BMW GINA Light Visionary Model

BMW's design department has been working overtime lately. Just last month, the German automaker unveiled its M1 Homage Concept at the Villa d'Este Concours on the shores of Lake Como, Italy. Now, Munich has officially taken the wraps off of a new design study called the GINA Light Visionary Model, a creation BMW says shouldn't be thought of as "just another concept car," but rather "a whole new approach to automotive design."

With its GINA (Geometry and Functions In "N" Adaptions) model, BMW set out to explore the creative freedom that might be offered with future cars while using a traditional front-mounted eight-cylinder engine and rear-drive platform. The surface of the concept features a new fabric material that BMW says is highly resistant to expansion, durable, and flexible. Underneath the covering material is a light aluminum subframe that is moveable via electric and hydraulic controls, allowing the surface itself to be reshaped according to the owner's desire. The usual elements of production cars -- doors, wheel arches, a trunk lid, engine hood, and roof -- are not present in the conventional sense. Rather, the body consists of just four components: a front panel that leads to the edge of the windscreen, two side panels (one on each side of the car), and a rear deck panel.

BMW is particularly proud of the headlights on the GINA project. When the headlights are not active, they are hidden under the car's skin. When turned on, the metal subframe moves the covering fabric skin laterally away from either side of the trademark kidney-shaped grille, exposing the double lights. Other sections of bodywork are moveable as well: the rear panel shifts to allow a spoiler to rise when traveling over a specified speed, while the rocker panels move to narrow or widen the side air intakes and extend an additional protruding rocker panel line. Even the aforementioned kidney grille is able to be widened, adding separate distinct body lines in the process.

The fabric skin itself is interesting in that it is not transparent, but it is permeable to light. This allows the rear taillights to be housed underneath the skin -- unnoticeable unless lit, allowing their light to shine through the fabric. The fabric is comprised of a mesh netting support and a separate outer layer. Combined, the material is resistant to heat and cold and even repels water. According to BMW, the material is extremely form-fitting and able to conform to various shapes and positions with a high level of precision. Changes to the underlying metal structure are made without slackening the tension of the material or damaging it in any way.

Servicing the engine is made possible by an opening in the material in the center of where a conventional engine hood would be found. The material opens to either side of the engine and closes through a series of cliplock fasteners on a central rail. Opening the doors requires the fabric to swing up and out, folding out of the way. When closed, the doors show no folds in the material whatsoever, appearing as a smooth, stretched surface. Sporty touches round out the exterior design, with a production-ready rear carbon diffuser, 20-inch alloy wheels, quad exhaust tips, and windshield frame mounted side view mirrors.

The interior of the GINA Light Visionary Model is as innovative as the outside. When without occupants, the steering wheel and instruments are positioned vertically on the center stack so as not to hinder ingress to the vehicle. As soon as the driver sits down, the wheel and gauges move to their functional positions in front of the driver, while the headrest, previously integrated into the seat, rises automatically. The seat itself and steering column move into the ideal position for the driver, the information of which is stored in the vehicle's computer. Inside, the same stretched fabric runs from the rear deck over the seats, while the door panels and center console are comprised of the same material.

BMW stresses that its GINA Light Visionary Model is simply an exercise in design and technology and not a pre-production vehicle. Still, if history is any indication, BMW rarely allows its most exciting technology to stay in concept form for long. While GINA may not be viable for production in whole, individual elements may find their way to production sooner than one may imagine.

Coches Chevrolet Astra 2010

Los nuevos autos Chevrolet Astra para el 2010 han sido revelados por la revista alemana Auto Motor and Sport. Su estilo exterior influenciado por el Opel Insignia le da a este auto una apariencia de vehículo “Premium”. El motor que poseerá es uno de gasolina de 1.4 litros que produce 90 HP con una emisión de menos de 120 gr de CO2 por kilómetro. Para aquellos que quieren mayor performance habrá una versión súper cargada del mismo motor que entregará 180 HP. En cuanto a los diesel, tendrá un motor de 1.7 litros turbo que ofrecerá 110 HP. Entre otras características el nuevo Astra contará con un sistema de freno de estacionamiento eléctrico, iluminación adaptable a las condiciones de visibilidad y un sistema de asistencia para el estacionamiento.

