Taiwan’s All-Electric Studio X-Gene Avant GT

It’s called the Avant GT and it looks like someone tried to make a Porsche Panamera out of a Honda Crosstour. The pure-electric model was first shown in Shanghai earlier this year and it’s the product of five companies – none of which have any real experience building cars – including Taiwanese design firm Studio X-Gene, financial partner Altair ProductDesign and technological partners Delta Electronics, Wistron and Qisda.

The Avant GT is being marketed as, “a pure electric sports grand tourer” – which I suppose makes it Taiwan’s Tesla or Fisker wannabe. Let’s see what the company bigwigs have to say about it, starting with Studio X-Gene executive director Albert Yang:

"The Avant GT is a unique project for Studio X-Gene and represents the quality of automotive design expertise available in Taiwan today. Partnering with Altair ProductDesign proved invaluable. Combining our design knowledge with Altair's engineering and optimization expertise has allowed us to deliver this exciting, high-performance new vehicle to the Shanghai Auto Show and really make an impact on the automotive community."

When will it be on sale? We don’t know. How much will it cost? We don’t know that either, though we guess we'll find out soon enough.

By Tristan Hankins

Story References: Studio X-Gene via Cnet

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Magnifico! Ferrari Brings F40 and 599 GTB Together for a Whimsical Duel

From time to time, automakers manage to overcome their crippling fear of being creative and actually produce something that's original and interesting for viewers. The video you're about to see is one such rare example.

Titled "Duel for the Crown – Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano", the short video, which is close to 4 minutes-long, shows Maranello's modern V12-powered gran turismo going up against the classic and still beautiful F40 that was built in limited numbers from 1987 to 1992.

 

Hop over the break to enjoy the clip and don't forget to power up the volume of your speakers...

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Cadillac Challenges Mercedes-Benz by Pitting the Escalade Against the C-Class

We think most of you will agree with us when we say that, for the same reasons the Cadillac Escalade is extremely profitable, it also doesn't quite fit the brand's current image being sort of a throwback to the glory days of the classic American cruiserships.

But this didn't stop General Motors from raising the ante in yet another provocative commercial for Cadillac that follows the CTS-V spot featuring the Ferrari 458 Italia.

This time, the General took the Escalade and pointed its ammo towards Mercedes-Benz and its C-Class sedan. The video spot shows the big Caddy V8 beating the C300 on a straight line duel, and then…hauling back the Merc.

We're not going to say that we didn't enjoy the video nor that we don't get Cadillac's point, but it's somewhat an unfair comparo when the Escalade starts at $63,200, or about $25k more than the C300. Heck, even the almighty C63 AMG with is 451HP V8 is $5k cheaper than the basic Escalade…

 

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New Chrysler Delta Hatch Goes on Sale in the UK

The new Ypsilon supermini is not the only Lancia model to wear Chrysler's winged badge in Britain. Joining the Ypsilon's voyage across the British channel is the Lancia Delta hatchback that went on sale today as a Chrysler with a starting price of £16,695 OTR.

The move is part of the Fiat-Chrysler alliance's decision to market all Lancia models in the UK under the Chrysler brand name.

Chrysler is marketing the new Delta a C-segment model with D-segment interio space and features. The five-door model measures 4520mm in length and rides on a 2700mm long wheelbase.

It comes equipped with sliding rear seats that offer a boot space of 465 liters in their most forward position, and 380 liters when placed as far back as possible. With the rear seats folded down, the Delta offers 1190 litres of space on a continuous flat floor.

British buyers can able to choose from four trim levels (S, SE, SR and Limited), and four engines, including two petrols and a pair of diesels.

The petrol engine range comprises of the 1.4-liter T-Jet with 120HP and 206Nm (152 lb-ft) of peak torque that returns a combined 44.8mpg UK (37.3mpg US), and the 1.4-liter MultiAir delivering 140HP and 230Nm (170 lb-ft), with a combined fuel economy of 49.6mpg UK (41.3mpg US).

The more frugal diesel lineup includes the 1.6-liter Multijet with 120HP and 300Nm (222 lb-ft) that returns 60.1mpg UK combined (50mpg US), and the 2.0-liter Multijet with 165HP and 360Nm (266 lb-ft) returning 55.4mpg UK combined (46.1mpg US).

 

Chrysler brand director Nigel Land says: “People know us for large vehicles such as the Grand Voyager and 300C. We are transferring the values that lie behind those cars to the B and C segments. We are not going for high volumes. We want to be the choice for people who are seeking a credible alternative to traditional segment offerings."

“The Delta will bring D-segment standards of space and quality to the C-segment. This is just the start of our journey as we re-launch the Chrysler brand in the UK. We are now starting to sell cars that are relevant to a more mainstream market. They’ll have all the quality features you would expect from a large Chrysler, integrated into very stylish European designed interiors.”

 

 

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