CAR NEWS: 09/27/12

Thursday, September 27, 2012

Epine Hybrid Peugeot Concept Car

Epine Hybrid Peugeot Concept Car

Inspired by Formula One cars and motorcycles, Epine features a whale skeleton, as a tribute to Mother Nature. The concept car was created by Daniel Schumpert. Peugeot Epine was basically a project that was supposed to turn into an environmentally friendly hybrid vehicle, but eventually it turned into a “consumer’s racing car”.

Peugeot Sport Cars Epine Concept Cars derived from a project to create a hybrid eco-friendly vehicle. The Peugeot Epine Concept design study was developed to have a sportscar-like performance while creating a new way to get in touch with nature.

This Peugeot ride relies on the Epine system, with an innovative seating arrangement and the drive-by-wire technology, as far as steering is concerned. The energy source of the vehicle is placed at the back, while the storage area is at the front of the car. The major technical feature of this car is the Epine system that allows a complete seating arrangement by adopting the drive-by-wire technology to run the steering system.

The rear-engined sportscar is minimalistic with an exposed frame, Peugeot Sport Cars Epine Hybrid Concept Cars uses the Michelin Tweel concept airless wheels, with a positive impact on the suspension system.

Turns out that the wheel spokes are able to compress and decompress, thanks to the materials they’re made out of, allowing a wide variety of car motions. This futuristic Peugeot measures 4,260 mm (length), 1,882mm (width) and 1153mm (height).

Sesto Elemento Lamborghini Concept Car

Sesto Elemento Lamborghini Concept Car

The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept has been presented live at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The name derives from Italian for "sixth element" on the periodic table, carbon--and the Sesto Elemento is described as "a technology demonstrator" constructed for the show to give an idea how the future of Lamborghini will include carbon-fiber construction techniques.

“The Lamborghini Sesto Elemento shows how the future of the super sports car can look – extreme lightweight engineering, combined with extreme performance results in extreme driving fun. We put all of our technological competence into one stunning form to create the Sesto Elemento,” said Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.

“It is our abilities in carbon-fiber technology that have facilitated such a forward-thinking concept, and we of course also benefit from the undisputed lightweight expertise of Audi AG. Systematic lightweight engineering is crucial for future super sports cars: for the most dynamic performance, as well as for low emissions. We will apply this technological advantage right across our model range. Every future Lamborghini will be touched by the spirit of the Sesto Elemento,” said Stephan Winkelmann, President and CEO of Automobili Lamborghini.

The show car is powered by a 562bhp version of the V10 used in the current Gallardo. But thanks to the widespread use of carbon fibre, the concept cars tips the scales at only 999kg. Lamborghini claims the Sesto Elemento will sprint from 0-62mph in 2.5 seconds and on to a top speed of more than 200mph.

The Lamborghini Concept Car - Sesto Elemento Lamborghini Concept has a power-weight ratio of 1.75 kg/hp. It reaches 100 km/hr in just 2.5 seconds and has a top speed of “well over 300 km/hr”. It’s exactly the kind of supercar innovation that Lamborghini should be investing in and while carbon fibre has become famous, the company has also experimented with other modern materials, such as Pyrosic for the exhaust system (a new glass and ceramic composite material).

The Lamborghini Advanced Composite Structures Laboratory (ACSL) at the University of Washington in Seattle, USA, uses experimental tests to define the mechanical behaviour of the different materials and technologies using methodology from the aviation industry.

The design is inspired by the limited-edition Reventòn supercar, but makes more of a feature of its deep front end, while the V10 is open to the elements. The Sesto Elemento isn’t road legal, but it is a running prototype, so testing Lamborghini’s claims is a possibility.

AMV8 Vantage Aston Martin Concept Car

AMV8 Vantage Aston Martin Concept Car

Aston Martin AMV8 Vantage was the star of the 2003 Detroit Motor Show. This is the concept behind what should become the best selling Aston Martin of all time.

This styling of this sleek 2 seater sports car was credited to Henrik Fisker, who at the time was Head of Design at AML, but it is now believed to be principally the work of his forerunner, Ian Callum.

AMV8 Vantage Aston Martin Concept Car

The AMV8 Vantage was the first in a completely new line of Aston Martins based around a bonded-alloy platform, known as VH (vertical/horizontal) architecture. The proposed engine was a new 4.3 litre V8 unit, described as being 'front-mid' mounted so as to give perfect 50:50 weight distribution. With an anticipated power output of around 370 bhp, the AMV8 Vantage should be well capable of exceeding 170 mph and a 0-60 acceleration time of around 4.5 seconds.

