First Alfa Romeo 4C Promo Touts Brand's Return to the U.S., Configurator Launches in June

There's a lot to like about the production Alfa Romeo 4C, from its ultra-lightweight construction that uses carbon fiber components to keep the dry weight at a surprisingly low 895kg or 1,973 pounds, to its nicely crafted body, and one thing to hate: those spider eye-style headlamps that look like a bad afterthought.

Of course, it could be just us and a bunch of other gearheads we talked to and who said the same thing, so if you disagree, don't be shy to share your feelings in the comments.

Now, the reason why we're coming back to the 236HP (240PS) Alfa 4C that was unwrapped earlier today at the Geneva Auto Show isn't to talk about its lights, but to tell you that the Italian brand has released the first promotion videos of the mid-engine sports car, and launched a primitive online configurator.

Alfa tells us in one of the videos that the full-spec configurator will be available in June. The one that's online now, only gives the chance to choose from two colors for the body and interior trim.

At Alfa Romeo's Geneva motor show press conference, the Italian company's CEO Harald Wester confirmed the 4C's North American premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, with first deliveries before the end of the year.

While Alfa won't reveal pricing for the United States until the LA show, Wester did say that the 4C Launch Edition shown in Geneva will be priced at €60,000 (US$78,000) in Europe where it goes on sale in September.

Articles Source : Carscoop

 Video Source : Youtube

Category › Alfa Romeo , Alfa Romeo 4C , Video

Opel Brings Adam Rocks and R2 Rallye Concepts to the Geneva Motor Show

As it turns out, ItalDesign's pair of Parcour concepts aren't the only studies making their debut at the Geneva Motor Show that are inspired by parkour athletes, as Opel claims the same about its new Adam Rocks, though, we'll take the former any time of the day and night if anybody is offering keys, thank you very much.

If you want the short story –and we're guessing you probably do, the Adam Rocks is a concept that gives Opel's premium a little more character by blending styling elements from crossovers with a large retractable fabric top.

The Adam-based model features a 15mm higher and 40mm wider stance, along with new body cladding, redesigned bumpers and a fresh set of wheels, and yes, Opel is likely considering a production model for the near future.

The second Opel Adam concept is the R2 Rallye that follows the "CUP" version launched in November of 2012. It is based on FIA R2 regulations R2 and is powered by a 1.6-liter ECOTEC gasoline engine generating 182hp (185PS / 136kW) and peak torque of 190Nm.

Following its homologation, the ADAM R2 will be eligible for every national championship in Europe. "All 40 vehicles that Opel planned to race in Germany and France have already been sold and are in the hands of their proud owners,” said new Opel CEO, Karl-Thomas Neumann.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Category › Concept , Geneva Motor Show , News , Opel , Racing

Mitsubishi's Bootylicious GR-HEV Concept is an L200 Pickup from the Future

One of the two previously-teased Mitsubishi concepts featuring some kind of electric power, is the GR-HEV. What it does is to grant us a glimpse into the brand's future design direction, and most likely (very loosely) previews the next generation L200 pickup.

It is quite handsome, for the type of vehicle it is, and if they don't tone it down too much in its transition from concept to production, then it may even attract some style-conscious buyers, who will be more attracted by its rugged good looks, and the idea behind it, not the necessity of having five seats and a big flatbed on the back.

Rugged good looks aside, the GR-HEV is also interesting from a powertrain point of view, as it offers a diesel-electric hybrid along with the firm's Super All Wheel Control system, or S-AWC. No real technical details are available, other than its very low CO2 emissions figure of 149 g/km – an impressive feat for a vehicle of this bulk.

The concept will made its debut at the Geneva International Motor Show.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Category › Concept , Geneva Motor Show , GR-HEV , Mitsubishi

Toyota Conceptualizes New RAV4 and Auris Touring Sports Models in Geneva

Joining the three-wheel i-Road and FT-86 Open concepts at Toyota's Geneva motor show booth, are three new design studies based on the Japanese brand's new Auris Touring Sports and RAV4 models. According to Toyota, each one was created to individualize and amplify certain aspects of the car's character.

