Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Geneva Preview: Rinspeed to unveil the UC? electric city car]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/16/geneva-preview-rinspeed-to-unveil-the-uc-electric-city-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/16/geneva-preview-rinspeed-to-unveil-the-uc-electric-city-car/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/16/geneva-preview-rinspeed-to-unveil-the-uc-electric-city-car/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Rinspeed UC? - click above for high-res image gallery

When we get to Geneva next March, eccentric Swiss design house Rinspeed will be showing off a design for a new electric commuter vehicle called the "UC?" The design of the car itself doesn't appear to be particularly novel with styling that looks like a cross between the Smart ForTwo and Fiat 500 (not to mention the Aston Martin Cygnet from earlier today).

However, Rinspeed is proposing an interesting approach to extending the range of the EV. Because the UC? is only 2.5 meters long, it could theoretically take advantage of the same kind of perpendicular parking that many Smart drivers use. With that in mind, Rinspeed is proposing that railroads build special train cars that would allow the UC? to be driven straight on and off for travel between cities where the 75 mile nominal plug range would make travel impractical. Since most European trains are electric, it's even conceivable that drivers could plug in their UC? models during the train trip. Rinspeed hopes to offer up the UC? to outside manufacturers who may want to build it.



[Source: Rinspeed]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Rinspeed to unveil the UC? electric city car

Geneva Preview: Rinspeed to unveil the UC? electric city car originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Dec 2009 10:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>city carCityCarelectricElectric carelectric carselectric vehicleelectric-carElectricCarElectricCarsElectricVehiclegenevageneva 2010geneva auto showGeneva Motor ShowGeneva-Motor-ShowGeneva2010GenevaAutoShowGenevaMotorShowmicrocarrinspeedRinspeed UCRinspeedUcucWed, 16 Dec 2009 10:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Rinspeed gets artsy with limited-edition prints]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/27/rinspeed-gets-artsy-with-limited-edition-prints/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/27/rinspeed-gets-artsy-with-limited-edition-prints/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/05/27/rinspeed-gets-artsy-with-limited-edition-prints/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Rinspeed Official Fine Graphic Art Collection - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Swiss coachbuilder Rinspeed never ceases to amaze with its far-out concept cars, so our interest was naturally piqued when we heard that the quirky company had plans to launch a new series of limited-edition print artwork using its own vehicles, such as the E2 Fiat 500, iChange, sQuba and eXasis concepts, as subject matter.

Prints from Rinspeed's Official Fine Graphic Art Collection are now available for order from Rinspeedart.com on the buyer's choice of canvas, art paper or plexiglass, making them perfect for automotive gearheads looking to decorate their favorite hangout or workstation. There's also a series of five Futurist prints that are limited to runs of 20 pieces each.

Just like the coachbuilder's own concepts cars, each print will be crafted in Sweden. Each will be available in multiple sizes and, therefore, prices, starting at 115 Euros ($160) for artwork printed on paper, though that amount rises rapidly as the size increases and the media changes to canvas or plexiglass. See Rinspeed's typically breathless press release after the break ("We want to sing the man at the wheel, the ideal axis of which crosses the earth, itself hurled along its orbit") and be sure to check out some of the unique pieces in our gallery below.


Gallery: Rinspeed Official Fine Graphic Art Collection


[Source: Rinspeedart]

Continue reading Rinspeed gets artsy with limited-edition prints

Rinspeed gets artsy with limited-edition prints originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 May 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>rinderknechtrinspeedrinspeed artrinspeed e2rinspeed e2 conceptrinspeed exasisrinspeed ichangerinspeed ichange conceptrinspeed squbarinspeed squba conceptRinspeedArtRinspeedE2RinspeedE2ConceptRinspeedExasisRinspeedIchangeRinspeedIchangeConceptRinspeedSqubaRinspeedSqubaConceptWed, 27 May 2009 11:29:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva 2009: Rinspeed iChange in the flesh]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/03/geneva-2009-rinspeed-ichange-in-the-flesh/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/03/geneva-2009-rinspeed-ichange-in-the-flesh/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/03/geneva-2009-rinspeed-ichange-in-the-flesh/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Rinspeed iChange

With automakers pouring into Geneva from around the world, it's largely up to Rinspeed to hold down the home fort here in Switzerland, and the quirkiest of niche automakers never disappoints. So this year we made sure to swing by Rinspeed's show stand right away to take in its latest concoction. Called the iChange, we've already brought you the details and factory photos of this innovative electric vehicle, and it looks no less unique in person. Its low-slung body is punctuated by a forward-hinged canopy, which can be expanded to accommodate a third passenger as needed.

