Car News

Mazda MINAGI Concept to Showcase Mazda's All-new SKYACTIV Technologies and KODO Design at the Geneva Motor Show



HIROSHIMA, Japan-Mazda Motor Corporation will showcase the world premiere of its new MINAGI compact crossover SUV concept car during the press days of the 2011 Geneva motor show, which is being held from March 1-13, 2011. The Mazda MINAGI concept fully embraces Mazda's new SKYACTIV technologies and its new design theme, KODO - Soul of Motion. The exciting MINAGI concept is the forerunner to the launch of Mazda's upcoming next-generation products and symbolizes the evolution of the Mazda brand as it begins a new era.



The Mazda MINAGI is a compact crossover SUV concept that combines Mazda's SKYACTIV technologies - which represent the harmony between driving pleasure and outstanding environmental and safety performance - with emotional KODO design that communicates pent-up energy bursting with vitality as the vehicle nimbly navigates a sprawling urban cityscape. Fully introducing SKYACTIV technologies throughout, MINAGI is equipped with a SKYACTIV engine and SKYACTIV transmission fitted to a SKYACTIV-Body and chassis that merge comprehensive weight reduction with the assurance of ample safety features.



Mazda's stand at the Geneva show will also feature new SKYACTIV technology exhibits and the Mazda SHINARI design concept car, among a wide range of products.



Officially titled the 81e Salon International de l'Auto de Genève, the show's press days are March 1 and 2, and the public days are March 3-13, 2011. Mazda will hold a press conference on Tuesday, March 1.

Audi presents A3 concept in Geneva



Attractive concept car as a four-seater notchback sedan

Five-cylinder, 300 kW (408 hp) turbocharged engine with quattro drive

Based on the successor to the Audi A3





Audi will present an attractive technological concept car based on the coming generation of the Audi A3 at the 81st International Geneva Motor Show in early March 2011. The four-seater notchback sedan offers a glimpse of the future expansion of the A3 family.



The sporty yet elegant design of the Audi A3 concept integrates the single-frame grille with its tapered upper corners and headlights with the latest generation of LED technology. The low, flowing roof dome and a coupe-like, low C pillar are among the defining features of the side view.



The Audi A3 concept is 4.44 meters (14.57 feet) long, 1.84 meters (6.04 feet) wide and just 1.39 meters (4.56 feet) high. These proportions emphasize the dynamism of the car's appearance, as do the performance figures for the drive unit. The five-cylinder turbocharged engine has a power output of 300 kW (408 hp). It distributes its power to all four wheels through a seven-speed S tronic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive.

Elegance in its most impressive form – the new ABT A7



Your first glance at the elongated outline of the A7 is a magical moment which you will want to repeat again and again. Like an elegant feline predator, the vehicle shows that it is ready to pounce at any time and is very dynamic. The ABT side skirts support this impression further. They make the extravagant Audi seem even more muscular, it is a sports car in a perfect tailor-made suit. The front spoiler and the rear skirt set with the distinctive 4-pipe exhaust unit underline the fact that ABT has placed special emphasis on "sport" with the new A7 Sportback.



"For us the A7 is a car whose optical qualities also must be reflected in its driving performance", explains Christian Abt. The General Manager of the traditional Bavarian company, who is responsible for technical developments, stresses that the A7 has to meet the high demands of its owner, both as a premium road vehicle and as a sporting machine. This applies to both the 3.0 TFSI and the 3.0 TDI. "We think that the diesel engine suits the A7 perfectly, as it combines torque and unbridled power with the highest possible economy", says Christian Abt. With ABT POWER the series standard 245 HP (180 kW) is increased to a powerful 282 HP (207 kW). The torque also rises from 450 Nm to an impressive 500 Nm. The big turbo diesel runs even more powerfully with ABT POWER S: this is because the "in-house" turbo charger from ABT SPORTSLINE is applied and the Sportback therefore brings 310 HP (228 kW) onto the road. With its powerful torque of 610 Nm the machine is both superior and offers high-torque and quick acceleration in every situation. The ABT A7 becomes a real sports car with a petrol engine: thanks to ABT POWER the six cylinders now offer 410 HP (302 kW), compared to the series-standard 300 HP (221 kW).



ABT offers designer light alloy wheels in the sizes 19 to 21 inch to suit the extravagant Coupé limousine with the practical tailgate. The alloys are, of course, also available in combination with high-performance tyres, so that nothing else stands in the way of

driving enjoyment. In combination with the lowering of the air suspension thanks to

ABT Level Control, the ABT A7 now sticks to the road even more. Impressive performance, elegance and extravagance now have a new name – ABT A7.



ABT Highlights at the 81st International Geneva Motor Show

When: 3rd to 13th March 2011

Press days: 1st and 2nd March 2011

Where: Hall 5, Stand 5031

Bradford/England - Project Kahn's discerning customers have often pushed Afzal Kahn to produce an Audi which is not only optically different but sportier with a more intense driving experience!



