Sports Car Modification

This is the concept of next Cadillac. This concept is an idea from its Wayne Cherry who is responsible in making design concept. After a distinguished career at General Motors that culminated in his being appointed only the fifth vice president of design in the company’s history, he decided to build a concept car of his own.

Wayne Cherry has always loved concept cars. Then you take a close look at Cherry’s VSR street rod, at the hardware, the workmanship, and, most of all, the design, and you realize it could easily take center stage as a concept car on the GM stand at the next international auto show.

"You just can't stop designing, you just can't stop being involved with cars," Cherry explains. "You start to do something like this, and it turns into a concept vehicle." He makes it sound like a winter garage project that got a little out of control, which at a basic level perhaps isn't a million miles from the truth.

Then you take a close look at Cherry's VSR street rod, at the hardware, the workmanship, and, most of all, the design, and you realize it could easily take center stage as a concept car on the GM stand at the next international auto show.

He joined GM in 1962, straight out of California’s Art Center design school, and was assigned to the advanced design studio at the Tech Center, where, among his first assignments, he assisted on a project that became the first Oldsmobile Toronado, one of the high watermarks of Bill Mitchell’s stint as GM design chief.

At Vauxhall, he worked on the gullwing XVR, the brand's first-ever concept car, which was unveiled at the 1966 Geneva show. His wild, mid-engine SRV, shown at the 1970 Earls Court Motor Show in London, was a four-door, four-seater that stood just 41 inches tall.

The Equus, one of the star concepts of 1978, was a crisp, state-of-the-moment roadster that rivaled the best from Bertone and Pininfarina. "That's the most uncompromised design I've ever worked on," Cherry said at the time.

January 26th, 2010 Honda has confirmed that it will show the next generation of its Odyssey minivan at the Chicago Auto Show on February 2010. Honda today gave us the first look at the next-generation of its award-winning Odyssey minivan with the new Honda Odyssey Concept, which is on display at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, introduces a sleek and distinctive exterior styling direction for the next generation of the industry's best-selling minivan, set to debut this fall, American Honda Motor Co., Inc..

The Odyssey Concept dramatically departs from conventional minivan styling with its low and wide stance, highlighted by a "lightning-bolt" beltline that further distinguishes the vehicle's profile. Compared to the current Odyssey, the Concept's slightly lower roofline (-1.0 inch) and wider stance (+1.4 inch) contribute to a sleeker, stronger and more dynamic presence with improved aerodynamics that help increase fuel economy. Forthcoming improvements to the production Odyssey's interior are designed to further enhance the current model's accommodating space for people and cargo.

The steeply raked front and rear roof pillars, unique side-glass profile, chamfered roof line, and tapered rear cabin shape combine to create a dynamic and distinctive appearance from any perspective. The lightning-bolt beltline dives toward the rear of the vehicle emphasizing the new Odyssey's sporty appearance while enhancing outward visibility for third-row passengers. Aggressive body-to-wheel proportions reduce the perception of vertical height common to most minivan designs. Fender flares further accent the vehicle's securely planted and stylish persona. The concept vehicle's projector beam headlights, LED taillights and form-fit fog lights further heighten the sophisticated quality of the design.

Enhanced aerodynamics and advanced powertrain technologies will contribute to the next-generation Odyssey's increased fuel efficiency. The all-new 2011 Odyssey is expected to achieve an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating(1) of 19 city/28 highway miles-per gallon on select models (preliminary estimate determined by Honda).

Currently in its third generation, the Odyssey's unique array of features, including its superior driving dynamics, 3rd-Row Magic Seat(R) and efficient i-VTEC(TM) V-6 engine with three-mode Variable Cylinder Management(TM) (available) all combine to offer a sophisticated environment with room for up to eight people (seven on Odyssey LX). The Odyssey has been America's best-selling minivan(2) since 2008 and is produced exclusively in Alabama by Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (using domestic and globally sourced parts). Both the concept and production vehicles, along with all development activity for the 2011 Odyssey, are being designed at Honda R&D Americas in Torrance, California, and Raymond, Ohio.

The Odyssey has won numerous awards and critical acclaim. Recent accolades include the Edmunds.com 2010 "Top Recommended" minivan award, U.S. News and World Report 2010 "Best Minivan for the Money" award, Automotive Lease Guide 2010 "Best Minivan for the Money," the Kelley Blue Book award as one of the ten "Best New Family Vehicles of 2009" and "2009 Best Resale Value Award" in the van category, which recognizes vehicles that are expected to have segment-leading resale value after five years of ownership.

