Geneva Preshow: Rolls Royce Phantom 102EX with Full-Electric Drive

Rolls Royce will be showcasing a one-off, fully electric powered Phantom at the Geneva Motor Show on 1 March 2011. The British automaker said the car will serve as a working test bed to explore the feasibility of battery-powered Rolls Royce models in the near future.

"We have engineered the world�s first battery electric vehicle for the ultra-luxury segment," said CEO Torsten M�ller-�tv�s, speaking from the company�s headquarters in Goodwood. "With this vehicle, we begin an exploration into alternative drive-trains, seeking clarity on which alternative technologies may be suitable to drive Rolls-Royce motor cars of the future."

The 102EX, also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric (EE), will go on a world tour in 2011 offering Rolls Royce owners and enthusiasts in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America the opportunity to test drive the car and share their experiences, thoughts and concerns directly with the company.

According to Rolls Royce, these include the 102EX"s ability to deliver an acceptable range between re-charges and to operate in extreme weather conditions, as well as to benchmark reliability and quality against customer expectations.

"I must be convinced that any alternative drive-train we choose for the future delivers an authentic Rolls-Royce experience," added M�ller-�tv�s. "It must be a technology that is right for our customers, our brand and which sets us on a sound footing for a sustainable future."

Rolls Royce said it will reveal photos and full technical specifications for the 102EX at the Geneva Salon on March 1.

Nissan Cannot Meet Demand for New Leaf EV, Production Shortages to Last Longer than Expected

It has been known for a while now that Nissan is struggling with the Leaf�s slow rollout. The demand for the all-electric vehicle is so high that the Japanese maker has been forced to stop receiving new orders and concentrate on filling existing ones. However, projected production figures show that the company will only assemble 10,000 units until March 31, while it has already received 27,000 orders from the U.S., Japan and Europe.

The remaining 17,000 orders are likely to be filled in the next fiscal year starting April 1, during which Nissan will reach the maximum production capacity of 50,000 units at the Oppama plant in Japan.

Consequently, the automaker could take 33,000 more orders in the next fiscal year, but it hasn�t decided yet when it will do so. According to Chief Operating Officer Toshiyuki Shiga, Nissan wants to "deliver enough volume to the first lot" before giving new orders the green light.

One solution would be the opening of new assembly lines sooner than initially planned, but Shiga ruled out the possibility due to the fact that work has just started on the factory that would provide the additional lithium-ion battery packs needed.

That means Nissan"s UK factory will begin producing Leafs in 2012, followed by the Tennessee plant in 2013, so the shortage could last longer than expected.

BMW Sub-Brand, will Launch in 2013

It"s been a long time in the making, but the BMW Group today confirmed its new sub-brand called "i", with which it will market a new lineup of eco-friendly vehicles including regular and plug-in hybrids, and pure electric models as well as an additional range of mobility services.

Abarth Scorp-Ion Sports Coupe Concept

Even though Fiat executives have been coy on a stand-alone sports car for the Abarth brand, the Italian firm went ahead and collaborated with the Istituto Europeo di Design of Turin (IED) for the creation of design study that will receive its grand premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in about a week"s time.

The sports coupe is named Abarth Scorp-Ion and it was designed by seven IED students who worked under the supervision of designers Luca Borgogno from Pininfarina, and Luigi Giampaolo from Maserati.

The goal was to design a bespoke compact-sized sports car with lines that evoke the scorpion (the official symbol of Abarth) without any references to the Fiat brand, with which Abarth is often identified.

The result is a futuristic looking two-seater coupe that measures 4,010 mm in length, 1,905 mm in width, 1,192 mm in height, and rides on a 2,350 mm long wheelbase.

The Scorp-Ion is motivated by four electric motors, one on each wheel, but that"s about all Abarth had to share with us for now. Further details are to be released at the Geneva Motor Show.

Will China"s BYD Bring the F3DM to the U.S. or will this be Just Another Broken Promise?

When it comes to making cars,China is king. We�re talking the world�s largest car market, with over a hundred individual marques. So why is it that there are virtually zero Chinese car manufactures selling cars in the U.S. aka the world�s other largest car market?

APS, the UK importer of the Swiss tuning brand Sportec, has turned to North American-based VW specialist, STaSIS Engineering, for its newest project concerning the latest generation of the Audi S4. The STaSIS Signature S4 is available in two flavors, the Touring and the Challenge editions, with both featuring an engine kit that boosts the 3.0-liter supercharged V6"s output from 333 bhp and 344 lb-ft of torque to a more dazzling 410 bhp and 370 lb-ft.

