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Showing posts with label Automotives. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Automotives. Show all posts

Wednesday, March 11, 2020

The story of Bugatti post-war comeback with its Type 101

Despite the company glory years of success during the 1920s and 1930s, both on and off the racing track, turn out Bugatti should be entered into difficult years postwar in the long and exhaust disarray. It started when a tragedy happened, Ettore's heir, talented and creative Jean Bugatti, died in a tragic testing accident in 1939, making them all feel sad and devastated. At the same time, the company was ruined apart physically, managerially and financially as a result of the raging of the 2nd World War in Europe.
The one-off Bugatti Type 101 'Berline' with the chassis number 101.500 is designed by Louis Lepoix and then constructed by the German coachbuilder, Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3aunMwK)
While Ettore Bugatti himself was isolated in Paris shortly after war's end. He was judged a belligerent by the postwar French government because of his Italian citizenship and stripped of his property. The climax, when he died in 1947, at only age 58, split everything that could be recovered from the Bugatti's enterprise into two camps along the lines of the families of his two marriages.
The prototype of Bugatti Type 101 'Berline' 4-doors saloon was built based on a prewar chassis of Type 57. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3aunMwK)
Meanwhile besides families, workers, and designers who previously had worked under the guidance of Le Patron to the onset of the war felt that's also were their responsibilities to help the company to get out of these difficult times and seem had spurred them to make the allure Bugatti automobile emerged again and respected in the world's automotive.
This early model of Bugatti Type 101 'Berline' 4-doors saloon with the chassis number of 101-500 was only one unit ever built and now sat on display at the Cité de l’Automobile in Mulhouse. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39An5lz)
Under the leadership of Ettore's youngest son, Roland and assisted by Bugatti General Manager, Piere Marco who was also known as a former company's racer tried to blow some new life into the family company after Le Patron died. Shortly after, the Bugatti Type 73 powered by a supercharged one-liter engine is made and displayed at the 1947 Paris Salon de l'Automobile but it gains less attention and noted as one of the unsuccessful car models.
The Bugatti Type 73 powered by a supercharged one-liter engine is made and displayed at the 1947 Paris Salon de l'Automobile(Picture from: http://bit.ly/3aCowA0)
Finally, they decided to make a new model. Actually, the French company was not build one, but more than one on six (some said seven) chassis of prewar Type 57 and called it under the same name the Bugatti Type 101 and built by four different coachbuilders, ie Gangloff, Guilloré, Antem, and Ghia. As quoted by Coachbuild, the first known as the prototype, its design is done by Louis Lucien Lepoix and then the German coachbuilder, Hermann Spohn (Karosseriebau Hermann Spohn) is contracted for the execution in 1950. There is a mismatch of data, when some said it build by Alphonse Guilloré. Then who actually built it? Who knows?
1951 Bugatti Type 101 Guilloré Coupe with the chassis number of 101-502. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Q2milt)
As we mentioned above, it is built based on a prewar chassis of Type 57 and then had a minor design change by Lepoix and became the prototype of Type 101 series produced by Bugatti's coachbuilding partner with less good quality and weird look as it is. It's known only one unit ever built in this body configuration. This one-off car still existed until today and displayed at the Cité de l’Automobile in Mulhouse.

