Italdesign Presents Lamborghini V10-Powered Parcour Concepts

Even Italdesign can't stray away from the SUV-mindset that has taken over the Volkswagen Group lately. At the Geneva Motor Show, the Italian design house, which passed into the ownership of the VW Group in 2010, will debut two new concept models for a high-performance crossover running on Lamborghini power.

ItalDesign Parcour Coupe Roadster

ItalDesign Parcour Coupe Roadster

ItalDesign Parcour Coupe Roadster

ItalDesign Parcour Coupe Roadster

ItalDesign Parcour Coupe Roadster

ItalDesign Parcour Coupe Roadster

Named  after the modern sport of Parcour (or Parkour) that's focused on moving around urban obstacles with speed, Italdesign developed both a coupe and a roadster version of the concept, which combines elements of crossovers and sports cars, wrapped in an outfit that could easily pass for a Lamborghini model.

Both cars offer space for two people and are fitted with a 542hp (550PS) 5.2-liter V10 engine sourced from the Lamborghini Gallardo mounted behind the passenger compartment. A 7-speed double-clutch automatic automatic transmission drives all four wheels (on 22-inch rims).

The concepts measure 4,530mm long, 2,070mm wide and 1,335mm high, and tip the scales at 1,550kg or about 3,417 pounds.

Italdesign quotes a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 320km/h (199mph).

Italdesign Presents Lamborghini V10-Powered Parcour Concepts

Alfa Romeo Gloria is a Concept for a Sporty Looking Sedan

As far as static concept cars go, there is only one thing they have to do, and do well: look good and attract attention, in order to consolidate a particular brand's image.

One such example is the Instituto Europeo Di Design or IED-designed Alfa Romeo Gloria Concept, which was revealed today at the Geneva Motor Show. It shows a possible future styling direction for a sleek sedan with coupe-inspired lines.

Alfa Romeo Gloria Concept

Alfa Romeo Gloria Concept

Alfa Romeo Gloria Concept

Alfa Romeo Gloria Concept

Alfa Romeo Gloria Concept

Alfa Romeo Gloria Concept

It was designed by a group of 20 students for their thesis project in order to receive their Master of Arts in Transportation Design degree.

Now, while not directly designed by Alfa Romeo, the Italian automaker did participate in its creation, possibly with their own agenda of previewing a proposed four-door model. The official press blurb states that the concept was designed to accommodate turbocharged V6 and V8 engines, undoubtedly referring to those found under the bonnet of the new Maserati Quattroporte. If so, then all-wheel drive is most likely also in the books.

If this is a preview for a future model, the 4.7-meter long concept is a glimpse at what a possible rear-wheel drive mid-size Alfa could look like.

In addition, the car has apparently been design to be an appealing prospect mainly for the Asian and North American markets, where Alfa plans to build on its image as being a premium manufacturer of sporty cars, with the irresistible allure of Italian style.

Alfa Romeo Gloria is a Concept for a Sporty Looking Sedan

Toyota Conceptualizes New RAV4 and Auris Touring Sports Models in Geneva

Joining the three-wheel i-Road and FT-86 Open concepts at Toyota's Geneva motor show booth, are three new design studies based on the Japanese brand's new Auris Touring Sports and RAV4 models. According to Toyota, each one was created to individualize and amplify certain aspects of the car's character.

Toyota RAV4

Toyota RAV4

Toyota RAV4

Toyota RAV4

Toyota RAV4

We'll begin our tour with the RAV4 Adventure designed to emphasize the SUV's off-road capabilities. Painted in a dark red finish, the Adventure study features extended wheel arches that accommodate larger 20-inch alloy wheels shod in off-road tires, and redesigned front and rear bumpers finished in matt paint and fitted with reworked skid plates.

Rounding out the changes are the machined roof rails, a different front grille, chunkier side sills and quad exhaust pipes integrated into the rear bumper.

