Automotive
Suzuki GSX-R/4 Concept update for Tokyo?
Image Gallery (17 images)
June 22, 2005 Rumours emanating from Japan suggest Suzuki might be ready to put the GSX-R/4 concept machine it first showed four years ago into production with an announcement due that this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. The multi-featured GSX-R/4 concept car combined Suzuki's automotive and motorcycle technologies to create a one-of-a-kind high-performance vehicle using the 1.3-liter 173 horsepower engine of the GSX1300R Hayabusa motorcycle to create a high-tech, aluminium-framed, light weight 640 kilogram two-seater sportscar capable of 140 mph and motorcycle-like acceleration. With the rumours already strong that a production version of the outrageous B-King concept motorcycle will be announced at the show with a 1500cc motor, use of the same motor would see the GSX-R/4 with more than 200 horses plus the same array of intelligent electronics that adjust the car to the driver’s style.
The toughest bus on the planet
Image Gallery (22 images)
June 18, 2005 “Route Irish” is the local name for the heavily travelled, and highly dangerous road between the secure Green Zone in Baghdad and Baghdad International Airport. There have been so many ambushes and IED explosions on that route that all U.S. State Department personnel were forbidden from travelling the route by road last December (2004) and must use helicopters instead. If you don’t have a helicopter at your disposal in Baghdad, as nearly all Military and civilian contractor personnel don’t, there’s really only one certain option if you wish to remain alive and that’s to travel in one of the heavily armoured Rhino Runner buses. Without a shadow of doubt, the Rhino Runner is the toughest bus on the planet – when the human value of the cargo is V.I.P. and above, it is the military’s vehicle of choice to provide safe ground transportation. Regular users of the vehicle in Baghdad include U.S. Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfeld, General Dick Myers, Saddam Hussein and all other V.I.P. prisoners. The stories surrounding the massive attacks that Rhino Runners have withstood border on the preposterous.
F1 - Canadian GP: Raikkonen & McLaren again
Image Gallery (25 images)
June 12, 2005 McLaren Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen won today's Canadian Grand Prix to gain ten important Championship points and move back into contention for the World Championship with 37 points as points leader (63) Fernando Alonso failed to finish. Raikkonen’s win brought McLaren to 63 points in the Constructors' ranking just 13 points behind Renault. It was also a day of the resurgent Ferrari team, with Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello scoring strong second and third places and bringing Ferrari into a five way fight for the Constructors championship.
The Bionic Car project
Image Gallery (12 images)
June 9, 2005 Bionics, the combination of biology and technology is a recent field of research which has nonetheless already made remarkable progress possible in different areas. Nature has provided ideas for high-strength materials, dirt-repellent coatings and even Velcro fastenings and this has lead to an interdisciplinary project combining biologists and engineers the Mercedes-Benz Technology Center (MTC) to develop the Mercedes-Benz bionic car - a concept vehicle based on examples in nature. Engineers looked for specific example in nature whose shape and structure approximated to their ideas for an aerodynamic, safe, spacious and environmentally compatible car. Using these examples, the team designed and constructed a vehicle with intelligent lightweight construction and extraordinary aerodynamics.
The Rinspeed Porsche 997 "Gullwing"
Image Gallery (6 images)
June 1, 2005 Swiss automotive design customizing Rinspeed has given us some of the most innovative four-wheeled designs of the last decade, usually with cars that morph from one shape or purpose to another, such as the Presto, Bedouin, Splash and Senso. This time there's no morphing, just a new and exclusive look for the Porsche 911 (997). Whether Carrera or Carrera S, Coupe or Convertible, Rinspeed has an aerodynamics package for these models, with the highlight being the reworked original doors now swing upwards instead of laterally, for the distinctive gullwing look.
European F1: last lap heartbreak for Raikkonen
Image Gallery (27 images)
May 29, 2005 West McLaren Mercedes’ Kimi Raikkonen looked set to take his third consecutive win of the season at the Nurburgring today, until a mechanical failure saw him crash out on the very last lap when in the lead. With the principal challenger eliminated and the win inherited by championship leader, Fernando Alonso of Renault, Alonso now holds a 32 point lead with one third of the season gone and the championship looks safely in his keeping. Williams’ Nick Heidfeld scored his second podium in a row and Ferrari returned to the podium with Rubens Barrichello third and Michael Schumacher fifth.
