Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The smart for-us concept


With its world premiere at the 2012 NAIAS in Detroit, this smart new reveal had people wondering if this was the smallest urban pick-up truck they'd ever seen. Thanks to the state-of-the-art electric drive with a 55 kW magneto-electric motor, the zero-emission smart for-us is agile and exciting to drive. As for cargo space, it can carry two passengers and two smart 250-electric motor e-bikes effortlessly in its trunk area.




smart for us

Thursday, July 26, 2012

The Toyota Fun-Vii

Unveiled ahead of the 2012 Tokyo Auto Show, the Fun Vii ("Vehicle Interactive Internet"), has touch-screen panels across its entire exterior body shell. Meaning? Drivers can personalize their own Fun vehicle exterior with whatever suits their mood -- be it Facebook photos or a scene from their favorite movie -- thanks to a projector inside the vehicle.

Toyota Fun Vii concept


Monday, July 23, 2012

The 2012 Ford Bronco concept


The Bronco is back. Unveiled this year at the North American International Auto Show, a concept version of Ford’s pioneering 1960s sport utility vehicle retains the original Bronco’s authentic, no-nonsense design and adds a turbocharged diesel engine for added kick.While other sport utilities become more civilized, the Bronco concept bucks this trend in a simple two-seat design that features the same rugged good looks as its predecessor. It is instantly recognizable in shape. Reminiscent of the original Bronco are its boxy, upright roofline, short wheelbase, signature round headlamps and the Bronco name integrated into a modern three bar grille.
“True to its heritage, the Bronco concept is a tough, genuine SUV that’s all about function,” says J Mays, Ford Motor Company group vice president of design. “It’s like a claw hammer in a box full of department store, battery-operated, plastic, power tools.”
ford-bronco1.jpg
Subtle exterior details include exposed door hinges, cowl vents, flared wheel wells and unique loop-shaped door handles, which are integrated into the door panels and open with a gentle tug. Those classic round headlamps up front are updated in the Bronco concept for use of both light-emitting diodes and halogen light sources to cast a wider ray of light for better peripheral vision in off-road situations.
For a more open-air ride, the Bronco concept’s roof is made up of two separate sections, the rear portion of which can be removed. Roll bar accents can then be attached for a look that recalls a Baja racer or the customized “Baja Broncos” Ford offered in the 1970s.
ford-bronco2.jpg
A monotone color scheme features warm metallic gray finish coupled with brushed aluminum accents and flows seamlessly from the Bronco concept’s exterior body panels to its exposed interior surfaces. Both seats are trimmed in orange brown suede, like a workman’s glove, and are accented with similarly colored inserts and a four-line stitching pattern, like the kind found on a rugged old tool belt.
“The Bronco concept is like your favorite pair of worn in, faded jeans ? classic, familiar, comfortable and always in style,” says Mays.
While the Bronco concept conjures memories of blue oval past, inside it is a showcase of advanced modern technology. Its power comes from a 2.0-liter, 16-valve intercooled turbo-diesel engine tucked under the hood. First introduced on the Ford Mondeo in Europe, this engine features common-rail fuel injection technology for greater injection precision, performance and torque, without sacrificing fuel economy. The Duratorq TDCi, as its known, delivers 128 horsepower and a peak torque of 244 foot-pounds. Using Ford’s overboost function generates an even higher torque of 258 foot-pounds for a limited time under full throttle.
ford-bronco3.jpg
Adding to the Bronco concept’s power is a nitrous oxide “boost,” similar to the power enhancement function of traditional hot rods. At the press of a button, a blast of nitrous oxide is injected into the engine. During combustion, the gas is broken down into nitrogen and oxygen, allowing more fuel to burn.
What does all that mean? An extra temporary boost of up to 50 horsepower and a three-second improvement in quarter-mile times, with about 10-15 mph more top speed.
A revolutionary new six-speed PowerShift transmission is paired with the Duratorq diesel and achieves 5 percent better fuel economy than a conventional six-speed automatic transmission. While a traditional manual or automatic transmission changes gears by opening and closing a single clutch, the PowerShift operates by shifting power from one clutch to another for better efficiency and more seamless shifting. It can be placed into manual mode at anytime and operated by a pair of shift paddles on the steering wheel.
ford-bronco4.jpg
Rounding out the Bronco concept’s technology showcase is an IntelligentTM four-wheel-drive system ? a fully computer-controlled clutch that engages the rear wheels as driving conditions dictate. Under normal conditions, the Bronco gallops on its front wheels. Using sensors at each wheel and at the accelerator, the Intelligent system’s computer calculates dozens of times per second to determine precisely how much torque should be sent to the rear wheels to minimize and help prevent wheel slippage.
The new Intelligent system replaces Ford’s current Control Trac IITM system for more positive traction and vehicle handling, improved fuel economy and smoother operation. It will first be seen in production on the 2005 Ford Escape.
The original Bronco was an immediate success when it launched in August 1965, leading the emerging recreational four-wheel-drive market with sales of 18,200 units in its first full year of production. Although only a concept, this year’s Bronco concept demonstrates how Ford may further complement its extensive SUV lineup.

