Motor Authority - blog Category: Concept Cars

Rolls-Royce has developed a brand new model positioned below the Phantom for launch in the second quarter of next year. The new model is the 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost sedan, which is expected to double the number of vehicles built by the ultra-luxury automaker each year. The Ghost was revealed for the first time in full production trim and with official details ahead the currently running Frankfurt auto show. New live shots from the show today reveal the car in even more fantastic detail.

Rolls-Royce first announced that work had begun on a new model series as far back as 2006. However, little was seen of the new car, codenamed RR4, until the...

Rolls-Royce has developed a brand new model positioned below the Phantom for launch in the second quarter of next year. The new model is the 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost sedan, which is expected to double the number of vehicles built by the ultra-luxury automaker each year. The Ghost was revealed for the first time in full production trim and with official details ahead the currently running Frankfurt auto show. New live shots from the show today reveal the car in even more fantastic detail. Rolls-Royce first announced that work had begun on a new model series as far back as 2006. However, little was seen of the new car, codenamed RR4, until the spring of 2008, when the company released the first official sketches. The styling was instantly recognizable as a Rolls-Royce, although less traditional than previous models. What the design team was seeking to create was a modern Rolls-Royce that achieved a new dynamism but remained true to its luxurious heritage. Earlier this year, a concept version, dubbed the 200EX, was unveiled. Following the overwhelmingly positive reaction to 200EX, very few changes were made in the transition to the production model. Power for the new Ghost comes from a 6.6-liter turbocharged V-12 engine matched to a ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox. Output at the crankshaft is rated at 563 horsepower and 575 pound-feet of torque, which makes the Ghost more powerful than the Phantom despite being positioned below it. This is enough to accelerate the Ghost from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds and see it easily reach its electronically governed top speed of 155 mph. Fuel economy is estimated at 17.3 mpg for a mix of highway and city driving. In keeping with its ‘entry-level’ positioning, the Ghost is smaller all around when compared to the Phantom. While the Phantom's dimensions stretch to around 5,834 mm, the Ghost measures in at 5,399 mm in length, 1,948 mm across, and stand 1,550 mm in height. Its wheelbase stretches 3,295 mm and inside there is generous seating for five adults. Rolls-Royce has also revealed that the car makes use of the very latest developments in chassis engineering, including a new four corner air suspension system matched to multi-link aluminum front and rear axle geometry. A new chassis management system is fitted and is designed to control the car’s anti-roll stabilization and the suspension stiffness to ensure the best possible comfort for occupants. The new air suspension system is so sensitive that it can detect even the smallest of changes. For example, the movement of a single rear passenger from one side of the seat to the other can be detected and system modified to compensate. The on-board computer system reads multiple inputs from sensors around the car - the dampers alone making individual load calculations every 2.5 milliseconds. The air suspension system also incorporates a lift and kneel function, raising or lowering the car by 25mm for those steep driveways. Inside the Ghost, the interior design team has come up with a contemporary ambience while staying true to Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ traditions of fine materials and peerless comfort. There are elegant, frosted lamps and chrome door handles, traditional violin key switches and eyeball air vents, frosted white dials and refined instrumentation. Deep-pile carpets can be complemented by optional lambswool floor mats for a truly luxurious feel. Enhancing the interior’s ambience is an audio system delivering an exquisite experience. 600 Watts of sound are delivered through a 10-channel amplifier and 16 speakers, including two floor-mounted subwoofers. USB and auxiliary inputs allow for the integration of external audio devices and a 12.5 GB hard drive enables storage of music files from USB or CD player sources. Available as an option with both seating arrangements is ‘Theatre Configuration’, which allows all settings that do not directly affect the driver to be controlled from the rear seat. The functions are displayed on two 9.2 inch LCD screens in the back of the front seats; these can be angled to suit the viewers by a central, armrest-mounted, rotary controller. The screens can be regulated independently of each other and the entertainment can also be listened to individually with most headphones. A six-disc multi-media changer, mounted in the glove compartment, is fitted as part of this option. Customer deliveries of the Ghost in Europe will begin late in 2009 with pricing from £165,000 (approximately $271,106) excluding taxes and delivery charges. Customer deliveries in other markets including the U.S. and Asia Pacific region will begin from the second quarter 2010. Read More

The Mazda MX-5 has become one of the best selling convertibles of all time thanks to its simple, unchanging formula of low weight and fun dynamics - a formula that has served it well for the two decades that it has been in production now. Today's leaked images of the Superlight concept reveal that formula in all its not-headed-for-production glory.

