Showing posts with label FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW. Show all posts
Friday, July 29, 2011
The i8 Concept is a further development of the 2009 Vision Efficient Dynamics study and it opens the way for a production model, which is scheduled to arrive in showrooms in 2013.
The sportiest member of the i series models combines the modified electric drive system from the i3 Concept, but this time fitted over its front axle instead of the rear, with a high-performance, 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder gasoline engine (in place of the Vision ED's diesel unit) developing 220HP (164kW) and 300 Nm (221 lb.ft) at the rear.
The gasoline unit drives the rear wheels through a dual clutch transmission, while the electric motor uses a twin-speed transmission to motivate the front wheels.
Working in tandem, the two drive systems produce a combined output of 349-horses and 550Nm (405.6 lb.ft) of peak torque offering coupe model a 0-100km/h (62mph) acceleration time of just 4.6 seconds and an electronically governed top speed of 250km/h (155mph).
At the same time, BMW says the i8 returns an impressive combined fuel economy in the European cycle of 2.7 liters per 100km (approx. 87mpg US or 104mpg UK).
The i8's electric motor is fed by a large lithium-ion battery, which can be fully charged from a domestic power supply in 1 hour and 45 minutes, offering a pure electric driving range of up to 35 km (approx. 20 miles).BMW says the positioning of the electric motor and engine over their respective axles result in an optimum 50/50 weight distribution, while the extensive use of lightweight materials including aluminum on the chassis and CFRP (carbonfibre reinforced plastic) on the body, help keep the weight down to 1,480kg or 3,262 pounds.
The i8 is a 2+2 seater and measures 4,632mm long, 1,280 mm tall and 1,955 wide. The concept model will make its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show this fall.
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Looking at these photos, if there's one thing that stands out it�s that, unlike the exterior, which is an evolution of the current B-Class, the interior has been completely redesigned and features a more modern styling and premium feel than the sober cabin of today's model.
Mercedes-Benz says its new Advanced Design Studio in Como, Italy played a significant role in the interior design of the new B-Class.
The company added that the cabin also sports higher-quality materials and can be customized with numerous features and options such as covering the dashboard in hand-stitched ARTICO man-made leather.
The new B-Class, which continues to use the current versions sandwich floor, will be making its world premiere at the IAA in Frankfurt in mid September before Mercedes-Benz rolls it out to European dealerships in November this year.
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The new i3 along with the i8 sports coupe concept (we'll have more on that in a bit) that was also shown today, are the first vehicles of BMW's new i sub-brand with which the Bavarian company plans to sell a range of environmental-friendly hybrids, pure-electric and range-extended cars.
The upcoming i3 will be BMW's first ever mass produced all-electric model. The five-door hatchback rides on a new dedicated architecture named "LifeDrive".
The chassis is made mostly from aluminum while the body structure from CFRP (carbonfibre reinforced plastic). BMW says that CFRP is at least as strong as steel, but roughly 50 per cent lighter, adding that by comparison, aluminum would save �only� 30 per cent in weight over steel.
For its motivation, the i3 relies on an electric motor that resides over the rear axle and drives the rear wheels. It's an improved version of the electric motor found on the MINI E prototype and it generates an output of 170-horses (125 kW) and 250 Nm (184 lb.ft) allowing the i3 to accelerate from 0 to 60 km/h (37 mph) in under four seconds and from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) in less than eight seconds.
The single-speed gearbox allows the i3 Concept to reach an electronically governed 150 km/h (93 mph). BMW says that without the speed governor the driving range would be "unnecessarily restricted".
The power to drive the electric motor is provided by a set of lithium-ion batteries with a liquid-cooling system that are mounted within the central section of the floor. They can be fully recharged in six hours using a standard power socket. If a high-speed charger is used, an 80 per cent charge can be achieved in one hour. The batteries offer a driving range of around 120km to 160km (80-100 miles).
BMW will also offer an optional Range Extender called the REx, which allows the electric driving range to be increased. The REx comprises of a small displacement petrol engine that drives a generator which maintains the battery charge level and therefore extends the range of the electric motor. BMW says that to reduce fuel consumption, REx also features such functions as Automatic Start-Stop and other intelligent operating strategies.
The i3 is the smallest BMW model measuring 3,845mm long, 1,537mm wide and 2,011mm tall while riding on 2,570mm long wheelbase. It comes with four seats, wide-opening opposing "coach" doors, a rear boot capacity of around 200 liters and an additional smaller compartment in the front.
The slightly futuristic design of the exterior that shares many common styling cues with the i8 is expected to remain fairly unchanged on the production model. The interior, on the other hand, is purely conceptual and will most likely be redesigned for the showroom i3.
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The Civic hatchback has been designed exclusively for Europe and will continue to be a separate model from the North American four-door sedan and two-door coupe variants with which it shares the same name.
The photos of the test car suggest that Honda will keep the edgy styling of the current model including the hidden door handles tucked away at the corners of the rear windows. However, the new Civic will be a tad longer improving passenger space.
Underneath the sheetmetal, Honda makes it a point to state that the European Civic will sport a heavily revised suspension that will significantly improve the car's ride quality, comfort as well as handling and body control.
Honda says it has achieved this even though the Civic, unlike many of its competitors in the C-segment like the Golf that feature fully independent, sophisticated multi-link suspension systems at the rear, retains a rear torsion beam.
A key change to the rear suspension system is the adoption of what Honda engineers describe as "clever fluid-filled compliance bushes".
The Japanese automaker is still keeping mum on the powertrain details, but according to our sources, one of the new introductions to the range will be a smaller displacement turbo diesel engine that will slot right under the current 2.2-liter i-DTEC unit.
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Saturday, July 23, 2011
We�ll just remind you that the next generation of the 911 is due to be unveiled in a world premiere at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September.
The most famous Porsche model series of all, will mostly likely be offered in two basic flavors at launch, the Carrera with a 350HP 3.4-liter flat-six and the Carrera S powered by a 3.8-liter boxer delivering around 400 ponies.
A key highlight of the new model is a new seven-speed manual gearbox that joins Porsche�s 7-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission.
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