Filed under: Concept Cars, Hatchback, Skoda, Racing

If you thought the Volkswagen Group was about to wind down the endless stream of concept cars based on the new Up! city car, think again. Because not only is the Volkswagen brand itself keeping the train a-moving, so are its sister brands.

Skoda has its own version of the Up called the Citigo. But what racing fans know the Czech subsidiary for best is its rally program that has become a dominant force in the Intercontinental Rally Challenge and the basis for VW’s own foray into the World Rally Championship. Now Skoda is bringing the two together with an exciting concept car previewed by the rendering above and confirmed in the press release below.

Following in the footsteps of the tantalizing Fabia roadster unveiled last year, the Citigo Rally concept is to be the centerpiece of the Skoda display at the Volkswagen Group’s annual hot-hatch gathering at Lake Wörthersee in Austria. Details are scarce, but the show car will feature rally-inspired bodywork complete with 18-inch white alloys packed into aggressively flared wheel arches, a substantial rear wing and vents aplenty.

It will be joined by a second Citigo converted into a mobile DJ booth with a 100,000-watt sound system that will be scoring the Skoda booth at Wörthersee, but our eyes will be on the rally concept.

Continue reading Skoda racing Up! to Worthersee with Citigo Rally concept

Skoda racing Up! to Worthersee with Citigo Rally concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 May 2012 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We’ve seen the Polaroid GL10 mobile instant printer before. The printer surfaced back during CES. At the time, the printer was designed print via USB or wirelessly over Bluetooth. It uses second-generation smudge free printing technology to make 3 x 4-inch prints. Polaroid is now showing off the new Apple compatible version of the GL10 at CTIA as a concept device.

The printer concept works with all Apple compatible devices and has the same small size and design as the printer we saw at the beginning of the year. It also prints 3×4-inch photos in less than a minute that are smudge proof. The printer weighs 15-ounces and is powered by lithium-ion battery.

The new concept version uses the same Zink zero ink printing technology. That printer tech uses no ink inside and instead uses a paper with cyan, yellow, and magenta dye crystals embedded inside. This is very much like an advanced version of the old Polaroid cameras we had back in the 80s.

Polaroid shows off Apple compatible GL10 mobile printer concept is written by Shane McGlaun & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Volkswagen, Beijing Motor Show, Electric

Back in January at the Detroit Auto Show, Volkswagen unveiled a concept car called the E-Bugster. A chopped-down, electric-powered Beetle roadster, the E-Bugster cut a lean, mean, green profile. The only thing that was missing, ironically, was a chance to see the convertible with its top off.

If you’re going to make a roadster, at least have the courtesy of showing it off with the roof down, right? Fortunately, Volkswagen has fixed that in time for the concept’s Asian premier at the Beijing Motor Show, revealing a cowled rear deck replacing the rear seats inside the chrome bezel surrounding the cabin.

Aside from the open cockpit, the E-Bugster you see here is the same as the Detroit car, complete with its 114-horsepower electric powertrain that can take you up to 100 miles and quick-charge to 80-percent capacity in just half an hour. Scope it out with its hair down in the gallery above and with it up in the gallery below.

Continue reading Volkswagen E-Bugster concept lowers its lid in Beijing

Volkswagen E-Bugster concept lowers its lid in Beijing originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, China, Hatchback, Honda, Beijing Motor Show, Design/Style

Honda has used the 2012 Beijing Motor Show to launch two new concept cars that it says “show the direction of mass-production models Honda will introduce to the market next year.”

First up is the imaginatively named Concept C. According to the automaker, ‘C’ stands for “Cool, “Challenge” and “China.” As much as we wish we were making that up, we aren’t. The car itself, though, looks pretty bold, with striking character lines down each side and a fascia that would look right at home on the next Battlestar Gallactica spinoff. We’re curious to see how much of the C’s conceptual styling makes it into production when a mass-market version hits the Chinese market in 2013 – if it were toned down just a bit, we think Honda could do worse than inject some of this boldness in its American lineup, though some might suggest the grille has overtones of the controversial styling decisions seen at Acura.

Moving along, we have the Concept S, which supposedly stands for “Stylish,” “Smart” and “Surprise.” Like the Concept C, Honda says Concept S will spawn a production model that will debut in China in 2013, with global sales following thereafter. Honda isn’t saying exactly what is powering the S other than mentioning it’s a hybrid.

Scroll down below for the complete press blast from Honda, but not before perusing our two high-res image galleries of the Concept C and Concept S.

Continue reading Honda surprises with wild Concept C and Concept S showcars in China

Honda surprises with wild Concept C and Concept S showcars in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, China, Specialty

The Nuccio concept, showed off by Bertone as a rolling model at the Geneva Motor Show and then as a road-ready car at the Beijing Motor Show is in talks to be sold. An update on the Lancia Stratos Zero concept from the seventies and powered by a 4.3-liter Ferrari V8 with 480 horsepower, the Nuccio was a 15,000-hour exercise in what the company’s historical language could look like today.

A Chinese collector was so taken with it that, according to a report in Automtive News, he is in discussions with Bertone to drop €2 million ($2.7 million) to take it home. If the deal is closed, he won’t get to take it home until after Pebble Beach weekend, where Bertone plans to again display the Nuccio.