And the result of Afzal Kahn's dalliance with the new 07/57 3.0 Audi A5 sport offers a whole new breadth of excitement, taking the Audi A5 to a whole new dimension.



Afzal Kahn's philosophy was always to combine mechanical perfection and exterior beauty, and the Project Kahn pearl white Audi A5 is wholly unmistakable, with every external modification serving to coax greater performance from the car.



The A5's smooth, extended contour is immediately recognizable with an outstanding styling package consisting of a front and rear bumper unit with side blades, rear boot spoiler and a stainless steel sports quad exhaust system.



Inside is the "bespoke touch" with a complete quilted leather interior in perforated nappa. In addition, a lowered suspension (35mm), pearl silver door mirrors, pearl front and rear diffuser, red dials in matt finish, pearl silver door mirrors, stainless steel kick plates and billet aluminum pedals - demonstrates improved interaction, precise control of the wheels and the car as a whole with a sense of power, performance and style.



Evolved through skilled artistic innovation and state-of-the art manufacturing and materials technology- our 21-inch RSL lightweight wheels with black and red stripes - exemplify what A. Kahn Design is all about: elegance and skilled artistic innovation.



Project Kahn has a tradition of making super-sport versions of successful models. As one of the UK's leading design houses, we recognise the importance of staying true to the original design themes of cutting edge luxury vehicles, while evolving them to achieve a new and dynamic appearance.

A complete Project Kahn Audi A5 Coupe Sport will cost £31,875.00.

Due to its continued success, Volvo will be retaining the XC90 in its production program. HEICO SPORTIV is revitalizing the SUV's design and is now presenting an entirely new bodykit.



"There's life in the old dog yet!" could be the caption beneath the current Volvo XC90, considering the model has been on the market since 2003. Given the constant level of demand for this vehicle, however, Volvo has chosen to continue producing the Sweden SUV until model year 2014.





HEICO SPORTIV saw this as an advantageous opening and seized the opportunity to take an extremely novel step: the development of an entirely new bodykit. "Our new bodykit intends to give dealerships an attractive opportunity to offer additional buying incentives," explains HEICO SPORTIV CEO, Holger Hedtke, adding: "Around the globe, the Volvo XC90 has an unwavering fan club that will certainly applaud the modern, self-assured design from HEICO SPORTIV."



Complete and perfectly integrated.

The Volvo XC90 by HEICO SPORTIV has a perfectly integrated design. The six-part bodykit picks up on the current Volvo XC60's dynamic use of forms, fitting like a custom-made suit. The one-piece front skirt replaces the series-produced central and side panels and has a stainless steel stay located in front of the cooling air outlet. The side skirts are mounted on top of the original parts, with the rear skirt fully replacing the standard one. And - typical for HEICO SPORTIV - the rear skirt accommodates the four-pipe exhaust system with oval chrome end tips which can be extended optionally with a stainless steel inlay.



All plastic parts are produced from high quality PUR-R-RIM and are easy to fit. The HEICO SPORTIV Bodykit will be available from May 2011 for the XC90 from model year 2007 onwards and can be delivered for all engine versions.

SUCCESSFUL RESUSCITATION by CSR Automotive



After several years of hesitation, VW - not least because of pressure from the customers - has won through to reanimation of its warm Mediterranean wind Scirocco. Good news, because many professional tuners have in the meantime put into action their version of a still further perfected Scirocco. Thus, the company CSR Automotive from Nurnberg is in a good company, but it presents a stunning version of the Mediterranean wind that has no parallels.



Originally from the 2009, Scirocco III was equipped with a turbocharged engine with an in-house body kit consisting of a single-frame front grille, side skirts and a rear apron from the O-Line-Design, the upper and lower rear wings, "bad-look" headlight trims and a stainless steel rear silencer with suitable outlets.



The obvious effect is also provided by a partial foil design in carbon-look.



The alpha and omega of any redevelopment continues to be a successful tire / wheel combination that can never be spectacular enough. And now - once again - Schmidt Revolution (www.FELGE.de) from Bad Segeberg comes into play. Thanks to its rims Cirrus with carbon-look parts (wheel assembly costs 3400 euro) in the dimensions of 8.5x20" with 235/30 ZR20 tires from Toyo at the front or 10.5x20" with 285/25 ZR20 - at the rear axles, Schmidt comes near to the ideal of "perfect footwear" for the Scirocco.



There is only the pious hope to sit in the sports chair and go on. That is quite feasible ...

Chevrolet Introduces Mi-ray Roadster Concept

Innovative Hybrid "Mid-Electric" Propulsion System

Celebrates Brand's Design Heritage in Its Newest Market



According to GM Korea President and CEO Mike Arcamone, "'Mi-ray' is Korean for 'future.' As GM rolls out Chevrolet across Korea, the Mi-ray concept offers an exploration of future possibilities for the brand. It strengthens the bond between car and driver, creating a fresh look at what sports cars of the future might be."



