Posts tagged concept
Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept is a smaller, sportier Bentley
Mar 3rd
After teasing the Bentayga SUV for so long, many speculated that Bentley would finally reveal the production model in Geneva this week. Instead, they surprised everyone with a new concept car: the 2-seater EXP 10 Speed 6. While the name is a little long-winded, its sleek styling and elegant detailing are stunning. While Bentley has not yet confirmed any details regarding production, cost, or specs, speculation indicates this will be targeted at the Ferrari F12 and Aston Martin Vanquish.
Aston Martin Unveils DBX Concept Coupe
Mar 3rd
Aston Martin has certainly been busy making headlines in recent weeks with the unveiling of new models such as the Vantage GT3 and the ultra-exclusive Vulcan, but apparently they had one more trick up their sleeve. Meet the first of its kind, all-electric, all-wheel-drive, Aston Martin DBX Concept Coupe. Making its debut at the 85th Annual Geneva International Motor Show yesterday, this is certainly a departure from what we typically associate with Aston Martin. Powered by electric, in-wheel motors, the DBX features drive-by-wire electric steering, carbon ceramic brakes, a KERS energy recovery system, and cameras where one would typically find actual mirrors.
In terms of design, there’s no doubt this is the brain-child of the engineers at Aston Martin. Featuring the signature wide-mouth grille, sleek, yet aggressive, body lines, and taillights similar to those found on Aston’s current line-up of luxury grand tourers one could argue that this is ready to join the current line-up as-is. Though we’d love to see this concept hit the road in all of its raw, concept glory, Aston Martin CEO, Andy Palmer, made it clear that this vehicle is far from production ready: “This is, clearly, not a production-ready sports GT car, but it is a piece of fresh, bold thinking about what Aston Martin GT customers around the world could request of us in the future.”
We’ll be keeping a close eye on the evolution of this beauty and we can only hope to see something street-ready in the near future. For all of the details surrounding the DBX’s debut, read the full press release below.
OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE:
ASTON MARTIN DBX CONCEPT CHALLENGES CONVENTION
3 March 2015, Gaydon: Aston Martin today challenges the nature of luxury GT travel in the 21st Century with the debut at the 85th Geneva International Motor Show of the innovative DBX Concept.
Created to defy conventional thinking about the luxury GT segment, the DBX Concept widens the appeal of the iconic British luxury brand and reaches out to a more diverse global audience than ever before.
Unveiling the concept, Aston Martin CEO Dr Andy Palmer said: “The DBX Concept is a challenge to the existing status quo in the high luxury GT segment. It envisages a world, perhaps a world not too far away, when luxury GT travel is not only stylish and luxurious but also more practical, more family-friendly and more environmentally responsible.
“I asked my team at Aston Martin to expand their thinking beyond conventions, to explore what the future of luxury GT motoring would look like in years ahead, and the DBX Concept you see before you is the result.”
Dr Palmer added: “This is, clearly, not a production-ready sports GT car, but it is a piece of fresh, bold thinking about what Aston Martin GT customers around the world could request of us in the future.
“The DBX Concept is more than a thought starter for us and for our customers, though. We will, in due course, be entering a car into the new DBX space and I am very much looking forward to seeing how this concept is received not only here today, but also by our legion of existing loyal customers and by those potential customers around the world who have, to this point, yet to consider one of our cars.”
Harmonious design
Imagined by Chief Creative Officer Marek Reichman and his team at the brand’s global headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire, the all-electric DBX Concept showcases not only cutting edge engineering but also a major evolution of the British brand’s world-renowned and highly-regarded design language.
Clearly signalling an extension to the brand’s existing model lines in the future, the all-wheel drive DBX Concept seamlessly combines traditional Aston Martin beauty with elegant new engineering that gracefully aligns form and function.
Capable of accommodating four adults in comfort, the DBX Concept also majors on day-to-day practicality. It offers generous luggage capacity by virtue of the fact that its rear trunk and forward load bay can both accept passengers’ belongings.
Opulence and cutting edge style go hand-in-hand in the DBX Concept thanks to a unique fusion of high luxury and advanced technology. These characteristics, allied to the ingenious use of unconventional materials and finishes inside and out, are calculated to further broaden the appeal of Aston Martin.
