Presenting the Splinter, a high-performance 700 hp seven-litre V8 sports car made out of Wood!

What happens when you give a ton of wooden composites, laminated wood veneers, wooden arms and springs, wooden wheels and a small block 7.0 liter Twin-supercharged V8 powermill to a guy named Joe Harmon? He builds world’s first high-performance 700 hp wooden supercar out of it, and calls it the ‘Splinter’.

Started as an ambitious graduate school project at North Carolina State University in 2008, the Splinter pushed the line on the perceived limitations of wood as a building material.  The project fulfilled the designer’s dream of designing and building a car from scratch. This year marked the completion of the project and the Splinter was showcased at the 2015 Essen Motor Show.

The Splinter is inspired from the ‘de Havilland Mosquito’, the fastest piston-driven aircraft from the World War II era. Dubbed as the ‘Wooden Wonder’, the British multi-role combat aircraft was powered by a pair of Rolls-Royce V12 engines and was made almost entirely out of wood. Similar to the aircraft, the high performance Splinter is built from a combination of laminated and bent wood veneers, with a bodywork of woven veneer.

With a goal to use wood in every application in the construction of the car, the team built the body, chassis, suspension components, wheels and interiors from wood. Almost all components were created through custom moulds which were then shaped with precision and then fitted together to build the structure. At 1345 kgs Splinter is claimed to have a better power-to-weight ratio than steel and aluminum vehicles.

As for the body design, the team designed and built two looms by weaving strips of veneer into a cloth-like material.  The compound curvature on the Splinter was achieved by woven cherry skins, and end grain balsa core.

The Splinter drives on Michelin Pilot Sport tyres fixed on three-piece forged aluminum rims with laminated wood centers. Each wheel is built with 275 individual pieces. The outside face is covered by walnut sunburst and a cherry sunburst on the inside. All the pieces of wood were bonded together with the help of various adhesive compounds.

On the project, Joe Harmon said that the combination of Splinter’s weight, shape, powerplant and transmission is capable of reaching speeds of up to 240 mph (386 km/h), but the car is unlikely to be put to the test in this regard. He further added,“Practicality is a minor deal, I don’t know how many 700-horsepower supercars are practical. It’s about style and performance and this car will have all that in spades. This car will not be a grocery getter”

The power figures of the Splinter are not out yet, since the maker seems to be hesitant to put it to the tests. So for now we have to be stay happy with tech specs only.

Twenty years after defining a new segment, the new SLC will launch in the Spring of 2016.

With significantly optimized technology and an enhanced look, the name change acknowledges the traditionally close relationship with the C-Class, from which much of the roadster’s technology is derived.

The new Mercedes-Benz SLC has an impressive heritage to live up to: its predecessor, the SLK, which was launched in 1996, achieved sales of around 670,000 units. Comprehensively refined and with a model line-up from the sporty SLC300 to the  high-performance Mercedes-AMG SLC43, the new model has what it takes to build on that success. Both the SLC300 and SLC43 feature the sporty, yet comfort-oriented 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission as standard equipment.

Ola Källenius, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, Mercedes-Benz Cars Sales & Marketing: “In 1996 Mercedes-Benz redefined the roadster with its innovative vario-roof, and combined open-air driving pleasure with uncompromised comfort in poor weather. The renamed compact roadster remains an ideal combination of passion and common sense, appealing to both the heart and the mind.”

As part of the facelift, the Mercedes-Benz designers have further honed the roadster’s sporty look. The new front section, where the steeply raked radiator grille elongates the appearance of the arrow-shaped hood, is particularly striking. All SLC models feature a diamond radiator grille as standard.

With DYNAMIC SELECT, the vehicle characteristics can be adjusted instantly at the touch of a button, as the system modifies the engine, transmission, steering and suspension at the driver’s behest.

Car Care: Things to Check Before Starting Your Car

The most frustrating thing about owning and driving a car in a city on a daily basis is the fact that eventually, one of the days it will have a breakdown. 

For reasons ranging from a flat tyre to general maintenance ignorance to pathetic road conditions of India. 

