Auto Design

An Embarassing Comparison?

When I received the first set of official pictures of the Audi A5 Sportback, the first thought that came to my mind was how far (or, indeed, how close) the new “5 door coupé” from Audi  is from the new Porsche Panamera. The two cars are very different in many ways, starting from their selling prices to their fuel consumption and performance via their overall dimensions. You cannot compare them when the time comes to buy one.

Yet, they have a lot in common. They are both luxury cars, they both fit in the new trend of  “dynamic, coupé-like, four seater, authoban-cruisers” with that fastback design and rear hatch. Read the rest of this entry »

The American congress will have to say yes to the rescue of the American car industry. If not under the Bush administration, if will happen after Barack Obama replaces him at the White House.

Their 14 billion dollars “helping hand” is mainly going to save General Motor from bankruptcy and perhaps give some support to Chrysler (which will likely be the first victim of the current hurricane). Ford, for the time being, is resisting on its own as an independent company to maintain respect and credibility. It would just be happy with a favourable “credit line”, which is all right. If it happens, the sale of Volvo will give them additional breath and reach.

The government might eventually take a 20% stake into GM and become the largest (and ruling) shareholder. In addition the USA government is appointing a “Czar” to supervise the development of the American car industry, according to a policy that will give priority to the benefits of the nation, its environment, its economy at large, rather than short term profits for the management (first) and the shareholder (next). The top executives will see their unrealistic salary drastically cut. If they are allowed to keep their jobs.

Executives will see no bonus until their company (and the industry at large is well on its feet again) and shareholders may forget their dividends for a while. Read the rest of this entry »

From the designers of Alfa Romeo and the students of Espera Sbarro School of Automotive.

Among the too many show-cars unveiled at the past Geneva Motor Show there was this “Alfa Romeo Diva”. The running prototype has been conceived and developed by Elasis, a high-ranking research and development centre based in Italy and owned by Fiat. (Elsais is the company that first developed and engineered the Common Rail fuel injection technology. The managing director of the company is Ing. Nevio di Giusto who has been Director of Design for the Fiat Auto group and subsequently was in charge of Engineering at Fiat Auto.)Diva was first exhibited on the Sbarro area, among several other cars built by the Italian genius and his teams.  Indeed the Alfa Romeo Diva has been built by the international team of students attending Franco Sbarro’s Espera school of automotive design and construction located at Yverdon, Switzerland. The design came from the Centro Stile Alfa Romeo. Read the rest of this entry »

The Michelin Active Wheel challenges a lot of conventional wisdom about the car, according to its maker, who says: «with the integration of the Michelin Active Wheel, an EV can be redesigned from top to bottom since all key components—the engine, electrical suspension systems, tyre and brakes—are now integrated in the wheel.

In this way, the Michelin Active Wheel opens new possibilities for creative solutions in at least five different areas:

-         Design.

-         Energy savings and pollution abatement.

-         Safety.

-         Comfort.

-         Adapting vehicles to usage needs.

Simplifying vehicles creates new opportunities in vehicle design by freeing styling teams from constraints previously thought to be inevitable. These include the elimination of the engine block, a considerable reduction in weight, the possibility of a totally flat floor on future prototypes, and chassis design that is fully focused on interior space and passenger safety.

A lighter vehicle also means a sharp reduction in energy consumption.

In fact, an EV emits no pollutants when on the road. Its environmental impact depends solely on how the electricity is produced. For example, using the WILL in a country where electricity is produced by hydroelectric power plants or renewable energy sources will result in very low indirect emissions of CO₂ per km. This would represent less than 10g in Sweden, 20g in France and 80g in Germany.

This reinvented wheel also makes unprecedented improvements in active safety, meaning the avoidance of accident risks. The integrated electrical suspension system with four independent wheels is perfectly adapted to controlling pitching and rolling motions. This new electrical chassis control enhances vehicle stability and road holding. As for passive safety (i.e. protecting passengers in the event of an accident), the front of the vehicle where the engine was previously located is now entirely dedicated to impact absorption.

The permanent control of chassis movements and noise-free electrical engine combine to provide unparalleled comfort.»