As quoted from Wikipedia, after the prototype finished and then on the chassis number of 101-501 and 101-503 made as the Type 101 Coupe and Cabriolets by Gangloff. Followed by the chassis number of 101-502 built as another Type 101 Coupe by Coach Guilloré.
At the 1950 Paris Salon de l'Automobile, Bugatti showed two examples of Type 101, a Coupe (up) and Cabriolet (below) with the chassis number of 101-501 and 101-503, both clothed by Gangloff, a Swiss/French coachbuilder. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2xqVZz9)
The next car was built one of a kind with the chassis number 101-504. The coupe was bodied by Antem in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris for shown off at the 1951 Paris Salon de l'Automobile. This new model was largely based on a similar brilliant prewar Type 57, including the 3.3-liter dual-overhead-camshaft inline eight-cylinder engine and semi-independent front and live rear axle suspension.
This Bugatti Type 101 cabriolet with the chassis number of 101-503 was bodied by Gangloff. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2TAlvur)
The car is also equipped with a Cotal pre-selector gearbox, it is the only example of Type 101 with this dramatic coachwork. Its coachwork, however, was thoroughly modern, a full-width streamlined envelope creation that owed only Bugatti’s trademark 'horseshoe' radiator grille to its prewar design heritage It brilliantly presented in black over red, and the Bugatti Type 101 Van Antem coupe has been preserved over the years by its succession of noted owner-collectors.
This Bugatti Type 101 with the chassis number of 101-504 was bodied by Antem in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris for shown off at the 1951 Paris Salon de l'Automobile. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2IsX2AM)
There were only six copies of these made at the time. It was displayed together with the Gangloff drop head coupe before returning to Molsheim, where it was eventually registered for driving on the road and likely used by Rene Bolloré, the next husband of Ettore Bugatti’s widow Geneviève Delcluze.
This Bugatti Type 101 had once owned by the famous Hollywood star Nicolas Cages. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3aCoWWV)
After that this legendary car repeatedly changed the owners, starting from Gene Cesari, Robert C. Stanley, Bill Harrah known became the next owner before being bought by Jacques Harguindeguy. From here the car was then sold to the famous Hollywood star Nicolas Cages.
This Bugatti Type 101 was bodied by Antem in Neuilly-sur-Seine, Paris and sold to an unknown buyer at the prices of the US. $616,000 in one auction event held by RM Sotheby at Monterey on August 20, 2011. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/3aCoWWV)
Subsequently, it was in the noted collection of Gene Ponder and later entered the John O'Quinn Collection in 2008. In the end, the car was sold to an unknown buyer at the prices of the US. $616,000 in one auction event held by RM Sotheby at Monterey on August 20, 2011.

And finally the last of Bugatti Type 101 was designed by Virgil Exner then built by Italian coachbuilder Ghia in 1965 on the chassis number of 101-506. 
It represents an elegant car of a revered French marque, although it ever lay dormant for the next four decades before the introduction of the stunning EB110 in the 1990s, then there's the breathtaking Veyron followed by the most recently the Chiron and the most expensive models like La Voiture Noir and many other.

Overall, it seems that all the revival efforts mentioned above do not bear fruit and finally the French car manufacturer was sold to Hispano Suiza in 1963. And once again the ownership of this company changed hands in July 1998 to the German automotive giant Volkswagen. Until now the company is owned by the German automotive company Volkswagen Group as a division of Volkswagen France. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | COACHBUILD | CONCEPTCARZ | MADLE.ORG | RMSOTHEBYS]
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Tuesday, March 10, 2020

Let's get grow with future Morphoz by Renault

As it is well known that the organization of the Geneva International Motor Show 2020, one of the world's major automotive exhibitions has been canceled due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 on the European mainland. 

But it does not dampen the spirit of the French manufacturer, Renault to innovate by displaying the latest concept car of the future called Renault Morphoz. And through this concept, the French automaker wants to show the direction of their SUV design in the future, especially in the midsize segment.
Renault's Morphoz Concept is a shapeshifting go-anywhere SUV. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39C2jSm)
This concept car is specially designed in such a way as to be able to function as a convenient city car for urban use and a reliable cruiser when long distances traveling. This is the latest concept car from the development of the CMF-EV platform from the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance which fully relies on the electric-powered powertrain.

The Morphoz has the vision to be an urban family car in 2027 to come, while the platform will be the base of the Renault electric crossover that will launch this year. Not only that, but the platform will also be used for use on a series of prospective new models of Renault electric cars.
Renault Morphoz in normal size or while at 'City' driving mode only packs a 40 kWh battery, so that it can only cover a distance of 400 km.  (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2IvZs1A)
At least, there're three unique vehicle design elements translated into the Morphoz, ie taken from a saloon or sedan, SUV, and coupe. Then all those three are combined into one car to optimize the efficiency and ease of a vehicle. So that in further development, the concept car has unique features that accommodate all the design elements above.
Renault Morphoz in elongated size or while at 'Travel' driving mode providing an extra space of 20 cm to be filled with an additional 50 kWh battery thus a total of power of 90 kWh and make the car able to roam as far as 700 km. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2IvZs1A)
Yes, the car concept has unique features that made the chassis can be elongated according to its driving mode. As we all can see, Renault's electric-powered Morphoz car concept said to have two driving modes, ie City-mode and Travel-mode.
A futuristic steering wheel and compact-size dashboard were providing in the cabin of Renault Morphoz. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38yz3uw)
The chassis-elongated process followed by the A-pillar section occurs in the Travel-mode, thus providing an extra space of 20 cm to be filled with an additional 50 kWh battery. In this mode, the battery total power of 90 kWh is claimed to make the car able to roam as far as 700 km. Conversely, in the City-mode, the Morphoz concept car only packs a 40 kWh battery, so that it can only cover a distance of 400 km.
Rear side view of Renault's Morphoz Concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38yz3uw)
In Travel-mode, besides providing extra space for the battery, it also provides extra space in the cabin. Incidentally, the cabin is also designed so that it can adapt to the needs; the front passenger seat can be faced backward if necessary, but not for the driver's seat, considering Morphoz only supports of the Level-3 autonomous driving system (the highest Level-5).
The interior nuances are presented in a very futuristic manner, this is natural considering that the Morphoz which is present this time is a concept car. To Autocar, The Renault representatives said that the safety factor would be the most difficult challenge for producing this car. Renault basically had to do a hit-and-test twice on Morphoz considering that there were two of them. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTOR1 | AUTOBLOG | GIZMODO]
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Monday, March 9, 2020

