Italdesign GTZero Electric Coupe Pops Up In Geneva

The Italdesign GTZero all electric sports car was presented for the first time in public at the Geneva auto show this week. What is it? That’s an interesting question. First and foremost, it is an electric car with three motors — two and front and one in the rear. Theoretically, with advanced electronic controls, that should give it excellent handling through torque vectoring to all four wheels. It also is said to have a 31o mile range, but by what standard isn’t clear. The European test cycle usually yields results that are about 50% higher than those obtained using the EPA protocols. Let’s call it 200 miles, then.

According to Electric Cars Report, the most significant feature of the car is its modular design, which sounds strikingly similar to what Faraday Future is featuring. The body is made of composite materials and is supported by a solid monocoque carbon frame with aluminium sub-frames. In theory, dimensions can be changed to accommodate different needs. There are reports the car could also be made with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The only thing that cannot be altered is the carbon fiber monocoque chassis. In theory, the battery can be accept an 80% recharge in 30 minutes, but no details have been given about what sort of charger is needed to accomplish that.

The GTZero can accommodate two adults and two children. Because of its wagon design, there is room for luggage in the rear as well as extra cargo capacity up front. On the inside, vehicle functions are controlled by a multitouch interface. Two pads mounted on the back of the steering wheel control the three-level OLED dashboard display with four distinct screens. Two more pads on the front of the steering wheel control lights, turn signals, and windshield wipers.

Elon Musk has ruined us. Because of him, we expect every new car that comes along to blaze to 60 mph in 3 seconds or less. The GTZero has a total of 483 horsepower, which ought to be enough to be entertaining but probably not enough to win any drag races against a Tesla Model S 90D with Ludicrous upgrade.

Just who is Italdesign, exactly, and why are they building concept cars? The firm was created in 1968 by Giorgetto Giugiaro and Aldo Mantovani. Giugiaro was considered the master automobile designer of the day, penning such icons as the Volkswagen Rabbit, the BMW M1 and the Delorean DMC-12. In 2010, the firm was sold to Lamborghini, which is owned by Audi, which is a division of Volkswagen, which also owns Porsche. Knowing that makes the GTZero a little bit more of an interesting concept, don’t you think?

Italdesign Giugiaro’s Clipper EV Concept, A Great Family Ferry

From conception to carpool, Italdesign Giugiaro’s Clipper EV concept could be a great family car, if it ever moves beyond the concept phase that is.

Italdesign Giugiaro has been working with Volkswagen since the 70’s (owned by the VW group since 2010), and the coachbuilder is no stranger to the Golf platform. The Clipper EV is one of two MQB platform-based concepts unleashed at the Geneva Motor Show,  the first being the Volkswagen T-Roc, a diesel-powered compact crossover that may even see production in some form.

The Clipper is a 6-seat MPV (i.e. a minivan) built for easy access and low emissions. The two butterfly style front doors open simultaneously with the rear gull wings, revealing an absence of B-pillars, at least in their traditional form. The all-wheel drive Clipper utilizes rear door mounted B-pillars that leave a wide open access point for the three rows of seats and make simultaneous access to all seats possible. Reminds me a lot of the Tesla Model X and its “Falcon Wing” doors. This would be a welcomed feature for a family vehicle based on such a small, flexible platform.

To help get the family around town, Giugiaro has popped in a pair of electric motors, one at either end, putting out 149 hp each and capable of zipping the Clipper around at speeds of up to 126 mph. While the design is a concept at the moment, road tests have already begun to research how the Clipper holds up to real-world driving. These tests claim to get 335 miles out of each charge of the undercarriage mounted batteries of the Golf-based concept car.

The batteries being mounted below the cabin allows for the familiar flat floor we’ve seen in other hit EVs, which is just one feature that adds to the surprising spacious interior. The two rear rows of fold flat seats open up just under 32 cubic feet of cargo area, in case you’re still in “family planning” mood.

Well-appointed with electronics, the Clipper aims to entertain your family for every one of those 335 miles with iPad minis mounted in the front four headrests that will help settle any disputes on what to watch. The normal cluster of dashboard controls have been transferred to the center console, mounted with an 11-inch tablet that slides all the way back to the third row in case little Timmy’s ADD kicks in mid trip.

During the show, Italdesign Giugiaro showed off a second variation of the Clipper, a Ducati-badged red Clipper with sleeker doors and C-pillars. Both versions are rather non-descript from the front but feature a rear reminiscent of the Audi Q5, another Volkswagen-owned product. Speaking of which, one of Audi’s plug-in hybrid drivetrains might make the Clipper EV more practical/affordable for many families.

If the Clipper does make it to production (and that’s a big “If), some inevitable changes would need to be made that could prove to be detrimental to the concept. The thinner-than-legal seats would need to be bulked up to meet safety regulations and the love gull wing and butterfly doors also rarely make it to the production phase of any car. That would also eliminate the clever skylights created at the top of each door and hatch.

Still, it’s outside-of-the-box ideas like the Clipper EV which give the auto industry such depth. More importantly, creations such as the T-Roc and Clipper are proof that crossovers have earned their place in our daily commute, and can provide a welcome compromise that suits all our family needs.

Source: Autoweek | Italdesign Giugiaro