The concept’s exterior bright work emphasises the brand’s approach to the use of authentic materials, and is made up of machined billet aluminium with visible milling lines in a piece of exquisite craftsmanship intended to be seen as the car’s jewellery. The DBX Concept’s unique paint finish – Black Pearl Chromium – has been specially created to mimic the look of a genuine black pearl, and comprises a micro-fine layer of chrome to deliver a level of reflectivity that cannot be obtained through normal paint finishes.
Inside, the deliberate use of non-automotive standard materials generates a uniquely soft, cocooning ambience. The extensive application of velvet-like Nubuck leather contrasts with the concept’s hard, hi-tech equipment. The exposed leather reveals a sandwiched accent layer, more akin to high-end furniture, while the car’s interior bright ware matches that of the exterior with the addition of a gold ‘pin striping’ element on the edging.
Marek Reichman explained: “The exceptional craftsmanship, with detailing more typically seen on luxury consumer goods or fine jewellery, gives the DBX Concept genuinely global appeal.”
Experimental engineering
Embracing the very latest engineering techniques and theories, the DBX Concept needs no engine compartment thanks to its use of electric, inboard-of-wheel, motors powered by lithium sulphur cells.
Drive-by-wire electric steering, toughened glass with an auto-dimming ‘smart glass’ inter-layer, and bespoke driver and passenger head-up displays are further examples of its cutting edge technology.
Active LED exterior lights, carbon ceramic brakes with a kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) and rear view cameras in place of conventional mirrors also underline the mould-breaking nature of this luxury GT concept.
Dr Palmer explained: “A concept car such as this should, in my view, challenge conventional thinking and explore the art of the possible. In the DBX Concept, I believe we have created a new type of luxury car that can not only broaden the appeal of Aston Martin to a whole new generation of customers, but sit with pride alongside the rest of our range.”
Bentley to Introduce Hybrid Concept
Apr 10th
Bentley will finally introduce a plug-in hybrid technology to the luxury market at this years Beijing International Automotive Exhibition on April 20th. The unveiling of the Bentley Hybrid Concept vehicle gives us a sneak peek into the future of the all-new Bentley SUV which will be available in 2017.
Bentley hopes with the addition of a hybrid vehicle to their lineup, customers will have a wider choice of modern, powerful and efficient powertrains. Power in the vehicle will be increased up to 25% and co2 emissions will be reduced by up to 70%. Bentley ensures this will all be done with no compromise to the luxury and timeless design that the brand is so well-known for. The Hybrid Concept is based on the flagship model in the Bentley family, the Mulsanne.
“There is no doubt that plug-in hybrid technology is true to Bentley’s values of outstanding luxury and effortless performance. Combining our renowned engines with electric power reinforces and enhances both principles, and so we will gradually introduce this powertrain across our model range. By the end of the decade, at least 90% of our production will be available as a plug-in hybrid. We are proud to be pioneering these developments in the luxury sector” states Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, Dr Wolfgang Schreiber.
If you’re headed to the Beijing International Auto Show make sure to stop by and check out the Bentley Hybrid Concept as well as the new Flying Spur V8 which will be making its Chinese debut, the Continental GT Speed and the new Continental GT V8 S. Stay tuned for more updates on these exciting announcements from Bentley Motors!
Maserati’s Ambitious Plans for the Future
Oct 2nd
The GranCabrio MC debuted at the Paris Auto Show this year and with that came insight to Maserati’s ambitious future plans. The first upcoming model we will see from Maserati is the next generation Quattroporte. It is reported that the vehicle will debut within the next year, possibly at the Detroit Auto Show.
Maserati will also introduce a new high-end four-door sedan the Ghibli, a name which was previously used for a 2-seater GT and convertible from 1967 to 1973 and again from 1992 to 1997.
The next new model will be Maserati’s first SUV, the Levante. It is set to debut in 2014. The concept was initially previewed at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show as the Kubang concept but it was recently announced that the name was changed to Levante. The name represents Via Emilia Levante in Bologna, Italy, where the Maserati brothers built the company that will be celebrating it’s centennial in 2014. This makes the name and release date very fitting.
Maserati hopes that with these additions to the lineup they will produce 50,000 vehicles by 2015.
