Ciento Once by GWA

GWA Tuning, a North American firm, has revealed the images of the Ciento Once. The prototype is still under development and is a revival of a famous Mercedes Gullwing prototype from the 70s. GWA has created a modern take of the same vehicle.

The Ciento Once is built upon a tubular space frame chassis, but instead of the original Wankel diesel that powered the concept car it gets aMercedes V12 with with 408 HP mounted in the middle visible through the glass hood. It is backed by a 6-speed Cima H type transaxle and a special tuned exhaust.

Wheelbase is slightly shorter than the original at 103 inches (2616 mm) and weight is similar at 1,400 kg (3086 lbs). Brakes are the same as on the S55 Mercedes-Benz.

The interior of the GWA Tuning Ciento Once offers carbon fiber seats, brushed aluminum pedals and illuminated door sills. the car has the same wheel-tire setup as the Mercedes SLS AMG (19x9 wheels with 265/35/19 tires at the front and 20x11 wheels with 295/30/20 tires at the rear.)






Exterior and Interior

The Ciento Once will come with a body made out of high-grade aluminum and an electrically operated rear adjustable wing. Other elements that will be added to this one-off vehicle include a swooping front hood, front spoiler with large air intake, a rear diffusor, and of course, those gull wing doors.

Comparing it to the 1970 Mercedes-Benz C111 from which it was based on, the Ciento Once will come with a slightly shorter wheelbase at 103 inches while maintaining the same weight – around 1,400 kg – as its inspiration. The one-off car also runs on GWA Type A wheels, 19X9 front and 20X11 rears, with 265/35/19 and 295/30/20 rubber.

As for the interior, GWA Tuning gave the Ciento Once a modern take while also taking into account a vintage retro feel. Modern items include carbon fiber seats covered in plaid, an instrument panel that’s been modeled after a W120R MB, modern dashboard accents, illuminated door sills, and brushed AMG aluminum pedals.

Performance

GWA Tuning certainly made sure to give the Ciento Once an engine worthy of its one-off status. Housed in a tubular space frame chassis, the car’s power plant is derived from a M120 Mercedes V12 engine that produces a robust 408 horsepower and is mated to a six-speed Cima H-type transaxle and a special tuned exhaust. Even better, the car’s powerful engine can be seen through a glass on the rear deck, making for some nice ‘ooohing’ and ‘aaahing’ from passersby.

Pricing

No word yet on how much it’s going to cost, but considering it’s most likely going to be a one-off vehicle, there’s a very big chance that it’s going to come with a steep price tag. How steep? Well, we wouldn’t be surprised if it punches a number north of six digits.

Competition

Scoff if you want, but if you’re in the market for a one-of-a-kind Mercedes with gullwing doors to rival your neighbor’s SLS AMG, then GWA Tuning’s Ciento Once is the perfect candidate for that. Just make sure you call ‘dibs’ on the car before everybody else.

Ciento Once by GWA

GWA Tuning, a North American firm, has revealed the images of the Ciento Once. The prototype is still under development and is a revival of a famous Mercedes Gullwing prototype from the 70s. GWA has created a modern take of the same vehicle.

The Ciento Once is built upon a tubular space frame chassis, but instead of the original Wankel diesel that powered the concept car it gets aMercedes V12 with with 408 HP mounted in the middle visible through the glass hood. It is backed by a 6-speed Cima H type transaxle and a special tuned exhaust.

Wheelbase is slightly shorter than the original at 103 inches (2616 mm) and weight is similar at 1,400 kg (3086 lbs). Brakes are the same as on the S55 Mercedes-Benz.

The interior of the GWA Tuning Ciento Once offers carbon fiber seats, brushed aluminum pedals and illuminated door sills. the car has the same wheel-tire setup as the Mercedes SLS AMG (19x9 wheels with 265/35/19 tires at the front and 20x11 wheels with 295/30/20 tires at the rear.)






Exterior and Interior

The Ciento Once will come with a body made out of high-grade aluminum and an electrically operated rear adjustable wing. Other elements that will be added to this one-off vehicle include a swooping front hood, front spoiler with large air intake, a rear diffusor, and of course, those gull wing doors.

Comparing it to the 1970 Mercedes-Benz C111 from which it was based on, the Ciento Once will come with a slightly shorter wheelbase at 103 inches while maintaining the same weight – around 1,400 kg – as its inspiration. The one-off car also runs on GWA Type A wheels, 19X9 front and 20X11 rears, with 265/35/19 and 295/30/20 rubber.

