The five Lincoln concept models up for sale are the 2001 MK9 coupe; 2004 Aviator SUV; 2005 MKS sedan; 2003 Navicross coupe crossover and last but not least, the Mark X which was a hardtop-convertible proposal for Lincoln’s version of the Ford Thunderbird.

Bear in mind that even though all cars except the Navicross have are drivable, none can be registered for highway use in the States. Follow the break for a short description (from RM) and pricing estimates for each concept model.

Estimate: $200,000-$250,000 US

280 bhp, 3.9-liter DOHC V8 engine, five-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel independent coil spring suspension, and four-wheel power anti-lock disc brakes. Wheelbase: 108.8″

- Thunderbird spirit with Lincoln luxury
- Sumptuous cockpit
- Innovative easy-entry doors

via | Carscoop

The images that we propose here, show for the first time the interior of the compact MG, and in particular show that the car will be available with automatic transmission.

The model, in its final form it should take the name of MG2, will also give life to a sister brand Roewe, which will probably call 150. But what is hidden under the little dress? An unexpected under existing arrangements, which led to drastically cut development time and costs.

Victor Filipchenko and Nelson Simoes were given just that by Lamborghini and they certainly took full advantage of it with their creation, the Lamborghini Cnossus. The rendering was done as part of a Filipchenko’s thesis at the Scuola Politecnica di Design in Milan, Italy where he’s taking up a Master’s Degree in automotive design.

With his Cnossus – the name came from the Greek island Knossus, which is where bullfighting was supposedly born – design, Filipchenko took some styling cues from the iconic Lamborghini, the Countach, and combined it with a more up-to-date stylistic touch. Check out the rendering and tell us if this concept doesn’t make you want to own one.

Good work, Mr. Filipchenko.

Source:Car Design

Via | TopSpeed

Renault officials see themselves forced to change the name of the Zoe concept as a woman bearing this name has warned that she will sue them.

Renault could find in the most bizarre lawsuit yet a car manufacturer. A 23 year old woman named Zoe Renault warned the officials of the French manufacturer to change the name Zoe. Zoe Renault has hired a firm to act on its behalf, the firm represents, moreover, other women who have the same problem.

A formal letter was sent through the French manufacturer who is required to change the name of the machine. The letter also mentions that this is an attack on the rights of all women named Zoe.

Renault officials announced that they are thinking about changing the name of the little electric cars that are still in concept stage and into 2012 is to become a street. In an interview with Le Parisien, said that Renault Zoe could not face the street when you hear words like “must go to Zoe revision.

With a more aggressive nose and its fastback roof line, the slippery 4-door coupe would be a very welcome successor to the oh-so-bland S80. Something like the S90 could help Volvo reinvent itself as truly stylish, mid-range luxury in order to tackle the world.

With the new S60 sedan already poised to fight the 3-Series, a car providing CLS looks at an E-Class price is definitely going to be necessary for Volvo to keep its momentum going.

Since this is just a design study, there’s nothing official about the power train. Even so, it wouldn’t be a stretch to picture this with a hybrid setup for people who bleed green and a higher-output T6 and all-wheel-drive for those who still bleed red.

If this is a hint at where Volvo is going, it might be in good hands.

By Phil Alex

Designer: Nouphone J. Bansasine , Via: Yankodesign & Carbody Via | Carscoop

Now it looks like the 3 Series will be the next in the company’s stable to get the electric motor treatment. While speaking with shareholders, BMW head-honcho Norbert Reithofer let it slip that we’ll be seeing a hybrid version of the company’s bread and butter 3 Series fairly soon. When is that, exactly? It’s hard to judge from Reithofer’s statement, but given that the 5 Series hybrid is slated for sale next year, we would guess the tech-laded 3 will pop up in 2012.

BMW says that its biggest motivation for spreading hybrid tech amongst its models isn’t emissions standards. Instead, the German manufacturer said that demand in Japan spurred the move. According to Reithofer, most Japanese consumers won’t take the time to look at a brand unless there are multiple hybrid options on the showroom floor.

While the move is mostly sales based, it won’t hurt the company’s goal of cutting CO2 emissions by 25 percent between now and 2020.

[Source: Autocar]

Via | AutoBlog

The styling of the 5.3m long and 2m wide but only 1.4m high Metropolis has echoes of the French automaker’s well received GT supercar concept of 2008. This one was developed by Citröen’s Shanghai-based design team.

Under the subtle “Pearl Silk” colored bodywork there’s a plug-in hybrid drivetrain that utilizes “an optimized” 2.0-liter V6 petrol engine, an electric motor and a 7-speed, dual-clutch electronic gearbox.

