Suzuki Motor Corporation is exhibiting a new concept car named the Suzuki Swift S Concept at the 2011 Geneva International Motor Show.
The car is being positioned as a sporty and aggressive coming-of-age model from the Japanese automaker’s Swift model. Judging from the teaser photos Suzuki released, the S-Concept does have some aesthetic attitude to it, especially with the feline-looking front fascia and the presence of what appears to be a rear roof spoiler
Exterior and Interior
The Swift S-Concept has dimensions of 3.89 meters long, 1.755 meters wide, 1.475 meters high, with a wheelbase of 2.43 meters and a special ’Lightning Pearl Yellow’ paint finish that was specifically used for the Geneva Motor Show. Unlike the standard Swift, the S-Concept rides lower and is 60 mm wider than the base model. To make it look sporty and aggressive, Swift gave the S-Concept some aerodynamic upgrades, including new front and rear bumpers, remodeled headlights and rear lights with high-tech accents, a huge rear spoiler at the rear, and a set of 18" wheels to complete the exterior set-up. Over at the interior, the modifications continue with a set of two-tone bucket seats, redesigned meter clusters, a sporty steering wheel, and carbon fiber trims on the car’s center console, giving the Swift S-Concept a touch of luxury to go with the sporty package.
Performance
The Swift S-Concept is powered by Suzuki’s very own 1.6-liter M16A engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. Oddly enough, the Japanese automaker didn’t release the official power output of the engine, opting only to give people like us the opportunity to speculate on it. So as far as our educated guesses are concerned, we think that the S-Concept’s engine output would be similar, or at least somewhere close to what the Swift R-Concept produces, which is somewhere around 155 horsepower.
The Ferrari P4 / 5 Competition which is owned by collector James Glickenhaus was exhibited at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The car is inspired by the Ferrari 430 Scuderia and was created to bring a prototype Ferrari racing in this case in the German VLN category. The car, like the Aston Martin V12 Vantage Zagato compete together in the park of Villa d’Este, in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring in June with the crew Fabrizio Giovanardi, Luca Cappellari, Nicola Larini and Mika Salo.
The exterior of the car is painted in totally black combined with black glass element. This Ferrari race car is powered by a 4 liter engine V8Ferrari, a same engine which is implemented on the F430 Scuderia version. This engine produces 500 horses (it’s not found on Pininfarina variant that is powered by the 6-liter V12 and 660 horses). For more detail, take a look at the images below.
The Lexus LF-Gh Concept makes its global debut at the 2011 New York International Auto Show. "For this concept, Lexus designers studied characteristics that are often considered contradictory and difficult to execute together," said Kengo Matsumoto, general manager, Lexus Design Division, Toyota Motor Corporation. "The captivating design of the Lexus LF-Gh concept examines the possibility of balancing what are normally opposing qualities, such as style and functionality."
Working with a clean sheet of paper, Lexus Design Division designers aimed to perfectly blend style, performance, efficiency, and environmental compatibility in a premium, grand touring sedan while trying to leverage advanced, new technologies.
The team explored how a future grand touring sedan would look standing still and on the road, and what design approaches might work to convey an extraordinary combination of attributes. They came up with a design that unites hard and soft; and energetic and soothing elements.
Through this exercise, the definition of L-Finesse, the marque's design philosophy since 2001, has been refined and evolved to include a bolder, more distinct projection of what a premium car could become in a modern world. The result is the Lexus LF-Gh concept, which conveys original thoughts and ideas that will migrate to future Lexus vehicles on a global scale.
"Customers have been waiting for a bold concept like this from Lexus," said Mark Templin, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager. "We look forward to their feedback and integrating some of these exciting design features into future Lexus vehicles."
In The Grand Touring Tradition
With the LF-Gh, Lexus takes the idea of the grand touring sedan one step further. The LF-Gh was designed to be a high-performance concept capable of providing a moving driving experience, and comfortably transporting multiple occupants at higher speeds on long-distance drives. It combines a strong sense of presence and emotional appeal with functional attributes, supplying enhanced creature comforts plus the practical ability to transport personal supplies and luggage necessary for extended travel. Even while maintaining serene passenger comfort, it is a car designed to inspire and captivate the driver as hours behind the wheel accumulate.
