ATNMBL – The Autonomobile
Maaike Evers and Mike Simonian are, together, the San Francisco design consultancy Mike and Maaike and are responsible for the G1 mobile phone (the first to feature the Google Android OS) were also part of the team that created the Xbox 360.
More recently they have turned their attentions to the world of car design and have produced the ATNMBL as an investigation into how a car designed without reference to the traditions and dogma of conventional automotive styling would look and function. Crucially, they also looked into what would happen if car no longer needed to be piloted by its human occupants.
The result, projected as being a solution viable in the year 2040, owes more to the disciplines of architecture and interior design than the works of Harley Earl or Nuccio Bertone. It’s tall enough to stand in, prodigiously glazed and devoid of the sculpture of an Audi TT or even the more practical (and in automotive engineering terms, avant-garde) Mercedes A-Class.
There will probably always be dyed-in-the-wool petrolheads that are sceptical of such concepts but there will probably also be plenty of people who would welcome the chance to use the time spent in traffic on their daily commute working, catching up on emails or even having breakfast instead of just staring at the rear bumper of the car ahead of them. In fact, there are probably plenty of petrolheads who would welcome the chance to hone their skills around a virtual Nürburgring with the latest edition of Gran Turismo whilst sitting in a traffic jam. Now that would be a commute.
See more after the jump.
Jaguar XJ
Jay Leno was in London last week to unveil the new Jaguar XJ, the Coventry firm’s new top-of-the-line saloon. Having attracted criticism at times for the relatively traditional – if not retro – appearance of their products, Jaguar has gone on the offensive since the launch of last year’s sharp-looking XF and the daring XJ is evidence of a new-found aesthetic boldness matched only by BMW in the luxury saloon car market.
At the front, the upright grille links the XJ clearly to its smaller stablemate, the XF, and the slim, flowing LED and Xenon headlamp units pick up on themes first established by the C-XF concept car. In side view the profile is strong with a sporting stance and an almost fastback-like silhouette suggesting not just pace but the hallmark Jaguar grace as well. It is at the rear of the XJ that chief designer Ian Callum and his team have really set the cat amongst the pigeons though, the C-pillar of the car is hidden behind black polycarbonate to give a wrap-around feel to the rear screen – unique in a car in this class – and the vertical tailights frame an unadorned rump that is home to little more than the company’s classic leaping cat logo. Jaguar have made sure that there will be no mistaking this car for anything else on the road.
The interior is cosseting in typically Jaguar fashion. A sweeping feature line wraps from one side of the cabin to the other, framing the dashboard like a classic 1950s speedboat. Sumptuous leather is set against expertly applied wood veneers and all of this is matched with the very latest technology: an 8inch touchscreen in the centre console, the pop-up cylindrical gear selector first seen in the XF, virtual instrumentation on a TFT screen in the dashboard and a 1200W, 12 speaker stereo system from UK hifi experts, Bowers & Wilkins.
These are tough times for car makers and we’re witnessing seismic upheavals amongst the established order. All of which makes the boldness of Jaguar, in creating a truly modern design, all the more remarkable.
See more images and Jay Leno’s introduction video on the Jaguar XJ after the jump.
Sportec SPR1 T80
Don’t judge this one by its alphanumeric monaker; the SPR1 is one of the more serious machines we’ve seen in some time. Adding to the Swiss pedigree of fine products, the tuners at Sportec have created an absolute monster of a 997. This fire-breathing Porsche is the proud owner of 858bhp; which the madmen at Sportec have achieved by leaving no stone unturned. All of this power is achieved courtesy of a custom set of turbochargers, and reworked intercooler, intake, and exhaust systems. Aesthetically, the car looks almost stock, save for a set of deep dish forged wheels, altered spoiler, and massive front mount intercooler. So ultimately, it’s a supercar in 997 clothes; it hits 60 in a scant three seconds flat, and runs out of breath somewhere around 236mph. Don’t act like you’re not impressed.
More images of the Sportec SPR1 T80 after the jump.
RHD Mercedes Limousines
High-end Limo executive car company LimousinesWorld has been in the business for over thirty years and now introduces the RHD Mercedes limo. This new Mercedes is available in both S-Class & E-Class models with an abundance of features. It comes equipped with a champagne chateau for the hardwood bar with ice chests, and also has a hands free intercom.
For entertainment purposes passengers will enjoy AM/FM stereo, a CD/DVD system, and either dual 7 or 13 inch flat screen televisions. For business, the limo provides Wi-Fi capabilities for internet & 12V electric ports (nifty for gadgets).
Other amenities include illuminated vanity mirrors, facing seats, armrests with cup holders, vanity console, and storage area lighting. This beauty can seat up to 10 people (dependent on the size). If this thing had a bed, you’d only have to leave to use the bathroom.
See more images after the jump.
