Buick Envision – a vision of something else?

Buick Envision – a vision of something else?
















Buick is one of, if not the, most successful and well-known ‘import’ car brand in China. GM has reaped the rewards of investing heavily in China so clearly, there’s some logic in taking the brand into the Crossover/SUV space, a market that’s set to mushroom in the next few years. Yet this Buick concept confused many observers, including us. It’s not bad, per-se, yet nor, crucially, does it bring anything new or innovative to the SUV concept party. Most worryingly it also fails to feel in any way authentically Buick.










Strip the clumsily-resolved waterfall grille from the front and you’re left with a car that feels like a mixture of design elements we’ve seen from other OEMs recently, particularly Mazda. It’s clear to see that some of the ideas behind its surface treatment were interesting and powerful in their own right, but zoom in on them and there’s an awkaward clash of lines and some difficult surface intersections. In fact, many of these are so sharp and acute that, considered as a whole with its interior (which in theme and colour and trim treatment reminds us of the ULC concept), we actually think this vehicle would fit better under GM’s Cadillac brand. The question is, does this matter for the Chinese market? Thoughts in the comments please.

Nissan: drinking RenaultSport Koolaid?


That’s because, at first glance, it appears there’s more than just some platform sharing going on between the alliance partners. From this perspective, it seems they’ve stared for a little too long at the rear end of the RenaultSport Clio (we’re talking the 197, pre-facelift version), and, well, see for yourself below…





It’s an example of a trend that appears increasingly widespread among the established, mainstream brands (more of which later). Which begs the question: how can we criticize and laugh at the Chinese for ‘copying’ designs, when established, western manufacturers are themselves producing designs which appear more than ‘heavily inspired’ by designs from another brand?

Joe Simpson

Top Gear returns salvo at Tesla

Top Gear returns salvo at Tesla

Not one to back away from the bombardment of complaints they’ve received over the years, the producers of Top Gear have returned fire at Tesla over the latter’s surprising lawsuit against the popular British show.

Tesla is suing Top Gear for libel and malicious falsehood over a review of the Tesla Roadster that happened a little over two years ago. For their part, Top Gear is not one to lay down without a fight, or in this case, a response to Tesla’s claims. So the show’s executive producer, Andy Wilman, went on the offensive and released a letter explaining their side of the story.

It’s not the first time that Top Gear has been in hot water, but there seems to be a certain sense of seriousness with this particular lawsuit and we won’t be surprised if the British show sees this case all the way through the courts, as opposed to their usual routine of witty banter on one of their episodes.

To read about Andy Wilman’s response to Tesla’s claims, proceed after the jump.

Bentley Supersports Ice Speed Record

Geneva Motor Show presents Bentley Supersports "Ice Speed Record" Convertible, Limited Edition and the celebration of the ice speed record beaten by a few days ago Supersports Continental convertible, driven by Juha Kankkunen. The car has reached 330.695 km / h with a distance of 16.5 kilometers, above the ice layer 70 cm and a temperature of -30 degrees Celsius.

Its twin-turbo W12 with 640 hp which is supported by the E85 bioethanol. The "Ice Speed Record" will be built only 100 individuals who are motivated by either W12 able to provide 800 Nm of torque which is managed by Quickshift 6-speed automatic transmission. encouraging performance with 0-100 km / closed in just 3.8 seconds and capable of touching 160 km / h in 9.5 seconds.

Injection unit energy than "normal" W12 ensured by a new intake and exhaust systems and a new mapping of the electronic control unit and more efficient intercooler. Recovery 80-120 km / h in 2.5 seconds set on fire. Like the car that broke the record, this limited edition can be activated by gasoline, ethanol and a combination of both.

Responsible FlexFuel technology that enables a drastic reduction of pollutant emissions. As usual, the transmission uses 4 × 4 system with Torsen center differential (asymmetric torque distribution front 40% and 60% in the rear). This car is based on alloy rims 20 '10-spoke with 275/35 Pirelli tires.

Braking system is structured around instead of carbon-ceramic discs 420mm front and 356 rear caliper bitten by pumping the front to 8. Three colors available for the body, (Beluga, quartzite and Arctic White) combined with three-piece hood-color Dark Grey Metallic.