Stunning Chevrolet Mi-ray Roadster Concept Premieres at Seoul Motor Show

GM's Korean subsidiary lifted the wraps off the Mi-ray hybrid roadster concept at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show today, as a tribute to Chevrolet's 100th anniversary this year. The aggressive-looking Mi-ray (which means “future” in Korean) was developed by the GM Advanced Design Studio in Seoul and pays homage to the bow-tie brand's sports car heritage.

The roadster uses styling cues from Chevy's 1963 Monza SS and the 1962 Corvair Super Spyder, but also from aircrafts, with its aerodynamic fuselage being reminiscent of modern jet fighters. Elements like the scissor-doors, the pronounced wheel-arches and the sharp front bumper add further drama to the Mi-ray's appearance.

The car's bodywork is made of lightweight materials such as carbon fiber and carbon fiber reinforced plastics, while the turbine-shaped wheels (20-inch front/21-inch rear) are made of aluminum-carbon fiber composite.

The cockpit-like interior is split in two areas by a high center console and contains a mix of brushed-aluminum, natural leather, white fabric and liquid metal surfaces. The steering-wheel and the centrally located start button are also inspired by jet aircrafts, while information is displayed on the instrument panel by means of back projection.

The sweet looks are backed by a performance-oriented drivetrain layout, dubbed “mid-electric” by Chevrolet. A mid-mounted turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine drives the rear wheels, while two front-mounted electric motors, each delivering 15kW (20 horsepower), send their juice to the front wheels. The electric motors are fed through a 1.6 kWh battery located on the floor of the car, behind the seats. The 3.99 meter-long Mi-ray is also fitted with regenerative braking and start-stop systems and can run on electric power alone in the city, although Chevrolet didn't reveal details on the driving range.

Interestingly, the roadster model can also be switched from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive. Chevrolet didn't announce any performance figures, but communicated preliminary fuel-economy ratings. The roadster averages 60 mpg US (3.92 lt/100 km) in the city and 63 mpg US (3.73 lt/100km) on the highway.

“By combining GM propulsion technology and visionary design, the Mi-ray points to the future of Chevrolets around the globe – expressive, youthful and entertaining,” said Mike Arcamone, CEO of GM Korea.

By Dan Mihalascu

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Kia Unveils Naimo EV Concept at Seoul Motor Show

Making its world premiere today at the at the Seoul Motor Show, is Kia’s Naimo electric crossover utility vehicle (CUV), a B-segment sized concept car that will serve as a test-bed for the company's EV technology. Penned by Kia's international design team in Seoul, the car takes its name from the Korean word “Ne-mo”, which is pronounced ‘Neh-mo’ and means ‘square shape.

Measuring 3.89 meters in length, the car has a relatively long wheelbase of 2.65 meters, with Kia making claims of a spacious cabin, with “exceptional” head, leg and shoulder room for the occupants. The car has no B-pillars and features rear-hinged doors to improve access to the cabin, while the boot-lid has a three-way split opening system for the easier loading of different-sized objects.

As for the design, the boxy shape brings to mind the KV7 concept, while details like the assymetric sunroof, the blacked-out A-pillars or the unusual built-in LED taillights give the Naimo a unique look.

Another interesting detail is the lack of windscreen wipers, replaced by a high-intensity air jet at the base of the screen that performs an “air-wiper” function. The interior features bespoke materials such as Korean oak on the floor and door panels and “Han-ji” paper for the head lining.

The car is powered by an electric motor developing 80 kW (109HP) and 280 Nm (206.5 lb-ft) of torque, allowing it to reach a top speed of 150 km/h (93.2 mph). The twin-pack 27 kWh battery located under the boot floor offers the Naimo a driving range of around 200 km (124 mi) on a single charge. The battery can be recharged in 25 minutes to 80 percent of its capacity, but full charge takes five and a half hours. In order to help achieving a reasonable driving range, the car is also fitted with special low-drag 20-inch alloy wheels.

Kia said the Naimo will join the company's test fleet of hybrid, electric and fuel-cell vehicles and will undergo testing in varying conditions to improve the EV technology that will later be applied to production vehicles.

By Dan Mihalascu

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New Hyundai Blue2 Fuel Cell Concept Debuts at Seoul Motor Show

The 2011 Seoul Motor Show that runs in South Korea from March 31 to April 10 plays host to the world premiere of the all-new Hyundai Blue2 concept study. The name ‘Blue2’, which is read ‘Blue square’, is a combination of Hyundai’s sub eco-brand ‘Blue Drive’ and the number `2’ from H2, the symbol for hydrogen gas.

Codenamed HND-6, the prototype is Hyundai’s first sedan-style Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). The four-door saloon is powered by a fuel cell electric system that delivers a stack power of 90kW or 121HP and fuel economy of 34.9km/ℓ (of hydrogen, of course), which is equal to 82mpg US and 2.9lt/100km. The concept is also equipped with low-resistance tires and alloy wheels which are designed to improve aerodynamic performance.

Aside from the fuel-cell powertrain, the Blue2 sedan also hints at a possible direction for the South Korean firm’s next design language, albeit in a futuristic form.

The car’s interior styling continues the futuristic look of the exterior and comes packed with features such as a unique infotainment system operated by a Motion Sensor Moustick, a haptic wheel and motion sensor that respond to the driver’s touch and hand movements, respectively.

The dashboard has an asymmetric design while Hyundai added that it used a variety of eco-friendly materials.

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Renault Samsung SM7 Concept Teased ahead of Seoul Motor Show

Renault's South Korean brand Samsung released a teaser sketch of the SM7 concept car that previews the next-generation of the firm’s large sedan. The current SM7, which is built on Nissan’s J31 platform that underpins the Asian market Nissan Teana and the sixth-generation of the North American Nissan Maxima, has been on the market since 2004.

Its successor will be unveiled at the upcoming Seoul Motor Show (April 1-10), in the form of a design study. The teaser image shows a car with a sporty, muscular design, with the front end being dominated by a large trapezoidal grille that is continued in the form of the engine hood. The SM7 Concept sports a low, coupe-like profile that ends in... unknown territory, since the back of the car is hidden from view.

Official details are scarce, but the next SM7 is expected to use an elongated platform of the SM5 (known to Europeans as the Renault Latitude). Developed together with the French automaker, the future SM7 is expected to arrive in production form in the second half of 2011.

There are no plans for selling the car in Europe, since Renault says it doesn't intend to have a bigger car than the Latitude in its range. It could make a nice Safrane though...

By Dan Mihalascu