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Vision D

SKODA VISION D CONCEPT










Škoda is offering a glimpse of the future by unveiling a Škoda Design Concept at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The economic goals set by the carmaker require a new focus drawing on the inspiration of a tradition stretching back for more than 110 years. The use of modern stylistic elements and the latest technology is a logical step. The Škoda Design Concept gives fleshes out the contours of the growth strategy with clearly defined features, maximum care and attention to detail.


Tradition with vision: evolving towards success

The concept singles out characteristic design elements of the Škoda brand and guides them forwards towards the future. The long wheelbase and short overhangs are a prerequisite for successful automotive architecture as they both allow for above-average interior space and, coupled with the dynamic roof line, lend the car a high degree of visual majesty. The fluent integration of the tailgate underscores the entire car's sophisticated practicality. The high everyday utility value and distinctive interior modular design are traditional brand values which are freshly interpreted in a more modern form here. The grille with its unobtrusively shiny finish symbolizes the brand's aesthetic blueprint, its fine slats resembling taut harp strings.


Sending out a clear signal: a new logo and distinctive lighting elements

The newly arranged and clearly structured logo stands out in the middle of the car as the starting point for all the contours. It intersects the horizontal line of the bonnet, highlighting its special status as a symbol of quality and success.

The Škoda logo is bordered on the sides by four headlights reminiscent of a symbolic four-leaf clover. They endow with the concept with a pleasant yet pragmatic countenance expressing warmth and chemistry. The C-shaped rear lights have become a characteristic of each Škoda vehicle unmistakable both in the daytime and at night. In Škoda Design Concept, this precisely rendered lighting architecture has become the rear section's defining element.


The silhouette of spirit: light and shadow play with balanced window design

The Škoda Design Concept's athletically sleek silhouette emphasizes the starkly defined light and shadow play created by the sharp wedge-shaped line, allowing the balanced proportions to come to the fore. The side profile is equally well rendered. For example, the rear edge of the door is complemented by the bottom front area of the side mirror, delivering an entirely new aesthetic impression.

The concept epitomizes high design value to the finest detail. Above rear bumper, small grooves connecting the rear lights to the licence plate holder; the resulting triangular elements represent precision reminiscent of the cut crystal and lend the car character and individuality.



Generous interior: choice materials and crystal glass

In this concept, the exterior precision is mirrored in the interior. Values typical of the Škoda brand, such as the generous space and sophisticated practicality, have been composed very sensitively in terms of the materials and elegant shapes employed. The lighting creates a pleasant environment, friendly ambience.

The use of crystal glass is a completely new, attractive idea reflecting a special link with Czech culture, art and craftsmanship.

The Škoda Design Concept marks another big step into the future for Škoda. Its forms shapes are dynamic, stimulating the imagination of observers without provoking them, and offering an undistorted view of the outlook for cars made in Mladá Boleslav. It is here in this Czech town that designers and engineers have paved the way for future success. This traditional Czech brand is now best placed to achieve its ambitious goals: economic growth coupled with new design full of potential, while preserving established traditional strengths such as great performance, value and precision.
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BRZ

2013 SUBARU BRZ






Subaru BRZ is a rear-wheel drive sports car featuring the Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine. It was developed as a joint-project between Subaru and Toyota Motor Corporation, to bring to the world a sports car with superior steering response and driving pleasure that everyone can experience. The Subaru Boxer engine in the BRZ was positioned even lower than other Subaru models so that the BRZ has one of the lowest possible centers of gravity s on the market today. This low center of gravity produces astonishing handling character and combined with a light-weight chassis BRZ realizes Subaru's aim for "Pure Handling Delight" -the driving experience taken to a new level.

Concept

The product concept of Subaru BRZ is "Pure Handling Delight." The Horizontally-Opposed Boxer engine has inherent qualities of low center of gravity, lightweight, and compactness. These attributes are maximized by placing this engine even lower and closer to the center of the chassis. These factors contributed to BRZ's low center of gravity -one of the lowest possible. The Subaru BRZ is a fun sports car that any driver can enjoy driving with peace of mind.

