Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept

The Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept was designed from the inside out, re-imagining the luxury sedan as a personal headquarters, built for efficiency, luxury and connectivity. The concept introduces a new approach to in-car electronics that improves the form and function of the car's entertainment, navigation and information systems.

"The Cadillac XTS Platinum concept is the next expression of Cadillac's Art and Science execution philosophy, reflecting our drive to deliver the latest innovations in the most artful manner," said Bryan Nesbitt, Cadillac general manager. "We envisioned this concept as an automotive personal headquarters, using advanced technology to enable new levels of connectivity and luxury."

The Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept uses Cadillac's 3.6L V-6 Direct Injection gas engine, paired with a plug-in hybrid system. The plug-in technology enables the battery to fully charge from a standard electrical outlet, enabling pure electric propulsion in many driving situations, especially urban commutes in which fuel efficiency may double that of a conventional hybrid.

Traditional luxury sedans were defined by elegant interiors and Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept propels that formula into the future. It delivers new approaches to luxury within a design that combines fine craftsmanship with customer-driven innovation. Like the current Platinum Edition products, such as Escalade Platinum and the STS and DTS Platinum sedans, the interior is based on hand cut-and-sewn materials. The Cadillac XTS Platinum Concept injects more contemporary forms and themes into the interior design, including the use of Organic Light-Emitting Diode (O-LED) displays in place of traditional gauges and screens.

CADILLAC XTS PLATINUM CONCEPT SPECIFICATIONS

• Vehicle type: luxury sedan concept
• Wheelbase: 111.7" / 2837 mm
• Length: 203.5" / 5170 mm
• Width: 74.8" / 1900 mm
• Height: 59.1" / 1500 mm
• Track:
• front: 62.6" / 1589 mm
• rear: 62.8" / 1594 mm
• Powertrain: plug-in hybrid system with 3.6L Direct Injection gas engine (with variable valve timing); lithium ion battery
• Suspension: four-wheel independent with Magnetic Ride Control.
• Brakes: four-wheel disc with electric park brake system
• Wheels: 20"
• Estimated power: 350 hp (260 kW) / 295 lb.-ft. (400 Nm)

BMW M3

The BMW M3 is known as a high performance version of the compact vehicle the BMW 3 Series. M3 models have been based on the E30, E36, E46, and E92 vehicles.

The BMW M3 is based on the E30 3 Series of 1986. The BMW M3 was initially introduced with a 2.3 L S14 Configuration that had been derived from the BMW M88 inline 6 block. Its head architecture and valve train were borrowed from the BMW M1.One of the main ideas behind the creation of a road version of the BMW M3 was to homologate the Group A Touring Car racing as an answer to the Mercedes Benz W201, which had been introduced in the year 1983. One of the main characteristics of the E30 M3 is its racing pedigree. This has been campaigned by BMW as well as by a number of other racing teams such as Schnitzer Motor sport and Prodrive.In the year 1992 at the Paris Auto Show, a replacement vehicle for the original BMW M3 was unveiled. This version of the car, an E36 coupe model, came with a 3.0 L S50B30 straight six Configuration that produced around two hundred eighty six hp.

BMW M3

BMW M3

BMW M3

bmw m3 2011

bmw m3 2011

bmw m3 2011

bmw m3 2011

bmw m3 2011

Just as the BMW 3-Series Coupe and Convertible were updated for the 2011 model year, so is the high-performance M3 variant, which has been captured here testing in prototype form.
The only noticeable difference between the current model and this latest prototype is the slightly revised tail lamps, which get new LED elements. Most of the visual changes are expected to take place inside and will include improved trim, a new center armrest and a second-generation iDrive system with four selector buttons for commonly used features such as the stereo. The iDrive system should also feature a new 8.8 inch LCD display and an optional 80 GB hard drive music and navigation system.
Power levels will remain unchanged, meaning the high-revving 4.0-liter V-8 from the current model will carry over with a peak output of 420 horsepower. One possibility is the addition of fuel-saving engine stop-start system, though BMW is yet to make any announcements of such a move for its M cars.
Expect the facelifted 2011 BMW M3, in both Coupe and Convertible variants, to debut at next month’s 2010 Geneva Motor Show

bmw m3 2011

bmw m3 2011

Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept

Cadillac introduced the Urban Luxury Concept, a design study exploring a new type of vehicle that offers a luxury experience in a diminutive size. The Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept complements its compact dimensions with the design, features and technology for which Cadillac is known.

