Renault Kangoo be bop Z.E. is derived from the production version of Renault Kangoo be bop and Z.E. Concept car which was unveiled at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, Renault Kangoo be bop ZE is equipped with low-energy LED front and rear lighting to optimize energy use. Meanwhile, the car’s aerodynamics have been significantly reworked to reduce energy consumption. Renault Kangoo be bop Z.E. sits on 18-inch full disc wheels, and its ground clearance has been lowered by 20mm compared with that of the production Renault Kangoo be bop.

Renault Kangoo be bop ZE is an all-electric zero emission vehicle. It is powered by a 60hp (44kw) electric motor which revs to 12,000rpm and boasts greater efficiency (90 per cent) than an internal combustion engine.

Renault Kangoo be bop Z.E. is charged via a Marechal-type socket located behind a flap at the front of the vehicle alongside the right-hand headlamp. The other end of the cable is fitted with a normal plug which connects to the mains supply.

Kia is also exhibiting two new ´green-performance´ concept cars at Geneva. Called ´eco_cee´d´ the concept cars are a development of the highly-acclaimed Kia pro_cee´d (first shown at the Frankfurt Show last year) and the hugely popular cee´d five-door hatchback.

With the eco_cee´d models, Kia aims to achieve even better fuel consumption, with fewer emissions – while still delivering a lively, spirited and entertaining drive. Kia Motors has already confirmed that many of the technologies featured on the eco_cee´d concept cars will be progressively transferred to the cee´d family of production models, manufactured from December 2008.

“The rapid transfer of green-performance eco_cee´d concept features into production versions of the cee´d, demonstrates Kia´s vision for the way ahead,” enthuses Mr Paul Willis, COO Kia Motors Europe. “Our new ´eco´ features also confirm Kia´s commitment to creating environmentally friendly production models – without losing sight of customer expectations for fun-to-drive cars.”

The impressive performance, fuel economy and emissions figures of the eco_cee´d cars result from numerous small but significant modifications. Fuel consumption is improved (just 3.9 litres/100km) and C02 emissions reduced – to just 104 g/km (down 17%) for pro_cee´d and 106 g/km (cee´d five-door).

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. continues to envision new possibilities realized by EVs. Nissan New Mobility Concept is a sustainable, efficient and convenient mode of transportation focusing on the increase of elderly and single households. It is a concept car for Sustainable Zero-emission Society.

Four keywords outline the NISSAN New Mobility CONCEPT:
Innovative – New two-seater compact mobility for various needs and occasions
Easy – Size which enables anyone to drive and park easily
Safe – Maneuverability equivalent to motorbikes with greater safety
Clean – No emissions while driving

NISSAN New Mobility Concept is a user-friendly, ultra-compact 100% electric vehicle with no emissions which is expected to be utilized in various situations in everyday life.

Nissan will study the use of this vehicle for a variety of services, such as:
• ’seamless mobility service’, a highly efficient and convenient public transportation service linking public transportation and EVs supported by IT,
• ‘2-mode EV car sharing’, where the vehicle is used as a private commuter vehicle in the mornings and evenings, and as a corporate car during business hours, and, contributing to the revitalization of communities with improved mobility in both urban and tourist locations.

The key to affecting the development of tomorrow’s mobility lies in our readiness to challenge what is established and in the ability to present new options. In order to meet these objectives, BMW Group Design taps into the potential of the GINA principle (Geometry and Functions In “N” Adaptions) which promotes innovative thinking by allowing maximum freedom of crea-tivity. GINA produces dramatically different solutions that affect the design and functionality of future cars. The GINA Light Visionary Model is an optical expression of selective, future-oriented concepts which provide an example of the manner and extent of this transformation.

BMW Group Design is not just interested in answering the question of how the car of the future will look but primarily wishes to explore the creative freedom it has to offer. Both of these aspects are affected by the requirements that future cars are expected to meet. All ideas that the GINA Light Visionary Model presents are therefore derived from the needs and demands of customers concerning the aesthetic and functional characteristics of their car and their desire to express individuality and lifestyle. The GINA Light Visionary Model has an almost seamless outer skin, a flexible textile cover that stretches across a moveable substructure. Individual functions are only revealed if and when they are needed.

With this model, BMW Group Design initiates a fundamental discourse about the characteristics that will affect the development of cars in future. It is therefore fundamentally different from concept cars, which reflect what is expected of them by implementing as many elements as possible in a future production model. In contrast, the GINA Light Visionary Model is a vision of future cars and serves as an object of research.

The seamless car body of the GINA Light Visionary Model.
Putting its visions of tomorrow’s car into practice, BMW Group Design has developed a two-seater roadster with the unique dynamic proportions that are typical of its brand. The GINA Light Visionary Model takes the sculptural design that has already been established by a number of production cars to a new, unparalleled conclusion. The car’s front and sides, including the doors, create one single uninterrupted, seamless whole that converges to form an optical as well as a structural unit.

In order to create this appearance, it was necessary to move beyond all previous conceptions of car body configuration, design and materials. Therefore, the GINA Light Visionary Model has dispensed with the usual body elements found on production vehicles such as front apron, bonnet, side panels, doors, wheel arches, roof, trunk lid and rear deck. Instead, a new structure with a minimum amount of components has taken their place. A special, highly durable and extremely expansion-resistant fabric material stretches across a metal structure.

This new material offers designers a significantly higher level of freedom of design and functionality.
The body consists of only four elements. The largest component extends from the front of the vehicle to the edge of the windscreen and down the sides to the rear edge of the doors. The large side panels start at the front where the rocker panels emerge and run across the rear wheel arches into the rear. The fourth component is the central rear deck element.

An innovation breaks new ground: car with a flexible outer skin
The innovation of a flexible outer skin breaks new ground in automotive engineering. This revolutionary solution opens up new design, production and functionality potential. It has a major impact on the interaction between driver and car and enhances it by offering a variety of entirely new options. Some elements of the substructure are moveable. The driver can move them by means of electro and electro-hydraulic controls. This will also change the shape of the outer skin, which can thus be adapted to suit the current situation, the driver’s requirements and can also enhance the car’s functional range.

The most striking example of this is the headlight design. In normal position, when the headlights are not active, i.e. when there is no necessity to illuminate the road, they are hidden under the special fabric cover. As soon as the driver turns on the lights, the contour of the front end changes. Activated by the metal structure that lies beneath it, the previously closed fabric cover opens to the right and left of the BMW kidney grille and reveals the BMW double head-lights. The rear and the rocker panels of the GINA Visionary Model can also adapt both the shape and function to the driving situation in hand. Both can change the shape of their outer skin to meet the driver’s requirement for particularly dynamic motoring. This concept also takes into account a potential interaction with aerodynamic requirements. The design of the rear element allows for automatic lifting of the rear spoiler when a certain speed is reached, thus creating extra downforce on the rear axle at higher speeds. Due to the fact that the entire rear end, including the spoiler, is covered by a single sheet of material that reaches as far as the rear compartment of the interior, the homogeneous shape of the car’s rear will not be affected by changes to the spoiler position. The mechanical system that moves the elements remains concealed.

The turn indicators and the taillights function without changes to the shape of the outer skin. Their position, however, is only revealed upon activation. The emitted light shines through the translucent fabric cover, which is permeable to light but not transparent.

