New Sports Car

The Capstone CMT-380 was the surprise basement find of the LA Auto Show.The Capstone CMT-380 is essentially a prototype show car designed to highlight the technology and products available from Capstone Turbine Corporation. The concept for the high performance hybrid electric microturbine vehicle was developed by Electronic Arts (EA) Chief Creative Director Richard Hilleman.

After working on the car for four years, inventor Richard Hilleman was the man of the hour as he fielded questions about his unusual microturbine-lithium-ion hybrid powertrain fitted to a GTM Supercar kit body. It may still be in the test phase, but Capstone claims that the car can reach a top speed of 150mph, and is able to sprint from zero to 60mph in just 3.9 seconds.

The CMT-380 features an unusual hybrid drivetrain which uses one of Capstone's new C30 (30-kilowatt) microturbine engines to extend the range of the primarily electric powered vehicle. The turbine can be run on either diesel or biodiesel.

The CMT-380 features lithium-polymer battery cells that can be charged at home or at a public recharging station. While driving, the CMT-380 can operate on 100 percent battery power in zero emissions mode for a range of up to 80 miles. When the batteries reach a predetermined state of discharge, the Capstone C30 microturbine quietly fires up and recharges the batteries on the fly to extend the driving range up to 500 miles. The diesel fueled C30 microturbine requires less maintenance than traditional combustion engines and produces ultra-low exhaust emissions. Hilleman has owned an electric vehicle – a converted Porsche 550 Spyder – for at 15 years and has constantly upgraded it. The EV used to have just 30 hp with lead acids but now uses lithium ferrous batteries and has 200 hp. The 100-mile range hasn't changed, though, and so he knew it was time to build a hybrid. He decided on Capstone's diesel microturbines as the range extender.
He knew he could rely on them – they've been used in buses for years – but there was still the challenge of fitting the unit into a car like this. Hilleman built the CMT-380 just for himself, but Capstone is happy to show it off as a proof of concept vehicle. It would be too pricey to put into mass production (Hilleman estimated he put in about $375,000 hours of work), but it's not impossible that a high-end, expensive, limited production run could be made some day.

Right now, Hilleman is really happy with his creation. He especially loves the sound of the vehicle. Three feet to the side of the car, the microturbine puts out about 87 dB, but in the cabin, it's nearly silent. California law might require him to add a muffler, but it's already quiet enough without one. He's got a solution for that problem, should he need it.
The chassis and bodywork of the Capstone CMT-380 are borrowed from the Factory Five GTM kit sports car, and modified to accept the hybrid drivetrain.

"Capstone's CMT-380 is just now finishing up the conceptual design and first article testing stage," said Darren Jamison, Capstone President and CEO. "We plan to finalize very soon a limited production plan, in part, based on interest received at the [2009] LA Auto Show. We anticipate customers will be a select group of individuals who appreciate its many innovative high-performance and high-technology driving characteristics, long driving range and ultra-low emissions," added Jamison.

2009 Japan Mazda Motor Corporation (HIROSHIMA) announced that it has built the first Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE vehicle with Norwegian specifications, developed specifically for participation in HyNor, Norway’s national hydrogen project. The first unit will take part in ceremonies marking the official opening of HyNor’s hydrogen filling stations.

The initial opening ceremony will be held in Oslo on May 11, 2009. The RX-8 Hydrogen RE will then undergo certification to meet local standards and will be used for maintenance staff training. Mazda plans to commence leasing of Norwegian specification RX-8 Hydrogen RE models in Norway in summer 2009.

Unlike the RX-8 Hydrogen RE currently being leased in Japan, the HyNor-specification Mazda RX-8 Hydrogen RE is based on the latest European-specification Mazda RX-8 with left-hand drive and a manual transmission.

The HyNor project aims to enable hydrogen vehicles to travel along a 580-kilometer stretch of highway by establishing a chain of hydrogen stations between Stavanger and Oslo in Norway.

Mazda agreed to collaborate with HyNor on the project in November 2007 and began validation of the RX-8 Hydrogen RE’s driving performance on Norwegian public roads in October 2008.

2009 Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. finishes its Centenary celebrations with three tailor made cars, especially developed for its discerning clientele in the Middle East: the Veyron “Sang d’Argent”, the Grand Sport “Soleil de Nuit” and the Veyron “Nocturne”, limited to five cars only. Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. presents the Bugatti Veyron Bleu Centenaire at the 2009 Geneve Motor Show, a special commission honouring the 100th anniversary of the company, thus initiating a range of worldwide activities celebrating the creation of this mythic brand a hundred years ago. In addition Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport is shown for the first time to a wider public in Europe.

