Artega GT

The idea for developing the Artega GT can be considered the "dream order" for a highly motivated team: to develop an extraordinary sports car with entirely unique special accents quasi as calling card of the internationally successful electronics supplier paragon AG. The Artega concept was to establish a totally new brand, and the team's commission was short and to the point: driven by enthusiasm for sporty cars, demonstrate total competence for automotive development. A mission whose realisation called for what turned out to be four major development focus areas:

Design: extraordinary form language

The renowned designer Henrik Fisker succeeded in creating proportions of 3950 x 1880 x 1180 mm (L,W,H) for the first time in this constellation and consequence, namely: broad, flat, and compact. A powerful and elegant front characterised by flowing lines, a low unique windowed greenhouse of a body in highly individual arched form and a classy curve as transition to the beefy rear end all lend the body its striking personal appearance. The uncramped interior surprises despite the vehicle's extremely compact design. Two adults not only have plenty of room, but there's also space for much more than just the most necessary luggage. Even a child's seat can be integrated if desired.

Design features: agility, driving dynamics and safety
The major development parameters for the vehicle body were lightweight design and rigidity. A generously dimensioned aluminium spaceframe in connection with a body made of carbonfibre reinforced compound materials thus ensures a top power-to-weight ratio. For reasons of efficient space utilisation, ideal weight distribution and the best possible traction, the high-grade drive components of the Volkswagen Group are installed as rear engine traverse to the direction of travel. The 3.6-litre V6 is the ideal drive for a vehicle of this class. Along with the highly praised and well-tried direct-shift gearbox, the engine is mounted in a compact module made of highstrength steel tubes. The backs of the comfortable sports seats fold back to make loading easier. Especially effective crash modules as well as a steel side-collision protection as essential features of the passive safety system protect the passengers with front and side airbags in the case of accident. To ensure a maximum of active safety, the Artega GT design integrates state-of-the-art driver assistance systems, such as ASP (Artega Stability Program) such as the electronic stability program ASP (Artega), ABS and the traction control TC. Just as in other super sports cars, four different drive programs can be selected at the Headunit: Normal (ASP with early intervention, TC on), Sport (ASP with later intervention, TC on), Race (ASP off, TC on) and Off (ASP off, TC off).

Fitness for travel: a "sensible" amount of room despite sports car dimensions

In designing the body and interior of the car, great care was taken to consider the needs and comfort of the occupants. The generous amount of space compared to the extremely compact overall dimensions, numerous convenient interior places to put things and two separate luggage compartments (one behind the seats and the other under the front hood) are exceptional for a car this size. Such storage conditions were made possible by the engine's transverse installation in the rear. Although the Artega GT provides phenomenal handling performance and drive capabilities, the chassis fine-tuning ensures that comfort in no way comes too short. Even long trips will be savoured in happy memory by the driver and passenger - and even if the top cruising range provided by the optional 80-litre tank is fully used.

Operation: paragon makes driving easier, more pleasant, and safer

The competence of the electronic specialists at paragon AG has provided comprehensive innovative systems for operation and driver information. One of the primary concerns of the Artega idea is to prove their benefit in the Artega GT.With innovative sensor buttons and the unique dual-pointer dashboard for road speed and engine speed, paragon offers a novel ambience as a significant, distinctive attribute of the Artega GT.These features are emphasized by a plaque with the inscription "Cockpit systems from paragon" in the interior of the vehicle.

Technical specifications * Frame: Aluminium spaceframe
* Rear module: tubular space frame made of high-strength steel
* Body: carbon-fibre reinforced compound material
* Dimensions (L x W x H): 3,950 mm x 1,880 mm x 1,180 mm
* Kerb weight: approx. 1100 kg
* Luggage compartment capacity: 300 litres (225 behind the seats, 75 in the front)
* Engine: V6 direct-injection
* Displacement: 3597 ccm
* Transmission: six-speed direct-shift gearbox
* Acceleration 0 - 100 km/h: less than 5 s

Ford Ranger, 2010

The new Ford Ranger makes its European debut at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, combining sleek and modern exterior design with genuine toughness and durability. Ford Ranger plays as hard as it works, both on and off-road.

Contemporary and sporty new exterior and interior design details make new Ford Ranger a credible lifestyle choice, while its versatility and 'tough truck' underpinnings make it a robust and reliable work partner.

Built in Thailand, the new model will arrive in European Ford showrooms from April and is available in a comprehensive choice of model series, from the entry-level XL to the range-topping Wildtrak.

Bold New Ford Ranger Face and Profile
In design terms, the new front styling gives Ford Ranger a sleeker, more modern look, but also shows it means business.

