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Showing posts with label automotive design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label automotive design. Show all posts

Mexico Unveils A New Supercar, The Vuhl 05. And Here's 40 Photos Of It.



The VŪHL 05 is a brand new street-legal road car being built in Central America by the Echeverria brothers. Details on the extremely lightweight, six-speed manual Supercar have just been released and I have the "official" photos that all the car mags have PLUS lots of unofficial images of the vehicle for you.

Aston Martin Celebrates 100 Years With Special Logo, Short Film, Big Stunt and 100 Exclusive Centenary Editions.




2013 marks 100 years since the founding of Aston Martin by Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin. By incorporating their new company they began 100 years of Power, Beauty and Soul. To celebrate the anniversary, they have created a new logo, a short film, a spectacular stunt in Dubai and have created 100 special sexy Centenary Editions of their V8 Vantage, DB9, Rapide and Vanquish.

The Aston Martin Centenary Logo



To mark the Centenary year and to ensure consistency of interpretation, Aston Martin has developed a visual expression in the form of the Aston Martin Centenary Logo.

The dynamic shape derived from nature’s nautilus shell, is made up of 99 points with the red 100 marking the celebration year.

The design represents the Centenary of the company in the shape of commemorative points aligned in perfect proportion around the Aston Martin logo. It is a dynamic expression of forward motion - acknowledging the past, yet with a strong and positive path to the future.

The points are symbolic not just of 100 years, but as an expression of what make the marque what it is today: the beautiful and iconic sports cars, the evolution of the brand and of course the many proud and dedicated people who have created it.

The 100 Years of Aston Martin Video
Featuring some of the most iconic cars and most important people in Aston Martin history the film shown below explores 100 years of this globally respected British marque.



The Dubai Centenary Spectacular Stunt
The Dubai Centenary Spectacular at Burj Al Arab was an event created to herald the Anniversary.



The New Vanquish, the culmination of a century of technological and engineering progress was chosen to grace the helipad of the Burj Al Arab hotel, one of the most iconic buildings in the world.



Lifted from the ground at a nearby airstrip the helicopter moved towards the hotel. A breathtaking two minutes saw the helicopter hover over the helipad as a crew scrambled to secure the Vanquish. Suddenly it was done, the helicopter lifted into the sky and we had successfully placed a car on top of the helipad of the Burj Al Arab, which sits over 1,000 ft in the air.



Exclusive Centenary Editions
Aston Martin's Centenary Edition Vanquish has been unveiled, just one of a set of specifically created specifications which will adorn V8 Vantage, DB9, Rapide and Vanquish - with 100 exclusive examples of each being created in celebration of 100 Years of Aston Martin.



Bespoke Exterior Styling


Featuring a unique graduated paint finish, solid sterling silver Aston Martin wings badges with tailored ‘trans flux’ enamel inlay and a special Aston Martin hallmark, the exterior represents an exclusive new celebration of their 100-year history.

A Luxurious Treatment


A Centenary Edition Aston Martin is identified inside by its exclusive and luxurious treatment. Deep Soft black leather – previously featuring only in the One-77 hypercar – with contrasting silver stitching, a special silver thread embroidery of the Aston Martin wings in the head restraints and solid sterling silver sill plaques individually numbered with an Aston Martin hallmark are among the features unique to the car.

Exquisite Craftsmanship


The process of creating the unique Centenary Edition paint finish, for instance, clearly demonstrates the brand’s commitment to bespoke luxury. Adding an average of 18 hours to a paint process that can already take more than 50 hours to complete, the unique graduated finish is meticulously built by adding special ‘tinters’ to create the darker inner colour. This custom-made mixture is then applied to each panel by hand, using a special mini-jet spray gun.



Aston Martin Design Director Marek Reichman explained: “The team has looked closely at the individual contour lines of each of the cars to determine not only the right colours and shades, but also to create a template by which the paint changes from dark to light and where the graduated effect sits.”

Each Centenary Edition model will also be supplied with a unique presentation box containing a number of exclusive gifts to mark the first 100 years of the company. These include two glass keys, two bespoke key pouches made from leather matching the car’s interior trim, solid silver cufflinks featuring the Aston Martin script, solid silver Rollerball pen and high quality Bang & Olufsen headphones.

The gift box will also include a silver polishing cloth to help owners ensure the silver centenary wings badges and sill plaques on their car keep their lustre.

Available to order now, prices for the Centenary Edition models are obtainable on application at Aston Martin’s 146 dealers in 46 countries worldwide.



See more about the history of Aston Martin here.

Peugeot's Onyx Concept Supercar, Superbike and Superscooter Wrap Hybrid Technology and Beauty In Shiny Copper and Matte Black.