AMV8 Vantage Aston Martin Concept Car

This concept has the Vanquish style paddle shift but there are, it appears, plans for production versions to get a conventional six speed box with paddles to be available later. The production V8 Vantage, which initially many believed could be known as the DB8, did indeed follow the concept very closely. Although the car has been designed in the UK and unveiled in the USA, you may be surprised to learn that the AMV8 Vantage concept car was constructed by DC Design in Mumbai, India.

AMV8 Vantage Aston Martin Concept Car

There have been reports that the concept was built on a shortened DB7 Vantage platform with V12 engine and therefore may not technically be the first VH platform car.

CCXR Trevita Koenigsegg Concept Car

CCXR Trevita Koenigsegg Concept Car

Trevita is an abbreviation in Swedish and translates into - three whites. The Koenigsegg visible carbon weave body work is renowned around the globe for its perfection and uniqueness. However, so far it has only been possible to utilize the classic black carbonfibres.

By utilising a new and unique method, Koenigsegg has managed to coat fibers with a diamond finish. The process was fully developed at Koenigsegg headquarters in Ängelholm Sweden, where the fiber treatment is conducted carefully in small quantities, prior to further processing the prepreg material.

CCXR Trevita Koenigsegg Concept Car

Koenigsegg will only produce three Koenigsegg CCXR Trevitas in total, hence the name. This makes the Trevita one of the most rare versions in the Koenigsegg family cars.

The three cars are fully equipped with Koenigsegg Shimmering Diamond Weave bodywork, double carbon wing, paddle-shift, inconell exhaust system, carbon ceramic brakes with ABS, hydraulic lifting system, infotainment system, tyre monitoring system, chrono instrument cluster and airbags.

Koenigsegg will only produce three units of the CCXR Trevita, each sold at a premium price to be announced later. Each unit will be fitted with Koenigsegg’s Shimmering Diamond Weave bodywork, double carbon wing, paddle-shift, inconell exhaust system, carbon ceramic brakes with ABS, hydraulic lifting system, and a chrono instrument cluster. Pricing for the Trevita hasn't been revealed, but expect it to be suitably super.

V2G UNLMTD Nissan Electric Concept Car

Assuming that we’ll have electrified highways by the year 2030, Nissan has popped up an on-grid vehicle dubbed “V2G” (Vehicle–to-Grid) that will offer safe, sustainable as well as brisk commutation. The compliant vehicle is not only safe and swift, but it also features dynamic styling and quality production at a very low price. One can’t ask for more than that. The electric vehicle allowing endless opportunities for modification can also be transformed from a low-cost to a luxury vehicle for the rich and trendy.

At the LA Design Challenge 2009 Nissan has proposed a futuristic single seater electric vehicle developed in the year 2030 for a high-speed infrastructure called the GRID - V2G stands for Vehicle-to-Grid - which becomes popular among young drivers who discoer the endless possibilities of customization.

In the spirit of LA's legendary automotive counter-culture, creative young minds see untapped potential in the V2G. Taking advantage of the simple and user friendly EV architecture, they quickly hack the V2G, take it 'OFF-GRID' and begin to explore the virtually endless opportunities of this newly created vehicle segment.

Designers

Stephen Moneypenny
Ryan Campbell
Satoru Hasegawa
Hanu Yoo
Randy Rodroguez

Design Team

Ann Ngo – research
Ray Devers – color & materials
Derek Millsap – digital designer
Matt Wilson – digital designer
James Cronin – visualization
Don Sondys – visualization

Insecta 5 litre V10 Lamborghini Sport Car Concept

Insecta Lamborghini Sport Car Concept by Iulian Bumbu

The Lamborghini Insecta concept was designed by Iulian Bumbu, who in 2008 completed the Transportation Design Master Course with Alfa Romeo at the Scuola Politecnica di Design (SPD) in Milan. Called the Insecta, the radical concept's design elements were borrowed from bugs instead of bovines.

Combining organic shapes with Lamborghini's trademark geometric angles, the Insecta concept integrates themes culled from the body armour observed on certain species of insects. With its dimensions and powertrain borrowed from the Gallardo, the Insecta would pack a sting as sharp as its buzz, and it could make a compelling successor to the current LP560-4.

Insecta Lamborghini Sport Car Concept - Front

The length of the Lamborghini Insecta concept car is 4300mm (169 inches), similar to that of the Lamborghini Gallardo, however the Insecta is lower and wider than the Gallardo, plus it features a slightly longer wheelbase.

