1. Saab 9X Air

Where every road-going Saab’s dash looks like it was designed in 1994 (which all of them actually were) the 9X Air ditches the claustrophobic clutter for white simplicity and green holographic instruments. Note how even the steering wheel center is simplified into a subtly attractive form free from an excessive smattering of buttons. Our greatest hope for the production Saab 9-1 — which this vehicle hints at — is in the way traditional Saab design hallmarks have been updated. Check out the way the front headrests mount to the seats and the display screen at the top of the dash, which keeps navigation and entertainment functions in the driver’s line of sight.

2. Renault Ondelios

While the huge gullwing doors — able to admit six passengers with minimal intrusion — wowed onlookers, it’s actually the Ondelios’s dash that’s most impressive. Ignore the whale-like form and gimmicky prism primary instruments; it’s the reconfigurable optical feedback keyboard and lit-from-underneath instruments on the dash that alter the way you interact with the in-car functions. Imagine being able to enter an address into the navigation system using a QWERTY keyboard that’s only visible when it’s needed.

3. GtbyCitroen


The GTbyCitroen is pure concept car fantasy, designed to work within the virtual space of Gran Turismo 5 rather than the confines of the real world. The brushed copper dash would be extremely distracting in real driving conditions, but here delivers a sense of drama alien from more pedestrian models. Instruments are by fighter jet-style Heads Up Display, while settings are controlled through a red leather-covered F1-style steering wheel.

4. Mini Crossover Concept

Driven one of BMW’s Mini’s? You’ve probably come away disappointed by how cheap the otherwise uniquely-styled dash is. The Crossover fixes that by deleting just about all the buttons (placing them instead in the totally unrealistic laser projection globe interface) and replacing the cheap plastic with leather, wood and other high-quality materials. The Crossover’s dash actually looks like it could justify the brand’s premium price tags. Instead of tacky $1.50 add-ons, the tachometer is made from metal and looks like it was designed with the car, while the speedometer is a bar that wraps around the globe’s upper half. Expect to see that on future production models.

5. Audi A1 Sportback


Already known for the best interiors in the business, Audis nevertheless tend to be cold and efficient inside. The A1’s dash changes that, dropping high-quality black plastic and replacing it with white leather and brushed aluminum. The whole thing says luxury and quality in a way even Audi’s current interiors can’t. We won’t see this on the production A1, but we might get the fancy propeller air vents.

6. Heuliez dump scooter

Heuliez keeps things real on their electric dump scooter. Who needs fancy haptic feedback lasers when you can use cable ties? Why use rear view cameras and LED displays when the mirrors can be cheaply and easily bolted directly to the crash structure? The front-loading scoot shows all the fancy concept cars that functionality rules.

7. Citroen Hypnos

With the Hypnos, Citroen is trying to make advanced technology more human and approachable. Instead, they've designed a wild, colorful interior then stuck on a flat-screen TV with Velcro. You get the impression that the colors are totally superfluous and it’s the transmission tunnel’s drive selector and other instruments — specifically the way they’re contoured — that really matter here. It’s as if Citroen wanted to make the points of interaction hugely tactile, but instead just made them odd.

8. Mazda Kiyora

Inside, the Kiyora looks like a space fighter from some cheesy sci-fi flick. But since we really enjoy a cheesy sci-fi movie, that’s fine by us. The wrap around instruments radically focus the interior on the driver. None of this looks remotely grounded in reality, which is a shame, because Mazda interiors are some of the blandest in the business. Check out the webbed alien foot pedals.

9. Nissan Nuvu

We’re not sure if Nissan’s designers meant to turn the Nuvu’s interior into the ultimate ride for midget strippers. But with a tiny stripper pole in the back seat and marital aids in place of a steering wheel (as well as the wipe-clean materials), that’s what they did. We’re not sure if it's because or in spite of this, but the Nuvu is one of our favorite concepts from the Paris Motor Show.

10. Mercedes ConceptFASCINATION

Ignore the incredibly pretentious coke mirror, Leica M8 and Cuban cigar-equipped trunk and focus instead on the dash. Remember when Mercedes' were the highest quality cars on the road? The stupidly named and badly styled ConceptFASCINATION’s dash does, replacing production-spec plastics with leather, wood and metal. Mercedes, please immediately implement this dashboard on every single car in your range.

11. Peugeot RC HYmotion4

Peugeot makes nice, sporty economy cars for legions of budget minded Euros, so why does it keep knocking out high-end four-door coupe concepts? Regardless, this dark and moody interior, aside from the crazy instruments and screens, looks strangely production ready and wouldn’t be out of place in any other expensive sports car. We like the exaggerated dual cockpits, the rounded corners and the black leather almost as much as we like the red accent lighting and chrome accents. Color us impressed.

12. Renault ZE

While the ZE’s interior is a pleasant if unambitious take on the whole iPod thing, it’s the crazy green-tinted windows that are really the point here. We don’t know if they’re meant to say, “ Renault Drivers see an environmentally friendly world” or the more subversive “Hybrids are bullshit but their drivers think they’re saving the world.” We’ll continue to think the latter, and thank Renault’s designers for acknowledging the truth.

13. Tang Hua XY08 Chika

We’d be pretty happy boys if every car in the world looked like the Chika. We’d walk around calling everyone Mr. Happy, Mr. Angry, or, in Ray’s case, Mr. OCD. We’d drive around sewing ourselves new clothes (note the needle-holding fabric tomato on the dash) while constantly seeing the smiling visage of our masterful leader in the center of the steering wheel. Right where the airbag would be in a less-perfect world.

14. Honda Insight

The Insight will go on sale next April in a slightly less-concepty form, but this is pretty much it. Expect the interior to use way more black plastic, but retain most of this simplicity. And that’s a good thing.

1 - Next Generation Colt

Following 267,000 units of the first generation Colt Mitsubishi Motors has wished to capitalize on this success and follow up with a grown-up (only ± 35% carry-over parts) but still distinctive product:

* more in line with the brand’s identity (sharper new design & signature “Jet Fighter” grille)
* more in line with its positioning (new 3- and 5-door Ralliart sporty models)
* more in line with the latest market trends (forthcoming 1.1 and 1.3 Clear Tec variants)
* more consistent (less distinction between 3- and 5-door variants than before)
* more mature (perceived quality, cargo flexibility, comfort features, NVH, driving dynamics)

Junior Lancer

In that sense, the next generation Colt gets closer to its sharp Lancer siblings introducing an exterior design thoroughly refreshed by Mitsubishi Design Europe.

