The world's biggest Volkswagen Beetle

Making something unique to be able to look different, still seems to be a powerful weapon for automotive enthusiasts in making an automotive creation. Because basically all of us will always be interested in seeing something unique, eccentric or unusual.

Richard and Scott Tupper of Wicked Concepts has built a Volkswagen Beetle that is 40 percent larger (on the left) than a regular one (on the right). (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2RFiQgE)

For that many ways can be done, this can be witnessed of the work of one of the American automotive enthusiasts who succeeded in making a replica of the 1959 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible with a size 40 percent larger than the normal size. The big-sized Beetle used a license plate that says 'HUGE BUG,' was built by Richard and Scott Tupper from the Wicked Concepts, an automotive workshop at Gardena, California.

According to the builder, it all started from their automotive craze which then led to the idea to make something different to be displayed at an automotive event so that it can make people amazed while to see it.

The big and the regular. The VW Beetle at right has been made 40 percent bigger than a normal-sized version. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37fvZUa)

This creative work began by scanned digitally the parts of the 1959 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible which was then enlarged 40 percent in size. The builder said, there are 3,514 auto parts that should be made in their metal fabrication workshop. And even the screws are made from scratch because there is no size-matched on the market.

Then the road-legal big VW Beetle was built atop an adjusted chassis of a 2010 Dodge Ram pickup truck. And its drivetrain uses a 5.7-liter V8 Hemi engine which is placed on the front. This car is really big with a total weight of around 6,200 lbs (about 2.8 ton), and the hood alone is about 200 lbs (90.72 kg).

Meanwhile, the inside of the car is made as perfect as the exterior, where there is one of the notable features, namely the instrument panels on the dashboard are made according to the original design but not work. Instead, there are digital instrument panels that drop down from behind its big dashboard when the driver starts the engine. And according to the builder, this big-sized VW Beetle can accommodate 10 people at once in the cabin.

In the making process of this big-sized VW Beetle, its materials alone spent about US.$15,000 and now is estimated to be worth $1.25 million. Wow!  *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | USA TODAY | STUFF]

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The electric version of Hummer being prepared by GM

General Motors (GM) is ready to revive the Hummer car. However, this legendary car reportedly will not use conventional engines anymore but replaced with electric engines to keep abreast of current world automotive trends.

Rendered image of Hummer HX electric-powered SUV. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/37btu5u)

The car that will be developed by GM is the Hummer HX and will be produced at the Detroit-Hamtramck plant in Michigan, a plant that will be used entirely to mix electric cars. Even GM has invested the US $3 billion for the plant.

As quoted from Motor1, which revealed the reason they chose the Hummer as one part of the development of electric cars because the Hummer name is widely known as a tough car in its segment, especially in the American market.

The automotive executive observer of Cox Automotive, Karl Brauer said that Hummer will increasingly skyrocket under the management of GM who already has experience as the best management in the automotive world. And by presenting it in a different technology wrapped will make Hummer more in demand.

"This collaboration is very perfect because Hummer is a car that dominates the popularity of pickups and SUVs for buyers in America, even when the industrial recession occurred," said Brauer.

The video below explains about the Hummer HX Concept that appeared at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show:

For many lovers of tough cars, the choice of reviving Hummer as an electric car will further strengthen its dominance, amidst the desire of many countries who want to transform from conventional cars to environmentally friendly electric cars.

But GM hasn't announced exactly when, Hummer HX will start to fill to the production line, but they are optimistic that in the next few years Hummer will re-pave with strength and privileges as a tough environmentally friendly car. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | INSIDE EV | WALL STREET JOURNAL | MOTOR1]

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Chrysler has resurrected its Airflow into an athletically premium crossover

As we all knew, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) was listed as one of the participants who attended the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2020) and has exhibited its newest concept car with fully-digital cabin technology named Chrysler Airflow Vision. 

Chrysler Airflow Vision concept car for the CES 2020 where the interior is effectively all-digital, with six screens handling the experience for the driver and passengers. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38cofTg)

Actually, the 'Airflow' is an aerodynamic sedan that was introduced by Chrysler to the US market in the 1930s, but for the present model that comes in 2020 by using the same name is said as an athletically sculpted premium crossover vehicle with a distinctive appearance and strong focus on user experience.

The company's today sophisticated concept car name derived from 1934 Chrysler Airflow. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Tvgzr0)

Inside the cabin, it has been equipped with six screens to pamper the driver and passengers. As reported by Engadget, the only physical buttons in the cabin are the starter button and the navigation button on the steering wheel. Besides that inside the interior is also equipped with ambient lighting and a slim profile chair that allows more spacious legroom and personal storage.

Left side view of Chrysler Airflow Vision concept car at the CES 2020. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/38fmZ1p)

It was also stated that Airflow Vision prioritizes a user interface that is "safe, easy to use and understand," with a system that is simple, consistent and readable so that it will not disturb the driver. This interface can also be personalized based on individual tastes. It is also possible to share photos with anyone in the cabin, for example, if the driver wants to tell the route to the passenger.

Rear left side view of Chrysler Airflow Vision concept car at the CES 2020. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Tvgzr0)

There's also the LED exterior lighting and a large blade that appears to span the width of the concept’s front end and other elements could well be incorporated into its future vehicles. Besides that, this Chrysler's concept also featuring a highly unusual wheels design.

