Thursday, December 29, 2011

Oldsmobile Super 88

Oldsmobile entered the 1950s following a divisional image campaign centered on its 'Rocket' engines and its cars' appearance followed suit. Oldsmobile's Rocket V8 engine was the leader in performance, generally considered the fastest cars on the market and by the mid 1950s their styling was among the first to offer a wide, "open maw" grille, suggestive of jet propulsion. Oldsmobile adopted a ringed-globe emblem to stress what marketers felt was its universal appeal. Throughout the 1950s, the make used twin jet pod-styled taillights as a nod to its "Rocket" theme. Oldsmobile was among the first of General Motors' divisions to receive a true hardtop in 1949, and it was also among the first divisions (along with Buick and Cadillac) to receive a wraparound windshield, a trend that eventually all American makes would share at sometime between 1953 and 1964.
In the 1950s the nomenclature changed again, and trim levels also received names that were then mated with the model numbers. This resulted in the Oldsmobile 88 emerging as base Dynamic 88 and the highline Super 88. Other full-size model names included the "Holiday" used on hardtops, and "Fiesta" used on its station wagons. When the 88 was retired in 1999 (with a Fiftieth Anniversary Edition), its length of service was the longest model name used on American cars after the Chrysler New Yorker.

GM styling as a whole lost its frontrunner status in 1957 when Chrysler introduced Virgil Exner's "Forward Look" designs. When compared side to side, Oldsmobile looked dated next to its price-point competitor DeSoto. Compounding the problem for Oldsmobile and Buick was a styling mistake which GM called the "Strato Roof." Both makes had models which contained the heavily framed rear window, but Detroit had been working with large curved backlights for almost a decade. Consumers disliked the roof and its blind spots, forcing GM to rush a redesign into production on some of its models.

Oldsmobile's only off year in the 1950s was 1958. The nation was beginning to feel the results of its first significant post war recession, and US automobile sales were down for the model year. Oldsmobile, Buick and Cadillac received a heavy handed makeover of the 1957 GM designs. The Oldsmobile that emerged in 1958 bore little resemblance to the design of its forerunners; instead the car emerged as a large, over-decorated "chromemobile."



Up front, all 1958 Oldsmobiles received one of General Motors' heavily styled front fascias and quad-headlights. Streaking back from the edge of the headlights was a broad belt consisting of two strips of chrome on regular 88s, three strips on Super 88s, and three strips (top and bottom thin, inside thick) on 98s that ended in a point at mid-body. The bottom of the rear fender featured a thick stamping of a half tube that pointed forward, atop which was a chrome assembly of four horizontal chrome speed-lines that terminated into a vertical bar. The tail of the car featured massive vertical chrome taillight housings. Two chrome stars were fitted to the trunklid.

Ford styling consultant Alex Tremulis (designer of the 1948 Tucker Sedan) mocked the 1958 Oldsmobile by drawing cartoons of the car, and placing musical notes in the rear trim assembly. Another Detroit stylist employed by Ford bought a used 1958 Oldsmobile in the early 1960s, driving it daily to work. He detached and rearranged the OLDSMOBILE lettering above the grille to spell out SLOBMODEL as a reminder to himself and co-workers of what "bad" auto design meant to their business.

In 1959, Oldsmobile models were completely redesigned with a rocket motif from front to rear, as the top of the front fenders had a chrome rocket, while the body-length fins were shaped as rocket exhausts which culminated in a fin-top taillight (concave on the 98 models while convex on the 88 models). The 1959 models also offered several roof treatments, such as the pillared sedan with a fastback rear window and the Holiday SportSedan, which was a flat-roofed pillarless hardtop with wraparound front and rear glass. The 1959 models were marketed as "the Linear Look", and also featured a bar-graph speedometer which showed a green indicator through 35 miles per hour (56 km/h), then changed to orange until 65 miles per hour (105 km/h), then was red above that until the highest speed read by the speedometer, 120 miles per hour (190 km/h). Power windows were available on the 98 models, as was two-speed electric windshield wipers with electrically powered windshield washers. The 88 still relied on vacuum-operated windshield wipers without a washer feature. 1959 Oldsmobiles were offered with "Autronic Eye" (a dashboard-mounted automatic headlight dimmer) as well as factory-installed air conditioning and power-operated front bench seat as available options.

