Automotive
Ascari shows another supercar
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December 9, 2005 Hitting the international sportscar scene with impact is Ascari, creators of the stunning KZ1 supercar, and the world’s first purpose-built auto racing resort and now comes the news it is working on a second supercar –a GBP350,000, 600bhp, 1280kg, 220mph, six-piece carbon fibre road-going version of Ascari’s Spanish GT Race Car dubbed the A10. Read More
Mitsubishi 2007 Eclipse Spyder and Concept-CT MIEV
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December 7, 2005 It’s show-and-tell-time for the big automotive manufacturers who are preparing for the upcoming 2006 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January. Mitsubishi will unveil two world premieres - the 2007 Eclipse Spyder and the Concept-CT MIEV. The '07 Spyder will further develop the theme of an affordable 2 + 2 exotic convertible - a powerful MIVEC engine, 650-watt audio system, and a few other surprise features usually reserved for high-priced convertibles and cabriolets. The Concept-CT's inspiration was to create a "city-technology" model and will feature a hybrid powertrain with Mitsubishi In-wheel motor Electronic Vehicle (MIEV) technology. As usual, sketches will be shown now and photos towards the end of this month.
FIAT shows new macho off-roader concept based on military vehicle
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December 2, 2005 Fiat dropped a bombshell yesterday at Italy's biggest motoring event, the Bologna Motor Show, by showing an off-road vehicle that looks to be aimed squarely at the Hummer. The Oltre Fiat is a massive - its nearly five metres long and over two metres tall with a two tonne payload - go absolutely anywhere, anytime vehicle features what the Italians call "exuberant styling" and what anyone on the West Coast of the USA would call serious Bling, is more much more than possible evidence that Fiat has decided it wants to supply Arnold Schwarzenegger's next car. Like the Hummer, it has military credentials, being based on the Iveco Light Multi-role vehicle, the new military off-road vehicle that embodies cutting edge technical features and has won the FCLV (Future Command and Liaison Vehicle) contract for the British Army. Read More
The SeaLegs Anaconda Amphibious Concept
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December 2, 2005 With the vast majority of the world’s population living very close to the water, amphibious vehicles make loads of sense – which means we love amphibious vehicles at Gizmag, having previously reported on the original launch of Sealegs, the Gibbs Aquada Sportcar, the Gibbs Humdinga 4WD amphibian, the Platypus 4WD amphibian, the Rinspeed Splash, the Phibicat,the world’s only mass production amphibian, the Amphicar. More recently, we’ve written about the Sealegs rugged aluminium amphibious craft which which halved Sir Richard Branson's English Channel record set in an Aquada in June. Interestingly, the country where most amphibious innovation is occuring is New Zealand, home of both Gibbs and SeaLegs and one of the most interesting tertiary courses in the world – Massey University’s Bachelor of Design in Transport Design. Our latest amphibian is a concept craft created by a graduate of Massey Designs Marine Transport Course, Matt Gibson. This year Matt’s final year project was sponsored by Sealegs International and the aim was to develop a futuristic amphibious craft, which eventually took shape as the “Anaconda” pictured here. Read More
Citroen's super-mini concept - the C-AirPlay
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December 3, 2005 Citroen premiered the C-AirPlay two-seater concept car, at the opening of this year’s Bologna Motor Show in Italy yesterday. Masterminded by Citroen’s award-winning British car designer, Mark Lloyd, the futuristic urban run-around features a bold, dynamic exterior look, as well as plenty of ultra-modern styling cues. Inside and out the C-AirPlay introduces striking design touches, including see-through ‘portholes’ in the lower sections of the doors to increase the sensation of speed. Discreet, touch-sensitive controls for the gears, electric windows and rearview mirror are moulded into the single-piece silicone front seat, whilst the eye-catching steering wheel incorporates two spherical driver information displays. Read More
File sharing DRM protection hinders progress of in-car digital audio
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November 29, 2005 Music industry measures to control the use of downloaded material are slowing development of in-car digital audio systems. A new report from leading automotive telematics consultants SBD reveals that Digital Rights Management (DRM) protection, designed to block unauthorised file sharing, can prevent downloaded tracks from being played back through a vehicle’s sound system. “Vehicle manufacturers have started to enable motorists to connect memory cards and USB flash drives to play their own digital music through their car’s audio system, but we expect quite a few are going to be disappointed as the limitations imposed by DRM become apparent,” said David Bell, SBD Managing Director. Read More
