Lamborghini Sesto Elemento, This concept signals Lambo's intention to withdraw from the Top Speed War which the world's supercar makers have been embroiled in for some time, and instead focus on something much more doable - power-to-weight.
As such, this Sesto Elemento gets the Gallardo's 5.2-litre V10 wrung out to 562bhp, but sits on a carbon-fibre body weighing a paltry 999kgs, meaning rocket-powered performance in a go-kart shell. 0-100km/h is sliced in just 2.5 seconds, which, as you've guessed, is the same as a friggin' Veyron. Top speed is 'over 300km/h'.
But, says Lambo, "what the figures cannot convey is the Sesto Elemento's razor-sharp handling, voracious turn-in and huge braking power". An understanding of basic physics will tell you this is right. So, so right.
The concept gets four-wheel-drive, Lambo's E-Gear auto box and, alongside the extensive carbon fibre, carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), including the insides, which are as spartan as the looks are outrageous.
We've got the full lowdown and exclusive access to this pivotal moment for one of our favourite carmakers, so check out next month's mag for the full scoop.
Video Lamborghini Sesto Elemento
The all-new Range Rover Evoque will make its global public debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show on the 30th September 2010. The Range Rover Evoque brings the acclaimed Land Rover's LRX concept car into production reality, faithfully capturing the original design of this landmark cross-coupé concept.
The all-new Range Rover Evoque will make its global public debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show on the 30th September 2010.
The Range Rover Evoque brings the acclaimed Land Rover's LRX concept car into production reality, faithfully capturing the original design of this landmark cross-coupé concept.
In keeping with the ethos of Range Rover, the Evoque delivers premium levels of craftsmanship, luxury, performance and renowned Land Rover all-terrain capability into a shrink-wrapped more compact package.
"These are exciting times for our business," said CEO Dr Ralf Speth. "Not only will the Range Rover Evoque increase our worldwide market share, it helps to define a new segment for premium compact SUVs that are more sporting and stylish."
Sustainability
Offering CO2 emissions sub 130g/km* and fuel economy of 58mpg* combined, the Evoque is the lightest, most fuel-efficient Range Rover ever and a strong demonstration of the marque's commitment to environmental sustainability.
"This is a highly relevant and contemporary vehicle that will suit the modern needs of our customers," said Land Rover's managing director Phil Popham. "The Range Rover Evoque will appeal to a new group of customers who may not have considered a Range Rover before."
Lightweight construction techniques and the addition of a front-wheel drive variant ensure optimum efficiency is achieved. The new state-of-the-art petrol and diesel engines come with direct injection and stop-start. The Range Rover Evoque also adopts low CO2 systems such as Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) and is built to maximise end of life recyclability.
Design
The Range Rover Evoque's dramatic exterior is based directly on the LRX concept car, which drew worldwide acclaim for its fresh interpretation of classic Range Rover design cues.
Smart design and meticulous engineering has allowed the LRX concept to be turned into reality without compromising the core Range Rover values of luxury, refined performance and all-terrain capability.
"The Evoque marks a bold evolution of Range Rover design. With its dramatic rising beltline, a muscular shoulder running the length of the car, and a distinctive taper to the floating roofline, the Range Rover Evoque adopts a very dynamic profile with a powerful and athletic stance." said Land Rover design director, Gerry McGovern.
Interior quality
The Range Rover Evoque's cabin is lavishly appointed with premium quality materials and an elegance befitting of a Range Rover interior.
Customers can specify soft, premium leather and beautifully tailored, twin-needle stitching providing a luxurious finish to almost every surface of the instrument panel, doors and seats.
A lower driving position offers a more sporting feel but retains Range Rover's renowned Command Driving Position. Headroom is generous compared with traditional sporting saloons, despite the low-profile coupé roofline.
Dynamics
On the open road, the Range Rover Evoque offers a polished driving experience that combines dynamic and sporty handling with responsive, effortless performance and refinement.
Murray Dietsch, director of Land Rover programmes, said: "We've tuned the Range Rover Evoque's chassis and Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) to deliver precise and responsive steering at lower speeds, making the car nimble and fun to drive."
This sporting character has not been achieved at the expense of comfort and refinement. Adaptive Dynamics uses advanced MagneRide™ dampers to provide a supple, controlled ride. The suspension delivers even tighter body control, with flatter handling and sharper responses.
Capable off-road
Drivers who take their Range Rover Evoque off-road will be reassured to know that, in addition to extremely generous ground clearance, the car has significantly better breakover, approach and departure angles than other compact SUVs.
