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[Audi observes centennial with massive historical gallery and video]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/audi-observes-centennial-with-massive-historical-gallery-and-vid/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/audi-observes-centennial-with-massive-historical-gallery-and-vid/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/16/audi-observes-centennial-with-massive-historical-gallery-and-vid/#commentsFiled under:


Audi Centennial: Motorsport - Click above for a massive high-res image gallery

As devout gearheads you're undoubtedly aware today marks Audi's 100th anniversary, and in celebration of its centennial, one of Germany's most historic marques is kicking off the festivities with a star-studded event at the Audi Forum in Ingolstadt, Germany.

The unveiling of the A5 Sportback was the first in a long line of events to take place over the coming days, but Audi also wanted to provide admirers a photographic glimpse into its past. And we're all too happy to oblige while snagging a few choice wallpapers in the process.

Make the jump for Audi's press release on the celebration, along with a video introduction by Chairman Rupert Stadler. And be sure to check out the four massive galleries we've put together, broken down into "Classic," "Motorsport," "Concept" and, of course, "Quattro."


Gallery: Audi Centennial - Motorsport

Continue reading Audi observes centennial with massive historical gallery and video

Audi observes centennial with massive historical gallery and video originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jul 2009 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi 100 anniversaryaudi 100th anniversaryaudi centenary celebrationaudi centennialaudi wallpapersAudi100AnniversaryAudi100thAnniversaryAudiCentenaryCelebrationAudiCentennialAudiWallpaperscentenarycentennialThu, 16 Jul 2009 19:58:00 EST<![CDATA[High Performance: Audi designs a €100,000 Bosendorfer piano to celebrate centenary]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/high-performance-audi-designs-a-bosendorfer-piano-to-celebrate/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/high-performance-audi-designs-a-bosendorfer-piano-to-celebrate/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/07/07/high-performance-audi-designs-a-bosendorfer-piano-to-celebrate/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Bosendorfer Audi Design Grand Piano - Click above for high-res image gallery

There are some things you just don't mess with. Like the shape of a grand piano. They've been making them for centuries, and though to a trained ear, one might sound different over another or even feel different to a skilled musician, by and large, they all bear the same shape. Because there are some things you just don't mess with. But then on the other hand, rules are meant to be broken. And after 100 years in business, Audi doesn't appear very eager to follow conventions. So to celebrate its centenary, the German automaker's design studio - and by that we mean their automotive design team, not a merchandising division - has teamed up with renowned Austrian keyboard builders Bosendorfer to produce a uniquely beautiful grand piano.

Of course, the same general shape had to be retained for the sake of acoustics, but one look at Audi's Bosendorfer tells you this is no ordinary grand, and chief designer Wolfgang Egger says the process will help his design team take a fresh look at automotive design as well. The Bosendorfer Audi Design Grand Piano will make its world debut at Audi's 100th anniversary celebration at the Audi Forum in Ingolstadt on July 16, after which it will be available to the public for a princely €100,000 (about $140,000). At that price level, don't expect to see one in the window down at the local music shop, but you can check it out in the high-res gallery below along with the details in the press release after the jump.


Gallery: Bosendorfer Audi Design Grand Piano


[Source: Audi]

Continue reading High Performance: Audi designs a €100,000 Bosendorfer piano to celebrate centenary

High Performance: Audi designs a €100,000 Bosendorfer piano to celebrate centenary originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi bosendorferaudi designaudi forumaudi pianoAudiBosendorferAudiDesignAudiForumAudiPianobosendorferbosendorfer audiBosendorferAudicentenarycentennialconcert grandconcert grand pianoConcertGrandConcertGrandPianoeggergrand pianoGrandPianoingolstadtpianowolfgang eggerWolfgangEggerTue, 07 Jul 2009 17:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Bugatti celebrates 100 years with four Centenaire specials at Villa d'Este]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/27/bugatti-celebrates-100-years-with-four-centenaire-specials-at-vi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/27/bugatti-celebrates-100-years-with-four-centenaire-specials-at-vi/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/27/bugatti-celebrates-100-years-with-four-centenaire-specials-at-vi/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


Bugatti Veyron Centenaire editions - Click above for a high-res image gallery

Although decades have separated the modern Bugatti from its heritage, the Alsatian exotic marque is one that prides itself on its racing pedigree. So to bridge that gap and celebrate its 100th anniversary, Bugatti rolled in to the Villa d'Este auto show on the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy, as promised, with a quartet of special edition Veyrons.

