Students of the Royal College of Art (RCA) had the opportunity to listen to one of the most influential exponents of Italian and global car design Lorenzo Ramaciotti, Head of Global Design Fiat-Chrysler, this week as part of the Fiat initiative entitled the “Two of a kind” project. The project challenges the Vehicle Design students at the prestigious RCA in London to explore how Fiat’s most iconic models, the Fiat 500 and the Fiat Panda, might look in the future. With this in mind, Lorenzo Ramaciotti, gave an extremely insightful talk on “The Roots of Italian Car Design”, describing how Italian design has built a worldwide reputation through projects for many manufacturers from all continents. On display outside the RCA were examples of Maserati and Alfa Romeo’s latest products, with the flagship Maserati Quattroporte luxury four door saloon along with the high performance Maserati GranTurismo Sport and an Alfa Giulietta Sportiva, which the students were able to examine … [Read more...]
THE FOX BODY MUSTANG: A RETURN TO FORM
“Thou shall never do a slantback front end.” That was the commandment from Gene Bordinat, Ford's vice president of design, “Henry Ford II only wants vertical front ends, and he'll show us the door if we ever try anything like it.” This mantra hung over the early development of the third-generation of Ford's wildly successful Mustang. In 1975 Ford designers began the job of redesigning the iconic pony car for the coming 1980s. The car and country had been through a roller coaster 20-year period and both were in something of an identity crisis. What defined a Mustang? Compact value and efficiency? A luxurious personal tourer? A muscle-bound performance bargain? Two teams of designers in Dearborn and a third from the Ford-owned Ghia studio in Italy began competing for the privilege of crafting an all-new Mustang. By the fall of 1975, full scale sketches and clay models were being turned out and refined. From the outset the only thing that was certain was that the finished … [Read more...]
TOYOTA TO LAUNCH ADVANCED DRIVING SUPPORT SYSTEM USING AUTOMATED DRIVING TECHNOLOGIES IN MID-2010S
Toyota Motor Corporation announces that it has developed a next-generation advanced driving support system, Automated Highway Driving Assist (AHDA), which uses automated driving technologies to support safer highway driving. AHDA links two automated driving technologies to support safer driving and reduce driver workload: Cooperative-adaptive Cruise Control, which wirelessly communicates with preceding vehicles to maintain a safe distance; and Lane Trace Control, which aids steering to keep the vehicle on an optimal driving line within the lane. Toyota recognizes the importance of the driver being in ultimate control of a vehicle and is therefore aiming to introduce AHDA and other advanced driving support systems wherethe driver maintains control and the fun-to-drive aspect of controlling a vehicle is not compromised. Toyota plans to market the newly developed AHDA in the mid-2010s and other driving support systems as soon as possible to provide safe and secure means of … [Read more...]
CADILLAC ELR SALES TO BEGIN IN JANUARY (USA)
Initial sales of the 2014 Cadillac ELR electrified luxury coupe will begin in January in all major U.S. metropolitan areas featuring provocative design and extended range electric vehicle technology. Designed for a new generation of technology-driven luxury buyers, the 2014 ELR has a starting price of $75,995, including a $995 destination charge but excluding tax, title, license and dealer fees. Upon IRS certification of an anticipated federal tax credit, purchasers may be eligible for a tax credit from $0 to $7,500 depending on individual tax liability. Net pricing after tax credits could be as low as $68,495, including $995 destination. “The ELR is a unique blend of dramatic design with electric vehicle technology capable of total range in excess of 300 miles,” said Bob Ferguson, senior vice president Global Cadillac. “ELR is also unique in that it will be offered nationwide within a luxury customer experience, with proven benefits and care extending from the shopping … [Read more...]
ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS CEO OBSERVES STRONG GROWTH ACROSS ASIA
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ Chief Executive, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, observed strong growth across Asia as he concluded his tour of the region today. Following a visit to the marque’s significantly expanded showroom in Singapore, he flew to Manila to officiate at a ceremony marking the commencement of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ business in the Philippines. Early indications are strong in a country currently enjoying double-digit growth in the number of ultra high net worth individuals. Expansion into new and emerging markets forms a key part of Rolls-Royce’s sustainable growth plans. Confidence continues to grow in Japan, driving good year-to-date growth following expansion into Osaka and a recent move to a significantly larger, premium space in Tokyo. The effects of positive Japanese government economic measures will continue to be seen over the medium term, as the number of ultra high net worth individuals grows by 11%. Against a backdrop of negative market sentiment in the … [Read more...]
