Archive for Concept
BMW Concept C & E Scooters Production Prototypes.
Posted by: | CommentsHere are some of the clearest pictures indicating that both the BMW C & E concept scooters are finally production prototypes.
The Concept C (Commuter) has a brand new twin cylinder engine with CVT transmission rumoured to be a 650cc.
The styling takes cues from across the BMW range (the aluminium side pods are like a GS, also features a twin-tipped front spoiler like the S 1000 RR, but with a new look deliberately designed to stand out from existing scooter designs.
The Concept e is a vision:
BMW Motorrad designers have developed the style and shaping of the e-scooter of the future – electric, digital, dynamic. The designers deliberately allowed themselves plenty of freedom so as to be able to strike out new, creative paths in the design of components and surfaces.
For the power electronics and battery technology, BMW Motorrad draws on the innovative e-technology and extensive expertise of the BMW Group.
BMW i high voltage technology (> 60 volts) with the very highest safety standards enables electrically powered vehicles to equal the acceleration rates of a maxi scooter with combustion engine.
No words of specs or performance figures and could wear the same I series moniker as the I8 Etc…..
BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe Spied in Munich
Posted by: | CommentsThese spyshots show that BMW has an answer for the Audi A7 and the Mercedes CLS.
This is the new Gran Coupe, the firm’s four-door version of the 6 Series sporting the M Sports Pack.
M Division has come up with a subtle body with a more aggressive front bumper, incorporating larger vents and a deeper chin, as well as a redesigned rear bumper which continues the theme from the revised side skirts.
First revealed at the Beijing last year, the new model has appeared on German Autobahn unchanged from the original ‘production concept’ that previewed it.
Apart from some of BMW’s usual 3M Camouflage tape on the front and rea quarter, this prototype shows that the new model is an elegant addtion to the 6 series cars.
Expect some splattering of M Brand throughout the trimmings in the M Sports Pack
At the front is the traditional kidney grille flanked by aggressive LED headlights. In profile, all the BMW hallmarks are present and correct – there are short overhangs front and rear, a long wheelbase and a coupe-like roofline which is a full 10cm lower than a 7 Series. The C-pillar features the latest interpretation of the Hofmeister kink, which will be outlined in chrome on the finished car.
Inside, expect BMW to offer a spacious rear seat layout with just two seats, allowing occupants to stretch out in more comfort. Just like the 6 Series two-door coupe and convertible, the Gran Coupe will get the same range of engines too, including BMW’s latest direct injection 3.0-litre turbo petrol and diesel engines, as well as a flagship V8 petrol.
The Gran Coupe is set to be unvailed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September with sales starting 2012. Prices will kick off at around £45,000.
Peugeot’s EX1 Concept Nurburgring Lap Record (Worlds fastest Milk Float?)
Posted by: | Comments
I used to remember my days sat on the back of a stealth electric powered milk Float, Unaware that I was sat on the back of the future of automotive glory.
Now Peugeot has released a video showing the EX1 concept setting a new electric vehicle lap record at the Nürburgring.
Driven by Stéphane Caillet, the one-off prototype completed the 20.8 km Northloop in 9 minutes and 1.3 seconds at an average speed of 138.3 km/h (85.9 mph).
The sound is pretty bizarre coming from this car and is in need of some v8 forced induction to make the video complete, but the EX1 concept is powered by two electric motors that produce a combined output of 340 PS and immediately has 480 Nm torque.
Detailed performance specifications haven’t been announced, but the car previously set an unofficial EV acceleration record of 0-100 km/h in just 3.5 seconds.
Mini Rocketman Concept – Himmelstürmer ?
Posted by: | CommentsWe all know the new MINI isn’t very mini, and newer products like the MINI Countryman have pushed the boundaries in terms of size, but here’s an exciting concept bound for Geneva – one that’s actually mini. Curiously named the Rocketman and no relation to world war 2′s German Himmelstürmer Division, MINI’s latest idea is to get back to the classic Mini in terms of its dimensions.
