MINI Clubman Cooper S Streetworker from Schmidt Revolution

Schmidt Revolution, a German-based company that primarily specializes in alloy wheels but occasionally presents fully tuned projects, has unveiled its latest creation, a conceptual version of the MINI Clubman Cooper S called the "Streetworker". 

The focus point of the tune is of course the German firm's new Cirrus alloy wheel series, seen here in an 18-inch version. The funky looking rims can be ordered in any color ranging from the matte blue on this tune to any other tint including carbon black. On the MINI Clubman project car the alloy wheels are shod in 215/35R18 Continental rubber. 

Having solved the alloy wheel riddle, Schmidt Revolution went ahead and covered the MINI Clubman in a matte blue foil wrap and a contrasting matte black roof finish and trim detailing. 

The concept car's low-rider appearance is achieved by the Streetec air suspension, which allows the driver to lower the ride height by 60 mm or increase it by 40 mm over the stock model. 

The tune is finished off with an engine kit that lifts output to 200HP and 250Nm of peak torque.

Holy Bat Race! To the Batmobile, Carscoop!

Since the beginnings of hot-rodding and customization, the world of modifying cars has been a realm in which car fans could express themselves in an almost uncountable number of ways. It plays host to a broad spectrum of possibilities; ranging from minor appearance items like headlight eyelashes and spoilers to fully coach-built supercars like James Glickenhaus's Ferrari P4/5 and Michael Stoschek's recent tribute to Lancia's Stratos, it's a vast space filled with five-dollar accessories, million dollar showboats, and everything in between.
Residing in that enormous region of "in-between" is a small company called Fiberglass Freaks in Logansport, Indiana, but they're not your average car shop. In fact, you could say they're one-of-a-kind.
Owned and operated by Mark Racop (the "what guy") and Jeff Sandberg (the "how guy"), and staffed by six full-time and eight part-time employees, Fiberglass Freaks is much like Harley Davidson; they sell dreams. In the case of this unassuming small-town Indiana garage, however, they're giving people the opportunity to own a real 1966 Batmobile.
The story behind the official re-creators of the 1966 Batmobile begins with a young Mark watching George Barris's iconic Batmobile burst from the Batcave, flying out from behind its unassuming "Danger" sign to battle evil-doers. It was then, when he was just a few years old, that Mark decided to one day build himself a Batmobile. Finally getting a chance to see an original Batmobile in person in 1975, the seed that would one day become Fiberglass Freaks began to grow.
Fast forward to Mark's college years at Ball State, and we see a young dreamer - a film student at the time - who is the proud owner of an actual, factual Batmobile. Dubbed a "proving grounds", Mark's first Batmobile was built with the help of some friends on a 1974 Monte Carlo chassis when he was just 17. After teaching himself how to do some of the necessary work himself (and calling in experienced friends for the rest), Bat 1 was complete. The fiberglass, metal, and wood car went on to appear in three short Batman films, two filmed in high school and one in college that earned Mark a David Letterman Scholarship.
Once out of college Mark pursued a variety of jobs, waiting for the day when he would be able to pursue his lifelong dream of building Batmobiles for public consumption. Ever the perfectionist, Mark realized that the Monte Carlo's wheelbase was just too short for a true-to-form Batmobile, and that his initial proportions were a bit off. Sadly, the 1955 Lincoln Futura concept that underpinned the original Batmobile concept was long gone, meaning no more donor cars. It was time for the problem solving and creative thinking to begin.
In 2004, Mark's dream had become a much more realistic possibility with the appearance of "the Futura in the woods" on Ebay. The Futura wasn't actually a car, but a buck crafted by Marty Martino in honor of Lincoln's original 1955 Futura concept. Martino, who had hopes of building Futura concept replicas, originally created the buck with help from Ford after George Barris used the original concept car for the Batmobile. With this buck, the ability to clone the original Futura body shape became a possibility. Having acquired a slew of measurements and dimensions from a variety of museum visits (including a trip to meet Barris himself), the Futura buck had become the next piece of the puzzle.
Upon acquiring the buck for $2,125, Mark and his crew reassembled the pieces in just three days...followed by three months of restoration to bring the whole unit back to 100%. Once complete, fiberglass molds were created in order to start the arduous process of recreating a Batmobile from a Futura; due to the Monte Carlo's short wheelbase, the first Fiberglass Freaks Batmobile - AKA Bat 2 - would now ride on a fourth-generation Lincoln Continental chassis.
