Peugeot Sport Cars Epine Concept Cars Inspired by Formula One and Motorcycles

Peugeot Sport Cars Epine Concept Cars derived from a project to create a hybrid eco-friendly vehicle. The Peugeot Epine Concept design study was developed to have a sportscar-like performance while creating a new way to get in touch with nature. Inspired by Formula One cars and motorcycles, Epine features a whale skeleton, as a tribute to Mother Nature.

Peugeot Sport Cars Epine Concept Cars Inspired by Formula One and Motorcycles

The concept car was created by Daniel Schumpert. Peugeot Epine was basically a project that was supposed to turn into an environmentally friendly hybrid vehicle, but eventually it turned into a “consumer’s racing car”.

This Peugeot Sport Cars Epine Concept Cars Inspired by Formula One and Motorcycles ride relies on the Epine system, with an innovative seating arrangement and the drive-by-wire technology, as far as steering is concerned. The energy source of the vehicle is placed at the back, while the storage area is at the front of the car. The major technical feature of this car is the Epine system that allows a complete seating arrangement by adopting the drive-by-wire technology to run the steering system.

The rear-engined sportscar is minimalistic with an exposed frame, Peugeot Sport Cars Epine Hybrid Concept Cars uses the Michelin Tweel concept airless wheels, with a positive impact on the suspension system.

Peugeot Sport Cars Epine Concept Cars Inspired by Formula One and Motorcycles

Turns out that the wheel spokes are able to compress and decompress, thanks to the materials they’re made out of, allowing a wide variety of car motions. This futuristic Peugeot measures 4,260 mm (length), 1,882mm (width) and 1153mm (height).

Fisker Karma (2010) Plug-in Hybrid Sports Sedan

At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, Fisker Automotive are set to reveal their advanced aluminium space frame which is to feature in the stunning Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid electric sports sedan. The Fisker Karma, the world’s first premium plug-in hybrid electric vehicle, will make its Chicago debut at the Chicago Auto Show February 12-21. With the Karma, American automaker Fisker Automotive (www.fiskerautomotive.com) proves that with eco-friendly cars you can enjoy beautiful, distinctive design and thrilling performance with a clear conscience.

Fisker Karma (2010) Plug-in Hybrid

2010 Fisker Karma Preview – 2008 Detroit Auto Show: Just this morning we attended a press conference held by a well-known Italian luxury car company, one that sells fewer than 10,000 cars annually and employs executives who tout the brand’s exclusivity. Maybe they haven’t heard about Fisker Automotive, and in particular, the 2010 Fisker Karma plug-in hybrid.

Despite a projected annual production run of approximately 15,000 units, the Karma comes much closer to the true definition of exclusive thanks the plug-in’s first-to-market status, relatively affordable $80,000 base price, lithium ion battery technology, full-electric range of 50 miles, and a gas/electric fuel economy rating of 100 mpg. That kind of exclusivity will be available from Fisker in late 2009.

The 403hp, four-door Karma plug-in hybrid can go zero to 60mph in six seconds and has a top speed of 125mph, but it can still achieve an annual average of more than 100mpg and drive tailpipe-emission free. Features include a sculpted body, 22-inch wheels, trunk space for two sets of golf clubs, a 10.2-inch haptic touchscreen control center, reclaimed wood trim and an available animal-free interior trim package.

"Our top priorities when we designed the Karma's aluminium space frame were that it have extremely high torsional rigidity and could be easily modified to accept Karma model variants," explained Henrik Fisker, CEO, Fisker Automotive. "We benchmarked some of the world's best cars to create an all-new space frame that will deliver an exhilarating experience behind the wheel." A super-structural tunnel running down the car's centerline acts as the Karma's backbone. The spaceframe is designed around the car's unique Q-DRIVE series-hybrid powertrain.

