Mercedes-Benz will debut Mercedes-Benz BIOME Concept at 2010 Los Angeles auto show. Which is a safe and comfortable 2+2 compact car that comes with excellent handling and cutting-edge design.
This concept comes from Mercedes-Benz, which, incidentally, was built not far from Los Angeles at the company’s US design headquarters in Carlsbad, California. The vehicle is called the Biome Concept and is described as a vehicle that “grows in a completely organic environment from seeds sown in a nursery”. In layman’s terms, the Biome Concept is pretty much an organic hybrid that was created in complete symbiosis with nature, producing its own oxygen and contributing to the improvement of air quality. M-B's German design team created the Smart Weight-Watch, an ultra-compact dunebuggy with removable and recyclable plastic and cloth panels, a carbon fiber tub and tires (you read that last part right) and a lithium-ion battery powering two 15 kW motors. Total weight: exactly 1,000 pounds.
The Biome isn't built the same way normal cars are. Instead, its bodywork is grown from two seeds -- one for the interior, one for the exterior -- that produce an ultralight 'BioFibre', which is then harvested and knitted together to form the car. The wheels, meanwhile, are grown from four separate seeds. This may mean you have to wait 18 years for your car to grow up and become road-legal.
Press Release
At this year’s Los Angeles Design Challenge, the designers from the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios in Carlsbad, California, surprised everyone with a revolutionary vision. Taking their inspiration from nature, they designed a vehicle which is fully integrated into the ecosystem, from the moment of its creation right through to the end of its service life. The Mercedes-Benz BIOME grows in a completely organic environment from seeds sown in a nursery. Out on the road the car emits pure oxygen, and at the end of its lifespan it can be simply composted or used as building material.
"As the inventor of the motor car, we wanted to illustrate the vision of the perfect vehicle of the future, which is created and functions in complete symbiosis with nature. The Mercedes-Benz BIOME is a natural technology hybrid, and forms part of our earth’s ecosystem. It grows and thrives like the leaves on a tree" according to Hubert Lee, Head of the Mercedes-Benz Advanced Design Studios in Carlsbad. This year the competition had called for the creation of a vision of a safe and comfortable 2+2 compact car featuring good handling and a first-class design, and weighing only 1,000 lbs (around 454 kg/kerb weight).
Mercedes-Benz symbiosis – a partnership with nature The Mercedes-Benz BIOME symbiosis vehicle is made from an ultralight material called BioFibre and tips the scales at just 875.5 lbs (around 394 kg). This material is significantly lighter than metal or plastic, yet more robust than steel. BioFibre is grown from proprietary DNA in the Mercedes-Benz nursery, where it collects energy from the sun and stores it in a liquid chemical bond called BioNectar4534. As part of this process, the vehicle is created from two seeds: The interior of the BIOME grows from the DNA in the Mercedes star on the front of the vehicle, while the exterior grows from the star on the rear. To accommodate specific customer requirements, the Mercedes star is genetically engineered in each case, and the vehicle "grows" when the genetic code is combined with the seed capsule. The wheels are grown from four separate seeds.
The Mercedes-Benz BIOME is powered by BioNectar4534, which is stored in the BioFibre material of the chassis, interior, and wheels. In addition, Mercedes-Benz has developed a technology to equip trees with special receptors which can collect the excess solar energy and turn it into BioNectar4534. This creates a direct link with nature’s energy sources and acts as an incentive to cover mobility energy requirements through more trees and at the same time maintain natural resources. Like plants, the Mercedes-Benz symbiosis vehicle also produces oxygen, thereby contributing to improving air quality. At the end of its service life, the Mercedes-Benz BIOME can be fully composted or used as building material. Thanks to the exclusive use of green technologies, the BIOME vehicle thus blends seamlessly into the ecosystem.
IBE Concept, is the latest creation from Seat and will be unveiled tomorrow at the Geneva Motor Show and is set to show us the design lines of the upcoming cars from the Spanish manufacturer.
In addition to the 2+2 coupe EV, the VW-owned company is also said to be working on a petrol/electric hybrid based on the next Volkswagen Golf platform. A Seat Leon plug-in hybrid is also planned for release in 2014.
The new Seat IBE Concept is a fully electric car and will carry a 102 hp engine capable to deliver a maximum torque of 18 kWh. This means that the car will borrow the same engine from the A1 e-Tron, set to make its official debut at the same Geneva show. Regarding its performances the car will be capable to sprint from 0 to 50 km/h in just 3.4 seconds, to 80 km/h in 6.3 seconds and to 100 km/h in 9.4 seconds. Unfortunately these are the only details available for the moment but stay tuned.
