Auto Design

In the period from 1946 to 1949, Petermax Müller constructed a total of six racing car by dint of admirable improvisation from the scrap of the nearby Volkswagen plant. He drove these cars to become German Champion in 1948 and 1949. The shape of these cars bore a striking resemblance to the Wanderer he drove in the Liege – Rome – Liege race before the war. The car shown here from 1948 is Müller’s former private racing car and one of two vehicles still preserved. Read the rest of this entry »

One of you has asked me which was your favourite car at Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2009?

Now I am in a hurry to catch a flight out of town but I can try to post a quick reply. Difficult question. Here the first answers. Considering this is a Concorso D’Eleganza and not a competition about the most attractive (for overall qualities such as rarety, power, brand, performance, style, etc.) among the classics my first choice would probably be the 1954 Aston Martin DB 2/4 built by Bertone.

Second choice would be the 1952 Lancia Aurelia B52 built by Vignale.

Among the “concept” I would say that none win my points for elegance but if I have to choose one among them as the most interesting I would say the Mindset (with its very elegant interior)

and the Stile Bertone Mantide for its dynamic proportions and style.

I shall come back to this in a week time, though.

Fabrizio Giugiaro, joined forces with Kamal Siddiqi, chairman of British engineering specialist Frazer-Nash Research Limited to create a new and innovative electric hybrid with the performance and look of aLamborghini by Lamborghini (not by Audi). The car, once completed, will have to show it is capable of reaching a top speed of 300 kph and accelerating from zero to 100 kph in 3.5 seconds andand from 0 to 200km/h in 10.4 seconds, making this the fastest hybrid car in the world, and the cleanest GT Supercar. Read the rest of this entry »

Italdesign-Giugiaro is not slowing down its innovation drive through the car industry freeze but keeps investing and expanding its horizon. Read the rest of this entry »

After the news, that we brought to you long time ago (previous post), here comes the car.

The Rinspeed iChange all-new electric car, designed to minimize energy consumption by optimising its aerodynamics. Indeed, in addition to a powerful electric motor with a Subaru gearbox and Lithio Ion batteries (of two different sizes) iChange displays and demonstrates a complete catalogue of energy saving solutions, as well as energy enrichment and conservation: from solar cell to low-consumtion entertainment centre. The details will soon be available, as we approach the opening of the Geneva Motor Show.

For the time being we let the images speak for the car itself. Only a couple of notes: the transparent roof is electrically opened to grant access  to driver and passengers and where the driver takes a passenger or two with him the roof is lifted in the back to grant convenient head clearance to the rear passengers.

Click on Image below for complete photo gallery:

I.de.a. Institute Era for the Geneva Motor Show.

 All mouths are kept shout in Turin about what the Italian coachbuilder will be showing at the Geneva Motor Show, early next month, but it is already clear that Fioravanti, Italdesign and Zagato will be showing a world-première whereas Idea and Pininfarina will be displaying something “deja vu” but further developed. Pininfarina will take its ultimate development of the Bolloré Zero electric four door, four seater, all-round-city- sedan in new colour scheme and with a more sophisticated interior design. 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 »

In Singapore, late last month, the Pininfarina Sintesi concept-car unveiled last March at the Geneva Motor Show has been selected for “Red dot Award” among a selection of 1900 design concepts from 48 Nations.

The Pininfarina Concept-car has been elected for its innovative technology and Pininfarina vision of the car of the future. The international jury quoted: “for the excellent quality of its design and the outstanding innovation of its technological content”. Read the rest of this entry »

Clearly, Toyota designers have been thinking of endurance racing and not F1 for their Racing car for the year 2025 and this is very interesting, considering the Toyota also race in F1 and this years have been made some significant score.According to them, technological superiority and endurance makes for the ultimate racecar that never needs to stop. Not only is the racer powered by highly efficient hydrogen fuel cell electric motors but also each of its body panels is embedded with photovoltaic panels that supply electricity when extra energy is needed.The vehicle features two basic modes: High Speed Mode and Cornering Mode. In High Speed Mode, the body and wheels narrow, creating less drag and resistance to reach its highest speed of 350 mph. The Cornering Mode transforms the body to create a wide and stable stance with expanded wheels, establishing maximum contact and grip through tight turns.Electronics and futuristic development have been considered to support the driver in darkness or unreliable weather: the cockpit is a completely digital environment with a display enhanced by virtual reality, computer trajectory plotting, collision avoidance assistance and a robot co-pilot, which manages the on-board systems and repairs so that it can maintain full speed all the way to the finish. Sound impressive, doesn’t it?Designers:

·        President:
Kevin Hunter

·        Studio Design Manager:
Erwin Lui

·        Senior Creative Designer:
Craig Kember

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Mercedes-Benz designers have dreamed of a car that combines a number of sophisticated features. Their Formula Zero goes beyond today’s Formula One racers adding to its thrill a clear touch of luxury, the dynamics of the bobsled integrated into the track, and the grace and efficiency of yacht racing.Reminiscent of the Mercedes Benz racing heritage of the 1930’s, the Formula Zero Racer is loaded with technology designed to extract the maximum thrust from the electric hub motors, aero-efficient solar skin and high-tech rigid sail.Each team is allocated the same amount of stored energy and it is left to the teams and drivers to manage the variables to win the race. The winner is determined by total elapsed time combined with the energy efficiency factor. Spectators at the Mercedes Benz Formula Zero racing Series are treated to a new dimension of racing as the transparent track is visible from all perspectives – even from below!Designers:

·        Alan Barrington;

·        George Yoo;

·        Kevin Verduyn

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