It looks like the Vision SZR is still clawing its way toward production. According to online video series Done In 60 Seconds, the specialty machine from Mar Vista, California will reportedly come equipped with up to 700 horsepower courtesy of a 6.0-liter V12, though cost-shy buyers could theoretically stick with the base 6.2-liter V8 good for a more modest 620 horsepower. With an aluminum chassis and a carbon fiber body, the Vision SZR tips the scales at 2,875 pounds in its heaviest configuration, which means that all that swoopy bodywork should scoot to 60 mph in the low-three-second range. If you like what you’re hearing, get ready to wait for a while. Currently there is only one SZR in the world, and it apparently cost its creator million to produce.

The first Vision SZR prototype turned a wheel back in 2005 (development dates back ten years), and the company has been soldiering forth on development ever since. As Chief Operating Officer John Misumi sees it, the SZR is a muscle car for the 21st century. While the design certainly isn’t for everyone (we think it looks kind of like the 1990 Chevrolet Corvette CERV III concept car viewed through a funhouse mirror), we certainly appreciate Misumi’s drive to create a one-of-a-kind performance vehicle. Hit the jump to watch a video of the SZR in action, and check it out in our gallery as well.

Continue reading Vision SCR still trying to make it into production

Vision SCR still trying to make it into production originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes has given the dripping-in-luxury Concept Fascination treatment to an unlikely beneficiary: the Viano van. Calling the Viano Vision Pearl a “yacht on four wheels,” which was true for other reasons before it got luxed up, the concept has stitched leather flooring in front and a genuine hardword floor in back. Brushed aluminum accents highlight the Bang & Olufsen stereo and center console elements, and a muted pearl silver finish sets off the whole bloody exterior.

The brainchild of Volker Mornhinweg, the former head of AMG, this is one look at what the S-Class of Vianos could be. We’ll hope the next attempt includes an airbrushed sunset along its flanks and a rotating waterbed inside.

Continue reading 2012 Mercedes-Benz Viano Vision Pearl concept is a van for VVVIPs

2012 Mercedes-Benz Viano Vision Pearl concept is a van for VVVIPs originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Sep 2011 09:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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There was a time when “land yacht” was not a nice thing to say about a Buick Riviera car, but these days it seems de rigueur. Range Rover has brought in naval architects to take on their sport-ute, Rolls-Royce uses teak decking on its Phantom DHC, Audi’s gone out to see with the Q7 Coastline concept, even Volvo has given its wagons the Ocean Race theme. Now Mercedes-Benz is following the same lead with its latest show car, er…van.

Benz has taken one of its Viano vans (a model not available on these shores) and turned it into the Vision Pearl concept. Dubbed a “yacht on four wheels,” the Viano Vision Pearl is decked out in a unique matte pebble-grey paint job, but it’s the interior treatment that sets it apart: White and grey leather, wood floor, brushed aluminum trim, auto-tinting windows, on-board wi-fi and a Bang & Olufsen sound system.

All-in-all, it brings us back to the Nautica edition Mercury Villager and the Plymouth Voyager when it had that little sailboat badge on the nose we knew as kids, but then maybe there’s a reason both those marques went under. One way or another, the Viano Pearl Vision will come to port at the Frankfurt Motor Show come September, but you can check it out now with the pair of high-res images below and the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Mercedes-Benz Viano Vision Pearl concept van sets sail for Frankfurt

Mercedes-Benz Viano Vision Pearl concept van sets sail for Frankfurt originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Jul 2011 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mission: Impossible 4 was filming in Mumbai, India with a rolling example of the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics/i8 concept on hand and ready for its closeup. The VED was accompanied by a 2011 BMW 6 Series during a scene in which the cars negotiate Mumbai’s traffic-clogged streets.

Though there’s still little indication of when the proposed 328-horsepower, three-cylinder diesel hybrid sports car will show up, this version looks mighty similar to the one caught lapping in Abu Dhabi last year. BMW’s plans for the car are still generally under wraps, but it’s likely the production version will break cover wearing the i8 badge. Thanks for the tip, Zohaib!

[Source: TeamBHP Images: TeamBHP]

BMW Vision EfficientDynamics spotted on the set of Mission: Impossible 4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 23 Apr 2011 18:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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msnbc.com: Autos

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