As for the interior, GWA Tuning gave the Ciento Once a modern take while also taking into account a vintage retro feel. Modern items include carbon fiber seats covered in plaid, an instrument panel that’s been modeled after a W120R MB, modern dashboard accents, illuminated door sills, and brushed AMG aluminum pedals.

Performance

GWA Tuning certainly made sure to give the Ciento Once an engine worthy of its one-off status. Housed in a tubular space frame chassis, the car’s power plant is derived from a M120 Mercedes V12 engine that produces a robust 408 horsepower and is mated to a six-speed Cima H-type transaxle and a special tuned exhaust. Even better, the car’s powerful engine can be seen through a glass on the rear deck, making for some nice ‘ooohing’ and ‘aaahing’ from passersby.

Pricing

No word yet on how much it’s going to cost, but considering it’s most likely going to be a one-off vehicle, there’s a very big chance that it’s going to come with a steep price tag. How steep? Well, we wouldn’t be surprised if it punches a number north of six digits.

Competition

Scoff if you want, but if you’re in the market for a one-of-a-kind Mercedes with gullwing doors to rival your neighbor’s SLS AMG, then GWA Tuning’s Ciento Once is the perfect candidate for that. Just make sure you call ‘dibs’ on the car before everybody else.

Mitsubishi’s global small car to be launched in India

The new small car has a typical Mitsubishi design language except for the fighter jet grille. Guess, Mitsubishi might have skipped this fascia design owing to the car’s small size. Mitsubishi will launch the ‘close to production’ car at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show during March 3 – 13, 2011.

The car will be produced by Mitsubishi Motors Thailand (MMTh) at the site where the new factory is to be built in at the Laem Chabang Industrial Estate in Chonburi province. Initially, the production capacity of this new factory will be around the 150,000-unit per year level, and in the future it can be boosted to the 200,000-unit per year level. The new factory is planned to hire around 3,000 new staffs.

Several pattern sketches give the strong denote of a direction Mitsubishi will take with the automobile, as well as Mitsubishi has pronounced the automobile will get an engine in between 1.0-liters as well as 1.2-liters. Production of the automobile is set to start next year at the brand new bureau in Thailand, that will trade cars to rising markets.

The sale price will be 400,000 baht in Thailand, Masuko said, adding that cars from the new plant would be sold in Japan.

Source: Mitsubishi




Press Release

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Conducts Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for New Factory at Mitsubishi Motors Thailand

Bangkok, December 9, 2010-Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today conducted a Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for a new third factory of its Thailand producer and distributor, Mitsubishi Motors Thailand (MMTh) at the site where the new factory is to be built in at the Laem Chabang Industrial Estate in Chonburi province. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Thailand's Minister of Industry Chaiwut Bannawat and MMC President Osamu Masuko.

The third factory will be built adjacent to the first and second factories, and is planned to start mass production in March 2012. It will produce the "global small" 1.0-1.2L class compact vehicle that MMC plans to launch in fiscal year 2011. Initially, the production capacity of this new factory will be around the 150,000-unit per year level, and in the future it can be boosted to the 200,000-unit per year level. The new factory is planned to hire around 3,000 new staffs.

The "global small" to be produced at the new factory will be a new vehicle based on a completely new platform currently being developed by MMC with "compact," "affordability," and "fuel efficiency" as the basic concepts for the vehicle. The "global small" will conform to Thailand's Eco-car Project, implemented by the Thai government with the objective of promoting investment in Thailand's automobile industry and reduction of dependence on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. The "global small" will be positioned as an entry model in MMC's model lineup, and plans are to export the vehicle from Thailand to markets worldwide as a global strategic vehicle that corresponds to both market needs of emerging countries, for which demand for automobiles is expected to increase, and advanced nations, where vehicle downsizing is increasing in order to correspond to energy issues in addition to environmental awareness.

Minister Chaiwut Bannawat expressed his pleasure at the ceremony: "It's my great pleasure that Mitsubishi Motors Thailand's factory becomes a part of our Eco car Project. This Mitsubishi factory will bring to Thailand many technologies for automobile production and lead to improve labor skills for auto industry as well as related industries."

In addition, MMC President Masuko added "It's a great honor to have this memorable day for the construction of the third factory. From the beginning, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has strongly believed in Thailand's potential as the production hub for global markets; now Mitsubishi Motors Thailand became the production base of our 1- ton pickup. We share the Thai government's environmental concerns and we have made Thailand the global production hub for the "global small."

