[Xinger]

The Peugeot FLUX Concept




Peugeot picked this from over 4,000 entries to name the Flux as the winner of its 4th annual design competition in 2007. It is a sports car that is also equally comfortable off-road.



The designers were tasked with creating a concept based around the P.L.E.A.S.E. acronym, which stood for pleasure, lightweight, efficiency, accessibility, simplicity and ecology. Peugeot figured that Mr. Mihai Panaitescu, a 20-year old design student from Romania, hit all the nails directly on the head, and in addition to seeing his concept brought to life, he'll have the opportunity to drive it in the virtual realm when it's incorporated into the Xbox 360 game, Project Gotham Racing 4.



A relatively small car (3500cm long by 1650cm wide), it runs on a slim hydrogen power plant hidden in the back along with the tank mounted under the front bonnet. The hood and side body panels are made from plastic, polyurethane for the seats and aluminium for the mechanical parts.



The main components such as the chassis and head protection are metal.



Made up of simple body work (basic intersected volumes) the car is easily produced and accessible to everyone but most of all, it's fun to drive.



Adding to this, the car is also a gaming hub thanks to the integrated Xbox 360. So P.L.E.A.S.E. hop in!!!

(source ~ autoblog.com)

[Xinger]

This one's a real looker - no surprise it's from Aston Martin. It's not really a concept any more since it is slated to go into production this year itself, but as long as they haven't started rolling out of the factory, they belong in this thread!

Or let's just say this is so good-looking I couldn't resist!

Aston Martin has released a snapshot of the stunning new One-77; the ultimate creative interpretation of the renowned British marque.

One-77 fuses advanced technology with stunning Aston Martin design to create possibly the world’s most desirable automotive art form. Based on a sophisticated carbon fibre chassis with a handcrafted aluminium body, this 7.3 litre V12 super car will deliver exhilarating performance for a strictly limited number of discerning customers - only 77 will ever be produced and cost upwards of $1.5 million!

(source ~ Aston Martin)

[Xinger]

Another concept that is way out there - I mean it's from way out there in China!! A place we don't normally associate with originality or excellence in design!

This one - the CHANG'AN E 301 CONCEPT SUV from CHANG'AN MOTORS in China - doesn't seem so bad...

Errrr, wait a minute!

Oh well, Citroen GTby, Chang'an E301, what's the difference! China mein sab 'changa' hai!!

[Xinger]

Ok, let's get back to the serious concepts:

DACIA DUSTER SUV

The Dacia Duster is a concept car designed by Renault Design Central Europe in 2009 and presented the same year at the Geneva Motor Show.

This concept vehicle addressed the needs of families, with a roomy cabin in a compact package and a large 470L trunk. The car has a very efficient motor capable of emitting 139 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre and a fuel consumption of 5.3L per 100 km.

The Dacia Duster is the first concept car entirely made by Dacia. The Duster normally has four seats but can be converted into a two seat car, the passenger seat slides under the driver's seat and the right back seat slides under the left back seat freeing an extra room of 2,000L ideal for a bicycle.

The Duster has a Dacia Logan 1.5 litre inline-4 engine equipped with Bosch Mono-Jetronic fuel injection producing 106 PS (105 hp/78 kW) at 5400 rpm and 240 newton metres (180 ft·lbf) at 2000 rpm of torque. It is a front engined, two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive vehicle based on the Nissan B platform.[1] It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 9.6 seconds. If the model will be mass produced it will have an initial price of around 15,000 euro (US$ 18,750).

The fate of the Duster will be discussed after the Geneva Motor Show by the Renault and the Automobile Dacia executives, with a strong possibility that the car will become the first SUV ever developed and constructed by the Romanian automaker. It is a crossover SUV and sports coupe. The Duster may be produced in several production sites in Mioveni, Romania, São José dos Pinhais, Brazil and Envigado, Colombia.

(source ~ wikipedia)

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MORGAN LIFECAR

The Morgan LIFEcar (LIghtweight Fuel Efficient Car) is a fuel cell-powered electric vehicle project being undertaken by Morgan Motor Company and startup company Riversimple.

The goal of LIFEcar is a sports car that will be environmentally responsible, and also deliver impressive performance. Research and development is backed by QinetiQ, a British defense technology firm, as well as several universities and government grants. Engineer Hugo Spowers is CEO of RiverSimple and the leader of the project.

