Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Drive

Lisa Curtiss hopes Jaguar’s electric supercar soon becomes reality, and finds the best things now come in small packages at Aston Martin

Cat that got the cream

Jaguar’s stunning electric supercar concept

In an attempt to prove that supercars can be green too, Jaguar has revealed a stunning range-extended electric supercar concept. As fast as it is fabulous, the C-X75 can go from 0-100km/h in just 3.4 seconds thanks to four powerful electric motors producing a whopping 1600Nm of torque. The car has a range of 900km and emits a mere 28g of CO2 per kilometre, plus there’s a zero tailpipe emissions range of 110km while running on battery power. Impressive stuff – just a shame it won’t be available any time soon.

Joining the big boys

Latest line-up from Lotus packs a punch

Lotus has revealed its line-up for the next few years: the Eterne, Esprit, Elan, Elite, Elise and a yet-to-be-named, compact, super-low or zero emissions city car.

Based in Norfolk in the UK, the company says its exciting new range will position the brand – famous in the past for its racing heritage – as a serious premium performance sector contender, competing with even the likes of Ferrari.

Mix ‘n’ match

First ever Saab crossover model

Celebrating its new lease of life, Saab has launched its first crossover model, the 9-4X. Boasting a gutsy 2.8V6 engine, advanced all-wheel drive and Saab’s ‘DriveSense’ adaptive chassis, it promises to provide what might well be best-in-class-performance and driving dynamics, and to be equally at home treading tarmac or indulging in a little dirty soft-roading.

Substantial and stylish, with a spacious cabin, driver-focused cockpit and ample storage, the 9-4X is an important step in the Swedish brand’s renaissance as an independent premium car manufacturer. It’ll be on sale in Europe from August 2011, prices to be confirmed.

Small wonder

Aston Martin’s Cygnet city car

The adage ‘the best things come in small packages’ must ring true when it comes to the world’s coolest car company producing a model for the city so bijou you’d expect it to be delivered gift wrapped with a big glossy bow. But would Bond approve?

The luxury, dinky, eco-friendly Cygnet city car, shown as a concept back in March, is now confirmed to be heading into production, with the first European deliveries expected around September next year (prices yet to be announced). Each hand-finished motor promises to be unique, with owners-to-be able to choose from an almost unlimited palette of colours, materials and textures.

DEC DATES

3-5 December FIA Middle East Rally Championship, Dubai
15-23 January 89th European Motor Show, Brussels, www.salonauto.be

Leave a Reply