Concept Supercars

Porsche 918 Spyder Concept, Shown at Geneva Motor Show 2010

(19 votes, average: 4.68 out of 5)

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Although Porsche don’t often create concept cars, today at the Geneva Motor Show 2010, they are going to display the 918 Spyder concept. The Porsche 918 Spyder is a two-seater sports car, which looks like a mix between a Carrera GT and a Boxster Spyder.

This Porsche supercar is powered by a hybrid drivetrain, which consists of a 500 horsepower V8 engine and two electric motors (one for each axle), that offer an additional 218 horsepower. It can reach a maximum speed of 198 MPH, and goes up to 62 MPH in just 3.2 seconds, with a fuel consumption of 78 mpg, and CO2 emissions of just 70 g/km.

The 918 Spyder has four different driving modes available, designed to offer anything from maximum efficiency to maximum performance. The E-Drive mode means the car is running only on electric power, with a range of up to 16 miles. In the Hybrid mode, the car uses both the combustion engine and the electric motors, and would probably be the mode for everyday driving.

The Sport Hybrid mode uses both powertrains, with the focus on performance, most of the power being delivered to the rear wheels. The last mode, Race Hybrid, delivers the best performance available, the powertrains running at the limit of their power. This mode features even a push-to-pass button, that gives additional electrical power (E-Boost), for overtaking or even better performance.

The interior design of the 918 Spyder concept is supposed to give a little hint of how the future generation of production cars interiors will look like, according to the Porsche designers.

[via Autoblog]

Posted in Hybrid, Porsche | 1 Comment »

Audi RS7, a Sportscar Concept With Audi R8 Elements

(18 votes, average: 3.89 out of 5)

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The Audi RS7 concept car is the work of Austrian designer Adriano Mudri, who is a graduate of the University of Applied Sciences – Graz. The RS7 is a sportscar design that combines several features from the VW/Audi Group models, from Audi elements, all the way to Lamborghini details.

The side view of this Audi supercar, as well as the rear section with a different colour, where the engine is located have been borrowed from the Audi R8. The front end of the vehicle and the descending line on the sides resemble the latest sport models from Seat.

The scissor doors designed for the RS7 are a trademark of Lamborghini supercars, while the headlamps and tail lights have been reduced to a minimal size, which underlines the possibility of using LED-technology for the lighting system, another typical feature for the Audi brand.

[via Car Body Design]

Posted in Audi | 2 Comments »

Peugeot Coaster, a Futuristic Car that Puts Safety First

(8 votes, average: 3.5 out of 5)

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The Peugeot Coaster futuristic concept car has been created by designer Kim Minchul. This vehicle offers an alternative for every day driving in the city, where everything is restricted, offering an entertaining ride for the driver.

The driver’s cabin has been projected to be separate from the passenger cabin, giving the driver the sensation of safety and allowing him to be completely focused during driving. With every move and turn, the Peugeot Coaster offers thrilling sensations thanks to its active rotating system, much like a ride from an amusement park.

This concept vehicle offers great mobility and a different way of freedom, which separates it from other means of transportation, giving a new value to driving, and making it fun and exciting, through its innovating system.

[via Tuvie]

Posted in Peugeot | 2 Comments »

Opel Flextreme GT/E Concept Car, Ready for Geneva Motor Show 2010

(7 votes, average: 3.71 out of 5)

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Opel is all set to unveil its new concept car at the 80th edition of the Geneva Motor Show, the Opel Flextreme GT/E. The idea of this concept is to show how extended-range electric vehicle (E-REV) systems can be integrated into larger cars, a mid-size five-door hatchback in this case.

With its aerodynamic shape and a low coefficient of drag (0.22), the Flextreme GT/E can achieve the highest speed and the best performance possible from its electric motor. The E-REV system takes this electric Opel concept to 60 mph in under 9 seconds, with a top speed of 125 mph.

Powered by an electric engine that generates 160 HP, the Flextreme GT/E can travel on battery power alone for a range of 40 miles, before a 1.4 litre four-cylinder gas engine comes in to act as a generator, offering a range of over 300 miles before recharging or refuelling is required. Fuel consumption is around 175 mpg and CO2 emissions are less than 40g/km.

The exterior design is more attractive compared to other hybrid vehicles, despite being focused on obtaining maximum aerodynamic efficiency. Carbon composite panels are used for the body and aluminium for the car’s structure, for weight reduction.

At speeds above 30 mph, vertical panels (named “Aeroblades”) extend along the body, from the air extraction slots behind the rear wheel-arches, to guide the airflow and reduce the amount of turbulence.

[via Diseno-Art]

Posted in Hybrid, Opel | 1 Comment »

Bentley Aero Ace Speed VI, Eco-Friendly Supercar

(7 votes, average: 3.29 out of 5)

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The Bentley Aero Ace is a concept supercar created by auto designer, Gabriel Tam, and it is inspired from the original Speed 6, which won at Le Mans, back in the 1920s. The design of this car is focused on improving the aerodynamic properties, for better efficiency and speed.

This Bentley concept is going to be powered by an electric motor, so it will also be eco-friendly. The cooling system for the engine features air intakes that extend to the twin rear heat exhausts, while integrated diffusers help the air flow and create down-force.

The wheels of the vehicle design are semi enclosed to further improve the aerodynamics, while the 1+1 seating layout offers focused driving experience and optimal weight distribution. Overall, the Aero Ace supercar underlines the raw aggression of a race car, while keeping the elegance of a Bentley and it’s environmentally friendly.

