Lexus Shows Off LF-LC Sports Coupe

Lexus' most recent creation, the LF-LC Sports Coupe Concept, is set to debut in less than a week from now at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, but that hasn't stopped the Japanese company from dropping a couple more fresh pictures for our viewing pleasure.

Toyota's luxury division still won't say what's hiding under the LF-LC's long hood, though we do know for a fact that it's a hybrid powertrain.

So what else do we know about the concept model? Well, according to the Japanese firm's Spartan press release, it was penned at the company’s Calty studio in Newport Beach, California and it's supposed to preview the next evolution of Lexus' design language - and that's about all we get for now.

As always, we'll be following the story and update you as soon as we get more information and/or another set of photos.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Honda AC-X is a Futuristic Study for a Plug-in Hybrid Family Car

Honda is betting heavily on conventional as well as more advanced plug-in hybrid models as the company is planning to increase its 'green' offerings in the very near future.

At the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011, the Japanese brand lifted the wraps off a conceptual proposal for a mid-to-long range plug-in hybrid called the AC-X. The study is much larger than the Insight hybrid measuring 4,700mm long, 1,820mm wide and 1,400mm with a wheelbase of 2,750mm.

The four-seat, fastback-style model makes use of several active aero components including the front and rear bumpers, and side skirts along with the specially designed alloy wheels to achieve a very low aerodynamic drag coefficient of 0.21.

The AC-X is powered by a hybrid powertrain that consists of a 127HP 1.6-liter petrol engine and an electric motor delivering a maximum output of 161HP (120kW).

Honda says that its plug-in hybrid concept can run on electricity alone for 50 km (31 miles) at speeds of up to 100km/h (62mph). The combined driving range, however, is in excess of 1,000 kilometers (+620 miles).

As a plug-in hybrid, the AC-X has an estimated fuel economy of 110km/L (236 mpg US or under 1lt/100km), while as a hybrid, 36km/L (84.7 mpg US or 2.8lt/100km).

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo Next President Confirms Hybrid Powertrain

Maybe the Mayans were right and the world will end in December 2012. So we never had a chance to see what the Lancer Evolution Hybrid diesel look like in 2015.

But let's take it from the beginning. The hybrid part of the story is not just another one of those crazy rumors that arise in the network. In fact, it's as official as it is because it comes from the mouth of President Osamu Masuko of Mitsubishi.

Revealed to British magazine Autocar Masuko that the next generation of Mitsubishi Lancer Evo enter into a ditch on a standard 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, which has become the pillar of the 10 previous versions, you should be driving a hybrid.

That in itself is not a surprise: an electric motor was more or less expected because of the strict regulation of emissions. The real shocker is that the British magazine says there is a very good chance it will not be a gasoline-electric hybrid, but a diesel-electric hybrid. A diesel engine Evo XI? How exactly is this world?

Masuko said, has set clear objectives and a very tight schedule, "states that the objective of developing an electric sports car. Let's start working on the project next year and will be ready in three," said Coach .

The switch radical powertrain was forced to Mitsubishi, the company needs to reduce CO2 emissions below 200 g / km, while providing a second sub-five 0-100 km / h (0-62 mph) the acceleration.

Fortunately, the 11 version of the Evo-killing supercar will not all eco-friendly and stress free for us: it will always send torque to all four wheels via a new version of the fantastic asphalt hugging S-AWC-wheel system training.

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More

IAA 2011: Peugeot's Futuristic HX1 Minivan Concept for Six

Peugeot wants to bring some sexiness to the MPV (Multi-Purpose Vehicle) segment with its new HX1 concept study that made its world premiere at the 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt this week.

According to the French automaker, the sleek looking concept is built on an MPV architecture with a unique body as it measures just 1,373 tall, but is 1,990mm wide and 4,954mm long.

To improve aerodynamics, the HX1 is fitted with a special set of alloy wheels, each of which incorporate seven blades that open to create a flat disc surface when the car is on the move. At the same time, a spoiler and two side skirts located at the top of the tailgate deploy at speeds over 100km/h (62mph).

Thanks to the HX1's optimized aerodynamics, the MPV concept has a Cd of 0.28, which is low for a vehicle of this type and size.

Passengers enter the vehicle through four reverse-opening ‘half-scissor’ doors. The HX1's cabin features three rows of seats, with the rear section designed to offer maximum comfort. If needed, two retractable seats can be pulled out and configured in a center row.

Under the bonnet, the HX1 makes use of a plug-in hybrid powertrain consisting of a 204-horsepower 2.2-liter turbo diesel linked to a 6-speed automatic transmission that drives the front wheels, and a 95-horsepower (70kW) electric motor that turns the rear axle. Peugeot says the combined output of the diesel engine and the electric motor is 299-horses.

A full charge of the lithium-ion batteries can offer up to 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) of pure-electric driving. According to the French automaker, in theory, the HX1 returns a combined fuel consumption of 3.2lt/100km (73.4mpg US or 88.2mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 83 g/km.

 

PHOTO GALLERY

Read More