To celebrate the car's 20th anniversary Mazda is building a special speedster-style concept dubbed the MX-5 Superlight. The concept, which is set to be revealed at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show, reveals a minimalist's MX-5, shaved of its windshield, frame and cloth top and armed only with...

The Mazda MX-5 has become one of the best selling convertibles of all time thanks to its simple, unchanging formula of low weight and fun dynamics - a formula that has served it well for the two decades that it has been in production now. Today's leaked images of the Superlight concept reveal that formula in all its not-headed-for-production glory. To celebrate the car's 20th anniversary Mazda is building a special speedster-style concept dubbed the MX-5 Superlight. The concept, which is set to be revealed at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show, reveals a minimalist's MX-5, shaved of its windshield, frame and cloth top and armed only with streamlined roll bars to protect the occupants, bridging the gap between production car and formula car. As the name suggests, a number of weight-saving measures have been undertaken throughout the entire car, which checks in at a barely-there 2,190 pounds. Additionally, interior images reveal a racing seat and race-inspired interior elements further hinting at the performance potential of the car. Power for the Superlight comes from a  1.8-liter gasoline engine rated at 125 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque - not much in the grand scheme, but about the same as you'll find on the Lotus Elise S, though that car weighs about 200 pounds less than the Mazda. A five-speed manual transmission sends power to the rear wheels, while a Bilstein suspension handles the bumps. Acceleration to 62 mph takes a somewhat lethargic 8.9 seconds, though it's the speed through the curves where the Superlight is intended to shine. The Superlight's 50 mm wider track will no doubt help it hang on, reducing body roll and improving transitions. Shutting the show down falls to a new set of four-piston calipers. The MX-5 Superlight was designed by Mazda's in-house team in Germany, and other unique cosmetic and structural changes include the lack of A-pillars, as well as the smooth front and rear decks presumably used to help control airflow around the car. Disappointingly, however, the chances of a production variant ever reaching dealerships is extremely slim at best, and the MX-5 Superlight will most likely remain a commemorative flight-of-fancy for the 20th birthday of the MX-5. [Autoblog.nl] 2009 Mazda MX-5 Superlight concept car Read More

As soon as spy images of a mysterious BMW concept emerged earlier this month, BMW said the car pictured was nothing but an old aerodynamics test mule, certainly not a new concept due for debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. But whatever that car was, BMW is definitely working on something all-new for Frankfurt, and today the company has released a second teaser image of the upcoming car.

Dubbed the Vision EfficientDynamics concept, it's expected to be a three-cylinder, hybrid-powertrain four-door coupe. Yesterday, the company released a teaser video further developing the car's green image and giving a hint at what looks like a rear...

