Special ONES As we have known that the hybrid drive system has become one of the approaches in designing future environmentally friendly cars had carried out by many automotive manufacturers in the world. No exception, one of the automotive giants from Japan, Toyota had ever conducted a vehicle design study powered by a hybrid drive system in the past.
Toyota Alessandro Volta, taking its name from the Italian physicist who is credited for inventing the battery (he's also where we got the term "volts" from). (Picture from: DrivingLIne)
Possibly because of the large number of concept vehicles that have been built by the Japanese automotive manufacturer, it is not surprising if one of them is almost forgotten. The concept car in question is a hybrid-powered vehicle which is the result of one of the Toyota projects in 2004 named Toyota Alessandro Volta. As seen from its name, the concept car is dedicated to Alessandro Volta, a talented Italian physicist who finds a battery (from his name we have the term 'Volts' now).
Toyota Alessandro Volta's styling, which was done by the famed Italdesign Giugiaro studio. (Picture from: DrivingLIne)
Toyota Alessandro Volta displays the Mid-Engined past feature that is also pinned on BMW Nazca, Alfa Romeo Scighera, and Volkswagen W12 to show the fact that if the racing form is able to accommodate an innovative and 'clean' propulsion system, with the scope of the design to compile and design The future sedan and compact cars that have a low impact on the environment are very large.
Toyota Alessandro Volta provided innovative interior geared towards the 3-seat offering and a flexible steering wheel and pedal board clamping. (Picture from: DrivingLIne)
When heading to the real world, Toyota is not alone in the process of making Volta Concept. It turned out that the Japanese manufacturer collaborated with the famous Italdesign Giugiaro studio for car styling. They both experimented thoroughly, so it produced a beautiful and slim body placed on a full carbon fiber chassis.
Toyota Alessandro Volta was powered by a hybrid system derivative that originated from the Lexus RX 400 mated to a 3.3-liter v6 engine positioned behind the rear axle. (Picture from: DrivingLIne)
As mentioned earlier, that Toyota Alessandro Volta was powered by a hybrid system derivative that originated from the Lexus RX 400 mated to a 3.3-liter v6 engine positioned behind the rear axle which was able to send power around 400 horsepower to move the four wheels. The Toyota AlessanTro Volta Concept made its debut at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show.
Toyota Alessandro Volta is a styling exercise aimed at exploring new applications of the Hybrid synergy Drive technology. (Picture from: Supercars.net)
As you might know, the Toyota collaboration project with Italdesign Giugiaro has never exceeded the concept stages. It was also stated that during the development period, this concept car project had spent large costs and it was also used as one of the main reasons why the Volta had never entered the Toyota production line.
Given the number of hybrid supercars today, including the Acura NSX mentioned above, this concept does not seem too brave according to the current standards, but it is a big problem in 2004 when the Toyota Prius that spends fuel is a standard hybrid that people think.
And as one proof that this car is the preview of what will come, this can be led when Toyota has succeeded in working on a new hybrid-powered hypercar project which then transforms into a version of the highway from the Le Mans racing car knwon as the Toyota GR SuperSports Concept. It turned out that Toyota Alessandro Volta only overtooked about 20 years. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ITALDESIGN GIUGIARO | DRIVINGLINE | SUPERCARS ]
SuperBEAST One Heart, Honda Motor Company Ltd. has decided to end its NSX sportscar production after appeared only in two generations (in the American market under the Acura brand). For this reason, the Japanese automotive giant will release the ultimate edition of the NSX sportcar called Honda NSX Type S.
Honda (Acura) NSX Type S is the ultimate edition of the NSX's second generation model will be born from the Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio, USA. (Picture from: TPortal)
Besides being made into the Limited Edition series, the final model of NSX sportscar also gets the design updates and performance changes, so made it to be more aggressive than its predecessors.
Honda (Acura) NSX Type Swill be powered by a hybrid drivetrain system consisting of an electric
motor drive combined with a 3,500 cc V6 engine is claimed to be
capable of spewing power up to 592 horsepower and torque of 667 Nm. (Picture from: Oto)
According to the Japanese automotive giant, the Honda NSX Type S will be presented into limited numbers of only 350 units, consisting of 320 units to be distributed to the American market as Acura NSX Type S and as many as 30 units for the Japan Domestic Market. The automaker also said that the model is a symbol of the challenge to offer a super sports car that can be enjoyed in various situations.
