The New AMG 5.5L V8

Uniques Special Ones 2011 - ISO Rivolta Grifo 90

by Autoblog.it

Maserati will make the Baby Quattroporte in ex-Bertone factory

The prediction of a baby Quattroporte which was supposed to hit the production line has been turned into reality after a conversation between Fiat’s CEO Sergio Marchionne and Italy’s Minister of Labor and Social Policies, Maurizio Sacconi.

Codenamed M157, the baby Quattroporte will be manufactured at the Grugliasco plant in Italy, after Fiat will invest 500 million euros. The ex-Bertone factory will also produce the next generation of the Quattroporte and the upcoming Maserati SUV, both of them hitting the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Rumors say that the new baby Quattroporte will use Chrysler underpinnings, with a front engine and rear-wheel drive platform, and it will be powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the 3.0 liter Pentastar V6 engine.

The next generation of its bigger brother, the Quattroporte, is rumored to be equipped with a Maserati-designed 4.7 liter V8 unit, mated to Chrysler’s eight-speed ZF transmission, while the upcoming SUV will be based on the Grand Cherokee.

The Quattroporte will rival the BMW 7-Series, the smaller M157 will go against the 5-Series while the new SUV will battle with the Porsche Cayenne.

Production of the new “baby Quattroporte” is expected to begin in late 2012.

by inautonews

2012 SLK 55 AMG on the road - PromoVid

R8, 8C, V8, 911 and Stelvio. Not the Aston, but the road.

Wheelsandmore Vantage V8

Aston Martin @Vantage V8 by Wheelsandmore

As many sportscars from Aston Martin are wearing the designation Vantage since the early 50´s german tuning professionals are showing their latest creation of the beautiful convertible.

After installing the handcrafted 3-piece 6Sporz² forged rims the roadster appears more sporty and visually perfected. At the front the wheels are sizing 9,0 x21 fitted with tyres 255/30/21 and at the rear axle 11.0 x21 with tires in size 295/25/21.

Wheelsandmore also used uncompromising state-of-the art quality at the suspension kit developed from specialists KW.

A rebound and compression adjustable stainless steel coilover suspension variant 3 enhances the performance significantly without an uncomfortable impression.

The luxury tuner receives more agility, torquey and powersound of the V8 engine by installing the proven combination of 200 cells sport catalysts and a remotable, valve-controlled exhaust system. Combined a noticeable increase in performance is achieved at about 460HP and 500Nm of torque.

► Aston V8 Vantage S on Track

Big Cat Grand Tourer: The XKR-S

JAGUAR TO LAUNCH XKR-S AND CELEBRATE 50 YEARS OF E-TYPE IN GENEVA

MAHWAH, N.J., February 22, 2011 – Jaguar will launch the new Jaguar XKR-S at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1, 2011. With a higher output supercharged V8 engine, revised suspension, and a new aerodynamically-driven design, the Jaguar XKR-S expresses the company's long held duality of purpose: GT luxury with incredible performance.

"The XKR-S is a bold and exciting new model for Jaguar," said Adrian Hallmark, Jaguar's new Global Brand Director. "We expect to attract both loyal and new Jaguar driving enthusiasts who still want the comfort, opulence and class only a Jaguar can offer, combined with inspirational performance."

The Jaguar XKR-S produces 550 hp with 502 lb/ft of torque, offers a top speed of 186mph (300km/h), and can accelerate from 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds. Full details, images and video of the Jaguar XKR-S will be released at the Geneva Motor Show press day on March 1, 2011.

In addition to this debut, Jaguar will be marking the 50th anniversary of the E-Type with the first in a series of celebrations. Jaguar will be hosting an E-Type celebration at the Restaurant Hotel du Parc des Eaux-Vives in Geneva, where the original car was introduced by the marque's founder Sir William Lyons half a century ago.

When launched in 1961, the appeal of E-Type transcended the automotive world. So highly regarded were its' inherent rightness of proportion, stance, and purity of line, it was installed as an exhibit at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City. It remains in their permanent collection to this day.

The influence of the E-Type is still apparent in Jaguar's modern range - products that offer a peerless blend of performance, comfort, cutting-edge technology and award-winning design.

"It is impossible to overstate the impact the E-Type had," said Ian Callum, Jaguar Design Director. "Here was a car that encapsulated the spirit of the revolutionary era it came to symbolize. We're looking forward to celebrating achievement and looking forward with our all-new sports cars in Geneva."

