This is the next generation of super sports, leisure and business travel. Its not a flying Car but more a road-going plane, helicopter and boat designed by the Aerospace Industry.

A unique and cutting edge opportunity to experience the ultimate in multi-faceted transportation developed for the most discerning independent traveler. Watch this space…

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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.

A company planning to build a hybrid car plant in Baldwin County today made a pact with a well-known Italian firm to design those vehicles during a splashy ceremony in Montgomery.

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.

Bionic Concept Car

The pace at which the number of vehicles is increasing on the city roads, causing pollution and massive traffic jams, the day isn’t far beyond when we will have to start walking down to the marketplace or workplace, like our ancestors used to do before the invention of autos. Addressing the issue, Romanian designer Vlad Icobet has come up with a futuristic vehicle that draws inspiration from the beautiful and organic shapes of nature and plants and blends it with advanced technology, making the cities a worthy living place. Intended for ultra-crowded cities of 2030 and beyond, the Bionic concept car runs on solar energy generated by the see-through polycarbonate roof with attached solar photovoltaic cells.
Featuring advanced and optimized materials (EAP-electro-active polymer layers) to change its shape in order to fit the varied needs of different users, the futuristic car also integrates advanced in-wheel motor technology, Nano PV cells and lithium ION battery for zero carbon emissions. Since the electric motor is placed within the wheels, the car can rotate on a sharp 360° angle with minimum fuss. The sustainable vehicle also includes an interactive display that allows the user to watch and control the vehicle’s reshaping options, GPS navigation and music player, while the modification zones are placed into the seat surfaces to control the expression of the seats for better comfort. In short, the Bionic concept car offers both new natural aesthetics and functional values through its radical design for future commutation.

Its design sets the theme for a series of upcoming BMW road cars and proves BMW is discarding the worst excesses of the flame design theory in favor of a lighter, less heavy, more aggressive look.

BMW uses a diesel-electric hybrid system and the layout is more conventional, with the engine up front, driving the rear wheels through the M3’s Getrag double-clutch six-speed gearbox.

The engine, with 163 horsepower and 214 lb-ft. of torque, is all aluminum and produces more power than the 116d’s existing 2.0-liter turbo-diesel BMW engine.

The engine gets crushing acceleration by using two electric motors ahead of the gearbox. One of these drives the front wheels under acceleration and the other helps the diesel engine out by adding its torque to the rear axles.

While the motor for the rear wheels produces only 33 horsepower, it has 214 lb-ft. of torque (or, as much again as the diesel engine in its strongest part of the rev range), though it can be over boosted to 51 horsepower.

The front motor is a different type, producing more power (80 horsepower), but less torque (162 lb-ft.), even though it can flit to over 134 horsepower in hard acceleration.

The battery pack to power the electric motors sits inside the chassis tunnel and weighs 187 lbs. and, like the Benz concept, it is a Lithium-ion unit. Inside, the battery has 98 lithium polymer cells which generate 364 Volts and can store 10.8kW/h of electricity.
The strange thing is that the battery is charged as the car is running from the engine and from regenerative braking, or it can be charged as a plug-in from normal 220 Volt/16 Amp systems in two-and-a-half hours.

BMW claims, then, that the car produces 356 horsepower and 590 lb-ft. of torque and, given that it weighs only 3,075 lbs., it will be something of a rocket in a straight line.

It is claiming 0-62 mph times of just 4.8 seconds and it has been limited to 155 mph – both numbers that bring to mind the M3. Almost the exact opposite of the M3, though, is how many resources it consumes to get its performance.

BMW insists its concept will stretch to 75.1 mpg Imperial (about 63 mpg U.S.) with a CO2 number below 100 g/km and, it says, people should be prepared for consumption and emission numbers like this to become more common from its brand as hybrid drive systems infiltrate its range of cars.

The car is also capable of running as either a pure diesel or a pure electric car, where it gets a range of 31 miles before the diesel offers another 400 miles of driving on its 6.6 gallon tank.

Ushering in a new design era
As the first car of the new, Adrian von Hooydonk era of design at BMW, it also offers strong hints about where BMW wants to take its super critical new-generation 3- and 5-Series. von Hooydonk has taken over as the BMW Group’s design boss and has used the Vision EfficientDynamics to experiment with acres of glass, an all-new interior concept.

At 181 inches long, the slinky concept has four seats and, at 74 inches wide and 48.8 inches tall, is only just bigger than the existing 3-Series coupe.

His idea is a two-seater vehicle that runs on a center-mounted “high-power fuel cell stack,” also working with a rear-mounted battery pack.  The energy powers the front wheels via a coaxial electric motor.  Fuel is stored in two separate hydrogen tanks over the rear axle.  Trim argues that this layout provides an optimum weight distribution for the Volare.

