BMW i3 & i8 Coming Soon?
While the overtly sporting i8 is set to act as the performance figurehead for BMW’s initial range of purpose-built alternative-drive vehicles, it is the less expensive and the more practical i3 that offers the choice of either standard plug-in electric or optional range-extended electric drive. This feature will provide BMW’s “i” brand with broad appeal at a base price that executives suggest will be comparable to more powerful versions of today’s 1-series when sales begin in 2013.
Conceived primarily for urban driving, the compact zero-emissions hatchback eschews the traditional low-slung lines of contemporary BMW small cars for a distinctly more upright stance that offers the i3 excellent all-round visibility for ease of maneuverability in city traffic, along with room for up to four adults and a nominal 7.1 cubic feet of luggage space behind the rear seats. In BMW’s words, “It’s been designed for maximum practicality but without any compromise in overall driving dynamics.”
Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110729/FRANKFURT/110729870#ixzz1TW9fUB1P
Leading BMW’s bold alternative-drive charge is the striking i8, an advanced all-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid revealed here prior to its public debut at the Frankfurt motor show in September.
Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110729/FRANKFURT/110729872#ixzz1TWAdEy5s
First U.S. 2012 Audi TT RS
Ex Grand-Am driver Don Istook from Fort Worth, Texas, is the lucky customer who took delivery of the first Audi TT RS model on U.S. shores since the 2008 Audi RS4.
Istook was one of the 11,500 fans who signed the petition to bring the TT RS here, so it’s only fitting that he gets one of the early copies.
Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110728/CARNEWS/110729874#ixzz1TW6Sex44
Related articles
- Official: First 2012 Audi TT RS delivered in Texas (autoblog.com)
- Audi TT RS (poor man’s R8) still will set you back $57K (content.usatoday.com)
Aston Martin V12 Zagato Confirmed
• Following encouraging customer reaction, V12 Zagato road car to go into
production in 2012
• Strictly limited run of up to 150 examples, prices from
£330,000 GBP (exc. local taxes)
• Hand assembled at Aston Martin’s global
headquarters at Gaydon
7 July 2011, Gaydon: Aston Martin confirms production of a strictly limited
number of the new V12 Zagato following its successful unveilings. After winning
the award for Design in the Concepts and Prototypes class at the prestigious
Villa D’ Este Concours and then going on to prove its durability with the
successful completion of the gruelling 39th ADAC Nürburgring 24 Hour race, Aston
Martin confirms that there is overwhelmingly encouraging interest from customers
to confirm production of the V12 Zagato.
Based on the acclaimed V12 Vantage and sporting a beautifully handcrafted
aluminium and carbon fibre body, the V12 Zagato will be produced in very limited
numbers for discerning customers. Orders are now being taken on a strictly first
come first served basis and production is expected to commence during summer
2012 at Aston Martin’s global headquarters at Gaydon, Warwickshire.
Of the V12 Zagato, Aston Martin’s Chief Executive Dr. Ulrich Bez, said: “Such
style, exclusivity and fastidious craftsmanship ensures it will be one of the
most highly coveted models in Aston Martin’s 98-year history. A fabulous
celebration of the iconic DB4GT Zagato, which celebrates its 50th anniversary
this year, the V12 Zagato is the perfect inspiration for the next 50 years of
Aston Martin.”
In honour of the performance and racing heritage of previous collaborations,
the first two V12 Zagatos were developed as endurance race cars from the start
and went into their track debut just a week after being shown to the public for
the first time on the shores of Lake Como, Italy at the Villa D’Este Concours.
Entering the new V12 Zagatos in this year’s Nürburgring 24 Hour on 25th/26th
June extended the company’s racing philosophy at the famous circuit. For five
years Aston Martin has signed-off its new products by entering a car which is as
close to the road car as possible and subjecting it to the toughest 24 hour test
on what best simulates the extremities of public roads. This year went a step
further by testing two cars at their prototype stage; combining forces to
successfully cover more than 230 laps and over 3,700 miles in the 24 hour race
at what Sir Jackie Stewart famously called ‘The Green Hell’.
Since opening in 2003, 13 new major production car Aston Martins have been
developed and successfully brought to production at Gaydon, demonstrating the
company’s ability to engineer and bring to reality cars in a shortened period of
time. Design work on the V12 Zagato began in mid-2010 with initial engineering
following in January 2011.
True to both Aston Martin and Zagato, the V12 Zagato is the pinnacle of a
special and exclusive offering which matches its long standing heritage with the
technology and craftsmanship of today.
Marek Reichman, Aston Martin’s Director of Design said: “The V12 Zagato is an
elegant yet brutal design which reflects the great balance between race
performance and pure Aston Martin style.
“The original DB4GT Zagato was a true icon, powerful and graceful; the new
design is a true representation of the spirit of DB4GT Zagato. The muscular
organic forms define the thoroughbred nature of the car’s racing
credentials.”
Featuring a handcrafted aluminium and carbon fibre body, the V12 Zagato
delivers a beautiful and muscular design not possible using pre-formed panel
techniques. Using the influences and skill of nearly 100 years of heritage in
the craft, every aluminium panel was formed using an English wheel and
traditionally crafted body bucks. Iconic Zagato design cues include the double
bubble roof created in this case from five separate pieces illustrating further
the intensity of craftsmanship involved in the construction of the V12
Zagato.
Designed for the focused driver, the V12 Zagato has been honed with pure
driving enjoyment in mind. The V12 Zagato combines Aston Martin’s most dynamic
bonded aluminium platform with the power of the 6.0-litre V12 engine producing
510 bhp (380 kW / 517 PS), and 570 Nm (420 lb ft) of torque.
The strictly limited Aston Martin V12 Zagato is on sale now, priced at
£330,000 GBP (exc. local taxes) with first deliveries expected from the second
half of 2012.
New BMW M5 – 2013?
BMW’s M division has gone back to the drawing board with the M5, giving the fifth generation of the iconic four-door a twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 engine—the first time Munich’s class-defining performance sedan has gone without a naturally aspirated powerplant since its introduction in 1984.
Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20110404/CARNEWS/110409967#ixzz1IeCEryW1
White Gold Mercedes in Abu Dhabi
Recession? What recession?
So, it seems that this “global recession”
has not impacted negatively on everyone.
Check this out!
It’s a Mercedes Benz owned by an Abu Dhabi
oil billionaire (naturally).
Featuring the newly developed V10 quad turbo
with 1,600 horsepower and 2800nm of torque
0-100km/h in less than 2secs, 1/4 mile in 6.89 secs
running on biofuel.
That is NOT stainless steel, people, it is WHITE GOLD!
My thought: I hope it’s a hybrid.
BMW to Produce: Vision EfficientDynamics concept
Vision Concept - Click on Pic to Enlarge
See Articles: http://www.bmw.com/com/en/insights/technology/efficient_dynamics/phase_2/bmwvision/introduction.html & http://www.autoweek.com/article/20101105/CARNEWS/101109927
Art of the State 