Tuesday, September 25, 2012

Dodge EV Concept, 2008

 
 
  •  Dodge EV Concept, 2008
The Dodge EV development Electric Vehicle is a two-passenger, rear-wheel-drive sports car that marries high performance with zero tailpipe emissions based on the Lotus Europa.

"The Dodge EV sets a new standard for what can be expected in electric-drive vehicles," said Lou Rhodes, Vice President - Advance Vehicle Engineering, and President - ENVI. "The electric-vehicle technology enables a fun-to-drive performance sports car and helps redefine the vision of an environmentally responsible vehicle for the Dodge brand."

The electric-drive system consists of three primary components: a 200 kW (268 horsepower) electric motor, an advanced lithium-ion battery and an integrated power controller.

The 200 kW electric-drive motor generates 650 N•m (480 lb.-ft.) of torque. The instant high torque of the electric-drive motor delivers outstanding performance, accelerating the Dodge EV to 60 mph in less than five seconds, with quarter-mile times of 13 seconds. The Dodge EV has a top speed of more than 120 mph.

Working with the latest advanced lithium-ion battery technology, the Dodge EV has a continuous driving range of 150 to 200 miles - more than triple the average daily commute of most consumers. Recharging the vehicle is a simple one-step process: plugging into a standard 110-volt household outlet for eight hours. The recharge time can be cut in half to four hours by using a typical 220-volt household appliance power outlet.

The Dodge EV offers driving enthusiasts a performance sports car that can be driven to work every day - without consuming gasoline or producing tailpipe emissions.

Lancia Delta 1.8 Di Turbo Jet, 2009

 
 
 
 
  • Lancia Delta 1.8 Di Turbo Jet, 2009

Lancia Delta reflects perfectly the concept of "Anticrisis Luxury" as it fulfils the current requirements of prestige and mobility thanks to the logic of downsizing - i.e. it ensures high quality and performance, reducing cost, size and fuel consumption. Thanks to these winning characteristics, in March this model became the leader of its car range in Italy and is fast growing at European level.

The innovations of the 2009 range
The main innovation is represented by the 200 HP 1.8 Di TurboJet engine, the most powerful one of its range. It is an innovative petrol direct injection engine that confirms Lancia's preference for sports cars and, at the same time, its commitment to protect the environment by limiting emissions and fuel consumption.

These qualities are achieved by enhancing its brilliance, flexibility and the pleasure of driving which have always made this model stand out. This engine is produced by FPT - Fiat Powertrain Technologies - and is provided with a modern 6 speed automatic transmission. It delivers a maximum power of 200 HP (147 kw) at 5,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 320 Nm (32.6 Kgm) at 1,400 rpm. With such equipment, Lancia Delta can reach a maximum speed of 230 km/h and goes from 0 to 100 km/h in only 7.4 seconds. At the same time, the car stands out for low fuel consumption (7.8 litres per 100 km), reduced CO2 emissions (185 g/km) and a Euro 5 homologation.

The second innovation is the exclusive Executive version: a car addressed to clients who look for top luxury and comfort. The "top range" was designed to fulfil the requirements of business clients and members of the diplomatic and institutional worlds - as the attention invested in designing a comfortable passenger compartment shows. Seats are wrap around and comfortable as they are designed to business class standards. The back seats are comfortable for long trips with plenty of room for the legs. Therefore, Lancia Delta Executive offers a real, modern, in tune with the time alternative to bigger, heavier and more expensive cars. The fact this car was chosen to be the Official Car for the 9th World Summit of the Nobel Peace Prize held from 11th to 13th December 2008 in Paris - of which Lancia was the Main Sponsor - is not a coincidence. A Lancia Delta Executive fleet will also drive the international authorities to the G8 summit that will take place from the 8th to the 10th of July.