Stay tuned as well for live shots of the E2, a split-personality Fiat 500 that joined the iChange on Rinspeed's show stand here at the Geneva Palexpo.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Rinspeed iChange


Gallery: Geneva Preview: Rinspeed iChange concept



Photos Copyright (C)2009 Noah Joseph / Weblogs, Inc.

Geneva 2009: Rinspeed iChange in the flesh originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 03:53:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakinggenevageneva auto salongeneva motor showGenevaAutoSalonGenevaMotorShowichangerinspeedrinspeed ichangeRinspeedIchangeswissTue, 03 Mar 2009 03:53:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva 2009: Rinspeed's Abarth-based E2 concept]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/03/geneva-2009-rinspeeds-abarth-based-e2-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/03/geneva-2009-rinspeeds-abarth-based-e2-concept/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/03/03/geneva-2009-rinspeeds-abarth-based-e2-concept/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Click above for a hi-res gallery of the Rinspeed E2

Usually one concept is enough to put Rinspeed on the map here at its home-turf Geneva Motor Show, but this year the quirky Swiss coachbuilder doubled down with a modified Fiat 500 that hugs the road and the planet at the same time. Joining the innovative iChange on its show stand, the Rinspeed E2 starts with the hot Abarth version instead of the standard Cinquecento, tuned it to squeeze out both extra power and extra economy thanks to a dual-mode engine management system. Painted the same shade of metallic orange as the iChange concepet, the E2 may not be quite as attention-grabbing, but extra power without the penalty is a trend we could get used to all too easily. Check it out in the galleries below and the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Rinspeed E2


Gallery: Rinspeed E2



Photos Copyright (C)2009 Noah Joseph / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Geneva 2009: Rinspeed's Abarth-based E2 concept

Geneva 2009: Rinspeed's Abarth-based E2 concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 03:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>500abarthbreakingcinquocentee2fiat 500fiat 500 abarthFiat500Fiat500Abarthgenevageneva 2009geneva motor showGeneva2009GenevaMotorShowrinspeedrinspeed abarthrinspeed e2rinspeed fiatrinspeed genevaRinspeedAbarthRinspeedE2RinspeedFiatRinspeedGenevaTue, 03 Mar 2009 03:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva Preview: Rinspeed's E2 delivers a Fiat 500 with a split personality]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/25/geneva-preview-the-rinspeed-e2/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/25/geneva-preview-the-rinspeed-e2/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/25/geneva-preview-the-rinspeed-e2/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Rinspeed E2

The mad Wissenschaftlers at Rinspeed have come up with a dual-mode Fiat 500 Abarth that gets you more power and better gas mileage - just not at the same time. Rinspeed started with the 500 Abarth that has a standard 135 horsepower, and they've given it a new engine management system that has one mode for the city and one for the highway.

In "Commuting" mode the has use of up to 60 hp, which is forty fewer horses than the bog standard petrol 500, but you'll be rewarded with almost 59 miles-per-gallon. Press a button on the console to go to "Highway" mode and you get 160 hp, which is the same hp number for the 500 Abarth SS, but it costs you a tad of frugality at 33 mpg. There aren't many ways we could think of to make the 500 better, but this trick could be one of them. You can read the press release after the jump, and check out the high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Rinspeed E2


[Source: Rinspeed]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Rinspeed's E2 delivers a Fiat 500 with a split personality

Geneva Preview: Rinspeed's E2 delivers a Fiat 500 with a split personality originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>abarthcoupee2economyfiatfiat 500fiat 500 abarthfiat 500 abarth ssFiat500Fiat500AbarthFiat500AbarthSsgeneva motor showGenevaMotorShowgreenhatchbackrinspeedrinspeed e2RinspeedE2Wed, 25 Feb 2009 13:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva Preview: Mighty Morphin' iChange proves Rinspeed is up to its old tricks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/16/geneva-preview-mighty-morphin-ichange-proves-rinspeed-is-up-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/16/geneva-preview-mighty-morphin-ichange-proves-rinspeed-is-up-to/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/16/geneva-preview-mighty-morphin-ichange-proves-rinspeed-is-up-to/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Rinspeed iChange

