Motor Authority - blog Tag: Anniversary

Last night Infiniti took the covers off a G37 Coupe that was involved in the brand’s Anniversary Art Project Vehicle program at an art event in Toronto, Canada. To commemorate Infiniti's 20th anniversary, Infiniti Canada with international circus group Cirque du Soleil to create a one-of-a-kind G37 Coupe. Montreal artist Heidi Taillefer created the design and spent almost one month hand-painting the exterior of the vehicle.

Infiniti's partner and inspiration for the G37 Coupe Anniversary design concept, Cirque du Soleil, is also celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and was also present at the unveiling.

Heidi Taillefer was one...

Last night Infiniti took the covers off a G37 Coupe that was involved in the brand’s Anniversary Art Project Vehicle program at an art event in Toronto, Canada. To commemorate Infiniti's 20th anniversary, Infiniti Canada with international circus group Cirque du Soleil to create a one-of-a-kind G37 Coupe. Montreal artist Heidi Taillefer created the design and spent almost one month hand-painting the exterior of the vehicle. Infiniti's partner and inspiration for the G37 Coupe Anniversary design concept, Cirque du Soleil, is also celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and was also present at the unveiling. Heidi Taillefer was one of several artists asked to submit a design concept for the exterior of the Infiniti G37 Coupe. No structural changes could be made so the car could remain safe and driveable, and able to be eventually sold. Heidi's inspired design "Ligozzi" was ultimately selected and she spent much of August and early September painting the vehicle. The Anniversary Vehicle will be on tour at various Cirque du Soleil shows and other events over the coming months. The car will eventually be auctioned off for charity. Read More

This year is an important one for Bugatti. Not only does 2009 represent the centenary of the legendary marque but it also now marks the unveiling of a super sedan that may constitute the future plans of the company. One hundred years to the month since the company was founded by Ettore Bugatti, we now have our first look at Bugatti’s latest concept: the 2009 Bugatti Galibier 16C.

Speaking previously, Bugatti chief Franz-Josef Paefgen revealed that there are in fact three proposed designs for the next-gen Bugatti. This news mates well with what Bugatti officials told TheCarConnection in July, which is that the Galibier 16C is in fact a...

This year is an important one for Bugatti. Not only does 2009 represent the centenary of the legendary marque but it also now marks the unveiling of a super sedan that may constitute the future plans of the company. One hundred years to the month since the company was founded by Ettore Bugatti, we now have our first look at Bugatti’s latest concept: the 2009 Bugatti Galibier 16C. Speaking previously, Bugatti chief Franz-Josef Paefgen revealed that there are in fact three proposed designs for the next-gen Bugatti. This news mates well with what Bugatti officials told TheCarConnection in July, which is that the Galibier 16C is in fact a design model being shown to clients and dealers. According to a new report, the concept may go into production once the run of Veyron’s have come to an end, expected to be sometime in 2012. The Galibier 16C is constructed from a mix of aluminum and carbon-fiber, which will ensure that it is the lightest car in its class. The body itself is made of polished aluminum and dark blue carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP), and LED lights flank each end. Styling is borrowed from the Bugatti Type 57 Atlantique, including the historic model’s hatchback and spine design elements. Inside, there’s space for four and a large wooden dash that is dominated by two centrally mounted dials showing available power and speed. A removable clock manufactured by Switzerland’s Parmigiani also features. Although no technical details have been revealed, the Galibier 16C is thought to feature the Veyron’s 8.0-liter 16-cylinder engine and an output of around 800 horsepower, though it does away with the four turbos and replaces them with a two-stage supercharging system. Another key difference is the installation of an 8-speed automatic transmission rather than the Veyron’s advanced dual-clutch unit. A final decision on possible production plans of the Galibier 16C is expected by the spring of 2010. In the meantime, Bugatti has its hands full filling current order lists. The company only has 50 spots left for the Veyron, of which the total build will be 300 units. The Grand Sport model, which is limited to just 150 models, has already received several dozen orders. Read More

When Mazda launched the Miata, or Roadster as it's known in Japan, in 1989, few suspected it would go on to become the best-selling open-top sports car of all time, but over 860,000 vehicles later, the car is officially the most popular roadster in existence. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the car, Mazda has released today a special edition in Japan.

