Auto & Car Blog

Filed under: EV/Plug-in, European Union, UK, Paris Motor Show

It’s pretty easy to see more than just a passing resemblance between the new Izis from Wallyscar, which is now being shown at the Paris Motor Show, and another famous vehicle. Like the original off-roading Willys, the Izis features body-on-frame architecture and a very small gasoline engine. In the case of the Izis, that engine comes from Peugeot and displaces 1.4-liters, good enough for 75-horsepower, just a bit more than the 60 horses of the classic Willys Go Devil engine.

The Izis is street-legal in Europe, as its Peugeot engine is fully Euro 4-compliant, though the vehicle has a Euro NCAP rating of only two stars. It also has a very short wheelbase and sits well above the ground. Early Jeeps with similar dimensions were more than a bit ‘tippy’ on the street, as were some early Jeep-like cars from Suzuki and Daihatsu. Having never piloted in Izis, we can’t really comment on how it handles, but we bet it’d do rather well off the beaten path.

An electric version is also said to be available. No information on specifications are provided other than a suggested electric-only range of 90 kilometers, or about 56 miles. That’s plenty for some fun-in-the-sun off-roading or for daily transportation for city-dwellers.

[Sources: AutoMotoPortal, Wallyscar]

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Filed under: Euro, Paris Motor Show, Hatchbacks, FIAT

Perhaps it isn’t the most interesting live reveal that took place in Paris, but we managed to get a few shots of the new Fiat 500 by DIESEL anyway. Yes, there is an optional 75-horsepower 1.3 Multijet diesel engine, complete with a particulate filter to keep things squeaky clean, but that’s not why it’s called the DIESEL edition. That moniker comes from the Italian clothing company, which lends its name and the styling talents of DIESEL head designer with a head Lars Schwartz. Outside, the 500 is painted in your choice of Green DIESEL, Brown DIESEL or Black DIESEL. Name recognition much? Surely the most striking bit of kit is inside, where the seats are upholstered in denim with contrasting stitching. Fortunately, the look is much more upscale than that of the Levi’s Gremlins and Jeans Beetles of the ’70s. Proof is in our complete gallery below.

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Filed under: Convertibles, Coupes, Videos, Paris Motor Show, Lexus

It’s always fun to see the engineering behind hard top convertibles. The latest member of the breed comes from Lexus in the form of the 2009 IS250C. This new derivative of the IS250 sedan sports a three-piece aluminum roof that retracts in a “world’s fastest” 20 seconds. Video proof of the event taking place has been released and we’ve embedded it after the break. The new 250C’s most logical competitor comes from BMW, whose 3 Series convertible features a folding hard top of its very own. When the new Lexus goes on sale next summer in Europe, followed shortly thereafter in the United States, it will offer buyers a replacement for the expensive SC 430, which is set to make a graceful exit from the marketplace in short order.

[Source: Paultan]

Continue reading VIDEO: Lexus IS250C folding its hard top

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Filed under: EV/Plug-in, SMART, European Union, UK, USA, Paris Motor Show

While some sites are busy making fun of its name (yeah, we thought of that too… and you? Does it matter? Comments are welcome), others were busy conducting interviews with Dr. Z. in an attempt to find out when we may see the smart ED in America. The answer is that it’s coming, if not next year then shortly thereafter. Daimler hopes to have 1,000 electric smarts running rather silently around the world by the end of next year, and it’s distinctly possible that a portion of them will be in the U.S. This is the second-generation of the smart ED, and it is now powered by a lithium ion battery pack that may or may not be supplied by Tesla Motors. The last-gen model used a sodium battery. With the new pack, the smart ED can achieve a range of up to 150 miles — plenty of distance for the urban use the little car is likely to be subjected to.

[Source: Popular Mechanics / Photo: Inside Line]

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Filed under: Euro, Paris Motor Show, Hatchbacks, Ford

Ford’s new Focus RS has made its second European debut and we’ve managed to snag some live shots of the new car on the stand. Covered in Ultra Green paint as it is, we could hardly miss it. The new hue is meant to be “a modern interpretation of the 1970’s Ford Le Mans Green.” In that case, perhaps it should be called Grabber Green? Powered by a turbocharged Duratec 2.5L five-cylinder producing about 300 horsepower and 325 ft-lbs of torque, the new Focus RS is the fastest European Ford ever produced and can hit 60 mph in under six seconds. Front-wheel drive was chosen in lieu of all-wheel as the Blue Oval’s ‘RevoKnuckle’ front suspension system along with the Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing limited-slip differential is said to remove all traces of torque steer. Expect to see the new Focus RS in European dealerships sometime in 2009.

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Filed under: Hybrid, Honda, European Union, UK

In the United States, sales of hybrid cars greatly outpaces the sales of diesel cars; super-size trucks don’t count. The leader of the hybrid race globally and in the States is undoubtedly Toyota, but other manufacturers, including Honda, are doing their best to catch up. Despite the fact that the original Honda Insight helped usher in the hybrid age, the automaker has taken a major back seat to its main rival from Japan in recent years. To help combat this issue, Honda is set to revive the Insight nameplate with a Prius-fighting five door hatchback of its own, and it will undercut its competitor by thousands of dollars.

