New Cars 9


Saab 9-5

Saab has revealed the first official images of the all-new 9-5, which will make its debut at the forthcoming IAA in Frankfurt. Inspired by the 2006 Aero X concept and the Swedish brand's aviation heritage, the new vehicle is a progressive design that embraces the purity of Scandinavian design.

The car's character is emphasized by a falling roof line and a wraparound glasshouse - with the proportions of the windshield reminiscent of the classic Saab 900. The body blends uncluttered lines with organic shapes, while Saab's brand design cues are also evident in the 'hockey stick' belt line. "We are giving a fresh, very modern expression to some of our classic brand design cues," said Saab Brand Design Chief Simon Padian.

Inside the driver-focused cabin, simple forms define the overall theme, echoing the purity of the exterior design. Compared to its predecessor, legroom and shoulder width are claimed to have increased both front and rear, while the choice of materials, fit and finish and the tactile quality of the controls are all said to reflect the new 9-5's premium appeal.

Photo Gallery: Saab 9-5

Related Article:
Leaked: Saab 9-5

26 Aug 09
Mini Coupe Concept

Mini has released these official images of its new Coupé Concept in the run-up to its debut at the Frankfurt motor show in a few weeks' time. Like the original Mini Cooper Monte Carlo concept of 1997 - a car that explored a number of key design themes that defined the BMW-built model launched a few years later - the new Coupé takes the British brand in a muscular, almost street rod-style direction.

The newcomer is the same length and width as the hatchback variant (3714mm and 1683mm respectively), but shaves nearly half a meter off that car's height of 1356mm. The sheet metal fore of the rear fenders is also unchanged, with the Coupé's more sporting demeanor communicated via solid body-colored grille bars and the front bumper from the Cooper Works model.

Inside, it's business as usual save for a revised - and rather attractive - dashboard layout with an attractive new mix of finishes, and bespoke leather trim. Despite its Concept nametag, the Coupé is tipped to reach production relatively unchanged in the next few years.

Photo Gallery: Mini Coupe Concept

25 Aug 09
Hyundai ix35

Hyundai has released the first images of its new ix35, a C-segment crossover that showcases the Korean automaker's distinctive new ‘fluidic sculpture' design language.

Set for its global debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September, the ix35, which will replace the Tucson, is the first SUV to be conceived and engineered at the company's Frankfurt-based design and technical centers. The new crossover embodies Hyundai's new 'fluidic sculpture' design language first seen on the ix-onic concept car at the Geneva motor show earlier this year and features design cues that will be carried over to other new Hyundai models, most notably the pronounced hexagonal grille.

The Korean automaker claims the ix35, which has a smaller footprint than C-segment hatchbacks and MPVs, also features enhanced aerodynamics and more refined powertrain technology to deliver better fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions than rival SUVs. We'll bring you more details on the new car from the Frankfurt motor show.

Related Article:
Hyundai ix-onic concept - Geneva 2009

17 Aug 09
Kia Venga

Kia has released the first official pictures of its new B-segment supermini, the Venga, which first appeared in concept form as the 'No3' at the 2009 Geneva motor show. Measuring 4068mm long, 1600mm high and riding on an unusually long-for-its-class 2615mm wheelbase, the Venga was designed and manufactured in Europe - which along with Korea and Japan, is likely to make up the majority of sales when the car hits the street later this year. The Venga will make its public debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September.

The basic proportions of the concept remain unchanged, as does the arcing front screen angle, chunky high-set headlamps and tapered DLO. But the No3's distinctive panoramic windscreen and diagonal roof support have made way for a conventional fixed roof, and the sculpted sides and unusual 'squashed cog'-look front grille have been toned down for production.

Related Article:
New Car - Kia No3 concept

17 Aug 09
Bentley Mulsanne

The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance played host to the official debut of Bentley's long-awaited successor to its aging Arnage limousine, the Mulsanne. The first ground-up limousine design since the 1930 8-litre, the Mulsanne was created under the guidance of Crewe-based design boss Dirk van Braeckel and distinguishes itself from its smaller Continental Flying Spur sedan sibling with a combination of sheer physical presence and more baroque styling.

The front grille is large and vertical, and the locomotive-style shoulder line that runs up from the leading edge of the front fenders on all modern Bentleys is interrupted here as it distends above the rear wheelarch. As on the Continental, the upper surface of the hood converges to a shallow, flat-bottomed ‘V' as it drops down to form a frame for the grille, and the lamps are circular in form. The outer lamps are smaller in size, however, and set lower, further distinguishing this flagship from lesser models. The DLO tapers slightly at the rear, terminating in a very wide C-pillar that further enhances the sense of tension from a three-quarter perspective.

Bentley is withholding further details until the Mulsanne's proper unveiling at Frankfurt in September, but the response it received at Pebble Beach was mixed to say the least.

17 Aug 09
Infiniti M

Less than two years after the mid-life facelift of its 'M' series luxury sedan range, Infiniti has taken the wraps off an all-new 2011 version. Launched 'virtually' at the recent Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the third-generation M is scheduled to be publicly unveiled later this year bearing toned-down styling cues from the company's Essence concept.

The influence of the Essence is most apparent in the sedan's undulating character line and the way that the hood plunges down to meet a low-set front grille complete with concave outer edges. The car's basic proportions are similar to the previous version's, but the haunches are more muscular and the surfacing altogether more fluid, flowing back to form an almost ducktail-style rear with a pronounced step down to the bumper, as seen on the Opel Insignia.

The interior is defined by a triple-layer IP that rises from the center console like a pair of wings and which wraps organically into the doors. Design boss Shiro Nakamura also promises that, like the Essence, the newcomer will feature innovative materials, although a glance at these first official pics confirm that we won't be seeing the beautiful analogue and digital instruments that made the concept's cabin so memorable.

Infiniti's answer to the BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-Class will go on sale worldwide in Spring 2010.

0 ความคิดเห็น: