Audi reveals R8 E-Tron Piloted Driving concept at CES Asia

Audi reveals R8 E-Tron Piloted Driving concept at CES AsiaImage Credit: AudiImage Credit: AudiImage Credit: AudiImage Credit: AudiImage Credit: AudiImage Credit: AudiImage Credit: AudiImage Credit: AudiImage Credit: AudiImage Credit: AudiImage Credit: Audi2015 R8MSRP$115,900ShopReviewsMore Photos2016 Audi R8 e-tron: Geneva 20152016 Audi R8 LMS: Geneva 20152016 Audi R8: Geneva 20152016 Audi R8 LMS2016 Audi R82015 Audi R8 Competition: LA 2014Noah Joseph

Designed as they are to take the driver out of the equation, you might think that the idea of an autonomous vehicle would seem diametrically opposed to that of a supercar. But Audi disagrees. The German automaker has cooked up a series of "piloted driving" concepts that are increasingly focused on performance, and this could be the ultimate iteration yet.

Audi's latest Piloted Driving demonstrator is based on the R8 E-Tron. It's altogether almost identical to the one we saw in Geneva, packing an electric powertrain to deliver 456 horsepower, 679 pound-feet of torque and a 0-62 time of 3.9 seconds. Only in this case, it can do it all on its own, without any driver intervention.

To pull that off, Ingolstadt has fitted this show car with an array of sensors, including a new laser scanner, multiple video cameras, ultrasonic sensors and radar transmitters at both ends – all handled by a central "driver assistance control unit."

It's the latest in a series of concept cars that has already included a version of the RS7 Sportback designed to lap the racetrack, and the Prologue concept that drove itself to CES. This concept was similarly unveiled at CES Asia, the Eastern counterpart to the tech expo we usually catch in Las Vegas.

Just what the point is in engineering (or buying) one of the best-driving cars on the market and then handing over its operation to a computer, we don't quite get. But at least we can rest easy knowing that Audi is not giving up on performance as autonomous tech turns the driver into just another passenger.


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#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-933867{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-933867, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-933867{width:100%;display:block;}Show full PR textAudi R8 e-tron piloted driving technical concept car

340 kW of power, 0 to 100 km/h (62.1 mph) in 3.9 seconds and a driving range of 450 km (279.6 mi) – Audi has extensively developed its all-electrically powered high-performance R8 e-tron sports car further. The technology study is one of the highlights of CES Asia, and it brings together future technologies – which relate to lightweight design, high-performance drive systems and functions for piloted driving.

The Audi R8 e-tron piloted driving concept car is based on the multimaterial Space Frame of the new production R8. A rear car body module made of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) integrates the luggage compartment, which extends the frame structure. The walls of the luggage compartment shell are corrugated, so that they can absorb extreme amounts of energy with little material weight in case of a rear-end collision. Thanks to specific modifications made to the outer shell and wheels, the Audi R8 e-tron piloted driving attains a low Cd value of 0.28. Its front end and sideblades feature e-tron specific lighting solutions.

The T-shaped battery is structurally integrated into the center tunnel and behind the occupant cell – its low center of gravity further boosts the already excellent driving dynamics of the R8 e-tron piloted driving. The high-voltage battery is based on a new lithium-ion technology that has, for the first time, been specifically designed for the drive system of an all-electric vehicle. Compared to the first technology platform, the battery's energy capacity has grown from 49 kWh to approximately 92 kWh. Optimized space utilization and improved battery cell technology enabled this progress without requiring package modifications. Audi produces the high-voltage battery itself.

The R8 e-tron piloted driving achieves an electric range of 450 kilometers (279.6 mi) instead of a previous 215 kilometers (133.6 mi), its energy density was increased from 84 Wh/kg to 154 Wh/kg and several other modifications were made. The high-performance sports car has the Combined Charging System (CCS) on board, which allows charging with direct and alternating current. With this system, the customer can charge the large battery in significantly less than two hours.

The two electric motors each output 170 kW of power and 460 Nm (339.3 lb-ft) of torque to the rear axle. The R8 e-tron piloted driving rockets from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62.1 mph) in 3.9 seconds on its way to an electronically-governed top speed of 210 km/h (130.5 mph) or 250 km/h (155.3 mph), depending on the car's tires. Intelligent energy management and an electromechanical brake system enable high energy recuperation rates. Targeted torque vectoring – needs-based distribution of power transmission between the rear wheels – ensures maximum stability and dynamism.

