BMW Vision EfficientDynamics concept car
Design
This is a proper, old-fashioned showcandy courtesy of new BMW Group design boss Adrian van Hooydonk. The radical Vision EfficientDynamics’s most striking visual feature belongs to the massive gullwing doors and roof, which are made from a polycarbonate glass that darkens according to the surrounding light.
This Bangle-free concept car doesn’t provide a direct link to any single upcoming BMW, instead it give clues to future cars. The new twist to traditional BMW kidney grille looks promising too.
Oily bits
BMW claims that the tiny 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged diesel with two electric motors – one up front and one at the rear axle – is capable of 351bhp and 590lb ft of torque. Wow!
Despite being a green car, the BMW Vision EfficientDynamics will hit 100 km/h in just 4.8sec and a limited 155mph top speed. Even more remarkable would be the CO2 emissions of just 99g/km and a claimed fuel economy of 75.1mpg. Here’s hoping that the Bavarian boys can back these up soon.
The Vision EfficientDynamics concept car’s 25-litre fuel tank allows for a 400-mile range solely under diesel power. And a further 435 miles if under full EV mode. BMW says that the car takes two and a half hours to recharge when plugged into domestic power mains.
Audi E-tron electric concept
Design
Looking rather like a prop from The Jetsons is the Audi E-tron concept car, an electric version of the R8 supercar. Minimalist is the order of the day when it came to designing the Audi E-tron concept car. To achieve less aerodynamic drag, the R8’s famous sideblades have disappeared, resulting in a bloated TT-like appearance.
The E-tron’s minimalist interior features a shallow dash and the lack of a transmission tunnel gives way to a clutter-free design. The MMI system is controlled by a touch-sensitive scroll pad in the centre of the car, and ahead of it is a small gear selector that rises up when the E-tron is started. Easily, this is the most refreshing Audi interior design in recent memory.
Oily bits
There are four electric motors driving all four wheels to produce a staggering 3319lb ft of torque. In comparison, the Audi electric supercar has over three times more torque than a Bugatti Veyron (922lb ft), along with 309bhp, it gets the E-tron from rest to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds. The power is normally distributed 30:70 front-to-rear to balance the 42:58 weight distribution.
Despite the 470kg lithium-ion battery, the E-tron only weighs around 1600kg – an R8 V10 tips the scales at 1620kg. Its 42.4kWh storage capacity gives the E-tron a range of over 150 miles. The E-tron can be fully charged with a domestic main inside of eight hours. Incidentally, Audi is also working on a wireless inductive charging system similar to that used by electric toothbrushes.
Renault Zoe ZE electric concept
Design
Renault is aiming to become the biggest mass-market zero-emissions (ZE) vehicles manufacturer in Europe. Hence, Renault has unveiled four electric concept cars at this year’s Frankfurt motor show, including the radical Renault Zoe ZE concept.
The Zoe ZE hints at an electric Clio hatchback that will go on sale in 2012. The show car has gullwing doors at the front, butterfly doors at the back that open to expose the entire interior of the Zoe ZE.
Oily bits
A 95hp electric motor powered by lithium-ion batteries gives the 1400kg a top speed of 88mph and crucially a 100-mile range. The air intakes ahead of the rear wheels ventilates the batteries.
And with the help of cosmetic giant, L'Oréal, the Zoe ZE has a new climate control system that can spray essential oils to suit the occupants’ mood, cut out harmful exterior smells, or hydrates the interior to prevent dry skin. Now, do they come with the options of day moisturizer and night cream?
Mercedes SLS AMG
Design
Visually, the new Mercedes SLS AMG is a stunner with a long, low nose, stubby tail and incredible gullwing doors. The ultra-wide front grille, side vents and gullwing doors are all designed to mimic the 1954 Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing, while the rear features LED lights and spoiler that pops up above 75mph.
Oily bits
Is this a rebodied Mercedes SLR McLaren? Nope, not at all, The SLR had a carbonfibre chassis, supercharged 5.5-litre V8 and five-speed automatic gearbox. But the SLS has aluminium underpinnings (at 1620kg it’s actually over 100 kg less than the old SLR), a naturally aspirated 6.2 litre V8 that produces 563bhp and an all-new seven-speed dual-clutch ‘box.
Armed with a launch control system, the SLS will storm to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 197 mph. As with the old SLR, the Mercedes SLS AMG sadly comes in LHD only. An eco SLS is on the cards in 2012; it will have an electric motor powering each wheel, producing a total of 526bhp.
Printable Version
RSS Feed: Lifestyle
Reader's Comments
Audi rules, and who says "green" is the standard? Last time I checked, cool cars are about image, style, and getting from A to B fast.
It only makes sense for Audi to use VW's "green" technology. That's what BMW is lacking - a strong parent company. How about PSA? The jointly developed and manufactured Mini/Peugeot/Citroen engine is a nice precedent...
What is the BMW green technology of Mercedes? It was co-developed - part of it with GM! Soon you'll get BMWs with GM Full-Size truck technology! :-)
still nothing as green as public transport but we can all try reduce carbon footprint. Oil can hit US$100 again
The Prius is a mom's car and a car for smug greenies in the US; the Tesla - I have driven it - is grossly overrated, but surprisingly at least it works...
Public transport is fine... I can't wait for First Class in the A380 :-)
Ok, so u r one of the Audo fans, ok. But reality shldn't be out of your sight, which I cannot determine, since u prefer to b headless here.
For those who can read, it was all over the (decent) press, that Merc was doing a deal with BMW to get their hands on the Efficient Dynamics range of thinks. None of it in question was 'co-developed with GM' as you purport and all the other rubbish you claim.
It wld be good to cut out the subjective opinion and drama and make it look less arrogant altogether.
Now that would be good... do you think your rationale would go that far?
You were talking about "green technology", not the "efficient dynamics" "package" - so, what instantly came to mind is the Global Hybrid Cooperation (GM, Mercedes, BMW) :)
Most of that "efficient dynamics" stuff is developed by suppliers anyway. The rest is smoke and mirrors for the loyal customers and fans. They will be happy to know it works :)
We'll see whether BMW can stay independent... I wish them well, certainly they've done great cars in the past...
It's also really nice they are green and all, even though their 6-12-cylinder petrol engines are among the worst guzzlers in the industry (no matter how aggressively certified), but perhaps they should proceed to make their cars lighter and fix the disgusting styling...
I still think that electric cars will need time to gain a substantial foothold, taking the recharging infrastructure and distance into consideration. In the meantime, people can pretend to be green in some of the current gen of hybrids.
Please log in to use this feature.