According to news releases, the LIFEcar chassis is to be based on the powerful Morgan Aero 8, while the proton membrane exchange fuel cell itself is being developed by QinetiQ. The vehicle is planned to make use of electric motors powering each wheel (similar to the Whispering Wheel concept). In order to deliver sufficient bursts of power to the motors, the electricity generated by the fuel cell will be stored in sophisticated capacitors. Morgan may make use of its past business ties with BMW in order to obtain liquid hydrogen storage technology, although this remains to be seen. The design of the vehicle platform was led by Mark Reeves, with aid from his team at Morgan. It will be available legally in America in 2011.

[Xinger]

MAZDA KAZAMAI

Featuring an evolved Nagare ‘gush’ figure theme, the 3door concept crossover’s styling is more realistic compared to previous Mazda concepts like the Taiki and Ryuga. There are no pictures of the Kazamai’s interior but Mazda says it that it can seat four passengers in comfort.

With a chunk of 4,520mm and a width of 1,930mm, the Kazamai Concept is vaguely bigger than the stream Mazda3. The Japanese automaker claims that due to the total use of lightweight equipment and new processing/union technologies, the Kazamai is 100kg or 220-lbs lighter than related models. This contributes to better handling and improved fuel reduced and CO2 emissions.

Power comes from a next-generation 2.0-litre blunt-injection gasoline engine with combustion running technology and patchy valve restraint, which Mazda engineers are developing. The 2.0-liter DISI petrol engine is coupled to a lightweight, next-generation compact 6-hustle natural transmission and a four-veer instinct approach.

According to the Japanese automaker, in combination with the Kazamai’s aerodynamics and its lightweight body, the powertrain would supply an estimated 30 percent improvement in fuel consumption and emissions versus the stream MZR 2.0-litre petrol engine.

(autoworld.wordpress.com)

[Xinger]

FISKER KARMA

In Buddhism/Hinduism, Karma is defined as the force generated by a person's good or evil actions which determines the nature of the person's next existence. The Fisker Karma allows consumers to practice good Karma – driving a car that is environmentally friendly – without sacrificing the extreme comfort and style of the luxury automobile category.

"In creating Fisker Automotive, Inc. we sought to develop a range of beautiful, environmentally friendly cars that make environmental sense without compromise," said Fisker Automotive, Inc. CEO Henrik Fisker. "Our hope is that the Fisker Karma will be the start of a new trend in the automotive business – less concession with more efficiency."

The car features cutting-edge plug-in hybrid technology, penned as Q DRIVE, developed by Quantum Technologies exclusively for Fisker Automotive. The Karma's Q DRIVE configuration consists of a small gasoline engine that turns the generator, which charges the lithium ion battery pack, powering the electric motor and turning the rear wheels. This proprietary design allows consumers to drive the car emission free for up to 50 miles a day provided the car is charged every evening. It's conceivable that if consumers follow this daily routine, they will only need to fuel the car but once a year. This Q DRIVE technology will provide a base for all future derivatives from Fisker Automotive.

(source ~ seriouswheels.com)

THE NATURE OF LUXURY


Luxury leads the way for the driver – and the environment – with the world’s first eco-chic cars created in equally eco-friendly facilities. The Karma’s dramatic proportions and sumptuous design offer smile-inducing performance. And the interior lets four adults and luggage travel in comfort. With zero emissions. Zero compromise. And a cleaner conscience than ever before.

THE NATURE OF TECHNOLOGY


The Karma uses Q-DRIVE plug-in hybrid technology, developed exclusively for Fisker Automotive by Quantum Technologies. A fully-charged Karma burns no fuel for the first 50 miles. Venture further and the gasoline engine turns a generator to charge the lithium ion battery. Once the 50-mile electric range has been exceeded, the car operates as a normal hybrid vehicle. This balance of electric and gas range makes it entirely possible that Karma drivers who charge their car overnight and commute less than 50 miles a day will achieve an average fuel economy of 100 mpg (2.4L/100km) per year.

THE NATURE OF BEAUTY


Environmentalism has never been more beautifully infused with elegance and style. Designer Henrik Fisker has taken the automotive hybrid to a new level of performance and style. With zero compromise in either category.

Our material philosophy balances sensuality with accountability by carefully sourcing classic automotive materials from environmentally conscious partners.