Trading the MPV-like high stance of its predecessor for a lower and wider attitude, it first strikes with the adoption of a rather in-your-face full “Jet Fighter” grille together with all-new body panels fore the A-pillar, all contributing to a stronger on-road presence, but also to an improved level of pedestrian safety.

The side view offers a more elongated window line thanks to black sash foils applied on the C- and D-pillars (D-pillar only for 5-door body) and blacked-out sills.

At the back, a wrap-around and slimmer backlight, lower rear combination lamps, a new liftgate stamping and more elaborated bumper design add character whilst visually lowering and widening the car considerably (5-door only).

Signature

In line with Mitsubishi’s brand heritage & positioning, a new Colt Ralliart (150 PS 1.5 turbo) is introduced, available for the first time in 5-door form as well.

Compared to the previous Colt CZT and in addition to a stronger structure, the Colt Ralliart suspension has been amended in eight different points for sharper driving dynamics, including reduced body roll thanks to a thicker front stabilizer bar.

Clear Tec

In parallel to the existing petrol engines (1.1 / 75ps, 1.3 / 95ps, 1.5 / 109ps), Mitsubishi will introduce new “low CO2“ variants of the next generation Colt, under the umbrella name of “Clear Tec”.

They will feature - amongst others - “Automatic Stop & Go” (AS&G) and regenerative braking technologies, leading to an improvement of over 10% in terms of CO2 emissions (according to variant/engine - figure subject to final homologation).

A dedicated “Flex Fuel” (FFV) variant will also be part of the Clear Tec program for Colt.

Considering the rather low volume of Diesel Colts sold since 2004 (only 13% of the mix) and the ever increasing retail price of Diesel fuel eating away most of the cost benefits to the customer, Clear Tec packages will replace the previous Diesel powertrain in the Colt range.

Grown Up

The next generation Colt is also a better / nicer place to spend long hours of driving with changes driven by customer feedback over the past 4 years, including lower level of NVH (Noise – Vibration – Harshness), redesigned dashboard, new higher quality trim, enhanced equipment and revised rear seating flexibility leading to an increased cargo volume (from 854 l for the previous Colt to 1,032 l now)

9-X Air BioHybrid Concept World Premiere at Paris Auto Show

Detroit - The 9-X Air Concept is a design vision exploring what a future open-air Saab could look like. It features a unique ‘Canopy Top’ – patent pending - and the close-coupled proportions of a sports car, as well as four-seat accommodation.

In breaking the mould of conventional convertible design, the bodywork of the 9-X Air incorporates prominent rear pillars which curve upwards to mount the flat folding Canopy Top. They also anchor a distinctive, wraparound glasshouse, including a separate, recessed rear screen.

Designer Anthony Lo and his team have achieved this execution while still offering the four season, four seater practicality pioneered by Saab when its first convertible concept was premiered at the Frankfurt Show exactly 25 years ago.

Top down or up, the 9-X Air cuts a distinctive silhouette. With the canopy stowed away and the rear screen up, occupants can enjoy open-top motoring free from buffeting. Top up, the 9-X Air assumes the appearance of a true coupé, with a cohesive design that eschews the looks of a conventional, four-seater convertible.

Designed in parallel with the Saab 9-X BioHybrid concept, the 9-X Air shares its distinctive frontal styling, together with its highly efficient powertrain. The small, 1.4-liter Saab BioPower engine combines a series of steps for more responsible performance: engine rightsizing, turbocharging, the use of biofuels and hybrid technology.

Running on E85 fuel (85% bioethanol/ 15% gasoline), the engine delivers a sporty 200 hp (147 kW), giving zero to 100 kph (62 mph) acceleration in 8.1 seconds and projected CO2 tailpipe emissions of just 107 g/km over the combined cycle. Compared to gasoline, the overall environmental impact on a source-to-wheel basis of using E85 is even more beneficial.

Progressive Design

The clean, sculpted body contours of the 9-X Air give fresh expression to Saab’s Scandinavian-inspired design ethos and its aircraft heritage. The purposeful stance, with minimal overhangs front and rear, is complemented by a single, wraparound window graphic, smooth uncluttered body surfaces and ‘ice block’ lighting themes.

The exterior look is defined by the prominent C-pillars, or buttresses, that provide the rear mounting for the unique Canopy Top - a powered, flat-folding roof developed from a Targa top principle. This innovation in convertible design, which distinguishes between a folding roof and a complete folding soft-top or hood assembly, is subject to a Saab patent application.

The Canopy Top is in fabric, rather than metal, to save weight and provide more efficient packaging. It is fully automatic in operation and folds neatly in three small sections under a rear tonneau cover in the trunk deck. The rear screen between the buttresses retracts automatically into the underside of the raised tonneau cover to allow stowage of the Canopy Top. The screen then moves back into position to provide a complete glass surround for the cabin in open-top mode.

This ‘surround glass’ feature, together with an active wind deflector on top of the windshield header rail, provides enhanced occupant comfort. It minimizes buffeting, reduces back drafts and eliminates the need for a wind deflector net. Separating the rear screen from the folding top also enables a glass area larger than feasible with a soft top and integral screen.

In a further break with design convention, the 9-X Air dispenses with a trunk lid. Instead, a large storage compartment, big enough to accommodate two golf bags, slides out from underneath the rear light bar. To save weight, it is spring-loaded, without any power assistance, and slides effortlessly on rollers. Revealed underneath the sliding drawer is a separate compartment for stowing smaller items.

Driver Focus

Inside, the 9-X Air features innovative developments in its driver-focused cockpit design and the provision of seamless connectivity for personal nomadic devices, both first seen in the 9-X BioHybrid.

The driver information zone encompasses the top of the door moulding. It is a fresh execution of Saab’s traditional, driver-focused cockpit layout and dispenses with a central, floor-mounted console. The zone is a flat, arc-shaped surface, within which a row of five display screens is embedded and illuminated in green 3-D graphics, including an ‘infotainment’ screen and control panel in the driver’s door.

In co-operation with Sony Ericsson, the 9-X Air and its hatchback sibling also showcase the potential for seamless, wireless connectivity (Bluetooth) with one or multiple nomadic devices (mobile phones, PDAs etc). The in-car interface enables streaming of data, entertainment and satellite navigation functions, which are transferred automatically to the car while the device remains in the user’s pocket.