The unique torpedo-likened car of the 1960s

You are certainly familiar with an Italian designer named Giovanni Michelotti, who works more as an independent designer and has designed many famous vehicles from various world-renowned automaker brands. 
1968 DAF 55 Siluro designed by Giovanni Michelotti made its first debut at the 1968 Geneva Motorshow. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39myrJQ)
One of the concept vehicles ever designed by him is the DAF 55 Siluro (the name derived from an Italian word which roughly means 'Torpedo'), due to the car has a unique design with long sloping silhouette lines that runs on both sides of the exterior and hood.
1968 DAF 55 Siluro has a unique design with long sloping silhouette lines that runs on both sides of the exterior and hood. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Iukr53)
The DAF 55 Siluro made its first debut at the 1968 Geneva Motorshow and has not seen in public since then until the last appearance at the 2005 AutoRAI held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Yes, after being sat silently for almost 37 years, The car was later re-appeared as memorabilia for Giovanni Michelotti, who was known to have died suddenly in 1980.
The steering wheel and dashboard view of 1968 DAF 55 Siluro. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Iukr53)
Before starting to design this Siluro, Michelotti had worked as a consultant for the Dutch automotive company, DAF. During his work, he is known to have designed cars made by Dutch manufacturers such as DAF 44 and 55.
1968 DAF 55 Siluro is used 1,108 cc inline four-cylinder engine coupled with DAF's unique Variomatic Transmission system. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Iukr53)
One of the most remarkable features embedded in the figure of this tiny sedan is an automatic transmission system called Variomatic Transmission, which allows the car to run at the same speed in forward or reverse conditions.

The DAF Siluro is built based on the DAF 55 Coupe platform with a capacity of four passengers, used a 1,108 cc inline four-cylinder engine, capable of producing power of 50 bhp at 5,000 rpm. This engine is combined with DAF's unique Variomatic Transmission system.
Rearview of 1968 DAF 55 Siluro. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Iukr53)
DAF manufacturing production has stopped a few years ago. When it was rediscovered, Siluro was in poor condition and needed a lot of repairs. Because many of the Siluro parts were made by Michelotti, restoring this prototype car became a pretty heavy task. However, thanks to generous sponsors, DAF Siluro was finally returned to its original condition.
At present, DAF Siluro's unique car is stored and displayed permanently at the DAF Museum, which is located at Tongelresestraat 27, Eindhoven, The Netherlands. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SUPERCARS.NET | UNIQUE CARS AND PARTS]
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Sunday, March 8, 2020

Seeing how beautiful the Flajole Forerunner prototype was?

