GQ by Citroen Concept
Citroen continued their rampage of stylish cars with the unveiling of their GQ Concept, which strangely enough was absent from Geneva earlier this month. With a look that says “X6 meets Panamera meets Citroen’s aggressive design team,” the French company created the plug-in hybrid as part of a joint venture with none other than GQ magazine. The idea behind the partnership was to create a stylish vehicle that fit “with the current attitudes of conspicuous consumption.” While designer Mark Lloyd had the gall to call the car “understated,” we love the double-chevron emblem design, Savile Row-styled interior, and the swooping curves around the back, which imply that the eco-conscious concept is packing more than just a 1.6 liter four-cylinder engine. Nonetheless, Peugeot is claiming a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds, while producing only 80 grams of CO2 per 100 kilometers. As part of a joint marketing project, the car was actually introduced online, and can also be found in the April edition of GQ.
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Bell & Ross for Peugeot
We were excited to see the Peugeot SR1 come quickly to fruition, as it promises to be a dynamic vehicle. However, as its debut at this year’s Geneva Motor Show approaches, we are learning more details about the SR1 that make it even more endearing. It seems that renowned Swiss watchmaker Bell & Ross has contributed a significant design to the vehicle that will come in the form of a special-edition timepiece. While we find analog clocks very striking in most upscale luxury cars, it is rarely fitting that anyone would consider having a similar design strapped to their wrist for an extended period of time. Bell & Ross has set out to change that mentality, and in doing so has created an integrable watch that is multifunctional and unique.
We don’t know what the watch will be called just yet, but it appears to be a spinoff of the BR 01-97. Its stainless steel 46mm square case houses a gorgeous dial that resembles a snowflake with its intricacy; Bell & Ross achieved this through what they call some of the most advanced machining processes currently available. Four Arabic hour marks are surrounded by metal ridges that are designed to catch light, and the nickel-plated hour and minute hands are industrial and bold but fit well with the overall theme. The timepiece’s grained leather strap is made from exactly the same leather as the Peugeot’s interior. Look for the SR1 and its stunning dashboard watch to debut in Geneva next month.
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2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible
Fastest four-seater convertible and flex-fuel are probably not two things one would consider putting in the same sentence. However, when it’s paired with the all new 2011 Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible, the symbiotic nature is awe inspiring. Bentley is committed to making all new cars biofuel compatible by 2012, and this is one of the first models to be propelled by the all new 6 litre W12 motor. Hurtling from 0 to 60mph in 3.9 seconds, and to 100mph in 9.6 seconds puts the Supersports Convertible ahead of its fixed roof counterpart, the GT Speed. Once inside the cockpit, the interior is unmistakably Bentley. With seats swathed in Alcantara and ‘soft grip’ leather, and interior pieces treated with a satin-finished carbon fiber, the driver is handsomely treated with a contemporary but sporty ambiance. What makes this not your every day Bentley is not only the muscular stance and blistering speed, but the fact that Bentley managed to even spare a few pounds, 198 to be exact, compared to its other convertible, the GTC Speed. Bentley is committed to making this the ultimate driving experience, by equipping the Supersports Convertible with massive 20inch lightweight wheels, and flowing power to them all four of them via a revised Quickshift system that cuts shift times by 50%. The Continental Supersports Convertible is now going to be the benchmark or super performance luxury sedans; roof now optional.
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The King Croesus Contempt for Death Trip 2009
Tormod Amlien and Klaus Ulvestad may not be your best friends yet, but sure you could live vicariously through their Norwegian escapades in an attempt to make the round-the-world trip on vintage motorcycles. The new age Vikings started their journey April 1st 2009 in none other but Toten, Norway. From there the fantastic duo will journey through the Baltic countries, up through Siberia, through Mongolia and then to the most easterly point of Asia before sailing or flying to Anchorage, Alaska. Saying that the two have a plan would be using that term very loosely. As described by Amlien and Ulvestad, making plans doesn’t make sense when criss-crossing central and South America, or going through Africa. What are the only definites on the journey? An amazing trip brought to you by two guys riding 70-year-old Danish Nimbus motorcycles equipped with side cars.
Sites: KCCD, KCCD Blog, KCCD Videos
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Renault Wind
One of the more smaller yet exciting premieres in Geneva on March 2, 2010, will be the unveiling of the Renault Wind. The wind prides itself in its compact structure, a two-seater coupe-roadster, that features an electric roof that opens up in just 12 seconds. The car is ideal for those who enjoy the feel of the breeze as they drive all in a practical package that can be driven for everyday use. More information on the car can be viewed here. And if you’ll be at the Geneva Motor Show on March 2, the Wind’s unveiling happens at a press conference at 4:15pm.
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2010 Matech Ford GT1
We wish we had all the time in the world; if we did, we might extol the creation and racing success of the Ford GT40 and its ultimate rebirth as a street-legal supercar, the Ford GT. Swiss Team Matech Racing has found considerable success racing Fords, have piloted their team of three GT3s to a class championship only two years ago. Naturally, success inspires creation, and Matech has been working diligently to finish their GT1, which they promise to be completely new. According to test driver Thomas Mutsch, “[N]ot a single element, be it the engine, the transmission system, the suspension or aerodynamics are the same;” this kind of drive towards continued victory leaves no doubt that the Swiss team has created a monster. Matech will be simultaneously testing their newest creation and trying to put together a comprehensive racing team from a pool of seven drivers. The car will make its media debut March 1st, but until then, enjoy the high quality video the team has put together, aptly titled ‘Matech Symphony No.1.’
