Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, 2010

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon, 2010

 

Based on the hot-selling Cadillac CTS sport sedan, and a sister vehicle to the Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept, the Sport Wagon extends the design-driven renaissance of Cadillac. Following this special premiere at Pebble Beach, the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon moves to the worldwide auto show circuit this fall - and into Cadillac dealerships in spring 2009.

A striking profile is created with the Cadillac CTS wagon, with a silhouette that suggests speed and aerodynamic efficiency. It rides on the same 113.4-inch (2,880-mm) wheelbase as the Cadillac CTS sport sedan and is 0.3-inch (7 mm) shorter. However, it offers a generous cargo area of 25 cubic feet (720 liters) behind the rear seats. Design highlights include:

    * Signature V-shaped deck and tailgate motif
    * Large, vertical taillamps with light-pipe technology
    * Power-opening liftgate (via key fob or in-vehicle button)
    * CHMSL integrated in subtle roof spoiler
    * Integrated roof load management system with cross bars for a seamless appearance
    * Cargo management system with adjustable in-floor containment
    * New 19-inch wheels
    * Larger available panoramic rear sunroof

Design details
Dramatic planes highlight the Cadillac CTS wagon's design, including a V-shaped motif carried throughout the vehicle and carefully integrated intersections of exterior surfaces. The elements coalesce in a dramatic fashion, creating tension that emphasizes the vehicle's performance.

The emotion of the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon's design is carried by a number of nuanced details. The liftgate area, for example, is a confluence of angles and planes that typifies the vehicle's design tension. Cadillac's "V" motif is most prominent here, culminating in a spine at the center of the liftgate that is accented with a subtle spoiler at the top of the backlight. The rear quarter panels extend slightly beyond the inward-angled planes of the V, creating a distinctive W shape at the rear of the vehicle. Large, prominent vertical taillamps - with Cadillac's signature light pipe technology - are the final, dramatic touches to the rear-end styling.

Powertrains
Direct injection technology helps the Cadillac CTS offer more power while maintaining fuel economy and lowering emissions. It delivers fuel more precisely to increase the efficiency of combustion. This means less fuel is consumed and lower emissions created.

With the Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon's 3.6L V-6, direct injection translates to 304 horsepower (227 kW)*, no loss of fuel efficiency and a 25-percent drop in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions. It also runs on less expensive regular unleaded gasoline. The Sport Wagon's fuel economy is expected to be similar to the peak rating of the existing sport sedan's 26 mpg highway rating. The standard 3.6L VVT engine that produces 263 horsepower (196 kW) and 253 lb.-ft. of torque (343 Nm) serves as the base engine in North America.

Just like the Cadillac CTS sport sedan, the V-6 engines are matched with fuel-saving six-speed transmissions, including an Aisin six-speed manual or an electronically controlled Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic. As is the case on the sport sedan, Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon includes AWD as an option.

An efficient 2.9L turbo-diesel engine is being developed for Cadillac CTS models primarily in European and Asian markets. It is a compact, dual overhead cam, four-valve V-6 engine from GM's family of diesel engines that delivers optimal fuel economy as well as reduced emissions and noise. The engine is rated at 184 kW (250 hp).

Driving dynamics
The robust and dynamic CTS chassis infuses the new wagon with a great balance of performance and luxury. It uses an independent short/long arm ( SLA) front suspension system and a multi-link rear suspension.
The multi-link rear suspension features a fully isolated subframe that helps deliver excellent suspension kinematics, contributing to a superior ride and excellent handling.

Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon Preliminary Specifications
    * Vehicle type: four-door, five-passenger rear-wheel-drive/all-wheel-drive wagon
    * Wheelbase: 113.4" / 2880mm
    * Length: 191.3" / 4859 mm
    * Width: 72.6" / 1842 mm
    * Height: 59.1" / 1502 mm
    * Track: 61.8" / 1570 mm (front); 62" / 1575 mm (rear)
    * Engines: 3.6L VVT V-6 (263 hp / 196 kW) 3.6L V-6 VVT DI (304 hp / 227 kW)
    * Transmissions: Aisin six-speed manual or Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic
    * Suspension: four-wheel independent: MacPherson strut front; multilink rear, progressive rate coil springs, monotube shock absorbers
    * Steering: variable-assist rack-and-pinion
    * Brakes: four-wheel disc; aluminum or iron dual-piston front calipers; aluminum or iron single-piston rear calipers
    * Wheels: 17-inch, 18-inch or 19-inch aluminum
    * EPA luggage capacity: 25 cu ft / 720 l (behind rear seats)
    * EPA total volume: 121.9 cu ft / 3452 l

Cadillac Aera Concept, 2010

Cadillac Aera Concept, 2010

 

 

 

The Cadillac Aera Concept won the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge, tying with Smart and besting entries from seven other automakers including Mercedes-Benz, Honda, Nissan, Toyota and Maybach. GM Advanced Design has now won the honor more times than any other design team; this is its third victory since 2005.

The Cadillac Aera Concept is powered by compressed air via a highly efficient Pneumatic Drive System that has a 10,000-psi composite air storage tank with capacity for a 1,000-mile range. Flexible, pressurized air cells in the exterior skin, similar to material developed for the NASA Mars Rover airbags, enhance passive safety and interior comfort. The flexible polymer skin optimizes aerodynamics and functions as an ultra-lightweight alternative to conventional body panels and glass.

Cadillac Aera's body utilizes a 3D lattice, mono-formed frame that was designed to be similar to configurations found consistently in nature. The structure is formed from unique, alloy-utilizing, semi-solid freeform manufacturing, creating a naturally strong, extremely lightweight frame. All major body parts, including interior components, are essentially "grown" into a single part lattice structure.

The interior is crafted with an ultra-light recyclable polymer that allows for HVAC channels, fully adjustable seating, storage and comfort features all in one mono-form structure. Generous storage space accommodates luggage for two people.

Additional technologies include an all-in-one wheel system that combines rotary actuator propulsion, steering and suspension functions. A drive-by-wire system decreases the mass of electrical components, while vehicle-to-vehicle communication promotes active safety.

The concept was conceived in GM's North Hollywood Advanced Design Studio by Frank Saucedo, director; Phil Tanioka, vehicle designer; Brent Wickham, concept strategist; Shawn Moghadam, layout designer and Timonen, the project manager. Earlier this week, GM commemorated 10 years of advanced design at the L.A. area studio.

The Design Challenge is part of the Design Los Angeles automobile designers' conference and has evolved into an integral element of the Los Angeles Auto Show. Design Los Angeles connects those working in the design industry with well-known automotive design industry leaders. Los Angeles is home to the world's largest concentration of manufacturer design studios, representing automakers from North America, Europe and Asia. It is also the home of Art Center College of Design, one of the world's foremost transportation design institutions where many of today's leading automotive designers began their careers.

Cadillac STS, 2008

Cadillac STS, 2008

 

 

The 2008 Cadillac STS, featuring refreshed signature styling inside and out; a new, standard 298-horsepower (222 kW) V-6 engine; and a host of new vehicle technologies, debuts at New York Auto Show, April 6-15, at the Jacob Javits Convention Center.

Refreshed design, inside and out
With overall dimensions slightly increased, the new STS conveys more of the design flair that has become a Cadillac signature. Up front, the dual-textured, multi-faceted grille first seen on the Sixteen concept and incorporated on both the Escalade and soon-to-be-launched 2008 CTS, has been adapted to the STS, giving the luxury performance sedan a more sophisticated appearance. Vertically stacked headlamps with large, dual 70mm projector lenses are encased in an aluminized, single-piece bezel. High Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps are now available on V-6 models.

Similarly, side air extractors, again inspired by the Sixteen and Escalade, are now incorporated in the front fenders of the STS.
New styling touches also include chrome-plated door handles and new lower rocker moldings that blend into the lower line of the vehicle for more presence and refinement.

