David Bowie is not only a musical genius, a cinematic icon, a multi-talented artist, and world's famous public figure. He is an inspiration to everyone. Not to mention the former PSA Peugeot Citroën designer, Takumi Yamamoto who designed a concept car as an expression to tribute to Bowie and his music through the 'DB Project.'
A sleek, white concept car built as a tribute to British singer David Bowie made by Japanese car designer Takumi Yamamoto. (Picture from: https://aol.it/2WgAVCR)
It took 21 years to make it happen. And finally Yamamoto showed his creation on a full-scale 3D model of the vehicle during the Exposition Concept Car in Paris, which was open to the public and was held from 31 January to 3 February 2019 ago.
"The date of my first sketch read April 1997," Yamamoto as told to Business Insider. Known for its futuristic exterior style 'GT by Citroën' in addition to various creations in the world of the Gran Turismo video game, the Japanese designer hung a Bowie poster in his childhood room in Tokyo.
A car built as a tribute to British singer David Bowie named 'A Portrait of DB,' has been shown at the Exposition Concept Car in Paris. (Picture from: https://aol.it/2WgAVCR)
Working in Paris as an independent car designer when David Bowie died on January 10, 2016, the Yamamoto designed car which was originally to be used as a collaborative display with the artist immediately turned into a tribute car for the artist. To translate his pencil drawing and produce a 3D model, Yamamoto asked for help from his former co-worker at PSA.
A concept car model made as a tribute to British singer David Bowie named 'A Portrait of DB,' also claimed as the world’s first 3D printed, full-scale concept car will soon be unveiled thanks to the collaborative efforts of Massivit 3D Printing Technologies, Marie 3D and car designer Takumi Yamamoto. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2vvuXCn)
Cyrille Ancely, who specializes in computer style, expressed interest in Takumi's idea of translating someone's character into a car. After hours of experimentation, both creative minds transformed Bowie's work into an algorithm that "creates parametric patterns" to be applied to cars. Basically extracting key words from Bowie's work in the design of his car.
A CGI artists named Alexandre Larnac were then recruited to turn on concept cars, learn various pencil sketches and 3D transcripts, highlighting the superiority of the concept..
And to complete the car and then given a name 'A Portrait of DB', Yamamoto and the team found Marie 3D which has the 'MASSIVit 3D' largest 3D printer in the world. And realizing the opportunity to promote the new technology, the company agreed to make and produce Yamamoto's dream car.
Until now, there is still no clear picture of the vehicle. But in the future, Yamamoto hopes to develop this project with further evolution. Asked about the predictions of this car being produced, he replied, "Why not, but I'm not sure which brand will accept this concept!" *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | TAKUMI YAMAMOTO | SIGNIFICA | AOL]
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Guangzhou Automobile Group Motor Company or GAC Motor occupies Hall B at Cobo Center, the venue for the 2019 Detroit Auto Show which is officially titled The North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) 2019. By aligning the products on display with the NAIAS 2019 tagline: Vision Unlimited, one of the mainstays displayed by GAC Motor is a concept car called the GAC Entranze EV Concept.
GAC Entranze Concept Car, a concept vehicle from GAC Motor shown at NAIAS 2019, Cobo Center, Detroit. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2VA21b2)
Born under the auspices of GAC Motor, a subsidiary of the GAC Group ranked 202nd from the list of the companies that successfully penetrated the Fortune Global 500. It turned out that the Entranze EV Concept was not fully born in China, but was developed by the GAC Advanced Design Center in Los Angeles, United States, as quoted from PRNewsWire.
Left side view with all-doors opened of GAC Entranze Concept Car. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2GUcGVR)
The "translation" in the simple sentences of these GAC Motor Concept car is a family vehicle, and is categorized in a Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV). Then the layout in the cabin is 7-seaters with a configuration of 3 + 2 + 2, adopted autonomous technology aka without drivers or self-driving. Inside the cabin, there is a board containing super modern features, two OLED screens on the left and right side, and one screen in the middle.
"Entranze is a representation of GAC's extraordinary experience exploring the market through the tradition of America's famous land travel," said GAC Executive Design Director, Pontus Fontaeus, when explaining this concept car, as quoted of Motor1.
"We are trying to design a special vehicle that offers a better driving experience, as well as being familiar with users. It is this deep relationship between riding and passengers which is the backbone of our project," he added.
Unfortunately, even though they have been explained that the Entranze is an Electric Vehicle (EV) aka pure electric-powered car, GAC Motor still leaves a mystery in the engine sector. Where only mentioned that the fuel is renewable energy.
