Concept Cars
Mercedes-Benz bionic car: automotive design meets modern art
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February 25, 2008 One of the stand-out automotive design concepts from back in 2005 has re-emerged in the guise of modern art. With a highly-aerodynamic design based on what at first seems an unlikely candidate - the tropical sea-dwelling boxfish - the Mercedes-Benz bionic concept car is appearing as part of the "Design and the Elastic Mind" exhibition at New York's Museum of Modern Art. Read More
Georgia Tech proposes carbon capture concept for automobiles
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February 18, 2008 Carbon capture and storage has been touted as a method for slashing carbon emissions in power plants – now researchers at the Georgia Institute of Technology say it can be used to combat one of the most widespread greenhouse gas offenders: the automobile. Georgia Tech has outlined a concept system where carbon is isolated from fossil fuels, disposed of at a refueling station, and eventually recycled into new fuel. Not only is the closed-loop cycle carbon emission free, it is also renewable and efficient.
Radar car collision prevention systems put to the test
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February 15, 2008 British Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre Thatcham has put three of the car industry’s most hyped collision prevention technologies to the test – and they’ve emerged with flying colors. The Volvo City Safety, Mercedes Distronic Plus, and Honda CMBS use radar systems to mitigate and prevent low speed collisions – which, as a category, make up 75% of all motor accidents. Read More
Production ready Toyota iQ heads for Geneva
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February 14, 2008 Launched as a concept at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, a market-ready version of the Toyota iQ will debut Geneva next month. A compact urban vehicle that can can carry three people in comfort despite being less than three meters long, Toyota hopes the iQ will change the entrenched wisdom that buying a small car means less comfort and a compromise on safety. Read More
Hyundai to present HED-5 concept in Geneva
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February 12, 2008 Hyundai's main attraction at next month's Geneva motor show will be the HED-5 concept - a six seat MPV that promises fuel efficient versatility through the use of revolutionary materials and construction techniques. Read More
Corgi International announces H2GO fuel cell powered toy car
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February 7, 2008 The automotive market is set to undergo momentous change over the next decade as the impetus of low-emissions, alternative fuel designs that have recently dominated the Concept offerings from major auto manufacturers continues to grow and prototypes move towards commercialization. But at the other end of the scale - literally - the application of hydrogen fuel cell technology in particular is already making its mark. The latest example comes from toy-maker Corgi International, which has unveiled a new hydrogen fuel cell powered radio controlled toy car at the Nuremberg International Toy Fair in Germany. Called the H2GO, the new RC car uses a propulsion system based on Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies' pioneering H-Racer. Read More
Provoq: Cadillac's crossover fuel cell concept
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The latest platform for GM’s zero-emissions E-Flex architecture comes in the guise of a luxurious crossover vehicle - the Cadillac Provoq. The all-electric drive Provoq combines the fuel cell system with a lithium-ion battery to achieve a 300 mile range, 100 mph top-speed and all-wheel-drive traction via a 70 kW co-axial drive system for the front wheels and separate 40 kW wheel hub motors at the rear. The sleek design also harbors a number of other innovations including active front grille louvers that close at speed to boost aerodynamics, push-to-release door handles, brake-by-wire technology and an integrated solar panel in the roof that supplements power for onboard accessories. Read More
Mitsubishi to premiere Lancer Prototype-S Sports Hatchback Concept
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January 30, 2008 Mitsubishi Motors has released these sketches of its Lancer Prototype-S sports hatchback concept ahead of its debut at the 78th Geneva International Motor Show. Powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder DOHC MIVEC intercooler / turbocharger engine developing 177 kW (240 PS) and 343 Nm (35 kg-m), the Prototype-S is evolved from the Concept-Sportback car shown at Frankfurt in 2005 and provides a taste of what to expect from the forthcoming 5-door hatchback variant of the Lancer family expected later in the year. Read More
Suzuki to exhibit Kizashi Concept x 2 at the Geneva Motor Show
