Super car Audi R8 sister riyası is fearful.British Autocar magazine Audi’s Concept of the above picture you see on the e-tron Spyder developed a new model claimed. With the new model is targeted for release in the name of the Audi R4, 2014 or in 2015 is expected to replace sales points. Audi’s of the Ferrari, Porsche launched as a rival to cars such as the super model and a small version of the R8 will be meeting the expectations of the new performance-oriented cars like the R8 will be the same R4′de. 2.0 and 2.5 liter FSI engines equipped with engine power as possible, the new Audi R4 alternatives is expected to be up to 200 horsepower.
Pontiac’s days may be numbered as General Motors plans to phase out the historic brand by the end of 2010, but that hasn’t dampened ASC Creative Services’ attempts to make a Trans Am version out of the all-new Chevy Camaro coupe. ASC has worked many times with General Motors in the past helping out in the creation and design development of cars like the 1987 Buick GNX, various Chevy SS models such as the HHR SS and Malibu SS, as well as the Cadillac STS-V and XLR-V sport cars just to mention a few.
When news of the Camaro's rebirth got teeth back in 2006, the HOT ROD staff was frothing at the mouth, and it wasn't long before one of us asked the question, "I wonder if they'll do a Firebird version of it?" Of course, Pontiac still existed at the time, so it seemed logical. We then saw designer Kevin Morgan's concept drawing of a new Trans Am (below), using the Camaro as the base. He hit it out of the park with the rendering, which appeared in the May '07 issue, and we're not the only ones to think so.Of course, there weren't any cars available at the time, but thanks to his SEMA membership, Tod had access to the cad-cam data on the new Camaro and gathered the information needed to make the tooling to turn the Chevy into a Trans Am. About a year later, Todd Otto at Otto Body in Lincoln, Nebraska (www.ottobody.com), was thinking the same thing and called Kevin with the offer to build a one-off TA, just because he wanted to do it. Kevin contacted Tod (Warmack) and told him of the plan, and the three of them hashed out the details. Trans Am Depot bought a new Camaro and delivered it to Otto Body, which built the car in a relative hurry to hit the deadline of making it to the Trans Am Nationals in Dayton, Ohio, in August 2009 for its debut. The design and development firm’s proposal for a Camaro-based Pontiac Trans Am is a fairly simply conversion that could easily lead to a custom-order production model. The changes include a new front fascia complete with unique head lights, twin-kidney grill inserts and restyled apron, a rear-facing hood shaker, new side skirts and alloy wheel designs plus rear-fender air vents. At the back the design proposes a new rear fascia with distinctive tail lights, boot spoiler and a specific apron housing new exhaust pipes.While we don’t have any photos of the interior, we gather that ASC would most likely limit the changes to the trim and seat options along with a revised instrument panel. Einen kleinen Vorgeschmack auf das was in einigen Jahren kommen könnte, zeigt dieses Rendering von Poblete. Burt Reynold’s berühmtestes Gefährt, bereit für ein neues Jahrtausend. Leider wird bei Pontiac offiziell nicht an einem Coupe gearbeitet, also bleibt uns vorerst nur dieser Mockup. This beautiful peace of art was brought by ASC Creative Services guys. 2010 Camaro based Firebird concept looks seriously cool and probably would face good sales if it would hit the streets. The Firebird concept brings the 1970 Bird’s features, while keeping Camaro’s bodyline and shape:
General Motors will phase out the Pontiac brand in 2010, said Fritz Henderson, president and chief executive of G.M., in a press conference this morning. I had heard that G.M. was giving up on Pontiac last week, at virtually the same time G.M.’s car delivery guys were taking away the test car I’d been driving for a week: a “liquid red” Pontiac G8 GXP. So in some small measure, the news, though anticipated, was personal. I felt as though I were losing my new best friend.
