Sunbeam Tiger concept

The Sunbeam Tiger Concept is a lightweight, 2 seater sports car inspired by the 1920s Sunbeam Tiger speed record car and characterized by the use of eco-friendly materials. The author is Coventry final year student Ryan Skelley.
The Sunbeam Tiger Concept is a spiritual successor to the 1925 Sunbeam Tiger racing and Land Speed Record car, and was created to virtually commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Tiger's Land Speed Record win (1925 - 2025).

In September 1925 the V12 powered Sunbeam Tiger driven by Henry Segrave reached a half-mile record speed of 145 mph (233 km/h).
The Tiger Concept is powered by an electric powertrain with a lithium-titanate battery pack which can be fully charged in 4 hours from a standard UK power socket.
Main estimated performances are a 0-60 mph time of 2.3 seconds, an electronically limited top speed of 160mph and a driving range of about 800 miles between charges.
The Sunbeam Tiger Concept is characterized by the use of environmentally friendly materials for many components, including a recycled aluminum tubular chassis, soy foam seats covered in Biofabric, natural fibre brake pad,s eco-paint, cornstarch tires and locally grown Hemp-fibre, and vegetable oil resin body panels.

Read More

Future Reventon Roadster

It’s not too hard to imagine the rumored Lamborghini Reventon roadster, just chop the little roof section and voilà la. But if the people at Global Motors are going to take the time to make a rendering, then we’re happy to revisit the idea of a 670 hp, €1,200,000 (about $1.6 million) roadster.

Read More

Future Convertible Audi r8 coming in 2010

With all the excitement over the V10 Audi R8, we almost forgot abut the convertible version. Last time we checked in with the droptop supercar it was scheduled to be in European showrooms by the end of the year, and there was still debate on wether it would be a full convertible or a targa roof. Now we have some clarity.
For starters, North America was always going to have to wait until 2010 for the first R8 roadsters, but now it appears even Europe will have to wait until next year. The combination of strong international demand, and the need to space out the introduction of the V10 and the topless R8 has pushed everyone into 2010.
Also the R8 will be a full convertible. An Audi representative told Inside Line that Audi USA rallied hard for a full convertible because it was likely to have more appeal on our shores.

Read More

Mercedes Benz SLS super Car

Mercedes has revealed the cabin and exterior styling of its radical gullwing SLS supercar, due in 2010.

The sketch of the exterior shows a long bonnet and high waistline, along with a long wheelbase and wide tracks. The car is also thought to feature a pop-up wing at the rear.

Mercedes has given the cabin an aviation theme with a wing-shaped dash. The firm also says the air vents are reminiscent of aircraft engines, and that the gear selector, which controls the seven-speed ’box, has been designed to look like the thrust lever of an aircraft.

Mercedes design boss Gordon Wagener says the interior styling “indicates the design philosophy for coming generations of Mercedes sports cars”.

Five different leather colours are available for the interior: black, classic red, sand, porcelain and light brown. The instrument cluster has two dials with white backlighting and an upshift indicator using seven LEDs. The speedometer is calibrated up to 360km/h (224mph).

The AMG display shows the tyre pressure for each wheel and has three modes to show fluid temperatures, the currently selected ESP mode or a race timer.

The roof lining, A-pillars and parcel shelf are lined in Alcantara. The seats have magnesium backrests and sit just 369mm above the road surface

Read More

Future Ford focus rendering

Ford revealed at the Geneva Motor Show the iosisMax, a concept that it was said to offer glimpse for the company’s next generation global C-segment (compact) car. Now the people at AutoExpress have tamed down the concept to show what the 2010 Focus may look like.
Since 2004 Ford split the Focus line between North America and the rest of the world. While the North American Focus has been profitable for Ford, the international model has been a best seller. So for the 2010 car, Ford is reuniting the Focus line and selling one car with European appeal. Since Ford has a lot riding on its European cash cow, we in North America can not only expect the 2010 car to have more European characteristics, but also one that has spent a lot of time in development.
Since the original iosis concept of 2005 was a curvy interpretation of the production Mondeo, we think the iosisMax is likely to be a good indication of the next-generation Focus. Now in it’s third International generation, the 2010 Focus will feature what almost seem like rounded and stretched lines of the current car. Just like in the iosisMax, the production car should have less dramatic lines that will blend the front end with the rest of the car.
The engine lineup should include both gas and diesel variations as well as Ford’s new EcoBoost system. The international offerings should start with a 1.0-liter gas engine making 89 hp, and should top out at units approaching 200 hp. North America will not likely receive the smallest capacity engine nor many or all of the diesel offerings.

