Futuristic Concept: Ecco Camper, RV designed by NAU

NAU, the design studio comes up with a concept of Vehicle which can be used for stationary living. The zero-local-emission Ecco Camper concept has an expandable roof with solar panels for power supply and the vehicle can also be charged via a standard 240 V outlet.

The Body of the Ecco Camper is made of an aluminum and glass exterior. Due to it's teardrop shape, and low ground clearance, it has improved aerodynamics and can accommodate up to five passengers.

During stationary, the cap of the vehicle opens upwards to expand the interior space, whilst transparent panels create an observatory for star gazing at night. Foldable beds, toilet and private rear access complete this camping concept by providing all the necessary comforts for outdoor adventures.

Via: Gizmag

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17 year school kid from Sikkim designs car based on Electromagnetic induction magnetism (EMIM)

A class XI, seventeen-year-old, Deepak Gupta, a science department student of Jawaharlal Navodya Vidhlaya at Rabong in South Sikkim has come up with eco-friendly vehicle design which works on the principle of electromagnetic induction magnetism (EMIM).

He said that the design has one system in the gear. "By pressing the buttons of the vehicle, one can increase or decrease the speed of the vehicle. With the help of the batteries, we start the dynamo which shall charge the electromagnetic induction motor which gives energy to the vehicle," he said to PTI.

With assistance from his physics teacher, Gupta is now preparing to show case his designs at the driving technology competitions to be held in Brazil, USA, China.

- PTI Inputs

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Jaguar C-X75 is said to equipped with 4 electric motors

British carmaker, Jaguar displays its electrifying C-X75 electric hybrid concept at 2010 LA Auto Show. Said to be powered by four electric individual motors zaps the car from 0-to-60 in less than 4 secs, Has a Top speed of more than 200 miles per hour with no emissions under electric mode.

Each electric motor has 195-horsepower, so (4*195) 780 total electric horsepower for the electric beast.

This concept has a range of 68 miles with the help of 20 kWh battery pack .

Designers said to had used two lightweight micro-gas-turbines. The turbines are used either to extend driving range when the batteries are depleted, or for high-speed driving, giving extra boost.

Src: [Plugincars]

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Volvo's Air Motion concept car, powered by compressed air.

Wouldn't it be awesome if our personal transport powered by the thing which is abundant in nature and pollution free and eco-friendly ? Yeah i am talking about the AIR.

At LA Auto show, Volvo had come up with concept design car which is purely powered by compressed air.

The Air Motion Concept is powered by compressed air, and compressed air only. It�s held within a tank, and accessed when the vehicle needs power.

Since it is powered by compressed air the self weight car should be as minimum as possible. Therefore the frame is constructed from carbon fiber, weigh just 1,000 pounds. Under the hood, instead of engine designers implemented a pneumatic motor.

When asked at the LA Auto Show how you would refuel the vehicle that runs on air, Volvo said that they believe there will be wind-powered stations ready to fill up your Air Motion Concept when the time comes.

Photo: Volvo

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Phil Pauley's Halo Interceptor concept fulfill James Bond transportation needs lol[Video]

This high tech concept of James bond type of car could change, or it will be more appropriate to say integrate into a speedboat, helicopter or jet whenever the respective mode of transport is required. This concept model is named as The Halo Interceptor

Designed by British designer Phil Pauley .The concept based around a sports car with attachments that make it float like a boat and fly like a helicopter or jet.

Pauley lays emphasis on the fact that the Halo Interceptor should not be seen as a flying car but a plane, helicopter, boat and car in one.

This concept vehicle is powered by hybrid power unit and a supercomputer in the cockpit, the Halo Interceptor has a top speed of over 500 km/h and accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in just 2.3 seconds.

Fitted with the jet attachment Halo 120 degrees, it allows a maximum speed of Mach 2 at a height of up to 20,000 metres.

The Halo 46 degrees offers helicopter flight version for hasty businessmen. The maximum speed is 185 knots. The Halo 22 degrees speedboat attachment features a racing hull providing up to 63 knots and a range of 1,200 nautical miles.