The smarter the device, the more functions in the car. The same unit could also be programmed to remotely lock /unlock the car, raise or lower the Canopy Top, and even remotely change in-car pre-sets. The 9-X Air makes a separate car key fob or remote controller redundant.

Efficiency in Design and Performance

The 9-X Air has been created by a team under Anthony Lo, Director of Advanced Design at General Motors Europe, working in co-operation with the Saab Brand Center in Sweden. “Like the 9-X BioHybrid, this car is all about efficiency in design and performance, and that includes the Canopy Top.” says Lo. “It offers important benefits in weight-saving and packaging, as well as giving us the freedom to take convertible design forward in a very Saab way.“

The 9-X Air underlines Saab’s leading role in convertible design and will be revealed 25 years after the first convertible from Saab was shown at the international Frankfurt Show.

Mazda Kiyora – The Eco-Friendly City Car
Mazda Kiyora is a small, friendly concept car designed to meet the needs of young urbanites and indicates the direction Mazda could take with a car this size in the future – especially in terms of technology. It features components that are being developed at Mazda for use in the near future – like a next-generation 1.3-litre DISI* engine, a new automatic transmission, and a rigid and lightweight bodyshell for very high fuel efficiency and low emissions. Kiyora’s design supports these technologies with aesthetic features that are expressive of the water theme yet highly functional.

Mercedes-Benz ConceptFASCINATION study showcases new design idiom

Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz builds the world’s most desirable coupés – a claim which the Stuttgart-based car maker is underlining at the 2008 Paris Motor Show with its ConceptFASCINATION design study. This unique vehicle, whose innovative and unconventional proportions interpret the emotional appeal of a coupé in a new way, represent an exciting and intelligent combination of sporty and elegant design with stylish practicality. Wood, aluminium and smoked glass give a particularly exclusive look and feel to the luggage compartment which incorporates a refrigerated compartment and a humidor as well as offering a large load space. These attributes embody the two objectives of ConceptFASCINATION – to provide a high level of practical usability and to create a coupé which appeals to the heart with fast, thrilling lines. In developing this design study, Mercedes-Benz has given fresh impetus to the long-established (although now rarely seen) “shooting brake”, a vehicle category with its own distinctive charisma. Freed from the constraints of a specifications book, the designers have created an automotive sculpture with great aesthetic appeal which once again demonstrates Mercedes-Benz’s high level of design expertise.

ConceptFASCINATION is a unique jewel of compelling automotive design which is distinguished by its irresistibly dynamic lines yet still offers the benefits of a large luggage compartment. A particularly notable feature of the design is that the practical load space develops organically from the exciting and elegant lines of this lifestyle coupé, giving it its special charisma. Inside, the tone is set by fine, exceptional materials hand-crafted to the highest standard. Absolute perfection and attention to detail make this design study an incomparable gem which conveys a sense of sporty forward movement and at the same time elegance, savoir-vivre and exclusivity of the highest level.

Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, commented: “This design study continues the long tradition of exciting coupés from Mercedes-Benz in impressive style. With its emotionally appealing lines, ConceptFASCINATION offers a completely new interpretation of the coupé. Its aesthetic, dynamic looks and meticulously crafted detail ensure that this study meets the highest design standards."

Taut, sharply contoured lines and finely sculpted surfaces

The design study’s elongated body is dominated by the dynamic front-to-rear sweep of its lines which gives it a dynamically charged look, evoking movement even when the vehicle is stationary. This impression is emphasised by the long, frameless, side-window line which creates a continuous arc from front to rear, uninterrupted by a B-pillar. As a result, the large load space in the rear is integrated in the vehicle body cohesively and harmoniously while also creating the impression of length and a remarkable sense of light. The side windows can be lowered completely – one of the fundamental genetic markers of every Mercedes-Benz coupé – to provide an uninterrupted view of the stylish way in which fine materials have been used inside the vehicle.

A sense of forward-flowing energy is created by the wedge-shaped profile of the design study whose sides are structured by taut, clearly defined lines which grow out of the surfaces organically and disappear back into them in the same subtle way. Sensitively sculpted surfaces, alternately concave and convex, are defined by the shoulder line and undercut feature line with an additional line to form a gentle, yet pronounced linear flow complemented by an intriguing interplay of light effects. In short, flowing surfaces and arching structures create compelling forms.

The wheel arches are powerfully sculpted. In the rear wings in particular, the rounded treatment of the flared wheel arches is characterised by a degree of almost sensual exuberance – a classic Mercedes-Benz design element of the past – which is taken to an elegant conclusion in the lines of the rear. In order to maintain the flow of the surfaces and edges, the door handles are visually extended rearward of the doors into the sides of the vehicle.

A self-assured front section with a new take on the dual headlamp face
The distinctive front section of this gracefully built athlete is a picture of self-assurance. It remains loyal to the dual headlamp face, but interprets it in a more contemporary way. The now rhomboid headlamps which are set against a grey background reveal the fascinating technical details of the light units which feature the latest LED technology as well as C-shaped fibre-optic inserts which serve as discreet running lights. With its new, sharper eyes and the surrounding lines and surfaces, the “face” of the ConceptFASCINATION vehicle is both exciting and forceful.

The bonnet of the design study has pronounced contours with a central ridge which picks up the V-shape of the front end and continues it along the vehicle body. Powerfully framed, the single-louvre radiator grille with the central Mercedes star makes a very dominant and expressive statement of the brand identity.

A distinctive front apron with a small double-wing assembly at the base gives this design gem a wide, confident stance.

The great attention to detail, which can be sensed in the assurance of every line and the graceful sweep of every surface, is exemplified to perfection by a special touch in the front apron: a fine chrome trim strip runs all round the lower body of the vehicle and at the front, LED fog lamps are set into this strip.

Forward-sloping rear with pronounced V-shape

The forward-sloping rear also has a pronounced V-shape and features a spoiler, below which the third brake light is reflected in the rear window. Flat, horizontal LED lights which extend around the back, linking it visually with the sides, emphasise the width. In a styling move which is both clever and extremely harmonious, the undercut surround of the redesigned tail lights flows into the rear wings, serving as yet another example of the attention to detail made by the Mercedes-Benz designers. As at the front, the rear is completed by a small additional wing framed by four exhaust tailpipes.
Exquisite range of materials from the world of equestrianism

A large panoramic glass roof and the arc described by the uninterrupted side-window line bring a sense of light to the interior, and help it to merge with the exterior. Fine materials, such as leather, wood and aluminium, as well as high-quality woven fabrics and many carefully crafted details ensure that the sporty and stylish character of the show vehicle is also underlined on the interior.