At the rear, the new fascia is now body-color, and is highlighted with the addition of polished, aluminum three-inch exhaust tips.
New, polished 18-inch by 8-inch aluminum 14-spoke wheels are available. For these available wheels, Michelin W-rated, 235/50R18 tires are used up front, and the rear wheels are fitted with 255/45R18 all-season radials.

Inside, STS's luxurious interior includes a new steering wheel with available genuine Sapele Pommele wood trim. Sapele is an exotic wood more commonly used in fine furniture and musical instruments. A heated steering wheel also is available. The center stack of the instrument panel is revised with the addition of wood trim that has new metallic surroundings.

STS adds direct-injection V-6
For 2008, STS will be the first GM vehicle equipped with a new 3.6-liter direct-injected V-6 engine. The new base powerplant, with 298 horsepower (222 kW), delivers 40 more horsepower; and torque is increased to 268 lb.-ft. (371 Nm) - up from 252 lb.-ft. (348 Nm) on the current base engine.

The new direct-injected 3.6L will be mated to the Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed automatic transmission, the first pairing of this transmission with a V-6 engine. Additionally, the STS V-6 will continue to be available with all-wheel drive (AWD) for 2008.
Advantages of the new direct-injected engine include a 25-percent reduction in cold-start hydrocarbon emissions. Additionally, despite the 15-percent increase in power, fuel economy is expected to increase slightly.

Lane departure technology debuts
Continuing Cadillac's commitment to using advanced safety features, the 2008 STS will offer new features including a new performance handling package; enhanced variable-effort steering with StabiliTrak on V-8 models; and new lane departure warning and blind side alerts.

The new performance handling package will be available for V-8-equipped rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive models and V-6-equipped rear-drive models. The package includes 18-inch by 8.5-inch aluminum alloy, chrome-plated wheels fitted with new P255/45R18 Michelin Pilot Sport summer-only tires.

Brembo brakes with four-piston calipers provide enhanced braking, with front rotors measuring 14-inch by 1.2-inch (355mm x 32mm) coupled with 14.4-inch by 1.1-inch (365mm x 28mm) rear rotors. All four rotors are vented.

Cadillac Provoq Concept, 2008

Cadillac Provoq Concept, 2008

 

 

Cadillac unveils a new vision for the future of luxury transportation with the innovative Provoq fuel cell concept - a hydrogen fuel cell crossover vehicle that continues GM's commitment to displace petroleum through advanced technology.

The Cadillac Provoq fuel cell concept is the latest example of GM's groundbreaking E-Flex propulsion system, combining the new fifth-generation fuel cell system and a lithium-ion battery to produce an electrically driven vehicle that uses no petroleum and has no emission other than water. The concept's fifth-generation fuel cell technology is half the size of its predecessor, yet it has been developed to produce more power and performance.

Fuel-cell variant of the E-Flex system
The concept can drive 300 miles (483 km) on a single fill of hydrogen - with 280 miles (450 km) from hydrogen and 20 miles (32 km) on pure, battery electric energy.

A pair of 10,000 psi (700 bar) composite storage tanks beneath the rear cargo floor hold 13.2 pounds (6 kg) of hydrogen to feed the fuel cell stack, located under the hood. There, hydrogen mixes with oxygen to generate electricity - up to 88 kW continuous power. A lithium-ion battery pack can store up to a total of 9kWh of electrical energy and also provides a peak of 60 kW of power for additional performance.

The electricity generated by the fuel cell is distributed to a 70 kW co-axial drive system for the front wheels and individual, 40 kW wheel hub motors on the rear wheels, giving the Cadillac Provoq its all-wheel-drive traction and great driving dynamics. Its 0-60 mph (approximately 100 km/h) speed of 8.5 seconds is a more than 30-percent improvement over the previous-generation fuel cell system and with instantaneous torque to the wheels, it feels even faster. Provoq has a top speed of 100 mph (160 km/h).