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Kia Pop concept electric car get showcased at Paris Motor Show

Korean Automakers has showcased their all-electric Kia Pop concept car at the Paris Motor Show.

This futuristic looking car named Pop is a three-meter long three seater featuring a number of futuristic design and new concept like rear-view cameras in each door, a full length glass roof, and transparent OLED panel that displays all your instrument only when the car is running.

A second touch panel to the right of the steering wheel controls the vehicle's other functions including audio, sat-nav, and climate.


Kia's Pop is powered by a 60-ps, 190-Nm motor lithium polymer gel batteries capable of charging in just six hours. It is said to be having a top speed of 87mph (140kph) and 100-mile (160-km) range.

Kia's PRESS RELEASE:

Electric Kia POP concept debuts at Paris Show

Seoul September 30, 2010 -- Kia Motors celebrated the world premiere of its all-new, eye-catching, compact and unique electric POP concept car at the 106th Mondial de l'Automobile today (Thursday) in Paris, France.

Spotlighting Kia's increasing focus on striking design and new technologies, the chrome-coloured, three-metre-long three-seater POP with its electric drivetrain, oblong-shaped side windows and front-hinged doors took centre stage on Kia's Paris Show stand.

Unconventional features of POP � the striking side-window design, the high-tech feel of the dot-pattern head and taillights, back-lit front grille, rear-view cameras in each door, full-length glass roof, and the simplistic look of the wheels � all point to inspiration from outside the usual automotive spheres, such as gliders and high-speed bicycles.

Inside, the purple colour scheme creates a calm and peaceful environment within the space-ship like cabin. Facing the driver, a small piece of plexi-glass in front of the steering wheel shows a Transparent Organic LED (TOLED) display for speed, battery charge, and the other main readouts, when the car is running. At other times it is totally transparent.

To the right of the steering wheel, a sculpted, chrome-look panel features only one button, with every other function (audio, sat-nav, climate control, etc) controlled via an animated touch screen.

The front seat is a sculpted bench, with interesting, flowing lines, while the rear seat is positioned at an offset angle, resulting in remarkable legroom for a 1,740 mm wide car with a wheelbase of just 2,055 mm. Designed to accommodate a single passenger, this seat is a two-part affair, with a base that flips up when not in use and a backrest and a headrestraint integrated into the headlining.

POP is also in fact a fully-electric, zero-emissions car with a 60 ps, 190 Nm motor. It's powered by highly efficient, compact lithium polymer gel batteries and is fully rechargeable in just six hours. Top speed is 140 kph, with a maximum range of 160 km on a single charge.

The POP concept was designed by Kia's European design team under the direction of Peter Schreyer, Kia's Chief Design Officer, and Gregory Guillaume, Kia Europe's Chief Designer.

"A concept car like the POP could only have come from Kia," explains Guillaume. "Designers very rarely have the opportunity to start from a clean sheet of paper and it's great to be in a position to operate with such freedom."

New European versions for Sportage and Optima

In addition to POP, Kia is hosting the European debuts of the all-new Kia Optima sedan and new versions of the Kia Sportage at the Paris Show � production models which reinforce the company's commitment to developing its design language � and putting this into practice with real-world models.

Embodying what Peter Schreyer calls "a bold, athletic and visual sporting energy", the Kia Optima sedans on display feature Europe-specific high-tech powertrains and introduce Kia's new 'U2' 1.7-litre VGT diesel engine (136 ps*) and the all-new technically-advanced 'Nu' 2.0-litre CVVL (continuously variable valve lift) gasoline engine (170 ps*).

Building on the immensely positive response of media and public to the new Kia Sportage, the model line-up is being expanded to offer two smaller capacity engines with fuel-stretching technology and exclusively matched to 2WD drivetrains and six-speed manual transmissions. For Sportage, Kia's new 1.7-litre 'U2' diesel engine is tuned to generate 115 ps, while the 1.6-litre 'Gamma' gasoline engine delivers 135 ps.

