The One-Seat Concept VW Future Zero-Emissions Technology

 [VW XL1 SEV Concept from 2011 Qatar Motor Show pictured above]

Less than 24 hours after Volkswagen lifted the wraps off the production version of the up! city car, we have news that the German company is planning to reveal a one-seat experimental electric vehicle on September 8 in Berlin, ahead of its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

VW’s chief of research, Juergen Leohold, told the The Financial Times that the concept is designed for limited journeys, something that the company’s spokesperson, Ruth Holling, also confirmed today.

Although Leohold didn’t reveal the concept’s range or top speed, he did say that it would be “even better” than the XL1 SEV (Super Efficient Vehicle) diesel-electric plug-in hybrid (pictured above). And that’s quite an achievement, since the XL1’s average consumption was an extraordinary 261 mpg (0.9 lt/100 km).

The one-seat concept is just a showcase for VW’s future zero-emissions technology. However, the company has already confirmed that it will soon present an EV version of the Up! which, along with the electric version of the Golf, will be available to the US by 2013.

VW’s CEO, Martin Winterkorn, expects electric and hybrid vehicles to account for 3% of the company’s total sales by 2018. By then, Winterkorn has said Volkswagen aims to sell more than 10 million vehicles annually. If you do the math that comes out to 300,000 electric cars a year.

PHOTO GALLERY

Infiniti Shows All-New JX 7-Seater Crossover Concept

It's been a long, slow tease, with plenty of cropped photos, but today, Infiniti unveiled the JX Concept at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance event in Monterey, California.

Even though Infiniti calls it a concept, what you see here is more or less what you'll get when the production version of the JX makes the trip to the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.

On the outside, the JX shares several design cues with the firm's Essence concept such as the headlamp and grille design as well as the crescent-cut D-pillar, but overall, Infiniti's foray into the 7-seater crossover segment won't win any awards for its looks.

We only get a glimpse of the interior, but the swoopy exterior styling is continued inside. The JX features three rows of seats that can accommodate a total of seven passengers.

“With the JX, you will even be able to leave a child seat latched to the 2nd row while getting in or out of the 3rd row – just one example of the vehicle’s inspired flexibility and versatility,” ,” explained Infiniti Americas Vice President Ben Poore. “The 3rd row isn’t the typical penalty box either, with adult-sized room for all occupants and five-and-a-half inches of 2nd row forward-back adjustability.”

Infiniti promises an array of technologies and features ranging from the Blind Spot and Backup Collision Intervention systems, to a 14-speaker Bose Studio Surround sound system with Waveguide bass technology and an advanced Infiniti Connection Telematics systems.

Power for the new JX comes courtesy of a V6 engine (Infiniti didn’t offer any additional details, but the 3.7-liter V6 sounds like a prime candidate), matched to what the company calls "sports tuned" continuously variable transmission that mimics "a step transmission when the Sport mode of the Infiniti drive selector is engaged". Buyers will be able to choose between all-wheel or front-wheel drive versions.

Infiniti said additional information regarding the drivetrain and other systems will be provided at the debut of the production version in LA in November 2011.

PHOTO GALLERY

Kawasaki ZX-770R Concept

If KTM could pull it off with the X-BOW, then why couldn't any other motorcycle maker take the leap and venture into the automotive business with a special lightweight sports car? Though it is a simple question, (obviously) the answer is far more complex than it seems at a first glance.

But in the fantasy land of designers, there are no restrictions or limits, only a desire to create. And for Dutch designer Sabino Leerentveld, who we came to know through his Aston Martin V12 and BMW Nazca Homage prototypes, the answer to the previous question is the Kawasaki ZX-770R Concept.

Inspired by the KTM X-BOW, Leerentveld dreamed up a similar project for the Japanese motorcycle company Kawasaki. However, the ZX-770R is larger sports car measuring 4,427mm long, 1,017mm tall and 2,073mm wide with a wheelbase of 2,710mm.

Leerentveld says the sports car would tip the scales at (a rather overly optimistic) 500kg or 1,102 pounds, while power would be provided by a twin-turbocharged V6 producing about 770-horsepower.

Hat tip to Grigoriy!

Designer: Sabino Leerentveld

Opel New Concept 2011 in Frankfurt Motor Show

General Motor's Opel / Vauxhall division revealed today that it will pull the wraps off a brand new concept study at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

The European automaker did not disclose any specific details simply stating the experimental car will explore "a new interpretation of ‘driving fun’" and "emphasise the company’s passion for driver-focused vehicles", adding that it will "wow the press and public with its level of innovation."