The 1959 body style was continued through the 1960 model year, but the fins were toned down for 1960 and the taillights were moved to the bottom of the fenders



1957 Oldsmobile Super 88


Oldsmobiles weren't raced much by 1957 and didn't need to be, having become consistently good-selling medium-priced cars known for innovation, as with the 1957 Oldsmobile Super 88. Even so, one Lee Petty and his son Richard drove Olds convertibles on the sands of Daytona and hardtops at other stock-car venues. And if a little heavy in street form, a '57 Olds could still be quite rapid with a new performance option called J-2.

Available for any model at just $83, the J-2 included a trio of two-barrel carburetors, plus higher compression and low-restriction air cleaner to take the 371-cubic-inch "Rocket" V-8 from 277 stock horsepower to 300 -- good for 0-60 mph in under 8 seconds. There was also a racing setup with radical camshaft and heavy-duty internals, but at $385, it was seldom ordered.

The J-2 added spice to an Olds lineup that didn't look new but was. Basic appearance and even wheelbases stayed the course of 1954-56, but bodies were two inches lower and longer, so styling was a bit more rakish. Olds turned 60 in '57 and celebrated by adding models, including a convertible to the base Golden Rocket 88 series to join a Super 88 and Starfire 98. The last sold best despite costing the most ($4217), attracting 8278 orders. Next came the Super ($3447) with 7128 sales, followed by the 88 ($3182) with 6423.

Any '57 Olds made a fine road car, though switching from 15- to 14-inch tires -- an industry trend that year -- was more for appearance than handling. Yet even a ragtop looked good only until a '57 Chrysler pulled alongside. Olds styling had become dated, and it would only get worse before it got better.






1950 Oldsmobile 88
1957 Lincoln Premiere
1955 Mercury Montclair
1958 Continental Mark III
1951 Rambler Custom Landau
1956 Ford Thunderbird
1953 Oldsmobile Fiesta
1959 Cadillac Series 62
1954 Hudson Hornet Brougham
1956 Packard Caribbean
1959 Dodge Custom Royal
1957 Chevrolet Bel Air
1955 Buick Century
1957 Chrysler New Yorker
Fiat V8 , Fiat Supersport          














 Oldsmobile in die 1950er Jahre nach einer bereichsübergreifenden Imagekampagne auf seine 'Rocket' Motoren und ihre Autos 'Auftritt folgten zentriert. Oldsmobile Rocket-V8-Motor war der Führer in der Leistung, die allgemein als die schnellsten Autos auf dem Markt und durch die Mitte der 1950er Jahre ihren Stil zu den ersten, eine breite, "open maw" Kühlergrill, suggestive des Jet Propulsion Angebot wurde

Oldsmobile entré les années 1950 suite à une campagne d'image de la division centrée sur son «Rocket» des moteurs et des vêtements de l'aspect suivi ses voitures '. Oldsmobile Rocket moteur V8 a été le leader de la performance, généralement considéré comme le plus rapide des voitures sur le marché et par le milieu des années 1950 leur style a été parmi les premiers à offrir un large éventail, "gueule ouverte" calandre, évocateurs de la propulsion par réaction

Oldsmobile entrato nel 1950 a seguito di una campagna d'immagine divisionale incentrata sul suo 'Rocket' motori e soddisfare l'aspetto seguita sue vetture '. Motore a razzo Oldsmobile V8 era il leader in termini di prestazioni, generalmente considerato il più veloce auto sul mercato e dalla metà del 1950 il loro stile è stato tra i primi ad offrire un ampio "fauci aperte", la griglia, suggestivo di propulsione a getto

