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Concept Cars
Pre-war classic and modern muscle added to auction list
By Darren Quick
15:36 December 2, 2007 PST
December 3, 2007 We've covered several of the automotive masterpieces set to star in the upcoming Barrett Jackson auction such as the rare 1935 Rolls Royce Phantom II and the one-off 1963 Ford Thunderbird “Italien” concept car, now news of more noteworthy
additions including a ‘33 Duesenberg J Dual Cowl Phaeton and a 2008 Concept ‘Cuda. Read More
MITSUBISHI Concept-RA set for Detroit debut
20:50 November 27, 2007 PST
November 28, 2007 Mitsubishi has released tantalizing design sketches of its Concept-RA ahead of the car's world premiere at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January 2008. With a view to rolling high-performance, low-emissions and fuel efficiency into one package, the coupe Concept features the all-wheel control system and automated manual transmission used in the Lancer Evolution X and is powered by a turbo-charged, 2.2-liter, 4-cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve clean-diesel engine that delivers a maximum output of 150 kW (204 PS) and maximum torque of 420 Nm (42.8 kg-m). Read More
Shape-changing vision of the future: Mercedes-Benz Silverflow
17:09 November 19, 2007 PST
November 20, 2007 More from Mercedes-Benz on the Silverflow - one of the standout designs we recently encountered as part of our coverage of the Los Angeles Design Challenge, a conceptual showcase of “blue-sky” designs from eight studios entitled "Robocar 2057" that's currently being held as part of the 2007 L.A. Auto Show. With a brief to explore the possibilities of transport in 50 years time, Mercedes-Benz has presented a vision of a sleek, shape-changing vehicle that could adapt to the users needs in various scenarios, transforming from highway cruiser to compact city car or economical two-seater at the push of a button. Read More
Logan Renault eco² achieves emissions of 71g/km
16:07 November 18, 2007 PST
The Logan Renault eco² Concept has achieved emissions of 71g/km while traveling a distance of 172.2km on just 4.69 litres of biodiesel at the 2007 Challenge Bibendum in Shanghai – an event created by Michelin in 1998 that promotes sustainable transport and the development of fuel-efficient, clean automotive technology. In NEDC combined cycle homologation tests for the eco² it achieved a result of 97g CO2/km and finished second out of 74 vehicles in a combined criteria test involving an acceleration test, a slalom test, noise emissions and a regularity run. To put the emissions results in perspective, a compact diesel achieves around 130g CO2/km and the exceptionally green smart fortwo diesel comes in at 88 grams of CO2 per kilometer. Read More
The Matra MS1 “Human Electric Hybrid Motorcycle”
01:24 October 31, 2007 PDT
Matra Manufacturing & Services (Matra MS) has turned its attention to the production of Light Electric Vehicles with the latest offering from a company renowned for its past achievements in the automotive design arena – including a stint in Formula One in which it won a world title along with wins in the Le Mans 24 hour race - being the MS1, a “Human Electric Hybrid Motorcycle” shown recently in Paris that is expected to hit the market in the spring of 2008. Powered by a 1kW Motor Wheel, the MS1 has its maximum speed limited to 28mph (45 kmh) in electric mode and can travel up to 62 miles (100 km) - depending on type of battery - on purely electric power… and if you run out of juice there is always the ever-reliable pedal-option. Read More
One-off Pininfarina-Bodied 1963 Corvette 'Rondine' Concept up for auction
17:42 October 29, 2007 PDT
October 30, 2007 Another historically significant concept car is set to go to auction at the 37th Annual Barrett-Jackson Collector Car Event. The world’s only 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Coupe Speciale “Rondine” will join the Ford “Italien” Thunderbird Concept of the same vintage on the block in Scottsdale, Arizona in January. Read More
i MiEV Sport: Mitsubishi’s 180kmh electric sports car prototype
21:48 October 28, 2007 PDT
October 29, 2007 Mitsubishi’s i MiEV Sport has made its much anticipated appearance at the Tokyo Motor Show allowing us to bring you loads of new images of the groundbreaking electric vehicle concept. Based on the i MiEV (Mitsubishi innovative Electric Vehicle), but promising genuine sporting capabilities via 680 Nm of torque combined with a body weight of just 970kg, the car features a 3-motor system with the company’s own in-wheel 20 kW motors at the front and another 47 kW at the rear - all controlled via the S-AWC (Super All Wheel Control) vehicle dynamics system and wrapped in a lightweight, rigid aluminium space frame. Read More
Audi’s hybrid metroproject quattro
By Loz Blain
23:59 October 24, 2007 PDT
October 25, 2007 We’re running around like kids in a candy store at the Tokyo Motor Show, it’s a technophile’s delight – and Audi has just come out swinging. The German company has just unveiled its sexy metroproject quattro, a plug-in electric/petrol hybrid concept car with some amazing features, including a detachable remote control that acts as an integrated or standalone mobile phone, navigation unit, MP3 and video player and keyless ignition tag, while letting you turn the car’s heater on before you leave the house. Read More
