LA 2010: Mercedes-Benz BIOME Concept

Mercedes-Benz will debut Mercedes-Benz BIOME Concept at 2010 Los Angeles auto show. Which is a safe and comfortable 2+2 compact car that comes with excellent handling and cutting-edge design.

This concept comes from Mercedes-Benz, which, incidentally, was built not far from Los Angeles at the company’s US design headquarters in Carlsbad, California. The vehicle is called the Biome Concept and is described as a vehicle that “grows in a completely organic environment from seeds sown in a nursery”. In layman’s terms, the Biome Concept is pretty much an organic hybrid that was created in complete symbiosis with nature, producing its own oxygen and contributing to the improvement of air quality.

M-B's German design team created the Smart Weight-Watch, an ultra-compact dunebuggy with removable and recyclable plastic and cloth panels, a carbon fiber tub and tires (you read that last part right) and a lithium-ion battery powering two 15 kW motors. Total weight: exactly 1,000 pounds.

The Biome isn't built the same way normal cars are. Instead, its bodywork is grown from two seeds -- one for the interior, one for the exterior -- that produce an ultralight 'BioFibre', which is then harvested and knitted together to form the car. The wheels, meanwhile, are grown from four separate seeds. This may mean you have to wait 18 years for your car to grow up and become road-legal.




Press Release

At this year’s Los Angeles Design Challenge, the designers from the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios in Carlsbad, California, surprised everyone with a revolutionary vision. Taking their inspiration from nature, they designed a vehicle which is fully integrated into the ecosystem, from the moment of its creation right through to the end of its service life. The Mercedes-Benz BIOME grows in a completely organic environment from seeds sown in a nursery. Out on the road the car emits pure oxygen, and at the end of its lifespan it can be simply composted or used as building material.

"As the inventor of the motor car, we wanted to illustrate the vision of the perfect vehicle of the future, which is created and functions in complete symbiosis with nature. The Mercedes-Benz BIOME is a natural technology hybrid, and forms part of our earth’s ecosystem. It grows and thrives like the leaves on a tree" according to Hubert Lee, Head of the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios in Carlsbad. This year the competition had called for the creation of a vision of a safe and comfortable 2+2 compact car featuring good handling and a first-class design, and weighing only 1,000 lbs (around 454 kg/kerb weight).

Mercedes-Benz symbiosis – a partnership with nature The Mercedes-Benz BIOME symbiosis vehicle is made from an ultralight material called BioFibre and tips the scales at just 875.5 lbs (around 394 kg). This material is significantly lighter than metal or plastic, yet more robust than steel. BioFibre is grown from proprietary DNA in the Mercedes-Benz nursery, where it collects energy from the sun and stores it in a liquid chemical bond called BioNectar4534. As part of this process, the vehicle is created from two seeds: The interior of the BIOME grows from the DNA in the Mercedes star on the front of the vehicle, while the exterior grows from the star on the rear. To accommodate specific customer requirements, the Mercedes star is genetically engineered in each case, and the vehicle "grows" when the genetic code is combined with the seed capsule. The wheels are grown from four separate seeds.

The Mercedes-Benz BIOME is powered by BioNectar4534, which is stored in the BioFibre material of the chassis, interior, and wheels. In addition, Mercedes-Benz has developed a technology to equip trees with special receptors which can collect the excess solar energy and turn it into BioNectar4534. This creates a direct link with nature’s energy sources and acts as an incentive to cover mobility energy requirements through more trees and at the same time maintain natural resources. Like plants, the Mercedes-Benz symbiosis vehicle also produces oxygen, thereby contributing to improving air quality. At the end of its service life, the Mercedes-Benz BIOME can be fully composted or used as building material. Thanks to the exclusive use of green technologies, the BIOME vehicle thus blends seamlessly into the ecosystem.


