Aston Martin DP-100 vision Gran Turismo concept

The DP-100 is the concept car Aston Martin has created specifically for the Gran Turismo racing game franchise. It will compete in the digital world against other Gran Turismo Vision concept cars from the likes of Mercedes, Nissan, BMW, Mitsubishi, Volkswagen and also a futuristic Formula 1 car from Red Bull.

The Aston Martin DP-100 concept was developed over the space of around six months by the Aston Martin design team led by Marek Reichman. The concept is a futuristic GT racer, and while there are absolutely no plans to put the vehicle into production, Reichman says that some minor elements of the design, for example the tail lights, might find their way into future Aston Martin models.

The Aston Martin DP-100 vision Gran Turismo concept is a mid-engined vehicle, a first for the company. The engine is a twin-turbocharged V12 producing a theoretical – but also plausible – 800 horsepower. The concept employs active aerodynamics to increase performance and downforce for improved handling. Highlights of the design include vented wheel arches for better airflow, ‘swan wing’ opening doors, active blades on each wheel which automatically open to cool the brakes or close to decrease drag, and the ‘bladed’ rear LED lights.

The concept will make its world debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed this weekend, and it will be available as a free download for GT6 in July.

Wider 42 – Morphing yacht lives up to its name

Wider are an Italian company who are in the business of building luxury yachts. They offer several models, up to and including 165-foot superyachts. However their 42-foot model is one of their more intriguing models.

The Wider 42′ was developed from a concept by Tilli Antonelli, and the styling was honed by Fulvio De Simoni. It incorporates a transformable mid-section which can significantly widen the vessel at the touch of a button. In just 12 seconds the width of the main deck nearly doubles, while at the same time outrigger pontoons extend into the water to provide additional stability.

At the rear of the Wider 42, a multi-configuration sun deck can provide space for a small tender or a jetski. Alternatively it can be used to stow diving equipment or as a place to mount a fishing chair for catching big game fish.

Carbon fiber is used extensively throughout the vessel for certain elements, ranging from the poles for the Bimini top and ladder leading up to the bow, to the central dining table cover and even the toilet seat.

Outside, the Wider 42 features a small grill for cooking, and an ice-box for chilled drinks. While on the inside, the small galley kitchen offers a sink, microwave and refrigerator.

The interior of the boat also features a small bathroom complete with shower. Mounted on the door of the bathroom, facing outward to the rest of the interior is a flatscreen TV which can be viewed from the sofa/bed area in the bow of the vessel.

Powering the Wider 42 are a pair of engines mounted in a staggered configuration underneath the main deck. The twin Cummins diesel engines each produce 480 horsepower and allow for a top speed of roughly 50 knots.

Other highlights of the Wider 42 yacht include a hidden, electrically operated anchor system integrated into the bow of the boat, a Garmin Radar 18 HD 36 navigation system, retractable fender cleats, multifunction steering wheel, and a full-color digital navigation display.

Ariel Ace – one motorcycle, lots of choice

Ariel is best known for their lightweight, stripped back Atom sports car. But before that, way before that, they were a motorcycle company. In fact the Ariel originally started building bikes over 100 years ago in 1902. However by 1970 they had been merged with BSA, and it wasn’t until 2001 the company was reborn as a low-volume car company under new ownership.

Now Ariel are going back to where it all began with an entirely new machine, the Ariel Ace. However as usual Ariel are doing things a bit different, and better. Instead of offering a regular motorcycle with just a few options regarding paint colors and fairings, the Ariel Ace can be configured in almost limitless ways. From different suspension setups, seat styles, exhausts, steering angles etc. Each bike will be bespoke and built to order. Ariel say the wide variety of configurations mean that the Ace can be anything from a low riding cruiser to a super sport machine. Just about the only thing that can’t be altered is the frame itself.

Up front the Ariel Ace can be ordered with either conventional telescopic forks or a girder front end exquisitely crafted from machined aluminium. Ariel say the girder option provides improved handling, quicker response and more control under braking than the telescopic forks. They’re also probably the more expensive option too. Both setups offer adjustability in terms of rebound, compression and spring rebound.