Honda (Acura) NSX Type S gets the design updates and performance changes, so made it to be more aggressive than its predecessors. (Picture from: CarWow)
As qouted of Autocar, the Honda NSX Type S will be powered by a hybrid drivetrain system consisting of an electric motor drive combined with a 3,500 cc V6 engine which is claimed to be capable of spewing power up to 592 horsepower and torque of 667 Nm.
There
are not too many changes inside the interior of the Honda (Acura) NSX
Type S, though it does get a new Alcantara headlining and a Type S logo
embossed on the glove compartment. (Picture from: Oto)
The car performance numbers above can be achieved thanks to changes to the Intercooler and turbocharger which are said to be adopted from the NSX GT3 model. Finishing the refinement of the power surge, the 9-speed dual-clutch transmission has been reset.This includes the Rapid Downshift Mode feature for a more aggressive downshift.
There are not too many changes inside the interior of the Honda (Acura) NSX Type S, though it does get a new Alcantara headlining and a Type S logo embossed on the glove compartment. (Picture from: CarWow)
You can skip several steps so that you will immediately be directed to the most optimal acceleration point.In addition, shifting up gear in Sport and Sport+ modes is also more agile following an increase in the engine speed limit when going downhill in Track mode so that downshift execution can be carried out as soon as possible.
The rear of the Honda (Acura) NSX Type S looks hotter with the NSX GT3 Evo-style diffuser, participating in supporting stability at high speeds. (Picture from: Oto)
The focus of improvement is not limited to the potential for running in a straight line.Technicians also tinkered with the chassis, suspension and response of the NSX Type S. An example of the installation of the new forged alloy rims in a choice of colors is Matte Shark Gray or Gloss Berlina Black.More than just style, this shoe embraces a larger negative offset composition that widens the stance.An additional 0.4 inches at the front and 0.8 inches at the rear.
As the ultimate and limited edition, it is hoped that the Honda NSX Type S sports car soon could become the target of collectors around the world. As realizing this, the Japanese auto giants dared to sell it at a fairly high price. According to information circulating, the sports car will be priced at $171,495 or approx Rp. 2.4 billion per unit. These price figures are considered reasonable for a sports car, but keep in mind that the Honda NSX Type S' performance and specifications also can be categorized as a supercar. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | HONDA | ACURA | CARWOW ]
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PURE BLOoD Like it or dislike, the presence of an SUV model for Ferrari is a fact and true. Although at first Ferrari claimed not to be interested in making an SUV, because it was considered to eliminate Ferrari's exclusivity as a super luxury sports car brand. Later, the automaker with the prancing horse emblem had softened a bit, as in the end of 2017, the Ferrari's CEO, Sergio Marchionne confirmed that the company was in an effort to develop a new product in the form of a Ferrari Utility Vehicle (FUV) to expand the marketshares.
An image of Ferrari Purosangue made based on the Motor1 interpretation. (Picture from: Motor1)
What is the Ferrari Utility Vehicle? As qouted of Carscoops,
the designation is related to Ferrari's reluctance to refer to its new car as an SUV, and prefers to call it a Ferrari Utility Vehicle (FUV). In mid-February
2021, there's a camouflage covered sports utility vehicle that was suspected to be the newest Ferrari Purosangue ('poo-row-sann-gway,' an Italian means 'pure blood' or 'thoroughbred') was
caught on camera undergoing a kind of test on the snowy terrain in Sweden.
The first hybrid crossover of Ferrari named Purosangue (meaning 'thoroughbred') which will be released next 2022. (Picture from: Carscoops)
So, the presence of the first FUV model is clearly indicated the Italian automaker's intention to take part in the luxury SUV segment market. As We could be seen today, Ferrari is
currently in the process of building its first crossover-styled vehicle, and it looks
like it's getting closer and closer to be launched. Previously, competitors in its class such as the Lamborghini Urus, Bentley Bentayga and Rolls-Royce Cullinan succeeded in becoming models that were quite in demand. But how does the Ferrari Purosangue tempt consumers in this segment?
The Ferrari Purosangue will incorporate a front-mid engine architecture, with the mill placed behind the front wheels for better weight distribution. (Picture from: Slash&Gear)
As quoted of Autocar, that the Maranello-based premium automaker had reached the final process of the car developing in terms of design, performance and other features into it. Some performance and dimension data began to circulate in several US and European medias. It seems that the appearance of the Ferrari Purosangue is just a matter of time, and then, whether Ferrrari able to gain success like its competitors. Let's see the interesting things which could be offered by the first prancing horse logoed SUV's.