The R8 e-tron piloted driving technical study is equipped with all of the functions of piloted driving. Data is acquired from the interplay of an array of sensors: a new type of laser scanner, several video cameras, ultrasonic sensors and radar sensors at the front and rear. Based on signals from these sources, the central driver assistance control unit (zFAS), a compact central computer, computes a comprehensive picture of the vehicle's environment.

Audi can build the R8 e-tron in handcrafted quality to meet special customer requests. The company uses its high-performance electric sports car primarily as a high-tech mobile laboratory.

Fuel consumption of the models named above:

Audi A3 Sportback e-tron:
Combined fuel consumption in l/100 km: 1.7 – 1.5** (138.4 – 156.8 US mpg);
Combined electrical power consumption in kWh/100km: 124 – 114**;
Combined CO2 emissions in g/km: 39 – 35** (62.8 – 56.3 g/mi)

Audi Q7 e-tron 2.0 TFSI quattro
This vehicle is not yet on sale. It does not yet have type approval and is therefore not subject to Directive 1999/94/EC.

Audi R8 LMX:
This vehicle is not yet on sale. It does not yet have type approval and is therefore not subject to Directive 1999/94/EC.

Audi R8 e-tron:
This vehicle is not yet on sale. It does not yet have type approval and is therefore not subject to Directive 1999/94/EC.

**Details on the fuel consumption, the CO2 emissions and efficiency classes given as a range depend on the tire/wheel set used.Featured GalleryAudi R8 E-Tron Piloted Driving Concept

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396-hp Golf GTE Sport hybrid concept is a carbon-fiber tease

VW debuts carbon-intensive plug-in hatch at Worthersee as a hint at future tech

Volkswagen has used this year's Worthersee tuning festival in Austria to reveal the latest in the line of GTE hybrid concepts, debuting alongside the positively mental Audi TT packing 600 hp. The Golf GTE Sport concept picks up where the last hybrid concept left off, combining blistering perfomance while retaining a measure of green cred.

The Golf GTE Sport hatch is powered by a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four engine borrowed from the Polo R WRC (World Rally Car) along with two electric motors, one in the front and one in the back. Together, the engine and the two motors churn out 396 hp and 495 lb-ft of torque, which is enough to propel the hatch to 62 mph in just 4.3 seconds when all three powerplants are working together -- kind of like robots from Japanese cartoons that combine to form one large robot. As other GTE family concepts, the Golf can function in all-electric mode with a maximum range of 31 miles, while boasting fuel economy of 141.2 mpg (In the Euro cycle).

And, like other recent GTE concepts, the Golf can function in E-Mode, running completely on electricity after being charged, in hybrid mode which engages regenerative braking to help the battery, and in GTE Mode with all three units working together.

Car Reviews 2015 Volkswagen Golf GTE first drive

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The Golf GTE Sport concept can hit 62 mph in just 4.3 seconds with all three motors working together. Photo by Volkswagen

Composed largely of carbon, this concept hatch features doors that open upward like in the production XL1 hatch, while the interior offers two separate areas for the driver and the passenger, as in motorsport cars. The interior contains plenty of other features inspired by racing layouts, including a steering column that extends far into the cocoon-like cockpit. Instrumentation is displayed on three transparent screens which are positioned one behind another, with the smallest being the closest to the driver.

There's no use in calling up your local Volkswagen dealer -- the Golf GTE Sport isn't headed to showrooms anytime soon. But other GTE concepts such as the Sport Coupe GTE that debuted at the Geneva auto show just a couple of months ago, and the C Coupe GTE from the Shanghai auto show stand a much better chance of making it into production, along with most of the hybrid tech if not the carbon bodywork.

Geneva Motor Show Volkswagen Sport Coupe Concept GTE debuts at Geneva auto show

This week Volkswagen unveiled the Sport Coupe Concept GTE at the Geneva motor show. Said to debut a new design language for the brand, the Sport Coupe Concept GTE features a crisp form and repeating ...

