Super Concept Cars Blog

Italdesign Quaranta

The Italdesign Quaranta was designed to celebrate Italdesign Giugiaro’s forty years of business in styling and technological research. The concept was inspired by the Bizzarrini Manta concept from 1968. But in reality the Quaranta has a lot more in common with the Volta concept created by Italdesign for Toyota in 2004.

The Quaranta uses a 3.3 litre V6 Toyota engine with Hybrid Synergy Drive to provide 268 horsepower and 212 lb-ft of torque. The innovative aspect of this engine lies in the ability of the electronic control system to regulate the power distributed by the electric motors to the wheels, making the clutch-gearbox-transmission block superfluous.

The batteries which power the electric motors are located between the engine compartment and the cockpit. These are replenished by the solar panels positioned on the roof and through regenerative braking. The Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system also includes the E-CVT Electronic-Continuously Variable Transmission, an automatic planetary gear transmission with ratios varying infinitely as speed changes. This power source and transmission system gives the concept a rapid 0-60 mph time of just over 4 seconds as well as a massive 621 mile range.

Access to the Italdesign Quaranta’s cabin is “step-in” via an upper door incorporating the side ones. At the touch of an electric button, the door opens upward while regulated by proximity sensors for safety.

Inside, the most striking features are the central driving position and multi-control steering wheel which houses all the vehicles driving and control functions on the spokes.

The dashboard has been conceived with a sporting, modern look, with clean-cut details matching the style of the exterior, and equipped with a vast array of instruments. These are organized on two levels: the screens of the side and rear TV cameras are positioned on the upper level, with particular attention to the left-hand view mirror, useful when overtaking; the lower level is dedicated to the management of the vehicle. The drive-panel also includes a visor for X-ray sensors for night driving.

Representatives of Hybrid Kinetic Motors and Italdesign Giugiaro signed a contract for the styling and engineering of a line of hybrids that are slated to be produced in Alabama starting in 2013.

Italdesign Giugiaro has worked with major automakers around the world and has developed more than 200 car models over the past 40 years.

Red carpet, spotlights and music marked Tuesday’s ceremony, which culminated with the unveiling of the Quaranta concept car designed by Italdesign Giugiaro to mark the firm’s 40th anniversary. It’s a 156 mph supercar powered by a hybrid system.

The Quaranta was shown in Montgomery as an example of the style and engineering that will be a part of the Alabama-built hybrids, said CT Wang, CEO of Hybrid Kinetic Motors.

Many people think hybrid vehicles are small with limited horsepower, but “the hybrid can be exciting,” he said.

Media from Europe and Asia attended the ceremony, along with local and state leaders including Gov. Bob Riley and Lieutenant Gov. Jim Folsom.

Hybrid Kinetic Motors’ founder and chairman is Yung Yeung, a former Chinese auto executive.

Audi presents the highlight of the IAA 2009: the e-tron, a high-performance sports car with a purely electric drive system. Four motors – two each at the front and rear axles – drive the wheels, making the concept car a true quattro. Producing 230 kW (313 hp) and 4,500 Nm (3,319.03 lb-ft) of torque, the two-seater accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h (0 – 62.14 mph) in 4.8 seconds, and from 60 to 120 km/h (37.28 – 74.56 mph) in 4.1 seconds. The lithium-ion battery provides a truly useable energy content of 42.4 kilowatt hours to enable a range of approximately 248 kilometers.

Another eye-catching Cadillac concept will break cover on Jan. 12 at the Detroit auto show.

 Cadillac released a teaser of the show car on Tuesday, and from it we can see elaborate headlight casings, a prominent grille that follows the brand’s recent design language and impressive wheel arches. The doors and body panels appear chiseled, and the lines flow backward. The concept also will be fitted with imposing wheels.

The 2011 CTS-V coupe, which goes into production next summer, will also be revealed in Detroit, following the debut of the CTS coupe at the Los Angeles auto show.

