F1's loss is the car industry's gain

Posted by Cameron Countach

Many F1 fans have been left saddened by the news that Ron Dennis – a man who has played a major part in the McLaren F1 team's success since he joined them in 1981, and who has been instrumental in the success of Lewis Hamilton in motor racing – has left the McLaren F1 team.

No one knows for certain the reasons behind this decision, though rumours of a difficult relationship with Lewis’s father Anthony are claimed to have played a major part in his decision to step down after 29 years with the F1 outfit, coupled with the fact Dennis wanted to get away from a team that has been in the news for all the wrong reasons lately.

But there is some good news about Ron's departure, and that is for the car industry. The great man has announced that he will be now involved with the future development of McLaren's road cars, as the executive chairman of the McLaren Automotive division.

According to the Daily Telegraph, Ron, along with investment bank Credit Suisse, is currently looking for an investment of £250m to create roadworthy sports cars for McLaren. Plans include a new factory, which will create more than 800 jobs, something that is much needed following a number of large-scale redundancies at other manufacturers across the country.

For an industry in decline, this is fantastic news. Right now, every investment the car industry receives is one that can help it to survive the recession. And if someone with a high profile like Ron’s can bring in more capital to motoring, we think that’s a good thing.

After all, it will undoubtedly have a positive knock-on effect. Who wouldn’t want a car that has had Ron Dennis’s approval? His name will encourage the rich to part with their cash – something the Government is desperately trying to get the whole nation to do right now, in an attempt to stimulate economic recovery.

It will also be positive for companies that supply the car industry, and hopefully create more jobs at other organisations beyond McLaren.

It seems this is only the beginning of great things to come from McLaren Automotive: it is claimed the company already has 20 car prototypes it has been working on, and plans to do an initial production run of 1,000 units per year, moving up to 4,000 as more new cars are given the green light.

McLaren has created some of the hottest supercars the world has ever seen, including the McLaren F1 (a legend among supercars, especially the limited edition F1 LM) and the stunning Mercedes SLR, so there’s already a lot of expectation building for its next project, the P11. We’re sure with Ron Dennis behind it, it will deliver on its promise.

But we’re not being naive here. We know this isn’t going to save the whole industry, but if similar events take place over the coming months, perhaps this won’t be the Carmageddon that everyone is claiming.

Source: Daily Telegraph

See our interview with McLaren F1 designer, Gordon Murray >>

BMW’s superior SUVs to debut in NYC

Posted by Cameron Countach

The New York Auto Show is just a few days away, and the first piece of good news we’ve heard is that BMW’s first all-wheel M series cars, the X5 M and X6 M, will be debuting at this year’s show.

According to BMW, both cars will be the first all-wheel-drive models to offer the driving features, performance and athletic design typically associated with an M car.

The superior performance capabilities of the X5 M and X6 M will be provided by an M TwinPower Turbo engine, which BMW claims to be the “world’s first power unit with a common exhaust manifold encompassing both rows of cylinders and featuring Twin Scroll Twin Turbo Technology”.

And boy can these SUVs shift, with a 0-60mph of just 4.7 seconds, and an amazing top speed of – wait for it – 171mph, which would give even the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S a run for its money. In fact, that’s not far off the kind of speeds you’d expect from a supercar. Nice work, BMW.

The New York Auto Show commences on 10 April, but if you can’t wait until then to see BMWs sporty SUVs, you can check out images in the gallery below.

Check out images of the BMW X5 M and X6 M >>

UgurSahinDesign Mallett Corvette Z03 gets production green light

Posted by Cameron Countach

Leading Dutch car design company UghurSahinDesign has revealed the fantastic news that its Z03 Corvette concept, which was first revealed back in 2008, is now set to be built by US-based tuning company, Mallett Cars.

This brilliant reinvention of the Chevrolet Corvette C6 features bodywork created from lightweight carbon fibre composite, with the most notable difference from the C6 being the slit-shaped rear window, which really makes it stand out from other sports cars currently on the road.

We particularly like the diamond-shaped headlights which give the Z03 the look of being the ultimate mean machine, a notion reinforced by the superior equipment underneath the car’s partially see-through bonnet.

The Corvette’s supercharged LS7 V8 engine will deliver an impresive 700hp, but for those of you who want even more power, there’s the option to upgrade to an engine that comes with twin turbochargers and pushes out 999hp. That’s some serious power.

