Automotive designer Eduard Gray has sent in some renderings of his ideas for the first car to come from the Saab purchase of Spyker. Based near Saab headquarters in Trollhättan, Sweden, Gray believes the drawings could land him a job with the Saab Design Studio Team.
“The union of Saab and Spyker presents a unique opportunity to create a design that takes the best of each brand and distills their qualities into a single product, the designer says in his website.”
Indeed, his six drawings of the Saab Spyker 9+ Tribute shows elements of both companies. Gray calls the work "a quick expression of my optimism for the future of the brand."
Spyker lends us its supercar chassis with a mid-mounted engine and low down aerodynamics while Saab contributes with the style, character and engineering making for a design that is as pleasant to look at as it is to drive.”
Last week's Chicago Auto Show didn't hold a lot of surprise concepts or glamorous supercars, but there were a few key developments for car shoppers, including a hint at a new Dodge Compact car. The preview, given at the Economic Club of Chicago toward the end of the media days, reveals a new small car that is expected to use a modified Fiat Group platform, and will be one of the first joint projects of the new Fiat-Chrysler partnership.
When Fiat chief Sergio Marchionne took over at Chrysler he made it clear that one of his key issues was adding more small cars to Chrysler-owned brands' lineups. Recalling Dodge's product plans (chart included) for the future, it includes a small Fiat rebranded as a Dodge. With some reports speculating ties with the Dodge Hornet Concept from 2006, the car could come by 2013.
According to Dodge’s product plan, a small Fiat Group-derived vehicle will debut in 2013. The rendering reminds me of a streamlined version of the 2007 Dodge Hornet concept. This vehicle could be based off the same platform that underpins the Fiat 500. Whatever it is, Dodge desperately needs it now. via:thecarconnection
DeltaWing LLC, of Indianapolis, introduced the future of open wheel racing today at the Chicago Auto Show, aimed at realigning America's premiere racing tradition with current automobile industry and consumer trends. DeltaWing calls on technological innovation to return racing to cutting edge relevance in the search for extreme performance with less environmental and financial resources. "Today marks a fundamental shift in how race fans and the general public will view all racing cars in the future; this is a game changer" said Dan Partel, Chief Executive Officer of DeltaWing LLC. "This radical prototype takes open wheel racing to a new level from both an engineering standpoint and the overall spectator experience."
The car also marks the next step in the industry's dedication to becoming more environmentally responsible. DeltaWing has identified that this marketplace trend can be applied to the IZOD IndyCar Series and has developed this concept car using the most advanced American technology.
By targeting reduced aerodynamic drag and lighter weight, the DeltaWing design achieves record breaking on track performance with only half the engine power of its recent predecessors. The unique vehicle design provides optimum and consistent distribution of loading for the Firestone Firehawk tires, which are specifically developed for the dynamic characteristics of the DeltaWing racer. The futuristic form aims to appeal to a younger demographic audience who is increasingly in search of technological innovations to solve the requirement for sustainable personal mobility. DeltaWing LLC will design, engineer and supply a running prototype by August, 2010. Revolutionary design from every angle
Ultra narrow front track design saves weight, while fairings for the Firestone tires reduces aerodynamic drag and prevents wheel interlocking
Delta plan view shape provides undisturbed airflow to the downforce generating ground effect underbody venturi located beneath the car's center of gravity just ahead of the widely spaced rear wheels. Highly efficient downforce with negligible wake ensures minimal loss of aerodynamic performance for a trailing car thus enhancing the on-track overtaking spectacle
* Uncluttered side view with rearwards driver location provides ideal sponsorship positioning and true single-seater appeal. The highly prominent tail fin replaces the conventional inverted aerofoil in order to broaden the yaw stability envelope without inducing aerodynamic drag on straight-aways
"We are confident that this car will outperform the current generation IndyCar and do it in a more environmentally friendly way," said Partel. "Auto racing has always been a powerful marketing tool for propelling new technology into the hearts and minds of consumers. This new car was specifically designed to be more closely aligned with the new reality of automobiles that are arriving on the road today. Consumers are choosing cars that provide impressive performance capabilities but with greater fuel efficiency. This prototype IndyCar features those same characteristics, making it much more relevant to the public and the auto industry. It is our goal to make participation in the series highly attractive to the automobile manufacturers as well as the fuel, technology, information and entertainment corporate sectors."