With the molds finished, a picture of the Barris Batmobile was projected over the body in order to get the proportions just right. After molding and modifying the Futura body with its new Bat-proportions, sourcing custom windshields from an airplane company in Ohio, and working for the next 4 months, Bat 2 was complete just in time to sell for $83,500 on the auction block. Two years later the same car sold for a staggering $216,000. Seeing such potential and getting ever-increasing publicity, Mark jumped at the opportunity to make some improvements in the design and assembly processes.
A year and a half ago, two important decisions were made: cast new molds in order to reduce the need for grafting and to allow for stronger (and fewer) parts, and improve or fine-tune "minor" details found throughout the car. Some of these improvements include re-tooled tread plates, milled bezels, an improved stereo system, and even a functional Bluetooth Batphone. Mark, "forever a student of the car", says one future goal is a reproduction of the Futura concept's conical, concave speedometer. It would take about a year of development, eventually replacing the Edsel unit currently used. With a bit of humor, Mark adds, "It's only gonna cost twenty-five grand."
Mark cheerfully goes on to say that business, regardless of the world's economic climate, has "exploded" over the past few years to the tune of 17 Batmobile replicas sold. If that's the case, who in the world is buying these $150,000 Batmobiles?
According to Mark, typical customers interested in Fiberglass Freaks' 1966 Batmobile replicas are between forty and sixty years old, well-off, and are buying the car to fulfill a childhood dream (and drive their kids to school, in one case). Don't assume that only Americans would be interested in this car either; Mark has built a car for a UK customer who rents it out for special events, and says he has even received a call from an interested party in Dubai.
If anyone out there was thinking of using the car as an advertising scheme, however, forget about it. Earlier this year, after being scoped out by a DC Comics spy (or "Uncle Glenn, the phantom buyer"), Fiberglass Freaks officially became licensed by DC to build the 1966 Batmobiles. This resulted in a few new regulations being thrown into the mix, hopefully for the better. According to DC's agreement, cars built under the DC license - those after the 17 ordered so far - can't be used to promote or endorse any businesses or projects.
In addition to controlling promotional use, DC wants to ensure that the quality of the car being sold and representing the Batman is top-notch. This means eliminating the lower two trim levels and only offering the fully-loaded model, as well as stopping sales of any kits.
However, if you're interested in purchasing a proper, licensed 1966 Batmobile replica, Mark says he's happy to take your order for a suitcase with $150,000 in it. Wait time is approximately eight months, and available engines include just about anything you can imagine. Mark says the standard mill is a 383 GM crate engine with a TH350 transmission, but big block 460s are always an option.
The model we had a chance to ride in was a customer car (meaning no wheel time, sadly) that was sent in for an update and refurbishment, another service that Fiberglass Freaks offers. This means that any improvements made after one's purchase will always be available, whether they own Bat 2 or Bat 20.
Naturally, owning a Batmobile isn't for everyone; however, should something as zany, attention-grabbing, and smile-inducing as these replicas be your cup of tea, the perfectionists at Fiberglass Freaks and DC Comics want potential buyers to rest assured knowing that Mark, Jeff, and the rest of the Logansport crew are with you every step of the way.

By Phil Alex

Prior Design’s Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe Black Desire

Based in Kamp-Lintfort, Germany, Prior Design presented its take on the latest generation Mercedes E-Class Coupe, called Black Desire. The tuning package is mostly about visual enhancements, however, upon request, the tuning firm also offers various engine conversions.

For the front of the car designers chose a new bumper with side vents and a prominent spoiler lip. The new parts feature sharper edges, a theme that’s continued with the side skirts. At the rear we can find a bumper extension with three fins, boot lip and roof spoiler, all available in carbon fiber as an option.

The black paintjob is complemented by metallic accents, found around the grille and custom Prior Design logo replacing the Mercedes star, on the side of the car and rear bumper. The same metal trim was used for the window surrounds.

Enormous, 20-inch Prior GT wheels, available in matte black, gloss black and silver, and a 4-tip stainless steel exhaust system round up the exterior changes.

Depending on the engine found under the bonnet, Prior offers numerous power upgrades, boosting peak output by up to 75 hp. Paired with a 35 mm lowering applied to the suspension, the performance package should make the Black Desire faster and better handling than the stock model.