So, we have come up with a simple check list that you can perform every time you start the car – or at least before the first start of the day in order to prevent unnecessary delays. 

THE CHECKLIST: 

From Outside: 

– Start by checking whether the tyres are properly inflated – it is always better if you have a pressure gauge, but in any case just check if the pressure is visibly low in any of the tyres. It is also advisable to properly check tyres every fortnight and re-inflate them (including spare tyre) to their recommended pressures. You can also lightly kick a tyre or two – not only to make you feel a little better about the task, but also for the good luck charm! 

– Thoroughly check under your car and in some case even on top, for stray dogs and cats. Why? Well, I don’t think we need an explanation for this one! 

–  If you are one of those souls who frequently park their car in the public parking spaces – which, by the way are almost non-existent these days – then you will know better about the unwanted ads and pamphlets that are forcefully stuck under your wiper blades / mirror housings / door-handles etc. Please check and thrown them away (in the bins people, keep thy city clean!) before getting inside the car. Needless to say it is very irritating to step out for this reason. 

– You might as well want to check if it is your car and this bit is really simple – it will open and more importantly start with your key. No, believe us, we have come across people who end up unlocking someone else’s car and not realising it until they actually get inside!

On the Inside: 

– Check and adjust your seat position and also adjust the rear view mirrors. Get an ergonomically comfortable driving position is of utmost importance. 

– Before you turn-on the engine, check if A/C, headlights and other electronics are shut-off – your car will mostly start trouble free even with these on, but then they will certainly affect your car battery’s life and in most modern cars – it could ruin the vital electrical too. 

– After you turn-on the ignition, wait for all warning lights in the instrument cluster to illuminate before starting the car. Once you start the car all the lights should disappear in a moment except handbrake warning light. (Hope you pull the handbrake, every time you park your car –of course, that is a different checklist – “things to do when you park your car”). In case any light remains on like Oil level indicator or battery, get you car checked from an authorised service centre. 

– This might sound a little silly, but can be a lot of pain if ignored. Always do remember to check if there is enough fuel in the car to at least reach the nearest fuel station. 

– Now the last thing to do is to ensure that all headlamp and indicator bulbs are working fine; and though we suggest that the usage of horn should be minimal, it is still important to check that it is working – as we still drive on the great Indian roads! 

To conclude, the most important thing to practice and perfect if your observation skills when it comes to your beloved cars. Being observant and being able to put a pin on a thing that is shown a change, will go a long way in making sure that you are not held back by the side a of a road with a broken car.

J&D Custom builds a brat bob from a Bajaj Pulsar

Vadodara based J&D Custom and Co. sent us these images of their latest build, which involves transforming a Bajaj Pulsar 220 into a brat style bobber, something, that its creator Jay D. Patel thinks is a one-of-a-kind specimen in India. Apart from the engine, transmission, rims and front forks, everything else has been fabricated in-house. The oval shaped petrol tank has been built from scratch, replete with a chrome cap, while half the frame, the custom swing-arm complimenting a mono-shock suspension have been all built or assembled in house as well.

However, Jay takes special pride in how the custom handlebar has turned out. All plastic switches from the stock handlebar has been done away with, and replaced with metal switches. He says “Handlebar was most challenging part of this whole build, because we got digital 2013 model pulsars which have all digital systems in it. So we can’t put metal switches with those digital systems, because every switch is connected with some sensors. So it was very difficult to customize that digital wiring & make a unique & simple thing.”

He adds that repeated trips to mechanics, wiremen and even some Bajaj guys in order to resolve the issue went futile, as they advised him agaianist it. Not wanting to give up, Jay burnt the midnight oil on hard work and research, and ultimately appointed all the metal switches succesfully. He also thinks that that they are the most eye-catching part of the whole build.

The grips are crafted out of brass, while illumination is handled by a vintage yellow 5 inch headlamp accompanied by two white LED fog lamps. The tail lamp is hand-crafted, and features LED elements which “shine like a rear red light of formula one car”. LED side blinkers also went into the mix. The alloy wheels are stock, but don a mirror finish contrasted with strips painted in black.