Ford 4-trac pick-up concept
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November 28, 2005 Ford has premiered an interesting concept pick-up truck at the Thailand International Motor Expo in Bangkok. The concept, dubbed 4-Trac, is a dynamic package that explores practical functionality, lifestyle and sporty uses for Ford pick-up trucks of the future. The concept takes a typical pick-up truck and adds a lot more sophistication, style and purpose. It’s a workhorse that offers off-road capability, rugged features and durable aluminum surfaces. At the same time, owners will be proud to use it as stylish transport for their active families and leisure time. The rear cargo area features six portable containers – inspired by offshore rescue boats – for carrying a variety of gear, including rescue equipment. Another innovative feature adding to 4-Trac versatility is a rear hatch that enables access from the cargo area directly into the cabin. Read More
BMW wins World Touring Car Championship and spins out a homologation special
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November 25, 2005 BMW won the 2005 FIA World Touring Car Championship for Manufacturers and its driver Andy Priaulx won the Driver’s Championship, securing back to back victories despite an 18-year gap between events - BMW won the first World Touring Car Championship in 1987, with the second (2005) Championship finishing last week in Macau, China. Co-incidental with the Championship wins, BMW has announced a limited edition performance-enhanced 3 Series Sedan to comply with FIA homologation regulations and to promote the 2005 victories and the 2006 efforts. The new BMW 320si Sedan is a limited edition of the 2006 BMW World Touring Car. It boats 127 kW and a host of race-bred features. Only 2,600 will be built. Read More
New “trybrid” car can run on three different energy sources - gas, electric and alcohol
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January 14, 2005 UPDATED IMAGE LIBRARY Pioneering automotive company ZAP may well be embroiled in a legal battle with Daimler Chrysler’s smart, but it has not slowed the expansion of its fleet of intriguing and economical cars. Amongst the cars which had their first public showing at the recent San Francisco International Auto Show were the WORLDCAR, Obvio! and XEBRA. The three-seater (side-by-side) Brazilian-made Obvio 012 and Obvio 828(main image) look to be the pick of the litter, powered by a Tritec 1.6 litre four cylinder motor (as used in the MINI) using flexible fuel technology that enables the engines to run on gasoline and alcohol or any combination plus an additional electric drive – effectively making it the world’s first “trybrid” automobile that can switch between three energy sources. Both cars bristle with the latest thinking, such as a survival cell, (a la smart), McPherson struts all round, four big disk brakes, an immobile carputer and a CVT (Constantly variable transmission). The engines are available in 115 bhp standard output, with tuned versions available all the way up to a brutal 250 bhp. Mainly constructed of composite materials to enable the lightest possible result (750 kg – the MINI weighs 1150 kg), the 012 looks to have all the ingredients for a top seller, looking great, offering startling performance and ecological cred at a time when we are seeing the "greening" of the American market. Read More
A new supercar and a new concept in motorsport entertainment
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November 20, 2005 We're not sure which is more significant - the fact that the Ascari KZ1 has proven itself to be a serious contender as one of the world's most desirable supercars, or the company's entrepreneurial move into motorsport entertainment. The Ascari KZ1 recently pushed the McLaren out of the elite top five fastest cars in BBC Top Gear's track tests, moving into exalted company as a supercar. But the company’s ambitions stretch far beyond that, with its Race Resort Ascari due for completion in 2006. Located near Marbella in the South of Spain, the resort will offer a world class racetrack, a luxury hotel, and an array of the world’s most exotic cars to drive – if they haven’t got it, any car you fancy can be arranged. So apart from building an aerodynamic GBP235,000 KZ1 with a super-light, super-strong carbon fibre monocoque car weighing just 1,330kg capable of exhilarating acceleration all the way to 200mph, the company has also created the first automotive resort for the mega wealthy. Big enough to hold a Formula 1 test team or a function with a difference and secluded enough to do it very elegantly. Our understanding is that many more automotive resorts will spring up around the world after this one as the demand for the facilities is already threatening to overwhelm their ability to supply. Read More