 

We'll begin our tour with the RAV4 Adventure designed to emphasize the SUV's off-road capabilities. Painted in a dark red finish, the Adventure study features extended wheel arches that accommodate larger 20-inch alloy wheels shod in off-road tires, and redesigned front and rear bumpers finished in matt paint and fitted with reworked skid plates.

Rounding out the changes are the machined roof rails, a different front grille, chunkier side sills and quad exhaust pipes integrated into the rear bumper.

As you can tell by its name, the RAV4 Premium is all about luxury and a more sophisticated look, starting with the exterior that is painted in a bespoke 'Deep Bronze' color, while also gaining chrome trims and roof rails, 20-inch alloy wheels and newly designed bumpers. Inside, the cabin is dressed in two-tone leather with two-tone double stitching used in several areas.

The third and final study is the Auris Touring Sports Black that stands out thanks to its 'Night Sky' black metallic paint finish, which contrasts with the red and black 19-inch alloy wheels, and the red inserts on the front and rear end, while there's also a new central exhaust pipe design.

The same color scheme can be found inside, with black leather surfaces and double red stitching featured on the sport seats, steering wheel, door panels, dashboard, gear shift lever and handbrake. Furthermore, Alcantara is used to cover the interior pillars and for the roof lining, while red is the feature color for the instrument panel illumination and the finish on the air vents and cup holders.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Category › Auris Touring , Concept , Geneva Motor Show , News , Toyota

Italdesign Presents Lamborghini V10-Powered Parcour Concepts

Even Italdesign can't stray away from the SUV-mindset that has taken over the Volkswagen Group lately. At the Geneva Motor Show, the Italian design house, which passed into the ownership of the VW Group in 2010, will debut two new concept models for a high-performance crossover running on Lamborghini power.

Named  after the modern sport of Parcour (or Parkour) that's focused on moving around urban obstacles with speed, Italdesign developed both a coupe and a roadster version of the concept, which combines elements of crossovers and sports cars, wrapped in an outfit that could easily pass for a Lamborghini model.

Both cars offer space for two people and are fitted with a 542hp (550PS) 5.2-liter V10 engine sourced from the Lamborghini Gallardo mounted behind the passenger compartment. A 7-speed double-clutch automatic automatic transmission drives all four wheels (on 22-inch rims).

The concepts measure 4,530mm long, 2,070mm wide and 1,335mm high, and tip the scales at 1,550kg or about 3,417 pounds.

Italdesign quotes a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 320km/h (199mph).

Articles Source : Carscoop

Category › Auto Show , Concept , Geneva Motor Show , Italdesign , Lamborghini , News

Hamann's New BMW M5 Mi5Sion Begs the Question

We're guessing Hamann Motorsports has no time for games when it comes to its new BMW M5 styling kit named Mi5Sion, which offers the high-performance sedan the most…serious face we've ever seen on an F10.

And if you're not convinced by its facial expression, the Mi5Sion also brutes up the rest of the car with elongated front and rear fender extensions, matching side skirts, a new vented rear bumper with quad exhaust pipes, plus boot and roof spoilers, and new set of black alloy wheels.

If the Mi5Sion is too much too swallow –don't be shy to admit it, Haman has prepared a more subtle cosmetic package that leaves the headlamps alone, concentrating on the bumpers, wheel arches, skirts and the rear bumper. It also gets a pair of wings at the back and different rims.

Regardless of the exterior components, Hamann customizes the interior of the M5 with bespoke trims on the dash, door panels and center stack, a new flat-bottom steering wheel and aluminum pedals.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Category › BMW , BMW M5 , News

Updated Hyundai i20 WRC Looking Good for the Geneva Motor Show

While Kia has chosen to build and sell actual sporty versions (the Cee'd and Pro_Cee'd GT) of their regular road-going cars, in order to boost the sporting credentials of their brand, sister-brand Hyundai has chosen a slightly different approach in order to achieve the same basic goal – participation in the World Rally Championship.

