Lamborghini Estoque Concept

Lamborghini Estoque Concept

Lamborghini's all-new 4-door Estoque concept refers to the Spanish term for the final stroke a matador makes when he rams his sword between the shoulder blades of an exhausted bull. Could Lamborghini be hinting what this car will do to Porsche's upcoming Panamera?



The cutting-edge graphics of the Estoque were developed in-house by Lamborghini Centro Stile. The Estoque exhibits Lamborghini's new DNA, following the path set by the Reventón, the Murciélago LP640 and the Gallardo. Produced out of aluminum and carbon fiber, the Estoque's bodywork is captivating. The roofline, long wheelbase and an overall length of 203 in. promise a princely cabin, while the tall rear deck offers a huge trunk — the obligatory golf bags will fit with ease.



Other Estoque features include artistically arranged LEDs, several air vents and angular side mirrors, while the spokes of the 22-in. front and 23-in. rear wheels somehow give the car a certain lightness. The dual fuel-filler caps, on the other hand, are gimmicky.

The interior does not disappoint, clearly devoted to long-distance touring, and fitted with acres of Nappa leather, four separate seats and all the expected comfort and infotainment features. The driver can choose between classic or futuristic instrument layouts on an LCD display.



Lamborghini says the Estoque is more than just a roomy Maserati Quattroporte. The Estoque's front/mid-engine layout, all-wheel drive and low center of gravity virtually guarantee superb handling and ideal traction — they would be needed, given the car's 560-bhp Gallardo-based V-10, which makes for a top speed of 190 mph. There could be a turbocharged V-8 option, as well as a turbodiesel. Lamborghini chief engineer Maurizio Reggiani points out: "Diesel and downsizing are very interesting topics. A mild hybrid could be possible, as well."



Will there be series production? Lamborghini calls the Estoque "a realistic idea, with exciting alternatives in both styling and powertrain." A decision will need to be made by Lamborghini's Audi/VW owners. Of note, Porsche is a major VW shareholder — would the Estoque be too much competition for the upcoming Panamera? Is the world's economy strong enough to support the sale of a car with an estimated price of $400,000 - $450,000? Good questions, but for sure the Estoque looks to be a more dynamic choice than the Panamera, Quattroporte and Aston Martin's Rapide.

Source: yahoo.com

Audi A3 TT Clubsport Concept

Audi A3 TT Clubsport Concept

Audi likes to use the Lake Worther Tour, held annually in southern Austria at the end of May, as a place to show off some fresh ideas. Last year, the automaker brought out the radically styled TT Clubsport Concept. Bowing this year is the A3 Clubsport Concept, a rehash of the not-for-U.S. A3 three-door that would drive any Eurotuner green, or perhaps red, with envy.

First up is the business end. Under the hood is a clean, Euro 5-compliant 2.0L four-cylinder turbodiesel pumping out 224 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, which propels the hatch to 62 mph in 6.6 seconds on to a top speed of 149 mph. The gearbox is a six-speed manual, and power is sent to all four wheels via Audi's famous quattro all-wheel-drive system.

Stopping power at the front comes courtesy of potent six-piston calipers gripping lightweight, carbon-carbide 14-inch discs. Strangely enough, however, Audi couldn't be bothered to upgrade the rear brakes, which are straight from the production model. At least the brakes aren't drums.

Audi also equipped with A3 Clubsport with a stiff sport suspension that reduces the ride height by 1.42 inches and fitted it with the automaker's drive select driving dynamics system and magnetic ride adaptive damper control to maximize handling when necessary and ride comfort when not.

Visually, the car's goal is simple: Get attention. This it accomplishes well, for better or worse. The white-and-red paint scheme is eye catching, especially the No. 8 on the side. It's also hard to miss the giant front grille that brings memories of the Q7 V12 TDI Concept from the 2007 Detroit Auto Show or the massive honeycombs in the lower fascia. The rear fascia features two giant exhaust pipes that Audi says generate a "sonorous soundtrack," and there's a DTM-style spoiler mounted on the rear window. Rounding out the exterior changes are flared doors and quarter panels, Xenon headlights with LED running lights, bolt-on wheelarch extensions, and 20-inch, 10-spoke wheels.

