Ferrari Xezri
The young designer from Azerbaijan attempted to reduce weight through extensive use of carbon-fibre on both the exterior and interior. He wanted his design to be seen as, “very original, elegant, pure, modern, simple,” as well as, “dynamic” and, “lightweight, simple and striking”.
Like Rolls-Royce’s Spirit of Ecstasy, the Xezri is, “supposed to look like beauty fluttering in the wind”.
Unique features abound, like the centrally-mounted F1 / jet fighter inspired cockpit with room for only the driver and twin touch-screens in place of wing mirrors and analogue buttons / switches.
There are also two horizontally mounted air propellers that generate electrical power for the interior and gauges when the Xezri is on the move. And that great silver wing, that dominates the design’s top-down view, doubles as both an air intake and an adjustable aerodynamic spoiler.
It is truly an inspired design, and one of the best Sadikhov has produced so far. I think it would be best to leave you with his summary of the design:
“Xezri [is] designed for [the] owner for whom the priority is on uncompromising on-road performance [and] occasional track day capability, but who still demand a car that is useable in day-to-day driving like all Ferrari’s models.”
Sadikhov explains that Xezri was named after, “a local wind which is in the western part of Caspian sea,” and that it exemplifies an innovative, high-technology solution to the needs of a lightweight car for both the road and track.
It is, he says, “a synthesis of its technological knowledge and its sporting experience,” that embodies, “the quintessence of Ferrari past and present and looks to the Ferrari of the future”.
Sadikhov’s main focus in the design was on increasing downforce through aerodynamics, the deletion of wing mirrors and other drag-inducing components, a flat underbody and deformingaerolastic winglets inspired by the Ferrari 458 Italia.
2012 VW Beetle by ABT
The noted VW Group tuner said it is still working on the performance upgrades for the latest Beetle, which won’t arrive in customer hands until September, but it can give us an idea of what to expect based on its current offerings.
ABT will offer performance kits for the entire engine lineup in Europe with the modified 1.2 TSI petrol estimated to deliver around 140HP, up from 105HP, the 1.4 TSI petrol about 210HP, up from 160HP, while the flagship 2.0 TSI petrol is said to produce close to 240HP, up from the factory model’s 200HP.
On the outside, ABT is preparing several packages such as an aero kit comprising of a front spoiler, a rear apron incorporating a diffuser, a large rear wing and side skirts along with unique tail pipes, special paint jobs, headlamps and tail light covers, and carbon fiber accessories.
More detailed information on ABT’s offerings for the new 2012 VW Beetle will be released at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
Audi Q3 RS
The brand with the four rings has even decided on the powertrain, which is none other than the 340HP 2.5-liter turbocharged inline-five found under the hood of the TT RS and RS3 hot hatch.Power of course would be transferred to all four wheels through Audi’s quattro system and a seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch transmission.These yet to be officially confirmed rumors have lead photoshop resident L il k Amaru to use his talent on the creation of two renderings depicting the possible styling of the Q3 RS.The artist’s proposal includes all the usual design cues of Audi’s RS models such as the prominent front bumper with a honeycomb grille, side skirts, five-spoke alloy wheels, aluminum trim accents and a rear apron with a diffuser.
