New Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa Concept unveiled at Villa D'Este

The Zagato-designed Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa has been unveiled at the Villa D'Este concours, and frankly, it's spectacular. Driven by the Alfa 8C Competizione's V8, the TZ3 is very much in keeping with its 60s-era predecessors, the TZ1 and TZ2, sporting similar detail elements and the same near-breadvan profile. Also like the originals, this is a legit racing car. Unlike its forbears, however, the new machine wears aluminum bodywork stretched over a tube frame and carbon-fiber chassis. Power, as indicated before, is also of thoroughly modern origin.

Zagato says the TZ3 was commissioned by German collector Martin Kapp as a special celebration of 100 years of racing from Scuderia Ferrari, Alfa Corse, Autodelta, and Scuderia Zagato. On that "special" bit, we think it's safe to say, "mission accomplished" - with class and panache to spare. Official PR pics are in the gallery below, and a full live gallery is posted at OmniAuto. Be sure to pay them a visit as well.

via:autoblog





Press Release

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Milano, April 2010: Zagato Atelier announces the introduction of the Alfa Romeo TZ3 Corsa at
the XII Villa D'Este Concours d'Elegance.

The TZ3 Corsa is not a design exercise.
It does not take inspiration only from the 90 year collaboration between the two brands, neither only
from the Milanese conjunction between Alfa Romeo and Zagato.
The TZ3 Corsa is a race car, honouring 100 years of races and victories across the whole 20th
century.

It celebrates men and machines of the Alfa Romeo Zagato common tradition:
Scuderia Ferrari of the 20's and 30's, Alfa Corse of the 40's and 50's, Autodelta of the 60's and
70's up to the latest Scuderia Zagato of the 80's and 90's.

Recalling these racing emotions, the TZ3 Corsa is based on a mono shell carbon fibre tubular
chassis, coupled with a tubular frame and a lightweight aluminium body.
It boasts Technical Partners such as OMP and Pirelli.

Following Zagato's gentlemen-driver heritage, the car has been commissioned by the Alfa Romeo
Zagato collector Martin Kapp, during the Zandvoort Tribute to Zagato event, where more than
130 Alfa Romeo Zagatos were celebrating the 90th Anniversary of the brand.
Martin Kapp owns, among his Alfa Romeo Collection: SZ coda tonda and SZ coda tronca, TZ
and TZ2, Junior Z and S.Z..

Tribute to the 100th anniversary of Alfa Romeo's Racing Heritage:
Alfa Romeo and Zagato achieved the best results since the beginnings thanks to the Mille Miglia
victories of the 1500 6C, the 1750 GS and the 8C 2300 Zagato of the Scuderia Ferrari. Already
in 1933 an official advert of the Alfa Romeo 8C proclaimed: "The Spider that, with the trio Alfa
Romeo - Scuderia Ferrari - Carrozzeria Zagato, brought countless victories in the homeland and
abroad for the honour of Italy."

Even the grandiose Quadrifoglio Verde was placed on the bodies of Zagatos of the Alfa Corse
team numerous times. Among the most glorious moments is the victory of the Formula 1
championship of Juan Manuel Fangio, aboard his Alfa Romeo 159 bodied by Zagato, as well as
the victorious Alfa Romeo 3000 CM bodied in 3 samples by Zagato.

During the 60's, the list of absolute victories of the Giulia TZ and TZ2 by Zagato for the Autodelta
of Ing. Carlo Chiti, was never-ending. Some of the most memorable victories included the 1964 12
hours of Sebring, the Targa Florio, the Nurburgring, and the 24 hours of Le Mans.
The single-brand Alfa Romeo S.Z. championship emphasized the Alfa Romeo ES30's
(Experimental SportsCar 3000) technical and dynamic abilities. The S.Z. delivered, and continues
to so today, constant performance and driving pleasure to the Gentlemen drivers of the Alfa Zagato
team, across the most important racetracks in Europe.

Official: Citroen DS High Rider Concept Interior

The French carmaker has released new images and details of the Citroen DS High Rider interior. Citroen released today the first images of the interior of DS High Rider concept presented in Geneva in March and expected to anticipate the future design guidelines of DS4 and also of the C4.

