Concept Car Archives

Toyota Suggests That There Could Be A Future For Old Models Like The AE86 With EV Conversions

Toyota, like some of the other top carmakers, has expressed a view that the goal of carbon neutrality to prevent climate change is not a single-solution – going electric with motor vehicles – approach. While they do recognise the importance of moving towards that goal, they feel that the electric-only solution is not practical and is also costly. A choice of solutions that include some existing technologies (improved, of course) is being promoted as a more realistic approach.

Toyota’s President, Akio Toyoda, is very vocal about this and was among the first car company CEOs to state the position. Perhaps that encouraged the CEOs in the other companies to also echo similar views but still committing to increasing production of zero emissions battery electric vehicles (BEVs). They are probably under a lot of pressure to allocate massive funding for BEV R&D and at the same time, they still need to continue some development of combustion engine powertrains.

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eVX – The Suzuki Vitara Of The Future

To show what its future direction is like, Suzuki is presenting its eVX concept model at India’s Auto Expo 2023 in Delhi this week. The eVX is the carmaker’s first global strategic electric vehicle (EV) which will be the basis of an all-new SUV model to be launched in 2025.

The design of the eVX draws on models like the Grand Vitara and S-Cross while moving the brand forward with new elements that brings its 4×4 legacy into the electric era. With no need for air to cool the radiator, the front end is closed off and a large Suzuki badge is mounted in the centre. The futuristic lights are likely to be just for the showcar as they would unlikely be able to meet regulations.

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Peugeot Inception Concept Begins New Era Of Electrification For The Brand

Concept cars used to be fanciful models created by carmakers to dazzle visitors at motorshows. They had amazing technologies and features but a lot was also for show as it was either to complex or too expensive to put into production models. These days though, concept cars serve to preview the next generation of models and much of the technology shown is already under development.

With the Inception Concept presented by Peugeot at CES 2023 (the Consumer Electronics Show), the French carmaker is giving a preview of what its future models in the electric era will be like, and what advanced features they will have.

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BMW i Vision Dee Previews Technologies And Features Of NEUE KLASSE Models

In the 1950s, carmakers displayed futuristic concept cars with amazing features that were expected to be available eventually – and many of those features are commonplace today. With the BMW i Vision Dee concept, the German carmaker is also showing the sort of technological features that can be expected in its cars – as early as 2025 in the NEUE KLASSE models.

NEUE KLASSE is a brand new platform for fully electric models which will appear from 2025. It represents the third phase of the carmaker’s electrification strategy. The platform’s name is inspired by the ‘Neue Klasse’ of the 1960s, when a new range of models was introduced between 1962 and 1977. The 21^st century NEUE KLASSE is, however, more than a vehicle platform as it encompasses new software architecture and promotes sustainability.

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Afeela – The EV Jointly Developed By Sony And Honda

Back in 2020, at the Consumer Electronics Show, Sony displayed a concept car which was assumed to be just for the purpose of showing off its latest technologies. There was no indication the company wanted to start making cars as well and after the event, nothing more was heard. But during the 12 months until the next show – and it should be remembered the world was going through the COVID-19 pandemic – Sony actually had a running prototype and by CES 2021, it showed a short video of a car – known as Vision-S – being tested on public roads and on a test track in Austria.

At CES 2022, Sony revealed a SUV prototype as a second model and it became clear that the company, better known for its electronic devices, was moving into the mobility business. However, it sought a partner with automotive experience and that partner was Honda. The companies announced a joint-venture company called Sony Honda Mobility Inc (SHM) which would ‘engage in the joint development and sales of high value-added battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and commercialize them in conjunction with providing mobility services’.

“SHM strives to become a Mobility Tech Company that will pursue innovation in mobility by combining cutting-edge technology and passion along with people who pioneer the future with their creativity, based on our corporate purpose ‘Move people, through the pursuit of innovation with diverse inspirations’,” said Yasuhide Mizuno, CEO of Sony Honda Mobility (incidentally, Mr. Mizuno was a former Managing Director/CEO of Honda Malaysia 12 years ago).

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Forza Horizon 5 Gets CUPRA UrbanRebel Racing Concept Two Years Before Production Model Launch (w/VIDEO)

Although CUPRA is today established as the high-performance brand of SEAT, it began as the Special Vehicles department of the Spanish carmaker in 1971. Its main function was to develop and support SEAT’s participation in rallies and touring championships.

In 2018, the name was used as an independent brand with its own line of models focussed on performance and having a more specialised nature, besides individual styling. Its models share technical elements with SEAT models which are also shared within the Volkswagen Group that SEAT is part of.

With its high-performance DNA, CUPRA is naturally a candidate for the virtual world of simulator racing as well. Apart from having its own sim racing series, it is now also on Xbox Game Studios’ and Playground Games’ Forza Horizon 5 with a new all-electric concept racing car.

