Powered by the same V-12 that powers the BMW Hydrogen 7 and mated to BMW's seven-speed SMG, the Vadho is a also an exercise in alternative fuel technology. The powertrain is positioned on the centre right of the car adjacent to the passengers. In addition, the chassis was custom-designed by Italdesign technicians and the vehicle sports a new 'G' logo that will serve as the firm's new signature logo on its future creations. The tandem two-seater bound for Geneva is said to be inspired by the aeronautics industry in an effort to give the vehicle a true jet-like experience from behind the wheel. The closed cockpit uses two adjustable joysticks to pilot the vehicle.
supercharged
Powering the aluminum-bodied Diatto will be a 4.6-litre V-8 that has been modified for the Diatto by Roush to output over 500 horsepower – most likely through the use of a supercharger. Earlier rumours claimed that the engine would be Maserati-sourced, but Maserati does not have a 4.6-litre V-8 and the involvement of Roush in the project has led industry sources to believe that the engine may well be a variant of the one seen under the hood of a Ford Mustang GT. The streamlined Diatto also sports slender vertical lighting, peaked fenders and a unique fender opening.
rear-seat treat
The Italian design house headed by Leonardo Fioravanti, who is best know for his work designing Ferrari, brought the Thalia concept to the Geneva Show, a futuristic crossover developed with an alternative-fuel drivetrain. The Thalia combines the need to have a large area in which to contain either a hybrid or some sort of alternative power pack between the rear wheels, which leads to a raised rear floor. By putting the seat on top of this area and enclosing it with a second canopy, the Thalia gives the rear-seat passengers a panoramic view of the road.
power statement
You either love it or hate it, but with a twin-turbo V12, the Tramontana is capable of making between 542 and 710 horsepower depending on what power setting the driver selects, and that's pretty hard to ignore. Throw in paddle shifters, prodigious use of carbon fibre, magnesium, leather, wood, and even gold, and it seems that
little expense was spared in the construction of the Tramontana. The Spanish automaker claims their car features styling inspired by both racing cars and fighter jet aircraft. Only 12 a year are planned to be made when production reaches full capacity in 2008.
Brief Drives
Chrysler hires Cutwater
The Chrysler group has hired Cutwater as the new advertising agency for Jeep brand creative work. Cutwater, which launched in March, replaces BBDO Detroit, which had held the Jeep account since 2001. Both BBDO and Cutwater, of San Francisco, are units of the Omnicom Group holding company. BBDO Detroit will cont-inue to handle all the account coordination and integration of the marketing initiatives for Jeep, Chrysler said. BBDO also has the Chrysler group's Dodge and Chrysler creative accounts. The creative change will be "phased in over the next few months," says Chrysler group spokesman James Kenyon. Chrysler considered five agencies, all part of Omnicom, for the Jeep creative account.
Josef kerscher is New BMW president
BMW Manufacturing Co has named Josef Kerscher as its new president. Kerscher, 53, replaced Clemens Schmitz-Justen as chief of the Spartanburg, SC, manufacturing subsidiary, effective Sunday, April 1. Kerscher joined the BMW Group in 1979 and has worked in various positions as group leader and department head at BMW's Landshut, Germany, plant. He also was director of assembly and plant mana-ger at BMW's Munich, Germany, plant. He is a graduate of the Technical University Munich with a degree in mechanical engineering and an emphasis on environmental engineering. The company has also named two new vice presidents: Martin Schuebel, vice president of procurement and Walter Berkmann, vice president of logistics and information technology.
Did you Know?
In November 1982, the first American produced Honda Accord rolled off the assembly line at the Marysville Auto Plant in Ohio, making it the first Japanese car to be produced in the US.
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