He also says that, despite the use of alternative fuels, the car would still maintain the brand’s “fantastic sound and outright performance.”

Clearly, the car maintains some influences from the Aston Martin DBS, including a plunging roofline but with a rounder rear.  The bulging front wheel arches look more Corvette than Aston, and Trim says his solid front grille is derived from a classic V8 Vantage.  We don’t see the relation to older vehicles here, as the solid look is more futuristic than old-timey.

Still, the vehicle is a nice effort, and Trim shows quite a bit of promise.  We wish him the best in his post-grad efforts, and hope he keeps us in the loop on future projects.

There’s one critical flaw in this design – It’s front wheel drive. I mean, come on, some bean-counters might be impressed because that’ll mean that it’ll be cheaper to develop, but I certainly won’t be impressed if either myself, or someone I know ends up in hospital cause the dam thing understeered into a hydro pole. So I’m sorry Mr Trim, definitely a nice looker, but as long as it’s front wheel driven, I won’t be buying it if it ever came to Aston dealerships.

The concept of motor vehicles not placed under the hood, but along the road on the following

Played a lot of people from the track of a child car

 This means that you can use the traditional road race car, at the same time, but also the use of rapid transport system.

Christian Loya  – German designers will learn from  toy car, design a concept car with magnetic. The concept of motor vehicles not placed under the hood, but on the following along the road.

Speedway Transport System concept of a network of linear motor to drive the electric vehicles on the highway, he said. In accordance with his vision, we can drive a small engine with dual-mode electric vehicles in urban areas with traffic. As we prepare to leave the city, there is no mechanical contact with the magnetic field will take advantage of linear motor-driven vehicle for long-distance travel. He said that the linear motor can be run in the existing road network, the existing automotive technology is a useful complement, not replace it.

NEW YORK, April 8, 2009 — At the New York Auto Show today, Scion unveiled a special concept version of the iQ micro-subcompact car designed to meet the transportation needs of young urban trendsetters.

Scion’s iQ concept is a new urban vehicle with a revolutionary package that is just over 10 feet in length and accommodates three plus luggage. As more and more urban centers are revitalized with a new sense of purpose, energy, and creativity, young people are moving in from the suburbs to embrace new urbanism and are looking for a car that suits their needs and delivers high emotional value.

Scion’s iQ concept is the intelligent answer to this need for highly emotional and efficient urban transportation. The convenience of having work, entertainment and culture nearby for young city-dwellers is a significant draw to urban centers. The vehicle must be able to navigate narrow, congested streets, park in tight places, have impressive fuel economy, and have compelling design and function.

“Scion’s iQ concept turns traditional auto design upside down,” said Jack Hollis, Scion vice president. “Traditionally small vehicles have been thought of as being basic. The iQ concept is just the opposite with its innovative features and iconic urban design, and we believe it fits in well within the Scion brand. Our young, trendsetting buyers are creative and innovative forward thinkers, and we think they will appreciate what iQ has to offer.”

The production iQ is currently sold in Japan and Europe. Five Axis of Huntington Beach, Calif. took the iQ to the next level with aggressive exterior and interior modifications that show the vehicle’s potential for personalization.

With its 78.7-inch wheelbase, the three-door hatchback can deftly maneuver through city traffic. At the same time, its overall length of 126.9-inches, overall width of 71.4-inches, and short front and rear overhangs allow the iQ to fit in virtually any city parking space. The front-mounted differential and repositioned steering rack decrease front end length. In addition, the iQ is equipped with a flat gas tank housed beneath the floor that reduces rear overhang.

Pushing the wheels of the small, bold concept towards the four corners of the body gives the iQ a confident stance. The custom 18-inch wheels with a nickel finish and wide tires fill the wheel well, adding to its surefootedness. The iQ’s custom front air dam, aero headlamps and high-intensity LED driving lamps signal urban road readiness.

“We believe the Scion iQ micro-subcompact concept is the future of transportation,” said Hollis. “If it should join our future line-up, I think it could reach iconic status like our xB. Its styling will attract attention and if it’s a Scion, you know it’ll be easy to personalize.”

The iQ’s profile is defined by a strong and high beltline. Smooth lines glide from the large, dark finish headlamps, up the A-pillar, across the roof and wrap around the rear emphasizing the concept’s geometric beauty. Side mirrors with integrated turn signals accent the clean design.

The rear emphasizes the vehicle’s modern style. Trapezoidal lines run toward the wheels, from the hatch to the thick rear diffuser, creating a substantial presence. A center-mounted trapezoid exhaust adds to the vehicle’s distinctiveness, while large, matte-finished rear taillights help keep the vehicle visible.

