The Voisin Concept sports car is a high performance car inspired by the Avions Voisin French brand from the 1920s and 1930s. It was created by Portuguese car design studio LusoMotors.

Also see: Bugatti Streamliner concept sports car

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd has revealed a new concept car featuring multiple preventative features designed to reduce drink-driving. The various technologies are designed to detect the driver’s state of sobriety and to activate a range of preventive measures including immobilisation of the vehicle.

Alcohol Odour Sensors

1) A hi-sensitivity alcohol odour sensor is built into the transmission shift knob which is able to detect the presence of alcohol in the perspiration of the driver’s palm as he or she attempts to start driving. When the alcohol-level detected is above the pre-determined threshold, the system automatically locks the transmission, immobilising the car. A “drink-driving” voice alert is also issued via the car navigation system.

2) Additional alcohol odour sensors are also incorporated into the driver’s and passenger seats to detect the presence of alcohol in the air inside the vehicle cabin. When alcohol is detected, the system issues both a voice alert and a message alert on the navigation system monitor.

Facial Monitoring System

A camera is mounted on the instrument cluster facing the driver to monitor the driver’s face. The system is calibrated to monitor the driver’s state of consciousness through eyes. When the system detects signs of drowsiness, a voice and message alert is triggered via the navigation system. Additionally, a seat-belt mechanism is activated which tightens around the driver to gain his or her immediate attention.

Driving Behaviour

By constantly monitoring the operational behaviour of the vehicle (e.g. sensing if the vehicle is drifting out of its driving lane), the system can identify signs of inattentiveness or distraction in the driver. When the system detects such behaviour, voice and message alerts are issued via the navigation system. The seat-belt alert mechanism is also activated, tightening around the driver to gain immediate attention.

This concept car was developed as an exploratory platform to showcase breakthrough technologies that could potentially be applied to future production cars, part of an ongoing programme from Nissan contributing towards the prevention of drink-driving.

Nissan has already launched and is developing several initiatives to help prevent drunk-driving. In June, the company introduced the “drink-driving” message alert on its navigation system. In July, Nissan also began testing of a new on-board breathalyser system in cooperation with several local government authorities, where an interlock mechanism will immobilise the vehicle if the driver’s breath indicates the presence of alcohol above a specified level.

Nissan is taking a holistic approach towards safety that extends beyond the technology built into its vehicles. To achieve a “safe driving environment”, Nissan has embarked on the Intelligent Transport System Project (ITS) in Kanagawa Prefecture – aimed at helping to reduce road accidents via the analysis of traffic data collected from on-the-road vehicles and traffic beacons. In Japan, the company’s safety vision is to halve the number of traffic fatalities or serious injuries involving Nissan vehicles by 2015 compared with the level in 1995.

Paulin Motor Company, founded by well-knowned designer Daniel Paulin launches its first vehicle. This concept car aims to demonstrate Paulins vision of future design directions aiming for the market requirements of 2012 and further.

Daniel Paulin have a background as designer at Ford Motor Company where he among other projects where responsible for the exterior design for the 2004 Ford Focus concept car, the exterior Ford Focus C-Max 2003 and also designer for the FAB1, Thunderbirds the movie.

- I have studied the development of the last decennium and believe this is a logical development where I have tried to create shapes where controlled sculptural surfaces meets dynamic graphical break-ups, says Daniel Paulin, CEO and Creative Director of Paulin Motor Company.

Paulin Motor Company has used Opticore visualization solutions to produce images and real-time presentation environments.

- Opticore Real Time Ray Tracing has helped my product to come to live, Daniel Paulin says. Since there is no physical mock-up, Opticore solutions have given me a great solution to demonstrate my vehicle for prospective partners.

Its very interesting times for the high end visualization business. With Opticores tools, the boundary in-between virtual reality and real life is now removed. The quality has reached a level where many design decisions can be made with out the need of physical prototypes.

Paulin currently involved on several design projects around the globe will continue to launch concepts to highlights trends and ideas of where automotive are and should develop.

The concept car features several creative solutions both from a design and a technical perspective.

With its proportion the car is a pure 2 seated GT concept. Cockpit feeling is inspired by modern jet-fighters. The windshield/roof is hinge in the cowl area. In open position, the doors can be open independently.

The rear wing is integrated in body with a flush condition. In use it moves up and rotates to create appropriate down force. Camera mirrors in the shape of blades, located above the rear fender for best visibility. The view can be seen on a wide display just above the instrument panel.

