[ABChina]

Went for a walk yesterday, daytime for once, and I wound up in a neighborhood I usually stay away from, the champs Elysées. Attempting to steer away from that pickpocket cesspool, I veered off and found myself on the Avenue Gabriel, which borders the back wall of the garden of the President's Elysée Palace (I steer away from that place too usually).
In this heavily guarded place, right across from the back gate is a theater in whose parking lot I found a true beaut.
An Opel Kadett C ('73 to '79) covered in graffiti. Lots of pic here, great litle details, but a mystery: the front windshield is clear of graffiti, the interior is worn but clean, I saw a valid insurance sticker, French DoT tags... so I asked one of the any cops around if they knew anything about the car: it's driven by a member of the current play, the director they think. "The guy is an excentric" (my kind of person), they wouldn't say more but their non answers told me that in their mind he didn't pose a security threat... Which is just as well because I'd love to see that variflex suspension.
Hope you like it. On a technical note, it is parked on the lot of a public, government-owned theater, so I know it's not a full DOTS, it's not on private propery either :)

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.

PARIS: NEW SEAT EXEO IS A SPANISH SURPRISE

* New saloon is indicative of the Spanish brand's ambition
* Highest levels of quality and performance
* Advanced technology combined with exciting new equipment

SEAT is pulling off one of the surprises of the 2008 Paris Motor Show with the debut of its handsome new Exeo saloon. The Spaniards' unexpected showcasing of their new super-saloon in the French capital underlines SEAT's determination to present a real challenge to existing offerings in the mid-size saloon segment.

Exclusive, elegant and sporty, the new Exeo – pronounced 'ex-ay-o' – represents a major leap in quality for SEAT, whose aim with this and other newcomers is to explore new markets and significantly broaden its already attractive model range.

Quality and precision of both manufacturing processes and materials were the underlying requirements when designing and producing Exeo, and their expert application results in a sporty, refined, safe and engaging car.

Distinctive personality

Distinctive, elegant styling abounds on the new Exeo. Outside, both the front and rear ends are clearly indicative of the Spanish brand's image – it is sporty with fluid forms, soft curves and prominent wings that heighten the car's athletic looks. The unmistakable SEAT grille, markedly larger on this model, plus the proportion of glass to metal lends an even sportier look to the car.

The new Exeo's assertive styling is enhanced on the Paris show car with stunning 18-inch alloy rims and a muscular twin exhaust pipe arrangement, both telltale signs for those 'in the know' that this is a potent piece of machinery.

Inside, the Exeo's extraordinarily ergonomic interior is especially comfortable. At the front of the passenger compartment the dashboard lines flow towards the door panels and the driver-facing central console, creating a pronounced and engaging wrap-around effect. The two-tone instrument panel's great looks are completed with dark brown wood inserts.

The interior colour scheme of the show car is particularly interesting. Entitled 'magnolia', it creates a feeling of spaciousness with light, airy tones. The comfortable leather seats and Alcantara lining on pillars and roof panel also underscore the Exeo cabin's feeling of style and roominess.

Naturally, the new car also provides an extremely comfortable driving experience. The front seats have four automatic memory positions, and the seat length offers exceptional leg support. And, in a touch of limousine-like luxury, even the rear sunshade can be controlled electrically to reduce incoming glare.

The bodywork construction includes a steel monocoque structure with integrated aluminium components. The further use of high strength steel helps reduce weight on the new car, guaranteeing excellent results in both occupant and pedestrian protection. These special elements are used on both the front-end structure and the passenger compartment.

SEAT's saloon also features ample boot space, with a volume of 460 litres, while the notably generous 1,000 mm loading width between the interior extrusions allows bulky objects to be loaded with ease.

Agile, dynamic and sporty

With the arrival of the Exeo, SEAT is demonstrating its efforts to design and manufacture truly 'made-to-measure' vehicles. Its compact size and exceptional manoeuvrability provide more comfortable, agile performance in both city driving and when parking. Add the exceptional long distance performance that comes with a top quality mid-size saloon and SEAT is confident its newcomer will have significant appeal.

