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Volkswagen New Beetle Volkswagen New Beetle Volkswagen New Beetle Volkswagen New Beetle

 

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Volkswagen New Beetle Volkswagen New Beetle Volkswagen New Beetle Volkswagen New Beetle

 

New details for 2011 VW Beetle

VW had planned to split the Beetle range in two – with a petite back-to-basics version based on the Up/NSF and a bigger, Golf-based model to replace the current ageing Bug. However, the group's decision to make the Up front-engined has scuppered this plan. Which means we'll see the new Beetle arriving in early 2010, following the traditional footsteps of today's model, and powered by a raft of petrol and diesel engines with the choice of manual and DSG 'boxes.

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Eco Cars Reconnoitre – Hybrid car assures better mileage with a lightweight body

When it comes to cars, lightweight is the key to better fuel economy. The ever rising prices of fuel and the demand to go green have tempted designers to develop cars that are light in weight and reduce the use of fossil fuels to a minimum. Reconnoitre is one such car that utilizes its carbon fiber body to get the most out of the precious drops of fuel burning in its diesel-electric reverse hybrid engine. The car has been designed for the city of Boston where parking a luxury sedan can prove to be a nuisance. The hatchback design of the car reduces the amount of boot space but makes sure that the car can easily be driven in congested roads. Reconnoitre comes with a hybrid engine that uses lithium-manganese spinel batteries that last over 40 years before needing a replacement. The car has can fit 4 people with a fold flat rear bench. Apart from a carbon-fiber body the car is designed to have a height adjusting suspension system that promises a comfortable ride on all road conditions. The Dark Side: The carbon-fiber body will result in better mileage. However, adding the cost of carbon-fiber and lithium batteries to the already expensive diesel engine the car would be out of reach of most people who would otherwise love to go green. Via: Local-Motors

 

Acura 2+1 Coupe Concept's Design Proposal

The new V10-powered NSX may have bitten the dust due to the enduring global economic crisis (click here for details) but that doesn't mean that Honda fans can't continue to dream on. The Acura 2+1 Coupe Concept you see pictured above is a design proposal for a more affordable and down to earth NSX created by Colombian designer Leon Paz during his internship at Honda R&D Americas. Acura 2+1 Coupe NSX Concept Study The concept features an aggressive look that adopts what Paz calls, a multi-faceted design language. "The idea was to show very aggressive styling on the body and keep it very simple on the top section with a dynamic roof line flow," Paz explains. One of the most interesting styling elements of the Acura coupe with its 2+1 seating arrangement is the prolonged transparent rooftop that allows a see-through view of the engine compartment. Source:carscoop

 

The Hawk: a one-seater future car with a canopy like a fighter jet's

The other day Charlie White offered up some car technologies that could save Detroit, and on that list was "build a tiny car like the Smart." Well, I've got a provision to that motion: make those tiny cars look good, like the Hawk. New Zealander Alex Hodge's slick concept car is billed as being small and lightweight, which is easy to believe as it's just a one-seater. Hodge describes the Hawk as follows:     Powered by a Honda RC51 V-twin 999cc engine, with a redline of 10,000rpm, 120RWhp and a theoretical top speed of 233 kilometers per hour. Wearing three 19inch lightweight alloy wheels equipped with twin rear and front disc brakes, you wont have any problems stopping in a hurry.     [A] fiberglass outer shell and alloy chassis give you the aerodynamics needed to achieve the level of performance you expect from a roadbike, with the comfort of a car. The interior is a combination of molded plastic and leather trim, with digital dials giving you the vital information about your vehicle." Check out the gallery below for more of Hodge's Hawk in swanky black — and check out that cool fighter-jet-style overhead canopy instead of a door. Alex Hodge, via Coroflot

 

Ford CEO wants to bring Ka to U.S.

2009 Ford Ka While his priority is to launch the Ford Fiesta in North America in 2010, the CEO of Ford told Automotive News that the Europe-only Ford Ka microcar might also be available in the United States. Alan Mulally said that an array of subcompact and Focus-sized cars will follow the Fiesta, and then the redesigned Ka (itself smaller than the Fiesta) may find itself on our shores. Mulally reiterated Ford's commitment to a small-car strategy, but admitted the company must find a way to achieve a decent profit margin on the inexpensive vehicles. The task is especially daunting when one considers the $8,000 to $10,000-plus margins the automaker banks on SUVs and big pickups. Gallery: 2009 Ford Ka [Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

 

Audi planning a new small eco city car

Auto Express reports that Audi is currently developing a new small city car, which will compete Ford's recently launched Ka and the Fiat 500. Though there were some rumors in the past regarding a small Audi car based on the A1 concept, it seems that the platform used for the upcoming A1 will be the one from Volkswagen's Up! Concept. The platform will also be used for small cars from the other members of the VW Group, Seat and Skoda. Currently, Volkswagen engineers are working on two 600cc two-cylinder turbocharged engines (one diesel and one petrol) which will have an estimated fuel consumption of 95 mpg (3 liters/100 km) and CO2 emissions under 100 g/km. Also, a 1.2 liter three-cylinder engine might be available. So far, there aren't many details available, but one thing's for sure, the car will have ultra-low running costs and emissions. Volkswagen plans on launching the Up! model in 2010, with the mini Audi coming two years later, in 2012. Check out one more photo after the jump. Source: Auto Express