New Images of Aston V8 Vantage S

The New Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

• The driver-focussed V8 Vantage featuring enhanced dynamics

• Increase in power and torque to 430 bhp and 490 Nm

• New ground-up developed seven speed Sportshift™ II transmission

• Dramatic V12 Vantage-inspired looks available as coupe and Roadster

• Compelling package of agility, balance, engagement and everyday practicality

Gaydon, 25 January 2011. The Aston Martin Vantage range comes of age with the new V8 Vantage S characterised by a host of new driver-focussed features all designed to push the honed dynamics of the standard Vantage to a new benchmark level.

Aston Martin’s own 4.7 litre V8 engine has been engineered to deliver peak power of 430 bhp (436 PS / 321 kW) at 7300 rpm and torque of 490 Nm (361 lb.ft) at 5000 rpm and is coupled with a new ground-up developed Sportshift™ II transmission specifically designed for the Vantage S with seven short ratio gears to deliver the most engaging and intense driver involvement.

“The Vantage S epitomises every attribute of the V8 Vantage and pushes the driver experience beyond what we have offered before,” says Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, “It combines dynamic exhilaration with all the charming finesse, beauty and practicality already associated with the Vantage range.”

Dynamic revisions are central to the Vantage S, with a quickened steering rack ratio of 15:1 compared to 17:1 on the standard car and a larger diameter front brake disc with new six-piston front brake calipers. New springs and dampers, and wider rear wheels also contribute to chassis revisions. A new dynamic stability control (DSC) system specifically tuned to the Vantage S along with a new brake module providing features such as Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA) which provides assistance in emergency braking situations, and Hill Start Assist (HSA). Bespoke tyres have been developed with Bridgestone to optimise road holding enhancing dynamic feel.

At the core of the Vantage S is the new seven speed Sportshift™ II automated manual transmission, offered as standard and delivers exceedingly rapid gear changes, twenty per cent quicker than Sportshift™. The extra gear permits shorter well-spaced ratios taking advantage of the optimum torque, which combined with a shorter final drive ratio of 4.182:1 delivers quicker acceleration and an enhanced sporting feel. The inherent benefits of a single clutch system reduces complexity and significant weight over a dual clutch solution. Sportshift™ II allows the driver to take an increased level of control, modulating the throttle pedal to achieve the desired type of gear change. In addition, the Vantage S features a ‘Sport’ button which quickens the gear changes and gives the driver a more aggressive throttle response while also opening the exhaust bypass valves across most of the engine speed range perfectly characterising the ‘S’ variant.

As with every Aston Martin, the Vantage S benefits from its own unique sound with a new exhaust muffler and bypass valve map, creating a very distinctive and highly vocal exhaust note.

The Vantage S is instantly recognisable as a true Aston Martin, characterised by its purposeful stance conveying its agility and performance capability. From the front, a new lower front bumper finished in perfectly-aligned carbon fibre houses a larger air intake feeding the engine and front brakes. The splitter combined with the extended deck lid ‘flip’ work in harmony to provide increased down force at speed. New 19 inch ‘V’ spoke wheel styles are available as standard, while an optional 10-spoke lightweight forged wheel option, reduces unsprung mass further. A new rear bumper and side sills optically widen the car.

Bridging the gap between road car and race car, the Vantage S is heavily influenced by the 2011 Vantage GT4 race car. The GT4 takes advantage of the Vantage’s immensely rigid bonded aluminium chassis, providing the ideal platform for a race car. Minor racing safety modifications including an FIA approved roll cage and racing ‘bag’ petrol tank along with weight saving measures are made to the standard road car to convert it into a class winning race car. In 2010, it won its class at the Dubai 24 Hours following this up with further endurance race wins at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Silverstone 24 Hours and Spa 24 Hours. It also won its first major international championship victory in the European GT4 Cup.

The Vantage S is available to order now from Aston Martin’s global dealership network.

astonmartin

1984 C4 Corvette Demonstration Video Part 1 of 2

Aston Martin V8 Vantage S

The Aston Martin Vantage range comes of age with the new Aston Martin V8 Vantage S characterised by a host of new driver-focussed features all designed to push the honed dynamics of the standard Vantage to a new benchmark level.

Aston Martin's own 4.7 litre V8 engine has been engineered to deliver peak power of 430 bhp (436 PS / 321 kW) at 7300 rpm and torque of 490 Nm (361 lb.ft) at 5000 rpm and is coupled with a new ground-up developed Sportshift™ II transmission specifically designed for the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S with seven short ratio gears to deliver the most engaging and intense driver involvement.

"The Vantage S epitomises every attribute of the V8 Vantage and pushes the driver experience beyond what we have offered before," says Dr. Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin, "It combines dynamic exhilaration with all the charming finesse, beauty and practicality already associated with the Vantage range."