The interior is pretty futuristic, to put it mildly. And you won't see it in the Golf anytime soon. Photo by Volkswagen

Besides, there is already a Golf GTE that's a plug-in hybrid (not in the States), though its 0-62 time is nothing to write home about; it majors in fuel economy. But with a starting price of $48,440 across the Atlantic, are we ready for a plug-in hybrid Golf over here?  Perhaps if the production version boasted a 4.3-second sprint to 62 mph it could be worth it. For now, this concept is staying on the drawing board.

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Volkswagen Golf GTE Sport Concept debuts at Worthersee

Volkswagen Golf GTE Sport Concept debuts at Worthersee396-HP Plug-In Hybrid "Bridges The Gap Between Road Cars And Racing Sport Cars"2015 GolfMSRP$19,295ShopReviewsMore PhotosVW Golf In Autostadt2015 Volkswagen Golf GTD Variant: Geneva 20152015 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen2015 Volkswagen Golf GTD VariantVolkswagen Golf SportWagen and Passat HyMotion2015 Volkswagen GolfSteven J. Ewing

Do you like hot Volkswagens? So do we. And that's why the annual Wörthersee festival in Austria is a treat. It's where the Volkswagen Group shows off some performance-minded concept cars, like the GTI Clubsport or the 600-horsepower Audi TT. But VW wants to show that it's possible to increase performance while still maintaining some eco-friendly dignity. And that's where this striking Golf GTE Sport Concept comes in.

The concept is powered by a three-motor plug-in hybrid system. There's a 1.6-liter turbocharged inline-four up front, with electric motors mounted at each axle. Total output is said to be 396 horsepower, which is enough to move the all-wheel-drive hatch to 62 miles per hour in 4.3 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 174 mph. It can drive under full electric power, act as a traditional hybrid, or go into full "GTE" mode, where the engine and both motors are on full assault.

Its styling is definitely forward-thinking, with angles and creases abound. But it still retains that signature Golf C-pillar design, with a two-tier adaptation first seen on the outrageous GTI W12-650 concept from 2007. The body is largely constructed from carbon fiber and has doors that swing forward and up (think BMW i8). Volkswagen says the Golf GTE Sport Concept "bridges the gap between road cars and racing sport cars."

That's evident inside the car, too. There's a rakish dashboard with a three-tier instrument display setup, and a very aggressive cockpit design for the two-seat cabin. Five-point seatbelts on each chair and a racing-inspired steering wheel really drive home the performance mindset of this concept.

There's a lot more to learn in the detailed press release below. Check it out, but not before scrolling through the image gallery above. This one's certainly a looker.

Show full PR textWorld premiere of the Golf GTE Sport: Plug-in hybrid sports car catapults the GT idea to the future

- Lightweight and high-strength body of the Golf GTE Sport is made of carbon

- Concept car with a top speed of 280 km/h is a zero emission vehicle and a race car in one

Five key facts about the Golf GTE Sport:
1. Golf GTE Sport is powered by a 295 kW / 400 PS plug-in hybrid system
2. Progressive Golf GTE Sport bridges the gap between road cars and racing sport cars
3. Avant-garde exterior design of the Golf GTE Sport perfects the idea of C-pillars with two-level construction
4. Golf GTE Sport debuts with digital instruments arranged on three levels and tailored to motor racing
5. Golf GTE Sport accelerates to 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds and has a top speed of up to 280 km/h on the racetrack

Wolfsburg / Reifnitz, May 2015. Ringing in a new era: with the Golf GTE Sport presented as a world premiere at the legendary GTI event at Lake Wörthersee on 14 May 2015, Volkswagen is catapulting the GT tradition into the future. The high-tech Golf that is largely made of carbon is powered by a total of three motors – combined in a plug-in hybrid drive with system power of 295 kW / 400 PS. The concept car breaks down traditional barriers between road and motorsport vehicles. Its progressive hybrid system in combination with the high-tech all-wheel drive, a lightweight body, optimum aerodynamic downforce, precision running gear based on the design of the current Golf GTE, a new motor racing cockpit (including visualisation of the racing line) and an unusual seating concept (two monocoque-like interior areas) enable breathtaking performance on the racetrack. At the press of a button, however, the concept car is able to cover a distance of up to 50 kilometres on electric power alone and hence with zero emissions.

