Unique ONES Have you ever known the existence of the black of the blackest ever made by humans to then be applied to a car? It's possible that very few people know or see this unique color, and it seems that now the dark color is starting to attract the interest of world's exotic car fans.
The blackest ever Ferrari SF90 was seen wandering the complex of the prancing horse stable's in Maranello, Italy. (Picture from: DetikOto)
As quoted of Carscoops, recently there's one of the prancing horse species named Ferrari SF90 Stradale featured with the black of the blackest ever was seen wandering the complex of the prancing horse stable's in Maranello, Italy. It's possible that the Italian premium marque is testing the darkest color for a future implementation or expansion of its color palette.
That's remarkable fantastic and quite horror as well, if You drove the car with the darkest color ever at night in high speed. Given that the Ferrari SF90 Stradale, which began its production in 2019 as the first Ferrari's plug-in hybrid supercar, has quite savage performance.
As we all knew, besides powered by a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine with 769hp and 590lb-ft (800Nm) of torque, and it also combined with an electric powertrain (three electric motors), so it could be spewing total power of 986hp. The power chanelled through a new eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and so it capable make the car accelerating up to 62 mph (100 kph) in only 2.5 seconds and notch the top speed of 211 mph (340 kph).
The 2019 BMW X6 is painted with the Vertically Aligned Nano Tube Array (Vanta) of the Surrey NanoSystems. (Picture from: DetikOto)
Previously, the black of the blackest was first used on the BMW X6 of 2019 and the color is introduced by a company called Surrey NanoSystems in 2014. The color described as the Vertically Aligned Nano Tube Array (Vanta) is made of a cylindrical structure of carbon nanotubes measuring about 14-50 micrometers in diameter with a diameter of 20 nanometers. In simply words, the size of this carbon structure is 5,000 times thinner than a human hair. If the car surface coated by it and in every 1cm of the surface of the car contains billions of nanotubes.
It said that the darkest ever paint is able to absorb 99.965 percent of light. So besides not giving any reflections such metallic, pearl, or even matte paint, the Vantablack paint can actually swallow the light that hits the coated surfaces from our eye view. Even the curves of the car exterior design cannot be seen with the naked eye. The only visible parts of this car are those that are not coated with it, such as the tires, lights, grille and windows.
But not only the vantablack color on the BMW and Ferrari that's makes people over curious to try the darkest color ever. A YouTube content creator with the channel name DipYourCar tries to apply another darkest color named musou black paint (the world's blackest water-based acrylic paint of Koyo Orient Japan) which is similar to vantablack on the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS ]
The Pioneer - In the roaring 1920s, the automotive industry witnessed an extraordinary leap in technological advancements. Engineers delved into extensive studies, paving the way for concept vehicles that would shape the future of transportation.
The 'Ugly Duckling' or (replica) 1923 Auto Union streamline concept while exhibited at the Bodelwyddan Castle in North Wales and was hugely influenced by Paul Jaray's aerodynamic principles. (Picture from: Robert Knight on Flickr)
Among the pioneers of this automotive revolution was Paul Jaray, a Hungarian-born engineer whose work left an indelible mark on the industry for decades to come. Jaray's focus on automotive aerodynamics and streamlining defined the futuristic aesthetic of numerous cars in the 1920s and 1930s.
1922 Ley T6, the world's first streamliner vehicle design by Paul Jaray during a test drive. (Picture from: Autoevolution)
Autoevolution recounts that Jaray initially made waves by completely redesigning the iconic Zeppelins, transforming their appearance from a tube-like structure to the streamlined shapes we recognize today. Born in Vienna in 1889, Jaray, after studying mechanical engineering, found himself in the hub of Zeppelins and Maybachs, Friedrichshafen.
The blueprint of Paul Jaray's first working prototype was announced on September 8, 1921, and followed with a patent application that made at the Berlin office. (Picture from: EcoModder)
Since 1912, Jaray actively immersed himself in aerodynamics, not only limited to dirigibles but extending his expertise to various forms. His groundbreaking work, initially applied to airships, soon found its way into automotive design. On September 8, 1921, Jaray unveiled his first working prototype, subsequently filing a patent application in Berlin for his groundbreaking inventions.