Bugatti Veyron: soon to be the world's fastest production car
Image Gallery (23 images)
June 2, 2005 Ettore Bugatti produced machines that set world speed records for planes, boats, trains and cars, built the most successful racing car in history and the most expensive car in history. The marque has been revived after 50 years and the new car recently exceeded 400km/h in testing. Its engine has 16 cylinders, eight camshafts, four turbochargers, 64 valves and produces 987 horsepower. When the Bugatti Veyron goes on sale later this year it will cost 1,000,000 Euros and only 300 will ever be built. It will also claim the title of the fastest production car in history, exceeding the McLaren F1’s record of 386.4 kmh (240.1mph) which stood for seven years, and the recent record established by the Koennigsegg CCR of 387.87 kmh (241.01 mph). Last month, a prototype Bugatti Veyron was officially measured at over 400 km/h (248.5 mph) at the Volkswagen Ehra–Lessien proving grounds reaching this speed several times and in both directions, as required by official measuring procedures.
Leblanc Mirabeau: world's quickest production car
Image Gallery (28 images)
Swiss supercar builder Wysstec has already built one of the most remarkable cars in automotive history. Although it only has a four cylinder motor, the turbocharged 512 bhp Leblanc Caroline is one of the quickest road cars ever recorded because it weighs just 785 kg. Now the company has produced what is almost certainly the quickest (fastest accelerating) roadcar ever – the new Leblanc Mirabeau is the closest you’ll ever get to a race car for the street. Constructed of Kevlar, carbon fibre, and assorted unobtanium, it weighs just 812 kg and its powerplant comes from what was until recently the world’s fastest roadcar – the Koenigsegg CCR was recently timed at 387.87 kmh. That might not mean much if you’re not unhealthily familiar with supercar specifications, so we’ll help with some perspective. That’s less than two thirds of the weight of a Porsche Carrera GT or Saleen S7. It’s also a whopping 358 kilograms lighter than the car from which it borrowed its engine, 570kg lighter than a Ferrari Enzo and half the weight of the car that will become the fastest (top speed) roadcar when it is released later this year, the Bugatti Veyron. Read all about it …
First details and pics: new Porsche Cayman S
Image Gallery (4 images)
May 23, 2005 Porsche will be launching the new Cayman S on November 26, 2005. This sporty two-seater, based on the Boxster series, boasts a newly developed six-cylinder boxer engine with a capacity of 3.4 liters and an output of 295 bhp (217 KW). The assembly delivers an impressive performance: high and constant propulsive power at lower and medium speeds. The sports car’s maximum speed is 275 kilometers per hour. With manual transmission and a centrally placed engine, the Cayman S accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 5.4 seconds.
Monte Carlo Formula 1: McLaren and Raikkonen win and bring title back to life
Image Gallery (42 images)
May 22, 2005 MAJOR PICTORIAL COVERAGE OF RACE & FESTIVITIES: McLaren’s Kimi Raikkonen drove an impeccable race to completely dominate the World’s most famous motor race, the Monaco Grand prix today, and in so doing, breathed life into the championship race and gave hope to McLaren that it could catch the early season form team of Renault and Fernando Alonso. The Williams of Heidfeld and Webber finished second and third bringing to five the constructors with a realistic hope of winning the constructor’s title though bookies installed McLaren as favourites following the race. Though both Ferrari’s finished in the points, Michael Schumacher’s chances of winning the title for a fifth straight time now look completely gone.
