Posts Tagged ‘Concept cars’

ECO cars projects

November 4th, 2009

In other articles we write about electric cars and also about small eco-friendly city car, and these cars are in productions or will be released in future. In this article, we can write about the projects cars, projects that can be possible cars in the future , or just will be a muse for others eco cars.

What is an eco-car?

An eco car can be a hybrid car, electric car, biodiesel, hydrogen car or a car that can consume alternative energy.

Explicit eco car

Explicit is a car designed by Kenyon Yeh, a designer from Taiwan, and the idea was to design a car for heavy traffic on city roads. Explicit is a single car transportation inspired by the sharpness and clearness of the visibility plus the sporty taste of the vehicle.

Explicit eco car 01

The vehicle is designed to adapt different situations and change its shape according to speed and parking purposes. Featuring a compact sporty design through hard and smooth lines, between straight and curved, the Explicit also integrates a trunk or storage at the rear for long or heavy-duty traveling.

Explicit eco car 03

Fiat Multipla eco car

This car concept is designed by an Italian designer Andrea Spaggiari, and the car was designed for Canadian Auto Show. The vehicle concept that featuring an innovative frame structure seems to be the new Fiat Multipla.

Fiat Multipla eco car 01

The designed divide the car in two parts, the outer cage and the interior capsule, which can be interchanged to meet the needs of different users. Accommodating up to six passengers comfortably, the EFS runs on a hydrogen fuel cell that powers four in-wheel motors and allows a safe and sustainable ride. The interior is so simple yet functional that the users can adjust or even detach it according to their needs. And a vibrant color scheme (both interior and exterior) gives it a typical Italian look. In short, the External Frame Structure is a modular vehicle that bends to the changing needs of the modern user.

Fiat Multipla eco car 02

Curve Surfer eco car

Curve Surfer is a concept car designd by Michaël van Vuuren, and the project was designed for an international design contest, the Allivision 09. Curve Surfer is a car concept that provides an eco ride even without compromising on speed and performance. The car was inspired from a catamaran that symbolizes speed, pureness, energy, travel and passion, the futuristic vehicle runs on solar energy produced by solar panels located on the roof.

Curve Surfer eco car 01

Integrating a transparent floor or chassis for an exciting ride, the Curve Surfer features a modula
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Mazda Concept Cars

October 26th, 2009

After writing an article of the concept car from Nissan, came among other Japanese companies, namely Mazda. A company that is becoming more successful, a brand that in 2007 sold more than 1.3 million cars annually.

Like any type of car manufacturers, and those of Mazda future projects, projects for inspiration or projects which give them “life”. Mazda is focused on making cars that achieve harmony between Mazda’s hallmark driving pleasure and environmental and safety performance. In this article you can read about the future projects of the Mazda.

Mazda Kazamai concept car

Kazamai, which means “swirling crosswinds” in Japanese, shows the design inspiration traces from the Mazda Nagare Concept. The Kazamai name was chosen to express the powerful yet nimble character of this stylish and compact crossover.

The concept is based on Mazda’s long-term vision for technology development, Sustainable Zoom-Zoom, which aims to provide a unique balance between sporty driving fun and superior environmental and safety performance. More down to earth, the car also has a five-point grille, accentuated front-wheel arches over 22-inch wheels, and a sleek roof line.

With a width of 1,930mm and a length of 4,520mm, it is slightly larger than the current Mazda3, with room for SUV comfort and functionality on the inside.

Mazda Kazamai concept car 01

The aim was to make the Kazamai’s aerodynamics more than 10% better than other vehicles in its class, and to make more aerodynamics, the designers choose to make a flat floor panel, a rear diffuser, and a low roof line.

To reduce the bodyweight, they use aluminium alloys for the hood, chassis and engine block, and the aim is to make it 100 kilograms lighter than similar models by employing plastics for the panels, fenders and the engine cover.

The engine will be an 2.0-liter direct-injection petrol engine, which Mazda engineers are currently developing, engine which is based on the current Mazda CX-7 engine, but the future engine for Mazda Kazamai will have an advanced technologies to minimize energy loss and vastly improved thermal efficiency, including combustion control technology and variable valve control.

Also the engine will be coupled with six-speed automatic transmission, and the aim for this combination is to deliver an estimated 30 percent improvement in fuel consumption.

Active safety features include roll stability control, blind spot monitoring to assist lane change, a pre-crash safety system and advanced dynamic stability control (DSC) to support the driver.

