Volkswagen One-Liter L1

Volkswagen One-Liter L1

Volkswagen’s new L1 Concept was originally developed in concept form back in 2002, the L1 was designed along the premise of building the world’s first car capable of consuming just one liter of fuel for every 100 kilometers it traveled. With Volkswagen chairman Dr. Ferdinand Piech behind the wheel, the concept proved its merit as it drove from Wolfsburg to Hamburg in a public demonstration. Still, in 2002, VW was unable to make a production case for the L1, citing massive materials costs for the carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) monocoque body. Still, Piech held out hope that the L1 would be production-viable one day.

VW has decided that the day is near, and will bring an updated version of the L1 Concept to the Frankfurt Motor Show this week. With plans for the L1′s production slated for 2013, VW will show the new concept in “near-production” form, with every component reengineered. The L1′s chassis is crafted partially from lightweight aluminum. VW claims the L1 weighs in at a scant 380 kgs with its CFRP body, and will accelerate to a top speed of just over 160 kph courtesy of its ultra-low drag coefficient of just 0.195. The L1 utilizes a 1L TDI diesel engine and a single electric motor in a full-hybrid configuration and consumes 1.38 liters of diesel for every 100 km it travels.

Other interesting touches include the cockpit layout, with the passenger seat directly behind that of the driver. Entrance and exit of the vehicle is made possible by the side-hinged roof canopy – similar in design to a glider. The L1′s general aerodynamic profile and seating configuration were also glider-inspired

Porsche 918 Spyder

Porsche has unveiled a striking concept car, the new 918 Spyder, at the special pre-show event in Geneva. The mid-engined sports car has introduced as the new “ecology vs. performance” issue.

Porsche 918 Spyder

The 918 Spyder “Super-Sports” concept is powered by both a 500-horsepower V8 and a pair of electric motors (one for each axle) producing an additional 218 hp or 160kW. On the ecological surface it is talented of 3.0 litres/100 kilometers (94 mpg imp / 78 mpg US) with just 70 grams of CO2 emissions per kilometer. That gives a combined power output of 528 kW (718 PS / 708 hp) resulting in a 0 to 100 km/h tear in just 3.2 seconds, top zoom of 320 km/h (198 mph), and a lap time on the Nurburgring Nordschleife in excluding than 7:30 record, which is closer than the Porsche Carrera GT.

New Sport Audi R3

Audi R3

Audi is readying this stunning new R3 sports car, a mid-engined little brother to the R8 supercar. Developed in conjunction with parent firm Volkswagen, the Audi R3 could arrive in five years' time, with four-cylinder power to take on the Mazda MX-5 but not enough grunt to tread on the toes of Porsche’s Boxster (now an inhouse family rival, don't forget). The Audi R3 is a replacement for the stillborn R4.
It will be co-developed with a Volkswagen sports car; we’ll see a concept of VW's version in just a few months' time, before development starts in full for launch in 2013.

So just what is this Audi R3?

Plans are still at an early stage, but sister brand VW will test the waters with a mid-engined sports car concept at the November 2008 LA Auto Show (see the current October 2008 issue of CAR Magazine for the full scoop on the sporty VW).

The Audi R3 would – in effect – replace today's TT. ‘At the moment, both programmes run alongside each other, but as soon as production engineering begins, we must decide between the competing front- and mid-engine layouts for the TT,’ explains a source from Ingolstadt. ‘To keep the Audi a safe distance from the Boxster and Cayman, we are concentrating exclusively on four-cylinder engine

Porsche 911 Carrera Cup Asia

Porsche 911 Carrera Cup Asia

Porsche Asia have quietly announced the launch of a limited edition Carrera Cup model – with just 30 units on offer exclusively for the growing Chinese market.

Like most special Porsches, the limited Carrera Cup Asia, makes absolutely no effort in hiding its performance heritage or close relationship to the race track. The available color schemes further emphasize this point – Guard Red, Carrera White, and black all come with in-your-face Porsche Racing decals and painted, lightweight 19” wheels. Let’s just say you’ll never mistake it in traffic or on the track for that matter.

Power is the same as the “normal” Carrera S at 385HP and 420Nm whilst the 0-100km/h sprint time is improved to 4.3 secs (from 4.6) due to more clever shedding of weight without compromising on comfort. They are only available with the 7 speed PDK transmission though – a bummer if you’re a serious driver wanting total control, but don’t let that deter you one bit as it’ll still hit 300km/h. This is still a Porsche and a drivers’ one at that.

Inside you’ll find special alcantara Recaro seats that are bespoke to the car, with the option of carbon fiber backrests for that racy feel - not that they’re necessary. There are red signatures spread throughout the cabin that stir the blood, of which our favorite being the illuminated Carrera S logo housed in the carbon fiber door sill. Who wouldn’t want to spend all their time in here?! The limited edition plaque on the inside completes the unique experience: “whoever drives this car is amongst the winners” You can be certain of that!

