AutoDesign - 2007 Volvo S80

Volvo Cars released the first official pictures of the new Volvo S80 replacement. From the sides, the car seems to be a mix of the elegant Peugeot 607 and the sporty Honda Legend. Though the car is pitched at the likes of the BMW 5 Series, the Merc E-Class and the Audi A6, the new does not seem to be revolutionary enough as it predecessors. Most likely it will maintain Volvo's position in Ford's stable of brands, but unlikely to bring in much needed demand for Ford Motor Co.


Side profile of the 2007 Volvo S80. Note how carmakers are using clean lines for the back doors.


The Honda Legend, very similar in profile and design to this new Volvo. (It was released in 2005, not too long ago!)

Meanwhile, the interior of the car is more or less a 'progression' of the design scheme of the old S80 (nothing new here too then). So while other companies have come up with smart new updates for their cars, Volvo is stuck down there, with a refurbished old suit. I guess it would just be too good for Toyota and Honda to catch up with their Camries and Accords.

AutoShow - 76th Geneva International Motor Show

One of the world's best motor show and perhaps also one which could be considered the longest running will be held in Geneva from 2nd to the 12th of March 2006. In this auto show most car manufacturers are expected to unveil something substantial. For a start, Fiat has shown pictures of its concept car, and Peugeot is set to launch its best-selling 207. Mercedes will continue to use this show to promote its new S-Class and perhaps it would unveil a new concept car, which could showcase design cues to be incorporated in their upcoming C-Class. Renault will be another large player to watch in this show. Generally the French manufacturers use the Geneva or Paris auto show to promote their newest offerings while German car manufacturers prefer the Frankfurt auto show for worldwide launches. However BMW could use this platform for the 3 Series Coupes and/or the BMW X5 refresh. Asian car manufacturers like Nissan, Honda and Toyota should also have a presence with Honda expected to announce the new Civic Type-R and Nissan would perhaps continue to ride on the successes of its new models.

AutoRacing - Honda Racing F1 Team

Latest news from Spain was the launch of Honda's 2006 F1 challenger. With many new teams and new engines and most notably a redesigned chassis for most cars (starting from scratch), we can expect to see a competitive race ahead next year. Honda has taken over the reins of the whole F1 team previously known as BAR Honda. Furthermore with Rubens Barichello taking over as their main driver, could we perhaps expect better days ahead for Honda? Do remember that Honda once dominated F1 racing way back in its association with McLaren and it reigned supreme in circuits as Ferrari did in the past 6 years ex-2005.
It has also been widely acknowledged that Honda is perhaps the Asian auto manufacturer who have the longest history in auto racing. This is perhaps why the company's automobiles have been referred to as 'Asia's BMW'


Honda's Racing livery remains unchanged and its main racing operations is still out of UK.


The Honda F1 racing car seems to have much larger side intakes compared to its competitors.

AutoDesign - 2006, the year of the Luxury Car Wars?

Car manufacturers seem to be anticipating a really big jump in the economy in 2006. For a start, Mercedes Benz has launched the new S-Class with all the latest technological gadgets in the automobile industry ever imaginable. Then in Detroit, Lexus counter-strikes with the new LS for 2007. Expected to be of similar stature and price, both competes head on and with the Lexus LS launching the long wheelbase edition of their new car, it will be expected to gain a larger market share.


Note the huge wheel arches which was designed to express a visual expression of might. This was one of the most prominent design touches of the new S Class.


Using the design methodology of "less is more", Mercedes have adopted the 'I-drive' system of BMW and developed it further to create a comfortable know at the centre armrest with a nice looking wrist-pad. The LCD monitor also now takes centre stage as in all luxury cars to showcase the latest DVD movies and the 3D visualization of the car itself.


Lexus have started applying its L-Finesse design rule into the latest car. Note the heavily stylized C-pillar window kink. It looks similar to BMW's exclaimed Hoffmeister kink, with a Lexus touch.


The Lexus LS interior seems to be derived from its smaller cousin, the Lexus GS and it looks dark and drab on this photograph. Lighter colours should add a nice touch to the luxury ambience.