This custom motorcycle was built for a client, who insisted on a comfortable seat, hence the black leather job with more cushioning for the pillion rider, complimented by quilted stitching. A chromed tool box with leather belts and a warped, custom exhaust try to uplift the vintage charm. The foot pegs and levers have also been crafted in-house. Most of the wiring has been hidden with copper piping.

While the frame and swing-arm are painted in black, the tank and custom made side panels are painted with metallic bronze paint & airbrushed with off-white strips with the  J&D logo on it.

Artega Scalo - The New German Electric Sports Car

Here is a car at Frankfurt which to be honest, we knew very little about, it is called the Artega Scalo 
Some people will say "You're Luxurious Magazine, you should know what this is", we didn't! We had to find out from the company what this very nice looking car is all about. Below is what we discovered..


The time is ready for an Artega sports car with a purely electric drive. The new German electric sports car Artega Scalo entices as a direct successor of the Artega GT by visual refinement and many technical world novelties. It is built in a small series of twelve exclusive vehicles to order. The idea of developing an Artega as an electric sports car is as old as the brand's history. 

Consistent light-weight construction and the modular construction of the chassis make the Artega platform perfect for electric drives. Three prototypes have been built by 2012, but not made it for serial production due to their design. The purely electric Artega Scalo founds a new tradition. In future, the vehicles of the Artega brand will bear the names of famous racing stallions. Scalo is the first – he was a very special Westphalian stallion, Galloper of the Year in 2010 and trained very near the head office of Artega.


Technology from aerospace
The Artega Scalo has two Voltabox rear-mount high-performance electric motors with a total output of 300 kW (peak output 390 kW) and a 575 ft-lb. It thus outdoes the performance data of its predecessor. The Artega Scalo accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and reaches an electronically limited maximum speed of 155 mph. The two electric motors use the latest technologies right from aerospace and drive the rear axle via a single-stage central gear. 

Targeted torque vectoring ensures maximum longitudinal and cross-dynamics with the demand-oriented distribution across the drive wheels. The motor mass is only 66 lbs each, which leads to an outstanding performance density of 2.3 kW/lb. The maximum motor speed is at 12,500 rpm, the maximum efficiency at 6,900 rpm is up to 95%. On request, a version with an outstanding efficiency of 98% is available.

The Voltabox high-efficiency machines are supplied and controlled via two newly developed inverters with an efficiency of up to 93%. A version with special silicon carbide transistors even achieves a maximum electrical energy conversion of 98.8%. The energy storage also offers a global novelty. 

For the first time,the Artega Scalo offers a hybrid system of state-of-the-art battery modules with actively thermally controlled li-ion cells on nickel-manganese-cobalt basis, combined with perfectly customized high-performance capacitors (SuperCaps). For recuperation, the SuperCaps recharge quickly at first; at acceleration, the capacitors will discharge first. This constellation increases acceleration and extends the range. The recuperations system can be adjusted four-fold by the driver by switching paddles at the steering wheel.

Strong range of up to 250 mls
The li-ion models are distributed between two systems that are crash-protectedly integrated into the vehicle structure. The capacitors placed in the centre of gravity also ensure best weight distribution. The Voltabox thermal and battery management is fully integrated and functionally intrinsically safe according to DIN/ISO 26262. 

The installed battery capacity is in excess of 37 kWh, the nominal voltage is at 411 Volt. For up to 10 seconds, as much as 385 kW electrical output can be demanded. The Artega Scalo has a range of up to 250 mls.At a charge status below 25%,the power output is limited to 125 mph at most for the sake of a better remaining range, however.

The battery set has its own cooling circuit. The power electronics and the two electric motors have a second shared cooler. This way, all system components work at their respective best working points. With a 64 kW DC quick charge, it is possible to charge the battery completely in less than one hour. 

The maximum charge output of the Voltabox on-board charger at the three-phase current connection is 22 kW, which corresponds to a charging duration of approx. two hours. At the AC grid with a 16 A household socket, it takes approx. ten hours.

