BMW Zagato Roadster concept

The BMW Zagato Roadster, made it's official debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance yesterday. This collaboration between BMW and Zagato is based on the BMW Z4 35iS.

Enjoy the pics. What do you think?

VW XL1 Concept

VW has shared pictures of the XL1 Concept on their Facebook page. The car made it's debut at the Qatar Motor Show last year.

What do you think?

BMW i8 Concept Spyder

The BMW i8 Concept Spyder is an open-top two-seater plug-in hybrid powered by an eDrive drivetrain. It combines a high-performance electric motor and petrol combustion engine.

It has upward-swivelling, windowless doors and a transparent tailgate. The sports car is based around BMW's innovative "LifeDrive" architecture.

BMWi concepts

The BMW i3 Concept and BMW i8 Concept cars. Visit the BMWi site for more info.

The VW up! family

The up! is the new city car from Volkswagen and had it's World premiere at the 64th International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. VW also showed off 6 concept cars in the up! family of cars. This includes the buggy up! and up! azzurra: specially designed for the world’s beaches as well as the cross up!, GT up!, eco up! and e-up!

The up! will be launched in the UK in Spring next year 2012. However, they are opening up for orders from October 2011.

For more information about the up! concept cars, click here.

Video of the new Jaguar Land Rover Defenders concepts

Here is a video of the new Jaguar Land Rover DC100 and DC100 Sport concepts. Also inculdes interviews with the designers of the Defender and Jaguar C-X16 concept cars.

Jaguar Reveals the C-X16

Today Jaguar revealed the production concept of their new sports car - the new C-X16 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The car's unveiling also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the iconic E-Type.

The C-X16 concept aims to set benchmarks in design, vehicle dynamics and technology for future Jaguar sports cars. The car represents a step forward from the 2010 Jaguar C-X75 supercar concept and works towards enhancing the driving experience as well as the car’s environmental credentials. It is also built and designed to a beautifully high spec, with the cabin trimmed in dramatic red leather.

The car is powered by an innovative supercharged 3.0-litre V6 producing 380PS (280kW) and 332lb ft (450Nm) of torque with an impressive 126PS specific power per litre. Mated to the engine is a eight-speed ZF gearbox with Quickshift changes. The high-performance hybrid system boosts output by 70kW and 235Nm with a top speed of 186mph, 0-62mph in 4.4 seconds and 50-75mph acceleration in 2.1 seconds. The electric-only top speed of 50mph.

The two-seater model is environmentally conscious with CO2 emissions of 165g/km. It also features a steering wheel-mounted ‘Push to Pass’ button controls the hybrid boost function. Intelligent Start/Stop for improved fuel economy.

New Land Rover Defender Concept

After more than 60 years of production, theLand Rover Defender is finally getting a makeover. Land Rover today unveiled the new Land Rover DC100 and DC100 Sport concept cars at the Frankfurt Motor Show. This indicates a new future direction for the Land Rover Defender which is one of Land Rover’s oldest and most iconic models and has been used by UN aid workers, Red Cross medic’s, police and military forces worldwide.

The new concepts have been designed by the Land Rover Advanced Design team whose remit was to create a vehicle that would resonate with the commercial customer as well as the retail customer. Their aim was to create a model that is relevant to the 21st century.

Both the Land Rover DC100 and DC100 Sport concepts are buit on a Lightweight, mixed-alloy platform using sutting-edge, sustainable, hi-tech materials taken from aerospace industries.

They are loaded with high tech features including

• The Terrain-i scanning device which warns the driver of obstacles when off-roading and can suggest alternative routes.
• Wade Aid which uses sonar technology to assess water depth and advise the driver of optimum speed
• Intelligent, next-generation, Land Rover Terrain Response system automatically optimises the car for any environment.
• Driver-activated spiked tyre system can be deployed at the touch of a button.

Both cars are permanent four-wheel drive with an eight-speed transmission, Intelligent Stop/Start and a transfer case. They are powered by 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines with hybrid and plug-in capabilities.

The new Defender models are planned for production in 2015.

The BMW i3 and BMW i8 Concepts.

BMW just unveiled two concepts - the fully electric BMW i3 was formerly known as the MegaCity Vehicle, and the BMW i8, a plug-in hybrid vehicle. One of the major problems with electric vehicles are the huge and heavy batteries. Well both cars use the innovative architecture and CFRP (Carbon Fibre Reinforced Plastic) to cancel out all of the extra weight added by the batteries.

Both cars will be manufactured at the BMW plant in Leipzig.

