When we look at a concept car these days, the first thing we like to think of is the future.  How things will look in ten, twenty, fifty years.  The hovercrafts and autodrives and magnetic impeller cars and such.

So today, we’re taking a look at the Chrysler Star Car, a concept car from the 1930s.  It was called a Star Car because of the shape of its engine.  The five cylinder engine had its cylinders arranged in a circle, thus giving them the look of a star.  It was one of only a handful of small cars Detroit ever designed, and since more people were interested in driving around in land barges of tremendous size, the Chrysler Star Car never went to production.

But still–even just taking a look at this strange car of yesteryear really makes you think about the direction we’re going today…and how far we’ve come since.

Continue reading...

Nissan has recently come forth to show off their all-electric EV-11 prototype that is based on the company’s Versa vehicle.

Pictured above is said vehicle and will apparantly feature a Nissan-designed 108HP electric motor that will be powered by a Automotive Energy Supply corp. designed 24 kWh battery making for a ~100-mile range.

On the inside the car will reportedly feature a navigation system that maps out how much farther the driver can travel on the current charge along with show you charging stations along your route. What’s more interesting is that Nissan will give consumers the ability to check up on the car’s charging status via a cellphone.

iPhone app anyone?

via Autoblog

Continue reading...

For the electric car owners of now and tomorrow, you don’t have to worry about running short on energy. Thanks to this potential concept by GreenlightAC, electric-vehicle charging stations may soon be spread over Washington D.C.

Called the ChargeBar, GreenlightAC is on the verge of closing a $500,000 investment to release a prototype of this latest modern day car charging station. As far as location is concerned, the company is eyeing local garages for office and residential buildings. Greenlight AC will handle all installation and maintenance of the said charging stations.

GreenlightAC hasn’t said exactly where the first ChargeBars will show up, but they’ll start to be installed in the Washington metro area in the third quarter of this year, with future installations potentially expanding to other parts of the Mid-Atlantic region. The company told the Washington Business Journal that it expects to sell 350 of its charging stations by the end of next year.

(Source) Earth2Tech

Continue reading...

Daimler has been hot on the coattails of Tesla for the battery requirements of its electric Smart. However, if these spotted pictures are reliable, then perhaps Daimler and Tesla have finally bound a prototype as a glimpse of things to come.

To further support the current phase of the vehicle, here is an actual video from Autoblog Green to make believers out of people relying solely on rumors.

(Source) Engadget

Continue reading...

Mitsubishi lifted the covers on another vehicle under their wing, the Outlander GTS Prototype. The Outlander GT Prototype is loaded with new technology, greater performance, higher fuel efficiency and an aggressive new design. The world debut occurred at the annual New York International Auto Show.

The Outlander GT Prototype features a revised exterior treatment, increased engine output, an advanced S-AWC system, 19-inch OZ Racing wheels, polished aluminum roof, Brembo brakes and the all-new FUSE Handsfree Media Gateway system. A revised interior and freshly added electronic options also help to raise the luxury and comfort levels of the Outlander GT Prototype.

(Source) Press

Continue reading...

A prototype of the Acura DZX debuted at the New York Auto Show, boasting of provocative luxury four door sports coupe which is scheduled to on sale in the fall of 2009. The segment bending ZDX features stunning coupe-like styling with the added benefit of a commanding presence and flexible utility.

The ZDX is designed to break new ground for Acura in the areas of provocative styling, contemporary luxury and meticulous refinement. With its sensuous curves, sharply raked roofline and bold fender flares, the ZDX blurs the distinction between coupe, sedan and sport utility vehicle.

In keeping with the coupe-inspired styling, the rear door handles are cleverly concealed in the C-pillar. The all-glass tailgate opens wide to reveal a highly functional cargo space with integrated under-floor storage. The prototype is finished off with stylish dual chrome exhaust outlets and 9-spoke machined wheels fitted with 20-inch Michelin tires.

“From the very first sketch of the ZDX, I wanted to create an emotional vehicle that challenged conventional thinking of what a sports coupe should be,” said Michelle Christensen, ZDX exterior designer. “My goal was to create a strikingly beautiful exterior, and use that attraction to help draw you into the rich interior.”

(Source) Press

Continue reading...

Mitsubisihi recently released word that they will be showcasing their all new Outlander Prototype next week at the New York auto show.

There’s no specifics but Kicking Tires speculates that the care will share the Ralliart sedan’s 237HP turbocharged 4 cylinder engine. Mitsubishi, on the other hand, assures us that it will be far more fuel efficient than the 3.0 litter 6 cylinder engine in the current Outlander model.

I guess we’re just going to have to wait until next week when this thing is official unveiled.

Continue reading...

The options for owning and buying an electric car just got a new player as Sigma Motorworks has announced the final stages of their electric sports car prototype, the Sigma GTE. The GTE brings up innovative features in its electric drive system. The car is powered by two Advance Motors DC motors connected directly (no gearbox) to the front and rear Ford differentials and providing peak 100 hp each, running at 144 volts.

The prototype was built around a Ford Mustang cockpit for enhanced safety and improved interior quality, providing comfortable seating for 4 people. The body was designed by Sigma and is made of reinforced fiberglass.

“This project is a test bed for a commercial high performance sports model we will bring to the market by early 2010, when we expect to sell 500 cars,” said Matias Gorfinkiel, head of operations.

