Italdesign Go Concept, 2011

 

 

 

 

• Italdesign Go Concept, 2011

Designed for the city, the Go! together with the sporty Tex could increase the wide range of Volkswagen products to A0 segment even more.

With the same wheelbase as that of the Passat - 2700 mm - the Go! is a hatchback boasting a total length of 3990 mm thanks to its smaller overhangs. The battery pack is housed underneath the front and rear seating positions. This vertical package allows for the Go! a weight distribution of 58% on the front and 42% on the rear.

The design of the exteriors is dominated by extensive glass surfaces, in clear contrast with the trends of recent years of providing cars with increasingly smaller windows. In addition to filling the passenger compartment with light and giving its occupants the chance to thoroughly enjoy city scenery, also thanks to its totally glass roof, this design offers the driver with maximum visibility while driving.

The A pillar is in particular considerably farther forward than its traditional position, and the bulk of the door mirrors is eliminated by using cameras. The side windows also extend beneath the waistline - markedly high and optically taken up again by adding a longitudinal structure that crosses the side windows - drawing on a solution introduced in 1988 with the Asgard prototype.

This lets the driver benefit from maximum visibility even during manoeuvres and when taking tight curves.

Like in the Emas, only the lower part of the windows (the part beneath the longitudinal structure) can be electrically lowered. This solution reduces the weight that the electric window mechanism has to support to a minimum, and is in any case necessary for meeting all of the essential operations such as paying tolls or refuelling.

The seat H point (corresponding to the passenger hip position) is located higher than that of mass-produced cars but lower than that of an SUV. This solution makes getting in and out of the passenger compartment extremely comfortable.

An electronically driven system pushes the door outwards and pulls it back parallel to the vehicle body for gaining access to the rear seats. This mechanism, which draws on the one used on the VW Milano Taxi (presented in May 2010), offers the advantageous practicality of sliding doors but without sacrificing their section (room is found inside for a comfortable armrest) and makes it possible to do away with the unattractive tracks on the body typical of this solution.

Without sacrificing the family feeling typical of the Golf and the Golf Plus, the Go! offers innovative solutions both in the front and back that combine aesthetic pleasure with practical functionality.

The grille, dominated by the large VW badge in the centre, incorporates the front light clusters with Xenon/LED technology. The air intake is placed at the height of the fog lights and horizontally splits the front spoiler, adjusting the air flow necessary for cooling the front electric motors.

The tailgate reintroduces the theme of the glass surfaces interrupted by a longitudinal insert that not only optically takes up the theme characterising the side view, but conceals the windscreen wiper and rear cameras that turn on when the reverse gear is engaged.

To make loading luggage easier, the tailgate can be operated electronically for both opening and closing. A sensor that activates the opening mechanism by simply moving the foot is also fitted underneath the bumper.

The light clusters are positioned under the glass surface and are invisible when the panel is off. When the tailgate is opened, they are repeated by two additional taillights located in the lower part of the bumper, beside the rear air intake, which also house the rear fog lights.

INTERIOR
Ergonomics is certainly the word that best describes the concept of the Go!'s interiors.
All of the elements have been styled and designed while keeping man in mind. Every single detail - from entering the car and using its controls to the shape of the seats and the instruments - has been designed from an ergonomic point of view.

The driver and three passengers sit on four identical and electronically adjustable seats. Those in the rear can also be folded down using an electronic adjustment mechanism and with remote control, and they form a single surface on the rear floor panel level to increase the maximum loading volume to 525 litres.

A storage console/sliding armrest sits between the front seats. If completely pulled back, it aids the driver when getting out from the passenger side. This solution is particularly useful if parking is narrow or if there are objects blocking the opening of the left door.

The monitors of the rear view cameras are also at the base of the windscreen, but at the two side ends.
The dashboard contains a touchscreen monitor in the classic position. It groups together all of the auxiliary controls, the infotainment system, the satellite navigation system and, when the reverse gear is engaged, the images of the camera for manoeuvring.

