Archive for the 'Car' Category

Assuming that we’ll have electrified highways by the year 2030, Nissan has popped up an on-grid vehicle dubbed “V2G” (Vehicle–to-Grid) that will offer safe, sustainable as well as brisk commutation. The compliant vehicle is not only safe and swift, but it also features dynamic styling and quality production at a very low price. One can’t ask [...]


BMW has been rumored as of late to be pursuing everything from a so-called “0 Series” range of cars to a revival of its Isetta microcar brand, but the Bavarian automaker remains essentially mum on plans to diversify into the microcar market. Stoking the fires, however, is the new Simple concept, a leaning trike that [...]


Pforzheim University graduate Anne Forschner had a good time coming up with her BMW Lovos concept, which can alternatively look either like a frightened porcupine or svelte salmon, depending on its needs at the time.
The exterior of the Lovos – which somewhat ironically stands for Lifestyle of Voluntary Simplicity – is theoretically constructed from just [...]


BMW Designworks created a 7-piece selection of furniture for public transport spaces called “metro 40.”
The seven pieces are broken down into categories: connect, rest, ride, collect, hi glo, lo glo, and show. Together, they cover everything you’d generally need to do at a bus stop: sit down, get under cover, lock up a bike, throw [...]


The speculation about the concept’s powertrain has gone in several directions, almost all of which were correct. The new concept is a plug-in hybrid with a three-cylinder turbo-diesel engine. Conceived with the idea of melding the performance of a M3 with exceptionally low fuel consumption, BMW claims a 0-62 mph time of 4.8 seconds while [...]


It’s got a BMW stamp on it. It’s tiny and it’s got a front wheel motor combined with a sphere form rear wheel.
The target user for this vehicle is a “vibrant eco-minded young individual.” Speed on! It’s half the size of the “regular high end motorcycle,” and it’s full name is Halb Organismus.
Designer: Pierre Yohanes [...]


In a contest Maserati held with Architectural Digest, the home of the trident went looking for the best homes for those cars — not the actual houses, but the garages that house their creations. Entries came in two categories, Existing and Concept, and were judged on “noted architectural element, uniqueness and individuality.”
The winning existing garage [...]


In a perfect world we’d all be getting back to our zero energy, prefabricated homes by foot, bike or public transport, but on a planet where cars won’t be disappearing anytime soon, it’s nice to know that some car companies are trying to reduce their carbon footprint when producing new vehicles. In 2003 BMW set [...]


The S.X. concept by designer Iulian Bumbu of the Transportation Design Course in Milan, represents the next gen of luxury coupes from BMW.
The car looks like it could actually be possible, wearing design cues that echo the recently redone Z4. The renderings call to mind the recently scuttled Concept CS from BMW’s own pens, depicting [...]


In a permanent search for challenges, the Audi Design Studio Team in Munich turned its attention to redesigning a musical instrument which is not so closely related to the automotive industry: a grand piano. // <![CDATA[//
What could the team add to the classic large, curved sides, usually black, three-legged instrument?
That was exactly what [...]


Mike and Maaike’s Autonomobile
In Possible Future Scenario #317-B, San Francisco industrial design firm Mike and Maaike presents the atnmbl ( “autonomobile”). Less a car than an autonomous, seven-person mobile living room, the atnmbl is billed as a complete redesign of the car for those who believe that the ideal driving experience is not driving.
Essentially [...]


Car designer Harsha Vardhan has a different vision of tomorrow. While his vehicle calls for an electric engine, just like we see in cars now like the Prius or Volt, that engine drives magnetic fields, not wheels.
(The magnetic fields, of course, do eventually drive the wheels forward when the energy is transferred from over superconducting [...]


At the Geneva Motor Show in March, the gas-electric hybrid Essence made jaws drop with its commanding size, beautiful lines, and green-inspired 592-hp soul.
Unfortunately the Essence won’t make its way to production.
Infiniti’s voluptuous concept will make an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, where it’ll make the run the hill climb and be joined [...]


BMW has just announced an upgraded version of its 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder diesel engine. The new version retains the same displacement, yet output for the European spec version is increased from 286 horsepower and 428 lb-ft of torque to 306 hp and 442 lb-ft. At the same time, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are reduced [...]


the BMW M Concept is yet another example of an adept artist bringing his vision to the small screen.
Penned by Idries Noah, the M Concept was designed as BMW’s answer to the R8, packing a 540 hp 5.0-liter V10 mounted amidships and drawing inspiration from the Ferrari Dino, 250GTO and, of course, BMW’s own M1 [...]


Volkswagen’s innovative 1.4-liter Twincharger engine has taken home top honors as the 2009 International Engine of the Year, beating out BMW’s powerful 3.0-liter direct-injected twin-turbo six-cylinder powerplant by just four points.
The Engie of the Year award is handed out based on the voting results of 65 motor scribes polled from all around the globe. Some [...]


The street-going version of BMW’s upcoming S 1000 RR is scheduled to debut at the World Superbike race on May 29th at Miller Motorsports Park. That’s exciting news in and of itself, but we’re especially intrigued after hearing that the German manufacturer plans to price the premium machine within spitting distance of its Japanese rivals.
read [...]


Awesome advertising move by BMW in Santa Monica.
Very clever, BMW!
I’m sorry, but Audi totally set themselves up for that.
But which one is the king though? Will it be the BMW M3 Coupe or the Audi A4? Fair comparison? Probably not, but it’s all fun in the end.
read more | digg story


The 2010 Range Rover is the first to feature ‘dual view’ infotainment touch
screen technology. The display allows the driver and passenger to view
completely different images simultaneously.
read more | digg story


When the next step in the road to 35 mpg by 2020 CAFE standards was announced recently, those in the know made it clear that the Obama administration’s upcoming goal of 27.3 mpg by 2011 would not be hard for automakers to meet. In fact, the 2007 average was already 31.3, so the 2011 goal [...]


A good look at the crazy touchscreen console in the Tesla Model S electric Sedan, the most interesting of which is that it has a 3G connection all the time.
In addition to that, there’s the center console’s controls, which are full touchscreen, can manipulate your iPod, Google Maps as well as streaming radio. There’s HD, [...]


A front-engined, two-seat, 600PS luxury coupe concept, eletrol/electric hybrid drivetrain plus Bespoke Louis Vuitton fitted luggage to maximise trans-continental capability
read more | digg story


If you are bored of the usual run-of-the-mill PC cases, take a look at what BMW’s DesignworksUSA has to offer. They have made everything from yachts to coffee machines, so it is clear that these people know exactly what they are doing. Level 10 PC case reminds me of a stylish sci-fi movie.
read more | [...]


City planners recently unveiled plans for a new way for people to get where they’re going: electric taxis that will lack drivers.
read more | digg story


Porsche has culminated a 100 million euro ground-up renovation on its museum in Stuttgart, which will be officially dedicated later this week. The museum spans over 1,000 square meters of floor space, wrapped in stunning architecture and housing a collection of over 80 significant Porsches from the marque’s history, from the first 356 to the [...]