Automotive
Honda’s Fuya-jo Party-on-wheels Concept
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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.” Read More
REVA Electric Vehicle Concept
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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. Read More
Porsche Speedster Replica powered by WRX engine
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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. Read More
World Touring Car Champs Rd 1: Alfa Romeo 1, BMW 1
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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
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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. Read More
Venturi Fetish - World's first production electric sportscar
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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. Read More
Electric Formula Race Car Demonstration at Monaco Electric Vehicle Symposium
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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. Read More
Scion t2B Concept Vehicle
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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. Read More
Suzuki Compact SUV Concept X2
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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. Read More
Toyot'a I-UNIT Personal Mobility Concept shown in New York
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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). Read More
Cadillac's stretch SUV
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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. Read More
World Touring Car Championship kicks off
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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. Read More
Malaysian F1 - Renault wins again, Toyota shines through
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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. Read More
Marcos TSO GT coupe sports car - 1100kg +400bhp
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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. Read More
Vanwall name lives again in a 1950s F1 replica roadster
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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.
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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
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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. Read More
Australian F1 Grand Prix
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March 7, 2005 The Australian Grand Prix marked the beginning of the Formula One season and once again offered intrigue at almost every turn of the wheel. In the end, the Mild Seven Renault Team had its best result since returning to F1 three years ago and clearly has the speed to be a challenger to Ferrari this season. Renault won the weekend from a team viewpoint, with Fisichella first and Alonso third, though most of the leading contenders could take some heart from the weekend’s proceedings. McLaren is clearly a contender again, Ferrari’s 2004 car was competitive (the 2005 car won’t be ready for several races yet) and Red Bull proved that small budgets and a good driver can get results with two point-scoring finishes using last year’s Jaguars as a basis. Read More
Ford Focus Vignale Concept
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March 3, 2005 A surprise star headlined the Focus collection at the Ford Australia 2005 Melbourne International Motor Show stand today - a concept car inspired by the all-new Ford Focus. Sitting alongside the all-new Ford Focus production range making its Australian debut in Melbourne, the Focus Vignale Concept explores the potential for future Focus derivatives. The overwhelming positive response to the Vignale Concept at the Paris Motor Show led to the early confirmation of a production model, due in late 2006. "We'll be watching closely to see if it receives a similar reaction here in Melbourne." ," said Ford Australia President Tom Gorman. Read More
Toyota's radical Compact Sports & Specialty Concept
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March 3, 2005 A radical Toyota sports car featuring a hybrid petrol-electric drive-train and a host of innovative interior features was one of the stars of the media day at the 2005 Melbourne International Motor Show. The CS&S (Compact Sports & Specialty) concept was designed to demonstrate the sporting potential of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive technology, as featured in the second-generation Prius production car. With its midship-mounted next-generation Toyota Hybrid System THS II based on the Hybrid Synergy Drive concept and an E-Four (electric 4-wheel drive) system, the CS&S is designed to provide outstanding environmental performance and driving exhilaration. Read More
Pininfarina’s 75th anniversary concept car – the Birdcage