Porsche Cayenne GTS by Je Design

Je Design ne-a obisnuit in ultima vreme sa modifice SEAT-uri, insa de aceasta data tunerul german a lasat deoparte modelele constructorului spaniol si a luat la mana un Porsche Cayenne GTS. Spre deosebire de Edo Competition, Je Design nu s-a atins si de motorul V8 ci s-a ocupat mai mult de aspect. Astfel tunerul german ofera pentru Cayenne GTS un kit aerodinamic format din prelungire pentru spoilerul fata, praguri laterale si prelungire pentru spoilerul spate. Bineinteles, LED-urile si evacuarea cu 4 tobe de esapament nu puteau lipsi din peisaj. Si pentru a face GTS-ul si mai sportiv decat este, JE Design a dotat SUV-ul german si cu un set de jante pe 22 inci si o suspensie ce coboara garda la sol cu 35 mm.

Moving up market seems the only way to success for Korean manufacturers

With Hyundai moving up market in the States, it makes me wonder what will be their strategy in Europe. Hyundai is not planning to bring the Genesis over here and Genesis Coupe will be available in limited volumes, only 1000 of them will be brought to Europe. The new Sonata (i40 in Europe) will continue to be Hyundai’s flagship.

Genesis has been well received in U.S., but this wouldn't be possible at present in Europe. In terms of EUDM, Hyundai is focusing on small and affordable cars and this is due to the fact that Europeans are not as open minded as Americans. Potential buyers of premium cars hardly consider a Lexus, let alone an Infiniti. Hyundai has a reputation of making affordable cars and people, until recently, used to buy them because they couldn't afford a “better” new car. However, this will have to change as Chinese manufacturers will be soon entering the market with cheaper cars. They may not be good cars at the beginning, but they will improve and then Koreans will no longer have a business case.

Japanese try to keep their advantage in hybrid technology and expertise in manufacturing all the vital components, while trying to import rare-earth elements from countries other than China (earlier post from Japanese Green Cars blog). At the same time, Hyundai and Kia are moving fast in order to begin commercial production of hybrid vehicles, while moving up market in order to boost their image and convince people that Koreans can produce cars of good quality and advanced technology, which can directly compete with Japanese and European cars.

The current generation of Sonata hasn’t been successful in Europe and the same will probably apply for the new one (YF), but if Hyundai makes a really good car that stands out from the crowd (which I am certain that they will do), people can start having at the back of their minds that Hyundai is not what it used to be in the past and even consider buying one in the long term.

Hyundai grants pave way for emerging forest offset projects

Hyundai Motor America (HMA) and Carbonfund.org, in conjunction with the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance, today awarded more than $100,000 in grants to help spur forest-based carbon offset projects globally.

The winners of the $35,000 grants are:

The Alto Mayo Forest Carbon Project, Peru

As part of the organization's overall climate change strategy, Conservation International's office in Peru is carrying out the Alto Mayo Forest Carbon Project in northern Peru to reduce deforestation in the Alto Mayo Protected Forest, an area that has been threatened by agricultural encroachment, disorganized settlement, illegal logging and the presence of the nearby Northern Interoceanic Highway. The project will also serve as an input to the development of a national Peruvian strategy on reduced emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD).

The Nhambita Community Carbon Project, Mozambique

Envirotrade has developed a business model using the sale of carbon offsets to support the conservation and management of existing forests and the planting of new ones. Envirotrade’s flagship Nhambita project has worked with communities for the past six years to rehabilitate and manage the forests on their land and introduce new, sustainable farming practices, which have had a dramatic effect on crop yields such as cashews and fruits, and provide healthy livelihoods for about 1,300 families.

Kakamega Forest Again Project, Kenya

Making Connections is a company devoted to promoting the environmental basis of livelihoods. The Forest Again Project will reforest 500 hectares of a biologically rich, yet threatened rainforest in Kenya, provide over 100 jobs, and build the capacity of a local community organization (KEEP) to help local people develop non-timber sources of income.

