29th July 2009, 20:48
| #31 |
| BHPian  Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mumbai
Posts: 166
Thanked: 14 Times
| The Future of Jeeps? Now most of the concepts on this thread are ones I like. Not this one.  Why would they do this to a jeep? I mean, I'm all for clean green vehicles that have the smallest possible carbon footprint, but c'mon, why take something that has evoked exhilarating images of action, adventure, machismo and a life off the beaten path for almost a century, and turn it into something that has all the evocative powers of a facelifted autorickshaw?!!   They could have just left out the trademark grille and this would be another cute little EV concept. Instead, it now looks like the pitiable result of a drunken one-night stand between a jeep and a scooty.    Following text is from supercars.net: Chrysler Group designers took a look into the future and created a concept vehicle that explores the limits of the Jeep® brand, combining innovative design and environmentally friendly advanced technology in an activity vehicle aimed at young consumers.   Premiering at the 37th Tokyo Motor Show, Jeep Treo offers a fresh new look at classic Jeep design themes, such as the seven-bar grille and prominent windshield presence. Inside, the Jeep Treo provides space for three passengers or two-plus-gear in a cabin that creates an open feel in what is a truly compact vehicle. Underneath, Treo is based on an all-new platform designed to utilise drive-by-wire technology and a zero-emission fuel cell - or other advanced powerplant of the future - along with an electric drive powertrain that gives Treo full-time four-wheel drive capability.    Treo's designers were challenged to look a decade or more into the future and extend the Jeep brands customer base. The result is an urban mobility vehicle that provides Jeep style and freedom in a clean, compact package - one that can adapt to youthful lifestyle demands, both in an urban environment and at the trailhead. A Bold New Jeep Signature The Treo's front end presents a bold new Jeep signature and provides fresh insights on the classic Jeep face. Treo then tapers front-to-back in a tear-drop shape, to end with two high-mounted spar wings that house rear lamps and serve as mounts for twin high-tech Jeep Rubicon mountain bikes - the perfect equipment for tomorrow's active young consumers. The rear hatch with a large cutout notch provides easy access to rear storage.    Jeep ruggedness is signalled by the flared wheel arches that give the over-sized tyres plenty of play, tow hooks exposed on the front end, and the precision tool look of the headlamps and mirrors. The military-style tyre tread, exposed front suspension and the hiking boot tread detail on the sill plate all enhance the vehicle's adventurous image.  The Treo's look is rugged and purposeful - a truly imaginative evolution of the Jeep face with packaging that belies its compact dimensions, said Creed. It has a real presence in the flesh, one that grows more interesting every time you look at it - from every angle. Flexible Interior and Propulsion Possibilities Jeep Treo's interior continues the simple, honest Jeep look. The steering wheel and column, pedals, speedometer and other instruments are housed in a single, sculptured module. The entire module slides through a slot in the dash for quick adaptation to right- or left-hand driving, extending Treos reach to world markets. The radio, global positioning satellite locator and climate controls with touch-screen operation are housed in a second, removable module.  Lightweight seats are made of translucent material over a strong carbon fibre frame. The rear seat folds flat for storage of additional gear. Another configuration allows for the front wheels from the Rubicon bikes to be removed and mounted in the rear of the interior, while still allowing a third passenger to ride along.  Despite the vehicle's compactness, a feeling of openness is maintained in the interior by the large windshield, a see-through, seven-slotted Jeep front grille, and a glass roof that extends over the rear passenger space.  Jeep Treo is powered by two electric motors driving the front and rear wheels, giving the vehicle full-time four-wheel drive capability. For the future, Treo is designed to adapt to new technologies, such as drive-by-wire, fuel cells or other advanced powertrains.    Treo's visionary vehicle packaging with its basic three-seat configuration and built-in versatility lends itself to future Jeep activity seekers - at entry-level price positioning. It is rugged and functional in genuine Jeep fashion, but its adaptability is taken to the next level, Creed said. Last edited by Xinger : 29th July 2009 at 21:04. |
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1st August 2009, 14:18
| #32 |
| BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mumbai
Posts: 166
Thanked: 14 Times
