Autoblog

SEMA 2009: Vaughn Gittin's all-carbon fiber RTR-C Mustang

Drew Phillips — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:40:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Coupe, Performance, Ford

Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s RTR-C Mustang - Click above for high-res image gallery

Of all the Mustangs in the Ford booth, Vaughn Gittin Jr.'s carbon fiber RTR-C Mustang was by far our favorite. To answer the question everyone is wondering - no, it's not a wrap. The carbon fiber body panels are the real deal. According to Vaughn, the lightweight material saves 400-500 pounds, although some of that weight is added back thanks to the supercharger, larger brakes and headers. In total, the car weighs in at just over 3,350 pounds.

Aside from the exterior, we were impressed with the level of detail that went into building the car. Inside, the Sparco seats are also constructed of carbon fiber, and the rear seats have been taken out and replaced with a tasteful leather-covered panel. Even small things like the RTR logos look like they were made with an attention to detail.

Want one of your own? Vaughn will be selling a limited run of just 10 RTR-C Mustangs, although the price tag is a hefty $135,000. Still, if you do decide to drop the cash, you're guaranteed to have one of the 10 coolest Mustangs in the world.

Gallery: Vaughn Gittin Jr. RTR-C Mustang

SEMA 2009: Vaughn Gittin's all-carbon fiber RTR-C Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Nov 2009 20:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Add Lightness: BMW signs joint venture to further carbon fiber research

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, BMW

Now that steel and aluminum are vying for top billing as the metal of choice in Automobile Land, carbon fiber is often considered the next logical step towards reducing the prodigious weight of today's cars and trucks - especially for high performance and eco-friendly vehicles. The problem, though, is that the material is still prohibitively expensive and difficult to work with for mass production.

In an effort to get a leg up on the competition, BMW has just announced that it has paired up with SGL Group to produce carbon fiber and textile semi-finished products for "vehicle construction... to install [carbon fiber reinforced plastic] on a large scale in a series vehicle at a competitive cost." Though the material is already used in small-scale models like the M6 Coupe, BMW says its upcoming Megacity car will be the first model to employ CFRP in "significant proportions."

The initial investment of 90 million euros will see two separate companies formed - one in North America and one in Germany - and BMW's goal is manage the entire process from creation of the carbon fibers using clean hydropower to weaving them into fabrics in Germany and, finally, recycling the material to ensure environmental sustainability. Hit the jump to read more from the official press release.

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading Add Lightness: BMW signs joint venture to further carbon fiber research

Add Lightness: BMW signs joint venture to further carbon fiber research originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Weaving the Lexus LFA's carbon fiber A-pillar is mesmerizing

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:56:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Technology, Videos, Lexus, Luxury

If you read our First Drive of the Lexus LFA, you might recall an interesting little factoid we threw in to illustrate the OCD-level of detail Toyota used to produce its first ever supercar.

With over 150 years of looming experience, ToMoCo owns a rotary weaver -- one of two in existence -- which it repurposed to create the carbon fiber A-pillars on the LFA. The process is mindbogglingly awe-inspiring and we were finally able to snag video of the device in action. Make the jump to check it out and get a better idea of why the LFA carries its steep $375,000 price tag.

UPDATE: Toyota asked us to take down the video. Something about proprietary technology. Lame.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Lexus LFA

VIDEO: Weaving the Lexus LFA's carbon fiber A-pillar is mesmerizing originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Singer 911 offers vintage looks, modern appointments, exotic performance

Michael Harley — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Classics, Coupe, Porsche

Singer 911 -- Click above for high-res photo gallery

Singer Vehicle Design rolled out its first prototype, plainly named the "Singer 911," at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance last month. Based on an '80s-era long-wheelbase 911 donor vehicle, the company strips each chassis to its bare shell for "reinvention" into what Singer calls a "celebration of the golden air-cooled era of the world's most important sports car."

Incontestable is its vintage Porsche 911 look. However, the Singer 911 is far from antiquated. The complete reincarnation includes chassis stiffening, new active aerodynamics, and a lightweight integral backbone structure and roll cage to improve torsional rigidity. Most interestingly, nearly all of the steel body panels are replaced by full carbon fiber composite bodywork candy-coated in Singer's exclusive "Racing Orange" paint.

