Sports Car Modification

With the 2010 Tesla Roadster TAG Heuer, on display at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, pioneering luxury Swiss watchmaker TAG Heuer and electric carmaker Tesla Motors have teamed up in a worldwide partnership as the iconic Swiss brand celebrates its 150th anniversary.

This one-of-a-kind collector's car includes a unique interior by Tesla Chief Designer Franz von Holzhausen, incorporating TAG Heuer avant-garde design elements and a specially designed center console due to host TAG Heuer's cutting edge concept watch.

This car also features a TAG Heuer Meridiist mobile phone as well as a one-fifth second Heuer Limited Edition Stopwatch. This Swiss-made timepiece with mechanical movement pays tribute to the 1860 founding of the company and evoques the mythic revival of the brand's vintage stopwatches.

The car's exterior color scheme is Foucault Field Gray, embodying the innovative spirit of both companies. The design was inspired by the new TAG Heuer concept watch, a technical milestone in mechanical movements, which brings technologically advanced art to life through motion.

Since its founding in an artisan's workshop in the Swiss Jura, TAG Heuer has become one of the world's best-known luxury brands - maker of avant-garde watches, eyewear and premium mobile phones for refined consumers around the globe.

TAG Heuer, a star brand from the luxury group and worldwide leader Louis Vuitton Moet Hennessy (LVMH), also has deep roots in the automotive sector. Company founder Edouard Heuer received in 1911 the patent for The Time of Trip, the first car dashboard chronograph, followed in 1933 by the Autavia - the first dashboard timekeeper for both automobiles and aviation. The benchmark in cutting-edge chronographs and timekeeping technology since 1860, TAG Heuer is the watch brand that can claim the longest and strongest association with motor sports and dream cars. Both watches and chronographs are inspired and driven by motor sports, from Formula One to GT cars.

 2010 Tesla Electric Roadster TAG Heuer

"TAG Heuer has a rich history and expertise with the world's most prestigious racing teams - but this is the first ever partnership we've forged with an electric sports car company," said Jean-Christophe Babin, President and CEO of TAG Heuer. "We believe that high-performance drivers are increasingly searching for products that are efficient, socially responsible and stylish. TAG Heuer and Tesla are two of the few companies arleady achieving these ideals today."

Tesla Motors began developing an electric sports car in 2004 and remains the only automaker selling highway-capable electric cars. The Tesla Roadster accelerates faster than nearly any other supercar yet is twice as energy efficient as a Toyota Prius - the only car that delivers supercar performance guilt-free, with zero tailpipe emissions and a carbon footprint dramatically lower than any comparable sports car.

Based in California's Silicon Valley, Tesla has delivered more than 1,000 cars to consumers in 21 countries. Advertising Age magazine recently named Tesla one of America's "hottest brands." The Tesla Roadster is quickly becoming the must-have car among Hollywood celebrities, European royalty and socially responsible trendsetters worldwide.

The highly appealing and emotionally charged Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet is the latest addition to the successful E-Class line-up. The open-top two-door model, which went on sale on 11 January 2010, features a classic fabric soft top, making for a stylistically pure cabriolet feeling. Viewed from the side, the new model is an intriguing proposition - with its clear proportions and a flawless cabriolet silhouette.

In keeping with the motto "four seasons, four personalities", all-year-round suitability was right at the top of the developers' list of priorities. With the new E-Class Cabriolet, the cabriolet season lasts the whole year because, while many cabriolets tend to disappear from the roads of Western Europe in the autumn, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet (length/breadth/height: 4698/1786/1402 mm) provides driving pleasure and comfort whether the roof is open or closed.

The soft top can be opened and closed fully automatically within 20 seconds - even when driving at speeds of up to 40 km/h. The cabriolet roof is stowed in a special compartment behind the rear panel. A retractable cover separates the soft top compartment from the boot area; it must be closed in order to close the soft top. If the roof is to remain closed, the cover can be slid rearwards, in which case the boot capacity is increased by 90 litres to 390 litres. A through-loading feature is included as standard for the new Cabriolet, as is EASY-ENTRY - a manually operated entry and exit aid for the rear passengers.

The powerplants for the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet are equally innovative: the new direct-injection diesel and petrol models combine efficiency with effortlessly superior power delivery. The exemplary, low fuel consumption has not only been achieved because of the new engines, but also with a number of practical measures. These include on-demand activation of the steering and fuel pumps, the use of tyres with low rolling resistance and an alternator control system which takes account of the current driving situation and the vehicle's electrical power requirements, plus the crucial factor of outstanding aerodynamics. The Cabriolet's cd figure of 0.28 is the best in its class, marking a continuation of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class success story in the field of aerodynamics.

