The new Ferrari is badged 458 Italia and has a mid-mounted V8 like the F430 it will replace.
It features a new, 4,499cc engine developing 562bhp and a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission.
The aerodynamically efficient shape also generates downforce.
The car was unveiled at the Frankfurt motor show in September before going on sale next spring, with a price of about £150,000
BMW is launching the 'world's most powerful hybrid' at Frankfurt motor show but its eco-friendly claims are weak
It's the holy grail for motorists with a green conscience – a high-performance eco-friendly hybrid car. Well, that is what BMW will have us believe when it unveils its latest model at the Frankfurt motor show in Germany next week.
The show is likely to see a stream of new hybrids, cars that combine a combustion engine with an electric motor for improved fuel efficiency. And pole position is likely to be taken by BMW's ActiveHybrid X6, which it styles the "world's most powerful hybrid".
The new X6 goes from 0-60 mph in under six seconds and has a top speed of 130 mph.
But the company gives equal prominence to its pitch that the new hybrid is "eco-friendly", because its carbon emissions are 20% less than those of a regular X6.
For a few days last month you could read the same claim on the website of the Energy Saving Trust, the "impartial" adviser on energy efficiency set up by the British government.
But is it too good to be true? Of course. As one incredulous reader who spotted the story on the Trust's website pointed out: "The Trust is promoting a car as eco-friendly with emissions TWICE that of my 6 year old Honda Civic hybrid!"
The ActiveHybrid X6's official CO2 emissions rating with the European Union is 231 grams per kilometre. That compares badly with the EU's 2012 target for average emissions from new cars of 120 grams. It is also higher than the emissions from most of the new Lexus hybrid range and more than twice the emissions of a Toyota Prius, for instance.
The fact that it is better than the regular X6's rating of 299 grams per kilometre does not make it eco-friendly, I am afraid. The claim is greenwash.
I suspect we are going to see a rash of these high-performance high-emission hybrids masquerading as green. Back in the lab, BMW is developing a hybrid "supercar" that will reach 155 mph and 0-60 mph in less than five seconds.
Sure, hybrids are more fuel-efficient than the equivalent old models. The key is that the fuel does not have to be burned in inefficient surges as the car accelerates and brakes. It can be burned efficiently in a smooth flow, and the energy transferred to a battery that supplies the electric motor that drives the car itself. The battery can also make use of energy generated during braking.
But to call these high-performance models eco-friendly, or low-emissions as they burn up the autobahn is nonsense. They are, in reality, slightly less polluting gas-guzzlers.
The Energy Saving Trust seems to take a similar view. When my correspondent pointed out the dodgy nature of the car's green credentials, the offending story swiftly disappeared from its site. "Once we noticed it, we removed it straight away," a spokesman told me.
The rise of these new hybrids has important implications for green-minded legislators. For instance, it should increase the pressure on London's mayor to reconsider his blanket exemption from congestion charges for hybrid cars. Surely, only truly low-emitters should qualify.
Interestingly, the BMW PR promotes the idea that the driver of the hybrid X6 can "experience silence without coming to a stop", while the electric motor is running alone.
It sounds fun. But speaking as a pedestrian, I'm a bit scared at the idea of a car that can go from 0 to 60mph in less than six seconds without making any noise. Green or not, it sounds like a stealth killer.
The Swedish luxury auto manufacturer Volvo has revealed its C30 BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The car company is presently working on launching its first plug-in hybrid car by 2012. As a result, Volvo is evaluating the commercial and technological viability of the all-electric C30 BEV, which is fitted with a lithium-ion battery that can be fully charged in eight hours.
The Volvo C30 BEV has a range of 150 km. The automotive major has built a few prototype units of the C30 BEV this year, which it has been testing extensively. In addition to focusing on performance and safety, research has also been carried out on the integration of the electric propulsion system with the rest of the car.
The C30 car is the first model of Volvo that runs on electric power. The Volvo C30 BEV is excellent for driving in the city traffic and its relatively low weight makes it particularly suitable for this driving condition. As electric cars are primarily expected to be used in and around cities and for daily commuting, Volvo has paid special attention to the weight of the car and its performance in congested city conditions.
Volvo perceives that car buyers must feel that the car should be attractive both to drive and own. In order to ensure this, Volvo ensures that its electric car is comfortable and safe and offer similar levels of performance as cars that run on other power sources. The C30 BEV project will help Volvo develop more electric cars in future.
The Volvo C30 BEV is limited to a top speed of about 130km/h and it can accelerate from zero to 100km in less than 11 seconds.
What would be rejoicing you the most? Reading about a car, liking it and then getting to know that it will not be launched in your car market or getting to know that it will be available in the native car market, of course it is the latter which interests you the most right? But this is not the governing factor for you to read about a new car. And now you have to read on and know more about the new Fiat Grande Punto Evo, keeping your fingers crossed and expecting it be launched in India, as you will surely love this one.