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Nissan Juke
Have you ever wondered what the Rogue would be if it was actually a cool car? So did Nissan, apparently, and it seems we should have been taking last year’s Qazana concept vehicle more seriously when we saw it in Geneva. The Juke is poised to be the perfect urban entry-level crossover, and will bring a healthy dose of style, utility, and youth to the marketplace. Nissan’s newest entry serves up a great combination of car and sport-ute; it has excellent ground clearance and a wheel/tire combination much better suited for rolling over curbs than cruising down the PCH. In typical Nissan fashion, the Juke also gives away its sports car heritage; the 370Z-inspired boomerang taillights, high curvy beltline, and sexy roofline (complimented nicely by a spoiler) all indicate that the vehicle was designed for spirited driving. With the Juke scheduled to arrive in the United States, Europe, and Japan, three different engines will be available, including a 1.5 liter common-rail diesel to compliment turbocharged and naturally aspirated iterations of their 1.6 liter powerplant, capable of producing 117 and 190 horsepower respectively. Other clever options by Nissan include an improved AWD system that allows for better cornering, and their Dynamic Control System, which allows front passengers to access system information and control functions. Our favorite feature, other than the lights, has to be the motorcycle gas tank-styled center console; it’s great to see that Nissan just continues to make fun vehicles with sport in mind. Look for official pictures of the Juke after its Geneva debut next month.
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2011 Volvo S60
Volvo has for too long been known for above-average vehicles that are more practical than stimulating. We hope that’s about to change, as the 2011 Volvo S60 looks like it may be one of those cars that redefines the generation of a company. The Swedes have leaked pictures and video of the redesigned sedan weeks before its anticipated debut in Geneva, and their excitement is understandable. The S60’s main attraction other than its facade is the revolutionary new Pedestrian Detection System, which forces the car to a complete stop if it senses that a collision with a person is imminent. With the system, Volvo claims that the car can avoid collisions when traveling as fast as 35km/h, and even at higher speeds is able to significantly reduce impact. Thankfully, Volvo has turned their attention under the hood as well, and offers a bevy of petrol and diesel choices, to be expanded on during the vehicle’s second year in production. The clear choice, at least on this side of the pond, would have to be the 3.0 inline-six that produces 304bhp and hustles the sedan to 60mph in a brisk 6.5 seconds. What we’re really truly pleased with is the direction Volvo decided to take with the body of their newest car. Aside from assigning more practical wheels and eliminating the glass roof, the S60 appears virtually unchanged from the S60 Concept that debuted a year ago; the oversized headlights capture the most attention, and frame the trademark Volvo grille that has been given a slightly more cohesive shape. The lights are complimented by E-Class-style running lights, sure to be a theme among luxury cars and their copycats in the years to come. The beltline is really appealing, as it undulates in sync with the car’s fenders and really runs with the outline of the vehicle, lending it a very sporty look. The rear of the vehicle incorporates a similar, albeit smoother look we recognize from the C70, the centerpiece of which is the blacked-out rear diffuser that houses the dual exhaust. With such sporty new looks to match the technology and power, this new Volvo must deliver on all fronts, but we think this time it’s finally up to the challenge. Deliveries will begin this summer.
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Maserati Tramontane Concept
The name Maserati will always evoke the feeling of speed and luxury, so when we caught wind of this concept, we had to jump in and fight out what the fuss is all about. The Tramontante as its called is a lightweight electric luxury supercar designed to eliminate the excess use of multiple body parts. It’s simple and efficient throughout both exterior and interior spaces. The concept comes from Czech student Ondrej Jirec, who thought of a streamlined connection from the Tramontane’s components straight to its body panels – color, material, and other characteristics play a part in the layering of the design.
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Bentley Motors and the Royal College of Art
It’s only fitting that two of Great Britain’s finest creations have been paired up with a common goal in mind. Under the tutelage of Raul Pires, Bentley’s Head of Exterior Design (credited with the Mulsanne, among others), a group of eighteen RCA students were given the task of developing a range of futuristic Bentleys that drew upon the company’s iconic history. Four of the eighteen were ultimately shortlisted and have been chosen to refine their designs with Pires’ help; eventually, a winner and a runner-up will be selected to join the company in Crewe for a six month secondment in the Bentley design studio. Pires and the Bentley team made their final cuts based on the participants involvement with the latest automotive software, specifically Exa’s PowerFLOW, which aided in the creation of the Continental Supersports. The finalists, based on their creations (and according to the wisdom of Pires), were able to succeed by capturing the essence of the Bentley brand, while embracing cutting-edge technology and terrific design that optimizes the vehicle’s potential in every way imaginable. We wish the final four the best of luck, as Bentley will be making their final decisions in the coming weeks.
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