The exquisite range of materials is inspired by the world of equestrianism and satisfies the most discerning tastes. Recalling the look and feel of a saddle, thick, dark leather covers the aluminium centre console which, like a bridge extending from the front to the rear, spans the space between the four sporty individual seats and translates the taut lines of the exterior to the interior of the vehicle with minimalist elements. Strong and natural, this leather also covers the upper section of the dashboard while its supple, flowing character means that it also lends itself to enhancing the look and feel of the door armrests.

Contrast is provided by light, fine nubuck leather which is used for the other surfaces and the four individual seats as well as by the deep-pile carpet with heavy fibres. The seat centre panels are covered in strong, high-quality fabric. Trim strips in American walnut with a fine chrome surround complete the portfolio of materials.

The characteristic V-shape of the exterior is picked up by the dashboard whose styling evokes a dynamic wing and which features an instrument cluster with five tubes and silver dials.

Luxurious load compartment with stylish details
Carefully crafted details give the load compartment a particularly luxurious and surprising character. The floor of the load compartment, which measures approximately one metre square, is made of wood with brushed aluminium protective rails. Folding up the floor at the left and right sides reveals two compartments containing two sets of binoculars as well as a high-quality digital camera with interchangeable Leica lenses – the perfect equipment for a day at the races.

The centre of the load compartment is occupied by a folding smoked glass table which rises out of the floor at the touch of a button to reveal a compartment housing a humidor. The table can also be pulled to the rear for easier access from outside. Doing so provides access to a refrigerated compartment for drinks and champagne flutes. The smoked glass can then be folded up at left and right to allow the vehicle occupants to enjoy a picnic in a stylish and refined ambience.

Driven by new, powerful and economical four-cylinder diesel engine

Not content with just indulging the senses, the ConceptFASCINATION design study impresses with its technical underpinnings, too. These are drawn from the future E-Class Coupé and include the new four-cylinder diesel engine which features BlueTEC and AdBlue technology and develops 204 hp from a displacement of 2.2 litres.

Mercedes-Benz design studies look to future styling trends

The ConceptFASCINATION study was not created merely to arouse interest in a new and unusual design concept. It is much more a matter of giving designers the opportunity to play around with unconventional topics, to look at things in a new way and to explore new ideas. Design studies also serve to stimulate a closer dialogue with customers and to gauge the public reaction to new ideas for cars. They help Mercedes-Benz designers to get a feel for future styling trends and to develop new design idioms.

Mazda Kiyora – The Eco-Friendly City Car
Mazda Kiyora is a small, friendly concept car designed to meet the needs of young urbanites and indicates the direction Mazda could take with a car this size in the future – especially in terms of technology. It features components that are being developed at Mazda for use in the near future – like a next-generation 1.3-litre DISI* engine, a new automatic transmission, and a rigid and lightweight bodyshell for very high fuel efficiency and low emissions. Kiyora’s design supports these technologies with aesthetic features that are expressive of the water theme yet highly functional.

NUVU: RESHAPING THE CITY

Within just a few years, cities all over the world will be at near bursting point. If mankind wants to retain the level of personal mobility it currently enjoys – and if the city is to survive – the only way forward is for a radical rethink of the type of cars driven there. One solution could be a car like Nuvu, designed for the city of the not-too-distant future.

“Nuvu is literally a ‘new view’ at the future of the city car. It is electric, of course, but as far as Nissan is concerned, for tomorrow’s city cars that is a given. No, the most important aspect of Nuvu is the interior design which provides great comfort and space in an intelligent package designed to make best use of our crowded roads and limited parking slots.”

François Bancon, General Manager, Exploratory and Advance Planning Department, Product Strategy and Product Planning Division, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

At a glance

* 2 +1 seating in compact 3m package
* Unique platform for Nuvu
* Zero emissions from EV drivetrain
* Drivetrain previews production EV due soon
* X-By-Wire control for all dynamic functions
* Extensive use of natural, organic and recycled materials
* An urban oasis complete with its own tree inside, which…
o … provides shade for the interior, and
o … generates solar energy via its ‘leaves’

Overview
There is about to be a seismic shift in the urban landscape. Within the next five to seven years, some 55 percent of the world’s population will live in the city, threatening total gridlock. Unless something is done, the irony of the phrase ‘personal mobility’ will be self-evident.

Look around at the cars in a typical city traffic jam today and the vast majority will have only one occupant and four empty seats. Some might have two occupants, a few three. But find one with four occupants or more and you’ll be doing very well.

Today, we buy a family car knowing that we’ll only ever need to use it to its full potential one or perhaps two percent of the time. Tomorrow, things will be different. Tomorrow, things have to be different.

“There is a new generation coming up who, finally, are questioning why we do the things we do. They are asking themselves, for example, why they are buying a large car when they know that for 99 percent of the time they will be in it on their own,” says François Bancon, General Manager, Exploratory and Advance Planning Department, Product Strategy and Product Planning Division, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

“It is our job to provide personal transportation that is better suited to people’s needs and to what the environment – in all senses – can cope with.”

Nissan’s vision for the future of urban transportation is encapsulated in Nuvu, a ‘new view’ of the type of car we will be driving in the middle of the next decade. Compact – it’s just 3 metres long – Nuvu is a concept vehicle with unique 2+1 seating. It is aimed at urban dwellers who don’t want to compromise on their personal freedom or their comfort, yet who appreciate that ‘something has to give.’

Nuvu is agile, easy to drive, even easier to park. And it is, of course, an electric vehicle (EV). As Bancon says: “We believe zero emission vehicles are one of the key solutions for tomorrow’s city car.”

Nuvu is described as a moving oasis, a haven of green tranquillity in the urban jungle. To underline this message, Nuvu incorporates a witty representation of its green credentials: across its all-glass roof are a dozen or so small solar panels. Shaped like leaves on a branch, the power they generate is fed to the battery using a ‘tree trunk’ within the car as a conduit. Nuvu also uses natural, organic and recycled materials within the cabin.

Nissan has already announced plans to introduce an all-electric car in Japan and the US in 2010 and to mass-market it globally in 2012. Nuvu is not that car, though it does share some of the technology that will feature in the planned production vehicle. Rather, it is a concept of how a Nissan EV might look in the near future.