Weighing in at 3.419 metres long, the Rocketman Concept not much longer than the much loved 3.05 m 1959 original. It’s much wider however at 1,907 mm including the exterior mirrors, and stands 1,398 mm tall.
Wide-opening doors with double-hinge joints that pivot outwards and integrated sills facilitate entry. The split two-part tailgate consists of one section which is attached to the roof and opens very high and a lower section which extends out 350 mm from the body in the form of a drawer.
Design wise, the Rocketman’s curves are entirely familiar; even the round headlamps are the same size as the MINI hatch, making them stand out even more on a smaller body. A new feature is the light ring inside the headlamp, and most impressively a panoramic roof with the Union Jack etched on the roof and lights enhance the etching making it standing out.
So another year and another concept last year we had the Coupe (Speedster) which is currently in production prototype form.
Infiniti Concept the ETHEREA Official Pics.
Posted by: | CommentsInfiniti today releases the first images of its concept car for the Geneva Motor Show in March. Called the ETHEREA, it is a compact luxury model that previews how a future entry-level Infiniti could look.
The pictures show an evolving Infiniti identity along with a profile distinctly different from anything currently available in the premium compact class.
“ETHEREA is about a new type of luxury for younger buyers,” said Toru Saito, Corporate Vice President and Leader of the Global Infiniti Business Unit. “It is not just a smaller version of a typically conservative and traditional luxury car.”
Designed under the direction of Senior Vice President of Design Shiro Nakamura, ETHEREA blends elements of coupé, sedan, hatchback and even crossover in one highly sculptural, near-mono volume form.
At 4.4m it is highly compact but at the same time it is space efficient and practical thanks to a new mechanical layout and innovative access arrangements.
Among its surprises are high-tech new interpretations of traditional Japanese materials and finishes, and several design cues set to make their mark on future production models – including the highly distinctive crescent-shaped C-pillar first seen on the Essence concept.
BMW to unveil Concept for the F10 M5 at Shanghai
Posted by: | CommentsWhile every other country is still recovering from the global credit crisis, The Chinese market has been booming and as such BMW have chosen to return to the Shanghai Motor Show.
Rumour has it BMW will be unveiling the long awaited long wheel base 5 series and the Concept Gran Coupe.
Also after the world premier of the 6 series concept at Geneva in 2010, BMW will be showing a Conceptual peek at the upcoming M5.
Which will be powered by the same 4.4 litre Twin Turbo which is shoehorned in to the X6,5 M, and expected to be around 600bhp.
We expect the production model to be revealed at this year Frankfurt Motor Show.
JAGUAR C-X75 SCOOPS LOUIS VUITTON AWARD IN PARIS
Posted by: | CommentsThe Jaguar C-X75 was last night awarded the Louis Vuitton Classic Concept Award 2010 by a panel of luminaries from the worlds of design, fashion and luxury.
Undoubtedly the star of the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the C-X75 – judged by a Louis Vuitton panel – has once again beaten stiff competition.
The panel was led by renowned automotive consultant and inaugurator of the prize, Christian Philippsen. “Ian Callum, Jaguar’s design director, and his team have achieved not only a beautiful design in clothing a world-premiere and mouth-watering technology, but also a true Jaguar, projecting the brand’s DNA into the future without an ounce of nostalgia,” said Philippsen.
Other members of the illustrious group of judges included author Serge Bellu,
Louis Vuitton’s Director of Innovation Xavier Dixsaut, McLaren F1 designer
Gordon Murray, former Porsche design head Harm Lagaaij and journalist
Masafumi Suzuki.
Jaguar, like Louis Vuitton, has built its reputation on the key foundations of
luxury, attention to detail and understated elegance.
The C-X75 is an electric supercar built to celebrate 75 years of the Jaguar marque and was praised by the panel for the way in which it showcased the technology of the future with a beautiful design without looking to the past.
