Lancia Delta: the difference between Angels and Demons. A film, an ad.

LANCIA Delta Ads. Frame

TURIN : April 30, 2009 - The new international film star, featured in an original advertising campaign, is the Lancia Delta: the car that revolutionises product placement and publicity.


The version fitted with the new 200 HP 1.8 Di TurboJet was “engaged” for the thriller produced by Columbia Pictures and distributed by Sony Pictures, "Angels & Demons", inspired by Dan Brown’s bestseller of the same name in the spirit of “The Da Vinci Code”, likewise directed by Ron Howard, starring Tom Hanks as Professor Langdon.

This very important product placement was organised by Armosia of Rome and Lancia is celebrating it with an original advertising campaign centring around the claim “One angel, 200 demons”. Action, performance and spirit: these are the three concepts inspiring the evocative commercial with exclusive rights to use key scenes from the film featuring the 200 HP Delta 1.8 Di TurboJet under an agreement with Sony Pictures.

The advertising campaign for newspapers and magazines, developed by Armando Testa agency just like the television commercial, combines some of the most emblematic frames from the thriller with a double image of the new Delta to reflect its double soul: angelic, but with 200 demons under its hood. The 200 demons of the 200 HP 1.8 Di TurboJet (and the equally spirited 190 HP 1.9 TwinTurbo) guarantee the best CO₂/HP ratio in their category: maximum power with minimum emissions.

A banner campaign is planned for the internet, with a web competition in collaboration with Sony Pictures in which a Lancia Delta is offered as the prize.

The “One angel, 200 demons” commercial continues to develop and underline the “cinematic” theme in Lancia’s advertising. While the commercials made with Italian fashion designer Stefano Gabbana, Carla Bruni and Richard Gere are reminiscent of very short films, the new ad uses actual images from a feature-length film, filmed under the direction of Ron Howard and put together to create the commercial.

The result is an ad that promotes both the car and the film, as the final claim says: “Coming to cinemas and Lancia showrooms in May 2009”.

The campaign got underway in cinemason Friday, April 17th and will continue throughout the month of May.

Starting on May 1st, the foyers of major cinemas will feature a special visual identity dedicated to the Delta that “stars” in the film, staffed hostesses inviting people to enter the competition.

From May 15th through 24th the car itself will be on show in these cinemas.

The online competition got underway on Sunday April 19th and starting May 2nd the 45” commercial will be on airon Italian and satellite TV channels to promote the open house coming up May 9th - 10th in all Lancia showrooms in Italy.The same campaign will also be conducted on all major European markets on the release dates for the film, around May 15th.

The filming of “Angels & Demons" almost a year ago required Lancia to make a special effort, as the Deltas had to be ready, perfectly functional and dependable not only well before their market launch but even before the pre-series was produced: an important date in mass production industries such as the automotive industry.

The Cassino plant in Italy had to produce special cars with a number of components that were still in the prototyping stages at that time, specially tested in Lancia’s laboratories and then fine-tuned and modified in a number of details directly in the Lancia Style Centre in response to the requirements of film production. For example, the windows are slightly darkened in regular Deltas to improve passenger comfort, but this created problems for the director of photography, so they had to be replaced with specially made transparent windows.

The people of Rome and visiting tourists were the first to see the Deltas in action, burning rubber in road chase scenes through and around the Piazza del Popolo, despite the impenetrable wall of security protecting the privacy of the film’s American and Italian stars. Tom Hanks was definitely the first VIP to test drive the Delta. When filming was finished, the cars were flown to Los Angeles for more filming in Sony Pictures’ studios, and then shipped back to Italy by sea.

Images : LANCIA Delta Ads. Frame

Images : The making of LANCIA Delta Ads.

[Source : LANCIA]

Volkswagen Eos GT Sport

Volkswagen EOS GT Sport

WOLFSBURG : April 29, 2009 - Effective immediately, the convertible coupe from Volkswagen as a particularly special sporty model at the start - as standard with 18-inch wheels, a lowered sport chassis and a black painted roof.

For the attractive facilities of the Eos Sport GT include the 18-inch alloy wheels in the color of sterling silver, the chrome grille slats, LED taillights in cherry red, darkened headlights, and a black painted roof with darkened rear windows, the elegant appearance of the athletic "365-days-on-year convertible" under stress.

The new special model scores points also with sporting equipment details such as the 15 mm lower sports suspension, pedals in aluminum look, the heated front seats in leather / Alcantara and the new three-spoke leather steering wheel with gray decorative stitching. For comprehensive equipment includes air conditioning "Climatronic", the radio system RCD 510 with an internal CD changer for six CDs, as well as the pilot for the park warning of obstacles when parking.

For the drive of the Eos Sport GT provide four petrol engines, which range between 90 kW / 122 PS and 191 kW / 260 hp, as well as a diesel engine with 103 kW / 140 hp with standard diesel particulate filter. Prices for the Eos Sport GT start at €33,075 for the 90 kW / 122 bhp petrol engine and save the customer a price advantage of up to €1,580 compared to a comparable production vehicle equipped.