The Ferrari Purosangue SUV test mule on the snowy terrain in Sweden back in Februari 2021. (Picture from: Carscoops)
If We look at how the car looks while on testing in Sweden, it looks like the Ferrari Purosangue has a 4-passenger configuration similar to the Aston Martin DBX and the
Lamborghini Urus. While its dimension is estimated has almost similar
size of the Maserati Levante, and it could be mean that the Purosangue
has a length of 4.9 meters with a wheelbase of less than 120 inches.
Meanwhile, in order to maintain its performance, the weight of the
vehicle will also be maintained in low numbers in order to be able to
support the car aerodynamic numbers. However, the new Ferrari Purosangue does not have a high ground clearance rather than its competitors such as the Lamborghini Urus and Bentley Bentayga, and this could be an added value for the car. Furthermore the Ferrari's SUV has an architectural design that is capable of carrying V6, V8 and even V12 engines.
The Ferrari Purosangue SUV test mule is powered by a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine which later it could be the standard engine. (Picture from: Carscoops)
And during the test on the snowy terrain in Sweden, the Ferrari Purosangue used a 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 engine which later it could be the standard engine. Even the engine has also been tested on other Ferrari species such as the F8 Tributo, Roma, Portofino. The engine embedded in the Purosangue is claimed to be able to produce a maximum power of up to 700 hp.
If we seen the Purosangue's engine power capability above, the Maranello-based premium automaker will feel very confident if its Purosangue to be compared to the Urus, its compatriot rival from the Lamborghini automaker, in which on the paper, it will be superior to the Lambo's SUVs whose its maximum engine power only reaches 641 horsepower.
The Ferrari Purosangue SUV's V8 engine is claimed to be able to produce a maximum power of up to 700 hp. (Picture from: Carscoops)
Although Ferrari is currently developing four-wheel drive with an independent gearbox on the front axle. But it is rumored that the Purosangue will also be available with a plug-in hybrid model similar to that used with the Ferrari SF90 Stradale. This means that there will be two electric motors to drive the front wheels, while, the conventional engine will drive the rear wheels. The result will be a Ferrari's SUV with plug-in hybrid technology and four-wheel drive. It also could be proof that the Prancing Horse's distinctive ability is also already embedded in the Purosangue.
Another thing we can look at is the electronic limited-slip differential could be also included in the Purosangue whose can be increases the car's ability to accelerate and reduces the occurrence of lag when driving it on the roads. The Ferrari's first SUV development is a breakthrough but will it be as successful as its competitors? We will know the answer after the Purosangue units begin to be delivered to consumers at the end of 2022 and early 2023. So, We should be patient waiting for the Ferrari Purosangue's further news.😐 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | AUTOCAR | MOTOR1 ]
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Elegant ONES Of course, the world's automotive enthusiasts is already know who Giotto Bizzarrini is. Well, he was one of the Italian leading automotive engineers in the late 1950s and 1960s who is noted to have worked for several well-known Italian manufacturers such as Alfa Romeo, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Iso, even later made his own cars independently by using his own brand.
All
three Bizzarrini 5300 SI Spyders while headed to the 21st annual Amelia
Island Concours d’Elegance 2016 (in the middle, the silver colored
known as the 'Prototipo,' the blue one in the left as the second unit, while the third one in the right is painted on the red). (Picture from: OldCarsWeekly)
Giotto Bizzarrini's design portofolio at the big car manufacturer can be seen from several world-renowned exotic cars such as the Ferrari 250 GTO, Lamboghini 350 GTV Prototipo was the forerunner of the first model of Lamborghini cars, then several Iso's cars such as the Iso Rivolta, Iso Grifo A3 and many others.
1966 Bizzarrini 5300 SI Spyder 'Prototipo' was one of the stars of the 1966 Geneva Motorshow. (Picture from: MyCarQuest)
Shortly after Giotto Bizzarrini resigned of the Renzo Rivolta's company, and he decided to establish his own auto company called Bizzarrini S.p.A. in 1966. The company is known to have built a small number of highly advanced and sophisticated sports and racing cars before finally ceased production in 1969.
1966 Bizzarrini 5300 SI Spyder 'Prototipo' has a number of unique features included retractable head lights, seats molded in the body and a multi function roof design. (Picture from: Pinterest)
As quoted of BizzarriniSpyder, during its short production period, turn out the Giotto Bizzarrini's automotive company had success in developing its own car model, named the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada or 5300 GT Corsa for the road going and racing examples respectively. As we knew, the 5300 GT road car models production lasted just three years, in which just over 100 examples had ever produced.