The rocker panels demonstrate the formal versatility of the GINA Light Visionary Model with an equally impressive performance. The air duct can be optimised if required. A corresponding movement of the metal structure results in an adjustment of the rocker panel contour to allow for better airflow. At the same time, an additional protruding rocker panel line emerges. The aerodynamic optimization and the length of the line can be infinitely adapted to the driving situation at hand.

Special fabric cover ensures accurate reproduction of material folds.
The fact that the body surface is designed by means of a flexible fabric cover that stretches across a metal substructure means that the materials used must meet exacting requirements. Industrially produced hybrid fabric made from a stabilizing mesh netting support and an outer layer that is both water-repellent and resistant to high and low temperatures is suitable for this application.

Another essential material property is a maximum level of dimensional stability.
It must remain dimensionally stable irrespective of the temperature and air humidity it is exposed to even after severe and constant expansion. The dimen-sional stability helps retain the cover’s surface tension for a long period of time. The movement of individual body elements creates accurately reproducible folds in the material. In its choice of material BMW Group Design was inspired by exterior and interior architecture. The expertise of seat pattern designers working for BMW Group Interior Design was successfully applied in order to cut the fabric webbing to size with maximum precision, determine the strategic position of attachment points and stretch the material. As a result, the surfaces are remarkably well balanced and due to the steady tension that is retained between any two clearly defined points, the lines are extremely accurate.

The special fabric is supported by a metal wire structure. At specific points, the high-strength metal is enhanced by carbon struts with a higher flexibility. They are used predominantly for round, moving contours with a particularly narrow radius.

The use of large fabric areas and the possibility of changing the surface contours by moving individual parts of the metal mesh that lies beneath it create a new relationship between form and function. If additional cooling air is required, the BMW kidney grille at the front of the vehicle can be opened. Because the overall surface of the special fabric covering remains unchanged, the contraction at the front of the vehicle, which is necessary for functional reasons, has to be compensated for by extra tension in other areas. The result is an optically attractive interaction between various body parts that introduces a new dimension to sculptural design. The widening of the kidney grille openings is activated by a movement of the metal mesh in the front area of the side panels. This creates more tension, which becomes visible by the emergence of an additional character line. The development of this new contour tenses the front of the vehicle: the kidney grille opens up.

Innovative body structure introduces new functional dimensions.
The high-precision fit of the material to the metal mesh also allows surface changes without slackening the tension. In this case, opening of the surface by moving the respective steel mesh struts creates precisely defined folds in the material. The GINA Light Visionary Model uses this option to display a function that corresponds to the opening of the hood in conventional vehicles. The material opens at the centre of the engine cover and can be folded to the far right and left along an opening line that is approximately 0.5 meters long, to allow the driver or mechanic access to the service points in the engine.

The filler caps of the engine oil, cooling and wiper water tanks are now open for servicing. Opening and closing is similar to the mechanism on a doctor’s traditional medical bag, where clip-lock fasteners are held together in the middle by a rail.

The effect of the accurate surface material draping is even more impressive when the doors are opened. They swing both outwards and upwards. The high number of attachment points for the fabric cover positioned at the front of the car as well as at rear door edges creates a clearly defined and perfectly reproducible bulk of material. The draping is confined to the area between the front door edge and the side panel. Once the doors are closed, the folds in material disappear completely, leaving a perfectly smooth, stretched material surface.

The interior: discourse between driver and vehicle.
In the interior, variability, form and function are united in an inseparable connection. Whenever selected functions are accessed, the driver also changes the appearance of individual car elements. Again, the car’s variability is adapted to suit the driver’s needs. This creates a close interaction between driver and car in various different situations.

When the car is parked, the steering wheel and the round instruments – rev counter, speedometer and fuel gauge, which are vertically arranged on the centre console, are in idle position. This provides the driver with maximum comfort upon entering the car. Likewise, the seat only assumes its optimised functional position and shape if and when the driver sits down on it.

At that point, the headrest, previously firmly integrated into the seat’s backrest, rises up automatically. At the same time, the steering wheel moves towards the driver and the instrument panel moves in the same direction. The information on the best driver-specific position of both steering column and seat is stored in the transducer. The engine is started simply by pushing the start/stop button.

The smooth transition of interior and exterior that is typical of BMW convertibles is reinterpreted by the GINA Light Visionary Model. The fabric that covers the rear deck runs into the interior and stretches across the driver and front passenger seats. The same material is also used for the surface design of the door trim and armrests. The shift lever in the centre console protrudes from tightly stretched textile bellows.

Driver and front seat passenger look out through a steeply inclined windscreen with the inside rear view mirror integrated into its frame. The side view mirrors are connected to the window frame. A narrow vertical dividing bar located at the center of the windscreen harks back to the typical windscreen division of traditional roadsters.

Innovative thinking put into practice: the GINA Light Visionary Model.
With the GINA Light Visionary Model, BMW Group Design focuses on a wide variety of issues that will determine the future conception of mobility.
It demonstrates the results of intense research into design, functionality, material and production. All ideas that have been put into practice in the GINA Light Visionary Model are derived from the same motivation: to challenge conventional and previously pursued solutions. The quest for alternative options has generated a wide variety of different requirements that potential solutions are expected to meet. The main focus is on providing general versatility and catering to customer requirements with sophisticated solutions. In accordance with the GINA principle, every functionality enhancement helps to create an emotional bond between the driver and their car. The new solutions also allow for the option of fast, flexible and cost-efficient production.

Every innovation demonstrated by the GINA Light Visionary Model also contributes to a clearly optimised resource management. As the quest for sustainability is one of the central issues of the GINA philosophy, new materials and manufacturing processes are expected to consume less resources and energy than previous solutions. Accordingly, the infrastructure used for manufacturing cars that are built in compliance with the GINA principle, has also changed. The manufacturing process requires fewer model-specific tools, and more highly-qualified skilled specialists. In all the areas referred to above, the GINA Light Visionary Model has provided inspiration for more intense research into ideas conceived as a result of maximum creative freedom.

Emotional appeal of roadster models and visionary prospect of future cars.
The solutions conceived as part of this philosophy are not considered sepa-rately, but have been pooled in an integrating vision – a vision that is expressed in the context of an outstanding, fascinating car. The basic features of a roadster with its eight-cylinder combustion engine below a stretched front that applies motive power to the rear wheels in order to move the car along the road defines this context. The synthesis of elementary visions and sheer driving pleasure expressed by the appearance of the GINA Light Visionary Model has a particularly striking emotional impact. Only the particular appearance of a fascinating car with its authentic design that creates a natural aesthetic look can bring to light the significance of the presented innovations.

The GINA Light Visionary Model builds a bridge between vision and reality by presenting a number of features with a striking similarity with those found on production vehicles. The Roadster rests on 20″ alloy wheels in a cross-spoke design with a matt silver finish. The car body is comprised of an exceptionally light aluminum space frame. Two double tailpipes for the rear exhaust system, a third brake light integrated into the height-adjustable rear spoiler, an air splitter at the front and a rear-end diffuser in a carbon design also meet the standards of a production vehicle.

