Blog on 2040Parts

Daihatsu Sonica

Daihatsu launched the Sonica yesterday, a small hatchback for Japan. Designed in Osaka, the Daihatsu Sonica furthers the goal of parent company Toyota Motor Corporation to make the brand synonymous with small affordable cars. Distinguished by a long wheelbase and short overhangs, the one-box Sonica should live up to its description of having a 'spacious and comfortable' interior.

Subaru Stella

Fuji Heavy Industries, manufacturer of Subaru vehicles and aerospace-related products, today announced the introduction of the Subaru Stella, an all-new mini car for the Japanese market. The Stella follows the 'Think.Feel.Drive' message delivered by the Subaru B5-TPH concept at the Tokyo Motor Show last year, albeit in somewhat less glamorous clothes. It does, however, similarly tap into the popularity of 'green' cars, boasting the class?s most efficient engine.

Zaha Hadid Z-car concept

Zaha Hadid is an Iraq-born and London-based architect, who became the first female recipient of the Pritzker Architecture Prize in 2004. Her ambitious buildings have earned her much acclaim, and having designed the latest BMW factory, Hadid has now turned her sights on cars with the unveiling of the Z-car concept. Not to be confused with the similarly titled Nissan/Datsun, Hadid?s Z-car is a small plastic-bodied monocoque with a prominent lifting door.

Opel Corsa 5-door

Following the recent announcement of the new three-door Corsa comes its five-door sibling. While the three-door concentrates on sportiness, the five-door is more practical and features FlexFix, a new seat folding system following the method introduced on the Opel Trixx concept from 2004. The ?DualFloor?

Porsche 911 GT3 RS

Porsche has released pictures of the most intense 997 yet, the GT3 RS. Due to be released in spring next year in North America, the RS produces 415PS from its naturally-aspirated 3.6l flat-six, enough for a 0-62mph time of 4.2 seconds. Power is sent through the rear wheels only, whose surrounding shoulders widen by 43mm to accommodate the extra track.

Nissan-Conran

Nissan and British design group Conran have unveiled 'Plus Conran' limited versions of the Cube, March (Micra) and Lafesta minivan for the Japanese market. The series follows Nissan's 'Modern Living Concept', which stresses advanced design values in cabins, first introduced with the Teana in 2003, and seen in the the Amenio concept minivan, shown at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2005. Cube + Conran features leather seats emphasizing texture and color, enhancing and refining the sofa-like feel of the Cube seats.

College Exhibition: Cleveland Institute of Art Spring Show 2006

The annual Spring Show has been a tradition at The Cleveland Institute of Art in for over 15 years. The event started as an exhibition of senior transportation design work, but quickly evolved into an all-inclusive design exhibition for cars, products, toys, furniture, interior design and communication design. All design students are invited to create displays of their work, with sophomores and juniors focusing on obtaining internships, while graduates vie for full-time positions.

Hong-ik University Design Degree Show 2004

Graduating students from the Transportation Design course at Korea's Hong-ik University presented their work in the 2004 Degree Show entitled 'Design Concert', held December 7-13 in the International Design School for Advanced Studies (IDAS) in Seoul. The works shown are based on a wide range of vehicle concepts and brands. The' Professional day', which is an annual event, was also hosted on the exhibiition opening evening with graduating students, professors and professional designers from the automotive industry.

Opel Corsa

Opel has released pictures of the new Corsa, which will make its debut in July at the British Motor Show. Sharing its platform with the Fiat Grande Punto, styling is closer to the larger Astra with dynamic cab-forward proportions. Aided by the strong chin, an additional pane in the side-glass also enables a more forward-reaching profile - as chief designer Niels Loeb said "this is just what we wanted the coupe-like three-door Corsa to be." Inside, the IP neatly evolves themes from the outgoing model, with cues also shared with the new Antara SUV.

Show Review: RTT Salzburg Conference

This is the seventh annual conference that RTT has run, and the second year it has chosen to do so in Salzburg at the Salzburg Residence in the heart of this elegant historical city. RTT is now an established supplier of visualisation software solutions and services to various industries, principal amongst which is the automotive design industry. The conference was orientated around showing related digital visualisation case studies from the broad portfolio of RTT associates and clients including Porsche, BMW, EA Games and Audi.

