VW NanoSpyder

Volkswagen NanoSpyder

( VW NanoSpyder)

Futuristic nanotechnology supported by hydrogen fuel cells, solar power, wheel-mounted electric motors and inflatable organic body panels combine to form the unusual shape of the two-seater concept.
Nanospyder is the work of a team of three young designers – Patrick Faulwetter, Daniel Simon and Ian Hilton - based at the Volkswagen Design Center in Santa Monica. They created the Nanospyder in response to a challenge laid down by ‘Design Los Angeles’, a conference set to take place at the upcoming Los Angeles Motorshow in November. The brief – unlike the solution – was simple. To design a vehicle able to make the most of California without harming the environment.
The team met its brief by thinking well beyond current manufacturing techniques. According to its creators the Nanospyder would be formed out of a latticework of billions of tiny programmable nano devices measuring less than half a millimetre in diameter. Each of these tiny devices can be programmed to be as strong or weak as required meaning active crumple zones can be created. The ‘spine’ of the vehicle, onto which the rest of the components are attached, remains immensely strong.
Clothing the nano-lattice are panels formed out of a mix of organic materials some of which can inflate to provide further cushioning in the result of an impact. The material doubles as a power source as polysynthesis generates small amounts of electricity. This coupled with hydrogen fuels generates power to drive the tiny electric motors mounted within the hubs of all four wheels.
The Nanospyder, although purely intended as a concept vehicle, gives an insight into the depth of thinking going into the search for sustainable forms of modern transport.
The concept was created to be entered in the third Los Angeles Design challenge – the winner of which will be announced on November 30th at the Los Angeles Motorshow.
The Volkswagen studios, established in 1991, won the very first challenge in 2005 with the innovative Mobile Lounge concept.

GMC Hummer O2

Carbon dioxide into oxygen

( GMC Hummer O2 )

Photosynthesis

The HUMMER 02 Concept features a revolutionary phototropic body shell that produces pure oxygen throughout the life of the vehicle. Algae-filled body panels transform carbon dioxide into pure oxygen that is subsequently released back into the environment and inside the vehicle. “The panels essentially function as the ‘leaves’ of the HUMMER O2 and effectively clean the air in the surrounding environment,” said Saucedo. “Used algae are recycled as biomass for the further production of energy.”
Breathing

The HUMMER 02 promotes the production of oxygen by a two-way valve system in the corner of each panel. The sophisticated devices control and monitor the amount of carbon dioxide and source nutrition needed for the algae cultivation while optimizing oxygen production and distribution.
Energy Four modular and self-contained fuel cells power hydraulic motors built into each wheel. A hydrogen tank is placed in an ideal central location for safety and structural purposes, becoming the “heart” of the vehicle.
Footprint

Active Tread TM tires provide low resistance on the highway while allowing excellent off-road progress as their shape changes – adapting to and protecting the surrounding environment.
Structure

Finally, to further reduce environmental impact, the HUMMER O2’s construction specifies the use of 100-percent post-consumer materials, including an aluminum frame, seats finished with Volatile Organic Components-free (VOC-free) materials and glazing via PETE (similar to everyday consumer packaging, such as soda bottles). The GM West Coast Advanced Design Studio won the 2005 Design Challenge competition with its GMC PAD Concept, a mobile urban loft designed for the L.A. environment.

Buster Coupe

Eco-Friendly Revo Electric Cars

( Buster Coupe )

Revo Motor Company's flagship is called the Buster Coupe. The name is almost longer than the vehicle, which measures 102.3 inches long on a 71-inch wheelbase and looks similar to the Smart Car from certain angles. Top speed is 45 mph (with the 25-mph limiter removed), and it has a range of 70 miles on a charge. Classified as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle (NEV), the Buster Coupe is "100 percent legal for on-road use," the company says. It and the companies three other electric car models - yes, there are three other models - are all powered by a 72V electric motor. All Revo's electric vehicles are 100% pollution free.

Honda PUYO

Honda's Eco-friendly Concept


( Honda PUYO )

The eco-friendly design of the Honda PUYO fuel-cell vehicle is meant to create a soft, friendly impression and entertain the occupants as well as the people around it. The “seamless soft box” design gives PUYO a spacious interior and the charm of a cute pet that begs to be touched. PUYO’s “gel body” made from soft materials is designed to enhance safety, while embedded headlights and other illumination shine through the soft, translucent skin in the hope of fostering a more tender relationship between human and machine.

Citroen is taking eco-friendly construction

( Citroen C-Cactus )

The C-Cactus is an eco-friendly car that, just like its prickly desert-living namesake, is very low on consumption.Debuting at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the diesel hybrid reveals what the future holds for a low-emission, super-economical C4-sized family car. Beneath the futuristic looks – which are influenced by previous concepts such as the C-Airplay and C-Buggy – the C-Cactus houses a 70bhp 1.4-litre HDi hybrid powerplant.

Capable of running almost silently on battery power at low speed, the C-Cactus also has a 30bhp electric motor, which helps the engine at higher speeds for overtaking. As well as featuring a diesel particulate filter, the ultra-clean C-Cactus emits only 78g/km of CO2 – meaning that if it went into production, it would be exempt from UK road tax and plans for an extended congestion charge.