Based on either the soft-top six-speed manual version or the retractable hard-top automatic version of the car, the Roadster 20th Anniversary comes with a special set of equipment to make it stand out from the regular lineup.

Red and black Recaro seats, 20th Anniversary badges and clear... When Mazda launched the Miata, or Roadster as it's known in Japan, in 1989, few suspected it would go on to become the best-selling open-top sports car of all time, but over 860,000 vehicles later, the car is officially the most popular roadster in existence. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of the car, Mazda has released today a special edition in Japan. Based on either the soft-top six-speed manual version or the retractable hard-top automatic version of the car, the Roadster 20th Anniversary comes with a special set of equipment to make it stand out from the regular lineup. Red and black Recaro seats, 20th Anniversary badges and clear fog lights are some of the first details that catch the eye, while 17in aluminum alloy wheels, a front strut tower bar, five-setting heated seats and synthetic leather door armrests and console elements finish off the package. As for the exterior color, you can get the Roadster 20th Anniversary in any color you want as long as it's Crystal White Pearl Mica. Pricing in Japan starts at 2,860,000 ($29,880) for the soft-top/manual version, while the power-retractable hardtop with the automatic goes for 3,110,000 ($32,490). Mazda previously celebrated the 20th anniversary of the MX-5/Roadster with a celebration at Le Mans in France.Mazda Roadster 20th Anniversary Special Edition Read More

Just weeks after celebrating Mini’s 50th birthday, another milestone was reached today as the 1.5 millionth car rolled off the Oxford production line, since the launch of the new generation Mini back in 2001. BMW CEO Ian Robertson as well as British politician Ian Lucas were on hand to see the 1.5th millionth model roll off the line, the particular car being a Chili Red Mini Clubman that’s destined to go to a customer in the UK.

Since production of the new generation model started in 2001, Mini has become a global phenomenon, winning awards all over the world and is now sold in more than 80 countries, with its most recent... Just weeks after celebrating Mini’s 50th birthday, another milestone was reached today as the 1.5 millionth car rolled off the Oxford production line, since the launch of the new generation Mini back in 2001. BMW CEO Ian Robertson as well as British politician Ian Lucas were on hand to see the 1.5th millionth model roll off the line, the particular car being a Chili Red Mini Clubman that’s destined to go to a customer in the UK. Since production of the new generation model started in 2001, Mini has become a global phenomenon, winning awards all over the world and is now sold in more than 80 countries, with its most recent launch in Brazil. Furthermore, in the 41 years between 1959 and 2000 5.3 million classic Minis were built, so the total when combined with new generation Mini volume is 6.8 million cars. Mini’s parent company BMW has invested more than £380 million ($614 million) in its Oxford plant since 2001 and a further £100 million ($161 million) in the Hams Hall and Swindon plants, which make up the Mini production triangle in the UK. The operation employs more than 7,000 people and its activities account for an impressive 1% of the UK’s entire GDP. Read More

Centennial celebrations have been a common occurrence of late as the industry as a whole begins to push past the 100-year mark. This year marks Audi's 100th, and it's celebrating at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, in part with the 115ft (35m) 2009 Festival of Speed Central Feature (pictured).

This isn't the first time Audi has celebrated a major milestone at Goodwood, but it is the largest center piece to date.