Behind the rear-drive Karma’s taut skin is a lightweight chassis that places the battery pack in the vehicle’s center to enhance driving dynamics and safety. Fisker says its plug-in hybrid sports sedan will hit 60 mph in 5.8 seconds and travel up to 50 miles on electric power alone; with a supplemental four-cylinder gasoline engine that powers a large generator, its range will extend to 620 miles while returning 100 mpg. When plugged into a 110-volt household outlet, the Karma fully recharges in eight hours, using a 220-volt outlet will get the job done in three hours, and a solar roof panel aids with trickle charging while the Karma is parked.

The Karma is a series Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powered by a lithium-ion battery and an efficient 2.0-liter range-extending gas engine. The engine only turns a generator, which sends electricity to two electric traction motors attached to the rear differential. The Karma has a 300-mile range with a full battery charge and a full tank of gas. The first 50 miles are electric-only and emission free.

The battery can be recharged in less than six hours using the same 220v household current that powers some major appliances. The Karma can also be charged using standard 110v power from any electrical outlet.

Fisker Automotive’s first car is the Fisker Karma, the world’s first production Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV). The four-door Karma will be followed by two variants and a second line of lower cost, high volume premium green automobiles by 2012.

Audi A0 QS Sports Car Concept

This small and dynamic sports car is created by Russian designer Alexander Tiganova, the Audi A0 QS concept is an eco-friendly sports car, equipped with a hybrid drivetrain, consisting of an electric motor and a hydrogen engine.

Audi A0 QS Concept

The Audi A0 QS is a stylish and innovative automobile concept with stunning aesthetics and great performance. Q stands for four-wheel drive, while S stands for sports. This small and dynamic sports car has been specially designed for athletes and rich people to enhance their active lifestyles.

Audi A0 QS Concept

The concept vehicle comes with electric motor and a hydrogen engine, due to which the car is entirely hybrid. Some of the most significant features of the car include a special rotation system of the wheels with an analogy of the three-wheeled trike, making the wheels able to bend without rotation along the vertical axis.

Audi A0 QS Concept

The “Q” in the concept car’s name stands for four-wheel drive and the “S” for support, according to the designer. This Audi concept car’s doors are made from a rubber fabric, that can turn transparent, depending on the driver’s needs. With a length of just 3.4 meters, this futuristic vehicle would have a great advantage when driving on busy urban roads, or when parking.

 Audi A0 QS Concept

2010 Audi A8 Hybrid Concept Car at The Geneva

At the Swiss international auto show Audi has introduced its new A8 Hybrid. According to the producers, though the vehicle is designed as a concept of the gasoline-electric hybrid version, it is scheduled to enter the mass production next year. Audi revealed today the details of the upcoming A8 Hybrid Concept, set to make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show.

2010 Audi A8 Hybrid Concept Car

Audi fits its largest sedan with a familiar 2.0-liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and then mates it to a 45-horsepower electric motor for a combined 245 system horsepower. A lithium-ion battery pack is stored in the rear. According to Audi, this efficient flagship will accelerate to 60 mph in about 7.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 146 mph. Best of all, the 5-passenger full-size luxury sedan earns the equivalent of nearly 38 mpg on the EPA cycle.

2010 Audi A8 Hybrid Concept Car

Power like a big V6, fuel economy like a modest four-cylinder unit - Audi presents the Audi A8 Hybrid Concept as a technology concept at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. Its two propulsion units - a 2.0 TFSI and an electric motor - develop a total output of 180 kW (245 hp) of system power and 480 Nm (354.03 lb-ft) of torque. This enables the Audi A8 Hybrid to accelerate in 7.6 seconds from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) and to achieve a top speed of 235 km/h (146.02 mph). Yet its average fuel consumption amounts to only 6.2 liters (37.94 US mpg) per 100 km - the CO2 equivalent is 144 grams per km (231.75 g/mile).

