Citroën's Divine DS Concept

Citroën is very serious about the DS brand being a standalone unit, which is why the release detailing thefabulous DS Divine Concept doesn’t have a single mention of the Citroën name.

The Divine DS Concept represent a vision of the future for the DS brand and premieres the wild “Hyper-typage” interior design choices which offer “haute couture inspired levels of personalization,” according to the automaker.

A compact four-door vehicle, the Divine DS study stands out due to its sensual looking exterior, but mostly due to the striking interior. The cabin design features a bold, high-tech layout with spectacular contrasts which introduces the “Hyper-typage” technique allowing customers to choose an interior trim that reflects their personality.

The cabin features three interchangeable interior ambiences, each with its own unique style, that can be changed in just 15 minutes. The three very different interior ambiances are called “Mâle” (French for male), “Parisienne Chic” and “Fatale Punk” and were designed with the help of famous fashion names including Lesage for embroidery and crystals from Swarowski.

Another interesting feature is the laser technology used on the headlights. Inspired by the facelifted DS3, the light signature at the front maintains the principle of independent LED modules and feature Swarovski crystal fabric at the base of each unit. The headlights combine sequential indicators with laser technology. The laser headlights include two high-powered laser diodes per module, which are 50 percent more powerful than conventional LED lights.

                        

The Divine DS is 4,210mm long, 1,980mm wide and just 1,350mm high, featuring a low driving position. It is powered by a 1.6-liter THP turbocharged direct-injection petrol engine developing 270 hp and a maximum torque of 330Nm (243 lb-ft) between 1,900 and 5,500 rpm. DS didn’t say anything about a future production model based on this study, but at least some of its styling cues should be seen on future road cars.

Read More

Peugeot Exalt concept

Peugeot’s Exalt four-door coupe study revealed this spring at the Beijing Auto Show will receive a new livery at the Paris Auto Show next month. More specifically, the rear end of the Exalt concept car will feature a darker shade of grey than the rest of the body. 

Called Shark Skin, the material that covers the rear end of the car is a textile with a technical grain structure said to improve the aerodynamic performance of the vehicle and reduce fuel consumption. The material contributes to the Exalt’s aerodynamic performance, alongside other elements, including an air extractor in the rear bumper, the curve of the roof and the profiled mirrors.

On the inside, the study’s original Asian ebony trim has been replaced with Newspaper Wood, made from recycled newspapers. Additionally, Peugeot says the tailgate features an ingenious opening mechanism and provides easy access to the HYbrid-kick, a foldaway electric scooter stowed below the boot bottom. 

Another interesting feature of the Peugeot Exalt is the innovative air treatment system called Pure Blue, which emits bactericides and fungicides to purify the cabin surfaces when the vehicle is stationary and unoccupied. Once the vehicle is moving, an active filter treats the air before it enters the cabin, eliminating volatile organic compounds (VOC) and fine particles. 

The Exalt retains the same petrol Hybrid4 powertrain that combines a 270hp 1.6-liter THP turbocharged gasoline four-cylinder engine to a 50kW electric motor for a total output of 340 hp. 

Read More

2015 Volkswagen Passat B8

VW's best way of describing the new 2015 Passat for Europeand other places around the world is a "premium class car without premium costs". In other words, the Germans want to extend their reach over to more premium offerings like the BMW 3-Series, Mercedes C-Class and even sister company Audi's A4, all while continuing to challenge mainstream rivals such as the Ford Mondeo and Peugeot 508.

Unveiled earlier today at the VW Design Center in Potsdam, Germany, the eighth generation Passat, codenamed B8, is a clean sheet design that differs from the American Passat that will continue on its own path unchanged.

"The new Passat gives the right answers to the major automotive trends of its time," commented VW Group chief Martin Winterkorn. "For me this Passat is a premium class car without premium costs. This fits perfectly to Europe's most successful business car – lining up with 20 percent better fuel economy, up to 85kg [188 lbs] less weight and a range of efficient petrol and diesel engines – there is even a plug-in hybrid available."

Most of those weight savings can be attributed to the new MQB flexible platform architecture shared with the latest Golf. Compared to the outgoing B7 that is based on the previous B6, the new Passat B8 in sedan trim is 2mm shorter at 4,767mm long and sits 14mm lower, but has an 80mm longer wheelbase at 2,791mm, and is also 12mm wider at 1,832mm.

