| Make
|
Chevrolet |
| Model |
Mi-ray |
| Concept
year |
2011 |
| Production
year |
- |
| Engine |
hybrid,
1.5 litre + 2x electric motors |
The Chevrolet Mi-ray was a stunning two-seat roadster
concept which was unveiled at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show
in South Korea.
The Mi-ray is designed to celebrate Chevrolet's 100 year
heritage of automotive design. Mi-ray is also the Korean
word for 'future' - a nod to the fact Korea is Chevrolet's
newest market.
The Mi-ray was developed at the GM Advanced Design Studio
in Seoul. Its styling was inspired by a couple of classic
Chevrolet sports cars, including the 1963 Monza SS and
the 1962 Corvair Super Spyder. The overall shape of the
concept was influenced by modern fighter jets.
Built from carbon fiber, the crisp bodywork features an
angled style line which arcs up from the headlights and
runs backward, ending at the rear wheel arch. This line
is highlighted by ambient lighting underneath. The doors
feature a dramatic, if impractical, scissor-mechanism.
The Mi-ray's sleek grille is flanked by LED headlamps
with new signature daytime running lamps. The front bumper
also features exposed carbon fiber spoilers on either
side.
Retractable flaps provide additional airflow control while
providing access to the electric charge socket on one
side and the fuel filler on the other. The charge socket
also features an external battery charge indicator. Each
rear wheel arch contains individual cargo space for the
storage of small items. The Mi-ray's wheels are massive
aluminum-carbon fiber composite units measuring 20-inches
in diameter up front, and 21-inches at the rear.
Reflecting the exterior, the cabin of the Chevrolet Mi-ray
was also inspired by fighter aircraft. The materials of
choice include brushed aluminium, natural leather, white
fabric and gloss metal. The interior compartment is surrounded
by a carbon fiber shell, which gives it a lightweight
yet rigid structure. The interior is wrapped tightly around
the occupants, with a driver-centric layout.
The Mi-ray's designers concocted a unique gauge cluster
for the concept. Using back projection on the instrument
panel, information in front of the driver has been prioritized
into three zones. Immediately in front is vehicle performance.
It is flanked on the left by range and on the right by
navigation and mileage figures.
The Chevrolet Mi-ray is powered by two front-mounted 20
hp (15-kW) electric motors for quick acceleration and
zero emissions in urban driving. The motors are powered
by a 1.6-kWh lithium-ion battery that is charged through
regenerative braking energy. The Mi-ray has the capability
of being switched from front-wheel drive to rear-wheel
drive.
In addition to the electric motors, the Mi-ray is equipped
with a mid-mounted 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged
engine to provide significantly more grunt when needed.
A dual-clutch transmission (DCT) enables a reduction in
the powertrain's size by eliminating the torque converter.
The car's shift pattern has been tuned for improved top
speed in performance mode. A start-stop system works in
conjunction with the DCT.
Mike Arcamone, GM Korea President said of the drivetrain:
"The propulsion concept fits perfectly with the
rest of the vehicle, delivering big performance in a small
footprint, on the road and in the environment. By combining
GM propulsion technology and visionary design, the Mi-ray
points to the future of Chevrolets around the globe -
expressive, youthful and entertaining."
Similar and related vehicles:
Chevrolet Volt
Chevrolet WTCC Ultra
Chevrolet Camaro
Camaro Convertible
Chevrolet SS
Chevrolet SSR
Chevrolet Nomad
Chevrolet Trax
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