Showing posts with label Automobiles. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Automobiles. Show all posts

Saturday, 26 September 2015

A Lesson for Rolls Royce


Indian Maharajas are popular around the world for their filthy rich lifestyles. Now a dying breed, during the pre-independence era, Maharajas were people not to be messed with. And Rolls Royce, needless to say one of the world’s finest automobile companies, learned this the hard way.

 This is Maharaja Jai Singh of Alwar. Indian Maharaja Bought 7 Rolls Royce Cars And Used Them For Garbage Collection

 Back in 1920, the Maharaja, on a vacation to England casually walked into a Rolls Royce showroom. Since he was dressed very casually and didn’t have his escorts around, the salesman took him to be an Indian commoner and ignored his requests for a test drive. Indian Maharaja Bought 7 Rolls Royce Cars And Used Them For Garbage Collection Extremely furious with the treatment he was met with, he decided to teach Rolls Royce a lesson of a lifetime. As soon as he returned to his hotel, he asked for a revisit to the same showroom. His demand then, of course, was met with a red carpet welcome. The Maharaja then ordered a fleet of 7 different Rolls Royce cars to be shipped to his palace in India. Soon after the order, came the blow that went down in the history of Rolls Royce. 

Indian Maharaja Bought 7 Rolls Royce Cars And Used Them For Garbage Collection Along with the cars, he requested the same salesman who ignored him to accompany him to India. The same was done. Upon reaching his palace, right in front of the salesman, Maharaja ordered his men to use the super-expensive cars to be used for garbage collection. The cars then were used to collect garbage in Alwar for a one long month. The badass happening became worldwide news and Rolls Royce, apprehensive about getting its reputation tarnished, apologized to the maharaja in written.
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Friday, 25 September 2015

Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo Concept





Following the sale of 450th and the final Veyron this spring, Bugatti is embarking on a new chapter in its corporate history,which is to reach to its climax by introducing a super sports car. The first stage will be a virtual project developed by the luxury super sport car brand in collaboration with Polyphony Digital Inc., creators of the Gran Turismo video game franchise. For the first time Bugatti will be represented in the "Vision Gran Turismo" category. This will make the extremely exclusive car brand available to millions of car fans and Bugatti enthusiasts throughout the world. In addition to this Bugatti will also give a outlook of its new form and design language. This virtual project was presented at the 66th International motor show(IAA) in Frankfrut from September 17-27 2015. 

“Bugatti is the world’s most exclusive super sports car brand and Bugatti cars are only available to an extremely small group of automobile connoisseurs,” says Wolfgang Dürheimer, President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. “At the same time Bugatti is admired and loved by countless people throughout the world. We highly appreciate this enthusiasm. The ‘Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo’ will make our brand available to them as well as to gamers and high-performance aficionados throughout the world, only very few of whom will be able to afford a real Bugatti. They can all benefit from the success of our brand. This is a project for our fans.”

The Veyron series, which was limited to 450 vehicles and is now sold out, has been delivered to a small group of selected customers. This is in contrast with millions of Gran Turismo fans, the PlayStation franchise having enjoyed over 70 million units sold since its inception in 1997.

“I was thrilled and surprised that such a revered, traditional brand as Bugatti shares my passion and vision for ‘Gran Turismo’,” says Kazunori Yamauchi, Senior Vice President of Sony Computer Entertainment and President of Polyphony Digital, who created what is probably the world’s most successful video racing franchise. “Bugatti has developed an exciting concept for ‘Vision Gran Turismo’, and naturally it is a high-performance vehicle with a fascinating design. The level of attention to detail shown in the technical implementation by Bugatti has really impressed me.”

“With the ‘Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo’, we have not developed a fantasy product of the type which is normally seen in this category of the game,” explains Achim Anscheidt, head of the Bugatti design team. “We had the clear goal of developing a vehicle which could also be driven on a real race circuit if it left the virtual world. ‘Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo’ stands for authenticity.”


With the “Bugatti Vision Gran Turismo” virtual concept, Bugatti will be presenting the new form and design language developed by the brand to celebrate the next chapter in its history following the end of the Veyron era.

