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VW BlueSport Roadster: New Wallpaper Gallery

The BlueSport concept was one of the most important models to debut at this year's Detroit Show as it essentially confirms earlier rumors supporting that Volkswagen is preparing to introduce a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive roadster by 2012. If you click through, you can check out a new high-resolution gallery of the BlueSport that was released by the German firm. You may also want to take a look at our previous analytical post on VW's back-to-basics roadster by clicking here or watch the official video here.

BMW's Chinese Partner Brilliance Auto to Make U.S. Debut at 2009 NAIAS

The 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in mid-January will see Brilliance Auto, BMW's Chinese partner, making its first appearance on U.S. soil. The Chinese automaker has already spread its wings to Europe but now its setting its eyes on the North American market as company officials say they want to begin selling cars in the U.S. as early as next year. Brilliance intends to show four vehicles in Detroit, the Pininfarina designed BS6 mid-sized sedan and BS4 compact sedan (pictured above and after the jump) and the BC3 compact coupe and FRV hatchback. In China, Brilliance builds BMW's domestic market 3 Series and 5 Series models.

NAIAS officials also revealed that another Chinese automaker, BYD will make an encore appearance in Detroit after its debut at the 2008 show. BYD has not disclosed any details of the vehicle premieres and models that will be on display at the Cobo Center.

The Chinese automaker made headlines recently when American billionaire investor Warren Buffett's MidAmerican Energy Holdings paid $230 million for a 10-percent stake in the firm to support its green technologies. BYD is currently developing electric-hybrid cars that it plans to sell in China later this year, Europe and Israel by 2010 and eventually in North America.

Just for the record, the number of Chinese auto manufacturers that displayed cars at this year's NAIAS show were five: Changfeng Motor Group, BYD Auto, Geely, China America Cooperative Automotive, Inc./ZXNA (Chamco) and Li Shi Guang Ming Auto Design.

Jeep Renegade Hybrid Concept Coming To 2008 Detroit Show

The Jeep Renegade is part of the Chrysler Group’s trio of eco-friendly concepts that will premiere at the 2008 Detroit Show in January (see the Chrysler ecoVoyager here and the Dodge ZEO here). The sporty B-segment-sized two-seater Jeep features a cut-down speedster windshield, a roll bar, openings in the door lowers and a hose-out interior. The propulsion system combines a 40-mile lithium-ion battery pack and a small-displacement BLUETEC diesel engine which promises to offer a fuel economy of more than 110 miles per gallon (2.1 litres / 100 km). -Specs & pics after the jump

Specifications
Length: 153 inches (3885 mm)
Width at H-point: 62.9 inches (1598 mm)
Height: 56.3 inches (1431 mm)
Wheelbase: 101.6 inches (2580 mm)

Via: eGMcartech , Source: Jeep

Dodge ZEO Concept Set For 2008 Detroit Show Debut

Along with the Chrysler evoVoyager Concept that we showed you earlier today (click here), the Chrysler Group will also showcase the Dodge ZEO concept at the 2008 Detroit Show in January. The ZEO is four-dour sport wagon that can accommodate four passengers and according to Chrysler, it features an electric-only propulsion system with a lithium-ion battery pack capable of at least 250 miles (about 400 km). -Specs and pics after the jump

Specifications
Length: 172.8 inches (4390 mm)
Width at H-point: 68.6 inches (1743 mm)
Height: 50.8 inches (1290 mm)
Wheelbase: 109.9 inches (2792 mm)

Via: Autoblog.com , Source: Dodge

Chrysler ecoVoyager Concept To Debut In 2008 Detroit Show

The newly formed Chrysler LLC Group has announced that it will take the wraps off three eco-friendly concept vehicles at the upcoming Detroit Show in January 2008. First up is the Chrysler ecoVoyager. The four-door, four passenger concept features what Chrysler calls as a “one-box design” which takes advantage of space normally occupied by a conventional powertrain setup. -Continued after the jump

The 191.2 inches long (4,856 mm) hybrid concept is equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack, along with a small, advanced hydrogen fuel cell that serves as a range extender. According to Chrysler, the zero-emission concept features a total range of more than 300 miles (480 km).

