Lotus Elan, Elise, Elite, Esprit Hollywood photo gallery

Lotus has given the motoring world an early Christmas present with a bundle of new images of its stunning concept creations on location at a Hollywood beach.

Lotus unveiled the Elan, Elise, Elite and Esprit concepts at the 2010 Paris Motor Show in October, and announced all four models would be gradually rolled off the production line between now and 2015.

The Elan concept is powered by a 331kW/465Nm 4.0-litre V6 and is capable of racing from 0-100km/h in just 3.5 seconds.

The mid-engined, rear-wheel drive Elan includes a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and an optional KERS hybrid system, which helps keeps emissions to 199g/km and pushes the 1295kg rocket on to 310km/h. It will go on sale in 2013.

The Elise concept is an equally pretty piece of machinery. Expected to hit the market in 2015, the new Elise is powered by a 235kW/330Nm 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. The sprint from 0-100km/h comes up in 4.3 seconds and the 1095kg two-seater will continue all the way to 270km/h.

The 2015 Lotus Elise will be available with a six-speed manual or dual-clutch auto, as well as an optional mild hybrid system, which uses stop/start engine technology.

Stepping up a gear is the Elite concept: a genuine four-seat sports car. Powered by a 5.0-litre V8 engine and an optional hybrid system, the Elite packs 465kW of power and a slamming 720Nm of torque.

Acceleration from 0-100km/h comes up in a brisk 3.7 seconds and the top speed is a blistering 315km/h. The all-new Lotus Elite is due for release in 2014.

And finally, saving the best for last as we like to do, the Lotus Esprit concept. The two-seater, mid-engined, rear-wheel drive features the V8 from the Elite with the same power and torque figures. But with 200kg less weight to haul around, it flies from 0-100km/h in 3.4 seconds and won’t stop until it gets to its 330km/h top speed.

Production is due to start in late in 2012 for a launch in the first half of 2013.

We can hardly wait. Until then, enjoy the pics.

Strand Craft 166 by Grey Design superyacht with supercar

It’s never too late if you’ve got the cash. Looking for a last-minute Christmas present and have an account balance bigger than you know what to do with? Try this for size. It’s called the Strand Craft 166 by Grey Design and with this present the batteries supercars are included.

Grey Design is a luxury yacht maker based in Sweden and extravagance is the company’s forte. Just looking at this thing you can smell the money floating, wafting from it. From the retracting entertaining area on the bow – with its own jacuzzi, to the huge opening sunroof above the flybridge, it is the ultimate display in wealth on water.

At the back, inside the yacht’s own garage of course, sits a bespoke Grey Design supercar. A car that can only be obtained through the purchase of the yacht. It gets by with a 4.3-litre V8 engine capable of pulling the sleek coupe to 320km/h. If you don’t fancy the custom car though, Grey Design will stow a Ferrari, Lamborghini or a Koenigsegg into the garage if you’d prefer.

Getting back to the yacht though, the power behind this creation is astonishing. It uses two MTU 20V4000 M93L, turbocharged V20 diesel engines, each outputting 4300kW, and, an additional Vericor TF50 gas turbine booster engine supplementing 4177kW. So all up, the SC166 superyacht offers 12777kW of power… or about as much as 65 Ford Falcons put together. Strangely, the top speed offering isn’t all that great; just 40 knots (74km/h).

The attention to detail is equally gob-smacking. The yacht is draped in, get this, bullet-proof leather. Yep, it’s what’s called Japanese Samurai tread leather which is woven from Vectran fibre. Grey Design will cover the walls in this stuff you wish, rendering the entire cabin bullet proof. There’s also plenty of brushed aluminium and soft LED lighting throughout.

A Grey Design press release release recently summed it up perfectly, saying,

“Her low stance, enormous length and curled haunches give this vessel a dynamic aesthetic that is guaranteed to turn heads in the the most well appointed marinas.”

It sure would. Check out the video below for a digital demonstration.

BMW 3 Series Convertible Review

Drop the top, punch the throttle – you’re in aural heaven

Model Tested:

2010 BMW 335i M Sport Convertible; 3.0-litre, six-cylinder turbocharged petrol; seven-speed dual clutch transmission; two-door convertible: $133,400*

Options:

Engine, transmission, steering, front seats, quality
Handling a little soft, weight penalty over Coupe

CarAdvice Rating:

BMW makes the greatest six-cylinder engines on sale today – there, I said it. Under the bonnet of the BMW 335i Convertible lies a 3.0-litre, turbocharged, 225kW masterpiece.