[Source : VOLKSWAGEN]

Lexus introduced Remote Touch control, The rival of i-Drive and MMI

Lexus RX450h Remote Touch control

Increasingly sophisticated on-board entertainment, navigation and information systems are among the must-have features of today’s premium cars, but adjusting and monitoring their functions can risk taking a driver’s attention away from the road ahead. Designing a centralised control system that is simple to understand, intuitive to use and likely to cause the least distraction from the job of driving was a key challenge for Lexus in designing the new RX 450h.


The solution is Remote Touch, a new control device that is one of many innovative features in the new full hybrid luxury SUV. It allows more functions to be selected and adjusted than a touch-screen system, presenting information on a display that is located at a more user-friendly height and reading distance from the driver.

Remote Touch makes its world debut in the new RX and forms an integral part of the new Lexus Navigation System. It also provides control of the audio, navigation, climate, phone and set-up functions.

Remote Touch control - GUI activate the function or control

The design principle is just like that of a computer mouse, making it simple and intuitive to use, with touch feedback.

The slim, ergonomically designed Remote Touch device is positioned on the centre console, immediately below the gear shift. It is linked to an eight-inch VGA display screen, set in a recessed housing on the top of the centre console.

To make it easier for the driver to select an icon, the system automatically ‘pulls’ the pointer to an icon if it passes close to it, using the control’s haptic reaction force.

The GUI can be customised to suit personal preferences for the sounds the system makes for enter/selection/failure, the reaction force strength and the shape and size of the pointer.

As part of the new Lexus Navigation System, Remote Touch is fitted as standard to SE-I and SE-L grades of the new RX 450h, and can be specified as an option with satellite navigation on SE models.

The new RX 450h full hybrid luxury SUV is available to order now, with customer deliveries from July. On-the-road prices start at £41,600 for the SE model.

Images : Lexus RX450h Remote Touch control

[Source : NEWSPRESS]

Insignia SportsTourer by STEINMETZ : World Premiere at Tuning World Bodensee 2009

Opel Insignia SportsTourer by STEINMETZ

After the world premiere of the Insignia 5-door by Steinmetz at the Essen Motor Show 2008, the duo was completed with the world premiere of the Insignia SportsTourer by Steinmetz at Tuning World Bodensee 2009.


Components already available include the front spoiler, front grille, kit for lowering by approx. 25mm and the wheel/tyre combination in 20“ with 245/35/R20. The 20-inch ST7 is available in polished black or white.

For the roof of the Insignia SportsTourer by Steinmetz, a two-piece spoiler has been developed which, in conjunction with the signature Steinmetz exhaust tailpipe, gives the rear a more muscular appearance.

The current Steinmetz range for the two vehicles comprises :

• Alloy wheels ST7 20", in polished black & white
  
• Lowering
  
• Front grille
  
• Front spoiler to pedestrian protection directives
  
• Roof spoiler (SportsTourer only)
  
• Left tailpipe trim
  
• Left/right tailpipe trims
  
• Foot mats

Images : Opel Insignia SportsTourer by STEINMETZ

[Source : STEINMETZ]

Carlsson to introduce the new E-class at the Tuning World Bodensee

2010 Carlsson Mercedes Benz E-Class

• Perfect symbiosis between sportiness and elegance
  
• Entire aerodynamics kit by head designer Rolf Schepp
  
• Intelligent lowering adjusts to the road
  
• Revolutionary wheel 1/5 REVO in 20 inches
  
• Three years Carlsson warranty

The new E-class by Carlsson celebrates its world premiere at the Tuning World Bodensee in Friedrichshafen from April 30th until May 3rd 2009. With the new E-class, the automobile manufacturer has combined sportiness and elegance to a harmonic symbiosis.


In former times, thorough-blood race-horses where bred at Gut Wiesenhof in Merzig/Saarland - today it is the Carlsson headquarter and production location for the new sportive Carlsson E-class. Carlsson transfers this history-laden origin to the new model of the upper medium-class.

The new aerodynamics kit which has been elaborately developed by head designer Rolf Schepp, immediately attracts the attention. The Carlsson Mercedes has an entirely newly designed front apron with vertically adjusted xenon-light LED daylight running lights and a stainless steel grid under the gracefully built radiator grill.

The rearing Carlsson horse is an epitome for power and class

The rearing horse is placed on the sides of the completely re-engineered front wings: A Carlsson hallmark an expression of power and class. The side rails enhance the re-engineered dynamic design vocabulary at the sides. The rear apron attachment with the integrated diffuser which is framed by four stainless steel end pipes and the unobtrusive rear spoiler further perfect the sporty appearance.

The entire aerodynamics kit is made of polyurethane (PUR-RIM) which does not only guarantee a perfect fitting accuracy and highest stability, but also a very light weight.

During sporty tours, the driver of the new Carlsson E-class profits from the intelligent lowering kit C-Tronic® SUSPENSION, a state-of-the-art technology. It does not only lower the automobile by up to 43 millimetres, but also continuously adjusts the remaining jounce travel to the road situation. Therefore, the control module always finds the perfect combination between sporty and taut adjustment and optimal travelling comfort.