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March 3, 2005 Pininfarina’s Birdcage concept car was built as a landmark vehicle to mark three quarters of a century of one of the most prominent design company’s on the planet. Based on the Maserati heritage and on its most advanced mechanicals and realized in collaboration with Motorola, Pininfarina revives the storied theme of the true dream car now proposed in a synthesis of the vision of the three companies: exclusive design, sports DNA and technological innovation. Pininfarina’s prosperous collaboration with Maserati, marked by the great international success of the Quattroporte, is celebrated with this rolling hi-tech sculpture that evokes a new future context, imaginary but possible, while simultaneously paying homage to the strong and distinctive brand characteristics of the Tridente. Read More
Ford SAV Concept Targets New Market Niche
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March 3, 2005 Ford Europe's SAV Concept demonstrates a fresh approach in two ways. Firstly it defines a new breed of car, the Sports Activity Vehicle: a three-row mono-space that is athletic both in its appearance and the way it drives. Secondly, the Ford SAV Concept provides a suitably dynamic form to reveal the emergence of a new design direction for Ford of Europe. Sleek and purposeful, the Ford SAV Concept demonstrates new ideas for people- and load-carrying flexibility. For Martin Smith, Ford of Europe’s recently appointed Executive Director of Design, it marks the first indication of a new form language for the Blue Oval brand. Read More
Koenigsegg CCR Breaks World Speed Record for Production Cars
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March 2, 2005 On February 28, the Koenigsegg CCR broke the production road car speed record, achieving a new official top speed of 388 kmh at Italy's Nardo Prototipo proving ground. The Koenigsegg CCR raised McLaren's previously unofficial mark of 372 kmh set at Nardo/Prototipo in 1993 by over 15 kmh. On top of this the CCR broke the official McLaren F1 record of 386.7 km/h, which was set on the 9 km straight line VW Ehra facility in Wolfsburg Germany. The Koenigsegg CCR is already the most powerful production car in the world and now adds the speed crown, beating out the McLaren F1 (372 kmh), the Ferrari Enzo (355 kmh), Porsche Carrera GT (334 kmh), McLaren Mercedes SLR (334 kmh) and Lamborghini Murcielago (330 kmh). Read More
Subaru's 2005 World Rally Car to Debut in Mexico
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March 2, 2005 The latest evolution of Subaru's Impreza World Rally Car will debut on March 11 at Rally Mexico, the third round of the 2005 World Rally Championship. Jointly developed by the Subaru World Rally Team (SWRT), Fuji Heavy Industries (the maker of Subaru vehicles), and Subaru Tecnica International (STI), the brand's performance arm, the Impreza WRC2005 will be debuted in the hands of Petter Solberg. Read More
All-New Mazda MX-5 debuts in Geneva
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March 3, 2005 UPDATED IMAGES Sixteen years after Mazda first showed what was to become the best selling two-seat sportscar in history (the MX-5), it has taken the covers off an all-new, third-generation MX-5 at the 2005 Salon International de l'Auto in Geneva. Mazda has thoroughly reworked every aspect of the MX-5’s design, mechanical function, and dynamic response with a view to infusing more fun and driving satisfaction. The new MX-5 is more powerful, more capable, more comfortable, offers better occupant protection yet its curb weight has increased by just 10 kg. In addition to saving weight, the torsional rigidity of the body structure has been improved 47% and a true 50:50 weight distribution has been achieved, significantly reducing the MX-5’s moment of inertia about the vertical (yaw) axis. The most notable change to the MX-5’s shape is the elimination of the "Coke bottle" shape of the contours. The nose and tail are smoothly tapered, as before, but now the surfaces wrap smoothly between the wheels without narrowing. The functional benefit of this change is a wider cockpit with additional hip, shoulder, and elbowroom. In addition, the space needed for side air bags is available. Read More
Protoscar builds the Porsche 911 Estate Car
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February 26, 2005 Swiss design company Protoscar has designed some very high profile concept cars, having been an integral part of the design of Rinspeed's radical show cars of the last five years such as the Splash, Senso, Bedouin, and Presto. This year, in addition to the Rinspeed Senso, the company will show a design concept of its own with some wonderful automotive heritage - a "Shooting brake" based on the Porsche 911 will be unveiled at the Geneva Motorshow, next week. 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. Read More
Alfa Romeo's 159 - the car to replace the 156
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February 26, 2005 The car that has to replace the Alfa Romeo 156, the award-winning sports sedan that redefined Alfa Romeo and took the legendary Italian car maker to new sales records with its unique blend of performance, ageless style and Italian brio, has one of the toughest jobs in the industry. That car is the Alfa Romeo 159 and it makes its world debut at the 2005 Geneva International Motor Show on 1 March 2005. Read More
Porsche's spectacular design for new museum
