February 2010 - Cars, Concept & Design

Bentley Aero Ace next-gen Speed VI concept car

The brainchild of Gabriel Tam, this Bentley Aero Ace Speed VI concept is an inspiration from the original Speed 6 driven to victory by the Bentley Boys of the ’20s at Le Mans. The next-generation Speed VI vehicle will be powered by electricity and is explicitly a sporting vehicle with the aggression of the blood racer. However, it is meticulously designed while keeping in mind the elegance Bentley is known for.

Bentley Aero Ace next-gen Speed VI concept car

The Bentley aero ace is a revolutionary aerodynamic concept that has been developed to become a part of the future Bentley design aesthetic, as well as reducing energy consumption. The design was inspired to signify the raw aggression of a sporting vehicle, while paying close attention to the aerodynamic properties of each element of the vehicle. The adjustable aerofoil / spoiler feature double wishbone suspension to maximize the efficiency.

Bentley Aero Ace next-gen Speed VI concept car

During the design process, close attention was paid to refining the aerodynamic properties of the vehicle so as to improve its efficiency and increase its speed. Moreover, a double wishbone suspension has been integrated within the adjustable spoiler/aerofoil to further better its efficiency.

Bentley Aero Ace next-gen Speed VI concept car

The air intakes to keep the electric motors of the vehicle cool feed out to twin rear heat exhaust ducts. Integrated diffusers aid air flow and create downforce. The battery pack of the vehicle has been evenly distributed and the vehicle has a 1+1 seating layout for optimal weight distribution. Electric motors are located towards the rear of the vehicle, while the battery cells are located towards the front in an even arrangement to balance the weight.

Bentley Aero Ace next-gen Speed VI concept car

2011 Buick Regal Sports Sedan to customers in the L.A.

LOS ANGELES – On Thursday Buick will reveal the 2011 Regal sport sedan to customers in the L.A. area. Armed with turbocharged horsepower the 2011 Buick Regal, a driver-selectable suspension system and a firm, European-tuned chassis, it delivers a driving experience that rivals the best import sport sedans in the segment. "The 2011 Buick Regal is like nothing you've ever experienced from this brand," said Susan Docherty, general manager of Buick GMC. "The Buick Regal is the next chapter in Buick's transformation and will expand the portfolio to include a sport sedan."

The new Buick Regal arrives in the second quarter of 2010, with its sights aimed squarely on competitors like the Acura TSX and Volvo S60. It has a longer wheelbase and greater trunk volume than those vehicles, along with standard features - including a six-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch wheels and OnStar - that aren't offered standard on either competitor.

The Buick Regal's development is rooted in Germany, where the globally led engineering team created the award-winning Opel Insignia - the 2009 European Car of the Year. The Insignia has garnered more than 31 prestigious awards and is the best-selling midsize sedan in Europe. Buick Regal will bring all of Insignia's award-winning design, technology and European-inspired performance capabilities to the American market.

2011 Buick Regal Sports Sedan to customers in the L.A.

The Buick Regal has already been a success on another continent, in China. It went on sale in December 2008 and more than 64,000 Regals have been sold there. Enthusiastic customers cite its sculpted, flowing design and responsive performance as the top reasons for purchase.

The Buick Regal's sleek design blends the sweeping silhouette and proportions of a coupe in a progressive package that suggests motion from all angles. Great attention to detail complements that aggressive styling, with tailored applications of Buick's signature design cues, such as the waterfall grille, select use of chrome trim and superior fit and finish of the exterior panels.

The car's performance-oriented spirit is also conveyed in sleek, sculpted body-side detail and aggressive headlamps that further suggest motion. At the rear, an abbreviated deck and tucked-in body panels are the hallmarks of a contemporary sport sedan, with bold taillamps and their intricate lighting elements reinforcing Buick Regal's attention to detail. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard.

"There is great design harmony between the exterior and interior," said Cafaro. "The feeling of flow and motion carries through in an engaging manner that makes you want to take the Buick Regal out to your favorite twisting road to see what it can do."

The Buick Regal's finely crafted, sporty and well-appointed interior builds on the exceptional attention to detail found in the Enclave and LaCrosse, blending signature styling cues with contemporary sport sedan aesthetics.

2011 Buick Regal Sports Sedan to customers in the L.A.

Unique with its all-four-cylinder powertrain, the Buick Regal relies on the excellent horsepower-per-liter ratio of the Ecotec engine family to deliver smart, on-demand performance that is also very efficient.

Both the standard 2.4L engine and the available 2.0L turbo use direct injection technology to optimize performance, reduce emissions and maximize fuel efficiency. The 2.4L is the same engine offered in the Buick LaCrosse, but in the smaller, lighter Buick Regal, it delivers more agile performance. The 2.0L turbo cements the sport sedan credibility of the Buick Regal, with on-demand power comparable to a V-6, but the inherent efficiency of a four-cylinder. To ensure responsive power across the rpm range, the 2.0L turbo uses a twin-scroll turbocharger that builds power quickly at lower rpm.

2011 Buick Regal Sports Sedan to customers in the L.A.

Distinct, uniquely calibrated six-speed automatic transmissions are paired with each engine. Both offer driver shift control that enhances the sporty driving feel of the Buick Regal.

Buick Regal's Interactive Drive Control System chassis technology (available on models with the available 2.0L turbo engine) offers enhanced vehicle stability and greater driving safety. It is designed to change the personality of the car based on the personality of the driver.

