Automobile Trends: July 2011

Sunday, 31 July 2011

i de a institute era roadster

The I.DE.A Institute's ERA concept was penned last May for the Italian engineering and design firm's 30th anniversay. I.DE.A, which has worked with Ducati and Fiat, calls the ERA a representation of a roadster built "for pure driving pleasure through the instinctive pencil strokes of the designer on a blank page." Sure. All we can say is the styling looks like fun. The mechanical bits, however, are not fully-disclosed. Concrete details include underpinnings from an existing monocoque chassis, independent suspension all around, and 19-in. wheels wrapped with 245/40 tires. The ERA's listed dimensions place it inches longer and wider than a Honda S2000, but much shorter in height.idea-era-side
As to what's under the hood, we have no idea. The website lists four- or six-cylinder engines, a possible 300 hp, and both front- and rear-drive layouts. Transmissions will be either manual or sequential, with five or six gears. The expected weight is up in the air, too; I.DE.A offers a range from 3,300-lbs to 4,400-lbs

i de a institute era roadster

i de a institute era roadster

i de a institute era roadster

hyundai ix-onic concept

Initially called HED-6, the Hyundai ix-onic concept is being billed by Hyundai as having a 'dramatic new look for compact SUVs' and says it serves an indication of the new direction for Hyundai utes. Judging by the sketch, we're not so sure it's all that dramatic, but we'll see for ourselves shortly. Powering the ix-onic is 1.6L direct-injected and turbocharged gasoline engine producing 168 hp. Mated to a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox that is expected to emit just 0.53 lb. of CO2 per mile.
Fuel economy hasn't been announced, but it should be impressive thanks to the use of Hyundai's new Idle, Stop & Go technology that shuts down the engine when the vehicle isn't moving. At 173.2 in tall, 72.8 in wide and 65 in tall, the ix-onic is two to three inches bigger in every direction than the current Hyundai Tucson, which it's rumored to replace sometime in the future

hyundai ix-onic concept

hyundai ix-onic concept

hyundai i20 3 door

When the Hyundai i20 three-door hits the road some time in the second quarter of 2009, Hyundai says it will be the best value in its class and targeted at young professionals that don't have kids. Slotted between the i10 and i30, the i20 will come with several gas and diesel engines for a total of seven, all of them Euro-IV emissions compliant. Hyundai expects that the volume sellers will be then new Kappa 1.2L gas engine and the 1.4L diesel engine. The Kappa engine is the latest in Hyundai's new Greek-named engine series, following the Tau V-8, and will pump 77 hp and 88 lb-ft of torque out of its four cylinders. At 182 lbs, Hyundai says it will be the lightest engine in its class and will help the i20 achieve 45 mpg combined while emitting only 0.44 lbs of CO2 per mile. The 1.4L diesel, meanwhile, will churn out 74 hp and pull off 53 mpg combined while emitting only 0.41 lbs of CO2 per mile.
Cosmetically, the i20 three-door is little changed from the five-door. In fact, Hyundai really just took out the rear doors, lengthened the front doors and reshaped the back windows. The front and rear are completely unchanged. Despite the minor design changes, Hyundai did manage to shave 22 lbs off the curb weight, likely thanks to the removal of the extra doors. The i20 three-door will also be mostly the same inside and will come in the same three trim levels -- Classic, Comfort and Style -- as the five-door.

hyundai i20 3 door

hyundai i20 3 door

gumpert apollo speed

German boutique supercar builder Gumpert will expand its Apollo lineup by one more model called the Apollo Speed. It joins its siblings the Apollo, Apollo Sport and Apollo Race, and is built especially for all-out, white-knuckle inducing high-velocity road and track travel.
Like the other varieties, the speed is powered by a twin-turbo 4.2L Audi V-8 making 650, 700 or 800 hp, depending on trim and customer requests. Torque is equally astounding: 627, 645, or 664 lb-ft to be exact. It only weighs 2640 lbs, is made out of lightweight composites and aluminum, and can hit a claimed top speed of over 224 mph (gear and power dependant). If that's not impressive enough, Gumpert says it can accelerate to 62 mph in 3 sec flat and arrive at 124 mph in only 8.9 sec. Power is improved largely by a reengineered less restrictive induction system that feeds the giant snails.
Its exterior still bears the same extra-low slung, lane-filling Gumpert traits, but in speed trim, will flaunt redesigned front fenders, rear taillights and adjustable wing. The mods aid in ultra-high speed runs, so says the automaker. Step -- more like flop gracefully --into the bucket seats (which themselves are molded into the composite monocoque) and joyriders will find full air conditioning, removable steering wheel and DVD multimedia system

gumpert apollo speed

gumpert apollo speed

ford ranger

The redesigned, wind-tunnel tested Ford Ranger pickup receives a complete revamping both inside and out, and safe to say, it looks pretty well done. Built in Thailand and shipped to Europe for sale, the Ranger can be had in three body styles with two diesel engines -- 2.5L Turbo (141-hp/ 243 lb-ft) or 3.0L (154-hp/280 lb-ft) -- mated to five-speed automatic or manual transmissions. It can also come in 4x2 or 4x4 configurations for those looking for off-road capability and touts a claimed towing capacity of 3000 kg (6614 lbs). Europeans will get all the new Ranger fun beginning this April.

ford ranger

ford ranger

fiat 500c

According to Fiat, the 500C is a nod of sorts to a Cinquecento from the past, specifically the 1957 cabriolet. But other than the top, which slides down using a parallelogram hinge system, the convertible 500 sports the exact same dimensions as the 500. Fiat claims luggage space is not compromised and cargo loading is still possible when the top is down -- thanks in part to its built-in centrally mounted brake light and clever stowage of the rear glass window. In addition, since the car's greenhouse sheetmetal remains the same with the top up or down, the 500C offers more wind and element protection than a traditional soft top setup.
Like the hatch, the convertible will be offered with a 68-hp, 75-lb-ft 1.2L I-4, a 99-hp, 97-lb-ft 1.4L I-4, and a 74-hp, 107-lb-ft 1.3L four-cylinder turbodiesel mated to either a five-speed manual or Fiat's "robotized" Dualogic transmission. The 500C will also be available with Fiat's new Start&Stop system in an effort to further improve the 500C's already impressive fuel economy and low emissions.
The top itself will be available in three colors (ivory, red and black) and can be matched with multiple body color combinations, two of which -- Pearl Red and a special Warm Grey -- were added just for the 500C. No word yet on whether an Abarth edition is planned, but we wouldn't be surprised to see one later this year. Oh, and if the 500 ever makes it here, Fiat would be well advised to ship a bunch of 500Cs along with it.

fiat 500c

fiat 500c

ferrari 599xx

Carbon fiber appears to adorn every inch of the Ferrari 599XX supercar, starting at the adjustable splitter attached to a lower, aggressive front nose. The composite undertray continues the length of the car and is bolstered by thicker side skirts directing passing air to its rear carbon ceramic brakes. Likely 19-in. forged one-piece centerlock wheels sit snugly in front of the extra-large binders. Slimmer racing mirrors match the matte black theme on the roof portion of 599XX. In place of regular Maranello glass, racing-style windows have been installed for increased safety and weight reduction. Also on the canopy's C-pillar are "winglets" ala Ferrari's 2008 Formula 1 racecar. The exotic's trunklid hosts a wraparound duckfin spoiler, while the rear gets a complete overhaul with huge diffuser and bumper integrated dual exhaust.

ferrari 599xx

ferrari 599xx