MAZDA MOTORSPORTS SELECTS MULTIMATIC TO OPERATE IMSA RACE PROGRAM

• Multimatic Motorsports will take over the operation of Mazda North America’s IMSA race program.

• UK stars Oliver Jarvis and Harry Tincknell drive for Mazda in the IMSA Sportscar Series.

• Watch our new ‘driver and car as one’ film here: https://youtu.be/D0U7-wweIHE

From the next round of the IMSA Sportscar Championship, Mazda’s two RT24-P prototypes will be operated by Multimatic Motorsports, the competition arm of global automotive engineering firm Multimatic Inc. With its broad experience in racing operations and race car development, Mazda has now tasked Multimatic with the operation of its flagship North American racing program.

The IMSA Sportscar Championship is a multi-class sportscar series with race distances varying from 24 hours to just one hour and forty minutes, and the Mazda RT24-P race cars compete in the fastest Daytona Prototype Class for overall victories. Commenting on the appointment, Nelson Cosgrove, Director Mazda Motorsports, said: “Mazda is looking forward to going racing with Multimatic when the IMSA resumes racing and we have a shared goal of winning the IMSA driver and manufacturer’s championships,” Adding, “the management and engineering staff of Multimatic are familiar with our team and will continue to elevate our program”.

With an unchanged driver line-up, UK sportscar racing stars Harry Tincknell and Oliver Jarvis remain at the heart of this US race program. With the world-famous Sebring 12 Hours postponed until later in the season, the IMSA series will resume when professional sporting events are able to restart in North America.

However, Mazda has started the year well with a strong result in the season-opening Daytona 24 Hours where Oliver Jarvis took pole position before finishing second in number 77 Mazda RT24-P alongside Olivier Pla and Tristan Nunez – Mazda’s best ever overall result in America’s most famous endurance race. Having faced technical issues in the closing hours, Harry Tincknell’s number 55 car crossed the line in 6th place.

Fresh from a strong showing at the first round of the series, Mazda North America’s British racing drivers Oliver Jarvis and Harry Tincknell returned to the UK to spend a day with the innovative Skyactiv-X powered Mazda3, to explore how, whether on-road or track, Mazda’s focus on the connection between car and driver is at the forefront of development.   

Living in the UK but competing on the other side of the Atlantic, their day job involves racing the high-tech, lightweight and powerful Mazda RT24-P prototype but day-to-day in the UK both drivers enjoy Mazda’s road car range. And they took time out from their schedule to explain why Mazda’s ‘Jinba Ittai – car and driver as one’ engineering ethos applies to both road and track.

With driver focused cockpits, personally molded seats and the need to feel what the car is doing at the limit at all times, motorsport represents the very pinnacle of being at one with the car. Whether it’s steering feel, confidence on the brakes or the direct communication of the car’s grip level through the suspension - success and speed in competition relies entirely on the driver being intuitively connected to the car.

A concept that’s similar to the one that Mazda’s road car engineers pursue with their philosophy of ‘Jinba Ittai’. This sense of complete oneness with the car, which sits at the heart of every Mazda, has become a well-acknowledged trait of Mazda’s range. From the MX-5 sports car to the CX-5 SUV, a human-centered development approach has ensured that every Mazda, delivers the seat position, comfort and intuitive feedback needed for the driver to feel connected to the road and at one with the car, regardless of the type of journey.

Oliver Jarvis

Commenting on the Skyactiv-X Mazda3, Oliver Jarvis said: “while you’re obviously not pushing as hard as you are in the race car, with accurate feedback, well-weighted controls, and a great driving position, the Mazda3 still communicates with the driver and makes you feel engaged behind the wheel, regardless of what type of drive you are on, so there’s a correlation between track and road.”

Adding, “with both road cars and racing cars the amount of engineering effort and skill that goes into making a car feel natural in its feedback to the driver is huge. Whether it’s for comfort, safety and enjoyment on the road or performance on the track it’s crucial to be at one with the car”.

Harry Tincknell

Harry Tincknell said: “whether it’s dealing with the high speeds of the Daytona banking, coping with the bumps of Sebring or navigating the tight corners of a street course like Long Beach you need to feel completely at one with the race car. Things are changing every second and you have to be able to react instinctively, and that’s no different on the road, where you need a good level of comfort and confidence to enjoy the experience as much as possible. There may be hundreds of different things that are just one percent better and you might not notice them when you jump into the car, but the combined result is that everything just feels natural and connected.”

Two of Britain’s biggest sports car racing stars, Oliver Jarvis and Harry Tincknell will be back in action when the IMSA Series recommences later this year. Whether it’s enjoying their Mazda3s in the UK or competing in the Mazda RT24-P in North America, both Oliver and Harry get to enjoy Mazda’s focus on the driver and the importance of being at one with the car. A synergy that is highlighted in our latest film: https://youtu.be/D0U7-wweIHE

@MikeBrewer is back in the UK with his favorite classic car!

.@MikeBrewer is back in the UK with his favorite classic car! Stream a new episode of Mike Brewer’s World of Cars NOW on the @MotorTrendOnDemand App! 🚗💂https://t.co/IJena9NxNm#MikeBrewersWorldofCars #MotorTrend #Mini #Europe pic.twitter.com/TDAzqkVhdj

— MotorTrend TV (@MotorTrendTV) March 10, 2020

Bacalar Spearheads Bentley Mulliner's Return to the Pinnacle of Coachbuilding

• Most exclusive and bespoke Bentley of the modern era revealed at Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe, England

• Two-seat Bacalar marks return to bespoke coachbuilding for Bentley Mulliner – the oldest coachbuilding company in the world

• Bentley Mulliner announces new three-portfolio future: Classic, Collections and Coachbuilt

• ‘Barchetta’ design delivers the ultimate expression of open-top, driver-focused grand touring

• Enhanced 6.0-litre W12 TSI engine produces 659 PS (650 bhp)

• Just 12 distinctive cars to be designed, engineered and handcrafted to individual customers' tastes – all already allocated

• Design DNA and sustainable materials inspired by the EXP 100 GT concept car, launched last summer to celebrate Bentley’s centenary

• Sustainable craftsmanship and ethically-sourced materials includes rice husk ash paint and 5,000-year-old Riverwood

• Bacalar to be produced in world’s first certified carbon neutral factory for luxury car production

• Ultra-modern design includes extreme wrap-around cockpit and semi-enclosed rear compartment for bespoke Schedoni luggage

(Crewe, 3 March 2020) Bentley Mulliner has revealed the all-new Bacalar at the home of Bentley in Crewe, England this morning. The rarest two-door Bentley of the modern era, and the ultimate expression of two-seat, open-air luxury, this definitive Grand Tourer spearheads a return to coachbuilding by Bentley Mulliner – the oldest coachbuilder in the world.

Just 12 examples of this striking, limited edition model are being created, guaranteeing rarity and exclusivity, and offering supreme luxury and breath-taking performance. Bacalar looks to the future of bespoke luxury motoring - each model will be handcrafted in Bentley Mulliner’s workshop in Crewe, according to the individual customer’s personal tastes.

This exceptionally rare car is appropriately named after Laguna Bacalar in Mexico’s Yucatan peninsula, a lake renowned for its breath-taking natural beauty, continuing Bentley’s strategy of naming cars after remarkable landmarks which started with Bentayga in 2015.

