Chevrolet Celebrates Its Centennial By Showing The Mi-Ray

[William Maley]

Chevrolet Celebrates Its Centennial By Showing The Mi-Ray

William Maley - Editor/Reporter - CheersandGears.com

March 31, 2011

Chevrolet Mi-Ray Concept Gallery

Chevrolet has pulled the covers off the Mi-ray Concept at the Seoul Motor Show this week. The Mi-ray (Korean for 'future') is a sharp looking hybrid roadster celebrating Chevrolet's centennial. The design of the Mi-ray is influenced by classic Chevrolet models including the 1962 Corvair Super Spyder and 1963 Monza SS.

Powertrain wise, the Mi-ray has a pair of front mounted 15-kilowatt electric motors, mated to a 1.6-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. The electric motors provide power for initial acceleration and low-speed cruising. If more power is needed, a 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine mounted behind the cockpit takes over. A dual clutch transmission sends the power to either the front or rear wheels.

Press Release is Below

Chevrolet Introduces Mi-ray Roadster Concept

Innovative Hybrid “Mid-Electric” Propulsion System

Celebrates Brand’s Design Heritage in Its Newest Market

March 31 - Seoul – Chevrolet introduced the Mi-ray concept today at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show. The roadster celebrates Chevrolet’s 100-year heritage of designing expressive vehicles in the brand’s newest market.

According to GM Korea President and CEO Mike Arcamone, “‘Mi-ray’ is Korean for ‘future.’ As GM rolls out Chevrolet across Korea, the Mi-ray concept offers an exploration of future possibilities for the brand. It strengthens the bond between car and driver, creating a fresh look at what sports cars of the future might be.”

The Mi-ray was developed at the GM Advanced Design Studio in Seoul. Combining cutting-edge hybrid propulsion technology and advanced styling, it balances iconic Chevrolet design cues with a future design vision as Chevrolet celebrates its centennial in 2011.

Classic Exterior

The Mi-ray pays tribute to Chevrolet’s sports car heritage. It is small and open like the 1963 Monza SS, and light and purposeful like the 1962 Corvair Super Spyder. Its aerodynamic fuselage is reminiscent of modern jet fighters.

Made of carbon fiber and CFRP (carbon fiber-reinforced plastic), the wedged body side is divided by an angled character line, with ambient lighting underneath. This accent creates a sweeping line of light when the car is in motion, bringing a warm glow to the sculptured body. Le Mans racer-style scissor doors open up and out of the way for dramatic access to the interior.

The powerful front end offers a reinterpretation of the Chevrolet face. The Mi-ray’s dual port grille is flanked by LED headlamps with new signature daytime running lamps. The front and rear fenders evoke Chevrolet Corvettes of the past and express the concept’s sports car spirit. At the corners, carbon-fiber spoilers help control down force and airflow.

Distinctive retractable flaps provide additional airflow control while providing access to the charge port on one side and the fuel filler on the other. The charge port also features an external battery charge indicator. Each rear fender contains individual cargo space for the storage of small items. Under the ducktail surface, the taillamps provide a new interpretation of Chevrolet’s twin element identity.

The Mi-ray features aluminum-carbon fiber composite 20-inch wheels in front and 21-inch wheels in the rear. The strong turbine theme evokes movement, even when the Mi-ray is stationary.

The heavily tapered top view enhances the Mi-ray’s purposeful image. From above, the cabin has a unique diamond shape.

Sporty Interior

The interior of the Mi-ray echoes Chevrolet’s racing heritage. As with the exterior, it takes inspiration from jet fighters. The Mi-ray contains a melange of brushed aluminum, natural leather, white fabric and liquid metal surfaces, for an overall effect of sculptural velocity.

The interior compartment is surrounded by a carbon fiber shell, which gives it a lightweight yet rigid structure. Its flowing, yet slightly tensioned, twin cockpit tightly wraps around the driver and passenger. The cockpit is driver focused, drawing inspiration from the iconic Chevrolet sports car. However, the passenger is also fully engaged in the driving experience.

Asymmetric seats flow from the door, forming a symmetric interior that gives the driver a feeling of being fully connected with the car. Ambient lighting, which starts from the upper instrument panel and flows into the seat back area, adds a sense of luxury. Seat cushions and headrests are connected by the lightweight carbon fiber shell and mounted on a single aluminum rail. The headrest area follows the exterior form, integrating with an air scarf for open-air driving.

Designers took a unique approach to displaying information, 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. This eliminates unnecessary visual clutter, allowing the driver to focus on the thrill of driving.

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.

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.

Retractable rearview cameras, which replace traditional rearview mirrors, extend from the side glass electrically. In city driving, the forward-facing camera operates in conjunction with GPS to overlay navigation information with real-time video.

Fuel-Efficient, High-Performance Propulsion System

The Mi-ray features a concept “mid-electric” propulsion system, located primarily behind and beneath the driver, that maximizes performance and fuel efficiency.

