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Ray Design Demonstrates Kia Motors’ EcoDynamics Philosophy

Kia Ray features aerodynamic design, innovative technology and plug-in hybrid capabilities

Kia Ray utilizes roof top “cool-glazing” solar glass and a has a range of up to 746 miles

Kia Motors America (KMA) unveiled the Ray Plug-in Hybrid concept during a press conference at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, advancing momentum of Kia Motors’ global alternative fuel and powertrain research program, and its sub-brand coined “EcoDynamics,” to develop innovative fuel-stretching and emissions-cutting technologies. The most efficient Kia vehicles with significant fuel consumption and emission reductions developed under the EcoDynamics sub-brand will be identified with the EcoDynamics badge. Recently, the EcoDynamics sub-brand took a major step forward with the introduction of the Kia Borrego Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) followed by the Forte LPI Hybrid, the gasoline Kia cee’d Hybrid and the twin-turbo diesel Kia Sorento Hybrid.

As the world looks for more efficient vehicle designs that combine sophisticated and sleek lines with functionality and fuel economy, the Kia Ray concept is a bold new collaboration between design and engineering and inventively showcases a futuristic four-seat compact sedan based on the Kia Forte platform and demonstrates a prospective plug-in hybrid vehicle configuration from Kia. Designed with lightweight and recycled materials, as well as hexagonal roof-top solar cells embedded in the glass roof panel that power extra lighting or climate control systems, the Kia Ray is the fifth vehicle from the Irvine Calif.-based Kia Design Center America (KDCA) to be revealed in the last year. The latest design from KDCA follows award-winning Kia vehicles Soul, Forte, Forte Koup and the all-new 2011 Sorento CUV.

“It is important to imagine what people will want in the future from a green perspective early in the design process, because people want to reduce their carbon footprint without driving carbon copies,” said Peter Schreyer, chief design officer, Kia Motors Corporation. “Being green doesn’t have to be an obvious statement anymore and the Kia Ray exemplifies a viable blend of modern, eco-minded features for today’s environmentally conscious consumers.”

The stylish, aerodynamic Ray combines design and engineering for maximum efficiency, incorporating clean, flush surfaces minimizing any unneeded edges, a flowing profile and pronounced rear shoulder ending in a slightly high deck lid for reduced drag, touch-screen controls, drive-by-wire steering, “cool-glazing” solar glass and a lithium-polymer battery — all possible indicators of future technology from Kia. As a plug-in hybrid, Ray is designed to reach driving distances of more than 50 miles using its electric motor on a single charge, and has a fuel economy rating of more than 202 miles per gallon, and has a total range of 746 miles.

As part of Kia Motors’ EcoDynamics sub-brand, the Ray concept demonstrates a unique vision for eye-catching vehicles with the goal of reducing environmental footprints. Kia models will carry the EcoDynamics badge as they are progressively introduced, and are designed to deliver significant environmental benefits, these vehicles also will retain a sporty design, fun-to-drive performance and a strong appeal for the young-at-heart.

Striking Aircraft-Inspired Exterior Design

EcoDynamics is the overarching design philosophy applied to make the Kia Ray concept efficiently functional and striking in appearance. A lowered mono-volume shape and a strong, curvaceous silhouette gives the Kia Ray concept better aerodynamic properties than taller profile hybrid vehicles. Strong and lightweight materials are used to support the EcoDynamics philosophy starting with a tabbed LED Kia badge covered with a single piece of glass that extends over the hood and another piece of glass that extends from the cowl of the windshield to the rear header to offer occupants a spacious, airy feeling. An illuminated battery charge indicator display is hood-mounted, furthering the Kia Ray concept’s futuristic design. A tapering greenhouse cabin and a longer “tail” improve aerodynamics while reduction of drag is attained through a one-piece, smooth-as-glass, integrated underbody panel, narrow tire width and flush wheel design. Front driving lamps slide back to create openings for better air intake when the gasoline engine is being used and a sliding U-shaped deck-lid extends from the rear of the vehicle at higher speeds for improved coefficient of drag. In lieu of side-view mirrors and door handles, motion-detector cameras are mounted flush with the body for safe lane changing procedures and opening of doors. The result is an airframe on wheels. The front door opening features a forward cutout design for the feet allowing ease of entry. The rear door lines are very purposeful with rear-hinged coach doors, yet stylish because their height and shape improves ingress and egress.