At Geneva, the IBE Concept was shown with a 75-kiloWatt (101-hp / 102-PS) motor that produces up to 200Nm (147 ft-lb) of torque. The car sprints to 50 km/h in 3.4 seconds, and 100 km/h in 9.4s. The 3.78-meter long coupe weighs 1,000 kg (2,205 lbs).
Last week's Chicago Auto Show didn't hold a lot of surprise concepts or glamorous supercars, but there were a few key developments for car shoppers, including a hint at a new Dodge Compact car. The preview, given at the Economic Club of Chicago toward the end of the media days, reveals a new small car that is expected to use a modified Fiat Group platform, and will be one of the first joint projects of the new Fiat-Chrysler partnership.
When Fiat chief Sergio Marchionne took over at Chrysler he made it clear that one of his key issues was adding more small cars to Chrysler-owned brands' lineups. Recalling Dodge's product plans (chart included) for the future, it includes a small Fiat rebranded as a Dodge. With some reports speculating ties with the Dodge Hornet Concept from 2006, the car could come by 2013.
According to Dodge’s product plan, a small Fiat Group-derived vehicle will debut in 2013. The rendering reminds me of a streamlined version of the 2007 Dodge Hornet concept. This vehicle could be based off the same platform that underpins the Fiat 500. Whatever it is, Dodge desperately needs it now. via:thecarconnection
This is a rendering of the upcoming Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera by graphic artist Jon Sibal. The rendering. The debut for the new Lamborghini is set for the 2010 Geneva Auto Show in March.
The new Lamborghini will have the same LP560 gear box, a weight reduction of 70 Kg , and a power increase of 10HP, giving the LP570-4 Superleggera a 2.35 power to weight ratio. 0 to 60 is in 3.5 seconds.
Distinguishing the Superleggera will be the Italian flag colored stripes on the side of the car, as seen in the image here.
The LP570-4 Superleggera will be offered in 6 colors.
Orange
Lime green
Yellow
Black
White
Grey
Exclusive white & Italian flag bordered “Superleggera” stripping on the side. The green, orange, and yellow Superleggera’s will have extensive carbon fiber black interiors with the stitching matching the cars exterior while the grey, white, and black Superleggera’s will be the same but with grey stitching. Here are the different color version of the rendering reflecting the color options for the LP570-4 Superleggerra.
According to the latest rumors hardcore version of LP560-4 will be called exactly LP570-4 SV, less weight, but only 10 hp more, interior will be stripped down similar way as old SL version of Gallardo. Reworked front suspension and CC brakes are expected also. Car will feature new front spoiler with similar style as LP670-4 SV and big wing like Supertrofeo G. That is all, nothing revolutionary expected. Dealers and VIP customers will be able to see this car during presentation event next January, public unveiling at Geneva auto show, first cars coming to the customers starting from next May.
While a 10-horsepower boost may not seem worthy of all the hype on its own, a large drop in weight would justify quite a bit of attention. It is important to note that the Gallardo Superleggera, also introduced in Geneva, featured a similar power increase and weighed 100 kilograms (220.5 lbs) less than the Gallardo.
This resulted in a car that handled totally different compared to the regular Gallardo 5.2 model, and with the purpose build high rear wing it looked as fast as it would go ... sadly when the LP560-4 took over the Superleggera production was halted.
But this isn’t the complete story! This SV-version will not be the last version in the Gallardo LP560-4 series, a fifth and final hardcore rearwheel drive version will come later next year or early 2011 to keep production running until 2012 when the Gallardo successor is expected. Source: teamspeed and lambocars via worldcarfans
The new CLS model could get a market release by the end of 2011 as a four door, an advance on the two-door Mercedes ConceptFASCINATION shown in 2008 at the Paris show. Look for the doors to remain frameless, like the 5er GT. It would have the advantage of lower weight and reduced drag, making it a good option for highway drivers and chronic shoppers, writes the Netherlands-based blog.
Daimler is rumored to be bringing a Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake to the Paris Motor Show in October. News of the car comes as little surprise considering the positive reception received by the Porsche Panamera, reports Dutch outlet Auto Internationaal.
While we're all ogling pictures of the fetching three-door concept shown above, the production version is expected to carry four doors and a liftgate. While the show vehicle is fetching with its paucity of points of entry, four doors are apparently important for interesting the Asian market. Don't think of this rumored model as a replacement for anything else utilitarian in the Mercedes lineup; the CLS Brake is unlikely to usurp the R-Class and its unsalability. Rather, it will offer another stylish option in a package that is more car than bus.
Mercedes is set to show off its future look at next month's Detroit motor show with a concept that hints at its next design direction.
In an interview with AutoCar, Mercedes' chief designer, Gordon Wagener, said "We want to elevate our design towards art and if any company can do it Mercedes can." He added that the concept will be a "long and exaggerated" showpiece which is not intended to foreshadow any production model.