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Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon Confirmed

GM’s vice chairman Bob Lutz has confirmed that the 556-hp Cadillac CTS-V wagon will indeed become a production reality. Lutz dropped the W-bomb during a recent one-on-one interview while discussing how to prime the market for cool cargo haulers—like a possible Buick Regal wagon—especially among the over-35 set that grew up traumatized by wood-paneled Grand Marquis and Chrysler K-car wagon-trocities. Then Lutz said, “You know what’s really going to get you guys [on board with wagons] is the CTS-V wagon.”
Read full story from caranddriver


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Designs: Audi R10 supercar

Inspired by these two models, 23-year old industrial design student Marouane Bembli decided to go one step further by creating the R10. Featuring futuristic styling, the R10 is envisioned as a lightweight supercar with a V10 engine and a dry weight of 1200kg (2,645 lbs)



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Rumored: Toyota Prius Wagon & SUV

Japanese newspaper Yomiuri is reporting that Toyota may be deep in development of a Prius SUV, according to the AP. The SUV could be in addition to the Prius Wagon rumored since the Toyota Hybrid X Concept was put on display at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show.





The timing seems spot-on. After all, the industry journal Automotive News reported way back in October of 2007 that Toyota planners had said the 2010 Prius sedan would be followed in a year or so by a wagon version.





If released, we would expect that Toyota would include regenerative brakes, and a solar roof option. Plug-in versions could be in the works as well. No word yet if the company would use the nickel-hydrogen battery pack seen on the standard Prius, or the Lithium-ion battery used on the plug-in model





A little odd-sounding is the reported choice of a lithium-ion chemistry for the vehicle's batteries - top Toyota officials have been publicly proclaiming for months now that they don't believe lithium-ion batteries are sufficiently cheap or reliable yet for retail use.

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Video; Full details for Next BMW M5 F10

The next BMW M5 will be the first to have a turbocharged engine. News of the car's development comes by way of Autocar, who interviewed M division development chief Albert Bierman. Bierman says development of the next-gen M5 is well under way.


The engine’s output remains secret. But with the same unit pumping out 555bhp in the X5 and X6 M, the new car should stick to the M5 tradition of being more powerful than the car it replaces.

The most noticeable difference will be the way the new engine delivers its power. The V10’s 500bhp comes at 7750rpm, but the V8’s peak power should arrive at not much more than 6000rpm.


Although fuel consumption, and emissions, are expected to be reduced, a hybrid version similar to that of the Active Hybrid 7 is not expected. This decision is due to the added weight (100kg) a hybrid system would cause, a contrast to the car's carbon-fiber roof and trunk. Look for a new, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to be on the vehicle, similar to that shown on the 25th anniversary M5. LED lighting, better aerodynamics, and a double-wishbone front suspension should also exist on the car.


The BMW has just introduced a new petrol-electric hybrid system on its new Active Hybrid 7, it has not been considered for the M5 due to the 100kg it adds to the car’s weight.


The new M5 will continue the car’s tradition of visual understatement with a muscular appearance. LED lighting will be used to enhance the look and differentiate the M5 from the standard 5-series, a new generation of which is due early next year.
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Subaru Coupe 216A Details

It’s well known that Subaru and Toyota have been in the same bed developing the FT-86 but one question that remains on everyone’s lips is how, if they are developing the same car, can the two be different? Well it’s emerged that Subaru has been busy waving their wand over the 086A/FT-86 and is going to bring some very Subaru style magic to the table.
Just as soon as the Toyota FT-86 was born and came to this world at the Tokyo Motor show, it’s bigger, badder twin brother is about to hit the stage.


The biggest news to come out of all this is that rumors of the car being turbo and all wheel drive are now in fact confirmed. However staff close to the Subaru development side of the project have revealed is that the first thing to differ will be the codes which the cars will be known by. While the version of the FT-86 to go on sale in Japan will be known by the code 086A and in the US and Europe as the 087A and 088A respectively, the Fuji Heavy Industries version will be branded as the 216A. This is to “clearly distinguish between the Toyota and Subaru version of the car”. Things get juicier from there though with the confirmation of what many have been suspecting all along. The car will be driven by a 2.0 liter turbo charged powerplant feeding power to all four wheels. This will either come in the flavor of a revised, lower power but more efficient 250ps and 34.0kg/m EJ20 from the Impreza 2.0 GT or the EJ20 Turbo from the current Impreza WRX STi pumping out 308ps and 43.0kg/m of torque. Our guess is the latter may well be used for an STi version of the car down the track. No pun intended.


Subaru will further distance the 216A from the FT-86 through signature styling elements (as presented in these artist renderings), longer and wider dimensions and an extra 100kg in weight. However, the closeness in actual wheelbase and overall length with the current hatch mean the two could share even more parts.