In the longer term, Nissan foresees a future based around a line-up of zero emission vehicles regardless of their size, category and usage. Nuvu – or its production equivalent – is just one element of this emission-free future.

Nuvu in detail
The central thrust behind the development of Nuvu is not its motive power but its layout and use of space. Nuvu has been created for a city of the future, one that’s even more crowded than today.

That’s why it’s compact on the outside yet roomy on the inside. Built on a unique platform, it’s just 3 metres long and sits on a wheelbase of 1980 mm but is 1700 mm wide and 1550 mm tall to create a large and airy cabin.

Interior package
These dimensions provide all the interior room needed for the vast majority of city journeys. Nuvu has two regular seats and a third occasional chair that can be folded down when required. But, unlike some two-seater city cars currently on the market, it is a thoroughly practical proposition with an integral luggage area providing sufficient space for a typical supermarket or shopping expedition.

“It is a real car,” says Bancon. “There would be no disadvantages to using a Nuvu everyday. For the vast majority of users, three seats are more than enough most of the time.”

The packaging is designed to give priority to driver comfort with C-segment levels of space and the flexibility to invite one or two passengers on board. Cabin layout places the regular passenger seat beside but largely behind the driver’s seat, allowing the passenger to stretch right out. Ahead of this seat is a third occasional chair which, when not in use, is folded away into the dashboard assembly. But even when the third seat is in use, there remains sufficient legroom for both passengers.

In the interests of saving both weight and space, the third seat has a centre section made from hardwearing yet comfortable netting. This hammock-like approach also has the benefit of allowing cool or warm air to circulate around the occupant’s body for extra comfort.

Shopping bags, briefcases and smaller items of luggage can be stowed behind the driver’s seat while if the driver is travelling solo, larger items can be stowed in the passenger footwall.

City car research
“We did a great deal of research into how people use their cars in the city. We found that for 90 percent of the time, the driver was alone. For five percent of the time there was one passenger and for four percent of the time there were two passengers. You can do the math to find out how often four or more people were in the car!” says Bancon.

“We gave the second seat much more room than normal because when you take one passenger in your car it is usually someone you love and you want to make sure he or she is being carried in outstanding comfort,” he adds.

Natural materials
Many of the materials used inside Nuvu reflect an increasing concern for the environment. The floor is made from wood fibres pressed into laminate sheets and is studded with rubber inserts made from recycled tyres for grip.

To create a light and bright interior, the windscreen and roof merge into one extended panel running virtually the entire length of the car. But undoubtedly the most unusual feature of the interior is the ‘energy tree’ which rises from the luggage compartment floor to the roof behind the driver’s seat.

Solar panels
The energy tree is shaped like a thin trunk. As it reaches daylight it branches out under the glass roof providing occupants with protection from bright sunlight… just like a real tree. And providing a visual reminder of Nuvu’s green credentials, covering the branches are dozens of small solar panels shaped like leaves.

The panels absorb energy from the sun which is then fed back down the energy tree and used to help recharge the battery and provide an extra power boost for the electric motor. As well as being genuinely green energy, it is estimated that the power generated via the solar panels will save the equivalent of one full overnight charge from mains electricity each month.

Driver controls are as simple as possible. All the major functions – steering, braking, transmission and throttle – are ‘By-Wire’ while the steering is controlled by an aircraft-style steering yoke: with just one turn from lock to lock, the steering is very direct for agility and manoeuvrability in the city. Nuvu’s turning circle is just 3.7 metres. Thanks to its wide track and the use of 16 inch 165/55 tyres mounted on lightweight, almost transparent, wheels, ride comfort, stability and agility is of the highest order.

There are two pedals – for stop and go – stalks for minor controls and a digital instrument panel with dials for speed, distance covered and battery range. The instrument panel itself is formed of layers – rather like an onion – and like the energy tree is another example of design inspired by nature. “We call it bio-mimicry,” says Bancon.

Rear view/parking monitor
Two screens on the dashboard display the view behind the car – there are no door mirrors to disturb the airflow, but small cameras – and double as monitors for the Around View Camera which give a bird’s eye view of the car when manoeuvering or parking.

Saving energy was the guiding force behind the use of low-energy LED head and tail lamps, while Nuvu’s heating and ventilation system filters and cleans the city air as it passes through the vehicle. Not only does it produce no emissions at source, but Nuvu actually helps clean up the city environment.

Exterior and interior design
“Nuvu’s design is further clear evidence of Nissan’s continued desire to challenge convention and to explore all the possibilities that the EV could bring us. In many ways it was inspired by our two most extreme EVs of recent times: Mixim and Pivo 2.

“Significantly, though, Nuvu delivers a more realistic interpretation of two of the most important aspects of its forerunners – the ‘Friendly Innovation’ found in Pivo 2 and the ‘Sports Dynamics’ central to Mixim

“The result? We have designed a radical concept car that with just a few changes could go into production tomorrow,” explains Masato Inoue, Chief Designer, Product Design Department, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

Developed by designers at Creative Box Inc. – Nissan’s design think-tank – Nuvu's green house has flowing lines with gentle curves inspired by nature. The distinctive shape of the door glass on either side gives the impression of a hot air balloon that’s being gently inflated by pressure from within, while tropical fish inspired the profile of the side window graphics as a whole.

This contrast between the natural, fluid shape of the greenhouse and the strength implied by the solidity of the lower body gives Nuvu a feeling of quality rarely found in a compact car.

Colour and materials
Nuvu’s visual impact is further enhanced by its unique body colour. Developed by Nissan Design, the shade is officially called Soft Feel Sandy Gold.

Matching the ecological values of an electric vehicle, the moulded plastics and synthetic elements found inside a typical production car have been replaced by natural materials and organic alternatives, such as the wood fibres and rubber from car tyres used for the flooring. The result helps create a relaxed, warm atmosphere within Nuvu’s cabin.

During the design development stage, key targets were to develop an EV that encompassed obvious modernity with engaging ambience and a playful aspect – hence the energy tree. “You don’t need to be a car lover to fall in love with Nuvu,” adds Bancon.

EV drivetrain
Nuvu is more than a styling concept of a future EV. It is a fully working mobile test bed for much of the technology that will be used in Nissan’s production EV to be launched in 2010. For this reason elements of its technical specification are being kept secret for the time being.

The electric motor used in Nuvu is mounted at the rear of the vehicle and drives the back wheels, though neither its exact specification nor the power and torque figures are being released at this stage. A driving range of 125 kms and top speed of 120 km/h are being made public, however.

