Volvo - S60 Latest Concept Car -First look

Volvo is developing a new concept car with Swedish glassworks Orrefor to serve as a model for the next generation Volve S60. The Swedish carmaker enlisted the help of Orrefor to come up with an imaginative interior that uses a glass-crystal center panel to give the cabin a light-focused design.

"If you want to explore the full scope of Scandinavian design, Sweden's glassworks are a natural source of inspiration. Large glass areas are very much part of modern Swedish architecture, creating the special, light transparency," says Steve Mattin, Volvo Cars design director, in a Volvo press release.

The glass-crystal interior is hand crafted and very labor intensive to make. The crystal panel is integrated into the dashboard and forms a center panel that flows all the way to the rear seat backrest.

The concept car will be shown publicly for the first time at the Detroit international Motor Show in January 2009.


PRESS RELEASE:

VOLVO TEAMS UP WITH ORREFORS TO WORK ON THE NEW VOLVO CONCEPT CAR

Volvo Cars has teamed up with world-famous Swedish glassworks Orrefors to work on the company's next concept car, which will be a first taste of the next-generation Volvo S60. The joint creation, a floating centre stack of hand-made Orrefors crystal, will be shown for the first time at the Detroit international motor show in January 2009.

In the concept car, the graceful, crystal-clear centre stack forms a gentle, calm wave from the instrument panel all the way to the rear seat backrest. "It almost looks like a waterfall from the instrument panel, flowing through the centre of the car," says Volvo Cars design director Steve Mattin.

The crystal panel appears to float above the centre console's functions and controls. It rests softly on rubber pads and with the help of invisible light sources the crystal's shimmering glow can be tailored to match the driver's mood. "If you want to explore the full scope of Scandinavian design, Sweden's glassworks are a natural source of inspiration. Large glass areas are very much part of modern Swedish architecture, creating the special, light transparency," says Steve Mattin.

He adds: "In a concept car, you are able to release your imagination and creativity. Our iconic, super-thin centre stack was the perfect subject. We reinterpreted it and gave it a refined new form. Then it was up to Orrefors to use their superb skill to transform our exciting vision into reality."

Hand crafted down to the smallest detail
The experts at Orrefors were keen to take on the challenge and the result is one of the most unusual and labour-intensive objects in the company's 110-year history. Producing the stack was a challenge - even for the experienced experts at Orrefors. Traditionally, the moulds for the crystal are first chiselled by hand from thick planks of alder wood. After casting, the glass is carefully polished to produce its final, crystal-clear lustre.

"The undulating, slightly twisted shape and the precise dimensional requirements were two exciting challenges we had to face. Crystal is a living material, shaped by living people. We are not used to working with tolerances of tenths of a millimetre. What is more, we're talking here about an exceptionally large piece of glass," explains Orrefors design manager Gunilla Arvidsson.

Crystal-like future plans
In order to meet the relevant strength standards, the finished piece consists of three sections joined together at the Volvo Cars concept car workshops. "The full-size crystal piece in the concept car will not be a production feature. However, it does open up opportunities to use crystal on a smaller scale in the future. We'll have to see how our customers respond," says Steve Mattin.

Creativity and functionality
Although the material in the centre stack radiates uninhibited artistic freedom, the functions that are integrated have been thought through in detail.

* Beside the driver's seat, the crystal console cuts straight through the instrument panel and its upper section forms a navigation screen at the precise height of the driver's instrument dials.
* At the bottom, the four iconic rotating controls protrude from elegant matt-polished recesses in the glass panel. In the middle there is a removable remote control.
* The gear selector has a versatile new shape. In the horizontal position it offers drive in automatic mode. If the driver is in the mood for sporty manual gearchanges, the lever can be flipped up into the vertical position. Beside the gear selector there is also a starter button and parking brake.
* The centre console runs all the way to the rear seat backrest, and under the crystal panel between the individual seats there are two drinks holders that slide elegantly forward when required.

"We've put the focus on ergonomics and safety. With the instrument dials at the same height as the navigation screen, all it takes is a horizontal eye movement to switch between sources of information. Another example is that the controls used when you start and stop driving are a few centimetres from each other near the gear selector," explains Steve Mattin.

Mutual inspiration
At the Volvo Cars design centre, exploring the glassworks in the deepest forests of southern Sweden has been a stimulating adventure. "The clean lines of the Orrefors products have been a true source of inspiration for many years. This was perfect timing for using crystal as a material in a concept car too," says Steve Mattin. For the Orrefors glassworks, their debut as a supplier to the car world has also served as a new creative inspiration.

