Category Archives: design and styling

2014 Chevrolet Impala has Valet Mode to Protect Data

Posted on 20 February 2013 by Ken Zino

The revised Chevrolet Impala sedan with the optional infotainment system has a “valet mode” that locks up small personal items as well as protecting the addresses and contacts stored in MyLink. The password activated retractable faceplate covers a storage bin large enough to hold a wallet, MP3 player and smartphone. Continue reading →

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Kia Unveils Cross GT Concept, New Forte Hatchback at CAS

Posted on 8 February 2013 by Ken Zino

Kia unveiled its Cross GT concept vehicle at the Chicago Auto show that it said will eventually evolve into a production crossover utility larger than the current Sorento. Cross GT is built on the same platform as the Hyundai long-wheelbase Santa Fe that is coming to market in 2014. Continue reading →

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2014 Q50 Infiniti Sedan Appears in Detroit at NAIAS

Posted on 14 January 2013 by Ken Zino

Infiniti unveiled an all-new 2014 Infiniti Q50 sedan at a press conference at the 2013 North American International Auto Show – NAIAS – today. Q50 takes many of its exaggerated styling cues from the Infiniti Essence concept, with swooping curves and angular accent lines, in an attempt to separate itself from more traditional German designs, which is not necessarily a good thing. Inside, the Q50 interior offers a driver- oriented cockpit with communications system that has large dual touch-screens. Continue reading →

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Jeep Liberty to evolve as a Front-Wheel-Drive Alfa Romeo Derivative

Posted on 21 December 2012 by Ken Zino

Chrysler Group is preparing an all-new Jeep Liberty replacement that will debut within 18 months, eventually going into production in the U.S., Italy and China. As with the just released Dodge Dart, the new Jeep – thus far unnamed – will be based on a corporate platform from owner Fiat. Continue reading →

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GM to Face F-Series, Ram with New 2014 Silverado, Sierra Pickups

Posted on 17 December 2012 by Ken Zino

An initial analysis by AutoInformed indicates that the trucks are good, but the question lingers will they be good enough against Ford’s F-Series and Dodge’s Ram line, both with considerable marketplace momentum, and both with their own unique selling points from recent revisions. Continue reading →

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Honda Opens Advanced Design Studio in Downtown Los Angeles

Posted on 28 November 2012 by Ken Zino

Honda R&D Americas today opened an Advanced Design Studio in downtown Los Angeles for the creation of future Honda and Acura “automobile and mobility design concepts.” Continue reading →

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New 2014 Lincoln Compact SUV Caught by Jim Dunne

Posted on 1 November 2012 by Ken Zino

Look at what Lincoln is planning for the small SUV market of 2014. The 2014 Lincoln prototype is based on the all-new 2013 Ford Escape architecture – wheelbase, drive train, 2-/4-wheel drive, 5-place seating, maybe a turbocharged four-cylinder engine, with its alleged fuel economy advantages? Continue reading →

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Next Generation Chevrolet Silverado Pickup to Debut in December

Posted on 22 October 2012 by Ken Zino

Chevrolet will unveil what is calling the all-new Silverado 1500 full-size pickup on 13 December at a special event in the Detroit area. In a release, Chevy claimed, “bold exterior design of the new Silverado reflects the enhanced capabilities of the truck while features such as jewel-like, projector beam headlamps showcase the careful attention given to every detail.” Presumably, this also means a “bold new grille.” Continue reading →

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“Upscale” McLaren P1 Concept to Debut at Paris Motor Show

Posted on 18 September 2012 by Ken Zino

McLaren Automotive will show a concept of what it is calling the next generation ultimate supercar later this month. The P1 will be at the center of the McLaren stand at its first big league auto show, the Paris Motor Show or Mondial de l’Automobile 2012. The British company says the car is only a design study, next year a production version will be revealed and go on sale. Continue reading →

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LeMay Car Museum to Stay Open on Weekends

Posted on 13 September 2012 by Ken Zino

LeMay or America’s Car Museum said today that it will continue to open seven days a week year-round. The Tacoma museum’s original plan when it opened this June was for five days a week during the fall and winter months. LeMay’s collection, estimated by the Guinness Book in the mid ‘90s to include a 3,000-plus cars, trucks and motorcycles, highlights cars ranging from a 1916 Pierce Arrow to a 1956 Chevy two-door hardtop. Continue reading →

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First Look – McLaren Spyder Carbon Fiber Super Car

Posted on 10 September 2012 by Ken Zino

During a road tour visiting its eight North American dealers and offer private showings to their affluent customers, McLaren stopped off in Detroit to show media its new 12C spider that debuted at Pebble Beach in August. No surprise that it’s a sleek, well finished sports car, with good outward visibility and reasonably room inside for this type of conveyance. At $265,750 plus $2,500 delivery (plus any customization), it will also be as rare as an honest politician when deliveries start early next year. Continue reading →

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New Thermaltake Mouse Designed by BMW as E-Sports Thrive

Posted on 30 August 2012 by Ken Zino

Forget Formula One, the future of motorsports might be in the hands of gamers. BMW DesignworksUSA has created the latest mouse for Thermaltake, a Taiwanese based company well known for gaming. The so-called Thermaltake Level 10 M mouse that just went on sale is a high-tech extension of a gamer’s hand in computerized sports competition.

Traditionalist sports fans, as in occupiers of stadium or race track or couch potato seats, might be surprised to learn that that e-sports have evolved from simple Nintendo or Playstation set-ups at home to professional competition at the annual World Cyber Games with millions of dollars in prize money. So much money is floating around from sponsorships that professional gamers can now earn hundreds of thousand of dollars a year. At peak times, 15 million gamers could be online – and football and auto racing are the top games, err sports. Continue reading →

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Works of Artist Hanns Lohrer Coming to Porsche Museum

Posted on 16 August 2012 by Ken Zino

Starting in early September the Porsche Museum will display the works the Stuttgart painter and commercial graphic designer Hanns Lohrer (1912-1995) with an exhibit that goes beyond his automotive oeuvre. During the 1950s and ’60s, Lohrer played a vital role in the visual appearance of the Porsche brand in promotional pieces. Lohrer’s works helped create a positive image for what was then an upstart sports car manufacturer. Continue reading →

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Rolls-Royce Appoints Giles Taylor as New Design Director

Posted on 27 June 2012 by Ken Zino

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars said today that Giles Taylor is appointed Design Director, effective 1 July 2012. Taylor will report to Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. Taylor replaces Ian Cameron, who retires from the role he has held since 1999. Continue reading →

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BMW Zagato Coupe: Concept or a Small Production Run?

Posted on 31 May 2012 by Ken Zino

The Concorso on the shores of Lake Como began as a get-together of coachbuilders presenting one-off hand-built creations, but some of the press photos supplied by BMW were taken at its test track in Germany, a sign that more than one copy of the coupe will appear for wealthy buyers. Continue reading →

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