Their i20 WRC is being worked on and incrementally-improved in preparation for the car's official debut onto the world rally stage, which is set to take place next year.

First revealed at the Paris Motor Show, last year, the i20 WRC has since received several upgrades, and while it's not really finished, it really looks the part with the latest body upgrades and a revised livery, which combines Hyundai's trademark light-blue color with traditional Korean script.

Aside from the cosmetic and aerodynamic alterations, the car has also had its suspension setup retuned, under the supervision Michel Nandan – a WRC veteran. He now heads the newly-created Hyundai Motorsport GmbH, which operates out of Alenzau, Germany and has developed the car along with Hyundai's own research and development team, based in Namyan, Korea.

No technical specifications have been released, but it will most likely be powered by a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, with just under 300 hp, powering all four wheels. Private test sessions will be arranged at various locations around Europe later in the year and more details will be provided along the way.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Category › Auto Show , Geneva Motor Show , Hyundai , Hyundai i20 WRC , News

New Renault Captur Puts a Crossover Twist to the Clio Platform

Making its first public appearance today in front of a crowd at the Geneva Auto Salon, is the brand-new Renault Captur, a sub-compact crossover based on the Clio's familiar "B-Platform", which also underpins the Nissan Juke, with which it will compete in the European market.

The French carmaker says the Captur combines "the best of the MPV, SUV and hatchback worlds" in a single package, one that measures 4.12m long, 1.77m wide and 1.57m tall, with a ground clearance of 200mm.

Unlike the Juke, the Captur is offered exclusively with front wheel drive and an initial selection of three engines, a 1.2-liter turbocharged TCe petrol in either 89hp (90PS) or 118hp (120PS) versions, the latter only with a dual-clutch EDC (Efficient Dual Clutch) transmission, and an 89hp (90PS) turbo diesel, which can be optionally equipped with the EDC.

One of the highlights of the Captur is the ability to customize its appearance through two-tone paintworks, exterior décor graphics, the color of the wheels, the interior trims and a range of eight, interchangeable, 'Zip Collection' zipped seat covers.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Category › Geneva Motor Show , News , Renault , Renault Captur

Mitsubishi's CA-MiEV Concept Looks Like a Prius that Shrunk in the Dryer

This is the new CA-MiEV, a Geneva Motor Show-bound concept study made by Mitsubishi to provide us an indication of the next generation of the brand's all-electric models, and which from certain angles, looks like a smaller Toyota Prius with more interesting design details (though, feel free to disagree).

According to the Japanese carmaker, the compact five-door hatchback incorporates many of the next-generation EV technologies under development at the company, including high-energy density batteries and high-efficiency EV systems such as electric motor, inverter, regenerative braking and wireless charging system.

These new systems work together with a much lighter and more aerodynamic body to offer the CA-MiEV a theoretical driving range of 300km or about 186 miles.

Other features present on the concept include magnetic resonance wireless charging technology and smartphone activated functions.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Category › Concept , Mitsubishi , Mitsubishi CA-MiEV , News

New McLaren P1 Bows and Wows at the Geneva Auto Salon

The old adage about racing improving the breed certainly applies to this year’s Geneva Motor Show. We’re not referring to the gorgeous 911 GT3 that will form the basis of Porsche's new racer but the two Formula 1 arch-rivals that launched their new hypercars at the Swiss show.

That will be Ferrari and McLaren, then. Both boast outlandish horsepower figures in excess of 900HP, sub-3.0-second 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration times, a level of technology unseen until now in production cars and will be produced in limited numbers and, of course, priced accordingly.

Only one of them has a really daft name though… Evo magazine’s Henry Catchpole gave the other a very close inspection and was kind enough to share his thoughts with the rest of us mortals.

You can watch Henry stroke and caress the McLaren P1 in the way only a true petrolhead would, and also get behind its lovely Alcantara and carbon fiber trimmed wheel in the video that follows right after the break.

Articles Source : Carscoop

Category › Auto Show , Geneva Motor Show , Mclaren , McLaren P1 , News