"Volvo's thin centre stack is an industrial product with an artistic and functional form. It immediately inspires you to think of other application areas. Why not an elegant hanging ceiling light or a table-top ornament of some sort? We'll just have to see," says Gunilla Arvidsson.

Automotive Lighting With Multicolor LED Kits

Revolutionizing Automotive Lighting With Multicolor LED Kits
Multicolor LED car kits have just been recently used as car decorations. These usually range from undercar lighting to tire flares and suspension lighting. LED means light emitting diode, a semiconductor device that gives out or emits a spectrum of light. The result of a LED is similar to luminous light effect that comes from a very small light source. LEDs come in many different colors and these are determined according to the condition and composition of the material in use. The light emission varies from visible light, near ultraviolet and infrared.

These days, accessorizing autos is not limited to just considering the body paint, upgrading the car’s mags, decorating the car’s body and the like. The LEDs are now used to “dress up” the car. In fact, many car owners often put LED lights on their vehicles for decorations purposes and street credibility. There are many variations and parts of a car or vehicles where you can put LED lights. Some car owners put them on their wipers, their radar, under chassis and many pother areas. These make a very attractive car especially at night. In order to appropriately use the LED lights on your car, you may want to consult a professional car designer because of the technicality of attaching the lights to the car battery. Once attached to your car, you can be confident that these lights will not consume much of your battery’s energy despite maximizing their use during night travel.

These same car LEDs are not only used for car enhancement purposes. In fact, these are not made exclusively for cars. The best part is that these kits can also be used for bicycles in terms of proper lighting and visibility use during night rides. These car lights are also utilized in store decorations and small sign boards. These light emitting diodes can also be used for flashlight or torches as they have a very bright light and they can light up pretty well. LEDs also last longer than the ordinary fluorescent lights and incandescent bulbs.

Using Light Emitting Diodes have certain advantages compared to using fluorescent and incandescent lights. LEDs have a longer life span than ordinary lights. They can also emit stronger or more light compared to incandescent bulbs thus, saving energy and batteries when used in battery using devices. LEDs do not use light filters to emit a certain color. The dismissal of color filters makes them cheaper than other lights that need color filters to produce a certain intended light color. The packaging of a Light Emitting Diode light makes it possible to focus the light on a particular spot while incandescent and fluorescent light need external reflectors. The reflectors will collect the light from the incandescent or fluorescent bulb and then turn them into one direction.

Unlike the incandescent lamps that emit yellowish light effect, LED lights have consistent color tints even on dimmed status. LEDs are also suitable for frequent turning on and off applications like turn signals in cars or brake lights. This is why some individuals have replaced their standard vehicles lights with LEDs because these light do not burn out faster compared to fluorescent lamps. LEDs are also fast starters compared to HID lights that need some time before they acquire their full potential to start up and light up. Moreover, LEDS are time-tested, less chances of breakage unlike the fluorescent and incandescent lamps. The reason behind such efficiency and durability is that these lights are solid state components and do not damage easily when they are subjected to external shock or dropped on the ground.

LEDs are usually used as status indicators for most devices or equipment. Some gauges in cars can be replaced with multicolor LED car kits depending on the drivers’ preferences. They are also used for motorcycles and bicycles turn signals along with some cars. They are also utilized in light bars for emergency vehicles or road repair vehicles to indicate work in progress or an emergency. They are now being utilized for some cars’ entire rear lights and some mounted rear brake lights. Other than the rear lights and brake lights for vehicles, they are also used for undercar lights and to highlight features of your car like the grille or wipers. You can also highlight your cars interior depending on your preference and taste.

On the other hand, car LED lights are unpopular with the traffic authorities and you must install an off and on switch for you to use these lights or separating them from the headlights or park lights. It is important to be really cautious regarding the installation of your LED car kits, if you are unfamiliar with 12 volt wiring, it is always a good idea to have them professionally installed.

Top 5 - World's Most Expensive Cars

What is the most expensive car in the world? The 1931 Bugatti Royale Kellner Coupe was sold for $8,700,000 in 1987. However, that car and many alike will not be included in this list because it is not available on the market today. It is hard to imagine someone would actually spend 8 million dollars on a car instead of using it for something more productive. However, if you have the money and the opportunity, you will definitely spend a small fraction of it to place a few of these supercars in your garage. Here is the 5 most expensive cars available on the market

World’s Most Expensive Cars
1.Bugatti Veyron $1,192,057. This is by far the most expensive street legal car available on the market today. It is the fastest accelerating car reaching 0-60 in 2.5 seconds. It claims to be the fastest car with a top speed of 253 mph+. However, the title for the fastest car goes to the SSC Ultimate Aero which exceed 253 mph pushing this car to 2nd place for the fastest car.
Volkswagen's production delays are finally over and the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is ready to hit the road. The car sports a W16
engine fed by four turbochargers, can go from 0 to 100 mph in six
seconds and uses unique cross-drilled and turbine vented carbon rotors
that draw in cooling air for braking.