Key features
With sleek, signature Cadillac bodywork, the Provoq concept redefines luxury crossovers, offering uncompromising passenger and cargo space to match its performance and cruising range. Additional vehicle features include:
    * Solar panel integrated in the roof to help power onboard accessories, such as the interior lights, audio system and more
    * Brake-by-wire technology
    * Front grille louvers that close at highway speed to enhance aerodynamics, and open at low speed to provide maximum cooling to the fuel cell stack

Highlights include:
    * Active front grille, with grille louvers that open when the fuel cell stack requires cooling
    * Full underbody aerodynamic cover
    * Left- and right-hand charging ports incorporated in stylish front fender vents
    * Flush door handles that feature push-to-release operation
    * Wind tunnel-shaped outside mirrors with integral turn signals
    * Center high-mounted rear stop lamp incorporated into full-width, wraparound spoiler
    * Signature vertical taillamps with subtle fin design
    * Side glass mounted flush with pillars
    * Wheels with clear-covered space between the spokes, creating a sleeker profile while maintaining Cadillac's signature bold wheel design
    * Low-drag roof rack

Rinspeed Amphibious Cars

Exotic Rinspeed Amphibious Cars


Elegant Rinspeed Amphibious Cars On the Mainland


Rinspeed Amphibious Cars Show Up


Rinspeed Amphibious Cars On the Road


Rinspeed Amphibious Cars On the Water-land


Rinspeed Amphibious Cars Inside


Rinspeed Amphibious Cars Exclaimed

Zenvo Cars

Zenvo or Zenvo Automotive is a Danish sports car company located near Viby Sjælland on the Danish island of Zealand. It is managed by Jesper Jensen, the founder and financier, and Troels Vollertsen. The name 'Zenvo' is derived from a combination of their names.

Elegant Zenvo Cars

Impressive Zenvo Cars

Zenvo Automotive was founded in 2004. The prototype was completed in December 2008 and after the final phase of testing, production began in 2009. The designation of the car is Zenvo ST1. Only 15 cars are to be built and will be sold to approved customers.

Zenvo Cars On The Road


Zenvo Cars Review

According to Jesper Jensen and Troels Vollertsen, the two-man team behind the ST1, some 50 Bugattis are produced each year. Though they are among the world's most expensive cars, exclusive customers will only buy them if they are unique. That explains why they have decided to keep the Zenvo series down to just 15 cars.The Zenvo is entirely a result of Danish design. The carbon fibre body is made in Germany and many components such as gauges, gas tank, ABS brakes, anti-spin, airbags and such come from US or German cars. The car's aggressive lines were designed by Christian Brandt and Jesper Hermann who own the car design consultancy hermann&brandt. Brandt, who was head of design on the project, has also worked for Alfa Romeo and Kleemann, an after-market tuning company for customising Mercedes-Benz cars located in Farum, Denmark.

Zenvo Cars View Detail

Zenvo Cars Front Seat

The Zenvo is a high performance sports car. While power is available through its supercharger and turbo, it will still be driveable for everyday use. Its 7-litre V8 engine will achieve 1,104 hp (823 kW) at 6,900 rpm and 1,430 N·m (1,050 lb·ft) of torque at 4,500 rpm. Indeed, according to The Motor Report, recent tests returned a 0-100 km/h time of 3.0 seconds, while 0-200 km/h took only 8.9 seconds, and a top speed of 233.014mph.Zenvo offers keyless entry, satellite navigation, power telescoping steering wheel, and leather electrically adjustable racing seats.

Zenvo Cars Hatchback

Despite its power and large alloy wheels, the car is small, at just 15.3 ft (4.7 m) long, 6.7 ft (2.0 m) wide, and 3.9 ft (1.2 m) tall. It weighs just over 3,020 lb (1,370 kg) thanks to carbon fiber body panels.