ECO-FRIENDLY ESSENCE
The Go! is equipped with the electrical Blue-e-motion system totally designed and developed by Volkswagen.

Ideal for city traffic, the blue-e-motion system lets the Go! travel roughly 240 km in the combined cycle without emitting even a single gram of CO2.

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Buick Encore, 2013

 

 

 

• Buick Encore, 2013

Buick introduced the all-new 2013 Encore - a luxury small crossover that delivers Buick's signature style, interior acoustic refinement and collection of luxury amenities in a maneuverable, versatile and efficient package.
The Buick Encore is on display at the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, and goes on sale in early 2013.

Buick models continue to gain in popularity, with two consecutive years of higher retail sales. The Encore joins Verano - Buick's third all-new sedan in three years - to round out the brand's lineup and continues the momentum established by the Enclave crossover almost five years ago.

With room for five and up to 48.4 cubic feet (1,372 liters) of storage space with the rear seat folded, the Buick Encore offers substantial cargo capacity along with the confident, higher driving position, all-wheel-drive capability and contemporary styling of a crossover.

Additional features include 10 standard air bags and an Ecotec 1.4L turbo four-cylinder/six-speed automatic powertrain, along with standard and available technologies such as Buick's voice-activated IntelliLink - which uses Bluetooth or a USB to connect the driver's smartphone to a high-resolution, full-color seven-inch LCD display radio.
And because it's a Buick, QuietTuning is standard on the Encore, which also features Buick's first use of active noise cancellation technology.

Contemporary design offers versatile spaciousness
In keeping with the global design language that has come to symbolize the brand, the Buick Encore's sculpted and elegant styling traits - including sweeping character lines - make it instantly identifiable as a contemporary Buick. Signature cues include a waterfall grille, chrome accents and surrounds, portholes on the hood and painted lower panels, similar to the Enclave.

Blue-accented projector-beam headlamps and detailed taillamps enhance the premium appearance; and 18-inch, five-spoke painted aluminum wheels are standard. Seven-spoke chrome wheels are available.

Inside, the Buick Encore's organic styling carries over to a flowing instrument panel that wraps naturally into the door panels. A prominent central instrument panel houses the large, full-color, seven-inch LCD display for the IntelliLink voice-activated radio system. It also features displays for the SiriusXM satellite radio, as well as available navigation and rear camera systems.

A contemporary mix of dark and light tones distinguishes the cabin, which is accented with ice blue ambient lighting, select use of bright trim and wood-grain trim. Premium seats featuring high-density foam for greater comfort on long drives are trimmed with either a contemporary cloth/leatherette motif or available leather. Heated front seats and a heated steering wheel are available. The rear seat features a fold-down armrest with cup holders.

More of the Buick Encore's comfort and luxury features - standard and available - include:

•     Remote vehicle start
•     Dual-zone automatic climate control
•     Rainsense wipers
•     Bose premium sound system
•     Heated, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls
•     Six-way, power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar adjustment and driver memory.

Buick Encore also features plenty of storage capacity and storage compartments. It offers 18.8 cubic feet (533 liters) of storage behind the split-folding rear seat and 48.4 cubic feet (1,372 liters) with the rear seat folded. With the rear seat in place, there's room for at least six full grocery bags and with the rear seat folded, there's room for golf clubs and overnight bags for a weekend getaway. Even the front passenger seat folds flat to extend the cargo length and accommodate long items that would not normally fit in a vehicle of this size.

QuietTuning gets 'active'
QuietTuning is the process of defining Buick quality, sound and vibration characteristics and designing and refining the vehicle following a three-point strategy of reducing sounds at their source, blocking sounds from entering the cabin and absorbing any remaining sounds.

For the Buick Encore, specific content was applied to achieve 40 sound benchmarks for refinement, including Buick's first application of active noise cancellation. With it, ceiling-mounted microphones detect engine noise, the frequencies of which are processed by a computer that directs counteracting sound waves through the audio system's speakers and subwoofer.

