03 March 2011
[Supercars and Prototipes]Touring Superleggera at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show - The new Gumpert "Tornante" concept
On the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, Touring is celebrating its 85th anniverary showing yet another world première and exploring new grounds for the Milanese coachbuilder.
The 2011 programme of Touring Superleggera is highlighted by collaboration with Gumpert – a sports car manufacturer known for its very demanding engineering and extreme performance – and the Bentley Continental Flying Star, which recently was elected Luxury Car of the Year on the reputed Classic Driver online magazine.
The Gumpert Tornante world premiere, radically different from a noble shooting break, illustrates that Touring’s credo of purity, design integrity, simplicity and balanced proportions can be succesfully applied to a wide variety of automotive concepts.
The Flying Star is getting on stream very well with an increase in production capacity to cope with the growing demand. The Bentley-sanctioned project has definitively positioned Touring on the highest quality levels for custom design and coach building.
After a successful 2010,Touring is steadlily expanding its portfolio of services as an independent design and service provider for car manufacturers. This encompasses a complete productive cycle from design, renderings, style- and master models, surface development, body engineering to state-of-the-art rolling concepts and low volume coachbuilding. A steady flow of new projects is under development.
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04 March 2009
[Supercars and Prototipes]GENEVA 2009 - ZAGATO PERANA
Zagato is launching an exciting World Premiere on the occasion of the 2009
Geneva Motor Show: the Perana Z-One (Zee-One).
The sports car Perana Z-One signals the first collaboration of the Milanese
Coachbuilders with a South African Vehicle Manufacturer: Perana
Performance Group.
The Perana project is the result of Zagato’s 90 year-long expertise in
constructing fully functional running concepts.
Virtual reality development has been integrated from inception, effectively
eliminating the need for the traditional styling model and enabling the
prototype to be completed in less than 4 months by the South African team.
Design Concept:
As the latest descendant of the Zagato sports car family, Z-one is designed
with full blooded Zagato form language.
Reflecting this pure passion from this brand new sports car specialist, the
proportion and volume of Z-one is even tighter than usual sports car styling,
accentuated by couple of long and dynamic curves with keen edge which
visually integrate some important design features like the air out-lets.
Surfaces defined by those cutting edges are even more sculptured
maintaining the modern Zagato line which we have been developing for a
decade.
Initiative:
Following in the footsteps of Zagato’s long tradition of masterfully designed
cars, the Perana Z-One is no mere dream car, but a thoroughly practical and
feasible production proposition that is expected to be available for sale to
discerning European buyers by July 2009.
The Zagato Design Centre has styled the Perana Z-one to ensure it is built as
a limited series production car. Sales will be limited to 999 cars per annum
within Europe to assure exclusivity and to commemorate the 90 years of
Zagato design.
Complying with Euro 4 emission legislation, this value proposition is expected
to be launched at the introductory price of under 50.000 Euros, before taxes
– an irresistible and highly competitive offer.
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04 March 2009
[Supercars and Prototipes]GENEVA 2009 - FRAZER-NASH NAMIR BY GIUGIARO: The fastest and most ecological hybrid in the world
Namir is a concept car born of the collaboration between Italdesign
Giugiaro and Frazer-Nash, a company specialized in the design,
construction, and marketing of hybrid systems deeply rooted in the
historical automotive manufacturing company founded in England by Archie
Frazer-Nash in 1923.
Presented during the 79th edition of the International Motor Show in
Geneva, Namir represents the turning of a new page in the book being
written by the Torino-based firm since 2004, opening with the Alessandro
Volta project and followed up with the commemorative dream car –
Quaranta - the result of research and development on sports cars fuelled by
hybrid systems produced last year in celebration of the 40th anniversary of
the company’s founding.
The Arabian name Namir, meaning “tiger”, sums up the main features of
the concept car: elegance and power, aggressiveness and litheness of lines.
Without any doubt it is a sports car: a coupé with two bucket seats and an
accurate equilibrium between style and mechanics, aesthetics and
contents. The sophisticated mechanics as well as the avant-garde electric
and electronics systems are wrapped up into an aggressive package with an
exquisitely balanced proportion of volumes and a stunning contrast
between the sharp accents of the rear end and the sinuous front lines that
emphasise this supercar's performance: over 300 km/h (187 mph) at
maximum speed and an acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h in 3.5 seconds and
from 0 to 200km/h in 10.4 seconds, making this the fastest hybrid car in
the world.