The Detroit auto show was also the stage for the reveal of the Converj concept in 2009 and the CTS coupe concept in 2008.

Cadillac has enjoyed a product renaissance in recent years with the success of the CTS sedan. It was joined by a wagon sibling this year, as well as the redone SRX crossover.

The latest creation of Romanian designer Andrus Ciprian is the HUMMER HB, an extreme off-road vehicle with almost no front or rear overhangs, and massive wheels and tires for tackling almost any surface.

The HUMMER HB’s construction consists of a body-on-frame format with aluminium and carbon fiber being the main materials used throughout. The vehicle would be offered in two different versions. One would be equipped with a smaller windscreen split into three sections, and an array of cameras around the vehicle which relay video to screens around the driver. This model would be aimed at buyers who want greater security. The second model is fitted with a more conventional single frame windscreen and is designed more for the serious off-roader with additional lighting mounted on the roof.

The underside of the HB is protected by armored paneling which protects the drivetrain and passengers from rocks and other potentially damaging objects.

Hidden within the front bumper is a powerful winch for helping extract the HB, or other vehicles, from sticky situations.

The HUMMER HB is powered by a V6 engine which is biofuel capable. Power is sent to all four wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission.

Volkswagen’s Concept Blue Sports premieres in Detroit as a study in combining great fuel economy with a sporty drive and looks. The roadster measures some four metres in length but weighs less than 1200kg. VW has put a turbo diesel engine in it and that tips the performance scales even more in its favour.

The engine is a 2.0-litre TDI that makes 180hp (134kW) from 4,200rpm and a hefty torque of 350Nm made from just 1,750rpm. Said to be capable of a 0 – 100km/h time of 6.6 seconds and a top speed of 226km/h (140mph), the Blue Sports concept emits just 113g/km in harmful C02 gasses. It averages 4.3 litres per 100km (55mpg US/ 66mpg UK) in fuel consumption.

Not to be classified as a lightweight with no proper credentials, the car runs on massive 235/35ZR19 tyres front and 245/35ZR19 rear. The gearbox is VW’s trusted quick-shifting DSG with 6 forward gears and one reverse.

Technologies adopted are bi-xenon LED headlights outside, a touchscreen that controls infotainment sources inside and an easy-to-use top that can be removed in seconds. Could the Concept Blue Sports be pointing towards a future Scirocco cabriolet? Time will tell.

2010 Audi A1 Buying Advice

If you’re thinking of a fun minicar, the 2010 Audi A1 could offer something unique in its c­lass: AWD. The Mini Cooper has front-wheel drive, and the 2009 BMW 1-S­eries will have rear-wheel drive.

2010 Audi A1 Release Date: To be announced.

First Test Drive: Is spring 2009 too much to hope for?

2010 Audi A1 Prices: They’re a long way from being finalized, but will be set to avoid stealing sales from the Audi A3, which currently runs in the $25,400-$34,000 range. We’ll go out on the proverbial limb and predict A1s will start around $22,000 and top out around $28,000 for loaded AWD versions.

Coming to the next North American Auto Show in Detroit, BMW will show a 1 Series based EV called the Concept ActiveE. This is yet another piece of evidence that all of the big auto manufacturers will be getting into making electric vehicles in one way or another. And, since this is a BMW, it looks like they’re tying to keep it as fun to drive as possible.

Let’s deal with the specifics first, and then we can talk about the potential impact after that. The BMW Concept ActiveE is rear wheel drive and that means it should be fun to drive, especially when you consider all the torque that electric motors can churn out. And speaking of the EV 1-Series is powered by synchronous electric motor that is all new and was designed and will be purpose built for this car. The motor develops 125 kW/170 bhp, and puts out a maximum torque of 250 Nm / 184 lb-ft. The electric motor gets its juice from a lithium-ion battery pack that was jointly developed by BMW and SB LiMotive (a German electronics firm). The custom tailored battery features a new stable temperature regulating function that optimizes the battery packs performance.

