Rolls-Royce Next 100 concept

Rolls-Royce showed off its Vision Next 100 concept today in London, giving a look at what its vehicles might look like a century years from now. Each BMW brand will show its own concept this year; BMW's Vision Next 100 concept was an interesting mix of textile-like patterns with stretchy fenders and a very 2010s four-door coupe shape, but this Rolls-Royce concept looks more like a luxury version of a World Solar Challenge racer.

The car's official title is 103EX, following the convention of recent Roller concepts. Whereas its BMW counterpart was perhaps a safe, predictable vision of the future, the Rolls is a striking vehicle and a big departure for the brand. Whether it works as a whole for you or not, it represents the kind of stylistic provocation that made ex-BMW stylist Chris Bangle a household name. While the early Bangle cars were extremely controversial, this Rolls concept is clearly the heir of his penchant for sharply creased character lines. Call the rocker panel crease flame surfacing if you want.

The floating headlamps and blade-edged verticality of the fenders are classic Rolls: imposing and visually heavy, without necessarily being classically beautiful. The square, flat grille is, to my eyes, much less successfully integrated. It seems like Rolls had the perfect opportunity to evolve the trademark grille into something more contemporary. In 100 years, the brand will still need to lean on this sort of anachronism? That seems short-sighted.

Volkswagen wants to sell three million electric cars by 2025

Speaking at the launch of VW’s ‘Strategy 2025’ in Wolfsburg this morning, Müller also revealed that the wider VW Group would make a “big reduction” in the number of model variants it produces - currently around 340 - as well as slashing the number of individual modular architectures from 12 to just four.

As Autocar predicted at the start of the year, this platform cull could cause future large Audis based on Porsche’s MSB platform and Audi’s unusual, longitudinally engined, MLB architecture to be dropped altogether. VW’s stand-alone NSF platform - which underpins the Up - could also be killed off.

In future, there will be just four platforms: small, medium, premium and sports car.

BMW unveils transparent Mini concept car

German automobile major BMW unveiled its transparent concept car 'Mini Vision Next 100' in London on Thursday. The car's most notable feature is the option of changing the exterior colour or pattern anytime as per a user's desire. The electric car also features a steering wheel which can slide across between passengers.

Next-Gen Chevrolet Beat Revealed In Its Production Guise

Chevrolet India has released the first images of the new Beat and its sister cars. They provide one with the idea as to how the cars will look in the real world. Though, in its new avatar, the Beat takes up an evolutionary approach rather than a full-blow aesthetic upgrade. Chevrolet plans to bring five cars this year, out of which three will be derivatives of the Beat namely -- the Beat, The Beat Essentia and the Beat Activ. The other two can be the Trailblazer facelift and the next-generation Cruze. 

Royal Enfield unveils two custom motorcycles

   

• The Mo’ Powa’ is based on Royal Enfield’s Classic 500, which the company claims is its rendition of ‘a Dragster-meets-Mad Max motorcycle’. The most significant change that the Mo’ Powa’ gets over the standard motorcycle is the turbocharged engine. The motorcycle’s custom-built exhaust has been fabricated by hand at Harris Performance.

  

•  The Dirty Duck, is based on the Continental GT. Inspired by off-road vehicles like the Land Rover Defender and Jeep, the Dirty Duck gets the addition of a snorkel that has too been handcrafted at Harris Performance. The motorcycle also features a fuel tank that has been naturally rusted to give it more of an off-roader look.

Nikola Motor Company unveils its electric truck

Here is unveiling of Nikola Motor Company’s electric long-haul rig concept. The Nikola One, as it’s called, has “6×6 all-wheel drive,” with 800-volt AC motors and regenerative braking at all wheels. And a whopping 2000 horsepower, compared to the 400-500 hp that most trucks have.

It also has a tank that holds 150 gallons of compressed natural gas, which powers a turbine that charges the 320 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The idea is that drivers would not have to stop to charge; the CNG plus regenerative braking would be able to power the truck for 1200 miles of driving. It’s similar to how the Chevy Volt works, where the gasoline tank recharges the batteries. The Volt and the Nikola One are both electric vehicles in that electric power from the batteries turns the wheels, but the batteries are most often charged by an on-board generator or turbine.

