Maestro Works Today we would like to talk about the customization of a car based on the Opel Speedster which among automotive enthusiasts knows it as a cutie tiny sports car made by Opel between 2000 and 2005. Indeed, in standard conditions there is nothing special about this car.
The Colani Shark Speedster is built and designed by Luigi Colani in collaboration with a German auto design house of Reinhard Stahl. (Picture from: Autoweek.nl)
So on one occasion the famous designer Luigi Colani once criticized the design of the Opel Speedster, according to him it has too little of its own face. So then the maestro was interested in designing the car as he thought it should have looked. To realize the car design, Colani did not collaborate with the automaker but collaborated with a German auto design house of Reinhard Stahl.
The Colani Shark Speedster (on the right) posed along with its model donor the Opel Speedster (on the left). (Picture from: OpelGT)
See what happened after getting a touch of design from Luigi Colani, suddenly the face of the Opel Speedster changed completely, and the Colani Shark Speedster that's the customized result car name which then the car was introduced for the first time to the public at the 2002 Essen Motor Show.
The Colani Shark Speedster is intended to show the car as Colani thought it should have looked. (Picture from: OpelGT)
Judging from the design after got special touches from Luigi Colani, it clearly differs from the base model by featuring smooth, rounded and more sloping lines on the front resembled the 'shark' shape (perhaps this is why this custom car got its name) coupled with three rounded headlights. While at the rear, Luigi Colani also applies the smooth rounded lines similar to the front and replaces Opel's default taillights with three pairs of round lights.
The Colani Shark Speedster is clearly differs from the base model by featuring smooth, rounded and more sloping lines on the front resembled the 'shark' shape with three rounded headlights. (Picture from: OpelGT)
For the interior there is no change and remains the same as the based model. Likewise in the drivetrain, where this Colani Shark is powered by a 2.2 liter 16V engine which is also used by the Opel Speedster, and is capable of blowing power up to 147 horsepower. So the car's performance numbers also seems no different, with the acceleration capability from 0 to 100 kph done in 5.9 seconds and has a top speed of 217 kph.
The Colani Shark Speedster is doesn't seem many his typical 'Biodesign' lines that usually appeared extremely many in other Colani's automotive works. (Picture from: Facebook)
There is an interesting thing to note, when compared to other cars by Colani, it feels like the Colani Shark custom car design doesn't seem many his typical 'Biodesign' lines that usually appeared extremely many in other automotive works of him. And it could be said that the Shark is more acceptable than other Colani's car works.
It is not known what the Opel's reaction after seeing this Colani version, but the designer at that time ever planned to make a smaller series of cars. But so far it is not known how many of the Colani Shark have been produced. By the way, have you ever seen this kind of car on the streets this day? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | OPELGT | LUIGI COLANI DESIGNS | WEIRDWHEELS | AUTOWEEK.NL | TOTALCAR.HU ]
The FourthRecently Ferrari on April 19. 2022 launched a new convertible sports car called the Ferrari 296 GTS which is the fourth plug-in hybrid model, amid efforts by the Maranello-based sports car maker to push for its product electrification strategy. The new sports car follows three of Ferrari's previous hybrid models that went into the company's production lines such the Ferrari SF 90 Stradale of the 2019, its convertible version called the Ferrari SF90 Spider in 2020, and the Ferrari 296 GTB last year.
Ferrari's new 296 GTS (on the right) and 296 GTS Assetto Fiorano (on the left) sport cars are
pictured in this undated handout photo obtained by Reuters on April 19,
2022. (Picture from: Reuters)
As quoted of Reuters, the Ferrari 296 GTS is the latest convertible sportscar equipped with a retractable hard top that could be stored in a special compartment in front of the engine. According to the official report, it's only takes about 1.4 seconds to go up or down its hard top. In raising and lowering the roof, the car does not need to stop because this system can work even though the car is traveling at a speed of 28 mph.