Additional standard QuietTuning features:

•     Acoustically treated headliner with a tuned gap between it and the high-strength-steel roof panel
•     Sound-absorbing materials used in the cabin, under the hood and in the wheel house liners
•     HydraMatic 6T40 six-speed transmission with neutral gear disengagement
•     Quiet-tuned 18-inch Continental tires
•     Aero-optimized outside mirrors
•     Ultra-quiet engine alternator
•     Acoustic-laminated windshield and thicker 5mm side window glass
•     Foam baffle insulation at the opening of body structure cavities.

The new Buick Encore is built on a global small-crossover platform and engineered with a "one-tire" philosophy. Everything is optimized around a single 18-inch tire specification, designed for more precise suspension tuning, driving refinement, quietness and a feeling of control.

The Buick Encore's 100.6-inch (2,555 mm) wheelbase and wide stance - 60.6-inch (1,540 mm) front and rear tracks - contribute to a more confident-feeling driving experience, while a strong structure enables greater suspension precision and a quieter ride. Tuned engine, including two hydraulic mounts, are tailored to the engine's inherent torque axis to disrupt the transmission of vibration and noise. This configuration also helps control the transfer of momentum, resulting in improved dynamic balance.

A MacPherson strut front suspension is used with coil springs, a large stabilizer bar and side-load-compensated front strut modules. The rear suspension incorporates a compound crank (torsion beam) design, with a double-wall, tubular V-shape beam profile with gas-charged twin-tube shocks. It combines all the advantages of a conventional torsion beam axle, including minimal space requirements, with low weight and consistent camber control. Urethane spring isolators are used to dampen noise.

The Buick Encore also features a column-mounted, variable-effort electric power steering system. It contributes to a 36.7-foot (11.2 meters) turning diameter, while also saving fuel compared to an engine-driven power steering pump.
Safety technology helps protect occupants

Buick Encore is designed with technologies - including radar-based features - to help avoid crashes and protect occupants in case one occurs. Technologies that help avoid them:

•     Standard StabiliTrak electronic stability control
•     Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and electronic brake force distribution
•     Cornering brake control and brake assist
•     Available all-wheel-drive system that seamlessly shifts power to the rear wheels when required for better traction and handling
•     Available forward collision alert and lane departure warning
•     Available front and rear park assist
•     Available rear vision camera.

When it comes to occupant protection, the Buick Encore's body structure forms a protective cage around the passenger compartment. Sixty-three percent of the underbody structure is comprised of high-strength steels, while 57 percent of the upper body uses high-strength steels, including ultra-high-strength steel. That protection is complemented with 10 standard air bags, which:

•     Driver and front passenger frontal air bags
•     Driver and front passenger knee air bags
•     Front and rear thorax air bags (all outboard positions)
•     Side curtain air bags for front and rear outboard passengers.

Buick Encore's suite of safety features is rounded out with exclusive OnStar technology, which includes the Advanced Crash Response System, emergency assistance and more.

Ecotec turbo engine drives efficiency
The Buick Encore is powered by an efficient, power-dense Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged four-cylinder engine and six-speed automatic transmission. It generates an estimated 140 horsepower (103 kW) and 148 lb.-ft. of torque (200 Nm) between 1,850 rpm and 4,900 rpm. The wide rpm range for the maximum torque - a specific trait of turbocharged engines - helps it deliver a better driving experience and performance.

The 1.4L's turbocharger is integrated within the exhaust manifold, for reduced weight and greater packaging flexibility. A reinforced crankshaft and forged connecting rods deliver additional strength to support the engine's pressurized power and torque over a wide rpm band.

Several of the engine's features contribute to the Buick Encore's overall fuel efficiency:

•     A high-efficiency alternator
•     Regulated voltage control
•     Electronically controlled returnless fuel system
•     Deceleration fuel cut-off.