In the interior, less is more - 2 bucket seats, steering wheel, gear shifter and a control unit. Paulin continues. This concept car is a pure driving oriented vehicle where the design intent is all about simplicity and functionality in true Scandinavian fashion.

The Volkswagen Golf GTI W12 concept is set to make its UK debut at the GTI International show, an independently organised event which will be held over the weekend of 16/17 June at Bruntingthorpe proving ground in Leicestershire. Marking the 30 th anniversary of the GTI’s arrival in the UK, the GTI W12 – the most powerful Golf every produced by Volkswagen – will be seen for the first time since its unveiling at a GTI enthusiast event in Austria last month.

The GTI W12-650 is powered by a bi-turbo W12 engine developing 650 PS – a full 450 PS increase over the standard Golf GTI. Unlike the standard car the W12-powered GTI channels its drive through its rear wheels via a six-speed Tiptronic gearbox.

Not only is the GTI W12 lower (by 70 mm) and wider (by 160 mm) than the car on which it’s based but it is also faster. From a standstill the GTI W12 can hit 62 mph in only 3.7 seconds and won’t relent until it’s reached an estimated 201 mph.

Keeping the GTI W12 stable at high speeds are sophisticated under body aerodynamics linked to a carbon fibre roof incorporating a scoop on its trailing edge to feed air into the mid-mounted engine. The GTI W12 features a floating C-pillar to allow the rear windows to sweep inwards and channel airflow into the radiators.

The GTI International gathering is celebrating its 20 th anniversary with an estimated 20,000 fans set to attend in a diverse range of GTI models from across the five generations. Journalists will have the opportunity to join the fans and set a time up the quarter mile sprint in the latest 230 PS Golf GTI Edition 30 or the range-topping Golf R32. Joining the Golf GTI W12 on display will be examples of historic Volkswagens, race cars and the GTI-rivalling Sportline Transporter vans. Unique approved Volkswagen accessories will also make their debut at the event.

ZAP has announced with Lotus Engineering the development of the new ZAP-X Crossover, incorporating distinct technological advancements that will result in one of the most advanced electric cars ever developed.

ZAP and Lotus are utilizing the award-winning APX lightweight aluminum architecture design to achieve unprecedented levels of performance and utility for electric cars.

The drive system alone is enough to excite driving fanatics, featuring an innovative all-wheel drive option with revolutionary electric motors inside each of the wheels, potentially delivering 644 horsepower and speeds up to 155mph.

An advanced battery system will enable the car to travel a range up to 350 miles between charges, with a rapid charge technology that can recharge the batteries in as little as 10 minutes.

The Ford iosis concept car, which made its debut at the 2005 Frankfurt Motor Show as the definition of the company’s dramatic “kinetic design” form language, has been selected as one of the finalists in the Concept Cars and Prototypes class at the prestigious Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este in Italy.

The 2007 event takes place at the Grand Hotel Villa d’Este in Cernobbio, Italy between April 20 and 22. During the three day event, thirteen concept cars will be on display to visiting members of the public who will be able to vote for their favourite in a secret ballot at the Villa d’Erba on Sunday, April 22. The event is expected to attract around four thousand visitors.

The organising committee selected Ford iosis for its innovative impact on automotive design. Iosis preceded a range of new Ford’s products which include elements of “kinetic design” form language. These products are receiving very positive comments from customers and the media within Europe and elsewhere.

The first Ford production model that expresses the ‘energy in motion’ philosophy of the company’s dynamic new ‘kinetic design’ form language is the bold and sporty Ford S-MAX, which is Car of the Year 2007.

Together with “kinetic design” Ford has introduced a new brand philosophy of “Feel+” which is designed to highlight the new energy and emotion of Ford’s latest vehicle offerings, including the all-new Ford Mondeo.

“Feel+” is more than an advertising strapline, however, and represents a new way of thinking inside Ford for its latest products. With the emphasis on driving pleasure, high quality interiors, reliability and affordability, Ford is stepping up its delivery of new exciting products to its customers around the world.

Stefan Lamm, Ford of Europe’s head of Exterior Design said: “The iosis is a benchmark concept vehicle for us, as it represents the purest expression of our “kinetic design” form language, representing energy in motion. Iosis also signalled the design future for Ford of Europe production models - a future that is now being realised with the Ford S-MAX, Car of the Year 2007, and the all-new Mondeo, which provided the initial inspiration for this concept. We are delighted that the organisers have selected iosis to be a competitor at this event.”