Supercar Carlsson C25

German tuning company Carlsson has presented a preview of the C25, a super GT based on the SL65 AMG Black Series and powered by a 753 hp 6.0 liter V12 engine. It will feature an in-house developed design and will be produced in a limited series of 25 units.

The C25 will be the first in-house developed car for German company Carlsson, specialized in Mercedes-Benz tuning.

The new super GT will be powered by the 6.0 V12 engine that is adopted on the SL65 AMG Black Series, which in this edition delivers 753 hp and 1320 Nm at 3750 rpm.

The 0-100 km/h acceleration takes just 3.7 seconds and the top speed is 352 km/h.

The C25 will debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show and will be produced in a limited series of 25 units, each tailored to the specific customer's requirements.

"We exclusively make the cars to order and the delivery quantity for 2010 is already sold out", says CEO, Dipl. Ing. (FH) Markus Schuster.

Among the technical highlights is the C-Tronic Suspension lowering system, which automatically recognises the road characteristics and driving manners and constantly adjusts the suspension setting accordingly.

The original design is characterized by the elongated front end with the tapered lobe between the powerful shoulders which craves ahead and the generously dimensioned air inlets in the typical Carlsson trapezoid form which supply the engine with the necessary ventilation.

The ultra-light and forged wheels 1/10 UL in the dimensions 9,5x20 and 12x20 inches have been specifically designed for the C25 and are equipped with high performance tyres measuring 265/30 at the front and 325/25 at the rear live axle.

One wheel just weighs 11.2 kilograms and is 40 percent lighter than custom light alloy wheels.

The brake system has 405 mm race discs at the front and 380 mm race discs at the rear.

The elongated flat rear screen and the restrained tearing edge on the boot lit as well as the generously dimensioned double diffuser render the required downthrust and therefore the C25 does not need any extensible spoilers.

In order to emphasise the uniqueness of the C25, Carlsson has also developed a new rear- and front lights design.

Inside, the characteristic trapezoid elements at the front and back are also found on the steering wheel. On the seats and the centre console the edged shape is used as well.

Among the high quality materials used are real carbon, tanned buffalo leather and ultra-suede in special colours.

(Source: Carlsson)

Design Director car

Saab has announced the appointment of Jason Castriota as its new Design Director. The former Bertone and Pininfarina designer will lead the activities to renew the brand and expand the product range.

Saab has appointed Jason Castriota - designer of the Ferrari P4/5 and the Bertone Mantide - as new Design Director. According to the first unofficial information Castriota will lead the design of the next 9-1 and 9-3 models, expected for 2012.

From the official Press Release:

Saab Automobile today announced the appointment of former Bertone and Pininfarina designer Jason Castriota as its new Design Director.

Castriota, 36, now takes the lead role in design at Saab, reporting directly to Saab Automobile CEO Jan Ake Jonsson.

He and his design company will be responsible for exterior and interior design and will lead the design activities at Saab as the brand renews and broadens its product range.

Announcing the appointment, Jan Ake Jonsson said: "We're delighted to welcome Jason to our leadership team.

"He has an outstanding track record in automotive design and will help us take the brand forward. He will play a key role in expressing all that's best in the innovative tradition of Saab design as we carry our brand's roots into the future."

"I'm greatly looking forward to joining such an iconic brand," said Castriota.

"Saab has a very strong and distinctive heritage which gives it great potential to develop. This is an exciting opportunity for me to help shape its future products."

Victor Muller, Saab Automobile's Chairman, added: "Bringing a young, highly-talented designer to Saab underlines the company's determination to produce cars which stand out because of their unique aircraft inspired, Swedish identity. With Jason heading up Saab design, we will be making landmark cars for the foreseeable future."

Castriota hails from New York and graduated from Emerson College in Boston before attending the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, California.

In 2001, he left the college to join Pininfarina's design studio in Turin, Italy. He took up the position of Director of Design at Stile Bertone in 2008 and then opened a design consultancy with offices in New York and Turin.

His recruitment is an important strategic step by Saab in its renaissance as a newly-independent carmaker.

(Source: Saab)

car Honda unveils 2011 Accord

Honda has revealed the 2011 Accord model, which showcases a new sharpened exterior and interior design and increased fuel efficiency. It will be available either as a sedan or a coupé and will go on sale in mid-August.

Set to go on sale in mid-August, the 2011 Honda Accord Sedan and Coupe have received several updates, including a new exterior and interior styling, improved fuel economy, and the addition of a new Special Edition (SE) trim level.

The 2011 Accord Sedan's exterior expresses a more upscale and dynamic presence with a new style for the front grille, front bumper and rear deck lid, along with a new wheel design.

Building on the sedan's character, the Accord Coupe's has a different muscular stance, enhanced by the bolder front grille design, new front bumper shape, enhanced brakelight appearance and a new wheel design for V-6 models.

