Latest news with #GiorgettoGiugiaro
Yahoo
08-08-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Bugatti's W18 Sedan: The Luxury Supercar That Never Saw the Road
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector Before Bugatti became synonymous with four-figure horsepower and top-speed records, it flirted with a very different idea: luxury sedans and grand touring coupes powered by a monstrous W18 engine. The EB 118 and EB 218 concepts, revealed in the late 1990s, stand as fascinating 'what-if' chapters in Bugatti's modern history—machines that promised 555 horsepower and opulence, but never made it past the prototype stage. The story begins in 1998, after the Bugatti brand had been revived under the ownership of Volkswagen Group. At the Geneva and Paris Motor Shows, the company unveiled two showstoppers: the EB 118 two-door coupe and its four-door sibling, the EB 218. Both were designed by Italdesign's Giorgetto Giugiaro and sported elegant curves, Art Deco influences, and handcrafted luxury interiors—radical departures from Bugatti's current focus on outright performance. Under the hood of both concepts sat the centerpiece: a naturally aspirated 6.3-liter W18 engine, arranged in a unique 60-degree triple-bank configuration. Producing 555 horsepower, the engine powered all four wheels through a permanent AWD system—a mechanical marvel, but also a nightmare to engineer and manufacture at scale. Though the cars were met with intrigue, the timing couldn't have been worse. The early 2000s ushered in a new vision for Bugatti. The brand pivoted toward creating the world's fastest car, and the EB 118/218 quietly disappeared into history as focus shifted to the W16-powered Veyron. Garage Lighting for Collectors: How to See Swirls, Not Just Your Car Today, the W18 concepts remain museum pieces—visions of an alternate path Bugatti never took. But with a new era of electrification and ultra-luxury performance emerging, some wonder: is it time Bugatti reconsider a sedan? As tastes evolve and competitors explore four-door hyper sedans, the ghost of the EB 218 may still have something left to say. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Motor 1
04-08-2025
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Volkswagen Shows a Sports Car That Never Happened
Picture this. It's 2017. Dieselgate is in full swing. Volkswagen is trying to divert attention from the messy scandal surrounding its emissions-cheating TDI cars by rolling out a flurry of ID. concepts. The original ID. showcar had already debuted a year earlier, followed in 2017 by the I.D. Crozz as an early look at what would become the ID.4. But behind the scenes at the design studio, something far more exciting was taking shape: a sports car. Never-before-seen sketches reveal a thrilling take on the VW Group's MEB platform. Štěpán Řehák , Spokesperson for Design & Concept Cars, recently shared striking drawings on LinkedIn of a fully electric sports car. Designed by Tibor Juhasz, the performance EV aimed to pay homage to the SP2. No, not Ferrari's Monza SP2 supercar, but Volkswagen's own sports coupe from the 1970s. Photo by: Volkswagen Developed and built in Brazil, the original SP2 was based on the existing Type 3 to keep costs down. It featured a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout. Its spiritual successor, though never realized, ditched the air-cooled engine and four-speed manual in favor of an electric motor, presumably mounted at the back, since all MEB-based cars so far are rear- or all-wheel drive. While the original SP2 wasn't styled by Giorgetto Giugiaro, the ID. sports car drew inspiration from the legendary designer behind the first Golf, Passat, Scirocco, Jetta, and the wild W12 supercar concepts. In a LinkedIn post, Tibor shared the vision behind his modern-day SP2 sketch, created back in 2017: 'My SP2 proposal was born from pure intuition. It envisioned an electric future powered by progress, yet deeply rooted in classic values. My goal was clear: build forward without losing what defines us. Emotion, energy, and vision came together to create something that still resonates today.' But the low-slung coupe with its muscular arches never made it past the drawing board. VW had bigger fish to fry than launching what would've ultimately been a niche product. Instead, it focused on high-volume EVs like the ID.3, ID.4, ID.5, and ID.7. Even so, it found room to play with the ID. Buzz , though sadly, the sports car was left on the proverbial cutting room floor. Photo by: Volkswagen This unnamed performance EV isn't the first exciting concept from VW in modern times that never reached production. Since we brought up Dieselgate, some may remember the 2009 BlueSport, a mid-engined roadster with a 2.0-liter TDI. Before that came the 2005 EcoRacer, another diesel-powered concept. Then there was the 2014 XL Sport , fitted with a V-2 engine from the Ducati Superleggera. Yet all of them pale in comparison to the legendary W12. With Europe's sales ban on new cars with combustion engines looming, it's too late for VW to launch a new sports car with a combustion engine. Still, this spiritual SP2 successor offers a glimmer of hope that a dedicated performance model might one day materialize. Wolfsburg has promised to carry the GTI and R badges into the electric era, but a standalone sports car in the mold of this two-door concept would be even more exciting. Sure, it wouldn't sell like a hatchback, let alone like a crossover. But a sports car could do wonders for VW's brand image after years of damage. Audi is gearing up for its 'TT Moment 2.0," so maybe it's time for the mainstream sibling to follow suit? VW And EVs: VW's New EV Platform Still Supports Combustion Engines Volkswagen Is Making Less Money Because It's Selling More EVs Gallery: VW SP2 (1974) 3 Source: Volkswagen Sources: Stepan Rehak / LinkedIn , Tibor Juhasz / LinkedIn Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Yahoo
