Though the coachbuilder has not provided much information on the two-seat concept, the gaping oval grille and large air intakes above the sill and below the shoulderline indicate the car is powered by a large front-mounted conventional powerplant. Large vertical headlamps flank the hood, which features still more mesh-covered air outlets for dissipating heat. In profile, the concave fender morphs through the door to become a pronounced rear haunch. The grille's shape is also repeated at the rear on a broader scale, as is the headlamp design, with smaller circular lamps encased within the taillamp housing. The concept's double bubble roof, flowing from the steeply raked windscreen through to the backlight, is also a definitive Zagato design element.

We'll bring you additional details once we see the Perana Z-One in the metal at the Geneva Motor Show next week.

Source : www.cardesignnews.com

According to Ed Welburn, Vice President of GM Global Design, the prototype explores a new, futuristic expression for the Corvette nameplate. Inspired by the 1959 Stingray Racer and ‘63 Corvette Stingray split-window coupe, the concept combines heritage cues spanning generations of the iconic sports car design with an altogether more futuristic shape.

The car's sharp front end features a grille influenced by the Corvette SS from the ‘50s, and a wraparound windscreen leads to a sloping roofline that tapers off into a split-window backlight. When seen in profile, the fender shapes recall historic Stingrays as well, with the front fenders incorporating an air extractor aft of the front wheel and a defining feature line that links both the front and rear wheels.

Cardesignnews

Photo Gallery: Corvette Stingray concept

Called the Karma S concept, the four-seat convertible was designed by Henrik Fisker with input from a newly assembled design team taken on to help bring the Karma sedan to production.

The design of the S is likely to make it to the showroom almost unchanged.

Related Article:

Cardesignnews
Fisker Karma S concept - Detroit 2009
Photo Gallery: Fisker Karma S concept

Claimed to be the first Danish-designed supercar, the ST1's sharp aesthetic features a jagged shoulder and pronounced feature line leading to the rear air intake. Its aggressive DRG includes honeycomb inserts around the three-piece headlamps, grille aperture and fog lamps, as well as around the rear diffuser. This graphic is also repeated around the taillamps.

Inside, the ST1 features seating surfaces trimmed in leather and Alcantara and instruments with a head-up display and a G-force meter. Interior headroom is 1002mm, front seat legroom at 1104mm, and shoulder room at 1398mm. Options include a custom-colored leather interior and fitted luggage set.

Having spent the last four years developing the prototype, the company will build only 15 examples of the car, which will be sold to specially approved customers starting this year.

Related Article:

cardesignnews

Photo Gallery: Zenvo ST1

Though still only just a concept - the model was designed by British automotive designer Steve Everitt - the Venom GT looks related to Lotus's own Exige, albeit more aggressive and with a wider stance. If developed, the car would incorporate Hennessey's potent Venom 1000 Twin Turbo 8.5-liter V10 powerplant (sourced from Dodge's Viper) into a light weight mid-engine chassis weighing under 2,700 lbs. The car is also claimed to attain a slippery 0.39Cd rating when aided by its 'VenomAero' rear wing.

With a power to weight ratio of just 2.7 lbs per bhp, Hennessey estimates that the Venom GT could attain 0 to 100 km/h times in less than 2.5 seconds and a 0-300 km/h time of around 14 seconds. "The Venom GT will be a much more engaging sports car to drive by challenging the driver with 1000+ horsepower in a chassis that is nearly 1500 lbs lighter than the Veyron," said John Hennessey, the company's founder.

"The company already has existing Venom 1000 Twin Turbo clients interested in ordering the lighter, mid-engined Venom GT," he added. "Right now are taking a serious look at building 2 concept cars that could be shown to the public sometime in 2009. If there is enough demand we may consider doing a very limited production run of the Venom GT."

Source: cardesignnews

Claimed to fuse the passion for dynamic, exciting driving with a heightened sensitivity for the environment, the rakish concept harks back to the sporting lines of the 3000GT and the Eclipse production cars, while being noticeably influenced by Audi's TT in both the C-pillar and rear end treatment. The body structure has been constructed using an aluminum space frame made from extruded aluminum sections and die-cast aluminum members for improved crashworthiness and reduced weight. The hood, fenders and outer panels are also made from high impact-resistance and easily recyclable plastic resin, boosting its environmental credentials.

Powered by a new 2.2-liter high-output turbodiesel engine, the Concept-RA is meant to demonstrate that thrilling performance and environmental responsibility need not be mutually exclusive concepts. In keeping with the performance theme, the coupe concept features Mitsubishi's Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) vehicle dynamics control system which adds Active Steering and Active Damping control along with the Twin Clutch SST automated manual transmission found in the current iteration of the Lancer Evolution.

Source: cardesignnews

The body of the i MiEV Sport is constructed of lightweight aluminum and painted light green to show off its environmentally-friendly credentials, while the window glass is designed to absorb heat. The interior is a simplified space that uses geometry, metallic materials and Mitsubishi's own 'Green Plastic' made from plant-based resin technology. Lighting consists of energy-saving LEDs in the rear combination lamps and multiple blue LEDs inside the cabin.

Measuring 3,450mm overall, the i MiEV Sport has a relatively long wheelbase of 2,550mm and employs a rear midship layout like its production sibling the i Kei car. Unlike the i, however, the i MiEV does not utilize a conventional petrol engine but an electric motor beneath the luggage compartment driving the rear wheels. Mitsubishi's unique in-wheel motors power the front wheels and a high-capacity lithium-ion battery is installed in the lowest area under the floor to improve stability and enhance interior space.

To fulfill founder Reeves Callaway's longtime fascination for speedsters, designer Paul Deutschman designed new body panels, cut off the A-pillars and fitted twin windshields/deflectors to create the bespoke car. "Nothing draws attention more than a totally impractical and extravagant car like this. This is the stuff of fantasy," says Deutschman. "We avoided hard edge form language in favor of a softer and more timeless vocabulary. The Speedster has wider rear fenders than on the Coupe, and I'm very pleased by the sensual 'haunchiness' and muscularity it gives to the car".

The Pebble Beach car will feature a special clamshell rear deck and extended headrests that double as helmet holders. As on former Callaway cars, the prominent powerbulge on the hood is a technical necessity: it houses the supercharger. Bolted atop the 6.2-liter hand-built engine, the device enables production of 700hp.

Source: cardesignnews

Now in the final stages of development, the new car will undergo various prototype and specification testing before it is officially launched at the International Mexico City Auto Show in December this year. A state of the art facility is currently being built to assemble the 150 units the company will build initially, with the first production-ready models expected to hit the streets in the first quarter of 2008.

Source: cardesignnews