Nevertheless, the GINA Light Visionary Model retains its character as an object of research. It demonstrates the innovative force of BMW Group Design and its ability to challenge what is established, to find new solutions and to interpret these in the context of the car of the future at a high aesthetic level. This car is the logical continuation of the GINA principle in action. The GINA principle has already led to a variety of innovative concepts and has production vehicles in ways that are completely new and unprecedented by any other car manufacturer.

BMW Group Design uses concept cars such as the BMW concept car CS1 of 2002 as a step on the way towards putting a particular vision into practice. The CS1 was the first to present features such as the basic principle of the innovative control system – the BMW iDrive. Independently from all other innovative features shown by this concept car, the iDrive has become a series production feature.

Similarly, the GINA principle gave rise to an innovative manufacturing method that allows the manufacturers to decorate outer skin components that have been preformed by conventional methods with indi-vidually configured, high-precision contour lines prior to their reintegration into the manufacturing process. The Rapid Manufacturing method utilized for this process was first used during the production of hoods for the BMW Z4 M Roadster and the BMW Z4 M Coupé. In these models, the finished hood has received two distinctive contour lines prior to painting. These are not produced by a pressing tool but embossed into the metal with pin-point precision by a robot-guided steel pin.

Both examples illustrate the challenging route from a vision to a concept and to final series production that is not always straight and direct. With the GINA Light Visionary Model, BMW Group Design shows where this route begins. Not all innovations shown by the GINA Light Visionary Model will pro-ceed to the next stages. In its entirety, however, the visionary look into the future shows the extent to which the BMW Group employs creative potential in its endeavor to respond to the challenges of tomorrow’s mobility.

As the pioneer of “folding roof cars” with its elegant 401, 601 and 402 “Eclipse” models from the 1930s, Peugeot has never lost its desire to give motorists the freedom to drive in either the coupé or cabriolet configuration through the “magic” of a rigid roof that folds into the boot.
It’s now almost a decade ago, at the Geneva Motor Show in 1998, that this innovative motoring concept was launched in the form of the 207 concept car.
This concept soon evolved into the 206 CC and the 307 CC, popularising a concept which was considered, until then, only for the elite. The heirs to these successful first generation vehicles have already taken to the road in the form of the 207 CC and the soon-to-be launched 308 CC…
By the end of May 2008, Peugeot had produced nearly 632,000 coupé-cabriolets for enthusiasts of this “lifestyle” motoring concept, making Peugeot the world leader in this body style:

457,500 Peugeot 206 CCs and 207 CCs with their 2 + 2 architecture in the small car segment (B)
174,500 Peugeot 307 CCs with four full size seats in the medium car segment (M1)

Since the launch of the 307 CC in 2003, the structure of the lifestyle market has undergone a number of profound changes. Recently, cabriolets with a retractable rigid roof have become more popular than vehicles with a more vulnerable “soft top”.
For the majority of customers, the 307 CC was the household’s main car. It was chosen for the intelligence of its design and for its elegance but was also greatly appreciated in daily use for its comfort, specification and ride quality.

The 308 has already taken the place of the 307 in its hatchback and its SW versions, offering all the benefits of its successful forerunner while, at the same time, imposing its new identity, modern feel and strong personality.
In the same vein, the 308 CC with its four full size seats capitalises on the genetic codes of the 308, embodying the “307 CC spirit” and Peugeot’s coupé-cabriolet expertise.

Above all it promises enthusiasts of “lifestyle” motoring a unique and genuinely attractive offer.

An attractive design…

The 308 CC stands out by the superb fluidity of its style, both in its coupé and cabriolet configurations. From the badge to the end of the roof, from the door to the lower rear panel, the graphic style of its profile is emphasised by light reflecting contours. Chrome detailing further enhances this elegant profile.

Low slung and firmly planted on its wheels, the 308 CC has a prominent shape and spectacular LED rear lights that use “red light curtain” technology to create a unique signature for the car by day and by night.

The passenger compartment has an undeniable personality. Particularly striking in the “cabriolet” version, it has a different feel from the hatchback and creates the impression of a grand touring car. The sculpted front seats with their integral head restraints have inbuilt air vents which diffuse warm air around the occupants neck. The rear seats mirror this distinctive design and offer rear accommodation surprisingly generous for a cabriolet.

The door panels also have an exclusive design, incorporating an elegant yet dynamic and robust metallic inner door handle. The sporty steering wheel, the special finish of the instrument panel and the “black lacquer” centre console complete this theme.

In terms of the “sporty” “haute couture” feel of the car, the 308 CC is clothed with dynamic fabrics, simple leather or even an “integral leather” trim. This now extends to the entire passenger compartment which is usually unseen in this segment. In Black, Vintage or Beige, the attractive interior trims differ according to the range of body colours: Fashionable pearlescent black, subtle “terre d’ombre” and also the established favourites: blue, red, black and grey are available.

A typical CC specification

Meticulously designed to enhance the day-to-day comfort and convenience of its occupants, the 308 CC offers a multitude of “everyday” benefits.

• The fully automatic retractable roof can be magically transformed in 20 seconds and the operation can be viewed on the colour display, turning the car into a dynamic coupé or an elegant cabriolet according to the mood of its occupants.
• A coupé-cabriolet with four full size seats, the 308 CC benefits from wider tracks and a wider body compared to the 307 CC, as well as a front seat structure which offers both generous leg room to the rear occupants and provides a good amount of space.
• Two dynamic and flexible engines power the 308 CC through a six speed manual gearbox… Unless an automatic gearbox is preferred… They are the 1.6 litre THP 110 kW (150 bhp) turbocharged direct injection petrol engine and the 2.0 litre HDi FAP Euro 5 103 kW (140 bhp) diesel engine, the latter being also particularly environmentally-friendly.
• The car combines both motoring enjoyment with efficient road holding… The wide tracks, the lowered ride height and high-performance suspension specially developed for this body style give the 308 CC excellent potential, together with a real sense of security for the driver. The large 302 x 26 mm disc brakes are an equal match to the performance of the engines. This is combined with an ESP system that watches over the occupants at all times.
• Inside the 308 CC an excellent structural rigidity wards off any vibrations that might affect steering, rear vision or seat comfort. This is the result of carefully placed structural reinforcements: dampers that pacify, braces ready to take the strain… In short, the 308 CC offers a highly rigid structure and excellent vibration damping demonstrating Peugeot’s coupé-cabriolet expertise.
• An indispensable ingredient of comfort and convenience inside the car, the low interior noise levels of the 308 CC in its coupé configuration will clearly set the vehicle apart from its competitors.
• The 308 CC is designed to create a real sensation of tranquillity in the passenger compartment… The structure is robust and designed to withstand and dissipate front and side impact energy. It is also supplemented by innovative and intelligent means of restraint that the cabriolet body shape dictates. They include a chest/pelvis side air bag built into the front seats and exclusively a side head air bag which is a world first, guaranteeing effective protection of all parts of the body regardless of seat position.

Within a few milliseconds of the risk of a rollover being detected (less than the blink of an eye), rear “pop-up” pyrotechnic roll-over protection bars create a passenger survival cell with the strengthened windscreen pillars designed for this purpose. The aim of all this important safety work is to obtain 5 stars in the EuroNcap test for the protection of adult occupants of the vehicle.

