Car News

The Citroen has announced a 100 percent electric vehicle called the Citroen C-Zero. The 3.48m-long city car is based on the Mitsubishi i-MiEV as well as sister company Peugeot's iOn.



2011 Citroen C-Zero is a full-electric vehicle powered by a permanent magnet synchronous motor delivering 47kW or 64bhp EEC from 3,000 to 6,000rpm. Maximum torque of 180Nm is available from 0 to 2,000rpm. Power is transmitted to the rear axle via a single-speed reduction gear.



The motor is powered by a latest-generation 330-volt lithium-ion battery system comprising 88 50Ah cells (for onboard energy of 16kWh), mounted in the centre of the vehicle. Lithium-ion technology keeps battery weight down compared with conventional technology, while offering equivalent performance. It is also resistant to partial re-charges, which have no impact on battery longevity.





EASY TO CHARGE, EASY TO USE



Re-charging the 2011 C-Zero's batteries could not be simpler. Owners plug the supply cord into a 220-volt socket. A complete charge takes six hours, while an 80% charge is possible in just 30 minutes using an external station with a single-phase current of 125A at 400V, for power of up to 50kW.



Using the car is equally simple. When the driver turns the ignition key, a beep confirms that the car is running. Citroen C-Zero drives like a regular car with an automatic gearbox. The traditional fuel gauge is replaced by a battery charge indicator.





A NEW PRODUCT OFFERING CONSISTENT WITH CITROEN POLICY



Long committed to a policy of reducing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, Citroen - a leading manufacturer of low CO2 cars - is adding the C-Zero to a range that already features a wealth of environmentally respectful products.



Current Citroen achievements:

• New C3 and DS3 models emitting 99g/km of CO2 will be available from launch in 2010.


• More than 30% of Citroen vehicles sold emit less than 120g/km of CO2.

Up-coming technologies:

• Widespread application of second-generation Stop & Start in 2010.


• Launch of a full-hybrid vehicle, the DS5, in 2011.

The Skoda Octavia is a small family car produced by Czech automaker Skoda Auto since 1996, its name revived from a model originally produced between 1959 and 1971. The current Octavia is available in five-door hatchback and station wagon.



The car is based on a VW Group platform shared with the Volkswagen Golf. There have been two generations of the Octavia model to date. A high performance version, the RS or vRS, which is related to the Volkswagen Golf GTI, is available.

Audi having produced so many great cars since the original Audi RS4, it’s easy to think of it as a bit old-fashioned now. However, as soon as those cars were delivered to their eager owners it was clear the first-generation RS4 was something special, and that hasn’t changed. But the car isn’t perfect...

The stunning Peugeot 908 RC is a luxury four-door limousine concept, and derives its name from its engine: the Peugeot V12 HDi DPFS, which powers the racing version of the Peugeot 908. The engine offers an amazing level of performance for a diesel engine, with 700 bhp and torque in excess of 885 lb-ft. A compact 6-speed electronically controlled sequential gearbox has been specially adapted to withstand the tremendous torque, and is located under the engine.



The 908 RC is targeted at a very upmarket virtual customer, naturally accustomed to a very high level of luxury but above all passionate about their motoring and its history, but also in search of innovation coupled with assertive styling and uncompromised driving pleasure.

German tuner company Wiesmann has created this shapely Wiesmann GT, inspired by classic roadsters. The body is constructed of carbon fiber, and weighs 2,756 pounds. The car accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and has a top speed of 174 mph. Power is supplied by a BMW-supplied 367-horsepower, 4.8-liter V8 engine.

The Ascari KZ1 was originally conceived following on from the successes of Team Ascari. The idea was proposed for a road-going sports car based on racing technology. In the spring of 2000, that concept began to take shape in the form of the prototype Ascari KZ1. Now completed, the Ascari KZ1 has been transformed from a dream to a production reality.



The pleasure begins as you unlock the door and step inside. You'll find an elegant combination of interior materials, including leather, alcantara and brushed aluminium.Press the 'Start' button and the powerful 5.0 litre V8 engine eagerly springs into life.Inspired by the achievements of Alberto Ascari, the first double world champion in the history of Formula One, the Ascari KZ1 gives unparalleled performance and driveability in one of the world's most exclusive supercars.



