The German craftsman raises the tone by transplanting V10 of the BMW M5 under the hood of a coupé to lines always retro. Opinion of storm!

If the line of the MF5 returns you some years behind, its bottoms are completely modern. Faithful to the builder BMW, the small German builderimplants V10 5 liters of the pair M5 and M6. But this time, its 507 hp are only 1.380 kg to be pulled. As a result, the performances of this long coupé of 4,30 m smell the sulfur with one 0 in 100 kph in sharp 3,9 and 310 kph. Propped up well in captivating tubs installed level with the ground, the “pilot” should feel ultra-sports sensations of driving in the steering wheel of this high-powered propulsion. The most virulent of Wiesmann keep a line charmingly retro, even if this version has outside signs of speed more marked than his younger sisters.

A city-dweller of its time
Presented during the last Show of Geneva, the concept ” Black Mouth ” or rather Bocanegra, had everything of the prophet announcing the arrival of the new generation of Seat Ibiza. And it was not necessary for a long time so that the fate comes true …

A model hinge

As usual, Seat offers the superiority of its models to the public Iberian. And this year, it is Ibiza which meets itself under the lights of projectors. Ibiza which closes a cycle at the manufacturer of Martorell. That begun with the truth - forgery monospace Altea, and be pursued with Leòn and Toledo.   Models rather dynamic which carried Walter de’ Silva’s stylistic claw, conscript since in the other responsibilities within the group VW. If it immortalizes a certain continuity, by exchanging the too flat lines of the 3rd generation for a welcome nervousness, stigmatized by the famous and almost caricatural ” dynamic line ” extending during sides up to back wheels, new Ibiza also marks the beginning of a new age.

Follow the arrow!

It is indeed about the first Seat thought by the new strong man of the design Seat: … Belgian Luc Donckerwolke. It is especially in front that the renegade of Lamborghini affixed his leg, with a new facial said signature “Arrow Design” because of his radiator grill in the form of point of arrow.   More conventional, the back is clearly inspired by Leòn, whereas the set, notably of ¾ defer, is not without evoking a certain … Hyundai i30! As his main competitors were brought out before her, new Ibiza also distinguishes himself from his predecessor by sharply increased dimensions. Better, with 4,05 m (+ 8 cms), the Iberian becomes even general-purpose the longest of moment.

More modern…

This growth benefits logically the internal development, from the point of view of the back habitability (even if the footing progresses only of 7 mm), but especially of the capacity of load, announced in 292 liters (+ 25 l). Inside, the trans-générationnel ditch is also obvious. Better finished, the new console of edge borrows of sportsmanship to envy seems not to have nothing certain models of the superior segment.  A feeling to be confirmed of display device. But the deepest evolution remains invisible in the eye: Ibiza indeed inaugurates a quite new platform (that of future VW polo), announced stiffer without sacrificing the comfort for all that. To the program also, a whole drum kit of electronic railings (ESP, EBD, EBA).

The ecology for crédo
But following the example of certain models ( Mazda2), these improvements do not prevent Ibiza from losing weight, 25 kg to be precise. A bigger and lighter car thus, but also less polluting. As long to save the planet that the purse. To do it, Seat opts for a fashionable technique: that of the mechanical status-quo.  3 Diesel held for the launch (1.4 TDI 80 hp, 1.9 TDI of 90 and 105 hp) throw back less than 120 g / km CO2, whereas 3 gasoline (1.2 70 hp, 1.4 85 hp and 1.6 105 hp) do not exceed 160 g / km. For the sportsmanship and a (possible) surcharge, it will thus be necessary to wait for the sports FR and Cupra versions. Ultimate detail, if this Ibiza 5 doors advocates the versatility in spite of its aggressive lines, the version 3 doors to come should rather privilege the sportsmanship.

General Motors is the first builder to apply a propellent group of type HCCI to two rolling prototypes, in fact Opel Vectra and adapted Saturn Aura.

These two models are endowed each of one four cylinders Ecotec of 2,2 liters of 180 hp modified. Contrary to engines gasoline with ignition by spark, by means of a candle, or of a Diesel, the process HCCI ( Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition) watches to release the energy without front of flame, in weak temperature and in all the combustion chamber. So, in identical usage, this engine will consume 15 % of fuel less. The HCCI technology works with all the gasolines and the fuel E85 at present available on the market. But the mass production is not still for tomorrow.

Discover the other technical information about the combustion to autoinflammation in the free file encarté “Ecology” in the automobile Instructor number 1416.

The French engineer Guy Nègre presented his car OneCATs with engine to compressed air in the United States, before his marketing in Europe.

It has been 15 years maintaining since Guy Nègre and his team of engineers work on the engine with compressed air. The air stored in demijohns serves for pulling the pistons of the engine. But the block also works with some classic fuel for the routes outside cities. In mode compressed air, OneCATs cannot exceed 50 kph and its autonomy is 100 km before the pressurized demijohns are empty. In thermal mode, the wheelchair of 3,4 m of length is capable of running to approximately 100 kph. It goes through then up to 800 km because of its consumption in gasoline lower than 2 liters in 100 km. What gives 30 - 35 g of CO2 by km according to the power of the engine.

