Bently Hunaudieres 1999

Bently Motor Cars revealed a dramatic concept car the Hunaudieres at 1999 Geneva Motor Show, one year after Volkswagen became the owner of Bentley company. This supercar project provides the debut of a new 16 cylinder engine developed to a specific brief to provide a technologically advanced power plant with unique Bentley characteristics.

It is powered by a W-16 engine, developed by VW, who actually combined two V-8 engines together at an angle of 72 degrees, a displacement of 8 litres and a total of 64 valves produced 623 Bhp at 6000 Rpm on all four-wheels. Each V-8 engine held two banks of 4 cylinders at 15 degrees, this way the massive engine was still quite compact considering the power output and a torque of 561 Lbs.Ft at only 4000 Rpm.

Specifications

• Wheelbase : 2650 mm
• Length : 4430 mm
• Width : 1980 mm
• Height : 1190 mm
• Track front : 1738 mm
• Track rear : 1645 mm
• Tires front : 265/30 ZR 20
• Tires rear : 335/30 ZR 20
• Engine type : DOHC W-16 mid mounted,
• Displacement : 8004 cc
• Max. power : 630 Bhp at 6000 rpm
• Max. Torque : 561 Lbs Ft. at 4000 rpm
• Top speed : electronically limited at 350 Km/h

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EDAG light car coming to geneva motor show

Concept cars are not just for the automakers. Engineering firms sometimes like to wrap their latest creation around a futuristic body. EDAG taking this idea with practically named "Light Car - Open Source" that will premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

The mechanical workings of the car take a backseat to its light an instrument arrangement. EDAG is using the car to show off its (O)LED technology that it calls "an individually adaptable design and communication element." In practical terms this seems to be sort of a blank slate for drivers to individualize. The car looks like its made of glass. The driver can choose shapes, colors and possibly positions for the exterior lighting. Inside the diver can choose where he or she wants the exact position for all of the virtual dials and controls. "We have transferred today’s multimedia and lighting technology standards to the car, and in future want to offer the customer scope for free configuration, as the entire surface of the vehicle functions like the display of a multimedia installation, and can be used intelligently and individually, " explains Johannes Barckmann, Head of the EDAG Design Studio.

The car is designed to go 150 kilometers (93 miles) on electric power from lithium-ion batteries, with motors in each wheel housing. EDAG did not give any power rating for the car. We’re guessing there is only about a 50/50 shot this car will actually have an engine when it arrives in Geneva. This is not a half-baked vehicle; but it’s likely EDAG is more interested in showing off the technology of (O)LED than making the car roll on its own.

EDAG does not want to be the one to design the all the software programs the car can run, that’s why "open source" is in the car’s name. The Light Car - Open Source is a showcase for EDAG, so while this car may or may not make it to the road, the technology will likely in our automotive future.

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Ford 2009 Focus Rs

Thinking about a European vacation? Maybe this will help finish the deal: Ford started production of the Euro-only 2009 Focus RS today.

This hot hatch is now being build alongside its tamer siblings like the Focus 3- and 5-door hatchback, wagon and ST as well as the C-MAX and Kuga, all at Ford’s Saarlouis facility in Germany. The Focus RS uses a 2.5-liter turbo four-cylinder to make 300 hp and 302 lb-ft. of torque. The RS also gets new body parts to incorporate wider wheel arches and a wider track, deeper side rocker moldings, and unique front and rear bumpers.

Ford was kind enough to mention that the Focus RS will be available in more than 20 European countries, with the largest disbursements in the UK, Switzerland and Germany. So for those in the U.S., book your tickets there.

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