Audi TT RS

Audi is once again producing a five-cylinder powerhouse: the Audi TT RS will be unveiled to the world at the Geneva Auto Show. Its turbocharged 2.5-liter engine produces well above 300 bhp. It also delivers explosive acceleration, driving delight, and unrivalled sound.
A legend is reborn. After all, powerful five-cylinder gasoline engines have a long legacy at Audi. And the turbocharged direct-fuel-injection engine in the TT RS is the new torchbearer of this dynamic tradition. It enables the TT RS to perform extraordinary feats. For example, it needs nowhere near five seconds to reach 100 km/h (62.14 mph); overtaking is child’s play; and 250 km/h (155.34 mph) is the limited top speed only on paper.
The quattro permanent all-wheel drive system, a sophisticated chassis, and stupendous brakes keep a tight rein on the power. All in all, the compact TT RS – with its lightweight and largely aluminum body constructed as per the Audi Space Frame principle – is a driving machine to be reckoned with.

Audi

BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo

With the future still offering suffi cient room for an exciting new driving experience, BMW has once again defi ned a brand-new vehicle segment: The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo is the series-based adaptation of the Progressive Activity Sedan (PAS) in the upper midrange segment, offering an impressive outlook on the extension of the BMW 5 Series by a new, additional concept.
With its stylish appearance and comfortable driving experience, the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo transfers the characteristics of a classic Gran Turismo to a very special four-door vehicle with four seats. These features so typical of a Gran Turismo are then enriched by the highest standard of intelligent, versatile functionality.
The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo combines elegance, space, comfort and variability. In a combination never seen before on any other car, the characteristic features of a prestigious sedan, a modern and versatile Sports Activity Vehicle, and a classic Gran Turismo are all united in this unique Concept Car.
Besides the typical BMW proportions, the coupe-like roofl ine accentuates the elegant yet sporty character of the car and the sheer length of the car’s body. In addition, the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo has four frameless doors and elegant aluminium highlights.
The luxurious interior is surprisingly generous considering the coupι-like silhouette of the car, creating a spontaneous feeling of well-being for driver and passengers. This impression is further enhanced by a comfortable entry to the car, the slightly elevated seating position, and the panorama roof providing a particularly pleasant travel experience.
The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo is highly versatile: a flexible interior comprising the rear seats, the partition wall wall, and the luggage compartment allows the adjustment of the interior individually to personal requirements – from a separate luggage compartment, like in a sedan, all the way to a loading capacity of 1,650 litres or almost 58 cubic feet with the rear seats folded down. This fl exibility is rounded off by a two-piece tailgate with separate openings for additional convenience.
The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo addresses a demanding and modern target group – discerning individuals who attach great importance to genuine style, luxurious comfort and fl exibility in use. This gives BMW the opportunity to win over customers who today drive either a sedan, an SUV or an wageon model in the respective competitive segments.
The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo extends the BMW’s model range by an intelligent, new and indeed unparalleled vehicle concept for modern mobility at highest standard. Through its unique combination of elegance, space, comfort and variability, the car creates a powerful
impression of relaxed presence. Indeed, these new characteristics enrich Sheer Driving Pleasure to an even higher standard and appeal to additional target groups. And last but not least the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo authentically visualises premium quality and a new standard of sporting performance borne out by the car’s dynamism and effi ciency.
The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo offers a spacious and luxurious ambience with inspiring and modern interior design. As the world’s only combination of variable spaciousness and uncompromising premium quality, this new concept car also stands out through the most
sophisticated materials and excellent quality of fi nish. Supreme harmony in interior design, refl ected by the trim surfaces extending from the front to the rear doors, creates a modern symbiosis of the two seats at the front and the seats at the rear. The panorama glass roof, in turn, further intensifies the light and generous ambience inside the car, while the stylish cockpit
emphasises the sheer width of the vehicle through its horizontal lines, black panel technology and a fully integrated 10.2-inch Control Display.
Supreme seating comfort, ample headroom and elbow room in the front provide the standard of a luxury performance automobile, the slightly elevated seating position ensures an optimum overview and makes access to the car particularly comfortable. Tilted slightly to the front, the instrument panel, fi nally, optimises the degree of control comfort on the driver’s seat.
Convenient and ergonomically optimised access as well as signifi cant freedom of movement characterise the generous atmosphere on the rear seats. Extending all the way to the rear, the centre console in the concept car emphasises the length of the interior. Outstanding variability, in turn, is ensured by single seats at the rear infi nitely adjustable fore-and-aft, their backrests folding forwards individually and under electric power at the touch of a button and the adjustable backrest angle ensuring further comfort and style.
With the rear seats in their regular position, the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo offers the passengers at the rear the same legroom as in the BMW 7 Series and virtually the same headroom as in the BMW X5. In this confi guration, luggage compartment capacity is 430 litres or 15.1 cubic feet. The partition wall behind the rear seats separates the passenger and luggage compartments from one another in terms of both acoustics and climate conditions, like in a sedan. If necessary, the rear seats move fore-and-aft by up to 100 millimetres or more than 3.9" – so that with the seats moved as far forward as possible, the occupants still enjoy the same legroom as in the BMW 5 Series Sedan, with luggage capacity increasing to 570 litres or almost 20 cubic feet. Then, once folding down the rear seat backrests and the partition wall, the luggage compartment further increases in size to its maximum capacity of 1,650 litres or nearly 58 cubic feet. The fi rm cover on the luggage compartment may be stowed away in the fl oor of the compartment, again in the interest of extra convenience.
The two-piece tailgate allows unique variability in loading the luggage compartment: Opening the small, sedan-like tailgate beneath the rear window enables the driver and passengers, in combination with the closed partition wall, to load the luggage compartment without creating any
drafts into the passenger compartment or changing the temperature the passengers wish to enjoy. To conveniently load bulky objects, in turn, all the driver has to do is open up the large tailgate similar in its confi guration to that of a Sports Activity Vehicle.
The BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo combines the modern, up-todate interpretation of a Gran Turismo with four doors and all the prestige of a Sedan and the variability of a Sports Activity Vehicle. The proportions so typical of a BMW are borne out in particular by the long engine compartmentlid, the long wheelbase, the coupι-like roofl ine, and the greenhouse
moved far to the rear.
The dynamic character of the car’s front-end design is accentuated by the large BMW kidney grille positioned low down and standing upright at the front, as well as the large air intake. Tilted to an angle, extending far round to the side and highlighted by a striking surround, the dual round headlights give the front end of the car a particularly modern look. The corona rings of
the daytime driving lights, fi nally, come for the fi rst time in LED technology.
From the side, the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo clearly visualises its innovative character, the striking waistline and the coupι-like roofline accentuate the elegant look of the car and the sheer length of the body. Following the example of a sporting coupι, the BMW Concept 5 Series Gran Turismo comes with four doors and frameless windows. The aluminium surrounds on the side windows are milled out of one solid unit and holding the elegantly designed exterior mirrors as yet another important design feature. Yet a further striking element on the side is the exciting re-interpretation of the famous “Hofmeister kink” so typical of BMW at the rear end of the window graphics.
Horizontal lines at the rear emphasise the width and sporting character of the car, further accentuated by the waistline extending from the side into the rear panel, a three-dimensional chrome bar and the flared wheel arches. The outer roofl ines merge into the air spoiler and encompass the rear end in its sporting fastback design. And as yet another feature typical of BMW, the L-shaped rear light clusters come with horizontal rows of lights extending far round into the side of the car.