That’s not the only similarity to another company that Nikola Motor Company has. You may have noticed that it uses the first name of inventor Nikola Tesla; the last name has already been used. NMC makes no bones about its admiration for Tesla Motors, but where Tesla started with a wee roadster and worked toward the midsize sedan, NMC is coming at the problem from the opposite—and much larger—side of the equation. It hinted at more vehicles for other markets to come in the future on its website, but NMC is likely hoping to get the Nikola One onto the road before tackling passenger vehicles.

For those who aren’t quite ready to plunk down $1500 for a reservation on a $350,000 electric tractor-trailer, NMC also announced a dune-buggy-esque 4×4 off-road vehicle called the Nikola Zero. For a $750 reservation ($42,000 MSRP), you can get in line for 520 hp of all-electric, waterproof driving. The Zero plugs in like most EVs do to recharge the 440-volt lithium-ion batteries rather than using CNG and a turbine, though it does have solar panels on the roof to power the 12V battery.

Mercedes to unveil all-new electric SUV concept in Paris

Mercedes-Benz will unveil an electric-powered SUV concept, which high-ranking insiders describe as its first step into an elaborate electric vehicle strategy, at the Paris motor show in October 2016.

The new concept, currently undergoing construction at Mercedes' prototype workshop on the outskirts of Stuttgart in Germany, is said to provide a clear insight into the appearance, interior appointments, technical layout and overall dimensions of the German carmaker’s first truly dedicated electric vehicle. This uniquely styled SUV will take on the Tesla Model X as well as new electric SUVs planned by Audi and Jaguar.

The new zero-emissions SUV, tentatively planned for 2019, is the first in a series of a new electric vehicles currently under development by Mercedes, which includes an advanced upmarket sedan rival to the Tesla Model S and the recently unveiled Chinese LeEco LeSee, conceived around the very latest in autonomous driving technology.

Up until now, Mercedes had based its limited number of production electric vehicles around existing models, namely the Smart Fortwo and Mercedes B-class. With the unveiling of the new SUV concept, Mercedes will make public its plans to offer alternatives to its existing range of more traditional petrol, diesel and hybrid models.

First Electric Harley-Davidson Motorcycle Launch by 2020?

The announcement from Harley-Davidson comes at a time when its rival Victory Motorcycles is also focusing on electric bikes and it has already participated in events like Isle of Man TT and Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. In fact, Victory had applied to trademark the “Victory Charger” moniker hinting the fact that an electric bike is under works and could hit production soon. Victory brand purchased Brammo’s electric motorcycle business. During the acquisition it had announced that it would be building a new electric motorcycle at the company’s facilities in Spirit Lake, Iowa. Harley-Davidson officials had announced that the LiveWire wouldn’t go in production soon as the production cost for the bike comes to $50,000 (Rs 33.4 lakh) currently which is considerably higher than conventional internal combustion motorcycles.

Another bottleneck faced by the American bikemaker is the range of the battery which stands at 80km and they want to double it before the bike hits production. The Harley-Davidson LiveWire is powered by a three-phase induction motor producing 75PS of power and 71Nm of torque.

Hyundai reveals RM16 concept

Hyundai says its new RM16 concept offers a glimpse of the future of its N performance range, which will open with the i30N hot hatch next year.

The new RM16 is Hyundai’s third mid-enginedVeloster concept. It evolves the technical thinking of the RM14 and RM15 into a more potent form.

Behind the front seats of the RM16 sits a 2.0-litre, turbocharged engine that produces 300hp. This is about 36.5hp more than the predicted output of the i30N, which uses the same basic 2.0-litre motor. The RM16 indicates that the unit could produce close to 304hp in future N performance applications.