In 1989, Mercedes-Benz introduced a world premiere in the shape of a draught-stop for the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, followed in 2004 by the AIRSCARF® neck-level heating system to further enhance comfort in open-top models. Now comes another world-first: the AIRCAP® automatic draught-stop, which can be activated at the push of a button, greatly reduces turbulence in the interior of the new Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet, creating a sea of warm air. It is also much easier to implement and use than conventional draught-stops: there is no tricky installation, the two individual rear seats remain free and the Cabriolet's flowing side lines remain uninterrupted. AIRCAP® is therefore a classic Mercedes innovation: functional, comfort-enhancing, elegant and safe.

AIRCAP® consists of two components: a wind deflector that can be extended by around six centimetres with a net in the windscreen frame and a draught-stop between the rear seats.

As well as enhancing occupant comfort and wellbeing, the reduction in draught when AIRCAP® is activated (it can be activated at speeds of up to 160 km/h and remains in use right up to the car's top speed) reduces the interior noise level - so passengers in all seats find it far easier to communicate.

The Cabriolet Comfort package includes AIRCAP® with AIRSCARF®. This patented system functions like an invisible scarf, which warms the occupants' head and neck areas. AIRSCARF® is integrated into the backrests of the front seats and provides warm air through outlets in the head restraints.

The Mercedes engineers have modified this unique innovation specifically for the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet: in this model, an adjustment wheel pivots the outlet nozzle upwards and downwards by a total of 36 degrees over and above the head restraint height adjustment, meaning that the driver and front passenger can enjoy the unique neck-level heating regardless of how short or tall they are.

This is the 2010 Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid, a new car that made its debut today at the Geneva Motor Show which aims to demonstrate how a hybrid car can have breathtaking performance from a highly efficient propulsion system. Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid is a full hybrid vehicle, which comes with twin electric motors.

The new 414E Hybrid uses a high performance drivetrain system consisting of twin motors each delivering 204 hp (152 kW or 207 ps – this inspired the name 414E) and 400 Nm (295 lbft) of torque to each wheel via independent, single speed, reduction transmissions. With these numbers the car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds.

The Evora 414E Hybrid is a concept car that is equipped with a 7-speed transmission and two drive settings, including Eco and Sport. The vehicle is mainly maid in a copper color, which is used not only in the exterior but also interior of the concept, including the instrument panel, seat covers and brake calipers.

The new car can be charged via a typical household plug or the car’s onboard generator. An additional range is provided by the Lotus Range Extender engine, an optimised 1.2 litre, three-cylinder engine capable to deliver (48 ps/47 hp). The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid has a total range of 480 km (300 miles) and can be driven as a fully-electric car for about 56 km or 35 miles.

Also, the car features HALOsonic Internal and External Electronic Sound Synthesis technologies from Lotus and Harman International, which means that it will provide sound contouring within the cabin and improve pedestrian safety outside the vehicle. The car comes with a sports mode that can simulate a 7 speed, paddle shift transmission combining exceptional driver involvement for a hybrid sports car.

Dr Robert Hentschel, Director of Lotus Engineering said: “Innovation has always been at the heart of Lotus and is needed now more than ever. The Evora 414E Hybrid is the perfect demonstration of Lotus Engineering’s core competencies: lightweight architectures, efficient performance, electrical and electronics integration and driving dynamics. 

The technology demonstrator represents an encapsulation of the advanced technologies that Lotus Engineering continues to develop to overcome the current environmental challenges facing the automotive industry and showcases the future direction that the sector is taking and why Lotus Engineering is perfectly placed to lead the technological development in this area.” 

The team members, all majoring in industrial design, belong to the CLOTHO, which is a transportation design study group at SNUT (Seoul National University of Technology). We always try to challenge many international competitions for enhancing our talent.

The brainchild of designers Ho-young Joo, Soo-han Cho and JinSeok Song, the E-Commuter is what the streets of today will need for a green tomorrow. The concept has been designed to reduce air pollution that is caused by running vehicles on conventional fossil fuel engines. Ho-young Joo, 25, is now working in his internship at LG Electronics. He is a two-time finalist for Michelin Challenge Design. Soo-han Cho, 23, is currently doing his military requirement.

This next-generation concept vehicle will run clean on electricity, which will be provided by onboard solar panels. These solar panels will automatically track the sun and align themselves for maximum solar exposure. Energy generated by these panels will be stored in a battery.

Suffering extreme traffic congestion, the number of people using cars to commute is increasing. The exhaust from vehicles causes serious air pollution and deteriates the supply of fossil fuel. The next generation car should be a complete electric vehicle over the hybrid concept by using sustainable energy sources.

