Renault Megane Coupe Concept, 2008

Renault Megane Coupe Concept, 2008

The Renault has chosen the Geneva Motor Show to take the wraps off its Mégane Coupé Concept show car which foreshadows a compact production coupe to be released at a later date. Like New Laguna, it points to an evolution towards more fluid, sportier styling from Renault. Renault Mégane Coupé Concept targets drivers who are not only drawn by the notion of driving pleasure but who also seek to express their personality through their vehicle. Mégane Coupé Concept symbolizes Renault's vision of what a genuine compact sports coupe should deliver, namely character and dynamism, two traits epitomized by the show car's unprecedented door-opening kinematics.

Distinctive looks that exude personality and dynamism

The Renault Mégane Coupé Concept provides a foretaste of the forthcoming Mégane Coupe. "This show car emphatically showcases the evolution at Renault Design. Its squatter proportions and powerful, energetic styling talk directly to the driver's senses; they say 'driving pleasure'. The spectacular, unprecedented door-opening kinematics add that little touch of magic which contributes to the dream factor associated with the automobile," explains Renault's Patrick Le Quément, Senior Vice President, Corporate Design. Of a total length of 4.51 metres, Renault Mégane Coupé Concept features a modern, dynamic silhouette with taut lines that seem to suggest perpetual movement, while its alert, expressive front-end looks point at once to a truly dynamic personality.

The juxtaposition of headlamp modules with aluminium-finish air-intakes also conveys an impression of fluidity and movement. The two rows of main and dipped beam lights sit on a crystal-like striated strip which fills the sidelight and daytime running light functions.
The headlamps use high-performance light-emitting diodes which are both long-lasting and extremely efficient. The foglamps also employ LED technology and blend harmoniously with the dynamic, front-end styling.
The shoulder-lines flow along the curvaceous sides before culminating in a squat rear-end which expresses power and movement.

The boot, which pulls open and then lifts to minimize vertical travel, echoes the kinematics of the doors which are divided into two sections. The panelled door itself is topped by a separate glazed area and, as they open, the two parts deploy gracefully and elegantly in an independent movement redolent of dragonfly wings. A carbon arm at the rear of the doors connects them to the body structure and the system ensures particularly easy access for passengers.

The cabin: a compelling extension of the exterior's dynamic voluptuousness

The interior is redolent of the world of contemporary furniture. The independent, asymmetric front seats, which rise up from the sills, seem to float in midair. Their wafer-like forms express an airy lightness, while their enveloping design is a pledge of comfort and holds the occupants firmly in place. The aperture revealed by the open doors carries over to the front seat shells and the upper part of the two rear seats.
This sculptural, one-piece structure, which is finished in fire red lacquer, ensures a seamless link between the exterior and the cabin. The centre console extends through to the rear seats and its layered design recalls the striated bar of the headlamp modules.

The choice of colours and materials is another means by which the exterior and interior have been harmonized to highlight Renault Mégane Coupé Concept's volumes and magic.
The iridescent Dragon Grey body-colour goes well with the dragonfly-like door-opening mechanism and the paintwork's rainbow finish gives a fresh vision of the car every time the light changes: even at a standstill, it appears to be in movement. Meanwhile, the interior's contrasting colour-scheme underpins the dynamic exterior thanks to the blend of fire red lacquer (dashboard, upper part of the centre console, front seatbacks, etc.) and softer black leather or nubuck for the door panels, seat cushions and centre console). The door panels themselves incorporate supple, slide-locking stowage, while the floor is protected by a black, modern, graphic mesh.

The cabin equipment is modern and intuitive

The different controls have been inspired by the Renault-pioneered Touch Design approach and are both simple and practical. The central multimedia control is coupled with a display divided into three zones. The central part displays all journey-related information (navigation, radio, music, video, Bluetooth telephone), while the screens either side show the images relayed by cameras incorporated in the exterior mirrors. Renault Mégane Coupé Concept is locked and unlocked using a Samsung F700 mobile phone which serves as a hands-free card and connects to the centre console. Both rear passengers benefit from a portable Samsung P2 audio/video multimedia player with touch screen which they can use to swap files using the mp3/video Bluetooth controls.
The four-zone climate control system allows each passenger to select the temperature they prefer using controls housed either side of the dashboard in the case of the front passengers or on the front seatbacks for rear occupants.
Special care has also gone into ensuring that the cabin is brightly lit. The red backlighting of the instruments contrasts with the surrounding black backgrounds. Meanwhile, the panoramic windscreen extends over the roof to provide additional clarity during the day and blue-hued cabin lighting at night.

