As part of the Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, Kia aims to become one of the world’s premier automotive brands. Nearly 1.5 million vehicles a year are produced in 13 manufacturing and assembly operations in eight countries which are then sold and serviced through a network of distributors and dealers covering 172 countries. Today Kia Motors Corporation revealed the first preview rendering of its latest hybrid concept car which called RAY.

This new Hybrid Concept, which is based on the Kia Forte platform, introduces a lower profile of hybrid vehicles concept which is carried out in EcoDynamics philosophy of a curvaceous shape with innovative fuel-stretching and emissions-cutting technologies.

Kia Ray Plug-in Hybrid Concept is designed in a lowered mono-volume curvaceous shape for improved aerodynamics, while the use of lightweight and eco-friendly recycled materials is what had made it called EcoDynamics. To support this, the Ray” employs new “cool car” technology, including nano-laminate films and cool-glazing materials to reduce solar heat and demonstrate how keeping the interior cool while reducing air conditioning loads and greenhouse emissions. In addition, The “Ray” interior is also stuffed with eco-friendly recycled materials, which is strengthened by green technology feature of the all-new GreenEdgeTM system by Infinity® Audio.

Kia Ray Plug-in Hybrid Concept is powered by an all-aluminum 153-horsepower Gasoline Direct Injection (GDI) 1.4-litre engine mated to a permanently-engaged fixed ratio Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which is used in combination with a 78kw electric motor. To encourage economical driving, the “Ray” is equipped with an engine-power saving alternator management system and a toggle gear-shift indicator. Moreover, the custom-designed low-rolling resistance tyres with a hexagon pattern in narrow 20-inch (195/50R20) construction also contribute to improve efficiency.

Kia Ray project was undertaken to demonstrate how Kia’s evolving design direction would be applied in the packaging of a plug-in hybrid vehicle.

KIA RAY Concept Car was designed at Kia’s American Design Studio, 

As hybrids and electric vehicles become more commonplace, there’s a new focus on fast styling and sporty, and Kia considering for a future plug-in hybrid vehicle for the next generation.

LAMPO2 is an electric demonstration sports car conceived by Protoscar, a Swiss company which has been developing CleanCar projects for 23 years including consulting of OEMs, power utilities and governments. The LAMPO2 boasts ‘quick-charging’ capability (up to 100 km range extension in just 10 minutes charging time) and will be presented at the Geneva Motor Show (2nd March 2010) on the e’mobile stand Nr. 5141.

Following up last year’s electrifying concept, the Lampo 2 is even more energy efficient thanks to reduced weight, improved aerodynamics and revised electric systems at this year’s show in Geneva; powered by two electric motors that deliver a total of 350 HP and 442 lb-ft of torque that allows it to sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in only 5 seconds and reach a top speed of 124 MPH.

The Lampo 2 is equipped with 4 different charging modes: standard single phase with up to 3.3 kW on board charger for typical overnight at home charging; “control-pilot” equipped and (EDF provided) PLC single phase with 6.6 kW on board charger use at public charging stations; standard three phase 9.9 kW on board charger for filling up at fleet owners’ industrial plugs charging stations and an interface for DC fast charging which will be able to transmit a maximum current of 80 kW, where up to an additional 60 miles of range with only a 10 minute charge.

LAMPO2 is equipped with 4 different charging modes:

standard single-phase with up to 3,3kW on board charger for typical overnight home-charge,

“control-pilot” equipped and (EDF provided) PLC single-phase with 6,6kW on board charger typical for public charging,

standard three-phase 9,9kW on board charger typical for charging at industrial plugs (fleet-owners) and

an interface for DC fast charging (able to transmit a max. power of 80kW), where up to 100km of additional range can be charged within just 10 minutes, by an off-board system, so that the different solutions can be compared in terms of usability and efficiency by being demonstrated in real conditions.

