Tata eMO EV in Detroit

Engineering services firm Tata Technologies has been displaying its Electric Mobility Electric Vehicle (or eMO EV for short) at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The project was a participant in the 2012 Michelin Challenge Design programme, which had the theme ‘City 2046: Art, Life and Ingenuity - Transforming Personal Mobility.’



Entrants were asked to develop a vehicle that could carry between two and ten people, giving consideration to what transport infrastructure and needs might be like in the future.



Tata’s solution has been designed to maximise internal space while keeping the exterior dimensions as small as possible. The eMO EV concept - which was engineered with input from teams in India, the United Kingdom, Germany and the United States - is a full four-seat car, although there’s no dedicated luggage compartment.



Drive to the front wheels is via a pair of electric motors that are fed by an 18.4 kW air-cooled, high density / high energy battery pack. Estimated range between recharges is 100 miles (161 km), and the eMO EV is capable of reaching a top speed of 65 mph (105 km/h). Not exactly quick then, but more than enough for congested city centres.



For the time being at least, the eMO EV will remain just a concept as there are no plans to put it into mass production.

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Lincoln MKZ Concept

With Mercury gone, Ford now only needs to concentrate its efforts on one other brand: the somewhat moribund Lincoln.



But it appears that serious work is being put into rebuilding the marque, which is understandable considering that the luxury segment in the United States accounts for over ten per cent of sales. Over the past year or so a dedicated team has been formed, and in 2011 the Lincoln Design Studio opened.



One of the first products of the new facility is the MKZ Concept, which has been unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Lincoln MKZ Concept. Scroll down for more images.

Based on a new mid-size platform that can accommodate front- or all-wheel drive set-ups, the concept hints at a production model that should go on sale later this year.



Its significance shouldn’t be underestimated. As Derrick Kuzak, Ford Motor Company group vice president for Global Product Development, said, “With the Lincoln MKZ Concept, we are not introducing a new car. We are essentially introducing a new brand. The MKZ Concept is the next step in the reinvention of Lincoln, something we’ve been quietly but aggressively pursuing.”



The styling gives a clue to what all future Lincoln vehicles will look like, and is described as ‘elegant simplicity’ by Max Wolff, Lincoln design director. It looks agreeably distinctive, cleverly combining traditional elements such as the split-wing grille with a novel fastback silhouette.



Certain features such as the panoramic glass roof probably won’t make it to production, but at least Lincoln has demonstrated some original thinking. If anything, the MKZ Concept has an almost Gallic air; it could quite easily wear a Citroën or Renault badge.



Although the interior of the concept is only a four-seater, the emphasis is on light and space, something that’s helped by the pale champagne-coloured leather seats. But technology abounds too, and in place of conventional instruments there’s a 10.1” LCD screen directly ahead of the driver.



Doubtless Lincoln will be keen to gauge public reaction to the MKZ Concept, as that should indicate whether its renaissance strategy is likely to succeed or not.

Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid

Choosing the 2012 North American International Auto Show to unveil the Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept is rather apt, given the popularity of SUVs in the United States and reluctance among buyers there to enjoy the fuel-saving benefits of diesel.

Volvo XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept. Scroll down for more images.

A key selling point of the XC60’s petrol hybrid system is that it lets the driver decide how power is delivered, via a choice of three modes.



As the name suggests, Pure mode relies solely upon the 69 bhp (51 kW / 70 PS) electric motor for propulsion. Driving the rear wheels, it’s linked to an under-floor 12 kWh lithium-ion battery pack and offers a range (according to the New European Driving Cycle) of 28 miles (45 kilometres).



That’s a useful distance and, with the plug-in recharging facility, it means the need to run the internal combustion engine could be a rare event. Topping up the battery from flat takes 7.5 hours with a 110V / 12A supply, but if 220V / 12V is available that time is slashed to 3.5 hours.