OneCATs will exist in two versions: 3 places of 15 ch with a safe of 1200 DM ³ rolling in 90 kph and a version 6 places of 22 ch reaching 110 kph. Here, the volume of the safe goes from 300 in 1200 DM ³ according to the configuration of seats. The engine 41P08 of OneCATs contains an active room as well as modules of 2 opposite cylinders. This technology has already seduced the group Tata which concluded an agreement with MDI.

The French-Luxemburg company also opened a subsidiary in the USA, where from its presence in New York for the presentation in world premiere of OneCATs. This car should be marketed in France from 2009, at the price announced by 3500 euros.

The order book for the super-sports-woman of Nissan is opened on a specific site. A deposit is required.

GT-R Nissan with its aggressive style has a muscular motorization: V6 of 3,8 liters developing bi-turbo 480 hp and 588 Nm. This racing car capable of running to more than 300 kph instigates the passions. By waiting for the first European deliveries in March, 2009, Nissan opened a dedicated site on which it is possible to spend preorder. To be on the waiting list, it is already necessary to pay deposit of 5000 euros. The price varies, according to countries and finish, between 70 and 80.000 euros. And to answer the requirements of the clientele, the brand developed a network of high-performance centres for the distribution and the maintenance of the GT-R.

The passionate persons having paid deposit for this Nissan capable of buckling Nürburgring in 7 minutes and 38 seconds, will be spoiled by waiting to see her(it) in their garage. Indeed, the builder will invite them to specific events within the framework of a relational marketing ” aillé customized “. Furthermore, they can already taste the sensations of the GT-R by discovering it and trying it before the delivery. A whole program of preparation skilfully orchestrated.

And if the new color of Ferrari became the green? The builder of Maranello presents to the show of Strait a prototype of ecological F430, F430 Spider Biofuel.

We did not dare to imagine it. Symbols of sportsmanship, power, beautiful mechanics, an unforgettable noise, unequalled sensations of driving, and pollution, cars in the Made rear Horse turn to the alternative energies. The conference on the technological innovations which had taken place during the ceremonies of the 60th anniversary of the brand had nevertheless let it hear. Ferrari wants to limit the consumption of his automobiles and their discharges of CO2. The objective for 2012 was even fixed to a decline of 40 %!

As very often, the researches in this domain take place at Ferrari in competition. So the regulation of the world championship of F1 imposes a fuel incorporating 5,75 % of by-products of biomass. Championships TRUSTED GT and American Le Mans Series ( ALMS) goes even farther by using fuels with 10 % of ethanol. Ferrari indicates moreover that all his current automobiles can already run to E10 without any modification.

But in Strait it is the prototype of F430 Spider rolling to E85 that present Ferrari. F430 Spider Biofuel can use so indifferently some classic gasoline or E85, thus a fuel containing 85 % of ethanol for 15 % of unleaded 95. For it the cartography engine and the arrival of gasoline were modified. If the weight of F430 remains the same, the car gains 10 hp, passing from 490 to 500 ch, 4 % of couple and reduced its emissions of 5%.

If this car is right current only a prototype, Ferrari will have to find solutions quickly to reach its objective of reduction of the consumption and the emissions of CO2 in a much more consequent way. The weight of engines and the reduction of their capacity are already for the study.

Geneva they are the car manufacturers but also the designers. Among them Fioravanti, a big name of the Italian automobile design which celebrates this year its 20 years.

We know it little and nevertheless we owe him many Ferrari, Lancia and the other Alfa Romeo. And it is exactly the concept-bus Alfa Romeo which Fioravanti exposed on its stand of the show of Geneva. Attention, the concept exposed Alfa Romeo Vola is not a novelty. Fioravanti had presented it for the first time in Geneva, but in 2001. And if the designer exposes it again in 2008, it is to celebrate 20 years of his brand. This year, in Geneva, its true novelty is the concept Hidra. A concept which we could summarize in a monospace-coupe. If if, it is possible.

But let us return to the one who interests us, Alfa Romeo Vola. There also it is about a coupe, but about a coupe sport. Not very big with his 4,16 m of length, 1,81 m of width and 1,28 m of height, it retractable distinguish itself especially by its glass roof.  Here the roof does not withdraw to find place in the safe, no, here the roof revolves and comes to settle on the back safe not while preventing it from opening. This technique says to you anything? Normal, it is the one that Ferrari held three years later for its 575 Super-America.

An ingenious system which allows not to lose a placein the safe, not to modify the distribution of the masses as the roof is in place or removed, and which it more has the merit to be very light. It also acts as net anti-bustle!

Inside, the cokpit is separated in two in a very different way. Fioravanti compared even with the time both places in two canoes! The style is simple but elegant and, cut sport obliges, speeds take place in the steering wheel.

No driving “truth” under the hood, it is not because a concept, but Fioravanti takes advantage of this edition 2008 of the show of Geneva to call back that Stole it can receive with very few modifications the current engines of the range Alfa Romeo. A word to the wise is enough …

To note, with regard to the version of 2001, Stole it 2008 raise a back part seen again at the level of the hinge of the rotary roof. The set is so hidden and sharply more aesthetic.