AutoRacing - McLaren unveils new livery for F1 2006

F1 car launches are really getting into full run now with slightly more than one month before the official 2006 season starts in Mid March. McLaren is the latest to launch their new car codenamed the MP4-21. And suprise, they have ditched their old black/grey livery into one that is more striking - Orange! Still not as striking as Ferrari's red though. The team have great drivers like Raikonnen and Montoya, and let's hope this new car do justice for these 2 drivers.

AutoRacing - BMW & Ferrari launches 2006 F1 Cars

Ferrari launched its new challenger with the aim to reclaim the F1 throne that it lost this year to Renault. After its dissapointing 2005 season with a lower than standard car resulting in only one victory in Indianapolis (because only 4 teams raced there...), Ferrari is under pressure from fans, owners, sponsors and its most famous driver Michael Schumacher to perform to par this year. Ferrari starts the 2006 with one less team sponsor (not that it lacks any) - Vodafone. However, the fan base of Ferrari remains strong and is probably one of the largest amongst F1 teams.

Michael Schumacher in the 2006 Ferrari F1 Car in Fiorano


Shell is obviously one of their largest sponsor, look at the background.

On the other hand, BMW launched its inaugural championship contender under the banner of BMW Sauber F1. Launched in Valencia, Spain, the team and car launch also saw new merchandise and team apparels for the new team. The car comes out designed in BMW Motorsport's colours in Blue, Red & White. This car should be one of the most awaited launch before the season starts, because of its new team status. Besides the new livery, its sponsors - Credit Suisse & Intel also showcased their new corporate identity in the new car.


The new BMW Sauber F1.06


Side profile - Petronas is their main sponsor.


O2 is another new sponsor. With the takeover of Sauber by BMW, the team seems to have grown and will soon be a force to be reckoned with.

AutoShow - Geely aims to enter US market by 2008

The Detroit Auto show brings new ripples to the US auto industry. Chinese carmaker Geely has announced its plans to bring in its cars to the US market by 2008. It is undergoing design and development currently to allow its cars to meet US safety and fuel emission requirements. Chinese automakers like Geely, Chery, and Brilliance are keen to capitalise on their low cost manufacturing and build up their own brands. Some of them have exported their cars to countries like South America, Egypt, Iran, and Africa. While these cars currently pose no threat to Toyota, Honda, do take note that 25 years back, the Japanese carmakers were deemed to pose no threat to Fords, Oldsmobiles and Cadillacs in the US - but look at how things have changed since then, Lexus have overtaken Cadillacs in luxury sales, Oldsmobile is a dead brand and Fords is paying buyers to get cars out of its lots. It will just be a matter of time these Chinese manufacturers start developing proper cars. Oh and not to forget Indian carmakers too like Tata and Hindustan.

The Geely CK small sedan. Soon to start selling in Eastern Europe and South America.


The 'Zunchi' or literally 'Pride' Sedan by Brilliance Auto. Design comes from the earlier Zhonghua sedan which was designed by Italian design house Giugiaro.

AutoDesign - Ferrari releases photos of 575M replacement

The crown prince assumes the throne naturally upon's the king's demise and with Ferraris, no other car is more suited for the throne. Ferrai has chosen the name 599 GTB to replace the 575 Maranello. Marketed as a V12 sporting luxury grand tourer, the 599 GTB will naturally take the throne as one of the world's most desirable sports GTs. Actually, we can say that it has no close competitor unlike its elderly sibliing the 602 Scaglietti which has Bentley Conti GT and Mercedes CL65 AMG as its rivals, the 599 GTB should hold its own fort.

Note the elongated bonnet, which has all along been a trademark of Ferrari's GT design philosophy.


The rear buttress window is a nice design touch, resulting in a rear side fenders that looks like that of the beautiful 456.

