Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Ferrari 458 Italia, is that You Hiding Under the Camouflage?


According to the dictionary, "camouflage" is defined as "the disguising of people, equipment, and installations by painting or covering them to make them blend in with their surroundings". Clearly that's not the case with this vinyl wrapped Ferrari 458 Italia that stands out more than a obese man walking on the street with high heels, ankle bracelets and a Peggy Bundy wig.
But seriously now, the military-style 458 Italia was created by a German company called Cam Shaft that specializes in vinyl wraps offering buyers all sorts of choices in colors and patterns including a more discreet matte white finish (see pictures below).
And if you're wondering how it's done -the wrapping- click here to watch a video of a Ferrari F430 receiving a matte black vinyl treatment.
Via: Autogespot , Source: Cam Shaft


Peugeot Previews New 508 Sedan with Geneva Show Concept, Said to Replace Both the 407 and 607


The awkwardly named "5 by Peugeot" is a near-production concept car from Peugeot that will have its world premiere at the 2010 Geneva Salon in the beginning of March. It previews the French firm's all-new 508 sedan that could be revealed as early as this fall at the Paris Motor Show.
The automaker describes the 508 concept car as "another indication of the changing face of Peugeot" and as "providing an insight into the marque's future ambitions in the large luxury vehicle segment."
From what we understand, the production 508 will replace both the VW Passat-fighting 407 and the unsuccessful Audi A6-sized 607 sedan. This is also suggested by the concept model's exterior dimensions which at 4,860mm long, is 42mm shorter than the 607 but 168mm longer than the 407 sedan.
In comparison, the VW Passat measures 4,765mm in length, the Citroen C5 4,779mm, the Opel Insignia 4,830mm, the Ford Mondeo 4,844mm.
As with the SR1 Hybrid roadster that will also be unveiled in Geneva, the exterior styling of the "5 by Peugeot" is less clunky and more elegant than the firm's current offerings, while the gaping-mouth has been replaced with a new grille.
The concept car is powered by Peugeot's HYbrid4 technology, which couples a 163-horsepower 2.0-litre HDi diesel engine, mounted at the front of the vehicle, with a 37-horsepower electric motor located at the rear.
This arrangement provides a combined output of 200HP, an electric only mode for low speed operation, four-wheel drive when required, and low fuel consumption and emissions of 3.8lt /100km (74.3 mpg UK or 61.9 mpg US) and 99 g/km of CO2 or zero in electric mode.
It remains to be seen if Peugeot will at some point offer this diesel-electric hybrid drivetrain on the production model.

DIMENSIONS (mm) MM
Overall length
4,860
Overall body width
1,880
Kerb height – with full tanks
1,420
Wheelbase
2,815
Front/rear overhang
974 / 1,071
Front/rear track
1 643 / 1,614