They complement other vehicle-wide systems and components that also help improve efficiency, including low-rolling-resistance tires, electric power steering, neutral idle feature and optimized aerodynamics.

A Hydra-Matic 6T40 six-speed automatic transmission backs the Ecotec 1.4L turbo engine. It is part of a family of six-speed front and all-wheel drive transaxles developed for small cars and crossovers. It has a unique design, with the planetary gearsets positioned on the same axis as the engine crankshaft centerline, making the entire powertrain unit shorter fore-to-aft. This design enables a shorter overall vehicle length, increased interior space, enhanced safety crush zones and lower weight.

The Hydra-Matic 6T40 offers a "steep" first gear and a "tall" overdrive top gear to achieve a wide ratio spread of 6.14:1. This allows the Buick Encore to achieve robust acceleration, as well as fuel efficiency and lower engine noise at highway cruising speeds. A neutral-gear disengagement feature helps enhance smoothness and efficiency.

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Aston Martin V8 Vantage S, 2012

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

•  Aston Martin V8 Vantage S, 2012

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.

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 Aston Martin V8 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 Aston Martin V8 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.

Performance
The rationale behind the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S was to push the boundaries of the already acclaimed V8 Vantage with the highest levels of driver involvement possible. Aston Martin engineers set about enhancing nearly every dynamic element of the car to create a highly distinctive driving experience.

The 4.7 litre V8 engine has been modified to deliver peak power of 430 bhp (436 PS / 321 kW) at 7200 rpm and torque of 490 Nm (361 lb.ft) at 5000 rpm representing an increase of 10 bhp and 20 Nm respectively and is signified with a black engine plenum. The increase has been achieved through a valved air intake system and an aggressive spark strategy. The air intake system valve opens above 3500 rpm to allow more air to flow into the engine, which helps optimise performance at precisely the right part of the torque curve. Aggressive spark strategy uses sophisticated electronics to ignite the fuel in the engine at precisely the right time allowing it to run at its most powerful. It can also recognise higher octane fuel and extract the optimum performance from the increased rating.

The power and torque delivery on the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S is delivered at the most frequently used mid range engine speeds which creates tractable and effortless acceleration. Most demand for power and torque is in the mid-range which on the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S is where the greatest torque is delivered at 5000 rpm.

Sportshift II is an automated manual transmission featuring a new seven speed Graziano gearbox which is positioned at the back of the Aston Martin Vantage S on the transaxle contributing to 49:51 near perfect weight balance. The system benefits from a single manual clutch mated with electronic switching gear to change ratios and was designed from the ground-up exclusively for the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S. Aston Martin specifically chose to develop the SportshiftTM system owing to its inherent sporting benefits including mass saving, low complexity of moving parts, and real tangible gear changes. This contributes, along with other weight saving parts, to a total vehicle weight reduction of 30 kg.

Electro-hydraulic controls are actuated via two steering column mounted magnesium paddles allowing the driver to shift up or down. Quicker than a conventional manual system, and at least 50kg lighter than a dual clutch system, Sportshift II offers the inherent benefits of being able to drive in automatic mode as well as shifting manually. Sportshift II is 24kg lighter than Sportshift™ featured on the standard Vantage.

Sportshift II features seven ratios allowing the first six gears to sit closer together taking advantage of the engine's torque characteristic; this enhances the acceleration feel and gives the driver increased control. The seventh gear is a longer ratio delivering a quieter, more refined cruising gear for motorway stretches and also delivers increased fuel economy.

Driver interaction with SportshiftTM II is made as simple as possible to allow the driver to concentrate on the road ahead. Two magnesium paddles allow an up or a down shift through the gears. The controls are column-mounted so that the driver can always locate them with ease no matter what position the steering wheel is in.

As well as selecting gears manually with the paddle-shift, the driver is also able to select the 'D' button on the facia to engage automatic mode which acts like a traditional automatic gearbox changing gear at precisely the right time, making light work of urban, traffic and motorway driving.

