The design concept emphasises the proud temperament of this thoroughbred racing machine. The cork cladding on the handlebars and the slim red stripes around the tyres contrast with the dark carbon and exclusive black painted metals of the frame. Aluminium and polished steel set refined counterpoints in the materials mix. The Carbon Bike will only be produced as a limited edition of 199 units. A plate bearing the production number will be attached to the seat tube on every Carbon Bike, testifying to the strictly limited number in existence.
Carbon Bike is the highlight of the 2006 Bike Collection from Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH
2007 Suzuki XL7 bolder and more powerful
Performance and Powertrain
The all-new 2007 Suzuki XL7 evolves from a rear-wheel-drive, truck chassis SUV into a crossover SUV based on the GM Theta platform with full-length underbody rails for added strength. The XL7 is now a front-wheel-drive vehicle that features four-wheel independent suspension and available all-wheel drive. The standard powertrain for the Suzuki XL7 is a GM-designed, Suzuki-built 3.6-liter, V6 DOHC engine rated at an estimated 250 hp with 243 lb-ft of torque.
The 3.6-liter, six-cylinder, DOHC engine is matched to a five-speed automatic transmission that features a manual-shifting (manumatic) mode. Although the new engine is nearly one liter larger than the 2.7-liter engine used in the previous XL-7, the new, larger XL7 was designed to deliver fuel economy equal to or better than its predecessor. EPA fuel economy estimates are 18 mpg/city and 24 mpg/highway for front-wheel-drive variants and 17 mpg/city and 23 mpg/highway for all-wheel drive. Towing capacity is rated at 3,500 pounds.
Advanced Chassis Design
The sophisticated chassis delivers nimble, car-like ride and comfort whether driving on the highway, city streets or rural roads. The XL7’s responsive road manners communicate a sense of confidence and control in virtually every driving scenario, while still providing refined Noise, Vibration and Harshness (NVH) performance at or near the top of the midsize SUV category.
The XL7 features four-wheel independent suspension with MacPherson struts in the front and a multilink design in the rear. The independent rear suspension is fitted with hydraulic shock absorbers in the five-passenger configuration and Nivomat self-leveling rear shock absorbers when configured for the available seven-passenger design.
All-Wheel Drive
The available all-wheel-drive system uses an active, electronically controlled rear differential module. The system responds immediately to all-wheel-drive requests and effectively eliminates lag times. A four-mount cradle secures the rear drive module, which is regulated by its own dedicated electronic controller. A new-design propeller shaft fitted with upgraded universal joints handles the added torque.
Sleek Sophistication and Functionality
Evolved from the Suzuki Concept-X, which debuted at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the all-new XL7 features a modern, sleek and expressive design with Suzuki styling cues, such as triangle-shaped turn lamps, bold three-bar grille with large Suzuki “S,” muscular wheel arches, dual exhaust with chrome tips and integrated roof racks.
Plush Interior
The 2007 Suzuki XL7 offers the driver and passengers a spacious, functional interior that provides upscale sophistication and refinement. The unique third-row seat delivers seven-passenger capability and real comfort.
With its six-inch deep footwell, the stretched platform delivers comfortable third-row seating, offering nearly 40 inches of legroom and 38.8 inches of headroom. In addition, the 50/50 split folding third-row seat can be folded flat into the floor for additional cargo carrying room, and the fold-flat front-passenger seat allows room for longer items such as skis, surfboards or even a small kayak.
In addition to the practicality of ample storage consoles and areas and the convenience of four 12-volt power outlets, the interior of the 2007 Suzuki XL7 features upscale wood or satin nickel appliqués on the instrument panel and doors, chrome accents throughout and matte black, low-gloss surfaces. Leather seating surfaces and leather-wrapped steering wheel are also part of certain trim packages.
Safety Features
The XL7’s safety features start with the body structure itself – a combination of computer-designed high-strength, dual-phase and galvanized steels. The body structure is computer-designed to manage loads – to effectively transfer energy absorbed during impacts around the interior compartment and occupants – in both front and rear crashes
Packages and Pricing
Currently, Premium and Luxury trim levels are planned. Both will be offered with front-wheel drive or available all-wheel drive. Two Premium models will be available in five-passenger seating configuration and a third Premium model will be in seven-passenger configuration. Premium models can be outfitted with leather seating surfaces and sunroof.
Two Luxury trim level models will be offered. Both will offer seven-passenger seating and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system. One will offer standard front-wheel drive while the other will come with all-wheel drive. Additionally, a navigation system and sunroof will be offered. The navigation system and the DVD system cannot be packaged together, so Luxury models equipped with the navigation system will omit the DVD System.
