Someday we’ll get to see the production version of the Toyota FT-86 in dealer showrooms. Someday. That time has yet to arrive, and Toyota is trotting yet another new version of the concept out to the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. According to the automaker, this latest edition is a slightly reworked version of the FT-86 II concept that we’ve already seen.

The sports coupe heading to Germany, however, has reportedly been lightened up, and is also faster than the previous car. The previous car being another concept, of course. Toyota has put together a teaser video of the updated car, which you can view after the jump.

Dear Toyota… we’re ready for this thing to arrive, and we’re pretty sure everyone reading along is as well. Bring on the production version!

Continue reading Toyota teases Frankfurt-bound FT-86 II Concept

Toyota teases Frankfurt-bound FT-86 II Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There aren’t a lot of cars out there that have more doors than seats. Usually it’s the other way around, but that’s what Volkswagen has in store with the Nils concept. The tiny one-seater packs two polycarbonate gullwing doors (plus a rear hatch) in a unique shape that envisions a future mode of transportation for European commuters.

Riding on four outboard wheels with individual fenders, the Nils is about more than its form factor, though. Behind the driver sits a 15 kW electric motor that delivers a range of about 40 miles, but with a 25 kW overboost function that can propel it to 62 mph in 11 seconds. Charging from a standard European socket takes only two hours. The diminutive concept also packs all the latest electronic safety systems you’d expect from a larger car into its 1,000-pound shape, built around an aluminum space frame.

This isn’t the first time that Volkswagen has toyed with the idea of a single-seat commuter, having showcased the Formula XL1 concept earlier this year. Nor will it be the only narrow EV concept the Volkswagen Group will unveil next week at the Frankfurt Motor Show, joining the 1+1 Audi Urban Concept in the group’s pavilion. We’ll be there to check them both out, but for now you can follow the jump for the full press release and the quartet of high-res images in the gallery for a closer look.

Continue reading Volkswagen takes another shot at single-seat mobility with Frankfurt-bound Nils concept

Volkswagen takes another shot at single-seat mobility with Frankfurt-bound Nils concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Sep 2011 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Few vehicles have been on (or off) the road as long as the Land Rover Defender. It’s one of those few true icons of the automobile, and replacing it will be no easy task. But that’s precisely what Land Rover is gearing up to do.

Capable as the outgoing Defender is, you see, it hardly teeters on the cutting edge of the industry. Which is why JLR is committing to its replacement in 2015. And to give us an idea of what we might expect, the company is preparing to unveil this concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

All we’ve got to go on with the show truck called the DC100 is the solitary image above and the press release after the jump, which is rather short on details. It seems to borrow a few cues from the FJ Cruiser but with a slightly cleaner, leaner form that looks like it’d be as at home on a California beach as it would on a snowy mountain top.

This is one truck we’ll be looking forward to seeing up close and personal – fortunately, it won’t be long now.

Continue reading Land Rover previews new Defender with Frankfurt-bound DC100 concept

Land Rover previews new Defender with Frankfurt-bound DC100 concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 20:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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A day after spies caught Audi’s latest concept prepping for a photoshoot in Berlin, Germany, the automaker has dropped the first round of details on its Frankfurt-bound prototype.

As suspected, the Audi Urban Concept is another in a string of etron-branded concepts that point towards an electrified future, but with a more city-friendly size and shape.

The body is comprised of carbon fiber reinforced plastic, with offset seating for two, a sliding canopy and a tailgate that serves as the main entry point. Motivation is provided by a pair of electric motors and a lithium-ion battery which Audi insists will deliver “sporty performance.”

Beyond that, Audi isn’t saying much in the press release below the fold – we’ll have to wait for the Urban Concept’s debut next month for the full details.

Continue reading Audi Urban Concept is a Frankfurt-bound 1+1

Audi Urban Concept is a Frankfurt-bound 1+1 originally appeared on Autoblog 5.0 on Tue, 09 Aug 2011 18:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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