely at the moment.
Please... make Aston Martin stop!
The Cygnet & Colette may alarm you but it's only the first of many collaborations planned for Aston's Toyota IQ with the Gaydon makeover. Aston Martin design chief Marek Reichmann says, 'the Colette car is the first of the exclusive ‘Cygnet &’ collaborations. These cars will give Aston Martin a relevant platform to reach out to new customers in urban areas.'
The Cygnet & Colette will be available to order from Colette's store on Rue Saint-Honore in Paris, for delivery by the end of 2011. The price? A mere €48,995, unless you choose to add more options...
Aston Martin Cygnet & Colette: the fashionista's Aston Martin
Colette (it's supposed to be lower-case, like Audi's spelling of Quattro) stylists have left the unfashionable mechanical parts alone and concentrated on the colour and trim selection on the Cygnet.
Outside, the Cygnet gets 'Colette blue' highlights over silver paint, including what Aston Martin refers to as 'Colette blue grille lipstick and body stripe'. You'll unlock your Cygnet & Colette with a custom enameled aluminium key, and keep it pristine when parked under its bespoke car cover.
Inside, it's 'bitter chocolate' leather and quilted alcantara trim with Colette blue contrast stitching, and decorative cushions-
I'm sorry... cushions? In an Aston Martin!?
Yes, two Collete blue 'occasional cushions' sit on the rear seat. You also get a Colette custom candles, a fashionably-retro Lomography camera, Wallpaper magazine's guide to Paris, a Sigg water bottle by Colette, Colette's own air freshener spray, four Colette compilation CDs and Colette by Francis Kurkdijan bubble mix. That's for blowing bubbles with, of course. Although if you're a traditional Aston Martin fan I'd imagine your blood is bubbling away quite nicely at the moment.
Please... make Aston Martin stop!
The Cygnet & Colette may alarm you but it's only the first of many collaborations planned for Aston's Toyota IQ with the Gaydon makeover. Aston Martin design chief Marek Reichmann says, 'the Colette car is the first of the exclusive ‘Cygnet &’ collaborations. These cars will give Aston Martin a relevant platform to reach out to new customers in urban areas.'
The Cygnet & Colette will be available to order from Colette's store on Rue Saint-Honore in Paris, for delivery by the end of 2011. The price? A mere €48,995, unless you choose to add more options...
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