Drive system from motorsport and research

World Rally Car TSI engine. The 1.6 litre TSI (turbocharged direct-injection engine) adapted from the superb Polo R WRC (World Rally Car) is accommodated in the engine compartment at the front of the car. It delivers 220 kW / 299 PS and maximum torque of 400 Nm. Volkswagen has already won the World Rally Championship twice with this engine. In the Golf GTE Sport the four-cylinder masterpiece is assisted by two electric motors. The engineers positioned the first electric motor at the front (in the housing of the 6-speed dual-clutch gearbox). It develops 85 kW / 115 PS and maximum torque of 330 Nm. The second electric motor is located at the rear with the same power output but torque of 270 Nm. The total torque of the drive system is 670 Nm. Whenever possible, the concept car is powered solely by electricity without producing any emissions. In sporty "GTE mode" all three motors work together, giving the all-wheel-drive Golf GTE Sport a standstill to 100 km/h time of 4.3 seconds and a top speed of 280 km/h. In the NEDC cycle for plug-in hybrid vehicles the sports car consumes just 2.0 l/100 km/h.

Pure-bred sports car.

Balanced for the Nürburgring north loop. The concept of the Golf GTE Sport has been designed so that the car is at home in both normal road traffic and racetrack conditions. Accordingly, the drive, suspension, body and interior all follow the principle of a pure-bred sports car. The drive system offers maximum agility, the suspension displays maximum neutrality in interaction with the all-wheel drive, the carbon body is lightweight and with its balanced aerodynamics it virtually adheres to the road. The driver ergonomics bridge the gap to motor racing, and with optimum weight distribution and a low centre of gravity the overall package ensures that a lap around racetracks such as the north loop of the Nürburgring is a unique driving experience.

Interior rings in a new sports car era

Two-seater race car. The driver and passenger board the two-seater interior of the Golf GTE Sport through doors that swing right up in the style of the XL 1. The doors extend a long way up into the roof and down into the side sills, resulting in convenient boarding when they are opened upwards. The interior in carbon and microfibre consists of two completely separate areas for the driver and passenger. Like in motorsport vehicles, they sit quite a long way to the back on racing bucket seats with five-point belts. Accordingly, the steering column that is entirely clad in carbon projects a long way into the interior where it appears to float – a further characteristic feature of a rally car or touring-car racer. The functional elements are operated via controllers and buttons in the cocoon-like interior trim. The gearbox of the Golf GTE Sport can also be operated manually with shift paddles on the motorsport steering wheel.

Instruments on three levels. The instruments featuring a completely new design have been specially coordinated for the configuration of the driver's workspace. The Volkswagen interface designers opted for three transparent displays arranged behind one another on which all relevant information is displayed. On the smallest display at the front (closest to the driver) information such as the selected gear and the recuperation status is displayed; information that is only sporadically checked from the corner of the eye whilst driving. The centre display has secondary yet more complex information such as the power currently delivered by the drive (power meter) and the boost intensity of the plug-in system (electric boost). Information such as the current speed and the range are constantly in the driver's field of vision on the third and largest display. In addition, in "GTE mode" not only is the current lap displayed (e.g. 9 of 16), but there is also a virtual indicator of the ideal driving line – valuable assistance for safe and fast driving on complex racetracks such as the aforementioned Nürburgring north loop.

Ergonomic perfection. The clearly arranged multifunction switch for starting and stopping the hybrid drive and controlling the 6-speed DSG is ideally positioned to the right of the driver for easy access. Right next to it there is a control panel for further vehicle functions; these include a button for activating a fire extinguishing system similar to that used in motorsport. Furthermore, the passenger is also supplied with data via a display in his interior segment. In "Info Mode" the current speed, the gear currently engaged and the engine speed can be displayed. If the passenger switches to "Data Mode" he can call up the vehicle acceleration and lateral force figures (g- forces). It is not only the use of carbon, but rather a general lightweight design that saves weight in the interior. For example, the loops for opening the doors are made of the same synthetic fibre as the five-point belts. Moreover, extremely elaborate ergonomics prevail in every detail. The operating mode switch for selecting "E- Mode", "GTE-Mode" or "Hybrid-Mode", for example, is situated in the roof, like in a jet plane.

Body design and concept

Extremely lightweight. The body of the Golf GTE Sport is largely made of lightweight carbon. As both a brand and a group, Volkswagen is a trailblazer in the industrial use of this material. For example, like the exterior of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, the body of the Volkswagen XL1 is also made of carbon. The high-strength carbon body of the Golf GTE Sport therefore weighs much less than a comparable steel body.