Hybrid mode, the default setting, concentrates on efficiency. It combines the electric motor with a 276 bhp (205 kW / 280 PS) four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which sends its power to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. With this set-up, NEDC fuel consumption is an impressive 122.8 mpg (2.3 l/100km / 102.2 mpg US), while CO2 emissions are a paltry 53 g/km.



Thirdly, Power mode shifts the focus onto performance. Harnessing the full 345 bhp (256 kW / 350 PS) that’s on offer from the motor and engine - plus an extra 44 bhp (34 kW / 45 PS) from the Integrated Starter and Generator - zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) takes just 6.1 seconds. The ISG replaces the usual starter motor and alternator and, as it’s connected directly to the crankshaft, it can help out under hard acceleration too.



Volvo is saying that the drivetrain technology featured in the XC60 Plug-in Hybrid Concept will come to market in a couple of years, but the model which will receive it first has yet to be confirmed.

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Juke-R performance stats

Shoehorning the suspension and drivetrain from a Nissan GT-R into the Juke crossover always had the potential to produce some spectacular results.



And it seems that that promise has been realised, judging by the performance figures that Nissan has just released for its Juke-R project.

Nissan Juke-R. Scroll down for more images.

A top speed of 160 mph (257 km/h) is more than adequate, if not stunning, but it’s the acceleration that really impresses: zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) is claimed to take just 3.7 seconds.



That time may not beat the donor GT-R, but it is better than the 3.9 seconds of the Porsche 911GT3 RS 4.0, for example.



Such supercar-humbling ability obviously means the Juke-R easily outshines the regular version:

Comparison: Juke 1.6 DIG-T 4WD M-CVT versus Juke-R
	Juke 1.6 DIG-T 4WD M-CVT	Juke-R
Engine	1.6 litre I4 turbo	3.8 litre V6 twin turbo
Max. power	187 bhp (140 kW / 190 PS)	478 bhp (356 kW / 485 PS)
Max. torque	240 Nm (177 lb/ft)	588 Nm (433 lb/ft)
Acceleration 0-100 km/h	8.4 secs	3.7 secs
Top speed	124 mph (200 km/h)	160 mph (257 km/h)
Kerb weight min.	1,425 kg	1,806 kg
Overall length	4,135 mm	4,135 mm
Overall width	1,765 mm	1,910 mm
Overall height	1,575 mm	1,575 mm
Wheelbase	2,530 mm	2,530 mm
Track width (front)	1,525 mm	1,586 mm
Track width (rear)	1,505 mm	1,598 mm
Min. ground clearance	170 mm	115 mm

The Juke-R has been developed in the UK by Nissan in collaboration with Nissan Technical Centre Europe and race team RML. That motorsports influence is clearly evident, too, as the Juke-R features a full FIA-specification roll cage, OMP race seats, 20-inch Rays forged alloy wheels and a substantial rear wing.



Just two examples have been built for now, but sadly the chances of the Juke-R making it into series production seem rather slim.

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Lexus LF-LC concept

Lexus has confirmed that it’ll be unveiling the LF-LC 2+2 sport coupé at the North American International Auto Show, which takes place in Detroit in little over a week’s time.

A product of the firm’s California-based Calty design studio, the concept is meant to explore how future Lexus models could look. Although the start-point was supposedly a clean sheet of paper, there’s no doubt that the overall proportions (as well as some of the styling details) seem to have been heavily influenced by the existing LF-A.



And maybe that’s what the LF-LC concept is actually previewing: a smaller, more affordable LF-A which could be a spiritual successor to the long-defunct Toyota Supra?



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Smart for-us pick-up

Smart has announced the for-us pick-up concept, which will debut at January’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

Longer and wider than the Smart fortwo, the for-us has a 900 mm (35.4 inches) cargo area - not exactly massive, but large enough to transport a pair of Smart ebikes with their front wheels removed.



