Category: #Motoring

Concept Cars That Should’ve Made It to Production Modernised. #Motoring #Concepts

There have been many concept cars in automotive history that all car fan can only wish had been made. Concept cars are often among the most important debuts at auto shows because their shape or technology can give the public a glimpse at what a company plans to put on the road in the near future. Unfortunately, the gorgeous concept cars simply fade away, and never make it onto the roads.

These classic concepts have been updated by car care products specialist, Chipex into modern supercars.

1976 Chevrolet Aerovette

We’ll start with the 1977 Chevrolet Aerovette. Built from the mid-engine ‘Vette prototypes of famous Corvette engineer Zora Arkus-Duntov, The Aerovette had the same mid-engine configuration but had a 6.6-L V8 instead of a smaller Wankel rotary engine.

The mid-engined Chevrolet Corvette is big news today, but the idea of putting the powerplant behind the ‘Vette’s driver goes back decades. By the time the Aerovette concept debuted in 1976, multiple experimental vehicles imagined how the layout might look.

The basic shape for the Aerovette arrived in 1973, and this original version packed a four-rotor Wankel rotary engine. The company then reworked the machine for a 6.555-liter (400-cubic-inch) V8 to fit under the rear deck. The General gave it a tour of car shows in 1976, and the automaker even considered using the concept as the basis for the fourth-gen ‘Vette, according to Hemmings.

This modernized take on the look largely retains the Aerovette’s design except for replacing the original popup headlights with fixed LED lamps for illumination.

Unfortunately, the Aerovette came at a time when mid-engine car sales in the US were terrible, while the front-engine Datsun 240Z sports car was selling like hotcakes. Despite initially being approved for production, the Aerovette program was canceled and we never heard from the mid-engine Corvette again. Nope. Never was there ever a mid-engine Corvette.

1967 Lamborghini Marzal

Next we have the 1967 Lamborghini Marzal. Back in the ‘60s, Lamborghini had the odd desire to build more family-friendly vehicles, and the 4-seater Marzal concept was one of them. It came with a 2.0-L 6-cylinder engine that was actually a 4.0-L V12 cut in half. The original Lamborghini Marzal debuted at the 1967 Geneva Motor Show. It featured a body by Bertone, specifically from the pen of famous designer Marcello Gandini. Its weirdest feature was a pair of massive gullwing doors for accessing the front and rear seats. Glass occupied nearly the entire panel, which created an eye-catching appearance in profile.

You can see the updated Marzal has a body style more in common with a Gallardo. It retains the clear glass gullwing doors but adopts modern LED lights and current-style Lamborghini wheels. For this modern effort, the artists use the sleek shape of modern Lambos but adapt the weird doors into the sides. There’s room for four inside.

1970 Mazda RX-500

The 1971 Mazda RX500 initially debuted at the 1970 Tokyo Auto Show and was the company’s effort at imagining a rotary-powered supercar. Its 1.0-liter, two-rotor engine made a claimed 247 horsepower (184 kilowatts). Plastic body panels kept the weight down to around 1,874 pounds (850 kilograms). The 2-door, mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive sports car had an oddly rear-heavy shape but a sleek design that made it look like an estate car turned into an LMP1 racer.

It’s hard to improve upon greatness, so the modernized take looks similar to the original though it comes with a more modern set of wheels and lime green paint and an even more streamlined shape that shares language more with longtail Lamborghini than Mazda.

1969 BMW 2800 Spicup

Finally, we end on a 1969 BMW 2800 Spicup. The name Spicup comes from the concept being intended as a split between a Spider and a Coupe, which mostly meant that the middle section of the roof was sheared off.

Like the Lamborghini Marzal, the 1969 BMW 2800 Spicup has a body from Marcello Gandini’s time at Bertone. The name was a combination of spider and coupe as a nod to the removable roof panel that allowed for the conversion between the hardtop and open-air motoring. The front of the vehicle had very similar styling to what Gandini used on the 1967 concept that became the Alfa Romeo Montreal, but he reworked the shape for BMW by incorporating a shaker hood. At the back, there was an angular trunk behind the rear glass.

The modern take incorporates a nose similar to the i8 and modern LED headlights. The bulge in the hood is a little bigger, too. Otherwise, the design here looks a lot like the original. Modernizing this grand tourer involves the traditional BMW kidney bean grille, larger wheels, a new shaker hood, and LED lighting. But even today, the overall look of the Spicup would probably do well, so the overall shape wasn’t altered all that much.

(Source: Chipex)

2020 Nissan GT-R NISMO strengthens grip on speed. #Nissan #GTRNISMO #Motoring

The 2020 Nissan GT-R NISMO made its world debut,with race car-inspired upgrades and tuning improvements that maximize its exhilarating performance. The model was showcased alongside the new 50th Anniversary Edition as Nissan celebrated 50 years of GT-R heritage at the New York International Auto Show.

