Archive for the ‘concept car’ Category
Tuesday, November 25th, 2008 |
There are many concept eco-friendly vechicles out there that look weird, making you wonder how in the name of God someone could dare to use them on a regular basis, some lack the basic safety features, while others are just too futuristic. But take a look at this hot insect-style transport, called the Scarab, which is developed using current technology.
Created by designer David Miguel Moreira Gonçalves, the Scarab is a four-wheeled, single-passenger road bullet that leans and twists like a motorcycle, but provides the safety of an enclosed cabin. In addition, the Scarab is powered by a permanent battery plus three options for the main energy pack – battery, fuel cell or biofuel. The vehicle is equipped with multiple driving modes, such as fast to slow, perfect park mode, embedded sensors, Lidar, radar, transponders, GPS, Drive by Wire, tactile HUD embedded in the Lexan canopy and regenerative braking through EW brakes.
The designer presents its concept vehicle as it follows: “The aim of this project was to develop guidelines and a holistic solution for a new system of urban transport, composed of vehicle and infrastructure, in a sustainable way and adaptable to various urban environments”.
Therefore, as far as the specs are concerned, they include: the vehicle is composed of interchangeable modules that can be customized, powerpack module composed of a permanent battery plus 3 options for the main energy pack (battery, biofuel ICE or a fuel cell), 4 wheel drive through electric brushless in-wheel motors with directdrive, wheels with regenerative braking through EW brakes, Drive by Wire and tactile HUD embedded in the Lexan canopy, structural elements in Carbon-Aramid composite, embedded sensors, Lidar, radar, transponders, GPS which serve to exchange information with the system, with other drivers and to have precise location data. More than that, it’s possible the renting of the vehicle or modules that allows for a private/public/mixed utilization and transport access for people with less financial resources. Not to mention the fact that the Scarab doesn’t need new infrastructures.
Still, there’s a dark side about the Scarab: the high use of electronics in the car would utilize a major part of the car’s battery capacity, which could show its effect on the car’s performance, speed and range.
Even if the concept has a futuristic silhouette, this doesn’t seem too far away from reality. And who knows? Maybe we’ll get to see the Scarab on the streets sooner than we imagine.
(Source: YankoDesign.com)
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Wednesday, October 8th, 2008 |
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The new Peugeot HYmotion3 Compressor Concept was presented at the Paris Motor Show, revealing the most amazingly high-tech scooter of all times. The three-wheeled HYmotion3 is a mixture of a scooter and a car and the slick aesthetics on this one makes it completely drool worthy.
Described as the missing link between the scooter and the car, the HYmotion3 compressor is a highly original proposal meant to reconsider and facilitate urban mobility. Due to its dynamic, streamlined and futuristic style, the concept is considered to be very attractive and combines numerous benefits such as size, safety and comfort. The HYmotion hybrid/petrol technology is the fundament of the development of a three wheel drive vehicle, benefiting safety and diveability and combining economy with an environmentally-friendly specification (CO2 emissions of only 47g/kph in the combined cycle, zero in electric only mode).
As you can easily figure it out for yourself, the HYmotion3 compressor concept is a means of transport, but it can’t be associated with a particular type of vehicle, as it’s not a car, nor a scooter. It’s provided with three wheels: two up front, independently powered by individual wheel-mounted hub motors and one in back. The two front wheels have no connection to the supercharged four-stroke 125cc engine that powers the rear wheel.
The urban traffic is intensified nowadays and everyone tries to deal with serious issues like saving time, skyrocketing oil prices and taking care of the environment. So what we’re all expecting from all sorts of companies is to develop solutions for the future. Taking all of these things into consideration, specialists in the scooter field from Peugeot Motorcycles and stylists and engineers working for Automobiles Peugeot joined their forces in order to develop the HYmotion3 concept car. Or is it a concept scooter?
The HYmotion3 has a width of 82 cm which makes it easier to thread a path through urban traffic will all the efficiency of a two-wheeler. As you can see in the pictures, there’s a front windscreen extending to the back of the vehicle and forming a highly effective shield against bad weather for the rider and the passenger. A very important aspect is that according to French regulations it’s possible for any possessor of a B license to drive the vehicle.
