Castagna Aznom

Back when Top Gear was young and impressionable, we thought a coachbuilder was a mutant amalgamation of a football coach and a bodybuilder - a steroid-pumped, whistle-blowing, press-up dictating maniac.

And, on the evidence of the coachbuilt Castagna Aznom, we weren't too far off the truth.

This snarling lump of supercar is the product of Italian firm Castagna Milano, and it's the scariest thing to come out of Italy since Caligula. (Always on the ball with topical references, us.)

Coachbuilding, of course, is the art of sticking a new body on an existing chassis, and the frame that underpines the Aznom is that of the Corvette Z06.

However, Castagna has bolted a carbon fibre/aluminium frame on top, taking styling cues off the 'Vettes of the 50s and 60s to create a deep-vented, mad-grilled schoolboy fantasy.

A retracting rear wing, F430-esque rear diffuser and fat 20-inch alloys give the Aznom plenty of intent, but we're not so keen on those stuck-on wing mirrors. There are a few more cultured touches inside the cabin, including a Google Earth satnav system.

Castagna has also fettled the Z06's seven-litre V8 up to a massive 750bhp, which should be good for a 0-60mph time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 217mph.

And that's before it gets down the gym and puts in some serious reps on the ergs. Or whatever it is that goes on in gyms.

© Source: topgear
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2007 Paulin VR Concept

(from Paulin Motor Company) Gothenburg 2006-12-20

Paulin Motor Company launches innovative concept vehicle

Paulin Motor Company, founded by well-knowned designer Daniel Paulin launches its first vehicle. This concept car aims to demonstrate Paulins vision of future design directions aiming for the market requirements of 2012 and further.

Daniel Paulin have a background as designer at Ford Motor Company where he among other projects where responsible for the exterior design for the 2004 Ford Focus concept car, the exterior Ford Focus C-Max 2003 and also designer for the FAB1, Thunderbirds the movie.

- I have studied the development of the last decennium and believe this is a logical development where I have tried to create shapes where controlled sculptural surfaces meets dynamic graphical break-ups, says Daniel Paulin, CEO and Creative Director of Paulin Motor Company.

Paulin Motor Company has used Opticore visualization solutions to produce images and real-time presentation environments.

- Opticore Real Time Ray Tracing has helped my product to come to live, Daniel Paulin says. Since there is no physical mock-up, Opticore solutions have given me a great solution to demonstrate my vehicle for prospective partners. Its very interesting times for the high end visualization business. With Opticores tools, the boundary in-between virtual reality and real life is now removed. The quality has reached a level where many design decisions can be made with out the need of physical prototypes.

Paulin currently involved on several design projects around the globe will continue to launch concepts to highlights trends and ideas of where automotive are and should develop.

The concept car features several creative solutions both from a design and a technical perspective.

With its proportion the car is a pure 2 seated GT concept. Cockpit feeling is inspired by modern jet-fighters. The windshield/roof is hinge in the cowl area. In open position, the doors can be open independently.

The rear wing is integrated in body with a flush condition. In use it moves up and rotates to create appropriate down force. Camera mirrors in the shape of blades, located above the rear fender for best visibility. The view can be seen on a wide display just above the instrument panel.

In the interior, less is more - 2 bucket seats, steering wheel, gear shifter and a control unit. Paulin continues. This concept car is a pure driving oriented vehicle where the design intent is all about simplicity and functionality in true Scandinavian fashion.

© Source: seriouswheels
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Rossion Q1

America does not have a happy relationship with restyling European cars.

Look at the chunky bumpers inflicted on the Porsche 911 in the early 1970s or the weird front end dictated for the Jaguar XJS.

However, we have to tip our hat to 1G Racing, which now owns the rights to the Noble M400. Taking its cues from the Noble M15, the 1G has a meaner, more race car-like look.

1G has changed the Noble's name to the Rossion Q1 and upped the power of its twin-turbo 3.0-litre V6 to 450bhp.

The extra oomph is welcome but doesn't alter performance as the Q1 is slightly heavier than the previous Noble M400.

The Rossion Q1 costs from $69,000, though you need to fit the engine yourself to get round American legislation. Or you can go for a complete car that just needs a bit of tweaking to get it working for $90,700.

With the pound looking so rosy against the dollar, this is one export we'll happily allow back into the country.

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2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster

(from Aston Martin Press Release) Aston Martin Launches the V8 Vantage Roadster

Los Angeles - Aston Martin will unveil one of the most eagerly anticipated convertibles of the year when the V8 Vantage Roadster is revealed at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show on Wednesday 29th November.

Aston Martin Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Dr Ulrich Bez said: “The V8 Vantage Roadster is a pure sports car, a car that heightens the senses and provides a dynamically thrilling driving experience.

