Is it a cabrio?Is it an SUV?No,is the new Audi Cross Cabriolet!

The quattro is Audi’s way of asking us if we would like a cabrio that’s at the same time a SUV too.The concept rises a few eyebrows because its target public is a not so well defined.Who would buy this car?Amiddle-aged guy who wants a convertible but HAS to get an SUV for the family?Or maybe a guy who needs a convertible and can only fit in an SUV?It’s not practical in the city and the offroad capabilities are most likely going to be close to zero.So what’s the meaning of this car?

The aggressive exterior sure makes you wonder where this car wants to go.The rather large front grill ends with an aggressive spoiler lit up by a bunch of LEDs.The back end also features a combination of strong lines and not so many round edges.The soft top gets up and down in just 17 seconds.The interior presents itself very well with a brand new navigation system that uses Google Earth and an improved audio system taken from the A8.

The 3 litre,240 HP and 500 Nm TDI engine keeps up with the Euro 6 regulations but doesn’t neglect performance.The car has a 8 speed automatic gear box and can accelerate from 0 to 62 in 7.2 seconds with a top speed of 150 m/h.

Honda unveils the production of the FCX fuel-cell hybrid, the FCX Clarity

Honda had announced this FCX fuel-cell hybrid concept way back in 2004, and it seems that they will finally be able to get their hands on one soon. The company unveiled the production version of the car, the FCX Clarity, at the LA Auto Show earlier today. We currently don’t know if the zero-emissions whip still features that hydrogen-fuel-station-finding GPS system but we do know that Honda is only leasing around 100 of the vehicles, to buyers who live near on of their 3 hydrogen fuel stations in California.

Ferrari FXX prototype to be upgraded

Ferrari needed two years of testing until they’ve made large-scale improvements to one of the most extreme supercars they’ve ever built. Now, the FXX prototype can make 860 horsepower (641.3kW) at a screaming 9500RPM and it also incorporates the absolute bleeding edge of barely-filtered F1 technology.

Unfortunately , the FXX isn’t homologated for road use and Ferrari has no plans to race it. In fact, it only exists for a tiny group fo selected Ferrari owners which lets them acting as developement drivers to test this extraordinary edge of Ferrari’s F1-bred roadcar technology.

After 14 group test sessions and 14 private ones over the last two years , the modifications made to the car have focused on honing its aerodynamics , running gear and electronics. So, the final FXX built is a little different from the other, it’s painted in black (not in red, as we was used to) and its side panels bear the signatures of its well-known owner, Michael Schumacher. The famous F1 pilot contributed a lot to the car’s development and driven it at various exhibitions all around the world.

Maranello’s engineers had a lot of tests information and they were able to see what’s wrong and what they can further develop. They’ve started with the 6262 cc V12 engine which now punch out a massive 860 hp at 9500 rpm, compared to the relatively anaemic 651 horsepower of the US$643,330 Enzo Ferrari. Gearshifting was reduced to 60 ms, a drop of 20 ms on the previous time, and the gear ratios were adapted to make use of the extra 1000 rpm now delivered by the engine.

The car’s new traction control system gives the driver the posibility to modify the car’s behaviour on the track from corner to corner, just as the Formula 1 drivers do to maximise performance. The new traction control is also less invasive and more flexible and it can adaptate more efficiently to the driving style of each person who drives it. Whoaaa ! Where have you seen this before ?

Volkswagen Viseo, the OLED windscreen concept

The Viseo concept is Marc Kirsch’s degree aplication an has been made in colaboration with VW in Wolfsburg, Germany. What surprises my is that it’s a green car. All electric! But it has to be said that you can only fit 3 people in so it kinda makes sense.

Inspired by Santiago Calatrava’s work, the concept is cowered in a glass surface wich has applied on a flexible OLED screen. The removable booth stands because it looks like a brushed-up suitecase.
Frankly I dont’t think that VW will ever make this car, maybe not eve a prototype. But it’s a good exercise for our imagination and only that.

The new Murano unveiled

The first Murano,initially meant for the American market,made a name for it self because of its interesting looks,without starting a revolution in car design.Nissan then brought it in Europe where it caught the eyes of relatively wealthy people.

A few days ago,just days from the official release,some pictures leaked on the internet and now people can make an ideea about the car.The figure stayed almost the same but Nissan wanted a more dynamic car and they got it mainly because of the cool head and rear lights.Still it seems that the new Murano lost some of its fluidity,the harmony created so beatifully with the first generation.I don’t know how to say this but this car doesn’t make you say WOOOW anymore.Know what I mean?Don’t get me wrong,some improvements have been made,like the more complex and in general luxurious dashboard.

It’s expected that the new Murano will be powered by the same 3,5 litre V6(straight aut of the 350Z) but it remains to be seen if the japanese manufacturer will provide some additional engines.God we hope so!