hough there’s no denying its close relationship to the smart fortwo, this show car seems to have been designed with quite different uses in mind. However one thing is clear: the smart crosstown demonstrates just how much is possible on the basis of the smart fortwo, and shows that the fortwo’s unique concept still harbours a great deal of potential.Its close relationship to the ultra-short two-seater can be seen not least in the compact dimensions.
With a wheelbase of barely 1.90 metres and short overhangs (40 centimetres at the front and 39 at the back), the smart crosstown has an overall length of just 2.68 metres, with a width and height each of around 1.58 metres. For purposes of comparison, the smart fortwo is 2.50 metres long, with a wheelbase of 1.81 metres. It has a width of 1.51 metres, and is 1.55 metres high.
With features such as a stowaway windscreen, the smart crosstown seems at first to have much in common with an off-roader. However, it is on the streets of the big city (although not exclusively) that it feels most at home. In other words, the smart crosstown has the same area of application as the smart fortwo. But there’s a difference: because of the puristic way in which the vehicle concept has been interpreted, this car turns every drive into an urban jungle adventure.
While the smart crosstown show car has a distinctive character all of its own, the defining features typical to a car made by smart are immediately apparent. One such key feature is the tridion safety cell, which is made from high-strength steel and which, in the case of the smart crosstown, has been coated with matt titanium. The contrasting bodypanels (the smart crosstown’s are in matt metallic green) follow the smart principle of using two different materials in two different colours. That’s just one of the features that make smart cars – including the smart fortwo and the smart forfour – stand out from the mass of other vehicles on the road.
In addition to the smart crosstown’s extremely unconventional design, the vehicle’s steeply-angled windscreen is a particularly striking feature. The vehicle becomes even more striking when (once the electric convertible roof has been opened) the front windscreen is removed and stowed right away underneath the front lid. smart’s intention of making technology visible is backed up by a number of appropriately-positioned functional elements: the side doors for example, like the front lid, have their hinges on the outside.
Totally new interpretation of features reveals great scope for design freedom
The interior of the smart crosstown is not just characterised by features that already appear in the smart fortwo. It also includes a whole series of features that have been completely reinterpreted. On the one hand, this goes to show just how much creative scope this concept represents. And on the other hand, the interior of the smart crosstown gives an initial indication of how an instrument panel might look that meets US standards, while still retaining smart’s characteristic sense of spaciousness.
One of the vehicle’s key interior design elements is its instrument panel. In contrast to the smart fortwo, the instrument panel here is very linear, and adorned with graffiti, which serves to highlight the individuality of this vehicle. Another new feature of the instrument panel is a large, lockable storage compartment that extends from the passenger door right into the middle of the vehicle, with a switch strip integrated into the lid. In a central position on the instrument panel is the control unit, which includes connection ports

The anticipation began in August 1985. That summer Germany’s automobile magazines built up their readers’ expectations for the fastest 3 Series BMW of all times. The key data revealed a sports car that would punch way above its class: 200 hp, top speed in excess of 230 km/h, sprint from a standing start to 100 km/h inside 6.7 seconds. However, the story was that ‘the most dynamic BMW 3 Series drivers’ would have to wait until mid-1986. The pundits were right on that count. But one prediction missed the mark by a mile: anyone who ‘wants to be in the A Team needs to be turbocharged under the bonnet’. Not true.