Pricing has been speculated at around ¥3 million (€22,267/ US$32,880) when launched in Japan in 2011.
via 7tune


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Video: BMW Vision ED Concept Slated ...

A new report has surfaced indicating that BMW will build a production version of the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept.



Like the VED concept, the M1 will be powered by a three-cylinder turbo-diesel engine and an electric motor. While details are limited, the combined output is expected to be more than 350 bhp and 800 Nm of torque. If these figures are correct, the M1 will likely accelerate from 0-60 mph in less than five seconds, before hitting an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.



Set to revive the legendary M1 name, the fuel efficient supercar will reportedly adopt the concept's aggressive styling and advanced powertrain. Inside, the car will feature a three-dimensional head-up display, a "digital dash" and a two-plus-two seating arrangement.



According to an Auto Express source, the engine is almost production ready and some of the hybrid components will be taken from the X6 ActiveHybrid. If BMW is planning on production, look for a launch in 2012. More Photos


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McLaren MP4-12C Exclusive New Details Emerge

Come Wednesday the 9th of September McLaren Automotive will unveil one of the most anticipated supercars of the year, if not this decade. Following months of many spy shots and some official details, the MP4-12C will be presented.

Previously known by its codename P11, the car will go on sale in 2011 and will be a spiritual successor to the McLaren F1 supercar going head-to-head with the Porsche 911 Turbo and Ferrari 458 Italia.


The MP4-12C will feature many technical innovations gleaned from the company’s racing division, but it is clearly aimed at being a 200mph-plus supercar for everyday use too: self-adjusting suspension varies the damper settings to ensure a soft ride for urban driving, then stiffens up to improve driving dynamics and handling as speeds increase. Power comes from a V8 engine, controlled via a seven-speed gearbox.


Power will be sourced from a twin-turbo 6.0-liter V8 petrol engine and accessed through a 7-speed gearbox which will reportedly pump out 600 to 700bhp. Although the MP4-12C is meant to be a supercar worthy of the tag, its makers are not skimping on its everyday usability. As such the 200mph-plus road runner will have goodies like wi-fi connection, an onboard computer and self-adjusting suspension. Apparently it also comes with vertically opening doors.


The MP4-12C will cost £150,000 and McLaren hopes to sell 1,000 in the first year. It will be followed by two more as yet unnamed sports cars bearing the McLaren badge by 2015. The first will be an entry-level model to rival the standard Porsche 911, which costs from £60,000; the second, a model to fill the gap left by the discontinued Carrera GT, which cost £330,000 in 2004.


Looking at the rendering posted above, a WCF source states it is very close to the real thing except the headlamps which are more boomerang shaped. Perhaps an early design draft.
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Mercedes-Benz S 250 CDI BlueEfficiency cometh - First ever 4-cylinder S-Class

Rumours have surfaced that Mercedes plans to introduce their first four-cylinder S-Class. Being prepped for introduction at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the Mercedes-Benz S 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY will produce just 155 grams of CO2 per kilometer. This follows a trend being held by a number of automakers to make their largest sedans less polluting.


The S 250 CDI uses the same 2.1-liter diesel engine already found in the C-Class and E-Class and produces up to 224 horsepower with a maximum 500 Nm of torque. Performance figures have not been released, but we do know that the car will travel 100 km on about 5.9 liters of fuel. Although entry-level, the S 250 CDI produces only 11 hp less than the S 350, which uses a V6 CDI.


If reports are correct, we should get more details about this car over the next few weeks, as the introductory date nears.


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2011 Ford Mustang GT: An Even More Potent Track Pack to Complement the 400-hp 5.0-liter

Ford may be bringing some extra sizzle to the next Mustang GT.

One particularly saucy mule was wearing sticky Pirelli P Zero Corsa r-compound tires (yes, the same rubber found on fire breathers such as the Ferrari 430 Scuderia and the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4, among other supercars), which leads us to believe the ’11 GT will come with an even more potent Track Pack than the current car’s which employs Pirelli P Zero tires. Engineers were also tweaking the car’s adjustable shocks, but those may have been employed simply for development purposes. We put in a request with the engineers for more brakes, too, as the ones on the 2010 Track Pack get overheated quickly during a race-track lapping session.


