Dr Automotive Design and Tools

Korean brand Kia has unveiled the new Naimo electric car concept at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show today.

The Naimo's name is derived from the Korean word 'Ne-mo' which means 'square shape'. And this is one concept which isn't running away from its boxy design. It features no B-pillar and rear-hinged doors.

But the design of the Naimo is influenced by Asian Celadon-style pottery, with its asymmetrical shapes reflected in the roof design of this concept as well as in the dot-styled LED headlamps which also provide an off-center feel to the car. Those off-kilter design cues are meant to contrast with the square shape of the car.

On the inside, things get a little more down to earth with the use of Korean oak for the floor and interior door panels. Korean "Han-ji" paper serves as the headlining and these hand-crafted interior touches are complimented by the off lines of that sunroof design.

Powering the Naimo is a PMSM (Permanent Magnet Synchronous Motor) electric motor with an output of 80 kW (109 PS / 109 bhp) and 280 Nm (206 lb-ft) of torque. Juice is supplied by a 27 kWh lithium-ion battery pack positioned under the rear trunk.

The car rolls on low-resistance tires on 20-inch alloy wheels.

Top speed on the Naimo is 150 km/h (93 mph) and the car has a range of around 200 km (124 miles) on a single charge. A quick-charge system (50 kW) allows the battery to reach 80 percent capacity in about 25 minutes.

Nissan announced today that the Nissan LEAF will be priced at €30,990 in France, after incentives and including the batteries. The French government's incentive for electric vehicles amounts to 5,000 euros.

The announcement was made at the sixth edition of EVER Monaco, an annual automotive show dedicated to ecological vehicles and renewable energies in the Principality of Monaco, which Nissan is sponsoring this year.

In order to make electric motoring even more accessible to individual customers in France, the compact family hatchback, which has been named European Car of the Year 2011, will also be available through a private finance scheme.

Under this scheme, the customer can choose the offer period (from 37 to 49 months), as well as the amount of their first deposit and optional services such as maintenance or credit insurance. For example, with a deposit of €5,339.44 (after the government's incentive), the Nissan LEAF will be available for just 499€ per month for 37 months. After three years, the customer has the option of keeping the car, trading it in for a new one or handing it back to Nissan.

Order books for the five-seater, zero-emission Nissan LEAF in France will open on April 4. To make a reservation, French customers simply need to go to http://www.nissan.fr/, configure their vehicle and place an order. The quick and easy process requires a fully-refundable deposit of €300.

The Nissan LEAF is powered by an in-house developed compact electric motor and inverter in the front of the car driving the front wheels. The AC motor develops 80 kW of power and 280 Nm of torque, enough for a maximum speed of 145 km/h (90 mph). The electric motor is powered by an advanced laminated lithium-ion battery with a power output of more than 90 kW.

The car has range between charges of up to 175 km, as tested over the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC), enough to satisfy the average daily driving requirements of 80% of European drivers, according to Nissan research.
The Nissan LEAF comes fully equipped with features such as air conditioning, Intelligent Key, Bluetooth connection, a parking camera and a quick charge socket.

Matching the advanced electric drive technology is the Nissan LEAF's advanced on-board IT and telematics systems called CARWINGS. The system provides continuous information to the driver via a 7'' color touch screen, including battery capacity and range, and provides the location of the nearest charging station. Navigation information is continuously updated giving drivers the latest accurate traffic conditions en route. Drivers can also use a PC or smartphone to pre-heat or pre-cool the car and check on battery status.

Nissan LEAF offers particularly low running costs: about €1.9 per 100 km in France compared with about €7 for a similarly-equipped diesel family car.

Deliveries of the car have already begun in Japan, the US, Portugal, the UK and the Netherlands.

This is the third year for Nissan to sponsor the EVER Monaco show. In 2009, the Principality signed a comprehensive partnership with the Renault-Nissan Alliance to deliver zero-emission mobility to Monaco.

Since then, Monaco's charging network has grown from 176 normal charging stations to more that 400 today. The Principality is also installing two quick charge stations capable of charging the Nissan LEAF from zero to 80% capacity in about 30 minutes. Additional measures, such as tax incentives, dedicated parking spaces, preferential access and special parking rates for electric car owners have also been introduced.

