Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will unveil its latest experimental car, called 200EX, at the Geneva Motor Show on 3 March 2009.

200EX is a design study for a contemporary four-door saloon and shows the direction for RR4, a new model series from Rolls-Royce due for production in 2010.

PHILOSOPHY

Experimental models have always played a significant role in the history of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, from the first – 1EX, built in 1919 – to the most recent – 101EX, built in 2006. Unlike a concept car, the experimental models developed by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars have always been fully functioning vehicles, residing in a tangible world of wood, leather and metals rather than clay and foam. EX cars offer designers and engineers the opportunity for real-world innovation and have been used to showcase new components and engineering techniques as well as exterior and interior designs. “Modern automotive engineering is a balance of creativity, innovation and application. 200EX is an opportunity to assess these new ideas”, explains Helmut Riedl, Director of Engineering.

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Following the presentation of the new Concept 5-Series Gran Turismo to the members of the press, BMW went ahead and issued the first official photos and details of its 5-door study that will enter production later this year with minimal changes as the 5-Series GT. So what exactly is the GT we hear you ask. Tough question. The GT, which is based on the next generation 5-Series, will complement the sedan and Touring versions of BMW’s mid-size executive model, supposedly offering buyers MPV-like practicality and 7-Series cabin space in a liftback package with a coupe-like roofline.

BMW 5-series Gran Turismo Concept PAS Then again, the GT which is described by BMW as the Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS), comes with a four-seat layout (what’s so practical about that?) and a design that is sure to create a new outburst of controversy, especially in what concerns its squatted and ‘uber’ Bangle-ized buttocks. All we can say is that if any other carmaker (e.g. Ssangyong…) were to introduce such a vehicle, the press would be cracking jokes like a drunk comedian.
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Citroen announced plans earlier this week to revive the DS nameplate for a line of mid-range premium models based on the new C3, C4 and C5. Germany’s AutoBild decided the world couldn’t wait for the Geneva Motor Show debut of the Citroen DS3, and published a few images of the concept a few weeks early.

What you see here is more than just a styling exercise. According to early reports, the concept, which is officially called the DS3 Inside, is very close to the production version due to arrive in Europe as a 2010 model. With underpinnings pulled from the new C3, Citroen is likely to offer a range of gasoline and diesel powerplants ranging from 1.2- to 2.0-liters.

Expect more information to follow in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, check out the gallery of the Citroen DS3 below.

Audi has decided hatchbacks are cool again, and after some educated speculation over the last few months, here we finally get an official look at what the design gurus in Ingolstadt have up their sleeves. The Sportback concept—unveiled at the 2009 Detroit auto show—is a mildly altered version of what will become the production A7, which will most likely debut at the Frankfurt auto show this fall.

You wouldn’t think that there is room in Audi’s lineup between the A6 and the next-generation A8, but this concept is already so clearly distinguished from those more conventional notchback sedans that it could define its own category. With a length of over 16 feet, the Sportback concept is almost in full-tilt flagship territory—an A8L is 17 feet long—while its four-and-a-half-foot height is decidedly coupe-like. Think Mercedes CLS on luxury ‘roids.

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Volkswagen’s Concept BlueSport should go a long way towards making the term “diesel performance” a household name. While it might seem to be an oxymoron to some, seeing it at the Detroit Auto Show, we can tell you that if it reaches production, everyone will be a believer. While officially just a concept for now (and the interior is a dead giveaway this isn’t production-ready), the two-door roadster sports a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four mounted amidships. It puts out 180 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque and pushes just 2,600 pounds via a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Expect a 0-60 of 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 140, all while returning about 35 mpg on the European cycle and upwards of 62 mpg in “Eco” mode.

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