PAUHauto: New Subaru Impreza revealed!

The next Impreza is getting a dramatic new look. This is the first official picture of Subaru’s Impreza Design Concept, which debuted at the LA Motor Show. 

The Japanese firm has already backtracked over its decision in 2007 to reinvent the Impreza as a hatch – it introduced the WRX STi saloon last month – and this concept reinforces its move.

 

Marking out the newcomer is a completely new design language, called Confidence in Motion – and it’s a big departure from previous versions, as our Impreza timeline (below) shows. The aggressive new front end – with hawk-eye headlights, 3D grille and wing-like foglamps – previews a fresh family face that could grace the new Subaru coupé.

The Impreza has a low and wide stance, while bosses say the prominent wheelarches put the emphasis on the car’s famous symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. The rims also get carbon fins to help cool the brakes. 

The interior is as attractive and different as the exterior. 

Double stitching and dark blue piping contrast with platinum leather, while a large central touchscreen combines functions for the navigation, audio and vehicle information systems. 

Under the bonnet, the Impreza show car features a 2.0-litre boxer engine hooked up to a CVT box. A final production version isn’t due to appear until 2012.

PAUHauto: Mercedes wows with Biome concept

Meet Mercedes’ new green machine. This is the Biome concept, the German firm's entry to the LA Show’s annual design challenge competition, and Auto Express was there live for the unveil at Mercedes advanced design studio in LA.

The Biome is a pure flight of fantasy and isn’t intended to influence any future model. However, the technology used to create the car is intriguing as it’s straight from the pages of a sci-fi novel.

The Biome is built to the 2010 Los Angeles Design Challenge rules, which are to build a safe and comfortable two-plus-two compact car that weighs no more than 1000lb (454kg). However, it tips the scales at just 394kg as its chassis, body and fuel storage is made from a material called BioFibre.

BioFibre is an organic material which can be genetically manipulated. Like something from The Matrix, a Mercedes three-pointed star, which is impregnated with DNA which contains the spec of the car, is planted in a Mercedes nursery in a nutrient-rich substance called Bionectar, which is harvested from trees.

The Biome’s body then grows from the seed, taking just one day to mature into a finished body. The mature material is called BioFibre, which Mercedes’ claims is lighter than metal or synthetic composites, but stronger than steel.

The Biome measures 4020mm-long and 2500mm-wide and features a four-seat cockpit laid out in a diamond shape, with the driver up front, flanked by two passengers in the middle further back and a single seat in the rear.

PAUHauto: Jaguar C-X75

Created to celebrate 75 years of Jaguar, the C-X75 of the car that sets a thrilling blueprint for the future of the brand.

The styling showcases a new evolution of Jaguar’s design language, while its groundbreaking gas turbine range extender powertrain shows how the firm has embraced new ways to power its performance cars.

Inspired by the swooping XJ13 Le Mans prototype of the mid-1960s, the C-X75 features a prominent, oval grille flanked by feline, sweeping headlights. At the side, the profile remains simple and elegant, with the flowing shape only interrupted by a sculpted air intake.

The body tapers towards the rear, which incorporates a carbon fibre rear diffuser. There’s no doubting that the Jaguar is stunning, and that impression is only enhanced by the beautifully crafted interior.

Despite being a concept, there’s no overly complex door mechanism, just conventional, front-hinged doors which swing open to reveal a pair of swooping seats. The chairs are fixed to allow for air to channel from the side intakes to the mid-mounted gas turbines, so instead, the steering wheel, controls, main binnacle and pedal box all adjust towards the driver.

The seats are hard, but your attention is soon diverted to the superb TFT screens which are used for the instruments. Lights sweep around each dial’s perimeter, showing the activity of each turbine, while the dials themselves are virtual gimbals – rotating cylinders like those in a fighter jet cockpit – which display speed and battery charge.

The C-X75’s interior features a host of LEDs which make parts of the dash appear to float, while hi-fi specialist Bowers & Wilkins has created honeycomb speakers which are hidden throughout the dash and doors.

To compliment the theatrical looks, the Jaguar is started using a switch mounted in the aircraft-inspired overhead control panel. But even after the engines spool up, there’s no real noise, and certainly none of the drama that comes when you fire up the engine of a modern supercar.

The C-X75 features lithium-ion batteries which can be charged from a household plug in six hours, giving a range of 68 miles. However, when the cells are depleted, the two 94bhp gas turbines kick in. Spinning at up to 80,000rpm, the micro-turbines can either charge the batteries or supplement battery power.

The batteries provide power to four 195bhp electric motors, one for each wheel, which deliver a total of 780bhp and an incredible 1,600Nm of torque. The range is 560 miles and the car emits just 28g/km!

Performance figures are equally impressive, with the benchmark 0-62mph sprint taking just 3.4 seconds and a 205mph top speed claimed.

The C-X75 has two modes. In standard mode, the concept is driven solely by battery power, while Track Mode adds extra boost from the turbines and changes the TFT display to show available power, performance and lap time data.

