NEW Supercar As we've entered the new year of 2023, Alfa Romeo uploaded a short video highlighting its current products to its official Instagram account. On December 30, 2022, to be precise, the Italian brand introduced the slightly updated Alfa Romeo Giulia and Alfa Romeo Stelvio. And then those two cars are joined with the brand new compact crossover Alfa Romeo Tonale went into the global market.
Rendered image of the (unofficial) Alfa Romeo 6C Super Sports car by an 3D digital artist named Ed Ovens back in the 2020. (Picture from: BlackXperience)
But who would have thought, at the beginning of 2023 it seems that Alfa Romeo has prepared to present something much more interesting. As we can see at the end of the video, there is a glimpse of the taillight design which is currently not offered on any of those three mentioned car models that being sold by the Italian brand at the moment.
Teaser image of the new Alfa Romeo supercar's taillight taken from a short video uploaded in the Italian company offical Instagram account. (Picture from: idMotor1)
And if you look closely, it looks similar to the round taillights, which instantly reminds us to the Alfa Romeo 4C was discontinued its production several years ago, then had also offered on the Alfa Romeo 8C, which was sold in the late 2000s. What is clear, this new supercar is likely to be placed in between the two.
The 2022 Alfa Romeo Giulia look fantastic, it also offers one of the most satisfying driving experiences in its segment. (Picture from: CarAndDriver)
It is also reported that the new supercar will adopt a six-cylinder engine, which will most likely be a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6. Indeed, this drivetrain has been used in the Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA which is capable of producing around 540 horsepower and 442 lbs-feet (600 Newton-meters) of torque. So it will be interesting to see if Alfa Romeo's engineers will improve those performance numbers when the such a kind of engine is placed in the new supercar in question.
The 2023 Stelvio delivers performance-driven design rooted in over a century's worth of racing experience. (Picture from: EdukasiCampus)
Well, the supercar shown briefly in the short video here cannot be confused with Alfa Romeo Zagato's one-off creation which was also launched late last year. What we all know is that it's a short wheelbase two-seat coupe model written by the Zagato to mark the 100th anniversary of this Milan-based coachbuilder's collaboration with Alfa Romeo.
Here's the Alfa Romeo's first compact SUV named Alfa Romeo Tonale looks great but struggles to deliver thrills or performance. (Picture from: id.Motor1)
As the Alfa Romeo CEO Jean-Philippe Imparato suggested the official launch of the new Alfa Romeo supercar would take place in March 2023, where he also hinted that this special supercar would be produced in limited numbers and come with a high price tag.
Alfa Romeo Giulia SWB was built by Zagato to mark its centennial in collaboration with Alfa Romeo. (Picture from: AutoDesignMagazine)
As quoted from Motor1, this mysterious supercar model, temporarily known as the Alfa Romeo 6C, which is said emerged to remedy the wounds and disappointments that arose when the Italian brand had announced the revival of the GTV and 8C but were later cancelled. This will also likely to be the last petrol engined car product launch from the brand under the Stellantis auspices.
Imparato further also suggested the supercar would be a real Alfa Romeo model, meaning it would not be a rebranded Maserati MC20. Just for your info, Alfa Romeo will transform into a pure electric vehicle brand by the end of the decade, in which the next-generation Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio have been confirmed as EVs, that's a kind of sign for the ending of the ICE models of Alfa Romeo fastly approaching. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ALFA ROMEO | ID.MOTOR1 | TOPGEAR | ED OVENS | AUTOEVOLUTION ]
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RareONES After searching for quite a long time in the virtual world, we finally found several references related to the beautiful car made by Pininfarina in the early 1960s which was built based on the Fiat 2300, and Fiat 2300 S. As we all knew, the car is a six-cylinder executive car which was produced by Italian automotive manufacturer Fiat during 1961 to 1969.
The first prototype of 1962 Fiat 2300 Coupé Speciale by Pininfarina. (Picture from: Pinterest)
So at that time many famous Italian coachbuilders were customizing this model, such as Abarth, Ghia and Pininfarina. Of the many modified cars made by coachbuilder at that time, (in our opinion) it turned out that Pininfarina's works had the most attractive and very unique appearance.
Fiat
presented the "sporty" variants of its flagship 2300 during 1961 to
1969, as classy granturismos that did not disfigure in the presence of
the more noble coupés of the time. (Picture from: Autofun)
This is not surprising because these Pininfarina created cars was built based on a design from an American auto designer, Tom Tjaarda when he worked at those Turin-based coachbuider. And most of the design appears very striking in contrast to the futuristic lines that tend to be rounded like bullets, which later became the inspiration for many designers in creating beautiful cars in the 1960s to 1970s.
