Koenigsegg Agera R 2012

Koenigsegg unveiled at the all-new Koenigsegg Agera R at the Geneva Auto Show 2011. Inspired by the legendary Speed Racer theme, the Agera R outputs 910 HP with 738 ft.-lbs of torque, and it weighs 2832 lbs.



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Lorinser SLS RSK 8 2011

Lorinser RSK8 announced the exclusive wheels for the Mercedes Benze SLS AMG.



Lorinser SLS RSK 8 2011

Lorinser RSK8 –
Exclusive design wheel for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
Highest technical demands combined with dynamic elegance – these are the
hallmarks of the new design wheel RSK8 by Sportservice Lorinser. The three-part
forged wheel with its seven spokes and the stainless steel bolts renders a splendid
look and exceptional quality. The light-alloy wheel Lorinser RSK8 for the Mercedes
Gullwing is offered in the dimensions 9.5 x 20 at the front axle and 11 x 21 at the
back.
As a world-wide renowned specialist for Mercedes modifications, Sportservice
Lorinser puts special emphasis on rendering highest quality standards by using
state of the art production processes. The RSK8 is manufactured in forged
technology and is one of the absolute light-weight models on the market. Moreover, it
reduces the unsprung masses and that significantly improves the braking response
and the handling of the two-seater.
After elaborate test runs with the SLS, Lorinser recommends wheels in the dimension
275/30 ZR 20 and 295/25 ZR 21.
For more information about the light-alloy wheel Lorinser RSK8 and about the
extensive Lorinser refining programme, p
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Suzuki SX4 SportBack 2011

Suzuki SX4 Sportback 2011 will have its small-screen debut in the US version of the "Top Gear". The 2011 SX4 SportBack delivers a perfect combination of style, functionality, dynamic handling and light-hearted sophistication for consumers looking for an affordable performance choice that matches their confident attitude and lifestyle. Under the hood, it packs a 2.0-liter engine delivering 150 horsepower at 6,200 rpm in combination with 140 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm for manual transmission models (148 hp with CVT), all while delivering an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon.





Suzuki SX4 Sportback 2011



* 2011 SX4 SportBack makes small screen debut with celebrity cast in Americanized version of "Top Gear’s" popular Star in a Reasonably Priced Car segment.
* Suzuki will be featured on HISTORY®'s "Top Gear" this November.


BREA, Calif. (Oct. 20 2010) – After its much anticipated debut on the road in 2010, Suzuki’s new athletic-hatch, the SX4 SportBack, hit the track with the team from HISTORY's "Top Gear," the new U.S. version of the Emmy award-winning BBC television series of the same name. The 2011 SX4 SportBack will play a leading role in the show’s inaugural Big Star in a Small Car segment scheduled to air this November.

"Top Gear," from BBC Worldwide Productions, which premieres in November on HISTORY, follows a similar format as the original program on BBC. For its first Big Star in a Small Car segment, "Top Gear" hosts and famous secret race driver, The Stig – along with platinum-selling rock artist Kid Rock, actors Tim Allen, Michelle Rodriguez and Dominic Monaghan, and skateboarding legend Tony Hawk – charged a closed-course 1.6-mile track at El Toro in Irvine, Calif., to test the 2011 SX4 SportBack. No surprise, all of the show’s celebrity drivers smoothly piloted the SX4 SportBack around the track and left supremely impressed with Suzuki’s sporty five door.

"We were thrilled when Top Gear contacted us about the opportunity to showcase the driving dynamics of the 2011 Suzuki SX4 SportBack," said Gene Brown, Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations, American Suzuki Automotive Operations. "The SX4 SportBack has received rave reviews since its introduction last year, and we're confident our sporty little hatch will be a huge hit with Top Gear's ensemble of big-name celebrity drivers as well as The Stig."

The Stig was unavailable for comment.

The 2011 SX4 SportBack delivers a perfect combination of style, functionality, dynamic handling and light-hearted sophistication for consumers looking for an affordable performance choice that matches their confident attitude and lifestyle. Under the hood, it packs a 2.0-liter engine delivering 150 horsepower at 6,200 rpm in combination with 140 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,500 rpm for manual transmission models (148 hp with CVT), all while delivering an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon.

Both a six-speed manual and a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) are available on the front-wheel-drive SX4 SportBack, along with paddle shifters. Beyond its European sport tuning, the SX4 SportBack’s handling is further enhanced with performance shocks, standard stabilizer bars, a lower ride height, 17-inch alloy rims and 205/50 all-season Dunlops. Class-leading safety features also set Suzuki’s five-door apart from the higher-priced competition, including electronic stability program with traction control, four-wheel disc brakes, tire pressure monitoring system, daytime running lights and eight standard airbags.

Other standard features on the SX4 SportBack include power windows, locks and mirrors, air conditioning, cruise control, an AM/FM/CD/MP3 XM Satellite Radio®1-ready audio system (with available iPod®2 interface), leather steering wheel cover, fog lights and aero body trim. In addition, the SX4 SportBack comes equipped with an integrated navigation system (with available advanced features, including traffic, fuel prices and airline arrival/departure information) as standard equipment.
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Aston Martin Virage Volante 2011

Aston Martin introduced the all-new Virage Volante at the Geneva Auto Show 2011. The Aston Martin Virage Volante 2011 get its 490 HP of power & 570 Nm of max output torque from hand-built 6.0 litre V12 engine which is then mated to a 6-speed touchtronic transmission using a carbon fibre prop shaft. The car can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.6 seconds and has a maximum Speed of 186 mph (299 km/h).






Aston Martin Virage Volante 2011

• The highest levels of refinement and dynamic control yet, resulting from seven years of VH architecture evolution
• The new Virage offers customer greater choice of individual sports car characters yet with the same consistent Aston Martin DNA
• Virage and Virage Volante complete the Aston Martin sporting GT line-up sitting between DBS and DB9
• Set for world debut at the Geneva Motor Show on 1 March, 2011

Aston Martin introduces the new Virage - supremely elegant and powerful, yet juxtaposed as an understated sports car. The marque can now provide customers with a class-leading range, all with different characters, yet with the same unique Aston Martin soul and luxury.

Beautiful, dynamic and prestigious, the Virage combines outright sports car performance with luxury, comfort and refinement. The front mid-mounted V12 engine’s torque delivery provides outstanding performance, coupled with the car’s inherent agility and perfect weight distribution delivering the ideal balance between outright sports car performance and trademark sporting luxury exemplified by modern Aston Martins.

Aston Martin CEO, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “100 years of automotive history has demonstrated that evolution delivers the best solutions in time.

“So it is with Virage; it is the next level of evolution in our VH architecture strategy and it does everything with the perfection that you would expect today. It is the perfect balance of opposites.”

The Virage sits between the enduringly elegant DB9 and overtly sporting DBS, providing customers with a car that remains luxurious and understated but delivers increased performance and crucially performance that is always accessible for effortless driving.

Aston Martin’s revered hand-built 6.0 litre V12 engine produces 490 bhp (365 kW/497 PS) and 570 Nm (420 lb. Ft) of torque and through its carbon fibre prop shaft, is mated to a six-speed Touchtronic II automatic transmission mounted on the transaxle contributing to perfect 50:50 weight balance.

The Virage’s dynamics have been tuned to deliver an engaging yet more refined driving experience, where the driver can extract the maximum performance from the car with greater ease. A newly developed Adaptive Damping System (ADS) intelligently ‘reads’ the road to provide optimum road holding, adapting to different conditions. The system now selects up to five different stiffness settings within normal mode, and a further five stiffer settings within sport mode.