Bentley Continental GT3 Concept Revealed
Sep 27th
At the 2012 Paris Motor Show this week Bentley debuted the Continental GT3, its high-performance concept car derived from their Continental GT Speed. Bentley has been noticeably absent from the motorsports world in recent events but that is all about to change once the GT3 goes into development. Bentley will run comprehensive test programs over next year to determine what needs to be done before the car can hit the track.
The design of this concept is based on Bentley’s fastest car to date, the new Continental GT Speed. The concept includes heat extractors in the hood to reduce front-end lift at high speeds, a front splitter, a side exhaust, and a hefty rear wing. As if that wasn’t enough, engineers have also shaved an astonishing 2,200 pounds off the vehicle’s overall weight to increase speed and performance even further.
Bentley chief executive Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber says, “The clear message from our customers is that Bentley belongs on the racetrack, and the Continental GT3 is the realisation of a dream we’ve had ever since the launch of the Continental GT. The new GT Speed is the perfect car for us to develop into a racer, and our work so far has shown huge potential. The Continental GT3 is set to show the world what the Continental GT is capable of in its most extreme form, and establishes a solid foundation for Bentley’s long-term motorsport plans.”
We look forward to the development of the GT3 and hope to see it in action by the end of 2013.
Revealed: Bentley EXP 9 F
Mar 6th
Have you outgrown your Continental GT? Do you find the Range Rover too common? The Cayenne Turbo too slow? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, Bentley has your answer. Welcome, everyone, to the Bentley EXP 9 F concept.
Destined to be the most powerful and most luxurious SUV ever built, the EXP 9 F will be the third model in Bentley’s lineup, alongside the Mulsanne and Continental ranges. Revealed the night before the start of the Geneva Auto Show, the EXP 9 F is very elegantly styled, featuring a prominent hood, flat beltline, a generous grennhouse and Bentley’s hallmark matrix grille. You’ll also recognize the well-defined power line that runs over the front fenders and through the door handles towards the prominent rear “haunch,” just as you’ll find on the Continental GT.
The interior is as opulent as one would expect from the folks in Crewe, with leather, wood and chrome everywhere. The “T” shaped dashboard echoes the design found in the Mulsanne, and Bentley expects the EXP 9 F’s interior to set new benchmarks for luxury in the SUV segment.
They also expect the performance to set new benchmarks for the SUV sector. Motiviation will likely come from the venerable 6.0L W12 found in the Continental Range with the power being sent through an advanced all-wheel drive system. Power and torque figures haven’t yet been released, but expect to see north of 600 horsepower and more than 590 pound-feet of torque.
Pricing hasn’t yet been released, but stay tuned to the Twin Cities Luxury Auto blog for updates as we get them. For those of you anxious to get line for the EXP 9 F, we expect it to be in our showroom by sometime in 2015-16. We’re now taking pre-orders.
Head on over to Bentley Motors’ website for more information about the EXP 9 F, or over to Autoweek for their write-up on the EXP 9 F.
Source: Bentley Motors
Via: Autoweek
Via Autoblog: Maserati Quattroporte Replacement Coming to Frankfurt
Mar 24th
It’s been around for some time now, but the Maserati Quattroporte is still one of the best looking, sounding, and driving sedans on the planet. The competition is only getting more and more fierce, though, with the likes of the Porsche Panamera and the Aston Martin Rapide fighting for the same buyers as the Quattroporte.
Autoblog is reporting that we should see the replacement for the long-in-the-tooth Quattroporte later this year at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Expect to see styling that echoes the design language used on the current GranTurismo and GranTurismo Convertible, as well as a more powerful and more fuel efficient version of the 4.7L V8 currently used in the Quattroporte S (the 4.2L is being phased out later this year), as well as an all-wheel drive option. There is also a possibility that the base powerplant could be an all-new turbocharged V6, though nothing has yet been confirmed.
Head on over to Autoblog to read what they had to say.
Stay tuned to our blog for more information as we get it.
source [Inside Line]
via [Autoblog]
Rendered Speculation: Bentley looking to expand with entry coupe, crossover? (from Autoblog)
Mar 4th
It’s no secret that Bentley’s sales have lagged a bit in the past couple of years. To combat that decline, the folks in Crewe have put a great deal of focus into strengthening their line-up with cars like the Continental Supersports, the Mulsanne, and the soon-to-be-released 2012 Continental GT. It looks like they aren’t going to stop there, however. Nothing has been confirmed yet, but we may see something along the lines of a Mercedes CLS competitor, as well as a crossover to fight the likes of the Porsche Cayenne and Maserati’s upcoming SUV.
