Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Archives

Aston Martin takes the top off the Valkyrie for California debut

The Valkyrie, a product of the combined design and engineering talents of Aston Martin and Red Bull Advanced Technologies (RBAT), is one of the world’s most extreme hypercars. Only 150 units will be built (all already sold), each priced from US$3 million (about RM12.707 million). Joining the Valkyrie at a California debut is the Valkyrie Spider and only 85 units will be available – all of which are also taken.

Taking the roof of the Valkyrie promises an even more intense experience, perhaps comparable to the feeling that Formula 1 drivers have. Of course, the Valkyrie Spider is a roadgoing car and so it must meet the high standards of comfort and luxury customers (who will pay more than US$3 million) will expect.

While the 1,155 ps hybrid V12 powertrain remains the same, the Valkyrie Spider has received revisions to its carbonfibre structure, plus precise recalibration of both the active aerodynamic and active chassis systems.

Key to superlative performance is the ultra-lightweight construction and high downforce aerodynamics package. The upper body surfaces of the teardrop-shaped cockpit and lower tub contours follow the envelope of space available between the huge full-length Venturi tunnels that run either side of the cockpit floor. Drawing huge quantities of air beneath the car to feed the rear diffuser, these tunnels are the key to generating Aston Martin Valkyrie Spider’s extraordinary levels of downforce, while keeping the upper body surfaces free from additional aerodynamic devices that would spoil the purity of the open-top styling.

There is only a marginal weight difference to the Coupe and a top speed of 330 km/h+ is claimed with the roof removed, and 350 km/h+ with the roof on). This makes it the fastest and most extreme open-top, road-legal Aston Martin ever built.

The same driver-focused cabin is provided, with F1-inspired low hip-to-heel height and near-central seat positioning, along with a 6-point safety harness to keep the occupants tightly in their seats at high cornering speeds. A centre rearview camera system along with front and rear parking sensors will aid the driver at both high and low speeds, with displays sitting just above the instrument panel.

The Valkyrie Spider, which can be ordered with lefthand or righthand drive, features a bespoke, removable lightweight roof comprising of a carbonfibre central panel, latching onto the tub at the rear and to the windscreen surround at the front, along with a pair of polycarbonate roof windows, hinged on either side. On opening the doors, the roof can simply be lifted off and stowed away.

Modifications to the carbonfibre tub have been made to support the removable roof panels and the open-top layout, as well as new doors. The now front-hinged dihedral doors, which are unique to Valkyrie Spider, have been redesigned to tilt forward.

“The Aston Martin Valkyrie is the product of incredible innovation and technology, but above all it has always been about emotion. With the Valkyrie Spider, we are taking that passion and emotion to the next level. The driving experience promises to be truly sensational. The sound of that 6.5-litre V12 engine revving to over 11,000 rpm with the roof removed is something I cannot wait to hear!” said Aston Martin CEO, Tobias Moers.

Aston Martin reveals track-only Valkyrie AMR Pro without hybrid set-up

Acura Type S Concept sets the stage for return of Type S performance variants [w/VIDEO]

Acura, Honda’s premium luxury brand, will unveil a brand new concept car that sets the stage for re-introducing Type S performance variants to the brand’s line-up after a decade. The Type S Concept which will debut this Friday in California represents a fundamental step toward fulfilling Acura’s return to Precision Crafted Performance, which started with the debut of the second-generation NSX.

Building on the foundational beauty and style of the Acura Precision Concept, the Type S Concept’s powerful form is characterized by a wide track and low stance, with an expansive bonnet that stretches forward from the A-pillars.

Conceived at Acura’s design studio in California, the Type S Concept showcases new elements of the brand’s design including next-generation, four-lamp Jewel Eye LED headlights, an open-surface Diamond Pentagon grille, and ‘Chicane’ daytime running lights and taillights, both drawing inspiration from the Acura ARX-05 Daytona Prototype racing car.

Refined style, raw emotion
Building off its powerful stance, the Type S Concept’s front end reflects both form and function. Large centre and side intakes are capable of supplying required airflow to a high-performance engine and brake package, with detailing evolved from the NSX and Acura Precision Concept.

The headlights are underscored, literally, by translucent white ‘Chicane’ LEDs that serve double duty as running lights and turn signals. The front section transitions to a side profile that communicates both power and elegance.

Sheer surfaces and continually shifting angles are balanced by sharp, intersecting lines that create the impression that every surface is changing shape as it flows front to rear. Sheer side surfaces gradually open-up to muscular rear wheel arches, emphasizing the concept car’s wide track.

A sharp and distinctive tail features an upswept decklid with a sharply creased centerline (drawn from the bonnet) and integrated forged carbon spoiler. There are also ‘Chicane’ LED taillights, a large rear diffuser and quad chrome exhaust outlets complete the look.

Forged carbonfibre
In addition to the rear decklid spoiler, forged carbonfibre – created by bonding layers of carbon on top of one another to exceed the strength of traditional interwoven carbon – is applied to the front and rear splitters, side sills, rear decklid spoiler and multi-spoke 21-inch wheels.

A ‘square’ 285-series tyre set-up ensures high levels of grip in the most dynamic of driving situations. All four corners feature drilled Brembo high-performance brakes with 4-piston calipers, providing ample stopping power and an aggressive appearance.

