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Prototype ready in spring 2008

It was always a dream of Heinz Melkus to construct a follow-up model of the legendary RS1000. Now, Peter and Sepp Melkus, son and grandson of the famous constructing engineer and automobile racer are going to realise his dream.

Melkus Sportwagen KG is the firm where the smart sportscar shall be manufactured by hand in small series, just like the production of the limited edition of the RS1000 replica today.

The goal is to produce up to 25 sportscars per year in the Melkus factory. It is planned to  build a new representative factory hall to have enough place for the production and storage.

The development of the RS2000 prototype starts in January 2007 in close cooperation with Sebastian Wolfram (HMW-Designer) and the Technical University Dresden. The ambitious aim until spring 2008 is to present the Melkus RS2000 prototype to the public and to start with the production of the limited series in the same year.

Design Concept

(Sebastian Wolfram, HMW-Designer)

The special challenge concerning the design was to save and perfect the exceptional extravagance of the RS1000.

It was out of any question to touch the stunning curves and shapes of the RS1000. But it was the unique classic design that should be perfected in a gentle way.

We are going to transform the clarity of the surfaces and shapes in a new period of sportscar engineering. It is a reinterpretation of the classic design without the idea of a retrodesign. We perfect facings, tighten outlines and curves, flatten surfaces and form volumes with more emotion.

The proportions are much stronger and sportier because of a bigger package volume. We create an independent and incomparable design with typical notes of the RS1000 and the use of specific modern details (lights, wheels, interieur).

The RS2000 acts well trained and avoids any importunity and aggresiveness. The RS2000 has its own style reasonable in the history of the car. It is an hommage.

Temporary Specifications

Concept

• compact coupe with gullwing doors

• mid engine concept (diagonally or horizontally)

Dimensions

• overall length: 4000cm

• overall width: 1800cm   ÂÂ

• height: 1120cm

• wheel dimension, front: 16 inch

• rear: 17 inch

Chassis/Frame

• tubular steel skeleton frame with integrated roll-over bar

• Traction gear

• front and rear axle with double triangular control arm and adjustable stabilizers

• inner lying spring and damper unit (adjustable height and stiffness with Pushroads)

Brakes

• front: 4 piston disc brake with fixed caliper

• rear: 2 piston disc brake with fixed caliper

• drilled and ventilated brakediscs

• ABS

• steelflex brakeline

Steering gear

• rack and pinion steering without servo assistance (2-2,5 steering wheel turns)

Car body

• bonnet,bootlid and doors made of GRP (glass fibre reinforced plastic)

• aluminium underbody

• steel or carbon car top

Safety

• front carbon crashbox

• side impact bars integrated in the doors

• roll-over bar

• ABS

Engine

• 4 cylinder in-line engine

• up to 2000 ccm

• performance between 130-200 PS depending on the version

Clutch

• dry single disc clutch

Gear box

• 6 short stepped gears

Weight

• under 1000 kg

Driving performance

• top speed: max.250km/h

• acceleration 0-100 km/h within 5 sec.

Price

• ca. 75.000 EUR

With the first generation Porsche Boxster introduced in 1996 and second generation under the 987 platform designation in 2004, the third generation Boxster is due for launch in 2010 as a 2011 model. This time-line coincides with the recent announcement by Valmet Automotive Oy and Porsche AG to extend Boxster production in Finland until 2011.

Since the changes between the first and second generations were a modest warm-over, although Porsche claims only 20% of components were shared, the third generation is expected to be all-new with a more dramatic design while maintaining its core Boxster identity. Judging by the rendered interpretation above by Lars Saeltzer, the third generation Boxster will resemble Porsche's discontinued Carrera GT V10 supercar. We certainly hope so!

Hyundai has been expanding its aftermarket offerings, which include both aesthetic and performance equipment, that gives owners the tools to customize their vehicles easily and affordably. Decked out with original Hyundai aftermarket accessories, the “Hyundai Innovative Customization” Elantra was crafted by sister parts company INCUS. This vehicle features concept INCUS parts, including a body kit, 17-inch forged alloy wheels, custom mesh grille, suspension and dual exhaust.

The Tiburon regularly is at the top of the list of must-see cars at the show, and this year is no exception. Its track-inspired styling and handling characteristics inspire tuners with endless possibilities. To that end, Hyundai’s accessories group, Mobis Parts, created the Hyundai Mobis Parts Expo Vehicle. In addition to the KDM full-body kit by Tomato, supercharger by Next Generation Motorsports and Eibach suspension, this Tiburon features prototype parts that will be in Hyundai dealerships’ parts departments in the near future.

Californians designed it. Italy’s glass blowing artisans lent it their name. A Franco-Japanese alliance headed by a Brazilian CEO builds it in a Japanese factory. The Murano is a twenty-first century multinational mutt. Introduced in 2002, this strange beast has faithfully served owners in the great melting pot of America’s sprawling suburbs. In dog years, the model’s now 67 years old. And the CUV market has suddenly become more crowded than a backwoods puppy mill. So has Nissan’s crossbreed aged well, or is this old dog ready for the vet’s needle?

