Volkswagen People's Car Concept Hovers its Way into Virtual Reality

Following the release of a few photos of the concepts designed under the Volkswagen brand's ongoing 'People’s Car Project' initiative in China, the German company brought to life one of these studies with the help of CGI (Computer-Generated Imagery).

The prototype that Volkswagen chose to exhibit in the video is the Hover Car, which is a concept for a two-seater, circular shaped vehicle that uses electromagnetic levitation to float just above the regular road network.

Jump past the break to see the VW Hover Car concept in action.

Read more »

Toyota Once Again Rumored to be Mulling a Replacement for the Supra

After so many reports about Toyota resurrecting the Supra, one would be inclined to doubt the persistent rumors.

On the other hand, we have the example of the on-again, off-again, on-again Acura/Honda NSX, which came into fruition with the presentation of the pre-production concept at the Detroit Auto show in January.

Taking everything we have heard and seen over the past year into consideration, most importantly Toyota's newly found commitment to developing cars with more emotional styling and handling characteristics, there is a strong possibility that these rumors about a Supra replacement originate from facts.

Officially, the last time Toyota hinted at a direct successor to the Supra was in 2007 with the FT-HS Concept, a sharp looking two-seater model powered by a 400-horsepower hybrid powertrain linking a 3.5-liter V6 petrol engine to an electric motor. That project ended with the financial crisis that ensued the following year.

Read more »

Peter Horbury Talks About the Future of Chinese Auto Design

Unlike other powerhouses in the auto industry from Germany, Japan and the U.S., Chinese carmakers are still trying to find their way when it comes to design, with a sizable portion of domestic brands simply copying styling elements or even vehicles in whole from Western brands.

There are of course plenty of other vehicle manufacturers from China that are experimenting with designs in a bid to develop their own individual and distinct styles with mixed results.

One designer who is not only closely observing what is going on in China but is also participating in the process of defining the indigenous auto design is Peter Horbury, who last year moved to China to take over the role of senior vice president of design at Geely, Volvo’s corporate sibling under the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group.

Read more »

Nissan Releases Short Film on Juke-R's Supercar Race in Dubai

On the heels of the announcement on the limited production run of the 545-horsepower Juke-R, Nissan launched a new cinematic online movie today.

The six-minute long film is named "Desert Nemesis" and it follows Nissan’s inaugural GT Academy winner, Lucas Ordonez, taking on a handful of European exotic sports cars including the Ferrari 458 Italia, the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, through the roads of Dubai’s exclusive International Marina Club.

Read more »

Technical University of Munich Cooperates with German Auto Industry to Create the Ideal EV

The Technical University of Munich (TUM) is expanding its ongoing electric car project called 'Visio.M' in its quest to create the ideal EV for today's mega-cities.

The German Federal Ministry for Education and Research is funding 10.8 million euros (US$14.2 million) into the project, while big players from the domestic auto industry such as the BMW Group, Daimler, Siemens and TUV SUD, will also take part in TUM's efforts.

Read more »

Volkswagen Showcases Three Ideas from its People’s Car Project in Beijing

After 33 million visits to its website and more than 119,000 ideas submitted, you would be inclined to think that Volkswagen would have more to show than these three concepts from its ‘People’s Car Project’ (PCP) that was launched in China 11 months ago.

The three vehicles and technology concepts created by users and further developed by the German automaker that went on display at the Auto China 2012 in Beijing are the Hover Car, the Music Car and the Smart Key.

Read more »

Designer Envisions the Upcoming Ferrari F70 Supercar

You have probably seen our most recent scoop pictures of the prototypes of Ferrari's Enzo replacement undergoing tests in Europe, but what could the actual production version look like when the new model, reportedly named the F70, hits showrooms in late 2013?

For now, this is a question that will likely remain mercifully answered, but we have an interesting design study for the Ferrari F70 that was penned by industrial designer and current employee of Pininfarina's German subsidiary in Rüsselsheim, Constantin-Gabriel Radu.

The concept borrows elements from both the Ferrari 458 Italia as well as the previous Enzo, combining curves with hard creases and a teardrop glasshouse. If this design were to be produced, we would imagine that the car would obtain more air vents both on the sides and more importantly, on the rear end.

Read more »

Acura's Red NSX Concept Filmed Around the Turntable at the Beijing Show

After showing you the first photos of Acura's NSX concept car in a more passionate red shade, we now have a short walk around video clip of the car from the brand's Beijing Auto Show stand.

China along with the U.S. and Canada will be amongst those few markets around the globe that will get the production NSX with Acura's badges on the bonnet, since the hybrid sports car will be offered as a Honda in most other regions when it goes on sale in 2015.

Head over the break to watch the video.

Read more »

Prindiville Imagines Tuning the One-Off Lamborghini Aventador J Speedster

We would like to believe that the last thing going through the mind of the person who has or will acquire the one-off, €2.1 million Aventador J are 24 inch rims and carbon fiber spoilers, but for the sake of conversation and some crafty marketing to reach the masses, UK design house Prindiville has released a theoretical tune for Sant'Agata's speedster.

Prindiville's imaginary (i.e. photoshop) creation builds on the limited production design and performance package it offers for the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 coupé, of which only eight examples will be produced.

Read more »

Colin Bonathan Revisits 2014 Chrysler 200 Sedan Design Study

A design study is not meant to be static, but should be at a constant state of evolution, which is precisely what Lawrence Technological University design student Colin Bonathan is doing with his conceptual renderings for a replacement of the Chrysler 200.