Ford engineers told Car and Driver that those "super-sticky" tires had improved the track time of the 2010 GT with the Track Pack option. Taking the laptime around the 1.88-mile (3 km) GingerMan Raceway in South Haven, Michigan from 1m39.7s to the lower end of 1m38s.


We’re still expecting a new, all-aluminum 32-valve 5.0-liter V-8 making about 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque—dubbed “Coyote”—to become the GT’s powerplant, bringing output in line with the 426-hp Chevy Camaro SS and 376-hp Dodge Challenger R/T. (We expect that this time around the “5.0” will actually displace 5.0 liters as opposed to the previous engine’s 4.9 liters).


Source: caranddriver via worldcarfans



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Porsche Cayman Shooting Brake Uncovered? ...

There was a Porsche mule spied only last month and thought to be this elusive Shooting Brake. The latest image seems to have been taken during a studio photo shoot. What appears to be a man adjusting a light is seen on the other side of the car, presumably working on the instructions of the photographer who has our view of the car. From what is visible there is no B-pillar, thus suggesting a concept rather than a finished product.


For some time now rumours of a Posche Cayman Shooting Brake model have been circulating. Now this image of the supposed car has been posted on the Porsche section at Flickr. Most probably it is a fake as it was posted by a user with no known credentials. Or it could be real; the user could be an insider screaming for some hype for Porsche's next shocker. In any case a screen shot of the car has appeared on the upcoming XBox 360 racing game Forza Motorsport 3.
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Frankfurt Motor Show:: Audi to Unveil R8 ePerformance Electric Vehicle Concept

For a number of years now major automakers' favourite flavour at international motor shows has been the hybrid system. Now a new dawn is upon us and it is the dawn of full electric power. Rumours that have been doing the rounds for a while are suggesting that Audi will be one of those who unveil an electric sports car concept at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. It will take the form of an R8.

Supposedly the car will be called the R8 ePerformance. Power is to come from large powerful batteries and an electric motor to drive the wheels, so it will not be a hybrid but a complete electric-powered car.
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Porsche 911 Carrera 4S-based widebody Supersport in the works?

According to a recent report, Porsche is developing a limited edition 911 widebody Supersport which will be based on the Carrera 4S.


Although details are limited, TeamSpeed.com forum is reporting that the Supersport will boast unique styling features such as a double bubble roof and a duck-tail spoiler in honor of the 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7. Bumpers will be from the GT3 and other interesting design touches will include Fuchs-style wheels, a primer gray exterior paint scheme, and a brown leather interior.


In 1984 Porsche introduced the "turbo look" option officially called the Supersport for the 911 3.2 Carrera. It resembled the 930 Turbo with its widened wheel arches and whale tail. It also featured the stiffer suspension, braking system and wheels of the Turbo model.


Power will likely come from the C4S' 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine which produces 385 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque. This should enable the Supersport to rocket from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds before hitting an estimated top speed of 185 mph.


Set to be released next year, the Supersport will reportedly cost an eye watering £135,000 ($222,223 USD) which is a far cry from the C4S' base price of £74,534 ($123,100 USD).
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Video: Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA development abandoned

Alfa Romeo has put the MiTo GTA on hold, probably indefinitely, due to the economic crisis.


Echoing Aston Martin's cancelation of the Lagonda SUV Concept, an unnamed Alfa Romeo spokeswoman has stated the "MiTo GTA has been put on hold." In an interview with iMotor, she added that, "It's hard to justify building such as high performance car at this present time as the financial crisis means that it's not economically viable. And, sadly, it may never be."



The road-going version of the awesome Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA Concept, which was shown in Geneva this March, was due to go on sale before the end of the year priced around £20,000. However, a spokeswoman for the Italian firm told us not to expect the car anytime soon – if ever.



The MiTo GTA was to be powered by 240 hp 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with direct injection and dual variable valve timing. Boasting aggressive styling, a sportier suspension, and a light weight diet, the MiTo GTA was poised to be an enthusiast's dream come true.



The Alfa Romeo spokeswoman said: “The MiTo GTA has been put on hold. It’s hard to justify building such as high performance car at this present time as the financial crisis means that its not economically viable. And, sadly, it may never be.”
Source: imotormag.co via worldcarfans



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