| Citroen Cactus CITROEN CACTUS    Making its world debut at Frankfurt, the C-Cactus is an imaginative and ingenious eco-friendly concept car brimming with clever thinking and dramatic design, which demonstrates how an extremely environmentally-sensitive design is feasible for a similar price to a conventional car.      It’s radical design is centered on essential values abandoning features that are not essential to comfort and focus instead on technology, styling and equipment that are positive, ecological and valued by users. The Marque's ambitious aim is to market an ecological hatchback with cheerful, attractive styling, equipped with a hybrid HDi drivetrain and sold at the same price as an entry-level C4.      Low on consumption, like the cactus plant, the diesel hybrid model returns over 80 mpg on the combined cycle helped by an innovative approach to reducing weight and impact on the environment by drastically cutting the number of components used – including even doing away with a conventional dashboard and bonnet.       C-Cactus has a unique personality and style yet the focus was very much on simplicity. The front bumper section, which includes the headlamps and trademark Citroën chevrons, also makes up the lower part of the rear tailgate. The design of the car’s front end consists of just two parts: the fixed bonnet comprising the front wings and a flap giving access to the vehicle maintenance functions.     The spacious and light cabin, with its panoramic glass sunroof and large windscreen, is optimised by the simplicity and effectiveness of the interior design. The front seats comprise just two parts: a comfortable, moulded, integral-skin foam part for the seat and a solid monoblock frame to hold the former in place and fix it to the floor rails.    Maximising the car’s green credentials, the C-Cactus uses a significant number of recycled or recyclable materials. The windscreen, windows and tyres are all recyclable, as are the steel door panels, that are unpainted but which have been treated for corrosion. The interior materials also reflect the innovative ecological direction of the C-Cactus’ design. Environmentally-friendly cork and felt are used for many parts and the patterned floor uses recycled leather taken from cut-offs.  (source ~ citroen.co.uk) Last edited by Xinger : 1st August 2009 at 14:29. |
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1st August 2009, 15:16
| #33 |
| BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mumbai
Posts: 166
Thanked: 14 Times
| Opel Ampera Opel Ampera  The five-door, four-seat Opel Ampera is influenced by Opel's award-winning design language of sculptural artistry meets German precision, incorporating several styling cues from the innovative Flextreme and GTC Concept show cars   "There could not be a more fitting way to celebrate Opel's 110 years of innovation in the car industry than by revealing the Opel Ampera," said Alain Visser, GME Vice President Opel. The Opel Ampera's wheels are turned electrically at all times and speeds. For journeys up to 60 km (MVEG), it runs on electricity stored in the 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery, and emits zero CO2. When the battery's energy is depleted, electricity from an engine-generator extends the Ampera's range to more than 500 km.   The Opel Ampera can be plugged into any household 230v outlet for charging. GM Europe is analyzing the requirements of a recharging infrastructure for plug-in electric cars with energy companies, including Iberdrola of Spain. Opel Ampera Gets Power and Refinement from Voltec Propulsion System The revolutionary Opel Ampera will be the first emission-free, electrically driven automobile in Europe suitable for everyday driving. With its Voltec electric propulsion system providing lively acceleration and high levels of refinement, the five-door Opel Ampera seats four passengers in comfort, offers a useful trunk for their luggage, and features an extended range of more than 500 kilometers.  "Driving electrically is not only about ecology," said global vehicle line executive and chief engineer, Frank Weber. "Driving electrically is also great fun. Instantaneous, silent torque of 370 Newton meters under your right foot feels like flying!"  Electricity drives the Opel Ampera's wheels at all times and speeds. For trips up to 60 km (MVEG), power is supplied by the electricity stored in the cutting-edge, 16-kWh, lithium-ion battery.  While driving on electricity delivered by the battery, the Opel Ampera emits zero CO2. When the battery's energy is depleted, a gasoline/E85-fueled engine-generator seamlessly provides electricity to power the electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery. This mode of operation extends the range to 500 kilometers, until the battery can be charged by plugging the vehicle's on-board charge system into a standard household 230v outlet.  Opel Ampera gives driver confidence and peace of mind Unlike a conventional battery-electric vehicle, the Opel Ampera eliminates "range anxiety," giving the confidence and peace of mind that the driver will not be stranded by a depleted battery.  "An advanced lithium-ion battery system is the key to getting the Opel Ampera into the hands of consumers", said Hans Demant, GME's vice president of engineering. "The engineers at our research and development center in Mainz-Kastel, Germany are testing the battery around the clock, 365 days a year to ensure that it meets the expectations of our customers."  The Opel Ampera's battery pack will be manufactured by GM at the first lithium-ion production facility to be operated by a major automaker in the United States. More than 220 lithium-ion cells in the T-shaped pack provide ample power. The nearly silent electric drive unit delivers 370 Nm of instant torque, the equivalent of 150 horsepower, zero to 100 km/h acceleration in around nine seconds, and a top speed of 161 km/h.  (source ~ netcarshow.com) Last edited by Xinger : 1st August 2009 at 15:24. |
