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Bugatti Veyron Sang Noir
The Bugatti Veyron Sang Noir, the moniker meaning "Black Blood," is the latest special edition model from legendary Italian supercar builder Bugatti. Only 15 units of the Sang Noir will be produced, and Bugatti is giving United States residents first crack.
The Veyron Sang Noir, like the "standard" Bugatti Veyron 16.4, features a W16 motor and four turbochargers. Think of two twin-turbo eights smashed together. Offering the most stock horsepower of any production car in history at 1001 horsepower, the Veyron 16.4 can launch its way to 60 mph from a standing start in 2.5 seconds.
The Bugatti Veyron Sang Noir specifications are the same as the first edition of the fastest Italian sports car in history. The Veyron Sang Noir still offers enough torque to pull a Ferrari dealership off its foundation, and will run a quarter mile time of 10.2 seconds.
The changes to the super-exclusive Bugatti Veyron Sang Noir edition are in the exterior and interior styling departments. The Sang Noir exterior is finished in piano black and chrome, causing the car to look smaller and leaner than the standard Veyron 16.4, even though the dimensions are the same.
The Sang Noir's mirrors, grill, badging, exhaust tip and grill all receive a brushed chrome treatment. The eye naturally traces a chrome-accented line down the Veyron Sang Noir's greenhouse, a flashy feature that serves to separate the carbon fiber section running down the center of this instant-classic Italian sports car.
Even the carbon fiber on the Veyron Sang Noir is separated from anything else in the automotive world by a high-gloss finish that maintains the two-tone look the Bugatti Veyron line is famous for. Standing out with a finish that could be called "piano black," the carbon accents allow the Sang Noir to catch the light and further accentuate the contours in a sports car body that has been called the most beautiful in history by some, and bulbous and ugly by its critics.
The interior follows the Bugatti tradition and looks sumptuous and classy without being overstated. The Veyron Sang Noir's leather and carpeting are done in a color that could be called pumpkin tan-orange, and yet fits the total styling package perfectly. Think of the Sang Noir as a Halloween costume for society's affluent upper crust.
The soft leather covers every available interior surface, and is accented by more bits of chrome with a soft brushed, yet still shining look. Not that a Bugatti Veyron Sang Noir's occupants will spend much time feeling comfortable and coddled in this interior. The Sang Noir is meant to be driven hard, and Bugatti has taken great pains with every Veyron to ensure the driver be as safe as possible at all times. With 10 radiators and a complicated roll cage system, any tragic accident occurring in a Veyron is likely to be the fault of the driver, rather than that of the supercar.
Bugatti is seeking wealthy and respected United States residents to own a piece of automotive history in the exclusive Veyron Sang Noir edition. No word on whether the 15 units are accounted for, but needless to say, pricing will be significantly more than the approximately $1.5 million the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 commands.
The Veyron Sang Noir is designed to call to mind one of the most beautiful and revered sports cars of all time, the Bugatti Type 57C Atlantique, of which only 3 production versions were ever released. One of the two surviving Bugatti Type 57C Atlantique examples is owned by Ralph Lauren. A Bugatti Type 57 won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1937, and again in 1939.
The Italian supercar manufacturer has promised that only 300 examples of the Veyron, in all its editions, will be produced. The 15 Sang Noir models are offered first to United States residents, after Bugatti gave Europeans the first crack at the Veyron 16.4 Pur Sang edition several months ago.
The Bugatti Veyron Sang Noir is another example of how an engineer's dream can come together with fine art. 253 mph has never been so beautiful.
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Acura ZDX 2010
A prototype of the provocative Acura ZDX luxury four-door sports coupe made its world debut at the New York International Auto Show today. The production version of the dramatically styled prototype goes on-sale in the fall of 2009. The segment bending ZDX features stunning coupe-like styling with the added benefit of a commanding presence and flexible utility.
"The ZDX is truly a luxury performance coupe - plus," said Jeff Conrad, vice president of Acura sales. "The emotional coupe styling coupled with a luxurious and dramatic interior and surprising versatility, allows the ZDX to define its own segment and attract an entirely new customer."
