The Ferrari 196/246 SP was produced from 1961 through 1963 with less than ten examples being created. The design was very untraditional for Enzo Ferrari and against his strongest belief that the horse should come before the cart, meaning the engine should be placed in the front.
Another departure from the traditional Ferrari was the use of a Vittorio Jano designed V-6 engine. The six-cylinder engines were more compact, lightweight, and more fuel-efficient, when compared to the traditional Colombo, designed 12-cylinder engines.
With the engine mounted longitudinally mid-ship, optimal weight distribution and handling were achieved. The chassis was the traditional tubular frame supported by wishbone suspension. A five-speed manual gearbox provided power to the rear wheels. The body design was simple, yet elegant and effective.
Rear-left side view of 1962 Ferrari 196 SP by Fantuzz. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2pnZbb8).
This combination was good enough to capture overall victories at Targa Florio and the Nurburgring 1000 km. At Le Mans in 1963, Ferrari captured the first mid-engined victory with a 250 P, a close sibling of the 246 SP.
The first 246 SP chassis constructed was #0790. In 1961, it successfully campaigned at Targa Florio. A year later it scored victories at the Nurburgring 1000 km. It was later converted into a 196 SP. In modern times, it has been raced at the Cavallino Classic.
From 1961 through 1963, engine modifications were made and inserted into existing and new chassis. Because of this, specifications vary. Four chassis were constructed between 1962 and 1963.
Even though a limited number were produced, their accomplishments are legendary and their design was revolutionary. The knowledge achieved through the design and development was used in future Ferrari projects and their continued domination at races such as LeMans. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CONCEPTCARZ | BUSINESS INSIDER | MOTOR1 | THE DRIVE | CAVALINO]
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Back again to the Japanese automotive giant, Toyota.To participate at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show, the company brought several it's hybrid and fully electric vehicles.One of which is the Toyota Rhombus concept car.
Toyota Rhombus electric-powered vehicle concept unveiled at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show in April 2019. (Picture from: https://cnb.cx/33JQ2ss)
According to the company's release, Rhombus is a concept car for battery-powered electric vehicles targeted at consumers born after 1990 and developed by TMEC, the company's research and development base in China.
Toyota Rhombus electric-powered vehicle concept has a futuristic look with hard-line strokes and chubby front. (Picture from: https://cnb.cx/33JQ2ss)
From its external appearance, the Toyota Rhombus has a futuristic look with hard-line strokes and chubby front. And inside, you can see a single swivel seat in front replacing the typical two-seat in driver's row such in common cars, while the two seats in the back form a lounge-like area.
Toyota Rhombus is a concept car for battery-powered electric vehicles targeted at consumers born after 1990. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2X50uYN)
Because in the front, there is only room for the driver to take a position in the middle of the vehicle. Then, there is room for up to three other passengers in the back, where they sit in the style of a rickshaw or diamond shape - hence the name.
Toyota Rhombus concept car's interior layout with the driver seat in the middle of the car and three passenger seats in the behind. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2X50uYN)
At first glance, this electric car will look like a good taxi. However, the lack of a back door makes the entrance a little uncomfortable.
Right when the futuristic electric car was launched, of course, Toyota hasn't announced it yet. This is a concept for now but will come to Europe as early as 2021. Electric manufacturing cars, which nearly 13 million were sold in the last two decades, will then reach our continent.
Toyota is planning to add 10 electric vehicles globally in the next 5-6 years which is good news for the environment. The mega car manufacturer is set towards the goal of 5.5 million EV sales by 2030. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TOYOTA | ANDROIDPIT | CNBC]
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A California-based startup company named Neuron EV at the 2019 China International Import Expo in Shanghai had shown off its two electric car concepts: an MPV called the Neuron T/ONE and a big rig called the Neuron TORQ.
