Lotus Elite on Paris Auto Show 2010

At the stand of Paris Auto Show Lotus Elite was shown like prototype, and representatives of the company inform that the serial model will appear only four years later. Nevertheless, all basic technical characteristics are already declared. The engine will deliver Toyota. It is 5-liter V8 with a supercharger which in the base version will give out 542 h.p., and as alternative more powerful version developing 612 forces will serve. Dispersal to hundred will occupy 3,5 sec, and the maximum speed will be – 314 km/h.

Experts in automobile history can reproach Elite like artificial Lotus. Which were always the British sport cars? First of all – in a racing way lungs. And consequently mad dynamics was reached even with not the most powerful motors. And Elite will weigh 1 650 kg.

Company Lotus was many years in long crisis, and on one tiny sport cars business won't hoist. Classical Lotuses are calculated on the automobile gourmets which are an expert in ascetic Elise and Exige. And for elite public hardly probable not a leading role, the impressive figure in the column plays capacity.

And the main argument which British plan to win buyers from Ferrari and Lamborghini, is the price. Ferrari California now in Europe costs about 200 000 euros. And the preliminary price for much more powerful Lotus Elite – 137 000 euros.

Jaguar C-X75: super car on jet engines!

Electric super cars are experimented now by many companies, and partly Jaguar goes on the same way that Audi and Mercedes. The Ingolstadt firm has presented one year ago on the Frankfurt showroom the electric Audi R8 which has received own name E-tron. Similar Mercedes SLS E-Cell has been announced this summer. And like these two workings out, Jaguar C-X75 is electro car which have electric motor on each of four wheels . An index in the car name — in honor of 75-year-old anniversary which Jaguar mark celebrates this year.

However, the English company has gone further competitors and has decided to compete in capacity with the mightiest petrol super cars that while it turns out not at all contenders. At Audi E-tron four electromotors in the sum give out only 313 h.p. At present it insufficiently to overtake many hot hatchbacks of a golf class. Mercedes can brag of a 526-strong power-plant but because electro cars with heavy accumulators weighs more than petrol analog, its dynamics is worse: to 100 km/h it is dispersed for 4 sec that on 0,2 sec longer, than at traditional version. And here Jaguar C-X75 — one of the fastest in the world of cars without any discounts that it is electric car, after all total capacity of its four electromotors — 778 h.p. And a twisting moment make 1 600 Nm, that is surpasses pull-rod of the most powerful version of Bugatti Veyron presented here in Paris. As a result electric super car is capable to type hundred only for 3,4 sec. The maximum speed — 330 km/h. And what about jet engines?

A payment for superabilities — a small cruising range. All rests against capacity of accumulators which while is insufficient at all modern electro cars. The present compact models produced in lots, even at economic movement mode, are capable to pass no more than 150-200 km. And a super car from Jaguar, by calculations of its founders, additional charge is required already through 109 km of run. But Englishmen have a trump — the gas microturbines capable directly on the move to recharge the car. Affirms that this working out created in cooperation with company Bladon Jets, – the first viable axial microturbines in the world. With their help a cruising range electric super car increases to 900 km.

From the technical point of view this car is experimental working out, and start of these decisions in manufacture isn't planned in the near future. But its design, possibly, waits a serial embodiment. Representatives of the company underline that in shape of this prototype the relationship from one of the well-known workings out of former years — Jaguar XJ13 is guessed. In two years Jaguar coupe XK should replace generation, and it is expected that in its stylistics there will be something general with the revolutionary concept car of Jaguar C-X75.

Renault DeZir- the future of mark Renault

Renault DeZir. So called the new big red coupe fromRenault. Frenchmen speak at once: to count that the similar car will go to a batch production, it is not necessary. It's a concept car. But concept with sense – DeZir is created to show us, in which direction design of Renault will develop in future time.