Li-Ion battery
Similarly although it can be revealed that the batteries used are of the latest laminated lithium-ion type and have a capacity of 140 Wh/kg (watt-hours per kilogram), the total capacity of the batteries and number of modules are not being disclosed at this stage.

Nissan began research into high output Li-Ion cells as long ago as 1992, but today development is carried out by Automotive Energy Supply Corp. (AESC), a joint venture company set up by Nissan and NEC Group.

Unlike a conventional lithium-ion battery with its bulky cylindrical cells, the laminated Li-Ion battery as used in Nuvu has thin laminated cells and fewer components overall. This boosts its power by a factor of 1.5 at the same time as halving its physical size. It also remains twice as efficient as a conventional cylindrical Li-Ion battery even after five years or 100,000 kms of continuous usage.

Another bonus of the compact cell construction is that a thin modular design is possible with a commensurate improvement in battery cooling efficiency. Higher power outputs are achieved through material improvements made to its lithium manganate positive electrode and carbon negative electrode. The use of chemically stable spinal-structured manganese for the positive electrode also helps ensure safe operation.

Its compact size allows the batteries to be mounted under the seats and the vehicle’s flat floor, thus helping to keep the centre of gravity as low as possible.

A quick charge from empty to full should take between 10 to 20 minutes while a full charge should take between three to four hours from a domestic 220V socket.

Typical users
“The people who will be drawn to a car like Nuvu are many and varied,” says Bancon. “It is a cross generational car and not a signature vehicle for one generation.

“There will be common threads, however. They will be early adopters but more importantly they regard themselves as urban citizens. They don’t just work or live in the city; they are part of the city. They want a car that somehow expresses who they are and which reflects their personal ideology.”

Conclusion
Although clearly a concept vehicle exploring aspects of future vehicle design, Nuvu nevertheless embodies many messages for today. Its clever interior provides ample headroom, legroom and comfort for most everyday needs without occupying more road space than it needs.

The use of recycled and natural materials underlines Nuvu’s environmental message and while the energy tree might be considered as a piece of whimsy, the use of solar energy is an entirely sensible and practical technological solution to aid an emission free future.

“Nuvu is a concept car, for sure, but it is an entirely credible vehicle,” says Bancon. “It is light, clean and easy to drive. It is practical and a sensible size, yet it is also embodies an element of fun: the future doesn’t look so bad, after all.”

Compact five-door model with hybrid drive
Audi A1 Sportback concept

At the Paris Motor Show (October 2-10, 2008), Audi is unveiling the A1 Sportback concept study: following on from the Audi A1 project quattro, the three-door show car presented in 2007, this is a concept for a five-door
four-seater for the sub-compact class – once again exhibiting all the characteristics of a genuine Audi. The 3.99-meter long (13.09 ft) and 1.75-meter wide (5.74 ft) vehicle combines cutting-edge, dynamic styling with
optimum economy of space and supreme quality. At the same time, a series of visionary technical solutions take efficiency, dynamism and motoring pleasure into new territory as only Audi knows how.

Audi is presenting another version of the innovative hybrid technology in the drive unit for the A1 Sportback concept. At work under the hood is a 1.4-litre TFSI engine developing 110 kW (150 hp), whose power is directed to the front wheels by means of the S tronic dual-clutch transmission. A 20 kW (27 hp) electric motor integrated in the drive train is able to deliver up to an additional 150 Nm of torque (110.63 lb-ft) when the vehicle is accelerating. During the boosting phase, i.e. when the TFSI engine and electric motor operate simultaneously to enable a sporty driving style, the two power packs deliver impressive propulsion. The tried-and-tested front-wheel drive – supplemented by the newly developed, ESP-controlled active front differential lock – ensures optimum transfer of power to the road.

The electric motor is furthermore capable of powering the vehicle alone for zero-emission driving in residential areas, for instance. The capacity of the lithium-ion batteries gives the vehicle a range of up to 100 km (62.14 miles) in pure electric mode; the motor can be recharged from any power socket. The automatic start/stop facility, energy regeneration and phases of purely electrical operation reduce the fuel consumption and emissions of the Audi A1 Sportback concept by almost 30 percent compared to when it is running on the combustion engine alone. Despite its sporty performance, with acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 7.9 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h (124.27 mph), the Audi A1 Sportback concept requires only 3.9 liters of premium fuel per 100 km (60.31 US mpg); CO2 emissions are an efficient 92 g/km (148.06 g/mile)

The design

Exterior

The difference is not down to the two extra doors alone: the styling of the five-door concept vehicle is a consistent development of the three-door study, the Audi A1 project quattro from the year 2007. Surfaces and lines are distinctly tauter and more masculine.

The basic proportions, with a high vehicle body and a flat window area bordered by a coupe-like roof line, produce a virtually classic look for a vehicle bearing the four rings. The rear end is rounded off by a two-part spoiler with a striking centre groove, integrated into the rear window.

The side-on view presents another typical coupe attribute in the form of doors with frameless windows and a glass-covered and thus homogeneously integrated B-pillar. The bold segmentation of the study's side paneling with its gently rising shoulder line accentuates the styling.

The shoulder line of the Audi A1 Sportback concept with its Daytona Grey paint finish is a new interpretation of yet another trademark feature of the current Audi design. Here, the prominent double lines continue around the entire vehicle as a curvaceous band that links the front end – from which it seems to emerge – with the vehicle's tail, which rises to create a slightly wedge-shaped effect.

The aerodynamically designed single-frame grille indicates the sporty ambitions of the study, which are further emphasized by the flared fenders – a tribute to the legendary Ur-quattro design and the current Audi RS 6.

The design of the three-dimensional main headlights in innovative LED technology is especially eye-catching. The completely new styling underlines yet again the amount of freedom that this technology has afforded to designers. All light functions – low-beam and high-beam headlights, daytime running lights and turn indicators – have been located in one flat housing, in concentrically arranged, parallel and squared-off strips.

The layout, with light segments of varying sizes – the low beam taking up most space – completely changes the character of the front section, the "face" of the A1 Sportback concept.

The rear lights, too, continue this theme and combine the function of tail and brake lights, turn indicators, reversing and rear fog lights into an unmistakable design. The interplay of acute and obtuse angles and the clear and colored glass areas create a particularly dynamic look. A large-dimensioned, transparent cover over the entire width of the vehicle additionally combines both light units and emphasizes the horizontal design of the rear.