BMW

Audi - Auto Union type C

When Lord March invites guests to his country estate in East Sussex from 3 to 5 July, Audi Tradition will bring along just about every car built by Audi that has played a significant role on the world’s racetracks during the past 100 years. This is the first occasion on which even the company’s ‘family silver’ will be brought out from the Audi museum mobile: the Auto Union Type C Streamline, a unique, authentic replica of the car in which Bernd Rosemeyer attempted to break the world speed record in 1937, reaching over 400 km/h on an ordinary road. Also on static display at Goodwood will be the first-ever Audi competition car, the Audi Type C Alpine Cup winner dating from 1919. Vehicles in action on the circuit will be Auto Union Type C (1936) and Type D (1938) Silver Arrows, the legendary Audi Pikes Peak (1987) and IMSA GTO (1989) cars, the R8 and R10 sports cars that were victorious in Le Mans and various STC and GTM championship contenders.
In 2009, Audi Tradition will also be entering classic European historic-car rallies such as the Mille Miglia (13 to 17 May), the Silvretta Classic (2 to 5 July), the Ennstal Classic (15 to 18 July) and the Gran Premio Nuvolari (18 to 20 September). A very special highlight awaits visitors to the historic Grand Prix in Berne, which takes place from 21 to 23 August. For the first time after more than 70 years, an Auto Union Type C racing car will be seen on the former Swiss racing circuit. Audi Tradition is principal sponsor of the Danube Classic in Ingolstadt (18 to 20 June), the Heidelberg Historic (9 to 11 July), the Audi Eastoric in Hungary (27 to 30 August) and the Eifel Classic Rally held at the Nόrburg Ring (1 to 3 October). And of course the AUDI AG department responsible for historical matters will also be attending the world’s largest classic-car fair, the Techno Classica in Essen (2 to 5 April), which this year features the Audi brand as its main topic.
‘100 years of Audi’ – the brand’s centenary has naturally influenced the special exhibitions organised at the Audi museum mobile in Ingolstadt. There will be three of these, starting on 12 March with the earliest Audi vehicles still in existence. Visitors will be able to see no fewer than twelve of these Audi models dating from the company’s early years, including the only surviving Type A – the very first Audi model – built in 1910 and loaned to Audi Tradition by the National Technical Museum in Prague. From the end of July to the end of November 2009, there will be a ‘family meeting’ of legendary rally cars from the memorable Group B period in the 1980s. This stationary display will be the first encounter between the world-champion Audi quattro vehicles and their rivals since that time.
Last but not least, a special exhibition entitled ‘Family Silver – the Era of the Silver Arrow Grand Prix Cars’ will be staged from the end of November 2009 to the end of February 2010. It celebrates yet another highlight: the 75th anniversary of the Silver Arrows. As a result, these priceless racing cars will not only be on display at Audi Tradition events but will also be given a show of their own at the Audi museum mobile. Six Auto Union Silver Arrows will be seen together – more than at any time since the 1930s. They will be accompanied by their former ‘brothers and sisters’ from that great era when supercharged cars raced against one another. Audi Tradition is looking forward to welcoming historic racing cars entered by its then rivals, Mercedes-Benz and Alfa Romeo.
In 2009 the Audi company, established by August Horch on 16 July 1909, will celebrate its hundredth anniversary. The four rings of the Audi badge symbolise the brands Audi, DKW, Horch and Wanderer, which were combined under the umbrella of Auto Union in 1932. Auto Union and NSU, which merged in 1969, made many significant contributions towards the development of the car. AUDI AG was formed from Audi NSU Auto Union AG in 1985. Together with the two traditional companies Auto Union GmbH and NSU GmbH, Audi Tradition nurtures and presents the deep and diverse history of Audi. The Audi museum mobile at the Audi Forum Ingolstadt is open daily from Monday to Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The August Horch Museum in Zwickau is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9.30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mercedes

Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro

A zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) sprint of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 316 km/h (196.35 mph) exemplify the breathtaking dynamics of the R8 5.2 FSI quattro. And this car serves these up as exhilarating power experiences – with a ferocious response to the gas pedal, outstanding revving ability, and a thrilling crescendo of technological music.
The V10 engine is firmly rooted in Audi’s great motorsport tradition. It revs all the way up to 8,700 rpm – almost as high as a racing engine. At 6,500 rpm the naturally aspirated 5.2-liter engine delivers a full 530 Nm (390.91 lb-ft) of torque, at 8,000 rpm it achieves its maximum power output of 386 kW (525 hp).
The specific power output is 100.9 hp per liter of displacement, while its powerto-weight ratio is just 3.1 kilogram (6.83 lb) per hp.
The 5.2-liter engine uses direct injection according to the FSI principle developed by Audi. It achieves a compression ratio of 12.5:1, which contributes substantially to the high power output and the moderate fuel consumption. The R8 5.2 FSI quattro – in the version with the sequential R tronic transmission – gets by on an average of 13.7 liters per 100 km (17.17 US mpg). Dry sump lubrication is another technology derived from motorsport that ensures oil feed in any position – even at the maximum transverse acceleration of 1.2 g that this high-performance car from Audi reaches.
Audi delivers the R8 5.2 FSI quattro with manual six-speed transmission, or optionally with R tronic, which enables the driver to change gears in an instant via rocker switches on the steering wheel. The “Launch Control” function is integrated with both types of transmission – a program that catapults the car forward from a standing start. The quattro permanent all-wheel drive distributes the engine’s torque to all four wheels, with a strong bias towards the rear wheels.
The R8 5.2 FSI quattro features an axle load distribution of 44 to 56 percent – ideal for a mid-engine sports car. All four wheels are guided by dual aluminum wishbones. The suspension is tuned for a highly dynamic ride, yet preserves an appreciable degree of comfort thanks to Audi magnetic ride. This standard technology continually adapts the function of the shock absorbers to the requirements of the driver and the road.
Exclusive 19-inch wheels of 10-spoke Y design are standard equipment. The front wheels are equipped with size 235/35 tires, the rear with size 295/30 tires. The brakes likewise deliver out-and-out performance. Optionally available from Audi are carbon-fiber ceramic brake disks, which are extremely lightweight and durable.
Setting the standard in lightweight design: The ASF body The R8 5.2 FSI quattro with six-speed manual gearshift tips the scales at a modest 1,620 kilograms – mainly thanks to its lightweight body. Built of aluminum in the Audi Space Frame design, it weighs a mere 210 kilograms
(463 lb). The ASF design is extremely rigid, which ensures dynamic, precise and secure handling as well as occupant safety. The interior of this high-performance sports car from Audi provides astonishing roominess. Behind the seats and under the front hood is room for 190 liters (6.71 cubic ft) of luggage. The car is luxuriously equipped – heated seat covers of Fine Nappa leather, the navigation system plus, the Bang & Olufsen sound system and automatic air conditioning are standard equipment. Carefully arranged interior details underscore the leading position of this top-of-the-line model.
The exterior of the R8 5.2 FSI quattro also differs distinctly from that of its V8 counterpart – with especially notable changes at the front, at the sideblades which provide the engine with intake air, and at the tail end. A very distinctive highlight of the R8 V10 are the all-LED headlights as standard equipment. Audi is the world’s first automaker to use LEDs for the high beam, low beam, daytime running lights and turn signals.
Just like the eight-cylinder model, the ten-cylinder version is hand-built at quattro GmbH in Neckarsulm. The Audi R8 5.2 FSI quattro will be rolled out in Germany in the second quarter of 2009. Its base price is EUR 142,400.

