10 Most Unique German Concept Cars (Part-2)

Germans renowned have produced some incredibly interesting concept cars over the years. Now we were talked about the unique German concept cars, we will take a look at 10 of their most unique.

The rules for the list are as follows: no concepts produced after 1985 are up for consideration, and any cars considered must be either prototypes or true concept cars – not custom-built coaches for individual buyers. Also excluded were homologation cars, like the Porsche 904. Besides, a car like that deserves it's own space in a future piece.

Here are the 2nd part of 10 German's Unique concept cars.

6. 1972 BMW Turbo Concept

Six years before the BMW M1 would be revealed to the public, there was the 1972 BMW Turbo concept. There were so many visual elements of this car that would ultimately find their way into various models in the BMW lineup.

1972 BMW Turbo Concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1PU1dp5)

Initially, BMW built the car as a showpiece for the 1972 Summer Olympics, hosted in Munich. The concept was built on a highly modified 2002 chassis, with a turbocharged 2002 engine mounted in the rear. The concept featured various safety innovations, such as a braking distance monitor utilizing radar, side impact door beams, and foam filled front and rear sections.

When you consider how pervasive these ideas are today, the importance of this concept becomes more obvious than just the good looks.

7. 1973 Italdesign Karmann Asso di Picche Concept

The peculiar name of this lesser known Audi concept literally means 'Ace of Spades'. The car was commissioned by Karmann Coachworks, but designed and built by Giugiaro's firm ItalDesign.

1973 Italdesign Karmann Asso di Picche Concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1Ga7et8)

The car was one in a series of concept coupes, this one being introduced in 1973 as a front wheel drive, two door 2+2 based on the Audi 80 platform. While Audi never did much with the design, it is believed to be a primary source of inspiration for what would later become the Volkswagen Scirocco.

8. 1975 Opel Geneve Concept

In what was arguably a dark time for automotive design, the Opel Geneve was a breath of fresh air. The initial concept was meant to progress into something more tangible, with the intent that it would house GM's new Wankel engine in the rear.

1975 Opel Geneve Concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1LPjeyS)

When General Motors and Opel ceased development of the Wankel program, the Geneve concept largely died with it. At one point, an orange version of the car appeared with a 230 hp V8 engine.

9. 1978 Mercedes-Benz Schulz Studie CW311

The 1978 CW311 in many ways was a derivative of the earlier C111 development platform. Unlike the earlier concepts, Mercedes didn't use the CW 311 nearly as extensively.

1978 Mercedes-Benz Schulz Studie CW311. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1GL2oRP)

Mercedes had so little interest in the concept, they allowed one of their former design engineers, Eberhard Schulz, to utilize the design. He developed his own brand, which he named Isdera. His car, the Isdera Imperator 108i was based very literally off of the earlier Mercedes concept.

10. 1981 Audi Quartz Concept

Sergio Pininfarina decided to build a car specifically for the 75th anniversary of the Swiss car magazine Automobil Revue. He decided in 1980 that the Audi Quattro was the perfect foundation for his vision. Audi happily provided him a UR Quattro by that summer.

1981 Audi Quartz Concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1PU2w7x)

The new concept was nearly 1 foot shorter and 200 pounds lighter than the Quattro from which it was built. The magazine tested the car in 1986, and managed a 0 to 62 mph time of 7.1 seconds, with a top speed of 136 mph. (Jump to previous part.) *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | 95 CUSTOMS]
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Audi is preparing a new city car

Audi reportedly developing a new urban car (city car) has to compete with the MINI Cooper and Fiat 500.

As quoted from Worldcarfans on Wednesday, May 27, 2015, the city car will be exhibited at the Paris Motor Show 2016 in the form of a concept car. If approved for production, the car is expected to launch in 2020 with two body styles: two and four doors.

Audi Urban Concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1J7xqDL)

Not much information about the car, but likely the car will use a new architecture based on the MQB platform. It is hoped this model comes with two engines, ie three-cylinder petrol engine that is capable of spewing power up to 110 BHP and the diesel one with 100 BHP.

In addition, Audi also offers the possibility of an electric variant which uses an electric motor as the driving with the ability to spew a power of 80 BHP or 120 BHP and has a cruising range of more than 201 kilometers.