An interesting shooting brake prototype, called the "Club" made by Ghia in 1962 based on Fiat 2300 S. (Picture from: RuoteClassiche)
Well then the modification works based on the Fiat 2300, and Fiat 2300 S by the famous Turin-based coachbuilder is known carried out on 5 (five) concept cars with their own characteristics that might you've never knew before. Here they are as follows:
1. 1962 Fiat 2300 Coupé Speciale
The first unit was the car built based on the Fiat’s 6-cylinder flagship of the 1960s. This 2-seater classic car is built only one unit, and was characterized by a unique roof panel that could be extended in height, and presented for the first time at the Turin Auto Show 1962.
The first prototype of 1962 Fiat 2300 Coupé Speciale by Pininfarina.(Picture from: Pinterest)
Furthermore, when viewed from the exterior design of this model it looks similar to the ones built by Ghia, which its front fascia appears with sharp angular, sleek design lines, coupled with a typical shield-shaped grille flanked by four large rounded headlights.
2. 1963 Fiat 2300 Cabriolet Speciale
The 2-seater classic car is also built
only one unit, and featured with a targa roof version of Coupé Speciale. Unlike the model made in the previous year, this Cabriolet model has a front fascia that has applied a rounded, and sleek design line with a square grille flanked by four compact-sized headlights. Its bumper also looks unique which can be seen right under the headlights.
The second prototype of 1963 Fiat 2300 Cabriolet Speciale by Pininfarina. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)
It also featured with the distinctive reverse-sloped c-pillars plus large wraparound fastback rear window and was crisply executed and provided ample interior space for four plus luggage. This car is presented for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show 1963.
3. 1963 Fiat 2300 S Lausanne
This third model was built by a Turin-based coachbuilder with a coupe design that is made almost similar to the Cabriolet model above and the absence of a central pillar. As quoted from Story-Cars, given that Battista and Sergio Pininfarina have often formally marked their attachment to Switzerland and the Geneva Motor Show.
The third prototype of 1963 Fiat 2300 S Lausanne by Pininfarina. (Picture from: AllCarIndex)
On the occasion of the National Exhibition in Lausanne, the Pininfarina built a special car based on a Fiat 2300 S chassis, as the Italian coachbuilder’s homage to the Swiss Confederation and named "Lausanne". This unique copy, powered by a Fiat's 6-cylinder in-line engine, was exhibited at the 1964 Lausenne's National Exhibition.
4. 1964 Fiat 2300 S Coupé Speciale
This fourth model presented by Pininfarina at the 1964 Turin Motor Show consists of this 2-seater Coupé Speciale based on a Fiat 2300 S chassis. The car model has a front fascia that has applied a rounded, and sleek design line resembled the shark-shapes with two rounded large-sized headlights inside plastic-houses with a thin bumper underneat.
The fourth prototype of 1964 Fiat 2300 S Coupé Speciale by Pininfarina. (Picture from: Pinterest)
Besides that at the front also designed to obtain excellent wind penetration, descends towards the front with a gentle curve. At the side has a totally smooth section (and without chrome plating), while its interior is particularly refined. The rear part ends in a truncated tail in which the optical groups are housed.
5. 1965 Fiat 2300 S Coupé Speciale
This last or fifth model looks similar in design to the fourth model, but with different front and rear fascias. In the front, there's four headlights with rounded reflectors are installed together and flank a unique grille in a square shape which is also equipped with a thin bumper.
The fifth prototype of 1965 Fiat 2300 S Coupé Speciale by Pininfarina. (Picture from: Pinterest)
Then on the back it is also seen applying a slightly boxed sharp-angled shape with the taillight cluster narrowing downwards. While the rear bumper is no less unique, which is mounted like hanging on the back.
That's 5 (five) scarce concept cars built based on the Fiat 2300, and Fiat 2300 S by Pininfarina during 1962 to 1965, it is believed all of these concept cars are still around today and may still be driven through. And then which one do you think is the most unique? *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARROZZIERI-ITALIANI | CARSTHATNEVERMADEITETC | STORY-CARS | OLDCONCEPTCARS | ALLCARINDEX | CARSTYLING.RU ]
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Nissan
officially introduced the 2024 Nissan GT-R in Japan, and features with
new front-rear fascias coupled with a revised grille and optimized
wings. (Picture from: Carscoops)
Finally, now in this year of 2023, the Japanese automaker just introduced the 2024 Nissan GT-R in Japan. In appearance, this new model looks identical to the previous one, but Nissan has changed a few details to make it more dashing. As we all can see, the Nissan GT-Rfeatures new front and rear fascias, coupled with a revised grille and optimized wings.
