AUTO CARS MODIFICATION 2011: Volvo

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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

All 2011 Green Car Vision Award finalists are electric vehicles

The Green Car Journal has nominated five electric vehicles for the 2011 Green Car Vision Award: the Ford Focus BEV, the Honda Fit EV, the future Mitsubishi i model for the American market, the Toyota RAV4 EV (currently under development with Tesla) and the Volvo C30 DRIVe. The winner will be announced on January 27 at the 2011 Washington Auto Show, in the American capital. Here's what the jury has to say about the finalists:

Ford's Focus BEV, which is based on the automaker's all-new 2012 Focus model, will be introduced in the U.S. sometime in 2011. The automaker is leveraging global platforms like the Focus and collaborating with key powertrain suppliers like Magna International as part of its global electrification strategy.

The Honda Fit EV concept shares the direction and styling of the upcoming production Fit EV that will be coming to U.S. shores in 2012. The five-passenger electric will be powered by lithium-ion batteries and feature Econ, Normal, and Sport modes to maximize efficiency or improve acceleration.

Mitsubishi will produce the newly-named Mitsubishi i electric vehicle, a battery powered iteration of the automaker's popular 'i' minicar sold in Japan. Retooled and larger for U.S. tastes, this lithium-ion powered car will be sold in four Western states starting in November 2011 with a national roll-out to follow.

Toyota's second generation RAV4 EV will begin a demonstration program in 2011 with plans for market arrival of a fully-engineered vehicle in 2012. The automaker has partnered with Tesla to fast-track development, with Tesla providing the lithium metal oxide battery and related components and Toyota handling the rest.

The Volvo C30 DRIVe is an electric variant of this automaker's small sport hatchback that's powered by lithium-ion batteries from Indiana-based ENER1. A small test fleet is currently operating in Sweden with a larger demonstration of DRIVe electrics planned for Europe, China, and the U.S. in 2011.

Monday, November 22, 2010

2010 Volvo Sport Cars Air Motion Concept

2010 Volvo Sport Cars Air Motion Concept

At the Los Angeles Design Challenge Competition, Volvo took the open-air experience at a whole new level with its ‘lighter than a Formula 1 racing car’ study project – the Volvo Air Motion. Besides its strong yet ultra-light body structure, the Air Motion concept cars vehicle further adds to its superlatives eco-friendliness, as it is not using a single drop of gasoline while driving wild.

Volvo Air Motion is a sports cars that runs on powerful, yet simple compressed air motors that, unlike an internal combustion engine, cools down under load rather than heat up. The air tank is centrally mounted and receives compressed air through wind-powered air replenishment sites that float 1000ft in the air. Its beautiful Scandinavian body is designed like a clam shell and sculptured from ultra light carbon fiber.

2010 Volvo Sport Cars Air Motion Concept

Tipping the scales at under 1,000 pounds (453 kg), the Volvo Air Motion Concept is lighter than a Formula One car and employs a similar open-wheel configuration.

2010 Volvo Sport Cars Air Motion Concept

The 2010 Volvo Sport Cars Air Motion Concept was developed around the idea that minimizing the weight and complexity means maximizing driving enjoyment. Volvo built the cars with fewer components and replaced the heavy internal combustion engine with powerful, yet simple, compressed air motors.

To compress the air needed for the centrally mounted air tank, Air Replenishment Sites are used. Powered by air turbines floating 1,000ft in the air they harness the power of the wind and convert it to electricity to provide the compression. The motors cool down with increased load, instead of heating up, which eliminates the need for cooling systems. The chassis, interior and suspension employ an integrated design which brings a notable contribution to the lowered weight.

Aimed at the driving enthusiast, by a company synonymous with safety and environmental care, the Volvo Air Motion Concept demonstrates the beauty and purity of Scandinavian design and delivers a guilt free, raw driving experience.

2010 Volvo Sport Cars Air Motion Concept

2010 Volvo Sport Cars Air Motion Concept

2010 Volvo Sport Cars Air Motion Concept

2010 Volvo Sport Cars Air Motion Concept

Tipping the scales at under 1,000 pounds (453 kg), the Volvo Air Motion Concept is lighter than a Formula One car and employs a similar open-wheel configuration.