Tag: 2012 Paris Motor Show

  • 2012 Paris Motor Show: Rolls-Royce Art Deco range

    Rolls-Royce Motor Cars proudly presents a selection of Ghost and Phantom family cars that celebrate the Art Deco era. The highly bespoke Phantom Series II Saloon, Phantom Series II Drophead Coupé and Ghost models were unveiled at the Paris Motor Show 2012, in homage to the 1925 Paris Exhibition or Exposition Internationale des Arts Décoratifs et Industriels Modernes that gave the movement its name.

    Phantom Saloon’s black and arctic white interior hints at the visual language of the movement while a suite of Art Deco-inspired interior detailing points to the creativity, skill and attention to detail employed by Rolls-Royce craftspeople.

    Hand-fashioned stainless steel inlays in telephone drawer, door cappings and rear picnic table backs subtly evoke the decorative style of the period. An echo of the rich heritage of the marque also lies in the Art Deco-style geometric coachline pattern – a design conceived and used by Rolls-Royce on a show stand at Olympia in the early 20th century.

    The elegant simplicity of Ghost is presented in two-tone, Jubilee Silver atop Cobalto Blue, whilst the interior features intricately designed and crafted marquetry in front and rear. A Phantom Series II Drophead Coupé furnished in resplendent mother of pearl onlays gracefully completes the show line-up.

    “In Paris we have elegantly captured the essence of one of the great periods in 20th century design,” said Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “These Art Deco-inspired motor cars stand as a testament to the breadth of the Rolls-Royce bespoke offering, reinforcing the marque’s position as the world’s leading manufacturer of luxury goods.”

    An exclusive collection of Bespoke Phantom Series II Saloon and Ghost family cars, inspired by the Art Deco cars at Paris, will be made available to Rolls-Royce clients.

    For Phantom Series II customers, exterior colours will be offered in Infinity Black, Arabian Blue, Powder Blue or Arctic White, and feature a bespoke, twin coach line with an Art Deco motif. An illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy, hinting at ornamental glassware of the day, completes the exterior detailing. Inside Phantom’s coach doors, touches like Art Deco headrest embroidery, bespoke inlays on piano black veneer and tread plates sporting Art Deco motif further reference the style of the period.

    Ghost Art Deco collection cars are finished in either Infinity Black or Arctic White with dual bespoke coach line and illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy. Interior styling includes handcrafted Art Deco inlays, as well as Olympia-inspired motif on tread plates and headrest embroidery. A black and white interior scheme featuring a choice of four seat piping colours takes inspiration from the colour palette of the era.

    “For over a century a Rolls-Royce motor car has taken inspiration from the prevailing style of its time whilst retaining the marque’s unique design aesthetic,” added Giles Taylor, Design Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “Art Deco was defined by theatre, glamour and a sense of excitement. Working to create contemporary interpretations of these classic themes has been enormously rewarding for everyone in my bespoke design team.”

    Akin to the artisans of what is sometimes called high Art Deco, only the very finest materials are employed and painstakingly crafted in every model leaving the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, England. Exquisite cashmere and finest leather combine to create an interior ambience that cossets passenger and driver in hallmark Rolls-Royce luxury.

    Specially sourced wood veneers, selected for richness and complexity of grain, are adorned with mother of pearl or silver inlays – the form and structure of the pieces reminiscent of the fine cabinet making so prevalent in the Art Deco period.

    Source: Rolls-Royce

  • 2012 Paris Motor Show: Jaguar F-Type – A Two-Seater Convertible Sports car

    Jaguar has officially announced the all-new 2013 F-TYPE at an exclusive event in the gardens of the Musée Rodin Museum in Paris. The two-seater, convertible sports car represents a return to the company’s heartland, focusing on performance, agility and driver involvement.

    “Jaguar is a founder member of the sports car segment with a rich sporting bloodline stretching over 75 years, and in the F-TYPE we’ve reignited that flame. The F-TYPE isn’t designed to be like anyone else’s sports car. It’s a Jaguar sports car – ultra-precise, powerful, sensual and, most of all, it feels alive.”, commented Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar

    The F-TYPE features all-aluminium double wishbone front and rear suspension and a quick-ratio steering rack for ultimate responsiveness. The aluminium architecture has been optimised to provide the stiffest possible underpinnings for the suspension with rigidity gains of more than 30 per cent in key areas compared to any other Jaguar application

    There will be three models at launch – F-TYPE, F-TYPE S and F-TYPE V8 S.

    The engine range includes a new 3.0 liter V6, which is available in two variant 340HP (250 kW) and 380HP (280 kW). The 340HP version accelerates to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds and has a top speed of 260 km/h (161 mph) electronically limited. The 380HP model is extremely fast – 4.9 seconds to 100 km/h and 275 km/h (171 mph).

    Jaguar’s highly acclaimed 5.0-litre V8 boasts 495HP (364 kW) and 625Nm (463 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 300 km/h (186 mph) – electronically limited.

    An active exhaust system, which is standard on the S and V8 S models, adds another dimension of driver-engagement. Valves in the exhaust system open under load from 3000rpm which allows the exhaust note to build to a thrilling crescendo at the redline.

    The F-TYPE has a set of eight closely-spaced, sporting ratios in its Quickshift transmission, giving greater driver control. The V6-powered S model also includes a Dynamic Launch feature, which optimises acceleration from rest.

    The F-TYPE will be available OTR for £58,500, the F-TYPE S for £67,500 and the F-TYPE V8 S for £79,950.

