The "Quaranta" project is a concept designed to celebrate Italdesign Giugiaro forty years of activity in the styling and technological research for the automotive industry.
Italdesign Giugiaro Quaranta at the world premiere at the 2008 Geneva International Motor Show, is a synthesis of Italdesign Giugiaro unmatched experience of automotive design: the cars of the city of super sports cars, minivans and sedans scroll through up to and including ships flagship luxury SUV with the environment, not to mention the light commercial vehicle / heavy, in full cooperation with leading manufacturers worldwide.
Italdesign Giugiaro Quaranta is an "extreme" product, ecological, 4WD super sports car, which includes several innovative aspects: its style, but also its drive technology, which combines a hybrid engine with solar energy and its internal layout which, despite its mid-mounted rear engine, up to three adults and children, who also has a large trunk.
The idea behind Italdesign Giugiaro Quaranta project is that the first single volume mid-engined concept car and drive. Initial reference to the Manta 1968 Gonzo, who at that time was a major breakthrough in styling, now adapted to state-of-the-art technology and enriched with Italdesign Giugiaro's 40 years of experience in research.
Style of the future
Despite its flat, compact, features the Italdesign Giugiaro Quaranta a unique form characterized by a continuous volume of Bodyline extending from his nose to the tail cut that exploits the almost horizontal rake of the windshield.
Access to the cabin is "step-in" via an upper door incorporating the game themselves. At the touch of an electric motor on / off button, the door opens up into a wind far from the mill , regulated by proximity sensors. The door is hinged to the hood pillar and is aligned with a second upper rear door for access to the engine compartment and trunk.
The roof houses range of solar panels needed to power the electric battery, the space between the doors. Together with other solar panels positioned on the front, they create a central opaque strip, a signature feature of the model through the interaction of light with paint brilliant body. Solar panels can generate a current of 250 watts, which is sufficient to operate the cockpit conditioning system and to recharge the electric battery.
The style of Italdesign Giugiaro Quaranta prototype is further enhanced by the attention dedicated to surface aerodynamics, designed to ensure maximum efficiency and effectiveness, including through the use of sharp edges on the back.
This can also be a significant advantage in terms of the vehicle where the radiator grille has been removed and replaced by two side air intakes above the headlights, which play a crucial role to front stabilizers. Rear of the vehicle is also designed to improve overall aerodynamic performance, carefully molded spoiler, with perfectly square-edged cut and a very technical design, scope of support for the lower wing, modeled according to latest generation F1-style, that the offset without the traditional upper stabilizer.
Styling research aimed at top aerodynamic performance is also reflected in the sides, which is characterized by very generous glazing stretching from the front wing of the tail and vents are located, which is behind the doors, but also along the line, in which cooling water pipes are inserted. The most innovative feature of the side profile is certainly the contour line, between the doors and threshold, which is "negative" in the shoulder section, a particular feature, absolutely innovative for super sports cars.
Interior: security technology and comfort
Inside, the most notable innovation is the multi-control steering wheel which reflects an idea already incorporated in the Medusa, 1980, a prototype developed by Italdesign and exposed on its stand in Geneva: all vehicle makes and control functions concentrate on the shelves, as the stems were removed and replaced with keys. This guarantees easier control by the driver, in a central position which can be obtained due to the lack of blocking transmission in the transmission tunnel. This is possible thanks to the electric four-wheel drive that eliminates the obstacles on the ground, so it is completely flat. Generous space at the central level of the cab can accommodate two adults and a child behind the driver. The dashboard has been designed with a sporty, modern, clean-cut details matching the style of the exterior, and equipped with a wide range of instruments.
They are organized in two levels: the screens on the sides and television cameras in the back are placed in the top level, with special attention to the left mirror, useful when overtaking, the lower level is dedicated to the management of the vehicle. The unit also includes a display panel X-ray sensors for night driving. The black leather and Alcantara reflects the refined taste Italian.
Last but not least, Italdesign Giugiaro Quaranta features 9 ½ by 20 alloy wheels ", without hub caps for improved styling and aerodynamics, and four Vredestein tires as standard, which differ only in shoulder height: 275 / 35/R20 front and 275 / 40/R20 return. dimensions are certainly tight for a super sports car but suitable for a 4-wheel drive car.
Mold-mechanical failure
The structure of the prototype is made of carbon monocoque chassis which is mounted in the aluminum and stainless steel, while the windscreen and roof are of laminated glass with UVA filter.
Italdesign Giugiaro Quaranta is fit with the electronic four-wheel drive, divided into a small electric motor on the truck before the motor system and motor thermal / electric rear situated in a central position. This particular structure, which has seen Toyota's involvement in the management control electronics, has developed the vehicle on a wheelbase of 2620 mm, ideal for a car midengined.
The batteries which assist the electric motors are located between the engine compartment and the cockpit and are powered by solar panels. Italdesign Giugiaro Quaranta is equipped with a dual fuel tank, an integrated framework of support, with a total capacity of 60 liters, the mileage up to 1,000 km.
Dynamic asset is variable in two ride height positions: sporting and raised. Ground clearance is 230 mm, an absolute record which means that the super sports car can take any type of terrain in its stride.
The main aspect that distinguishes the mechanical design technique of the Quaranta is the weight balance and in particular the "weight of the center" means the weight of the mechanics of the vehicle is between the two axles, including silencers that placed before the rear wheels. Only the radiator and a large luggage compartment outstanding, able to accommodate two golfbags, remain outside.
The front suspensions also represent a breakthrough: designed according to F1, which are equipped with central shock absorber of an idea already presented by Italdesign - Giugiaro on the 2004 Toyota Volta and in 1997 Scighera Alfa Romeo. The binding mechanism of the levers guarantees exceptional stability in any type of situation, simulating a "multilink" mechanism. The links are designed and manufactured entirely by Italdesign GIUGUIARO: the "oval" for the steel tubes are Ergal quantities.
Quaranta confirms the classic Italdesign - Giugiaro versatile service formula for car manufacturers. Skills and the ability to design a new car model at the development of style, zoning, safety and ergonomics analysis and development of mechanics, starting only from an engine running.
The chassis, bodywork and layout of Italdesign Giugiaro Quaranta prototype was designed by the Engineering Division of Italdesign Giugiaro, while the mechanics and electronics have been developed in cooperation with Toyota. The vehicle was built entirely in Moncalieri facilities.