You may have heard or known about the Nash Metropolitan. The car was a unique two-door American classic car that is one of the works of designer William J. Flajole. And also know that the car was produced in the period 1953 to 1961 by Nash Motors which was later merged and changed to American Motor Company in 1954. Here's the car that was modified to an automotive work called Nashole.
1955 Flajole Forerunner prototype is built based on Nash Metropolitan by William J. Flajole. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2VGhmGI)
After his success with Nash Metropolitan, the automotive designer Bill Flajole then began to design his private-owned car, which then built the Flajole Forerunner prototype in 1955. From its appearance, it can be seen that the design of the Flajole Forerunner is heavily influenced by the Jaguar XK120, but it has a high fender design plus its fastback body shape decreasing at the rear and is equipped with a retractable cabin roof.
Interior view of the 1955 Flajole Forerunner prototype. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2TATMsf)
Besides having a dramatic long hood profile, the Flajole Forerunner car also has a Plexiglass glass roof that can be opened automatically. In addition, the rear also has a sharp downhill design with a hole that functions as the place where its spare tire stored right above the rear bumper.
The steering wheel and dashboard view of the 1955 Flajole Forerunner prototype. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2VGhmGI)
The beauty of the Flajole Forerunner car more shines when the entire exterior is covered with a bright beige paint mixed contrasting with dark purple and combined with pearl white in the niches around the front and rear wheels.
Left side view of 1955 Flajole Forerunner prototype. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2VGhmGI)
The appearance of the Flajole Forerunner also marks the first appearance of the design of the body niche around the wheel, before Chevrolet then applied it to the Corvette model in 1956. In addition to the innovative small niche design and automatic retractable roof panel, the Flajole Forerunner also features commercial airplane-style seats that have head restraints on the top.
The 1955 Flajole Forerunner prototype is used dual overhead camshaft six-cylinder engine coupled with the four-speed transmission system. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2TATMsf)
Besides being able to add comfort while driving, this head restraint is also an innovation that is fairly advanced at the time, because it has not been thought of by other automotive designers for the safety factor held by car seats in minimizing injury in the car accident.
Left-rear side view of 1955 Flajole Forerunner prototype. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2VGhmGI)
Once completed, Bill Flajole then used this Forerunner car as a means of personal transportation until the early 1970s and attracted many people's attention wherever he was. Then he donated the Flajole Forerunner to the Blackhawk Automotive Museum and then sold it to Sidney Craig through an auction in 1998.
Eleven years later, Bonhams auctioned off the Flajole Forerunner prototype at their 'Exceptional Motorcars and Automobilia' event at Quail Lodge Resort in 2009, the car is valued at the US $188,500. Then in 2012, the car was auctioned once again and this time auctioned by Barrett-Jackson and is worth the US $200,000 or around Rp.2.6 billion. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BONHAMS | BARRET-JACKSON | SILODROME]
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Wednesday, March 4, 2020

An Italian elegant style for the iconic American Cadillac

In the early 1950s, when the streamlined fighter jet shaped became part of public awareness and permeated almost every line of American society in the time, as did two fellow automotive enthusiasts, they decided to make and build a unique American-style sports car-inspired to that streamlined style.
The Elegante coupe concept was built based on the 1953 Cadillac chassis and featured at the 1955 New York International Auto Show. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32jkLfM)
Harry Birdsall, an artist, and Joe Mascari, a famous contractor in New York, both of them then collaborated to design a futuristic-themed luxury coupe named the Cadillac Elegante, the car was built based on the 1953 Cadillac chassis.
The Elegante coupe concept was designed by the legendary automotive designer Albrecht Goertz(Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Pi1xSz)
Those two friends then recruited the legendary automotive designer named Albrecht Goertz, whose aim was to provide elegance and luxurious touches in order to reach the smart customers of the high-end market segment. Goertz, who later also designed the BMW 507 and Datsun 240Z, in the time began designing the vehicle images with a sophisticated luxury touch.
Through its luxurious gold aura then made the Elegante coupe concept could grab the People's Choice Award at the 2014 Amelia Island Concours(Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Pi1xSz)
Shortly then the car's chassis and images were sent to Carrozzeria Rocco Motto in Turin, Italy to bring the car into a reality. And the Italian automotive coachbuilder needs the time of 30 months to build the body, made all specific hardware, and installed all of those on a 126-inches wheelbase of the car's chassis.
That luxurious gold aura of the Elegante coupe concept then combined with dark red wine colored Italian genuine-leather interior(Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Pi1xSz)
As we look today, the car was featured a unique two-folded convertible hard roof. Interestingly, that the futuristic and unique retractable hard roof, turn out was made by using the remnants of the burned-Cadillac Series 62 convertible roof at the Cadillac's dealer of White Plains.
The Elegante coupe concept used a 331-cubic-inch Cadillac V8 engine coupled with a GM four-speed Hydra-Matic transmission system(Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Pi1xSz)
The luxurious gold aura is immediately apparent in this Cadillac Elegante design. Ranging from its four-headlights house, windshield frame, door handles, convertible roof, and trunk trim, up to the hidden license plate frames are all made of bronze and then coated with 24-carat of gold. And the aluminum trim and car's hubcaps are not to forget also given a gold-gilded touche.
The luxurious gold aura is immediately apparent of this Elegante coupe concept, ranging from its four-headlights house, windshield frame, door handles, convertible roof, and trunk trim, up to the hidden license plate frames are all made of bronze and then coated with 24-carat of gold(Picture from: http://bit.ly/2wET9pH)
The Elegante body is then painted pearl white and combined with dark red wine colored Italian genuine-leather interior. The results are truly amazing; so amazing it even made a young woman cry out in public: "Why it's so beautiful it's indecent!"
It's known, that the Cadillac Elegante has been changed ownership several times after Harry Birdsall died in 1960. In 1997, Dick and his brother Bob Birdsall found back the car was in severely damaged condition after hurricane Andrew passed. Then those two Birdsall brothers spent over 16 years recovering this iconic concept car into as seen today condition, so no wonder if finally the car winning the People's Choice Award at the 2014 Amelia Island Concours. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE OLD MOTOR]
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Saturday, February 29, 2020

