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

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

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

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]

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]

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

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.