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Sunday, September 12, 2021

This how it should be, if the Corvette C4 converted into a supercar

One, Two & Three We are back again talking about exotic cars that exist today, maybe some of them can be said as as the rare of a kind, and also rarely been seen by the public. In the automotive world there is an assumption that has already become a public opinion because it is supported by facts and conditions that have existed and developed from the past until now.
The Guldstrand Grand Sport 90 is built and upgraded everything it could be into an exotic supercar by Guldstrand Engineering back in 1995. (Picture from: Corvette Forum)
As all we know, most likely some of the world's automotive fans have the notion that beautiful and exotic cars are always attached to the European car brands, while the American ones are always identified with stocky and powerful cars. That's okay, this assumption is not 100 percent wrong or absolutely true. Why is that? Because among the European brands there are always powerful cars and the same is true with the American ones, there are always beautiful, and exotic cars.
The late Dick Guldstrand (right) posed with Charlie Budenz (left), the owner of the Guldstrand GS90 #2. (Picture from: Corvette Forum)
There are many exceptions against the assumption above. One of them is an American muscle car modified in such a way becomes into an exotic supercar by
Dick Guldstrand. Who is he? Aside from being an American entrepreneur or a former racing car driver, Dick Guldstrand is a legendary figure in the world's automotive who is closely associated with the American muscle car, the Chevrolet Corvette and later earned the nickname of 'Mr. Corvette'.
The Guldstrand Grand Sport 90 comes in style out of the box, although retains the general proportions of the C4 while inserting a decent amount of exotic feel into it. (Picture from: Corvette Forum)
Specifically regarding the car we are discussing this time, which is started its life as the Corvette C4 ZR-1, one of the famous American muscle cars of the 1990s (and might be you remembered with another car came from the same era such the Bertone-designed Corvette Nivola). In 1995 through his company called Guldstrand Engineering, the car was modified in such a way that its status is converted to an exotic supercar named Guldstrand Grand Sport 90.
Besides the coupe, turn out the Guldstrand Grand Sport 90 also built in the such spyder style. (Picture from: Coachbuild)
In the project, he designed the car based on his experience and personal relationship with the Corvette brand and the extraordinary Grand Sport C2 Corvette's formula, which continued to take on the foundations laid by the Corvette C4 ZR-1 to seek improvement in every possible aspect. Stylistically, the GS90 comes in style out of the box, although retains the general proportions of the C4 while inserting a decent amount of exotic feel into it.
The Guldstrand Grand Sport 90 is powered by the ZR-1's LT5 V8 engine which has been engineered by Guldstrand to produce more power and efficiency. (Picture from: Corvette Forum)
As for the drivetrain, the GS90 car is powered by the ZR-1's LT5 V8 engine which has been engineered by Guldstrand to produce more power and efficiency. So the GS90's engine is capable of producing power up to 475 horsepower, which is 70 hp more than the original LT5 engine. 
The Guldstrand GS90's suspension, brakes and almost every performance component received upgrades as well, thus turning it into a beast on the track. (Picture from: Corvette Forum)
Then the suspension, brakes and almost every performance component received upgrades as well, thus turning the Guldstrand GS90 into a beast on the track, without compromising comfort and ride quality. After finished, the Guldstrand's car debuted on the Chevrolet stand at the 1994 Los Angeles Auto Show
The Corvette C4 ZR-1 was the donor car of the Guldstrand Grand Sport 90, no wonder if both of the cars look almost the same in posture. (Picture from: Barret-Jackson)
The plan, the car will be produced by Gulstrand Engineering around 100 to 150 units only (both in coupe and spyder models) and sold with a price tag of around $135,000 through Chevrolet dealers, but GM cancelled the deal.💢 By considering the price tag is twice as high as the ZR-1's price, and it is known that only 6 units were completed.
As quoted of Corvette Forum, 5 of the 6 GS90 cars became a display in the museum (2 units in Europe, and one unit each was in Japan, Detroit and LA) while the only car on the streets at this time owned by Charlie Budenz (GS90 #2). In deep sorrow while we've heard, Dick Guldstrand passed away at the age of 87 back in 2015.😇 But his great work will always be remembered and appreciated by the Corvette community in all over the world. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CORVETTE FORUM | 2ND WIKI | COACHBUILD ]
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Saturday, September 11, 2021

