Two new concept cars from the Chevrolet made their debut at the 2012 North American International Auto Show. Both vehicles incorporate ideas and opinions collected from talking to under-30 car buyers and consumers from all across the United States.

This group of potential Chevrolet owners is estimated to be several million strong and to comprise 40 percent of the probable market for new cars.

Different Design

The 2012 Chevrolet Code 130R Concept is a cleanly designed 4-seater coupe with a traditional look. Sporting a metallic red paint specially formulated for the concept car and gold matte anodized wheels, the 130R represents styling inspired by the Chevrolet heritage. A rear-wheel drive vehicle, the concept has an aggressive front presentation and stylistic touches that link it to high-performance Chevrolets of the past.

eAssist

The 130R features a turbocharged engine that was designed to work in sync with what the company calls eAssist technology. This system holds both performance and fuel efficiency as equally important goals, and works by turning the motor off at full stops, capturing and reusing energy from braking, and torque-smoothing when accelerating. These techniques are indicative of the next generation of eAssist systems.

Interior

On the inside the 130R concept car epitomizes the qualities and characteristics that the research demographic wants in a vehicle. It features connectivity for Internet use with all types of WiFi devices, the innovative Chevrolet MyLink system, newly designed storage and a heads-up instrument display.

Design of the interior places more importance on functionality than glitz and the stylistic features are accordingly low-key and again follow the more traditional design principles of the company.

Performance

Under the hood, the 2012 Chevrolet Code 130R Concept features a 1.4 liter Turbo Ecotec motor that generates about 150 horsepower while maintaining a fuel efficiency rating of 40 mpg. Integration of eAssist technology in the car allows maximum performance with a very competitive and conservative mileage rating.

All of these features are appealing to the under-30 demographic, and the company hopes the concepts presented will make their vehicles sell to the age group as well.

Specifications

Kia’s steady rise to the top of the global motoring industry has been given a boost with the company’s introduction of the 2012 Kia Ray EV. The company is keeping in line with the latest trends of the global automobile industry with this electric vehicle.

It is Kia’s first offering in this segment and it makes a statement with this environmental friendly city automobile. Its impressive 86 mile per charge range makes this ideal for the city dweller looking to cut down on environmental pollution and energy costs.

Performance

The Kia Ray EV is powered by a 16.4 Kwh lithium ion polymer battery and a 50kW electric motor. The battery has a slow charge time of six hours and a fast charge time of twenty five minutes. The Kia Ray’s transmission is available in two variations while the vehicle is in drive mode. Eco mode maximizes battery life while also maximizing range. The brake mode is especially useful when driving down a slope to maximize braking power.

Safety

In the safety aspect, the Kia Ray EV is as good as any other in its class, packing an impressive array of safety features that include six airbags, vehicle dynamics control (VDC) and hill assist control (HAC) to prevent roll back while on a slope. The most unique of all the safety features would be the virtual engine sound system (VESS).

Since electric vehicles are so quiet, driving in places with high pedestrian traffic is often a danger so Kia has introduced this feature to reduce the chances of accidents caused by a pedestrian not hearing the vehicle coming. The VESS feature kicks in when the car is running below 12mph and also when the vehicle is backing up.

Not so Fast

The Ray EV has an acceleration speed of 0 to 62 mph in 15 seconds and has a top speed of 81 mph. For city commuting, the Kia Ray EV is a genuine prospect for the environmental friendly driver.

Specifications

The Toyota Aygo, launched in 2005, is a highly successful compact vehicle. The Aygo, designed and built in Europe, has a pleasing and stylish exterior, while the interior is roomy and comfortable.

Since its launch, the Aygo has hit the ground running and is seen by customers to be reliable and value for money. With nearly 600,000 cars sold to date, it has established itself as a front runner in the crowded “A Segment” in Europe.

Exterior & Interior

Though the length of the car is only 135” with a wheel base of 92”, it offers a spacious interior and has a turning radius of only 4.73 m, giving it high maneuverability in urban settings. The latest model of the Aygo has a stronger, dynamic front design and a body line with improved aerodynamics and engine cooling.

The front grill has been enlarged which gives it a bolder appearance. Fog lamps have been integrated into the bumper extremities. There is a choice of eight exterior colors. It has well laid out cockpit controls.

