Suzuki Swift Rally Car, 2005

•  Suzuki Swift Rally Car, 2005

A redesigned Swift was announced at the Paris Auto Salon in September 2004. The Swift is intended to compete in the European B segment with the likes of Peugeot 206, Opel Corsa and the Fiat Punto. With 1.3 and 1.5 L engines, the new Swift is Suzuki's new "global car", to be produced in Hungary, India, Japan and by Chang'an in China. 3- and 5-door bodies are available.

The the new model is the first of its kind during which a Suzuki employed Indian engineers to design a car that would compete in the global market. The design of the new Swift was previewed on the Concept S and Concept S2 concept cars at auto shows, in the years leading up to its launch. It's proportions & essential shape are unmistakely like the BMW MINI, due to the blacked-out A-pillars and bumper-car stance. The exterior shape is described by some as "1.5 box".

Despite Suzuki's long-standing relationship with General Motors (which itself had prompted the development of the very first Swift), the new Swift is entirely Suzuki, and not based on the GM Gamma platform. The prestigious British Autocar magazine gave the new Swift a favourable 4/5 stars in road test, badging it a "thoroughly impressive all-rounder". Mk4 Swift has received a 4 stars out of 5 rating in the EURO NCAP crash tests.

The Standard equipment include leather steering wheel, dual air-bag, ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution), front disk brake with rear drum brake, sliding storage under passenger seat, single CD player.

Since its global launch in 2005, Mkq4 Swift recorded above forecast sales. In Japan, sales figure doubled forecast. Mk4 Swift enjoyed healthy sales in India where a substantial percentage of the car is built with locally made components. Rapid sales of the new Swift model contributed to the 64% rise in Q1 profits for the Maruti corporation. Waiting period in India for the car is at least 3 months.

Maserati GranTurismo MC Concept, 2008

 

•  Maserati GranTurismo MC Concept, 2008

Races have always been the most demanding test-bed for all cars. Traditionally, reliablity and performance are checked on the circuit. It is in races that new technologies and materials are tried out. And it is on the circuit that Maserati has decided to raise the much praised sporty verve of its Maserati Gran Turmismo S to even higher levels to create the Maserati Gran Turismo MC Concept.

Style
The changes the designers of the Maserati Style Centre have made to the Gran Turismo S to create the racing model have improved its performance and above all its aerodynamic efficiency, without disturbing to its elegant, curvaceous line. The radiator grille of the Maserati Gran Turismo MC Concept features two large air intakes - designed to increase the air flow to the engine and brakes - and an aerodynamic bottom trim. The front mudguards, with increased track, are also new, as is the engine hood with a dynamic air inlet and two additional air vents.

The car's profile has also been the subject of in-depth aerodynamic analysis, leading to the introduction of unusual side air vents, linked to the new miniskirts under the doors. What's more, the rear of the Maserati GranTurismo MC Concept has new-design fenders to accommodate the air vents and centrally located tailpipes. Last but not least, the boot spoiler is larger in size to increase the down force generated by the profile, thus compensating for the aerodynamic effect of the front spoiler.

Development
The Maserati Gran Turismo MC Concept has been developed on the basis of the Maserati Gran Turismo S, launched at the Geneva Motor Show on 6th of March 2008. The Maserati Racing Department engineers have made major improvements to reduce the car's weight while also engancing its performance. The mapping of the engine installed on the Maserati Gran Turismo MC Concept has been revised to further increase performance without impairing reliability: the unit is now generating 330.9 kW (450 hp), with torque of 510 Nm at 4,750 rpm. The intake and exhaust systems have also been revised through the installation of a high-performance conical air filter combined with an exhaust system fitted with racing-type catalytic converters and silencers.

The suspension setting of the Maserati Gran Turismo MC Concept, together with improved weight distribution and new single-string racing dumpers, plus new 12"x18" fron and 13"x18" rear wheels and slick tires, guarantee a striking increase in the car's dynamic performance compared to the Maserati Grant Turismo S.

The brake system has received an upgrade to withstand the stress typical of use on a track, whit adoption of larger discs and monobloc racing calipers.
The chassis has been significantly lightened and stiffened thanks to application of an integral welded roll cage, as required by the FIA regulations.

The coachwork, partially modified to meet new technical requirements, is in composite materials. The specific electrical system, the dedicated instrumentation including an integral data acquisition system, and the indispensable safety devices, complete the equipment of the Maserati Gran Turismo MC Concept.

