Merc A-class concept 'realistic'

Mercedes’ Vision A concept is virtually identical to the final production version, expected next year, according to the company’s design director, Gorden Wagener.

“What you see is realistic,” he told Autocar. “Obviously the real thing is a five-door and we will make changes to the window line, headlights and grille, but that’s it.”

See pics of the Mercedes Vision A concept

Wagener also promised that the show car’s rakish roofline would stay virtually the same and said that while some of the concept’s more outlandish interior details would go, the basics — such as the large display screen and ‘jet turbine’ air vents — would remain.

Wagener also promised that build quality would be much improved over the current cars, promising that “the quality of materials and fit and finish will be above the current C-class”.

The A-class is likely to be the first production car to have the ability to download apps, so that buyers can upgrade infotainment technology during their ownership of the car.

The Vision A show car is powered by a 210bhp, four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with a new dual-clutch seven-speed gearbox. Merc technical boss Thomas Weber promised that all of the A-class’s petrol powerplants would be turbos from the new family of transverse engines, of differing capacities. The dual-clutch ’box will be an optional extra, with a manual as standard. There will be no conventional automatic gearbox option, and stop-start will be standard on all variants.

Weber also promised a hot AMG version, as previously revealed in Autocar. It’s likely to be powered by a more powerful version of the four-cylinder turbo and will probably be four-wheel drive, although Weber conceded that this was still being decided as it adds another 60kg to the weight.

BMW's new car-sharing scheme

BMW has launched a new car-sharing scheme in Germany that it hopes will create one million new customers for the brand by 2020.

The new scheme, called DriveNow, is a 50-50 joint venture between BMW and Germany’s biggest car rental firm Sixt. DriveNow will launch in Munich on 1 April with 300 Minis and BMW 1-series available to rent and a launch will follow shortly after in Berlin, which will have 500 cars.

Drivers will be able to book cars parked around the cities using the internet or a smartphone app, and will then access them using a chip embedded in their driving licenses.

Read more on BMW's new i range of cars

BMW sales and marketing boss Ian Robertson said the firm was always looking at launching new businesses and adding new customers to the brand. The scheme will extend to other European cities and potentially other continents. New cars will also be added to the scheme according to demand, including BMW’s i range of electric cars from 2013.

Robertson said the scheme would offer people living in cities an alternative to car ownership that allowed people to use a car “on the spur of the moment” without many of usually associated costs.

Similar schemes are offered in cities around the world by Peugeot, Citroen and Mercedes.

The 2013 Lotus Elan

Lotus has unveiled the 2013 Elan, The 2013 Lotus Elan will go into production in the summer of 2013 and will be put on sale in the fall the same year. The 2013 Lotus Elan is powered by a smaller engine than the previous two model. It has a 4.0 liter V6 pressure charged engine capable of delivering up to 450 PS and taking into consideration its relative light weight of 1,295kg. Planned to be produced in summer 2013, the 2013 Elan will feature a 2+2 variant and optional hybrid technology with KERS. The car will enters the market in autumn 2013 with price indication approximately £75,000.

Also shared with the Esprit is a seven-speed dual clutch gearbox and optional kinetic energy recovery system or KERS. Peak output is rated 450 horsepower and 343 pound-feet of torque, which is significantly lower than the Esprit’s 620 horsepower and 531 pound-feet of torque, however, the Elan is not too far off the pace thanks to a lighter kerb weight of just 2,885 pounds. Lotus claims a 3.5 second time for the 0-60 mph run and a top speed around 190 mph.

2013 Lotus Elan Specifications

• Layout 2 seater (optional 2+2), mid-engined, rear wheel drive
• Engine Petrol, hybrid optional
• Hybrid technology Optional KERS
• Cylinder V6
• Capacity 4.0 litre
• Power/Torque 450 PS / 465 Nm
• Rev limit 7,800 rpm
• 0-100 km/h 3.5 seconds
• Top speed 310 km/h
• CO2 approx (CO2/km) 199 g/km**
• Weight 1,295 kg
• Seats 2
• Transmission 7 Speed DCT
• Drive RWD
• Start of production Summer 2013
• Enters the market Autumn 2013
• Price indication Circa £75,000

The 2010 Renault Twizy

Renault has releases the Twizy mini city car, at the 2010 Paris motor show.

The Renault Twizy Z.E. Concept is an all-electric compact vehicle which features a width of just 1.1 meters, faired wheels and two seats located one behind the other. It previews the brand's future electric models that will be intrododuced from 2011.