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1st August 2009, 16:31
| #34 | |
| Senior - BHPian  | Quote:
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1st August 2009, 17:28
| #35 | |
| BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mumbai
Posts: 166
Thanked: 14 Times
| Quote:
 The Chevrolet Volt Concept The Chevy Volt concept was actually a much better looking car as compared to the final production version which was revealed 2 years later. In fact, it is an interesting study of how real-world concerns like aerodynamics, parts costs, safety concerns, roadworthiness etc have such a massive impact on the final design of a car, as compared to concepts where the designers can just let their imagination run wild. Here is a comparison of the concept and the production version. Volt Concept is on the left, production version is on the right. (for lower resolution browsers the concept picture is above, the production car pic for comparison is immediately below.)                 As you can see, the concept was a much more muscular looking car, with much smaller windows (not viable at all, though it looks good!); much more muscular-looking wheel arches; longer hood etc. A classic example that while the the concept is all about design over practicality, in the production version it is the reverse - though this would not necessarily be true of niche sports cars and the like. Last edited by Xinger : 1st August 2009 at 17:44. | |
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1st August 2009, 19:02
| #36 |
| BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mumbai
Posts: 166
Thanked: 14 Times
| Buick Riviera BUICK RIVIERA CONCEPT  Unveiled at China's Auto Shanghai 2007, the gull-wing, front-wheel-drive Riviera concept coupe was developed with global design input by the Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), a design and engineering joint venture between General Motors and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC). PATAC is headquartered in Shanghai.    Engineered to accommodate a new hybrid system that will go into production this year at Shanghai GM (SGM), GM's flagship joint venture with SAIC, the Riviera features several technological and manufacturing advances. They represent the latest achievements of GM and its partners in the promotion and development of alternative propulsion technologies in China.     Riviera's enticing curves and "earth and water" interior tones are drawn from diverse inspirations including classic Buicks, ancient Chinese artifacts and modern electronic icons. To PATAC designers, the car, inside and out, communicates universal beauty – a look that transcends cultural or national boundaries.   The use of carbon fiber in all body panels allowed designers greater flexibility through reduced mass and added strength. This made the gull-wing engineering demands easier to realize and sharp, tight radius curves possible across the body surface. The side mirrors are sweeping yet unobtrusive, taking a cue from Formula One racecars, and the Riviera sits on 21-inch, 10-spoke forged aluminum wheels that combine polished and satin finishes with low-profile tires.   The interior has no discernible start and finish point for the front and sides, creating a comfortable lounge feel. It is immediately futuristic yet somehow familiar. A three-dimensional speedometer, inspired by past classics but utterly modern in design, complements the touchpad styled central console loosely modeled on a computer mouse. An LCD display screen crowns the central console.   (source ~ Buick Press Release) Last edited by Xinger : 1st August 2009 at 19:07. |
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1st August 2009, 23:18
| #37 | |
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2nd August 2009, 09:23
| #38 | |
| BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mumbai
Posts: 166
Thanked: 14 Times
| Quote:
  So the general assumption that the Chinese can only make weird looking vehicles or ripoffs, goes out of the window! | |
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3rd August 2009, 00:01
| #39 |
| BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mumbai
Posts: 166
Thanked: 14 Times