Both new engines will offer emissions and running costs that are among the very best in class.

Demonstrating Kia's ongoing commitment to minimising its vehicles' impact on the environment, the manufacturer's Paris stand also features three environmentally-focused vehicles in a special 'green zone'. The Kia cee'd and Venga low emissions future production models, and an innovative mild-hybrid Kia Sportage concept � have an average CO2 figure of just 108 g/km.
News Source: Kia Motors Corporation
Web Site: http://www.kia.co.kr

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Virginia-based company bags $ 5 Million Automotive X Prize.

As a result of encouragement of developing high efficient cars, Automotive X competition was held.

Virginia-based company has developed a ultralight, gas-powered car . It was made of lightweight materials with good Aerodynamically design to reduce the opposing force from the wind and its very low production cost.

The contest was held to develop highly efficient, production-ready vehicles.

Lynchburg, Va.-based Edison2 won $5 million for its "Very Light Car No. 98."

The car can get 102 miles per gallon. It seats four and is built on a steel frame of mostly aluminum parts.


Edison2 founder Oliver Kuttner says some of the prize money will go into development of the next generation light car.

All of the winners are now eligible for a U.S. Department of Energy program that will help ready the vehicles for introduction to the U.S. market.

- AP inputs

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Terrafugia Productionable flying car to start production by end of year

Terrafugia, the Massachusetts-based flying car company, which made headlines for its flying car concept has announced that it is one step closer to putting a road-and-air-going flying car in your driveway.

A suitable production facility has been located in Woburn, MA, near to the company's headquarters.

A article posted on USAToday.com states that production could begin within three months, and that Terrafugia plans to hire 50 skilled workers over a period of three years. Extensive testing will begin on two prototypes � one will focus on flight behavior while the other will stick to the ground. If that's the case, three months seems pretty optimistic.

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Evatran powers brings the concept of wireless recharging of cars.

The future of wireless recharging of cars soon to be real. The concept of  Evatran  "hands free" electric-vehicle charging station from Evatran powers nearby vehicles wirelessly, eliminating the need to recharge your cars manually.

The Plugless Power charging station, introduced this week at the Plug-In 2010 conference in San Jose, Calif., uses electromagnetic induction to deliver power to an electric vehicle's battery within its proximity. The station consists of a model-specific vehicle adapter that's mounted onto the car and a charging station with a floor-mounted magnetic charging block close to where the driver parks.

The wireless charging station is about 10 percent less efficient than charging stations that deliver power the old fashioned way with cords, Evatran says, but it charges in the same amount of time. To compensate for the increased energy loss during transfer, the Plugless Power uses slightly more energy.

But it is said to be cost effective. Evatran recently began customer trials near its headquarters in Wytheville, Va., and one participant who drives a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (an electric vehicle that doesn't travel at speeds higher than 25 or 35 mph) rang up a $1.43 bill to charge a Zenn.

Evatran plans to begin producing the Plugless Power by early 2011.

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New design unveiled for Terrafugia flying car

Terrafugia, a developer of flying cars, released a scale model and computer-generated mockups of its redesigned "Transition" vehicle on Monday that the company says bring it a step closer, engineering-wise, to a deliverable product late next year.

The design tweaks, Terrafugia explained, were based on the results of a successful test flight last year at Plattsburgh International Airport in New York. Some of the improvements include a touch-screen cockpit interface and better-optimized wings with a new folding mechanism that helps them retract for road driving. It'll still run on gas station fuel and be able to be driven at highway speed and hit 115 miles per hour in the air.

Founded by MIT-bred engineers in 2006, the company also got a big boost earlier this year when the Federal Aviation Administration granted Terrafugia, which means "escape from land" in Latin, a weight exemption that allows it to be 110 pounds heavier than the normal maximum for light sport aircraft, meaning that it'll be able to have road essentials installed on board like airbags and a structural cage.

