MINI Coupe Concept and Roadster Concept

If you'll please forgive us our one tired cliché of the day... BMW has big plans in store for its smallest brand. In this case, quite literally as the next model that comes from Mini will reportedly be the long-expected Countryman crossover, which we can expect to hit the market in the first quarter of 2010. All-wheel drive will make an appearance on the soft-road 'ute, and we hear that a diesel engine is under consideration for the U.S. market.

On the concept car front, BimmerFile reports that Mini is working up a Moke revival that will be shown at an undetermined auto show sometime next year that's described as a small Jeep Wrangler and known internally as the SpaceBox. We're also told to expect a more mainstream concept built off the four-door R60 Countryman platform that would theoretically go up against such respected players as the Volkswagen GTI hatchback. The last concept that is rumored to be in development would share its inspiration with the BMW Vision Concept and feature technology from the automaker's eco-friendly Project i initiative.

Finally, the crystal ball tells us that the well-liked Coupe Concept and Roadster Concept seen earlier this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show have been green-lighted for a hopeful 2012 debut. One year later, the stalwart Cooper hatchback is scheduled for its second major redesign since the Mini brand was first launched back in 2001, very possibly getting a new range of powerplants that will include three-cylinders for the very first time.










[Source: BimmerFile]

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[Video] Honda EV-N all-electric concept Revealed in Tokyo

Old meets new with the official introduction of the Honda EV-N all-electric concept car. Looking like an odd, futuristic cross between a classic Fiat 500 and a classic Mini Cooper, the EV-N creates a "fun, easygoing relationship between person and car," (whatever that means).

Despite the tiny size, the battery-powered car is a four-seater. Rear seats may be folded down to provide storage space. Helping to keep the battery charged is a solar panel placed in the roof.

The 105-second video shows the close-cropped car from multiple angles, with some focus given to the vehicle's lighting unique. Fabric options range from standard red, to a tartan-plaid blue, and checkered yellow. These can be swapped out whenever, and wherever, the owner feels like it, guaranteed to satisfy any cosplay schoolgirl.

Battery charge information is displayed on the vehicle's "grille," with more information provided to let others on the road know if the car is going to stop, start, or turn. The driver stays up-to-date on the system status thanks to well-placed in-dash screen.

Frighteningly, Honda wants people to drive this car "in the same carefree way they talk to friends on a mobile phone or listen to tunes on a music player." This seems like a very, very bad idea.

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Chrysler Preview Four Mopar Image Vehicles

Two Dodge and two Jeep custom jobs will be wheeled out by their parent company, Chrysler Group LLC, at the Specialty Equipment Market Association show next month in Las Vegas. Topping the four vehicles is the Mopar Dodge Challenger 1320 Image Vehicle, a straight-line racer with an all-aluminum V8 Hemi pushing out 556 horsepower and up to 540 ft-lb of torque.

The Challenger features the Drag Pak option, which strips the Challenger of a substantial amount of weight. Gone are the center console, radio, and rear seats. Normally meant for race cars only, this Challenger features the package while maintaining a street-legal status. It uses wheels meant for cop cars, street-legal-yet-race-ready tires, an adjustable coil-over kit, and an ARB locking differential.

The other Dodge is a luxe version of their signature pickup truck. Painted in Arctic Ice, the Mopar Dodge Ram Bianco Image Vehicle is meant to convey an upper-class look on what is supposed to be a blue collar truck. Built off of a 2009 Dodge Ram 1500 Sport using a 5.7-liter V8 engine. Inside the truck bed is a plush, easy-to-clean rug. Although they added 22-inch contrasting wheels, the vehicle has been lowered using a Ground Force kit. Performance upgrades include a cold-air intake and dual-exhaust. Inside, Arctic Ice and Piano Black contrasts are augmented by Katzkin white and black seats. The truck also features an upgraded audio system.

Being able to use a "normal" ride as a camping shelter has been toyed with for decades. Likewise, the Mopar Jeep Wrangler Overland Image Vehicle is meant to be a "stop-anywhere, camp-anywhere Jeep." Based on a 2009 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, the special edition has no rear seats, a rubber floor, and a roof-mounted two-person tent with awning. The Jeep has been modified to be more water resistant, with a three-inch raised suspension and 35-inch tires to be more off-road capable. Added lighting and steel bumpers has been included for this purpose.

