Sport Cars i8 Concept

The Ford Rescue X design proposal from Robert Engelmann is a tough vehicle designed for rescue operations in treacherous terrains. The futuristic search and rescue vehicle is designed to reduce time consumption in medical emergencies. The Ford Rescue X Concept is a study of a futuristic search and rescue vehicle designed for rough terrains that features a dedicated medical module and Computer Aided Surgery equipment. It was designed by German product design graduate Robert Engelmann.

One of the seats has an integrated first aid pack that can be quickly released, while the rotating wheel arches on the concept allow it to move through snow covered/ icy terrains. The medical module has a system to allow remote Computer Aided Surgery (CAS). The concept has an electric drivetrain utilizing four suspension-mounted motors.

Ford Rescue X Concept Ford Rescue X ConceptThis contributes to the safety of the injured person and allows a specialist to remotely operate the integrated medical equipment in order to do an emergency surgery anywhere. Ford Rescue X Concept - Design Panel The rotating wheelarches can be turned into special breaks for extreme conditions such as on the snow or icy terrains. A backpack with first aid tools is integrated in the seat and can be quickly released. The integrated medical equipment also includes a computer tomograph and a CAS system (Computer Aided Surgery).

2020 Aston Martin Twenty Twenty Sports Car concept

Geneva is one of the world's great auto shows, if for no other reason than it's the place where Italy's design houses and coachbuilders -carrozzerie- annually roll out their latest concept cars. This year, Aston Martin previewed the production version its voluptuous Vanquish (covered elsewhere in this issue). But that wasn't the only Aston on the show floor. The Aston Martin Twenty Twenty concept from 2001 was designed by Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro of ItalDesign.

2020 Aston Martin Twenty Twenty Sports Car concept

The fully-functioning concept car was intended as a vision for a convertible Aston Martin sports car for the year 2020. Italdesign sprung this amazing car on the unsuspecting visitors to the 2001 Geneva Salon L'Auto. This startling car, based on an early production DB7 Vantage, has a body shape made of exposed extruded aluminium structural elements; body panels made from plastic and carbon fibre are fitted onto it. Thankfully Aston Martin’s current styling trend is headed in a completely different direction to the Twenty Twenty concept.
The brushed aluminium highlighting lines which adorn the Aston Martin Twenty Twenty are an original design feature. However their overuse (especially around the front) gives the concept an unusual, almost comical appearance from some angles. The grille surround almost looks like lipstick.

The Twenty Twenty is powered by front mounted, uprated version of the 6 litre V12 from the DB7 Vantage, said to produce 500bhp - visible through a grilled fairing on the bonnet. Initially it appears to be a strict 2 seater, although the rear bulkhead can be removed to provide seating for two children. The rear of the Aston Martin Twenty Twenty (from the doors back) is more appealing with more conservative use of bare aluminium. The soft top is stored in its own special housing that can be slotted into position between the roll-bar and the windscreen, 'Targa' fashion. Notice the fantastic door hinges - derived from the classic Aston wing vent, are both decorative and functional elements.

Giorgetto Giugiaro and Aston Martin previously co-operated in 1961, when Carrozzeria Bertone worked on the two-seater DB4GT Jet coupe prototype. And like the original 'Jet' car, the 2020 is destined to remain unique. Aston Martin are believed to have thought the 2020 'interesting', but no plans were ever made even for limited production. As the Twenty Twenty isn't an official Aston Martin design project, don't look for any sort of production version. What about the name? Simple: It's the term commonly used to describe perfect vision. And the Giugiaros clearly have good eyes.

In March 2004, I received an e-mail claiming the 2020 was for sale, but I have been unable to find any reference to this anywhere. But the car was seen for the first time in the UK at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, June 2005.

2009 Japan Mazda Motor Corporation (HIROSHIMA) announced that it has built the first Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle with Norwegian specifications, developed specifically for participation in HyNor, Norway’s national hydrogen project. The first unit will take part in ceremonies marking the official opening of HyNor’s hydrogen filling stations.

The initial opening ceremony will be held in Oslo on May 11, 2009. The RX-8 Hydrogen RE will then undergo certification to meet local standards and will be used for maintenance staff training. Mazda plans to commence leasing of Norwegian specification RX-8 Hydrogen RE models in Norway in summer 2009.

Unlike the RX-8 Hydrogen RE currently being leased in Japan, the HyNor-specification Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE is based on the latest European-specification Mazda RX-8 with left-hand drive and a manual transmission.

The HyNor project aims to enable hydrogen vehicles to travel along a 580-kilometer stretch of highway by establishing a chain of hydrogen stations between Stavanger and Oslo in Norway.

Mazda agreed to collaborate with HyNor on the project in November 2007 and began validation of the RX-8 Hydrogen RE’s driving performance on Norwegian public roads in October 2008.

BMW has proven that rear-wheel-drive c-segment size luxury works, with its 1 Series, Lincoln is turning next to the 2011 Ford Focus' platform for post-global warming luxury. To prepare us for a CAFE-friendly world, Lincoln rolled out the C concept (for c-segment, and so far, without an "MK" prefix) at Detroit. Looking much like a Renault with Lincoln's "flying wing" '41 Continental retro cue grille, the C is about the length of the '11 Focus, but about 2.75-inches wider for three-abreast seating via two flat benches. Ford designers cite the '39 Lincoln, '56 Continental II and '61 Continental as inspiration. But the a-pillar is curved much like a Renault Espace's, and the c-pillar ends in a Clio-esque bustle trunk. While there's no tumblehome, a deep shoulderline accents the profile.