New (third) Factory Outline
Location Laem Chabang Industrial Estate, Chonburi, Thailand
Position About 100km southeast of Bangkok
Factory Summary Built-up vehicle factory (pressing, welding, painting, assembly)
Initial Producton Capacity Around 150,000 units/year
Vehicle Produced “Global small”
Start of Mass Production March 2012
Employees Approximately 3,000

Mitsubishi’s global small car to be launched in India

The new small car has a typical Mitsubishi design language except for the fighter jet grille. Guess, Mitsubishi might have skipped this fascia design owing to the car’s small size. Mitsubishi will launch the ‘close to production’ car at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show during March 3 – 13, 2011.

The car will be produced by Mitsubishi Motors Thailand (MMTh) at the site where the new factory is to be built in at the Laem Chabang Industrial Estate in Chonburi province. Initially, the production capacity of this new factory will be around the 150,000-unit per year level, and in the future it can be boosted to the 200,000-unit per year level. The new factory is planned to hire around 3,000 new staffs.

Several pattern sketches give the strong denote of a direction Mitsubishi will take with the automobile, as well as Mitsubishi has pronounced the automobile will get an engine in between 1.0-liters as well as 1.2-liters. Production of the automobile is set to start next year at the brand new bureau in Thailand, that will trade cars to rising markets.

The sale price will be 400,000 baht in Thailand, Masuko said, adding that cars from the new plant would be sold in Japan.

Source: Mitsubishi




Press Release

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation Conducts Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for New Factory at Mitsubishi Motors Thailand

Bangkok, December 9, 2010-Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) today conducted a Foundation Stone Laying Ceremony for a new third factory of its Thailand producer and distributor, Mitsubishi Motors Thailand (MMTh) at the site where the new factory is to be built in at the Laem Chabang Industrial Estate in Chonburi province. The ceremony was attended by dignitaries including Thailand's Minister of Industry Chaiwut Bannawat and MMC President Osamu Masuko.

The third factory will be built adjacent to the first and second factories, and is planned to start mass production in March 2012. It will produce the "global small" 1.0-1.2L class compact vehicle that MMC plans to launch in fiscal year 2011. Initially, the production capacity of this new factory will be around the 150,000-unit per year level, and in the future it can be boosted to the 200,000-unit per year level. The new factory is planned to hire around 3,000 new staffs.

The "global small" to be produced at the new factory will be a new vehicle based on a completely new platform currently being developed by MMC with "compact," "affordability," and "fuel efficiency" as the basic concepts for the vehicle. The "global small" will conform to Thailand's Eco-car Project, implemented by the Thai government with the objective of promoting investment in Thailand's automobile industry and reduction of dependence on fossil fuels and greenhouse gas emissions. The "global small" will be positioned as an entry model in MMC's model lineup, and plans are to export the vehicle from Thailand to markets worldwide as a global strategic vehicle that corresponds to both market needs of emerging countries, for which demand for automobiles is expected to increase, and advanced nations, where vehicle downsizing is increasing in order to correspond to energy issues in addition to environmental awareness.

Minister Chaiwut Bannawat expressed his pleasure at the ceremony: "It's my great pleasure that Mitsubishi Motors Thailand's factory becomes a part of our Eco car Project. This Mitsubishi factory will bring to Thailand many technologies for automobile production and lead to improve labor skills for auto industry as well as related industries."

In addition, MMC President Masuko added "It's a great honor to have this memorable day for the construction of the third factory. From the beginning, Mitsubishi Motors Corporation has strongly believed in Thailand's potential as the production hub for global markets; now Mitsubishi Motors Thailand became the production base of our 1- ton pickup. We share the Thai government's environmental concerns and we have made Thailand the global production hub for the "global small."

New (third) Factory Outline
Location Laem Chabang Industrial Estate, Chonburi, Thailand
Position About 100km southeast of Bangkok
Factory Summary Built-up vehicle factory (pressing, welding, painting, assembly)
Initial Producton Capacity Around 150,000 units/year
Vehicle Produced “Global small”
Start of Mass Production March 2012
Employees Approximately 3,000

2012 Kia Picanto

Kia has released the first teaser images of the 2012 Picanto, which offers a general view of the next generation model. The world debut of the 2012 Kia Picanto will take place next year, at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2011.