The interior didn't undergo the same radical transformation as the exterior. The most notable changes over the standard A3 are the racing-style sport bucket seats, TDI Power-badged illuminated door sills, aluminum shiftgate, and a flat-bottomed steering wheel. The door panels and floormats also have been redesigned.

The result is that the A3 Clubsport weighs in at 3252 lb, is 0.63 in. longer than a standard 166.85-in.-long three-door A3, sits 1.42 in. lower with a height of 54.53 in., and boasts a wider track -- 61.73/61.14 in. front/rear, increases of 1.34 and 1.81 in., respectively. And it would fit in perfectly parked at a funny angle at a late-night enthusiast meet.

Source: www.motortrend.com

Nissan Mixim Concept

Nissan Mixim Concept Car

The 62nd annual Frankfurt Motor Show is the launching pad for hundreds of new models, from concept cars to brand new production cars. It's always a busy time for everyone in the auto industry, including revitalised Japanese brand Nissan.

The Asian car maker used this year's Frankfurt Motor Show to preview an all new concept car, a one-off show car based on an existing model and a heavily revised production car.

The Mixim Concept Car, explains Nissan, is a compact vehicle for young drivers who are mostly engaged by their computer and the world via the Internet. The driver sits centrally, with two seats either side, while the steering wheel and controls are inspired by the interfaces so familiar to computer gamers.

By shifting its focus to younger drivers with specific models, Nissan hopes to set in motion the next few decades of prosperity. Though the Mixim isn't destined for production, many of the innovations pioneered may be integrated into future production models.

The Mixim is also an environmentally friendly vehicle, powered by Nissan’s "Super Motor" electric motor/generator and using compact lithium-ion batteries. Nissan says it has unusually rapid performance combined with a "usefully" extended range. Sitting on a 2530mm wheelbase, Mixim is 3.7m long, 1.8m wide and 1.4m tall, making it shorter and lower than Micra.

It weighs just 950kg, very light, and two of Nissan's "Super Motor" powertrains are used on the Mixim: one powers the front axle and a second drives the rear axle, allowing for all-wheel drive.

While the technology located under the Mixim Concept Car's skin is imaginative, the styling too cannot be dismissed as dull. The exterior design has a bulbous coupé shape, one that ensures it will not be easily ignored in Frankfurt.

With a wraparound windscreen, said to be inspired by the visor of a crash helmet, the middle of the car rises sharply and features a sharply truncated rear. The doors are also a design highlight, opening upwards and outwards in an exotic fashion.

The interior of the car is just as conceptual as the exterior, with a truly futuristic motif. The steering wheel, for example, looks like it was inspired by the controls of an aircraft, and even the seats feature an ergonomically futuristic design.

The second compact model that Nissan has confirmed for its Frankfurt Motor Show exhibit is the Micra Colour + Concept show car. As Nissan explains, this vehicle was designed and conceived at Nissan Design Europe, in London, to showcase the latest colour and paint technology and to highlight the changes that have been made to the entire Micra range.

It has been given a two-tone treatment with a Liquid Metal gold paint effect running over the top of the car and contrasting with the three coat pearlescent white finish on the car's flanks.

Nissan says that inside the Colour + Concept theme continues with a high contrast between the upper and lower portions of the interior. Re-upholstered in sumptuous white leather, the seats have accented detailing and stitching. Carpets and lower internal panels are a darker acid yellow to contrast with the pale upper portion of the dashboard.

Nissan will also debut a "more mature Micra", expected to be a mid-life update. As the company states, the new Micra will feature subtle changes to the exterior and interior.

Source : http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/nissan-mixim-concept-new-micra.htm