Motor Shows – Page 3

Saab Aero-X concept

January 29, 2008 by Wattsy

Saab premiered its Saab Aero-X concept at the Paris Motor Show. This 2.8 litre twin turbocharged V6 produces 400hp and an impressive 0 to 100km in 2.9 seconds and runs on pure ethonol. The 7 speed manual transmission is controlled by paddles mounted on the steering wheel and the gages are all use LED techology displaying on clear acrylic panels. The body is made of carbon fiber and as you can see from our photo the gullwing like doors are conected to the windscreen making a cockpit canopy. Saab have been quoted as saying something very similar may reach production, and expecially after the great reaction it got in Pairs chances are looking pretty good word is it will probably based on a shortened Epsilon 2 platform.

Verve in Detroit

January 23, 2008January 21, 2008 by Rocky

Just a few weeks after the 3 door Ford Verve concept stunned crowds at the Frankfurt Motor Show, it and a stylish 4 door version has taken centre stage at the Ford stand at Detroit’s American International Motor Show this week. With the rising fuel prices and the global warming problems Ford think this small, practical and stylish type of car might just be the next big growth segment in the industry. Industry figures predict 38 million units of this size car will be sold worldwide by 2012 and if this lovely little Verve is any indication of what Ford has in mind they will be after a pretty big slice of the business. Ford have built the Verve concept to showcases the style, technology, premium materials and more substantial content that will set it apart from other offerings when Ford’s new small cars go on sale in North America in 2010.

Cute and the rainbrush is standard equipment

January 22, 2008January 21, 2008 by Rocky

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It looks like the Chinese have brought the wackiest cars to the Detroit Motor Show this year. The Tang Hua are straight out of a comic book in their bright yellow paintwork. These little electric vehicles are do about 28 miles an hour at normal speed and a whopping 40 mph at performance speed and have some great features if they work, including air conditioning, rain brushes- which we think might be windscreen wipers, alarm of remnant quality of electric/voltage- perhaps that’s the battery meter and even have upgrading vision- might be the big windows- who knows. Other highlights are a picture of Chairman Mao on the steering wheel, what more could you want, and they use electric storage technology- sounds good eh?. They wont pass the design rules to be sold in the US, but im sure the theme parks will want them. Check out the You Tube video we found, and pay particular attention to the caterpillar looking one in the background, that’s the one I want.

Toyota A-Bat

January 21, 2008January 17, 2008 by Rocky

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Toyota have a very interesting concept vehicle on their stand at the Detroit motorshow this week, the A-bat, it is part pick up truck and part car. The vehcile featues a lot of recyclable materials including metals and wood. The seats, center console and dashboard use both carbon fiber and aluminum, while the door trim, armrests and seat cushions are made of a tough light weight materials. A-BAT also uses a Hybrid Synergy Drive system similar to what Toyota use in its Highlander vehicle. One interesting feature is solar panels built into the dash which charge a removable power pack which can run AC/DC power.

Suzuki X-Head Concept

January 20, 2008January 17, 2008 by Rocky

This one looks straight out of the Pixar Disney move Cars, the nearly comical and almost Tonka Truck, Suzuki X-Head Concept is the star attraction on the Suzuki stand at this years Detroit Motor Show. This little pickup is meant to have the toughness of the popular Jimny and the load carrying capacity of the Carry. It’s part SUV and part Pickup truck and about the size of a wheelbarrow with a wheelbase of only 93 inches and very little overhang. The car was first shown at the Tokyo Motor Show a few months back and got rave reviews. There are some very interesting and clever compartments and options designed for this vehicle and lets hop Suzuki get to work and bring something like this to the market, it will make motoring much more fun.

Saturn Flextreme Concept

January 19, 2008January 17, 2008 by Rocky

The Saturn Flextreme Concept continues our week of Detroit Motor Show features. This clever and rather weird looking car is a little sister to the Opel Flextreme car shown at Frankfurt a few weeks back. The Saturn car has a lithium-ion battery eclectic motor which can drive for about 34 miles and a diesel engine which can power recharge the battery when necessary, or be recharged via the powerpoint in about 3 hours. Saturn have stated at the launch of this vehicle the front of the vehicle in particular the lights and grille use styling cues of the future Saturn look- which will be quiet striking. Probably the most interesting and weird idea in this concept is the addition of two Segways stowed under the cargo floor, we really don’t know why, must be there just incase the battery goes flat?

Chrysler ecoVoyager

January 18, 2008January 17, 2008 by Wattsy

Chrysler has an interesting concept vehicle on show at the Detroit Motor Show, and full of style and cutting edge technology with the ecoVoyager. The futuristic looking vehicle as the name might suggest is environmental friendly with lithium -ion battery pack and also a fuel cell and some very clever interior packaging. The car has been cleverly designed for the family as a practical and functional recreation vehicle. The 268 horsepower electric motor powers the front wheel drive car and is designed to run about 40 miles without a recharge. Brakes help recharge the battery and for longer trip the fuel cell kicks in and gives approx 400 miles with hydrogen tanks under the cargo bay, and the only thing that comes out of the tailpipe is fresh water. The interior features high levels of luxury with full leather and cherry wood inserts. The chairs look like what you would expect on a private jet.

The Holden EFIJY

January 13, 2008January 13, 2008 by Rocky

Back in the 1950’s Holden produced the FJ Holden which has gone on to become one of Australia’s iconic classic cars. So what better car to base a show car off some 50 years later than to create a new interpretation of the vehicle using many of the classic and loved design cues. Using a Chevrolet Corvette underbody, a 5.2 metre radical custom coupe was produced boasting a thumping 480-kilowatt, supercharged six-litre V8 engine under the bonnet and every imaginable gizmo and gadget including LCD and LED technology, all packaged with magnificence retro styling. The paintwork was breathtaking with a rich dark purple called Soprano Purple highlighted by chrome badging and features. The car has since toured the world and been the toast of many auto shows and won quiet a few prestigious awards from Hot Rod magazines and other media.