Porsche plans four-door Panamera convertible

A series of European and U.S. patent applications obtained by AutoWeek show that Porsche remains committed to building a four-door convertible version of its flagship Panamera, despite recent comments from Zuffenhausen insiders indicating the car had been canceled.

The new car, depicted in official drawings that accompany the latest Porsche patent applications filed in February, eschews the two-door route taken by all of its upmarket rivals for a four-door body. The layout, without a traditional B-pillar, will require substantial stiffening to the Panamera's floorpan and bulkheads to ensure sufficient structural rigidity and integrity.

Although rumors have long hinted at an open-top version of the Panamera, it was thought Porsche had abandoned its original plans for a four-door in favor of a less expensive two-door variant with a shortened wheelbase. However, it appears those original plans are back on track at the behest of new parent company Volkswagen. VW boss Martin Winterkorn is said to be a big supporter of the new car.

2011 Ford F-Series

Aside from being applauded for being the best-in-class diesel, the 2011 F-Series Super Duty is also getting raves for being powered by the 6.
7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel engine that is B20 biodiesel compatible.

Ford said that customers appreciate the additional fueling option that uses blends of up to 20% biodiesel and 80% petroleum diesel. While the Super Duty was being developed, engineers put more than 10.3 million equivalent test miles on the new diesel engine, including extreme road and weather conditions.

2012 Honda Odyssey Concept

The next-generation Odyssey adds sleek styling, new functionality and higher fuel economy to best-selling minivan

The Honda Odyssey Concept, on display at the Chicago Auto Show, introduces a sleek and distinctive exterior styling direction for the next generation of the industry's best-selling minivan, set to debut this fall, American Honda Motor Co., Inc., announced today.

The Odyssey Concept dramatically departs from conventional minivan styling with its low and wide stance, highlighted by a "lightning-bolt" beltline that further distinguishes the vehicle's profile. Compared to the current Odyssey, the Concept's slightly lower roofline (-1.0 inch) and wider stance (+1.4 inch) contribute to a sleeker, stronger and more dynamic presence with improved aerodynamics that help increase fuel economy. Forthcoming improvements to the production Odyssey's interior are designed to further enhance the current model's accommodating space for people and cargo.

Hyundai iflow Concept

Hyundai iflow Concept

Hyundai has today revealed the first photo of the all-new concept car i-flow (HED-7), ahead of its international debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week. The i-flow, which advances the ‘fluidic sculpture' form language of Hyundai, will be joined on stage by other newcomers, including the facelifted i30 - to be launched as i30U - and a number of new, production-ready derivatives with CO2 emissions below 100g/km.

Previewing a future D-segment contender from Hyundai, i-flow boasts sleek, elegant lines which not only create a bionic, futuristic shape, but also contribute to exceptional aerodynamics. The drag coefficient of 0.25Cd helps to reduce the car's CO2 output to just 85g/km and fuel consumption to only 3l/100km.

Porsche 918 Spyder offers 718 horsepower, zero to 62 in 3.2 seconds, and 78 mpg

A plug-in hybrid sports car with more than 700 horsepower that also gets 78 mpg? It’s real enough, though there is some smoke and mirrors in the performance figures. And not only did Porsche build it in just seven months, but it’s quite likely to put it on the market.

The car is the 918 Spyder, which debuted at the Geneva Auto Show last week, and it can travel 15.5 miles on its lithium-ion battery pack before a mighty 500-horsepower V-8 (sourced from the RS Spyder race car) kicks in. But didn’t I just say it had more than 700 horsepower? Yes, a pair of big electric motors produce an additional 218 horses. Porsche's Geneva theme was decidedly green, and here's a look at the cars on the company's stand, including the 918 Spyder:

Porsche uncovered the 918 Spyder concept at the Geneva Auto Show

Porsche uncovered the 918 Spyder concept at the Geneva Auto Show last week, the automaker undoubtedly bear hopes of a positive response, leading to a potential production car. And that's exactly what seems to have happened.

