2010 Audi e-tron Sports Car Concept with "MMI touch"

2010 Audi e-tron Sports Car Concept

 The Detroit Audi e-tron Concept is 3.93 meter (154.72 in) long and 1.78 meter (70.08 in) wide but just 1.22 meter (48.03 in) tall two-seater; just a few months after the debut of the Audi e-tron Concept at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, this is now the second electric concept vehicle from the brand with the four rings. Audi is showing an uncompromising purist compact sports car with all-electric drive at the 2010 NAIAS. Lithium-ion batteries, located for an optimal center of gravity behind the passenger compartment and ahead of the rear axle, make an effective energy content of 45 kilowatt-hours available. This makes an operating range of up to 250 kilometers (155.34 miles) realistically possible. 

2010 Audi e-tron Sports Car Concept

Coupled with the Detroit Audi e-tron Concept's low gross weight of around only 1,350 kilograms (2976.24 lb), high-torque power units driving the rear wheels guarantee commensurate road performance. Two electric motors with a combined output of 150 kW (204 hp) and 2,650 Nm (1954.54 lb-ft) accelerate the coupe with ASF-design aluminum body from 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 5.9 seconds. The Audi e-tron Concept accomplishes the sprint from 60 to 120 km/h (37.28 - 74.56 mph) in a mere 5.1 seconds.

As previously with the first Audi e-tron Concept car shown in Frankfurt, Audi again bases all components in this electric vehicle on an integral concept with many revolutionary details: a heat pump as an efficient means of heating up and maintaining the interior temperature. The drive system, power electronics and battery have innovative thermal management - crucial for maintaining a high operating range coupled with outstanding interior comfort.

2010 Audi e-tron Sports Car Concept 

The two electric motors, which have their own cooling system, are mounted on the rear axle. This special package, featuring a 40:60 weight distribution, ensures perfect balance, which contributes to the driving dynamics of the Audi e-tron Concept.

The trapeze of the single-frame grille dominates the distinctly wedge-shaped front end and is flanked by two large air intakes. The top of the grille merges into the flat strips of the adaptive matrix beam headlight modules with their clear glass covers. All light units use ultra-efficient LED technology.

One design element that is specific to electric vehicles developed by Audi - such as the Audi e-tron - are the air intakes in the single-frame grille and behind the side windows on the C-post. They are closed flush under normal circumstances and opened by retracting slats when additional cooling air is required. The slats above the drive unit then also open to provide a better through-flow of air. These measures, too, maximize efficiency - the concept car is outstanding for an already low drag coefficient that is further improved when the flaps are closed.

2010 Audi e-tron Sports Car Concept 

The combination of aluminum and carbon fiber-reinforced composite material guarantees supreme rigidity coupled with low weight. Audi will soon use this technology in a similar form for future production vehicles. Despite the complex drive system layout with two electric motors and a high-capacity battery system, the total weight of the Audi e-tron Concept on display in Detroit is only around 1,350 kilograms (2,976.24 lb).

The MMI is controlled via a scroll pad with a touch-sensitive surface on the steering wheel ("MMI touch") - an element inspired by modern smartphones. The steering wheel itself is clearly flattened off at both the top and bottom, in a clear reference to motor sport.

A smartphone that can be integrated into the front section of the center console interfaces between the vehicle, the driver and external information sources. The driver can use a suitably equipped conventional smartphone as a car phone, address database, navigation system and video player. At the same time they can also use it as an operating unit for many specific on-board systems in the Audi e-tron Concept. Many phones that are suitable for these functions are already available from various manufacturers.

2010 Audi e-tron Sports Car Concept 

Characteristic for the concept of the Audi e-tron - and therefore also characteristic for a further development in an electric vehicle - is the near total elimination of switches and small components such as the ignition. The climate control unit is located to the right above the steering wheel. The display provides temperature and ventilation information. Again drawing inspiration from a smartphone, the system is controlled by means of a touch-sensitive sliding control.

Fenix Supercar ultra-powerful mid-engined V8 Announced By Lee Noble

Fenix Supercar ultra-powerful mid-engined V8

Lee Noble’s love for cars remains as young as it used to be. I can say so because even when he left the company he built, Noble, his newest creation, Fenix supercar. Leicestershire – Lee Noble, the maverick designer and engineer who has defined the British low volume sports car market in recent years, is back in the hot seat of an all-new company, Fenix Automotive Limited, and is due to launch one of the most dramatic supercars of the century next year. 