"The Cadillac Urban Luxury Concept celebrates its scale with intelligent, innovative content that makes it unique regardless of its size," said Clay Dean, Director of GM North American Advanced Design and Cadillac Brand Champion. "It has a small exterior footprint, but is roomy inside."

Conceived and designed in the Los Angeles area, where tight, confined parking areas for apartments, office buildings and even suburban homes are part of everyday driving, the concept weaves Cadillac's iconic design elements into a form that eschews conventional vehicle design to answer the needs of those metropolitan motorists.

Comparable in size to popular city cars found in Paris, Shanghai and London, the Urban Luxury Concept demonstrates a departure from conventional vehicle design. It seats four, with easy access to all seats available via a pair of scissor-type doors that extend outward and rotate forward when opened. The design fosters a roomy passenger area, which is trimmed in exquisite materials and features next-generation interactive technology. Touch-pad screens and projected readouts take the place of most traditional gauges and serve as the audio and climate system controls - a design feature that helps open up the interior for greater passenger space.

Lexus LFA

The Lexus LFA is a 2-seat exotic sports coupe produced by Lexus as a concept car, "halo" vehicle, racing prototype, and production model.It is the second model in the F marque line of performance vehicles from Lexus, following the IS F. Three concept versions have been shown, each debuting at the North American International Auto Show with the LF-A designation as part of the LF Series concept line. The first LF-A concept premiered in 2005, followed in 2007 by a second LF-A with a more completely furnished interior and exterior. The third version of the LF-A, a roadster model, premiered in 2008. The production model, trademarked LFA, was shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2009. The production Lexus LFA features a new V10 engine and a carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) body. CFRP materials account for 65 percent of the LFA's body composition by mass. The LFA went into production in late 2010, with a projected run of 500 vehicles at the base price of US$375,000. A circuit-tuned variant is scheduled for 2012. 

Lotus Elise Concept

The Lotus Elise due for release in 2015 is a sexy, agile beast of a car. Finally the Lotus Elise comes of age.

Aesthetically it's definitely pleasing to the eye, it's bold directional body gives you subtle hints of the Lotus Elise of old so it still seems a touch familiar but at the same time, it couldn't be more different.

Perhaps a small example of how the car has changed would help. Aside from strong graphic styling, the practicality of the car has had a major overhaul too with sizeable improvements made to the ingress and egress - in simple terms, no more acrobatics but still all the fun you expect from the Lotus Elise.

Dany Bahar, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus, said: "We worked very hard on getting the Elise 2015 exactly right, it's our entry level car so it needs to give a proper introduction to the Lotus driving experience."

"The Lotus Elise you can buy now is still a fantastic car, make no mistake, Lotus remain very proud of it, but this is a natural progression for us moving forward. The Elise 2015 will also be class-leading in terms of performance and efficiency but it will do more than that it will take the Lotus Elise model to the forefront of its class across the board."

"The design of the Lotus Elise 2015 is perfect for the target market, it's young, strong, confident, verging on ruthless, it mirrors the engineering and technology. It's the next generation Elise for a new generation of Lotus drivers."

Fear not though, despite the dramatic upgrades the Lotus Elise 2015 has lost none of the cheeky charm that made the two-seater sports car famous, it still retains performance through lightweight and handles like a dream - albeit a quite aggressive and tension filled dream. With a 2.0 litre inline 4 pressure charged engine delivering up to 320 PS, the Lotus Elise 2015 should reach 0-100kph in under 4.5 seconds.