The concept uses a six-speed manual gearbox, like its concept predecessors. This emphasises Hyundai’s preference for a manual gearbox in its N cars. The i30N will also feature a manual ’box at launch, although an automatic transmission will be offered as an option in 2018.

The RM16 has an electronically controlled limited-slip differential (LSD) and electric supercharger, which are both said to preview the sort of technology that future N models will employ. The i30N will feature an LSD, but there’s no word yet on whether it could inherit the additional engine boost at a later stage.

The bodywork of the RM16 concept is visually striking. The exterior has been developed to create genuine downforce at speed and includes an activerear wing and carbonfibre-reinforced panels. Hyundai says this also previews what’s to come from the N brand, suggesting forthcoming N models could get track-focused aero and lighter bodywork.

In fact, insiders expect the i30N to be offered with a performance pack that will be focused on track driving and outright performance. The pack could be homologated for road use and applied to a model aimed at setting a Nürburgring lap record, much as Seat did with its Sub8 pack on the record-breaking Leon. This theory is backed by the extensive amount of testing Hyundai has been doing with its i30N at the ’Ring.

Aside from its RM concepts, Hyundai has produced the N 2025 Vision Gran Turismo concept to indicate its intentions for its new performance brand.

Innovative concept Smartbook

And then I’m ready to go to Geek Heaven! One of the reasons why devices like iPad and other tablets exist is to satisfy this urge in us to stay connected to the web world. Latest touchscreen phone also carry the same incentive, but somehow both the devices have one flaw: tablets lack an external keyboard and phones lack the screen real estate. To bridge the gap we have the really innovative Smartbook; a Smartphone that flips open to become a QWRTY keyboard and syncs with its personalized PCTablet.

Skoda Superb to get Dynamic Chassis Control

The all-new Skoda Superb that was launched in February will soon come with DCC or Dynamic Chassis Control in India. The DCC adjusts the Superb's steering weight, its engine responsiveness and gearbox reaction time and also firms-up or softens the car's dampers to suit the desired driving situation. The system enables drivers to choose from three different driving modes – Comfort, Normal and Sport.

The Superb currently sold in India, has the three settings but applicable to the engine, gearbox and steering only. With the India car getting a ‘rough road’ suspension setup with a higher ground clearance, engineering and tuning the specific dampers for adaptive control is an added cost that Skoda had previously avoided. However, Skoda will now introduce the adaptive dampers to complete the DCC suite of controls for the Indian Superb. Fine tuning the suspension system will take some time and thus it may take until 2017 for the tech to roll out.

In India, 

19 cars debuting at the 2016 New York Auto Show

ACURA MDX

Acura teased the next-gen MDX with an illustration that shows a lot of promise, but beyond that, there isn’t much to go on for this one. The spy shots help to give us a vague idea what the rest of the car might look like, but the interior is pretty much a mystery at this point. However, we do expect a new nine-speed automatic transmission and AWD system, while an update to the existing 3.5-liter V-6 engine isn’t out of the question, either.

MERCEDES-AMG GLC43 4MATIC

This is the first time AMG has offered a pumped-up mid-size SUV, and its job is simple – bridge the gap between the GLA45 and GLE63 with standard issue plus-sized performance. Glossy black and chrome adorn the exterior, while bolstered seats and a flat-bottomed steering wheel sit inside. Most interesting is the twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 engine under the hood, which produces 362 horsepower, 384 pound-feet of torque, and launches the GLC43 to 60 mph in less than five seconds.

BUICK ENCLAVE SPORT TOURING EDITION

With every auto show comes the special editions,and first on our list is the Enclave Sport Touring. Unique features found here only change the crossover’s appearance, and include a Satin Black Ice finish applied to the grille, the spokes of the 20-inch wheels, and the interior lighting scheme. The Sport Touring also includes a standard heated steering wheel, 4G Wi-Fi, and a rear backup camera. The 3.6-liter V-6 continues unaltered.