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04 March 2009
[Supercars and Prototipes]GENEVA 2009 - I.DE.A INSTITUTE’S NEW ERA
The definitive version of ERA will be presented at the Geneva Motor Show, after its first preview in Turin last May during the celebrations for the company’s thirtieth anniversary. ERA represents the turning point and the rebirth of I.DE.A Institute.
ERA now has a new colour, gull-wing doors and an interior with simple, essential tubular structures to be admired once seated comfortably in the new wraparound seats upholstered in a high-tech fabric created by a well-known fashion designer. These are seats you can almost wear!
The bonnet is long and sloping, the tail is a veil that rests on the bodywork to create harmonious curves while the front and rear light clusters are luminous eyes that convey the car’s character.
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15 March 2008
[Supercars and Prototipes]78° GENEVA MOTORSHOW 2008 - WORLD PREMIERE OF KTM X-BOW PRODUCTION-READY MODEL
» Exhibited at Geneva in limited-edition ‘KTM X-Bow Dallara’ form
» Aggression and purity of original concept retained
» Carbon fibre monocoque is unique feature
» 240 bhp 2-litre Audi TFSI engine for spectacular performance
» True open car driving experience without roof or windshield
» Start of production set for mid-2008
The KTM X-Bow: A Success Story
The motorcycle specialist manufacturer KTM celebrated the world premiere of its
first-ever car at the Geneva Motor Show in 2007 when the X-Bow was born. The
company sounded out the exclusive lightweight sports car market with an aggressive
design and a spectacular concept, complete with carbon fibre monocoque and purist,
minimalist fittings.
Following an overwhelmingly positive response from sports car enthusiasts and
motoring media all around the world, the decision was made to go ahead with further
development for the series production model of the KTM X-Bow.
Now, on the anniversary of that world premiere, KTM exhibits the results of the
continued development, showing the production-ready version of the KTM X-Bow for
the first time and in the exclusive form of the ‘X-Bow Dallara’ which will be a limitededition
of just 100 units.
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15 March 2008
[Supercars and Prototipes]78° GENEVA MOTORSHOW 2008 - The“BugattiVeyronFbg parHermès”
On the occasion of the 78th Geneva Motor Show (from 6 to 16 March 2008), Bugatti and Hermès co-present the fruit of their partnership: the “Bugatti Veyron Fbg par Hermès”, associat-ing Bugatti’s technical performance with the expertise of Hermès and its craftsmen. In partner-
ship with Hermès, designer Gabriele Pezzini has married the distinctive Hermès style to the legendary Bugatti Veyron 16.4, magnifying the car’s personality.
This remarkable car features an array of exceptional characteristics: the innovative alliance of a technologically advanced engine, delivering 1001 horsepower, with an understated yet uncompromising silhouette reflecting the high performance capacities of state-of-the-art engineering and design, and above all, the pleasure these inspire in every Bugatti owner.
The fascination exerted by this sports coupé, capable of reaching 407 km/h, is due in large part to its unique alliance of the very finest motor-racing technology with comfortable handling for everyday driving. The 16-cylinder “W” configuration engine is fed by four turbochargers and features 64 valves, generating 1001 horsepower at 6000 rpm. The engine draws on its 8-litre displacement to deliver a maximum torque of 1250 Newton-metres between 2200 and 5500 rpm.
With full-time all-wheel drive, the car’s phenomenal power produces breath-takingly dynamic handling, with acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in a mere 2.5 seconds. The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 benefits from aero-nautical and aerospace technologies, making it the fastest production car ever made. The car also features a braking system designed to deliver unprecedented powers of deceleration, establishing a new industry benchmark. The carbon-fibre discs provide brake pressure of up to 180 bars, combined with eight-piston monobloc callipers and titanium pistons fitted with fine steel heads and ceramic heat protectors.
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15 March 2008
[Supercars and Prototipes]World Premiere at the 78th Autosalon Geneva 2008 - MANSORY Stallone – an exquisite power pack based on the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
As a specialist for customisation of Aston Martin, Bentley and Rolls Royce automobiles, MANSORY has long been an institution. Now, the company from Brand in Bavaria has tackled the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano. With luxurious as well as sporty modifications, MANSORY proves that the company also has a clear understanding of customising Italian super sports cars. Especially light body components made of carbon, a powerful increase to the engine performance and an interior covered with the finest ostrich leather fulfil the car desires of the exclusive clientele.
