It's no secret that Lotus has monumental plans in the coming years, announcing no fewer than four new models at the 2010 Paris Motor Show that it says will gradually roll out over the next several years. But there's no denying that the British firm's current level of success was built on the excellence that is the Lotus Elise, Exige and, most recently, Evora.
That being the case, we're hoping that a report from Autocar in the UK is accurate and that Lotus has plans to overhaul the Exige and give the Evora a heavily updated interior before the Esprit goes into production in late 2012. We certainly wouldn't expect wholesale changes to either machine – engineering budgets are surely being diverted elsewhere – but a little something to keep its current models fresh in the eyes of consumers would go a long way towards bridging the gap between the present and the Ferrari-fighting future.
[Source: Autocar]
Report: Lotus to overhaul Exige, Evora ahead of Esprit production
Officially Official: Mazda Minagi Concept headed to Geneva
Mazda has dropped the official details on the company's Minagi Concept. The sleek CUV is intended to give us all a little taste of exactly where Mazda's design is headed in the near future as well as show off the company's new Skyactiv drivetrain technologies. Mazda isn't telling us exactly what's under that sculpted hood other than to say that the Minagi gets its power from a Skyactiv engine and puts it to the ground via a Skyactiv transmission. In addition to those fuel-saving components, Mazda claims that the Minagi also uses a host of weight-saving tricks to boost fuel economy.
The concept wears the new Mazda design theme called Kodo, or soul of motion. From what we can see from the renderings, the look is a full galaxy ahead of the all smiles design the Japanese automaker is currently employing. We'll be interested to see how the lines translate to the real world when the concept shows up at this year's Geneva Motor Show in March.
[Source: Mazda]
Lexus at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon
Lexus has brought several models to the Tokyo Auto Salon to show what a little tuning can do for some of its cars.
Alongside the CT200h F Sport, which was first revealed at the Australian Motor Show back in October, Lexus also featured at the show two versions of the IS F - the CCS-R (Circuit Club Sport Racer) and Club Performance Accessory.
The IS F CCS-R is a true racer and comes with carbon fiber body panels which include the bonnet, boot lid and front and rear spoilers. It is fitted with a new frameless constructed roll cage and polycarbonate windows. Carbon fiber is also used for the dash center console and door trims. The CCS-R has a 6-point safety harness and short-diameter steering wheel.
For performance on the track the CCS-R has been fited with race suspension, brakes, cooling and exhaust systems, a mechanical limited-slip differential and forged alloy rims with racing tires.
The IS F Club Performance Accessory, courtesy of TRD (Toyota Racing Department), comes with front and rear spoilers, rear diffuser and a carbon fiber hood. The model also makes use of carbon fiber inside the cabin and features orange sports seats. The IS F Club Performance Accessory is fitted with sport suspension and brakes, titanium exhaust, magnesium rims and also comes with a mechanical limited-slip differential.
Source: Lexus
2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible officially released
Chrysler has introduced the new 2011 Chrysler 200 Convertible following an inglorious photo leak last week.
The new model is a big change from its predecessor, the Sebring. It comes with a new styling by means of revised bumpers, headlights, grille and LED taillights. The car still features a choice of a folding metal roof or a cloth soft top.
Changes have also been made to the inside with a new steering wheel, instrument cluster, soft-touch armrests and touches of silver-color plastic trim. Cabin technology includes SIRIUS satellite radio, a HDD/CD/DVD/MP3 radio with 30 gigabytes as well as the real-time information function SIRIUS Travel Link.
But the changes aren't all cosmetic. Chrysler has completely retuned the 200's suspension and promises much improved ride and handling.
The 200 Convertible will be powered by either a 2.4 liter with 173 hp (129 kW / 175 PS) and 166 lb-ft (225 Nm) of torque or the range-topping 3.6 liter V6 good for 283 hp (211 kW / 287 PS) and 260 lb-ft (353 Nm) of torque. Both power plants are coupled to a 6-speed automatic gearbox.
The model will be sold in three equipment levels in the U.S. market - Touring, Limited and later the S variant.
Source: Chrysler
Audi Q7 by MR Car Design
MR Car design has a tuning kit that turns the Audi Q7 4.2 TDI into the 'Floating on a Cloud Q-Seven'.
The German tuner, headed by Marc Reilly, starts with a few touches to the body including new LED daytimers and LED indicator strips.
For an output upgrade, the 4.2 liter TDI diesel engine gets a new K & N air filter and some ECU optimization that dials power up to 374 PS/275 kW (series 326 PS/240 kW) and 870 Nm (642 lb-ft) of torque (series 760 Nm/560 lb-ft). MR Car Design also offers to lift the "tiresome" (as they describe it) Vmax and remove any electronic speed limit.
The Erftstadt-based tuner provides the Q7 with new 22-inch alloy wheels, MRGT22, in 9.5 x 22 dimensions with Icebear (polar bear) W300 tires sized 265/35R22. Electronic suspension lowering is also on offer.
For the cabin, customers can opt to borrow the steering wheel from the current Audi RS6 - a special request option by MR Car Design.
Source: MR Car Design
Mitsubishi teases Concept Global Small ahead of Geneva debut
Mitsubishi has released the first image of the Concept Global Small, ahead of its debut at the Geneva Motor Show.
While the name won't win awards for originality, the CGS features an attractive design with distinctive headlights, a sloping roofline, and flush door handles. Inside, efficient packaging ensures the cabin can comfortably seat five adults.
The CGS is technically a concept, possibly of the new Colt/Mirage, which will eventually go into production in March 2012. It will be built in Thailand and feature class-leading fuel efficiency as well as CO2 emissions "in the mid-90 g/km range."
Detailed specifications haven't been announced, but the production model will be powered by a 1.0- to 1.2-liter engine which is paired to a continually variable transmission (CVT). Furthermore, to maximize efficiency, the vehicle will have regenerative brakes and an engine start/stop system.
Source: Mitsubishi
Honda CR-Z Turbo gets fast tracked - report
According to a recent report, Honda has fast tracked production of the CR-Z Turbo.
Details are limited, but Autocar is citing unnamed sources who say the model is an urgent priority as CR-Z sales are declining as buyers are finding the car's sporty styling isn't backed up by meaningful performance.
While the CR-Z is currently offered with a hybridized 1.5-liter engine with 122 hp (91 kW / 124 PS), the turbocharged variant is expected to use a 1.6-liter that produces 160 hp (119 kW / 162 PS) and 200 hp (149 kW / 203 PS). This will certainly add some much needed pep, but it remains to be seen if consumers will give the car a second chance.
A debut could occur as soon as the Tokyo Motor Show, but nothing is official as of yet.
Source: AutoCar