Mazda Kazamai concept car 02

Technical Specifications

  • Overall length 4,520 mm
  • Overall width 1,930 mm
  • Dimensions Overall height 1,500 mm
  • Wheelbase 2,780 mm
  • Seating capacity: 4 people
  • Engine Type Next-generation 2.0L DISI petrol
  • Transmission Type Next-generation 6AT
  • Suspension Type
  • - Front: McPherson Strut,
  • - Rear : Multi-link
  • Tire Type 265/45 R22 Bridgestone
Mazda Kiyora concept car

Mazda Kiyora follows the Nagare design theme and also water was selected as a theme for this concept. The name of this car is Kiyora, name that meaning “clean and pure” in Japanese. The concept car is based on an all-new platform that will be designed to reduce weight allowing it to be more fuel-efficient, and we can say that the car is a small, eco-friendly city car. To reduce the weight of the car, the designers use for  Kiyora an extremely rigid and lightweight carbon-fibre body structure beneath a small, aerodynamic outer skin and a spirited, small-displacement 1.3-liter direct-injection engine.

Mazda Kiyora concept car 01

The main technologies used on the Kiyora are the SKY Drive transmission and the SKY-G direct injected gasoline engine. The idea behind the SKY Drive is to reduce friction as much as possible, install a more efficient torque converter and clutch, and to speed up that clutch’s shift time. The result is an efficient but responsive transmission that won’t disappoint.
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Nissan car concept

October 15th, 2009

Nissan and other car manufacturers are always testing new concept cars to gauge public response to new styling, to create buzz about a new model line, or to just test new technology. Like other car manufacturers, Nissan has turned his attention to greener cars, both electric cars and hybrid. Because Nissan is one of the most innovative car manufacturers, we decided to present five of the company’s future projects cars.

Nissan Qazana Concept

The Nissan Qazana Concept made its first ever appearance at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. Inspired by a simple desire to have fun behind the wheel, Nissan Qazana Concept shows that mind-numbing motoring could be a thing of the past. Nissan’s Qazana might seem like an out-there concept, but Nissan Design Europe’s vice president Alfonso Albaisa says that it’ll keep many of the show car’s cues when it goes into production.

Nissan Qazana Concept 01

The Qazana will morph into a production car in 2010 and the new small crossover will be manufactured in the UK’s Sunderland factory, securing 1100 jobs according to Nissan.

Compact overall dimensions (4060mm in length, 1570mm tall, 1780 wide and a wheelbase of 2530mm) mean Qazana would be ideally suited to the urban environment. Yet its rugged appearance also suggests that it could be taken off-road as well. A tall stance, truncated rear styling and short front and rear overhangs add to feeling of robustness and strength, but the low roof line, sleek window profile and broad shoulders provides a very sporty feel.

Nissan Qazana Concept 02

This contrast between sporty performance and all-terrain potential is underlined by the venturi-style skid plate at the rear of the vehicle, Qazana’s extended ground clearance and the soft rubber spats which edge the wheel arches and help to disguise the vehicle’s long suspension travel. The graphite colored spats contrast vividly with the bold exterior colour, a unique shade called White Titanium, and the strikingly styled 20 inch black chrome alloy wheels.

Alfonso Albaisa, Vice President, Nissan Design Europe, says: “When it comes to design, Nissan has developed a reputation for constantly delivering something different. The global success of Qashqai has proven that the car buying public is fed up with the conventional… but we are not prepared to sit on our laurels. Qazana might seem a radical solution but important elements of the concept do point to a future Nissan production vehicle.”

Nissan Bevel Concept

The Nissan Bevel Concept is a dynamic, multi-purpose vehicle that, unlike currently available sport utility vehicles or minivans that emphasize passenger needs and comfort, places its focus strictly on the primary user – male empty-nester’s actively engaged in hobbies, recreation and community service. Bevel offers unique, function-inspired asymmetrical styling, a high-utility three-zone interior and technology ranging from glass roof-mounted solar panels to drive-by-wire steering, throttle and braking. Nissan says its Bevel concept was designed for 45- to 60-year-old men. Design conceived at Nissan Design America, Inc. (NDA) in La Jolla, California, in collaboration with Nissan advanced product planning groups in the United States.

Nissan Bevel Concept 01

Bevel’s compact exterior dimensions belie the immense utility inside. It rides on a 115.4-inch wheelbase, longer than the current Nissan Murano (111.2 inches) but shorter than the Nissan Quest (124.0 inches). Its short front and rear overhangs give it a manageable overall length of 173.2 inches, while width measures a full 75.0 inches. Overall height of 63.8 inches is nearly three inches shorter than Murano (66.5 inches), yet with Bevel’s low load floor the total interior cargo height is the same as Murano.
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Small eco-friendly city car

October 13th, 2009

A city car is best described as a small car which is economical and compact, and generally available at a competitive price.A city car is best described as a small car which is economical and compact, and generally available at a competitive price. These cars have been sold in Europe since the 1960s, and now are an official car classification. They are also known as A-Segment cars. Most mainstream manufacturers have one or even two city cars in their lineup.