These automotive-style crash safety features have been worked into the new design, which is currently being developed in full at Terrafugia's Woburn, Mass. headquarters. It's expected to cost slightly south of $200,000, but questions remain about the viability of a flying car on the roads and in the skies. For one, there are plenty of certification and safety hurdles that it'll have to surmount first.

""We're not going to have a flying car, as people think of it, for a while," Terrafugia Chief Operating Officer Anna Dietrich said in a Computerworld interview last year. "I would never say it's not going to happen, but today, the infrastructure is not there, nor is the training, nor are the avionics that would make the training unnecessary. What makes sense right now is a 'roadable' aircraft."

The Department of Defense's Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) division has expressed desire for the existence of a flying car, but Terrafugia's Transition doesn't make the cut--it requires a runway to take off, something that the Pentagon has ruled out.

Src: cnet

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Lotus to come out with new supercar in Paris Auto Show.

Lotus has officially confirmed that it will show a concept for an upmarket supercar at the Paris motor show in September.



Lotus has been working for at least three years on various iterations of an Esprit replacement.

Lotus spokesmen are hazy about future product, but agree that the new concept is an accurate guide to their future intentions for production models.


In the latest company statements, its new show car will be �perhaps even more� than a replacement for the mid-engined Esprit supercar � which it pointedly reminds us was first unveiled as a Giugiaro-designed concept at the Paris show exactly 35 years ago.

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Lincoln Concept Models Navicross Aviator,MKS,Mark X, Mk 9 are under Hammer.

Ford Motor Company will be auctioning the five lincoln concept model at RM's Sports & Classics of Monterey auction on August 12th. The raised money through the sale will benefit the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and The Children's Center, an organization that is based in Michigan, USA.

The five Lincoln concept models up for sale are the 2001 MK9 coupe; 2004 Aviator SUV; 2005 MKS sedan; 2003 Navicross coupe crossover and last but not least, the Mark X which was a hardtop-convertible proposal for Lincoln's version of the Ford Thunderbird.

2004 Lincoln Mark X Concept

280 bhp, 3.9-liter DOHC V8 engine, five-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel independent coil spring suspension, and four-wheel power anti-lock disc brakes. Wheelbase: 108.8"

- Thunderbird spirit with Lincoln luxury
- Sumptuous cockpit
- Innovative easy-entry doors

2001 Lincoln MK9 Concept

DOHC V8 engine, automatic transmission, four-wheel independent coil spring suspension, and four-wheel power anti-lock disc brakes. Wheelbase: 121.9"

- Timeless elegance born of inherent simplicity
- Striking ergonomic interior
- Heritage styling cues with future concepts

2004 Lincoln Aviator Concept

302 bhp, 4.6 liter DOHC V8 engine, six-speed automatic overdrive transmission, coil spring independent front suspension, multi-link independent rear suspension and four-wheel hydraulic power anti-lock disc brakes. Wheelbase: 113.7"

- First Lincoln crossover sport utility vehicle - Twin-cam V8 engine - Urban sophistication at its best

2005 Lincoln MKS Concept

315 bhp 4.4-liter DOHC V8 engine, six-speed sequential automatic transmission and all-wheel drive, four-wheel independent air-ride suspension, and four-wheel power anti-lock disc brakes. Wheelbase: 114.4"

- Precursor to 2009 MKS flagship sedan - 315 bhp DOHC V8 power - Heated and cooled seats - Advanced navigation system

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Flying SUV. Coming Soon.

(Credit: AVX Aircraft)

AVX Aircraft Company of Texas, in response to the same DARPA research project that has spawned the Marines' flying machine, has developed a design for a flying SUV. Called the Transformer, it is said to have the capability to drive on roads at a mere 80 mph, on rough terrain at 30 mph, and fly at around 140 mph.

It is also designed to go 250 miles on just one tank of fuel. And it takes just 60 seconds to convert it from SUV to flying SUV.

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Car cheaper then Nano designed by India's Ajmer Students is just worth $1555.

Inspired by the World's Cheapest Car, Engineering students from Ajmer had been working overtime i.r., eight hours a day to create a dream car for the middle class families. It runs on diesel and costs just 70 thousand rupees.

