HarleyEarl

http://info.detnews.com/autosconsumer/auto...ex.cfm?id=20490

Interesting...have not seen that color on these two cars yet. Not all cars can wear yellow well.

I hope that color is optional on a lot of other GM cars as well. It's subtle, but not too much so....love it.

It may look strange now...but I bet this is an emerging trend and some SUVs will be going in this direction. Chunky, up high and some off road ability, convertibles, 2 doors etc. I think it's ahead of it's time. Top up:

I think there is some connection with Toyota.

This Nomad diecast does not look very refined to me from the photo of it. There must be better diecasts of this car out there.

ouch lol.....is it ugly or just slightly unusual? I don't find it offensive....just more to the odd side of things. Actually the interior is not bad.

Geely CD:

Is another name for it, natural gas?

Is it a current production car?...I can't even guess. Something GM? The design on this, for a kit car is very refined. Very nicely done.

Man, I like that car....excellent design. I LOVE IT!!! That should be a full production car!

Copen: HVS: Daihatsu's new target Further on our previous news, Daihatsu Motor Co.,Ltd has issued the following press release: Daihatsu today announced that it will exhibit three concept cars, the D-Compact 4X4, HVS and Copen ZZ; an evolution of its compact sports car, the Copen, with a 1.3-litre engine; an innovative two-stroke engine technology called the 2CDDI-II and a facelift of is flagship compact car, the Cuore, along with several of its popular production models at the 61st Frankfurt Motor Show (IAA), which runs from 13 September to 25 September. World Premiere: D-Compact 4X4 — more than just a concept vehicle 1. Concept SUVs are popular for their strong and macho image. But at the same time there are many people who feel that SUVs are not particularly easy to drive in everyday situations. But even among these people who would rather drive a passenger car on a regular basis on account of its ease of handling, there are many who wouldn’t mind driving an SUV when they are on a snowy road because the latter would be safer in such a situation. The D-Compact 4X4 is Daihatsu’s proposal for a new compact SUV featuring powerful, dynamic and advanced styling. Wrapped in a stylish body, the D-Compact 4X4 offers pure sport utility capability plus ease of use in town. Reconciling these seemingly contradictory criteria, the D-Compact 4X4 proposes a brand new SUV concept that combines typical SUV strengths with the agility to cope with any road condition and enough manoeuvrability to enable stress-free driving in congested city streets. 2. Interior and exterior: a new SUV style that’s powerful, dynamic and advanced. The D-Compact 4X4 is not only ideal for off-road driving but also great for negotiating city streets. Thanks to the large diameter tyres arranged at the four corners of the body, the D-Compact 4X4 drives with agility and stability in all kinds of road conditions. A long wheelbase and super-short overhangs give this car a uniquely proportioned form that simply oozes presence in any off-road or on-road situations. Powerful bumpers and muscular wheel-arch flares contribute to the D-Compact 4X4’s strong SUV character. The D-Compact 4X4 is also designed to be a compact SUV with a stylish character that sparkles even in the middle of the city. The flowing lines that extend from the A-pillars to the roof ends, the roundish and modern front face, and the wedge-shaped belt lines and side character lines add up to a dynamic and sophisticated style. The roomy and comfortable interior features sharp and clear-cut design controls that make operating this vehicle a pure joy. Sit yourself in the driver’s seat and grab the steering wheel, and you will be filled with the anticipation of an exciting drive in the D-Compact 4X4. 3. Packaging and the ease of use A compact body and highly efficient packaging exceeding even that of a higher-class vehicle The D-Compact 4X4’s long wheelbase and short overhangs contribute not only to its beautifully proportioned styling but also to its comfortable interior and ease of use. The D-Compact 4X4 has sufficient room to seat five adults in comfort in addition to ample space for luggage. The seats can be arranged in a variety of formations to accommodate different combinations of people and luggage. The luggage compartment has also been given a flat floor so that the entire storage space can be used more efficiently. 4. Power train The D-Compact 4X4 is powered by a newly developed 1.5-litre engine that’s compact and offers an excellent overall balance. Rich torque in the low to medium rev range ensures powerful thrust when starting from standing, and overtaking at high speed is also a breeze. In all kinds of driving situations, this new engine provides the vehicle with a powerful SUV performance. The full time 4WD with a centre differential lock is a reliable feature when driving in tricky situations such as at high speed, over rough terrain and on slippery roads. When cornering, the centre differential lock is activated to prevent the tight-corner braking phenomenon. When a wheel on one side of the vehicle gets stuck in the mud, the driver can simply turn on the centre differential lock switch and escape easily. The D-Compact 4X4’s compact yet powerful 1.5-litre engine promises power in off-road driving and agility in city driving. 5. Safety Many people have a positive safety image concerning SUVs because of their ruggedness, good visibility and off-road capability. The D-Compact 4X4 does not betray their expectations. For enhanced occupant safety, the D-Compact 4X4 is wrapped in a safety body that provides increased cabin strength and is equipped with safety features including curtain-shield airbags, a soft upper interior and an airbag-cut-off switch. In addition, VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) is employed to control the movement of the vehicle in all directions for even greater safety. VSC increases safety on slippery road surfaces such as on snow-covered roads or when making sharp turns at high speed. The D-Compact 4X4 also includes state-of-the-art technologies to protect pedestrians, including bonnet hinges, wings and a bonnet that are crushable as well as a shock-absorbing structure. The D-Compact 4X4’s pedestrian-protection performance proved to be on a par with Euro NCAP’s three-star rating in the tests conducted by Daihatsu. World Premiere: HVS (Hybrid Vehicle Sports) Concept 1. Concept Delivering powerful and exciting driving experience of a 2.0-litre car with better fuel economy than a 1.0-litre car, and high-speed cornering performance using electromagnetic torque-control mechanisms that work on the right and left rear wheels independently Have you ever thought that although sports cars are cool, the fun of driving is not a high priority when you think about the environment? Reconciling environmental compatibility and sporty driving is not actually a difficult thing. By employing a hybrid technology, Daihatsu has achieved excellent environmental compatibility together with quick acceleration and the excitement of sports car driving. The HVS (Hybrid Vehicle Sports) pursues the utility and economy of the compact car while at the same time achieving the excitement of a sports car. It reconciles the joy of driving a sports car and the need to protect the environment at a high level. It’s a new lightweight sports car born out of Daihatsu’s passion to create a truly environmentally friendly compact sports car. 2. A hybrid system and a new 1.5-litre DVVT engine A hybrid system optimised for sports driving (achieving both a low fuel consumption of 4.1 litres/100 km and quick standing start acceleration) The HVS’s power unit is an advanced hybrid system that combines two motors in the front plus an additional motor in the rear. This electrically operated 4WD transmits torque to the wheels with minimum loss to deliver a safe driving performance. Thanks to its lightweight compact body and the use of hybrid technology, the HVS boasts a fuel consumption of only 4.1 litres/100 km (EU combined mode) and CO2 emissions of only 101 g/km — both amazingly low for a sports car. Combined with this hybrid unit is a newly developed 1.5-litre petrol engine with DVVT. Fine tuned for the HVS, this engine runs on premium petrol and is equipped with a special design muffler. The HVS delivers powerful standing start and overtaking acceleration in the low to medium speed range as well as lasting acceleration even at high speed. Whatever your speed range, this engine lets you enjoy sports driving with stress-free acceleration and power to spare. It’s an ideal power unit for a lightweight sports car. 2005-09-14 Autoindex.org