The new Ferrari 296 GTS sport car is built based on aluminum chassis and powered by a 819 hp (830 PS) hybrid-assisted 3.0-liter V6 engine. (Picture from: GoOto)
"Its top speed exceeds 330 kph," Ferrari wrote in a statement. This latest Prancing Horse logoed sports car is powered by a V6 turbo engine coupled with a 122 KW electric motor to produce a total power of 830 horsepower with 740 Nm of torque. All those power is sent to the rear wheels only through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, so it could made this hybrid car to accelerate from 0-100 kph only in 2.9 seconds.
The
new Ferrari 296 GTS sport car gets an eManettino switch alongside the traditional steering-wheel mounted Manettino control, with four selectable positions. (Picture from: Carscoops)
You may be wondering, so far Ferrari's road cars are usually powered by more powerful engines like a V8 or V12, but why is it that the V6 has been fitted to its newest sports car? It seems that the Italian premium automaker is trying to fulfill its commitment to reduce the share of cars equipped with V12 engines because they are considered highly polluting in its production.
The new Ferrari 296 GTS Assetto Fiorano sport car is described as the tough and track-oriented package similar to one available in the coupe version as well. (Picture from: GearRice)
The first shipments of this new model will start from Europe in early 2023 but the price has not been disclosed (estimated that it would be sold for €300 thousand or around Rp. 4.6 billion).
Another new model is planned for release in the coming months, the Ferrari's highly-anticipated SUV variants named Purosangue (means Thoroughbred). The vehicle will be Ferrari's first sport utility vehicle (SUV) and take the company into a lucrative segment where direct rivals such as VolkswagenLamborghini are already present.
A rendered image by @2NCS of the Ferrari's highly-anticipated SUV variants named Purosangue (means Thoroughbred) might be look. (Picture from: INFNews)
"I'm sure (Purosangue) will exceed our customers' expectations," the Ferrari's Chief Executive Officer, Benedetto Vigna said last week. Vigna is known as a veteran of the tech industry whose took over the CEO's chair at last year, with the task of bringing the brand synonymous with roaring combustion engines to a new era of quieter and cleaner electric mobility.
As part of this, Ferrari has promised its first full-electric model by 2025, while Vigna has said that the company will seek a technology partnership. Further details of Ferrari's electrification strategy will be presented by Vigna's first comprehensive business plan on June 16. Let's just wait. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS OSURCES | FERRARI | REUTERS | CARSCOOPS ]
One of The Oldest As we have known, that the first car to use the 'Prancing Horse' distinctive logo is the Ferrari 125 S made by the automake in 1947 However, the following classic car can also be said to be one of the oldest cars ever made by Ferrari.
And as you can see, the classic car came with the small body and tires, and does not look as the powerful sports cars like most sports cars today. But, this is one of the world's first Ferrari cars. Now, its price has reached $8 million (approx Rp.104 billion).
1947 Ferrari 166 CorsaSpyder is believed that this is the world's oldest Ferrari, which has been unveiled for the first time since being completely restored. (Picture from: Daily Mail)
This car was Ferrari 166 Corsa Spyder is regarded by many as one of the world's oldest Ferrari cars are still exists and in good shape. The mentioned car is built by Enzo Ferrari in 1947 shortly after World War II ended, and recently the car is came back after having completed the restoration. And reportedly, now the car used as an icon of fundraiser for troubled teens in New York.
Jim Glickenhaus, the current owner of the car say it takes up to $500,000, or approximately Rp.6.40 billion for the car's restoration. But after coming back to prime condition, the price of this car is expected to soar to the numbers of $8 million or around Rp.104 billion. When Jim Glickenhaus bought the car which ever won the Turin Grand Prix 1947 for $770 thousand or approximately Rp.9.99 billion in 2004.