Fenix Supercar ultra-powerful mid-engined V8

Fenix supercar is believed to be the sequel of the iconic M12 which was a great success but Fenix is a start from the scratch as far as the designing part is concerned. Fenix will be having two models for the grab whereby GM`s 480bhp LS3 V8 will be the `base` unit, while the 6.2-litre supercharged LS9 V8 will provide customers with a 638bhp power option. And powered with 638bhp engine, as Fenix claims, car will get from 0-100mph in less than seven seconds and go on to reach more than 200mph.

 Fenix Supercar ultra-powerful mid-engined V8

With successful production cars like the Noble M12 and M400 already under his belt (as well as the original Ultima and Ascari, among many others) Lee is investing his vast experience in delivering a lightweight, ultra-powerful mid-engined V8 supercar to market by the end of 2010.

“Our new car will offer buyers performance and dynamics that they’d normally have to spend well over £100,000 to experience, but at a far more affordable price,” said Lee Noble. “It will combine simplicity, strength and agility, while its two-seat, closed body will ensure sensible levels of refinement for road use.

 Fenix Supercar ultra-powerful mid-engined V8

With over 25 years’ experience in the low volume sports car market, Lee’s pragmatic approach to producing super-fast, giant-killing cars has won him credibility among buyers and the media alike. So while the first pictures of his new creation (due early next year) are sure to cause a stir, Lee’s grounded philosophy to manufacturing will ensure that the car is a production reality. In fact, development of the car began in earnest a year ago, and the first prototype, which will be used to validate the all-new chassis and powertrain, is currently being built in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, in the same plant that produced all the M12s.

Fenix Supercar ultra-powerful mid-engined V8

Fenix supercar’s first edition will be launched in UK in the second half of the year whereas its prototype is under construction in South Africa. Lee believes that he can roll out 100 editions a year and it will cost somewhere around £70,000 per unit.

Fenix Supercar M14 and M15 a New Noble Supercar

Fenix Supercar M14

Although the man has been separated from the company that bears his name for a while now, as we revealed when PH interviewed Lee Noble before Christmas he's still hard at work in the business of producing sports cars. Despite having left his namesake British supercar company Noble Automotive, Lee Noble is back in the game and plans to begin development on an all-new supercar.

His new company is called Fenix Automotive and the first Fenix is planned to be a lightweight, mid-engine coupe that can capture a sub-seven-second 0 to 100 mph. The car will feature a powerful V8 engine and is intended to be ‘one of the most dramatic supercars of the century’ thanks in part to the moderate price tag of 75,000 pounds (app. $125K). Noble also mentioned an interesting feature that will make the first Fenix practical both on road and track, though apparently didn’t elaborate from there.

Fenix Supercar M15

The Fenix supercar prototype is currently in build at Fenix's facility in South Africa, and the car will do its initial hot-weather testing there before heading to the UK for further development.

"The M12 was hugely successful, but we needed to move the game on in terms of design," says Noble. "The new car's styling owes nothing to what I've done before and has quite literally been a 'clean sheet' exercise from the start. It's edgy, with powerful lines, and aerodynamically will be in another league to any of my previous cars."

 Fenix Supercar M15

But despite Noble's protestations of a clean-sheet design, we can't help but think of the Fenix as the hoped for successor to the sharp, focused, track-honed M12 series, and that's no bad thing. That the looks seem to bear a passing resemblance to the stillborn M14 and M15 is far from a tragedy, too. The Fenix will be powered by an LS3 GM V8 pumping out 480bhp, while the truly power hungry can specify the 638bhp LS9 V8 as seen in the Corvette ZR1. Fenix reckons that the LS9-engined car should accelerate from 0-100mph in under seven seconds and hit a maximum of 200mph.

 Fenix Supercar M15

"I always said I wanted to build a car with the performance of an Enzo for less than £100k, and that's what I'll deliver this time round," said Noble when we interviewed him, and it looks like he might manage it. The base model is expected to cost around £70k, with the supercharged version set to come in at less than £100k.

Capstone Supercar CMT-380 the high performance hybrid electric microturbine vehicle Debut at LA Auto Show

Capstone Supercar CMT-380

The Capstone CMT-380 was the surprise basement find of the LA Auto Show.The Capstone CMT-380 is essentially a prototype show car designed to highlight the technology and products available from Capstone Turbine Corporation. The concept for the high performance hybrid electric microturbine vehicle was developed by Electronic Arts (EA) Chief Creative Director Richard Hilleman.

Capstone Supercar CMT-380

After working on the car for four years, inventor Richard Hilleman was the man of the hour as he fielded questions about his unusual microturbine-lithium-ion hybrid powertrain fitted to a GTM Supercar kit body. It may still be in the test phase, but Capstone claims that the car can reach a top speed of 150mph, and is able to sprint from zero to 60mph in just 3.9 seconds.

