Every other year, Nissan trots out another Pivo concept to the Tokyo Motor Show, and each successive version is weirder than the next. But this latest version – the predictably named Pivo 3 – is different. Nissan wants to build it, and while its awkward shape and trick doors won’t make it to production, much of the underlying tech will.

Since 2005, each Pivo has featured some four-wheel-steering system, and the Pivo 3 takes it to the next level with a 6.6-foot turning radius that can practically spin the Pivo on its axis. Power is delivered thorough individual in-wheel motors, with energy stored in a Leaf-inspired lithium-ion battery pack. The big feature is the Pivo 3′s automated parking system, which not only finds a space, but drives off to park itself then returns courtesy of a smartphone app.

So when are we going to see it hit the Japanese and European markets? Two years? Five years? Your guess is as good as ours as Nissan isn’t giving up much.

Continue reading Nissan Pivo 3 inches closer to production

Nissan Pivo 3 inches closer to production originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Earlier today at a private event in Los Angeles, Jaguar presented an updated version of the C-X16 Concept that initially debuted at the Frankfurt Motor Show back in September. The car, freshly clad in a coat of White Pearl paint, was presented by Jaguar design chief Ian Callum who all but confirmed that a version of the C-X16 would be put into production.

The C-X16 Concept certainly looks ready to takes its place as a modern rendition of the E-Type with various design cues that pay tribute to the legendary two-seater. The technical aspects of the car are anything but retro, however, with a supercharged 3.0-liter V6 under the hood paired with an electric motor built into the 8-speed transmission. The combination produces 468 horsepower and 505 lb-ft torque, which Jaguar says is good for a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds and a top speed of 186 mph.

Whether items like the hybrid power system will make it into production is certainly questionable, along with the trick side-opening rear hatch (an E-type tribute) and the stunning red leather interior with carbon fiber race seats that are more likely to remain conceptual features only.

You can see our live photos of the updated C-X16 Concept sporting its new White Pearl paint in the high-res gallery above.

Updated Jaguar C-X16 Concept inches closer to production originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Nov 2011 09:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The world isn’t lacking for niche British automakers, but Eterniti Motors thinks we can do with one more. The upstart released little more than a teaser video and a single sketch of its first offering, and now it’s come back with a little something else before next week’s show in Germany.

Called the Hemera, it’s not a painful posterior condition, but what Eterniti calls a “Super-SUV”. Several automakers (such as Bentley, Lamborghini and Spyker) have sought to pioneer such a segment, but if Eterniti can actually make it to market, it will be (as claimed in the press copy after the jump) the first of its kind.

Little in the way of details have been disclosed, but the Hemera is slated to offer a “limousine-like rear cabin” with reclining seats, iPads and a drinks cooler and rumors suggest it’s based partially on the Porsche Cayenne. Development is being lead by Alastair MacQueen, the chap who engineered the XJ220 at Jaguar (as well as its and Bentley’s victorious Le Mans campaigns) with test driving duties undertaken by former F1 driver Johnny Herbert.

We’ll have to wait another week or so until the Hemera is unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but with this level of talent on board, Eterniti may stand a real chance at producing an impressive product.

Continue reading Eterniti Hemera ‘super SUV’ inches closer to Frankfurt

Eterniti Hemera ‘super SUV’ inches closer to Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Sep 2011 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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