The Ray employs new “cool car” technology, including nano-laminate films and cool-glazing materials applied to the concept to dramatically reduce solar heat and demonstrate how keeping the interior cool will reduce air conditioning loads and greenhouse emissions. When the vehicle is parked in the sun, the solar cells provide a trickle charge that helps operate a cooling fan to reduce interior temperatures.

Light and Airy Interior

Using the natural element of air as the design focus to convey feelings of pure, lightweight, breathable and refreshing, Ray’s interior is comprised of eco-friendly recycled materials in cool white tones to offer the passengers a sense of purity while also reflecting the heat of the sun, keeping the temperature down and reducing the use of air conditioner energy. Front and rear seats, mounted on side sills, create a floating effect with hollowed out elastomeric materials to support body weight, also made of lightweight composite materials.

Fresh and sustainable materials like wool flooring unite to create a simple yet sophisticated and comfortable cabin, with a lightweight touch screen instrument layout featuring touch screen push-button start and gear shift toggle. The center stack features the all-new Kia UVO powered by Microsoft® advanced infotainment system, which provides users with friendly voice- and touch-activated controls for simple management of music files and hands-free mobile phone operation.

Adding to the list of green technology features, Ray also employs the all-new GreenEdge(TM) system by Infinity® Audio, complete with loudspeakers that reduce power consumption and dissipation through lower self heating temperatures with increased acoustic performance, a better synergy between amplifier, speaker and vehicle. The amplifier used also reduces the idle power consumption by 50 percent of current Infinity speakers and employs a lower dissipation design for significant savings in overall weight.

With a focus to reduce overall weight through materials and design, the hexagon/honeycomb shape can be found throughout the cabin, used as a repeated design element while tying the interior theme together. Used also in the door inserts and seats, this lightweight and breathable mesh serves to reduce overall curb weight as well as being a unique design element. Other materials found in the cabin are soft to the touch with a matte finish, including white leather, offering a more luxurious feel while making the interior more inviting and tranquil. The 100-percent earthy mocha wool felt floors add a touch of warmth and also are environmentally friendly by coming from a renewable resource. Adding further to Ray’s green characteristics, the floor mats are incorporated into the design of the floor, greatly reducing the amount of material used.

Hybrid Architecture

The Ray Concept is designed to be powered by an all-aluminum 153-horsepower Gasoline Direct Injected (GDI) 1.4-liter engine mated to a permanently-engaged fixed ratio Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), used in combination with a 78kw electric motor. Depending on driving conditions, power is sent to the wheels from the gasoline engine, the electric motor, or both together. The Ray concept is front-wheel drive with a four-wheel independent suspension.

Furthering EcoDynamics innovation, the Ray concept’s advanced system is equipped with an engine-power saving alternator management system and a toggle gear-shift up/down indicator to encourage economical driving. Custom-designed low-rolling resistance with a hexagon pattern, narrow 20-inch (195/50R20) tires also improve Ray’s efficiency.

Source: Kia Motors America

From the hazy smoke accenting the cover photo of the 50th Anniversary Chevrolet Corvette Stingray to the smoke-colored, 592-horsepower Infiniti Essence, the Automotive Engineering International 2010 Concept Car Calendar is, in a word, “smokin’.”

The calendar is produced by Automotive Engineering International magazine, which is published by SAE International.

The calendar features outstanding, high-quality photographs and detailed technical information on 13 ultra-modern concept cars created by the industry’s leading automakers. The 13×15-inch, spiral-bound calendar includes a bonus month – January 2011.

“This is the ultimate calendar for all car enthusiasts,” said Kevin Jost, editorial director for SAE International. “The cars we selected are the ones that caused a buzz in the industry. They are definitely the cream of the crop.”