One of the 1960s weird looking Lamborghinis

Weird ONES As a coachbuilder company, Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera has a very good business relationship with Automobili Lamborghini, because the Lamborghini 350 GT, which we know as the first car to come out of those Italian bull cage was the result of their work in 1964.
The Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II is worked by a Milan-based coachbuilder, Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera in the 1965. (Picture from: LamboCars)
The Milan-based automotive company was founded by Felice Bianchi Anderloni in 1926, and has become renowned for its beautiful design and patented 'superleggera
' construction method. Unfortunately its age was not long, the company went out of business in 1966.
The Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II is built based on the 400 GT chassis has been shortened of 10 cm. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
Before going out of business, the Milan-based company had time to show their two new cars, namely the Fiat 124 Convertible, and the Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II at the 1966 Turin Auto Show.

If you look closely, it turns out that the Carrozzeria Touring-made 400 GT Flying Star II was contemporaneous with the Lamborghini 3500 GTZ which was built by another Milan-based coachbuilder company, Carrozzeria Zagato whose design was done by Ercole Spada, because both were built in 1965.
The Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II appears with angular body lines, as well as a controversial roof design, making it look like a station wagon rather than a sports car. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
The Flying Star II car project was carried out by a team led by Carlo Anderloni, son of the founder of the Touring company. The car is built on a chassis that is 10 cm shorter than the 400 GT standard version. The car is powered by a front-mounted V12 engine coupled with 5-speed all-synchromesh differential which capable spewing out 320 hp of power and torque of 276 lbs.ft.

In general the car shape is unique, strange, and unusual. As quoted of CarStyling.ru, the Lamborghini Flying Star II appears with angular body lines, as well as a controversial roof design, making it look like a station wagon rather than a sports car (or known as a shooting brake). Besides that, the size is disproportionate and very large if it is intended for only two people inside the car plus their luggages.
The Lamborghini 400 GT Flying Star II is powerd by a front-mounted V12 engine coupled with 5-speed all-synchromesh differential. (Picture from: CarStyling.ru)
Of course, the appearance like that was beyond expectations of Ferrucio Lamborghini and the other board of directors. They thought that's a bad and dissapointed results. When presented at the Touring's factory, the Flying Star II appeared using Borrani's 15-inches wire wheels, but when it appeared at the Turin Auto Show were replaced with the new cast magnesium alloy wheels of Campagnolo.
Although that's a disappointing result, but it's remained to be recorded in the production log-books as the last car design that came out of the Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera before closed the doors in 1966. After four decades the company in hibernation periods, so then in the 2006 the Milan-based coachbuilder company was revived.

And in 2008, Carrozzeria Touring again introduced its masterpiece creation called the A8GCS Berlinetta at the Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance event that year as a prototype of a V8-engined supercar under the trident emblem of Maserati. That's a phenomenal work and crowned as 'the most beautiful supercar of the year' at the Automobile International Festival 2009 held in Paris. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | LAMBOCARS | SHARONOV | CARSTYLING.RU | SUPERCARS.NET ]
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Friday, September 10, 2021

The last supercar of Peter Monteverdi

As it turned out, the feud momment of him with the Enzo Ferrari owned company was the beginning of a success story for Peter Monteverdi along with his own brand. In 1963, he was only 29 years old, he decided to leave the the prancing horse's prestige in search of his personal glory. The feud was prompted when the Maranello-based company requested to prepay for the supply of 100 cars he ordered.
Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 is a supercar built based of an updated Monteverdi-ONYX chassis and is powered by an Ford DFR V8 engine. (Picture from: Box26)
As is well known, that the Monteverdi, a Swiss automotive brand that can grow to be big, certainly cannot be separated from the figure of Peter Monteverdi, a Binningen businessman who continued the Ferrari, BMW, Lancia and Roll-Royce dealership business started by his father.