The grants help defray the substantial upfront costs associated with developing high quality multiple-benefit projects and bringing them to the carbon market, such as GIS mapping, project consulting and studies. In addition, the grants help projects achieve validation to the Climate, Community & Biodiversity (CCB) Standards, which are rigorous and take into account a project’s impact and benefits on the surrounding communities and on biodiversity.

“Our Genesis Forest Project was designed as a sustainable environment initiative and through these grants we hope that our modest investment will pay dividends for years to come,” said Justin Osborne, national manager of brand strategy for Hyundai. “We know the grant recipients share our vision for a healthy planet, and we commend them for their dedication to preserving and protecting these important natural resources.”

Carbonfund.org President Eric Carlson said, “About 25% of global warming can be attributed to deforestation, meaning reforestation and forest preservation are critical solutions to solving global warming. We’re proud to be a partner with Hyundai on the HMA Climate Grant program and helping projects meet stringent third-party standards. Meeting CCB and other standards has helped Carbonfund.org’s own projects distinguish themselves as among the highest quality offset projects.”

HMA and Carbonfund.org partnered in Nov. 2008 to offset the emissions of all 2009 Hyundai Genesis sedans. The offsetting supports reforestation and conservation of more than 3,000 acres of tropical forest in the Cerrado Region of Brazil, a biodiversity hotspot. Named the Genesis Forest Project, this offset project will in total offset over 93,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide.

Moreover, the project follows the guidelines of the Social Carbon™ methodology, which means the project will be a model for sustainable development in the region. The project will be open to local communities and provide educational workshops to promote utilization of non-timber products. These practices can ultimately reduce pressure on remaining forests by promoting economically attractive alternatives to clearing forest.

“The Hyundai Climate Grant is a symbol of a paradigm shift in which livelihoods, traditionally built upon the consumption of natural resources, can be built upon the restoration and/or conservation of natural resources. Forest Again is a rainforest restoration project that is devoted to promoting sustainable livelihoods in Kenya,” said Making Connections Director Mark Lung.

“Through Hyundai Climate Grants, Hyundai and Carbonfund.org are providing important support to these three projects that serve as great examples of how forest carbon offsets can create additional advantages by improving the livelihoods of the rural poor in developing countries and conserving endangered species,” said Joanna Durbin, director of the Climate, Community and Biodiversity Alliance, which administers the CCB Standards. “The grants are helping these projects to move towards joining the growing number of projects using the CCB Standards.”

Radio controlled race cars in Chennai

Who says you cant be a race driver without a racer’s license? Ever dreamt of driving a race car at high speeds on a race track, well! Its not a dream anymore. Chennai will soon see people driving petrol engine driven sophisticated Radio Controlled race cars. These are scale model high performance race cars that can reach speeds upto 100kmph and you the people of Chennai and around the country can lay your hands on the remote control to drive these little beasts.

Shivakumar Kamallakharan, the man behind this unique concept shares some information on the cars, the Nitro GP cars are capable of running 100+ kmph so are the buggys and the electric GP cars are capable of running at around 80+kmph. The cars are 1/10 scale with four wheel drive, individual suspension with oil filled shock absorbers with carbon fibre disc brakes. The car shods slick tires and also comes with wet weather tires for wet weather racing. So guys zip up and get ready for all the action.

These are very expensive and sophisticated RC toy cars with so much detailing, you have adjustable suspension and so on. Shivkumar also says that its not restricted to just guest who visit his venue but there are packages for Corporates as well with yearly membership system and it also extends itself by allowing corporate to advertise their brand on the cars for a price.

There are cars callipered to only Drift on the track, if there are 2 drivers competing each other then no problem at all, there are 2 cars of the same specification for racers to compete against each other with no advantage over each other. The same for other racing category.

The Dirt Track is almost ready and the GP track is under construction. The venue will have air conditioned tents a canteen to keep you fresh while the race is on. Watch this space for more updates on this front.

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