The new seven speed automated manual is standard on the Aston Martin V8 Vantage S perfectly suiting the sporting nature of the car. Aston Martin has opted not to offer a manual transmission option owing to the high expected demand of Sportshift™ II.

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage S' sporting character really comes into its own when the 'Sport' button on the facia is depressed giving the driver faster gear changes in both manual and automatic (a decrease of 60 milliseconds) and prevents the car changing up to the next gear when the revolution limit is reached. The default 'normal' provides a more progressive, throttle response, suited to more everyday situations, such as driving in urban areas, heavy traffic, or in challenging weather conditions. Selecting 'Sport' mode delivers a sharper throttle response together with a sportier exhaust note. This mode is designed for use in more dynamic driving situations where sharper responses are required, extracting the maximum performance from the car.

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage S weighs 1610 kg, (coupe), 30 kg lighter than the standard Vantage owing to weight optimisation of the new Sportshift™ II transmission and use of carbon fibre. Air cooled, rather than oil cooled, the Sportshift II system takes advantage through the deletion of the oil pump and associated ancillaries saving 24 kg over the conventional six speed Sportshift system.

As with all Aston Martins, the Vantage S benefits from near perfect weight balance of 49:51 front to rear owing to the placement of the gearbox on the transaxle contributing to the excellent dynamics.

The Aston Martin V8 Vantage S remains a practical day to day sports car featuring a 300 litre boot with convenient tail gate opening in coupe guise, while the Roadster has an automatically retracting fabric hood which can be operated up to 30 km/h.

The S variant features a unique exhaust muffler specifically tuned to aurally define its sporting intent. A revised map opens the bypass valves earlier in the rev range at 3500 rpm and even earlier in 'Sport' mode producing more crackle on the overrun.

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Bentley Mulsanne Diamond Jubilee, 2012

 

 

 

 Bentley Mulsanne Diamond Jubilee, 2012

Bentley Motors and its customers in Beijing celebrated HM The Queen's Birthday and her Diamond Jubilee year at the gala opening of one of the world's largest Bentley dealerships - a new landmark in the cosmopolitan Sanlitun district. To mark the occasion, Bentley unveiled the first example of its Bentley Mulsanne Diamond Jubilee Edition.

Designed by the craftsmen and women of Bentley's Mulliner division, the creators of the State Limousine presented to Queen Elizabeth II in 2002, just 60 examples of the Bentley Mulsanne Diamond Jubilee Edition have been created with each car representing a year of Her Majesty's reign.

These very special Bentleys are distinguished by a range of exquisite, handcrafted features paying tribute to the Jubilee. These include bespoke embroidery to all four headrests using gold stitching, veneered picnic tables in the rear cabin decorated with a gold overlay depicting a royal carriage used for great occasions of state as well as luxurious, hide cushions featuring the same motif.

2 beautiful, highly-polished stainless steel treadplate plaques featuring the famous 'Bentley Mulliner, England' script and 'Diamond Jubilee Edition' have also been commissioned for these Mulsanne models.

Mulliner came to prominence when the family was commissioned to build carriages for the Royal Mail in 1760. By the late 19th Century Mulliner was hand-crafting the coachwork for the new "horseless carriage" - the first cars.

Mulliner's association with Bentley harks back to the very beginning of the marque's story when W.O. Bentley commissioned Mulliner to build the bodywork for the famous EXP1. This partnership continued to flourish, producing the streamlined contours of the revolutionary 1952 R-Type Continental, among many other iconic Bentley designs. Now known as Bentley Mulliner and a wholly-owned division of Bentley Motors, the Mulliner team offers a specialist personal commissioning department for Bentley customers and limited edition cars.