Read More

Future 2010 subaru legacy

The new Legacy is way bigger. Up by 1.4 in. overall, 3.2 in. taller, and 3.6 in. wider, the wheelbase grows by 3.6 in. resulting in a 12% gain in both interior space and that critical number, rear legroom. The car is simply cavernous inside. Gads, the rear toe room beneath the front seats could consume NBA footwear. Has the blimping of the average American really gotten this voluminous?

The good news for those few among us who remain "conventionally proportioned" (well, almost) is that despite the supersizing, the Legacy's weight has risen by just 1.4% (credit 38% of its chassis being composed of high-strength steel). And that's a minuscule enough increase to be easily offset by developments under the hood no matter which engine option is fitted. As before, the Legacy arrives in three flavors of horizontally opposed engine -- a normally aspirated 2.5L four-cylinder, a turbo version of the 2.5, and a six-cylinder, though it's capacity rises to 3.6L (per the Tribeca) replacing the elderly 3.0L.
The base engine powering the 2.5i produces 170 hp at 5600 rpm and 170 lb-ft of torque at 5600 rpm, but its emphasis is on tweaks to improve responsiveness and fuel economy. Note that that's a little less power here, but it's produced at usefully fewer rpm.

The 2.5GT is motivated by a revamped configuration of the previous turbo-four, featuring a (now-bigger and higher-boost) turbocharger relocated to beneath the block's nose. Plusses include a lower center of gravity, quicker tip-in responsiveness, and better thermal control of the low-density catalyst. Power climbs from 243 hp at 6000 rpm to 265 hp at 5600 rpm (torque rises from 241 lb-ft to 258 at 2000 rpm). The 3.6R's six-cylinder is hardware already familiar from its Tribeca application, but to recap, it offers 256 hp at 6000 rpm (247 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm). That's up 11 hp and a considerable 32 lb-ft compared with the previous 3.0L mill, which was nearly identical in external size and awkwardly required premium gas (the 3.6 is happy to sip blue-collar regular grade).
However, there's bigger news in the transmission department. Reducing the crankshaft revs are either a six-speed manual or a CVT (I'll get back to this one in a minute) in the 2.5i, a six-speed manual for the 2.5GT, and a conventional five-speed auto for the 3.6R.



And, ah, that CVT. Not only is it the first Subaru CVT since the wonderful old days of the Justy, this is the industry's first application of a CVT in a longitudinal, AWD configuration. Moreover, Subaru's Lineartronic CVT is remarkably compact for such a system, being a chain-type (rather than belt) in order to reduce space and improve efficiency. Another notable is a second clutch introduced in the powerstream aft of the CVT to absorb drivetrain shock when, say, all-four wheels suddenly encounter grippy asphalt after delicately slipping on ice. The moral here, apparently, is that a happy CVT chain is a shock-protected CVT chain. As with many other CVTs, a set of steering-wheel paddles offer an illusion of manually selected stepped gears -- in this case, six ratios.

The new Legacy possesses six developments of note in the world of Subaru. One is framed side-glass (ending the era of frameless side glazing), double sealing of the doors to reduce interior noise, much more widely spaced engine mounts for reduced shake, a complete perimeter engine cradle that provides for an additional mount beneath the engine's nose and better-controlled engine movement in a crash, a double A-arm rear suspension replacing the multilink affair, and an enhanced hill-holder feature. What with the parking brake now being electronically operated, the new hill-holder has parlayed this so it can now do its hill-holding indefinitely, rather than merely for a few seconds.
Externally, the new Legacy walks a visual tightrope. While its market comparison-set is becoming ever-swoopier (punctuated by increasingly amorphous headlight clusters), it must simultaneously retain a purposeful -- almost "anti-styling" -- aura among the faithful. The new Legacy never falls off the tightrope, but it noticeably wobbles at times. But as I said, what they're trying to do here is no easy task. Inside, the Legacy's design is considerably more sure-footed, with a confident and expensive look, and just a trace (thank you) of the Impreza's considerable flamboyance.