Wood trim is sourced from non-living trees such as naturally “fallen trees” as a result of age, “rescued trees” from naturally occurring fires in California, and “sunken trees” found on American lake bottoms.

The faceted edges of our EcoGlass, made from naturally recyclable sand, offer a luster and brilliance that adds richness and life, underlining the physical strength from its layered glass and resin construction.

Our most advanced sustainable material series, “EcoChic,” is based on a completely animal-free approach that offers the most luxurious automotive environment. This series uses a soft hand textile composed of 100% Bamboo Viscose and frames authentic fossil leaves inside the EcoGlass.

The Karma’s “EcoSport” series incorporates hand-wrapped premium leather from a partner with a 100% sustainable manufacturing strategy that includes “Happy Cow” policies – utilizing over 85% of each hide. Design intent is to preserve the natural look and feel of the leather, while highlighting the uniqueness and “natural markings” of each individual hide.

(source ~ fiskerautomotive.com)

[Xinger]

The Karma’s “EcoSport” series incorporates hand-wrapped premium leather from a partner with a 100% sustainable manufacturing strategy that includes “Happy Cow” policies – utilizing over 85% of each hide. Design intent is to preserve the natural look and feel of the leather, while highlighting the uniqueness and “natural markings” of each individual hide.

(source ~ fiskerautomotive.com)

[Xinger]

Clever EDAG "Light Car Open-Source" is like safety television for tailgaters

EDAG has presented its new "Light Car – Open Source" concept at the Geneva Motor Show, and while it outwardly appears to look like any other nondescript electric bubble car, there's a lot of innovative content on the inside screaming for attention.

It's hard to know where to start: The use of (O)LED technology as both driver-configurable exterior lighting units and as a television screen-like safety feature that alerts those behind of road conditions; its 100% recyclable basalt fiber chassis (said to be at once lighter and cheaper than carbon-fiber or aluminum); or the fact that this is an open-source effort, with EDAG taking the lead but freely opening up the car's technologies to outside developers for improvement and modification.

In any case, the fact that the lithium ion-powered compact car utilizes in-wheel motors that help maximize interior space is a neat detail, but we're actually most intrigued by the (O)LED technology, which gives the Light Car an egg-smooth exterior. Out back, the (O)LEDs are used to show trailing vehicles not only the LCOS' strength of braking, but also road conditions ahead – a pedestrian crossing the road, say, or whether there's a speed or construction zone ahead.

(source ~ autoblog)

[Xinger]

The 9-X Air BioHybrid concept is an innovative design study exploring what a future open-air Saab could look like. Featuring a unique Canopy Top and a wraparound glasshouse that includes the rear screen, the 9-X Air breaks the mould of conventional convertible design by offering four-seat accommodation within the close-coupled proportions of a sports car. Its distinctive silhouette is defined by prominent rear pillars that mount the flat-folding Canopy Top and also anchor the separate, recessed rear screen. Top down, the 9-X Air is designed to offer fresh air motoring free from buffeting. Top up, it assumes the look of a true coupe.<BR><BR>Designed in parallel with the 9-X BioHybrid concept, the 9-X Air shares its highly efficient powertrain. The small, 1.4-liter Saab BioPower engine offers responsible performance by combining engine rightsizing with turbocharging, the use of E85 bioethanol fuel and hybrid technology.The 9-X Air underlines Saab's leading role in convertible design and will be revealed 25 years after the first convertible from Saab was shown at the international Frankfurt Motor Show.

(source ~ Saab)

[Xinger]

One thing common I found among the truly futuristic of the concept cars above was the 'in-wheel motor' eliminating the need for a traditional engine-under-the-hood completely and freeing up a lot more space for passengers.

This could change the way our cars run completely in the years to come!

Found this at howstuffworks.com:

How In-wheel Motors Work

by Christopher Neiger

Michelin North America, Inc.
Michelin is hoping that its Active Wheel system will catch on with automakers soon.

Most car owners don't give much thought to the wheels and tires on their cars -- and who can blame them, really? If your tires are working the way they're supposed to, there's usually not much more to think about. There's a significant amount of technology, design and research that goes into making a good tire, but only two things typically come to mind when someone is buying new tires: How much do they cost? And how long will they last?