Aiding driver control, a ‘Sport’ button on the facia allows the driver to select a sharper throttle response and faster gear changes while also holding the gears without automatically shifting up at the revolution limiter.

Virage will be delivered with Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brakes as standard - bucking the trend in this market - offering progressive and tremendous stopping power. Powerful, resistant to fade and much lighter than conventional cast-iron discs, the CCM braking system means that not only is the overall vehicle weight reduced, but the weight saving at each wheel means that a better balance between ride comfort and handling can be struck. Lower rotational mass also provides improved acceleration.

Virage capitalises on the technology from the DBS and unites it with the comfort and refinement found in the DB9 and Rapide. Aston Martin’s own bonded aluminium ‘VH’ architecture that forms the backbone of the marque’s sports cars, takes inspiration from the aerospace industry where weight reduction is the ultimate goal. Strong yet light, the inherent properties of modular aluminium lend themselves perfectly to an extremely rigid and versatile platform which allows the production of a Virage coupe and Volante.

The Virage sits low and wide asserting the power which lies beneath; single bi-xenon headlamps follow the lines of the car’s flanks to give a more crisp and modern look from the front. A new aluminium metal front grille, inspired by the One-77, features five horizontal vanes which are chamfered creating an aerofoil profile. The new front bumper is pure and relieves the car of any visual complexities, contributing to the overall simplicity of design. The front wings distinguish the Virage from its stable mates housing a new modern interpretation of the Aston Martin iconic side strake housing six LEDs elegantly forming the side repeater. Virage’s side sills carry the simplicity of the front bumper through to the rear diffuser which houses a body-coloured blade accentuating the width of the car.

As drivers and passengers open the signature swan wing doors, they are greeted by the aroma of seven hides of the finest Bridge of Weir leather expertly hand stitched by craftsmen. Inspiration has been taken from luxury leather goods to produce a pinstripe welt which flows down either side of the facia and along the seat and door, drawing your eye through the car. Each Virage will have 70 man hours of expert craftsmanship lavished on the interior alone to create the famous sophisticated Aston Martin interior. In all, over 200 man hours will be spent handcrafting the Virage at Aston Martin’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, England as it becomes the tenth major production car to be built there in the space of less than eight years.

Simplicity runs throughout the car with the new fully integrated Satellite Navigation system that has been developed in conjunction with Garmin. The new system simplifies operation through the existing four-way joystick mounted on the facia. A new 6.5 inch high resolution display uses the latest graphics and maps to visually and aurally guide the driver to their destination.
Standard equipment includes heated seats (Sports seats only), cruise control, satellite navigation, Bluetooth telephone preparation and the powerful 700W Aston Martin Premium Audio System with Dolby® Pro Logic II® and full iPod® integration.

The Virage and Virage Volante are on sale now, available from Aston Martin’s global dealership network spanning 132 dealerships in 41 countries. Pricing for the new Virage will be confirmed at the Geneva Motor Show where it will be joined by two further new cars; the V8 Vantage S and the new Tailor-Fit Cygnet city car, all of which will be brought to production in the UK by Aston Martin in 2011.

What’s in a name?
virage m (French Noun)
1. bend, turn, curve
2. change, shift (in orientation)
Aston Martin’s use of nomenclature beginning with a ‘V’ dates back to the optional ‘Vantage’ engine on the 1950s DB2. So when the DP2034 (an internal design project number) had to be found a name in 1985, the hunt began for an evocative word to carry on this tradition. The call went out to the factory’s craftsmen, its customers and to the Aston Martin Owners Club, ending in the collation of hundreds of suggestions. Eventually the then Chairman, Victor Gauntlett, and his Directors chose Virage to be the moniker of an all new car destined to open a new chapter in the company’s history.

Specification

Body:
• Two door coupe or convertible body style with 2+2 seating
• Bonded aluminium structure
• Aluminium, magnesium alloy and composite body
• Extruded aluminium door side impact beams
• Single Bi-Xenon Headlamps with integrated LED side lights and direction indicators
• LED rear lamps and side repeaters

Engine:
All alloy quad overhead cam 48 valve 5935cc V12. Compression ratio 10.97:1
Front mid-mounted engine, rear wheel drive
Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves

Maximum Power
490 bhp (365 kW / 497 PS) at 6500 rpm

Maximum Torque
570 Nm (420 lb.ft) at 5750 rpm

Acceleration
0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.6 seconds

Maximum Speed
186 mph (299 km/h)

Transmission:
Rear mid-mounted Touchtronic 2 six speed automatic gearbox with electronic shift by wire system. Alloy torque tube with carbon fibre propeller shaft. Limited slip differential. Final Drive Ratio 3.46:1

Steering:
Rack and pinion, Servotronic speed-sensitive power-assisted steering
Column tilt and reach adjustment

Suspension:
Front: Independent double wishbone incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
Rear: Independent double wishbones with anti- squat and anti-lift geometry, coil springs, anti-roll bar and monotube adaptive dampers
Adaptive Damping System (ADS) with Sport mode Aston Martin Internal Use Only

Wheels
Front: 8.5” x 20”
Rear: 11” x 20”

Tyres:
Front: Pirelli P Zero 245/35
Rear: Pirelli P Zero 295/30

Brakes:
Front: Ventilated Carbon Ceramic discs 398mm diameter with six piston calipers
Rear: Ventilated Carbon Ceramic discs 360mm diameter with four piston calipers
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) with Track mode
Anti-lock braking system (ABS)
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)
Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)
Traction Control

Dimensions
Length 4703 mm (185.2”)
Width 1904 mm (75.0”) excluding mirrors; 2061 mm (81.1”) including mirrors
Height Coupe 1282 mm (50.5”)
Height Volante 1289 mm (50.7”)
Wheelbase 2740 mm (107.9”)
Front track 1586 mm (62.4”)
Rear track 1581 mm (62.2”)
Turning circle 11.6 m (38 ft) (kerb to kerb)
Boot capacity Coupe 184l (6.5 cu ft)
Boot capacity Volante 152l (5.4 cu ft)
Fuel capacity 78 litres (17.15 UK gal/20.6 US gal)
Weight - Coupe 1785 kg (3935 lb)
Weight - Volante 1890 kg (4166 lb)

Interior:
Walnut facia trim and Iridium Silver centre console finish
Memory seats and exterior mirrors (3 positions)
Auto dimming rear view mirror and garage door opener (USA and Canada only)
Sports seats with 10 way electric adjustment, including height, tilt and lumbar adjustment
Dual Stage Driver and Passenger Front Airbags
Side Airbags (Sports seats only)
Heated seats (Sports seats only)
Heated rear screen
Automatic temperature control
Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays
Trip computer
Cruise control Aston Martin Internal Use Only
Satellite navigation system*+
Bluetooth telephone preparation*
Powerfold exterior mirrors
Front and rear parking sensors
Tyre pressure monitoring*
Alarm and immobiliser
Remote-control central door locking and boot release
Battery disconnect switch
Tracking device (UK only)
Boot mounted umbrella

In Car Entertainment
700W Aston Martin Premium Audio System with Dolby® Pro Logic II®
Integrated Apple iPod connector
USB connector with Waveform Audio Format (WAF), Windows Media Player (WMA) and MPEG (MP3) audio file compatibility
3.5 mm auxiliary input socket
Satellite Radio system (USA only)