From the gloriously fertile mind of Frank Rinderknecht comes the Rinspeed iChange, a shape-shifting zero-emissions concept car. As its name suggests, the iChange actually morphs its body shape depending on how many people are going to be onboard, thus optimizing its aerodynamic profile around the passenger load that is called for.

The Swiss auto designer's creations have always been a highlight of the Geneva Motor Show, from outsized roadsters with crazy paint jobs to cars that run on garbage and have tilting occupant cells to exoskeltal minimalist roadsters to Lotus Elise-based roadgoing submarines. Next month, we expect the iChange to be no different.

In the main, the lightweight (1,050 kilograms, or 2,315 pounds) zero-emissions iChange starts off as a one-seat sports car that is capable of changing to a three-seat coupe thanks to a pop-up rear end.

In the drivetrain department, the iChange is motivated by a 150-kilowatt motor, whose power is routed through a six-speed "pre-selector" gearbox which Rinspeed says is borrowed from Subaru's WRX. Juice storage is provided by one of two stack configurations of lithium-ion batteries, depending on whether short- or long-distance driving is planned. So-equipped, the iChange will whir its way to 100 kilometers-per-hour (62 miles-per-hour) in just over four seconds, topping out at 220 km/h (137 mph). The car's pure-electric drivetrain is further supplemented by a roof shingled in solar panels, which generates power that is stored in the batteries and also helps operate cooling fans to vent the interior.

Click on the jump for more details and a stupendously-large press release, and check out the 70+ image high-res gallery below.

Gallery: Geneva Preview: Rinspeed iChange concept


[Source: Rinspeed]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Mighty Morphin' iChange proves Rinspeed is up to its old tricks

Geneva Preview: Mighty Morphin' iChange proves Rinspeed is up to its old tricks originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Appleconcept carConceptCarelectric carelectric vehicleElectricCarElectricVehicleGenevaGeneva 2009Geneva Auto ShowGeneva Motor ShowGeneva2009GenevaAutoShowGenevaMotorShowiPodLi-ionlithium ionLithiumIonmorphpower rangersPowerRangersRinderknechtRinspeedshape-shiftsports carSportsCarSwissSwitzerlandZEVMon, 16 Feb 2009 12:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva 2009 Preview: Rinspeed iChange]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/12/geneva-2009-preview-rinspeed-ichange/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/12/geneva-2009-preview-rinspeed-ichange/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/12/geneva-2009-preview-rinspeed-ichange/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for high-res renderings of the Rinspeed iChange concept

Rinspeed will continue its tradition of producing weird and wacky cars for Geneva Motor Show in 2009 with the introduction of the iChange concept. As has become de rigueur these last few years for just about any concept, the iChange is electric, in this case powered by a 130 kilowatt (about 175 horsepower) electric motor, but that's not what makes the iChange unique. Ostensibly a single-seater, the car's hind-quarters will reportedly be able to rise up "as if by magic," revealing an additional two seats for passengers. Sounds production-feasible, no?

The benefits of having a sleek single-seat sportscar that can morph into an MPV of sorts seem obvious, but we'd be shocked if a concept such as this were to have any real bearing on the actual automotive market in the near future. As such, the iChange carries on perfectly in the footsteps of such past concepts as the Rinspeed sQuba and the translucent eXasis Concept. Read the flowery prose in the press release after the break.