According to Citröen, at low speeds the Metropolis runs in Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mode, with its electric motor developing a continuous 55bhp peaking at 95bhp. At highway speeds, the petrol powerplant provides 272bhp and 375Nm of torque.

We don’t how Citröen came up with this number, but the French claim that when the car uses both the electric motor and the combustion engine, the combined output is 460bhp and 430Nm of torque.

The Metropolis also benefits from a four-wheel drive mode and a Hydractive suspension.

The four-door sports saloon will be on show for the public in the French Pavilion at the Shanghai World Fair in China from 1st May to 31st October, 2010.

Via | Carscoop

This is meant to be a closer, more production-ready preview to the next CLS than the FASCINATION. It also rolls on 20’s.

First off, the engine is a 3.5 liter V6 previewing the next generation of V-engines from Mercedes that develops 306 horsepower (225 kW) and 273 lb-ft (370 Nm). And that’s the least interesting part about the car.

Design-wise, it inherits the SLS’s “soft nose” with world-premier dynamic full-LED headlamps, “which for the first time offer all of the regular dynamic light functions using LED technology.”

They “feature the Intelligent Light System which has already been tried and tested in Mercedes models with bi-xenon headlamps. Its five light functions – country lights, motorway lights, enhanced fog lights, active curve lights and cornering lights -have been specifically designed for typical driving or weather conditions.”

The Shooting Brake’s oak-lined passenger compartment is cool, as long as you like the Panamera’s layout. Its floor is lined with Maybach carpet, which is another step in the right direction.

The compartment is divided by an attractive center console (“with inlaid work: curved Mercedes lettering which harks back to the style of the 1920s”), accenting the 4-passenger seating layout and giving everyone their own private bubble to reside in. Also, it prevents anybody from fooling around back there. Damn kids.

The luggage compartment has funky saddlebags lining its sides for extra storage, adding a unique touch to an already-interesting segment. It even has oak lining the compartment floor; so luxury.

The good news is, if there’s enough interest, the Shooting Brake could spawn a 5-door variant (call it a CLS Wagon). I say a 3-door would be even cooler.

It’s Mercedes’ take on the 5-Series GT, a sexy grand tourer that looks the part without needing to break the mold. Frankly, this is what the R-Class should evolve into.

By Phil Alex

Via | CarScoop

There’s little to bridge the gap, but that’s not because the country’s automakers aren’t trying. And here’s the latest.

Called the Metropolis, the latest Citroën is aptly named because it’s about the size of a city block. At 5.3 meters (17.4 feet) long and 2 meters (6.5 feet) wide, it’s longer than a long-wheelbase Mercedes S-Class and wider than a Maybach. And those are some freakin’ big cars.

Alright, so this is a limousine, then. What’s under the hood? Given that it’s coming from PSA – which has been shoehorning hybrid systems into its show cars for years now – you’re right to assume this is a hybrid as well. It’s got a 2.0-liter V6 under the hood mated to an electric motor that together can vary its combined output from 272 horsepower all the way up to 460, driving all four wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

So who’s this for? Well it’s not going to market just yet, but take notice that it’s set for debut at the Shanghai Expo next month, which crucially follows the Beijing Motor Show this week where BMW is unveiling its long-wheelbase 5 Series, Audi the new A8 L and Volkswagen its updated Phaeton. So fa,r we’ve only got these preliminary details and small batch of photos, but you can check ‘em out in the gallery below and we’ll update you when more becomes available. Thanks for the tip, VLM!

Via | AutoBlog

Kia introduced the first electric vehicle in Geneva. The model is based on Veng, develops 109 hp and 280 Nm and has a range of 180 km. Unfortunately, it is still in concept stage.

Koreans from Kia made a big step and have their first electric vehicle unveiled at Auto Show Geneva. The model is based on the standard of Veng and is still in concept stage, and people have not announced whether Kia will create a production version in the near future.

Kia Veng EV is equipped with a 109 hp electric motor that provides 280 Nm of torque from zero rpm. The model can accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in just 11.8 seconds and has a top speed of 140 km/h. The electric motor of this model is powered by two lithium-polymer of 24 kWh which gives an autonomy of 180 kilometers with a single charge.

According to the Kia, a full charge the battery is made in eight hours from a domestic socket. There is the possibility of using a system load quickly, which allows loading of 80% capacity in just 20 minutes after loading a little more powerful than 220V alternating current network. Kia engineers have not ventured so far as to implement and an Otto engine to extend autonomy, considering the autonomy of 180 kilometers is more than sufficient for everyday needs of its customers.