Bacalar has been brought to life by Bentley Mulliner, reviving its specialism in providing rare coach-built cars to only a few discerning customers. A roofless Barchetta design with all-new and highly muscular coachwork, embracing a myriad of options and materials, each Bacalar will be truly unique, the result of direct interaction between the Bentley Mulliner design team and the individual customer.

The most exclusive two-door Bentley of the modern era launches a new Bentley Mulliner operation, and forms part of a new strategy for the world’s oldest coachbuilder that will see the division offer three different portfolios: Classic, Collections and Coachbuilt.

Bentley Mulliner has an illustrious history and can proudly trace its roots back to the 1500s when the company’s original focus was customising luxurious, horse-drawn carriages. The remarkable Bacalar is therefore the culmination of almost 500 years of expertise and heritage in the art of vehicle design.

Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, comments:

“The Bentley Mulliner Bacalar is our ultimate expression of an open-top, luxury grand tourer, and of the immense capabilities of our team in Crewe.

“In Bacalar, we have created a fully bespoke Bentley, orientated towards a two seat open top experience, and carrying a number of the forward thinking elements of future luxury, first heralded in our EXP100GT as part of our Centenary celebrations last year.

“Bacalar is a rare and remarkable Bentley, and whilst clearly defined, will be an extraordinary and collaborative experience for just twelve discerning people who will now co-create, collect, drive and treasure one of twelve being built.

“Our customers are as excited as we are about Bacalar, as it brings our team and discerning enthusiasts together, to create the finest bespoke, hand-built cars, and push the boundaries of our imagination and capabilities.”

A masterpiece of craftsmanship, the Bacalar is a seamless fusion of materials with an intelligent curation of technology. It draws on design DNA from the beautifully sculpted, award-winning EXP 100 GT which was recently crowned ‘Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year’ at the prestigious French Festival Automobile International and ‘Concept Car of the Year’ by GQ magazine.

A statement of purpose for the future, Bacalar now propels Bentley into a new century of extraordinary, as the design team has envisaged the most dynamically sculpted model to date. The dramatic, tapered cowls at the rear hark back to the Barchetta sports cars of old, whilst underlining the promise of a dynamic, driver-focussed adventure in a cosseting, cocooned environment.

Pure in line and execution, the distinctive, wraparound cockpit flows from a new, steeply angled centre console seamlessly into the dashboard and doors. These then wrap rearwards towards the semi-enclosed luggage compartment behind the two seats.

Sustainable, ethically-sourced materials previewed in the EXP 100 GT concept car last year have now become reality in the Bacalar – just eight months after first being previewed. These include paint containing ash from rice husks, which provides a sustainable way of delivering a rich metallic finish, natural British wool and 5,000-year-old Riverwood sourced from the ancient Fenlands of East Anglia.

The Bacalar features an enhanced version of Bentley’s peerless 6.0-litre, W12 TSI engine. The most advanced 12-cylinder engine in the world, it produces 659 PS (650 bhp) and 900 Nm (667 lb.ft) of torque.

An advanced Active All-Wheel-Drive System varies the torque split between front and rear wheels. It allows the Bacalar to use rear-wheel drive as much as possible during normal driving for optimum efficiency and dynamic performance. The drivetrain is at the heart of the Bacalar, creating the ultimate open-air, two-seat luxury Grand Tourer available in the world today.

All examples of the exquisite Bentley Mulliner Bacalar have already been allocated to customers from around the world.

Bentley Mulliner Returns To Coachbuilding

With the Bacalar, customers will again have the ability to work closely with a team of specialist designers to enhance their vehicle with a selection of unique materials and specially curated options. The Bacalar will be the first – but other new bespoke Bentleys will follow as part of the Bentley Mulliner Coachbuilt portfolio – one of three new divisions of the Bentley Mulliner organisation.

The Bentley Mulliner Classic offering was introduced last year with the announcement that Bentley’s 1929 Team Blower is to be reborn with a new build of 12 supercharged 4½-litre examples of the iconic car. These models, each individually handcrafted by a team of specialists from Bentley Mulliner, will form the world’s first pre-war race car continuation series. This subdivision of Mulliner also completed an immaculate restoration of the 1939 Bentley Corniche last year.

The third arm of the business – Bentley Mulliner Collections - will continue to offer customers luxury-focused derivatives of the core Bentley range, such as the new Continental GT Mulliner Convertible, as well as the opportunity to personalise their new Bentley.  An expansive number of options is available across the full line-up of current production cars – from unique colour-matched paint, hide and thread combinations, to bespoke feature content.

Tracy Crump, Bentley Mulliner’s Head of Commercial Operations, comments:

“While Bentley’s motto is ‘Be Extraordinary’, at Bentley Mulliner we look to take it one step further, ‘Beyond Extraordinary’. With the new Bacalar we have been able to do exactly that, providing a select number of customers with the opportunity to express their personal taste in a truly remarkable grand tourer. Meanwhile, Bentley Mulliner Classic will breathe new life into the most iconic cars from our past, while our Collections team continue their work to offer a bespoking service to each and every Bentley customer.”

Bacalar – A Dynamically-Sculpted Design For The Future

The new Bentley Mulliner Bacalar is a genuine ‘roofless’ Barchetta – a luxury, two-seat, open-air performance car, the likes of which has never been seen before. Handcrafted to the individual customer’s personal tastes, Bacalar is the ultimate expression of an open-top Grand Tourer: a spirited GT combining traditional handcrafted techniques with the latest cutting-edge technology.

The Bacalar shares no body panel with any other car in the Bentley model line-up and derives inspiration from the dramatic EXP 100 GT concept car conceived to mark the company’s centenary last year. Indeed, it only shares one exterior component with a Continental GT – the door handle, simply because it contains the keyless entry system.

Stefan Sielaff, Bentley’s Director of Design, comments:

“You can clearly see echoes of the EXP 100 GT in the Bacalar, as well as the influence of the past. Bentley has a rich history of open-cockpit cars – the design of the Birkin Blower Bentley of the late 1920s was also an inspiration. We needed to push the boundaries as far as possible – customers were asking what Bentley’s take on a more expressive-looking car at this price point would look like. We were also tasked with starting to deliver on Bentley’s promise to use sustainable materials. Within less than a year of revealing our future-focused concept, we have already delivered on this promise.”

The rear clamshell and top deck of the Bacalar are crafted from lightweight aluminium, while the doors and wings are carbon fibre. Combined with the use of three-dimensional printing, it has allowed designers to create an even more distinctive car.

The Bacalar sits on extended haunches, with the rear track 20 mm wider than a Continental GT, to provide a more muscular, sporting stance. They house bespoke, 22-inch tri-finish wheels with dramatic depth and contour on the road. The unique front and rear horizontal lights add the distinctive, dynamic character that was first seen on the EXP 100 GT.

Instead of a traditional badge, Bentley designers went the extra mile to find a special way to identify the car. Uniquely, the Bacalar name appears on the rear panel, ‘hidden’ behind the lacquer of sustainable rice husk paint, with the capital ‘A’s influencing the contours of the lower bumper area.

The exterior look of each model will be completed in collaboration with individual customers, who are able to further personalise their car, choosing from rare paint options, exterior treatments and design themes. The Bacalar represents a return to the exciting early years of Bentley, allowing owners to help shape the car of their dreams.

A Unique Wraparound Cockpit

Inside the luxurious cabin, Bentley craftspeople have created a cockpit like no other. The architecture of the Bacalar has allowed Bentley Mulliner designers to seize the opportunity to create a theme that not only blends the interior and exterior together but also emphasises the two-seater character with a ‘wraparound’ cockpit design.