Interestingly, there is a plan for the highest variance using a two-cylinder engine sourced from Ducati with a capacity of 1.2 liters is able to spewing a maximum power of 200 BHP.. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WORLDCARFANS]

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Plankton are a source of oxygen on Earth

Tiny creatures called plankton in the oceans largely considered as food for whales and other large marine animals. But a four-year global study found, among other things, that the plankton is the source of oxygen on the planet.

Plankton are animals, algae, bacteria and other microscopic organisms invisible. They inhabit the upper layers of the oceans, seas and freshwater in the world.

Lake Ontario in North America, where the growth of plankton summer, seen from the International Space Station at NASA. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1HxxpVg)

In a project named "Tara Oceans", which led by the French non-profit organization Tara Expeditions, there are 200 scientists from 45 countries who alternately examines plankton on a ship.

They set sail in September 2009, the Tara's vessel visited 210 locations, where scientists collect 35,000 samples, examining life, genetic composition and movement of these tiny creatures.

Chris Bowler, scientific coordinator of Tara Oceans, said the researchers found that plankton contribute much to the welfare of our planet. Creatures that "produces the oxygen we breathe, removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and generally maintain the condition of the Earth in order to live a decent human being," he said.

Bowler said that nearly half of the oxygen we breathe comes from diatoms, or mini photosynthetic algae that occupy all the layers of water that gets sunlight.

"Basically it means that every fifth breath, you inhale oxygen that can be directly traced back to the diatom," he said.

"So they are just as important as tropical forests in global contribution."

Executive director of the expedition, Romain Troublé said the study clearly showed that the oceans are Earth's climate machine.

"We believe that the oceans are also a major driver of climate change, the main organizer in the storage of carbon dioxide and heat," he said.

"And these machines work because the sea is in good health."

Different groups of scientists researching different things. One group, for example, makes the catalog to more than 40 million genes previously unknown plankton. Others find that the majority of plankton are parasitic interactions.

The data collected will be used to determine which of these organisms are most able to adapt to the conditions of the water change. The results of the first studies were published in the May issue of the journal Science, and many other analyzes will follow. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | VOA NEWS]
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10 Most Unique German Concept Cars (Part-1)

Germans renowned have produced some incredibly interesting concept cars over the years. Now we were talked about the unique German concept cars, we will take a look at 10 of their most unique.

The rules for the list are as follows: no concepts produced after 1985 are up for consideration, and any cars considered must be either prototypes or true concept cars – not custom-built coaches for individual buyers. Also excluded were homologation cars, like the Porsche 904. Besides, a car like that deserves it's own space in a future piece.

Here are the 1st part of 10 the most unique German concept cars.

1. 1939 Porsche Type 64

Many consider the Type 64 to be one of the first true Porsches. The heavily reinforced chassis provided a foundation for the formed aluminum skin. The body design was molded in a wind tunnel. Three cars were built, and in one of them the flat four engine was reworked to produce around 100 hp. It was built purposely for the 1939 Berlin to Rome race as a public relations tool.

1939 Porsche Type 64. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1ADImHH)

Even though the proportions changed, it is not difficult to see what would ultimately become the 356 and other early Porsches in this purpose built car.

2. 1939 Mercedes-Benz T80

Perhaps one of the most unusual concepts, the T80 was a six wheeled vehicle built by Mercedes, and designed by Ferdinand Porsche for the purpose of breaking the world land speed record.

T80 had a tuned Daimler-Benz aircraft engine. The inverted V12 (crank up, cylinders down) with 44 liters displacement developed 3,000 hp. The engine ran on a mixture of 7 different chemicals. The streamlined body achieved a drag coefficient of an astonishing 0.18. Kurb weight: 2,900 kg (6393 lbs).

1939 Mercedes-Benz T80 (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1PTZbFo)

The car was targeted to achieve a speed of over 340 mph, but never made the attempt before the outbreak of World War II. Even prior to the war, Hitler envisioned the T80 as a powerful propaganda tool, and even increased the target speed of the car to 470 mph.

3. 1969 BMW 2800 Spicup Concept

Marcelo Gandini, working for Bertone day at the time, designed this concept for BMW. While it was based on a BMW 2500, outside of a highly modified chassis, the only parts carried over from the original car were the gauges and pedals.

1969 BMW 2800 Spicup Concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1QgDZEw)

The concept was powered by a 2.8 L six-cylinder engine producing 170 hp through a four-speed manual pushing power to the rear wheels. The fully functional prototype proved very entertaining, but was too big a leap for BMW, relative to its product lineup and strategy at the time.

