Car NEWS log

posted by admin on Feb 27

Next month’s Geneva Motor Show will see BMW unveil their new eco-concept 4×4. The concept is being called Vision Efficient Dynamics and will be based on the existing X5 but will feature the newest technologies to cut CO2 emissions and raise fuel economy.

The X5 currently registers between 23 and 35 miles per gallon depending on the variant with emissions from 214g/km up to 286g/km.

The new concept claims to manage over 43 miles to the gallon and has cut CO2 emissions to 214g/km.

posted by admin on Feb 27

It’s been a little while since we last had any flying cars (the hoaky Monster Garage created flying Panoz Esperante from the last BJ Auction comes to mind). Here’s a nifty concept from LaBiche Aerospace called the FSC-1. Rolls right off the tongue doesn’t it? The ambitious concept features something which actually looks like a car and does its best transformer act to become a multi-winged flying wonder potentially capable of 275 mph. Of course, they’re just waiting for the funding as step one, step two is… something, and finally step three: huge profits.

The most promising part is the vid on their website where a styrofoam model takes off and flies around. Obviously proof of full scale concept. This investment is at least as good as dumping a hundred grand into a Bondo covered Mustang.

posted by admin on Feb 27

DB by Design

*****
This elegant interpretation of an original Aston Martin is the vision of a young Spanish designer, Ruben Vela, and he sums it up as “a fresh vehicle that also represents all the tradition of the brand.”

“But if you could drive this two seats super-car you will feel integrated in it because the dashboard wraps you, and the glass-roof makes you feel like being inside a F-15, feeling the power pushing your back.”

Dimensions
Length ………….4,820 mm
Width ………….1,960 mm
Height ………….1,200 mm
Wheel Base………. 3,000 mm
Weight ………….1,840 kg
Powertrain
Engine ………….6.035cc. V12, 550bhp @ 6500rpm, 445lb ft @ 4000-6000rpm
Transmission………Six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive.
Performance……… 0-60mph 4.0sec (est.), 215mph (est.)

posted by admin on Feb 19

Audi Q7 PPI ICE – Excellent Ultimate

At the end of November in Essen one could have paid attention to a bright stand of the company PPI. The company was able to attract attention of the audience by the only pearl - Audi Q7 PPI ICE.

In November 2007 the car was just a “halved” copy – no modernized power unit and full-quality press-release. At the moment – full package.

PPI ICE is a European tuning-scene unicut. The car can be compared only to the product by ABT and, to tell you the truth, gold would still go to the novelty by PPI.

The first thing – body-kit

The “suit” is almost perfect for Q7. The powerful front, wide wheel-arches, channels and a prestigious rear end with an anti-wing and run-out. The picture is supported by a “soundy” exhaust 4-shank represented by chrome pipes at either side of the car.

The second thing – the engine

The manufacture offers a few power increasing variants – via a kit. For instance, the diesel variant program includes a sport air-filter, new control unit software and sport exhaust system. The result – 47-hp power increase and 45-NM increase of the torque.

The top variant is Audi PPI ICE 4.2L V8 where with the help of a couple of powerful compressors the experts of the company were able to increase the power to 600 hp. The acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h. takes 5.9 seconds (the series – 7.4 seconds) and the max speed is 295 km/h.

The third thing – dynamics

As for the dynamics, the novelty got ultimate high-performance braking system with 405- and 380-mm braking plates, modernized (by PPI module) suspension which is able to change the clearance in the range of 110 mm (for instance, it can lower by 40 mm or rise by 70 mm), and a few stabilizers. The car is equipped with 22-inch rims of the series.

The forth thing - interior

The interior of the car looks very rich and tailored for Anglo-American contingent, which is explained by multiple possibilities of attaching pocket devices like, for instance, iPhone, Treo or Blackberry. Moreover, the interior is done in alcantara, carbon and leather.

posted by admin on Feb 18

INTRODUCTION
In 2006, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars unveiled 101EX, an experimental car hand-built to explore an exciting new design direction for a modern coupé. Wrapped in a sleek, rakish body, 101EX was an engineering-led study, showcasing the technical and architectural innovation inherent in the quintessential modern Rolls-Royce car. Both handsome and elegant, it encapsulated the essence of contemporary coupé style.