Brought to you from the company design centre and press office.

Pictures always say a lot more than thousands of words. However, here some news you might like to read.

The Mercedes-Benz Concept Fascination seems to be committed to bring back to the brand those car buyers who appreciate clear-cut and simple design. The Concept Fascination has still a way to go before being accomplished for simplicity but it is clear that this brilliant show-car is moving in that direction.

They say this elegant 2-door sports car anticipates the look and some of the design treatment of the forthcoming new E-generation and its CLK derivative. In this case, it constitutes a promise of more distinctive, modern and attractive Mercedes-Benz. However, I would like to see the fascination in production soon both for its sleek shooting-brake concept that is a classic among sports car and for its design, which shows a new, welcome, direction for the German carmaker. The interior too is simply fascinating and there are just too many details and stimulating combinations of classic and modern materials matched with a great sense of harmony, that it makes more sense to let the images speak for the dream-car.

Click on the image for photo gallery: 

Brought to you, non-stop from the company design centre and press office.

Pictures always say a lot more than thousands of words. However, here some news you might light to read.

The GT by Citroen is a real dream car built from a virtual first designed for Polyphony’s simulation game Gran Turismo to be plaid on the Playstation 3. As such is the first ever prototype that million of “players” can drive in their virtual world. Somehow, the GT by Citroen seen at the Paris Motor Show is a replica of a car that has never been built. As such, it can be anything. In our case, the engineers of both the virtual and the real car companies have opted for an electric sports car powered by fuel cell and delivery no emission. A real dream car. At least for the time being. Read the rest of this entry »

Brought to you, non-stop from the company design centre and press office.

Pictures always say a lot more than thousands words. However, here some news you might light to read.

Citroën Hypnos, is a spectacular concept car illustrating the idea of an elegant cross-over vehicle that draws on a  range of creative technologies to deliver outstanding visual and potential performance within the goals of environmental efficiency. Read the rest of this entry »

Going to an international motor show is like going to the annual market. You meet a lot of friends and people, see many things and you come back home with the head full of information, impressions, news, comments and opinions. So much so that indeed you need a few days to arrange everything in some sort of order so that you get to the essence of the experience. This is all the same and yet all different every time. And I am not just talking of the cars.

As for cars, new cars I mean, I have come home with an incredible load of pictures and information.

I would have to share them all with you the very moment I sat back to my PC last Saturday but this is simply impossible. It takes a lot of time to put a label and classify more than 2000 images.

Now, having done just that I can start sharing with you some of the most significant. Or at least some that I image you want to see as soon as possible.

This is why, at this time I am offering you a series of photo galleries to look at. What you see is a combination of images shot at the Paris “Mondial de l’Automobile” and images provided by the press offices and design studio of the car makers.

I am giving priority to the latter ones, as the most attractive and unique.

Related information and comments will be posted shortly. Click on images below to access their photo gallery.

There is no doubt that the design of the Bentley Continental GT is a masterpiece, inside and out; and you would expect that everybody would be just happy with it. Actually, since its launch, the British brand is a striking success and sales are much better than anticipated.

Yet, Zagato – which are through their stimulating renaissance just like Bentley – has been able to give this very fast (600 HP turbocharged W12 engined) four-seater, two-door coupé a new personality, with a more emotional and indulgent style by simply re-shaping its skin. The car is more sensual now and yet its style is shaper, sophisticated and distinguished. It has the perfect style of a bespoke – tailor made – motorcar. Read the rest of this entry »

Not to be missed.

Never before I have seen so many dream and concept cars in the same place ad the same time. This unique opportunity is offered by Torino 2008 World Design Capital and you must visit it before it closes on November 23.

For all details and a comprehensive introduction, go to http://www.torinoworlddesigncapital.it/portale/en/content_1.php?sezioneID=291&testoCompleto=1

Beware and please do not shoot the messenger: strangely enough, the exhibition closes at 6.20 p.m.

You also should not miss to get a copy of the Exhibition Catalogue currently on sale only in Italian but soon to be available also in English. Read the rest of this entry »