The G8 GXP is a terrific car. I’d rate it at or near the top of the list of 20-odd new vehicles that I’ve tested this year, and the less rascally G8 GT is high on the list as well. As Eddie Alterman wrote in his perceptive review of the G8s in The Times last December (before he moved on to become editor in chief of Car and Driver), these impressive new Pontiacs arrived at Detroit’s party as the floors were being swept and the last drunks were staggering out. “It’s too much, too late,” he wrote.
All too true, and, for those who recall when Pontiac was the life of that party, so sad. Brian Williams, the anchor of “The NBC Nightly News,” remembers. His family’s first new car was a mint-green 1967 Pontiac Catalina. A couple of months ago, when G.M. began to hint that Pontiac would have a limited future (as a “sub brand” with a limited range of models), I was invited to appear on the Nightly News to reminisce about what Pontiac once meant. It’s easy to understand why anyone born after the mid-1960s may not shed any tears when Pontiac is read its last rites. They’ve known the G.M. division mostly for its generic midsize cars like the 6000 and the Grand Prix, largely indistinguishable from Buicks, Chevys and Oldsmobiles; for its Firebirds that became increasingly alien-looking through the years; for its unimpressive Sunfires and Grand Ams and unremarkable latter-day Bonnevilles; for its half-hearted attempts to sell mummified minivans (TransSports, Montanas, Azteks) wrapped up in plastic lower-body cladding.
- Legendary racing driver and publisher - From Freiburg to Stuttgart - 17 to 19 June 2011 - Classic meets Future - Mercedes-Benz fields 12 classic cars and two electric cars for the start
A legend turns 100: Paul Pietsch, racing driver and publisher, celebrates this rare hundredth birthday on 20 June 2011. Motor Presse Stuttgart honours its founder on this occasion with a classic car rally and regularity run with prominent participants that leads in two day stages from Freiburg through the Black Forest to Stuttgart. Mercedes-Benz is supporting the Paul Pietsch Classic as premium partner.
The top-class field gathers on 17 June for the technical inspection at the Mercedes-Benz sales and service outlet in Freiburg, where the cars also will roll down the starting ramp on 18 June beginning at 8:30 a.m. The Paul Pietsch Classic finishes on the afternoon of 19 June at the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart. The first vehicles are expected from 4 p.m. onwards after the final stage also has taken them through the Daimler Untertürkheim plant over the last kilometres. Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Member of Mercedes-Benz Cars Management responsible for Sales and Marketing, who will be driving the Mercedes 170 DS, a landmark in diesel development, in the "Classic meets Future" category: "125 years ago our company founders invented the automobile – not the least of reasons making Mercedes-Benz the ideal host for a literally classic finish of the Paul Pietsch Classic. The drive through the plant grounds and the arrival at the museum will be a magnificent climax for the participants and many spectators."
A special feature of the regularity run is the "Classic meets Future" part of the event – classic cars and research vehicles jointly compete here for the best times in the special trials. In the "Classic meets Future" category Mercedes-Benz starts with two perfectly matched pairings: the legendary Mercedes 300 SL "Gullwing" of 1955 and the up-to-the-minute Mercedes SLS AMG E-CELL with electric drive, as well as the diesel pioneer Mercedes 170 DS of 1952 and the production-standard fuel cell car Mercedes B-Class F-CELL.
Further gems with the star on the radiator enriching the field of the Paul Pietsch Classic will be the following ten Mercedes-Benz models from five decades: 170 S Cabriolet B (1950), 220 Cabriolet B (1951), 300d Cabriolet D (1958), 300 SL (1958), 190 SL (1959), 220 SEb Cabriolet (1964), 230 SL (1965), 280 SE 3.5 (1969), 500 SL (1985) and 300 CE-24 (1992).
A festive day at the Mercedes-Benz Plant in Bremen, Germany, yesterday, as the first C-Class Coupé was handed over to its lucky owner. Andreas Schwarze together with his wife came to collect their new car, a base version model finished in Obsidian black paint job. According to the client, two-door vehicles are a solidly-establish tradition in his family and this is already the fifth Mercedes-Benz they owned through time. Andreas Kellermann, chief of the factory, stated he is proud that this expressive model is an exclusive addition to the prestigious Mercedes-Benz lineup and that it will surely be warmly-welcomed in the market segment it was created for. The new C-Class Coupé is standardly equipped with BlueEFFICIENCY package for the engines and the AGILITY CONTROL chassis, it becomes available beginning with a starting price of 33,290 euros and it is assembled at the Bremen facility alongside the other two C-Class models, the new SLK, the SL and the GLK.
