Future Car Trends

Sunday, November 2, 2008

Porsche Panamera Interior Spied Undisguised

The first unofficial but bare-naked shots of the Porsche Panamera's interior have hit the web revealing the four-door sports sedan's dashboard in detail. All in all, Porsche's DNA is clearly visible in the design - though somewhat more upscale when compared to the German automaker's other vehicles. Aside from the "loaded" instrument panel what really caught our attention is the elevated lower part of the center console that houses more buttons than a Klingon starship. Maybe it's only us, but the center console's design seems to be inspired from the products of high-end cell phone maker Vertu - you can compare the photos after the jump and decided for yourself if we're right or not.

Up until now, Porsche has released one teaser picture as well as a video containing footage shot during the development of the Panamera, but more pictures and details are expected to be revealed by the end of the November. The four-seater sports sedan will go on sale worldwide during the second quarter of 2009 with a hybrid version using a VW Group V6 engine and an electric motor following in mid-2010.

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Via: Autoblog.it , Source: Xcar

Busted: Aston Martin Vantage Owner Discovers Volvo Logo on Key Fob!

It's a common secret that in order to cut costs, manufacturers share parts among their brands and vehicles. Most of the times though, these parts are hidden from the judgmental eyes of their customers. But accidents do happen as is the case of a Rio Prestige hire customer in the UK that somehow managed to scuff the leather-wrapped key fob of his rental Aston Martin V8 Vantage only to discover a big fat "Volvo" logo lying underneath!

We all know that even after the sale of Aston Martin from Ford to a consortium led by Prodrive boss Dave Richards (though Ford still maintains a stake in the company), the British sport marque continues to make use of the Blue Oval's spare parts bin and especially from Volvo.

But you would have imagined that when it comes to vehicles like the V8 Vantage which cost a small fortune, Aston Martin would have the decency to take the time to remove any decals or logos from parts that are derived from significantly cheaper and less upscale models. If anything else, the price tag on these cars would more than cover the expense and save them from the embarrassment...

Via: Car

Lincoln - Muscle car

Lincoln, originally uploaded by kodgerd.

Car gymkhana

shcc-Gymkhana017, originally uploaded by dohan.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

2010 Nissan Cube Rendering Hits the Spot

The next-generation Nissan Cube will not only be coming to the States starting in spring 2009, but it will also be unveiled on U.S. soil and in particular at the Los Angeles Auto Show that runs November 21-30. In its December 2008 issue (released in November), Japan’s Car Magazine features an artist-rendering of the new Cube and from what we can tell by comparing the photo to various spy shots as well as a leaked brochure of the vehicle, the computer generated image gives us an accurate picture of what the subcompact mini will look like.

The current iteration of the boxy-shaped Cube has been on sale in Japan since 2002 and it’s based on Nissan’s small-car B-platform – in other words, the Micra, March, Note MPV etc. Power comes from a 1.4-liter, 4-cylinder engine delivering an output of 95HP that can be mated to either a four-speed automatic or an optional CVT. To get an idea of the Cube’s footprint, at 146.9 in. (3,731mm) in length, 63.4 in. (1,610 mm) in width and 64.0 in (1,626 mm) in height, the current model is about an inch longer, 9 inches taller and 3 inches narrower than a MINI Cooper.

There’s no word yet whether the 2010 Cube will be larger in dimensions or if it will be equipped with the same powertrain options as the outgoing model, but we’ll know all the details in a few weeks time when Nissan officially takes the wrap off its funky looking mini hatchback. -Thanks for the scan Mat!

SEMA: RENNTech Mercedes-Benz GLK Hybrid Rally Racer

Mercedes-Benz GLK Renntech Rally Concept

Inspired by the insane rally cars that participate at the annual Pikes Peak Hillclimb, RENNTech built a racing concept of Mercedes-Benz’s brand-new GLK compact SUV. We don’t know many details about the SEMA show prototype other than it will feature an aggressively styled bodykit with an xtra-large roof spoiler and that it will be equipped with a hybrid powertrain that is supposed to enhance acceleration off the line and out of the corners – or at least that’s what the dedicated Mercedes-Benz tuner supports.

SEMA: Subaru’s Mountain Rescue Forester Concept

Along with the STI-prepped Forester XTI Concept that sports a modified 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer engine from the ’09 Impreza WRX STI, Subaru will also display a second concept version of its crossover model at SEMA called the “Mountain Rescue Forester”. Built in cooperation with Detroit-based Specialized Vehicles for the National Ski Patrol (NSP), the concept is based on the '09 Forester 2.5XT. The all-wheel-drive crossover has been modified to cope with rescues in difficult terrain and weather conditions delivering more than 14 in. of ground clearance (stock Forester: 8.9in.) through an Air Lift custom adjustable ride height air suspension system.

Added off-road and snow traction is provided by Yokohama Geolandar MTS 30 x 9.5-in. tires on special 15-in. Subaru custom-reversed, near-zero offset steel wheels. For protection, the Forester has been equipped with custom front and rear skid plates by DeeZee and custom trail armor by Bushwacker, including fender flares, lower door cladding, a rear gate guard and tail light guards.

Other modifications include an emergency light package an Ultimate Performance 9.5i Thermometric 9,500-lb. winch by WARN, remote rear door openers and external quick-access utility compartments.