“The Vantage Roadster adds to the unbeatable thrill of open air motoring and by combining engineering excellence, technological innovation and physical perfection, will ensure every journey is one to remember.”

Perfectly proportioned, with a low purposeful stance, the Vantage Roadster is uncompromisingly modern yet also incorporates classic Aston Martin design cues. The elegant lines are fused with traditional craftsmanship and striking 21st century style, with an interior hand-trimmed and finished in the finest quality genuine materials.

The Vantage Roadster will be built at Aston Martin’s global headquarters at Gaydon, near Warwickshire in the UK, joining the current Aston Martin line-up. This now comprises the flagship Vanquish S, the elegant DB9 and the agile V8 Vantage Coupe.

Design

The design of the Vantage Roadster is elegant and uncompromising, a single fluid form with characteristic attention to detail, both inside and out, representing the open sports car in its purest form.

The Vantage Roadster represents the latest evolution of Aston Martin's synthesis of craft and technology. From the beautifully hand stitched leather seats to the hand-finished bodies, to the ultra-modern Aston Martin V8 engine, hand-assembled at a dedicated, high-technology facility in Cologne, Germany, the Vantage Roadster is an exclusive, advanced and uniquely desirable sports car.

The three-layer fabric hood gives a taut, aggressive appearance when closed and when folded, the flow from front to rear is smooth and elegant, enhanced by the leather speed humps that create a unique transition between interior and exterior. Even in convertible form the Roadster retains the critically acclaimed design of the Vantage Coupe. The hood is stowed neatly beneath the rear tonneau cover and is either opened or closed at the press of a button located on the centre console, in just 18 seconds, and at speeds of up to 30mph (50km/h) with no manual intervention required.

Offered with an imaginative combination of different leathers, contemporary fabrics and aluminium, Vantage Roadster customers will have an extensive choice of body and trim colours from which to choose.

Performance

Developed from the outset alongside the V8 Vantage Coupe which was launched in 2005, the Roadster shares the unique-to-Aston Martin bonded aluminium VH (Vertical Horizontal) architecture – the backbone to all modern Aston Martins. Adding to this structure sophisticated materials such as lightweight alloys, magnesium and advanced composites are used for the body, further contributing to the car's low weight and high rigidity.

Driver and passenger sit low, close to the car's centre of gravity, where they can feel the car reacting to the input of the driver – a special sensation, usually only experienced in racing cars – providing a direct and sporting connection between car and driver.

Despite the additional mechanism associated with the Vantage Roadster’s convertible roof and the additional body stiffness, Aston Martin’s engineering team have ensured only a minimal weight increase to preserve the agile and sporting characteristics of the V8 Vantage Coupe. At just 4.38 metres (172.5 in) long, Vantage Roadster remains not only the smallest model in the Aston Martin range but also one of the leanest cars in its class.

The Vantage Roadster delivers exceptional performance with careful development and engineering ensuring that the Roadster equals the achievements of its Coupe sibling, with 0-100 km/h (62 mph) achieved in 5.0 seconds (0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds) and a potential maximum speed of 280 km/h (175 mph).

Vantage Roadster will be available with two transmission alternatives from launch. Offered as standard is the fast-shifting, six-speed Graziano conventional stick-shift manual gearbox, with ratios perfectly matched to the performance of the V8 engine. This is joined by Aston Martin's new Sportshift automated manual transmission – an ultra-quick system that provides the driver with heightened precision via fingertip control of gear changes using paddles to progress smoothly and swiftly through the ratios.

Deliveries of the V8 Vantage Roadster are expected to commence during quarter two 2007, with prices to be confirmed at a later date.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage Roadster Specification:

Body
Two-seat, two-door body with soft cover convertible top and heated glass rear screen. Bonded aluminium structure. Aluminium alloy, steel, composite, and magnesium alloy body. Extruded aluminium side impact bars and integral rollover bars. Halogen projector headlamps. LED rear lamps.

Engine
Aston Martin all-alloy quad overhead camshaft 32 valve, 4.3 litre V8. Variable inlet camshaft timing. Dry sump lubrication system. Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valves. Front mid-mounted engine. Rear-wheel drive.

Transmission
Rear mid-mounted six-speed manual with optional Sportshift automated manual transmission. Alloy torque tube with carbon-fibre propeller shaft. Limited slip differential. Final drive ratio 3.909:1

Steering
Rack and pinion power-assisted steering, 3.0 turns lock to lock. Column reach and tilt adjust.

Wheels and Tyres
Standard: 18 inch alloy wheels – 10-spoke design - Front: 8.5J x 18 inch / Rear: 9.5J x 18 inch. Bridgestone Potenza tyres - Front: 235/45 ZR18. Rear: 275/40 ZR18.

