Saturday, June 13, 2009

Contest of Design in Los Angeles AutoShow


Like every year, the Los Angeles Autoshow takes place the design in which several brands of the North American market, this year's theme "Motorsports 2025", which marks displayed motorsport competitions in the year 2025.

Were presented for outstanding work Design ¿Motorsports 2025?, there were marks that surprised with the developments proposed in such a short space of time. Other solutions to current problems or are cars that could never be output.

It is interesting to see how the majority of brands focused on an electric future, where the ecology is leaving footprints across projects and future visions.

Below is a description of the most prominent so you know:

- Audi R25, designed to compete in American Le Mans Series (ALMS), is powered by wireless electric (WiTricity) may move at full speed in tunnels, even upside down in turns and rebases. Your engine may be fueled with bio-fuel derived from algae. Has an interface where all vehicle data may be viewed from the pilot's helmet, in addition to being equipped with sensors and cameras integrated high definition to interact with viewers in an experience "virtual", where the public can enjoy something more than the simple passive viewing of events.

- BMW Power Hidrogen 0810-7, the German company proposed a simple model with this philosophy, "Do not wait for extraordinary circumstances for good deeds, make them in ordinary situations" (Jean Paul Richter). This prototype is an example of recycling to set up your body.

 - GM Chaparral Volt, even though its exterior design is quite traditional, the interior is equipped with technology. The intention is to revive GM's North American race Los Angeles Times Grand Prix, a race that was organized to raise funds for charitable purposes. The firm proposed an American vehicle to use more renewable energy sources for its propulsion as: Earth, generate electricity through the conservation of kinetic moment of the forces of gravity and friction with the air, and the difference between thermal the vehicle and the environment that surrounds it. Wind, the car has two turbines that suck air from the bottom of the vehicle, to create "downforce" that adheres to the road car, while the same device regenerates energy during braking, and finally the Fire source primary energy form small photovoltaic units spread throughout the body, drawing energy from the sun.

- Honda Great Race 2025, this vehicle has sensors that detect the position of the land and its changes, is also able to modify your settings accordingly. Thus, it can take different forms for travel by land, sea and air, providing a considerable advantage over its rivals. The aim of the race is going around the world in 24 hours across United States by land, by sea Asia and Europe by air.

- Mazda Kaan, a prototype electric vehicle designed to be part of the E1 Series, a competition that, according to the designers of Mazda, will become the summit of sports cars, eliminating the F1. This car uses a propulsion system based on cables that carry energy. This will accumulate on the solar panels which are then transferred to the tracks, where the automobile. Not only will that be on the track, according to its designers, in the year 2025 would be something that also use the highways of California. The Kaan is capable of reaching 400 km / h, with engines embedded in its own wheels, while regenerative braking functions.

- Mercedes-Benz Formula Zero, the German House has a concept of a car halfway between a formula and a sailboat. The Formula Zero has four electric motors, one for each wheel, while a candle. The aim of the competition is to perform a given route as efficiently as possible, so that the use of wind and not to waste electricity becomes available in the decisive factors.

- Mitsubishi MMR25; is a prototype vehicle with the design of omnidirectional wheels with rollers can be oriented in different positions, the MMR25 is capable of moving in any direction regardless of the relative position of the body. In addition to its sophisticated wheels, with an oblique aerodynamics where the wing leading varies depending on your design needs. Front and rear spoilers while serving as a support for the wheels and suspension. The vehicle is capable of an SUV on the road and beyond.

- Toyota Lemans Racer, is a vehicle designed to run with all the advantages and possible technology, powered by electric motors with high efficiency hydrogen fuel and solar panels into the body to provide extra recharge by sunlight. The Toyota Lemans Racer are two ways you can change as needed. The first is a format for running a high-speed lines, which can reach 564 km / h. The second is the bends, where the vehicle is expanding to improve grip. The interior has great technology easy to use and a virtual reality system for low visibility situations.

- VW Bio Runner, designed to sit in Raid Baja 1000, which proposed that the pilots moved without copilot. Furthermore only provide 10 gallons of fuel (38 liters) to complete the test. The VW Bio Power has two turbines powered by fuel biosynthetic turning to 50,000 rpm and producing electricity for electric motors of the vehicle.

Thursday, June 11, 2009

Super Car: Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition


For more than 25 years, the automobile manufacturer Gemballa Automobiltechnik GmbH & Co. KG builds exclusive sports cars which are based on the Porsche model range. Thereby, the company under the management of the founder Uwe Gemballa always sets standards regarding engine performance, innovative automobile design and exclusive interior.