But then comes the bad news. Current owners of the C6 can upgrade their car’s bodywork to the Z03’s for £45,000, with the engine upgrades coming in at around £22,000 for the 700hp, and £25,000 for 999hp. So that’s 67 grand before you even start – there go our dreams of ever owning one.

See images of the UgurSahinDesign Mallett Corvette Z03 >>

Source: diseno-art.com

Nissan unveils 370Z Roadster

Posted by Cameron Countach

It’s been an amazing few weeks for fans of the convertible, with the Fiat 500 C and new Mazda MX-5 being unveiled. Now comes the news that a Roadster version of the stunning Nissan 370Z will be hitting the roads – and it’s car we believe could go on to become the drop top of 2009.

Described by Nissan as a “truly authentic roadster”, the 2010 370Z Roadster should be available late in the summer in the USA (why not sooner, Nissan?), with it expected to hit these shores not mushc later.

Potential owners will be pleased to hear that the opening and closing of the roof takes a mere 20 seconds and can be controlled by either a centre console-mounted button or by a switch on the door.

Similar to the Coupé version of the 370Z, the Roadster will be equipped with a standard 332hp 3.7-litre DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Event and Lift control (VVEL), which should deliver a 0-62mph of 5.7 seconds and a top speed of 155mph. Owners will also be able to choose between a seven-speed automatic or a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission.

“As expected, the 370Z Roadster delivers an exhilarating connection to the air, wind and environment on top of the new Z® Coupé’s exceptional levels of performance,” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager of Nissan North America.

“But perhaps unexpected for a car this sporty is its greatly enhanced refinement and quality – as seen in features such as its one-touch, auto-locking convertible top and beautifully crafted interior.”

For an expected price of around £30,000 (it’s certainly not cheap, but it’s still one of the better value sports cars you’ll find for that kind of money), owners can also look forward to selecting from a diverse range of seven exciting colours, including Magnetic Black, Solid Red, Platinum Graphite, Monterey Blue, Brilliant Silver, Pearl White, and a special premium colour, Black Cherry.

We were already fans of the Nissan 370Z Coupé, which was unveiled last year, but we think the Roadster version may just have the edge over its hard-top stablemate. Check out the images below, and let us know your thoughts on this super-hot drop-top.

See pictures of the Nissan 370Z Roadster >>

Batmobile car has POW! factor

Posted by Cameron Countach

No, this isn't the new Batmobile, and nor is it the much-needed replacement for the Ford Shelby GT500KR that now plays Kitt in Knight Rider. It is, in fact, the Saab 9 Griffin concept, a car claimed to be "a next-generation luxury sedan" - and a vehicle we believe every superhero should have in their garage.

The Griffin concept was imagined by South Korean design student Joonhyung Park while he was studying car design at Hongik University in Seoul. It’s the sort of design that puts even the industry’s leading creative minds to shame.

While the Griffin features a four-seat layout, the driver’s seating is positioned slightly further forward than the front passenger, a design innovation that along with the ‘asymmetric exterior design’, windscreen and bodywork that creates a “bubble” around the motorist and lets us know who is really in control of the vehicle.

The doors are everything you’d expect from a car of the future, especially a superhero’s motor, with there being two different entry points. On the driver’s side of the vehicle, the motorist will access the vehicle through a unique two-part door made up of a “forward hinging canopy”, and there’s a standard door as well.

And if that wasn’t interesting enough for you, the Griffin’s passengers will all enter the car through one large door, which will give them access to every passenger seat.

The Griffin really is the stuff dreams are made of, and we’ll be seriously disappointed if Hollywood producers don’t end up bidding for the blueprints. It certainly gets a thumbs-up from the Orange Cars channel. Nice work, Joonhyung.

Not convinced? Check out fantastic pictures of the Saab 9 Griffin concept >>

Source: diseno-art.com

Bugatti's golden dream machine

Posted by Cameron Countach

Bugatti has made a habit of grabbing the motoring headlines over the past few months, with the recent unveiling of the stunning Bleu Centenaire (to celebrate its centenary this  year) at the Geneva Motor Show - a car claimed to be one of the world’s most expensive, as well as the fastest. And now the company is monopolising column inches again, with the unveiling of a golden version of the ultimate supercar, the Bugatti Veyron.

Though the Veyron isn’t the prettiest of supercars, the Bleu Centenaire and golden versions have seriously enhanced the aesthetic of what some consider the ultimate supercar.