A show car dedicated to passion and driving pleasure

Renault Mégane Coupé Concept's generous bumper, wide, low grille and alveolar air-intake point to the presence of a high-performance powerplant under the bonnet.
Indeed, Renault Mégane Coupé Concept is powered by a 200hp (147kW) 2.0 Turbo petrol engine which delivers torque of 280Nm at 2,600rpm and peak power of 200hp at 5,800rpm to ensure punch and flexibility at all engine speeds for everyday motoring pleasure. Mated to a manual six-speed gearbox, the 2-litre turbocharged unit drives Renault Mégane Coupé Concept from a standstill to 100kph in just 7.2 seconds, yet it returns economical fuel consumption of just 6.5 litres/100km (154g of CO2/km).

Renault Mégane Coupé Concept is a compact, stylish, dynamic coupe which delivers undeniable driving pleasure, while its sporty calling is also expressed by its modern, elegant cabin. This show car, which builds on the trend established by Laguna Coupé Concept, sees Renault take its will to dial genuine passion into its cars yet another step forward.

Dimensions
* Length (mm) 4,514
* Width (mm) 1,908
* Height (mm) 1,371
* Height with doors open (mm) 2,085
* Wheelbase (mm) 2,749
* Front track (mm) 1,658
* Rear track (mm) 1,648
* Front overhang (mm) 950
* Rear overhang (mm) 815
* Unladen weight (kg) 1,310
* Boot volume (litres) 290
Technical data
* Engine 2.0 T petrol (200hp)
* Power (hp) 200hp (147kW)
* Maximum torque (Nm) 280Nm at 2,600rpm
* Acceleration from standstill to 100kph (s) 7.2
* Standard cycle CO2 emissions / fuel consumption 154g/km / 6.5 litres/100km
* Gearbox Six-speed manual gearbox
* with 'stop and start' system
* Transmission Front-wheel drive
* Tyres 245/35 ZR21
* Wheels 21-inch

Rinspeed sQuba Concept, 2008

Rinspeed sQuba Concept, 2008

The Thirty years after the movie thriller 'The Spy Who Loved Me' hit the silver screen Rinspeed sQuba is the first car that can actually 'fly' under water.

Zumikon - "Dive it again, James!" If the situation gets too hot for the secret agent he'll go underground - or under water. So demonstrated impressively by Roger Moore in 'The Spy Who Loved Me" in 1977 when he dove below the waves in a sleek vehicle that moments before seemed to be an ordinary car. The only problem: The scene never really took place; it was an animation.

With the Rinspeed sQuba, the world's first real submersible car, the movie fake now becomes reality for visitors of the Geneva Motor Show (March 6th - 16th, 2008). Rinspeed boss Frank M. Rinderknecht (52) is known for his extraordinary automotive creations. The acknowledged James Bond enthusiast and Swiss automobile visionary kept revisiting this scene in his mind over and over: "For three decades I have tried to imagine how it might be possible to build a car that can fly under water. Now we have made this dream come true."

And it is this submerged stabile flight at a depth of 10 meters that sets the Rinspeed sQuba apart from military vehicles. While the latter can go under water, they are limited to driving slowly over the submerged ground. Rinderknecht: "It is undoubtedly not an easy task to make a car watertight and pressure resistant enough to be maneuverable under water. The real challenge however was to create a submersible car that moves like a fish in water."

It also had to be a sports car that was converted into a diving dream in the facilities of Swiss engineering specialist Esoro. In a first step the combustion engine was removed and replaced by several electric motors. Three motors are located in the rear. One provides propulsion on land, the other two drive the screws for underwater motoring. They are supported by two powerful Seabob jet drives in the front, which 'breathe' through special rotating louvers from HS Genion (for opening and closing the water intake). The rotating outlet jets were designed to be extremely light yet twist resistant by using high-tech materials, so-called Carbon Tubes.

It is a sure bet that the Rinspeed sQuba will steal the show from any 'Baywatch' beauty on the beach. And easily, too: You drive the car into the water and the car floats. That is, until you crack the door to let the water in. Immediately the Rinspeed sQuba starts on his way to the underwater world. The occupants' breathing air comes from an integrated tank of compressed air that divers know from scuba diving. Rinderknecht: "For safety reasons we have built the vehicle as an open car so that the occupants can get out quickly in an emergency. With an enclosed cabin opening the door might be impossible." But safety wasn't the only reason for choosing an open-top design: With an enclosed volume of just two cubic meters of air the vehicle weight would have to increase by two tons (!) to counteract the unwanted buoyancy, giving the Rinspeed sQuba the land mobility of a turtle. Without occupants the Rinspeed sQuba surfaces automatically.

It's even capable of autonomous driving on land thanks to a sophisticated laser sensor system from the Hamburg company Ibeo - without any help from the driver or passenger.


