Sport Car Lux

2011 Ford WRC Fiesta RS

2011 Ford WRC Fiesta RS

Scores of production and concept vehicles are being unveiled at the Paris Motor Show today, and three automakers are taking the opportunity to show off their latest World Rally Championship contenders. Along with Mini and Citroen, today Ford revealed its competitor for the 2011 WRC season, the Fiesta RS.
Based on a standard, two-door Fiesta hatchback, Ford's rally car builder M-Sport stripped the car and completely rebuilt it to WRC specifications. As expected, front and rear fenders were widened to fit the larger wheels and tires, while a complete body kit helps the hatch slice through the air with less resistance. Its hood, roof panel, and rear spoiler have also been modified to redirect air. Inside, Ford insists the car will remain fitted with several production components in order to bear a resemblance to a production Fiesta.
2011 Ford WRC Fiesta RS Front.JPG
"We've worked hard to ensure the car is undoubtedly related to the best-selling Fiesta road car," said Gerard Quinn, Ford of Europe's head of motorsports. "We can't wait to debut our official car in the hugely demanding World Rally Championship next year."
In order to conform to the FIA's 2011 WRC engine size regulations, Ford ditched its 2.0-liter powerplant in favor of a 1.6-liter I-4. The new, smaller, turbocharged engine is based on the same 1.6-liter engine found in European Fiestas, and could produce up to 300 horsepower. Unlike a dealership-spec Fiesta, the WRC contender will feature a full roll cage and all-wheel drive.
Final testing is being carried out by the teams as the new Fiesta RS prepares for its rally debut at the start of the 2011 WRC at Rally Sweden next February.

2011 Ford WRC Fiesta RS

2011 Ford WRC Fiesta RS

2014 Lotus Elan

2014 Lotus Elan

Lotus is fielding a late-2013 transverse-V6 car called the Elan as a rival for the 911 Carrera and Carrera S. It will run a 4.0-liter supercharged direct-injection version of the existing Evora engine, for 400HP (base) and 470HP (R). The Esprit's mild hybrid system will also be available on the Elan, as will a convertible body. The Elan will in effect replace the Evora, although at a higher price and power, so the Evora will continue as long as there are buyers. Lotus acknowledges that the Evora has failed to attract new fans from outside the brand, because it doesn't have the required sense of luxury, and ingress/egress difficulty is often cited by consumers who go back to Porsche. While the Elan uses the basic Evora tub, it will be modified for better owner convenience. Aluminum panels will help the quality impression. But Lotus insists the largely carryover chassis will maintain the Evora's frankly sublime handling, steering, and ride.

2014 Lotus Elan

2014 Lotus Elan

2011 Honda Fit Hybrid

2011 Honda Fit Hybrid

2011 Honda Fit Hybrid

Information about the upcoming Fit Hybrid has been floating around for more than a year, but Honda has officially released images and information about the production vehicle before the official debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show in September.
As has been long speculated, the Fit Hybrid uses a powertrain that Honda hybrid enthusiasts are most certainly familiar with. Honda packs the same parallel hybrid powertrain used in the current Insight into the little Fit hatchback, providing it with a 1.3-liter I-4, a continuously variable transmission, and an electric motor sandwiched between the two. According to Honda, the setup is good for 98 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque, which isn't a dramatic departure from the 117 ponies and 106 pound-feet delivered by the Fit's standard 1.5-liter I-4.
2011 Honda Fit Hybrid Rear Three Quarter View
To flaunt its green powertrain, Honda dressed the Fit Hybrid up with a new grille, blue-tinted headlamps, revised bumper skins, clear taillights, and chrome tailgate trim. If that isn't attention-grabbing enough for buyers, they can spring for an unique Lime Green metallic paint (pictured). Inside, Honda blessed the cabin with a new dashboard and instrument panel (here's hoping they're rolled out across the entire Fit lineup), and European models are offered with optional leather seating surfaces.
Fuel economy and emissions figures for the Fit Hybrid haven't been finalized, but early reports suggest it bests the Insight's 40/43 mpg (city/highway) EPA ratings, which places it far ahead of the 28/35 mpg rating earned by a normal Fit with an automatic transmission. Expect Honda's preliminary numbers to emerge closer to the auto show, along with a price tag. We've heard rumors that the Fit Hybrid could undercut the Insight's price tag with a base price of roughly $17,800.
According to Honda, sales of the Fit Hybrid will begin in Europe early next year, but a timetable for a possible U.S. launch has yet to be announced.

2011 Honda Fit Hybrid

Mazda Furai Concept HD

Mazda Furai Concept HD

2015 Lotus Eterne

2015 Lotus Eterne

2015 Lotus Eterne

A Lotus sedan? Yes, indeed. For 2015, Lotus' Eterne will rival the Aston Martin Rapide, housing a 550-horsepower engine shared with the Esprit up front. The structure, panels, and suspension are all aluminum and with a length of 196 inches, the Eterne is said to be almost as spacious as a Porsche Panamera.
As with the Esprit, a hybrid option could come in the future, bringing a 50-hosepower electric boost to the equation, along with plenty of eco-tech. This car is still years away from production, but we expect more details to be announced on a regular basis until its launch.

2015 Lotus Eterne

Citroën Lacoste Concept

Citroën Lacoste Concept

Citroën Lacoste Concept

Citroën and clothier Lacoste have teamed up for a compact concept car destined for the Paris Motor Show, and it's called the Citroën Lacoste.
The concept is clearly intended for those aiming to live an active lifestyle as exemplified by its open-air nature. The Lacoste measures in at 136 inches long, 71 inches wide, 60 inches tall, and comes with a 91-inch-long wheelbase. It's suggestive of a futuristic buggy as the T-shaped roof support structure offers an air-inflatable soft-top roof. The windshield can be lowered like a Jeep Wrangler and the interior design is said to take on the styling of the iconic Lacoste polo with the coloration and specific weave patterns on the seating. The rear seats can be jumped into from the outside and the two-spoke steering wheel is modeled after the Citroën emblem.
Obviously, the tire choice must be French as well as the Michelin name is proudly plastered on the sidewalls. With such a small overall package, the gas-powered inline-three should more than suffice