Sport Cars i8 Concept

The all-new BMW 650i Convertible fulfils the wishes of the most discerning automotive enthusiast as The Ultimate Driving Machine with groundbreaking luxury and crisp good looks. BMW has opened a new chapter in the tradition of open-top cars. The 2012 BMW Sport Cars 650i Convertible will go on sale in the Spring of 2011 in the United States. Final pricing, options, and packages will be announced closer to the on-sale date.

With the BMW 6-Series Coupe Concept debuting at the 2010 Los Angeles International Auto Show as its backdrop, BMW announced the production-ready 2012 BMW Sport Cars 650i Convertible. In the premium convertible market, the 2012 BMW Sport Cars 650i Convertible presents a convincing case with the most advanced chassis technology and most innovative comfort, infotainment and safety features.

A sweeping hood, aft-set passenger compartment, long wheelbase and muscular profile embody the hallmark proportions of a BMW Convertible. The new 2012 BMW Sport Cars 650i Convertible combines these features with a classic soft-top roof with flying buttress design. Powerfully contoured surfaces of its lines promise the anticipated BMW driving experience. The luxurious ambience of the interior is highlighted by a driver-oriented cockpit which wraps the front and rear passengers in a feeling of aesthetic security. Nowhere is the high-class functionality of the interior underlined more prominently than in the redesigned freestanding 10.2" Central Display of the standard iDrive control system.

The 4.4-liter V-8 engine develops a maximum 400 hp between 5,500 and 6,400 rpm, and makes peak torque of 450 lb-ft between 1,750 and 4,500 rpm (preliminary). This unique "reverse-flow" engine, whose turbochargers are positioned in the V-area between the cylinder banks, produces an instantaneous and sustained wave of power, making it an energetic delight for the enthusiast driver. Instantaneous power and torque are the stand-out features of the V-8 engine available of the new 2012 BMW Sport Cars 650i Convertible. The engine combines sporting character with outstanding smoothness, linear power delivery, and exceptional efficiency. The engine can be paired with either BMW's new 8-speed Sport Automatic gearbox or BMW's traditional 6-speed manual transmission, quite popular with North American enthusiasts.

The 2012 BMW Sport Cars 650i Convertible completes the sprint from 0 to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds with the manual transmission (4.9 seconds with the 8-speed automatic), and top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph. This engine also boasts extraordinary efficiency for a model in its output class. EPA figures will be available closer to the on-sale date in 2011.

The 8-speed Sport Automatic transmission fitted to the new BMW 650i Convertible boasts a perfect combination of speed, flexibility, sportiness, and efficiency. Its minimal torque converter slip and rapid gear changes set it apart. An innovative gear set configuration allows this transmission to offer eight gears, optimizing the sprinting power yet allowing the driver to save fuel by driving at low revs. Naturally, the driver can choose to select gears manually via shift paddles on the standard Sport leather steering wheel.

The new 2012 BMW Sport Cars 650i Convertible is the first car in its class that can be equipped with Integral Active Steering. This system combines the Active Steering system for the front axle (available on the previous generation 6-Series Convertible) with a new, steerable rear axle. Precisely harmonized steering angle movements at both axles create a virtual lengthening or shortening of the vehicle's wheelbase, which fosters greater high-speed stability and enhanced maneuverability for parking and city use.

Like its predecessor, the new 2012 BMW Sport Cars 650i Convertible is the only vehicle in its class with an optional Head-Up Display system. By projecting important information onto the windshield, directly in the driver's line of sight, the Head-Up Display minimizes distraction from the road and traffic. The new-generation system brings a further improvement in display quality: the symbols are projected as three-dimensional graphics and in ultra-clear resolution onto the windshield. Full-color capability makes the road sign symbols even more realistic. At the same time the Head-Up Display is now able to present a wider range of information. Depending on vehicle specification, guidance information supplied by the Navigation system, Check Control messages, status messages from the Lane Departure Warning System and warnings from the BMW Night Vision system can all be shown in the Head-Up Display. The positioning of the messages on the windshield is highly ergonomic, so that drivers are aware of them without having to refocus or take their eyes off the road.

The new 2012 BMW Sport Cars 650i Convertible is built at the BMW plant in Dingolfing, Germany. Also rolling off the assembly line at the BMW Group's largest production plant are the BMW 7-Series and BMW 5-Series models. The flexible and efficient processes at the plant combine state-of-the-art production technology with a standard of quality defined by meticulous craftsmanship in the manufacture of premium cars configured to customer requirements.

