Geneva Motor Show: 2012 Saab 9-5 SportCombi

The new PhoeniX sports coupe concept pretty much grabbed most of the attention at Saab's Geneva Motor Show stand, but the Swedes also brought along their all-new 2012 9-5 SportCombi. The station wagon model will arrive in the market this fall with the same engine lineup as the four-door 9-5 offering buyers improved practicality and a boot that measures 527 liters with the seats up and 1600 liters when the 60/40 split rear seatbacks are folded down. Hop over the jump for some live shots and walk-around video from the Geneva Show floors.

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Geneva Motor Show: Brabus BiTurbo 700

Called the 700 Biturbo, Brabus' iteration of the SLS AMG received the Widestar treatment, which means the car is 20 millimeters (0.8 in.) wider at the back, creating the necessary space for the extra wide 11Jx21 wheels (9.5Jx20 on the front). Brabus says the entire body was subjected to aerodynamic tunnel tests to ensure the car is stable at high speeds. The front spoiler, the covers for the air inlets, the gills, the rear spoiler and the diffuser are all made from carbon-fiber and contrast the silver paint of the 700 Biturbo. Brabus also added carbon side skirts fitted with air vents for the rear brakes.

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2010 Caterham Sport Cars Seven Roadsport 125 Monaco

Manufacturer of specialist lightweight sports cars, Caterham Cars, announced the latest Special Edition. The Lotus Seven, and the Caterham Seven have been around for 53 years, it is still one of the basic and quintessential sports cars made. The Seven was never about power, it was about lightweight, minimalistic driving, and it remains true to it’s roots today. Caterham Cars is evoking the elegance, class and rich motorsport heritage of Monte Carlo with the latest Special Edition of its similarly timeless sportscar, the 2010 Caterham Sport Cars Seven Roadsport 125 Monaco.

The latest incarnation of Caterham’s iconic Seven, the Roadsport 125 Monaco, remains true to the original design by Colin Chapman in 1957. The Monaco features the British automaker’s brushed aluminum bodywork, with black nose and wheel guards. The familiar red and white of the Monegasque flag, the official flag of Monaco, form a motif that runs the length of the car, which takes us back to the golden era of motorsport.

2010 Caterham Sport Cars Seven Roadsport 125 Monaco

Caterham have kept the car fresh by producing several special editions over the years and this Monaco Edition is the latest. Powered by a 1.6 liter Ford four cylinder, it produces 125 horsepower and 120 ft/lb of torque, which should be entertaining since the car only weighs 1,100-1,200 pounds! According to Caterham the car is good for a six second 0-60 run and a top speed of 112mph.

Under the skin, the engineering is pure Caterham. The 1.6-litre Ford engine produces a top speed of 112mph and a power-to-weight ratio of 227bhp per tonne. The 5-speed gearbox propels the lightweight 500kg chassis from 0-60mph in under six seconds and full weather kit means the Roadsport is thoroughly enjoyable in any conditions.

2010 Caterham Sport Cars Seven Roadsport 125 Monaco

The Roadsport 125 Monaco options include the wide SV chassis and a lowered floor for extra comfort in the cockpit. The company added that the all black trim is also available for the customers to choose from.

For just £20,995, the Roadsport 125 Monaco combines Caterham’s thrilling performance and driving experience with a unique touch of European flare and glamour. However, the first 20 cars to be ordered are available for just £19,995.

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E-Sphyra Electric Sports Cars Concept

This supercar is intended to be a performance-oriented sports cars, with a modern, aerodynamic exterior design. The two main designers, John Daretry and Cyril Prongué, are currently attending their fifth post A level year at the UTBM in the ergonomics, industrial design and mechanical engineering department.

E-Sphyra Electric Sports Cars Concept

E-Sphyra is a working prototype of a racing sports cars. Designed by a team of students from Belfort-Montbéliard University of Technology in France, the E-Sphyra sports cars has a fiberglass body and weighs 800 kg. The aim of the project wasto develop a sports cars with a modern design concept  cars that would be performance-oriented and integrate new technologies.