The Star Wars Red Bull F1 Promotion
Image Gallery (28 images)
May 22, 2005 When it comes to doing things on a grand scale, a strategic alliance between George Lucas and Red Bull’s Dietrich Mateschitz always threatened to be a bit over the top. And so it came to pass. Lucas and Mateschitz partnered for a week of global promotional hype on the Cote d’Azur with stunning success. The tie-up between Red Bull Racing and the latest Star Wars movie finally reached its conclusion on Saturday night in Monaco when the last (and first) film in the series, “Revenge of the Sith” was screened for the benefit of guests from the world of Formula 1. The screening, which took place in the Grimaldi Forum was followed by a party, attended by several stars of the film and its director, George Lucas. There were plenty of sore heads in the Monaco paddock this morning, after a crowd of around five hundred F1 movers and shakers attended the biggest bash of the weekend in the Grimaldi Forum last night. Then the Red Bull pit crew did its stuff decked out as Star wars characters and around 500 million people around the world were reminded about the film’s premier.
Radical British MBR EOS 3-seater Supercar
Image Gallery (15 images)
May 13, 2005 New to the ranks of supercar manufacturers is MB Roadcars (MBR) which unveiled its first offering, the unique 3-seater EOS (‘Exigence of Speed’) supercar at the prestigious Top Marques Motor Show in Monaco last weekend. Engineered by a consortium of Formula 1 designers, EOS benefits from some radical aerodynamicsthat provide 40% more downforce than its closest competitors, plus a range of the latest technologies and materials taken directly from Formula 1 and the aerospace industry. The EOS will sell for UKP340,000, have a top speed of approxiumately 325kmh and a remarkable power to weight ratio of 0.5bhp per kg. EOS features a three-seat layout with central driving position, and its advanced aerodynamic shape, with a two-element front wing and side winglets, has been designed from the outset using the latest F1 computer-aided-design and computational fluid dynamics technology. Of major importance was the announcement of an engine supply agreement with Mader Racing, who will develop a bespoke engine for EOS based on the all-alloy V8 race engine currently used in the new GP2 series.
The 350 km/h 700 bhp Fulda Maybach Exelero
Image Gallery (25 images)
May 15, 2005 The Maybach Exelero high-performance show car unveiled to the world for the first time this week is a remarkable car with an even more remarkable story behind it. The 700-hp V-12 biturbo two-seater is a unique custom model produced for tyre manufacturer Fulda Reifenwerke, which is using the Maybach Exelero as a reference vehicle for a newly developed generation of wide tyres. The German manufacturer of luxury cars built the unique model as a modern interpretation of its legendary streamlined sports car from the 1930s, thereby forging a link with the historical predecessor, which at that time was likewise based on a powerful Maybach automobile (SW 38) and used by Fulda for tyre tests. Highly recommended reading.
Volvo YCC Concept Car wins major design award
Image Gallery (5 images)
May 6, 2005 The Volvo Cars' YCC team has received the Torsten och Wanja Soderbergs Pris (Torsten and Wanja Soderbergs Prize), one of Scandinavia's most prestigious design awards. The YCC is a Volvo concept car with unique features designed exclusively by women and it impressed the judging jury. "For their solutions for storage, accessibility, vision and the possibility to personalize the interior, the group has in a convincing way shown possible solutions for future cars," wrote the jury.
World 100,000 mile record: 140 mph for 30 days averaging 40 mpg
Image Gallery (7 images)
May 3, 2005 With so much competition for global car sales, it helps to launch a car into the market with a significant impetus and there’s no greater testimony to the speed or reliability of a car, or boost to the desirability of a car than a world record. Accordingly, Mercedes Benz used such a feat to launch its new V6 CDI diesel engine. It had three cars picked at random off the production line, sealed, taken to a track in Texas and run continuously for 100,000 miles. Each E 320 CDI car ran flawlessly for 30 days while averaging 224 kmh (140mph) and 40 miles per gallon while satisfying all Californian CARB emission standards and stopping for a regular service - each car was serviced ten times during the run. The 26-strong team of mechanics changed the engine oil, air and diesel filters during each service stop. That should make the showroom punters take notice! Read on for the full story.