HYUNDAI AND THE WALKING DEAD BRING FAN-DESIGNED ZOMBIE SURVIVAL MACHINE TO LIFE
Zombies beware! Hyundai will welcome the newest addition to its zombie-fighting family at New York Comic-Con: Anson Kuo’s Santa FeZombie Survival Machine. Aimed at effective undead annihilation, the fan-built vehicle will be on display for the living on the show floor on October 10. As part of The Walking Dead Chop Shop configurator app designed by Hyundai and INNOCEAN USA (launched during San Diego Comic-Con), fans have designed thousands of custom zombie survival machines using the Hyundai Veloster Turbo, Santa Fe or Elantra. This summer, Kuo’s Santa Fe design was picked as the winner out of more than 82,500 fan submissions. His winning vehicle was constructed by Galpin Auto Sports (GAS) and the real-life machine will be unveiled on the New York Comic-Con show floor on October 10 at the Future US booth. Kuo, who hails from Arizona, created an urban camouflaged Zombie Survival Machine featuring: knife blades, an automatic crossbow, razor-wired windows, three machine guns, a … [Read more...]
‘WALLPAPER HANDMADE WITH JAGUAR’ AND C-X17 CONCEPT CAR MAKE LONDON DEBUTS AT HARRODS
Wallpaper* Handmade, the must-see exhibition during Milan's Salone del Mobile, makes its London debut today at Harrods with a spectacular ‘best of presentation’ and five unique new pieces produced in collaboration with Jaguar. To celebrate the occasion, Jaguar Advanced Design presented the stunning C-X17 concept vehicle for the first time in the UK, positioned outside the luxury Knightsbridge store and alongside two other exciting Jaguar design concepts; the C-X75 hybrid hypercar and Jaguar heritage-inspired Project 7 sports car. Over 50 Wallpaper* Handmade pieces, produced by the likes of Hermès, Alfredo Häberli, Harry Winston, Konstantin Grcic, Isay Weinfeld, Paul Cocksedge, Michael Anastassiades, the late David Collins, Barber Osgerby, Brioni, Naoto Fukasawa, Louis Vuitton, Sam Hecht and Poltrona Frau to name but a few, will be on display across 12 windows in the iconic Harrods store. They will be joined by five new concept products*** which explore Jaguar's design … [Read more...]
HARRODS TAKES A TRIP DOWN MEMORY LANE
Exciting new partnership with luxury department store harks back to the inaugural London to Brighton Run in 1896 The organisers of the annual London to Brighton Veteran Car Run are delighted to announce an exciting new partnership with Harrods. The world’s most famous luxury department store not only will become an Official Partner to this year’s running of the world’s longest running and greatest motoring celebration on Sunday 3 November, but also will supply the participants aboard more than 400 veteran cars with some well deserved refreshments at the event’s official mid-way check-point in Crawley, Sussex. With the extraordinary cavalcade of pre-1905 vehicles facing several slow and challenging hill climbs as the historic route ascends the South Downs, the provision of tea, coffee and pastries will be extremely welcome at the new ‘Harrods Stop at Crawley’. The partnership has added significance as among the 33 ‘horseless carriages’ setting off from central London … [Read more...]
NEW FURNITURE RANGE FROM ‘BENTLEY HOME’
The new Bentley Home collection is inspired by the renowned craftsmanship and exquisite materials that characterise the interiors of all Bentley models. Designed to furnish luxury homes and offices, the collection combines Bentley’s inherent qualities of craftsmanship, heritage and tradition, exclusivity and style, with the exacting design of one of Europe’s leading furniture makers. This exclusive collection blends the finest elements of traditional and modern design, an exercise in subtlety rather than showmanship, incorporating functional performance with comfort and luxurious, sensuous quality. It captures the elan of the Bentley driver, through items that mirror the impeccable quality and attention to detail which is a landmark of the Bentley brand. The bodies of the new Richmond pieces are created with an embracing double shell and can be covered in either leather or a fine veneer of burr walnut. The same wide selection of veneers which is available for Bentley car … [Read more...]
BMW i3 charges at first public charging station featuring Combo Charging
A BMW i3 was fully charged in under 30-minutes at the first-ever public charging station in the US to offer the SAE Combo-Charging fast charging system. The public charging station is located at the Fashion Valley Mall in San Diego, CA. The optional fast charging system will enable the BMW i3 driver to charge their EV from a standard 110 volt outlet with a cord set, a 220 volt charging wallbox or public charging station and also from a DC Fast Charging public charging station all from the same charging inlet. “The start of the public DC Combo Fast Charging Infrastructure installations in the US is a great base for the US launch of the new BMW i3, because it will offer our customers the ability to recharge their EV in less than 30 minutes instead of the three hours needed with conventional 220 volt public charging stations” said Cliff Fietzek, Manager Connected eMobility at BMW of North America. The Combo Charging System is a joint development between most OEMs and the EV … [Read more...]
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