Michael Graham Richard of Treehugger says that the i3 “looks like a cross between a BMW SUV, a VW Golf, and a Nissan crossover.” I’m not sure about the Golf part, but I definitely see some Rogue and X1 action going in here, except it’s clearly meant to be a compact coupe.

As far as the technology involved, there is a BMW electric motor generating up to 125 kW/170 hp and a peak torque of 250 Newton meters (184 lb-ft). The concept vehicle is rear-wheel drive and the lithium-ion battery is stored under the floor, both of which should help with handling. The estimated range is 160 kilometers (100 miles).

The interior is unique with a main touchscreen panel in the center console. They’ve used “a mixture of leather, wood, wool and other renewable raw materials here. No word on pricing and availability. For now this BMW vehicle is just a concept and it may not even ever make it to production, but at least it indicates that BMW is actively exploring and expanding on its electric car efforts.

[Source]

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Italian design house Stile Bertone is famous for some of the most beautiful cars in history and none of the company’s concepts are more famous than the 1970 Lancia Stratos HF Zero. The futuristic design of that prototype will always be alive in the hearts of many sports car fans around the world. And it appears like the company is planning to keep it that way. They have released teaser sketches of a new concept car which will be shown off at the Geneva Motor Show next month. It has been designed by Michael Robinson, the company’s Design Director.

Named Nuccio, after Giuseppe “Nuccio” Bertone, the son of the founder of the company, the new concept sports car will be part of the company’s centennial celebrations and appears to be possibly inspired by the wedge-shaped mid-engined rear-wheel drive supercar designs of the 1970s, the best example of which is the HF Zero (pictured above).

From the sketches, it looks more like a next generation Stratos HF Zero. Similar to the HF Zero, the new concept sits very low to the ground and has been colored orange. But it has been modernized and features LED single-bar headlights and taillights along with a more curved body.

We can see muscular haunches with massive wheels, and twin rear windows. We definitely won’t have to wait too long to learn much more about it such as what’s under the hood. But since they are modernizing it, a solar panel on the top will be a wonderful addition. What do you think?

After its debut at the Geneva Motor Show, the Nuccio will make its way to other exhibitions including the Beijing Motor Show in April, the Museum of Turin in May, Laguna Seca USA in August, and Florence in September.

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It’s called the Toyota GRMN Sports Concept II and, based on its AWD system, I think it could be part of that partnership that Toyota forged with Subaru. I’m not sure how the GRMN (German?) factors into that, though, since both companies are Japanese. They say it stands for “GAZOO Racing tuned by Master of Nurburgring.” The Master of Nurburgring is the late Hiromu Naruse, head of GAZOO Racing and a former test driver for Toyota.

That said, there’s no boxer engine under the hood (maybe it has nothing to do with Subaru after all). Instead, they’ve opted for a 245bhp 3.5L V6 located centrally. That is dedicated to the rear wheels, while the front wheels are driven entirely by an electric motor. And yes, it’s a roadster. And yes, it looks very hot.

Now we have to ask: is this just a concept car or is the second coming of the Toyota MR-2/MR-S? It can’t be the new Supra, since the Lexus LF-A is more their supercar schtick.

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There’s more to going green than cutting back on your fuel consumption. You also have to consider the sustainability of the manufacturing process and what you do with the product after it’s reached the end of its life cycle. And that’s where the Phoenix Concept Car comes into the picture.

No, it’s not really as sexy as the Tesla Roadster, but what’s interesting is that the Phoenix has a body that is made of bamboo and rattan, two of the most sustainable materials on Earth.

Made by Kenneth Cobonpue and Albrecht Birkner, the Phoenix looks more like a fancy broom than a usable vehicle. Of course, it’s not made entirely of bamboo and rattan. They’ve also used some steel and carbon fiber for durability, though I’m not sold on how well the natural elements will hold up in a collision.

The other missing component? The engine. There’s no motor in there right now, but I’d imagine that the green philosophy would extend there too. An electric motor might not be such a bad idea, since the heat from internal combustion could, well, combust the bamboo and rattan.

I’ll stick with rattan for furniture and laundry baskets, thanks.

[Read]

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Ever since Toyota decided to retire the Supra back in 2002, there’s been a hole in the hearts of motor enthusiasts all around the world. The Celica and MR-S just didn’t cut the mustard and even those aren’t around anymore. Well, Toyota is finally starting to shake off its currently boring philosophy with the rise of FT-86 II Concept.

If you’re thinking that this story sounds familiar, there’s a reason. For quite some time, we’ve been hearing rumblings about a joint project between Toyota and Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru) to build a compact, rear-wheel drive sports car. The FT-86 II Concept is the latest iteration in this partnership and it really could see the return to a Supra-esque vehicle… or at least a RWD take on the Celica.

Forget about the LF-A for a moment, as that’s a whole other league of vehicle. With the FT-86 II Concept, you could almost say that they’re trying to harken back to the days of the AE-86 Trueno. It could be the return to fun, but the overall styling is almost a little too Tiburon-esque, don’t you think?