Opel Antara

Opel unveiled their new SUV at the opening of the new design center in Germany last week. Taking cues from the Antara GTC concept shown in Frankfurt last year, the production version shares its platform with the Chevrolet Captiva. More premium-feeling than the Captiva, the Antara combines the concept's "stylish-body-on-rugged-base" theme with shorter overhangs than the Chevrolet, though the roofline rises to accommodate the two additional doors.

Aston Martin DBS

Aston Martin has shown pictures of the next Bond car, the DBS. Based on the DB9, the DBS is more muscular and sits menacingly on polished 20" wheels. Additional inlets on the sill, hood and bumper also connect the car with the DBR9 racing car, their depth more powerfully planting the car on the road.

Citroen C-Buggy

Citroen will show their latest concept in Spain at the Madrid Motor Show next week. Chopping the roof off last year's C-AirPlay brings the concept closer the Smart Crossblade seen in 2001, and proposes a potential direction for a more leisure-orientated supermini. Just as open-cars are philosophically opposed to closed ones, Citroen has carried this equation through to the trim as well: the gray exterior of the C-Buggy contrasts with the white of the C-AirPlay, while the green interior inverts its forbear?s rouge.

BMW Concept Coupe

BMW unveiled their latest concept in the run up to the contemporary Mille Miglia, a road race for cars that competed during the original event held between 1933 and 1957. The BMW 328 that set the fastest time in 1940, averaging over 100mph, has also provided inspiration for the Coupe Concept, which mixes the older car's silhouette with surfaces closer to the Z4 on which it is based. Powered by BMW's seminal 343PS engine, the car is wrapped with carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP), whose form is defined by designers using plaster rather than clay "for a closer emotional experience".

General Motors Europe opens new Design Center

Being a car designer is often percieved as a glamourous occupation, but few people realise that this typically means working in some of the least inspiring places. Wolfsburg, Detroit and Birmingham are just a few of the locations that are home to some of the largest populations of car designers around the world. GM Europe's location in Russelsheim, Germany is also one of the less glamourous locations but the new design center building opened this week aims to redress the otherwise rather industrial feel of the place where tomorrow's Opels and Saabs are created.

College Exhibition: Royal College of Art - GE Plasticon project

Postgraduate students at London's Royal College of Art recently presented the results of a multi-disciplinary design project in collaboration with GE Plastics. As part of the 'PLASTicon' project, 17 RCA first year MA students researched, designed and built models of concept vehicles aimed at the needs of different markets - from SUV owners to Gen-Y consumers - utilising the capabilities of plastics. Beginning in December, the students from the Vehicle Design course as well as from Textiles, were split into six teams tasked with conducting research into specific scenarios, including emerging generations and emerging markets to meet specific challenges of today and tomorrow.

Russo-Baltique Impression

One hundred years since its conception, the Russo-Baltique brand has been resurrected for a show car at Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance. Once the maker of cars for Russia's Royal Court, the country's Revolution suspended Russo-Baltique's activities after the First World War, only restored in 2003 when work on the new Impression began. The car aims to demonstrate a high level of quality, using materials such as Zebrano, an African wood, to trim the interior.

Faralli and Mazzanti Antas V8

Farralli and Mazzanti, an Italian classic car restoration company, has created their first touring car, the Antas V8. Exhibited the other side of the border from Villa d'Este at the Top Marques exhibition in Monaco, the Antas V8 is also the first car created entirely in-house by Farralli and Mazzanti. Powered by a Maserati V8 - with carburettors - the Antas V8 is inspired both philosophically and materially by past 'special series'.

Ferrari 575GT Zagato

Zagato recently unveiled their bespoke Ferrari 575GTZ at Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance in Italy. Zagato, based in nearby Milan, was commissioned by Japanese collector Yoshiyuki Hayashi to create a new body for his 575M in the style of the 250GTZ Berlinetta. Despite the same underpinnings as the 575M the whole car has been remodelled, striking a balance between its Fifties forebear and more contemporary Ferraris.

First Sight: BMW 3 Series Coup�

BMW have released photos of the new 3 Series Coup�, which goes on sale in most markets this summer. Based on the new E90 3 Series launched last year, the third generation of compact coupe marks the introduction of the first ever twin-turbo petrol-powered engine in a production BMW as well as pioneering Direct Injection technology. Specification Two models will be available at launch.

Show Review: Milan Furniture Fair 2006

Located in one of Europe's most fashionable cities, the Italian design fair is in its 45th year, newly housed in 'Fieramilano' west of the city centre. That the venue effectively disperses crowds knotted on the underground says something about its size and the somewhat compromised transport infrastructure that has to handle the 200,000 show-goers that come in from across the world. Beneath architect Massimiliano Fuksas' sprawling structure nestle 24 considerable arenas, FTK Salon Satellite to the side.

Design Services: Ficosa International

In the hierarchy of car design the exterior of a powerful sports car is usually regarded as the highest level whilst the design of some of the smaller functional components tends to sit at the bottom. But even for companies not obviously dependant on sexy curves to help them make money, design is increasingly being recognised as a critical ingredient for commercial success. Whilst most large suppliers have grown their design capability over the last decade, few have truly embraced the potential of having a focus on Design within their corporate strategy.

Who's Where: Gorden Wagener to head Mercedes Advanced Design NA

German designer Gorden Wagener, 37, has been appointed President of Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design of North America. Beginning his new position on January 1. 2006, Wagener now focuses on products specifically for North America, including production and show cars as well as advanced projects.

Volkswagen Concept A

Volkswagen has revealed its latest design study, the Concept A, a crossover between sports car and SUV. Like the conceptually similar Concept T of 2004, the Concept A is based on the Golf platform, marrying coupe-like profile with raised stance. At the front, vertical vents flank the shield-grille, whose matt-silver finish is repeated on the A-posts and door-handles.

Ford S-Max

Following the unveiling of the SAV concept at Geneva last year comes the production version, the S-MAX. Sharing much in common with the new Galaxy, the S-Max aims to have greater dynamic appeal and retain a closer connection with Ford of Europe's 'Kinetic Design' ethos. Differences include the dropping window-line that pushes back to form a triangular D-pillar and round fog lamps at the front.

What's New: February 2006

Ford S-Max  Following the unveiling of the SAV concept at Geneva last year comes the production version, the S-MAX. Sharing much in common with the new Galaxy, the S-Max aims to have greater dynamic appeal and retain a closer connection with Ford of Europe's 'Kinetic Design' ethos. Differences include the dropping window-line that pushes back to form a triangular D-pillar and round fog lamps at the front.

Michelin Challenge Design announces 2007 theme and call for entries

At the 2006 North American International Auto Show, Michelin Challenge Design announced its theme for the 2007 Challenge. Michelin Challenge Design will ask entrants to explore the future of transportation design using safety as the focus and inspiration. For 2007, the challenge is to design a vehicle for the North American market that enhances overall road safety, incorporating safety features for the occupants, but also for others who share the road.

Design Contest: Michelin Challenge Design announces 2007 theme and call for entries

At the 2006 North American International Auto Show, Michelin Challenge Design announced its theme for the 2007 Challenge. Michelin Challenge Design will ask entrants to explore the future of transportation design using safety as the focus and inspiration. "Road Safety for Everyone" is the official theme in what has become one of the industy's fastest-growing design forums.

What's New - January 2006

Volvo S80     Volvo has released pictures of the second-generation S80, a model series which when first launched in 1998 revived the Swedish brand with less slab-like, more expressive styling. This new model evolves those themes, and with it now carries Volvo's compact V8 that first appeared in the XC90 SUV last year. With 315PS put to the road through all four wheels, it will be Volvo's spearhead for penetrating the crucial American market and luring 35,000 new owners each year.

College Exhibition: Coventry University MA Degree Show 2005

Jan 20, 2006 - 'Fifteen' was the title for Coventry University's 13th MA Design Degree Show, held at Coventry's Transport Museum December 2-9. The title signified a recurring theme: 15 Automotive Design students, 15 months programme duration for the first time, "15 minutes of fame".     Graduates from the USA, India, China, Korea, Greece, Lebanon and the UK, made for a strong international flavour in the diversity of the final designs. 2005 was sponsor Corus' ninth year of involvement with the show, and the fifth year they have held a forum to coincide with the opening of the event.