The ZDX is designed to break new ground for Acura in the areas of provocative styling, contemporary luxury and meticulous refinement. With its sensuous curves, sharply raked roofline and bold fender flares, the ZDX blurs the distinction between coupe, sedan and sport utility vehicle. Clean, flowing lines start from the headlights and run the length of the car, accentuating the cars presence and grace. In keeping with the coupe-inspired styling, the rear door handles are cleverly concealed in the C-pillar. The all-glass tailgate opens wide to reveal a highly functional cargo space with integrated under-floor storage. The prototype is finished off with stylish dual chrome exhaust outlets and 9-spoke machined wheels fitted with 20-inch Michelin tires.
"From the very first sketch of the ZDX, I wanted to create an emotional vehicle that challenged conventional thinking of what a sports coupe should be," said Michelle Christensen, ZDX exterior designer. "My goal was to create a strikingly beautiful exterior, and use that attraction to help draw you into the rich interior."
Inside, the ZDX exudes modern luxury while focusing on pampering the front passengers. The cabin is enveloped in leather, which gives the interior a luxurious and inviting feel. The hand-stitched leather dash and instrument panel sweep down to form a dual cockpit layout, creating a personal and intimate experience for the front seat occupants. The premium leather seats are highly bolstered to support the passengers during sporty driving and at the same time provide comfort during a long getaway. A black monochromatic center stack leads to the textured metallic center console, which complements the black and pearl white leather trim. The thick leather wrapped steering wheel provides ample grip and is framed by racing-inspired paddle shifters for the ultimate in driver control. The cabin is enclosed by a panoramic glass roof which runs the entire length of the vehicle, providing occupants with a breathtaking view of the world around them.
The production ZDX will bring a new level of prestige and sophistication when it arrives at Acura dealerships in the fall, offering the latest advancements in performance, technology and safety. The ZDX will deliver sports sedan performance on the road with its powerful V-6 engine mated to an all-new, smooth shifting 6-speed automatic transmission. The potent powertrain will be coupled with Acura's exclusive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (SH-AWD®) system, giving the ZDX outstanding handling and cornering capabilities in all-weather conditions.
In typical Acura fashion, the ZDX will be available with the latest in customer enhancing technologies and advanced safety features including an all-new blind spot information system, which will help drivers change lanes more confidently. A new multi-view rear camera makes parking even easier with the added enhancement of both a wide angle and top down view. Acura signature technologies like Acura Navigation System with Voice Recognition™, AcuraLink Real-Time Traffic and Weather™, Acura/ELS Surround® premium audio system and Bluetooth® connectivity will also be available on the all-new model.
The ZDX represents the next step for Acura in its advancement to becoming one of the top luxury brands and makes a clear statement toward the future of the brand
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Scion Reveals iQ Concept
At the New York Auto Show today, Scion unveiled a special concept version of the iQ micro-subcompact car designed to meet the transportation needs of young urban trendsetters.