| A Car that runs on AIR (!) AirPOD MDI, the company created by the French engineer Guy Nègre, has released a new vehicle to be "powered by compressed air", the AirPOD.  This odd-looking vehicle might struggle to meet crash testing rules – but it contains technology that could lead to a range of zero-emissions vehicles that don’t rely on electricity.  Besides the compressed air engine, the AirPOD has another unusual feature: a joystick instead of a steering wheel. All controls are "by wire", with no mechanical connection among components. It is a 2.07 m long, 1.60 m wide and 1.74 m tall covered car (it looks like a trike, but it has two hidden wheels in the front end) with room for four people (three adults and one child). Direction is given by different speeds in each of the rear wheels.  Very light (only 220 kg for the passenger version), it can have its 175 l air tank recharged in a mere 1.5 minute (at 350 bar!) and is able to run up to 220 km, with a top speed of 70 km/h for people with a driving license.  In France, there are vehicles that can be driven by children and people with no driving licenses in regular city traffic. For these people, AirPOD's top speed is limited to 45 km/h. (source ~ motortips.blogspot.com) A car that runs on compressed air?! Come on, I can't believe that actually works! Wait, someone actually did a test run on one of these things: Low Speed Only For now, the mono-energy AirPOD is limited to speeds below 70 kilometers per hour (43 mpg), or below 45 kilometers (28 mph) in markets where the car is elgible to be driven without a driver's license. The AirPOD's current range is quoted at 136 miles in MDI's sales literature. With the equivalent of only 5.45 horsepower, break-neck performance is not the AirPOD's forte. The AirPOD is a four-wheeler, regular-sized in the rear and two very small wheels mounted up front almost directly beneath the driver's feet.  These tiny shopping-trolley front wheels probably don't do much for the AirPOD's racetrack prowess, but they make for impressive low-speed cornering acrobatics. The 106-inch-long AirPOD can perform a 360-degree turn within its own petite shadow.  In fact, our ride was momentarily curtailed when the AirPOD's engine started chugging slower and the car's speed kept dropping.  Realizing a fill-up with compressed air was needed, the driver hopped out of the car and plugged the AirPOD into a bank of air tanks located at MDI's factory.  Less Oomph That's because compressed air, pound for pound, is less energy dense than these other forms of automotive fuel. MDI representatives readily admitted during our visit that, if driven at highway speeds and mounted in a traditional vehicle, an air-powered engine would have a severely limited range. "There's no way to make 4x4s that run on air," Negre admitted. "So we're going to make cars that are more adapted to customers actual use." MDI also is working with India's largest auto manufacturer, Tata Motors, which has an exclusive license to manufacture and market air cars in India. Tata has not released specifics about pricing, sales dates, or plans to use compressed air technology, but is expected to focus its exclusive use of MDI's air-powered motors on the Nano. (source ~ edmunds.com) |
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3rd August 2009, 18:51
| #40 |
| BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mumbai
Posts: 166
Thanked: 14 Times
| Hyundai Ix-Onic Hyundai's ‘Urban nomad’ ix-onic crossover concept (could be the next Tucson)  * Hyundai concept reveals dynamic new look for compact SUVs * Use of innovative plastics allows novel rear-screen design * Premium treatment in stylish ‘X’-themed interior * First application of new 1.6-litre GDi turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine - The next-generation, eco-friendly engine emits 149 g/km of CO2 The sensational all-new Hyundai ix-onic (pronounced “ik-sonnik”) concept car introduces a whole new look for a compact 4×4 SUV.  With an overall length of 4,400mm, the 1,850mm-wide and 1,650mm-high ix-onic has a great stance and road presence. The design team fused a light, elegant and sporty upper body, with belt lines flowing off both the front and rear wheel arches, to a tough, planted lower body so that the concept is assertive in the way it sits on the road.  Key attributes of Hyundai’s ‘dynamic sculpture’ design philosophy are highlighted by bold, dynamic graphic elements such as the hexagonal front grille, the dramatically swept back headlamps, the split belt-line and the third side window kick-up. LED Daytime Running Lights boost brand identity The hexagonal grille is a further evolution of the style introduced on the 2006 Genus concept car and developed for its appearance on the i-mode concept in 2008. The headlamps feature innovative LED daytime running lights (DRL) which are becoming an increasingly important element of brand identity. For the innovative ix-onic, part of the DRL moves down whenever ‘dipped beam’ is switched on, and DRL are also fitted to the door mirror housings.  The profile of ix-onic features a dynamic greenhouse and a sports car-like theme with a muscular, double-zigzag treatment for the wheel arches that wrap around the 21-inch polished alloy wheels. Unusually, the concave sills have a wedge-shaped profile which extends rearwards and wraps around into the rear bumper. The sills and bumper are finished in a contrasting colour, with an aluminium garnish that echoes the aluminium trim in the door handles to enhance the perception of premium quality.  