The e-Sphyra was developed on three different sites which worked in sinergy thanks to a special network. The first department worked on the architecture, the second one on the electrical parts and the third one was in charge of the making of the body.

The three departments were coordinated by Thibaut Brant, who was responsible for the project. Based on the exploratory sketches, the 3D surface modeling process was carried out using Catia V5, while the surrounding environment, required for the final renderings, was created with Hypershot.

E-Sphyra Electric Sports Cars Concept. The electric powertrain features a rear-mounted motor which delivers a total output of 100 KW. It took more than 2,000 hours for the team to construct the E-Sphyra. while the total weight of just 800 kg allows to achieve a power-to-weight ratio of 125W/kg.

 E-Sphyra Electric Sports Cars Concept

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2010 Jaguar Sports Cars XKR 75

The 2010 Jaguar Sport Car XKR 75 will provide owners with exclusivity, excitement and a hint of Jaguar’s great heritage its debut at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 2. Jaguar Land Rover CEO, Dr Ralf Speth, initiated the challenge to the Jaguar engineering team to construct an XKR to celebrate Jaguar's 75th anniversary, which would deliver a combination of enhanced performance, superb chassis and steering control and grip levels to inspire the driving enthusiast to explore the true potential of the XKR's capabilities.

2010 Jaguar Sports Cars XKR 75

“The Jaguar Sport Car XKR 75 will provide owners with an exclusive, fun and a bit of the Jaguar heritage. This is a way to celebrate the power of the XK sports trademark name Jaguars 75 years,” said Mike O'Driscoll, managing director, Jaguar Cars.

Jaguar engineers increased the power and torque of the acclaimed 5.0-litre supercharged engine to 530PS and 655Nm respectively for the Jaguar Sport Car XKR 75, to deliver truly outstanding performance. While the limited edition model’s top speed is electronically limited to 174mph (280km/h), the Jaguar Sport Car XKR 75's 0-60mph (100km/h) acceleration time is reduced from 4.6 to 4.4 seconds compared to the standard 510 PS XKR. "We conceived the XR 75 as a sports car with a duality of character that makes it perfectly suited to driving across Europe to the Nurburgring, completing some very fast laps, and then driving home again, added Mike Cross, Chief Engineer Vehicle Integrity.

2010 Jaguar Sports Cars XKR 75 

The Jaguar Sport Car XKR 75 features revised suspension and handling for increased precision and agility in addition to the performance enhancements. To ensure the XKR 75 remains stable at high speeds, a revised aerodynamic body pack with a front splitter, side sills extensions, a rear diffuser and larger rear spoiler provide increased balance and a reduction in lift. The XKR's computerised Active Differential Control also adjusts to reduce steering sensitivity at very high speeds, further improving stability and driver control.

Production of the Jaguar sports car XKR 75 is limited to just 75 vehicles, which will be available to order from July 2010 in the UK priced from £85,500 OTR. Customer deliveries will commence during October 2010.

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2012 Morgan Sports Cars EvaGT

Morgan was one of the first car companies to see the advantage of a bonded aluminium chassis to give rigidity but also to save weight. The 2012 Morgan Sport Car EvaGT uses a further developed version of the bonded aluminium chassis of the Morgan Aero SuperSports, a chassis that successfully competes in International GT3 Sports Car Racing. Compliant with European and US safety approvals.

2012 Morgan Sports Cars EvaGT

The Morgan Motor Company  has been making new cars all along. Morgan used the unveiling of the EvaGT sports car to again commit to releasing a brand new model every two years, with new niche markets in mind. It says the EvaGT is a four-seater coupe with a bit of “automotive theatre” aimed at young sporting families, while it also has plans for “a fun weekend vehicle” and, most intriguingly, an “electric sports car”.