Volkwagen Up! concept photos

The Up! concept was unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. It is the newest, smallest Volkswagen model however, the spacious interior seats four adults and has two cargo areas - one in the nose and one just above the rear-mounted engine. Here are the first press photos.

Check out the Up's mini site.

Video teaser for the Jaguar C-X16 concept

Jaguar has just released a video teaser of their latest concept, the C-X16, which will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show on 13th September.

Audi urban concept

After spy shots were leaked on the net, Audi has finally revealed the Audi urban concept car.

The car is an innovative urban concept car with 1+1 seats with cockpit made from carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP), which integrates the undercarriage of both seats and free-standing wheels with protective plates featuring feature ‘blinking’ strips of LED lights (bling, bling). It features elaborate suspension design and compact electric drive system for sporty performance.

According to Audi the car "combines elements of a racing car, a roadster, a fun car and an urban car into one radical new concept".

The driver can adjust the steering wheel and pedals for his or her own driving position. Entry to the car is through the tailgate, while the roof is designed to be manoeuvrable and slides to the rear to open. The Audi urban concept rides on 21-inch wheels.

Two e-tron electric motors provide the propulsion – providing the ultra-light Audi urban concept with the ability to accelerate powerfully. A lithium-ion battery supplies the energy.

Volvo concept - The Tiandi / Universe

Volvo recently unveiled their global concept car called the Tiandi or Universe at the Shanghai motor show. The curvy and more flashy look indicate the direction the Volvo is going to take under Geely, Volvo's new Chinese owners.

Even though the Volvo Cars chief Stefan Jacoby says that the Geely was not involved or influenced the car's design or development, they are clearly targeting the Chinese with this new concept.

The car features a unique grille shape and low-set headlights. Will post more details and pics as I get them.

Tata Pixel concept

The Tata Pixel concept was recently unveiled at the 81st Geneva Motor Show. This new city car concept for Europe is based on the Tata Nano, the World's cheapest car.

Featuring scissor doors, the car boasts of what they term as "zero turn toroidal traction drive infinitely variable transmission (IVT)" which enhances the car's ability to manoeuvre and park in the tightest of spaces with a turning circle radius of just 2.6 metres.

The Pixel is powered by a 1.2-litre three-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine which gives an economical 3.4 l/100km with CO2 emissions of just 89g/km.

The MINI Rocketman Concept

The MINI Rocketman concept can be seen at the International Geneva Motor Show from March 1st to the 13th.

The Nissan Land Glider

One of my friends who works with Proton, the Malaysian auto maker mentioned that the Peugeot BB1 concept looks like the Nissan Land Glider.

Nissan Landglider at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show

The Nissan Land Glider concept was unveiled at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. Similar to the BB1, the Land Glider also has a motorcycle-inspired Tandem architecture. The rear view mirrors have been replaced by cameras and monitor. Another innovation was the non-contact charging system that enables it to be recharged at any wireless charging station.

The Peugeot BB1 concept

A complete rethink of the car by Peugeot. The BB1 concept is an electric car which carries 4 people and designed so that it is only 2.5 metres long - smaller than the Smart ForTwo and Toyota iQ. The car made its debut at the Frankfurt International Motor show.

Instead of a steering wheel, the car has handle bars and no pedals on the floor. Similar to a bike, the accelerator and brake levers are on the handles.

Check out the video:

New Honda Civic concepts

Honda unveiled the ninth-generation Civic concepts at the North American International Auto Show in in Detroit, Michigan.

This two new cars are the Civic Si Concept coupe and the Civic Concept sedan. They will come as hybrid and natural-gas variants. The new Civic hybrid will feature a lithium ion battery cell, the first ever for a Honda hybrid.

Jaguar's C-X75 concept

Jaguar’s has just unveiled their new concept car, the C-X75, at the Paris Motor Show. It's a car that seeks to embrace the influences of classic cars like the 1950s C-Type and D-Type racers and unique 1966 XJ13 Le Mans prototype and project them onto the future.

The C-X75 is a two-seater electric supercar. According to Jaguar, it has a potential top speed of 205mph (330kph) and able to go from 0 to 62mph (0-100kph) in just 3.4 seconds.

The car has four 145kW (195bhp) traction electric engines, with one engine powering each wheel.

The C-X75 will also be at the LA Motor Show from 19th to 28th November.

BTW, Jaguar recently celebrated their 75th Anniversary and I was there at the Coventry Motor Museum admiring the  lovely classic cars. Unfortunately I didn't bring my camera and all I have are some pics I posted on Twitter via my mobile.

Honda Odessy Concept unveiled

Honda has just unveiled the Odyssey Concept at the Chicago Auto Show. It is sleeker and lower than the older Odysseys.

What do you think?