Power is supplied by rechargeable Lithium-Ion batteries. Rinderknecht: "The 'sQuba' is a zero-emission car as documented by the rotating license plate in the rear. It produces no exhaust emissions. The Swiss are among the world's pioneers in the area of hydropower. The 'sQuba's' filling station is the water reservoir." It is no surprise that the vehicle features powerful yet energy-saving LED lighting technology.


For shore leave the Rinspeed sQuba relies on a stainless coil-over suspension from KW automotive and large Pirelli tires mounted on custom-made forged light-weight wheels from AEZ with 17- and 18-inch diameters. But the Rinspeed sQuba is really at home in the water. To make the occupants feel at home there as well the innovative salt-water resistant interior from Strähle + Hess features genuine mother-of-pearl trim and diamond-plated non-slip inlays from KGS Diamond, normally used in high-tech abrasives. After all, 'diamonds are a girl's best friends.' The high-tech VDO instrument cluster and controls create a futuristic ambiance and allow controlling all vehicle functions even while submerged.

Rolls-Royce 200EX Concept, 2009

Rolls-Royce 200EX Concept, 2009

The Rolls-Royce 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.

The PHILOSOPHY

The 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 - Rolls-Royce 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.
The Rolls-Royce 100EX was the first experimental car unveiled after Rolls-Royce Motor Cars was relaunched under BMW Group ownership in 2003. The two-door, four-seat convertible was built to mark 100 years of Rolls-Royce motor car design and engineering.

The DESIGN

The Rolls-Royce 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. "Rolls-Royce 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 Rolls-Royce 200EX an air of informal presence - powerful but unobtrusive."

The rear-hinged coach doors give the car a natural presence and sense of theatre. Revived in 2003 on the Rolls-Royce 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 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé.

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.
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 Rolls-Royce 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.

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

Saab Aero X Concept

Saab Aero X Concept

Inspired by Saab's aviation heritage and Scandinavian roots

• Previews more progressive design language
• Innovative opening canopy eliminates doors and windshield pillars
• "Green Power" from 400 hp BioPower engine using 100 percent ethanol fuel
• All-wheel drive, carbon fiber bodywork

The Saab Aero X concept harnesses the power of Saab's aviation and Scandinavian roots to make a unique statement in performance car design. Conceived as a study to explore future design directions, its innovative features preview the development of an enhanced design language that will inspire future Saab products.

As one would expect from Saab, this dynamic two-seater sports coupe breaks with automotive design convention both outside and inside.

First, there are no doors... or windshield pillars. That's because the Saab Aero X adopts a cockpit canopy, just as you would see on a jet aircraft. It offers the Aero X pilot full 180 degree vision, and also facilitates entry and exit from its low-slung cabin.

Thrust for the all-wheel-drive Saab Aero X also comes from a powerplant with a difference. The 400-hp, twin-turbo, BioPower V6 engine is fueled entirely by ethanol, a sustainable energy source that is kinder to the environment by cutting fossil CO2 emissions. The "green power" of this advanced engine gives new meaning to the phrase "performance with responsibility."

Inside, the Saab Aero X's cockpit also adds a new dimension to clean Scandinavian interior design by completely eliminating conventional dials and buttons. Instead, Saab has applied techniques derived from Swedish glass and precision instrument making, displaying data on glass-like acrylic 'clear zones' in graphic 3-D images.
Saab Aero X Concept

With weight-saving carbon fiber bodywork, a lightweight powertrain, electronically controlled suspension and all-wheel drive, the Saab Aero X is an exciting driver's car that promises a level of performance to match its looks. Computer simulations anticipate zero to 60mph/100 kph in just 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph/250 kph (limited).

Despite being so tightly driver-focused, the Aero X still offers surprising practicality, again, a quality you would expect to find in all Saab designs. That dramatically sculpted tail conceals a useful twin storage facility, with a conventional hatch opening and sliding drawer underneath.


"The concept shows the exciting possibilities that are open to us as we evolve a more progressive design language for the brand," says Jan Åke Jonsson, Saab Automobile's Managing Director. "Our designers, engineers and marketers in Sweden are ideally placed to nurture and communicate the unique DNA of the Saab brand. Their work will ensure that future product proposals express core qualities, such as progressive design, sporty performance and emotional functionality, in a way that is specific to Saab."

The Saab Aero X is the latest in a series of concepts from Saab, each accentuating different brand qualities. These include the 'four-dimensional' 9X (IAA Frankfurt 2001), the 9-3X Cross-over Coupe (Detroit 2002) and the 9-3 Sport Hatch (IAA Frankfurt 2003).