Is an intense competition among major car manufacturers to produce economic city cars, electrical cars or hybrid cars, and also attractive to customers. Part of a future city car, some of these as concept city car, you can find in this article.

Nissan Land Glider city car concept

Nissan is pulling out all the zero emission stops at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. In addition to the expected Leaf electric vehicle, the Japanese automaker will also be showing off a new concept called the Land Glider. Intended to be an urban runabout, the two-seat Land Glider is fully electric and is extremely narrow to ease congestion in dense city centers and make it easier to find suitable parking spots.

Nissan Land Glider Concept 01

While the agility, thrills and freedom of bikes inspired the designers and engineers, an extra spice was added to the mix. Tandem architecture became the obvious choice. A unique two-seater, cocoon-like structure sitting on a zero emission powertrain. With four-wheel stability and a sense of safety that originates from a tilting cabin, the Nissan Land Glider Concept will appeal to both two- and four-wheel driving enthusiasts.

The Land Glider is an electric vehicle, features the range of 160km (100 miles) in a full charge. It can lean into turns like a motorcycle, and sci-fi looking cabin, all full of monitors displays and a steering wheel which looks like twin joysticks.

Nissan Land Glider Concept 02

Targeted at city dwellers of all generations, the Nissan Land Glider Concept is a serious motoring statement of the new era of mobility that Nissan intends to lead.

Technical Specifications

  • Overall Length: 3,100 mm
  • Overall Width: 1,100 mm
  • Overall Height: 1,415 mm
  • Wheelbase: 2,180 mm
  • Seating Capacity: 2

VW E-Up! Concept city car concept

This is the so-called €8500 electric car from Volkswagen. Dubbed E-up, the new car shows us how the ‘car of tomorrow’ will look like and promises to be a real hit in 2011, when it will hit the dealerships. According to the manufacturer, the new car features an 82 hp (60 kW) electric motor capable to offer a range of 130 km and a top speed of 135 km/h.

The car is small – under 10.5 feet (3.19 meters) in length – and will seat four occupants in a 3+1 arrangement. Top speed is listed at just under 85 miles per hour (135 km/h) and the run to 60 mph will take about 11 seconds while the city-centric zero to 30 mph is dispatched in just 3.5 seconds.

VW E-Up! Concept city car concept 01

The car`s low weight is quite astounding, given the fact that 240 kilograms are taken up by the lithium-ion battery. The implemented battery`s energy capacity of 18 kilowatt-hours (kWh) enables driving distances of up to 130 kilometres, depending on driving style – enough for the city and the drives of most commuters. The E-Up! will be “refueled” in the garage at home, in a parking structure or on the road at one of the future municipal recharging stations that will be enabled by chip card. Depending on the available charging infrastructure and the battery`s momentary charge state, the storage battery could be charged to up to 80 percent of its total capacity within an hour.

VW E-Up! Concept city car concept 02

The E-Up! emphatically demonstrates that emission-free Volkswagens will be anything but lacking in emotion. Responsible for this, once again, is the team led by Group Chief Designer Walter de Silva. Together with Klaus Bischoff (Chief Designer, Volkswagen Brand) and Flavio Manzoni (Head of Creative Design, Volkswagen Group), he developed a layout for the E-Up! that reflects the visual bandwidth of the future New Small Family. The E-Up! bears a resemblance to previously presented concept vehicles of this new model series – the Up! (city specialist), Space-Up! (microvan) and Space-Up Blue! (fuel cell powered van) – it represents a design stage that reflects the future production car even more closely.
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Three-wheels vehicles

October 9th, 2009

A three wheeled car is an automobile having either one wheel in the front for steering and two at the rear for power, two in the front for steering and one in the rear for power, or any other combination of layouts.

Having one wheel in front and two in the rear for power reduces the cost of the steering mechanism, but greatly decreases stability. However, a configuration of two wheels in the front and one wheel at the back has many strong proponents among automotive designers and enthusiasts. Two advantages are its improved aerodynamics, and that it readily enables small lightweight motorcycle powerplants and rear wheels to be used.

Like four wheels cars, three wheels cars can have an electric engine and can be in the same time green cars.

A three-wheeler car from Venture

Venture develop a car for two passenger, three-wheeled vehicle powered by either a pure plug-in electric or plug-in hybrid petrol-electric powertrain. The name of the car is VentureOne, and the model is designed and built on the existing Carver three-wheeler already available in Europe.