The Bizzarrini 5300 SI Spyder (in pictured the second unit of the 1967) is built only three unit of the 104 unit of the 5300 GT. (Picture from: Mad4Wheels)
Later, from the 5300 GT road car model was born a less number of production model named the Bizzarrini 5300 SI Spyder that really shined as the star of the 1966 Geneva Motorshow displayed on the Bizzarrini's booth (later known as the 'Prototipo' model with SN: IA3 0245). Well, the model above is one of three spyder units built from the 104 units of the 5300 GT road car had been produced.
The interior of the Bizzarrini 5300 SI Spyder(in pictured the second unit of the 1967) features bucket seats moulded into the body and a retractable wind deflector similar to sports cars today. (Picture from: Pinterest)
The Bizzarrini 5300 GT Spyder 'Prototipo' all-alloy bodywork is made and developed by the two Turin-based coachbuilders named S.I (Stile Italia) and S.B (Sibona e Basano) under supervision of Bizzarrini himself. The car has a number of unique features included retractable head lights, seats molded in the body and a multi function roof design. The alloy hardtop was fitted with separate roof panels, which allowed the Spyder to be a Coupe, Targa or full Convertible. Likewise with the other 2 models were respectively produced in 1967 and 1968 by the S.I (Stile Italia) Carrozzeria.
The third unit of the 1968 Bizzarrini 5300 SI Spyderis built for the American market following the debut of the prototype at the 1966 Geneva Auto Show. (Picture from: 1080pCarWallpaper)
These unique cars were built on a new race-developed tubular chassis with fully independent rear suspension. Although all three Spyders share some features in common, such as a roof that allows them to become a fully convertible coupe, targa, or roadster, while its interior features bucket seats moulded into the body and a retractable wind deflector similar to sports cars today. But the difference lies in the front, where the 'Prototipo' model has applied the retractable headlights and a chromed front grille, while the other two units have closed headlights with a plain front grille.
The Bizzarrini 5300 SI Spyder (in pictured the third unit of the 1968) were built on a new race-developed tubular chassis with fully independent rear suspension. (Picture from: 1080pCarWallpaper)
After being in hiding for over three decades, the silver colored 'Prototipo' model had fully restored several hours before re-appearance at the 2004 Concorso d'Italia and Meadow Brook Concours d'Elegance, where this gorgeous Bizzarrini spyder had several commendations at the several differ catagories. As qouted of the AllCarCentral, the car's current owner is also in possession of the two production Bizzarrini Spyders.
The second unit of the Bizzarrini 5300 Spyder was in blue (SN: IA3-0315S) produced by Giotto Bizzarrini after his spyder prototype debuted to great acclaim. Like the other race Bizzarrinis, it has an alloy body built by Stile Italia but it also has a targa roof that is permanently attached in true T-Top fashion, making the chassis slightly stiffer.
Meanwhile, the third unit of the Bizzarrini 5300 Spyders was in red (SN: BA4-108) is built for the American market following the debut of the prototype at the 1966 Geneva Auto Show. Coincidentally, the car was shipped from Bizzarrini’s factory in Livorno to its first owner who lived in Livonia, Michigan. A year after arriving in the United States the car was bought by John Sassak, the current owner’s (Mark Sassak) father.
As qouted of HistoricAutpPro, Mark Sassak is currently the owner of two Bizzarrini Spyders, ie the silver 'Prototipo' of the 1966 and the red spyder of the 1968. All the three unique and rare Bizzarrini 5300 GT Spyders last appeared along with its sibling model of the Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada as well as other classic car models occured at the 2016 Concours d'Elegance, Pebble Beach, California. Such a great and scarce momment, We wished it could be happened again in the future.😉 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BIZZARRINISPYDER | ALLCARCENTRAL | SUPERCARS.NET | OLDCARSWEEKLY | HISTORICAUTOPRO ]
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SuperBEAST Before naptime we tried to write about an all- new sports car that was inspired by the 1960s classic racing cars. Indeed as we all knew, this has been done by many car makers today. Recently an automotive firm called Radford Motors revealed a new sports car named the Radford Type 62-2.
Radford Type 62-2 (in pictured the Gold Leaf variant) is debuted at at Quail Lodge as part of the Monterey Car Week 2021. (Picture from: CarsRadars)
As quoted of Auto Express and Goodwood Road & Racing, it later became the latest sportscar made from the British company after an absence of more than fifty years. As an automotive company, Radford Motors started from Harold Radford & Co, which is well known as a specialist in the customized car bodywork such as the Bentley and Roll-Royce cars. The company was then rebuilt by a partnership consisting of the automotive designer Mark Stubbs, the former F1 driver Jenson Button, and a television persona Ant Anstead.
Radford Type 62-2 (in pictured the Gold Leaf variant) also marked the company's come back after an absence of more than fifty years. (Picture from: Goodwood Road & Racing)
The automaker said that the Radford Type 62-2 sports car is took inspiration of the 1969 Lotus Type 62 race car which was developed from the Lotus Europa and was used as a test bed for the Lotus 907 engine. Interestingly, this two-seat sports coupé was not only inspired by the Lotus race car but also claimed to be developed from the Lotus technology.
1969 Lotus Type 62 race car which was developed from the Lotus Europa and was used as a test bed for the Lotus 907 engine (Picture from: CarBuzz)
So it is not surprising if then the Radford Type 62-2 is made as closely as possible to its source of inspiration. The sports car has a height dimension of 1,133 mm from the ground, wide wheel arches, and air holes on the side. According to the co-founder of Radford Motors, Jenson Button who said that the making of the Radford Type 62-2 was a big challenge.
Radford Type 62-2 (in pictured the Gold Leaf variant) posed along with its sources of inspiration, the 1969 Lotus Type 62 racing car. (Picture from: CarsRadars)
"Creating a car that is luxurious as well as comfortable, and fun to drive is a formidable challenge. But the first Radford in the modern era managed to achieve it through this Type 62-2 product," as explained by the former British F1 driver.
Radford Type 62-2 (in pictured the Classic variant) is powered by a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 engine also used by the Lotus Emira. (Picture from: GridOto)
The Radford Type 62-2 is built from an aluminum chassis taken from Lotus Evora and has a body made of carbon fiber so it is claimed to be quite light at only 1,000 kg. It also applied the coilover suspension that can be adjusted in four directions, and coupled with the optional hydraulic nose lift system for the owners who have to drive the car on rough roads.
Radford Type 62-2 Gold Leaf is powered by an upgraded engine (ranging from the pistons, con-rods, camshafts, and
electronic mapping) so makes it capable to spit out power up to 500
horsepower. (Picture from: AutoBlog)
The Radford Motors said that its new sports car is offered in two options, namely Classic and Gold Leaf. The two variants will each be powered by a 3.5-liter supercharged V6 engine also used by the Lotus Emira. Besides that, potential customers can choose a 6-speed manual transmission system or a 7-speed dual clutch with a limited slip differential.
Radford Type 62-2 (in pictured the Gold Leaf variant) is light, fast and nimble and will hold its own among even the most accomplished of supercars. (Picture from: AutoBlog)
For the performance, its Radford Type 62-2 Classic is claimed to have power up to 430 horsepower with a power-to-weight ratio of around 1:1. As for the second one, the Radford Type 62-2 Gold Leaf, which is beautifully displayed in a typical red-white racing livery, is said to be powered by an upgraded engine (ranging from the pistons, con-rods, camshafts, and electronic mapping) so makes it capable to spit out power up to 500 horsepower. As for the legs, the Classic variant uses 17-inches rims at front and the rear of 18-inches, while the Gold Leaf uses 18-inches at the front and 19 inches at the rear.
Radford Type 62-2 (in pictured the Gold Leaf variant) features a more pronounced front and rear splitters, which the firm says provides 'a race car stance,' providing increased aerodynamic downforce. (Picture from: AutoCar)
Furthermore, the automaker also mentions that there will be a third variant in the near future called the Radford Type 62-2 JPS which is to be wrapped by the John Player Special racing livery as attached on the Lotus Type 72D F1 racing car in 1970s and said to be powered by a V6 engine capable of producing a burst of power of 600 horsepower.
As far as Radford Motors plans to produce a total of 62 units of the Type 62-2 sports car and made it according to customer specifications starting later by the end of the year. As the bespoke nature of each vehicle means that there is no publicly available price tag (estimated around $100 thousand).😯 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RADFORD MOTORS | STRAINSMEDIA | AUTOEXPRESS | GOODWOOD ROAD & RACING | AUTOCAR | AUTOBLOG | CARBUZZ ]
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And as one proof that this car is the preview of what will come, this can be led when Toyota has succeeded in working on a new hybrid-powered hypercar project which then transforms into a version of the highway from the Le Mans racing car knwon as the Toyota GR SuperSports Concept. It turned out that Toyota Alessandro Volta only overtooked about 20 years. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ITALDESIGN GIUGIARO | DRIVINGLINE | SUPERCARS ]