2010 Audi A8 Hybrid Concept Car

The combustion engine of the Audi A8 Hybrid Concept is the 2.0 TFSI - a high-tech powerplant. This four-cylinder unit, which has been named "Engine of the Year" five times in a row since 2005, is an example of Audi's downsizing philosophy. It combines direct fuel injection with turbocharging and the AVS Audi valvelift system, which regulates the valve lift in two stages. In combination with the adjustable intake camshaft, the Audi valvelift system improves cylinder charging and ensures spontaneous and powerful torque build-up. The 2.0 TFSI delivers 155 kW (211 hp) and 350 Nm (258.15 lb-ft); the torque value remains constant from 1,500 to 4,200 rpm.

2010 Audi A8 Hybrid Concept Car

A hydraulically operated wet clutch links the 2.0 TFSI with the electric motor. Its control requires the utmost precision, and a great deal of know-how has been expended to achieve its smooth, precise and swift operation. The synchronous motor, which is continually excited, also serves as a generator that develops 33 kW (45 hp) of power and 211 Nm (155.63 lb-ft) of torque.

2010 Audi A8 Hybrid Concept Car

The energy storage system of the Audi A8 Hybrid Concept is mounted in the rear section. This state-of-the-art lithium-ion battery is more compact and weighs less than other types but is substantially more powerful. It is protected by a high-strength housing, and a ventilation module ensures that it always operated within the ideal temperature range. Yet the Audi A8 hybrid Concept also provides ample luggage space of 400 liters (14.13 cubic feet). Several subsystems that operate on engine power in a conventional car have been modified right from the start for use in the Audi A8 Hybrid Concept. The compressor in the climate control system runs entirely on electric power.

2010 Audi A8 Hybrid Concept Car

The power electronics unit manages the interaction of the systems. Its pulse control inverter regulates the interplay of the battery and the electric motor. The DC-DC converter supplies power to users on the onboard network. The power electronics unit, which is connected to the battery and the electric motor by high-voltage cables, is located in the engine compartment. The smooth interaction of these components and their high level of integration attest to the specialized know-how Audi has accumulated. The technology architecture already provides a glimpse of a future production model - the Audi Q5 hybrid, which will be introduced later this year.

2010 Audi A8 Hybrid Concept Car

The engine compartment cover with its high-gloss finish and the glass cover of the battery in the trunk also provide visual links to hybrid technology. And the illuminated doorsteps bear the "hybrid" insignia as an elegant touch to underscore the electric aspect whenever the doors are opened - using LED technology to minimize energy consumption.

2010 Audi A8 Hybrid Concept Car

The passengers also see the prominent hybrid logo displayed on the dashboard. Some of the most significant features of the hybrid vehicle include 21-inch, two-color alloy wheels, a special paint job and the so-called “Powermeter”.

2010 Audi A8 Hybrid Concept Car

2010 Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid Sports Car Concept

This is the 2010 Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid, a new car that made its debut today at the Geneva Motor Show which aims to demonstrate how a hybrid car can have breathtaking performance from a highly efficient propulsion system. Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid is a full hybrid vehicle, which comes with twin electric motors.

2010 Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid

The new 414E Hybrid uses a high performance drivetrain system consisting of twin motors each delivering 204 hp (152 kW or 207 ps – this inspired the name 414E) and 400 Nm (295 lbft) of torque to each wheel via independent, single speed, reduction transmissions. With these numbers the car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds.

2010 Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid

The Evora 414E Hybrid is a concept car that is equipped with a 7-speed transmission and two drive settings, including Eco and Sport. The vehicle is mainly maid in a copper color, which is used not only in the exterior but also interior of the concept, including the instrument panel, seat covers and brake calipers.

2010 Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid

The new car can be charged via a typical household plug or the car’s onboard generator. An additional range is provided by the Lotus Range Extender engine, an optimised 1.2 litre, three-cylinder engine capable to deliver (48 ps/47 hp). The Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid has a total range of 480 km (300 miles) and can be driven as a fully-electric car for about 56 km or 35 miles.

2010 Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid

Also, the car features HALOsonic Internal and External Electronic Sound Synthesis technologies from Lotus and Harman International, which means that it will provide sound contouring within the cabin and improve pedestrian safety outside the vehicle. The car comes with a sports mode that can simulate a 7 speed, paddle shift transmission combining exceptional driver involvement for a hybrid sports car.