Exterior Options
20” 5 Spoke Alloy Wheels with Diamond Turned and Graphite finish
20” 10 Spoke Alloy Wheels with Liquid Silver finish
20” 10 Spoke Alloy Wheels with Silver Painted and Diamond Turned finish
20” 10 Spoke Alloy Wheels with Graphite Painted and Diamond Turned finish
20” 10 Spoke Alloy Wheels with Satin Black Painted and Diamond Turned finish
„Titanium? finish bonnet, side strake meshes
Bonnet Louvres with „Titanium? finish side strake meshes

Interior Options
2+0 seating (Coupe only)
Lightweight seats with 6 way adjustment. (Must be ordered in conjunction with 2+0 seating configuration. Does not include side airbags, or heated seats feature. Not available in USA or Canada)
Piano Black facia trim
Mahogany facia trim
Bamboo facia trim
Tamo Ash facia trim
Double Apex alloy facia trim
Nexus alloy facia trim
Matching wood door cappings (not available with alloy facias or B&O BeoSound audio system option)
Personalised sill plaques
Auto dimming interior rear view mirror
Auto dimming interior rear view mirror with garage door opener (Europe only)
Alarm upgrade (volumetric and tilt sensor) Aston Martin Internal Use Only

Tracking device**
First aid kit
Ashtray and Cigar Lighter

In Car Entertainment Options
1000W Bang & Olufsen BeoSound audio system with ICEpower technology
*Not available in all markets
+Includes Traffic Messaging Channel (TMC) in Continental Europe
**Complies with UK Thatcham Category 5 requirements. Excludes subscription. Standard in UK
*** Excludes subscription

Performance
Sitting at the heart of any Aston Martin sports car is an evocative engine and no more so in the new Virage which adopts the famous hand-built 6.0 litre V12 which is assembled in Aston Martin’s bespoke engine plant in Köln, Germany. Aston Martin technicians spend in excess of 20 hours building and testing every engine before sending it to Gaydon where it is mounted as far back in the Virage as possible to contribute to its perfect 50:50 weight balance.
The Virage engine produces 490 bhp (365 kW/497 PS) and 570 Nm (420 lb. Ft) of torque and is identified from other V12s in the family with a black plenum. The plenum houses a new ‘five pillar design’ increasing the rigidity of the manifold delivering an improved sound quality. The V12 has been designed to deliver over 85% of Virage’s peak torque at only 1,500 rpm providing for instant and crucially, real-world useable traction.
Aston Martin Product Development Director, Ian Minards explains: “The new Virage represents another landmark Aston Martin in the sporting GT class, combining luxury with performance. Our Engineering team has sought to balance the elements of contemporary design, strong performance credentials and driving fluidity. We have focused on the major building blocks of automotive performance and control, as well as the intricate details of operation, comfort and craftsmanship.”

The Touchtronic II transmission features as standard, and contributes to Virage’s refined power delivery making gear changes tangible yet effortless. Engineered in conjunction with ZF, the six-speed automatic has optimally placed ratios to remain quiet on motorway stretches and deliver an engaging response when driving spiritedly. Controlled through finely polished glass switches depicting P, R, N, D on the facia, the driver can engage automatic mode, and the intelligent control system will decide precisely the right time to change gear in order to achieve the smoothest ratio move and the optimum fuel economy.

In addition, the driver has the option of pulling either of the magnesium leather clad paddles to engage manual mode. Mounted on the steering column so that the driver can always easily locate either up or down, the manual mode gives the driver complete control.

Virage features a Sport button on the facia which when depressed will create a heightened driving experience through faster gear changes and the system will override the automatic change-up so the driver is able to hold the gear on the revolution limiter.

Control
The new Virage features a new Adaptive Damping System (ADS) which has been tuned to suit the particular character of Aston Martin’s latest sporting GT. Each damper has five individual computer controlled stiffness settings. This allows the Virage to ‘read’ the road via strategically placed sensors around the car, constantly adjusting the ride at each corner. Using yaw, accelerometer, steering wheel, throttle and brake (ABS) sensors, the intelligent system can take into account the demands the driver is making of the car at any given time. The Adaptive Damping Electronic Control Unit (ECU) uses these measurements to determine the most appropriate damper settings required at any given time, becoming stiffer for better handling and control during dynamic driving, and becoming softer for greater ride comfort during ‘normal’ driving conditions.

Increasing driver control further, the glass ADS button on the facia allows the driver to override the system to push the dampers into a firmer range of settings. As the button is depressed, for the initial five seconds, all damper settings are set to their firmest providing the driver a tangible difference. After five seconds the system reverts to the optimum setting within the firmer range resulting in a more focussed but comfortable driving experience.

Virage is delivered to customers with Carbon Ceramic Matrix (CCM) brakes as standard - bucking the trend in this market. Critically acclaimed to provide the ultimate in progressive stopping power, the CCM discs take advantage of six piston callipers at the front and four at the rear. Giving the driver tangible control when braking, they are much more resistant to fade than conventional cast iron discs and at 12.5 kg lighter than a conventional system they contribute to a lower unsprung mass aiding ride comfort and handling.

The Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) system has been specifically tuned for the Virage. A three-stage DSC system allows the driver to tailor the level of electronic intervention according to the type of driving. In default mode, the system is set to ‘on’ which will limit any tyre slip in difficult conditions, and provide the maximum amount of security possible without being intrusive. Holding the DSC button for four seconds will engage ‘Track Mode’ which delays the electronic intervention further, creating a safe yet purer experience. Depressing the button for a further five seconds will disengage the system completely.

Using knowledge learned from the V8 Vantage Roadster and DBS Volante, the new Virage Volante features a solidly-mounted rear subframe as well as front and rear shear panels which deliver high levels of rigidity. This means that the Virage Volante retains its sporting dynamic characteristics, uncompromised by the open roof. For the first time on an Aston Martin the Virage coupe also uses a shear panel at the rear of the car, again to enhance strength and rigidity.
The fully integrated Aston Martin standard satellite navigation system has been completely revised for the Virage benefiting from a new system developed in conjunction with Garmin which is operated using the existing joystick and facia buttons. Features include clearer graphics, improved pictorial junction views and safety camera data. The new system maintains its integrated look, out of view beneath the real wood facia, rising seamlessly from the centre console at the touch of a button. Control through the aluminium four-way joystick prevents unattractive finger marks on the screen which impede clear vision.

Design, Refinement and Comfort
The new Virage was designed at Aston Martin’s dedicated design studio at its global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, England. As an independent company, Aston Martin can take an initial sketch, through to a full size clay model, then to a prototype and ultimately into production all on one site. It allows the marque to be agile and reactive customer trends and demands.

Virage will be built in the same production facility as the DBS and DB9 and will be Aston Martin’s tenth major new model to go into production at the UK site since Gaydon was opened.
Marek Reichman, Design Director at Aston Martin said: “The new Virage moves Aston Martin’s design language evolution into a new contemporary phase. We have sculpted a new face which sharpens and refines the Virage whilst still being instantly recognisable as a pure Aston Martin sports car. The whole car looks as if it was precision machined from a single billet of aluminium emphasising the attention to detail and exquisite surface language. At Aston Martin we pride ourselves on beautifully honed surfaces created by skilled craftsmen.”

Reichman continues: “The Virage will always delight, from picking up the glass and polished aluminium ECU key, walking up and admiring its stunning form, and tacitly appreciating the treatment of all the other senses through the finish of the materials. It makes every journey an event.

“The Virage doesn’t wear its identity on its sleeve, it doesn’t shout ‘look at me’, rather calmly hints at its potential, through pure lines and a low elegant stance.”

New single lens bi-xenon lights lie beneath a new front headlamp which houses a side light ‘bar’ dissipating LED light giving the Virage an individual yet subtle visual on the road.