This is impressively confirmed by numerous lap records on the most difficult race track of the world, the Nürburgring Nordschleife. And also by winning many awards such as the renowned "red dot design award". And last but not least by thrilled customers all over the world. 


And also the latest super sports car - the Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition - limited to only 5 pieces will conquer the motor sports hearts of its future owners in supersonic speed. Based on the Porsche Carrera GT the specialists from Leonberg near Stuttgart present an extremely attractive version of the Mirage GT.

The eye-catching main evolutionary characteristic is the Gemballa body element production in carbon fibre. But that is not all: ultra-light aerodynamics components which have been optimised in the wind tunnel and a power engine with powerful 670 hp top performance render an impressive top speed of 335 km/h. A ground-breaking, hydraulic, height-adjustable coilover kit is especially adjusted to the Gemballa wheel-tyre combination GT SPORT Forged and this interplay provides perfect road handling. And also the interior is upgraded from the floor room to the roof lining. Perfectly processed and stylishly arranged leather and carbon turn every Mirage GT cockpit into an exclusive unique masterpiece. 

Carbon - as far as the eye can see
Already the serial version of the Porsche Carrera GT presents itself with an abundance of ultra-light and high-strength carbon material. And Gemballa continues this trend in the Mirage GT Carbon Edition by using it as the main component of all body parts. Each single element of the Gemballa aerodynamics design is optimised in the wind tunnel, produced in perfect surface quality and accurately fitted into the automobile. 

The core part of the newly designed Mirage GT front is the striking apron with the enhanced air inlets for an improved ventilation of the front coolers. In combination with the new front lip, Gemballa does not only achieve an aggressive look, but also generates additional downthrust. Also the front wings and the bonnet are replaced by proprietary development components. At the flanks, you find newly designed side skirts. 

These calm down the air duct between the axles and send additional cooling air to the brake system through integrated passages. The new diffuser which is fitted into the new rear skirt stabilises the rear section at high speeds and in connection with the enlarged rear wing, it generates contact pressure at the rear axle. 

Further advancements are provided by the individually adjustable Gurney flap which is inserted in the wing profile. The body kit is perfected with the Gemballa roof channel as well as the air scoop of the engine compartment and the rear view camera casing. 

3.7 seconds from zero to hundred km/h - accompanied by an incomparable exhaust sound
But the Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition does not only impress with its fascinating design. As a result of an optimised engine management and a special exhaust system with sport catalysts and pneumatic valve control, not only the engine performance and the acceleration improve significantly. Due to its 670 hp / 493 kW at 8,000 rpm and 630 Newton metres at 5,700 rpm, the ten-cylinder accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in breath-taking 3.7 seconds. The top speed is 335 km/h and therefore also faster than the basic model. For an enhanced gas pedal response, the Gemballa technicians fit a sports clutch with special pads. Especially when driving stop and go in city traffic, this is an enormous advantage and allows a smooth and bucking-free take-off. 

Innovative running gear technology for the race track and for everyday use
The running gear components in the Mirage are especially adjusted to the enhanced engine performance and sporty driving manner. They consist of four individually adjustable coilover dampers in a unit with progressively coiled double springs. For everyday use, the electro-hydraulic height-adjustment is extremely innovative and enormously helpful. By pushing a button in the passenger compartment, it is possible to lift the body by 45 millimetres at the front- and rear axle and therefore allows driving over obstacles such as underground car park entrances and traffic ramps. Also by pushing a button or by reaching 80 km/h, the MIRAGE lowers itself to its original level. As the perfect wheel-tyre combination, Gemballa gits the multi-part rims GT SPORT Forged in the dimension 9.5 x 19 and 12.5 x 20 with tyres in the serial measurement 265/35 ZR19 at the front axle and 335/30 ZR20 at the rear axle. 

Exclusive interior design without limits
Gemballa presents the perfect symbiosis between sportive functionality and luxurious ambience. The interior designers combine the most precious materials such as fine leather, ultra-suede and carbon fibre in a very stylish way. The leather which is processed with expert hand is very resilient and yet extremely soft. The characteristic natural product with its individual grain and the masterly decorative stitching render an extravagant look around the newly designed centre console. The latter is entirely made of carbon fibre and contains the Gemballa Multimedia unit and the Data Control System. 

The harmonically integrated display presents driving data such as acceleration, cross-acceleration and deceleration values. Another highlight in the Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition is the full-size airbag sports steering wheel with a diameter of 340 millimetres. 

Gemballa - the specialist for high end Porsche refinements and innovative engineering design offers the entire refining set for the Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition which is only limited to 5 specimen from 298,000 euros (net price, without basic automobile).