The Lamborghini Insecta concept supercar is powered by a 5 litre V10 engine and it uses the same drivetrain as the Gallardo. This supercar comes with a glass engine cover that blends into the glass roof of the vehicle and, as far as the bodywork is concerned, it’s all carbon fibre to reduce weight.

Insecta Lamborghini Sport Car Concept - Rear

Inside the Lamborghini Insecta concept you’ll find a deep bucket seats, a high center console and an U-shaped sports steering wheel.

You gotta love how designers get inspiration from the living breathing world.

What do you think? We like it, especially that all glass cockpit.

Insecta Lamborghini Sport Car Concept - Front and Rear

Insecta Lamborghini Sport Car Concept - Top

Zoe ZE Renault Electric Concept Car

Renault Zoe ZE Electric Concept Car

Renault Zoe ZE Concept is evidence that an all-electric zero-emission vehicle can also boast smart, appealing looks. Renault Zoe ZE Concept features technology aimed at extending its range and enhancing the travelling comfort of all occupants.

Renault Zoe ZE Concept is an all-electric, zero-emission vehicle which reconciles motoring with the environmental aspirations of customers looking for a vehicle with the best possible ecological footprint.

Aerodynamics have a significant influence on the performance of a zero-emission vehicle and, in the case of the Zoe ZE Concept project, the overriding concerns regarding design were elegance and efficiency.

Renault Zoe ZE Concept is just 4.10m long and is powered by a 70kW electric motor which develops 226Nm of torque. It is easy to imagine the vehicle making its way silently through traffic in built-up areas. The large 21-inch wheels and large body panels are reassuring touches that give the four occupants complete peace of mind when travelling out of town.

At the rear, a retractable spoiler deploys at speeds in excess of 90kph to make a further contribution to Zoe ZE Concept's aerodynamic efficiency. This LED-equipped spoiler also serves as a brake light, as does the integrated light in the shark's fin-type aerial on the roof.

The roof has been designed as an intelligent protective membrane that insulates the occupants from heat and cold, as well as optimizing climate control performance by recovering energy via its honeycomb photovoltaic cells.

Renault Zoe ZE Electric Concept Car

At front and rear, a shield of polyurethane gel protects the lights which feature energy-efficient electroluminescent diodes that emit a blue-tinted light. This second skin protects vulnerable components from small knocks in town, while underlining this electric concept car's hi-tech feel.

The air intakes situated either side of the car channel airflow to cool the batteries. The air is extracted through two large rear channels through which it is possible to glimpse the streamlined suspension arms.

The form of the front seat cushions resembles that of an asymmetric pebble, while the seatbacks are attached to the roof. At the rear, the seats can be folded flat with a view to obtaining additional carrying capacity.

The dashboard contributes to the interior's uncluttered feel. It is covered with an intelligent, minerallike membrane and the lightest of touches calls up a range of touchscreen controls. The wide TFT (Thin Film Transistor) screen is housed in a glass bubble. This is the central information point for Renault Zoe ZE Concept and serves to display navigation data, the charge indicator and remaining range, as well as a pallet of coloured mood lighting options which enable the interior ambiance to be customized. This mood lighting can also be selected automatically via a sensor in the seat which will tone the lighting to match the colours of the driver's clothes.

Information is presented by an avatar that appears on the TFT screen, creating a link between the driver and the technology thanks to short messages. The avatar can be personalized (male, female, downloadable from the internet), and provides information about traffic conditions, the route and remaining range. It can also indicate the nearest charging points. This way of humanizing the technology makes it more accessible and creates a relationship with the driver to ensure that journeys are as pleasant as possible.

Renault Zoe ZE Electric Concept Car

The hands-free keycard can be personalized, too, by fixing a chip to an object of the customer's choosing to enable automatic door locking and ignition.

The driver has three options when it comes to 'filling up' on energy:

A standard charge: takes between four and eight hours, via a charging socket situated on the outside of the vehicle.
A quick charge: in 20 minutes, using the same socket at specific charging points.
The exclusive 'Quickdrop' system: three minutes at a rapid battery exchange station.

Sedan 9-5 Saab Concept Car

Forward-looking design that doesn't ignore where it's coming from - that sums up the visual appeal of the all-new Saab 9-5 sedan. "We are giving a fresh, very modern expression to some of our classic brand design cues," says Simon Padian, Saab Brand Design Chief. "We have taken visual themes in our recent concept cars, such as the Aero X, which are inspired by Scandinavian design and our brand's aircraft heritage."

