This Hyundai Geneva concept signals a new design era for the brand

Hyundai says the Le Fil Rouge concept starts a new era for the brand’s design while keeping a strong link to its past. The automaker said all future Hyundai models will be based on the Le Fil Rouge theme, which is French for common thread.

“[The design] is so seamless it looks like the vehicle was drawn with one single line,” Sang-yup Lee, Hyundai’s head of styling, said while introducing the concept at the auto show here.

Hyundai said that the Le Fil Rouge theme is a reinterpretation of the design language that originated in 1974 with the brand’s Hyundai Coupe Concept.

The new theme creates a proportional character based on the so-called “golden ratio” – a common mathematical ratio found in nature – that enabled Hyundai designers to create an aesthetically pleasing, natural-looking composition.

The front and the rear pillars as well as the roof are blended into the overarching silhouette of the car. Proportional uniqueness is achieved through a long wheelbase, large wheels and short overhangs, which make the 4500mm car look bigger.

Hyundai calls this theme will be extended to all future Hyundai vehicles. The goal of this new theme is to bring instinctive beauty, creating emotional value and desirability in Hyundai vehicles, the automaker said in release.

When asked whether Le Fil Rouge shows Hyundai’s intention to move the brand upscale Andreas-Christoph Hofmann, vice president marketing and product at Hyundai Europe, said that was not the case. He said Le Fil Rouge features such as the cascading grille will appear in the brand’s production cars very soon.

“Hyundai concept starts new design era for brand” originally appeared in Automotive News on 3/7/2018

BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe debuts in Geneva

The new BMW 8-Series isn’t even out yet, but the automaker used the Geneva auto show to take the wraps off a four-door performance sedan concept version that it is calling the “BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe.” It’s best to think of this concept as a preview to an inevitable four-door 8-Series. Following the lead of the 6-Series Gran Coupe (which is actually quite nice), this concept is much like a 7-Series.

The BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe takes the four-door coupe trend and applies it to a large passenger car, ahead of the debuts of the production versions of the 8-Series coupe and convertible later this summer and fall. This concept previews a later, four-door version of the platform due in 2019.

“The BMW 8-Series will take over as the new flagship model of the BMW lineup and, as such, combines unsurpassed sportiness and elegance,” said Adrian van Hooydonk, senior vice president BMW Group Design. “The BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe offers a look ahead to the most exotic and alluring variant of the new BMW 8-Series.”

The Concept M8 Gran Coupe shows off the latest BMW design elements, some of which might make production; the large coupe/sedan features a huge front fascia with exaggerated everything and a fastback profile leading to a duck-tail trunk lid.
 

The BMW 8-Series coupe and convertible are expected to debut later this year.

“The BMW Concept M8 Gran Coupe is designed to stir things up, to polarize — it should move you emotionally,” said Domagoj Dukec, vice president Design BMW M and BMW i. “With this car we want to reach people who are looking for something special and who want to stand out from the crowd. Here, BMW M is unmistakably taking luxury out of its comfort zone.”

The long wheelbase of the concept is almost dwarfed by the large features of the front fascia, meant to communicate a sense of performance, with the sleek line of the greenhouse skipping the flat plane roof of the 7-Series. The result is a visually small cabin positioned far back from the front axle and a coupe-like profile.

The surface details on the hood and doors also reinforce the performance flavor of the concept, which wears a Saleve Vert paint finish that appears to switch from grayish blue to green under different lighting conditions.

“The face of the new BMW 8-Series is evident in the new Concept’s front-end graphic,” BMW says. “The contours of the radiator grille kidneys broaden as they descend toward the road, emphasising the car’s low center of gravity. As on early BMW coupes, the kidney elements are linked by an unbroken grille surround, creating a large single element. The headlights are positioned slightly higher than the kidneys and give them the impression of sitting lower, which further emphasizes the car’s closeness to the asphalt. In contrast, the gold-colored kidney surround brings an added air of exclusivity to the front end. Within the headlights, the lighting technology familiar from the M8 GTE endurance racer provides a dynamic, hexagonal interpretation of BMW’s signature four-eyed front end, distilling elements of modern-day motor sport and luxurious quality into its inner details. Meanwhile, brawny air intakes in carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) guide the air to where it is required.”

We’ll see the 8-Series coupe and convertible later this year, but it will take a little longer for a production version of the 8-Series Gran Coupe to materialize. BMW’s pursuit of this unlikely segment, at a time when large SUVs are on their way back, may have more to do with Mercedes’ success in this price range — BMW lacks competitors to the S-Class coupe and cabrio, or at least will for a few more months.

