Cars Of The Future
Exotic materials and hybrid powertrains are the hallmarks of today’s pioneering car designs. The challenge is to produce a car that is environmentally friendly, but can travel farther than a battery-only vehicle, which is usually limited to a range of under 300 miles (480km). The current solution is a car with both lithium-ion batteries and an on-board engine. The engine engages at a certain speed, and charges the batteries as it powers the car.
Tesla Roadster, 2007
| Origin | USA/UK |
| Engine | Electric motor |
| Top speed | 125 mph (201 km/h) |
A huge step forward in electric vehicle manufacturing, Roadster entered production in 2008. It has batteries with a 300-mile (480-km) range and a Lotus Elise shell.
Ford Start, 2010
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 1,000 cc, straight-three |
| Top speed | 110 mph (177 km/h) |
Unveiled at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show, the turbocharged Start concept car has an aluminum/steel structure and an LCD dashboard. It could replace Ford’s Ka in emerging markets from 2014.
Range Rover Evoque, 2008
| Origin | UK |
| Engine | 2,179 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 124 mph (200 km/h) |
Land Rover unveiled its LRX concept car in 2008, and in 2010 announced it would be built in 2011 as the RR Evoque, with two-and four-wheel drive and 58 miles to the gallon (4.9 liters per 100 km).
Mercedes-Benz F800 Style, 2010
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | 3,498 cc, V6/electric motor |
| Top speed | 155 mph (249 km/h) |
Mercedes showcased its new technology in the front-wheel-drive F800. It has sliding rear doors, state-of-the-art electronics, and hybrid or fuel-cell power options.
Rinspeed UC?, 2010
| Origin | Switzerland |
| Engine | Electric motor |
| Top speed | 75 mph (120 km/h) |
This two-seat commuter car has a range of 65 miles (105 km). It can be loaded onto trains with special wagons, which can be booked on the car’s computer.
Audi e-tron, 2009
| Origin | Germany |
| Engine | Four electric motors |
| Top speed | 124 mph (200 km/h) |
Unveiled at the 2009 Frankfurt Show, this R8-based electric supercar has four-wheel drive, using a motor for each wheel. Limited production is promised.
Alfa Romeo/Bertone Pandion, 2010
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 4,691 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 199 mph (320 km/h) |
Mike Robinson at Stile Bertone was principally responsible for the Pandion, a tribute to Alfa Romeo’s centennial. Its doors pivot up from the rear wheelarch.
Frazer Nash Namir, 2009
| Origin | UK/Italy |
| Engine | 814 cc, rotary/four electric motors |
| Top speed | 187 mph (301 km/h) |
The reborn Frazer Nash company worked with Italdesign to produce this striking concept car to showcase its hybrid rotary and electric powertrains.
Honda P-NUT, 2009
| Origin | Japan/USA |
| Engine | Petrol/hybrid/electric options |
| Top speed | Undetermined |
Designed in Honda’s U.S. Advanced Design Studio, the Personal-Neo Urban Transport concept car has a central driving seat with two rear seats and a rear power unit.
Stile Bertone Mantide, 2009
| Origin | Italy |
| Engine | 6,162 cc, V8 |
| Top speed | 217 mph (349 km/h) |
Styled by Jason Castriota, the Mantide is intended to be the ultimate luxury supercar. It is built to order for $2 million, using Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 running gear.
Hyundai i-flow, 2010
| Origin | South Korea |
| Engine | 1,700 cc, turbodiesel /electric motor |
| Top speed | 120 mph (193 km/h) |
The i-flow is a fully working concept car with complex rear-hinged doors, hybrid drivetrain, and futuristic interior. Its air conditioning is powered by solar panels.
Renault Twizy ZE, 2009
| Origin | France |
| Engine | Electric motor |
| Top speed | 47 mph (76 km/h) |
Planned for production in 2011, the Twizy Zero Emission has two seats in tandem. It is just over 3 ft (1 m) wide, 7.5 ft (2.3 m) long, and is designed to make electric travel look fun.
Dodge Demon, 2007
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | 2,400 cc, straight-four |
| Top speed | 125 mph (201 km/h) |
This affordable, rear-wheel-drive sports car-with aggressive mini-Viper looks-was shown by Dodge in 2007. Unfortunately, Chrysler’s financial crisis made production impossible.
Opel/Vauxhall Ampera, 2010
| Origin | USA |
| Engine | Hybrid |
| Top speed | 100 mph (161 km/h) |
General Motors’ electric car will be sold as the Chevrolet Volt, or the Opel/ Vauxhall Ampera. It has a 1.4-liter gas engine, which drives a generator to boost electric charge.
Opel Flextreme GT/E, 2010
| Origin | Germany/USA |
| Engine | Hybrid |
| Top speed | 124 mph (200 km/h) |
Derived from General Motors’ Volt hybrid, the Flextreme is powered by an electric motor. Its battery lasts for 37 miles (60 km) before a 1.4-liter diesel engine starts to charge it.
Peugeot bb1, 2009
| Origin | France |
| Engine | Two electric motors |
| Top speed | 80 mph (129 km/h) |
Powered by lithium-ion batteries, the bbl is a city car with bike-style handlebars, double-bubble roof, and a 75-mile (120-km) range.
It is a quote. The Definitive Visual History Of The Automobile 2011