E-Commuter uses two kinds of cells. Using Photovoltaic power generation to charge the upper solar cell, and the insufficient energy of E-commuter can be supplied by Outer-battery. The outer-battery of E-commuter can easily attach/detach and be moved because of the wheels. E-commuter uses its outer-battery when you are in long-trip or it cannot generate energy so much because of the low amount of sunshine. The wheels of E-commuter uses the theory of repulsive-type maglev float by using the magnetic power. The wheel has no friction, it absorbs vibration and makes the electric-efficiency better. Thin slick tires aimed at the bicycle using 700c wheels show great energy efficiency in traveling through urban districts.

If the solar battery depletes and is not able to recharge itself, the vehicle also has a backup battery that can be recharged from a wall socket. The wheels of the E-Commuter absorb vibration and reduce friction for better efficiency. The designers believe that the E-Commuter will be able to hit a speed of up to 120mph, without clogging the streets with toxic smoke.

Conceptualized obviously by an Indian designer – Arun Thomas –, the Yog trike is somehow related to the physical and mental discipline that Hollywood stars like so much to brag about practicing, Yoga. The shape of this futuristic trike is supposedly derived from Yoga, so is it rightful asking if the riding position induces a certain state? Because nobody certainly doesn’t want to start meditating at 100mph as I understand the thing is meant to go fast too.

The Yog personal transport vehicle looks like a whole bunch of fun and one mean ride. Indian designer Arun Thomas proposed the trike design concept, powered by a modified jet engine driving a propeller, and with electrical energy from batteries, as an entry to the Michelin Design Challenge 2010.

The “Yog” is a futuristic vehicle that harnesses lightning to provide sustainable commutation without compromising on power. Powered by artificial thunderstorms created in a closed system that converts lightning into electricity, the vehicle concept moves with the forward thrust produced by a simple tuned-up aircraft engine with an electrically driven propeller. Steered with a skid steer mechanism, the Yog locates the battery, which juices up after receiving electric energy from the power source, neatly within the vehicle.

Running on wheels made of an elastic wheel hub and an elastic rubber, freely connected to the hub enclosed by elastic composite materials, the three-wheeler uses air and magnetic repulsion power to define its shape. The form, together with its name, of the vehicle is derived from yoga, a path to join the individual self with the Divine, Universal Spirit through Physical and mental exercises, which reflects Indian values.

Mercedes-Benz F800 Style Concept is showing the future of premium automobiles from a new perspective, as the five-seat premium sedan combines highly efficient drive technologies with unparalleled safety and convenience features and an emotive design idiom, which interprets current Mercedes-Benz styling in line with the brand's hallmark attribute of refined performance. The F800 Style has a spacious interior full of intelligent seating, operating, and display concepts. Another unique feature of the large sedan is an all-new multi drive platform, which accommodates electric drives with fuel cells (enabling ranges of almost 375 miles) as well as the use of Plug-in Hybrids that can drive for up to 18 miles solely on electricity. Both variants of the Mercedes-Benz F800 Style Concept therefore make locally emission-free mobility possible at the level of a premium-class automobile, while at the same time being fully suited for everyday driving and providing a dynamic driving experience.

Within the 15.5-foot external length of the Mercedes F800 Style Concept, all of the components of the vehicle's efficient and environmentally compatible alternative drives (Plug-in Hybrid or fuel cell drive system) are installed in a space-saving manner in the engine compartment and the gaps within the chassis. Each of the drive systems takes up comparatively little space for the installation. This applies in particular to the electric drive with fuel cell, which has been enhanced by Mercedes-Benz to be compact and powerful. The front end's compact package was made possible through the consistent downsizing of all F-CELL components. As a result, the entire interior space is preserved and offers plenty of room for five occupants.

In combination with the very powerful Plug-in Hybrid drive system, the Mercedes F800 Style Concept is a very dynamic expression of the concept of "fascination and responsibility." Its drive unit consists of a V6 gasoline engine with an output of 300 hp with next-generation direct injection and a hybrid module with an output 109 hp so that it delivers a total power of around 409 hp. The lithium-ion battery with a storage capacity of >10 kWh can be recharged either at a charging station or a household power socket. Thanks to its powerful and high-torque hybrid module, in the city the Mercedes-Benz F800 Style Concept can run exclusively on electricity, therefore without generating any local emissions. Because it also has high torque right from the moment it starts, the vehicle has the same driving performance as a car with a V6 gasoline engine even when operating in electric mode. The Mercedes-Benz F800 Style Concept with the Plug-in Hybrid can run purely on electricity for up to 18 miles. The F800 Style research vehicle therefore marks a further important step in the creation of a market-ready Plug-in Hybrid. Mercedes-Benz will begin series production of the S500 Plug-in Hybrid with the introduction of the next-generation S-Class.