Technical specifications

•     * Engine: V8
•     * Displacement: 4,691 cc
•     * Max. Power: 450 hp (330.9 kW)
•     * Max. Torque: 510 Nm @ 4,750 rpm
•     * Weight / power ratio: <3.1kg/hp (<4.2kg/kW)
•     * Body: composite materials, windscreen and rear and side windows in Lexan
•     * Chassis: In welded steel with integral roll cage structure. FIA approved
•     * Interior: Backward-set driving position, with racing seat, dashboard and control console in carbon throughout, 6-point seat-belt compatible with HANS protection system
•     * Electrical system: Specific, with data acquisition system
•     * Fuel tank: 100 l, with carbon safety structure, FIA approved
•     * Brakes: Steel disks, front 380mm, rear 313mm, without ABS
•     * Wheels: front 12"x18", rear 12"x18"
•     * Tires: front 285/650/18, rear 315/690/18
•     * Weight: < 1.400kg

Maserati GranTurismo S, 2008

 

 

 

• Maserati GranTurismo S, 2008

A year after the unveiling of the Gran Turismo, Maserati will be back at the Geneva International Motorshow with yet another world premiere, the Maserati Gran Turismo S. The ultimate expression of the Trident coupé's sportiness shifts the emphasis onto performance and driving enjoyment.

The Two main novelties are at the heart of the new Maserati: the 440 hp V8 4.7 engine and the electro-actuated gearbox with fast MC-Shift arranged in the transaxle layout typical of high-performance sports cars that represents the technological DNA of all Maseratis.

The Maserati GranTurismo S makes use of the high-performance brake system developed in collaboration with Brembo and introduced for the first time in the automotive field on the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S. The system features front brake discs made with dual-cast technology - a dual casting of cast iron and aluminium, paired with aluminium mono-bloc 6-piston brake callipers, ensuring optimised braking performance.

On the exterior the Maserati GranTurismo S is characterised by a number of aesthetic modifications that, although discrete, are highly effective and make the car body appear sportier without abandoning the sleekness of the lines masterfully designed by Pininfarina.

The interior upholstered in Poltrona Frau leather and Alcantara reflects the sporty flair of the Maserati GranTurismo S; the figure-hugging front and rear seats are distinguished by their new dynamic design with horizontal piping on the seats and seatbacks.

Maybach 57S Special, 2005

 

•  Maybach 57S Special, 2005

The Maybach 57 and 62 were the first automobile models of the Maybach brand since the brand's revival by DaimlerChrysler. They are derived from the Mercedes-Benz Maybach concept car presented at the 1997 Tokyo Motorshow (which was based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan).

The Daimler Chrysler attempted to buy the Rolls-Royce/Bentley marque when Vickers offered the company up for sale. When this attempt failed (they were outbid by BMW and Volkswagen respectively) they introduced the Maybach as a direct challenger in 2002. Both models are variants of the same ultra-luxurious automobile. The model numbers reflect the respective lengths of the automobiles in decimetres; the 57 is more likely to be owner-driven while the longer 62 is designed with a chauffeur in mind. The engine is a Mercedes-sourced 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12, generating 550 hp. The prices range from US$305,000 to $357,000 (£240,000 to £250,000)—priced to directly compete with top-of-the-line Bentley and Rolls-Royce automobiles.

As of 2004, only 600 units had been sold. DaimlerChrysler projects that they may sell less than the 1,000 units expected. Just 152 Maybachs were sold in the United States in 2005, with worldwide production down to 300 units.

Maybach 57 S
DaimlerChrysler revealed the Maybach 57 S at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. It uses a 6.0 L version of the V12 engine manufactured by Mercedes-AMG. Power output is 604 hp (450 kW) and 738 ft·lbf (1000 N·m), providing a sub-5 second sprint to 60 mph (97 km/h). It also rides 0.5 in (13 mm) lower on 20 in (508 mm) wheels. The North American unveiling was at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006.

Maybach 62, 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maybach 62, 2002

The Maybach 57 and 62 were the first automobile models of the Maybach brand since the brand's revival by Daimler Chrysler. They are derived from the Mercedes-Benz Maybach concept car presented at the 1997 Tokyo Motorshow (which was based on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedan).

Daimler Chrysler attempted to buy the Rolls-Royce/Bentley marque when Vickers offered the company up for sale. When this attempt failed (they were outbid by BMW and Volkswagen respectively) they introduced the Maybach as a direct challenger in 2002. Both models are variants of the same ultra-luxurious automobile. The model numbers reflect the respective lengths of the automobiles in decimetres; the 57 is more likely to be owner-driven while the longer 62 is designed with a chauffeur in mind. The engine is a Mercedes-sourced 5.5-liter twin-turbo V12, generating 550 hp. The prices range from US$305,000 to $357,000 (£240,000 to £250,000)—priced to directly compete with top-of-the-line Bentley and Rolls-Royce automobiles.

