Top Cars Dony

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

2015 Lotus Eterne

A Lotus sedan? Yes, indeed. For 2015, Lotus' Eterne will rival the Aston Martin Rapide, housing a 550-horsepower engine shared with the Esprit up front. The structure, panels, and suspension are all aluminum and with a length of 196 inches, the Eterne is said to be almost as spacious as a Porsche Panamera.

As with the Esprit, a hybrid option could come in the future, bringing a 50-hosepower electric boost to the equation, along with plenty of eco-tech. This car is still years away from production, but we expect more details to be announced on a regular basis until its launch.

Hyundai ix35 Hybrid Concept

Hyundai showed a slew of its environmentally friendly vehicles at the Paris Motor Show this week, which included the ix35 Blue and ix35 Hybrid Concept. Both utilize Hyundai's new 1.7-liter diesel engine that produces 115 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. As evidenced by its name, the Hybrid concept also employs an electric motor to further decrease consumption although the five-kilowatt (seven horsepower) unit can't propel the vehicle on its own.

Both the ix35 and ix35 Hybrid concept also feature Hyundai's latest six-speed manual transmission, meaning that should the hybrid version make it to market, Honda's CR-Z won't be the only hybrid available with a manual transmission. Both versions of the ix35 also employ an engine start/stop feature.

Start/stop systems work seamlessly with automatic transmissions, but may require manual transmission users to change their driving style. The system works by killing the engine when the vehicle comes to a complete stop and the driver has the car in neutral with the clutch out. It then refires the engine the instant the clutch is depressed -- which is similar to the system Audi introduced on its A1.

In addition to frugal drivetrains, the fuel efficient Blue and Hybrid versions of Hyundai's ix35 crossover feature subtle aerodynamic changes to further decrease drag. Of course, a logo on the back identifies the models should the subtle exterior cues not be enough.

Citroën Lacoste Concept

Citroën and clothier Lacoste have teamed up for a compact concept car destined for the Paris Motor Show, and it's called the Citroën Lacoste.

The concept is clearly intended for those aiming to live an active lifestyle as exemplified by its open-air nature. The Lacoste measures in at 136 inches long, 71 inches wide, 60 inches tall, and comes with a 91-inch-long wheelbase. It's suggestive of a futuristic buggy as the T-shaped roof support structure offers an air-inflatable soft-top roof. The windshield can be lowered like a Jeep Wrangler and the interior design is said to take on the styling of the iconic Lacoste polo with the coloration and specific weave patterns on the seating. The rear seats can be jumped into from the outside and the two-spoke steering wheel is modeled after the Citroën emblem.

Obviously, the tire choice must be French as well as the Michelin name is proudly plastered on the sidewalls. With such a small overall package, the gas-powered inline-three should more than suffice.

2012 Audi R8 GT

Sure, the base Audi R8 is a phenomenal car -- it was dubbed the winner of our 2008 Best Handling Car competition. But we knew there was more to come from Ingolstadt. First, Audi stuffed a V-10 under the hood, and now the German automaker has sharpened the car's edge even further with its new R8 GT.

While more of a track-ready R8 5.2 than an alternative to the raw Porsche 911 GT3 RS or the absolutely insane GT2 RS, the R8 GT is some 220 pounds lighter than a garden-variety R8 V-10, while the V-10's power is up a modest 35 horsepower and 7 pound-feet of torque to 560 and 398, respectively.

Outside, the GT stands apart from the R8 crowd via numerous carbon fiber aerodynamic bits that also provide additional downforce and high-speed stability. The front fascia is adorned with a double-lip splitter and a winglet on both sides. At rear, there's a large spoiler, diffuser, and a carbon-fiber bumper. The R8's distinctive side blades also get the carbon fiber treatment.

At the core of the interior changes are lightweight fiberglass-reinforced plastic-frame sport seats. Combined, they're a full 69.5 pounds lighter than the stock V-10 seats, accounting for a large chunk of the GT's total weight savings. Unfortunately, these won't be offered in U.S.-market GTs because of federal regulations. European-market GTs are also fitted with a four-point harness instead of traditional three-point belts. The cabin also features a rollcage, fire extinguisher, and copious carbon fiber trim.

We got to take the R8 GT for a spin though the Bavarian countryside and a stretch of unrestricted autobahn a couple of days before the 2010 Paris auto show. Unfortunately, the weather didn't cooperate, with grey skies and wet pavement being the order of the day. Because of the inclement elements, Audi subbed the standard high-performance summer rubber with performance all-seasons. Given the R8 GT's limited production run, Audi can hardly be blamed for wanting to keep its few demo vehicles rubber-side down.

Aston Martin DB9 Volante

Ford saved Aston Martin from the scrap heap. And after so many years, and so many millions invested, it's a shame the Blue Oval isn't able to enjoy the fruits of its labor. Because Aston Martin is on a roll. Aston was sold in 2007 to a private investment group headed by David Richards; think of him as Britain's version of Roger Penske. Serious car guy CEO Ulrich Bez remains at the helm. The model lineup is proliferating, including the upcoming Rapide sedan and a high-tech, million dollar plus flagship called the One-77. The marque is once again chasing an overall win at Le Mans, five decades after it last did so. And of course, Aston Martin remains the automotive clothier of choice for the world's favorite spy. Not bad for an outfit that, prior to Ford's involvement and Bez's guiding hand, had been at bankruptcy's doorstep too many times to count.

The last DB9 we tested (October 2005) struck as us pretty, yet somehow short of the expected magic. Its 450-horsepower V-12 was strong but lacked response and sounded a bit lifeless. The car didn't like to be pushed, the transmission temperature warning light flashing its objection often during hard mountain driving (on an admittedly hot summer day). Its shifts were none too responsive, either. So we were eager to give this updated version a go to see if these issues had been noted and addressed.

It's hard to believe the DB9 is now five years old, as is the strong, light, and flexible VH chassis architecture on which it's constructed. This model was the first modern Aston Martin to be built at the company's then-new Gaydon, England factory, and carries on the design themes established a decade earlier by Ian Callum's DB7 and seminal Vanquish. The DB9 still looks fresh and beautiful -- elegant proportions never go out of style. It forms the basis for the edgier, sportier DBS range and has received a makeover for model year 2009.