ELEKTRON ONE PROJECT:

Elektron One is an electric supercar that will be produced in Italy with a Turkish heart, and it wants to be a pioneer in its field. The fact that Elektron’s team is also active in the Italian-Turkish Formula E team also gives clues about the technological superiorities in the car.

A life full of passion for cars is about to make a dream come true. Elektron One is planned to be produced in the Motor Valley in Italy, becoming neighbours to Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani and Maserati. This car can be the electric supercar that many have been expecting for a long time.

Usually the best stories are stories that suddenly come to the spotlight after humble beginnings. We had an example of Elon Musk, who created Tesla from nothing, and even Rimac, which quickly became one of the major automotive companies. Still, the electric supercars of these two companies seem to have to deal with Elektron One, a new and a very ambitious player.

The project is initiated by the businessman Armağan Arabul, who is an Electrical and Electronical Engineer graduated from the University of Bath/UK, and it transformed the automobile and motorcycle passion that Arabul has had since childhood into an ambitious mission. Arabul started the project in Ankara within a family company, with the idea of ​​creating an extremely-high-performance, state-of-the-art electric supersports car with the touch of innovative technologies. About 2 years later in 2017, Arabul had to leave his company to make his dream come true and direct his full-time concentration to this project for success. Thus, he established Elektron Innovativ GmbH in Germany for an exclusive and high quality production that will start with 140 units per year. In 3 years, it is planned to increase the production numbers to over 500. In addition, the company’s mid-term plans include a spider, a track-oriented version and a hypercar that it will develop in 5 years.

“I have been in the energy sector since 2002,” says Arabul. “Major steps have been taken in the energy sector for renewable and sustainable energy for a long time. This is vital for the bright future of our world. Unfortunately, these steps started to be taken very late in the automotive industry. The main reasons for this are the high and long-term investment costs for the components in cars with internal combustion engines, the supply chain being adjusted for these cars, and that after-sales services require huge differences for electric cars. On the other hand, electric cars today appear as alternatives to internal combustion cars, having lower operating costs but not giving the same feeling or pleasure. Our goal is to show that electric cars are not alternatives, but can be the cars specially chosen, when compared with internal combustion cars, and that in all segments these cars can be better than anything else in the segment. ” Regarding the price of the car, Arabul says, “There are electric cars that can feel like a real supersports car now, for example Pininfarina Battista and Rimac C2. However, the prices of these cars are much more than million euros and their production quantities are very low. We will keep Elektron One in the 330-350 thousand EUR price band before tax and ensure that this car remains at a relatively more accessible level. We are planning to become the first electric supersports car brand to produce in mass production quantities”. For the question: “Will we see the Elektron brand in other segments in the future?” “The Elektron was created to be a sports car brand,” answers Arabul. “I don’t think of making any 4-door model. If there is such a thought in the future, I can consider doing it under another sister brand. However, when it comes to two wheelers, I can consider seeing the Elektron logo on an e-superbike. That would be wonderful.”

The supersports car, which is currently in the prototype stage, will be introduced for the first time at the 100th Geneva Motor Show in 2021 (If the event takes place) and will have a total power of 1 MW (1341 HP). This power to be produced by electric motors will be transferred to the road by a four-wheel drive system. As well as a push-rod suspension system, the car will have an innovative composite monocoque chassis consisting of carbon, aramid and biofiber components and within which the battery cells are embedded. During the development of the vehicle, ideas and skills were exchanged with Imecar and its owner Mark Lander in Antalya, and solutions were created in fine details. Imecar is a well-known company in the fields of electric motors, batteries and software, and will cooperate with Elektron Innovativ in the production of Elektron One.

Today, the industry closely follows that, together with Armağan Arabul, Gianfranco Pizzuto, Mark Lander and Massimiliano Zocchi have initiated Scuderia-E, the first Italian-Turkish Formula E team in the world. Armağan Arabul and Elektron Innovativ are included in the project in order to improve the competitiveness and production ability of the team, while also supplying technical support.

Arabul, whom Gianfranco Pizzuto persuaded to move to Italy, have started preparations to move the production of Elektron One to the Italian Motor Valley in parallel with the Formula E project and establish the company headquarters under the same roof with Scuderia-E. On the other hand, Arabul says, “Elektron Innovativ is a German company, situated in Frankfurt. We will also continue our business in Germany. Some of the development and engineering processes of Elektron and Scuderia-E will be performed at this center.”

During the development of Elektron One Armagan Arabul has not only led, but he has also been a major part of the design and engineering of the car. On the other hand Arabul has participated in Go-kart, Volkicar-V1 races and many track days for nearly 20 years. Therefore in addition to his high technical expertise; as a racing pilot, he took part not only as a spectator but also as a contender in motorsports. Looking at the technical details of the car, it is possible to see the signals that Arabul transferred the experiences he gained in the racing world to the project, while developing Elektron One.

