Tuesday, 27 September 2011 16:26
Formula Ford's all-new 2012 racer gets a radical EcoBoost
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of the Ford Motor Company
In its entire 44-year history, Formula Ford finally received its most radical revolution yet as the 2012-spec machine rolls out into daylight for the very first time at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. You see, the single-seaters used in competition today have been largely unchanged in the last 20 odd years and are in dire need of an upgrade - both in shape and safety. Thus, to bring the latest Formula Ford racer up to par with Formula 1 and Formula 3, its bodywork is injected with the blue oval brand's kinetic design philosophy and fitted on an updated chassis that meets stringent FIA safety standards. Looks like the new generation of Formula Ford's are ready to race into the future.
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Motorsports
Tuesday, 20 September 2011 14:09
Mercedes-Benz' 2012 C-Class Coupe DTM AMG shines (w/ video)
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of Mercedes-Benz
Mercedes-Benz's successful DTM challenger has lost a pair of rear doors in its chase for the 2012 title. With 84 race victories and five driver titles under its belt in the DTM's 27-year history, the C-Class AMG will finally hand over the torch to the latest 2012 DTM AMG Mercedes C-Coupé.
Mercedes GP Petronas F1 drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg took time off their busy schedules to unveil the three-pointed star's newest DTM dagger at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Based on the freshly-launched Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé, it too shares its state-of-the-art carbon fiber monocoque/steel roll cage structure with other manufacturers Audi and BMW to lower costs. The improved safety cell gives the additional protection for the driver through six energy-absorbing crash structures, which should prove handy in case of a collision.
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Motorsports
Friday, 16 September 2011 10:06
Volvo's Concept You is Scandinavian Sci-Fi (w/ video)
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of Volvo Car Corporation
Back in April, Volvo bit off more than they could chew when they tried to take on the Universe. That's why four months later, they decided to go back to the drawing board and tackle something more manageable starting with You. Reborn at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, the Concept You was built as a statement of “Scandinavian Heritage, Scandinavian Passion, Scandinavian Light, and Scandinavian Craftmanship.” But all this Scandinavian pride somehow feels that there's a hint of Scandinavian insecurity behind the brand's new oriental owners.
Taking the form of a sporty fastback coupé, the Concept You wields ventilated disc brakes by Polestar racing and 21-inch polished aluminum rims. And since its last inception, it has grown a pair of rear sunroofs and traded the futuristic grill for one with more class, but manages to retain the decorated side mirrors. Overall, Volvo's hoping to appeal to a wider audience with its younger and sportier character.
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Concept
Thursday, 15 September 2011 09:24
Meet the Honda Civic's new sassy European twin
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of Honda Motor Co. Ltd.
Europeans, with their tranquil lifestyle, surely do know how to enjoy the finer things in life. They arguably have better beer, better cheese, better wine, and since mid 2000, a better Honda Civic. Unknown to the rest of the world, they've been building a specifically developed five-door hatchback to suit their necessities. And at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, Honda's out to remind us what we're missing as they roll out the latest Euro Civic.
Retaining the same basic profile as its predecessor, the 2012 model looks like the love-child of the Insight and CR-Z. Design inspiration came from flying wing aircrafts such as the USAF B-2 Bomber and athletic tracksuits according to Honda, which helped refine aerodynamics. Bigger wheel arches and a striking u-shaped front bumper element assert the Euro Civic's sporting abilities, while the updated rear end improves on rear visibility. It has also grown a pair of LED strips on top of the fog lamps to keep up with the trend.
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Newly Launched
Wednesday, 14 September 2011 19:55
Ford gets sexy with the feisty Fiesta ST Concept
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of the Ford Motor Company
FoFi fans have more reason to party on the Fiesta's first birthday as Ford gets the show on the road with the feisty Fiesta ST Concept. Powered by a turbocharged Ti-VCT 1.6-liter EcoBost engine, this hot hatch is ready to knock your socks off with its 180 horses and 240 Nm of torque. And when coupled to a manual six-speed transmission, it takes less than seven seconds in the sprint to 100 km/h and top out at 220 km/h, if you've got the balls for it. Ford has wiped the smirk off its face and replaced it with a menacing grin, transforming this humble hatchback into a scandalous sportster worthy of an ST badge.