Unlike the previous 335i, the new six has but one turbocharger and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT), but you’d never go back to the previous twin-turbo, six-speed auto combo. The new drivetrain is virtually faultless. The engine spools up super quickly and lag-free, and produces the most heavenly snarling, growly sound. It even pops and crackes on the overrun. Wonderful stuff.

It’ll sprint from 0-100km/h in 5.7 seconds, and this is the heavier convertible version, too, remember. Part of its secret is the super-flat torque curve which peaks its 400Nm at a super-low 1200rpm and remains the same all the way through until 5000rpm. That means instant shove at virtually any RPM and in any gear. Indeed, dial up seventh gear and put your foot down and you’ll hear the growl and feel that surge of torque immediately. It’s as free-spinning and flexible as you can get.

It can be economical, too. BMW’s ADR testing returned a figure of just 8.8-litres/100km on the combined cycle. Driven as we did, the figure is quite a bit higher, at 13.1-litres/100km in exclusively city driving. It’s an awesome engine – it would be a crime not to exploit it.

When combined with the brilliant DCT, you get a drivetrain that is surely an instant classic. Sure there’s slight hesitation from take-off while the transmission engages – just like most dual-clutch setups – but the beauty is it can be dialled out by simply putting your foot down a bit harder when setting off. Indeed, the take-up delay depends on your urgency.

If you’re after a full-bore start, simply switch off the stability control (DSC in BMW-speak), press the sport button behind the gear selector and push the selector to the left to engage sports shift. It’s simply then a matter of slamming your foot down. The engine will rev to its limiter and immediately engage first gear – you’ll be left with two black lines as the 335i Convertible rockets up the road. It’s a good thing, then that the 335i has excellent brakes.

Driven more sedately and the DCT shifts like any normal automatic. In fact most people wouldn’t realise that it’s a DCT behind the engine, by virtue of how smoothly it shifts. Press the sport button, though and the shifts become more solid and instantaneous, which, coupled with the paddle shifters (which are the correct way – left is down, right is up) keep the driver involved and connected.

Also keeping the Stig in us interested is the 335i’s steering. It goes without saying that BMW excels in its steering setups. Thankfully, it’s a true hydraulic rack and pinion arrangement, and on the road it shows. Even around the straight ahead, every tread block tells its tale, and once taken off centre it just gets better. Some would call the steering a tad heavy, but in truth it’s the weight that’s the most satisfying, with increasing resistance the harder you turn in. Feedback is always plentiful, especially on the ragged edge.

Thing is, while it’s based on the 3 Series Coupe, the Convertible is around 210kg heavier, and the price you pay is a slightly less balanced car than its rigid-rooved sibling. It definitely handles, and feels good doing it, however it reaches understeer a bit sooner and unless you’re on the throttle and committed 100 per cent, the nose can run a bit wide. Keep your foot into it, though, and trust the steering and you’ll find you’ll push through the understeer and eventually get the tail coming around.

In the big scheme of things, there’s masses of grip from the 19-inch wheels, even in the wet, so you have to have it on a track to fully exploit its limits, but it is ultimately great fun. The suspension is a little softer than the Coupe, so the ride is firm but not too jittery on its run-flat tyres, but the softer tune also induces less scuttle shake – the 335i Convertible is eminently stiff. Even with the top down.

The 3 Series Convertible uses an electrically operated folding hard top, making opening and closing the roof a button press away. But compared to soft-top drop-tops, where you can do it on the move, you have to be completely stationary for the conversion to occur; the hinges and motors would be destroyed by the wind resistance while moving. The advantage of having a steel folding roof, though is it’s much better looking with the roof up.

At a quick glance, you’d swear it was a coupe, the only giveaway to its convertibility being the cutlines in the bodywork along the boot, and on the roof. In a dark colour, they’re almost invisible. Roof down, and it’s quiet (although not quite as quiet as Mercedes-Benz’s E-Class Cabriolet with its Aircap activated) and calm.