According to some unconfirmed rumors, among the 100 cars ordered by Monteverdi there are several models of the Ferrari 250 GTO, which is included as the most iconic car ever produced by the Maranello-based manufacturer. There is also a mention of 100 cars also including some examples of the 250 GTO models, even someone said that's all orders for that year.
Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 while sat on display at the 2017 Geneva International Motor Show. (Picture from: Box26)
Peter Monteverdi did not pay for his order in advance as Ferrari wanted, so the partnership with the famous Italian brand was broken off. Monteverdi was not discouraged and took advantage of the experience he had accumulated since the late 1950s, when he started selling the kit cars under the brand of MBM (Monteverdi Binningen Motors), it made in small series by buying the components in the UK.
Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 is built as many as 3 unit which is consisted 2 running prototypes and rest non running show car. (Picture from: Box26)
Since then Monteverdi decided to make and produce cars under his own brand. Several sports car models such as the Monteverdi Hai 450SS and others have been produced at his plant in Binningen, Switzerland. As is well known, that Peter Monteverdi really loves the world of racing, because he himself is a former racer who has raced up to the Formula 1. Years after years, in 1992 to be exact, by his Formula 1 racing experiences then inspired him to create the supercar called the Monteverdi Hai 650 F1.

This Monteverdi's Formula 1 racing DNA supercar is built on an updated Monteverdi-ONYX chassis and is powered by a Ford DFR V8 engine which is also mounted on the Formula 1 racing car, and that's supercar whose owes its name to the engine power of 650 ponies with 390 Nm of torque.
Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 used  Ford DFR V8 engine capable burst power of 650 hp and 390 Nm of torque. (Picture from: Box26)
The Binningen-based car manufacturer considered the development of its supercar at the time as the closest to the Formula 1 racing cars, and the Monteverdi plans to build it as the limited edition. But in reality only two prototypes were actually completed between 1992 and 1995, currently both of them is sat on display at the Monteverdi Museum in Lucerne and also seen frequently fill in the great world's expo halls such the Geneva Motor Show, etc.

Then for its performance, the bright red colored supercar is theoretically said to have the ability to run up to a top speed of 335 kph, while its sprint 0-100 kph capability done in 3.0 seconds and 0-200 kph in 8.0 seconds. This Swiss-made supercar has a length of 4.55 meters, 1.96 meters wide, and heigh only 1.05 meters. Then there is one advantage that the Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 has, namely its low weight which is only about 850 kg, which is a very low numbers if compared to rival supercars at that time, which were much heavier, and less powerful.
Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 non-running model, due to it doesn't have an engine. (Picture from: Box26)
When the Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 was finished being developed, it was already milling around on the European major cities streets its glamourious potential rivals such as the Ferrari F40 (478 hp for 1,235 kg) and Lamborghini Diablo (492 hp for 1,500 kg). However, if the Hai 650 F1 were really to enter the production line, certainly it would become a serious market protagonist, given that the F40 pony of the Maranello-based breeder and the Diablo of the Sant'Agata Bolognese based bull's cage are the most iconic supercars of the time.
Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 non-running model, due to it doesn't have an engine. (Picture from: Box26)
In addition to the two red colored bodywork prototypes, actually there is the third one with a gray-purple colored body, known as non-running model, due to it doesn't have an engine. So, it's said that the third one was built by Monteverdi to be the show car for promotional purposed only.
Peter Monteverdi passed away in 1998 as well as closing the entire of his adventure series in the automotive world and left the great legacy through his auto brand to bring the Monteverdi Hai 650 F1 as the last high performance car that he made. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | BOX26.CH | WIKIPEDIA ]
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Thursday, September 9, 2021