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Concept
Tuesday, 13 September 2011 20:37
Audi's A5 DTM is ready to wrestle
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of Audi AG
Two months after the first design sketches were revealed, Audi's 2012 DTM contender is finally ready to step into the limelight at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. The new Audi A5 DTM will be the first ever two-door coupe from the four rings brand to enter into international touring car series. And when it hits the track next year, it should be fit to slug it out with the best from BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Conforming to new Technical Regulations, the A5 DTM shares as much as 50 components with other cars on the grid to reduce costs by 40 percent. Its front and rear subframes are now identical throughout all DTM manufacturers, but underneath the composite body sits a freshly-designed hybrid carbon fiber monocoque and steel cage chassis to improve safety. Adding to that are more stringent material and production specifications for suspension components, which greatly limits the suspension's design options.
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Motorsports
Tuesday, 13 September 2011 12:47
Lamborghini goes to the extreme with the Gallardo LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of Automobili Lamborghini Holding S.p.A.
Dubbed as “the most extreme Gallardo EVER,” Lamborghini pips the LP 570-4 Super Trofeo Stradale at the 2011 Frankfurt Motorshow as a race car for the road. This baby Lambo is based on the machine used in the Blancpain Super Trofeo, the Gallardo's one-make race series, and shares the same race-spec 570 horsepower V10 and e-gear six-speed transmission. It even comes with the competition-derived carbon composite rear spoiler and removable engine hood with quick-release system. Limited to just 150 examples, could this be the aging Gallarado's last hurrah before the model expires?
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Newly Launched
Thursday, 08 September 2011 14:36
Jaguar takes on new turf with the C-X16 concept (w/ video)
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of Jaguar Cars Limited
The big cat has coughed up a new hairball and looks like it’s ready to pounce at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Codenamed the C-X16, Jaguar's latest super sports car is a 375 horsepower two-seater hybrid that's meant to bang heads with the likes of the Carrera 911, C6 Corvette, and V8 Vantage. Although it's still in the concept phase, the prototype reveals that it should be production ready and is well shaping up to be the XKR's successor.
With big shoes to fill, the new supercharged 3.0 liter V6 power plant might sound like a downgrade from the XK's V8, but let me assure you that it hasn't lost any of its grunt and purrs just as sweet. Packing 375 horsepower and 450 Nm of torque, the C-X16 leaps from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.4 seconds and should reach 300 km/h if you've got the balls to keep the pedal to the floor.
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Concept
Thursday, 01 September 2011 07:47
Ford sees the future through the Evos Concept
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of the Ford Motor Company
Travel through time as the blue oval brand takes us far into the future with its Frankfurt-bound Evos Concept car. Created to express Ford's new global design direction, this is one concept that dwells more on the 'what can be' rather than the 'what will be.' That means there's only a slim chance that this sleek sedan will ever make it into production, but its technologies and design elements will. And yes, that's right, though it might look like a coupe, this one's actually a cool four-door saloon.
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Concept
Tuesday, 30 August 2011 11:25
Aston Martin preps V12 Zagato for production
Words by Christopher Kho | Photos courtesy of Aston Martin
Celebrating 50 years of the DB4GT Zagato, Aston Martin once again joined forces with the Italian design firm to create art in motion. The V12 Zagato is a modern interpretation of the classic and stays true to Zagato's heritage of craftsmanship, performance, and exclusivity. Based on the V12 Vantage's innards, the new supercar is powered by the same 510 horsepower 6-liter V12. The body was then redesigned from ground up and handcrafted out of aluminum and carbon fiber.
Designed as a concept, only two prototypes of the V12 Zagato were built in early 2011, which were converted into race trim to compete at the historic Nürburgring 24 Hour race. But in 2012, the exclusive club is about to grow bigger when Aston Martin pushes the V12 Zagato into production.
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Newly Launched