According to the company, the Black Desire tuning package can also be fitted on the E-Class Convertible, while both Mercs can be ordered with a range of carbon fiber trim parts for the interior.

By Csaba Daradics

My Top 10 Cars of All-Time - U.S.A.

In the past I’ve covered my picks for the best cars of the 1980s and ‘90s. Now it’s time for my Top 10 cars of All-Time, whereby I pit country against country. Our six contenders are the U.S.A., Britain, Japan, Germany, Italy and France. Will you side with American muscle or French flair? Can Japanese perfection trump Italian passion? Or do you choose German engineering over British ingenuity? Whatever you choose, you’re in for one helluva ride. So, let’s count down my Top 10 Cars of All-Time.
Today’s contender is...the U.S.A.



10. Ford Model T
Ford’s Model T is widely considered to be the world’s first mass produced automobile, and the first to make cars popular among common, middle-class Americans. It was Henry Ford’s crowning achievement, and was as influential to automobile design and manufacture as the Hoover Dam was to engineering. It’s more than just a car: it’s an American icon.


9. Dodge Power Wagon
Another famous first, the Dodge Power Wagon is considered to be the granddaddy of the modern, 4WD pickup truck. Though the name would disappear at the end of 1980 the Power Wagon lives on in the form of Dodge’s venerable Ram. The Power Wagon isn’t all things to all people, but it is all things to a few. Powerful, rugged and affordable: everything a labourer could want in a car.


8. Ford Crown Victoria
You may be wondering what the Ford Crown Victoria is doing on this list. Here is a car that is not revolutionary, attractive or outstanding in any way. So why have I included it? Simple: roughl five million of these vehicles are (or were) in use with the nation’s police, taxi and rental companies. The Crown Vic is as ubiquitous and identifiably American as McDonald’s and baseball caps.


7. Cord 810
The Cord 810 is one of my favourite cars. It is a rolling piece of art; art deco in automotive form. Sleek, fast and looking like something off the cover of Popular Mechanics, the Cord made almost everything else at the time look like a relic from an earlier age. New York’s Museum of Modern Art even went so far as to name the Cord 810 as one of the 10 most significant cars of the 20th century. So there.


6. Ford GT40
In the 1960s, Henry Ford II was negotiating with Enzo Ferrari to buy the fame Italian automaker. When the deal fell through, the American decided to beat Old Man Ferrari at his own game and commissioned Lola Cars of England to build him a Ferrari beater. And build one they did. With four consecutive Le Mans wins and still holding the title of the only American car to win at the prestigious event, the GT40 is a defiant, one fingered salute at the European racing aristocracy. And that’s why we love it.


5. Cadillac Eldorado
Yes, the post-’78 Eldorado’s were rubbish and the 1986 model in particular makes me cry tears of blood. So what? From 1953 to 1978, five generations of Cadillac’s indefatigable Eldorado showed the world how America does luxury. Big, powerful and supremely comfortable, these were the it cars for celebrities and commoners alike. Elvis Presley had two, for crying out loud. This was American luxury at its very best.


4. Chevrolet Bel-Air
The 1957 Chevy Bel-Air is my favourite classic car. I’m constantly scouring the classified ads, seeing what’s out there and how much their owners are asking. This isn’t the only reason it’s on this list though. No, the Bel-Air was a revelation. Here was a car that was stylish, powerful and well-equipped, a luxury car with a sub-luxury price. I mean just look at this thing: it was gorgeous. And it was a popular seller for Chevrolet to boot. The Bel-Air is truly one of the greats.


3. Pontiac GTO
Pontiac’s iconic GTO set the benchmark for muscle cars for years to come. It had everything you would expect from such a car: rear wheel drive, a limited slip diff and any one of several big, honking V8s under the hood. Vin Diesel drove one in xXx, and it was the main antagonist in the classic Two Lane Blacktop. It even has a starring role in the recent teen comedy Sex Drive. Though perhaps not as well known or well loved as its Dodge Charger / Challenger brethren, the GTO is still one of the greats.


2. Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang is American automotive royalty. It was the first of the pony cars, and forced the General to produce the equally as awesome Chevy Camaro. Available as either a V6 or a V8, with pricing comparable to the venerable Chevy Bel-Air of seven years earlier, the four-seat Mustang was a revelation. And the styling – don’t get me started on the styling. In a word: gorgeous, like Grace Kelly or the Chrysler Building. The Mustang is a true icon of the American automotive scene, trumped only by our number one.