The interior door panels are trimmed with a graduated grey to gold shading that’s supposed to match the golden tone of the DS High Rider Concept car’s golden exterior paintwork. You can also spot a colour screen in the centre console and the ‘Hybrid’ badge just below the gear stick.

The concept’s interior offers a clear contrast, as its dark-shaded roof lining meets the vehicle’s large panoramic windscreen. The luxurious details are complemented by a set of bespoke badging: the dashboard features embossed DS initials, while the seats use chrome DS inserts.

On the instrument panel, seats and door panels the automaker uses full-grain leather, chrome detailing around the dials, steering wheel, air vents, gear knob and center console, plus various golden and grey accents.





Press Release

STEP INSIDE CITROËN'S DS HIGH RIDER

Citroën has revealed the interior of the DS High Rider concept - which was originally showcased at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. In line with the car's distinctive exterior styling, DS High Rider's cockpit exudes strength, dynamism and refinement, with the utmost care and precision applied to even the smallest details. The ergonomic design of the controls, the quality of the carefully selected materials and the prestigious atmosphere on board convey status, elegance and the promise of luxurious comfort.

With a clear contrast between DS High Rider's large panoramic windscreen and its dark-shaded roof lining, the cabin is an exclusive environment with an emphasis on sporting luxury - also evidenced by the extensive application of leather and chrome detailing.

The instrument panel, seats and door panels are all finished in a quality, full-grain leather with clearly defined over-stitching and a ‘bracelet' design on the seats. The DS initials are also subtly embossed into the leatherwork of the dashboard.

Completing the dynamic ambience of the interior, chrome detailing is used around the dials, steering wheel, air vents, gear stick and the arch that connects the instrument panel to the console. Chrome ‘DS' inserts also feature, positioned just below the headrests on each of the front seats.

Mirroring the golden tone of the DS High Rider's bodywork, the interior door panels are trimmed with a graduated grey to gold shading that required the careful application of specific varnishes to achieve the gilded, metallic look.

DS High Rider's technology can be glimpsed in the controls mounted on the sculpted steering wheel, the colour screen in the centre console and the ‘Hybrid' badge just below the gear stick - which asserts the model's ecologically sensitive drivetrain.

Beijing _ 2010 BMW Concept Gran Coupe

BMW unveiled the Concept Gran Coupe today at the Beijing Auto Show, China. the all-new 2010 BMW Concept Gran Coupe has been revealed, finally confirming BMW’s intention to enter the burgeoning four-door coupe market.

The four-door includes a variety of distinct features like the vaulted hood with forward-facing lines, a longer wheelbase, coupe-style roofline and short front overhang. BMW describes the intent of the concept: “the BMW Concept Gran Coupé carries the essence of brand values and the genes of BMW design into the future.”

At 1.4-meters high, the car is 10-cm shorter in height than the 5er and 7er sedan. Current rumors suggest that the car is already approved for production and will be marketed as the BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe to rival the Mercedes-Benz CLS-Class, a car which BMW does not directly compete against at this time.

According to BMW sources, the car is headed for production in 2012 and will be built on the same platform that underpins the 5-Series, 7-Series and the 5-Series Gran Turismo. The production model will be offered with the same mix of 6- and 8-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines as those models.





Press Release

Elegance and dynamic performance at the first BMW Design Night in Beijing.

Munich. With an exclusive Design Night on the evening of the first press day at Auto China in Beijing (April 23rd to May 2nd 2010), BMW provides an in-depth insight into its design philosophy and development strategy. The program of the BMW Design Night is modular in structure and presents extensive background information on the premium automobile manufacturer's innovative design culture. In addition to highlighting the long versions of the BMW 5 Series developed specially for the Chinese market, the main focus is on an elegant 4-door vehicle with striking dynamic proportions: the BMW Concept Gran Coupé.

The concept study on display symbolises the outstanding design expertise of BMW. The BMW Concept Gran Coupé concentrates the fundamental values of the brand. Its body design authentically captures a sense of superior dynamic performance and high-quality elegance. The shaping style, which follows a coherent pattern down to the last detail, convincingly visualises BMW's philosophy as an automobile manufacturer. As with the Concept CS 2007, BMW once again sets new benchmarks in the design of 4-door coupes with a distinctive sporty character.