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ORC ROOKIE Racing Team Showcases Toyota’s Hydrogen-Fuelled Cars At Thai Endurance Event

Although the ORC ROOKIE Racing Team did not for run the entire time at the recent Idemitsu 1500 Super Endurance 2022 (Thailand 25-Hour Endurance Race), its cars drew much attention during the first and last few hours that they were running. Their participation was not to compete in the race but to showcase the feasibility of carbon neutrality using existing technology and resources to offer multiple pathways to accelerate carbon neutrality in a prompt and practical manner.

Besides the two entries of the ORC ROOKIE Racing Team (founded and owned by Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Motor Corporation), there was also a Carbon-neutral fuel car entered by TOYOTA GAZOO Racing Team Thailand which won the finish Carbon Neutral Power Cup and completed completing 443 laps.

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Toyota C-HR prologue Concept Previews Next Generation of Compact Crossover SUV

When Toyota revealed the bZ Compact SUV Concept last month, it was suspected that the design of the battery electric model might also be used for the next generation of the C-HR compact SUV. The first generation of the C-HR has been in production since late 2016 so it should be due for change.

Now Toyota has also revealed the C-HR prologue and mentions that it is a preview of the next generation of the compact SUV. It’s likely that the new model will be launched in 2023 though there’s no indication whether it will be during the early part or as late as the Japan Mobility Show (the new name for the Tokyo Motor Show) at the end of October.

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Lancia Revival With New Design Language ‘To Last The Next 100 Years’

Lancia is one of those old Italian car companies that had its glory days many decades ago and then faded into obscurity, though not vanishing totally. After being independent in its first 56 years, it became part of the Fiat group in 1969. As the Fiat group is now part of Stellantis, Lancia has become a division which has continued to sell its cars but only in the Italian market.

However, Stellantis sees Lancia as a brand that can be revived and brought to greater heights. It is therefore embarking on a new era with a new design vision. This design vision – Lancia Pu+Ra Design – is previewed in the Pu+Ra Zero, a 3-dimensional ‘manifesto’ that will guide the designers of the 3 new Lancia models to be launched between 2024 and 2028.

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Ferrari Presents Vision Gran Turismo As First Virtual Motorsports Concept Car

To mark the closing of the 75th anniversary celebrations of the time when Ferrari’s first-ever racing car, the 125 S, exited the factory gates in 1947, the sportscar maker has unveiled the Ferrari Vision Gran Turismo. However, this closed-wheel single-seater is not a production model: it is the first Ferrari concept car created specifically for the virtual motor sport world.

This model signifies an important step for Ferrari in the virtual environment, while also redefining its stylistic language. It represents a futuristic design manifesto for Ferrari’s road and racing cars, a stimulus for both the engineers and drivers (real and virtual) of tomorrow.

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Concept Car

Toyota Suggests That There Could Be A Future For Old Models Like The AE86 With EV Conversions

eVX – The Suzuki Vitara Of The Future

Peugeot Inception Concept Begins New Era Of Electrification For The Brand

BMW i Vision Dee Previews Technologies And Features Of NEUE KLASSE Models

Afeela – The EV Jointly Developed By Sony And Honda

Forza Horizon 5 Gets CUPRA UrbanRebel Racing Concept Two Years Before Production Model Launch (w/VIDEO)

ORC ROOKIE Racing Team Showcases Toyota’s Hydrogen-Fuelled Cars At Thai Endurance Event

Toyota C-HR prologue Concept Previews Next Generation of Compact Crossover SUV

Lancia Revival With New Design Language ‘To Last The Next 100 Years’

Ferrari Presents Vision Gran Turismo As First Virtual Motorsports Concept Car

Toyota Suggests That There Could Be A Future For Old Models Like The AE86 With EV Conversions

eVX – The Suzuki Vitara Of The Future

Peugeot Inception Concept Begins New Era Of Electrification For The Brand

BMW i Vision Dee Previews Technologies And Features Of NEUE KLASSE Models

Afeela – The EV Jointly Developed By Sony And Honda

Forza Horizon 5 Gets CUPRA UrbanRebel Racing Concept Two Years Before Production Model Launch (w/VIDEO)

ORC ROOKIE Racing Team Showcases Toyota’s Hydrogen-Fuelled Cars At Thai Endurance Event

Toyota C-HR prologue Concept Previews Next Generation of Compact Crossover SUV

Lancia Revival With New Design Language ‘To Last The Next 100 Years’

Ferrari Presents Vision Gran Turismo As First Virtual Motorsports Concept Car

Archive

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Hyundai and Kia Unveil Active Air Skirt Technology for Enhanced EV Efficiency

Pasir Gudang International Racing Circuit Might Get A Revival

Euro NCAP Calls for Return to Physical Controls by 2026 for Improved Safety

SDAC Launches Assurance Programme for Pre-Owned Ford Models

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