All these technological innovations - together with the self-adaptive bi-xenon headlights (Adaptive Xenon Light) and the integrated satellite navigator (Instant Nav) - were made thanks to the cooperation between the Brand and Magneti Marelli. We cannot forget that the cooperation between Fiat Group Automobiles, Magneti Marelli and Microsoft has given birth to Blue&Me™, a system complete with Telecom service functions - which Lancia Delta is the first one to offer - together with hands free, music player and navigation functions.

Film stars choose Lancia Delta
Lancia Delta was engaged for the Columbia Sony Pictures "Angels and Demons" new film kolossal. This film, inspired by Dan Brown's bestseller of the same title, is on the same line of the "The Da Vinci Code" and is also directed by Ron Howard, with Tom Hanks in the role of professor Langdon. Lancia celebrates this important product placement with a Lancia Delta Special Series that enhances the double soul of this model: an angel in terms of carbon emission and a devil in terms of performances. The proof is in the two engines available for this version, the 200 HP 1.8 Di TurboJet and the 190 HP 1.9 TwinTurbo, which ensure a better CO2/HP ratio for this range - i.e. maximum power for minimum emissions. The same winning features can be found in the other two models that make up the "Première Collection": 105 HP Ypsilon 1.3 Multijet and 95 HP Musa 1.3 Multijet.

For the movie launch of "Angel and Demons" scheduled for the 15th May 2009, Lancia has decided to launch an original communication campaign that goes under the slogan "One angel, 200 demons". Actions, performance and temperament: these three concepts dominate the commercial that, thanks to an agreement with Sony Pictures, exclusively shows some of the film shots of which the new 200 HP Lancia Delta 1.8 Di TurboJet is the protagonist. The press campaign is as sensational as the film as it combines one of the most emblematic film shots with a double image of the new Lancia Delta which clearly refers to its double soul: angelic on the outside, but with 200 demons inside.

Lancia Delta is increasingly the car chosen by stars. Since last year, this model has been the Official Car of the most prestigious film festivals sponsored by Brand: following its launch at the 65th Venice Film Festival, a fleet of Lancia Delta cars drove cinema stars to the red carpets in Rome, Milan and Turin.

The strengths of the new engine
The entire world acknowledges the fact that the Italian motoring school has always had the ability to produce gritty and temperamental engines, true "jewels" that are the result of the experience and passion of the engineers matched with their technical competencies acquired over years. The new 200 HP 1.8 Di TurboJet (Euro 5) is no exception.

The new engine is produced by FPT - Fiat Powertrain Technologies - and has a maximum power of 200 HP (147 kw) at 5,000 rpm and a maximum drive torque of 320 Nm (32.6 Kgm) at 1,400 rpm. Thanks to its combination with a 6 gear automatic/sequential transmission, the 200 HP 1.8 Di TurboJet provides an exciting and unmatchable drive: it can reach a maximum speed of 230 km/h and accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. In spite of these amazing performances, fuel consumption and emissions are surprisingly low: respectively 7.8 l/100km in the combined cycle and 185 g/km of CO2.

Thus, these innovative engines prove Lancia Automobiles' commitment to protecting the environment by containing emissions as well as reducing fuel consumption. All this is achieved by enhancing brilliance, flexibility and the pleasure of driving which have always made this model stand out. In order to achieve these extraordinary results, the 200 HP 1.8 Di TurboJet introduces petrol direct injection, turbocharging and an exhaust and intake double continuous phase transformer. The merging of these different technological solutions offers important advantages to clients such as the direct injection which means low fuel consumption for high engine performance. Furthermore, the turbocharger associated with the double phase transformer enables quick acceleration thanks to a particularly favourable drive torque curve.