So, what about Europe? Across the pond, hybrid cars and trucks are not nearly as popular as they are in the U.S. There, diesel fuel is priced more attractively than gasoline, and sales of oil-burners are therefore very strong. A recent survey conducted by Honda in the U.K. indicates that 40-percent of those who would not buy a hybrid are put off by their high price. Since the Insight will be the cheapest hybrid available in Europe, Honda hopes to buck the slow-selling trend. We’ll see how it works out sometime next year.

[Source: Just-Auto - sub. req’d]

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Filed under: Diesel, MPG, Audi, Paris Motor Show

Audi has a brand-new A4 for 2009, and the automaker has big plans in store of the new model’s efficiency. Being shown as we speak in Paris is the A4 TDI concept e, which uses a 120-horsepower TDI engine from the VW parts bin that’s been tweaked with light-pressure valve springs, a revised cooling system and the lack of a power steering pump, which is now electric. While slowing, brake energy is recaptured and stored in a secondary battery that powers the car’s systems while the engine is shut down, which will be much more often due to the stop/start system that has also been added. Aero-tweaks including an underbody pan and low rolling resistance tires round out the mods. Desipte the slow 10.5-second run to sixty, the powertrain combination really scores big with its 59 mile per U.S. gallon rating on the combined EU cycle and carbon emissions of just 105 g/km. We’d wager that a production version of this concept can’t be far behind. See the full press release after the break.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Audi unveils A4 TDI concept e

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Filed under: Hybrid, Honda, Paris Motor Show

The biggest bit of greenery at the Paris Motor Show may be the Honda Insight concept. This is the car that’s set to give the Prius a run for its money in the ongoing hybrid arms race in America, and it looks like it may have the goods to do proper battle. As has been stated, over and over again, the Insight bears a striking resemblance to its main rival from Toyota, but perhaps that’s to be expected as both cars are meant to cheat the wind in an effort to reach maximum efficiency.

This isn’t the production version, but we don’t expect too many changes to its external appearance before it hits the Detroit Auto Show in January in its final form. Details like those LED-heavy light clusters up front may not make it, but the overall look is what will be in Honda dealerships sometime next year. The interior looks pretty spacey, but so did the second-gen Prius’ when it was introduced. Take a look at the live shots in our gallery below.

[Source: Autoblog]

Continue reading Paris 2008: Live shots of the new Honda Insight… at last!

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Filed under: Hybrids/Alternative, Sedans/Saloons, Green, Paris Motor Show, Audi

Audi’s parent company Volkswagen already produces some of the cleanest-burning, most fuel-miserly diesel engines in the world. The Jetta TDI was recently released in the U.S. and has been making waves for its hybrid-like efficiency. So it’s natural that Audi would want to show off its green credentials with a new diesel sedan of its own, and it has done so with the A4 TDI concept e, introduced at the Paris Motor Show. Based on the brand-new A4 platform, the new concept gets a 2.0L four-cylinder common-rail direct-inject turbodiesel derived from the unit powering the Jetta TDI. That mill sees tweaks to its valvetrain and cooling systems, lowering its power output a bit to 120-horsepower and 214 lb-ft of torque, but increasing its fuel efficiency a great deal.

Added to the powertrain is a start/stop system that keeps the engine from idling when not needed and regenerative braking, which charges a secondary battery that keeps all your goodies running while the engine’s off. The engine has also had its efficiency-robbing power steering pump removed and the rear brakes are now electrically actuated as well. All of this, plus many other small details, adds up to a remarkable 59 miles per U.S. gallon in EU combined testing! Its 10.5 second run to 60 won’t win any drag races, but considering the cost of fuel and pending eco-legislation in the world’s largest markets, we’d imagine that the technologies on this car will go from concept to production in short order.

[Source: Audi]

Continue reading Paris 2008: Audi unveils 59-mpg A4 TDI concept e

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Filed under: Hybrid, Hyundai, Paris Motor Show

We knew that Hyundai would be bringing a new hybrid version of its Santa Fe utility vehicle to Paris for display, and now we have some pictures to prove it. Except for the rather unique paint job, there isn’t much on the outside that would lead you to believe there’s so much going on underneath the skin. Along with the 2.4-liter four cylinder engine, a 30kW electric motor also passes its juice to the shared six speed automatic transmission. That electricity is provided from a lithium polymer battery pack that offers up 270 Volts. To make the most of each drop of fuel, low rolling resistance tires were added along with revised gearing and engine ECU settings. All of these little bits of engineering add up to a vehicle that gets 38 miles per gallon in the U.S. and carbon emissions of 148 g/km. If that sounds green to you, don’t forget that blue is the new green.