Gallery: Geneva Preview: Rinspeed iChange concept

Geneva 2009 Preview: Rinspeed iChange originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>geneva 2009geneva motor showGeneva2009GenevaMotorShowichangerinspeedrinspeed ichangerinspeed ichange conceptRinspeedIchangeRinspeedIchangeConceptFri, 12 Dec 2008 14:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Mansory gobbles up Porsche tuning arm of Rinspeed]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/14/mansory-gobbles-up-porsche-tuning-arm-of-rinspeed/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/14/mansory-gobbles-up-porsche-tuning-arm-of-rinspeed/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/14/mansory-gobbles-up-porsche-tuning-arm-of-rinspeed/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Rinspeed LeMans

It appears that German tuner Mansory isn't content doing outrageous things to Ferraris, Rolls-Royces, Mercedes, Bentleys and Aston Martins. They apparently want to do similar things to Porsches as well. To make things easier on themselves, they have decided to just purchase a firm that already does wondrous things to Zuffenhausen's finest. Mansory has purchased the Porsche-tuning arm of Rinspeed and renamed it Mansory (Switzerland) AG. The deal is a bit complex, but Rinspeed Inc. will continue to operate as a separate entity, and will continue to do additional automotive work in the future, and the Porsche-specific side of the business now belongs to Mansory. So while Mansory will now be able to offer cars like the "Rinspeed" X-Treme Cayenne, Le Mans 600, Imola and Indy 4S, Rinspeed will continue to build its wild and wacky show cars, like the Splash, eXasis, and sQuba. Got it? Good.

Gallery: Mansory SLR and 599 GTB


Gallery: Rinspeed sQuba Concept


Gallery: Rinspeed eXasis


Gallery: Mansory Aston Martin DB9


[Source: 4WheelsNews]

Mansory gobbles up Porsche tuning arm of Rinspeed originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 14 Nov 2008 19:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>MansoryrinspeedFri, 14 Nov 2008 19:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva 2008: Rinspeed sQuba, submergible absurdity]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/05/geneva-2008-rinspeed-squba-submergible-absurdity/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/05/geneva-2008-rinspeed-squba-submergible-absurdity/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/05/geneva-2008-rinspeed-squba-submergible-absurdity/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Rinspeed sQuba concept.

While the Geneva Motor Show provides its own brand of ridiculousness, the Rinspeed crew takes the cake in Switzerland. We've already seen the pics, the prosperously pompous video and have attempted to rationalize the Rinspeed sQuba concept, but until we saw it in person, we just couldn't cope with the realization that a perfectly good Lotus Elise could be made into a pseudo-submarine. Well, we saw it. We shot it. And our necks are sore from shaking our heads.

Our previous post on the sQuba concept tells the whole tale and we've assembled a gallery of live shots to prove that where there's an ill-advised will, there's a way.

Gallery: Rinspeed sQuba Concept

Geneva 2008: Rinspeed sQuba, submergible absurdity originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2008 geneva2008Genevagenevageneva 2008geneva motor showGeneva2008GenevaMotorShowrinspeedrinspeed squbaRinspeedSqubasqubaWed, 05 Mar 2008 11:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva '08 Preview: Rinspeed sQuba Concept - For the spy who loves you]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/14/geneva-08-preview-rinspeed-squba-concept-for-the-spy-who-lov/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/14/geneva-08-preview-rinspeed-squba-concept-for-the-spy-who-lov/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/14/geneva-08-preview-rinspeed-squba-concept-for-the-spy-who-lov/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


click above for more high-res images of the Rinspeed sQuba

Back in 1977, James Bond took a Lotus Esprit for a swim in The Spy Who Loved Me. It's only fitting that Swiss design company Rinspeed, known for its crazy concepts that often involve playing in the water, has based its newest creation on the Lotus Elise. Called the sQuba, this submersible convertible was first previewed back in December, but the firm has released tons of high-res photos, video and new information on its water toy.

The sQuba is an all-electric vehicle with three motors, one to drive the car on land and two to power a pair of screw drives for underwater movement. These are aided by two Seabob jet drives that "breathe" through rotating louvers mounted on the car's fenders and appear to give the car its maneuverability underwater.

Some might think a submersible convertible sounds like a submarine with a screen door, but Rinspeed has got a handful of reasons why it didn't go with a closed cockpit. Safety is one, because in an emergency, occupants might not be able to exit a closed cockpit vehicle underwater. Buoyancy was another, as the vehicle would've needed two tons of extra weight to offset the volume of air inside a cockpit, which would've seriously compromised the car's on-road handling. The small issue of breathing underwater is solved by an onboard breathing system that works like, what else, scuba gear.