Hyundai introduces Accent SR concept at Frankfurt Hyundai has issued the following press release: With the new Hyundai Accent due to be launched next year, Hyundai Motor Company elected to make a detailed exploration of the emotional, high performance and high tech potential of the new model. The result is the Accent SR -a refined, exciting and forward-looking concept car which provides a fascinating glimpse of future possibilities in this class. As a concept car, the Accent SR is significant in demonstrating a new approach by Hyundai to a high-performance market segment which it has not corporately entered in the past. The internal designation of the car is SR and the chassis, engine and styling take the car firmly into up-market grand tourismo territory. With the new Hyundai Accent due to The Accent SR measures 4,035 mm (L) by 1,745 (W) and 1,470 (H). Integrated front, and rear roof spoilers, together with stylish deep sill side spoilers give it a distinguished and purposeful look. Much thought has been invested in the characteristic way in which the frontal treatment blends grille, headlight clusters, character lines and A pillars into a charismatic and powerful stance. The suspension is lowered and widened, and the car rides upon custom designed 18 inch alloy wheels with 225/40R profiled tyres. Extended wheel arches front and rear are unified by a strong shoulder line moulding, while side air vents draw cooling air into the rear wheel arches. The rear treatment, blending the roof spoiler into the rounded hatchback top, features an extension of the lower side sills on either side of the aperture bearing the twin oval tailpipes. The rear passenger windows are also upswept to meet and compliment the rear spoiler line, evoking some of the greatest GT cars of all time. The result is attractively modern, well-tempered, aggressive elements. The clear lines and highly succinct outline are further highlighted by the use of pearl white paint, complemented by clear glass, black bezel and aluminium cylinder light clusters both front and rear. Leather covered sports seats, door inserts and a leather rimmed sports steering wheel set the style for the driver. The instruments are prominently clustered and rear-radiation lighted for ideal driver visibility and readability. Aluminium pedals and inserts further add to the highly sporting ambience. The wraparound fascia includes an integrated 8 inch graphic display screen, and 3 USB 2.0 ports for multimedia use. The lighting in the central console and fascia is modulated by the use of high-glossy and matt black materials. Touch screentype controls activate electric windows, mirrors, seats etc, which are LED backlit for optimum convenience. A surround system of airbags introduces curtain airbags to the Accent range for the first time. The result is a powerfully impressive and fully unified interior, guaranteed to arouse the emotions of any committed driver. The new Accent suspension, featuring MacPherson strut front with new torsion beam rear suspension has been further refined and tuned for the Accent SR. The result is a chassis which can easily handle the unspecified, but high, power and torque output of the 2.0 Turbo engine for which the car was designed. Transmission is via a 5-speed automatic gearbox. Technologically the car features, among other innovations, ESP, motor driven power steering (MDPS), and a tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS), which will almost certainly be carried over to the incoming new model range at various trim levels. Overall length 4,035 mm Power Train 2.0 Turbo engine Overall width 1,745 mm Transmission 5-Speed automatic Overall height 1,470 mm Tires 225/40R Wheelbase 2,500 mm 2005-09-14 AutoIndex.org