The Premium models feature 16-inch alloy wheels with P235/65R16 tires, while Luxury models are fitted with 17-inch alloy wheels and P235/60R17 tires. The 16-inch spare tire is carried in an outside-the-cabin underfloor area equipped with a hoist system.
Current projections call for 50 percent sales of front-wheel-drive and 50 percent sales of all-wheel-drive models. While prices will not be set until the vehicle goes on sale in the fourth quarter of 2006, the manufacturer’s suggested retail price is expected to range from $23,000 to $29,000.
2007 XL7 vs 2006 XL7 | 2007 XL7 | 2006 XL-7 | Increase |
Wheelbase: | 112.4 in. | 110.2 in. | 2.2 in. |
Overall length: | 196.7 in. | 187.4 in. | 9.3 in. |
Overall width: | 72.2 in. | 70.1 in. | 2.1 in. |
Overall height: | 68.9 in. | 68.0 in. | 0.9 in. |
Tread width, f/r: | 61.6/61.8 in. | 59.1/59.1 in. | 2.5/2.7 in. |
Engine displacement: | 3.6 liters | 2.7 liters | 0.9 liters |
Horsepower: | est. 250 bhp | 185 bhp | 65 bhp |
Torque: | est. 243 ft-lbs | 184 ft-lbs | 59 ft-lbs |
Overhang, front: | 37.5 in. | 29.7 in. | 7.8 in. |
Overhang, rear: | 46.5 in. | 42.3 in. | 4.2 in. |
Ground clearance: | 7.9 in. | 7.6 in. | 0.3 in. |
Approach angle: | 17.5 degrees | 28.5 degrees | -11.0 degrees |
Departure angle: | 20.0 degrees | 23.4 degrees | -3.4 degrees |
Nissan GT-R PROTO 2008
The design language of the GT-R PROTO is expressed by a distinctive body-style that communicates pure performance and functionality. The form of the GT-R PROTO instantly expresses its purpose and potential, but in a way that is unique to this iconic car.
At the front end, the single centre air intake is designed to optimise airflow and to strongly link the identity of the GT-R from R34 to GT-R Concept (2001). Front fenders are uniquely designed through intensive analysis of the airflow around the tyres and the air vent behind the front fender also optimises aerodynamics. The sides of the body are sculptured towards the rear fender, expressing the power and dynamic tension of the car.
The overall shape of the body combines solid and smooth surfaces to achieve the look of a well-trained athlete. The unique C-pillar crease is designed for optimum aerodynamics, reflecting the racing DNA of the GT-R.
The rear of the GT-R PROTO is strong and well defined. The signature four ring-shaped tail lamps provide an immediate visual link to previous GT-R models. Four large-bore exhaust pipes complete the purposeful look, which could only be that of a pure GT-R.
The GT-R PROTO provides for the first time a clear indication of the final design direction for the production model to be launched in 2007 (Japan) the first all-new GT-R in eight years.
2007 Nissan Maxima
Ferrari 575 GTZ Zagato
When Zagato received this request, it informed Ferrari of the project, which would be a good opportunity to celebrate the model’s anniversary, and then created a car that harked back to the 250 GTZ, built around the Ferrari 575. Like its forebear, the 575 GTZ has an all-aluminium body, and, as a tribute to Ferrari and to two-seater Italian sports cars, it has joined the exclusive group of cars that are the fruit of the tradition of custom-built cars.
Like the 250 GTZ, it sports two-tone paintwork with styling cues and volumes that explicitly refer back to the 1950s, and sublimates the character of the many cars built by Zagato to clothe original engineering, with the pure style of traditional sports cars. For Zagato, the project represented an opportunity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ferrari 250 GTZ of 1956, one of the most outstanding GT cars, which has already gone down in history.
The model, which was also commissioned by a gentleman driver and collector, in the best Zagato tradition, is a sublime synthesis of prestige and performance, elegance and sportiness, to the point that it can boast the highest value of any car in the luxury period sports car market. The 250 GTZ has won numerous competitions and concours d’élégance, and it represents a dream come true, because experts and fans consider it one of the most beautiful cars in the world.
The new 575 GTZ has the Ferrari prancing horse on its bonnet and the Z of Zagato on its side, an expression of eternal Italian excellence in its form and content. It is a winning combination, linking the most powerful, famous engineering in the world with the most refined, fascinating sporting style, both made strictly in
The concept of sporty elegance, functional design that does not merely follow the trend of the moment but strives for pure performance, and the ultra-light aluminium body are Zagato’s strengths which become a universally recognised value.
Just as in the 1956, the 250GTZ was showed at the most important concours d’elegance, 50 years later, the 575GTZ will be presented in a world premier at Villa D’Este Concours D’Elegance, Cernobbio (Italy) April 22 th -24th.