The SEAT Exeo uses the Volkswagen Group's Premium platform, found on mid-sized saloons, to provide outstanding driving comfort for both passengers and driver. The platform's exceptional dynamic performance is due to the exhaustive work carried out on its rigidity and geometry, as well as significant modifications to suspension coils and shock absorbers.

The front suspension set-up is an independent multilink, with a trapezoidal link at the rear. Light alloy elements on both shafts also considerably reduce the unsuspended mass.

On board the Exeo, the driver immediately feels the vehicle's controlled behaviour, even when driving to the limit, with the car's body responding succinctly to the steering wheel and delivering minimal roll. Speed-dependent Servotronic power steering, where the degree of assistance depends on the car's speed, provides greater comfort and driving pleasure.

Technologically advanced

Driving enjoyment is at the very heart of the SEAT Exeo ethos and, as such, several solutions have been specifically added for both driver and passengers to deliver exceptional comfort.

Besides the many features expected on a saloon in this category, the Exeo also features double-thickness door windows which significantly reduce noise inside the car and are also a theft deterrent. It is also equipped with a tilt sensor alarm and an innovative 'solar roof', which provides enough electrical power to activate the car's ventilation system even allowing it to continue to work when the engine is turned off.

SEAT's new car also features latest generation Xenon Plus headlights, including stunning daytime running lights, providing an intense, even beam. The dynamic turning system is made up of swivelling lights that illuminate the inside of a curve when the car is travelling at a speed of at least seven miles an hour.

The twin-zone automatic climate control system is equipped with a sophisticated air quality sensor, which not only provides independent climate control on the driver and front passenger sides, but also detects and avoids the entry of noxious gases, maintaining a constant air quality for the vehicle's occupants.

The new car also naturally features a sophisticated satellite navigation system with two SD ports, MP3-type audio player and hard disc, including a map database of the whole of Western Europe.

Extensive safety measures

The Exeo is packed with the most sophisticated occupant protection measures, including two front airbags which deploy in two stages depending on the severity of the collision, two front side airbags, two curtain-type head airbags, driver knee airbag and rear side airbags.

The car also features active front seat head restraints that protect driver and passenger from whiplash caused by a rear-end collision. The front passenger and rear seats are also equipped with Isofix anchoring points for the safe securing of child seats.

SEAT's new executive class saloon is also equipped with numerous active safety elements including ABS, TCS and ESP +, EBA and tyre pressure monitoring.

More horsepower, fewer g/km of emissions

The Exeo showcased in Paris boasts a powerful petrol engine in the shape of a turbo-charged direct injection 200 PS 2.0-litre TSI. It delivers maximum torque of 280 Nm at only 1,800 rpm, providing highly accessible performance. Fuel consumption comes in at 36.6 mpg on the (provisional) combined cycle, while CO2 emissions fall below 185 g/km.

Further details, prices and specification will be announced closer to the SEAT Exeo's UK launch during the first half of 2009.

10) Incredibly Uncomfortable Chairs

What's Wrong: Chairs are one of those things you should sacrifice for the sake of comfort over making a design statement. The chairs in the press room may look nice, but after an hour of seat time they try to consume your soul through your back side.
How To Fix It: Function over form, people. Suck up your silly Euro pride and get over to Michigan and buy yourself some Haworth or Steelcase chairs.

9) Wiring Monster

What's Wrong: Nothing is worse than needing power, hooking up your voltage adapter, and blocking the adjacent ports so people in the same situation are out of luck.
How To Fix It: Take a tip from the Tokyo Motor Show and put multi-voltage, multi-port hubs on the top of the desks. With multi-port hubs, you make everybody happy and plugging in power strips in your native voltage becomes a snap.

8) Messy Press Release System

What's Wrong: In the press rooms at most major shows there's a dedicated set of labeled cubbies with all of the available press releases and a staff there to deliver what you ask for and keep everything in stock and neat and tidy. At Paris there are some wood boxes and nobody to do anything about the wretched state they devolve into.
How To Fix It: Let's work on that. Assign someone to the press release cubby area and have them, you know, figure this shit out.

