Lexus Nuaero Concept Study - With Video

While no one would blame you if you thought that Nuaero was some sort of attempt to reintroduce the Batmobile as a Lexus, fact is that the concept study is the work of Royal College of Art’s graduate Jon Radbrink, who created the futuristic Lexus as part of his final project at the Vehicle Design course. The Lexus Nuaero is supposed to be a mid-size luxury car with an overall length of 4,730 mm or 186-in and a wheelbase of 3,300 mm. The width is 1,999 mm and the height is 1,245 mm. Radbrink supports that the Nuaero was designed to use lightweight materials helping keep its weight just over 800 kg (1,763 lbs) or roughly the same as the diminutive Smart Fortwo. -Continued

Although definitely unique, the Nuareo’s design is more about aerodynamics than looks. “My Lexus Nuaero concept proposes a new design language to communicate ecological efficiency through an architecture inspired by aerodynamics. I’ve been looking at different basic principles and ideas about aerodynamic efficiency and then combined them into a unique vehicle architecture. Usually aerodynamics is a final stage in car design, so this project kind of started where most projects finish,” said Radbrink.

One of the most distinctive features of the Nuaero is the flowing catamaran underbody that ends in a massive venturi tunnel between the rear wheels. According to Radbrink, the catamaran-style underbody was made possible thanks to the in-wheel electric motors that power the car and the hub-center steering.

Inside the Nuaero proposes a spacious interior centered around a multi-point touch screen dashboard where the driver can re-arrange the controls and information to his personal preferences.

If you like using your feet as well as your hands when driving, then you may not be fond of Radbrink’s idea of concentrating all the controls on the steering wheel. “Since the car is powered by electrical motors, there is no transmission and you brake intuitively by pushing the steering wheel away from your body,” said Radbrink. No pedals; no transmissions; no oil leaks; no rattling gasoline engines; those futurists sure know how to take the fun out driving…

Source: Jon Radbrink , Via: Dezeen

McLaren F2 Renderings Surface on the Web

A Slovenian website called Avtomanija has published a group of photos of what seems to be a prototype version of the forthcoming McLaren F2 supercar that’s scheduled to be launched in late 2010. Of course, it goes without saying that these photos could be the work of a photoshop artist so don’t be hasty to draw a conclusion on the car’s appearance based on what you see here.

McLaren’s new pure-bred two-seater will be based on the P8 mid-engined supercar project that was initially co-developed by the British automaker and Mercedes-Benz as a smaller and lower-priced successor to the SLR but was abandoned by the Germans in 2004. While details are still scarce, it is rumored said that the F2 will be equipped with a mid-mounted V8 powerplant from Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division. -Continued

Via: Worldcarfans , Source: Avtmanija

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class: First Official Photos?

These pictures of the next generation Mercedes-Benz E-Class were published in the latest issue of Autobild magazine and although we can’t vouch for their authenticity –they may have been digitally enhanced- they do appear to look official. Like the new C-Class, the 2010 E-Class looks more dynamic than the model it replaces especially up front where it ditches the rounded headlamp theme for a distinctive new treatment with four angular headlights.

At the rear we find a set of wraparound lights that are split between the bodywork and the boot. As for the interior, it follows the boxy theme of the exterior as it's supposed to remind potential buyers of Mercedes-Benz’ 1980s robustness. The E-Class sedan seen here is expected to make its debut at next year’s Geneva Motor Show in March followed around six months later by the station wagon version -More pictures after the jump

Via: Autobild - Thanks for the scans Jose M.!

Pininfarina Hyperion: New High-Res Image Gallery

Love it or loathe it, this is Pininfarina’s latest creation that is based on the Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe. Although we’d like to see the Hyperion in real life before we make any conclusions, we must say that these official renderings make us wonder if Pininfarina has lost its touch. In any case, the Hyperion which was created as a one-off for an unnamed wealthy car collector, will make its official debut the Concours d’Elegance classic car show at Pebble Beach in California on August 17th. Pininfarina hasn’t released any details yet, but expect the Hyperion to use the same 6.75-litre V12 engine as the Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe. -Image gallery after the jump

Via: Autoblog.it

2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet Illustrations

These renderings of forthcoming 2010 Audi S5 Cabriolet are the work of a really talented photoshop artist who goes by the nickname “Quinty” Some may remember him from a previous set of A5 Cabriolet chops that we posted earlier this year. Unlike the forthcoming 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible and the current BMW 3-Series Convertible, the new Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolets are expected to use an electric folding canvas top instead of a more complicated and heavier retractable hardtop. -Continued

Power will come from the same engine line-up as the Coupe model with the addition of Audi’s new 3.0-liter supercharged V6 unit that develops 290 HP a maximum torque figure 420 Nm (309.78 lb-ft). Both the A5 and S5 Cabriolets are expected to arrive in the market during the first half of 2009.

Via: Autoblog.nl

Nissan Preparing Convertible Version of Murano SUV?

If we are to believe a report from Edmunds Insideline, Nissan is preparing to enhance its Murano crossover line-up with a niche convertible version. Inside sources that are involved with the project -and of course remain anonymous- told Edmunds that the four-door convertible crossover won’t be equipped with a retractable hardtop as the designers preferred to use a more traditional canvas top in order to keep weight down.

The Murano Convertible, which will apparently be equipped with the same 265 HP 3.5-liter V6 engine as the conventional version, is said to arrive in the market during the first quarter of 2010. Assuming Edmund’s sources are accurate, we can expect to see a concept version sometime in 2009.

Photo Illustration: CarScoop , Source: Edmunds

Official Mazda MX-5 / Miata Facelift Drawings

Remember the 2010 Mazda3 designs (click here for details) that Mazda filed at OHIM, the European agency for trademarks and designs that we showed you a couple a days ago? Well, along with the next-generation Mazda3, the Japanese automaker has also registered at OHIM a set of phantom images of what appears to be a facelift version of the Miata / MX-5 roadster. Judging from the designs, the revamped roadster will get a new front end with a larger grille, new fog light housings and restyled head lamps.

Just so you can get a better idea of what the facelift model may look like, we photoshoped one of the phantom images onto the current version of Mazda’s two-seater roadster. While we haven’t heard anything official yet, it is possible that Mazda may unveil the 2009 MX-5 / Miata at the forthcoming Paris Motor Show in early October. -Image gallery after the jump

Opening Image Photoshoped by CarScoop

Honda’s OSM Concept Redesigned to Look Like Next-Gen S2000

When Honda introduced the OSM concept at the British Motor Show in July, many people saw it as a styling exercise for the next-generation S2000. However, truth is that the OSM is a roadster concept of Honda’s next hybrid sportscar, the CR-Z, due for launch in 2010 –see details of the CR-Z here and of the OSM here.

A member of the Greek forum 4Troxoi that goes by the alias “Morpheus” decided to prove this by showing us what the OSM Concept would actually look like if Honda’s intentions were to preview the second-generation S2000. Simply by changing the OSM’s overall proportions and especially with the low slung, elongated front-end, the artist actually managed to transform the concept into a RWD-like roadster that could indeed pass for the future S2000. Not bad, wouldn’t you say?

Via: 4Troxoi , Thanks for the tip Alex!