Neuron EV presented the two electric-powered vehicle concept at the 2019 China International Import Expo in Shanghai, ie Neuron T/ONE MPV Concept and a big rig called Neuron TORQ. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/34QzhMk)
As reported by Formacar, both vehicles share a futuristic look and come based on the same modular EV platform.Both of them put the driver's seat position in the middle, as an effort to cut on production diversification costs for countries with right-hand and left-hand traffic systems.
Neuron T/ONE electric powered vehicle concept in the pickup format. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32Bu8py)
It has also been reported, the company has not been willing to disclose the date to start production to realize this electric pickup concept. And it seems that there are already many who are interested in the electric pickup made by the company if it has been produced and is available on the world's automotive market.
Neuron T/ONE electric powered vehicle concept in the van format. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32Bu8py)
The Neuron T/ONE electric-powered MPV can easily transform into a van and can accommodate between three and eight passengers, depending on the configuration.
Neuron T/ONE electric powered vehicle concept in stand-alone format. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/32Bu8py)
Here's the interior view of Neuron T/ONE Concept:
Driver seat modul of Neuron T/ONE
Driver seat modul of Neuron T/ONE
Passenger seat modul of Neuron T/ONE (Optional)
Bed cabin modul of Neuron T/ONE (Optional)
Power specs are being kept secret at this time, but it's official that the T/ONE has 520 Newton-meters (384 pound-feet) of maximum torque, can haul up to three metric tons of cargo (6,600 lbs) and runs approximately 480 kilometers (300 miles) on a single charge.
The T/ONE electric-powered MPV concept has a length of around 5.5 meters. In addition to standard traction batteries, this car receives removable power sources and solar panels mounted on the roof of the cargo deck lid.
While the Neuron TORQ is an electric semi-truck developed to be the next generation solution for commercial transportation. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NEURON EV | FORMACAR | OBOZREVATEL | NEWSBEEZER] Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
For almost 1 year, we have known that McLaren is developing a street version of the Vision Gran Turismo Concept which was inaugurated in 2017. The possible hypercar has a codename BC-03 (Bespoke Commission 03) and reportedly will be made only 5 units worldwide.
A spy shot of possible the latest McLaren BC-03 hypercar on the road test. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/33yFY5q)
These images are shared online on many Instagram accounts, including Supercarpress. One of them shows a prototype that is being tested at night, while the rest is considered an official rendering. Not yet determined whether the image is valid, but if so, it looks like McLaren is preparing to launch a hypercar that is even superior to Senna.
The following are rendering images of the latest McLaren BC-03 hypercar.
Front three-quarter of McLaren BC-03
Left side view of McLaren BC-03
Rear three-quarter of McLaren BC-03
Top view of McLaren BC-03
On the front, the BC-03 features a protruding and low nose with a small headlight inspired by the 720S, while on the side there is a large air intake. Everything gets very interesting in the rear, with the towering wings which also become the seat for the LED taillights and fins that stretch along the center of the decklid share clear similarities with the Vision Gran Turismo Concept.
The McLaren Vision Gran Turismo features a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 engine combined with a pair of electric motors to drive the front wheels and total output reaches 1,150 horsepower and 1,275 Nm of torque. It remains to be seen whether the production car will later display the same or more similar powertrain to the hybrid unit used by McLaren Speedtail. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TOPSPEED | CARSCOOPS | THE DRIVE]
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KIA Motor has revealed its newest sport utility vehicle (SUV) concept, named the KIA All-Electric Futuron Concept at the 2019 China International Import Expo (CIIE) held in Shanghai, China. This car is mentioned as the South Korean automotive manufacturer's hope, as well as its vision translation of future mobility.
KIA Futuron Concept unveiled at the 2019 China International Import Expo (CIIE) held in Shanghai. (Picture from http://bit.ly/2KblQyt)
By combining the design power of KIA Motor with the electric-battery powertrain which they claim is very efficient, this new concept represents the existence of the Korean car manufacturer to move forward. They even asserted they were ready to enter the electrification era in the global automotive world.
