Chief designer, Ian Cameron, said, “Effortless performance and standard-setting levels of comfort and efficiency, executed with the utmost care and attention, remain fundamentals of Rolls-Royce design. The RR4 has a more informal presence than the Phantom models with a greater emphasis on driving. In design terms this is expressed through its slightly smaller dimensions and more organic form, yet with powerful, purposeful proportions. It is a true and uncompromising Rolls-Royce in every sense.” 
These are the first official sketches of Roll Royce’s new entry-level model, the RR4 luxury sedan that will sit right below the Phantom in the British marque’s range. Due to be launched in 2010, the RR4 will be smaller than Phantom and powered by a new engine, that will be unique to Rolls-Royce. The RR4 is believed to share many common components –including the platform- with the next generation BMW 7-Series. According to Rolls Royce, further design and engineering details will be announced during the course of 2009. 
“RR4 will mark a milestone in the history of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars,” Chairman, Ian Robertson added. “The business continues to go from strength to strength and the introduction of this new model will expand the appeal of the brand. We look forward to this next chapter with anticipation and confidence.”
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Rolls Royce RR4: Official Sketches of Baby Phantom
Mazda1 Concept: First Official Sketches?
Since Mazda has yet to come out with an official press release, we’re obliged to leave a question mark on whether these sketches of the Mazda1 Concept that appeared on UK website “Autoexpress” are official or not. We don’t know if it means something, but on the left-hand corner, right under the British magazine’s logo there’s another logo (something "-CAR") that has been cropped, but anyways.
The Mazda1 Concept is set to make its first public appearance at the Paris Show this fall and it will give us a preview of Mazda’s all-new mini car that will fit right under the Mazda2 in the Japanese carmaker’s range. The concept mini depicted in these drawings seems to bear many similarities with the Hakaze compact crossover concept that was first shown at last year’s Geneva Auto Salon.
According to Autoexpress, Peter Birthwhistle, chief designer at Mazda’s European Research and Development Centre, said: “The finished article will be even more radical than the car seen here. It will be aimed at young people and feature the likes of iPod connectivity, sat-nav and Blue- tooth. It will be environmentally friendly, and weigh as little as possible.”
Via: Autoexpress
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Preview: Mazda Taiki
Mazda has released images of its Taiki Concept ahead of the car’s Tokyo Motor Show debut later this month. Fourth in the Nagare design series — which includes the Mazda Nagare, Mazda Ryuga and Mazda Hakaze — the Taiki furthers the flowing design theme of the previous show cars.
The front-engine rear-drive Taiki is powered by Mazda’s next-generation RENESIS rotary engine, although Mazda failed to release any further information about the drivetrain. Mazda says the design of the two-seat Taiki “was inspired by the image of a pair of Hagoromo – the flowing robes that enable a celestial maiden to fly in Japanese legend – floating down from the sky.”
According to Mazda, the theme of the Tokyo Motor Show will be “Sustainable Zoom-Zoom- Mazda’s showroom today and in the future.” The Taiki will share the Tokyo stage with the Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid and the all-new Mazda Atenza — the Mazda6 here in the U.S.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Spada Codatronca headed for Monaco debut
Spada Codatronca is the name of the car designed by Spadaconcept – the Italian design studio founded by Paolo Spada (former designer at Smart and Honda) together with his father Ercole (former chief designer at Zagato and BMW). The car is going to be unveiled in Monaco at the Top Marques show. It sure does look different from what we’ve been used with, but we at carblog love it.
The specs of the new Spada Catronca are impressive, too:
- a supercharged LS7 V8 engine
- base TS version sports 600hp and does 0 - 60mph in 3.2 seconds (will be launched by the end of 2008)
- the TSV version will output 700hp and 0 to 60mph in 2.7 seconds
The new McLaren
Next year the McLaren SLR is not going to be produced anymore. The two companies, Mercedes and McLaren decided to split and take their own paths with their own SLR successor. Rumors say that Mercedes will name their new model, SLC, while McLaren only has a project so far, project P11.
The same rumors said that McLaren P11 will be powered from a 550bhp V8 engine built by Mahle in Northamptonshire, England, and will probably be based on the current Mercedes unit. There will also be a McLaren P12, inspired from the famous McLaren F1 supercar and should be powered by a 600 bhp V10 engine.
It will be very interesting to see the new McLaren P11 live, but not before March 2010.
Mitsubishi RA concept
The Mitsubishi RA concept epitomizes the meaning of sport coupe. The two seater concept has a striking body that sits neatly on a set of 21-inch wheels. The concept RA is said to be built on a lightweight aluminum space frame with high impact resistance resin body panels which turns out to be environmentally friendly as it is fully recyclable. It features a four cylinder 2,2 litre turbo diesel engine boasting a maximum output of 150kw. This power will be grounded with Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) and the twin clutch SST automated manual transmission taken from the Lancer Evo X which debuted at the Tokyo Motor Show. The S-AWC allows for improved braking and control over drive torque which ultimately results in all round better cornering, traction and vehicle stability on road. Based on looks alone this is a masculine car with its matte black hood and sharp looks.
