Tag Archives: concept

Opel revealed their latest concept car, the Monza, at a pre-show conference on Monday. Taking its name from the Opel back catalogue, the Monza is an interpretation of how future Opels will look. The interior, too, is a statement, using LED projection technology for the instrument panel and infotainment systems to create one of the most advanced cabins ever seen on a car. 18 LED projectors create an infinitely variable environment and given that they are controlled by software, it’s theoretically possible to introduce an entirely new theme with a simple firmware upgrade. For power, the Monza relies on an electric powertrain, but with a natural gas powered range extender, much like the Ampera in principle. Opel acknowledge that the gull wing doors are fiendishly difficult to engineer and produce, so they will never make production, but this is the car that will inspire Opels to come. Even the phone connection is well thought out, with three modes available: Me, …

Volkswagen will unveil their Sportsvan concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week. It’s the successor to the Golf Plus. At 4,338 mm long, the new Sportsvan is 134 mm longer than the Golf Plus, and 83 mm longer than the Golf.  Its 2,685 mm wheelbase is 48 mm longer than that of the Golf, helping to generate more interior space, while the Sportsvan is also 80 mm wider, at 1,870 mm, and 126 mm higher, at 1,578 mm (excluding roof rails).  Inside, the rear seats (60:40 split bench) can slide forwards and backwards by up to 180 mm, to increase either passenger or luggage space as required. Boot capacity is increased by 74 litres to 498 litres (Golf 380). Moving the rear seats increases the luggage space to 585 litres, while folding them down releases 1,512 litres. Powering the Sportsvan will be a range of petrol and diesel engines, all of which conform to Euro 6 emissions standards and …

Kia has confirmed that its dramatic new European concept, to be unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, will be called the Niro.   The Niro hints at a possible future B-segment contender ready to take on the urban environment and will preview an innovative new powertrain when it is revealed on September 10.  The car was designed at Kia’s Frankfurt design studio under the direction of Gregory Guillaume, Chief Designer Europe. Niro’s unveiling in Frankfurt will be used to gauge potential customer response for future showroom models.

To celebrate the 30th birthday of the Sport quattro, Audi are unveiling its spiritual successor at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new concept is a plug-in hybrid, generating a total of 700 bhp in all. Fuel consumption is quoted at 2.5 l/100 km and 0-100 km/h takes just 3.7 seconds. 21” wheels and short overhangs echo the styling of the original Sport quattro. Flat C-pillars and the rectangular double headlights complete the look. The headlights feature new Matrix LED technology, which will also be available later this year in the facelifted A8. Torque of 800 Nm is fed to the road through an eight speed tiptronic into a quattro drivetrain, with a differential on the rear axle. The engine itself is a 4.0 litre twin turbo V8, with the ability to deactivate up to four cylinders under part load. A stop start system also features. An electric motor, producing 150 bhp is mounted between the engine and the transmission. The …