Infiniti Essence Concept still has chances to be produced

The response to Infiniti’s Essence Concept at this year’s Geneva Motor Show has been nothing short of “phenomenal,” according to Infiniti exec Ben Poore who spoke to Motor Trend recently. The elation wasn’t long-lasting however, since the audience at Geneva was told at the unveiling that the vehicle was only intended to be a concept. Nonetheless, there is a glimmer of hope since Infiniti has said that its stunning design will soon influence future vehicles. Poore had told Motor Trend that the concept, a twin-turbo V6 hybrid coupe capable of a combined 592 brake horsepower, is “only a show piece… for now.” We would be one of those who would be ecstatic to see a production car that will boast a twin-turbo 3.7-liter V6 with a lithium-ion backed disc-shaped electric motor.

Concept car Porsche 911 Turbo TechArt GTstreet Model 997

Design Interior Cockpit Porsche 911 Turbo TechArt

The cockpit of the TechArt GTstreet also differs distinctly from the stock 911 Turbo. Among the differences is an exclusive leather interior with color-contrasted stitching and sporty CarboBlack highlights. The coupe is further equipped with an ergonomically shaped TechArt sport steering wheel, aluminum foot pedals, foot rest and shifter, as well as with illuminated door sills sporting the TechArt logo.

Cool Porsche 911 Turbo TechArt in the Front

German TechArt studio will present in Geneva its latest tire-burner based on the current Porsche 911 Turbo 997 series super-coupe. While most tuners focus their efforts on eye-popping exterior enhancements, TechArt’s engineers have centered their attention

Porsche 911 Turbo TechArt with based on Design

With its 2001 TechArt GTstreet, based on the Porsche 911 Turbo of the 996 model series, TechArt created one of the fastest and most powerful street-legal sports cars of its time. The next evolutionary stage of this fascinating concept celebrates its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2007. The new TechArt GTstreet, based on the 911 Turbo of the latest 997 series, starts at $320,000. Like the predecessor the new GTstreet edition centers on a powerful engine. The 3.6-liter twin-turbo flat engine is modified by the TechArt engine specialists and now develops 630 bhp at 6,800 rpm, up from standard 480 bhp. Peak torque increases to 605 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm.

Porsche 911 Turbo TechArt on Back Body

The TechArt GTstreet rear fascia with integrated carbon-fiber diffuser contributes to the strong downforce generated on the rear axle. It also provides the perfect backdrop for the quad exhaust of the TechArt high-performance exhaust system. TechArt Automobildesign offers a number of versions of its popular Formula wheel in sizes 8.5Jx20 in front and 12Jx20 on the rear axle. GTstreet buyers can choose from several color combinations and between the one-piece Formula and the multi-piece Formula II designs. The Formula II wheel features an exchangeable wheel lip. For optimal tires TechArt chose ContiSportContact 3 high-performance tires in sizes 245/30 ZR20 and 325/25 ZR20. The large 20-inch wheels also provide the necessary space for the especially powerful and durable TechArt high-performance brake system. It features six-piston aluminum fixed calipers and 390-millimeter discs on the front axle. The rear axle is fitted with 365-millimeter discs and four-piston fixed calipers. The TechArt GTstreet comes with a TechArt VarioPlus coil-over suspension that is based on the electronically adjustable PASM damping system of the 911 Turbo. This chassis allows individual ride-height lowering by up to 25 millimeters and push-button selection of two different damper settings, “Normal” or “Sport.” However, the dampers are not limited to these presets. Sporty driving automatically results in firmer damper settings in both modes, thus combining excellent ride comfort during normal driving with agile and responsive handling during fast cornering.

Porsche 911 Turbo TechArt in Beside

The body kit for the TechArt GTstreet was created in the wind tunnel, and offers an optimal symbiosis of aerodynamic down force, minimized drag and striking design. The front fascia of the GTstreet with retractable carbon-fiber splitter produces down force on the front axle and provides radiator, oil coolers and brakes with more cooling air, thanks to its large, striking air inlets. The auxiliary headlamp units with daytime running lights and fog lamps improve active safety. They also give the car even more passing clout. The TechArt GTstreet fender flares on the front axle add 10 mm to the two-door’s width and give it an even more dynamic appearance. But that’s not all: The air outlets behind the front wheel houses optimize brake venting. The larger air ducts in the rear sidewalls provide engine and inter coolers with a larger supply of cooling air. For an optimal transition between front and rear fenders the TechArt designers have developed rocker panels that complement the new contours. TechArt mirror and headlamp moldings provide the finishing touches. The TechArt roof spoiler extends the roof line and optimizes airflow to the adjustable rear airfoil of the GTstreet.

Obama taskforce faces Congress over car industry rescue

Christine Seib in New York

Members of President Obama's auto task force are expected to face tough questions about America's ailing car industry when they appear at a congressional committee hearing today.

It is the first time White House representatives will face public scrutiny over the decision to use billions of dollars in taxpayers' cash to bail out General Motors (GM) and Chrysler.

Ron Bloom, the former investment banker who led the task force's labour negotiations, and Edward Montgomery, President Obama's director of recovery for auto communities and workers, will testify to the Senate Banking Committee in Washington this afternoon.

The hearing will review the use of funds from the Troubled Asset Relief Programme (Tarp) to put the two car companies through the Chapter 11 bankruptcy process.

The Government will provide up to $50 billion (£30.5 billion) to GM alone to get the carmaker back in operation, in return for a 60 per cent stake in the restructured company.

Christopher Dodd, the Democrat Senator who chairs the committee, is expected to press Mr Bloom and Mr Montgomery on how soon taxpayers can expect a return on their investments.

Republicans have already criticised the White House's decision to override US bankruptcy laws to save the carmakers and called on Chrysler to give its dealers more time to close down their businesses.

Chrysler, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on April 30, is expected to emerge as a restructured company within days, after the Supreme Court last night lifted a stay on the sale of the company's assets to a group led by Fiat, the Italian car group.

GM filed for Chapter 11 on June 1 and is expected to emerge from bankruptcy by August.

Pasar otomatif dunia akan “serempak ambruk”

[/caption]

Jakarta - Pasar otomatif dunia akan “serempak ambruk” pada 2009 karena didera krisis likuiditas dan tekanan krisis ekonomi secara umum, demikian riset dari sebuah lembaga pemberi referensi paling berpengaruh di dunia, JD Power and Associates seperti dikutip Reuters, Jumat.

Lembaga yang berpusat di Detroit, AS ini memperkirakan, penjualan kendaraan ringan akan jatuh hingga 13,2 juta unit pada 2009 setelah selama tahun ini hanya bisa menjual 13,6 juta unit.

JD Power menilai pemulihan pasar yang sesungguhnya akan memakan waktu lebih dari 18 bulan atau 1,5 tahun.

“Setelah kekuatan penjualan industri otomotif global menurun di sepanjang 2008, maka pada 2009 nanti industri ini akan mengalami kejatuhan secara serempak,” kata Jeff Schuster, direktur eksekutif bidang penakaran industri otomotif dari JD Power.

Sepanjang dampak krisis keuangan terhadap pasar negara maju lebih keras ketimbang terhadap pasar ekonomi berkembang, maka tak ada satu negara atau kawasan pun yang benar-benar kebal dari malapetaka (ekonomi) ini, tambah Schuster.