Saturday, March 3, 2007
Babe of the Day
She is married to Michael Douglas, with whom she starred in the 2000 film Traffic. Her most recent films are Ocean's Twelve and The Legend of Zorro. She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Chicag
Giugiaro Vadho
Taldesign Giugiaro, who wowed last year's L.A. showgoers with its eye-popping Mustang Prototype, is looking to 'spur discussion,' as they put it, once again at a major international auto show with the dispay of its latest concept, called Vadhò. Consider the discussion spurred.
The tandem two-seater bound for Geneva is said to be inspired by the aeronautics industry in an effort to give the vehicle a true jet-like experience from behind the wheel. The closed cockpit uses two adjustable joysticks to pilot the vehicle and drive by-wire tech enables the vehicle to easily adapt from left to right hand drive, or even in the center.
Powered by the same V-12 that powers the BMW Hydrogen 7 and mated to BMW's seven-speed SMG, the Vadho is a also an exercise in alternative fuel technology. The powertrain is positioned on the center right of the car adjacent to the passengers. In addition, the chassis was custom-designed by Italdesign technicians and the vehicle sports a new 'G' logo that will serve as the firm's new signature logo on its future creations.
In addition to the Vadhò, the firm will also show another concept developed in conjunction with Toyota-owned Daihatsu called the D-Compact X-Over concept (pictured at bottom). The X-Over is European B-segment vehicle that is said to be close to becoming a production model. According to Giugiaro, the X-Over, through the extensive use of glass throughout the greenhouse, offers 'plenty of sunshine inside,' according to the Giugiaro press-speak, and is being billed as an expression of Daihatsu's 'harmony with nature' vehicle theme.
From Motortrend
Audi TT Gulf
However, the pictures you see here are not photoshops. They are of a very special TT parked in front of the building at the Audi Forum Ingolstadt known as A50.
What's so special about A50, located directly across from the delivery center? Well, near as we can tell, the top Audi AG execs use this area to park their personal rides. Want to see a pre-production model or some one off made for a board member? This is the place.
However, we've never seen a Gulf-colored TT before. Well, correction, I've seen once once before... a small photo on a cell phone of the proud owner... one Micheal Dick, Audi Board Member of Development.
Michael is the guy who makes the prototypes, the development mules, etc., etc. Interesting guy. Interesting job.
Outwardly, the car looks to have the Audi Accessories body kit and wheels. They are, of course, painted in the famous Gulf racing color scheme.
Inwardly, this car is also quite interesting. Check out the picture below, complete with TT quattro Sport-looking rear strut bar and load net. Knowing who the owner is, wouldn't you love to know what's in the bubble wrap as well?
Seats appear to be the same new Recaro sport seat seen in the R8, S3 and RS 4, though we hear from our own contacts they've got orange stitching as well.
From: Fourtitud/Autoblog.nl
"Push the button" Teapacks
Text in the song
„The world is full of terror, if someone makes an error. He's gonna blow us up. There are some crazy rulers, they hide and try to fool us, with demonic, technologic willingnesss to harm.”
Friday, March 2, 2007
Duesenberg
Duesenberg was a United States-based luxury automobile company active in various forms from 1913 to 1937. In 1913 the Duesenberg Brothers Fred and August founded Duesenberg Automobile & Motors Company, Inc. in Des Moines, Iowa, at 8th and Grand Ave, to build sports cars. Born in 1876 and 1879 in Germany, the two brothers were self-taught engineers and built many experimental cars. Duesenberg cars were considered some of the very best cars of the time, and were built entirely by hand. In 1914 Eddie Rickenbacker drove a "Duesy" to finish in 10th place at the Indianapolis 500, and a Duesenberg car won the race in 1924, 1925, and 1927. 1931 Duesenberg J 1931 Duesenberg J 3D red_cyan glasses recommended for your viewing pleasure 1923 saw the only use of theDuesenberg as the pace car at the Indianapolis 500. In 1921, Jimmy Murphy became the first American to win the French Grand Prix when he drove a Duesenberg to victory at the Le Mans racetrack. Duesenberg Automobiles and Motors Company moved from New Jersey to a new headquarters and factory in Indianapolis in July of 1921 to begin production of passenger vehicles. Although the Duesenberg brothers were world-class engineers, they were unable to sell their Model A car, their first "mass-produced" vehicle (just 667 were ever made). It was considered extremely advanced, offering features such as dual overhead cams, four-valve cylinder heads and the first hydraulic brakes offered on a passenger car.
The company went into receivership in 1922, finally being acquired from creditors by a Fred Duesenberg-led investor group in 1925 forming the Duesenberg Motors Company. 1930 Duesenberg J Walker Legrande Torpedo Phaeton 1930 Duesenberg J Walker Legrande Torpedo Phaeton Errett Lobban Cord, the owner of Cord Automobile, Auburn Automobile and other transportation companies, bought the company in 1926 for the Duesenberg Brothers' engineering skills and the brand name, in order to produce luxury cars. Hiring Fred Duesenberg to design the chassis and an engine that would be the best in the world, the newly revived Duesenberg company set about to produce the Model J.
The Model J Duesenberg was first shown at the New York Car Show of 1928. In unsupercharged form, it produced a whopping 265 horsepower (198 kW) from a straight-8 engine with dual overhead camshafts, and was capable of a top speed of 119 mph (192 km/h), and 94 mph (151 km/h) in 2nd gear. The supercharged version of the Model J, the SJ, was reputed to do 104 mph in second and have a top speed 135-140 mph in third. Zero-60 times of around eight seconds and 0-100 times of 17 seconds were reported for the SJ in spite of the unsynchronized transmissions, and all at a time when even the best cars of the era were not inclined to exceed 100 mph. Duesenbergs generally weighed around two and a half tons. Up to three tons was not unusual, considering the wide array of custom coachwork available.