Under the rear decklid is an air-cooled 3.82-liter flat-six sporting six individual throttle bodies. With a GT3 crankshaft and titanium connecting rods, the powerplant spins eagerly to 8,000 RPM. The engine sends 425 horsepower and 340 lb-ft of torque to a proper Getrag G50 six-speed manual transmission. According to the engineering team, the 2,400-pound Singer 911 will sprint to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. Top speed is in excess of 170 MPH.

Make the jump for more.

Gallery: 2010 Singer Porsche 911

Continue reading Singer 911 offers vintage looks, modern appointments, exotic performance

Singer 911 offers vintage looks, modern appointments, exotic performance originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Limited-edition CCXR Trevita to shine like a diamond. Well, millions of them, actually.

Drew Phillips — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Technology

Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita - Click above for high-res image gallery

With much of the recent news regarding Koenigsegg being about their acquisition of Saab, you might have forgotten that the Swedish auto manufacturer builds supercars. Well, probably not, but it was refreshing to see Koenigsegg throw a changeup and release details of their latest special edition model, the Trevita.

Based on the CCXR model, the limited-edition supercar appears to have a simple silver paint job from a distance, but a closer look reveals a bare carbon fiber body coated with a unique diamond finish put directly into the weave using a process specially developed by Koenigsegg. According to the company, use of the "Koenigsegg Proprietary Diamond Weave" (catchy, eh?) means that "When sunlight hits the car, it sparkles like millions of silvery white diamonds infused inside the visible carbon fiber weave bodywork."

Along with diamond weave finish, the Trevita, which evidently means "three whites" in Swedish, features a double carbon wing, paddle shifters, an upgraded exhaust system, carbon ceramic brakes, an infotainment system, and more. There's no word on pricing, but just three will be produced and we're guessing that they will demand a hefty premium over the "standard" CCXR.

No official word yet on whether the Trevita will roll out at next week's Frankfurt show, but we'll have our SLRs at the ready just in case. For now, though, you'll have to content yourself with the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Koenigsegg CCXR Trevita

[Source: Koenigsegg via GTSpirit.com]

Continue reading Limited-edition CCXR Trevita to shine like a diamond. Well, millions of them, actually.

Limited-edition CCXR Trevita to shine like a diamond. Well, millions of them, actually. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Oakley C Six shades: CNC-milled from solid carbon fiber billet

Noah Joseph — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Design/Style

Carbon fiber. It's light, it's strong, and it looks so darn cool. As such, we doubt we're the only ones who've wondered why we don't see more eyewear made out of the stuff. Well, there are a couple of good reasons - namely that it's expensive and difficult to work with. While it's complicated enough to lay it down in sheets to make a crash-resistant race car tub, for example, forming it into intricate shapes like sunglass frames is apparently on another level.

Enter Oakley, the eyewear company already plenty familiar with the challenges of using exotic materials. Oakley has teamed up with racing specialist Crosby Composites to make the upcoming C Six. But instead of laying down sheets in the complex form, Crosby and Oakley mill the frames out of solid blocks of carbon fiber, each 40 layers deep, using state-of-the-art Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) drills spinning at 10,000 rpm for 24 hours to create a single pair of these bad boys. The result could very well be the ultimate driving shades, but don't expect every wheel jockey on the turnpike to be wearing a pair. Oakley is only making 250 of 'em, and they're expected to sell for a cool four grand apiece when they hit the market.

[Source: Carbon Fiber Gear]

Oakley C Six shades: CNC-milled from solid carbon fiber billet originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gresso takes its cues from F1 with new Grand Monaco phone

Noah Joseph — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:59:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology

Gress Grand Monaco - Click above for high-res image gallery

If Vertu thought they had the market for four-figure carbon fiber cell phones all to themselves, they can think again as Russia's high-end electronics firm Gresso has announced the new Grand Monaco.

