Electric cars struggle to spark enthusiasm

Commuter Cars' Tango electric car on show at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. Photograph: Mark Blinch/Reuters

With a curiously squashed, elongated body, the Tango electrically-powered car is as narrow as a single passenger and as nippy as a motorbike. Billed as the world's fastest urban car, it can reach a speed of 130mph. Satisfied customers include the actor George Clooney, and its inventor describes the bizarre vehicle as a "chick magnet".

Built by a US start-up called Commuter Cars, the Tango takes up only half a traffic lane. It can carry two people tandem-style in slightly cramped comfort. Without the need for gears, its battery-powered engine can accelerate from zero to 60mph in four seconds and, with a racing car-style roll cage design, the Tango is supposedly as robust as a Volvo estate car.

"It's unequivocally the fastest car you can buy for an urban environment," says Commuter Cars' president, Rick Woodbury, who has sold 11 of the vehicles so far, at a hefty price of $150,000 (£90,000) each, including a recent delivery to a customer in Surrey. "I drove through Times Square and had girls throwing their arms around me."

2010 Honda Insight Sports Modulo Concept

2010 Honda Insight Sports Modulo Concept

2010 Porsche 911 GT3 R Price

Porsche keeps the focus on customer racing during the 2010 motorsport season. The new Porsche 911 GT3 R, delivered to customers ready-to-race, replaces the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup S in Porsche Motorsports’ model range. The Porsche 911 GT3 R will be raced in series based on international FIA GT3 regulations. In developing the vehicle, the emphasis was placed on improving driveability and making handling easier. The Porsche 911 GT3 R features a four-litre six-cylinder boxer engine delivering 480 hp (353 kW). A six-speed sequential gearbox transmits the power to the rear axle. The new Porsche 911 GT3 R celebrates its world debut on 14th January 2010 at the Racing Car Show Autosport International in Birmingham (Great Britain).

“Since we first announced our intention to launch the Porsche 911 GT3 R, demand has been huge,” says Uwe Brettel, Head of Motorsport Sales. “The number of GT3 R vehicles we had planned for 2010 is almost sold out.” From spring 2010, customer teams around the world will receive their new vehicles. The basic price is 279,000 Euro plus national VAT.

The development of the 1,200 kg lightweight Porsche 911 GT3 R is based on the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup presented in September 2009 for one-make cup racing. Thanks to a 0.2-litre increase in engine capacity, the GT3 R delivers 30 hp more than its Cup pendant. Both race vehicles are based on the extra-wide body of the street-legal Porsche 911 GT3 RS.

An anti-lock brake system (ABS), traction control and an e-gas with “throttle-blip” function help pilots familiarise themselves quicker to the new GT3 race vehicle compared to its predecessor, also making it easier for ambitious amateur racers to get used to the car. The flared wheel arches front and rear show the wider track compared to the previous model. The underbody of the vehicle is completely covered and features a rear diffuser. Compared to the forerunner model, the adjustment range of the rear wing has been increased.

The highly developed race suspension can be extensively adjusted: At the front are height-adjustable McPherson struts with variable SACHS two-way shock absorbers and double coil springs (main and auxiliary). At the rear, the GT3 R features a rigidly mounted sub-frame with a height-adjustable multi-arm axle, as well as adjustable SACHS two-way shock absorbers and double coil springs.

Modified Volkswagen Golf VI GTI

After unveiling their styling kit for the standard Volkswagen Golf 6 month ago, the Belgian tuning company Caractere has decided to offer a similar body kit for the new Golf GTi. Finished in PURim technology, the new aero kit not only enhances the visual appearance of the already mean and subtle VW flagship, but also improvVolkswagees its safety.


Of course, the recently developed body kit from Caractere underlines the vehicle’s aggressive stance and the list of features includes a complete re-styled front bumper offering improved airflow through its larger air intakes, new rear spoiler with exhaust, sport or classic roof spoiler and a set of side skirts. The GTi’s visual impact is further maximized by the brand’s unique CW1 wheels available in 19 and 20-inch sizes.

Additionally, Caractere is offering a LED lights option. According to the Belgian manufacturer, the new kit will be available on the market in spring 2010.

Honda New Small Concept unveiled at New Delhi show

Honda New Small Concept

India's Auto Expo 2010 kicked off this week and the first major concept to come out of New Delhi is this: the Honda New Small Concept.

Befitting its name, the New Small Concept is both compact and rather bland – particularly when compared to Honda's recent stylistic endeavors – but the five-door hatch is sure to find budget-minded buyers when it arrives in both India and Thailand in 2011.

Unfortunately, details on the proposed powertrain and interior are all but nonexistent, with Honda Siel Cars India Ltd. (Honda's Indian arm) simply stating that the HSC can fit five people and benefits from an "Efficient Energetic Exterior." For an inexpensive runabout, the HSC has potential to be a hit in emerging markets, but don't expect it to hit U.S. or European shores anytime soon. Make a break for the brief press release after the jump.

Maruti Suzuki, is set to launch Eeco

Auto giant Maruti Suzuki, is set to launch Eeco - a brand new family car. The car is crafted by a team of designers from MSIL who have worked on the project for 3 years. Maruti Suzuki Eeco is slated to be the new replacement of Maruti Versa.

Speaking about the proposed launch, Mr. IV Rao, MSIL Managing Executive Officer said "The new car represents the growing expertise of our engineers to conceive, design and produce vehicles here. This is also in line with parent Suzuki Corp's vision of turning India into a global hub for small car research and development."

Hyundai i10 Electric

Hyundai - the Korean auto giant is set to make public the electric version of its compact car 'i10'. The announcement would be made at the upcoming Auto Expo to be held in Delhi. Hyundai will also display the existing range of products and vehicles with a futuristic technology at the event which begins January 5.

Hyundai Motor India Ltd states "Hyundai i10 Electric is a zero-emission vehicle that reconciles motoring with the environmental aspirations of customers looking for a vehicle with the best possible ecological footprint." It also added "Hyundai Motor India's pavilion will also display its futuristic technology in the form of concept vehicles to highlight the superior and advanced technology that the company has pioneered."

Previously, in 2007, Hyundai had launched the Hyundai i10 with internal combustion engine in 2007.At present, HMIL is the country's largest car exporter and the second largest car manufacturer with a line up of alternate fuel technology in vehicles like the CNG and LPG versions of its small car Hyundai Santro. This would be followed with its sedan Accent and small car Hyundai i10.