However, for a little more than a decade, many car manufacturers and tire companies have been working hard to change how automobile owners think about and use their tires. More specifically, they want to take the vehicle's power supply, as well as many other integral parts of a functioning automobile, and place it all inside the wheel. Based on that description, it probably won't come as a surprise to you that these somewhat new components are called in-wheel motors. And companies like Michelin are hoping that this new technology will revolutionize the future of transportation.

The basic principle behind a vehicle equipped with in-wheel electric motors is simple. The internal combustion engine normally found under the hood is simply not necessary. It's replaced with at least two motors located in the hub of the wheels. These wheels contain not only the braking components, but also all of the functionality that was formerly performed by the engine, transmission, clutch,suspension and other related parts.Although the concept is relatively simple in theory, in-wheel motors pose a number of questions about performance, function and efficiency.

Ford Motor Company
The Ford Hi-Pa Drive F-150 has no engine; however it does have four in-wheel electric motors that produce more than 600 horsepower.

Producing a vehicle that uses in-wheel electric motors is a process that's a lot more complex than just tearing out the engine and then cramming electric motors into the unused space inside the wheel. This type of electric motor is designed to work onhybrid vehicles, full battery-operated vehicles and even fuel-cell-powered electric vehicles.

The amount of power generated by these in-wheel motors can vary depending on the manufacturer and the size of the motor. For example, a company called PML Flightlink unveiled a Ford F-150 truck at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in 2008. PML Flightlink modified the F-150, called the HI-PA Drive, by removing the V-8 engine and adding four in-wheel motors to the truck. The four motors gave the pickup more than 600 horsepower, about twice as much horsepower as it had with the standard V-8 engine. Each motor weighed only 66 pounds (30 kilograms) and gained power from a 1,000-pound (454-kilogram) lithium-ion battery that provided the truck with a range of 100 miles (161 kilometers) before recharging.

The number of in-wheel motors a vehicle actually uses can be adjusted to meet the vehicle requirements. For instance, in most cases, two motors will supply sufficient power; however, if you're talking about an all-wheel-drive (AWD) vehicle -- either an off-road truck or a performance car -- obviously that would require four in-wheel motors.



In-wheel Motor Efficiency

Michelin North America, Inc.
Michelin's Active Wheel system contains not only the electric motor that actually drives the wheel, but also the braking system and an active suspension system, too.

Depending on the manufacturer, an in-wheel motor may contain a variety of components, but most have the same basic parts. We're using Michelin's Active Wheel system as our example.

The outside of an in-wheel motor has very little variation compared to a standard wheel. However, once the wheel is taken off the vehicle, the main elements of the in-wheel electric motor system are exposed. That relatively small area contains the braking system, an active suspension system and the electric motor that actually drives the wheel. The in-wheel active suspension system is an electrically operated system that can react in a mere 3/1,000ths of a second to automatically correct pitching and rolling motions.
Some in-wheel motor designs offer what's called regenerative braking as well. That means the system captures some of its own kinetic energy while braking and sends it back to charge the battery. Some hybrids, such as the Toyota Prius and Tesla Roadster, already incorporate this regenerative braking technology, which provides the automobiles with a longer driving range.

One of the greatest advantages of in-wheel electric motors is the fact that the power goes straight from the motor directly to the wheel. Reducing the distance the power travels increases the efficiency of the motor. For instance, in city driving conditions, an internal combustion engine may only run at 20 percent efficiency, meaning that most of its energy is lost or wasted via the mechanical methods employed to get the power to the wheels. An in-wheel electric motor in the same environment is said to operate at about 90 percent efficiency [source: Lepisto].



In-wheel Motor Power

AP Photo/Paul Sancya
The Mitsubishi CT concept uses the Mitsubishi In-wheel Electric Vehicle (MIEV) hybrid powertrain, which employs an electric motor in each of the vehicles four wheels.

So far, we've learned that the combination of several in-wheel motors can put out more than 600 horsepower and that they can receive their own energy while braking, but what about the instantaneous power that's sometimes required at the wheels? In other words, do these in-wheel electric motors provide enough torque for every application? After all, torque plays an important role in any automobile's response time and performance, doesn't it?

In a vehicle equipped with in-wheel electric motors, there's plenty of torque available -- almost instantly, as a matter of fact. Electric motors produce a high amount of torque, and since that force is transmitted directly to the wheel, very little is lost in the transfer. Each wheel can be equipped with sensors to determine how much torque is required at any given time. Similar systems exist in cars on the road now, but the response times are slightly slower due to the number of components involved and the more complex electrical communication pathways.