A carbon fibre monocoque structure gives lightness and strength to the sleek mid-engined design, resulting in an aerodynamic drag coefficient (CD) ratio of a mere 0.35.The normally aspirated 5 litre V8, 32 valve engine gives an effortless 500 brake horse power through a six speed manual gearbox to the rear wheels.Beautifully designed, hand-crafted and built to exceptional standards, the exclusivity of the Ascari KZ1 is assured by the creation of only 50 cars.



The KZ1 was also featured in November 2005 on the BBC television show Top Gear, where it set the 5th fastest lap time ever recorded on the show at 1 minute 20.7 seconds; currently, the KZ1 holds 13th place, the third-fastest time being 1:17.3 set by an Ascari A10.



The opulent sporting interior cossets the driver in fully adjustable leather sports seats which give great lateral support during dynamic cornering.Uniquely designed polished aluminium controls sit on a leather trimmed dashboard with central 'Start' button emphasising our sporting heritage.Climate controlled air conditioning keeps the generous interior space cool no matter how hot the driving experience.Subtle back-lighting of the fascia gauges and controls set a relaxed mood whilst conveying all the vital information accurately at all times. Electric windows and door mirrors, CD player and remote central locking with Thatcham category 1 alarm and immobiliser complete the specification.Interior colour schemes match the exterior paint options and are entirely at the owners discretion, with all colour combinations offered for the ultimate in creating a bespoke supercar.

Land Rover Introduce 2012 Range Rover LRX on 17 June 2010, the auspicious date on which the first Range Rover was revealed to the public.



This dynamically designed Land Rovers LRX concept has already won many accolades on the various Auto Shows. There are reports from the insiders that the new edition of the compact SUV will be first produced in early 2011 and will be available for sale in 2012. The company has plans to start their production at the company’s Halewood plant in UK which has about 2000 employees.



Earlier during the year company released the first official sketches of the new edition that is proposed. The company has revealed their plans of manufacturing a Hybrid version alongside the gasoline and diesel models.



The new edition will feature the body style of the Land Rover LR2 but with a close look we can see that the designers have crafted the model with such perfection that they have camouflaged the front to hide the new air intake design. The images reveal that this model will feature shorter wheels and smaller side windows.

The Subaru Celeno Concept is Quesada's interpretation of a small Subaru with some BMW Visions EfficientDynamics thrown in. It's a sleek four-door coupe seen down the hypothetical line created by Subaru's own Hybrid Tourer.



Looking at Subaru's relatively boring lineup (barring the STI, and to a lesser extent, the WRX), it's refreshing to find people interested in bringing some new ideas to the brand. In the case of the Celeno, that person is budding car designer Xuacu Pérez Quesada



Mr. Quesada interned for Italdesign and received an M.A. in Transportation Design from the Universidad Politécnica de Valencia; he is obviously not a person playing around on the computer with a bong and some photoshop skills (to those people out there: feel free to keep sending stuff in, we don't mind).



Ultimately, is the Celeno clearly a Subaru? Nope, but it has some very cool details - like the frowning front fascia, colored side panels, and backlight-hugging tail lights - that would be much-welcomed in future, less bulbous Subaru designs.

Mastretta MXT is a two seat, mid-engined sports car to be offered in local and international markets.



There’ll be an all-new Mexican flavour at the British Motor Show! Sports car manufacturer Mastretta will be there with its 150mph Mastretta MXT, the first car ever to be designed and built in Mexico.



It makes its world debut in London on July 22, in ‘penultimate prototype’ form. RHD production is expected to start in January 2009, and is limited to 80 cars per year.



The body will be produced using closed mold, high quality fiberglass technology.



It’ll be worth getting your name down quick, though. As well as its impressive top speed, the Mastretta MXT can hit 60mph in under five seconds and its 2.0-litre supercharged Duratec engine produces 240bhp. With the car weighing just 900kg, that means 267bhp per tonne – almost 50bhp more than a Porsche Cayman S manages.



The Mastretta also vastly undercuts the German coupe, with a price tag of £32,995. You can see it on Stand N10 at the ExCeL arena.