There was lots of buzz at the 2012 Paris Motor Show about Peugeot's Concept Supercar, the Onyx and it's no wonder. Aside from radiating beauty, elegance and state-of-art technology, the Onyx Concept Bike and Onyx Concept Scooter are its acclaimed variations. Here's a look at all three wicked machines.



above top: computer renderings and below: at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.

The Car
The Peugeot Onyx Concept Supercar



The sporty, finely-honed, streamlined Onyx is a hybrid concept car that slices through the air with pure elegance. Expressing a century of research and innovation, the Onyx is the most accomplished car ever imagined by the Lion brand.



Inspired by passionate people, the Onyx offers its adorers a vision of tomorrow. Shaped using raw materials innovatively, this supercar was designed by enthusiasts who have drawn their inspiration from the world of racing.



Its ingenious bodywork captivates with its striking contrast of materials and colours. Its wings and doors were hand-carved by a master craftsman from a pure copper sheet. This mirror-polished metal is totally self-protecting and uses no tricks. Its aspect will change over time and create a patina effect.





above: as seen at the 2012 Paris Motor Show

Its mid-mounted V8 will take you beyond the limits of high performance. A showcase of technological excellence and craftsmanship, the Onyx Concept Car treasures a HYbrid4 engine under its copper sheet that recovers the kinetic energy from braking and restores it during acceleration.


above: Watch it slice through the air in pure elegance, with its vertical grille and full LED headlights beaming. Its wings and doors, hand-carved by a master craftsman from a pure, mirror-polished copper sheet, make the Onyx dazzle and shimmer.


above: Its tail-lights are designed with Peugeot's distinguishing luminous three-claw signature, a magnificently-exquisite finishing touch. The Onyx Concept Car also incorporates mini impellers which direct airflow and intensify aerodynamics.


above: Bathed in natural, dazzling roof-to-floor light, the Onyx's cab includes a felt-designed console and a revolutionary, new wooden dashboard: made of newspaper-wood. The cab itself is a one-piece pod, without seams, without joins and becomes one with the driver and passenger, embracing them in absolute comfort.

Other detals include Carbon Fiber wheels:

And a carbon Fiber cad rear bumper:


The Bike
Peugeot Onyx Concept Bike, an ultimately-efficient superbike


Drawing from Peugeot Cycles' experience in the field of competition, the teams returned to the brand's origins of speed and performance. Peugeot Cycles' designers drew their inspiration from the Onyx to create an ITT bike that propels the brand into the future with its state-of-the-art and high-performance style. The flexed and harmonious lines of the carbon unibody frame optimize the Onyx Concept Bike's aerodynamics.



Back to the brand's origins with this futuristic, revolutionary, time trial Onyx Concept Bike. The engineers' work in wind tunnels, the frame designed with carbon, the streamlined wheels and disc brakes are a tip of the hat to the brand's automobiles. This groundbreaking style propels it into the future and into a world of speed and high performance.


above: The flexed and harmonious lines of the carbon unibody frame optimize the Onyx Concept Bike's aerodynamics.



above: In keeping with the high-performance spirit, the cables, brakes and battery are perfectly concealed inside the handlebars. And the electronically-controlled gear-change is exceptionally intuitive.


above: As seen at the 2012 Paris Motor Show

The Scooter
Peugeot Onyx Concept Scooter, a hybrid supertrike


Cities are changing but mobility solutions are always one step ahead. Peugeot's Onyx Scooter Concept proposes an original, revolutionary, 3-wheel alternative that switches from scooter to motorbike, from urban-style to sporty-style, to fit the rider's needs and desires.



By combining a 400 cc heat engine with an electrical engine, it provides first-class acceleration and get-up-and-go totally in line with its ultra-sportive style. This scooter has an up-to-the-minute look shared only with the Onyx Concept Car and Concept Bike.


above: With its matt black coat, the Onyx Concept Scooter radiates pure elegance. And through its coppered details, you can catch a glimpse of its pioneering technology.



Integrating the stylistic codes of the brand's automobiles, this 2-in-1 supertrike displays an athletic silhouette with sculptural lines and an extra-large 200/50 R17 rear wheel that radiates the spirit of hypersport bikes.


above: In the city, the rider maintains a more classical position, with feed forward and head held high to snake through traffic easily. Highly-practical, this scooter offers exceptional storage space between the seat and front-end.


above: In sports mode, the rider tilts forward, with wrists used for support and feet in a backward position. Naturally aerodynamic, the Onyx Concept Scooter offers great seating comfort for a passenger without compromising on vivacity.


above: as seen at the Paris Motor Show

Images and information courtesy of Peugeot ; Paris Motor Show images courtesy of Autoblog

A New Spot For Europe's Revolutionarily Designed Ford B-MAX Dives Head-First Into Demonstration Land.