2010 Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid

Dr Robert Hentschel, Director of Lotus Engineering said: “Innovation has always been at the heart of Lotus and is needed now more than ever. The Evora 414E Hybrid is the perfect demonstration of Lotus Engineering’s core competencies: lightweight architectures, efficient performance, electrical and electronics integration and driving dynamics. 

2010 Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid

The technology demonstrator represents an encapsulation of the advanced technologies that Lotus Engineering continues to develop to overcome the current environmental challenges facing the automotive industry and showcases the future direction that the sector is taking and why Lotus Engineering is perfectly placed to lead the technological development in this area.” 

2010 Lotus Evora 414E Hybrid

2010 Hyundai i-Flow Concept Diesel-Electric Hybrid Powertrain

The Geneva Motor Show is quite generous in reveals this year, considering the trend of the automotive industry. Hyundai has just presented its new i-Flow Concept on the catwalk, continuing the company’s statement of developing a the “fluidic design”. As Hyundai continues to branch out into new segments, its European operation, which until recently has focused primarily on small cars, is debuting the Hyundai i-flow concept in Geneva. It's a vision of a coming Hyundai that's expected to do battle in Europe's larger D-segment.

2010 Hyundai i-Flow Concept Diesel-Electric Hybrid Powertrain

The i-flow is the latest concept to wear Hyundai's "fluidic sculpture" design language, and the large D-segment sedan wears it well. Hailing from Hyundai's European Design Headquarters in Russelsheim, Germany, the i-flow incorporates lightweight materials and solar cells from supplier BASF meant to reduce weight and increase energy efficiency.

2010 Hyundai i-Flow Concept Diesel-Electric Hybrid Powertrain

The i-flow is fitted with Hyundai's first-ever diesel hybrid drivetrain, in which a 1.7-liter diesel engine with dual-stage turbocharging is mated to Hyundai's Blue Drive hybrid system and a new six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. As we understand it, the i-flow is a parallel hybrid, allowing it to be powered by its lithium-polymer battery pack and electric motors, the diesel engine or a combination of both. Combined with a slippery 0.25 coefficient of drag, the i-flow will reportedly return 78.4 mpg and emit 0.30 grams of CO2 per mile.

2010 Hyundai i-Flow Concept Diesel-Electric Hybrid Powertrain

The new lines give an elegant avant-garde look, helping in the same time in reducing the CO2 emissions to 85g/km and improving its aerodynamics. In collaboration with chemical company BASF, Hyundai produced its first eco-friendly diesel hybrid powertrain, using high-technologies and next-generation materials. The new i-Flow combines perfectly the concept of a little-big car, as it shows a sporty looks but also provides quite enough space due to the use of a minimalistic design for the seats and center console.

2010 Hyundai i-Flow Concept Diesel-Electric Hybrid Powertrain

The high-tech engine presents the new 1.7-litre engine fitted with 2-stage turbocharging connected to a Lithium Ion-Polymer battery for a more efficient consumption, especially when driven i-flow’s six-speed, dual-clutch transmission. The i-Flow technology is a test bed for new energy harvesting ideas, ranging from flexible solar panel roofing to a thermo-electric generator which uses exhaust heat to produce power. More news of Hyundai’s star cars will be published in advance of the show and will be available on the stand.  The company’s press conference will take place in Hall 1 at 14:15 (CET) on Tuesday 2nd March  (2010).

2011 Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept Next-Gen Porsche Supercar

The 2011 Porsche 918 hybrid concept is set to debut tomorrow at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. This is not your average hybrid like Toyota Prius or Honda Insight. With four other debuts planned for this year’s Geneva auto show, Porsche saved one surprise for just before the show opened. Behold the 918 Spyder concept, a radical Carrera GT–like supercar that employs Porsche’s latest take on enviro-firendly performance technology.