In harmony with the seasons…

The cabriolet configuration can even be enjoyed in cold weather, whether it’s making the most of early spring, saying no to winter or driving with the roof down in beautiful snow bound landscapes. Peugeot offers all these pleasures to the occupants of the 308 CC, thanks to its protective architecture, its intelligent air conditioning (which adapts its operation to the cabriolet body shape), heated seats, its windstop and… its remarkable “Airwave” system built into the front seats, which acts like a scarf by diffusing warm air adjustable for temperature/flow and direction.

Following are further typical CC features and equipment testifying to the ability of the 308 CC to anticipate its occupants’ needs…

• Automatic remote-control locking of interior storage compartments (glove box and storage under the central armrest)
• Centralised control of all four windows.
• The special “rear seat access” function with electrically-operated seats.
• Deadlocking of doors and selective unlocking
• LED courtesy lighting in the door mirrors

Not forgetting a usable boot with dedicated storage spaces (including one under the boot carpet for the windstop), laid out to resemble a presentation box. Its capacity (VDA method) is 403 dm3 in the coupé configuration and 226 dm3 under the windstop in the cabriolet configuration (or 465 litres and 266 litres respectively in “water” equivalent).

Finally, to make the journey even more pleasant…

• A wide range of WIP (World In Peugeot) options are available
• WIP sound, MP3 CD audio system
• WIP Bluetooth™, MP3 CD audio system, USB Box and hands-free kit.
• WIP Nav, a user-friendly satellite navigation system offering a MP3 CD audio system, Bluetooth
• functionality and satellite navigation with a retractable 7” 16/9 colour display.
• WIP Com 3D, a top-of-the-range satellite navigation system with a 30 GB hard disc and a Juke Box function, MP3 CD audio system, integral mobile phone, Bluetooth functionality, USB connector and a retractable, high-resolution 7” 16/9 colour screen with a 3D display.
• the JBL Hi-fi pack with 10 speakers offering made-to-measure sound which recognises and adapts to the cabriolet configuration.

Technological breakthrough for the 1-litre fuel consumption car: International Motor Show (IAA), Volkswagen is presenting the concept of the future L1 in a world premiere that points the way toward the production version. The full hybrid vehicle weighs just 380 kilograms thanks to its carbon-fibre reinforced body (CFRB). With a combined fuel consumption figure of 1.38 litres of diesel per 100 kilometres, this extremely aerodynamic (Cd 0.195!) Volkswagen suitable for everyday use is intended to become the most fuel-efficient automobile in the world. CO2 emissions of the 160 km/h L1 are similarly low at 36 g/km.

Retrospective: Seven years ago, Dr. Ferdinand Piëch, at that time Chairman of the Board of Management and today Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Volkswagen Group, drove a prototype from Wolfsburg to Hamburg that was unlike any other car before it: the Volkswagen 1-Litre car – the world’s first car with fuel consumption of one litre fuel per 100 kilometres. The man and machine wrote automotive history. In April 2002, however, it was also clear that the time for a production version of the 1-Litre car lay far in the future. Production of the body itself – from carbon-fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) – was not realistic due to cost considerations. Yet, in 2002 Dr. Ferdinand Piëch already prophesised that the time would soon come for the 1-Litre car and CFRP as a material for industrial applications. By 2009 the time had come: Volkswagen is making a clear statement at the IAA in Frankfurt (September 17 to 27) with the second generation of this ingenious car: The L1 represents a step forward into the future with completely new technology and a new design; revolutionary yet close to production readiness.

“It is an enormous challenge to control costs in producing the monocoque out of CFRP,” says Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg, member of the Board of Management for the Volkswagen Brand with responsibility for development. Both technically and visually, the CFRP body is already considered a significant achievement in car design. Unique on this car are the proportions of its dimensions. While the length of the L1 at 3,813 millimetres is still similar to that of a Volkswagen Fox, and its height of 1,143 millimetres nearly matches that of a Lamborghini Murciélago, the car’s aerodynamically optimised width (1,200 millimetres) has no comparisons in the world of today’s production cars.

L1 philosophy – defining a new type of automobile In developing both prototype generations of the L1, Volkswagen simply questioned everything that typically characterised an automobile. The key starting point was body construction, and a core question was raised here: How would a car have to look and be built to consume as little energy as possible? The logical answer: extremely aerodynamic and lightweight. Yet these objectives had to be achieved under a nonnegotiable precondition: a maximum of safety. The approach taken: a narrow two-seater with a CFRP body!

The seat layout fitting this design goal was dictated by the uncompromising aerodynamic form of a glider: One seat behind the other. Entry to the concept car is also similar to that of a glider; through a roof cover hinged at the side. On this second generation of the L1, the concept has been further honed; each component has been redesigned, a special chassis with aluminium components was developed, and above all the crucial CFRP technology from Formula-1 racing and airplane construction was transferred to automotive manufacturing. This has been combined with a unique form of hybrid drive to create a near-production vehicle. 2013 is the target year for this future dream to become a reality.

L1 Drive

The TDI, E-motor and 7-speed DSG are located at the rear, and they combine to create the most fuel efficient road-legal car hybrid drive in the world. Proof of this are its 1.38 litre per 100 kilometres fuel consumption and 36 g/km CO2 emissions. Serving as the primary drive source is a completely re developed two-cylinder turbo-diesel with common rail direct injection (TDI). It is operated in two different modes depending on the load conditions. In the standard “ECO” mode, the 800 cm3 TDI develops a power of 20 kW/ 27 PS (at 4,000 rpm); in “Sport” mode – used to reach top speed, for example – the car’s power rises to 29 kW/ 39 PS (at 4,000 rpm). The TDI’s maximum torque is 100 Newton-meter (at 1,900 rpm). Naturally, the L1 also has a Stop-Start system that automatically shuts down the engine when vehicle has stopped and restarts when the accelerator or E-pedal is pressed.

The hybrid module has been integrated into the housing of the 7-speed DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox). It is located between the TDI engine and the DSG gearbox and consists of a 10 kW / 14 PS electric motor and a clutch. The E-motor is supplied with energy from a lithium-ion battery located at the front of the car. An electronic power control module, operating at around. 130 Volts manages the flow of high voltage energy the battery and to the E-motor. In parallel, the vehicle’s low voltage electrical system is supplied with the necessary 12 Volts through a DC/DC converter.

Electric motor – details of the E-motor

In normal operation the electric motor can support the TDI engine in conditions such as by electronic load point shifting and in acceleration.

If necessary – generally during acceleration – the E-motor can supply 40 percent additional torque over the entire speed engine speed range. Moreover, the E-motor can propel the L1 over short distances by itself. In this case, an auxiliary clutch decouples the TDI from the drivetrain. Restarting the TDI is a very easy process. In so-called “pulse starting” of the TDI, the electric motor is sped up and is then coupled to the TDI unit to provide almost instant starting. The entire process takes place automatically and without jolts, so the driver hardly notices the re starting of the TDI engine.

In braking phases, the E-motor operates as a generator to charge the lithium-ion battery by recovering braking energy. The gears of the auto mati cally shifting DSG are always selected with the aim of achieving the best possible fuel economy. The engine controller regulates all energy flow and drive management tasks taking into account the moment by moment demands for power made by the driver. Some of the parameters used to calculate the optimum propulsion mode for the given conditions are: accelerator pedal position, engine load, momentary fuel demand, energy supply and the mix of kinetic and electrical energy at any given time.