Dynamic revisions are central to the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S, with a quickened steering rack ratio of 15:1 compared to 17:1 on the standard car and a larger diameter front brake disc with new six-piston front brake calipers. New springs and dampers, and wider rear wheels also contribute to chassis revisions. A new dynamic stability control (DSC) system specifically tuned to the Vantage S along with a new brake module providing features such as Hydraulic Brake Assist (HBA) which provides assistance in emergency braking situations, and Hill Start Assist (HSA). Bespoke tyres have been developed with Bridgestone to optimise road holding enhancing dynamic feel.

At the core of the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S is the new seven speed Sportshift™ II automated manual transmission, offered as standard and delivers exceedingly rapid gear changes, twenty per cent quicker than Sportshift™. The extra gear permits shorter well-spaced ratios taking advantage of the optimum torque, which combined with a shorter final drive ratio of 4.182:1 delivers quicker acceleration and an enhanced sporting feel. The inherent benefits of a single clutch system reduces complexity and significant weight over a dual clutch solution. Sportshift™ II allows the driver to take an increased level of control, modulating the throttle pedal to achieve the desired type of gear change. In addition, the Vantage S features a 'Sport' button which quickens the gear changes and gives the driver a more aggressive throttle response while also opening the exhaust bypass valves across most of the engine speed range perfectly characterising the 'S' variant.

As with every Aston Martin, the Vantage S benefits from its own unique sound with a new exhaust muffler and bypass valve map, creating a very distinctive and highly vocal exhaust note.

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage S is instantly recognisable as a true Aston Martin, characterised by its purposeful stance conveying its agility and performance capability. From the front, a new lower front bumper finished in perfectly-aligned carbon fibre houses a larger air intake feeding the engine and front brakes. The splitter combined with the extended deck lid 'flip' work in harmony to provide increased down force at speed. New 19 inch 'V' spoke wheel styles are available as standard, while an optional 10-spoke lightweight forged wheel option, reduces unsprung mass further. A new rear bumper and side sills optically widen the car.

Bridging the gap between road car and race car, the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S is heavily influenced by the 2011 Vantage GT4 race car. The GT4 takes advantage of the Vantage's immensely rigid bonded aluminium chassis, providing the ideal platform for a race car. Minor racing safety modifications including an FIA approved roll cage and racing 'bag' petrol tank along with weight saving measures are made to the standard road car to convert it into a class winning race car. In 2010, it won its class at the Dubai 24 Hours following this up with further endurance race wins at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Silverstone 24 Hours and Spa 24 Hours. It also won its first major international championship victory in the European GT4 Cup.

Promotional film for The 1982 Corvette

2011 Motion 427 & 454 Camaros

Baldwin-Motion's Joel Rosen partners with DeNooyer Chevrolet's Performance Division and Redline Motorsports to build and market 2011 MOTION 427 and 454 Camaros.

More than 40 years ago Joel "Mr. Motion" Rosen, a young Brooklyn dynotuner, hot rodder, street racer and national record holding drag racer, turned a simple 427 Camaro engine swap into an empire. And catapulted Baldwin-Motion and MOTION into internationally respected performance brands. Working with Baldwin Chevrolet, he was the most prolific builder-marketer of modified new big-block Chevys during the Supercar ‘60s & ‘70s. He backed up Phase III models with written moneyback performance warranties! He’s now passing the torch to Howard Tanner, a young dyno-tuning specialist and speed shop owner.

“It’s Déjà Vu all over again,” said Joel Rosen, quoting the legendary Yankee, Yogi Berra. “We have re-launched the Baldwin-Motion and MOTION brands again, this time capturing the true spirit of what we did in 1967- 1974: Market built-to-order, dyno-proven and warranted SS & Phase III 427 & 454 Camaros, crafted by a high-tech dyno shop and available exclusively from a single authorized Chevrolet dealer.”

Specially prepared 427 and 454 engines power the latest iterations of the legendary Baldwin-Motion Fantastic Five : 2011 SS & Phase III Camaros, dyno-rated at 525 (SS-427) to 800 horsepower (427-SC Supercar). Howard Tanner is President of Redline Motorsports, a speed shop specializing in fuel-injected vehicles in Schenectady, NY. He and his team are the builders. Dan Carlton, General Manager, DeNooyer Chevrolet’s Performance Division in Albany, NY is handling client contact.

DeNooyer Chevrolet, owned by second-generation Chevrolet dealer Jim DeNooyer, is the highest volume Chevrolet dealership in upstate New York. As a young, hands-on car guy, DeNooyer was into hot rods, customs and drag racing. He later moved up into fast boats and has held speed records since the 1990s. Sons, Joel and Tom, also highperformance enthusiasts, handle day-to-day operations.