As soon as spy images of a mysterious BMW concept emerged earlier this month, BMW said the car pictured was nothing but an old aerodynamics test mule, certainly not a new concept due for debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. But whatever that car was, BMW is definitely working on something all-new for Frankfurt, and today the company has released a second teaser image of the upcoming car. Dubbed the Vision EfficientDynamics concept, it's expected to be a three-cylinder, hybrid-powertrain four-door coupe. Yesterday, the company released a teaser video further developing the car's green image and giving a hint at what looks like a rear quarter panel. The image revealed today, via the IAABlog, shows the opposite view of the other rear quarter panel, which does little to give us an idea of the car's overall shape, but does continue to build curiosity. Though new video also doesn't show much of the car - beyond the second image above - in any of its green-themed scenes, it does show car-perspective footage, implies high-speed and performance driving and also teases with terms like 'Vision EfficientDynamics', perhaps offering a reminder of the GINA Light Visionary Concept from last June. The car captured earlier this month offers a similar appearance, though does away with the cloth body work for what appears to be real metal, shaped into a long-coupe profile and apparently small form factor. That shape threw many commentators for a loop in trying to identify the car when it was spotted by spies, but when taken as a possible new model, or at least a concept previewing next-generation BMW powertrain technology, it begins to make more sense. According to Auto Express, the new car will also show off features of BMW's upcoming design direction, much like the CS Concept did in 2007. That concept drew as much fire as it did praise, and though elements of its design have seen production application - heavily toned down, of course - expect to see another controversial set of features in this new concept. We'll all have to wait until the Frankfurt show next month to find out exactly what is and isn't rumor, but stay tuned to Motor Authority for the latest developments, whatever they may be. Late last year a high ranking insider revealed that BMW was working on a “green” super-sports car based along the lines of the M1 Homage concept. BMW development board member Dr Klaus Draeger also recently revealed that the company was planning to unveil a sustainable sports car concept at the upcoming Frankfurt event. The concept is expected pack the latest in BMW EfficientDynamics technology, but in addition to showcasing powertrain advancements it will also feature sustainable design and material elements. According to previous reports, BMW is studying the viability of the project, with an eye to eventually building a two-seater sports car that showcases all of firm’s most sophisticated environmental technology. A limited production run would be timed for release at the end of 2012, giving cars like the top-selling Audi R8 and upcoming Mercedes Benz SLS AMG Gullwing some healthy competition. [Auto Express, BMW WebTV] BMW M1 Homage 2009 BMW sustainable sports car concept spy shots Read More

One of the most exciting cars from January’s Detroit Auto Show was the Cadillac Converj concept car, which General Motors used to showcase its plug-in hybrid technology in a luxury platform. Despite the concept featuring one of the most striking designs we’ve seen in a while, GM's then vice chairman Bob Lutz said it was designed so that any eventual production version would look “exactly like” the show car, hinting that we may eventually see such a car in showrooms.

The company’s financial state, however, says the opposite, but there remains a chance the Converj may make it out of the economic storm. One of the biggest opponents to the car...

One of the most exciting cars from January’s Detroit Auto Show was the Cadillac Converj concept car, which General Motors used to showcase its plug-in hybrid technology in a luxury platform. Despite the concept featuring one of the most striking designs we’ve seen in a while, GM's then vice chairman Bob Lutz said it was designed so that any eventual production version would look “exactly like” the show car, hinting that we may eventually see such a car in showrooms. The company’s financial state, however, says the opposite, but there remains a chance the Converj may make it out of the economic storm. One of the biggest opponents to the car was the U.S. Treasury Dept.'s auto task force, which questioned the economics of such an expensive model. However, a group within GM, led by new marketing chief Bob Lutz, is reportedly trying to find a way to get the car engineered and funded. It could potentially serve as a technology halo for the Cadillac brand although it wouldn’t go on sale until around 2014 if given the green light. According to previous reports, the car would be based on the same Delta platform as the upcoming Chevrolet Volt, and power would also come from the same Voltec plug-in hybrid system. Inside sources have also previously revealed that a seven-seater MPV plug-in hybrid was in the pipeline--already previewed by the 2008 Chevrolet Orlando concept. The Cadillac plug-in hybrid would feature extra batteries to power a higher-output electric motor than the one in the Volt. The styling of the vehicle would also be slightly different to the Converj concept as much of internal structure, such as the firewall, would need to be sourced from the taller Volt. GM has consistently stated that its Voltec plug-in hybrid system would be used in other models to spread the investment costs as much as possible, and reports of a Cadillac plug-in hybrid date back as far as August, 2008. [BusinessWeek] Read More

In a market where only about 10 million cars are expected to be sold annually - down from 16 million last year - every tenth of a percent of market share counts. That's why Board of Directors Chairman Ed Whitacre sees a strong need to act quickly to prevent further market share erosion.