Due to its efficient drive system and a CO2 bonus for the battery-electric driving mode, the vehicle has a certified fuel consumption of only 2.9 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers. This corresponds to extremely low CO2 emissions of only 68 grams per kilometer. However, thanks to its outstanding efficiency, the Mercedes-Benz F800 Style Concept equipped with a Plug-in Hybrid nevertheless has a driving performance comparable to a sports car (0-60 mph 4.7 s, top speed of 155 mph). When in electric mode, the Mercedes-Benz F800 Style Concept has a top speed of 75 mph, thus meeting the needs associated with long-distance driving.

The electric drive components in the Mercedes-Benz F800 Style Concept with the Plug-in Hybrid once again demonstrate the versatility of Mercedes-Benz' extensively scalable modular hybrid system. The hybrid system can be expanded in various ways, depending on performance needs and the area of application. On this basis, it is possible to combine hybrid modules and batteries of different performance ratings with fuel-efficient, high-torque gasoline and diesel engines. Examples range from the current mild hybrids all the way to Plug-in Hybrids that enable pure electric driving over long distances. In developing the Mercedes-Benz F800 Style Concept with Plug-in Hybrid, the Mercedes engineers specifically focused on improving the pure electric driving in urban traffic. Thanks to high power reserves, the F800 Style in e-mode easily masters all kinds of city traffic while producing no local emissions. With the new hybrid module, the top speed of the Mercedes F800 Style Concept with Plug-in Hybrid has been increased to 75 mph in electric mode compared to the Vision S500 Plug-in Hybrid. At the same time, it emits only 68 grams of CO2 per kilometer, compared to the latter vehicle's 74 grams per kilometer.

The F800 Style also offers clean driving pleasure in the variant equipped with an electric drive based on fuel cell technology. The vehicle's electric motor develops around 136 hp as well as a strong torque of approximately 214 lb-ft. The fuel cell generates the traction current by chemically reacting hydrogen with oxygen onboard the vehicle, producing water vapor in the process as the only emission.

The new cam touchpad HMI is an intelligent expansion of the COMAND system. For many years now, Mercedes-Benz has been forging ahead with the development of innovative operating and display systems. A particularly user-friendly innovation is being presented in the Mercedes-Benz F800 Style Concept. The HMI unit here consists of a touchpad on the center console and a camera that records video images of the user's hand as it works the pad. The live image of the hand is presented in transparent form in the central display above the console. The user sees the contours of his or her fingers glide across the image without covering anything, thus ensuring that all of the functions of the currently used menu remain visible so that they can be easily operated by applying slight pressure to the touchpad. Pressing the display with one's fingers generates a feeling similar to that of touching laptop keys so that users know when they are carrying out specific actions.

Another very user-friendly innovation created by the Mercedes engineers is the "Range on Map" function, which shows the remaining possible travel radius during electric vehicle operation as a 360° depiction on a map. Should municipalities only permit purely electric automobile traffic in the future, the driver can determine whether the electric range of his or her vehicle is sufficient for the journey into and out of the urban area by means of the Range on Map function. The system provides this function by combining information on the current battery charge level with data from the navigation system.

Mercedes-Benz introduced DISTRONIC PLUS, the world's first proximity and speed control system that operates even when the car is standing still. The system substantially reduces the stress for drivers in dense traffic, as it regulates the distance from the vehicle in front even at very low speeds all the way down to a standstill. With its new DISTRONIC PLUS Traffic Jam Assistant feature in the F800 Style, Mercedes-Benz has also become the world's first automaker to implement a system that is also capable of automatically following the vehicle in front of it into curves. The system recognizes the difference between driving along curving roads and turning, which means it does not "blindly" follow the vehicle up in front — for example, when it changes lanes in order to exit the highway.

While the Traffic Jam Assistant heightens comfort and active safety, the innovative protective system known as PRE-SAFE 360° further improves passive safety. PRE-SAFE 360° is based on the proactive occupant protection system PRE SAFE® developed by Mercedes-Benz. Unlike the previous system, PRE-SAFE 360° also monitors the area behind the vehicle. As a result, the system engages the brakes around 600 milliseconds before an anticipated rear-end collision occurs.

The Mercedes-Benz F800 Style Concept is both a technology platform and a showcar. This research vehicle was created through close cooperation between technical research and advanced engineering departments and the advanced design studios in Sindelfingen, Germany and Como, Italy. Its exterior appearance is marked by a long wheelbase, short body overhangs, and a sensually flowing roof line.