“It’s great that the folks at DeNooyer Chevrolet and Redline Motorsports have embraced the Baldwin-Motion heritage of using the latest GM 427 and 454 high-performance factory engines in their new MOTION Camaros,” said Dr. Jamie Meyer, Product Integration Manager, General Motors Performance Parts.

Tanner is a highly skilled engine calibrator and dyno-tuner as well as an experienced builder of large-displacement GM vehicles, including Camaros and Corvettes. Carlton, a respected racer, successful GM of luxury brand dealerships and former Chevrolet dealership principal, has years of experience selling both imported and domestic high-performance vehicles. He is a former New York State Ice Racing Champion and currently competes in sports car, ice racing and Modified motorsports.

Every MOTION Camaro will be built to order at Redline and tuned by Howard Tanner on its DYNOmite 1,400 horsepower Eddy Current Load dyno. A full dyno report as well as official Baldwin-Motion documentation will go with each car.

Sanctioned, serialized and signed by Joel Rosen, each 2011 MOTION SS & Phase III Camaro will be delivered with custom MOTION VIN plates and complete documentation. To prevent future cloning of MOTION Camaros, Rosen and Carlton will be establishing a confidential MOTION Registry detailing VINs, vehicle specifications and original purchaser data.

In 1967-1968, Baldwin-Motion marketed its full line of 427 Chevys under The Fantastic Five banner. Advertising and marketing materials, as well the windows at Baldwin Chevrolet, screamed The Fantastic Five . And, that’s how they’re launching the new line of 2011 MOTION Camaros.

“I like to think of our 2011 SS and Phase III 427 & 454 Camaros as “modern MOTION mythmakers!” said, DeNooyer’s Carlton.

STANDARD EQUIPMENT SPECIFICATIONS

MOTION SS-427 CAMARO
525 HORSEPOWER

• GM LS7 427 Aluminum Engine
• 7,000-RPM Redline
• Unique 4.125-inch bore block, pressed-in liners
• Cast Aluminum 11.0-to-1 flat-top pistons
• Titanium connecting rods.
• Forged steel 4.00-inch stroke crankshaft
• Race-prepped CNC-ported Aluminum heads
• Titanium intake; Sodium-filled exhaust valves
• ATI/Redline damper
• Six-Speed manual transmission
• Paddle-shift 6L80E automatic (OPTIONAL)
• Z06 Corvette clutch
• American Racing High-Efficiency tubular exhaust system
• MBRP Stainless Steel mufflers
• High -Flow air intake system
• 160-degree High-Flow thermostat
• Custom calibrated Engine Management System
• MGW short throw shifter
• GM wheels
• Custom painted MOTION graphics
• Perforated seat inserts
• Custom embroidered headrests
• MOTION badges & VIN plates
• 3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

MOTION PHASE III 427 CAMARO
600 HORSEPOWER

• GM LS7 427 Aluminum Engine
• 7,000-RPM redline
• Unique block, 4.125-inch bore, pressed-in liners
• Cast Aluminum 11.0-to-1 flat-top pistons
• Titanium connecting rods
• 4.00-inch stroke crankshaft
• Race-prepped CNC-ported Aluminum heads
• Custom Redline R3 camshaft
• Titanium intake; Sodium-filled exhaust valves
• HD dual valve springs with Titanium retainers, locks & keepers
• FAST 102-mm LSX-R 102-mm intake manifold
• American Racing High-Efficiency tubular exhaust system
• ATI/Redline damper
• Six-Speed manual transmission
• Paddle-shift 6L80E automatic (OPTIONAL)
• Z06 Corvette clutch
• MBRP Stainless Steel mufflers
• High-Capacity air intake system
• 160-degree high-flow thermostat
• Relocated heater hoses, fuel lines, evap. & tb.
• Custom calibrated Engine Management system
• Custom Powder-Coated valve covers with coil relocation
• MGW short throw shifter
• Custom painted MOTION graphics
• Custom MOTION wheels (stock size tires)
• Custom Phase III Hood with Heat Extractors
• Phase III Eliminator Rear Spoiler
• MOTION badges & VIN plates
• Carbon-Fiber-look seat inserts
• Custom embroidered headrests
• Accented shifter boot; center compartment lid
• MOTION floor mats
• 2-Year/24,000-Mile Warranty