Gallery: Rinspeed sQuba Concept

Continue reading Geneva '08 Preview: Rinspeed sQuba Concept - For the spy who loves you

Geneva '08 Preview: Rinspeed sQuba Concept - For the spy who loves you originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Feb 2008 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>breakinggenevageneva 2008geneva motor showGeneva2008GenevaMotorShowrinspeedrinspeed squbaRinspeedSqubasqubaThu, 14 Feb 2008 11:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Rinspeed's X-Treme 600 hp Porsche Cayenne]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/07/rinspeeds-x-treme-600-hp-porsche-cayenne/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/07/rinspeeds-x-treme-600-hp-porsche-cayenne/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/07/rinspeeds-x-treme-600-hp-porsche-cayenne/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click the image above for a gallery of the Rinspeed X-treme.

It may seem like Rinspeed has been hitting the Absinthe bottle with its recent spate of far reaching concepts, but the Swiss tuner might be looking to another green libation for inspiration of its line of 957 Porsche Cayenne parts.

Despite stealing Mountain Dew's 1998 ad campaign when naming its modified Cayenne, the X-treme's parts list proves that it's more than just a tuning package for poseurs. Bigger air intakes, a new front fascia, front splitter, rear bumper, side skirts and flared wheel arches make the already imposing Cayenne more so. The rolling stock, consisting of 23x11-inch wheels wrapped in 315/25R23 rubber, is nestled within wheel arches that have been dropped by 35mm through a modified air suspension setup.

While a custom exterior and bespoke interior bits are nice, they've got to match the motivation. According to Rinspeed, it's boosted the output of the Cayenne to 600 hp through the use of a custom sports exhaust. Although Rinspeed didn't go into detail about how its achieving that number, we'd assume that some significant tweaks were made to the Porsche Turbo's ECU.

Rinspeed's full press release is after the jump and you can check out a gallery of the X-treme below.

Gallery: Rinspeed X-treme

Continue reading Rinspeed's X-Treme 600 hp Porsche Cayenne

Rinspeed's X-Treme 600 hp Porsche Cayenne originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cayenneporscheporsche cayenneporsche cayenne rinspeedPorscheCayennePorscheCayenneRinspeedrinspeedrinspeed cayennerinspeed x-tremeRinspeedCayenneRinspeedX-tremex-tremeMon, 07 Jan 2008 14:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Rinspeed sQuba Concept to make a splash at Geneva]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/17/rinspeed-squba-concept-to-make-a-splash-at-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/17/rinspeed-squba-concept-to-make-a-splash-at-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/12/17/rinspeed-squba-concept-to-make-a-splash-at-geneva/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click above to view a high resolution image

Swiss design company Rinspeed is known for its eccentric concepts, including last year's translucent eXasis Concept and the "Splash" hydrofoil car that set a speed record crossing the English Channel. Rinspeed is once again turning to the water for its latest concept, although this time they will be heading below the surface instead of skimming above it. Set to debut at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, the sQuba concept is the world's first diving car, according to the company, and can be submerged up to 10 meters below the surface. An electric motor provides power to the rear wheels as well as two propellers and dual jet drives, and a futuristic cockpit comes with its own supply of oxygen. Like many of Rinspeed's other unique creations, the sQuba will only remain a one-off and there are no plans for production. The press release from Rinspeed can be seen after the jump, and two not-so-real photos can be viewed in the gallery.

[Source: Rinspeed via WorldCarFans.com]

Gallery: Rinspeed sQuba Concept


Gallery: Rinspeed eXasis


Continue reading Rinspeed sQuba Concept to make a splash at Geneva

Rinspeed sQuba Concept to make a splash at Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Dec 2007 11:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>diving carDivingCarRinspeedRinspeed sQuba ConceptRinspeedSqubaConceptsQuba ConceptSqubaConceptunderwater carUnderwaterCarMon, 17 Dec 2007 11:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Rinspeed releases 997 Turbo-based Le Mans 600]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/30/rinspeed-releases-997-turbo-based-le-mans-600/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/30/rinspeed-releases-997-turbo-based-le-mans-600/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/30/rinspeed-releases-997-turbo-based-le-mans-600/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

click above image for more pics of the Rinspeed Le Mans 600

As the gap between rich and poor becomes more pronounced, so does the gulf between the fastest and not-so-fastest cars. The latest entrant in the go faster stakes is Rinspeed, which has done a number on the 997 Turbo. Called the LeMans 600, the car bundles 600 hp and 590 lb-ft into the already fast-as-blue-blazes Porsche.

