Chevrolet Corvette C7 To Utilise GM's Global Design Strength

GM is about to try something new: making Chevrolet's Corvette appeal to international markets. The General is soliciting designs from all ten of its styling studios, meaning that more than just American-market brains are weighing in.

Ed Welburn, GM Vice President of Global Design, said that Chevrolet will draw from the General's global talent pool in designing the new Corvette.

Welburn said that the global approach to the new Corvette - a Chevrolet icon traditionally designed entirely in the US - will give the sports car an international flavour and a stronger appeal for younger buyers both at home and in the European market.
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Geneva 2010: Seat IBE Concept

IBE Concept, is the latest creation from Seat and will be unveiled tomorrow at the Geneva Motor Show and is set to show us the design lines of the upcoming cars from the Spanish manufacturer.


In addition to the 2+2 coupe EV, the VW-owned company is also said to be working on a petrol/electric hybrid based on the next Volkswagen Golf platform. A Seat Leon plug-in hybrid is also planned for release in 2014.


The new Seat IBE Concept is a fully electric car and will carry a 102 hp engine capable to deliver a maximum torque of 18 kWh. This means that the car will borrow the same engine from the A1 e-Tron, set to make its official debut at the same Geneva show. Regarding its performances the car will be capable to sprint from 0 to 50 km/h in just 3.4 seconds, to 80 km/h in 6.3 seconds and to 100 km/h in 9.4 seconds. Unfortunately these are the only details available for the moment but stay tuned.


At Geneva, the IBE Concept was shown with a 75-kiloWatt (101-hp / 102-PS) motor that produces up to 200Nm (147 ft-lb) of torque. The car sprints to 50 km/h in 3.4 seconds, and 100 km/h in 9.4s. The 3.78-meter long coupe weighs 1,000 kg (2,205 lbs).


via:4wheelsnews worldcarfans

Geneva 2010: NLV Quant Concept

The second generation NVL Quant made its public debut in front of media yesterday in Geneva, bringing with it what NVL Solar, its creator, calls "a breakthrough the market eagerly has been anticipating for years." While this last statement is a matter of interpretation, the Quant does bring a range of interesting features. The most exciting thing about it, however, is the promise to turn production version rather sooner than later.


Set to be production ready next year, the Quant was designed to prove "cutting-edge supercars can combine speed, comfort and enjoyment with environmental integrity." It features two different battery systems ("a long-life metal-air battery or a rechargeable redox flow cell"), four torque-vectoring electric motors, a full carbon fiber chassis, and a revolutionary thin-film coated photovoltaic body.


The Quant has some initial performance figures which would give a regular, internal combustion engined supercar, a good run for its money: 2.8 seconds 0-100 km/h acceleration time and a top speed of 377 km/h (234 mph).


The latter converts light into electricity to supply the operating electronics and the battery. While it's a bit technical, NLV says the coating has "an average photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 38%, depending on ambient conditions, and a peak performance of over 50%." More importantly, the company believes they can tune the material's absorption characteristics to create multiple layers with their own unique absorption frequency. As impressive as this is, NLV estimates the film will have a degradation coefficient of only 5-6% over 20 years.


The Quant comes with four airbags, ABS and ESP, two infotainment panels for the rear seats, zone Climate Control system, LED front and rear lights and, la piece de resistance, NLV photovoltaic thin film solar coating all over the body of the car.


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Press Release

NLV Solar AG, a pioneer in photovoltaics and accumulator technology, have joined forces to create the Quant sport. The brainchild of this marriage of power and energy is a four-seater electric car - a breakthrough the market eagerly has been anticipating for years. A prototype is to be unveiled at the Motor Show Geneva 2010, with currently working to scale up for series production.

The NLV Quant is an exciting, revolutionary automotive project. Within the coming year, the NLV Quant will be fully engineered and ready for production. You can follow the last few stages. The design, drive system, range and photovoltaics of the Quant are already spectacular and record-breaking as individual components, and we believe that together they will mark a milestone in automotive history.