The bold, wide stance is consistent with the goal of inspiring dynamic excellence on the road. Fundamentally, these are the proportions of an agile, responsive sedan built on an advanced rear-wheel-drive platform. The distinctive long greenhouse design provides the potential for functional passenger benefits, such as generous interior room for all four passengers, ample cargo area, and excellent forward visibility.
LED lighting hints at the range and scope of new materials, electronics and dynamic systems that endow this concept vehicle with state-of-the-art performance, driving control, and safety features. Overall, the Lexus LF-Gh's styling embodies the definition of what an authentic grand touring sedan from Lexus could be.
Dramatic and Bold, Yet Light and Agile
This newest Lexus concept brings together unique, dynamic proportions that lend to its advanced and aggressive stance. The Lexus LF-Gh Concept is based on an architecture that enables a spirited, energetic and elegant car with an uncommonly assertive presence.
Viewed from the front, design elements contributing to the assertive effect include a boldly designed spindle-shaped grille that expresses the resolute face of Lexus, contributes to radiator and brake duct function, and is an essential element in achieving excellent aerodynamic performance. Every line in the Lexus LF-Gh combines form and function.
As an example, air flows in through front inlets adjacent to the unique vertical LED fog lamps, and exits through similar slim rear outlets that follow the curve of the tail lamps from the rear quarter panel. The concept also explores the minimization of traditional features such as side mirrors and door handles to enhance the sleekness and improve aerodynamics.
The spindle-shaped grille, a powerful design element that contributes to the commanding presence of the Lexus LF-Gh Concept, also plays a role in airflow control and enhancing stability. It's a key feature that integrates distinctive style with engineering functionality without sacrifice in either discipline, and will be inherited by future Lexus models.
An athletic and strong stance is achieved through the contrast of the tapered torso and long cabin, with width-enhancing front and rear wheel arches. The form of the lower body begins from the short front overhang, and is cross cut in the middle of the rocker panel leaving the rear overhang looking light and agile.
Dynamic front fenders work to create a sense of movement, pushing down toward the ground to convey a low, crouching center of gravity. The raised hood implies ready and powerful performance potential. The rear deck has a robust, raised center deck lid that lets the air smoothly glide backward to flow gracefully into the rear fenders. Deeply sculptured dynamic twin spokes stemming from the center of the 20-inch wheels enhance an instinctive sense of driving appeal.
Lexus designers took advantage of increased width that provides an expansive canvas for distinct, wrap-around LED tail lamps. The use of distinctive tail lamps and intricately designed reflectors behind all-red lenses contribute to a strong visual presence. Judicious use of slim chrome trim elements in the bumper exhaust and integrated diffuser adds a subtle premium touch.
Unique LED headlamps and independent L-shaped LED daytime running lights assure that the Lexus face will be like no other car on the road.
A Gracious Interior
Behind dark tinted glass, hints of an all-new, future Lexus interior can be perceived. The cabin of the Lexus LF-Gh Concept is the product of a meticulous re-examination of every detail, with the aim of making an interior that is driver-oriented.
The driver's zone includes a meter panel with excellent visibility and a console with intuitive operability. An all-new analog clock with a three-dimensional face, a contemporary and exclusive timepiece suitable to a premium luxury brand, is a focal point of the interior and represents a shift in Lexus' design philosophy.
Use of genuine, high-quality materials and rich, finely honed details help create a driver and passenger space consistent with the idea of a full-fledged grand touring sedan. It is an interior designed to respond to the needs of customers who know true quality, and are particular about details.
Hybrid Propulsion
Blue LED Lexus Hybrid Drive badges located on the front grille and rear trunk lid signal an intention to provide equal measures of fuel efficiency and performance on demand. The rear valance blends sculpted exhaust tips for a very clean, finished look, minimizing the presence of the exhaust system to suggest that the flow of exhaust gas will be substantially reduced. Taken as a whole, the treatment emphasizes that this hybrid concept is designed to comply with the exceptionally low emissions requirements of the future.
The Lexus LF-Gh design supports engineering that changes current notions of power, efficiency, safety, and environmental consideration in a premium luxury car.
"Although only a concept, we hope the LF-Gh will resonate with our customers worldwide, and communicate our intention to once again advance ideas about the face of Lexus luxury in the years to come," said Matsumoto.