The newest Maserati EV might be using the name of MC20

One of the Italian automotive manufacturers, Maserati announced the name of their latest supercar 'MC20,' which is planned to be launched in May 2020 in Modena, and according to some sources, it will use an electric power train.
The newest Maserati EV might be using the name of MC20 may be launched in May 2020. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38QqfkJ)
As reported by the company's official website, the name of this latest supercar can be described as follows where the MC stands for Maserati Corse. While the number 20 is a supercar production code made in 2020.

In November, Maserati started testing the powertrain for the car on public roads in a test mule. The Italian firm released a series of shots of a camouflaged machine leaving its Modena factory at night
The Maserati MC20 is an evolution of the MC12, and also marks the return of Maserati to the world of race cars that have been in a vacuum since 2004. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38QqfkJ)
It was also mentioned that the MC20 is an evolution of the MC12, and also marks the return of Maserati to the world of race cars that have been in a vacuum since 2004. It says the machine was being used to house a “new powertrain entirely developed and built by Maserati”, that is the first in a new family of engines it is developing
The Maserati MC20 was developed at the Maserati Innovation Lab and will be built at the Viale Ciro Menotti plant. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38QqfkJ)
Maserati emphasized the presence of MC20 as the company's transition to a new era. But they did not spell out whether the direction of change was towards the era of electric sports cars or not. They also have not revealed the appearance of the new car.
The Maserati MC20 was made with innovative technology and a low environmental impact. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38QqfkJ)
Furthermore, the MC20 was developed at the Maserati Innovation Lab and will be built at the Viale Ciro Menotti plant. The company claims the car was made with innovative technology and low environmental impact.
Nevertheless, the Italian automotive company gave a leak that the main production line was carried out at their factory in Modena, Italy, which also accommodated the electric powertrain assembly. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOCAR]
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Thursday, February 27, 2020

Abarth's rarest experimental coupe

Italy has long been known as a suitable and pleasant country for the birth of the world's most beautiful and exotic motorized vehicles produced by many talented genius figures and renowned automotive companies over there.
The 1952 Abarth 1500 Biposto Coupe is also known as the first series of B.A.T. (Berlina Aerodinamica Technica) which features a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder inline engine, which can produce 75 horsepower. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38RIOoH)
Well, on this occasion we will discuss about one of these beautiful and exotic vehicles, the Abarth 1500 Biposto Coupe which was built in 1952. As we all know, Abarth is a Turin-based auto company and known as one of of Fiat Group subsidiaries founded by Carlo Abarth on April 15, 1949 that has speciality of produces a variety of racing cars.
Front view of 1952 Abarth 1500 Biposto Coupe at the 2011 Amelia Island Concours. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2uYRKtS)
The Abarth 1500 Biposto is an experimental coupe designed by Franco Scaglione, who at that time worked for the Bertone design house. And when the Abarth 1500 Biposto was shown at the Turin Motor Show 1952, it  stole a lot of public attention due to its unusual appearance looks.
Right side view of 1952 Abarth 1500 Biposto Coupe at the 2011 Amelia Island Concours. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2uYWzmX)
The front of this car is an unforgettable sight, with triple headlights protruding forward with dynamic air intakes situated in-between. At first glance, it similar to the Tucker 48 or Torpedo concept car, along with thin rear fins. 

Its large rear window is a two-part design, separated by a thin center pillar, and melds gracefully into the rear section. The rear wings sport accented vertical tail fins that would become an extremely popular design feature in American cars in later years.  
Right side view of 1952 Abarth 1500 Biposto Coupe at the 2011 Amelia Island Concours. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2uYWzmX)
The car is also known as the first series of B.A.T. (Berlina Aerodinamica Technica) which features a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder inline engine, which can produce 75 horsepower, with an overhead valve and a double Weber carburetor. This engine is combined with a four-speed gearbox and drum brakes. 

