First Look Jaguar C-X75 Concept

First Look Jaguar C-X75 Concept

First Look Jaguar C-X75 Concept

There's a lot to the name of the Jaguar C-X75. The C stands for concept, X for experimental, and 75 for Jaguar's 75th anniversary, which the storied British brand is celebrating this year. Too bad they didn't sneak a T in there, for Turbine. Because this compact two-seat sports car debuting at the 2010 Paris show takes a unique approach to propulsion compared to the recent onslaught of eco-friendly supercars.
The highlight of the C-X75's powertrain is a pair of micro-turbines that act as diesel-fed range extenders designed to help keep the car's battery-powered EV motor turning the wheels. According to Jaguar, it's the best of all worlds: the high-end performance enthusiast's desire, but with fuel economy, emissions, and range that even the most frugal compact hybrid would struggle to match. The C-X75 also makes dramatic statements in the style, materials, ergonomics, and vehicle dynamics departments.Jaguar C X75 Concept Rear Three Quarters Driver
Jaguar HQ challenged the C-X75 project team to come up with a unique alternative propulsion approach. There would be no V-8 hybrid like the Porsche 918, or a pure EV like the Mercedes-Benz SLS E-Cell or Audi R8 E-Tron. Although C-X75's approach is similar in scope to the Chevrolet Volt in that the concept can move under electric power alone, it's the range-extending part that's radically different.
Jaguar C X75 Rear Three Quarter
Instead of fitting a traditional engine to the car like the Volt does to power a generator to deliver juice to the battery pack, the C-X75's diesel-powered, water-cooled turbines charge the batteries while the car is underway, and unlike the Volt, the turbines can provide power directly to the system to further boost acceleration when needed. The C-X75 is powered by four electric motors, each weighing roughly 110 pounds, which combine to produce a whopping 780 horsepower, along with an amazing 1,179 pound-feet of torque available from the moment you mash the pedal. The micro-turbines, which themselves generate roughly 95 horsepower each, sip from a 16-gallon diesel tank, and Jaguar claims an EV-only range of roughly 68 miles. As with the Volt, the C-X75 can be hooked up to any power supply to charge the battery. Charging times vary depending upon the power supply, but average about 5 hours.

Ferrari 599 SA Aperta

Ferrari 599 SA Aperta

After nearly 58 years together, do you think Ferrari management would forget Pininfarina's birthday? Not a chance. To properly wish the bodybuilder-turned-design house well on its 80th anniversary, the folks in Maranello have created a fitting tribute: the Ferrari 599 SA Aperta.
The SA in that awkward name stands for Superamerica, and like the 575M Superamerica that came before it, the new SA Aperta is a version of Ferrari's front-engine, V-12 sports coupe that exposes its occupants to the elements. Unlike the previous Superamerica, however, the SA Aperta does without a fancy flip-around top -- or any top mechanism, for that matter. Aperta is Italian for "open," and apart from a rudimentary soft top that can be deployed if needed, the SA Aperta is designed to be enjoyed en plein air.
2011 Ferrari 599 Sa Aperta Overhead View
The SA Aperta differs from its 599 siblings only above the fenders, where designers reshaped the car's windshield, pillars, and cabin in the process of chopping the top. The rear interior wall and integrated roll bar neatly flow into the elongated rear buttresses, while simultaneously echoing the shape and color of the scalloped sports seats.
Beneath the beltline, the SA Aperta picks and pulls parts from the entire 599 range. The majority of the car's body panels come straight from the 599 GTB Fiorano, although the rocker panels have been massaged to accommodate larger brake cooling ducts. Underhood, the SA Aperta is all 599 GTO. Power comes from its 670-horsepower, 6.7-liter DOHC V-12, which channels its output to the rear wheels via a six-speed automated manual gearbox. It's unknown if the suspension tuning borrows more from the GTB, GTB HGTE, or the GTO, but Ferrari does note it managed to reinforce the Aperta's chassis without adding a significant amount of weight.
2011 Ferrari 599 Sa Aperta Front Three Quarters View
Although the Paris Motor Show marks the 599 SA Aperta's first public debut, if you're on Ferrari's short list of preferred clientele, chances are you've already laid eyes on this beauty. It was a poorly kept secret that Ferrari was showing a topless 599 to VIPs this summer at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The privileged preview was a smashing success. Despite the SA Aperta's estimated price tag of roughly $456,000, all 80 examples are already spoken for.

Citroën Lacoste Concept

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

Citroën Lacoste Concept

BMW Concept 6 Series Coupe

BMW Concept 6 Series Coupe

BMW Concept 6 Series Coupe

We’ve known for some time that BMW has been working on the next-generation 6 Series, so it doesn’t come as a big surprise that BMW is using the impending 2010 Paris auto show to outline what it's planning for the new 6 with its Concept 6 Series Coupe.
Honoring its coupe tradition, BMW took its current 6 Series and gave it a newly sculpted body. The 6 Series concept evokes the image of the Gran Coupe presented at the Beijing auto show earlier this year but with two less doors. It's a softer overall look than the current 6 Series but still emits a strong presence from front to back.
BMW Concept 6 Series Rear Three Quarter
The headlights are the first from the Bavarian automaker to mate an all-LED setup with the familiar twin-round design. LEDs can be found everywhere illumination is desired, including the main lights, daytime running lights, foglights, and signal indicators. LED light strips, which continue to grow in popularity and application, are attached to the concept's front face. In addition to consuming less power, BMW is pleased to announce its Adaptive Headlight function will change the light spray depending on steering angle and vehicle speed. Drivers will only need to remember to look through the turn.
The 6 Series concept’s flanks feature four flowing lines to give the lengthy body substance, while unique 20-inch alloy wheels sport a one-off design. The Concept 6 Series Coupe's new presence stretches to the rear, where the L-shaped, LED taillights look similar to the 5 Series Gran Turismo. Like the front, the rear fascia gives off a hunkered-down look to round out the wide, low body package
Exterior design session over, we move into the interior. There is seating for four and natural lighting is highly valued, as evidenced by the presence of a full glass roof. The 6 Series concept swathes driver and passengers in premium materials with leather leading the charge.
It's difficult to avoid the iDrive control system omnipresent in the BMW lineup, although the latest generation is a significant improvement. To help the Concept 6 Series Coupe step out of the crowd, a freestanding 10.2-inch display sits above the center stack's air vents with bright chrome surround trim. A Head-Up Display is placed directly in front of the driver for minimal operating distractions.
BMW Concept 6 Series Interior Screen
The 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen Surround Sound System uses 16 individual amplifiers and Dirac Dimensions technology for a high-quality aural experience. There is even a center speaker housed within the dashboard area. Needless to say, the name Bang & Olufsen speaks for itself.
As for what to what lies under the hood of the 6 concept, BMW wouldn’t say. But when the actual 6 Series hits the streets, probably late next year, we wouldn’t be surprised to find BMW’s new generation turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six as the base engine, with the automaker’s the 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 also a possibility.
The big money question we always ask when it comes to concepts is: How much of the concept design will make it to production? We will just have to wait in order to find out.

BMW Concept 6 Series Coupe