Thursday, March 24, 2011

Geneva Auto Show : Volkswagen Bulli Concept


GENEVA — Is Volkswagen trying to “Bulli” disgruntled fans of the brand into a rapprochement? Here, on the eve of press previews, it rather looks like it.

Few concept vehicles from the last decade were more warmly received than

the 2001 Volkswagen Microbus concept, a vehicle that, for various reasons, VW decided not to place into production. This upset a vocal demographic in VW’s fan base, all but rabid for the retro-themed bus. But now, VW wants tokiss and make up.On Tuesday, the brand will introduce the Bulli, what it calls a refinement of the 2001 Microbus concept, which derives its name from what the Germans called the original 1950 Microbus. (Semimodern models are still being produced in Brazil and some other international markets.)

fact, the Bulli’s profile sooner evokes a Scion xB or Kia Soul than it does its namesake. Gone are signature features like panoramic windows, seating for up to nine, sliding doors and a woefully gutless gas engine. Instead, the Bulli has four conventionally opening doors, six seats, an iPad-based infotainment system and an electric motor.

“It is spacious like it was in 1950,” according to Volkswagen press materials. “It has clean styling like never before.” But critics might ask what would be cleaner than the original styling, which suggested a two-slice Toastmaster on wheels?

The show car is principally powered by an 88-kW electric motor that produces 199 pound-feet of torque. The company asserts that when fully charged, the vehicle’s lithium-ion battery pack delivers “up to 186.4 miles on a single battery charge” and can be replenished in under an hour when plugged into a fast-charge socket. Small, range-extending gasoline and diesel engines are also part of the conceptual package, but specifications were not given for how much extra range these might provide.

In at least one crucial aspect, the Bulli does evoke the original Microbus: It’s not very quick. Top speed is 87 m.p.h., and 0 to 62 m.p.h. is 11.5 seconds — or more, if loaded down like the old VW buses traditionally were.


The Bulli, at 156 inches long, is nearly two feet shorter than those early versions and forgoes rear-wheel drive for front-wheel drive. Gone also are the signature oval single headlights, replaced by dual headlights and LEDs.

In essence, the Bulli appears to be almost everything the Microbus was not — except that Volkswagen asserts it is.

No timetable or price for a possible production model have been mentioned.

Modif Porsche Sports GT3-R



Modif Honda CBR 250 R



Well, ... for those who would buy a Honda CBR 250R ... may form following modif ... can be an inspiration ...! First, ... the game is not unusual colors ... indeed become 'eye = catching' own ...! In addition to the color game ... also replaced the rear suspension
Shock yag replaced ... and also replaced the standard chain ...
Some knick-knacks accesories used

LEXAM YCAT Motor 2011

Yamaha LEXAM Side Profile is very much like normal moped
Yamaha LEXAM tail light is 3-piece setup
Yamaha LEXAM meter is quite radical
Yamaha LEXAM headlight also get a radical styling and resemble Yamaha Lagenda ZR a bit
MotoMalaya's reader Vietnam has given me a link to a series of images of Yamaha LEXAM YCAT moter (moped + scooter?). Thanks.
I'm not able to read in Vietnamese (I tried to use Google Translate), so I can't give you details about the story on AutoPRO.
From my POI, the shot here is a spy-shot for the Yamaha LEXAM since the bike has not being given any sticker or decals on its body. Design-wise, this bike very radical for Asean market, but we in Asean always looking for something new and out-of-the-ordinary things, and this bike suites the statement well.

Britain Gets A Mini Rocketman

Not a flamboyantly dressed little person. Though I don't doubt for a second that one (many?) exist. This Mini Rocketman is a new concept car that simply seeps Great Britain from every window and tailpipe. Because not only is it a Mini concept, and not only does it share a name with one of Britain's most famous recording artists, but it also has a little light show on the roof that creates an LED Union Jack if and when the driver feels a particular sense of kinship to his home island. Inside, the Mini is designed to be a smart, connected urban commuter. One interesting feature is a removable control panel. You can pull the unit out of the car, upload music, directions, contact information, etc. from the convenience of your computer and then slide it back into the car for your trip. A trackball and series of controls on the steering wheel lets drivers access all the driving and entertainment information without ever having to pull a hand off the wheel. The concept also uses a 3D display similar to that of the Vision ConnectedDrive concept of BMW, Mini's parent company.
The car will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week. If you don't plan on stopping by Switzerland, you can take a tour via the short clip below.
The car light thanks not only to its small size, but also thanks to its lightweight construction. The car sits on a carbon spaceframe that is visible around the lower part of the exterior and inside the cabin for visual effect. The feather-light commuter offers nearly 80 miles to the gallon.
The Rocketman also packs plenty more than kitschy, patriotic flair. The small car measures just 135 inches in length but manages to seat four comfortably with a series of four seats that can be configured in various ways to create the most comfortable cabin for your particular entourage. And since stuffing four inside of the Mini will take up much of your interior space, there's a pull-out trunk drawer in back that lets you pull load your haul even when the cabin is jam-packed. Passengers get in and out through the wide, double-hinged doors.