Top Speed: 407 kmph


2.Pagani Zonda C12 F $667,321 Produced by a small independent company in Italy, the Pagani Zonda C12 F is the 8th fastest car in the world. It promises to delivery a top speed of 215 mph+ and it an reach 0-60 in 3.5 seconds.
Pagani is an Italian boutique automaker that builds
radical-looking racecars.

Top Speed: 344 kmph


3.SSC Ultimate Aero $654,400 Don’t let the price tag fool you, the 3rd most expensive car is actually fastest street legal car in the world with a top speed of 257 mph+ and reaching 0-60 in 2.7 seconds. This baby cost nearly half as much as the Bugatti Veyron, yet has enough power to top the most expensive car in a speed race. It is estimated that only 25 of this exact model will ever be produced.
Top Speed: 410 kmph


4.LeBlanc Mirabeau $645,084 Doesn’t this look like a race car? Yet, with $645k, you can get this car and legally drive to your local supermarket and buy groceries. It has a top speed of 229 mph+ and although it was intentionally made for racing, it may be bought and show off to your neighbors.
Leblanc is ramping up production of its new Mirabeau
supercar. The company hopes to make the vehicle street legal for the US
by early 2007. With a six-speed sequential transmission, more than 700
bhp @ 7600 rpm, the Leblanc Mirabeau's interior is optimized for
maximum acceleration.

Top Speed: 370 kmph


5.Saleen S7 Twin Turbo $555,000 The first true American production certified supercar, this cowboy is rank #4 for the fastest car in the world. It has a top speed of 248 mph+ and it can reach 0-60 in 3.2 seconds. If you are a true American patriot, you can be proud to show off this car.Started by former racing driver Steve Saleen, the Saleen car company produces some of the fastest cars in the world. The S7 is designed to compete with the fastest and most luxurious grand touring cars
Top Speed: 320 kmph

Paris Motor Show 2008- Top 6 Cars

At the paris motor show and the big focus of has been on the 4-Door Lambo and the yet-revealed Aston Martin One-77 that costs a whopping 1.9 Million pounds. But there are some other worthwhile mentions as well.

Citroen GT
French marques are proving this year that they are just as capable of holding their own on home turf. Such is the GT concept car, a project developed in conjunction with the GT5 video game. Powered by Hydrogen the car can reach a theoretical 0-60 time of 3.6 seconds. Meant only as a design exercise there are no plans to put it into production, though some of the cars design aspects are expected to make it into production models.

Renault Megane Trophy 2009
France's solution to the boy racer, and this will actually see the inside of a production factory. Developed as a stripped out race-ready version of the French hatch the Megane trophy will receive some beefy upgrades, including 360hp out of the mid-mounted V6, paddle shift semi-automatic, and tubular chassis that complies with FIA race standards. Renault claims performance figures can rival a Porsche 911 GT3.

Pininfarina B0 Concept
Before you get any funny ideas about pronunciation, the car is actually called "Bee-Zero". One of the last projects of the late Andrea Pininfarina it's the designer house's first foray into alternative powered vehicles. The plug-in runs on pure electricity and has a range of about 150 miles on a single charge. Limited production is expected to start next year.

Mazda Kiyora Concept
First it was the Furai, now the compact segment gets the same Nagare styling with Mazda's latest compact concept car, which will herald in the design direction for the next generation of Mazda vehicles starting with the successful 3 Series. The Kiyora is a mild hybrid and features a small stop/start capable 1.3 L petrol engine linked with an electric motor.

Audi A1 Sportback Concept
An evolved version of last year's Mettrosport Concept, the A1 will pick up right where the A2 supermini left off and do battle with Mini Cooper sales come 2010. Developed from the beginning as a hybrid the car is powered by a VW derived 1.4 TFSI engine supplmented with an electric motor to give 167hp. Whether the hybrid powertrain will make it into the production version remains to be seen.

VW Golf GTI Concept
Despite the minor cosmetic changes the newness lies beneath the metal of the iconic Hot Hatch. Power will come from a beefed up version of the 2.0L TSI engine from the Scirocco making 211hp. For the first time the GTI will have an electronic limited slip diff coupled with a tweaked version of its electronic stability program. Adaptive Chassis Control is also featured, which is fancy speak for additional dampeners on the suspension depending on road conditions.