On a vehicle equipped with in-wheel electric motors, several major systems are housed within the wheel itself. So, it only stands to reason that many of the core components of a traditional automobile can be removed. We mentioned at the beginning of this article that the engine, transmission, clutch, suspension and other related parts can be eliminated on vehicles equipped with in-wheel electric motors because the in-wheel components handle all of these functions. This replacement of mechanical functions with electrical functions is often referred to as by-wire technology -- such as drive-by-wire, or brake-by-wire, for example.

Eliminating the engine makes it possible to add design and structural enhancements to a vehicle. To date, testing of the in-wheel electric motor system has been conducted by many automakers and technology companies, including the Venturi Corporation of Monaco for use in its Volage concept vehicle, but questions of reliability, durability and safety are difficult to report without widespread usage of the system.

[Xinger]

This is a pretty old concept (2005) but pretty radical nevertheless. As far as I know, this four-wheel steering system has not been applied in any hardcore off-roading vehicle before or since.

Depending on the driver’s needs, the Hurricane can be powered by 4-, 8-, 12- or 16-cylinders. All of that translates into buckets of torque for climbing obstacles other 4x4 vehicles can’t even comprehend. In addition, it has the power and traction to move from 0-60 in less than five seconds.

The power is delivered through a central transfer case and split axles with a mechanically controlled four-wheel torque distribution system. The front and rear suspension is short/long arm independent with 20 inches of suspension travel, controlled by coilover shocks with remote reservoirs.

The vehicle has 14.3 inches of ground clearance, and incredible approach/departure angles of 64.0 /86.7 degrees. These are nearly vertical angles – combined with 37-inch tall tires, so the Hurricane won’t meet much that it can’t climb. The Jeep Hurricane is the only vehicle on the auto-show circuit that provides its own turnable feature. The vehicle features a turn radius of absolutely zero, thanks to skid steer capability and toe steer: the ability to turn both front and rear tires inward. In addition, the vehicle features two modes of automated four-wheel steering. The first is traditional with the rear tires turning in the opposite direction of the front to reduce the turning circle. The second mode is an innovation targeted to off-road drivers: the vehicle can turn all four wheels in the same direction for nimble crab steering. This allows the vehicle to move sideways without changing the direction the vehicle is pointing.

The one-piece body is shaped of structural carbon fiber, and forms the chassis that would be offered through a traditional frame. The suspension and powertrain are mounted directly to the body. An aluminum spine runs under the body to both connect the underside and to function as a complete skid plate system.

The design is lightweight with high strength, and it boasts functional appearance. Jeep Hurricane is an honest, minimalist approach to its design augmented with the Jeep signature seven-slot grille, two seats and no doors. On the inside, occupants will be surrounded by exposed carbon fiber and polished aluminum with Black Thunder and Tiluminum accents.

(source~seriouswheels.com)

YouTube - jeep hurricane steering

[Xinger]

Another cool SUV concept from way back when (but which still looks contemporary) is the Mitsubishi RPM 7000 from 2001.

The Mitsubishi RPM 7000 is a concept car designed by the Cypress, California Design Studio of Mitsubishi Motors and exhibited at the 2001 North American International Auto Show.

Displayed alongside the Mitsubishi ASX, the two vehicles represented the company's vision for sporty, stylish crossover SUVs. However, while the ASX defined Mitsubishi's production plans, the RPM 7000 was a more radical styling exercise and an overt celebration of the company's motorsport heritage.

The World Rally Championship-winning Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and the Dakar Rally-winning Mitsubishi Pajero provided the engine and drivetrain, while chief stylist Mike Desmond acknowledged the influence of Formula One in the "nosecone" front grille and hood. Elements of rallying and GT racing were also incorporated. Other unusual elements included the teardrop silhouette, side exit exhaust pipe, and the suicide doors on the passenger side only.

Although it was speculated that the RPM could make it to production within two years of its exhibition, these rumours proved unfounded.

(source ~ Wikipedia)

[AyAn!]

Mitsu RPM 7000 looks like a well done DC job..looks awesome

[Xinger]

Originally Posted by AyAn!

Mitsu RPM 7000 looks like a well done DC job..looks awesome

DC does sometimes come up with good stuff too, at least on paper:

and this one:

Don't know if these designs ever made it to the prototype stage.

(images from dcdesigns)