1923 Ley Stromlinien Wagen racing car using Jaray's aerodynamic principles. (Picture from: Autoevolution)
In essence, Jaray's inventions can be described as a design where "the lower part of the body has the form of a half streamline body, covering the chassis, wheels, engine compartment, and passenger compartment." This groundbreaking teardrop-shaped design set a new standard in the automotive world.
The American' Chrysler test car using Jaray's aerodynamic principles. (Picture from: Autoevolution)
Collaborating with Alfred Ley from Rud. Ley Maschinenfabrik A.G. in 1922, Jaray's principles culminated in the creation of the Ley T6, the world's first aerodynamic car. Adhering to Jaray's streamline principles, the Ley T6 boasted speeds exceeding 100 kph (62 mph) with just a 1.5-liter, 20 hp engine. In contrast, conventional bodywork designs of that era would have limited such a car to a maximum speed of 70-75 kph (40-45 mph).
Following successful car tests, numerous manufacturers sought to adopt and adapt Jaray's streamline principles. Undeterred, Jaray founded his design consulting company, Stromlinen Karosserie Ges., in Zurich, licensing his streamlined designs to manufacturers. Tatra embraced his concepts until 1975, and Maybach and BMW also incorporated Jaray's ideas into their designs.
However, it was Audi (Auto Union) that became synonymous with Jaray's legacy. His influence extended to Auto Union's 'Silver Arrows' race cars, with the 1923 Auto Union streamliner concept, unfortunately, no longer in existence. Despite this, a faithful replica was built and is featured in Audi A5adverts, showcasing the enduring impact of Paul Jaray's visionary contributions to automotive design. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOEVOLUTION | ECOMODDER | AUTOCAR ] Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
We haven't included the discussion on nature conservation for a long time, especially after knowing about the latest condition of orangutan habitat on the island of Borneo. There was something intriguing, so we on this occasion again made an article with the nature conservation-themed, in the hope that it could spark empathy for the orangutan conservation efforts.Thus the existence of orangutans in the wild can continue to be preserved.
A mobile library of Yayorin (Yayasan Orangutan Indonesia/Indonesian' Orangutan Foundation) to support its education efforts, in areas close to orangutan habitat, in Central Kalimantan Indonesian Borneo. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2RRHfzQ)
The year 2019 has been passed, the population of orangutans on the island of Borneo is increasing decreased. If previously the status of its population was critical, now the existence of orangutans in Kalimantan has entered an endangered critical stage.
"In the past, we could say the orangutan conditions on the island of Borneo are still safe. The population is between 35,000 and 55,000. But after the survey increased again (the severity levels), now it is the same as Sumatra, in very critical stage," said Rondang Siregar, an orangutan expert at the University of Indonesia some time ago.
This critically endangered status is determined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. And the Sumatra orangutans have assumed this status in advance.
A mature male Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus wurmbii). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2O7KJgC)
Rondang further said, the reason for the increasingly falling down the population of orangutans still revolves around the classic problem, namely the orangutan lives increasingly threatened because their habitats were taken for human use. For example, in 2017 alone, the deforestation rate is still around 97,000 hectares, especially now that the numbers are getting bigger.
As a result of deforestation makes the orangutan habitat fragmented. "Because their habitat was chopped up eventually they came out and conflicted with humans," said Rondang.
Pongo pygmaeus morio or the Black Bornean Orangutan. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2O7KJgC)
On the island of Borneo alone, poaching and trade in wildlife are also still rife. In fact, orangutans are clearly protected by the Indonesian's Law Number 5 of 1990 concerning Conservation of Living Natural Resources and Ecosystems.
"In the past, the price was Rp.500,000 (approx US $37) when left the forest. When it came to the port, the station, the terminal, it could reach millions rupiah. Surely it is always there," said Rondang. Due to habitat loss and poaching, the orangutan population has declined dramatically by 50 percent over the past 20 years. How tragic, isn't?
