Ferrari F1 Bob Sled

Ok, it might not be as unique or sassy as VW’s Golf GTI and Beetle Bob Sleds, but If you’re looking for a last minute holiday gift for the little ones or to satisfy the inner kid and car fanatic in yourself, the Ferrari bob sled seems like a unique idea. It mirrors the profile of an F1 car with steering wheel-style controls. The footrest, rear wing, and central brake paddle too for speed control borrow their styling from Ferrari’s race cars. Colourful decals, including one of the Scuderia Ferrari, add detail to the profile and nose.

The sled comes complete with a red nylon bag featuring the Prancing Horse logo that can be used for storage or simply to impress your friends. Priced at 62.50 Euros or 80,20 USD Ferrari’s bob sled can be found at the Ferraristore.com

Technorati: Ferrari, Ferrari+F1, bob+sleds, toys, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop, images, pictures

Volkswagen Snow Sleds – Golf GTI & Beetle Herbie versions included!

Remember that classic Christmas present; a wooden snow sled composed of three pieces of wood and a couple rusty metal skids. Or even the make-shift ones composing of a huge plastic garbage bag? Well, Volkswagen has thought of a way to put those old wooden sleds and make shift ninnies to shame with a series of 8 different rapid departure sleds for kids in various age groups.

These savvy sleds get steering wheels, padded seating and cold resistant plastics, turning this old winter pass time into a whole new experience. The unquestionable stars of this collection though are the Lenkbob Snow Future GTI and Snow Flyer Herbie versions which are inspired from the Golf GTI and the Beetle Herbie respectively.

Technorati: Volkswagen, sleds, snow-mobiles, images, pictures, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop

Soap-box MINI goes up for sale in e-bay

Now this is what I call a genuine MINI – a cardboard made 2007 Mini Cooper soap-box with the compliments of MINI itself! From what I could make out by reading the German-only press release, it seems that this one of a kind piece is auctioned on e-bay in cooperation with Autobild magazine and all funds will be given for charity. The current bid is set at 1.000 EUR or about 1.290 USD and the final bidding date is on Monday, the 27th of November.


MINI, sorry, I mean.. BMW, thought about the less fortunate too as they’ve uploaded a large pic of the car (see pic bellow) which you can print, cut, fold and glue, creating your own personal desktop soap-box MINI. Cool!

Technorati: Mini+Cooper, BMW, soap-box, e-bay+motors, , Prefix, press+rlease, photos, images, pictures, autos, auto+news, car+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles, autos, Carscoop

PS: Allow me a bit of nagging. We know that Mini is owned by BMW and that’s fine with us. But that doesn’t change the fact that Mini is a British company so, could someone explain to me why do all Mini press releases come out first in German and later on–or to be exact, very, very later on, in English?

Chilly Cooper !

This must be the ultimately, the "coolest" gadget for Mini fans. Made by Italian company Smeg in cooperation with Mini, this Laser Blue coloured, pin-striped refrigerator is rather unemotionally named FAB28MCS. Although its production is limited to a mere 250 units, think of it this way; if you're quick enough to order you're going to have a hell of a more unique item than the 2007 Mini Cooper will ever be! via: Autoblog.com & Autoblog.it

Technorati: Gadgets, Smeg, Mini+Cooper, 2007, electronic, appliances, refrigerators, fridge, auto+news, automobile, cars, automotive, vehicles

Tres-Chic: Citroens presents the world's first designer tailored garage -complete with a six figure price tag !

So, you got "THE CAR", but where are you going put your precious baby? Well, if you're willing to relief your bank account of a six-figure number, then this is the ultimate solution -even if your "precious" doesn't wear the double chevron badge.

According to Citroen, this is the world's first "designer garage" and it was created for its all-new executive model, the C6. Penned by acclaimed Neutral partners, Tapio Spellman and Christian Grou whose credits include the Munich football stadium & the Allianz Arena, the garage was conceived as a sculptural design to "envelop and present the C6 in a truly unique and independent environment."

According to Christian Grou, the garage "encourages a visual dialogue between the inside and outside, and between the car and its environment as a result of the use of materials of different transparencies. The C6 is a truly individual statement, and one which deserves more than a run of the mill, brick and mortar garage."