New 20” wheels add to the sense of proportion with a five spoke twin-prong design as standard and a 10-spoke forged diamond turned wheel as an option. Customers are also afforded the option of coordinating their brake callipers with their exterior paint colour with black, grey, red and yellow now being offered.

The Aston Martin engineering team sought to create a sports car that offers customers the highest levels of refinement yet combined with the increased power and control desired by customers. To this ends extra sound insulation has been applied to the front and rear bulkheads to create a relaxed ambiance when cruising. The Virage Volante features an extra layer of ThinsulateTM material in the fabric hood making the Volante feel like a coupe when the hood is up. Each Virage features seven hides of the finest leather sourced from Scandinavia with each interior taking in excess of 70 man hours to hand craft. It is this attention to detail which creates one of the finest and opulent moving interiors in existence today. As the driver or passenger opens the swan wing doors - which open up and out at 12 degrees to prevent any scrapes on nearby kerbs - they are greeted to pinstriped leather seams which are hand stitched by one seamstress just to be sure of a consistency throughout the car. The 10-way adjustable sports seats are sculpted to provide maximum support and comfort while the two-stage heated seats instantly shake the chill on a frosty morning. The option of an alternative lightweight seat arrangement is available with the 2+0 layout on the coupe.

Contributing to the feeling of luxury, finely polished glass buttons adorn the facia inviting the driver to select their desired setup or control. Aston Martin’s design team have stayed true to the ethos of using material honestly where facias are real hand finished and polished woods, dials are milled aluminium, and leathers retain their patina and aroma years into their life.

In coupe form, Virage is available as a 2+2 or a 2+0 as an option, the latter providing a rear parcel shelf ideal for soft bags, while also reducing weight
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Alfa Romeo 4C Concept 2012

Alfa Romeo presented a compact supercar, the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept, at the Geneva Auto Show 2011. The two-seater rear-wheel drive coupe, Alfa Romeo 4C Concept showcases performance, Italian Styling beauty and technical excellence, all packaged in one piece.

With the power from the powerful 1750 Turbo petrol engine, the 4C Concept reaches a top speed of over 250 km/h and accelerates from 0 to 100km in under 5 seconds.





Alfa Romeo 4C Concept 2012

At the 81st Geneva International Motor Show, the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept will make its debut, a compact "supercar" which represents the true essence of a sports car, according to the brand's values: performance, Italian style and technical excellence aimed at maximum driving pleasure in total safety.

The new concept presents the classic formula of the two-seater, rear-wheel drive coupé with its engine at the centre, a length of approximately 4 metres and a wheelbase of less than 2.4 metres: dimensions which serve both to emphasise the compact size of the car and to accentuate its agility. Distinguished by its graceful and clean external lines, the same principles are also applied to the inside, with the Concept's specific on-board design maintaining features and devices which directly reflect the car's sporting spirit.

On the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept technology and materials derived from the 8C Competizione find a home - carbon, aluminium, rear-wheel drive - and technology derived from Alfa Romeo models currently on sale: the 1750 turbo petrol engine with direct injection, the "Alfa TCT" twin dry clutch transmission and the Alfa DNA dynamic control selector.
Quite simply, this vehicle screams Alfa. Its sports car soul creates a unique driving sensation, both on the road and when racing, where its velocity and transverse acceleration become even more demanding.

Born from the experience acquired through the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione and 8C Spider models, the new concept car shares its rear-wheel drive with the exclusive supercars as well as its philosophy based on achieving maximum driving pleasure and the proverbial Alfa Romeo road handling. This is an objective which the 8C Competizione and the 8C Spider pursue mainly through their increased power, while the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept follows the route of limited weight, made possible by extensive use of carbon, which also plays a structural role and guarantees exceptional agility with a weight/power ratio which is lower than 4 kg/HP. The chassis supports a body crafted completely from carbon, inside which there is space for the driver and passenger, while the rear frame structure and the crash boxes use aluminium extensively. The final result is a significant reduction in weight, limited to less than 850 kg, as well as the optimisation of the vehicle's centre of gravity, which gives the advantage of increased agility and drivability on the most challenging roads.

The name "4C Concept" is suggestive of the sports driving pleasure which only the spectacular "4 cylinder" 1750 Turbo Petrol engine which offers over 200 HP can bring. Already featured on a number of models in production, for example the Giulietta Quadrifoglio Verde, the engine boasts cutting-edge technical solutions such as direct injection, dual continuous variable valve timing, turbocharger and the revolutionary scavenging control system which eliminates turbo lag.

Located centrally in the rear of the vehicle, the engine in the Alfa Romeo 4C Concept ensures performance which matches or exceeds that of a 3 litre engine whilst still delivering the moderate fuel consumption which is typical of a compact, 4 cylinder engine. Coupled with the new automatic "Alfa TCT" twin dry clutch transmission, launched only a few months ago on the MiTo and which will soon be available on the Giulietta, the powerful 1750 Turbo petrol engine allows the 4C Concept to reach a top speed of over 250 km/h and to accelerate from 0 to 100km in under 5 seconds. The vehicle integrates its Alfa DNA technology perfectly, a true philosophy which brings together all of the on-board technology, making it enjoyable and customisable for the driver and further accentuating the "competitive" nature of the Concept compared to other vehicles currently on sale.

The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept has an extremely sophisticated suspension layout (high quadrilateral at the front, MacPherson at the rear) to ensure maximum agility and road handling. This solution, along with the rear-wheel drive and the extraordinary weight/power ratio, ensures Alfa Romeo driving pleasure, enhanced even further by the weight distribution (40% on the front axle and 60% on the rear axle). The Concept takes up the Brand's sporting tradition, taking us back to its origins, when agility and the weight/power ratio were the keys to a successful racing vehicle, and combining these aspects with the Alfa Romeos which take to the road every day.
This car is not simply an exercise in style created for the Motor Show; it will be on sale in 2012 and is set to reinforce Alfa Romeo's global growth.
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Rolls Royce 102EX 2011

Rolls Royce announced the first ultra luxury electric car, the Rolls Royce 102EX. The 102EX is also recognized as the Phantom Experimental Electric car as the company plans to use it as a testing platform to gain feedback from the actual users of the car, which is vital for future success.








Rolls Royce 102EX 2011

102EX – PHANTOM EXPERIMENTAL ELECTRIC

INTRODUCTION

“Today, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars begins an exploration into alternative drive-trains, seeking clarity on which technology may be suitable to drive Rolls-Royce motor cars of the future. The alternative drive-train we choose must deliver an authentic Rolls-Royce experience. It must be a technology that is right for our customers, our brand and which sets us on a sound footing for a sustainable future. That is why this project is so important.” – CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars proudly presents 102EX, a car that represents one of the most significant initiatives taken by the company in recent years. It is the world’s first battery electric vehicle for the ultra-luxury segment and continues a tradition of experimental cars running through the model generations.

Rolls-Royce produces cars that represent the pinnacle in luxurious motoring for the world’s most discerning customers. However, the company also recognises the need to look to the future and to plan for long-term sustainable growth. An investigation into alternative drive-train options is an important step in that process.

With 102EX, also to be known as the Phantom Experimental Electric (EE), it is the company’s intention to carefully test the opinions and reactions to alternative drive-train options of a range of stakeholders including owners, enthusiasts, members of the public and the media.

Throughout 2011 Phantom EE will serve as a working test bed, giving owners, VIPs, the media and enthusiasts the opportunity to experience an established alternative drive-train technology and to feed back their experiences, thoughts and concerns directly.