Thus the orangutan preservations need to be done immediately and You can actively participate in this effort by making a donation throughOrangutan Foundation. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ORANGUTAN FOUNDATION | SAINS KOMPAS]
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Maybe you are wondering, why did we make the title of the article like that? This was intentional because it was to show how scarce the following cars were. So it is very rare for people to see it passing on the streets at this time.
The rarest 2007 Blastolene B-702, this unique shaped car inspired by the 1930s French car, designed by Michael Leeds and Randy Grubb. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2tANCvJ)
Like the unique shaped car above named 2007 Blastolene B-702 or known as the best art-deco costumized car ever, it was designed by Michael Leeds and Randy Grubb. The following cars were rare, unloved, forgotten but somehow extremely cool and interesting models that deserve to be dragged into the light and shown to the public once more. So, here they are – 6 classic sports cars you probably didn’t know ever existed.
1. Melkus RS 1000 The first sports car came from the eastern bloc communist countries which were known to be very closed during the cold war era. So it is very rare to hear the production of sports cars made by these countries. Until one day in the East Germany, there's an automotive engineer named Heinz Melkus designed a very capable and attractive sports coupe car and convinced the Wartburg factory to produce a limited number of these sports cars.
By using the Wartburg 353 as a basis, Melkus designed and fabricated independent front and rear suspension, roll-bars and close ratio 5-speed gearbox. And then the 992 ccm engine was tuned to produce 68 hp and mounted behind the driver sending its power to rear wheels, instead to front like in its basis car Wartburg 353.
Melkus also designed and manufactured lightweight fiberglass body which featured modern design and low profile. The car was called Melkus RS 1000 and it was introduced for the first time in 1969. To be honest, for 1969s standards this was an extremely advanced sports car, however underpowered with just 68 hp of power.
The production ended in 1979 after 101 cars were made. The Melkus RS 1000 was extremely expensive for East European standards which also explains why the car made in limited production. Most the sports cars were bought by the auto sports teams and raced in local championships. And it's rumoured, the car company has been revived by making the Melkus RS2000 and shown it for the first time at the 2009 Frankfurt International Motor Show.
2. Kellison J6 In the late 1950s and early 1960s, fiberglass body construction stopped being high tech process exclusive to established manufacturers and became something you could do in your garage. This influenced numerous small companies to start offering their plastic bodies to be mounted on regular car chassis creating a unique and interesting design.
There's an auto company named Kellison established in the early 1950s, the company produced several successful kits for installation on popular models, but in early 1960s the company introduced the J6. The J6 could be bought as a kit or a fully built car, making Kellison a boutique car manufacturer.
The J6 was based on Corvette frame but Kellison didn’t just re-body the ‘Vette. They moved the engine further back in the chassis, changed the suspension, installed larger brakes and different interior making J6 better handling and even faster since J6 body was somewhat lighter than stock Corvette.
This conversion was pretty popular and over 500 bodies or cars were built. The J6 was very successful in hands of private racing teams since it offered Corvette power in better handling package.
3. ASA 1000 GT
This little Italian sports car was once considered the next big thing in the car industry when it was introduced in 1962. Then it known as “Ferrarina” (little Ferrari), the ASA 1000 GT was exactly that since it was built on tubular chassis with lightweight body and engine designed by then Ferrari engineer Giotto Bizzarinni.
It had four-wheel disc brakes, sports suspension, and nicely trimmed interior. Under the hood was the 1.03-liter four cylinder engine capable to spew 93 hp of power. However, despite the big initial interest by the world's automotive customers, the car production stopped in 1967 after only 95 examples were built. Today, this Ferrarina is highly praised by collectors and car historians.
4. Matra Djet
Virtually unknown outside of France, Matra was a very innovative and influential car manufacturer in the country. Originally, the company was dedicated to airplane and military production but then it built cars and developed concepts for another French automotive manufacturers such as Renault, for example.
In 1965, Matra took over the Djet project from racer Rene Bonnet and introduced it to the public as the first mid-engined production car in the world. In those days, the concept of mid-engined cars was reduced to racing prototypes and Matra decided to introduce similar cars for the road.
