The 2011 edition of Frankfurt Motor Show is full of surprises, especially related to technology. Volvo Concept You doesn’t make an exception and come with an interesting tablet-like interface. So, it features a hands-up display, a large touchscreen display (with a 10 inches diagonal), one between the rear passenger seats and two more intergarted into the steering controls.
“Smartphones and smart pads have brought mobile infotainment into a new era. Here, we use a number of touchscreens to replace buttons and controls in order to make the driver totally connected, totally in control,” explains Peter Horbury, vice president Design at Volvo Car Corporation.
But, let’s talk about the main screen, the one which is claimed to be in standby until someone looks at it. Yes, a little time ago this was science fiction. Now, it became possible. How is this technically realized? By using an IR sensor which to detect the eye movement. Apparently, everything is sensor-based, as another sensor then detects the hand movement and uses its sensibility to identify whether the passenger or the driver has touched the display to provide the appropriated content. The entire content can be moved to the hands-up display or shred with the screen in the rear of the car.
Besides all these screens and displays, the Concept You is equipped with an high-performance Alpine sound system. Although this is only a concept, its technological suggestions are quite interesting, despite the little problems that remain unanswered(such as: could the feature of this concept still be properly used when the weather is sunny, streaming in through the back window?).
What do you think about this concept?
[Source: Pocket-lint]
Post tags: Tags: 2011 frankfurt motor show, concept-car, Volvo
Powered by Crowd Ignite
Today we have a new Kia concept that has made quite an impression among our car loving friends. The 2012 Kia Veredus Concept is quite good looking, with it’s smooth lines and great details. The concept looks like it’s sculpted from a big chunk of metal and I bet that’s it’s as aerodynamic as a cheetah.
The concept is rear-wheel drive and keeps its composure and elegance, although it’s proportions are clearly intended to position it as a four-door sports sedan. Quite an impressive look for a four-seater Kia sedan!
‘No matter from which perspective you look at it – this concept car is roaring with energy and ready for take-off.
I believe the car is a strong statement from Kia: we are ready to fast forward to an all new chapter.’
, declared Peter Schreyer, Kia Motors Chief Design Officer
If you’ll visit the Kia stand in hall 3.1, booth A21, along with the 2012 Kia Veredus Concept you’ll be able to see the world premiere of the new three-door Rio and a refresh of the Kia Soul.
What do you think about Kia’s new design style?
Post tags: Tags: 2012 Frankfurt Motor Show, 2012 Kia Veredus Concept, concept-car
Powered by Crowd Ignite
ROLLE, Switzerland – Infiniti released the first image of its upcoming concept car, which makes its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13th. It will be unveiled by reigning Formula One World Champion and Infiniti FX driver Sebastian Vettel, who helped design the concept vehicle.
About Infiniti
Infiniti offers a full-line of luxury performance automobiles that inspire at every turn, including the G Coupe, Sedan and Convertible, Infiniti M Sedan, EX and FX crossovers, and the QX full-size SUV. More information about Infiniti and its Total Ownership Experience can be found at www.InfinitiUSA.com.
Post tags: Tags: concept-car, frankfurt motor show, Infiniti, sebastian vettel
Powered by Crowd Ignite
A mixture of futuristic and zany design, Mazda MX-0 concept will be presented at the LA Auto Show. This model tries to be an efficient four-passenger vehicle, with minimum impact on the environment and low fuel consumption. Despite all those objectives that the manufacturers have tried to achieve, the car doesn’t sacrifice the style, maintaining the futuristic model of the MX-5, but having some components replaced with more simplified and multiple-functional parts, which generates a car less heavy.
Mazda MX-0 has an electric motor that uses inexpensive parts, relying on sustainability. Definitely, this model was a design challenge for its manufacturers.
