Concept car : AirPod

The AirPod is a three-seat and three-wheel car that runs on compressed air.

(Credit: CNET)

Among the plethora of alternative fuels being put forth to replace oil, the most odd might seem simple: air. But MDI International, based in Luxembourg, showed off a car at the 2009 Geneva auto show that runs on just that. What motivates the little AirPod concept is the energy from compressed air stored in a tank at 5,000 pounds per square inch (PSI).

The driver sits alone in the AirPod, turning the front wheel with a joystick.

(Credit: CNET)

The AirPod vehicle is small, holding just three passengers, with a single seat facing front for the driver and a bench facing backward for two more people. MDI claims a range of more than 112 miles in an urban setting, and less than two minutes to refill the 46-gallon air tank. But even though the AirPod can reach speeds of just less than 45 mph, the air-powered engine produces only 8 horsepower, suggesting slow acceleration.

Because of the low horsepower, the AirPod is designed to be exceptionally light, coming in at 485 pounds. Because the air tank and engine don't take up much room, most of the AirPod is devoted to passenger space. The car is a three-wheeler, and the driver uses a joystick to turn, rather than a conventional steering wheel.

Although air power means the AirPod drives emission-free, some energy is required to compress air into its tank. MDI puts the cost of a tank refill at just 1 euro.

MDI has announced deals with Air France and KLM to run a test fleet of the AirPod cars at Charles De Gaulle airport in Paris and Schipol airport in Amsterdam.

See more Geneva auto show 2009.

Concept Car : X-Hawk flying car 2010

The flying car is the equivalent of transportation's carrot on a stick. It's a concept that always seems to be 3-5 years down the road. According to an Isreali inventor named Rafi Yoeli, the flying car will actually be here by 2010 in the form of his X-Hawk. The X-Hawk uses a ducted fan design that allows it to have the same manueverability of a helicopter without exposed blades that prevent choppers from hovering near buildings and the like. Yoeli's own company, Urban Aeronautics, is developing the X-Hawk first as a workhorse vehicle that could be used by firefighters, rescue teams, and the military to aid in the recovery of people stranded in hard to reach places. Like a helicopter, the X-Hawk can take off and land vertically, it will be able to fly up to 155 mph, reach an altitude of 12,000 ft and remain in the air for two hours. The size of the X-Hawks rotors, which are powere by four internal combustion engines, will be much smaller than a helicopters, which will make the vehicle quieter but also guzzle 50% more fuel. The X-Hawk only exists as a full-scale mockup right now, but Yoeli expects an unmanned Mule version to fly in 2009. A larger version capable of carrying ten people is also planned. The estimated price for an X-Hawk will make a Veyron owner blush: between $1.5 and $3.5 million, and Yoeli admits those estimates might be low. At this point, we're prepared to pony up whatever cash is necessary to make the most famous example of automotive vaporware a reality. Check out more details on the X-Hawk after the jump.

Concept car : Lightning Hybrids LH3 2010

Lightning Hybrids is a well known automotive manufacturing and research company that is going to develop LH3, a 100 MPG hydraulic-biodiesel hybrid car. Prototype manufacturing of this car started in January 2009 planned for finishing before the Denver Auto Show that is going to be held during 1st to 5th April 2009. Manufacturing of this car is expected to start in 2010 in Loveland, Colorado. The LH3 will be powered with a 90 HP BioDiesel/Diesel engine which is currently rated in Europe at 90 MPG, mated in parallel to a Hydraulic motor/pump of 150 HP and accumulator system. This car will be able to go 0-60 MPH in 6 seconds and the estimated top speed of this car is 110 MPH. Let’s wait and see then … Designer : Lightning Hybrids click : Full story