A further arrest has been made in a spying scandal that has seriously damaged the reputation of Renault.

The move comes after an investigation by French police concluded that three of Renault’s top executives, fired in January after being accused of selling information on the brand’s electric car programme, are completely innocent.

Private investigator Michel Luc has been charged with fraud and criminal conspiracy. According to the police he received more than €300,000 from Renault’s own security unit for information showing that the three executives had been paid to sell secret information about the electric car programme.

Police have concluded that the information was falsified. Earlier this month Renault’s own security agent Dominique Gevrey was charged with fraud, police saying he had taken money intended for the informant and put it in a Swiss bank account.

Renault has fully accepted that its three executives are innocent. They have all been offered their jobs back and the manufacturer is trying to organise compensation.

At one point during the scandal there were suggestions that the information was being passed to China. The clearing of the three executives led to a national outcry particularly amongst the French Government, Renault’s biggest shareholder.

Some have called for Renault head Carlos Ghosn and his deputy Patrick Pelata to go – Pelata offered his resignation but Ghosn refused to accept it.

Both have turned down bonuses due to them, but only last week French ministers were still calling for heads to roll. “We cannot just let this pass – There will have to be consequences for the incredible amateurism,” said Budget Minister Francois Baroin.

«Confermiamo tutti gli obiettivi per Fiat, che segnerà un forte crescita del business accompagnata da una robusta redditività». Il numero uno della Fiat Sergio Marchionne, parlando all'assemblea degli azionisti, ha ribadito che il target del fatturato 2014 per Fiat sarà di 64 miliardi, quasi il doppio del 2010, e «potrebbe arrivare a 100 miliardi con Chrysler». «Per il 2011 - ha detto Marchionne - ci aspettiamo un miglioramento generalizzato dei mercati, ad eccezione di quello delle autovetture in Europa la cui performance è influenzata dai cali previsti in Italia e in Francia». La crescita quindi sarà sostenuta soprattutto dai mercati emergenti come il Brasile. L'ad si dice fiducioso che l'azienda aumenterà la sua quota di mercato nel secondo semestre di quest'anno «grazie al lancio di nuovi modelli».
Fiat presto al 35% di Chrysler, obiettivo 51% entro l'anno - «Porteremo presto la quota in Chrysler al 35%» ha aggiunto Sergio Marchionne ricordando che, all'inizio dell'anno, la quota è salita al 25%. «Il nostro obiettivo rimane quello di arrivare al 51% di Chrysler entro l'anno» ha aggiunto durante la conferenza stampa dopo l'assemblea. «Fiat non sta americanizzando i propri prodotti - ha sottolineato l'ad. - oltre il 50% delle auto a marchio Chrysler avrà una architettura europea». Marchionne ha fatto sapere che Fiat ha «un insieme di "call option" per salire al 51% in Chrysler. Non abbiamo ancora deciso quale utilizzare». Per l'ad «la cosa più semplice è rilevare il 16% una volta che siamo saliti al 35% e dopo che abbiamo ripagato i debiti al Governo americano. Esiste poi il diritto, esercitabile da quest'anno, sempre una volta rimborsati i debiti al Governo U.S.A., di acquistare la quota dello Stato americano, mentre un altro diritto, esercitabile dal 2013 e in scadenza nel 2016, è quello di acquistare il 40% degli interessi del trust Veba nella Chrysler».
La produttività degli stabilimenti italiani - L'ad ha sottolineato ancora che il divario tra la produttività italiana e gli altri stabilimenti Fiat nel mondo sia «evidente». Marchionne ha sottolineato che l'utilizzo della rete italiana è al 54% e scende al 37% se si considera la capacità tecnica, in confronto a percentuali del 126 e del 78%, rispettivamente, negli altri paesi. In Italia, ha sottolineato, «sono stati fatti passi importanti per ottenere flessibilità e prospettive sicure» ha osservato riferendosi agli accordi sindacali di Pomigliano e Mirafiori. Marchionne ha ricordato che gli accordi per Pomigliano porteranno alla produzione delle Panda nel secondo o terzo trimestre di quest'anno a 250mila unità rispetto a meno di 20 mila del 2010. Quanto a Mirafiori il progetto per un suv a marchio Jeep e Alfa Romeo, porterà nel terzo o quarto trimestre del prossimo anno l'avvio della produzione che si attesterà su 280mila vetture l'anno. Infine Marchionne ha ricordato che entro l'anno cesserà la produzione a Termini Imerese.