Pure in line and surface execution, the wraparound design flows from a steeply angled centre console into the dashboard, before sweeping into the door panels. These then wrap towards a uniquely styled, semi-enclosed luggage compartment behind the seats.

This ingenious space is purposely designed for bespoke Schedoni fitted luggage, the Italian company that has designed luxury luggage for the automotive industry for almost 140 years. Created exclusively for the Bacalar, the optional luggage perfectly matches the trim and materials of the cabin. These two luggage ‘pods’ flow from the interior into the exterior, enveloping the seats and creating a true two-seater cabin.

Uniquely designed details and features in the cabin emphasise the coach-built character of the car, with an almost infinite number of ways for customers to express their personal taste and commission a unique interior.

Every detail has been uniquely designed. A new, knurled pattern was created for the iconic ‘bullseye’ vents – a pattern that was repeated around the interior on areas like the steering wheel controls, media and climate controls and even the intricate speaker frets. Each element has a fine, Dark Bronze detail to further enhance the finish, with Midnight Black Titanium detailing.

The dark, anodised titanium finish on the main controls and a metallic dark bronze on the iconic Bulls-eye air vents have been used to highlight further details.

The interior can be finished in any number of ways, with each car co-created and commissioned in conjunction with the Bentley Mulliner team. Every car will be individually specified and finished using any of the many Bentley colours and materials available.

The finest Beluga leather is carefully sewn together with Bentley’s heritage semi-gloss leather and natural wool to create a dark ‘tone-on-tone’ character. For the first demonstration car, the use of Bentley Mulliner’s Khamun accent leather highlights the wraparound cabin theme and matches the new and unique Yellow Flame exterior paintwork perfectly.

Every element that falls to hand has been specifically designed for the Bacalar. A new D-shaped steering wheel features Alcantara inserts, with a contrast accent top marker. The gear-shifter is also finished in Alcantara with Dark Bronze detailing. Unique leather strap door and seat releases, unique digital instrumentation and a unique key design enhance the luxurious cabin still further.

At the heart of the centre console is the now famous Bentley Rotating Display. This digital MMI display has been elegantly designed by Bentley with a customer-configurable home screen. The system involves 40 moving parts and revolves the Riverwood veneer when the engine is started to reveal the high-resolution touchscreen.

Three configurable windows are able to display the driver’s preferred functions, such as telephone, media and navigation. The interface is designed to operate like a modern smartphone, with menus that are structured and simple to follow. The third side of the Bentley Rotating Display presents three, elegant analogue dials that display outside temperature, a compass and chronometer – providing an alternative to the touchscreen when the driver wants to digitally detox.

Each car also features a unique clock face with individual one-of-12 badging.

Owning a Bacalar is the start of a journey of discovery for the owner. Every element has been carefully and meticulously designed with a depth so great that over the course of time, each customer will discover new and interesting details.

From the use of precious inlays and unique finishes to the driver controls, to the 148,199 individual stitches needed to embroider the unique Bacalar quilt on each seat, owners will find details and parts not seen before on a Bentley.

Sustainable Craftsmanship And Ethically-Sourced Materials

Bentley has entered into collaborative relationships with carefully selected industry experts to create the new Bacalar. Each one uses sustainable and innovative techniques that exemplify the best craftsmanship that the world has to offer, in many cases fine-tuned over centuries, and using ethically-sourced materials.

A focal point of the cabin is the wraparound dashboard cut from rare Riverwood, a sustainable wood from naturally fallen trees that has been preserved for 5,000 years in peat bogs, lakes and rivers found in the Fenlands of East Anglia, England.

This exquisite wood was chosen for its striking black aesthetic, the result of lying untouched in wet earth for thousands of years. The wood has been air-dried in a controlled environment over a long period of time to prevent damage and conserve its unique, natural characteristics. The straight grain enhances the Bacalar’s sweeping interior contours, giving it genuine soul and drama.

Once veneered, the dashboard is literally sliced in two, creating an upper and lower element divided by a 3mm chrome strip. The upper Riverwood is finished as open pore – a semi-matt finish that shows off the veneer’s grain and colour.

The lower panels are a high gloss finish but with a modern twist to the traditional process. The Bacalar’s lower dashboard blends seamlessly from veneer into a high gloss piano black, further underlining the unique and bespoke finishes that are available. Because the Bacalar has no roof, this stunning marquetry is clearly visible from outside the car.

Bentley Mulliner has also collaborated with a traditional British textile mill to produce bespoke natural wool cloth akin to a fine tailor’s suit. Bentley Mulliner has embraced the expertise and knowledge of these centuries-old methods to create an exclusive and unique woven cloth especially for the Bacalar, and customers will have the option to co-create their own bespoke fabric blend.

This traditionally-produced textile is used in the seat inserts, seat backs and the side of the head restraints. Following the interior styling lines, it also flows from the side of the centre console and lower instrument panel into the doors.

Further promoting sustainable craftsmanship and supporting a unique industry, the luxury overmats are precision woven on traditional Wilton looms in England using the finest natural yarns.  These Wilton-woven pure wool deep pile carpets are hand-carved for the footwell and rear luggage compartment, following the embroidered pattern found on the seats.

Thanks to a partnership with another local supplier, based in the nearby Peak District, the Bacalar also offers customers the rare opportunity to create individual artisan piping, chosen to enhance the dynamic styling lines of the seat architecture. This piping can be designed and customised to feature unique patterns, colour combinations and personal embossed effects, such as a customer’s signature or special, individual customer motifs.

Even the paintwork on the Bacalar has been specially chosen for its sustainable characteristics. The pigment reflects an eye-catching transition of colour that intensifies the drama, form and contours of the sculpted exterior in different lights.

The pigment is synthetically-manufactured silicon dioxide platelet coated with iron oxide. This synthetic process uses rice husk ash – a by-product from the rice industry – to create 90 per cent pure silicon dioxide, thereby reducing rice husk landfill waste.

Each Bacalar will be hand-crafted in Mulliner’s dedicated workshop at the Bentley factory in Crewe – the world’s first certified carbon neutral factory for luxury car production.

A Unique Driving Experience

The Bentley Bacalar combines bespoke, hand-crafted luxury with state-of-the-art technology to guarantee an extraordinary driving experience.

With all-new coachwork brought to life by Bentley Mulliner, at the heart of the Bacalar is Bentley’s renowned 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 TSI engine mated to a technically-advanced drivetrain.

The Bacalar’s dual-clutch, eight-speed transmission offers faster, more efficient gear changes. An adaptive chassis uses Bentley’s intelligent, 48-volt Dynamic Ride System to ensure a responsive ride and exceptional handling and refinement in all conditions.

The air suspension system controls ride comfort and lateral roll, cushioning passengers from excessive movement, as well as making the Bacalar feel effortlessly precise.

The Legend Of Mulliner

The legend of Mulliner is woven into the very fabric of Bentley. The tradition of bespoke craftsmanship has been passed down from generation to generation since the 1500s, when Mulliner was founded as a saddler.

In the 1760s, the Mulliner family business refocused on coachbuilding and rose to prominence when it was commissioned to build and maintain carriages for the Royal Mail postal service. With the arrival of the motor car, the company stepped away from horse-drawn carriages and focussed on coachbuilding for mechanical propulsion.

