Alfa Romeo at the 2009 Geneva Motor show

Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagen.


Alfa Romeo GTA Junior.

Black car: Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione in Geneva Motor show

jalopnk.com

Photos from 77th International Geneva Motor Show

Shakira and the new Seat

Russo-Baltique Impression

Swiss Peraves Monotracer W-19K12

Stola Phalcon coupe

Fiat Bravo

Lexus LX 600 Hybrid

Sbarro concept

Donkervoort D8 GT

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

Koenigsegg CCXR

Audi A5

Tramontana

KTM X-Bow

Mazda Hakaze Concept

Jaguar XJR

Rinspeed eXasis

Toyota Hybrid X concept

© Stefan Wermuth, Denis Balibouse / Reuters

© Martial Trezzini, Sandro Campardo / EFE

BRABUS WIDESTAR Based on the Mercedes ML 63

PRESS RELEASE:
World Debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2007
BRABUS WIDESTAR Based on the Mercedes ML 63
An Exclusive Wide-Track Version with 23-Inch Wheels and 550 hp / 405 kW

Sporty and dynamic, exclusive and powerful: These three attributes best describe the BRABUS WIDESTAR. The special model based on the Mercedes ML 63 celebrates its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2007. With the WIDESTAR BRABUS presents not only a new and exciting wide-track version of the SUV but also the new Monoblock E 23-inch forged wheels and BRABUS B63 S performance tuning for the ML 63 with 550 hp / 404.8 kW.

The BRABUS WIDESTAR concept, which is of course also available for all current M-Class models, combines dynamic looks with maximum functionality. The elegantly flowing lines of the fender flares front and back increase vehicle width by four centimeters. The extra centimeters benefit the car's appearance while the wider track improves handling: The multi-piece BRABUS Monoblock E wheels in size 11Jx23 were custom-tailored for the wide-track version of the M-Class. Their forged wheel center ensures an optimal symbiosis of light-weight design and maximum strength. The new light-alloy wheels are mounted with high-performance tires in size 315/25 R 23.
The BRABUS control module for the standard AIRMATIC air suspension lowers the ride height of the vehicle by some 30 millimeters, further contributing to more sporty road-handling characteristics.
The BRABUS WIDESTAR body conversion consists of add-on parts for the doors, and rocker panels that create a more homogenous transition between the fender flares. But that's not all: Complete front and rear fascias replace their production counterparts front and back. The front spoiler bumper with three striking air inlets and four integrated auxiliary headlights lends the M-Class more passing clout and minimizes lift on the front axle. In combination with the rear spoiler the rear fascia with integrated diffuser and cutouts for the four chrome tailpipes of the BRABUS stainless-steel sport exhaust system provides the perfect aerodynamic balance.
Its well balanced aerodynamic properties make the BRABUS WIDESTAR a perfectly suited to serve as the platform for a tuned version of the ML 63. The latter was developed by the BRABUS motor engineers in form of the B63 S performance kit. The production V8 engine delivers 510 hp / 375 kW. It is fitted with sport air filters and high-performance metal catalysts as well as newly programmed engine electronics with custom mapping for ignition and injection. Together these measures result in an increase in power output by 40 hp / 31 kW to 550 hp / 404.8 kW. Simultaneously peak torque grows from 630 Nm to 650 Nm.
Vehicle performance benefits accordingly: The sprint from rest to 100 km/h is shortened to 4.9 seconds. The engine tuning and installation of the BRABUS V/max unit increase the top speed from 250 km/h to 275 km/h.
To further optimize active safety the BRABUS WIDESTAR can be equipped with a high-performance brake system. It features 12-piston aluminum fixed calipers and vented and cross-drilled 380 x 36 millimeter discs on the front axle. Together with 355 x 28-mm brake discs and 6-piston fixed calipers in the rear it provides the impressive stopping power usually reserved for purebred sports cars.
Yet another BRABUS specialty for the Mercedes M-Class is the creation of exclusive interior options: Stainless-steel door sills with illuminated BRABUS logo, an ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel and leather-covered door trim pieces to upgrade the factory leather are all part of the program as are exclusive BRABUS fully leather interiors made from meticulously crafted combinations of the finest Mastik leather and Alcantara.
The production front seats are equipped with special rear consoles that reach all the way to the headrests. They house seven-inch 16:9 LCD screens with integrated DVD player. Also available is a version with an electric folding table made from precious wood.
BRABUS 2007. Copyright free. Please send us a copy of the published article. Thank you.