Not only is Gresso's latest named for the most famous race in the world, it's also built using race-derived materials like PVD-coated titanium alloy, high-strength ceramics and of course carbon fiber. The sapphire crystal display resists scratches and the whole thing is vacuum-sealed. Multitasking junkies won't find all the functionality of a smart phone here, but the Grand Monaco does pack a 2MP camera and Bluetooth among its features and commands a princely $2,100 - a far cry from the nearly ten-grand Vertu, but a fair bit more than the average Nokia. Details in the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Gresso Grand Monaco

[Source: Gresso]

Continue reading Gresso takes its cues from F1 with new Grand Monaco phone

Gresso takes its cues from F1 with new Grand Monaco phone originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 07:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin One-77: The justification's in the details

Jonny Lieberman — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Europe, Aston Martin, Luxury

Aston Martin One-77 at Galpin Motors - Click above for high-res image gallery

£1.25 million. That's Brit-speak for $1,800,000, give or take. A staggering amount of money. More than a Bugatti Veyron, more than a Lamborghini Reventón. Quite simply the most expensive new car, well, ever. Er, well, it would have been if not for the $2.2 million Bugatti Veyron Grand Sport. And for what? Before last night, we would have said nearly two million smackeroos gets you a widened DB9 with a large 7.3-liter V-12. Yes, there will be only seventy-seven hand built Aston Martin One-77s made, but so what? That's just way too much lucre, filthy or otherwise.

Aston Martin was good enough to invite us down to a post-Pebble Beach showing of its new hypercar in the impressive vault room at Los Angeles' Galpin Motors. Curtains circled the display, the car was draped with a cloth and many of the city's wealthiest citizens (most had previously purchased an Aston Martin from Galpin) enjoyed gratis cocktails mit snacks.

Before the covers came off they fired up and then revved the engine. Whoa. This was different. This was something special. The massive motor rapidly climbed through the range not like a normal big-bore V12, but more like an F1 car. Totally impressive. Finally the big Aston was revealed, and you know, it was still a nice looking car, but massively overpriced. And then they popped the hood.

Gallery: Aston Martin One-77 at Galpin Motors

Continue reading Aston Martin One-77: The justification's in the details

Aston Martin One-77: The justification's in the details originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Aug 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Dodge Viper ACR wing stronger than your average spoiler

Michael Harley — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, Technology, Dodge, Design/Style

The elephantine rear airfoil bolted to the rear deck of the Dodge Viper ACR is not only highly functional, but it gets credit as being the first mass-produced carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) wing on a production car. Rear wings on high performance vehicles are designed to counter lift. Without aerodynamic aids, most vehicles become less stable and have reduced grip as velocities increase (worst case, the vehicle actually flies as did the Mercedes CLR at Le Mans in 1999).

Chrysler's SRT Performance Group was tasked with building a faster variant of the Dodge Viper with the ACR, yet cutting weight at the same time. The team did extensive studies of wing profiles before settling on a 72-inch wide wing manufactured out of CFRP. While most wings have a structural core or ribbing, the ACR's hollow wing is comprised of just four layers of epoxy/carbon fiber weave with an outer UV-resistant clearcoat.

The wing is amazingly strong (as evidenced by the picture at right), yet it weighs just 7.5 lbs, 50 to 80 percent less than an aluminum or thermoplastic counterpart. Working in conjunction with a variable-geometry front splitter and dive planes, the oversized rear wing helps the Viper ACR achieve its targeted 1,000 lbs of downforce at 150 mph. That's enough to help Dodge's supercar sustain a cornering load of 1.5 Gs at speed - superior to many GT racing cars.

[Source: Composites World]

Dodge Viper ACR wing stronger than your average spoiler originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vertu launches new Ascent Ti Carbon Fibre Collection

Noah Joseph — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:57:00 EST

Filed under: Technology, Toys/Games

Those with deep pockets and a penchant for everything automotive need look no further for their mobile communications needs (and desires) than Vertu. The premium phone brand from Nokia takes the inspiration for its Ascent line from sports cars and has come out every year with a new special edition just for moneyed automotive enthusiasts and racing fans, from the Racetrack Legends series to the Ferrari editions. The company's latest offering, however, uses that most coveted of materials to give it that extra octane-infused edge.

The Vertu Ascent Ti Carbon Fibre Collection includes four individual editions, each with a different implementation of carbon fiber in its construction. The top of the range is the Carbon Fibre Limited Edition, of which only 1000 examples will be made, featuring the woven material all over, including the side grips, battery cover and pouch case. But in case that's not automotive enough for some tastes, it also comes with very automotive $9,800 price tag, with sales beginning this month. Other editions incorporate carbon fiber in various designs and applications, including a carbon-copper weave, all of which you can read about more in the press release after the jump and view in the gallery below.