The then independent Mulliner crafted a bespoke, 3-litre, two-seater Bentley for the 1923 Olympia Show in London, creating a bond between the two companies that would last for decades. Mulliner bodied over 240 Bentley chassis in the 1920s alone and became renowned as the very best of the new coachbuilding firms.

Perhaps the most famous was Mulliner’s design for the 1952 R-Type Continental, still considered one of the most beautiful cars of all time. The fastest, four-seat sports car of the era, the R-Type’s iconic beauty continues to influence design today through the Bentley Continental GT.

Mulliner cemented its partnership with Bentley in 1959 by becoming part of the business. It later moved into the old engineering experimental department at Bentley headquarters in Crewe and has remained there ever since. Today, around 40 employees, ranging from specialists with over 40 years of Mulliner experience to apprentices learning the skills that have been honed over decades of manufacturing, work for the company.

VIRTUAL WORLD PREMIERE OF BMW CONCEPT i4

BACKGROUDS. 

With a comprehensive expansion of its range of plug-in hybrid models, premium automobile manufacturer BMW continues to consistently pursue its electrification offensive. BMW presents four new plug-in hybrid models for the premium mid-range. The additional model variants of the BMW 3 Series will offer highly efficient driving pleasure from summer 2020 onwards.

Electrification of the drive portfolio is one of the future mobility fields defined by the BMW Group in its corporate strategy NUMBER ONE > NEXT. Innovations in the areas of D-ACES (Design, Autonomous, Connected, Electrified and Services/Shared) are to establish the conditions for sustainable growth in the global automotive markets. As a pioneer in the field of e-mobility, the BMW Group has already delivered half a million electrically powered vehicles worldwide. A total of 145 815 electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles of the BMW and MINI brands were sold in 2019. With a market share of more than 7 per cent worldwide and more than 14 per cent in Europe, the company leads the worldwide ranking of established premium providers of vehicles that are purely electrically powered or run on plug-in hybrid systems. In Germany, the BMW Group is the clear market leader in the segment of electrically powered automobiles with a share of 24 per cent (source: IHS Markit New Registrations 2019 Report 17.01.2020).

By the end of 2021, the BMW Group aims to have more than one million vehicles with electrified drive systems on the road. A quarter of the vehicles sold by the BMW Group in Europe will be electrified by 2021: this share will increase to a third by 2025 and to half by 2030. The BMW Group plans to expand its range to include 25 electrified models by 2023, more than half of which will run on electric power alone. Production of the all-electric BMW iX3 will begin before the end of 2020, followed by the BMW i4 and BMW iNEXT the following year.

“Power of Choice”: diverse drive portfolio to meet mobility needs around the world.

With the market launch of the BMW iX3, the successful Sports Activity Vehicle becomes the first model of the brand to be available with efficient petrol and diesel engines as well as a plug-in hybrid system and purely electric drive. Its strategic “Power of Choice” approach enables the BMW Group to meet the individual mobility needs of its customers all over the world. A broad spectrum of drive technologies provides a selection of models tailored to a wide range of legal conditions and individual requirements.

The diversity of the drive portfolio is growing in the BMW 3 Series, too. The new additions to the range of plug-in hybrid models presented for the first time at the event enable customers to align their desire for sustainable mobility even more precisely with their personal needs and preferences. In future, touring models with electric drive will be available for the first time. The event sees the debut of the new BMW 330e Touring and the new BMW 330e xDrive Touring. The interplay of plug-in hybrid technology and intelligent all-wheel drive can also be experienced in the new BMW 330e xDrive Sedan.

The event will also be the venue for the world premiere of two further models in the BMW 3 Series. The new BMW M340d xDrive Sedan and the new BMW M340d xDrive Touring feature an in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine with an output of 250 kW/340 hp and a mild hybrid system featuring a 48-volt starter generator. The sales launch of the two new BMW M automobiles and the three additional plug-in hybrid models means that the number of engine variants available in the BMW 3 Series will increase to four petrol engines, four diesel engines and one plug-in hybrid drive.

Efficiency becomes more diverse: world premiere for three additional plug-in hybrid models in the BMW 3 Series.

Following the successful market launch of the new BMW 330e Sedan, the diversity in the range of plug-in hybrid models in this series will be significantly expanded from summer 2020 onwards.. In the four future models with electrified drive, latest-generation eDrive technology increases not just efficiency but also hallmark brand driving pleasure. The electric range of the plug-in hybrid models in the BMW 3 Series reaches a maximum of between 55 and 68 kilometres.

The intelligently controlled interaction of a 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor integrated in the 8-speed Steptronic transmission produces a system output of 185 kW/252 hp in the BMW 330e Touring, BMW 330e xDrive Sedan and BMW 330e xDrive Touring. Under especially high loads, this can be increased by an additional 30 kW/40 hp to up to 215 kW/292 hp for up to 10 seconds by means of the standard XtraBoost. The maximum system torque is 420 Nm. The agility and sporty flair of the driving experience is highlighted by a specific drive sound tuning, a direct yet precise accelerator pedal curve and a specific shift programme as part of the 8-speed Steptronic transmission that includes brake downshifts.

The sporty characteristics and high efficiency of the plug-in hybrid drive are combined with the superior versatility of intelligent all-wheel drive in the BMW 330e xDrive Sedan and BMW 330e xDrive Touring models. It distributes the power of both engine and electric motor between the front and rear wheels via an electronically controlled multi-disc clutch as required at all times. In this way, BMW xDrive ensures maximum traction and driving stability in all road and weather conditions. In addition, the fully variable power distribution promotes agility in sporty driving. The combination of BMW eDrive and BMW xDrive is geared in particular to the requirements of driving on snow, in mountainous regions and off-road.

The launch of two Touring models with plug-in hybrid system takes into account the requirements of those customers who appreciate not only hallmark brand driving pleasure and ground-breaking efficiency but also extended functionality. In their versatile interior, the electrified Touring models offer exactly the same level of interior comfort on five seats as the conventionally powered model variants. Meanwhile the luggage compartment volume is only slightly limited due to the space-saving arrangement of the high-voltage battery under the rear seat. By folding down the backrest with a standard split of 40 : 20 : 40, storage space can be extended from 410 to up to 1 420 litres.

BMW IconicSounds Electric

In November 2019 BMW Group announced a partnership with Hans Zimmer for the development of visionary sounds under the brand name of BMW IconicSounds Electric. As composer and curator he contributes his expertise to various projects for sound creation for electrified BMW vehicles worldwide. As of July 2020 the Start/Stop sound co-created by Hans Zimmer and BMW Sound Designer Renzo Vitale will be rolled out to all BMW Plug-In Hybrids.

World premiere of the BMW M340d xDrive Sedan and BMW M340d xDrive Touring: BMW M automobiles with mild hybrid.

Inspiring driving dynamics and impressive efficiency characterise the two other new additions to the BMW 3 Series model range – also due to see their world premiere at the event. The unmistakable characteristics of the new BMW M340d xDrive Sedan and the new BMW M340d xDrive Touring derive primarily from a 3.0-litre in-line 6-cylinder diesel engine and mild hybrid technology with a 48-volt starter generator. The newly developed diesel drive with BMW TwinPower Turbo Technology delivers a peak output of 250 kW/340 hp and a maximum torque of 700 Nm. Its impressive pulling power is complemented with particularly spontaneous power delivery: this is taken care of by an electrical overboost that is generated by the 48-volt starter generator. The resulting additional output of 8 kW/11 hp supports power delivery in dynamic driving situations. In addition, the starter generator also supports the combustion engine during continuous driving. This allows the diesel engine to run as much as possible in an efficiency-optimised load range so as to reduce consumption peaks.