“The 2020 GT-R NISMO has evolved into a balanced, yet extreme, performance car,” said Hiroshi Tamura, chief product specialist for the GT-R. “Pursuing driving pleasure is the most important concept behind GT-R, and the new NISMO’s performance suggest it is a car that belongs on the race track – but is also at home on the open road.”

Designed for a pro, built for everyone

For the 2020 GT-R NISMO, Nissan engineers set out to take race-proven technology and make it accessible and comfortable for drivers of all skill levels. Vehicle control and predictability were critical in achieving this; thus, they adopted the theme “absolute street and track performance” when developing the car.

Setting the most potent and exclusive of all GT-Rs apart from the rest of the pack is the amount of carbon fiber found throughout the car, including the front and rear bumpers, front fenders, hood, roof, side sill covers, trunk and rear spoiler. Each component has been improved to cut weight, increase downforce and enhance aerodynamics. These exterior parts alone have resulted in a total weight savings of 10.5 kilograms, in addition to nearly 20 kg of reductions from other upgrades and new components.

The front fenders now resemble those on the GT3 GT-R. Scalloped vents help funnel hot air away from the engine bay and provide exceptional downforce onto the front tires, without additional drag. They also improve aerodynamics by smoothing out airflow along the body, with special consideration given to avoiding the rear spoiler, promoting high-speed stability. A new compression process gives the carbon fiber roof a lightweight, tight weave.

The 2020 GT-R NISMO’s exclusive 20-inch RAYS forged aluminum wheels are lighter than before and incorporate a nine-spoke design that enhances their rigidity. Newly designed Dunlop tires, with a wider tread and fewer grooves, increase the contact patch by 11%. This results in higher cornering force, enhanced steering response and improved rolling resistance when compared with the previous model.

Inside the cabin, exclusive GT-R NISMO front seats are designed to focus on holding the shoulder blades and lower body points, giving the driver a better sense of car and body as one.

Transcending perfection

Few cars possess the GT-R’s driving performance. For the 2020 model, the engineers sought to improve what was essentially already mechanical perfection, “making small tweaks to squeeze out as much as possible from the engine and chassis,” according to Tamura.

Nissan’s 3.8-liter V6 24-valve twin-turbocharged engine – each handcrafted by its own takumi technician – remains the heart of the GT-R’s drivetrain. The GT-R NISMO features an exclusive turbocharger design – direct from the GT-R GT3 race car – with a modified turbine shape and fewer blades. This optimizes the flow rate and enhances the acceleration response by 20%, without a loss of horsepower.

The car’s revised 6-speed dual-clutch transmission features a refined “R mode” that not only shifts faster but also optimizes gear selection, especially when exiting corners. This enhances the feeling of acceleration and deceleration on both road and track. The adaptive shift control has also been programmed to adapt shift schedules to the user’s driving style. This makes it possible to drive in a law-abiding way on public roads and in a highly spirited fashion on a race track, without manually changing modes.

The car’s exhaust note is the product of a revised titanium exhaust with handcrafted burnished blue tips.

When it comes to handling, the 2020 GT-R NISMO has few equals. Its updated suspension tuning improves cornering stability, with enhanced yaw rate response and smoother ride quality. The steering features better linearity and precision than ever, requiring minimal corrections at speeds of up to 300 kph (186 mph).

The absolute performance theme is also fittingly reflected by the addition of a carbon ceramic brake system. The combination of the Brembo carbon ceramic rotors — 410 mm up front and 390 mm at the rear — and Brembo calipers significantly improve reaction time, durability and overall stopping performance. At the same time, their lightweight nature decreases the unsprung weight on each wheel, allowing the car to trace the intended driving line in a highly precise manner. The carbon and silica carbide structure of the rotors is nearly as hard as diamonds. When paired with the new material of the brake pads, they generate more friction for an enhanced controlled feeling in all types of braking situations. The new materials also help decrease braking footwork by shortening the brake pedal stroke. The newly developed high-rigidity calipers are dipped in bright yellow paint that can resist temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees Celsius.

“We have built the 2020 GT-R NISMO for our customers to be the ultimate track and street vehicle,” Tamura said. “It is about total balance management, not just chasing power figures. The new NISMO has been brought to a new level, with enhanced engine, handling, braking and aerodynamics.”

Nissan celebrates it’s 50th anniversary of the Nissan Gt-R with a striking blue special edition! #Nissan #GTR #Motoring

Making its debut at the 2019 New York International Auto Show, the 2020 Nissan GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition takes the nameplate to a level that was unimaginable when it was first introduced 50 years ago. To celebrate the half-century of the GT-R, engineers challenged themselves to find undiscovered performance potential while still making sure the car can be enjoyed by drivers at any level.

“A GT-R is about total balance management,” said Hiroshi Tamura, chief product specialist for the GT-R. “It is not about chasing a power figures, but creating a new GT-R, where no aspect has been overlooked. This is appropriate to celebrate the GT-R 50th anniversary.”