The iQ’s interior fuses function, style and entertainment. Attention to detail and modern accents can be seen in the illuminated door handle; the swiveling spotlight that hovers over the dash; an illuminated iQ logo on the passenger-side dash and nickel and raw aluminum toned interior panels. Iridescent green and gray honeycomb upholstery covering the door panels and seating areas, combined with the custom exterior paint, provides a balance of freshness and sophistication. Black matte scuba-like polyurethane covers the seat bolsters and is also used on the headliner with a bright green topstitch for a contemporary finish.

The iQ features a 10-inch panel LCD screen on top of the center cluster that serves as the main entertainment console and navigation system interface. With the push of a button, the touch-screen articulates to reveal the entertainment hub. The touch screen can also play movies while the vehicle is parked. When not in use, the screen lays flat on the dash with a translucent cover that emits a colorful display of light patterns to make the interior even more unique.

A few quick strokes to the black panel below the entertainment hub, or steering wheel controls, command the audio system to shuffle through a music library. The center cluster also features three control knobs for dual front heating and air conditioning settings. The driver and front passenger each have a knob that displays their desired temperature and controls their temperature and fan settings. The center knob dictates zone control for both occupants.

The instrument panel has a speedometer, warning lamps, and a multi-information display. The multi-information display allows the driver to toggle through the odometer, average speed, temperature and eco lamp. The eco lamp illuminates during efficient driving to help the driver achieve maximum fuel economy.

Comfortable front passenger legroom was achieved with a newly-engineered, compact air conditioning unit located behind the center of the front console. The iQ employs a glove bag, with the same textured, honeycomb fabric as the front and rear seats, that can be easily snapped on and off for storage or additional legroom.

Rear seating can accommodate one adult behind the front passenger and a child, small package, or pet behind the driver. Extra slim front seat backs provide rear passengers with legroom. The rear seats are 50/50 and fold flat for increased utility. In addition, the rear seat cushion lifts up to reveal a small flat storage space that can be used for pocket-sized portable music players, small books, digital cameras, or slim laptops.

The iQ does not skimp on safety and is equipped with Vehicle Stability Control (VSC); an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD); Brake Assist (BA); and nine SRS airbags, which includes the world’s first rear window curtain airbag. Other airbags include driver and front passenger front airbags; driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags; side curtain airbags; a driver knee airbag; and a front passenger seat cushion airbag.

Pics Below:

Top Speed has already reported that the Essence Concept, revealed in Geneva, is a big step forward for Infiniti. The future car not only revealed the company’s upcoming design theme, but their technological advancements as well.

The concept car is powered by a 592 HP gas-electric hybrid engine. The 3.7 liter V6 engine will find its way into the upcoming redesigned M sedan due in early 2010 where the power plant where it will develop between 340-350 HP without the help of the turbochargers. The same direct-injection technology from the concept will then be used in both the sedan and coupe versions of the G. Direct injection engines introduce the combustible mist directly into the combustion chamber instead of the intake manifold like traditional fuel injection. The benefits of direct injection is that a more precise amount of fuel in sprayed, meaning less waste and more power, it is a solution with zero drawbacks.

Parent company Nissan wants to streamline production and drop the three different V8s currently offered in favor of a single eight cylinder power plant that will go under the hoods of both Infiniti cars and trucks. In order to accomplish this the Japanese luxury automaker is currently preparing a V8 engine with direct-injection technology.

The future of the Infiniti Q is uncertain. Infiniti dealers from around the world were invited to Japan to preview a concept version of the Q and were amazed by what looked like a four door version of the Essence Concept. Nissan would like to have a luxury car that can compete with upscale models from Lexus, BMW, and Audi. However Infiniti is interested in seeing how the economic situation pans out before diving headfirst into the venture.

gallery: Infiniti Essence

The idea is that real estate for parking will be scarce in the future, so the Metromorph will go vertical up the side of your building and park outside your apartment, at which point it becomes a balcony.

This is where the Transformers bit comes in, though we admit transforming into a balcony isn’t likely to scare Megatron into a quivering mass of mechanized steel. Nevertheless, the Metromorph will save the humans by freeing up parking spaces for other uses, like a quidditch stadium or whatever else becomes the national past time in the future.

With space for two, the Metromorph features seats held by rotating arms to keep them vertical regardless of the car’s orientation.

Two in-wheel electric motors housed in the rear wheels motivate this balcony-on-wheels, while two giant doors will slide up and over the vehicle to allow entry and exit. Is this what the future holds for urban dwellers? Time, and the movies, will tell.

Follow the jump to watch a conceptual video of the Metromorph in action.