7) Desktop Computers EVERYWHERE

What's Wrong: Hey Paris, the age of the desktop is over. Anybody press person traveling to the Paris Motor Show really should have a laptop and one would think they'd prefer it over a big clumsy desktop. Instead of having 15-20% more desktop space, 80% of the press room is loaded up with staffers camping out on desktops because there are no more hard lines anywhere else.
How To Fix It: Dump 90% of the desktops and keep a couple in the corner for the gray hair auto journos and print mag head honchos who've yet to figure out why a laptop might be important for them to bring with them.

6) Stairs

What's Wrong: It may sound like a little thing, but when you're walking five to ten miles a day with a heavy bag of camera gear, doing acrobatics to get a good shot under the hot spotlights, running from press conference to press conference and battling the army of similarly motivated and equally sweaty competitors, another set of stairs are the last thing you need. Adding insult to injury, these stairs are only big enough for one full grown man to use at a time.
How To Fix It: Not everyone can have escalators like the Chicago Auto Show and the New York Auto Show, but walk-in press rooms Paris, you heard it here first.

5) Terrible Traffic Flow

What's Wrong: For a two-story, instant-style container building, the upper floor is loaded with big-ass columns that take up valuable floor space, make foot traffic congested, and just generally get in the way. Interestingly, not a single one of those columns has a power outlet on it. All failures of design in our opinion, aren't you folks supposed to be good at that kind of thing?
How To Fix It: Perhaps a pre-fab trailer isn't the best place to put a press center at an international auto show.

4) Way, Way Too Small

What's Wrong: Fer Chrissake, you're the people who built the Eiffel Tower, the Statue of Liberty, The Cathedral of Notre Dame, you know how to make things big. There's no reason for a press room as crowded as a cafe on the Avenue des Champs- Élysées and that looks like a double-wide with some folding tables tossed in for fun.
How To Fix It: Think bigger folks, you have entire floors of some of the halls empty, use 'em.

3) Location, Location, Location (You Picked A Bad One)

What's Wrong: As we mentioned, the press room is all the way off in BFE (Butt-Frenching Egypt) on the North side of the show. On top of that it's outside (getting thousands of dollars worth of gear wet from rain is not at all fun). There are two main halls where most of the action takes place, Hall 3 and Hall 1.
How To Fix It: Connecting the two major halls is the Hall 2 second floor, which acts as a bridge over traffic. Hall 2 is home of vendors and tier 3 suppliers of all varieties. Would it be impossible to drop some of those folks into the lower level of the sparsely populated Hall 2 first floor? No, and it would save a lot of travel time.

2) Unreliable Wifi, Too Few Hard Lines

What's Wrong: Hard lines seem like an antiquated way to hook up to the internet these days, what with industrial strength 802.11n routers and all, but when the teaming horde of journalists whip out their laptops, all their electronic equipment, TV cameras, mixing boards, etc. clog the airwaves with their static. And don't even get us started on the 32-key password.
How To Fix It: Nothing is more of a godsend than walking into the Detroit Auto Show and finding a good old shielded hard line. We can't tell you how many times Wi-fi is more like No-fi at an auto show. Throw us a bone here folks and drop more hard line hubs.

1) Laughable Food Service.

What's Wrong: If you have time to graze upon the offerings of the automakers, the Paris Auto Show is a magical place. Paris is known as a foodie kind of place, so to keep up appearances, everybody dishes up some of the best auto show food in the world (Honda, we're looking at you and your awesome Asian/French fusion lunch on Thursday. Not that we stopped to eat or anything Wert, we swear!). But for those on the run or stuck phoning it in to the home office, the best you can hope for in the press room is overly sweet dessert bites, juice, water and soda.
How To Fix It: An army marches on its stomach and this one is no different. At least put out a plate of sandwiches once in a while. I mean, you guys invented baguettes, use them.


Let's be clear, we wouldn't trade our time at the Paris Motor Show for anything. We're just saying that when we're trying to decide which international show's tops, it's hard to argue for a show that seems unable to buy comfortable chairs. Just sayin'...

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)

Yeah, that totally looks like it fits.

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.