LAMPO2 will be shown together with different charging infrastructure solutions: a smart home charge device (developed with ALPIQ), the public charging station E-TOTEM and the quick-charging station (developed with ABB and Brusa).

LAMPO2 impressively demonstrates that electric drive-trains are mature and perform sufficiently well to be a solution for all types of vehicles, not just city cars. This includes premium cars, the segment through which most new technologies have successfully been introduced into the market.

Together with the first LAMPO (which has already been driven over 10’000 km on race tracks and public roads across Europe), LAMPO2 will be used for practical demonstrations and testing. Protoscar has repeatedly been encouraged to develop an advanced electric cabriolet for small-scale production and plans to use the LAMPO2 to evaluate this possibility. The evaluation will include discussions with potential industrial and financial partners, and an assessment of the preferences and desires of potential clients. Lampo crossing the Gotthard pass in May 2009.

In addition to BRUSA, which supplies the components of the whole drive train, the main partners and sponsors of the LAMPO2 project are ALPIQ (the leading Swiss company in power generation and distribution, which is actively promoting the goal of 15% of electric vehicles in Switzerland by 2020), the German Fraunhofer Institute IAO (EV-specific features and MMI, as well as optimization of the ergonomics), ABB (DC fast-charging technology) and the Swiss Federal Office of Energy.

Technical details LAMPO2 has two electric motors (allowing it to operate as a four-wheel drive with variable torque between front and rear axle for optimal handling, safety and efficiency) with a total output of 260 kW (equivalent to 350 HP), 600 Nm (50% more than its predecessor!) and over 30 kWh of Lithium-Ion battery capacity. LAMPO2 features real sports-car performances: 5 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h, 200 km/h of max. speed and a range of over 200 km. More than enough energy for driving is produced by a remote solar plant which is installed on the roof of a farm in Tuscany, allowing a real zero-emission drive on a ‘Well-to-Wheel’ basis.

Carlsson who are approved as an automobile manufacturer by the Federal German Motor Transport Authority, for the first time presents an own developed automobile at this year`s Geneva Motor Show – the Carlsson C25. The concept of this Super-GT is based on the vision of combining maximum driving performance with an entirely new design and high exclusiveness. The result is a breathtaking and beautiful sports coupé with 753 hp in a limited edition of only 25 cars world-wide. Thereby, each automobile will be as individual as its future owner. “We exclusively make the cars to order and the delivery quantity for 2010 is already sold out”, says CEO, Dipl. Ing. (FH) Markus Schuster.

Based on the Mercedes SL 600 the car runs on a 6.0-liter bi-turbo V12 engine that gets the car from 0 to 100 km/h with up to 1150 Nm of torque. However, once you go faster than 100 km/h, the car will make use of 1320 Nm. Top speed is 352 km/h (218.7 mph).

Carlsson CEO Markus Schuster wanted his company to build a car that was safe enough for the road as well as the track. “Therefore, we deliberately wanted to develop a car which is highly exclusive on the one hand and can be used for the daily journey to office on the other hand,” Schuster said. “All security-relevant regulations such as pedestrian protection, crash behaviour, ESP, ABS, Airbag systems are identical to large series editions with most modern standards.”

Engineers installed a C-Tronic adaptive and variable suspension to make the car more responsive on curves, but comfortable on straight lines. All four lightweight 20-inch wheels combine to weigh less than 45 kilograms, and come wrapped in high performance tires. 405 mm slotted brake discs are used up front, along with 380 mm discs in back.

The performance data of the six litre V12 Bi-Turbo is impressive. The high-performance aggregate with a motor management optimisation patented by Carlsson renders 753 hp (554 kW) and allows fast acceleration as well as smooth travels at lower speeds. Also responsible for the perfect performance evolvement is the elaborately developed stainless steel exhaust system with ends in four edgy pipes at the back. The power catapults the C25 with a torque of 1320 Newton metres at 3750 r.p.m. which is electronically limited to 1,150 Newton metres from 0 to 100 km/h in only 3.7 seconds and achieves a maximum speed of 352 km/h.

