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 d�cor graphics, the color of the wheels, the interior trims and a range of eight, interchangeable, 'Zip Collection' zipped seat covers.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Mitsubishi's CA-MiEV Concept Looks Like a Prius that Shrunk in the Dryer

This is the new CA-MiEV, a Geneva Motor Show-bound concept study made by Mitsubishi to provide us an indication of the next generation of the brand's all-electric models, and which from certain angles, looks like a smaller Toyota Prius with more interesting design details (though, feel free to disagree).

According to the Japanese carmaker, the compact five-door hatchback incorporates many of the next-generation EV technologies under development at the company, including high-energy density batteries and high-efficiency EV systems such as electric motor, inverter, regenerative braking and wireless charging system.

These new systems work together with a much lighter and more aerodynamic body to offer the CA-MiEV a theoretical driving range of 300km or about 186 miles.

Other features present on the concept include magnetic resonance wireless charging technology and smartphone activated functions.

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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.

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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

IED's 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.

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.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Porsche Unveils 991 GT3 in Geneva

It's something of a ritual, really, and it dates back to the 964: Whenever Porsche changes the 911, the first reaction from the purists (and, let's admit it, the press too) is that it has somehow lost something of the previous model's character. Never mind that this �character� sometimes felt like killing you�

Imagine what�s going to happen now that Stuttgart has tampered with one of the holy cows in the 911 ziggurat�

The venerable GT3 no longer uses the old Mezger unit (which also powered the Turbo), and now comes with an electrically assisted power steering, while adding insult to injury, you can have any gearbox you like as long as it�s the updated dual-clutch PDK semi-auto.

Well, at least the flat-six engine's still in the right/wrong (delete as appropriate) place, there�s a fixed rear wing, twin center exhausts, huge wheels housing equally big stoppers and a big, menacing bumper up front.

Porsche has just released its first video containing driving footage of the 991-gen GT3 that is available after the break. It may be short but it�s mostly action � which, we suspect, is what anyone interested in the new, 469HP GT3 wants to see.

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New Rapide S Takes Center Stage at Aston Martin's Geneva Motor Show Stand

Don�t let the �S� designation fool you: the Rapide S, which made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, is not a sportier version of Aston Martin�s sole four-door model but its revamped replacement.

The jury is still out on that pedestrian-friendly, huge one-piece grille (the rest of the bodywork is mostly the same) but under the skin Aston�s engineers have done a lot of work.

The 5.9-liter V12 now sports 550HP (565PS) and 620 Nm (457 lb-ft) of torque compared to the outgoing model�s 470HP and 600 Nm respectively. The 17 percent more powerful AM11 unit has gained dual camshaft timing, hollow cam shafts, knock sensing and fully CNC machined combustion chambers and has been placed 19 mm lower in the chassis.

Thus, the Rapide S is 0.3 seconds faster to the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint, which is dispatched in 4.9 seconds, and its top speed exceeds 305 km/h (190 mph). At the same time, despite being more powerful, it cuts CO2 emissions from 355 to 332 g/km.

The VH platform may be 10 years old now, having debuted in the 2003 DB9, but constant updates by Aston Martin mean that it's now in its fourth generation. The new Gen4 VH architecture forms the basis of the revamped saloon, which is also fitted with a new dynamic stability control system and the ADS adaptive damping with three modes (Normal, Sport and Track) calibrated especially for the Rapide S.

Articles Source : Carscoop