Back in the days of records, the pre-Jeep Willys CJ3B was king of the trails. Unfortunately, its function didn’t hold up as nicely as its image. Icon Motors produced a more pleasant update.

Icon laser-scanned the surfaces of a few of their old CJ’s, generating a 3-D model of the nearly ancient vehicle. Next, they pressed new panels out of newer steel and coated it with a Teflon-polyurethane powdercoat that we couldn’t scratch even with our greatest efforts.

While it looks like it’s predecessor, a mechanic from the 40s would not recognize the undercarriage. The new, mandrel-bent frame is designed to accommodate independent suspension, instead of the outdated leaf springs. The Chevy,4 cylinder engine hits 205 horsepower and does 23 mpg.

This jeeps 4WD system was adapted from a 2010 model: It’s more advanced and the finding replacement parts is easy.

While the 1950s 3B got up to 50 mph on the highway, this one does 80. It also has 24 inches of wheel travel, to scurry over boulders with 4WD.

Every light in the CJ3B is LED—the dashboard to the headlamps. At 64 inches wide, it is narrow and capable enough to tackle trails that Jeeps aren’t allowed to venture down. Price: $83,000 USD.

producer: icon
material: steel
period: 2010s

[via wired]

above: the blenheim 3S.

but given the company’s 64-year commitment to craftsmanship and engineering, not to mention its reputation as the world’s only handmade luxury automotive company, it probably ought to be.

Bristol is also the only remaining luxury car company under British control, a fact they’re extremely proud of and don’t hesitate to mention at every possible opportunity. But with cars hand crafted by engineers with backgrounds in aviation, I suppose they’ve earned their fare share of bargain rights.

The fleet of Bristol cars is intentionally small. Their entire lineup consists of six models, each made to order for its particular buyer. This process can take up to four times as long as a factory-made car, but these are “handbuilt cars for individuals,” a very special group indeed who favors the company’s low profile, their aversion to advertising and their single, teeny-tiny show room in London.

They cater to the kind of person who would pay $260,000 for the Blenheim 3S, a pretty ordinary looking car from the outside that can make 0-60 in 5 seconds and if properly maintained, will outlive its driver. Not only will Bristol devotees gladly pay for the privilege of driving one of the 100-125 cars they produce each year, but they’ll wait in an 18-month-long queue to do so.

“By deliberately restricting production to a handful of cars per week we ensure exclusivity and excellence of manufacture. The labor hours to build the Blenheim 3 are three to four times more than those of any other specialist luxury cars. This we happily accept as the cost of perfection.”

above: for those wanting something a bit flashier than the blenheim series there’s always the “fighter”.





above: reaching speeds of up to 200 mph, the fighter takes design cues from airplanes, which is what bristol used to produce before they turned to cars. cost $521,000 usd.





above: of course, if $521,000 just isn’t in your budget there’s the “blenheim speedster”, a retro two-seater that can still do 60 in 5 seconds and figured prominently in last year’s flick, an education.

With standards this exacting, it comes as no surprise that Bristol doesn’t sell their cars to just anybody. Even if you have the money and the patience to sweat it out on the wait list, you must still be approved, a screening process as vague as it is secret. But for all their English exclusivity the car itself is an awe-inspiring piece of machinery, and once you drive it they swear you’ll never want to drive anything else.

Producer: bristol



about perrin drumm

n2a motors — no two alike !

above: hackett and prelgauskas are driving hackett’s red 2008 roadster as part of the 10th annual global green challenge, one of the most high-profile rallies worldwide for production, prototype and experimental cars. Hackett is providing updates in real time on his blog.

The pair drove from alice springs, in the australian northern territory, to the finish marker at a point 183 km north of coober pedy, in south australia.





above: motor sport manager from the south australian motor sport board, jeffmattner,
applies a seal to the Roadster’s “fuel tank”.





above: simon hackett, as he sets off to break the world distance record for a production electric vehicle





above: simon and emilis making history with 313 (501 KM) miles on single charge





above: internode’s favorite road marker on the entire stuart highway

Producer: tesla motors

source: treehugger

The taxi is composed of two main parts – an undercarriage and a cabin. The car is driven by two electric motors which are integrated into the rear wheels. There’s optical sensors around all the undercarriage to get maximum view for driving, navigation and control. While the concept looks futuristic, industrial designer Kubik Petr believes it’s going to happen sooner than we think with the modern technology at hand.

Designer: Kubik Petr

via ecofriend

Unlike a motorcycle the Capsule would provide weather protection, plus enough storage to allow for extended overnight adventures. Of interest, a single touch screen that would control vehicle functions and offer internet-enabled satellite connectivity.

Electric motors would provide propulsion to all four wheels, and a roof-mounted solar panel would help keep the batteries topped up on sunny days. Once stopped, a removable luggage rack would double as a stool or desk at the campsite.

Designer: Alp Germaner
Producer: Peugeot

{VIA]

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This latest rendering gives us an accurate look at what to expect for the entry-level three-door hatch, revealing designers will be sticking to the lines of the concept car. Some of the elements from the show cars that are unlikely to make production include the exposed aluminum arches, 18in alloys and LED headlights.

The A1 will share its platform with the new 2010 Volkswagen Polo and will be available as standard with FWD, though there will be performance models with quattro AWD. The new platform also means the A1 will be available with VW Group’s new low-cost DSG with seven gears in total.

Engine options will range from a series of low capacity TSI and TDI units ranging from 1.4 to 2.0L, and a new mild hybrid model may also be offered. The design will use a small electric motor integrated into the drivetrain, which kicks in during high-load situations. The full hybrid system with lithium-ion batteries as previewed by the Metroproject Concept is unlikely to enter production.

The five-door model should debut around the middle of next year and will be followed by the three-door shortly after.