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Lamborghini Veneno arrives at Geneva
The Veneno is based on the Aventador, though the body is restyled with an even greater emphasis on aerodynamics and downforce. The two Lamborghinis share a similar carbon-fiber reinforced polymer monocoque, though the Veneno’s roof is cut in a more severe fashion. It’s also marked by scissor doors, prominent wheel arches, huge openings to cool the engine, a central fin and an adjustable rear wing.
Like the bones, the powertrain is based on the Aventador, and the Geneva supercar runs a 6.5-liter V12 pushing out 740 hp paired with a seven-speed Independent Shifting Rods transmission. Power is routed to the ground via permanent all-wheel drive, and top speed is 221 mph.
The Veneno rolls on 20-inch wheels in front with 21s in back. The cabin is dripping in carbon fiber, with the monocoque visible to the passengers in the center tunnel and sill. The seats and headliner are also coated in a carbon-fiber skin. Enticingly, the supercar is designed for the track, but also is street legal. The Veneno takes its name from a strong and aggressive bull known for its brutality. Expect nothing less from the latest Lamborghini.
Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20130304/geneva/130309983#ixzz2Mc9eFXHw
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Bruce Weiner micro-car auction photos
Growing up in Southern California, my dad bought a little Metropolitan car and then a Metro van and then two more little Metros for parts. Oh the love!
On Feb. 15-16, RM Auctions is selling the cars of the Bruce Weiner Microcar Museum in Madison, Ga. We’d call that the Super Bowl of microcar sales, but the Super Bowl happens every year and it’s basically impossible to buy a Voisin Biscuter at the Super Bowl these days because of what happened in 2003. Anyway, this sale will happen just once. One day only.
You can bet your kid’s college fund that every aficionado of one-wheel-drive motoring and two-stroke smoke will be making his way down to Georgia for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. And you can also bet that Autoweek will be there, offering blow-by-blow coverage of the most important automotive event of all time.
Paris Bonhams Auction – Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
On Feb. 7 — less than one month after the Scottsdale auction concludes — London-based auction house Bonhams will host a Paris event they’re calling “Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais.”
That’s French for ‘The Great Marques of the World at the Grand Palais,” with the Grand Palais being a historic Beaux-Arts exhibition structure located on the Champs-Élysées.
It’s a premium location, and everything set to cross the block — from memorabilia to motorcycles — reflects that. The more than 600 lots include books, hood ornaments, posters, cars, motorcycles and even the De Havilland Gipsy Moth biplane used in the filming of Out of Africa.
2012 in Review – Art of the State
Here’s an excerpt:
4,329 films were submitted to the 2012 Cannes Film Festival. This blog had 18,000 views in 2012. If each view were a film, this blog would power 4 Film Festivals
BMW M6 Gran Coupe set for Detroit
BMW has revealed its 560-hp, twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8-powered M6 Gran Coupe in a series of official photographs ahead of the sleek four-door’s public debut in January at the Detroit auto show.
Set to rival the Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG, Porsche Panamera Turbo and upcoming Audi RS7, the latest M-car sets out to broaden the scope of the existing M6 lineup, providing added levels of practicality and improved comfort through the adoption of two extra doors and greater rear seat accommodation than its coupe and convertible siblings, alongside which it will be produced at BMW’s Dingolfing factory in Germany from early 2013.
The car arrives in North America in early summer of next year with a price tag around $110,000.
Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force – Debut @ L.A. Auto Show
Mercedes-Benz will reveal the Ener-G-Force concept vehicle later this month at the Los Angeles Auto Show.
It’s an imposing seven-seater dressed in highway-patrol vehicle guise, and it also provides the centerpiece for the German carmaker’s entry into this year’s Los Angeles Design Challenge.
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As Mercedes’ entry for this year’s Los Angeles Design Challenge, which seeks a highway-patrol vehicle for the year 2025, the Ener-G-Force’s proposed driveline consists of four wheel-mounted, hydrogen-powered electric motors. Water held in containers on the roof and a so-called Hydro-Tech converter provides electricity that is stored in batteries within the concept car’s broad sills, which also act as tread plates. Mercedesprojects a range of up to 497 miles.Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20121116/losangeles/121119917#ixzz2CU7WJBmZ
Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20121116/losangeles/121119917#ixzz2CU6vGQfK
Leno tests Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse
As much as Jay Leno likes the classic variety of automobiles, even he salivates at the thought of driving the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse. In the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage, he’s joined by John Hill of Bugatti and a two-tone orange version of the 16-cylinder sports car.
Leno and Hill talk technology first. We learn that the extra 200 hp in the Grand Sport comes from bigger turbos and two additional fuel pumps, bringing to the total to four. It also gets better gas mileage than the base car by operating more efficiently. The front end gets larger grilles for more cooling, while the rear diffuser comes from the Veyron Super Sport.
When the driving segment arrives, Leno introduces Bugatti test driver and American Le Mans Series participant Butch Leitzinger. Leitzinger is the official test driver for the company, and says you can feel the extra 200 horses under the hood.
Smart Forstars Concept @Paris 2012
The wildest of the bunch was the Smart Forstars concept. They call the Mini Cooper-looking car a sports utility coupe, though it looks like a hatchback to us. The name comes from the glass dome on the roof that gives passengers a view of the sky.
The Forstars uses the new Smart Brabus electric drive 60-kW motor. It features software that can connect with a smartphone to set the temperature before you get in the car. The big feature is a projector that aims out the front of the car and can project a movie onto any surface. It works from a Bluetooth connection on a phone. A high-quality sound system in the doors provides the audio.
Audi Crosslane Coupe Concept @Paris
Audi says its Crosslane Coupe concept merely previews future design and technology ideas, yet we know that it’s actually our first glimpse at the Q2 crossover due next year. The new Q2, however, will probably incorporate some of the clever styling and efficiency strategies shown in the Paris show car.
The optimistic economy claims, angular styling, and fanciful touches like a removable CFRP roof panel make it clear the Crosslane Coupe is just a concept car. Yet we can expect to see much of the design language and some version of this plug-in hybrid powertrain when the Audi Q2 makes its official debut in late 2013
Art of the State 