The powerful drive of the new BMW M automobiles is combined with an 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, model-specific suspension technology and intelligent all-wheel drive. An M sports suspension including variable sports steering and an M sports brake system come as standard, as does the M sports differential. In addition, M specific exterior features with optimised aerodynamic properties contribute to the dynamic and superior driving characteristics. The BMW M340d xDrive Sedan takes 4.6 seconds to accelerate from zero to 100 km/h, while the new BMW M340d xDrive Touring completes the sprint from a standing start to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. Spirited driving characteristics and a cockpit design geared towards intense driving pleasure guarantee a thrilling performance experience.

BMW 330e Touring: combined fuel consumption: from 1.7 l/100 km; combined power consumption: from 15.7 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: from 39 g/km, provisional figures. BMW 330e Sedan: fuel consumption combined: 1.7 – 1.6 l/100 km; combined power consumption: 15.0 – 14.8 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 38 – 36 g/km. BMW 330e xDrive Touring: combined fuel consumption: from 2.0 l/100 km; combined power consumption: from 17.8 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: from 46 g/km, provisional figures. BMW 330e xDrive Sedan: combined fuel consumption: from 1.8 l/100 km; combined power consumption: from 16.7 kWh/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: from 42 g/km, provisional figure. BW M340d xDrive Sedan: combined fuel consumption: 5.7 – 5.3 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 149 – 139 g/km.BMW M340d xDrive Touring: combined fuel consumption: 5.8 – 5.4 l/100 km; combined CO2 emissions: 153 – 143 g/km.

The following applies to consumption figures for vehicles with new type approval, September 2017 onward: The figures for fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and energy consumption are obtained in accordance with the specified measuring procedure (EC Regulation No. 715/2007), as issued and amended. The figures are for a basic-version vehicle in Germany. The bandwidths allow for differences in the choice of wheel and tire sizes and items of optional equipment and can be changed by the configuration. Obtained on the basis of the new „Worldwide harmonized Light vehicles Test Procedure" (WLTP), the figures are converted back to the "New European Driving Cycle" (NEDC) for the sake of comparability. Values other than those stated here may be used for the purposes of taxation and for other vehicle-related duties relating to CO2 emissions. More information about official fuel consumption figures and the official specific CO2 emissions of new passenger cars can be obtained here: https://www.dat.de/co2

APEX teases unique design of AP-0 concept

• Drawing inspiration from oriental art, culture and heritage, the APEX AP-0 has a dragon-like front profile

• A structural, aerodynamic fin houses the LIDAR camera, while a flat floor and large rear diffuser combine to maximise ground effect and downforce

• Design of the AP-0 led by renowned and revered UK designer Guy Colborne

APEX, the global sports car brand, has disclosed details of the striking design of its AP-0 electric vehicle concept ahead of its debut at the Geneva International Motor Show next week.

Led by renowned UK designer Guy Colborne, APEX has cultivated a design language that mirrors the powerful performance attributes of the AP-0, while simultaneously embracing and emphasising the lightweight structure of the car.

The AP-0 draws inspiration from oriental art, culture and heritage. Viewed from the front, the car assumes a dragon-like form, featuring sharp, jagged lines around the front grille and two piercing, ocular headlights.

On the roof of the car, a structural, aerodynamic fin influenced by Formula 1 and Le Mans race cars houses the advanced LIDAR camera and stretches to the rear of the car. By rejecting a rear spoiler and instead employing a flat floor and large rear diffuser, airflow is channelled and accelerated underneath the car. The resulting ground effect and downforce provides the car and driver with outstanding capability, handling and stability.

Alfa Romeo Returns a Legend

Giulia GTA: The Return of an Alfa Romeo Legend

• 110 years after its foundation, Alfa Romeo returns to its roots, bringing back one of the legends of its history and of motoring in general: Giulia GTA

• The new Giulia GTA is technically and conceptually inspired by the Giulia GTA of 1965: the “Gran Turismo Alleggerita” developed by Autodelta and based on the Giulia Sprint GT that racked up sporting successes worldwide

• Based on Giulia Quadrifoglio, Giulia GTA is fitted with a more powerful version of the Alfa Romeo 2.9 V-6 Bi-Turbo engine, now with 540 hp

• A GTAm (modified) variant is an extreme 100 percent “street legal” version of the GTA, characterized by two racing seats, roll bar, and 6-point safety belts

• With its extensive use of ultra-light materials, GTA and GTAm benefit from a weight reduction of 220 lb compared to the Giulia Quadrifoglio, achieving a best-in-class weight/power ratio of 6.2 lb/hp

• Specific technical solutions have also been developed for aerodynamics, setup, and handling

• Alfa Romeo will collect the declarations of interest on Giulia GTA and GTAm starting today, available in only 500 certified, numbered units in total. Lucky buyers will receive an exclusive customer experience, with the one-to-one sales process and dedicated experience package

March 2, 2020,  Auburn Hills, Mich. - On June 24, Alfa Romeo will reach an important milestone in its remarkable history: 110 years in business. During that century-plus span, Alfa Romeo engineers and designers have relentlessly pursued innovation, while always remaining true to the brand’s DNA. Over the years, this DNA – the perfect combination of sportiness and elegance – has created not only some of the most iconic vehicles ever built but also vehicles that are right at home both on the racetrack and in any beauty contest. To mark its 110th birthday, Alfa Romeo presents a vehicle that fully signifies a return to the brand’s origins, while paying tribute to one of the most emblematic vehicles of Alfa Romeo: Giulia GTA.

A set of initials with a legendary feel: GTA
The acronym GTA stands for “Gran Turismo Alleggerita” (alleggerita being the Italian term for “lightened”), and it originated in 1965 with the Giulia Sprint GTA, a specific version derived from the Sprint GT, designed as a sports car and presented at the Amsterdam Motor Show staged that same year. The body of the Giulia Sprint GT was replaced with an identical version in aluminum, for a total weight of 1,642 lb compared to the 2,094 lb of the road version. A second variation concerned the 1.6 twin-cam engine which, in the road configuration, with dual ignition, reached an impressive output of 115 hp. The technicians of Autodelta, the official Alfa Romeo racing team, chose it as the reference vehicle for the Touring category and developed it to achieve a maximum output of 170 hp. The model’s success in competitions was then immediate: three consecutive “Challenge Europeo Marche”, tens of national championships and hundreds of individual races in every part of the world. And the way it ramped up the image of the entire range was also impressive: Giulia Sprint GTA expressed the claim “A victory a day in your everyday car” to perfection. From then on, the GTA made a name for itself as the undisputed icon of Alfa Romeo's sportiness and the acronym GTA became so successful that the public soon associated it with all the sporty Alfa Romeo vehicles in general.
 
The legend is renewed with excellent technical solutions
On the year of its 110th anniversary, Alfa Romeo intends to break a few rules: it doesn’t intend to talk about history, especially its own, nor does it want any gifts for its birthday. Instead, it prefers to give a gift to Alfa enthusiasts by presenting the Giulia GTA. Today, this is a real return to the roots of Alfa Romeo, planted deep in the world of performance and grand touring.
 