LAMPO2 is an electric demonstration sports car conceived by Protoscar, a Swiss company which has been developing CleanCar projects for 23 years including consulting of OEMs, power utilities and governments. The LAMPO2 boasts 'quick-charging' capability (up to 100 km range extension in just 10 minutes charging time) and will be presented at the Geneva Motor Show (2nd March 2010) on the e'mobile stand Nr. 5141.

LAMPO2 is an even more energy efficient successor to the LAMPO demonstration vehicle presented in 2009. Weight, aerodynamics and the efficiency of individual components of the BRUSA drive train have been further optimized in order to reach a world-class energy consumption of less than 100Wh/km-ton under real conditions. LAMPO2 is equipped with 4 different charging modes:

• standard single-phase with up to 3,3kW on board charger for typical overnight home-charge,

• 'control-pilot' equipped and (EDF provided) PLC single-phase with 6,6kW on board charger typical for public charging,

• standard three-phase 9,9kW on board charger typical for charging at industrial plugs (fleet-owners) and

• an interface for DC fast charging (able to transmit a max. power of 80kW), where up to 100km of additional range can be charged within just 10 minutes, by an off-board system, so that the different solutions can be compared in terms of usability and efficiency by being demonstrated in real conditions.

LAMPO2 will be shown together with different charging infrastructure solutions: a smart home charge device (developed with ALPIQ), the public charging station E-TOTEM and the quick-charging station (developed with ABB and Brusa).

LAMPO2 impressively demonstrates that electric drive-trains are mature and perform sufficiently well to be a solution for all types of vehicles, not just city cars. This includes premium cars, the segment through which most new technologies have successfully been introduced into the market.

Together with the first LAMPO (which has already been driven over 10'000 km on race tracks and public roads across Europe), LAMPO2 will be used for practical demonstrations and testing. Protoscar has repeatedly been encouraged to develop an advanced electric cabriolet for small-scale production and plans to use the LAMPO2 to evaluate this possibility. The evaluation will include discussions with potential industrial and financial partners, and an assessment of the preferences and desires of potential clients. Lampo crossing the Gotthard pass in May 2009.

In addition to BRUSA, which supplies the components of the whole drive train, the main partners and sponsors of the LAMPO2 project are ALPIQ (the leading Swiss company in power generation and distribution, which is actively promoting the goal of 15% of electric vehicles in Switzerland by 2020), the German Fraunhofer Institute IAO (EV-specific features and MMI, as well as optimization of the ergonomics), ABB (DC fast-charging technology) and the Swiss Federal Office of Energy.

Technical details LAMPO2 has two electric motors (allowing it to operate as a four-wheel drive with variable torque between front and rear axle for optimal handling, safety and efficiency) with a total output of 260 kW (equivalent to 350 HP), 600 Nm (50% more than its predecessor!) and over 30 kWh of Lithium-Ion battery capacity. LAMPO2 features real sports-car performances: 5 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h, 200 km/h of max. speed and a range of over 200 km. More than enough energy for driving is produced by a remote solar plant which is installed on the roof of a farm in Tuscany, allowing a real zero-emission drive on a 'Well-to-Wheel' basis.

Source - Protoscar

The Maserati Tramontane Concept is a luxury electric supercar with a futuristic design characterized by flowing elements that form different layers and interconnect the exterior and the interior. The author is Czech design student Ondrej Jirec.

The Maserati Tramontane is a lightweight electric luxury supercar with an original design focused on the reduction of the total number of body parts and the simplification of the production process by combining exterior and interior elements.

Aside from the slippery, aerodynamic overall shape, the most eye-catching aspect of the concept's design is the number of components and body panels which flow from the interior to the exterior. These body parts have different functions, color, material and characteristics which are designed to add different dimensions and effect the overall feel of the vehicle.

It was created by Czech student Ondrej Jirec for his Alias class at the Art Center College of Design. Among the distinctive features of the Maserati Tramontane's design are the components and body panels which flow from the interior to the exterior. These parts have different function, color, material and characteristics and create layers that add different "dimensions" and define an original design language.

The first layer is the main glass exterior surface that essentially envelops the entire car. It is supported by a black frame which attaches to the chassis.

The second layer is composed of the headlamps and the dashboard. This single piece carries the LED headlights and flows smoothly back into the interior where it protects the speakers and interior air vents.

The third layer of the Tramontane creates the lower sections of the seats and, as it reaches the exterior, also carries the taillights. This particular part possesses very high resistance to impact. In case of side impact the seat and chassis work together to protect the occupants. But in the event of a rear collision, this part contains a crumple zone that will collapse, so the seats remain protected.

The fourth layer, placed in the front, serves as a housing for the electric motor and also as a dashboard. This element is attached to the chassis and hides the motor, frame, and all the electronics.