A 50th Anniversary Celebration

The 2020 Nissan GT-R will come in three trim levels in most markets: GT-R Premium, GT-R Track Edition and GT-R NISMO. In select regions, there will also be the Pure, Prestige and Black models, but it is the 50th Anniversary Edition that truly celebrates the GT-R’s rich heritage.

The special edition car will come in three heritage-era, two-tone exterior colour combinations meant to represent the GT-R’s liveries from the Japan GP series – of which the original GT-R was born to dominate in. Retired since the GT-R “R34” model, Bayside (Wangan) Blue makes a return, complete with white racing stripes. A four-coat, double-heat treatment process ensures a vivid blue with striking highlights and deep shadows. Blue accents on the wheel spokes are among several fine touches made to celebrate the GT-R’s milestone. Pearl White with red stripes and Super Silver with white stripes round out the 50th Anniversary liveries.

Inside the 50th Anniversary Edition is a special grey interior colour scheme, which gives the cabin a sense of luxury, reminiscent of the atmosphere of the night sky after the twilight hour (the colour is also available on select other 2020 GT-R models). Additional 50th anniversary features include unique steering wheel and shift knob trim, special seat embossing, an Alcantara®headliner with unique stitching, Alcantara-wrapped sun visors, and more.

“The Nissan GT-R has been the icon of our company’s driving performance for the past half century,” said Shinichiro Irie, program design director for the GT-R. “We were highly motivated to ensure that the GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition stands out. While the exterior and interior changes may seem subtle at first glance, they’re still impactful, especially with the new paint schemes, keeping the car’s lines and overall presence modern and edgy.”

Upgraded performance, born from racing

While many believed that the refinement and performance of the GT-R’s 565-horsepower 3.8-litre V6 24-valve twin-turbocharged engine – each handcrafted by its own takumi technician – were so high that there was no room for improvement, the car’s engineers had a few tricks up their sleeves. Among them was incorporating new turbochargers, which help increase the engine’s low rpm response due to an abradable seal, providing tighter clearances and a 5% increase in efficiency. Overall, they provide even sharper engine response in and out of corners, making the driving experience more rewarding and richer than ever before. The exhaust manifolds, inspired by racing technology, have optimized turbo flange attachment points, which allow for easier servicing and potential tuning, without touching the exhaust manifold.

GT-R features a revised 6-speed dual-clutch transmission with a refined “R mode,” made for both road and track. It features more aggressive downshifts to better anticipate swift cornering exits, with gear selection happening during ABS engagement, resulting in reduced understeer and a more driver-intuitive feeling. The adaptive shift control is programmed to change shift schedules to fit the user’s driving style, making it possible to drive according to the law on public roads, with full brute force available on the race track, without needing to manually change shift modes.

The GT-R’s signature exhaust note is the product of a new titanium muffler, featuring titanium finishers with burnished blue tips.

The electronically controlled suspension has been tuned to provide better cornering stability and a smoother ride. The steering is more linear and precise than ever, requiring minimal corrections at speeds of up to 300 kph (186 mph). A new brake booster increases the initial braking response by engaging with less pedal stroke, resulting in enhanced stopping power and feel.

 

A cabin worthy of GT-R

The GT-R’s cabin represents the ideal blend of luxury and sport. The distinct driver-oriented cockpit has comfortable yet supportive seats for both front and rear passengers. The dashboard is designed to convey a “horizontal flow,” delivering a sense of high stability for front seat occupants. It comes wrapped in a single, seamless piece of hand-selected Nappa leather, artfully stitched with takumi-style precision. The centre dashboard integrates navigation and audio controls and an 8-inch capacitive touch-panel monitor. The large icons on the display screen inform the driving experience without distracting from it.

Mounted to the sporty steering wheel are shift paddles that allow drivers to change gears in mid-turn without taking their hands off the wheel.

All 2020 Nissan GT-Rs come with the NissanConnectSM integrated audio, navigation and communication system in select markets. It allows users to remotely lock or unlock the doors, activate the alarm, summon emergency services or track the car’s whereabouts using smartphone apps.

A revised 2020 GT-R Track Edition

For those inclined to take their GT-R to a race circuit, Nissan offers the revised and very potent 2020 Track Edition, which comes with an optional carbon fibre roof that sports a clean, tight weave made possible by a new construction process.

The engine (for U.S. models) is borrowed from the famed GT-R NISMO, with newly redesigned turbochargers from the latest GT3 series GT-R race car. This results in a 20% increase in pedal-down acceleration reaction time and 600 horsepower.

Optional on the Track Edition are special Brembo carbon ceramic rotors and callipers. Made of carbon and silica carbide, the rotors (410 mm front and 390 mm rear) are nearly as hard as diamonds. Paired with the performance brake pads, they generate more friction, which translates into better feel and control in all types of braking situations.

“With the 2020 GT-R, we kept to the car’s concept – pursuing ultimate driving pleasure,” said Tamura. “Once you take hold of the steering wheel, you will immediately know that no other car in the world delivers as much satisfaction to the driver, both physically and spiritually.”