Thanks to the hybrid system’s ability to shut down in towns and run solely on electricity, fuel economy is even more impressive than the emissions, and on the combined cycle, the C-Cactus is said to return an amazing 97.4mpg. It is the first Citroen concept to use the 1.4-litre hybrid – previous prototypes had a 1.6-litre diesel-electric HDi. That larger motor is scheduled to arrive on models in 2010 – and it’s likely the C-Cactus’s 1.4-litre unit will go on sale at the same time, too.

Cost has always been a concern with hybrids, but Citroen claims it has found a way around this. Innovative construction techniques have allowed the firm to spend the same amount of money as it would on a conventional car during production.

All features that are non-essential to the running of the C-Cactus or the comfort of the passengers have been removed. The windows are fixed, for instance: Citroen says the automatic air-conditioning makes it unnecessary for the glass to be opened, although there are simple sliding panes for accessing ticket barriers.

Body panels have been kept to a minimum, with the front bumper section – which includes the headlamps and double-chevron badge – also making up the lower part of the tailgate. The bonnet is fixed, too: a simple flap gives access for routine maintenance.

Much of the car is made out of recyclable materials, and the cabin requires only 200 parts – about half that used for an average model. The seats are simple two-piece items, while there’s no dashboard at all. Controls for the sat-nav, gearbox and stereo have moved to the centre console.

But it’s still full of French flair, with a key that doubles as an MP3 player, a panoramic glass roof and a clip-on bag to replace the glovebox. And there’s plenty of equipment, too. A touchscreen on the centre console controls navigation and on-board computer functions. This sits between two built-in loudspeakers, minimising wiring and installation costs.

Flexibility is also good, with a sliding rear bench and boot floor that moves back to a reveal a flat load area underneath. Although the car is simply a concept for now, some of its ideas will appear on future models.

Aptera

The car of Future

( Aptera 2 Series )

Aptera seems extremely unlikely to get its first production model shipped before the end of 2009 comes news that essentially seals this fate. Aptera is now saying that all production models will be front-wheel drive, a major change to say the least. Previously, Aptera's preproduction models used a belt-driven rear wheel, leaving the two hoops up front alone to steer the vehicle.

No longer, as Aptera offers the following reasons for the switch:

1. Better weight distribution, which, in turn, maximizes stability

2. Improved traction during acceleration and in inclement weather wet conditions

3. More efficiency at higher speeds

4. Increased durability during the life of the vehicle

5. Improved noise insulation

6. Increased rear cargo space (without sacrificing front legroom)

Clever Car Concept

Eco-Friendly Clever Car Concept

Three-wheeled concept cars are getting more and more popular. After Volkswagen’s three-wheeled concept, now British engineers have designed a micro-car called ‘Clever’ that is eco-friendly and is designed to help you find a way through the narrowest of gaps and get even into the tiniest of parking spaces. The car is partly funded by the European Union and partly backed by BMW. The three-wheeled car is sleek in design and its chassis tilts like a motorcycle as the vehicle goes around a corner. The tilt system not just saves you from the traffic blues but is controlled electronically to make sure the car is balanced at all speeds. The body of the car is enclosed in an aluminum frame and plastic coating and it runs on compressed natural gas. So, for those of you, who don’t like to drive zig-zag like the bikers, now you can have the fun of motorbike with the safety of a car.

H- racer

Hydrogen powered car

( H-Racer )

The smallest Hydrogen powered Fuel Cell car in the world. Full kit includes everything you need for Hydrogen motoring.
The H-racer is a futuristic toy car that contains one of the most exciting and advanced technologies of the 21st century.

This car operates on 100% clean fuel produced by a miniature solar-powered hydrogen refueling station that converts water to hydrogen using energy captured from the sun. Cars running on clean and renewable fuel are the dream of many of today’s world leaders, engineers and scientists seeking to eliminate mankind’s reliance on fossil fuels in favor of climate friendly energy resources.......
With new advances in technology, hydrogen is on its way to becoming the world’s next fuel. Hydrogen offers many important advantages: it is non-toxic, renewable, clean to use, and the most abundant element in our universe. And by using fuel cell technology to convert hydrogen to electricity without any combustion, the technology is a significant solution to many of our global energy and environmental problems. …
No combustion occurs inside a fuel cell. The only exhaust resulting from hydrogen fuel cell cars is pure water. Fuel cell cars that use hydrogen as a fuel are also known as “zero emission vehicles.” Today, many of the world’s automotive companies including Toyota, GM, Ford, Honda, and Daimler- Chrysler, are developing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles with the hope of introducing this technology to the public in the near future.
The H-racer is the working miniature version of what is being developed in real-size cars of the future. This palm-size fuel cell car contains an onboard hydrogen storage tank, a fuel cell system connected to the car’s electric motor, and a hydrogen refueling system linking the car’s storage tank to an external hydrogen refueling station.
Given its small size, the H-racer is also very safe as only tiny quantities of hydrogen are sufficient to power the car..……………………………

Toyota RiN

Dreamy concept cars at

Tokyo Motor Show
( Toyota RiN )

In recent days, Japanese automakers have been releasing the details of concept cars. Here is a roundup of some of the more fantastic designs.

Designed to promote harmony with nature and evoke a warm, fuzzy feeling inside, the eco-friendly Toyota RiN concept car features heated ergonomic seats, an oxygen level regulator, a spot humidifier, a “mood training” steering control system that monitors the driver’s psychological state, and greenish glass that protects against UV and infrared light while enhancing the natural beauty of the view outside. The exterior design was inspired by Japan’s old-growth Cryptomeria trees known as yakusugi, which are found on Yakushima island, a natural World Heritage Site known for its pristine, ancient forests.