Audi

Mazda3

The first-generation Mazda3 has won a total of 90 automobile awards around the globe since launched in 2003. All-new Mazda3 to be launched in Europe in spring 2009. Characteristics blend: sporty driving and dynamic design, together with top class environmental and safety performance.
Design theme: “Remaining faithful to an inherited identity while evolving the design to make it more expressive.” Powerful emotional design with a richer expression and more dynamic stance.
Two distinct body styles – hatchback and sedan. A new purposeful face that integrates the front grille’s lower section into the 5-point grille to further distinguish the unique character of the Mazda brand. Aerodynamics improved with drag coefficient (Cd) of only 0.28 (sedan) and 0.30 (hatchback), among the best in the segment. All design elements focus on and flow into the centre to express power and dynamism. Subtly curving lines along the sides and a wedge-shaped character line extending from the prominent front fenders communicate dynamism that makes the model appear to be about to run and reflect a design theme shared with the Mazda2 and Mazda6. The bold curve and low centre of gravity of the protruding rear shoulders on the 5-door hatchback inherit the distinctive ‘Mazda3 look’ established by the previous model. Sedan has the refined flowing lines of a coupe silhouette. Functional beauty embodied in the design of the airflow management system. Minimal gaps between body panels signify solid quality. Sedan and hatchback are longer (SDN: 4,580 mm, +90 mm / 5HB: 4,460, +45 mm, and for the Sports high grade versions 4,490 mm, +55 mm) and taller at 1,470 mm, +5 mm.
6 to 11% noise reduction vs. previous generation, thanks to aerodynamic work, increased suspension rigidity, optimal positioning of vibration dampening material, increased body and panel rigidity. Sporty and sophisticated interior design that combines a sense of roominess with a dashboard turned to the driver for a one-with-the-car feel. Use of soft grained surface material on the upper section of the dashboard combines with minimal parting lines to achieve a vastly improved look of interior quality. Practical central console with sliding armrest. Gear shift lever placed closer to driver for easier shifting. State of the art ergonomics and HMI with “zone layout” for less distraction from the road. New multi-information display (MID). New interactive lighting control and illumination entry system. New sport seats with optional 3 memory function plus 2 integrated in the keyless entry and start system transmitter. 10-speaker Bose® premium surround sound system, with Audiopilot2® noise compensation and Centerpoint® surround system. Hands-free system for Bluetooth-equipped cell phones and mobile audio players.
New MZR-CD 2.2-litre turbo diesel with high and standard power versions both meeting Euro stage V emission standards. Mazda unique technology diesel particulate filter (DPF) offering reduced regeneration times . High power version: 136 kW/185 PS at 3,500 rpm and 400 Nm of maximum torque at just 1,800-3,000 rpm and combined fuel consumption of 5.6 l/100 km (CO2: 149 g/km) . Standard power version: 110 kW/150 PS at 3,500 rpm and 360 Nm of maximum torque at 1,800-2,600 rpm and combined fuel consumption of 5.4 l/100 km (CO2: 144 g/km) .
MZ-CD 1.6-litre turbo diesel with diesel particulate filter (DPF) produces 80 kW/109 PS at 4,000 rpm and 240 Nm of maximum torque at just 1,750 rpm, and uses 0.3 litres less than the previous generation with a combined fuel consumption of 4.5 l/100 km (CO2: 119 g/km).
MZR 2.0-litre petrol produces 110kW/150 PS at 6,500 rpm and maximum torque of 187 Nm at 4,000 rpm, with five-speed A/T transmission and manual-shift mode, it has a combined fuel consumption of 7.7 l/100 km (CO2: 183 g/km)
MZR 1.6-litre petrol produces 77 kW/105 PS at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 145 Nm at 4,000 rpm, and uses 0.6 litres less than the previous generation with a combined fuel consumption of 6.3 l/100 km (CO2: 149 g/km)
New catalyst that uses single nanotechnology for 2.0-litre petrol engine.
Despite larger dimensions and more equipment, all-new Mazda3 weights up to 15 kg less.
Major evolution of the C-platform for more balance between the sports/comfort ratio.
17% increase in use of high and ultra-high strength steels vs. outgoing model .
Double-digit increases in flexural and torsional criteria for improved handling and safety. Newly evolved MacPherson strut front suspension. Newly evolved multilink rear suspension.
Electro-hydraulic power assist steering introduced to all versions for a light, but stable steering feel and reduced fuel consumption. ABS, EBD, brake assist, traction control system (TCS) DSC, front, side, and curtain airbags are standard in all markets. High-intensity Bi-xenon headlamps, pivoting adaptive front lighting system, emergency stop signal (ESS), rear vehicle monitoring (RVM), tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS) and parking sensor system (optional) .

