2010 Citroen Sports Car Concept GQbyCitroen

French automaker Citroen has just unveiled the latest details of a new brand concept car, the GQbyCitroen, designed for the compact sports car segment. The latest concept was developed in partnership with the fashion experts GQ magazine and has been designed to provide “the ultimate gentleman’s drive”. The Citroën GQ Concept was born through a unique partnership between the UK's market-leading quality men's monthly and a team of Citroën designers, collaborating to create the ultimate gentleman's drive. This is the first time a British magazine has collaborated with a car company in this way.

2010 Citroen Sports Car Concept GQbyCitroen

Responding to a brief by GQ's editor, Dylan Jones, Citroën's team, headed by British designer - and the man responsible for the new Citroën DS3 - Mark Lloyd, took a new look at the GT theme and integrated it with a typical Citroën design approach bringing Citroën GQ Concept from design outline to concept reality.

2010 Citroen Sports Car Concept GQbyCitroen

Citroën GQ Concept combines classically sophisticated features and contemporary styling with a sculpted front end, rounded rear, strong body contours and sleek concave rear windscreen - a signature Citroën design.

2010 Citroen Sports Car Concept GQbyCitroen

The car's cabin is accessed by rear coach doors and reveals a spacious, comfortable and futuristic cabin. Completing the car's bespoke styling, the interior detailing and upholstery selections were provided by Patrick Grant, the Creative Director of prestigious Savile Row tailors, E.Tautz, who commented: "Savile Row is all about balance and Tautz's simple military inspired interior is the perfect counterpoint to the Gallic flair of the exterior."

2010 Citroen Sports Car Concept GQbyCitroen

Dylan Jones commented: "I wanted something practical, something cool, and something idiosyncratic - i.e. something surprising that didn't just look like a concept car. The GQ car needed to have the 'want' factor, but it also needed to look, feel and 'drive' like the sort of car no sane man could choose to ignore. We think it looks very very special."

2010 Citroen Sports Car Concept GQbyCitroen

Dynamic performance and environmental responsibility were also key requirements for the project. The Citroën GQ Concept is powered by a plug-in Hybrid with a 1,598cc, 4-cylinder direct injection petrol engine offering a sporty 0-60mph time of just 4.5seconds, an electronically limited top speed of 155mph and CO2 emissions of just 80g/km.

2010 Citroen Sports Car Concept GQbyCitroen

"For me, the car that has always represented the pinnacle of automotive excellence and refinement is the GT - the Grand Tourer. It is not the all-out sports car, rather it is something gentlemanly, it has performance and it is for travelling, not racing. We wanted to create something that, like GQ, was aspirational, but also retained the classic automotive ideals. We didn't want a car for the mass market. We wanted a car for GQ.'"

2010 Citroen Sports Car Concept GQbyCitroen

The GQbyCitroen will make its world debut at a special event in London this week.

2010 Honda Civic Sports Car Type R Mugen 200

2010 Honda has announced today the launch of their new BTCC team and also premiered the special edition Honda Civic Type R MUGEN 200. As you have probably already guessed, the Honda Civic Type R MUGEN 200 will be built in only 200 units and will go on sale in April. In addition to the jam-packed Civic Type R MUGEN with its tweaked 240HP 2.0-liter i-VTEC, of which only 20 units will be sold in the UK at a hefty £38,599 a piece (approximately US$60,300 or €44,400 at today's exchange rates), Honda today announced that it will offer a less hardcore variant of the hot hatch without the performance upgrades.

2010 Honda Civic Sports Car Type R Mugen 200

The Honda Civic Type R MUGEN 200 is powered by the standard 201PS i-VTEC engine and features a number of styling upgrades, plus a Limited Slip Differential. The Honda Civic Type R MUGEN 200 features front and rear bumpers with skirts, various badges and a Limited Edition number plaque. The car comes with a Championship White exterior paint and gloss black door mirrors. The Honda Civic Type R MUGEN 200 sits on 19-inch alloy wheels and the company also plans to offer various chassis tuning parts as an option.

2010 Honda Civic Sports Car Type R Mugen 200

The Honda Civic Type R MUGEN 200 price will be announced at a later date and you'll be able to start ordering yours from March. An enhanced, limited edition Civic Type R featuring exclusive MUGEN equipment will go on sale through Honda dealers in the UK in April.