1. Chevrolet Corvette
I defy anyone to name a more iconic American automobile. The Corvette is as American as apple pie. Big V8? Check. Rear wheel drive? Check. Gorgeous styling? Check, with a few forgivable fopars; nobody’s perfect, after all. The first generation was penned by Harley Earl – widely considered to be the U.S.’s most iconic automotive designer – and signed off on by GM’s top brass. Today, the Corvette remains Chevrolet’s halo model and a favourite of GM engineers and customers alike. It’s also, in my opinion, the best car America has produced.


So there you have it. Though remember, this is only my opinion. It’s hard picking just ten, and there are countless cars I was forced to exclude: Ford’s F-Series, Dodge’s Charger and Chevy’s Camaro to name a few. We want to hear what you think, so get commenting!

By Tristan Hankins

Toyota Settled an “Unintended Acceleration” Lawsuit with US$10 Million

The families of four people killed in an accident allegedly caused by the now infamous “unintended acceleration” throttle-gate, sued Toyota earlier this year and reached a settlement in September. At the time, the amount was not made public, but now, the Los Angeles Times is reporting that a lawyer representing Bob Baker Lexus of San Diego, California, a defendant in the case, has revealed that the Japanese maker agreed to pay US $10 million.

 
The tragic incident, which lead to the death of California Highway Patrol officer Mark Saylor and three of his family members, occurred after the dealership lent him a 2009 Lexus ES that allegedly had the aforementioned defect.
Initially, Toyota and the plaintiffs agreed to keep the deal confidential and the manufacturer neither admitted nor denied liability.
In the aftermath of the disclosure, Toyota released an official statement saying that it was disappointed that the sum was made public, as the involved parties “reached a private, amicable settlement through mutual respect and cooperation without the involvement of the courts”.
Furthermore, the automaker considers that, by making the settlement deal public, Bob Baker Lexus is trying to shift the attention away from its own litigation case with the families.

“Our deepest sympathies remain with the friends and family of Mark, Cleofe and Mahala Saylor and Cleofe’s brother Chris Lastrella”, Toyota said in the statement. “However, as in the past, Toyota will continue to defend itself vigorously against the misleading allegations Bob Baker Lexus is making against Toyota. Toyota is not, however, in a position to address the additional negligence claims the families have against Bob Baker Lexus that are independent of Toyota”.

By Csaba Daradics

Source: LA Times & Automotive News

Idries Noah’s T2 Concept: E55 AMG Performance without the Guilt

Graphic artist and automotive aficionado Idries Noah wows us yet again with the T2 Concept: an eco-friendly hybrid electric supercar. The South African designer, whose previous creations include the Audi R8-rivalling BMW M Sports Coupe and Dodge Viper-esque Project Fireblade, envisions the T2 Concept as, the “world’s fastest environmentally-friendly car”.
Kudos must be given to Noah for creating something that doesn’t look like a mere hodgepodge of other supercars like so many other artists’ work. I especially like the mix of sharp corners and harsh curves that make up the design.
Powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine mated to two electric motors for a theoretical total output of 469 hp (350 kw), Noah estimates that the T2 Concept is good for a (imagined?) 0 to 60 mph (0 to 96 km/h) time of 4 seconds. This is roughly the same as a W211 Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG.
And yes, I realize how silly it is to be talking power and performance figures for a car that is, in actual fact, non-existent. But just look at it and tell me you wouldn’t like one of these things in your garage in five to ten years.
You can check out more of Idries Noah’s work at his website and check out the T2 Concept in our gallery below.