Maserati takes its whole lineup at Geneva motor show and paints it black

Maserati didn’t bring any new vehicles to the Geneva auto show, but it did outfit its whole line in matte black and added Nerissimo Editions of the Ghibili, Quattroporte and Levante to its luxury Italian fleet. Black chrome is used for the grille frame, trident, side vents, trunk and Maserati badge. Black grille bars, door handles, exhaust tips and window trim complete the package.

Inside, the Nerissimo cars receive minor changes. The Ghibili gets heated sport seats and steering wheel with dark mirror trim. Carbon fiber and piano black are available, as well as tinted windows and a power rear sunshade. The Quattroporte gets either carbon or piano black trim, a new rearview camera with grid lines, a power trunklid, Homelink and keyless entry that extends to the rear doors. The Levante SUV gets heated sport seats, four-zone climate control and power foot pedals.

The company did make some news at the show. It’s GranLusso (luxury) and GranSport (sport) trims will now be available across the range as opposed to just in the Quattroporte. Maserati brought a Ghibli S Q4 GranLusso in white with 20-inch Urano diamond wheels and an Ermenegildo Zegna silk interior with red leather. It was flanked by a Quattroporte GranLusso in blue with beige leather and wood inserts, and a GranCabrio MC in white with 20-inch wheels, black brake calipers, leather and synthetic suede.

New to the range of sedans and SUVs is electronic power steering, which facilitates new safety functions like highway assist, lane keeping and blind spot detection. But don’t worry, Maserati says this improves comfort and handling yet retains the “excellent maneuverability typical of every Maserati.”

The model year 2018 GranTurismo and GranCabrio also got a gentle restyling, an interior upgrade and a new driver interface and infotainment system.

Jaguar releases ‘Greatest Hits’ XJ6 for Iron Maiden drummer

The Jaguar XJ is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and Jaguar’s Classic division is showing off the model’s “Greatest Hits” at the Geneva auto show in the form of a 1984 XJ6, restored for Iron Maiden drummer Nicko McBrain.

A 1984 XJ6 seems like an unlikely starting point for such a project, but this is more than a restoration, as Jaguar Classic made quite a few custom design changes to the exterior, interior, suspension and drivetrain, creating a unique classic sedan in the process.

Over 4,000 parts were redesigned, refinished or replaced during the 3,500 hours devoted to this build, as Jaguar Classic worked with McBrain to create his dream XJ6.

The differences on the outside may seem subtle at first, but Jaguar created unique front and rear bumpers for this 4.2-liter XJ6. It also flared the body and reprofiled the front and rear wheel arches, which house custom 18-inch wire wheels that wear 235/45R-18 Pirelli P Zero tires. Still not done, Jaguar converted the headlights to LEDs, fabricated unique door sills and fitted the rear suspension with adjustable dampers. The Classic division fitted this XJ6 with modern door sealing and sound insulation for reduced wind and road noise. Inside, there’s an integrated touchscreen featuring satellite navigation, a rearview camera and a phone. Jaguar even upgraded systems like air conditioning and remote central locking. In a project this extensive, you can be sure that the interior has been completely retrimmed, and the finished Jag now wears a bright red leather interior.

Jaguar refitted the interior with new seats and retrimmed everything, in addition to adding a new sound system.

“Creating this ‘Greatest Hits’ XJ, and the whole process of bringing someone’s automotive dream to life, has been extraordinarily rewarding for the Jaguar Classic team,” said Tim Hannig, Jaguar Land Rover Classic director. “It’s been a pleasure to work with Nicko, and we’re looking forward to hearing the reaction to this project.”

And, of course, there is a modern sound system with guitar amplifier-inspired control knobs made from aluminum, as well as USB connectivity.

“This is my ultimate XJ — my third, and lovingly, named ‘Johnny 3,'” McBrain said. “It has been a true labor of love between Jaguar Classic and myself. I’m so excited by its completion and especially to be showing it at Geneva — it really is a Greatest Hits edition, and to me it defines what the Jaguar XJ is all about. It’s a credit to the craftsmanship of the Jaguar Classic team. We couldn’t have timed it better, this being the 50th anniversary of XJ — my favorite of all Jaguar vehicles.”
 

Jaguar Classic created new front and rear bumpers for this XJ6.