Technics

The NLV Quant is proof that cutting-edge supercars can combine speed, comfort and enjoyment with environmental integrity. It implents the mobile energy technology of the future. The NLV Quant has two different battery systems, a torque vectoring with 4 electric motors and a full carbon chassis. A thin-film coated photvoltaic car body supplies the operating electronics and also supports the battery. Gull-wing doors provide easy access to all four passengers.

Carbon Chassis

A reason for the car's low weight is the utilisation of a carbon-fibre monotube backbone chassis, construction, which houses the FAES system safely inside the centreline of the car at the lowest possible position, bringing down the centre of gravity and central mass point.

Using tradition lay-up, the vacuum bag generates the pressure for consolidating the carbon plies. In RTM process there are two moulds and the pressure comes only from the resin pump. The design becomes quite critical as inner and outer skin has to be perfectly defines in order to have a designed volume matching exactly the tooling volume. The risk is to have voids generated by not precise fitting of the inner cores.

Thin Film

The NLV Quant is coated with a thin film made of pyrite, which converts light into electricity to supply the operating electronics and also support the battery. This innovative pyrite technology is cost-effective, efficient and ecological.

NLV Solar AG has developed an iron-sulphur composite semiconductor using digital prototyping, with very promising results. The research indicates:

• an average photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 38%, depending on ambient conditions, and a peak performance of over 50%

• the possibility of fine-tuning the material's absorption characteristics by modification of its crystal lattice structure using ion implantation; stacked in a multilayer thin-film cell, it would be possible to tune each layer to a different target absorption frequency

• as a thin-film cell, the material could be applied to substrates in a transparent, semi-transparent or tinted coating

• the projected degradation coefficient is only 5-6% over 20 years

Electric Power

The NLV Quant allows for the modular installation of either a long-life metal-air battery or a rechargeable redox flow cell. These are both future-oriented, secure energy sources which help give the Quant exceptional power and range.

Speed

The projected curb weight of 1680 kg is very light considering that it is a battery-powered, four-seater, luxury performance car. This is partly due to the four-motor installation- a remarkable achievement which allows the NLV Quant to deliver 0-100 km/h in 2.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 377 km/h.

Gullwing

The gull-wing doors set the NLV Quant apart from any other four-seaters on the market. As well as being a stylish feature, they also make entry to the car more ergonomic, thanks to the lack of B-pillars. They provide easy access to both the front and rear passenger seats. The unique split side-lite feature allows either passenger to open and close the front and rear side windows separately, despite the fact that there is only one door per side.

Preliminary Specs

• Power: 600 kW ( 4x 150 kW), 800 bhp
• Rotation speed 12'000 U/min
• Torque: 1500 nm
• 0-100 km/h: 2,8 seconds
• Top speed: 377 km/h
• Curb weight: 1680 kg
• Wheelbase 3102 mm
• Track - Front: 1730 mm; rear: 1729 mm
• Wheels/tyres ? front: 245/35 - 23"; rear: 285/30 - 23" - low friction tyres
• Width: 2016 mm incl. rear-view mirrors; length: 4879 mm; height: 1335 mm
• Rear-wheel drive
• Four-wheel brake regeneration
• Minimum 4 airbags, ABS and ESP and torque vectoring
• 2 infotainment panels Adjustable rear seats
• 3 zone Climate Control system
• Generous leg room in the rear
• LED front and rear lights
• Body covered in NLV photovoltaic thin film solar coating
• Accumulator with cooling liquid (weight ca. 500kg)
• Operating voltage 420 V
• Inverter voltage 350 V
• Price: TBD

Features

• NLV Quant has two different battery systems: on the one hand, purely conventional accumulator technology with a transition metal and air mixture, and on the other hand, a pure redox flow cell

