The Chevy Volt is not an all-new concept that we haven’t seen before – Paris was merely its European debut. But it still warrants a mention because it is a genuinely production ready electric car being built by a major mainstream manufacturer.
The Volt really does go on sale in 2010. It uses electric power only to drive the wheels, but has an onboard petrol engine to act as a generator when the built-in battery runs out of juice. So while the theoretical electric-only range is around 40 miles, the Volt can keep on going using the petrol engine as a charger. Clever stuff.
Citroen stole the show with this car. The GTbyCitroen, created in partnership with Polyphony’s GranTurismo PlayStation game, is an utterly jaw-dropping future supercar, all curving surfaces, ducts, vents and high-speed detailing. Just look at that outlandish over-sized tail section – incredible to think the same manufacturer also builds the C1.
Which is, of course, almost exactly why we will never see anything like this for real. Would anyone actually buy a Citroen-badged supercar? We think not – no matter how cool looking. Makes the whole exercise rather pointless. Unless you happen to own the games console, as the GTbyCitroen really does appear in Polyphony’s game.
BMW X1 We’re a little puzzled by the BMW X1. One of so many new “crossover” concepts to appear at the show – the crossover is rapidly mutating from niche to not interesting – even BMW didn’t seem to be making much of a fuss over it, despite the concept model looking every bit the production possibility. Casually positioned in one corner of BMW’s stand, if it wasn’t for the ludicrously gold paint, the X1 is easily overlooked. Especially as the styling is far from radically diverting – it looks like a miniaturised X5 that’s been run over. Perhaps, given the current economic climate, the German carmaker is having second thoughts…?
2009 Nissan Skyline GT-R: The most eagerly anticipated new performance car of the century
Brakes: Brembo 4 Wheel Disc Differential: 1.5 Way Mechanical Limited Slip Final Drive Rati: 3.70:1 Layout: Front Engine, AWD Transmission: 6 Speed DSG Manual Engine: 3.8 liters Twin Turbo 24V V6 Horsepower: 480 hp @ 6400 rpm Torque: 430 ft-lbs. @ 3200 rpm Acceleration: 0 to 60mph in 3.3 sec
Born from a long line of Skyline GT-Rs dating back to 1969, this latest version — "R35" to the hard-core — promises to pack more turbocharged power, more all-wheel-drive technology and more sheer speed than any Japanese car ever to come to America.
For six years the 2009 Nissan Skyline GT-R has been the subject of intense rumors and frenzied speculation. Frequent sightings of GT-R test mules help fuel the excitement. We've caught GT-R prototypes on the streets of L.A. and the Nürburgring test track in Germany. Nissan's engineers also made a trip to a couple California racetracks, bringing the GT-R to both Laguna Seca and Sears Point.
Why is this car followed so closely? Because the Skyline GT-R R35 is expected to be the ne plus ultra of Japanese performance machinery
The original Nissan Skyline GT-R might have hit the street in 1969, but it wasn't until 1990 that the GT-R legend would be solidified. That was the year the Skyline GT-R was introduced to an utterly stunned Japanese market. It was the first of three twin-turbocharged, all-wheel-drive and all-wheel-steering Skylines (R32, R33 and R34) and it's the generation upon which the Skyline GT-R legend rests.
Though the R34 left production after the 2003 model year, it was so beloved that Nissan's Nismo division actually bought 20 used Skyline GT-R R34 V-Spec models during 2005 and completely rebuilt them into what is currently considered the greatest GT-R of them all — the $170,000, 500-horsepower Skyline GT-R Z-Tune.
So prominent had the Nissan Skyline GT-R become that in 2003's 2 Fast 2 Furious, the film's hero drove and raced one through the streets of Miami. And the actor Paul Walker, who played the role, bought his own and modified it.
by Vijay Pattni These are the first pictures of the craziest-looking Golf GTi Volkswagen has ever built – the Volkswagen Golf GTi Performance. The Volkswagen Golf GTi Performance is a design study which the carmaker is showcasing at the annual Worthersee Tour. The Volkswagen Golf GTi Performance study is a one-off car by the German carmaker which features crazy upwards-opening doors as found on the Lamborghini Murcielago and Lamborghini Gallardo. View more images of the Volkswagen Golf GTi Performance The Volkswagen Golf GTi Performance study also features a wide bodykit, lowered suspension and larger alloy wheels. The bonkers Golf is on display at the Worthersee Tour, which is an annual gathering of Audi and Volkswagen enthusiasts and a platform for one-off VW models. Last year Volkswagen unveiled the 6-litre twin-turbocharged Golf W12 650, which uses the engine from a Volkswagen Phaeton and produces a titanic 641bhp. View more images of the Volkswagen Golf W12 650 This means the mid-engined hatch will accelerate from 0-62mph in just 3.7 seconds and hit a top speed of 195mph – as quick as a Lamborghini Gallardo. Volkswagen hasn’t released any official information on the one-off Volkswagen Golf GTi Performance study, but the pictures show two huge exhaust tips surrounded by wire mesh. And Volkswagen has fitted two bottles of nitrous oxide – which instantly boost power at the touch of a button – into the boot, indicating an uprated version of the standard Golf GTi’s 200bhp 2-litre petrol engine. The mad Golf gets a black and orange paint scheme with racing decals while the interior gets a three-seat interior. Audi is also showcasing two crazy new models at the Worthersee Tour – but this one’s going into production. The hot new Audi TT Clubsport Quattro is an open-top roadster with no fixed or folding roof and will come with a highly tuned 2-litre turbocharged engine said to “break the magical 300bhp barrier.” View more images of the Audi TT Clubsport Quattro Audi is also displaying the Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro at the Worthersee meet. View more images of the Audi A3 TDi Clubsport Quattro Check out the standard Volkswagen Golf GTi put through its paces:
by Adrian Hearn A German tuner has taken the range-topping Volkswagen Golf R32 hot hatch and beefed it up – to 372bhp. ABT Sportsline – which has previously built some crazy cars including a modified Audi A5 – has taken the Volkswagen Golf R32’s 3.2-litre V6 engine and tuned the engine management system and fitted a supercharger. This has increased power from an already adequate 250bhp to 372bhp – just eight less than an Aston Martin Vantage sports car. This means the Volkswagen Golf R32 will accelerate from 0-62mph (100kph) in five seconds and on to a top speed of 168mph – 13mph more than the standard R32. Handling should be sublime with the R32 benefiting from four-wheel drive, while ABT has also fitted a sports suspension and 19-inch alloys wheels. But this isn’t the fastest Golf in a straight line. Last year Volkswagen unveiled the Golf W12-650, where they had taken a standard Golf GTi and fitted it with a rear-mounted twin-turbocharged version of the 6-litre W12 engine from the Phaeton. Add Lamborghini brakes and an Audi R8 chassis and you have 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of over 200mph. But it was a show car designed in just six weeks so, when it came to lapping the Top Gear track the Stig managed a time of 1min 29.6seconds – just 0.8seconds quicker than a standard R32. ABT hasn’t disclosed a price for its 372bhp Volkswagen Golf R32, but expect to pay about £32,000 plus import taxes for the left-hand drive hot hatch.
