Renault Electric Sports Car DeZir Concept

Renault Electric Sports Car DeZir Concept

The Renault DeZir project is the first to have been led by Laurens van den Acker and marks the start of a sequence of concept cars that will provide an insight into Renault Design's new vision for the future. DeZir stands out as an illustration of the brand's commitment to more emotional styling.

The DeZir is a two-seater coupé that Renault says stands out as an illustration of the company’s commitment to more emotional styling. With its sports car looks and ability to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62mph) in five seconds, or 0 to 50 km/h in just two seconds, it’s hard to disagree.

Although the DeZir is purely a concept car at this point, Renault is strongly hinting that it shows not only the direction they plan on heading with sports cars in the future, but that it is indicative of a new overarching design and styling philosophy across the entire Renault brand.

The 'Z' in the name Renault DeZir is a direct reference to Renault's Z.E. signature, and several features of its design are suggestive of two qualities readily associated with electric mobility, namely advanced technology and light weight.

DeZir is powered by an electric motor mounted in a mid-rear position to optimize weight distribution over the front and rear wheels. The vertically-mounted 24kW/h lithium-ion battery is located behind the benchseat and provides the car with a range of 160km.

Battery cooling is ensured not only by the air channelled from the front to the back of the car, but also – and above all – by the flow of air that enters through the lateral scoops concealed behind the aluminium panels on either side of the body.

Employing the same principles as the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System) seen in Formula 1, when the car decelerates, kinetic energy is recovered and stored in the battery. This energy can then be employed by the driver to provide a temporary power boost using a button located on the steering wheel. The car can be charged in 8 hours at 240-v, can get to 80% charge in 20 minutes at 4o0-v (3-phase) and will accept battery swapping made possible by the Better Place alliance.

The basic motor is the same as the unit used for Renault's production electric cars, although an evolution has enabled its power and torque to be uprated to 110kW (150ch) and 226Nm respectively. Through the extensive use of lightweight materials such as the Kevlar body, the DeZir tips the scales at just 830kg or 1,830 pounds. According to the French carmaker, the DeZir can go from zero to 100km/h (62mph) in 5 seconds and reach a top speed of 180km/h or 112mph.

The DeZir will debut in October at this year's Paris Motor Show, but no date has been set for its full release. According to Fast Company, by the end of 2013 the Renault-Nissan alliance hopes to produce 500,000 electric vehicles globally, including the 2011 Fluence ZE and the 2011 Kangoo ZE electric van.

Abarth 695 coming to UK

The Fiat 500-based Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari was first announced way back in September of last year. It wasn’t originally going to be built in right hand drive but, with that decision now reversed, 152 examples are heading for the UK.

Exclusivity won’t come cheap though. Abarth is going to be charging an incredible £29,600, which is mad when the normal £14,155 Abarth 500 is less than half that.



Even after specifying the hotter Esseesse upgrade kit - with its 157 bhp (117 kW / 160 PS) engine and better brakes, suspension and alloy wheels - for the Abarth 500, its price tag is still £12,945 below the Abarth 695’s.



So what do you get for all the extra cash?



For starters, the 1.4-litre turbo engine is now tuned to 177 bhp (132 kW / 180 PS), and is coupled to an Abarth Competizione electro-hydraulic gearbox. This can be used in auto or manual modes, and comes with gear change paddles mounted behind a leather-trimmed Abarth steering wheel.



As a result, the Abarth 695 accelerates from 0-62 mph (100 km/h) in 7.0 seconds, before going on to reach a top speed of 140 mph (225 km/h). Those figures are quite an improvement over the Abarth 500 Esseesse, which manages 7.4 seconds and 131 mph (210 km/h), but they’re still not desperately special.



A Mini Cooper S, for example, posts the same 0-62 mph time as the Abarth 695 and is 2 mph faster, yet it’s a comparative bargain at £17,640.