Mazda

Volkswagen Concept BlueSport

Behind the two sport seats of the 3.99 meter long Concept BlueSport (axle load distribution: 45:55) is an exclusively charged TDI or TSI engine that delivers dynamics – these are high-tech engines thatconsume little but put out a lot. In the case of the Concept BlueSport version now being presented in the USA it is a 132 kW / 180 PS strong Clean Diesel (TDI) with common rail injection and downstream NOx storage catalytic converter. At a low 1,750 rpm – i.e. right from the engine speed ‘cellar’ – the 2.0 liter turbo engine develops its maximum torque of 350 Newton-meters. That matchesthe power response of an approx. 300 PS strong six-cylinder gasoline engine! A 6-speed dual clutch transmission – the most economical and agile transmission system in the world – transfers this power to the rear wheels. It is shifted either automatically or via shift paddles on the steering wheel. In just 6.2 seconds the sports car is moving at a speed of 60 mph (0-100 km/h: 6,6 seconds); its top speed is 140 mph (226 km/h).

These are the key parameters of a new and at the same time classic European sports car philosophy. The Concept BlueSport is evolving into a car that is a lot of fun to drive and at the same time makes anunmistakable statement in terms of sustainability. The fact is: if the Concept BlueSport were to go into production it could herald in a renaissance of the compact roadster. Another fact: this car handlesjust as well in the urban environment of metropolises as it does on very curvy country roads and long expressway routes.

Volkswagen defined just two objectives in the car’s development: maximum driving fun and minimal fuel consumption. And so a midengine sports car was implemented that makes no compromises, thataims at low weight and maximum agility right from the start. Although it is best in its class when it comes to body rigidity, the Concept BlueSport weighs in at less than 1,200 athletic kilograms. The results: performance that is more than impressive for every lifesituation, in addition to the cited fuel economy and emissions advantages. Low weight was attained by consistent application of lightweight construction methods (among other things, the soft top – at 27 kilograms – is the lightest in its class, and the hoods are made of aluminum), and by a body layout with crisp and compact dimensions.

Despite all of the sports car fascination included on board, it still offers a respectable level of everyday utility. In the cargo area under the front hood, for example, the Concept BlueSport can stow 112 liters of luggage; its counterpart in the rear can handle an additional 70 liters of cargo volume. Altogether that makes 182 liters – enough for working documents or an extended weekend trip for two. Also extended, by the way, are the distances between any two fuel fillups.

With a fuel tank volume of 50 liters and the noted fuel economy of42 mpg (consumption of 4.3 liters per 100 kilometers), the theoretical range is greater than 710 miles (1,150 kilometers).

Making a positive impact on the car’s range, fuel economy and emissions are two technologies that could become more and more commonplace in the future and are part of the so-called Eco mode onthe Concept BlueSport: an automatic start-stop system and braking energy regeneration. The place where automatic start-stop shines is in city traffic. When the Concept BlueSport stops at a red trafficlight, for example, it automatically shuts off its engine. As soon as the light turns green again, just tapping on the gas pedal is enough to start the engine lightning fast. Its entire operation is absolutely intuitive and saves up to 0.2 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers in the city. Furthermore, primarily when the Concept BlueSport is braked, energy is generated by the alternator (regeneration), which relieves the engine and further improves fuel economy.