When you look on DeZir from time to time involuntarily you remember … Mazda. Please don't think that i accuse Renault in plagiarism. Anything similar, appearance new concept is original and very interesting. But there are some nuances. The first – Mazda too has more recently shown the concept coupe which precisely also shows the future development in design of the company. Second nuance – Renault DeZir was created by Laurens van den Acker, which else more recently worked in company Mazda.

Perhaps, the main feature new concept are doors. And still it is necessary to notice that DeZir at all has no rear screen – according to designers, in the future at movement the review will be provided with videocameras.

If you expect that DeZir is equipped with any magnificent engine you are cruelly be mistaken. In this car there is a small electromotor which capacity gives out 110 watt and actuates rear wheels . According to Renaults details, the maximum speed of the big coupe only 180 km/h, and a cruising range doesn't exceed 160 km. In general, anything record.

Electric Mercedes is ready for manufacture

If the Japanese companies already sell electromobiles not only in the country, but also in the West Germans while are very cautious. Mercedes-Benz company only this year will exhaust the first party electric versions A-class in volume of all in 500 pieces. Them will transfer in leasing to the organizations, and Germans will steadfastly watch operation cars to make changes to a design of the future models. Similarly now BMW tests trial lot Mini E.

It is necessary to notice that the design of younger Mercedes-Benz A-class, unlike many competitors, was initially created taking into account alteration possibility in electropenalties. Still the first generation of the A-class which were issued in 1997, had a double floor in which there is enough place for seating of batteries. Modern generation has inherited this feature. As a result version E-Cell can brag of quite good characteristics in comparison with other electromobiles. So the cruising range at full gymnastics makes 200 km while the majority of contenders on 40 km has less.

Mercedes electromotor has two modes of behavior. At usual driving it saves energy and gives out 68 h.p. But, say, at overtaking it can quickly develop 95 forces. If to judge on dispersal from a place to 100 km/h the A-class you will not name dynamical car: an electropenalty is required on performance of this exercise 14 sec. However, in a city mode of movement, the car, probably, is capable to overtake many neighbors in a stream as on dispersal to 60 km/h it is necessary only 5,5 sec. The maximum speed – 150 km/h.

The car is completed with climate control, the xenon headlights, system of an automatic parking, and also a totality of airbags. It is known that one of weak places electromobiles is that at driving with the engaged air conditioner or an oven, the accumulator charge comes to an end too quickly. Germans have thought up how partially to solve this problem. When the car costs at night on additional charge, to it it is possible to allow to warm up or cool in advance a remote command interior. By the way, from a household network new non-polluting Mercedes-Benz are charged for 8 hours. At special stations with high-voltage socket connections – for 3 hours.

Paris Auto Show 2010: Opel Astra Sports Tourer

New generation Opel Astra has mad demand in Europe. And it considering that while Astra is on sale only in the form of a 5-door hatchback. And after all on sale there will be a new versatile person under name Astra Sports Tourer, quantity wishing to buy this car will increase by 25 %, after all such percent had earlier on Astra in a body the versatile person. And, believe, 25 % are a minimum. Most likely, interested persons will be even more. Probably, for today in general it is the most beautiful versatile person in a class C.

To make the car more beautiful, designers had to offer a practicality. In comparison with the previous generation of the versatile person, the volume of a luggage compartment has decreased for 40 l and now makes at the combined rear seats of 1550 l. But also it is an excellent indicator. After all, we will put, at Volkswagen Golf Variant the luggage compartment volume is equal 1495 l, at Hyundai i30 CW – 1395 l, and at Ford Focus Wagon – 1545 l.

Therefore bigger value has that fact that the length of a luggage compartment has increased. Besides, on all interior the every possible capacities which total volume makes 75 l are scattered. According to engineers, the versatile person has received the strengthened suspender with other absorbers which are calculated on the big loadings. And at desire it will be possible to buy the car with electronically monitored absorbers which should improve roadability and smoothness of a course. It is interesting that the new versatile person has the same wheelbase on length, as well as at a hatchback.