The face of the new 9-5 is defined by a deep grille flanked with curving, ice-block headlamp units. The entire glasshouse is presented as a 'wraparound' mono graphic, the disguised windshield and side pillars giving the cabin Saab's signature cockpit look. Squint slightly, and the proportions of the windshield and roof become reminiscent of the classic 900 model.

An array of chassis technologies is focused on delivering a sporty, rewarding driving experience that belies the Saab 9-5's size. Saab XWD, the industry-leading all-wheel-drive system already available on the Saab 9-3, is offered with the 2.0-liter gasoline, BioPower and 2.8V6 turbo engines.. Available throughout the range is adaptive chassis control with driver settings selection through Saab DriveSense, Bi-Xenon Smart Beam adaptive lighting and intelligent cruise control. . Two different suspension layouts are factory-fitted according to engine power and both are available with a sport chassis setting.

Saab has some 30 years' experience in turbocharging engines and the all-turbo powertrain line-up in the new Saab 9-5 further develops its rightsizing engine strategy. At launch, the four cylinder choice comprises a 160 hp, 2.0-liter turbo diesel with CO2 emissions of just 139 gm/km and a 2.0-liter gasoline turbo developing 220 hp. A top-of-the-line 2.8V6 turbo, generating 300 hp and 400 Nm of torque, is offered exclusively with Saab XWD.

Shortly after launch, a small, 1.6-liter gasoline turbo with180 hp will be introduced, together with a 2.0-liter BioPower E85-capable engine. All transmissions will be six-speed.

Defined and equipped by Saab as its top-of-the-line contender in the premium sedan segment, the new 9-5 is the most technically advanced car ever produced by the company. It will be built at Saab's home plant in Trollhättan, where it has been engineered and chiefly developed.

Available in Linear, Vector or Aero specification, the all new Saab 9-5 heralds the start of a new era for Saab. Scandinavian simplicity was never this advanced!

DBGT 2025 Aston Martin Concept Car By Brendan Woolsey

DBGT 2025 Aston Martin Concept Car

The Aston Martin DBGT 2025 is one of the best future car designs that is deeply based in reality when it comes to design and style. This Aston Martin of the future looks as stylish and classy as any in the past and draws inspiration from the long tradition of the car and its previous designs. Its flowing curves, aerodynamic body and the classic grill at the front make it both nostalgic and special. The car of the future holds all its special magic under its hood. Its 6 liter V12 engine is indeed special.
Going from 0 to 62 mph in 4.3 seconds, the car has two really strong assets. It sports bodywork that is impeccable and its fuel plans are both realistic and ideal. All this comes along with that very special Aston Martin badge, giving you the best driving experience.
Designed by Brendan Woolsey, a student of Industrial Design at the University of Western Sydney, the Concept Car of 2025 would be powered by a tank full of water that is split into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is used as fuel for the car, leading to zero emissions. If anything, the classic exhaust fitted on this future car will only give out water vapor and some heat.
There is very little wrong in its eco-outline apart from the fact that the hydrogen engine that it talks about needs plenty of research before materializing. The water-powered engine is the one the whole world is waiting for. The price will again be something that would make this car for the elite few.

DBGT 2025 Aston Martin Concept Car

MoVille Peugeot Concept Car

MoVille Peugeot Concept Car

Called the Peugeot MoVille, this omnidirectional pod that looks just like a water-drop and single-seater pod designed by Woo-Ram Lee is compact in size and is powered by solar energy, providing motion to the huge spherical wheels via electromagnets.

Peugeot MoVille (which bears a strong resemblance to the Drupal logo) is designed to take up as little space on the road as possible. It would apparently feature artificial intelligence to recognize and welcome its owner (strangers get steamrolled) or to drive itself to a destination you specify. It could also be driven manually, not by an old fashioned wheel, but via a drive-by-wire system hooked up to a gadget like a mobile phone (Bond style) or a gaming console.

Parking should be a breeze with the omnidirectional wheels and such a small wheelbase, but for those really dreadful parkers, it would come with proximity sensors and cameras. If you still can’t manage, just switch to automatic and let MoVille park for you.

You can access the pod via its dual sliding window doors which feature photovoltaic cells to keep you powered up. The pod itself is made from unpainted biodegradable plastic.