As reported by Carscoops, the Futuron concept car comes as a progressive electric-powered SUV coupe, with an exterior design that is clearly the most striking thing about this concept. It combining elegant proportions with clean shapes and surfaces, the Futuron concept introduces a new interpretation of the far wider "tiger nose" grille, where the grille now integrates the "Star Cloud" design feature headlights on the surface of dragon skin scales inspired by Chinese mythology.
KIA Futuron Concept coupe's body adopting a low profile that contrasts with elevated ground clearance. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NBj73D)
By taking inspiration from the nebula star, the headlights consisting of LED matrix geometric patches are echoed to the rear lights with similar LEDs, so that when viewed at a glance it will resemble the Hyundai Grandeur facelift teaser.
KIA Futuron Concept is reflected in spacious and flexible interior design. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NBj73D)
The vehicle proportion is equally striking, with the SUV coupe's body adopting a low profile that contrasts with elevated ground clearance. This Futuron concept car has dimensions of the length of 4,850 mm (190.9 in), the height of 1,550 mm (61 in) and has a wheelbase of 3,000 mm (118.1 in).
Furthermore, the Futuron concept car also has an unusual roof shape, which is a diamond-shaped panoramic greenhouse that is above the 360-degree core was mentioned inspired by the "UFOs and flying saucer designs." There is a LiDAR sensor (light and range detection) that supports the car's capability of Level 4 autonomous driving.
KIA Futuron Concept supported by a fully-electric powertrain and high capacity battery. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NBj73D)
The dramatic shape of the Futuron concept vehicle is also supported by a fully-electric powertrain. Then a high capacity battery is also installed under its cabin floor, which is able to provide energy for its four powerful in-wheel electric motors. As the results in a low center of gravity and an e-AWD system which is said to provide a quick response to the driver's input.
Then the KIA Futuron Concept' autonomous capability is reflected in the spacious and flexible interior design. Its two front seats are made of flexible material and can offer a straight driving position, or a leaning rest position. When the self-driving mode is activated, the front seats on the rest position while the steering wheel enters/pulls.
The 'Star Cloud' lighting system and dragon skin scale motifs on the door create a connection to the exterior, with a ventilation system placed behind the dragon skin scales as well. Another striking interior element is the cockpit area surrounding the driver which is also equipped with a Graphical User Interface (GUI) system, which flows out of the driver's side door and winds the steering wheel in a smooth curve. This effectively combines the instrument cluster directly with an audio-visual display in the center of the dashboard. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS]
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At the 46th Tokyo Motor Show 2019 event, Nissan Motor Co. launched the Nissan Ariya Concept, an Electric-powered crossover vehicle that uses twin electric motors, has strong acceleration, with award-winning driver assistance technology. The new Nissan Ariya concept car was introduced at this time, intended to mark the new era for the company in redefining its philosophy for the next phase of motor vehicle evolution.
Nissan Ariya Concept has debuted at the 46th Tokyo Motor Show 2019. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/334jcSr)
The Ariya concept has a spacious premium cabin with high-tech features and a body that displays the pure and clean nature of an electric car. This design embodies Nissan Intelligent Mobility's vision for personal transportation that provides a seamless and adaptive travel experience that is free of accidents or harmful emissions through electrification and vehicle intelligence.
The Ariya concept revives the design elements that have been displayed through the Nissan IMx concept car when it was present at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. The design elements include a bold V-motion electric shield that is bold and the rear light blades are striking short overhangs and a wider interior that looks more like a fancy lounge than a conventional vehicle cabin.
Although the concept car, bold style, and unconventional interior and exterior elements of this electric-powered crossover vehicle are very likely to be produced in the near future. "Ariya is a strong collaboration between design and engineering expertise. This is the next stage of Nissan's future design language," said Yasuhiro Yamauchi, the Executive Representative of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ]
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