Trim levels for the 2.5i and 3.6R consist of the well-equipped (base) versions, a Premium edition that includes an eight-way-adjustable driver's seat, an auto up/down driver's window, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, plus alloy wheels for the 2.5i), while Limited variants add a four-way-adjustable passenger seat, an upgrade sound system, dual-zone climate control, leather interior, and voice-activated GPS navigation with backup camera; the 2.5i specifically receives the CVT and receives the 17-in. alloy wheel-size the 3.6R wears as standard ). The 2.5GT has no base version, though in its Premium trim level adds 18-in. wheels and a hood scoop. Its Limited version adds the four-way power passenger seat, leather, and dual-zone climate control).
No prices have been announced, but Subaru is hinting that it'll be very competitive with its current levels. Which is a lack of upsizing we can all appreciate.

Read More

Nissan 2008 NUVU

NISSAN named its latest concept car the Nuvu because it provides a "new view" of cars the automaker believes we'll be driving by the next decade, though clearly this particular example isn't intended for production. A fresh take on the fully-electric vehicle, the Nuvu is (relatively) wide and tall for its size, coming in at 61-in. wide and 66-in. tall. Still, just a tiny 118-in. length and a 77.0-in. wheelbase make the Nuvu ideal for navigating congested cities while still affording a decent amount of cabin space. Featuring a bulbous roofline that gives the car the appearance of a sports coupe that's been squashed together from both front and rear, the Nuvu includes a unique 2+1 seating arrangement with two primary seats and a third "occasional chair" that folds down when a buddy needs a ride. Keeping with its role as practical urban transport, Nissan has also outfitted the Nuvu with an internal luggage compartment large enough to handle most trips to the supermarket.
In spite of these useful real-world attributes, however, the Nuvu has more than enough show car style to keep it out of dealerships. Calling the concept "a witty representation of Nissan's green credentials," the automaker has outfitted it with a nature-themed EV powertrain, including a tinted glass roof dotted with a dozen or so small solar panels designed to resemble leaves, which in turn feed a battery pack via a conduit shaped like a tree trunk that descends through the middle of the cabin. The automaker calls this setup an "urban oasis complete with its own tree inside," and the interior also includes a healthy dose of natural, organic, and recycled materials.
While Nissan is planning to introduce a production EV at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, the automaker is quick to stress that the Nuvu is not that vehicle. Built on a unique platform, however, the concept does include some of the same technology, and sports X-by-wire controls for all its dynamic functions. Nissan's production electric car won't reach Japan and the U.S. until 2010, but for now the Nuvu gives us one possible glimpse at the city cars of tomorrow.

Read More

Bugatti veyron the Sequal four door sedan

Bugatti's next model will be a million-dollar sedan. Having relaunched the brand with the Veyron, a car that'll never make money, Bugatti's plan is to defray the immense cost of developing the W-16 engine, seven-speed DSG transmission, and all-wheel-drive system by reusing them in a front-engine platform.

Bugatti chairman Thomas Bscher says the new car will use a structure of mixed materials--aluminum and carbon composites. The Veyron has steel end frames, a carbon tub, and part-aluminum skin. Once Bugatti designs a new platform, it can spawn sedan, coupe, and convertible bodies.

The aerodynamics will be much easier to arrange because top speed will be limited. The turbos will be smaller for better engine response, reducing horsepower to about 950. To meet LEV2 requirements, the engine will switch to direct gasoline injection. Although some of the engineering can be scaled back because the top speed will be lower, it's unlikely the new car can be any lighter than the Veyron because of additional wheelbase and luxury equipment.