The car custom built chassis with diminutive Renault 8 engine may look slow today, but since the car only weighed 660 kg it was pretty fast in those day. Matra Djet was a very influential car since it showed the world a new engineering concept which was later accepted by all leading world's sports car manufacturers.
5. Cheetah The global success of Shelby Cobra inspired many American race car builders to build a similar car which could compete on international level. From this perspective, nobody came close to beating the Cobra.
But Bill Thomas, a famous Chevrolet tuner and race car builder was a serious candidate. Unfortunately, due to various circumstances, the Cheetah was never given a proper chance. As you know, Chevrolet and GM pulled out of racing in 1963 but several independent race shops worked for GM`s back door programs in which the company supported the private racing teams with racing know-how or special racing parts.
Bill Thomas’ shop was one of those outfits and he decided to build a Cobra competitor with Chevrolet power. That is how the Cheetah was born. Built on special lightweight chassis with a small block V8 moved as far back as possible and covered in a light fiberglass body, the Cheetah looked and performed as a race car.
Despite some overheating problems, the Cheetah was a remarkable performer and won some lower rank races and even the 1968 SCCA championship. Unfortunately, lack of support, mechanical problems and even a fire at the shop in California stopped the production after around 20 cars were built.
6. Marcos GT
The car produced from 1964 to 1971 and again from 1981 to 1990. Marcos GT was the most popular and interesting model from the British auto company named Marcos Engineering Ltd. Basically, a kit car built on custom chassis but with choice of engines, Marcos GT was relatively cheap but capable sports car with aggressive styling, low weight, and decent performance.
1967 Marcos GT. (Picture from: Hemmings)
The GT could be had with numerous engines, mostly by Ford and lineup started with small 1.5 or 1.6-liter four-cylinders. However, if you want to experience full potential, the buyers needed to opt for 3.0-liter V6 from Ford or Volvo. For a brief period of time, Marcos GT was offered on the American market with Volvo`s straight six but not many cars were sold. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTOR-JUNKIE]
From Japanese automotive manufacturer, we're spoiled by a variety of automotive products. But there is something that tickles the eye and looks so unique that it's hard not to look it in Japan, where you can see many cutie cars made by almost all of the famous Japanese car manufacturers, such as Daihatsu, Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suzuki, Toyota.
1992 Autozam AZ-1, the only supercar in the kei car segment made by Mazda and its engine of Suzuki. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2QUNe7S)
Well in Japan, these cutie cars are known as the Kei Car. And as far we know, the kei car itself is one of the best-selling car types in the land of the Rising Sun. Besides has the mini-sized body, turn out the engine used by it has a small capacity as well, an average of 660 cc. That's really small, right?
But of the many cute cars made by those Japanese manufacturers mentioned above, there is a kei car model that looks very different. Outwardly this car does have a fairly cute size, but what makes it unique is the style that it carries. The kei car called the Autozam AZ-1 is clearly seen carrying a typical European sports car style.
1992 Autozam AZ-1 is powered by a turbocharged inline three-cylinder displacing 660 cc mated to a five-speed manual transmission. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2QUNe7S)
If you don’t know what the Autozam AZ-1 is, nobody can blame you. This cutie car designed and manufactured by Mazda under its Autozam brand while Suzuki provided the engine. This unique styled kei car built and sold in limited numbers from 1992 to 1995. During that time, they made less than 5,000 of them.
It is a tiny sports car powered with a turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 660 cc and able to burst power of 64 hp. Despite its cutie size with 1,500 pounds of weight, the Autozam AZ-1 was a proper sports car. In fact, some parties consider it the only supercar in the Kei Car segment. As you can see, this tiny sports car built on the perfect chassis, complement with a pair of gullwing styled doors and also has decent performance numbers to make it be the favorite car in Japan.
The bizarre styling but lively driving dynamics provided a unique driving experience. And this is one of the reasons you should consider to have this little rolling gem. Although its manufacturer never sold it outside of Japan, you can now import it to America or other places on Earth since it is older than 25 years. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | MOTOR JUNKIES]
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The area on Earth that is spread out by a vast cluster of islands and oceans, but apparently still holds many certain areas to be still a mystery. One of them is a place that is named "Point Nemo" aka "no one" if translated into Latin. So-called because there's no one who has ever openly touched or arrived at the place because it is located far from the mainland. The name of Nemo is derived from the fictional submarine captain name of Jules Verne's novel entitled "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea."