Here are the details of all the innovations of the new 200 HP 1.8 Di TurboJet which was designed and developed by engineers of FPT - Fiat Powertrain Technologies, the sector of Fiat Group that provides innovation, design, plan and production activities for engines and gearboxes of all uses: from cars to industrial vehicles, from boats to agricultural machines. With about 20,000 employees, 16 plants and 11 research centres located in 9 different countries, this Sector represents a most significant presence in the field of engines at world level. In FPT, about 3,000 highly specialized engineers work on innovation technologies development and automation. The over 40 patents registered every year show quality and reliability of this group, making FPT - Fiat Powertrain Technologies - a great centre of technological excellence and constant innovation.

The Scavenging Technology
The amazing performances of this engine are a result of the application of the Scavenging technology which maximizes the drive torque at very low rpm by guaranteeing an incredible engine response speed to any driver request.

Direct injection
The direct injection reduces the temperatures in the combustion chambers through the evaporation of fuel and lowers the knock sensitivity. This enables the engine to achieve great performances even for a moderately high compression ratio (equal to 9.5) and ensures limited fuel consumption at a "partial" speed.
The direct injection system is essential in reducing emissions thanks to an advanced strategy of double injection. Furthermore, thanks to the direct control of fuel, it is possible to avoid some of the petrol getting directly to the exhaust manifold during the scavenging with negative effects on the catalytic converter's functionality. Lastly, this injection system of second generation is provided with a new high pressure pump (capable of managing petrol pressure of 150 bar) and innovative injectors with 7 holes that guarantee ideal evaporation for all operating conditions.

Double phase transformer
The two continuous phase transformers on the intake and exhaust camshafts enable phase optimisation at any speed and engine load by reducing fuel consumption and emissions as much as possible. Moreover, by combining the two transformers with the turbocharger, it is possible to manage the Scavenging strategy by defining the correct overlapping during the transitory phases. In this way it is possible to respond to a sudden driver request by maximising the engine's response speed at low rpm.

Turbo
This engine is provided with a new generation turbocharger connected to an innovative "Pulse Converter"-type exhaust manifold which optimises the use of exhaust pressure waves to increment the driving torque at low speeds. Both manifold and turbine are made of microcast steel so that they can reach very high working temperatures (up to a maximum of 1020 °C). This is very important for reducing consumption while operating at medium/high speed - i.e. on a motorway.

Thermal Fluid Dynamics
The intake ducts were designed and optimised by using mono and three-dimensional calculation technologies through which it was possible to obtain a correct and high turbulence level. Even the combustion chamber was optimised by using wide squish areas and by minimising area/volume ratios with clear benefits in terms of combustion efficiency. Lastly, the exhaust ducts were designed to work in tune with the exhaust manifold and maximise its pulse converter effect.

Emissions
One of the main priorities of FTP - Fiat Powertrain Technologies - engineers was to guarantee a low level of emissions together with excellent performances, in line with the Lancia Automobiles' philosophy which places the protection of the environment at the core of its products' design and improvement. Just like the Lancia Delta diesel engines (the 190 HP 1.9 Twin Turbo MultiJet, 120 HP 1.6 MultiJet and 165 HP 2.0 MultiJet), the brand new 1.8 Di Turbo Jet 200HP E5 was Euro 5 approved even before the standard enforcement date.

KTM X-Bow, 2008

 
 
 
  •  KTM X-Bow, 2008

An aggressive design and sporty potential: the KTM X-Bow is not merely a milestone in the KTM brand's more than 50-year history, it's also a new citation in the small, but elite segment of radical, lightweight sports cars. This exceptional position is the result of the concept: for their first car, KTM employs the finest materials, high-tech and the know-how of respected development partners such as Audi and Dallara. The result is a street-homologated sports car with racing technology, like an avantgarde, carbon fibre monocoque. Thanks to the basic version's light weight and the 177 kW (240 hp) Audi TFSI engine, the performance values of the KTM X-Bow outstrip those of super-sport cars with more than twice the power: with a deadweight of approx. 700 kilos, the KTM X-Bow accelerates to 100 kph in just 3.9 seconds.

