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Proton, Lotus, Italdesign Giugiaro combine for hybrid city car concept

By Tim Beissmann |

Proton, in partnership with Lotus and Italdesign Giugiaro, is set to unveil an all-new hybrid city car at next week’s Geneva Motor Show that claims to break new ground in automotive design.

Italdesign Giugiaro chairman, Giorgetto Giugiaro, said the unnamed concept is the outcome of several years of development and study by the trio.

“Our aim was to offer the interior space of a medium-sized car while keeping the overall exterior dimensions of a small car.

“The solution allows interior spaciousness on par with that of a segment-D saloon despite maintaining the exterior dimensions of a segment-A car.

“You could say that it is a brand new type of car – a new automotive concept where looks are as important as function, ergonomics and comfort, not to mention environmental impact,” Mr Giugiaro said.

To be revealed in both three- and five-door hatchback variants, the baby Proton is powered by a Lotus-developed hybrid-drive system. It combines a 1.2-litre three-cylinder range-extending engine that helps recharge the batteries and powers the electric motor which drives the car (similar to Chevrolet’s Voltec system).

The floor is raised in the rear to house the batteries, but Italdesign Giugiaro says comfort, space and accessibility for both the driver and passengers has not been compromised, but enhanced.

“It is higher than other compact cars to make the best use of interior space. The seat H-point is at the same height as the passengers’ hips – you do not get down into your car as in a coupe, you do not climb up as in an SUV but you enter in a natural way.

“Rear seat comfort when you enter and leave the car is absolutely unprecedented, the distance from the front seat is comparable to that of an SUV,” Mr Giugiaro said.

So far there is no word on aspects like boot space or fuel economy, but the big claims from the little car will be put to the test when it debuts at the Geneva Motor Show from March 2.


 
  • http://www.caradvice.com.au Anthony Crawford

    Let’s hope they build this and price it competitively. If so, we’ll take one.

  • john

    I thought that cars that sat up high (ground clearance) used more fuel than those that ran close to the ground?

    • vid_ghost

      The only thing high about this car would be the hippies driving it :) ( the image just looks like it has allot of ground clearance… it probably doesnt and it is still a prototype!

    • http://www.caradvice.com.au Rhys

      It doesn’t have a high ground clearance, they meant that because the interior floor sits higher then usual because of the batteries below, the roof has been made higher etc.

  • Valet Dabess

    looks better then the iq

  • Lloyd

    I think there is a big market for such cars. The story doesn’t say that it’s a plug-in hybrid but, assuming that it is, I’d like to see such cars provide some options in sizing of the expensive battery packs. The base model might provide for an electric-only range of 25 km (say) with optional battery pack(s) allowing greater electric-only ranges. That way, a buyer need only buy enough battery capacity to cover his typical daily trip in order to achieve very low reliance on petrol. For my lifestyle, living in a regional setting, 25 km electric-only range would cover over 90% of my outings without using a drop of petrol. That’s a very attractive prospect!

  • anf

    Cmon guys…seriously who would want to be seen in one of these things. I know that the cars never end up looking like their designed proto-types but i think their along way off, even if we are talking 2-3 years lee way.

  • http://www.google.com/ Fanny

    Great hammer of Thor, that is pwofreully helpful!