In these latest drawings, which come a little over a month after we showed you Bonathan's previous take on Chrysler's mid-size sedan, we see a different execution of the front- and rear-end designs, while he also made changes to the shape of the roofline and the profile details.

Read more »

Chinese Collector Interested in Buying Bertone's Nuccio Concept Car

At this week's 2012 Beijing Auto Show, Italian design and engineering firm Bertone displayed the completed version of its Nuccio supercar concept, which we first laid eyes on at last month's Geneva Salon.

The fully functional prototype that is propelled by a mid-mounted 4.3-liter V8 engine with an estimated output of 480-horses caught the attention of an affluent Chinese collector who is interested in buying the car.

Read more »

MG Icon Scoops Best Concept Award at the Beijing Motor Show, Do You Agree?

Neither the sharp lines of the Lamborghini Urus SUV nor the sculptured body of the Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe managed to convince a panel of judges at the Auto China 2012 in Beijing when it came to picking out the 'Best Concept' of this year's show. Instead, most votes landed upon the new MG Icon small crossover.

The awards were announced by U.S. car magazine Autoweek, which plans to present MG with an engraved trophy at a later date.

Read more »

Design Student Refashions the Ford Taurus Sedan

Having received a mild facelift only a year ago, the current generation of the Ford Taurus sedan that originally debuted at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show isn't due for a redesign for another few years.

Nevertheless, Tyler Bame, a 22-year old automotive design student from Lawrence Tech in Michigan, drew up a couple of sketches that represent his idea for what a next generation of the Taurus sedan could look like.

Read more »

Acura Shows NSX Concept in a New Red Shade at the Auto China 2012

Silver is a color preferred by many car designers when it comes to presenting their work at motor shows as the neutral shade allows viewers to digest all the lines and details of any given model.

However, having already exhibited the new NSX Concept in this color at both its world premiere at the Detroit Motor Show in January and its European debut (with Honda badges) at the Geneva Salon in March, Acura decided to surprise visitors at the Auto China 2012 in Beijing by displaying the hybrid sports car in a more passionate red finish.

Read more »

Mercedes-Benz Makes a Luxury Limo Out of the Viano with Vision Diamond Study

While it's no replacement for the Maybach brand that's counting its last breaths, the new Mercedes-Benz Viano Vision Diamond concept that was presented at the Auto China 2012 in Beijing, shows that even a van can be turned into a chauffeured limo with the right amount of modifications.

On the outside, a shimmering gold line painted by hand separates the two body colors of black and diamond white, while the special Viano also sports a black radiator grille with chromed louvers, bespoke alloys, a new front bumper and different headlamps.

Read more »

2012 Beijing Motor Show: Super Gallery with 305 Photos

There's no denying the growing importance of the Beijing International Automotive Exhibition or Auto China, as over the years, the show has transformed from a regional spectacle to one of the top global events in the automotive industry.

This year's edition of the Auto China hosted a variety of world premieres from both local manufactures and international brands that chose Beijing to show off tens of dozens of new production and concept cars of all sorts and sizes.

If you hop over the break, you can feast your eyes on a comprehensive gallery with high-resolution photos of many of the vehicles that broke cover at the show.

Read more »

Live Photos and Video of the Lamborghini Urus SUV Concept from the Beijing Motor Show

Love it or loathe it, the Lamborghini Urus SUV Concept is the star attraction at this week's 2012 Beijing International Auto Show.

The Italian automaker officially insists that there's no decision made yet to produce the Urus, but sources from within the company claim that if the top brass at the VW Group were to give the green light, a production model will be ready by 2016.

Lamborghini's CEO Stephan Winkelmann believes that the Urus could help the brand double its sales and provide a significant boost in profits in the same way that the Cayenne did for Porsche.

The production version of the 5.0 meter long Urus would likely retain the exterior styling of the concept almost intact but feature a more comfortable and less exotic interior design.

Read more »

Hyundai Debuts China Market Elantra Alongside New Santa Fe and Concept Cars in Beijing

This year's edition of the Beijing Motor Show coincided with the 10th anniversary of Hyundai's joint venture in China. In celebration of the occasion, the Korean automaker revealed the domestic market versions of the Elantra, which has been renamed Langdong, and the Sante Fe SUV, while it also brought along two concept models, one of which is pictured above.

Speaking at a press event in Beijing, Hyundai Vice President Seung-Tack Kim said: "A decade ago, Hyundai was known for making only small cars. Today, our Equus and Genesis luxury cars compete with the best vehicles that Europe can make. Ten years ago, we were a follower in the auto industry. Today, we are a leader – and ready for the future."

Read more »

Beijing Show Urban Crossover Concept is Peugeot’s Interpretation of a B-Segment SUV [Updated]

The Urban Crossover Concept is Peugeot's proposal for a global SUV in the B-segment and it was unveiled today at the Beijing Auto Show.

The French carmaker says that the world’s population is increasingly concentrating in urban areas to the point that by 2050, 5.3 billion people will be living in mega-cities. Compact cars are perfectly suited to city transport, but they have to evolve in order to cover their owners' needs both in and out of the urban environment.

Read more »

CH-Auto's Lithia Electric Sports Car Prototype

Visitors to the 2012 Beijing International Auto Show will no doubt take notice of CH-Auto's Lithia sports car concept.

The sharply styled prototype that comes with a hint of Audi R8 on its profile makes use of an electric motor fed by a set of lithium-ion batteries, said to offer a maximum driving range of around 150 kilometers (93 miles).

Read more »