Bertone may sell Nuccio Concept to collector for $2.65M originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Apr 2012 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Sedan, China, Technology, Audi, Beijing Motor Show, Design/Style, Electric, Luxury

Audi has finally spread its plug-in hybrid technology to the A6 L. The German automaker unveiled the A6 L e-Tron technology study on Monday at the 2012 Beijing Motor Show, complete with an all-electric driving range of nearly 50 miles at 37 mph. Liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries power the 95-horsepower electric motor, though a 211-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder can step in at any time for more acceleration or additional range. The A6 L e-tron can operate in fully-electric, hybrid or gasoline mode as needed. While the A6 L e-tron concept is technically an engineering study at the moment, Audi does admit the sedan could indicate what a Chinese-built A6 hybrid could look like in the future.

The cabin offers buyers the same level of space and comfort as the internal-combustion A6 L, though a new instrument panel and vehicle information display conveys data on battery charge status, range and available drive system power. Audi’s engineers have have also specifically calibrated the sedan’s MMI touch system to recognize 29,000 Chinese characters, which we can only imagine was no mean feat. Scroll below for the full press release.

Continue reading Audi tries hand at luxury PHEVs with A6 L e-tron concept

Audi tries hand at luxury PHEVs with A6 L e-tron concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, China, Chrysler, Beijing Motor Show, Design/Style, Luxury

Considering the rate at which the Chinese market gobbles up Buick models, you’d think it would be a prime market for Chrysler. Yet the House of the 300 wasn’t present in China at all in recent years, as the brand has just announced at the Beijing Motor Show its return to the Chinese market.

In the coming months, it will begin selling both the 300C and the Grand Voyager, and to mark the occasion it has presented a special design concept of its top-of-the-line sedan. Much like sister-brand Jeep adopted the dragon symbol for its special-edition Wrangler, the Chrysler brand went with the Ruyi – a scepter-like object symbolizing prosperity and good fortune – for its 300 show car.

The design concept is distinguished by unique ten-spoke 22-inch wheels, dark chrome trim to complement the black paint and tone-on-tone “speed stripe,” aero kit, custom grille, tinted glass and special badging. Meanwhile the interior is done up in a variety of metal finishes, with French-stitched beige suede and leather upholstery. Check it out in the gallery above and the press release by scrolling below.

Continue reading Chrysler marks return to China with 300 Ruyi design concept

Chrysler marks return to China with 300 Ruyi design concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Sedan, Rolls-Royce, Beijing Motor Show, Luxury

“Stock” is a relative term. Stock cars, for example, like those raced in NASCAR, are anything but showroom stock. And at the opposite end of the spectrum, “stock” is just the starting point when ordering a new Rolls-Royce. The high-end marque offers its customers a virtually endless array of personalization options, and to drive that point, home Rolls-Royce is showcasing the show car seen here at this week’s Beijing Motor Show.

Called the Six Senses concept, this specially equipped Ghost is designed to stimulate each of the five senses – sight, sound, scent, taste and touch – and proffers the singular luxury of a Rolls-Royce as the sixth sense. Sure beats seeing dead people.

The concept is painted in pearlescent Carrara White, with unique forged alloys and an interior decked out in walnut burr veneer, deep-pile lambswool carpeting (even in the trunk), leather headliner with panoramic sunroof, an upgraded sound system and champagne cooler. Check it out in the gallery above and follow the jump for the details in the press release.

Continue reading Rolls-Royce showcases Ghost Six Senses concept in Beijing

Rolls-Royce showcases Ghost Six Senses concept in Beijing originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Apr 2012 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, SUV, Crossover, Maserati, Luxury

Say goodbye to the Maserati Kubang, and say hello to…well, we don’t know what it’ll be called yet, but we’ll be seeing it come January 2014.

According to Automotive News Europe, Maserati will unveil the production version of its SUV – complete with a new name – at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, a little over a year and a half from now. In the meantime, however, the Kubang concept (pictured above) that previews its form will be put into retirement.

This after the concept has made the rounds on the international circuit including the Frankfurt Motor Show (where it was first unveiled back in September), in Dubai (where it was shown to a large portion of its target market), at the Detroit Auto Show (near where it will be built alongside the Jeep Grand Cherokee on which it is based, with engines shipped in from Italy) and at the Beijing Motor Show, where it is currently on display for what is reportedly the last time.

Maserati retiring Kubang concept ahead of production debut at 2014 Detroit show originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Concept Cars, Coupe, Performance, China, Acura, Honda, Beijing Motor Show

Hey look! A red version of the Acura NSX Concept for the Beijing Motor Show. Because it’s China, you know. Get it? Red. As in “Red China.”

And if that doesn’t prove Acura is too clever by half, take a good look at the new photos of the red car in the gallery, then check out our related gallery, which has the first series of official images Acura PR released for the car’s debut in January at Detroit.

If you’re thinking that all that happened here was that someone clicked a few buttons in Photoshop, well… they wouldn’t do that, would they? Well, yes, they probably would, but the NSX is actually on display at Auto China in crimson, too. Nifty.

Acura NSX concept turns red in China originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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