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Redesigned SUV emphasizes bold and majestic styling, family-focused features and a classy new interior

• Makes a unique statement in the SUV segment, combining a rugged stance with distinctive wide grille and integrated T-shaped DRLs. New interior 

   provides a premium experience with more space, comfort and convenience features

• New paint colors and an array of interior color combinations offer customers plenty of choices

SEOUL, June 3, 2020 – Hyundai Motor Company today unveiled the design of its upcoming New Santa Fe, showcasing charismatic styling and value-added features that make the SUV the ultimate family adventure vehicle.

Developed to offer a premium experience while meeting the complete needs of an entire family, the redesigned fourth-generation Santa Fe goes beyond a mere facelift. A fresh look and feel along with new features can be seen from all sides of the car as well as the interior.

“We modernized the New Santa Fe with premium features and appealing aesthetics that are sure to add value,” said SangYup Lee, Senior Vice President and head of Global Design Center. “The bold lines that extend from one side to the other and from front to back give Santa Fe a rugged yet refined look that SUV customers want. Besides, we’ve added numerous features and functions to create a truly family-focused SUV that is a pleasure to drive.”

The New Santa Fe’s front section is defined by the wide grille that extends across the entire width of the vehicle. The clamped shape of the lower air intake harmoniously extends the horizontal line to accentuate the vehicle’s wide and well-balanced stance.

The grille, with its signature geometric patterned inlay, also integrates the headlamps, a signature style found on many Hyundai cars. The eye-catching LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) start at the top of the grille and cut through it to create unique T-shapes at each corner when lit.

Each side section of the New Santa Fe is characterized by a seamless line that connects the DRL to the taillights, giving the car a sensuously sporty look. The increased width on wheel arches accentuate the SUV’s rugged and powerful character, which is also emphasized by 20-inch wheels.

The New Santa Fe’s redesigned taillights are connected across the rear hatch by a slim illuminated bar that complements the horizontal design theme on the front and sides of the vehicle. The theme is once again expressed by the wide rear reflector and skid plate, creating a unique three-layer look.

The New Santa Fe’s redesigned interior now provides more space, comfort, and convenience compared to the previous model. It takes the car to a new level of luxury with every component finished in premium soft-touch materials. The center console sits high, giving the driver and front passenger the feeling of sitting in an armchair.

The buttons are all centered for intuitive and ergonomic use. In the middle of the redesigned center console sits gear shift buttons along with other functions that are used often. The shift-by-wire system allowed the designers to put buttons instead of the conventional shift knob.

For the first time, the new Santa Fe comes with a Terrain Mode selector: a control knob located in the center console to conveniently switch between different drive modes, optimising performance and HTRAC® All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) settings for a variety of driving situations. This feature includes unique modes for sand, snow and mud, as well as eco, sport, comfort and smart modes, the last of which automatically recognises the driving style and selects a mode so the driver does not have to.

The new center console’s layout freed up space for more storage in the redesigned lower dashboard. The console also accommodates a new 10.25-inch AVN(audio, video, navigation) touchscreen display with pre-loaded maps, satellite-based voice guided navigation, rear camera display, and complete in-car entertainment and connectivity features.

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The Devel Sixteen III is a concept inspired by the Devel Sixteen concept supercar that was first revealed in 2013. The project was started Just before the Coronavirus Lockdown began and so has been a passion project in my free time.Designed around Steve Morris Engines’ 12,500cc v16 Quad Turbocharged engine (showcased in 2015), the design of the new Devel sixteen III concept is an up to date re-imagining of the previous 2 iterations of the Sixteen, with a greater focus on cooling and high speed stability. The design language takes cues from the Fighter Jet inspired aesthetics of the previous 2 Devel concepts, but with more of a focus on sharp angled surfaces, such as those on modern stealth equipped warplanes like the F35. The extremely low roofline contributes to a minimal frontal cross section, allowing for a low drag coefficient. The design also features rear cameras instead of mirrors to further reduce drag, and an adjustable front splitter. The majority of the bodywork is finished in a satin metallic black, further tying the design to modern stealth aircraft, but with anodised bright red highlights in the filler cap, centre lock wheel nuts and wheel spokes.The structural layout is based on the well-proven design formula of a carbon-fibre passenger cell, with front and rear subframes built from a combination of carbon, steel and aluminium. The car measures 5.3 Metres in length, even longer than the Mclaren speedtail, allowing for both the length of the v16 aluminium Block, RacingTransaxle transmission, and large front and rear overhangs to improve high speed aerodynamic stability and downforce. The structure features double wishbone pushrod-actuated adjustable suspension. Each bank of four cylinders has an individual exhaust manifold, feeding directly into each of the four 80mm turbochargers that pull air through four channels from the exposed vents in the side of the bodywork. The induction system features boost limiter valves to allow the driver to reduce the engine’s power output for improved ease of use. The front, sides and roof of the car all feature extremely large air intakes, which feed air to engine cooling radiators and turbocharger intercoolers, situated above the engine, in the side pods, in front of the rear wheels and in the front section. Many of the externally visible components that make up the car’s aerodynamic elements are constructed from forged carbon composite, left unfinished to expose the unique texture of the material. This includes the massive rear diffuser, that features individual upper and lower sections to allow for adjustable down force.