The bank of research gathered from a global drive programme that will include Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America will be crucial to decisions affecting alternative drive-trains for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

There are no plans to build a production version of this car. Phantom EE’s role is as a test bed, designed to explore established BEV technologies, to pose as well as to answer questions.

Can Phantom EE deliver an acceptable range for customers without frequent re-charging? Is there confidence in its ability to operate in extreme conditions? Will reliability and quality be consistent with expectations of the world’s pinnacle automotive brand?

Phantom EE also poses more fundamental questions: Is an all-electric drive-train able to deliver an authentic Rolls-Royce experience for customers, an experience that truly befits the marque?

Whether all-electric or another alternative drive-train option is right for Rolls-Royce will become clearer when the test programme is complete at the end of the year.

102EX – PHANTOM EXPERIMENTAL ELECTRIC (EE)

Reinvention is part of being timeless and Phantom EE is the latest in a line of experimental vehicles from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. It builds on a legacy which dates back to 1919 and 1EX.

Experimental models are used to test and evaluate new technologies and applications which could shape future Rolls-Royce products. Unlike a concept car, Rolls-Royce experimental models are always fully functioning, drivable vehicles using tangible materials such as wood, leather and metals rather than clay and foam or other concepts.

They present engineers and designers with the opportunity for real-world innovation and are used not only to showcase new components and engineering techniques but also to evaluate them.

The latest in this line of experimental projects began with a Rolls-Royce Phantom, a strikingly modern and immaculately proportioned car in which high technology and hand-craftsmanship combine to produce something extraordinary.

Phantom EE features the car’s ground-breaking aluminium spaceframe, so important to dynamic prowess, as well as the sense of calm and tranquillity enjoyed by occupants. However, the naturally aspirated 6.75-litre V12 petrol engine and 6-speed gearbox have been replaced by a lithium ion battery pack and two electric motors mounted on the rear sub-frame. These motors are connected to a single speed transmission with integrated differential.

Each motor is power rated to 145kW, giving Phantom EE a maximum power output of 290kW and torque of 800Nm available over a wide band. This compares with 338kW for standard Phantom with maximum torque of 720Nm, delivered at 3,500rpm.

The Nickel Cobalt Manganese battery chemistry holds around 230Wh/kg, a high energy density which is important in achieving an acceptable range between re-charges. Pre-launch tests suggests Phantom EE should run to a range of up to 200km. Delivered on an effortless wave of torque, 0-60mph will be achieved in under eight seconds (5.7 seconds in standard Phantom), with top speed limited to 160kph.

This is the first application of the technology in a GKL++ segment (super luxury vehicles priced at more than €200,000) and the battery pack is thought to be the largest ever fitted to a road car.

Evaluation of technology is an important part of the test programme. However, more fundamentally the car will seek answers to questions posed of Rolls-Royce owners: what their needs might be for the future considering factors such as range, performance and re-charging infrastructure.



It will help inform a decision on whether all-electric, or another alternative drive-train technology, will be most appropriate for the world’s best cars of the future.

DESIGN

“It’s a credible design concept that perfectly complements the experimental nature of the car, exploring options in light, space and use of materials. Had we changed the overall aesthetic, the concept would have lost credibility; our audience would assume it was simply a styling exercise. The reality is that this is an experimental vehicle in its truest sense, challenging perceptions, emotions and values - as well as exploring alternative drive-train technology.” – Ian Cameron, Chief Designer Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

102EX bears the famous hallmarks of the Rolls-Royce Phantom on which it is based, such as hand craftsmanship, fine detailing and iconic design cues like the pantheon grille and the Spirit of Ecstasy which celebrates its centenary in 2011. However, at the core of its design is the essence of an experimental vehicle, establishing this car’s status as a test bed, while subtly alluding to its electric power plant.

The design creates a different aesthetic, experimenting with interior space and materials, as well as trims and illumination. These are framed around functional considerations for a battery electric Rolls-Royce - how the car is likely to be used and the changes that the technology brings in terms of interior space and exterior detailing. Naturally, these changes are executed in a way that affirms the car’s credentials as a Rolls-Royce.

ATLANTIC CHROME EXTERIOR

Our designers were challenged with creating a finish for Phantom EE which immediately signified a special car, distinguishing it from standard Phantom models in the absence of many overt design changes. Not an easy task, since all Phantom models are special – with customers benefitting from a range of bespoke paint options running to some 45,000 colours.

Extensive research however had revealed a highly reflective paint using ceramic nano particles. Under a microscope these mimic the impression of a silver metal, but are between 8,000 and 80,000 times smaller than the thickness of a hair or 1,000 times smaller than the size of a normal metallic paint particle.

Test parts were produced and the design team were impressed with the results, knowing that the larger the object covered the better it would look. But they were under no illusions as to the task ahead.

In all sixteen coats of paint were needed, of which four were Atlantic Chrome, and many hours of time dedicated to ensuring a perfect end result. The finish is a striking one. Phantom EE commands the stage, with taut almost chiselled lines giving a wet impression to the car. This only grows in character as light conditions change.

ILLUMINATED SPIRIT OF ECSTASY

As well as the launch of 102EX, 2011 marks another milestone in the history of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. On 6 February 1911, the design for Charles Sykes’ Spirit of Ecstasy was first registered, signalling the start of a 100 year period in which this famous icon has adorned the prow of Rolls-Royce cars, from the famous Silver Ghosts, Clouds and Shadows of the 20th Century to today’s hand-built Phantom and Ghost models.

Phantom EE’s Spirit of Ecstasy, sits atop the radiator grille above the red double-R badge applied to EX models. Made of Makrolon, rather than stainless steel, it will be bathed in blue LED light, hinting at the electric technology beneath the bonnet. where Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will expand the debate on the question of electric luxury to the online community, taking views from enthusiasts, media and members of the public.

INTERIOR DETAILING

Atlantic chrome-finished dashboard dials echo the exterior colour, providing a sense of interior-exterior balance and their analogue displays maintain the timeless architecture that every Phantom interior commands.

Other changes hint at further evolutionary designs applied to the car. For example, some dials have been subtly modified to provide information needed by the driver of an electric vehicle. The fuel gauge in particular has been replaced by an elegant battery charge indicator.

One of the most pleasing features of every Rolls-Royce Phantom interior is the power reserve dial located beside the speedometer. This reveals how much of the V12 engine’s power remains at a driver’s disposal. Phantom EE takes this concept a step further.

It features a regeneration symbol which takes the dial beyond the normal 100% line of standard Phantom. Depending on the momentum gathered, it conveys the degree of re-charge taking place as the vehicle is in motion.

EXTERIOR RE-CHARGING POINT

Re-charging is undertaken with a plug and five-pin socket which takes the place of the normal fuel filling mechanism for Phantom. The standard fuel filler cap has been replaced by a design featuring a clear window, displaying the RR logo and 102EX motif. The window frames rear-mounted, tricolour LEDs which present the car’s charging status.

On start up, the socket is bathed in blue light. This begins to flash as charging commences. When completely charged, the display turns green, then flashing green as the solenoid is disengaged. A potential fault in the system is indicated by either constant or flashing red light.

Charging can be halted via a switch located adjacent to the plug. The process can also be operated inside the vehicle using controls accessed beneath the centre console, for example when induction charging is taking place.

CENTRE CONSOLE DETAIL

A key identifier for Phantom EE is the design of the centre console charging and display, sited below the central arm rest. A simple switch is used to start and halt charging, while the display itself features a bright plate with an image of a battery, lit by LEDs.

Reflecting the lights applied to the exterior charging point, this image changes colour according to the charge status of the car. A blue-lit battery shows the vehicle is on standard charge, while pulsating blue indicates that inductive charging is taking place. Green indicates a fully charged battery while red notifies engineers of a potential fault in the system.

