Automotive
'World's Fastest Wheel' Offered Unreserved
Image Gallery (2 images)
One of the massive 1.32 metre-tall steel wheels which carried Donald Campbell to his World Land Speed record of 645km/h at Lake Eyre 40 years ago is for sale. Complete with specially constructed Dunlop tyre, the wheel was one of 12 used on the 9.1 metre long, 4354kg 4,500 horsepower Bluebird during Campbell's rain-delayed record attempt during 1963 and 1964, which culminated in the record on July 17, 1964. The son a legend, Campbell's died less than three years later when his Bluebird hydroplane crashed at high speed attempting to break his own water speed record. His body was only recovered and buried three years ago in 2001. Read More
Blade Runner Dual-mode vehicle
Image Gallery (9 images)
UK-based Silvertip Design has an exciting new project that it hopes will revolutionise freight and passenger travel. After years of research and development Mechanical Engineer and head of Silvertip Design Carl Henderson has produced the "Blade Runner", a dual-mode vehicle that could transport passengers or freight over long distances on rail or road. Similar in concept to the JR Hokkaido vehicle train/bus concept, recently featured in Gizmo, the potential benefits of an affordable dual-mode vehicle are immense, especially in areas of government economic and civil planning, as well as the commercial sector. Read More
A new breed of high performance electric car
Image Gallery (15 images)
The Tango is an electric car no wider than a motorcycle, with a passenger or luggage space located tandem-style behind the driver. It is so narrow that four Tangos can fit in a normal-sized parking space. Despite its precarious looks, it has a very low centre of gravity and will stop , accelerate and corner faster than almost anything else on the road. It may look vulnerable but it has a carbon fibre body shell and a race-approved roll cage structure which make it a very safe, capable and environmentally responsible vehicle. Read More
Bike-o-Meter accessory for the Siemens M65 Mobile Phone
Image Gallery (3 images)
Siemens Germany has released an optional IBS-600 Bike-o-Meter which transforms the new M65 mobile phone into an innovative bike computer, and simultaneously serves as a holder for the phone. The Bike-o-Meter's feature set includes all the functionality of a bike computer (speedometer, time, maximum and average speed and other related calculations), and it can also display predefined route information. Users can use the M65 to retrieve training routes entered previously, or to save new tours with waypoints. Read More
Toyota patents cars that show their (and your) feelings
Image Gallery (9 images)
Toyota has been granted a patent for a system which enables a vehicle to recognise its surroundings, the actions of other road users and the emotional response of its driver and convey the driver's emotions to the public via a vehicle expression system on the exterior of the vehicle. The car's emotion expression system uses the cars headlights, the colour of the vehicle, a set of "eyebrows" over the cars headlights, external LED displays and the height of the vehicle and the antennae to inform other users. Read More
The most successful F1 car in history?
Image Gallery (10 images)
Ferrari's domination of F1 this year is not without its equal in history. After 11 wins from 12 races, Ferrari is on track to equal the 1988 feat of the McLaren F1 team which won 15 of 16 races. McLaren's drivers were the late Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost, who between them took 15 of 16 poles and led for 1003 of the 1031 race laps that season. The pair also scored the most one-two finishes in a season with ten from 16 starts. The F2004 Ferrari just may become the most successful F1 car in history. Read More
Aston Martin DBR9 debuts
Image Gallery (3 images)
Aston Martin has revealed details of its all-new DBR9 that will spearhead the marque's return to international motor racing in 2005. Based on the Aston Martin DB9, a limited number of DBR9 racing cars will be made available to selected customers and three works teams will use the cars in sports car events such as the Le Mans 24 Hour. The DBR9 engine promises to be very powerful, based on the DB9's 48-valve, 6.0-litre V12 engine. Read More
GMG Sportscar offers bargain supercar performance
Image Gallery (7 images)
There's a new exotic German sportscar on the scene - the Apollo. To be built by GMG Sportscar Manufacturing and sold through OssiVersand, the two-seater will be powered by a 4.2-liter Audi V8 engine, and will come in three versions - a 360 horsepower basic version, a 460 horsepower turbo version, and a 650 horsepower biturbo version which will push the 1000 kg sportscar to a top speed of 360 kmh Read More