Each of the four one-offs bares a different color to contrast with the chrome fenders, and each honors a different driver from Bugatti's glory days by taking their names. To more clearly emphasize the cars historical linkages, the four Veyrons arrived in Italy accompanied by matching historic Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix racers.

One of the most successful race cars in history, the Type 35 racked up some 2,000 race victories over the course of a decade of competition in the inter-war period. Thanks to its advanced lightweight construction and pioneering client-racer availability, the Type 35 was one of the most popular and indomitable racing machines of its day. Alongside its identically-colored historic counterpart, the Bugatti Veyron Jean-Pierre Wimille edition appeared in bright blue, the Achille Varzi in dark red, the Malcolm Campbell example in dark green and the Hermann zu Leiningen in off-white. No official word so far if these specials will be for sale or if they'll remain at Bugatti's headquarters in Molsheim, but if they do find their way to market, you can expect them to be marketed at a considerable premium.

The presentation at Villa d'Este is the second of many celebrations which Bugatti has lined up to celebrate its centenary this year, following the Bleu Centenaire edition presented at the Geneva show and ahead of Pebble Beach in August and the grand finale in Molsheim on September 12. So stay tuned, but in the meantime, check out the high-res images in the gallery below and the details in the press release after the jump.


Gallery: Bugatti Veyron Centenaire editions at Villa d'Este



[Source: Bugatti]

Continue reading Bugatti celebrates 100 years with four Centenaire specials at Villa d'Este

Bugatti celebrates 100 years with four Centenaire specials at Villa d'Este originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Apr 2009 12:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>100100 years100th anniversary100thAnniversary100Yearsachille varziAchilleVarzibugattibugatti type 35bugatti type 35 grand prixBugattiType35BugattiType35GrandPrixcentenairecentenarycentennialconcorso deleganzaconcorso deleganza villa desteConcorsoDeleganzaConcorsoDeleganzaVillaDestehermann zu leiningenHermannZuLeiningenjean-pierre wimilleJean-pierreWimillemalcolm campbellMalcolmCampbelltype 35type 35 grand prixType35Type35GrandPrixvilla destevilla deste concorso deleganzaVillaDesteVillaDesteConcorsoDeleganzaMon, 27 Apr 2009 12:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Mercedes-Benz celebrates iconic centennial with special CL550]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/23/mercedes-benz-celebrates-iconic-centennial-with-special-cl550/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/23/mercedes-benz-celebrates-iconic-centennial-with-special-cl550/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/04/23/mercedes-benz-celebrates-iconic-centennial-with-special-cl550/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Mercedes-Benz CL550 "100 Years of Mercedes-Benz Edition" - Click above for a high-res image gallery

While so many other automakers have reinvented their logos over the years, Mercedes-Benz has stuck with the same one for 100 years now. One century ago, Daimler-Motoren-Gesselschaft went down to the local patent office and registered the Three-Pointed Star, the logo everyone knows and recognizes today. Just a few weeks later, August Benz & Cie did the same with their logo, the Benz name encircled by a wreath. These two icons later became integrated when the two companies banded together, but to celebrate the anniversary of their registration, Mercedes-Benz has announced a new special edition of one of its most upscale coupes.

The CL550 4Matic features a number of special Designo and AMG touches inside (light tan perforated leather with contrasting stitching and grey accents, gilded brass emblems on the center console) and out (special dark gray paint, new aero kit, and five-spoke 20-inch anthracite wheels with silver brake calipers) to differentiate itself from its more common counterparts. The special edition is available on either the rear-drive or all-wheel-drive 4Matic models around the globe, but since Benz made 4Matic standard equipment on the CL550 in the States, we'll only get the grips-at-all-paws variety.

No word on American-market pricing, but the package commands a hefty €17,850 ($23k USD) premium in Europe. Nobody said celebrating came cheap. Details in the press release after the jump.