As of 2004, only 600 units had been sold. Daimler Chrysler projects that they may sell less than the 1,000 units expected. Just 152 Maybachs were sold in the United States in 2005, with worldwide production down to 300 units.

Maybach 57 S
Daimler Chrysler revealed the Maybach 57 S at the 2005 Geneva Motor Show. It uses a 6.0 L version of the V12 engine manufactured by Mercedes-AMG. Power output is 604 hp (450 kW) and 738 ft·lbf (1000 N·m), providing a sub-5 second sprint to 60 mph (97 km/h). It also rides 0.5 in (13 mm) lower on 20 in (508 mm) wheels. The North American unveiling was at the Los Angeles Auto Show in January 2006.

Volvo C30 Heico Concept, 2007

 

•  Volvo C30 Heico Concept, 2007

A surf-pattern exterior, a stunning orange dream interior and 0-100 km/h in 5.4 seconds.
The special-version Volvo C30 by Heico Sportiv is ready to go to Las Vegas and the SEMA show.

The white Volvo C30 has a special surf-pattern design kit and a body kit with redesigned, widened skirts all round.

The front features integrated spoiler flaps, three larger air ducts, integrated fog and cornering lights, and an integrated sport grille with the Volvo iron mark.

The deeper and wider rear skirt features a quad-pipe exhaust system made of stainless steel.

The bespoke high-quality interior has orange leather with matching orange stitching and Heico Sportiv logos on the sport-contoured front seats. The safety belts and floor-mats are also orange.

The radiant interior also has a sports steering wheel in leather and a leather gear lever with a silver accent. The entrance trim in stainless steel features the Heico Sportiv logo.

Beefed-up T5 powerplant
An upgraded, turbocharged T5 engine powers the C30. Is produces 300 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 420 Nm of torque at 3500 rpm. Acceleration from 0 to100 km/h takes 5.4 seconds.

Top speed is 250 km/h (governed). The car also has a specially developed sport suspension.New shocks and springs lower the chassis by 40 millimetres.

The 4-pot sport brake system has blue callipers featuring the Heico Sportiv logo, sport brake pads and 326x30 mm discs. The 19-inch VOLUTION® V TITAN wheels are shod with 235/35R19 Continental tyres.

The SEMA (Speciality Equipment Manufacturers Association) show in Las Vegas is open between 30 October and 2 November 2007. SEMA is the biggest automotive specialty products trade event in the world.

Kia Soulster Concept, 2009

 

 

•  Kia Soulster Concept, 2009

The open-air concept of  Kia Soulster  is a variation of the highly anticipated Soul.
The Kia Soulster delivers something new, intriguing and relevant to today's buyers - a fun, affordable convertible for active people who like to share good times with friends.
The two-door concept with roadster roots, the brightly colored Soul'r yellow Soulster projects a hip industrial look with screw borders, reminiscent of a rivet design found on a fighter jet. The windshield is shortened for a sportier and hunkered down appearance. A two-piece top enables passengers to expose the front and back seating areas independently, using elbow-grease technology. The roll bar serves a dual purpose and includes a place for the slider tracks, while providing protection not found in traditional convertibles.

Kia Soulster has a tough but refined character with a unique face .
The toughness is expressed through details like the anodized skid-pad insert, which matches the fender vents, roll bar header and wheels.
Kia Soulster's attitude incorporates lighting that shines through with an amber glow under the headlamps. The side vents, side-mirror turn signals, unique LED headlamps, fog and tail lamps incorporate blue shades.
The energetic, distinctive look carries from front to rear with dual chrome exhaust and polished aluminum exhaust tips featuring carbon-fiber interior sleeves. The large 19-inch, five-spoke aluminum alloy wheels perfect the Kia Soulster's appearance. Regardless of Soulster being viewed from front, back or side, it offers innovative perspectives derived from the original Soul.

Inside Out
Kia Soulster takes even more progressive variations from Soul beginning with the new four-passenger seating design, a diversion from Soul's five-passenger arrangement, lending spacious versatility for long summer weekends. The surprisingly flexible Kia Soulster provides real seating for two in the front with comfortable seating for two more adults in the back. Fold-flat passenger and rear seats combined with ample headroom make this the perfect car for social outings outdoors and on the beach with friends. Making basic features hot, its crank-up windows are a purposefully key interior design element as are the dashboard-integrated audio speakers.