Toyota is staying pretty mum about the precise specs, but we do know the Subaru-sourced high-revving boxer engine will be in the front and it’ll be mated with a six-speed manual transmission. For the time being, there’s no AWD option courtesy of Fuji. In any case, I’m glad that Toyota is restoring its previous claim to fame in the compact sporty market. They’re expecting the new model (which will likely get a new name in the process) to launch in Europe in 2012.

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Personally, I’m not a fan of Saabs. The cars just seem to lack any personality with so many of them looking more like overpriced “Saab-arus” than having their own unique character. I guess they’re trying to turn things around with the PhoeniX concept. See what they did there with the capital X? How edgy!

Continuing with the edginess, Saab says that it is inspired by the company’s aviation roots, creating an “aeromotional” design for this concept car. The underpinning architecture will be same as the next-gen 9-3, but the PhoeniX is supposed to provide “liquid metal” forms and “a dramatic jet canopy-inspired glasshouse.”

The “aeromotional” design continues with a teardrop cabin, prominent ripples along the hood, a body-colored scentral wing, LED headlamps, butterfly doors, and roof-mounted winglets.

As is the popular thing to do these days, the PhoeniX also happens to be a hybrid. (Of course it is!) The 200hp 1.6L turbo engine drives the front wheels, while the back wheels are electrically driven. They’re expecting to get 56.5 miles to the gallon.

I’m not convinced, but at least this bird rising from the ashes doesn’t look like an overpriced Impreza.

[via Saab]

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One of the highlights includes “Svala,” a white dress that looks like a mix between a hospital gurney, a wheelbarrow and a Snuggie. The dress activates when you put it on and wheels you around the city. You can even charge the contraption as long as you store it vertically, exposing the solar panels. The dress will be on display in the centre of Barcelona until the end of the month.

Even better, there’s a “City Skiing” suit that lets you “ski” through the city’s pedestrian areas using nano-wheels. The ski-suit comes equipped with brake lights, turn signals and a GPS system. Because you can never look too ridiculous when strutting your stuff in Milan.

For all you Segway fans, the “Flymag” (or is it Flagway?) is worn like a cardigan and works like a Segway: the movement of your body makes it go faster or slower and left or right. The whole thing can be wrapped up and carried like a backpack.

All the wearable transporation is electric and solar-powered. I think I’ll stick with my rollerblades; they don’t require any energy at all. And I don’t have to wear a giant white dress to get them to work.

[IED via TreeHugger]

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Photo: Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp

In order for humans to survive, we inhale oxygen and expel carbon dioxide. On the flip side, the plants and trees in your neighborhood “inhale” carbon dioxide and “exhale” oxygen for us. Well, this newest concept car from GM and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation has more in common with trees than with us.

What you see here is their YeZ Concept, a vehicle that will photosynthesize, just like that big maple tree in your backyard. It’ll absorb carbon dioxide from the air around it and emit oxygen back into the atmosphere.

As if this whole “reverse pollution” business wasn’t green enough, the SAIC YeZ concept car has also been outfitted with solar panels on the roof, as well as with small wind turbines in the wheels. This will harness some energy to use for in-car electronic components.

I guess the Prius has some catching up to do… but it has plenty of time to do it. Don’t go rushing out to your closest General Motors dealership just yet, because the functionality behind the YeZ won’t be commercially viable for another twenty years!

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Ford START EcoBoost Concept - Photo: Ford

There’s more to creating an environmentally-friendly vehicle than just plopping in an electric motor or a hybrid powertrain of some kind. Ford agrees and that’s why the American carmaker is showing off its Ford START concept vehicle at the Beijing International Auto Show.

You see, the Ford START Concept isn’t a hybrid. It isn’t an electric. Instead, it makes use of a forthcoming 1.0L EcoBoost three-cylinder gas engine with a CO2 rating of under 100 g/km. It’s not zero emissions either, but that’s still very good considering it’s still a three-banger.

Rather than using “Earth damaging paints,” the body panels are constructed from deformable, pre-colored recyclable composites. The car itself is built with a hybrid combination of aluminum and high strength steel. This keeps the weight down without sacrificing safety, and will be far less susceptible to rust. “The concept of simplicity can be found all around us,” said a spokesperson from Ford. “Endearing designs in architecture, home furnishings, appliances, transportation, or even a good screenplay are often similar in one respect – simplicity.”

There’s something distinctly European about this design, don’t you think? As if they derived inspiration from Fiat or Citroen?

Ford START Concept Photo Gallery

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Next month at the Tokyo Motor Show, we’re expecting to see the official debut of near-production model of the Honda CR-Z hybrid hatchback. This nimble little number clearly evokes the sporty feel of the older hatchbacks, but it comes with Prius-fighting hybrid technology. Who said that you had to sacrifice style and performance in the name of hybrid-ness.

The pure concept of the sporty two-passenger CR-Z was unveiled way back in 2007, so it’s good to see that Honda almost has this car ready for showrooms. The 1.5L four-cylinder engine gets backed up with Integrated Motor Assist technology. Instead of the CVT as in the Insight, the CR-Z gets you to throw through the gears with a six-speed manual transmission.

Honda will still be showing the CR-Z hybrid hatchback as a “concept” at the Tokyo Motor Show, but that appears to be only in name. This is pretty much what we can expect from the production model when it hits production in Japan early next year. The US launch should follow shortly thereafter.

Source: Autoblog

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