Specific technical features and functional style
For the new Giulia GTA, Alfa Romeo engineers have striven to improve aerodynamics and handling but above all to reduce weight: the same guidelines followed for the 1965 Giulia GTA. The active aerodynamics were specifically studied to increase the downforce. These solutions contain technical know-how that comes directly from Formula 1, thanks to the synergy with Sauber Engineering and the use of the Sauber Aerokit. The same task is assigned to the side skirts, the specific rear spoiler, and the active front splitter. The titanium Akrapovi? central exhaust system integrated into the carbon fiber rear diffuser is also new, as are the 20-inch center-lock wheels, appearing for the first time on a sedan. The handling at high speeds has been improved by widening the front and rear wheel tracks by 50mm and developing a new set of springs, shock absorbers and bushings for the suspension systems. On GTAm, the aerodynamic front piece has been optimized to an extreme level, by adding a larger front splitter and a real carbon rear wing, which ensures a perfectly balanced load at high speeds. In terms of performance, the powerful 2.9 V6 Bi-Turbo, made entirely of aluminum and capable of unleashing no less than 510 hp in the standard configuration, reaches a power output of 540 hp on Giulia GTA, thanks to meticulous calibration work performed by Alfa Romeo engineers. The same team has also succeeded in optimizing the implementation of the new Akrapovi? specific exhaust system, with its unmistakable sound.

Moving inside the car, several new details stand out: the trim in 100% Alcantara® on the dashboard, door panels, glove compartment, side pillars and the central trim on the seats. Alcantara® is used even more extensively on the GTAm version, where the rear bench has been removed, leaving room for a fully upholstered “basin”, hosting specific moldings designed to hold helmets and fire extinguisher. The new matte carbon inserts endow the interior with a distinctive technical and aesthetic elegance. In the new GTAm, the interior is unique in that it features a roll bar, no door panels or rear seats and the door is opened with a belt in place of the handle, another touch that comes from the racing world.
 
An excellent weight/power ratio
But power on its own is not enough to ensure extraordinary performance. The work done to reduce vehicle weight has been meticulous and it has reaped particularly impressive results, with a total weight reduction of 220 lb, thanks to the adoption of lightweight materials such as carbon fiber for the driveshaft, hood, roof, front bumper, front wheel arches, rear wheel arch inserts and, on the GTAm, the shell of the specific sporting seats with 6-point Sabelt safety belts. Further, lightweight aluminum is used in the engine, doors and suspension systems, and various other composite materials are used throughout. For instance, Lexan – a unique polycarbonate resin that comes straight from the world of motorsports – has been used in the side and rear window frames, further contributing to the weight reduction. The result is a weight set around 3,350 lb which, combined with the increase in power to 540 hp, brings the weight/power ratio to an excellent level, 6.2 lb/hp, making Giulia GTA and GTAm capable of delivering extraordinary performance. Its acceleration from 0 to 62 mph is lightning fast – thanks to the Launch Control system, the chronometer stops at just 3.6 seconds. The Giulia GTAm is the two-seater configuration approved for on-road use, with front splitter and larger visible rear wing in carbon, the ultimate expression of sportiness. In the GTA version, with the same power, Giulia offers four seats, no rear roll-bar; spoiler and splitter optimized for daily use on the road; the same door panels, seats and windows as those of the Giulia Quadrifoglio. The result is a veritable supercar for everyday use.
 
A privilege for 500 lucky customers
Alfa Romeo Giulia GTA and its extreme version, Giulia GTAm, will be built in a limited edition of only 500 units in total, all numbered and certified and ready to take up their place alongside their 1965 forerunner as one of the most sought-after collector’s items. They are not only magnificent to look at, but they are also ready to unleash impressive power on the road, usable thanks to a series of sophisticated technical solutions. The same exclusivity found in Giulia GTA and Giulia GTAm will also characterize a particularly exclusive dedicated customer experience, designed to treat the 500 lucky owners to a unique interaction that is 100 percent, Alfa Romeo. After the advance bookings, which are now officially open and will close as soon as the 500th unit has been reserved, the sales process will be one-to-one, with a brand ambassador product specialist following each customer from order to delivery. But the buying experience doesn’t stop at the dedicated sales process. Indeed, the new owners will also receive a personalized experience package kit, which includes a Bell helmet in special GTA livery, a full racing set by Alpinestars (race suit, gloves, and shoes) and a personalized Goodwool car cover for protecting his or her GTA or GTAm. In addition to other equipment for true enthusiasts, the Alfa Romeo customer experience also includes a specific driving course devised by the Alfa Romeo Driving Academy.
 
Alfa Romeo
Since its foundation in Milan, Italy, in 1910, Alfa Romeo has designed and crafted some of the most stylish and exclusive cars in automotive history. That tradition lives on today as Alfa Romeo continues to take a unique and innovative approach to design automobiles. The Alfa Romeo Stelvio sets a new benchmark in performance, style, and technology in an SUV. The award-winning Alfa Romeo Giulia delivers race-inspired performance, advanced technologies and an exhilarating driving experience to the premium midsize sedan segment. The Giulia Quadrifoglio and the Stelvio Quadrifoglio feature Alfa Romeo’s most powerful production engine ever with best-in-class 0-60 mph times of 3.8 and 3.6 seconds, respectively. Rounding out Alfa Romeo’s world-class lineup is the handcrafted Alfa Romeo 4C Spider. Alfa Romeo is part of the portfolio of brands offered by global automaker Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. For more information regarding FCA (NYSE: FCAU/ MTA: FCA), please visit www.fcagroup.com.

Follow Alfa Romeo brand news and video on:
Website: www.alfaromeo.com
Newsroom: FCA US Media Website
Facebook: Alfa Romeo USA 
Instagram: @alfaromeousa
Twitter: @alfaromeousa

WHEELER DEALERS RETURNS TO DISCOVERY FOR A BRAND NEW SERIES

Experienced car dealer, Mike Brewer and multi-talented mechanic, Mikelenges, the boys never fail to deliver their creations to a lucky new owner.

This series sees a whole host of iconic cars, such as a 1972 Fiat 124 Spider "survivor" car. The Fiat is all original, but with a driving experience that leaves a lot to be desired, Mike must secure a price that leaves the boys some profit. Mike then hands it over to Ant, who tackles everything from bare metal re-sprays to gearbox swaps to bring the car back to its former glory.

Elsewhere, the boys get their hands on a fifth-generation Ford Bronco, a bonafide American icon. It’s a point-and-go vehicle that the market is absolutely red-hot for, but can Mike and Ant get the Bronco ready in time for the biggest car collector auction in the world?

Throughout the series, Mike and Ant will discover and restore a variety of motoring classics including:

o   1972 Fiat 124 Spider

o   1973 Toyota Celica

o   2002 Mercedes Benz E55 AMG

o   2004 BMW M3

o   Volvo Amazon 122

o   Toyota Land Cruiser

o   1985 Merkur XR4Ti (aka Ford Sierra)

o   Ford Bronco

o   1982 Porsche 911 SC

WHEELER DEALERS returns exclusively to Discovery on the 2nd of March at 9 pm

Verdant Theme GT By MSO Showcases Luxury Innovations and Bespoke Personalisation

• Unique satin tri-tone paint artistry gives McLaren’s practical supercar a new face of modern luxury

• Bespoke craftsmanship and materials include first use of cashmere in a supercar

• Verdant Theme GT by MSO a showcase of personalized luxury innovations from McLaren Special Operations that are available across the McLaren range

A masterclass of innovative color and materials takes McLaren’s GT to a luxuriant new level of bespoke personalization in the McLaren Verdant Theme GT by MSO (McLaren Special Operations). Building on the GT’s multi-faceted talents and continent-crossing capabilities by displaying a rich new layer of craftsmanship from MSO, the unique car showcases artistry and techniques that are available across the entire McLaren Automotive range.