Available as either a sedan or a coupe in 4-cylinder and V-6 variations, the new Accord achieves significant fuel economy improvements, in the range of about 2 miles per gallon (mpg) in the city and 3 mpg on the highway, for a city/highway rating of 23/34 mpg.

This result was also possible thanks to the improvements to vehicle aerodynamics, engine friction and transmission gear ratios.

The range of engines will include a 2.4-liter, 16-valve DOHC i-VTEC 4-cylinder unit with 177-190 hp and a 3.5-liter, 24-valve SOHC i-VTEC® V-6 engine which delivers 271 hp and 19 city/30 highway mpg.

Depending on the models, the units re coupled with a 6-speed manual transmission, 5-speed manual transmission or a 5-speed automatic gearbox.

The newly-added SE trim level includes leather-trimmed seating, heated seats, driver's power-lumbar support and a leather-trimmed steering wheel.

(Source: Honda)

Car Jaguar XKR 75

At the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed Jaguar is presenting the XKR 75, a special edition that celebrates the brand's 75th anniversary. Among the features are tuned engine and suspensions and a new aerodynamic body pack. It will be produced in 75 units priced from £85,000.

Created to celebrate Jaguar's 75th anniversary, the Jaguar XKR 75 makes its debut at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

In this special edition the 5.0-litre supercharged engine delivers 530PS compared to the standard 510 PS XKR - and 655Nm. The top speed is electronically limited to 174mph (280km/h), and the 0-60mph (100km/h) acceleration time is reduced from 4.6 to 4.4 seconds.

Based on the same lightweight aluminium architecture of the XK, the increased power of the Jaguar XKR 75 is matched by a revised suspension system.

The new aerodynamic body pack with a front splitter, side sills extensions, a rear diffuser and larger rear spoiler, which provide increased balance and a reduction in lift.

The new Stratus Grey paint finish is contrasted by the red brake callipers a nd the 20-inch gloss Vortex forged lightweight alloys with a dark technical finish and diamond turn.

Customers will have the option to apply a unique body graphic that runs from the front bumper to the rear haunches.

The interior is finished in Charcoal with ivory stitch, piano black finish to facia and centre console and a Jet suedecloth headlining.

Production of the Jaguar XKR 75 is limited to just 75 vehicles, which will be available to order from July 2010 and priced from £85,500 OTR. Deliveries will begin in October 2010.

(Source: Jaguar)

CAR Aston Martin DB9

Aston Martin has presented the renewed DB9 model line-up. Including the Coupe and Volante (covertible) variants), the DB9 features a restyled front end, new headlight units and an Adaptive Damping System.The market launch is expected for next July.

Among the styling changes of the 2010 Aston Martin DB9 are the new front bumper, bright finish radiator grille and a re-shaped lower intake featuring bright hexagonal mesh.

Additional renewed details include new headlight bezels, re-styled sills, silver brake calipers, 20-spoke diamond turned alloy wheels and clear rear light lenses complete the external revisions.

The DB9's passive damping system has been replaced by a new Adaptive Damping System (ADS), which offers enhanced ride comfort together with sharper handling when switched to Sport mode.

A new tyre pressure monitoring system, a revised Bluetooth microphone system and the addition of a new Double Apex alloy finish trim and Bang & Olufsen hi-fi options broaden the DB9's specification.

The Aston Martin DB9 is available as either Coupe or Volante (convertible) with rear mid-mounted six-speed manual gearbox as standard or optional 'Touchtronic 2' six-speed automatic transmission.

Production of the new DB9 has already started and the first deliveries will begin in July 2010, with prices starting from £122,445 for the DB9 Coupe and £131,445 for the DB9 Volante.

From the official Press Release:

Design

According to Aston Martin's Director of Design, Marek Reichman, subtlety and fine attention to detail is the key: "The beauty of an Aston Martin comes from harmonious proportions, a ground-hugging stance, taut surfacing and a complete and thorough attention to detail. The DB9 epitomises these qualities; it is beautiful but subtle – not attention seeking."

At the front a new bumper is the main change, with a re-shaped lower intake featuring hexagonal mesh to compliment the new bright finish radiator grille.

New headlamp bezels complete the fresh nose treatment.

In profile the DB9's sill has also been changed, with a more prominent 'hockey stick' curve ahead of the rear wheels.

Marek Reichman explains: "The DB9 remains one of the world's most beautiful sports cars and is instantly recognisable as an Aston Martin; the changes we have introduced here modernise the DB9 to keep it at the forefront of automotive design."

Other changes include silver brake calipers, 20-spoke diamond turned alloy wheels as standard, together with new design option wheels and a bright finish grille.

Clear rear light lenses are also standard. Inside Double Apex alloy finish is now added to the list of options, along with the exceptional BeoSound audio system from Bang & Olufsen.

(Source: Aston Martin)