Monday, February 28, 2011

Volkswagen Bulli Concept


Volkswagen has releases Bulli Concept, which will debut at the Geneva auto show..

The new Bulli measures 3.99 m in length, 1.75 m in width and 1.70 m in height. In relation to its width it has a wide track (1.50 m front and rear), and very short overhangs at the front and back. Its kerb weight is 1,450 kg.

The Bulli is equipped with an electric motor that generates 114 horsepower, along with a lithium-ion battery. VW said the Bulli has a range of 186 miles — surprisingly high versus most EVs. It accelerates from zero to 62 mph in 11.5 seconds and has a top speed of 87 mph.

Inside the cabin you will see a removable iPad which serves as the multi-function touchscreen on the center console and handles matters such as navigation. No tachometer is needed and no gear shift is present either. There's a rotary switch on the dash to engage the forward and reverse gears.

via: carscoop


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Press Release

  • Latest evolution of iconic Microbus brings new ‘Bulli' concept to Geneva Motor Show
  • Six-seater (3+3 configuration) gives maximum flexibility within compact bodystyle
  • Powered by lithium-ion battery supplying an 85 kW electric motor
  • Show concept with two-tone paint echoes design features of original Samba bus
  • All-new ‘Bulli' concept makes world debut at Geneva Motor Show, a development of the Microbus from 2001 and a new generation of Volkswagen people carrier
  • More compact than the earlier concept vehicle, it is powered by an electric motor and fitted with six seats and infotainment control via iPad. It is front-engined and front-wheel drive
  • New Bulli measures 3.99 m in length, 1.75 m in width and 1.70 m in height. Wheelbase is 2.62 metres, slightly longer than that of a Golf (2.58 m). Bulli also has a wide track (1.50 m front and rear) in relation to its body width. Front and rear overhangs are very short.
  • Kerb weight is 1,450 kg
  • Energy is supplied by a 40 kWh lithium-ion battery concealed in the sandwiched floor behind the sills which powers the Bulli's electric motor
  • This engine produces 85 kW of power and 260 Newton metres of torque (115 PS/192 lbs ft). Theoretical driving range is up to 300 km (186 miles) - a high value for an electric car
  • The new Bulli can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 11.5 seconds, and has a top speed (electronically limited) of 140 km/h (87 mph)
  • Concept can also accommodate Volkswagen's efficient petrol and diesel direct injection engines
  • Like the original Samba bus, the Bulli presented in Geneva has two-tone paint and a distinctive ‘V' on the bonnet; 18-inch alloy wheels are distinctive with stylised chrome hubcaps - another tribute to the Samba bus
  • Bulli has six seats: three on a front bench seat (which can be folded) and three on the rear bench which can be folded flat to maximise loadspace
  • When all six seating locations are occupied, a 370 litre loadspace is available; with seats folded, the cargo capacity of the 1.8 metre long interior increases to 1,600 litres
  • A removable iPad in the centre console serves as a multifunctional touchscreen. Along with Internet-based applications and the media centre, it also handles phone and navigation functions
  • There is no tachometer (unnecessary with an electric motor) nor a centre console, nor gear lever. The latter is replaced by a rotary switch to the right of the driver, which is used to select forward and reverse gears. A push button in the same switch is used to activate and switch off the motor. Another rotary switch to the left of the driver is used to control the lighting functions
  • Original design of the Volkswagen bus comes from that of Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon. On 23 April 1947 Pon sketched a compact bus - a simple side view of a radically shortened public omnibus placed over the wheelbase of a Beetle with an ‘m' for ‘motor' written on it. This became the basis for the original Transporter or T1 which was launched in 1950.

Volkswagen has unveiled an all-new concept, the ‘Bulli', at the Geneva Motor Show. It is a development of the Microbus concept which made its debut ten years ago in 2001 and a new generation of Volkswagen people carrier - the first of which broke cover back in 1950 with the production of the first Transporter.

More compact than the 2001 concept vehicle, the new Bulli is powered by an electric motor and fitted with six seats and infotainment control via iPad. It is front-engined and front-wheel drive. On a wheelbase measuring 2.62 metres - slightly longer than that of a Golf (2.58 m) - the new Bulli measures 3.99 m in length, 1.75 m in width and 1.70 m in height. In relation to its width it has a wide track (1.50 m front and rear), and very short overhangs at the front and back. Its kerb weight is 1,450 kg.

