Lotus Designs Smart Fortwo Sized All-Electric Mini Car Concept

From the make-believe world of 'What if...' comes our next story on a concept proposal for an all-electric mini car from Lotus. However, what makes this project stand out from the usual independently styled concepts is the fact that it was actually designed by Lotus. See, Automotive Engineer magazine asked the British sports carmaker to come up with a concept vehicle to show how far city car design could go.

The result is an extremely compact-sized mini car equipped with a 37kW-strong electric motor. Like many other EVs, power is provided by a 10kW lithium-ion battery pack which is positioned under the floor and can be recharged in three-and-a-half hours through a standard household 13A plug. The vehicle would have a range of around 50 km or 30 miles while it would be able to reach a top speed close to 65mph or 105km/h.

At just 2,600 mm or 102.4-in. in length, 1,600 mm or 63-in. wide, 1,700 mm or 67-in. in height and with a wheelbase of 2,000 mm or 78.7-in. the Lotus designed mini is roughly the same size as the two-seater Smart Fortwo and quite smaller than the 3+1 seater Toyota iQ.

Nevertheless, Hethel's designers say that mini can seat up to four people, albeit the two rear passengers will most likely feel like a pack of sardines. Alternatively, the rear seats can be folded to provide a luggage space. Driver and passengers would enter the car through a pair of sliding side doors.

The mini car would use an aluminum spaceframe in the floor while according to Russell Carr, head of Lotus Design, the body would be pressed aluminum or composite materials, depending on the sales volume.

Lotus points out that the design for the mini car was completed in approximately two weeks instead of the typical concept phase that lasts between three and six months, meaning that the project is a more of a rough sketch than anything else. And just to prevent any sort of rumors, the magazine says that vehicle wasn't designed as a Lotus city car but as a concept that could be developed for a third-party automaker.

Via: Automotive Engineer

Jaguar XKR Goodwood Special with 530HP V8: New Photo Gallery

If you made it to this weekend's Goodwood Festival of Speed (July 3-5), there's no way you could have not noticed Jaguar's special edition XKR. The one-off performance model that was purposely built for the event was painted in an extremely distinct lime-green color while the coupe also featured special exterior graphics in gray and orange.

Other styling tweaks that differentiate this model over the standard 2010 XKR facelift include the 21-inch alloys and the satin graphite detailing to the front grilles, door mirrors, rear signature blade, side window surrounds, headlights and bonnet louvres.

What's more is that Jaguar's engineers fiddled around with the XKR's supercharged 5.0-liter V8 that in standard form makes 510HP and 625Nm or 461 lb-ft of torque launching the sports coupe from standstill to 60mph (96km/h) in 4.6 seconds. In the XKR Goodwood Special, output is lifted to 530 horsepower and torque to 700Nm or 516.2 lb-ft.

The special edition XKR also features a lowered suspension and a tweaked exhaust system for a louder and more intimidating sound. Jaguar said that that the XKR Goodwood Special is a one-off model but we gather that if there's enough interest, the British automaker may launch a limited run series in the near future.

VIDEO: Citroen GT Supercar Live from the Streets of London

What was originally designed by Takumi Yamamoto as a fantasy supercar for the digital world of the Gran Turismo racing game has not only turned into a real life concept car, but odds are that it will make it into a limited series production. Recently, Citroen gave Londoners the chance to see the GT supercar on the road ahead of its scheduled run at next weekend's Goodwood Festival of Speed. We're still not sure what engine could power the production version though word has is that it may be a Ford or a GM derived V8. Follow the jump to watch the video.

Aston Martin Cygnet: $30k - €25k Mini Based on the Toyota iQ and it's Official!

We know what you're thinking but you couldn't be more wrong; this is not some funky replica kit but an official concept for an Aston Martin mini car! The Cygnet is based on the Toyota iQ and it is expected to go on sale before the end of next year with an estimated base price somewhere around £20,000 or about $30,000 - €25,000. The initial plan is for the Cygnet to be offered only to current and future Aston Martin owners but a general release could follow at a later date.

"Now is the right time for Aston Martin to take this first bold step to embark on this special project - made possible with the support of an organisation of Toyota's stature and capability and the intelligent design and perfect city car package of the iQ," said Aston Martin Chief Executive, Dr Ulrich Bez.

The British automaker did not disclose any specific details, but from the official teaser shots released by Aston Martin it is evident that the Cygnet will feature a new skin while retaining the basic shape of Toyota's iQ citycar. Expect to see a new interior adorned with Aston Martin-esque details.

"Much work is still required, but I am confident that this project could become reality in the not too distant future," said Bez. "This concept - akin to an exclusive tender to a luxury yacht - will allow us to apply Aston Martin design language, craftsmanship and brand values to a completely new segment of the market."

There's no word on the powertrain options but it is believed that the Cygnet will be us the iQ's 1.33-liter four-cylinder petrol that makes 100HP at 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 125Nm at 4,400rpm. It is possible that Aston Martin's engineers will tweak the iQ's suspension and brake system.

"The offering of a 'Cygnet' with a DBS, DB9 or Vantage is a unique combination of opposites and a novel transport solution allowing intelligent and sensitive mobility on an exclusive and innovative level," Bez noted.

The Toyota iQ donor cars will be built in Japan and then shipped to Aston Martin's Gaydon factory in the UK where they will be transformed into Cygnets.

And you thought GM's badge engineering was ridiculous...

Fiat Sapor Roadster: Concept Study for a RWD Two-Seater Sports Car

Fiat's link with the Chrysler LLC Group has spurred a wave of speculative reports, product plan forecasts and even design proposals like the Fiat Sapor roadster that was conceived by the crew over at Diseno-Art as an entry-level sports. We see two basic problems with this idea: A. the 500 mini is the only Fiat badged-car set to make it to the States (unless it comes with a Chrysler - Dodge logo) and B. the design itself is very rough, meaning that there's something there, but it definitely needs more work to show its full potential.

According to the designers, the Fiat Sapor's exterior styling is influenced by various Fiat models such as the 124 Spider up front and the X1/9 at the rear. The two-seater features a removable canvas rooftop that stows away into a special compartment behind the rear seats.

As for the roadster's mechanical hardware, the Sapor was designed to feature a front-mounted engine that sends power to the rear wheels. The designers claim that one possible option could be Fiat's 1.4-liter turbocharged four that makes 180HP in the Abarth Grande Punto Esseesse hatch.

Via: Diseno-art

Bugatti Stratos: Retrotastic Concept Study by Bruno Delussu

Designed by Bruno Delussu from France, the Bugatti Stratos is retro-futuristic concept study that draws inspiration chiefly from the Bugatti Type 57 Atlantic which is considered by many as one of the most beautiful cars of all time. Bruno states that he also used some design cues from the Alfa Romeo 6C 2500 Mille Miglia for the styling of the front end. To be completely frank, the first car that leaped into our mind upon seeing the Strato's fascia was the BMW-powered Weismann MF4 Roadster.

The French graphic designer said that his goal with the Bugatti Stratos was to create a pure fantasy vehicle clearly focusing on the design aspect of the concept without taking into account the technical restrictions and the resulting styling limitations of a model intended for production.

Source: Delussu , Via: Diseno