Diesel engine – details of the 0.8 TDI

The TDI engine in the L1 is a new development. Yet, even here Volkswagen has been able to exploit synergies to design an engine that is both innovative and cost-effective. Hence, this 0.8 litre TDI unit has been derived from the 1.6 TDI just introduced a few months ago. The 1.6 TDI is making its debut at the IAA in cars such as the new version
of the Golf BlueMotion (3.8 l/100 km) and the Passat BlueMotion (4.4 l/100 km) – which are currently the world’s most fuel-efficient production cars in their respective classes.

Based on their common origins, the 0.8 TDI and 1.6 TDI have identical cylinder spacing (88 millimetres), bore (79.5 millimetres) and stroke (80.5 millimetres). These high-tech TDI engines also share key internal engine features for reducing emissions. They include special piston crowns, multi-injection and individual orientations of the specific injection jets. On both drivetrains there is exhaust gas recirculation, an oxidation catalytic converter and a diesel particulate filter. Equipped this way, the TDIs in each Volkswagen fulfil the limits of the Euro-5 emissions standard with ease.

The 1.6 TDI, thanks to its common rail injection, is also an exceptionally quiet and low-vibration diesel engine. These positive properties have been successfully transferred to the two-cylinder unit. The TDI’s aluminium crankcase was also constructed with high precision to achieve very low friction losses. The oil pump, designed to operate at a maximum oil pressure of 4.0 bar, also contributes to engine efficiency.

Another example of how the entire drive system is configured for high efficiency is the L1’s cooling system. Its external water pump is controlled by engine management so that cooling is only activated while engine operating conditions require it. This thermal management also contributes to reduced fuel consumption. A second electric water pump, also activated only when needed, provides cooling required for the starter generator and the power electronics in a separate water circulation loop operating at a lower temperature level.

Automatic transmission – details of the 7-speed DSG

Gear shifting work aboard the L1 is handled by the 7-speed DSG, which is one of the most innovative automatic transmissions in production. Compared to the version equipping the new Polo, for example, the design of the Direct Shift Gearbox has been developed to include clutch control for the hybrid module. Furthermore, individual gear ratios have
been optimised to attain responsive driving performance despite the car’s extremely low fuel consumption. The hybrid module is integrated into the DSG housing as previously mentioned. It is located where the flywheel is usually to be found.

Driving performance – economical and yet responsive

The L1, equipped with ABS and ESP, has a top speed of up to 160 km/h – this is remarkable considering its fuel efficiency. With maximum acceleration from a standstill, the two-seater reaches 100 km/h after just 14.3 seconds. The fuel tank holds just ten litres yet, this is sufficient for a theoretical driving range of about 670 kilometres, given the car’s 1.38 litre average fuel consumption.

L1 Interior

Talking about car driving as ‘piloting’ might sound out of place, but in the case of the L1 it is wholly appropriate. The driver (in the CFRP tube frame seat) and passenger (in the fixed CFRP seat that is part of the monocoque) sit one behind the other. At both locations, the seat position is ergonomical and very comfortable. All instruments and controls are arranged over a 180 degree radius for the driver, which places them perfectly within view and reach. The instrument panel itself has been integrated into the monocoque and is made of CFRP. The interior applications are produced from glass fibre reinforced plastic (GFRP).

To start the L1, the driver pushes a button on the right side of the steering wheel. When it is rotated, the round start button simul taneously serves as a gear selector switch and is used to activate the electronic handbrake (Drive, Neutral, Reverse and Park). The entry canopy and rear hatch are opened electrically by touch controls to the left and right of the driver. Also designed as touch sensors are controls for the entire air conditioning control system. Via multifunctional keys in the steering wheel, the driver controls the on-board computer, navigation and entertainment systems.

The classic door mirror and rear-view mirror have been completely eliminated on the L1. In their place, cameras display images on OLEDactive (OLED = organic light emitting diode) displays located on the left and right sides of the instrument panel. A Park Distance Control (PDC) system makes parking easier as well.

In case of a crash, not only are the driver and passenger protected by the monocoque, which is designed as a highly rigid CFRP safety cell, as well as aluminium crash elements in the front of the car, but also by a steering wheel airbag and head/side curtain airbags to the left and right inside the entry canopy.

L1 Body

Both technically and visually, the CFRP body is already a significant achievement in car design. Unique on this car: the proportions of its dimensions. While the length of the L1 at 3,813 millimetres is still similar to that of a Volkswagen Fox, and its height of 1,143 millimetres nearly matches that of a Lamborghini Murciélago, the car’s aerodynamically optimised width (1,200 millimetres) has no comparisons in the world of today’s production cars.

CFRP body – Monocoque and exterior skin

The two-seat monocoque, including the tubular frame driver’s seat and passenger seat as well as the exterior body skin, all consist of CFRP. There are no doors. Instead, the driver and passenger climb into the L1 from the top. An electrically actuated entry canopy above the seats is opened and closed for this purpose. Headlights and taillights all utilize LED technology, which consume a lot less energy. The rear wheels are completely covered; their wheel covers can be removed to change the Michelin low resistance tires (“Energy Saver”: front 95/60 R16, rear 115/70 R16). The underbody is also completely enclosed. The 0.8 TDI is cooled via adaptive air channels integrated in the sides of the car body. These automatically open and close based on the hybrid unit’s operating state and vehicle speed. The tailgate is opened in the usual, manual way. It too consists of CFRP. Inside is a stowage space of 50 litres.

CFRP advantages – composition and weight

Carbon fibre reinforced plastic, as the name implies, consists of multiple layers of high-strength carbon fibres, which are integrated in a very tough matrix. This mix results in an extremely strong and lightweight composite material. Until now, producing a body like that of the L1 from CFRP, while conforming to industrial standards, was an insurmountable task. Up to now CFRP was only practical for very small production runs, as in aircraft manufacturing or motorsport. Now Volkswagen has succeeded in finding a production-viable and costeffective way to produce CFRP parts in suitable volumes.

The reason that CFRP is the ideal material for the L1 body is demonstrated by considering its weight and strength. The L1 weighs just 380 kilograms, which is equivalent to the weight of a very high-end, fully equipped touring motorcycle of the 1200-cc class. The L1, on the other hand, is an automobile through and through. Of the 380 kilograms curb weight, 122 kilograms are taken by the drivetrain, 79 kilograms by the chassis, 35 kilograms by interior furnishings and 20 kilograms by the electrical system. 124 kilograms remain, and this is precisely the weight of the body.

These 124 kilograms can be further broken down: 64 kilograms are accounted for by the CFRP monocoque including integrated passenger seat, 28 kilograms is the weight of the entire CFRP exterior skin, 19 kilograms for the CFRP entry canopy, 9 kilograms for the CFRP driver’s seat and 4 kilograms for the LED lights. By way of comparison: The body of the legendary Lupo 3L – until today the smallest Volkswagen production car ever built – weighed 306 kilograms, and the entire car weighed a lightweight 813 kilograms. That is 433 kilograms more than the L1.

And there are other advantages: the material’s extremely high stress limits and its ideal forming properties for even the most challenging of design features.