Volvo unveils commuter concept vehicle
Image Gallery (6 images)
Volvo has unveiled a futuristic car of the future developed at its Volvo Monitoring and Concept Center (VMCC) just outside of Los Angeles. The Tandem is a two-passenger, capsule-shaped vehicle whereby the passenger sits directly behind the driver giving it its distinct name, which in design draws obvious comparison to the tandem bike. Read More
Volvo Launches Blind Spot Information System (BLIS)
Image Gallery (5 images)
Once the butt of jokes for its unfashionable safety conscious outlook, Volvo's active safety research continues to impress. The company's new Blind Spot Information System now recognises cars and motorcycles with a camera-based monitoring system that keeps a watchful eye on the 'blind' area alongside and offset rear of the car. Read More
American Honda Releases Images of Honda Accord Hybrid
Image Gallery (3 images)
American Honda has released the first images of its 2005 Accord V6 Hybrid, a petrol-electric hybrid car scheduled to go on-sale at Honda's US dealerships later this year. Utilising a next-generation hybrid powertrain, the Accord V6 Hybrid will deliver power and performance above the current 240-horsepower (177kW) Accord V6 with the fuel economy of a compact-class, four-cylinder Civic sedan. It's another sure indicator that the hybrid vehicle is becoming mainstream, at least at the top of the market. Read More
Dodge Magnum SXT for Police Special Service Uses
Image Gallery (3 images)
Dodge has released details of a forthcoming Dodge Magnum police car, powered by a 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with cylinder deactivation that produces 340 horsepower and 390 lb.-ft. of torque. The Magnum ups the ante in the law enforcement market with its legendary HEMI V-8 engine. The 2005 Dodge Magnum SXT model will be available this year for police special service use. For 2006, Dodge will introduce a police package which will be offered on the Dodge Magnum model. Read More
BMW's new V10 engine in detail
Image Gallery (6 images)
Each time BMW M introduces a new model, the focus of attention is centred on what lurks beneath the domed bonnet bulge. For the E60 M5 sedan due on sale in Australia mid-2005, the answer is a high-revving ultra-powerful V10 - a superb, state-of-the-art engine which BMW recently detailed for the world's press. Read More
Building the Audi RSQ for
Image Gallery (18 images)
The convergence mix is bringing some unlikely partners together as vertical market borders are blurring and morphing not just product categories but entertainment genres. The upcoming movie "I, ROBOT" has all the makings of a film of epic status – a script inspired by the classic Isaac Asimov short story collection and the public’s first detailed introduction to the capabilities of personal robotics. Everything had to be entirely believable for a film set 30 years from now so when the script called for a futuristic vehicle, a loose tender was put to the world’s leading automotive design studios and Audi won the job. Read More
International Engine of the Year 2004
Image Gallery (15 images)
The annual International Engine of the Year awards for 2004 were announced recently and the result was a triumph for Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive used in the Toyota Prius. The engine took top honours in three categories, and in the overall category, becoming the International Engine of the Year for 2004. Read More
Lamborghini takes title as the world's fastest police Car
Image Gallery (15 images)
The title of the world’s fastest police car has been secured by the Italian State Police (Polizia di Stato) wehich will soon begin using a Lamborghini Gallardo Police Car. The Gallardo Police Car will be used by the traffic police (Polizia Stradale) during emergencies and alarm situations on the Salerno-Reggio Calabria highway, also under the powers of the special safety operative which is already being employed along this tract of highway. Read More
Two New Versions of the Porsche 911
Image Gallery (4 images)
For the first time since 1977, Dr. Ing. h.c.F. Porsche AG, Stuttgart, is launching two new 911 models at the same time: the 911 Carrera with a 239 KW (325 BHP), 3.6 litre boxer engine, and the 911 Carrera S, powered by a newly developed 3.8 litre engine, which delivers 261 KW (355 BHP). With torque... Read More
Ford Seattle-ite: one of history's most significant concept cars
Image Gallery (10 images)