Mercedes-Benz did not release any official press pack on its new M-Class today, as we have previously stated. Anyway, fresh, finer photos were leaked on the internet minutes ago. Along with them, more specific details have also surfaced. Reminiscent of the last agreements inside the former DaimlerChrysler entity is the technical platform of the new M-Class, shared with the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The first choices at the start of sales will be the ML 250 BlueTEC with 204 hp, the ML 350 BlueTEC with 258 hp and the ML 350 BlueEFFICIENCY with 306 hp, all offered in conjunction with the 7G-TRONIC PLUS automatic gearbox. Fuel economy and emission figures have also been optimised to meet the most stringent requirements - the overall consumption has been decreased by up to 25 per cent, reaching 8.5 - 8.8 l/100 km. The third generation ML comes equipped with a full array of systems and technologies to make life easier: up to nine airbags, ESP, DISTRONIC PLUS, Blind Spot Assist, PRE-SAFE, ATTENTION ASSIST, Night View Assist Plus, Airmatic suspension, Active Curve System are among the gimmicks prepped for the SUV. For a further enhancement of the dynamic potency, engineers have developed a comprehensive management solution for on-road and off-road riding. In the infotainment department, the M-Class W 166 boasts a complete set of media devices, such as the COMAND Online with internet access, the Harman/Kardon Logic 7 audio system, a roomy hard-disk for storing music files, photos, movies and maps for the satnav as well as a DVD player with LCD displays incorporated at the back of the front headrests for the passengers on the rear seats.
After deep historical investigation led by Mercedes-Benz, the enigma that shrouded the details about the exact birthplace of Carl Benz vanished away, thus closing an important gap in the biography of the prominent figure. It was concluded that the inventor of world's first autonomously-powered vehicle saw the light of day on 25th November 1844 in the German city of Karlsruhe, specifically in the Mühlburg district on Rheinstrasse 22. The house he was born in no longer exists, as it was knocked down in the 1950s to allow for the widening of the street. At this time, a department store functions at the site. In order to mark the importance of the location, there are solid plans to construct a birthplace memorial near the current building.
Juan Manuel Fangio, the racing legend of the 1950s, would have turned 100 on 24th June 2011. His undisputable driving abilities stood as the perfect basis for a series of unprecented performances for the Silver Arrows in the F1 season of the early 50s. The Argentinian built a special and strong relationship with his racing car, a 300 SLR of the W 196 R series, and fought hard to bring two important world championship titles for Mercedes-Benz in 1954 and 1955. Apart from the motorsport affiliation, Fangio was also recognized as a fine automobile afficionado, as he has already been running a Mercedes-Benz local dealer in Argentina since 1951. After retiring from Formula 1, Juan Manuel Fangio became brand ambassador and president of Mercedes-Benz Argentina S.A. until July 17th, 1974, when he sadly passed away in Buenos Aires, at the age of 64.
Read further interesting facts about the tremendous life of Juan Manuel Fangio:
Stuttgart/Brackley, Germany/United Kingdom, Jun 07, 2011
It may sound counter-intuitive but being quick in Formula One isn’t just about going fast - stopping well is also a major part of the equation. Montreal’s Circuit Gilles Villeneuve features seven braking events in all, of which six are considered to be ‘heavy’ and four involve braking from over 295 kph. It amounts to one of the toughest circuits of the year for the brakes. Getting the braking system right for Montreal involves fitting revised air ducts to optimise the cooling, and using different materials to ensure consistent performance for each one of the race’s 70 laps. It’s no small challenge…
How severe a test is Montreal for the brakes? The energy input to the brakes is roughly double that measured in Spa. At both circuits, the drivers spend around 15 seconds of the total lap time braking; in Montreal this accounts for 20% of the lap spent on the brakes, while in Spa it only represents 14%.