True to the Mulliner tradition, the Diamond Jubilee Edition cars feature a spectrum of paint and hide colours that sets them apart from other Bentleys and which stylishly uses various combinations and shades of red, white and blue (the colours of the Union Flag) to underscore the British connection. Hand-applied Single Fine Lines - using these same three colours - provide an elegant finishing touch as do two distinctive Bentley 'B' badges positioned on each 'D' pillar.

China is now the largest market for Bentley Motors. In 2011 the iconic British manufacturer delivered 1,664 cars to Chinese customers and during the first quarter of 2012 sales in the region grew by 84.66 percent compared with the same period in 2011. Bentley's dealership presence is set to further expand in the next 12 months as the company introduces its latest high-performance coupe and convertible Continental models to Chinese customers in 2012.

The Bentley Mulsanne captures the essence of the Bentley marque. It is elegant yet distinctly sporting in character, delivering effortless performance, while within its sumptuous cabin, advanced technology sits discreetly with handcrafted luxury. Designed and engineered at Crewe from the ground-up, the Mulsanne has reaffirmed the marque's intent to create a luxury grand tourer with refined performance, unparalleled levels of interior luxury and coach building skills to the fore.

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Ferrari 458 Italia China 20th Anniversary, 2012

• Ferrari 458 Italia China 20th Anniversary, 2012

The year 2012 marks the 20th anniversary for Ferrari in China since the first Ferrari, a 348 TS, was ordered in Beijing. To celebrate this historical milestone, in a few weeks time Ferrari inaugurate its first ever permanent brand exhibition outside of Maranello at the Italia Center of Shanghai World Expo Park. Covering 900 square metres the Ferrari Exhibition last for three years and will feature some of the best collections from the Maranello Museum divided into five topics, including Ferrari in China, Green Technology, Product, Design and Racing.

Along with current and past Ferrari models, visitors  gain first-hand experience with a rich selection of images and videos made especially for this exhibition.

Another important element for the 20th anniversary celebration is the introduction of the Ferrari 458 Italia special edition of only 20 cars dedicated exclusively to the China market. The car's livery is characterized by unique Chinese elements and is finished in a brand new colour called Marco Polo Red specially developed for this exclusive car which will be presented at the inauguration of the Ferrari Exhibition at the Shanghai Expo Park's Italian Center.

The inspiration behind the livery came from the longma theme which is an old Chinese idiom which means "the vigor and spirit of the legendary dragon-horse". Dragon is a symbol of Chinese culture, standing for courage, passion and success, whilst Ferrari's prancing horse logo is one of the most recognized symbols in the world representing Italian cultural identity and its unrivalled achievements in the design and engineering fields.

The Ferrari 458 Italia is a very high performing and exclusive 8 cylinder mid-rear engined car which has won over 35 awards all around the world. The 458 Italia mixes very innovative technology with exclusivity and design and it perfectly encapsulates the passion and vitality of the longma spirit.

The most eye-catching element of the car's exterior is the golden dragon on the front bonnet, which is offset by gold and black livery stripes symbolizing a racing track. The image of the soaring dragon and the prancing horse on the front bonnet complement each other perfectly, and are the finishing touch to the car's overall design. The symbols reflect both Chinese culture as well as Ferrari's constant innovation.

The unique design is enhanced by gold finish to the rims and the aeroelastic winglets. The interior also reflects the unique longma spirit and the celebration of Chinese culture with gold embroidery on the car's head rests, while the engine start button on each of the 20 cars is inscribed with the simplified Chinese characters for 'start', and a '20th Anniversary Special Edition' plaque is set into the dash.

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Bugatti Veyron, 2009

 

 

•  Bugatti Veyron, 2009

After having been launched to the world's media and customers at the end of 2005, production of 1001 hp Bugatti Veyron has taken up full throttle at the company's factory, the Atelier , in Molsheim, near Strasbourg, in France. It is there where the car is assembled by a group of 20 highly specialised technicians. In teams of five they follow the car from the beginning until the end of built. They are fully in charge from the moment the engine is rolled into the assembly hall on a trolley until the finished car rolls out of the  Atelier  under its own steam and on its proper wheels.