By Tristan Hankins
Source: IDI3D

New Hyundai i40: VW Passat and Ford Mondeo Rival Teased Ahead of Geneva Debut

These are the first teaser renderings of Hyundai's new competitor in the European market D-segment, the i40 that will take on the likes of the VW Passat, Ford Mondeo, Renault Laguna and Toyota Avensis from next year. It is based on a modified version of the North American Sonata's platform and aside from the estate model seen here, it will also be offered in a four-door sedan version, which will enter the market later towards the end of 2011.
Designed and developed by Hyundai’s German R&D centre in Russelsheim with European buyers in mind, the station wagon's exterior styling is heavily influenced by the South Korean automaker's Genus Concept model from 2006 (scroll down for photos).
Hyundai's mid-sizer will be available in Europe with the same range of petrol and diesel engines as its sister model, the new [EU-spec] Kia Optima.
At launch, the palette of engines will include a 2.0-liter four-cylinder petrol with direct injection and an output of 170-horsepower, and two variants of the firm's 1.7-liter turbo-diesel with 115 HP and 136 HP. The South Korean firm will further enhance the i40's engine range with a more powerful diesel unit starting from 2012.
The new i40 in estate form will make its world premiere at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show in March and go on sale across Europe before summer of the same year. 

Source: Hyundai , Via: Hyundai-blog

New Honda Civic Concept to be Unwrapped at Detroit Show, Previews Production Model

What you see pictured above is an official rendering of the Honda Civic Concept, which will be revealed in the flesh at the upcoming 2011 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January 2011. According to the Japanese automaker, the concept is more of a pre-production study that will preview the actual, ninth-generation 2012 Civic, which will go on-sale in North America in spring next year.
The illustration depicts a coupe model with possible styling influences from the European market Civic hatchback (front) and the North American Accord Coupe (profile). Honda did not release any specific details on the car, but we suspect that we'll learn more within the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned.

Saab Announces 9-5 Specification Upgrades for the UK Market

Saab UK has announced some specification upgrades for its new 9-5 saloon series and more specifically, the Vector SE models. To sweeten the deal for buyers, the Swedish automaker has equipped the Vector SE with full leather upholstery, instead of a leather and textile mix, and larger 18-inch Carve wheels, which replace the 17-inch Blade alloys, without increasing the price.
The Swedish maker also offers a revised chassis for the 160 hp 2.0-liter diesel variant equipped with a manual transmission. According to Saab, the new setup, combined with the bigger wheels, improves handling compared to the previous sport chassis.
Jonathan Nash, Saab GB Managing Director, commented: “These improvements are the result of feedback from the UK automotive media. The improved driving characteristics address issues related to ride comfort on UK roads. The fact that the engineering team have managed to make the changes without affecting the impressive CO₂ emissions of just 139g/km for the manual 2.0-litre TiD 160PS car show that the small independent Saab engineering team can respond very quickly to market requirements”.

By Csaba Daradics

2011 Ford Territory: Redesigned Australian Crossover Teased

Ford Motor Corp.'s Australian division has released a teaser illustration of its new-look 2011 Territory, some six months ahead of the crossover's market launch. The current Territory is based on the underpinnings of the local market Falcon sedan and was first introduced in Australia in 2004 having received some subtle updates throughout its production life.
It is believed that the 2011 Territory will continue to make use of current model's platform adding fresh styling inside and out, plus a number of technology highlights, including the introduction of turbo-diesel power.
"The Ford Territory set a new benchmark when it was first released and it is set to achieve this again – and more," said Bob Graziano, President and CEO of Ford Australia. "This is an exceptional SUV. It wears an exciting new look and will boast an extensive list of technical highlights. The Ford Australia team is taking the Territory to an all-new level of performance, refinement and quality, and customers will definitely experience these advancements when they drive it."
Although Ford did not get into any details on the powertrain options in the press release, the company had previously announced that the updated Territory would benefit from the introduction of the Ford and Peugeot-Citroen PSA co-developed 2.7-liter V6 turbo diesel engine.
There's also a strong possibility that Ford may add its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder EcoBoost engine to the range, as the new powerplant has already been confirmed for the Australian market Falcon.
The company also noted that in the next 18-months, approximately 85 percent of the entire Ford Australia new-model catalog will either be replaced or updated. New models planned for Australia include the latest iteration of the Focus and the Aussie-designed Ranger pickup truck, which was recently revealed at the Sydney Motor Show.




