Concept Cars

The 41st Tokyo Motor Show is the place where Mitsubishi Motors Corporation will showcase its latest technology heights in the form of two brand new concepts. One of them is called the Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV. Powered by a new Plug-in Hybrid System, the PX-MiEV Concept’s EV mode run is extended vastly and the fuel economy reaches the remarkable 50 km/liter. The new Mitsubishi Concept PX-MiEV represents a new-generation concept car that balances high environmental with road performance by using differential motors and Mitsubishi’s all-new S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control), that utilizes E-AYC (Electric-powered Active Yaw Control) which transfers torque to the rear left and right wheels. Continue

Mazda has just dropped off a bunch of info about their next-generation clean engines that will be officially revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show in October, and we have two words for you: Direct and Diesel. Along with its next-gen ‘Mazda SKY Drive’ high-efficiency automatic transmissions, visitors to the at 41st Tokyo Motor Show will get to see the ‘Mazda SKY-G’ direct injection gas engine and the ‘Mazda SKY-D’ clean diesel engine. The house of Zoom-Zoom is hoping to use these advanced technologies to boost their corporate average fuel economy by a whopping 30% between 2008 and 2015. Continue

It must be fun to be a car designer. Unless your name becomes similar with a specific styling trend that very few seem to appreciate, but we digress. It definitely seems that 24-year-old Pforzheim University graduate Anne Forschner had a good time coming up with her BMW Lovos concept, which can alternatively look either like a frightened porcupine or svelte salmon, depending on its needs at the time. The exterior of the Lovos is theoretically bade from only one fully exchangeable part that recurs 260 times. Each exterior piece is covered in solar photovoltaic cells and can hinge on a substructure underneath to follow the sun or act as individual airbrakes. Continue

New ideas abound with the Buick Avant Concept, including doors that can both swing and slide open, a driver’s seat that moves laterally to customise inside packaging, a baggage shelf that brings packages to you and a so-named micro pergola roof that can be either opaque or transparent. Buick come up with 6 outside ideas and 4 interior concepts that it hopes to take feedback on. Continue

The Galibier 16C is made from a combine of aluminum and carbon fiber, which will ensure that it is the lightest vehicle in its class. The body itself is constructed of polished aluminum and dark blue carbon fibre reinforced plastic, and LED lights flank each end. Styling is adopted from the Bugatti Type 57 Atlantique, including the important model’s hatchback and spine design elements. Although no technical details have been revealed, the Galibier 16C is thinking to own the Veyron’s 8 liter 16 cylinder engine and an output of 800 HP, though it makes away with the 4 turbos and replaces them with a 2-stage supercharging system. A last decision on possible output plans of the Galibier 16C is expected by 2010. Continue

The automobile looks nothing short of quality, and is clearly everything the MINI Cooper convertible desires to be. It owns modest dimensions with the two-seater coming in at 3,71 meters long, 1,68 meters wide and 1,36 meters high. Under the hood, MINI applied the John Cooper Works version 1,6 litre twin scroll turbo engine that generates 211HP and 260Nm of torque. Continue

The Citroën REVOLTe measures 3,68m long, 1,73m wide and 1,35m tall, underlying its design as an city transporter with adequate utility to use it as an daily vehicle. The rear hinged doors offer ingress into the modern cabin that has woven black leather, gleaming aluminum and red velvet as its signature fabrics. So comfort is not compromised for the 3 passengers, one at the front, 2 at the back. Actually the back bench has been made sofa-style for maximum cosiness. Continue

The Hyundai ix-Metro concept owns suicide doors on both sides, to make it better for passengers to get inside and outside of the small car. The cabin is modeled after the ‘protective capsule’ concept, incorporating the console, dash, doors and seats. Hyundai was a tad unoriginal in applying pale blue mood lighting inside. This color option also makes it on to the OEL info show in the center. Continue

The new Renault Kangoo Z.E. uses a 70 kilowatt motor delivering a maximum of 226Nm of torque. Power is gained from a lithium-ion battery that is a little less strained, thanks to the solar panel powered clime control system. To keep the vehicle insulated, the vehicle was projected like a Thermos container with 2 insulating panels with a sandwich of air in between. The air is meant to moderate temperature extremes between the outside and the inside of the vehicle. Continue

This new Renault Fluence vehicle is an all-electric that can travel for 160km on a single charge. Once the battery is dried up, in can take either a 3 minute recharge, to offer you just sufficient juice to get home, or a 20 minute charge so you can stop at the marketplace on your direction back from work. A full recharge will take 4 to 8 hours, depending on the power outlet’s voltage. Solar paneling is as well built in, to reduce the require for electricity from the power grid. Continue