Volkswagen's electric city-car ready for launch in 2025

The SUCCESSOR As we all know that currently in the world's automotive, the vehicle electrification trend is rife, which makes a number of world automotive manufacturers compete in developing electric vehicles and showing off the results to the public. As has been done by Volkswagen, while showcased its latest concept car called Volkswagen ID.Life at the IAA Mobility 2021 held in Munich recently.
The Volkswagen ID. Life is said to be the company vision of the next generation of fully electric urban mobility. (Picture from: GridOto)
As quoted of Motor1, its production version is planned to be launched in 2025, and is positioned under the Volkswagen ID.3 electric hatchback. As for the highlights, this four-wheeled vehicle has a cool design and sophisticated cabin. Beside that, the concept runs an electric engine and promises a range of 400 km on a single charge.
The Volkswagen ID. Life concept has debuted at the IAA Mobility 2021 held in September 7, 2021 in Munich. (Picture from: Motor1)
The German auto giant claims that the components of the Volkswagen ID.Life are made of several different recycled and renewable materials. For example, for car paint colorants made of wood chips, while the lightweight removable roof is made of recycled bottles and the tires are made of biologically based oils, rice husks and natural rubber.
The Volkswagen ID. Life concept has a closed panel front fascia without the grille featuring the car's logo, and finished in two-tone colors. (Picture from: Gooto)
The exterior of the Volkswagen ID.Life looks in a simple design inspired by the VW Golf Mk.1 with a flattened hood, a closed panel front fascia without the grille featuring the car's logo, and finished in two-tone colors. The vehicle is flanked by a black B-pillar, which features specially designed 20-inch aero wheels, and cameras as the rear-view mirrors replacement that sends images to the screen inside.
The Volkswagen ID. Life front-wheel drive electric vehicle will be has the potential to be introduced as the first based on its smaller Modularer E-Antriebs Baukasten (MEB) platform. (Picture from: Newsin24)
As for the dimensions, this VW city-car concept has a length of 4,091 mm, a width of 1,845 mm, a height of 1,599 mm, a wheelbase of 2,650 mm, and a ground clearance of 190 mm. When viewed from its dimensions, many parties thought that the ID.Life is more suitable to be the successor to the Volkswagen Polo in the current electrification era.
Inside the cabin of the Volkswagen ID. Life concept featured with an open-top hexagonal steering wheel, a 9-inch screen that functions as a rear view mirror. (Picture from: Motor1)
The Volkswagen tiny car has a spacious cabin, which is also equipped with a removable roof, then there's the door's pockets that can be used as the smartphone's inductive charger, foldable front and rear seats, and an open-top hexagonal steering wheel. Furthermore, on this car is also equipped with a 9-inch screen that functions as a rear view mirror, then the projector, plus its projection screen for the entertainment and game console system.
Inside the cabin of the Volkswagen ID. Life concept also featured with the projector, plus its projection screen for the entertainment and game console system. (Picture from: Newsin24)
Since this is just a concept vehicle, the designers attached some features on the Volkswagen ID. Life that may not appear in actual production vehicles. But what is certain is that the German manufacturer will install air bags and other safety equipment on the production version of the car later to fullfil the regulation regarding to the production of the road legal car.
The automaker claimed that the Volkswagen ID. Life concept are made of several different recycled and renewable materials. (Picture from: Motor1)
Not only that, the city-car concept has the potential to be introduced as a smaller Modularer E-Antriebs Baukasten (MEB) platform. The Volkswagen's Chief Executive Officer, Ralf Brandstatter said, "The ID.Life is our vision of the next generation of fully electric urban mobility. This concept car provides a preview of an ID model in the small car segment which will launch in 2025 at a price of around 20,000 euros."
The Volkswagen ID. Life concept is powered by the electric motors and 57 kWh batteries, producing a combined power output of 231 hp and 290 Nm of torque. (Picture from: Newsin24)
As for the drivetrain, the Volkswagen ID.Life is powered by the electric motors and 57 kWh batteries, producing a combined power output of 231 hp and 290 Nm of torque. So with that much power, the city-car can accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in 6.9 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 180 kph, and has a mileage of about 400 km on a single charge based on the WLTP cycles.
As previously mentioned, the production version of the Volkswagen ID.Life will be available in 2025, and it is estimated that later this car will be sold by the German company in a price ranging from €20,000 (around Rp. 337 million) up to €25,000 (Rp. 422 million). Unfortunately, the Volkswagen did not say which specific markets the new model would be offered in. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | MOTOR1 ]
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Wednesday, September 8, 2021