The pick-up’s drivetrain is borrowed from the fortwo electric drive, which means zero emissions and a 73 bhp (55 kW / 74 PS) motor. That’s claimed to be enough for a top speed of over 75 mph (120 km/h), but there’s no word yet on likely range or recharge times for the 17.6 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

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Subaru BRZ STI Concept

The Subaru BRZ and its Toyota FT-86 twin have been a long time coming, with the first concepts appearing over two years ago.



But now Subaru has confirmed that the production BRZ will, at long last, be unveiled at the Toyota Motor Show in December. However, ahead of the Japanese debut, a BRZ STI Concept will be exhibited at this month’s L.A. Auto Show, and to coincide with that news the first official images have been released.

Despite the ‘Concept’ tag, it’s unlikely that the BRZ due for Los Angeles is going to differ much from the final version. The design is not bad at all, even if that blue paintwork is crying out to be complemented by gold-finished wheels for the traditional Subaru look.



No detailed specifications have been announced, but it is known that power for both the FT-86 and BRZ will be provided by a direct-injection 2.0 litre Subaru boxer engine, with drive going to the rear wheels.

Production of the Subaru BRZ is scheduled to start in spring 2012, and UK sales are expected to begin shortly after.



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Ford Fiesta ST Concept

The Ford Fiesta maybe one of the best (and best-selling) cars in its class, but the range lacks a proper performance variant.



However, that situation looks set to change with the arrival of the Fiesta ST, which has been unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Although it carries a ‘Concept’ suffix, and Ford is cagily referring to it as ‘its vision for a future high-performance Fiesta,’ the ST appears to be virtually production-ready.

Like the just-announced Focus ST, power would come from an EcoBoost turbocharged petrol engine. For the Fiesta intended capacity is 1.6 litres, and its target outputs are 177 bhp (132 kW / 180 PS) and 240 Nm (177 lb/ft) of torque.



With a six-speed manual transmission, Ford is hoping for a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of less than seven seconds, a top speed of over 136 mph (220 km/h) and CO2 emissions below 140 g/km.



Thanks to that huge trapezoidal front grille, it certainly won’t be difficult to distinguish the ST from more humble versions of the Fiesta. Complementing it are a rear diffuser, a tailgate spoiler, side skirts and 17” alloy wheels.



Jost Capito, Ford's director of Global Performance Vehicles, said: “With the Focus ST we promised to deliver uncompromised sports performance and styling to a truly global audience for the first time, without sacrificing Ford’s key values of Smart, Safe, Quality and Green. With the Fiesta ST Concept we are demonstrating that our Global Performance Plan has legs.



“The Fiesta ST Concept shows in the most dramatic way possible that the qualities that define an ST are not limited to one model. The potential for delivering the ST experience to an even wider audience are laid bare by this striking new concept.”



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Škoda MissionL concept

Škoda is to unveil the MissionL at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Although it’ll be presented as a concept, the compact five-door is in fact virtually production ready, and previews an all-new sixth model for the Czech manufacturer.

No dimensions have been revealed, but given the description it’s probably going to slot in between the existing Fabia and Octavia. To help fulfil Škoda’s aspiration to sell 1.5 million vehicles per year by 2018, the new addition will be marketed in Europe, China and Russia. India, meanwhile, is to get its own four-door version.



The styling of the MissionL develops the themes first seen on the Vision D concept at the Geneva Motor Show back in March, which means much sharper lines and a crisper, more prominent grille. It’s certainly an attractive look, but one of the Vision D’s defining features - a long wheelbase and short overhangs - hasn’t completely survived.



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Defender DC100 concept

The current Land Rover Defender is due to be phased out by 2015, and replacing it will be “one of the biggest challenges in the automotive design world” according to the company’s Director of Design, Gerry McGovern. It’s a sentiment that’s hard to disagree with.



Starting off the process is the DC100 concept, which will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Very much a first attempt, Land Rover is keen to gauge feedback to ensure the right type of vehicle is going to be developed.

That approach is summed up by Global Brand Director John Edwards, who said: “Loved the world over for its simple, honest and distinctive design, we are determined that the new Defender will be true to its heritage, while meeting the requirements of a changing global market.



