vLane Blog

Articles Matching “Design”

• Swede dreams: 2010 Saab 9-5

  Banovsky on August 30, 2009

  We've profiled both Saab's bad times and good times here at vLane. But one thing holds true: we love it when Saab produces a "real" Saab, completely fresh in thinking and approach. The new 9-5 looks like one of those cars.

  

  The 2010 Saab 9-5 Sedan

  I mean, just look at it. It's clearly more aircraft-inspired than past models, especially with the "wrap-around" windshield look. Underneath, it shares its platform with a few GM cars, albeit with a modified wheelbase. Power comes from turbocharged motors, either 4-or-6-cylinder, 200 horsepower up to 300 hp.

  The interior is amazing, too. A heads-up display, integrated navigation system, adaptive headlights, and adaptive cruise control ensure that it lives up to the expectations of drivers around the world.

  All versions are available with 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions — and — in front or all-wheel-drive. Look for the latest "big" Saab in showrooms next summer.

  

  Click for more photos!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under News, Europe, Saab, Sedan, 2010, Design, AWD, 9-5

• Mazda MX5 Miata Superlight concept

  Banovsky on August 10, 2009

  Sure, we love the normal Mazda Miata, but for the car's 20th birthday, the company apparently has something special up their sleeves.

  

  Apart from having to always wear a rain coat, it looks like the driving experience would be worth it…

  Not much is known about this concept car, except that it was prepared by Mazda in Germany as the purest expression of a Mazda sports car. The saved top, no windshield, sportier suspension, and a few other changes are so cool that we almost don't care what's under the hood.

  At the Frankfurt motor show in September, we'll know more. Stay tuned.

  Read More:

  • Rent-A-Racecar is an Awesome Idea
  • Modified Miata Looks Great, Retro
  • Review: 2010 Mazda 3

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Future, News, Mazda, Concept, Japan, Convertible, Motorsport, 2010, Design, Miata

• The best hood ornament: Colani Horch Mega Roadster

  Banovsky on August 7, 2009

  Luigi Colani is a hero of mine. I used to own a book called, I think, "Supercars" when I was a kid. The usual stuff was there, but near the back of the hardcover title were gems like the Aston Martin V8 Zagato, Cizeta V16, Mega Track, and a whole page on Luigi Colani's designs.

  

  1996 Colani Horch Mega Roadster [Photo credit: Tom Vack]

  The photo, featuring Colani in a white garb surrounded by his record-breaking Lotec Colani Testa D'Oro (which is still the fastest Ferrari-based street legal car ever made), a low black car, a few more prototypes, and one of his transport trucks was arresting to behold.

  Though everything Colani does is pretty swoopy and definitely crazy, he manages to mix aerodynamics with art in every single one of his designs. This hood ornament from the 1996 Horch Mega Roadster is simply incredible: a naked woman clutching for life on the grille, while holding up the Horch logo…all the while creating ripples in the hood as if it was made from silk.

  Click through for more photos.

  Read full article | Comments (1) | Filed under Misc, Coupe, Photos, Art Car, Design, Pic, hood ornament, Horch, Luigi Colani, Colani

• Ford's bad-ass Mustang customizer

  Banovsky on August 6, 2009

  Many manufacturers let you "customize" a car on their site, but only Ford's lets you add a smoky burnout to the Mustang.

  

  Here's our custom 'Stang, basically a 2010 Bullitt…if such a car existed. Head over to Ford's site to make yours.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Mustang, Misc, Ford, Coupe, Ford, custom, 2010, custom, Design

• The Wilcraft ice fishing car is awesome

  Banovsky on August 4, 2009

  Secret: I live in Canada. And I've been ice fishing. Well, once. It was awful. Dangerous, cold, and boring, ice fishing is for the truly dedicated. But what if you had a machine that made things more simple?

  

  The Wilcraft ice fishing vehicle and its inventor, Tom Roering. [Photo credit: David Friedman Photography]

  I spied this inventor and the Wilcraft as a profile piece on David Friedman Photography, and had to share. So how does this contraption work?

  
  

  Here are some stats:

  • Powder-coated aluminum construction
  • Approximately 500 lbs vehicle weight, 600 lbs capacity
  • 11" of ground clearance
  • Ground pressure approx. 2 lbs/in2
  • 305cc engine
  • Two-speed gearbox with reverse
  • Locking differential
  • Hydraulic disc brakes
  • Three 10" fishing holes
  • 20mph top speed
  • MSRP $10,495

  Still confused? Click through to view some videos!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Environment, Feature, WTF, Crossover, Misc, Technology, Design, LOL, ice fishing, Wilcraft

• Link: vLane guests at the Local Motors blog

  Banovsky on July 30, 2009

  We're honoured to have been asked to contribute to the Local Motors blog. You can read our piece, "The Problem with Cars and Sustainable Design," here.

  

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Environment, Future, Green, Link, Discussion, Local Motors, vLane, Electric car, Design, Guest post

• From the archive: the Ford Indigo

  Banovsky on July 21, 2009

  On today's news that Ford will unleash a 230 horsepower 2.0-litre turbocharged EcoBoost engine in the next year, we thought we'd remember a time when the company was producing cars with lots of power.

  

  The 1996 Ford Indigo Concept

  Thirteen short years ago, Ford launched this, the Indigo Concept. Powered by a 6.0-litre V12 motor with 435 horsepower, the car had the "go" along with the "show." LED lights, open-wheel chassis, and scissor-style doors completed the look. Ford built two cars, one show car and one working prototype, which they still own. The show car was auctioned.

  Ford even produced the motor, and it now resides under the hoods of the 12-cylinder supercars designed and built by Aston Martin.

  News:

  • Driving the European Ford Fiesta
  • Ford Confirms 2.0-litre EcoBoost
  • Aston Martin on vLane

  Read full article | Comments (2) | Filed under Future, Classic, Sports car, Concept, Misc, Ford, Motorsport, Ultimate, Detroit, Design, EcoBoost, Pic, Spyder

• Link: vLane guests on a CarDesignFetish.com podcast

  Banovsky on July 17, 2009

  We chatted about social media, crowdsourcing car design, and "douche-mobiles." (external link)

  

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Future, Advice , Humor, Link, Discussion, Social Media, Twitter, vLane, Design, Podcast