The prototype study will join the world premieres of the new Opel Astra GTC sport hatch, the Zafira 7-seat MPV, and the Fiat-based Combo Van, all of which have already been unveiled online and are destined to go on sale in Europe towards the end of the year or early 2012, depending on the market.

Opel and its sister company Vauxhall will also show the series production version of the Ampera and seven new ecoFLEX models including the Agila 1.0 petrol (109g/km), Meriva 1.3 CDTi (109g/km), Astra 1.7 CDTi (99g/km), Insignia 1.4 Turbo petrol (134g/km) and Insignia 2.0 CDTi (115g/km), as well as ecoFLEX versions of the Astra GTC and Zafira Tourer.

PHOTO GALLERY

Toyota FT-86 Concept

Inspired by the sports coupe based on the Corolla AE86 80, was the FT-86 conceptcar developed by the manufacturer ED2 design in France and has a strikingresemblance to the FT-HS concept car shown at the Detroit several years ago.

Since it is a "concept" is, has not revealed much about the Toyota FT-86, however,but we know, is powered by a Subaru Send derived 2.0-liter boxer-four to the rear wheels. Toyota focused on maintaining the ideal weight for better handling and,according to one source, is the platform that is unique to the concept. The engine is smaller in the engine room to help the aerodynamics, while the control center of gravity, and the dimensions of the new 2 +2 Toyota is 163.78 cm and 69.29 cm long and has a wheelbase distance of 101.18 cm.

After FT-86 bows in concept form at the Tokyo Motor Show next month, the production model next year with revenues of at some point in late 2011 had a pricesomewhere north of $ 20.000

TOYOTA "HC-CV" CONCEPT

Now the word "Camry" and "Hybrid" is generally not the one you hear too often on Speedhunters, but this car might actually be interesting enough to warrant a second look.

This concept is called the HC-CV which stands ...." Camry Hybrid Concept Vehicle ". The name Crazy is not it? Mechanical HC-CV is the standard Camry Hybrid, but it comes with several unique cosmetic modifications that make this car look surprisingly decent.

These changes include car bumpers and side skirts unique, custom paint job of white, and blue accents throughout the exterior and interior. I'm not sure about touching the blue, but the body did a good job to add some character Camry and cold wheel in the "car of the future" kind of way. It actually looks a bit like the new Crown Athlete from certain angles.

Suzuki A-Star Concept

First seen in January at New Delhi Auto Expo, A-Star is to make European debut in Geneva. As a global car go, it is very difficult to find one with a richer pedigree than this little Suzuki. Designed and developed in Japan and India, A-Star is now targeting European buyers. Suzuki has been very successful in India. For three decades there has been working with the Suzuki Maruti India partners, and business / Japanese joint venture India currently accounts for more than 55 percent of India's booming automotive market.

 

So it makes sense that A-Star will leverage 25 years of experience Suzuki has been working in India, not to mention the cheap labor cost of India. A-Star will be built in India and exported around the world, including Europe, where it will generate good profit margins. Exact time is uncertain. A-Star production began in October, with initial sales to the domestic market of India, followed by the launch into Asia and Europe.

A name change is also possible for the European version, although Suzuki officials confirmed that the name A-Star will remain for India. Any badges or slapping their name on it, we do not wish to appear on our shores. Powered by a tiny 996cc engine, three-cylinder, A-Star just did not have the horsepower that the American buyers demand.

 But there's no denying that the proportion of the chunky four-door hatchback looks good. A fun, developing a style that shows Indian heritage is at the rear lights car A-Star. Look closely, and you'll see there are Indian paisley design worked into it.

New Subaru Impreza Design Concept

Enthusiasts may associate the Subaru Impreza with performance, all-wheel-drive, and rally prowess — but it isn’t exactly the most attractive thing on four wheels. That may soon change, however, if the new Impreza Design Concept, unveiled this afternoon at the Los Angeles Auto Show, is truly a sign of things to come.

Subaru Impreza Design Concept

Calling this a departure from the current car is a gross understatement. This is, quite frankly, a clean-sheet design, which abandons the rotund, bulging profile of today’s Impreza in favor of a tapered, sophisticated shape. Thanks to taut body lines and slender panel gaps, the concept carries a very mature appearance. Arguably, the only cues carried over from the present Impreza are the bold bumper fascias, wide stance, and flared wheel wells — all of which, Subaru says, are designed to emphasize the vehicle’s driveline.