Then also mentioned that the Entranze EV Concept engine settings will be the same as Enverge, which is the previous GAC Motor concept car which was exhibited last year. If it's true, then this car can go as far as 595 km with a single battery charged. Yes, of course it will be similar to Enverge's achievement.
It is interesting to look forward to whether this concept car will enter the production line. Although GAC currently only sells cars in China, hopes to eventually expand into the U.S. market in near future. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | THE STREET | MOTOR1 | PRNEWSWIRE]
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KIA automotive company through KIA Motor America (KMA) introduced a prototype of their newest electric car named KIA HabaNiro in Manhattan, United States. As reported by AutoExpress on Sunday, April 21, 2019, the concept car comes with a futuristic design and equipped with a nice looking door model stretching upwards like a butterfly.
KIA HabaNiro concept car is Next generation KIA SUV and dubbed as "The Everything Car." (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2W9YDRg)
The four-seat electric car is equipped with a full electric drive, combined with all-wheel drive (AWD) mode and claimed to be able to go as far as 483 km.
Furthermore, the South Korean automotive manufacturer claims, that this concept car provides comfort while navigating on the streets of the city, maneuvering in the turns of coastal roads and off-road as well as providing confidence when adventuring in remote wilderness in other word is “The Everything Car.”
KIA HabaNiro concept car has been debuted at 2019 North America International Auto Show (NAIAS). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2DEh7lM)
According to Tom Kearns, Vice President of KIA Design Center America (KDCA), that HabaNiro is not a supercar type car, but a vehicle that accommodates the needs of mobility in all fields, by prioritizing the practicality offered by electric car technology.
"We imagined a car for everyone and approached everything. Then, when we saw this product in its finished form, we were fascinated by the imagination of the HabaNiro designers and the technology it offered so we wanted to hurry up," said Tom.
Rear three quarter of KIA HabaNiro concept car. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2W9YDRg)
HabaNiro
looks tough and handsome because of the use of 20-inch rims with the butterfly door-typed
that lifts out. Due to the door design makes passengers more free to go in and
out of the cabin.
The possibility with the presence of HabaNIro will open a new vehicle segment that combines electric drive technology with the ability of a crossover, sport, which is also suitable for adventure to work everyday. While on the other hand, KIA has not yet announced whether HabaNiro will be mass-produced, or only still as a concept car. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | KIA | AUTONXT]
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For those of you who may still be confused with the 'scooter' term and what is the difference with an ordinary motorcycle. The definition of 'scooter' is a type of two-wheeled vehicle or motorcycle with a frame that is one with the body (monocoque) so that its rider has a special platform to put his feet.
Unique shaped scooters (in pictured: Unibus scooter) from the past. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2UyYDZB)
Perhaps when it was first shown to the public in the past, its shape was not as we know it now. And maybe you will ask about how unique the shape of the scooter was when it first began to be developed in the past. Here're unique shaped of pioneered scooter was built in early 19th up to 20th centuries;
1. Hildebrand und Wolfmuller
Scooter design began to develop since 1914, but long before there's a German manufacturer named Hildebrand und Wolfmuller had pioneered the first model of scooter in early nineteenth century. But the Hildebrand und Wolfmuller models are not well developed due to the complexity of the design, including the rear wheels which are driven directly by the engine piston as well as on the steam locomotives.
This is Hildebrand und Wolfmüller motorcycle was brought by an Englishman named John C. Potter in 1893 and later known as the first motorcycle in Indonesia. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/1Nwfrq1)
But amazingly, this German-made scooter was the figure of a motorcycle that first stopped in Indonesia (at that time still called the Dutch East Indies) which was imported directly by a British named John C. Potter in 1893. (Here's the full story).
2. Auto-Fauteuil
In 1902, a French manufacturer made a scooter named Auto-Fauteuil which is often regarded as one of the forerunners of the modern scooter. Unlike today's scooters, Auto-Fauteuil scooters drive the rear wheels with a chain system, just like an ordinary motorcycle. Its trademark is the rider's seat adopts a (house) chair model with arms and backrests.
Auto-Fauteuil 1908 model "Tour" 490 cc, water cooled, single frame. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2UR5VwD)
And the story behind the creation of this scooter is also quite unique, it all began when the French factory named Georges Gauthier and Cie. in Blois, Loir-et -Cher, which is actually an auto-parts manufacturer tried to make a scooter.
The scooter manufactured between 1902 and 1922 and the presence of these scooters was quite attention-grabbing in the eyes of the bikers of the era. At first the power units were supplied by De Dion Bouton, but by 1906 Gauthier used his own engines. These engines could be ordered in several capacities, with magneto or battery and coil ignition and engines could be air-cooled or water cooled.
