Hyundai i10 - Turning up the heat
Joint hosts for our group of South African media at
Frankfurt was Hyundai, and though our expected visits to the company's
technical and motorsports centers sadly did not materialize, we were given a
preview of the i10's world launch. Immediate impressions are distinctly
positive.
The new car is significantly bigger than its predecessor. In
conversation with designer Thomas Buerkle, he confirmed that much work had gone
into the rear of the car to increase headroom, particularly. The effect is
clearly visible from the outside in a more pronounced, extended C pillar
styling. Besides the rear room, there's now also a bigger boot. Hyundai is
positioning itself increasingly as a maker of Euro-oriented cars and this model
is going to do big things for the company.
Hyundai i10
Audi Sport Quattro Concept Audi Nanuk - Beauty and the beast
Showcased at the Volkswagen Group's eve-of-Frankfurt
preview, the Nanuk and Sport Quattro both drew gasps. For different reasons,
The Nanuk's vaguely retro styling with bulging hindquarters seemed more
reminiscent of a 1960s US muscle car than the off-road supercar it's meant to
be. It's not the most harmoniously styled Audi, not by a long shot. Will its
dazzling claimed abilities win over those who can't bear to look?
In contrast, the Sport Quattro is almost understated (if you
disregard its screaming yellow paintwork). This was more like it, hardcore Audi
performance fans, were saying. Will the massively powerful Audi rocket make it
into production? We certainly hope so.
Audi
Sport Quattro Concept Audi Nanuk
Volvo concept coupé - Past meets future
The first product from the pen of new designer Thomas
Ingenlath, the Concept Coupé pays homage in its lines to the legendary P1800,
though of course it is a lot bigger. Its toothy grille may not be to everyone's
taste, but its overall elegance is unmistakable. Its plug-in hybrid drivetrain
features a two-liter high-performance Drive-E petrol engine with a supercharger
and turbo, plus an electric motor on the rear axle. Total output is about 300
kW and over 600 N.m. Ingenlath says we can expect to see some of the Concept's
styling cues in the new XC90 sport-utility; the current model is now getting
pretty long in the tooth.
The coupe's underlying Scalable Product Architecture is also
being prepared for completely autonomous driving, according to Volvo. We'll
start to see the first signs next year with autonomous steering to avoid
accidents and make driving more comfortable. Volvo aims to have fully
autonomous technology on the road before 2020.
Volvo concept
coupé
