Automotive
Mazda MX-Crossport Concept hints at possible future design direction
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December 16, 2004 Mazda has released details of a new concept vehicle scheduled to be shown in public for the first time at the 2005 North America International Auto Show next month in Detroit. The MX-Crossport design concept represents a new direction Mazda is considering as it works to expand its line-up. The MX-Crossport is a crossover-type vehicle that combines the strong, sports car styling motif of the company's flagship RX-8 with the more practical packaging of a sport-utility vehicle.
BMW M6: New V10 Super Coupé
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December 15, 2004 BMW's high performance M3 and M5 cars are set to be joined by the M6, a sporting rendition of the two-door luxury 6 Series Coupé. Powered by the same 500 horsepower Formula 1-inspired V10 motor and seven-speed sequential manual transmission fitted to the M5, the thoroughbred M6 will be available in very limited numbers towards the end of 2005.
Ford's Mercury Meta One concept
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November 20, 2004 Details of Ford’s Mercury Meta One concept have emerged in the lead-up to the 2005 North American International Auto Show. With an emphasis on high-tech, pro-active new safety features such as "Lane Departure Warning" and "Collision Mitigation by Braking", the Meta One also promises a world-first advanced powertrain, and enhanced electronics in a design that explores the adaptation of the Mercury DNA to a crossover vehicle.
Chrysler reveals V8 powered 'Firepower' concept
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November 21, 2004 The Chrysler-branded 'Firepower' concept pushes beyond the sports car realm by blending expressive detail and engineering into its long-nosed design and low-slung silhouette. The sleek new concept seeks to uphold the Chrysler brand standards of elegance, refinement and affordability in a "grand tourer" that lays down the challenge to General Motors' Corvette. The Dodge Viper-based, 425-horsepower concept will be among the highlights at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January 2005.
BMW release new M3 Coupe Competition Package
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November 25, 2004 BMW Australia
has released the new BMW M3 Coupe Competition Package option for the iconic M3 Coupe. Drawing a myriad of components from the AUD $210,000 M3 CSL, the new BMW M3 Competition Package option delivers increased responsiveness and agility, M Track Mode dynamic control, optimised suspension settings, a quicker steering rack, M3 CSL-style 19-inch light alloy wheels with beefed-up brakes and a unique BMW-Williams F1-inspired Interlagos Blue metallic paint to transform your M3 Coupe into the ultimate racing vehicle.
Honda survey reveals what children want from cars
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November 21, 2004 Adults may dismiss flying cars as the stuff of science fiction, but for children, according to a new survey released by Honda, only a flying car will do. Gizmag readers, of course, know that such vehicles are already in development
and that by the time many of the children surveyed here are old enough to drive, flying cars will be a common sight.
AVIC-N2 next gen car navigation/multimedia system
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November 8, 2004 The AVIC-N2 from Pioneer may be the most advanced in-car navigation and entertainment system on the market. The motorized, 6.5" touch screen display puts everything at your fingertips, including memory navigation (with route guidance, electronic mapping and points of interest), DVD video, multimedia audio/video, a rear camera and even a virtual dashboard to monitor your vehicle's performance all in one device for approximately US $2,200. The screen even folds away, allowing the driver to follow voice prompts to their final destination once they have the hang of it.
Rinspeed 'chops' the Porsche Cayenne
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November 2, 2004 The latest creation of the Swiss design powerhouse and tuner Rinspeed is the Porsche Cayenne-based Chopster, inspired by the mostly American cult to lower the roof line ('chop') on even the most unlikely vehicles. And the Cayenne, one of the best looking multi-purpose machines on the market, is an unlikely vehicle to mess with.
Toyota's new Porte small car with a single electric door
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October 29, 2004 No sooner had we written up the newly announced Peugeot 1007 with its clever sliding doors and space efficient design, than Toyota actually put a very similar vehicle on the showroom floor in Japan.
The new Porte is a compact car with a wireless remote-controlled electric sliding door on the passenger side - slightly different from the two-door Peugeot, but with the same reconfigurable seating concept.