CORINOVA LEATHER

“At Rolls-Royce we pride ourselves in producing an authentic and natural product for customers, the quality of which is second to none. Seton Corinova is an experimental vegetable-tanned leather that allows us to celebrate more of the curves, creases and other features that are part and parcel of the life of the animal. It’s a more sympathetic process that stretches our understanding of Rolls-Royce interior expectations. Owners’ reactions will prove fascinating during the tour.” – Andrew Monachan, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars General Manager, Leathershop.

Interior wood veneers present Phantom owners with unique grains, patterns and detail adding weight to the fact that every model leaving Goodwood is as unique as the finger print of its owner. Phantom EE takes this concept a step further.

Its leather interior is derived from a natural vegetable tanning process christened Corinova. This gives life to the car, adding definition to the seats, floor and arm rests.

Most leather produced for automotive applications is chrome tanned. This is an important constituent that helps to stabilise animal hides and transfer collagen into leather fibres. The barrel-dyeing process used to colour Phantom interior leathers gives a rich, uniform pigmentation while maintaining the natural feel and softness.

An experimental leather, Corinova distinguishes itself by being entirely chrome free. It starts with a preparation of Glutardialehyde to prepare for tanning. Chestnut extract, sustainably sourced from Southern Europe and Tara powder from crushed fruit of the Tara bush in South America are used for drum-spun colouring. Fruits are harvested without damage to the plant and the product is finished with a combination of natural binders and high tech polymers.

The process lends itself only to certain earthy colours – in the case of Phantom EE a chestnut colour for seat covers and Quebracho Brown for other areas such as the floor and trunk lining, both of which are made of durable saddle leather.

As well as aesthetic differences, Corinova leather presents a number of practical benefits. It uses less paint finish than in standard chrome-tanned leather and creates less waste. It negates the use of petrol-refined products and with further development, it may be possible to use recycled Corinova leather in agriculture to aerate soil.

Rolls-Royce fully expects perceptions to be challenged and first impressions will no doubt focus on appearance, as features that define the life of the animal are more clearly visible in areas like seats and armrests than in production Phantom interiors. A change from the sumptuous finish applied to Phantom leather may imply a compromise to some owners, but others may welcome distinguishing features that stretch individualisation for Rolls-Royce Phantom models ever further.

As well as gauging owner feedback, the leather will be tested for its durability and performance after several months on tour.

INTERIOR PANELS

The interior of Phantom EE represents a departure from the traditional wood sets that define the majority of cars delivered to customers, providing a unique finish to the car. It features a distinctive aluminised foil weave that lifts the environment of the interior, contrasting sharply with the darker natural leather within. As is the case with Corinova leather, the aim is to challenge traditional perceptions of what might constitute a Rolls-Royce interior design scheme.

BATTERY PACK

Phantom EE is thought to have the largest passenger car battery in the world. Peak current is 850A, delivered at 338V DC. Overall capacity is 71kWh.

The pack is comprised of large-format NCM pouch cells. NCM (Lithium-Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese-Oxide) is a variant of lithium-ion chemistry that has particularly high energy and power densities.

The Phantom EE battery pack houses five modules of cells, a 38-cell module, a 36-cell module, and three smaller ones of ten, eight and four arranged in various orientations within an irregular shaped unit. This resembles the overall shape of the original engine and gearbox.

Each of the 96 cells was individually tested before assembly into modules to determine their characteristics and capacity. Sub-assemblies were further tested under load to verify that the power connections between each cell perform to specification.

The electronic sensing units for each group of cells were tested and calibrated prior to assembly and put through a rigorous temperature cycling regime designed to provoke failure of weak components. The main electronic box, which contains the switching and control gear, was tested in isolation from the other components to verify correct operation.

Three separate charger units (3kW each) are fitted to the battery, which allow both single-phase (20 hours) or three-phase charging (8 hours); for a passenger car this is unique. A fourth induction charger is also fitted to enable wireless charging, a technology being trialled in Phantom EE.

The battery pack would be expected to last over three years were it to be used every day. Part of the programme however will be to test this assumption in a real world environment and deliver a more robust answer to the question of battery lifespan.

INDUCTION CHARGING

Concerns about lack of available re-charging infrastructure in towns and cities are well documented and critics of electric motoring point to the additional inconvenience of trailing cables connected between power source and vehicles.

To present Rolls-Royce owners with a vision of a potential solution to these problems, Phantom EE is testing a technology called induction charging. This allows re-charging to take place without any physical connection, delivering greater convenience for owners and hinting at the potential for a network of remote charging facilities.

There are two main elements to induction charging; a transfer pad on the ground that delivers power from a mains source and an induction pad mounted under the car, beneath Phantom EE’s battery pack. Power frequencies are magnetically coupled across these power transfer pads.

The system is around 90 percent efficient when measured from mains supply to battery and it is tolerant to parking misalignment. For example, it is not essential to align the transmitter and Phantom receiver pads exactly for charging to take place. While pads are capable of transmitting power over gaps of up to 400mm, for Phantom EE the separation is in the region of 150mm.

The coupling circuits are tuned through the addi­tion of compensation capacitors. Pick-up coils in the receiver pad are magnetically coupled to the primary coil. Power transfer is achieved by tuning the pick-up coil to the operating frequency of the primary coil with a series or parallel capacitor.

The pick-up controller is an essential part of the technology because it takes power from the receiver pad and provides a controlled output to batteries. It is required to provide an output that remains independent of the load and the separation between pads. Without a controller, the voltage would rise as the gap decreases and fall as the load current increases.

The transmitter pad has been constructed to shield magnetic fields to prevent EMI egress o bystanders and the system operates well within internationally agreed limits.

ELECTRIC CARS AND THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF ROLLS-ROYCE

Charles Rolls, Henry Royce and Claude Johnson played their part in an electrical revolution that pre-empted the establishment of internal combustion as the dominant car engine technology.

Henry Royce had developed a career as an accomplished electrical engineer before turning his expert hands to car manufacturing.

His business F.H. Royce and Co, which began selling simple lights and bell sets in the 1890s, became prosperous through the design and delivery of dynamos, electric motors and industrial cranes. Royce’s many innovations include the patent for the bayonet bulb holder, a design that endures today.

One of Royce’s clients was Pritchett and Gold, a company based in Feltham in Middlesex. As well as manufacturing accumulators they had developed a two-seater electric car, at least one of which was powered by a Royce electric motor.

The Honourable Charles Rolls also toyed with electric motoring in the years before the two men met. He had negotiated for the selling rights of an electric brougham, through C.S Rolls and Co, in Conduit Street, London which latterly established exclusive rights to sell Rolls-Royce models.

It is likely that this car was part of the City and Suburban Electric Car Project, a joint venture of two men, Paris Singer and one Claude Johnson. The project had a short life and Johnson left to join the rapidly expanding business of Rolls, latterly taking the role of managing director of Rolls-Royce. He became known as ‘the hyphen in Rolls-Royce’, with a pivotal role in its success.

Charles Rolls was on record outlining the merits of electric drive-trains - as well as raising prescient concerns about range and re-charging. He regarded a model called the Columbia as the best of its type, commenting in Automobile Journal:

“They are perfectly noiseless and clean. There is no smell or vibration and they should become very useful for town use when fixed charging stations can be arranged. But for country use I do not anticipate they will be very serviceable – at least not for many years to come.”

Later, when the first exports of petrol powered Rolls-Royce models were made to America, some authorities refused to believe they were not electrically powered, thanks to their legendary near-silent running.

