SAIC Leaf Concept Detailed

Do not confuse the Nissan Leaf with this because this concept comes from the Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation. The original name of the concept vehicle is Ye Zi which means ‘leaf’ and this concept probably gathers energy for mobility from the surrounding environment. Amazingly, the Ye Zi isn’t just a leaf in the name; the concept vehicle is shaped like a leaf too. Interestingly SAIC Leaf isn’t a zero emission vehicle but a negative emission automobile and SAIC will have to explain that bit in detail. The car body is itself made of metal-organic framework that can absorb CO2 and water to generate an electric current and oxygen.

Volkswagen Milan Taxi Concept Revealed

Volkswagen is thinking seriously about greener public transport options and an important step is the showcasing of the Milan Taxi concept at the Hanover Trade Show. The Taxi concept targets space optimization and all eco-friendly options which could make such taxis popular in big cities like NY and Moscow.

The Taxi concept has a single sliding door that opens to the pavement side. The door extends partly into the roof and slides forward to the point of reaching the A pillar. The Milan Taxi is reflective of VWs future design elements including the elimination of the radiator grille and the incorporation of a transparent crossbar between the headlights. Also, there are two eight-inch touch screens on each for the passengers and the driver. We expect this concept to turn real somewhere in 2013.

Lamborghini Gallardo by Underground Racing

Underground Racing have been quite busy lately, this time modifying a Lamborghini Gallardo. Ordered by a person named Jonah, the modified Gallardo can produce the impressive 1500 horsepower running on VP C16 racing fuel. It’s worth mentioning that the model loses a lot of the engine’s original power by the time it’s reached the tires – an estimated 25% for this vehicle, which means that the original produced power may go up to 1900 HP! When testing the car, Jonah took the quarter mile on the track in under 10 seconds, coming in at a little over 160 mph. Even though, from his words, it’s been a while since he’s took her to the track, he still managed to bring out the beast in this already respectable car.

Bike rider defies death with insane jump

I know it’s not exactly car news, but anyone that likes awesome will enjoy this video. It’s about a crazy man called Robbie Maddison on a little two stroke bike defying certain death by charging over some obstacles to reach the correct speed to do this jump.

The adrenalin that must’ve gone through this guy’s body must’ve been enough to jump start a dead elephant. The true question I suppose is how he managed to make the jump with a scrotum filled with steel?

New Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe 2010 – Test Drive

Last week, I was invited by Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart to take part in the company’s brand workshop. We’ve been taken to the Mercedes-Benz Museum, then to their design centre and at last, to the test grounds in Malmsheim. That’s where the real fun was. And why do I say that? Among driving a lot of new models in Mercedes’ new lineup, I got behind the wheel with the New Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe 2010. It was a diesel Mercedes E350 and boy was the drive fun — sorry guys for taking it to the limit, didn’t know we’re not allowed :)

So here’s an official video with the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe. It’s a really neat monster, don’t you think?

2010 Audi A8 gets a Hofele Design Trim

While the auto world is excited about the arrival of the latest edition of its four-door flagship A8, Hofele design has gone ahead and released details of its tuning package for the 2010 model. There is a trimming kit both for the diesel and petrol versions where the 4.2-liter FSI V8 offering kicks the power up to 400PS with 475Nm of torque.

The diesel variant also gets a power hike where its TDi engine can now churn 395hp with up to 880Nm of torque. Extra power brings in better braking courtesy of larger ventilated steel disc brakes. The suspension has also been lowered (40 to 80mm) albeit, it returns to the standard levels when traveling at 80mph. Minor exterior modifications include a new front end that has larger air inlets along with front fender outlets and even the side sills have been redesigned. On the rear, the Hofele Design 2010 Audi A8 gets a remodeled bumper and a quad exhaust.

Audi RS5 Brochure Leak

The world has long awaited the arrival of the Audi RS5 which will be a high performing RS variant of the A5 mid-size executive coupe. The news is that the arrival of Audi RS5 is hopefully around the corner as a brochure with 18 images of the beast has hit the web. The brochure comes laden with some stunning RS5 images but unfortunately, it doesn’t talk about the engine details and the performance specs.

What the brochure does mention are three types of seating and four types of wheel design choices. As far as gear transmission is concerned, the RS5 will only feature the 7-speed dual clutch S-tronic unit as the catalog doesn’t talk about a six-speed option. Slated to debut at the Geneva motor show next month, the high-performing commuters’ engine is still a mystery and it could stage anything from a Supercharged V6 to the 5.2-liter V10 from the R8.

New Audi A2 to hit the production facility again

The Audi A2 was a premium compact commuter for seven long years that did not enjoy the success other Audi models have enjoyed over the years — which is why it was pulled out of production back in 2005. But with the Geneva Motor Show this year, we’re hearing that an all new and ‘better’ A2 may start selling as early as 2014.

Audi did not clearly mention that it will be a revitalized A2 but it hinted that there was scope for range expansion between the A1 and the A3. The touted A2 may be an extended version of the A1 or an all new automobile altogether. Speculations are also ripe about an electric version of the A2 but we will prefer waiting on that for a while, at least till the A2 is re-introduced in the market. No news on whether the A2 will ever make it to the American shores again. [via WCF]

2010 Tesla Roadster Sport vs 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder

Not sure if you should stay green with the new 2010 Tesla Roadster Sport or go for the super sporty 2011 Porsche Boxster Spyder (with the most powerful Boxter engine, ever), here’s a comparison video that will probably decide it for you. We love both so if anyone cares to put us behind the seat for a test drive, we wouldn’t say no to it.

918 Super Hybrid Spyder May Hit the Production Floor

Porsche staged the 918 Super Hybrid Spyder at the Geneva Auto Show with no intentions to mass produce it in the near future but, the success of the electric Spyder at the Geneva event has got Porsche thinking. It was an instant hit at the motor show and that is why Porsche is now considering manufacturing the Spyder which has even got the employees excited as they wish to build it in future. If the production nod ahead is given, the 918 Spyder should start selling in the next five years where Porsche will first make the buyers sign intent letters to purchase the semi-electric commuters. The current 918 model that was showcased at the Geneva gathering features a combination of a V8 engine and three electric motors which together managed a credible 708hp.

credible 708hp.

European Demand for Lexus LF-A Soaring

Europeans have fallen head over heels for the two-seater exotic sports coupe, the new Lexus LF-A, as the commuter is in high demand on the old continent. The V10-engine powered beast capable of churning 522 hp and going 0 to 62mph in 3.7 seconds, is a limited edition model with only 500 units being produced and production beginning later this year. With orders being received from over 56 countries, each unit will come with an estimated base price of $350,000 to $375,000; a price that Europeans are seemingly not bothered with. So we wonder, what financial crisis?