Nissan Caravan Box In Box
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October 29, 2004 After mass production comes mass customisation and the Tokyo Motor Show shows the development of specialised, sliver-thin, vertical-market offerings is already well underway.
The Nissan Caravan Box In Box was created around a the concept of adding "merchandising capability to the traditional vehicle functions of mobility and transport."
The Caravan Box In Box is designed so that all of the display boxes it contains can easily be pulled out from either the back door or the sliding side door and opened for displaying goods.
Mitsubishi FUSO Concept
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October 29, 2004 Mitsubishi showed a radical concept truck at the recent Tokyo Motor Show, exhibited as a concept known simply as FUSO, which is a bit confusing given that the company's entire truck brand, which began all the way back in 1932, is also named FUSO.
The Fuso was one of a number of exhibits designed to promote and focus upon the future of the company and is described by Mitsubishi as "a concept truck that proposes an entirely new style of commercial transport."
Given the company's well publicised quality problems, we suspect the focus has been moved to future new products, replenishment of the entire range as quickly as possible, and things have shifted quickly in recent months, even in the land of the shortest concept-to-showroom times in the industry.
The New BMW 3 Series
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October 29, 2004 BMW has released details of its all-new BMW 3 Series. To be shown for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show next March, the E90 3 Series is will go on sale in mid-2005.
The E90 3 Series adds an armoury of impressive, innovative improvements for engine, chassis, safety technology as well as driving comfort.
Three new engines.
The new BMW 3 Series comes with three engine options: two all-new six-cylinder engines and an optimised iteration of the famous 2.0-litre four-cylinder slots into the 320i entry model
Toyota shows some knockout concept vehicles
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October 16, 2004 Toyota has announced a striking and futuristic set of vehicles for specialty niches which it will display at the upcoming 38th Tokyo Motor show in Japan.
Under the theme "Ecology & Emotion", Toyota will display over a dozen concept vehicles that offer superior environmental performance and respond to social needs.
The pick of the crop involve three purpose-built solutions for outdoor Djs, go-kart racers and a design that facilitates mobility for the elderly and disabled without the need for a carer.
Challenge Bibendum showcases clean car technology
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The 6th annual Challenge Bibendum opened today in Shanghai, the first time the landmark sustainable automobile competition has visited Asia. The three-day event is designed to promote sustainable road mobility and has brought together the most influential players in the global automotive industry.
Venturi Fetish to be world's first production electric sportcar
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The Venturi Fetish concept-car was first unveiled at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show, and went on to be one of the stars of the 2002 Paris Motor Show and 2003 Detroit Motor Show - an electric sportcar concept of French design. Buoyed by public enthusiasm and the brand's 20th anniversary, Venturi has tak...
Supercar performance for under UKP20,000
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It's had rave reviews from Formula 1 drivers, the most prestigious motoring journals in the world have lavished superlatives on the vehicle and in a recent track shoot-out, it wasted the world's fastest roadcars lapping more than three seconds a lap faster than a Porsche 911 GT3, a Noble M12R, a Pagani Zonda and a Lamborghini Murcielago. And it is road registerable! Whatsmore, you can put one on the road for under UKP20,000.
The secret to the Atom 2 is in the chassis and minimalist approach. As the company's literature says, "if you don't NEED it, it's not there." This approach has enabled the company to put a car on the road at a staggering 456 kilograms. There's no doors, no screen and no roof at that weight, but the pay-off comes when the standard Honda 2.0 litre i-VTEC engine starts pushing it around - acceleration is astounding, even when you've read the previously published stories.
BMW Sets Speed Records with Hydrogen fuelled V12
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Hydrogen propulsion moved from rockets to racers this week as BMW set nine new speed records for hydrogen powered automobiles. The record attempt was conducted at the high-speed Miramas Proving Grounds in France, where the 210kW hydrogen prototype proved BMW's point that hydrogen can replace conventional fuel without a performance compromise. The H2R Record Car uses a six-litre 12 cylinder power unit and accelerates to 100 km/h in approximately 6 seconds with a top speed of 302.4 km/h (185,52 mph). Based on the 760i power unit, the main modifications involved the fuel injection system being adapted to the special requirements of hydrogen.