There are three seating units on offer for the motorcycle. A low-slung single seat with additional and removable passenger seat, a slightly higher mounted dual seat, and an even higher-positioned single sports seat. To compliment the trio of seating options Ariel are also offering three levels of footrests and foot levers. The handlebars too come in a variety of configurations and heights and include clip-ons which can be ordered with the telescopic forks.

The dashboard is a Race Technologies LCD display, the same as that used in the Ariel Atom. The display features programmable shift lights, and a multi-configuration display. All lighting on the Ace comes courtesy of LEDs.

When it comes to the powerplant, Ariel have turned to their old ally Honda. The Ace is fitted with a 1237cc V4 engine from the Honda VFR which produces an impressive 173 horsepower and 96 ft-lbs (131 Nm) of torque. Ariel have designed their own exhaust systems to provide an improved soundtrack as well as offer buyers more choice. The transmission options for the Ace include a 6-speed sequential or a dual-clutch transmission with ‘auto’, ‘sport’ and ‘manual’ modes. Both options feature low maintenance shaft drive.

The three different fuel tanks offered provide both different styles as well as fuel capacities – ranging from 14.1 litres (2.8 gallons) up to 21.3 litres (4.6 gallons).

In addition, Ariel say they are working on more fairing and body panel options, as well as tuning parts and accessories to provide even more customer choice. Production of the Ariel Ace will start in 2015, with orders already being taken. Prices start at $34,000 (£20,000). Ariel say they expect to built around 100 – 150 motorcycles per year.

Ariel Ace Specifications:

Engine: 1237cc Honda V4
Power: 173hp @10,000 rpm
Torque: 96 ft-lbs (131 Nm) @ 8750 rpm
Frame: anodized machined and welded aluminium
Bodywork: composite and carbon fiber
Brakes: twin discs with 6-piston calipers (F) / single disc with 2-piston caliper (R)
Performance: 0-60 mph 3.4 seconds
Top Speed: 165 mph

Elemental RP1 – track-focused road-legal sports car

Just in case you thought there weren’t enough British-built lightweight track-focused sports cars on offer, Elemental Cars, based in Surrey, have come to the rescue with the Elemental RP1.

The Elemental RP1 offers much the same as the competition. It’s as light as reasonably possible, highly tunable and customisable, and offers just the bare minimum of comfort and day-to-day practicality. It’s one of the better looking two-seat track cars out there, and it looks like someone with a design degree has been allowed to make the decisions regarding styling. In fact that someone is Guy Colborne, and he’s worked on projects for Pininfarina, BMW, Opel and Ford, as well as acting as a visiting lecturer for the Vehicle Design course at the world renowned Royal College of Art.

It’s also clearly been engineered by people who understand what amateur racers and track-day enthusiasts want. The team is made up from a number of racecar and supercar engineers, guys who have worked on vehicles like the McLaren 12C and P1 and who have provided their expertise to F1 teams and aircraft manufacturers. The Elemental RP1 isn’t something which has been knocked up by someone with a welder and a few spare rolls of fiberglass.

Underneath the attractive composite bodywork is a rigid carbon fiber tub designed to protect the occupants. The aluminium frame sections have been designed to allow easy access to all the mechanical elements of the car. The suspension is fully adjustable and the car will be offered with a range of engines. Although if you change your mind and want to upgrade to a bigger engine option, all the drivetrains have been designed for quick and easy interchangeability.

At launch the car will be offered with either a custom-tuned 2.0 litre Ford Ecoboost engine producing a claimed 280 horsepower,  a smaller 1.0 litre Ecoboost engine, or a 999cc motorcycle engine from the Honda Fireblade. The transmission is a Hewland paddle-shift 6-speed sequential unit driving the rear wheels. Elemental say that the most potent of these drivetrains, the 2.0 litre engine, should allow for a 155 mph top speed.

Other highlights of the Elemental RP1 include a programmable digital dash, a simple and logically laid-out center console and multi-function steering wheel, a combination of halogen and LED exterior lighting, active aerodynamics, and a powerful braking system courtesy of Caparo AP four-piston calipers and large-diameter vented discs hiding behind 17-inch lightweight Pro Race wheels.

Full scale production of the Elemental RP1 is scheduled to begin in 2015. Prices are yet to be announced

Chak Motors Molot – Honda-based Russian Superbike

This futuristic machine is a superbike concept from Russia. It’s still in the early stages of production, and the company say each bike will be hand-built to order in their facility in St. Petersburg.

