World's First Air-Powered Car: Zero Emissions by Next Summer

India’s largest automaker is set to start producing the world’s first commercial air-powered vehicle. The Air Car, developed by ex-Formula One engineer Guy Nègre for Luxembourg-based MDI, uses compressed air, as opposed to the gas-and-oxygen explosions of internal-combustion models, to push its engine’s pistons. Some 6000 zero-emissions Air Cars are scheduled to hit Indian streets in August of 2008. Barring any last-minute design changes on the way to production, the Air Car should be surprisingly practical. The $12,700 CityCAT, one of a handful of planned Air Car models, can hit 68 mph and has a range of 125 miles. It will take only a few minutes for the CityCAT to refuel at gas stations equipped with custom air compressor units; MDI says it should cost around $2 to fill the car’s carbon-fiber tanks with 340 liters of air at 4350 psi. Drivers also will be able to plug into the electrical grid and use the car’s built-in compressor to refill the tanks in about 4 hours. Of course, the Air Car will likely never hit American shores, especially considering its all-glue construction. But that doesn’t mean the major automakers can write it off as a bizarre Indian experiment — MDI has signed deals to bring its design to 12 more countries, including Germany, Israel and South Africa.

2009 Bugatti Veyron Bleu

Bugatti at the Geneva Motor Show Hundred years of Bugatti at the Geneva Autoshow The Veyron "Bleu Centenaire" – a one off anniversary model The Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport first time on an Autoshow stand At Geneva the Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport is shown for the first time to a wider public in Europe. Next to the Grand Sport Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. presents the Veyron Bleu Centenaire, a special commission honouring the 100th anniversary of the company, thus initiating a range of worldwide activities celebrating the creation of this mythic brand a hundred years ago. Hundred years of Bugatti In 1909 Ettore Bugatti started his business in the Alsacian town of Molsheim, France. The name of the company: ”Ettore Bugatti Automobiles i.Els.” And although the name has changed into “Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S., the site and the philosophy of the brand have been preserved. In 2006 the first model under the „new management“ was launched, precisely 50 years after the last car of the original company left the gates of the Molsheim factory. The Bugatti Veyron has only been on the market for three years, but has already reached the status of being an undisputed part of automotive history, with 250 cars ordered to date, and nearly 200 cars delivered. This means that there are only 50 Veyrons to be sold until the limit of 300 units will be reached. The Veyron "Bleu Centenaire" Building on the marque’s core values of « Art – Forme – Technique » , Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. Has created the Bugatti Veyron Bleu Centenaire, a unique model to celebrate the hundred year old history of the company. This special model takes up the traditional Bugatti two-tone-specification, but portrays it in one rather than two colours: in the most known light shaded Bugatti blue. The Centenaire’s unique combination of a ”sprintblue matt” and ”sprintblue gloss” hence offers a new impression of the two-tone-scheme known so far with parts of the engine also covered in this traditional Bugatti Blue. The roof-trim-stripes and the exterior rearview mirrors are of polished, anodised aluminium. A special wheel design has been added – enhanced by a bright red brake-capillar. The grills at the front and at the side air intakes are in mirror shine. The interior of the Centenaire is fitted in a special «snowbeige» leather with quilting on the seats. The central console is covered in the same leather. New LED lights, Park Distance Control and a rearview camera have become part of the standard equipment for all Bugatti Veyrons from this year onwards. The Bleu Centenaire shares all performance characteristics of other Veyron models performance-, acceleration- and deceleration characteristics which have been highly praised ever since the Bugatti Veyron first appeared on the scene. The car will cost 1,35 Million Euro exclusive taxes and transportation. Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport The Bugatti Grand Sport is a unique roadster based on the Veyron Coupé and was launched at last year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elégance in California. This new model will go into production at the end of April 2009 and will be limited to a total of 150 units over lifetime. The first chassis numbers are reserved for existing Veyron Coupé customers, honoring their loyalty and offering them the chance to be at top of the waiting list. This measure has been highly appreciated. Celebrations throughout the year "2009 will be an exciting year for the brand," announces the President of Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S., Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen, at Geneva Autoshow, “we will be celebrating our hundredth anniversary with references to our successful past and a – hopefully – successful future”. "Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.", will celebrate its hundredth anniversary on various occasions throughout the year, culminating in an event in Molsheim on September 12, 2009. The next highlight Bugattisti should look out for will be the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este at Cernobbio in the North of Italy between April 24 and 26. Bugatti Molsheim, France Status: not an ad Tags: 2009 Bugatti Veyron Bleu Centenaire Edition - Detail and Photo Update, car, sports car, coupe, special edition, luxury, ARTICLE, EDITORS