Side profile. The design concept of the Golf GTE Sport manifests itself in the car's striking silhouette. Here, Volkswagen is continuing the idea of C-pillars with a two-level design originating from the 2007 Golf GTI W12-650, which has been constantly further perfected in various concept cars. On the Golf GTE Sport that is now being presented, this C-pillar concept, which is unique worldwide, has reached a degree of perfection that allows it to leave the show car stage and – as a design vision – bridge the gap to the Golf GT models of the future. The basic styling of these pillars (like the string of a bow taut with an arrow) follows the unmistakable Golf design, but at the same time feature some completely new C-pillar details: behind the level visible from outside a second one opens up. The airstream flows between these two levels and is contributing to the aerodynamic downforce and to the cooling of the rear brake system. Stylistically, this concept means that the rear section (like the front section) is extremely wide. By contrast, the passenger cell between the A-pillar and the interior part of the C-pillar becomes narrower when viewed from the front to the rear – an avant-garde interplay of extremely powerful shapes.

Doors and sills fold upwards. As described, the concept car painted in pearlescent "White Club" has two gullwing doors that swing forwards. The upper part that extends a long way into the roof is entirely made of dark visible carbon. A large part of the side sill is integrated in the door cutout. The three-dimensional body of the sill is enhanced at the top in the door section with an area in dark visible carbon. Further features on the side profile in visible carbon are the door mirror caps, the door window frames and the lower sill area. This part of the sill is designed as a splitter, i.e. a thin and sharp aerodynamic element, a feature familiar in motorsport. The side sill is framed by the new 20-inch alloy wheels fitted with tyres in format 235 at the front and 275 at the rear.

Front. With the front section of the Golf GTE Sport the Volkswagen design team is impressively illustrating how the Golf GT models could develop in future. On the concept car, the designers removed the striking blue radiator grille line of the Golf GTE production model from the grille and positioned it below the bonnet as a blue crossbar running across the whole width of the front. Below it, three further crossbars in black chrome look extend across the centre air inlet. The high-gloss black air inlet grille itself has the honeycomb structure typical of GT models. A further air inlet below the crossbars is framed at the top and to the sides by a striking aerodynamic element (also made of carbon). A double spoiler, also designed as a splitter, rounds off the front. Here, too, carbon is used.

LED headlights and daytime running lights. All electric and plug- in hybrid models from Volkswagen have C-shaped LED daytime running lights as a distinctive feature, and the Golf GTE Sport is no exception. Here, they frame the whole radiator grille unit at the sides, and in the top area there is an almost seamless transition from the LED daytime running lights to the extremely narrow and sharp LED headlights.

Rear. Never before has Volkswagen realised such a charismatic and sporty rear for a Golf. Here, too, the two levels of the C-pillars are a defining stylistic feature giving the Golf GTE Sport a very wide and powerful appearance from the rear. The extended outer levels of the C-pillars at the rear – like the tail unit of an aeroplane – elongate the car together with the large roof spoiler. Typically Golf: the striking tailgate with a vertical downward angle at the level of the redesigned LED rear lights. At the top, the tailgate is limited by a black carbon roof spoiler – a wing that seems to hover in front of the tailgate at a distance of a few millimetres to the roof. The C-pillars that taper at an angle to the rear and the bumper merge into one another, with the latter projecting far above the line of the tailgate. As an imaginary continuation of the side strip made of visible carbon (above the sill), the top edge of the bumper also features visible carbon. Below this is an area painted in the body colour (with air outlets on the outside). The last level is a large diffuser made of visible carbon with the splitter that is also continued here. The round stainless steel trims of the twin-pipe exhaust system are integrated in the middle of the diffuser.