German Supercar with Ferocious look

Modern LOOKS If those of you were first time heard the 'Veritas' auto brand, that indeed could be a little strange for ours today. But in fact, the brand was first owned by the German automotive company under the same name founded by 3 individuals who worked at BMW, ie  Ernst Loof, Georg Meier, and Lorenz Dietrich shortly after the 2nd World War was over (precisely 1947).
Veritas RS III Roadster looks ferocious and strange. (Picture from: http://www.drivearabia.com/)
The company initially rebuilt and tuned the pre-war BMW 328 by using customer-supplied components, turning it into a BMW-Veritas car and
after only a few cars were made the brand become into Veritas, following an objection from BMW.  One of its car made named the Veritas SP90 Convertible in the 1949 to 1950 already discussed previously in one of our articles.

After a virtual disappearance from motor racing and automotive engineering for nearly 50 years, the Veritas brand would be revived through a small German company based in Grafschaft, Rhineland named Vermot AG. by making the limited numbers roofless supercars called the Veritas RS III since 2009.
Veritas RS III Roadster has the grim look with tapered headlight design so as to form like a pair of creepy eyes coupled with the grille strange and unique shape. (Picture from: http://www.motorauthority.com/)
This supercar is considered as the last incarnation of BMW racing cars in 1949, and reportedly has been distributed to customers since January 2010 at a price that is just fantastic which is about €345,000, or about Rp. 5.7 billion.

However, the relatively high price is still reasonable because in addition to made by hand made, the ferocious look supercar that was also produced in limited numbers i.e only 30 units with approximately 8 weeks processing time for one unit of the car.
Rear right side view of Veritas RS III Roadster. (Picture from: http://www.hoymotor.com/)
Amazingly, supercar that has the long dimensions of 4.68 meters and wide of 2.02 meters, it turns out there are many of the world's wealthy people interested to have it. Supercar that has a 1+1 seat formation itself apart from having the grim look with tapered headlight design so as to form like a pair of creepy eyes coupled with the grille strange and unique shape.
Behind its ferocious looks, was also installed a V10 engine that has a capacity of 5.0 liter, the same engine used in the BMW M5 and M6, it capable of spraying maximum power up to 507 hp. Power is channeled to all wheels via a six-speed transmission system that make the 1,000 kg (2,204.62 lbs) supercar can drive up to 100 kph (62 mph) in just 3.2 seconds and can glide with a maximum speed of 347 kph (215.62 mph).

HYBRID VERSION
Vermot AG also launched a hybrid version in 2011 that increased the supercar power, thanks to the application of 105 kW electric motor which mounted on both front wheels. With the addition of the electric motors, the total power which generated by this supercar engine was increased to 600 hp.
Veritas RS III Roadster Hybrid. (Picture from: http://translogic.aolautos.com/)
But its weighs also increased up to 500 kg (1,102.31 lbs) as a result of holding a lithium ion battery. Despite heavier now, Vermot AG claims that the supercar is capable of speeds up to 100 kph in just 3.1 seconds, down 0.1 seconds from the conventional version which recorded takes 3.2 seconds to reach the same speed.
Rear left side view of Veritas RS III Roadster Hybrid. (Picture from: http://translogic.aolautos.com/)
But despite accelerates better, but the supercar top speed drops to 330 kph (205.05 mph) or 10 kph (6,21 mph) slower than the conventional version. The supercar's hybrid system is quite intelligent by applying the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) technology that is able to recharge the batteries in when the car is braking.