• Thin-film photovoltaic coating of car body and windows

• Torque vectoring with 4 electric motors for wheel-specific torque distribution to enhance the vehicle's agility and stability

• Full Carbon chassis and carbon body

• Minimised running and manufacturing costs thanks to new technology

• Optimised safety

• Unique/functional design, vehicle comfort and loading capacity

Geneva Debuts: Gazal 1 Design Concept

Fifty students from the King Saud University in Saudi Arabia worked on this Gazal 1 concept car from April 2009. It has now been presented at the Geneva Motor Show. The students worked in collaboration with Magna Steyr on the engineering side and Studiotorino for styling. Over 50 sketches were offered and the final one chosen in May last year. An Australian designer named Peter Arcadipane was called on to supervise the whole project.


Every aspect, from styling and engineering feasibility to a running prototype were conducted in both Riyadh city and Turin where Magna has its Italian office. The prototype will be unveiled in Riyadh some time this year to mark the end of the project.


The main brief was to create an SUV with certain classical undertones but modern at the same time. It would be based on the Mercedes-Benz G-Class in terms of chassis and mechanics.


As for the name, Gazal is a reference to the very fast Arabian Gazelle, an apparently extinct antelope identified with the Saudi Arabian area. Green is said to be quite popular with Arabian people so it became the main colour of choice.




Press Release

The Project

The Gazal 1 styling model, presented at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show on the King Saud univesrity stand, is the result of the first "project" of KSU automotive engineering degree course in Riyadh.

The "project" management dedicated to fifty students, running from April 2009 within end 2010, totally cared by KSU docents was supported by external partnerships with Magna Steyr Italy for engineering along side Studiotorino for styling as mentors.

Academic lessons, covering all aspects of automotive development, including styling and engineering feasibility as well as the engineering and construction of the styling model and the first running prototype, were conducted in Riyadh in parallel to "on the job" training In Turin.

Within 2010 the running prototype will be presented in Riyadh and will signify the completion of the KSU automotive project.

Beyond the academic and technical aspects of the project, the experience provided a good opportunity for co-operation, cultural exchange and the development of new friendships.

The Style

The styling requirements given to Studiotorino by King Saud University and outlined in the first meeting in Riyadh on April 7th 2009, were very clear: this new SUV would be classical, contemporary and durable whilst avoiding short lived fashion and would to be based on the chassis and mechanics of the long wheel base Mercedes G-class.

Studiotorino called on the expertise of Peter Arcadipane, an Australian designer of thirty years experience in some of the best known Automotive design studios around the world, cooperating directly in team with the KSU students. Over 50 sketches side view proposals were presented and the academic body began a selection process which led to the final choice in May 2009.

Along side the KSU students and the supervision of teachers from the University, Magna Steyr Italy carried out the development of the digital surfaces used for the construction of the styling model presented at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

The "environmental graphic study" only for the style sketches comes from the stage offered to Studiotorino by the I.A.A.D. design institute in Turin and their students, in optic of collaboration among schools.

The name "Gazal 1" and the colour green were selected by the university staff for their local significance. Gazal refers to the Arabian Gazelle, a fast, strong and particularly well adapted animal to the region and green being one of the most popular colours amongst Arabian people.

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From Concept To Reality: Ford's 2005 Mustang Coupe and Convertible

Ford's Mustang, the quintessential pony car, is one of the oldest nameplates in the business. During its 45+ year run, the Mustang has provided a variety of power trains under its hood, from 4-cylinders to coachbuilt (and Lamborghini-sourced) V10s.

It has also provided people with near-endless variety. From the mainstream Shelbys and California Specials (both of which have returned for up-and-coming red-light racers), to lesser-known variants like the Twister and High Country Specials, the Mustang has always offered something for everyone.

Read full story from carscoop

HALO-esque Mercedes C.S.V. Concept

Hold on to your head because you’re mind is about to be blown away by this concept called C.S.V. (Cyborg Sensation Vehicle). Inspired by the Mercedes F400 concept, this off-road capable 2-seater is targeted to young adventurous professionals in 2040.