Non c'è necessità di vendere Alfa Romeo - «Non c'è nessuna necessità di vendere Alfa Romeo. La cosa più importante è che quello che Volkswagen può fare con Alfa Romeo è capace di farlo Fiat con Chrysler. Nel medio-lungo termine la battaglia con i tedeschi può essere vinta» ha detto Marchionne. Alfa Romeo, ha aggiunto Marchionne, «è un marchio che ha un grandissimo potenziale, senza Chrysler sarebbe stato molto difficile garantire ad Alfa le architetture per andare avanti. La piattaforma prodotta a Mirafiori è molto importante per Alfa e nasce dall'architettura usata per la Giulietta. Penso che i tedeschi hanno fatto un bel casino per esprimere il loro interesse per Alfa e che anche i commenti degli azionisti in assemblea (che hanno chiesto a Fiat di cedere la casa del biscione a Volkswagen, ndr) sono stati ingenerosi».
2010 anno cruciale per lo spin-off con Fiat Industrial - La Fiat ha chiuso lo scorso anno con «risultati positivi decisamente sopra i nostri obiettivi», nonostante la crisi economica ha detto Marchionne. «Le prospettive sono progressivamente migliorate, segnando recuperi consistenti in vari mercati, anche se sotto livelli pre-crisi», ha detto Marchionne, spiegando che la performance dell'auto «è stata influenzata dal venir meno degli ecoincentivi» ma «Fiat è stata in grado di gestire la dinamica dei cicli economici e con prontezza», grazie anche a «severe misure di contenimento dei costi». L'ad della società torinese ha spiegato che il 2010 è stato «un anno cruciale per un altro motivo»: Fiat ha preso una «decisione storica», facendo riferimento allo spin-off di Fiat Industrial aprendo un «nuovo capitolo dell'azienda». Quella di oggi, ha detto Marchionne, è «l'ultima assemblea della Fiat per come l'abbiamo conosciuta finora», cioé come conglomerata.
L'ottimismo di Elkann: ho 35 anni e sono speranzoso per il nostro futuro - «Venerdì compio 35 anni e devo dire che sono molto speranzoso per quello che sarà il nostro futuro». Così John Elkann, presidente di Fiat, ha concluso il discorso di apertura dell'assemblea del Lingotto, che approverà oggi il bilancio 2010. «Negli anni la Fiat ha deciso di concentrarsi su meno mestieri ma sul mondo: con la decisione che avete preso l'anno scorso la Fiat torna a fare automobili, solamente automobili. Per fare automobili nel mondo di oggi è importante affrontare questo con grande focalizzazione: farlo su più mercati e con più prodotti. Per questo da sempre la Fiat ha guardato all'America come il mercato con cui fare accordi».
OK della UE al controllo congiunto Fiat-GM di VM Motori - In mattinata è arrivato anche il via libera della Commissione UE all'acquisizione del controllo congiunto di VM Motori
S.p.A. da parte di Fiat S.p.A. e di General Motors. Dall'esame dell'operazione, la Commissione ha concluso che «la concentrazione non sarebbe tale da ostacolare in maniera significativa la concorrenza effettiva nello Spazio Economico Europeo o in una sua parte sostanziale». Il costruttore italiano VM Motori progetta e fabbrica motori diesel per uso automobilistico, industriale, agricolo, stazionario e marino, ed è stata finora controllata congiuntamente da GM e da Penske Corporation, impresa con sede negli Stati Uniti.
(Fonte: www.ilsole24ore.com - 30/3/2011)

Red Bull design guru Adrian Newey has vowed to crack the issues that led to a "stressful" Australian Grand Prix weekend, despite Sebastian Vettel's stunning start to the new Formula One season.

Vettel cruised to victory by 22 seconds in Sunday's curtain-raiser at Melbourne's Albert Park after crushing his rivals in qualifying for the ideal opening to the defence of his world title. However, in the eyes of perfectionist Newey, behind the scenes it was a different story as Red Bull grappled with an issue they are still struggling to come to terms with.