However the KTM X-Bow isn't just a racing machine, even if it is going to accomplish spectacular performance feats on racing circuits. With its modern technologies and exceptional solutions, it's much more oriented towards sporty drivers who seek a purist's driving experience. By foregoing electronic assistants and today's standard comfort features, the X-Bow offers an unfiltered adventure - aided by its standalone wheels in the style of monoposto racing cars, transparent technology and the car's reduced concept, i.e. no roof, doors or windscreen. The sports car has only a 70-millimeter, transparent wind deflector. With all these unique features, driving the KTM X-Bow becomes an experience with an immediacy that otherwise can only be felt when riding a motorcycle.

The Next Step into the Future
For the Upper Austrian motorcycle manufacturer - Europe's second largest - the decision to expand its line of business into the automobile market was of great strategic significance. It was made possible by the company's extraordinarily dynamic growth over the past 15 years. Since 1992, KTM vehicle sales have risen an average of 21% each year, while the volume of sales even climbed to 25% each year. Today, KTM is the world's leading brand in the offroad segment and in recent years has successively expanded its model portfolio into the street sector. "Moving into the automotive sector is the logical continuation of this strategy. With the X-Bow, KTM can now offer the classic KTM driving experience to all those who don't have a motorcycle licence," says Stefan Pierer, CEO of the listed KTM Power Sports AG, explaining this investment in the company's future.

Carbon Fibre Monocoque: Racing Know-How from Dallara
Carbon fibre monocoques have been the Formula 1's safety net for years. On the road, this technology was formerly reserved for the elitist, supersports cars in the highest price classes. KTM would now like to be the first to offer this solution in a much more affordable environment.

KTM has thereby been able to call upon the expertise of its development partner, Dallara. These specialists from Varano (near Parma) in Northern Italy have long been acclaimed as carbon technology experts, from the conception to the production of components made of this light, yet rigid material. The monocoque developed for the KTM X-Bow is not only extremely robust it is also safe, thanks to an integrated crashbox. And yet it weighs only about 70 kilos and is therefore a crucial factor in the vehicle's spectacular performance.

The Engine: TFSI Technology from Audi
KTM was able to gain Audi AG as its partner in developing the drive unit. The four-cylinder TFSI engine represents the X-Bow's construction principles in an ingenious way: by featuring lightweight, high-performance and intelligent technologies.

The engine's outstanding attribute is its gasoline direct injection technology, FSI. In this case, it's combined with an exhaust turbocharger plus an intercooler. Thanks to FSI, the engine can utilize fuel better than one with ordinary intake manifold injection and it even gets by on less fuel in the frequently used partial load range.

The injection takes place at a pressure level between 30 and 110 bar, valves in the intake system direct the inflowing air into a cylindrical movement. A continuously variable intake camshaft ensures optimal cylinder charging at any speed. Two balancer shafts compensate the second order inertia forces and so guarantee superior, low-vibration operation.

The KTM X-Bow's long-stroking, four-valve engine delivers a powerful performance: 310 newton-metres of torque peaks at a level between 2200 and 4000 rpm. The peak performance of 177 kW (240 hp) is achieved at 6000 rpm. Even more powerful engine variations in the 300-horsepower range are planned at a later date.

The drive unit package is complemented by a manual 6-gear transmission, which is also made by VW and can be equipped with a limited-slip differential if so desired. An optional S tronic transmission will also be offered. The drive comes from the rear wheels.

The Chassis: Direct and Competent
The X-Bow's driving dynamics profit not only from the car's low centre of gravity but also from its superior chassis, which also draws on racing technology for its basic principles. Suspended on double triangular wishbone axles, the wheels feature suspension and damping elements by WP Suspension, with a pushrod arrangement up front.