As you can tell by its name, the RAV4 Premium is all about luxury and a more sophisticated look, starting with the exterior that is painted in a bespoke 'Deep Bronze' color, while also gaining chrome trims and roof rails, 20-inch alloy wheels and newly designed bumpers. Inside, the cabin is dressed in two-tone leather with two-tone double stitching used in several areas.

The third and final study is the Auris Touring Sports Black that stands out thanks to its 'Night Sky' black metallic paint finish, which contrasts with the red and black 19-inch alloy wheels, and the red inserts on the front and rear end, while there's also a new central exhaust pipe design.

The same color scheme can be found inside, with black leather surfaces and double red stitching featured on the sport seats, steering wheel, door panels, dashboard, gear shift lever and handbrake. Furthermore, Alcantara is used to cover the interior pillars and for the roof lining, while red is the feature color for the instrument panel illumination and the finish on the air vents and cup holders.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Mitsubishi Bootylicious GR-HEV Concept is an L200 Pickup from the Future

One of the two previously-teased Mitsubishi concepts featuring some kind of electric power, is the GR-HEV. What it does is to grant us a glimpse into the brand's future design direction, and most likely (very loosely) previews the next generation L200 pickup.

Mitsubishi GR-MiEV

Mitsubishi GR-MiEV

Mitsubishi GR-MiEV

Mitsubishi GR-MiEV

Mitsubishi GR-MiEV

Mitsubishi GR-MiEV

Mitsubishi GR-MiEV

It is quite handsome, for the type of vehicle it is, and if they don't tone it down too much in its transition from concept to production, then it may even attract some style-conscious buyers, who will be more attracted by its rugged good looks, and the idea behind it, not the necessity of having five seats and a big flatbed on the back.

Rugged good looks aside, the GR-HEV is also interesting from a powertrain point of view, as it offers a diesel-electric hybrid along with the firm's Super All Wheel Control system, or S-AWC. No real technical details are available, other than its very low CO2 emissions figure of 149 g/km – an impressive feat for a vehicle of this bulk.

The concept will made its debut at the Geneva International Motor Show.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Opel Brings Adam Rocks and R2 Rallye Concepts to the Geneva Motor Show

As it turns out, ItalDesign's pair of Parcour concepts aren't the only studies making their debut at the Geneva Motor Show that are inspired by parkour athletes, as Opel claims the same about its new Adam Rocks, though, we'll take the former any time of the day and night if anybody is offering keys, thank you very much.

Opel Adam Concepts

Opel Adam Concepts

Opel Adam Concepts

Opel Adam Concepts

Opel Adam Concepts

Opel Adam Concepts

If you want the short story –and we're guessing you probably do, the Adam Rocks is a concept that gives Opel's premium a little more character by blending styling elements from crossovers with a large retractable fabric top.

The Adam-based model features a 15mm higher and 40mm wider stance, along with new body cladding, redesigned bumpers and a fresh set of wheels, and yes, Opel is likely considering a production model for the near future.

The second Opel Adam concept is the R2 Rallye that follows the "CUP" version launched in November of 2012. It is based on FIA R2 regulations R2 and is powered by a 1.6-liter ECOTEC gasoline engine generating 182hp (185PS / 136kW) and peak torque of 190Nm.

Following its homologation, the ADAM R2 will be eligible for every national championship in Europe. "All 40 vehicles that Opel planned to race in Germany and France have already been sold and are in the hands of their proud owners,” said new Opel CEO, Karl-Thomas Neumann.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Updated Hyundai i20 WRC Looking Good for the Geneva Motor Show

While Kia has chosen to build and sell actual sporty versions (the Cee'd and Pro_Cee'd GT) of their regular road-going cars, in order to boost the sporting credentials of their brand, sister-brand Hyundai has chosen a slightly different approach in order to achieve the same basic goal – participation in the World Rally Championship.

Their i20 WRC is being worked on and incrementally-improved in preparation for the car's official debut onto the world rally stage, which is set to take place next year.