The featured cars are:
January: Lexus LF-Ch – Created to gauge the interest of young urbanites and consumer values in a compact luxury vehicle, it debuted at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.
February: Volkswagen L1 – A fuel-saving beast, the two-cylinder, diesel-powered “technology carrier” utilizes an electric motor to assist with acceleration, making it capable of getting 189 mpg.
March: Chevrolet Corvette Stingray – The classic American sports car is featured on the cover of our calendar and is March’s poster car. The 50th Anniversary edition debuted at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show and stars as Sideswipe in the motion picture, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
April: Lincoln Concept C – The Concept C has the interior roominess of the classic 1961 Lincoln Continental, but at half its ancestor’s length. The interior trim is made of recycled driftwood and uses an avatar named “Eva” as a human-machine interface.
May: Hyundai HSC-1 – Completed on the eve of the 2009 Seoul International Motor Show, the Hyundai designers were told to “break the boundaries and be daringly creative” in creating the HSC-1. They were.
June: Honda Skydeck – Unveiled for the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, the futuristic Skydeck is the next generation of the minivan, a “multi-purpose 6-seater.”
July: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics – The 2+2 sports car combines the performance of a BMW M vehicle with the economy and emissions of a small car. A three-cylinder diesel, a hybrid synchronous motor on the front wheels, and a full hybrid rear system provide 356 horsepower.
August: Citroen Revolte – This plug-in hybrid city car debuted at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The sporty Revolte measures a city friendly 12-feet-4-inches long and 4-feet-4-inches high.
September: Mercedes-Benz Concept BlueZERO – The Concept BlueZERO, which was on display at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show, is a harbinger for
Mercedes-Benz’ small-car future in which multiple vehicles are based on a single, flexible architecture.
October: Mopar Jeep Lower Forty – Mopar, Chrysler’s in-house aftermarket parts operation, took the Jeep Wrangler platform to a new extreme. The Jeep sports 40 x 13.5-inch tires on 20-inch forged aluminum wheels.
November: Infiniti Essence – This stylish concept was unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show to celebrate Infiniti’s 20th anniversary. The front-engine, two-seat coupe is fitted with twin turbochargers and direct injection to boost 434 horsepower.
December: Audi e-tron – The e-tron electric concept from the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show has an Audi Superframe aluminum alloy chassis and
carbon fiber reinforced composite body – a combination that will be used in an Audi production vehicle.
January 2011: Renault Dacia Duster – This image-building crossover combines elements of a sporty coupe with multi-purpose functionality, with traditionally opening front doors and rear-hinged rear doors.

Source: SAE International, www.sae.org

Winner Announced During 6th Annual Design Los Angeles Conference

The Nissan V2G was announced as the winner of the Los Angeles Auto Show’s 2009 Design Challenge. This year’s theme, Youthmobile 2030, asked automotive design studios to envision what a new generation of drivers – raised with cell phones, online communities and webcams – will demand from their vehicles in the year 2030.

The Nissan V2G (Vehicle to Grid), was chosen for its holistic approach in answering the future’s design questions. With the consensus that the future will be much more integrated, the V2G offered a great vehicle design that took environmental aspects into consideration.

“The scope of this year’s concepts and designs – from the initial sketches to the final presentations – were very impressive,” said Chuck Pelly, director of Design Los Angeles and partner in The Design Academy, Inc. “In the end, it came down to which team had the most inventive and solution-oriented design. Nissan’s designers showed passion and were able to create the ultimate Youthmobile for 2030 with their V2G design.”

Entries were judged by multi-discipline design professionals who selected the winner based on its originality of creative concept, integration of futuristic design elements and level of adaptation to the needs of the youth consumer in 2030. All of the Youthmobile 2030 entries delivered a great variety of answers to the question posed by this year’s Design Challenge. However, the Nissan’s V2G design was most distinguished with its combination of story and design.

The design studios for Audi, GM, Honda, Mazda, Nissan and Toyota reached 21 years into the future and designed their interpretation of the Youthmobile 2030. Designs ranged from vehicles that incorporate human DNA allowing changes in the shape, color and materials to vehicles that link into a mass transit system where drivers not only share the commute but trade music and compare class schedules.

The Design Challenge has become a highly anticipated competition where auto manufacturers’ Southern California design studios battle against each other to flex their creativity. Designers enjoy participating in the challenge because it is a strong venue to showcase their talents and further explore new ideas in automotive design.

Design Challenge

The Design Challenge is part of the Design Los Angeles automobile designers’ conference that is held every year during the Los Angeles Auto Show press days, Dec. 2 and 3, 2009. For the last six years a new Design Challenge theme is chosen and the major Southern California Automotive Design Studios battle against each other to showcase their talents and further explore new ideas in automotive design. The Design Los Angeles Conference also gives designers access to design industry leaders and provides the opportunity to address common industry issues.

Source: LA Auto Show