The Ferrari 166 CorsaSpyder was built just after the Second World War in 1947 by Enzo Ferrari and has now been restored for £300,000 by Jim Glickenhaus. (Picture from: Daily Mail)
"I bought the car at an auction event in 2004 for around $770,000. As soon as my eyes saw it, there was love at first sight. There is no other car like this on the planet. Sitting in it was like back in time - and this car is a dream to drive," he said as quoted by the Daily Mail.
The Jim Glickenhaus-owned Ferrari 166 CorsaSpyder still has the original chassis, engine, gearbox and most of the mechanical pieces. (Picture from: Daily Mail)
This car has the chassis number 002 and first launched by Enzo Ferrari in December 1947 after the first car (chassis number 001) had destroyed in an accident while on test. However, the presence of this car is claimed to be the world's oldest Ferrari is not the first time has happened. Because in 2006 there was a Ferrari owner who has the car with chassis number 001C, had claimed as the world's oldest Ferrari car.
The Jim Glickenhaus-owned Ferrari 166 CorsaSpyder is believed now could fetch up to the price of US. $8 million or around Rp.104 billion.(Picture from: Daily Mail)
But Glickenhaus do not give a damn to the claim. It could be because his car with chassis number 2 with various components of number 1 which had an accident while on test and the spare components then used on his car. That's why people who claim to have the first Ferrari does not have a truly "original" Ferrari because a lot of component of parts and engines using another brands such Ford, not a Ferrari.
"(While) my Ferrari still have chassis, engine, gearbox and other original mechanical components," said Glickenhaus furthermore. "I came to the home of Ferrari in Maranello in northern Italy. There you will find a mechanical heritage of this machine. They had all the photographs, parts and knowledge for the authentic restoration," he said further. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DAILY MAIL]
Maestro Works Many say the figure of maestro Luigi Colani is eccentric and unique, maybe that's true. How not, this is possible because he is an engineer in the field of aerodynamics and an artist and sculptor, and it is an invaluable combination for an automotive designer today where the element of aerodynamics is very important.
The Ford Colani GT80 concept car was the development of the 'grand style' Ford GT40 for Le Mans in Colani's C-Form. (Picture from: Uniquecardsandparts)
Since 1950 this German gentleman has been redesigning car aerodynamics for major world manufacturers such as Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Lancia, Volkswagen, Ferrari, Lada, BMW and has also worked for aviation manufacturers such as Boeing or Rockwell sculpting polymorphic airplane concepts equipped with propellers. experimental.
A bare, unpainted aluminum body of the Ford Colani GT80 concept car's is made by the Marsh Development in the UK. (Picture from: Pinterest)
As we could be seen on many of Colani's work, made extensive use of his
signature style of sensual biomimicry in the guise of advanced
aerodynamics. Colani always intended the lack of straight lines in his
designs to reflect the human form which later became his typical style
known as Biodesign, at the end made the result seems unusual and quirky.
With such a unique physical form, the Ford Colani GT80 concept car claimed has a drag coefficient of less than 0.2, which is very slippery. (Picture from: Uniquecardsandparts)
Not only the European brands, there are also automotive brands from America which had also felt the touch of the maestro's magical hand. For example, Ford, previously this American brand has gone down in history when it brilliantly succeeded in overthrowing the hegemony of the Prancing Horse in the 24 Hours of Le Mans racing event in 1966 through the three of its Ford GT40 racing cars as the championship winners. This brilliance even lasted three consecutive years until 1969.
The possibility of Ford's success then inspired Colani to design a racing car concept called the Ford GT80 as the successor to the legendary racing car, in his typical Biodesign touches that really spoils the aerodynamic elements. The GT80 racing car concept's story begins in the mid-1980s when Colani has become one of the most famous designers in Europe and among other things a design consultant for BMW and Volkswagen.