The CMT-380 features an unusual hybrid drivetrain which uses one of Capstone's new C30 (30-kilowatt) microturbine engines to extend the range of the primarily electric powered vehicle. The turbine can be run on either diesel or biodiesel.

Capstone Supercar CMT-380

The CMT-380 features lithium-polymer battery cells that can be charged at home or at a public recharging station. While driving, the CMT-380 can operate on 100 percent battery power in zero emissions mode for a range of up to 80 miles. When the batteries reach a predetermined state of discharge, the Capstone C30 microturbine quietly fires up and recharges the batteries on the fly to extend the driving range up to 500 miles. The diesel fueled C30 microturbine requires less maintenance than traditional combustion engines and produces ultra-low exhaust emissions. Hilleman has owned an electric vehicle – a converted Porsche 550 Spyder – for at 15 years and has constantly upgraded it. The EV used to have just 30 hp with lead acids but now uses lithium ferrous batteries and has 200 hp. The 100-mile range hasn't changed, though, and so he knew it was time to build a hybrid. He decided on Capstone's diesel microturbines as the range extender.

Capstone Supercar CMT-380

He knew he could rely on them – they've been used in buses for years – but there was still the challenge of fitting the unit into a car like this. Hilleman built the CMT-380 just for himself, but Capstone is happy to show it off as a proof of concept vehicle. It would be too pricey to put into mass production (Hilleman estimated he put in about $375,000 hours of work), but it's not impossible that a high-end, expensive, limited production run could be made some day.

Capstone Supercar CMT-380

Right now, Hilleman is really happy with his creation. He especially loves the sound of the vehicle. Three feet to the side of the car, the microturbine puts out about 87 dB, but in the cabin, it's nearly silent. California law might require him to add a muffler, but it's already quiet enough without one. He's got a solution for that problem, should he need it.
The chassis and bodywork of the Capstone CMT-380 are borrowed from the Factory Five GTM kit sports car, and modified to accept the hybrid drivetrain.

Capstone Supercar CMT-380

"Capstone's CMT-380 is just now finishing up the conceptual design and first article testing stage," said Darren Jamison, Capstone President and CEO. "We plan to finalize very soon a limited production plan, in part, based on interest received at the [2009] LA Auto Show. We anticipate customers will be a select group of individuals who appreciate its many innovative high-performance and high-technology driving characteristics, long driving range and ultra-low emissions," added Jamison.

Mercedes-Benz BlitzenBenz Concept Car Production year theoretical 2025

Mercedes-Benz BlitzenBenz concept car

Mercedes-Benz BlitzenBenz concept car Production year theoretical 2025. Brilliant and outstanding is what every car lover will exclaim when will see this BlitzenBenz concept car. The Mercedes-Benz BlitzenBenz concept was created by George Yoo, a designer at Mercedes-Benz Research and Development in Carlsbad, California. The BlitzenBenz was developed during his final year at the Art Center College of Design in Pasadena.

Mercedes-Benz BlitzenBenz concept car

Created by George Yoo as a futuristic racing vehicle, BlitzenBenz concept is derived from two different sources. And let me tell you the roots of its design are in the past. The main inspiration behind the idea is from original Blitzen-Benz from 1909 that had a long tubular shape and rear cab positioning. On the other, Alex Erlandson work of creating sculptures from trees that were grown into certain shapes/patterns influenced Yoo considerably to contemplate what if automotive parts were to be grown and tamed to hold certain shapes.

Mercedes-Benz BlitzenBenz concept car

Obviously the technology is not quite there yet to create such a vehicle, but the current research into nanotechnology is paving the way for intelligent and adaptable components which can be grown instead of manufactured. It's an incredibly interesting prospect which would completely alter the way cars are built, maintained, upgraded and recycled.

Mercedes-Benz BlitzenBenz concept car

The exterior design is a base for the organic structure and the individual wheel pods are there to sense as to when the inside electric motors need to be cooled down. When the cooling will be required, these structures will open up in the same way as the plants do to receive the vital sunlight.

Mercedes-Benz BlitzenBenz concept car

To run this Mercedes-Benz BlitzenBenz, there is an advanced next-generation Hygenius hybrid hydrogen engine and four in-wheel electric motors. The inspiration for the blue lightening system came from bioluminescent capabilities of deep sea creatures. Also, a hydrogen storage tank is just below the cockpit and the fuel level is shown in a small window.

Mercedes-Benz BlitzenBenz concept car

Though, woefully, there is no technology to make this vehicle as such, but the progressing research into nanotechnology will surely open the way for components that can be grown than manufactured, changing the way cars will be built or maintained in future.