Drive – plug-in hybrid and electric propshaft

E-Mode – setting off on electric power. No Golf has ever had three motors before. But this one does. As described at the beginning, the combustion engine fitted by Volkswagen is a turbocharged 1.6-litre four-cylinder direct-injection engine (TSI) that produces 220 kW / 299 PS of power and a maximum torque of 400 Nm. The electric components consist of the lithium-ion battery and two electric motors. The front electric motor is integrated in the housing of the 6- speed DSG (DQ400E). Both electric motors have a power output of 85 kW. The total available system power is 295 kW / 400 PS. If necessary, the system drive power can be distributed to all four wheels thanks to the rear electric motor and an "electric propshaft". In normal operation the Golf GTE Sport drives just as quietly as the production Golf GTE that is already marketed. In "E-Mode" it is setting off purely electrically. In this case the concept car uses the battery that can be charged externally (but also whilst driving) to cruise without producing any emissions. It can cover up to 50 kilometres on a battery charge. When a defined minimum battery charge is reached, the 1.6 TSI is automatically switched on and the Golf GTE Sport drives in "Hybrid" mode. As soon as the battery reaches a certain charge level again, "E-Mode" can be reactivated at any time via a switch in the overhead console. In "E-Mode", the rear axle electric motor is first and foremost responsible for propulsion. When high demands are made on performance, the front electric motor is also activated to provide support.

Hybrid mode – silent coasting. As soon as the drive system or the driver deactivates "E-Mode", the Golf GTE Sport becomes a classic full hybrid with regenerative braking charging the battery and automatic utilisation of the right combination of TSI and/or electric motors according to the specific drive situation. When the driver releases the accelerator pedal, and the battery is sufficiently charged, all drive sources are shut off. This is referred to as "coasting". If the driver releases the accelerator pedal or brakes, and the battery is insufficiently charged, the two electric motors operate as generators and charge the lithium-ion battery with the energy recovered from braking. With the dual mode "Battery Hold" or "Battery Charge" the battery's energy content can be deliberately kept constant by the driver ("Hold") or increased ("Charge"). When the 1.6 TSI engine is the sole source of propulsion, the concept car is a pure front-wheel drive car.

GTE-Mode – the power of three hearts. The switch on board the Golf GTE Sport that is most important for dynamic performance is located in the overhead console. It bears the letters "GTE". When the driver operates this switch, the character of the Golf GTE Sport's drivetrain changes drastically in an instant because now the full system power of 400 PS is available. The turbocharged 299 PS petrol engine alone delivers immense propulsive power, and at this high level the electric drive components of the Golf GTE Sport assume an additional boost function. The boost effect is so strong that the drive unit would also perform well if used in professional touring car races: the Golf GTE Sport sprints to 50 km/h in 1.8 seconds, reaches 100 km/h in 4.3 seconds, and the maximum speed permitted in Austria, i.e. 130 km/h, in 6.5 seconds. On German motorways, the concept car reaches 200 km/h in 15.9 seconds. In "GTE-Mode" all four wheels of the Golf are driven.

All-wheel drive – "electric propshaft". In "GTE-Mode" and as soon as the situation necessitates it, the drive power of the Golf GTE Sport is distributed to both axles. In this case (and if battery charge is low), the front electric motor – which is now being supplied with kinetic energy via the TSI – acts solely as a generator and a source of electricity for its counterpart at the rear axle. Since the energy for driving the rear axle flows by wire and not mechanically here, this is referred to as an "electric propshaft". Because the TSI drives the rear electric motor via the front electric motor, the all-wheel drive system also operates when the battery's charge state is low – an invaluable advantage in terms of driving dynamics. The importance of the implementation of the "electric propshaft" for Volkswagen with regard to series production is demonstrated by the fact that the company has had the German equivalent of this designation protected under copyright law.Featured Gallery

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Own the Pontiac Banshee XP-833 concept car

Driveable concept from 1964 was aimed at the Ford Mustang

It's rare for a concept car from one of the Big Three to avoid the crusher -- car companies have long had a practice of destroying concepts and prototypes. That goes for the smallest clay bucks to fully driveable vehicles created for auto shows or for testing. But every once in a while a concept or prototype is able to escape this cruel fate, to be appreciated and prized by car collectors down the road.

The Pontiac Banshee is one such car, and in a couple of weeks buyers from around the country will gather to bid on this rare beast. But what's the story behind this particular concept?

The 1964 Pontiac Banshee XP-833 concept car was one of the concepts created by General Motors to take on the Ford Mustang. Authorized by none other than Pontiac Motor Division head John DeLorean, the Banshee concept envisioned an impossibly sleek two seater. The exterior design took cues from the Corvair Monza GT show car of 1963 and the 1965 Mako Shark II Corvette show car. A scaled-down Corvette, the Banshee melded an aerodynamic design with a rear-set cabin and a truncated tail. The concept also featured a very short wheelbase and a relatively short height. The Corvair Monza parts bin was raided for most of the interior bits -- a common approach for the purposes of concept cars -- while the engine bay received a Pontiac six-cylinder overhead cam engine connected to a four-speed manual transmission.

