Awesome Concept cars- The alternate Automobile world

Following the post on Concept Motorcycles (http://boyracer.blogspot.com/2011/11/awesome-concept-bikes.html), Here is a post on the best concept cars which can change the way we see the roads today.

1. Chrysler Ecovoyager:  The concept car was launched by Chrysler at the 2008 North American International Auto Show. The Concept is a four-door, four-passenger vehicle that is simultaneously sleek, futuristic, and distinctively American. Its one-box design - and the absence of a traditional powertrain setup - allowed designers to make uniquely efficient use of the cabin's parameters. The ecoVoyager also mates an advanced lithium-ion battery pack to an advanced hydrogen fuel cell, resulting in a vehicle with a range of more than 300 miles that emits nothing from the tailpipe but water vapor.

2.  BMW GINA: The GINA Light Visionary Model is a fabric-skinned shape-shifting sports car concept built by BMW. GINA stands for "Geometry and functions In 'N' Adaptations". It was designed by a team led by BMW’s head of design, Chris Bangle. The flexible, stretchable water resistant translucent man-made fabric skin – polyurethane-coated Spndex, is resilient and durable. It resists high or low temperatures, does not swell or shrink and the movement does not slacken or damage the fabric. The body changes its shape according to exterior conditions and speeds, and it also allows the driver to change its shape at will. The fabric is stretched over a moveable frame.

3. Audi RSQ: The Audi RSQ is a mid-engined concept car developed by Audi AG for use as a product placement in the 2004 sci-fi film I,Robot. It is meant to depict a technologically advanced automobile in the Chicago cityscape from the year 2035. An important challenge presented to the designers was that despite its extreme character, the car still had to be recognized by the audience as an Audi. To accommodate this demand, the engineers implemented a current Audi front-end design which includes the trapezoidal "Audi Single-Frame grille", the company's trademark overlapping four rings, and the Multi-Media Interface (MMI) driver-to-car control system. The car uses spheres instead of conventional wheels. Its two reverse butterfly are hinged to the B-posts of the body. Although this kind of collaboration was a first for Audi, a similar project was developed by Lexus for use in the 2002 film Minority Report.

4.  Alfa Romeo Pandion: The Alfa Romeo Pandion is a concept car which premiered at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show. It was designed by Stile Bertone. The Pandion coupé was designed as a tribute to Alfa Romeo's one hundred year anniversary. The car has an all aluminium 4.7 litre (4691 cc) v8 engine, producing 450 BHP. The most eye catching feature of the car is its doors, they open by rotating backwards, opening full 90 degree upward, the whole side of the car is one door from the front fender to the rear fender. The car has illuminated seats via fabric bulbs.

5. Cadillac Ciel: The Cadillac Ciel is a hybrid electric concept car created by Cadillac and unveiled at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance. The Cadillac Ciel has a 3.6-liter V6 producing 425 horsepower and a hybrid system using Lithion-Ion battery technology. The word "Ciel" is french for sky.

6.  Ford Airstream: The Ford Airstream is a new concept car which made its debut at the 2007 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan. The concept vehicle is powered by a rechargeable plug-in hydrogen fuel cell drivetrain called hyseries drive. The interior was inspired by spacecraft images and environments portrayed in 2001: A Space Odyssey.

7. Honda FC Sport:  The Honda FC Sport is a concept car produced by Honda and first shows at at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show. It is described as a design study and is intended to show what a hydrogen powered sports car might look like. The FC Sport is designed for a drivetrain similar to the one found in the  Honda FCX Clarity. Though the concept does not have an actual interior, Honda has stated the theoretical interior would be similar to the Mclaren F1, with the driver in the center and a passenger on each side.

8. Maserati Birdcage : The Maserati Birdcage 75th was a concept car created by automobile manufacturer Maserati and designed by Pininfarina introduced at the Geneva Auto Show. It was named to honor the classic Maserati Birdcage of the 1960 and Pininfarina's 75th Anniversary.

9. Renault Dezir: The Renault DeZir is an electric concept that was first officially presented at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. The car is a two seater coupé with butterfly doors, and the interior is of red leather. It features a 148 hp mid-mounted electric motor. This gives the concept rivalry with the Audi e-tron. The DeZir is the first in a series of concept cars that are paving the way for Renault’s future both aesthetically and technologically. The series is modeled after the stages of life that a Renault customer might encounter. In Renault’s own words their customers will fall in love, discover the world, start a family, work, have fun and become wise. The DeZir concept symbolized the love stage, the Captur concept symbolized the discovery stage, the R-Space represented the family stage and the Frendzy represents the work stage.