As quoted from Translogic on Wednesday, March 9, 2011, with only rely on the ability of the battery and the electric motor, the hybrid version of Veritas RS III Roadster is still able to driven up as far as 50 km (31,07 miles) on standard speed. *** [EKA(14012014) | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | VERMOT AG | CARSCOOP | TRANSLOGIC]
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Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Here she is the fabulous Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale 'Visione'

Beautiful ONES It seems nowadays many good automotive designs be forgotten in a second. It could be happened due to there're so many things affected onto it. Ranging from the complexity of safety rules and so on, which then determine what a designer can and cannot do in designing a vehicle. And even more sad, where not a few car makers who incidentally are big companies are actually more interested in pleasing their investors than the consumers.
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale 'Visione' is designed to re-imagine the Alfa Romeo's legendary car with a a design that pleases the eye and suits the engine as well as the driver. (Picture from: AutoEvolution)
But something different happened half a century ago, when everything was still flowing naturally without being too shackled by the rules and money. Under such circumstances, Alfa Romeo managed to develop one of the most beautiful designs of all time, the road-going version of the Autodelta Tipo 33 sports prototype designed by the legendary Franco Scaglione. Later, it was translated into the real form of the Alfa Romeo Stradale 33 as many as 18 units by Carrozzeria Marazzi in between 1967 and 1969.
The front fascia of the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale 'Visione' is completed with the low-positioned scudetto grille is a pentagon with rounded edges and a beautiful graphite finish. It is visually connected with two elongated air intakes, with round LED fog lights looking like jewels. (Picture from: AutoEvolution)
As quoted of the Autoevolution, this is deliberately done by the Italian auto manufacturer, so that the racing technology that has been developed by them available to the public. As we have known, the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale is powered by a 2.0-liter dual-overhead V8 engine with a flat-plane crankshaft. The engine is capable of spitting out power of up to 227 horsepower, allowing the 33 Stradale to accelerate from rest to 100 kph in less than 6 seconds, before hitting a top speed of 260 kph
.
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale 'Visione' concept's greenhouse is made in stunning proportions, provides great visibility for the driver, while showcasing the beautiful mid-mounted V8 engine. (Picture from: AutoEvolution)
Recently, the legendary 33 Stradale has again attracted the interest of a group of its lovers consisting of Andrea Castiglione, Steffen Hess, Marco Zafferana, Christian Schutz, and Sergio La Gattuta are worked along to re-imagine it into the three dimensions digital design study called the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale 'Visione'.
Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale 'Visione' has a carbon-fibre splitter appears below the integrated bumper for a sharp look. The clamshell bonnet includes the whole front end. (Picture from: AutoEvolution)
The aim of the project was to retain the original model's distinctive-endurance style bodywork and design language while endowing the vehicle appearance with the more modern visual theme. The Stradale 33 Visione's design concept includes many interesting aesthetic influences from other Alfa Romeo's iconic 1960s supercars such as the Giulia Sprint GTA, the 33/2 Coupe concept car of 1969, and even the Alfa radial engined medium class bomber, Savoia-Marchetti SM.79 Sparviero.
While at the rear of the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale 'Visione' is featured with the ultimate highlight is the central inlet with rounded edges, surrounded by LED taillights and added four exhaust tips flanking the transmission housing. (Picture from: AutoEvolution)
When you look at the appearance, the car concept's greenhouse is made in stunning proportions, then equipped with LED headlights and taillights, a video camera instead of the rearview mirror, a center lock wheel, and four exhaust tips flanking the transmission housing. Most likely it using a DCT instead of a good manual, the gearbox is directly connected to its V8 fierced engine which also can be seen by your eyes thanks to the transparant engine cover.
Unfortunately, until now the Alfa Romeo 33 Stradale Visione remains a concept in the minds of its designers and will not change forever, because now the Italian automaker has other plans for a sporty crossover through its partnership with Groupe PSA.👽 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | AUTOEVOLUTION | CAREXPERT | HICONSUMPTION | BEHANCE ]
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