AMG appearance options coming available on the S-Class, AMG body styling and wheels:

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=107231#2 Frankfurt News: Lamborghini Drops Top on Gallardo Date Posted 09-13-2005 FRANKFURT, Germany — Automobili Lamborghini unveiled the long-awaited open-top Gallardo, called Spyder, at the auto show here. Lamborghini, with help from Audi, gave the car an interesting retractable fabric roof, which can be raised and lowered in 20 seconds. Once lowered, the roof is stored in the carbon-fiber engine bonnet. The structure of the car has been strengthened, and an automatic rollover protection system has been added. The 5.0-liter, V10 engine has been tweaked from what's available in the Gallardo SE, resulting in 520 braking horsepower and a maximum speed of 195 mph when the roof is closed. Transmission is provided by a six-speed gearshift and features permanent four-wheel drive. Standard features for the Gallardo Spyder include power-steering fluid cooler, automatic door locking once the vehicle's speed exceeds 9.3 mph, and a multimedia system. New colors include Celeste Phoebe (light blue) and Verde Picus (green). What this means to you: Lamborghini. What more can you say?

68, that kit car is fantastic!....do you have more info on that...website?

I really like horizontal, linear dashes like this in Buicks. I don't know why, it just says Buick to me.

I really like the BLS and wish it would come here. It would be a good entry point for beginning Cadillac customers and hopefully they would move up over the years. I don't see any assocation with the Saab. It is very Cadillac to me.

This car oozes class, prestige. I'm so glad there are rich people, so cars like this exist.

..me too...we are in the minority I think lol.

Yes, it just shows what a sensational deal of the century the Corvette Z06 is.

The more I look at this car the more I like it. Something appealing about it. I can't believe I'm complimenting a Dacia. Not a stellar history.

It's facinating, in that the Bangle BMWs were so controversial and yet some are adopting similar designs. Personally I liked all of Bangle's work at BMW and ever more so.

Razor, all valid points. You are an Anti-Archite. ;).....I do like the spirit of this car. I would make it pillarless, true hardtop and extend the trunk, definitely. Generally I can see this design language for Buick.

http://www.autonews.com/news.cms?newsId=13317 The new Mercedes S-series, Edward Lapham made an interesting observation, it borrows from the 'Bangle Butt' look from BMW. He's right, I had not noticed that.