In the 21st Century silence remains a key signature for Rolls-Royce cars. Other attributes of all-electric drive-trains also allude to famous Rolls-Royce characteristics. Power at low speeds is one example.

Thanks to improvements in battery technology, it may be that the serviceability to which Rolls referred more than a century ago is now sufficiently developed to re-visit all-electric motoring as an option.

And to pose a 21st Century question of customers, enthusiasts and the media:

Electric luxury – can it be perfection or does it present an unacceptable compromise for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars?
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

No of doors/seats 4 / 5 (optionally 4)

Vehicle length 5840 mm / 229.9 in

Vehicle width 1990 mm / 78.3 in

Vehicle height (unladen) 1638 mm / 64.5 in

Wheelbase 3570 mm / 140.6 in

Turning circle 13.8 m / 45.3 ft

Track, front 1687 mm / 66.4 in

Track, rear 1671 mm / 65.8 in

Width at shoulder height, front 1509 mm / 59.4 in

Width at shoulder height, rear 1431 mm / 56.3 in

Leg room, front 1028 mm / 40.5 in

Leg room, rear 1109 mm / 43.7 in

Head room, front 1051 mm / 41.4 in

Head room, rear 979 mm / 38.5 in

Boot volume (DIN) 460 ltr / 16.2 cu ft

Unladen weight (DIN) 2,720 kg

Gross vehicle weight 3,030 kg

Payload 300 kg

Axle load limit, front 1,473 kg

Axle load limit, rear 1,548 kg

Maximum power output 290 kW

Torque 800 Nm

Battery:

Chemistry NCM (Lithium-Nickel-Cobalt-Manganese-Oxide) li-ion

Number of cells 96 in pouch design

Capacity 71kWh

Battery pack weight 640 kg

Peak current 330 kW at 850 Amps

Charge time (est) 20 hours single phase / 8 hours three-phase

Transmission type Single speed 6:5:1 with integral differential

Steering type EHPS Rack and pinion, speed-sensitive

variable-rate power assistance

Brakes

Front / diameter Ventilated disc / 374 mm / 14.7 in

Rear / diameter Ventilated disc / 370 mm / 14.6 in

Drag Cd 0.37

Drag Cd x A 1.041m2 / 11.2 ft2

Top speed 160 kph (governed)

Acceleration 0-60 mph Under 8 seconds

CO2 emissions Nil

Tyre, front Goodyear EMT 255/50 R21 106W

Tyre, rear Goodyear EMT 285/45 R21 109W

Wheels (21 in alloy)

Wheel size, front 8 in x 21 in

Wheel size, rear 9.5 in x 21 in

12V Battery capacity / installed position 90+70 Ah / boot
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MINI Rocketman Concept 2011

MINI Rocketman Concept, a compact and agile three-door car, was unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show 2011. The innovative door and tailgate concept developed for the MINI Rocketman Concept ensures extremely comfortable entry and uncomplicated loading, while side sills integrated into the doors allow the entry area to reach well into the interior. The two-part tailgate consists of one section which is attached to the roof and opens extremely high and a lower section which extends out of the body in the form of a drawer. Check it out after the jump.






MINI Rocketman Concept 2011

With its unmistakable brand identity, clear commitment to driving fun combined with exceptional efficiency, and unquenchable creativity in the development of groundbreaking vehicle concepts, MINI has secured its position as a pioneering one-off among premium small car makers into 2011. At the 81st International Geneva Motor Show 2011, the British brand is presenting not only the most diverse model line-up in its history, a further expanded range of engines and new, stylish personalisation options, but also another fascinating response to the challenges of urban mobility in the 21st century. The MINI Rocketman Concept fuses traditional values with innovative technology to redefine the brand’s core principle of the creative use of space. The new study car – which boasts a unique space utilisation concept. is a 3+1-seater with 3 doors and an exterior length of 3.3 metres (10 ft. 11 in.), and is due to be unveiled to the global public on 3 March 2011 – delivers an exciting promise of personalised driving fun in major urban areas.

Increasing variety in the implementation of hallmark MINI features also defines the current range of series-produced cars that will be presented to the public at the International Geneva Motor Show up to 13 March 2011. A few months ago the MINI family swelled to include the MINI Countryman, and the successful launch of the brand’s fourth model leaves it ideally placed to
build on the record sales year of 2010 and continue the brand’s worldwide success with unbridled vigour. The MINI Countryman demonstrates in impressive style how a distinctive type of driving fun can be opened up to new target groups through an innovative vehicle concept. MINI has also given its line-up of drive systems a further shot in the arm with the addition of a new contender. The third and most powerful diesel powerplant in the brand’s engine range will be available for the MINI, MINI Clubman, MINI Convertible and MINI Countryman from spring 2011. The 2.0-litre turbodiesel unit develops 105 kW/143 hp and combines proven fuel economy with an extra dose of brio.

Adding particular emphasis to the racing-oriented driving pleasure of the MINI is the new John Cooper Works Pack, which will be available for the MINI and MINI Convertible from the second quarter of 2011. This new option includes model-specific components for the interior and exterior of the cars, giving drivers an even more focused experience of the MINI’s addictive handling. Also new are the items of optional equipment from the MINI Yours product range. Unveiled for the first time at the International Geneva Motor Show 2011, these exterior and interior design options see MINI building further on its leading position in the area of personalised vehicle configurations. MINI Yours comprises a range of extremely exclusive equipment details tailored precisely to the brand’s unmistakable style. One highlight at the launch of MINI Yours is the world premiere of the MINI Clubman Hampton. This special-edition model embodies the exclusive MINI Yours personalisation concept in particularly concentrated form.

MINI Rocketman Concept: urban driving fun in a new format.

The world premiere of the MINI Rocketman Concept introduces visitors at the International Geneva Motor Show 2011 to new ways of sampling urban driving fun in its cutting-edge form. The study car’s characteristics are geared to the multilayered demands of a contemporary target group, whose mobility needs are shaped by their desire for driving fun, a flexible use of space and extensive connectivity with their lives outside the car. The creativity of the MINI design team once again allows them to transfer fundamental MINI features and values to a groundbreaking new vehicle concept in untarnished form.

The MINI Rocketman Concept is a compact and agile three-door car which offers comfortable accommodation for the driver, front passenger and another passenger, and can add a fourth individual seat in the rear if necessary. The capacity of the luggage compartment can be adapted to the passengers’ requirements just as flexibly. The innovative door and tailgate concept developed for the MINI Rocketman Concept ensures extremely comfortable entry and uncomplicated loading, while side sills integrated into the doors allow the entry area to reach well into the interior. The two-part tailgate consists of one section which is attached to the roof and opens extremely high and a lower section which extends out of the body in the form of a drawer.

The MINI Rocketman Concept body is shaped by an avant-garde interpretation of time-honoured brand features. Innovative construction techniques allow the principle used in the classic Mini – of providing the maximum amount of room on the smallest possible footprint – to be carried over to the mobility challenges of urban areas in the 21st century. The hallmark MINI design language exudes a powerful and dynamic allure, its proportions and distinctive design features ensuring that it is immediately recognisable as a member of the brand family. Large headlights and the chrome-bordered radiator grille dominate the front end, while large wheels and the three-level structural split of body, “wraparound” greenhouse and roof resting on top give the flanks the same appearance as the MINI models already in series production. The rear lights of the MINI Rocketman Concept have a trapezoidal stirrup design, while the transparent glass roof is segmented by illuminated braces to recreate the look of Britain’s Union Jack flag.