Read More

Never Crash your car

Blinding rain. Careening traffic. Distracted drivers. There are lots of reasons why car crashes are America's leading cause of accidental death. And one way that most accidents could be prevented: with cars that predict a coming collision-and take action to stop it.
The key to the crash-free future is vehicle-to-vehicle communication, or V2V. Some advances that would make V2V possible are already on the way. Increasingly sophisticated GPS will soon allow you to pinpoint your vehicle´s precise location at any given moment, and stability-control systems that track your car´s speed and direction are even now feeding such information to onboard computers. The primary remaining challenge is finding the means to communicate that data to cars in your projected path.
To encourage the development of V2V, the Federal Communications Commission has cleared the 5.9-gigahertz band for dedicated short-range communications (DSRC) among cars, other cars, and roadside transceivers. Volkswagen´s Electronics Research Laboratory-which helped build the autonomous VW Touareg that won last year´s Darpa Grand Challenge robotic race-recently fitted two Jettas and two Audi A3s with DSRC units and used V2V to successfully run them, platoon-style, through San Francisco. "The technology is doable right now," says Carsten Bergmann, a VW lab manager. (Of course, getting the right data to the right car at the right time calls for fiendishly complicated threat-detection algorithms that are far easier with four cars than with hundreds of them.)
General Motors has gone one better than VW with a demonstration DSRC-equipped Cadillac CTS that stops itself to avoid accidents. Its enhanced stability-control system predicts where it´s headed-like, into the rear end of another DSRC car stopped in the middle of the road-and prompts the onboard computer to apply the brakes without any input from the driver. The effect is very cool. It´s also a little spooky, and many doubt that live-free-or-die Americans will ever sign off on fully autonomous vehicles.
Luckily, engineer Tomiji Sugimoto and his team at Honda R&D are working on a human-machine interface that will keep drivers in the loop. Head-up displays are a no-brainer. But Honda is also developing what's called haptic feedback, such as shaking steering wheels and pedals that vibrate. "We're talking about a system that acts like a backseat driver," Sugimoto says. Except it's a backseat driver that's always right.

Read More

Next-Wave Astrovan: Canadians Pen All-Electric Concept With Aeronautic Touches

It has the profile of a Toyota Prius interpreted by the late Maxime Faget, designer of the Space Shuttle. It's the Hinterland 1, a conceptual all-electric minivan with a drag coefficient of less than 0.25 (the Prius's is 0.26). And if its designers get their way, it'll become a Canadian icon on par with the CN Tower, Geddy Lee and Poutine.
Chief designer of the Hinterland 1 is a veteran of Québec-based Bombardier Recreational Products, maker of the Sea-Doo watercraft, who says the project "combines sources of artistic, technical and scientific expertise" from recreational vehicles, electric motors and batteries, aeronautics, aluminium, plastics processing and video games. In theory, the sculpted body would comprise an aeronautical-style aluminum monocoque, fashioned by the same hydroforming process GM uses to create body panels for its curvy Pontiac Solstice roadster. A drive system proposed by electric-car startup Higgins-Aubé would involve a 43 kW-max motor (14kW continuous) powered by Li-ion or Zebra (Sodium Nickel Chloride) batteries with a maximum power of 37,000 kilowatts. Designers envision two models built on the same platform, a two-seater "Mini" and the six-person "Van."

Read More

MERCEDES-BENZ BIONIC CAR

DaimlerChrysler is using a new concept vehicle to examine the great potential of bionics for automobile development, and has achieved outstanding results for fuel consumption and emissions with a combination of pioneering diesel engine technology and innovative emission control methods.

The Mercedes-Benz bionic car study will have its world premiere at this year’s DaimlerChrysler Innovation Symposium in Washington. To realize the Mercedes-Benz bionic car, the engineers at the Mercedes-Benz Technology Centre and the DaimlerChrysler Research department have for the first time looked for a specific example in nature which not only approximates to the idea of an aerodynamic, safe, comfortable and environmentally compatible car in terms of details, but as a formal and structural whole. The example arrived at was the boxfish.

Despite its boxy, cube-shaped body, this tropical fish is in fact outstandingly streamlined and therefore represents an aerodynamic ideal. With an accurately constructed model of the boxfish the engineers in Stuttgart were able to achieve a wind drag coefficient of just 0.06 in the wind tunnel. In order to use this great potential for automobile development purposes, specialists at DaimlerChrysler first created a 1:4 car model whose shape was substantially based on the boxfish.

During tests in the wind tunnel, a drag coefficient of 0.095 – a previously unprecedented value in automotive engineering – was measured for this clay model. It corresponds to the values achieved with highly streamlined shapes (Cd 0.09) and other aerodynamically ideal forms. DaimlerChrysler utilized the findings from this research during the development of the Mercedes-Benz bionic car, a fully functioning and roadworthy compact car with a length of 4.24 meters and space for four occupants plus luggage.