With an enormous self-confidence and strength of character, the wheel model 1/5 REVO harmonises with the new Carlsson automobile. The even double spokes of the unicoloured rims measuring up to 10.5×20 inches consist of a matt black and a matt-varnished gloss-turned silver strut each.

And the Carlsson R&D engineers consequently continue their work in the interior. Safe grip is provided by brushed aluminium pedal layers which can be obtained for either automatic or gear-shifted engines and by perfectly cut foot rests. In combination with the entirely newly designed foot mats with an integrated white-lit Carlsson logo, this renders a perfect ambience for the interior. Of course, also a tailor-made gearshift made of an ultrasuede-leather combination and door lock bolts made of turned aluminium are also available.

The automobile manufacturer Carlsson is approved by the German federal motor transport authority and provides performance enhancements for the models E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (40 hp extra performance) from June and for the E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY (46 PS extra performance) from July on. Carlsson offers the compressor kit CM50K including an entire exhaust system with racing header, high-performance catalysts and stainless steel mufflers for the top model E 500 (55 hp extra performance).

Perfect quality - always with a three-year warranty

Carlsson knows about the quality of its own products and therefore extends its own warranty. Since April 2009, Carlsson offers a three-year-warranty for all automobiles and products, regardless of whether a new or used car is concerned. Together with the Mercedes Benz Manufacturer Warranty, Carlsson offers a three-year safety for the entire vehicle. As it has been confirmed that all Carlsson products are equipped with OEM-quality parts and their safety was underlined by Mercedes, fitting Carlsson products does not lower the Mercedes Benz Manufacturer Warranty. Therefore, the Carlsson warranty perfectly amends the protection for the automobile.

Images : 2010 Carlsson Mercedes Benz E-Class

[Source : Carlsson]

Following the trail of Bertha Benz : F-CELL Roadster on the historic route of Bertha Benz

Mercedes Benz F-CELL Roadster on the historic route of Bertha Benz

MANNHEIM/WIESLOCH : April 27, 2009 - The F-CELL Roadster built by apprentices at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Sindelfingen covered a section of the historic route taken by Bertha Benz on the past weekend. Starting in Mannheim, the fuel cell powered car was driven via Ladenburg and Heidelberg. The symbolic passing of the finish line was at the chemist’s shop in Wiesloch, where Bertha Benz stopped to refuel during the first long-distance journey in automobile history in 1888.


"This trip by the F-CELL Roadster is symbolic of the current change taking place in automobile engineering", says Dr. Thomas Weber, the member of the Daimler AG Executive Board responsible for corporate research and development at Mercedes-Benz Cars. "At that time Bertha Benz was not yet able to purchase the petrol she needed at a filling station, and for emission-free mobility we are also dependent on the widespread distribution of fuels for the future – electric power and hydrogen. But just as Bertha Benz refused to be discouraged by inconveniences in her day, we are just as determined to help ensure that these technologies achieve their breakthrough."

Before the end of this year, the company will commence small-series production of the B-Class with a fuel cell drive system. At the end of 2009 the first examples of the smart fortwo electric drive model will also leave the production line to enter service in the "e-mobility Berlin" project early next year.
The F-CELL Roadster

For around one year, more than 150 apprentices and sandwich course students worked on the design, development, assembly and completion of the F- CELL Roadster. The work also involved promising young personnel from the fields of vehicle mechatronics, model-building, electronics, coating technology and production mechanics, as well as product design and interior equipment. The main aim of the project was to integrate the topic of alternative drive systems into the training content in a practical manner.

In a unique way, the vehicle links the very latest technologies with the history of automobile engineering. As a feature reminiscent of the Benz Patent Motor Wagon of 1886, the car is equipped with large, spoked wheels. The F-CELL Roadster also has styling features from a wide range of automotive eras. These include carbon-fibre seat bases with hand-stitched leather upholstery and a striking glass-fibre front end that takes its lead from Formula 1 racing cars.

The car is steered using drive-by-wire technology, a conventional steering wheel giving way to a joystick. It is powered by an emission-free fuel cell system installed in the rear. With an output of 1.2 kW, the F-CELL Roadster is capable of a top speed of 25 km/h with an operating range of up to 350 km.
First long-distance journey in automobile history

In August 1888, Bertha Benz and her two sons made a journey from Mannheim to Pforzheim in the Patent Motor Wagon designed by her husband Carl Benz, returning to Mannheim a few days later. This first long-distance journey in the history of the automobile is acknowledged as a pioneering event. The journey was practically problem-free, with just a few small technical hitches that could all be remedied. The supply of "Ligroin", as petrol was called at the time, gave cause for concern, however, as the 4.5-litre supply in the carburettor – there was no petrol tank as yet – was rapidly dwindling. Ligroin could be purchased from pharmacies in those days, and the town pharmacy in Wiesloch was able to help out. The shop still exists today, and is proud to inform visitors that it was the world’s first filling station.

Images : Mercedes Benz F-CELL Roadster on the historic route of Bertha Benz

[Source : DAIMLER]