Design – anything but typical, yet a typical Volkswagen

The design and styling of the L1 – function and form – combine to form one uncompromising unit. Walter de Silva, Head of Design for the Volkswagen Group has this to say: “The design of the L1 redefines classic and aesthetic vehicle traits. Especially significant, of course, is how the nearly rocket-shaped lines catch one’s attention. All of its moving parts are integrated so accurately that the body resembles a rocket or jet. It is a body that cuts through the air with minimal aerodynamic resistance.” A top Cd value of 0.195 and 1.02 m2 frontal area (Cd x A = 0.199 m2) is a statement that is sculpted into the CFRP.

And this is how it looks, the most aerodynamic front end in the world: “The typical layout of conventional headlights with a radiator grille in the middle would be entirely inappropriate here,” says de Silva. “That is why we chose a more minimalistic layout and integrated the headlights into a neutral horizontal stripe that conveys a far-sighted and contemporary feeling.” The Head of Group Design continues: “In a sense, we applied the same principle to the front end of the Scirocco, where the headlights are joined by a glossy black stripe, and the brand logo is also placed on the engine bonnet. This underscores the dynamic character of this automobile.”

The extremely aerodynamic design also shapes the rear with its diffuser and wheels that are completely enclosed. The most distinctive feature of the overall appearance in the rear are the LED taillights that were worked into the TDI’s air outlet ports. De Silva: “The same stylistic features as in front are repeated in the rear, in the taillights – which we have integrated in the grilles of the two air outlet ports; they have an even more aerodynamic appearance. Another identifying feature is the air outlet directly behind the cockpit – a nearly abstract, graphic element that underscores the purposeful aesthetics of this vehicle.” Due to the driver’s low seating position, there is an additional window in the roof that is ideal, for example, to view traffic lights

It is fire-red and a real eyecatcher. Inside and out, the Golf GTI “Wörthersee 09” combines charming and unique visual looks with an even higher level of performance – it embodies precisely those elements that have always excited genuine GTI fans. Consider the exterior paint, for example. It shimmers in the special glowing red color “Firespark

Metallic”, which is repeated as a fine trim line on the high-gloss black 19-inch alloy spoke wheels and in the classic GTI stripes of the radiator grille screen. Other very distinctive body details: an entirely new smoked LED taillight design; its unmistakable graphic design from the rear adds to the Golf GTI concept car’s independent character.

Full of style, the interior of the two-door GTI is inviting too. Initial eyecatchers: high-end aluminum tread plates with “GTI Wörthersee 09” signa ture. The next special feature: trim in brushed aluminum and glossy black painted frames around the air vents. The floor mats have red borders as well. All of this makes an exceptionally refined im pression and calls attention to the sporty talent of the legendary “GTI” even more.

The newly designed sport comfort seats with their integrated head restraints are an absolute interior highlight. They excite with innovative cover materials and a fresh color composition. This includes black nappa for the outer surfaces and flash red nappa for the seat side supports, bordered by light “Berry White” leather piping. The seat center panels are made of Hexagon; one feature of this high-tech material, which is so pleasant to the touch: its exceptional breathing proper ties.

GTI drivers in particular know that form follows function. The “Wörthersee 09” Edition not only pleases with its tasteful style, it was also intensified technically in the direction of performance. The lowered sport chassis enables maximum curve speeds. And the acoustics is not short-changed either: the new sport exhaust system provides for an extra measure of dynamic sound. This will be music to the ears of genuine GTI fans.

When it comes to the turbo engine, the GTI “Wörthersee 09” relies on the new 2.0-liter TSI with 155 kW / 210 PS. This gives the concept car a top speed of 238 km/h and 6.9 second acceleration to 100 km/h.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI Worthersee 09 is powered by the new 2.0-liter TSI with 155 kW / 210 PS. This gives the Volkswagen Golf GTI Worthersee 09 a top speed of 238 km/h and 6.9 second acceleration to 100 km/h. The Volkswagen Golf GTI Worthersee 09 comes in a special glowing red color “Firespark Metallic” and features 19-inch alloy wheels and smoked LED taillights.

The interior of the Volkswagen Golf GTI Worthersee 09 comes with high-end aluminum tread plates with “GTI Worthersee 09″ signature. The next special feature: trim in brushed aluminum and glossy black painted frames around the air vents. The floor mats have red borders as well.

It is still a concept – the most fuel efficient five-seater in the world. Its name: Polo BlueMotion. Fuel consumption: 3.3 liters CO2 emissions: just 87 g/km! Likelihood of going into production: extremely high! However, before a potential production launch, development must be completed on the brand new 1.2 liter TDI with common rail injection.
And that is precisely what the team led by Development Chief Dr. Ulrich Hackenberg is working on with great emphasis. “I anticipate,” says Dr. Hackenberg, “that we will be able to go into production in February 2010. Meeting this schedule will be extremely demanding. Yet the engine and other systems of the Polo BlueMotion are already operating with such promising
performance that we are on course to meet our goal.”

The “other systems” to which he refers include an automatic startstop system and regenerative braking. These two technologies alone reduce fuel consumption of the 55 kW / 75 PS three-cylinder direct-injection diesel by up to 0.2 liters per 100 kilometers. But that is not all that is being done. On the Polo BlueMotion concept car, which weighs in at just 1,080 kilograms, Volkswagen is calling upon an entire array of efficiency measures, including an aerodynamic package for the body that is lowered by 10 millimeters (including modified front end), an aerodynamically optimized underbody and low rolling resistance tires on 15-inch alloy wheels. Altogether, these modifications yield fuel savings totaling 0.8 liters. This has lowered CO2 emissions by about 20 percent.

Other features being presented on the Polo BlueMotion concept car at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show include a custom interior with “Power On” trim, and a display for indicating upshifting and tire pressure. The design study is painted in the new exterior color “Emotion blue”.

Start-stop system in detail

Especially worthwhile is a look at the fully intuitive operation of the start-stop system. As the driver approaches a red stop light in the Polo BlueMotion concept car, he or she applies the brakes to bring the vehicle to a stop, shifts into neutral (which should be standard practice with a conventional car) and takes his or her foot off the clutch. This shuts off the engine momentarily. A “Start Stop” message now appears in the multifunctional display. As soon as the traffic light turns green again, the driver fully depresses the clutch, the engine starts, the “Start Stop” message disappears, and the driver puts the car back in gear and resumes driving.

Regenerative braking in detail

Regenerative braking helps to recover energy that would otherwise be lost in driving in as efficient a way as possible. During deceleration and braking phases of the Polo BlueMotion concept car – i.e. whenever the driver simply releases the accelerator pedal or intentionally brakes – the alternator’s charging voltage is elevated, which converts the car’s kinetic energy into electrical energy to charge the battery.

Thanks to alternator control – which regulates the alternator as a function of engine efficiency for optimal battery charging – it is possible to lower alternator voltage at other times, e.g. during acceleration or driving at a constant speed. It is even possible to switch off the alternator entirely. This reduces engine load and improves fuel economy. Special software for energy management and modified engine controller software are needed to utilize regeneration.

The new umbrella brand BlueMotionTechnologies

Volkswagen is presenting the Polo concept car in Geneva under the new umbrella brand “BlueMotionTechnologies”. This label covers all production-mature or near-production technologies and products that significantly reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. These are developments such as the new start-stop system and regenerative braking implemented on the Polo BlueMotion concept, as well as the highly innovative SCR catalytic converter on the Passat CC BlueTDI that is also appearing for the first time in Geneva.

