Check out this new concept car from Hyundai called the QarmaQ. Designed at Hyundai Motor Europe’s Design and Technical Center and engineered in close cooperation with GE Plastics, QarmaQ is a showcase for 30 technologies that will find their way into Hyundai’s new models to be rolled out from 2008-2014.
The wrap-around GE Lexan windscreen and extensive use of GE polycarbonate glazing materials provides a weight saving of up to 50 percent in relation to glass, while simultaneously allowing more adventurous shapes than flat glass.
The glazing features a unique technology from Exatec which deposits a thin protective layer of glass on the Lexan to add protection from scratching and the effects of weathering.
The QarmaQ also introduces new curved and moving side glazing in Lexan. As well as allowing such advanced applications, the impact resistance and other properties of this material also helps increase both occupant and pedestrian safety.
Exatec infrared coatings on the whole transparent areas reflect heat, helping cool the interior and reducing the power demands upon the infrared regulated air conditioning. Lighting is achieved by incorporating mood illumination into the actual material, delivering a unique interior ambience. The material also facilitates a perfectly flat, fully integrated fractal radio antenna within the roof structure.
Among other highlights of the QarmaQ’s construction, the front wings were designed from the beginning to be one large single injection moulded component. Together with the deformable bonnet and precise bumper mouldings, these also form a major addition to pedestrian impact safety. The sophistication of the material and manufacturing technique also played a major part in the ability to fully encapsulate the complex headlight shape into the whole frontal styling.
At the rear, the tailgate breaks new ground by bonding different materials, including the glazing and rear light assemblies, to create a one-piece component structure. This increases the integral strength, while at the same time simplifying vehicle assembly and reducing weight.
See the video clip of the car in action.
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[tags]Hyundai, QarmaQ, Concept Car, Plastic Skin, Futuristic, Cool Stuff[/tags]