Subaru Hybrid Tourer Concept

Subaru has unveiled the first information on its Hybrid Tourer Concept, a design study of a premium four-seater car which combines advanced hybrid technology with an exterior characterized by single gull-wing doors and a spacious cabin with four individual seats.

The hybrid powertrain is combined with the brand's “Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive (AWD)” and “Horizontally-Opposed Boxer Engine” technologies.

Exterior is characterized by large single gullwing doors and extended glass areas.

The interior - based on the brand's human-centered philosophy - can accomodate four passengers and features a stress-free athmosphere which conveys a sense of openness.

The four indivifìdual seats are covered with a special high breathability leather and integrate a ventilation function.

Among the technical highlights are the regenerative brakesystem, a non-idling function that stops the engine when the car comes to a stop and the EyeSight + driving assist system, which adopts vehicle-to-vehicle and road-to-vehicle communication technology and includes an assist collision prevention support system that uses its unique stereo camera technology to recognize a wide range of driving environments.

Technical specifications

Length x Width x Height: 4,630 x 1,890 x 1,420mm

Engine type: 2.0-liter Horizontally-Opposed direct fuel-injection turbo gasoline engine

Max output of Motor: 10kW (Front) / 20kW (Rear)

Transmission type: Lineartronic

Drive train: Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive with 2 motors assist

Battery type: Lithium-ion battery

(Car Body Design's news)

Honda CR-Z

Here's another instance of Honda calling a car a concept when it's actually mere inches away from production. This is the 2011 Honda CR-Z, and it is a reborn 1983-92 Civic CRX. It goes on sale in Japan in February 2010, with the U.S. following a few months after that.

Compact and sleek, this 161-inch long coupe/three-door hatch was first shown as a real concept at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show. Now two years on, the 2009 show car is "95 percent" of the real thing, according to Honda officials. The final, final production version will be unveiled at the 2010 Detroit Show in January.

We know that the 2011 CR-Z will be powered by a 1.5-liter i-VTEC inline-4 combined with Honda's IMA hybrid powertrain, tied to a 6-speed manual gearbox -- essentially the sportiest drivetrain setup the company has offered in a hybrid to date. However, we still think it's likely that Honda will broaden the appeal of the CR-Z line by offering several drivetrain options -- perhaps a price-leader base model with just the 1.5-liter gas engine and perhaps, perhaps a CR-Z Si with a slightly larger, revvier engine.

The CR-Z's busy, compact 2+2 cabin is now virtually production ready and it's believed the car's Ni-Mh battery pack lies beneath the rear floor, as per the Honda Insight, on which it's is based. Even the wheels on this "concept" look production-spec, and if the "lack" of exhaust pipes on the CR-Z gives you pause, just have a look at the tail of a production Insight.

(InsedeLine's news)

Honda Skydeck Concept

Set to debut at the next Tokyo Motor Show (24 October - 4 November 2009) the Honda Skydeck Concept is a design study of a 6-seater hybrid MPV characterized by the combination of B-pillarless design with scissors front doors and sliding rear doors.

To give the Skydeck the practicality of a conventional MPV, many of the hybrid system components – including the high power battery – are housed in the car’s centre tunnel (rather than behind the rear seats or under the floor, as with previous production hybrids). This allows for greater cabin space, and the room for three rows of two seats. It also gives a lower centre of gravity.

"This is still a design study, but is a great example of how Honda’s IMA technology can be placed in a range of different cars for different needs."

The Skydeck could preview a replacement modelf for the European FR-V, which has a six -seat layout with two rows of individual seats.

(Car Body Design's news)

Bowler Raptor Concept

The Bowler Raptor Concept is an extreme dune buggy developed to compete in the Baja 1000 off-road race. It features an exposed structure with A-pillarless design and minimal bodywork inspired by superbikes. The author is Coventry graduate Ryan Skelley.

The Raptor Concept is an all-terrain extreme dune buggy designed by Ryan Skelley as British brand Bowler's first entry into the Tecate Score Baja 1000 race.

The vehicle features a design characterized by an an exposed chassis with A-pillarless design, a cantilever roof and minimal bodywork with angular shapes.

The all-electric drivetrain has a unique "hot-swap" battery propels the raptor to speeds of up to 130mph and a race distance of 190 miles.

As Ryan Skelley explains, "The Raptor is inspired by the Dakar and Baja rallies and the vehicles which compete in them.

"Whilst keeping elements of traditional 4x4s, the design also incorporates modern-day technology and eco-conscious materials."

The vehicles angular bodywork takes inspiration from bothmodern architecture and superbikes, resulting in both a unique vehicle aesthetic as well as a highly functional body panel system.

The body panels are all held onto the vehicle with hex-head bolts, are all independent of each other and can be replaced quicklywhen damaged.

"A lack of A-pillars and a cantilever roof provide an unrivalled view from the driver's seat, giving a near panoramic view of the landscape."

The main dimensions are a length of 3,990mm, a width of 2,500mm and a height of 1,680mm.

The vehicle's battery consists of two Enerdel Lithium-Titanate packs in tandem, a total of 52 KW, paired with a next generation Siemens electric motor and single speed transaxle.

The iPhone in the dash provides the vehicle with a constant internet connection as well as acting as a secondary screen.

The confederate flag is used not only as a humour piece, but also to reinforce the vehicles rugged, gun-ho nature.

Ryan Skelley graduated from Coventry University with a Bachelor of Arts with Honours First Class in Automotive Design with Professional Enhancement.