The vehicle is based on HYmotion technology, which was used with other concept-cars in the Peugeot exhibition space at the Paris Motor Show and features a supercharged petrol engine. It has a 15kW power (20 bhp) when driving the rear wheel and combines with two electric motors, each with an output of 3kW, located in the front wheels. The two electric motors are powered by “lithium-ion” batteries and recharged by an energy recovery system which operates during decelaration and braking. Therefore, the maximum power of 21 kW (29 bhp) is developed for a low fuel consumption of 2.0 litres/100 kph and CO2 emissions of 47 g/kph in the combined cycle, or 0 in electric only mode.
As far as the design is concerned, you can observe a sporty and avant-garde design which captures the spirit of Peugeot’s latest creations, such as 308 RCZ concept car. There are two polished aluminum roll-over bars supporting the “bubble” which protects the two occupants; in addition, the bars end in a handle which can be used by the rear passenger. The vehicle isn’t provided with rear-view mirrors, as this function is being accomplished by two display screens placed on the instrument panel. On either side of the base of the front windscreen there is a row of light emitting diodes (LEDs) which ensures a highly efficient lighting and that the vehicle can be seen in traffic.
There is also an ABS system which makes braking more efficient. In addition, braking relies on three ventilated discs and, above all, the front electric motors, which recover energy to recharge batteries. The three wheels combined with the electric motor braking help reducing the braking distance by around 30% compared to a two-wheel scooter provided with traditional brakes.
The HYmotion3 is just a concept right now, but Peugeot is very well known scooter maker, maybe the most important in the world. Targeting the European market, eager to purchase practical scooters and other fuel-efficient vehicles, the company has all the means in order to bring the HYmotion3 to mass production.
(Source engadget.com)
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Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 |
Maybe my imagination is that far-fetched at all. Looks like other people dream of frying cars and these dreams could materialize sooner than expected. The guys over at Moller International just unveiled their new hybrid flying car prototype. They call it the Autovolantor which is inspired by the two-seater Ferrari 599 GTB. The prototype adds two pars of wings to the Ferrari design, plus some other improvements to allow for vertical lift offs in case you want to make it in time through some nasty traffic jam. The Autovolantor can fly at speeds up to 150 mph for a short distance (about 15 minutes).
According to Gizmag, the hybrid part of the car refers to its functioning very much like a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle(PHEV) using one of its eight Rotapower engines to generate enough electrical power to drive for up to 40 miles. Which means we still have to stick around the urban areas.
Rumor has it that Moller International was requested to design this vehicle by a wealthy foreign businessman who was unable to commute from the city to his country home due to the overcrowded streets of Moscow. The car constructor estimates that the whole project will require around $5 million in order to be completed. However, once Moller readies the first prototype, production versions of the Autovolantor could be produced for under US$250,000 in modest volumes.
“It seems that it might be practical in some parts of the world, but in our view a roadable aircraft (versus a flying car) is still more practical for the greatest number of people,” said Dr. Paul Moller, founder and President of Moller International. “The Autovolantor is technically possible, but flying it in US cities is not going to be politically acceptable until it has been deployed successfully in other roles and environments. Practical or not, it excites the imagination to think about being able to rise vertically out of a traffic jam and just go!” he concluded.
It’s a step forward, why shouldn’t we agree? Still, we are pretty far from actually moving the entire traffic to, let’s say, several hundred feet above the ground.
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Monday, September 8th, 2008 |
I keep imagining that in 20 years from now, we’ll be driving hybrid vehicles. I’m not referring to fuel hybrids here. What I mean is a kind of vehicle that may transform into two or more types according to our needs. For example, a car that can turn into a private jet or an amphibious vehicle. Sort of a transformer car, if you may. But that’s just my twisted imagination and it may turn out the intense car traffic can be move skyward, leaving the ground for huge parks and more skyscrapers. Anyway, the more conservative designers think that ground vehicles will still be around in 2030. Check out this modular design envisioned by Mihai Stamati from Chisinau, Moldova.
Not quite built for blazing fast speeds, Stamati’s 2030 concept car still provides some advanced technology, especially to the eco-friendly supporters. According to DVIce, the boxy car has a solar-powered rooftop and back panels, comes with four seats and the sliding doors together with the extended green windows allow for improved visibility. The concept also includes a cylindrical add-on which can be attached to the rear of the vehicle for extra seating. The rear of the car hides two electric engines, as well. As I previously mentioned, the car isn’t fast at all as it tops out at 20 miles per hour, probably being designed for urban driving and promotional purposes.
Futuristic enough, I’d say, and it’s always nice to see Romanian designers presenting their work to the whole world.
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