Oldsmobile поступил в 1950-х следующих отделов имиджевая кампания сосредоточена на своей "Rocket" двигателей и автомобилей появления последовали их примеру. Ракетный двигатель V8 Oldsmobile была лидером в области производительности, как правило, считается самой быстрой машины на рынок, и к середине 1950-х их стиль был одним из первых предложить широкий, "пасть" решетки радиатора, наводящий реактивного движения  


Tuesday, December 27, 2011

BMW 6-series Gran Coupe

The 2012 BMW 6-Series is a significant improvement on the previous model, in aesthetics, performance, and features. Today, a new model joins the 6-Series lineup: the Gran Coupe.

It probably happens all the time. A BMW shopper stands frozen with indecision in the middle of a showroom. To his left sits the 5-series sedan. On his right, the 6-series coupe. The two share a platform and several powertrains, the 6 having more attractive sheetmetal, and the 5er being the practical choice. If only there were a product that took the average of these two, a sort of 5.5-series. Enter the 6-series Gran Coupe.



 


5.5-series, Plus One

Previewed first by the Concept CS and more recently by the Concept Gran Coupe, this addition to the 6-series lineup swells a market sliver first split off by Mercedes’ CLS-class. Where the Gran Coupe differs from the CLS and the newcomer Audi A7 is in the rear seat: BMW calls its offering a 4+1, as the back row includes a third seat. It’s actually more of an armrest with a seatbelt; the center floor console continues all the way up to the bottom cushion’s edge. That ought to set the BMW apart in a now-crowded segment of stylish sedans. (It will certainly set middle passengers' legs apart, but we digress.)


The Gran Coupe rides on the 5-series’ 116.9-inch wheelbase (4.5 longer than the two-door 6’s), but is about four inches longer than a 5 sedan or 6 coupe and shares its width with its 6-series counterparts. It is nearly identical to the two-doors from the A-pillar forward, and its interior mimics those of the coupe and convertible, albeit with the different seating arrangement and more rear legroom. Per the usual style-over-practicality trade-off, expect less headroom back there than in the more traditional four-door 5-series.

Three Powertrains, Some Waiting

The Gran Coupe will launch in the summer of 2012 with the 640i; the 650i and 650i xDrive will arrive some weeks later. The 640i uses the same single-turbo inline-six from the similarly named coupe and convertible, with output measuring 315 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque. The rear- and all-wheel-drive 650i will use an updated version of the N63 twin-turbo V-8 dubbed N63Tü. Using a new Valvetronic-equipped head, it makes 45 hp and 30 lb-ft more than the current 4.4-liter, for totals of 445 hp and 480 lb-ft of torque. (You can expect the N63Tü to spread to the rest of BMW’s 50i offerings, but BMW won’t tell us which ones will be first in line.) For those keeping score, that’s 43 hp and 37 lb-ft more than the Mercedes CLS550 and its twin-turbo 4.7-liter V-8.

Regardless of engine choice, the Gran Coupe is equipped with BMW’s eight-speed automatic transmission and an engine stop/start system. Steering-wheel paddle shifters are standard as well.

Features and options will largely mirror those of the 6-series, including standard Dynamic Damper Control, optional Roll Stabilization and Active Steering, and a laundry list of included and extra-cost nanny systems. Adaptive LED headlights will also be available. To the Driving Dynamics Control system’s Comfort and Sport settings, the Gran Coupe adds Eco+, which further reduces throttle sensitivity, shoots for earlier upshifts, and helps coach the driver to use less fuel by providing “tips and incentives.” An M Sport package will be available for order right away—the highlights are a sport exhaust on 650i models, unique 19-inch wheels (20s are a further upgrade), special paint options, and resculpted front and rear fascias.

