Concept

Concept Car, Sports Car, News

Renault reveals Alpine Vision concept

News Editor ·

Alpine, part of the Renault group, has revealed its new Vision show car.

The production car will closely resemble the concept, when it goes on sale in 2017. “Motorsports and sports cars are deeply rooted in the DNA of Groupe Renault,” said Carlos Ghosn, Groupe Renault Chairman and CEO. “Earlier this month we announced our return to Formula One with a Renault team, and today we are announcing Alpine. This is an exciting next step in our strategy to leverage talent and technology between road and track, and we look forward to reaching new customers in the sport premium cars segment.”

The show car Alpine Vision combines ‘sensual design with outstanding agility’, and is inspired by the Alpine A110 Berlinette of the 1960s. The Alpine Vision is powered by a new 4 cylinder turbocharged engine which, combined with the cars low weight offers a 0-62mph time of less than 4.5 seconds - the target for the future production model.

Alpine will be managed by a small team with one sole mission, according to Renault - ‘to meet and exceed the expectations of the demanding sport premium customer’. “All of us at Alpine are proud to have been entrusted with the task of bringing back Alpine to sports car lovers around the world”, said Michael van der Sande, Alpine Managing Director. “Our job is to faithfully re-interpret famous Alpines of the past and project Alpine into the future with a beautifully designed, agile, high-performance sports car. Our Alpine Vision show car is immediately recognizable as an Alpine yet resolutely modern. We look forward to revealing the production model later this year.”

Over the next 12 months, the Alpine team will focus on building ‘an outstanding car, very close to today’s show car in terms of design, weight, handling, agility and attention to detail’. Priorities will also include building out the team and the network, and finally, to pursue racing.

The new Alpine will go on sale in 2017 initially in Europe, followed by other markets worldwide.

Concept Car, Family Car, Motorshow, News

Kia to unveil all-new SUV concept in Detroit

News Editor ·

Kia will reveal a brand new concept car at the 2016 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit.

Conceived at the Korean carmaker’s California design studio, the concept features advanced technology – including state-of-the-art health-and-wellness technology – and takes Kia’s design language in a new direction, hinting at the styling of a possible future premium large SUV in the brand’s line-up.

Kia says that there are currently no plans for the concept to enter immediate production and decisions on which markets may receive a future production version will be made in due course.

The Detroit Auto Show opens its doors on January 11, 2016.

Coupe, News

BMW reveals Concept M4 GTS

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BMW has previewed a future high-performance model for road and track with the Concept M4 GTS.

The latest model from BMW's M Division, the Concept M4 GTS showcases new technologies set to make their series production debut in a new model to be unveiled at a later date. For example, the engine powering the concept is equipped with the same innovative water injection system that has endowed the BMW M4 MotoGP Safety Car - offering a 'noticeable increase' in output and torque.

Designed to fulfil its purpose as a successful track machine, the Concept M4 GTS includes manually adjustable front splitter and rear wing - both finished in exposed carbon - ensuring a 'perfect aerodynamic balance'. Another example of the engineers' adherence to lightweight design is the CFRP (carbon-fibre-reinforced plastic) bonnet, which lowers the car's weight and centre of gravity further still. A wide front air intake optimises airflow and minimises front axle lift.

Finished in Frozen Dark Grey Metallic, with Acid Orange accents on the front splitter, the lightweight, forged and polished M Sport alloy wheels also feature an Acid Orange accent. The 9.5 J x 19 (front) and 10.5 J x 20 (rear) wheels are fitted with Michelin Sport Cup 2 tyres (265/35 R19 at the front, 285/30 R20 at the rear).

The engine's water injection system, introduced by BMW M Division, uses the physical effect of water when vaporising to draw the required energy. The water is injected into the intake manifold as a fine spray. When the water vaporises, the intake air cools significantly. As a result, the final compression temperature in the combustion chamber - and therefore the engine's tendency to "knock" - is reduced, enabling the turbocharged engine to use higher boost pressure and earlier injection timing.

This technology ensures an increase in output and torque, while at the same time reducing the thermal stress on performance-relevant components. All of which also enhances the stability and durability of the turbocharged engine, says BMW.

The Concept M4 GTS is also fitted with innovative rear lights featuring organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) technology. OLEDs are a new type of light source producing full-surface and homogenous illumination - in contrast to LEDs, which emit light to a single point. OLED technology 'heralds a new era in light design' and lighting concepts, opening up new possibilities when it comes to a characteristic and distinctive light signature for BMW models - both for their daytime driving lights and during the hours of darkness.

No word yet as to if the Concept M4 GTS will make it in to full production.