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The 1964 Pontiac Banshee XP-833 concept car features a six-cylinder engine. Photo by Dragone Auctions

Pontiac's Advanced Engineering department built a number of styling and engineering prototypes for different purposes, with this example created for the show circuit. That means that its powertrain is functional, and that the car was finished to appear as production-ready as possible, down to the license plate niches, seat belts, door locks and an AC system. A total of four running concept cars were built, each featuring slightly different details and styling, with this particular example said to have been the first of the batch.

Ultimately, the Banshee ended up being a dead end for Pontiac -- it would be the Camaro that would take on the Ford Mustang, and the Banshee's styling was deemed to be too close to that of the Corvette. General Motors judged that the Banshee would steal sales from the Corvette itself, and retired the Banshee concepts from the car show circuit. Curiously enough, the basic shape would return with some tweaks to the GM lineup in the form of the Opel GT, which was sold through Buick dealerships in the U.S. and also offered reasonably sporty motoring on a budget.

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The interior of the 1964 Pontiac Banshee XP-833 concept was built to be as production-like as possible. Photo by Dragone Auctions

The auction description is strangely silent about the chain of ownership and other mundane details, as well as the work, if any, that has been done to the car. Concepts, especially ones from fifty years ago, tend to not age well cosmetically or mechanically.

This Banshee concept is estimated to bring between $600,000 and $650,000 on auction day. GM prototypes and styling exercises from this era aren't exactly plentiful, and the Banshee is in the top tier of surviving concepts due to its driveability and interior finish. This concept is also blessed by the fact that this is not an empty shell that was rebuilt to run later on in life -- it was made from the start to be a driveable machine, down to details like a push-button AM stereo in the center stack.

Dragone Auctions is a relatively new outfit; the Connecticut-based Dragone classic car restoration business held its first sale just a couple of years ago, a sale that went remarkably smoothly for an inaugural outing. We wouldn't be surprised to see the Banshee at the Greenwich Concours d'Elegance in just a couple of weeks, since it's just 15 minutes away from the Dragone brothers' shop.

Visit the auction website to view the complete list of lots and details.

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BMW teases 3.0 CSL Hommage concept

BMW teases 3.0 CSL Hommage conceptSteven J. Ewing

If you're a fan of the Batmobile (no, not that Batmobile), we've got good news for you. BMW is building a concept that pays tribute to the original 3.0 CSL, and it's being unveiled at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on May 22. Judging by the teaser image pictured here, it's going to be hot.

According to BMW, the Hommage concept "is a nod to the engineering achievement exemplified by the BMW 3.0 CSL in its lightweight design and performance." Furthermore, the automaker says this concept will have "striking air deflectors, powerful wheel arches and a prominent roof and rear spoiler." The main focus of the car is lightness, and BMW trumpets the use of weight-saving materials both inside the cabin, as well as throughout the bodywork.

That's all we know right now, but we expect good things. After all, BMW stunned us with its M1 Hommage concept a few years ago. Here's hoping the iconic CSL's throwback is just as good.

Show full PR textBMW 3.0 CSL HOMMAGE. MOTOR SPORT WITH AN ELEGANT CHARACTER.

Munich/Cernobbio. On 22 May 2015, the BMW Group will unveil the new BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage to the global public for the first time at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. This model is the BMW Design Team's tribute to the BMW 3.0 CSL, a timeless classic and iconic BMW Coupe from the 1970s. The BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage is a nod to the engineering achievement exemplified by the BMW 3.0 CSL in its lightweight design and performance. The Hommage draws on the character of the earlier model and endows it with cutting-edge materials to translate it into the present in a new and exciting guise.

Exclusive, confident, athletic: the exterior design.

The design of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage exudes sheer dynamics, with the body framed by striking air deflectors, powerful wheel arches and a prominent roof and rear spoiler. The stretched flanks serve as an elegant counterpoint to the distinctly sporty front and rear end. Subtle and finely sculpted surfaces convey dynamics and exclusivity, while the extensive use of carbon fibre for the lower section highlights the car's systematic lightweight design concept.

Elegant purism: the interior design.

