Auto Design

Bertone has announced that the dream car they have designed over the Maserati chassis shared by the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione will be named Pandion. The choice is consequent with Bertone’s tradition of naming their spectacular show car with animal names, such as the Alfa Romeo Testudo, Canguro, Carabo and Delfino. Read the rest of this entry »

Once upon a time, at the Geneva Motor Show there was the so called “Arab Quarter” where toner and luxury car-makers used to show shining cars that the rich Arab princes would buy without questioning the price.
That is past history today. The present looks much different and challenging, pointing to a time when car might also be built in the Arabic Peninsula rather than simply bought and driven. Read the rest of this entry »

At Pininfarina, in the late sixties there were quite a concentration of design talents that would become renowned world-wide in the following decades: Aldo Brovarone, Leonardo Fioravanti, Paolo Martin, Filippo Sapino, just to mention a few. Each of them delivered a number of masterpieces and a least a successful design for Ferrari.

It was an undeclared confrontation between Sapino and Martin that led to two outstanding Ferrari show cars: the 1969 Ferrari 512S Berlinetta Speciale and the 1970 Ferrari Modulo. Read the rest of this entry »

More news have come form Italdesign-Giugiaro on their presence at the Geneva Motor Show, with some detail concerning the powertrain developed with Proton and their own Lotus Engineering think thank in the U.K. Read the rest of this entry »

For many design enthusiasts the Geneva Motor Show has a major surprise in store. The top Italian design house Italdesign-Giugiaro will not present a somewhat spectacular Alfa Romeo dream-car as widely reported but a very rational and somewhat conventional “compact” car developed in association with the Malaysia manufacturer Proton (Perusahaan OTOmobil Nasional).

If its design is far from setting new trends, its package and architecture will certainly attract every design, engineer and market wiz visiting the show. Giugiaro, (who previewed the Minivan concept with its project for the New York Taxi in 1976 and the 1978 Lancia Megagmma and whose 1983 Fiat Uno revolutionised the “B” segment, made obsolete all its rivals overnight and set a new definition of the market segment) is now challenging the idea of market segmentation with a design that “goes beyond the traditional segmentation in the car market”, according to the designer himself.

The time is perfectly right for a revolution, as the Italian company calls the family of low emission cars based on a modern hybrid drive system engineered with the aim of optimising on‐board space and car access ergonomics in a all-round five-door, four seater, car that is just 3,550 millimetres long.

Listen to Georgette Giugiaro illustrating his vision of the rational car of the future and you clearly understand this is one of the many fruits blowing from a study of a rear-engined, A segment, small car developed few years ago by Italdesign-Giugiaro and proposed to a number of car manufacturers around the world. The same project that in more than a way relates to the early concept and design of the VW UP.

It is not clear yet whether the Geneva 2010 Proton Concept comes with its small engine at the front or rather (as I expert at the rear) but you can be sure that the interior roominess is outstanding in relation to the overall length of the car.

“This is the outcome of several years of study: the solution allows interior spaciousness on a par with that of a segment D saloon despite maintaining the exterior dimensions of a segment A car” explained Giorgetto Giugiaro, Chairman of Italdesign Giugiaro.

“You could say that it is a brand new type of car, a new automotive concept where looks are as important as function, ergonomics and comfort, not to mention environmental impact. It is higher than other compact cars to make the best use of interior space; the front seat H point is at the same height as the passengers’ hips: you do not get down into your car as in a coupé, you do not climb up as in an SUV but you enter in a natural way. Rear seat comfort when you enter and leave the car is absolutely unprecedented, the distance from the front seat is comparable to that of an SUV” added Giugiaro.

The platform, specially designed by Italdesign Giugiaro for this car family, includes a raised floorpan that    is able to accommodate the hybrid system’s batteries at the rear. The four seats are identical, independent and sliding, ensuring identical comfort to passengers and driver alike.

According to Italdesign-Giugiaro, this is just the first configuration of the family of compact car created by the Italian design company for Proton.

BMW has proudly unveiled its all-new 5 series sedan at the company’s “Project Haus” next its FIZ (the Innovation and research centre). The new sedan is positively the most dynamic and sporty evolution of the upper middle class BMW series now at its 6th generation since 1972 and after mote than 5.555.555 units sold. At the same time, it is the most elegant, although not as modern in its design as its forward looking predecessor.