 

Ford KA’s pricing for the UK announced

Ford UK has announced the pricing for the all-new Ka, who is scheduled to go on sale in January 2009. The mini car's starting price will be £7,995 (around $12,500 or €10,000) and British customers will be able to choose between two engines, a 69 hp 1.2 liter petrol unit and a 1.3 liter turbodiesel developing 75 hp. The new Ford KA will be available in four different trims, Studio, Style, Style+ and the top of the range Zetec. The entry level Studio will feature height-adjustable steering wheel, ABS brakes, driver and passenger front airbags and a six speakers CD radio with MP3, while the Zetec, which Ford expects to be the most popular one, will come with electric front windows, body-colored door handles, 50/50 rear split seat, 15-inch alloy wheels, front fog lamps, remote central locking, upgraded instruments and trip computer. So, what do you think, will it be an interesting choice?

 

Honda FC Sport design study comes out of no where

Totally unexpected (we were almost planning on not attending the Honda press conference), Honda today revealed the Honda FC Sport design study model at the 2008 LA Auto Show. The FC Sport is a three-seater hydrogen-powered sports car concept. Think of the Honda FC Sport as a coupe version of the Honda FCX Clarity sedan. It incorporates Honda's V Flow fuel-cell technology that is already available in the FCX Clarity and reconfigures it into a lightweight sports car design with a low center gravity, a powerful electric motor and zero-emissions. Honda says that the FC Sport was inspired by performance levels of a supercar. The Advanced Design Studio of Honda R&D Americas, right here in Pasadena, California, was responsible for the FC Sport. Designer Jason Wilbur led the design project. Click through for the high-res image gallery. Honda FC Sport - Live from 2008 LA Auto Show:

 

Chrysler and Chery small cars put on hold

As both companies continue to run out of money, Chrysler LLC and Chery Automobile Co. have put plans of producing small cars together on hold. Former CEO Tom LaSorda said last year that Chery will supply Chrysler with small cars to sell in the U.S. The two companies were scheduled to bring cars to Mexico later this year. Sources say that due to limited cash reserves, the program is now on hold and may even be dead. According to Automotive News, insiders say that another major obstacle was the quality of Chery cars. With substandard qualities it would have been tough for Chery vehicles to meet U.S. safety and emission standards. LaSorda announced in May that the two automakers were having difficulties. The two have never offered an official timetable when Chery cars would come to the U.S. Chrysler is working on a small car with Nissan that is due out in 2010. The car is expected to be a production version of the Dodge Hornet.

 

Abarth 500 D 0 A 100 celebrates Karl Abarth’s centenary

Celebrating Karl Abarth's centenary, Abarth has released a limited edition version of the new Abarth 500 which it's calling the 'DA 0 A 100.' Only 101 units of the car will be made which pay tribute to the founder's passion. What's so special about this Abarth 500 besides its weird name? On the outside the Nuvolari Grey Abarth 500 DA 0 A 100 gets Abarth stripes, a silencer with 4 terminals outlining the special exhaust pipe and chrome plated badging all around the car. Inside the limited edition Abarth 500 gets leather seats with silver stitching, leather thumb rests on the steering wheel and yes - a bunch of DA 0 A 100 badging. The Abarth 500 DA 0 A 100 is powered by a 1.4 Turbo T-Jet engine that makes 160-hp and a peak torque of 170 lb-ft. 0 to 62 mph comes in 7.3 seconds with a top speed of 131 mph. Stopping power is provided by high-performance brake pads and perforated disc brakes on the front and rear. The Abarth 500 DA 0 A 100 tides on 17-inch wheels with chrome-plated hub covers wrapped in Pirelli Pzero Nero tires. Abarth 500 DA 0 A 100:

 

Ferrari Zobin Concepts looks at the future of F1

Saimak Ruhi Dehkordi from Iran is a graduate mechanical engineer of 10 years. Dehkordi has created his latest project called the Zobin Concept, a single seater aerodynamic sports car inspired by Ferrari's F1 cars. Dehkordi says that the design study is a compact approach to the future of F1 cars measuring just 4,114mm long and 1,855mm wide. The exterior design of the Zobin Concept has a front structure with an attached metal band which holds the headlights and integrates into the front spoiler and fenders giving the car an 'open-wheels' look. The Iranian engineer says that the Zobin Concept is powered by a mid-rear compact engine. Let us know what you think after the jump. Click through for more pictures. Dehkordi's Zobin Concept:           Source: Car Body Design