MotorCrave.com » Concept Car Photos & Videos

Mini Rocketman Concept Shown Ahead of Geneva

Chris Weiss — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 23:23:15 +0000

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.

Pushing the Rocketman to the cutting edge of innovation, Mini has equipped the glass roof with a lighting scheme that replicates the Union Jack flag–because what’s more British than a Mini named “Rocketman”? Inside, steering-wheel-mounted controls and a removable control unit that lets drivers upload music, contacts and navigation information directly from their computer make things as convenient and intuitive as possible.

No word on what powers the Rocketman, but Mini estimates that it could provide around 78 miles to the gallon. [via BMW Blog]

Bertone-Designed Jaguar B99 Concept

Chris Weiss — Fri, 18 Feb 2011 23:39:38 +0000

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.

Bertone design chief Mike Robinson said of the B99′s future: “After Geneva, if they like it, we hope to present our designs to Jaguar.” [via Autocar]

Dog Sledders Film Ferrari FF Testing

Chris Weiss — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 22:44:12 +0000

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]

Infiniti Releases Pictures of Etherea Concept

Chris Weiss — Mon, 14 Feb 2011 23:03:58 +0000

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]

BMW’s Next Vision: The Vision ConnectedDrive Roadster

Chris Weiss — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:50:32 +0000

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.

The car’s mesmerizing looks continue into the cabin, where BMW has showcased a new 3D heads-up display that shows all kinds of driver-centric information (speed, directions, etc.) with the most relevant information superimposed on top of less essential information. With the set-up, BMW is able to deliver a broad range of important data while using a single screen interface. Some of this information is derived from a series of sensors around the car. [via Autocar]

Ferrari FF Action Photos Released

Chris Weiss — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 23:31:10 +0000

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]

Sporty, But Affordable Alfa Romeo 8C Successor May Launch in Geneva

Chris Weiss — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 23:24:28 +0000

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.

Word is that the new concept will be called the 4C GTA and may launch in Geneva (though Alfa is reportedly running behind schedule on it). More than just half an 8C, the car promises to be a quick, sexy ride all its own. It will be a rear-driven two-seater and will likely use the 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from the Giulietta, upgraded to over 250-hp. Given that the engine will be driving a car that weighs a targeted 1,784 lbs., the 4C should be plenty playful.

Alfa plans to start building it next year with a projected retail price of 40,000 euros ($55K). Hopefully it gets done in time for Geneva. Judging by the fact that Alfa released the teaser photo pictured above, it seems like it’s on schedule. [via InsideLine]

Toyota Teases A New FT-86

Chris Weiss — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 23:42:14 +0000

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.

The FT-86 is a RWD sports coupe created in a partnership between Subaru and Toyota. The original version was shown at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, and Subaru will show the first version of its own car in Geneva. [via InsideLine]

Ferrari’s Shooting Brake Revealed in the FF Concept

Chris Weiss — Sat, 22 Jan 2011 00:45:19 +0000

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]

Mercedes To Show Design Concept This Month

Chris Weiss — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 23:29:00 +0000

Mercedes got the ball rolling on its birthday celebration in Detroit when it announced SLS AMG E-Cell production as well as a worldwide fuel-cell vehicle tour. According to an Autocar report today, the next part of Mercedes celebration will be an all-new design concept that will be revealed on the company’s actual birthday: January 29. The new concept won’t be an actual car, but rather a sculpture similar to the one it used to tease the F800 concept at the 2010 Detroit Motor Show (above).

For those that prefer actual concept cars, rumors indicate that Mercedes will release several A-and B-class concept vehicles at major auto shows like Geneva and Frankfurt as an ongoing birthday celebration. [via Autocar]

“Subota” Sports Coupe to Debut in Geneva

Chris Weiss — Tue, 18 Jan 2011 22:52:34 +0000

Toyota FT-86

It’s been a while since we’ve had any FT-86 news, but in a preview of the cars that it will show in Geneva, Subaru slipped in the fact that it will debut a concept based on the partnership with Toyota.

Called simply (or not so simply) Subaru Rear-Wheel Drive Sports Car Technology Concept, the car will feature Subaru’s horizontally opposed Boxer four in rear-wheel-drive configuration. Subaru didn’t get into any details on the specific engine, but the car is expected to be offered with a more powerful version of the 2.0-liter Boxer used in Toyota’s variant, possibly the turbocharged Boxer from the Impreza WRX STi. [via AutoBlog]

Lambo Readying Sesto Elemento For 50th Anniversary?

Chris Weiss — Wed, 29 Dec 2010 23:58:44 +0000

Lambo chief Stephan Winkelmann has already indicated to the media that the Bull is considering offering a very exclusive production of the Sesto Elemento concept. Reports today suggest that Lamborghini will stick to its M.O. and develop a limited edition supercar for its 50th anniversary, which will be in 2013. And speculation says that the production Sesto and 50th Anniversary car may be one and the same.

Now, this is all just loose speculation at this point, and Lamborghini’s past anniversary models point to the likelihood of a special edition version of its all new Aventador. For its 25th anniversary, Lamborghini issued a special edition Countach; for its 30th, it was a special edition Diablo; and for its 40th, a special edition Murcielago. But it seems that a production version of its much-loved Sesto Elemento would be a great present to itself.

We’ve got a few years to find out. [via InsideLine]

MotorCrave.com » Concept Car Photos & Videos

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