The Evoque will be the first Range Rover to offer customers a choice between a full-time four-wheel-drive system, which delivers outstanding performance and traction on all surfaces, and an even lower carbon, front-wheel-drive option for further enhanced fuel economy.
The Range Rover Evoque's formidable all-terrain potential is enhanced by the latest version of the company's signature Terrain ResponseTM system.
Powertrains
The Range Rover Evoque's turbocharged powertrain line-up offers smooth and responsive performance, blending four-cylinder efficiency with six-cylinder refinement and power.
Customers can choose between two advanced 2.2-litre turbodiesel derivatives, with either 190PS or 150PS.
The front-wheel drive Range Rover Evoque with the 150PS 2.2-litre engine achieves 58mpg* and sub 130g/km* CO2. The four-wheel-drive 2.2-litre 150PS delivers 50mpg* and sub 145g/km* CO2.
A new 240PS, 2.0-litre Si4 petrol engine combines direct fuel injection, turbocharging and twin variable valve timing for exceptional driveability and fuel efficiency with a 0-60mph time of 7.1 seconds.
Murray Dietsch, director of Land Rover programmes, said: "These impressive figures have been achieved by the product development team's commitment to delivering a compact and weight-efficient product, with no compromise on durability and robustness."
Innovation
The Evoque benefits from the same high-end innovative technologies as the larger Range Rovers. An intuitive control system and touch-screen display combines a stylish, uncluttered layout and state-of-the-art functionality with class-leading ease of use.
The display is available with dual-view technology, so that driver and passenger can view independent content.
Connectivity options include Bluetooth hands-free mobile phone and audio streaming, plus a range of USB and auxiliary inputs for iPods and other portable devices.
The Evoque is the first Range Rover to offer breathtaking new sound systems developed in partnership with the high-end audio specialist Meridian. The premium Meridian system offers an 825W, 17-speaker system that delivers the ultimate in surround-sound performance.
Other features available to Range Rover Evoque customers include:
* Park Assist for automated parallel parking
* Blind Spot Monitoring system
* Surround Camera System with five digital cameras, including a reversing system
* Full dual-zone automatic climate control, featuring a Park Heater timer facility
* Hard drive navigation system
* DAB/FM/AM/Sirius tuners, with hard drive virtual 10xCD multiplayer
* Digital and Satellite TV, and DVD playback
* Rear seat entertainment package, with 8-inch video screens, digital wireless
* headphones and touch screen remote control Keyless entry system and powered tailgate
* Adaptive headlamps with auto headlamp dipping
* Heated windscreen, front seats and steering wheel
Ferrari is delighted to announce the presentation of the SA APERTA at the Paris International Motor Show 2010. This is a special series model of which a strictly limited number of just 80 will be built. All have already been sold. Ferrari chose to build 80 SA APERTAs in celebration of Pininfarina's 80th anniversary. The SA nomenclature also pays homage to both Sergio and Andrea Pininfarina whose company and work have been linked to the most successful road-going cars ever built at Maranello.
The SA APERTA is a true roadster which allows its occupants to enjoy the superlative emotions afforded by our signature front-engined V12 architecture in a completely open-top setting. In fact, it has just a light soft top designed to be resorted to only if the weather gets particularly bad. A low-slung windscreen and the fact that it crouches lower to the ground than our other models lend the SA APERTA an exceptionally aerodynamic sleekness. Its profile arches back from the A-post to two aerodynamic fins beautifully integrating the two roll-bars which themselves cleverly mimic the outline of the seats.
The chassis has been redesigned to deliver a standard of stiffness comparable to that of a closed berlinetta and there is a negligible weight difference also, thanks to work done on the chassis structure.
Thanks to the 670 CV engine beneath its bonnet, the SA APERTA beautifully embodies the sporty spirit of the 599, incorporating Ferrari's most advanced technology to deliver absolutely benchmark performance and superb driving pleasure. Its interior too is stylishly sporty with particularly sophisticated materials, trim and colours used throughout. The virtually endless combinations available guarantee that each and every SA APERTA is absolutely unique.