Last is the Jeep Lower Forty Image Vehicle, a heavily stripped version of the Jeep Wrangler. Meant for "extreme trail" driving, the vehicle gets 20-inch aluminum wheels wrapped in 40x13.5-inch tires. Fenders are wider and higher, and three inches has been cut off the windshield frame. Despite the stripped look, the interior was color matched and the seats were covered in leather. The truck also takes advantage of a new, 5.7-liter V8 Hemi with a Getrag 238 six-speed manual transmission.

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Suzuki SX4 Fuel Cell Vehicle Concept

Suzuki could not be left out of the electrifying party being hosted by its bigger fellow Japanese automakers. Therefore at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show the company which produces about 1.4 million cars a year will show a glimpse of its future plans.

Leading the charge so to speak, is a previously announced Swift with a plug-in hybrid system that runs on lithium-ion battery power. A petrol engine sized 660cc is fitted to recharge when levels of power drop. The car is ideally suited for people who travel about 20km (12 miles) or less daily as it is designed to primarily run on electric power.

The second car is a full-on electric vehicle called the SX4 FCV (Fuel Cell Vehicle). Its source of go is a fuel cell developed by General Motors which is coupled with a high pressure hydrogen tank and a light and compact capacitor. Brake energy regeneration is part of its technology arsenal. Suzuki is currently testing the SX4 FCV on Japanese public roads.

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Tokyo Show: Lexus to Display Two-seat Supercar

The appointment of racing enthusiast Akio Toyoda as Toyota CEO has breathed new life into the Lexus LF-A project. After being frozen some months ago the car has recently been thawed and spied testing around the Nurburgring. Speculation is that a near-production model will appear at this month's Tokyo Motor Show. Lexus will only confirm that a two-seat supercar will make its world premier at the show. "This concept vehicle epitomizes the purest form of driving exhilaration and performance," a statement says.

The LF-A has been under development since its debut as a concept at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. Back then company top brass spoke of a 200mph sports car to compete with the likes of Porsche 911 Turbo and the Ferrari 430. Since then spies have caught it on and off doing testing around the ‘Ring as well as other places. Word speaks of a V10 powerplant worth over 368kW (500hp).
Another highlight mentioned for Lexus is the Japanese premier of the LF-Ch 5-door compact concept car, a future rival for the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series. Unveiled in Frankfurt last month, the vehicle is equipped with the Lexus Hybrid Drive system, sports 225/35R20 front tyres, 225/35R20 at the rear and is 4.3 metres long

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Toyota FT-86 Concept motor show later this month

Toyota and Subaru have been collaborating for some time on a jointly developed sport coupe model. Now, we get a preview of the FT-86 Concept, which is set to debut at the Tokyo motor show later this month.
The sport coupe's dimensions are fairly compact with a length of 4,16 meters and a height of 1,26 m (width and wheelbase are 1,76 and 2,57 meters, respectively) and a low center of gravity. The FT-86 was created by Toyota's Europe Design Development and it's objective was to fashion a car with a "functional utility" design theme.
Uncharacteristic for the times, this concept does not feature any new technology of the hybrid or electric kind. The goal for both Japanese automakers was to create a sports model that is simple, fun-to-drive and fuel efficient. The FT-86 will feature Subaru's 2.0 liter Boxer gasoline/petrol engine, which develops only 160 hp, although, there have been hints that it may be dialed up to about 200. It also uses a 6-speed manual transmission and ADVICS brakes.
We can only guess that the FT-86's agility and speed will come from a low curb weight. We will just have to wait for the numbers on that.

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Bugatti 16 C Galibier Concept - Allegedly gets the Green Light

Rumours suggest that the Bugatti Galibier 16C has been approved for production and will go on sale around 2013 at a price of about £900,000 (€984900, US$1.4 million). The Galibier is a four-door concept car that will probably earn the title of the world's fastest sedan.
It shares its 16 cylinder 8.0-litre powerplant with the Veyron but its power will be detuned from the coupe's 747kW (1001hp) and 1250Nm of torque. Although power will be less, top speed is expected to reach 220mph. Driving the wheels will be a new 8-speed automatic transmission fitted in place of the Veyron's DSG.
Bugatti did not exhibit the car at the recent Frankfurt Motor Show but there were some details revealed after the exclusive private showing. The interior for instance, features a very minimalistic design that is uncluttered. Expensive wood and leather are evident throughout the cabin. One cool feature is the Parmigiani timepiece on the dashboard which can be removed and worn via a leather strap.
We hope to see the Galibier in the metal at one of the upcoming international motor shows such as Los Angeles or Detroit.

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