Banking on the “master plan” that concern the 5, 6 and 7 series model ranges, the new sedan, introduce a series of technical innovations and features offered so far in the new 7 series and the 5 series GT. Its architecture take advantage of the family progress and gets longer, wider but lower with a drag coefficient and frontal area that maintains the aerodynamic of its predecessor while making significant advances in dynamic efficiency. The wheelbase is as much as 80 mm. longer, with some 60 mm. resulting from moving the front axles forward, and 20 mm. going to the rear seats.

The new BMW 5 series Sedan will go on sale in Germany on March 20 and is due to reach the U.S.A. market by June 2010.

More news on the design of the BMW 5 Series in a couple of days.

This was ready few weeks ago but something went wrong and this was not published on due time. Sorry!

Audi is ready to launch next generation of its A8 and promises fascinating sportiness, innovative technology and superior comfort.

The new generation of the company flagship aim at consolidating its charisma through its light aluminum body, powerful and highly efficient engines, new driver assistance systems, the full LED headlights, an elegant interior with a craftsman’s level of workmanship and the further improved MMI operating system. More than ever its focus in on superlative dynamics, workmanship touches, pioneering efficiency and perfection in design, but this time it is adding a more dynamic and sensual look to its style.

“The new Audi A8 is the sportiest sedan in its segment,” says Rupert Stadler, Chairman of the Board of Management of AUDI AG. “It combines numerous functions in a new and intelligent way. And it’s unmatched in the stylistic elements and impression of the interior.”

The interior is spectacular and captivating, with its new and spacious design and uncompromisingly high-quality workmanship full of attention to the smallest detail.

The comfort on board is first class, according to Audi claims. From new, emotionally charged ambient lighting to the luxurious, power adjustable seats in the rear.

The new A8 starts off with either of two engines, a 4.2 FSI with 273 kW (372 hp) and a 4.2 TDI, packing 258 kW (350 hp). They will be followed by a 3.0 TDI with 184 kW (250 hp). All engines afford increased power and torque – but their fuel consumption has dropped by 13 to 22 percent, thanks to intelligent and efficient technologies like the recuperation system and innovative thermal management.

A second variant of the 3.0 TDI, with front-wheel drive, will follow at a later time,

Is credited with emissions limited to 159 grams of CO2 per kilometre (255.89 g/mile) or 6.0 litres of fuel per 100 km (39.20 US mpg), thus achieving the lowest consumption rate in the luxury segment, so far.

The technology contents of the new A8 reaches new heights with the addition of a touchpad to the MMI man-machine interface that enables the driver to control many functions intuitively; for example, the navigation destination can be entered by tracing the letters on the pad.

MMI navigation plus is networked in a novel fashion with the advanced driver assistance and safety systems. It follows the route in advance during driving and provides the data to the control units for the automatic transmission, the headlights and for the ACC stop & go function.

The new technologies include a night vision assistance and the speed limit display.

With the new A8, Audi consolidates its leadership in the lighting technology. The headlights are full LED and use light emitting diodes for all light functions. They give the luxury sedan an unmistakable appearance day and night. The revolutionary optics used in these headlights mean a departure from the tubular light modules commonly used today.

The new Audi A8 will go on sale “early 2010”.

The new Audi A8 At a glance ( from Audi press-release)

Body

- Lightweight and yet ultra-strong aluminum body with ASF design

- Flowing design, full LED headlights on request

Interior and controls

- Luxurious interior with newly developed, spacious styling

- Craftsman-level workmanship, emotionally charged interior lighting

- Advanced MMI operating system, MMI touch navigation system with pioneering operating concept

- Seats with optional ventilation and massage functions, luxurious individual rear seats optional

Safety

- New Audi pre sense safety system for avoiding accidents and for minimizing their consequences

Infotainment and driver assistance systems

- Navigation system of the next generation closely networked with the assistance systems; high-end audio systems and online services

- Night vision assistant with pedestrian marking, adaptive cruise control with stop & go feature and advanced driver assistance systems

Drivetrain

- Two TDI engines and one gasoline engine, all with direct fuel injection, with power ranging from 184 kW (250 hp) to 273 kW (372 hp)

- Another 3.0 TDI with 150 kW (204 hp), best-in-class CO2 of 159 g/km (255.89 g/mile)