Under cowl Astra Sports Tourer will put the same motors, as well as on 5-doors hatchback. Unless there will be no weak petrol unit in volume of 1,4 l. Yes it also isn't necessary. The role of the most modest unit will be assigned to the motor in volume of 1,3 l. The diesel motor. Its capacity of 95 h.p., and a cursor will go with system stop start - all it promises us excellent profitability Besides, there will be also a petrol version in volume of 1,4 l with a turbo-supercharging (120 h.p. or 140 h.p.) and the motor in volume of 1,6 l (too a turbo-supercharging and already 180 h.p.).

Paris Auto Show 2010: Chevrolet Orlando

On a showroom in Paris has taken place the world premiere Chevrolet Orlando which urged to compete with such popular models in Europe, as Opel Zafira, Ford C-Max and Volkswagen Touran. In appearance of a novelty it is possible to see some relationship with crossovers: wheel arches have a fringing from not colored plastic, a bumper also are partially protected from having chopped off and scratches – the practical decision! However, neither a high ground clearance, nor all wheel drive Orlando can't brag.

The car is constructed on a platform of a sedan a golf class Chevrolet Cruze, but, as well as it is necessary for compact van, the model is much more capacious. Orlando has seven-seater version, and thanks to a high roof the interior is spacious enough. The driver's place is organized like minivan: the check point lever – on the central extension housing, and it is abruptly tilted. From family model, as a rule, you do not expect bright decisions in design, but it is necessary to tell, style of interior Orlando – one of the most interesting in a class.

From Cruze compact van has inherited the 1,8-liter gasoline engine capacity of 141 h.p., to the European buyers still will offer alternative: two versions of a 2-liter diesel engine developing 131 and 163 h.p.

The European version isn't bad completed: already in the base version buyers will receive 6 airbags, ESP, the air conditioner, mirrors with the electric drive and heating up. Start of sales is planned for the next spring.

Sensation of Paris: Fiat 500 two cylinders

Before you Fiat 500. Usual in appearance Fiat 500, without aggressive aerodynamic weather-cloth or a sports framework of safety. Meanwhile it is the car which if want, opens itself a new era of automotive industry. More precisely, engine building. Under Fiat 500 cowl there is a motor with two cylinders! The new engine of Fiat is made at absolutely new level. And, remember my words, the next five-seven years we will hear about occurrence of similar motors at other manufacturers.

It is necessary to tell that Fiat 500 already had the two-cylinder engine. It was put on five-hundred part of the first generation which has appeared in 1957. That motor had volume in 479 cubes, and its capacity made only 13 h.p. There were also powerful versions – on Fiat 500 put also the motor in volume of 499 cubes and capacity of 21 h.p. and the unit in volume of 594 cubes (23 h.p.).

The two-cylinder motor of 21st century absolutely another. Thanks to the advanced technologies and to a turbo-supercharging at volume of all in 875 cubes gives out 85 h.p. and 145 Nm. Think only – 85 h.p! For such car as Fiat 500, more than enough. And a twisting moment here excellent – 145 Nm are accessible already at 1900 turns. And the driver can independently regulate it – having pressed the button, it is possible to limit moment size on a mark 100 Nm that will allow to reduce fuel consumption a little. Here also it turns out that the new two-cylinder motor surpasses many modern four-cylinder engines in volume of 1,2-1,4 l.

And profitability at it is much better. So, the average expense of gasoline at two-cylinder Fiat 500 with the robotized box and system stop start is equal only 4,1 l on 100 km of a way. And it at preservation of normal dynamics – the maximum speed of the car is equal 173 km/h, and dispersal from 0 to 100 km/h occupies 11 sec. But there is more to come. Italians have created even the diesel two-cylinder motor which gives out the same of 85 h.p. And it is not necessary to doubt in it's profitability.

While Fiat only declared about the beginning of a batch production two-cylinder motors. But, apparently, it only the beginning. With probability in 99 % it is possible to assume that already in year or two from now engines with two cylinders will appear on many cars of a class A and B.