2006 Hybrid Concept – Saab BioPower
Posted: April 4th, 2006 | Author: admin | Filed under: Concept Cars, SAAB | Leave a comment »
A new hybrid concept car comes from Sweden. Probably one of the most radical concept car ever produced by Saab the new concept car looks like the worlds first 100-percent ethanol-powered, hybrid, all-wheel drive convertible.
The BioPower Hybrid Concept car is more of a prototype than a full-out concept. All the technologies featured could be applied to todays production car without too many difficulties, making it a true demonstrator for environmental and performance-boosting aids that are just around the corner.
The BioPower Hybrid is powered by a 2.0-liter high-pressure turbocharged inline-four; the same basic engine you might find under the hood of the standard 9-3 Convertible, or the older 9-3 Aero. In non flex-fuel applications, the engine normally produces 210 horsepower, controlled by Saabs brilliant Trionic engine management system, but here, running on 100-percent ethanol alcohol, the engine is able to make a whopping 260 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque; a 24 percent improvement in horsepower and a 25 percent improvement in torque over the standard engine. It must be said that all gains arent necessarily attributed to the new fuel; the engine also features GMs new direct injection fuel system (SIDI) which further helps to optimize the cars efficiency and boost power. Automobile.com reports
You can read the full report at 2006 Saab BioPower Hybrid Concept
Pontiac G6 GXP Show Car
Posted: April 4th, 2006 | Author: admin | Filed under: Concept Cars | Leave a comment »
At the upcoming New York International Auto Show Pontiac will reveal a new G6 GXP coupe show car (Pontiac G6 GXP concept car). The new car concept from Pontiac is designed to augment the G6’s sleek styling with a more aggressive appearance and stance.
The new Pontiac GXP show car model will test both media and public reaction before any final decision on production is made. The new G6 GXP car model, a spin-off of the two-door coupe, gets a 270-hp, 3.9-liter V-6 engine along with body mods.
Although the GXP performance series has been very successful in the past, we’ve never attempted to introduce a GXP on our largest volume vehicle and we want to be sure we do it right, said Dennis Maraone, Pontiac product director about the new Pontiac concept vehicle. We believe the package of exterior, interior and performance enhancements we’ve put together on the Pontiac G6 GXP show car should appeal to 2+2 coupe enthusiasts.
Powering the coupe concept is a modified 3.9-liter V6 engine with a six-speed manual transmission. Engine performance is augmented by tweaking the variable valve timing system, linking a ram air induction system with K&N air filter to a cat-back free flowing exhaust which boosts engine output to 270 horsepower and 259 lb-ft of torque. This is definitely a step up from current G6 GTP models, which sports the same motor, but only tuned for 240 maximum horsepower.
More details about this new Pontiac Prototype at Pontiac Shows Off G6 GXP Show Car and Pontiac Unveils G6 GXP Show Car
Dodge Hornet 2007 concept car
Posted: March 30th, 2006 | Author: admin | Filed under: Concept Cars, Dodge | Leave a comment »
Daimler-Chrysler released their latest concept car at the Geneva Auto Show – the 2007 Dodge Hornet concept car.
Bearing a striking resemblance to both the modern Mini Cooper and Suzuki Swift vehicles, the new Hornet 2007 car model is designed as Dodge’s new low-cost vehicle (below the Caliber).
Small enough for the European market, but big enough for the U.S., the Hornet concept car is equipped with a supercharged 170hp engine that will zip it from 0-to-60 in approximately 6.7 seconds (firmly in Mini Cooper territory).
Dodge says that its Hornet B-segment concept car is “an ideal combination of American fun and European function.”
“We went for a rallye-inspired look robust, capable, and most definitely not ‘cutesy.’ We wanted a distinct ‘edge’ to the design. We especially wanted to push the envelope of interior volume. That’s why the Hornet prototype is almost as wide as a C-segment vehicle,” said Moushegian Principal Exterior Designer.
