All articles by Flavien Dachet – Page 5

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    Concept Car of the Week: Mercedes T80 (1939)

    2015-05-05T20:02:07Z

    In the decade before World War II, no other carmaker even came close to matching the combined dominance of Mercedes-Benz and recently founded Auto Union. Supported by Adolf Hitler's Nazi government, the two brands had grander plans to demonstrate Germany's technological supremacy.

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    Concept Car of the Week: Renault Laguna (1990)

    2015-05-05T19:59:39Z

    Shortly after his appointment as the head of Renault design, Patrick Le Quément presented the first concept car under his leadership, the 1988 Megane. Designed as a rational four-seater sedan, it was very technologically advanced, but so serious and formal it failed to grab attention.

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    Concept Car of the Week: Lincoln MK9 (2001)

    2015-05-05T19:59:13Z

    In the '50s and '60s, Ford's luxury brand Lincoln stood for American elegance and luxury, using a singular timeless approach less baroque than that of Cadillac.

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    Concept Car of the Week: Corvette Astro II XP-880 (1968)

    2015-05-05T19:57:54Z

    From its early days, the Corvette's success in racing contributed to its fame and popularity. But a fierce competition grew during the sixties with cars like Ford's untouchable GT40 and Jim Hall's visionary Chaparrals, both using mid-engine layouts. By 1967 Ford was offering a street version of its Le Mans ...

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    Concept Car of the Week: Ferrari Pinin (1980)

    2015-05-05T19:57:19Z

    Over the years, Ferrari has slowly built a reputation for the fact that any car that wears the prancing horse badge on its bonnet ought to be a design masterpiece. Everyone has their own personal favorite: 250 GTO, 250 GT California Spider, 330 P4, Modulo, Daytona, you name it...

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    Concept Car of the Week: Phantom Corsair (1938)

    2015-05-05T19:57:00Z

    Created by 24 year-old millionaire Rust Heinz, heir of the Heinz ketchup and canned food empire, the Phantom Corsair was more than just a rich kid’s fantasy, it was an obsession that he had been dreaming and drawing for years.

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    Concept Car of the Week: BMW Nazca (1991)

    2015-05-05T19:56:03Z

    Growing up in and around his father's firm Italdesign, Fabrizio Giugiaro developed his own passion for cars and their design. His first project as a designer was based on the Bugatti ID90 - another Italdesign concept, built in plaster, which would never be used for anything more than static display.

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    Concept Cars of the Week: Mercedes C111 III and IV (1978/9)

    2015-05-05T19:54:55Z

    On June 12, 1976, at the Nardò test track in southern Italy, Mercedes-Benz set a new speed record with its C111-IID. However, the firm's engineers and designers did not rest on their laurels and work soon began on an even faster car.

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    Article

    Concept Car of the Week: Ferrari Modulo (1970)

    2015-05-05T19:53:00Z

    Considering how radical and visionary the Ferrari Modulo still looks today, it is easy to understand the impact it had on car culture when it was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show 45 years ago

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    Article

    Concept Car of the Week: Lancia Stratos Zero (1970)

    2015-05-05T19:52:00Z

    The Lancia Stratos Zero took the 1970 Turin Motor Show by storm, propelling designer Marcello Gandini into superstardom 

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    Concept Car of the Week: IAD Venus (1989)

    2015-05-05T19:50:16Z

    In the late '80s, IAD had become one of the most reputable design and engineering companies worldwide. The team developed models such as the first Mazda Miata/MX-5, the Volvo 480 coupé and the Alien concept. At the1989 Tokyo motor show, the firm added another masterpiece to an already outstanding portfolio ...

  • Article

    Concept Car of the Week: Honda J-VX (1997)

    2015-05-05T19:44:27Z

    In 1997, in an effort to preserve its sporty image, Honda needed to bring new exciting models in its showrooms, to park alongside its mainstream Civics and the excellent but slow-selling NSX. The 1995 Integra Type-R proved a fun car to drive but lacked in personality compared to older models ...

  • Article

    Concept Car of the Week: Saab Project 92 ‘Ursaab’ (1949)

    2015-05-05T19:43:30Z

    As the Second World War came to an end, Swedish aircraft manufacturer Saab realized it needed to diversify to survive. From motorcycles to cars, commercial vehicles to fitted kitchens, all possibilities were explored. At the end of 1945 the decision was made to create Saab's first automobile, a small affordable ...

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    Concept Car of the Week: Nissan GT-R (2001)

    2015-05-05T19:43:24Z

    Having first appeared in 1969, the Nissan Skyline GT-R found its iconic three-box silhouette due to the fact it was a high-performance version of a regular sedan in the Japanese manufacturer's range. Initially the GT-R was only produced until 1973 and was largely forgotten for 16 years. However in 1989 ...

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    Concept Car of the Week: Ford Synergy 2010 (1996)

    2015-05-05T19:43:02Z

    In the early 1990s, the US government instigated the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles research program (PNGV). This brought Ford, GM and Chrysler together to collaborate in developing cars that could achieve up to 80mpg, and be ready to market by 2003.

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    Concept Car of the Week: Porsche Panamericana (1989)

    2015-05-05T19:31:00Z

    While the Targa Florio and Mille Miglia attracted racing legends to Italy, the Carrera Panamericana had the same effect in Mexico. The notorious event brought together drivers from all over the world for a road race border-to-border, where cars were pushed to the extreme, both on asphalt and on loose ...

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    Concept Car of the Week: Ford 021C (1999)

    2015-05-05T19:30:19Z

    As Australian-born designer Marc Newson this week joined Apple, we can only wish that he brings with him the same smart-yet-playful approach as he did with his radical Ford 021C concept.

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    Concept Car of the Week: Bizzarrini Manta (1968)

    2015-05-05T19:24:52Z

    In the latter half of 1965, Giotto Bizzarrini began working on a racing car designed to compete with the Ford GT40, Ferrari 250P and the Porsche 906. The result was the P538, his most sophisticated car to date.