Optional: 19 inch alloy wheels – seven-spoke design - Front: 8.5J x 19 inch / Rear: 9.5J x 19 inch. Bridgestone Potenza tyres - Front: 235/40 ZR19. Rear: 275/35 ZR19.

Optional: Pirelli P-Zero Corsa sports tyres – Front: 245/40 ZR19. Rear: 285/35 ZR19

Suspension
Front: Independent double aluminium wishbones incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil over aluminium monotube dampers and anti-roll bar.
Rear: Independent double aluminium wishbones incorporating longitudinal control arms, coil over aluminium monotube dampers and anti-roll bar.

Brakes
Radial-mounted four-piston monobloc calipers. Dynamic Stability Control (DSC). Traction Control. Anti-lock Braking System (ABS). Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). Emergency Brake Assist (EBA). Positive Torque Control.

Front: Ventilated and grooved steel discs - 355mm diameter
Rear: Ventilated and grooved steel discs - 330mm diameter

Interior
Full grain leather interior. Gunmetal facia. Graphite interior fittings. Electrically adjustable seats. Automatic temperature control. Heated rear screen. Reversing sensors. Battery Disconnect Switch (BDS). Trip computer. Dual stage driver and passenger airbags. Side airbags. Alarm and immobiliser. Tyre pressure monitoring.

In-Car Entertainment
160W Aston Martin Audio System with six CD autochanger.

Options
Sportshift automated manual transmission. Xenon (HID) headlamps including power wash. Bright finish grille. Piano Black facia trim. Alternative brake caliper finish (black, red, silver). Heated seats. Cruise control. Passenger seat height adjustment*1. Memory seats (3 positions). Battery conditioner. Powerfold exterior mirrors. Auto dimming interior rear view mirror*1. Auto dimming interior rear view mirror with garage door opener*1. Voice activated Bluetooth telephone preparation*1. Integrated GSM telephone*1. Satellite navigation system with optional Traffic Messaging Channel (TMC)*1. Tracking device*1/2. Alarm upgrade (volumetric & tilt sensors). Smokers pack. Sports tyres. 19 inch alloy wheels – seven-spoke design, with silver finish. 19 inch alloy wheels – seven-spoke design, with anthracite finish. Front wheel stone guards. Personalised sill plaques. First aid kit*1. Umbrella & holder. 700W Aston Martin Premium Audio System with Dolby Pro Logic II. Wind deflector.

Length:4380mm Fuel tank capacity: 80 litres
Width:1865mm (exc. Mirrors) 2025mm (inc. Mirrors)
CO2 Emissions*3: 358 g/km
Height: 1265mm
Max power: 283kW (380 bhp) @ 7000 rpm.
Weight:1710kg
Max torque: 410 Nm (302 lb.ft) @ 5000 rpm
Wheelbase: 2600mm
Acceleration: 0-60mph – 4.9 seconds 0-100km/h – 5.0 seconds
Boot capacity: 144 litres
Max speed: 175mph (280 km/h)

*1 Not available in all markets
*2 Complies with UK Thatcham Category 5 requirements. Excludes subscription. Standard in UK.
*3 Data not applicable to North American market

© Source: seriouswheels
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Porsche 911 green

This whole green thing might be catching on. Exhibit A: a 911-based GTStreet from Techart.

Yes, it's another German tuning firm doing the modding thing on another supercar. But look at the sheer greenness of it all.

It really is very, very green. And in spite of ourselves, we think we like it.

Techart claims it started 'with a blank sheet of paper' when it created the GTStreet. Which isn't strictly true. It actually started with a 911 Turbo.

But the GTStreet gets a full bodykit with retractable carbon-fibre splitter, as well as a range of new and intriguing air inlets.

Techart has fiddled under the bonnet too, extracted another 150bhp from the Turbo's 3.6-litre flat six. That raises overall power to a scary 630bhp, while torque is up to 501lb ft. That knocks half a second off the Turbo's 0-60mph, which now comes up in just 3.2 seconds.

There's a fat new set of brakes as well, but all we can focus on is the hypnotic luridness of the paintjob.

If only we'd known going green was so easy, we wouldn't have had to worry about all that jatropha and hemp. And that poor G-Wiz.

© Source: topgear
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2007 Subaru Impreza WRX STI Concept Design by Lars Martensson

(from Lars Martensson) Subaru is making a hatchback for 2008 so I designed my own Impreza STI 2008 model.



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2007 Abt Sportsline Audi TT Roadster

(from Abt Sportsline Press Release) An open roof sportscar in a tailor-made suit: The Abt TT Roadster

Before the first preliminary designs were published, it was clear that the leading Audi tuner Abt Sportsline planned to cause a sensation with the new Audi TT, as the first TT is one of the favourite cars of the Kempten-based company with a long tradition. And this is due to the fact that the race version of the Sports Coupe 2002 won a lot of DTM (German Touring Car Series) races.