Gallery: "100 Years of Mercedes-Benz Edition" CL550


[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz celebrates iconic centennial with special CL550

Mercedes-Benz celebrates iconic centennial with special CL550 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>100th100th anniversary100thAnniversary4maticanniversarybadgebenzcentenarycentennialclcl500cl550cl550 4maticCl5504maticiconlogomercedesmercedes clmercedes cl550mercedes-benzmercedes-benz cl500mercedes-benz cl500 4maticmercedes-benz cl550mercedes-benz cl550 4maticMercedes-benzCl500Mercedes-benzCl5004maticMercedes-benzCl550Mercedes-benzCl5504maticMercedesClMercedesCl550Thu, 23 Apr 2009 13:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost turns 100, commemorative Phantom unveiled]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/01/rolls-royce-silver-ghost-turns-100-commemorative-phantom-unveil/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/01/rolls-royce-silver-ghost-turns-100-commemorative-phantom-unveil/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/01/rolls-royce-silver-ghost-turns-100-commemorative-phantom-unveil/#commentsFiled under: , ,


Click image for gallery of the Phantom Silver and centenary gathering

Silver Ghosts gather at GoodwoodRolls-Royce recently celebrated the centenary of the Silver Ghost with a gathering of over five dozen of the cars at the automaker's Goodwood HQ. Some 6,000 Silver Ghosts were produced from 1907 to 1925 , and as you can see in the photo at right (click it to enlarge), they varied greatly in style. We're completely smitten with the wood-bodied boattail behind the group of owners in the middle of the photo (we zoomed in on it in the photo gallery below).

To celebrate the Silver Ghost's 100th anniversary, Rolls-Royce is producing a highly-limited run of commemorative Phantoms. Dubbed the Phantom Silver, the car carries a £22,000 premium over the standard Phantom and features a custom Ghost Silver finish. Its list of other specific features (follow the jump for full details) includes 21" wheels with chrome center caps, a solid silver Spirit of Ecstasy, a solid silver keyfob, white-faced gauges, a matching clock, and more.

By the time you've read this, they'll probably all be spoken for.

Press releases after the jump.

[Source: Rolls-Royce]

Gallery: Rolls-Royce Phantom Silver

Continue reading Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost turns 100, commemorative Phantom unveiled

Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost turns 100, commemorative Phantom unveiled originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 01 Jun 2007 12:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>centenaryphantomphantom silverPhantomSilversilver ghostSilverGhostFri, 01 Jun 2007 12:33:00 EST<![CDATA[Bellissima! Fumia Design presents Lancia J as birthday present]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/19/bellissima-fumia-design-presents-lancia-j-as-birthday-present/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/19/bellissima-fumia-design-presents-lancia-j-as-birthday-present/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/10/19/bellissima-fumia-design-presents-lancia-j-as-birthday-present/#commentsFiled under: , ,

The Lancia Thesis is a comfortable and elegant car, but never became a sales success due to its odd styling. At least that's what Enrico Fumia figures, and as a designer of numerous Lancias and Alfa Romeos, he should know. His solution is the Lancia J, an equally unusual design, though arguably more fluid and elegant than the flagship Thesis sedan that it aims to supersede.

Fumia designed the Lancia J to celebrate the carmaker's landmark centenary. The car features some interesting styling elements, such as rear-hinged "suicide" doors in the back, CLS-style coupe-like styling, and most uniquely, chrome-trimmed front and rear bumpers that curve and dip to form intriguingly elegant lines. The concept was drawn up in a two-tone paintjob, a longstanding staple of Lancia's flagship model.

The Lancia J is still an entirely quirky design, unmistakably Lancia through and through. It just might be the perfect model for the marque's renaissance, and if Lancia decides to build it, this car could become the conveyance of choice for Italian businessmen, politicians and cardinals.

More images after the jump, including concept sketches and a live shot of the scale model.

[Source: Info Motori]

Continue reading Bellissima! Fumia Design presents Lancia J as birthday present

Bellissima! Fumia Design presents Lancia J as birthday present originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Oct 2006 10:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>centenaryenricofumiajlanciathesisThu, 19 Oct 2006 10:28:00 EST