World Concept Cars

Andrei Avarvarii, a student getting his Master's degree at Milan's Scuola Politecnica di Design, designed this tasty electric Lamborghini concept. With assistance from Lamborghini Design head Filippo Perini, he used a "soft design language" in penning the Minotauro.

The concept would use four electric motors and split the power 30%/70% front to rear. A Li-Tec flat-cell battery out back and a KERS system in the front would be providing the power.

The press release goes on to explain the bonus of no big, bad V12 out back: "The absence of a big V12 engine in the rear creates enough room for a third passenger in a central position." That's right, seating for three.

While the driver's door would be normal, the passenger side's would be bigger to provide access to the back seat.

But the coolest design idea of all? Look no further than those triangular intakes/exhausts. "[They] serve for battery cooling and visually replace the traditional exhausts...[and] also act like the tubes of a subwoofer, channeling the sound of the electric motors, placed behind them."

Then there's the fact that owner's would theoretically be able to upload their own track ghosts to an online community.

If a real racetrack has been / is being covered, the GPS would record car placement / track time, allowing people worldwide to challenge an owner's record.

Good job, Andrei.

Source: Carscoop

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Along with the updated 2011 TT Coupe and Roadster, and Q7 SUV, Audi also announced model year changes for its A3 range that includes the three door hatchback, five-door Sportback, Cabriolet and the sporty S3 hot hatch.

You'll probably have a hard time noticing the differences, but Audi says that on the 2011 A3s, the single-frame grille element and trims on the B-columns are painted in high-gloss black, the lower air inlets have chrome struts, the exterior mirrors are revised and there are chrome strips in the door handles (except on the S3).

A new rear diffuser insert, the tinted tail lamps on the three-door version, an updated line of alloy wheel designs and the addition of four new paint finishes (Volcano Red, Dakota Gray, Amethyst Gray and Scuba Blue) complete the exterior upgrades.

Inside, key changes are limited to the gray background of the dials, the revised flat-bottomed leather sports steering wheel with trim ring, a new selector lever for the S tronic gearbox, the black rings on the air vents and a high-gloss trim for the optional navigation system plus.

Engine options remains the same and include five gasoline and four diesel units, all turbocharged with direct-injection technology, ranging in output from the 90HP 1.6 TDI and 105HP 1.2 TFSI to the S3's 265HP 2.0 TFSI.

The modestly refined A3 range goes on sale in Europe this summer.

Source: Carscoop

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Volvo's new owner and China's top private automaker, Geely Automobile, has revealed a reworked version of its GE limousine prototype that drew attention last year for its... passing resemblance to the Rolls Royce Phantom.

For whatever reasons, Geely decided to modify the design of the 5.29 meter or about 17.3-foot long executive limo making it look more Chinese and less British.

The car now features a more bloated front end and a redesigned rear end while the Chinese maker also replaced the single throne at the rear with a more plebian seat bench for two.

The revised Geely GE limo will make its world debut at this month's Beijing Auto Show.

Source: Carscoop

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Audi released its facelifted Audi TT in Leipzig recently. For those who need it spelled out, the 2011 model year TT gets a 211-horse 2.0 TFSI 4-banger as en entry-level engine, and the following styling updates: LED daytime running lights, fresh front- and rear-end treatments, new shades of blue/gray/red, and an extra 2 cm in length on the outside.

Inside, customers can opt for "aluminum-look" trim and a few new colors of leather. The TTS and TTRS power trains remain the same. For the full shebang, check out our previous post here. Otherwise, go a little lower...little lower...little lower...and check out the live pics from the show.

Source: Carscoop

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