07 Mar 07
Bodybuilders supreme ItalDesign Giugiaro have a new badge, a plain, large red G applied to the nose of its new concept, the Vadho.
The Vadho has two seats in tandem format - the trend of the show, it seems - and situated under a domed glass bubble. Ultra-aerodynamic, the Vadho features a BMW-derived hydrogen fuel cell powertrain, mounted to the rear, behind and around the passenger seat.
Its ergonomically enhanced cockpit, similar to that of a fighter plane, has two joysticks in place of a steering wheel, enabling the driver to steer from the right, left or centre of the cabin, made possible by electronic drive-by-wire technology.
The Vadho's just a show car, but rather closer to production is Fabrizio Giugiaro's take on the Ford Mustang, displayed alongside it. Seen first at last November's Los Angeles Auto Show, it was made with the approval of Ford design chief J Mays. Wider than the standard 'Stang, it has a longer bonnet and shorter boot for an even more purposeful fastback look.
Giugiaro's Mustang has vertically opening, electrically operated doors, a UV-filtering glass roof, new tail lights which nod to those of the 1964 Mustang, and louvre panels in place of rear side windows. It sits on new 20" wheels, and its interior has been finished with unique gauges and instruments and dark brown horsehide upholstery.
Ford Racing has gone over the 4.6-litre V8 engine, fitting a supercharger and making many other changes designed to improve breathing and cooling; power is upped from 300bhp to an estimated 500bhp. The Ford Racing Handling Pack - an option for the production Mustang GT - is added, with tuned suspension dampers, lowered springs and anti-roll bars.