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

smart forspeed Concept revealed ahead of Geneva Motor Show Debut



smart forspeed electric Concept revealed ahead of Geneva Motor Show Debut

Camera Icon View photo gallery


The highly anticipated Geneva Motor Show is right around the corner, and in an effort to build even more anticipation for the event, auto makers are releasing teasers of what we can expect. smart is no exception, as they’ve just launched new photos of the electric smart forspeed concept ahead of its Geneva Motor Show debut.

The smart forspeed, a zero-emission roadster, will complete smart’s electric vehicle line-up, which currently includes a bicycle and scooter. According to

smart, the forspeed roadster will reach speeds up to 75 mph with a rear-mounted 40 bhp electric motor and a 7bhp overboost function. The electricity for the engine is stored in a lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 16.5 kWh, and the range should be 84 miles. As for charging, the smart forspeed concept will plug into a normal 220 volt socket, with a quick charge in about 45 minutes.

In terms of its outer design, the smart forspeed features a high-gloss finish, wind deflectors with integrated solar cells to power the on-board electrics, and a honeycomb grill. Steffen Kohl, Head of Design for Mercedes-Benz, was quoted saying the smart forspeed has a “unique and electric look, but is still recognisable as a smart”.

The interior of the car offers a minimalist design similar to what you would see on a boat, with a notable addition being a smart phone housing that can be tilted 90 degrees to face the driver. Adding a touch of luxury to the smart’s interior are leather door pulls, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gear knob. The boost switch to unleash the… wait for it… 7bhp… is located in the center console.

Bertone Jaguar B99 Concept/B99GT - Geneva Auto Show


Offering an independent Italian perspective on a new generation of classy cat, the Bertone Jaguar B99 Concept formally bowed in at Geneva with a full-race GT2-spec variant at its side. The B99's code name reflects 99 years of Bertone's existence as a premier design house and coachbuilder, but the fairly dramatic departure of this BMW 3 Series-sized sedan from Jaguar's current breed opens the door for some intriguing possibilities regarding the look of the sub-XF four-door the automaker plans to add to its family in the 2013/2014 time window. However, Automotive News reports that automaker's Global Brand Director, Adrian Hallmark has indicated that upcoming model will not be based on this Bertone one-off.

The Bertone Jaguar B99 Concept does embody cues that pay obvious homage to several classic Jags of yore. The fluid lines and elegant proportions seen in its hand-formed aluminum bodywork are crowned by a retro-XJ-style greenhouse while the historic "leaper" returns to its hood. However, the B99 Concept's long, narrow lighting units -- front and rear -- represent a serious rethink of current Jaguar design.

The same all-new approach holds true for the Bertone Jaguar B99 Concept's hybrid powertrain. Developed by Bertone Energy, this Extended Range Hybrid system matches a 1.4-liter/170-horsepower gasoline engine/generator with twin rear-mounted 201-horse Lucchi electric motors powered by lithium-ion battery packs. Collectively, the system turns out 579 horsepower and allows the car to travel up to 62 miles in pure EV mode.

Bertone also served up a racing version of this futuristic Jaguar. The B99 GT retains the hood, doors, decklid and greenhouse of the street car but gets a widebody treatment to help it house wide 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 325/30 race rubber. In addition to a host of other normal aero tweaks, the B99 GT is fitted with a two additional electric motors on the front wheels to endow this all-wheel-drive version with a stout 972 horses.

Mini Rocketman Concept – Auto Shows

Mini’s stand at the 2011 Geneva auto show is the launchpad for its slick little Rocketman, a concept car that evokes the spirit and packaging of the original Mini even more faithfully than the current Cooper. For one thing, at 11 feet, 3 inches long, the Rocketman is barely longer than its eensy forefather. Its width is closer to that of the new car than the old, but this is about as mini as a car can get while making room for four occupants.