It’s pretty obvious, (thanks Captain Oblivious) what the core concept of this vehicle is just by name. Technology and organics are bound to merge sooner or later. Imagine driving just by thinking. When you sit in the driver’s seat, your though patterns are sent to the vehicle, thus becoming an extension of your body. There’s no need for analog controls.


The implications for such technologies means someday we’ll know how to interpret, map out, and respond to human neural patterns. If you can put that thought aside for a second, lets focus on the design. There’s a lot of F400 in there but the designer wanted to give the vehicle an organic flavor, hence the muscle fibers flanking each side, neatly tucking into a hidden skeletal system. The result is a design that takes Mercedes Benz DNA and evolves it into an organic object mimicking its pilot.


Source: Yanko-design

Geneva 2010: Porsche 918 Spyder Concept

Porsche's Carrera GT supercar has been out of production for a few years now, and its numbers have been rapidly diminishing as tuners and ill-talented drivers do their worst. At this year's Geneva Motor Show, Porsche is planning a 918 Spyder Concept that looks staged to replace it, and though it doesn't share much in common with the previous supercar, it builds on its spirit with a huge dose of modern technology and style.

Powered by a 3.4-liter V-8 engine and a hybrid drive system, the 918 Spyder Concept could preview a new supercar from the company. We're not expecting it for another year or two at the earliest, however, as its 9,200-rpm, 500-horsepower output and 78-mpg efficiency are sure to prove difficult to render in production. Performance isn't hampered by the hybrid drive system, however: 3.2 seconds to 62 mph, 198 mph top speed, and a promised Nurburgring Nordschleife lap time of under 7:30--faster than the Carrera GT that preceded it. Electric motors on the front and rear axles contribute 218 horsepower to the mix.


The power is sent to the rear wheels via a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch unit, while the front wheels are driven by a fixed transmission ratio.

Drivers lucky enough to hop behind the wheel can choose from four driving modes, including E-Drive, which maximizes efficiency by using electric power only for up to 16 miles. Hybrid mode uses both systems in conjunction to deliver an efficienct around-town ride. Sport Hybrid mode adds some spunk to the system, using Torque Vectoring to improve the car's dynamics further. Finally, there's Race Hybrid mode, which pulls out all stops and maximizes performance of both systems. The hybrid system becomes a push-to-pass system in Race Hybrid mode, helping to boost power for overtaking.


A high-tech exterior of lightweight materials is complemented by the latest in Porsche interior design and features, indicating the car is in fact headed down a production path despite its current concept-car status.

Two other Porsche hybrids will join the 918 Spyder on the stand at Geneva, including the Cayenne hybrid and the 911 GT3 R Hybrid race car, which uses a F1-derived KERS kinetic hybrid system.
via::motorauthority

Geneva Motor Show: Citroen Survolt bridges the divide

SURVOLT: GLAMOROUS, FREE-SPIRITED AND HIGHLY-CHARGED!

Survolt is the continuation of CITROËN'S exploration of distinctive and original electric vehicles, initiated with the Revolte concept car revealed at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show. Survolt turns received notions on their heads through its radically new vision in a consummate blend of high-fashion glamour and extravagance with motor-racing punch.

The desire to overcome one's limits, take things further, dare and create is written in CITROËN'S DNA. Breaking with convention, shaking up the rules, shifting borders and surprising continuously is the passionate quest and leitmotiv of a brand that over its 90-year history has never ceased to develop innovative objects ahead of their time. Survolt is one of these. It takes the genetic material of Revolte and adds an extroverted sports dimension to the mix.

Like a luxury accessory that transcends an outfit, Survolt is CITROËN'S answer to an automotive universe that all too often seems morose. Survolt casts aside protocol and transgresses existing codes to initiate a new kind of stylish, sporty and elegant supermini. Bucking current trends and pointing to the future of sleek coupés, it unites elegance, glamour and sporting passion, sublimating this last quality with its electric drivetrain.