DB9 astonmartin

DB9

The Aston Martin DB9 is a thoroughbred sports car with GT levels of comfort and refinement. Combining Aston Martin’s unique character with an uncompromising design philosophy, the DB9 was borne out of a synthesis of traditional craftsmanship, high-tech manufacturing, modern components and use of the finest materials.
The DB9 is both a full-blooded sports car and a hugely capable grand tourer. Whether in Coupe or Volante form, it offers a supreme combination of driver involvement, character, luxury and refinement.
Power, Beauty and Soul

Beautifully styled, the DB9 never fails to stir the soul with its unique sound, power and performance. This purebred sports car is also a technical triumph, its beauty signifying aerodynamic efficiency, its power unencumbered by weight, its devastating straight-line performance paired with exquisite handling. All great sports cars strive to balance these qualities, and the DB9 creates an experience that is both unique and unforgettable. What the driver sees, hears and feels is in harmony. The reward is total involvement: a level of engagement that truly stimulates the senses, that re-ignites a passion for driving.
But an Aston Martin is also about luxury, indulgence and enjoyment – it is a feast for the senses. Sure enough, the magnificent exterior styling of the DB9 gives way to a sumptuous, comprehensively equipped cabin, trimmed in the finest materials. Every element is perfectly conceived, from the 6.0-litre V12, to the hand-stitched seats and carefully selected interior woods. Nothing is out of place.
Design

No sports car manufacturer has a greater design heritage than Aston Martin. Responsible for some of the most beautiful sports cars ever made, Aston Martin imbues every model with understated elegance and graceful styling, achieved through harmonious proportions, taut surfacing, a ground-hugging stance and thorough attention to detail.
An Aston Martin is subtle, not attention-seeking. The coupe’s side profile is clean and distinctive, with a single-sweep roofline that flows through to a distinctive tail. Key Aston Martin design elements include the distinctive grille, metal side strakes, signature rear window shape and wide, curvaceous haunches.
Control

Great sports cars must handle superbly. They should respond quickly and predictably to driver commands; they should be nimble and agile. To achieve the low weight that is the starting point for such agility, all the DB9’s major body and mechanical components are made from either aluminium, magnesium alloy or advanced, lightweight, composite materials.
The front-to-rear weight distribution of the DB9 is a perfect 50:50, with 85% of the car’s mass sited between the front and rear axles. The aluminium V12 engine is mounted as far back as possible in a ‘front mid-engined’ layout. The compact aluminium transaxle housing the gearbox and final drive is positioned at the rear, forward of the rear axle.
Craftsmanship

The DB9 is elegant, luxurious and supremely comfortable. Its cabin is hand-trimmed in beautiful, natural materials – primarily wood and leather – and incorporates the latest in modern technology without resorting to superfluous controls or displays. There is a minimum of distraction – even the satellite navigation screen folds discreetly away when not in use.
Every element of the interior is hand-made and hand-finished, from the cutting of the leather to the carefully crafted wood. This is done not out of deference to tradition, but because a skilled craftsman can finish wood or leather to a far higher standard than any machine. The leather is particularly soft and supple, as you would expect of Aston Martin, and is used throughout the cabin.
Engineering

The DB9 is technologically sophisticated and meticulously engineered. Its development programme includes rigorous testing in locations as diverse as Nardo in Italy, Death Valley in the USA and inside the Arctic Circle in Sweden. In total, more than one million testing miles have been covered.
Design and engineering innovations include the organic electroluminescent displays (OEL) in the instrument pack and centre console, which provide greater clarity and resolution, as well as LED (light-emitting diode) rear lamps designed to project further and react more quickly than conventional systems.
Specification