[Source: Ubergizmo]
Post tags: Tags: concept-car
Powered by Crowd Ignite
1964 Dodge Hemi Charger Concept Car
The picture you see right in front of you is of the first Dodge that used the Charger nameplate, a living legend in our opinion. The car we are talking about is a 1964 Dodge Charger Concept Car. It was developed back in 1963 on Polara underpinnings and it was used by Chrysler to introduce its newest engine at that time, the now popular and legendary 7.0-liter (426-cubic inch) Hemi V8.
Over its 47-year existence, it was owned by several collectors and now it is going to be put up for auction at the 2011 Automobiles of Arizona event which will be organized at Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa, on January 20th. Although RM Auction didn’t publish any official estimates, the same car was auctioned three years ago and managed to fetch $1.1 million. We assume that the car is now worth even more than that.
The car is at the moment in the estate of the now late John M. Quinn and it has been fully restored by Fran Roxas, a multiple award-winner, who fitted the car with one of the 15th original race HEMI power units that outputs 600 hp.
1964 Dodge Hemi Charger Concept Car
Looking at the specifications sheet, the very first Charger was fitted with a 3-speed automatic gearbox, independent torsion bar front and rear semi-elliptic leaf spring suspension. In addition, it features a 4.56:1 “Sure Grip” rear axle and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes. The block casting of the 1964 Dodge Hemi Charger Concept Car is dated October 1963 which goes to show that this car is as authentic as it can get.
If you take a closer look at the pictures, you will notice that the car is in perfect condition and it has been kept in a climate-controlled storage. Basically, it looks as if it just rolled out of the production line. If I had the money to buy it, I wouldn’t hesitate and choose this over any type of modern vehicle that costs the same as in my opinion, cars like this one will never be made again and it is indeed a great shame, but there is nothing that we can do.
Post tags: Tags: charger, concept-car, Dodge, hemi
Powered by Crowd Ignite
It looks like the small luxury cars market is becoming more and more attractive to carmakers, because after Aston Martin confirmed production of its controversial Cygnet, Cadillac announced that the 2010 LA Auto Show will mark the debut of their Urban Luxury Concept.
“While small in size, this concept is an exploration of what Cadillac could be in the future, as the brand continues to focus on redefining industry standards for advanced vehicle design and integrated technology,” said Don Butler, vice president for Cadillac marketing.
Measuring 151 inches (3,8 meters) in length and with a 97.1 inch (2,4 meters) wheelbase, Cadillac is trying to prove, just like Aston Martin, that if a car’s small it doesn’t mean it can’t be spacious and luxurious. Designed in Los Angeles, the Urban Luxury Concept follows Cadillac’s current design philosophy, with bold angles and vertical front and rear lights, plus scissor-type doors. Under the bonnet, the car is powered by a prototype hybrid system that includes a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine, engine start-stop function and brake energy regeneration, all contributing to a fuel economy of 56 mpg in the city and 65 mpg on the highway.
“It may not look like Cadillacs on the road today, but it shares the comfortable and high-tech elements that owners have come to associate with larger, traditional luxury sedans,” said Frank Saucedo, the car’s lead designer. “As more customers demand premium features even in smaller vehicles, a vehicle like the Urban Luxury Concept could be a solution.”
(more…)
Post tags: Tags: Cadillac, cadillac urban luxury concept, concept-car, la-auto-show
Powered by Crowd Ignite
According to popular French website Automoto.fr, following the great feedback after the Paris Motor Show launch, Lamborghini has decided to put the Sesto Elemento into production. What the Italian carmaker managed to do with this concept is the extensive use of carbon fiber and carbon-fiber reinforced plastics (including a carbon-fiber monocoque structure) which allowed the car to be ultra lightweight and weigh no more than 999 kg (2,202 lbs).
Under the bonnet, the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento is powered by the naturally-aspirated 5.2-liter V10 from the LP 570-4 Superleggera with delivers 562 hp (419 kW) which, combined with the car’s low weight allows 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) acceleration in 2.5 seconds and top speed around 350 km/h (186 mph).
The Sesto Elemento will probably cost somewhere around 2.5 million ($3.44 million) and if that doesn’t hold you back, find out that only 7 to 10 units will be built.