Based on a powerful tradition in this segment, the BMW Concept Gran Coupé carries the essence of brand values and the genes of BMW design into the future. The concept shows the classic features of all BMW coupes: the long wheelbase, the vaulted bonnet with forward-pointing lines, the set-back greenhouse, the flat silhouette, the coupe-style roof line and the short front overhang reflect the dynamic potential of the vehicle. The surface structures and the fact that the design quality is geared towards perfection illustrate the aspiration of the brand BMW to build 4-door high-performance coupes with the sportiest proportions and the most elegant design.

In the BMW Concept Gran Coupé, BMW presents the vision of a 4-door vehicle which combines the exclusivity of a Gran Turismo with the fascination of a high-performance sports car. The design of the concept study underscores the expertise of the brand BMW in the development of vehicles with a distinctive sporty character which offer space for more than two occupants. This reflects the particular quality of the BMW Group design philosophy, which consists in precisely and authentically translating the specific values of product substance into an aesthetically convincing shaping style. The design process is set through with a passion for aesthetic appeal and dynamic performance, precision and perfection. This is how the uncompromising premium aspiration of a BMW Group product, the unmistakable style of the brand BMW and the precisely defined character of each model are given concrete form.

The body design of the BMW Concept Gran Coupé expresses sporty flair in its ultimate form. The 4-door vehicle clearly signals the very highest level of dynamic performance with its extremely elegant, flat and coupe-like proportions. Stretching the entire length of the vehicle and therefore measuring almost 5 metres, flowing lines dominate the design, giving rise to outstanding aerodynamic levels, just as the low centre of gravity reflects an agile driving response.

The front section is defined by the BMW kidney grille characteristic of the brand - an icon of body design which is not just central but also a dominating element of front design. The kidney grille of the BMW Concept Gran Coupé has a flat appearance, with an asymmetrical side view which emphasises the close attention to detail. The central section with the kidney grille is formally separated from other BMW icons such as the headlights and air inlets. The clarity of the LED front lights highlights the vehicle's precision and premium aspirations. The air inlet runs back an extremely long way into the side section, making the front section appear particularly wide. All elements of the front section appear to merge to form a single, elegantly curved movement.

The sporty, flat silhouette provides an impressive body height of just under 1.40 metres. This makes the BMW Concept Gran Coupé up to 100 millimetres flatter than the BMW 5 Series or the BMW 7 Series Sedan. The roof line tapers off gently into the rear, thereby elongating the vehicle's proportions. The forward-tilted shark nose visually extends the bonnet and creates characteristic BMW proportions with its forward-pointing dynamism. This stretched character is also highlighted by the side lines, where there is a deliberate avoidance of the typical sill line. The flat proportions make the window graphics appear extremely narrow and dynamic at the same time. Another BMW design icon, the Hofmeister kink, is especially strikingly formed - additionally emphasising the exclusive character of the vehicle. The frameless doors give the BMW Concept Gran Coupé a modern character since the glass surfaces appear to merge seamlessly without being interrupted by columns.

At the rear, only design elements such as the lights and tailpipe trim appear to be visible at first sight. The entire rear section appears slimmer and lighter at the centre, though still exuding power and dynamic performance since the volume is reinforced towards the sides. The L-shaped light banks feature a slight, almost subtle curve and the entire design of the lines and surfaces highlights the vehicle's elegant overall appearance. The third brake light, positioned in the rear window, is also fitted with LED technology. It takes up the kink in the roof and illuminates the entire width of the rear window. The powerfully flared wheel arches above the rear axle highlight the particularly sporty character of the BMW Concept Gran Coupé.

Another highly sporty and also elegant feature is the rim concept in which the individual spokes extend deep into the centre of the rim towards the hub, giving the rim a striking three-dimensional quality. The spokes themselves are not solid but relief-milled, giving them a visual lightness.