Overall the exterior design is slightly more adventurous and the car looks better than the initial design of the 575's predecessor, the 550. From the front, Ferrari has again added subtle hints of its links with their success in Formula 1 with the bonnet that looks imposing, grand and sporty at the same time. The air intakes on the bonnet also makes the car appear to look like an F1 grand tourer. The back is less adventurous, with classic Ferrari design incorporating 2 single round rear lights etched within the hood. The only fault with the car? It has got to be the wheels which looks frankly out of place in a GT. The star-shaped alloys makes the car appear to look like a 'model toy' and lacks any passion and/or power which are adjectives normally associated with the black stallion.

AutoRacing - Toyota unveils TF106

For the year 2006, Toyota is set to use a new car to compete for the F1 Championship. Or rather all team have to come up with new cars due to the change to V8 engines from previously used V10s. The new car was launched today in Jerez, Spain and will be set to undergo testing for the next week. With the start of the F1 season starting soon, expect more launches of new cars by other teams in the near future.
Toyota is a relatively new team in F1, but it has the highest funding - all thanks to a cash-rich parent company. With good drivers Jarno Trulli and Ralf Schumacher, it needs a competitive car and the team are hoping that the TF106 will deliver.

The new TF106, Toyota's challenger in 2006 F1 Championship

AutoShow Updates - Chrysler's Revival

The news before the Detroit Show started was that GM and Ford was in the doldrums, with losses reaching new 'highs' and it was in their homw territory. Plant closures were inevitable and talks of bankruptcy protection looms, while competitors like Toyota and Hyundai announces new plants openings. But all is not lost in the US Auto Industry as Chrysler led the start of the show with its stars - the Dodge Challenger and the Chrysler Imperial.

Front 3/4 view. US Automakers seems to bank a lot on the retro look, the Ford Mustang, the Ford GT, the Chevrolet Camaro, the Corvette, and the PT Cruiser and the list goes on...


The rear lights is one of the nicest touch in any concept car. Hope that it makes it into production.

The Dodge Challenger is a direct take on to the Ford Mustang, and it just seems to make Ford's troubles seem far worse. The Mustang is one of Ford's best-seller cars in which it need not give huge discounts for. Now with this new 'Challenger', expect a price competition. Things somehow seems to get better for Chrysler. Now if only the problems at Mercedes Benz will be solved...


Interior of the Dodge Challenger


A front that looks like a barge! (Reminds you of any other car?)


The side profile shows it all. Note the suicide doors ala Rolls Royce Phantom.

Obviously, the Chrysler Imperial was pitched at the high luxury auto stratosphere, set to rival Rolls Royce. But then with already the Maybach in difficulty selling its range of cars, I doubt Daimler Chrysler would actually build this to rival the Maybach. Most probably of it goes into production, it would be a poor-man's Rolls Royce!!!

AutoDesign Updates - 4 Door Coupes

Yeah, ever since Mercedes came up with a Vision CLS - and a success story behind - the auto industry have been coming out with a flurry of sketches and plans of a competitor for it. Just a few months ago, Porsche announced it is reviving a long-forgotten-and-abandoned 4 door GT concept. It is scheduled to be out by 2009 and will be named the Panamera. Now at the Detroit Auto Show, Aston Martin joins in the fray with the Rapide. Design wise, the Rapide is basically a slightly modified body of the highly successful and seductive DB9 and Vantage. But isn't this carrying the theme a bit too far? Just like the 'sausages of different lengths' concept of BMW in the 1990s? We leave the customers to judge for themselves!

Mercedes CLS Class Range - Mass produced since 2005.


Porsche's released sketch of the Panamera


Aston Martin's recently released Rapide!

Introduction!

Welcome to my world of auto blogs! From today onwards, I will try my best to provide all the latest technology updates, automobile news, shows and designs, including updates on the general industry and of course motorsports!
For a start, any updates will be made with an acronym to indicate the genre of the news. The list of genres are:
1) AutoDesign - Latest trends in automobile designs and competitions.
2) AutoShow - Latest information on automobile trade fairs and shows.
3) AutoSnap - Fun News involving cars and etc.
4) AutoTech - New technologies and gadgets coming to an automobile near you.
5) AutoRacing - Motorsports news and updates, enough said!