BMW dominates French round of World Touring Car Championship
Image Gallery (9 images)
May 1, 2005 The prediction that BMW would dominate at French round of the World Touring Car Championship at the weekend (1 May 2005) at Magny Cours was born out by a total German domination in both races. In race one Jorg Muller lead the BMWs home after a spectacular start that saw Andy Priaulx overtaking Alfa Romeo's Augusto Farfus and Rickard Rydell before entering the first corner. The 2004 FIA ETCC title holder did not surrender this advantage and crossed the line in second place 2.882 seconds behind the winner. Rydell represented SEAT Sport on the podium by finishing third in his SEAT Toledo Cupra after an exciting duel with Gabriele Tarquini's Alfa Romeo. Antonio Garcia, Dirk Muller, Jordi Gene and Farfus filled the other point positions, while Peter Terting made a daring move on the very last corner of the race to overtake Fabrizio Giovanardi, enabling the German rookie to claim ninth place.
San Marino F1 GP - Fantastic duel between Schumacher and Alonso
Image Gallery (31 images)
April 24, 2005 Fernando Alonso made it three wins in a row when he won the 62 lap San Marino Grand Prix at Imola on Sunday, but the real excitement came from his fantastic duel with Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari over the last 11 laps of the race, the pair being just 0.2s apart at the end. BAR Honda’s Jenson Button completed the top three to open his score in the championship. Though the RS25 V10 fitted to Fernando Alonso’s car became the first engine in the modern era of Formula 1 to win two consecutive races, the real message from San Marino was that Ferrari is back and that Ferrari and Michael Schumacher now have the speed to fight to retain the title. McLaren Mercedes and BAR Honda have also caught up to the speed of the Renault and the season looks set to be a pearler!
BMW 3 Series Wagon Variant announced: The
Image Gallery (9 images)
April 20, 2005 BMW has announced a wagon variant of the new 3 Series Sedan that will make its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September. The “Touring” shares a strong visual link with the 3 Series Sedan, largely identical to the Sedan from the front to the A-pillars. From the A-pillars back the car's sporting, almost coupe-like silhouette hides the immense degree of practicality for families and professionals seeking more space, grace and style.
The fourth-generation BMW 3 Series Touring has been developed as an entirely different and unique car in parallel to the Sedan.
Honda’s Fuya-jo Party-on-wheels Concept
Image Gallery (8 images)
History has produced some wonderful concept cars that became significant production models. It has also produced many that were somewhat less than well received. Japan in particular, has an automotive culture which takes significant chances with its concept vehicles, and is often prepared to go well beyond the traditional to explore new niche markets. One such long shot was the Fuya Jo from Honda – the vehicle whose name means "Sleepless City", was designed specifically to transport “party animals who demand the full excitement of night life.”
REVA Electric Vehicle Concept
Image Gallery (9 images)
April 15, 2005 The REVA-NXG, a “next generation Electric Vehicle” concept was shown for the first time earlier this month at the EV21 Electric Vehicle Symposium in Monaco. Created by the Indian REVA Electric Car Company (RECC), the new concept car is the result of a collaborative effort between RECC, automobile designer Dilip Chhabria and Simputer developer Encore Software. The REVA-NXG is a two-seater roadster with a range of 200 kilometres and a top speed of 120 kmh. The car is powered by a high performance 37 kW AC induction motor that drives the front wheels, and uses Sodium Nickel Chloride batteries in lieu of conventional lead acid batteries for extended life. The REVA-NXG has four-wheel independent suspension with an integrated regenerative and hydraulic braking system and the company claims excellent handling and braking.
Porsche Speedster Replica powered by WRX engine
Image Gallery (15 images)
April 14, 2005 One of the stars of the recent Melbourne International Auto Show was a new automobile with a distinctly recognisable shape – the “James Dean” Porsche Speedster reincarnated with a turbocharged 2 litre WRX motor. The Chetcuti is powered by a 160 kilowatt Subaru EJ20 motor and is available in three versions, all based on a 1957 Porsche Speedster: the rear-engined “traditional” shape, a wide-bodied version and a wide-bodied mid-engined version. All three weigh in at around 1000 kg, and offer spectacular performance at around US$55,000.