Saturday, July 21, 2012

The 2005 Chrysler ME 4-12 Concept


ME412 stands for Mid Engine 4 Turbochargers, 12 Cylinders.

Video of car starting



Thursday, July 19, 2012

2008 Pininfarina Sintesi Concept



The stylistic research developed in Sintesi might be represented by a fine phrase of Pininfarina: 
"The line, the form must become substance, living material".




A view that clearly reveals the basic theme of the car: a continuous looped surface that,
starting from the front wing, stretches along the side of the car, naturally blends into
the rear fender and then turns around the sidewindow to dive back under the front wing.
Like a Moebius ring, uniting the inside and outside of the car.

















The four doors open independently, while their shapes were carefully studied
to offer great accessibility to the car. Unlike traditional vehicles, the front looks scooped out,
a unit consisting of a relatively thin upper and lower wing with the laminated radiator integrated with the surface.
Opening the doors, Sintesi invites you in its spacious cabin and reveals its true character:
a car build around its passengers with a central spline stretching from the front to the rear of the car,
lending it both esthetical and structural strength.



The rear design is a pure application of a Pininfarina theme: the "coda tronca".
The volume of the car is cut off with one gesture, putting in evidence the typical section
of the car and visually connecting to the front design. The rear, a "coda tronca", which is
the best solution for optimizing the air flow. The aerodynamic under body and the
"coda tronca" allow to reach an excellent CX value of 0,272 The rear lights incorporate
not only the newest LED Osram technology but also cameras and sensors and visually
connects the rear to the side by underlining the central axis.



Everything in Sintesi has been designed to minimize drag and make aerodynamic performance
 as efficient as possible. For example the car has been designed as a closed object: in addition to
the 5 classic sides a sixth, the vehicle underside, has been designed to include an aerodynamic
tunnel with the function of limiting negative lift.

The Interior.
The interior is not conceived as a separate element but is fully integrated with the overall design of the car.
The instrument panel is designed as one integrated semitransparant piece, deriving its
richness from a sofisticated play of light that serves as a visual and intuitive feedback for the different functions.




The theme of perfect integration is also to be found in the interiors.
The single, seamless line of the exterior flows into the interior environment where the
forms are created around man. The idea is to wrap the human element up in soft, fluid space:
it starts from the windscreen crosses the dash and floor,
traverses the seats and slips down into the four doors which open upwards.

Liquid Packaging.
The application of "Liquid" Packaging has redefined the balance of traditional volumes.
First of all it has enabled Pininfarina to free up front space that is normally occupied by the engine:
the fuel cells have been split into 4 sets and gravitate around the wheels.
By tucking away these elements and the other parts of the drive train in the low part of the vehicle,
they have achieved better weight distribution and a lowering of the centre of gravity,
factors of great importance in driving dynamics.




The result is that the room available for people – proportionately to the car’s total volume
 is much greater, while not impacting the sportiness of the line which presents an elegant
and sharp laid back profile. For the driver of Sintesi and its passengers we have therefore
guaranteed harmonious space and exceptional visibility. To all this they have added the
experience of Transparent Mobility for full harmony and integration between occupants,
car and environment.

Transparent Mobility.
Apart from styling, Pininfarina has always tried to present new mobility solutions in its concept cars.
With the freedom granted to us by the technologies used, it was therefore natural to imagine a
solution not only for the individual vehicle, but for how vehicles can communicate with one another whilst in transit.
A kind of network capable of rendering "transparent" the communication systems of individual
cars and guaranteeing safe, efficient mobility. The system has its own "intelligence" it does not
replace the driver, but cuts in only in cases of danger. The vehiclès intelligence is therefore
used both by the driver and by the automated system managed by the car. The user interface
will be highly intuitive, it will use a language - created by Pi Shurlok - made of lights and colours
capable of being immediately understood by the driver with no signs or icons in the way.
All the information currently provided by the infrastructures (traffic lights, road signals) will be
displayed inside the vehicle. Sintesi will communicate with other cars and will be able to select
the best route thanks to the radio technology created by Reicom.





And a wallpaper.