Audi names new supercar after R8 racer
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November 17, 2005 Audi has bestowed an extraordinary honour on its new sports car by naming it the R8. Presented at Frankfurt Motor Show two years ago as the “Le Mans quattro” concept, the new Audi sportscar will commence production in Q4, 2006 with a market launch scheduled for Q2, 2007. The mid-engined two-seater is powered by a five-litre V10 ‘biturbo’ engine with FSI direct fuel injection, developing 449 kW (610 bhp) at 6,800 rpm. Whilst it will immediately become one of the most desirable roadgoing cars in the world, it will carry a name of legendary motorsport achievement. Since its introduction in March, 2000, the R8 has won 61 races from 77 startsincluding the Le Mans 24 Hour five times and the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) six times in succession and has never had a single engine failure during a race. Read More
Ferrari Concepts on display
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November 10, 2005 The new Ferrari’s concepts of the myth are now a reality. The selection of the 20 best nominees for the Ferrari of the future, created by automotive design students of four of the most prestigious schools worldwide (Center for Creative Studies of Detroit, Coventry School of Art and Design, European Institute of Design of Turin and Tokyo Communication Arts), are currently being exhibited at the Galleria Ferrari in Maranello. The students have been challenging themselves in the production of scale 1:4 Ferrari models, innovative and fresh in style and functionality as well as in external and internal volumes, proposing stimulating alternatives to the internationally acclaimed shapes of the current and previous mid-engined eight cylinder cars and the front-engined twelve cylinder cars. Read More
The Smartattak - 180bhp smart fortwo
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November 5, 2005 Make no mistake – the smart fortwo is a deceptive automobile. Drive it around town and it’ll minimise the damage to your bank balance and environmental footprint at the same time. But point it and squirt it and it becomes a go-kart, albeit a high rise one. The official Brabus-tuned version adds considerable horsepower, and with a healthy aftermarket of go-fast gear, you can stretch the 60 bhp three cylinder turbocharged Smart motor to around 100 bhp delivering awesome acceleration.So what happens when you take the 660cc motor and put a four cylinder 1000cc motorcycle racing engine into it? Like a 180 brake horsepower GSXR engine similar to that which Troy Corser used to win the 2005 World Superbike title in a canter. With three times the power to weight ratio pushing the smart around, it suddenly moves the bantamweight smart’s performance and handling into the class of a WRX Subaru or Mitsubishi Evo. With its heart transplanted, the smartuki shaves around 3 seconds off it’s quarter mile time (12.4 seconds), has a 0-100 km/h time in supercar territory, and tops out at 132mph. Read More
Auto Skins - digital clothing for your car
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Auto Skins is a product that has been on the Australian market for several years. Developed by the aptly named promotional company Decently Exposed, the AutoSkin is a digitally coloured skin for automobiles. You can have high resolution artwork emblazoned on the skin which is then bonded to the car and indestinguishable from normal paint other than by its photographic reproduction. The AutoSkin has the double advantage of forming a protective coating which can be stripped off to reveal the original, as-new unblemished duco the car came with. Over 2500 cars have been reskinned to date with corporate branders the logical first-movers, but an increasing number of innovative marketers and consumers keen to individualise their most public personal expression. The skins sells for between US$1500 and US$3000 depending on the amount of real estate needed to be covered and the complexity of the design. They’ll work from your artwork and when you start making more than one, the price drops quickly. For US$3000, a luxury-sized car can be completely reskinned with digital imagery of your choice – that price includes the creative design, manufacture and fitting of the skin to create a new vehicle with a completely different look. Read More
The Combat T-98 Armoured Luxury SUV