However, they also include the NOx storage catalytic converter that has already been successfully introduced in the USA, electric and hybrid drive systems, and innovative engine systems like those in the Touran TSI EcoFuel which are debuting at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show. A launching point for these extremely fuel efficient and low-emission products was the Polo BlueMotion, which in 2006 was the first five-seater to bring fuel consumption down to 3.8 liters per 100 kilometers. The Polo BlueMotion concept car now surpasses this record value by 0.5 liters.

The range of BlueMotion models already available today includes the Golf series, Jetta, Caddy, Touran, Sharan, and the Passat and Passat Wagon. A recent survey by the organization “Deutsche Automobil Treuhand DAT”, the renowned and world’s oldest institution for automotive market research, demonstrates just how successful the BlueMotion label has become today. In a
representative survey, the highly regarded DAT found that 85 percent of German car drivers are familiar with the BlueMotion label. The next best competitor only attained a recognition level of 36 percent. This makes BlueMotion the number 1 among automotive environmental labels.

200EX is the latest experimental car from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. It explores a design direction for a dynamic, modern, four-door Rolls-Royce engineered for the 21st century.

PHILOSOPHY

Experimental models have always played a significant role in the history of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, from the first – 1EX, built in 1919 – to the most recent – 101EX, built in 2006. Unlike a concept car, the experimental models developed by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars have always been fully functioning vehicles, residing in a tangible world of wood, leather and metals rather than clay and foam. EX cars offer designers and engineers the opportunity for real-world innovation and have been used to showcase new components and engineering techniques as well as exterior and interior designs. “Modern automotive engineering is a balance of creativity, innovation and application. 200EX is an opportunity to assess these new ideas,” explains Helmut Riedl, Director of Engineering.

100EX was the first experimental car unveiled after Rolls-Royce Motor Cars was relaunched under BMW Group ownership in 2003. Revealed at the Geneva motor show in 2004, the two-door, four-seat convertible was built to mark 100 years of Rolls-Royce motor car design and engineering. Just two years later, 101EX was presented, which explored modern coupé design. Both of these cars inspired production models that not only closely resemble their EX progenitors but have also redefined luxury motoring in the modern age.

Following on from this success, the same group of designers and engineers has created 200EX, itself pointing the way to RR4, a new Rolls-Royce model scheduled for production in 2010. The brief for 200EX? To create a modern, lithe and dynamic Rolls-Royce that bears all the hallmarks of the great cars that have gone before it: effortless performance, unparalleled refinement, exquisite quality and confident design.

DESIGN

“Alluring, inviting, approachable – this car captivates with each encounter” – Chief Designer, Ian Cameron

200EX has a dynamic edge to its styling and is noticeably less formal than previous models. Its size, style and expression broaden the appeal of the car, making it more appropriate for a wider range of circumstances. “200EX is a touring saloon with more than a little panache and perhaps more bravado than one might have expected from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars,” says Cameron. “What you see is a modern car that is immediately recognisable as a true Rolls-Royce, even from angles that obscure the grille and Spirit of Ecstasy. Design elements such as the elevated prow, long bonnet, short front overhang, sharply raked A-pillar and elegant tail give 200EX an air of informal presence – powerful but unobtrusive.”

The exterior design is dominated by large, uninterrupted surfaces, while finely sculptured horizontal lines add definition and geometric precision. In combination, the upward-sweeping sill line and low-cut roof create a powerful profile. The tapered rear is enhanced by powerful shoulders and flanks that draw in sharply, narrowing as they flow from the rear wings to the tail-lights.

The rear-hinged coach doors give the car a natural presence and sense of theatre. Revived in 2003 on the Phantom, this signature feature lends added functionality and style to the design. Opening through a generous 83 degrees, the coach doors offer the widest rear access in the car industry as well as providing the warmest of welcomes to those about to step inside.

At the front, a pair of LED headlamps flank the latest evolution of the world’s most famous grille. “We wanted this to be less reminiscent of the traditional ‘Parthenon’ style and more like a jet intake,” says Ian Cameron. The sides of the intake have been curved inwards and the vanes set back into the opening. It’s a more dynamic form that moves on from the design first seen on the Phantom Drophead Coupé.

The exterior of 200EX is finished in Darkest Tungsten, which contrasts with the silver satin finish applied to the bonnet and A-pillar. Seven-spoke, 20-inch wheels complete the visual impact of the exterior.

Within 200EX, Interior Designer Alan Sheppard has accomplished a contemporary atmosphere, incorporating the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars principles of fine materials and peerless comfort. The space is filled with natural light, which brings in a real sense of the outside world. However, substantial doors and a high shoulder line ensure that occupants feel cosseted and protected. In the rear, the intimate ambience of the lounge seat is emphasised by its position behind the C-pillar, heightening the sense of privacy.

Naturally, the finest materials have been used. Elegant, frosted lamps and chrome door handles feature, while details include traditional violin key switches, eyeball air vents, opaque dials and refined instrumentation.

“As with any Rolls-Royce, detail is crucial,” says Alan Sheppard. “We want the lasting impression for owners to be that their car was made just for them by someone skilled and caring.”

The dashboard has been kept deliberately clear; it is spacious
in its design and has an intuitive layout. The controls are neatly sculptured, with more important functions emphasised by accents of chrome. The soft light of the instrument panel glows through the familiar black-rimmed steering wheel, which itself incorporates a number of violin keys as well as an ergonomic roller-ball control.

The interior of 200EX is finished in supple, natural grain Crème Light leather, with Cornsilk carpets and cashmere blend headliner. The featured wood veneer is Santos Palissander, chosen for its contemporary look and striking grain.

“200EX is a modern execution of timeless Rolls-Royce elegance, breaking with some areas of tradition but retaining the core values that make our marque unique,” says Chief Executive Officer Tom Purves. “We expect the more informal, agile design to broaden the appeal of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, attracting people who appreciate its fusion of refinement, new technology and contemporary style.”

200EX TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

No. of doors/seats: 4/5
Vehicle length: 5399mm
Vehicle width 1948mm
Vehicle height: 1550mm
Wheelbase: 3295mm
Engine: new V12
Wheel and tyre size: 20 inch, 255/45 R 20 front and 285/40 R 20 rear

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) has positioned a plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHV) as the ideal environmentally-considerate vehicle best suited for widespread use given its responses to the diversification of energy sources at present.
The PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID Concept is the first Toyota vehicle brand that uses a lithium-ion battery as the drive battery. It is a PHV concept model that can be charged from an external power source such as household electricity.
Since PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID Concept has a lithium-ion drive battery, charging to many times higher than a nickel-metal hydride battery is possible. As a result, the cruising range in electric vehicle mode is longer than that of a Prius with a nickel-metal hydride battery. The fuel efficiency of the third-generation Prius is 38km/l, and that of the PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID Concept is at least 55km/l (target). Charged from an external power source such as a household electrical outlet, it extends the cruising range in electric vehicle mode, maximizing the benefits as an environmentally-considerate vehicle. As the cruising distance as an electric vehicle increases, environmental benefits that surpass those even of the regular Prius can be expected including lower CO2 emissions and air pollution and reduced consumption of fossil fuels.