The Lotus Elise 2015, proving great things come to those who wait.

Lotus Elise Specification

•     Layout: 2 seater, mid-engined, rear wheel drive
•     Engine: Petrol with start/stop option
•     Hybrid technology: Mild hybrid, i.e. start/stop technology
•     Cylinder: 4
•     Capacity: 2.0 litre
•     Power/Torque: 320 PS / 330 Nm
•     Rev limit: 7,800 rpm
•     0-100 km/h: 4.3 seconds
•     Top speed: 270 km/h
•     CO2 approx (CO2/km): 150 g/km (with new technology)
•     Weight: 1,095 kg
•     Seats: 2
•     Transmission: 6 Speed Manual, DCT optional
•     Drive: RWD
•     Start of production: Early 2015
•     Enters the market: Spring 2015
•     Price indication: Circa £35,000

Cadillac SRX

The 2010 Cadillac SRX is designed for efficient performance, including the choice of two high-tech six-cylinder engines that are new to Cadillac. A new, 3.0L direct injected and E85 capable V6 engine is standard and a new, 2.8L turbocharged V6 is optional. Both engines employ technology that helps produce strong performance that is typical of larger-displacement engines. Direct injection enables a 25-percent reduction in hydrocarbon emissions. Fuel economy in the mid-20s on the highway is expected, but testing isn't yet complete.

Performance and safety are enhanced by an available all-wheel-drive (AWD) system that is designed to optimize vehicle handling and stability in all driving conditions. The AWD system includes an advanced electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) that distributes torque as needed from side-to-side along the rear axle, in addition from the front to rear axle. The pre-emptive, active-on-demand system provides an extra measure of capability in wet or icy conditions.

The 2010 SRX rides on a wide track that was designed to deliver a nimble, responsive driving experience. It seats five, with generous occupant and cargo room, and can tow up to 3,500 pounds (1,587 kg).

The Cadillac SRX is powered by a new, fuel-efficient direct injected 3.0L V6 that delivers an estimated 260 horsepower (193 kW) and is paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Direct injection results in more power, better fuel economy and lower emissions, all will a smaller-displacement package. As a result, the new V6 engine is expected to raise the SRX's standard power rating by 5 horsepower, while achieving an estimated 10-q5-percent fuel economy improvement.

The 3.0L direct injection V6 is a smaller-displacement version of the 3.6L, direct injection engine featured in the Cadillac CTS sport sedan and named one of the world's 10 Best Engines for 2009 by Ward's Automotive. Along with direct injection technology, the 3.0-liter engine employs variable valve timing to optimize power and fuel efficiency and reduce emissions.

The Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic transmission helps save fuel by lowering the engine's revolutions per minute at constant highway speeds, while a manual shift lever control enables greater driver interaction when desired. The new Cadillac SRX includes a driver-selectable "eco mode" that alters transmission shift points to maximize fuel economy.

"The 2010 SRX will deliver excellent, balanced driving dynamics in all types of weather," said Bob Reuter, global vehicle chief engineer. "The all-wheel-drive system with electronic limited slip effectively transfers torque not only from front to rear, but also along the rear axle. This system sets a new benchmark for all all-wheel-drive systems, giving the driver control and confidence on any road surface."

Traction control is taken a step further on AWD models with the rear eLSD. In icy or wet conditions, the system can transfer up to 100 percent of torque to the wheel that has more grip. The eLSD also gives the driver enhanced control when cornering hard or completing a high-speed maneuver, such as a lane change, by momentarily applying more or less torque to either of the wheels to help the rear of the vehicle more closely follow the direction of the front wheels.

The suspension includes a real-time damping system in conjunction with AWD that adjusts shock damping rates in response to road conditions for smooth ride quality.