Performance Sports Car, Koenigsegg Agera R

The Koenigsegg Agera R was one of the stars of the Geneva show grabbing many headlines with its unusual high-speed roof-box that was proposed as an accessory. However, there was plenty of information missing about this Swedish hypercar. Up until now, that is, as the exotic carmaker came out with all the juicy details. Starting with the performance numbers, the Agera R lives up to the company's reputation. The sprint from 0 to 100 km/h [62mph] comes after just 2.9 seconds, while 0 to 200 km/h [124mph] takes only 7.5 seconds. Even more impressively, the 0-200-0 km/h [0-124mph-0] is covered in a mere 12.7 seconds, partially thanks to its ventilated carbon ceramic brakes.

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The BAC Mono, Extreme Sports Car

The Mono is motivated by a mid-mounted naturally aspirated 2.3-liter Cosworth engine that develops 280 bhp. The engine is mated to a six-speed sequential Hewland transmission with limited-slip differential, designed to Formula 3 specifications. While 280 bhp might not sound much to power-infested minds, the Mono's power to weight ratio stands at 520 bhp / tonne, a value superior to that of the Bugatti Veyron, as the car weighs a mere 540 kg (1,190 lbs) thanks to the carbon-fiber body and the minimalistic engineering approach. BAC says the Mono can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 2.8 seconds and to 100 mph (160km/h) in 6.7 seconds, en route to a top speed of 170 mph (274 km/h).

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Audi, BMW, Citroen and VW on the Next 2011 Shanghai Auto Show

This year show will be no exception, as many new cars are planned to be revealed in Shanghai (April 23-28), despite the fact that it overlaps the 2011 NY Auto Show (April 22 - May 1). One of the most highly anticipated models rumored to make their world premiere in Shanghai is the Audi Q3 baby SUV, Inglostandt’s answer to the BMW X1. The crossover model will use the same platform as the VW Tiguan, with production set to start in Seat's Martorell plant in Spain later this year. There’s a good chance we might see VW unveiling the new Beetle at the Shanghai Show as well as in New York, while the Germans will also use the Chinese show to officially introduce its Seat brand to the local market. BMW will premiere its 6-Series Coupe in Shanghai, along with the 5-Series plug-in hybrid built for the Chinese market. Reports from Germany suggest that BMW will also bring to China the pre-production BMW M5 Concept, while Mercedes-Benz is said to show a pre-production design study of the future A-Class, set to appear on the market in 2012 in two- and four-door body styles. Citroen is rumored to show the DS9 concept car, which will bring the Metropolis design study one step closer to production. Add to these the large number of Chinese brands that will be present and the premieres that we don't know yet about and Shanghai already looks like a world-class venue.

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2011 Porsche 911 GT3 R Hybrid Version 2.0

The 2011 edition of the 911 GT3 R Hybrid carries the geeky ‘Version 2.0’ moniker, and keeps the general layout of the 2010 model. The racer’s hybrid powertrain comprises of a 470HP 4.0-liter six-cylinder boxer engine at the rear and two electric motors driving the front wheels. In the Version 2.0, the output of both electric motors has increased from 60kW (80HP) to 75 kilowatts (100HP) each, meaning that seconds at a time, pilots will now have an additional 200HP at their disposal. According to Porsche, the extra power is automatically activated through use of the throttle pedal and can be very useful when overtaking. Porsche has also optimized the hybrid system with the electric flywheel accumulator that stores energy now housed with the other hybrid components in a carbon fibre safety cell on the passenger’s side.

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2011 New Honda Brio City Car

The Brio uses a 1.2-liter i-VTEC engine sourced from the Jazz, which delivers 90 horsepower and an average fuel consumption of 5 liters/100 km (47 mpg US), while respecting the Euro 4 emission standards. The engine can be linked to a manual five-speed gearbox or a CVT transmission. All models for Thailand feature two front airbags, disc brakes, ABS and EBD (Electronic Brake Distribution). India will get a slightly different version of the Brio, adapted for the market's needs, which will be launched later this year. The automaker expects to sell around 40,000 units of the new Brio this year in Thailand, with a starting price of €9,400 ($13,180).

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Concept Car: 2019 Citroen DS Concept

Infusing the DS’s 64-year-old styling with the new Citroen design language introduced through concepts like the Revolt and Survolt, the DS24 is a real looker. With aggressive haunches, sliding rear doors, an almost Corvette-like nose and shapely rump, the Nouveau DS was imagined for Citroen’s Centenary in 2019. And the interior does not fail to disappoint either, with its pulsing blue transmission tunnel suggesting the raw energy of the car’s hydrogen power source.

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Sportcars: Audi R8 Hyper Black Edition

The mechanics at Anderson Germany started by reconfiguring the ECU and adding a modified air filter and a custom sports exhaust system which shaves 22 kg or 48.5 pounds over the stock unit and comes with a remote-controlled valve adjusting system that lets the driver opt from three different levels of noise. The result is a 64HP bump for a total output of 589HP. On the styling side, the R8 is painted in a ‘Hyper Black’ color and is fitted with carbon fiber coated 19-inch rims in a black finish with orange edging. The same orange hue is also found on the brake calipers. Several carbon-fiber exterior accoutrements are available including the window frames, front lip spoiler, rear spoiler and rear diffuser. Inside, the R8 V10’s cabin is lathered in orange Alcantara and a special black carbon-fiber leather trim.

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