“Bugatti’s design DNA has reached a new stage in its evolution,” Anscheidt announces. “In view of the nature of the project, our concept car for ‘Vision Gran Turismo’ will be exaggerated and extremely performance-oriented. Even so, the progressive design language will give an impressive demonstration of the path to be taken by Bugatti design over the next few years”. 




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Wednesday, 23 September 2015

The Mid-engined 1967 Ford Mustang Mach2 concept

There are dozens of cars in this world that make it to the concept stage but never to the production. Sometimes what seems like a good idea on the drawing board and on the spinning stage of a car show isn't a right car for the market.
The car then gets into the automotive history. Same was the fate of mid engined 1967Ford Mustang Mach 2
The car was debuted at the 1967Chicago auto show with the bits of normal Mustang like the front suspension,brakes and the 288cu.in V8 engine,but that engine was relocated behind the driver. Ford's design chief Gene Bordinat and the Special Vehicles Group decided this arrangement was a good idea.
It was thought that this could be a good successor to the Shelby Cobra. The Mach 2 kept the long hood and proportions of the Mustang despite the engine at the back. The Mustang Mach2 never made it to the production. It toured the auto show circuit,but was shelved and never heard from again. But that was nearly 50years ago. Who knows Ford might have a change of heart and a mid-engined Mustang would roll past the auto show floor one day. 

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Monday, 21 September 2015

Porsche Mission E concept

   Porsche recently introduced the brand's first ever all electric four seater sports car at the Frankfrut IAA.


   This Car combines the unmistakable emotional design of Porsche with excellent performance. As stated earlier the key specification data are four single seats,four doors,over 600horsepower(440kW) system power and over 500km of driving range from its 800volt drive system. 0-100 takes merely 3.5 seconds and a 15min charging to reach an 80% charge of driving energy. Instruments are intuitively controlled by eye tracking and gestures,even some by holograms.

Drive system
   The drive system of Mission E is entirely new but traditionally Porsche i.e proven in motor racing. Two permanent magnet synchronous motors (PMSM),same of those used in this year's LeMans victor,the 919hybrid. The best proof of Porsche is 24hours of top racing performance and a 1-2finish. 

   The two motors together produce over 600hp, and take Mission E to 100kmph in 3.5seconds and to 200kmph in under 12seconds. In addition to these high efficiency and high power density they offer another advantage,unlike today's electric drive they can develop full power even after multiple accelerations at short intervals. The all wheel drive system with Porsche Torque Vectoring system automatically distributes torque to all four wheels,and  all wheel steering gives precise ,sporty steering in the desired direction. It makes it perfect for the circuit race track and its lap time on Nürbugring Nordschleife is under eight minutes. 


Drive Range
The Mission E can travel over 500km on a single charge and can be charged for 400km in about 15mins. The reason is,Porsche is a front runner in introducing innovative 800-volt technology for the first time. Doubling the voltage also offers multiple advantages like shorter charging times and lower weights, because lighter,smaller gage copper cables are sufficient for energy transport. 

A movable body segment on the front left wing in front of the driver's door gives excess to the charging port of the "Porsche turbo charging" system. Via the 800volt port the car can be charged to 80% in about 15minutes and that is a record time for electric vehicles. As an alternative it can also be connected to conventional 400-volt charging station,or it can be replenished at home in the garage by conventional inductive charging by parking over a coil embedded in the floor of garage from which the energy is transferred without cable to a coil on cars underbody. 

Driving dynamics 
Another typical Porsche feature is a lightweight concept with a lower centre and optimal weight distribution. The battery mounted on the vehicle runs through out the body between the two axels. This distributes its weight uniformly on both the axels,resulting in exceptionally good balance. In addition to this it makes the sports car's centre of gravity low. Both of these factors significantly increase performance and sports car feeling. 
The body as whole is made from a mix of aluminium,steel and carbon reinforced polymer. The wheels are made of carbon. Mission E has 21inch wide wheels mounted on the front and 22inch wide wheels mounted on the rear. 