First revealed at the Paris Motor Show, last year, the i20 WRC has since received several upgrades, and while it's not really finished, it really looks the part with the latest body upgrades and a revised livery, which combines Hyundai's trademark light-blue color with traditional Korean script.

Aside from the cosmetic and aerodynamic alterations, the car has also had its suspension setup retuned, under the supervision Michel Nandan – a WRC veteran. He now heads the newly-created Hyundai Motorsport GmbH, which operates out of Alenzau, Germany and has developed the car along with Hyundai's own research and development team, based in Namyan, Korea.

No technical specifications have been released, but it will most likely be powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, with just under 300 hp, powering all four wheels. Private test sessions will be arranged at various locations around Europe later in the year and more details will be provided along the way.

Articles Source : Carscoop

New Renault Captur Puts a Crossover Twist to the Clio Platform

Making its first public appearance today in front of a crowd at the Geneva Auto Salon, is the brand-new Renault Captur, a sub-compact crossover based on the Clio's familiar "B-Platform", which also underpins the Nissan Juke, with which it will compete in the European market.

The French carmaker says the Captur combines "the best of the MPV, SUV and hatchback worlds" in a single package, one that measures 4.12m long, 1.77m wide and 1.57m tall, with a ground clearance of 200mm.

Unlike the Juke, the Captur is offered exclusively with front wheel drive and an initial selection of three engines, a 1.2-liter turbocharged TCe petrol in either 89hp (90PS) or 118hp (120PS) versions, the latter only with a dual-clutch EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) transmission, and an 89hp (90PS) turbo diesel, which can be optionally equipped with the EDC.

One of the highlights of the Captur is the ability to customize its appearance through two-tone paintworks, exterior décor graphics, the color of the wheels, the interior trims and a range of eight, interchangeable, 'Zip Collection' zipped seat covers.

Articles Source : Carscoop

New McLaren P1 Bows and Wows at the Geneva Auto Salon

The old adage about racing improving the breed certainly applies to this year’s Geneva Motor Show. We’re not referring to the gorgeous 911 GT3 that will form the basis of Porsche's new racer but the two Formula 1 arch-rivals that launched their new hypercars at the Swiss show.

That will be Ferrari and McLaren, then. Both boast outlandish horsepower figures in excess of 900HP, sub-3.0-second 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration times, a level of technology unseen until now in production cars and will be produced in limited numbers and, of course, priced accordingly.

Only one of them has a really daft name though… Evo magazine’s Henry Catchpole gave the other a very close inspection and was kind enough to share his thoughts with the rest of us mortals.

You can watch Henry stroke and caress the McLaren P1 in the way only a true petrolhead would, and also get behind its lovely Alcantara and carbon fiber trimmed wheel in the video that follows right after the break.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Aston Martin Vanquish Centenary Edition Shines in Geneva

The 2013 Geneva International Motor Show was the venue chosen by Aston Martin to show off a limited edition model of their new Vanquish. Called the Centenary Edition, it has been made to celebrate the British sports car builder's 100th birthday. And just in case you were wondering, the number of examples to ever be built is limited to just 100 units.

So, what sets it apart from the regular Vanquish? Well, its main standout feature is the two-tone graduated paint scheme – the top part of the silver car's bonnet is black (or very dark grey) and it looks like a visual continuation of the black roof. However, the darker part does not simply stop somewhere, as it blends seamlessly with the car's base color the further down the bonnet you go.

The car's badging is also special, and each piece is made out of solid silver.

Step inside its plush interior features swathes of black leather stitched with contrasting silver thread – similar to what you'd find on the One-77 supercar. Finishing off unique interior features are the embroidered headrests and special metallic scuff plates not found on any other model.

The lucky hundred who will be able to afford this car will also be treated to a gift box which includes useful Aston Martin-branded accessories – we found the inclusion of a "silver polishing cloth" which will "help owners ensure the silver centenary wings badges and sill plaques on their car keep their lustre.”

Articles Source : Carscoop