With a Cd value of just 0.19, this concept vehicle is among the most aerodynamically efficient in this size category. 20 percent lower fuel consumption and up to 80 percent lower nitrogen oxides emissions In addition to superb aerodynamics and a lightweight construction concept derived from nature, the 140-hp diesel engine and innovative SCR technology (Selective Catalytic Reduction) greatly contribute to fuel economy and a further reduction in exhaust emissions.

In the EU driving cycle the concept car has a fuel consumption of 65.7 mpg – 20 less than a comparable series-production car. In accordance with the US measuring method (FTP 75) the range is around 70 miles per US gallon (combined), which is about 30 percent more than for a standard-production car. At a constant speed of 56 mph the direct-injection diesel unit consumes only 100.9 mpg – corresponding to a range of 84 miles per gallon in the US test cycle. DaimlerChrysler is currently testing its SCR technology worldwide.

By this means, and with the additional operating fluid “AdBlue”, the nitrogen oxides emissions of the direct-injection diesel engine can be reduced by up to 80 percent. The aim of these trials is to avoid the fuel consumption disadvantages by optimizing the in-engine combustion processes. This is where Mercedes-Benz car engineers are benefiting from the experience gained by their colleagues in the commercial vehicle sector, where SCR technology is already in successful use.

DaimlerChrysler also intends to use the great potential of this process for diesel passenger cars in future, and will initially be offering SCR technology in the USA when the trials have been completed. “AdBlue” is an aqueous urea solution which is sprayed into the exhaust system in precisely metered quantities, depending on the engine operating status.

This converts the nitrogen oxides into harmless nitrogen and water. The reservoir for this service fluid is located in the spare wheel recess of the concept car, and its capacity is sufficient for a mileage corresponding to the service interval for a current Mercedes diesel model. The Mercedes-Benz bionic car study is also equipped with a maintenance-free diesel particulate filter.

Great rigidity and low weight – a growth principle designed by nature The boxfish, the aerodynamic model for the concept car, is also a prime example of rigidity and light weight. Its skin consists of numerous hexagonal, bony plates which provide maximum strength with minimal weight and effectively protect the animal from injury. DaimlerChrysler researchers examined this bionic structure and transferred this principle to the Mercedes-Benz bionic car study with the help of a special calculation process.

The process is based on the principles of bone formation and for instance allows up to 40 percent more rigidity to be achieved in the external door paneling than would be possible with conventional designs. If the entire body shell is calculated according to this bionic principle, the total weight is reduced by around one third with undiminished strength and crash safety.

The Mercedes-Benz bionic car Streamlined and light, like a fish in water – economical and environmentally friendly thanks to the latest diesel technology Thinking the unthinkable. Looking beyond the horizon. Leaving familiar paths and giving new ideas a chance: that is the philosophy of DaimlerChrysler, the technological leader among automobile manufacturers.

For more than 100 years the technological lead of the Stuttgart company has been based on the creativity of its engineers – and on their enthusiasm for visions. None of this has changed to the present day, and DaimlerChrysler specialists take up the challenge to shape the future of the automobile on a daily basis.

There are no limits here: in order to create trailblazing innovations for even more safety, environmental compatibility and comfort, they research all the possibilities offered by technology and science.

For experience has shown that only free, interdisciplinary thinking leads to really outstanding results. One such project was the Mercedes-Benz bionic car, a concept vehicle based on examples in nature, in which DaimlerChrysler has also transferred the diesel engine technology of the future to a fully functioning and practical car for everyday use. Bionics – a combination of biology and technology – is a quite recent field of research which has nonetheless already made remarkable progress possible in different areas.

Nature has provided ideas for high-strength materials, low-friction surfaces, dirt-repellent coatings and practical Velcro fastenings, for example. Many of these inventions are based on more or less accidental discoveries from the animal and plant world.

For the first time in the case of the Mercedes-Benz bionic car, the engineers at the Mercedes-Benz Technology Center (MTC) and DaimlerChrysler Research looked for a specific example in nature whose shape and structure approximated to their ideas for an aerodynamic, safe, spacious and environmentally compatible car.

