Honda P-NUT Concept

At the 2009 LA Auto Show Honda has unveiled the P-NUT Concept (Personal-Neo Urban Transport), a design study of a futuristic city coupé developed by the company's California-based Advanced Design Studio. Among the features are the 1+2 seating layout and the aerodynamic body.

Created by the Advanced Design Studio of Honda R&D Americas, Inc. in Los Angeles, the Honda Personal-Neo Urban Transport (P-NUT) design study model is a futuristic ultra-compact city coupe.

The packaging concept integrates a center driving position configuration (1+2 seating layout) and a rear powertrain layout.

The exterior styling leverages crisp angles with dynamic flowing lines that originate from the front of the vehicle and span outward toward the rear.

“A new generation is discovering the benefits of living in urban centers that provide convenient access to business, entertainment and social opportunities,” said Dave Marek, director of advanced design for Honda R&D Americas, Inc.

The interior layout, in conjunction with the rear powertrain design, contributes prominently to the exterior’s overall shape.

The modular rear engine bay, depicted on the exterior by blue composite material, is designed to accommodate a wide variety of potential propulsion technologies including a conventional small displacement internal combustion engine, a hybrid gasoline-electric powertrain, or a battery-electric powertrain.

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Volkswagen Up! Lite Concept

Presented by Volkswagen at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Up! Lite Concept is a compact four-seater hybrid focused on efficiency which thanks to its 0.8 liter engine, the aerodynamic design and the weight under 700 kg achieves a fuel consumption of 2.4 liter/100km.

Premiered at the Los Angeles Auto Show, the Up! Lite is defined by Volkswagen as "the world’s most fuel-efficient four-seater". It consumes 2.44 l/100 km (70 mpg/highway) and achieves CO2 emissions of just 65 g/km.

The Up! Lite features a hybrid powertrain consisting of a new TDI engine with 38 kW/51 hp, an electric motor designed as a pulse start module (starter, alternator and E-drive) and 7-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG).

Compared to the E-Up! concept car presented at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, he Up! Lite is lower in profile and – to satisfy more demanding aerodynamic requirements – it is longer, nearly reaching the length of the Polo (3.98 meters). The resulting drag coefficient Cd value is 0.237.

The safety frame is made of aluminium, steel and carbon fiber.

The design of the car is characterized by clean lines, as though sculpted from a block of aluminium.

The radiator grille closes and opens automatically depending on the cooling needs of the engine (“active thermal management”).

The Up! Lite concept has a top speed of 160 km/h (100 mph) and accelerates to 100 km/h in a 12.5 seconds.

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Samsung SM5: preview sketch

Samsung Motors, the South Korean subsidiary of Renault, has released an official sketch of the next generation SM5 sedan. Compared with the SM3 model, the SM5 has larger dimensions - a length of 4.9 meters and a wheelbase of more than 2.8 meters - which will allow the car to offer a spacious cabin.

The SM5, will probably provide the basis for the next generation Renault Safrane flagship model, which will replace the Vel Satis and could debut at the 2010 aris Motor Show.

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Alfa Romeo Giulietta: world preview

Alfa Romeo has released the first images of the new C-segment compact hatchback, known until now as Milano, which reintroduces the Giulietta designation. The model, which evolves the brand's current design direction, will debut at Geneva 2010 and will replace the 147.

The range of engines will include five Turbo units, all Euro 5 compliant and fitted with a standard “Start&Stop” system: two gasoline engines (1.4TB - 120 HP and 1.4TB MultiAir - 170 HP) and two diesel engines (1.6 JTDM - 105 HP and 2.0 JTDM - 170 HP, both belonging to the second generation of JTDM engines). and the top-of-the-range 1750 TBi - 235 HP with an exclusive Quadrifoglio Verde configuration.

The front end is developed around a “trilobe shape” and features a brand-new interpretation of the classic Alfa grille, set into the front bumper and suspended between the two air intakes. The entire car develops from here to combine a lively personality with an elegant form. The front headlamps implement LED technology and a Daytime Running Lights (DRL) function for maximum active safety.

The profile of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta is rich in personality and confers the appearance of an agile, solid model. This is above all the result of the coupé shaped side windows, which highlight dynamic and streamlined shape, and of the concealed rear handles. The side ribbing adds to the car's slender look, while the taut lines closing in on the rear end accentuate the "wedge" shape of the body.

The style of the rear end, like that of the front and the side, is strong and consolidates the impression of a muscular car, firmly gripped to the road. Like the headlamps, the rear light clusters implement LED technology, to the advantage of preventive safety, in addition to good looks.

The interior design is taut and light: a horizontally developed dashboard with aluminium element accents and rocker controls which explicitly recall the 8C Competizione. Painstaking attention to detail and the high quality of the materials used are the most advanced expression of Italian style.

The original Alfa Romeo Giulietta was produced from 1954 to 1965. The line-up included a coupé - the Giulietta Sprint, a sedan and the open two-seater Giulietta Spider, designed by Pininfarina.

The name 'Giulietta' was also used for the sedan introduced in 1977 and based on the Alfetta chassis with rear mounted transaxle. The Nuova Giulietta was replaced in 1985 by the Alfa 75.

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HPP Daytona

At the 2009 SEMA Show tuning company HPP has presented a modified Dodge Challenger that takes inspiration from the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona. The new nose and impressive rear spoiler are coupled with a 5.7 liter HEMI V8 engine.

Created by HPP, the Daytona is an interesting special car based on the production Dodge Challenger. The main exterior modifications include the new nose and the massive rear spoiler, both inspired by the 1969 Dodge Charger Daytona. The original engine was replaced with a 5.7-liter HEMI V8.

In particular, the new nose, the front splitter and the hood latches look well-integrated in the overall design, while the fake side vents appear a bit too artificial.

HPP (Heide Performance Products) was founded by Gordon M. Heidacker, who has been in the car business for 23 years and worked for AMC and Chrysler. For more information visit www.hppcars.com.

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