VW makes promises of improved space for both passengers and their luggage, with the sedan's cargo space boosted by 21-liters to 586-liters, and the station wagon model's by 47-liters to 650-liters or up to 1,780-liters with the rear seats folded.

The styling of the new Passat both inside and out is on the elegant (albeit unadventurous) side with more premium details compared to the outgoing model – you could say that VW tried to bring a touch of Phaethon to the mid-size segment with the B8.

This is even more evident on the technology front with the Passat gaining a multitude of new features highlighted by the available fully configurable 12.3-inch TFT display (buyers of base models will have to do with a 6.5-inch color display in the center console) marketed as the Active Info Display.

Other notable features include the extendible head-up display, an app-based Rear Seat Entertainment for tablet computers, Front Assist plus City Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Monitoring, and what VW says are three world firsts for a vehicle in this class: Emergency Assist (vehicle stops in emergency), Trailer Assist (assisted maneuvering with a trailer) and Traffic Jam Assist.

Overall, European buyers will have a choice of 10 direct injection turbocharged petrol and diesel engines covering a power range from 120PS to 280PS (118hp to 276hp), all of which are fitted with stop-start system and a regenerative braking mode, and meet Euro 6 emission standards.

Among these powerplants is a new 1.4 TSI Plug-in Hybrid with a combined system output of 211PS (208hp) that has an all-electric range of 50 km (31 miles). There's also the 240PS (237hp) 2.0-liter TDI diesel that comes exclusively with a DSG gearbox and 4MOTION all-wheel drive offering a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 6.1 seconds and a top speed of 240km/h (239mph) with a combined fuel economy of 5.3l/100km (44.1mpg US or 53 mpg UK).

VW said that advance sales for the new Passat in Germany begin next week, with prices starting from €25,875 for the saloon and €25,950 for the estate. The new Passat will enjoy its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in October.

By John Halas

Read More

2015 BMW i8 (photo)

BMW USA has announced the full pricing breakdown of the brand’s most anticipated new model, the i8 sports car. The company previously announced a base price of $135,700 (£79,000; €99,000). Destination and Handling is an additional $950 (£550; €695), for a grand total of $136,650 (£80,000; €100,000).

The blue roundel will offer the i8 in three “worlds,” which are trim levels above the base model. Similar to i3 lines, the names of these packages are “Giga World,” “Tera World,” and “Pure Impulse World.” If BMW believes it is being cool by being strange, BMW is mistaken.

The worlds each include a headlight upgrade to BMW’s cornering, LED units, and primarily alter trim. Whether selecting the base model or one of these packages, customers can select 20” W spoke wheels or 20” turbine wheels at no cost. The cheapest trim is the $2000 (£1165; €1465) Giga World. It offers a perforated leather interior in white or black.

The next level up is the $3000 (£1750; €2200) Tera World. It features blue seatbelts and offers a brown leather and cloth interior.

Finally, for the grandest experience possible, there is the $10,800 (£6290; €7900) Pure Impulse World. What do you get for that $7800 (£4545; €5710) premium? The same blue seatbelts, a spice gray leather interior, and an anthracite headliner. That’s right – BMW is charging almost $8000 (£4660; €5860) for essentially an anthracite roof. That is the craziest thing about this pricing strategy (besides the names, of course). Fitted with Pure Impulse World, a white i8 can reach its price ceiling of $149,250 (£86,970; €109,290).

The only standalone option is to have the car with Crystal White Pearl Metallic paint, which costs $1800 (£1050; €1320). All other paint choices (a whopping three – silver, gray, blue) are no-cost options. The i8 also features a tremendous amount of standard equipment. Heated, electric seats; auto dimming mirrors; Park Distance Control; ambient lighting; Active Driving Assistant; a Harmon/Kardon stereo; a concierge service; and the full suite of BMW apps. All of these are standard, which means that for some, spending the base $136,650 (£80,000; €100,000) will be enough.

The BMW i8 may be a complex plug-in hybrid, but it is also a Porsche 911 Carrera 4S competitor. Though the 911 starts at $105,630 (£61,550; €77,350), the as-tested price can spin out of control when fitted with all of the i8’s standard equipment. With the i8, BMW has taken the technology to outer space while bringing prices back to Earth.

It’s not cheap. But it’s also not priced like a Porsche.

By Nico Grant

Read More