Samsung SM5

Samsung Motors, the Korean subsidiary of Renault-Nissan Alliance, recently released the newly-redesigned SM5 sedan for the Korean domestic market. Based on the Nissan Teana, the SM5 is the second best-selling vehicle in Korea's D1 segment, ceding the top spot to Hyundai's Sonata.

The most significant change to the exterior design is visible around the front bumper region, where the strong 'chin' (lower section of bumper volume) displays both solid and aggressive styling cues when viewed from the front. Its lower air intake boundary area is much larger and sharper than the previous design, while the headlamps and grille strongly resembles the new Renault Laguna, subtly confirming the rumor of Renault's hands-on approach for every vehicle lineup in the near future.

Around the rear, the graphical division of the taillamps - extending from the shutlines of the trunk - is clever, but overall the vehicle looks heavy with the bumper sitting too low to the ground.

Source: cardesignnews

Fisker plug-in hybrid sport sedan

Fisker Automotive is poised to become the first 'green' American premium car company when it launches its four-door plug-in hybrid sports sedan at the Detroit Auto Show in January.

As the first production vehicle to come from the newly formed company - a joint venture between Quantum Technologies and Fisker Coachbuild - the car will feature an all-new platform and a chassis that enables the battery pack to be placed between the two axles at the center of the vehicle. This positioning provides not only optimal driving dynamics and safety, but proportionate design as well, leading to a sleek design that accentuates the long hood.

Performance figures for the first car have it achieving 50 miles on electric power alone, while a gasoline or diesel engine extends the range to more than 620 miles. It has also been claimed to deliver 100mpg. Initial deliveries of the car will commence in late 2009 with annual production projected to reach 15,000 cars, each with a starting price of $80,000.

BMW M3 Sedan

An athletic, sporting stance separates the new BMW M3 sedan from the rest of the range, bar its two-door coupé sibling. The design of the new four-door M3 powerhouse mimics that of the coupé with one noticeable difference: the sedan has a conventional steel roof rather than a carbon fiber top. The double-kidney grille has grown wider and the flat headlight design is more aggressive than on the 3-Series range, and the M3 boasts three large air intakes below the grille.

The face of the new BMW M3 also includes a power dome in the middle of the aluminum hood which, though longer than that of the 3-Series sedan, blends into the two front side panels adorned with the signature M "gills," which incorporate the M3 logo. A discreet lip spoiler features on the trunklid to optimize the car's aerodynamics and reduces lift, while a split diffuser beneath the rear bumper takes up the shape of the air intakes at the front of the car.

Inside, the five seats are surrounded by powerful contours and flowing lines highlighting the concave and convex surfaces. The horizontal lines dominating the area around the dashboard as well as the harmonious surfaces of the side linings emphasize its dynamics. The cockpit control area tapers out between the front seats into a newly designed center console, which discreetly "swings" towards the driver. The choice of colors inside the M3 Sedan help the driver concentrate on driving and the footwells, parcel shelf, headliner, A-pillar trim and the upper part of the instrument panel are all finished in Anthracite.

Skoda Fabia Estate

Skoda is set to debut the new Fabia Estate at September's Frankfurt Motor Show.

Larger in every aspect than its predecessor, the new wagon is 7mm longer and 46mm higher than the model it replaces. Its enhanced dimensions (4,239mm long, 1,642mm wide and 1,498mm tall) are claimed to allow for a far larger interior and improve its road presence.

The new model demonstrates the new design trends of the VW subsidiary, with an elegant, characterful face and a taut shoulder line running the entire length of the side panels. The front grille and chamfered hood design are reminiscent of larger Audi models, while the rear is simple and focused, with flared wheel arches denoting sporting flair.

Cargo capacity for the new model has also increased to 480 liters, 54 liters more than the outgoing model. With the rear seats folded flat a total of 1,460 liters of space is available (235 liters more than before).

Buyers will have the choice of six engines altogether (three petrol and three diesel) mated to a five-speed manual transmission. The top of the line 1.6 16V version is also available with an optional six-speed Tiptronic automatic. Trim designators will be simply 1, 2 and 3, as with the Fabia hatchback.

Source: cardesignnews

Bentley Continental GT Speed

Bentley has just revealed the most powerful car ever produced by the company. Aptly named the Continental GT Speed, the new car boasts 600bhp and can reach a top speed of 202mph.

Inspired by Bentley's 'Speed' models of the 1920s, the new model features numerous tweaks to the GT's V12 power source and some design revisions all its own. "Our objective was to convey the performance potential of the new GT Speed model, while retaining all the design cues so valued by our customers," said Dirk van Braeckel, Director of Design.

The Speed variant of the Continental GT is distinguished by a more vertical dark-tinted chrome matrix front grille with a pronounced square edge. Beneath the grille, the lower bumper design is entirely new and features a wider central air intake that emphazises the sporting stance of the new car. Chromed bezels around the headlamps complement the new frontal design. The new model continues to emphasize its added power at the rear, with a black lower bumper valance and wider, rifled exhaust outlets. New multi-spoke 20-inch sports alloy wheels also fill out the wheelwells and complete the exterior transformation.

The GT Speed's cabin is based on that of the Mulliner Driving Specification and includes a choice of three wood veneers, diamond-quilted hide seats with embroidered Bentley emblems, indented hide headlining, a sports alloy gearlever, three-spoke multi-function sports steering wheel, drilled alloy pedals and 'Speed' logos on the treadplates.

Source: cardesignnews

Lincoln MKS

Lincoln has released images of its new full-size MKS luxury sedan, expected to be launched at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. Based on Ford's D3 platform - which also underpins the Volvo S80 and XC 90, Mercury Montego and Ford Taurus - the MKS will replace the LS in Lincoln's lineup.

The design was clearly devised before Peter Horbury redefined the Lincoln brand's styling cues, exemplified by the MKR concept shown in Detroit in January this year. The MKS does without the twin-port bow-wave grille or the thin horizontal taillight strip, while the A-pillars are too massive to give any impression of a cantilever roof. Because of its transverse engine and FWD/AWD architecture the MKS doesn't have the dramatic proportions that Lincoln is aiming for with its future products.

Inside, the MKS employs light hues and a form language that draws on modernistic American furniture form the Fifties and Sixties, as seen on other Lincolns. The new car is expected to reach dealerships next February as a 2009 model.

Source: cardesignnews

Infiniti G37 Coupe

The New York Auto show, rapidly gaining respect from automotive manufacturers around the world, will be the stage for the release of the all-new 2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe, the second generation of the G-series coupe.

The overall styling of the G37 faithfully follows Infiniti's 'Vibrant Expression' design identity, shown first by the G sedan. It combines strong, robust lines with flowing, rich surface volumes which resembles a well-built, muscular athlete.

The G37 is rumored to be fitted with a 3.7-litre V6 with Variable Valve Event and Lift, capable of producing 330 horsepower, on a platform featuring 4-Wheel Active Steering System (4WAS).

Other notable technological features of the G37 will include a touch-screen navigation system and a 9 gigabyte Music Box hard drive, RearView Monitor and an 11-speaker Infiniti 'Studio on Wheels by Bose' audio system with 24-bit Burr Brown DAC and 3-way door speaker arrays.

Looking to compete against the likes of the BMW 335i coupe, the New G37 will be on sale in North American showrooms at the beginning of August 2007.
Source: cardesignnews