Archive for the ‘Concept Cars’ Category
Wednesday, February 9th, 2011
Volkswagen XL1
Recently unveiled at the Qatar Motor Show the above is the Volkswagen XL1 Concept, design to travel incredible distances on little fuel thanks to its lightweight and highly developed aerodynamic properties.
Keeping the weight down is accomplished, among other things, by the use of a carbon fibre body using some new techniques to reduce weight and increase strength, the car stands at 795kg, which is incredibly light for a modern car of these proportions.
The car runs from a lithium-ion battery pack supplying a 20kw electric motor that is designed to be charged from a standard household socket, the battery power alone provides around 20 miles of driving. Once the battery power is exhausted, the XL1′s tiny 48 horsepower 0.8 litre (yes… zero point eight!) TDI engine takes over responsibility for propelling the car.
To provide some feeling that the car really is designed to go a long way on little the fuel, the fuel tank holds a measly 2.64 gallons, giving the the car a max range of 341 miles when used with a full charge. Overall CO2 output is obviously low too, producing only 24 grams per kilometer, compared to the best current low CO2 models available which produce around 80-100 grams per kilometer.
While the XL1 is not destined for production, its clear Volkswagen is working towards a production car with these kind of efficiency figures, which while not impossible, is going to be hard to achieve for sometime due to the cost involved in producing lightweight, and strong, body shells. Nobody is going to pay $50k+ for a slow, small, city runaround, and right now that is the problem Volkswagen, and all other manufacturers face, how to produce these efficiency figures in a sensibly priced car.
Volkswagen XL1 - Interior
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Wednesday, January 5th, 2011
Smart Roadster
During the early days of the Smart car there was a limited run version of the car called the Crossblade that was basically a Smart car without any of the usual items required to keep you safe from the elements, such as doors and a roof. The Crossblade was produced only briefly, with 2000 cars being built before production ceased, and seemingly with it the chance of Smart having any form of open top Smart from which to enjoy the sunshine (or rain depending on your preference).
The vehicle you see pictured above is not the Crossblade, as fans of the icon will know, what it is is a trademarked design drawing produced by Smart and seemingly a vision of a future version of their fun little runaround, but with the unmistakable feel of a Mercedes (Smarts parent company) roadster, what more could you want for a summertime trip to the local store?
We don’t know when, or indeed if, Smart will actually produce this roadster or some variation of it, but its intriguing the designs have been trademarked and would certainly suggest production is at least a possibility. It also seems possible that a concept of the Smart Roadster may make an appearance at one of this years big auto shows, given the timing of the trademarks was in November 2010, so don’t be surprised to see it appear in some form sooner rather than later.
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Saturday, December 4th, 2010
2012 SSC Next Generation
Coming from the same stable as the slightly psychotic SSC Ultimate Aero, which we’re sure you recall, hits 60mph in under 3 seconds, and goes on to a test 257mph, with a projected but untested top speed of 273mph, this is the 2012 SSC Next Generation.
When they say Next Generation, this is in itself a clue as to what to expect, imagine the next generation of the Ultimate Aero, that’s gonna be something pretty special don’t ya think… and it is. Whilst SSC are currently keeping the specs of the Next Generation under guard, its hard not to stop the speculation, and indeed possible leaks that may be behind that speculation.
1200-1300hp, and only two thirds the weight of a Bugatti Veyron, you know this is going to fly. Top Gear described it as “a crush on the body, and a blur on the vision”, and with performance set to be even more explosive then the Ultimate Aero its easy to understand why.
Clearly performance will exceed that of the earlier Aero, so we can expect a 0-60mph probably around the 2.5 second mark, and we see no reason why it wont hit 260+mph at the top end. Of course at these kind speeds other factors come into play, aerodynamics obviously are a big problem, along with power, trying to go from a 255mph top speed to 265mph requires a huge leap in technology and power, so exactly how far the Next Generation can be pushed is going to be interesting to see over the coming months.
We’re sure looking forward to seeing this car hit the streets, and of course the test track, OK so we are never likely to be able to drive one, let alone buy one at the probable $1m+ price tag, but watching it take on, and probably beat a Veyron has got to one of the best moments a supercar fan can look forward to.