3. Autoped
Then the first generation of scooters was marked by the appearance of Autoped in 1915. The Autoped was an early motor scooter or motorized scooter manufactured by the Autoped Company of Long Island City, New York from 1915 to 1921.
To ride the Autoped had a unique way, namely the driver stood on a platform with 10-inch tires and operated the machine by pushing the handlebars forward, while for braking, the driver must pull the handlebars towards the rear.
The engine was an air-cooled, 4-stroke, 155 cc engine over the front wheel. The bike came with a headlamp and tail lamp, a Klaxon horn, and a toolbox. Developed during wartime and gasoline rationing, it was quite efficient, but was not widely distributed and used (for example, used by traffic police officers).
4. Unibus
Next unique scooter is a scooter from England which is also included in the first generation scooter category. The scooter was named Unibus, ie a scooter produced by a British company called Gloster Aircraft Co. and before producing scooters, this British company founded in 1917 had been producing airplanes which were used during the first world war. And at the end of the war which was precisely in 1920, the company decided to switch to producing two-wheeled vehicles, namely Scooters.
Unibus scooter as display at the Jet Age Museum in Gloucestershire, England. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2DuB6Ds)
This unique scooter designer is Harold Boultbee who is also an engineer at those British manufacturing company. In its heyday, Unibus was a scooter that used a fairly sophisticated engine so many people at that time dubbed it "The Car On Two Wheels". The Unibus scooter uses a 2-stroke one-cylinder air-cooled engine with a capacity of 270 cc. These engine is capable of producing power up to 2.5 horsepower, which then delivers the power to the rear wheels through the two-speed manual transmission system. Then the legs that allow this scooter to roll on the road are a pair of 16-inch wheels.
With engine specifications that are fairly sophisticated at that time, of course it is not surprising that the selling price becomes expensive. Especially by carrying out an elegant design, then at that time, Unibus was considered a masterpiece. But as a result of the high price of these scooters, made it unsold on the market. So finally in 1922 the production was stopped. And for 2 years producing Unibus scooters, the British manufacturer only made 100 units. And if you currently feel interested and want to see this Unibus scooter figure, then you are advised to come up to the Jet Age Museum in Gloucestershire, England.
As we all knew, at north hemisphere annually on April 1 was known as April Fool's, where various parties issued their best jokes to prank with others, including the world's car manufacturers.
And on April Fool's day, some automotive manufacturers presented (on average) a kind of new car accessories or variants, which actually it was a bit difficult to be accepted by common sense (due to of course it was a product of prank). However, not a few are also automotive manufacturers who present a technology that seems real and promising, although a bit eccentric and strange.
Annually on April 1, known as April Fool's day where various parties issued their best jokes to prank with others. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2vofWCq)
The following is a collection of product of pranks from BMW, Lexus, Renault up to McLaren and Triumph that seem to not want to be left behind in given their automotive pranks to the world's automotive lovers.
Number one, BMW. These German luxury car manufacturer initially offered an "Original BMW Unicorn Parts" which make the BMW 4-Series look like it has a unicorn horn on the hood and emit magical dust of its exhaust.
Handwheel made by British motorcycle manufacturer Triumph.(Picture from: http://bit.ly/2V6iAvJ)
Next was the British motorcycle manufacturer Triumph, who tried to outwit You with a funny 'Handlewheel,' ie a motorcycle handlebar which made similar to the car's steering wheel but still equipped with a pair of rear view mirror.
Unlike the French car manufacturer, Renault was introduced the 'Renault RS17 Hayonara,' an F1 racing car that has a stern like a hatchback car, and is equipped with lights and bumpers.
McLaren 570S wrapped in the artificial bird feathers all over its body. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2V6iAvJ)
The most impressive was the McLaren with their 570S which was wrapped in articial bird feathers all over its body. In fact, McLaren initially explained (on video below) that bird feathers are very aerodynamic and lightweight, which are efficient if used in cars and called Bio-mimicry technology.
At the end, the most convincing April Fool's prank comes from Lexus. The car manufacturer displays a technology called the 'Lane Valet' that allows the car to communicate with others. With this technology, if there is a car running slowly in the fast lane, then the computer will automatically moved those slowly car to safer side, so that the faster ones can pass it..
Hmm ... those product of pranks of the automotive manufacturers mentioned above are very creative and (in our opinion) look very convincing as if they were real. But keep in mind, this is only a joke, don't take it too serious. Finally, keep'n smile and enjoy rest of your lifes with something usefull alongside your beloved ones and have a nice day... *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ]
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