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January 27, 2008 Suzuki will present both the Kizashi and Kizashi 2 Concept cars together for the first time at the upcoming Geneva International Motor Show. Unveiled separately at the 2007 International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt and 2007 Tokyo Motor Show respectively, the Concepts showcase the company's intention to build on its automotive presence already established in the compact car (Swift) and sport utility vehicle (Grand Vitara) segments by entering into the sedan market. The Kizashi - a Japanese word meaning “prelude” or “foretaste” - will feature a 2.0L 4-valve turbo diesel engine coupled with an intelligent all-wheel drive system targeting low CO2 emissions in a lean, muscular design that aims to optimize interior spaciousness and apply the no-nonsense, user-oriented approach to driver functionality gleaned from Suzuki's experience in motorcycle production. Read More
Records tumble at Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event
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January 23, 2008 Auction company Barrett-Jackson has reported record breaking numbers at its 37th Annual Collector Car Event with preliminary figures showing over $88 million in sales and a new attendance record of 280,000 in a four day auction featuring 1,163 collector vehicles, 100 fewer than sold in 2007. Read More
Ford Explorer America concept demonstrates EcoBoost engine technology
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A cute showcase platform for the for the 20-30 percent better fuel economy, lower emissions and no compromise performance promised by Ford's soon to be introduced EcoBoost technology, the Explorer America concept aims to demonstrate the sustainable, flexible future of the company's iconic SUV with fuel-saving features like electric power assisted steering and a multifunctional interior layout that includes single-touch, stackable sliding seats, a work table (complete with seats) that deploys from the tailgate and an instrument panel that integrates a three-dimensional compass navigation unit with a topographical map. Using the turbocharging and direct injection Ecoboost technology, the 4-cylinder 2-liter engine delivers 275 hp and 280 lb.-ft. of torque or, in a 3.5-liter V-6 format, about 340 hp. Read More
Lexus transforms LF-A concept into a roadster
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January 15, 2008 In more news from the 2008 NAIAS, Lexus has taken the wraps off a roadster-version of its LF-A sports car concept. The open-top supercar uses a "front-mid" configuration of the high-revving, 500 hp V10 engine from company's LF-A coupe, first unveiled in Detroit back in 2005, and the body is also based on the Coupe's carbon-fiber and aluminum structure with the addition of a speed adaptive rear wing. Read More
Saab present 9-4X BioPower Concept
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January 14, 2008 Drawing on design elements showcased in the Aero X concept and hinting at the company's plans to enter the crossover vehicle segment, Saab unveiled its four-seat 9-4X BioPower Concept at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). The Concept's key features include the use of a four-cylinder, 2.0-liter, 300 horsepower (221 kW) BioPower turbo engine coupled with the Saab XWD powertrain already available in the 9-3 range. Read More
Mazda’s new, production-ready 180mph Furai Concept
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Mazda unveiled the latest in its series of Nagare concept cars at North American International Auto Show yesterday - the Furai P2 concept celebrates 40 years of rotary engine development at Mazda plus the company’s international motorsport heritage with the raciest interpretation of Nagare design language to-date. The ethanol-burning, three-rotor rotary Furai is more than just a design exercise, having seen 180 mph on the racetrack and with strong hints that it is ready for production. The Furai concept serves as a turning point in the Nagare developmental process - while the four previous concept cars explored different ways to express Mazda’s emerging design philosophy and to explore an aesthetic, this one is all about function – every last texture and detail serves some functional purpose. Read More
Toyota's versatile Compact A-BAT Concept Vehicle
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January 14, 2008 Toyota rolled out a concept vehicle with direct roots to its heritage at NAIAS this week. The hybrid A-BAT is positioned below the Toyota Tacoma, and integrates truck features with car fundamentals, providing roominess, style and our favorite characteristic, versatility. The compact pickup architecture is designed to be equally as capable of manoeuvring the suburbs as dirt roads, as comfortable for long commutes as it is for road trips, as accommodating of outdoor toys as home improvement supplies. Inside the A-BAT has a retractable portable navigation unit, Wi-Fi Internet, portable device assistant synchronization, a hard drive for digital music and solar panels on the dash recapture energy from the sun to assist in the charging of the navigation unit, portable power pack and backlit information displays.