The Japanese automaker said, even though it seemed minor, it was able to improve aerodynamics. As quoted fromCarscoops, the Japanese automaker said that some of these changes were able to increase downforce when the car was going fast. However, the car's drag coefficient remains unchanged at 0.26.
The Nissan GT-R Premium T-spec wears gold-painted 20-inch Rays rims and is also supported by carbon ceramic brakes taken from the GT-R Nismo. (Picture from: Otomotif-Kompas)
As for the design of the front grille, which has also been tweaked. Nissan engineers said that they were using a thinner design to improve cooling and reduce drag as well. Meanwhile the rear wing design is 10 percent larger than before. Another detail is that the Nissan's flagship sports car is now equipped with a new front lip, rear diffuser and canards. This model also offers a Nismo exclusive color known as Stealth Grey.
Apart from the Nissan GT-R, the Japanese car manufacturer also offers other two higher versions, namely the Nissan GT-R Premium T-spec and GT-R Nismo. All these two models are built on top of the GT-R Premium T-spec and got finishing in the Millennium Jade and Midnight Purple colors. The difference is that the GT-R Premium T-spec uses the Rays 20 inches rims with a layer of gold paint. The car is also supported by carbon ceramic brakes sourced from the GT-R Nismo.
The GT-R Nismo uses an upgraded version of the VR38DETT engine and produces around 600 hp of power and 651 Nm of torque. (Picture from: Otomotif-Kompas)
The Nissan GT-R, and GT-R Premium T-spec are powered by a 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 engine producing power of 565 hp and 632 Nm of torque. This power is sent to an all-wheel drive system by using a six-speed dual clutch transmission.
Meanwhile the GT-R Nismo uses an upgraded version of the VR38DETT engine and produces around 600 hp of power and 651 Nm of torque. The car is also equipped with a new slip differential at the front wheels as well as improved "suspension adjustment". *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | NISSAN | CARSCOOPS ]
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UniqueONES How sad we are when we are forgotten, but there are many ways we can do so that we can continue to be remembered. One way is to create something different or something that has never been made before. This is also what many companies have done in the past such as by creating one great attention-grabbing supercar as their best effort to offer the products to the market.
The Wolfrace Sonic debuted at the Geneva Motor Show 1981, which immediately attracted the attention of the world automotive public at that time. (Picture from: ViaRetro)
It turns out that this effort is not only carried out by car manufacturers, but also by other companies. For example, in the early 1980s, there's a British alloy wheel manufacturer Wolfrace Wheels Ltd. released a one-of-a-kind supercar called the Wolfrace Sonic. As quoted from Hotcars, this eye-catching concept car was created as the company's intention to showcase its new range of Sonic alloy wheels at the time.
The
Wolfrace Sonic was created as the company's intention to showcase its new range of Sonic alloy wheels at the time. (Picture from: ViaRetro)
For such reason, Wolfrace Managing Director Barry Treacy then contacted a creative car builder Nick Butler to create the Sonic, a wild six-wheeled supercar concept powered by two Rover V8 engines, lifted a design of the Batmobile, and an automotive oddity lived there. This unique car's designer was more widely known as an aeronautical engineer with credits for the Harrier Jump Jet, and Hawk aircrafts. As a result, Wolfrace weird looks vehicle unlike anything else on the road, if we ignore the Batmobile.
The Wolfrace Sonic is a wild six-wheeled supercar concept powered by two Rover V8 engines, lifted a design of the Batmobile, and an automotive oddity lived there. (Picture from: ViaRetro)
The unique two-seater supercar has a long nose, and aerodynamic designs which fuses the Adam West's Batmobile with those grittier cars that followed such as the Tumbler. Meanwhile the construction work of this wild designed supercar was completed in about 2 years with a total cost of production around £100,000, that includes the bodywork shape, interior layout, colors and materials that give the car its unique appeal.
The Wolfrace Sonic is designed by Nick Butler, and had a moulded GRP bodyshell built on a space frame chassis. (Picture from: ViaRetro)
As quoted from AllCarIndex, the Wolfrace Sonic took the shape in stages, due to the complexity of the work, where each new element posing problems that had to be tackled, many in areas where only speculation existed before, so added to the design element was extensive development programme for both components and concepts. Well, originally the Sonic only existed in the imagination was then realized into the real world by bringing all the uniqueness that surrounds it, such as instead of one engine, it has two, instead of four wheels, this car has six.
