Aptera 2E, Three-Wheeled Electric Car
Aptera has developed an electric three-wheeled car called the Aptera 2e that goes zero to 60 in 10 seconds and can hit a top speed of 90 miles per hour. The all-electric version gets an equivalent of 200 miles per gallon and the company has discussed developing hybrid too.
The New Jensen Interceptor Iconic Car
A new version of the Jensen Interceptor sports car is to be built in Coventry, the former home of British car manufacturing. A team of Coventry-based designers have completed the design of the new Interceptor for the Jensen brand owners, Healey Sports Cars Switzerland Ltd. On the picture above you can see how a modern interpretation of the elegant GT will look when it gets its public unveiling in late 2012, before going on sale in 2014. Read More…
Citroen Tubik Concept
Citroen has developed Tubik, a high-tech executive shuttle based on one key idea: travel should be fun.It’s inspired by the Type H, Citroen’s famous corrugated van – same piggy nose, similar all-round squareness. Citroen says the Citroen Tubik Concept was designed as a modern take on early Citroen vans of the 1930s and 1940s, showcasing similar design traits to the Citroen TUB and in particular, the Type H, with its extended nose. Citroen says the new MPV was created as an executive shuttle with an emphasis on being comfortable and fun. Read More…
2011 BMW 328 Homage
To celebrate the 75th anniversary of the original BMW 328 classic of the late 1930s auto brand BMW has unveiled their unique 328 Homage Concept car. The 328 Homage is a modern interpretation of the classic sports car from the 1930s. Bathed in that distinctive diagonal carbon fiber weave, the 328 Homage focuses on lightweight construction through carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP). The result is a gross vehicle weight of only 780 kilograms (1720 lbs).
Audi A7, 2012 – Papercraft Version
At the New York Auto Show this week, Audi will display the first-ever papercraft version of the all-new 2012 A7. The large-scale, anatomically correct paper model is 4 ft x 2 ft x 2 ft and is the largest papercraft model of an automobile ever.
The creator Taras Lesko (of visualspicer.com) used 285 pages to make 750 parts; the assembly process took 245 hours.
1938 Hispano-Suiza Dubonnet Xenia
Xenia hot metallic beauty is the 1938 Hispano-Suiza Dubonnet Xenia. The car was based on the Hispano-Suiza H6, and had a custom-built suspension that was later licensed to Alfa Romeo, Simca, and finally sold to GM. Each wheel was mounted on a single arm extending forward from kingpins at the end of the axle, while sealed, oil-lubricated coil springs and shock absorbers ensured a smooth ride. Hallmark of the car of course appears to be the hand-built coachwork by Jacques Saoutchik, which makes this an absolutely droolworthy vehicle. The Xenia is currently on display at the Mullin Automotive Museum.
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RA DBR2 by Rizk Auto
Once in a while, a unique creation comes along and takes the best of both worlds and melds classic cars appeal and technology together into one beautiful, advanced machine. The RA DBR2 Auto is built around a state-of-the-art carbon-fiber tub and aluminum honeycomb monocoque chassis that weighs a feather-like 100 kgs (220 lbs), overlaid with carbon-fiber body panels lined with Nomex. Power will come from a far less exotic Jaguar straight-six or V12 engine, or a LS3 V8 engine borrowed from Corvette. Also quite earthly is the 5-speed manual box for the Jaguar engines. A 6-speed manual and automatic are on offer with the LS3 V8.
Price for the model pictured here is 180,000 US dollars, or 128,000 euros.
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Lexus CT 200h, Sculpture Installation
Created by Los Angeles-based Nondesign, the installation aimed to highlight the two seemingly opposing features of the vehicle luxury and eco-friendliness by changing colors from luxurious gold to earthy green and blue.
Made out of 2,500 half-inch anodized aluminum bars cut to the exact measurements of the map, the installation aims to highlight the two seemingly opposing features of the vehicle, luxury and eco-friendliness, by changing colors from luxurious gold to earthy green and blue.
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“Auto Residence” by Markus Voglreiter
Auto Residence has been designed by the architect Markus Voglreiter. This auto residence is located in Gnigl near Salzburg, Austria and the surrounding areas make it look even more beautiful. Transforming the structure of the house into a car was a big challenge as it was originally a 70’s style house and then the architect also had to come up with two separate dwellings to incorporate two generations of a family. Add to this the fact, that the auto residence was laden with eco-lighting solutions as well.