    Source: Jaguar

  • 2012 Paris Motor Show: Suzuki S-CROSS Concept

    Suzuki has unveiled the S–CROSS Concept at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. The vehicle will be the first in an ambitious programme of annual European model launches which Suzuki will be starting in 2013.
    The S-Cross design

    • Emotion is expressed by dynamic lines running from the front bumper to the rear of the body, by chrome-plated features which extend deep into the body from LED fog lamps in the front bumper, and by LED headlamps and tail lamps with organic designs suggesting the muscles of an animal.
    • Quality is expressed by a mesh front grille consisting of dark chrome and silky chrome and by innovatively designed roof rails which are flush with the roof line when not in use.
    • Aerodynamics is expressed by a roofline which slopes downwards towards the rear and by smooth contours on the sides of the front bumper, at the bottom of the doors and on the sides of the rear bumper. The shape of the body helps the vehicle meet increasingly tough demands for fuel economy.
    • Crossover toughness is expressed by a front skid plate, by boldly flared wing arches and under mouldings, and by 20-inch chrome wheels.

    Body colour

    A specially created Crystal Green Metallic body colour has intensity and radiance which create a dynamic impression in the minds of onlookers. The image it evokes is one of “nature in the city and the city in nature”.

    Specifications (mm)

    Overall length 4,310
    Overall width 1,840
    Overall height 1,600
    Wheelbase 2,600
    Tyres 235/55R20

    Still, any technical specifications weren’t released.

    Source: Suzuki

  • 2013 Ford Mondeo – Advanced Active Park Assist and revised Suspension

    Ford Motor Company has announced the new 2013 Mondeo. The family saloon will come with a range of innovative technologies including Advanced Active Park Assist – Ford’s first system to support perpendicular parking. The official premiere of the car will be at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.

    Other very interesting upgrade is the new integral link rear suspension configuration that helps all-new Mondeo to deliver greater refinement and more dynamic performance.

    “These features underline the sophisticated quality, technology and driving experience that all-new Mondeo delivers,” commented Barb Samardzich, vice president Product Development.

    “The Mondeo has always been at the forefront of Ford’s European passenger car range, but the all-new model is a watershed moment for large car customers and a new benchmark for features in this competitive sector.”, he added.

    All-new Mondeo will be available as a five-door and wagon – uniquely developed for Europe – as well as a four-door that will be offered as a segment-first petrol hybrid electric vehicle, combining a specially-developed 2.0-litre petrol engine with a 35kW lithium-ion battery to provide optimised fuel economy and low CO2 emissions.

    The engine range includes the 2012 “International Engine of the Year” 1.0-litre EcoBoost. An ECOnetic Technology model will also be available powered by a 1.6-litre diesel engine. Both are expected to deliver best-in-class fuel economy. In addition, customers will have the choice of efficient yet powerful turbocharged 1.5-litre and 2.0-litre EcoBoost petrol engines, and a 2.0-litre TDCi diesel. For the first time on Mondeo, a diesel all-wheel drive variant will be offered, delivering superior traction, performance and handling.

    The interior delivers unprecedented levels of ergonomics and comfort, with superior craftsmanship throughout the driver-focused cockpit. Soft-touch materials, premium finishes and equipment contribute to the most premium Mondeo experience ever.

    Mondeo will also offer segment-first SYNC with MyFord Touch an in-car connectivity system that delivers an eight-inch colour touchscreen and the ability to act as a WiFi hotspot for up to five devices.

    SYNC with MyFord Touch will enable drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road while controlling phone and media player functions from connected devices, as well as the vehicle’s climate control, radio and CD-player, and navigation system, using voice commands.

    All new Mondeo also delivers the European debut of Ford’s rear inflatable seatbelts. These are designed to reduce head, neck and chest injuries for rear-seat passengers. In the event of an accident the belt rapidly expands to disperse crash forces across a body area five times greater than that achieved by a conventional seatbelt.

    Source: Ford

  • Chevrolet Trax Debut at Paris

    2013-Chevrolet-Trax-thumb2013-Chevrolet-Trax-mediumThe latest Chevrolet Trax – due to debut at this year’s Paris motor show – will hopefully establish the brand in the “small SUV” niche. Mind you, to their understanding, being 4.2 meters long and 1.8 m wide is small. It’s a perfectly suitable vehicle for five, it’s high-seated and supposedly, it delivers a car-like handling on the tarmac.

    The engines however (the ones for the European markets) do suggest the Trax‘s smallishness. There will be three options:

    A 1.6L naturally aspirated petrol engine (not interesting enough apparently, to know the precise power output)

    A 1.4L turbocharged petrol unit with 140 hp on paper. With the help of a six-speed manual, this engine transfers 200 Nm of torque to the wheels. Depending on the trim, you can also get an AWD system.

    The same is true for the 1.7L doesel which produces 10 hp less but ends up with 300 Nm of torque. All powertrains that are mated to a manual (as opposed to the available six-speed automatic) also get a Start/Stop function.

    Inside, a 358-liter storage space that can come in handy on a grocery run. That includes the various compartments on the sides and under the rear seats and under the cargo floor. If one is willing to spend a bit more money, you can get technological as well – Chevrolet MyLink infotainment system with smartphone connectivity, a touch-screen display and a flexible navigation programme.

    In terms of safety, the LT trim Trax offers an array of standard passive and active systems. Six-airbaxs, ESC, Hill Start and Descent Assist/Control, traction control, ABS.

    The Paris motor show is due to start on the 27th of September when the world’s leading automotive companies will debut and showcase their latest products to the world. The 2013 Chevrolet Trax will hit the markets sometime in 2013.

    Source: Chevrolet