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Friday, November 19th, 2010
Jaguar C-X75 Electric Concept Car
Well, Jaguar have been busy. Above is the Jaguar C-X75 Electric Concept Car, we think you’ll agree, it looks absolutely great doesnt it? Jaguar claims this car has the potential to go 560 miles on a single charged, and reach a top speed of around 200mph, not bad for a plug-in.
The car is only a concept, and there are no plans, at least that we know of, to put it into production, it was produced simply to celebrate Jaguars 75th anniversary of the companies existence.
Currently the car is on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show and is proving a hit, not least for its impressive figures for range and speed, but also because it looks totally delicious, we find it hard to believe there would be anyone who wouldn’t like how this car looks.
The car has four wheel drive, and can run on electric only for around 65 miles on a domestic charge lasting around 6 hours, but by using a pair of tiny gas turbines to provide additional energy whilst driving, the range extends to a much more useful 560 miles.
Great looks, green credentials, and a real world level of range, this car is a clear indication of the future, in this guise it will probably never be built, however the turbine technology used is remarkable, and there can be no doubt this is going to work its way into road going vehicles in the not too distant future.
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Monday, October 18th, 2010
Lamborghini Sesto Elemento
Fresh from its unveiling at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, this Lamborghini Sesto Elemento concept is the probably future replacement for the hugely successful, and entertaining, Murcielago.
This concepts name is derived from carbon’s placement within the periodic table, translating as “sixth element”. Clearly then, the name implies what to expect from this car, a lightweight fire-breathing monster that upon unveiling left everybody who saw it with just a little extra saliva swimming around their mouths.
Power comes from the V10 currently used in the Gallardo, and gives you a not inconsiderable 562bhp under your foot with which to play with when the traffic lights go green. The car uses carbonfibre throughout and subsequently weighs in at only 999kg, to put that in persepective, the current Ferrari 458 comes in at 1380kg and the Gallardo tops the scales at a relatively elephant like 1569kg.
This lack of weight will mean the car is expected to do the 0-60 in sub 2.5 seconds, which will place well ahead of its rivals, and topping out at somewhere over 200mph.
Whether the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento will ever make production is uncertain, carbon fibre construction is still incredibly expensive to produce, and with this car making use of the material for everything from its main body, crash zones and wheels to its suspension and steering, there is no doubt any final product, if using this much carbon fibre, will have a huge price tag hanging off of it when its sat in the showroom.
For buyers where money doesn’t matter that’s not an issue, but these cars usually sell to averagely wealthy individuals rather than mega multi millionaires, and a massive price tag would see sales of the car held back, so its probable, that if it is ever produced, it will be a limited run, making it exclusive, more desirable, and therefore certain to sell the limited numbers built.
We certainly hope they make it, this Lamborghini Sesto Elemento is one of the best looking and most exciting cars to come out of the Paris Motor Show, and producing something so special for its buyers would ensure Lamborghini hangs on to its legendary status for many years to come.
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Tuesday, October 12th, 2010
2014 Lotus Elite Grand Tourer
The car above is to be Lotus’ attempt to break in to the recently exploding grand tourer market. Going up against the Porsche Panamera and a whole host of others, this is the car with which Lotus hopes to take another decent sized slice of the high end luxury car market.
In typical grand tourer fashion this car weighs more then a herd of elephants, it tops the scales at a not unnoticeable 3600 pounds, which we imagine has put the chance to produce the first 100mpg grand tourer into production out of the nearest window.
There will be a 5 liter V8 under the hood boasting a shade over 600hp giving the car a claimed 0-60mph time of less than 4 seconds and topping out at 195mph, getting to 60mph in less than 4 seconds in a car carrying this much bulk is almost certainly going to be one of the Elite’s owners favourite pastimes, where laws allow of course.
The car is poised to use optional hybrid technology, making use of a KERS braking system to give the batteries a boost whenever the driver throws out the anchor. The use of hybrid technology in this Lotus Elite, we have carefully calculated, should mean the car’s MPG will improve from “WTF!” to simply “Holy Crap!”.
The car is still semi concept and, right now at least, is expected to be available in 2014 at a price of $180k, which is pretty expensive for a Lotus, but then it looks like it’s going to be one hell of a car, and if anticipation is anything to go by, worth every last dime.
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