Like the three-door version, the body of the four-door Audi A1 Sportback concept makes optimum use of the small road surface area available to a vehicle from the premium compact class. Measuring 3.99 m long (13.09 ft) and 1.75 m wide (5.74 ft) with a wheelbase of 2.46 m (8.07 ft), it succeeds in combining sporty looks with impressive economy of space thanks to its short overhangs. The transverse installation of the engine also has a significant role to play in this respect. The third dimension of this compact, sporty car – i.e. the height – comes in at 1.40 meters (4.59 ft).

Interior

The interior, with its four individual seats and a surprisingly generous amount of spaciousness for this class, has a tidy, no-frills appearance. The curved, wrap-around section combines the doors and the sporty cockpit into one single unit. The dashboard and center console are designed entirely around the driver.

Ergonomics and aesthetics unite to create an ambience of clear-cut architecture and high-class appeal. Details such as the turbine-look air vents and air conditioning controls seem to be straight out of a jet plane. This is where
advanced form and precise function are combined in typical Audi fashion: air flow direction and volume can be regulated simply and intuitively by turning or pressing the control button in the centre of the vent.

The center console accommodates the integrated selector lever, only extended in drive select dynamic mode, the start/stop button for the engine, the switch for Audi drive select and the armrest with an integrated mobile phone pocket.

The sporty seats with integrated head restraints offer levels of comfort and ergonomics that far exceed the customary standards in the sub-compact class and live up to the expectations of a typical Audi. A transparent, mesh-like fabric covers the lightweight seat apertures, which further accentuates the airiness of the design.

The materials used for the interior trim appeal with their high-class looks and feel. The contrasting color scheme for the interior – white and red – emphasizes the feeling of spaciousness.

Audi mobile device – the second generation

Whereas the Audi A1 project quattro study featured its own mobile control unit for infotainment and vehicle systems, the A1 Sportback concept takes one step further into the future: the driver can use his commercially available mobile phone (equipped accordingly) as a car phone, address database, navigation system and audio/video player. At the same time it can be used as a control unit for numerous vehicle systems in the Audi A1 Sportback concept. Several phones that are suitable for these functions are already available from various manufacturers.

All that is required is some additional software, which Audi will provide on the internet for the driver to download and install. He can then enter his route plan or adjust the sound system to his individual preferences, all from the comfort of his own home, for example.

The mobile phone and vehicle communicate via a fast WLAN connection, even over considerable distances.

The system also offers the user a security function: within the range of the WLAN it can constantly monitor the current status of the vehicle, for instance whether all windows and doors are closed. What's more, the additional software offers numerous comfort and convenience features such as continued destination guidance on the mobile device after the vehicle has been left in a car park. If the user sets a maximum parking time with the device, its navigation software leads him back to the Audi A1 Sportback concept – in good time of course, allowing for the current distance from the vehicle.

During the journey the mobile device demonstrates its strength as a portable media player. If the user listens to a song in a certain driving situation – on the motorway, for example – it is entered in an appropriate playlist. The software registers when and where the user prefers to listen to particular songs. The music is then available at the right moment.

The MMI control unit in the vehicle is a further development of the familiar design. In terms of feel it is easier to operate, particularly while driving. Grouped around the central rotary pushbutton are four fixed-function hardkeys for the Navigation, Telephone, Car and Media basic menus. Four additional, backlit softkeys have variable functions which change within the individual menus.

The projected softkey labels combine with the bold softkey colors that identify the corresponding menus to ensure swift, intuitive user orientation.

All system information appears in the central display in the instrument cluster. This is designed in its entirety as a digital, freely configurable display with no mechanical elements. Superimposed glass elements make the graphics stand out with a three-dimensional look, producing a level of depth which could never be attained using a standard display.

As well as the virtual, large circular dial of the analog speedometer, which is always visible on the right-hand side of the instrument cluster, numerous other displays can be called up on request, and can be selected via control buttons on the steering wheel. These include infotainment, classic navigation by pictogram or map, a rev counter, information on how to drive as efficiently as possible and a current status report on the hybrid drive.

The layout of the infotainment display features icons arranged in a semicircle. As the driver turns the central MMI rotary pushbutton, the icons mimic the movement until the desired function is selected by pushing the button. Content can therefore be communicated visually, enabling it to be grasped faster and more intuitively than pure text.

Audi drive select

The Audi A1 Sportback concept features Audi drive select, which is also available as an option in the current generation of the Audi A4 bestseller. This enables the driver to pre-select one of two specially adapted configurations for the drivetrain, shift characteristics and magnetic ride shock absorbers.

The default setting is the "efficiency" mode. In this mode, the engine and transmission respond gently to use of the accelerator and shift paddles. This setting is ideal for a relaxed driving style, as well as offering tremendous potential for effectively lowering fuel consumption, and therefore emissions too.

In the "efficiency" mode the Audi A1 Sportback concept can be used for distances of up to 100 kilometers (62.14 miles) in purely electric mode – and it is quite speedy, too: thanks to the powerful battery it is possible to reach a speed of considerably more than 100 km/h (62.14 mph). The combustion engine only cuts in again once battery capacity has dropped to below 20 percent of maximum.

In this mode, the electric motor is not deployed as a source of additional torque; instead it is run selectively as the sole power source to bring about a tangible reduction in consumption. For this purpose, the system makes use of a host of parameters which can be fed to it via the navigation system. In the "efficiency" mode, for example, with a fully charged battery and a distance of less than 50 kilometers (31.07 miles) the vehicle is operated in principle on purely electrical power.

Thanks to the navigation system's ability to detect differences in altitude along the route, regeneration phases as well as the increase in energy requirements on inclines can be computed before the journey has even started. This makes vehicle operation even more efficient through optimum utilization of the electric motor.

The sport mode is designed to produce the dynamic yet comfortable driving sensation that is so typical of the brand and that Audi drivers have come to expect of their car. In this mode, the vehicle's electronics also harness the torque available from the electric motor to achieve extra-sporty acceleration along with excellent lateral dynamics.

The drivetrain

Characteristic Audi sportiness plus a whole new dimension in efficiency – it is all down to the combination of a state-of-the-art turbocharged FSI engine with an electric motor and innovative control electronics.

Under the hood of the Audi A1 Sportback concept sits a four-cylinder TFSI with a capacity of 1.4 liters and a turbocharger. This engine is an advanced version of the unit that made its series production debut in the Audi A3. Whereas the 1.4 TFSI musters 92 kW (125 hp) in the A3, it delivers 110 kW (150 hp) at 5,500 rpm in the study. Its peak torque of 240 Nm (177.01 lb-ft) is on tap over a broad rev band from 1,600 – 4,000 rpm.