Scion’s iQ concept is a new urban vehicle with a revolutionary package that is just over 10 feet in length and accommodates three plus luggage. As more and more urban centers are revitalized with a new sense of purpose, energy, and creativity, young people are moving in from the suburbs to embrace new urbanism and are looking for a car that suits their needs and delivers high emotional value. Scion’s iQ concept is the intelligent answer to this need for highly emotional and efficient urban transportation. The convenience of having work, entertainment and culture nearby for young city-dwellers is a significant draw to urban centers. The vehicle must be able to navigate narrow, congested streets, park in tight places, have impressive fuel economy, and have compelling design and function. “Scion’s iQ concept turns traditional auto design upside down,” said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. “Traditionally small vehicles have been thought of as being basic. The iQ concept is just the opposite with its innovative features and iconic urban design, and we believe it fits in well within the Scion brand. Our young, trendsetting buyers are creative and innovative forward thinkers, and we think they will appreciate what iQ has to offer.” The production iQ is currently sold in Japan and Europe. Five Axis of Huntington Beach, Calif. took the iQ to the next level with aggressive exterior and interior modifications that show the vehicle’s potential for personalization. With its 78.7-inch wheelbase, the three-door hatchback can deftly maneuver through city traffic. At the same time, its overall length of 126.9-inches, overall width of 71.4-inches, and short front and rear overhangs allow the iQ to fit in virtually any city parking space. The front-mounted differential and repositioned steering rack decrease front end length. In addition, the iQ is equipped with a flat gas tank housed beneath the floor that reduces rear overhang. Pushing the wheels of the small, bold concept towards the four corners of the body gives the iQ a confident stance. The custom 18-inch wheels with a nickel finish and wide tires fill the wheel well, adding to its surefootedness. The iQ’s custom front air dam, aero headlamps and high-intensity LED driving lamps signal urban road readiness. “We believe the Scion iQ micro-subcompact concept is the future of transportation,” said Hollis. “If it should join our future line-up, I think it could reach iconic status like our xB. Its styling will attract attention and if it’s a Scion, you know it’ll be easy to personalize.” The iQ’s profile is defined by a strong and high beltline. Smooth lines glide from the large, dark finish headlamps, up the A-pillar, across the roof and wrap around the rear emphasizing the concept’s geometric beauty. Side mirrors with integrated turn signals accent the clean design. The rear emphasizes the vehicle’s modern style. Trapezoidal lines run toward the wheels, from the hatch to the thick rear diffuser, creating a substantial presence. A center-mounted trapezoid exhaust adds to the vehicle’s distinctiveness, while large, matte-finished rear taillights help keep the vehicle visible. The iQ’s interior fuses function, style and entertainment. Attention to detail and modern accents can be seen in the illuminated door handle; the swiveling spotlight that hovers over the dash; an illuminated iQ logo on the passenger-side dash and nickel and raw aluminum toned interior panels. Iridescent green and gray honeycomb upholstery covering the door panels and seating areas, combined with the custom exterior paint, provides a balance of freshness and sophistication. Black matte scuba-like polyurethane covers the seat bolsters and is also used on the headliner with a bright green topstitch for a contemporary finish. The iQ features a 10-inch panel LCD screen on top of the center cluster that serves as the main entertainment console and navigation system interface. With the push of a button, the touch-screen articulates to reveal the entertainment hub. The touch screen can also play movies while the vehicle is parked. When not in use, the screen lays flat on the dash with a translucent cover that emits a colorful display of light patterns to make the interior even more unique. A few quick strokes to the black panel below the entertainment hub, or steering wheel controls, command the audio system to shuffle through a music library. The center cluster also features three control knobs for dual front heating and air conditioning settings. The driver and front passenger each have a knob that displays their desired temperature and controls their temperature and fan settings. The center knob dictates zone control for both occupants. The instrument panel has a speedometer, warning lamps, and a multi-information display. The multi-information display allows the driver to toggle through the odometer, average speed, temperature and eco lamp. The eco lamp illuminates during efficient driving to help the driver achieve maximum fuel economy. Comfortable front passenger legroom was achieved with a newly-engineered, compact air conditioning unit located behind the center of the front console. The iQ employs a glove bag, with the same textured, honeycomb fabric as the front and rear seats, that can be easily snapped on and off for storage or additional legroom. Rear seating can accommodate one adult behind the front passenger and a child, small package, or pet behind the driver. Extra slim front seat backs provide rear passengers with legroom. The rear seats are 50/50 and fold flat for increased utility. In addition, the rear seat cushion lifts up to reveal a small flat storage space that can be used for pocket-sized portable music players, small books, digital cameras, or slim laptops. The iQ does not skimp on safety and is equipped with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC); an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD); Brake Assist (BA); and nine SRS airbags, which includes the world's first rear window curtain airbag. Other airbags include driver and front passenger front airbags; driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags; side curtain airbags; a driver knee airbag; and a front passenger seat cushion airbag
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Bentley Mulsanne
Today, Bentley Motors unveiled the Mulsanne, the company’s all-new flagship grand tourer, at the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours D’Elegance in Monterey, California. The Mulsanne is inspired by the company founder W.O. Bentley’s crowning achievement in 1930, the 8-litre. And it was W.O.’s own sensitively conserved company car that shared the podium with the new Mulsanne in Pebble Beach. This early motoring masterpiece represented the last big Bentley that was designed, engineered and built from the ground up by Bentley engineers - until now.