Specifications:

Length: 191.2 inches (4856 mm)
Width at H-point: 75.4 inches (1915 mm)
Height: 63 inches (1600 mm)
Wheelbase: 116 inches (2946 mm)

Via: Jalopnik , Source: Chrysler

2008 Hyundai Genesis V8 Sedan: BMW 5-Series Copycat Fully Uncovered

Yesterday, we showed you a handful of spy pics featuring the production version of Hyundai’s Genesis luxury sedan (click here) which we described as BMW 5-Series crossed with a Lexus LS. Sorry, but we’ll take that back now that we discovered a new set of images fully exposing the Genesis; this is no cross, this is literally a “Koreanized” version of the BMW 5-Series! And you thought that only the Chinese would attempt something like this… -Continued after the jump

However, Hyundai won’t be imitating BMW in terms of pricing by charging an arm and a leg for the Genesis when it goes on sale shortly after its debut at the Detroit Show in January 2008. According to Hyundai, prices will start well-under $30,000 (approx. €20,500), or in other words, as much as BMW charges for the 3-Series sedan. And mind you, the rear-wheel-drive luxury sedan won’t be short of power as it will be equipped with a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing over 300 HP.

Pics via: bobaedream

2009 Fisker Hybrid Sports Sedan Unveiled!

Following a hazy teaser image that circulated in the net last week, Henry Fisker released a second picture of the highly anticipated plug-in hybrid sports sedan that will be launched at the at the Detroit Motor Show (NAIAS) in January 2008. Developed in cooperation with Quantum Technologies, a Californian company that focuses on clean propulsion technologies, the yet unnamed high-performance hybrid sedan will go on sale towards the end of 2008 - early 2009.

If anything, automotive designer Henry Fisker came up with a sexy shape for his eco-friendly 4door sports sedan that could hit it big judging from the fact that it will be priced under $100,000 (€70,000). Makes the Porsche Panamera that we’ve seen in various scoop pictures look hideous to say the least. -Continued after the jump

PRESS RELEASE: DRIVE THE FUTURE WITH FISKER AUTOMOTIVE, A NEW GREEN AMERICAN PREMIUM CAR COMPANY

IRVINE, Calif. Sept.5, 2007: Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq: QTWW) and Fisker Coachbuild, LLC announce the launch of a joint venture in Fisker Automotive, Inc. - a green American premium car company. Fisker Automotive will offer a range of environmentally friendly premium cars – with the first production car to make its Worldwide North American debut at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show in January. Initial production is anticipated to be 15,000 vehicles annually with pricing to start under $100,000.

Design and technology development are already underway for the first production car. All models will feature cutting-edge plug-in hybrid technology penned as Quantum Drive, developed by Quantum Technologies exclusively for Fisker Automotive. This all-new plug–in Quantum Drive chassis layout will allow Fisker to design innovative luxury cars with uncompromised proportions.

The Fisker name has attracted and attained worldwide brand recognition, thanks to years of first-class automotive designs. Over his 18 years in the car design business, Henrik Fisker has left his thumbprint on some of the most highly regarded automobiles. His creations range from the BMW Z8, Aston Martin DB9 & V8 Vantage to his most recent creations – the Tramonto and Latigo CS, designed under the Fisker Coachbuild nameplate. Fisker Automotive will retain the orange and blue logo originated at Fisker Coachbuild.

“The troubled environment is captivating the attention of the world. Developing a premium luxury green car which also delivers attractive design can make a difference. We are extremely excited to join our automotive design expertise with the plug-in hybrid technology of Quantum in Quantum Drive. This breakthrough chassis development will allow us to deliver a design with dramatic proportions – one which will carry the Fisker badge,” expressed Henrik Fisker, CEO of Fisker Automotive, Inc. “We want people to drive beautiful fast cars that make environmental sense – cars that are eco-chic and will have less of an impact on global warming.”

Quantum Technologies has a long history of advancing technology. Benefits in developing an entirely new, from-the-ground-up design for a plug-in hybrid vehicle include optimized fuel efficiency and performance, unchanged gas station infrastructure, home based battery recharging with any 110-volt outlet at a fraction of the cost. A cleaner and a quieter car for local travel… all with the most advanced comforts that are anticipated with a luxury car.

“Our goal here is to deliver the advancement that Quantum Technologies has made in the area of plug-in hybrid technology. By combining our efforts with the renowned design talent of Henrik Fisker, we can produce a car that makes a difference to the environment – without sacrificing the luxury that accompanies the finest automobiles,” stated Alan Niedzwiecki, CEO Quantum Technologies.

Via: Autoblog.nl , Source: Fisker

Nissan FORUM Concept To Premier In 2008 Detroit Show

And you thought it would be all about the SEMA Show today, huh! Just minutes after Hyundai released a set of teaser sketches (click here) previewing a rear-wheel drive coupe concept that will debut at the 2007 LA Show in mid-November, Nissan came out and announced the premiere of a family orientated concept vehicle at the 2008 Detroit Show in January. According to Nissan, the FORUM concept will combine distinct styling with various innovations like the sliding doors. -Teaser release after the jump

PRESS RELEASE: LAS VEGAS (Oct. 30, 2007) – Nissan’s exploration of the next generation of family transportation, the Nissan FORUM Concept, offers distinctive styling with innovations including trackless sliding doors and no B-pillars. Created at Nissan Design America, the FORUM Concept makes its public debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.

