Part 3 will come later in the week.

RPJ

Read more

I love hot hatches, and a 270 HP all wheel drive Italian hatch is 100% HOT…………….

Here is a first for me, click on the pictures, and they will take you to a higher resolution photo.

(from Fiat Press Release) The Grande Punto Abarth S2000
Read more

Here in Detroit, the biggest show has always been the NAIAS auto show down at COBO Hall in Downtown Detroit. To my friends out in Cali, the biggest shows have always been Geneva, and Frankfurt. To them, Europe is where all the truly refined and more flamboyant designs are always released. For Example Citroen and Peugeot and all the Italian design houses release there concepts in Europe

All the Geneva Motor show’s pics have been released for over a week, and after looking over all the concepts, the one that I keep coming back to is the Opel GTC Concept. Not the most flamboyant, not the most refined, not even the most original, but it really hits a beautiful proportion, a great wedge shape, exaggerated wheel flairs, and some exciting surfaces. Some might even say it rips off some of the surfacing of the forthcoming Nissan Skyline, (that is worth some debate) but despite all of these negatives, this concept still manages to get me at a more primal level. I can imagine myself in this car cruising on the Blue Ridge Parkway, hitting perfect apex’s, with a perfectly proportioned neutral balance, that when appropriate throttle is applied, turns into the perfect power slide into the next turn. Utilizing my heal/toe technique into and out of the next turn, and so on and so forth. This type of concept really gets me because this is a car that when put into production, I could actually afford. While the new Ferrari concept, or Lambo G ride may be more “autoerotic”, they do not stir my soul like a car that can actually be in my garage. This is why people love the WRX STI, and the Evo, they are super cars within the hard working everyman’s budget, (well a used STI, or EVO).

Read more

DCX has great brand identity and cutting edge designs. Once they get their materials and craftsmanship up to par they will be well on their way. Check out this article from Autoweek.

With an eye on its competitors, the Chrysler group has created a separate studio to make its interiors more attractive. Previously, a single studio designed interiors and exteriors.

The move follows criticism by dealers and journalists that Chrysler’s interiors need work. Mentioned in particular: the textures, tones and abundance of unattractive plastic trim.

The concern is that “you can get to a point where maybe your cars aren’t really competitive anymore because the interior is not as good as a competitor’s,” said Andrew Dyson, senior manager of Chrysler’s product design office. “That could be the customer’s deciding factor.

“Our aim is to raise the bar in terms of fit and finish. We’ve had good themes in the past, and we want to go even further with our themes, use really good materials and really get to a higher level.”

Dyson was interviewed at the Geneva motor show.

The interior studio was created in October. Tim Annes is the chief designer, overseeing a staff of about 25.

As Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep vehicles are redesigned or restyled, the interior will be upgraded. The first upgraded vehicles probably will be 2011 models, Dyson said.

Dyson said the automaker has been admiring the interiors of Audi, Volkswagen and a “newcomer.” And “we are quite impressed with what General Motors is doing,” he said.
Read more

I saw this today on Jalopnik and had to spread the word…..

30″ clear rims costing over 30 grand. Does somebody have too much money? The car stands 6.5 feet tall. Check out car domain for the article and a video of the car doing a burnout.

On the way into work this morning, I heard the “official news” on National Public Radio. Ford has gone from looking for potential buyers, to announcing it is officially selling its high end brand. Not that big of a change, but worth a mention
Looks like Ford is taking its financial problems serious finally.

Look later today for more pictures from CIA’s graduating seniors……. peace

Scott Digital

Mustafa Kalic

Read more

Just a quick update more to come later today.

We had a visit to the renowned school called, The Cleveland Institute of Art (AKA CIA). Word on the street was that CIA had some amazing talent this year. Here at the Car Design Fetish, we don’t just take rumors lying down; we take them by car via I-80 and pay our $3 toll while driving to find out for ourselves.

What we saw….. Enough good work to make your head spin, a few tired looking design students, and the occasional “hot sketch.”

Here is a sneek peak

Mustafa

RPJ

Scott Digital

At the 07 Geneva Auto Show, Lamborghini lifted the veil off of the Gallardo Superleggera, the successor to the Gallardo SE. Yes, the supercar is still alive, and still hot as hell.

From the definitive Lambo side profile, to the sexy sweeping greenhouse from front to back, the Gallardo is aging quite nicely. And, it’s still the most noticeable, eye-catching vehicle on the road. “Lightning bolt on wheels” is probably the best way to describe this sexy beast.

This is still the car we dream of having.

Photo courtesy of LeftLaneNews

The electric car is trying to make a come back. Does anyone remember the EV-1. This car was bought mostly by Hollywood movie stars trying to show they care about the environment. Sales were limited to the west coast and the the car never really took off.

Now the next generation of electric cars are on the way. The Chevy Volt was this years concept showing the evolved technology. The car plugs into your wall outlet at home to provide enough of a charge to go 40 miles without fuel assistance. You may think, “only 40 miles,” but the mileage is the average distance driven daily for your commute to/from work. Picture only paying for gas on your “nights and weekends.” Sounds good to me, lets just hope the performance doesn’t suffer.

Here is a press release from the Lutz factor..

“General Motors Corp hopes to begin producing an all-electric car in 2010, according to GM’s product chief and Vice Chairman Bob Lutz.

Lutz said the major uncertainty facing the Chevrolet Volt, a concept vehicle GM unveiled in January, was whether lithium-ion batteries can be developed to power it. A running Volt prototype is expected by the end of 2007, he said.

“We have set an internal target of production in 2010. Whether we can make that or not, this is still kind of an unpredictable program for us,” Lutz told reporters at the Geneva auto show. “We’re sort of outside our comfort zone.”