Therefore it is only logical that, after the extravagant TT-Sport and TT-R, also the TT Roadster, which is already exquisitely beautiful as serial car, gets a special treatment in the Allgaeu: the designer from Abt Sportsline developed car body parts with which the open-roof TT becomes more danymical. Thus, the front skirt with its grid element emphasizes the area around the fog lights and the single-frame grill. The brawny laterally attached parts underline the design of the convertible and create a unit with the striking rear section of the car. There the rear skirt inset and the rear wing, providing additional down force, are the central elements. Also the 4-pipe rear muffler, which perfectly harmonizes with the rear skirt inset and its integrated rear diffuser, belongs to the distinctive rear view of the Abt TT Roadster.

The TT Roadster from Abt is an absolutely successful open-roof sportscar, a design masterpiece for ambitious pilots. Therefore, Abt Sportsline offers a number of power upgrade packages. The highlight of the product range is - similar to the Coupe - the TT-R with the VR6 3.2 K. The supercharger aggregate provides 355 hp (262 kW) and accelerates the car in about 5 sec. from standstill to 100 km/h. But also the other versions are extremely sporty. No matter if VR6 3.2 or 2.0 T-FSI engine, an Abt TT Roadster is always fast. For the favoured 2 liters Turbo FSI, Abt offers a power upgrade from 240 hp (177 kW) with special iS technology, sparing purse and environment, up to powerful 300 hp (221 kW). Matching to the always enormous propulsion of the TT Roadster: Abt suspension kit. For more security in ticklish situations cares the Abt sports brake system with its huge disc diameters of 380x34 millimeters.

To perfectly round off the dynamical and powerful appearance of the TT Roadster, Abt recommends the wheels AR 19 and SP1 in the size 19 inch, as well as the one inch bigger wheel AR20.

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2007 Opel GT with KW Coilover Suspension V3

(from KW Automotive Press Release) Sportier appearance and better handling: KW coilover suspension V3 for Opel GT

* Racing-technology for the road
* Customised lowering of suspension up to 45 mm
* Coilover suspensions produced in stainless steel "inox-line" technology

"Only flying is more beautiful" was the old commercial slogan in the late 1960s, when the first Opel GT was presented to the public. In terms of driving dynamics there are worlds between the new generation of the Opel GT and its predecessor. And there are even more between them, if you use a KW coilover suspension V3. With it one can lower the car in a range from 20 to 40 mm at the front axle and from 20 to 45 mm at the rear. The KW coilover suspension V3 for the Opel GT is available with immediate effect.

KW coilover suspensions - 3 damping variants for every type of driver

Coilover suspension V1 with preset damper setting permits customised lowering of the suspension and creates an optimised balance of sportiness, comfort and safety. Damping variant V2 is the ideal system for sporty drivers, who also wish to make modifications in the set-up to achieve a more customised lowering of the suspension. Thanks to the adjustable rebound damping, it is possible to adapt the driving comfort to suit the driver's personal taste.
With its separately adjustable pressure and rebound damping functions, coilover suspension V3 permits an even higher degree of customisation to the suspension and provides the perfect solution for those truly technically demanding drivers.

All KW coilover suspensions are produced in the unique stainless steel "inox line" technology. This assures the extremely high quality and durability of the suspensions plus a long-lasting perfect finish to match.

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2006 Chrysler 300C Photography by Webb Bland

(from Webb Bland) This Chrysler 300C has been lowered, tinted, and had the tail lights blacked out.

Other modifications include:

Asanti Forged 3PC Chrome 24" Wheels

Jackknife Doors

Phantom Grille

Fine art prints of his photos are available on his website.

Source: seriouswheels
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Ford Fusion Hydrogen 999

Ford has today revealed the next-generation of its Fusion supermini, the jacked-up Fiesta-thingy favoured by the elderly and style-challenged.

Actually, that's a lie. This low-slung beastie is indeed called the Ford Fusion, but in no way is it related to the British version of the car of the same name.

In fact, its full name is the Fusion Hydrogen 999, and it's the car that Ford is hoping will set a land speed record for production-based fuel-cell-powered vehicles.

Due to race at Bonneville in the middle of August, the Fusion Hydrogen 999 is powered by a 770bhp electric motor, with the energy supplied by hydrogen fuel cells.

The car itself was built by Roush - the firm best known for its mad Mustang tuning - and has been shorn of its mirrors and front grille in the name of aerodynamicism.

The record attempt is all part of Ford's slightly over-zealous bid to prove that it's both Environmentally Aware but also Really Cool at the same time. Alan Mullaly, the firm's chief executive, said earlier this week that plug-in hybrids would appear in Ford showrooms in five to 10 years.

Call us cynical, but we're pretty sure we heard similar sentiments about, erm, five to 10 years ago.

© Source: topgear
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