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BMW 1-Series M Coupe Allegedly Laps the Nürburgring in 8:12" Making it Faster than E46 M3

The BMW 1-Series M Coupe is pretty fast on paper. Reaching the 60 mph (96 km/h) mark in just 4.7 seconds is no small feat, but nowadays, it seems that performance cars need to have a respectable “Ring” time under there belt to command respect. Now, a forum member of the 1Addicts fan site who calls himself "SteveD" claims that the Ring time for the 335-horsepower strong M model is 8 minutes and 12 seconds.
If true (and according to the Nürburgring lap times list posted on Wikipedia), this means the entry-level M model is 10 seconds faster than the E46 M3, on par with the E86 Z4 M Coupe, but 7 seconds slower than the E92 M3 .
Of course, just because something is posted on a forum, doesn’t necessarily make it true. However, it seems that “SteveD” is none other than Steve Davies, a UK journalist who writes for Skiddmark. When asked where did he received the info, "SteveD" wrote “directly from BMW when we filmed the car”.
And indeed, Skiddmark does feature a piece about the 1-Series M Coupe and it contains the information posted on 1addicts. Still, we’re going to take this one with a grain of salt until we have the official confirmation.
You can see how the 1 Series M Coupe's alleged 'Ring lap time compares with other models from BMW and other makers in the list below.

By Csaba Daradics

Nurburgring Lap Times as Posted on Wikipedia:
• E46 M3 CSL - 7:50
• E90/E92 M3 - 8:05
• E63 M6 - 8:09
• 1 series M coupe - 8:12
• Z4 M-Coupe - 8:12
• E60 M5 - 8:13
• Alpina B3 Biturbo - 8:14
• Z4 M-Roadster - 8:15
• Alpina Roadster S (Z4) - 8:15
• E46 M3 - 8:22
• 335i E92 Coupe - 8:26
Other Models Compared:
• 911 Carrera S PDK (997.5) - 7:50
• Audi R8 4.2 - 8:04
• Cayman S - 8:04 (by Walter Röhrl)
• Audi RS4 - 8:09
• Audi TT-RS - 8:09
• BMW 1 series M coupe - 8:12
• Aston Martin V8 Vantage - 8:13
• Mercedes C63 AMG PP - 8:13
• Corvette C6 - 8:15
• Cayman S - 8:16 (Sport Auto)
• Porsche Boxter S (987.5) - 8:18
• Lexus IS-F - 8:18
• 2010 VW Golf R - 8:23
• Audi S5 (2007) - 8:26
• Audi TT-S (2008) - 8:29

Source: Skiddmark , Via: 1Addicts

German Take on English Tradition: Volkswagen's All-Electric London Taxi Concept

Over the decades, the London Taxi has become a British icon, just like the double-decker bus or the red telephone booth. However, this might change in the future, as stricter emissions regulations could threaten the aging diesel cabs. Volkswagen’s EV Taxi Concept, which is based on the forthcoming Up! supermini, could offer a solution to this problem, should it ever make it into production.
Motivated by a 115 hp (86 kW) electric motor that draws energy from a set of lithium-ion batteries, the Taxi Concept can reach a top speed of 74 mph (121 km/h) and has driving range of 186 miles (300 km). According to the German automaker, an 80 per cent charge of the batteries takes approximately one hour to complete.
It’s clear that, performance-wise, the EV is more than suited for taxi duty, but Volkswagen didn’t stop there. Designing a body with minimal overhangs, the automaker was able to create a roomy cabin, albeit for only two passengers at the back along with their luggage. Still, that’s pretty impressive if we take into consideration that the concept measures just 3.7 meters (146 inches) in length.
The cabin has a simple, clutter-free design with the most important functions, such as fare information, climate control and entertainment, controlled through a touchscreen display mounted next to the driver. A second display provides information for the passengers.
The Taxi Concept doesn’t fulfill current London taxi regulations, but it does offer an insight into future possibilities, which, in our opinion, are worth considering.

By Csaba Daradics

Korean Designer Mixes Science and Nature in a Saab Sports Sedan Concept for 2025

Earlier this year, Swedish automaker Saab was saved from the scrapheap by Spyker and a loan from the European Investment Bank. In spite of this, nothing much has changed. The stylish new 9-5 has gone on sale overseas, with the 9-4X crossover following in Q2 2011. And the aging 9-3 trundles on, blissfully unaware that anything has happened.