Despite the boost of the CARS 'cash for clunkers' scheme, GM saw its share of the marketplace drop from 20.5% to 18.9% in July, according to the Detroit News. To help turn that trend around, Whitacre is pushing to get every upcoming new model out to the public as early as possible, though exactly which models will get the treatment isn't being disclosed.

... In a market where only about 10 million cars are expected to be sold annually - down from 16 million last year - every tenth of a percent of market share counts. That's why Board of Directors Chairman Ed Whitacre sees a strong need to act quickly to prevent further market share erosion. Despite the boost of the CARS 'cash for clunkers' scheme, GM saw its share of the marketplace drop from 20.5% to 18.9% in July, according to the Detroit News. To help turn that trend around, Whitacre is pushing to get every upcoming new model out to the public as early as possible, though exactly which models will get the treatment isn't being disclosed. Likely candidates include the Chevrolet Cruze small sedan and its up-market Buick platform mate, the fuel-efficient and compact Chevrolet Orlando crossover and, of course, the Chevrolet Volt. With several years of development and the recent focus on moving forward with the Volt during bankruptcy, GM's extended-range EV could be just what is needed to clean up the company's image - even if availability would be limited by the underlying technology at first. The Cruze, previously delayed during GM's financial difficulties, could be a prime candidate for moving back up to its initial schedule. Offering a competitive, attractive entry-level sedan could be important with Ford's Focus getting updates soon. Even more important could be the Buick version of the Cruze, which would go head-to-head with the smaller entry-luxury models like the BMW 1-series, Lexus HS250h. A hybrid Orlando could take the fight to the mid-market crossover sector with its dashing new style, 7-passenger seating and impressive fuel economy - expected to top 40mpg in conventional form. Since the Orlando also shares underpinnings with the Cruze sedan, bringing the platform to market makes a lot of sense. Only time will tell if GM has what it takes to turn its image around now that it has its financial house in order, but if the past few years of products are any indication, it certainly has the goods to build on - now it just needs to make the perception match the reality.Chevrolet Orlando Concept Official photos2012 Cruze-based Buick sedan spy shots Read More

General Motors has confirmed that it will bring a production version of last year’s Chevrolet Orlando concept vehicle to the United States in 2011, reversing an earlier decision to only sell the vehicle overseas. Now it looks like GM is also considering using its Volt plug-in hybrid technology in the Orlando.

Bob Lutz, speaking with GM-Volt today re-confirmed what other GM officials have previously suggested: that the Voltec powertrain found in the Volt could be applied to the Orlando.

"I would point out that the Chevrolet Orlando is built on the same basic vehicle architecture and component set as the Chevrolet Volt," GM's vice... General Motors has confirmed that it will bring a production version of last year’s Chevrolet Orlando concept vehicle to the United States in 2011, reversing an earlier decision to only sell the vehicle overseas. Now it looks like GM is also considering using its Volt plug-in hybrid technology in the Orlando. Bob Lutz, speaking with GM-Volt today re-confirmed what other GM officials have previously suggested: that the Voltec powertrain found in the Volt could be applied to the Orlando. "I would point out that the Chevrolet Orlando is built on the same basic vehicle architecture and component set as the Chevrolet Volt," GM's vice president of global program management, Jon Lauckner, revealed to Automotive News back in January. "So if it makes sense, it's certainly something we can take a look at." Furthermore, GM's president of North America, Troy Clarke, said the Orlando’s platform was "very adaptable" to sharing the Volt technology. Even without any hybrid technology, Chevrolet promises highway fuel economy of around 40mpg (5.88L/100km) for a gasoline-powered Orlando, and a more efficient diesel version is thought to be on the table for U.S. sale as well. Sitting on the same platform as the recently revealed Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan, the Orlando will be able to seat up to seven adults and will be powered by a range of engines displacing between 1.6 and 2.0L. The most powerful model will be a 2.0L turbodiesel with 150hp (112kW) and 236lb-ft (320Nm) of torque. The Orlando will likely be built at GM’s Hamtramck plant in Michigan, however there is still a chance that a cheaper imported version may be sourced from South Korea.Chevrolet Orlando Concept Official photos Read More