Using demonstrations to sell an automobile is nothing new. Largely pioneered by ad agency Team One for the Lexus brand in the late 80s and early 90s, we have since seen maybe hundreds of on stage and in situ demonstrations from various car manufacturers - most of them forgettable.


above: the unique door design of the Ford B-MAX is a perfect feature for a demonstration

But here's one you most likely will not forget. Agency Blue Hive of London has launched a pan-European campaign to promote the brand new Ford B-MAX, focusing on the car’s revolutionary design. This ground-breaking vehicle has removed the central b-pillars and seamlessly integrating them into the doors allowing unobstructed access through a 1.5m opening.


above: a still from "Life is an Open Door"

Beautifully shot at the Olympic Swimming Pool in Barcelona, the ad features a diver leaping from a 10m high board headlong through the open doors of a B-MAX that’s suspended above the pool water and down into the water below. The key being, of course, there's no central b-pillar to block his way.



To bring the concept to life, the agency commissioned Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated movie director Martin Campbell (whose many directing credits include Casino Royale and Goldeneye). The team also enlisted one of the world’s best stunt coordinators Tom Struthers (Inception, The Dark Knight Rises).


above: The dive stunt itself was performed by stuntman Bobby Hanton, who has doubled for Christian Bale in The Dark Knight Rises and is currently shooting Thor 2 where he is Chris Hemsworth’s double.

This campaign also marks the first project under the new Executive Creative Director of Blue Hive, Karin Onsager-Birch, who arrived in May after spending 11 years at San Francisco hotshop agency Goodby Silverstein, to head up the creative department.

Gaetano Thorel, Vice President of Marketing at Ford of Europe, said: “I’m delighted with the new B-MAX campaign. Across every media, the work clearly highlights the car’s ingenious design. I also think the TV commercial is great and accurately portrays us as a bold and exciting brand. Both the B-MAX vehicle and the communications around it bring our Go Further principle powerfully to life.”

Karin Onsager-Birch, Executive Creative Director at Blue Hive, added: “The ‘Life is an Open Door’ campaign idea just sings out of this spot. It's the ultimate visual product demonstration. A simple stunt that celebrates the unique design of the car – in a ballsy way. Ford's motto is Go Further*, with this spot we took that quite literally."

"Behind the Scenes" video:


The 360-campaign will run across 28 markets and is spearheaded by a dramatic 40” cinema and 30” television commercial that airs on October, 22nd 2012 in the UK.

Full Credits:
Agency: Blue Hive
Client: Ford of Europe
Creative: Steve Clarke
Creative: Serge Pennings
Executive Creative Director: Karin Onsager-Birch
Producer: Lindsay Moyes
Business Director: Fabio Ruffet
Account Director: Dario Verrini
Senior Account Manager: Ina Foelster
Director: Martin Campbell, Black Label
Producer: Dom Freeman
Director of Photography: Roger Pratt
Stunt Coordinator: Tom Struthers
Stunt Performer: Bobby Hanton
Editor: Gareth McEwen. The WhiteHouse, London.
Post Production: Jay Bandlish (The Mill, London)
Sound Engineer: Munzie Thind (Grand Central Studios, London)
Music Consultants: Finger Music.
Original music: Hawkwind: 'Master of the Universe'.
Vice President, Marketing, Ford of Europe: Gaetano Thorel
Marketing Director, Ford of Europe: Maureen Graham
Manager, Creative Services, Ford of Europe: Usha Raghavachari
Small Car Communications Manager, Ford of Europe: Catherine Blee

* If the tagline "Go Further" sounds a bit familiar, you may recall that ad agency Goodby Berlin Silverstein coincidentally used the similar tagline "Go Farther" for the Isuzu brand years ago.


Motorsports Fans' Engines Will Revv Over These Wood Racetrack Wall Sculptures.





Passionate about motorsports? You know what Nurburgring is? Do lap times excite you more than lap dances? Then you should be familiar with Linear Edge. They offer wall art sculptures of all the race tracks from Formula One, MotoGP, World Superbike, American Le Mans and Nascar crafted from high quality baltic birch plywood and laminate.



above: only a small sampling of their many racetracks

The materials are laminated together before being precisely cut to ensure the highest quality and cleanest cut.



Great to mount on the wall in garages or livingrooms:



They supply 3M Command Velcro Mounting Strips with 
each order. These mounting strips allow you to mount 
the tracks without putting holes in the wall.

And that's not all. Coasters bearing the images of these world reknowned racetracks are also available in sets of four or six.



Their coasters are made from high quality HDPE and are also precisely cut and engraved like their racetrack sculptures.

Fixed set of six:

Fixed set of Four:


If you don't see the track you want - or have another shape in mind - you can email them and inquire at info@linearedge.com

all images courtesy of Linear Edge

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