Space Up!: Volkswagen expands on "New Small Family" vision - UPDATED: NEW IMAGES
05:03 October 24, 2007 PDT
October 24, 2007 Volkswagen will use this week's Tokyo Motor Show as the platform to launch its new Space Up! Concept. Following on from the launch of the two-door urban Up! at the IAA in Frankfurt six weeks ago, the company is expanding its "New Small Family" with the Space Up! – a small van designed to provide the interior space of a larger vehicle despite its relatively small 3.68 x 1.63 meter dimensions. Between 220 and 1,005 liters of cargo space are made available (depending on how many of the removable seats are needed) through the use of rear mounted engine and powertrain reminiscent of the Beetle and the Kombi. Read More
Toyota RiN Concept promotes driver well-being
05:16 October 22, 2007 PDT
October 22, 2007 Toyota’s RIN Concept will take the stage at the Tokyo Motor Show later this week with a view not only to promote environmental sustainability, but also to encourage the healthy living and well-being of its occupants. Through features such as heated seats that help maintain good back posture, an oxygen-level conditioner and pinpoint humidifier, and the use of green glass to reduce ultraviolet and infrared light and increase cabin comfort, drivers are encouraged to turn their attention to maintaining a healthy mind and body. Read More
Chevrolet Volt Concept vehicle on tour in South Florida
20:51 October 21, 2007 PDT
October 22, 2007 GM is showcasing its Chevy Volt – an emission free plug-in, electric vehicle that can be recharged by plugging it into a common 110-Volt/15-amp outlet – in a tour of venues in South Florida until October 23. Read More
Nissan’s Round Box compact convertible
00:24 October 18, 2007 PDT
October 18, 2007 Another preview from the Nissan stable ahead of the Tokyo Motor Show, the Nissan Round Box is takes open-air motoring in a different direction through its emphasis on the car as a social environment. The Round Box features turbocharged direct injection gasoline engine mated to Nissan’s advanced Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) and a raft of enhanced safety features, but it is the design elements – both inside and out which set the vehicle apart. Passengers can share the sensation of speed with the driver through “road surface windows” positioned close to the ground on both sides and two large touchscreens, coupled with a unique seating design, encourage greater communication between those on board. Read More
The 1/X Concept: Toyota to focus on sustainability at 40th Tokyo Motor Show
20:53 October 16, 2007 PDT
October 17, 2007 Toyota has revealed a raft of new concept vehicles based around cutting-edge sustainability technology that the company will showcase at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. Among them is the 1/X (pronounced "one-Xth"), a light-weight (420kg) hybrid vehicle pitched as “redefining what it means to be environmentally considerate”. The 1/X matches the interior space of the Prius, but is only one-third the weight and aims to double its fuel efficiency. Gizmag will be on the ground to bring you the latest from the Show when it gets underway on October 26th. In the meantime visit our highlights page for more previews of what’s in store. Read More
Unique 1963 Ford Thunderbird “Italien” concept car goes under the hammer
06:43 October 15, 2007 PDT
October 15, 2007 A one-off 1963 Ford Thunderbird “Italien” concept car is to be sold at auction with No Reserve. Barrett-Jackson has announced the rare sale as part of the company’s 37th Annual Collector Car Event in January 2008. Read More
Nissan’s ingenious NV200 Van Concept
02:33 October 15, 2007 PDT
One of the challenges in writing stories for an emerging technology magazine is to avoid continuously using the word ingenious, but the NV200 to be shown by Nissan at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show is exactly that. The shell of a vehicle is by necessity an exoskeleton, which means that access to van-like vehicles is typically from the inside, but this new design takes a totally different approach. Combining a mobile office and van in one unique package, designers have incorporated a sliding removable pod that makes the NV200 one out of the box – literally – and although inspired by the very specific requirements of one customer, the basic concept has serious potential for all manner of different applications. Read More
Major companies reveal their visions for the cars of 2057
By Loz Blain
00:53 October 12, 2007 PDT
As part of the LA Auto Show Design Challenge, several major manufacturers have submitted blue-sky design concepts showing where they feel automotive design will go in the next 50 years. From Nissan's friendly family assistant to Mercedes’ liquid-metal convertible and Toyota's pollution-chewing roller/strider, the submissions are an exciting and thought-provoking look at where the next half a century will take us in personal and family mobility. Read More