Design 
Every square inch,every angle,every radius of Mission E reflects one thing above all else that is emotional sportiness in the best tradition of Porsche design. A sport saloon with a low height of 130cm with sports car attributes from Zuffenhausen that embodies visible innovations. Distinctive air inlets and outlets on the front,sides and at the rear typify-the body's full flow-through design that enhances efficiency and performance. Integrated air guides improve air flow around the wheels and air outlets on the sides reduce over pressure in the wheel wells there by reducing air lift. 

A new type of matrix LED headlights in the brand's typical four point light design captures the viewers gaze. The four LED units are grouped around a flat sensor for assistance systems whose border serves as an indicator light. Distinctive front wings and an extremely low-cut bonnet reference 911 design. As in the 911 GT3 RS, a wide characteristic recess extends from the overlapping front luggage compartment lid up and over the roof. The line of the side windows is also similar to that of the 911, however, with one important difference: two counter-opening doors enable convenient entry – without a B-pillar. Another difference: instead of the classic door mirror, inconspicuous cameras are mounted on the sides that contribute to the car's exceptional aerodynamics.


The interior of Mission E has all the traditional Porsche design principles of the future. Openness,purist design,clean architecture,driver orientation and everyday practicality. The all electric drive concept made it possible to fully reinterpret the interior. The lack of transmission tunnel,for instance adds up more space and gives it lighter and more airy atmosphere to the interior. Race bucket seats served as four single seats. The lightweight design is weight saving and it gives occupants secure lateral support during driving dynamic. Between the front seats,the centre console-elegantly curved like a bridge with open space extendeds upto the dashboard. 


Display and control concept 

The instrument cluster shows five round instruments-they can be recognised as Porsche,but they are displayed virtually in OLED technology,i.e by organic light emitting diodes. The round instruments are organized according to the driver-relevant themes of connected car,Performance,Drive,Energy and Sport Chrono. 


An eye tracking system detects via camera which instrument driver is viewing. The driver can then activate the menu of the instrument in focus by pushing a button on the steering wheel and navigate in it – which also involves an interplay of eye-tracking and manual activation. But that is not all: the display follows the seat position and body attitude of the driver in what is known as a parallax effect. If the driver sits lower, higher or leans to one side, the 3D display of the round instruments reacts and moves with the driver. This eliminates situations in which the steering wheel blocks the driver's view of certain key information, for instance. All relevant information such as vehicle speed is always within the driver's line of sight.

The Mission E can even portray driving fun: a camera mounted in the rear-view mirror recognizes the driver's good mood and shows it as an emoticon in the round instrument. The fun factor can be saved together with individual information such as the route or speed, and it can be shared with friends via a social media link.





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Sunday, 20 September 2015

2017 Shelby GT500

A Shelby GT350R:


While many people have been gawking about the Shelby GT350 and the Shelby GT350R but there's more coming with the Shelby GT500. Yes a 2017 Shelby GT500. According to Horsepower Kings, there are fresh reports from detroit that Ford is working hard on new Shelby. Powerplant is unknown but the website reported that the new Shelby will be over 700horsepower. 
The new GT500 was reported to stick to its traditional lobe crankshaft instead of the 5.2l GT350 platform. However Ford blog said they may maintain the GT500's six speed handbook transmission. The website also reported that the new Shelby will also have weight savings. Ford has implemented weight saving with the GT350 and the GT350R,with its aluminium fenders and carbon fibre wheels. Car lovers would love to see that translated into GT500,making it one of the "heavy weights" in the weight saving category. 
Everyone in the car world knows that the Hellcat is giving over "700horsepower" and Ford would be a fool to not match that or make it one step further. According to a Ford representative during interview with CNN,the American car company is ready to "bring it" for their clients. "Our new SVT halo mustang will have more horsepower than the Hellcat" as said by a representative from Ford. 
Still reports say that Shelby GT500 will be released as 2017 model and fans will have to stay tuned for information to confirm that the new Shelby GT500 will have over 700horsepower and will weigh 3,600pounds(1,633kg). 
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Saturday, 19 September 2015

Futuristic Form Of Transportation- Hyperloop

Elon Musk is the founder of Tesla Motors, SpaceX and PayPal, and now he's revolutionizing public transport. He recently unveiled his idea for an ultra fast, city to city transport system that could get you from San Francisco to Los Angeles in just 35 mins. Hyperloop is described  as an elevated steel tube containing aluminium capsule that would travel at speeds over 1,200 kmph(760 mph), ferrying cars as well as people and would all be powered by solar energy.