Where is the heaviest braking event on the circuit? The biggest single braking event comes at Turn 10, where the cars must slow from 295 kph to just 60 kph for the corner apex. The cars shed 235 kph in a distance of just 140m. When deceleration is at its greatest, the drivers are subjected to peak forces of some 5.5G.
How hard are the drivers working in the cockpit under braking? The force the drivers exert on the pedal is approximately 2000 newtons – that’s equivalent to lifting 200 kg. The theoretical stopping distance of a Formula One car from 300 kph to zero is approximately 135 metres in a straight line, but varies according to drag levels and tyre grip.
What temperatures do the brakes reach? Peak temperatures during a braking event don’t occur when maximum force is applied, but later during the braking phase owing to heat transfer rates. The discs can reach up to 1000°C while caliper temperatures stabilise at around 200°C.
What parts of the braking system are altered for a heavy braking circuit like Montreal? The thickness and diameter of the brake discs is limited by the regulations to 28mm and 278mm respectively. The brake material – the type of carbon disc and pad – is changed between high and low severity circuits to provide the necessary durability. Large brake ducts are used in order to achieve adequate cooling; these large ducts cost around 0.2s compared to the smallest versions run during the year.
What is a typical brake balance at Montreal? A typical figure is a front to rear brake force distribution of approximately 55% front/45% rear. However, this changes with KERS, which provides significant torque to the rear axle under braking. This means the drivers must run the brake balance even further forward to prevent the rear tyres from locking.
How will the DRS zones, and the resultant higher straightline speeds, affect the braking demands? Braking energy inputs will be slightly increased when the DRS is activated. However, this will be highly dependent on how often it is activated during the race, and with what fuel load. Its impact will be greater on higher fuel loads.
* Official photo and report courtesy of MERCEDES GP PETRONAS *
125 years ago – on 03 July 1886: The “Neue Badische Landeszeitung” newspaper reported on the public drive undertaken in the morning on Ringstrasse in Mannheim with the patented motor car developed by Carl Benz.
30 years ago – on 20 July 1981: Airbag and belt tensioner became available as special options for the Mercedes-Benz S-Class (W 126) – the very first series production vehicle to offer such features.
While we were writing the previous article, a few images taken from an internal brochure for the new Mercedes-Benz M-Class were already becoming famous on various automotive websites and forums over the internet. As expected, the new medium-sized SUV from Stuttgart applies the same principles as the outgoing model - a dynamic profile, a clean, progressive and powerful front end and an elegant tail section inspired by the new E-Class. The distinctive aura of the W 166 is further asserted by the outstanding cabin, featuring a cohesive design approach: premium quality materials such as leather upholstery, wood and aluminium harmoniously blended with attractive, striking, youthful aesthetics to create an attractive, fresh and youthful dashboard. The technical package of the new M-Class comprises the latest in active and passive safety and also premieres an enhanced 4MATIC chassis and a new offroad management system. To put the car into motion, a new lineup with various, efficient BlueEFFICIENCY diesel and gasoline powerplants will be available at the start of sales: we shall mention the ML 250 CDI with 204 hp, the ML 350 CDI with 265 hp, the ML 350 BE with 306 hp (and later with 354 hp) and the top-of-the-range ML 500 BE version boasting no less than 435 ponnies. Note that the third generation of the Mercedes-Benz M-Class will surely retain the worldwide-known, easy-recognizable "ML" title for emphasizing the engine version. Further hi-res photos and detailed information on the new ML will certainly be released tomorrow.
In the mean time, press the break button and experience more leaked brochure photos!
We all know the new Mercedes-Benz M-Class comes out this week, most likely as soon as tomorrow. So, here are the last spy pics available for this SUV model - pictured while parked on a street in Germany, with minor, FEP-characteristic black camouflage for the headlights, tail lamps and the styling cues on the side profile.