Weight? Well, as for all things EV, it’s kind of on the porky side. The BMW Concept ActiveE tips weighs 1,800 kilograms or 3900 lbs. Given the size of the BMW 1 Series, that is pretty hefty, but not all that bad for an EV.

In wanting to bring the performance up to BMW standards, they have kept the center of gravity low and have kept weight distribution as even as possible. When you add this to the rear drive layout, then it’s easy to believe that the BMW Concept ActiveE ” … has everything it requires to provide the dynamic driving properties and agile handling in the style of the BMW 1 Series,” as BMW says.

Performance-wise, the little EV should scoot from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in less than 9 seconds, and tops out at an electronically limited to 145 km/h (90 mph). BMW says that the “real-world range” should be about 160 km / 100 miles on a single charge, depending on conditions.

And speaking of charging, keeping the lithium-ion battery pack topped up is handled via conventional power outlets at public charging stations or at a special wall box at home. In Europe, the battery pack can be fully charged at a 50 ampere high-current power outlet in as little as 3 hours. And in North America, using a 32 ampere continuous high-current residential wall box, the charge time is around 4.5 hours.

The ActiveE is just a concept, says BMW, but I wouldn’t be too surprised to see this one on the road soon.

Toyota Hi CT

The Toyota Hi-CT concept car is a departure from conventional cars. The Toyota Hi-CT wants to offer new ways of being “cool” and new ways of having fun.

Toyota says that the Hi-CT concept was inspired by the thinking and lifestyle of younger drivers.

Toyota Press Release:

Toyota Hi-CT

The Toyota Hi-CT aims to offer a new “coolness” and new ways to have fun as a departure from conventional vehicles—an edgy, urban vehicle inspired by the thinking and lifestyles of youth.

- Offers a new kind of automotive “cool” and sense of enjoyment.

- Has a new look unconstrained by conventional vehicle size (length 3,330mm x width 1,695mm x height 1,780mm).

- Adopts plug-in hybrid technology, which allows it to charge from an external power source and gives it a greater driving range when running on its battery-powered motor; by placing the battery under the floor, achieves a highly efficient cabin with a higher driver position.

- Comes with an AC100V accessory socket that enables stored electricity—made possible by plug-in

hybrid technology—to be used for a variety of applications.

- Features a removable rear trunk and a deck where surfboards, bicycles and other equipment can be loaded.

The 206 CC, presented in 1998 as the Concept 20 ♥ has been very successful in providing for the first time in its segment, an electrically retractable hardtop. With the launch of the 207, Peugeot teams have naturally thought of a CC version for this new range, bringing all their know-how on “pleasure silhouette.

This concept car, 207 EPISTLE this one hand the features of the future 207 CC Series, but also a technology demonstrator: in fact, the 207 Epure is equipped with an electric motor powered by a battery fuel. The spirit of fun and freedom found driving a convertible takes its full meaning: the total absence of polluting emissions and silence reigning in its use, the driver, but his car are then truly at one with their environment. Pleasure and ecology are a brand.

Fuel Cell (PAC)

The benefits of fuel cell to its environment are numerous:

• offer an alternative to fossil fuels
• contribute to reducing CO2 emissions and thus to control the greenhouse
• improve the quality of city life, through quiet running vehicles using an electric motor and the elimination of local emissions

This technology still faces many technical and economic challenges before considering the mass production. PSA Peugeot Citroën has initiated a research to explore different solutions. This work in turn led to the realization of several demonstrators, such as the Taxi PAC, H 2 0, or more recently the Quark.

Technological content of the 207 EPISTLE: the “GENEPAC 20″

The 207 Epure receives for the first time on a demonstrator, the fuel cell GENEPAC. Combining simplicity and modularity, this French-designed battery is designed to be compact and efficient. The principle of this new technology stack PEMFC (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell) is based on the use of thin stainless steel stampings, to reduce the cost and volume of the stack compared to conventional plates.