Read More

TOYOTA IREAL CONCEPT PICS

HOW THE ERA OF CONCEPT CAR WIL CHANGE IT IS HOW IT LOOKKS LIKE FROM HERE

THIS TOYOTA 1 PASSENGER CAR HAS AN ENORMOUS INGENIOUS CONCEPT

Read More

TOM CRUISE MINORITY REPORT CAR FOR SALE

The car driven by Tom Cruise in action film Minority Report is expected to fetch £64,000 (about $125,654 US dollars) when it goes under the hammer next month. The sleek red Lexus 2054 is just one of three models created for the movie and only has 38 miles on the odometer.

Read More

2010 HONDA INSIGHT CONCEPT

HONDA was the first automaker to put a hybrid on the road with the original Insight in December 1999 and it wants to reclaim its place at the big kid’s table with the resurrection of the name on an all-new hybrid.
The automaker provides this first official look at the five-door hatch that will be formally unveiled in October at the 2008 Paris auto show. It will technically be a concept, but appears more than production-ready.
The Insight rides on an all-new platform as a bespoke hybrid, as opposed to offering a hybrid version of an existing vehicle as is the case with the current Honda Civic hybrid and the Honda Fit hybrid planned by 2015.
The Insight will be smaller than a Civic and CEO Takeo Fukui says it will be priced significantly below current hybrids. We expect it to start about $19,000, in keeping with the automaker’s goal of pricing it competitively against conventional small vehicles in its segment. “This new Insight will break new ground as an affordable hybrid within the reach of customers who want great fuel economy and great value,” Fukui says in a statement.
The on-sale date for the Insight is April 22—Earth Day—and the automaker is projecting global annual sales of 200,000, half of which are for the North American market. But Honda is known for erring on the conservative side, and given that it will go head-to-head with the Toyota Prius, which has sold almost 120,000 in the first eight months of this year in the U.S. alone, we would not be surprised to see Honda exceed these modest forecasts.
In looks, the new hatch bears a familial resemblance to Honda’s other poster car for alternative fuels—the FCX Clarity fuel-cell vehicle, but the Insight also shares an aerodynamically raked front, stubby tail, and an overall profile with the Prius. Both offer five-passenger seating and plenty of cargo space inside a relatively small body. The Insight’s folding rear seats further accentuate the cargo hold.
In terms of propulsion, the Insight gets a smaller, lighter—and less-expensive—version of Honda's Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system that is in the Civic. The smaller pack of nickel-metal-hydride batteries is stored under the trunk floor. Honda says lithium-ion batteries aren’t yet a viable option.
Honda officials in the U.K. have been quoted as saying the new hybrid will achieve 60 mpg, but that is on the higher-yield Euro cycle.
The Insight will be built on a new assembly line at Honda’s Suzuka, Japan, plant, which currently builds the Civic hybrid. It is the first of a hybrid onslaught that also calls for production of the CR-Z hybrid sports car concept shown at the 2007 Tokyo auto show, a new Honda Civic hybrid, and the addition of the Fit hybrid—all by 2015, at which point the automaker’s goal is to be selling half a million hybrids per year globally.

Read More

CITROEN HYPNOS CONCEPT 2054

With the 2008 Paris Motor Show just a few weeks away, Citroën is unveiling the Hypnos. An exceptional and elegant cross-over vehicle, Hypnos draws on a range of creative technologies to deliver outstanding performance and environmental efficiency, combined with subtle but powerful motoring sensations.Hypnos is an impressive vehicle, combining the dynamism of a coupé with the elegance of a saloon and the space of an SUV. Powerful, flowing and expressive, the exterior styling identifies the car as one to rouse the emotions.The initial appeal of the exterior styling is echoed inside the cabin, with the imaginative use of colour and the ability to make technology more human and approachable. A powerful sensory experience awaits the driver and passengers, taking them into the realm of pure magic.The special hybrid technology used on Hypnos highlights Citroën’s commitment to the environment and shows once again that driving enjoyment and efficiency are not compromised by this strong ecological focus. With its 200 hp engine, Hypnos combines dynamic performance with low fuel consumption and emissions (60+mpg and 120g/km of CO2).Illustrating the advantages of hybrid technology through a high-tech approach, Citroën has designed a beautifully proportioned coupé with bold styling.