An international car
The Bugatti Veyron is an impressive platform of top end automotive technology and - loyal to Bugatti's heritage nothing is too expensive, nothing is too beautiful - only the best parts and materials in the trade are used in the production process. And the Bugatti Veyron is a truly international car. One of the key- and most sophisticated parts, the 7 speed-sequential-DSG - double-clutch-gearbox, is made by motor sport specialists Ricardo in the UK, the unique 16 cylinder-8.0-litre-engine comes from the Volkswagen engine plant in Salzgitter in Germany.

The tyres - the first production tyres in the industry homologated for speeds above 400 km/h - are a joint development with Michelin. The carbon fibre monocoque is built by ATR in Italy, the front- and rear- structure in forged aluminium by Heggemann in Germany and the bespoke carbon-ceramic brakes by AP Racing in Great Britain. The paintwork is German, the leather Austrian, the windscreen is manufactured in Finland, and so it goes on.

Only 300 units of the Bugatti Veyron will ever be built. Production started at rate of 50 cars per annum, approximately one a week. Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S., however, is striving to achieve a higher number and plans to get closer to an annual output of a hundred in order to reduce the waiting period for customers.

It does not come as a surprise that over 30% of the Bugatti Veyron orders are tagged for the United States, traditionally by far the most important market for luxury cars. The USA are followed by Germany. 19% of total orders have been placed by German customers to date. The United Kingdom, classically a country with a very strong link to the legendary Bugatti brand, is third with 16% and the Middle East comes fourth with around 15%.

1998 through 1999: four design studies in 15 months' time In April 1998, the Volkswagen Group took over the Bugatti trademark, presenting the brand to the public for the first time at the International Motor Show in Paris with a study for a twodoor coupe it had commissioned Italdesign to create: the Bugatti EB 118. A few months later, in March 1999, at the Geneva Motor Show, a design of the EB 218, itself also created at Italdesign, caused a sensation with a four-door saloon using the same 18-cylinder, 6.3 litre engine with 555 hp.

This was followed, the same year, at the IAA in Frankfurt, by the centre-engine design, the Bugatti EB 18/3 Chiron; once again Giugiaro was responsible for the design. And shortly thereafter, in Tokyo, the Bugatti EB 18/4 Veyron celebrated its world premiere, a model designed at the 'Volkswagen Centre of Excellence Design' under the directorship of Hartmut Warkuss.

No more than nearly a year later, in autumn 2000 in Paris, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 was shown for the first time. The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 with the ultimate in performance features, the 1001 hp, 8- litre, 16-cylinder engine and its technological specifications - 1250 Nm at 2,200 rpm, peak speed of more than 400 km/h, four turbochargers and permanent four-wheel drive - features that have remained in place to this day, celebrated its debut at the IAA in Frankfurt in September of 2001.

2003: New team - new objectives
In 2001, the decision was made to go into serial production of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 with a lot not to exceed 300 cars. In December of the following year, 'Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.' was established, a subsidiary of 'Volkswagen France' with headquarters in Molsheim. And nearly a year to the day thereafter, at the end of 2003, Dr Thomas Bscher took overall charge of the Bugatti project as the new President of 'Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.'. Appointed to assist him was D. Wolfgang Schreiber, serving as technical director and simultaneously as head of 'Bugatti Engineering GmbH' in Wolfsburg, where all of the development work for the new Bugatti is co-ordinated and, in part, carried out. His functional mission was to put the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 on the road.

The new team subjected the entire project to a technological and financial feasibility study commissioned, among other things, to develop a realistic timeframe for the launch of production of the new Bugatti. Shortly before the 2004 Geneva Motor Show, the Executive Board at the Group approved plans for the 'new' Veyron project, scheduling production to begin in September 2005.