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October 31, 2005 What would you drive if you knew that the bad guys were coming after you? For many wealthy businessmen across the planet, assassination and kidnap are real possibilities. It’s why the American military built the Smartruck and Smartruck III, and why Labock built the Rhino Runner. Now there’s a new vehicle targeting this niche, designed to transport VIPs in luxury and safety both on- and off-road. The Combat T-98 is the fastest armoured 4WD in the world, and was built from the ground up to be the most capable non-military armoured luxury vehicle in the world. The 8.1 litre 340 bhp Vortec V8 can push the T-98 along at over 180 km/h, and in addition to sumptuous leather and woodgrain fittings, you can order almost any level of active safety feature, from gun ports to a full roof ring to carry a machine gun. In the protection area, you can specify an additional layer of ceramic armouring between the double steel layer monocoque chassis. Even the electric windows are 50mm thick and capable of stopping an armour-piercing bullet . Prices start at US$138,000 for the base model, and you can spend an extra US$100,000 just improving the grade of armour to anti-tank level. If the security of the occupants is paramount, this little baby will ensure they reach their destination in comfort, regardless of whom or what they encounter en route. Read More
Lexus readies LF-A supercar for sale
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October 29, 2005 It was only a matter of time before Toyota (aka Lexus) stepped into supercar territory, and the betting is that the Lexus LF-A will be the manufacturer’s first entry into the rarified 200+ mph marketplace. First shown earlier this year, the car was again on display in Tokyo last week where it was confirmed that the car will be powered by no less an engine than a V10, and follows on from Honda’s announcement that it will be powering its NSX replacement with a V10 too.
BMW's new Z4 M Roadster
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October 27. 2005 BMW will redefine the benchmark for two-seater soft-top sportscars when the much-anticipated Z4 M Roadster arrives early next year. The M version of the Z4 will use the 3.2-litre straight-six powerhouse previously seen in the E46 BMW M3 Coupe and Convertible. Voted the World’s Best Engine in its class five years in a row at the international “Engine Oscars”, the 252 kW and 365 Nm straight-six M3 engine rockets the two-seater Z4 M Roadster to 100 km/h in just 5.0 seconds, and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. Due to bow in at the Detroit Motor Show next January 2006, the ultra-sports version of the BMW Z4 Roadster has been long-awaited by keen open-top drivers. The Z4 M Roadster follows in the wheel tracks of the 1997 BMW Z3 M Roadster which became a sportting enthusiasts favourite for its dynamic performance, agility, and sportiness.
VW shows a carbon fibre combination coupe, roadster and speedster at Tokyo
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October 25, 2005 Volkswagen presented a new prototype that could well make history as the most economical sports car of its time at this week's Tokyo Motor Show. Its basic data: average fuel consumption of 3.4 litres for 100 km, a top speed of 230 kph. Its name: EcoRacer. Thanks to its carbon-fibre (CFP) bodywork, this sports car with its centrally located engine weighs in at only 850 kilograms, and accelerates from 0 to 100 kph in just 6.3 seconds. Powered by a newly developed 100-kW turbo-charged diesel of the next generation, it offers a forward-looking synthesis of austere economy and impressive performance. 230 kph, 6.3 seconds, 3.4 litres – these vital statistics are as unusual as they are fascinating. But the objective of development was not to break records. With the EcoRacer, the intention was rather to create a research vehicle that united the elements of economy and performance under a very emotionally styled “roof”. Read More
Audi Shooting Brake Concept
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October 25, 2005 The Shooting Brake concept evolved a century ago from European gentlemen wishing to have enough room for their guns when they were going hunting or to shooting contests yet at the same time drive their sports cars. A "shooting brake" is a modified two door coupe with an estate-wagon back crafted, rather than grafted on. We've written about some beautiful Shooting Brakes in the past such as the Protoscar Porsche 911. Audi unveiled a new highlight in the sporty compact segment at the Tokyo Motor Show: the Shooting Brake Concept is a study vehicle offering a further trailblazing interpretation of Audi's current formal idiom, blending the powerful dynamism of a sports car with a new sense of spaciousness and greater functionality. With its powerful 250 bhp, 3.2-litre six-cylinder engine and quattro permanent four-wheel drive, the Shooting Brake Concept produces a quality of road behaviour that in every respect lives up to its visual impact. The study vehicle sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in just 6.0 seconds, and its top speed is electronically governed at 250 km/h. Read More
Toyota's i-swing personal mobility concept