Innovative and sensual

With its compact dimensions – 3.85 m long, 1.87 m wide and 1.20 m high – Survolt reappropriates sports car styling cues to form an all-new and revolutionary concept.

At the front, the distinctive vehicle badge reigns elegantly above the large oval-shaped grille, its centre home to the striking double chevron. The car's "look" – charming and profound at the same time – attracts and holds the viewer's gaze with a promise of transgressions suddenly made possible. Its slim, horizontal head lamps, inspired by high-performance sports coupés, exert a magnetic appeal, while an LED light signature adds a contemporary, high-tech touch.

Survolt was made to gobble up the miles and glide over roads. Low-slung and sleek, it features strong contrasts between the voluptuous bonnet and generous, sculpted flanks, highlighted by emphatic wheel arches that promise performance and thrills.

Survolt's air-slicing, flowing design is heavy on excitement and sensuality. It conveys agility, precision and vitality, barely containing a powerful, well-defined musculature under refined and luxurious wraps. The rear features the elegant light signature of Revolte together with a spoiler in an essential reference to motor sport.

Survolt is innovative and powerful but also knows how to turn on the charm, revealing its finest assets to catwalk in motor sports arenas. It features two-tone paint, hues of fuchsia and charcoal grey, and plays with materials and volumes. The curves shift from satin-smooth to shiny, breaking definitively with the classic masculine codes of the sports world. Survolt continues the work begun with Revolte by once again blending two universes with contrasting appearances. Survolt eschews decorum to create its own styling language.

The inclusion of materials such as chrome and aluminium inevitably recall the spheres of luxury goods and motor sport. Survolt is a perfect combination between high fashion and car racing, a unique alliance with the same philosophy and the same cues as Revolte, namely performance, cutting-edge technology and excellence.


Elegantly sporty

Survolt's cockpit is designed like a floating cell, a glass setting held between chrome-finished roll bars like some magnificent piece of jewellery. The leitmotiv with Survolt is to transgress the conventions of the luxury world and combine them elegantly with those of the sporting world.

The cabin was imagined as a cross between two worlds that by their essence are opposed. This union begets an organic universe, both flowing and technical, from which the driver's station springs forth. The interior as a whole was designed to bring the two occupants comfort and refinement, triggering singular pleasure and an outstanding experience.

The car's generous glazed area brings light and a sensation of space, light years from that offered by today's sports cars.



Transcendent power and excitement

Ahead of its time, Survolt captivates with its innovative, environment-friendly technology. Like Revolte, Survolt is powered by electricity, thus combining sports performance with environmental respect and sustainable development. Still particularly rare in the racing world, this technological solution also embodies a previously unthinkable alliance. But CITROËN dares and creates, transgressing conventions to better sublimate them. With irreproachable ecological credentials, the drivetrain blends driving pleasure, thrills, performance and vitality, and all in extreme comfort, since the car is silent in operation.

CITROËN is proposing a new automotive vision with Survolt, in a move that is entirely consistent with its 90-year history as an innovative brand focused on creativity and technology.

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Geneva 2010: Citroen High Rider Concept

DS HIGH RIDER: Taking dynamics into a new dimension

Citroën created a stir in February 2009 with the announcement of a new line of distinctive products, the DS line. The new line-up reflected one of the facets of what is a true reinvention of the Marque, symbolised in its new tagline, "Créative Technologie". Rounding out the main CITROËN range, the DS line features products with more radical design choices aimed at customers looking for stand-out styling, architecture, driving feel and refinement.

Just one year after this major event, and with the DS3 now on show in CITROËN showrooms, the Marque is taking a new step in the evocation of the DS line with the DS High Rider. The new concept car embodies a contemporary vision of dynamics with compact design as a fundamental value. It opens the way to new vehicle uses, new motoring pleasure, and an innovative technological approach founded on a Full Hybrid 4 drivetrain.