"It was quite a stressful weekend in Australia. There were a lot of rumours about our KERS system for a start," said Newey.

Vettel's glorious beginning is all the more remarkable because he did not run with the KERS power-boost system all weekend. At present, Newey is hopeful, but cannot say for definite, whether Red Bull will use KERS at the next grand prix in 11 days' time in Malaysia where it will be far more beneficial.

"The intention going into the weekend was actually to run a full KERS, but we had some reliability problems, so we had to take it off. We hope it will be in the car in Malaysia, but first and foremost we need to try and field a car that is reliable, and if we feel it is that then we will try to race it."

Asked if it was required given the way Vettel crushed his rivals, Newey added: "Well it gives you a benefit at the start where you might be outgunned. McLaren also made a huge leap forwards - by copying our exhaust system, it has been said - and I'm sure they'll be pushing, so we can't be complacent."

Newey has described the problem as "relatively trivial," although refused to expand other than to state it was one developed by themselves. Cryptically, he added: "We're not experts in that field, so we're on a steep learning curve, and we'll make a decision on the Friday evening in Malaysia."

Newey was speaking at the Segrave Trophy Awards lunch held at the Royal Automobile Club in London where he collected the honour for 2010. Commemorating the life of Sir Henry Segrave, the trophy is awarded to a British subject with the 'spirit of adventure' for the most outstanding demonstration of transportation by land, air or water.

Newey received the award for being the only Formula One designer to have designed championship-winning cars with three different teams, Williams, McLaren and Red Bull. With the list of winners reading like a who's who of British greats from Newey's hero in Donald Campbell, to Stirling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart, Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and Lewis Hamilton, the 52-year-old felt humbled.

"To receive such an illustrious and distinguished trophy like this, it almost sends shivers down my spine when I look at the names who have received it in the past, the history of it," said Newey. "I've tremendously enjoyed my career, and been privileged to work with some great people. I can honestly say I've just about enjoyed every single working day of it. Everything else has been a bonus."

Audi is going the PSA (Peugeot Citroën) route in developing a hybrid system that doubles as an all-wheel drive conversion kit.

This is the A5 e-tron Quattro plug-in hybrid which matches a 2.0 liter TFSI engine with 211 PS (155 kW / 208 bhp) with two electric motors, one on each axle, that makes this A5 an all-electric capable vehicle.

The electric motor at the front adds another 45 PS (33 kW) to the power going through the front wheels while an 81 PS (60 kW) electric motor at the back powers the rear axle. That rear-mounted motor only kicks in when acceleration requires it to or when sensors detect a loss of rear traction such as in a hard curve. Juice for the electric motors is supplied by a 9.4 kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

With that electrical setup, the A5 e-tron Quattro can travel up to 40 km (25 miles) solely on electric power and is able to reach speeds of up to 100 km/h (62 mph). Overall, fuel-economy is rated at 2.7 liters/100 km with a 0 to 100 km/h sprint time of 5.9 seconds (0.6 seconds faster than the standard 2.0 liter TFSI A5) and a top speed of 228 km/h (142 mph).

But this is just a prototype and Audi engineers have had to make use of carbon fiber and aluminum parts to counteract the weight gain of all that electrical gear to keep the curb weight around the same 1,600 kg (3,527 lbs) mark of the standard 2.0 TFSI A5 Quattro.

We'll see if this prototype ever makes it to the streets but Peugeot is ready to prove the concept's market-viability by bringing the 3008 HYbrid4 all-wheel drive capable diesel-electric hybrid to market later this year.

Tesla Motors claims the test set up by Jeremy Clarkson on a 2008 edition of the show was rigged to make it look like the Tesla ran out of power when racing a petrol powered Lotus.

A Top Gear spokesman said the BBC would be "vigorously defending" the claim.

On the programme Jeremy Clarkson claimed: "Although Tesla say it'll do 200 miles, we worked out that on our track it would run out after just 55 miles."

Tesla said the Roadster's miles per charge had been certified at 211 miles by a third party European Union (EU) test.

It argued that because the car was "driven aggressively" on Top Gear the charge didn't last as long, but that if driven "mindfully" charges could last for 313 miles.

A Top Gear spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that we have received notification that Tesla have issued proceedings against the BBC.

"The BBC stands by the programme and will be vigorously defending this claim."