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October 25, 2005 Toyota debuted its i-swing mobility concept at the Tokyo Show today, arousing massive public interest. Toyota's i-swing is a new personal mobility vehicle in the same vein as the personal mobility models (such as the PM , i-unit and I-foot ) Toyota has exhibited previously but one that takes the concept several steps further, with the capability of operating in a similar manner to the Segway in two wheeled mode at walking pace on a footpath so it takes up little space, or transform to a three-wheeled mode for road speeds. In addition to the joystick control, the i-swing can be controlled by body weight movements with a feeling reportedly like turning as if on snow skis. The i-swing concept proposes using Artificial Intelligence to enable it to learn the habits and preferences of users. Read More
F1 Japanese GP: Kimi Raikkonen wins from 17th on the Grid
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October 10, 2005 Having won nine of the previous 12 Grands Prix the team contested, a McLaren Mercedes victory was predictable at the Japanese Grand Prix held yesterday, but in the end the team’s sixth consecutive victory was a complete surprise. Having finished the last Grand Prix in first and second positions, Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen were the last drivers in the qualifying order and when torrential rain hit during the last part of qualifying, their qualifying times were so handicapped by the flooded track they began the race in 17th and 18th positions respectively. In a sport where passing is extremely difficult, that gave the team almost no chance of a victory but such is the competitiveness of the McLaren, Raikkonen drove through the field to 12th on the first lap and picked off those in front of him one by one, passing Giancarlo Fisichella’s Renault part way through the last of 53 laps to take the win. McLaren must be ruing its early season fragility as this championship is surely one that got away. Read More
New Honda concepts include a dog-friendly car, a premium fuel cell sedan and a four seater sports car
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October 6, 2005 The Tokyo Motor Show is home ground for the Japanese manufacturers and Honda has indicated its intention to create a massive impression of technological progress at this year’s show due to open in a fortnight. The Concept Vehicle Zone will showcase some new ideas in concept vehicles such as the next-generation, 4-door Sports 4 Concept, designed to make sure everyone in the vehicle shares the exhilaration of the drive; the W.O.W Concept, which offers a more enjoyable, dog-friendly mobile lifestyle; and the FCX Concept, a next-generation premium fuel-cell sedan featuring advanced intelligent technologies, a low-floor, low-center-of-gravity platform and a full-sized cabin. Read More
Mazda Senku 4-seat rotary sports car for adults
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October 24, 2005 Mazda's SENKU concept vehicle debuted to the public at the 39th Tokyo Motor Show opening last Saturday and the carbon-fibre coloured machine turned out to be even more appealing in reality than it does in photos. The SENKU concept is billed as a “four-seater rotary sports car for adults” and offers a radical new departure in satisfying the desires, the pursuit of dreams and confident self-expression of mature drivers. The features include an ultra long wheelbase, minimal overhangs, a unique “floating” appearance supported by large tires, a smoothly dignified shape devoid of all ornamentation, and large "flying wing" electric powered sliding doors. These elements come together in a coupe form that is both dynamic and elegant. In the cabin, personal space was designed to give priority to the people seated in the front seats, and interior trim was executed in supple, high quality leather. Read More
Akino Concept - luxury, unconventional, compact people mover
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October 5, 2005 Chrysler has released more details of the Akino Concept it plans to debut at the Tokyo Motor Show. The original sketches of the vehicle were covered here, but with more detail and imagery now available, it’s worth another look as the car is seeking to push the boundaries of conventional thinking. The Akino was designed with a small super-efficient powertrain to enable the designer freedom to create a new solution for future transportation and the result is a compact car with a roomy and unconventional luxury interior – it has a single door on the driver side, and two doors on the passenger side that open in opposite directions, allowing the interior to have a booth-like rear seat with a swiveling passenger seat. Read More
Nissan Tiida Sport Concept
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October 3, 2005 The Nissan Tiida Sport Concept is the latest in a series of dynamic performance/youth concept vehicles including the Nissan Actic and Nissan AZEAL concepts produced by the company. The Tiida Sport Concept is a dynamic three-door hatchback with a dramatic four-seat interior. It offers the look and feel of a sports-tuned car, yet is conceived as an affordable, attainable vehicle for buyers entering the new car market for the first time. Read More