A large horizontal three-bar grille dominates, and is proudly embossed with RANGER lettering. Two black vertical nostrils either side of the grille plus the extended opening below the bumperline and large headlamps that wrap around each front corner create an instantly recognisable design statement. The lower bumper fascia also includes integrated foglamps.

New Ford Ranger's tough contemporary style is supported by solid, modern engineering. The sweeping, tapered front is more aerodynamic and sweeps rearward at its edges to incorporate Ford Ranger's bold front wheel arches. This key design detail communicates Ford Ranger's solid, confident stance and grippy handling character, whether in 4x2 or 4x4 configuration.

Design features influenced by extensive wind tunnel testing also include the door mirrors. Increased in size for better visibility, the mirror's shape - incorporating the LED turn indicator on Wildtrak - was specifically designed to reduce air turbulence and wind noise.

Ford Ranger is available in three body styles - Single Cab, RAP (Rear Access Panel) Cab and Double Cab. The RAP Cab is a four-door system to provide freer access to the cabin by featuring two forward-hinged doors and two rear-hinged access panels. An innovation first introduced to Ford Ranger in 2002, the RAP Cab provides unobstructed access to the spacious interior for ease of entry and cargo loading and an uncompromised side-impact safety structure that replaces the centre pillar of a traditional double cab. In addition a Chassis Cab version is available on both the single Cab and RAP Cab.

Contemporary Details

A new black vent at the trailing edge of the front wings is one of the key styling signatures. The vent features detailed recessed meshwork which surrounds a chrome Ford Ranger badge on Wildtrak models or the side-indicator repeater.

Ford Ranger's large door mirrors incorporate feature details to reflect the series choice. The mirror is moulded in black on the XL, finished with a body colour cap for Ford Ranger XLT models and a chrome-finished cap for Ford Ranger Limited and Wildtrak. The door mirrors on Wildtrak feature a high-intensity LED integral turn indicator. Mirrors pivot for tight clearance areas and all series now benefit from electrically heated mirrors for improved visibility.

Mercedes-Benz SLK 2LOOK Edition, 2009

At the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz is presenting a new, eye-catching special model in the successful SLK series with the model suffix "2LOOK Edition". This new model variant, which is specifically aimed at a younger target group, is only available in glossy black or lustrous white. This styling touch is harmoniously complemented by a two-tone interior with high-grade materials in dramatic black-and-white contrasts.

The attraction of opposites - this is the concept with which the new Mercedes-Benz SLK "2LOOK Edition" special model will enter the new open-top season. The intentional limitation to a black-and-white colour scheme both inside and out lends this successful two-seater with a vario-roof an exclusive, dramatic appearance and ensures a decidedly eye-catching presence.

The Mercedes-Benz SLK 2LOOKEdition is painted in a choice of either calcite white or black as standard. On request the Mercedes-Benz SLK 2LOOKEdition is also available in exclusive

obsidian black metallic or the special finish designo mystic white, which is limited to 300 vehicles worldwide. Headlamps with black surrounds send an additional stylish message, ensuring that the Mercedes-Benz SLK 2LOOKEdition is easily recognisable from a distance.

The sporty and striking appearance of the special model is emphasised by 18-inch 5-twin-spoke light-alloy wheels with mixed tyre sizes (front: 225/40 R18, rear: 245/35 R18). In line with the colour philosophy of the 2LOOKEdition, these are available in two surface variants: a lustrous high-sheen finish in titanium silver or dark, striking chrome shadow. Discreet emblems on the wings and a draught-stop of transparent acrylic glass from the range of high-quality Mercedes accessories bearing the 2LOOKEdition logo also distinguish the special model.

Attractive antithesis - interior in black and white

A contrasting black-and-white colour scheme also characterises the interior of the new Mercedes-Benz SLK 2LOOK Edition. The sports seats are upholstered in nappa leather - with the seat centre panels in white and the contoured bolsters in black. The doors and centre armrest are also in a contrasting black-and-white scheme in high-grade leather. Eye-catching, carefully finished decorative seams on all leather surfaces accentuate the dramatic character of this special edition.

Black-and-white features throughout the vehicle underline its dynamic potential: the multifunction steering wheel in black nappa leather with a white decorative seam, the white-painted trim in the black dashboard and - when the roof is closed - the black roof lining. The white-edged floor mats have an embroidered Edition label.

The Mercedes-Benz SLK 2LOOKEdition can be ordered with immediate effect in the engine variants SLK 200 KOMPRESSOR, SLK 300 and SLK 350 Sports Engine. The extra cost of this special model is 2100 euros. The special paint finishes cost an additional 580 euros for obsidian black metallic and 1990 euros for the limited edition in designo mystic white (German list prices incl. VAT).