The rigorously pared-down interior of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage renders its lightweight concept not only visible but tangible as well. All the elements in the cabin are absolutely essential and each constituent has a high-quality structural or driving-related function. In its materials and detail solutions, the Hommage displays technical supremacy and formal sophistication. Like the interior as a whole, it reflects the special character of the BMW 3.0 CSL Hommage, embodying as it does a consummate combination of lightweight design, sportiness and elegance.

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VW GTI Clubsport Concept celebrates model's 40th birthday with 261 hp

VW GTI Clubsport Concept celebrates model's 40th birthday with 261 hpImage Credit: VolkswagenImage Credit: VolkswagenImage Credit: Volkswagen2015 GTIMSRP$24,395ShopReviewsMore PhotosVolkswagen GTI Supersport Vision Gran TurismoVolkswagen GTI Supersport Vision Gran Turismo: Teasers2015 Volkswagen GTI Long-Term TestPeugeot 308 GTi2015 Volkswagen Polo GTI: Paris 20142015 Volkswagen Polo GTIChris Bruce

Volkswagen is celebrating the four-decade milestone for the GTI with the world debut of the GTI Clubsport concept at the annual Wörthersee festival in Austria. While the version in these sketches is just a prototype, European buyers at least are set to get a production model in early 2016.

The Clubsport is essentially a way for VW to split the difference between the already well-liked GTI and the hotter Golf R. In concept form, it packs 261 horsepower, compared to 220 hp from the standard version in the US with the Performance Package or 292 hp from the R. A temporary overboost function even lets the Clubsport make about 10 percent more power for short periods.

Beyond just the mechanical upgrades, the concept in these sketches also wears a revised lower air dam at the front with a mesh grille and big strakes at the corners, and there's a new roof spoiler and rear diffuser at the back. VW also promises a more "individualized" interior.

Unfortunately, the North America might not be getting this more powerful GTI. "There are no plans to bring the car to the US currently," VW spokesperson Mark Gillies told Autoblog. At this time, VW only has info about the Clubsport in German, which you can take a look at below.


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#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-482343{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-482343, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-482343{width:100%;display:block;}Show full PR textWeltpremiere des Golf GTI Clubsport am Wörthersee

Exklusives Jubiläumsmodell zum 40. Geburtstag des GTI

Golf GTI Clubsport debütiert mit 265 PS und Boost-Funktion

Im kommenden Jahr feiert der Golf GTI seinen 40. Geburtstag. Volkswagen wird dieses historische Ereignis mit einem progressiven Jubiläumsmodell adeln: dem neuen Golf GTI Clubsport. In Form einer seriennahen Studie wird Volkswagen den Golf GTI Clubsport bereits am 14. Mai 2015 als Weltpremiere im Rahmen des legendären GTI-Treffens am Wörthersee präsentieren.

Mit einer Leistung von 195 kW / 265 PS (plus 35 PS gegenüber dem Golf GTI Performance*) sowie einer temporär dank Boost-Funktion nochmals um rund 10 Prozent höheren Spitzenleistung soll der Golf GTI Clubsport Anfang 2016 als der bis dato stärkste jemals in Serie gebaute „GTI" durchstarten. Das Jubiläumsmodell wird nicht nur mit einem extrem leistungsstarken Motor, sondern mit einem individualisierten Interieur und exklusiven Karosseriedetails auf den Markt kommen.

Zu den Design-Modifikationen gehören ein komplett neuer Frontstoß-fänger, neue Seitenschweller, ein ebenfalls neuer und aerodynamisch hoch innovativer Dachkantenspoiler sowie ein eigens entwickelter Heckdiffusor. Konzipiert wurden all diese Features mit dem Ziel, die Performance des „GTI" weiter zu steigern und dabei Form und Funktion perfekt miteinander in Einklang zu bringen. Im Zusammenspiel aus der dank Boost-Funktion sehr hohen Leistung und signifikant verbesserter Abtriebswerte dringt der Golf GTI Clubsport in die fahrdynamischen Dimensionen des Motorsports vor. In der Folge bleibt das Fahrverhalten auch bei sehr hohen Geschwindigkeiten extrem stabil. Zudem sind atemberaubende Kurvengeschwindigkeiten möglich. Der neue Golf GTI Clubsport empfiehlt sich damit als Sportwagen in Reinkultur.Featured GalleryVolkswagen GTI Clubsport Concept

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