Peugeot MoVille is one of 29 finalists in this year’s competition which has now come to a close. If you’d like to vote for this design or any of the other 28 finalists, head on over to Peugeot where you have a shot at winning an XBOX 360

X9 BMW Concept Car by Khalfi Oussama

X9 BMW Concept Car by Khalfi Oussama

Khalfi car design called the "BMW X9". who is a 18-year old designer from Tunisia. it could be a proposal for a new Batmobile. BMW has seen some rather odd looking cars roll off the production line over the past 10 years, but Khalfi Oussama’s new X9 off-roader concept coupe takes oddball Beemers to a whole new level.

The BMW Concept Car - BMW X9 Concept by Khalfi Oussama blends the sporty bodylines of a coupe with the rolling stock of an off-roader – much like BMW’s chunky yet sporty-looking X6 soft-roader. The X9s massive wheels and excessively wide, tyres combined with its colour-matched side-steps and heavy-duty crash plates front and rear definitely showcase the car’s intentions.

This vehicle is BMW X9 Concept, this time the designer of the concept car is a 18-year-old man named Khalfi Tunisian Oussama. With the expectation that the design of the car could replace the car Batman the Dark Knight.

But still had differences with the X9 big wheels and body width tires combined with color combinations that match the sides. On the front is deliberately designed for heavy duty and protected with steel plates and the rear of the increasingly sharpening the mission of the X9 goal was made.

The X9 coupe also carries a new interpretation of BMW's signature kidney grille, although Oussama's version is considerably smaller than the current flock of BMWs. The grille sit along side a set of unique twin-headlights, as well as a pair of tiny foglights that are set into the bumper.

Hailed as the BMW X9 Concept, Khalfi Oussama, might surely have thought of a modern vehicle for Batman before giving shape to this vehicle. Unfortunately we don’t have all that technical info of the vehicle or what was the inspiration behind.

Biome 2010 Mercedes-Benz Concept Car

Biome 2010 Mercedes-Benz Concept Car

The designers from the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios in Carlsbad, California, surprised everyone at the 2010 Los Angeles Design Challenge with a revolutionary vision. The Mercedes Biome Concept previews an ultralight vehicle, inspired by nature, that aims for unparalleled efficiency.

The Mercedes-Benz BIOME Concept symbiosis vehicle is made from an ultralight material called BioFibre and tips the scales at just 875.5 lbs (around 394 kg). This material is significantly lighter than metal or plastic, yet more robust than steel. BioFibre is grown from proprietary DNA in the Mercedes-Benz nursery, where it collects energy from the sun and stores it in a liquid chemical bond called BioNectar4534. As part of this process, the vehicle is created from two seeds: The interior of the BIOME grows from the DNA in the Mercedes star on the front of the vehicle, while the exterior grows from the star on the rear. To accommodate specific customer requirements, the Mercedes star is genetically engineered in each case, and the vehicle “grows” when the genetic code is combined with the seed capsule. The wheels are grown from four separate seeds.

"As the inventor of the motor car, we wanted to illustrate the vision of the perfect vehicle of the future, which is created and functions in complete symbiosis with nature. The Mercedes-Benz BIOME Concept is a natural technology hybrid, and forms part of our earth's ecosystem. It grows and thrives like the leaves on a tree" according to Hubert Lee, Head of the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios in Carlsbad. This year the competition had called for the creation of a vision of a safe and comfortable 2+2 compact car featuring good handling and a first-class design.

Even Mercedes Biome concept has a lenght of about 4 meters and is 2,5 meters wide, the German concept designed in California is still able to provide a total mass of just 394 kilograms, thus, it fits the requirements of the contest in question.

The Mercedes-Benz BIOME Concept is powered by BioNectar4534, which is stored in the BioFibre material of the chassis, interior, and wheels. In addition, Mercedes-Benz has developed a technology to equip trees with special receptors which can collect the excess solar energy and turn it into BioNectar4534. This creates a direct link with nature's energy sources and acts as an incentive to cover mobility energy requirements through more trees and at the same time maintain natural resources. Like plants, the Mercedes-Benz symbiosis vehicle also produces oxygen, thereby contributing to improving air quality. At the end of its service life, the Mercedes-Benz BIOME can be fully composted or used as building material. Thanks to the exclusive use of green technologies, the BIOME vehicle thus blends seamlessly into the ecosystem.

THE AUDI LOCUS CONCEPT CAR

AUDI LOCUS CONCEPT CAR

Surfing around the web, we came across this concept car, Audi Locus by Ugur Sahin. Looking like TT and R8’s son from the future, this concept car impresses with its curved design, creating a continuous flow from front until the back of the car. The Audi Locus Concept Car looks really nice, too bad we’ll probably never gonna see it on the streets.