Two VTG turbos combine with a ram-air intake system, new intercoolers, and a high performance exhaust to provide the added grunt. With the power of the earth's core behind its rear wheels, the car gets to 62 mph in 3.3 seconds, and goes 213 mph. Cosmetically, the restyling is purposeful but subtle. The front gets a new skirt with carbon splitters, new daytime driving lights, and reshaped air intakes for the brakes. Speaking of brakes, you get 8-pot calipers -- count 'em, 8 -- to bring all of that Rinspeediness to a halt. Behind, the mirrors get a dash of carbon, and new side skirts lead to a reshaped rear valance with a high-performance exhaust system. Also in the rear, hovering over the sound and the fury, is a whopping great tail.

Keeping all that hurdy-gurdy on level is an adjustable suspension, and 20-inch aluminum Rinspeed wheels that are 12 inches wide in the rear. Rinspeed's press release is after the jump if you prefer and the gallery below.

Gallery: Rinspeed LeMans 600

Continue reading Rinspeed releases 997 Turbo-based Le Mans 600

Rinspeed releases 997 Turbo-based Le Mans 600 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Apr 2007 17:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>600911997lemansporscherinspeedturboMon, 30 Apr 2007 17:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva Motor Show: Rinspeed brings the weird, again - eXasis]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/07/geneva-motor-show-rinspeed-brings-the-weird-again-exasis/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/07/geneva-motor-show-rinspeed-brings-the-weird-again-exasis/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/07/geneva-motor-show-rinspeed-brings-the-weird-again-exasis/#commentsFiled under: ,


Click the image above for our gallery.

The open-wheeled excess continues -- this time it comes courtesy of the wacky blokes over at Rinspeed. We've already given up most of the details over the past month, but as a reminder, the translucent body gives you a voyeuristic view of all the components that make the up the eXasis, including the bioethanol burning, 150 HP, two-cylinder 750cc mid-mounted engine.

We've got an assortment of live pics in the gallery, along with a shot of the engine, removed from the eXasis and cross-sectioned for all to see.

Gallery: Rinspeed eXasis

Geneva Motor Show: Rinspeed brings the weird, again - eXasis originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Mar 2007 08:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>exaxisgenevarinspeedWed, 07 Mar 2007 08:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Geneva Preview: Saab 9-5 BioPower Rinspeed]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/27/geneva-preview-saab-9-5-biopower-rinspeed/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/27/geneva-preview-saab-9-5-biopower-rinspeed/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/02/27/geneva-preview-saab-9-5-biopower-rinspeed/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click photo for 37 more hi-res images

Well, this one's a surprise. We thought that the radical eXasis concept would be all Rinspeed had on hand at the Geneva Motor Show, but instead, the Swiss tuner has teamed with Saab to create a matching 9-5 BioPower station wagon, as well. Lowered and painted a striking yellow, the car features fiberglass elements similar to those seen on the eXasis. Rhombus patterns adorn yello fiberglass inserts in place on the grille, headlight surrounds, rear licence plate area, and dashboard. The shape pops up again on the car's seats,which are padded with a "technogel." Upsized black five-spoke wheels with metallic outlines fill out the wheel wells quite nicely.

At the time of this writing, no English-language press release was yet available. Trollhattan Saab has posted a basic translation of the German one at Saab's Swedish media site. If a picture says a thousand words, however, we have a gallery equivalent to 38,000 of them linked below. We'll update this post with the English press materials as soon as they're made available, and of course, our Geneva team will being you live coverage from the show itself when it opens next week

[Source: Saab via Trollhattan Saab]

