Giugiaro Quaranta concept unveiled at Geneva

Another Design House, Another Hybrid Concept
by Grant Edwardson
March 5, 2008 6:39 PM
Filed Under: European, Specialty Marques

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You got to love how Automotive Designer Houses such as Guigiaro build up to large Motorshows like Geneva. Take their just released Quaranta concept car for instance. They have been painstakingly trickling out sneak shots of this concept for the last few months. Compiling all the sneak preview shots together, anyone with a reasonable imagination could join the dots as it were, and imagine what the whole car would look like. So when it comes to the official release, people’s reactions may lack the “wow” factor. Good job our guys are on site in Geneva then to bring you our own wicked shots of this wacky design.

Following what appears to be a well trodden path at this years show for boutique designers and manufacturers, the Quaranta features a Hybrid system under its futuristic panels. The package is sourced from Toyota, who along with Honda seem to be pioneering the Hybrid concept to the world of late. Based on Lexus’s RX400h Hybrid crossover, the powerplant uses a 3.3L V6 which combines with Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system and a CVT transmission. In total, 268hp and 288Nm of torque help to propel this concept past 100kph in around 4 seconds. The vehicle looks a little low but don’t worry, the Quaranta’s trick suspension can raise the vehicle by up to 230mm to overcome speed bumps. All the major mechanical componentry is contained within the cars wheelbase to give the Quaranta great weight distribution.

The roof is opaque and is cleverly designed as it incorporates solar panels which power the cars interior electrics and charge the batteries. Enjoying the panoramic view through the roof are up to 3 adults and one child sat in a configuration not unlike the McLaren F1’s.

Source: Giugiaro
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Comments

ok that car all of a sudden got alot cooler. Love the one piece door/roof. And the interior looks really nice as well.

by Joe_Limon | March 5, 2008 8:06 PM
True but the setup is still the same.

by dmanero | March 6, 2008 8:41 PM
This car would have look more in place if it was nuilt in the early 90's. The whole roof concept is not very orignal as Saab already did that whole one piece thing (doors/roof)

I'm just so confused from a incredible design ie. Mustang concept to this poorly though of design. Sorry but they need to rethink this concept, keep the front but scrap the rest.

by dmanero | March 5, 2008 8:37 PM
the aero x design splits into 3 pieces, aka more moving parts and more chances for failure.

by Joe_Limon | March 5, 2008 10:02 PM
Not an atypical design from Guigiaro; hard lines and sharp creases, fully in line with their rich tradition. The rectangular wheel arches are awfully 90s, though, as well as the wing mirror cameras and the rear that seems to have been lobbed off with a single cut. =P

by Bremen_Koenigsegg | March 5, 2008 9:26 PM
the gal on the left is gorgeous...oh the car is nice too lol

by ener3584 | March 5, 2008 9:35 PM
Amen brother, the one on the right is not bad either. By the looks of it in my opinion these 2 girls were the highlight of Geneva this year. Other than them i saw nothing to make me say wow.

by radmeister | March 6, 2008 1:42 PM
288Nm? I'd rather say 400 (at least; this is what does a Prius)

by lelu | March 5, 2008 10:49 PM
Are you sure the suspension raises 230mm? not 23mm? 23cm is an awful lot. That would turn this into a crossover.

by radmeister | March 6, 2008 1:45 PM

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The Occupied Giugiaro Quaranta concept at Geneva
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