(more…)
Post tags: Tags: concept-car, Lamborghini, lamborghini sesto elemento
Powered by Crowd Ignite
Citroen is launching the new season at their C42 flagship showroom on the famous Champs-Elysees avenue in Paris, France and one of this year’s highlights will be a special Citroen Survolt racing car turned into a work of art by French artist Francoise Nielly, with a “bold, vivid and brightly contrasting new fluorescent paint scheme”. According to Citroen, Nielly’s art works were among the inspiration sources for the original Survolt concept and they decided to honor that by putting the art car in the gallery.
Alongside the special Survolt, this year’s showroom includes the customized DS3 by Flavio Melchiorre, the DS3 Racing, the DS4 and the C-Zero.
One more photo after the jump. (more…)
Post tags: Tags: Citroen, citroen survolt, concept-car, francoise nielly
Powered by Crowd Ignite
It seems the Toyota iQ is creating a lot of buzz recently. After earlier today we told you about Aston Martin putting the Cygnet (basically a luxury iQ), now we have this Disco iQ coming from Germany. The car was created by Toyota Germany to resemble a disco ball and its purpose will be of amusing people at different events throughout Germany.
Beside the obvious blinding mirror cover, the Disco iQ also features 18″ alloy wheels and Lambo doors, while the main highlight is the 1000 Watts professional DJ Sound System with 15″ subwoofers, satellite speakers, 2-channel mixer and two Numark NDX-800 players producing 130 dB, which is louder than a rock concert or a pneumatic riveter.
The Disco iQ will first show up at the “Cologne Rocks” event in Köln and after that, Toyota dealers across Germany will be able to book the show car for different events.
(more…)
Post tags: Tags: concept-car, Toyota, toyota iq
Powered by Crowd Ignite
Lamborghini did its best to keep its Paris debut a big secret, but we all know it’s more likely that aliens land at the White House than car makers managing to keep details about a car secret. After releasing a set of teaser photos with a new concept which is scheduled to debut in a couple of days, at the Paris Motor Show, Lamborghini couldn’t keep the secret anymore, because a low-resolution image of the car showed up on French blog blogautomobile.fr.
According to the image, the concept will be called Sesto Elemento, which is Italian for “sixth element”. If we look into the periodic table, that’s carbon, so you might get a clue what this car about. And that is weight. Stephen Winkelmann, Lambo’s CEO, said that, since mid ’80s, due to additive regulations, the average weight of Lamborghini cars grew by 1,100 pounds (500 kg). And considering they can’t sacrifice safety and performance, the only way to make better cars is to lose weight.
Winkelmann also mentioned that all the changes Lamborghini will make to future cars will be about improving handling and acceleration, because the company sees no point in focusing on top speed anymore. And that’s true, because most supercars’ performances are so high regular people can’t reach them on a racetrack, let alone normal roads.
As for the Sesto Elemento (or Sixth Element), there are no details available, except that it might weight around 2,200 lbs (1000 kg) and, judging by this photo, will probably be powered by a V10 engine. But we’ll find out soon, because there so little time left until Lamborghini will release full details about the concept (considering the leaked photo, it might be even sooner).
(more…)
Post tags: Tags: concept-car, Lamborghini, lamborghini senso elemento, paris motor show
Powered by Crowd Ignite
Last Autumn, at the Paris Motor Show, we were really stunned by the GTbyCITROEN concept, a full size replica of the car from the Playstation 3 video game, Gran Turismo 5. At that time, we believed this will be just another breath-taking concept which will never see production, but it looks like the French car maker has some serious plans for the car, because they announced today the GTbyCITROEN will make several appearances at racing events, this summer.
The first one will be the 24 Hours Nürburgring race on May 23rd, where the concept will take a lap of honour before the race. Then, on June 12th, the car will join other supercars in the “Grande Parade des Pilotes” at the Le Mans 24 Hours, taking part in the presentation of the drivers and teams. And finally, the third announced event will be the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK, between July 3-5. So, if you’re lucky enough to take part at these events, make sure you don’t miss the GTbyCITROEN, because it’s a magnificient car.