Lancia Stratos HF

The Lancia Stratos HF, widely and more simply known as Lancia Stratos, is a car made by Italian car manufacturer Lancia. The HF stands for High Fidelity. It was a very successful rally car, winning the World Rally Championship in 1974, 1975, and 1976.The Stratos was a very successful rally car during the 1970s and early 1980s. It started a new era in rallying as it was the first car designed from scratch for this kind of competition. The three leading men behind the entire rallying project were Lancia team manager Cesare Fiorio, British racer/engineer Mike Parkes and factory rally driver Sandro Munari. The bodywork was designed by Marcello Gandini, head designer at Bertone, and the technical layout was loosely based on a (Lancia Fulvia V4 powered) concept car called Stratos Zero which had been first shown at the Turin Motor Show in 1970. The body was wedge-shaped, and unusually short and wide, providing maximum traction. In 1971 Lancia presented the Lancia Stratos HF prototype at the Turin Motor Show. The prototype (Chassis 1240) was fluorescent red in colour and featured a distinctive crescent-shaped-wrap-around windshield providing maximum forward visibility with almost no rear visibility. The prototype had three different engines in its early development life: the Lancia Fulvia engine, the Lancia Beta engine and finally the mid-mounted Dino Ferrari V6. Lancia did extensive testing with the Stratos and raced the car in several racing events where Group 5 prototypes were allowed during the 1972 and 1973 seasons. Production of the 500 cars required for homologation in Group 4 commenced in 1973 and the Stratos was homologated for the 1974 World Rally Championship. The Ferrari Dino V6 engine was phased out in 1974, but 500 engines among the last built were delivered to Lancia. Production ended in 1975 when it was thought that only 492 were made. Manufacturer of the car was by Bertone in Turin, with final assembly by Lancia at the Chivasso plant. Powered by the Dino 2.4 L V6 engine that was also fitted to the rallying versions, but in a lower state of tune, it resulted in a power output of 190 bhp (142 kW; 193 PS), giving the road car a 0-60 time of just under five seconds, and a top speed of 144 mph (233 km/h). The car was sold as the Lancia Stratos Stradale.

For racing, the engine was tuned up to 280 hp (209 kW) and even to 560 hp (418 kW) with a single KKK turbocharger. However, turbocharged versions were only allowed to compete in Group 5 and were never as reliable as their naturally aspirated counterparts. The car won the 1974, 1975 and 1976 championship titles in the hands of Sandro Munari and Björn Waldegård, and might have gone on to win more had not internal politics within the Fiat group placed rallying responsibility on the Fiat 131 Abarths. As well as victories on the 1975, 1976 and 1977 Monte Carlo Rally, all courtesy of Munari, the Stratos won the event with the private Chardonnet Team as late as 1979. Without support from Fiat, and despite new regulations that restricted engine power, the car would remain a serious competitor and proved able to beat works cars in several occasions when entered by an experienced private team with a talented driver. The final chapter of the Stratos' racing career at international level took place as late as 1981, at the Tour de Corse Automobile, another World Rally Championship event, with a victory by longtime Stratos privateer Bernard Darniche. When the Fiat group favored the Fiat 131 for rallying Lancia also built two Group 5 turbocharged 'silhouette' Stratos for closed-track endurance racing. These cars failed against the Porsche 935s on closed tracks but proved successful in hybrid events. While they failed in the Tour de France Automobile, one of these cars won the 1976 Giro d'Italia Automobilistico, an Italian counterpart of the Tour de France Automobile. Unfortunately one of the cars was destroyed in Zeltweg, when it caught fire due to overheating problems. The last surviving car would win the Giro d'Italia event again before it was shipped to Japan to compete in the Fuji Speedway based Formula Silhouette series, which was never raced. The car would then be sold and reside in the Matsuda Collection before then being sold to the renowned collector of Stratos', Christian Hrabalek, a car designer and the founder of Fenomenon Ltd, who has the largest Lancia Stratos Collection in the world, 11 unique Lancia Stratos cars, including the fluorescent red 1971 factory prototype and the 1977 Safari Rally car. His interest in the car led to the development of the Fenomenon Stratos in 2005.Another unique Group 5 car is the Lancia Stratos HF of Austrian Rallycross driver Andy Bentza. The car was first driven by his Memphis team mate Franz Wurz, father of Formula One pilot Alexander Wurz. In 1976 Wurz claimed the first ever European Rallycross title recognised by the FIA with the car, by then still equipped with a 2.4 litre engine. For the ERC series of 1977 Wurz was entrusted with two experimental crankshafts by Mike Parkes, to bring the engine capacity up to just under 3000 cc. For 1978 Bentza took the Stratos over from Wurz, sold his own 2.4 litre Stratos to compatriot Reneé Vontsina, and won the GT Division title of the ERC. The one and only 3.0 litre Stratos was raced by Bentza till the mid 1980s, is nowadays still his property and ready to race. However, one of the two experimental crankshafts received from the Lancia factory was destroyed during a Rallycross event in the early 1980s.