MOTION SS-454 CAMARO
550 HORSEPOWER

• GM LSX 454 Engine
• Bore: 4.185-inch; Stroke: 4.125-inch
• Cast-Iron block, six-bolt cross-bolted mains
• Forged Aluminum 11.0-to-1 pistons
• Steel connecting rods
• Forged 4340 Steel crankshaft
• Aluminum (production) LS7 cylinder heads
• Corvette Z06 LS7 intake manifold
• Redline Stage 1 hydraulic roller camshaft
• Titanium intake; Sodium-filled exhaust valves
• American Racing High-Efficiency tubular exhaust system
• MBRP Stainless Steel mufflers
• ATI/Redline damper
• Six-Speed manual transmission
• Paddle-shift 6L80E automatic (OPTIONAL)
• Z06 Corvette clutch
• High Capacity air intake system
• 160-degree high-flow thermostat
• Custom calibrated Engine Management System
• 454 LSX valve covers
• MGW short throw shifter
• Custom painted MOTION graphics
• GM wheels
• MOTION badges & VIN plates
• Perforated seat inserts, embroidered headrests
• MOTION floor mats
• 3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

MOTION PHASE III 454 CAMARO
625 HORSEPOWER (TORQUE MONSTER!)

• GM LSX 454 Engine
• Bore: 4.185-inch; Stroke: 4.125-inch
• Cast-Iron block, six-bolt cross-bolted mains
• Forged Aluminum 11.0-to-1 pistons
• Steel connecting rods
• Forged 4340 Steel crankshaft
• Race-prepped CNC-ported LS7 Aluminum heads
• Redline Stage 3R hydraulic roller camshaft
• Titanium intake; Sodium-filled exhaust valves
• FAST 102-mm LSX-R intake manifold
• American Racing High-Efficiency tubular exhaust system
• MBRP Stainless Steel mufflers
• ATI/Redline damper
• High-Capacity air intake system
• 160-degree high-flow thermostat
• Custom calibrated Engine Management System
• 454 LSX valve covers
• Six-Speed manual transmission (ONLY)
• Z06 Corvette clutch
• MGW short throw shifter
• Custom painted MOTION graphics
• Custom MOTION wheels (stock size tires)
• Custom Phase III Hood with Heat Extractors
• Custom Phase III 454 Rear Spoiler
• MOTION badges & VIN plates
• Custom Carbon-Fiber-look seat inserts
• Custom embroidered headrests
• MOTION floor mats
• Solid rear cradle; Poly differential bushings
• 2-Year//24,000-Mile Warranty

MOTION PHASE III 427-SC CAMARO SUPERCAR
800 HORSEPOWER SUPERCHARGED

• Supercharged GM LS7 427 Aluminum Engine
• 2.8-Liter Twin-Screw Supercharger System
• Eight-Rib supercharger drive assembly
• Unique block, 4.125-inch bore, pressed-in liners
• Forged 2618 Aluminum 9.3-to-1 pistons
• Forged 6.125-inch H-Beam Steel connecting rods
• Forged 4.00-inch stroke steel crankshaft
• Race-prepped CNC-ported Aluminum heads
• Custom Redline R3-SC Blower camshaft
• ATI/Redline damper
• American Racing High-Efficiency tubular exhaust system
• MBRP Stainless Steel mufflers, dual outlets
• High-Capacity air intake system
• 160-degree high-flow thermostat
• Custom calibrated Engine Management System
• High-Capacity fuel system
• Upgraded TR6060 Six-Speed manual transmission (ONLY)
• ZR1 Corvette dual disc clutch system
• MGW short throw shifter
• 1,000 Horsepower axles
• Pfadt Billet rear cradle mounts
• Pfadt differential bushings
• Pfadt trailing arms & tie rods
• Pfadt Coil-Over F&R Suspension
• Pfadt F&R sway bars
• Brembo Six-Piston Monoblock front brakes with 380-mm two-piece rotors
• Brembo Four-Piston Monoblock rear brakes with 380-mm two-piece rotors
• Custom MOTION painted striping
• Custom MOTION wheels with painted accents
• Custom Phase III-SC Hood with glass window
• Aggressive front fascia with air intake inlets
• Phase III-SC Rear Spoiler
• MOTION badges & VIN plates
• Accented front and rear seats with embroidered headrests with Carbon Fiber finish
• 1-Year/12,000-Mile Warranty

1992 Chevrolet Corvette Promo

Description

This was a promo video tape that was sent out by Chevrolet on the 1992 Corvette. Lots of marketing speak, but cool none the less. I am still convinced that you must have facial hair to own a vett'. A cast of Rick Mears, and some of the management and design team are featured stars...Enjoy some history with the LT1 and ZR1.
source: motorator

Another Spyker Zagato?