SUBARU IMPREZA

Subaru’s multipurpose and omnipresent Impreza compact has been going strong since 1992, currently sitting in its fourth generation. Now, Subaru has confirmed the fifth gen will appear for the first time in New York. We’ve already had a few glimpses at what’s in store, including the Impreza 5-Door Concept renderings, a teaser image, and a few spy shots of a test mule, and it’s probably safe to assume a new 2.0-liter flat-four engine under the hood with a higher quality build in the cabin, not to mention standard AWD.

MERCEDES-AMG E43

Mercedes dropped the new E-Class sedan in Detroit at the start of the year, which gaveAMG just enough time to perfect the more aggressive E43. Destined to slot below theuber-E-Class AMG E63, the E43 comes with all the traditional trimmings, like a more assertive aesthetic inside and out, sportier adaptive suspension, and a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 with 396 horsepower and 384 pound-feet of torque. A run from standstill to 60 mph takes 4.5 seconds.

MERCEDES-BENZ CLA

In the three years it’s been on the market, the four-door coupe baby Benz CLA has been quite successful. Now it’s time for a refresh, which means the new model gets tweaked styling with updated bumpers front and back, new trim inside, and a thinner 8-inch infotainment display. U.S. buyers get a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, while diesels and smaller gas powerplants are offered overseas.

MERCEDES-AMG CLA45

 With the release of the new CLA comes its bodybuilding twin – the AMG CLA45. The DTM-inspired exterior gets a lower coefficient of drag, LED headlights are now standard, the thinner infotainment screen is in the cabin, and there are new options for smartphone integration. Meanwhile, the turbo 2.0-liter is unchanged, producing 375 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque, and a 4Matic AWD system is standard.

SCION TC SERIES 10.0

 If you haven’t heard the news, Scion is going away.Toyota is absorbing the youth-oriented brand and moving forward with its model lineup as rebadged Toyotas. To giveScion a proper sendoff, there will be one last special edition tC called the Release Series 10.0, which comes dressed in a new body kit, Barcelona Red paint, and gets red contrast stitching in the interior. The model is also equipped with lowering springs and a new exhaust.

CHEVROLET SONIC

 It’s been six years since we first saw the current-generation Sonic, which means this latest update is most welcome. Chevy is bringing significant changes to the exterior look and interior technology, including a new front and rear fascia for the former, and a 7-inch touchscreen for the latter. However, the drivetrain is unchanged, offering a 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 138 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque.

MAZDA MX-5 HARDTOP

 Mazda has big plans for New York, but it isn’t sharing what exactly it has in mind. Many are guessing a hardtop variant of the new-generation MX-5, or possibly a folding roof version called the MX-5 Roadster Coupe. Of course, those predictions could be wrong, and it’s quite possible the big surprise is a brand new model altogether. Did someone saynext-gen RX-7?

CHEVROLET CAMARO ZL1

Following up on last year’s debut of the sixth-generation Camaro, the Bowtie is gearing up to unleash the new ZL1, and simply put, it’s the most powerful factory-built Camaro ever created. Output is rated at a staggering 640 horsepower and 640 pound-feet of torque thanks to a supercharged 6.2-liter V-8. Throw in a lightened platform and track-ready suspension package, and the ZL1 is surely a force to be reckoned with.

NISSAN GT-R

Earlier this week, Nissan released a teaser image of what appears to be the obscured backend of a GT-R. What it means is anyone’s guess, but there are a few obvious possibilities at play. The first is a refreshed 2017 model year for the Japanese supercar, while the second is some kind of special edition model. While it could be a next generation, it’s unlikely given the current R35’s lifecycle. But, you never know…

TOYOTA 86

With the demise of Scion, the FR-S will now solider on as an official member of theToyota family here in the U.S. With the name change comes a few alterations to the body, with a new fascia, plus LEDs in the daytime running lights and taillights. There are also a few changes to the cabin, and the suspension was refined for better dynamics. Maddeningly, the drivetrain gets a paltry five-horsepower, five-pound-feet upgrade, rather than the turbo boost we’ve all been waiting for.

