Wednesday, March 14, 2007

Citroen C-Sport Lounge


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In a world first at the Frankfurt Motor Show 2005, Citro?n is presenting a new interpretation of the grand touring car, in phase with new trends in automotive pleasure. The new C-SportLounge concept car, which stands out with its evocative name and distinctive body style, features powerful, aerodynamic exterior lines and a cockpit-inspired interior designed for the pleasure of the driver and the well-being of the three passengers. The C-SportLounge combines dynamic character with high levels of onboard quality.
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The wide tracks and curved flanks of the C-SportLounge convey a sense of power, while the flowing lines and elongated roof optimise aerodynamics, a Citro?n speciality. Special care was taken with the air flow, resulting in a drag coefficient of just 0.26. The determined look of the front end is emphasised by the broadened air intake and elongated, clearcut headlamps. The large windscreen placed well to the front rises high and melds into the sunroof in a single unbroken line, offering a broad glass surface, enhancing visibility and letting in maximum light.

The luxurious interior of the C-SportLounge, designed to seat four adults comfortably, expresses the grand touring spirit of this concept car. The on-board ambience is a harmonious mix of noble, dense, worked materials and more mechanical styling for the driving position. With reverse-opening doors at the rear, the C-SportLounge offers unexpected accessibility for a vehicle of this type. Long-distance journeys can be approached serenely thanks to more than generous boot space

The driving position was inspired by aviation design and dictated by driving pleasure. Driver and passengers alike will feel like they are in an aeroplane cockpit. This impression is heightened by the special treatment and location of the analogue instruments. The semi-raised driving position boosts driving sensations while enhancing comfort and safety. The driver's seat and central console are all of one piece, so that the automatic gearbox and climate controls remain within reach, regardless of the driver's chosen seat length adjustment. The interior has been designed to let the driver concentrate on the road: the steering wheel has fixed central controls and gear-changing paddles.

(from Peugeot/Citroen Press Release)
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Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Acura Advanced Sports Car

A Glimpse of the Next Generation Acura Exotic Sports Car.
v10 2007


The show-stopping Acura "Advanced Sports Car Concept" made its world debut at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. The dynamically styled concept provides a preview of the design direction for the successor to the Acura NSX.


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Created to take exotic sports car styling to a new level, the concept is designed to incorporate a powerful front-mounted, V-10 engine and a new high-performance, rear-wheel-drive based version of Acura's exclusive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD).

"The Acura brand will always be a home for people who love to drive," said Takeo Fukui, president & CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. "As we advance toward building a car like this, I can tell you it will feature advanced technology matching our passion for performance."

The concept's exterior demonstrates a dynamic fusion of advanced technology and emotion. The long, pronounced hood features deeply sculpted lines and embossed air vents, both of which hint at the powerful engine beneath. The exterior lines run the length of the body, creating a ribbon-like effect from the front headlights to the rear wheel arches, evoking a feeling of movement and power.

Although modern in its appearance, the Advanced Sports Car Concept retains the subtle cues associated with its predecessor, the NSX. The concept's slim, LED headlights are pushed wide and designed to mimic the pop-up headlights found on the first generation NSX. Other styling hints include a modern take on wraparound rear taillights and the all black cockpit.

"Our intention was to design an exotic sports car that gracefully combines advanced technology and strong emotion," said Jon Ikeda, principal designer, Acura Design Center. "The technical, machined surfaces and keen-edge design are balanced with sweeping curves and dramatic lines, all of which results in the ultimate exotic sports car."

Wide and low to the ground with a 108.8 inch wheelbase, the concept is anchored by grippy 19 inch front and 20 inch rear performance tires which are mounted to custom billet-machined, polished aluminum wheels. Powerful, ventilated carbon ceramic brake discs and eight-piston calipers accent the wheels. Bold wheel arches and flares add to the concept's aggressive appearance.

The low slung cabin is constructed entirely of tinted glass and sits flush against the body. Door handles are also flush mounted, allowing the sports car to retain a clean and aerodynamic appearance. The Advanced Sports Car Concept features a carbon fiber underbody and the rear is finished with aggressive quad exhaust pipes and integrated rear diffusers, further communicating its high performance potential.

The Advanced Sports Car Concept was designed by the Acura's Los Angeles-based design team that will be based at the new Acura Design Center, opening this summer.


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Acura launched for 1986 without a logo and the "calipers" didn't appear until the NSX launched as a 1991 model.



Tuesday, March 6, 2007

Honda s2000

Not much information of the next generation Honda S2000, but several magazines, like Best Car and the Japanese magazine shown below have published this image as a possible concept... more to come.
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Recently Honda partnered with two of the nation's automotive design schools, Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California and the College of Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan to design the next gen S2000. Student teams were given brief on the parameters of the project, basically design an S2000 for the year 2015. Two winning designs from each program were selected to be shown at the LA Autoshow in Honda's booth. (source: urbanracer).