The Abarth 695 also gets a dash mounted Sport button which makes the gearbox, engine control unit and steering more responsive, as well as a ‘Record Monza' dual-mode exhaust that changes its sound above 3,000 rpm.



On the outside, there are carbon fibre door mirrors, and the 17” alloy wheels and front air intakes are finished in Corsa Grey to contrast with the Scuderia Red paintwork.



That’s the only colour available, and it seems Abarth has missed the point somewhat if the hope is for the Abarth 695 to appeal to existing Ferrari drivers. Surely it must have realised that quite a few of those customers would want their Abarth to match their Ferrari? Therefore, offering the Abarth 695 in alternative popular Ferrari shades such as yellow, blue, grey and black could have helped increase demand.



There’s no doubting the enormous allure of the Fiat 500 in general and the Abarth 500 in particular. But maybe the Abarth 695 Tributo Ferrari is stretching things too far. Sure, it looks great, but are there really 152 simpletons in the UK who are so enamoured by the tenuous Ferrari connection that they’re willing to shell out almost £30,000 for one?

Entertainments Tendencies

In 21st century of a casino function practically worldwide, basically in places attractive to tourists: Las Vegas, Monte Carlo, Milan, various seaside and island resorts.

Dreams & Trends

The majority of modern players come to a casino to win money. As a rule, it is people with higher education and rich enough. However, 57% of people want also entertainments. In Australia of a casino have been legalised in 1970, and now 14 casinos annually fill up the state treasury on 2 billion Australian dollars. In the USA of a casino are legalised in 24 states. Today, the American gaming is the largest gambling show business in the World.

Modern casinos make the big efforts for leisure of clients, giving set of high quality entertainments with a full spectrum of rest services. Especially magnificent casinos in Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

Today the mankind has understood — prohibition of gamblings simply leads to opening of illegal casinos. In Ancient Rome in gamblings it was possible to play only within one week in a year, during holidays. However it did not keep the Roman players who continued to play in private houses and brothels. Even introduction of penalties for too hazardous players has led to acceptance by Romans of the law on the use instead of coins of the engraved disks named medallions.

Today the states any more do not forbid a casino. They prefer to supervise them as gamblings are a large source both local, and the national income.

MGM Grand Casino & Hotel

2011 Aston Martin Sports Cars V8 Vantage N420

2011 Aston Martin released the special-edition sportscar back in 2007 to commemorate the success of its Vantage N24 racer at the Nürburgring. It packed 400 horsepower, a series of suspension tweaks and some special cosmetic touches.

The 2011 N420’s sportscar powertrain is the standard Vantage affair, coming with the standard 420 horsepower V-8 engine. Successor to the special edition V8 Vantage N400 of 2007, the 2011 Aston Martin sportscar V8 Vantage N420 is based upon the standard 4.7-litre, 420bhp, 180mph V8 Vantage and is available as a Coupe or Roadster, and with a six-speed manual or optional Sportshift automated manual transmission.

The 2011 Vantage N420 sportscar draws inspiration from the company's experiences at the Nürburgring 24-hour race. In the 2006 running of the annual Nürburgring endurance classic amongst a field of mostly motorsport homologated cars, Aston Martin entered a near-standard, road-registered V8 Vantage.

2011 Aston Martin sportscar used carbon fiber on various parts of the car to help drop the weight by 60 pounds, which while not a lot is still a step in the right direction. The suspension gets the Sports Package that upgrades the Vantage’s springs, shocks and anti-roll bars to give the car better road holding.

The 2011 N420 also features special 10-spoke alloy wheels finished in gloss black, black mesh grille inserts, a sport exhaust system, the Sports Pack suspension (which is merely optional on the regular Vantage) and a range of racing-inspired paint combinations. The N420 sportscar will be available as a coupe or a roadster with the choice of a manual or paddle-shift transmission.

The 2011 N420 sportscar will make its U.S. debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August. Orders may be placed starting this month, with deliveries to begin in the fourth quarter of 2010. Pricing starts at $133,350 for the coupe and $146,350 for the Roadster, less than $10K more than their non-N420 counterparts.

