Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept

While Ferrari, Porsche, and others tinker with hybridization of their supercars, Lamborghini is betting the bull farm on extreme weight reduction to meet its target of a 35-percent CO2 reduction by 2015, as the name of its latest concept car -- Sesto Elemento -- suggests. That translates to "sixth element," which periodic-table enthusiasts will recognize as C, or carbon. Practically everything but its V-10 all-wheel-drivetrain (swapped in unchanged from a Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera), tires, and fasteners is made of the stuff. Weight is conservatively estimated at 2200 pounds -- that undercuts its "super-light" drivetrain donor by about 750 pounds for an impressive weight-to-power ratio of 3.9 pounds per horsepower. Lamborghini's computers predict 0-to-62 mph acceleration in 2.5 seconds!
Conceived at the Sant'Agata factory's Advanced Composite Research Center in cooperation with technology partners Boeing and the University of Washington in Seattle, the heart of this technology demonstrator is a fully structural carbon-fiber monocoque that unites 60 percent of the structure in a single bonded unit that incorporates most of the brackets and mounting hardware for the remaining parts. The crash-structural core is formed using a patented low-pressure resin-transfer mold process known internally as RTM-Lambo.
Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept Rear
Here's how it works: Lightweight, inexpensive carbon-fiber male and female molds are constructed to form a complex part like the passenger tub, which integrates the seat shells in the concept. Dry sheets of four-axis carbon fiber (picture two square weaves with the layers rotated 45 degrees) are cut using computer-guided blades, and the ones that must conform to complex contours are molded by heating them to 400 degrees and squeezing them in an 88,000-ton press. A tiny bit of resin helps them hold this shape. These sheets and various foam inserts required to provide structural sections are positioned in the master mold with more laser guidance, along with aluminum inserts that are later tapped as mounting plates. Then the male mold clamps it all in place; a vacuum is created to remove any air from the part; and the resin is injected. Early Lamborghini estimates suggest monocoques built this way at supercar volumes and even a bit higher could cost as little as a third as much as a conventional steel one, but notes that this procedure does not produce a class-A paintable surface. Hence the structural outer roof panel is made using more conventional resin-impregnated and autoclave-cured two-axis carbon-fiber

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept

Kia Pop Electric Car Concept

Kia Pop Electric Car Concept

Kia's tagline, "The Power to Surprise," becomes more apparent with each new vehicle it's brought to market as of late, from the Sportage to the upcoming Optima. Now, Kia has delivered an electric surprise in the form of a 2+1 micro-city car, the Pop, which will debut at the Paris Motor Show.
Kia hasn't released any details or technical specifications on its electric city car other than its length (3 meters long) and passenger capacity (three). The Toyota iQ-lookalike joins the ranks of upcoming electric city cars, such as the BMW Megacity, and features a futuristic interior and exterior surrounded by glass. Kia's design team spared no detail, incorporating a design theme defined by ovoid circle window treatment and boomerangs in the headlights.
Kia Pop From Above
Like the iQ, the diminutive Pop will accommodate three passengers through a 2+1 configuration -- two passengers in the front, and one in back. From the details in the pictures, the sleek purple and silver interior has a couchlike front bench, which we hope makes it to production.
With this surprise introduction, it seems the electric city car wars are only beginning to heat up.

Kia Pop Electric Car Concept

Kia Pop Electric Car Concept

Kia Pop Electric Car Concept

Infiniti IPL G Convertible Concept

Infiniti IPL G Convertible Concept

Infiniti IPL G Convertible Concept

Infiniti may have already dressed its G Coupe in high-performance IPL goods, but the automaker vowed other models in its lineup would soon receive a similar treatment. Following through with its promises, Infiniti will unveil its IPL G Convertible concept at next week's 2010 Paris auto show.Following closely in the footsteps of the IPL G Coupe seen last month, the IPL G Convertible is powered by the same 3.7-liter V-6 producing 348 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque. A true dual exhaust, improved air-fuel mixture, and altered ignition timing combine to produce an extra 18 horsepower and six pound-feet of torque more than the standard VQ engine found in a G Convertible. Like the IPL G Coupe, power will likely be sent to the rear wheels through the same six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearboxes.
Infiniti Ipl G Convertible Front Three Quarter
Aesthetic upgrades also remain largely similar to that of the IPL G Coupe. Its front and rear fascias share the aggressive, sharp edges as do the side skirts. Gunmetal, split-spoke 19-inch wheels are the same, with increased spring rates and a quicker steering ratio also expected to be carried over. The concept also features the optional Monaco-red leather interior. The same three-piece retractable hardtop found on the standard convertible will make its way onto the concept.
Though billed as a concept, we wouldn't be surprised if the IPL G Convertible makes its way into dealer showrooms shortly after the coupe, which is scheduled to arrive in December.

Infiniti IPL G Convertible Concept

Infiniti IPL G Convertible Concept

Hyundai ix35 Hybrid Concept

Hyundai ix35 Hybrid Concept

Hyundai showed a slew of its environmentally friendly vehicles at the Paris Motor Show this week, which included the ix35 Blue and ix35 Hybrid Concept. Both utilize Hyundai's new 1.7-liter diesel engine that produces 115 horsepower and 192 pound-feet of torque. As evidenced by its name, the Hybrid concept also employs an electric motor to further decrease consumption although the five-kilowatt (seven horsepower) unit can't propel the vehicle on its own.
Both the ix35 and ix35 Hybrid concept also feature Hyundai's latest six-speed manual transmission, meaning that should the hybrid version make it to market, Honda's CR-Z won't be the only hybrid available with a manual transmission. Both versions of the ix35 also employ an engine start/stop feature.
Start/stop systems work seamlessly with automatic transmissions, but may require manual transmission users to change their driving style. The system works by killing the engine when the vehicle comes to a complete stop and the driver has the car in neutral with the clutch out. It then refires the engine the instant the clutch is depressed -- which is similar to the system Audi introduced on its A1.
In addition to frugal drivetrains, the fuel efficient Blue and Hybrid versions of Hyundai's ix35 crossover feature subtle aerodynamic changes to further decrease drag. Of course, a logo on the back identifies the models should the subtle exterior cues not be enough.

Hyundai ix35 Hybrid Concept

Hyundai ix35 Hybrid Concept

Hyundai ix35 Hybrid Concept