 10. Nissan Pivo: The Nissan Pivo is a concept car created by Nissan for the 2005 Tokyo Motor Show. The car is essentially a 360 degree rotating three-seater cabin on a chassis of 4 wheels, and hence eliminates the need for reversing and makes parking easier. The Pivo is powered by a Lithium-Ion battery.

Special Mentions

11. Cadillac Urban Luxury: 

12. Mazda Ryuga:

13.  Mazda Furai:

14. Mazda Taiki:

15. Mazda Nagare:

16.  Peugeot Hoggar:

17.  Peugeot Flux:

18.Peugeot BB1:

19. Citroen C-Buggy:

20. Citroen GT:

Hottest Female Racers in motorsport - Extra Long Anniversary Post

DANICA Patrick: Nobody really noticed femme car drivers until Danica Patrick came along. A few Bikini Shots later, her career might have gone down but you will be finding a lot of such lists coming up regularly.

Races: Nascar, Indycar
Age 30
Awards: 2005 Indycar Rookie of the year,
Status: Married

Chrissy Wallace: Daughter of Mike Wallace (Three time winner at Daytona) and related to Winston Cup champion Rusty Wallace and Rookie of the year Kenny Wallace, Chrissy comes with a great history. At 19, Chrissy became the first female driver to ever win at Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina.

Races: Nascar
Age: 23
Awards: 2011 ASA Late Model SSeries track champion (Lebanon I-44 Speedway)
2011 ASA West Region champion
Status:Unknown

Leilani Munter: Environmentalists don't come so sexy and fast. A perfect example of how 'nice things are always committed or married to somebody else'. Beginning in Nascar, and graduating from Indycar, Leilani Munter currently races. She hasn't won much awards, but keeps the tracks sweating with her hotness all the time.

Races: Nascar(Ex), Indycar (Ex), ARCA stock car racing
Age: 35
Awards: None
Status: Married

Natacha Gachnang: Hotness is less American and more Swiss. Natacha Gachnang is a prime example of the same. She is the cousin of former Formula 1 driver Sebastien Buemi. Beginning her career in 2008, she has already raced in Formula2 and 24 Hour Le Mans.

Races: Formula2 and 24 Hour Le Mans.


Age:24
Awards: None
Status: Unknown

  
Cyndie Allemann: Its mostly the swiss chocolates. The lady racing drivers from Switzerland are smokin hot everytime. She is the daughter of Karting champion Kurt Allemann and sister of racing driver Ken Allemann. A bright future guranteed.


 Races: Indylights, GT1 and 24 Hour LeMans.
Age: 25
Awards: None
Status: Single

Susie Stoddart: The scotts are not good with their accent, but the same is not the case with Hot Racing drivers.

Races: Formula3, DTM
Age: 29
Awards: None
Status: Married

 Milka Duno: Venezuela doesnt only win Beauty contests. Milka Duno is live proof. She is best known for holding the record of highest finish for a female driver in the 24 hours of Daytona. She started racing late because she was into modelling.

Races: Indycar, LeMans
Age: 39
Awards: None
Status: Unknown

Ashley Force Hood: Ashley Force Hood is the daughter of 15 time champion John Force. Force was selected as the NHRA POWERade Drag Racing Series' Rookie of the Year (Funny Car division) in November 2007. On April 27, 2008, Force earned her first ever NHRA Professional-category win, defeating her father in the final round at the NHRA Summit.

Races: Drag Racing
Age: 29
Awards: Drag Racing Rookie of the year
Status: Married

Madalena Antas: Portuguese bombshell Madelana Antas doesn't mind getting dusty in the desert while racing tricked-out pickups on the rally circuit. When she is not destroying sand dunes and jumping trucks at 120 mph, she enjoys oil painting and flaunting her curvaceous assets in men's magazines.




Races: Dakar racing
Age: 35
Awards: None
Status: Single

Shannon McIntosh: This girl races cars? Really? Hard to believe, but it's true. Shannon is currently trying to climb her way up the IndyCar ladder by competing in the US F200 Championship for Cape Motorsports with Wayne Taylor Racing.



Races: Open Wheel Racing
Age: 22
Awards: None
Status: Single

Maryeve Dufault: Canadians have always been cool when it comes to Hotness. Maryeve Dufault is no exception. She has also continued to Model on 'The Price is Right', Maxim and Lingerie Bowl.

Races: Nascar
Age: 29
Awards:2011 Napa Parts 200
Status: Single

Amanda Stretton: Amanda Stretton (born Amanda Cohn on 24 July 1973 inLondon), is an English female racing driver and motoring journalist. Apart from her proffession, Amanda is also a good cook.