Rearview of Chrysler Airflow Vision concept car at the CES 2020. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2Tvgzr0)

There is no more detailed information about the performance of the car itself. The concept car is based on the Chrysler Pacifica plug-in hybrid system, but it is not yet clear whether this will be a hybrid car, fully electric-powered or something completely different. 

The thing to remember is, the concept car made by Fiat Chrysler is still in the prototype stage. And we thought also that the Chrysler Airflow Vision is too outlandish a concept to be anywhere near production lines.

But if it managed to get into the production line, then at least there should be minimal changes in order to meet the needs of users who are accustomed to driving with physical buttons. Due to physical buttons are also useful for reducing interference when driving. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FCA | ENGADGET | GULFNEWS | MOTOR1 | CAR ADVICE | AUTOBLOG]

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Audi's future city car concept shown off at CES 2020

One of the leading car brands from Germany, Audi brings a number of the latest concepts and technologies to be displayed at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2020) held in Las Vegas recently, including a fully autonomous concept car named Audi AI: ME, which has made its debut at the 2019 Shanghai Auto Show some time ago.

Audi AI: ME, a future concept car inspired by the possibilities of level 4 autonomy and packed with computer chips, sensors and mobile technology. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2NvJ83X)

Basically the Audi AI: ME Concept is a preview model of the upcoming Audi electric-powered car, which reportedly will also share the same MEB platform with the VW ID3 and SEAT El Born, bearing in mind the brand is under the same group namely the Volkswagen Group.

Audi AI: ME concept has shown off at the CES 2020, a fully autonomous car without a driver that describes as a lounge for the city of tomorrow, allowing occupants to use their time onboard for communication, entertainment or relaxation. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2TrTANu)

On this CES 2020, Audi took the opportunity by allowing its designers to go more deeper beautify the cabin by creating a set of interiors that were very friendly and cozy so that it looked like a 'lounge' that would certainly indulge passengers and drivers to relax in it, because of the self-driving ability of the Audi AI: ME with the steering wheel is attracted automatically into the dashboard shortly after the autonomous driving option turning on.

The Audi AI: ME compact offers maximum interior comfort and a high-tech refuge with automated level 4 driving that allows the steering wheel, instruments, and pedals to be concealed by a surface of open-pore walnut. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2FSxCeL)

Audi also showed off their new technology, including a reality head-up display blended nicely with 3D technology as a collaboration work result with Samsung. This technology is able to show some visuals to the driver with floating images in the distance, ranging from a distance of 10 to more than 70 meters in front of the vehicle, this means the driver's eye does not need to refocus much.

Audi AI: ME concept is an electric-powered city car that has a spacious cabin so that the feet can move freely.. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2st7GTH)

The 'Intelligent Experience' navigation system made by Audi will also be present, featuring artificial intelligence for better safety and driving comfort. The standalone navigation system, which is already offered with a model that is equipped with MMI at the moment, is capable of storing various destination choices and connecting it with the date, time and traffic conditions to suggest a better route.

Audi said that this system in the future will be able to carry out an accurate analysis of the functions and settings that are most preferred by drivers, including seat positions, entertainment lists, route guidance, to temperature and interior fragrances setting. After that, the system will implement the driver's preferences independently.
Besides showing off the Audi AI: ME Concept with its various technologies as mentioned above, at the Audi booth at the CES 2020 also presents the E-Tron Q4 and E-Tron Sportback which have been released earlier. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | AUTO NXT | DIGITAL TRENDS]

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The only supercar in the Kei Car segment

From Japanese automotive manufacturer, we're spoiled by a variety of automotive products. But there is something that tickles the eye and looks so unique that it's hard not to look it in Japan, where you can see many cutie cars made by almost all of the famous Japanese car manufacturers, such as Daihatsu, Honda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Suzuki, Toyota.

1992 Autozam AZ-1, the only supercar in the kei car segment made by Mazda and its engine of Suzuki. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2QUNe7S)

Well in Japan, these cutie cars are known as the Kei Car. And as far we know, the kei car itself is one of the best-selling car types in the land of the Rising Sun. Besides has the mini-sized body, turn out the engine used by it has a small capacity as well, an average of 660 cc. That's really small, right?

But of the many cute cars made by those Japanese manufacturers mentioned above, there is a kei car model that looks very different. Outwardly this car does have a fairly cute size, but what makes it unique is the style that it carries. The kei car called the Autozam AZ-1 is clearly seen carrying a typical European sports car style.

1992 Autozam AZ-1 is powered by a turbocharged inline three-cylinder displacing 660 cc mated to a five-speed manual transmission. (Picture from: http://bit.ly/2QUNe7S)

If you don’t know what the Autozam AZ-1 is, nobody can blame you. This cutie car designed and manufactured by Mazda under its Autozam brand while Suzuki provided the engine. This unique styled kei car built and sold in limited numbers from 1992 to 1995. During that time, they made less than 5,000 of them.

It is a tiny sports car powered with a turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 660 cc and able to burst power of 64 hp. Despite its cutie size with 1,500 pounds of weight, the Autozam AZ-1 was a proper sports car. In fact, some parties consider it the only supercar in the Kei Car segment. As you can see, this tiny sports car built on the perfect chassis, complement with a pair of gullwing styled doors and also has decent performance numbers to make it be the favorite car in Japan.

The bizarre styling but lively driving dynamics provided a unique driving experience. And this is one of the reasons you should consider to have this little rolling gem. Although its manufacturer never sold it outside of Japan, you can now import it to America or other places on Earth since it is older than 25 years. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WIKIPEDIA | MOTOR JUNKIES]

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