And the Biposto design is believed to have inspired the B.A.T. series made by another Italian auto company, Alfa Romeo later on and off course in collaboration with Bertone.
Rear-right view of 1952 Abarth 1500 Biposto Coupe at the 2011 Amelia Island Concours. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32iq8Ml)
After its succesfull performing at the Turin Motor Show, the Abarth 1500 Biposto prototype was then bought by an American auto company, Packard Motor Car Company and shipped to their headquarters in Detroit, where this unique design car was used to inspire their designs.
In mid-1953, the Abarth 1500 Biposto was given to automotive journalist Dick Smith as a gift for his idea for Packard's new advertising slogan. Smith rarely drove this gift car for two decades, before finally being neatly stored in his car storage garage.
Final achievement of the Abarth 1500 Biposto we've knew, ie was grab the Gran Turismo Trophy prestigious award at the 2010 Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance, and featured in the famous Gran Turismo 6 racing game series. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FANDOM | CARFURITYCLIFF REUTER]
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Wednesday, February 26, 2020

Bugatti revived its classic car toy with electric motor drive

Most people know Bugatti as a manufacturer that produces millions of dollars worth of supercars that use extra-large engines (16 cylinders with a capacity of 8 liters), such as Chiron or Divo. So in the end it's hard to predict when Bugatti will touch the realm of electric cars like many other car manufacturers do.
500 linited-edition of Bugatti Baby II built for celebrate the brand's 110th anniversary. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2SPqzKY)
But uniquely at the Geneva Motor Show last year, they actually have officially unveiled its first electric car. Unfortunately it is not as we all imagined, instead of making an electric version of Chiron or Divo, the mentioned electric car is a reincarnation of Bugatti Baby, a toy car which has undergone many renewal.
Bugatti Baby itself is a functional replica of Bugatti Type 35, the most legendary racing car ever created by Ettore and Jean Bugatti in 1926 as a gift for Rolland, his youngest son's 4th birthday. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2SPqzKY)
As quoted from the company official website, the Bugatti Baby itself is a functional replica of Bugatti Type 35, the most legendary racing car ever created by Ettore and Jean Bugatti. At that time (1926), Baby was made in the size of half of Type 35 as a gift for Rolland, his youngest son's 4th birthday, before finally being produced in limited numbers (500 units) from 1927 to 1936.
To celebrate its 110th anniversary in 2019, Bugatti was introducing the smallest member of the Bugatti family: the Baby II. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2SPqzKY)
Well, for the Bugatti Baby II that has appeared at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show made to commemorate the company's 110th anniversary last year in limited quantities, ie only 500 units. And the Molsheim-based auto manufacturer in collaboration with the Little Car Company intentionally maintains almost all aspects that make the original Baby look so unique, but not to forget giving it modern touches.
The Bugatti Baby II get a touch of French Racing Blue, but its buyers can order in a variety of other color alternatives. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2ulvyJT)
The main differentiator is the engine. Yes, Baby II is purely using an electric motor, with two rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. The first battery has a capacity of 1.4 kWh for standard use and the second has a capacity of 2.8 kWh for long distances. And the Molsheim-based auto manufacturer claims Baby II's maximum mileage is more than 30 km.
The Bugatti Baby II was equipped with two batteries that can be used as needed. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39RibjC)
The performance can be adjusted; if the driver was a child, there is a "Child Mode" option, which will produce an output of 1 kW of power with a maximum speed of 20 kph. Furthermore, there is still a choice for "Adult Mode," which will boost its power to 4 kW, with a top speed of 45 kph.
The Bugatti Baby II was sold with prices starting at €30,000 or approx Rp. 450 millions. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/39RibjC)
Interestingly, this is not the ultimate capability of Baby II, because Bugatti also provides an optional upgrade package in the form of a "Speed ​​Key" to unlock its true potential (same as Chiron): 10 kW power output, without speed limiter for you who want more power.
If you ask why there is Child Mode and Adult Mode? Yes, unlike the Baby, the Baby II can also be driven by adults, because its size is slightly larger than its classic predecessor and has been enlarged to three-quarters of Type 35 making it possible to be drove by adults.
And the company has been producing it starting in the spring of last year, and sold with prices starting at €30,000 or approx Rp. 450 millions. Are you interested in having one of the Bugatti's limited edition toys? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BUGATTI BABY | BUGATTI]
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