- To celebrate their jubilee "60 Years Unimog", Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks (MBS) is presenting a design concept based on the U 5000 with its outstanding off-road mobility - A formal unveiling and presentation took place at the ceremony on 3rd June in the CustomerCentre at the Mercedes-Benz Plant in Wörth - The design concept has been created as joint cooperation between the MBS development team, the Daimler commercial vehicle designers in Sindelfingen and a model designing partner - Yaris Pürsün, Director of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks: “Future meets history – the design concept is a further milestone in the Unimog legend” - As an analogy to the very first Mercedes-Benz Unimog of the product range 2010 which was built in 1951, the design concept from 2011 also has an open cab
The unit Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks (MBS), which includes the product ranges Unimog, Econic and Zetros, presented a spectacular design concept on the occasion of the ceremony "60 Years Mercedes-Benz Unimog" on 3rd June 2011 at the Daimler plant in Wörth. It has an impressive, dynamic and extremely expressive "face" corresponding to the future form language of Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle design. The design concept combines the past and future of the Unimog in an extremely avantgardist way. "We have taken the Unimog-DNA with its unique concept features to 100 percent into consideration when creating this design concept," says Bertrand Janssen from the Daimler department for commercial vehicle design. Furthermore, this design concept gives the observer sufficient room for thought to interpret its technical innovations. To cut a long story short, it is literally an unsually idea to make one think about the Universal-Motor-Gerät (Unimog) of the future. And Yaris Pürsün, Director of the Mercedes-Benz Plant at Wörth and Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks, is visibly enthusiastic about this new interpretation of the Unimog idea by the commercial vehicle designers and the project team responsible. "The result is a complete success. At Mercedes Benz Special Trucks we decided to construct a design concept because we are of the opinion that such a vehicle will act as a bridge between the progressive strength of self-renewal that has distinguished the Unimog programme for 60 years and the future design of the coming generations of products."
The concept vehicle shows that even after 60 years – and including the 26 product ranges during this period – the Unimog is still able to renew itself. Just as its innovative power has left its mark on the Mercedes-Benz Unimog and driven it forward until the present day, the "Concept Design 60 Years Unimog" has shown impressively that a great deal of innovation is still possible in the engineering of future Unimog generations. This concept vehicle will no doubt surprise everyone who sees it, experts and enthusiasts, users and customers alike.
The design concept is based on the Unimog U 5000 chassis with its outstanding off-road capabilities. The traditional and well-known unique selling-point of the Unimog, its coil springs, are painted red in the concept vehicle, whereas Bertrand Janssen and his team have let its hulk of a bonnet with its typical Mercedes-Benz line and the mudguards shine out in a fresh green. When selecting the colours used, the designers in Bertrand Janssen’s team were inspired by an unusual amphibian, the poison dart frog: Just like the Unimog it is also extremely mobile both in water and on land. And furthermore in this point it is once more the link between past and future as green was the colour of the very first Unimog and numerous follow-up generations of the vehicle. The headlights are like stage lights, which focus the beam of light. The clearly visible, sweeping lines of the frame have been finished with high-grade trims cut from aluminium blocks. The four same-size wheels make a strong optical impression with their five star alu-rim design. Bertrand Janssen emphasises, " On no account did we work in an atmosphere where our ideas were divorced from reality. Here we have a vehicle which is puristic, but still clearly true to concept – with the claim, that some of its details will turn up in coming product ranges in future. We continued to take up the most important Unimog features which have characterised the vehicle for the last 60 years and which will also characterise it in future – features such as portal axles, coil springs or the frame concept." The design concept "60 Years Unimog" is not however a prototype for a new product range. But it becomes quite clear that the Mercedes-Benz Unimog will still continue to have an innovative character in future and will still possess a high degree of versatility in design and type of construction. It is after all a unique vehicle concept.