Front seat passengers get some of the best seats in the business with heaps of lower back support, adjustable side bolstering, under-thigh estensions and a perfect driving position. Rear seat passengers will have to be quite young, or very small, to be comfortable – the Merc E-Class Cabriolet’s rear pews are roomier and more enveloping, though. The other area the Merc whips the BMW is in boot space. While the roof is up, there’s not a lot in it. But with the roof stowed, the Merc’s soft top liberates much more space than the Beemer’s cramped biscuit-thin stow area.

The BMW claws back points in interior layout. There’s a fantastic flattened-honeycomb aluminium trim finish with nice plastics and soft leather. The dash is uncluttered with one of the highest resolution (and largest) infotainment screens in this segment. iDrive’s fabulous voice control is streets ahead, too. The cupholders which come out from the dash fascia are prone to knocking by a front seat passenger, however Bluetooth is hooked up in seconds, and there’s plenty of small storage spaces, including a decently sized glovebox.

If it’s heaps of space you want, then the 3 Series Convertible really isn’t what you’ll be after. However point this car in the direction of your favourite B-road and you’ll come away with a guaranteed smile. It’s more focussed than its competitors, more involving and is geared toward someone who loves their driving, but wants that open-air feeling.

Couple that with good looks, good quality and a cracking drivetrain, and you’ll find the BMW 335i Convertible stakes its claim as the driver’s car in this segment.

Aston Martin, Daimler in talks over Maybach development

Aston Martin and Daimler are reportedly in talks over a deal that would see the British luxury sports car brand build future Maybach models.

According to the Financial Times, Daimler is investigating the viability of Aston Martin designing and producing the low-volume super-luxury limousine, and providing Aston with engines in return.

It is understood outsourcing the Maybach design and build process to a specialist small volume manufacturer like Aston Martin would be significantly cheaper for Daimler, and could also give the Brits access to the German’s petrol and diesel engines, and potentially other vehicle platforms.

At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Aston Martin unveiled the chunky, low-slung Lagonda SUV, which was based on the platform of the Mercedes-Benz GL. Rumours of a production version of the Lagonda are still far from dead, despite it being almost two years since its debut.

The Maybach name is one of the oldest in the history of the automobile, and was brought back to life as an ultra-premium brand in 2002. Sales are well below those of key competitors Bentley and Rolls-Royce, with around 300 sold in 2008 and just 200 in 2009.

Maybach currently sells three vehicle variants in Australia, with a starting price of $945,000 for the 57 model and $1,150,000 for the range-topping 62.

Meanwhile, Aston Martin has released another Christmas present of sorts, in the form of a short film featuring the V12 Vantage and the DBR1-2 LMP1 race car which competed in the Le Mans series in 2009 and 2010.

Both vehicles share the same 6.0-litre engine, producing 380kW of power and 570Nm of torque.

The footage captures the two cars together for the first time driving along a picturesque riverside road.

Arctic Trucks’ Toyota Hilux reaches South Pole

We’ve seen the Toyota Hilux, modified by extreme-weather specialists Arctic Trucks, reach the North Pole, and the Icelandic volcano, (10 points if you can pronounce it) Eyjafjallajökull. Now, the Hilux has taken on the challenge of reaching the South Pole again, and in doing so, has set the bar for average speed on an expedition.

From November 10 to December 5 this year, four of the modified Hiluxes took expedition members of the Indian National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) on a 4,600 km round trip from Novo Air Base, to the South Pole, and back.

Because diesel wouldn’t survive the freezing temperatures, the Hiluxes ran on Jet 1A fuel with additional lubricants, however the 3.0-litre diesel engines remained completely stock. Considering the temperature dropped to below minus 50 degrees, the engines had to be running the entire trip and were powering additional heating equipment.

Fuel consumption for the trip might seem excessive at 41.6-litres/100km, however we’re told that this is up to eight times lower than a comparable track-equipped expedition vehicle. Each vehicle carried 1280 litres of fuel, meaning only one fuel stop was necessary – far less than is usually required.

The journey was also completed with a faster average speed than any expedition previous.

One thing’s for sure: if it’s extreme conditions you’re faced with, Arctic Trucks will be your first port of call.

Ford Motor Co. to reclaim second place in US sales

Ford Motor Co. is poised to reclaim its position as the second-highest selling new vehicle brand in the US.

Ford sales have increased 21.1 percent through the first 11 months of 2010, climbing more than 300,000 units to 1,741,343.

At the same time, Toyota Motor Sales USA will slip to third by the end of this year, after battling to regain consumer confidence in the wake of the corporation’s largest ever vehicle recalls.