Design

The Subaru BRZ has a low-mounted Boxer engine on a specially designed sub-frame that forms an "ultra-low center of gravity package". With this arrangement, BRZ achieved a low driving position typical of a sports car. Overall height of Subaru BRZ is 1,300 mm and it has a wide and low body of a stylish coupe at 1775mm. Yet, it allows for 2+2 seating and a trunk with ample space. Not only is the BRZ a sports car, but it can also be a suitable partner for long tours with its unexpected utility.

Exterior

Subaru aimed for a sports car design that instinctively conveys the car's fun-to-drive character. In addition, it was detailed to be instantly recognizable as a Subaru.

Front fascia

The "ultra-low center of gravity package" also allowed a low hood design. This low hood and bulging front fenders raise expectations for the Subaru BRZ's drivability. Also, to communicate the Subaru identity the Subaru six-star ornament, headlights and hexagon lower grille follow the Subaru design motif common across new Subaru models.

Side

The low center of gravity enhances BRZ's sensuous beauty with its shapely fender flares. The aesthetic beauty is combined with functional beauty that advances aerodynamics through such areas as the C-pillar shape, rear glass inclination, trunk lid layout. As would be expected from a sports car, the front and rear overhangs were shortened to express the Subaru BRZ's liveliness. The front fender is accentuated with a distinctive garnish.

Rear fascia

The projecting rear wheel arches sit by way of contrast to the compact cabin and emphasizes the beauty of the BRZ's rear view.

Interior

Details were carefully designed to allow a new level of fun-to-drive experience in which the driver and vehicle become one.

The steering wheel was made smaller to achieve sports car maneuverability.

A tachometer with digitally displayed speedometer is placed in the center of the gauges so that the driver can instantly see information without diverting attention from the road.

Bespoke sports car seats were designed to hold the driver and passenger and feature lowered sitting positions to match the "ultra-low center of gravity package".

Engine

Making full use of the design concept of the new-generation Boxer engine, the newly developed engine made exclusively for the BRZ is highly efficient with superior output and environmental friendliness. It realizes an exhilarating high revving nature of a naturally aspirated sports engine.

It has square bore and stroke of 86 x 86 mm.

Due to the joint development with Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota's direct injection and port injection technology "D-4S" was incorporated in the Subaru BRZ's power unit.

To achieve the "ultra-low center of gravity package", the engine as a whole has been made more compact by such means as adopting the shorter intake manifold and the shallower oil pan.

Transmission

The joy of sports car driving was realized through a transmission that focuses on shift feel and response.

The 6-speed MT employs a short stroke shift lever. The lever was optimized in rigidity, shift quality and weight application in its pursuit of a superb shift feel.

The 6-speed AT has "S mode" for better shifting response and "M mode" for optional shifting. Also, with the paddle shift and downshifting blipping control, this model can respond faithfully to the driver's inputs.

Body

The lightweight yet highly-rigid body was developed exclusively to maximize the advantages of the "ultra-low center of gravity package".

Low center of gravity and low driving position were achieved by the perimeter type body frame layout.

The body has a rigid and durable frame structure that also works in balance with the vehicle's light-weight. The rigidity is optimized for high drivability and appropriate durability is maintained for collision safety.

High tensile steel was used in the body to contribute to weight reduction. Effective use of this material in the upper structure of the Subaru BRZ contributed to its low center of gravity.

The front hood employs aluminum for lightness. The structure was fine-tuned for a low styling that also improves pedestrian protection performance.

Chassis

Excellent maneuverability and stability of the "ultra-low center of gravity package" offers direct and sharp response to steering and enhances driver's connection to the car

The front suspension employs struts for light-weight and high rigidity, while a double wishbone layout is adopted at the rear for better shock absorption.

To gain a low front hood from the "ultra-low center of gravity package", the front strut mount was lowered while maintaining the stroke.

The tires are 215/45R17 combined with lightweight and highly rigid aluminum wheels.

All models are equipped with electronic stability control to provide both driving pleasure and safety.

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