(Car Body Design's news)

Mazdaspeed 3 vs. Hyundai Genesis

2012 BMW M1?

The BMW M1 could be reincarnated in 2012, this time around as a futuristic 2+2 coupe based on the swoopy Vision EfficientDynamics concept from the recent 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show.

According to Britain's Auto Express, the neo-M1 would feature a high-performance hybrid powertrain similar to the one showcased in the Vision EfficientDynamics concept, indicating that BMW is more interested in taking an environmentally sensitive stance with its efficient new supercar, rather than simply going head-to-head with the new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG.

The powertrain will bundle a 1.5-liter three-cylinder engine with an electric motor, a combination which in production trim should deliver more than 350 horsepower and nearly 600 pound-feet of torque. Mated to a dual-clutch gearbox, the hybrid system will propel the future M1 from zero to 60 in less than 5 seconds. Top speed will be electronically governed to 155 mph, while fuel economy is projected to be class-leading.

The new M1 is anticipated to target the Audi R8, suggesting a sticker price of more than $115,000.

(InsideLine's news)

Volkswagen L1 Concept: the design

Flavio Manzoni is new Ferrari Design Director

Italian magazines Quattroruote and Virtual Car have revealed that Flavio Manzoni, currently Director of Creative Design at Volkswagen, will be Ferrari's new Head of Design, effective 1st January 2010. With the goal of creating a Styling Center and building a new identity for the brand.

Renault Twizy Z.E. Concept

The Renault Twizy Z.E. Concept is an all-electric compact vehicle which features a width of just 1.1 meters, faired wheels and two seats located one behind the other. It previews the brand's future electric models that will be intrododuced from 2011.

The wraparound bodywork creates a reassuring cocoon and the futuristic cabin can accomodate the driver and one passenger, positioned one behind the other.

The agility is maximized by the low weight (420kg), low centre of gravity and the ultra compact dimensions (2.30m in length, and just 1.13m wide), which result in a turning circle of just three metres and a footprint barely larger than that of a scooter.

The exterior is characterized by four-wheel arrangement, andopen bodywork with a futuristic, pearlescent white tone. Thewheel fairings are not spherical but octagonal, and cover the tyres entirely.

Optimizing the vehicle's range is simple and worry-free, with apoetic touch: remaining range is depicted by a lotus flower on the dashboard, with petals that close progressively as the range decreases.

The open chassis calls for neither heating nor climate control, both of which consume a significant amount of energy.

This, coupled with the vehicle's low weight (it tips the scales at just 420kg, complete with batteries), contributes directly to Twizy Z.E. Concept's range which can reach 100km.

Technical Specifications

Motor Type: Electric

Transmission type: Direct drive with reducer and forward/reverse inverter

Maximum power EEC (kW / hp): 15 / 20

Maximum torque EEC (Nm): 70

Battery Type: Lithium-ion

Range: 100km

Aerodynamic performance (CdA): 0.63

Top speed (kph): 75

(Car Body Design's news)

Car Rendering 5 - Photoshop

Awesome AUDI R8 V10 commercial!

Audi e-tron Concept: the design

The official release and sketches that document the design process of the Audi e-tron Concept, the 2-seater sportscar that showcases the company's technologies for the development of future electric models.

The trapeze of the single- frame grille dominates the front end and is flanked by two large air intakes.

A new design element unique to the e-tron are the air intakes in the single-frame grille and in front of the rear wheel wells.

They are closed flush under normal circumstances and opened by means of flaps when additional cooling air is required. The concept car has a low drag coefficient, which gets even better when the flaps are closed.

The vehicle body is compact. The sweeping line of the front end and the flat curved roof immediately identify the two-seater as an Audi. The contours of the flanks are familiar.

The e-tron is 1.90 meters (74.80 in) wide, just 4.26 meters (167.72 in) long and 1.23 meters (48.43 in) tall – the proportionsof a supercar.

The body structure is based on Audi Space Frame (ASF)technology and was realized as a hybrid construction. All add-on parts – doors, covers, sidewalls and roof – are made of a fiber-reinforced plastic (FRP).

Characteristic for the concept of the Audi e-tron is the near totalelimination of switches and small components such as the ignition.

The racing-inspired lightweight bucket seats combine excellent lateral support with comfort.

(Car Body Design's news)

Kia Venga

The Kia Venga is a B-segment MPV model designed for the European market and focused on interior space and practicality. The design is based on the No3 Concept presented at Geneva 2009. It will go on sale within this year.

Designed, engineered and manufactured in Europe, the 4,068 mm long Kia Venga features an unusually long wheelbase for its class of 2,615 mm – and a 1600 mm high roofline to maximise cabin space.

The Venga offers levels of interior space typical of a larger C-segment vehicle, but within a B-segment footprint.

The rage of engines includes a choice of two 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre gasoline and diesel engines, generating between 75 and 115 ps.

All of them will be equipped with Stop and Go technology and will comply with Euro 5 emission standards.

The Venga will be equipped with a sliding 60/40 split rear seat that also folds flat into the floor to create a spacious cargo bay and, a twin-level boot floor and depending on model a tilt-and-slide all-glass panoramic roof.

B-segment MPVs have traditionally been a class of vehicle purchased out of necessity - they are cars of function and practicality," explains Kia Chief Design Officer, Peter Schreyer.

(Car Body Design's news)

Audi e-tron Concept: video

Honda U3-X Personal Mobility Device

Honda has presented the U3-X, an experimental ultra-compact one-wheel-drive personal mobility device which enables movements in all directions, thanks to an advanced balance control technology and the unique wheel structure.

(Car Body Design's news)