Adding to the edgy design scheme, the non-floor-mounted cantilevered seats project the illusion of being suspended in space when viewed from the side allowing for increased rear legroom. Storage compartments below each of the fold-flat rear seats, offer room for myriad cargo needs. In addition to the spacious cargo area, dual storage compartments also can be found in the rear and underneath the cargo hold area.

All Revved Up
With young buyers in mind, Kia Soulster offers an agile, smooth and spirited ride. As with its Soul cousin, Soulster's can be made available with a myriad of engine choices depending upon each market's needs. A 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission, which produces approximately 120 horsepower. For those looking for a little more power, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is available with either the five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission, producing approximately 140 horsepower. Fuel economy for both engines is estimated at 30 or more miles per gallon. Other markets might choose the 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 124 horsepower or a 1.6-liter turbodiesel.

Italdesign Emas Concept, 2010

 

 

Italdesign Emas Concept, 2010

The forerunner of the Emas family is a five door hatchback with the emphasis on Comfort, because the rear seats are the same as the front seats to create four business class seats within just 3550 mm of total length.

The front-end features the Proton Shield housed in a longitudinal slot below the bonnet. This also incorporates the light clusters and is enhanced by two distinctive diamond-shaped fog lights. The engine cooling air intake, located between the fog lights, is concealed within a dark grey trapezoid motif. Its size varies according to the type of engine installed, without altering the look of the front-end.

The side is dominated by a belt line that drops down decisively toward the windscreen pillar to increase side visibility during parking manoeuvres. The side is enlivened by a sculpted shape, enhanced by a rib that runs from the front wheel arch then swoops up toward the rear.

The large wheel arches are perhaps the most distinctive and substantial aspect of the car body; the wheelbase is generous: 2590 mm for a total length of 3550 mm. The wheels are therefore located at the end of the Emas: this gives the impression of a car much bigger than it actually is.

The B pillar is painted black to create the sensation of visual continuity with the side windows, while the C pillar features a motif based on an "E", the initial letter of Emas.

Oceans of glass allow plenty of light into the interior. Only the lower part of the side windows - the part you actually need to open to pay tolls or car parks - is mobile in order to keep the window opening system simpler and lighter.

The windscreen extends along three quarters of the roof to create a sky-dome effect that dominates the view from above. Protective sun blinds are housed in the central crossmember and extend longitudinally toward both the front and rear seats.

The rear view is dominated by a generous rear window incorporating all the tail-lights, which are entirely based on LED technology. These are located beneath the glass and are invisible when the car is turned off. A subtle lip joins both light clusters and surrounds the reversing lights and direction indicators. When the tailgate is open, the lights are replicated by two supplementary tail-lights located in the lower part of the bumpers on either side of the rear air intake.

A glance at the interiors
The first aspect that strikes you, even before you discover the car interiors, is the door handle: an ergonomic design that incorporates a set of secondary controls that vary from place to place.
The driver can use the handle grip to control all four power windows, door locking and unlocking, the courtesy lights, side mirror adjustment and electrical lowering of the rear head restraint to improve visibility while reversing.

The front passenger can also adjust the hi-fi system as well as his or her own window. The rear passengers can also adjust their seats from the handle grip.
Two TFT panels dominate the dashboard. They are housed side by side in the centre of the dashboard, at a concave angle.
The right-hand monitor shows the speedometer and the main car operating indicators in addition to hybrid system energy flows.

The left-hand monitor shows secondary information such as screens for the hi-fi system, telephone and internet access browser plus personalised car set-up parameters.
A third display, located beneath the central console, is a touch screen that controls all the car's main and secondary functions. The right part of this TFT screen permanently displays the climate system temperature and air flows.

The lower part of the central console, housing the ignition button and gear selector, extends towards the tunnel and can be folded down. When parking in a tight spot, forcing the driver or front passenger to leave the car from the opposite side, this central element can be lowered and the seat moved back so that they can get out on the other side without hindrance.

The central console also houses two USB ports to connect digital music players and mobile phones, plus an SD card slot for satellite navigation maps.
The central part houses a dock specially designed for the Apple iPhone. This dock is interchangeable and can house other phone and smartphone models. It can recharge the phones and connect them automatically to the car without the need to use other coupling systems.

Powered by Lotus Engineering
The drive system is a series hybrid plug-in developed by Lotus Engineering, a Proton Group company. It includes a 3 cylinder 1.2 litre internal combustion engine developing 51 horsepower (38 kW) at 3500 rpm that can run on petrol, ethanol, or methanol.
The front transverse internal combustion engine is coupled to a generator and serves exclusively to recharge the 11.5 kWh capacity lithium ion batteries.
Drive is assured by an electric motor with continuous power of 45 kW and 75 kW peak power.