Korean design student Youngho Jong is looking towards Saab’s future with his 2025 Advanced Warning System Vehicle concept: a rakish, four-door saloon with coupe-like styling. And no headroom, by the looks of it, but that’s a forgivable oversight. More interesting to us, however, is how he used his knowledge of nature and human psychology to come up with a vehicle that isn’t just smart, it’s downright sinister.
Jong’s goal was to design a vehicle that would warn other drivers of impending danger. With his research showing that 50% of vehicles accidents are caused by carelessness, excessive speed and tailgating, Jong wanted to create a car that would warn other drivers to back off and drive with care.
If you are following the 2025 concept too closely, for instance, slits open up in its rear panels revealing amber hazard lights. Patches of the car’s skin also darken, warning you that you are too close. The same amber slips are found on the front and sides of the vehicle. Jong took his inspiration from nature’s Fire Salamander, which uses its bright, menacing colours to ward off potential predators.
Jong also incorporate sharp edges and the colours red and yellow to further emphasises the possible danger. He also mentions that the vehicle’s skin is constructed of a soft, impact absorbing material that reduces pedestrian injuries and vehicle damage in collisions.
All in all, it’s a very clever, if far-fetched solution to a very real problem we face in the world today. The technology isn’t quite there yet, but it’s not too hard to believe that cars twenty years hence will use a system like this. As for the design, I leave the final verdict up to you, the readers.

By Tristan Hankins

Sources: Umea Institute & Cardesign

Gemballa Returns with Tornado Tuning Package for the New Porsche Cayenne

German tuning specialist Gemballa has announced a comprehensive package of goodies for the Porsche Cayenne called Tornado. This is the company’s first creation since former CEO and founder Uwe Gemballa was found dead in South Africa, after allegedly being involved in a money laundering scheme with a wanted Czech felon. Starting with the bodykit, most tuners apply carbon fiber body panels by bonding them to modified factory steel pieces. However, this method doesn’t lighten the car and according to current Gemballa CEO, Andreas Schwarz, it’s not the way these materials should be used. “Carbon-fibre is a high strength, low weight structural material that needs to be used honestly, and not just for decoration”, Mr. Schwarz said.
Consequently, Gemballa went on and replaced most of the steel panels as well as many plastic parts on the Cayenne with carbon fiber equivalents. As a result, the company claims it has shaved a total of 70 kg or 154 lbs over the standard car, while retaining all security-related features, like side impact protection bars.
The Tornado boasts a modified front bumper with enormous air intakes that channel air to the brakes and are flanked by vertical LED daytime running lights. The wheel arches have been significantly widened, increasing overall width to 2.05 meters (81 inches). Many of the lightweight panels were left exposed, creating a sharp contrast with the white paintjob. At the back we can find rounded tail-lights, complementing the design of the four exhaust tips.
Huge 22-inch alloy wheels shod in 205/35 front and 335/30 rear tires, round up the exterior updates.
Gemballa doesn’t go into details when it comes to interior modifications, simply stating that these are still in development and will be “characterized by both elegance and functionality”.
As far as power is concerned, Gemballa is working on a Stage Two engine conversion for the Tornado, which will increase peak output to 700 hp and 1,000 Nm (738 lb-ft) of torque, through turbocharging. Upgraded Brembo brakes accompany the power boost.
The Tornado will have a limited production run of only 30 units. Full specs and pricing should follow soon.

By Csaba Daradics

Lamborghini Super million products

 With a new concept called Sesto Elemento launch, Lamborghini is known to shine in the big show and performance eclipsed other car brands.

After much speculation, the images on the same drip irritation to the extreme fans, Lamborghini has unveiled the secret of their latest concept the Sesto Elemento. The car emerged at the pre-exhibition event this year's Paris Motor Show, the Volkswagen Group's booth.

Elemento Sesto concept is built on the size of the Gallardo, with ultra-light weight due to structural bodywork is made from lightweight carbon fiber materials advanced. Vehicle weight display with very nice numbers, 999 kg, equipped with V10 engine with a capacity of 570 horsepower. This is also available on the engine model Gallardo Superleggera.

He Stepahn Winkelmann, president and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini, said: "Lamborghini Sesto evident Elemento future of the super sports cars - ultra light weight, clever combination between high speed and exciting driving feel . We have read all the efforts and achievements in their technical design tricks to create excellent Elemento Sesto. "

Stepahn said Winkelmann, Lamborghini's ability to conquer the carbon fiber materials have contributed significantly to the success of this concept, in addition to the help of renowned experts in lightweight Audi AG. He said technical lightweight system is a core of any future super sports car which, to be just for high speed, reduces emissions. The future of Lamborghini car will be inspired by the form this Elemento Sesto.