The Carlsson C25 Super-GT Concept also comes with an ultra-light and forged wheels 1/10 UL in the dimensions 9,5×20 and 12×20 inches have been especially designed for the C25 and are equipped with high performance tyres measuring 265/30 at the front and 325/25 at the rear live axle.

The newly designed interior resembles the exterior as far as shape, colour and functionality are concerned. The characteristic trapezoid elements at the front and back are also found on the steering wheel. On the seats and the centre console the edged shape is used as well. The instruments clearly turn towards the driver, indicate the performance capability of the C25 and increase the ergonomics.

The generous use of real carbon, tanned buffalo leather and ultra-suede in special colours provides an evenly exclusive and user-friendly ambience. For driveability reasons, Carlsson deliberately refrains from race seats, race straps, rollover devices and extreme lowering.

With the C25, Carlsson confirms its reputation as being one of the most exclusive automobile manufacturers in the world. High technical competence, many years experience in automobile construction, an advanced sense for design and elegance and German art of engineering make the Carlsson C25 unique all over the world.

Inside, the company used a combination of tanned buffalo leather, carbon fiber, and suede in a variety of colors. Race seats, five-point belts, roll bars, and roll cage were all left off the car to keep the luxe vehicle comfortable.

Pricing on the limited edition Carlsson C25 will be announced closer to its Geneva debut.

200 years later since 1810 that Jean-Pierre and Jean-Frédéric Peugeot turned their father’s cereal mill into a steel foundry and took the Peugeot family into the industrial era, a new chapter in the Peugeot story about to open with a further evolution of the brand; a new styling direction, a new corporate Lion badge and a new signature – Peugeot MOTION & EMOTION.

Through the Peugeot SR1 Concept, the Marque reveals the stylistic design trends for its future models. The concept car embodies the new world of Peugeot, reflected by the new Lion badge which adorns its body.

Dynamic, balanced, sensual, with an exclusive high-tech interior, this “dream car” explores and reinterprets the theme of the “Grand Touring Car”.

The use of HYbrid4 technology allows the Peugeot SR1 to offer an engineering specification in keeping with its styling: 230 kW (313 bhp) with emissions of only 119 g/km of CO2 (0 in electric mode), 4 wheel drive and steering…. for an ideal blend of excitement and efficiency.

Styling that predicts the future, Elegance, purity, dynamism, allure, controlled power… these ideas find their fullest expression with the Peugeot SR1 Concept, the dream car par excellence.

On the SR1, at the front, a 1.6 litre THP petrol engine with a power output of 218 bhp is combined with a rear electric motordeveloping 95 bhp. In electric only mode, the car becomes a Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV), with a combined cycle fuel consumption of 57.7 mpg or 119 g/km of CO2.

When the two power trains operate simultaneously, the SR1 develops a potential maximum power output of 313 bhp, while benefiting also from four-wheel drive.

With the use of HYbrid4 technology, which will eventually be available on different models in the Peugeot range, the SR1 concept offers convincing proof that driving enjoyment can be combined with environmental friendliness.

The vehicle’s dynamic efficiency is enhanced by a rigid, lightweight structure comprising of a one-piece body incorporating a tubular chassis onto which are mounted the mechanical components and suspension.

Exploiting the best of existing technology to offer road holding worthy of this exceptional concept, the suspension consists of double wishbones with drop links at the front and the rear. For even greater driving precision, the SR1 innovates also through the adoption of four-wheel steering.  Motorised links on the rear suspension wishbones control the turning angle of the rear wheels as a function of vehicle speed, giving the vehicle superb agility under all circumstances.

There is room in the vehicle for three people as the third rear seat nestles in the middle, behind the two front seats. Entry to this seat is facilitated by the centre console, which can slide forward to improve access.

