MBTech Shows Off Plug-In Hybrid Pickup Concept at IAA Show in Hannover

Daimler subsidiary MBTech has presented a 1:1 scale model of its Reporter concept study at the 63rd IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hannover. The four-seater plug in hybrid pickup truck with the Smart Fortwo-esque fascia was designed in just six months using CAD and digital prototyping.

At a press conference at the show, MBTech President and Spokesperson Werner Kropsbauer explained the rationale behind the Reporter: "We wanted to create a low-emission vehicle drive for urban and regional transport which is realistically feasible today and not in 2025."

Though the example shown at the IAA Show was merely a mock up, MBTech has been thinking about the drive system for a working prototype. The Reporter would use a plug-in hybrid system MBTech calls DualX E-Drive, which couples a 70 kw (94 hp) electric motor with a 75 kw (101 hp) 1.2-liter internal combustion engine that can run on either gasoline or compressed natural gas.

In the DualX E-Drive system, the electric motor turns the rear wheels while the ICE turns the front. The two systems can either work independently or together, though MBTech has not said what switching from FWD to RWD to AWD would do to the driving dynamics.

The Reporter is expected to have a top speed of 130 km/h (81 mph) and a combined range of 300 km (186 miles), which drops to 55 (34 miles) if using only the electric motor.

It also features a network of tiny solar cells on the tonneau cover, which produce 266 Watts – enough to power the air conditioning, interior lightning or the sound system (though not all three at once). The cells can also be used to recharge the vehicle's 12 volt battery.

By Tristan Hankins

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New Photos of Kia's Paris Show Mini Car Concept Pop Up

Kia has let loose new photos of its POP electric mini car concept a week ahead of its scheduled world premiere at the 2010 Mondial de l'automobile in Paris. The overly futuristic looking study for a small electric vehicle was penned by Kia's European design team under the direction of Peter Schreyer, Kia's Chief Design Officer, and Gregory Guillaume, the firm's Chief Designer in Europe.

"A concept car like the POP could only have come from us," says Gregory Guillaume. "Designers very rarely have the opportunity to start from a clean sheet of paper and it's great to be in a position to operate with such freedom."

That freedom translates into a car measuring just three meters in length, or 15mm longer than the Toyota / Scion iQ, with swinging front doors and seating for three with a couch-like front bench seat and a side-mounted single seat at the back, which looks perfect for junior 'time out' or to revenge your mother-in-law.

The South Korean maker is keeping a tight lid on other details.

The POP Concept car will share Kia's Paris motorshow stand with a number of production models including the new Optima sedan that will make its Euro debut before going on sale in select European countries this year. Kia said sales throughout Western Europe will commence in 2011. The EU-spec Optima will be offered with a choice of two powerplants, a 1.7-liter turbo diesel with 136-horsepower and a 2.0-liter gasoline engine delivering 170-ponies.

READ MORE - New Photos of Kia's Paris Show Mini Car Concept Pop Up

ARK Performance and Hyundai Tune Up Genesis Coupe for 2010 SEMA Show

The Hyundai Genesis Coupe is no stranger to the SEMA Show; tuned versions of the South Korean carmaker's two-door sports were present at both the 2008 and 2009 Shows. Now, Hyundai has teamed up with ARK Performance Inc. to produce the ARK Track Time Attack Genesis Coupe 3.8L V6 show car that will make its debut at the Las Vegas 2010 SEMA Show in the beginning of November.

Featuring production-ready custom parts that will soon be available to consumers, the ARK / Genesis Coupe incorporates modifications to the engine, brakes, wheels and suspension, as well as upgrades to the exterior and interior. ARK's goal was to tweak the Genesis Coupe's standard 306 hp (228 kw) 3.8 L V6 to a sweet 450 hp (336 kw).

Ted Lee, owner, ARK Performance Inc., comments on the project:

"The Hyundai Genesis Coupe is the ideal car for enthusiasts with its strong performance characteristics and dynamic design. The ARK Track Time Attack Genesis Coupe SEMA car demonstrates the ways tuners can improve the performance of their own Genesis Coupe."

A full list of upgrades is available at the end of this article, but here is the short and sweet version:

The ARK Track Time Attack Genesis Coupe will get new con rods, supercharger with intercooler, hi-flow intake valve and an ECU tune. It will also get a new exhaust with dual downpipes. To reign in this monster are big ol' Brembo brakes and a modified suspension setup including front and rear sway bars, front strut and power bracing.

Inside there is iPad integration, an Infinity Sound System, new gauges, racing seats with harnesses and a roll cage. Meanwhile there are new bumpers, side skirts, rear diffuser, rear wing and a carbon fibre hood and grille on the outside.

As promised, below is the full list of upgrades.

By Tristan Hankins

Powertrain:
Mahle Performance Ring Set 3.8L Lambda
Brian Crower Connecting Rods – Pro Series with ARP2000
APG KOREA 3.8 Supercharger Kit
HKS M45XL Spark Plugs
APG KOREA Intercooler
APG KOREA Intercooler Piping
APG KOREA Oil Cooler
ARK True Dual GRIP Exhaust System
ARK 3-1 Dual headers
ARK Dual Downpipes
ARK Testpipes
ARK Hi Flow Intake
ARK Carbon Fiber Cooling Plate
APG KOREA ECU
Blow Off Valve
Camshafts
ARK Lightweight SC Pulley

Brakes:
Brembo Big Brake System
Stainless Steel Brake Lines
DBA Drilled Slotted Rotors
Endless Brake Pads

Transmission:
Clutchmaster Stage 4 Kit with Lighten Steel Chromoly Flywheel

Wheels and tires:
VOLK TE37 SL (Super Lights) – Mackin Industries
Toyo Tires
Kics Lug Nuts
Kics Wheel Spacers

Suspension:
ARK DTP Coilovers System
ARK Front Sway Bar
ARK Rear Sway Bar
ARK Front Strut Bar
Cusco Front Pillow Ball Mount
Cusco Front Adj. Control Arms
Cusco Front Lower Power Brace
Cusco Rear Member Power Brace

Interior:
Apple iPad Integration Kit
Apple iPad Custom Bezel
Infinity Sound System
Blitz Guages – Provided by Driveline Motoring
Bride Zeta 3 Hyper Red Seats - Provided by Driveline Motoring
Additional Bride Fabric - Provided by Driveline Motoring
Takada Short Harness - Provided by Driveline Motoring
Shift boot - Provided by Driveline Motoring
ARK Racing Pedals
ARK 6-point Chromoly Roll Cage
Sparco Champion Edition Steering Wheel - Provided by Driveline Motoring
NRG Black Carbon Ring Quick Release - Provided by Driveline Motoring
NRG Steering Wheel Short Hub - Provided by Driveline Motoring
Sparco Seat Rails - Provided by Driveline Motoring

Exterior:
ARK SFX Front Bumper
ARK SFX Rear Bumper
ARK SFX Wide Front Fenders
ARK SFX Wide Rear Fender
ARK SFX Side Skirts
ARK CFX v2 Carbon Hood
ARK CFX v2 Carbon Grille
ARK Rear Diffuser
Voltex Type 1S 1480mm CF Wing - Provided By Driveline Motoring
Custom Color – Beyond Bodyshop
Graphics and Decals - JsDesigns

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