Subaru tradition, the Impreza Design Concept sends power to all four wheels, thanks in no small part to the company’s symmetrical all-wheel-drive system. Power comes courtesy of a 2.0-liter flat-four-cylinder, which is derived from the company’s third-generation boxer engine range. Interestingly, Subaru’s fitted the show car with its continuously variable transmission — a feature new to the Impreza line, but likely essential to help the company improve fuel economy figures.

So, is this simply a showcase for Subaru’s new “Confidence in Motion” mantra, or is the Impreza Design Concept something more? Officials simply smirk when we ask, but we’d wager this is a good preview of the next-generation Impreza, much like the 2009 Legacy concept teased the then up-and-coming 2010 Legacy sedan.

Strip this show car of the camera-based rear-view mirrors, digital gauges, and expansive touch-screen interface, and you may well be looking at tomorrow’s Impreza. If so, we’re in for a real treat — it’s refreshing, frankly, to see Subaru infuse this much style into its.

Mercedes Benz CLS63 AMG Concept

Mercedes gave up building mere automobiles a long time ago. The current obsession is building ground-bound rolling rockets like its latest offering, the 2012 CLS63 AMG. Not only does it have the thrust to reach orbit, but also the looks to impress any advanced civilization.

 Mercedes Benz CLS63 AMG Concept

The original CLS defined the modern 4-door coupe concept with its release in 2004. The 2012 CLS63 sharpens the aesthetics but is more of an evolution of the same design, with most improvements under the skin. The design team at AMG focused on efficiency as much as performance improvement, but when we are talking about Mercedes, more power always seems to creep in. The CLS63, which was powered by an almost appropriately sized 6.2-liter V8, is now powered by a completely non sequitur 5.5-liter direct injection twin turbo V8. The M157 engine is actually 33 percent more fuel efficient than the previous unit while producing an extra 43 hp and 85 lb-ft of torque, bringing numbers up to 550 hp and 590 lb-ft with the optional Performance Package. With those kinds of numbers Mercedes could call it the CLSuzan and no one would care.

Leaning away from the industry trend of dual-clutch transmissions, AMG has chosen the Speedshift MCT seven-speed unit first used on the SL63. It replaces a traditional torque convertor with an electronically controlled wet clutch. The transmission has four modes of operation: Sport, Sport+, Manual, and Controlled Efficiency. In Sport+, Race Start function provides launch control. Controlled Efficiency employs a start/stop function to increase fuel mileage.

The CLS63′s suspension has been updated to match the new power output. The steering system now utilizes a variable assist feature that not only increases steering response and comfort, but also increases efficiency by only operating at the level needed. Adjustable ride height and variable damping allow the driver to select from Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus modes at the touch of a button. All of these options add up to a car that can be tailored to the driver’s taste and needs.

 

Nissan Concept 2012

 

Revitalizing the sedan isn’t anything new to Nissan — just three years ago it introduced the current seventh-generation Maxima as the new age affordable “four-door sports car” (or 4DSC) fit for mall sprees and canyon runs. Even still, Nissan’s design leaders say, the well-aged segment remains bland.

For 2010 and beyond, there is a need for the sedan (otherwise known as the “rational or functional choice”, Nissan Design America vice president Alfonso Albaisa explained) to evolve into a vehicle with “more emotion”.

“A new customer is coming into this mature segment,” Albaisa mentioned at a private media gathering. Said customer is no longer predominantly male and in need of an athletic everyday people mover.

 

“She’s between 30 and 40 years old,” the designer revealed. “She’s always respected the sedan, but she might be one that has a crossover or something else. The sedan has a value, but she thinks the sedan has become boring.”

Shiro Nakamura, Nissan senior vice president and chief creative officer (the main man in charge of all Nissan/Infiniti design), agrees. “Nissan crossovers are expressive. We’re trying to bring expression to the sedan.”

Under Nakamura-san’s guidance, everything also adheres to the “Spirit of Iki”. “Iki is the traditional Japanese way of expression,” he said. “(It is) fashionable, but not too showy. It has been used for over 500 years in Tokyo — mainly for common people.”

 

With that entire mindset, the automaker’s design houses in Kanagawa, Japan and San Diego, California collaborated to create the Ellure concept you see here.Although completely fresh, its modern physique remains distinctly Nissan with broad elements, strong shoulders, and well-hidden traits derived from Japanese culture. The tension, release, and interception of dynamic shapes plays a key role in the styling philosophy, too.

Crystalline LED lights are one trait designers employed to express a new emotion. Kinked, boomerang-shaped headlights look futuristic in a Tron sort of way and are matched with equally chiseled and drastically kinked LED taillights.