The Morgan Motor Company is the last survivor of these British sports car manufacturers. Morgan sports car has a history of successful collaborations with German suppliers BMW, Siemens and Bosch. But Morgan also works with a number of young engineering companies in the United Kingdom and with world class British university research departments.

2012 Morgan Sports Cars EvaGT 

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is one of the most prestigious automotive events of the year, and is drawing the attention of more and more high-end manufacturers. Count Morgan among them, as the company has just debuted the stunning Morgan EvaGT 2+2.

The Morgan Motor Company is in a good position to respond to this challenge because the company is small and flexible with a proven track record of fast development cycles. It currently manufactures one of the greenest sports cars in the world, the Morgan Four Four Sport. Morgan sports cars achieves this result with the use of the new Ford 1.6 Sigma engine coupled with a light chassis. Morgan currently has a young well qualified technical team working towards a potential 5 engineering PHD's, who will make full use of research departments at the University of Oxford, Cranfield and Birmingham City to tap into a technical knowledge network to make more efficient cars. This team is helping to develop a high torque electric motor twice as powerful as others of the same weight and size and a powerful lithium phosphate battery with a higher charge density to achieve the most efficient performance for weight so far.

The turbocharged, 3.0-liter inline-six from the BMW 335i sits under the sculpted hood and produces a healthy 306 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels by either a six-speed automatic or six-speed manual. Morgan sports cars expects a scamper to 62 miles per hour to take 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 170 miles per hour. With its top speed at 170mph, Morgan sports cars Eva GT returns an impressive fuel economy of 40mpg UK, equals to 7.0lt/100km and 33.3mpg US, and has CO2 emissions of 200g/km.

The first public view of the 2012 Morgan sports cars EvaGT will be at the 60th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, California, USA on the 15th August 2010. The Morgan Motor Company will be taking orders worldwide with a request for a deposit of £5000 from prospective clients for an allocated build slot. The first 100 cars of a limited run are planned to begin production mid 2012 and the "on-road" price will be competitive for a car of this class.

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2011 Perana Sports Car Z-One

South Africa is quickly becoming a hotbed for sports car development, with two new performance machines being announced in the country in just as many weeks. Built through collaboration between Zagato, the Milanese coachbuilders, and Perana Performance Group, the Z-One features a tubular and box section chassis with room for two passengers. Tucked among the exotica at Concorso Italiano  was the new Zagato-styled, Hi-Tech-built and Superfomance-sold, Perana Z-One sports/GT.

2011 Perana Sports Car Z-One

The Perana sports car Z-One is designed in Italy, powered by American muscle and manufactured in South Africa. The "Z" stands for Zagato, Chief Designer Norihiko Harada using the Italian design house's DNA to form a dynamic supercar.

The sports car Perana Z-One will go on sale in the U.S. through Superformance after its Concorso Italiano debut in August. American buyers will get an allocation of just 99 units, so you probably won’t be seeing one parked outside of your local trattoria any time soon.

2011 Perana Sports Car Z-One is beautiful. And the build quality is exquisite. The panel gaps put all the high-priced Italian vehicles surrounding it to shame. The styling is definitely that of a European GT.

2011 Perana Sports Car Z-One 

The 6.2L V8 engine generates 440hp (328kW) and 430lb-ft of torque (583Nm) of torque, and redlines at 6,600rpm. That's enough to scoot the 2,630lb (1,195kg) car to 62mph (100km/h) in an estimated sub-4 second time. Big brakes - 325mm up front, 305mm in the rear - slow things down again, while unequal length A-arms, Bilstein shocks and Eibach springs at all four corners handle the curves.

The drivetrain comes from Chevy, the Corvette's 6.2-liter V-8 delivering 440 bhp to the rear wheels. The Z-One also uses the Vette's 6-speed manual gearbox, but the tubular space frame has been engineered in South Africa. Perana claims 0–60 mph in just 4 seconds.

