Buggati 16 C Caliber
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Saab/Nespresso Concept
The Saab/Nespresso Concept, despite its odd influences has turned out rather well. The extremely raked roof line might not be ideal for rear-seat passenger head room, but it looks great. The sloping roof also helps disguise the versatile cargo space at the rear. This storage area is one of the areas in which Nespresso’s influence can be seen, as the multiple drawers and opening lids were inspired by those found on some of the company’s coffee machines. The flat deck at the rear can be used to hold larger items with the help of integrated cargo straps. Or if you prefer a more relaxed life, cushions can be placed on the rear deck to provide an impromptu seating area.
One of the Saab/Nespresso concept’s more innovative features are the “Digital Projection rims”. Basically any wheel design you want could be downloaded from Saab, and then projected onto the car so you can change your wheel rims as often as you change your ringtone. Quite how it would work in the real world is another issue, but the idea is interesting nonetheless.Helping to top up the car’s wheel projection system, along with all the other electronics, are a pair of solar panels located on the roof.
As always with these independent concepts – and especially with Saab’s current predicament – the Saab/Nespresso concept won’t be making its way into the showroom.
Mercedes-Benz have finally taken the covers off the soft-top version of the SLS AMG supercar.
The SLS AMG Roadster is currently in the final-testing phase of its three year development. The car's official unveiling, in full production form, is scheduled for the 2011 International Automobile Show in Frankfurt this September. Sales will start for the 2012 model year.
The engineers are primarily focused on making sure the drop-top SLS AMG's chassis is as rigid as possible, and the handling dynamics aren't spoiled by the lack of a solid roof section.
One of the defining features of the SLS AMG hardtop are its dramatic gullwing doors. Clearly they are impossible to integrate into convertible, so they've been ditched in favor of more conventional doors.
As the Roadster variant's production was already guaranteed during the conceptual phase for the SLS AMG, the lightweight and extremely rigid aluminum spaceframe was specified at a correspondingly early stage. Since there's no roof to span the cockpit area, it was necessary to engineer stronger, more rigid sideskirts, not just for crash performance, but because test drives showed that the driving dynamics could be enhanced by strengthening this area.
The SLS AMG Roadster is currently in the final-testing phase of its three year development. The car's official unveiling, in full production form, is scheduled for the 2011 International Automobile Show in Frankfurt this September. Sales will start for the 2012 model year.
The engineers are primarily focused on making sure the drop-top SLS AMG's chassis is as rigid as possible, and the handling dynamics aren't spoiled by the lack of a solid roof section.
One of the defining features of the SLS AMG hardtop are its dramatic gullwing doors. Clearly they are impossible to integrate into convertible, so they've been ditched in favor of more conventional doors.
As the Roadster variant's production was already guaranteed during the conceptual phase for the SLS AMG, the lightweight and extremely rigid aluminum spaceframe was specified at a correspondingly early stage. Since there's no roof to span the cockpit area, it was necessary to engineer stronger, more rigid sideskirts, not just for crash performance, but because test drives showed that the driving dynamics could be enhanced by strengthening this area.
In order to achieve handling characteristics almost identical to the Coupe, the SLS AMG Roadster has two features designed to increase the rigidity of the chassis. The cross-member carrying the dashboard has additional supporting struts at the windshield frame and at the center tunnel, and a structure between the soft top and the fuel tank stiffens the rear axle. Amazingly, the Roadster's bodyshell is only 1.8 kgs (4lbs) heavier than the Coupe's.
Engineers working on the SLS AMG Roadster paid special attention to the durability of the soft top, making sure it could withstand sustained assaults from water, sand, dust, heat and cold. One special feature of the compact soft top is the continuous water pocket: this is attached below the soft top to catch rainwater and direct it down to the underbody via two openings on each side.
The rain test at the Mercedes Technology Center (MTC) in Sindelfingen is particularly demanding. Extreme amounts of water are used to ensure that the result of the development work is watertight - which is a particular challenge in the case of roadsters or convertibles.
Tests include the hose test - when all soft top, door and flap seals are sprayed with a water-hose; the continuous overnight rain test, the fording test, the icing, swirl and high-pressure tests, and a final session in an automatic car wash. The rain test simulates every conceivable situation that can occur on any continent.
TopCar Porsche Panamera Stingray GTR
Porsche’s cars have always been a favorite of tuning companies. There’s so many of them in fact, that any Porsche owner looking to make some changes has a real buffet of modifiers to choose from. They range from the discreetly upgraded examples, where more time has been spent on raising performance levels than trying to raise eyebrows. And then there’s the bold and brash modifications which can be seen from the orbiting ISS. The TopCar Porsche Panamera Stingray GTR falls into the second category.
But that’s not to say its all spoilers, grilles and power bulges, it is that too, but they’ve been surprisingly well thought out – with the possible exception of the Cheshire-cat inspired front grille.
TopCar already produce a modification package for the Panamera called the Stingray. But at the request of some clientele in search of a more extreme package, they added GTR to the end of the title and gave the car wider arches, new bumpers front and rear, a new hood and new sideskirts. The new bodypanels are formed from carbon fiber and Kevlar, helping justify the 45,000 Euro ($63,000) price tag for the body kit alone.
TopCar already produce a modification package for the Panamera called the Stingray. But at the request of some clientele in search of a more extreme package, they added GTR to the end of the title and gave the car wider arches, new bumpers front and rear, a new hood and new sideskirts. The new bodypanels are formed from carbon fiber and Kevlar, helping justify the 45,000 Euro ($63,000) price tag for the body kit alone.
TopCar only intend to produce 25 examples of their Porsche Panamera Stingray GTR, and each car will be custom tailored to the buyer’s specifications.
As standard, the Panamera Stingray GTR will come with no engine modifications. However, and for a price, if you want them to slap the kit on a Panamera Turbo, the company will offer a range of performance modifications designed to raise the power levels – but only for the turbocharged Panamera. Fitting a sports air filter, new intake manifold and new sports exhaust will increase output to 600 horsepower. Another 100 hp can be gained by what TopCar dubiously call; ‘Sophisticated modification of the engine’.
The only other modification available is an optional Brembo brakes system.
