Honda FC Sports Car Concept

Press Release
Honda revealed the Honda FC Sport design study model, a hydrogen-powered, three-seat sports car concept, at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.

The FC Sport emphasizes the design flexibility and potential of Honda’s V Flow fuel cell technology - already deployed in the Honda FCX Clarity sedan - and reconfigures it into a lightweight sports car design with an ultra-low center of gravity, powerful electric motor performance and zero-emissions. The design study concept is inspired by supercar levels of performance through low weight and a high-performance, electrically driven fuel cell powertrain.

“The Honda FC Sport explores how to satisfy automotive performance enthusiasts in a world beyond petroleum,” said Dan Bonawitz, vice president of American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “People who love sports cars will still have a reason to love in a hydrogen-powered future.”

The high-output Honda fuel cell powertrain and a sleek, aerodynamic body contribute to the vehicle’s performance potential. A modular approach to fuel cell component packaging and the electric drivetrain contribute to the FC Sport’s low center of gravity with the majority of vehicle mass distributed between the axles, creating the balanced weight distribution sought after in sports cars.

The ideal placement of the Honda V-Flow fuel cell stack and related components demonstrates the benefits of a platform-specific, hydrogen-powered fuel cell powertrain. The Honda FC Sport is configured to accommodate a custom-formed high-power fuel cell stack, located between the rear seats, and a battery pack placed low in the middle of the vehicle. The electric motor resides just forward of the rear axle. Two fuel storage tanks, visible from above, are located above the rear axle.

The optimal placement of fuel cell components for performance also allows for a relatively large passenger cabin by conventional supercar standards with enough space for three seating positions. The interior layout focuses primarily on the driver with a racecar-like center driving position. The enclosed canopy opens upward from the rear to allow for entry and exit. Two rear passenger seats flank the driver’s left and right side.

The sleek, low-profile body is designed to convey a high-technology appearance with sculpting that combines angular shapes in the front of the vehicle that taper into geometric, hex forms in the rear. The rear hex forms house cooling radiators for the fuel cell. Formula 1-style barge boards behind the front wheels enhance high speed aerodynamics and convey the vehicle’s racing pedigree. The hydrogen storage tanks, visible from the rear deck, showcase the FC Sports fuel cell technology in much the same way that a “naked bike” motorcycle showcases its engineering technology.

The glacier white body color conveys the Honda FC Sport’s clean environmental aspirations while the dark wheels and deeply tinted glass provide a symbolic contrast befitting of the vehicle’s unique combination of clean power and high performance. Green construction techniques further contribute to a reduced carbon footprint. An organic, bio-structure theme is carried through to the body construction where exterior panels are intended to use plant-derived bio-plastics.

The Advanced Design Studio of Honda R&D Americas, in Pasadena, California, developed the Honda FC Sport design study with the primary objective of using existing fuel cell technology as the basis for an ultimate Honda sports car. Designer Jason Wilbur led the design efforts.

The Bugatti Super Sport Watch

The Bugatti Super Sport Watch

Seen on the wrist Bugatti test driver Pierre-Henri Raphanel while the beautiful Molsheim had brought down the 431 km / h top speed, a small spotlight on the latest creation of iconic Parmigiani, Bugatti’s new shows Super Sport, an exceptional timepiece that could be better exploit the confines of time to enter the legend. Inspired by the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport, it is composed of six anti-reflective sapphire and sees himself with the new caliber Parmigiani PF 372 that allows it to show 10 days of power reserve. Water resistant to 10 meters deep, it will come in a limited edition ultra-just 30 pieces, finished with the alligator and the white gold Hermès Paris, proposed for a staggering $ 259,000 dollars. The images in the suite!

Credits photos Parmigiani – more informations here

via

The Bugatti Super Sport Watch Display Design

The Bugatti Super Sport Stylist Watch Design

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport Design

Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport Car Design

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport Interior Design

The Bugatti Super Sport Watch Logo

The Bugatti Super Sport Watch Design

New Volvo C30 R-Design with sport chassis

The Volvo C30 R-Design is the nearest thing to a dedicated sports car in the Volvo model range. The new chassis is considerably sharper, with stiffer, more distinct properties. And the exclusive extra equipment gives the C30 R-Design just the right attitude.