The BMW M3 became the most successful touring car in motor-sport history. The M3 project was launched just a few months earlier. Production of the M1 mid-engine sports car had already been discontinued for some time and BMW CEO Eberhard Kuenheim commissioned a design for a successor, almost as an aside, according to legend. After one of his regular visits to Motorsport GmbH in Munich’s Preußenstraße he said, almost as he was leaving: ‘Mr. Rosche, we need a sporty engine for the 3 Series.’ His aspiration was in good hands. Motorsport GmbH with its managing director of technical development Paul Rosche had demonstrated its expertise with the legendary 5 Series saloons driven by M engines as well as developing the Formula 1 turbo engine that powered Brazilian Nelson Piquet to win the World Championship in the Brabham BMW inThe new 3 Series engine had something in common with this: the crankcase. It originated from volume production and actually formed the basis for the two-litre engine with four cylinders. Four cylinders meant less weight and high torque, an ideal platform for a sports engine in the projected displacement class. Naturally enough, the series four-cylinder engine was much too tame for a sports engine. A comprehensive power boost was called for in order to turn the plucky daily workhorse into an athletic and sporty power unit. The BMW design engineers increased the displacement to 2.3 litres and applied a formulation that had already achieved significant successes over a period of many years: four-valve engineering. There was also another reason for the decision to opt for a four-cylinder engine and not adopt the six-cylinder engine introduced in the BMW 3 Series. The longer crankshaft in the big engine started to vibrate much earlier than the shorter four-cylinder shaft. The design engineers therefore designed the crankshaft drive of the BMW M3 with sufficient torsional stability to achieve 10,000 revolutions a minute and more. By comparison with the four-cylinder engine installed in the series vehicles, this represented an increase of more than 60 percent. The rated speed for the road version of the BMW M3 was still significantly below the critical range at 6,750/min and therefore offered sufficient scope for further developments.

Paul Rosche recalls: ‘We started work immediately. One advantage was that the big six-cylinder engine originally had the same cylinder gap as the four-cylinder engine. We therefore cut two combustion chambers off the four-cylinder head of the M88 and bolted a panel over the hole on the rear side.’ This meant that the new four-cylinder engine had a second forebear. The six-cylinder engine that had initially created a sensation in the M1 and had meanwhile transformed the M635CSi into one of the fastest coupés in the world. Paul Rosche: ‘Whether you believe it or not – we had created an outstanding four-cylinder engine for the 3 Series within the space of two weeks. Únder the development name S14, this engine was to generate headlines in sport and in volume production over the years to come. One Sunday, I drove to von Kuenheim’s flat and gave him the car for a test drive. When he came back he said: ‘Good, I like it.’ And that’s how the M3 came into bei

DeZir’s sensuous lines and bright red finish express passion. Powered by an electric motor, DeZir is proof that electric vehicles and a love of cars are by no means incompatible.
The DeZir project is the first to have been led by Laurens van den Acker and marks the start of a sequence of concept cars that will provide an insight into Renault Design’s new vision for the future. It also lays the foundations for the styling cues of Renault’s forthcoming vehicles.
The public will get its first opportunity to see DeZir at the 2010 Paris Motor Show.
DEZIR: THE FIRST EVIDENCE OF RENAULT DESIGN’S NEW VISION FOR THE FUTURE
Under the leadership of Laurens van den Acker, Renault’s Design Department has taken its inspiration from the brand’s new signature ‘Drive the Change’ and explores Renault’s styling roots to express the company’s powerful human dimension via a new strategy founded on the notion of the ‘life cycle’. This vision also builds on the bonds that are gradually forged between the brand and its customers at watershed moments of their lives, such as when they fall inlove, begin to explore the world, start a family, begin work, take time out to play and gain wisdom.
This approach coincides with the introduction of a new Renault design language that takes its inspiration from the three keywords which communicate the brand’s vision, namely ‘simple’, ‘sensuous’ and ‘warm’.
In keeping with this strategy, Renault’s concept cars will progressively express this vision, paving the way for a product plan based on a range of rational, user-friendly cars.
To implement this, Renault Design has revised its methodology, and a single team of designers will now be responsible for each new concept car and for the subsequent production model it previews.
FALLING IN LOVE
DeZir is the first project to be led by Laurens van den Acker and exemplifies the brand’s new philosophy with regard to design. It also marks the implementation of the strategy based on the notion of a ‘life cycle’. The first step involves falling in love, an experience that is perfectly illustrated by DeZir’s powerful, sensuous styling and bright red finish; red being the colour associated with passion.
“DeZir is a statement of our new formal design language which conveys notions such as movement, sensuality and emotion through ideal proportions, in much the same way as an object whose forms have been honed by nature. The result is a warm, stimulating design that says ‘Renault’,” explains Axel Breun, Renault’s Director of Concept Car and Show Car Design.
Fluidity was an overriding theme from the initial preliminary sketches, and was expressed by a blend of simple forms and generous volumes. “My early source of inspiration stemmed from the liquid sensation, wave-like movement and contrasts in light associated with certain rippled surfaces,” observes Yann Jarsalle, who was in charge of DeZir’s exterior styling. “By directly laying out volumes and not just joining together a number of surfaces by lines, I felt more in tune with the world of sculpture than with that of architecture.”
The result is a two-seater coupé which is both sculptural in spirit yet perfectly harmonious.
DeZir’s shape features prominent wheel arches that accommodate 21-inch wheels, the design of which took its inspiration from the notion of movement.
Meanwhile, the sides feature a combination of flush and recessed forms that play on contrasting light patterns.
Behind the beauty, an electric car
The ‘Z’ in the name DeZir is a direct reference to Renault’s zero-emission Z.E. signature, and several features of its design are suggestive of two qualities readily associated with electric mobility, namely advanced technology and light weight. Indeed, the recessed, linear styling of the front air intake and the entire rear-end convey an impression of lightness in addition to efficiently channelling battery-cooling air from the front to the rear.
To provide rhythm and balance to the overall package, this smooth, fluid skin contrasts with the ripple effect seen on the aluminium side panels, roof and headlight ‘eyelids’. The design of these features alludes to the ripples which can form when a breeze blows over water, while the geometric pattern adds an unmistakable high-tech feel. The prevailing bright red colour of the body interacts with the graphical forms of the cross-drilled aluminium side panels which equally exude a sense of light weight and technology.