The Concept BlueSport – painted in Flex Silver painted and sporting an orange colored fabric roof – was designed by the team led by Klaus Bischoff (Director of Design for the Volkswagen Brand) andThomas Ingenlath (Director of the Design Center in Potsdam). “The design of the Concept BlueSport,” says Klaus Bischoff, “represents a perfect synthesis of technology and aesthetics. Its form is very clear and is reduced to essentials; the car body itself has a lean and linear structure.” Thomas Ingenlath adds: “Emanating powerfully from this car body are the circular wheel housings, flared out in three dimensions as in a sculture. The radial surfaces, edges and blending of forms emphasize the wheels and thereby the agility of the BlueSport concept car. The lateral air intakes are identifying features of the mid-engine layout, their volume-reducing design offers visualization of the car’s sporty low weight.”

The proportions of the Concept BlueSport give it an exceptionally powerful and impressive appearance. Besides its low height of 1.26 meters, the car’s image is shaped by the fact that the wheelbase (2.43 meters) appears large compared to the car’s overall length of about four meters, and the sumptuous track widths that are large relative to the car’s width (1.75 meters). In front, the sports car exhibits a track of 1.49 meters; in the rear it is 1.52 meters.

In the sum total of its dimensions, it is clear, first of all, that the powerfully styled body of the Concept BlueSport is significantly shorter and flatter than that of the Scirocco already launched in Europe, yet it is longer and a lot wider than the current Polo, for example. And with precisely these proportions, the roadster makes an especially powerful impression on its custom designed 19 inch alloy spoke wheels.

At its front, the Concept BlueSport is characterized by a new Volkswagen design language introduced for the first time on the Scirocco and the new Golf. It is based on a ‘design DNA’ that will leave its mark on all new Volkswagens. This design DNA was developed by Walter de Silva (Director of Design for the Volkswagen Group), Flavio Manzoni (Director of Creative Design for Volkswagen AG) and Klaus Bischoff. On the one hand, it preserves historical elements, but on the other it represents a reinterpretation of Volkswagen design. Familiar from the Golf and Scirocco are the dominant dual cross beams that are formed by the narrow radiator grille and the painted bumper. In the lower area, large air inlets in black extend across the entire vehicle width, and integrated in them – under translucent, dark-tinted plastic covers – are the LED flashers.

Meanwhile, the car’s interpretation of individual features shows just how broad the range of vehicles is, in which these style elements can be implemented. Take the headlights and taillights, for example: Although the Concept BlueSport with its bi-xenon headlights and LED taillights is obviously a Volkswagen of contemporary times, it is still extremely independent. The roadster look is evident in details such as the daytime running lights designed as a narrow, C-shaped light strip (in the main headlamp housing) or – in the style of highperformance sports cars – the distinct outward flare of the fenders whose forms are charged with energy.

Thomas Ingenlath, lead project designer for the BlueSport concept car, sums it up this way: “The concept car looks into the viewer’s eyes with a powerful, masterful look; everything is clear and precise. Standing here is an agile athlete who has no need to display an aggressive attitude.”We have taken a systematic approach to everything here, emphasizes Flavio Manzoni: “Unique, simple, universal – that is the authentic spirit of Volkswagen: clear design features in a complex world – this

is the philosophy currently guiding Volkswagen design. These are cars like the Up! and Space Up! concept cars or the Scirocco and Golf, which reflect the concept of aesthetic clarity without compromise. And we are now carrying this forward with the Concept BlueSport.”

The rear end is distinctive at first glance. Lines emanating from the contour of the rear fender here frame a shoulder section that would be hard to imagine any greater dynamism or clarity. In the center,there is a large strip painted in car color, and in the upper section a narrow black line that separates the bumper from the engine or trunk hood. Prominent on this line, which also joins the taillights, is theVW logo. The shapes of the taillights themselves were intentionally designed to be similar to those of the headlights. Inside, the lights both have a C-shaped LED component that radiates far and extremely brightly into the night with each brake actuation. The third brake light was integrated in the rear trunk lid, above the VW logo.

In the lower section, a horizontal surface in black is the defining visual element; the tailpipes are located at its outer edges – right next to the contour of the fender lines. The end of the bumper –together with the lateral fender and wheel housing panels – forms a virtual surface painted in car color. At its center the bumper exhibits an area that is aerodynamically designed as a diffuser.