FORUM: Nissan's advanced mini-van design concept
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December 21, 2007 In a further exploration of the theme of automobile as communal space displayed by the Round Box Concept shown in Tokyo this year, Nissan will unveil its FORUM concept at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. The FORUM integrates a number of design features and communications technologies aimed at creating a family-friendly environment including trackless sliding side doors, the elimination of traditional B-pillars, versatile second row "Turntable Seating", an advanced Bose® Media System, multi-camera external monitoring, a built-in microwave and a "Kids Cam" monitoring system which allows adults to keep an eye on back seat mayhem via 2nd and 3rd row cameras mounted in the headliner and connected to the main instrument panel LCD display. Read More
Aqua-car: Rinspeed preview sQuba diving concept vehicle
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Never shy of venturing into unchartered territory, Swiss automotive design company Rinspeed’s latest Concept takes the aquatic theme showcased in its 2004 Splash Amphibious Hydrofoil Sportscar to the next level with its latest creation - the sQuba diving Concept Car. Thirty years after the release of the film The Spy Who Loved Me, where James Bond took to the deep in a subaquatic Lotus Espirit, Rinspeed aim to turn the famous cinematic sequence into reality with an amphibious, zero-emission Concept designed to dive to depths of up to 33 feet (10 meters) using two propellers in the stern and two jet drives in the bow. Read More
Land Rover to debut LRX Concept - UPDATED NEW IMAGES
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December 18, 2007 Land Rover will use the Detroit Motor Show (NAIAS) in January as the launch platform for its new LRX Concept - a 3-door, compact 4WD that hints at a future broadening of design philosophy for the company as it joins other manufacturers in gravitating toward smaller, lighter, low-emissions vehicles. Labeled a "cross-coupé" and smaller than Freelander 2, the LRX aims to retain the distinctive Land Rover design flavor despite its reduced footprint, which features a smaller frontal area to enhance aerodynamic performance - boosting fuel efficiency and reducing C02 emissions - and integrates a number of interior design innovations to create the impression of a spacious, airy cabin as well as maintain practical load carrying capability. Read More
Aston Martin unveils V12 Vantage RS Concept Car
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December 13, 2007 The wraps have been lifted on Aston Martin’s 600bhp, V12 Vantage RS concept. Based the V8 Vantage coupe, the new Concept combines a low kerb weight of less than 1600kg with the formidable horses provided by the race-developed 6.0 litre V12 to give it a power-to-weight ratio of over 375bhp per ton. On the speedo this translates to 0-62mph (100km/h) in 4.0 seconds and 0-100mph (160km/h) in just 8.5 seconds, making it Aston Martin’s fastest accelerating road car to date. Read More
Mazda to premiere Furai Concept in Detroit
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December 13, 2007 The Mazda Furai concept vehicle will make its World debut alongside the new Mazda RX-8 sports car at the 2008 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January. Details of the Furai ("Sound of the wind") are still thin on the ground ahead of the launch and just one teasing image has been released, but the car will continue to extend the Nagare (Japanese for “flow”) design language most recently showcased in the radical Mazda Taiki Concept which premiered at the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show in October. Read More
Volkswagen's fuel cell powered space up! blue
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December 10, 2007 The zero emissions space up! blue is the third in Volkswagen's up! concept range currently being showcased in a global tour of major auto industry events. Like the space up!, the "blue" is a micro-van designed to provide the carrying capacity of a larger vehicle, but what separates the new variant is the powerplant - a rear-mounted, all-electric 45 kW (61 PS) motor utilizes the world’s first high temperature fuel cell and twelve lithium-ion batteries plus there's a large solar panel on the roof that feeds up to 150 Watts of extra energy into the battery. Read More
Citroen's Nemo Concetto people carrier Concept