The biggest changes in the new Volvo C30 R-Design, which make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in mid-September, are actually hidden beneath the skin. Despite the car’s extrovert body kit and design cues. Because it is the chassis and the steering that have been the main focus of attention. All with the aim of creating a sporty driving experience and a sophisticated feeling of comfort to match the very best.

“The new R-Design chassis builds further on the success of the sport chassis introduced in the Volvo S80 earlier in 2009. Although the actual properties differ between these two car categories, we’ve had plenty of good experience on which to build further in the Volvo C30,” says Stefan Sällqvist, manager Vehicle Dynamics at Volvo Cars.

Significant changes to the sport chassis

In order to meet the high standards, the R-Design chassis has been modified in several areas. The steering is more precise owing to the installation of stiffer bushings. The steering ratio is lower, giving 10 % faster response to steering wheel input. Spring stiffness has been increased by no less than 30 % in order to increase the car’s poise in enthusiastic driving. The dampers too are stiffer and are now of the exclusive mono-tube type that builds up pressure much more quickly. The roll stabilizers are stiffer to reduce any leaning tendency when taking corners.

The new sport chassis has made the C30 R-Design a better-balanced and more agile car. Road contact is more distinct and feedback from the wheels is faster and clearer, promoting a more alert feeling while driving. And that is something that also benefits safety.

“The driver should feel confident that the car will behave exactly as expected. That is an important part of our safety focus when we develop new chassis. This feeling of security also means the driver can fully enjoy the sporty driving characteristics,” says Stefan Sällqvist,

Good test results, clear differences

Volvo’s chassis experts have put the new R-Design chassis through a regime of intensive tests throughout Europe. On narrow, twisting lanes in England. At high speed on the German autobahn. On icy winter roads in the very north of Scandinavia. And the results are highly gratifying.

“A customer who test-drives the new C30 R-Design will immediately feel the difference. Even before the car has covered fifty metres, the driver will be aware of the crisp steering and the distinct chassis response. We are very pleased with the result and have considerable hope that keen drivers will feel the same way,” continues Stefan Sällqvist.

New colour-matched body kit

The most noticeable design change is an all-new body kit featuring a redesigned front and rear. The body kit is painted the same colour as the rest of the body, giving a visual impression that the car has been lowered by much more than the actual 10 mm reduction in ride height. The new C30 R-Design is also equipped with five-spoke Cratus wheels, just like the rest of the R-Design range. The interior is now available with dramatic new black upholstery as an alternative.

C30 R-Design – an overview

The R-Design package allows customers the option of choosing between seven exterior body colours and offers a range of specially designed exterior and interior details.

Exterior:

• R-Design badge in the grille
• Grille and door mirror housings in special silk metal finish
• Body kit with front and rear spoilers, lower door trim moulding and side-skirts colour-matched to the rest of the body
• New 17-inch five-spoke Cratus aluminium wheels (18-inch optional)
• Tailgate spoiler
• Visible chrome-plated sports tailpipes (90 mm)

Interior:

• Upholstery in two colour combinations: cream-coloured leather with sides in dark grey Flex-Tec, or off-black leather with edges in off-black (new)
• Embossed R-Design emblem in the front seats
• R-Design centre stack and panel inserts
• Gear lever knob trimmed in leather and aluminium
• Sports pedals in aluminium, with rubber ribs
• Sports steering wheel trimmed in leather, with R-Design emblem
• Blue speedometer and rev counter gauges
• Textile floor mats with contrasting piping

R-Design attracts new customers

The R-Design sales version has been designed for the discerning younger customer segment that is looking for a personalised car with an exclusive, sporty nature. At the same time, R-Design has become a way for Volvo Cars to boost the company’s attractiveness as a brand and to enhance a more emotive connection to its products. And customer surveys show that this strategy is paying off. On some markets, no less than 80 % of all C30 customers choose R-Design. A large proportion of these customers are under 35 years old. More than in any other instance, these are customers who have come from a different car make.