Concept Car : Mercedes F-CELL Roadster

Mercedes F-CELL Roadster is a fuel-cell-drive concept built by a team of 150 trainees of Daimler AG at the Sindelfingen Mercedes-Benz plant which took a year to be completed. Powered by a 1.2 kW fuel cell system located at the rear, Mercedes F-CELL Roadster will reach its top speed at 25 km/h and has a range of 350 km. Mercedes F-CELL Roadster design is inspired by the Benz Patent Motor Car from 1886, which features a unique fiberglass front section, large spoked wheels, and also carbon-fiber bucket seats with hand-stitched leather covers. While on the front section, the design is inspired by the F1 race cars. Mercedes F-CELL Roadster is equipped with a drive-by-wire joystick instead of a steering wheel. In a hitherto unique project bridging various fields of profession, the trainees of Daimler AG at the Sindelfingen Mercedes-Benz plant have built a Roadster with fuel cell drive. For about a year, more than 150 trainees and dual education system students worked on the overall concept, development, assembly, and completion of the Mercedes F-CELL Roadster. This project involved junior employees from the fields of automotive mechatronics, model-building, electronics, coating technology, manufacturing mechanics, product design, and interior appointments. The prime objective of the project was to integrate the topic of alternative drive systems into training with hands-on experience. “This project impressively demonstrates that the topic of sustainable mobility has become an integral part of our vocational training,” said Human Resources Board member and Labor Relations Manager Günther Fleig. “I am delighted to see how much initiative and creativity the young people have put into this project.” Mercedes F-CELL Roadster uniquely combines state-of-the-art technologies with the history of vehicle construction. As an allusion to the Benz Patent Motor Car from 1886, the vehicle is fitted with large spoked wheels. Moreover, the Mercedes F-CELL Roadster incorporates stylistic elements from diverse eras of automotive history, such as the carbon-fiber bucket seats with hand-stitched leather covers and the distinctively styled fiberglass front section, based on the component from the Formula One racing bolides. Mercedes F-CELL Roadster is controlled with drive-by-wire technology, and a joystick takes the place of a conventional steering wheel. The vehicle is powered by the emission-free fuel cell system located at the rear. With a power rating of 1.2 kW the Mercedes F-CELL Roadster reaches a top speed of 25 km/h and has an operating range of up to 350 km.

Concept Car : Mercedes E Class 2010

Mercedes E Class (2010) images and details has been leaked on some webs. This car expected will be premiered at the next Detroit Auto Show next year. 2010 Mercedes E Class is expected will be powered by both petrol and diesel engines.

According to the images that we have got, the 2010 Mercedes E Class shows LED lights where the fog lights are usually placed.

2010 Mercedes E Class front design is influenced by the Mercedes ConceptFascination that make its debut at the Paris Motor Show this year. We will reveal more information when the company release more official announcement about 2010 Mercedes E Class details, images, release date, prices, and more.

Concept Car :Chevy Volt 2010

Genius in theory. In reality? We might know by 2010. For decades, American automakers, Washington politicos, oil companies and consumers alike have been caught up in the lure of cheap gasoline. It’s led to fuel inefficient vehicles, lax legislation, and even more lax energy innovation. But in the end, the root of all these behaviors comes back to the American consumer. The American consumer has always wanted and purchased gasoline-powered products, so that’s what the market delivers. But like repeatedly putting one’s hand on a burning stove, at what point do American consumers conclude the financial pain at the pump has gotten too great? And when do their automobile choices start changing the behavior of automakers, politicians and oil companies? The Hybrid craze is the first step in this new direction. Although Hybrids get a lot of well-deserved grief from some industry experts, there is one undeniable merit to them - Hybrid popularity is producing more alternatively-powered choices for American consumers. full story

Concept Car : Honda Fuzo

The 2068 Fuzo concept comes from designer John Mahieddine, and is intended to be a sci-fi VTOL flying car. As it takes to the air, the wheels on the car retract, and the four turbines move into action, allowing it to reach a maximum speed of 400 mph. The three-seat concept is kept lightweight by the use of materials like carbon fiber, Kevlar and carbon nanotubes. The controls are joystick based, the left allows the car to spin on its axis, while the right handles tilt and direction. There are two foot pedals to control power and brakes. The car can be fully controlled by a fly-by-wire system using GPS; safety will mainly be handled by parachutes and airbags.

Concept Car : Alfa Romeo Spix

What you're looking at could be the 2056 Alfa Brera with the optional hover package. Called the Alfa Romeo Spix flying concept car, it was designed by a 2-D/3-D artist from Belgium (we think) who posted pics of his creation along with an absolutely stunning video on CGfolks.com. Can you believe he does this for fun? (Actually, it appears he's begun a small design firm, but we can't confirm that due to the language barrier.) Known as Creatix on the CGFolks forum, the artist explains his attempt to fuse an impression of power and robustness in a design that reflects what Alfa Romeos might look like in 50 years. via Born Rich

Concept Car : Peugeot Three Wheeled Hybrid

Ecofriend has an interesting post about the three-wheeled vehicle above that is called a Peugeot plus. Econfriend says the car runs on an electric motor and aims to have almost no carbon footprint. it's a hybrid, between a scooter and a car. This combination allows using a smaller electric engine, saving energy. This saving generates less pollution and a major autonomy of the batteries. Besides the small size gives more agility into the traffic and makes easier to find parking.

Concept Car : Chevy Orlando 2010

This is the 2010 Chevy Orlando which is a prototype vehicle that will be displayed at the Paris Motor Show next week. Gizmodo says that blue lights give the Orlando a Tron-like feel. It's pretty similar to the 2010 Chevy Cruze, but as you can see, it's got some pretty dramatic blue lighting on its exterior. I'm not quite sure if its completely ridiculous or totally awesome; it probably falls somewhere between the two. I mean, Tron lights are awesome, but Tron lights on a glorified minivan? The blue lights are cool but are they real or is it just a trick of the lighting. There are many more pics here on Jalopnik.