There will apparently be two different versions of the Twizy available, one sporting nine horsepower that can hit a top speed of 28 miles per hour and one with 20 horses that can hit 47 mph. A three-and-a-half-hour charge will result in 60 miles of range from the onboard lithium ion battery pack.

The vehicle is powered by a 15-kW electric motor and has a top speed of 47 mph and a range of 60 miles between charges. It features an integrated charger that enables the battery pack to be charged from roadside outlets. On household current, the Twizy can be fully recharged in 3.5 hours.

Renault claims that the EV is good for 60 miles making it perfect for those who have to commute to the city – just make certain that you do not live more than 60 miles return journey. The cost of the Twizy is expected to be around £6000.

Source: Renault

RENAULT TWIZY - Technical Specification

DIMENSIONS
Standard rims (inches)		13
Length (mm)		2,320
Width (mm)		1,191
Height (mm)		1,461
Wheelbase (mm)		1,684
Front/rear track (mm)		1,050/1,036
Front/rear overhang (mm)		292/345
Kerb weight (kg)		450 (with 100kg battery)
Standard tyres (front/rear)		125x80 R13 / 145x80 R13
MOTOR
Type		Electric
Transmission		Direct drive with reducer and forward/reverse inverter
Maximum continuous power (EEC) (45kph version/75kph version)		4kW (5hp)/8kW (10hp)
Maximum peak power (EEC)(45kph version/75kph version)		7kW (9hp)/15kW (20hp)
Maximum torque EEC (Nm)		57
BATTERY
Type		Lithium-ion
NEDC combined cycle range		60 miles
PERFORMANCE
Top speed	47 mph

The Octavia Green E Line

This year’s edition of the Paris show will see the VW Group’s successful Skoda brand unveiling its first-ever electric-powered vehicle called the Octavia Green E Line. Skoda says it is planning to create a special test fleet of Octavias Green E Line in 2011 with the goal of obtaining additional information relevant to the further development of the electric drive. The concept model is based on the series production Octavia Combi [estate] and is powered by an electric motor delivering a constant power of 60 kW / 80-hp and a maximum output of 85 kW / 114-hp.

The electricity for the Octavia Green E Line is supplied by a modern lithium-ion battery. With a range-per-charge of 140 kilometers (87 miles), the Skoda Octavia Green E Line comfortably meets the requirements of most everyday commuters in Europe. Located under the middle and rear parts of the floor and extending partly into the luggage compartment, the 26.5 kWh battery is made up of 180 lithium-ion cells (diameter 150 mm, length 650 mm) and weighs about 315 kilograms. However, the battery has almost no impact on the volume of the passenger and luggage compartments. The Octavia Green E Line is fitted with five comfortable seats, and its passenger compartment is identical with that of the Octavia Combi with a combustion engine.

The car is finished in a Pearl White exterior color and features chrome-trim on both the front and rear of the vehicle as well as on the wheels creating a contrast with the glossy black roof with integrated energy-generating photovoltaic panels.

Motivation is provided a 26.5 kWh lithium-ion battery which sends power to an electric motor that produces 85 kW (114 hp / 116 PS) and 270 Nm (199 lb-ft) of torque. This allows the wagon to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 12 seconds, hit a top speed of 135 km/h (84 mph) and travel up to 140 km on a single charge.

Source: Skoda

The 2012 Ford Focus ST

Ford has releases details for the new Focus ST concept, which will debut at the 2010 Paris Auto Show

The Focus ST will be on top of the model range, and alongside it in Paris, Ford will be showing off sedan, wagon, and hatchback versions. But it's the ST that's getting the most attention from the press gathering this year for the Paris Expo. And it's likely because of the 247 horsepower hidden underneath its bespoilered body and its bespoked wheels, and a coat of "Tangerine Scream" paint.

Power is provided by a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine which has been outfitted with a redesigned intake and a recalibrated ECU. Thanks to these modifications, the mill produces 250 PS (184 kW / 247 hp) and 360 Nm (265 lb-ft) of torque.

Inside and out there’s plenty to talk about thank to a an aggressive aero kit with large lower air intakes, a massive central intake, race-inspired rear diffuser and 19-inch wheels that all add to the Focus’s already attractive package. And with an already high-grade interior on the new global Focus, the ST model gets Recaro seats up front, plus plenty of detailed stitching on the interior, as well as a unique steering wheel.

Source: Ford