2010 Honda Civic Sports Car Type R Mugen 200

Inspired by MUGEN Euro’s high-performance Type R, the MUGEN 200 is fitted with unique body parts, wheels and badges to give it stand-out looks. As its name suggests, only 200 of the special Type R models will be made. A range of tuning parts, to further enhance the chassis dynamics of the Type R, will also be available as dealer fit options. The order bank for the MUGEN 200 opens in March, when prices will also be announced.

2010 Honda Civic Sports Car Type R Mugen 200

This limited edition Type R continues the association between Honda (UK) and MUGEN Euro – the Northampton-based subsidiary of Honda’s long standing tuning partner MUGEN. Last year, MUGEN used its 36 years of experience and engineering expertise gained at the forefront of global motorsport, to further develop the Type R, and create the Civic Type R MUGEN of which just 20 units will be made.

2010 Honda Civic Sports Car Type R Mugen 200

From April, a network of Honda dealers will also offer an exclusive range of original MUGEN tuning parts for Type R owners to use to modify their own cars – both used and new. These parts will be available to buy from a number of selected dealers across the UK, and will offer a range of tuning and cosmetic parts, including sports suspension upgrades, lightweight wheels and interior trim.

2010 Honda Civic Sports Car Type R Mugen 200

The limited edition car also celebrates the launch of Honda’s BTCC team for 2010, continuing its long-standing relationship with Team Dynamics. The team will compete in two Civics – which will feature a similar White and Black colour scheme to the MUGEN 200 cars. More details will be announced before the first race of the season, which is at Thruxton on 4 April.

 

2010 Honda Civic Sports Car Type R Mugen 200

2010 Hyundai i-Flow Concept Diesel-Electric Hybrid Powertrain

The Geneva Motor Show is quite generous in reveals this year, considering the trend of the automotive industry. Hyundai has just presented its new i-Flow Concept on the catwalk, continuing the company’s statement of developing a the “fluidic design”. As Hyundai continues to branch out into new segments, its European operation, which until recently has focused primarily on small cars, is debuting the Hyundai i-flow concept in Geneva. It's a vision of a coming Hyundai that's expected to do battle in Europe's larger D-segment.

2010 Hyundai i-Flow Concept Diesel-Electric Hybrid Powertrain

The i-flow is the latest concept to wear Hyundai's "fluidic sculpture" design language, and the large D-segment sedan wears it well. Hailing from Hyundai's European Design Headquarters in Russelsheim, Germany, the i-flow incorporates lightweight materials and solar cells from supplier BASF meant to reduce weight and increase energy efficiency.

2010 Hyundai i-Flow Concept Diesel-Electric Hybrid Powertrain

The i-flow is fitted with Hyundai's first-ever diesel hybrid drivetrain, in which a 1.7-liter diesel engine with dual-stage turbocharging is mated to Hyundai's Blue Drive hybrid system and a new six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. As we understand it, the i-flow is a parallel hybrid, allowing it to be powered by its lithium-polymer battery pack and electric motors, the diesel engine or a combination of both. Combined with a slippery 0.25 coefficient of drag, the i-flow will reportedly return 78.4 mpg and emit 0.30 grams of CO2 per mile.

2010 Hyundai i-Flow Concept Diesel-Electric Hybrid Powertrain

The new lines give an elegant avant-garde look, helping in the same time in reducing the CO2 emissions to 85g/km and improving its aerodynamics. In collaboration with chemical company BASF, Hyundai produced its first eco-friendly diesel hybrid powertrain, using high-technologies and next-generation materials. The new i-Flow combines perfectly the concept of a little-big car, as it shows a sporty looks but also provides quite enough space due to the use of a minimalistic design for the seats and center console.

2010 Hyundai i-Flow Concept Diesel-Electric Hybrid Powertrain

The high-tech engine presents the new 1.7-litre engine fitted with 2-stage turbocharging connected to a Lithium Ion-Polymer battery for a more efficient consumption, especially when driven i-flow’s six-speed, dual-clutch transmission. The i-Flow technology is a test bed for new energy harvesting ideas, ranging from flexible solar panel roofing to a thermo-electric generator which uses exhaust heat to produce power. More news of Hyundai’s star cars will be published in advance of the show and will be available on the stand.  The company’s press conference will take place in Hall 1 at 14:15 (CET) on Tuesday 2nd March  (2010).