Large storage volume and beautifully shaped wheel rims
The new German electric sports car has a storage volume of 8.8 cft that are distributed among the front trunk and the space behind the seats. The empty weight of this vehicle, including batteries is at 3,494 lbs. The Artega Scalo has forged central closure rims in a dedicated design (8.5“ x 20” front, 11“ x 20” rear) and tyres sized 245/35 x 20 resp. 295/30 x 20. The rim mass in front is only 21.3 lbs and at the rear 24.4 lbs. 

The installed Brembo brake callipers (6 pistons front, 4 pistons rear with separate calliper for the hand brake) with two-part brake discs reflect the brand's experience in racing sports.

Mercedes-Benz S Class Coupé AMG S63 Black Edition

Six examples of the Mercedes AMG S63 Coupé have been further refined by the luxury manufacturer Mansory to become a Super Benz going by the name Black Edition. In particular, the bodywork, which is made completely of carbon fibre, has been given another makeover by the Mansory designers.

This makes it clearly different to the version presented at the start of the year at the Geneva Motor Show. Additional air control blades on the front and rear axle deliver even more downforce and optimise cooling of the drive train and brakes. A vigorous 1,000 hp, striking alloy wheels and tasteful, hand-crafted interior modifications complete this special limited edition model.


Extensive modifications transform the standard design into an athletic package, full of muscle. The redesigned front with its LED day driving lights and the powerful cooling air inlets ensures an awe-inspiring appearance. A lightweight bonnet with integrated NACA inlets completes the Mansory air-cooling system. The new carbon fender at the front and the seamlessly integrated spacers on rear fenders widen the sides by 50 millimetres and give the S-Coupé its distinctive, dynamic appearance. 

In addition, perfect harmony is maintained with the new side skirts as well as the carbon housing of the mirrors. The roof spoiler and rear lip made of carbon fibre as well as the diffuser-look rear bumper, complete the aggressive, sporty look. But not only do the Mansory components look good, thanks to the in-house autoclave manufacturing using carbon fibre, they are also extremely durable and particularly light.

No other company in the market is as closely linked to the use of carbon fibre as Mansory. These specialists process this ultra-light, extremely strong material in their own in-house autoclaves, which means they don’t have to rely on external suppliers. This gives them complete freedom in the scope, fit and design of components.

The Mansory sports exhaust for the BLACK EDITION delivers a throaty, imposing sound. The rear silencer, which is made of stainless steel with angular twin tailpipes, integrates perfectly into the newly designed rear section. But Mansory is much more than just a powerful sound. The performance potential of the eight-cylinder bi-turbo is also fully exploited by the engine developers at Mansory. 

Mansory has completely revised the aggregate of the S 63 AMG and installed genuine high-performance components with the M1000 performance kit: With this power-upgrade, connecting rods, big end bearings, crankshaft, bearing bushings, turbocharger, suction and compressor system, as well as many other parts replace the standard parts. Along with the newly designed pipe fan manifolds, this results in superb performance figures. 

Instead of 576 hp (430 kW), the heavily modified S Class now achieves an impressive 985 hp (735 kW) while the maximum torque rises to an electronically limited 1,400 Nm at 1,500 - 3,500 rpm. So when fired up, the MANSORY BLACK EDITION rockets to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and only stops at an electronically regulated 300 km/h.

It takes a special wheel / tyre combination to convert this mighty power into forward momentum: The latest development is the one-piece 22 inch alloy wheel “SPIDER”. As the perfect tyres, Mansory recommends ULTRAC SESSANTA tyres from Vredestein in size 255/30/ZR22 on the front axle and 295/25/ZR22 on the rear axle.

Mansory offers exclusive interior features, totally in keeping with the traditional brand Mercedes, which values comfort and elegance, but also sportiness when it comes to interiors. Therefore aluminium pedals as well as the newly designed steering wheel give a sporty accent. The set of foot mats, which are framed in leather with embroidered MANSORY emblem, as well as the illuminated door sill trims, underline the elegant effect. 

The elaborately hand-shirred and expertly stitched leather and carbon fibre seats are a highlight of the interior refinement.