Concept cars attempt to predict the future, demonstrating new technologies to make our lives safer, more comfortable and anjoyable. With the 20-20 vision afforded by hindsight, Ford's 1963 World Fair Showpeice stands out as one of the most visionary concept cars in history. Many concept cars have forecast technologies that have become standard equippe but few have forecast as many technologies so far before their time as the Ford Seattle-ite XXI. Built to symbolise the future of American technological knowhow for the 1963 World’s Fair, it encompassed some remarkable concepts – interchangeable fuel cell power units, interchangeable bodies, interactive computer navigation, mapping and auto information systems, and four driving and steering wheels. Read More
BMW Brake Force Display
Image Gallery (3 images)
BMW will incorporate a new Brake Force Display on most models from May 2004 - Brake Force Display is a simple yet effective way of communicating to following traffic that the BMW in front is stopping quickly, providing extra advance warning of a potential road hazard ahead. Read More
Covini's six wheeled sportscar
Image Gallery (10 images)
Covini is a name which is not well known in automotive circles outside of Italy - that's almost certain to change thanks to the small company's latest design - a six wheel sports car along similar engineering lines to the famous Tyrrell P34 Formula One racing car of the mid-seventies. The six wheeled design offers many advantages over a conventional design as it offers more traction for cornering and braking and minimises the risks associated with tyre punctures and aquaplaning. The P34 experienced a host of development issues which technology has since solved. Covini's car certainly looks the business - in the go-department it is powered by an Audi 4.2 litre V8 motor (283.4 kw / 380 bhp @ 6400 rpm) which powers it to a top speed of 300 kmh. Read More
BMW shows the new 1 Series
Image Gallery (12 images)
BMW has announced an all-new 1 Series five-door rear-wheel drive sports tourer hatch which will be unveiled to the public at the Paris Motor Show this September. The new premium compact will make its Australian debut just weeks later at the Sydney International Motor Show where it is sure to be one of the stars of the show. Read More
Breathalyzer Bill could cost US$10 Billion
Image Gallery (2 images)
In one of the most bizarre legislative moves ever seriously contemplated, a New York Assemblyman has proposed that every driver in New York should pass an alcohol breath test every time they start their car - anyplace, anytime and regardless of whether they drink at all, let alone responsibly. The legislation would require the retro-fitting of breathalyser ignition locks to every car in New York - the cost to install such devices has been estimated to be up to US$1,000 per automobile, and would require New Yorkers to re-perform the test every 20 to 40 minutes while driving. Read More
Toyota's Hybrid Supercar Concept
Image Gallery (3 images)
In releasing details of its third futuristic concept car of the last fortnight, Toyota once again displayed its vision of the future when it showed a hybrid-powered supercar in conjunction with famous Italian design studio Giugaro. The hybrid supercar is one of the keys to promoting an environmentally-friendly automotive future, asserts Fabrizio Giugiaro. Read More
New Lamborghini Murci'lago Roadster
Image Gallery (2 images)
The production version of Lamborghini's Murci'lago Roadster was shown for the first time last week at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show, once again the work of Belgian Audi stylist Luc Donkerwolke. Though Gizmo featured the beautiful roadster as a concept car twelve months ago, when we saw the official pics we couldn't help ourselves. Read More
Volvo Concept Car Designed by women for women
Image Gallery (12 images)
VVolvo's 'Your Concept Car' (YCC) is a concept vehicle designed by women for women. Conceived by Volvo in June 2002 with a view to targeting the most demanding premium customer, the independent professional woman, the YCC was presented at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show. The idea of an all-woman team making all the decisions in the development of a new concept car arose at Volvo Car in the autumn of 2001. Visiting Volvo at the time for a series of workshops was Marti Barletta, an American expert on female consumer patterns. She claimed: "If you meet the expectations of women, you exceed the expectations of men." "We're sure it's right," says Camilla Palmertz, one of the two project managers for the YCC. "That's why that thesis has been our guiding light in developing Your Concept Car." Read More
Rolls Royce unveils Experimental Vehicle
Image Gallery (12 images)