Gallery: Vertu Ascent Ti Carbon Fibre Collection

Continue reading Vertu launches new Ascent Ti Carbon Fibre Collection

Vertu launches new Ascent Ti Carbon Fibre Collection originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lamborghini Reventon Roadster revealed to a few well-heeled?

Jonny Lieberman — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Europe, Lamborghini, Rumormill

Lamborghini Reventon - Click above for high-res image gallery

Just four short months ago a rumor surfaced that Lamborghini would be making a topless version of its hottest model, the F22-inspired Reventon. Word is that today Lambo is showing off its most expensive ever ragin' bull to a super select cabal of people so wealthy that we'll never understand. Based on the Murcielago, the original carbon fiber Reventon was limited to 20 units (plus one for the museum) and cost just about $1 million. And therein lies the problem. As a Reventon owner, you have a 19 out of 6.5 billion chance of running into another person driving the same car as you -- not exclusive enough.

This is where the new drop top Rev comes in. Limited to just nine examples makes the new Lambo more than twice as exclusive. As its price will climb to $1.6 million, it had better be. Besides losing the roof, the Reventon Roadster will be more powerful than its hard-top cousins, as the convertible will get the LP670-4 SV's stonking 6.5-liter V12 good for 670 horsepower and 487 lb-ft of torque. You know, we could get used to this whole filthy rich thing.

Gallery: 2008 Lamborghini Reventon

[Source: eGMcartech]

Lamborghini Reventon Roadster revealed to a few well-heeled? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Sir Stirling's House in London, complete with carbon fiber elevator

Noah Joseph — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:28:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc., Videos, Toys/Games, UK, Celebrities

Sir Stirling Moss' carbon fiber elevator - Click above to watch video after the jump

F1 drivers tend to accumulate a great deal of money over the course of their careers, and few have had careers quite as distinguished as Sir Stirling Moss. Over the course of only ten years in professional racing, he competed in about 500 races and won some 200 of them. So what did Sir Stirling do after he retired? He built himself a house that would make James Bond drop his martini.

Situated in the swanky Mayfair neighborhood in London, the Moss residence includes such gizmos as a giant tray that lowers from the ceiling to bring him his dinner in front of the television, a remote-controlled jacuzzi tub, an automated inbox/outbox for his office, and - the piece de resistence - a carbon fiber elevator made especially for him by the Williams F1 team. But in case that's not enough, Moss is in the process of building himself a new high-tech, environmentally-friendly residence in Deerfield Beach, Florida. (Where else? The man's over 80 years old, for crying out loud.) Check out the video footage of Moss Manor in Mayfair after the jump.

[Source: The Independent and Sunday Times via Jalopnik]

Continue reading VIDEO: Sir Stirling's House in London, complete with carbon fiber elevator

VIDEO: Sir Stirling's House in London, complete with carbon fiber elevator originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Jun 2009 09:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Brembo aims to mass produce carbon-ceramic brakes with new joint venture

Noah Joseph — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

New technologies always cost the early adopters big bucks. But higher demand leads to increased supply, and costs eventually go down to the level accessibly by the common man. So while carbon-ceramic brakes might be a big ticket item right now - often dipping into five figures as optional equipment on European exotica - Brembo has formed a new joint venture with carbon-fiber supplier SGL Group with the specific goal of mass-producing the brake technology for widespread application.

Carbon-ceramic brakes offer several major benefits over cast-iron discs -- specifically light weight and the ability to dissipate heat quickly, preventing fade -- with few drawbacks. The only downside is that the extant manufacturing process is labor-intensive, driving the cost up, which is why they're currently only available on high-end exotic supercars. Brembo SGL Carbon Ceramic Brakes, however, which just began operations at its Milan headquarters on the first of this month, aims to streamline the production of the rotors so that they can be implemented across the industry. (That's a good thing.) Scope out the press release below the fold for more details.

