Prototypes or prototypical instances combine the most representative attributes of a category. A prototype is the stage before the final design. They are the best examples among the members of a category and serve as benchmarks against which the surrounding "poorer" instances are categorized.
The BMW Italdesign Nazca (or Nazca C2) was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro for BMW back in 1991. The concept car was supposed to be put into production as a successor for the BMW M1 supercar, but this never happened. Instead, there were only three prototypes built, including one convertible spider version. Now, one of those three units is available for sale at a price suitable for a piece of history: 750,000 euro, or about $1,100,000 at the current exchange rates.
The Nazca C2 is powered by a 5.7 liter Alpina V12 engine that delivers a total of 350 HP and sprinted the prototype from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds. Top speed halted at an impressive 203 mph.
The prototype for sale has only 30 kilometers on the odometer and is painted in metallic blue. It combines gullwing windows with conventional doors and the interior is covered in leather.
March 11 will remain as a very important date in the history. For Japan is a date when disaster started, but for Lamborghini is a very happy date: a 1971 Lamborghini Miura P400 SV Prototype has been auctioned for a $1.705 Million - a world record for a Lamborghini Miura. At the same auction a 1951 Ferrari 212 Export Cabriolet has been sold for $1,870,000.
Compared to a standard Miura, the SV (Spinto Veloce) version features a stronger chassis, different rear suspension, a stronger engine, the lack of "eyelashes" around the headlights, wider rear fenders. The more powerful V12 engine delivers an impressive 415 HP and was mated to a 5-Speed Manual Gearbox. The SV version made the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 6.5 seconds and was capable of a top speed of 186 mph.
Miura SV made its first appearance at the 1971 Geneva Auto Show and there were only 150 units produced.
Audi’s resident supercar, the R8, has spawned a lot of different variants from its home base in Ingolstadt, and according to a new report from Automobile Magazine, the German automaker is looking into building the lightest version of the R8 yet – and that includes the already svelte-looking R8 GT.
For now, this new model is being designated as the ‘R8 NF’ where it was presented by the brand through a number of teaser photos during a recent presentation held at its lightweight research and production plant in Neckersulm, Germany.
The images, which included a computer-generated rendering of the R8 NF’s passenger cell, features the abundant use of carbon fiber on the rear bulkhead between the seat backs and the engine compartment and B-pillars, as well as other lightweight materials on the future Audi supercar. Audi also showed a visual timeline of the company’s roll-out plan on the use of carbon fiber on some of its models with the R8 NF scheduled to hit somewhere around 2014.
At the same event, an R8 5.2 V10 prototype was pictured having a number of its body panels decked with carbon fiber, including both bumpers, the decklid, the roof, and the floor pans. While Audi kept mum on the car, it does look like this prototype could be related to the future ’R8 NF’.
While it seems a little early to be talking about a car that’s going to be launched in three years, Audi must think highly enough of the ‘R8 NF’ to bring it up this early in its design stage.
The dawn of the electric sports car is fast approaching and a number of automakers are scrambling to get their models out before the seemingly expected industry boom, which could very well happen in the next few years.
While that’s still a matter of subjectivity, what we do know is that a number of automakers have begun developing their own electric sports cars with German automaker Porsche becoming the next in line to do so after introducing three Porsche Boxster E models.
The cars are still designated as ‘prototypes’ so we don’t expect these cars to hit the streets anytime soon. Details on the model’s complete specifications are still being kept under wraps - possibly until further testing is done – but from what we’ve gathered, the Boxster E models are going to be powered by a 29 kWh battery that sends the power out to two electric motors, producing a combined output of 241 horsepower. According to Porsche, the Boxster E prototypes are capable of matching the numbers set by the Boxster S, which translates to a ‘north-to-60’ time of five seconds and a top speed of somewhere around 170 mph.
As we’ve said, production of this car is still far down the road, if ever. For now, Porsche is concentrating on giving the prototypes more development hours and test runs to determine the feasibility of having their own electric sports car. While we’d love to see it happen, the decision still remains with the boys from Stuttgart. So here’s to hoping that they come out with more than just prototype models in the future.
The mad mechanics from Mercedes high end tuning arm of AMG are at it once again. Instead of preparing a brand new CLS63 AMG or putting the finishing touches on the C63 AMG Black Series; the trainees are up to no good with some spare parts and an idea.
The innocent Mercedes B-Class is about to receive a serious upgrade from some talented young men and women. A plant manager at an AMG assembly shop is testing his students by giving them a task they can really sink their teeth into. Peter Wesp thought up the challenge and ended up having some of his talented staff take on the project.
Andreas Wurz is a foreman in the technical vocational training department and it was his idea that lent to such a sinister B-class being built. Specific plans were put together, parts gathered and work started on the B55 AMG.
In every auto show, you’re bound to come across a concept project being displayed in hopes of finding a financier to move the project further along than its pipe dream status. At the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, we finally saw that car. It’s called the Wikispeed SGT01, a racing prototype that was displayed at Cobb Hall in body/chassis/interior/suspension form. The car didn’t have a powertrain on it so we can easily figure out just how far the project needs to go to become production ready.
