Skoda VisionD Concept and new corporate design revealed

Skoda's got a brand new badge.

The Czech automaker, part of of the VW Group, has unveiled its new company logo along with the Skoda VisionD Concept and new corporate design revealed on the eve of the Geneva auto show, a concept model which previews the brand's new design paradigm.

The new Skoda logo features a more prominent winged-arrow design with its color now a lush "Skoda Green" instead of the previous "natural" green. The border area of the badge also now comes with a chrome highlight.
The Skoda VisionD Concept and new corporate design revealed is meant to preview where Skoda wants to go both with its design language and what types of vehicles it wants to build. The concept features a long wheelbase and short overhangs, clearly aiming for practicality and generous cabin space. But the new design cues of the VisionD Concept and new corporate design revealed also provide for a sleeker looking car, with the radiator grille, the economical, square horizontal lines and shoulders, meant to appeal stylistically to consumers and make the brand competitive with the likes of, say, Ford's kinetic design language too in the volume brand segments.

"We are keen to express the new power of our brand not only through our future products, but also in the way we present ourselves to partners and customers. Our new design and fresh outlook reflect our plans for the future," said Jürgen Stackmann, head of marketing and sales at Skoda, the press release attached here.

Source: Skoda

Rinspeed BamBoo frolics in the sunshine ahead of Geneva

The Rinspeed BamBoo enjoys the summer sun – Click above for high-res image gallery

Rinspeed has unleashed a mammoth collection of photos featuring its upcoming BamBoo. We eagerly await spying this grown-up golf-cart (their words) in person at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The photos are heavy on the stylized portrayal of wealthy youth enjoying a summer in Saint-Tropez, yet they reveal little of what's under the BamBoo's skin.

We do know that its German-made 54-kW electric motor will allow speeds of up to 75 miles per hour and that its battery (unknown chemistry) offers 65 miles of range. What's more, it appears that there may be a bicycle or two taking up residence in the rear cargo area. Tech junkies will surely appreciate the included seven-inch (Android-powered?) tablet computer.

The photos are fun to look at (get a load of the inflatable roof that also serves as a beach blanket) and help give us an idea of what to expect when we finally train our own lenses on the real-life version of the BamBoo. In the meantime, feel free to check out the press release after the break.
[Source: Rinspeed]

Land Rover promises Range_e plug-in diesel hybrid for Geneva

Land Rover is gearing up for the 2011 Geneva Motor Show and it's bringing four new models to show off, one of which shows the automaker is thinking a bit more green: the Land Rover Range_e plug-in diesel hybrid.

Power for the electrified Range Rover Sport comes courtesy of a 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 paired with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, as well as an electric motor. The Range_e's driving range is said to be nearly 700 miles and it can drive approximately 20 miles on electric power alone, which should be good enough to get the SUV into the heart of London.

Also getting the bright light auto show treatment are the luxurious Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition, Evoque in two and four-door guise and the 2011 Discovery/LR4 Landmark Edition. The Autobiography Ultimate is described as the most luxurious Land Rover ever produced and features yacht-inspired teak flooring and Apple iPad tablets for the rear passengers. The Evoque will be featured in a handful of trims that offer unique customization options for consumers. Finally, the limited-edition Landmark LR4 will be available in either a Black or a White theme with upscale interiors and unique color treatments.

[Source: Land Rover]