The Verdant Theme GT by MSO revels in a feeling for the verdant landscapes and fresh horizons that the GT has been designed to explore. Colors and materials employed with the highest level of technical precision reflect hues and textures from the natural world – for example, key touch points in the cabin are trimmed in cashmere, the first time this softest and most luxurious of wools has been used by McLaren and the first time it has become available in a supercar.

One of distinctive features of the car immediately apparent is a stunning new take on MSO’s innovative satin tri-tone paint finish. Seamlessly graduated from light to dark, the car’s body blends three shades of satin-finish green – from nose to tail, Horsell Green, Arbor and Steppe Green – all created especially for this car. Achieving the perfect progression of shades required 430 hours of painstaking work in what is among the most complex paint processes yet undertaken by MSO.

The lushness of the Verdant Theme GT by MSO is completed with hand-painted pinstripe accents in Napier Green on the body and the front splitter. The MSO Bespoke brake calipers are painted Napier Green while the MSO Black Pack guarantees the most dramatic of contrasts with gloss black finish for the wheels, the upper window surround and the exhaust finisher.

Dark Green, Jet Black and Laurel Green leather with Laurel Green micro-piping contrasts in the cabin with charcoal grey cashmere. Indulgently soft and luxurious, it adorns the center tunnel, the door inserts, the lower section of dashboard, the sun visors, the head restraints and the back upper section of the seats. MSO has been working on an automotive application for cashmere for 18 months, but limited availability means that at this stage it must remain among the most exclusive of all MSO options.

The Verdant Theme GT by MSO’s cabin – offering the space, comfort and usability expected of a GT – is further enhanced with subtle MSO signature details such as dedication plaque, embroidered logos and an accelerator pedal laser-etched with the MSO logo.

No enhancements were deemed necessary to the GT’s Proactive Damping Control suspension, nor its 612 bhp 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8, both already optimized to provide an outstanding Grand Touring combination of authentic McLaren supercar performance – 0-60mph in just 3.1 seconds – with touring comfort and refinement that sets new McLaren standards.

Ansar Ali, Managing Director, McLaren Special Operations

“The McLaren Verdant Theme GT by MSO is the perfect showcase for us in the way it takes modern-luxury to the next level by incorporating so much innovation. The Grand Tourer of McLaren’s range provides a sophisticated and elegant canvas for our artistry, but also I hope the spark that will inspire every McLaren owner as they seek ever more ways to personalize their car, whether it is GT, sports convertible, track supercar, or the ultimate uncompromised road car such as our new McLaren Elva.”
Ansar Ali, Managing Director, McLaren Special Operations

Sleek, elegant and muscular, the superlight McLaren GT is a compelling blend of beautiful design, high-quality innovative materials, true supercar performance and McLaren driving dynamics and engagement. Designed for the journey, this exceptionally refined vehicle has the capacity to carry 20.1 cubic feet of luggage including carry golf bags and skis.

Technology and modern craftsmanship share equal prominence in the McLaren GT, with the finest high-quality materials complemented by features such as the most sophisticated McLaren infotainment system to date; hidden-until-lit ambient lighting and the option of an electrochromic glazed roof.

Further information about McLaren Special Operations and the personalization opportunities it offers is available at https://cars.mclaren.com/en/mso.

FCA Design Team Seeks High School Students to Design the Future of Ram Truck

• Drive for Design Contest challenges high school students to sketch a Ram truck of the future

• Drive for Design contest is open to U.S. high school students in grades 10-12; three winners selected

• Prizes include an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour and mentoring time with leading designers at the FCA Design studios; scholarship to attend College for Creative Studies Summer Experience Transportation Design program, and serving as a Junior Judge at the prestigious EyesOn Design Car Show

• Entries due by May 1, 2020, via www.FCAdriveForDesign.com  

• Writer and artist Josh Welton joins as a special guest judge

• Head of FCA Design Ralph Gilles and Head of Ram Truck and Mopar Exterior Design Mark Trostle, take your questions in an “Ask Me Anything” Facebook Live event on Wed., Feb. 26 at 6 p.m. Eastern

• Follow Drive for Design via social media: Drive for Design Facebook page and FCA North America Facebook page, Twitter and Instagram using #DriveForDesign

February 20, 2020, Auburn Hills, Mich. - Without a nudge from an art teacher, a visit to an art school or just plain luck, some of the world’s top automotive designers may never have made their mark on history.

Mark Trostle, Head of Ram Truck Design at FCA, wants to change that. Eight years ago, he revived a contest he won as a high school student that helped drive him to where he is today, leading the design efforts for some of the most desired vehicles on the road.

The 2020 Drive for Design contest challenges U.S. high school students in grades 10-12 to sketch a Ram truck of the future. And, just like in the professional world, there is a level of urgency – entries are due by May 1, 2020. Three students will be named winners from all valid entries received.

Mark Trostle, Head of Ram Truck Design at FCA

“The landscape of automotive design has changed and today’s automotive designers not only sketch cars, they create some of the most advanced user experience systems, work with 3D technology, research color trends and create interior spaces that are multifunctional and beautiful,” said Trostle. “As the field of automotive design grows, it’s vital that we increase awareness and educate students and parents about the career opportunities available.”

The Drive for Design competition kicked off during the EyesOn Design commemorative poster unveiling held at the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology in Grosse Pointe Park, Mich.

Artist Josh Welton Joins Judging Panel
Coming back for a second year as a guest judge is Josh Welton, writer, artist and owner of Brown Dog Welding LLC fabrication and art studio in Detroit. Welton is an accomplished welder, fabricator, teacher, artist, writer, social media influencer, podcast host, entrepreneur and automotive enthusiast. He writes for a variety of outlets and shares his artistic creations on social media. Welton will help review submitted sketches and select this year’s winners.

Facebook LIVE “Ask Me Anything” on Wednesday, February 26
To kick off this year’s competition, Trostle and Head of FCA Design Ralph Gilles will participate in an “Ask Me Anything” Facebook LIVE broadcast on Wednesday, February 26 at 6 p.m. Eastern, hosted by Welton. Viewers can submit questions now for the live event via the Drive for Design Facebook page (Facebook.com/DriveForDesign), the FCA North America Facebook page (Facebook.com/FiatChrysler.NorthAmerica), the FCA North America Twitter (@FiatChrysler_NA) and FCA North America Instagram (@FiatChrysler_NA) channels using #DriveForDesign.

Drive for Design Contest Details
Three winners receive an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the FCA Product Design studios in Auburn Hills, Michigan, and the opportunity to spend one-on-one time with leading automotive designers.

The winners also receive a scholarship to attend the Precollege Summer Experience Transportation Design program at College for Creative Studies, a leading art and design college in Detroit, from which both Trostle and Gilles graduated. The summer program curriculum includes the fundamentals of gestural sketching, drawing automotive concepts in perspective and how to translate designs into 3D models.

The FCA Product Design Office is again partnering with EyesOn Design, which focuses on the automotive community and students coming together to commemorate, reflect and appreciate the craftsmanship and beauty of classic and modern vehicle design. Drive for Design winners will receive their awards on Sunday, June 14 at EyesOn Design’s “Vision Honored” Black Tie and Silent Auction and will serve as Junior Judges at the prestigious EyesOn Design Car Show, held every Father’s Day weekend at the historic Edsel and Eleanor Ford House in Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan.