Hybrid-electric Lexus SUV concept shows off new styling direction
By Loz Blain
16:39 October 11, 2007 PDT
October 12, 2007 The Lexus LF-Xh hybrid concept will be unveiled at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. Featuring a high-output electric motor supplementing a V6 petrol engine, it also drops some hints about the company’s new styling direction. Read More
Nissan's Pivo 2 concept – your robotic automotive friend
By Mike Hanlon
19:52 October 7, 2007 PDT
October 8, 2007 Nissan’s Pivo concept was the most popular concept car of all time on this site, so we’re expecting a similar reaction to the Pivo 2, an advanced electric concept car that will debut at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show. Powered by advanced compact Lithium-ion batteries, Pivo 2 employs ‘by-wire’ technologies for braking and steering and features a 360 degree turning cabin and 90 degree turning wheels that makes reversing a thing of the past. The second generation Pivo also uses a Robotic Agent to create a unique owner-vehicle relationship that is akin to that of a friend. Read More
The Mazda Taiki concept car
By Mike Hanlon
03:21 October 4, 2007 PDT
October 4, 2007 Mazda is set to continue its stunning array of concept cars over recent years with the first images appearing of the Mazda Taiki concept car which will be shown at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show later this month. The company will also unveil the new Mazda Premacy Hydrogen RE Hybrid, a series of future-oriented powertrains, and a variety of environmental and safety technologies at the show. Read More
Suzuki unveils radical mobility concepts
By Mike Hanlon
09:17 September 30, 2007 PDT
Suzuki has announced several radical prototype vehicles to be shown at next month’s Tokyo Motor Show. Remarkably, there will be a second generation Kizashi show car based on the machine shown at Frankfurt just three weeks ago. In addition, there’s an interesting sustainable mobility concept called the Pixy which houses another more personal electric vehicle concept known as the SSC. On top of that there’s a motorcycle modelled after an aircraft (Biplane), a fuel cell motorcycle (crosscage), a four-seater minivan with two power sliding doors (Palette) . Read More
High-performance Volvo S80 concept on show at SEMA 2007
By Kyle Sherer
22:12 September 23, 2007 PDT
September 24, 2007 German motorsport company Heico Sportiv has done some serious tweaking to the Volvo S80 T6 to produce a customized 260kW concept designed to showcase the potential of the standard AWD model. The high-performance concept will be on display at the 2007 Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) automotive tradeshow beginning on October 30 in Las Vegas. Read More
Nissan’s Mixim Concept Car in detail
By Mike Hanlon
12:23 September 12, 2007 PDT
September 13, 2007 According to Nissan research, teenagers have fallen out of love with the car – they see it as an oily, noisy throwback to the last century. Rather than drive across town to meet friends, they live in a virtual world where the internet is their vehicle of choice. Nissan, however, believes the Mixim show concept will ‘refresh’ their opinions. The futuristic electric coupe concept has a central driving position, a cloverleaf ‘three plus one’ seating layout, scissor doors, an F1-style wheel and controls, lightweight construction and plenty of power … and it’s all electric. Click here to see more highlights from the 62nd International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. Read More
Toyota iQ small car design concept
By Gizmag Team
05:30 September 12, 2007 PDT
September 12, 2007 Since time (automotive time that is) began, luxury has also by default meant big. Big meant more interior space, more power, more features, more cost and more prestige. As the world comes to terms with doing more with less, that trend seems set for a reversal – small in the future will no longer mean frugal, meagre and penny-pinching and that’s the key message Toyota is hoping to convey with the iQ concept car. Large cars don’t make a lot of sense on the crowded streets of Rome, Paris and London, so the iQ packs luxury features into a small form factor. Read More
Shades of the classic Beetle - Volkswagen’s up! concept
05:16 September 12, 2007 PDT
September 12, 2007 Designed to showcase Volkswagen’s vision for future small, efficient, city-going vehicles, the 3.45 meter long up! concept car features a new drivetrain and rear engined layout reminiscent of the original Beetle. Read More
Renault Laguna Coupé Concept
19:09 September 10, 2007 PDT
September 11, 2007 Described as embodying Renault’s vision of a top-of-the-range grand tourer Coupé, the Laguna Coupé Concept strives to exude a mix of power and refinement through its flowing profile, long-nose and very short rear overhang backed by a newly developed 170-195kW (230-265hp) V6 dCi powertrain and Four-wheel Active Drive chassis. Read More
Jonathan Cole
- November 6, 2009 @ 16:15 UTC