Gallery: Saab 9-5 BioPower Rinspeed

Geneva Preview: Saab 9-5 BioPower Rinspeed originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 Feb 2007 13:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9-5biopowerrinspeedTue, 27 Feb 2007 13:04:00 EST<![CDATA[RINSPEED debuting open-wheel eXasis in Geneva]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/19/rinspeed-debuting-open-wheel-exasis-in-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/19/rinspeed-debuting-open-wheel-exasis-in-geneva/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/12/19/rinspeed-debuting-open-wheel-exasis-in-geneva/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,



Rinspeed, the Swiss firm known for organically-styled flights of fancy, as well as tuning less fanciful cars, will roll out a jet-fighter of a car at the Geneva Auto Show in March. The eXasis is the name of this little speed capsule, constructed out of translucent high-tech plastic. The seating is not unlike an old warbird, and transparency signifies the process of bringing a car to life. Being able to look through the outer skin brings you closer to the thoughts, ideas and engineering that went into the machine as a whole, not just the exterior styling.

One of the best angles to see the eXasis is the rear 3/4 view, where you can get a glimpse of the juiced-up 750cc, 150 horsepower engine that burns bioethanol. The fan you can see peeking out from underneath the strakes of the grille gives a nice industrial touch that makes the eXasis look ready for action. The little two-cylinder mill with the big horsepower number is only saddled with 5kg/horsepower, putting it in Porsche territory. There's lots of flowery prose about the concept of the eXasis at the Rinspeed website, and we can't wait to see how it'll look in the flesh plastic. We're pretty sure that it won't pass any kind of FMVSS rigors as it is, but we'd sure dig watching the road scream by under our feet, through the translucent floor.

More pictures after the jump.

[Source: Rinspeed]

Continue reading RINSPEED debuting open-wheel eXasis in Geneva

RINSPEED debuting open-wheel eXasis in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Dec 2006 10:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>genevageneva motor showGenevaMotorShowRinspeedsupercarTue, 19 Dec 2006 10:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Zurich-a! Rinspeed Indy 4S]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/27/tuner-tuesdays-rinspeed-indy-4s/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/27/tuner-tuesdays-rinspeed-indy-4s/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/27/tuner-tuesdays-rinspeed-indy-4s/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Rinspeed Indy 4S
Click to enlarge

Subtle.

Subtle always works. At Rinspeed, sometimes subtle simply isn't in the vocabulary. Other times, however, you'd think it's the only language spoken. This schizophrenic nature is what makes the company what it is. They're at home no matter what they're doing, whether it's creating a gonzo Cayenne-based pickup truck concept or putting together accessories for regular existing road cars.

The Indy 4S falls squarely in the latter category. As its name suggests, the Indy 4S program is based on the 997 Carrera 4 and 4S. Convertible? Hardtop? No matter. All the pieces work regardless of which body style you choose and which animal resides under the engine cover. Like the Cayman-based Imola we discussed earlier in the week, the Indy 4S gets improved downforce via a new front skirt, and continues the look all the way around with new side and rear treatments. The updated rear fascia is visually enhanced by a diffuser and Rinspeed's exhaust kit, which can be as simple as new tips or as comprehensive as a new system from the headers back.

The company's excellent-looking 20" five-spoke wheels return, and a choice of handling upgrades is available for both the standard suspension and the trick PASM setup. And finally, the interior can be customized with new leather, a range of steering wheels, and a full line of aluminum accessories.

Best of all, the checkered-flag theme is nowhere to be found. Like we said: subtle.

(Photo, press release after the jump)

[Source: Rinspeed]

Continue reading Zurich-a! Rinspeed Indy 4S

Zurich-a! Rinspeed Indy 4S originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 27 Sep 2006 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>911 carrera 4911 carrera 4s911Carrera4911Carrera4s997997 carrera 4s997 carrers 4997 indy 4s997Carrera4s997Carrers4997Indy4sindy 4sIndy4sriinspeed indy 4sRiinspeedIndy4srinspeedrinspeed 997rinspeed carrera 4rinspeed implarinspeed porscheRinspeed997RinspeedCarrera4RinspeedImplaRinspeedPorscheWed, 27 Sep 2006 18:31:00 EST<![CDATA[Rinspeed Imola builds on Porsche Cayman]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/25/rinspeed-imola-builds-on-porsche-cayman/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/25/rinspeed-imola-builds-on-porsche-cayman/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/09/25/rinspeed-imola-builds-on-porsche-cayman/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Rinspeed Imola

With styling cues inspired by its 997-based Indy, Zurich-based Rinspeed has developed an appearance and light tuning package for the Porsche Cayman. Dubbed "Imola," the slinky Cayman gets a blazing orange finish that's accented with Rinspeed's checkered-flag motif introduced on the Indy-- a love-it-or-hate-it element that we could certainly do without.