DeltaWing anticipates the final car will weigh a remarkable 50 percent less than the current generation IndyCar and crucially, generate only half of the aerodynamic drag. This combination requires substantially less horsepower to generate speeds of over 235 miles per hour while delivering a 100% improvement in fuel efficiency.
"Our goal is to have our first prototype on the track in August," said Partel. "We look forward to an exciting development project with the Indy Racing League to ensure that all of their requirements are met for DeltaWing to become the next IZOD IndyCar in 2012."
"Today, we saw the future of racing unveiled", said Bill Lafontaine, Chief Marketing Officer. "This revolutionary car and business concept ushers in a new era in racing and reinforces the strong tradition of innovation in open wheel racing. This initiative reaffirms America's ability to lead in the automotive field. We look forward to the development of the car and our first running prototype."
About the DeltaWing IndyCar Prototype
Initial concept work by Ben Bowlby started with a clean sheet approach and began in January, 2009 at Target Chip Ganassi Racing in Indianapolis. The first prototype car will be powered by a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder turbocharged engine. Final horsepower figures will be based on the car's performance on the track, but by using state-of-the-art computer modeling, it is anticipated that the engine will need to produce approximately 300 horsepower to attain the performance targets and will run over 4,000 miles before requiring a rebuild, a dramatic 100% improvement over the current engine.
"The DeltaWing Concept is more than just a new and exciting racing car; it is about creating a platform that moves racing into the new era of information entertainment", said Bowlby, Designer and Chief Technology Officer. "Once we have successfully production engineered and manufactured the first generation of team cars, those cars will form the beginning of a constant evolution formula. Our intention is to publish the entire design detail via the DeltaWing website where access will be available to everyone and so provide a unique participation opportunity and insight into the engineering world of modern racing cars. Just as we hope to see multiple engine suppliers with different configurations and displacements, we also hope to create a framework that will allow us to see a varied and ever changing grid of racing machines in a sustainable, cost controlled and high value manner. We will be unveiling these plans once the prototype is up and running. As we design the DeltaWing prototype, safety, efficiency, value and cost are our main priorities; the goal is that more teams and drivers will have the opportunity to compete in the IZOD IndyCar series. At this point we anticipate a complete car with engine will sell for $600,000."
Key Specifications (estimated)
Weight with driver: 1,030 lbs.
Horsepower: 300 BHP
Wheel base: 125 inches
Front track: 24 inches
Rear track: 70 inches
Aerodynamic drag: Cd 0.24
Key Technical features
Engine and transmission are "non-stressed members" of the chassis structural design which allows teams to install a wide variety of lightweight powertrains
The prototype will feature a 4 cylinder turbo charged engine that will produce approximately 300 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and weigh only 160lbs fully dressed
Engine capacity, RPM and configuration freedoms are anticipated given only that the rate of fuel delivery to the engine will be controlled by a specially developed fuel flow rate control unit
Vehicle weight distribution is necessarily more rearward than traditionally seen with 72.5% of the mass on the larger rear tires
80% of the aerodynamic downforce acts on the rear of the car
Inline traction under acceleration through the rear tires is greatly enhanced by rearward weight and aerodynamic distributions
Unique amongst today's racing cars 60% of braking force is generated behind the center of gravity giving a dynamically stable response
Locking propensity of the inside front wheel on corner entry is greatly reduced
Transission features 6 speed oval and 5 speed plus reverse road track configurations with sequential paddle shift actuation
Differential features full torque vectoring active technology with driver control of gain for balance adjustment. "Active stagger" removes the expensive necessity for staggered rear tire diameters for ovals
Advanced computer modeling of structures, impact energy management, aerodynamics, vehicle dynamics and tires has been used to develop the virtual DeltaWing car
The car's performance has been simulated on each configuration of race track encountered during the IZOD IndyCar Series Championship
Modern advanced materials and CNC construction techniques applied to achieve gains in light weight structures and occupant safety
Driver position, restraint layout and energy absorbency facility designed with the latest data on survival criteria
Visit www.deltawingracing.com for additional information and to follow progress on the design and development of the concept
American race car company, Swift Engineering, Inc. is proud to announce key motorsport partnerships with industry leading companies to further its bid to design and build the next generation race car chassis for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series ®. "Given Swift is the leading US race car design and manufacturing company and our 27-year history was founded in motorsport, it is only natural that we aspire to partner with the nations' premier open-wheel formula, the IZOD IndyCar Series," Jan Wesley Refsdal, Swift's president said.