Core77 Dutch Master Limited Edition Bicycle
Design group Core77 has released 25 limited edition bicycles that they call “The Dutch Master.” The overall look is based on the classic Worksman cruiser frame, an iconic design that dates back nearly 100 years in the bike messenger and delivery history of New York City. The bikes were hand-built by KT Higgins, a Brooklyn-based ex-bike messenger and proprietor of Bushwick Bike Shop.
As part of the product launch, the Apple Store SoHo (103 Prince Street) New York will be presenting a Live “Meet the Designers” Event on Saturday, July 11th at 3pm, featuring the story of the Core77 Dutch Master Bicycle. Following the event, the Dutch Master will be on display in the lobby of the Ace Hotel (20 West 29th Street) from July 11 – 18.
For more information, visit Core77.com/dutchmaster.
See more images after the jump.
Porsche at Goodwood Festival
Continuing the parade of excellence at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed was Porsche, who marked the event with the 40th anniversary of one of the greatest racecars off all time, the 917. The 917 did battle with an iconic car in its own right, the Ford GT40, in the late 60s and early 70s, and gained a lot of fame by winning the overall spot in the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1970 and 1971. The car was also canonized in Steve McQueen’s 1971 film Le Mans . Porsche plans on featuring at least five different 917s, and is also planning some activities: they will reunite driver Richard Atwood with his 1970 Le Mans-winning vehicle, and will trot the 917/20 and 917/30 out with their respective drivers. Porsche will also show off their upcoming Panamera luxury sedan, and shuttle visitors around the track as part of a Cayenne driving experience.
See more after the jump.
Seat Leon by JE Design
After tweaking VWs newest project, the Scirocco, it looks like JE Design moved quickly over to VWs Spanish counterpart, Seat. Their sixth iteration of the Leon will soon be available, and as with most of JE’s kits, it will be offered for purchase individually or as a complete kit. A new front spoiler, side skirts, rear spoiler, grill, eyelids, hood scoop, and carbon fiber-look rear diffuser round out the package. JE Design is also making a suspension kit and a number of custom wheels available.
See more images of the Seat Leon by JE Design after the jump.
CarGo Concept
We at SwipeLife have long been aware that not only does form follow function, but that often creativity is spurred on to greater heights by the challenges of meeting strict, functional requirements. The CarGo delivery vehicle concept, from Adam Schacter, a freshly graduated automotive designer from the renowned Transport design course at Coventry University in the UK.
If the execution looks a little like the result of an illicit night of passion between a Smart ForTwo and a John Deere, the concept is admirably focussed. The length and width of the CarGo can be adjusted between different modes to allow it to adapt to different loads and traffic situations and hub-mounted electric motors help with packaging maximum load-capacity within a footprint that could comfortably squeeze down some of the narrowest European city centre streets.
Schacter’s design has highlighted an interesting niche that could not only be the perfect tool for a host of small businesses and start-ups but also something that could be a vital ingredient in creating that holy grail of city planners, mayors and urbanists the world over, the bustling, dense and most of all, sustainable, downtown. Is the future of Motown CarGo?
See more images after the jump.
Sachs Madass 125
Telling the supertbike crowd (i.e. Ducati) from the scooter type (i.e. Vespa) apart isn’t the hardest of tasks but however different, both sides have to agree on the practicality of either vehicles given certain circumstances. The superbike rider wishes he didn’t have to suit up in heavy protective gear just to go a few blocks away but wouldn’t be caught dead near a Vespa. The Vespa rider on the other hand wished he was more welcome on highways but couldn’t care less about red lining at +100mph speeds in 6th gear. Moto-Scoot presents a potential solution with the Sachs MadAss 125 but it’s still a give and take for both parties. Powered by a 125cc engine, this hybrid of a bicycle and motorcycle has a serious Napoleon complex and we all know what he was able to pull off. The engine is an air cooled DOHC 4 valve single with maximum torque of 8Nm @ 7500 rpms built by German engineers. At 219.6 lbs, the MadAss weighs about the same as most Vespas but about half of most superbikes. Both practical and powerful the MadAss 125 gives all riders something capable of solving a few of their problems and at only $2,695.00 its the least expensive of their options. Whatever you choose, just remember to keep the shiny side up!
Pagani Cinque Roadster
What good is 700 horsepower if you have a fixed roof above your head? Luckily, the crew at Pagani shares our sentiments here, and is producing the ultra-rare Cinque Roadster. While the roadster shares the hardtop’s preposterous AMG-sourced engine (boasting 678bhp), it has been structurally reinforced to maintain the same rigidity as the coupe. The Roadster boasts a beautiful ceramic-coated titanium exhaust and a Cima six-speed sequential transmission. Saddled inside the aluminum and magnesium APP wheels are the obligatory Brembo six-piston calipers. The Enzo-beater is rumored to cost around €1.3 million, but don’t cash in your 401k just yet; after we buy ours, there will only be four left.
More images of the Pagani Cinque Roadster after the jump.