The SGT01 was originally developed for the Progressive Insurance Automotive X Prize competition and has since taken shape, albeit in small, baby steps. The company’s founder, Joe Justice, is looking into building the SGT01 as a turn-key automobile, but lacks the necessary funding to do so. From what we’ve heard, the company’s looking for an investor or, at the very least, obtain a loan of about $750,000 to get the project up and running.
Whether the company finds that person is still up in the air, though. So for now, they’ve settled on previewing a body prototype of what the SG01 could look like with the hopes of at least getting enough attention to attract a kind soul that can fund the project.
It took longer than anybody would’ve expected or wanted – 34 years in fact – but the Covini C6W is finally taking shape and was in fact unveiled earlier this week. You have to say that those guys over at Covini don’t lack in patience and determination.
With so many delays that would put Gran Turismo 5 to shame, the six-wheeled supercar is gearing up for its close up after its last supposed release back in 2008 which was scuttled due to technical problems. The car had originally made an appearance at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show. In fact, the Covini C6W project was first brought to light as early as 1974, but because of one problem or another – chief among them was the technology, or lack thereof at that time – the C6W never got off the ground.
However, thanks to a joint venture between Covini Engineering and PMI SpA, Ferruccio Covini’s brainchild of a supercar is finally ready for its close-up. It might have aged quite a bit through all those delays, but in the auto industry – as in life – there’s an adage that we always say that the C6W can proudly hold on to: better late than never.
As kids, we all had all sorts of dreams about when we grew up. Ranging from the standard – doctor, lawyer, or police officer - to the absurd – professional wrestler – all of us wanted to be something.
For those of you who wanted to build your own supercar, your dreams are about to become reality, provided, of course, you have some resources to make the purchase.
Coming out of the land where anything and everything seems to be for sale is the patent design of an upstart American supercar company called Vollari. For every Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Pagani, there are ventures like Vollari that end up crashing to the ground before it even gets a chance to lift off. Sad, but true.
The people behind Vollari are selling the design rights, including design patents, copyrights, blueprints, 3D CAD data, a website, and even a prototype for the car, all at a fraction of the $450,000 Vollari spent on the venture.
So if you’ve got enough moolah in your hands, not to mention, the patience, determination, and fortitude to pick up where Vollari left off, you may end up realizing your childhood fantasies after all. It’s going to be difficult given the current economic conditions that we’re in, but hey, if other people were able to do it, who’s to say you can’t?
The classic Shelby GT350 should definitely be every car lover’s dream. The bad news is not every Shelby lover will get the chance to own such a marvel of a car. The good news is that one very lucky person will have the honor of owning a unique 1965 Shelby GT350 Prototype (the basis for the famed "Eleanor" movie car) as the car will be on auction at Mecum’s Monterey auction during the Pebble Beach Concours.
This particular Shelby was originally shipped to Shelby American on May 22, 1965. It was then completed as a GT350 on May 25 and started its life as a prototype driver for Shelby American. The first threee models years were spent as a prototype driver and the vehicle was then sold off to Shelby’s Hi-Performance Motors in El Segundo, California on May 11, 1967.
The car on auction is equipped with rear quarter windows, side scoops, 1966 Shelby stripes, Shelby/Crager 15" Black accent wheels, 1966 underride traction bars, 1965 override brackets, prototype carpeted rear shelf (’66), 1967 Shelby GT350 wood steering wheel, very rare ’66 Mustang AM 8-track stereo and door speakers, very rare Cobra badge on the glove compartment. Also it is the only known pre 1967 Shelby GT350 with a factory rear spoiler, authenticated by SAAC.
So anyone want a piece of Shelby history? Better start saving up to bid on this magnificent piece of machinery. The Pebble Beach Concours is August 13-14, 2010, but the Shelby GT350 will be sold on Saturday, August 14th at 2:30pm.
We’re not the type to be easily surprised by anything that happens in the auto industry, but this one really caught us off-guard - in a good way, of course.
This here is a new lightweight BMW X5 prototype that, according to BMW, is about 50% lighter than the weight of the first ever X5 to be released to the public some years ago. The material in use for this prototype is something that’s called carbon fiber reinforced plastic, a material that supposedly cuts the overall bulk of cars without compromising any of the safety standards set on these vehicles.
That potential alone should make the hairs on the back of our heads rise without provocation.
In addition to its lightweight nature – and the fact that nothing is taken away as far as safety is concerned, the CFRP can also provide stability to a vehicle in inclement conditions while providing the necessary sturdiness to absorb any potential hits without debilitating damage.
All in all, this X5 prototype, by using the CFRP material, saves as much as 400 pounds from other X5s that use steel on the body. It may not look a lot to the casual observer, but 400 pounds less means less weight to pull around. And you don’t need to tell us how that affects the power and speed of a car.
