Motor Authority - blog Tag: Design

The Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge is on again, this time getting designers from the Southern California area to transform the future of driving into a communicative experience.

Automobiles have always played an important role in young people's social lives, have acted as a means of self expression and more importantly a necessary tool for interacting with friends. Today, communication technology is changing how we connect and perhaps even the role the car plays in people's lives.

Southern California design studios will envision what a new generation of drivers, raised with cell phones, online communities and webcams will demand...

The Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge is on again, this time getting designers from the Southern California area to transform the future of driving into a communicative experience. Automobiles have always played an important role in young people's social lives, have acted as a means of self expression and more importantly a necessary tool for interacting with friends. Today, communication technology is changing how we connect and perhaps even the role the car plays in people's lives. Southern California design studios will envision what a new generation of drivers, raised with cell phones, online communities and webcams will demand from their vehicles in the year 2030. The design studios for Audi, GM, Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota have all taken part, hoping to replicate Mazda’s winning performance at last year’s competition. Designs this year range from vehicles that incorporate human DNA allowing changes in the shape, color and materials to vehicles that link into a mass transit system where drivers not only share the commute but trade music and compare class schedules. Below are some of the highlights from this year’s competition. A final winner will be picked at next month’s 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. Audi eOra and eSpira: Like a downhill skier, the eOra carves the roadscape with precision by constantly adapting to the driver's movements and intentions. General Motors Car Hero: This concept turns driving into gaming and challenges the driver's skills against the car's autonomous system. Honda Helix: The concept incorporates human DNA with adaptive polymers that allow changes in the car's shape, color and materials. Tri-axis movement allows adaptation and reaction to specific environments and traffic patterns. Mazda Souga: The epitome of personal branding, the Souga allows owners to modify their vehicles on a virtual reality website. Nissan V2G: A eco-neutral commuter car for 2030, the V2G is an electric machine that can be modified to fit the needs and desires of its owner. Toyota LINK: This is a customizable, mass transit vehicle for students that seamlessly links onto a transportation social network. Wheels made of an electro-conductive material, convert friction into energy that recharges the batteries. Read More

There's no denying that BMW’s cars, especially models like the previous 7-Series and Z4, have stepped up their game recently in the looks department lately, even going so far as to influence automotive design across the globe and across the brand spectrum. That change is mostly thanks to Chris Bangle, who resigned from the German automaker earlier this year to focus on his own pursuits, but other unnamed figures have also played an important role in BMW design over the past several decades.

One of them is Laurenz Schaffer, who has worked at BMW for the past 11 years. Formerly at the Munich branch of BMW’s acquired...

There's no denying that BMW’s cars, especially models like the previous 7-Series and Z4, have stepped up their game recently in the looks department lately, even going so far as to influence automotive design across the globe and across the brand spectrum. That change is mostly thanks to Chris Bangle, who resigned from the German automaker earlier this year to focus on his own pursuits, but other unnamed figures have also played an important role in BMW design over the past several decades. One of them is Laurenz Schaffer, who has worked at BMW for the past 11 years. Formerly at the Munich branch of BMW’s acquired DesignworksUSA, Schaffer will now head the design firm’s American studio in California. Schaffer is actually replacing Verena Kloos as president of DesignworksUSA. Kloos will be returning to Germany to take control of BMW’s context design and advanced development division in Munich. While the design firm is not just pigeonholed to the auto industry, its influences can be seen in BMW’s cars. For example, a former director is Adrian van Hooydonk who is now the chief of design at the German automaker. [AutoWeek] Read More

The art of driving has been around since before the days of alcohol bootleggers and even the first Le Mans race. To some, it’s a sacred skill passed down from prior generations, while to a rare few it just comes naturally.

For the average auto enthusiast, there are many modifications that can be made to your car and driving skills--all the way down to your feet. Special driving shoes have become quite popular amongst the car community. From rally drivers to morning commuters and everyone in between, almost everybody has their favorite shoes for driving.

In fact, today there are shoe companies that specialize only in driving shoes and...

The art of driving has been around since before the days of alcohol bootleggers and even the first Le Mans race. To some, it’s a sacred skill passed down from prior generations, while to a rare few it just comes naturally. For the average auto enthusiast, there are many modifications that can be made to your car and driving skills--all the way down to your feet. Special driving shoes have become quite popular amongst the car community. From rally drivers to morning commuters and everyone in between, almost everybody has their favorite shoes for driving. In fact, today there are shoe companies that specialize only in driving shoes and apparel. Companies like Piloti, Sparco, G-Force, Simpson, and even skateboard brand D.C. are all cranking out different styles and colors of racing-type shoes. So why are these shoes so popular and what do they offer? For starters, they look great. Most are made from stylish leather, suede, Alcantara and even carbon-fiber. Also, the manufacturers provide many color schemes and designs to match any vehicle. The biggest luxury that driving shoes offer is their light weight, slim design and comfort--huge details for somebody that uses heel to toe downshifting on a regular basis, or constantly needs to throw down those left-footed braking techniques. To meet these needs, most driving shoes are constructed with rounded heels and springy toes to help drivers better maneuver through the pedals. The arch and heels are also reinforced with plastics so your feet won’t get tired during long drives. Don’t worry though, these things are actually pretty comfortable and can be worn outside of the car. The only downside to specialized driving shoes is the cost. While there are some bargains in the $50 range (for older or discontinued styles), most will set you back $80 to $200 for a pair. If you take care of them, however, they should last the lifetime of your car. For a complete list of different styles and prices of driving shoes, do a quick internet search or you can check out SafeRacer (www.saferacer.com) or Amazon (www.amazon.com) for some specials. Read More

There's no denying that Volkswagen's cars, especially the not-for-U.S.-consumption Scirocco, have stepped up their game in the looks department lately. That change is thanks in part to Flavio Manzoni, VW Group's head of creative design. But the design language developed under Manzoni had better last VW a while, as the latest reports out of Italy indicate Ferrari has stolen Manzoni out from under them.