Maximum speed is expected at 145 mph and the lithium-ion cell packs should provide up to 100 miles range. “This will be one of the fastest electric cars in the world,” said Steve Kase, head of development. “And it’s one of the few all-wheel electric cars around,” he adds.

(Source) Press

Continue reading...

One car that many people have overlooked from the previous Geneva Motor Show was the Opel Meriva Concept car. Among the highlights of this car was the much criticized design, particularly the suicide doors.

The latest prototype caught out has a fake set of door handles at the back of the rear door. However, there are shots of the sheetmetal from the inside, and you can plainly see the recessed hinge mounting areas at the rear of the panels.

General Motors calls the arrangement FlexDoors, and evidently unlike other such setups, the rear doors will be able to open independently of one another (most such setups require that the front door be opened first). GM says the design will make the new Meriva safer and more convenient.

(Source) Autoblog

Continue reading...

Colorado is the place to be come this April as the first prototype hybrid vehicle by Lightning Hybrids is set to be unveiled. Lightning Hybrids today announced that it will unveil the prototype of its hybrid vehicle that is being designed and manufactured in Loveland at the Denver Auto Show April 1 to 5, 2009. In addition the unique hybrid drivetrain will be displayed for the first time as well.

The staff at Lightning Hybrids is working night and day to finish the car, called the LH4, in time for the show. “We knew when we decided in January to be at the Denver Auto Show that some of the finishing touches on the car would not be completed, but we will definitely have a car there and are excited for the first public viewing of our vehicle and technologies,” said Dan Johnson, Lightning Hybrids CEO.

The car, a four-seat sports sedan, will average 100 miles to the gallon (biodiesel) and will be able to go 0 to 60 in under six seconds. It has a unique clamshell door that opens upward to allow for superior aerodynamics. In addition to an innovative hydraulic biodiesel hybrid drivetrain, the Lightning Hybrids car has other futuristic innovations like using cameras and screens in place of rearview external mirrors to reduce drag and increase safety. The car will also be available in a three-door four-seat car, and the drivetrain is available in a retrofit kit suitable for fleets as well.

(Source) PR USA

Continue reading...

While many are judging from the outer looks of cars, Nissan is busy building on the interiors of its car line. Branded as their aging suit, Nissan is aiming to build comfortable interiors made for the challenges and difficulties that aging drivers often have to face.

According to Nissan, technology such as this will help them design interiors that almost anyone can get into and know exactly where everything is and how to use it. It helps the engineering team answer questions such as “How do we understand which knob does what and how it’s supposed to work?” “Where do we expect to find it?” “How does the experience make people feel?”

Answering these questions will aid Nissan in creating interiors that offer everyone inside both comfort and complete functionality. From the information gathered, Nissan was able to put together the Prototype for their Best Usability Interior Stage-2 (BUI-2). Every interior component, right down to the steering wheel, was designed for maximum comfort and usability.

(Source) World Car Fans

Continue reading...

The H2G0 may be a hydrogen powered toy fuel cell car but as motorists, we should look at it as something more. In fact, it may be a great prototype to current car manufacturers who are designing their own versions of hydrogen run cars.

The H2go is a new remote control (RC) car powered by a fuel cell. Unlike other toy cars and trucks, the H2go requires no batteries, just water. The free-standing refueling station splits water by electrolysis into its two basic elements, oxygen and hydrogen. The hydrogen is captured for use as power for the car. To repower the car, the user connects the RC to the refueling station to pump the hydrogen into the car’s “fuel tank.” Refueling also separately charges the super-capacitor with fresh electrons.

Getting into details may be a lot of work. But if car manufacturers will it, they can really pick up a lot from this toy and produce the much awaited hydrogen fueled cars being eyed today.

(Source) Automobile

Continue reading...

Nissan Motors has reportedly prototyped a solid oxide fuel cell which will be mounted on an electric vehicle to help in the charging process of batteries for vehicles in the future.

SOFCs are highly efficient but have problems starting up. Therefore, they have been believed to be appropriate for cogeneration but not so much so for automobiles. And PEFCs (polymer electrolyte fuel cell) have been the leading candidates for automotive fuel cells.

Nissan prototyped a stack of five donut-shaped cells and confirmed a gross output of 54W using H2 as fuel. It translates to an output density of 0.37kW/L. The prototype was strong enough to endure the temperature change from room temperature to 600°C in 60 minutes and a heavy load operation at 1kW/L for 30 minutes.

(Source) Fuel Cell Works

Continue reading...

It was only a matter of time before we saw Blu Ray players made for cars. And with this announcement, it looks like Japan’s Mitsubishi Electric beat everyone to the gun. Mitsubishi Electric recently announced that it plans to bring its single-DIN automotive Blu-ray Disc player to the market. The player is just a third of the volume of the company’s home theater Blu-ray disc player.

No information as to whether Mitsubishi will sell the player as a standalone option or build it into its vehicles, and pricing information or more specific release information is likewise unknown.

(Source) Tech On

Continue reading...

Who said that we can’t get some energy out of the mechanics of our cars? We already have regenerative breaks so it’s time to move on. MIT students have developed a shock absorber prototype which will generate electricity and send it back to the car. The regenerative shock absorber is said to increase the vehicle’s fuel-efficiency by up to 10%. It uses a “hydraulic system that forces fluid through a turbine attached to a generator.” And the electronic system it would come with will let you control the shock absorbers to offer you a smoother ride. We’ll let you know when the prototype will be picked up by manufacturers and how much it will cost. For now it’s just a great idea waiting to be put to good use.

via MIT

Continue reading...