Isn’t it fun to dream? Essentially that’s what automobile designers get to do every day. Their dreams start with sketches and drawings, and if they’re lucky culminate in mockups or even road worthy prototypes. The ultimate recognition is commercialization and full production.
But the cars look best to me in the "dream state" where they have features and characteristics often too expensive for the resulting production car. Or the designs are not practical for everyday use. It’s in this spirit that I offer these 10 exciting concept cars.
5. Jaguar C-X16 Concept
The Jaguar C-X16 has been described as a production concept that will serve as the prototype for future Jaguar sports cars. This car "aims to set new class benchmarks in design, vehicle dynamics and technology." According to Jaguar, the C-X16 is our compelling vision for a 21st century Jaguar sports car. It embodies the established Jaguar strengths of sensual design, animal-like agility and inspirational performance and combines these with attributes that set us on a course to create sustainable sports cars of the future.
It comes with a hybrid powertrain that features a new 3.0-liter supercharged V6 engine with 380 horsepower and 332 lb/ft of torque. This gas engine is then joined by an electric motor generator that has been integrated into an eight-speed automatic transmission. The electric motor receives its power from a 1.6kWh battery pack mounted just behind the seats, providing an additional 95 horsepower and 173 lb/ft of torque.
The C-X16 also features a hybrid boost system that draws its set-up from Formula 1’s Kinetic Energy Recovery System. The KERS-like system on the sports car can be activated with a steering-wheel mounted button, providing increased acceleration courtesy of the car’s electric motor. All told, the Jaguar C-X16 Concept is capable of hitting 0-62 mph in just 4.4 seconds, whereas the top speed can reach as high as 186 mph.
4. Maserati Birdcage 75th Concept
Whether this prototype, or concept, takes its place among the great Italian design exercises is up to time and evolution. As it is, showcased at the 2006 Los Angeles Auto Show, the Birdcage 75th stands a great chance for being remembered as a sexy, sporting dream with an edgy communications future. The name helps, of course, as the concept carries the famous title of the Maserati Birdcage racing car built from 1959 to 1963 – so named because of its tubular chassis.
Based on the chassis of the Maserati MC12, the goal of the Birdcage 75th is to stretch the boundaries of design and techniques. For example, the Birdcage 75th was built as a single object, instead of a sequence of parts, and was designed to convey a futuristic representation of sultry lines and power. To that end, the concept features Maserati’s 700-horsepower V12 engine tucked into a teardrop shell with a "floating" center that is purposely uncluttered and smooth, a streamlined design intended to facilitate air flow, and, as a result, speed. The wheels are 20 inches up front and 22 inches in back, and the chassis is made of carbon fiber.
The theme of the Birdcage 75th continues into the interior of the concept, with an uncluttered design meant to convey the racing heritage of Maserati and the communications force of Motorola. Indeed, with features such as a head’s up display, projection screens and advanced cell phone communications technology. The ideal represented in the Birdcage 75 is a communications system that includes all facets of man and machine; a totally integrated environment which naturally connects driver to passenger, road and information.
3. Honda EV-STER Concept
The EV-STER's world premier reveals a two-seat roadster with electric power driving the rear wheels for a performance-focused driving experience. Lightweight materials contribute to both the EV-STER's agility and its range. The unique interior design integrates entertainment and connectivity functions along with vehicle information, while the exterior combines futuristic details with classic sports car cues.
To be clear, the all-electric EV-STER would not perform quite like a conventional gas-powered sports car. Honda says the car could reach about 37 mph in 5 seconds, not exactly brisk acceleration. But its small size, almost a foot and a half shorter than a Mazda Miata, and lightweight carbon construction would likely benefit handling and contribute to the excellent claimed range of about 100 miles.
Inside, the EV-STER has two handles in place of the steering wheel and two small displays flanking a larger, central screen. Honda says the networked displays will allow audio and navigation control and internet access, along with displaying typical vehicle information like speed.
2. Lexus LF-LC Concept
This is the Lexus LF-LC 2+2 sports coupe concept, which debuted at the Detroit auto show. The car’s proportions and profile are as sultry as they appeared to be in earlier teaser images, and we really dig the complex surfaces that dive and flow down the body sides. As for the front, one C/D editor who saw pre-show photos opined that the overly fussy fascia looked like someone chucked a grenade into the front bumper. The mug is no less over-the-top in person, but it is more cohesive and comes across as far less tragic.
The automaker says that the LF-LC previews the third phase of Lexus—more on that in a moment—but it also adds that the car will never be produced, at least not as we see it here. We’d have supported Lexus turning this concept into a production grand tourer or second, less-expensive sports car powered by, say, the gasoline engine and electric motor from the LS600hL. In that car, the world’s most plush-riding sofa, they pair to make 438 hp.
1. Renault DeZir
The new DeZir concept features a new front-end design that previews the new front-end identity of the next Renault models. The headlights take the form of backlit prisms and the perforated ’eyelids’ add to this high-tech feel and contribute to DeZir’s specific lighting signature. Rear lighting is provided by an illuminated, seemingly floating strip and the Renault logo is highlighted by backlighting through the fins of the grille and consequently appears to hover in the middle of this space.
DeZir is powered by an electric motor mounted in a mid-rear position to optimize weight distribution over the front and rear wheels. The vertically-mounted 24kW/h lithium-ion battery is located behind the benchseat and provides the car with a range of 160km. The new concept can sprint from 0 to 100 kph (62 mph) in five seconds, and from 0 to 50 kph (31 mph) in just two seconds.
Renault says: "DeZir stands out as an illustration of the brand’s commitment to more emotional styling. DeZir’s sensuous lines and bright red finish express passion.
Powered by an electric motor, DeZir is proof that environmental concern and a love for cars are by no means incompatible." (Back to Part-1.)*** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | FORBES | CAR AND DRIVER | AUTOBLOG | TOPSPEED] Note: Thisblogcan be accessedviayoursmartphone.