“We plan to engage with existing and potential customers to help us finalise the details of the new vehicle. One thing's for sure, it's going to be an exciting journey, and we can't wait to get going.”

Judging by the images, the DC100 certainly looks promising. Land Rover has avoided the retro trap, while keeping some trademark Defender styling cues like the roofline, large single headlights and rear-mounted spare wheel.



Appearance is only part of the story, though. For a utility product like the Defender form definitely has to follow function, because that ultimately is what users will assess it on.



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Alfa Romeo 4C turns silver

The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept created quite a buzz when it was first unveiled at March’s Geneva International Motor Show.



Now the mid-engine two-seater is due to make an appearance at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but with one obvious difference: the original matte red paintwork has been swapped for a metallic silver finish called ‘Fluid Metal’.

Technically the 4C Concept is unchanged, which means over 197 bhp (147 kW / 200 PS) from a 1,750 cc four-cylinder turbocharged engine that’s connected to Alfa’s TCT twin dry-clutch transmission.



With a kerb weight in the region of just 850 kg (1,870 lbs), 0-62 mph (100 km/h) is expected to take less than five seconds, while the top speed should be in excess of 155 mph (250 km/h).

The bad news is that the launch date for the 4C Concept seems to have slipped slightly. Initially, sales were due to begin towards the end of this year, but Alfa Romeo is now saying it will be ‘during 2013’.



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Infiniti FX Vettel concept

Infiniti has released the first image of an FX-based concept that will be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show.



Reputedly developed with design input from Formula One driver Sebastian Vettel, it would be a shock if the special FX didn’t become a limited edition production model. After all, such a marketing tie-in with the current F1 world champion is probably too tempting for any manufacturer to resist.

Visual differences from the standard version include a unique grille design, a prominent rear spoiler and a carbon fibre front wing with accompanying LED running lights. To give a sportier profile the usual roof rails are absent, the sills are black and large charcoal alloy wheels are fitted.



It’s expected that the interior will also get a makeover, with the highlight rumoured to be an F1-inspired steering wheel with plenty of buttons and switches.



Technical specifications have yet to be revealed. However, a likely power source is the 5.0 litre V8 petrol engine found in the range-topping FX50. It ordinarily develops 384 bhp (287 kW / 390 PS) and 500 Nm (368 lb/ft) of peak torque but, in line with its performance image, those figures might be increased for the Vettel concept.

Lotus Evora GTE Concept

Tonight will see the unveiling of the Lotus Evora GTE Road Car Concept at the McCall’s Motorworks Revival, which is being held at the Monterey Jet Center in California. Later on in the week, the car will form part of the Lotus display at the Pebble Beach Concours event.

The Road Car Concept has been developed as a street-legal version of the Evora GTE race car. Claimed power is over 420 bhp (313 kW / 425 PS), and drive to the rear wheels is via an AMT sequential racing gearbox. There’s also a suitably stripey paintjob, centre-lock ultra-light alloy wheels and a rather odd-looking rear spoiler.



Lotus has yet to confirm whether the Evora GTE Road Car will enter series production. That decision will probably be strongly influenced by what sort of reaction the concept gets.



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2012 Honda CR-V Concept

Honda has unveiled a new CR-V SUV. It may still have the ‘Concept’ tag, but this is essentially the vehicle that’ll go on sale in North America by the end of this year, with a European launch set to follow in autumn 2012.



The styling is described by Honda as being distinctive, bold and more aggressive than today’s CR-V. Judging from the one image that has been released, it certainly looks a lot better, thankfully losing the fussy details and slightly odd proportions of the current version.

The 2012 Honda CR-V Concept...

... and the 2011 model that it'll be replacing.

There’s no word on technical specs yet, except that the engines will be more efficient and offer improved fuel economy.



The new CR-V Concept gets its public debut at the Orange County International Auto Show in Anaheim, California, which takes place during September 2011.