04-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Lamborghini Miura: The Supercar That Started It All
Read the full story on Modern Car Collector The Lamborghini Miura, widely regarded as the world's first true supercar, changed the trajectory of high-performance automotive design when it debuted in 1966. With only 764 units built between 1966 and 1973, the Miura was a groundbreaking machine that combined bold engineering, head-turning design and raw power. The car redefined the modern performance vehicle and set the stage for future Lamborghini models such as the Murciélago and Aventador. But the Miura was more than a beautiful, fast car. Its development story — and the legacy it launched — helped shape Lamborghini's identity. Here are five lesser-known facts about the iconic Miura. Mid-engine origins The Miura was Lamborghini's first mid-engine road car, a configuration now standard for most supercars. Ferruccio Lamborghini initially opposed the idea, considering it impractical for street use. But a team of engineers, working after hours without his approval, secretly developed the prototype known as the P400. They fit a transversely mounted 3.9-liter V-12 engine into the chassis — an unprecedented move in road cars at the time. When the prototype was rushed to the 1966 Geneva Motor Show, a minor problem surfaced: the engine cover wouldn't stay shut. The solution? Weights were added to keep it closed for the reveal. A chassis captures attention Before its full debut, Lamborghini showcased the Miura's bare chassis at the 1965 Turin Auto Show. The public mistook it for a race car, which generated buzz and cemented its performance image before the bodywork was even unveiled. While Giorgetto Giugiaro contributed to the concept's early design, it was Marcello Gandini of Bertone who styled the final Miura — a masterpiece of flowing curves, hidden headlights and low-slung proportions that made the car appear fast even when parked. A cultural icon Though not Lamborghini's first car — that honor belongs to the 350 GT — the Miura was the first to gain worldwide acclaim. By the early 1970s, it had become a pop culture symbol. Jazz legend Miles Davis and rocker Rod Stewart were known owners. Guitarist Eddie Van Halen reportedly used a recording of his Miura's engine as the intro to the song 'Panama.' And in the 1969 film The Italian Job, the Miura's appearance in the opening scene helped solidify its place in cinema and automotive history. A name with muscle The Miura name is derived from one of Spain's most aggressive breeds of fighting bulls — a fitting title for a car that defined strength, speed and defiance. The name also influenced Lamborghini's now-famous raging bull logo and its naming tradition. From the Diablo to the Aventador, many Lamborghini models have drawn names from the world of bullfighting, a practice that began with the Miura. A legacy still charging Before the Miura, Lamborghini model names were numeric and technical. Afterward, the brand embraced symbolism, passion and power. The Miura sparked this transformation and set the tone for the company's bold identity. More than half a century after its debut, the Miura remains one of the most admired sports cars ever made. Its influence continues to resonate — in design studios, on racetracks and among collectors around the world. The Miura wasn't just a car. It was a revolution. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Volkswagen considers sale or partnership for Italdesign unit
Volkswagen is contemplating to divest its design and engineering unit, Italdesign, as part of its strategy to revamp European operations, reported Reuters, citing union representatives. The German automaker is exploring options, including a sale or partnership for the Turin-based unit, according to union representatives from Italian Federation of Metalworkers (Fiom) and FIM Cisl after a meeting with Italdesign management. The move comes as Volkswagen faces increased competition and a challenging European car market. Audi, which fully owns Italdesign, is reviewing its strategic alignment, including its holdings. Audi's spokesperson was quoted by the news agency as saying, the company 'continuously reviews its strategic alignment, including its holdings." Italdesign employs approximately 1,350 people, with 1,100 based in Turin, and reported a turnover of $374m last year. Union representatives revealed that Volkswagen has received preliminary interest from four or five parties but is currently not considering offers from competitors or financial groups. Rocco Cutrì, head of FIM Cisl union in Turin, mentioned that Audi is conducting preliminary due diligence at Italdesign to prepare for the plan. Founded in 1968 by Giorgetto Giugiaro, Italdesign has created models for brands like Volkswagen, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, and Audi. Volkswagen acquired Italdesign in 2010 and assumed full ownership in 2015. Volkswagen recently announced significant changes to its German operations, including job cuts and capacity reductions. The company ended Volkswagen-branded car production in Dresden and Osnabrueck and is exploring alternative uses for these plants. Audi also closed its Brussels plant after failing to find a buyer. Also, Volkswagen Group reported a mixed start to the fiscal year, with operating profit in Q1 FY2025 down 37% at €2.9bn, despite a 3% increase in sales revenue to €78bn and a 1% rise in unit sales to 2.1m vehicles. "Volkswagen considers sale or partnership for Italdesign unit" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The Advertiser
