Louis Vuitton Designs Carbon Fiber Luggage for the Revolutionary BMW i8 Plug-In Hybrid.

Buy a BMW i8 and you not only get a sleek, sexy, plug-in hybrid with gullwing doors, but also a trunk full of luxurious luggage. Louis Vuitton has teamed up with the automaker to create a tailor-made set of luggage for the new revolutionary vehicle.


above: The revolutionary BMW i8 plug-in hybrid features gullwing doors

The innovative collection of luggage comprises two travel bags, a business case and a garment bag. To ensure optimal use of space, the luggage items have been tailor-made to fit perfectly into the interior of the revolutionary BMW i8.



“BMW and Louis Vuitton share both a profound appreciation of tradition and a commitment to constant further development,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “The use of CFRP in the revolutionary BMW i8 sports car is indicative of an intelligent lightweight construction philosophy. And Louis Vuitton has demonstrated a similar belief in innovation, aesthetics and lightweight design in creating an exclusive luggage collection tailored perfectly to the new BMW i8.”



The understated carbon-black of this luggage range matches the colours of the BMW i8. Its sophisticated look comes courtesy of the unmistakable checkered Damier pattern – a Louis Vuitton hallmark – and a laser-etched Louis Vuitton signature. Black and electric blue used in the microfibre lining take their cue from the trademark brand colours of the BMW i8 and bag handles are made from dyed natural leather, a sign of Louis Vuitton quality. All items in the collection come with leather name tags and the iconic Louis Vuitton padlock with the exception of the garment bag.




Patrick-Louis Vuitton, Head of Special Orders at Louis Vuitton and great grandson of the House’s founder, says, “This collaboration with BMW epitomises our shared values of creativity, technological innovation and style. Our craftsmen at Louis Vuitton have enjoyed the challenge of this very special project, using their ingenuity and attention to detail to create a truly made to measure set of luxury luggage. This is a pure expression of the art of travel.”




Inspired by the visionary design of the BMW i8, the bags and cases – like the sports car’s innovative passenger cell – are made entirely from carbon fibre. This particularly lightweight yet extremely sturdy high-tech material has been used by Louis Vuitton to create a special textile. It provides great robustness and strength, and as such is made for the rigours of travel – no matter how long and arduous the drive.



The exclusive luggage pieces created by Louis Vuitton fit snugly into the BMW i8. The Weekender GM i8, with both hand and shoulder carry straps, is custom-designed to go into the boot (trunk), while the Garment Bag i8is a perfect fit for the rear shelf of the BMW i8. The sturdy hardshell Business Case i8 which is also ideal for carrying laptops, matches the shape of the rear seats; while the small Weekender PM i8 is designed to rest on its surface.



The Louis Vuitton luggage series will be available upon request in a selection of Louis Vuitton stores worldwide (Munich, Milan, London, Paris, Moscow, Dubai, New York, Los Angeles) starting April 1st 2014.

About the BMW i8:





The BMW i8 is the most progressive sports car and is the BMW Group’s first plug-in hybrid vehicle and the second model from the BMW i brand. It is a 2+2-seater boasting visionary design and intelligent lightweight engineering. As a plug-in hybrid, the BMW i8 unites the advantages of innovative electric drive and the latest combustion-engine technology. The upshot is an extraordinary driving experience that delivers the dynamics of a sports car (0 – 100 km/h / 62 mph in 4.4 seconds) along with fuel economy and emissions figures of a small city car (2,1 l/100km / 49 g CO2/km). This means not just purely electric emission-free driving around town but also sporty performance on inter-urban routes. The athletic personality of this revolutionary sports car is patently manifest in its design: classical sports car proportions, spectacular gullwing doors, clean, minimalist lines and a low-slung silhouette all imbue it with its powerful, dynamic shape. The sporty character of the BMW i8 exterior makes a seamless transition into the interior’s future-focused design.

all information and images courtesy of the BMW press group

The All-Electric Aether Luxury Airship by Mac Byers Could Usher In A New Era Of Air Travel.

The Aether Luxury Airship concept is the final year university project by Mac Byers for his Transport Design BA (Hons) at the University of Huddersfield.



A luxury cruise concept based upon an airship platform, the Aether allows passengers to travel at high speeds in luxury and provides them with some of the most breathtaking views available. The airship is based on the technology currently being developed by Aeroscraft.



For the exterior design, Byers studied things like Thunderbird 2, Star Wars and the NASA Space Shuttle - things that appeal to the young adult generation, the generation that may someday be the target market for the Aether. Wanting to communicate the green credentials of the all-electric Aether, Byers used clean colours like white and formed the main balloon into an aerodynamic and wing-like shape. This also visually communicates that this is a new type of airship. One that is safer and cleaner than airships like the Hindenburg of the 20th century.





