Suzuki Swift VVT, 2005

 

 

 

•  Suzuki Swift VVT, 2005

A redesigned Swift was announced at the Paris Auto Salon in September 2004. The Swift is intended to compete in the European B segment with the likes of Peugeot 206, Opel Corsa and the Fiat Punto. Available with 1.3 and 1.5 L engines, the new Swift is Suzuki's new "global car", to be produced in Hungary, India, Japan and by Chang'an in China. 3- and 5-door bodies are available.

The the new model is the first of its kind during which a Suzuki employed Indian engineers to design a car that would compete in the global market. The design of the new Swift was previewed on the Concept S and Concept S2 concept cars at auto shows, in the years leading up to its launch. It's proportions & essential shape are unmistakely like the BMW MINI, due to the blacked-out A-pillars and bumper-car stance. The exterior shape is described by some as "1.5 box".

Despite Suzuki's long-standing relationship with General Motors (which itself had prompted the development of the very first Swift), the new Swift is entirely Suzuki, and not based on the GM Gamma platform. The prestigious British Autocar magazine gave the new Swift a favourable 4/5 stars in road test, badging it a "thoroughly impressive all-rounder". Mk4 Swift has received a 4 stars out of 5 rating in the EURO NCAP crash tests.

Standard equipment include leather steering wheel, dual air-bag, ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution), front disk brake with rear drum brake, sliding storage under passenger seat, single CD player.

Since its global launch in 2005, Mkq4 Swift recorded above forecast sales. In Japan, sales figure doubled forecast. Mk4 Swift enjoyed healthy sales in India where a substantial percentage of the car is built with locally made components. Rapid sales of the new Swift model contributed to the 64% rise in Q1 profits for the Maruti corporation. Waiting period in India for the car is at least 3 months.

Lotus Hot Wheels Concept, 2007

 

 

 

 

 

• Lotus Hot Wheels Concept, 2007

Group Lotus plc has teamed up with Hot Wheels, the famous global die-cast brand, to design, develop and produce a Lotus Hot Wheels Concept vehicle. The 1:5 scale model was on display to the world at the annual SEMA Show at the Las Vegas Convention Centre between 29th October and 2nd November 2007, and a 1:64 scale version of the design will become part of the Hot Wheels® product range in spring 2008.

To celebrate its 40th anniversary next year, Hot Wheels® approached Lotus and other world leaders in he automotive industry with the challenge for each company to produce a vehicle that embodies its own engineering philosophy and brand. The result from Lotus is a stunning open-top two seat sports car concept. Russell Carr, Head of Lotus Design said; "This was a dream job for the design team because, for many of us, when we were children, it was Hot Wheels® that first ignited our passion for cars and design.

Lotus Design's international reputation for designing visually dynamic and exhilarating sports cars perfectly fitted the brief for this programme and we relished the opportunity to design a concept that was free from the typical technical and legal constraints of a full size car. In addition the design offered unique challenges because it has to work as a toy and we therefore had to remember how specific views, features and tactile qualities of toy cars fascinated us as children. I am very proud of the final design by Steven Crijns that succeeds in being both instantly recognisable as a Lotus and a Hot Wheels Car. 

Steven Crijns, Design Manager at Lotus Design and creator of this concept design explained; "Hot Wheels® cars are barely 75mm long, so specific attention went to create a bold shape that would work well at this scale. Another challenge was to create an exciting design that would work well as a toy.

The car needed to be recognisable as a Lotus without having to turn it over to look at the badge underneath,  elements from the Lotus Elise and Lotus Exige such as the headlight design, the Lotus 'mouth', the pronounced wheel arches and trademark bonnet graphics. The design to express the Lotus philosophy of performance through lightweight: the shrink wrapped body is kept to an absolute minimum to save weight. The dynamic voluptuous curves make the car look agile and fun to drive. Bold aerodynamic aids are incorporated to achieve exceptional Lotus handling. The top exit radiator at the front, a distinctive Lotus design feature, the rear diffuser and a large rear wing all provide down-force helping the vehicle stick to the road. In addition, large side air intakes and an open rear end aid engine breathing. Inside the car, the exposed centre spine is part of the structure and incorporates the switches and gear linkage and supports the rear wing."

Ferrari Enzo, 2002

 

 

 

 

 

 

•  Ferrari Enzo, 2002

The Ferrari regularly produces a model that represents a synthesis of its technological knowledge and its sporting experience. The Ferrari 250 LM was the first of this type of models in 1963. It was conceived by the founder especially for the owner-driver and was deliberately designed for racing. The Ferrari GTO (1984), the Ferrari F40 (1987) and for Ferrari's fiftieth anniversary the Ferrari F50 (1995) have been the significant milestones in this journey. Each of these limited edition cars had a specific technological message that enriched the performance of the model. In 2002 Luca di Montezemolo presented the Ferrari Enzo which married four consecutive years of supremacy in the Constructor's World Championship to the technical input and fine adjustment sensitivity of the World Champion Michael Schumacher.

Calling upon this wealth of knowledge, the aim was to develop a car as an integrated system aimed at achieving extreme performance. A system where even driver performance limits could be improved through a Formula 1 man/machine interface. The new Ferrari Enzo required a special and in-depth technical collaboration with Brembo, Bridgestone, Magneti Marelli and OMR.

Brembo has been constantly developing its braking systems for Ferrari for many years. Brembo production and design capacities are demonstrated by the Brembo CCM discs made of composite ceramic material used on the new Ferrari Enzo. They are exceptionally light (providing a 30% saving in weight over similar cast iron units), they provide excellent braking efficiency in all conditions and practically never wear.

The Bridgestone Corporation is a valued Ferrari supplier, providing sporting and technical know-how for its F1 tyres. For the new Ferrari Enzo, Bridgestone has specifically developed the Potenza RE050 Scuderia. A high performance tyre able to reach speeds of over 350 km/h (218 mph), whilst maintaining road-holding limits and previously unknown driving precision.

Magneti Marelli is the leader in the production of automated manual transmission systems. A successful Formula 1 collaboration has been augmented with a partnership, established in the mid nineties to develop the electro-hydraulic gear change on the Ferrari F355 Berlinetta F1. The F1 gear change concept today extends to all new Ferrari and Maserati cars. The development of the F1 gear change for the Ferrari Enzo represented a most fascinating challenge, due to its closeness to the perennial challenge faced by the F1 single seater.

OMR (Officine Meccaniche Rezzatesi), has developed an exclusive pedal platform for the Ferrari Enzo. It features aluminium accelerator and brake pedals and has been designed to be adjustable in sixteen different positions to achieve the best driving performance and ergonomics.