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Advertiser
Audi cost cutting could see it sell Italdesign
Automotive design firm Italdesign may be sold by owner Audi as the Volkswagen Group seeks to tighten its financial belt. Union sources in Italy have told Corriere della Sera Audi has taken the first steps to offloading the famed automotive design firm, with Italdesign undergoing due diligence and valuation. Although no potential buyers have been named, a meeting has been scheduled with Italdesign employees for May 12 at the company's headquarters at Moncalieri, a suburb on the southern fringe of Turin. The company currently employs around 1000 people in studios across the world, including Italy, Spain, Germany, China and the United States. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Audi's move to offload Italdesign is part of a wider push within the Volkswagen Group to cut costs and free up cash due to softening sales across Europe and increasing competition from Chinese automakers. As part of its cost-cutting efforts, in February Audi closed its factory in Brussels, where it had been making the Q8 e-tron and Q8 e-tron Sportback. It will also reduce its workforce in Germany by 7500 people by the end of 2029. Once one of the most profitable parts of the Volkswagen Group, Audi's operating margin fell to just 1.5 per cent in the first quarter of this year; automakers typically see 6 to 8 per cent as a good figure. Italdesign was founded in 1968 by designer Giorgetto Giugiaro and engineer Aldo Mantovani. The company's extensive credit roll includes a clutch of iconic supercars, including the DMC DeLoren, Lotus Esprit, and the BMW M1 supercar. One could argue Italdesign's work at the more affordable end of the spectrum has been even more influential, with the original Volkswagen Golf, and Fiat Panda, Punto and Uno are all penned by the company. Other credits include the first-generation Daewoo Matiz, Hyundai Excel, Lancia Delta, Audi 80, and Lexus GS. Volkswagen purchased 90 per cent of Italdesign in 2010, with the remaining 10 per cent kept by Giorgetto Giugiaro and his family. In order to keep its Italian holdings together, Italdesign was placed with Lamborghini under Audi's ownership. The Giugiaro and his son sold their remaining stake to Volkswagen in 2015, and left the firm to setup their own design consultancy. Under Volkswagen ownership Italdesign continued to work with other automakers, although the volume of commissioned products has slowed significantly. Cars developed since 2010 include the Audi Q2, the limited edition Nissan GT-R50, and the Voyah Free for Chinese automaker Dongfeng. MORE: Everything Audi Content originally sourced from: Automotive design firm Italdesign may be sold by owner Audi as the Volkswagen Group seeks to tighten its financial belt. Union sources in Italy have told Corriere della Sera Audi has taken the first steps to offloading the famed automotive design firm, with Italdesign undergoing due diligence and valuation. Although no potential buyers have been named, a meeting has been scheduled with Italdesign employees for May 12 at the company's headquarters at Moncalieri, a suburb on the southern fringe of Turin. The company currently employs around 1000 people in studios across the world, including Italy, Spain, Germany, China and the United States. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Audi's move to offload Italdesign is part of a wider push within the Volkswagen Group to cut costs and free up cash due to softening sales across Europe and increasing competition from Chinese automakers. As part of its cost-cutting efforts, in February Audi closed its factory in Brussels, where it had been making the Q8 e-tron and Q8 e-tron Sportback. It will also reduce its workforce in Germany by 7500 people by the end of 2029. Once one of the most profitable parts of the Volkswagen Group, Audi's operating margin fell to just 1.5 per cent in the first quarter of this year; automakers typically see 6 to 8 per cent as a good figure. Italdesign was founded in 1968 by designer Giorgetto Giugiaro and engineer Aldo Mantovani. The company's extensive credit roll includes a clutch of iconic supercars, including the DMC DeLoren, Lotus Esprit, and the BMW M1 supercar. One could argue Italdesign's work at the more affordable end of the spectrum has been even more influential, with the original Volkswagen Golf, and Fiat Panda, Punto and Uno are all penned by the company. Other credits include the first-generation Daewoo Matiz, Hyundai Excel, Lancia Delta, Audi 80, and Lexus GS. Volkswagen purchased 90 per cent of Italdesign in 2010, with the remaining 10 per cent kept by Giorgetto Giugiaro and his family. In order to keep its Italian holdings together, Italdesign was placed with Lamborghini under Audi's ownership. The Giugiaro and his son sold their remaining stake to Volkswagen in 2015, and left the firm to setup their own design consultancy. Under