The Concept’s bespoke Double Apex Blue Pearl paint reflects a liquid and electric hue that pays homage to blue Type S heritage models. This unique finish employs nano pigments and a colour-infused clear coat that impart a sense of fluidity and motion and enhance the paint’s lustre and brilliance.

Karma Automotive to debut SC1 Vision Concept car in California this weekend

Karma Automotive, the company created from the previous Fisker Automotive purchased by a Chinese autoparts supplier Wanxiang Group, will reveal its design and technological direction with the North American debut of its SC1 Vision Concept car.

“The SC1 is a signpost to Karma’s future,” said Karma CEO Dr. Lance Zhou. “Designed and engineered in less than 12 months, SC1 is a full battery electric vehicle (BEV) that explores the brand’s striking design language and the innovative technology integration possible through our collaborative Open Platform strategy.”

Humanized communication system
The SC1 Vision Concept seamlessly integrates a new infotainment architecture with 5G connectivity and a humanized communication system with touch, voice, eye and graphical interfaces. Artificial Intelligence understands conventional language and commands, while a camera-based eye tracking system is capable of biometric identification, allowing for the multi-modal authentication of occupants. The eye-tracking system monitors a driver’s irises, eyelids and gaze – should the driver become distracted or fatigued, AI safely takes control of the vehicle.

With the use of 8 radar systems, 6 Lidar sensors, and half a dozen external cameras, the SC1 Vision Concept is fully equipped for autonomous motoring in the future. It will store information on cityscape and points of interest which are displayed in augmented reality.

Both driver and passenger can immerse themselves in comfort with an all-new surround audio system with dedicated sound environments for each of them. Karma says it will soon offer audio capabilities similar to the SC1 Vision Concept’s system through the company’s guided customization program.

New definition of luxury and style
“The SC1 Vision Concept draws its inspiration from Karma’s pioneering spirit,” said Andreas Thurner, Karma’s VP of Global Design and Architecture. “It is thought-provoking — it conjures a new definition of luxury and style with distinct Karma DNA.”

The SC1 Vision Concept features a one-off fluorescent orange paint scheme with flakes of violet mica capturing stunning sunset colours, juxtaposed by a darker palleted interior fading from black to deep indigo. A bold body design is reminiscent of an H-1 racing aircraft of the 1930s, with impressive length stretching from the car’s front axle to windscreen.

Striking patented articulating hinge doors open in a winged motion, gently rising up and forward, rotating around front wheels. The SC1 Vision Concept’s interior prioritizes simplicity and ease of use, eliminating excess to reveal a stratified design with a multi-dimensional in-cabin experience. The car’s battery is housed in a centre tunnel cascading down from dashboard into seats, before gliding upward to the decklid.

Driving premiere of the 1932 Mercedes-Benz SSKL in August 2019

This year’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California will see Mercedes-Benz Classic using the carmaker’s ‘125 Years of Motorsport’ anniversary year theme. It will bring a reconstructed Mercedes-Benz SSKL streamlined racing car from 1932 to the annual event and it will be driven in the Tour d’Elegance along the legendary 17-mile Drive coastal route of the Monterey peninsula.

*The 1932 Mercedes-Benz SSKL reconstructed by Mercedes-Benz Classic*

First car competition
The SSKL was an aerodynamically encased racing car with a Daimler 2-cylinder V-engine, which represented the beginning of motorsport. Vehicles equipped with engines of this type won in the first car competition in history 125 years ago – the race from Paris to Rouen on July 22 1894.

The aerodynamics pioneer Reinhard von Koenig-Fachsenfeld designed the streamlined body for the. On May 22 1932, Manfred von Brauchitsch entered the important international Avus race in Berlin with this racing car which was unusual to spectators of the time (the public promptly dubbed it ‘gherkin’) and won ahead of Rudolf Caracciola in an Alfa Romeo.

*Reconstructed Daimler two-cylinder V-engine from 1889 used by the winning vehicles in the first car competition in history 125 years ago. used it.*

Mercedes-Benz Classic has reconstructed the innovative ‘silver arrow’, as it was described in a radio report at the time, with the highest level of authenticity. This includes the lightening holes in the chassis, typical of the SSKL, which were undertaken according to the original drawings.

In total, the racing car weighs 125 kgs less than the Mercedes-Benz SSK, which served as its basis. The complete reconstruction of the streamlined body according to historical documents was particularly laborious. For this purpose, the experts researched the archives of Mercedes-Benz Classic and those at Schloss Fachsenfeld, which the engineer and inventor Reinhard von Koenig-Fachsenfeld transferred to a foundation in 1982.

Automotive contemporary witnesses
Alongside the unique SSKL, an elegant Mercedes-Benz 320 n combination coupe (W 142) from 1938 will also be present. Other models displayed will be an authentic replica of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen. The Mercedes-Simplex 40 hp from 1903 is a representative of the family of the first modern car in the world and a high-performance vehicle of its time.

*Mercedes-Benz 320 n Kombination-Coupe (1938)*

Further automotive contemporary witnesses from ‘125 Years of Motorsport’ include a 3-litre W 154 Formula racing car from 1939, a Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR racing sportscar (W 196 S) from 1955, a Sauber-Mercedes C 9 Group-C racing sports car from 1989, and the Penske-Mercedes PC-23 IndyCar from 1994.

The Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance has been held since 1950. Since 1955, collector’s cars have been the focus of the event and today, around 200 exquisite cars from all around the world typically take part, are judged and receive awards.

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