Do you remember back in August when we let you know that the Chevy Volt would supposedly get 230mpg? Well, it seems that the vehicle would only be getting 223mpg if it wasn’t for its sleek aerodynamic design, or so GM says.

What you see above is a video breakdown of the aerodynamics surrounding the Chevy Volt letting us know that through various redesigns GM managed to tact on another 7mpg to the car’s overall range. Anyways, watch the video and let us know what you think in the comments. Are you excited for the Chevy Volt? Would you have still bought it if it only got 223mpg? Do you even believe the car gets 230mpg? Let us know.

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It seems that Opel is reportedly gearing up to launch a three-door sport hatch version of an Astra that will look similar if not the same as the above sketch.

WorldCarFan reports that this sport hatch Astra will feature upgrade air-intakes along with LED headlights and upgraded wheels. Other than that, there were many details. However, Malcolm Ward, the car’s designer, was quoted to have said:

“It will be a very dramatic execution and very, very close to the sketch. Think about the current three-door then think about where the new car will go.”

Let’s hope that Opel releases an actual render of the car soon rather than a design sket

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Maybe this is not exactly the right time to dream about the future, especially with all the financial uncertainty, but then again where would we be without dreams?

The design in the picture here is a concept of a future Audi. The Audi Shark is missing four wheels. The car is not using the wheels anymore, as it hovers around. The design won Audi’s last design competition which must mean something. The designer, Kazim Doku won a 70% scholarship to the the Domus Academy but he’ll have to pay for the rest. We’ll be looking for more futuristic designs coming from Doku. I’d certainly go for a ride on that Audi hovercraft.

via Wired

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Mitsubishi has announced their intentions to close their Mistubishi Research and Design of America studio based in Cypress, California. As for background information, this studio was responsible for the designs of the latest Ecplise and Spyders.

The closure will effect 60 employees and servers as proof that Mistubishi is looking to decrease their American footprint.

Their footpring has not vanished however as they still hvae a design studio based in Ann Arbor, Michingan which is hard at work on their forthcoming iMiEV electric car.

Read (Autoblog)

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I thought old car parts will be used in old cars that still require them. It looks like car parts aren’t only good to replace the broken ones. But some old cars have used to create other objects. We have animals, bikes, other cars and birds. I wonder how much one of these babies actually costs if sold. Although not everyone will admit to it, I am sure a lot of people would like to get one of these pieces for their garage.

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BMW is intending to not only give us a glimpse of the future of cars but of car design . Their stated intent with the GINA concept vehicle is to change the approach to automotive design.

With its GINA (Geometry and Functions In “N” Adaptions) model, BMW set out to explore the creative freedom that might be offered with future cars while using a traditional front-mounted eight-cylinder engine and rear-drive platform. The surface of the concept features a new fabric material that BMW says is highly resistant to expansion, durable, and flexible. Underneath the covering material is a light aluminum subframe that is moveable via electric and hydraulic controls, allowing the surface itself to be reshaped according to the owner’s desire. The usual elements of production cars — doors, wheel arches, a trunk lid, engine hood, and roof — are not present in the conventional sense. Rather, the body consists of just four components: a front panel that leads to the edge of the windscreen, two side panels (one on each side of the car), and a rear deck panel.

BMW GINA Concept

BMW is particularly proud of the headlights on the GINA project. When the headlights are not active, they are hidden under the car’s skin. When turned on, the metal subframe moves the covering fabric skin laterally away from either side of the trademark kidney-shaped grille, exposing the double lights. Other sections of bodywork are moveable as well: the rear panel shifts to allow a spoiler to rise when traveling over a specified speed, while the rocker panels move to narrow or widen the side air intakes and extend an additional protruding rocker panel line. Even the aforementioned kidney grille is able to be widened, adding separate distinct body lines in the process.

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Here’s a concept car which isn’t coming at this year’s Paris Motor Show. It looks exceptional but then again is a concept car. It’s supposed to look inspiring. The only thing which is weirder for a car is the propeller at the back. Why would we need it? Going on water are we? Or will it power the battery?

This concept car in the pictures are entries in the 2008 Peugeot Design Contest. The theme was the “city of the future”. We don’t have the city of the future ready yet, but when it will be, I am sure similar designs will be available.

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