The DS line moves forward into a new universe

With DS High Rider, Citroën is clearly remaining faithful to the philosophy behind the DS line, namely products with bold choices in terms both of styling and architecture.

Without reneging on the charms of conventional coupés, CITROËN has discovered new ways of expressing automotive vitality with this new creation - less restrictive and exclusive and more adapted to today's driving conditions, while boasting a renewed sense of driving pleasure.

Unlike regular 4-seater coupés that are long and low-slung, DS High Rider places the emphasis on muscular compact design. The body styling combined with the height of the car underline the compactness of the whole, in turn strengthening the dynamic feel.

Behind the wheel, this promise of vitality is delivered in the shape of a unique driving experience based on a blend of the following:
a windscreen that stretches far back into the roof, a passenger-focused interior architecture of the highest standards, running gear that benefits from all the Marque's expertise in driving sensations and standard-setting ride comfort.


Design embodying a new vision

Because it takes its inspiration directly from the values it vehicles, the styling of DS High Rider eschews all clichés in favour of an all-new, radically modern and inherently elegant shape. DS High Rider does not attempt to express vitality or versatility; rather, its body styling is a lively and pure reflection of these qualities.

DS High Rider is an object of desire that stands apart through its coherent design, that of a "beautiful automobile" placing the emphasis on harmonious forms through sensual and physically-present design that avoids caricature. Raised ground clearance and the strong on-road presence of the 19-inch diamond-effect alloy wheels structure the car's proportions and make a defining contribution to DS High Rider's character. The priority focus on authentically elegant forms also served to avoid the generic effects often used to typecast vehicles. The wheel arches and the forms of the car, particularly the flanks, are enough in themselves to express the robustness and protective character of the concept car. Components such as the front and rear bumpers, while also expressing vitality and agility, are perfectly integrated in the body styling and underline the overall harmony.

A handsome automobile and a good-looking coupé, DS High Rider also has an exclusive and elegant edge, with the beauty of its lines underlined by touches of contemporary luxury. Perfectly matching the all-new, sensual Golden Gloss body paint chosen for the initial manifestation of DS High Rider, the smoked chrome surrounds on the side windows accentuate their distinctive shape and literally highlight them. This lighting effect is also at play on the front and rear ends in the form of lamp and position light surrounds.

An animate object with a unique personality, DS High Rider is all CITROËN. It is instantly recognisable as such from the double chevron in the centre of the front end through to the compact and taut styling at the rear.


All-new, agile and attractive

DS High Rider brings a dynamic edge to versatility with a good dose of agility. Straight off, it comes across as a coupé redolent of movement with tightly drawn proportions. A coupé that reassures the onlooker with its subtly muscular character, one that refrains from outrageous aggression. Ground clearance is raised, giving drivers a commanding view of the road and traffic. The feeling of safety and protection is strong, but devoid of arrogance or brutality. Neither does it give the impression of taking up an exaggerated amount of space in the street, especially considering the car's interior volume. DS High Rider is roughly as long as the C4, and boasts a similarly spacious cabin.

The elegance-laced practicality of DS High Rider also hints at other pleasures, such as the textile-covered roof suggesting a top-down position.

DS High Rider's evident agility and its ability to break free of restrictions are naturally reflected in the Full Hybrid 4 drivetrain combining: an HDi DPFS diesel engine, and an electric motor fitted on the rear axle.

This set-up combines dynamic performance with environmental protection. The Full Hybrid 4 system balances the frugality of a latest-generation diesel engine with zero-emission electric mode, continuously switching between or combining the two engines. When drivers have to accelerate fast, the electric motor instantly adds its torque to that of the HDi diesel powerplant. In addition, this torque is transmitted to the rear wheels, effectively providing four-wheel drive grip and total control - and sublimating DS High Rider's dynamic qualities.

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