Turbo Porsche Panamera SpeedART Sports Saloon

German tuner and Porsche specialist SpeedART celibrates its 10th birthday. As a celebration they have created an exhaust package for the Porsche Panamera Turbo.The PS9 package for the German sports saloon ups the ante with numerous aero add-ons and a bevy of performance upgrades. The Sport-Abgas system provides your Panamera with a more raw sound and twenty extra horses. The Essen Motor Show, which runs from November 28 to December 6 and is best described as Europe’s answer to SEMA, will see Porsche tuning shop, SpeedART, revealing its take on the Panamera.

Turbo Porsche Panamera SpeedART Sports Saloon

These are the first live pictures of the SpeedART Porsche Panamera PS9 tuning package that will be unveiled at the upcoming Essen Motor Show. Aside from the performance upgrades and power kits for the Turbo model, SpeedART also gave the Panamera an array of PS9 aerodynamic and interior add-ons. The PS9 power kit consists of larger turbo chargers, sport exhaust and cats plus ECU upgrades. There are four versions available: 520, 550, 600 and 650-horsepower and up to 890 Nm (656.5 lb-ft) of torque. The top-of-the-line version that boasts an output of 650hp enables the car to go from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 3..5 seconds and to attain a top speed of more than 320km/h (200mph). The package also has exterior modifications that would be considered aggressive.

Turbo Porsche Panamera SpeedART Sports Saloon

The kit brings the total output to 520bhp. The sprint of the 4.8 liter twin turbo V8 will probably be hit the 4.0 seconds. Top speed will not increase a lot but 303km/h (190mph) isn’t too bad for a four-door sedan.Set to be officially unveiled at the Essen Motor Show, the range topping PS9 features 650 hp and 890 Nm of torque thanks to bigger turbochargers, a sport exhaust system (with a sound switch), a sport catalyst, and a revised ECU.

Turbo Porsche Panamera SpeedART Sports Saloon

These changes enable the car to accelerate from 0-62 mph in 3.5 seconds, before hitting a top speed in excess of 200 mph. If 650 hp is too hot to handle, the company also offers more modest performance packages that allow the engine to produce 550 and 600 hp.SpeedART claims that the most powerful version of the car accelerates from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 3.5 seconds and goes on to achieve a top speed in excess of 320km/h or 200mph.

Turbo Porsche Panamera SpeedART Sports Saloon

In terms of styling, the PS9 is outfitted with an aerodynamic body kit which consists of a front chin spoiler, hood vents, a rear diffuser, a roof spoiler, a modified rear bumper (with air outlets), and aggressive side skirts. Other design details include 22-inch three-piece 'LSC FORGED' wheels and the aforementioned sport exhaust system (available in polished stainless steel or matt black).Inside, the cockpit will get a SpeedART steering wheel with F1-shift paddles, real carbon-fiber trim and accents, new leather upholstery with colored stitches and a revised instrument panel.At the back, we see a new bumper, and the trapezoidal exhaust pipes. A new rear spoiler will also be mounted.

Turbo Porsche Panamera SpeedART Sports Saloon

For the interior, SpeedART added a sport steering wheel with F1-shift paddles (which can be outfitted with aluminum-, wood- or carbon fiber inlays), carbon fiber trim, contrast stitching on the door panels and seats, revised instrument dials, and exclusive floor mats.

Sebring 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Racing

Corvette Racing is preparing for the season-opening round of the 2010 American Le Mans Series, the Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring, to be held in Sebring, Fla., on March 20. Forty years ago, Sebring set the stage for some highly competitive racing among Cobras, Ferraris, and Corvettes.

Sebring 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Racing

Difficult weather and trying mechanical situations added a challenging dimension to an exciting event. In light of recent C5-R successes and the impending start of yet another season of American Le Mans Series competition, a look back at the effort put forth by the privateer Corvette camp lends amazing perspective.

Sebring 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Racing

Back in August when General Motors introduced the all-new GT2 class Corvette C6.R, it ran downsized 6.0-liter version of the 7.0-liter V8 from the long-dominant GT1 car. At the launch, Corvette Racing program manager Doug Fehan told us the 6.0-liter was just an interim engine. With revised GT rules on tap for 2010, GM was already planning a brand-new engine for its race Vette.

Sebring 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Racing

Unlike the 6.0/7.0, which is a ground-up race engine that only shares basic architectural dimensions with the production small block, the 2010 C6.R's V8 is a new 5.5-liter unit that will indeed be derived from the production engine found in roadgoing Corvettes. In fact, the 5.5-liter race engine will be built at GM's Performance Build Center alongside ZR1 and Z06 V8s.

Sebring 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Racing

Fehan has confirmed that the 5.5 is running on the dyno and will make its race debut at the 12 Hours of Sebring in March. We don't have any additional details on the new engine yet, although we were told earlier that it is based on the next-generation production small-block, which we expect to see in the Corvette soon

Sebring 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Racing

Corvette Racing will compete in the GT (formerly GT2) class against entries representing Porsche, Ferrari, BMW, Jaguar, and Ford. Corvette Racing drivers Johnny O'Connell, Jan Magnussen, and Antonio Garcia are testing the No. 3 Compuware Corvette C6.R. Oliver Gavin, Olivier Beretta, and Emmanuel Collard are testing the No. 4 Compuware Corvette C6.R.

Sebring 2010 Chevrolet Corvette Racing

2010 SHC Cars by Jamie Martin

After having Cobra Venom V8 and many other spectacular designs to his credit, Jamie Martin, a UK based designer, has come up with Super Hatchback Concept (SHC). This model is out of his love to blend two different entities: the Hatchbacks and the supercars. The hatchback car comes with a choice of two different engine/transmission packages, i.e. the twin-turbocharged internal combustion engine and the ‘Delta Drive Hybrid (DDH), to allowing a flexible as well sustainable commutation to the passengers. And in a world where limiting CO2 output is becoming increasingly important, the SHC also has some green tech up its sleeve.