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled an experimental motor car - the 100EX. This special model has been designed to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Rolls-Royce, which falls on May 4th this year. It will appear at various events throughout 2004 to help mark the centenary. Read More
Fuore Design's BlackJag Concept
Image Gallery (6 images)
A relative newcomer to the international automotive stylist elite, Fuore Design has been racking up showstoppers since it opened just four years ago. Its latest show car looks and goes as you'd expect - 7 litres, V10, 210MPH! Read More
Alfa Romeo Visconte Concept by Giugaro
Image Gallery (2 images)
One of the world's leading car designers, Giorgetto Giugiaro, has revealed at the Geneva International Motor Show what he believes the new flagship luxury Alfa Romeo should look like and, as the man already tasked with producing the replacement for the beautiful Alfa Romeo 156, he is in a unique position to be able to propose what Alfa's competitor for the top of the market could look like. Read More
Koenigsegg makes world's most powerful production car
Image Gallery (10 images)
Swedish supercar manufacturer Koenigsegg specialises in brutally fast exotica - Koenigsegg's CC8S is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the world's most powerful production car. With the introduction of the CCR at the Geneva Motor Show, they have effectively broken their own record - 806 hp at 6,900 rpm. The two-door, two-seater CCR's outrageous figures don't stop there. With a dry weight of 1180 kg, it has a power to weight ratio of 1.46 kg per hp, which is another industry best figure. With so much horsepower and so little weight, it's no surprise the CCR runs a standing quarter mile in nine seconds flat, with a terminal speed of 235kmh. The CCR does 0 to 100 kmh in 3.2 seconds and has a top speed of close to 400 kmh (245mph), thanks to a slippery Cd (drag co-efficient) of just 0.297 and a very low frontal area (1.825 m2). Read More
FlyOver Visual MAP - Car Navigation Systems with 3D aerial imagery map
Image Gallery (2 images)
FlyOver Technologies has released its second generation Visual Map technology which interprets maps and aerial imagery to produce a realistic 3D navigation map for in-vehicle navigation. Read More
Holden and Elfin show MS8 CLUBMAN AND MS8 STREAMLINER
Image Gallery (12 images)
March 12, 2004 Holden showed two retro-cool V8 racer roadsters at the Melbourne Motor Show. Created in collaboration with the Elfin sports car marque, the low-slung racers are an open wheeler track machine and a smooth-bodied Le Mans style roadster respectively, and will be called the Clubman and the Streamliner. They are hand-built specials which are thoroughly modern interpretations of an earlier motorsport era. Read More
Rinspeed Splash - amphibious sportscar unveiled
Image Gallery (6 images)
The Rinspeed Splash Amphibious Hydrofoil Sportscar previewed by Gizmo in December 2003 was unveiled to the world at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show - the Splash is capable of 80 kmh (approx. 45 knots) on the water and 200 kmh on land. The design is yet another concept from Swiss creative studio Rinspeed, whose concept designs have graced the pages of Gizmo several times in our short history. In 2002 it was the Presto, a collapsible car which turned from a four seat convertible to a two-seater at the press of a button. Then, last August Rinspeed showed the Bedouin, an off-road vehicle capable of extending and retracting just like the Presto. In early January this year we showed the CAD drawings of the Splash and now the car has been unveiled, the tenth Rinspeed concept car and the most outrageous to date. Read More
Renault Wind Concept Car
Image Gallery (9 images)
The Renault Wind concept car is a 2+1 roadster with streamlined design and lively performance which will be shown at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show. Read More
MINI Cabrio Unveiled
Image Gallery (9 images)
The MINI, one of the great success stories of modern automotive design, is to be released as a convertible. The newly designed MINI Cabrio features some ingenious design in the roof and sunroof and the way the vehicle cleverly uses space. Another stunner! Read More
New supercar on show at Melbourne Motor Show
Image Gallery (12 images)
February 21, 2004 The Pagani Zonda is one of the world's most exclusive automobiles and arguably the fastest production car available in the world at this point in time. Later this month Pagani will enter the Australian market when the AUD$1.2 million machine goes on display at the Melbourne Motor Show. Ever wondered just how good a $1.2 million car can be? Read on ... Read More