- Consumption improved by up to 22 percent with enhanced performance

- All engines with recuperation system, 3.0 TDI also with start-stop system

- New 8-speed tiptronic as standard, shift-by-wire control

- Standard quattro all-wheel drive, optional sport differential (standard with A8 4.2 TDI)

Chassis

- Lightweight wheel suspension, balanced axle load distribution

- Audi drive select driving dynamic system including standard adaptive air suspension and daptive damping, optional dynamic steering

In addition to a new show car, BMW will be presenting an upgraded version of its Z4 roadster/convertible. This is the Z4 s35i which comes with a new M Sport look as standard. The powerful two-seater is powered by the 3.0 litre twin-turbo six-cylinder in line engine credited of 240kw (340) HP that is matched by the 7 speed automatic transmission. Its acceleration allows the top-of-the-range Z4 to go from standing to 100 kph in only 4.8 seconds.

To visualize this potential, BMW is delivering the new model with standard M Sport package, that will be available for other versions as an option. The M Sport upgrades emphasize the Z4’s athletic character through aerodynamically optimized exterior features and customized interior components. Special 18-inch light-alloy wheels in five-spoke design round off the sporty character of the Z4 sDrive35is, In addition, 19-inch light-alloy wheels are available as an option.

The upgrades also includes the M Aerodynamics and adaptive M Suspension. The adaptive M Suspension combines a ride-height reduction of 10 millimeters (almost 0.4”) with electronically controlled shock absorbers (Dynamic Damping Control) to improve the vehicle’s agility without compromising ride comfort.

The new model is further distinguished by a striking front bumper with a matte aluminum trim bar in each outer air intake, a rear bumper with accentuated surrounds on the tailpipes, and a rear diffuser finished at top in body color and black textured surface underneath.

Alfa Romeo has released the first official picture of its new Alfa Romeo Giulietta, thus confirming the past speculation on the naming of the heir to the Alfa Romeo 147 hatchback first launched in year 2000. The new compact 4 door, five seater, Alfa Romeo will make its official unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show shortly before going on sale, in summer, in Europe and in most extra-European markets (including Japan) in Autumn next year. The Alfa Romeo Giulietta ( after the Milano label has been killed last Friday) is going to be a very symbolic and relevant car for the brand. On one side it will the latest mass production Alfa Romeo in the first 100 years of the company history. On the other side this will be one of the first Alfa Romeo, if not the very first, to go on sale in the U.S.A. following the alliance of Fiat Group Automobiles with the new Chrysler Group, unless Marchionne decide otherwise, int the next weeks. Its platform would also be shared by Dodge which has plans to design and produce a sporty hatchback of this size for its own market. If so, it will certainly be of great interest to see how designer Ralph Gilles, recently appointed also President and CEO of the Dodge Brand and his team will exploit the “European” package. Alfa Romeo is not saying much about its new car at this time but our sources says it is a major development of the FGA new “compact” platform based on Alfa Romeo recent experience, with upgraded suspensions and mechanics. These have been engineered to place the Giulietta at the top of its class an din view of the amazing 1.7 litre four-cylinder, turbocharged with direct injection powerplant (with dual clutch gearbox) credited of 230 HP due to be launched 12 to 18 months after the introduction.

In comparison with its predecessor, the overall dimensions have increased for wheelbase, length and width and its range of engine has been expanded and renewed.

At the entry level there will be the ubiquitous 1.4 litre, four-cylinder, Multiair proposed in different output versions, starting at 120 HP . So far for the new, typically Alfa Romeo, gasoline engines. In addition the Alfa Romeo will also be available with multijet turbodiesel JTDM engine in both the 1.6 and 2.0 litre displacement versions delivering 105 to 170 HP. All engines are new and most of them come with the exclusive Multiair technology that improves performance while cutting emissions, and with Start&Stop. As the first official picture shows, the source of inspiration for the design of the new Alfa Romeo Giulietta has been once again the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. Just as it was for the smaller Alfa Romeo MiTo.

From Brazil, talented illustrator Flavio Adriani has sent me this set of images he has created for his own pleasure as homage to the Lamborghini Countach. “This Lamborghini designed by the great Marcello Gandini always fascinated me since I was a child”.

Flavio stresses that he “an architectural illustrator and am not car designer”.

This does not mean he Is not entitled to image how the Lamborghini could look like if it had to be designed today as an Electric Vehicle and share his works with out community.

Would his Countach 3D be labelled retro-design? May be. So what?