For detailed contest rules and information on how to submit sketches, visit www.FCAdrivefordesign.com.

Drive for Design Social Media
Students and parents can follow the FCA North America social channels for regular posts to educate and inform followers about careers in automotive design. Weekly updates will be posted every Wednesday on the Drive for Design Facebook page (Facebook.com/DriveForDesign), the FCA North America Facebook page (Facebook.com/FiatChrysler.NorthAmerica), the FCA North America Twitter (@FiatChrysler_NA) and FCA North America Instagram (@FiatChrysler_NA) channels using the hashtag #DriveForDesign.

About Drive for Design
Launched in 2013, the FCA Product Design Office created its Drive for Design contest as an innovative way to educate young artists about careers in automotive design. Starting locally in Detroit, Drive for Design has grown to become a national contest that awards talented students with prizes and unique opportunities to further develop their design skills.

About CCS
The College for Creative Studies (CCS) is a nonprofit, private college authorized by the Michigan Education Department to grant bachelor’s and master’s degrees. CCS, located in midtown Detroit, strives to provide students with the tools needed for successful careers in the dynamic and growing creative industries.
Founded in 1906 as the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts, CCS plays a key role in Detroit’s cultural and educational communities. A private, fully accredited college, CCS enrolls more than 1,400 students, pursuing Master of Fine Arts degrees in color and materials design, interaction design, integrated design and transportation design and Bachelor of Fine Arts degrees in advertising design, art education, crafts, entertainment arts, fashion accessories design, fine arts, graphic design, illustration, interior design, photography, product design and transportation design.

About EyesOn Design
A benefit for the Detroit Institute of Ophthalmology (DIO), a not-for-profit corporation, EyesOn Design is a major source of revenue for the DIO’s research, education and support group programs for the visually impaired. The DIO is a division of the Department of Ophthalmology of the Henry Ford Health System.
 
FCA
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) is a global automaker that designs, engineers, manufactures and sells vehicles in a portfolio of exciting brands, including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, Fiat Professional, Jeep®, Lancia, Ram and Maserati. It also sells parts and services under the Mopar name and operates in the components and production systems sectors under the Comau and Teksid brands. FCA employs nearly 200,000 people around the globe. For more details regarding FCA (NYSE: FCAU/ MTA: FCA), please visit www.fcagroup.com.   

BMW CONCEPT i4: A FIRST LOOK

Munich. The BMW Group will unveil its first pure-electric Gran Coupe on 3 March 2020 at the Geneva Motor Show. The BMW Concept i4 heralds a new era in Sheer Driving Pleasure; it provides a whole new take on the dynamic excellence for which BMW is renowned and blends a modern, elegantly sporty design with the spaciousness and practicality of a four-door Gran Coupe – all while generating zero local emissions.

“The BMW Concept i4 brings electrification to the core of the BMW brand,” says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President BMW Group Design. “The design is dynamic, clean and elegant. In short: a perfect BMW that happens to be zero emission.”

The only car capable of filming the 2020 GT-R NISMO? Another GT-R

Precision driving expert transforms Nissan sports car into a high-performance camera rig

YOKOHAMA, Japan (Feb 7th, 2020) – Nissan developed the 2020 Nissan GT-R NISMO to be the pinnacle of the iconic nameplate. For maximum performance, the engine was upgraded, its aerodynamics further enhanced, and weight was shed through the meticulous use of exotic materials.

But when the time came to document the newest Nissan super sports car in its natural habitat – on the track – there was one problem. How to film it?

Enter Mauro Calo. A professional precision driver and automotive video expert is known for his work on big-budget blockbuster movies and automotive TV shows, he has the perfect car to chase and film the 2020 GT-R NISMO – another GT-R.

While Nissan helped locate a suitable GT-R to be transformed into a purpose-built camera car, Calo was already working on the design. Once the car arrived, he and his team fitted a bespoke tubular structure that was welded to the chassis and able to hold the weight of the professional carbon-fiber gimbal camera mounting system.

Nissan GT-R: the ultimate high-speed camera car

Until Calo realized his ambition of developing the ultimate high-speed camera car, the vehicle of choice for this type of filming would be a high-performance SUV. However, SUVs lack the speed or agility to follow the world’s fastest performance cars on track.

Thanks to its low center of gravity, adjustable sports suspension, and four-seater configuration, the GT-R is the perfect base car to accommodate a camera rig of this type. And once the performance of the twin-turbo 3.8 V6 is deployed via its advanced all-wheel-drive system, it’s easy to see why Calo chose it.

“When I started to think about developing a high-performance camera car, I quickly realized that the Nissan GT-R was the only car that would meet my criteria,” said Calo. “It has supercar performance, with outstanding all-wheel drive handling and stability. It’s famously reliable, and it can seat the team I need to operate the camera system. There were no other contenders.”

Fabulous footage of the world’s fastest cars

Not many GT-R customers regularly use all four seats, but a typical shoot requires a full camera crew. With Calo at the wheel, a gimbal operator, a focus puller and a director can be in the car at the same time – ensuring fabulous high-definition footage of the world’s fastest cars at high speed (with all safety precautions taken, on a closed circuit, of course).

“I knew already, from driving it on photo and video shoots, what a great car the Nissan GT-R is,” Calo said. “But since I adapted my Nissan GT-R to be a high-speed camera car and have been using it to film some of the world’s fastest cars on track, my respect and appreciation of its performance, reliability and stability has only increased. It amazes me and the teams I work with every time we use it.”

So there was no choice as to which vehicle would be able to shoot the fastest and most capable GT-R ever created – the 2020 GT-R NISMO.

With careful choreography planned in advance and coordinated via walkie-talkie, the two GT-Rs chased each other around the Lausitzring racetrack in Brandenburg, Germany, as part of the GT-R NISMO’s media preview event. The recorded footage has been viewed millions of times on YouTube and other social media platforms.

Why I call bull shit on Alex Choi latest Unicorn V3 build.

By Mario GearVlogz.

In Alex Choi’s latest video, he makes the claims that his Lamborghini Huracan is street legal and not a race car it is registered and will pass smog. What Alex chooses to do to his car is his own prerogatives. From adding the Exoskeleton or as he calls it “monkey bars” or that he chooses to have a 1 off project custom build twin turbo kit from Sheepey Race be installed. I still do not have a problem of it even though current comments and dislike ratio for my video shows otherwise. I do not care.

Like the overused phrase that we’ve all come tried of hiring these days “Fake News”. When I hear him say “Keep in mind this car is fully street legal. It is not a race car, this car will pass smog believe it or not. It has a license plate and it is registered. Which means I will be driving this car a lot.” Timestamp 8:19 mark of his unveiling video.

After being within the automotive industry the past ten plus years and living in California In my humble option that twin turbo kit is not street legal by California Air Resouce boards standards. As Sheepey Race or Sheepey Custom, Inc. it does not appear on the listed database of manufacturers with issued Executive Ordered number (E.O.#) a Requirement for any manufacturer that wishes to sell an aftermarket part that is to be used on a pollution controlled vehicle operating on California public roads.

Choi as an automotive influencer should at the very least be providing correct information and not listing false information that someone may follow then again if someone that has over $32K+ to have a similar kit installed onto their Audi/Lamborghini can afford to pay to have it removed and paid whatever fines that are levied upon them.

Alex Choi’s video Introducing Unicorn V3, The TWIN TURBO LAMBORGHINI RALLY CAR