The Bugatti Veyron Bleu Centenaire shares all performance characteristics of other Veyron models performance-, acceleration- and deceleration characteristics which have been highly praised ever since the Bugatti Veyron first appeared on the scene. The car will cost 1,35 Million Euro exclusive taxes and transportation. The presentation of these very special cars at the Dubai Motor Show is the final highlight, with which Bugatti ends its Centenary celebrations. We are honoured to complete our 100 Years at this prestigious Motor Show of a very important market for Bugatti.

Aston Martin is proud to announce the return of Lagonda, one of the most iconic names in luxury car manufacturing. The intention is for Lagonda to enter the market place with a unique performance luxury product, a vehicle that combines exceptional ability with unsurpassed elegance, inside and out. The LAGONDA CONCEPT is an avant-garde luxury vehicle; with powerful four-wheel drive, a four-seater car that will satisfy the most discerning and demanding owner. The concept demonstrates a commitment to innovative new propulsion technologies, new materials and elegant forms. 'The Lagonda is the luxury car of the future,' says Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez, 'a combination of total usability, a new form and innovative new technology and materials.

Not only will Lagonda join Aston Martin in existing core markets, but the unique character of the new brand will help take the company into as many as 100 territories around the world and extend the brand to new customers. "An Aston Martin is an authentic, pure sports car," says Dr Ulrich Bez, "but Lagonda is something else, a new brand that will reach into new markets and have different values to Aston Martin."

She spent almost one month painting the vehicle. The G37 Anniversary Art Project Vehicle has no structural changes so the car could remain safe and driveable, and able to be auctioned off for charity at a later date.

The first-ever Infiniti G Convertible builds upon the performance legacy of the Infiniti G line, with the liberation only a convertible with the top down can provide. It is scheduled to go on sale at Infiniti dealers in North America in the spring of 2009, followed later in other Infiniti markets around the world.

Also available is a special, limited production G Convertible Premier Edition, offered exclusively through the Bloomingdale’s Holiday Catalog. With only 200 being built, the Premier Edition features a custom Monaco Red Leather leather-appointed interior, handcrafted red-tone Maple Wood trim, Midnight Black front grille and 9-spoke 19-inch aluminum-alloy wheels and tires. Pre-orders for the Premier Edition are being taken now for delivery in 2009.

A genuine fusion of sports car and SUV, the Infiniti FX37's dramatic styling sets it apart from the crowd. Built on Infiniti's FM (front-midships) platform, the Infiniti FX37 blends sports car proportions with the character of a 4x4. That means a long bonnet and wheelbase, short overhangs and a coupé-like roofline, with the stance and strength of an SUV.The Infiniti FX37 is powered by the 3.7-litre V6 petrol engine delivering 320PS at 7,000 rpm and a healthy 360Nm of torque (comparable figures for the V8 FX50 are 390PS and 500Nm).A member of the multi-award winning VQ engine family, the all-aluminium 24-valve twin cam unit features a bed-plate construction. A technique that has been used in motor racing for many years, the resulting two-part construction of the cylinder block is more rigid than a single piece casting.It is a configuration that signifies a high-performance sporting engine designed for the highest strength and reliability. Other benefits include reduced vibration levels and higher engine speeds to be reached consistently without damage.

“Infiniti FX37 is a significant model for Europe and we expect it to account for as much as 80 per cent of FX sales,” says Jim Wright, Vice President Infiniti Europe. “By combining excellent handling and punchy performance with genuine luxury and SUV practicality, Infiniti FX37 will appeal to customers who appreciate quality and individuality.”

The Audi Avatar is a concept vehicle which was created by Edwin Conan (Yi Yuan), a graduate of RMIT (Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology) University in Australia. The Avatar was developed during Edwin's final year at the university as part of his degree project.