The Chak Motors Molot is based on a heavily modified Honda CBR1000RR. The name ‘Molot’ translates from Russian as a sledge or mallet-type hammer. Looking at the squared-off front end you can see why. The super-sharp bodywork of the Molot hide a frame which consists of both aluminium and carbon fiber sections.

But aside from the unique aesthetics, Chak Motors are marketing the Molot as a “safe” superbike. They’ve incorporated a number of technologies into the bike to try and make it a little safer and more rider-friendly.

Firstly there’s the LED lighting system, which provides better vision for the rider, while also making the machine more visible to other road users.

Secondly, the Chak Motors Molot could become the first motorcycle to include predictive emergency braking – a system already available on a number of cars. And here’s where things get a bit hmm.

Chak Motors say their system would use radars and HD cameras to detect obstacles ahead. If the rider fails to react then the system will initially provide a warning in the form of a vibration through the handlebars and a flashing light on the dash. If the rider continues to ignore the danger then the bike will automatically start to apply the brakes. If the rider still carries on towards the obstacle then the bike will apply the brakes to maximum effect.

Now I’m no expert on  the laws of physics. But I’m guessing that if a rider fails to see an obstacle in front of them, and then fails to heed the additional warnings, they are going to do one hell of a birdman impression when their bike suddenly slams on the brakes without their consent.

Chak Motors don’t seem to realise bikes aren’t like cars. If a car automatically applies the brakes in an emergency the driver – if they’re buckled in – doesn’t perform a hasty exit through the windshield. Additionally, the narrow size of a bike means it can squeeze between narrow gaps to avoid a collision – something a car is unable to do.

Besides this deeply flawed ‘safety system’ the Chak Motors Molot also features a slightly more useful blind-spot monitoring system, a lane departure warning system, and a built-in gyroscope which shuts down the throttle if it senses a loss of control.

All-in-all it’s a rather self-defeating design. It’ mission to try and make a safer motorcycle is admirable. But in this case the cure seems worse than the disease.

2014 Goodwood: Infiniti Q50 Eau Rouge to make its debut with GT-R engine

The Infiniti Q50 (the all-new Nissan Skyline in Japan) is the flagship car of Nissan Motor Company’s overseas luxury brand. On June 17, Infiniti announced it will exhibit their Q50 Eau Rouge at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed held in the UK on June 26. The Q50 Eau Rouge is a high performance concept car based on the Q50. It was revealed that this car won’t just be on display but it will actually be driven on this day. 

The Q50 Eau Rouge was launched at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in January of this year. It was announced at the 2014 International Geneva Motor Show that its power train will be taken from the Nissan GT-R which caught everyone by surprise.

The power train on the Q50 Eau Rouge is a 3.8-liter V6 twin turbo engine with an engine displacement of 3,799cc. It produces a maximum power of 568ps and maximum torque of 61.2kgm. It’s connected to a 7-speed automatic transmission and its all-wheel drive system has a 50:50 front and rear torque split. This concept car can go from 0 to 96km/h in less than 4 seconds and reach speeds of up to 290km/h. 

Two drivers on Team Infiniti Red Bull Racing including Sebastian Buemi, are scheduled to drive the Q50 Eau Rouge at Goodwood this year. There are high hopes for Team Infiniti who said “We’ll drive full throttle”. 

Photo Feature: Yamaha Bolt, a powerful cruiser with a simple design

The Yamaha Bolt made its domestic debut in December 2013 with a different concept to its cruiser models till now. It comes equipped with an air-cooled, 941cc V-Twin OHC engine which produces a maximum output of 52ps and maximum torque of 8.2kgm. In addition to the heart pounding sensation that only a V-Twin engine can provide, it produces excellent acceleration. 

Yamaha has established four types of models including the standard and R-Spec with an option for ABS on each. There are two colours available for each model: a black and white for the standard as well as black and matte gray for the R-Spec.

The dimensions of its exterior are 2,290 x 830 x 1,120mm (total length x total width x total height) and has a seat height of 690mm. It weighs 251kg with ABS and 247kg without. 

There are plenty of custom parts as optional features in addition to its gas tank which are available in 10 different colors.