2011 Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept Next-Gen Porsche Supercar

"The strategic aim is to demonstrate that even a supercar can be environmentally friendly. Porsche 918 hybrid concept promises total driving pleasure—and a clear conscience. This is a trendsetting and sustainable premium product that uses the issue of social acceptability to its advantage. And it reflects the legacy of Ferry Porsche, who was convinced that sports cars would never go out of fashion.”

2011 Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept Next-Gen Porsche Supercar

“In a way, the 918 is two cars in one,” explains the soft-spoken design director. “Its character can change from mild to wild and vice versa—mild as in wafting along in eco mode, wild as in switching the drive program selector to sport or race. In mild, the car benefits from the relatively low weight and strong aerodynamic performance. In wild, it improves downforce and stability by extending the adjustable wing, and it raises the two ram-air intake scoops to further enhance thermodynamic efficiency. 

2011 Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept Next-Gen Porsche Supercar

Design-wise, it was our mission to visualize a brand-new, unique, and revolutionary vehicle concept. Big wheels were a must, the stance had to be positively ground-hugging, and an unmistakable front end was imperative, as was a pacesetting mix of classic curvatures and contemporary creases. There is no doubt that the Porsche 918 Spyder marks an important evolution of our design language, certain elements of which are bound to appear on future production models.

2011 Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept Next-Gen Porsche Supercar

Moving in the same direction as Ferrari with its 599 Hybrid concept, Porsche is laying its cards on the table with this dual-purpose supercar plug-in hybrid. Said to “combine high-tech racing features with electric mobility to offer a fascinating range of qualities,” the 918 Spyder concept borrows the mid-mounted 3.4-liter V-8 engine from the RS Spyder race car, singing a symphony of 500 hp up to a 9200-rpm redline. That covers the race portion of the equation, while electric motors found at both the front and rear axles that combine for an output of 218 hp handle the electric mobility. These motors, able to move the car on electric power alone, make the 918 a full hybrid, which Porsche claims has a range of 16 miles using the liquid-cooled lithium-ion battery found behind the passenger compartment. Porsche claims the concept is capable of hitting 62 mph in under 3.2 seconds, topping out at 198 mph, lapping the Nürburgring in 7 minutes and 30 seconds (faster than a Carrera GT), and achieving fuel economy of up to 78 mpg, but certainly not while laying down those figures.

2011 Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept Next-Gen Porsche Supercar

In parallel-hybrid rear-wheel-drive mode, the superclever Porsche can run on gasoline, on electricity, or on a combination thereof. The front wheels, though, are driven on demand by the so-called electric portal axle. A button on the steering wheel allows the driver to handle the 918’s multiple-personality disorder, selecting from E-Drive, Hybrid, Sport Hybrid, and Race Hybrid modes. E-Drive is exactly that, using the stored energy in the batteries that’s supplied through plugging the car in at home or captured from regenerative braking. Hybrid mode combines the two drive systems, allowing the driver to either conserve fuel or flog the car to their heart’s content. Sport Hybrid is a step to the performance side using both gas and electric systems with power biased to the rear wheels and torque vectoring for improved handling. Greenies need not apply to the Race Hybrid setting, which squeezes out every bit of oomph from all onboard systems and even features an “E-Boost” push-to-pass button that feeds additional electric power for overtaking. As if the 500-hp gas motor needed any help.

2011 Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept Next-Gen Porsche Supercar

If required, the mighty V-8 can even act as a supersize range extender -- by driving the rear electric motor, which in turn supplies the lithium-ion batteries. In E-mode and with the batteries fully charged, a feather-footed driver can achieve a zero-emissions range of up to fifteen miles. The plug-in charge time varies from two to seven hours, depending on the available voltage. The green-colored brake calipers advertise the energy-regeneration system, which feeds the battery pack behind the seats. The energy cells are also charged when the vehicle is coasting.

2011 Porsche 918 Spyder Hybrid Concept Next-Gen Porsche Supercar

The concept also uses advanced features like variable aerodynamics for increased efficiency and added downforce at high speeds, as well as a Range Manager that uses the navigation system to present the predicted range the car is able to roam in its various modes.