The customer has a choice of two audio systems; a 35 watt AM/FM/CD system with 2 or 4 speakers or an AM/FM/CD unit incorporating Bluetooth hands free cell phone connectivity, a multi-language display plus a USB port to connect other compatible musical devices.

Engine Performance

The Aygo’s engine features an aluminum 3 cylinder, 1.0 liter petrol unit, which weighs only 67 kgs. This engine has set the benchmark for power train downsizing. The power train provides 67 hp at 6000 rpm and has a maximum torque of 68.5 ft. lb at 3600 rpm. It is a highly fuel efficient vehicle.

At 102 g/Km, it is well within CO2 emissions norms. With a compression ratio of 11.0:1, the combustion efficiency has been improved. The iridium tipped spark plugs give it enhanced performance and long life. The improved gear train and reduced rolling resistance are the other features of the Aygo. It uses the tried and tested MacPherson strut front suspension system and an inverted V profile torsion beam in the rear.

The Aygo has had brisk sales in Europe and has sold more than 85000 units in 2011. The new Aygo is slated to hit European roads in early spring 2012 and customers are eagerly awaiting its appearance.

Specifications

The Mercedes Benz SLS is one amazing car. Designed as a tribute to the legendary 300SL supercars of the 1950s, they are every bit as spectacular. Featuring distinct style and world beating performance, this is a sports car that just about anyone can relate to. So when Kicherer decides to tune the SLS and tells that the experience of driving their version of the SLS as “only flying is more exciting”, you can bet that they are in for something bold. Introducing, the 2011 Kicherer Mercedes Benz SLS Roadster Supersport GTR.

Chassis & Exterior

As the word roadster is used, the car used as a base for this car is the SLS convertible. However, its looks are extensively modified by a body kit customized by Kicherer. What’s more, those parts, including spoilers and side skirts, are made out of high quality carbon fiber. Classic 20 inch lightweight wheels that feature a double spoke design that complements the SLS’s retro styling perfectly. Coil-over suspension provide proper handling and style for this car, and it features a “front up” feature that allows it to avoid hitting speed bumps and ramps.

Engine Performance

There are 2 performance upgrades that prospective owners can choose, with both options an upgrade to the stock SLS’s already imposing 560 horsepower. The first package, incorporating a Kicherer air filter, has a maximum output of 620 horsepower. The second package, adding a new exhaust manifold and a modified catalytic converter, allows a maximum output of 640 horsepower.

A potent combination of style and performance, the Kicherer Mercedes Benz SLS Roadster Supersport GTR stands out from its competition. Perhaps, it is true that driving this car is indeed so exciting that only flying is more exciting than it.

Specifications

The Fiat Panda has always been versatile, easy to drive and likeable, throughout its relatively short 31 year history.

The new 2013 Fiat Panda model keeps the Fiat tradition, of producing consistent city cars, alive and also offers so much more to drivers thanks to the addition of new comfort, safety and technology features.

The new Panda effectively combines the best of the first two generations of Fiat Pandas and utilizes the features and space to provide drivers with the coziness of a 5 door compact and the practicality of a city car both rolled into one vehicle.

Exterior & Interior

The designers at Fiat have made the new Panda into a solid car that is a lot more spacious than you expect when you look at a model this size. The car itself is just 3.65m long, 1.64m wide and 1.55m in height.

Given the dimensions, it is somewhat surprising that the car can actually accommodate five people quite comfortably. It also has one of the largest trunks available in compact cars of this size, as it is capable of holding between 7.9 cu ft and 30.7 cu ft (when rear seats are folded).

Many of the smaller details are what makes this car model one of the most pleasing Pandas yet: the more tactile door handles, the improved perception of safety through the upper window lines, the slimmed down front seats that retain maximum comfort and flexibility, the 14 different storage compartments, the specially shaped parking brake and so much more.

Performance

The exterior and interior design aren’t the only two things that make the new Fiat Panda better than previous generations, the Panda is also packing the new 85HP 0.9 Twin Air two cylinder Turbo engine developed by Fiat.

Full of power and yet surprisingly small, the revolutionary TwinAir engine has taken the downsizing concept to the extreme. The smaller engine is combined with a next-gen turbocharger and this setup performs just as well (or better) than larger engines.

Specifications