Golf R Cabriolet

Volkswagen has just unveiled a batch of exciting new cars at the largest GTI Meet in the world at Worthersee, including their new Golf R Cabriolet concept. Like its closed top counterpart this car is quick with its 270PS of power taking the car from 0-62mph in less than six seconds and on to a top speed of 153mph. This makes the Golf R Cabriolet concept the fastest open-top Golf ever.

The car was lowered by 25mm with a bespoke sports chassis, it has a 17-inch brake system with internally ventilated discs at all wheels plus 19-inch “Talladega” alloy wheels. Inside the Motorsport shell seats are in dark blue carbon leather plus Nappa leather in “Pure Grey”, plus ulphostery piping and decorative seams for colour contrast.

Astra GTC

Vauxhall has released the first images of the their stunning new GTC Paris concept car as Vauxhall also confirms testing real cars in preparation for a full production launch.

Astra GTC concept car

The order books for this new concept car should open in about 6 weeks time when full pricing, technology, vehicle equipment and full specifications should be released.

The first offical world premiere will be at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 15th, 2011.

The production GTC is based on the Paris GTC concept and has a dramatic 3-door body that will be capable of carrying five adults.

Saab PhoeniX concept car

Saab has unveiled their exciting and innovative Saab PhoeniX concept car which looks set to shape the styling of future generation of cars from Saab. The new architecture will underpin the next Saab 9-3 model and Saab is also introducing their “aeromotional” design, which is inspired by Saab’s aviation roots.

Future Saab styling

The PhoeniX has a “liquid metal” teardrop look with a dramatic jet-canopy inspired glasshouse, with butterfly doors giving easy access to the 2+2 cabin. The car is powered by a 200hp 1.6-litre petrol-turbo engine driving the front wheels with an electrically-driven rear axle, giving you hybrid all-wheel-drive capability.

This combination offers CO2 emissions at around 119g/km and a combined mpg of 56.5, coupled with a dynamic driving experience.

SEAT's IBX concept

SEAT is unveiling their new, stunning IBX concept car, which is an urban sports utility vehicle combining the Spanish brand’s sporty design language with SUV proportions. The SEAT IBX has been conceived with an advanced hybrid powertrain in mind, that would offer zero-emissions in the city and cross-country credentials from an internal combustion engine.

SEAT IBX concept car

The new SUV concept has the full capability and versatility of an SUV, is 4.26 metres long,  1.80 metres wide and has a height of 1.62 metres. It has a stretched roofline and distinctive rear roof pillar, providing the perfect crossover between a sports utility vehicle and a classic sports coupe.

The length of the roofline is further emphasised by a rear spoiler and at the front, LED technology headlamps give the concept further sophistication.

The possible combustion engine candidates are the latest TSI and direct-injection TDI engines and although the IBX is set up for front wheel drive, a 4WD system might be an option for the future.

Captur concept

The new Renault Captur is a sporty crossover that Renault will officially unveil at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2011. This muscular looking concept has an athletic design and is powered by the Energy dCi 160 twin-turbo engine paired to a dual clutch EDC gearbox plus the new, novel, RX2 system that improves traction at low speeds.

Butterfly doors

The car is fitted with a hard convertible top, which can easily removed, transforming itself from a four-seater coupe to a convertible. It has reinforced butterfly doors and big tyres fitted to 22-inch black and white rims with its orange bodywork completing the sporty look.

The Captur will also debut the new Visio-System, an innovation that uses a camera mounted at the top of the windscreen, to provide driver assistance functions. The new technology embeds synthesised images into real-time images of the road ahead and displays them on a central screen. Performance is pretty good with a 0-62mph time of only 8.0 seconds and CO2 emissions at just 98g/km.

Peugeot EX1 Concept

The super fast Peugeot EX1 concept car has already set several records in France and has now continued its mission by breaking these records in the Chinese city of Chengdu. The car was driven by China’s most popular youth blogger, Han Han, and the EX1 smashed the 1/8 mile and 1/4 mile sprints, with times of 7.08.62 and 12.67.54 seconds respectively. Both records were verified by and approved by the Chinese Auto Sports Federation.

Peugeot EX1 Concept

This is a really quick electric car and the previous EX1 record breaking driver, Nicolas Vanier, also set another unofficial record for the sprint from 0-100 km/h (62mph), in just 3.49 seconds, which represents another world benchmark in terms of acceleration for an electric vehicle. It demonstrates that electric vehicles can be as fast as conventionally powered cars and also the high-tech expertise of Peugeot.

Peugeot 508

Peugeot has released the details of the new Peugeot 508 which will be launched in 2011. The new design look is based on the SR1 concept car, will be available in Saloon and SW body styles and will benefit from e-HDi and HYbrid4 technology.

The new car has a stylish “French chic” exterior and the interior of the car promises hi-tech innovation, quality materials throughout, a high standard vehicle specification, great interior and boot space and all models will offer low CO2 emissions too.

The range of engines will benefit from Peugeot’s new e-HDi stop and start system offering up to a 15% reduction in economy and the HYbrid4 will offer 200bhp performance with all-wheel drive and emissions of just 99g/km or zero in electric mode. The two versions of the new Peugeot 508 will be unveiled to the public at the Paris Motor Show in October and will go on sale at the beginning of 2011.

Polestar Volvo C30

The 400PS Volvo C30 Polestar PCO (Performance Concept Prototype) will be on display at the Gothenburg Motor Show between the 22nd-25th April.

The car was designed to evaluate what happens when a Championship Winning racing car team designs a car for modern day driving and aims to build on the driving characteristics of the standard Volvo C30. The car is powered by a 2.5-litre turbo engine with modified pistons and Haldex AWD.

"5 by Peugeot"

Peugeot has released the details of a new “5 by Peugeot” concept car which is another indication of the future style direction they are taking in the luxury vehicle market segment.

"5 by Peugeot"

The car is powered by Peugeot’s HYbrid4 technology with a 200bhp 2.0-litre HDi FAP 163bhp diesel engine plus four-wheel drive, with CO2 emissions of 99g/km or zero emissions in electric mode.  The electric motor offers 37bhp and is available for low speed operation. This engine is also set to be launched in the new Peugeot 3008 in 2011. 

The car has the Marque’s feline appearance further enhanced by the new Peugeot Lion badge, brushed aluminium window surrounds, highlighted LED lights with illuminate surrounds and door handles, plus 19-inch steel trims.

Hyundai i-flow

A stunning new concept car from Hyundai, called the i-flow, is set to be unveiled at the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show. This D-segment car is a stylish saloon that looks set to shape the future of Hyundai car design.

The name i-flow reflects the car’s flowing lines and retains the “i” prefix that Hyundai uses for all its cars. Incorporating new technologies from chemical company BASF, the car will be available for viewing on the 2nd March.