Giugiaro release concept teaser images

February 27, 2008 10:30

Who has not heard of the house of Giugiaro? Why, they are the Italian folks who designed for us many lovely products, products such as the VW Scirocco, Alfa Romeo Brera, the ever present BMW M1 of the 1970s and of course, 2007 Ford Mustang concept.

Today they remind us that “nature has never been so powerful” with these teaser pics that you see here. We have no clue what they are for or what they may represent. A car probably, just from the rear lights and what looks like a front wheel. Reference to nature suggests something unadulterated, something clean and wholesome, something green…yes you guessed it, a hybrid sports car. Giugiaro goes hybrid? Why not? Even Formula One is looking at ways of going hybrid these days. Hollywood is fully hybrid too; most actors there are singers too and vice versa.

We are still speculating of course but if I had some cash on me I’d put €1 on this being a hybrid concept of some sort. Association with an automaker is not necessary; Giugiaro can pull off their own concepts thank you. Still, I wouldn’t put it past them to tie one up for someone special.

Put your thinking cap on this weekend and let us know what you think this force of nature is. On Monday we can all compare notes just before a third, more revealing picture comes our way.

Updated: Italian design firm Italdesign-Giugiaro has released several details and images for its new Quaranta concept car ahead of its reveal at next week’s Geneva Motor Show. The new concept not only celebrates the design house’s 40th anniversary but it also shows that Giugiaro designers are looking to the future by showcasing a new advanced hybrid drivetrain.

The car’s hybrid system is based on Toyota’s Synergy Drive and it powers all four wheels, according to AutoWeek. Giugiaro is still keeping most of the details under wraps but it did reveal that the Quaranta is capable of accelerating from 0-62mph in just four seconds and can reach a top speed of 155mph. Inside, there’s enough room for three adults and one small child and the concept also features solar panels to top up the battery system.


Original: Due to arrive at the Geneva Motor Show next week, the Giugiaro Quaranta concept celebrates Italdesign’s 40 years in business. Drawing elements of its styling from each period along the way, the Quaranta manages to combine them all into a unified, decidedly modern concept. In the pictures added today, we get a look at the fourth teaser and what looks to be an advance copy of the fifth, which isn’t supposed to be available until Friday, courtesy of Caradisiac. Full gallery of teasers after the jump.

Other studios presenting new concept cars at this year’s Geneva Motor Show include Pininfarina with its Sintesi Concept, Bertone with the Alfa Romeo B.A.T. 11, Fioravanti with its new Hidra concept and even Turin’s IED design school with the Maserati Chicane Concept.