The sculptural shaping style characteristic of the entire body design of the BMW Concept Gran Coupé permits a unique interaction between concave and convex surfaces. It also enables the light to be selectively reflected and channelled. Thus the exterior mirrors integrated in the window shaft appear very light, blending harmoniously into the side view since their shape assimilates the entire line styling. The BMW Concept Gran Coupé is a further development of the classic design of a notchback sedan in which the individual body sections merge harmoniously into a flat, elongated and at the same time dynamic overall image. The effect of this 4-door vehicle derives not just from specific highlights but from its overall appearance, which authentically reflects its character. The car's dynamic potential is embodied in its proportions and lines, signalling power but also elegance and forward thrust.

TechArt Panamera Entertainment Package

TechArt has unveiled several new interior options for the Porsche Panamera.

The TECHART Entertainment Kit W2 includes two 7-inch monitors seamlessly integrated into the design of the front seats. It is incorporated in the high-quality TECHART leather monitor console in the color of the vehicle’s interior and located at the front seat backrests. A 6 DVD Changer attends to media playback – discreetly hidden in the trunk of the car.

Another option is the roof mounted Entertainment Kit, available with a pivoting 10.2 inch monitor. The media console with DVD player and integrated USB host, framed in the leather or Alcantara, is integrated into the roof liner of the Panamera. Connection options for a memory stick or a hard disk drive are available. As well as playing all popular media formats, they also offer an infrared remote control and provide the passengers with stereo sound via wireless headphones.






Press Release

TECHART Entertainment & Comfort

The TECHART interior manufactory sets a benchmark in terms of individualization for the Porsche Panamera models. In addition to the existing range of interior options, a choice of further high-quality entertainment and comfort is immediately available. The use of the finest materials, the right instinct for aesthetics and the matchless technical precision of the finish formed the basis for two unique entertainment packages and rear fold-away tables, built into the front seats, which deliver significantly more fun during the journey for passengers in the rear of the four-seater.

The TECHART Entertainment Kit W2 includes two 7-inch monitors seamlessly integrated into the design of the front seats. It is incorporated in the high-quality TECHART leather monitor console in the color of the vehicle's interior and located at the front seat backrests. A 6 DVD Changer attends to media playback - discreetly hidden in the trunk of the car.

A further alternative is the TECHART roof mounted Entertainment Kit, available with a pivoting 10.2-inch monitor. The media console with DVD player and integrated USB host, framed in the finest leather or Alcantara, is entirely integrated into the roof liner of the Panamera. Connection options for a memory stick or a hard disk drive guarantee universal applications as a DVD player or as a presentation medium. As well as playing all popular media formats, they also offer the convenience of infrared remote control and provide the passengers with brilliant stereo sound via wireless headphones.

The high-quality TECHART rear fold-away tables, which harmoniously retract into the seat upholstery of the front seats, offer additional convenience. Thanks to a robust mechanism and high-quality materials, the tables function on the one hand as a mobile work station during travel and on the other as a relaxing area for longer trips with the Panamera.

Mercedes SLK R171 Performance RS

Mercedes SLK R171 Performance RS Piecha Design has just been released and includes a full body kit that makes the car sportier.

The package is finished by 19 inch and 19/20 inch combination Piecha dp2 Phantom wheels. Also, the car has been lowered by 30 mm – not only for the perfect visual impression, but also to ensure the required wheel cover.

Dubbed the Performance RS, the package features an aerodynamic body kit with new front (€1,590) and rear (€1,355) fascias, aggressive side skirts (€450 each), a rear lip spoiler (€255), and SLR-style mirrors (€690). Wheel choices include 19- (€2,700) and 20-inchers (€2,900), with the latter having a 100mm stainless steel outer rim that "perfectly emphasizes the SLK Roadster's wedge-shape."


Mercedes SLK R171 Performance RS Piecha Design has some other accessories like aerowing on the hood, a module that allows you to raise of close the roof at 60km/h and aluminum insertions.

Source: Piecha Design





Press Release

Mercedes-Benz SLK R171 Performance RS by Piecha Design

Sneak Preview

Stylish tuning is a tradition at Piecha Design. For the current Mercedes Benz SLK R171, the Rottweil tuners present the new performance RS package. It offers a perfect mixture of sportiveness and elegance, as is typical for the company.