This version of the Veyron has recently been seen driven around the streets of Kuwait City by its lucky owner, but according globalmotors.net the golden Veyron is also a colour scheme available to those few lucky people who get their hands on the final cars created as part of the Veyron range.

And if all that wasn’t exciting enough news for you, visitors to the Bugatti website can now customise their own Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport - we’ll have ours in pink and lime green please. However, the car is claimed to be retailing at £1.45m, so we won’t put in our credit card details just yet…
 
With Bugatti planning to discontinue the Veyron range later this year - ahead of a new model from the marque being unleashed in September - it’s great to see the legendary supercar is going out on a high.

Check out images of the golden Bugatti Veyron here >>

Sources: Motorauthority.com

Globalmotors.net

Mazda MX-5 hits the road

Posted by Cameron Countach

Only a week ago we were looking forward to the prospect of the drop top Fiat 500 arriving this summer, and now more fantastic news is in: the latest range of the “world’s best selling sports car”, the Mazda MX-5, has gone on sale in the UK.

Similar to other manufacturers looking to impress consumers during the tough financial climate, Mazda has improved the fourth generation of the MX-5’s fuel economy up to an impressive 40.4 mpg and reduced the range’s emissions by up to 7%.

For those of you who like your extras with your latest car (and who doesn’t?) you can look forward to a leather-trimmed steering wheel, alloy wheels, and an MP3-compatible audio system with six speakers and a new auxiliary (AUX) input jack for MP3 and iPod connection. So the music lovers among you will be pleased.

"The latest exterior, interior and technical upgrades to the 2009 Mazda MX-5 range will ensure that the soft-top will continue to offer pure, fun-to-drive, open-top motoring thrills, while the Mazda MX-5 Roadster Coupe offers open-top motoring as well as a more coupe-like, premium experience,” says Mark Cameron, Sales & Marketing Director, Mazda UK. 

Prices for the new Mazda range will start at just £16,340 on the road, with the most expensive roadster coupe 2.0i PowerShift version going on sale for £21,690.

Check out action images of the new Mazda MX-5 >>

Honda Zeppelin is a ‘whole lotta’ car

Posted by Cameron Countach

If the brilliant Honda Zeppelin concept really is an indication of how sedans will look in the future, we’re going to start saving our pennies now - because this is the kind of car we want in our garage in 10 years' time.

Named after, and inspired by, the Zeppelin airships (sorry, it’s not the band, as the title might have led you to believe), the Honda Zeppelin’s distinctive look was created by combining ‘powerful’ lines that you would expect to see on luxury cars with the soft volume you’d associate with an airship.

Created by designer Myung Jin Jung, the stand-out feature on the Zeppelin has to be the slit-shaped windscreen which looks more like something you’d find on a vehicle of war than a sporty sedan of the future. But looks can be deceiving, and it is in fact a video display inside the car that the driver will use to view the road ahead. It’s certainly an innovative idea, but let’s just hope there’s never a power failure.

The interior continues the car’s association with flying machines, thanks to its influence by the luxurious first class seating you find in planes. It also has front seats that can swivel 180º, though we’re not entirely sure this is something you’ll find on an aircraft. But it’s still a nice touch.

If you want to see what the future holds for sedans, check out these images of the Honda Zeppelin >>

Source: diseno-art.com

Carmageddon: who goes next? You decide!

Posted by Cameron Countach

First Honda pulls out of sponsoring its Formula 1 team, then next year's British International Motor Show is called off – and only a week ago, plans to bring out the Lamborghini Estoque were revealed to have been shelved.

 
The situation for the motoring industry is so bad right now that all manner of disturbing terminology is out there, including terms such as “carpocalypse” and “carmageddon” being used to describe the crisis.
Hopefully we won't witness the end of any marques – though the clock is swiftly ticking for the likes of GM and Chrysler – but with a bit of luck we will see the end of some of the more hideous atrocities to have come off the production line in recent years.

This got us to thinking about the cars we’d like to see claimed by the carpocalypse. For me it would have to be the following:

1. Volkswagen Passat (dull)
2. Myers Motors EV (why would you drive this car?)
3. Nissan Micra (eyesore)

For a bit of fun, what we want you to do is, in order of preference, list the Top 3 cars you'd happily see disappear during the recession. In a week's time, we'll put up a gallery featuring the Top 10 most hated cars, as voted by you.

In case you’re lacking in inspiration, here are some cars we'd like to see get the chop during the course of the next two years of financial misery >>