In 1978, Bertone created and designed a concept car based on the Stratos called the Sibilo, although it was never intended for production.At the Geneva Auto Show of 2005, a British design firm known as Fenomenon debuted a retromodern concept version of the Stratos, designed by Christian Hrabalec and following its exhibition at the Frankfurt show, developed by Prodrive. The concept was based around a mid-mounted 419bhp V8. It turned out that this company had the rights to the Stratos name.Following the stalled Fernomenon project, one interested backer was convinced to fund a one-off model. Commissioned by Michael Stoschek (a keen rally driver and chairman of Brose Group) and his son, Maximilian. Announced in 2010, the new Stratos based on the overall design and concept of the original seventies Stratos and was designed by Pininfarina. The car made use of a Ferrari F430 Scuderia as a donor car, making use of the chassis (shortened by 200mm) and much of the mechanical elements including the 4.3L V8 engine. It was reported that if sufficient interest was shown it would result in a small production run. The car appeared in Michael Jackson's 1988 film, Moonwalker as well as in his music video for Smooth Criminal. In the anime Ex-Driver the main character Lisa Sakakino drives a Stratos. In the manga and anime series Ghost in the Shell, Batou drives a Stratos. Wheeljack, a character in the Transformers franchise, transforms into a Stratos sporting Alitalia racing livery.

2011 Artega GT

The Artega GT, another automobile brand from Germany, debuted at the Geneva Motor Show earlier this year on March but it’s on display again at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. The price tag of the Artega GT is at €74,948 or $104,000 in Germany with taxes. The car is powered by a VW 300 Hp 3.6 liter V6 direct-injection engine located right behind the driver and produces maximum torque of 350 Nm at 2400/min. The Artega Gt is weighted at 1100 kg without passenger. Artega claimed that the GT could sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 5 seconds and with a top speed of more than 270 km/h. The Artega GT will be on sale in early 2008.

Sporty 2011 Artega GT

2011 Artega GT With The Top Speed

Technical specification of the Artega GT. Frame: Aluminum spaceframe. Rear module tubular space frame of high-tensile stainless steel. Bodywork: Carbon fiber reinforced compound material. Dimensions (L X B X H): 3950 x 1880 x 1180 mm. Empty weight: About 1100 kg. Kg/PS: About 3.6 kg/PS. Engine: V6 direct-injection engine in the rear. Displacement: 3597 ccm. Performance: 221 kW (300 PS) at 6600/min. Torque: 350 Nm at 2400/min. Drive: Rear-wheel-drive. Transmission: Six-speed direct-shift with Artega inverting stage (pat.appl.). Acceleration 0 – 100 km/h: less than 5 sec. Speed: more than 270 km/h.

Elegant 2011 Artega GT

Exotic 2011 Artega GT

It’s often said that with today’s safety standards, it’s impossible to design a car with the stunning and savage grace of the Lamborghini Miura. Henrik Fisker would say otherwise. This is the Artega GT, the designer’s compact, mid-engined supercar. The thing exudes brutal beauty. Its muscular form terrifies asphalt, threatens twisty roads. Sure, it’s not as graceful and sleek as the Miura, but I think it’s as close as we’re gonna get in this era of hyper safety standards. Performance wise, the Artega GT would give the Miura a run for its money. The 2,400-pound sports car can hit 60 miles per hour in 4.8 seconds and reach a 170 mph terminal velocity—without achieving liftoff. It’s powered by a 300-horsepower, 3.6-liter VW V6, which isn’t the sexiest power plant around, but it gets the job done. Price? A steal at less than $90,000. The Artega GT is supposed to be available late this year. Hit the jump for more pics.