New Sport Vorsteiner Porsche 911 Turbo V-RT 2011

German automotive manufacturer Porsche and car parts brand Vorsteiner recently unveiled the new evolution – the 2011 Vorsteiner Porsche 911 Turbo V-RT. The luxurious sports coupe 911 Turbo is enhanced by the V-RT’s aerodynamic and performance booster.

Vorsteiner Porsche 911 Turbo V-RT

The 2011 Vorsteiner Porsche 911 Turbo V-RT's front end displays a sporty add-on with the newly-designed bumper cover; plus a carbon fiber chin spoiler, bigger duct openings without fog lights for more visual appeal. The same sport performance motif is continued to the sports coupe's rear end. This V-RT's noble objective is to achieve or enjoy maximum performance by optimization of its weight to power ratio. Vorsteiner accomplishes this in the 2011 Vorsteiner Porsche 911 Turbo V-RT's aerodynamic design with the dry carbon and fiber vacuum technology. This enables the vehicle to have greater strength and firmness than steel and aluminum, but at the same time decrease the weight to as much as 40%.

Mansory Porsche Panamera Power Pack

Masonry Switzerland is a specialist for fine-tuning Porsches in the Zuffenhausen Gran Turismo. Devoting itself into developing the Porsche Panamera Turbo, they enhanced it through a performance and aesthetic package with a twin turbocharged 4.8 liter V8 engine granting 690 horsepower, 590 lb-ft at 4800 rpm of torque and stunning body work.

Mansory Porsche Panamera

Pieces of the car’s bodywork fit perfectly with each other like a puzzle, turning every side of the Masonry enhancement into a vibrant highlight. A new carbon fiber hood is placed on the front of the car, along with a new front apron with modified LED daytime driving lights. The doors are wider, and they suit the new side skirts flawlessly. To the rear of the vehicle is a massive carbon fiber diffuser, and centrally mounted mufflers with double-end pipes. Masonry gives the driver the option to decorate the rear with carbon fiber parts, or to modify it completely with a carbon fiber spoiler. High-durability polyurethane (PU-RIM) and Prepreg-Autoclav-Carbon are the materials used for the vehicle’s aerodynamic enhancements, which is the distinctive material used by the Masonry brand.

Beyond the exhilarating visuals of the car, Masonry also augmented the Panamera Turbo’s 4.8-liter V8 engine. This performance package includes modified engine electronics, huge turbochargers and a stainless steel double end sports muffler. These upgrades raise the vehicle’s engine output to a staggering 690 horsepower / 507 kW, and torque to 590 lb-ft / 800 Nm at 4800 rpm. The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in only 4 seconds, and the vehicle can reach top speeds of 328 km/h.

The wheel-tire combination is custom-built specifically for this high-performance vehicle. The set includes four lightweight 22-inch forged wheel-in-turbine design rims. The front of the car is carried by a pair of 9-inch wide Dunlop SP SportMaxx tires with dimensions of 265/30ZR22, while the rear of the car is carried by two 10-inch wide tires with dimensions of 295/25ZR22 also from Dunlop.

Mansory Porsche Panamera

The interior of the car is extensively polished with matching leather and the most precious wood, fine varnish or energetic carbon parts. Aluminum pedals complement the interior together with a newly designed sports steering wheel.

New Sport RZ Ultima Concept

The Ultima GTR was introduced a decade ago in the year 2000. It could run up a strip at full speed in below ten seconds. It had the fastest response rates with the quickest acceleration and deceleration from 0 to 100 mph and vice versa. Any production car would trail behind this sort of performance.

RZ Ultima Concept

Now, a new concept has been released based on the Ultima GTR. Enthusiasts of the original GTR will appreciate all of its performance re-integrated into a modern, more refined look. The new RZ Ultima concept is still in its design phase, but once put into production it can be the greatest supercar.

The guiding principle in developing the 2010 RZ Ultima GTR is that the chassis and transmission of the original 2000 Ultima GTR would remain unchanged. Racer X Design highly valued the frame of the vehicle, since they believed that the original frame of the GTR epitomized the essential qualities of a supercar: tremendously fast, tasteful, elegant and exclusive. The RZ Ultima GTR ensures supercar quality to enthusiasts and more.

RZ Ultima Concept

Racer X Design is a company that has developed and assembled a few of the best show cars to date. The company was constantly awarded first place in the XLR-8 live competition, Racer X Design offers a myriad of body detailing services, from developing vehicles for car shows to building full concept cars. Their market includes any individual wanting to modify a vehicle for professional use, or any company seeking to meet its demand for an iconic vehicle to represent them.