Rendering: 2012 BMW F12 M6

The new 6 series is obviously coming and it makes little sense to us that an M6 would not be soon to follow. The previous generation M6 shared the M5's drivetrain just as the new M6 would be likely to. Too much development cost has been poured into the M5 to not take advantage of it in an M6. With M SUV's now and M branding ever expanding, an M6 will likely be coming soon sharing many similarities with the soon to be launched M5.

It was only a matter of time until some crafty photoshop assassins put a hit on the alleged future BMW 6-Series. With fresh new materials to use, the fine folks at BimmerBoost have created some renderings of the 2012 BMW M6.

Details are scarce at the moment, but the new M6 will likely be powered by an upgraded version of the 4.4 liter V8 engine, producing near 600 horsepower, similar to the upcoming BMW M5. As with the regular 6 Series, we expect lots of Gran Coupe design elements to make it into the M6, featuring an aggressive front-end, a rear bumper with an integrated diffuser. As with any M car, expect to see aerodynamic side skirts, wide rear fenders and the usual four-tailpipe exhaust system.

Source: bimmerboost

Saab Spyker 9+ Tribute Concept Car

Automotive designer Eduard Gray has sent in some renderings of his ideas for the first car to come from the Saab purchase of Spyker. Based near Saab headquarters in Trollhättan, Sweden, Gray believes the drawings could land him a job with the Saab Design Studio Team.


“The union of Saab and Spyker presents a unique opportunity to create a design that takes the best of each brand and distills their qualities into a single product, the designer says in his website.”


Indeed, his six drawings of the Saab Spyker 9+ Tribute shows elements of both companies. Gray calls the work "a quick expression of my optimism for the future of the brand."


Spyker lends us its supercar chassis with a mid-mounted engine and low down aerodynamics while Saab contributes with the style, character and engineering making for a design that is as pleasant to look at as it is to drive.”



Source:dubdaily

Chicago Previewed: New Dodge Compact

Last week's Chicago Auto Show didn't hold a lot of surprise concepts or glamorous supercars, but there were a few key developments for car shoppers, including a hint at a new Dodge Compact car. The preview, given at the Economic Club of Chicago toward the end of the media days, reveals a new small car that is expected to use a modified Fiat Group platform, and will be one of the first joint projects of the new Fiat-Chrysler partnership.


When Fiat chief Sergio Marchionne took over at Chrysler he made it clear that one of his key issues was adding more small cars to Chrysler-owned brands' lineups. Recalling Dodge's product plans (chart included) for the future, it includes a small Fiat rebranded as a Dodge. With some reports speculating ties with the Dodge Hornet Concept from 2006, the car could come by 2013.


According to Dodge’s product plan, a small Fiat Group-derived vehicle will debut in 2013. The rendering reminds me of a streamlined version of the 2007 Dodge Hornet concept. This vehicle could be based off the same platform that underpins the Fiat 500. Whatever it is, Dodge desperately needs it now.
via:thecarconnection

Video: Next Generation Concept IndyCar Unveiled in Chicago

DeltaWing LLC, of Indianapolis, introduced the future of open wheel racing today at the Chicago Auto Show, aimed at realigning America's premiere racing tradition with current automobile industry and consumer trends. DeltaWing calls on technological innovation to return racing to cutting edge relevance in the search for extreme performance with less environmental and financial resources.

"Today marks a fundamental shift in how race fans and the general public will view all racing cars in the future; this is a game changer" said Dan Partel, Chief Executive Officer of DeltaWing LLC. "This radical prototype takes open wheel racing to a new level from both an engineering standpoint and the overall spectator experience."

The car also marks the next step in the industry's dedication to becoming more environmentally responsible. DeltaWing has identified that this marketplace trend can be applied to the IZOD IndyCar Series and has developed this concept car using the most advanced American technology.

By targeting reduced aerodynamic drag and lighter weight, the DeltaWing design achieves record breaking on track performance with only half the engine power of its recent predecessors. The unique vehicle design provides optimum and consistent distribution of loading for the Firestone Firehawk tires, which are specifically developed for the dynamic characteristics of the DeltaWing racer. The futuristic form aims to appeal to a younger demographic audience who is increasingly in search of technological innovations to solve the requirement for sustainable personal mobility. DeltaWing LLC will design, engineer and supply a running prototype by August, 2010.
Revolutionary design from every angle

• Ultra narrow front track design saves weight, while fairings for the Firestone tires reduces aerodynamic drag and prevents wheel interlocking

• Delta plan view shape provides undisturbed airflow to the downforce generating ground effect underbody venturi located beneath the car's center of gravity just ahead of the widely spaced rear wheels. Highly efficient downforce with negligible wake ensures minimal loss of aerodynamic performance for a trailing car thus enhancing the on-track overtaking spectacle