In the world of Dead Rising 2, there's an activist organization known as CURE that pushes for the humane treatment of the living impaired. If only CURE realized just how much fun it can be to maim, behead, or otherwise massacre hordes of brain-craving zombies. Very little has changed since the release of Dead Rising more than four years ago, but the most important thing that has stayed the same is the thrill of being set loose in a town overrun by mindless monsters. Slice your way through these moaning monsters to save survivors, dispose of dangerous psychopaths, and uncover the terrible truth that could change everything. Unfortunately, along with the good elements that made the original game a beloved hit come the same quirks that will cause you to occasionally stumble. Frequent load screens break up the fine pacing, control blemishes make precision difficult, and the driving controls are lousy. But the core of this game is so outrageously, savagely entertaining that it's easy to look past these missteps. Dead Rising 2 is a unique and engaging experience that is difficult to pull away from and eminently replayable. 
The new scooter design concept is based on current production vehicles but pushes the creative boundaries. Just as the compact design of the classic MINI, born out of the 1950s oil crisis, symbolised a new reality for modern city driving, the MINI Scooter E Concept is designed for the changing landscape in environmental and urban road traffic conditions, to offer a stylish and emission-free alternative for urban mobility. Set to appeal to a young, ecologically-conscious driver, the MINI E Scooter Concept offers a completely new perspective on the distinctive MINI driving experience while being immediately recognisable as a MINI.
This new design study represents the MINI design team’s unparalleled expertise in recognising the challenges for mobility in major urban areas, and meeting these challenges with the development of stylish, innovative and sustainable future-focused vehicle concepts.
BMW's motorcycle division hasn't enjoyed the worldwide performance reputation of its automotive sector, but that all changes with the incredible S1000RR, introduced to journalists last week at the equally impressive Portimao race circuit.
BMW Motorrad hits the literbike market hard with its race replica, as the S1000 employs class-leading power, a stout chassis beyond reproach, and a techie electronics package second to none. This bike is the real deal.
We've been teased with details of the bike for well over a year. Our first glimpse came in April of 2008 when I wrote the S1000RR Preview, and then we brought new insight last December in our Closer Look article. Then we finally got to see the bike in the flesh at its U.S. introduction where Pete elaborated on the RR's features and specs.
After all of that, we were already quite up to speed on what the bike consists of. Now all we needed to know is how it performs.
The new S1000RR fires a potent salvo into the literbike market, and it's set to blow away perceptions of what a BMW motorcycle is.
The new S1000RR fires a potent salvo into the literbike market, and it's set to blow away perceptions of what a BMW motorcycle is.
Morning at Portimao
Rolling into the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimao, Portugal, its extreme elevation changes promise an entertaining day, even if we weren't to ride one of the most anticipated sportbikes to come along in years. .
The base S1000RR retails in America for $13,800, but the bikes we'd be riding were equipped with BMW's optional electronic rider aids. As with 98% of S1000RR pre-orders, our bikes had the $1,480 traction control and Race ABS option, plus the $450 Gearshift Assistant that allows full-throttle upshifts without backing off the throttle or using the clutch. The only thing missing from a fully optioned RR is the white, red and blue BMW Motorsport color, a $750 option that has been selected in about 50% of pre-orders thus far. The test bikes were flavored in a unique Acid Green Metallic, but other color choices include a classy Mineral Silver Metallic or a sinister Thunder Grey (black) Metallic
Advanced technology features heavily on the S1000RR. Base models include electronics that influence power and throttle response over four possible modes: Rain, Sport, Race and Slick. It's simple to select while stationary, but they can be changed even while riding. A press of the nicely damped right-side switchgear selects the desired mode, then you have 60 seconds in which to close the throttle and pull in the clutch which triggers the new mode you've chosen.
The Dynamic Traction Control/ABS option (either of which can be disabled if desired) adds to the four riding modes a few other rider aids, including varying ABS settings and a form of wheelie control. Wheel-speed sensors supply info for the ABS and traction control, and a gyro mounted under the seat provides additional data to the bike's ECU to influence throttle response and to provide a measure of wheelie control.
We received this information only a few hours before the embargo, and there isn’t a lot of it. This is supposed to be the “Global” 2012 Ford Focus ST. How global? How fast? What exactly are those brakes? Read on.
Rather than retype the press release and claim it as our own work, we’ll just copy the relevant section in said press release for you to read:
At Paris, Ford is delivering on that promise by revealing an early preview model of the exciting next-generation Ford Focus ST. Targeted for launch in all global markets from early 2012, the all-new Ford Focus ST will be Ford’s first high-performance model developed under its global Performance Vehicles strategy.
The new range-topping Focus – which features a unique 250PS version of the 2.0-litre Ford EcoBoost engine – will be completely true to Ford’s ST heritage, offering driving enthusiasts an intoxicating cocktail of exhilarating performance and handling accompanied by an addictive sound.
