This is Infiniti’s EX Concept, a new crossover SUV that’s one segment smaller than the larger FX SUV, taking on the likes of the BMW X3 and the upcoming Audi Q5. It will be displayed at the NYIAS 2007. The EX Concept is most likely to go into production as an EX35, using either a VQ35DE or a VQ35HR engine, though the prior makes more sense to me, since the VQ35DE engine has more torque than it’s HQ sibling, thus being more suitable for an SUV application.
While still a concept at the moment, Infiniti says the EX is 95% ready. Plus some of the features on the concept will not make it into production, for example a liquid crystal glass roof that can change from a transparent state to a more translucent appearance.
Something new is the Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system, which is an evolution of Infiniti’s existing production Lane Departure Warning System. This further enhances the warning system by actually stopping the sleepy driver from accidentally moving out of his lane rather than just warning him. Brakes are applied individually to begin a yaw movement back into the intended lane.
Hyundai has released details on it’s Hyundai Concept Genesis, due to be revealed at the New York International Auto Show on April 4th 2007. Hyundai’s newly developed Tau DOHC 32-valve V8 powers this sedan. Front-rear weight distribution is respectable at 53:47. The 4.6 liter Tau V8 is mated to a 6-speed ZF automatic transmission with manual shifting, delivering over 300 horsepower to the rear wheels, launching the Concept Genesis from 0 to 100km/h in under 6 seconds.
Other than a good front-rear weight distribution, handling is further enhanced with a front five-link suspension featuring upper and lower arms linking the front wheels to the chassis. This arrangement creates a virtual king pin axis which reduces unwanted steering wheel kickback, improving feel and responsiveness. The rear also uses a five-link independent setup.
This photoshopped image is by Kevin Lee, his take on a new “Proton Putra Neo”. The Proton Putra 1.8EXi is commonly thought of as the best car Proton ever made, however it lived a short lifespan. In 2004, Proton resurrected the Putra, selling lower-spec models in black only to a few customers, but sales stopped again soon after.
Progress Europe was commissioned by Suzuki’s Dutch arm to build this Suzuki Grand Vitara Bandit Concept, a pimped out Grand Vitara that looks like it’s ready to do some serious offroading. it will be displayed at the AutoRai Car Show at Amsterdam tomorrow.
The Suzuki Grand Vitara Bandit features an aggressive offroad-style bodykit, as well as a wider (by 30cm!) body. The whole SUV is done up in white, including the interior which features white trim and white leather seats.
We really must thank Proton’s design team for the Satria Neo as it has inspired many graphic artists to practice their skills. Above is a new photoshopped image from Theophilus Chin, something that looks abit more realistic thanks to an actual photograph source image.
Below is reader cikdet’s modification of Theophilus Chin’s previous work, turning the 5-door Neo into a 5-door stationwagon called the Satria Neo T. I assume the T means Touring, following BMW’s naming convention. You can click both images in this post for a larger version.
Another photoshop by contributor Theophilus Chin. He’s whipped up a 5-door hatchback version of the Satria Neo called the Satria Neo5, inspired by manufacturers like Chevrolet and Kia who add the 5 suffix to their hatchback cars. I think the way the rear door extends onto the wheel arch is abit weird, but looks okay overall. I wonder if the Golf Mk5 could somehow have Satria Neo inspired body panels slapped onto it and end up looking like this. Click the image above to view an enlarged version.
In my updates on the Porsche Panamera, I will usually mention two competitors, the CLS and the Aston Martin Rapide. But then I realise I haven’t actually posted anything about the Rapide have I? Basically, the Aston Martin Rapide is a 4-door coupe concept that’s set to go into production, expected to account for between 1,000 to 2,000 units annually. This will bring Aston Martin’s yearly production up to 7,000 units.
Aston Martin is pretty much an independant automaker now, but Ford still retains a 8% stake. More photos after the jump.
These are sketches of Hyundai’s Concept Genesis, a D-segment vehicle that will make it’s public debut at the New York International Auto Show this year. Rumours are that the Concept Genesis will eventually graduate as a production model Hyundai i50, also code-named Hyundai Equus. The Equus is supposedly Hyundai’s first rear wheel drive platform car. This might be the successor to the Hyundai Sonata, and with rear wheel drive, it should please the Americans and Australians.
A little bit about Hyundai’s new model naming scheme. Hyundai seems to have emulated BMW’s number scheme somewhat, with the Hyundai i30 being in the same segment as the 3-series which is the C-segment, while this new i50 will be similiar in size to the 5-series, a D-segment car. Following this trend, we might see a future large Hyundai called the i70?
Volkswagen’s Cross virus has infected the SEAT brand - introducing the Seat Altea Freetrack Prototype based on the Seat Altea XL. To improve approach and departure angles, the Freetrack stands 185mm higher than the standard Altea XL. It’s also equipped with a more aggressive bodykit to invoke a sense of adventure.
On the inside, the cockpit has been re-arranged and turned into a 2+2 seater with sports bucket seats. The engine itself is the venerable 2.0 liter TFSI which is tuned to make 240PS, mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. A Haldex differential sends power to all four wheels, making the Altea Freetrack not so much of a poser soft-roader but something which can do moderate amounts of off-roading.
March 13, 2007 @ 1:02 am
· Filed under Cars, Concepts
Sighted at Geneva: a sporty, sleek yet unconventional car that looks like a supercar and is powered by a hybrid V12 engine. The name of Giugiaro’s VAD.HO concept is a clever play on words. It’s a combination of Giugiaro’s hometown since 1974, the Vado industrial area in Moncalieri, and it is also meant to sound like vado, or “I go” in Italian, with the H slotted in to symbolize hydrogen.
Using an asymmetrical design, the Giugiaro VAD.HO concept places a jet-fighter-like two person cockpit with the driver in front and passenger at the back at the left side of the car. The cockpit cover lifts gullwing-style and the outer-facing armrests of each seat can be lifted up to help get out of the car. On the right is the BMW V12 Hydrogen hybrid engine that’s found in the BMW Hydrogen 7. The cockpit has much more fighter-jet-ness going for it than just it’s shape, you are also supposed to control the car via joysticks. Yes, two joysticks are fixed onto the armrests, one for each person. The driver’s joystick is used to steer the car of course, while the passenger uses it to access the on-board computer system.
More photos as well as a full detailed press release after the jump.