BMW’s four-door car with a coupe-like roofline will make its auto-show debut at next year’s Geneva gathering. In the meantime, the company no doubt will be hard at work finding more niches to enter. A smaller, 3-series-based coupe/sedan is surely on someone’s mind.




Model variants:
BMW 650i Gran Coupe (BMW 650i xDrive Gran Coupe) :
V8 petrol engine, BMW TwinPower Turbo technology with two turbochargers and High Precision Direct Petrol Injection, VALVETRONIC.
Displacement: 4,395 cc, output: 330 kW/450 hp at 5,500 – 6 000 rpm,
max. torque: 650 Nm / 479 lb-ft at 2,000 – 4,500 rpm.
Acceleration [0 – 100 km/h / 62 mph]: 4.6 seconds (4.5 seconds),
top speed: 250 km/h /155 mph.
Average fuel consumption*: 8.6 – 8.8 (9.2 – 9.4) litres per 100 kilometres / 32.1 – 32.9 (30.1 – 30.7) mpg imp,
CO2 emissions*: 199 – 206 g/km (215 – 219 g/km), exhaust standard: EU5.
BMW 640i Gran Coupe: Six-cylinder in-line petrol engine,
BMW TwinPower Turbo technology with twin-scroll turbocharging,
High Precision Direct Petrol Injection and VALVETRONIC.
Displacement: 2,979 cc, output: 235 kW/320 hp at 5,800 – 6 000 rpm,
max. torque: 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) at 1,300 – 4,500 rpm.
Acceleration [0 – 100 km/h / 62 mph]: 5.4 seconds,
top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph).
Average fuel consumption*: 7.7 – 7.9 litres per 100 kilometres (35.8 –
36.2 mpg imp),
CO2 emissions*: 179 – 183 g/km, exhaust standard: EU5.

BMW 640d Gran Coupe: Six-cylinder in-line diesel engine,
BMW TwinPower Turbo technology with two-stage turbocharging and common-rail direct injection.
Displacement: 2,993 cc, output: 230 kW/313 hp at 4,400 rpm,
max. torque: 630 Nm (465 lb-ft) at 1,500 – 2,500 rpm.
Acceleration [0 – 100 km/h / 62 mph]: 5.4 seconds,
top speed: 250 km/h (155 mph),
Average fuel consumption*: 5.5 – 5.7 litres per 100 kilometres (49.6 –
50.4 mpg imp),
CO2 emissions*: 146 – 149 g/km, exhaust standard: EU5.


Der 2012 BMW 6-Series ist eine deutliche Verbesserung gegenüber dem Vorgängermodell in der Ästhetik, Leistung und Features. Heute nimmt ein neues Modell der 6-Series Line-Up: Der Gran Coupe.

2012 BMW 6-sarjan on merkittävä parannus edelliseen malliin, estetiikan, suorituskyky ja ominaisuudet. Tänään, uusi malli liittyy 6-sarjan mallisto: Gran Coupe.

Le 2012 BMW Série 6 est une amélioration significative sur le modèle précédent, dans l'esthétique, les performances et fonctionnalités. Aujourd'hui, un nouveau modèle rejoint la gamme Série 6: le coupé Gran.

 2012 BMW 6-Series является значительным улучшением по предыдущей модели, в эстетике, производительностью и функциями. Сегодня новая модель присоединяется к 6-Series линейку: Gran Coupe.

El 2012 BMW Serie 6 es una mejora significativa en el modelo anterior, en la estética, rendimiento y características. Hoy en día, un nuevo modelo se une a la línea 6 de la serie: el Gran Coupe.







Thursday, December 22, 2011

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year



Frohe Weihnachten und Happy New Year
Buon Natale e Felice Anno Nuovo
Hyvää Joulua ja Onnellista Uutta Vuotta
Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année
Eguberri eta Urte Berri On
Vesel božič in srečno novo leto

Veselé Vianoce a Šťastný Nový Rok
Счастливого Рождества и Нового года
сретан божић и нова година
  
 
  
 

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Maybach


Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH (German pronunciation: maɪbax; is a German luxury car manufacturer. It was founded in 1909 by Wilhelm Maybach and his son. The company was originally a subsidiary of Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH and was itself known as Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau GmbH until 1912.