The Murano’s funky design caused quite a stir at launch. Ghosn’s goons had decided to break out of the generic Japanese gestalt with some bold moves; there was no mistaking the Murano for, um, anything else. Although it was not the first car-based CUV, it was the first to show sheetmetal that openly flaunted its pavement-only intentions– and how.

Aside from a minor facelift, the 2007 Murano’ strange sheetmetal remains largely unchanged. Its beak is still a long, severely swept proboscis with a toothy checkerboard grille. Its high waisted body carries the bulk of its bulk below the belt – not unlike Ralph Kramden of The Honeymooners’ fame –terminating in a wide, bulbous butt. The upswept rear D pillar continues to symbolize the design’s quirky aspirations; in direct contrast to the current CUV vogue for a downwards triangle.

In short, looking like an oversize anime Terrapin, the Murano’s styling says off-roader like a Lara Flynn Boyle pictorial says all-you-can-eat buffet.

My Glacial Pearl (i.e. white) test car offered executive class accommodations: supportive seats and elegant doors slathered in café latte leather (i.e. beige), tastefully accented by brushed aluminum panels. Meanwhile, the Murano’s instrument cluster serves up a modern interpretation of a classic sports car binnacle, in front of a windshield so steeply raked Swiss pistonheads will be tempted to yodel towards the distant intersection of glass and metal.

But wait, there’s more! The Murano also embodies an SUV’s yeoman work ethic. Its flat paneled center console is all right angles and plain Jane, glove-friendly switchgear. Unfortunately, it’s more work than it should be; learning how to navigate this maze of indistinct buttons and menus requires more practice than beginner’s chess.

Nissan calls the Murano’s motorized mélange “modern design meets instant versatility.” I call it multiple Murano disorder.

A 3.5-liter V6 Maxima hand-me-down engine powers Nissan’s not-so-cute ute. Fire up the Murano’s 240hp mill and it quickly and quietly settles into a distant hum. With AWD stifling potential wheelspin and 244 ft. lbs. of torque thrust available at 4400rpm, you’re free to jump on the throttle. And… wait.

As the Murano’s tachometer climbs to its peak, sporting drivers instinctively anticipate an upshift that never comes. Thanks to Nissan’s Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission), the Murano’s motor simply drones on unwaveringly, like a speedboat. On the positive side, the tranny is silky and efficient (20/24mpg). Nevertheless, the CUV’s CVT is dreadfully, unavoidably, interminably D-U-L-L. Trying to wring speed from this Godot-like drivetrain is like trying to get a cell phone company to waive an early termination fee.

Once you get the Murano up to speed, Nissan’s two-ton CUV is not so light on its feet. The Murano’s front strut and multilink rear suspenders keep the machine reasonably level through corners and during emergency stops. In SE trim, the Murano gets “sport-tuned” springs, and firmer struts and shock absorbers. Even in this guise, the Murano’s narcolepsy-inducing ride and handling have been tailored for the comfort-oriented driver.

Even worse, the Murano’s steering is squirrelly under full-throttle (both FWD and AWD models), squirrelly when tracking down the freeway, squirrelly over uneven surfaces and squirrelly through the twisties. When the tiller isn’t busy gently undulating in synch with the suspension’s motion, it’s as vague as a politician’s promise.

Of course, this complete lack of satisfying driving dynamics is endemic to all high-riding CUV’s with long suspension travel and thick sidewall tires. Except it isn’t. CUV’s from Acura, BMW and Honda steer with absolute squirrel-free precision, and not a small amount of tactile feedback.

That’s not to say that the Murano is either unsafe at any speed or uncontrollable through the bends. (Note: Loving parents should take care not to hoon with kids; the slick leather bench could result in an untidy pileup of children.) However, its [lack of] on-road personality underscores the $37k Murano’s niche: lux-o-barge on stilts.

The redesigned ’08 Murano is on its way– and just in time. Although Murano sales are still strong (up nearly 10% vs. last year) first-class CUV’s are everywhere; including the Honda Pilot, refreshed Toyota Highlander and Mazda CX7 (to name a few). What’s more, Nissan’s new Rogue threatens to steal sales from its slightly bigger brother. If the new Murano gets better driving dynamics and a proper slushbox, the model will continue to find plenty of willing homes.

Spy photographers have captured the first images of the next-generation Nissan Murano. While the crossover is schedule to debut at next month's Los Angeles Auto Show, Nissan has done a good job keeping the Murano under wraps and away from our spies' cameras as this is the first time it has ever been spotted.

Technical data remains a mystery, but it is believed that the new Murano will hit showrooms in early 2008 as a 2009 model — which means Nissan will forgo the 2008 model year.

Check back for more details after the Murano's official unveiling later this month.

The Hyundai Accent Urban Assault Vehicle is the work of Ernie Manansala and is a three-door Accent. The Accent is the ultimate in budget-friendly, low-weight tuner vehicles.

The Hyundai Accent Urban Assault Vehicle’s custom high-end performance wide body kit is visually stunning with its red-on-black paint scheme. Add in Momo racing seats and you’ve got a potent mixture of energy and speed.