Saab Elektrisk: An Artist's Take on the Swedish Volt

Even if Saab remained under the umbrella of General Motors, we seriously doubt that there would ever be a rebadged, remasked -call it whatever suits your fancy- Saab version of the Chevy Volt. Maybe in a perfect world Saab could have built a Volt spin-off with an entirely different body but with the Opel Ampera covering the European market, a remasked Saab wouldn't make much sense. Still, it's interesting to see an artist's take on a fictional proposal for a Saab Volt. Created by photoshop wiz Theophilus Chin, the rendered Swedish Volt has been baptized for apparent reasons 'Elektrisk'.

Via: Theophiluschin

2011 BMW 6-Series Coupe-Cabriolet Design Study

The blogging crews over at BMWBlog and Promotor have combined forces to create a speculative illustration of a possible coupe-cabriolet iteration of the next generation 2011 BMW 6-Series Coupe. The artist obviously used the BMW CS as a canvas for the project, which according to our friend Horatiu, is still a 'work in progress'. Hit the jump to see the rear-quarter photo of the proposed hardtop BMW 6-Series and tell us what you think about it by leaving a comment below.

Source: BMWBlog & Promotor , Via: WFC

Alfa Romeo Berlina Da Corsa Concept Study

The Berlina Da Corsa is a design exercise for an Alfa Romeo sports sedan penned to feels at home on both the track and public roads that was created by Seongjun Ko, a Transportation Design graduate from Hongik University in South Korea. The Berlina Da Corsa which roughly translates to Racing Sedan in Italian, borrows heavily in design from classic Alfa Romeo models such as the GT 1300 Junior and the 1750 GTV from the '60s and '70s.

One of the most prominent features of Seongjun's design is the unique roof system that employs a 'stretchable metal' housing flexible wires that change shape through the use of an electric current. The system applied on the Alfa Romeo concept study, which appears to be similar in design to the one used on the BMW GINA roadster, allows the rear section of the roof to be lowered for use on track or raised to enhance rear passenger space.

We're no design specialists, but in his attempt to create a car long enough to provide enough room for the rear passengers, Seongjun seriously messed up the Berlina Da Corsa's proportions - not to mention that the styling of the front and rear part of the car look like they belong to two totally different vehicles. And what's up with the total absence of rear windows? Isn't the Berlina Da Corsa supposed to be a sedan that can accommodate rear passengers with some sort of comforts? Not a bad idea overall, but we reckon that the study needs work not only to look the part but also to make some sense.

Source: Hongik University , Via: Cardesign

Rumorville: 2011 Nissan GT-R with More Power and New Aero Kit

A lightly camouflaged Nissan GT-R prototype that was recently spotted at Germany's Nurburgring race track has spawned rumors in Japan of an updated version of the R35 that could hit the market as soon as next year as a 2011MY. While this may sound strange since Nissan presented a facelifted version of the GT-R with trivial upgrades that included some fine tuning of the twin-turbocharged V6's electronics for a 5HP "boost" to 485HP just a few months ago, considering the fact that the 2010MY GT-R came out only a year after its Japanese market debut and six months after its North American market introduction, everything is possible.

Using the spy photos as an educational canvas, Japan's Best Car magazine came up with a computer generated image of what the facelifted 2011 GT-R could like. Cosmetic changes are said to include new aero bits as well as a redesigned front bumper while speculation has it that Nissan will also fiddle around with the 3.8-liter twin-turbocharged V6 "squeezing" out a few more ponies for an overall output close to 500HP.

If the rumors turn out to be true, then apparently the more hardcore V-Spec model is also due for an update, though not before 2011.

Via: Best Car

2011 Pontiac Firebird Trans AM by ASC: New Camaro-Based Proposal

Pontiac's days may be numbered as General Motors plans to phase out the historic brand by the end of 2010, but that hasn't dampened ASC Creative Services' attempts to make a Trans Am version out of the all-new Chevy Camaro coupe. ASC has worked many times with General Motors in the past helping out in the creation and design development of cars like the 1987 Buick GNX, various Chevy SS models such as the HHR SS and Malibu SS, as well as the Cadillac STS-V and XLR-V sport cars just to mention a few.

The design and development firm's proposal for a Camaro-based Pontiac Trans Am is a fairly simply conversion that could easily lead to a custom-order production model. The changes include a new front fascia complete with unique head lights, twin-kidney grill inserts and restyled apron, a rear-facing hood shaker, new side skirts and alloy wheel designs plus rear-fender air vents. At the back the design proposes a new rear fascia with distinctive tail lights, boot spoiler and a specific apron housing new exhaust pipes.

While we don't have any photos of the interior, we gather that ASC would most likely limit the changes to the trim and seat options along with a revised instrument panel.

There's no information ASC's actual intentions on the car, but if you're really interested, you can send a mail to dave.byron (at) ascglobal.com for more information.

Via: DUB & eGMcartech

GM Future Car Design Competition Winner Announced

The results are in for the Royal College of Art (RCA) Vehicle Design program's competition for the Opel - Vauxhall of the year 2049 that was co-sponsored by General Motors Europe. The winning concept is the Opel Darwin 2049 created by Augustin Barbot from France. The 25-year-old's proposal, which was selected among 18 other concept models, was designed to hover about 100mm above the ground by electro-magnetic power or in the sea like a submarine.

According to Barbot, the energy to move the lightweight vehicle is produced by three turbines, two at the front and one at the back.

The young designer's prize will be to spend three months working at General Motors Europe Design Center in Rüsselsheim, Germany. Furthermore, the automaker also decided to recognize the efforts of two other students, Hyunjoon Park (25) of South Korea and Miika Heikkinen (26) of Finland, who will both join Barbot to Russelsheim to meet and work with the GM design team.

"The standard of overall work was excellent; everything we saw was very forward thinking and anticipated both practical and emotional needs of mobility. Augustin did a good job interpreting the brief from an Opel/Vauxhall perspective, building on our commitment to electric vehicles and anticipating tomorrow's mobility needs," said GME's advance design chief Lo.

"It's clear from the new Insignia that GM Europe is going through a design revolution and judging from the sales figures, good design is now on top of everyone's agenda," said RCA Vehicle design director Harrow.