Category Archives: design and styling

BMW Group Buys Customizer ALPINA

The existing cooperation will continue in a different form: The company owned by the Bovensiepen family will continue to use its engineering expertise in developing, manufacturing, and selling BMW ALPINA vehicles within the existing agreement until the end of 2025. This results in ‘base’ BMW cars receiving extensive modification by the ALPINA – including the engine and transmission, as well as the chassis, aerodynamics, and interior equipment. BMW ALPINA vehicles are pre-assembled on BMW production lines before final assembly of the vehicles taking place in workshops in Buchloe, also with individual interiors built to customer specifications. Continue reading

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Spirit of Ecstasy is Redesigned for Rolls-Royce Spectre EV

These changes help to shape the upcoming Spectre EV’s aerodynamic numbers. The earliest Spectre prototypes have a drag coefficient -Cd- of just 0.26, making it the most aerodynamic Rolls-Royce ever created. The figure is expected to improve during the Spectre’s testing protocols during 2022. Continue reading

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Non-Spy Shot – Maserati MC20 Convertible

Maserati claims that as with the MC20 coupé, the new model remains one of a kind, at least so far. The body is made exclusively of carbon fiber and composite materials. This engineering likely will be used for all the configurations planned: coupé, convertible and, in the Global Warming regulated future, electric. Continue reading

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Daimler Truck Moves Past MB Commercial Vehicles to Wörth

With Daimler splitting into two independent companies* on 1 December 2021, Daimler Truck has transferred the first batch of historic Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicles and parts of its truck and bus archive to a location in Wörth. Daimler Truck’s collection contains around 130 vehicles. About 30 were previously located in Stuttgart and the surrounding area. Continue reading

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GMC Shows Sierra Denali Ultimate and AT4X – $$$$$

Just bring money. Base pricing for each trim will be available at reservation. MSRP15, including destination charge, for Denali Ultimate is $80,395, AT4X is $74,995, Denali is $61,295, AT4 is $60,995, SLT is $50,895, Elevation is $45,495, SLE $43,895 and Sierra Pro is $32,495. Full pricing will be announced closer to the start of production. Continue reading

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GMC Canyon AT4 OVRLANDX Concept Debuts

GMC first introduced AT4 in its Sierra light-duty pickup truck in 2019. Here it’s powered by a 3.6-liter V-6 engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission and front and rear electronic locking differentials. With a 27.7-degree approach angle and a ground clearance of 10.0 inches, helped by 33-inch BFGoodrich KM3 Mud-Terrain tires on 17-inch AEV Crestone wheels this is clearly an off-road vehicle. Continue reading

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Personalization – Bronco Riptide Project Vehicle Shown

It is part of Ford’s newly launched outdoor brand “Built Wild” with only-4×4 vehicles. Marketing Babble Alert> The 2021 Bronco Riptide custom build is designed with “West Coast fun and factory-backed accessory personalization in mind.” Continue reading

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Nouveaux Chic? Renault Trafic Hippie Caviar Hotel

Whatever. The van’s dimensions make it easy to park. As to the claims that a camper-van after repeated lockdowns can fill the urge to escape without accommodation constraints with the application of the sanitary restrictions related to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, which leads to a “stress-free life” – well maybe designers were smoking something. Consider: “Hippie Caviar Hotel is our take on the nomadic hotel concept, based on connected services.” Sounds reasonable so far, but… Continue reading

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MILITEM Ferōx Adventure – Status or Expensive Jeep?

The original reason for purchasing Jeep under the Iacocca at Chrysler regime is once again proven – Jeep is an international brand subject to local tastes, as well as commercial exploitation. Continue reading

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GM Design Jettisons North Hollywood for Pasadena

GM claims it has a long-term commitment to maintain a physical presence in one of North America’s largest hubs for multi-disciplinary design and innovation. The new campus, which sits on 8 acres, will expand GM’s capacity to support emerging business opportunities in areas of advanced technology, software integration and future mobility solutions. Continue reading

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Moving the Metal Downtown – Detroit Institute of Arts New Location for 2022 Concours d’Elegance of America

We’re announcing two meaningful changes today–rescheduling from July to September and repositioning from the suburbs to downtown,” said McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty. “This move honors Detroit’s heritage as a hub of commerce, industry, design and culture. We couldn’t think of a better place to recognize the automobile than the Detroit Institute of Arts. Continue reading

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Rerun – Toyota Shows Electric bZ4X SUV Concept in US

The Toyota US lineup in total, accounts for~40% of all alternative powertrain vehicles sold in the U.S. – including battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell electrics, hybrids and plug-in hybrids. Continue reading

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Fourth Annual Philadelphia Concours d’Elegance – 17 July

Last year’s two-day event was cancelled due to the pandemic and this fourth “annual” event has been rescheduled as a one-day program. All current State guidelines for pandemic restrictions will be in place to ensure the safety of all participants and attendees. Continue reading

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Hyundai Tweaks 2022 Kona and Kona Electric SUVs

Otherwise, the Kona EV does not incorporate any advances in EV or battery technology. Instead it has a different front fascia design. New headlamps and Daytime Running Lamps  provide a different look. New lower fender sculpted vents are aerodynamically functional. In profile, a different alloy wheel design has been optimized for “efficient airflow.” Oh, there are new taillights as well. The real selling points are carryover. Continue reading

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Second Chattanooga Motorcar Festival Now in October 2021

Born in Athens, Tenn., Coker worked for his father Harold, who opened the Coker Tire Company in Chattanooga in 1958, sweeping floors and cleaning wide whitewalls. Having grown up on the family farm, Coker originally planned to become a veterinarian but soon discovered that he actually enjoyed working at the tire store. “I suddenly realized that selling hot-rod and Model A tires to these guys made them very happy,” he said. “I really got my head into it and started developing some ideas and goals of my own.” Continue reading

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