VW BlueSport Mid-Engined Roadster Concept with 180HP Diesel Achieves 55MPG

Sporty, good looking and extremely frugal; what else could one ask from a two-seater roadster? VW's long-awaited Concept BlueSport made its debut at the 2009 Detroit Show. Even though the German automaker makes no word of a production version, we're all crossing our fingers that the roadster study will get the green light. Behind the two bucket seats of the 3.99 meter long Concept BlueSport, there's 180HP strong 2.0-liter turbocharged Clean Diesel (TDI) engine that transfers power to the rear-wheels via 6-speed DSG dual clutch transmission.

With this unit that produces 350Nm of torque, the Concept BlueSport can sprint from zero to 60 mph in just 6.2 seconds (0-100 km/h: 6,6 seconds) while its top speed is 140 mph (226 km/h). Even more impressive is the car's excellent fuel economy rating of 55 mpg U.S. (4,3 l/100 km) that is combined with an ultralow CO2 level of 113 g/km CO2. Two features that help the mid-engined, soft-top roadster achieve these figures is the automatic start-stop system and the brake energy regeneration system.

Technical data of the Volkswagen concept car Concept BlueSport

Volkswagen Concept BlueSport
Body / Chassis
Length	3,990 mm
Width	1,745 mm
Height	1,260 mm
Track, front	1,490 mm
Track, rear	1,520 mm
Front suspension	McPherson suspension
Rear suspension	Multi-link system
Engine
Configuration	4 cylinder TDI, 2.0 liter displacement
Max. power at engine speed	132 kW / 180 PS at 4,200 rpm
Max. torque at engine speed	350 Nm at 1,750 rpm
Drivetrain / Wheels
Transmission	6-speed direct shift
Final drive	Rear-wheel drive
Tires, front	235/35 ZR19
Tires, rear	245/35 ZR19
Performance / Economy
0-100 km/h	6.6 seconds
0-60 mph	6.2 seconds
V/max	140 mph / 226 km/h
Fuel consumption (Euro 6)	4.3 liter/100 km / 55 mpg
CO2 emissions*	113 g/km
* in Eco mode: Start-stop & regeneration
Colors
Exterior paint	Flex silver
Convertible top	Orange

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2010 Cadillac SRX: GM Releases New Pictures and Details

This is the second generation Cadillac SRX crossover that will be making its world debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit next week. Cadillac had offered us our first glimpse of its mid-size luxury crossover in August, 2008, but now, the American automaker has released detailed information as well as new photos. According to Cadillac, the new and more compact sized SRX will compete against the Lexus RX, Acura MDX, BWW X3 and X5. Due to go on sale in the second quarter of 2009, the SRX will be offered in North America with two petrol units, a new, 260HP 3.0-liter direct injected V6 and a 300HP 2.8-liter turbocharged V6.

Both engines are hooked up to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Cadillac has yet to issue any specific figures, but the automaker supports that fuel economy will be in the mid-20s on the highway.

Unlike its rear-wheel / all-wheel drive predecessor, the new SRX gets front-wheel drive as standard and all-wheel drive as optional. The AWD system includes an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) that distributes torque as needed from side to side along the rear axle, as well as from the front to rear axle

"The 2010 SRX will deliver excellent, balanced driving dynamics in all types of weather," said Bob Reuter, global vehicle chief engineer. "The all-wheel-drive system with electronic limited slip effectively transfers torque not only from front to rear, but also along the rear axle. This system sets a new benchmark for all all-wheel-drive systems, giving the driver control and confidence on any road surface."

Among the new photos released by Cadillac is the first picture of the SRX's interior that bears many similarities with the CTS. "Inside the new SRX, technical precision blends with old-world craftsmanship," said Clay Dean, Cadillac global design director. "Hand-cut-and-sewn coverings on the instrument panel and ambient lighting details convey a finely tailored cabin."

The 2010 SRX's highlights include a "pop-up" navigation screen with three-dimensional imaging; adaptive forward lighting that swivels the headlamps in synch with vehicle steering; power liftgate with adjustable height setting; integrated hard disc drive for audio storage and a dual-screen system for rear entertainment.

Other features include standard head curtain side air bags, front seat-mounted pelvic/thorax side air bags, front safety belts with dual pretensioners and load limiters, rollover mitigation sensors, a pedal release system, trailer stability assist and OnStar.

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Subaru Legacy Concept Revealed at Detroit Show - 29 High-Res Photos

In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Legacy, Subaru unveiled the "Legacy Concept" at the 2009 North American International Show, essentially previewing the next-generation model that will arrive in showrooms early next year. Though the concept car has definitely more "presence" that the current Legacy, it seems as if Subaru's designers randomly added lines and arches to the saloon in a desperate attempt to make it look dramatic and somewhat different from the opposition. Bottom line, our opinion is that this is a design you'd expect from a Chinese manufacturer and not an established automaker like Subaru.

Inside, the Legacy Concept's cabin features a four-seat layout and is distinguished by a high-tech look that is achieved by a mix of touch-screens, cameras and modern surface coverings.

The concept model is powered by Subaru's 3.6-litre six-cylinder boxer engine that's combined with the firm's Symmetrical all-wheel drive system. Next year's production version will of course be available with a broader line-up that will include in Europe Subaru's boxer-diesel engine.

Specifications:

Body size (Overall: Length x Width x Height): 188.8 x 71.7 x 59.0 inches

Wheelbase: 108.3 inches

Engine: 3.6-liter six-cylinder Horizontally-Opposed engine

Tire size: 225/45R19

Occupancy: Four persons

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Audi Sportback Concept: 40 High-Res Photos of Detroit Show Sport Saloon

Foreshadowing the production version of the A7 sports sedan that's expected to make its arrival in late 2010 or early 2011, the Sportback Concept was unveiled at 2009 North American International Automobile Show. The large, five-door sport saloon with its coupe-like silhouette is slightly larger than the A6 measuring at 4.95 m long (16.24 ft), 1.93 m wide (6.33 ft) but only 1.40 m high (4.59 ft).

Audi says the Sportback Concept not only offers a glimpse at the Audi's future design vocabulary, but it also signals the company's determination not to limit fastback/ hatchback Sportback versions to the compact segment.

The Sportback's exterior design is outright sexy with its low-slung, coupe-like roofline and the Lamborghini Estoque-inspired buttocks - though Audi unimaginatively tries to convince us that the tail of the show car is "evidently related to the A5 Coupe". Inside, the Sportback gets a four-seat layout and a wide center console that stretches from the dashboard to the back. Passengers will be happy to know that the Sportback's trunk has a volume of 500 liters (17.66 cubic feet).

Not surprisingly, Audi equipped the show car with a 3.0-liter V6 TDI clean diesel engine. As in the U.S. version of the Q7 3.0 TDI, the V6 also produces 165 kW (225 hp) and 550 Nm (405.66 lb-ft) of torque in the Sportback concept. Power is transferred to the wheels via Audi's new 7-speed tiptronic transmission.

Weighing in at 1,800 kilograms (3,968.32 lb) and with a drag coefficient of 0.30, the coupe-like fastback saloon accelerates from 0 – 100 km/h (62mph) in less than seven seconds and reach a top speed of 245 km/h (152mph). According to Audi, the Sportback concept's average fuel economy according to the European ECE standard is 5.9 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers (39.87 US mpg), and its CO2 emissions no more than 156 g/km (251.06 g/mile).

[Source: Carscoop]

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