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Portrait paintings are among the hardest forms of art. The process of capturing a person’s character and emotion is reserved for the gifted. Even the faintest smile could make or break a portrait, which is one of the reasons why Mona Lisa has become so popular among artists and enthusiasts alike.

Adam Ambro, a full-time architect from Golden, Colorado, tries to capture these characters from vehicles and paints them on newspapers as the canvas. It’s a daunting task, but one that he’s able to pull off nicely in these works of art.

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Ambro refers to his works as automotive portraits. A cross between illustration, technical drawing, and fine art, he seeks to portray these cars on his unique canvas while using markers as his painting tools. While most of his works feature popular off-roaders and adventure vehicles like the Land Rover Defender or Jeep Wrangler, Ambro wasn’t particular with the subject for his artwork.

“Regardless of the make and model, certain cars just seem to have a unique character. It’s this character that I’m after,” he said in an interview by Motor1.

According to him, the whole idea started as “some late night screwing around” during his architecture graduate school. Markers and newspapers were the materials available at that time, but using his knowledge in watercolor painting, he was able to turn them into something brilliant.

A lot of Ambro’s early commissions but currently, he’s trying to be particular with the subject involved. A specific piece takes around two to three weeks to finish, depending on his schedule, of course, but motivation always stands as his initial cue.

You can see Ambro’s other works on his website and Instagram. There are pre-made pieces there with prices starting from $20 up to $80. If you want your personal vehicle to be made into an automotive portrait, don’t hesitate to drop Adam Ambro a message and see if he’s up for the job.

Spy shots of the Hyundai Santa Cruz‘s development have been a relatively rare sight in comparison to other models that we know are on the way. Thankfully, Roadshow editor Daniel Golson was in the right place at the right time and snapped these shots of the upcoming pickup on the road in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Motor1.com obtained permission to re-publish the pictures.

Hyundai’s engineers keep the truck under heavy camouflage by covering the body in fabric and using blocky panels to conceal the shape further. In front, there’s a glimpse of a mesh grille with similar styling as the brand’s other current products, particularly the recently teased 2021 Santa Fe.

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The company’s concealment hides the truck’s styling from the side. However, the distance from the rear wheel well to the back of the body suggests that the cargo bed might be rather small. Don’t expect to fit a 4×8 sheet of drywall back there. The covering also completely hides the styling at the back.

A leaked image of the Santa Cruz’s bare body heavily suggests that it uses a unibody chassis. Most pickups, even midsize ones like this generally use a body-on-frame layout. The major exception to this in the United States is the Honda Ridgeline.

The Santa Cruz will likely be available with some of Hyundai’s existing gasoline-fueled engines. There’s also a rumor of the company offering a 3.0-liter turbodiesel, but it’s not clear whether this mill would be part of the lineup in the US.

Hyundai announced in November 2019 that it was preparing the factory in Montgomery, Alabama, to build the Santa Cruz. Production begins in 2021. When the pickup arrives in showrooms look for prices to start in the mid-$20,000s. 

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The BMW 5 Series sedan is getting a mid-cycle update for 2021, and depending on one’s point of view, the updated styling looks either refreshingly restrained or unimaginative. The midsize sedan will make its official debut on May 27 in Korea, alongside a likewise-facelifted 6 Series Gran Turismo.

Based on the shadowy teaser BMW Korea posted on Instagram, the life cycle impulse (or LCI, BMW-speak for facelift) 5 Series will retain surprisingly understated styling, particularly the kidney grille. Although a bit larger (and reshaped to recall the 8 Series), the 5er’s new air inlets aren’t nearly as extreme as those of the refreshed 7 Series. 

BMW Korea also released a very heritage-friendly teaser video on Instagram, showing each previous generation of 5 Series in rapid succession before offering up a silhouette of the G30 LCI. The current 5 Series marked something of a return to form for the nameplate, with more athletic handling and cleaner styling than the car it replaced. The facelift likely won’t buck the trend, although don’t be surprised to see added power and torque.