Here’s what Autoblog had to say:
Rumors continue to swirl that incoming Bentley boss Wolfgang Dürheimer, who previously served as head of research and development at Porsche, is looking long and hard at how to expand the luxury marque’s product line. Considering Dürheimer’s experience making magic happen at Porsche, it seems likely that Bentley would tap into the platform used for the Panamera sedan, and that’s exactly what the blokes from Auto Express are suggesting.
The first new model may be an ultra-luxe machine that would fit into the burgeoning four-door-coupe segment. If so, expect a price tag in the mid-$250,000 range and engine choices ranging from the tried-and-true W12 to a new turbocharged 4.0-liter V8.
Those powertrains may also find their way into the engine bay of a Bentley crossover, says Auto Express. As much as some may protest, a Porsche Cayenne-based Bentley with a price near the $200K mark would seem a very real possibility… as would an optional diesel engine, which would be new territory for the brand.
Finally, the long-rumored entry-level (can anything with a $150,000 price tag be called entry-level?) Bentley coupe that would slot below the Continental GT is still a talking point. Branching out into any or all of these segments are seen as a way to get back to the 10,000-unit peak sales year of 2007, as compared to just 4,616 units in 2009.
Head on over to Auto Express to see some rendered speculation on what these vehicles could potentially look like.
via [Autoblog]
source [Auto Express]
GranTurismo MC Corse Concept Revealed
Sep 29th
9/24 – Maserati’s new concept car was unveiled during the Maserati Day, an event held at Monza. No word yet on whether this car will be produced for GT racing, but I think we’ll see this competing in 2009, in either the FIA GT3 European Championship series that the Gran Sport Light used to compete in, or possibly the GT4 class that the Trofeo Light currently competes in.
Maserati’s race engineers have fine tuned the GranTurismo S’ aerodynaic efficiency with a new front bumper – increasing airflow to the engine and brakes, and a front “chin spoiler” for additional downforce. The hood features a new large air intake plus cooling vents towards the rear.
The front of the car now features side air-vents which lead into the new side skirts under the doors. To the rear of the car the boot spoiler has been re-sculpted to produce increased down force to match the front splitter. The lower rear bumper has been re-worked to incorporate additional air vents and centrally located tailpipes.
The Maserati Racing Department engineers have made major improvements to reduce the car’s weight while also enhancing its performance. The chassis has been significantly lightened and stiffened with the application of an integral rollcage, to meet FIA regulations.
The coachwork, partially modified to meet new FIA regulations, is in composite material. This has led to better weight distribution and an overall weight under 3,100 lbs, a 1,000 lb reduction from the production GranTurismo S.
The suspension, brakes, wheels and tires have seen upgrades to meet racing specification including: Single-rate racing dampers, larger brake discs with moobloc racing calipers, and new 13×18″ rear and 12×18″ front wheels wrapped in racing slicks.
The engine has been revised to further increase performance without impairing reliability. The 4.7L V8 now generates 450 hp, and 376 lb-ft of torque at 4750 rpm. The intake and exhaust systems have been revised through a new open element air filter beneath the large hood inlet, and a full racing exhaust system with race-type catalytic converters and silencers.
Specifications:
- Engine: V8
- Displacement: 4,691 cc
- Maximum power: 450 hp
- Maximum torque: 376 lb-ft at 4,750 rpm
- Power to weight ratio: < 7lbs/hp
- Body: In composite material. Windscreen, rear, and side windows in Lexan.
- Chassis: In welded steel with integral rollcage structure, FIA approved
- Interior: Backward-set driving position, with racing seat, dashboard and control console in carbon througout. 6-point HANS compatible seat-belt.
- Electrical System: Specific, with data acquisition system.
- Fuel Tank: 26.4 gallon, with carbon safety structure, FIA approved.
- Brakes: Steel discs, front ⌀ 15″, ⌀ rear 12.5″, without ABS.
- Wheels: Front 12×18″, rear 13×18″
- Tires: Racing slicks
- Weight: < 3,100 lbs
Links:
maseraticorse.com