The question that pops-up of course is how much more does the C6 deserve? Well, according to Citroen, the ultimate tres chi, transparent garage costs a mere... 167.808 Euros (212.371 USD - 112.330 UKP if you prefer) or about three times the cost of a range-topping C6 3.0 V6 !

Press Release

Drawing inspiration from the pronounced architectural forms of the Citroen C6 itself, the garage is formed by three solid strands, which create the "skeleton" of the main building that stands 3m tall and covers 50m2.

Constructed out of light transmitting concrete with transparent sliding "doors to the sides, which allow the vehicle to enter from either the front or the rear, the building securely encloses the C6 in the traditional sense of a garage, but at the same time allows it to be displayed to the passer-by.

The transparent sliding plates have been constructed of reinforced, environmentally friendly polycarbonate sheets with coloured LCD layers in the sheets allowing for opacity when the car owner switches on the privacy mode.

Reflecting the technical finesse of the Citroen C6, the multi-functional garage not only makes a bold, spatial statement, its tectonic design provides the owner with a useable roof terrace and a unique "man-made landscape" to adjoin their home.

Technorati: Citroen, C6, Neutral, garage, Architecture, gadgets, autos, auto+news, vehicles, cars, automotive

Nostalgic Volkswagen Microbus with a... twist!

Remember the "good old days", when people used to go around in their flower-power VW vans and dance to the rhythms of John Lennon on a lovely LP record? Feeling a little bit of nostalgia? If the answer is yes, then you're going to love this gadget and I think you'll agree that this is one hell of a boombox-mobile! via: Motorpasion

Technorati: Gadgets, Volkswagen+Microbus, LP, records, vinyl, autos, auto+news, vehicles, cars, automotive

Honey I shrunk the XC90: Mini-Volvo transporter for the European Athletic Championships

This handsome little fellow has been developed by Volvo specifically for the European Athletics Championships in Gothenburg to take on the duty of transferring various objects such as javelins, hammers or discuses from the place where they land, back to the thrower.

Volvo hand built four unique scaled bodies (1:15), mounted on electrically driven chassis developed by the Nordic Sport company. The radio controlled mini-Volvo has a 2hp electric motor giving it the capability to transport either four discuses, three javelins or two hammers (2 hammers alone, together weigh 14 kg). According to the Swedes, this mini-XC90 can go up to 20 km/h.

Technorati Tags: Volvo+XC90, European+Athletics+Championships, Gothenburg, Toys, radio+contol, video, clip, auto+news, automobile, autos, vehicles, automotive, cars,

Augustus Pipedreamer: Car Dishwasher

Despite to what you may think, this is not a cut scene from the "Back to the future" movie -although the De-Lorean and the green humanoid suggest it could be. It's a thought to how a car could be cleaned in the near future -2020. It is designed by Mira - the Motor Industry Research Association who was commissioned by E-Bay Motors to come up with a solution for helping drivers to keep their cars clean without using a pool of water. According to the designers, the inflatable car wash unit uses just four litres of water, compared to the 135 used in a hosepipe. Via Jalopnik

Technorati Tags: Car+Wash, future, gadgets, 2020, MIRA, E-bay, auto+news, automobile, autos, vehicles, automotive, cars

Electric powered MINI QED Concept with 640 Hp!

309,9 Kgm of tourque, 0-100 km/h (62mph) in just 4,5 seconds, 240 Km/h top speed and 1.500 Km autonomy

Sounds perfect don’t you agree? PML’s Mini concept was unveiled at the British Motor Show this week and it features 4 electric powered motors (one for each wheel) that generate a stunning 640 Hp (160 Hp each). More astonishing is the torque that sums up to a total of…3.000 NM or 308,9 Kgm !!!

According to PML, the all wheel drive electric powered mini needs a mere 4,5 sec (!) to accelerate from standstill to 100 km/h (62mp/h) while it’s top speed reaches 240 km/h (149 mph). PML say’s that athough a production model would be a bit slower (0-100 km/h in 6 seconds) the impressive 1.500 km (932 miles) autonomy will be retained.

Another real cool thing is the fact that the car wears a 250 cc 2 stroke petrol engine attached with a generator that supplies power to the batteries. As the battery level reduces, the rear mounted engine/generator starts to automatically top up the battery. So when you arrive at your destination you simply park the vehicle knowing that when you return the battery will be replenished!

