Wednesday, February 23, 2011 6:23PM - By Chris Weiss
Mini has a new concept vehicle packed full of intriguing design features and technology. Measuring 135 inches from bumper to bumper, the Rocketman features a flexible, 3 + 1 layout designed to get four passengers inside as quickly and comfortably as possible. To widen their entryway, the doors are double-hinged. In back, a pull-out storage drawer augments the capacity of the hatch, allowing you to store luggage or gear even when traveling with four people.
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Friday, February 18, 2011 6:39PM - By Chris Weiss
Another sexy Geneva debut, the B99 is designed by Italian design firm Bertone in cooperation with Jaguar. The concept is meant to give us a look at the possible direction that Jaguar could take with a new small sedan that it is planning for 2013/2014.
Bertone sought to compact the dimensions of the sedan, while maintaining an equal weight distribution over the wheels. So, instead of designing a rear-oriented fastback, Bertone cut out the B-pillar and made reverse rear doors. This structure gives the B99–which is named for Bertone’s 99th anniversary–the shorter dimensions that Jaguar is looking for, with a look removed from fastback models like the XJ and XF.
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Thursday, February 17, 2011 5:44PM - By Chris Weiss
There’s most certainly a joke about the FF being a dog in here, but I think the story about the best footage yet of the Ferarri FF coming from a dog-sledding duo really outshines any attempt at such a comparison. So right to the story…
Somewhere in the mountains of Europe, Ferrari was doing some testing of its first-ever 4WD, and dog sledders just happened to be passing by and they just happened to have a video camera filming the FF’s every move. While they only got about 30 seconds worth of footage, it’s some of the cleanest shots yet that we’ve seen of Ferrari’s shooting brake. Who knew it would come from mushers?
Hit the break and see what these resourceful sledders were able to come up with. [via GT Spirit]
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Monday, February 14, 2011 6:03PM - By Chris Weiss
Infiniti’s Etherea concept will give the world a preview of a small, entry level model at the Geneva Motor Show. Infiniti has released several pictures of the car, giving us a full idea of what the future of Infiniti C-segment vehicles is all about.
The car borrows some design from the Essence concept of 2009 Geneva fame and aims to deliver “a new type of luxury for younger buyers.” Elements pulled from the Essence concept include the C pillar and the glass windshield/roof.
Infiniti has not detailed what lies under the hood, but media reports indicate that it will be the first Nissan vehicle to make good on a partnership with Daimler and will feature a turbocharged Mercedes engine. [via Automobile]
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Thursday, February 10, 2011 7:50PM - By Chris Weiss
BMW’s Vision EfficientDynamics from the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show was a big hit, and the company is in the process of developing a production model out of it. Before that happens, though, the VED will get a technologically advanced, bald, younger brother. This one is said to be purely concept, though.
Introduced today and on its way to a Geneva debut, the Vision ConnectedDrive is designed to show some new design elements as well as technological components. In my opinion, the concept is just as visually striking as the VED, what with its prominent grille; low, unframed windshield; sliding doors and lighted accents.
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Monday, February 7, 2011 6:31PM - By Chris Weiss
We’ve seen a few rather dull studio shots of Ferrari’s shooting brake concept already, but Maranello has upgraded our portfolio with a few pictures of the car doing some time in the snow. The location of the photos provide a reminder that the FF concept will preview Ferrari’s first all-wheel-drive vehicle.
As Ferrari detailed last month, the FF is a sneak peak at the 612 Scaglietti replacement. The four-seat, two-door hatch is powered by a 651-hp 6.3-liter V12 engine and boasts a 3.7-second to 62 mph time and a 208 mph top speed. It’ll debut in Geneva next month. [via WCF]
Friday, February 4, 2011 6:24PM - By Chris Weiss
When you’re bleeding money like Alfa Romeo, the way out of the hole probably isn’t a super-expensive, limited run sports car like the 8C. What would be better is an equally sporty, aesthetically pleasing car that people can actually afford. And according to several reports, that’s exactly what Alfa has planned for the future.
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Wednesday, January 26, 2011 6:42PM - By Chris Weiss
Well it looks like the Subota will be joined in Geneva by an all-new Toyota FT-86. Toyota teased its second FT-86 today, indicating that the new coupe will provide “the clearest indication yet of the final design for Toyota’s next sports car.” In other words, it will be nearly identical to the production version.
Toyota hasn’t shown much in the teaser, but the FT-86 II, as it calls it, has a redesigned front-end with a new set of headlights. We like what we see so far, but will reserve our judgment until the full unveil.
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Friday, January 21, 2011 7:45PM - By Chris Weiss
The concept version of the car that will replace the 612 Scaglietti made its debut earlier today. Officially called the Ferrari FF (four seats, four-wheel-drive), the car will be Ferrari’s first four-wheel-drive production model and will bring a rear hatch to its line. According to Ferrari, its four-wheel drive delivers maximum performance in all conditions thanks to intelligent torque distribution to all four wheels.
That torque will be provided in numbers of up to 504 lb-ft by the FF’s 6.3-liter V12 engine. The engine is slightly less powerful than the rumored 670-hp, but not by much: it will put out up to 651 horses. The car’s rumored performance was right on target: 0-to-62 in 3.7 seconds and 208 mph top speed.
The FF will make its auto show debut at the Geneva Motor Show. Hit the break for a couple of extra pictures and video of the concept. [via InsideLine]
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