Tuesday, February 21, 2012

2011 AC Schnitzer BMW Z4 99D

A diesel engine in a BMW Z4 Coupe, and the most efficient currently available from BMW. It comes from the 320d EfficientDynamics Edition. And of course now the power has been optimised by the Aachen specialists to 190 HP and 420 Nm torque (standard 320d EfficientDynamics Edition: 163 HP).




The Continental BLUECO tyres size 225/35*19 were a special concept development in conjunction with AC Schnitzer. These tyres help optimise the rolling resistance. The design is a refinement of the Conti Sport Contact 5P, and allows sporting driving thanks to its high cornering stability and ZR speed rating of over 240 km/h.






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2011 AC Schnitzer ACS5 Sport S Saloon Concept

AC Schnitzer ACS5 Sport S Saloon Concept is based on the BMW 5-series saloon comes with a performance upgrade from 407 to 540 HP, the AC Schnitzer engineers are pushing the boundaries of the possible. The driving performance is at thoroughbred sportscar level: the sprint from 0 – 100 kph takes just 4.5 seconds, and the top speed is around 320 kph. A glance under the bonnet with the AC Schnitzer engine and engine bay styling shows just who is responsible for the revolutionary refinement. The AC Schnitzer limited slip differential with up to 75% effect ensures that the tremendous power reaches the point where it is needed.The AC Schnitzer twin sports rear silencer with chromed “Sports Trim“ tail pipe trims left and right combines exciting appearance and sound.



The AC Schnitzer tuning specialists will be focussing on the reactions to the new aerodynamic components for the body of the 5-series saloon. As well as the familiar AC Schnitzer front spoiler and chromed front grille, a new carbon front spoiler centre part gives the ACS5 Sport S Saloon an even more striking aspect. The carbon air ducts for the brakes left and right ensure adequate ventilation for the high performance brake system, and the new AC Schnitzer carbon side skirts clearly enhance the side view of the concept vehicle. The engine bay is ventilated by the bonnet vents from the current AC Schnitzer range. Together with further accessories already available, such as the AC Schnitzer rear roof spoiler, the rear spoiler and the rear skirt extension, new elements such as the AC Schnitzer sports wings left and right with Chromline Set and the carbon rear diffusor contribute to the great appearance. The AC Schnitzer loading sill protection film and the BiColor film trim harmoniously complete the sporting elegance of the body conversion. Possible and probable reactions to such a well-equipped vehicle are envious glances, which the proud driver seated behind the AC Schnitzer sports airbag steering wheel with painted spokes can enjoy in the new AC Schnitzer sports mirror.

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Saturday, February 11, 2012

1934 Ford Model 40 Special Speedster

The Speedster’s extensive restoration by award-winning RM Auto Restoration in Ontario, Canada, revealed the stunning, custom made “one off” as it originally looked in 1940 after its final redesign by Edsel and designer E. T. Gregorie. The Speedster was painted Pearl Essence Gunmetal Dark; the interior upholstered in complementary gray leather. The flat, engine-tuned instrument panel incorporated period Lincoln instruments. The 2,100-pound Speedster was powered by a stock 75-bhp, Ford Model 40 flathead, with straight exhausts that were enclosed by the bodywork with only the tips protruding.





The Speedster’s shapely hood had louvered side panels that subtly matched the angle of the radiator grille and the windscreen. A pair of narrow vee-ed grilles with a single row of louvers (vents) running the length of each side of the hood limited the flow of cooling air. The Speedster had a tendency to overheat.

Two period photographs of the car show two different louver treatments. One shows a single row of side louvers; the other features two rows of louvers, one atop the other. It’s reasonable to suspect that because of overheating issues, the hood was modified between the times these photos were taken.

Reportedly, a winter freeze in 1939-40 cracked the engine block; a new 239-cid, 100-bhp 09A Mercury V-8 was installed. This would have been the most powerful version of the Ford flathead V-8 available at the time.

By 1939, Gregorie had designed wider twin grilles for the Lincoln-Zephyr, so it followed that he would take the same approach for the Speedster. He redesigned the Speedster’s front end by shortening the upper grilles and fabricating a wide, horizontal grille for improved cooling. The new design, which required extensive modifications to the hood, was likely completed in 1940. The instrument panel may have been updated at the same time with a 160-mph racing type speedometer and matching Stewart-Warner accessory instruments.

