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The Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept is allegedly more than just another far-fetched yet stylish show car. Actually, this vehicle is supposed to hint strongly at an upcoming 9-1. For now, GM claims the car is powered by a 200HP 1.4-liter turbo four-banger, with magical Swedish hippie hybrid trickery. GM also feels the need to tell us that the engine can run on E85-- as if that's even newsworthy anymore. No word on where the ignition key will go. But you know how Saab loyalists are about that extra-special quirk. Press release after the jump. galleryPost('saab9xconceptgeneva08', 6, 'Saab 9-X Hybrid'); Saab 9-X BioHybrid: Boosting Efficiency in Compact Design and Performance The Saab 9-X BioHybrid concept is a vivid vision of what a future compact car from Saab could look like. It is designed to reflect the priorities of youthful customers who seek progressive looks, responsible performance and high-tech communications, all in a sporty, fun-to-drive package. Exploring design...
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Some of us hold suicide doors closer to heart than others, and Opel seems to be becoming a brand seeking to embrace us in all sorts of suicidally sound door configurations. The Opel Meriva Concept is a heavy hint at the next generation of the mini-minivan offering from Opel and among many features, it's replete with some mighty well-crafted suicide portals. Oh sure, that's not what they are going to call them. We're sure they'll use some kind of excuse like "a negative connotation" or "could cause protests from family groups," but whatever, that's just what everybody is going to call them. It's the way of the world. You don't see a GM car with a truck-bed and think immediately "it's a truck-car." No, you think "Hey, it's an El Camino." We don't care if does happen to be a GMC, the instinctual thought is "El Camino." Where were we? Oh right, the Meriva. galleryPost('opelmerivageneva', 9, 'Opel...
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We were confused and astounded at the claim of a soft top on the Webasto LigHT Concept weighing in at a mere 28 lb., so we decided to go check it out for ourselves. Seems the innovators at Webasto made the simple into reality. They just took everything out of the top that wasn't needed. All the rollover protection is transferred to the integrated headrest roll hoops and the latches are mounted on either the windscreen or the trunk. The roof itself works sort of like one of those wood-cut snakes you played with as a kid. The ones that get rigid as it folds onto itself, and then when folded onto the trunk it lays down without argument. galleryPost('webastolightgeneva', 12, 'Webasto LigHT Concept In Action At Geneva'); Seems to work pretty well as the top is pretty tough when up, but have no idea how this would work if windows got involved in the equation, or high speed, or anything a normal top has to put up with. Hey, it looks cool in profile and it has that neat super...
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Get it? It's also a submarine! Right, so the master-level geniuses at the Swiss fantasy and tuning shop Rinspeed unveiled the sQuba concept . That's the one designed as amphibious transport for secret agents certified for diving equipment -- maybe you've seen it on Keith Olbermann. Anyhow, here it is, ready to go. All it needs is a push down to Lake Geneva and a mission. galleryPost('squbaconceptgeneva', 6, 'Rinspeed sQuba Concept in Geneva');
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Pininfarina's Sintesi concept may remind us of the company's Birdcage 75 concept (that's like Airport 75 with less George Kennedy) from a few years back. But it does have quad scissor doors, which means it qualifies for double-Lambo status. That'll get you a free drink at any Dave and Buster's. Also, the dash has that so-cool-it-burns quality that happens when ergonomic engineers drink too much Aquavit and have guilty sex with each other. galleryPost('sintesiconceptgeneva', 12);
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Joining in on the small hybrid party, GM is showing off this Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept. The styling is familiar, and similar to the 9-4X BioPower. But what's underhood is new; a turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that can run on either gasoline or ethanol, making 200 HP on the corn juice. This is mated to GM's next generation hybrid system, which we still don't know much about. Other interesting features are a solar panel on the roof used to help charge the batteries, and an active rear spoiler that elongates the body and reduces drag. For now, the small Saab is a concept; but expect to see it in showrooms before too long, positioned in the same segment as BMW's Mini. And even if this Saab doesn't make it to US shores, this platform will be the same used on the Chevy Volt. Full press-release after the jump. galleryPost('Saab9XBioHybrid', 6, 'Saab Ethanol Hybrid'); Saab 9-X BioHybrid: Boosting Efficiency in Compact Design and Performance The Saab...
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Just in case you thought the new Q7 V12 TDI wasn't ridiculous enough with its 757.5 lb-ft of torque, Audi has made this nautically-themed Q7 Coastline Concept. Though we've gotta say that while this thing certainly is a land yacht, Audi missed the boat by not fully capitalizing on the maritime theme. First off, any ego-stroking self-respecting yacht owner needs a captain's hat , and plainly there is none such haberdashery included. There's also a very embarrassing lack of a " tender " vehicle; you would think that with all that V12 TDI torque you'd at least be able to tow along a Rinspeed sQuba or two. And while all the dark smoked oak trim is nice, we also wish the steering wheel was wooden with external spoke-handles. Oh, and the gear selector should be a big, brass lever. However there is one extravagance the we really like on the Q7 Coastline: the sun deck, which is just perfect for catching a tan... oh wait, that's the roof. galleryPost('AudiQ7Yachtinterior'...
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We've already shown you the sneak peek of the Kia SOUL Burner , but here we have it doing the full Monty and giving everybody an eye full as the devilish concept pointing to the upcoming Kia Soul has been leaked to the web. The single image is watermarked with the AutoWeek.nl logo, but who knows if they are actually the source. We're just happy there's so much hardened street attitude in this compact-yoo-vee. [via World Car fans ]
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Of all the Bond films over the years, one the most memorable gadgets to emerge from Q-branch was the Lotus submarine-car from The Spy Who Loved Me. Of course that was all just movie magic special effects-- until now. Rinspeed has taken an ordinary Lotus Elise, and turned it into a real working vehicle that drives on land and "flys" underwater. Though you're not going to stay dry if you want to go diving, because theres no airtight canopy to enclose you. To breathe, you'll have to wear a scuba mask connected to the car's integrated compressed-air tank. But who cares?! This is a car that goes underwater! And if that isn't enough, the sQuba is a zero-emissions vehicle powered by rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries, so you don't have to worry about polluting your lake (or getting water in your intake). The only thing it lacks is a surface-to-air missile launcher. newVideoPlayer("sQuba.flv", 463, 387,""); Rinspeed's Zero-Emission World Debut...
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We don't know if these images from World Car Fans are official sketches, but they look pretty darn certifiably real to us. The concept, rumored to be coming to the 2008 Geneva Motor Show , is supposedly a lightly disguised production version of the Euro Spec 5 door Lancer Ralliart. The car will undoubtedly be powered by the same 240 hp turbocharged four banger we get here in the states with the all wheel drive gadgetry and active yaw controllers thrown in for good measure. We'll look for more info as this develops. [ Carscoop via WorldCarFans ] galleryPost('mitprototypes', 3, 'Mitsubishi Lancer Prototype S Sketches');
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