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Terrestrial Shrub Rover by Justin Shull
Terrestrial Shrub Rover fits easily into a number of environments ranging from suburbia to the urban forest, offering a green option for short distance travel. It is a solar-powered vehicle that looks, as you may have guessed, exactly like a large shrub.
According to Shull, “In the spirit of NASA and its forthcoming 2020 lunar expeditions in preparation for colonizing the moon, the Terrestrial Shrub Rover presents the opportunity to explore terrestrial and social environments back on Earth from within a manned, foliage bedecked, solar electric powered rover.”
Terrafugia Transition “Flying Car” Gets Go-Ahead from US Air Authorities
The Terrafugia Transition, a light aircraft that can convert into a road-legal automobile, is to go into production after being given a special weight exemption by the US Federal Aviation Administration. The Transition was designed as a ‘light sport’ aircraft, the smallest kind of private aeroplane under FAA classification.
But the manufacturers found it impossible to fit the safety features that are required for road vehicles into that weight. Uniquely, however, the FAA has granted the Terrafugia Transition an exemption – allowing it to be classified as a light sport aircraft despite being 120lb over the limit.
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Photosynthesis Car Generates Energy from Natural Photosynthesis
Conceived by designers Michal Vlcek and Klavir, the “Photosynthesis Car” is a revolutionary vehicle that is powered by nothing but pipe dreams and plants. The Photosynthesis Car would integrates a special kind of solar panels, generating energy from the natural photosynthetic process. For the vehicle concept grows its own turf and plants that not only produces sustainable energy for the car but also seat passengers in a natural environment. Running on an electric engine, the futuristic vehicle features nano plastic body and joystick controls, allowing a safe and easy driving. The design element of the car does seem great, but the technological aspects have mostly been untouched. Though photosynthesis can be used to produce sugars and later biofuel, but how will that biofuel power the vehicle is unclear.
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Lucra LC470 Sports Car
Zero to sixty in 3.4 seconds – and in style. Great classic curves on the Lucra LC470. Starting at $85,000-ish.
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The Aptera 2e: Three Green Wheels
The Aptera 2e is an ultra-efficient entirely green three-wheel car that will be on sale at some point this year. Aptera Motors has been working on this battery powered electric car for many years, with a curved aerodynamic design as one of the main efficiency feature.
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Bentley’s Aero-Ace Project
Designers at the Royal College of Art were challenged to create a digital design for a Bentley coupe that embraces aerodynamics and reduced energy consumption while maintaining a 21st aesthetic that suits the brand. Here are the finalists plus additional submissions and sketches.
The challenge:
“Explore a new Aerodynamic lead design direction for Bentley, develop a digital design for a Bentley coupe that speaks to lean mid 21st century tastes, and that truly embraces aerodynamics to both reduce energy consumption and form part of a future Bentley design aesthetic.”
The IngoCar by Valentin Technologies
Original innovation with hybrid gasoline/hydraulic drive system, the IngoCar just had its design sketches released from its manufacturer Valentin Technologies based in Winsconsin. The project of a five-seater mid-size vehicle which is claimed to achieve 170 mpg fuel efficiency.
Acceleration from 0-60 in 4 seconds, a range of 1,000 miles for a full 6 gallon tank of fuel, recuperation of the energy while braking, and roomy areas for passengers and trunks. The future seems to be so near.
“Trexa EV Platform”; Design Your Own Electric Vehicle
Trexa is aiming to make electric car designing as easy as simply picking up parts and plugging them in your dream machine. The company has unveiled the world’s first fully electric vehicle development platform that lets users design the vehicle on their own.
The platform includes everything from a battery to power electronics. For starters, the standard platform has an acceleration of 0-60mph in 8 sec, a top speed of 100mph, a 105 mile range, and a charge time of 4 hours (based upon an efficiency of 200Wh per mile — comparable to a Prius in electric mode).The on-board batteries can be recharged in just four hours.
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Halcyon Concept Car by Ralph Tayler-Webb
The Halcyon concept car is designed by Ralph Tayler-Webb from Reflex Studio is an electric powered car that has an aerodynamic structure with covered wheels and a tapering teardrop cabin which reduces air drag.
With a structure made from porous aluminum foam, the Halcyon mimics the owl’s hollow bones and makes it surprisingly light for its generous volume. Aluminum foam also benefits from high impact and acoustic absorbency, keeping the occupants safe and (without) sound.
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