The interior ambience blends colours and materials, with strong references to “a past motoring era” combined with “the latest advanced technology”. Inside the vehicle, patinated leather and different grained wood are examples of the use of authentic and natural materials, warm, sensual and charged with history, that blend seamlessly with, “high tech” materials such as nickel and satin-finished chrome.

The construction of the fascia panel, optimised to perfection, gives a visual prominence to certain mechanical components such as the steering column and a number of peripheral controls. Similarly, the instrumentation combines analogue and digital read-outs, giving clear emphasis to every item of information conveyed to the driver. This is the case for instantaneous fuel consumption and vehicle range, displayed on two glass crystal gauges directly in front of the driver.

Another technological innovation is the creation of an exclusive wristwatch, designed in partnership with Bell&Ross®. This timepiece, with milled inserts of solid aluminium, slots perfectly into a dedicated housing on the fascia panel.

The Peugeot SR1 concept car will be unveiled to the general public at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show, in March.

Chevrolet is one of America’s best-known and best-selling automotive brands, and one of the fastest growing brands in the world. With fuel solutions that range from “gas-friendly to gas-free,” Chevrolet has nine models that offer an EPA-estimated 30 miles per gallon or more on the highway, and offers two hybrid models. More than 2.5 million Chevrolets that run on E85 biofuel have been sold. Today Chevrolet announced the world debut of the Aveo RS show car at the 2010 North American International Auto Show. It features a European-inspired hot hatch look designed to appeal to young enthusiasts, and hints at the next-generation Aveo.

The Aveo RS has much more attractive proportions with a wider stance and longer profile that make it look much more aggressive than the current model. It adopts some of the smaller Spark’s styling cues, but without the tinier proportions. For instance, the side glass has a similar treatment with a rising belt-line and rear door handles integrated into the C-pillar area. The scooped out rocker panel sculpting is also something the Aveo RS has in common with the Spark.

The Aveo RS diverges more from the Spark the closer you get to its front. It gets the standard dual port grille like all new Chevys, but the upper section is tapered in at the top, which gives the grille a hexagonal appearance. We actually saw a styling buck of the next-gen production Aveo last August at the General Motors design dome, and that base model featured dual grilles of equal height. This more sporting RS concept, however, has a lower grille that extends farther down, but we don’t mind the extra height thanks to the greater width compared to the current Aveo.

Spacious and stylish interior With its matte black interior highlighted by gloss black, metallic and blue accents, the Aveo RS show car reflects as much attention to detail as the exterior. The Boracay Blue theme continues inside, with accent stitching across the dual cockpit instrument panel, front and rear door insert, steering wheel rim, gear shift boot, parking brake, leather seat bolster and even the floor mats. The integrated center stack holds the gearshift, HVAC controls and the sound system, including a USB port. Ice-blue backlighting on the audio display, telltale indicator screen and knobs augments the blue stitching.

The motorcycle inspiration also carries inside, with a round, analog tachometer set within an asymmetrical LCD readout also trimmed in milled metal with round cutouts; and round, aluminum-trimmed side vents.

The interior is as functional as it is stylish, with storage compartments in the center stack and doors. The rear seats fold flat for carrying larger items.

Efficient performer The Aveo RS show car is powered by the same highly efficient 138-horsepower (103 kW) 1.4L I-4 Ecotec turbocharged engine that will be available in the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze.

A six-speed manual transmission is designed to ensure the car will provide a spirited driving experience.

For the show car, designers created a special engine cover in graphite silver with a brushed aluminum insert. The coolant and power steering fluid fill caps are rimmed in ice blue, and the honeycomb vents flanking the center of the cover are matte-finished in shadow chrome and designed to match the wheel color.

Chevrolet has previously announced the new Aveo will be built at Orion Assembly in Orion Township, Mich., in 2011, a move that will restore 1,200 jobs to Southeast Michigan. Timing for retooling Orion Assembly for Aveo production is anticipated to begin in late 2010.