The SLK is all grown up now!

The new aerodynamics programme's style is as sportive as it is elegant. It fits seamlessly into the design language of Mercedes-Benz. For the cult Roadster's front, Piecha developed a complete bumper including LED daytime headlights, a wide central spoiler sword and additional brake air channel, integrated fog lamps and lateral double gills. The grille keeps its traditional Mercedes star and is also equipped with polished stainless steel lamellae at the much wider grille bars that reach far to the sides. Rounded side skirts with large air intake channels at the rear end ensure a wedge-shaped looking deeper profile. Optional LED skirt lamps make for gigantic night-light effects. They come on automatically when the vehicle is opened in the dark and indirectly light the area of the side skirts. The striking tear-shaped sports mirrors are attached to two hinged arms and make the SLK look like a true sports car. The re-designed mirrors can be set and heated electrically and folded manually. Piecha Design delivers them completely painted and mounted. For the rear area, Piecha developed a completely new design for the rear skirt. It has a wide grille insert, diffuser and additional under-floor wings. Optionally, the rear skirt is also available with cut-outs for the serial exhaust system or 4-pipe-exhaust systems. An unobtrusive rear spoiler lip integrated flush into the rear lid and reaching all the way to the outer edges provides additional output. The popular Piecha QUADRO exhaust systems were reworked completely and are delivered as a half system from the catalytic converter. It is mounted to the original flange connections without any cutting. The 6-cylinder models are equipped with a flow-optimised X-pipe-adapter and the 4-cylinder version with an adequate connection pipe with V-flange adapter.

The complete aerodynamics programme fits all SLK R171 models incl. facelift and the SLK 55. The only thing to be observed is whether or not the vehicle is equipped with a parktronic (PDC), and, if so, if it is pre- or post-Facelift 2008.

Matching wheel/tyre combinations are 19 inch and 19/20 inch combination Piecha dp2 Phantom wheels. The 19 inch ones are ideal from a driving-dynamics point of view, at the front in 8.5 x 19 with 225/35 ZR 19 and at the rear in 9.5 x 19 with 255/30 ZR 19 tyres. An optical treat, however, is offered by using 8.5 x 19 with 225/35 ZR 19 tyres in front and combining them with 9.5 x 20 drop-centre rims at the rear axis and 265/25 ZR20 tyres. A special drop-centre rim version with a gigantic 100 mm stainless steel outer rim was developed particularly for the 9.5 x 20 rims. This version perfectly emphasises the SLK Roadster's wedge-shape and fits under the serial body with only little reworking. A basic prerequisite for this, however, is that the car is lowered by about 30 mm - not only for the perfect visual impression, but also to ensure the required wheel cover.

To top everything off, the SLK R171 Performance RS programme must of course include popular accessories such as the aerowings for the hood, the comfort vario roof module with "one touch function" and the possibility of opening or closing the roof at up to 60 km/h, the "must have" power converter for perceptibly improved acceleration and a more dynamic reaction and small attributes such as door pins with high-quality aluminium. The real glass wind deflector with perforated inserts for the roll-bar are necessities as well, since it not only enables a clear view to the rear but also reduces air vortices in the interior to a minimum and offers an optical contribution to the overall package.

Prices

Front skirt complete as indicated 1,590.00 Euros
With PDC 1,690.00 Euros

Rear skirt complete as indicated 1,355.00 Euros
With PDC 1,455.00 Euros

Side skirt with grille insert per side 450.00 Euros

Surcharge for LED skirt illumination 298.00 Euros (both sides)

Rear spoiler lip 255.00 Euros

Glass wind deflector set with bar inserts 398.00 Euros

Painted sports mirrors Pair 690.00 Euros

Complete wheel set dp2 Phantom
8.5x19 with 225/35 ZR19 front
9.5x20 with 265/25 ZR20 rear 2,900.00 Euros
Alternative
Rear 9.5 x 19 with 255/30 ZR19 2,700.00 Euros

QUADRO half system for SLK 200 1,190.00 Euros
QUADRO half system for SLK 280-350 1,285.00 Euros