The high maximum torque, 240 Nm, does not require the use of a gearbox.
Acceleration 0-100 km/h takes place in 14 seconds, top speed is 170 km/h and battery range in the hybrid configuration is 50 km. Full recharging of the battery pack takes three hours using a traditional 240-volt outlet.

The performance and range of the City three door electric plug-in version are currently being assessed.

Saab 9-3 ePower Concept, 2010

 

 

• Saab 9-3 ePower Concept, 2010

The Saab Automobile is taking its first step towards developing an all-electric vehicle with the Saab 9-3 ePower. Making its public debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the Saab 9-3 ePower is the prototype for a test fleet of 70 vehicles which will participate in extensive field trials in Sweden in early 2010.

The performance of the cars will be evaluated under a variety of real world driving conditions as part of the development process for a purpose-built, electric Saab vehicle. Targets to be verified include a projected driving range of approximately 200 kilometers through the use of high density energy storage in lithium-ion battery cells.

The Saab ePower is the first electric vehicle from Saab and is a result of a co-operation between Saab Automobile, Boston Power (batteries), Electroengine in Sweden AB (electric power trains), Innovatum (project management) and Power Circle (Sweden's electric power industry trade organization).

Mid-sized sports combi with zero emissions
The Saab 9-3 ePower is the first all-electric car to offer its occupants the comfort and size of a wagon bodystyle. Saab engineers have integrated an electrical architecture within the shape and dimensions of a 'conventional' Saab 9-3 SportCombi.

Under the hood is a 135 kW/184 hp electric motor driving the front wheels through a single-speed transmission. Instant torque enables zero to 100 km/h acceleration is just 8.5 seconds, together with a top speed of 150 km/h.
The compact yet powerful 35.5 kWh lithium-ion battery pack is accommodated in a modified floor-pan, mainly in space within the car's wheelbase previously occupied by the exhaust system and fuel tank. The enables an optimum weight distribution and excellent driving dynamics similar to those of a standard SportCombi.

Inside the cabin, a conventional, automatic-style gearshift lever provides selection of 'drive', 'neutral', 'park' and 'reverse'. The rev-counter, fuel and turbo boost displays in the main instrument cluster are replaced by read-outs for battery status, power consumption and driving range, all illuminated in green. To optimize space, an electric park brake is fitted.

Electro-hydraulic power steering is used and the cabin is equipped with full air conditioning, via a compressor powered by the battery pack. A separate 12-volt battery, for the lights and cabin ancillaries, is also charged from the battery pack via a current transformer
The operation of the vehicle's powertrain is controlled by a version of Saab's own in-house Trionic 8 engine management system, with new software written for an electric vehicle application.

Long driving range with excellent durability
The Saab 9-3 ePower's projected driving range of approximately 200 kilometers pushes out the boundaries for current EV performance. Key to its long range are battery cells which have an energy storage density substantially greater than the best currently used in EV applications. High energy density also contributes to a lower battery weight.

The battery pack has a capacity of 35.5 kW/h and is designed to operate with full power in ambient temperatures as low as -30ºC, at least 10ºC below the operating level of other battery packs on the market today. Another key benefit is the use of air, instead of liquid, cooling which contributes to lower cost and further weight-saving in the pack's design.

The pack is intended to support re-charge cycles equivalent to about ten years average use. It can be fully recharged from a domestic mains supply in about three to six hours, depending on depletion status. Charging times can be greatly reduced if the voltage of the electrical feed is raised, as there is no limitation on the battery's input capacity.

Test driving experience is expected to validate the performance of this advanced battery pack, which is designed to operate reliably within a full depletion 'buffer' set at only 12 percent of total capacity, a much lower operating margin than used in the management of other packs.
Its lithium-ion battery cells are also the first to receive a Nordic Ecolabel accreditation for their environmental safety and sustainability, which includes manufacturing processes.

The Saab 9-3 ePower meets the high crash worthiness standards that Saab applies to all its vehicles. The car's power pack is located outside the occupant compartment in non-deformable structural zones, well protected and encapsulated. The battery management and monitoring system supports safe performance during normal driving and in crash conditions.

The Extensive user trials
Hundreds of drivers and their families will be enlisted by Saab and its development partners during a extensive test driving and evaluation program involving a 70-strong fleet of Saab 9-3 ePowers in central, west and eastern Sweden during 2011-12.

The Saab ePower project team in Trollhättan will monitor the performance of the cars across a wide variety of usage patterns and driving conditions. To log essential component data, all vehicles will be equipped with aircraft-style, black box recorders.