The reborn XJ6 also features harder-to-spot custom touches like recessed fuel caps and Series 2 XJ wing mirrors and door handles, for a more elegant look. The flared wheel arches give this XJ a wider stance — which suits this bodystyle well — while 18-inch wire wheels give it a classic air.

Wheel choice has always been one of the most difficult aspects of the look of an XJ, and the larger-diameter wire wheels chosen for this build work surprisingly well without signaling a significant departure from a stock appearance.

“Preserved components from Nicko’s first XJ6, which spent many years on the grounds of the home of Iron Maiden bass guitarist Steve Harris following Nicko’s move to America, are present elsewhere in the build too: from the iconic Jaguar leaper hood mascot, which first attracted Nicko to buy the car, to the original ignition keys from 1984,” Jaguar said.

Mercedes-AMG stretches GT sports car into a 4-door for Geneva

Mercedes-Benz broke the cone of silence on the AMG GT Four-Door Coupe (known as a “sedan” outside Germany) at the Geneva auto show on Tuesday. The Affalterbach-bred sports sedan gets a choice of the new 429-hp, 384-lb-ft 3.0-liter I6 in the GT53 model, a 577-hp, 553-lb-ft twin-turbo V8 in the GT63 or 630 hp, 627 lb-ft from the same V8 in the GT63 S model. All get nine-speed automatics. The I6 comes with a torque converter automatic; the V8s replace that torque converter with clutches in Mercedes’ MCT transmission; all get 4Matic all-wheel drive. Top speed is 174 mph for the six, 193 mph for the GT63 and 195 for the GT63 S. The short version: Speed won’t be a problem.

Balancing that speed will be a touch of efficiency. That sixer gets Mercedes’ new EQ Boost starter/alternator that can add 21 hp and 184 lb-ft in short bursts, along with a 48-volt electrical system.  The V8 versions come with AMG cylinder management, which can deactivate up to four cylinders, depending on conditions, to save fuel. We don’t know how much fuel yet because we don’t have EPA figures.

Mercedes is calling this its first four-door sports car. It follows the company’s “sensual purity” design philosophy with a long hood featuring two power domes, a low greenhouse and AMG’s new grille and “shark nose” front bumper. Blacked-out side window frames elongate the profile, as does the raked rear window. Both front and back lights are slim and the rear gets an extendable spoiler.

The bodyshell was developed alongside the company’s race cars, using motorsport analysis and simulation methods to reinforce the structure where necessary for “maximum performance.” In the center and tail end, Mercedes uses carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic to save weight and improve stiffness, giving an “optimum basis for high lateral dynamics potential.”

All AMG GT four-doors get adaptive damping. I6 models come with steel springs, while the V8s get the company’s multichamber air suspension. Mercedes adds that the electronically controlled locking rear differential (standard on GT63 and GT63 S, not available on the GT53) has a new reinforced mount to lower noise, vibration and harshness. The 4Matic plus AWD system uses an electromechanically controlled clutch to connect the front and rear axles. The system varies the torque as necessary depending on driver input. Like the E63 AMG, the GT four-door gets a drift mode where all the power is sent rearward. Drift mode is standard on the S, optional on the GT63 and not available on the American-spec GT53.

Additionally, the V8 models come standard with rear-wheel steering, using the same setup as the rest of this new breed. At slow speeds, the rear wheels point in the opposite direction to tighten turning radius; at higher speeds, they turn in the same direction to increase stability using two electric actuator motors.

Like all good AMGs, the GT four-door comes with drive modes for slippery, comfort, sport, sport-plus and race that affect the steering, power application, transmission and traction control. As you turn the knob toward race, you get more power, quicker shifts and less intervention from the safety systems.

As for the most important safety system, the brakes, Mercedes has you covered. V8 models get six-piston front calipers and single-piston floating calipers at the rear. The GT63 gets red clampers, the GT63 S gets yellow. The GT53 has smaller discs but still a six-pack of pistons in front inside silver calipers. Ceramic brakes are offered, in bronze. Surrounding those brakes are 19-, 20- or 21-inch AMG-specific wheels.

Moving from the corners to the interior, the GT four-doors get a new steering wheel with controls for infotainment and drive modes, turbine air vents like its two-door counterpart, two 12.3-inch widescreen displays and the usual central controller with swipe and pinch motions. A program called AMG Track Pace can keep your lap times, check your sprint times and log your lateral and longitudinal g-forces.