Wagener wouldn't be drawn on exact details of the Detroit concept but admitted that it was a "pure design concept which is long and exaggerated" but with no firm clues to a specific production model.
Look for more information to be released when the concept is officially unveiled early next month. More Photos
A production version of the Kee Coupe concept could be brought to market if Kia design director Peter Schreyer has his way. In an interview with Autocar, Schreyer acknowledged that the Kee Coupe could be attractive to customers that do not currently consider the company's cars for purchase.
According to John Krafcik, the president and CEO of Hyundai Motor America, the 2011 will be a very busy year with at least four new vehicle scheduled to make their official US premieres. The all-new Elantra sedan, codenamed MD, and next-generation subcompact Accent are already familiar to us.
2012 Veloster out there on the web, we managed to acquire some basic info on its powertrain options. The Veloster coupe powertrain line-up will include two four-cylinder engines, including a base 1.6L GDI four with estimated power output of 145 ponies.
The Veloster was first shown off as a 2+2 concept at the 2007 Seoul Auto Show. If produced, it could get odd-shaped doors, and conceptual hatchback as a way of setting itself apart from other cars in the same segment. Look for pricing to be sub-$22k.
The Veloster concept car featured an exciting exterior and interior design and that is expected to remain very attractive on a production model as well. According to John Krafcik, the Veloster is not going to be an ordinary styled two-door coupe, but rather a very unique sports car with many segment-first styling elements. Those include a uniquely designed doors and rear hatch.
More details, on the upcoming Hyundai Elantra and Accent replacements are expected to bow soon. Hyundai will also intensify pre-production testings of both cars, so you can also expect to see more spy shots surfacing to the web within next couple of months.
GM’s vice chairman Bob Lutz has confirmed that the 556-hp Cadillac CTS-V wagon will indeed become a production reality. Lutz dropped the W-bomb during a recent one-on-one interview while discussing how to prime the market for cool cargo haulers—like a possible Buick Regal wagon—especially among the over-35 set that grew up traumatized by wood-paneled Grand Marquis and Chrysler K-car wagon-trocities. Then Lutz said, “You know what’s really going to get you guys [on board with wagons] is the CTS-V wagon.” Read full story from caranddriver
Inspired by these two models, 23-year old industrial design student Marouane Bembli decided to go one step further by creating the R10. Featuring futuristic styling, the R10 is envisioned as a lightweight supercar with a V10 engine and a dry weight of 1200kg (2,645 lbs)
Japanese newspaper Yomiuri is reporting that Toyota may be deep in development of a Prius SUV, according to the AP. The SUV could be in addition to the Prius Wagon rumored since the Toyota Hybrid X Concept was put on display at the 2007 Geneva Motor Show.
The timing seems spot-on. After all, the industry journal Automotive News reported way back in October of 2007 that Toyota planners had said the 2010 Prius sedan would be followed in a year or so by a wagon version.
If released, we would expect that Toyota would include regenerative brakes, and a solar roof option. Plug-in versions could be in the works as well. No word yet if the company would use the nickel-hydrogen battery pack seen on the standard Prius, or the Lithium-ion battery used on the plug-in model
A little odd-sounding is the reported choice of a lithium-ion chemistry for the vehicle's batteries - top Toyota officials have been publicly proclaiming for months now that they don't believe lithium-ion batteries are sufficiently cheap or reliable yet for retail use.
More Photos
The next BMW M5 will be the first to have a turbocharged engine. News of the car's development comes by way of Autocar, who interviewed M division development chief Albert Bierman. Bierman says development of the next-gen M5 is well under way.
The engine’s output remains secret. But with the same unit pumping out 555bhp in the X5 and X6 M, the new car should stick to the M5 tradition of being more powerful than the car it replaces.
The most noticeable difference will be the way the new engine delivers its power. The V10’s 500bhp comes at 7750rpm, but the V8’s peak power should arrive at not much more than 6000rpm.
Although fuel consumption, and emissions, are expected to be reduced, a hybrid version similar to that of the Active Hybrid 7 is not expected. This decision is due to the added weight (100kg) a hybrid system would cause, a contrast to the car's carbon-fiber roof and trunk. Look for a new, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission to be on the vehicle, similar to that shown on the 25th anniversary M5. LED lighting, better aerodynamics, and a double-wishbone front suspension should also exist on the car.
The BMW has just introduced a new petrol-electric hybrid system on its new Active Hybrid 7, it has not been considered for the M5 due to the 100kg it adds to the car’s weight.
The new M5 will continue the car’s tradition of visual understatement with a muscular appearance. LED lighting will be used to enhance the look and differentiate the M5 from the standard 5-series, a new generation of which is due early next year. More Photos
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