“What has enticed these customers to Volvo are the design and attitude of the R-Design model. In this way, R-Design has helped both increase our sales and bring down the average age of our customer base, both of which are very positive moves,” says Lennart Stegland, president of Volvo Special Vehicles.

2012 Porsche Panamera GTS

The new 2012 Porsche Panamera GTS 4-door sports car

Porsche has added a number of bells and whistles to an already very strong 4-door Porsche Panamera Gran Turismo to bring the world the zippier 2012 Porsche Panamera Gran Turismo Sport, even higher-performance, sportier version.

Power has been boosted from the 300 hp of the Panamera base version's 3.6L V6 to a distinctly gutsy 430 hp, generated by a 4.8L naturally aspirated V8. This tops the Panamera GTS's sister models, the Panamera S and Panamera 4S, by 30 hp, which will be handy if you ever happen to pull up alongside one at a stoplight. Ha, ha, you shall chortle as you leave them in the dust. Max torque is upped to 520 Nm from 500 Nm.

Porsche has lowered the body by a centimeter and added an "especially sportily tuned chassis with air suspension and PASM", which should presumably lead to tighter cornering. Cosmetic tweaks have been applied both hither, thither and yon on the exterior, including black highlights for that "I know I'm just schlepping the kids to the ex-wife and her irritatingly vegan socio-anthropologist boyfriend, but I'm doing it with attitude" feeling.

Porsche claims 0-100 km / h is accomplished in less than 4.5 seconds, which seems perfectly reasonable. And fuel efficiency, for a car of that size, weight and power, is acceptable at 10.9 l / 100 km, which translates into 21.5 mpg, about the same as a 2011 Toyota Tacoma pickup if you're comparison shopping Porsche Panamera GTS .

2012 Porsche Panamera GTS

The new 2012 Porsche Panamera GTS 4-door sports car

Porsche has added a number of bells and whistles to an already very strong 4-door Porsche Panamera Gran Turismo to bring the world the zippier 2012 Porsche Panamera Gran Turismo Sport, even higher-performance, sportier version.

Power has been boosted from the 300 hp of the Panamera base version's 3.6L V6 to a distinctly gutsy 430 hp, generated by a 4.8L naturally aspirated V8. This tops the Panamera GTS's sister models, the Panamera S and Panamera 4S, by 30 hp, which will be handy if you ever happen to pull up alongside one at a stoplight. Ha, ha, you shall chortle as you leave them in the dust. Max torque is upped to 520 Nm from 500 Nm.

Porsche has lowered the body by a centimeter and added an "especially sportily tuned chassis with air suspension and PASM", which should presumably lead to tighter cornering. Cosmetic tweaks have been applied both hither, thither and yon on the exterior, including black highlights for that "I know I'm just schlepping the kids to the ex-wife and her irritatingly vegan socio-anthropologist boyfriend, but I'm doing it with attitude" feeling.

Porsche claims 0-100 km / h is accomplished in less than 4.5 seconds, which seems perfectly reasonable. And fuel efficiency, for a car of that size, weight and power, is acceptable at 10.9 l / 100 km, which translates into 21.5 mpg, about the same as a 2011 Toyota Tacoma pickup if you're comparison shopping Porsche Panamera GTS .

Nissan Leaf Nismo RC First Pictures

Nissan Leaf Nismo RC This is the new Nissan Nismo Leaf RC, contested the concept of using EV drivetrain leaves are able to debut in the big apple 2011 Motor Show Nissan Leaf Nismo RC.

Nissan Leaf Nismo RC First Pictures

Nissan Leaf Nismo RC This is the new Nissan Nismo Leaf RC, contested the concept of using EV drivetrain leaves are able to debut in the big apple 2011 Motor Show Nissan Leaf Nismo RC.