Ford Rescue X Concept created at Ford of Europe design studio By Robert Engelmann

Ford Rescue X Concept By Robert Engelmann

The Ford Rescue X design proposal from Robert Engelmann is a tough vehicle designed for rescue operations in treacherous terrains. The futuristic search and rescue vehicle is designed to reduce time consumption in medical emergencies. The Ford Rescue X Concept is a study of a futuristic search and rescue vehicle designed for rough terrains that features a dedicated medical module and Computer Aided Surgery equipment. It was designed by German product design graduate Robert Engelmann.

Ford Rescue X Concept By Robert Engelmann

Ford Rescue X Concept Rendering Ford Rescue X Concept Rendering The car has an original layout, with an open structure that integrates two seats for the driver and another operator, and a dedicated closed medical module, which is connected to the chassis by means of a mechanical balancing system. The medical module floats above the main structure and protects the passenger like an egg. A display window shows the passenger's health conditions.

Ford Rescue X Concept By Robert Engelmann

One of the seats has an integrated first aid pack that can be quickly released, while the rotating wheel arches on the concept allow it to move through snow covered/ icy terrains. The medical module has a system to allow remote Computer Aided Surgery (CAS). The concept has an electric drivetrain utilizing four suspension-mounted motors.

Ford Rescue X Concept By Robert Engelmann

Ford Rescue X Concept Ford Rescue X ConceptThis contributes to the safety of the injured person and allows a specialist to remotely operate the integrated medical equipment in order to do an emergency surgery anywhere. Ford Rescue X Concept - Design Panel The rotating wheelarches can be turned into special breaks for extreme conditions such as on the snow or icy terrains. A backpack with first aid tools is integrated in the seat and can be quickly released. The integrated medical equipment also includes a computer tomograph and a CAS system (Computer Aided Surgery).

Ford Rescue X Concept By Robert Engelmann

The project was created at Ford of Europe design studio by Robert Engelmann for his product design diploma at HBK Saar, Germany.

2020 Aston Martin Twenty Twenty Sports Car concept designed by Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro of ItalDesign (2001)

2020 Aston Martin Twenty Twenty Sports Car concept

Geneva is one of the world's great auto shows, if for no other reason than it's the place where Italy's design houses and coachbuilders -carrozzerie- annually roll out their latest concept cars. This year, Aston Martin previewed the production version its voluptuous Vanquish (covered elsewhere in this issue). But that wasn't the only Aston on the show floor. The Aston Martin Twenty Twenty concept from 2001 was designed by Giorgetto and Fabrizio Giugiaro of ItalDesign.

2020 Aston Martin Twenty Twenty Sports Car concept

The fully-functioning concept car was intended as a vision for a convertible Aston Martin sports car for the year 2020. Italdesign sprung this amazing car on the unsuspecting visitors to the 2001 Geneva Salon L'Auto. This startling car, based on an early production DB7 Vantage, has a body shape made of exposed extruded aluminium structural elements; body panels made from plastic and carbon fibre are fitted onto it. Thankfully Aston Martin’s current styling trend is headed in a completely different direction to the Twenty Twenty concept.
The brushed aluminium highlighting lines which adorn the Aston Martin Twenty Twenty are an original design feature. However their overuse (especially around the front) gives the concept an unusual, almost comical appearance from some angles. The grille surround almost looks like lipstick.

2020 Aston Martin Twenty Twenty Sports Car concept

The Twenty Twenty is powered by front mounted, uprated version of the 6 litre V12 from the DB7 Vantage, said to produce 500bhp - visible through a grilled fairing on the bonnet. Initially it appears to be a strict 2 seater, although the rear bulkhead can be removed to provide seating for two children. The rear of the Aston Martin Twenty Twenty (from the doors back) is more appealing with more conservative use of bare aluminium. The soft top is stored in its own special housing that can be slotted into position between the roll-bar and the windscreen, 'Targa' fashion. Notice the fantastic door hinges - derived from the classic Aston wing vent, are both decorative and functional elements.

2020 Aston Martin Twenty Twenty Sports Car concept

Giorgetto Giugiaro and Aston Martin previously co-operated in 1961, when Carrozzeria Bertone worked on the two-seater DB4GT Jet coupe prototype. And like the original 'Jet' car, the 2020 is destined to remain unique. Aston Martin are believed to have thought the 2020 'interesting', but no plans were ever made even for limited production. As the Twenty Twenty isn't an official Aston Martin design project, don't look for any sort of production version. What about the name? Simple: It's the term commonly used to describe perfect vision. And the Giugiaros clearly have good eyes.

2020 Aston Martin Twenty Twenty Sports Car concept

In March 2004, I received an e-mail claiming the 2020 was for sale, but I have been unable to find any reference to this anywhere. But the car was seen for the first time in the UK at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, June 2005.