Citroën’s new all-electric four-seater city car, is to make its world show premiere at the 88th European Motor Show in Brussels later this month – alongside 25 other models from Citroën’s award-winning range.

Zero fuel consumption, zero CO2 emissions and zero engine noise – the aptly named C-ZERO is Citroën’s 100% electric solution to meet the demands of modern day urban driving. With compact dimensions, rapid charge and generous range for day-to-day car journeys, C-ZERO is a perfect city companion.

C-ZERO’s permanent magnet synchronous motor is powered by a latest-generation lithium-ion battery system and delivers 47kW or 64bhp EEC from 3,000 to 6,000rpm. Maximum torque of 180Nm is available from 0 to 2,000rpm. The batteries can either be charged by plugging the supply cord into a 220-volt socket or, alternatively, C-ZERO can be charged using a 400-volt supply for an 80% charge in 30 minutes.espite measuring just 3.48m long, C-ZERO offers a spacious and comfortable cabin interior with four real seats and a 166 litre boot. On the road, C-ZERO has a top speed of 80mph, acceleration from 0-62mph in 15 seconds and a range of around 80 miles over a standard combined cycle. C-ZERO’s 9m turning circle and nimble handling also make it easy to navigate through city traffic.

C-ZERO is set for launch in the last quarter of 2010 and prospective customers can request an exclusive test-drive prior to placing a pre-order at www.c-zero.citroen.com.

With 26 vehicles on display, Citroën’s show stand will feature almost all of its passenger car range, including the new C3 – which goes ‘on sale’ in the UK on 15th January – and the forthcoming DS3, as well as the Company’s chic REVOLTE city car concept, which made its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show

Initially unveiled at the 2006 Detroit Auto Show, Kia has already confirmed production plans for the US  market.

Under the current circumstances an Australian release seems unlikely for the time being, nonetheless CarAdvice has asked Kia Australia for comment.

The Korean company has built the Soul to appeal to a younger market. With a pimped out stereo and aggressive styling, the Soul is definitely one Kia we we are keen to test.

Right after the Soul’s world debut in Paris, Kia released a mega image gallery of its funky proposal in the subcompact segment that will be arriving on international markets early next year. In Europe the Soul will be offered with a 1.6L gasoline and a 1.6L turbo diesel, while in the U.S. the Soul will only be available with a 2.0L gasoline engine. Hit the jump for the photo gallery that includes pictures of the Soul customized with various accessories and decals that Kia has readied for its new model with which it hopes to attract a younger audience to the brand.

We wouldn’t go as far as calling it a leak as the Kia Soul has already been revealed at the Paris Show  but nonetheless, the first pictures of the U.S.-spec subcompact wannabe-crossover have made their way into the blogosphere. The photos are accompanied by a second set of images from a scanned brochure that show us the options that are being made available to the Canadian-spec model. The Soul will make its first public appearance on U.S. soil at the LA Auto Show on November 19 with sales scheduled to begin in early 2009.