Today, the ultra-luxury car brand is owned by Daimler AG and based in Stuttgart. Tognum AG based in Friedrichshafen manufactures the commercial Maybach diesel engines under the MTU brand through its subsidiary MTU Friedrichshafen GmbH.

Daimler announced in November 2011 that Maybach will cease to be a brand by 2013.

Early history

Maybach has historic roots through the involvement of Wilhelm Maybach, who was the technical director of the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) until he left in 1907. On 23 March 1909 he founded the new company, Luftfahrzeug-Motorenbau GmbH (literally "Aircraft Engine Building Company"), with his son Karl Maybach as director.[citation needed] In 1912 they renamed it to Maybach-Motorenbau GmbH ("Maybach Engine Construction Company"). The company originally developed and manufactured diesel and petrol engines for Zeppelins, and then rail cars. The Maybach Mb.IVa was used in aircraft and airships of World War I.
Captured Maybach T3 Assault Gun (Sturmgeschütz III), made on the basis of medium tank Maybach T3 (Panzer III). National Museum of Military History (Bulgaria)

The company first built an experimental car in 1919, with the first production model introduced two years later at the Berlin Motor Show. Between 1921 and 1940, the company produced various classic opulent vehicles. The company also continued to build heavy duty diesel engines for marine and rail purposes. During the second world war, Maybach produced the engines for Nazi Germany's medium and heavy tanks.

After WW II the factory performed some repair work, but automotive production was never restarted, and some 20 years later, the company was renamed MTU Friedrichshafen. Daimler-Benz purchased the company in 1960.
In 1997, Mercedes-Benz presented at the Tokyo Motorshow a luxury concept car under the name Mercedes-Benz Maybach (V12, 5987 cc, 550 hp). Mercedes-Benz decided to develop and market the car under the sole brand name of Maybach, as parent Daimler wanted an ultra-luxury marque to compete with Rolls-Royce and Bentley, which recently came under the ownership of Daimler's domestic rivals BMW and Volkswagen Group. Maybach was therefore revived as a brand in the early 2000s. The company offered various options for customers to personalise their vehicles, and provides various equipment combinations.

Production of the new model commenced in two sizes — the Maybach 57 and the Maybach 62. The numbers are equal to the lengths of the automobiles in decimetres. In 2005, the new 57S was added, sporting a 6.0L V12 bi-turbo engine, producing 604 bhp (450 kW) and 737 lb·ft (999 N·m) of torque, and featuring various cosmetic touches.

To promote the new Maybach line, Mercedes-Benz has tapped public figures to act as brand ambassadors, including Maybach heir Ulrich Schmid-Maybach and golfer Nick Faldo.[4][5]
Several Maybach 57 and 62 models at the 2005 Concours d'Elegance in Pebble Beach, CA.

The base price of a 2009 Maybach 57 was $344,000; the Maybach 57 S, $381,000; the Maybach 62, $394,000; the Maybach 62 S, $430,000, and the Maybach Landaulet semi convertible costs just over 1 million. The Maybach 57 Zeppelin is priced at €406,000 ($580,000) and the 62 Zeppelin at €473,200 ($677,000).[6]

Initially, Daimler-Chrysler predicted annual sales of 2,000 global units with 50% coming from the United States; however, such lofty sales expectations never materialized. In 2007 Mercedes bought back 29 US dealers, reducing the total from 71 to 42.

2013 cessation

With less than stellar sales expectations and heavy impact of 2008 financial crises, Daimler AG undertook a review of the whole Maybach division.[10] These included talks with Aston Martin to engineer and style the next generation of Maybach models along with the next generation of Lagonda models.[3] According to Automotive News, only 44 Maybachs have been sold in the U.S. up to October 2011 year to date.