The Wolfrace Sonic is not only an ordinary showcar, it's road-legal to drive in public roads due to it was registered in UK, and has plate number of YNK 135X. (Picture from: Sixmania.fr)
The combination of art and technology succeeded in delivering the Sonic shape that is said to be able to convey ideas of air flow and penetration dramatically. As the result, it was set that Nick Butler's imaginative design was inline to become the futuristic showcar of Wolfrace Wheels.
The
Wolfrace Sonic is fitted with two pairs of 13-inches wheels up front, and
a pair of specially cast 15-inches rims at the back, all shod with
Pirelli Cinturato P7 tyres. (Picture from: CarsThatNeverMadeItEtc)
While regarding to the vehicles name was tied in with its primary advert Sonic, the flagship model alloy wheel that produced by those British alloy wheel manufacturer at the time (that later to be sold to Ford and used on the XR2 range). As you can see, the Sonic white alloy wheels is featured with 12 holes drilled into their frame, most likely inspired by the Lamborghini Countach wheels.
When the Wolfrace Sonic cockpit fairing was opened; so the steering wheel moved up and allow anybody to get in and out. (Picture from: Sixmania.fr)
The Wolfrace Sonic cockpits were stuffed full of buttons while the instrumentation in front of the driver was duplicated for the passenger, so they could be even more scared by what was going on around them. Then there was the fact that the driver's cockpit was so compact, that the 11.5-inches steering wheel was too big to allow anybody to get in and out.
The Wolface Sonic cockpits were stuffed full of buttons while the instrumentation in front of the driver was duplicated for the passenger. (Picture from: Sixmania.fr)
The solution to this latter problem was to fit a sliding splined steering column with an assortment of universal joints, so the steering wheel moved up and out of the way as the cockpit fairing was opened. The other problems were solved by fitting various spiroid gearboxes and universal joints, which fed the steering input around the V8s and to a Rover SD1 rack.
The Wolfrace Sonic is powered by two 3.5-liter Rover V8 engines, and controlled by a complicated drive-by-wire system. (Picture from: Hotcars)
How about its performance? Surely, under the Sonic name, the Wolfrace's unique supercar has the ability to run up to the speed of sound. Especially, its drivetrain specifications placed in between the rear and front axles are impressive with two 3.5-liter Rover V8 engines, controlled by a complicated drive-by-wire system.
The second copy of the Wolfrace Sonic is built shortly after the original ones has been sold in 2015. (Picture from: Sixmania.fr)
However, the power burst sits only at 320 horsepower with a torque of around 295.02 lb-ft, not to mention its weight which is quite heavy of around 3,000 lbs, so the unique-shaped car is not able to produce good acceleration time. In fact, the Sonic took about 7 seconds to accelerate from rest to 62 mph, and likely had a top speed of around 150 mph. Underneath the Batmobile-style looks, there was a spaceframe chassis, with rear-wheel drive through a Jaguar rear axle and differential.
The Wolfrace Sonic (in pictured the second copy) built based on a spaceframe chassis, with rear-wheel drive through a Jaguar rear axle and differential. (Picture from: Sixmania.fr)
This car was completed in September 1980, and then debuted at the 1981 Geneva Motor Show, which immediately attracted the attention of the world automotive public at that time, besides that the Sonic also managed to make the similar six-wheeled car like the Panther 6 of 1977 seen old-fashioned.
Which do you think is more interesting between 1981 Wolfrace Sonic and 1977 Panther 6? (Picture from: Trussty-Jasmine)
Uniquely, the Sonic is not only an ordinary
showcar, it's road-legal to drive in public roads due to it was
registered in UK, and has plate number of YNK 135X. As the result, Wolfrace achieved what it set out to, to get the alloy wheels company more attention. Since that the Sonic made regular appearances on the motor show circuit for a couple of years before disappearing out of view.
The second copy of the Wolfrace Sonic is built shortly after the original ones has been sold in 2015. (Picture from: Sixmania.fr)
Reportedly in 2010, the original Sonic car reappeared and went up for sale for an exorbitant price of around £1 million. Eventually in 2015 the original car came up for sale again on eBay. Selling for around £18,100, this ultra rare car disappeared once more. Instead, Wolfrace built a red-colored second copy. Much speculation related to why this unique car is sold at such a price. According to Sixmania.fr, when the car was sold in 2015 it was in such poor condition (the car that could no longer drive due to broken computers) that it needed a complete restoration to get it back to its former glory.
