Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept
The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept is a two-door 2+2 all-wheel-drive compact is powered by an advanced diesel-electric plug-in hybrid powertrain that delivers a combined 356 horsepower and returns an impressive 63 mpg, with a range of more than 400 miles.
The body is a combination of sculptured shapes and surfaces that appear to overlap and flow into one another. The result is an ultra-low drag coefficient of only 0.22. For the roof and outer door panels, BMW chose a special polycarbonate glass that automatically darkens in sunlight.
At 181.1 inches long, the Vision EfficientDynamics is less than an inch longer than the BMW M3 sedan, but is 3 inches wider (at 74.8 inches) and sits 8 inches lower (at only 48.8 inches). It also weighs 650 pounds less than the M3.
BMW says the three power sources provide a combined 356 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Given the car's low curb weight of just over 3,000 pounds, that's enough juice to make the 0-60 sprint in less than 4.8 seconds, with top speed electronically limited to 155 mph.
(Inside Line's news)
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Porsche 911 GT3 Cup
The latest incarnation of the Porsche 911 GT3 Cup racecar, based on the 911 GT3 RS, will make its public debut next month at the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show.
Compared with the 911 GT3 RS, the GT3 Cup is lighter and faster, with some serious hardware aimed directly at cup-trophy series competitors around the world. The out-of-the-box price, before taxes, will be just under $215,000 when deliveries start in late October.
Offered in only a single color, Carrara White, the 911 GT3 Cup shares its 444-horsepower 3.8-liter flat-6 engine with the GT3 RS, with the exhaust exiting through a racing system with fully controlled catalytic converter. The GT3 Cup gets a six-speed sequential gearbox, as well as larger wheels and tires, and weighs significantly less than the GT3 RS — only 2,646 pounds.
The bodywork of the racecar is similar to that of the GT3 RS — the front body panels are virtually identical — with subtle (and not-so-subtle) differences. The front lip spoiler on the GT3 Cup is 0.6 inch lower and the rear wing 9.4 inches wider; the net result is more downforce fore and aft.
(Inside Line's news)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Mini Coupe Concept
Mini has revealed the Coupe Concept, a sporty version of the iconic model which features a steeply-raked windshield, low roofline, aluminum roof and a 211 hp engine. It will make its debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
The first classic Mini was presented to the public on 26 August 1959.
Exactly fifty years on and nearly a decade into the life of new MINI, images of the stunning new MINI Coupe Concept are today released.
The muscular stance of the car is a result of carefully calculated exterior dimensions. The MINI Coupe Concept is 1,356 mm high and the steep rake of the A-pillars is accentuated by the high waistline common to every MINI. Sat on attractive 18” triple-tone finish light alloy wheels, the concept is 3,714mm in length and 1,683mm wide.
A luggage capacity of 250 litres is offered and can be accessed at the rear by a tailgate which is hinged above the roof spoiler, meaning easy access to goods stowed in the rear. The bulkhead between the passenger and luggage compartments comes with a lockable opening, giving passengers access to the rear section at any time.
The MINI Coupe is powered by the 211hp, 1.6-litre twin scroll turbocharged power unit found in current John Cooper Works models, which delivers CO2 emissions of just 165g/km and fuel efficiency of 40.9mpg (combined).
Technical features include front wheel drive, powerful disc brakes on all four wheels, the front axle with McPherson spring struts and a centrally guided rear axle with aluminium longitudinal arms and anti-roll bars. Environment-friendly technologies including Brake Energy Regeneration, Shift Point Display and Auto Start/Stop.
(Car Body Design's news)
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Maserati GranCabrio
Maserati has released the first official images and information on the GranCabrio, the first four-seat convertible in the brand's history. It will be unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show and will go on sale on Spring 2010.
The GranCabrio was designed by Pininfarina and is continuing the Maserati tradition in open-top automobiles, beginning with the 1950 A6G Frua Spyder.
