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Lexus CT200h Tuned By 5 Axis

Lexus CT200h Tuned By 5 Axis

Lexus CT200h Tuned By 5 Axis

Lexus CT200h Tuned By 5 Axis

Lexus has been attempting to build excitement in its brand lately by reaching out to a younger, more performance-oriented market. The latest efforts have also revolved around its line of hybrid luxury vehicles. We all know if there is one thing that's gets the kids; it's luxury cars and hybrids.
The star of Lexus's Chicago 2011 tuner section is a CT200h hybrid tuned by 5 Axis, a car modifier known for building extensively modified show cars. The small hatchback wears a custom designed widebody kit, 19-inch wheels and a custom interior. The cars adjustable coilover suspension is by Japanese Manufacturer Tein, which not only improves handling but also allows for the lower stance.
No actual information was available at the Lexus booth during the show. When asked, the lead spokesmodel suggested the best source of technical information on the car would be a Google search. Apparently Lexus is sticking firmly to its new corporate motto of "The Hard Way."

2011 Toyota Matrix

2011 Toyota Matrix

2011 Toyota Matrix

Toyota is giving its 2011 Toyota Matrix five-door hatchback a blink-and-you'll-miss-it refresh. Look closely and you'll see new wheel designs and mild changes to the interior of the Matrix, which is set to hit the stage at the 2011 Chicago show.
The 2011 Matrix retains the same 132-horsepower 1.8-liter and 158-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines as before. All-wheel drive remains an option with the 2.4-liter engine and a four-speed automatic transmission. Other trims are available with either a five-speed automatic or manual transmission.
The only fuel economy change is with the smaller engine and a four-speed automatic: the highway rating improves one mpg to 32. The 16-inch steel wheels have newly designed covers and there are new 17-inch five-spoke wheels on the Matrix S. The only other exterior change is a color addition: Spruce Mica.
Toyota appears to have paid the most attention to the 2011 Matrix's interior. A number of trim changes were made in an effort to freshen the cabin. There are new seating fabrics, the audio unit has a new flush surface this year and there's a newly designed leather-trimmed steering wheel. A Smart Stop Technology brake-override system is also standard.
The base model Matrix will retail for $19,305, an increase of $1845 over the outgoing model. The 2011 Matrix will reach dealerships in the spring.

2011 Toyota Matrix

Wiesmann Spyder

Wiesmann Spyder

Wiesmann Spyder

Wiesmann Spyder

Geneva is the motor show about concepts and Wiesmann did not disappoint. Meet the Spyder, a car that for now is being termed a "design concept" but that depending on the usual array of metrics (media response, potential customer interest, state of the economy, worldwide malaise levels, etc.) they might put it into production. That wouldn't be the worst news we've ever heard.
As you can see, the fairly extreme Spyder has neither doors, a roof or a windscreen. Who needs 'em? This type of (very) open top motoring is sadly becoming a thing of the past, as comfort, high-tech and safety have basically taken over the motoring experience. However, if you've ever spent any time inside a Se7en (a real Lotus 7, Caterham or otherwise) then you already understand the Wiesmann Spyder's appeal.
Of course, getting into the Spyder is a whole other matter. And getting out looks difficult, if not fully impossible. Of course, I'll argue that practicality should never get in the way of a good concept. In that regard, the Spyder is a hit. In a world dominated by crossovers and safety concerns, it's refreshing to see throwback cars, no matter how impractical.
Wiesmann isn't providing too many specifics. They list the engine as a "V8 High Speed Motor," and that it makes 420 horsepower. They do claim that the weight is in the half a ton range, which is fabulous considering the power. The Spyder should be able to hit 60 mph in well under 4 seconds on its way to a top speed of 180 miles per hour. We say go for it.