TOYOTA HIGHLANDER

To help it continue its success in the ultra-competitive crossover segment, Toyota has decided it’s time to update the Highlander. Presently in its third generation, the refresh brings new styling in the front fascia, newly available leather upholstery in the cabin, and a new 3.5-liter V-6. We’re expecting around 290 horsepower and more than 21 mpg combined. Pricing should stay around the $30,000 mark.

Toyota Yaris iA

The Mazda2 Sedan’s North American version, currently called the Scion iA, will be sold as the Toyota Yaris iA starting from the 2017 model year.

Toyota Corolla iM

The second generation Toyota Auris, currently sold as the Scion iM stateside, will be rebadged into the Toyota Corolla iM starting from the 2017 model year.

Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk

The Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk will be the most off-road capable Jeep Grand Cherokee. With an increased ground clearance, grippier tyres and other such enhancements, the Trailhawk variant will be another pillar in the Jeep Grand Cherokee range after the SRT variant.

GENESIS NEW YORK CONCEPT

Hyundai’s luxury brand is bringing a new concept to New York, but you probably guessed as much from the car’s title. All we have at this point is the above teaser image and a short video, but we do know it’ll showcase Genesis’ upcoming design language. Expect a complete look at the four-door next week.

Sony's Concept N headphones can provide a soundtrack, without isolating you from the crowd

Sony and audio innovation have always been a perfect fit. Nowadays, the pace might have slowed down a bit, but the Japanese giant still has some interesting concepts to offer from time to time, like the new N headphones.

The device more or less follows the neck bracelet form factor, like on the LG Tone or the Samsung Level U. However, the band itself holds speakers that are specifically designed to direct sound upward to the listener. This produces an interesting effect, where the wearer hears the music and also his or her surroundings, while advanced acoustics help keep splash out noise at a level that Sony claims will generally be drowned out easily in most every environment.

This seems to be the primary goal of the Concept N headphones - providing some background music, while still allowing you to be aware of your surroundings on the street, where is is most important or even during a conversation - a personal soundtrack for your life! As an added bonus, Sony has also included a pair of more traditional ear buds that connect to the main device and take the music a little closer to your ears. However, traditional might not be the best term here, as the ear buds feature an odd cone shape with a hole in the middle. The end goal is the same - retain awareness for the surroundings.

Rebaul Kwid Racer and Climber to be sold as special edition models! Renault Kwid 1.0 launch soon.

Renault showcased two concepts based on the Kwid  the 2016 Auto Expo called the Kwid Racer and Kwid Climber. Now the latest news is that these concepts could be released as special or limited edition models soon. Let’s take a look at what the two concepts have in store.The Kwid Racer concept at the Auto Expo looked stunning to say the least. I was quite surprised by how Renault managed to make an odd looking car like the Kwid into such a brute race machine.

The Renault Kwid Racer concept was shod with 18-inch wheels with ultra-low profile tyres. It even had aerodynamic body kit, race bucket seats and a half roll-cage. The concept’s looks were enhanced by a special metallic blue finish.

The Renault Kwid Racer featured wider air intakes, spoilers and a mean looking diffuser. The Renault Kwid Racer also had interiors wrapped in Alcantara, aluminium and carbon fibre for that sports car feel. Inside the Renault Kwid Racer, you’d also find a telemetry data system, four-point race harness, a digital rev counter and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. Except for the body kit, expect none of the above said features to make it to the production version for cost and practicality reasons.

The Renault Kwid Climber, unlike the Racer, is an out-and-out off roader with higher ground clearance than the standard car. The Kwid Climber also gets a wider track, shorter overhangs and groovy tyres with an off-road tread pattern. With a deep Flame Orange paint scheme and had bigger bumpers, protective moulding on the sides and “diamond-effect” wheels. Most of these changes are likely to be present in the production version. So hurray!

The Renault Kwid is powered by a 799cc three cylinder petrol engine that puts out 54PS of power and 72Nm of peak torque. The engine is mated to a 5-speed manual gearbox with a claimed ARAI-certified fuel efficiency figure of 25.7kmpl.