2011 Lotus Elise SC

Making its debut at the 80th International Geneva Motorshow, the 2011 model year Lotus Elise introduces a number of changes and improvements to maintain its class leading position.

 

2011 Lotus Elise SC

 

2011 Lotus Elise SC

 

2011 Lotus Elise SC

For the 2011 model year, the Elise range will consist of the following variants:

•     Lotus Elise � 136 PS, less than 155 g of CO2 /km � new 1.6 litre engine *
•     Lotus Elise R � 192 PS, 196 g of CO2 /km � 1.8 litre engine
•     Lotus Elise SC � 220 PS, 199 g of CO2 /km � 1.8 litre supercharged engine

Key changes and improvements to the whole of the 2011 model year Elise range: New evolution body design incorporating new front clamshell, rear bumper and engine cover, New all in one integrated headlights including LED day light running lights and LED direction indicators, Improved aerodynamics with a reduction in Cd by 4%, resulting in better fuel economy, New cast and forged wheels and Vehicle warranty increased from 2 years to 3 years and 36, 000 miles

Additional changes for the 2011 model year entry level Lotus Elise: New high technology 1ZR-FAE 1.6 litre engine with Valvematic and Dual VVT-I technology to optimise the performance and efficiency of the engine, Less than 155 g of CO2 per km (an improvement of over 13% compared to the 2010 Elise S)*, Combined fuel consumption 6.14 litres / 100 km (46 mpg)*, New 6 speed close ratio gearbox and Cruise control available as part of the Touring pack

Articles Soerce : Lincah

Nissan working on Juke-based BRZ/FR-S rival?

With the BRZ/FR-S selling like mad, it's no surprise other carmakers are looking jealously at the sales numbers. If rumors are to be believed, Nissan is no exception.

 

Nissan Compact Coupe Concept

 

Nissan Compact Coupe Concept

 

Nissan Compact Coupe Concept

 

Nissan Compact Coupe Concept

 

Nissan Compact Coupe Concept

Motor Trend says it's been told Nissan is working on its own sports coupe to compete with Toyota and Subaru. It's not the first time we've heard such plans, though. Back in 2008, Nissan was reportedly working on a 240SX successor but as the economy started running out of gas, so did that project.

Nissan did, however, show off the Compact Sport Concept at the 2011 Shanghai Motor Show pictured above. Looking very much Juke-like but a bit shorter, and, well, compact.

Coincidentally, rumors say the new plan is to use the Juke platform. Inside the company the project is being called the "Mini-Z," despite the fact it would almost certainly be front-wheel or all-wheel drive. That would help differentiate it from the BRZ/FR-S, but would certainly turn off those of us with sportier intentions.

Nissan's 190-horsepower, 1.6-liter turbo was underhood in the concept, and if used in the production car, would have fewer horses but a wider torque band than its competitors from Toyota and Subaru.

Motor Trend says the U.S. probably wouldn't be the initial target market, but instead China, Japan and Europe would be first with American buyers still in consideration. The mag's source says the Mini-Z should be close in size to Honda's CR-Z and should start production sometime late next year. Check out Nissan's press release on the Compact Sport Concept below.

Articles Source : Autoblog

2012 Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept

The latest Beetle might be 'more power, less flower', but that doesn't mean that it's anything other than environmentally conscientious, and that's especially the case with the Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept, which is powered purely by electricity.

Revealed at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the two-seat VW E-Bugster Concept continues the latest Beetle's sporty theme. An electric motor provides 85 kWh of power, which can propel it from 0 to 60 mph in 10.9 seconds, and yet offer a range of at least 110 miles from the 28.3 kWh lithium-ion batteries. Even in a country as large as America, that's sufficient for the majority of commuters' needs, while if the E-Bugster needs a top-up, a fast-charging function allows complete recharging in just 35 minutes.

2012 Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept

2012 Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept

2012 Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept

2012 Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept

2012 Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept

2012 Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept

2012 Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept

2012 Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept

2012 Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept

The quick charging is possible thanks to a new Combined Charging System that was developed in co-operation with Audi, BMW, Daimler, Porsche, Ford and General Motors/Opel. This allows charging via single-phase AC sources (for example a 120-Volt US or 230-Volt European domestic outlet) or via ultra-fast DC sources at specific charging stations. To succeed, this will require the development of a uniform industry standard for sockets and plugs and also for the charge controller, so that all charging types can be handled.

Of course, the Volkswagen E-Bugster doesn't charge only when plugged in: as soon as the driver's foot leaves the accelerator pedal kinetic energy is transformed into electricity and stored in the battery. Applying the brakes increases the intensity of regeneration, a function that is indicated to the driver in the instrument panel. Other instruments include driving range and battery state indicators, and a meter that shows how much energy the driver is requesting via the accelerator pedal.

At 4,278 mm long and 1,838 mm wide, the E-Bugster is the same length as a standard Beetle but 30 mm wider, while the new roof lowers the height by around 90 mm to 1,400 mm. This helps to give the Volkswagen E-Bugster its more dynamic and sporty look. The low, swept-back windscreen ensures maximum visibility, as does the wide rear screen, which shows that speedster-style vehicles need not be impractical.

Both front and rear bumpers have been substantially modified from those of the production Beetle. At the front, LED daytime running lights at the outer edges of the central air intake form a C-shape on the left that is mirrored on the right - a signature feature of Volkswagen's electric vehicle concepts. This is also true at the back, where reflectors take the place of LEDs. Beneath the flared wheel arches sit 20-inch alloy wheels that are adapted from the 18-inch 'Twister' alloys of the production car, with 235/35 tyres. Around the bottom edge of the side windows is a chrome strip that loops around the vehicle from A-pillar to A-pillar. From this chrome strip to the top of the VW E-Bugster's hard top the height is a low 400mm.

Inside, the two-seat interior reflects the E-Bugster's blend of high-tech and sportiness, with sports seats nestling either side of a continuous centre console, plus aluminium door handles and seatbelt guides.

Starting the Volkswagen E-Bugster Concept is pure theatre: upon pressing the Start button the interior is bathed in white light, then blue light. It starts with a light pulse in the instrument cluster, from where the light emanates in a millimetre-wide strip, coursing into the doors and around the air nozzles.

If the E-Bugster's name is familiar, it should be: it takes some inspiration from the Ragster concept that made its debut at the 2005 Detroit Show, and which itself inspired the current Beetle. The 'E' of the name signifies the vehicle's electric power, and the 'Bug' part of the name should need no explanation.

Articles Source : Netcarshow