Although the project wasn’t supported by BMW (BMW UK Ltd requested that PML mention that they have no involvement with the project and that such conversions invalidate warranty) PLM hope that a car maker will be interested in the technology.

I on the other hand hope PML can keep it’s promise concerning their systems hugely impressive specifications.

Item	Original target specification
Emissions Autonomy Top speed Acceleration Braking Fuel BHP	Zero 1500 km 200 kph minimum 0-100 kph in 6 secs No mechanical brakes Zero carbon 250 bhp minimum
	Current specification
Emissions Autonomy Top speed Acceleration Braking Fuel BHP	Zero for 4 hours 1500 km 240 kph 0-100 kph in 4.5 secs No mechanical brakes Carbon neutral option > 640 bhp

Specifications

Motors: 4 x 750Nm 1800rpm high efficiency Brushless permanent magnet sine wave Hi-Pa drive™ 24 phase water-cooled

Drive electronics: 4 x 480Amp 450V Hi-Pa drive™ 24 phase sine wave inverter IGBT water cooled CAN bus communications

Battery: 300V nominal 70Amp Hour Lithium Polymer 700Amp peak

Battery Management system: Active cell balancing, temperature and voltage monitoring CAN bus communications

Ultra Capacitor: 350V 11 Farad 700Amp limited

Energy re–circulator: 1400Amp continuous IGBT water cooled CAN bus communications

Generator

Engine 250cc 2 cylinder 4 stroke gasoline 15kW at 7000rpm

Generator 20kW continuous at 250V 80Amp

Controller350V 80Amp water-cooled CAN bus communications

Display: Touch screen high resolution LCD with steering wheel and 4 area screen menu indexing Displays battery, ultra cap, fuel status, mileage calculator, boost display and options for GPRS link to allow remote diagnostics and tracking Diagnostic and configuration menus CAN bus communications

Traction control: Dynamically distributes torque when any wheel is in skid management mode to obtain optimum tractive effort and stability.

Steering sensor: Optional addition to provide feed forward input to traction control system. Allows driver intent and wheel alignment to influence vehicle stability and tractive effort functions.

Vehicle attitude, yaw and gyroscopic sensors: Optional addition to provide further stability inputs to traction control system. Allows vehicle orientation and direction (if different from steering wheel implied direction) to be accounted for in determining optimum tractive effort distribution.

Differential/torque share functions: Standard feature incorporated within each wheel to allow optimum speed and torque share when cornering. Minimises tyre scrub and power wasted energy.

Efficiency optimisation: Dynamic management of power delivery to wheel ensures best use of available power. Accounts for motor related efficiency variations across speed and torque ranges.

Technorati Tags: PML, electric+vehicles, green, EV, Mini, Cooper, ecology, British+International+Motor+Show, London, 2006, concept, autos, auto+news, automobile, cars, automotive, images, pictures, press+release

BMW C.L.E.V.E.R. Concept

BMW just released official pictures of its co-developed three-wheeled, natural-gas powered micro-car called CLEVER (Compact Low Emission VEhicle for URban Transport). Although nothing official yet, but this concept that was funded by the European Commission (Fifth Framework Programme) could base the C1 successor, marrying the worlds of cars and motorcycles. Partners in the C.L.E.V.E.R project included:

• BMW
• Technical University of Berlin, Institute for Land and Sea Transport (TUB), Berlin, Germany
• Cooper-Avon Tyres Ltd, Melksham, Great Britain
• ARC Leichtmetall Kompetenzzentrum Ranshofen GmbH (LKR), Ranshofen, Austria
• IFP
• TAKATA-PETRI AG, Berlin, Germany
• University of Bath, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Institute for Power Transmission and Motion Control, Bath, Great Britain
• Universität für Bodenkultur Vienna, Institute of Transport, Vienna, Austria
• WEH GmbH, Illertissen, Germany

The CLEVER concept, a €3.3 million (US$3.9 million) effort, is an enclosed two-seater that combines the safety of a microcar, and the maneuverability of a motorcycle, while being less polluting than other vehicles as it runs on compressed natural gas.