* Uncluttered side view with rearwards driver location provides ideal sponsorship positioning and true single-seater appeal. The highly prominent tail fin replaces the conventional inverted aerofoil in order to broaden the yaw stability envelope without inducing aerodynamic drag on straight-aways

"We are confident that this car will outperform the current generation IndyCar and do it in a more environmentally friendly way," said Partel. "Auto racing has always been a powerful marketing tool for propelling new technology into the hearts and minds of consumers. This new car was specifically designed to be more closely aligned with the new reality of automobiles that are arriving on the road today. Consumers are choosing cars that provide impressive performance capabilities but with greater fuel efficiency. This prototype IndyCar features those same characteristics, making it much more relevant to the public and the auto industry. It is our goal to make participation in the series highly attractive to the automobile manufacturers as well as the fuel, technology, information and entertainment corporate sectors."

DeltaWing anticipates the final car will weigh a remarkable 50 percent less than the current generation IndyCar and crucially, generate only half of the aerodynamic drag. This combination requires substantially less horsepower to generate speeds of over 235 miles per hour while delivering a 100% improvement in fuel efficiency.

"Our goal is to have our first prototype on the track in August," said Partel. "We look forward to an exciting development project with the Indy Racing League to ensure that all of their requirements are met for DeltaWing to become the next IZOD IndyCar in 2012."

"Today, we saw the future of racing unveiled", said Bill Lafontaine, Chief Marketing Officer. "This revolutionary car and business concept ushers in a new era in racing and reinforces the strong tradition of innovation in open wheel racing. This initiative reaffirms America's ability to lead in the automotive field. We look forward to the development of the car and our first running prototype."


About the DeltaWing IndyCar Prototype

Initial concept work by Ben Bowlby started with a clean sheet approach and began in January, 2009 at Target Chip Ganassi Racing in Indianapolis. The first prototype car will be powered by a 2.0 liter 4 cylinder turbocharged engine. Final horsepower figures will be based on the car's performance on the track, but by using state-of-the-art computer modeling, it is anticipated that the engine will need to produce approximately 300 horsepower to attain the performance targets and will run over 4,000 miles before requiring a rebuild, a dramatic 100% improvement over the current engine.

"The DeltaWing Concept is more than just a new and exciting racing car; it is about creating a platform that moves racing into the new era of information entertainment", said Bowlby, Designer and Chief Technology Officer. "Once we have successfully production engineered and manufactured the first generation of team cars, those cars will form the beginning of a constant evolution formula. Our intention is to publish the entire design detail via the DeltaWing website where access will be available to everyone and so provide a unique participation opportunity and insight into the engineering world of modern racing cars. Just as we hope to see multiple engine suppliers with different configurations and displacements, we also hope to create a framework that will allow us to see a varied and ever changing grid of racing machines in a sustainable, cost controlled and high value manner. We will be unveiling these plans once the prototype is up and running. As we design the DeltaWing prototype, safety, efficiency, value and cost are our main priorities; the goal is that more teams and drivers will have the opportunity to compete in the IZOD IndyCar series. At this point we anticipate a complete car with engine will sell for $600,000."


Key Specifications (estimated)

• Weight with driver: 1,030 lbs.

• Horsepower: 300 BHP

• Wheel base: 125 inches

• Front track: 24 inches

• Rear track: 70 inches

• Aerodynamic drag: Cd 0.24

Key Technical features

• Engine and transmission are "non-stressed members" of the chassis structural design which allows teams to install a wide variety of lightweight powertrains

• The prototype will feature a 4 cylinder turbo charged engine that will produce approximately 300 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and weigh only 160lbs fully dressed

• Engine capacity, RPM and configuration freedoms are anticipated given only that the rate of fuel delivery to the engine will be controlled by a specially developed fuel flow rate control unit

• Vehicle weight distribution is necessarily more rearward than traditionally seen with 72.5% of the mass on the larger rear tires

• 80% of the aerodynamic downforce acts on the rear of the car

• Inline traction under acceleration through the rear tires is greatly enhanced by rearward weight and aerodynamic distributions

• Unique amongst today's racing cars 60% of braking force is generated behind the center of gravity giving a dynamically stable response

• Locking propensity of the inside front wheel on corner entry is greatly reduced

• Transission features 6 speed oval and 5 speed plus reverse road track configurations with sequential paddle shift actuation

• Differential features full torque vectoring active technology with driver control of gain for balance adjustment. "Active stagger" removes the expensive necessity for staggered rear tire diameters for ovals

• Advanced computer modeling of structures, impact energy management, aerodynamics, vehicle dynamics and tires has been used to develop the virtual DeltaWing car

• The car's performance has been simulated on each configuration of race track encountered during the IZOD IndyCar Series Championship

• Modern advanced materials and CNC construction techniques applied to achieve gains in light weight structures and occupant safety

• Driver position, restraint layout and energy absorbency facility designed with the latest data on survival criteria

Visit www.deltawingracing.com for additional information and to follow progress on the design and development of the concept


More Photos

2012 IndyCar Swift Concepts [Video]

San Clemente, California - USA February 2010

American race car company, Swift Engineering, Inc. is proud to announce key motorsport partnerships with industry leading companies to further its bid to design and build the next generation race car chassis for the 2012 IZOD IndyCar Series ®.