On its sides, once again it is the circular-shape of the wheel housings and outer fender edges – typical of Volkswagen – that are part of the clear, precise, powerful and highly aesthetic line-work. In addition,the extremely short overhangs define the car’s side profile styling. Moreover, the ten-spoke alloy wheels with tires in the sizes 235/35 ZR19 (front) and 245/35 ZR19 (rear) – that completely fill out thelarge wheel housings – create a look that would otherwise only be offered in the realm of super sports cars.

The interior of a sports car should fit as though it were tailor-made. Everything must be ideally set up to reach, operate, control, and must exhibit a high level of aesthetics. This is precisely what Volkswagen has done with the Concept BlueSport. Klaus Bischoff: “The interior shows finesse in details and conveys a high level of technological fascination. The special flair of the interior expressesitself in the architectonic purity of its components.” Climb in: Immediately eye-catching is the touchscreen – an intuitively operated human-machine interface in the style of its counterpart in the Volkswagen Up! concept car. It is located right at the imaginary transmission tunnel. All information and entertainment functions are controlled from the touchscreen. Right in front of it – on the level where a gearshift lever would be – there is now a multifunctional steering wheel that is used to intuitively operate the dual clutch transmission.

Above the touchscreen are the three large control dials for the dualzone automatic climate control system. They are located on a cockpit section traversed by vertical slats. These slats simultaneously serve as both air vents and style features. When the control dials of the automatic climate control system are turned to the left, in the “colder” direction, the control unit’s display becomes increasingly more blue; when higher temperatures are set the display turns “reddish”.

Visually similar to the climate controls is the light switch located to the left of the steering wheel. In terms of color, the orange of the convertible top is repeated in the basic illumination of the cockpit switches. The designers also redesigned the large round instruments and the multifunctional steering wheel. It is equipped with keys for controlling the audio system, telephone, on-board computer and dual clutch transmission (DSG).

Perfectly adapted to the interior are the lightweight, leatherupholstered sport seats with their one-piece seatbacks. Behind the integrated head restraints with embossed VW logo is the Concept BlueSport’s roll bar. Directly behind this is the opened convertible top; the soft top is actuated manually here. Thanks to a classic Zfold and low top weight, this can be done in a matter of seconds – sometimes less is more.

VW

Mercedes Concept BlueZERO

The three BlueZERO variants are based on the unique sandwich-floor architecture which Mercedes-Benz introduced some ten years ago, initially for the A-Class and then for the B-Class, one of the aims being to integrate alternative drive systems. Advantages of the modified construction include the positive effect of the major drive components on the centre of gravity, their space-saving design and the fact that they are extremely well protected within the vehicle underbody. The five-seater BlueZERO concept cars also set standards in terms of lightweight design, interior layout and body form.

"The flexible BlueZERO concept allows electromobility for every requirement and highlights the fact that Mercedes-Benz is the world's only car manufacturer to already have in place all the key technologies for electric cars offering full everyday practicality", says Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

The BlueZERO principle: flexible design, compact exterior, generously sized interior

All three BlueZERO variants share the same key technical components, while the design and vehicle dimensions are identical. Measuring just 4.22 metres in length, the BlueZERO models combine compact exterior dimensions with a generously proportioned and variable interior and luggage compartment. Five fully-fledged seats, a payload of around 450 kilograms and a luggage compartment capacity of over 500 litres make for outstanding everyday practicality. Thanks to their sandwich construction with a raised sitting position, the cars also offer an exceptionally high level of crash safety for the passengers and the technology, not to mention excellent all-round visibility.

Compared to electric cars based on conventional vehicle platforms and originally only designed for use in combination with internal combustion engines, Concept BlueZERO offers the following conclusive advantages:

• Interior space is retained in full. As the energy accumulators/generators are integrated into the spacious sandwich floor, no compromises are necessary when it comes to passenger space, luggage capacity or variability.
• The powertrain technology built into the sandwich floor ensures a low centre of gravity and, consequently, extremely reliable and agile handling.
• Crash safety is of the extremely high standard associated with Mercedes thanks to the sandwich concept and the housing of major powertrain components between the axles.

As a result, the BlueZERO models are very different to conventionally constructed electric cars, which have the heavy and voluminous storage battery housed in the boot or in the rear-seat area, for example.