A three-wheeler car from Venture 01

Even if the car has a single front wheel, VentureOne has more in common with a conventional car than a motorcycle due to the fully enclosed cabin, upright seating position, steering wheel, foot pedals and gear stick.

The VentureOne will be available in three configurations including the Venture d50 Hybrid Drive which has a 50 kW powertrain, the faster Venture Q100 Hybrid Drive which has a 100 kW powertrain (giving the Q100 a 120 mph / 193 km/h top speed!) and the all-electric Venture EV which has a 40 kW powertrain and reduced range, but zero emissions. In addition to the low-emission, flex-fuel Hybrid model, a zero-emission all-electric version is also being developed that will have an all-electric range of nearly 200 miles.

A three-wheeler car from Venture 02

Safety features being integrated into the design include a chrome-moly steel roll-cage, collapsible steering column, side impact rails, driver’s airbag and break-away engine mount. Three-point driver and passenger seatbelts, safety glass, digital traction control and ABS are all standard safety elements.

Brontes three-wheeled vehicle with zero emissions

This car is a concept car called Brontes, and it’s designed by Spanish car designer Marco Aurelio Galan Henriquez. Brontes runs on electric engine giving you a sustainable city driving. This environmentally friendly car seats two passengers and features amazing exterior looks. The concept car is powered by a lithium-ion battery that powers its electric engines. The car is not designed for speed performances, and in this case do not expect high speed or long-distance driving range as the car uses just 3 wheels.

Brontes three-wheeled vehicle with zero emissions

According to its designer, the car measures 2, 7 meters in length, 1, 8 meters in width and 1, 34 meters in height. Thanks to its electric engine, the Brontes car features a silent cruising.
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Electric cars

October 6th, 2009

Since middle of 19th century and early 20th century electric cars enjoyed popularity, when electricity was among the preferred methods for automobile propulsion, providing a level of comfort and ease of operation that could not be achieved by the gasoline cars of the time. A small-scale electric car was designed by Professor Stratingh of Groningen, Holland, and built by his assistant Christopher Becker in 1835.
What is an electric car?

One of the answers could be – an electric car is an alternative fuel automobile that uses electric motors and motor controllers for propulsion, in place of more common propulsion methods such as the internal combustion engine. Electric cars are a specifically a variety of electric vehicle intended for use as a road-going automobile. Electric cars are commonly powered by on-board battery packs, and as such are battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Other on-board energy storage methods that are expected to come into use in the future include ultracapacitors, or a spinning flywheel, which stores energy as kinetic energy.

Because oil resources are becoming increasingly rare and oil prices rise, major automobile manufacturers are beginning to investments in green projects, in their cars to function with as little fuel or, at best case, cars that work with electricity. In this article we present electric cars.

Honda EV-N – an electric concept car

Honda EV-N - an electric concept car 01

Honda EV-N is an concept car displayed at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show. The EV-N is an all-electric vehicle which features a roof covered in solar panels to help top up the onboard battery. The Vehicles simple retro styling was inspired by the Honda N360, an ultra-compact micro car Honda released in the 1960s. The concept vehicle integrates the Honda UX-3 personal mobility unicycle into the passenger side door panel.

Honda EV-N - an electric concept car 02

The retro-styled battery-powered car features a compact design, making it an ideal vehicle for the city roads.

Mercedes SLS gullwing – an electric car from Mercedes

Mercedes SLS gullwing - an electric car from Mercedes 01

Mercedes-Benz will build an electrically powered version of its upcoming SLS gullwing coupe. The EV version of the SLS will drive all four wheels by means of an individual motor for each corner. It will not however use wheel hub motors, since those add too much unsprung mass. The motors will be mounted just inboard of the suspension components.

The zero-emission supercar, tentatively named the SLS AMG eDrive, will feature four electric motors with a combined output of 392 kW (526 hp) and 880 Nm (649 lb-ft) of torque. This will enable the electric SLS to rocket from 0-100 km/h in around 4 seconds, which puts it on par with the standard 6.3-liter (6208cc) V8 powered (571 hp and 650 Nm) SLS that accomplishes the same task in 3.8 seconds.
No range is being quoted at this time, but given that the battery capacity is lower than the Tesla Roadster and the car is larger, it will likely be well under 200 miles. No timeline for the electric version is being quoted, although earlier rumors placed it at 2015.

Mercedes SLS gullwing - an electric car from Mercedes 02

In a statement, Mercedes-AMG GmbH’s CEO Volker Mornhinweg said, “With the SLS AMG with electric drive, we wanted to redefine the super sports car. For us, it is not just about responsibility. We attach just as much importance to excitement and classic AMG performance.”
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