The major drawback is it's price tag. Musk estimates that Hyperloop would cost $70 billion just to get started. The final expenditure could be a mind-boggling $100 billion. But hyperloop also has its critics. Many complain that the system is too expensive, too impractical, even too slow.


Nevertheless the plan is rolling ahead. A start up named Hyperloop Transportation Technologies Inc. has published a timeline projecting the completion of a Hyperloop prototype in the first quarter of 2015. Only time will tell if this is actually feasible, but who knows? The future could be here sooner than we think.   
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Thursday, 17 September 2015

Frankfrut Motor Show (IAA)

From Bentley and Rolls Royce to Ferrari and Lamborghini and a new Jaguar SUV these have put the car community on abuzz.

This year's show was rather interesting with a new electric drive Porsche and a new Bugatti.

Following vehicles can be called as the show stoppers of the 2015IAA

Bentley Bentayaga:
Bentayaga was the long awaited SUV this year,it will be the fastest, most powerful and the most luxurious SUV in the world. Benatayaga will be doing 600horsepower and 663 pound foot of torque through its all wheel drive system mated to a 8-speed automatic transmission and will hit 60mph(97kmph) in 4seconds and top out at 187mph(300kmph).



Rolls Royce Dawn:
The Dawn is Rolls Royce’s brand new 2+2 V12 rag-top drop head convertible with a massive 563horsepower front and exquisite wood detailing of a million dollar yacht. Rolls is yet to announce the price but expect it to be around $300,000.


Ferrari 488GTB Spider:
Ferrari meanwhile will be showing off its new 488GTB Spider. The open top exotic will have the same 661horsepower mid mounted twin turboV8 just like its coupe version but with a retractable roof. Price will be nearly equal to McLaren's 650s spyder.



Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4 Spyder:
Lamborghini will be offering a spyder version of the Huracan LP610-4 which will be the successor to its successful Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder. It’ have the same 610hp V10 engine mated to a 7-speed dual clutch transmission.



With the Huracan Spyder Lamborghini also showed off the roadster version of its most craziest bull Aventador Super Veloce.


Porsche 911 Carrera S:
Porsche sticked to its core by launching the 2017 911 Carrera S. For the first time Porsche adds rear-axle steering option for the Carrera S which significantly improves its speed and agility. The new Carrera will also have new headlamps ,20more horses and improved efficiency over its predecessor. Porsche says to launch the model by next march.



Porsche also presented the Mission E concept at the event, Mission E is an all electric 4 seater sports car in the brands history. Key specification data of this fascinating sports car: four doors,four single seats, over 600hp (440kW) and over 500km driving range.all wheel drive all wheel steering,zero to 100kmph in 3.5 seconds and a charging time of 15 minutes to reach 80% charge of electric energy.



Jaguar F-pace:
Jaguar’s new F-pace will heat up the ongoing SUV brawl. This is the first ever SUV from jaguar and also the brand’s major attempt in joining the luxury SUV market. It will also be single most important model Jaguar launches next year even challenging Bentley’s Bentayaga for the Frankfrut SUV spotlight.


Bugati Vision Gran Turismo concept: 
Bugatti needless to say was the star of the show. With bringing the Vision Gran Turismo concept into reality by making a one off  carbon fibre version at the Frankfrut show. Bugatti has been showing Vision Gran Turismo concept for a while now. So far only digitally but now in total flesh and blood or u can say carbon fibre and metal.



Stay tuned for more coverage on Mission E concept and Vision Gran turismo.

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