Perhaps they're intended only for briefcases and groceries, though, to be fair, the trunk behind the engine is big enough for a decent round trip to your local Tesco. Despite your wild fantasies of jaunty trips cross country with the Missus and kids in your favorite Lotus, we are sorry to inform you that will not be possible. This car is not a four seater, it's not even a 2+2 — it's more like a 2+nothing. Because frankly, the rear seats are good for nothing more than a way to lower the insurance rates.

WORLD PREMIERES

The result of close technological collaboration between Venturi Automobiles and Michelin, the Venturi Volage, presented for the first time at the “Mondial 2008” (Paris Motor Show), marks a major step forward in the evolution of the Automobile.

This new Venturi incorporates innovations which have enabled radical changes in terms of the vehicle’s architecture, style, dynamic behaviour and, more generally, the design of a modern vehicle.

All these changes constitute several world premières which, with the presentation of the Venturi Volage, reinforce Venturi’s capability for constant innovation, as well as its position as the most advanced company in the field of electric vehicles.

POWER TRANSMISSION & ACTIVE SUSPENSION

With 4 drive wheels with active suspension, the Venturi Volage has no equivalent. “Michelin Active Wheel” technology in fact incorporates 2 electric motors per wheel (1 for suspension and 1 for drive), ie. a total of 8 electric motors piloted in real time by spearhead electronics.

Like the mechanism of a watch, all the components, motors, gear reduction units and suspensions, are miniaturized and built into the wheels.

The active electric shock absorber system allows for total adaptation to the type of road surface and driving. Combining Michelin’s experience in the area of surface liaison with that of Venturi for the chassis, the Venturi Volage represents in its road holding, drivability and silent functioning, the sum of today’s automotive technology.

THE CAR OF THE DIGITAL ERA

Playing down the mechanical aspect in favor of electronics, close to the concept of a robot, this car belongs to a new era, the digital era. Thanks to a dashboard touch screen, the driver can configure the vehicle entirely as he wishes. This total control marks significant progress in terms of management, particularly of the energy stored in the car’s batteries: the driver can, for example, decide to give preference in certain cases to range rather than power, comfort rather than speed, an important factor for an electric car.

A CHASSIS UNIQUE WORLDWIDE

The only part that the Venturi Volage shares with the Venturi Fétish is its carbon fiber bodywork. Developed by the Venturi Design Office, this body is still a unique concept worldwide, as it is the only one to have been specifically designed to be that of an electric car and thus carry batteries within its very structure.

Thanks to this innovative design, both the Fétish and the Volage benefit from an unequalled level of safety, for both the cars’ passengers and also the batteries they carry.

The ideal distribution of the Venturi Volage’s masses - 45% at the front, 55% at the rear – and its perfectly mastered weight of 1,075 kilos enable it to attain 100 km/hr (62 mph) in less than 5 seconds.

PRODUCTION MODELS

A real demonstration of spearhead technology, the car presented in its world première is entirely operational and prefigures the production of a limited series of this model, scheduled as from 2012.

Like the Venturi Fétish assembled in our workshops in Monaco, the Venturi Volage will be assembled by hand, in the form of very limited production.

The technological repercussions of these two cars positioned at the very top end of the market are to be found on other vehicles bearing the Venturi brand, enabling as many people as possible to benefit from the firm’s advances in the field of sustainable mobility.

DESIGN OF VOLAGE, BY SACHA LAKIC

“Like a light and sensual veil, the Volage’s bodywork clings close to its exceptional technical features.

Active suspensions and motors incorporated into the wheels, a flat bottom, aerodynamic tunnels: these choices and technological advances have enabled me to “design the void” usually occupied by the engine and suspensions, and thus explore audacious new paths in terms of styling.

The void is part of the Volage style; it has been designed by subtraction.

Volage has been fashioned by the wind.
The science of aerodynamics is the main tool that has been used to elaborate its shape. It is easy and enjoyable to imagine the movement of flows of air, on and across its bodywork.

Volage finds itself in a totally original and decidedly contemporary formal category. The relationship with Venturi’s other models is obvious, though it is also possible to see, in a few details, a subtle tribute to certain icons among French cars of the pre-war era, the most elegant, the ones that were way before their time.

Volage inspires passion: its powers of seduction are immense.”