Elsewhere inside, buyers will be offered the usual array of Mercedes stuff, including diamond quilting on the seats in leather or microfiber, carbon-fiber or brushed metallic accents and an executive rear seat package that comes with a touchscreen between the back seats for calling up dynamic data via the AMG menu, controlling the ambient lighting or adjusting the climate control and seat heating.

The first AMG GT four-doors come in early 2019; the I6-powered GT53 comes later next year.

Alfa Romeo Stelvio and Giulia Nurburgring editions to debut in Geneva

To celebrate two separate records at the famed Nurburgring circuit, Alfa Romeo plans to offer special-edition versions of its Giulia Quadrifoglio sedan and Stelvio Quadrifoglio SUV, and will bring both to the Geneva auto show in a matter of days.

Back in 2016, the Giulia Quadrifoglio set a lap time of 7 minutes, 32 seconds around the ‘Ring, making it the fastest production sedan (at the time) to lap the circuit. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio followed a year later with a lap of 7 minutes, 51.7 seconds. The Stelvio’s record stands to this day even though the Giulia’s was surpassed a short time later by a Jaguar XE SV Project 8.

And to celebrate both records, the Italian automaker will build 108 examples of “NRING” editions of each model, signifying the 108 years of the Alfa Romeo marque.

Each NRING edition will wear an exclusive Circuito gray color and feature carbon-fiber side skirt inserts, mirror caps and front badges. Each NRING edition will also feature an Alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, Sparco racing seats with red stitching and a Mopar automatic transmission knob with a carbon-fiber insert. When it comes to infotainment, both versions will come optioned with Alfa Connect 3-D Nav infotainment systems with 8.8-inch screens and the Harman Kardon premium audio package. The biggest change in terms of equipment will be an all-new bare carbon-fiber roof for the Giulia.

The interiors of both models will feature special trim and badges.

“It is no coincidence that these two outstanding cars bear the name of the famous German circuit: Alfa Romeo cars started to record victories at the Nurburgring in the 1930s, in the hands of world-class drivers such as Tazio Nuvolari, who won the German Grand Prix at the wheel of a 8C 2300 Tipo Monza in 1932 and a Tipo B-P3 in 1935,” Alfa Romeo said in announcing the special-edition vehicles. “Other memorable years were 1966, when the Giulia Sprint GTA became the first GT to make it round the ‘Ring in under 10 minutes, and 1975, when the 33 TT 12 driven by Arturo Merzario triumphed in Germany before going on to win the World Sportscar Championship. Last but not least, on June 10, 1993, Nicola Larini’s 155 V6 Ti won both heats of the most prestigious race of the DTM championship, held on the Nurburgring circuit. The Italian driver repeated Nuvolari’s feat by winning the race with a crushing victory over the other cars, all of them German.”

No word yet on how many of these special-edition vehicles (if any) the U.S. will get, but as the Geneva auto show gets going we hope to hear more concrete details about price and availability.

Hennessey’s 1,600-hp Venom F5 is headed to Geneva

Designed to be the fastest road car on the planet with a promised top speed in excess of 300 mph, the Venom F5 is heading to the Geneva motor show next week after an official debut at SEMA late last year. This should give the all-new hypercar a wider audience, even though it won’t get anywhere near its top speed on Swiss roads.

The Venom F5, just 24 of which will be built, is powered by a 7.4-liter biturbo V8 pumping out a claimed 1,600 hp and 1,300 lb-ft of torque, with all that power sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed single-clutch paddle-shift transmission. With a curb weight of just 2,950 pounds, the Venom F5 can get to 186 mph in less than 10 seconds, while a trip from 0 to 249 mph reportedly takes less than 30 seconds.

As you may have noticed back when the car debuted at SEMA, the Venom F5’s recipe for getting north of 200 mph is quite different from that of the Bugatti Veyron and Chiron, which the Venom will taunt in Geneva.
 

Now, about that 300-mph-plus claim; Hennessey has yet to give the Venom F5 an opportunity to really stretch its legs, but company founder and CEO John Hennessey believes that the car will be able to top 300 mph.

With a starting price of $1.6 million, the Venom F5 still promises to be a civilized machine rather than some kind of top fuel dragster wearing a Potemkin-style, Lambo-shaped shell. The cabin will be filled with Alcantara and carbon fiber, even though interior photos do not evidence the presence of any cupholders. Perhaps that’s somewhere in the option book, which will reportedly offer $600,000 worth of additional equipment. (All we’re asking for is a cupholder — how much can it possibly be?)

In the meantime, we’ll wait for a video of the Venom F5 proving its claimed feats of speed.