[Source: Carscoop]

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Filed under: Economy, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Paris Motor Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Hyundai

Hyundai is headed to the Paris Motor Show with a bevy of environmentally friendly models and concepts. In addition to bringing along production-intent vehicles like the new i20, Genesis Coupe and Genesis sedan, the automaker will showcase two new concepts that will also carry its blue theme. Remember, blue is the new green. Anyway, the i20 blue features aero tweaks and low rolling-resistance tires in order to improve its efficiency, but it’s the Santa Fe hybrid that’s a bit more interesting. That new model features an electric motor that puts out 30kW of power along with a 2.4-liter four cylinder engine. Both powerplants feed their power through a six-speed automatic transmission with revised gear ratios optimized for fuel savings. A 270V lithium-polymer battery pack sends the juice to the electric motor, and it all adds up to 38 mpg in the U.S. and carbon emissions of 148 g/km. We’ll be in Paris to see these things up close and personal, so stay tuned.

[Source: Carscoop]

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Filed under: MPG, Fiat, Paris Motor Show

At the upcoming Paris Motor Show, Fiat will join the ranks of automakers with a special designation for its most fuel efficient and lowest CO₂ emitters: PUR-O2. Despite the moniker, we are pretty certain that there’s more than just pure oxygen emanating from the exhaust pipes of the new 500, Bravo and Croma PUR-O2 models. Just a guess. Anyway, the Italian automaker has not yet released the official fuel consumption figures, but states that the city mileage of the new 500 is 10-percent improved. Emissions scores are all down as well, with the 500 and Bravo coming in at 115 g/km and the Croma at 140 g/km of CO₂. Making up the package is a stop/start system along with “Eco Packs that include green tyres, low-viscosity fluids, aerodynamic packages and gearboxes with modified ratios.” Pretty much what you’d expect. With this new line of eco-friendly mods, Fiat looks to keep its title as Europe’s lowest CO₂ emitting automaker.

[Source: Fiat]

Continue reading Fiat will unveil new PUR-O2 line in Paris

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Tuners, SUVs, Paris Motor Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Jeep

Chrysler’s in-house performance tuning arm, MOPAR, will be showing off a mildly customized version of the Jeep Patriot called the Back Country at next month’s Paris Motor Show. The run-of-the-mill Patriot and Compass models, which share a platform with the Dodge Caliber, have had their interiors redone a bit for the new ‘09 model year and the small improvements appear to make a major difference, at least in appearance. We’ll reserve final judgement until we get inside one for ourselves. At the upcoming Paris Motor Show, attendees will see a few mods to the new model, including an Optic Green paint color, blacked-out B-pillars, and a new “platinum chrome” light bar on the outside. MOPAR makes good use of its own accessories catalog with a cargo basket on the roof that sports extra off-road lights, splash gaurds and some 18-inch five-spoke alloys. Joining the refreshed interior are satin chrome details and a scuba-like fabric covering parts of the seats. This concept above goes to show that the Patriot is a decent looker and just a few minor tweaks away from being a real Jeep. Now, if they’d just take care of that Compass…

[Source: Carscoop]

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Sports/GTs, Paris Motor Show, Supercars, Citroen, Toys

The Citroen GT striptease continues with a more revealing image of what looks like a rip-snorting concept car. Huge tires, a ginormous front splitter meant to keep something seriously fast bolted to the ground at speed, enough front air intakes to break records, and that thing out back, which we thought were mirrors yesterday, must be a terrific wing. As they say in French, oh la la, c’est cool. Meant to appear in Gran Turismo Prologue, it will also be at next month’s Paris Motor Show, and so will we, so stay tuned. In the mean time, you can check out both high-res images in the gallery below.

[Source: ZerCustoms]

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Paris Motor Show, Crossovers/CUVs, Chevrolet

The Chevy Orlando, due to be revealed at next month’s Paris Motor Show, has turned tail and the rendering doesn’t look half-bad. It’s mildly reminiscent of the Audi A2 from way back when, in an exaggerated, chunked-up way, and we get a little Volvo feeling from the sculpted area of the rear lights. Overall, we give it a thumbs up.

The Orlando is a compact seven-seater, and the dip in the rear roofline means that those last to occupants might need to be especially compact. However, the intended audience is probably not the local WNBA team, so the kids should fit just fine. With a hot front and rear, and an interior that nearly qualifies as dreamy, this is the kind of thing we’re looking forward to checking out in the flesh. Stay tuned for Paris…

[Source: GM]

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Filed under: Emerging Technologies, EV/Plug-in, Paris Motor Show

This year’s edition of the Paris Motor Show is shaping up to be quite a collection of ecological innovation, ranging from the presently practical to the futuristically fanciful. The just-announced vehicular offspring from a Michelin and Venturi collaboration is bound to fall into the later category. Venturi, the Principality of Monaco’s largest builder of très vert prototypes (and hopefully next June, seller of the Fetish) and Michelin, maker of tires, have teamed up to create an electric car that features the “most advanced technologies” in all the automotive realm.

Although they haven’t given us any sneak peeks yet, this latest showpiece features a design by Sacha Lakic and so should carry that distinctive Venturi “je ne sais quois.” We expect it will be a quite racy as it is referred to as “high performance” and is meant to showcase Michelin’s latest innovations. We are also told to expect unprecedented architecture which, with Venturi, could mean slightly bizarre. Whatever the case, we will all see it by 5:15 pm on the 2nd of October at a press conference hosted by the representatives from the two companies.

[Source: Venturi]

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