Races: Motocross, 24 Hours Le Mans,
Age: 38
Awards: None
Status: Single

Sabine Schmitz: A german racing driver, Sabine Schmitz is known for driving the BMW "Ring taxi" around the Nurburgring race track as well as being a television personality. It is rumoured that Sabine Schmitz will take on the role of Stig on Top gear.





Races: Test car driver,
Age: 42
Awards: None
Status: Married

Tiffany Chittenden: Tiffany Chittenden is back racing for VZ Racing in 2011. When she's not at the track she's working hard on maintaining her race fitness, when she gets the chance she loves to go Skiing, Jetskiing or play any competitive sport.
Races: Rotax DD2
Age: 21
Awards: None
Status: Single

Fiona Leggate: Leggate had been interested in motorsport since her childhood, influenced by her father Malcolm Leggate who had a 19-year career in saloon car racing. This led to her spending 2003 and 2004 contesting various championships including Britcar and the MG XPower trophy, and in July 2004 she set a world record for the most races contested in one day.




Races: British Touring Car Championship
Age: 31
Awards: None
Status: Single

Melanie Troxel: Named the Sportswoman of the Year by Billie Jean King's Women's Sports Foundation, Troxel won two Top Fuel events last season and led the POWERade Series point stands through the first 12 races. She was nominated for two ESPY awards in 2006 (best driver and best female athlete).

Age: 39
Races:  Drag Racing
Awards: Winner of  8 NHRA National Events/ She is 1 of only 14 drivers to win in both the Top Fuel Dragster and Funny Car classes (and the only female)/ 
Status: Married

Jessica Barton: A Drag Racer, Model, TV Host, Nuff said.

Races: Drag racing
Age: 28
Awards: None
Status: Single

Catherina Felser: Catharina Felser (born October 2, 1982) is a German race car driver born in Siegburg, North Rhine-Westphalia. Catharina started her career in karting during 1997. She is Currently driving a KTM X-Bow at FIA GT4.

Races: GT4/ F3
Age30
Awards: None
Status: Married

Nicole  Lyons: It’s in their blood and in their heritage. In Drag Racing, a largely male dominated sport, it’s unusual though to find a woman who could be on the next cover of a glamour magazine and is also a professional car builder and race car driver.  Nicole Lyons is that woman and is truly a lady of Drag Racing from start to finish.

Races: Drag Racing
Age: Unknown
Awards: Unknown
Status: Unknown

Taylor Earnhardt : What better name to conclude the list than Taylor Earnhardt? Dale Earnhardt's daughter has started driving her fathers car.

Age: 23
Status: Single
Races: Nascar
Awards: None

10 cars we need in India

1. Mazda RX-8- How many times have you driven a 1300cc naturally aspirated (non turboed or supercharged) engine that makes 280 horses? Especially one that has one numerous car of the year awards in 2600cc category? Yes, that is precisely why we need the RX-8. Also, the stringent regulations and the fact that Mazda is the only Wankel car maker has led to its death in 2012.

PS: Rx-8 is indeed a coupe sports car but comes with rear suicide doors for easy ingress and egress to the rear seats. It also comes with a 300w Bose sound system for the sound connoisseurs.

2. Mazda Mx-5: If aliens ever did provide us with technology for automobile evolution, this would be it. Famously called the 'Miata'. It meets the 4000 mm regulation for tax exemptions and to perfectly fit those jam packed cities. The car is as much fun to drive in the city as a Lamborghini Gallardo or Ferrari Scaglietti would be on the track. Other Japanese makers tried to compete with the Toyota MR2 and Honda S2000 but nothing has yet survived this car's smiley face onslaught. This topless car competes for attention at the beach too.

PS: Even in such tight and nimble clothing, the MX-5 got 4 star safety rating. The latest MX-5 concept 'Superlight' has been so true to the name, it also lacks a windshield.

3. Scion IQ-Before you notice the car which in itself is an eyeball magnet, it's the brand name. Toyota's answer for the North American burger fat bellied, IQ lacking, Beer thirsty youth. The IQ is small by US starndards but suits perfectly in India. I am not handing out Ferrero Rocher balls for guessing that the IQ here stands for Intelligent Quotient. The sub 3 metre car is something I would definitely purchase for my daily office commute over Tata Nano and Maruti Suzuki Alto and Hyundai Eon and also bigger cars like Maruti Suzuki A-Star, Hyundai i10, Chevrolet Beat, Maruti Suzuki WagonR, Nissan Micra and Ford Figo. The car also has numerous customization possibilities which Toyota is exploiting in the Japanese market.

PS: The car has nine airbags, vehicle stability control, traction control, anti-lock brakes, brake assist and electronic brake distribution.