"Given Swift is the leading US race car design and manufacturing company and our 27-year history was founded in motorsport, it is only natural that we aspire to partner with the nations' premier open-wheel formula, the IZOD IndyCar Series," Jan Wesley Refsdal, Swift's president said.


Key business alliances have been cemented between Swift and Cray Inc. (The Supercomputer Company), Indianapolis-based Mark One Composites, Inc. and Cruden America, world leaders in motion racing simulators

"Individually, each one of these partnerships is critical to Swift's continuing commitment to motorsport; however, collectively and in conjunction with one another they will help us set new industry standards in innovative design, manufacturing and support," Refsdal stated.


Swift's strategic industry partnerships were carefully selected and cultivated through a focused effort to realize the challenge the IZOD IndyCar Series has set for its next generation car.

Cray supercomputers will be used at Swift's facility to further enhance its capabilities in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), an important tool in the design and development of aerodynamic concepts. In conjunction with Swift's existing on-site wind tunnel designs will be tested in accurate virtual models allowing for valuable driver feedback and performance data collection on Cruden's state-of-the-art 3Ctr 6-DOF motion racing simulator which is soon to be operational at Swift.


"Speed-to-market is critical in any business, but probably more so in racing as the green flag doesn't wait for anyone," Refsdal said. "Rapid development is just as much about the speed and quality of the design process as it is manufacturing. We are evolving our four-year exclusive certified composite repair relationship with Mark One Composites, Inc. to provide further manufacturing and inventory support directly to teams from its Indianapolis-based facility."


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McLaren MP4-12C GTR Rendered

Jonsibal.com has published a new rendering featuring a proposed McLaren MP4-12C GTR. Jon drew up the idea in several different classic liveries, including Fina, Gulf, and Marlboro.


"I gave the car wider fenders to house four OZ wheels (with some lip) the previous F1 GTR ran back in the days," said the artist on the website. "I also added splitters in the front and rocker panels to keep the air moving underneath as fast and clean as possible."


The artist was a big fan of the Gordon Murray design for the McLaren F1, and the GTR version that followed. Photos of the F1 GTR are included on this page. The follow-up rendering to the MP4-12C GTR will be a Long Tail variety, an homage to the GTR '97 Long Tail. Once Jon sends it out, we will bring it to you.


The 2011 McLaren MP4-12C will be launched next year with a 3.8-liter V8 engine that produces 600 hp (447 kW) and up to 422 ft-lb. Pricing will be set at £150,000.


More Photos

Lamborghini Conquisto: Designer Envisions a Two-Door, Rear-Engine Lambo SUV

A two-door, rear-engined Lamborghini SUV / Crossover makes as much sense as a vegetarian working at slaughter house but if anything else, you can't blame independent designer David Cordoso from Belgium for not using his imagination. More photos after the jump.



Source:carscoop

Geneva Preview:Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera

This is a rendering of the upcoming Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera by graphic artist Jon Sibal. The rendering.
The debut for the new Lamborghini is set for the 2010 Geneva Auto Show in March.


The new Lamborghini will have the same LP560 gear box, a weight reduction of 70 Kg , and a power increase of 10HP, giving the LP570-4 Superleggera a 2.35 power to weight ratio. 0 to 60 is in 3.5 seconds.


Distinguishing the Superleggera will be the Italian flag colored stripes on the side of the car, as seen in the image here.


The LP570-4 Superleggera will be offered in 6 colors.

• Orange

• Lime green

• Yellow

• Black

• White

• Grey

Exclusive white & Italian flag bordered “Superleggera” stripping on the side.
The green, orange, and yellow Superleggera’s will have extensive carbon fiber black interiors with the stitching matching the cars exterior while the grey, white, and black Superleggera’s will be the same but with grey stitching.
Here are the different color version of the rendering reflecting the color options for the LP570-4 Superleggerra.


via: jonsibal

Bugatti Renaissance Design Concept: Veyron Supercar Reinterpreted

We're not sure when or if Bugatti will present a direct successor to the 1,001-horsepower Veyron, but if the VW Group-owned company does, John Mark Vicente, a Canadian graduate of the Communication Design program at the Emily Carr University, would like to believe that it may look something like this. Named the Bugatti Renaissance, the conceptual proposal builds on the qualities of the 16-cylinder supercar.