According to the Dutch magazine Autovisie, Zagato might design a very exclusive Aileron, built in just 99 units only. Two years ago the Italian design-house dreamed a stylish body to the 2009 Spyker C12 Zagato. The currently used 400 horsepower Audi 4.2 V-8 might be replaced by the mighty 6.2 supercharged LS9 power-plant from the Corvette ZR1, delivering around 50% more power, 640 horses.

Toyota EX-7

The Toyota EX-7 was presented in 1970, at the Tokyo Motor Show. This fully operational styling exercise was powered by a centrally mounted 5-liter V8 mated to a 5-speed Aishin. The body had a unique way of opening: The sides were integrated to the roof and it was electrically raised to allow access to the seats. 

   

images: www.2000gt.net 

"Arrows" Cadillac CTS-V Coupe TV Commercial

2014 Lotus Elite: The hybrid convertible supercar

Eterne - The GT Sedan by Lotus

“a statement of intent”

Long hood, smooth surfaces. The voluptuous shape hides the future of Lotus. After the Aston Martin Rapide, it was the Hethel-based firms's turn to open the rear doors. The 620 hp 5.0 V8 four-seater hybrid concept with optional KERS is a direct hint to the future. This statement of intent is the intent of Lotus planning to enter this segment in 2015.  

“We truly believe that there is a market for the Eterne. There is nothing else like it out there in terms of design, capacity and performance.”  

CEO D. Bahar

Press release

Enter the Eterne, the four door super saloon from Lotus. If the Elite is elegance incarnate then the Eterne is elegance redefined.

The Eterne is a true four door, four seater sports GT. It’s the ultimate expression of refined style, sophistication and grace. But wait. An elegant, graceful sports car? Surely not.
A sports car by definition can’t be graceful. Powerful, exciting, aggressive yes, but not graceful. Yet here it is, the ultimate paradox - the Eterne. Power and grace, performance and elegance, beauty and strength all in one stunning package.

With a 5.0 litre pressure charged V8 engine delivering up to 620 PS the Eterne is aiming for best in class performance and efficiency.

In keeping with the rest of the new line-up, the Eterne will benefit from hybrid technology.
Dany Bahar, Chief Executive Officer of Group Lotus, said: “The Eterne is sensational to look and as with the rest of the range it also over delivers in all other aspects as well. Similar to the Elite, it’s a car of perfect contradictions, it’s compact yet spacious, high performing yet low emitting, relative lightweight yet still reassuringly solid.”

“We truly believe that there is a market for the Eterne, there is nothing else like it out there both in terms of design, capacity and performance. The biggest difference between the Eterne and it’s class competitors is that it’s not an evolution of an existing two-door model, it’s a deliberate and considered stand-alone creation. It’s the ultimate four door sports car.”

Sometimes there are no rules to be broken, so it is time to define them instead.

Specifications

• Layout  4 seater, front-mid-engined, rear wheel drive, all wheel drive is optional
• Engine Petrol, hybrid optional
• Hybrid Technology Hybrid gearbox with integrated electric motors and KERS
• Cylinder V8
• Capacity 5.0 litre
• Power/Torque 620 PS / 720 Nm
• Rev limit 8,500 rpm
• 0-100 km/h 4.0 seconds
• Top speed 315 km/h
• CO2 approx (CO2/km) 220 g/km**
• Weight 1,800 kg
• Seats 4
• Transmission Full Hybrid transmission
• Drive RWD, AWD optional
• Start of production Early 2015
• Enters the market Spring 2015
• Price indication Circa £120,000

Bertone Alfa Romeo Pandion Concept

Named for a fierce sea hawk, the Pandion has spectacular 12-foot-long doors, inspired by the flying predator’s wings.

"The skin refers to the snake, for Italy’s seductive auto beauty, the cross for the country’s excellence in tech advancements"

Press Release:

PANDION

A DREAM ALFA ROMEO BY BERTONE

The Pandion: a summary

After a two year absence from the international scene, Bertone returns to the Geneva Motor Show, unveiling a concept car that makes its world premiere here: the Pandion, an aggressive yet beautiful coupé designed as a tribute to Alfa Romeos’ one hundred year anniversary.

The Pandion: an extreme and controversial sports car in typical Bertone fashion. The size of the concept car (4620 mm in length, 1971 mm wide, 1230 mm high, 2850 mm wheelbase) offers a compact sports car external dimensions with a large sports car interior feeling, all powered by a 4.7 litre, 450 CV 8-cylinder Alfa Romeo engine.