Luigi Colani (on the right) during the design of the Ford Colani GT80 mock up C-Form wing car model. (Picture from: Uniquecardsandparts)
As an aerodynamics specialist, Colani always puts a very sturdy bodywork on every car made by him, by using his experience in the aircraft industry. No wonder if the GT80, finally came up with a design that is very thick with aerodynamic elements and is very similar to racing's wing cars. At first glance, the aerodynamic shape of the Colani's GT80 concept car is similar to a shark with a fully enclosed rear-end. Although many similar shapes find later, such as the Lotus 80 Formula One and the Chaparral 2K Indy cars. It shows, actually that the shapes have previewed by Luigi Colani in the 1970s, long before Colin Chapman and other designers did.
Luigi Colani posed along with the mock up C-Form wing car model of the Ford Colani GT80. (Picture from: BubbleMania.fr)
To realize this concept car, Colani conceived prototypes with the whole body designed as as a converted wing called the C-Form (Colani Form) principle which was patented in Munich by Deutsches Patentamt in November 25, 1967 and has also been published as an article in Stern magazine in the following year.
The Ford Colani GT80 chassis and frame before being enclosed with aluminium-made bodywork done by the Marsh Development in the UK. (Picture from: Uniquecardsandparts)
During the 1970s, Colani built several full-scale models and mock-up C-Form wing cars. The first 1 : 1 scaled model mock-up construction work was carried out in the Collani's studio at his Harkotten water-castle near Munster, Germany in 1973. Next two years later the final design layout is complete and the final mock-up model with a rolling chassis is built.
In 1978 a two-seater monocoque aluminium chassis was built (according to the Formula One standards) for Colani by Tiga Race Cars in England. The dramatically GT80' aluminum body is shaped by hand in the Marsh
Developments workshop. Then there's the black and flat glass with
one large wiper on the windshield and one on each side window.
Hand forged aluminum body (took almost 5 years) for the Ford GT80, but sadly this body has never been used. (Picture from: BubbleMania.fr)
Actually in 1979 this new showcar ready to be exhibited at the Frankfurt Motor Show, just in the following year the Colani GT80 was completely exhibited. So could be said that the GT80 prototype appeared at the Frankfurt Motor Show1980 was the result of the development and study of aerodynamics for years.
As for the GT80 prototype that appeared in Frankfurt was powered by a Ford Cosworth V6 engine, which was very successful in the Cologne Capris Racing which has also used in the Formula 5000 in the UK. It is a 24-valves engine of 3,400 cm3 which can spout power up to almost 400 hp at 10,500 rpm. And to deal with the noise level that arises from the roar of the engine inside the cabin, a thickness of 20 cm wall made of insulating material in between the engine and the seat is instaldas.
This such unique shaped of the Ford GT80 left one drawback, namely the absence of a rear window, but this can be overcome by placing a wide-angle video camera into the roof fairing. (Picture from: Uniquecardsandparts)
Uniquely the entire GT80 project was funded by Luigi Colani himself, with only the press material about the GT80 for the Frankfurt Motor Show provided by Ford of Europe. Besides equipped with the Formula One wheels and tires, the show car also has road brakes and suspensions meet the Formula One standards which are designed by Howden Ganley. In which the brakes were outboard, coupled with double wishbones at the front; lower wishbones and upper trailing link at the rear with twin radius rods. Reportedly, the such suspension section was originally designed for Howden Ganley' personal Formula One project.
The Ford Colani GT80 prototype under Castrol Formula RS racing livery was powered by a Ford Cosworth V6 24-valves engine capable to spout power up to almost 400 hp at 10,500 rpm. (Picture from: ReddIt)
After the first prototype, the improvement was carried out on the second GT80 prototype to further increase the air flow by pinning the inboard rocker type suspension. Then the gearbox is the ZF's five speed and of the same company also designed a very special steering rack for cars. Not only that ZF also helps design several electronic components for the GT80, such as automatic lower-style sensing devices to adjust the front wing section, which allows to reduce air barriers while driving at high speed and produces more downforce while cornering.