Volkswagen ownership Italdesign continued to work with other automakers, although the volume of commissioned products has slowed significantly. Cars developed since 2010 include the Audi Q2, the limited edition Nissan GT-R50, and the Voyah Free for Chinese automaker Dongfeng. MORE: Everything Audi Content originally sourced from: Automotive design firm Italdesign may be sold by owner Audi as the Volkswagen Group seeks to tighten its financial belt. Union sources in Italy have told Corriere della Sera Audi has taken the first steps to offloading the famed automotive design firm, with Italdesign undergoing due diligence and valuation. Although no potential buyers have been named, a meeting has been scheduled with Italdesign employees for May 12 at the company's headquarters at Moncalieri, a suburb on the southern fringe of Turin. The company currently employs around 1000 people in studios across the world, including Italy, Spain, Germany, China and the United States. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Audi's move to offload Italdesign is part of a wider push within the Volkswagen Group to cut costs and free up cash due to softening sales across Europe and increasing competition from Chinese automakers. As part of its cost-cutting efforts, in February Audi closed its factory in Brussels, where it had been making the Q8 e-tron and Q8 e-tron Sportback. It will also reduce its workforce in Germany by 7500 people by the end of 2029. Once one of the most profitable parts of the Volkswagen Group, Audi's operating margin fell to just 1.5 per cent in the first quarter of this year; automakers typically see 6 to 8 per cent as a good figure. Italdesign was founded in 1968 by designer Giorgetto Giugiaro and engineer Aldo Mantovani. The company's extensive credit roll includes a clutch of iconic supercars, including the DMC DeLoren, Lotus Esprit, and the BMW M1 supercar. One could argue Italdesign's work at the more affordable end of the spectrum has been even more influential, with the original Volkswagen Golf, and Fiat Panda, Punto and Uno are all penned by the company. Other credits include the first-generation Daewoo Matiz, Hyundai Excel, Lancia Delta, Audi 80, and Lexus GS. Volkswagen purchased 90 per cent of Italdesign in 2010, with the remaining 10 per cent kept by Giorgetto Giugiaro and his family. In order to keep its Italian holdings together, Italdesign was placed with Lamborghini under Audi's ownership. The Giugiaro and his son sold their remaining stake to Volkswagen in 2015, and left the firm to setup their own design consultancy. Under Volkswagen ownership Italdesign continued to work with other automakers, although the volume of commissioned products has slowed significantly. Cars developed since 2010 include the Audi Q2, the limited edition Nissan GT-R50, and the Voyah Free for Chinese automaker Dongfeng. MORE: Everything Audi Content originally sourced from: Automotive design firm Italdesign may be sold by owner Audi as the Volkswagen Group seeks to tighten its financial belt. Union sources in Italy have told Corriere della Sera Audi has taken the first steps to offloading the famed automotive design firm, with Italdesign undergoing due diligence and valuation. Although no potential buyers have been named, a meeting has been scheduled with Italdesign employees for May 12 at the company's headquarters at Moncalieri, a suburb on the southern fringe of Turin. The company currently employs around 1000 people in studios across the world, including Italy, Spain, Germany, China and the United States. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Audi's move to offload Italdesign is part of a wider push within the Volkswagen Group to cut costs and free up cash due to softening sales across Europe and increasing competition from Chinese automakers. As part of its cost-cutting efforts, in February Audi closed its factory in Brussels, where it had been making the Q8 e-tron and Q8 e-tron Sportback. It will also reduce its workforce in Germany by 7500 people by the end of 2029. Once one of the most profitable parts of the Volkswagen Group, Audi's operating margin fell to just 1.5 per cent in the first quarter of this year; automakers typically see 6 to 8 per cent as a good figure. Italdesign was founded in 1968 by designer Giorgetto Giugiaro and engineer Aldo Mantovani. The company's extensive credit roll includes a clutch of iconic supercars, including the DMC DeLoren, Lotus Esprit, and the BMW M1 supercar. One could argue Italdesign's work at the more affordable end of the spectrum has been even more influential, with the original Volkswagen Golf, and Fiat Panda, Punto and Uno are all penned by the company. Other credits include the first-generation Daewoo Matiz, Hyundai Excel, Lancia Delta, Audi 80, and Lexus GS. Volkswagen purchased 90 per cent of Italdesign in 2010, with the remaining 10 per cent kept by Giorgetto Giugiaro and his family. In order to keep its Italian holdings together, Italdesign was placed with Lamborghini under Audi's ownership. The Giugiaro and his son sold their remaining stake to Volkswagen in 2015, and left the firm to setup their own design consultancy. Under Volkswagen ownership Italdesign continued to work with other automakers, although the volume of commissioned products has slowed significantly. Cars developed since 2010 include the Audi Q2, the limited edition Nissan GT-R50, and the Voyah Free for Chinese automaker Dongfeng. MORE: Everything Audi Content originally sourced from:
