PAL-V, Flying Car
Like the Terrafugia Transition flying car, the PAL-V ONE also sports a push propeller, which it uses for forward speed.
The PAL-V One has finished its maiden flight and is now working to secure investors for the commercialization phase – the company hopes to start delivering production models in 2014.It will cost $279,000 and the company said it has already accepted 100 orders.
The PAL-V flies in the air like a gyrocopter with lift generated by an auto-rotating rotor and forward speed produced by a foldable push propeller in the back. It has three wheels, a narrow base, but a high center of gravity and on the ground it drives sort of like a motorcycle thanks to a patented “tilting” system. Read More…
Disco Volante Concept
Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera Disco Volante 2012 concept have surfaced online.Set to debut in Geneva, the model celebrates the 60th anniversary of the 1952 Alfa Romeo Disco Volante. Touring has reinterpreted the fender skirting, too, revealing the rear wheels entirely and creating a hard, straight cut above the fronts; the character line that forms to top of the front wheel opening is a traditional Alfa cue, and this treatment brings to mind the Pininfarina-designed Alfa GTV/Spider of the late 1990s/early 2000s.
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.
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).
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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Porsche Design Unveils the $1 Million Advent Calendar
Porsche Design has made the world’s most expensive and lavish advent calendar. The near six-foot tall aluminum oblong costs $1,000,000 (£640,000) and contains such luxuries as a new fitted kitchen and a 518bhp yacht. An 1.75-meters high calendar, forged of brushed aluminum with double-coat finish surfaces, rings in an unforgettable, unique Christmas. Porsche Design won’t reveal the contents of each of the 24 doors, so as not to ruin the surprise for buyers. However, its highlights are a $225,000 (£140,000) Porsche Design P’6910 Indicator watch, a fully fitted Porsche Design kitchen custom and a $380,000 (£240,000) RFF28 yacht.
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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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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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.”
“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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2010 Dodge Challenger
Most reviewers agree that among the three Detroit muscle cars, the 2010 Dodge Challenger plays the retro card to the highest degree. Automobile Magazine calls it a “head turner,” while Cars.com refers to its “Hot Wheels” styling.
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Infinium 2009, Solar Car
The University of Michigan’s Solar Car Team pools academic disciplines, corporate backing and 3-D technology to engineer highly competitive electric vehicles. The Infinium is their tenth sun car in 20 years. In order to produce such a lean, clean and “green” machine, the 150 or so collaborators use CAD and Z Corp for efficient design, and mostly titanium and aluminium parts.
Strips of photovoltaic panels (the space-age, gallium-arsenide kind) absorb the sun’s energy along a sleek and light carbon-fibre shell, and a 16-hp electric motor in one of its three wheels propels the 600-lb coupe up to 90 miles per hour and 98 percent efficiency. Awesome aerodynamics and innovative innards apparently allow the Infinium a driving range of 200 to 300 miles without any sunlight at all.