The Ford Colani GT80 prototype under Castrol Formula RS racing liveryhas a unique canopy doors style to access its cabin. (Picture from: iFunny)
Furthermore, the car's good aerodynamic shape is also said to reduce wind noise to a very low level. With such a unique physical form, Colani claims that the GT80 has a drag coefficient of less than 0.2, which is very slippery. This is because the car has a complete wing-shaped body with a sharp trailing edge like an airplane wing. Unfortunately, this such shape left one drawback to the GT80, namely the absence of a rear window, but this can be overcome by placing a wide-angle video camera into the roof fairing. Thus the entire rear view can be shown through a monitor attached to the spokeless steering wheel only by pressing a button. Not only that, there is also an airbag feature (that was not common in the 1980s) is also placed on the steering wheel.
The Ford Colani GT80 under Castrol Formula RS racing livery also equiped with several advance features such as automatic lower-style sensing devices to adjust the front wing section, which allows to reduce air barriers while driving at high speed and produces more downforce while cornering. (Picture from: Uniquecardsandparts)
After seeing the final result of the GT80, Luigi Colani said, "It's been a long way, but seeing the results, I really feel that it's all worth it." Unfortunately, even though it has a uniqe shape with good aerodynamic numbers and is also featured with various advanced features before its times, still the GT80 never get into the production line. However, the presence of the GT80 concept car later provided inspiration for the design of Luigi Colani two years later named the BMW Colani M2.
Instead of the Colani GT80 is a Le Mans type car for the road like its famous predecessor Ford GT40, presumed the use of the best material in every aspects caused its price more expensive than the Rolls-Royce model at the time. Indeed it's so sad though if this unique Colani' GT80 only added to the story like another failing successors of the legendary Ford GT40 such the previous Ford GT70, and the Ford GT90 later in the 1990s.😭 What do you think? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LUIGI COLANI DESIGN MUSEUM | UNIQUECARSANDPARTS | BUBBLEMANIA.FR | FACEBOOK | PRESSREADER | LESHARDIS | AUTOGARAGEM ]
Dedication&Pride This one-off special Ferarri GG50was created by Italdesign'sGiorgetto Giugiaro as a gift for himself in celebration of his fifty years in the automobile design industry. From what we know, the vehicles still belongs to the Giugiaro family. The GG50 is built based on the platform and mechanicals of the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, which made its world premiere at the 2005 Tokyo Auto Show.
The Italdesign's Ferrari GG50 was created by Italdesign's Giorgetto Giugiaro as a gift for himself in celebration of his fifty years in the automobile design industry in the 2005.(Picture from: Carscoops)
While retaining the Scaglietti's wheelbase at 2,950 mm, the Ferrari GG50 spans 4,810 mm in length, meaning its 90 mm or about four inches shorter than the model it is based upon.
The Italdesign's Ferrari GG50 is built based on the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti.(Picture from: Carscoops)
It can accommodate four passengers in a 2+2 seating layout in which case it offers a loading capacity of 270 liters. With the rear seatbacks folded down, it's loading capacity increases to 500 liters.
Power comes from the same V12 engine as the Scaglietti that produces an output of 540 hp at 7,200 rpm from a displacement of 5,748 cc (5.7-liters) and is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. *** [EKA [19062015] | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS]
So on one occasion the famous designer Luigi Colani once criticized the design of the Opel Speedster, according to him it has too little of its own face. So then the maestro was interested in designing the car as he thought it should have looked. To realize the car design, Colani did not collaborate with the automaker but collaborated with a German auto design house of Reinhard Stahl.
It is not known what the Opel's reaction after seeing this Colani version, but the designer at that time ever planned to make a smaller series of cars. But so far it is not known how many of the Colani Shark have been produced. By the way, have you ever seen this kind of car on the streets this day? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | OPELGT | LUIGI COLANI DESIGNS | WEIRDWHEELS | AUTOWEEK.NL | TOTALCAR.HU ]