Suzuki Kizashi Concept 3, revealed in NY
Not sure if you knew but Suzuki started a beautiful series of their Kizashi concept in 2007 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. First they released concept 1, then concept 2 and now in New York they’ve unveiled what could be “a final version” of the Kizashi. In Japanese, Kizashi means prelude and rumors say that the company is working on releasing a sports sedan by 2010 and will have a lot in common with Kizashi 3.
We are not certain about the specs yet, but the market is expecting a 3.6L DOHC V6 engine that will sport 300hp. Waiting for it.
Ford Focus RS Concept
No, we don’t know much about the new Ford Focus RS or what it’s going to have under the hood or how is going to look but we can speculate a little bit. TopGear managed to come up with a picture and said that the new RS could hit in London, this July. As to rumors, it’s supposed to be a 2WD not a 4WD and the engine should output at least 280hp.
Ford is probably going to take on Subaru’s Impreza STi or Mitsubishi EVO X but, let’s face it, they won’t be able to do it without a 300+ hp turbo engine and a four-wheel-drive system (that will not only make it heavier, but it will cost more). Five months till July so there’s plenty of room to have it changed … We should have the model shipping in 2009.
Seat Bocanegra Concept
The only way Seat managed to get the attention this year during the Auto Show in Geneva, was obviously their Seat Bocanegra Concept, which is saying a lot about the new Ibiza announced for the Auto Show in Madrid and the new Seat saloon we’ll be seeing next year. In Spanish, Bocanegra means “Black Mouth” and I guess the large front with LED lights and the aggressiveness are saying a lot about it.
“The SEAT SportCoupé ´Bocanegra´ is a sporty, design oriented prototype, with which we want our brand´s position to stand out. At the same time, the ´Bocanegra´ is an outlook of the future design language of SEAT” said Erich Schmitt.
It does look powerful, but I am a little disappointed to see that it’s going to be powered by a 1.4L twin turbo TSI engine and has a seven speed DSG transmission. At least it does come with 19-inch alloy wheels and Seat’s Agile Chassis for a sportier drive. At last it’s rumored to come in FR-style with a 1.4L turbo (150hp) and a Cupra version with a 1.8L turbo. Sounds about right.
Renault Megane Coupe Concept
Today was the day of the concepts with the new Seat Bocanegra and SAAB’s 9-X BioHybrid, but there’s room for one more. The new Renault Megane Coupe Concept is damn beautiful and as expected it has a very futuristic interior.
But I’ll start with some tech specs because this baby is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged petrol engine that develops 200hp and delivers 280 Nm at 2,600 rpm. It has a manual 6-speed transmission and does 0 to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds which is not bad at all. CO2 emissions are pretty low at only 154 g/km while the mixed fuel consumption is 6.5L/100km.
On the outside the new Megan Coupe Concept shows off with distinctive (sporty) looks, has an “unprecedented door opening kinematics” that makes car access easier. “The juxtaposition of headlamp modules with aluminum-finish air-intakes also conveys an impression of fluidity and movement” (they say in the press release).
Oh and I mentioned the futuristic interior right? Well it has a central multimedia control coupled with a display that is divided into three zones : navigation in the middle and cameras in the other two.
Geely GT Concept, goes to Beijing
BMW 3-Series Sport Sedan Concept
Here’s yet another design proposal from an independent artist who wishes to capture our imagination. The BMW 3-Series Sport
With this proposal, Bordone wanted to explore a possible future design language for the Bavarian brand, and in particular for its core model, the ultra successful 3-Series sedan. "The car's surfaces are inspired by the torso of an athlete, to give an impression of lean muscle. The detailing of the grilles communicates precision and attention to details,” said Berdone. Our opinion? Overall, the design is a bit too complicated for our taste and we think that the front-end styling needs to be reworked from the beginning.
Monday, May 19, 2008
First images Audi A3 TDI Clubsport Quattro Concept
Search past the DTM body inspiration and you get an improvement in the aluminum look at the oilburning jewel, which is below. The product 1968cc turbo 221 horsepower and 332 lb-ft torque, with an oh-so-low 1,750 rpm. The powers of a six-speed manual gearbox before it reached the ground, thanks to Audi Quattro all wheels. Audi claims that the A3 TDI Quattro Sports Club to 62 mi / h in 6.6 seconds and a speed of 149 mph. We believe.
Although the building can be a little higher, hears A3 seat less than 26mm of shares and walks to 20-inch wheels, in the form of bubbles actual wheel passages, the enlargement of the A3 motorway towards the front of 33 mm and 46 mm rear. Performance of the brakes on the front is supported by six-piston Bremszangen the cable ties 356mm discs from carbon ceramics, while the brakes are standard with steel. The interior, which means all the companies with a little rounded car show, including a low-tax, the buckets, the tax base made of aluminum, switch and go into a red button Start to part of the way. Audi has also with the concept with its Select Drive System, the response of the gas, exhaust sound, the power of management help, ESP settings magnetic and amortization races on the fly.