So positive was the worldwide reaction to 101EX that, in autumn 2007, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars announced that a series model would go into production in the summer of 2008. This coupé would complete the Phantom family, standing alongside the Phantom, Phantom Extended Wheelbase and Phantom Drophead Coupé.

Revealed at the Salon International de l’Automobile, Geneva in March 2008, the Phantom Coupé is the third new model from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars since BMW Group became custodian of the marque in 1998.

posted by admin on Feb 14

Morgan is building the LifeCar to demonstrate, “that a zero emission vehicle can also be fun to drive.” The tiny English car maker - better known for wood framed roadsters - is trying to do what no car maker has done before it: bring to market a fast, fun, desirable sports car that makes no sacrifices for its hydrogen fuel cell.

Built on the same basic architecture as the Aero8, the LifeCar is given a more futuristic art-deco look as well as a significant reduction in weight. By combining that low weight with high levels of hybridization, Morgan predict the LifeCar will have performance to match a sports car while achieving a 200-mile fuel range.

Charles Morgan, the company’s Strategy Director, told CarBodyDesign, “The real challenge is to design and build a car that is fun to drive - a proper sports car. The use of ultra capacitors to store the surplus energy and then use this for acceleration and braking does promise a dynamic ride, especially when combined with our ultra light chassis. The pairing of weight to a minimum is our strength, and allows a much smaller fuel cell than conventionally thought necessary. This gives energy and yet more weight savings.” [Via CarBodyDesign]

Morgan will debut the car at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

posted by admin on Feb 10

Crossover Explorer

*****
This unibody concept is combined with a smaller turbo engine as Fords attempt to bring a fuel efficient alternative to the market, but they sacrifice off-road and towing capabilities with a new lighter, frameless crossover style body.

EcoBoost Motor

*****
Ford have been testing a new 4 cylinder 2.0L turbo engine, utilizing their direct injection EcoBoost technology to deliver 275hp, 280 torque, and 20% increase in fuel efficiency with 15% less CO2 emissions. They have also tested a 340hp 3.5L V6 that will have 20 – 30% better fuel consumption than the current Explorer.

Images courtesy of leftlanenews.com

posted by admin on Feb 8

Main peculiarity: cameras instead of side-view mirrors;

Type: exotic car and open top.

(more…)

posted by admin on Feb 7

We’re busy covering the ins and outs of the Chicago auto show, but already we’re hearing of GM’s plans for the Geneva show next month. Although three world debuts are slated for the show, we only know a little about one - the concept for the next-generation Opel Meriva crossover.

(Click through for more on the upcoming concept)

All we’re offered at this point is an artist’s sketch, but we’re already seeing the connection between the Meriva and last year’s Flextreme concept. Opel claims much of the car references the sexy GTC concept, particularly the belt line and rear lamp assemblies, but the overall profile and glass shape stem directly from the Flextreme.

Although the Meriva will technically be shown as a concept, our guess is the production version would differ little from what we’ll see in Switzerland. We’ll bring you more on the Opel when WINDING ROAD sees the concept in person on March 4.

GM RELEASE

MERIVA CONCEPT TO MAKE GENEVA DEBUT

* Vision of GM’s future small monocab
* Design cues from other concepts including GTC Coupe and Flextreme
* Due to be unveiled on March 4th

Already Europe’s market leader in the monocab sector, with one in five pan-European sales being a Zafira, Meriva or Agila, Vauxhall and Opel are set to unveil their vision of the future at the Geneva Motor Show on March 4th.

The Meriva Concept draws styling cues previous GM styling studies to show how the company’s next generation small monocab could look, including the distinctive tick-shaped swage line and neat rear lamp clusters that typified the GTC Coupe and Flextreme models.

Another neat feature of the Meriva Concept is the shape of the glass area, which swoops down towards the B-Pillar – a feature that would allow rear seat passengers a better all-round view if it were offered on a production model.

The Meriva Concept is one of three GM world premieres set to appear at the show.

posted by admin on Feb 6

The go-one³ is a “Human Powered Vehicle” [HPV], complete with headlight, backlight and turn signals. By the end of this year these electrical conveniences will be expanded to include an optional 500 Watt electric assist motor. Designed by Michael Goretsky.
(more…)