Friday, May 29, 2009

Honda S2000 Coupe Concept Study

Not many of you were excited with the prospect of an all-wheel drive, 2+2 hybrid coupe replacement for the Honda S2000 as are the rumors currently circulating in Japan. Then how about an evolution of today's S2000 roadster with a fixed hardtop and some serious styling changes that include a Nissan GT-R-like snout, a rounded but, concave body surfacing and a pair of xtra large side air-vents? Pretty cool, wouldn't you agree? The artist responsible for creating these computer generated images of the S2000 Coupe Concept is actually the same person that crafted the alluring Subaru Impreza WRX STI three-door study that we showed you earlier today and who goes by the alias 'Grid'.




Source: 3dluvr/Grid

New BMW M3 Edition Models Revealed

Recently, BMW has released the all new version of their popular M3. The BMW M3 Edition Models will be available beginning this summer with several cosmetic changes and a dropped suspension. Available in three non-metallic colors (Alpine White, Black, and Dakar Yellow), as well as Monte Carlo Blue Metallic, the M3 Edition Models will have an interior specifically designed to match the exterior paint. A chrome package is included standard to accentuate "the truly sophisticated character of the Edition Models." They use a dark, eloxy-plated chrome for the quad tailpipes, kidney grille, and side gills. The color tone perfectly matches the blacked-out 19-inch M-series light alloy rims. Or, if you prefer, you can get the rims in either silver or a contrasting white. We recommend going with the dark rims, because they will also match the black mirror caps.

Inside the cockpit, BMW uses white material on the center console and door-panel armrests when the vehicle is purchased with either a white or black exterior. Carbon Structure leather with white seams is also used. Black leather is used on the seats, with white seams. However, on the Dakar Yellow and Monte Carlo Blue editions the chosen exterior color is used throughout the interior, including on the back- and leg-rests. Armrests and door handles also use the exterior colors for contrasting seams. M-badged trim bars are designed with a checkered flag look.

The Alpine White model, with white interior accents and blacked out wheels, looks pretty hot. There are a few pictures here you can cycle through. In addition to this, the entire M3 Edition Model has a body that is lowered by 10 millimeters. All of these vehicles come with a 4.0-liter V8 producing 420 hp. A six-speed manual transmission comes standard, with the M-series double-clutch Drivelogic system available as an option. The BMW M3 Edition Models will be available beginning in July 2009. The new edition will only be sold for six months.


Thursday, May 28, 2009

Formula 1 Crisis Could Be Over As Teams and FIA Come To Compromise

Without a rapid solution to the teams’ FIA standoff, Force India and Brawn will be the next current teams to imminently sign up for the 2010 world championship. Some believe that the current crisis is nearly over and following a Heathrow meeting on Wednesday, the FOTA alliance apparently agreed a compromise that could be accepted by Max Mosley.

But with the Friday deadline looming for next year’s entries, any further delays will result in Brawn and Force India - who like Williams see Formula One as their core and only business - also breaking ranks and lodging the 2010 paperwork. It is understood that, when Sir Frank Williams and team CEO Adam Parr were asked to leave the meeting room on Wednesday, Force India and Brawn did not join the other FOTA members in voting to expel the Grove based team.

As reported on Wednesday, however, the FOTA alliance is unlikely to fracture further, with Mercedes’ Norbert Haug and McLaren’s Martin Whitmarsh receiving much of the credit for the compromise that is now likely to speed towards a handshake deal.

The deal will involve a 100m euro budget cap next year, before Mosley’s €45m figure arrives in 2011. As a sweetener for the teams, one more staff member per team - like Red Bull’s highly-paid Adrian Newey - can be excluded from the cap in addition to the drivers and boss.

FIA President Mosley told La Gazzetta dello Sport this week: “I am willing to compromise, but only if small and new teams can operate with much lower budgets and are not much slower than the others.” The details of the technical compromises are still sketchy, but it is understood that component and informing sharing, and even the sanctioned use of whole customer cars in 2010, could be among them.

Mosley added: “I am very optimistic about a solution. The big and small teams have very different interests and we have to protect everyone.

“Will Ferrari enter by Friday? I think so. I am optimistic and confident. Ferrari is very important for Formula One, but Formula One is very important for Ferrari as well,” he added.


Next Generation Subaru Impreza WRX STi concept car (video)

Subaru now has released the all new concept car WRX STI rally car. While we applaud originality and unconventional designs, the guys at Fuji Heavy Industries could benefit from a consistent design force to help churn out such beauties as the one seen here, think Chris Bangle and co. That is not to say that the guy behind this Subaru concept has the answer but you can’t deny that this is probably the most eye-catching Subaru ever to sport the STI badging. Anyway, these images are courtesy of Lars Martensson (better known on the interwebs by ‘GRID’), a man who spends his days crafting 3D renderings for videogames (Rallisport, Challenge 2 for xBox, Battlefield 2 for PC). However the Subaru from here is basically not from Subaru and there is another highly likely chance we’ll be seeing another mediocre attempt at the design of the next generation Subaru.






Source: 3dluvr.com

Hardcode Lada Samara powered by Skyline

The car showed here is a Russian made Lada 2105 Gladkov Edition and soon found itself with some jet black paint, orange wheels and highlights, and most importantly, Nissan Skyline power. It kind of reminds me of classics like the Alfa GTV, Fiat 124, BMW 2002, Datsun 120Y and Mazda RX2-3.

Appropriately dubbed the “Adrenalin”, the Skyline powerplant is boosted by a pair of Garrett turbos and horsepower now stands at 420 for a car that weighs so little (we don’t have the figures). This post is not intended to promote this car but to raise awareness on the capability of older cars, I’m not saying that we should all go out and buy Volvo 240GL’s and stick RB24’s in them and terrorise our cops and the transportation department, but for the love of tuning and creation, this car is pretty fuckin sweet. Click through the source below for more images of this incredible and unique build.








Wednesday, May 27, 2009

VATH V63RS Mercedes Benz C63 AMG Estate

Vath's new performance package for Mercedes Benz C63 AMG. A series of engine tweaks pump the output of the 6.3-liter V8 engine from the factory 457HP and 600Nm to 585HP and 690Nm of torque. No word on how fast the V63RS sprints from zero to 100km/h (62mph) but the German tuning house does reveal that the modified Estate now reaches a top speed of 325km/h or 202mph.

VATH Mercedes C63 AMG Estate - Carscoop A new limited slip differential with a 60 percent locking rate, a sport suspension and a high-performance brake system and 20-inch alloy wheels shod in 245/30 tires up front and 285/25 at the back complete the list of performance mods.

The V63RS also features a new hood, front apron and a rear diffuser all made out of lightweight carbon fiber. Buyers can also upgrade the C63 AMG Estate's interior with an array of accessories including carbon-fiber trim, a high-end audio system and a DVD/TV unit.










Super GT 2009 is in Sepang this June


Super GT most challenging round is just around the corner and 28 days before the big race, Sepang International Circuit (SIC) – the event organizers for the Super GT International Series Malaysia 2009 – kicked off their promotional drive at Bandar Sunway today which included introducing the number one ambassadors – GT Queens Sana Yuki and Nana Shibata. Tickets of the Main Grandstand can be purchase at only RM100. SIC is also offering a special family package at RM250 for four Main Grandstand ticket. Children below seven years old are free admission. Passes for Sunday’s Pit Walkabout are sold at RM100 while parking charges for bikes at RM2, cars at RM5 and bus at RM20.











Source : Zerotohundred