"Frankly, we were pleased that we were able to keep it quiet, and a lot went into that," said Dave Engelman, a Porsche spokesman.

Mr. Engelman posted that his boss, Bernd Harling, Publicity Chief for Porsche in the United States, had undergo a nondisclosure waiver before having a glance at the 918.

In concept form, the 918 Spyder is revealed to be a plug-in hybrid that make use of two electric motors, a lithium-ion battery pack and one ofPorsche's RS Spyder 3.4-liter V8 ALMS race car engines to produce a total of 718-hp.

Keeping it a secret was another matter. "It's easier with in-house concept cars because you can tell only the few engineers who really need to know," Mr. Engelman said.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP 670 4SV

Visitors admire a Lamborghini Gallardo LP 670 4SV at the public opening of the Geneva Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland

Mercedes E-class cabrio automatic roof

A visitor tests the automatic roof of the world premiere Mercedes E-class cabrio at public opening of the Geneva Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland

BMW series 5 world premiere

new BMW series 5 world premiere at the public opening of the Geneva Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland,

Geneva Motor Show in Geneva

Visitors enter the fair halls at the public opening of the Geneva Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, Thursday, March 4, 2010. About 250 exhibitors from 30 countries, showing 100 car premieres at the Auto Show until March 14.

Citroen world premiere DS3 at Geneva Motor Show

A visitor inspects the Citroen world premiere DS3 at public opening of the Geneva Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, Thursday, March 4, 2010. About 250 exhibitors from 30 countries, showing 100 car premieres at the Auto Show until March 14.

Peugot BB1 e-car concept Geneva Motor Show

Peugot BB1 e-car concept
Visitors look at the futuristic Peugot BB1 e-car concept at the public opening of the Geneva Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, Thursday, March 4, 2010. About 250 exhibitors from 30 countries, showing 100 car premieres at the Auto Show

Hispano Suiza Geneva Motor Show

The new Hispano Suiza shows the trunk in the front at the public opening of the Geneva Motor Show in Geneva, Switzerland, Thursday, March 4, 2010. About 250 exhibitors from 30 countries, showing 100 car premieres at the Auto Show until March 14.

Geneva auto show

The 80th Geneva Motor Show opened its doors to the public Thursday, offering a note of optimism and fun after two difficult years for the industry.

The hybrid revolution, however, remains elusive.

Among the stars of the show are Nissan's Juke crossover, Alfa Romeo's Giulietta hatchback and the Volvo S60 sedan.

German automakers Audi and BMW went head-to-head in the hot hatch segment, a European term for amped up subcompacts popular with younger style-conscious buyers.

Audi presented its A1, available in three and five door versions, as a direct challenger to BMW's Mini series and a big departure from its larger, more mature models. BMW, in turn, raised the stakes by building its biggest ever Mini, the Countryman, a four-door, all-wheel-drive version of the successful 1960s revival.

Show visitor Kevin Leutwiler from Switzerland said he admired the A1's aggressive, sporty style but added "it's not a car for a tight budget." The A1 retails from about euro15,000 ($20,460), which is still cheaper than the basic Mini Countryman starting at euro21,000 ($28,650).

The economic downturn in recent years has deterred many potential buyers from purchasing new cars, though scrappage incentives have helped ease the pain somewhat for automakers.

Most manufacturers are expecting a dip in European sales this year despite the economic upswing, due to the sudden end of cash-for-clunkers programs. The Italian and German markets, which were buoyed by schemes that saw the government pay incentives to drivers who traded in older, polluting cars for more efficient new models, are forecast to be especially hard hit. Some experts expect sales to drop by as much as 1 million in Germany, where 3.8 million cars were sold last year.

Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne told reporters at the show that the Italian market would be 1.7 million vehicles without the incentives, compared with 2.15 million in 2009. Incentives in Italy kept sales from plummeting last year, dropping just 0.2 percent from a year earlier.