Nearly 80 years later, while paying respect to this illustrious past, the new Mulsanne is a thoroughly modern statement of luxury driving and grand touring. Conceived, styled and engineered entirely at Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe, England, the Mulsanne, with its completely new and unique platform, goes into production next year in a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility within the Crewe factory.
Introducing the Bentley Mulsanne at Pebble Beach, where Bentley was the featured marque, Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, said:
“The challenge we set our engineers was to create a new grand Bentley that would stand as the pinnacle of British luxury motoring, offering the world’s most exclusive driving experience. They have responded to this challenge with real passion and the result is a luxury grand tourer that sets new standards in terms of comfort, effortless performance and hand-crafted refinement – the very qualities for which Bentley is renowned.“
The Bentley design team, lead by Dirk van Braeckel, have created a flagship that offers the classic sporting, styling cues long-associated with Bentley - expressed in a thoroughly contemporary way.
“From the very first hand sketches in the styling studio, we were inspired by the traditions of the grand touring Bentleys and have sought to evolve this story for a new generation of Bentley enthusiasts.”
The return of the Mulsanne name to a car carrying Bentley’s iconic ‘Winged B’ emblem underlines the company’s racing pedigree and nowhere reflects that heritage better than the famed Le Mans circuit, the scene of no fewer than six Bentley triumphs. Few places offer a stronger or more emotive connection with the Bentley marque than the famed Mulsanne corner.
The Bentley 8-litre displayed alongside the Mulsanne in California was first shown at the 1930 London Motor Show. It was the second-built and was W.O. Bentley’s company car for two years. Capable of reaching more than 100 mph, the 8-litre demonstrated W.O. Bentley’s ambition and ability to build a grand luxury car capable of surpassing every other leading manufacturer of the day. A total of 100 cars were built in 1930 and 1931.
“The 8-litre’s breathtaking performance and quality was perhaps the finest example of a ‘pure’ grand Bentley. Every mechanical detail carried W.O. Bentley’s unique stamp and it was the clearest demonstration of a car built without compromise,” commented Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn, Member of the Board Engineering.
“The Mulsanne has been designed with exactly the same guiding principles, so it is entirely fitting that these Bentleys from different eras share the same stage.”
The Bentley Mulsanne will go on sale from mid 2010. It will also be displayed at the forthcoming IAA Frankfurt Motor Show (15-27th September, 2009) where Bentley Motors will provide additional product information.
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Jaguar XKR
The 2010 Jaguar XKR was among the most significant debuts at the Detroit North American International Auto Show, but was perhaps outshone by the likes of the Ford Shelby GT500, Cadillac Evoq and Jaguar's own XFR. The 2010 XKR features some big Jaguar innovations, and is worth a serious look for the first time for the suit-and-tie types who want to look good while having a platform that can actually move once the roads get curvy.
From the outside, the 2010 Jaguar XKR is not all that different from its predecessor, but the few changes key in for a very attractive overall package that both makes a singular design statement and brings the XKR more in line with what most of Europe is up to these days.
Like the XF and its new R stablemate, the XKR has turned far from Jaguar's traditional torpedo styling, and that's not necessarily a bad thing as the British marque has finally moved into the modern era.
Echoes of the XKR's roots are found everywhere, though, from the cab-rearward design with requisite long, sloping hood to the red and British Racing Green "R" calipers.
The result is a beautiful design that is more grand tourer than say, a BMW Z4 or Cayman, but should be able to handle itself well in any driving conditions thanks in part to a tricky electronic active LSD, brand new to the storied XK brand.
Power, and there is a big bump from the outgoing XKR, comes from a supercharged, direct injection VVT 8 aluminum 8 cylinder that seems as sophisticated as anything on the market.
Will this powerful new engine, found in naturally aspirated form in the XK and XK Portfolio as well as the 2010 Jaguar XF, help Jag shake its well-earned name for less than average powertrain durability? Time will tell all.
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