Prototypes or prototypical instances combine the most representative attributes of a category. A prototype is the stage before the final design. They are the best examples among the members of a category and serve as benchmarks against which the surrounding "poorer" instances are categorized.
After we have seen the Opel Ampera concept version in 2009 at the Geneva Motor Show, this year Opel is taking a step forward with the unveiling of the first prototype of the production Ampera.
The first prototype has received its first charge of electricity and will be put of test on a long-distance drive from Rüsselsheim to Geneva. The Ampera extended-range electric vehicle will use the energy stored in its 16 kWh lithium-ion battery to drive the first stage of the 600 kilometers journey from Rüsselsheim, Germany, to the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland, without emitting CO2.
You may be familiar with Radical Sportscars for their affordable line of open air track day toys capable of giving larger cars a serious run for their money while using a compact gas burning power plant. However with the new SRZero that was unveiled at the Autosport International Show in Birmingham, the English race car builder is rolling out a very ambitious plan to take their electric prototype on a 16,000 mile endurance trip from Argentina to Alaska later on this year in order to become the world’s most focused, fun to drive alternative propulsion vehicle.
The Radical SRZero is powered by the latest in lithium iron phosphate battery technology, linked to a state of the art battery management and systems control unit. Making a total of 400 HP from its twin motors, the lightweight BEV sports car can sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in just 3.5 seconds and reach a top speed of 120 MPH. Thanks to regenerative braking units built into the zero emissions race car, the SRZero has an extended range of over 300 miles and can be recharged by an ordinary household electric outlet.
Porsche Cayman is for sure a car every one has hard about, and many have the chance to drive it. But how many of you know about its predecessor, the Porsche 916? However the car never made it to production, and there were only 11 prototypes produced.
The 916 was to be priced at $14,000 - the most expensive Porsche at that time. That was considerably more than the highest priced 911 which cost around $10,000 and with sales declining, Porsche dropped the idea of building it. The Porsche 916 was intended as a competitor for the Ferrari 246 Dino.
The 916 takes over the raw body from the 914/6. The roof is permanently welded to the body. The fenders must be widened to make enough room for the 7-inch wide light alloy wheels. The 916 is also fitted with the brakes and 2.4 litre motor from the 911 S.
Do you have an extra $275,000 in your pocket? If you do, Cooper Classics in New York has a ultra rare proposition for you: the sixth "first Porsche" is for sale. We are talking about a rare Porsche 356 prototype built in 1948 - the pre-production version of the later factory 356 cars.
It features an are one-off aluminum body and Metallic Green exterior paint with a Tan Interior.
It carries a unique provenance with ownership history including some of the major players in early Porsche history including M. Debrunner, president of VW AG Switzerland, and Ruprecht von Senger. Von Senger financed and established the early Porsche dealership network in Europe much like Max Hoffman would do later in the U.S. in 1953. The car was last registered in Switzerland in 1959. It was put into storage for some 20 years and eventually sold to Michael Rizzuto, a restoration specialist in the United States . Mr. Rizzuto sold the car in unrestored condition to film producer Monty Montgomery in 1988. Mr. Montgomery commissioned a full restoration and upon completion in 1992 it was exhibited at Pebble Beach.
The German automaker Audi has just revealed details about an aluminum prototype lightweight A5 Coupe that uses the same space frame architecture that is used in the Audi R8 super car and TT sports coupe. Audi’s goal is to improve the overall performance of the midsize coupe by reducing its curb weight, by 242 lbs to be exact. When Audi’s engineers reduce the mass of the A5 coupe, they allow the engine to to breathe easier, the brakes to work less and the suspension to be tuned more precisely; making the four ringed luxury car a better all around performance machine.
The prototype Audi A5 is based on the steel bodied production car, replacing the bulkier design with the bespoke aluminum Audi Space Frame that reduces the weight of the prototype from 3,130 lbs to 2,888 lbs. While it’s currently powered by a 2.0 Liter TFSI four cylinder that makes 211 HP, in the interest of weight and economy, the lightweight chassis would make a great candidate for the foundation of a very nice future super car from the 100 year old four ringed automaker.
With all the current talk of Audi RS5s in America in the near future, it looks like this prototype is a test mule for a 450 HP V8 powered 2011 RS5. Not only would the lightweight construction make the future RS5 an even better handling machine, but hopefully Audi’s power train engineers have sorted out the new A5’s transaxle layout so that the engine can sit a bit further back in the body. Just imagining an aluminum Audi RS5 with its blistered fenders and gills in the front bumper only hint subtly at the beast that would lie beneath. Another interesting fact about an aluminum bodied FSI V8 sports car would have over twice the horsepower, so an aluminum B segment RennSport would have twice asa much potential to push around all that weight.
Back in May Fornasari announced their plans to build the Racing Buggy concept. Even if everyone expected never to hear another word about the outlandish concept, the Italian automaker has announced that the 610 HP version will go into limited production for a price of around 80,000 euro, but they did not revealed the exact date of the launch.
Fornasari’s most powerful version will be motivated by a Chevrolet sourced 7.0 Liter V8 that makes 610 HP and can make the Buggy sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in under 3.8 seconds.
The quirky Italian automobile manufacturer Fornasari has just come up with another unique creation. Useful in any situation and in any weather condition, the Racing Buggy is the company’s latest offering with a more affordable entry-level model as well as high performance version.
The buggy is made with the classic Fornasari architecture, a tubular chassis, triangulated suspensions and a Chevrolet power plant. The Racing Buggy combines a youthful look with a very aggressive attitude.
The most powerful version will get a 7.0 Liter V8 that makes 610 HP that will make the Buggy sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in under 3.8 seconds. VW Manx’s beware.
We all know that due to the global economy many automakers have canceled or at least put on hold many of their high performance intentions. But that doesn’t mean we can’t dream a little. This video comes courtesy of the folks at Edmund’s Inside Line showing a their next generation V10 powered Honda NSX prototype running around the Green Hell. Hopefully when all this recession mumbo jumbo is over car makers can get back to work on those vehicles that make us flock to their showrooms.
The latest in the Chevrolet E-Flex line up are a series of Chevrolet Cruze bodied extended range electric vehicles. In order for General Motors engineers to perfect the working parts of the future production Volt, Chevrolet has developed a series of test mules to work out all the kinks and prepare GM for the November 2010 deadline for a road going Chevrolet Volt.
Mitsubishi wants to give it’s Outlander mini-SUV some street cred and is going to debuit what will likely look a Evo X wagon on steroids. The Outlander GT Prototype will make its debut later this week at the New York Auto Show. Mitsu says the styling will iclude plenty of elements from the Evo including the “Jet-Fighter” grille and Super-All-Wheel-Control System.
Unlike the Evo, the Outlander GT will not get a 291 hp four cylinder engine turborcharged within an inch of its life. Instead the GT is going for more fuel efficient diggs. It will get a version of the 3.0-liter SOHC MIVEC V6 already in use on the Outlander, but this one will have added gas saving technology.
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