PAUHauto: Alfa’s new SUVs

The Alfa version could resurrect the 2003 Kamal concept pictured here, and would likely feature a revised version of Chrysler’s new petrol Pentastar V6 engine, while the small-volume Maserati could get the same 4.7-litre V8 petrol as found in the GranTurismo. Diesels are unlikely at first, given the small volumes, of around 5,000 per year, and target market.

Both cars would get their own unique styling and luxurious interiors to justify the likely price tags, which would start at around £45,000 for the Alfa and £65,000 for the Maserati.

The two new SUVs would be built at Chrysler’s plant in Detroit, and would be aimed predominantly at the US and Chinese markets.

PAUHauto: Nissan Townpod

Nissan is also at the forefront of the electric car charge – and its radical, battery-powered Townpod looks like it might revolutionise the genre. The concept, revealed at last month’s Paris Motor Show, is a potential successor to the Cube, which could soon be dropped. 

It features a clever stowage system that designers believe will make the car the ultimate 21st century family runabout. Key to the Townpod’s versatility are small brackets that look like a cross between a squash ball and hockey puck. These fit into slots around the cabin, and mount load space dividers, storage nets and even mobile phone holders.

In addition, the Townpod’s front seats have been designed with a uniquely thin back. With the base folded up, the rear bench slides forwards and slots into the back of the front chairs to yield a van-like luggage area.

Throw in rear doors that hinge at the sides in place of a tailgate, an unusual twin-flap sunroof to make carrying tall objects possible, plus forward-opening side doors, and this family car really does double as a van. The downside is the correspondingly commercial-feeling high and upright driving position.

However, this is partially offset by the convenience of the stacked two-dial dash. Nissan says in the short term it can’t predict what type of in-car entertainment will win over future buyers so, in a nod to versatility, phones, navigation and MP3 devices can be paired via Bluetooth and controlled by the circular touchscreen. The second screen is for the speedo, rev counter and charge gauge.

Range is estimated at 100 miles, but the Townpod is clearly no sports car. Nissan is cagey about power figures, yet sources say the lithium-ion-supplied motor generates similar performance to the Micra, so expect about 70bhp. 

That’s not a huge amount, yet as the unit delivers 100 per cent of its torque from zero rpm, the car feels surprisingly perky at low speeds – proof that, in future, fun and functionality will be more closely linked than ever.

PAUHauto: Next Porsche 911 spied

Porsche’s next 911 is coming on strong! Our spies have captured the best pictures yet of the new coupe and convertibles testing together in secret. Codenamed 991, the new cars represent another significant evolution in Porsche 911’s iconic history.

The newcomer certainly looks similar to the old one, but it is a completely new model. And these pictures show a number of styling tweaks for the first time. For a start, the 991 model is a little longer and wider than the car is replaces, giving a little extra space in the 911’s snug cabin.

New design details include larger front wing pontoons which house all-LED headlights, slightly deeper side sills and door-mounted wing mirrors, and a more significantly sculpted rear end, with design cues borrowed from the 918 Spyder concept.   

On the inside, the 911 benefits from a hike in quality, with an interior inspired by the Panamera. Expect top-spec Burmester stereos, improved sat-nav with better integration for mobile devices and quality leather trim to feature.

But just like previous 911s, its what’s underneath that counts. The new 911 shares its front suspension and steering with the next Boxster, to cut costs. However, the rear suspension, and calibrations for the PASM adjustable dampers remains unique.

The engine range follows the current cars, with the 3.6-litre flat-six Carrera model’s power and torque rising 20bhp and 20Nm respectively, to 365bhp and 400Nm. The 3.8-litre unit in the Carrera S boasts the same gains, taking power to 415bhp and torque to 440Nm.

A six-speed manual gearbox will be standard, and the seven-speed PDK will be an option. Most buyers are likely to opt for the auto though, as around 80 per cent of current 911’s feature the PDK dual clutch gearbox.

PAUHnews: My First Newborn/Child

ALHAMDULILLAH!

Selepas genap 59 bulan aku berkahwin,

akhirnya pada 6:11petang khamis yang lalu (4/11/2010),

kami telah dikurniakan seorang cahaya mata yang pertama.

Berat, 6pauns atau 2.71kg.

Jantina? Perempuan la.. Nickname.. Qisqa!

Akhirnya perkara ini berlaku juga di dalam diari hidup aku.

15/08/2002

P a n i k !
Ni kartun untuk majalah kekeluargaan.
Pun lupa majalah apa, dah lama sangat.
.........................

A1: Minta-mintala semua selamat!

B2: Encik Alex, isteri awak dah ada kat wad 203.

A2: Yahuu seronoknya!

A3: Wah, muka anak ikut "sebijik" muka maknya lah!

C4: Apalah, anak kita kat sana tu..

A4: Oh ye ke.. abang konpius tadi!

D4: Waaa waaa!!!
...............................

Moral: Gembira tu boleh, jangan over sudah!