Styled at the company's European design studio, the new Picanto promises "to stand out from the crowd" by "exuding self confidence, solidity and maturity." Furthermore, it will be available in three- and five-door configurations.

With an exterior that looks more confident and mature, the new Kia Picanto will go on sale across UK in Spring 2011, although no details regarding motorisation and pricing are available at this moment.




Press Release

Kia sketches out future with 'stand-out' newcomer

• Kia reveals first design sketches of stylish next generation Picanto city car
• Newcomer brings confidence, solidity and maturity to the A-segment
• Production vehicle to be unveiled at 2011 Geneva Motor Show
• On sale in the UK from late Spring 2011

Kia has today released the first official design sketches of the next generation Picanto city car designed to stand out from the crowd.

The new model has been styled by Kia's European design team based in Frankfurt, Germany, under the direction of Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer.

Exuding self confidence, solidity and maturity, the next generation Picanto is designed to break the city car mould and will be officially unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2011 and will be on sale in the UK from late spring.

2012 Kia Picanto

Kia has released the first teaser images of the 2012 Picanto, which offers a general view of the next generation model. The world debut of the 2012 Kia Picanto will take place next year, at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2011.

Styled at the company's European design studio, the new Picanto promises "to stand out from the crowd" by "exuding self confidence, solidity and maturity." Furthermore, it will be available in three- and five-door configurations.

With an exterior that looks more confident and mature, the new Kia Picanto will go on sale across UK in Spring 2011, although no details regarding motorisation and pricing are available at this moment.




Press Release

Kia sketches out future with 'stand-out' newcomer

• Kia reveals first design sketches of stylish next generation Picanto city car
• Newcomer brings confidence, solidity and maturity to the A-segment
• Production vehicle to be unveiled at 2011 Geneva Motor Show
• On sale in the UK from late Spring 2011

Kia has today released the first official design sketches of the next generation Picanto city car designed to stand out from the crowd.

The new model has been styled by Kia's European design team based in Frankfurt, Germany, under the direction of Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer.

Exuding self confidence, solidity and maturity, the next generation Picanto is designed to break the city car mould and will be officially unveiled at the Geneva International Motor Show in March 2011 and will be on sale in the UK from late spring.

Geneva Debut: Rinspeed BamBoo concept

Rinspeed has announced plans to introduce the BamBoo concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

The Rinspeed BamBoo is a 'grown-up golf cart' and as the name suggests, many of its interior components are made from bamboo fibers. However this is not some kind of weight saving measure, as the idea behind the Rinspeed BamBoo was to create an open top vehicle, light and easy to maneuver, reminiscent of the 70s for people who love the summer and the beach.

Since the vehicle is called BamBoo, it’s easy to guess that the material will be found somewhere in the workings of the car. Rinspeed states that bamboo fibers are a part of major components of the interior, but we’ll probably have to wait for Geneva to get more information. In fact, we’ll have to wait until the Geneva Motor Show in March to find out a lot about this open-top vehicle. The only other information we could pull from the press release is that, if produced, this vehicle will more than likely be electric for that little bit of modernization needed for this retro design.

These are about all the details released regarding the Rinspeed BamBoo concept, the manufacturer leaving room for speculation. We're sure the Rinspeed BamBoo will be completely revealed next year.





Press Release

"BamBoo" - the Pure Roots of Mobility

The names of the concept cars from Swiss car visionary Frank M. Rinderknecht are more than marketing-driven slick onomatopoeia that polls well with focus groups. At Rinspeed names often have a deeper meaning. That is also true for the latest creation from Rinderknecht. "BamBoo" is the name of his latest ‘baby' that resembles a grown-up golf cart and is bound to evokes plenty of admiration at the next Geneva Motor Show which runs from March 3rd through 13th, 2011.

Nomen est omen - the name says it all - is immediately apparent: Many interior components are made from bamboo fibers. But the four-seater "BamBoo" takes it to a whole new level - to the Meta level so to speak: This open-top vehicle awakens the longing for sun, summer, for lightness and easiness, the desire to be at the beach. It is a reminiscence of the Seventies, of the south of France and St. Tropez. And one would expect to find Brigitte Bardot behind the wheel with playboy Gunther Sachs at her side heading towards Tahiti beach..

Anyone who might think that this is simple retro design for nostalgia's sake underestimates the boss of the Swiss concept powerhouse. Yes, Rinderknecht incorporates the automobile references of the time. But he doesn't leave it at that. He reinterprets them and evolves them into the future. And he focuses in them the yearning to get back to the roots, paired with the absolute desire to be in harmony with creation. That makes electric drive, also for the onboard foldable two wheeler for the last "mile", a must.