Toyota sales have risen just 0.2 percent in 2010 to 1,586,107 compared with the total light vehicle market in the US, which is up 11.1 percent year-to-date. The market continues to show strong signs of recovery after the GFC-driven downturn of 2009.

Ford lost second place to Toyota in 2007, but Ford Motor Co.’s market analyst, George Pipas, said it appears the Blue Oval brand will take a strong hold of the No. 2 again.

“The last time Ford gained one or more points of market share was in the ’80s,” Mr Pipas said, as reported by The Detroit News. “It’s the first time since 1993 that we have gained share in the U.S. back-to-back two years in a row.”

He said Ford expects the small car market to grow significantly in 2011 – a market that Ford US has invested heavily in with the Fiesta and new Focus.

“There’s more pent-up demand in the small vehicle market than in any other segment,” reported Bloomberg.

“The demographic shifts are very powerful. Baby boomers are not only downsizing their autos, they’re downsizing their homes.”

General Motors remains the highest selling brand in the US, and is expected to sell in excess of 2.13 million vehicles in 2010.

In total, more than 11 million light vehicles will be sold in the US in 2010. Annualised sales for December 2010 are expected to top 12 million, making it the third month in a row above that mark.

Despite the upward trend, the market is still a long way behind where it was for much of the past decade, when average annual sales were 16.8 million (between 2000 and 2007).

Looking ahead to 2011, Mr Pipas said the total market figures would be strong.

“We think sales for the year will be above 12 million, and perhaps closer to 13 million.”

Kia KV7 Concept to debut at 2011 North American International Auto Show

Kia has announced it will unveil one of its latest and most interesting concept cars at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit, commencing January 10, 2011.

The new car features various futuristic elements including swivel rear seats and ‘gullwing’ doors. It appears to adopt a similar design platform as the Kia Soul in dimensions and layout as well, only on this everything is more dramatic.

Full details of the car are yet to be released, but one thing’s for sure, the Kia KV7 Concept will make a big impact at the show next month. Look out for further details and images on the KV7 in the near future.

Video: 2011 Hyundai Grandeur, not coming to Australia

Hyundai has released a full-length promotional video of the upcoming 2011 Hyundai Grandeur, revealing the luxury sedan in its entirety the first time.

When the first official sketches of the vehicle were released last month, Hyundai Australia said there were no plans to bring the new model here.

With the release of the video and more specifications today, Hyundai Australia’s Ben Hershman again confirmed the all-new fifth-generation Grandeur would not be part of the local arm’s line-up.

The news means the current slow-selling and largely unloved fourth-generation model will be the last of the nameplate in Australia, at least in the foreseeable future.

But while Hyundai Australia has managed to sell just 22 Grandeurs in the first 11 months of 2010, one can’t help but that feel sales of the all-new model could easily eclipse those figures, given the right packaging and pricing.

The advertisement itself was designed for the big screen, and will be displayed in ‘4D’ with wind and water spray effects to give viewers the sense that they’re behind the wheel and part of the clip.

Among the vehicle’s new features is what Hyundai calls the ‘supervision cluster’, which incorporates a modern interior with a large colour navigation screen, blue and white illuminated instrument panel and dashboard, and an automatic positioning steering wheel.

‘Advanced smart cruise control’ – a traffic monitoring, warning and autonomous braking system – also finds its way into the new model.

The Hyundai Grandeur will debut in South Korea and various export markets in the New Year.

Kia Sportage Review

Although from humble origins, the new Sportage is something special

Model Tested:

2010 Kia Sportage Platinum CRDi; 2.0-litre, four cylinder, turbo-diesel; six-speed automatic; Five-door SUV: $38,990 Styling, build quality, space, diesel engine, competitively specced
Auto calibration could use some work

CarAdvice Rating:

At the beginning of this year, we road tested the Kia Sportage. It was the last of the previous generation, and frankly, we didn’t care much for it. My how things have changed.

With the release of the latest Sportage, Kia has not just moved forward, it’s shifted universes. The styling is gob-smackingly good-looking. You’d be hard pressed to find someone who doesn’t respect what Peter Schreyer has done for the brand. His new design language is working wonders, causing people who normally wouldn’t consider a Korean car to stare and comment. During the week, several said outspokenly, “Wow. Is that a Kia?” Well, yes, that’s what it says on the grille.