Nissan Pivo Concept Car
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October 24, 2005 One of the stars of the 2005 Tokyo Show, the Nissan Pivo concept car is an electric car with unique revolving cabin, compact packaging, multiple drive-by-wire systems and excellent visibility. The Pivo concept car examines the potential of future electric vehicles. The Pivo's most distinctive feature is its cabin that revolves 360 degrees, eliminating the need to reverse. A compact body also makes the car exceptionally easy to maneuver. Excellent visibility is enhanced by Nissan’s Around View technology, which helps reduce dangerous blind spots. The navigation and audio systems are simple to operate while driving. These features are supported by Nissan’s innovative environment-friendly technologies such as the Compact Lithium-ion Battery. Read More
Alonso and Renault take World F1 title
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September 26, 2005 Fernando Alonso today became the youngest world champion in Formula One history, after his thirteenth podium finish of the 2005 season in the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos. Starting from pole position, the Spaniard drove a consistent race to claim third position and a championship lead of 23 points with two races remaining in the 2005 season - he therefore has an unassailable lead in the drivers’ championship. At 24 years old, he is the youngest world champion in F1 history. While Renault celebrated, McLaren-Mercedes wondered what might have been had the team found consistency to match its speed. Juan Pablo Montoya and Kimi Raikkonen scored a dominant one-two in the race and last year’s champ Michael Schumacher finished fourth for Ferrari. With teammate Rubens Barrichello in sixth place, Ferrari consolidated their third place in the Constructors’ championship, the lead of which was taken by McLaren, now two points ahead of Renault with two races to go. With the title safe, an all-out fight for the constructors’ crown will be the centre of attention of the final two races of the season. Read More
LIFECar project promises an efficient high performance fuel cell sports car within three years
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September 23, 2005 A wholly British partnership yesterday unveiled plans to develop the world’s first environmentally clean sports car, powered by a fuel cell which converts hydrogen into electricity. The partnership is made up of legendary British sports car manufacturer, the Morgan Motor Company, QinetiQ, Cranfield and Oxford Universities, BOC and OSCar. The new vehicle, known as LIFECar, will be ultra quiet and its exhaust systems will produce only water vapour. It promises a clean vehicle combined with sound motoring performance and stylish good looks. Read More
The first 2006 F1 2.4 litre V8 hits the racetrack
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September 22, 2005 Formula One is set for a major shake-up next year when the three-litre V10 engines of the last decade will be replaced by 2.4 litre V8 engines and the technological prowess of Renault, Mercedes, BMW, Cosworth, Ferrari and Honda will be tested to the max in the most expensive, ongoing, combatitive sport man has ever known. On Tuesday and Wednesday at the Silverstone GP circuit in the UK, the 2006 season Mercedes-Benz Formula One engine was tested on the race track for the first time. Pedro de la Rosa was at the wheel of the interim Team McLaren Mercedes MP4-20B, a modified version of the 2005 race car which has been adjusted to fit the new engine. Pedro completed 38 laps on Tuesday and 40 laps on Wednesday and achieved a best time of 1:22.974. Champion-elect Fernando Alonso in a Renault with V10 engine posted the fastest lap of the test with a 1:17.018. Read More
Akino Concept Vehicle
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September 21, 2005 The unique and artistically sculptured appearance of the Chrysler Akino concept and its one-box, compact size certainly turns heads. However, after the fifth person settles comfortably into vehicle, one clearly gets the idea there is more to this concept than meets the eye. The Akino will take pride of place in the Chrysler display at this year's Tokyo Motor Show. Read More
MILA Concept car: single seater for the road powered by natural gas