With high-mounted tail lamps, multi-surfaced glass and a sculpted bumper, the rear of ix-onic also incorporates ‘dynamic design’ elements. The rear lamp clusters feature a grille mesh inspired by the nature, while the rear bumper also neatly incorporates the dual, polished aluminium exhaust tailpipes.   The rear window has been designed and produced by Hyundai in close cooperation with the QarmaQ-partner SABIC Innovative Plastics. Using Lexan high-performance plastics instead of conventional glass enabled the designers to give the rear window a much more three-dimensional shape. On each side of the rear window, two vertical spoilers are integrated to reduce aerodynamic drag. The upper part of the window features a strongly concave shape to make it possible to integrate the roof spoiler in the rear window. Additionally, “Exatec- glazing” was used to incorporate the third stoplight in the upper part of the rear window. Furthermore, a three-dimensional U-shape surrounds the rear wiper to enhance its visual integration into the backlight.   Light and fresh interior seats five in luxurious comfort Inside, the five-seater ix-onic offers a commanding view of the road and evokes an adventurous ambience that is also laid-back and relaxing.  An X-shaped visual theme is repeated across numerous areas of the cabin, with embossed leather to accentuate key areas while light-alloy magnesium accents provide flashes of visual brilliance. The sleek shapes of the interior are outlined with ‘ice blue’ seams that replicate the colour of both the ribbed ice blue floor carpet, which contains a high percentage of natural cashmere wool, and the exterior. Shapely seats feature centre panels trimmed in breathable fabric with attractive and functional cushion side bolsters, plus additional lateral support for occupants’ shoulders – all trimmed in contrasting magnesium grey.  Mounted much higher than usual in the doors, the audio speakers present occupants with a true and highly detailed, top-quality sound reproduction. The interior rear-view mirror has a ‘blind spot’ warning light that alerts the driver to other road users in close proximity. All-new power train ensures performance lives up to appearance Beneath its sensational exterior, the ix-onic’s power train is equipped with a 170 PS, 1.6-litre GDi turbocharged, four-cylinder petrol engine, with ISG (Idle Stop & Go) technology and a double-clutch six-speed transmission. Power is transferred to the road by an intelligent four-wheel-drive system fine-tuned to deliver outstanding on-road driving dynamics, together with significant off-road ability. The next-generation, eco-friendly engine emits just 149 g/km of CO2, an impressive figure for an SUV. (source ~ Hyundai Press release) |
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3rd August 2009, 20:58
| #41 | |
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4th August 2009, 00:08
| #42 | |
| BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mumbai
Posts: 166
Thanked: 14 Times
| Quote:
In fact I'll never run out even if some other people start posting concepts they like, which hardly anyone seems to be doing currently. :( | |
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4th August 2009, 07:29
| #43 | |
| Senior - BHPian | Quote:
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4th August 2009, 07:50
| #44 | |
| BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mumbai
Posts: 166
Thanked: 14 Times
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In fact I would say if any BHPians have concepts of their own - finished sketches or computer-generated models - they could put them up. Any budding car designers or hobbyists here? If it's not your own concept I would say let's stick to cars that have actual working prototypes. Come on people! | |
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4th August 2009, 21:58
| #45 |
| BHPian Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Mumbai
Posts: 166
Thanked: 14 Times
| Citroen C-Metisse     This is a very stylish, very powerful high performance concept car that can hit top speeds of over 155 mph. Not only that, but the Citroen C-Metisse can actually cover about 45 miles for each gallon of gas. The main point of this car was to actually explore new paths in car design. As you can see, the paths that they chose to take are quite stunning indeed.      The first thing that people notice when looking at the Citroen C-Metisse is the fact that it has front and rear gull wing doors. On top of its good looks, it also comes with impeccable environmental credentials as well. It boasts a V6 diesel engine that has a great diesel particulate filter system, as well as two completely separate electric motors on the rear wheels. This gives the car the extra torque when on the highway, and when you are just driving this car around town, it can run in zero emission mode.   The 208 bhp V6 HDI diesel engine in the front is only in charge of running the two front wheels. It is a six speed automatic car that also comes with 4 wheel drive. This car can go from 0-62 mph in just 6.2 seconds.      |
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