Mercedes-Benz Presents Crossover Concept at Hanover
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A new crossover concept from Mercedes-Benz will gauge the level of interest in vehicles that depart from the beaten track and take new roads into the future at this year's International Commercial Vehicle Fair (IAA) in Hanover at the end of September. Combining American styling with European dimensions and dynamism, the Activity study combines the different automobile cultures in Europe and America and is based on the Mercedes-Benz Vito van and Viano MPV.
Honda NSX Police Car
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We've covered some exotic police cars in Gizmo, such as the Lamborghini Gallardo and the Dodge Magnum SXT, but the unveiling of a Honda NSX in police livery has added weight to the trend. The car was exhibited by Avon and Somerset Police in the UK at a car show and drew some interesting responses from the punters.
KIA to show new concept KCV-III sports car at Sydney Show
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There'll be a new place to look for a sports car at the Australian International Motor Show in Sydney (7-17 October 2004) with Kia, best known for its top selling family cars, revealing the KC-III, a sports car study that is set to join the Kia range. Designed at Kia's Namyang R&D Centre, the KCV-III is a small coupe convertible that showcases the best-of-breed technologies and styling that Kia will be incorporating in its future line-up.
8WD Electric limousine handles like a sportscar
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The KAZ (Keio Advanced Zero-Emission Vehicle) is a Japanese-designed Italian-built limousine prototype with eight wheels.
The KAZ is not your average limo though. The all-electric KAZ can travel at 300kph and it handles more like a sports car than a 6.7m-long whale thanks to its computer-controlled eight-wheel drive train and low centre of gravity for added stability and handling around curves.
English company shows V10 hybrid sports car
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An entirely new spin on the hybrid automobile has been developed by Connaught Motor Company (UK) - a V10-electric hybrid engined, Type-D sports coupe capable of 140mph, 0-60mph in 6.2s, and a stunning 42mpg while still complying with ultra-low emissions targets set for 2010. Connaught plays down the Type-D's hybrid drive, wishing to distance its sports coupŽ "from existing hybrid cars with their utilitarian aura and earnest greenness." So for 'hybrid', read Connaught's alternative description: HigherBred. They think of the electric motor as a torque-assist system, a means to an end rather than an end in itself.
Citroen's versatile Pluriel - five cars for the price of (a cheap) one
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September 14, 2004 Different cars suit different purposes. It's a sad fact that few cars tend to meet more than a handful of those purposes. Accordingly, we love Citroen's convertible C3 Pluriel, a single car that can convert in seconds from a versatile hatch back, to a hatch with a massive open roof, to cabriolet, then a spider and, finally a Ute with a drop down tail gate. All of this versatility does not come at the expense of good looks, as would be expected of a company that has already won world's most beautiful car crowns for the Citroen C3 and C2 models. Nor does it come at the expense of ... err, expense. At AUD$31,490, the Pluriel versatility is very cost effective.
Details of the Volvo Extreme Gravity Car
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The origins of the soapbox derby or billykart race are not well documented, or so we thought. Volvo's press release on its Extreme Gravity car dates the first organised soapbox derby in 1933 at Dayton Ohio, USA. Regardless of the accuracy of that claim, the Volvo Extreme Gravity Racer is far removed from those original vehicles. Comprised of water-jet-cut high-strength aluminum, carbon fiber composite and fiberglass, the machine is a feast for the eyes of anyone who has ever built such a gravity machine.
A new breed of high performance electric car
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The Tango is an electric car no wider than a motorcycle, with a passenger or luggage space located tandem-style behind the driver. It is so narrow that four Tangos can fit in a normal-sized parking space. Despite its precarious looks, it has a very low centre of gravity and will stop , accelerate and corner faster than almost anything else on the road. It may look vulnerable but it has a carbon fibre body shell and a race-approved roll cage structure which make it a very safe, capable and environmentally responsible vehicle.