Consequently the Hornet’s chunky, wheels-to-the-corner silhouette imparts the fun of assertive motoring to even the most mundane of errands. With its wide stance, the Hornet concept car is solidly planted on the road. Up front, the signature Dodge crossbar grille is set above an exposed engine intercooler flanked by front brake air ducts and fog lamps.
“The raised plateau on the hood features a recessed scoop on the driver’s side to funnel air to the engine air box. Underhood is a 1.6L 16-valve OHC supercharged I/C four-cylinder engine putting out 127 kW (170 hp) of torque @ 4000 rpm.
Extreme flexibility also is central to the sporty interior of the new 2007 concept car from Daimler-Chrysler – Dodge Hornet 2007. The space-saving foam seats are exceptionally slim but comfortable, with the striking satin-silver finished aluminum framing deliberately exposed. Seat bolsters are covered in a smooth, black urethane-coated fabric while a black, fine-woven textured Pique cloth is used on the cushion and back inserts. Belts are integral with the seats.
Tough, brash and eager to be off, the 2007 Dodge Hornet concept vehicle brings to the competitive entry-level B-segment market an ideal combination of American fun and European function. “
Range Rover Sport HST – Range Stormer concept
Posted: March 30th, 2006 | Author: admin | Filed under: Concept Cars, Land Rover | Leave a comment »
First shown to the public as the Land Rover Range Stormer car concept, the concept car from Land Rover was displayed at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit 2004.
The old concept car comes now as a new car model from Land Rover: Range Rover Sport HST.
The Range Rover Sport HST uses the standard bodyshell of the Range Rover Sport but adds a body kit “inspired” by the Stormer concept car, together with the top-of-the-range Sport’s 390-horsepower supercharged V8 engine that powers the car from zero to 60 mph in just over seven seconds.
“The HST allows a Range Rover Sport customer to drive the closest thing there is to the radical Range Stormer,” said Land Rover U.K. Managing Director John Edwards.
FPV – Ford F6 Typhoon – Concept Car
Posted: March 26th, 2006 | Author: admin | Filed under: Concept Cars, Ford | Leave a comment »
Ford F6 Typhoon concept car – “unofficial”
Here are some news about a 2006 new concept car vehicle from Ford Performance Vehicles – FPV:
“There is a tradition at each FPV Family Open Day for a group of volunteers from FPV and Prodrive to create a project prototype car to showcase their abilities and generate some excitement among the visitors,” said David Flint, Managing Director of Ford Performance Vehicles about this racing car concept.
The team has created a specially modified concept version of the FPV F6 Typhoon Ford sedan designed to tackle similar turbo charged performance cars in the spectacular new form of motor racing; Drifting.
Unlike previous Family Open Day projects, DRIF6 prototype is a fully operational concept vehicle and Ford Performance Racing’s rising star, Mark Winterbottom, was involved in early development of the vehicle.
Here are some details about this new Ford concept car:
The cockpit of DRIF6 concept has been stripped and replaced with world class MOMO racing seats and racing harnesses, MOMO steering wheel, MOMO gearknob and a variety of ancillary gauges by VDO and Autron. These include a monster VDO tacho on the dash located in line with the twinâ pod sport gauges that display oil temperature and turbo boost pressure, pillar mounted gauges to display volts and cabin temperature and Autron’s latest high tech tyre press monitoring system located at the base of the Interior Command Centre. The cockpit also has a racing style roll cage.
This 2007 prototype – Ford DRIF6 – is a concept car designed to showcase the enthusiasm and expertise of FPV’s engineering operations. There are no plans, at this stage, to participate in competitive events. The FPV Family Open Day featured more than 300 of the best–loved performance Ford vehicles on display from car clubs across Australia and attracted approximately 10,000 visitors
More details and technical specifications for this racing concept car from Ford can be read at Ford gets the drift with concept car