THE BMW M3 CONCEPT CAR

PRESS RELEASE
THE BMW M3 CONCEPT CAR
• Concept study of a BMW M3 by BMW M GmbH, dimensions and fundamental form based on BMW 3 Series Coupé, exclusive new engineering of almost every body element, purpose-built for individualistic form and maximum sporting potential.
• At the core of this concept study is an M3-typical V8 engine tuned to the high revving M concept.
• Front design conveying a high performance sports car, functional execution of the front apron and engine compartment lid, a robust Powerdome and large air intakes that express the vehicle's superior drive power, particularly voluminous air intakes for ample air supply to the engine compartment through the elimination of fog lamps, typical of M, and a front apron in a pronounced forward position that symbolises the car's motoring spirit.
• Sharply defined wheel arches, gill-shaped openings in the front side walls with an elaborate three-dimensional design typical of M cars, and chrome brackets with integrated direction indicators.Characteristic M-brand side skirts providing the side view with an energy-laden accent, visual emphasis of the rear-wheel drive and car's wide track, 19-inch light alloy rims with the characteristic Y-spoke design, exclusive exterior mirrors with an aerodynamically optimised design.
• Rear design with horizontal lines accentuating the car's wide track, pronounced wheel orientation as a symbol of its powerful stance, rear diffuser that mirrors design elements of the front apron, balanced proportions underlining the BMW M3's supremacy, M-typical double tailpipes arranged toward the centre of the vehicle.
• Intelligent lightweight construction that directly influences the vehicle's agility and dynamic performance, aluminium engine compartment lid. Side walls made of synthetic material and CFRP roof that optimise weight distribution and centre of gravity, visible CFRP roof construction as an additional design element, emphasis of flat silhouette and high tech character of the vehicle.