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September 20, 2005 Magna Steyr has unveiled a new concept vehicle at the IAA 2005. Called the "MILA Concept" (Magna Innovation Lightweight Auto), the single-seater sports car has a mid-engine and rear-wheel drive and is packed with ideas and innovations. The MILA’s technical highlights include an cco-friendly engine that runs on CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) and thanks to the extremely lightweight monocoque construction, offers extremely sporty performance. Given Magna Steyr’s automotive production expertise, the car has been designed using modular design principles that enable different models to be built (single or two-seater, normal or high-power engine, etc.) without much extra effort, as the components and modules have been developed in advance and optimised in terms of cost and weight. Magna Steyr is confident that natural gas will gain more and more ground as an alternative fuel for road vehicles in the future. A study by the German Automotive Industry Association published in Frankfurt recently came to the conclusion that in Germany alone some two million natural gas vehicles will be licensed in the next 15 years. According to the study, natural gas vehicles could reach a market share of around 4% by the year 2020. Read More
100BHP 500 KG carbon fibre sportscar with retro styling
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September 18, 2005 Each year the major motor shows throw up exquisite low volume machines from enthusiast manufacturers and this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show, several came to light from this category, including the Bugatti Type 57-inspired 4-Stroke Rumen. In this case, though the Rumen is powered b a four-stroke motor, it’s also the name of the manufacturer. The style may be 1930's but the technology is pure 21st century and the only thing borrowed from the era is the production philosophy – having personalised vehicles made to individual customer order and specification. The body of the Rumen is crafted from carbon fibre composite which provides an ultra light and rigid structure in conjunction with a tubular steel frame. The Rumen’s 700cc in-line three cylinder turbocharged engine can produce 100 BHP and the entire machine weighs just 500 kg, offering startling acceleration and perfromance via a 6 speed sequential gearbox. In further contrast to its 1930's roots, the car is equipped with ABS, stability control and the leather lined interior is air conditioned as standard. Read More
Porsche Plans Cayenne with Hybrid Engine
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September 16, 2005 Porsche plans to launch a fourth version of the Cayenne Sports Utility Vehicle by the end of the decade. This vehicle will be powered by hybrid drive (gasoline engine and electric motor) being developed together with Volkswagen Group. This environmentally-friendly drive concept in the Cayenne will be based on a Full Hybrid Drive System, meaning that the vehicle will be powered by both a gasoline combustion engine and an electric motor able to operate both independently of one another and together in a joint process. A second clutch between the two drive units will allow the electric motor to operate fully independently whenever appropriate. The vehicle's power electronics, focusing on the position of the throttle, will determine the level of electrical energy to be supplied by the storage battery fitted at the rear of the vehicle to the electric motor in order to generate the drive power needed. Once the second clutch is closed, both the combustion engine and the electric motor are able to convey their power to the transmission. As soon as the electrical energy available has been consumed, the electric motor is automatically deactivated and the vehicle is driven entirely by the combustion engine. Read More
Porsche Cayman S - all the detail
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September 19, 2005 As we’ve known for six months now, the Cayman is the name of Porsche’s new Sports Coupe based on the Boxster model series. Ranking between the Boxster S and the 911 Carrera, this mid-engined two-seater sports car is powered by a 3.4-litre 295 bhp horizontally-opposed six-cylinder accelerating the Cayman S to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds and providing a top speed of 275 km/h or 183 mph. The car was publicly shown for the first time at Frankfurt Motor Show and will no doubt be one of the luxury design company’s most popular models in the coming years. Benefiting from its supreme body stiffness and superb balance of weight with the power unit upfront of the rear axle, the Cayman S is a genuine driving machine able to lap the Nord-schleife, the Northern Circuit of Nurburgring, in just 8:20 minutes – faster than the Boxster S and only a bit slower than the 911 Carrera. Read More
Two new hybrid drive concepts from Mercedes Benz
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September 14, 2005 At the International Motor Show (IAA) 2005 in Frankfurt, Mercedes-Benz yesterday unveiled the “DIRECT HYBRID” and the “BLUETEC HYBRID,” two groundbreaking concept cars. Using the new S-Class as an example, the company is exhibiting unique designs for yet again markedly improving fuel consumption and emissions in the near future — while preserving high dynamic ride comfort. The focus is on combining optimised petrol and diesel engines with a hybrid system and with ultra-modern exhaust gas purification. Read More