More Bounce for the Italian Stallion
MANSORY pays special attention to performance optimisation with which the car from Maranello made the sprint from zero to 100 kph two tenths faster than the series version (3.7 seconds). The propulsion is only over at 340 kph. Thus the modification, called the Stallone, impressively fills the gap to the fast, 350 kph sports car brother, the Enzo. The engine components newly developed by the MANSORY technicians are responsible for this. The performance kit includes high-performance compressors and custom made intercooling. The supercharging of the V12 power train is supported by a sport air filter with higher air throughput as well as modified control electronics. This increases the performance of the large 6.0 litre twelve cylinder engine from 620 to 720 HP. The torque increased by an additional 92 Nm. The sport rear muffler made of stainless steel underscores the sporty appearance of the MANSORY Stallone with its impressive sound.
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14 March 2008
[Supercars and Prototipes]G78° GENEVA MOTORSHOW - A new concept by Fioravanti: the "Hydra"
Fioravanti continues the research on the new architectures of the next future vehicles that will must face the new alternative sources of energy and their stockpiling.
Hidra is the evolution of last year Thalia and marries the Fioravanti’s propensity for innovation, functionality and elegance.
Hidra is a proposal of a sporty multifunctional vehicle ( M.P.C. as multi purpose coupe), with 5 doors and 4 seats. The concept is based on a general layout that lets reach notable results in terms of vehicle dynamics, passive safety and flexibility. It’s foreseen a central-longitudinal area creating room for hydrogen tanks, for a “fuel cell” car or for possible batteries in the case of electric or hybrid engine.
These large masses would be placed in a well protected area, safe from crashes and low for an ideal centre of gravity to improve the car handling.
Thanks to this layout, Fioravanti proposes, for every single wheel, its own patent concerning the possibility to use an only-one identical type of suspension.
A sleek and dynamic design characterizes the unique bodywork with modelled and plastic surfaces, in the vehicle’s front end we find the lights, which are luminous volumes that vary their intensity depending on functions, creating a single drawing. The rear area shows an extensive transparent surface that includes an innovative system for the retro-illumination of the number plate thanks to the “oled” technology, in the original rear bumper we find: rear lights, turn indicator, fog light, reversing light.
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13 March 2008
[Supercars and Prototipes]Geneva Motor Show, Pininfarina returns with Sintesi concept car
Three years after Maserati Birdcage 75th, Pininfarina will
be exhibiting another concept car at the 2008 Geneva
Motor Show. It has been called Sintesi, because it is a
synthesis of the company’s many values: an aesthetic
sense capable of creating timeless beauty, research that explores new ideas for the future, the use of technologies that combines form and functionality. Sintesi adopts the
most advanced applications of Transparent Mobility
systems and “Liquid” Packaging, a method that has
enabled our designers to really set their creativity free,
creating new proportions inside and outside the car, and
designing fluid, integrated forms.
“Three years after Birdcage 75th Sintesi is a courageous
exploration of the future of the car”, said Andrea
Pininfarina.
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12 March 2008
[Supercars and Prototipes]78° GENEVA MOTORSHOW - THE SPECIAL BENTLEY BY ZAGATO
takes great pleasure in introducing the Bentley GTZ, the latest in a long line of
collaborations with the very best British car manufacturers over the Milanese Atelier ’s 89
years history.
Following on from the recent presentations of the Ferrari 575GTZ in 2006 and the Maserati
GS Zagato at the Villa D’Este in 2007, the Bentley GTZ is a neo-classic Zagato
interpretation of the style of a British GT.
The project was conceived during a discussion between Dr. Ing. Franz Josef Paefgen, CEO
of Bentley Motors Limited and Dr. Andrea Zagato, President of Zagato at the Pebble Beach
Concours D’Elegance in 2006. At a ‘Tribute to Zagato’ presentation, Zagato showed a
selection of 50’ 60’s models, near by the recent berlinettas presented during the last 3
years. Dr. Paefgen was struck by the beauty of those cars and reminded of the historical
significance of the art of the Carrozzeria (coachbuilders) which was both being maintained
and carried forward by Zagato.
Starting from the styling cues of the last neo classical coupes, which became milestones of
Zagato design in the new millennium, the challenge was to apply the same design language
to a completely different proportion of vehicle: the Bentley Continental GT Speed.
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