Techart tunes Panamera

While some may be looking forward to the arrival next year of the Panamera S Hybrid, others may purely be interested in more power for Porsche’s gawky-looking saloon.



That’s where German tuner Techart comes in. It has just announced a power kit for the Panamera Turbo that releases more horsepower, literally at the touch of a button.

The kit basically consists of Techart’s Techtronic Engine Management System, a little black box of electronics that works alongside the Panamera’s own software. Installation is said to be quick, and the unit can also be easily removed - ideal for swapping between cars.



Activated by simply pressing the Sport button on the centre console, the effect on the twin-turbo 4.8-litre V8 engine is considerable. Power is lifted from 493 bhp (368 kW / 500 PS) to 572 bhp (426 kW / 580 PS), while maximum torque increases by almost 20%, up from 700 Nm to 830 Nm.



Despite that, the quoted performance figures don’t seem to be much better than the standard car’s. The 0-62 mph (100 km/h) time for example is only 0.2 seconds quicker, taking 4.0 seconds, although it is reduced by a further 0.2 seconds if Porsche’s optional Sport Chrono Package is already fitted.



Top speed meanwhile rises by a measly 7 mph (12 km/h) to 195 mph (315 km/h).



However, it’s probably in mid-range acceleration where the benefits of all that extra torque are going to be felt. Unfortunately, Techart hasn’t published any numbers to quantify the improvements in this area.



Complementing the power kit, Techart’s programme for the Panamera includes alloy wheels, bespoke interiors and an exhaust system. Naturally, there’s also the obligatory body kit, although it manages to look quite subtle. Perhaps Techart realised it would be futile to try and turn the Panamera into a looker?

Harley-Davidson Superlow

The existing Harley-Davidson 883 Sportsters - the Roadster and Iron - already have comparatively low seats. For 2011 though, there’s a new addition to the line-up.



The Superlow, as its name implies, boasts a seat height of just 695 mm (27.4 inches) unladen, which sinks down to 648 mm (25.5 inches) with a rider aboard. Ideal then for those with shorter legs, or indeed for anyone who just likes to be able to plant both feet firmly on the floor.

Changes over the Roadster have all been made improve handling, comfort and manoeuvrability, especially at low speed. These include a lighter feeling front end, which is combined with an 18” front wheel, and revised suspension geometry. At the rear, the suspension is lowered, but it has been given a longer travel to maintain ride quality.

There’s also a bespoke final drive ratio for the Superlow. This is geared towards smoothness, again with the aim of increasing rider confidence. Similarly, the footrest position and design of the handlebars have been altered too. Nevertheless, it’s still quite a heavy bike, weighing in at 260 kg ready to ride.

UK prices for the Harley-Davidson Superlow start at £6,150 on the road. For that, it comes with Vivid Black paintwork. Colour options are Cool Blue Pearl, costing an extra £150, or the Merlot Sunglo / Vivid Black and Birch White / Sedona Orange two-tone finishes. They take the price of the bike up to £6,550.

Supercar Imola - Ferrari Sports Car Concept by John Mark Vicente

 Supercar Imola Ferrari Sports Cars Concept by John Mark Vicente

The another design by John Mark Vicente: the Ferrari Imola, after the sublime Bugatti Renaissance concept. According to the author, his Ferrari concept car is inspired by the Ferrari F70 created by Randy Rodriguez and the Dino Competizione by Sacha Selipanov.

This time, an Italian one that could give plenty of ideas to the designers at Ferrari. Imola is a spider without windscreen and has a future hybrid Ferrari V6 engine. The designer used triangular and trapezoidal shapes to create the head and tail lights and the grille.

The enormous rims and semi-slick tires underline the aggressiveness of the vehicle. This supercar is ready to take on the road monsters like Ariel Atom, Caparo T1, KTM X-Bow and especially the Lotus Elise.

 Supercar Imola Ferrari Sports Car Concept by John Mark Vicente