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December 4, 2007 Citroen will roll-out a concept people carrier version of the company’s soon to be released new compact van at the Bologna Motor Show in Italy (7-16 December). Taking its name and its styling cues from the popular Disney animation "Finding Nemo", the Citroën Nemo Concetto sports the distinctive orange, black and white clownfish color scheme with the theme continuing into the vehicle's interior. Read More
Pre-war classic and modern muscle added to auction list
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December 3, 2007 We've covered several of the automotive masterpieces set to star in the upcoming Barrett Jackson auction such as the rare 1935 Rolls Royce Phantom II and the one-off 1963 Ford Thunderbird “Italien” concept car, now news of more noteworthy
additions including a ‘33 Duesenberg J Dual Cowl Phaeton and a 2008 Concept ‘Cuda. Read More
MITSUBISHI Concept-RA set for Detroit debut
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November 28, 2007 Mitsubishi has released tantalizing design sketches of its Concept-RA ahead of the car's world premiere at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January 2008. With a view to rolling high-performance, low-emissions and fuel efficiency into one package, the coupe Concept features the all-wheel control system and automated manual transmission used in the Lancer Evolution X and is powered by a turbo-charged, 2.2-liter, 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve clean-diesel engine that delivers a maximum output of 150 kW (204 PS) and maximum torque of 420 Nm (42.8 kg-m). Read More
Shape-changing vision of the future: Mercedes-Benz Silverflow
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November 20, 2007 More from Mercedes-Benz on the Silverflow - one of the standout designs we recently encountered as part of our coverage of the Los Angeles Design Challenge, a conceptual showcase of “blue-sky” designs from eight studios entitled "Robocar 2057" that's currently being held as part of the 2007 L.A. Auto Show. With a brief to explore the possibilities of transport in 50 years time, Mercedes-Benz has presented a vision of a sleek, shape-changing vehicle that could adapt to the users needs in various scenarios, transforming from highway cruiser to compact city car or economical two-seater at the push of a button. Read More
Logan Renault eco² achieves emissions of 71g/km
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The Logan Renault eco² Concept has achieved emissions of 71g/km while traveling a distance of 172.2km on just 4.69 litres of biodiesel at the 2007 Challenge Bibendum in Shanghai – an event created by Michelin in 1998 that promotes sustainable transport and the development of fuel-efficient, clean automotive technology. In NEDC combined cycle homologation tests for the eco² it achieved a result of 97g CO2/km and finished second out of 74 vehicles in a combined criteria test involving an acceleration test, a slalom test, noise emissions and a regularity run. To put the emissions results in perspective, a compact diesel achieves around 130g CO2/km and the exceptionally green smart fortwo diesel comes in at 88 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Read More
The Matra MS1 “Human Electric Hybrid Motorcycle”
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Matra Manufacturing & Services (Matra MS) has turned its attention to the production of Light Electric Vehicles with the latest offering from a company renowned for its past achievements in the automotive design arena – including a stint in Formula One in which it won a world title along with wins in the Le Mans 24 hour race - being the MS1, a “Human Electric Hybrid Motorcycle” shown recently in Paris that is expected to hit the market in the spring of 2008. Powered by a 1kW Motor Wheel, the MS1 has its maximum speed limited to 28mph (45 kmh) in electric mode and can travel up to 62 miles (100 km) - depending on type of battery - on purely electric power… and if you run out of juice there is always the ever-reliable pedal-option. Read More
One-off Pininfarina-Bodied 1963 Corvette 'Rondine' Concept up for auction
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October 30, 2007 Another historically significant concept car is set to go to auction at the 37th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event. The world’s only 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe Speciale “Rondine” will join the Ford “Italien” Thunderbird Concept of the same vintage on the block in Scottsdale, Arizona in January. Read More
i MiEV Sport: Mitsubishi’s 180kmh electric sports car prototype