4. 1969 Opel CD Concept 
Opel's own in-house designers, under the guidance of long time General Motors designer Chuck Jordan, created the CD concept.

1969 Opel CD Concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1HTPC4T)

The CD concept was largely an exercise in aerodynamics, even spending some time in the wind tunnel – pretty common for production cars, but highly unusual for concept cars, especially in the late 1960s. It featured a canopy-like cockpit, with one piece of glass acting as both the windshield and side windows.

5. 1970 Porsche Tapiro Concept

Giugiaro designed car, built on a 914 platform, was considered a potential solution for mass production for Porsche. The very abrupt and straight lines were an indication of a larger design trend that was coming. Gullwing doors were used for both passengers as well as the engine.

1970 Porsche Tapiro Concept. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1dCOeaf)

As an interesting aside, the Tapiro concept car was purchased by a private collector years ago, and in the 1980s, was found completely burned after it was involved in an accident. (Moving to the next-part.) *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | 95 CUSTOMS]
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From the Video game go down to Motorcycle

Inspired by the Konami's Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain video game, Triumph present 'Venom Triumph Bonneville VTB.1', a model which is ridden by one of the characters called ‘Snake’ in the video game at the MCN Comic-Con event in London, which was held from Friday, May 22, 2015. The special custom Triumph Bonneville based on the Bonneville T100.

Venom Triumph Bonneville VTB.1 ridden by a model at the MCN Comic-Con event . (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1HKFNn5)

The big motorcycle modification is only built one unit and not sold to the public. And comprehensive changes have taken possession of all over its exterior body which is now turned into a tracker. The frightening impression instantly recognizable from its black wheels that wrapped with a pair of Continental TK80 tires.

Venom Triumph Bonneville VTB.1. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1HKFNn5)

Then the body of the motorcycle covered by black matte color. With the release of the front fender makes the front view becomes more fierce. Featuring a good mix of colours, yellow on the headlight glass, red on the cylinder heads, red disc brake callipers and yellow chain sprocket; the visitors to the Comic-Con gave a thumbs up the custom job. 

Left side view of Venom Triumph Bonneville VTB.1. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1HKFNn5)

There's no rear view mirrors, rev counter or speedometer. Then there is the special seat made of carbon kevlar leather, inspired from Snake’s combat wear and custom saddle bags made of jute. Even the exhaust pipe is covered with jute.

Right side view of Venom Triumph Bonneville VTB.1. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1HKFNn5)

Detailing too is commendable. On the tank you will notice Diamond Dogs logo, inspired from the video game. The makers say that the Venom Triumph Bonneville is a mission-ready motorcycle, reflecting Snake’s world.

"Here! one-off Triumph Bonneville, as a celebration of the new game from Konami UK - Metal Gear Solid V: The Panthom Pain," said Triumph in their twitter chirp. "Look in detail. One of the 'arm' steering rod metallic red," they added.

Kept spur your adrenaline on the power of the two-wheeled monster and stay alive with true safety riding. May God will forgive Your sins and so does the cops...... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | RUSHLANE]

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Finally, six of the Jag E-Type Limited Edition cars reborn

For more than half a century, the Jaguar iconic car, E-Type had becoming a rich man's vehicle collection. (See the previous article). And now, Jaguar has created a limited edition of six E-Type ever built, completed with its light aluminum engine which has gave as much 26 victories for the World's racing legends such as Graham Hill and Jackie Stewart.

The new Lightweight E-type is the first recreation to come from Jaguar Heritage. Just six of the lightweight cars will be built, each assigned one of the unused chassis numbers from 1963. (Picture from: http://dailym.ai/1RjerZE)

The British company that based in Coventry, England, was originally planned to make 18 units of E-Type, and only 12 units are up to the production line in between 1963 and 1964 and present in the streets. As a result, the remained car is very rare and worth at least £7 million.

Now, over 50 years later, as reported by the Daily Mail on Sunday, May 24, 2015, Jaguar has completed production to fulfill up to 18, with painstakingly they created six new cars with the original design, and give them the unused chassis numbers.

Those new cars are handmade by a team of 'Jaguar Heritage' in Browns Lane, with a cost of £1.2 million per unit and sold to six Jaguar's fans. One is the US car collector, John Breslow. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | DAILYMAIL]

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