[via Tuvie]

Posted in Bentley, Eco Friendly Cars | 1 Comment »

Mercedes Benz Cyborg Sensation Vehicle, Mind-Controlled Supercar of the Year 2040

(11 votes, average: 3.64 out of 5)

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The Mercedes Benz Cyborg Sensation Vehicle, or C.S.V., is a concept car imagined by Chinese designer Derek Chik Kin Ng. The C.S.V. is an off-road capable, two-seater supercar, inspired from the Mercedes F400 concept, designed back in 2001.

The interesting part about this Mercedes Benz concept is that it has no steering wheel, no pedals, but this vehicle can be controlled with the power of mind instead. It uses a system named Brain Computer Interface (BCI), which creates a connection between the car and its driver, through a specially-designed helmet.

This way, the driver’s brain impulses are gathered by the helmet and transferred to the car, which responds appropriately. Although this principle may sound plausible in the future, its implementation on cars, could prove to be quite a difficult task.

[via Yanko Design]

Posted in Mercedes Benz | 1 Comment »

5 By Peugeot, the Concept Behind the Peugeot 508 Series; Ready for Geneva Motor Show 2010

(5 votes, average: 3.8 out of 5)

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The 5 concept car by Peugeot, which will be displayed at the Geneva Motor Show, in March, is going to be the foundation for the new Peugeot 508 production series. The 508 sedan will replace the Peugeot 407 and 607 and will compete with the Ford Mondeo and Opel/Vauxhall Insignia.

With a length of 4.85 meters and a width of 1.87, the 5 by Peugeot is powered by HYbrid4 technology, consisting in a 2.0 litre HDi diesel engine that generates 163 horsepower and a rear-mounted 37 HP electric motor, bringing the total output to 200 horsepower. This system offers four-wheel drive when required, an electric only mode, low fuel consumption and low CO2 emissions (zero in electric mode).

In the front side, the Peugeot 5 concept car presents a large air intake, a chromed grille and nicely designed headlights, while at the back we can see the “classic” Peugeot tail lights, that extend to the rear quarter panels and sporty dual exhausts.

The series version of the 508 sedan could be presented as a premiere at the Paris Motor Show in September, and it is expected to go into serial production late this year or at the beginning of 2011.

[via Autoblog]

Posted in Hybrid, Peugeot | No Comments »

Super Hatchback Concept, Combo Between a Hatchback and a Supercar, Eco-Friendly Too

(4 votes, average: 3.25 out of 5)

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The SHC is a concept car imagined by British designer Jamie Martin, who also created the AC Cobra Venom V8 concept and the London Navigator bus. The Super Hatchback Concept is a combination between a hatchback and a supercar, with a touch of eco-friendly technology.

The chassis is made of high tensile steel and aluminium, for reduced weight and better weight distribution. The concept car has aluminium suspension components for improved handling and uses a front-wheel drive system with mechanical limited slip differential and next generation Ford RevoKnuckle axle system.

The SHC features two powertrain alternatives. The first one is the AirHybrid and Gasoline Compression Ignition (GCI). It uses a twin-turbocharged engine with direct injection, 6-speed short-shift manual gearbox (optional 7-speed Ford PowerShift transmission with paddle-shift).

The second option is the Delta Drive Hybrid (DDH) system. It has a smaller petrol engine and two electric motors (located inside the front wheels), and allows the car to run 70 miles, with zero CO2 emissions, via charged batteries (Nano-Titanate batteries placed in the front engine bay and under the floor), before the petrol engine is needed to recharge.

The DDH system has three performance modes: Economy (low bhp), Normal (medium bhp) and Performance (high bhp) – which uses both the petrol engine and electric generator. With a slim chance of going into production in 2014, this concept vehicle is likely to compete against the Honda Civic Type-R, the Ford Focus RS and others alike.

[via Diseno-Art]

Posted in Eco Friendly Cars, Hybrid | No Comments »

Protoscar LAMPO2, Electric Sports Car Prototype

(6 votes, average: 2.5 out of 5)

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Created by the Swiss company Protoscar (CleanCar Shapers), the LAMPO2 is an electric sports car prototype. This electric vehicle, which is the successor of the first LAMPO concept, shown at the Geneva Motor Show in 2009, will be displayed at the Swiss Motor Show, next month.

Using the General Motors’ Kappa platform, the LAMPO2 lost some weight and features better aerodynamics. It’s powered by two electric motors (one for each axle) that generate 408 HP and 640 Nm of torque, being able to go up to 60 MPH in just about 5 seconds and reaching a top speed 124 MPH.

The LAMPO2 uses an all-electric plug-in rechargeable drivetrain from BRUSA, that offers four distinct charging modes, for the large-capacity lithium ion battery pack, including an interface for DC fast charging via an off-board system, which offers up to 60 miles of range, after just 10 minutes of charge.

[via Autoblog]

Posted in Hybrid, Sports Car | No Comments »

E-Sphyra Electric Supercar Reaches Prototype Phase

(8 votes, average: 2.88 out of 5)

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The E-Sphyra concept car was created by a group of students (including the two main designers, John Daretry and Cyril Prongue) from the Belfort-Montbeliard University of Technology, in France. This supercar is intended to be a performance-oriented sports car, with a modern, aerodynamic exterior design.

The project was developed by three different departments, the first one worked on the architecture, the second was in charge of the electric parts, while the last one created the body, all coordinated by Thibault Brant, the man responsible with the entire project.

The ultra-light fiberglass body kit was built using a master model made from polyethylene, based on two scale models. The E-Sphyra prototype is powered by a rear-mounted electric engine which generates 100 kilowatts (134 HP) and it weighs only 800 kgs. The construction of this concept vehicle took more than two thousand hours.

[via Car Body Design]

Posted in Sports Car | No Comments »