The Pandion is the first car produced by Mike Robinson in his new role as Design and Brand Director at Bertone. A pure “˜dream car’, the Pandion takes its rightful place as a member of Bertone’s historic Alfa Romeo family: cars that have always been style icons, influencing the history of the automobile and Italian craftsmanship in their excellent design quality, proving themselves to be undisputed benchmarks for the entire world of car design.

The name comes from the animal world, as Pandion Haliaetus is the scientific name for an Osprey: a sea hawk that nests and lives in coastal areas. The designers, led by Mike Robinson, have drawn inspiration from the wings of this predator to invent the spectacular door opening mechanisms, and from the hawks’ facial markings to project the traditional Alfa family feeling into the next era of design.

In almost a century of Bertone tradition, it is not the first time that natural wonders have inspired the names of concept cars. Just think of the Corvair Testudo (1963) and, by no coincidence, the Alfa Romeo Canguro (1964), Carabo (1968) and Delfino (1983).

Design: the initial concept

The Pandion’s taut and muscular body is the result of an original interpretation of the Alfa Romeo badge, where the man-eating snake depicted there represents the attraction of elegance (what we call the “˜Skin’), and the aristocratic cross symbolises the rigour of rational thought, the technological aspect (what we call the “˜Frame’). According to this interpretation, the Pandion’s design is, like every Alfa Romeo, a perfect synthesis between “˜Skin and Frame’, an ideal balance resulting from a tension between opposites: technology and sensuality, rationality and instinct, architecture and sculpture, structuralism and organicism, industrial excellence and excellent craftsmanship.

The design of the Pandion is based on a concept Robinson calls: “Skin & Frame” – a new interpretation of the inherent duality in the 100 year old Alfa Romeo logo. “Skin” refers to the snake in the logo, representing the world renowned Italian excellence in beautiful, seductive forms; and “Frame” refers to the cross in the logo, representing the mechanical excellence in high performance Italian race cars. The combination of the two has now become a dynamic dial searching for an ideal balance resulting from the tension between opposites: technology and sensuality, rational and emotional, architectural layout and sculptural form, structural and organic, industrial excellence and artisan excellence.

According to this interpretation, the vibrant energy in every Alfa Romeo is represented by Pandions’ spinal structure (or “˜Frame’), which crosses the length of the car from the V-shaped grille in the nose of the car to the V-shaped bumper in the tail of the car, crossing the interior as a visually aesthetic structural element which supports the surrounding shell (or “˜Skin’).

Design: details that count

The Pandion’s front end features a long and sculpted sloping bonnet that creates what is, to all intents and purposes, a mask, almost like the helmets worn by ancient warriors. The Alfa Romeo “˜family feeling’, immediately recognizable at first glance, does not admit even a hint of retro nostalgia and looks to the future with a revolutionary and novel elegance. There is no doubt it’s an Alfa Romeo with a look that has never been seen heretofore. The typical Alfa quad headlights are buried deep in the outer-most tips of the T-shaped grille, highlighting the wide stance of the impressive coupé. Four white bars of light strike the observers’ curiosity, two position lights above and two fog lights below, creating a virtual bi-plane of light at night. The typical five horizontal bars on every Alfa Romeo radiator grille are just visible here, offering a reference to the marque’s historic identity. The front grille is full of thousands of tiny intertwined blades which contribute to the new Algorithmic Design throughout the car.

The Pandion has the profile of a true sports car, with no room for compromise. The architectural layout is “˜cab rearward’, meaning the passenger compartment is positioned towards the rear of the car and the long bonnet pushes the car’s visual centre rearward. The body side visually connects the sensuous front end with the razor-edged rear by means of an extremely long flowing side window which stretches from front wheel arch to rear, enhancing the excellent accessibility of this low-bodied sports coupé. Since sports cars are traditionally difficult to get in and out of, this important ergonomic activity has been facilitated with an extra wide door opening to make up for the low roofline. This new graphic formula not only adds a striking new visual division between the upper and lower parts of the body, but it also offers an incredible panorama window for passengers inside. The strong diagonal dark-light division in the rear of the side view accentuates the powerful rear wheel drive layout and draws special attention to the hidden door opening mechanism.

The rear end features a striking array of crystal-like blades which are intertwined in various widths and lengths, protruding out into space. The rear of the car in fact has a disembodied or “pixilated” look, representing a tail-of-the-comet metaphor, as if the sheer speed of the vehicle is pulling the underlying, technical “Frame” rearward, away from the sensuous, flowing “Skin” above. This “dematerialization” phenomenon of the car is generated by the intrinsic motion of the form, which means the car looks like it is moving even when it is standing still.

