|
HOME
>
GREEN CAR
NEWS > ITALDESIGN GIUGIARO |
|
Italdesign Giugiaro
Quaranta Hybrid Concept
(03/03/2008) |
Uncompromising innovation in Giugiaro tradition An “extreme”,
clean-technology project embodying 40 years of styling research and
engineering celebrated by Italdesign Giugiaro in Geneva
The “Quaranta” project is a concept car
designed to celebrate Italdesign Giugiaro’s forty years of business in
styling and technological research at the
service of the automotive sector.
The Quaranta, world-premiered at the 2008 Geneva International Motor
Show,
is a synthesis of Italdesign Giugiaro’s unmatched experience of
automotive
design: from city cars to super sports-cars, from MPVs to medium-engined
saloons up to and including luxury flagships and environment-friendly
SUV, not
to mention light/heavy duty commercial vehicles, in complete cooperation
with
leading manufacturers all over the world.
The Quaranta is an “extreme” product, an environment-friendly, 4WD super
sports-car which incorporates a series of innovative aspects: its
styling, but
also its drive technology, which combines a hybrid engine with solar
energy,
and its internal layout which, despite its mid-mounted rear engine, can
accommodate three adults and a child, also providing a generous luggage
compartment.
The idea which inspired the Quaranta project is that of the first
single-volume
concept car with central engine and drive. The original reference is to
the 1968
Bizzarrini Manta which, at that time, represented a major breakthrough
in
styling, now adapted to state-of-the-art technology and enriched with
Italdesign Giugiaro’s forty years experience of research.
The style of the future
Despite its flat, highly compact shape, the Quaranta features a
single-volume
shape characterized by a continuous body line stretching from its
clipped nose
to the tail that exploits the almost horizontal rake of the windscreen.
Access to the cabin is “step-in” via an upper door incorporating the
side ones.
At the touch of an electric on/off button, the door opens upward in a
downwind
direction, regulated by proximity sensors. The door is hinged to the
hood pillar
and is aligned with a second upper rear door, for access to the engine
compartment and boot.
The roof houses the array of solar panels, necessary to power the
electric
battery, in the space between the two doors. Along with the other solar
panels
positioned on the front end, these create a central opaque strip, a
distinctive
signature of the model, thanks to the interplay of light with the bright
paint of
the bodywork. The solar panels can generate a power of up to 250 W,
sufficient for the functioning of the cockpit conditioning system and
for
recharging the electric battery.
The styling of the Quaranta prototype is further enhanced by the
attention
dedicated to surface aerodynamics, designed to ensure maximum possible
efficiency and penetration, also by using sharp edges on the rear.
This can also be noted in the front end of the vehicle where the
radiator grille
has been eliminated and replaced by two side air inlets, positioned
above the
lighting clusters, which perform the delicate function of front
stabilizers. The
rear of the vehicle has also been conceived to improve overall
aerodynamic
performance: an attentively-molded spoiler, with a perfectly
square-edged cut
and a very technical design, has the scope of supporting the lower wing,
modeled according to latest generation F1 styling, that makes up for the
absence of the traditional upper stabilizer.
Styling research aimed at top aerodynamic performance is also reflected
on
the sides, characterized by extremely generous glazing stretching from
the
front fender to the tail and in which the air vents are housed, located
after the
doors but also along the sill, in which the water cooling ducts are
inserted. The
most innovative feature of the side profile is certainly the contour
line,
between the door-windows and the sill, which is “negative” in the
shoulder
section, a particular, absolutely innovative feature for super
sports-cars.
Mold-breaking mechanicals
The structure of the prototype is made up of the carbon monocoque frame
onto which aluminum and special steel parts are assembled, while the
windscreen and roof are made of stratified glass with UVA filter.
The Quaranta is fit with electronic four-wheel drive, divided in a small
electric
motor on the fore-carriage and the thermal engine/electric engine system
located in a central rear position. This particular structure, which has
seen
Toyota’s involvement in the electronic control management, has made it
possible to develop the vehicle on a 2620-mm wheelbase, ideal for a
midengined
car.
The batteries which assist the electric motors are located between the
engine
compartment and the cockpit and are powered directly by the solar
panels.
The Quaranta features a double fuel-tank, integrated in the supporting
frame,
with a total capacity of 60 liters, giving a mileage of up to 1000 km.
Dynamic asset is variable in two ride
height positions: sporting and raised.
Maximum ground clearance is 230 mm, an absolute record which means that
the super sports-car can take any type of terrain in its stride.
The main technical aspect that distinguishes the mechanical design of
the
Quaranta is the weight balance and in particular the “weight centering”:
all the
mechanical weight of the vehicle is contained between the two axles,
including
the mufflers which are positioned in front of the rear wheels. Only the
radiator
and a large overhanging luggage compartment, able to accommodate two
golfbags, remain outside.
The entire Quaranta project is an idea of Italdesign Giugiaro,
constructed in
accordance with the classical formula of the package of services
furnished to
automotive manufacturers.
Quaranta confirms the classic Italdesign – Giugiaro versatile service
formula
for car manufacturers. The competence and capability of designing a new
car
model considering style development, frame development, safety and
ergonomics analyses and mechanics development, starting only from a
given
functioning engine.
The chassis, bodywork and layout of the Quaranta prototype have been
designed by the Engineering Division of Italdesign Giugiaro, while the
mechanicals and electronics have been developed in cooperation with
Toyota.
The vehicle was entirely built at the Moncalieri facilities.
Cooperation between Toyota-Italdesign Giugiaro
Cooperation between Italdesign Giugiaro and Toyota Group started with
the
supply of the high performance hybrid engine fit on the Volta prototype,
displayed for the first time at the 2004 Geneva Show.
For the Quaranta, Toyota furnished Italdesign Giugiaro with a derivative
of the
latest available hybrid system, Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive
technology.
The innovative aspect of this engine lies in the ability of the
electronic control
system to regulate the power distributed by the electric motors to the
wheels,
making the clutch-gearbox-transmission block superfluous.
The Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system guarantees power, acceleration
and
top performance still keeping high mileage, reduced emissions and
extremely
silent operation. The compact battery makes it possible to store the
energy
produced in the braking or deceleration phase instead of dispersing this
as
heat.The electric motor is complementary to the thermal engine but can
also
operate independently, activated by the electronic traction control unit
where
ideal conditions exist.
The Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system consists of a V6 3.3 litre petrol
engine and of two electric motors that operate in synergy, delivering a
high
power output, comparable to that of an 8-cylinder engine, but with fuel
consumption and emissions lower than those of a 4 cylinder engine. To
improve efficiency and handling, the intelligent E-Four system
automatically
activates two- or four-wheel drive, taking advantage of the increased
handling
and stability of four-wheel drive in acceleration, cornering or braking,
and the
reduced consumption and acoustic comfort of rear wheel drive at normal
cruising speed.
The Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive system also includes the E-CVT
Electronic-
Continuously Variable Transmission, an automatic planetary gear
transmission
with ratios varying infinitely as speed changes.
The real innovation of the Quaranta prototype is reflected in the
mid-ship
positioning of a hybrid engine on a super sports-car that guarantees
high
performance with reduced consumption and low emissions.
Values and driving performance
Displacement (cm3) V6 3311
Max. power (kW/rpm) 155/5600
System total power (kW) 200
Max. torque (Nm/rpm) 288/4400
Top speed (km/h) 250 (limited)
0 – 62 mph (sec.) 4.05
Consumption (l/100 km, combined cycle) 7,1
CO2 emissions (g/km, combined cycle) 180
|