Key business alliances have been cemented between Swift and Cray Inc. (The Supercomputer Company), Indianapolis-based Mark One Composites, Inc. and Cruden America, world leaders in motion racing simulators
"Individually, each one of these partnerships is critical to Swift's continuing commitment to motorsport; however, collectively and in conjunction with one another they will help us set new industry standards in innovative design, manufacturing and support," Refsdal stated.
Swift's strategic industry partnerships were carefully selected and cultivated through a focused effort to realize the challenge the IZOD IndyCar Series has set for its next generation car.
Cray supercomputers will be used at Swift's facility to further enhance its capabilities in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), an important tool in the design and development of aerodynamic concepts. In conjunction with Swift's existing on-site wind tunnel designs will be tested in accurate virtual models allowing for valuable driver feedback and performance data collection on Cruden's state-of-the-art 3Ctr 6-DOF motion racing simulator which is soon to be operational at Swift.
"Speed-to-market is critical in any business, but probably more so in racing as the green flag doesn't wait for anyone," Refsdal said. "Rapid development is just as much about the speed and quality of the design process as it is manufacturing. We are evolving our four-year exclusive certified composite repair relationship with Mark One Composites, Inc. to provide further manufacturing and inventory support directly to teams from its Indianapolis-based facility."
Jonsibal.com has published a new rendering featuring a proposed McLaren MP4-12C GTR. Jon drew up the idea in several different classic liveries, including Fina, Gulf, and Marlboro.
"I gave the car wider fenders to house four OZ wheels (with some lip) the previous F1 GTR ran back in the days," said the artist on the website. "I also added splitters in the front and rocker panels to keep the air moving underneath as fast and clean as possible."
The artist was a big fan of the Gordon Murray design for the McLaren F1, and the GTR version that followed. Photos of the F1 GTR are included on this page. The follow-up rendering to the MP4-12C GTR will be a Long Tail variety, an homage to the GTR '97 Long Tail. Once Jon sends it out, we will bring it to you.
The 2011 McLaren MP4-12C will be launched next year with a 3.8-liter V8 engine that produces 600 hp (447 kW) and up to 422 ft-lb. Pricing will be set at £150,000.
A two-door, rear-engined Lamborghini SUV / Crossover makes as much sense as a vegetarian working at slaughter house but if anything else, you can't blame independent designer David Cordoso from Belgium for not using his imagination. More photos after the jump.
This is a rendering of the upcoming Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera by graphic artist Jon Sibal. The rendering. The debut for the new Lamborghini is set for the 2010 Geneva Auto Show in March.
The new Lamborghini will have the same LP560 gear box, a weight reduction of 70 Kg , and a power increase of 10HP, giving the LP570-4 Superleggera a 2.35 power to weight ratio. 0 to 60 is in 3.5 seconds.
Distinguishing the Superleggera will be the Italian flag colored stripes on the side of the car, as seen in the image here.
The LP570-4 Superleggera will be offered in 6 colors.
Orange
Lime green
Yellow
Black
White
Grey
Exclusive white & Italian flag bordered “Superleggera” stripping on the side. The green, orange, and yellow Superleggera’s will have extensive carbon fiber black interiors with the stitching matching the cars exterior while the grey, white, and black Superleggera’s will be the same but with grey stitching. Here are the different color version of the rendering reflecting the color options for the LP570-4 Superleggerra.
