Press Release
FOREFRONT INNOVATION IN GIUGIARO TRADITION POWERED BY TOYOTA HYBRID SYNERGY DRIVE

That is “Quaranta”, an absolutely innovative prototype which Italdesign-Giugiaro will present to the press on March 4th 2008 at 2:40 p.m., during a press conference to be held at the Italdesign Giugiaro stand in a unique event celebrating its 40 years of activity in automotive design.

The “Quaranta” concept car marks 40 years of total commitment to automotive styling research and technology. It is an “extreme”, ecological, 4WD super-sportscar, the first hybrid car with mid-engine and driving position and a roomy cabin able to accommodate three adults plus a baby in complete comfort.

A second innovative aspect concerns aerodynamics: inspired by the latest research in F1 the “Quaranta” concept car adopts rear flaps which enhance its sleek shapes. Also due to its one-volume silhouette, it delivers class-beating performance (top speed of 250 km/h, acceleration from 0 to 100 kph in 4”).

Incorporating the best technological and design solutions, offshoot of the expertise and flair for constant update displayed by Italdesign Giugiaro for more than 40 years, the “Quaranta” prototype is set to be a Supercar achieving the best compromise between extreme performance and low environmental impact.

The experience acquired by Italdesign Giugiaro in developing, with leading worldwide manufacturers, vehicles addressing all market segments, from city cars to super-sportscars, from vans and minivans to medium-engined saloons up to luxury flagships and environment-friendly SUV, reflects in each element of this innovative prototype.

The “Quaranta” concept car is not, in fact, a mere exercise in aesthetics applied to the car. It also exemplifies the wide range of services offered by Italdesign Giugiaro in the automotive market both in designing all parts of a vehicle (from chassis to mechanicals and bodywork) and exploiting latest generation, environment-friendly traction systems without changing style of driving.

The main technological innovation of the “Quaranta” is reflected in a search for extreme performance using Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive technology, implemented by a solar energy power plant inserted in the structure of the vehicle.

[Source: Giugiaro via WCF]

Interesting design to say the least. See some touches of the old Lotus Esprit in there as well as touches of the Honda S2000 (front end curvature) and a bit of Lexus LF-A. The latter of which is not surprising considering Giugiaro's past work with Lexus and the GS.

Tha ass of a Lamborghini with the nose of a Mitsubishi?

Here we go again, as much as i admire some of Italdesign concepts, i think they should stop with recycling them again and again.

PS:Who was in charge of this one ? Giorgetto or Fabrizio ?

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