Full Photo Gallery: GTbyCITROEN Concept
Photo Gallery: GTbyCitroen Concept at the Paris Motor Show
(more…)
Post tags: Tags: Citroen, concept-car, GTbyCitroen
Powered by Crowd Ignite
This weekend, at the Seoul Motor Show, Kia will unveil their latest vehicle, the KND-5 Concept, which previews the Korean company’s upcoming luxury sedan, so far only known with the codename “VG”. The car will be a direct competitor to near-luxury sedans such as the VW Passat CC and will share its FWD platform with the next generation Hyundai Azera (will debut in Korea in September). According to Kia World, the concept will measure 4945 mm in length, 1850 mm in width and 1475 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2845 mm. Other than that, the KND-5 concept features headlamps and taillights with LED technology, 20 inch wheels and a huge panoramic glass roof. More details about this concept soon, after its official unveiling on April 3.
(more…)
Post tags: Tags: concept-car, Kia, kia knd-5 concept, kia vg concept
Powered by Crowd Ignite
The Korean car maker released a teaser picture of the upcoming Ssangyong C200 Aero Concept which will make its debut in April, at the Seoul Motor Show. Based on the C200 Concept which made its debut last year at the Paris Motor Show, the Aero is a more aggressive model which features several new styling elements like a new front fascia, larger alloy wheels and a roof spoiler.
Considering the C200 was introduced with a 175 hp 2.0 liter turbo diesel, we expect the Aero to be equipped at least with the same engine, if not a more powerful powerplant. According to Ssangyong, the C200 Aero project is in an advanced state, with a production version being scheduled to be released later this year.
Photo Gallery: Ssangyong C200 Concept at the Paris Motor Show
(more…)
Post tags: Tags: concept-car, seoul motor show, SsangYong, ssangyong c200, teaser
Powered by Crowd Ignite
Nicolas Stone, a young CCS (College for Creative Studies) graduate decided to show his vision of how eco-friendly cars will look in 2020 and created the Hyundai City Car Concept for his thesis (the project was sponsored by the Korean carmaker). Here’s how Nicolas describes his project:
A plug-in hybrid, designed to offer a new interpretation of a compact car, based on breakthrough technologies recently developed at MIT. The exterior shell is composed of new transparent solar panels that collect ambient light, generating electricity. Utilizing a new energy model, the vehicle is powered by an artificial system of photosynthesis. Functioning just like a plant, all that the vehicle needs is water and sunlight.
I remember when I studied photosynthesis in the 5th grade (I think) and I’m sure that if I would’ve said that this process will sometime be used to power cars, my teacher would’ve flunked me. I don’t know how advanced these technologies are, but just the thought that one day these vehicles will be sold in showrooms, is amazing. As for the design, great job, Nicolas!
Photo Gallery: 2020 Hyundai City Car Concept
(more…)
Post tags: Tags: concept-car, design-study, Hyundai, hyundai city car concept, nicolas stone
Powered by Crowd Ignite
The concept you see in the sketch above is the BMW Z10 ED, a car that could make it into production in the future. The car was designed by Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW’s new head of design who says the Z10 ED is BMW’s vision of the future, a green car capable of delivering an exciting dynamic experience. According to AutoCar, the Z10 ED will be an £80,000 ($112,000) Audi R8 rival which will offer very low CO2 emissions and an engaging drive. The car will feature BMW’s Efficient Dynamics, active aerodynamics and a wholebunch of other green technologies, like the heat collector, which turns exhaust gas into electricity.
However, van Hooydonk also added that BMW hasn’t reached a final decision about this project so, due to the harsh economic climate, it is possible the Z10 ED to be launched not as a supercar, but be placed in another BMW class. We hope to get more info on this project soon so stay tuned, because rumors say that an official unveiling might be set for the end of this year (maybe the Frankfurt Show).
(more…)
Post tags: Tags: BMW, bmw z10 ed, concept-car, Green
Powered by Crowd Ignite