2010 Infiniti FX Limited Edition Only 100 Units

ROLLE, Switzerland (Feb 1, 2010) – The Infiniti FX Line of performance crossovers might already be one of the rarest and best equipped cars in its class but this has not stopped customers demanding an even more exclusive version. Hoping to gauge some more interest in Europe, Infiniti announced today that it will offer the European market. Infiniti is responding with a very special, limited run of the FX37S and FX50S called, simply, the Infiniti FX Limited Edition.

2010 Infiniti FX Limited Edition Only 100 Units

The Infiniti FX Limited Edition will be rare indeed. Availability has been strictly limited to just 100 units across Western Europe. Based on the already dramatic looking FX37S and FX50S, the Limited Edition features striking Black Obsidian 'Scratch Guard' paintwork as standard, with equally distinctive Moonlight White pearl metallic available as an option. Unique 21 inch 'Turbine' design alloy wheels are finished in dark Graphite, as are the radiator grille, air vents and roof rails are in similar trim. It has 320PS 3.7-litre V6 or potent 390PS 5.0-litre V8.

2010 Infiniti FX Limited Edition Only 100 Units

The Infiniti FX Limited Edition's interior is equally breathtaking. Opening one of the doors reveals illuminated 'Infiniti' entry guards and a carefully co-ordinated combination of the finest natural materials, including supple Graphite leather upholstery with contrasting stitching and a luxurious Alcantara® headlining. Genuine Carbon fibre is used extensively on the dashboard, centre console and door panels, replacing the standard cello flame maple wood veneer. 

2010 Infiniti FX Limited Edition Only 100 Units

Completing the Infiniti FX Limited Edition's extensive standard specification, Infiniti's state-of-the-art Connectiviti+ technology package provides a fully integrated navigation, communication and entertainment system including an 11-speaker Bose® Premium Sound System, the Michelin Guide, full iPod connectivity and a 10GB music box with Gracenotes database. An option on the standard FX37S, this is joined on both the V6 and V8 engined Limited Editions by Infiniti's unique Around View Monitor. With its breathtaking combination of sports car proportions and muscular SUV stance, the FX is an unmistakable performance luxury crossover.

2010 Infiniti FX Limited Edition Only 100 Units

The Infiniti philosophy of Modern Luxury is exemplified in the Infiniti FX Limited Edition's stylish and comprehensively appointed interior. From the supple Graphite leather upholstery complete with quilted stitching, to the opulent Alcantara® trimmed headlining and roof pillars and wool carpets, only the finest natural materials are used. Illuminated 'Infiniti' door entry guards are also unique to the Infiniti FX Limited Edition.

2010 Infiniti FX Limited Edition Only 100 Units

The extensive use of genuine carbon fibre across the dashboard, centre console and door panels provides an appropriately high-tech contrast to the soft-touch natural materials and provides a fitting backdrop to the Infiniti FX Limited Edition's standard Connectiviti+ infotainment system. Employing the very latest Hard Disk Drive (HDD) technology it features a fully integrated satellite navigation system with 42-country, Europewide coverage and, in a world-first collaboration with Michelin Green Guide, a database of some 22,000 addresses, which enables the location and booking of leading hotels and restaurants while on the move.

2010 Infiniti FX Limited Edition Only 100 Units

Additional standard equipment includes electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated front seats, an electric sunroof, Infiniti's keyless entry and start system, and magnesium paddle shifts that work in conjunction with the seven-speed automatic gearbox. Also included is startling performance that sees the V8 powered Limited Edition speeding to 62mph in just 5.8 seconds with the V6 version only a second behind. Traction in all weathers is assured by intelligently controlled, all-wheel drive.

2010 Infiniti FX Limited Edition Only 100 Units

The FX Limited Edition is available for reservation now via an Infiniti Centre. Pricing starts at £55,855 for the 320PS, V6 engined FX37S rising to £62,035 for the 390PS, V8 powered FX50S.