The GranCabrio is powered by a 4.7 liter V8 with 433-bhp, 323 kW engine and is the convertible with the longest wheelbase on the market. The GranCabrio’s roof is strictly canvas-made, emphasizing the link with the Maserati tradition.
(Car Body Design's news)
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport
The Grand Sport replaces the Z51 in the model line up. It's not a limited-production model. For roughly $6000 more than a base Corvette, the GS gets the Z06 brakes, dry-sump oiling, wheel sizes, tires, front clip, hood and rear fenders. Unique to the GS are its front fenders and the convertible's rear fenders. None of the parts are carbon. The suspension is similar to the Z06 in that it shares anti-roll bars, but the springs and dampers are unique to the GS. Gear ratios are the same as the previous Z51 package.
he base Corvette Coupe is priced at $49,880, while the Grand Sport is $55,720. That's $19,515 less than the $75,235 Z06! For the money, this might be the best Corvette yet.
(Road & Track's news)
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Bentley Mulsanne
At the Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance in Monterey, California, Bentley Motors has unveiled the Mulsanne, the all-new flagship grand tourer first previewed as 'Grand Bentley' and inspired by the 1930 8-liter historic model. First deliveries are expected for Summer 2010.
ntroducing the Bentley Mulsanne at Pebble Beach, Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, said: “The challenge we set our engineers was to create a new grand Bentley that would stand as the pinnacle of British luxury motoring, offering the world’s most exclusive driving experience."
"They have responded to this challenge with real passion and the result is a luxury grand tourer that sets new standards in terms of comfort, effortless performance and hand-crafted refinement – the very qualities for which Bentley is renowned.”
The Bentley design team, lead by Dirk van Braeckel, have created a flagship that offers the classic sporting, styling cues long-associated with Bentley – expressed in a thoroughly contemporary way.
The return of the Mulsanne name to a car carrying Bentley’s iconic ‘Winged B’ emblem underlines the company’s racing pedigree and nowhere reflects that heritage better than the famed Le Mans circuit, the scene of no fewer than six Bentley triumphs. Few places offer a stronger or more emotive connection with the Bentley marque than the famed Mulsanne corner.
(Car Body Design's news)
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Porsche 911 GT3 RS
Porsche is setting up a killer one-two punch for this year’s Frankfurt auto show. Alongside its range-topping 911 Turbo, the company will debut its most visceral offering, the snarling 2010 911 GT3 RS. Based on the already primal GT3, the RS gets another 15 hp from the 3.8-liter flat-six for a total of 450, or more than 118 hp per liter. A racing machine tamed for street use, the GT3 RS is hardly just about horsepower. It gets a wider track, it weighs less, and it produces more downforce than the GT3.
(Car and Driver's news)
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
San Francisco Electric Car Competition
Local Motors has announced the San Francisco Competition, which asks participants to design an electric vehicle with a Shooting-Brake body style that captures the true essence of San Francisco. The submission deadline is 1 September 2009.For more information click here!
GT Crossover Concept
The GT Crossover is a design study of a vehicle based on the literal meaning of the "Sport Utility Vehicle" definition. Among the features are the asymmetrical design and the 1+1 seating layout. The author is Coventry graduate Sam Johnson.
As Sam Johnson explains, "The GT Crossover is a reaction to the existing Sport Utility Vehicle market. With the recent trends of SUVs being designed for urban use rather that sports utility a new approach is needed. Starting the preconceptions of what a SUVs and designing a vehicle around modern sports and realistic usability."
The car adopts an electric powertrain with a 190 hp motor that allows to sprint from 0 to 100 km/h in 6 seconds. The total weight is 950kg and the loading capacity is 556 liters.
The main dimensions are a length of 4,500mm, a width of 1,800mm, a height of 1,380mm and a wheelbase of 2,880mm. The tires are mounted on 24 inches wheels.
The vehicle is targeted to customers between 25 and 45 years of age, and has an estimated price of £30,000.
(Car Body Design's news)
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