The Italian brake manufacturer Brembo can also be proud of its reputation for excellence. KTM is also expanding this partnership (which began in the motorcycle sector) into the automobile realm. The X-Bow's powerful braking system consists of 305 mm discs at the front and 262 mm discs at the rear. The interaction of the vehicle's light weight, ideal balance, low centre of gravity and a 17-/18-inch tyre mix results in spectacular braking performance: when the brakes are warm, the KTM X-Bow needs only 33.1 metres to decelerate from 100 kph to a standstill.

The Aerodynamics: Exceptional Contact Pressure
The primary development goal for the KTM X-Bow was not attaining extreme final velocities, but in optimising the driving dynamics. The sports car is thereby aided by an ingenious aerodynamics arrangement, the result of many hours in Dallara's wind tunnel. The most vital element in this area is the underbody, which is equipped with a prominent diffusor at the rear. To make this diffusor work even more effectively, the linking points for the rear suspension were set as high as possible. This enables the KTM X-Bow to achieve a phenomenal downforce of about 200 kilograms at a speed of 200 km/h - about three times more than most other supersport cars.

In combination with the high-performance chassis, this fantastic downforce makes extreme curve speeds possible. The transversal acceleration of 1.23 g that can thus be attained noticeably surpasses the usual values achieved by street homologated sports cars.

The aerodynamic concept was a great challenge for the designer as well. It meant that sufficient air had to be channelled into the inlets located in the sides, behind the passengers. The radiator is also located at the rear of the vehicle, to avoid having to install longer, heavier cooling hoses. This mission was accomplished by using special air baffles, which are installed horizontally on the sides of the car so the passengers can also use them as boarding aids.

Safety: Racing Technology
The crucial component protecting the driver and the passenger is the solid, carbon fibre monocoque - safety technology straight from Formula 1. This structure is supplemented by a crashbox in the nose of the vehicle. The silencer, which is built into the rear of the car, was also designed to act as a crashbox; it absorbs the force of an impact to the rear of the vehicle.

The driver and passenger are also protected by four-point safety belts, which were inspired by the racing world. If so desired, this unit can be equipped with a fifth securing point. The two roll bars are clearly visible. They not only appear to be solid, they are skilfully integrated into the monocoque's structure.

Design: Floating Elements
Gerald Kiska's design studio can take credit for the shape of the vehicle. Coming from Salzburg, he has worked closely with KTM for the past 15 years and is entrusted not only with the design of the motorcycles, but also with the appearance of the company itself.

For the concept of the KTM brand's first automobile, Kiska incorporated many characteristics that are more closely associated with motorcycles than cars. Every part fulfils a function, the technology remains transparent, the form is noticeably simple. The few, orange-coloured body panels are "floating elements", like those of motorcycles, and suggest lightness and simplicity.

The deliberate reduction in all things even includes the lights: simple headlamps, embedded indicators flush with the car's contours and round lights at the rear forego superficial, showy effects. Instead, the carbon structure also takes on design duties, meaning that components which are frequently hidden in cars, such as the silencer, suddenly serve an aesthetic purpose in addition to their usual functions.

The Equipment: Puristic and Functional
As a result of its clear concept, the KTM X-Bow can do without a lot of elements that ordinarily add complexity and extra weight. So the narrow wind deflector makes an elaborate heating system and windscreen wipers unnecessary; doors are also not included in the design, due to the vehicle's low profile and the extra-low side profile.

The seats are further examples of the X-Bow's intelligent and simple construction: the shells for the driver's and passenger's seats are already integrated into the carbon fibre construction of the monocoque. An overlay provides solid comfort. In order to provide the best ergonomics for drivers of various heights, the KTM X-Bow has manually adjustable pedals.

The KTM X-Bow doesn't have a luggage compartment. But it does feature an innovative, mobile storage box for the car documents. The equipment required by law, such as the warning triangle, first aid kit and a tyre-fit system, are kept in storage compartments beside the passenger's foot well. A cover is stowed in this same location; it protects the interior of the car when it's parked. Two helmets can be fixed in the passenger's legroom.
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