World Touring Car Champs Rd 1: Alfa Romeo 1, BMW 1
Image Gallery (6 images)
April 11, 2005: The inaugural World Touring Car Championship, which has lifted touring car racing to the same level as Formula One and the World Rally Championship, got underway at the weekend (9-10 April 2005) in Italy, with race honours split between the two top teams, BMW and Alfa Romeo. Alfa Romeo went into the race the favourites, after a dominating first practice two weeks ago at the historic Monza track. But conditions for Round One - cold and bleak - were very different and after the cancellation of Friday's practice due to the funeral of The Pope, BMW's Dirk Muller clinched pole position on Saturday for the first of the two races in round one of the 2005 WTCC.
Dodge Charger SRT8 with 425bhp 6.1 litre V8
Image Gallery (9 images)
March 28, 2005 Dodge showed the 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 for the first time at the New York Auto Show this week and performance-car aficionados were delighted with the infusion of Street and Racing Technology (SRT) DNA. The all-new 2006 Dodge Charger SRT8 provides performance enthusiasts with a thoroughly modern American muscle sedan: more power, world-class ride and handling, benchmark braking and a race-inspired interior.
Venturi Fetish - World's first production electric sportscar
Image Gallery (13 images)
March 28, 2005 One of the stars of the 21st International Electric Vehicles Symposium (EVS21) to be held in Monte Carlo next week will be the world’s most exclusive electric car – the Venturi Fetish. Assembled by hand in Monaco and made to order, the Fetish has an asking price of 450,000 Euro (US$583,000) - not bad for a vehicle which can legitimately claim the title of being the first production electric sports car in history.
Electric Formula Race Car Demonstration at Monaco Electric Vehicle Symposium
Image Gallery (7 images)
April 1, 2005 Monte Carlo is the place to be this coming weekend (April 2-6, 2005) for those interested in the future of transport. Monaco is the venue for the Electric Vehicle Symposium (EVS-21) and every major electric vehicle manufacturer on the planet will be there, with some new and exciting technologies to be showcased during the global get-together. As previously mentioned, the Venturi Fetish will be the most significant of the cars on show, being the first production electric sportscar, but one of the most significant showings will be that of Raser Technologies which will demonstrate its advanced motor and controller technology in a Formula Lightning car driven on the Grand Prix circuit. Raser Technologies claim the motor is capable of producing 500 bhp which, if true, means a whole new world of motoring is about to begin.
Scion t2B Concept Vehicle
Image Gallery (18 images)
March 26, 2005 Toyota’s Scion brand debuted a new t2B (Tall Two-Box) concept vehicle at the 2005 New York International Auto Show yesterday. The t2B concept reflects Scion's key product philosophies of style, versatility, and surprise. It encompasses bold exterior styling, innovative features, and a passenger-friendly interior, all packaged with a fun-to-drive factor.
Suzuki Compact SUV Concept X2
Image Gallery (2 images)
March 25, 2005 Building on its considerable SUV heritage and borrowing from its recreational lifestyle roots, Suzuki revealed its compact SUV concept - Suzuki Concept-X2 - at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) yesterday. The Concept-X2 is a customer-focused SUV for "adventure-seekers unwilling to sacrifice capability, power, performance, safety or style in a right-sized sport-utility package." The Concept-X2 was unveiled as the second embodiment of the automaker's new customer-focused "Way of Life" philosophy - a new brand vision for Suzuki that was unveiled at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit with the Concept-X.
Toyot'a I-UNIT Personal Mobility Concept shown in New York
Image Gallery (3 images)
March 26, 2005 Toyota's i-unit concept was debuted outside Japan for the first time at the 2005 New York International Auto Show yesterday indicating the "personal mobility" is gathering momentum as a production possibility. One of the most radical automotive concepts ever publicly shown, the single passenger i-unit is a radical new form of "personal mobility" that was first shown as the PM Concept at the 2003 Tokyo Show but continues to evolve and with this concerted push towards public awareness of the concept, Toyota is clearly seeking to commercialise this exciting cross between a miniature electric car and a robot in the near future. Toyota is also showing an even more radical personal mobility "i-foot" unit at the EXPO 2005 in Aichi which is similar to the i-unit but features bipedal motive power (i.e. robotic legs).
