RideLust

If you would have asked me to name the first serial hybrid from a major automobile manufacturer, I would have said the Chevy Volt. I would have been wrong, because Ferdinand Porsche created something called the Semper Vivus (Latin for “always alive”) back in 1900. Built for Austrian coachmaker Ludwig Lohner & Company, the Semper Vivus featured two combustion engine generators, powering two electric motors mounted in the front hubs. Onboard batteries supplied supplemental power, much the same way as today’s parallel hybrid cars do. To celebrate the re-emergence of hybrid technology, Porsche has re-created this pioneering automobile and will display it at next week’s Geneva Motor Show. Want to see it run? Check out the video after the jump. Read More…

Love it or hate it, the VW Golf Cabriolet is one of the world’s best selling convertibles. Like the Mazda MX-5 Miata convertible, it has a reputation for being a “chick car”, but that doesn’t seem to impact global sales in the least. The Golf Cabriolet has been absent from the company’s lineup since the previous generation was laid to rest in 2003. If you wanted a ragtop from VW, your choices were limited to the New Beetle Cabriolet or the VW Eos folding hard-top coupe. Neither one came close to matching the appeal of the Golf Cabrio, so VW will launch the Mk IV Golf Cabrio in Geneva. Read More…

Not long ago Kurt brought you guys a piece on Mini’s new Rocketman concept, a car that, believe it or not is actually smaller then a base model Mini. The goal of the Rocketman is to provide consumers with an efficient little compact that utilizes the best that modern technology has to offer. The chassis for instance is made of carbon fiber (a first for Mini) and they actually use paper – that’s right paper – in the interior to stress the point of sustainability. Recently Mini has also been stressing themselves as a premium brand, and while that may be true (kinda), that doesn’t change the fact that their cars are no bigger than a size 15 roller skate. Listen, in the end the Rocketman concept is an interesting conversation piece. It’s cute, employs some cool materials and features, and even though we’ve yet to hear what will power this thing, it’s sure to be efficient as well. Below is a video of Anders Warming, Head of MINI Design discussing the ideas behind the new Rocketman concept.
Read More…

Image: BMW Group

I like Mini Coopers well enough, but all their cars look alike to me. Even with a gun to my head, I’d be hard-pressed to tell the difference between a Countryman, a Clubman, a Piltdown Man or even their latest concept, dubbed the Rocketman. I get the whole iconic-brand-identity thing, but isn’t it time you branched out on the exterior styling of a new model? The Rocketman is a kinder, gentler but visually similar Mini; unlike recent models, it isn’t supersized. In fact, the Rocketman is shorter dimensionally than a base model Cooper. It’s designed to be uber-fuel-efficient, so the spaceframe chassis is made of carbon fiber instead of steel. Power comes from something, but Mini isn’t telling us exactly what; instead, they’re highlighting the concept’s fuel efficiency, which they claim is three liters per 100 kilometers based on the EU standard. Doing that math, that works out to be .79 gallons per 62.14 miles, or 78.66 miles per gallon. Read More…

We covered the announcement of the ESFLOW earlier this month. Way back then we only had these computer renders and a lame video to pique our interest in the little runabout. Now we have photos of the real-deal rolling concept vehicle in the flesh . . . er, sheet metal. And it’s right sexy.

Read More…

Last year at the IMPA Test Days I had the opportunity to drive the 2011 Maserati GranTurismo convertible, a car which completely caught me off guard. At first I was expecting a driving experience that was similar to that of a BMW or Porsche, what I got though was something that was so much more. Most German automobiles, even the cabriolets, have a somewhat stoic feeling to them. They always work wonderfully but at days end they just don’t ignite the soul. The Maserati GranTurismo was different, as not only did it make all your correct parts tingle, but it did so with a exhaust note that was simply spectacular. It’s now one year later and Maserati is getting ready to release its new GrandCabrio Sport to the public, a car that should deliver everything the GranTurismo did and more.
Read More…

The i40 Estate is a European market, midsize wagon version of the latest Hyundai Sonata sedan. Hyundai released these pics ahead of the cars debut in Geneva, and the i40 should be on sale in Europe later this year. Sadly, the chances of the right-sized wagon making it to this side of the Atlantic aren’t good, despite interest from consumers and Hyundai Motors America personnel alike. I say “bring it”, and if the 1.7 liter turbo-diesel motors can’t be EPA certified for a reasonable cost, feel free to use the 2.4 liter four from the Sonata sedan or (even better) the 2.0 liter turbo from the Sonata Turbo. A reasonably priced midsize wagon with 274 horsepower and a six speed? I’d be on that like Charlie Sheen on an eight ball. Read More…

Tree-hugging gear heads rejoice! Image: Porsche AG

Want to drive a green car, but aren’t willing to give up the occasional full-throttle run up a canyon road? Need a four door hybrid, but want something with entertainment value? Assume these two goals are mutually exclusive? You remember what happens when you assume, right? Porsche may have just what you’re looking for, since they’ve just announced a hybrid version of their Panamera S sedan. Designed as the ultimate green grand touring car, the Panamera S Hybrid produces a combined 380 horsepower yet returns fuel economy up to 49.89 MPG (based on EU standards) when equipped with low rolling resistance tires. Want the maximum grip, at the expense of a little fuel economy? Wearing standard tires, the Panamera S Hybrid still delivers up to 47.78 MPG. Read More…

The Pagani Huayra: funny name, fast car. Image: Pagani Automobili

Pagani’s follow up to the Zonda supercar is named for Huayra Tata, the “Father of Wind”, as worshipped by peoples in Bolivia and Peru prior to European settlement. The fact that the name is utterly unpronounceable in English won’t stop Pagani from brining it to the United States, and that’s a very good thing. A few Zondas made it to this side of the pond, but none were “officially” imported by Pagani. The Huarya represents Pagani’s first attempt at branding, marketing and selling cars on this side of the pond. Read More…

The 2012 C350 Coupe. Image: Mercedes-Benz

With a few exceptions, I’ll admit to not being a fan of Mercedes-Benz’s conservative styling. Sure, it’s refined and it’s aimed to please a certain demographic that I’m no longer part of, but it’s also… boring. The notable exception to me has always been Mercedes’ coupes; for some reason, their lines just make my hormones sit up and beg. Take the new C-Class, for example, which will be debuted at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. It’s good looking from any angle, but I find the side profile to be stunning. It’s as if Mercedes started with a BMW 3 Series Coupe, then told their designers to “fix what was wrong with the car’s lines”.
Read More…