Body
Two-door coupe or convertible body style with 2+2 seatingExtruded aluminium bonded VH body structureAluminium and composite body panelsExtruded aluminium door side impact beamsHigh Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps (dipped beam)Halogen projector headlamps (main beam) with power washLED rear lamps
Engine
All-alloy, quad overhead camshaft, 48-valve, 5935 cc V12Front mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel driveFully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active bypass valvesCompression ratio 10.9:1Max power 350 kW (470 bhp/477 PS) at 6000 rpmMax torque 600 Nm (443 lb ft) at 5000 rpmAcceleration (manual) 0-60 mph in 4.6 sec; 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.8 secAcceleration (automatic) 0-60 mph in 4.6 sec; 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) in 4.8 secMax speed 306 km/h (190 mph)
Transmission
Rear mid-mounted, six-speed manual gearboxRear mid-mounted ‘Touchtronic 2’ six-speed gearbox with electronic shift-by-wire control systemAlloy torque tube with carbon-fibre propeller shaftLimited-slip differentialFinal-drive ratio (manual) 3.54:1Final-drive ratio (automatic) 3.154:1
Wheels & tyres
19” alloy wheels – ten spoke designFront 8.5J x 19” Bridgestone Potenza 235/40 ZR19Rear 9.5J x 19” Bridgestone Potenza 275/35 ZR19
Steering
Rack and pinion, Servotronic speed-sensitive power-assisted steering, 3.0 turns lock-to-lockColumn tilt and reach adjustment
Suspension
Front Independent aluminium double wishbones incorporating anti-dive geometry, coil over aluminium monotube dampers and anti-roll bar Rear Independent aluminium double wishbones incorporating anti-squat and anti-lift geometry, coil over aluminium monotube dampers and anti-roll bar
Brakes
Front Ventilated and grooved steel discs, 355 mm diameter Rear Ventilated and grooved steel discs, 330 mm diameter Radial-mounted four-piston monobloc calipersDynamic Stability Control (DSC)Anti-locking Braking System (ABS)Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD)Emergency Brake Assist (EBA)Traction control
Dimensions
Length 4710 mm (185.5”)Width 1875 mm (74”)Height 1270 mm (50”)Wheelbase 2745 mm (108”)Front Track 1570mm (62”)Rear Track 1560mm (61.5”)Turning Circle 12.0m (39.4 ft)Fuel tank capacity 80 litres (17.6 UK gal, 21.1 US gal)Cd (Coupe) 0.35Kerb Weight (Coupe) 1760 kg (3880 lb)
Interior
Full grain leather interiorWalnut facia trim Iridium Silver centre console outer finish and Graphite inner finishAuto-dimming interior rear-view mirror1Auto-dimming rear-view mirror & garage door opener (USA and Canada only)Electrically adjustable seatsMemory seats & exterior mirrors (three positions)Dual-stage driver and front passenger frontal airbagsFront occupant side airbagsAutomatically deployed roll-over bars (Volante)Heated front seatsHeated rear screenAutomatic temperature controlOrganic Electroluminescent (OEL) displaysLED map lamps and ambient lightingTrip computerCruise controlHard Disk Drive (HDD) satellite navigation system1,2Bluetooth telephone preparation1Satellite radio system (USA only)Powerfold exterior mirrorsRear parking sensorsTyre-pressure monitoring1Alarm and immobiliserRemote-control central door locking and boot releaseWind deflector (Volante only)Battery disconnect switchBattery conditionerTracking device (UK only)Boot-mounted umbrellaLamy pen and pen holder (Manual only)
In-car entertainment
Aston Martin 700 W Premium Audio System with Dolby® Pro Logic II®, includes a six-CD autochanger MP3 player connectivity
Options
Bright finish grilleFront parking sensorsMahogany facia trimBamboo facia trimTamo Ash facia trimPiano Black facia trimMatching wood door trimPersonalised sill plaquesAuto-dimming interior rear-view mirror with garage door opener (Europe only)Alarm upgrade (volumetric and tilt sensor)Tracking device1,3Alternative brake caliper finish (black, red, silver)Sports Pack (Coupe)19” alloy wheels – ten spoke with a graphite painted finish19” alloy wheels – twenty spoke diamond turned19” alloy wheels – twenty spoke diamond turned with a graphite painted finishFirst-aid kitSmokers’ pack

The DB9 features a complete integration package for iPod personal digital media players from Apple, allowing the iPod to be seamlessly incorporated into the dashboard display and electronic systems.
The iPod range is integrated into the DB9 via a specially designed interface, bringing the functions of this award-winning range of digital media players into the car's in-dash display. Finger-tip controls replicate the innovative menu structure of the iPod to ensure that your hands need never stray from the wheel in the search for the perfect accompaniment