Source:carscoop

Chevrolet Agile Renderings Revealed

General Motors is launching the Chevrolet Agile exclusively to the South American market towards the end of 2009. The Agile, rendered in these official pictures, is a compact hatchback that also serves to give crossover appeal.

"The Agile goes beyond a traditional hatchback," said Carlos Barba, General Director of GM Design Mercosur. "Our task was to conduct a vehicle for a demanding client. Our task was to conduct a vehicle for a demanding client. Great design, interior space and a crossover... a car to attract customers from a different urban public or to a surfer who loves the countryside."


The GM manufacturing plant in Argentina is already tooled up for the Agile operation and workers have been trained in its assembly. It will join other products being sold in the Mercosur market such as the Chevrolet Corsa models, Spark, Aveo, Astra, Meriva, Vectra, Zafira, Blazer, Captiva, S10 and Corvette.


From the front grille it looks like a typical Chevrolet with the golden logo clearly posted in the middle. The interior is said to be of high quality with innovative design and utility.
via:worldcarfans

Chevrolet Agile Renderings Revealed

General Motors is launching the Chevrolet Agile exclusively to the South American market towards the end of 2009. The Agile, rendered in these official pictures, is a compact hatchback that also serves to give crossover appeal.

"The Agile goes beyond a traditional hatchback," said Carlos Barba, General Director of GM Design Mercosur. "Our task was to conduct a vehicle for a demanding client. Our task was to conduct a vehicle for a demanding client. Great design, interior space and a crossover... a car to attract customers from a different urban public or to a surfer who loves the countryside."


The GM manufacturing plant in Argentina is already tooled up for the Agile operation and workers have been trained in its assembly. It will join other products being sold in the Mercosur market such as the Chevrolet Corsa models, Spark, Aveo, Astra, Meriva, Vectra, Zafira, Blazer, Captiva, S10 and Corvette.


From the front grille it looks like a typical Chevrolet with the golden logo clearly posted in the middle. The interior is said to be of high quality with innovative design and utility.
via:worldcarfans

Kia VG sedan rendering Revealed

The upcoming Kia VG will share its front-wheel-drive platform with next-generation Hyundai Azera. It will be available with fuel-efficient 2.4L gasoline direct injected -GDI four-cylinder gasoline engine with estimated power of 200 hp and a 3.5L V6 Lambda with 277 horsepower. Kia VG is also rumored to be available with 2.7L V6 and 2.7L LPi engines.


Kia VG sedan renderings released. Revealing the final shape of the forthcoming Kia premium sedan.

Kia has released the first batch of official renderings showcasing the forthcoming premium Kia sedan. We have first seen Kia VG at the Seoul Auto Show earlier this year, where it made its first public debut. Called Kia KND-5, the concept boasted a dynamic and very attractive exterior appearance that reflected the shape and style of the forthcoming production car.

The released renderings showcase the new premium sedan, with Kia’s family-look radiator grille and shining LED-running lights. According to the official press release, Kia VG sedan sits on 18-inch tires wrapping the attractively styled aluminum alloy-wheels. The sedan also sports side mirrors and tail-lights with integrated LED technology.


The premium VG sedan will go on sale in South Korean market shortly after it makes it’s official debut, scheduled for November 2009. Good news is also that the model will also be exported to North American market in early 2010, where it will likely replace the ageing Amanti sedan. We expect to see official North American VG premiere to happen at the 2010 North American International Auto Show -NAIAS.
Source: Kia World

Kia VG sedan rendering Revealed

The upcoming Kia VG will share its front-wheel-drive platform with next-generation Hyundai Azera. It will be available with fuel-efficient 2.4L gasoline direct injected -GDI four-cylinder gasoline engine with estimated power of 200 hp and a 3.5L V6 Lambda with 277 horsepower. Kia VG is also rumored to be available with 2.7L V6 and 2.7L LPi engines.


Kia VG sedan renderings released. Revealing the final shape of the forthcoming Kia premium sedan.

Kia has released the first batch of official renderings showcasing the forthcoming premium Kia sedan. We have first seen Kia VG at the Seoul Auto Show earlier this year, where it made its first public debut. Called Kia KND-5, the concept boasted a dynamic and very attractive exterior appearance that reflected the shape and style of the forthcoming production car.

The released renderings showcase the new premium sedan, with Kia’s family-look radiator grille and shining LED-running lights. According to the official press release, Kia VG sedan sits on 18-inch tires wrapping the attractively styled aluminum alloy-wheels. The sedan also sports side mirrors and tail-lights with integrated LED technology.


The premium VG sedan will go on sale in South Korean market shortly after it makes it’s official debut, scheduled for November 2009. Good news is also that the model will also be exported to North American market in early 2010, where it will likely replace the ageing Amanti sedan. We expect to see official North American VG premiere to happen at the 2010 North American International Auto Show -NAIAS.
Source: Kia World