The base Touring Edition package also includes suspension, brake and exhaust system upgrades as well as 19- or 20-inch alloy wheels, while the Challenge Edition comes with more hardcore components such as larger brakes with 6-piston callipers and ultra-lightweight forged aluminum wheels.

The STaSIS Signature S4 packages are available now from APS of Brackley, with prices starting at �12,500 including VAT (20%) and installation.

STaSIS Signature S4 Components

Signature S4 Touring Edition

• Exhaust - Quad outlet with tunable low RPM resonators
• Engine - Engine Tuning Software � performance increases to 410 bhp / 370 lb.ft
• Suspension � 1 inch lower, Increased spring rate, anti-roll bar kit and matched bushings & bump stops
• Brakes - Optional high-performance street pads and braided stainless steel lines
• Wheels � 20 inch x 8.5 inch lightweight cast aluminum wheels, Optional 19 inch x 9 inch lightweight cast aluminum wheels
• Tyres � High performance

Signature S4 Challenge Edition

• Exhaust - Quad outlet with tunable high RPM resonators (recommended for manual transmission)
• Engine - Engine Tuning Software � performance increases to 410 bhp / 370 lb.ft
• Suspension - Ohlins SL dampers, increased spring rate and high performance anti-roll bar kit
• Brakes - 6-piston Alcon monobloc calipers, 370 mm 2-piece discs (390-mm optional), stainless steel brake lines & high-performance pads
• Differential - high-bias centre differential (manual transmission only)
• Wheels � 20 inch x 9.5 inch ultra-lightweight forged aluminum wheels
• Tyres � extreme performance

Geneva Preshow: Rolls Royce Phantom 102EX with Full-Electric Drive

Rolls Royce will be showcasing a one-off, fully electric powered Phantom at the Geneva Motor Show on 1 March 2011. The British automaker said the car will serve as a working test bed to explore the feasibility of battery-powered Rolls Royce models in the near future.

?We have engineered the world?s first battery electric vehicle for the ultra-luxury segment,? said CEO Torsten M?ller-?tv?s, speaking from the company?s headquarters in Goodwood. ?With this vehicle, we begin an exploration into alternative drive-trains, seeking clarity on which alternative technologies may be suitable to drive Rolls-Royce motor cars of the future.?

The 102EX, also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric (EE), will go on a world tour in 2011 offering Rolls Royce owners and enthusiasts in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America the opportunity to test drive the car and share their experiences, thoughts and concerns directly with the company.

According to Rolls Royce, these include the 102EX"s ability to deliver an acceptable range between re-charges and to operate in extreme weather conditions, as well as to benchmark reliability and quality against customer expectations.

?I must be convinced that any alternative drive-train we choose for the future delivers an authentic Rolls-Royce experience,? added M?ller-?tv?s. ?It must be a technology that is right for our customers, our brand and which sets us on a sound footing for a sustainable future.?

Rolls Royce said it will reveal photos and full technical specifications for the 102EX at the Geneva Salon on March 1.

Nissan Cannot Meet Demand for New Leaf EV, Production Shortages to Last Longer than Expected

It has been known for a while now that Nissan is struggling with the Leaf?s slow rollout. The demand for the all-electric vehicle is so high that the Japanese maker has been forced to stop receiving new orders and concentrate on filling existing ones. However, projected production figures show that the company will only assemble 10,000 units until March 31, while it has already received 27,000 orders from the U.S., Japan and Europe.

The remaining 17,000 orders are likely to be filled in the next fiscal year starting April 1, during which Nissan will reach the maximum production capacity of 50,000 units at the Oppama plant in Japan.

Consequently, the automaker could take 33,000 more orders in the next fiscal year, but it hasn?t decided yet when it will do so. According to Chief Operating Officer Toshiyuki Shiga, Nissan wants to ?deliver enough volume to the first lot? before giving new orders the green light.

One solution would be the opening of new assembly lines sooner than initially planned, but Shiga ruled out the possibility due to the fact that work has just started on the factory that would provide the additional lithium-ion battery packs needed.

That means Nissan"s UK factory will begin producing Leafs in 2012, followed by the Tennessee plant in 2013, so the shortage could last longer than expected.