Continue reading Brembo aims to mass produce carbon-ceramic brakes with new joint venture

Brembo aims to mass produce carbon-ceramic brakes with new joint venture originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Details and Pics Aplenty: Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition

Noah Joseph — Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:28:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Supercars, Porsche

Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Gemballa doesn't strike us as a company that would be easily deterred by minor details. Things like the end of a production run, for example. So while the Porsche Carrera GT may have finished its run, that doesn't mean the German exotic tuning house is about to stop having fun.

We initially reported on the latest Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition back in February, when details and images were scarce, but both have now emerged. As you'd expect from the name, the modified Carrera GT features a lot of carbon fiber trim, but unlike some other weave-clad tuner cars, the carbon on the latest Mirage isn't just for show: the aerodynamic elements aim to improve the car's performance by channeling airflow in and around the supercar's svelte shape to keep it breathing free and stuck to the tarmac.

Of course, Gemballa hasn't stopped there. Porsche's free-revving V10 has been tuned to produce 670 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, enough to propel the rocket-sled up to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.7 seconds and on to a top speed of 208 mph. There's also an electro-hydraulic adjustable suspension to keep that carbon fiber lip spoiler clear of curbs and speed bumps. The package costs just shy of 300,000 euros ($425k), which doesn't include the cost of the donor car, and production will be limited to just five examples, which may keep moneyed Porschephiles satiated until the rumored roadgoing RS Spyder hits the road. Details in the press release after the jump and photos in the high-resolution image gallery below.

Gallery: Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition

[Source: Gemballa]

Continue reading Details and Pics Aplenty: Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition

Details and Pics Aplenty: Gemballa Mirage GT Carbon Edition originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 02 Jun 2009 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ferrari's leathercrafters make a carbon fiber briefcase

Noah Joseph — Thu, 07 May 2009 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

If you're going to drop six figures on a new supercar, you're not going to put just any old piece of luggage in that tiny trunk, are you? Of course not. That's why Ferrari turned to Schedoni. The 125-year-old Italian leather-crafters makes all the fitted luggage for Ferrari roadcars. They even make that little pad at the back of the Scuderia's F1 cockpit to keep Felipe and Kimi's helmets from knocking against the carbon fiber as they speed around the circuit. But that's not the only interaction Schedoni has with the lightweight exotic material.

This carbon fiber briefcase is crafted from the choicest material and painstakingly baked to perfection like a frat-boy in Amsterdam. Schedoni then works its magic, lining the case with the finest tanned suede and leather trim. Of course it don't come cheap, retailing for $4,400. They offer a carbon fiber backgammon board with titanium pieces for $5,800. Seems ridiculously extravagant to us, but when you've got the cash to spare, why not lighten up a little?

[Source: Carbon Fiber Gear]

Ferrari's leathercrafters make a carbon fiber briefcase originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 07 May 2009 07:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ex-F1 Mechanic Alastair Gibson brings racing materials to fish sculptures. Wait, wha?

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Etc., Lifestyle

Alistair Gibson's sculptures from F1 car parts - Click above for a gallery of images

Alistair Gibson spent 22 years in Formula 1 paddocks as a mechanic with teams like Benetton and BAR Honda. With decades of carbon fiber and shiny bits swimming in his head, it probably shouldn't come as a complete surprise that after leaving pit lane he has begun fabricating motorsports-influenced sculptures of fish.

Each fish has a body in carbon fiber and comes with a spec sheet detailing the specific parts added to it. The brown trout you see above has a tail fin made of floor stays and comes mounted on a plank from the underside of Jensen Button's 2006 Hungarian GP-winning car. The hammerhead shark has eyes from rear wheel tether gearbox side shrouds, and comes mounted on a gearbox pull rod - also from the 2006 Hungarian GP car.

There are no prices listed, but if you add Formula 1 pedigree, carbon fiber fabrication, F1 chassis parts, and the word "art," well, phrases like "their weight in gold" come to mind. If you're not in the art market right now, you can check out the gallery of sculptures, including a brown trout, hammerhead shark, mackerel, mako shark, and piranha, below.

