Chevrolet’s latest plug-in hybrid, the Mi-ray concept, is a futuristic rendering of a performance car that caters also to the environment.
Developed at the GM Advanced Design Studio in Seoul, the roadster was introduced yesterday at the opening of the Seoul Motor Show.
“‘Mi-ray’ is Korean for ‘future,’ said GM Korea President and CEO Mike Arcamone, “As GM rolls out Chevrolet across Korea, the Mi-ray concept offers an exploration of future possibilities for the brand.”
Chevrolet says the car evokes past, present and future themes, while honoring its 100 years of automotive heritage.
“It is small and open like the 1963 Monza SS, and light and purposeful like the 1962 Corvair Super Spyder,” Chevrolet says, “Its aerodynamic fuselage is reminiscent of modern jet fighters.”
Many cues are familiar, but nostalgia buffs may be a bit unsure about a concealed electric charging port on one side, and a fuel filler on the other.
Instead of packing the Mi-ray with a V6, or V8, this concept uses a “‘mid-electric’ propulsion system” positioned mostly behind and beneath the driver to merge performance with better-than-customary efficiency.
Up front are two 15-kW motors for around-town driving, said to offer “quick acceleration.” These are fed power via a 1.6 kW li-ion battery – one-tenth the energy output of the Volt’s battery – that is recharged also by regenerative braking.
To cater to those wanting more speed, the Mi-ray has also a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder to run in series with the electric motors.
“Many of the components in the Mi-ray’s propulsion system are a logical extension of GM’s current technology portfolio,” says Uwe Grebe, executive director for GM Powertrain Advanced Engineering. “The concept shows the potential for reconfiguring, rescaling and extending today’s propulsion technologies.”
The car rolls on aluminum-carbon fiber composite 20-inch wheels in front, shod with 245/35-series tires, and in the rear, are 21-inch wheels wrapped with 295/30-series rubber. These are stopped by vented discs all around.
Scissor doors, close into the swoopy body structure.
Suspension for the aluminum-chassis car is handled by a front and rear double-wishbone setup. Wheelbase is 93.5 inches, length is 157 inches, width is 73.4 inches, height is a low 43.3 inches.
Curb weight is not specified, and neither are maximum power specs, speed or acceleration figures for the concept car.
We presume it runs though. Chevrolet says it gets an “unadjusted” 60 MPG city, and 63 MPG on the highway.
Stylistic showcase
It would appear this design exercise could serve in Chevrolet’s public relations efforts as it associates cool looks, good performance, with more environmentally friendly motive power.
“The strong turbine theme evokes movement, even when the Mi-ray is stationary,” Chevrolet says of its styling.
Speaking of which, the Mi-ray’s twin-cockpit, asymmetric-seat interior is wrapped by a carbon fiber shell, and features carbon fiber and brushed aluminum accents, genuine leather, white fabric, and “liquid metal” surfaces.
The whole rolling automotive sculpture uses light to great effect, and engages ambient lighting beginning at the upper instrument panel that visually flows into the seat back area. Underneath, ground effects lighting glows as the car rolls toward the future.
Seat cushions and headrests connect to the light carbon fiber shell and are mounted on a single aluminum rail. The headrest integrates an air scarf for open air driving.
Back-projection-lit instrumentation utilizes a layout that prioritizes three zones to keep the driver apprised. Front and center is vehicle performance info. To the left and right are “navigation” and “mileage” info. “This eliminates unnecessary visual clutter, allowing the driver to focus on the thrill of driving,” Chevrolet says.
Traditional themes re-done
Not unlike American car purveyors describing finned creations in the 50s, and aeronautical-themed Corvette Stingrays of the 60s, Chevrolet Korea’s marketing people repeatedly echo jet-fighter imagery, attempting to capture the imagination with potential flight on wheels.
“The center touch screen flows down to an aluminum support, which evokes a fighter jet’s nose with the landing gear down. The exterior surface waterfalls down into the interior to meet the reinforced console, connecting the front and rear of the car,” Chevrolet says, “The centrally located start button is also inspired by a jet aircraft. When the button is pressed, the column-mounted retractable meter cluster rises like a jet fighter canopy and ‘Interactive Projection’ appears on the white surface.”
Low-cut window glass matches the low dual headrests on this low-slung car.
The Mi-ray does away with rear-view mirrors, using cameras that extend electrically from the side glass. Around town, a camera looks ahead to overlay real-time info with the car’s GPS navigation system.
‘Sports car spirit’
Carbon fiber spoilers on the corners are said to control down force and airflow. Retractable flaps provide additional airflow, as well as hiding the aforementioned electric charge port on one side, and fuel port on the other.
At night, LED headlights show the way, and under the rear ducktail, twin taillights on the right and left reinterpret the spirit of great Chevy sportscars of the past.
“It strengthens the bond between car and driver,” Chevrolet says of the car’s design and function, “creating a fresh look at what sports cars of the future might be.”
Assuming a respectable power-to-weight ratio, the car named “future” looks entertaining indeed.
Chevrolet’s Korean growth
The future looks sporty on the business side as well.
On Jan. 19 this year, GM announced Chevrolet was replacing GM Daewoo to be GM’s primary brand in Korea. Its new name, GM Korea Co., was to take effect by end of the first quarter.
Eight new models carry the Chevrolet name in Korea this year. These include the Camaro, Orlando, Aveo global small car, as well as a new SUV and a new premium midsize sedan.
GM Korea’s CEO and President Arcamone at that time reiterated GM’s commitment to Korea, as one of its primary production and engineering operations.
“Our sales increased 20 percent last year, our domestic market share increased double-digits and our exports soared 35 percent,” Arcamone said, “We are able to make this bold, strategic move to Chevrolet because of the hard work and dedication of our 17,000 employees, who have unflinchingly focused on increasing our domestic market share and supporting Chevrolet’s global growth in our export markets.”
Editor’s note: Since some may wonder if this is an April 1 spoof (it’s not):
Source: GM