Innovation serving the environment
The special hybrid technology used on Citroën Hypnos highlights Citroën’s commitment to the environment and shows once again that this strong ecological focus is always accompanied by driving thrills and efficiency. With its 200 bhp (147 kW) engine, Citroën Hypnos combines dynamic performance with low fuel consumption and emissions (4.5 l/100 km and 120 g/km of CO2). Illustrating the advantages of hybrid technology through a high-tech approach, Citroën has designed a beautifully proportioned coupé with bold styling.

Read More

hummer hx concept

Hummer is proudly boasting that that HX concept is smaller than the new to our shores H3 model but at 81 inches wide, the go-anywhere HX would still find itself stymied by urban width-restrictors. Still, it certainly looks like there is little that could stop it otherwise thanks to a compact wheelbase, short overhangs and full underbody armour. Looking somewhat like the offspring of the military Humvee, thanks to its matt olive drab paintwork, and a Baja beach buggy, the HX features a number of removable or changeable body panels to increase both its off-road ability and practicality.

The roof panels, fastback rear glass and even the doors can all be quickly removed to create an exposed to the elements dune basher and to help with tight spots out in the wilds the flared wheelarches covering the mammoth 35-inch tall tyres can be removed with a few twists of an allen key. The sloping beetle back of the concept can also be replaced with a more traditional boxy covering top provide more space although the interior is strictly limited to four people who each get their own bucket seat and four-point safety harness.

Read More

Tango T600

Type: 100% all-electric vehicle
Class: Tandem 2-seater
Manufacturer: Commuter Cars Corporation

The manufacturer says …

“An ultra-narrow, freeway-capable, stable, safe vehicle that fits anywhere a motorcycle fits … The Tango will revolutionize commuter transportation in the 21st century.”

The length. At 8’ 5” long, the Tango can park perpendicular to the curb, nestled between two cars in a space that only a motorcycle could fit in
The upgrade capacity. It appears that it will be possible to upgrade the vehicle’s battery pack from lead-acid to Nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) or lithium-ion (Li-ion) in the future. Both will dramatically improve vehicle performance, in particular range.

The weight. For such a small car, the Tango weighs in at an enormous 3,057 pounds—a full third found in the battery. Finding ways to reduce this weight would do wonders for fuel efficiency. However, that may not be such a good idea, since it relies on this weight for safety reasons.

The cost. At $105,000, it’s no wonder George Clooney is among the few known purchasers—the huge majority of us can not afford this sticker price. Furthermore, the high cost effectively cripples the vehicle’s ability to pay for itself over time by avoiding the pump. However, it is this costly due to things like leather interior and an Alpine sound system; future models are rumored to be substantially less expensive (as low as $19,000).

Read More

Toyota 1/X

Type: Tribrid Electric Vehicle (plug-in)
Class: 4-door sedan
Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Corporation

Overview

Toyota’s 1/X, which debuted at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show, is a lightweight, 4-door tribrid—meaning it can use three different fuels for propulsion: electricity, conventional gasoline, and ethanol (E85). It is named the 1/X because it “weighs only ‘1/Xth’ that of other vehicles in its class.”

Despite Toyota’s emphasis on her nifty powertrain, they also gave consideration to safety, space and weight efficiency. Consequently, the 1/X is sporting some impressive specs.

SPECIFICATION
Propulsion system: .5 liter 500cc Flex-Fuel engine
Top Speed: NA
Zero-to-60: NA
MPG: 125
Vehicle range: 600 miles (total)
Fuel(s): Electricity, gasoline, E85
Battery pack: Lithium ion
Tailpipe emissions: Yes

Read More

VOLKS WAGEN THE ON"e" 2028

The one is a single occupant vehicle designed primarily for urban usage and commuting. Its small size makes it easy to park anyway, but it has quite a few innovations to simplify the process further. For starters, it's connected to all other cars on the road via a fast wireless network, which communicates via a central system to warn road users about traffic jams and potential hazards. The same system can guide a car to the nearest available parking spot.

If you look closely at the pictures you'll notice that the one lies flat and sleek when at speed, while its suspension pivots and the whole car rotates upwards to drastically reduce its footprint for parking.FOR MORE VISIT www.volkswagen2028.com

Read More