Point Nemo, a mysterious and remote place on Earth that has not been touched by humans. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2G2mOLb)
As quoted from the Bombastis, when viewed from the map, the place was seen flanked by three continents namely Australia, America (southern part), and Antarctica, so that it seemed very remote and rarely noticed. No wonder the existence of Point Nemo is then used as a convenient "graveyard" for many retired spacecraft or defunct satellites after orbiting in outer space. So, what's the location like?
Point Nemo has become a deserted area that is rarely considered by most humans in the world. As quoted from Allthatsinteresting, the area located at 48°52.6′ South and 123°23.6′ West, even said to be the middle of nowhere because of the characteristic location that is surrounded by more than 1,000 nautical miles in each direction, can arguably the starting point as a place in the ocean far from the mainland. Then, if seen from the facts, there're no one lives close together in the area.
Because it was devoid of human life, then it was made into an unofficial "graveyard" of many defunct satellites and other retired spacecraft. At least 260 spacecraft mostly Russian's have been drowned in peace there. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2G2mOLb)
Because it was devoid of human life, Point Nemo was made into an unofficial "graveyard" of many defunct satellites and other retired spacecraft. For example, Russia's space laboratory, Mir with a weight more of 120 tons was once directed to land in this place in 2001. Then followed by China which also chose the north direction of Point Nemo is the location of the fall of its Tiangong-1 in 2018. In fact, the International Space Station (ISS), which weighs over 420 tons, is also planned to be buried at Nemo Point if it retires in the next 2024.
In the future, Point Nemo will probably no longer be a "graveyard" for retired spacecraft or satellites due to the future space rides will be designed completely burn in the atmosphere. So that Point Nemo will remain as it is, one of the world's most mysterious places. Strange but true is the fitted sentence pinned to give a glance picture of the existence of those mysterious Point Nemo.
Vehicles break up into thousands of pieces before hitting the water. Pictured is the European Space Agency craft Jules Verne during re-entry before landing in Point Nemo in 2008. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2sqaSzz)
The Point Nemo discovered in 1992 by a survey engineer named Hrvoje Lukatela by using a geographic's computer software, which calculates the greatest distance coordinates of three land coordinates that are the same distance. It is very likely that no human has ever crossed those coordinates at all. Even, the inventor had never visited the location of Point Nemo. This remote ocean location is 2,688 kilometers from the nearest mainland - Ducie Island, part of the Pitcairn Islands, to the north; Motu Nui, one of the Easter Islands, to the northeast; and Maher Island, part of Antarctica, to the south.
The Point Nemo discovered in 1992 by a survey engineer named Hrvoje Lukatela by using a geographic's computer software. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2sqaSzz)
Then, one of the mysterious unsolved events to date that has ever taken place in the area around Point Nemo is the mysterious sound of bubbles. At that time in 1997, the world's scientists were surprised when they detected one of the loudest underwater sounds ever recorded near the poles.
The sound later called "The Bloop" was caught by an underwater microphone that was more than 3,000 miles apart. Until now, there has been no further explanation about the sound. Given, the location of Point Nemo which is also remote and rarely visited by humans. As it turns out, some said the Bloop was actually the sound of ice breaking off of Antarctica and not the call of Cthulhu, a kind of sea monster.
Although there is a lot of speculation, there hasn't been any empirical research and visitation yet to gather information about the area. Until now, Point Nemo has only been known as a deserted water area and has not been touched by any human hands. No doubt, Point Nemo has become a mysterious remote place waiting to be revealed. Perhaps, it could be revealed by You someday. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE SUN | ALLTHATSINTERESTING]
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But not only the vantablack color on the BMW and Ferrari that's makes people over curious to try the darkest color ever. A YouTube content creator with the channel name DipYourCar tries to apply another darkest color named musou black paint (the world's blackest water-based acrylic paint of Koyo Orient Japan) which is similar to vantablack on the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS ]