The Audi engineers have long since proven the performance potential of turbocharged FSI technology, both on race tracks around the world and out on the road. Indeed, a jury of experts awarded the accolade of "Engine of the Year" to the 2.0 TFSI for the fourth year in succession in 2008.

The new 1.4 TFSI builds on this very same concept in order to maximize efficiency and performance. Multi-hole injectors result in very homogeneous mixture formation and extremely efficient combustion. This is also an effective means of helping to cut pollutant emissions.

The integrated turbocharger promises optimized responsiveness and even more harmonious torque build-up. 80 percent of peak torque can be summoned up from as low down as 1,250 rpm, in other words barely above idling speed. And despite its power, the 1.4 TFSI sets new benchmark standards in its class for its acoustic
output too.

Powertrain

Power transmission to the front wheels is the task of the sporty Audi S tronic dual-clutch gearbox. It allows the driver to change gear in fractions of a second without the use of a clutch pedal and with no interruption to the power flow. If required, the transmission performs the gear changes fully automatically, too. If the driver wishes to change gear manually, he can do so by using the shift paddles mounted on the steering wheel. Reverse gear and neutral are engaged via the gear knob on the centre console. The park position is automatically selected when the electric parking brake is engaged.

Between combustion engine and transmission sits the 20 kW (27 hp) electric unit, which cuts in automatically depending on the selected operating mode – or propels the vehicle alone. The battery unit – a package of compact lithium-ion batteries – is installed at the rear of the vehicle, which makes for a good weight balance.

When powered solely by the combustion engine or purely by the electric motor, and when both are used in the boost mode, the A1 Sportback concept operates as a front-wheel drive vehicle. The high torque of 390 Nm in total (287.64 lb-ft) – 240 Nm (177.01 lb-ft) from the 1.4 TFSI plus an extra 150 Nm (110.63 lb-ft) from the electric motor – is transformed into the required level of tractive power when accelerating.

Overrun, or the so-called regeneration phase, is one of the most important instruments of this vehicle concept for optimizing efficiency as it transforms the braking energy released during deceleration phases back into electrical energy, instead of it being wasted and released as heat.

The Audi A1 Sportback concept can in principle run self-sufficiently, using mixed operation of the combustion engine and electric motor. Thanks to the intelligent management of both units, energy regeneration as well as the automatic start/stop function, fuel consumption is almost 30 percent lower compared to a vehicle running on the gasoline engine alone. Although the components of the electric motor add around 40 kilograms to the overall weight, the study still only burns 3.9 liters of premium fuel per 100 km (60.31 US mpg) in mixed mode, while CO2
emissions average just 92 g/km (148.06 g/mile).

Pure electrical operation over shorter distances, however, is a particularly attractive alternative offered by this vehicle that benefits the environment and the wallet alike – all the more so considering that the performance achieved in this mode and the range of over 50 kilometers (31.07 miles) are perfectly satisfactory. "Refueling" the Audi A1 Sportback concept from power sockets alone, therefore, produces an unequivocal result: even allowing for the relatively high costs of domestic electricity in Germany, it is still possible to achieve a saving or more than 80 percent compared with the price of premium fuel. Thanks to "zero emissions" the benefit to the environment is even greater, particularly in congested urban areas.

The chassis

The fundamental ingredient for outstanding driving safety and handling dynamics is supplied by the sophisticated chassis design, comprising McPherson front suspension and four-link independent rear suspension. Large 18-inch wheels with size 225/35 R18 tires boost both driving pleasure and safety. Thanks to the newly developed active, ESP-controlled front differential lock, propulsive torque is distributed according to the driving situation, thereby achieving enhanced steering precision and superior directional stability as well as improved traction and
dynamic handling when cornering.

The dynamic chassis is tuned for sporty, agile handling combined with excellent stability, and makes cornering a particular delight. What's more, the chassis excels with a level of ride comfort befitting of higher vehicle classes.

The braking system with its large-diameter discs (measuring 312 mm across (12.28 in) at the front wheels) is more than a match for the drive power. Bred on the racetrack, the system promises outstanding, fade-free stopping power.

The electromechanical steering with speed-sensitive power assistance is also a boon for agile handling. The system boasts optimum steering feel combined with low sensitivity to road surface excitation and a considerable reduction in energy consumption.

The specific strengths of the four-link suspension stem from the way in which it splits the functions for absorbing longitudinal and lateral forces. This permits a high level of lateral rigidity on the one hand for optimum dynamism and driving safety, while offering a great degree of longitudinal flexibility on the other to improve ride comfort.

The shock absorbers deploy a highly innovative technology in the form of Audi magnetic ride, which has already made its mark in the Audi R8 high-performance sports car and in the TT. Here, the conventional shock absorber fluid is replaced by a magneto-rheological fluid whose qualities can be controlled by means of an lectromagnetic field. This effect enables the damping characteristic to be influenced electronically at will by applying a voltage to the electromagnets.

Audi magnetic ride capitalizes on this quality to make the appropriate damping forces available in any driving situation, thereby optimizing both ride comfort and performance dynamics. A computer linked up to a system of sensors interprets the current driving situation with split-second speed. Here, the driver can choose between two driving programs, depending on whether he wants to drive with a sportier style – with the magneto-rheological fluid requiring a low yield stress – or with a greater emphasis on ride comfort.

IS 250C – World Premiere

Making its world debut at the 2008 Paris Motor Show, the new IS 250C combines the sporting elegance of the IS sedan with superlative engineering ingenuity to create a unique fusion of top-down driving pleasure and uncompromised closed-top dynamic performance in the premium sedan segment. Its lightweight, aluminium folding roof structure boasts the fastest three-part roof opening time of just 20 seconds. Through the remarkably compact packaging of its roof mechanism, the IS 250C offers a large boot space, generous rear seat access and spacious rear passenger accommodation.

Sharing the IS 250's 153kW/208DIN hp, 2.5 litre ultra-smooth V6 powerplant and 6-speed automatic transmission, the new Lexus convertible has been styled to offer minimal wind turbulence when driving with the hard top stowed. The enhanced torsional stiffness of the IS 250C design promotes ride comfort appropriate to the marque and, in coupe configuration, reduced noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) characteristics on a par with those of the IS sedan.