“It’s fantastic for us to be recognised by the world of fashion with this award,” said Ian Callum, Design Director for Jaguar. “We’re at our best when we’re breaking the mould – making our cars stand out for all the right reasons.
C-X75 is only a concept supercar, but it’s a clear statement of Jaguar’s intent to continue creating bold, innovative and beautiful performance cars.”
The entire Jaguar range has been the recipient of numerous plaudits worldwide in recent years with the pinnacle of the revitalised line-up, the XJ, having already won more than 25 major international awards since its launch just over a year ago.
JAGUAR C-X75 CONCEPT – Revealed Paris Motorshow
Posted by: | CommentsFOUR-WHEEL DRIVE ELECTRIC SUPERCAR UNVEILED AT PARIS
Jaguar has revealed a stunning range-extended electric supercar concept car. The C-X75 has been designed to celebrate 75 years of the marque and provide a glimpse into the future of Jaguar and its commitment to producing beautiful, fast cars powered by sustainable means.
The C-X75 hints at an exciting evolution of Jaguar’s design language while paying homage to some of its most admired cars of years gone by. Advanced design features such as a ground-breaking propulsion system and active aerodynamics allow for an elegantly simple fuselage section that remains stable at very high speeds.
Propulsion system
The 330km/h (205mph) four-wheel drive supercar is capable of running in purely electric (zero tailpipe emissions) mode for 110km (68 miles) on a six-hour domestic plug-in charge. The innovative, lightweight micro gas-turbines are also capable of very quickly and efficiently recharging the Lithium-ion batteries, giving the car a theoretical range of 900km (560 miles).
This remarkable range-extension system is a result of Jaguar’s research engineers adopting a clean-sheet approach to the question of powering the supercars of the future. The C-X75 turns to the very latest evolution of a pioneering British technology: the gas turbine.
Developed in partnership with Bladon Jets, the miniaturised turbine blade – the first viable axial-flow micro-turbine – increases the compression and efficiency of micro gas-turbines to the point at which they can be viewed as a realistic power source. Each of the micro gas-turbines weighs just 35kg and produces 70kW of power at a constant 80,000rpm.
Advanced aluminium lightweight construction
Jaguar’s expertise in the use of aluminium stretches back more than 50 years to the first XK120s, through the lightweight E-Types, the XK and all-new 2010 XJ. It was with this latter creation that Jaguar fully realised the lightweight metal’s benefits to performance, agility, economy and sustainability in a luxury car.
The C-X75 naturally follows the same construction techniques with an extruded and bonded aerospace-inspired aluminium chassis clad in panels of the same material. Not only does this save weight, crucial in a car with an extreme performance envelope, but aluminium is one of the most easily recyclable metals available, boosting the C-X75’s sustainability as well as its speed.
Technical Specifications
| Propulsion System & Transmission | |
| Electric motor | Four 145kW (195bhp) traction motors (580kW/780bhp total) |
| Generator | Two switched reluctance generators |
| Range Extender power | 2 x 70kW (94bhp) gas micro-turbines (140kW/188bhp total) |
| Batteries | Lithium-ion |
| Total Battery Capacity (kWh) | 19.6 |
| Transmission | Single-speed |
| Final Drive Ratio | 3.1:1 |
| Performance | |
| 0-100km/h (seconds) | 3.4 |
| Top Speed (km/h/mph) | 330/205 |
| 0-160km/h (seconds) | 5.5 |
| 0-300km/h (seconds) | 15.7 |
| 1/4 mile (seconds@km/h) | 10.3@251 |
| Max. Power (kW/BHP) | 580/780 |
| Max. Torque (Nm/lb ft) | 1600/1180 |
| Power to Weight ratio (BHP/tonne) | 578 |
| Aerodynamics (Cd) | 0.32 |
| Kerb weight (kg) | 1350 |
| Wheel size front and rear (inches) | 21 and 22 |
| Tyres (front and rear) | 265/30 ZR21 and 365/25 ZR22 |
| Battery weight (kg) | 230 |
