Last week Bugatti revealed the conceptual four-door super sedan 16 C Galibier at a private event to a select group of customers, who Bugatti refers to as “opinion-makers.” The event took place at the firm’s home in Molsheim. The 16 C Galibier could very well go into production in the next couple of years. According to Bugatti’s current president, Dr. Ing. Franz-Josef Paefgen, the Galibier is one of several concept studies with which the company is considering for the future of Bugatti.
Surprisingly for a supercar marque where automotive designers usually try their hardest to create products that stand out of the crowd with distinctively repulsive styling traits, the Galibier 16 C features an almost boringly straightforward design - both exterior and interior - without any unnecessary gimmicks - well, forget about the eight tail pipes at the rear…
Echoing the styling of the famous Type 57 Atlantique, the Galibier 16 C combines a liftback bodystyle with the typical Bugatti radiator grille, large round LED headlights and the distinctive clamshell running the length of the vehicle.
Underneath the bonnet you’ll find a 16-cylinder, 8-litre, flex-fuel engine with supercharging. The Galibier 16 C also comes equipped with a four-wheel drive system.
Excited by the new BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car? So are we. But while the rest of us have to wait another couple of weeks to see the future-think show car at the Bavarian automaker’s show stand in Frankfurt, one lucky enthusiast got an early glimpse while visiting the company’s flagship BMW Welt in Munich.
By the looks of it, he got a good view of the car, as Car and Driver’s photo gallery of the car contains pictures from every possible angle. Follow the link to see all pictures.
Audi fans will need to have some patience, because the Audi RS5 will only arrive in the showrooms in 2010. Until then Audi will keep testing the new supercar. Above you see a recent spy video of the Audi RS5 testing on the Nurburgring Ring.
At this early moment in time, Audi has not yet revealed specifications for the new model. However, we already know that the RS5 will be powered by the 4.2 litre V8 engine generating 450 bhp. This should allow for a 0-100 km/h acceleration of around 5 seconds and a (limited) top speed of 250 km/h.
The press previews for Detroit’s 2009 North American International Auto Show are over, so here is a quick video to recap the show’s highlights and biggest debuts.
While there is quite some uncertainty in the car industry, many manufacturers unveiled concepts, redesigned models and more.
As a preview for the tyling of the 2010 production model, Volvo revealed the Volvo S60 Concept at the Detroit Auto Show today.
Designers call the exterior design dynamic and full of character, and state that their inspiration came from Scandinavian design and the Swedish coastline. These influences are the reason behind the double-wave design that runs along the profile of the car.
Like any other Volvo, safety plays an important role in the design and functioning of the car. Volvo engineers have equipped the S60 Concept with several new systems such as Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and pedestrian detection, a heads-up display warning system and an updated version of Adaptive Cruise Control.
Audi has unveiled the Sportback Concept at the Detroit Motor Show today.
The German car manufacturer admits the design is coupe-influenced, which is also evident in the four seat arrangement (eg. two rear seats instead of three) of the Sportback Concept. Audi seems to be following a trend with this car, as coupe sedans have only been a recent development. Models such as the VW Passat CC, Mercedes-Benz CLS and the BMW X6 are the most obvious examples.
The Sportback Concept is powered by a 3.0 liter V6 diesel generating 225 bhp and will be the cleanest diesel yet from Audi.
- click picture for the high-res VW Concept BlueSport gallery -
Volkswagen’s Concept BlueSport was unveiled in Detroit as a study car in combining great fuel economy with a sporty looks. The mid-engined roadster has a 2.0-litre TDI engine producing 180 bhp, claiming to take just 6.6 seconds to reach 0 - 100km/hof and has a top speed of 226km/h (140mph). A 6-speed dual clutch transmission – the most economical and agile transmission system in the world – transfers this power to the rear wheels. Gears can be changed either automatically or via shift paddles on the steering wheel.
The car named the Concept BlueSport and presented in Flex Silver painted and sporting an orange coloured fabric roof – was designed by the team led by Klaus Bischoff (Director of Design for the Volkswagen Brand) and Thomas Ingenlath (Director of the Design Center in Potsdam). “The design of the Concept BlueSport,” says Klaus Bischoff, “represents a perfect synthesis of technology and aesthetics. Its form is very clear and is reduced to essentials; the car body itself has a lean and linear structure.” Thomas Ingenlath adds: “Emanating powerfully from this car body are the circular wheel housings, flared out in three dimensions as in a sculture. The radial surfaces, edges and blending of forms emphasize the wheels and thereby the agility of the BlueSport concept car. The lateral air intakes are identifying features of the mid-engine layout, their volume-reducing design offers visualization of the car’s sporty low weight.”
When looking at the design you will notice the Concept BlueSport is characterized by a new Volkswagen design language introduced for the first time on the Scirocco and the new Golf. It is based on a ‘design DNA’ that will leave its mark on all new Volkswagens.
BMW has released an official video of the BMW X6 M, which is going to be presented in 2009. Naturally it’s a combination of all wheel drive and M power, and Limmer calls it “the X6 in its most sportive form.” Not sure if we can see the point of it, but well…
Next to the already announced unveiling of the production version Karma plug-in hybrid sedan, Fisker now plans to also debut a new concept car at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. The Sunset will officially be called Fisker Karma S and is very similar to the Karma.
Fisker says the concept has similar architecture and will use the Karma’s Q-DRIVE powertrain. This system offers a 50 mile range on a single charge to its Lithium-Ion battery pack, and produces up to 408 bhp from the two electric motors. More details will follow about the Karma S at the company’s press conference on January 12, 2009.
Volvo will show this S60 Concept at the Auto Show in Detroit in January 2009. This is a show model of the car that will replace the current S60 in 2010. The concept car has officially been revealed by Volvo, ahead of Detroit, with this video.
Stephen Odell, President & CEO of Volvo cars, said, “The sporty design gives visual promise of an enthusiastic drive and I can assure you … that the all-new S60 will live up to that promise. The driving properties are better than in any previous Volvo. The car’s technology will help you to be a better and safer driver.”
Volvo Cars design director Steve Mattin continues to say that “In forthcoming models, you will see more and more of our ‘racetrack’ design cues. The car’s lines do not end abruptly but instead forge a continuous flowing pattern inspired by the fast sweeps of the racing track. In the concept car, this is particularly visible at the rear.”