Visitors to the Paris display also cannot fail to notice the show car’s highly distinctive sports exterior, which is finished in ‘Tangerine Scream’, a dramatic new body colour that reflects the new ST’s exciting and energetic character.
Indeed.
250 horses from the two-liter EcoBoost should be a walk in the park, since it’s already boosted nearly that high for the Edge and Explorer. No word on whether that’s coupled to the “PowerShift” dual-clutch transmission that we have on the Fiesta now. I’ve raced the Ford Spec Focus cars that have about 210hp at the crank, using the standard Ford five-speed Focus transmission, so that’s a possibility as well. SVT Foci of the first generation (ST170 overseas) had six-speeders.
In Europe, “ST” is not the most hardcore Focus. There’s usually an “RS” above it. Don’t look for that rather expensive model to show up in the States, though.
The last question: What are those brakes? They’re clearly meant to look like ATE opposed-piston calipers, but I suspect they are sliding-caliper big brakes as found on the Audi S5. After three hours looking at the “cutout” surrounding the ATE logo on the high-res variant of these pics, I believe it’s a large-diameter slider. We will see tomorrow if I’m correct.
I’m excited about this one: with the departure of the better-than-you’d-think Cobalt SS and wayyyy-better-than-you’d-think Neon SRT-4, it’s time for Ford to carry the domestic compact performance flag for a while.
HTC has just announced the Desire Z, an Android-friendly QWERTY slider. Like the T-Mobile G2, the Desire Z features a "pop-out" (don't call it a slider) QWERTY keyboard with user assigned keys and system-wide shortcuts that let you quickly launch your favorite apps. Around back you've got a 5 megapixel camera with flash that's HD video capable while an 800MHz Qualcomm MSM7230 processor pumps away efficiently inside with HSPA+ and 802.11n radios providing the data. Unlike the US G2, however, the Desire Z comes loaded with HTC's enhanced Sense UI and new HTCSense.com services. Look for it to land in major European and Asian markets in October before hitting North America sometime later in 2010.
Alright, Europeans, say it with us: "finally!" Yes, having played extensively with the EVO 4G over the last few months, we can definitely say that the Desire HD is an authentic recreation of the American blockbuster, though it lacks the kickstand around back -- likely in an effort to reduce thickness, we suppose.
In fact, HTC has eliminated the battery cover entirely, replacing it with a Legend-style slot (side-mounted this time) -- take a look at a shot of it both open and closed after the break. The phones HTC had on display here felt extremely smooth and snappy... though, as we all know, Android tends to bog down a bit over time, so the proof will be in the pudding after these things have been in customers' hands for a month or two.
SANT'AGATA BOLOGNESE, Italy — Lamborghini and Blancpain, the luxury Swiss watchmaker that sponsors the Italian's exotic-car builder's single-marque Super Trofeo racing series, have collaborated on the new Gallardo LP 570-4 Blancpain Edition.
The car is powered by the same 570-horsepower 5.2-liter V10 fitted to the Super Trofeo racing cars and the Gallardo Superleggera production car. In the Blancpain Edition, the engine enables 0-to-60-mph acceleration in less than 3.4 seconds and a top speed of nearly 200 mph.
The Gallardo LP 570-4 Blancpain Edition was revealed over the weekend at the final Super Trofeo race in Vallelunga, Italy.
The car gets an oversize rear spoiler and a ventilated engine cover from the Super Trofeo racing car, as well as Skorpius wheels with yellow-painted brake calipers and carbon-ceramic composite discs. Carbon fiber exterior bits, including diffuser and mirror casings, highlight the matte black exterior paint scheme.
The cockpit is trimmed in black Alcantara with yellow accents and visible carbon fiber, with the Blancpain logo in yellow stitching on the seats.
There are 3 from Speakercraft that include The FloBox, the FloBox mini, and the Vital 250 integrated amplifier. They are new solutions that will bring your beloved iPad in a new class all together when it comes to audio playback.
flobox ipad dock
The FloBox and FloBox Mini features slick industrial design characterized its glossy piano finish and elevated box design with a speaker grille that slides down to reveal the controls.
AlessiTab Home Tablet is another Android tablet design by Stefana Giovannoni with 10.1-inch capacitive touchscreen display, DVB-T digital TV tuner, webcam for video calls and built-in wifi.
It’s Italian design using Android 2.1 OS which can sit nicely on desk without need for a dock. It will be available on November with price estimated $535.