For this reason, the owner at that time whose felt unable to bear the restoration cost and then let it go with such of prices, in the hope that the new owner would be able to carry out the restoration process that would be needed lot money. We can only hope that one day the Sonic will return to greet the world's automotive enthusiasts like its glory days then. Let's wait and see.😲 *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | WOLFRACE | NICK BUTLER | HOTCARS | ALLCARINDEX | VIARETRO | ARONLINE | BELOW THE RADAR | SIXMANIA.FR ]
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NEXT EV As we all know, Peugeot is a global and inventive top-of-the-range generalist brand. The French automotive brand is present in more than 130 countries, and has managed to sell more than 1,200,000 vehicles worldwide in 2021.
The Peugeot Inception Concept presented the automaker's vision for the future of electric cars, and built on one of Stellantis' four BEV-by-design platforms in the future. (Picture from: Engadget)
This French's famous car brands, has ensured that 2023 will be its electric year which also serves as a sign of the transformation of this Stellantis subsidiary by launching of the Peugeot Inception Concept at the 2023 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Peugeot’s designers chose this size to highlight the design features of the Inception Concept, including the flowing curves of the bodywork, and the interactive display belt around the car. (Picture from: Engadget)
The Peugeot Inception Concept will showcase the huge leap the brand will soon make in focusing on fully electric vehicle offerings. This newest Peugeot concept built on one of Stellantis' four BEV-by-design platforms in the future. With the presence of the Inception at this annual event, Peugeot has presented its vision for the future of electric cars.
The
Peugeot Inception Concept offers a new vision of a vehicle interior
with laid back and elongated seating positions. The seats are said to
feature adjustable cushioning around the shoulders. (Picture from: TheDetroitBureau)
In
appearance, the latest concept car from the French manufacturer comes
with all the sharp angles and lines with panoramic glass windows
surrounding the centerpiece, paired with a glass roof. Peugeot says the body colors are made of very fine metallic pigments.
The
Peugeot Inception Concept has a large panoramic screen slides out from the floor to offer a new passenger compartment experience. (Picture from: TheDetroitBureau)
In
the headlights on the front bumper, the manufacturer combines the three
claws of the brand's emblem. Meanwhile, for power, the Peugeot's EV concept uses an 800 volt,
100 kWh battery which can cover a distance of 800 km on a single charge.
The Peugeot Inception Concept features Steer-by-Wire replacing the traditional steering wheel with a Hypersquare digital controller. (Picture from: TheDetroitBureau)
As quoted of Engadget, this EV concept car is equipped with a high-tech battery system that is claimed to be able to suck up enough power to travel as far as 150 km (93 miles) within five minutes after being plugged in to recharge. While in terms of power, the Inception
is powered by two electric motors, which said can produce a combined
power of up to 680 horsepower and give it the ability to accelerate from
0 to 100 kph in less than 3 seconds.
The Peugeot Inception Concept has an 800-volt electric system and a 100 kilowatt-hour battery with an output of 680 hp.(Picture from: EuropeAutoNews)
Besides that the concept also marks the brand's next-gen cockpit debut, as
you have a comfortable cabin with passengers sitting in classic NASA
neutral zero gravity posture. It's natural to take breaks when you
travel, so the Inception Concept is planned to be equipped with Level 4 autonomous driving capabilities.
Besides that, it replaces the classic steering wheel with a rectangular one called Hypersquare, which comes with a tablet-type screen in the center that can display information. There are circular recesses in each corner of the screen that users can program to control certain aspects of their vehicle, so they can easily use their fingers to access them without having to take their hands off the wheel.
Peugeot says the Inception will inspire future electric vehicles, including its most compact models. It is said that the first cars based on the design will arrive as early as 2025. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | CARSCOOPS | ENGADGET | EUROPEAUTONEWS | THEDETROITBUREAU ]
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Imparato further also suggested the supercar would be a real Alfa Romeo model, meaning it would not be a rebranded Maserati MC20. Just for your info, Alfa Romeo will transform into a pure electric vehicle brand by the end of the decade, in which the next-generation Alfa Romeo Giulia and Stelvio have been confirmed as EVs, that's a kind of sign for the ending of the ICE models of Alfa Romeo fastly approaching. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | ALFA ROMEO | ID.MOTOR1 | TOPGEAR | ED OVENS | AUTOEVOLUTION ]