We're not sure when or if Bugatti will present a direct successor to the 1,001-horsepower Veyron, but if the VW Group-owned company does, John Mark Vicente, a Canadian graduate of the Communication Design program at the Emily Carr University, would like to believe that it may look something like this. Named the Bugatti Renaissance, the conceptual proposal builds on the qualities of the 16-cylinder supercar.
Design of the Tokyo and Paris show cars was a sign of things to come
The subcompact car has Audi genes yet is highly individual
New face: independence and premium for a new target group
A new name, a new segment, a new car. Is there a more fascinating challenge for a car designer? Bold and surprising design was what the Audi team was aiming for in 2007 when it designed the A1 project quattro for the Tokyo Motor Show and again in 2008 for the A1 Sportback concept for the Paris Auto Show. Both studies are emotion-packed visions for a new, young target group and the particular requirements of city driving, and have been systematically refined ever since. The future is almost here: The countdown to the A1 is on.
The car is still a secret, yet Stefan Sielaff, Head of Design at AUDI AG, is already talking about the future smallest model in the Audi family. "The new A1 has Audi design in its genes. Like all Audi models, the ratio of greenhouse to body is between 1:3 and 2:3. The front overhang is short, but the wheel wells are pronounced, giving the A1 a wide road stance."
The Audi design team has also come up with something special for the C-pillar. The coupé-like silhouette of the A1 is clearly different from that of the A3. "Audi is renowned for taking a lot of features of its showcars into series production. The roof arch is a unique characteristic of the Tokyo showcar; there is a certain dynamism in the flow of the A- and C-pillars. An important detail for customization; that much I can tell you," said Sielaff. There will be many ways to customize the A1 to your personal ideas, especially in the interior.
The single-frame grille - a central Audi design feature - will identify the A1 as an Audi. But there's a surprise in store. "We'll do something here, maybe with the corners and the width of the grille," says Sielaff. This will affect the headlights. But more on that in January 2010. More Photos
Slavche Tanevsky, a student at the Munich University of Applied Sciences, has created this futuristic Lamborghini design concept.
While it's vaguely reminiscent of the Reventón and the Estoque concept, the whole design of the Madura is sleeker, more focused, and more aggressive. Up front, the Madura features slim headlights (to emphasize the cars' width), huge air intakes, and a curvaceous hood. Out back, the front-mounted hybrid powertrain allowed Tanevsky to create a maze of intricate lines which helps to give the car a unique appearance.
According to Tanevsky, "The Madura is a proposal for the first hybrid Lamborghini scheduled for 2016. Doing a car more efficient and more nature-friendly, doesn't mean it shouldn't be exciting, good-looking and fast. (But) in my opinion this new propulsion system should be represented on the looks of the car."
Dubbed the Madura (named after an Indonesian island famous for bull races), the concept was created - in collaboration with Lamborghini and Audi designers - for Lamborghini's Raw Materials Project.
Inspired by these two models, 23-year old industrial design student Marouane Bembli decided to go one step further by creating the R10. Featuring futuristic styling, the R10 is envisioned as a lightweight supercar with a V10 engine and a dry weight of 1200kg (2,645 lbs)
New small crossover looked in the teaser sketch that was released back in October? Well, if these official designs are of any indication, then the reality is that the as-yet unnamed crossover won't be as near as exciting as Mitsubishi wanted us to believe. On the other hand, the production model does retain most of the styling cues featured on the 2007 Mitsubishi cX concept, on which it is based, with most changes concerning the rear end of the car that appears to have grown in length.
Essentially a production cX concept, the crossover features an Evo-like grille, Lancer-style headlights, and pronounced fender flares. Other design details include a character line that runs from the A- to D-pillar, a miniscule rear quarter window, and a nearly vertical tailgate.
Riding on Mitsubishi's mid-size global platform (which also underpins the Lancer and Outlander), the compact crossover will be powered by a variety of four-cylinder engines including a new 1.8-liter turbo-diesel with 136 horsepower and 280 Nm of torque.
Leaving the styling aside, Mitsubishi's baby crossover uses the Japanese firm's mid-size global platform, which also forms the basis the Lancer and Outlander. However, the new model will be smaller than the Outlander and will compete, at least in Europe, against Nissan's forthcoming Quazana crossover.
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