There are also two small fixed white shields below the rear bumper which hold the quad tailpipes, creating a visual continuation of the white side panels which seem to wrap around under the car.

The taillights are fully integrated into the organic tangle of the blades and disappear when turned off. The new Alfa Romeo family feeling is again visible in the rear of the car with same V-shaped bumper found on the front of the vehicle, which the travels the entire length of the body, forming a powerful virtual, Alfa Romeo backbone.

The doors, as in many other Bertone-designed masterpieces (such as the 1968 Alfa Romeo Carabo, the 1970 Lancia Stratos 0, the 1972 Lamborghini Countach, and the 2007 Fiat Barchetta), open in a visually striking manner. Virtually hinged around the axis of the rear wheel, the Pandion doors open by rotating backwards, ending up a perfect 90 degrees above the center of the rear wheel, lifting up the entire body side of the vehicle, from the front fender to the rear fender. When fully open they are more than 3.6 metres high. This spectacular solution is design mainly for glamour, bringing back the “wow” factor to today’s lackluster automotive industry. This futuristic door mechanism also has a pragmatic side as well. Since all “˜extreme’ sports cars are literally impossible to get in and out of, the Pandion is designed to utilize the horizontal space in the car since the vertical space is so limited.

In the event of an accident that results in a “˜roll-over’, the doors detach from the car body so that the passengers can exit of the car.

The interior: minimalist glamour

The shapes that make the Pandion spring to life are the result of a design study aimed at creating an organic whole, without resorting to short-cuts to ensure continuity between the interior and exterior, a perfect balance between architectural rigour and the spectacular shapes of living organisms.

The design language used to create the passenger compartment has resulted in a fluid environment, due to the fittings that seem to have grown spontaneously, without ever having been either designed or constructed. We have named this expressive code, never seen before in the automotive sector until today, algorithmic design. The concept, taken from the world of mathematics, indicates an organic alternative to traditional design and is the “˜propagation of random forms’. It is as if the design were following a kind of complex development which is neither linear nor geometric, generating an “˜auto-organising’ shape, with the “˜spontaneous growth’ of algorithms such as “˜swarms’ or “˜vines’.

When observing the interior of the Pandion, the first things that draw our attention are the front seats. The car’s layout is typical of Alfa Romeo coupés, i.e. 2+2. While the two rear seats are the classic “˜extra spaces’, the front seats are two incredibly thin (30 mm) ergonomic chaise longue chairs. They have carbon fiber shells (that mimic the style of the car’s exoskeleton or “˜skin’) covered in Technogel® and backlit with reLIGHT® fabric, that conforms to the shape of the driver’s or passenger’s body. The principle that inspired the designers was that of “˜zero gravity’, i.e. a warm and welcoming environment that would convey a sensation of enhanced quality of life inside at first sight, but… with zero gravity.

In fact, all the furnishings inside the passenger compartment all tend to float visually, suspended in the magic of the blue light. Behind these minimalist choices however lies a careful study of ergonomics: the seats are the result of a perfect synthesis between high performance, flexibility and lightness. The clear floor is illuminated in the same “swimming pool blue” color of the seats, offering a spectacular visual continuation of the voluptuous seats, with its’ flowing contours where the driver and passenger can feel protected in a truly glamorous shell.

The steering wheel is clearly that of a sports car, while the controls are similar to those of Alfa Romeo race cars, with two analogue dials placed directly on the steering column. Three of the four LCD screens offer a rear view inside the passenger compartment (two on the sides, one on the windscreen) and they are directly connected to the external video cameras that substitute the rear view mirrors normally placed outside the car. The larger screen placed in the centre (9″), in the middle of the console – and within reach of the passenger as well as the driver – also displays information on the car’s systems (air conditioning, sound systems, Sat Nav, etc…).

Conclusion

“We are walking in the footprints of giants" 

That is the Bertone company motto. The giants referred to are Giovanni and Nuccio Bertone. However, following in their footsteps does not mean copying them, on the contrary. It means applying their teachings and using them as guidelines for further advances. We ask our designers to follow a total creative method, where they observe phenomena that are apparently unrelated to each other and try to apply them to the automotive world.

However design research is not enough. At Bertone we study concepts, and therefore each design is the result or a spinoff of an innovative idea or a new phenomenon. Mike Robinson, Design & Brand Director at Bertone, comments: “˜Cars are like films: they must tell a story to win people over. The best car designers are necessarily excellent narrators and their products, whether they are concept cars or mass-produced products, reflect their creators’ ability to gather fascinating ideas from every field, from all over the world, to bring them together and transform them into new and great stories. This is what we have attempted to do with the Alfa Pandion.’