Set to debut at the 2012 Wörthersee Tour, the Audi e-bike Wörthersee is a sport bike technology concept that explores new limits in terms of design, lightweight construction, networking and electric mobility.

The prototype combines an electric drive and muscle power and features a futuristic design, a lightweight construction and an advanced connectivity system.

Each component of the electrically-assisted bike was created by Audi designers. The frame, swinging arm and wheels are made of carbon fiber.

The frame weighs only 1,600 grams and makes use of bionic principles derived from nature; the 26-inch wheels weigh 600 grams (1.32 lb) each and have large-area blade-pattern spokes.

The electric motor is a 2.3 kW permanent magnet synchronous machine; it is located at the lowest point on the frame and drives the bottom bracket shaft directly, delivering a maximum torque of 250 Nm.

The lithium-ion battery is housed in the frame; it weighs about 5 kg (11.02 lb) and operates at a voltage of 48 V. Its capacity is 530 Wh and it can be fully recharged from a 230 V supply in two and a half hours.

As an alternative it can be easily detached from the bike and replaced by a recharged battery.

The complete bicycle weighs only 21 kg (46.30 lb), equivalent to a power-weight ratio of 9 kg (19.84 lb) per kilowatt, or 7 kg (15.43 lb) per hp.

The rider of the Audi e-bike Wörthersee can choose between five programs; these either support use of the pedals or permit electric-only travel.

The nine-speed hydraulically actuated gear shift has a very rapid sequential action, similar to the R tronic transmission in an Audi R8. The two disk brakes are also applied hydraulically.

Seat height can be continuously adjusted at a handlebar control, even while the bike is being ridden. The front fork uses the upside-down principle; it is air-sprung, with 130 mm (5.12 in) of travel. LEDs are used for powerful lighting: the front light is integrated into the handlebar, the rear light into the seat.

The Audi e-bike Wörthersee will be unveiled at this year’s Wörthersee Tour, the 31st meet for Audi, VW, Seat and Skoda fans; trial biker Julien Dupont and downhill specialist Petra Bernhard will demonstrate their stunts and streetbike skills.

Just enjoy !!!

An official video on the Lexus LF-LC Concept, winner of the “Best Concept Car” EyesOn Design Awards, with comments by the design team from the Calty studio.

The video reports comment by the team at Toyota’s design center in Calty, Calif., including President Kevin Hunter, Studio Manager Ian Cartabiano, Project Chief Designer William Chergosky and Senior Creative Designers Edward Lee and Ben Chang.

The Lexus LF-LC 2+2 Hybrid Sport Coupe debuted at the 2012 Detroit Motor Show, where it was named as the best concept car in the annual EyesOn Design Awards.

Below we report some additional information recently released by Lexus. Check the full gallery here o read more details on our original article.

From the official Press Release:

Designed by the company’s Calty design studio in Newport Beach, Calif., the LF-LC hybrid sport coupe was a pure design exercise.

Challenged by the Lexus Center in Japan to come up with a design for a future hybrid sport coupe concept, the Calty team quickly went to work.

They were seeking new ways to redefine the Lexus design style with emotive, avant-garde beauty and advanced technology, yet remain within reach for premium buyers.

A video on the design of the Cadillac Ciel Concept, shot at the GM Advanced Design Studio in California, presented by Ed Welburn and aired by NBC during the latest episode of Jay Leno’s Garage.

In the 8 minute long video GM VP of Global Design Ed Welburn introduces the exterior and interior design of the Cadillac Ciel Concept, the latest creation of the GM Advanced Studio, which is located in a secret place in California.

The clip includes comments by interior designer Gael Buzyn and exterior designer Niki Smart.

http://www.carbodydesign.com/2011/12/cadillac-ciel-concept-design-video-tour/

At the Shanghai Motor Show Berton has unveiled the Mantide Concept, an extreme concept car previewed as Project M and based on the Corvette ZR1. The futuristic and aerodynamic design was created by former Pininfarina designer Jason Castriota.

Unveiled as a styling model at the 2009 Shanghai Motor Show, the Bertone Mantide – codenamed « Project M » – was created by a team led by Jason Castriota, who joined Stile Bertone on December 2008.

The development of the one-off was documented with a series of video episodes named « Inside Project M ».

The Mantide is based on the 2009 Corvette ZR1 and features a futuristic design inspired by the aerospace and Formula One worlds.

Among the main styling elements is the interplay of convex and concave shapes and the jet-style teardrop canopy with butterfly opening doors, similar to that of th Pininfarina P4/5, a previous creation of Jason Castriota.

The design languages also pays homage to some previous cars created by the Bertone studio, including the Countach and the recent BAT 11DK Concept.

The aerodynamic lines were refined through extensive testing in a full scale wind tunnel, which resulted in a drag coefficient reduced by 25% (Cd 0.298) and a 30% improvement in down force.

The use of carbon fiber for the body panels, interior trim/seats and wheels allowed to reduce the total weight by 100kg.

The main performances are a 0-100 km/h acceleration in 3.2 sconds and a top speed of 351 km/h.

Many details about the development of the concept car are available in the « Inside Project M » video series.

According to the first information the working prototype will be privately unveiled on April 23rd at the Balocco near Turin and will be on public display at the Concours d’Elegance at Villa d’Este.