Audi unveiled a second full-electric sports car concept

Just a few months after the debut of the Audi e-tron at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi unveiled a second full-electric sports car concept at the Detroit show today. Bypassing the silly and confusing 'Detroit showcar Audi e-tron' name, the German firm's new concept model is said to provide a vision of how a small sports car positioned below R8 could look like.

Like the original e-tron, the new two-seater concept is built around Audi's ASF lightweight aluminium space frame and features a carbon fibre reinforced plastic hybrid body that helps keep weight down to 1,350kg or 2,976 lbs.

However, at 3.93 metres (154.7 inches) long, 1.78 meters (70 inches) wide and 1.22 meters (48 inches) tall, the new concept is much more compact in size than the Frankfurt Show e-tron (4.26 meters long, 1.9 meters wide and 1.23 meters tall). It's even shorter than the TT that measures 4.17 meters or 164.5 inches in length.

Whereas the original e-tron was fitted with four-electric motors, two at each axle, the Detroit showcar gets two motors that drive the rear wheels and can operate independently.

Audi says that the twin-motors deliver a combined output of 150 kW or 204 horsepower and peak torque of 2,650Nm or 1954.54 lb-ft accelerating the coupe from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in just 5.9 seconds. The e-tron accomplishes the sprint from 60 to 120 km/h (37- 74 mph) in 5.1 seconds.

The concept's top speed is limited to 124mph or 200km/h, as Audi claims that the amount of energy required by the electric motors increases disproportionately to speed.

The baby e-tron's lithium batteries that are mid-mounted and tip the scales at 399kg or 880 lbs, offer a driving range of around 155 miles or 250 km. They can be fully charged through a 230v household outlet in about 11 hours, but Audi says that a heavy current (400 volts, 32 amperes) can cut the time to just about two hours.

Mazda Active2 Surf

Mazda 2Evil and Mazda Active2 Surf & Snow Special Concept

Mazda 2Evil Special Concept

This concept is inspired by the weekend track car but one that can function equally well as an urban commuter. The body has been modified to show a more aggressive front spoiler and a deeper side rocker for improved aerodynamics and lower overall stance. A strong lower diffuser is added to enhance the rear proportion and more emphasis is placed on the exhaust tip. The rear upper spoiler was redesigned for both additional downforce and a race appearance. The dynamic MAZDA2 body is finished in Ceramic Grey metallic with subtle motorsports inspired graphics. The graphics are finished off with the historic number 55, a tribute to the 1991 Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B race car. Wheels, mirrors and other details are accented in Spirited Green. To top it off, the performance and stance are enhanced with 17″ wheels, 215/45/17 Yokahama Advan tires, lowered coil-over suspension provided by H&R and Magna performance exhaust.

Mazda Active2 Surf

The Active2 Surf exterior showcases a more aggressive front bumper and rocker. Adding to the sport theme, 17″ wheels with 215/45/17 Yokahama Tires and H&R coil over suspension were applied. The sheet metal is finished in Spirited Green and detailed with Active2 graphics. These subtle effects are displayed on the hood and driver-side fender. The graphics are finished in graphite and white, with matching wheels and mirrors. To support the overall concept, the Active2 Surf has been set up with a Thule roof rack system and a matching carbon fiber surfboard.

Mazda Active2 Snow

The Active2 Snow exterior showcases a more aggressive front bumper and rocker. Adding to the sport theme, 17″ wheels with 215/45/17 Yokahama Tires and H&R coil over suspension were applied. The sheet metal is finished in Frozen White and detailed with Active2 graphics. These subtle effects are displayed on the hood and driver-side fender. The graphics are finished in graphite and Spirited Green, with matching wheels and mirrors. To support the overall concept, the Active2 Snow has been set up with a Thule roof rack system and matching snowboards.

Source: Mazda · More on: Concept Cars, Los Angeles, Mazda, Tuning

Kia Sorento with Cobra tuning

German tuner Cobra has released details of their package for the hot out of the oven 2010 Kia Sorento CUV. The main feature of this package is a new steel bar for the front of the car which is six-inches thick and has LED lights in it! Of course it is not gonna protect you against anything, but it looks really cool.

If it’s real protection you are looking for, then you should choose the second option for front bars. It comes with a pair of fog lamps and is totally compatible with EU rules regarding pedestrian safety.

Cobra has also installed new side steps which is made of three-inch thick stainless steel, and to other bars on the left and right of the rear bumper. New self-adhesive black side moldings on the doors and a series of 19 and 20-inch wheels available in 5 different designs complete this package for the Korean crossover.

GM was already planning a brand-new engine for its race Vette

Corvette C6.R GT2 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Back in August when General Motors introduced the all-new GT2 class Corvette C6.R, it ran downsized 6.0-liter version of the 7.0-liter V8 from the long-dominant GT1 car. At the launch, Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan told us the 6.0-liter was just an interim engine. With revised GT rules on tap for 2010, GM was already planning a brand-new engine for its race Vette.

Unlike the 6.0/7.0, which is a ground-up race engine that only shares basic architectural dimensions with the production small block, the 2010 C6.R's V8 is a new 5.5-liter unit that will indeed be derived from the production engine found in roadgoing Corvettes. In fact, the 5.5-liter race engine will be built at GM's Performance Build Center alongside ZR1 and Z06 V8s.

Fehan has confirmed that the 5.5 is running on the dyno and will make its race debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring in March. We don't have any additional details on the new engine yet, although we were told earlier that it is based on the next-generation production small-block, which we expect to see in the Corvette soon.

Mid-Ohio 2010: Corvette GT2 racing

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