The innovative character of the study is defined by the systematic application of lightweight design principles and a pure-bred interior geared to maximum driving fun. A carbon spaceframe construction, whose striking surface structure is visible from the outside both on the radiator grille and in the interior, forms the basis for a weight-minimising construction. Inside the car, leather covers and high-gloss painted surfaces combine with armrests and trim strips made from a special paper that has been pressed and folded into the desired structure. A wrap-around light strip at waistline height generates a particularly harmonious ambience.

The control concept for the MINI Rocketman Concept also sees the brand exploring new directions. The customary Centre Speedo houses a projection surface boasting 3D graphics presentation capability. This allows information particularly relevant to the driving situation to be displayed in the foreground. The display is operated using both the steering wheel buttons and the integrated trackball. In addition, the MINI Rocketman Concept also has a removable control element for all comfort and connectivity-related functions. This can be configured on a computer before the start of a journey, allowing the driver to transfer new music files, a navigation destination and contact details for mobile communications and internet usage into the vehicle with maximum convenience.

MINI Cooper SD: action man, economy king.

MINI is presenting another new engine variant for its current model range at the International Geneva Motor Show 2011. The latest power unit showcases a new take on the brand’s traditional interplay of driving fun and efficiency. Developed for the MINI Cooper SD, MINI Cooper SD Clubman,
MINI Cooper SD Convertible and MINI Cooper SD Countryman, the 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine develops 105 kW/143 hp and peak torque of 305 Newton metres (225 lb-ft). The increased pulling power of the most brawny of the now three-strong MINI diesel engine line-up enables the MINI Cooper SD to cover the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.1 seconds. The new model variant also continues in the impressively frugal vein of its stablemates with fuel consumption of 4.3 litres per 100 kilometres (65.7 mpg imp) in the EU test cycle, accompanied by CO2 emissions of 114 grams per kilometre.

The engine also expresses its sporting credentials in the form of a resoundingly sonorous soundtrack when the driver pushes on into higher rev bands. In addition, the MINI Cooper SD can be identified by a selection of eye-catching design features: the large air intake, the air scoop on the bonnet, twin tailpipes positioned in the centre of the rear apron and a roof spoiler strike stylistic parallels with the most powerful petrol variant in the range, the
MINI Cooper S.

The number of MINI models available with a six-speed automatic gearbox will also be extended from spring 2011. Customers will be able to specify this gearbox as an option for all models powered by the new diesel engine (available from the launch of the new variant). And the automatic will now also be available for the MINI Cooper D, MINI Cooper D Clubman, MINI Cooper D Convertible and MINI Cooper D Countryman.

Developed with racing expertise: the John Cooper Works Pack.

The John Cooper Works Pack will be presented at the International Geneva Motor Show 2011 as an additional option for racing enthusiasts. It is due to be available for the MINI and MINI Convertible from the second quarter of 2011 and includes model-specific components for the interior and exterior.

An aerodynamics package, 17-inch light-alloy wheels and the addition of the traction mode DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) to the driving stability system DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) give the outstanding handling characteristics of both models an even more focused quality. Meanwhile, features such as the John Cooper Works sports leather steering wheel and John Cooper Works door entry strips lend the interior a more finely honed sporting edge.

MINI Yours: the exclusive route to personalisation.

The Geneva show also sees MINI launching a distinctive new range of options. The MINI Yours products introduce customers to extremely exclusive ways of configuring their MINI to both their personal preferences and the distinctive style of the brand. These exterior and interior design options faithfully reflect the heritage of the brand and highlight the designers’ appreciation of premium quality and eye for creative ideas.

Among the features of MINI Yours are unusual paint finishes, upholstery variants and interior colours, stylishly compiled equipment packages and limited-run special-edition models. To mark the world premiere of MINI Yours, an exclusive special-edition version of the MINI Clubman encapsulates the character of the new product range. The MINI Clubman Hampton stands out with its innovative colour and materials concept and top-quality specification. Its special features include the newly developed Reef Blue paint finish, exclusive light-alloy wheels and specifically designed seats in Lounge Leather upholstery. Inspired by a southwest London suburb, the MINI Clubman Hampton picks up on the tradition established by the success of earlier special-edition models like the MINI Park Lane, MINI Checkmate and MINI Convertible Sidewalk.

With the MINI, MINI Clubman, MINI Convertible and MINI Countryman, the extended range of engines, and the addition of the MINI Yours and new
John Cooper Works products to the options list, the International Geneva Motor Show 2011 sees MINI presenting its most diverse range of options yet for driving fun tailored precisely to individual needs and preferences. Petrol engines with four different outputs and a spread of three diesel units are now available for the MINI alone. Added to which, the successfully introduced
MINI Countryman now also combines the brand’s characteristic go-kart feeling with ALL4 all-wheel drive.

Regardless of the model, engine and equipment specified by individual owners, every MINI displays the brand’s hallmark characteristics based on both traditional values and cutting-edge attributes. As the first and still only manufacturer of independently developed premium small cars, MINI uses a unique blend of expressive design, advanced technology, efficiency and quality to meet the demands of personal mobility in urban areas and beyond. Its outstanding creativity and innovative power, furthermore, give the brand the perfect platform to achieve sustained success with new yet typically MINI vehicle concepts developed for active and lifestyle-oriented target groups.
2. At a glance

* World premiere: the MINI Rocketman Concept.

Compact on the outside, but big on the inside, the “creative use of space” principle so beloved of the MINI brand enters a new dimension with the MINI Rocketman Concept. As a 3+1-seater with a vehicle length of little more than three metres (approx. 10 ft.) the concept study presented at the International Geneva Motor Show 2011 offers new and innovative ways of generating maximum interior versatility within the smallest possible exterior dimensions – and offering unbeatable driving fun in the process.
The MINI Rocketman Concept implements the traditional principles of the classic Mini through the application of innovative ideas.
The MINI Rocketman Concept captures the imagination as a vision of urban mobility in the future through features such as its innovative seating and door concept, groundbreaking technologies for connecting its occupants with the outside world, and the lightweight structure of its body. The design of the study applies a new interpretation of the characteristic MINI design language to make both its identity as a MINI family member and its innovative power immediately clear.

* World premiere: the MINI Cooper SD.

The introduction of the MINI Cooper SD in spring 2011 will give the brand’s model range its third and most powerful diesel variant yet. The latest addition to the line-up is a 2.0-litre engine developing 105 kW/143 hp and peak torque of 305 Newton metres (225 lb-ft), and will give the MINI,
MINI Clubman, MINI Convertible and MINI Countryman even stronger power development combined with exceptionally low fuel consumption. The MINI Cooper SD sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 8.1 seconds and, fitted as standard with MINIMALISM technology, achieves average fuel consumption of 4.3 litres per 100 km / 65.7 mpg imp (CO2 emissions: 114 g/km) in the EU test cycle. The sporting character of the most powerful diesel variant in the range is also easily identifiable from the outside, with a large air intake, striking air scoop on the bonnet, roof spoiler and twin exhaust tailpipes delivering a clear message.

* World premiere: John Cooper Works Pack for the MINI
and MINI Convertible.

Customers seeking new ways of further enhancing the brand’s hallmark driving fun and giving visual expression to their enthusiasm for motor sport need look no further than the John Cooper Works Pack developed for the MINI and MINI Convertible. Among the features of this new factory-fit option are an aerodynamics package, 17-inch light-alloy wheels and special interior design details. Plus, the traction mode DTC (Dynamic Traction Control) is added to the standard-fitted stability system DSC (Dynamic Stability Control), as is EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control) – the electronically controlled locking function for the driven axle differential.
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