Bugatti Tea Kettles? Hot. (Pun intended)
These Vera Kettles are the Veyrons of the hot beverage world, costing over $200 each and feature digital doohickies and thermal control systems that prevent your coffee or tea from getting too hot (or too cold).
And did we mention that they look freakin’ cool? Cause they do. Way.
More images after the break.
[via Unplggd]
Fancy yourself a bit of an automotive DIY savant? Do you love your hands-on vehicle modification skills? If you’re a Designer than the answer is probably a proud YES. eBay has a contest designed just for us! Launched recently, the eBay Motors “2009 Motors Master Contest” has budding automotive enthusiasts entering for a chance to win $2500 in eBay Motors shopping bucks, receiving a starring role in a series of instructional videos, and a trip to SEMA to showcase their handiwork!
Entrants are asked to upload a video showcasing why their project — Muscle, Tuner, Off-road or Motorcycle — should be featured at SEMA. The videos will then be rated by the community and finalists chosen, from which a winner will be select via a judging panel of top automotive bloggers (Hi eBay, I’m available!), SEMA reps, and representatives from eBay Motors. The winner will be dubbed the Motors Master, and will forever be the envy of many an automotive fan. The contest is also awarding $1000 to a random entrant or site visitor each week.
I’ve known many designers (and family members) who’ve taken it upon themselves to tinker with their cars or even build a vehicle from scratch. From our simple Bondo aesthetic additions to our racing tweaks, we Designers can’t help but make a project out of anything we own that has wheels. This is prime opportunity to show off that passionate hobby.
Watch the video below, and be sure to enter at the contest’s official home page!
Now THIS is motion gaming! In Germany during the recent Gamescom video game convention, Sony Entertainment showed off the latest demo of Gran Turismo 5 (now with damage physics) via a PS3 built into an Audi TT body.
Watch in horror awe as the vehicle’s hydraulics shift during turns and bumps, and emitted smoke mimics that petrol-fume flavor that we hold so dear.
Also to note about the upcoming game will be that it will contain around 1000 cars, 80 true-to-life tracks, damage physics, and GTTV (the in-game tv show about cars).
DO WANT.
[via Kotaku]
There isn’t really much to say about today’s Sketch P*rn, other than it is the GREATEST COLLECTION OF CAR SKETCHES IN THE HISTORY OF EVER.
There, now that my initial glee has subsided feel free to have a look at this incredible collection of sketches courtesy of Marek Simko that includes work from designers, students, and enthusiasts across the industry. From initial hand sketches to glossy renderings and everywhere in between, Simko’s wall of wonder is a great source of inspiration and technique.
My personal favorites include some of the BMW form studies, the highly-technical Audi illustrations, and the marker & ink work that appears ready to be hung on a wall.
Simko also coagulates his vast collection of sketches into a semi-regular (and limited-edition) art magazine for sale. Carr Magazine includes high-quality versions of the sketches on his website, and makes for some great coffee-table fodder.
Check it out at www.simkom.com/sketchsite
Episode 16 in which we welcome Drew Smith of Downside Up Design to the show to discuss some of what we’ve been driving (or haven’t been, in Drew’s case), the recent GM social media reveal event, and the very cool GM Labs website.
Hosts:
Dali Dimovski
Dustin Shedlarski
Special Guest:
Drew Smith
For more information:
Twitter.com/drewpasmith
Downside Up Design
CarDesignFetish.com
Also, do us a favor and review us on iTunes!
Car Design Fetish Episode 16: Down Under with Drew Smith [51:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2677)
Designer James Trim, a recent graduate from Coventry University, sent along images of his latest creation to us: the Aston Martin Volare concept. The vehicle, a two-seater electric, retains Aston’s traditional engine sound and iconic silhouette in efforts to maintain the legacy of the vehicle’s family lineage of sexy supercars.
Styling-wise, Trim has brought to the Volare an updated look for Aston: crips lines, solid front grille, and unique “flexible” fenders that reveal daytime running lights when their shape is altered. Aston is, in most respects, a highly conservative car company. What Trim has done is leveraged that while at the same time adding in updates that bring the brand into modern times without damaging the heritage with gawdy futurism.
Follow the link below for more sketches, images of the final model, and the full description of the vehicle.
[ Thanks, James!]
Industrial Design student Dragos Prodan has created an A-BAT for Fiat. The concept, dubbed the Sentiero, is a part of Prodan’s final work as a graduate of George Enescu University in Romania.
Citing the possibility for Fiat to expand its line-up into utilitarian vehicles, Prodan looked at the company’s design & styling legacy to create the vehicle. The compact European pick-up offers storage and utility options galore, cuddled by the strong styling aspects that Prodan wishes would help give the vehicle its own identity.
While the styling does have that Italian flavor there are a few instances of German-infused cues, such as the giant Audi-like grill and headlamps. The strong undercut line on the side of the body creates a bit of an awkward intersection over the rear fender but does give it something fresh as a styling graphic. There is a deliberate mix of hard chamfers and soft curves, which give it the appearance of wind passing over the utilitarian truck’s body.
More images can be found on Diseno-art.com
Sure we all know what it will look like but it is still exciting to see the Ford Fiesta getting closer to stripping off its clothes. This car will succeed with its high style and affordable price. The forms and surface detail are well resolved and will set a new standard for compact cars. Putting this car on the road to start the next decade will be a great way to start this new era of car design.
What new era is this I speak of? An era of successful car design. I hope.
More pics after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
This past weekend was the annual Woodward Dream Cruise. We thought we would share a few notable pics from the day. The cruise is quite a spectacle with somewhere around a million people coming out to see every version of a muscle car, exotic, antique and the unexplainable. If you are a car lover this is definitely an event you have to see. Just don’t bring your import tuner.
You saw Dali’s pics and now here are a few from my camera. Classic Design Concepts showed some great cars proving the outstanding work they do. Would you think the Mustang below is brand new? CDC sells a brand new reproduction body for the ’67 Stang. All the look and style without the lurking rust. This car is incredible and can be built to suit your taste.
Hit the jump to see more including Drifter Vaughn Gittin’s project Mustang. Read the rest of this entry »