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October 29, 2007 Mitsubishi’s i MiEV Sport has made its much anticipated appearance at the Tokyo Motor Show allowing us to bring you loads of new images of the groundbreaking electric vehicle concept. Based on the i MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle), but promising genuine sporting capabilities via 680 Nm of torque combined with a body weight of just 970kg, the car features a 3-motor system with the company’s own in-wheel 20 kW motors at the front and another 47 kW at the rear - all controlled via the S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) vehicle dynamics system and wrapped in a lightweight, rigid aluminium space frame. Read More
Audi’s hybrid metroproject quattro
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October 25, 2007 We’re running around like kids in a candy store at the Tokyo Motor Show, it’s a technophile’s delight – and Audi has just come out swinging. The German company has just unveiled its sexy metroproject quattro, a plug-in electric/petrol hybrid concept car with some amazing features, including a detachable remote control that acts as an integrated or standalone mobile phone, navigation unit, MP3 and video player and keyless ignition tag, while letting you turn the car’s heater on before you leave the house. Read More
Space Up!: Volkswagen expands on "New Small Family" vision - UPDATED: NEW IMAGES
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October 24, 2007 Volkswagen will use this week's Tokyo Motor Show as the platform to launch its new Space Up! Concept. Following on from the launch of the two-door urban Up! at the IAA in Frankfurt six weeks ago, the company is expanding its "New Small Family" with the Space Up! – a small van designed to provide the interior space of a larger vehicle despite its relatively small 3.68 x 1.63 meter dimensions. Between 220 and 1,005 liters of cargo space are made available (depending on how many of the removable seats are needed) through the use of rear mounted engine and powertrain reminiscent of the Beetle and the Kombi. Read More
Toyota RiN Concept promotes driver well-being
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October 22, 2007 Toyota’s RIN Concept will take the stage at the Tokyo Motor Show later this week with a view not only to promote environmental sustainability, but also to encourage the healthy living and well-being of its occupants. Through features such as heated seats that help maintain good back posture, an oxygen-level conditioner and pinpoint humidifier, and the use of green glass to reduce ultraviolet and infrared light and increase cabin comfort, drivers are encouraged to turn their attention to maintaining a healthy mind and body. Read More
Chevrolet Volt Concept vehicle on tour in South Florida
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October 22, 2007 GM is showcasing its Chevy Volt – an emission free plug-in, electric vehicle that can be recharged by plugging it into a common 110-Volt/15-amp outlet – in a tour of venues in South Florida until October 23. Read More
Nissan’s Round Box compact convertible
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October 18, 2007 Another preview from the Nissan stable ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show, the Nissan Round Box is takes open-air motoring in a different direction through its emphasis on the car as a social environment. The Round Box features turbocharged direct injection gasoline engine mated to Nissan’s advanced Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) and a raft of enhanced safety features, but it is the design elements – both inside and out which set the vehicle apart. Passengers can share the sensation of speed with the driver through “road surface windows” positioned close to the ground on both sides and two large touchscreens, coupled with a unique seating design, encourage greater communication between those on board. Read More
The 1/X Concept: Toyota to focus on sustainability at 40th Tokyo Motor Show
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October 17, 2007 Toyota has revealed a raft of new concept vehicles based around cutting-edge sustainability technology that the company will showcase at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. Among them is the 1/X (pronounced "one-Xth"), a light-weight (420kg) hybrid vehicle pitched as “redefining what it means to be environmentally considerate”. The 1/X matches the interior space of the Prius, but is only one-third the weight and aims to double its fuel efficiency. Gizmag will be on the ground to bring you the latest from the Show when it gets underway on October 26th. In the meantime visit our highlights page for more previews of what’s in store. Read More