The new Fiat Grande Punto Evo, unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2009, has minor changes. On the exterior, it has a new front and rear bumpers, and the larger trunk space, improved seats and stylish dashboard in the interiors, the Punto Evo will be looking better this time. True to its name, the ‘Evo’ with its technology design and other features is readied to satisfy those customers, who will not settle even for the best.
The 1.3 second generation Multijet diesel and a 1.4 petrol engine with the revolutionary MultiAir technology are just two of the many Euro 5 engines available for the model. The Punto Evo with its Blue&Me-TomTom feature combines navigation, telephone and other functions into a colour touch screen.
With the second generation Multijet engine, the car will provide, by consuming less fuel, ten percent more power, fifteen percent more torque. The Punto, similar to that of Fiat Bravo and Fiat 500, is installed on a start-stop system.
With superior Italian designing and most modern safety features the Fiat Grande Punto Evo is a new era, evolutionary car.
German luxury car maker Audi will be unveiling two new cars at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The suave 2010 Audi S5 Sportback will have a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine under its bonnet. The supercharged engine will churn out 333 bhp of power and feature seven-speed S-tronic gearbox, Quattro all-wheel-drive and sport differential as optional feature.
The 333 bhp V6 pushes the S5 Sportback from static to 100km in just 5.4 seconds and can hit an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h. The Audi S5 supercharged V6 engine can take 9.7 liters of petrol to travel 100 kilometres.
The car will run on 18-inch alloy wheels and 19- and 20-inch wheels are also available as optional. The “5-door coupe” (We don’t understand how a ‘coupe’ can possibly have more than two doors?!?) comes with LED daytime running lights and rear lights, electrically adjustable sports seats upholstered in Silk Nappa leather, leather multifunction steering wheel with aluminium-finish shift paddles and a choice of carbon, wood or stainless steel mesh trim.
The Audi A5 Sportback is set to be launched in Europe in the first quarter of 2010. The price of the coupe starts at Rs 41 Lakh (€57,900).
The enchanting Audi R8 Spyder is all decked up to make its first public appearance at the 63rd IAA Cars in Frankfurt, Germany. The 2-door convertible will be powered by a 5.2-litre V10 FSI engine that can deliver a robust power of 525 bhp. The engine is mated to Quattro all-wheel-drive.
The gorgeous R8 Spyder is the best in open-top motoring from Europe. Audi makes uses of carbon fibre to build the body parts and the electro-hydraulic foldaway top is made of leak-proof cloth to reduce weight without having to compromise on structural integrity and stiffness.
The Audi R8 Spyder can sprint from inertia to 100 km in only 4.1 seconds and from zero to 200 km in 12.7 seconds as well as can go on to a top speed of 313km/h.
The R8 Spyder is adorned with 19-inch wheels, full-LED headlamps, a rear spoiler that deploys automatically at high speeds, electrically adjustable seats, Bang & Olufsen audio system, climate control system and Audi’s MMI controls with navigation system.
The base version of the Audi R8 Spyder comes with a price tag of Rs 1.11 Crore (€156,400). This breathtaking car will be launched in Europe early 2010.
We expect Audi to roll out some of the units of the S5 Sportback and the R8 Spyder in India by the end of next year.
The ongoing Frankfurt Motor Show will showcase the different ventures the car manufacturers have been working over the past years. The German automaker BMW, together with the other auto majors such as Mercedes-Benz, Suzuki, Hyundai, will showcase its best efforts in the show.
The BMW Active Hybrid X6 and Active Hybrid 7, BMW X1, and the BMW 5 Series GT that has been empowered to woo the audience will debut in the Frankfurt Motor Show. As the name suggests, the BMW Active Hybrid X6 and Active Hybrid 7 will be eco-friendly models.
The elegantly designed hybrid cars are an epitome of their respective series. Looks apart, it is the heart of these cars that matter the most and that’s why both the cars will be powered by 4.4-litre twin turbo V8 motor. While the X6 will feature two electric motors and a 7-speed CVT transmission the 7 has a single electric motor and an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The most bizarre BMW that has been manufactured in the near past and one can name the BMW 5 Series GT without a second thought an MPV, an executive car or even an estate car, because it fits into all these categories. The car is a perfect combination of the X6, 7, and the 5 series. And the car will be available in three options namely 530d, 5351, and 550i.
Another model from BMW, BMW X1, the mini x, will also be showcased at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The X1 built based on the 3 Series foundation will be available in two options such as the one with a rear wheel drive, known as sDrive, and an all wheel drive, xDrive.
It will take another one or two years before most of the models be available to common man, but it is a true pleasure to see these cars showcased as they are a glimpse to the future of the auto industry.