Rinspeed BamBoo Concept

Rinspeed BamBoo Concept

Rinspeed BamBoo Concept

Rinspeed BamBoo Concept

Designers appear to have crafted the BamBoo primarily as a means to encourage long stays on the beach. The waterproof cloth top can double as a blanket, and the inflatable rear seats can be removed and used as beach chairs. The passenger's portion of the dashboard contains a tablet PC and docking station, allowing users stay connected on the go. Rinspeed also seems keen on catering to social media junkies -- not only does the company suggest crafting a social media site exclusive to BamBoo owners, but a color-changing bird atop the roll bar is designed to express the driver's mood.
Driving, it appears, is less important than comfortable beach living. Power is provided by a 54-kilowatt (72 horsepower) electric motor, ensuring the 2400-pound BamBoo will be only slightly quicker than the two-cylinder Mehari. Rinspeed shies from battery details, but notes the BamBoo can travel 60 miles on a single charge.
For now, the BamBoo is simply a trivial concept, but Rinspeed suggests it could manufacture a small batch if consumer reaction at the Geneva show is overwhelmingly positive. Only time will tell, but we think a sand-tuned beachcomber may receive a better response in the French Riviera than in Switzerland...

2012 Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid

2012 Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid

2012 Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid


2012 Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid

Developed in partnership with European energy company Vattenfall, the plug-in V60 was developed in parallel with the automaker’s forthcoming C30 Electric, but that’s about where the similarities stop. The V60 sports all-wheel-drive, but allocates a 215-horsepower, 2.4-liter turbodiesel I-5 to power the front wheels, while a 70-horsepower electric motor propels the rear axle. A 12-kWh lithium-ion battery pack is also integrated into the system.
How that powertrain is used is left entirely to the driver’s discretion. Three different drive modes — including one that renders the V60 as a pure electric vehicle — are selectable from behind the wheel. The so-called Pure mode allows for up to 31 miles of EV-only driving. The conventional hybrid mode blends both power sources together to provide the most economical means of driving. A power mode combines both engine and electric motor to provide full power, and subsequently, all-wheel-drive.
In full power mode, the V60 PHEV can sprint from 0-62 mph in 6.9 seconds, but opting for the more efficient hybrid mode can allow up to 745 miles of travel before refueling the tank and recharging the battery. Volvo expects charging time to range from as little as three hours when using a 16-amp, 240-volt charger, to 7.5 hours when using a 230-volt, 6-amp supply — much like a conventional European household outlet. The car can also be pre-cooled or pre-warmed during charging, with those settings controlled either in the setup menu within the car in the car or via a mobile phone application.
The V60 Plug-In Hybrid is expected to launch in Europe sometime next year, and both pricing and rollout timing may be discussed next week at its Geneva debut. Executives have suggested the V60 PHEV may reach U.S. shores, but if it does, it may not retain the diesel engine. The swap could compromise range, but appeal to buyers in a traditionally diesel-unfriendly market.
2011 Volvo V60 Right Side In Motion1
2011 Volvo V60 Rear Three Quarter Static1

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet

Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet

Since it is based upon the MkVI Golf, the new Golf Cabriolet largely resembles a two-door Golf with a missing top. Designers did take the opportunity to slightly restyle the front end of the car, blessing it with a tweaked grille, LED daytime running lamps, and a steeper windshield rake. The interior is virtually identical to those used in standard Golf models, although one longtime Cabrio hallmark -- the fixed "basket handle" roll bar -- has been eliminated in favor of a pop-up device.
Unlike VW's other Golf-based convertible -- the Eos -- the Golf Cabriolet utilizes a traditional folding soft top. According to the automaker, the electro-hydraulic power top can be raised or lowered in just 9.5 seconds, and at speeds up to 18 mph.
In Europe, Volkswagen will offer the Golf Cabriolet with a plethora of engines, including a 1.2-liter and a 1.4-liter I-4, along with a 1.6-liter turbodiesel I-4. The Golf TDI's 140-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbodiesel I-4 is also available, but buyers seeking GTI-like performance can always opt for the gasoline-powered, 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4.
Production is scheduled to begin in Onsabruck, Germany (ironically, in the former Karmann plant that previously built earlier Golf Cabrios) later this year, but Volkswagen's plans for the car in North America are still unknown. If the next-generation Beetle continues to be offered in a convertible guise, it may prove hard to squeeze three different drop-tops -- Beetle, Golf, and Eos -- into a single portfolio.