The Mi-ray was developed at the GM Advanced Design Studio in Seoul. Combining cutting-edge hybrid propulsion technology and advanced styling, it balances iconic Chevrolet design cues with a future design vision as Chevrolet celebrates its centennial in 2011.



Classic Exterior

The Mi-ray pays tribute to Chevrolet's sports car heritage. It is small and open like the 1963 Monza SS, and light and purposeful like the 1962 Corvair Super Spyder. Its aerodynamic fuselage is reminiscent of modern jet fighters.



Made of carbon fiber and CFRP (carbon fiber-reinforced plastic), the wedged body side is divided by an angled character line, with ambient lighting underneath. This accent creates a sweeping line of light when the car is in motion, bringing a warm glow to the sculptured body. Le Mans racer-style scissor doors open up and out of the way for dramatic access to the interior.



The powerful front end offers a reinterpretation of the Chevrolet face. The Mi-ray's dual port grille is flanked by LED headlamps with new signature daytime running lamps. The front and rear fenders evoke Chevrolet Corvettes of the past and express the concept's sports car spirit. At the corners, carbon-fiber spoilers help control down force and airflow.



Distinctive retractable flaps provide additional airflow control while providing access to the charge port on one side and the fuel filler on the other. The charge port also features an external battery charge indicator. Each rear fender contains individual cargo space for the storage of small items. Under the ducktail surface, the taillamps provide a new interpretation of Chevrolet's twin element identity.



The Mi-ray features aluminum-carbon fiber composite 20-inch wheels in front and 21-inch wheels in the rear. The strong turbine theme evokes movement, even when the Mi-ray is stationary.



The heavily tapered top view enhances the Mi-ray's purposeful image. From above, the cabin has a unique diamond shape.



Sporty Interior

The interior of the Mi-ray echoes Chevrolet's racing heritage. As with the exterior, it takes inspiration from jet fighters. The Mi-ray contains a melange of brushed aluminum, natural leather, white fabric and liquid metal surfaces, for an overall effect of sculptural velocity.



The interior compartment is surrounded by a carbon fiber shell, which gives it a lightweight yet rigid structure. Its flowing, yet slightly tensioned, twin cockpit tightly wraps around the driver and passenger. The cockpit is driver focused, drawing inspiration from the iconic Chevrolet sports car. However, the passenger is also fully engaged in the driving experience.



Asymmetric seats flow from the door, forming a symmetric interior that gives the driver a feeling of being fully connected with the car. Ambient lighting, which starts from the upper instrument panel and flows into the seat back area, adds a sense of luxury. Seat cushions and headrests are connected by the lightweight carbon fiber shell and mounted on a single aluminum rail. The headrest area follows the exterior form, integrating with an air scarf for open-air driving.



Designers took a unique approach to displaying information, using back projection on the instrument panel. Information in front of the driver has been prioritized into three zones. Immediately in front is vehicle performance. It is flanked on the left by range and on the right by navigation and mileage figures. This eliminates unnecessary visual clutter, allowing the driver to focus on the thrill of driving.



The center touch screen flows down to an aluminum support, which evokes a fighter jet's nose with the landing gear down. The exterior surface waterfalls down into the interior to meet the reinforced console, connecting the front and rear of the car.



The centrally located start button is also inspired by a jet aircraft. When the button is pressed, the column-mounted retractable meter cluster rises like a jet fighter canopy and "Interactive Projection" appears on the white surface.



Retractable rearview cameras, which replace traditional rearview mirrors, extend from the side glass electrically. In city driving, the forward-facing camera operates in conjunction with GPS to overlay navigation information with real-time video.



Fuel-Efficient, High-Performance Propulsion System

The Mi-ray features a concept "mid-electric" propulsion system, located primarily behind and beneath the driver, that maximizes performance and fuel efficiency.



"Many of the components in the Mi-ray's propulsion system are a logical extension of GM's current technology portfolio," said Uwe Grebe, executive director for GM Powertrain Advanced Engineering. "The concept shows the potential for reconfiguring, rescaling and extending today's propulsion technologies."



The Mi-ray is propelled by two front-mounted 15-kW electric motors for quick acceleration and zero emissions in urban driving. The motors are powered by a 1.6-kWh lithium-ion battery that is charged through regenerative braking energy. The Mi-ray has the capability of being switched from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive.



For performance driving, the Mi-ray's 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine combines with the electric motors, providing spirited torque control to both the left and right wheels as needed. The high-tech engine, mounted behind the cockpit, drives the rear wheels while seamlessly integrating electrification technology that defines a new standard in the compact roadster segment.



A dual-clutch transmission (DCT) enables a reduction in the powertrain's size by eliminating the torque converter. Shifts are quick and firm. The shift pattern has been tuned for improved top speed in performance mode. A start-stop system works in conjunction with the DCT.



"The propulsion concept fits perfectly with the rest of the vehicle, delivering big performance in a small footprint, on the road and in the environment," said Arcamone. "By combining GM propulsion technology and visionary design, the Mi-ray points to the future of Chevrolets around the globe – expressive, youthful and entertaining."