Approximate charging times using ordinary household electricity are 180 minutes at 100V and 100 minutes at 200V. TMC set a minimum electric vehicle (EV) cruising range target of at least 20km on a full charge. Enabling the vehicle to be recharged externally allows it to operate as an EV for short trips and as a hybrid vehicle (HV) for longer ones. In other words, the PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID Concept is the ideal combination of an EV and a HV.

TMC plans to participate in the EV & PHV Towns program sponsored by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to encourage the widespread use of EVs and PHVs, and the PRIUS PLUG-IN HYBRID Concept brings TMC one step closer to the ultimate environmentally-considerate vehicle.

Developed locally by Toyota Style Australia, the HC-CV (Hybrid Camry Concept Vehicle) had its world premiere ahead of the 2009 Melbourne International Motor Show.

The unveiling of the concept car marks the start of a 12-month countdown to the launch of Australia’s first locally produced hybrid car, based on the best-selling Camry sedan.

Toyota Australia president and chief executive officer Max Yasuda said the concept car was the most important vehicle on the company’s motor show stand.
“The startling paintwork, dramatic lines and sporty appearance of this concept car convey the excitement and passion in our company to produce Australia’s first hybrid car,” Mr Yasuda said.
“The hybrid Camry – which will share some key design features with the HC-CV – will play a key role in bringing the future to the Australian automotive manufacturing sector.
“It is a future that uses less fuel while delivering better performance.”

The hybrid Camry uses a four-cylinder petrol engine linked to a powerful electric motor.

It produces more power than a conventional petrol-engine vehicle while delivering better fuel economy.

Mr Yasuda said many industry commentators were urging carmakers to produce more fuel-efficient cars.

“Toyota is already the only local manufacturer producing a four-cylinder car in this country. We have been building Camry in this country – in Melbourne – for nearly 22 years.

“It’s been Australia’s best-selling medium car for 15 years – and it’s our leading automotive export.

“Toyota also produces the most fuel-efficient Australian-made large six-cylinder sedan, the Aurion, in Melbourne.

“Our locally manufactured hybrid Camry will be launched early next year.”

Contemporary hybrid design

Toyota Style Australia corporate manager Paul Beranger said Toyota has evolved the styling of its hybrid vehicles since the late 1990s.

“HC-CV is our expression of the contemporary hybrid sedan,” he said.

The front of the car is characterised by expressive, sharp lines and taught surfaces. It echoes the latest Toyota Hybrid styling cues, with vertical fog lamps, larger lower opening and a streamlined upper grille.

“The crisp corners indicate aerodynamic efficiency, while the overall styling feel is efficient, yet dynamic,” Mr Beranger said.

“The lower grille texture is a random pattern, inspired by forms found in nature, moving away from traditional constructed patterns,” he said.

The “aero” theme continues along the side skirts, which flow into the rear diffuser, giving a sporty, yet lightweight and functional appearance. The rear spoiler enhances the visual appeal.

The headlights are symbolic of Toyota’s hybrid image with a blue hue. They fuse technical elements with natural forms. Some lenses have a waterfall impression, while others are functional, lightweight and technical in appearance. The rear LED lamps, also with a blue hue, provide an unmistakable hybrid look.

Toyota logos on the car are also highlighted by a translucent blue hue. The satin chrome front grille, mirrors and rear boot-lid garnish add to the clean, crisp image.

The wheels are a combination of shear, overlayed surfaces and graphics.

The body colour is unique – a satin white pearl with subtle blue highlights to provide a serene, calm feeling. The paint allows intricate detailing and features to show through.

The interior uses contrasting coloured trim. Highlights of metallic blue have been applied asymmetrically to the seats in a wave-like graphic reminiscent of the Hybrid Synergy Drive logo.

The seat embossing echoes the exterior grille mesh with a tree bark-like pattern. White stitching adds a subtle, yet premium touch. Satin chrome accents tie in with the exterior and add to the tranquil environment.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A.,Inc. today announced that it will display the Toyota FT-EV concept on opening Media Day at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), confirming its plan to launch an urban commuter battery-electric vehicle (BEV) by 2012. This announcement, coupled with its compressed natural gas powered Camry Hybrid concept display at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show, signal Toyota’s intention to broaden the scope of its advanced alternative-fuel vehicle development.

“Now, more than ever, while we are so focused on the pressing issues of the moment, we cannot lose sight of our future,” said Irv Miller, TMS Group Vice President, Environmental and Public Affairs. “Nowhere is this more important than with our industry’s duty and commitment to provide true sustainable mobility with vehicles that significantly reduce fuel consumption, our carbon footprint and overall greenhouse gases.”

The FT-EV concept shares its platform with the revolutionary-new iQ urban commuter vehicle. Already a huge hit in Japan, the iQ is lightweight and seats four passengers in comfort and security, while delivering exceptional mileage, sporty performance, unique refinements and a fun, youthful image.

Toyota’s FT-EV concept imagines an urban dweller, driving up to 50 miles between home, work and other forms of public transportation, such as high-speed rail. Although, for now, the FT-EV remains a pure concept, it represents a natural pairing of product strategies.

“Last summer’s four-dollar-a-gallon gasoline was no anomaly. It was a brief glimpse of our future,” said Miller. “We must address the inevitability of peak oil by developing vehicles powered by alternatives to liquid-oil fuel, as well as new concepts, like the iQ, that are lighter in weight and smaller in size. This kind of vehicle, electrified or not, is where our industry must focus its creativity.”

Although BEVs and new smaller vehicles like the iQ will be a key component of Toyota’s sustainable mobility strategy, the conventional gas-electric hybrid, like the all new third-generation Prius, is considered Toyota’s long-term core powertrain technology.

Last year, Toyota announced that it planned to sell one million gas-electric hybrids per year sometime during the early 2010s. To accomplish this, Toyota will launch as many as 10 new hybrid models by the early 2010s, in various global markets. The new third-generation Toyota Prius and all new Lexus HS250h, both debuting in Detroit, are the first two examples of that effort.

Also, last year, Toyota announced that it would roll-out a large number of plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHVs) to global lease-fleet customers in 2010. That schedule has been moved up.

Beginning in late 2009, Toyota will start global delivery of 500 Prius PHVs powered by lithium-ion batteries. Of these initial vehicles, 150 will be placed with U.S. lease-fleet customers.

The first-generation lithium-ion batteries powering these PHVs will be built on an assembly line at Toyota’s PEVE (Panasonic EV Energy Company, LTD)
battery plant, a joint-venture production facility in which Toyota owns 60 percent equity. During its development, the new Prius was designed and engineered to package either the lithium-ion battery pack with plug-in capability, or the nickel-metal hydride battery for the conventional gas-electric system.

The 500 PHVs arriving globally in late 2009 will be used for market and engineering analysis. Lease–fleet customers will monitor the performance and durability of the first-generation lithium-ion battery, while offering real world feedback on how future customers might respond to the plug-in process.

“Future customers will have high expectations for these emerging technologies. This Prius PHV fleet program is a key first step in confirming how and when we might bring large numbers of plug-in hybrids to global markets,” said Miller.

“Our business is no longer about simply building and selling cars and trucks. It is about finding solutions to mobility challenges today and being prepared for more daunting challenges in our very near future.”