Anyone not blinded by horsepower orgies, chrome tinsel and top-speed frenzy should take a closer look. "BamBoo" pushes the ‘reset' button, clears the mind for a new way of thinking. It sports simple, clean lines. No bells, no whistles. Nothing is superfluous. Plain aesthetics in their purest form. As stated before and even in a figurative sense: Nomen est omen. Simply bamboo.

Geneva Debut: Rinspeed BamBoo concept

Rinspeed has announced plans to introduce the BamBoo concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.

The Rinspeed BamBoo is a 'grown-up golf cart' and as the name suggests, many of its interior components are made from bamboo fibers. However this is not some kind of weight saving measure, as the idea behind the Rinspeed BamBoo was to create an open top vehicle, light and easy to maneuver, reminiscent of the 70s for people who love the summer and the beach.

Since the vehicle is called BamBoo, it’s easy to guess that the material will be found somewhere in the workings of the car. Rinspeed states that bamboo fibers are a part of major components of the interior, but we’ll probably have to wait for Geneva to get more information. In fact, we’ll have to wait until the Geneva Motor Show in March to find out a lot about this open-top vehicle. The only other information we could pull from the press release is that, if produced, this vehicle will more than likely be electric for that little bit of modernization needed for this retro design.

These are about all the details released regarding the Rinspeed BamBoo concept, the manufacturer leaving room for speculation. We're sure the Rinspeed BamBoo will be completely revealed next year.





Press Release

"BamBoo" - the Pure Roots of Mobility

The names of the concept cars from Swiss car visionary Frank M. Rinderknecht are more than marketing-driven slick onomatopoeia that polls well with focus groups. At Rinspeed names often have a deeper meaning. That is also true for the latest creation from Rinderknecht. "BamBoo" is the name of his latest ‘baby' that resembles a grown-up golf cart and is bound to evokes plenty of admiration at the next Geneva Motor Show which runs from March 3rd through 13th, 2011.

Nomen est omen - the name says it all - is immediately apparent: Many interior components are made from bamboo fibers. But the four-seater "BamBoo" takes it to a whole new level - to the Meta level so to speak: This open-top vehicle awakens the longing for sun, summer, for lightness and easiness, the desire to be at the beach. It is a reminiscence of the Seventies, of the south of France and St. Tropez. And one would expect to find Brigitte Bardot behind the wheel with playboy Gunther Sachs at her side heading towards Tahiti beach..

Anyone who might think that this is simple retro design for nostalgia's sake underestimates the boss of the Swiss concept powerhouse. Yes, Rinderknecht incorporates the automobile references of the time. But he doesn't leave it at that. He reinterprets them and evolves them into the future. And he focuses in them the yearning to get back to the roots, paired with the absolute desire to be in harmony with creation. That makes electric drive, also for the onboard foldable two wheeler for the last "mile", a must.

Anyone not blinded by horsepower orgies, chrome tinsel and top-speed frenzy should take a closer look. "BamBoo" pushes the ‘reset' button, clears the mind for a new way of thinking. It sports simple, clean lines. No bells, no whistles. Nothing is superfluous. Plain aesthetics in their purest form. As stated before and even in a figurative sense: Nomen est omen. Simply bamboo.

Rendering: 2012 BMW F12 M6

The new 6 series is obviously coming and it makes little sense to us that an M6 would not be soon to follow. The previous generation M6 shared the M5's drivetrain just as the new M6 would be likely to. Too much development cost has been poured into the M5 to not take advantage of it in an M6. With M SUV's now and M branding ever expanding, an M6 will likely be coming soon sharing many similarities with the soon to be launched M5.

It was only a matter of time until some crafty photoshop assassins put a hit on the alleged future BMW 6-Series. With fresh new materials to use, the fine folks at BimmerBoost have created some renderings of the 2012 BMW M6.

Details are scarce at the moment, but the new M6 will likely be powered by an upgraded version of the 4.4 liter V8 engine, producing near 600 horsepower, similar to the upcoming BMW M5. As with the regular 6 Series, we expect lots of Gran Coupe design elements to make it into the M6, featuring an aggressive front-end, a rear bumper with an integrated diffuser. As with any M car, expect to see aerodynamic side skirts, wide rear fenders and the usual four-tailpipe exhaust system.

Source: bimmerboost