Cadillac's stretch SUV
Image Gallery (10 images)
March 29, 2005 Cadillac has been getting a lot of press for its limousines of late, but in our mind, the jewel in the crown is not American President George W. Bush’s “missile-proof” 2006 Cadillac DTS Presidential Limousine or even the Cadillac DTS Executive Limousine that real estate magnate Donald Trump accepted at the New York Motor Show. We like the Cadillac Escalade ESVe (for executive) limousine. With a 40-inch wheelbase extension, the Escalade ESVe limousine is a mobile board room and entertainment suite on wheels. It is equipped with opulent amenities and seating for four passengers in the rear cabin.
World Touring Car Championship kicks off
Image Gallery (7 images)
March 24, 2005 The inaugural World Touring Car Championship (WTCC) begins next month, taking over from the highly successful European Touring Car Championship, which has provided some of the most exciting motorsport in the world over the last eight years, and lifts touring racing up to the same level as the World Formula One Championship and the World Rally Championship.
Malaysian F1 - Renault wins again, Toyota shines through
Image Gallery (13 images)
March 20, 2005 A second win in two races for the Mild Seven Renault F1 Team at the Malaysian Grand Prix was the major news, but close behind Renault’s win at Sepang was the performance of Toyota, which finally appears to have arrived as a force in Formula One. Panasonic Toyota Racing scored its debut podium position after a "Trulli" outstanding drive from Jarno ensured he comfortably ended the grueling 56-lap race in 2nd position. A determined drive from Ralf Schumacher made it two cars in the top five for toyota, a total of 12 world championship points and second place in the constructors' championship.
Marcos TSO GT coupe sports car - 1100kg +400bhp
Image Gallery (8 images)
March 19, 2005 – Marcos Engineering unveiled its new Marcos TSO GT coupe sports car today in South Australia at the Clipsal 500 Adelaide motor race. The TSO GT ran pre-race laps before a crowd of 250,000 race fans and will be on display at the event until March 20th. It will then embark on a 2800 Kilometer test and evaluation program as Marcos Engineers prepare the car for the Australian marketplace. The two seat coupe sports car delivers stunning performance with a Grand Touring capability and a familiar GM V8 powertrain that make it ideal for Australian motoring enthusiasts. The TSO GT delivers an awe inspiring 400 horsepower in a lightweight sports car that weighs just under 1100kg. These impressive power to weight figures enable it to accelerate to 60 mph in just over 4 seconds and to 100mph in just over 9 seconds. The GT will accelerate from 50 to 70 mph in just over 2 seconds and its top speed is estimated to be over 185 mph.
Vanwall name lives again in a 1950s F1 replica roadster
Image Gallery (2 images)
March 11, 2005 One of the most famous names in motor racing history is to be reborn in the form of a roadgoing 1950s Formula One racing car replica. The famous Vanwall marque was in existence for just four years during the 1950s but in that time it won nine F1 victories, the F1 Constructors title in 1958 and was driven by the likes of Stirling Moss. Now the name will resurface as a high performance V12, aluminium bodied single seat racing car for the road. And a twin-seater is planned for later in the year.
The Amphicar - the only non-military amphibious vehicle ever to go into mass production.
Image Gallery (14 images)
A spate of new amphibious vehicles in recent times and the seeming resurgence of interest in the area has seen us receive a wave of correspondence informing us of many amphibious projects around the world. One of the most fascinating amphibious vehicles to come to light has been the German-produced Amphicar - the only non-military amphibious vehicle ever to go into mass production. Like the Gibbs Aquada, the Amphicar was a convertible and a serious watergoing vessel and a number of lengthy sea voyages were recorded, most notably Africa to Spain and three crossings of the English Channel, once in a Force 6 gale. Note, the Aquada now holds the record for an English Channel crossing by an amphibious vehicle.
Dodge Reveals Global Concept Car
Image Gallery (7 images)
March 10, 2005 Dodge is going global in 2005 and chose the 75th Annual Geneva International Motor Show to debut its Caliber Global Concept Car, hinting at the direction of the next-generation Dodge C-segment vehicle. With a global stage in the centre of a European marketplace it intends to conquer, Dodge designers aimed their sketch pads at the global car market and the result is a five-door vehicle that combines a sporty coupe-like profile with the strength, stance and functionality of an SUV.