Designed by the award-winning Gerry Judah, Lord March’s evergreen creative collaborator, the sculpture features two Audi cars – the legendary 1937 Auto Union streamliner as well as the just launched R8 V10 sports car... Centennial celebrations have been a common occurrence of late as the industry as a whole begins to push past the 100-year mark. This year marks Audi's 100th, and it's celebrating at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, in part with the 115ft (35m) 2009 Festival of Speed Central Feature (pictured). This isn't the first time Audi has celebrated a major milestone at Goodwood, but it is the largest center piece to date. Designed by the award-winning Gerry Judah, Lord March’s evergreen creative collaborator, the sculpture features two Audi cars – the legendary 1937 Auto Union streamliner as well as the just launched R8 V10 sports car suspended in the air, at either end of a dramatic ‘swoosh’ of tyre tracks, as if they are driving off into the sky. The sculpture is the latest in a tradition of central displays at the Festival. Each year Judah honors the featured marque with its own central display but this year’s is something special. “I wanted to design something iconic because this year is Audi’s 100th anniversary,” explains Judah. “The sculpture had to have a celebratory theme and it also had to encompass the qualities of the Audi brand: sporty, prestigious and progressive. “I drew about 20 ideas and some had elaborate bridges with vaulted arches but somehow they didn’t have quite the right style. I then had a flash of inspiration and designed this ‘swoosh’ with a car at either end to represent Audi’s 100-year history." The complex steel structure weighs in at 44 tons (40 tonnes), and required 12 men four full weeks of fabrication. As well as the Audi sculpture, the Festival will showcase Audi’s most important cars and drivers from its illustrious century – from the days of the Grand Prix Auto Union ‘Silver Arrows’ of the thirties, through the ‘quattro years’ of the Eighties, right up to the present day. A brief timeline below documents what Audi thinks are some of its seminal moments over the past 100 years. 1909 - First car to bear the Audi name: the Audi Type A (2.6 liter) 1935 - The Auto Union B-type wins the Italian Grand Prix at Monza 1937 - The Type C Stromlinenwagen first to break the 400 kph land speed record on the Autobahn 1938 - First to perform systematic crash tests bringing added safety and reassurance for drivers 1980 - First to introduce a permanent four-wheel drive rally car – the Audi Quattro with its turbocharged five-cylinder engine 1989 - First Audi with TDI – the Audi 100 shows the world the remarkable power and economy with TDI 1994 - First to use the Aluminum Space Frame – tough and corrosion resistant, this provided the bodyshell for the Audi A8, making it far lighter than traditional designs 2006 - First to win Le Mans with a diesel-powered car 2009 - First appearance of the Audi R8 V10 – the new 10-cylinder performance car which is capable of 0-62 mph in just 3.9 secondsAudi celebrates 100th anniversary with huge sculpture at Goodwood Read More

Few cars currently in production can claim a 45-year run, and even fewer have managed to maintain excitement among drivers and fans like the Ford Mustang. This year marks the 45th year since the launch of the original, and Ford decided to mark the occasion with a contest called "The '10 Unleashed".

Roger Keeney was one of the six winners of the essay contest, which is itself extraordinary enough, but on top of that, he's was blinding in 1990 in an accident on the farm. He hadn't driven in 20 years since his accident, but as a winner of the contest, he got to do with the car as he pleased - on a closed course, of course. And in true Mustang... Few cars currently in production can claim a 45-year run, and even fewer have managed to maintain excitement among drivers and fans like the Ford Mustang. This year marks the 45th year since the launch of the original, and Ford decided to mark the occasion with a contest called "The '10 Unleashed". Roger Keeney was one of the six winners of the essay contest, which is itself extraordinary enough, but on top of that, he's was blinding in 1990 in an accident on the farm. He hadn't driven in 20 years since his accident, but as a winner of the contest, he got to do with the car as he pleased - on a closed course, of course. And in true Mustang style, he promptly set about destroying a fresh set of tires. To help keep Keeney on the right path, racing driver Tommy Kendall was riding shotgun. Keeney related part of his experience: "Tommy said, 'When you were a teenager, did you ever do donuts?' And I said, 'Yeah.' So I got it rolling a bit in first gear, cranked it hard to the left and revved it up and popped it and did three donuts before we stopped. When we stopped, we could hear the camera crew cheering from clear across the field. I was in awe of both the car and the experience, it was truly a dream come true." "The '10 Unleashed" campaign let fans of the pony car send in a 250 word submission describing what they'd like to do in a 2010 Mustang. You can see a video of Keeney's road to the driver's seat at the official 2010 Ford Mustang site. Keeney's antics aren't all that's going on with the 2010 Mustang right now, however. Lee Iacocca just got his own silver 45th Anniversary version, Reed Speed turned up the boost and laid down 700hp, and the next-gen Mustang is already stirring up talk of 400hp V8s and a return of the '5.0' badge.2010 Ford MustangFord the '10 Unleashed Read More