The base 530i will likely get a power boost from its 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four, going from 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet (185 kilowatts and 350 newton-meters) to 255 hp and 295 lb-ft (190 kW and 400 Nm). The 540i’s 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six will likely give way to the latest version of that engine, found under the hood of the 2019 BMW M340i where it makes 382 hp and 369 lb-ft (285 kW and 500 Nm).

We’re not so sure about the M550i and its twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 – it might soldier on unchanged, making 523 hp and 553 lb-ft (390 kW and 750 Nm). The top-dog BMW M5 will also likely retain the same BMW M–tuned 4.4-liter V8, which makes 591 hp and 553 lb-ft (441 kW and 790 Nm) in standard form, with power output rising to 617 hp (460 kW) on the M5 Competition.

The current 5 Series (codenamed G30) has been sold in the US since the 2017 model year, with the unusual, hatchback-shaped 6 Series Gran Turismo following a year later. BMW announced last year that the 6 Series Gran Turismo would not return to the company’s U.S. lineup for 2020, and we don’t think the refresh will change that decision (though it will continue to be offered in other markets).

The upcoming Rimac C_Two electric hypercar promises to be one of the most impressive all-electric vehicles ever built. The C_Two is Rimac’s second production vehicle and promises to build on an already impressive reputation for mind-bending electric performance cars. The C_Two is still in its prototype phase which means only a few lucky people have had the opportunity to drive this exciting vehicle. Today we get to watch the very first driving impressions from Nurburgring legend Misha Charoudin.

If you’re not familiar with Rimac, a quick education is in order. This Croatia based tech firm does not aspire to just be a boutique electric vehicle manufacturer, but rather a center of electric vehicle innovation. The vehicles built by Rimac are meant to inspire both customers and manufacturers to see what is possible with the power of a properly built electric vehicle. The ultimate goal of Rimac is to become a world-class supplier of EV drivetrain components and software.

Regardless of their aspirations, Rimac’s C_Two hypercar is far more than a simple marketing stunt. This vehicle promises to elevate the electric car as the pinnacle of road car performance. Rimac did not choose to pursue electric vehicles for their lack of emissions but instead believes they are the future of performance.

The C_Two’s claimed performance figures back up this mission. A sprint for 0 to 60 is easily dispatched in 1.85 seconds thanks to it’s 4 electric motors which combine for a total output of 1,914 horsepower and 1696 lb-ft of torque. This combination of four electric motors gives Rimac unrivaled control of the torque distribution on the C_Two with each motor allowing for minute changes to power output. We’re very keen to see this system in action. 

So what’s it like to drive the prototype Rimac C_Two? Good enough to make you cry tears of joy based on Misha’s experience, and he knows a thing or two about driving some of the world’s greatest performance cars.

Pretty much everyone agrees the 2020 Toyota Supra is a very good sports car with exceptional performance. That’s not to say there isn’t controversy surrounding it, from the extensive BMW connection to the amount of power its 3.0-liter turbocharged I6 produces. When the car launched, BMW even altered its performance stats on the Z4 because Toyota claimed the Supra was just as quick with less power. But did it really have less power?

Keep that question in mind, because we suspect that particular controversy might extend into the 2021 model year. Car and Driver recently strapped a 2021 Supra to a chassis dyno for some testing, and frankly, the result borders on unbelievable. That is, not unbelievable in the sense that the boosted inline-six isn’t capable of making such power. Unbelievable that, if the number is accurate, Toyota would actually underrate the car by such an amount.

That’s enough teasing. If you haven’t watched the video yet, the 2021 Supra developed no less than 388 horsepower (289 kilowatts) at the rear wheels. Mind you, Toyota rates the 3.0-liter engine as having the same 382 hp (285 kW) at the crankshaft as its BMW Z4 twin.

The 2021 Supra developed no less than 388 horsepower at the rear wheels.

Figuring a conservative 15 percent driveline loss though the Supra’s eight-speed automatic, this figure suggests the 2021 Supra actually has approximately 455 hp (339 kW) – a full 73 hp (54 kW) more than Toyota says it should have.

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The million-dollar question now is whether this dyno reading is accurate. Not all chassis dynos are created equal; readings can vary quite a bit between dyno manufacturers and there’s a litany of information that must be plugged into the dyno’s computer system to obtain an accurate reading. Being off on any of those figures can return false readings, as we saw last year with Motor Trend’s dyno test of a 2020 Corvette.

That’s not to say this particular dyno pull is inaccurate, or that mistakes were made in the setup. With this being the only 2021 Supra dyno pull we’ve seen, there isn’t a basis for comparison just yet. On this particular day with this particular dyno, the numbers could be on the high side. It’s also possible that Toyota has a juiced-up wringer in its press fleet designed to impress us media types.

And yes, it’s also possible that 388 hp to the wheels is spot-on, meaning Toyota significantly underrated its top-trim Supra for 2021.