The new job as the head of Ferrari's design shop doesn't start until January 1, 2010, but it's already being widely reported in the European press.

Part of Ferrari's choice of Manzoni as the new design chief is the desire to develop its own...

There's no denying that Volkswagen's cars, especially the not-for-U.S.-consumption Scirocco, have stepped up their game in the looks department lately. That change is thanks in part to Flavio Manzoni, VW Group's head of creative design. But the design language developed under Manzoni had better last VW a while, as the latest reports out of Italy indicate Ferrari has stolen Manzoni out from under them. The new job as the head of Ferrari's design shop doesn't start until January 1, 2010, but it's already being widely reported in the European press. Part of Ferrari's choice of Manzoni as the new design chief is the desire to develop its own in-house design team that will allow it to rely less--or possibly not at all--on Pininfarina. The close relationship between Ferrari and Pininfarina has spawned some of the most striking cars in history, however, so enthusiasts may mourn the transition presaged by Manzoni's hiring. The Pininfarina P4/5 built on a Ferrari Enzo chassis for James Glickenhaus is just one example of the duo's gifts to automotive history. Other fantastic vehicles from the past include the Ferrari 500 Mondial, the 250 GT and its many variants, the Testarossa o the 1980s, the legendary F40, the 575 M Maranello, and, though it's not always recognized as a "true Ferrari", the Dino. More recently, the 612 Scaglietti, F430 and California were also Pininfarina-penned creations. Manzoni will report directly to CEO Amedeo Felisa when he comes on board next year. [Auto Motor & Sport] Read More

The past year has been unkind to coachbuilding and contract manufacturing firms, especially with the wealthy reining in their more extravagant purchases and automakers bringing their production back in-house. Carrozzeria Bertone, the manufacturing arm of the Bertone Group, is feeling the pinch of bankruptcy in Italy, and soon it may be called Bertone no more.

Fiat has just been given approval by the Italian government for an acquisition of Carrozzeria Bertone. Under the plan, Fiat will invest €150 million ($215.9 million) over three years in the struggling contract manufacturer.

Autocar recently reported that Fiat plans to use... The past year has been unkind to coachbuilding and contract manufacturing firms, especially with the wealthy reining in their more extravagant purchases and automakers bringing their production back in-house. Carrozzeria Bertone, the manufacturing arm of the Bertone Group, is feeling the pinch of bankruptcy in Italy, and soon it may be called Bertone no more. Fiat has just been given approval by the Italian government for an acquisition of Carrozzeria Bertone. Under the plan, Fiat will invest €150 million ($215.9 million) over three years in the struggling contract manufacturer. Autocar recently reported that Fiat plans to use Bertone’s Turin factory and its workforce to produce niche products while dumping the Bertone brand name. Fiat has since revealed that these products would be sold in both Europe and North America. Fiat's on a shopping spree of late, buying a hefty stake in Chrysler and making an offer on Opel as well. Now trying to add Bertone to its collection, it's clear the Italian auto giant is trying to make the most of the current industry and economic downturn. Bertone's most recent project of note is the Mantide, designed by Jason Castriota under the Stile Bertone banner, a separate division under the Bertone Group. Read More

CGS Motorsports is one of the leading manufacturers of high-performance ‘cat-back’ exhaust systems and air intakes for latest model cars, trucks and SUVs. In the more recent past the company has also become one of the leading creators of many SEMA show vehicles, specializing in custom creations for the Detroit 3.

Once again, CGS is creating another SEMA Show vehicle, this time for Ford, and it will be showcased at the 2009 SEMA Show. CGS will be customizing a new 2010 Ford Mustang, designed by Sean Smith of SS Designs and named the "FlatBack"

This modern day street machine will feature custom matte paint by BASF Refinishes with... CGS Motorsports is one of the leading manufacturers of high-performance ‘cat-back’ exhaust systems and air intakes for latest model cars, trucks and SUVs. In the more recent past the company has also become one of the leading creators of many SEMA show vehicles, specializing in custom creations for the Detroit 3. Once again, CGS is creating another SEMA Show vehicle, this time for Ford, and it will be showcased at the 2009 SEMA Show. CGS will be customizing a new 2010 Ford Mustang, designed by Sean Smith of SS Designs and named the "FlatBack" This modern day street machine will feature custom matte paint by BASF Refinishes with paint preparation by 3M, 22-inch custom alloy wheels, Pirelli tires, sporty Recaro seats, a coil-over suspension kit by KW, a full bodykit by Roush, Baer racing brakes, and a supercharger by Whipple Superchargers. As illustrated in the rendering, the FlatBack will feature a matte grey metallic paint finish, with gloss black graphics. Read More