Culture|Garage

From the forums, thanks Jesse!

With it’s latest concept, the company that makes the “Ultimate Driving Machine” has created what could be considered the Ultimate Project Runway task- make a fabric car!

The BMW Design Group has unleashed this “fierce” flexible fabric covered, movable wire frame concept, based on BMW’s GINA Design principle(Geometry and Functions In “N” Adaptions). GINA is said to promote innovative thinking by allowing maximum freedom of creativity.

Depending upon driver mood, he or she can do things like make the fenders larger, streamline and lower the sides, in addition to customizing the interior layout and seats. The hood also peels away from the center to reveal the BMW heart and the headlights and kidney-grill can reveal/hide at a whim.

I think the science and technology behind it all is wicked. But I can’t help but feel that the hood (especially when opened) makes the traditionally phallic sports car look awfully va-GINA-like…

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So I finally got around to getting my lazy butt to resize photos and prep videos for this post, which means the rest of my “b” roll can be seen by you, my beloved readers. The content is pretty much strictly American this (final) time around, save for one last photo of the Scion booth. Lotsa media after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

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Romeo, Mi.- Forum member sharabi over at the Team Shelby forums has posted the most recent shots of a 2010 Mustang to date. The pictures clearly show a sculpted “shoulder” and a defined “c” scoop along the side of the car. Obviously, speculation about the car is all there really is to go on, but these shots are even closer than the Priddy folks could get. More pictures after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

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The Denver Auto Show is one of a few events for gearheads that arrive in the relatively snowbound, largely outdoorsey state of Colorado. Typically, conventions such as outdoor expositions, camping shows and Democratic powwows rule the calendar, but the Auto show provides a nice (and much needed) respite for the more “vehicularly-inclined” residents of the state. Tons of coverage after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »

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On Friday 28^th, I attended the Press Preview Day for the Vancouver Autoshow. Of the three top Canadian International Autoshow, the Vancouver show is perhaps the smallest one (Toronto and Montreal being the larger). The west coast is generally one of the last stops of the auto show parade. Having said that, all the major players still showed up, since after all, Vancouver is home to some of the richest population in Canada, with some sprinkling of wealthy foreigners wishing to plunk their base in a relatively calm and peaceful city.

Read the rest of this entry »

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The new STI. The Volvo C30. The Audi A3. The Mazda Speed 3, hell, even the Ford Verve concept. And now the 9-x concept.

It’s such an absolute love/hate split. I love them for their functionality. And quite honestly, driving a hatch makes me feel all Euro. I feel smarter than the masses. I get performance and functionality. And not another appliance or point to point shuttle.

More rambling… and do hatches do it for you? Read the rest of this entry »

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The unveiling of the Pontiac Solstice Coupe was another one of the autoshow surprises. I liked the Solstice, but I am not a huge fan of ‘verts. I wasn’t really waiting with bated breath for the unveiling.

But when it pulled in behind Lutz, I just stared in a lusting fashion. This car is just chiseled. When I spoke with Jose Gonzalez, the lead designer on the Coupe, he said his inspiration was sculpture… and it shows. Round of applause to Mr. Gonzalez, because he pulled this off extremely well.

I am not a Coupe guy, mainly due to the impracticality, but beyond that, there are very few coupes that I find attractive and they are limited to pretty much the Porsche Cayman S (breath taking drive) and the BMW Z4 Coupe. The Solstice certainly derives some of its cues from both those cars.

More thoughts and comments Read the rest of this entry »

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Thanks to Gerry for the tip on this one. By now you have probably heard and seen the Holden’s most recent concept, the Coupe 60. It features a big ass 6.0 liter V8. If they make it, we probably aren’t going to get it in the US. But if we do, it will be badged a Pontiac, sit on the lot for months and the sell on deep discount.

There is also a Holden Coupe 60 microsite that features images, info, etc.

Gerry mentions that his client, ABT-an Australian based brand experience agency, helped Holden launch this concept.

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