Black and metallic silver; these are the only two colors that we’ve had the chance to see on the new Impreza WRX STi in the initial press images provided by Subaru (click here). Of course, there’s more to come when Subaru proceeds to phase two revealing all details and pics of the ’08 WRX STi later on this month, but until then, we’re more than glad to host a set of chops from one of our photoshop-savvy readers, Rob Currie. -Continued after the jump

As some might remember, Rob had sent us a blue chop of the STi based on Subaru’s teaser image a few weeks ago. This time Rob sat down and color-chopped the silver Impreza WRX STi in four different versions combining blue & white paintjobs with gold & black alloy wheels. The result is more than impressive and we’d bet that you could easily fool most people into believing that the pictures are real. Rob also told us that he’s working on a version with lots of carbon bits (you know were to send them once you’re finished!).

Images courtesy of Rob Currie

Source: carscoop.blogspot.com

Nissan’s Round Box concept is a compact 4-seater convertible equipped with a turbocharged direct injection gasoline engine mated to Nissan's advanced Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). Although Nissan supports that the Round Box was inspired “by the lively atmosphere of a sports bar”, we’re sorry to say that we fail to see the connection. If on the other hand they supported that they checked out the Peugeot 107’s front-end when they were designing the RB, then yes, we would have agreed. -Full press release & image gallery after the jump

Press Release – Nissan Round Box

Youth-Oriented Compact Convertible Provides Occupants Senses of Speed and exilleration

The Nissan Round Box, with its compact convertible design, represents a new take on open-air motoring, providing exhilaration for all passengers - not just the driver - through its uniquely shared experience of fresh air stimulation, a sensation of speed and easy-to-use high-spec features.

The Round Box features an environmentally friendly turbocharged direct injection gasoline engine mated to Nissan's advanced Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission). It is also equipped with a number of safety systems based on Nissan's Safety Shield^* concept, including Around View Monitor and Distance Control Assist System (DCAS).

The inspiration for Round Box's interior, which features the "right sized" space to facilitate communication between the four occupants, was not another vehicle, but a social environment. "The car was inspired by the lively atmosphere of a sports bar," explains Tatsuya Shiosaki of Nissan's Exploratory and Advanced Product Department. "In a sports bar everyone is focused on the game for pure enjoyment. They are totally free of the pressure and tension felt by the players who are actually playing the game on the field. A sports bar affords an enjoyable, stress-free space where friends can experience a sense of togetherness. Simultaneously, they can enjoy thrilling excitement like being on a roller-coaster yet without any risk involved. That is the sort of emotive world the Round Box is intended to provide."

A Social, High-Spec Interior

The most striking aspect of the Round Box interior is the seating area - with front bucket and rear bench seats designed to provide support with a sense of relaxation. The design of the seating area is unique, with the comfortable bench-style seat cushions creating a sense of oneness with adjacent passengers, as well as front seatbacks that are separated to facilitate easy communication between all occupants.

"The seats have a bench-style lower half and a bucket-style upper half. Normally, such a combination would be impossible," said Kaoru Sato, Associate Chief Designer in the Product Design Department. "The seat design combines a casual bench seat, offering exceptional ease of entry and lateral movement from either side, with a supportive seatback that holds the body securely in place. We believe this combination is perfect for young people who want to satisfy their high-tech needs in a simple way. While the combination may appear contradictory at first glance, when you actually combine the elements, it produces a harmonious effect and represents a way of creating new value. The Round Box is full of such experimentation."

Round Box's relaxing ambience is enhanced by a mixture of flat and round curved surfaces throughout the interior, a motif that includes the instrument panel, steering wheel and other appointments. The name "Round Box," in fact, was inspired by these unique curved surfaces.

The Round Box interior also features an innovative, interactive "Play Catch" system, which allows the driver and passengers - including those in the rear seat - to share entertainment and driving information. The system utilizes a large touchscreen display positioned in the center of the vehicle and an additional monitor located in the center of the instrument panel. The "Play Catch" system encourages the driver and passengers to easily exchange information with each other - just like "playing catch." For example, passengers can search for shops or restaurants through the Round Box's navigation system, then send the driving route and instructions to the driver's monitor. It's a unique, enjoyable way of involving all the occupants, while allowing the driver concentrate on driving by carefully coordinating the two display systems.

A Unique Exterior Combining a Variety of Elements

The Round Box's youthful design mixes a variety of design elements, from the open upper cabin area to the rugged lower body - a combination that evokes a sporty yet relaxed feeling, as well as a sense of substance.

Round Box features tires placed at each corner to maximize interior room, enhance stability and to help create its unique "wide open" look. The open-air feeling is enhanced by a three-section removable roof panel, which can be stowed away in Round Box's ample truck.

Contributing to the shared sensation of speed are unique "road surface windows," small glass panels placed close to the ground on both sides of the Round Box. These windows provide passengers with a view of the rapidly passing road surface, without the risks of road contact associated with a motorcycle or other non-closed vehicles.

The new Round Box is a social, exhilarating vehicle design, combining value, style and a sense of speed and open-air freedom - a totally new and unprecedented approach to the concept of enjoyable mobility.

Source: carscoop.blogspot.com

I was hanging-out with Dad yesterday, waiting for Mom to come out of [minor] surgery. When he mistook a passerby's ringing cell for his own, I said it's hard to imagine that he grew up in a time when no one had a phone. (The device had been invented; it just wasn't available to the average Hungarian.) For my generation, being born pre-Internet renders us digital dinosaurs. Well fair enough. How did we grow-up without it? Truth to tell, I'm jealous of today's youth, who don't have to rely on Car & Driver, the library and their local mechanic/nut/dealer to satisfy their curiosity about all things automotive. In some sense, I run this site for that young kid I once was, desperate to learn at the feet of as many masters as possible. To probe their experience, wit and wisdom. To know more. So I'd like to take time out to thank all of TTAC's contributors and commentators and all three listeners for joining me in this endless quest for insight. If you could spread the word, emailing a link to anyone who might benefit from our intellectual inquiries, I'd be much obliged. If not, same thing. 

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Source: www.thetruthaboutcars.com