The Bugatti Veyron: An unrivalled synthesis of top performance with the everyday
This is made all the more remarkable by the fact that the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, despite its very limited production, is called upon to meet all of the specifications of the VW Group in their entirety. This means innumerable time-consuming trials and tests throughout the entire world, all devoted to the fulfilment of a single objective: to measure up to the strict, indeed relentless quality and quality-assurance standards the company has laid down. This ensures that this super sports car will be suitable for everyday driving as well, to a degree never before witnessed in any other serial-production vehicle of this type.

In the world of modern, serial-production automobiles, the synthesis which has been brought to fruition in the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is a synthesis between easy and problem-free operation in day-to-day traffic and breathtaking driving in the high-performance area. A reference which would be music to the ears of Ettore Bugatti, whose early successes themselves were rooted in this unique combination.

Extensive construction work in Molsheim
Tandem to the ongoing activities in the product area, extensive construction work has been launched at the location in Molsheim. To begin with, the Château St. Jean - an edifice that Ettore Bugatti never used as a residence but rather only as a form of what, in today's parlance would be termed a customer service centre, was completely renovated.

The two stalls located to the south and the north of the castle, which in Bugatti's day served as stables, were telemetrically surveyed, dismantled and, using as many of the original elements of the structure, such as wall segments and woodwork, as were still usable, reconstructed in a faithful copy of the original structures. In this new 'Bugatti Era', these structures will for the most part have an administrative character; in one of the spaces, clients will also be able to receive their Bugatti Veyron in an historical setting.

The core of the investments made in Molsheim is the 'Atelier' in which production of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is beginning in September 2005. In its architectural form, this modern production facility has been given stylistic features dipping back into the history of the automotive brand. With a southern exposure, the light-filled, glassed main hall is only partly evocative of an automobile-manufacturing operation in the classical sense of the term - it reminds the beholder more of a 'Formula One laboratory'. The setting is dominated by clinical cleanliness and precision workmanship with highly developed component parts. And yet the 'Atelier' can still hold its own against the 'major players'.

A runway for the measurement of relevant functional-performance data and a generously proportioned water-spraying system for testing vehicle water tightness are to be found here, alongside a light chamber under the glaring lamps of which the slightest inconsistency in a car's paintwork mercilessly catches the eye. A small test course has been laid out in the green spaces in front of the building. It can be used to supplement the road-test programme compulsory for all Veyrons and which concludes the vehicle's production process. A logistics centre erected next to the 'Atelier' rounds out the complex of buildings in Molsheim.

Historic location
Thanks to Bugatti, Molsheim has been elevated from anonymity to find its own place on the map - not just of the automotive world. And this is certainly justified, both for the location of Ettore Bugatti's production facilities and his private residence, which is located immediately adjacent. With the purchase of the Château St. Jean and the property surrounding it, comprising some 140,000 m2 and the site of all other modern-day Bugatti activities as well, this has changed somewhat in purely geographic terms. To be precise, the property is situated in Dorlisheim which, while within sight of the former Bugatti factory, is nevertheless located on the other side of the Bruche River. This has been the source of inspiration for a 'postal sleight of hand' on the part of the new management at Bugatti.

To be able to carry the historic value of the location in Molsheim into the Bugatti future while at the same time satisfying the administrative regulations of the Land, a compromise was negotiated with local authorities. A Solomonic solution was arrived at with the latter - who took a very favourable view of the entire Bugatti project right from the beginning, providing their active support throughout its development. The correct and complete address of Bugatti 'Cru 2005' is: Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S., 1, Château St. Jean, Dorlisheim, F-67 120 Molsheim.

Bugatti is on the threshold of a new era. Its location is Molsheim. The company is international. Ettore Bugatti was born in 1881 in Italy. He completed his technological instruction in Germany, first with de Dietrich in Niederbronn in Alsace - at the time still a part of Germany - and then at Deutz in Cologne, before he built his first automobile in 1909 in Molsheim. Since 1998, Bugatti has belonged to the Volkswagen Group as a French company with a French headquarters.

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