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2011 Audi Q5 S-Line by Project Kahn

Project Kahn Audi Q5 S-Line is immediately recognizable with an outstanding styling package consisting of a full Kahn body styling conversion. And complete with Kahn 22″ RSR Alloy wheels in black finish, red calipers, lowered sports suspension, privacy glass and Kahn exhaust, the Project Kahn Audi Q5 S-Line demonstrates improved interaction with a sense of power, performance and style.





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Friday, February 10, 2012

2011 Lotus Evora GTE Road Car Concept

Lotus has built the race-inspired Evora GTE Road Car Concept. This high-strung Evora elicits over 420 bhp from its race-developed engine, fed through a sequential AMT racing gearbox and put to the pavement through ultra-lightweight forged alloy wheels with center-lock hubs shod with Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tires.



The Evora GTE Road Car Concept isn’t merely a paint scheme or homage to a race car – this is a serious race car that makes for a very serious road car.

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2012 SEAT Exeo

At a length of 4.66 metres, the Exeo is the prestigious athlete of the mid-size class. It offers space for five passengers and a generously proportioned luggage compartment. The Exeo ST estate version delivers significantly enhanced utility. With its luggage volume ranging from 442 to 1,354 litres, its wide rear opening and its high level of variability, the Exeo ST is the perfect partner for all the challenges posed by an active, sporty lifestyle or a successful business day.





The engine line-up ranges from 88 to 155 kW (120 to 210 hp). The latest TDI power units with common-rail direct injection ensure excellent pulling power, smooth running characteristics and outstanding efficiency. For particularly comfort-oriented drivers, the multitronic transmission with steering-wheel shift paddles presents an alternative to the manual gearbox. This efficient automatic is available as an option for the 2.0 TSI with 147 kW (200 hp) and for the 2.0 TDI with 105 kW (143 hp).

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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

2011 JM Cardesign BMW Z4 E85

JM Cardesign from Bergheim performed a very special kind of face-lifting on the E85-Roadster presented here. The tuner fitted the “old” Z4 with the front pieces of the new E89 model. The front bumper and grille were modified in extensive handiwork to match the headlights, mudguards and bonnet of the E85. The result is very harmonious: even MBMW enthusiasts will take a moment to entirely identify the cross-generation transformation. JM Car Design also applied some classic craftsmanship in the area of the rear wheel runs. The sheet was extended by about 30 millimetres on each side, and the wheel running edge was then re-built in the “original” look. Of course, this widening also required adjustment of the rear apron and side sills to the new situation.







The latter also had ventilation openings integrated that facilitate the cooling air flow to the rear brake system (in connection with the corresponding ducts). Before the vehicle was re-painted from silver to solid black in the in-house paint shop, JM Cardesign made the antenna, which is usually located on the rear left mudguard, vanish. It is now invisibly placed in the rear bumper. The door handles, side mirrors and side indicator lights in a BMW logo shape at the doors were also equipped with coming-home-lighting LEDs by JM Cardesign.

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Sunday, February 5, 2012

2011 Renault Wind Gordini by Gibson

Wind ‘Gordini by Gibson’ is a two-part harmony based on the two brands’ respective styling cues. Unsurprisingly, Wind ‘Gordini by Gibson’ features a blue livery with two white stripes, yet the colours and materials it employs also explore one or two other ideas.



In addition to the two hallmark white stripes which extend over the bonnet and blue roof, hints of gloss black feature across the bodywork, while Gibson logos are visible on the doors. An original attraction of the show car’s blue and white leather upholstery is the incorporation of genuine guitar strings which have been hand-sewn into the leather seats. Meanwhile, embroidered Gibson logos feature on the seat backs and blue leather-trimmed dashboard, while the seat belt straps are white and chrome has been used for the air vents and door handles. Last but not least, the guitar potentiometer knob used for the audio system’s volume control adds a ‘fun’ touch to the intrinsically switched-on and off-beat Wind ‘Gordini by Gibson’ show car.

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2011 Audi Urban Concept

The Audi urban concept has a sleek body. The wheels are free-standing, their surrounding protective plates feature blinking strips of LED lights. On board there is room for two people, their position slightly staggered and at a sporty, low level. All controls and materials are subject to the dictates of ultra-lightweight construction in order to ensure that the sensory experience they convey is unique and compelling. The driver can adjust the steering wheel and pedals to his own body measurements. Characteristic features of the Spyder include its low, continuous window area and its doors that open diagonally to the top. The cockpit consists of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer, which integrates the undercarriage of both seats. The Audi urban concept rolls on wheels with a 21-inch diameter.















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