Toyota patents cars that show their (and your) feelings
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Toyota has been granted a patent for a system which enables a vehicle to recognise its surroundings, the actions of other road users and the emotional response of its driver and convey the driver's emotions to the public via a vehicle expression system on the exterior of the vehicle. The car's emotion expression system uses the cars headlights, the colour of the vehicle, a set of "eyebrows" over the cars headlights, external LED displays and the height of the vehicle and the antennae to inform other users.
The most successful F1 car in history?
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Ferrari's domination of F1 this year is not without its equal in history. After 11 wins from 12 races, Ferrari is on track to equal the 1988 feat of the McLaren F1 team which won 15 of 16 races. McLaren's drivers were the late Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, who between them took 15 of 16 poles and led for 1003 of the 1031 race laps that season. The pair also scored the most one-two finishes in a season with ten from 16 starts. The F2004 Ferrari just may become the most successful F1 car in history.
Sony releases 3D car navigation system and media player
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Sony has released a new car navigation system which displays realistic 3D models of the road and buildings to aid the driver in navigating. The new top-of-the-range NV-XYZ 77 also has a 30Gb hard drive and is designed to dock in cradles on the car dashboard and on a PC to download audio and video entertainment and new maps as they become available. Currently, only Tokyo and some other major cities are in this map format but work is underway for other areas too.
GMG Sportscar offers bargain supercar performance
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There's a new exotic German sportscar on the scene - the Apollo. To be built by GMG Sportscar Manufacturing and sold through OssiVersand, the two-seater will be powered by a 4.2-liter Audi V8 engine, and will come in three versions - a 360 horsepower basic version, a 460 horsepower turbo version, and a 650 horsepower biturbo version which will push the 1000 kg sportscar to a top speed of 360 kmh
Volvo unveils commuter concept vehicle
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Volvo has unveiled a futuristic car of the future developed at its Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center (VMCC) just outside of Los Angeles. The Tandem is a two-passenger, capsule-shaped vehicle whereby the passenger sits directly behind the driver giving it its distinct name, which in design draws obvious comparison to the tandem bike.
Shell Eco-Marathon winner averages 9737mpg
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Perennial economy competition winner Microjoule again took the top step on the podium of the Shell Eco-Marathon (UK) in 2004 with an average fuel consumption of 9737 mpg. The Shell Eco-Marathon is an annual fuel economy competition which last year saw a new world economy record set during the event when Team MicroJoule achieved an average fuel consumption of 10,705 mpg. Though it encountered many problems this year, it still beat its nearest competitor by 2000mpg and once again showed that it is possible to drive from London to Melbourne on less than one gallon of fuel, at least theoretically.!
Batmobile for sale – ideal second car for superheros
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Yes folks, if you’re in the market for truly unique roadgoing vehicle, this may be just the thing you need. One of the world’s most elite automotive marketplaces is the Barrett-Jackson Los Angeles Collector Car Auction which this year numbers amongst its offerings the Batmobile used by Batman (Michael Keaton) in the 1992 filming of Batman Returns.
BMW's new V10 engine in detail
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Each time BMW M introduces a new model, the focus of attention is centred on what lurks beneath the domed bonnet bulge. For the E60 M5 sedan due on sale in Australia mid-2005, the answer is a high-revving ultra-powerful V10 - a superb, state-of-the-art engine which BMW recently detailed for the world's press.
Mobiledesk is an office desk designed for the car
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A new mobile office desk designed to occupy a car passenger seat promises a whole new world of organisation, productivity and safety for travelling professionals who do most of their work from behind the wheel of a car. Anyone who has ever seen their briefcase go sailing into the footwell, or hunted around the car for lost documents, will recognise the potential of the AutoExec mobile desk in enabling travelling professionals to be properly organised when carrying their office in their car.
Lamborghini takes title as the world's fastest police Car
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The title of the world’s fastest police car has been secured by the Italian State Police (Polizia di Stato) wehich will soon begin using a Lamborghini Gallardo Police Car. The Gallardo Police Car will be used by the traffic police (Polizia Stradale) during emergencies and alarm situations on the Salerno-Reggio Calabria highway, also under the powers of the special safety operative which is already being employed along this tract of highway.