Having its length at 4,250mm, Tramontane is just 50mm shorter in length to Lamborghini Gallardo. Its height is 1,170mm which is almost the same as that of Gallardo’s. Its front wheels are driven by an electric motor, whereas the rear ones have an electric motor for each.

The most striking facet of its design is the number of components and body panels that smoothly move from interior to the exterior. Its parts have different functions, color, material and characteristics that aid more to the overall feel of the vehicle.

The proposed drivetrain for the concept is an all-electric setup. The front wheels are driven by one electric motor, while the rear wheels each get their own motor.

KIA Motors is currently preparing their new concept car that will be displayed at the Chicago Auto Show 2010. The figure in the vehicle named Kia Ray in the form of the official release has a unique taillights.

Kia Ray Hybrid Concept Kia Ray is the vehicle plug-in hybrid that is a picture of Kia's green programs in the future. Platform concept would seem hibryd used Kia models that will come, but it is unlikely that vehicles will be the Kia design language that will come.

Kia Ray designed at Kia's American design studios released only in an illustration. There's no other details about this vehicle and it seems we must wait until the Chicago Auto Show going to get any further to what is really shown by Kia through Ray Plug-in hybrid it.

But most likely, will carry the Kia Ray drive system similar to that used by Kia Blue-will. We will wait.

2020 Aston Martin Twenty Twenty Sports Car concept

Geneva is one of the world's great auto shows, if for no other reason than it's the place where Italy's design houses and coachbuilders -carrozzerie- annually roll out their latest concept cars. This year, Aston Martin previewed the production version its voluptuous Vanquish (covered elsewhere in this issue). But that wasn't the only Aston on the show floor. The Aston Martin Twenty Twenty concept from 2001 was designed by Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro of ItalDesign.

2020 Aston Martin Twenty Twenty Sports Car concept

The fully-functioning concept car was intended as a vision for a convertible Aston Martin sports car for the year 2020. Italdesign sprung this amazing car on the unsuspecting visitors to the 2001 Geneva Salon L'Auto. This startling car, based on an early production DB7 Vantage, has a body shape made of exposed extruded aluminium structural elements; body panels made from plastic and carbon fibre are fitted onto it. Thankfully Aston Martin’s current styling trend is headed in a completely different direction to the Twenty Twenty concept.
The brushed aluminium highlighting lines which adorn the Aston Martin Twenty Twenty are an original design feature. However their overuse (especially around the front) gives the concept an unusual, almost comical appearance from some angles. The grille surround almost looks like lipstick.

The Twenty Twenty is powered by front mounted, uprated version of the 6 litre V12 from the DB7 Vantage, said to produce 500bhp - visible through a grilled fairing on the bonnet. Initially it appears to be a strict 2 seater, although the rear bulkhead can be removed to provide seating for two children. The rear of the Aston Martin Twenty Twenty (from the doors back) is more appealing with more conservative use of bare aluminium. The soft top is stored in its own special housing that can be slotted into position between the roll-bar and the windscreen, 'Targa' fashion. Notice the fantastic door hinges - derived from the classic Aston wing vent, are both decorative and functional elements.

Giorgetto Giugiaro and Aston Martin previously co-operated in 1961, when Carrozzeria Bertone worked on the two-seater DB4GT Jet coupe prototype. And like the original 'Jet' car, the 2020 is destined to remain unique. Aston Martin are believed to have thought the 2020 'interesting', but no plans were ever made even for limited production. As the Twenty Twenty isn't an official Aston Martin design project, don't look for any sort of production version. What about the name? Simple: It's the term commonly used to describe perfect vision. And the Giugiaros clearly have good eyes.

In March 2004, I received an e-mail claiming the 2020 was for sale, but I have been unable to find any reference to this anywhere. But the car was seen for the first time in the UK at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, June 2005.

BMW has proven that rear-wheel-drive c-segment size luxury works, with its 1 Series, Lincoln is turning next to the 2011 Ford Focus' platform for post-global warming luxury. To prepare us for a CAFE-friendly world, Lincoln rolled out the C concept (for c-segment, and so far, without an "MK" prefix) at Detroit. Looking much like a Renault with Lincoln's "flying wing" '41 Continental retro cue grille, the C is about the length of the '11 Focus, but about 2.75-inches wider for three-abreast seating via two flat benches. Ford designers cite the '39 Lincoln, '56 Continental II and '61 Continental as inspiration. But the a-pillar is curved much like a Renault Espace's, and the c-pillar ends in a Clio-esque bustle trunk. While there's no tumblehome, a deep shoulderline accents the profile.