Its strengthened frame will protect the driver in a crash and the vehicle will have a top speed of approximately 50 mph. The 230cc BMW engine—modified by Institut Français du Pétrole (IFP) to use natural gas—produces 12.5 kW (17 hp) of power and maximum torque of 15.5 Nm at 6,300 rpm.

Fuel consumption is estimated to be 2.4 liters/100 km gasoline equivalent (98 mpg US), with 59.5 g/km of CO₂ emissions. The compressed natural gas is stored in two removable gas bottles providing a range of 150 km (93 miles).

A problem with three-wheel vehicles with a symmetrical wheel layout is the tipping moment when cornering, which cannot be controlled at high speeds if the vehicle has a short wheelbase. To solve this problem the vehicle’s center of gravity can be moved towards the center of the corner—just as a motorcycle does when it corners.

The do this, the vehicle is a cabin tilter, with the system designed by the University of Bath. The cabin with the front wheel is connected to the power unit and the two rear wheels by a pivot bolt. The rotary movement of the cabin is produced by two hydraulic cylinders (actuators) that are installed between the cabin and the power unit. The actuators create the rotary angle of the cabin of +/-45° relative to the vertical power unit.

Technorati Tags: BMW+C.L.E.V.E.R., Concept, autos, auto+news, automotive, press+release, images, pictures

Jeep Grand Cherokee Startech V6 3.0 CRD

262 HP FOR THE GRAND CHEROKEE 3.0 V6 CRD

PRESS RELEASE: The third generation of the Jeep Grand Cherokee has arrived and STARTECH presents an exclusive refinement program for the SUV. The extensive product lineup is characterized not only by its professional engineering and innovative design: All components also offer exceptional quality. For the 3.0 CRD model with common-rail turbodiesel engine STARTECH offers the new SD6 performance kit and a particulate filter.

Equipped with the new STARTECH SD6 tuning kit the V6 diesel produces a maximum power output of 262 hp / 193 kW compared to 218 hp / 160 kW for the non-tuned version. At the same time peak torque grows from 510 Nm to 580 Nm between 1,600 and 2,800 rpm. The added 44 hp / 33 kW are available for 1,590 Euros.

The STARTECH SD6 performance kit consists of an auxiliary computer control unit that can be installed in less than 30 minutes by authorized Chrysler dealer, thanks to the included wire harness and installation instructions.

With STARTECH SD6 tuning performance of the SUV improves noticeably: The sprint to 100 km/h is shortened from 9.2 seconds for the production car to 8.5 seconds for the STARTECH-tuned version. Top speed increases to 210 km/h.

To make the new Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD even more environmentally friendly STARTECH offers a diesel particulate filter for vehicles with or without STARTECH engine tuning. The OEM-quality filter for the common-rail turbodiesel V6 is designed to be easily installed by any authorized Chrysler dealer. No modifications to the engine electronics are required. Both engine performance and fuel consumption remain at low production-car levels.

The STARTECH Monostar IV 9Jx20 light-alloy wheels are immediate eye catchers. The striking five-spoke wheels lend the Grand Cherokee an even more exclusive appearance. But that's not all: Shod with Pirelli tires in size 265/45 ZR 20 all-around they also give the SUV even more agile handling with further increased safety reserves.

The STARTECH suspension kit is specially calibrated to the use with sporty low-profile tires. It lowers the ride height by some 30 millimeters and further improves cornering ability due to the lowered center of gravity.

The exclusive looks of the American 4x4 is not only characterized by the large STARTECH 20-inch wheels: The STARTECH designer also created exterior components that are as attractive as they are functional.

The front of the new Grand Cherokee is customized with the strikingly styled STARTECH front apron. Its counterpart in the rear is a custom-shaped apron that features cutouts for the two characteristic oval chrome tailpipes of the STARTECH sport exhaust. The fully stainless-steel exhaust system is available for all engine variants of the Grand Cherokee. It produces not only a more sonorous exhaust note nut also optimizes power yield.

The sides of the five-door are upgraded with STARTECH side sills with integrated LED entrance lights. The lights are activated either with the standard keyless-entry remote or by pulling on a door handle. This STARTECH development makes entering and exiting the vehicle at night safer.

Exclusive interior design is yet another STARTECH specialty, which is also available for the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. The STARTECH accessories range from an ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel covered in the finest leather to polished stainless-steel sill plates with illuminated STARTECH logo.