The Vision of Ultimate Driving Pleasure: The BMW M3 Concept Car.
Its very name is a symbol for unique performance on the racetrack and in everyday traffic. For two decades, BMW M3 has embodied the athletic heart of the brand in its most fundamental and succinct form. Its dominating role in motor sports and the ultimate driving experience it affords the driver on the road are inseparably intertwined. The qualities on which this synthesis is founded have given the BMW M3 the exceptional status it enjoys the world over.
At BMW M GmbH, engineers have persisted in continuing this success story with the presentation of the new BMW M3 Concept Car. The concept study being presented to the public for the first time at the 77th International Motor Show in Geneva (8th to 18th of March, 2007) gives a first impression of what a future BMW M3 might look like.
The basic form for the BMW M3 Concept Car is a derivative of the new BMW 3 Series Coupé. The few components adopted directly from the series model are the headlamps and taillamps and, as the only body elements, the two doors and the luggage compartment lid. In all other respects, the BMW M3 Concept Car, which is being presented in the Chrome Shadow finish characteristic of BMW M GmbH concept studies, is obviously an individualistic and athletic vehicle with technology at the focus of its engineering.
Individualistic body concept with emotional aesthetics.In keeping with tradition, the engineers at BMW M GmbH developed the BMW M3 Concept Car as a fundamentally individualistic vehicle. The level of commitment to this approach is clearly demonstrated by its body. While it is based on the dimensions and the underlying form of the BMW 3 Series Coupé, virtually all body elements have been newly developed and designed from the ground up. Apart from the supporting vehicle structure, only the doors and the luggage compartment lid were taken over from the series model.
All other components were specially engineered for the BMW M3 Concept Car, lending the vehicle exterior unique aesthetics that accentuate its superior power. Unmistakable features that make the BMW M3 Concept Car instantly recognisable are the special trim at the front and rear, the engine compartment lid with its bulging Powerdome and two air intakes, the lateral air slots in the front side walls, the side skirts and the exterior mirrors in a BMW M typical design.
Front with additional air intakes, engine compartment lid with Powerdome.Faithful to the principle of "form follows function" in designing the body forthe concept study, designers at BMW M GmbH used elements that not only visually emphasise the increased sportiness of the vehicle, but also serve a technical purpose. Conspicuous at the front are three large air intakes below the cooling grille that supply the engine with additional intake and cooling air. Strong, vertical struts delineate the air intakes and enhance their characteristic form.
The aluminium engine compartment lid exhibits a wide bulging curvature known as the Powerdome. Like the air intakes beside it, the Powerdome suggests the great potential that can be expected of a powerplant in the engine bay of a BMW M3. The BMW M3 Concept Car features a high revving V8 engine that is anticipated for the series car once it goes into production.
The contours of the Powerdome and air intakes are in line with theforward-pointing sweep of the engine compartment lid and harmoniously blend into the overall design of the front, which is longer than that of the BMW 3 Series Coupé. Together with the double kidney grille typical of BMW and the flat headlamp units, they lend the BMW M3 Concept Car a highly dynamic character.
Wheel arches and side skirts communicate agility and stability.The muscular front wheel arches of the BMW M3 Concept Car symbolisethe high level of agility and driving stability achieved by this vehicle.Together with the forged 19-inch light alloy rims in the classic Y-spoke design, they emphasise the vehicle's wide track, while a glance through the spokes of the rims reveals the compound high performance brakes developed exclusively for M vehicles.
The opening behind the wheel arch on the front side wall, which the designers refer to as gills, has an elaborate three-dimensional form that is split by a discreet chrome bracket containing the direction indicator and the M3 logo.
Two arched surfaces form the pronounced side skirt, creating a purposefully designed contrast between light and shadow. By giving the side wall a lower appearance, the side skirt lends the car a lighter, sportier look from this angle. The incidence of light on the likewise sharply defined rear wing and wheel stresses the dynamic character of this vehicle and visually highlights its rear-wheel drive.
The design of the side skirt corresponds with the shape of the strongly pronounced contour line. The play of light and shadow between the parallel contours of the skirt and contour line brings about a tightness in design that emphasises the individual character of the BMW M3 Concept Car even more strongly.
Exclusive exterior mirrors developed for the BMW M3 Concept Car feature the characteristic black double foot that reminds the viewer of the wings of an aircraft. Even this small detail is in keeping with the principle of "form follows function". With their horizontal contour line and tapered shape toward the outside, the exterior mirrors not only contribute to the overall impression of the vehicle, but their aerodynamic shape, optimised in a wind tunnel,is advantageous to air resistance values.
Wide track, muscular stance - rear design emphasises dynamic performance.The rear of the BMW M3 Concept Car picks up on the design of the car's front. The side lines gradually sink toward the rear and the wings end in a modelled hollow flute, emphasising the rear-wheel drive and visualising the superior dynamics of this vehicle. From any angle, the rear creates the impression of a pronounced wheel orientation and a muscular stance.
Its proportions lend it confidence and a calm yet powerful impression. A visually discreet spoiler lip on the luggage compartment lid, also calleda Gurney flap, optimally channels the air at the rear and additionallyreduces lift on the rear axle.
The contours of the diffuser, whose design is subdivided by modelled struts, mirror the shape of the air intakes at the front. The diffuser and the double exhaust tailpipes positioned close to the vehicle's longitudinal axis appear to pull the rear together at the centre and build up a tension in conjunction with the horizontal lines of the bumper. The tailpipes have a round cross section and are cut off vertically, as is typical for BMW M GmbH engineering.
Exclusive roof with visible carbon fibre structure.There is hardly a body element in the BMW M3 Concept Car that exhibits the level of advanced technology as clearly as the roof. It is constructed of carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP). Specialists at the BMW Plant in Landshut, Germany, rely on an exclusive production method in which the structure of the Formula 1 material remains visible and the finely structured surface is only coated with a layer of clear finish.
As a highly visible advanced technology component, the CFRP roof dominates the technically innovative appearance of the BMW M3 Concept Car. Seen from the side, it lets the roof edge appear flatter and thus lowers the perceived body height. Apart from the exclusive appearance, the CFRP roof also offers a real technical advantage: It is considerably lighter than a steel roof. This not only reduces the overall vehicle weight, but by reducing the weight of the highest element in the body, the centre of gravity is lowered as well. Thus, the reduction in weight at this location is particularly beneficial to the agility and dynamic performance of the vehicle.
The CFRP roof is a perfect example of how interlinking technical innovation with an individual design strategy was central to the development of the BMW M3 Concept Car. Following the tradition of the previous three generations of the BMW M3, this concept study represents a high performance sports car interpreted for use in everyday diving, with its every detail being yet another example of the objective pursued by the engineers. The BMW M3 Concept Car is a vision that shows where striving for the ultimate driving experience will take us in the future.

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