one of the concept cars on
[display at New York's Auto Show.

‘by MITSIBIS
4 DCOR VISTA

Concept cars showcase new ideas

SOMEWHERE BETWEEN
reality and fantasy are con-
cept cars, futuristic, one-
of-a-kind, experimental
automobiles designed to
showcase advanced styling
and technology.

also fibre optics technology.

The bady of the ProtoSport4 is
made of carbon-fibre, a
fightweight, immensely strong and
expensive material thai is used in
Formula One racing cars. Since
lighter weight means better fuel
economy, we can expect to see the
use of carbon-fibre in passenger
caiS Once the price comes down.

The passenger compartment of
the ProtoSport4 has four-point
seat belts, similar to those worn
by racing car drivers, and airbags
for all four passengers. For better
instrument visibility, the
ProtoSports has analogue instru-

stead of a rear-view mirror, the
ProroSport4 has un eight cen-
timetre diameter color monitor.
The Dodge Neon, a futuristic
subcompact four-door sedan is
manufactured almost entirely of
recyclable materials. AN of its
plastic paris are coded to make
recycling easier The Neon is
powered by a new 1.) litre two-
stroke engine that is 40 per cent
lighter than a conventional four-
stroke engine, yet can deliver 100
horsepower. In addition, the
two-stroke engine can run on
alternative fuels and emits
substantially fewer exhaust emis-

Automatic transmission,
power steering,

AM/FM cassette,

rear window

defroster.

Automatic transmission, .
power steering, coneie . —-
AM/FM cassette,

rear window
Gefroster.

ments that are reflected through a_— sions.
mirror producing an image two
and a half times normal size. Jn-

See Fuel page 26

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AUTOMOTION

Often wildly different from cur-
rent designs, concept cars have
traditionally been used to test the
public’s reaction to new trends.
Most never make it to production,
but some, like the Pontiac Trans
Sport, Ford Probe, and Buick
Park Avenue, actually end up on
dealership lots.

Until recently, styling and per-
formance have been the most im-
portam influences on concept
cars. Now, however, concerns for
ihe environment, safety, and fuel
efficiency are having a major in-
fluence. Of the 20 or so new con-
cept cars displayed at last week's
New York Automobile Show,
about half contained some kind of
safety, fuel-saving, or en-
vironment-related innovation.

**One of the major goals of this
year’s show is to demonstrate to
the public that the auto industry is
working hard to produce vehictes
that are friendly to the environ-
ment, friendly to drivers and pas-
sengers, and friendly to the
pocketbook,"* suid Bart MeCur-
ville, president of the Greater New
York Automobile Dealer’s
Association.

“Safety has been a primary
concer of automakers and three
of the greatest advancements for
the public have been seat belts, air
bags, and anti-lock braking
systems. Environmentally, cars
and trucks today are cleaner and
more fuel-efficient. Automakers
are researching verious alternative
fuel systens, ranging from pure
electric vehicles to hybrid vehicles
that use more than one propuision
system, such as elecirig motors
combined with small gasoline
engines.”

One of the more interesting
vehicles at the show was the sleek
ProtoSpor4 from Pontiac. — its
Special High Density Discharge
headiamps, a quarter of the size
of traditional halogen headlamps,
use fibre optics technology to
provide vastly improved lighting
ar night. In addition, uhra-violet
auxiliary headlamps iNuminate
pedestrians’ clothing, animals and
street signs. A high-mounted stap
light uses light-emitting diodes,

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