Rinspeed ImolaThe bodywork incorporates new skirts in front and back with rocker panels to match. The rear skirt features a diffuser insert that accommodates either a center-exit or dual exhaust, which Rinspeed can also provide along with new headers and cats. Our opinion: the dual-exhaust version shown after the jump looks super. Handling is improved thanks to the tuner's suspension upgrades, which range from new coilovers to a full kit that fully integrates with the factory Porsche PASM system. Simple, good-looking five-spoke aluminum wheels complete the picture.

The cabin gets trimmed out with aluminum accents, an F1-style wheel, and velour floormats. To the chagrin of many, the flag-waving models pictured above are not included.

For Rinspeed, a company known for stylistic risk-taking, the Imola is pretty tame compared to some of the tuner's other quirky projects. For most shoppers, though, "tame" will translate to "just right." The Rinspeed Imola should find plenty of takers. Just nix the checkers....please.

(Press release, photo gallery after the jump)

[Source: Rinspeed]

Continue reading Rinspeed Imola builds on Porsche Cayman

Rinspeed Imola builds on Porsche Cayman originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Sep 2006 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>caymancayman by rinspeedcayman-based imolaCayman-basedImolaCaymanByRinspeedporsche caymanPorscheCaymanrinspeedrinspeed caymanrinspeed imolarinspeed zurichRinspeedCaymanRinspeedImolaRinspeedZurichswiss tunerSwissTunerMon, 25 Sep 2006 14:58:00 EST<![CDATA[VIDEO: Rinspeed "Splash" record-setting English Channel crossing]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/28/video-rinspeed-splash-record-setting-english-channel-crossing/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/28/video-rinspeed-splash-record-setting-english-channel-crossing/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/28/video-rinspeed-splash-record-setting-english-channel-crossing/#commentsFiled under: , ,


click image to begin video

So what does an amphibious hydrofoil sports car look like when its making a record-breaking run across the English Channel? We've seen pics of Frank Rinderknecht, the chief executive of Rinspeed, piloting the "Splash" in the chilly and choppy waters of the Channel, but we thought some live action video of the 3 hour and 14 minute-long voyage might make for some interesting viewing. Though the splash reportedly reached speeds of 80 kph on the water, the video shows it wasn't all smooth sailing and Rinderknecht was soaked by the time he reached the opposite shore.

VIDEO: Rinspeed "Splash" record-setting English Channel crossing originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 28 Jul 2006 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>RinderknechtRinspeedRinspeed SplashRinspeedSplashthe English ChannelTheEnglishChannelFri, 28 Jul 2006 14:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Rinspeed "Splash" sets English Channel record]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/27/rinspeed-splash-sets-english-channel-record/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/27/rinspeed-splash-sets-english-channel-record/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/07/27/rinspeed-splash-sets-english-channel-record/#commentsFiled under:



'Tis the season for channel crossings... Driven (piloted?) by Rinspeed chief executive Frank Rinderknecht, the custom "Splash" amphibious car zipped across the English Channel Wednesday, covering 36 km in 3 hours 14 minutes, setting a new Guinness Book of Records mark for a hydrofoil car on the world's busiest waterway.

The record-setting version of the Splash was extensively modified from the original version, which debuted at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show. The structure was considerably strengthened for offshore use, and a new powerplant was provided by Weber Motor. The lightweight 750 cc, two-cylinder engine puts out 140 hp at 7,000 rpm, good enough for a top speed of 80 kph on smooth water.

More pics after the jump

[Source: Rinspeed]

Continue reading Rinspeed "Splash" sets English Channel record

Rinspeed "Splash" sets English Channel record originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Jul 2006 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>english channelguinness book of recordshydrofoilhydrofoil carrinspeedrinspeed english channelrinspeed splashThu, 27 Jul 2006 17:59:00 EST