Modular design ensures flexibility and efficiency

"Our modular system allows different drive configurations for every customer requirement", says Dr Thomas Weber, the member of the Daimler AG Board of Management responsible for corporate research and development at Mercedes-Benz Cars. "The modified sandwich-floor platform provides the perfect basis for a wide model range with electric drive systems. We are also developing a new, additional platform for future compact models with power units based on optimised internal combustion engines. The intelligent networking of both architectures enables us to develop our product portfolio extremely flexibly and efficiently. From 2009, we will be producing the first Mercedes fuel-cell cars on a small scale. Small-scale production of Mercedes-Benz cars with battery-electric drive alone will then commence in 2010. This means we are extremely well equipped for the future."

All three BlueZERO models feature front-wheel drive, which is typical for this class of car. The Mercedes engineers have put together a modular system comprising several flexibly combinable drive components. These include state-of-the-art liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries with a storage capacity of up to 35 kWh and the compact electric motor with a maximum output of 100 kW (continuous output 70 kW), which develops a peak torque of 320 Nm. All three variants accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 11 seconds. Their top speed is electronically limited to 150 km/h in the interests of optimal range and energy efficiency.

Electric drive systems with a range of 100, 200 and well over 400 kilometres

With a charging capacity of 15 kW, the powerful lithium-ion batteries in the BlueZERO E-CELL and the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS can store enough energy for a range of 50 kilometres within 30 minutes. In terms of purely electrical drive, one or two hours of charging time is needed for a range of 100 and 200 kilometres respectively. The charging times are doubled if the charging capacity is 7 kW, as would be the case in a normal household. Both of these BlueZERO vehicles incorporate an electronic control unit that supports intelligent charging stations and billing systems.

At the rear, the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS has the same 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine as the smart fortwo as an additional range extender. This compact three-cylinder powerplant has an output of 50 kW at a constant 3500 rpm. If required, it can recharge the 17.5-kWh lithium-ion battery by means of a similarly rated alternator. A range of up to 600 kilometres is possible on a single tank. The purely electrical, locally emission-free range is up to 100 kilometres. The BlueZERO F-CELL with fuel-cell drive achieves a range of well over 400 kilometres with zero emissions (as per NEDC).

BlueZERO design: both elegant and functional

Leading-edge technology is uniformly and attractively packaged in all three BlueZERO variants. The unique and distinctive Mercedes design idiom displayed by the body highlights the progressive nature of Concept BlueZERO straight away.

The powerfully elegant front end is dominated by the radiator grille with its centrally located star. The excellent aerodynamics of the BlueZERO are partly due to the closed front apron, whose design means that cooling air intakes are not required. The 20-inch wheels have also been aerodynamically optimised, while low-friction tyres reduce rolling resistance.

The striking character lines along the flanks lend the BlueZERO an extremely dynamic side line and accentuate its bionic structure inspired by nature. This characteristic feature of the Mercedes-Benz bionic car was adapted and modified for the BlueZERO models. These elements lend the body its dramatic power.

New-quality light production

The compact rear end of the Concept BlueZERO is characterised by tail lights in the shape of a curved "L". In addition, the Mercedes designers have achieved a new-quality light production: transparent lenses produce a red light curtain which tapers smoothly towards the sides, creating a lightly diffused effect. This effect is repeated, albeit in white this time, by the front headlamps. What's more, the front lights feature new lens technology and a plexiglass edge to produce "C" shaped daytime driving lights with the help of state-of-the-art LED technology.

Intelligent technology made visible

Translucent surfaces make the normally concealed technology visible. The light-grey tailgate is made completely from lightweight but highly robust Lexan that allows a view of the aluminium structure that makes up the rigidifying frame, for example. At the same time this transparent tailgate provides a view of the vehicle interior, making the advantages of the sandwich-floor platform obvious at a glance: for maximum customer benefit, the luggage compartment and passenger area remain fully usable, since there are no technical components that need to be accommodated here.

"It was very important for us to ensure that the guiding Mercedes-Benz principle of 'Fascination and Responsibility' was clearly reflected in the design of the Concept BlueZERO", says Mercedes-Benz design chief Gorden Wagener. "This is yet another clear statement that environmental awareness and driving pleasure will continue to go together in our vehicles in the future. We want people to realise at first sight that the Concept BlueZERO is definitively not a lesser option."

The Mercedes-Benz designers have emphasised this aspiration by introducing paint finishes in three new ALU-BEAM colours. Each of the three variants makes its individual mark: the BlueZERO E-CELL is painted in a fresh ALU-BEAM Yellow, while the BlueZERO F-CELL has ALU-BEAM Green paintwork. Confidence-oozing ALU-BEAM Orange was chosen for the BlueZERO E-CELL PLUS.

Mercedes