Gallery: Alistair Gibson Sculptures

[Source: Carbon Art via Pistonheads]

Ex-F1 Mechanic Alastair Gibson brings racing materials to fish sculptures. Wait, wha? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 22 Apr 2009 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Stop Time: Mecchanice Veloce and Brembo team up for carbon-ceramic watch

Noah Joseph — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:58:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Etc., Technology

Aluminum, titanium, stainless steel, vulcanized rubber...it was only a matter of time before somebody made a watch out of carbon ceramic. And who better to do it than Brembo and Meccaniche Veloci? The former you'll know well as the most recognized name in brakes. The latter may be known to some of you as the Italian watchmaker that designed the Quattro Valvole timepiece, named and styled after the four-valve cylinder head and incorporating four individual automatic Swiss watch movements. Now the two have come together to produce a special edition Quattro Valvole Carbon Ceramico (CCM), unveiled at the 2009 Baselworld watch show, that could be the ultimate car watch even among a rapidly expanding sub-segment.

The carbon-ceramic watch case is made by Brembo using the same process as it uses for producing racing brake discs. Short fibers of carbon are combined with high-strength ceramics and formed using high-pressure water jets. The result is incredibly strong yet lightweight construction that is also highly resistant to corrosion or deformation. Like Brembo's brake calipers, buyers can choose between different color combinations of red, black, yellow or silver, and the watch comes with interchangeable straps in rubber and alligator leather. As well it should, at $15,000 apiece...another element this unique timepiece shares in common with a set of carbon ceramic brakes.

[Source: Meccaniche Veloci via Gizmag]

Stop Time: Mecchanice Veloce and Brembo team up for carbon-ceramic watch originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Apr 2009 06:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW Perfomance accessories goes live with new video

Chris Shunk — Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:35:00 EST

Filed under: Videos, BMW

BMW Performance accessories is officially online with 32 upgrades Bimmer drivers, ranging from carbon fiber dress-up stuff to more serious bits like six-piston brakes with cross-drilled rotors or a carbon fiber suspension cross brace. Accessorizing BMW enthusiasts can also purchase form-fitting racing seats, a short-throw shifter, or even a steering wheel with an LED display that tracks lap times, acceleration, and top speed.

BMW is so excited (and wants you to be similarly excited) about its performance parts that it created a video to help inspire owners to pull out their wallets and do some shopping. Hit the jump to see it for yourself, and crank up the speakers in time to hear the exhaust note coming from BMW's new sport muffler. Thanks for the tip, Max!

[Source: BMW]

Continue reading BMW Perfomance accessories goes live with new video

BMW Perfomance accessories goes live with new video originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 23 Nov 2008 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Carbon fiber baby seat keeps Junior secure

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:57:00 EST

Filed under: Etc.

Click above for image gallery of the carbon fiber baby seat

If James Bond ever had to carry a baby instead of a bombshell in that ~~DBS~~ Ford Edge, here is the kind of seat worthy of the agent and his cargo. Created by Rory Craig, a student at the Art Center College of Design, the carbon fiber seat with Sparco belts is 3-way adjustable, reclines, and can be pulled apart to be a side infant carrier. There are even holes down the back of the seat for perfect harness adjustment. It's called the Wing Man, but you can't buy it yet - right now it's just a prototype. Rory is pitching it to Sparco, so you might want to write your local Sparco representative and help them make the right decision... Thanks for the tip, Dave!

Gallery: Carbon Fiber Baby Seat

[Source: Carbon Fiber Gear]

Carbon fiber baby seat keeps Junior secure originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 17:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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TAG Heuer outlines its vision with carbon-fiber frames

Noah Joseph — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:56:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets

There are lots of watchmakers that cultivate relationships with automakers and Formula One teams, but few have managed to establish themselves quite like TAG Heuer, whose sponsorship of F1, among other motorsport disciplines, has made their products synonymous with racing. Now TAG is hoping to carry its status into the optics industry, and this is their latest effort: the TAG Heuer C-Flex.

If you were wondering why more eyeglass companies haven't made frames out of carbon fiber, this is the answer. The C-Flex is made of the lightweight, high-strength (and high-cost) wonder-material, with fixtures from titanium in a flexible design said to be inspired by the suspension on an F1 car that, along with the patented nose pads, instantly adjusts to your face. The TAG Heuer C-Flex was unveiled at the recent Silmo optical show in Paris, where it won the Golden Award for its innovative design, and will become available (for an assuredly princely sum) in Spring 2009.

[Source: TAG Heuer via acquire]

TAG Heuer outlines its vision with carbon-fiber frames originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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