But the fact that it motivates them to not just say it in their mind, but out aloud, means the design shift is making an appreciable impact. And it’s not just on the outside, either.

Climb aboard (using the proximity key) and you’re greeted with a very stylish interior. In Platinum guise (as tested), the leather seats are very good quality, with much softer hide than previously used, and although comfortable could probably use a little more lower back support. The two fronts are heated, but in a first for this segment, the driver’s seat is also cooled – a real boon for our hot country.

The dash and centre console may utilise some harder plastics but the fit and finish is extremely well done, with nary a panel creak or dash rattle to be heard. The radio, clock and climate control (which is surrounded by a stylish piano-black treatment) all feature red on black LCD screens which can be read both in full sun, and also while wearing polarised sunglasses. There’s a neat saw-tooth effect on the radio buttons – the stereo is on the average side, it must be said – plus there’s plenty of angular lines on the door trims to keep things interesting. The leather wrapping the steering wheel could be a little softer, though.

Dual-zone climate control keeps arguments about temperature at bay, although on really hot days we found that only the lowest (coldest) setting kept the car cool, meaning a fair amount of fan speed (and therefore noise) to maintain a comfortable temperature.

The rear seats are quite comfortable, and despite looking at the curved tops of the rear doors and thinking entry and egress would be painful, it’s the complete opposite. If you’re over six-feet tall headroom may become an issue, but for everyone else, the back seats are surprisingly spacious. Legroom and footroom is fine. Couple that with a spacious boot and the Sportage has got style and practicality down pat.

It’s also quiet inside. Only at idle do you get a little of the background diesel knock from the front end, but while accelerating, it’s smooth and never overbearing. There’s not much in the way of road noise, and even the suspension – which gives a firmish ride, but has none of the sharp, brittle movement of its cousin, the ix35 – doesn’t crash or bang harshly over bumps.

With good steering weight and enough feedback, the Sportage manages to keep keen drivers interested. It even turns in reasonably quickly and loses no feel mid-corner.

The Sportage’s handling is balanced with a nice, neutral stance, unless flung into a corner at ludicrous speeds, and the all-wheel-drive system gives constant grip, especially when wet. In some diesel cars, when moving off the line, torque causes the front wheels to spin in first gear until the AWD system catches up and sends some power to the rear. Not so in the Sportage. There’s no scrabble or chirp from the Platinum’s 17-inchers, just immediate grip and forward motion.

That motion is supplied by one of the best 2.0-litre diesel fours in the business. Let’s put the engine into perspective. In Toyota’s Prado there’s a 3.0-litre, turbo-diesel four that has to shift around 2.4-tonnes. It produces 127kW and 410Nm which is slightly more torque than the Sportage’s 393Nm, but it’s less power than the Sportage’s 135kW. Now think about the weight saving the Sportage has, at just 1630kg. You can see that there’s plenty of poke at hand (or should that be foot?) translating to lag-free acceleration.

It’s economical, too. Kia’s ADR testing places the Sportage at 7.5-litres/100km and after a week’s testing, we snuck in just over that at 7.6-litres/100km, which is pretty good, considering how much grunt is available, and being an automatic.

The six-speed auto does a reasonable job of shifting smoothly and is eager to kick down if needed by just a prod of the throttle. Thing is, though, it does like to hold onto the gears and keep the revs up, rather than shifting up early and riding the wave of torque available around 2000rpm. A recalibration might see the fuel use drop even further.

The Kia Sportage is also safe. Currently EuroNCAP tested at five stars, Kia Australia tells us it’s little more than a formality and we’ll see the Sportage also rated at five stars on the ANCAP system. That’s courtesy of a myriad of airbags, ABS, EBD and ESC. There’s also a reversing camera built into the rear view mirror with guidelines highlighting the width of the car; perfect for keeping the driveway an accident free zone.

What’s interesting, though, is the pricing. Years ago, Kia was the poor cousin of Hyundai. But fastforward to 2010 and the Kia Sportage Platinum is priced at $1000 more than its platform-sharer, the Hyundai ix35 Highlander. Is it worth the extra money over the Hyundai, seeing as it’s basically the same car? Absolutely. Not only does it have the same features as the ix35, but it adds the cooled driver’s seat, daytime running lights, has a markedly better ride, but is also entirely better looking.

In the burgeoning compact SUV market, the Kia Sportage is the pick of the bunch.