"When Tata launched its Nano car, we started thinking about all the areas where costs can be cut. Our basic idea was to locate all factors through which costs can be reduced and our car can be within the reach of the middle class," said Chaturbhuj Sharma, Engineering student, Bhagwant University.

Another student Samir Singh says, "We had to change a lot of designs and specifications to increase the fuel economy of the car. And through the efforts of our dedicated team, this car will run 35 kilometers per litre."

Many designs were made and considered for the best out put. Some of the Fabricating was done by the students themselves, the students have fitted a Lambretta engine and a Fiat suspension system in their Nano version.

While it's currently a two-seater car that can run over 50 kilometers an hour, teachers monitoring this project have grand plans to improve it.

"We will make this into a double cylinder car and make it more fuel efficient. And after improving its aero-dynamic balance, we will develop it into a four-seater car without increasing its cost," said Prof OP Arora, Head of Mechanical Engineering Department.

College authorities now plan to get a patent for this students design and they are keen to tie up with a major automobile company to launch their Nano version in the market at the earliest.

Note: Here Rs.45=$1 is considered.
- NDTV Inputs

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Connected Car of the future shown by Intel Researchers.

Now all the activities done by your car will be recorded.Intel researchers are developing a "black box" similar to those used for aviation to record vehicle telemetry and other data.

This is a futuristic concept which will police a lot in investigating accidents or help insurance companies determine fault. It could also be connected to the vehicle diagnostics and control center to help determine if the car a working improperly or if driver error is responsible a vehicle malfunction .

The National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration is requiring automakers to equip all new vehicles with ERDs that record data before, during, and after a crash by 2013.

The vehicle's black box will also be able to send distress signals using a WiMax data connection if it detects impact, and other onboard cameras and sensors will be used in accident avoidance technology, similar to what Audi is researching. The box's WiMax connectivity opens the door to apps that let owners operate and secure vehicles remotely, and it may help to efficiently charge electric vehicles.

Src: [car-tech-blog]

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Wacky cars:part 2

Nissan Pivo2
Nissan introduced the first PIVO concept two years ago here in Tokyo, and perhaps what�s most surprising is that they decided to build a second one. The PIVO2 looks like it�d be a perfect mascot car for a baseball team, with its spherical passenger compartment sitting on a 4-wheeled platform. The wheels can be turned in any direction and the passenger compartment itself can spin 360 degrees. Each wheel is fitted with an electric motor with power coming from advanced lithium-ion batteries. Not only is PIVO2 friendly to the environment, it also takes care of its driver. A �Robotic Agent� is fitted into the dashboard that recognizes the facial images of the driver, providing not only useful information for vehicle operation, but also �speaks to you to cheer you up or to soothe you accordingly.� Don�t look for this car driving down public roads anytime soon, but its quite popular here in Japan.


Mazda Taiki

Look closely enough and Mazda�s Takai just about bridges the gap between fantasy and reality, and that alone puts it pretty close to the top of our concepts list. The latest in the evolutionary scale of Mazda concepts got started with the Nagare in Los Angeles and follows the theme of �flow� (which is what the Japanese word Nagare means). Takai looks like the kind of car that a superhero comic illustrator might draw in a 25th century cityscape � yet at the same time it looks as though it just might work. It�s all about line rather than technology, although there�s bound to be some of that under the swoopy skin, too. It unequivocally gets our vote because any car that takes inspiration from the flow of a celestial maiden�s robes and whose design process included leaving resin-impregnated strips of gauze literally to take on the shape of the wind deserves to be appreciated. Yes, it has an astonishing Cd of only 0.25, and zero aerodynamic lift all round, but in the end it just looks stunning



Suzuki PIXY

Stretching the definition of �car,� this highly maneuverable one-seater �personal mobility pod� is a vision of sustainable individual mobility for future cities and towns. It can be used by people who don�t drive cars for short, low-speed journeys. But for faster and longer commutes, two PIXYs can �pair� with � that is, drive into � the SSC (Suzuki Sharing Coach). That brings new meaning to the term �car sharing.� Powered by solar power and zero-emission hydrogen, PIXYs can even be used inside buildings and are designed to be �friendly to non-drivers and car users�not only a tool but a partner�



Nissan NV200

Designed as a work van of the future, the NV200 doesn�t look all that unusual in it�s standard configuration until you notice the �Attention: Pod Opens� stencil on the side panel. The pod in question is a large storage unit that slides out of the rear of the NV200, and is designed to be configured to whatever commercial or personal need necessary. Once the Pod has been extended, it provides easy access to tools, equipment, or whatever else the owner would like. The NV200 example on display featured all the gear one might need for underwater exploration and photography. The NV200 is rather advanced, but there are parts of this idea that we could see making it to production eventually.


Honda PUYO

Staying with the environmentally friendly theme that flows through this show, the PUYO concept is a small, four-passenger zero-emission electric car powered by Honda�s proven fuel-cell system. The fuel-cell stack fits into the floor, allowing for a roomy interior. But while the fuel-cell technology is quite advanced, that aspect was the most mainstream part of the PUYO. What makes this car unlike anything else we�ve seen is that it is designed to be a �seamless soft box.� And it is soft � the outer surface of the PUYO is made from silicon gel, which is not only more protective of any pedestrians that may get in the PUYO�s way, but it is meant to be touched, providing a �warm, friendly impression.� The PUYO�s skin is also luminescent, so lights can be hidden from sight until turned on. The interior features a similar material, allowing dashboard instruments to stay hidden until needed.



Suzuki BiPlane

This modern take on a �70s drag bike aims to capture the sensation shared by airplanes and bikes. The aerodynamic concept is inspired by the elevating feel riders get when accelerating through a long straightway � like an aircraft taking off. Biplane is powered by a 1,000cc, liquid cooled, 4-stroke DOHC, V-four engine, and it will certainly turn heads.


Suzuki X-Head

This cross-utility vehicle from Suzuki is a car to satisfy all of your Tonka toy fantasies. It is functional, fun and dependable, says Suzuki. Its greatest attribute is its ability to transform into many guises. By changing the load bed, X-head can become a camper for two adults, stylish urban mobility in Fashion guise or able to respond to emergencies in extreme environments when in Rescue mode


Mitsubishi i-MIEV Sport

This baby electric car concept from Mitsubishi is designed to show that a zero-emission car can look great and have a sporty feel. It has three electric motors, two of which are built into the wheels, and a convenient wireless charging system that uses microwaves. A limited number of (non-sporty) i-MIEV experimental cars are already on the road (even Mitsubishi�s company president uses one) and
Mitsubishi thinks the technology may be ready for series production as soon as 2010. The microwaves sound a bit ambitious, but otherwise we think it looks like a credible idea for a city car that�s practical, fun, environmentally friendly, and, perhaps, available in the not-too-distant future



Daihatsu Mud Master-C

The Mud Master-C is a small, tough transporter that is compact and lightweight but is designed with body-on-frame construction for durability and cargo capability. Outfitted as a mountain bike support vehicle, Mud Master-C was co-developed with Raita Suzuki, a leading professional cyclist. With large cargo doors on three sides, Mud Master-C offers excellent convenience and versatility for loading cargo or other uses. A hub reduction system driveshaft to the wheels and large off-road tires achieves exceptional ride height and approach angles. The interior features a simple instrument panel with a large LCD multi-display and the seats are water-repellent for rugged use.



Toyota i-Real

Chances are good that no one will see this cruising down the road anytime soon, but the i-REAL could shape what a personal mobility vehicle may be one day. This spaceship-like conveyance resembles a segway with a seat and looks like it would fit perfectly in Xbox�s famed Halo series. The i-Real rides on two wheels at the front and one in the rear. A perimeter monitoring system detects when a collision is imminent and warns the driver by noise and vibration. Love it or hate it, the i-REAL provides a glimpse at a possible future for personal transportation.

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