2008 Detroit Show: Fisker Hybrid Teaser Image

Here’s the first official image of Fisker’s Hybrid sports sedan that will be introduced at the forthcoming North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January 2008 with sales commencing towards the end of 2008 - early 2009. Though the teaser image is too small to for us to make any serious assumptions, it does look like someone forged the front end of a Corvette to the body of a Jaguar XF.

The yet to be named hybrid sports sedan will be jointly produced by Fisker Coachbuilder and Quantum Technologies, a Southern Californian company that focuse on clean propulsion technologies. According to Fiker’s plans, initial production of the unnamed hybdrid vehicle is anticipated to be 15,000 vehicles a year with pricing to start at under $100,000 (€70,000). -Continued after the jump

PRESS RELEASE: DRIVE THE FUTURE WITH FISKER AUTOMOTIVE, A NEW GREEN AMERICAN PREMIUM CAR COMPANY

Pic via: Autocar , Source: Fisker

2008 Detroit Show Premieres Announced: Ford, Mazda, Mercedes, Subaru & More

The October issue of the official NAIAS (North American International Auto Show) newsletter took us by surprise today as it revealed several of the premieres that will take place at the Detroit show in January 2008.

Among the worldwide debuts revealed in the newsletter are the U.S. version of Ford’s Verve compact hatch that was shown in Frankfurt (click here), the production version of the Kia Mesa SUV concept (okay, we knew about that), Hyundai’s V8-powered, rear-wheel drive luxury sedan, the Genesis, and a new model from Subaru and Mercedes-Benz (most probably the compact SUV, GLK). -Follow the jump for the details

From NAIAS’ October Newsletter:

Ford will unveil a new small concept vehicle for the U.S. market that will share the underbody with a concept that Ford unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The Ford Verve, revealed in Frankfurt, is a crossover vehicle carried on a small B-segment platform.

The Detroit concept will use the same platform, which is smaller than that used for the Ford Focus. But the Detroit concept will have a different body, details of which are not being revealed. Ford executives say the Verve and the upcoming Detroit concept hint at the automaker’s new design direction for future compact cars. The company plans to gauge public reaction to its proposed “super-mini generation,” a vehicle segment Ford anticipates will grow substantially in the future around the world.

Kia has announced it will hold the worldwide debut of its new seven-passenger sport utility in Detroit. The SUV, which goes by the codename HM until the real name is announced, is derived from the Mesa concept. It will be a 2009 model built in Korea and will have three rows of seats, making it larger than Kia’s current Sorento.

Mazda Always to be counted on for unveiling innovative concept cars, Mazda will do it again at NAIAS 2008. The automaker will hold the debut of a new concept car, the name of which has not been revealed, that takes its Nagare design theme to its “most realistic level yet,” company officials said.

Hyundai will unveil to the world the produc-tion version of its flagship Genesis sedan. It will be similar to Concept Genesis, revealed last spring. The 2008 Genesis rides on a rear-wheel-drive pre-mium sports sedan architecture and is powered by a V8 engine – both rear-drive and V8 power are Hyundai firsts in the U.S. Executives at Hyundai have said the car will start at “well under $30,000.” Always to be counted

Mitsubishi plans two worldwide debuts –one a concept car and another a production car. Details on those debuts will be available in December, the automaker said.

Suzuki will hold the North American introduction of a global concept to be first unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in late October. More details will become available at that time.

Subaru plans a global debut in Detroit.

Mercedes-Benz will hold the worldwide debut of a new production model, details of which are being withheld.

2008 Detroit Show Chinese Exhibitors Announced

Back in August, we informed you that five Chinese car manufactures would attend the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit (Jan. 13-27, 2008) without knowing however, the names of the carmakers. Today, NAIAS officials decided to spill the beans by releasing the names of the Chinese exhibitors –don’t wet your pants ok: Changfeng Motor Group, BYD Auto Co., Geely International Corporation, China America Cooperative Automotive, Inc./ZXNA (Chamco) and Li Shi Guang Ming Auto Design Co. While Changfeng and Geely have shown their merchandise in previous Detroit Show, BYD., Chamco and Li Shi Guang Ming will be making their first ever appearance.

"We are very excited to welcome these Chinese companies to Detroit," said Carl Galeana, NAIAS 2008 senior co-chairman. "With so much interest surrounding their products, we expect the thousands of industry executives and international media who attend our show will be eager to learn more about these companies first hand”, added Galeana.