 4. Cadillac SRX-  I am a fan of big cars. I drive Jap cars but still the lure of mammoth cars with mammoth engines wets my mouth. But SUV's are not my forte. But it is hard not to love the SRX with its 3.6 V6 engine and that Cadillac grille shouting 'I am the king of bling-bling'. Crossovers are the latest trend and SRX is the king of that trend whether it be style, features, interiors or plain sex appeal. Finally something Scarlett Johansson can use to look more deadly and American.

PS: GM had to cease production of a smaller engine option due to lack of sales. That's when the 3.6 V6 was launched to accompany the 3.0 naturally aspirated model option.

5. Cadillac CTS: If I have to glance at a BMW 6 series, Audi A5 or Mercedes-Benz E-class coupe, my eyeballs will stick at te CTS. We need the CTS because because we yawn everytime seeing the same old Audis, BMW's and mercedes- Benz's filling the road. Also, we need a car with so much bling it shines as bright as the sun and still manages to look like a thousand bucks.

PS: The CTS Coupe will be Cadillac's first coupe since the Eldorado, which was discontinued in 2002.

6. Dodge Challenger :  I have mentioned this before and I will mention it again and again. I love Mammoth cars with mammoth engines. No wonder Dodge Challenger tops my list of dream cars. But it is also here because its the last of the species of big cars with big engines and because Camaro and Mustang are already too modern for our liking. Also because it can win us a war against the aliens. Give me one and I promise to eradicate the Richshaw infestation in India.

PS: This is the one and only car I dare buy in Furious Fuchsia pink or Plum Crazy Purple.

7. Holden Commodore: I won't repeat how I like Mammoth cars with Mammoth engines coz they look like the Dodge Challenger pictured above and Dodge Charger pictured below. But Indian families are huge and live-in relationships are taboo (I hate this world). But worry not my wedding loving friends. GM has just the right car for you. They have taken a mammoth car, put in a mammoth engine and slapped four doors on it to carry the whole family in comfort and provide you with adrenaline when you sneak out on that wild Saturday night. The car gave sleepless nights to BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz in the guise of Pontiac G8 in the USA. Also, with four doors slapped on, the car looks ready to maul you if you try to sneak even a little further on the start line. No cheating!!!

PS: Holden Commodore is actually manufactured in Australia.

 7.  Dodge Charger: Since Dodge Charger ties with Holden Commodore I will have to repeat how I like Mammoth cars with Mammoth engines coz they look like the Dodge Challenger and Pontiac G8 aka Holden Commodore pictured above. You don't need a beer belly, small glasses and a huge mustache to scare children anymore. Park one of these and you are safe for life. My particular favorite is the Super Bee edition complete with the yellow paint and Black stripe and a matching Hemi engine to go with it. Imagine driving a yellow car on a hot summer day in Ahmedabad...

PS: If you see a black Dodge Charger, Slow down. It's that evil cops favouraite car these days.

8. I-miev: We only have one Harvinder Singh to slap all the corrupt politicians. So nothing can stop fuel quality to drop and prices to rise. At a time like this, our only hope is this car. The Mitsubishi I-MIEV. is sexy, small, sexy, electric and sexy. Did I say it looks sexy? The car is already sold in a dozen countries worldwide to keep the purchasing costs down and save the company's Indian operations. Famous editions include the 'Hello Kitty'(no pink for me this time please) and 'i-play'(ipod special edition).

PS:The U.S. version of the 'I-MIEV' has been enlarged to accomodate the fat American youth and the name has been shortened so the company officials do not waste time trying to explain the meaning of the moniker.

9. Citroen DS3: Thanks to our leaders like Sharad Pawar, the roads in our country resemble his face. Most cars due to this reason, are high on maintainence and the ride is bumpy. Enter Citroes DS3, the car that dons French Attire, French Etiquette, French poise and French performance. Citroen has perfected it after years of experience in the rally races. A perfect car for India

PS:  The car is named DS which is French for goddess.

 10. Alfa Romeo Brera: If you think the cars pictured above were beautiful, welcome to automotive porn. Here is a car which will wet every common man's pants with desire. Alfarotica will be inducted in the Oxford Dictionary soon. Alfa Romeo's are expensive to maintain they say. Well, Luxury can never be afffordable, I say. Period...

PS: Croation Car of the year 2006, Autocar best design award 2006, European Automotive design award 2006, Best Sports/Coupe - What Diesel Car?, European Car of the Year 2007 in Japan, 'Best of the show' at Geneva Motor Show 2005, Challenge Bibendum 2002 award, "the Most Fascinating Car" award at the Super Car Rally 2002. Nuff said. Now bow down and pay respect to the goddess of Alfarotica.