Tag Archives: Concept

Electric Sprinter – Peugeot EX1 Concept

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As part of Peugeot’s 200th Anniversary Celebrations their design center at Vélizy in the South Western suburbs of Paris created the electrically powered EX1 Concept in time for a public debut at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.

Peugeot EX1 Concept, Goodwood Festival of Speed

The water droplet shaped carbon composite monococque chassis is optimised for weight and rigidity, the whole vehicle weighs less than 1,000 kgs / 2205 lbs.

Peugeot EX1 Concept, Goodwood Festival of Speed

Two electric motors, one for each axle, combine to produce 340hp, enough to turn the EX1 into a record breaker for vehicles weighing less than 1000 kgs.

Peugeot EX1 Concept, Goodwood Festival of Speed

The complete car measures 0.99 meters / 3′ 4″ high by 1.7 meters / 5′ 8″ wide.

Peugeot EX1 Concept, Goodwood Festival of Speed

In September 2010 the EX1 was taken to Linas-Montlhery autodrome just south of Paris where Nicolas Vanier set six records in one afternoon.

Peugeot EX1 Concept, Goodwood Festival of Speed

They were 0-60mph in 3.55sec, 1/8 mile 8.89sec, 1/4 mile in 14.4sec, standing kilometre in 28.16sec, standing mile in 41.09sec and overall top speed of 161mph.

Peugeot EX1 Concept, Goodwood Festival of Speed

Chinese blogger and competition driver Han Han drove the EX1 at Taipingsi military airport in Chengdu, China three months later where he lowered the 1/8 and 1/4 mile records to 7.08.62sec and 12.67.54sec respectively.

Peugeot EX1 Concept, Goodwood Festival of Speed

Nicolas Vanier also drove the EX1 in China and lowered his 0-62 mph time to 3.49sec and recorded a longitudinal acceleration of 1G over a total sprint of 39 meters.

Peugeot EX1 Concept, Goodwood Festival of Speed

These electric record breaking achievements indicate Peugeot is well on the way to offering it’s electric vehicle customers of the future with incomparable driving experiences.

Thanks for joining me on this “Electric Sprinter” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be visiting Castle Combe for a spot of preseason testing. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Mini Midget – MG ADO34

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With the runaway sales success of the front wheel drive Morris Mini Minor / Austin Mini it is not surprising to learn that the British Motor Corporation (BMC) looked at building roadster sports versions of the Mini to be marketed under BMC’s sporty brands MG and Austin Healey.

MG Longbridge ADO 34, British Motor Museum, Gaydon,

Today’s featured concept vehicle was devised under the project code ADO34 between 1960 and 1964.

MG Longbridge ADO 34, British Motor Museum, Gaydon,

The car was built with two Mini sub frames and powered by a 1275 cc / 77.8 cui Mini Cooper S engine.

MG Longbridge ADO 34, British Motor Museum, Gaydon,

The cabriolet body was designed, built and fitted by Pininfarina in Italy.

MG Longbridge ADO 34, British Motor Museum, Gaydon,

Alongside today’s featured ADO34 known as the Longbridge version distinguished by it’s rounded rear wheel arches MG at Abingdon also styled an ADO34 closer to the MG B at the front with rear arches closely resembling the MG Midget with a almost horizontal edge along the top of the wheel.

MG Longbridge ADO 34, British Motor Museum, Gaydon,

A coupé concept version was also built under the project code ADO35, while the Austin Healey concept version was built with the project code ADO36, none of which went into production.

MG Longbridge ADO 34, British Motor Museum, Gaydon,

This particular vehicle seen at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon, was registered on the road for sixth months as a 1966 model from March 7th 1990.

Thanks for joining me on this “Mini Midget” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again for Mercedes Monday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Moving To The Suburbs – Peugeot 907

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To celebrate the moving of Peugeot’s 40 year old design center, from La Garenne in the center of Paris to Vélizy in the South Western suburbs of Paris, Peugeots styling chief Gérard Welter and designer Jean-Christophe Bolle-Reddat concieved today’s featured Peugeot 907 Coupé Concept.

Peugeot 907, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

The carbon fibre coupé body features front wing / fender vents that hark back to innumerable Ferrari’s from the 250 GT’s to the more modern Maranello.

Peugeot 907, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

The 500 hp 6 litre / 366 cui V12 engine is built from two 3 litre / 183 cui V6 engines spliced together with a single new crankshaft and 4 new overhead cams to operate the 48 valves.

Peugeot 907, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

The six speed sequential gearbox is mounted in front of the rear axle and all four wheels have double wishbone independent suspension.

Peugeot 907, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

As per late 1950’s Ferrari Testa Rossa the air intakes sit beneath a plastic bubble, and as per contemporary racing practice for front engine cars the exhausts are short with exits behind the front wheels.

Peugeot 907, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

Although the 907 was never designed to go into production this car is a completely drivable prototype.

Peugeot 907, Goodwood Festival of Speed,

The 907, seen here at Goodwood Festival of Speed 10 years after it’s launch at the 2004 Paris Motor Show, is estimated to be able to reach 60 mph from rest in 4 seconds with an estimated top speed of 186 mph.

Thanks for joining me on this “Moving To The Suburbs” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be visiting Wimbledon. Don’t forget to come back now.

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Electric Love – Renault DeZir

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In 2010 Renault announced that the direction of their next series of concept cars would reflect six stages of life; falling in love, discovering the world, starting a family, working, having fun and becoming wise that a Renault customer might encounter.

Renault DeZir , Goodwood Festival of Speed

The Renault DeZir first shown at the 2010 Paris Motor Show reflects the falling in love stage.