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February 24, 2005 Porsche is presenting to the public the entries of the ten architectural practices that participated in the competition for the planned new Porsche museum building. From today until March 6, the models will be on view daily between 11 am and 6 pm in the Meidinger-Saal in "Haus der Wirtschaft" in Stuttgart. Interested visitors will thus be able to visualise the plans for the Porscheplatz in Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen in detail. The new Porsche museum, which is one of the most spectacular architectural projects in the history of the sports automobile manufacturer, is to be completed in 2007 and is expected to attract over 200,000 visitors each year. Read More
The New Maybach 57 S - 6.0-litre V12 biturbo 612bhp luxury saloon
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February 23, 2005 The all-new Maybach 57 S (Special), a more powerful and individualised version of the Series 57 saloon, will be shown for the first time in Geneva next week. Developed in cooperation with Mercedes-AMG, the 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine provides impressive acceleration, powering the Maybach 57 S from zero to 100 km/h in only five seconds. This makes the Maybach 57 S the world’s fastest series-production saloon in its segment. In line with the more powerful engine, the Maybach 57 S also comes with an uprated chassis. Read More
Porsche to release new model: the Cayman
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February 23 In the course of this year Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, will be enlarging its range of sports cars through the introduction of another outstanding model. Based on the Boxster platform, the new car, given its performance qualities, will rank between the 911 Carrera and the Boxster S. This position of the new model is also borne out by its six-cylinder boxer engine transmitting maximum output of 295 bhp (217 kW) to the rear wheels. Like the power of the engine, the price of this new sports car will also come between that of the 911 Carrera and the Boxster S. Read More
genX concept car has an inbuilt pop-up bed
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February 19, 2005 One of the most radical concept cars we’ve ever covered, EDAG’s genX show car has inbuilt suitcases and a bed to cater for what EDAG designers call, “the modern lifestyle.” We’re not sure if that means having a bed without having to drive home, being able to drink without having to drive or sleeping in your car permanently. The genX premiered at the 2004 Geneva International Motor Show. Read More
The Lamborghini
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February 19, 2005 The House of the Raging Bull has shown the first photos of a new concept car it will display at the Geneva Motor Show - the Lamborghini "Concept S." Based on the Lamborghini Gallardo, the "Concept S" is a spectacular expression of the Lamborghini brand, inspired by the classic single-seater racing cars of the past. Created at the Centro Stile Lamborghini in Sant'Agata Bolognese by Luc Donckerwolke, Head of Lamborghini Design, the "Concept S" is his extreme interpretation of an "open car". Read More
EDAG and Rinspeed present the 600 horsepower Chopster SUV
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February 19, 2005 Last November Gizmag released the first information about the Porsche Cayenne-based Rinspeed Chopster and at the time we commented that the beautiful Cayenne was a most unlikely vehicle to mess with. The new 600 horsepower Chopster SUV will debut at the Geneva Motor Show and interestingly, it somehow got a lot better looking in the last three months. A collaboration between two of the most innovative automotive companies in the world, the Chopster offers 800nM of torque and costs around 325,000 Euro. Read More
Rinspeed's Senso: the car that senses the driver
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Automotive innovator Rinspeed has done it again. Each year Rinspeed releases one or more prototypes that push the edge of the automotive design envelope. This year, the company delved into the future again, with a car that senses the driver and reacts accordingly. The "Senso" actually "senses" the driver by measuring his (or her) biometric data, and then exerts a positive effect on him with the help of patterns, colors, music and fragrances. A person who is relaxed and wide-awake simply drives better and more safely. Read More
Toyota's FJ Cruiser SUV goes from concept to production model at 2005 Chicago Auto Show
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February 12, 2005 Toyota unveiled the all-new FJ Cruiser sport utility vehicle (SUV) at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show this week. Like so many other concept vehicles greeted by a positive response, the FJ Cruiser concept of two years ago has catalysed a production version. The all-new production model retains much of the design details of the original concept. "The FJ Cruiser effectively fills a gap in the Toyota lineup which was once our core heritage - capable, affordable and durable vehicles that are youthful, fun-to-drive, aggressive and tough," said a Toyota spokesperson. "The FJ Cruiser will deliver true off-road ruggedness, image and performance at a very low price, making it highly accessible for a large volume of young buyers." Read More