The interior of the Audi Avatar features a three-seat layout with the driver sitting in a central position forward of the passenger seats. The driver is met with a futuristic dashboard which consists of a transparent LCD display which provides all essential driving data. In the center of the steering wheel is another screen which provides navigation information. Additional information can also be projected onto the canopy to provide a heads-up-display similar to those found in high performance aircraft.
Powering the Audi Avatar is an all-electric drivetrain which comprises of four individual electric motors (one for each wheel), and a pair of high-performance battery packs. The battery packs are split in two to provide better weight distribution, one is located at the front and one at the rear. In total the projected output is 544 horsepower, and 4,500 Nm (3,319 lb-ft) of torque. This gives the car a theoretical top speed of 223 mph (360 Km/h), and a 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time of 2.9 seconds.

The wheels of the Avatar are housed inside the car's four 'legs'. The legs are constructed from a deformable material which allows it to change shape when the wheel is turned. To increase the vehicle's agility and handling, the Avatar features a four-wheel-steering system. The front wheels provide most of the steering, while the rear wheels can turn up to 10 degrees.

The tradition-laden Maybach luxury brand is adding a fifth model to its line-up. The new Maybach Landaulet resurrects the legend of the classic luxury landaulets, a feature of which is that only the chauffeur’s area is closed. An extra-large folding roof opens up over the pampered rear-seat passengers when required, leaving no obstructions between them and the blue sky above. The Maybach Landaulet thus offers a majestic open-air experience currently unrivalled by any other automobile. Boasting a certain romantic quality and allowing its passengers the opportunity to savour closeness to nature, this exceptional vehicle also features the ultimate in comfort and technological sophistication and as such sets the new standard for the world’s most exclusive luxury saloons.

In November 2007, Maybach had revived the aura of the grand carriages of days gone by with its Landaulet study. The European premiere of this sparkling white one-off study is taking place at the 78th Geneva Motor Show. Even beforehand, however, the response from the public to this masterpiece has been overwhelming, so much so that Maybach decided to offer the hand-built Landaulet based exclusively on the customer’s own specifications.

The Maybach name epitomises high-end luxury motoring. It stands for effortlessly superior automotive engineering at the very highest level, timeless and stylish elegance, and precision craftsmanship. Since approximately two-thirds of Maybach customers wish to tailor their cars exactly to their own tastes and ideas, Maybach is constantly expanding its exclusive range of customisation options.
In technical terms the Maybach Landaulet is based on the Maybach 62 S - which can claim to be the world's most powerful series-produced chauffeured saloon. Maybach technicians have removed the rear roof module in order to afford passengers an unobstructed view of the sky above. The side walls have been invisibly reinforced with an integral tubular steel structure. As these measures have not altered the silhouette of the luxury saloon, the generously dimensioned doors and the complete interior with reclining seats remain unchanged.

Maybach has adapted the luxurious rear compartment to the requirements of open-top motoring. For instance, the rear head restraints are slightly larger than on the saloon and effectively help reduce wind turbulence.
Designed from the outset as a chauffeur-driven limousine, the Maybach Landaulet is equipped with a partition. The lower section of the partition consists of an aluminium sandwich structure. The upper section comprises an electro-transparent laminated glass panel that can be lowered by electric motor.

The Maybach Landaulet is powered by an uprated V12 engine which Maybach engineers have developed further for the Maybach 57 S and Maybach 62 S together with the specialists at Mercedes-AMG. Thanks to twin turbochargers and water intercooling, the V12 develops a maximum output of 450 kW/612 hp from a displacement of 5980 cubic centimetres. This is continuously available between 4800 and 5100 rpm, and the engine also delivers an impressive maximum torque of 1000 newton metres between 2000 and 4000 rpm.

Equipped with the AIRMATIC DC (Dual Control) electronically controlled air suspension system and the Adaptive Damping System (ADS II), the Maybach Landaulet achieves an outstanding level of ride comfort whilst at the same time proving that even a prestigious automobile can display excellent agility and handling qualities.

The Honda NSX features the latest technology gizmos and features innovative engine control and data-logging capabilities including GPS, Fly by Wire and live feed video. High specification custom solutions have also been engineered for the NSX such as dampers and brakes.

We gather that you’ll appreciate these photos of John Danby Racing team’s newly developed (and oh-so sizzling hot) Honda NSX racer. The matte black Japanese sportscar was built to comply with the Britcar Production regulations and has already completed a successful shakedown test last Friday ahead of its debut at the season’s final round at Brands Hatch on November 7.

The NSX racer will be driven by motoring journalist and TV persona Vicki Butler-Henderson alongside John Danby Racing regular James Barclay in the daytime Production race while the car’s owner and Britcar regular David Fenn will drive the NSX in the evening GT race alongside Barclay.