Renault DeZir , Goodwood Festival of Speed

It’s sensual coupé body with red leather interior is fitted with a pair of butterfly doors, the drivers opening to the rear with the passengers opening to the front.

Renault DeZir , Goodwood Festival of Speed

Power comes from a 148hp mid mounted electric motor that gives rest to 60 mph in five seconds performance and a top speed of 112 mph.

Renault DeZir , Goodwood Festival of Speed

While no plans have been announced for the DeZir to go into production the design of 500hp twin turbo V6 Renault Sport R.S. 01, which will compete for the Renault Sport Trophy, took the Dezir Concept as the starting point for it’s body.

Renault DeZir , Goodwood Festival of Speed

Since the 2010 DeZir Renault has shown concept cars representing; discovering the world – 2011 Captur, starting a family – 2011 R-Space and working – 2011 Frendzy, but there has been no sign of any concepts representing the having fun or becoming wise stages.

Thanks for joining me on this “Electric Love” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow for wagon Wednesday. Don’t forget to come back now !

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EU6 Compliant – Caterham Aero Seven Concept

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Caterham bought the rights to produce the Lotus Seven Mk III over 40 years ago and have continued to develop the product to the present day, but have noticeably failed to replace it.

Caterham Aero Seven Concept, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

The Caterham Aero Seven Concept features the latest Caterham Seven CSR platform which has been fitted with a Carbon composite body.

Caterham Aero Seven Concept, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

Power comes from an EU6 compliant evolution of the 2 litre / 122 cui Ford Duratec motor which produces 237hp at 8,500 rpm. The steering wheel is said to be focused on driver functionality.

Caterham Aero Seven Concept, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

The Aero Seven Concept will be the first Caterham to feature traction control which should help the car accelerate from rest to 62.5 mph in less than four seconds.

Caterham Aero Seven Concept, Autosport International, NEC, Birmingham

At the time of the Aero Seven Concept announcement last year it was anticipated the car would go into production this year at their Dartford factory.

Thanks for joining me on this “EU6 Compliant” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Rocket Powered Unicycle – MG TF XPower 500 #SARRDWBGBWD034240

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Just like I write “Gettin a li’l psycho on tyres”, because I find it quite irresistable it would appear when MG Rover got ditched by BMW MG went and built today’s unique, as in only one of, MG TF XPower 500 for exactly the same reason.

MG TF XPower 500, Silverstone Auctions, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

Sensational and equally outrageuous the MG TF XPower 500, was first shown to the public at Le Mans in 2001 alongside it’s Lola LM780 chassis Le Mans challenger.

MG TF XPower 500, Silverstone Auctions, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

Sitting on low profile 17″ road tyres and wheels the MG TF XPower 500 has a seam welded MG TF body which incorporates a racing standard survival cell, flared wheel arches and some aerodynamic aids to help keep the car on the ground.

MG TF XPower 500, Silverstone Auctions, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

Go for the MG TF XPower 500 comes from the same source as MG’s Lola MG Le Mans challenger namely a mid monunted Cosworth 2000 Le Mans XP20 2 litre / 122cui 4 cylinder turbo charged motor that produces 400 hp which transmits its power to the rear wheels through a 6 speed X-Trac sequential gearbox. Racing 4 pot AP disc brakes are used to slow the car down which has a ‘theoretical’ top speed in excess of 180 mph depending on the gear ratio’s used.

MG TF XPower 500, Silverstone Auctions, Race Retro, Stoneleigh

When Tony Dron tested the car with former Le Mans winner Mark Blundell he obseved the front wheels don’t do much in the corners and he was advised by Mark to suggest “Just think of the back end”. Tony noted “He’s right: imagine a rocket-powered unicycle and you get the idea.”

Thanks for joining me on this “Rocket Powered Unicycle” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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Exploring The Limits Of Handling and Performance – Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept Car (Replica)

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Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept Car (Replica)

The 1959 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray concept car was based on the tubular steel chassis 1957 Corvette SS racing car that was abandoned after the 1957 Sebring 12 hours as a result of an agreement between members of the Automobile Manufacturers Association (AMA) not to build factory developed racing cars.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept Car (Replica)

Vice President of GM Styling William (Bill) L Mitchell is credited with designing and building the Stingray Concept Car featuring a fibreglass body which weighed in at 2,200 lbs around 1,000 lbs lighter than a contemporary production Corvette.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept Car (Replica)

The one off concept was entered by Bill in numerous races from at least April 1959 to at least October 1960 mostly for Dick Thompson and a couple of races for John Fitch, by early 1960 Dick had clocked up several class BM wins.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept Car (Replica)

Powered originally by a fuel injected 4.6 litre / 283 cui which was good for 315 hp at 6,200 rpm the car was used as a test bed for a four speed manual transmission once it’s racing days were over. Today the car which resides General Motors Design Center has a 375 hp 5.5 litre / 327 cui motor fitted.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept Car (Replica)

Styling of the Stingray Concept Car heavily influenced the styling of 1963 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray production car. The strong line around the mid rift would become a feature on many vehicles of the 1960’s the Chevrolet Corvair, Alfa Romeo GTV 2000, almost the entire 1960’s BMW range, the Hillman Imp / Singer Chamoise and NSU Prinz to name but a few.

Chevrolet Corvette Stingray Concept Car (Replica)

This particular replica which I have seen at Silverstone many times over the years appears to be based on a 1977 Chevrolet (Corvette ?) chassis and is powered by a 5.4 litre 283 cui engine.

Hope you have enjoyed today’s Concept edition of ‘Gettin’ a lil’ psycho on tyres’ and that you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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