Lobby:

Bar:

Dining:

Kitchen:

Bedroom:





Storage:


For the interior, Byers wanted the same efficient aesthetic. To communicate that, he went for a lightweight theme expressed by such innovations as floating surfaces and cable stairways, influenced by strong suspension bridge cables.





This airship is based on the technology currently being developed by Aeroscraft, a company presently developing modern airships. This means it uses its engines as its primary source of lift, while using the Helium to simply offset the weight of the load. It also has an air ballast system allowing the crew to regulate the total weight of the craft by compressing air.



The modelling and rendering was done in 3DS Max with Mental Ray. After Effects was used for the exterior environments and smoke. Byers then used Sony Vegas for the final editing.

Designer Mac Byers is currently just about to graduate from the University of Huddersfield where he's been studying for a degree in Transport Design BA (Hons).  With a life-long interest in both cars and visual effects, Byers loved watching films like Jurassic Park and reading magazines like Top Gear. In the future he hopes to work in a field that allows him to follow his passion for both good design and excellent visual communication.

See more of his work here.

The Saietta, A Zero Emissions Electric Urban Motorcycle Perfect For Commuting.

Saietta represents the first meaningful redesign in motorcycling in a generation. Its unparalleled handling and revolutionary styling have set the benchmark for performance and design across the industry. Available in three core colors (red, black and white) or 8 optional colors (including the chrome), the electric motorbike has had glowing reviews and awards. The all-day-long range, unmatched handling and impressive power are all that you could ask of an electric vehicle.



The Saietta, built by Agility Global, Ltd. in London, is the world's first production composite monocoque chassis (like a Formula 1 car) in a motorcycle. The Agility battery envelope is the structure of the motorcycle - minimizing weight, increasing strength and combining to give you, the rider, the most direct and tactile control possible.

The Saietta S



Distinctive and desirable, Saietta S is the next generation of electric urban motorcycle. The light weight provides lithe maneuverability. Fun, fast and sporty, Saietta S is a high profile way to get around town.



The Saietta S acceleration is lightning fast, from 0-60 mph in 5.5 seconds. Its total weight of 135 kg means you can whip the bike around town, faster than any other mode of urban transport. 50 miles range with 46 peak horsepower makes for easy riding, and at 20 pence for 50 miles, you will never notice the cost of riding.



Optimised through intelligent design and ground-breaking engineering to invoke a near-perfect user relationship, Saietta's exceptional maneuverability and instinctive ergonomics expand your riding abilities and heightens the senses.



New Recyclable flax body panels


The Saietta's sustainable design features including body panels made using flax fibres. With additional deflector panels made using a range of bio-composite materials including hemp, kenaf, jute and cellulose.



Given the new type of body panels, Saietta is even more sustainable than ever. With a powerful electric drive train and upwards of 85% recyclable parts, when and if Saietta ever comes to an end of its useful life, the parts can definitely be reused and recycled:


Saietta R
Muscular and aggressive, Saietta R is our flagship, next generation electric urban sport motorcycle. With huge, low-down power and understated cool, getting on is like riding a relentless wave of torque through the city.



The Saietta R acceleration is beyond fast, from 0-60 mph in 4 seconds. With exceptional emphasis on concentrating its masses in the most compact overall package and shortest possible wheelbase, the Saietta R has a cocktail of power and razor sharp handling which intoxicates. 112 miles range including a 12 mile reserve, and 120 Nm of torque, the R model is a fast, aggressive ride, and at 45 pence for 100 miles, you will never notice the cost of riding.



Optimised through intelligent design and ground-breaking engineering to invoke a near-perfect user relationship, Saietta's exceptional manoeuvrability and instinctive ergonomics expand your riding abilities and heightens the senses.

Features:
The Agility battery envelope IS the structure of the motorcycle - minimising weight, increasing strength and combining to give you, the rider, the most direct and tactile control possible.

Next Generation Drive-train: harnessing the efficiency of Agility's "Drive-Torque Geometry Control" integrated transmission and Ultra-High Torque Axial Flux Electric Motor. Seamlessly smooth, extremely powerful, and instantly responsive. Regen capable: able to recover energy during deceleration.


Advanced "Wide-Base Variable-Geometry"™ Unequal Length Front Double-Wishbone suspension for extreme steering and suspension control throughout the performance envelope.


Unique Agility "Instinct Steering Geometry"™ for intuitive feel and superlative handling from walking pace up through to blisteringly fast.


Ground-breaking "Drive-Torque Geometry Control" integrated transmission and suspension system for optimised suspension control during aggressive acceleration, giving maximum corner-exit traction, and greater stability when accelerating and breaking.


For complete technical specs, to book a test drive or purchase a Saietta, visit their site here.