“Many of the components in the Mi-ray’s propulsion system are a logical extension of GM’s current technology portfolio,” said Uwe Grebe, executive director for GM Powertrain Advanced Engineering. “The concept shows the potential for reconfiguring, rescaling and extending today’s propulsion technologies.”

The Mi-ray is propelled by two front-mounted 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.

For performance driving, the Mi-ray’s 1.5-liter four-cylinder turbocharged engine combines with the electric motors, providing spirited torque control to both the left and right wheels as needed. The high-tech engine, mounted behind the cockpit, drives the rear wheels while seamlessly integrating electrification technology that defines a new standard in the compact roadster segment.

A dual-clutch transmission (DCT) enables a reduction in the powertrain’s size by eliminating the torque converter. Shifts are quick and firm. The shift pattern has been tuned for improved top speed in performance mode. A start-stop system works in conjunction with the DCT.

“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,” said Arcamone. “By combining GM propulsion technology and visionary design, the Mi-ray points to the future of Chevrolets around the globe – expressive, youthful and entertaining.”

[Satty]

Neat

[Drew Dowdell]

Wow!

[Croc]

That's actually pretty cool!

[Intrepidation]

That looks like something Max Steel would drive. Badass.

[SAmadei]

Going out on a limb here, I wonder if that nose ends up on the 6th gen Camaro?

I like it from some angles, but not from all. Obviously, my biggest (irony?) gripe is its too small.

[Z-06]

Kappa 2.0? Me likes. GM is showing some hope.

[loki]

Kappa 2.0? Me likes. GM is showing some hope.

that'd be awesome. but a mid/rear engine....Bengal?! WHA?!!

i like it... looks MEAN!

[crunksoulbrotha!!`]

If this happens 2 go into production in some form,it should be branded as a Buick, and call it the Bengal like Loki suggested.

[Camino LS6]

Am I the only one to find this design to be somewhat... confused?

[balthazar]

^ No you're not. Front-on view is pretty good, a mean chunky lil monkey, but turn to quarter views and there's way too much going on & stacked up. Might make a far better design at 190"; it looks stylistically compacted. It needs some clean up aft of the pass compartment... but it's still got a lot of buzz potential.

I saw 'Mi-ray' and read 'Mini-ray', as in a mini Manta Ray, for some reason.

[Camino LS6]

Agreed on the front.

It's those 3/4 shots that leave me a bit queasy.

[Robert Hall]

Seems a bit thick visually..maybe take 4-6 inches out of the car vertically..interesting front and rear detailing..

[ocnblu]

I think it's brazen. And I am immensely proud of Chevrolet's acknowledgment and ownership of the Corvair and its unique chapter in their history. Even though it took 42 years for them to utter the word after the car went out of production.

It does need a simple, powerful Ecotec if it reaches production, though.

Edited April 1, 2011 by ocnblu

[67impss]

I'm getting the Monza vibe and all of the Corvette talk is reminding me of the Corvette as it's own brand talk. This may be Kappa II and a direction back to Monza Spyders of yore in a modern suit. Hope this isn't an April Fools early as this is across the International date line.

[hyperv6]

Am I the only one to find this design to be somewhat... confused?

No I am with you. While parts of it look fine others just don't work well with each other.

I like the nose from the front. The rest of the car has some neat things but just too many neat things on one small car. Like I have said before often less is more.

I suspect we will see parts of this car used on other cars in the future. Right now I really do not see a cheap roadster coming from Chevy in the near future.

[Croc]

After looking at the slideshow again...yea I don't like it. Like you guys are saying--way too much going on. Beltline is too high, too many competing lines, the rear 3/4 is a mess, and that interior is useless. But head-on it makes one hell of a good first impression.

[ocnblu]

I like it. It is a tribute to a lot of sporty Chevrolets besides the Corvair and her Concepts. I see a little Mako Shark in there, and ultimately, '63 Corvette.

The idea of a mid-engine, sub-Corvette sports car in the lineup is an exciting one... as the 'Vette should remain front engine/RWD forever. This is a great way to bring to fruition 40+ years of rumor surrounding a mid-engine Corvette, while avoiding gambling with the holy name of Corvette.

This blows any and all tiny mid-engine sports cars away. Toyota Mister2 quickly becomes Number2 (in the bathroom sense, ahem.)

Electric propulsion is the only questionable aspect of it... that and a windshield and roof. A 2.0 Turbo Ecotec and 6-speed manual would make it real, along with some productionized details.

Edited April 3, 2011 by ocnblu

[hyperv6]

To me this looks like one of those Fiero Lambo kit cars on a stock length Fiero space frame.

One part of good styling is size matters. If this were a little larger car it could pull this off. As it is it reminds me of a Mako Shark on a Opel GT platform.

Example

Lambo kit on stock Fiero chassis.

Lambo kit on a properly sized chassis.

I think this styling world work better on a larger car like a Vette.

[hyperv6]

I was just thinking how about that nose sized for a new Impala? Make this the future face of Chevy. It hints at the new C7 and still carries the Chevy theme.