This includes the weight of the energy source: a 40 kWh lithium-ion battery, which is concealed in the sandwiched floor behind the sills and powers the Bulli's electric motor. This engine produces 85 kW (115 PS) of power and 260 Nm (192 lbs ft) of torque and the theoretical driving range is up to 300 km (186 miles) - a high value for an electric car. With this electric motor, the new Bulli can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 11.5 seconds and go on to an electronically limited top speed of 87 mph. The concept could also accommodate, as an alternative power source, one of Volkswagen's efficient petrol and diesel direct injection engines.

Like the original Samba bus, the Bulli presented in Geneva has two-tone paint and a distinctive ‘V' on the bonnet; its 18-inch alloy wheels with stylised chrome hubcaps are another tribute to the Samba bus.

Inside the Bulli has six seats: three on a front bench seat (which can be split and folded) and three on the rear bench which can be folded flat to maximise loadspace - or turn into a bed in the true spirit of the iconic campervan. When all six seating locations are occupied, a 370 litre loadspace is available; with seats folded, the cargo capacity of the 1.8 metre long interior increases to 1,600 litres.

A removable iPad in the centre console serves as a multifunctional touchscreen. Along with Internet-based applications and the media centre, it also handles phone and navigation functions. There is no tachometer (unnecessary with an electric motor) nor a centre console, nor gear lever. The latter is replaced by a rotary switch to the right of the driver, which is used to select forward and reverse gears. A push button in the same switch is used to activate and switch off the motor. Another rotary switch to the left of the driver is used to control the lighting functions.

Such hi-tech equipment is of course a far cry from the original Volkswagen bus, the design for which came from that of Dutch Volkswagen importer Ben Pon. On 23 April 1947, Pon sketched a compact bus - a simple side view of a radically shortened public omnibus placed over the wheelbase of a Beetle with an ‘m' for ‘motor' written on it. This was to become the basis for the original Transporter or T1 which was launched in 1950 - and is still popular to this day.


Geneva Preshow: New Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 [Updated Gallery]


After nearly a decade of running amok in the land of hypercars, Lamborghini's Murcielago is being retired. In its place will be the Aventador, a 700-hp devil providing a whole new generation with automotive wall art and high-speed screams.

The Aventador LP 700-4, Lambo's newest top dog, hopes to build on the glorious excess of its predecessor. Fusing design cues found in the Reventón and Sesto Elemento, the Lamborghini Aventador has much in common with past Lamborghini flagships: it is named after a famous bull, packs a V12 warp drive, allows entry through a pair of scissor doors, and makes no sense as a daily driver.

It has also picked up the Murcielago's electronic air intakes due to their functionality and downright awesomeness. Broad details, however, are where the similarities stop.

Settled within the freshly developed carbon fiber monocoque are an all-new 6.5-liter V12 (700 hp / 515 kW @ 8,200 RPM ; 509 lb-ft / 690 Nm @ 5,500 RPM) and an Independent Shifting Rod (ISR) transmission. Taking Lotus-like weight loss cues from the Sesto Elemento concept, the ISR transmission is lighter, faster (just 50 milliseconds to shift), and "more emotional" than a traditional double-clutch setup while being more compact that a traditional manual gearbox.

Following the 700 ponies and 509 lb-ft through the driveline, we find ourselves at a Haldex full-time electronic AWD system that incorporates a self-locking rear diff and ESP-controlled front diff. How these react to all that power depends on which form of Drive Select Mode is chosen: spine-tingling Strada, bone-jarring Sport, or tooth-shattering Corsa.

Underneath, an F1-derived pushrod suspension and aluminum wishbones makes sure the wheels stay planted while the carbon ceramic disc brakes handle anything that 200+ mph has to offer.

Inside the monocoque, drivers will be protected by not only the rigidity offered by the one-piece design of the car, but also the primary (front), head/thorax, and knee airbags. The car's readouts and info are found on a TFT-LCD screen similar to that found in the Reventón.

As always, colors and exclusive options are there should your wallet and accountant permit. Scroll down for the pricing, specs, and pics of the future that is the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4.

By Phil Alex



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