2011 Perana Sports Car Z-One is the limited production, because the gorgeous body of each Perana Z-One will be handbuilt in Italy by coachbuilder Zagato and then shipped in pieces to South Africa where there are attached to the vehicle’s chassis. The Z-One's chassis has been completely conceived and designed by Perana engineers in South Africa, despite the engine sourced from General Motors.

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Pre-war Car Petr Novague ECO Car Concept Inspired by F1 Technology

The concept vehicle is christened as ECO and features tube car frame, half-hood body and carbon components that add minimum possible weight to this energy efficient and eco friendly vehicle. Created by Petr Novague as a mark of respect for Laurin and Klement, a pre-war Czech company, Further, chromium-molybdenum steel made lattice truss frame in the front part of the car is attached to the carbon frame with inside honeycomb.

The concept vehicle is combines the old traditions of pre-war cars with the modern and innovative technology and system logic.

Pre-war Car Petr Novague ECO Car Concept Inspired by F1 Technology

ECO is powered by the electric motors that are located in the narrow wheels. Electric motors are powered by the batteries located under the tilting front lid, which also works as door. With zero tail pipe emission, ECO offers clear and green ride added with comfort and range of 500 km per charge.

Hailed as “ECO,” the concept car features tube car frame, half-hood body and carbon components, which makes it a lightweight and energy efficient vehicle.

Pre-war Car Petr Novague ECO Car Concept Inspired by F1 Technology

Moreover, the ECO car can change it ground clearance, thanks to the double-wishbone axel disposes of the push rod suspension, uniball endings and impact dampers, according to the road or terrain.

Attaching the lattice truss frame, made in chromium-molybdenum steel, to the carbon frame with inside honeycomb upfront that is inspired by F1 technology, the retro-futuristic car also touts electronic drive-line (4 x 4) with stabilization system, which reduces the weight of mechanical connections by a huge margin.

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2010 Volkswagen Sports Cars - VW Solar Powered Supercar Concept

It is a luxury supercar, it will only be built in a limited number of 200 units. It was designed to be able to cruise around in the year 2020. Volkswagen supercar presented at the 2010 Swansea Metropolitan University Degree Show in automotive design by Peter Wilkins not only promises to run by solar power with greater efficiency but also offers a competitive design styling.

2010 Volkswagen Sports Cars - VW Solar Powered Supercar Concept

Peter Wilkins has designed one helluva eco-friendly car for the 2010 Swansea Metropolitan University Degree Show. His supercar would run off of an electric motor powered by photovoltaic cells, or a hydrogen fuel cell stack. Peter Wilkins’ design is one of the sexiest eco-cars I have ever seen. Making earth-friendly cars that look good is a great idea.

The unique design of Wilkins permits each of the four wheels of the vehicle to be driven by an independent electric motor powered by solar energy stored in photovoltaic (PV) cells. The upper external surface of the vehicle stores the PV cells that further supply power to the mid-mounted hydrogen fuel-cell stack, which is directly linked to the electric motors. Placement of the PV cells and hydrogen fuel-cell stack form an integral part of the elegant design of the eco car that looks like part of a supercar.

The “VW Solar Powered Supercar” by designer Peter Wilkins is a concept car that demonstrates the aesthetic aspect of eco-friendly vehicles to attract more people toward sustainable commuting.

Simply known as the “VW Solar Powered Supercar”, this vehicle shows how just clean and green travel can get, and fast too. To power up, the car turns its face away from the smelly gas pump and integrates photovoltaic cells in its body instead. It uses these to juice up with solar power.

 2010 Volkswagen Sports Cars - VW Solar Powered Supercar Concept

The energy generated is used to power up a mid-mounted hydrogen fuel cell stack, resulting in a drive without the smoke and the pitch-black carbon footprint supercars usually leave behind these days.

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