Audi has finally unveiled the R8 e-Tron prototype at the Frankfurt Motor Show. This prototype features a ventilated hood, a revised grille and additional carbon fiber accents. This electric car is powered by four electric motors and a 53 kWh lithium-ion battery, producing 313PS (230kW/308hp) and 4,500Nm (3,319lb-ft) of torque. This engine configuration allows the Audi R8 e-Tron to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. No word on pricing or availability at this time. [WorldCarFans]
SsangYong has issued several teaser images of the Concept XIV-1. The CUV (crossover utility vehicle) has no B-Pillar and comes with opposite-opening rear doors and seats that can be moved or turned by the occupant for a very open-space ambiance. The SsangYong Concept XIV 1 will be introduced at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. See more pictures after the jump. More»
Smart will unveiled the ForVision electric concept car at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. Designed and developed in collaboration with BASF, the concept features organic photovoltaic solar cells on the roof that generate enough energy to power the car’s multimedia components and the climate control feature. In addition, the ForVision also comes with high-performance insulting foams embedded in the car’s doors that allow the vehicle to remain cool in the summer or warm in the winter. [Trends Updates]
The Land Rover Defender DC100 concept will make its debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The company confirms that the production version of the Defender DC100 will be launched in 2015. The concept is part of a four-year plan for the company to create the perfect, modern-day Defender for the 21st century. Too bad, there is no further info about this upcoming car. [Land Rover]
The Peugeot HX1 Concept MPV will be exhibited at Frankfurt Motor Show 2011. Measuring 1,373mm x 1,990mm x 4,954mm, the HX1 features two rows of seats, with a maximum seating capacity of four. The concept car is powered by a combination of a 204 horsepower 2.2 liter HDi diesel engine and a 95 horsepower electric motor with a 6-speed automatic gearbox. What makes the Peugeot HX1 special is that it has variable bodywork to optimize the car for aerodynamics at different speeds. [Paul Tan]
The 2011 Cadillac Ciel Concept features a hybrid system pairing a lithium-ion battery with a twin-turbocharged, 3.6L V6 engine. Pronounced as “C-L”, which translates to “sky” in French, the Ciel is a four-seat convertible tourer that completely blows the lid off of Cadillac’s new design language, taking it to a level that we’ve never seen before. The concept car has four full-sized doors with suicides in the rear, a polished aluminum windshield frame, an interior borne of body-colored panels, wood, and leather, 22-inch rims featuring brushed nickel plating overtop milled aluminum, carbon ceramic brake rotors, LED lighting elements, and a power-assisted transmission shifter. [TopSpeed]