Very clever, The Korean design student Youngho Jong is looking towards Saab’s future with his 2025 Advanced Warning System Vehicle concept, a rakish, four-door sport saloon, sport sedan with sport car coupe-like styling.

Jong’s goal was to design a vehicle that would warn other drivers of impending danger. With his research showing that 50% of vehicles accidents are caused by carelessness, excessive speed and tailgating, Jong wanted to create a car that would warn other drivers to back off and drive with care.

Jong has put together a design for a 2025 Saab Concept that combines the elements of nature and human psychology fit to warn other vehicles of any impending danger. The 2025 Advanced Warning System Vehicle concept is a four door saloon that comes with various warning signals to alert other drivers when he vehicle is getting too close or is driving recklessly. The same amber slips are found on the front and sides of the vehicle. Jong took his inspiration from nature’s Fire Salamander, which uses its bright, menacing colours to ward off potential predators.

Jong also mentions that the coolest part of this Saab Sport Sedan Concept is the body that is made of a soft, impact absorbing material that reduces pedestrian injuries and vehicle damage in collisions. He incorporate sharp edges and the colours red and yellow to further emphasises the possible danger.

All of this, it’s a very clever, if far-fetched solution to a very real problem we face in the world today. The technology Saab Sports Cars Sedan Concept By Youngho Jong Design For 2025 isn’t quite there yet, but it’s not too hard to believe that cars twenty years hence will use a system like this.

GeigerCars.de, a German tuner specialized in North American cars, has launched an upgrade program for the Cadillac CTS-V. Despite its German location, Geiger Cars shows a great passion for tuning American cars. Instead of getting even more power and torque out of neighbouring brands like the Audi RS 6, the BMW M5, or the Mercedes-Benz E 63, Geiger chose to cross the Atlantic and create a monster out of a beast.

The performance saloon segment has for years been the exclusive domain of German manufacturers, for vehicles like the Audi RS6, the BMW M5 or the new Mercedes E63 AMG set the bar so high that most others don't even try to compete. So it's all the more surprising that the American Cadillac of all brands has suddenly hit back with the CTS-V, a lighting ride which has left a good many journalists pale-faced and shaken after test drives. 564 series HP and a massive maximum torque of 747 Nm are a clear challenge to Munich, Ingolstadt and Stuttgart.

What is more, Cadillac is now marketing the CTS-V in Europe for 74,400.00 euros - which needless to say leaves its German competitors trailing on the price-performance front.

The four-door Cadillac with the tapered bonnet, The Cadillac CTS-V already comes packed to the hilt with a supercharged 6.2-litre LSA V8 based on the LS9 V8 from the Corvette ZR1. In its raw form it makes 415kW (564hp) at 5900rpm and 747Nm of torque. Not content, Geiger engineers upped the charge pressure releasing 455kW (619hp) and 850Nm of torque - a level few sports cars can match, and called it Brute Force. Drive is still thrusted upon the 6-speed gearbox and the rear wheels, although fifth and sixth gears are shortened. Top speed is rated at over 330km/h (205mph).

One thing is for sure: the Geiger Cadillac CTS-V shoots into action in all situations and keeps a joyful grin on its driver's face in every one of its manual gears. Not only that, but its optimised chassis means the CTS-V offers the perfect balance between long-distance comfort and an uncompromising hunger for curves and speed. In the face of such American sports perfection, we can only say "hats off"!". Geiger gives assurances that the car is a good compromise between a long-distance cruiser and a sharp, agile cornering machine. It can be had for €84,900, just €10,500 more than what Cadillac charges for the standard vehicle in Europe

Technical data, Geiger Cadillac CTS-V :
Engine: 6.2 liters V8 with compressor, increased charge pressure
Power: 619 HP at 5900 rpm
Max. torque: 850 Nm at 4000 rpm Bore x stroke: 103.2 x 92.0mm
Drive: rear-wheel drive
Gears: 6-gear transmission; 5th and 6th gear shortened
Brakes: ventilated disc brakes at front and rear
Top speed: 330km/h
Price: 84,900.00 euros

And alongside these new engines, the naturally aspirated 4.2-liter V8 engine will continue to play a key role for the Jaguar XF and will be available starting January 2009. Customers will be able to order the latest naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8 versions of the new Jaguar XF range from January 2009.The 510bhp supercharged V8 XFR will be available to order from February 2009.

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.

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. 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.
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.