This system also allows easy declining power of the battery. Thus, the battery used on this demonstrator, called “GENEPAC 20″ version is a 20 kW system GENEPAC. Specifically, “GENEPAC 20″ consists of two modules each comprising a stack of thin plates and membrane electrode assembly. The fuel cell system thus provides a performance level above 50% against 25 to 30% for a heat engine.

Five bottles containing together 3 kg of hydrogen compressed to 700 bar. They bring together the electric motor and battery type lithium-ion “maximum energy and autonomy. They are located at the bottom of the trunk of the vehicle, saving the 2 rear seat allows operation of the retractable roof mechanism and leaves part of the safe usable position cut.

Using an electric motor allows the 207 EPISTLE not use energy unless it is in motion and to recover when decelerating. It also makes this demonstrator silent, an important quality for a vehicle in town and very valuable for a driving gig.

These technologies allow the CAP 207 Epure achieve autonomy consistent (approximately 350 km) while offering a pleasing level of performance with a maximum speed of 130 km / h.

Helping to maintain clean air by not rejecting only water, 207 of this future is well suited to use urban and suburban … For “pure sensations”, new and ever more intense!

Specifications

Motors

• Type: Electric
• Nominal power: 40 kW
• Peak power: 70 kW
• Max. 180 Nm

Battery Power

• Type: Lithium-ion
• Power max.: 50 kilowatts

Fuel Cell GENEPAC 20

• Sponsor: EAA
• Power max.: 20 kilowatts

Reserve hydrogen

• Volume 5 bottles each of: 15 l
• Each cylinder pressure: 700 bar
• Total mass of hydrogen onboard: 3 kg

Performance

• Max.: 130 km / h
• 0 to 100 km / h: 15.0 s
• 30 to 60 km / h: 3.5 sec

• Range: 350 km
• Weight: 1550 kg

External dimensions

• Length: 4 037 mm
• Width (overall): 1 749 mm
• Wheelbase: 2 540 mm
• Height: 1 387 mm
• Door to overhang: 836 mm
• Door to rear overhang: 661 mm

What is it
An electric car based on the i10 city car, which is enjoying booming sales under the scrappage scheme.

Hyundai i10 Electric

Hyundai says electric cars are crucial if it is to meet its target of bringing down the average CO2 emissions of its range to 95g/km by 2020, but it plans a low-key start with the battery-powered i10.

Limited production of the car will begin late next year, with vehicles going on trial with Korean government departments and domestic fleets.

Hyundai i10 Electric

However, UK importers have expressed interest in conducting tests with the car. ‘We would be very interested in taking it,’ said a Hyundai UK spokesman.

The British importer believes the plug-in i10 could do particularly well in London, where Mayor Boris Johnson wants to create the electric-car capital of the world.

Hyundai says it is unlikely that the car will have any significant presence in Europe until 2012 at the earliest.

‘The problem is that there would be a very high cost for the batteries alone – perhaps €10,000 (£8000),’ says Hans-Ulrich Goebel, Hyundai’s European product planning manager.

‘It is likely to be some time before we could expect to see acceptance of such a cost by private customers, but there is potentially a big market for electric small vans.’

Allan Rushforth, vice-president of Hyundai Europe, added: ‘The threshold of what is acceptable varies from country to country and is dependent on what incentives governments are prepared to offer motorists to take up such systems, but ultimately, the customer will have to pay.’

Hyundai i10 Electric

Performance and range
The electric i10 is driven by a 49-kilowatt (65bhp) electric motor powered by a 16 kw/hr lithium ion polymer battery.

Hyundai claims a range of 100 miles on a full charge and a top speed of 80mph.

Recharging takes five hours using a standard domestic socket, but the batteries can be restored to 85% of capacity in 15 minutes through an industrial (420V) power point.