However, on 25 November 2011, Daimler announced that sales of all Maybach models and the brand would cease in 2013.

The line will be replaced by Mercedes-Benz S-Class Pullman models. An executive told a Frankfurt newspaper that: "(Daimler) came to the conclusion that the sales chances for the Mercedes brand were better than that of Maybach."

One suggestion for Maybach's struggles was that parent Daimler had failed to differentiate it from its Mercedes-Benz brand. While all three ultra-luxury marques share platforms and engines with other luxury brands from their parent auto company, Maybachs are built alongside the Mercedes-Benz S-Class flagship sedan, whereas Rolls-Royce and Bentley are assembled in England (separate from the rest of BMW and Volkswagen Group's production plants) and thus are regarded as being more "exclusive". Furthermore the Maybach's pedigree was virtually unknown outside of Germany unlike its British rivals which have long enjoyed renown worldwide;[3] indeed the 2006 Rolls-Royce Phantom's interior evokes memories of a 1930s car while the Maybach 57S's inside makes no reference to its marque's history.




Une suggestion pour les luttes de Maybach a été le parent Daimler avait omis de le différencier de son marque Mercedes-Benz. Bien que les trois plates-formes ultra-luxe Marques part et des moteurs au autres marques de luxe de leur entreprise automobile parent, Maybach sont construites le long de la berline phare de Mercedes-Benz Classe S, tandis que Rolls-Royce et Bentley sont assemblés en Angleterre et sont donc considérés comme des étant plus «exclusif».

Одно из предложений для борьбы Maybach было то, что родитель Daimler не смог отличить его от Mercedes-Benz бренда. Хотя все три ультра-роскошных марок доля платформ и двигателей с другими люксовыми брендами из их компании автоматической родителя, Maybachs строятся рядом с Mercedes-Benz S-Class флагманский седан, в то время как Rolls-Royce и Bentley собираются в Англии и, таким образом, рассматривается как более «эксклюзивный».

หนึ่งคำแนะนำสำหรับการต่อสู้ Maybach เป็นที่พ่อแม่เดมเลอร์ได้ล้มเหลวที่จะแตกต่างจากยี่ห้อ Mercedes - Benz ของ ในขณะที่ทั้งสามแบบ Ultra - หรูหรา Marques แพลตฟอร์มร่วมกันและเครื่องยนต์ที่มีแบรนด์หรูอื่น ๆ จาก บริษัท รถยนต์ของพวกเขาผู้ปกครอง Maybachs ถูกสร้างขึ้นพร้อมกับของ Mercedes - Benz ซีดานเรือธง S - Class ในขณะที่ บริษัท Rolls - Royce และเบนท์ลีย์จะประกอบในประเทศอังกฤษและจึงมีการยกย่องว่าเป็น ถูกมาก"เฉพาะ"

Et forslag for Maybach sin kamp var at foreldrene Daimler hadde mislyktes i å skille det fra sin Mercedes-Benz merkevare. Mens alle tre ultra-luksus Marques dele plattformer og motorer med andre luksusmerker fra sine foreldre auto selskap, er Maybachs bygget sammen med Mercedes-Benz S-Klasse flaggskip sedan, mens Rolls-Royce og Bentley er montert i England og dermed regnes som blir mer "eksklusivt".   

وكان اقتراح واحد للصراعات مايباخ بأن دايملر الأم قد فشلت في التفريق بينه وبين العلامة التجارية مرسيدس بنز والخمسين. في حين أن حصة كل ثلاثة ماركيز فائق الفخامة منصات ومحركات وغيرها من الماركات العالمية الفاخرة من الشركة الأم السيارات ، ويتم بناؤها Maybachs جنبا إلى جنب مع سيارة مرسيدس بنز الفئة - S الرئيسي، في حين يتم تجميعها رولز رويس وبنتلي في انكلترا، وبالتالي تعتبر يجري المزيد من "حصرية".