Stuttgart/Riccione, Germany/Italy, Jun 06, 2011 - After ten years in Austria, this year the world's largest gathering of smart fans is taking place in Italy for the first time. From 4 - 7 August 2011 the European smart community will come together in the seaside resort of Riccione on the Adriatic coast. In future smart times will take place in a different country each year. This reflects the continuously growing importance of the event for the smart brand. In the space of ten years smart times has evolved from a small gathering to a large European event. More than 4000 smart enthusiasts from 22 countries, some with individually designed vehicles, are expected in Riccione where they will celebrate their passion for smart cars together and connect with designers, tuners and industry experts.
“smart times is a fantastic event, where thousands of smart fans come every year from all over Europe to share their enthusiasm and love for the brand, experience road trips and concerts and present their wonderful, resourcefully designed cars at the smart parade” says Dr. Annette Winkler, Head of smart. "In future smart times will take place in a different country each year to increase the appeal of the get-together for the smart family."
In Riccione attendees can look forward to a private beach with a stage and a varied programme comprising sport, fun and entertainment with a focus on the smart fortwo plus a very special highlight: the "smart meets Museo Ferrari" excursion to Maranello.
An overview of smart times 2011
1 - 3 August: smart times on vacation To get into the mood for the event the community can congregate in Riccione three days before the official start of smart times. smart fans will have an opportunity to take part in outings to the hinterland and the Po delta where they can get to know each other and enjoy a holiday feeling as they cruise through the picturesque countryside of Emilia Romagna.
4 August: smart meets Museo Ferrari To kick off the smart times weekend with its competitions, shows, action, innovations and exchange of information the participants will be able to enjoy a very special highlight in the form of a visit to the home of the famous red sports car: "smart meets Museo Ferrari".
5 August: beach volleyball and smart times contest On day two beach volleyball and the smart times contest will provide plenty of variety and excitement. At the smart times contest a jury will rate the tuning, design and performance of the various smart models. The programme will be rounded off by test drives and an "after party" every evening.
6 August: smart times parade At 10 a.m. the starting signal will be given for the traditional smart times parade. In the afternoon smart experts will be available to answer all questions relating to the brand. In the evening smart will invite the fans to Piazzale Roma where the secret "smart times 12 goes to …" will be revealed.
7 August: smart flea market The event will come to an end with the traditional "smart flea market". Fan articles and all kinds of used parts will come under the hammer. Then it's time to say goodbye and see you next year in …
smart times networking
A virtual get-together is already taking place in the run-up to the event at www.facebook.com/smarttimes . For example, the regular live chat "smart times TechTalk" offers fans an opportunity to compare notes with smart experts and like-minded people and to become actively involved in the smart community.
Following the announcement made in March that Nico Rosberg winned the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy for great achievements of the 2010 F1 season, the MERCEDES GP PETRONAS driver received the prize during the official ceremony organized on Sunday in the Italian town of Brisighella. Nico arrived in style at the special event, driving a Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG DTM racing car. He expressed himself as very honoured to have been awarded the prestigious trophy, because it is a powerful symbol of the racer's character, attitude and approach towards the sport activity he is involved in. Apart from Rosberg, other famous motorsport drivers, such as Michael Schumacher, Jenson Button, Jacques Villeneuve and Lewis Hamilton, have won the 'Trofeo Lorenzo Bandini' since 1992, when it was first introduced to mark the 25th commemoration of the tragic death of Lorenzo Bandini in a terrible crash amid the 1967 Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix.
Proceed after the break to visualise more interesting photos!
Audi R4 Sport Cars
Super car Audi R8 sister riyası is fearful.British Autocar magazine Audi’s Concept of the above picture you see on the e-tron Spyder developed a new model claimed. With the new model is targeted for release in the name of the Audi R4, 2014 or in 2015 is expected to replace sales points. Audi’s of the Ferrari, Porsche launched as a rival to cars such as the super model and a small version of the R8 will be meeting the expectations of the new performance-oriented cars like the R8 will be the same R4′de. 2.0 and 2.5 liter FSI engines equipped with engine power as possible, the new Audi R4 alternatives is expected to be up to 200 horsepower.
